“Some think they make a trip, in fact, it is the journey that makes you or you defeated.” Nicolas Bouvier

The night train is on track, with (ô joie !) a client of the job in the same wagon, which proved talkative but friendly, bringing us tea and coffee when the few wake up (And the word is weak !) hours dozed. Barely seen Paris, a strike (Yes again) made us change RER, but nothing serious after the almost eleven hours spent on the train and the twelve waiting for us on the plane ! Plus Parisians can be cool, especially the one who kindly carried my cousin's suitcase up a broken escalator (maybe they wanted to go on strike too !).

Customs passed, barefoot but without problem and we embark around 11:30 am. First for me in such a big and wide plane (Like on TV !), with a screen behind each seat, very useful to kill the long hours of flights, between movies (The Dark Knight, Indiana Jones, The Simpsons… in english of course !), games and music for meal breaks. Very caring hostesses and stewards, I remember the distribution of hot towels before the two meals, that relieve tired eyes !

On Tuesday 25 November, it's 7am, local hour (midnight in France), when the Boeing 777 lands on the tarmac of the track. Visa for Singapore slipped in the passport we will collect our luggage and hang around the airport for a moment, between quick toilet, coffee and information. An hour later we rush into the MRT (Mass Rapid Transit), leaving Changi Airport for Outram Park, the stop closest to our hotel, located on the edge of China Town. After a difficult discussion (in english and tired) on credit cards, of debits, deposits and breakfasts, the receptionist of the Hotel Re finds us a room already free. We hang out there until 2 p.m., to take a shower and allow yourself an hour of nap.

Et direction China Town, in the tropical heat, we wander in the streets where typical buildings and houses mix, sometimes atypical… Just like the mood of people, some are cold, others playful, like this merchant in the Chinatown Complex (boui-boui with local flavors, markets where you can find everything…), who recommends some places. We follow his directions to Boat Quay, street along the Singapore river. Late afternoon, fatigue and heavy legs make us stop at a pub by the water to sip a well-deserved beer ! Night falls on our palavers and offers us a superb view of this corner of Singapore, as we return to the hotel. After a stop at Burger King (yes good well this afternoon, we have already tested the local food, lost among Singaporeans !), we came across a cybercafé from where I am writing to you (horribly expensive internet at the hotel !)…

I don't know when I might repost, but all is well on this side of the globe ! If it's not the fatigue that makes me leave you… the journey has undone me ! To be continued…