New Years Eve

I got up and about for 10ish, a lie in at last! and went out to get some breakfast and a wander around. and I walked through a maze of high-rise buildings until I made my way on to Orchard Street - The Oxford Street of Singapore. This turned out to be the equivalent of The Trafford Centre combined with King Street combined with Bond Street and wend on for about a mile and half on 2 sides of the wide road. Shopping Mall after Shopping mall all seemingly virtually interlinked or if not only about a 40 yard gap to cross a road then in to the next. If your married never ever bring a credit card happy wife here you'll be broke before you get to the 3rd Mall.
Walking back down the Main street I found a Metro Station and bought a pass and took the line to China town. I wandered around for a while and then found a restaurant foll of locals so figured it was a good place to eat, and it was, I got a huge bowl of Noodles and green leaves with stewed beef and 2 large beers for about S$15 and it was really good. Moving on up the road I came across The People's Park Complex a huge mall come Market hall dull of tiny Shops selling everything under the Sun. On the grond floor was the Chinese Hawkers Market and food court. Hundreds of small independent food outlets selling many wierd and wonderful Chinese dishes. Note to come back here!
Still with time on my hands and keen to see more of the island I jumped back on the Metro and decided to take the big loop line around the island figuring that it wouldn't be underground all the way. It took me about one and a half hours to do the complete round trip and once out of the city centre the trains ran on an elevated trackway around the rest of the island. I hadn't realised the Island of Singapore was so big. The line passed through many complexes of apartment blocks and also past big lakes and industrial areas. By the time I got back into the city it was about 7ish and I headed back to the Hotel calling in at the Petrol Station next door to the hoel for some relatively cheaper booze and some sandwiches which I had in the room before getting changed and going out to see in the New Year.
I walked back down towards Clark Quay on the river and as I crossed over an area of park lad suddenly noticed some wierd flying LED lit 'planes' above me. It turns out they are powered kites and are amazing. Covered in LED's and made from fibre-rods and lightweight material tye have a single flexible prop at the front. The guys that were flying them were amazing, doing loop-the-loops, twists and turns and apparently they are very easy to master. Go and look at the video at www.goflykite.com.sg I want one of those!
Walking down the river everyone was getting in the spirit (very expensive spirit) but the atmosphere was really relaxed. Eventually I got down to just next to the Esplanade Boulevard bridge which was 'the' place to watch the fireworks (as told to me by the friendly customs lady) the crouds were huge but I eventually got close to the bridge but a police auxillary was letting people out but not on to the Bridge . The Bridge is a huge dual carriageway road which has been closed for the night across the edge of the Harbour bay area. Suddenly the officer went to the left to stop some one climbing over the barrier about 30yds down, in unison about 100 people including me went for the gap, and we were in! I had no choice (honest) I was virtually at the front of the crowd and the 80 behind decided it for us. Now sorry to sound selfish but it was at this point I realized how good it was to be there on my own. There were hundreds of people and many were all ringing each other to try and meet up or regroup, I could go anywhere with out having to worry about where the rest of the group was. But it was also a bit sad that I wasn't able to directly share it with anyone else.
The firework show was amazing and went on for about 8 minutes and just seemed to get bigger and louder as it did. Still the atmosphere was electric but happy and chilled.
Walking back after loads of people we just chilling on the grassy banks or partying with others, no one was aggressive and everyone was out for a good time. One thing i did notes was the little and rubbish - This is a really big thing for Singapore, it's a big no-no, S$500 on the spot fines for the first offence an even imprisonment of community service if you get caught a 2nd time dropping litter. Oh and chewing gum is completely banned here too, and crossing the road except at a recognised crossing, and you have to wait for the green man, Serious. (The enforcement officers must all have had a night off tonight)
I wandered back to the hotel slowly taking pic's as I went and eventually got back about 3am. Shattered after a long day out about.
Happy New Year all.
PS it was at 4PM UK when we celebrated, Thanks to all those who rang me at 8AM (local) to wish me Happy New Year UK time - it was appreciated.