Singapore

I arrived in Singapore in the evening of the 30th. The Qantas flight was good and didn't seem like 5hours. The walk from the gate to Immigration took ages and then I went down to the Baggage Claim and waited and waited and waited. Eventually a supervisor came over as there were 2 of us left at the carousel. She radioed someone and assured us our bags were on the way. Eventually they came through but surprise surprise we both got stopped at Customs. Not sure why they stopped the other passenger but they rescanned my bag and then wanted me to open it. Apparently it was becaus I was carrying a folding camping Knife Fork Spoon Set but it was passed as ok and also because my PackSafe Metal Mesh was folded in the bag and was giving a funny reading. THe lady customs officer was so apologetic about stopping me and even told me the best place to go and see the New Year's Fireworks the next Night. Once past the custom's I went out to the Arrivals hall to work out how to get to the Hotel and found a shuttle bus service to the Hotel for S$9 (4GBP'ish) and then went out side to wait and then the humidity hit. Blimey it was warm! The bus took about 15 mins to arrive and then about another 40 mins to do the rounds of the Hotels till I got to mine which was just up the River from the City Centre. My initial impression was wow... no one is beeping and everyone is in lanes, my first post-India 'reverse' culture shock.
The Miramar hotel was a typical city centre Business/Tourist Hotel with lounges on the ground floor and 16 floors of rooms. The bedroom could have been any-room, Anywhere.
Duming the bags I took a walk out of the hotel and armed with a city map headed down-river, and after about 10 minutes I came to Clark Quay, a huge Complex of restaurants, bars and clubs all linked in a star fashion a central square. The buildings looked like they had all been refurbished but to be honest it could have been new-build. One the 'streets about 3 stories up were huge semitransparent umbrella type canopies all inter locking to give complete coverage from any rain and then on the columns were A/C blowers pointing down the 'streets. This is the fistplace I've everbeen where whole outdoor streets are air-conditioned!
I looked in at a few of the bars and got my first price-wake up S$17 for a pint of lager - that's at least 8 quid a pint!!! I never even bothered to look at the food prices but they were all double figures. I kept on walking then a Burger King just sort of jumped out at me and at 5 quid for a complete meal (alright Iced Tea not Beer) but a real beef burger it had to be done.
I wandered round the area for sort while then went back to the hotel and enquired about the 'free' WiFi - which turned out to 10 ponds an hour. Something was telling me this was a damn expensive place. Time for sleep.