The Southwest, October 28.

We saw the climbing tree near Manjimup. The steps are so far apart that you culd easily fall through if you slipped. I decided to give it a miss. We went on to Walpole and did the treetop walk through the giant Red & Yellow Tingle trees. These trees are unique to SW Australia. On our way back we drove through the forest for several hundred Km to Cape Leuwin, the point where you have the South Atlantic Ocean on the south side of the headland and the Indian Ocean on the West side. We had hoped for a spectacular sunset but the clouds rolled in. We had supper in Margaret River which right in the middle of the SW Australian wine district. It turned out to a BYO (bring your own bottle) and we did not have any but the food was good.

Cape Leuwin Lighthouse

Eileen in Tingle Tree &

Eileen on skytop walk

Perth; October 27

We were both up around 6:30 but it was still a bit of a rush to make the 8:45 tour boat to Freemantle and thence by seagong catamaran to Rottnest Island. Rottnest Island is about 12 Km off the coast slightly north of Freemantle. It is a great distination for day tripping. It has beautiful beaches and there are no cars. We took the glass bottom boat ride out to the reefs to see the fish and two shipwrecks which are over 100 years old. Then we took a the train to the highest point of the Islan which contain a World war II 9.2 inch gun emplacement and great views including the Perth skyline. We then had supper in Freemantle and observed the night life before heading south to Bunbury for the night.

Singapore-Perth; October 26.

An early start for the 5 hour flight from Singapore to Perth, but everything went well, and we got into Perth around 2:30pm. Got the car and headed for the hotel. Had a bit of time finding it but did. Took a drive over to Freemantle along the north shore of the Swan River and back along the south. We got to see a really great sunset over the Indian Ocean. Unfortunately there was no place to stop, so no pictures. Later we went downtown Perth and had supper in a genuine Australian Pub at the corner of Hay & Barrack Streets.

Singapore; Wednesday, Oct 25.

Feeling so much better after an horizontal nights sleep, we took the Hop on, Hop off bus and got a tour of the north central area. Little India was all decorated up. We then switched buses and headed out to the Botanical Gardens which are on the highest point in the city, still not very high but slightly cooler, temperatures in the low 30°,s. We spent a very pleasant couple of hours walking through the park and communing with the hundreds of Orchids in the Orchid Gardens. Singapore claims to be the Orchid capital of the world. Many hybrids are developed here. There is a special garden called the VIP garden which displays new orchids named after many famous visitors to Singapore, including Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher. The intensity of the display is sometimes almost overwhelming and the layout of the gardens is really carefully thought out to maximize the effect.

As out bus left the gardens it started to rain heavily, that put paid to our plan to go for a ride on a bum boat, as the local boats are called in the harbour. Instead we went back to the hotel for a nap. Later we took a bus trip to the Night Safari. This is a Zoo of nocturnal animals. It includes elephants, Lions, Tigers, the worlds largest rodents, several varieties of deer and many others. The illumination is faint approximating moonlight under a full moon. You go on a forty minute tram ride, actually it is more like the people mover at Niagra Falls than a tram, around through the rainforest to see all the animals in their night time activities. The fact that it was raining in the rain forest - did I really say that - put a bit of a damper on things, but it was still a unique experience. The evening at the zoo ended with a performance by a group from Borneo who apparently have given up head hunting for flame throwing. We ended the evening at the Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel for a couple of Singapore Slings (a concoction of Gin, Cointreau, & Cherry Brandy shaken with Lime & Pineappe juices, with a dash of Angostura Bitters & Grenadine. A great way to end the night. We got a taxi back to our hotel. Sorry no pictures. Had trouble getting them to load. Will try again tomoorow or Sat.

Singapore; Tuesday; Oct 24. (4)

We stoppped for Supper at the Fullerton Hotel (outside along the water). I had rack of lamb and Eileen had roasted cod. They were really excellent and the price at CAD$ $30 not bad but the bottle of Yarra Valley White came in at CAD$80!!!. I guess there are no local wines in Singapore. We crashed about Midnight in our first beds since Saturday night.

Singapore; Tuesday; Oct 24. (3).

Looking back across Marina Bay towards our Hotel, the one with the blue sign to the left of the Oriental, is a really brilliant view.

Singapore; Tuesday; Oct 24. (2)

After freshening up we took a walk down to Marina Bay and walked along the shore to the Esplanade Bridge where the "Lion" is.(next picture).

Singapore; Tuesday; Oct 24. (1)

We finally got into Singapore at about 7:30 pm. Our Hotel, The Pan Pacific, is really great. Picture is view from our balcony on the 19th. Floor.

Singapore: October 24

We made it Singapore at about 7:30 or so. Our Hotel - the Pan Pacific is beautiful and is close to Marina Bay and the waterfront.

Kuala Luimpur: October 24, 14:34

Yes, I know that Kuala Lumpur was not on the itinerary but guess what: Our flight from LA to Singapore was cancelled due to engine trouble and so all 160 people were rerouted on Air Malaysia via Taipei to Kuala Lumpur. So we will arrive in Singapore at about 6pm today just 4 hours behind our original schedule. Having been to Singapore and Hong Kong before and seen how efficient things operate in this part of the world I had very high expectations. But Singapore Airlines did way better than I expected, in fact apart from the original problem which can happen at any time their planning and performance were superb. Tired but on track. More when I get some sleep.

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