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It's not all going according to plan!

I have been to 2 Apple stores in Singapore to sort out various issues, they have been immensely helpful but the time needed to get there and solve my queries was not on the schedule so I am running quite behind time. For that reason I've booked to stay on another 3 days.

The biggest disappointment yesterday was finding out that the way I had planned to get to KL from here is no longer an option. The train I was going to take doesn't run any more. You have to go back to Gemas, half way up Malaysia, for the connection west to KL, plus getting to Gemas involves 3 separate train journeys and the crossing of 2 borders with ridiculously tight changeovers. I couldn't cope with that so instead I'm having to go by coach. When I booked the ticket today the lady at the counter told me to make sure I had the Exit part of my D/E card (the disembarkation/embarkation card you fill in when you arrive) to show at the border as without that you get fined. Oh dear, what Exit card? Have hunted high and low but haven't got it.

So yet again another morning will be spent chasing my tail, I can only think of going to the British Consulate to ask for their advice. I suppose it could be worse, tomorrow could be a Saturday and then it wouldn't be open until Monday morning and that's when I'm due to leave. Well that's the plan but as I said in the heading there is very little that is going according to plan.

Talking of which, one of my chief ambitions in Singapore was to run the East Coasr parkrun, but they've just cancelled it due to the ongoing virus threat. This might actually be a blessing in disguise as,  despite having 3 pairs of Birkinstocks and 1 pair of running shoes in my case,  I have such a huge blister under my left little toe that the only thing I can bear having on my feet is a 79p pair of flip flops that I brought with me to wear in the shower! Not sure they'd be the most sensible things on my feet whilst running 5k.

But I did mange something today, I took myself over to Marina Bay to look at the extraordinary Gardens By The Bay, just magnificent and not too crowded. I was running so late one way or another that I was there for the 19:45 Light Show, not only breathtaking but all done to a stream of opera classics. What better way to soothe my soul and make me forget temporarily all the problems besetting this trip than opera arias played  majestically loudly over the speakers?

Some photos below taken at various points in Gardens By The Bay.









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