Singaporian Shenanigans

I sat in the sky thinking how it was possibly time to get some vengence on the pigeons... I mean, from way up here, I could probably shit on their heads for a change.... But really I was probably just trying to find distraction from the flight...

Things weren't looking too good either - I'd bought a salad in the airport (because apparently airplane food isn't that good) and had just cracked it open when an announcement bounced around the cabin  "No outside food or drinks are to be consumed on the flight." ... I snuck nibbles of it anyway - but I've never felt so guilty eating a salad!!!

The nice gentleman next to me was kind enough to help distract the stewardesses too and a great source of in flight entertainment to the point that I didn't even realise we'd touched down.

 I was feeling pretty smug stepping off the plane - knowing for a change where I was going and where we'd be sleeping that night. In fact I'd even watched the YouTube clip (http://youtu.be/ooIq3QNZMg4) to see exactly how to get to my hostel from the airport and it was just as easy as it had seemed although they forgot to mention that we'd be doing it in the heat....

Yes, welcome to Singapore, where it's a sunny 31 degrees - day or night, rain or shine and always 80% humidity. I'd sweated so much getting to the hostel that I didn't need a shower.

Preparations for the year of the monkey

 The Beary Best Hostel was a good find -  just the right mix of phenomenal human specimens and a plethora of stuffed toys to make Teddy feel quite at home. In fact, as I'd lugged him down the street from the Chinatown MRT station, people had kept on pointing us in the right direction. And then there were things like free breakfast and air con and seriously comfy beds and well, I knew I was in good hands for the next few days.

My kind of place

I'd only once briefly touched down in Singapore before and I'd spent all my time photographing the don't signs. This time was different - this time I was out to push the limits. I went barefoot when it wasn't allowed; I licked statues labeled "Do not touch"; I even went as far as doing the forbidden act of chewing gum... yes that's right, this Gypsy lives dangerously!

The city didn't fail to impress, and when I'd had enough of buildings and mind-blowing architecture, there was the Botanical Gardens and Orchid sanctuary and a long bike ride down the East Coast Pathway and and and...  they really do do things properly in Singapore! 

Getting excited about "Golden Showers"

Singapore, a city so advanced that even visitors transform

New friends were made, and old friends were reunited with and for a person who doesn't like cities, I think Singapore surprised me a lot!

The only thing I failed to do, yet again, was to lick the president.

The future of the world (I hope)

Ted Talks

Well, it's about time Adeena finally let me say something! Jeepers!! - I get lugged around the freaking planet for four and a half years and dragged through all sorts of shit being tied to bicycles and motorbikes and yachts and then she goes and shares her side of the near death experience (because lets be honest, every adventure has a near death experience) seeing some positive light and being all optimistic about our failed suicide attempts that I tried to talk her out of... what the flip?

Central Coast, Australia

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Cameron Highlands, Malaysia

Somewhere, Vietnam

Martinique

Colon, Panama

No, I think the only reason she keeps me around is because nobody else is stupid enough to venture out with her. Don't get me wrong, she really is a lovely girl; but she's clearly flipping unlucky, or got terrible karma, or something!
I mean, how many people do you know who have been shipwrecked and marooned on a desert island, been attacked by both dogs and pirates, fallen into a volcano, had far too close for comfort unplanned encounters with sharks and lions and komodo dragons and molestorisers and a leopard and cassowaries, been involved in 8 motorbike and 9 bicycle crashes, lost their rigging and got stuck at sea for months...!? The answer I'm sure you'll agree is one: Adeena.
Actually, I'll be honest - the only reason I stick around is because I can't run away - my legs are stuffed!

You don't have to look hard to see how I've deteriorated over the years

No, I really don't get it! She's on this big mission to flightlessly travel from Australia to Spain and after 5 years and a month, she's 3944 km further away than she was when she started.
Yes, okay I'll give her credit - she's gotten close - she's dragged me through some 27 countries and we've been around the world once, but how do you just miss Spain? It's right in the middle!

And don't even get me started on accommodation!
Adeena's happy to sleep in a cave or on a beach, or in a weed plantation, or a cinema, or restaurant, or on a strangers floor - but that's only because I'm her freaking pillow. Give me a night at the Hilton for once?? Although they probably won't let her in - she doesn't have shoes.

A bar in Malaysia

On a stranger's floor in Lankawi when she lost me for 3 days.

This is not okay!

Yes this looks like an ideal setting, but after the sun disappeared, this transformed into a bed for the night.

Adeena's definition of luxury accommodation: camping

Yes she got me my own passport - but I know they're thinking it every time I walk through border control- "Wonder what he's laced with?" - Right? No normal grown up carries a teddy my size with them unless they're up to no good. Do you know what it's like to be scanned and dogged and constantly probed by weird men and hairy ladies in uniforms?
And on that note too - it's thanks to her that I've had so many run ins with the law and it's upholders.

Orange isn't even my colour!

Okay, it's not all bad.
I've seen and experienced some amazing things that most people can only dream of.
And being the cute furry co-gypsy has some perks

I'm not normally into men, but I'll tolerate this kind of thing

No, it's a hard life being the side-kick; but Adeena promises that this year will be different!
It's only January and she has already locked in 2 flights (which is a lot for someone who doesn't fly), a bicycle tour, a family reunion, and a shower.
She's even talking about finishing both her circumnavigation and this crazy mission to Spain.
It might actually be a good year.
No, stuff that, it's going to be freaking fantastic!