Did I mention how much I love Singapore. It is fantastic. as you can see from these photos the contrasts are amazing, from the beaches near the aquarium to the huge skyscrapers being built by the thousands (I don't think these people are suffering from an economic depression to say the least) and the religions that mix comfortably. I love the mynas in the morning (I got up at 5:30 AM since I went to sleep at 9 pm!) and the quiet and watching the men go to mosque or temple or wherever they are headed in their sarongs and caps and white shirts. No women to be seen this early in the morning but I'm sure they are rushing around to their offices downtown. Here in Little India the pace seems very leisurely, especially early in the morning. It's about 78% with an almost 100% humidity. I'm loving it and so is my skin. Today is the day to go to the zoo and do some research about tomorrow's departure and where in the heck am I going? Straight to Kuala Lumpur on the much advertized air conditioned bus or go with the poor folks and catch the train? Yesterday was a major and I mean major downpour, but luckily I was undercover at the pub drinking a glass of red wine after a new tatoo. Yes folks, pics are soon to arrive... catch you later, need ...... more ..... coffee......

my favorite photos from my first day in Singapore, which include around the hostel where I am staying in Little India, my new best friend Olya, a great Ukranian chick staying at the hostel who turned out to be a marine biologist on the Great Barrier Reef who had an appointment with the folks at the Singapore Acquarium and asked me to come along. It was amazing.... now I'm going to bed at 8 pm cause I got jet lag bad

Sitting on the porch of the backpackers' hostel "The Inn Crowd" in Little India in Singapore, wow. I'm the only "aged" person around but everybody smiles and is sweet to the little old lady finding her way around the free coffee, toast and hardboiled egg breakfast that the hostel offers. Everybody is "blogging and twittering and iPoding and texting" and God knows what else on their electronic devices. There is free, city-wide wireless in Singapore :) Listen Up America! The also have free mosquitos! That are munching on my ankles this morning. I made friends with Olga, a girl from the Ukraine and a marine biologist so we are pretty much hanging out together today and the she has an appointment with the Acquarium in Singapore and asked me to come along! Yay! I'm so excited about everything. Olga also said the this area, Little India, is the last remaining old part of Singapore and so it's extra special. She's been here about 7 - 8 times she said and just discovered this part of town, so I really lucked out. Here's some photos folks, Olga and I are going shopping!

getting closer and closer and closer oh my

Wow, Sunday is coming up fast! I've packed my backpack about 50 times in my brain while I'm trying to sleep (not). I'm only reserved the first 3 nights at a Singapore Hostel (The InnCrowd :o ) and then it's on the road, first stop the train station to get a ticket for Kuala Lumpur.... and then on to Bangkok. But first some exploring the east coast beaches. God I love this place, it will be hard to leave here.

Here's a cute little video...

I feel like a racehorse getting ridden into the starting gate

I'm scared and excited and wondering what in the hell... anybody know a cool place to stay in Singapore? And any other ideas about the Malasia and Thailand and India and Bangladesh and Nepal and so on is more than welcome. So I'm thinking: buy a donkey in Bangkok and ride it to Kathmandu.... poor donkey. But they might let me through Burma that way. I mean, what crazy woman would ride a donkey through the country? She must be a devil. And so leave her alone to do her thing. I will keep you posted.

stay in my place while I'm travelling the world!

For anyone interested in staying in a very RUSTIC place but with lots of charm, near the ocean, you are welcome to come stay here.... let me know by email that you wish to go while I'm away and I will set it up for you. Giulialatini@hotmail.com