Dear all,

So much has happened already! Flights boring but bearable. Switched to singapore time easily with the help of siestas. Food is very english was tickled to see waitrose granola in the local grocery store. Mangostines are my new favourite fruit. Night time swims in the local lit pool are a must followed by reading on the loungers with a late 10 dinner (waiting that long for dinner took me some getting used to!) Have walked barefoot down the streets with the monsoon rain gushing over my feet - attempted to play pooh sticks in the storm drains which was impossible! Kids and family I am staying with here are so lovely and make great company. They play outside until mozzie hour begins, drawing with chalk on the terrace and putting goggles on to go out into the rain - the water guns seem pointless when you are wet through already! Went to the zoo which is naturally set in Jungle and the animals open air, so much kinder to them and you can get alot closer! Photos will demonstrate. Also went to national Singapore gallery which was very interesting - food, fashion, photography and history. Jazz in the botanical gardens was wonderful. Smells damp after rain instead of fresh like inside the eden project but real! Earplugs are a must with the air conditioning (a cool 25 degrees in my room) I am woken each morning by a cockeral, parrots and tropical bird sounds. Cold stone throughout the house is refreshing on the feet. Humidity takes some getting used to - I feel burnt all the time from it, even though i have yet to see the sun (it has been cloudy with heavy rainstorms here) strange sensation. We were forced to eat our takeaway soupy, spicy noodles on the street side under the metal reinforced awnings when the rain hit unexpectedly. All great fun though. It is very cool here, reletively of course. So I have yet to experience the full force of the heat. So clean. So safe. So friendly. Incredible houses - all rented as they are too expensive to own. Planning to go to chinatown tomrrow and to see the buddha (dubious spelling) temple. Hope that quells your questions for now! Lots of love to all XXXX