We arrived on the night of the 28th and were met at the airport by Peter, our new Principal. We checked in to the Peninsula Excelsior Hotel, our home for the first 2 weeks. It is right across from the Fire Station Luke!
Meanwhile we have managed to begin a new fitness routine (again), eat some fabulous food favourites and buy some more shoes. Am pleased to assure our doubting friends from OZ that you can buy good wine for about $20 off the supermarket shelf, so you don't need to worry for us any longer. We both have new mobile numbers so you should get a text from us soon. If not, send us an email.
Last night we joined the other new recruits on a Chinese Junk for a harbor cruise. It began quite near the new triple tower casino and Singapore Flyer and made it as far as Sentosa Island (in time to view their water and lights show) before turning about. With international time differences we began welcoming in the new year at 6pm for the Kiwis, 9pm for the Vics and NSW mob, 10pm for Qlders even though there weren't any, 10.30 for those from the NT. Then at last it was only 1 and half hrs to the real thing.
Even though Christmas decorations are still up all over the place, New Years Eve is a big celebration here. Where Chinese New Year is traditionally a family feast with the city streets pretty quiet and even retail closes down, this one is a big party. It seems everyone is on the streets and by the riverside and there are huge fireworks and music entertainment at the quay, lots of streets are closed off for pedestrians. We feel like pikers but just don't feel like mixing it in all the crowds when we are a bit weary. Hope your NYE celebrations were fun and that 2012 (Year of the Dragon) is a good one for you.
