Unofficially, the backpacking trip ended last June 25th, when I returned to Singapore from Kuala Lumpur. Still, I wanted to end it on the 30th, as I originally intended, since I’m still on holiday until today, even if I am suitcasing, rather than backpacking. Admittedly I have been taking it too easy when I got back. Work starts in less than 24 hours, and I wanted to get plenty of rest before I start staying up all night again.
I woke up at the usual 8am, bleary eyed yet fully awake. There’s something about this day though, that makes me just want to stay at home and curl up in bed with my book.
I set out just before lunch to catch the bus to Orchard Road. I needed to change some money, and I’ve been told that Lucky Plaza is the place to go. Since I was already in the area, I thought I’d have some fried prawn noodle at Wistma Atria, and check out the Kinokuniya bookstore inside Takashimaya.
I really did plan on resting on my first couple of days back in Singapore. But as you can see, just after the first day, I was bored out of my mind. I didn’t have plans today as well, so I thought I joined my brother and his family at their hotel for an afternoon at the pool.
I wanted to wake up at 10am, but woke up two hours prior. I stumble out of my niece’s room, and the first thing I see is the CNN headline that Michael Jackson has died. Great way to start any morning.
I’m writing this entry from the dining table at my brother’s flat in Singapore. I was stamped back into the country at 8pm this evening, and for the first time in the three weeks I’ve been traveling, I’ll be staying in one country for more than six days. I’m sad that I had to cut the Malaysian leg of the trip short, but I can’t even begin to tell you how relieved I felt when I finally set foot inside the front door.
I slept pretty well in my room, but I felt rather down when I woke up. There were just too many things going through my head. I got up to go to the beach, sat under the shade and watched the waves lapping gently on the shore.
I woke up early once more, since I need to catch that 7:30 ferry from Kuala Besut to the Perhentians. My window overlooks the Watercolours office in Kuala Besut, and I was pleased to see that they were already open at 7 in the morning. I packed up my bags once more and headed down to the office.
Nina, going through quarterlife crisis, decided to stop talking about traveling and actually start traveling. Starting with a solo weekend trip to Cebu to a backpacking trip in Thailand and Singapore, she finally made it out of Asia and into Australia. After spending close to six months down under, she's happily settled in Manila (for now), intent to explore the best things the Philippines has to offer.
