So this is it, the final Odyssey post. Whilst it will be short in some respects as there is not much to tell in relation to things done there, it will be longer and fairly reflective on the last six months as a whole - so stay tuned if you wish!
So as always, I'll start with the border crossing. I've done this one before, only in reverse and I remember it being particularly easy. It all started well with us being quickly stamped out of Malaysia. When we got to the Singapore side we hit a couple of glitches - firstly Teresa was pulled to the side and questioned over a bottle of wine. She had been given it as a gift from the guys that left in KL but unfortunately you are not allowed to enter Singapore with alcohol. She was eventually allowed through once they noticed the bottle had been opened (she had been advised to do this) as it was then classed as 'consumed'. Whilst we had been waiting for her we realised we had another problem, our bus driver had turned round and was back in Malaysia! After a few phone calls from Simon, he headed back and we were soon on our way to the hotel. We only had one night in this hotel as part of the Odyssey trip but myself and Jo had booked another 2 nights there so we could spend some more time in Singapore before our onward flights.
The first thing on the agenda was food, it was mid afternoon and we had set off around 8 so we were all pretty hungry. I am sad to say that the nearest place was McDonald's - I had my first McDs since leaving home and I can't even say I enjoyed it, I ate it too quickly to even taste it!
After that was done it was time to get ready for our final group activity - the Singapore Sling at Raffles. Now, this is my third visit to Singapore and I had yet to try the Singapore Sling here, where it was invented much to the disdain of my friend Susan. This time though, it was an included activity and a chance to raise a final farewell to the remaining trip members (and Susan!).
So with our best Odyssey gladrags on, off we headed. Now Raffles is a posh 5* hotel, with the price tag to go with it, but the Long Bar is fairly casual and it is traditional there to eat peanuts and throw the shells on the floor which we all did, even if it felt a bit weird just throwing stuff on the floor.
With Slings ordered for everyone (including a virgin one for our tee-totaller Bruce), it was time for a toast in celebration of what we had achieved with everyone sharing their highlights, which included Everest, hot air ballooning in Goreme, Tibet, Kyrgyzstan and diving. It is certainly a trip that no-one is going to forget in a hurry! Here are a few photos.....
Fans waving on the ceiling to keep us cool.
Mary, T and Anna
My Singapore Sling - proof for you Susan that I went! Lol
Me with my Singapore Sling
The lovely Andy and Jules
equally lovely Pernille and Dav
Phil and Spike
Teresa with her present from Anna and Bruce - Pineapple was out code word for help!
the front of the t shirt
Simon and T
The final 15!
After our very expensive Singapore Sling we headed across the road for a nice final dinner. Mine's was a whole chicken (yep, a whole chicken - it was massive) with roast potatoes. It was awesome. A thank you to Andy and Simon who helped me finish it off! After that we headed back to the hotel where plans were made to see each other in the morning for the first of the Singapore farewells.
Pernille and Jules at dinner
My whole chicken dinner, yum.
The next morning the first of the tears started to flow courtesy of Miss Teresa. At that point farewells were said to Anna, Bruce, James and Mahala.
Jo and I headed out for a bit of shopping along Orchard road before heading back to have a final beer with Simon and Teresa. More tears followed as we said goodbye to them, Spike, Pernille and Mary. Afterwards myself, Jo, Dav, Andy, Julie and Phil headed to the night safari. What can I saw, it was great. I am not a huge animal person but found this to be really good and different. We saw a tiger, elephants, giraffes, leopards, slow loris (one for Lou and Becs) and so much more. A really
great trip and one I'd definitely recommend. Understandably no flash photography was allowed so I have no pictures.
More farewell drinks
The next day Jo and I headed off to the Marina Bay Sands shopping centre and hotel. Now Jo had been wanting to go and swim on their infinity pool on the roof and had been talking about it since Turkey. Unfortunately it was for residents only and at £400 a night was a bit out of her price range! We settled for a wander around before heading back for more farewells, this time with Jules and Andy. Our group was getting smaller!
Football pitch on the harbourfront!
I headed off and met up with a friend from uni and his wife who now live in Singapore, which was lovely - hopefully pictures to follow once I receive them.
Next day it was my turn to head off. My flight wasn't until evening and Phil's was around the same time so we arranged to meet up and head to the airport together. Jo was spending another night in Singapore but was moving to a hostel for the last night, so I helped her move her stuff and then we headed for lunch where Jo had a tasty?? chicken porridge.....
After that it was time for more goodbyes, Jo walked us to the metro where Dave had also appeared to say goodbye. More tears and cries of good luck followed - I had totally underestimated how hard it would be to say goodbye but, as I said to Jo, we have been each other's family for the last 6 months so it's natural to be upset.
A final beer with Phil at the airport and it was also time for him to head to his departure gate and I was on my own - for the first time in 6 months! I am excited and sad and, to be honest, totally exhausted. It's onwards to New Zealand to see Lucia but not before a final few words.
I don't want to go on too much because I'll write a summary blog when I get home, but what we have accomplished together is an achievement. We have travelled 26,000 Km together over 6 months and visited 18 countries (inc Tibet). During this time we have done many things between us - we have seen the highest point on earth and been to the second lowest. We have experienced ups and downs, many many laughs as well as some arguments. Between us we have learned some new cooking skills, ridden elephants, bikes, canoes, and many other forms of transport - Bruce is the winner on this score I believe though! We have seen some of the most beautiful and remote places and I am thankful for all of it. Mostly though, I am thankful that I got to do it with this motley crew :-). Regardless of what happened, we were a team and looked out for each other and I hope we will stay in contact. In fact I know we will. It is indeed the end of an odyssey. Thank you.
NZ here I come!
PS - I don't know if there are any future Odyssey Overlanders reading this blog but if so please comment! I will be doing a summarising blog at the end with hopefully some useful tips for anyone doing a similar journey but if you would like to have any information just now please feel free to get in touch.
PS - I don't know if there are any future Odyssey Overlanders reading this blog but if so please comment! I will be doing a summarising blog at the end with hopefully some useful tips for anyone doing a similar journey but if you would like to have any information just now please feel free to get in touch.
