316 1.6.2019 arrival Singapore

In the morning, I packed my bags to 80%, only the food that I had collected since Thursday, some clothes and my PC stuff are left. I hope that I can keep that food in a fridge or partly give it to Lulu, because it is too much for me.

“Of course” the schedule: pilot at 1000, berthing at 1200, had to change. Now it is 1500 and 1700. In the evening, Lulu would come to the hotel to meet me, but it depends what still is evening for her, if this new schedule brings problems for meeting.
I didn’t know how long it will take from berthing and leaving the ship until leaving the port, but I hoped one hour is not too optimistic. After that, it is 13km going by bike to the hotel, and that is another hour, in this case it is a more optimistic calculation, because it is without detours and other problems. Normally, I go around 18km/h with the fully packed bike but with traffic lights and other stops, 13km/h is the result.
I had consumed 8$ of my 10$ internet access, because I also uploaded smaller pics to the blogposts. If I only use it for uploading the texts, maybe as one longer post for each week and only update the SPOT tracking map every 5 days or so, it would last longer, although the simple fact that I connect to internet without doing anything also seems to consume data and if a page as problems loading this consumes more data than smooth loading as well.

When I saw the cranes of the port, I used up the rest of my balance, closed my PC, finished packing and went down to prepare my bike, so I would not waste any time after the immigration officers arrived.

The next delay was caused by the net for the gangway. For safety reasons, the crew must fix a net on the side and bottom of the stairs and it took them a while to unravel and attach it,  so the officers couldn’t come.

But then it was done quickly, and I was ashore with my bike. The captain and the port agent had communicated about my arrival and after that it seemed clear that I could go on my own to the passport control. But it was hard to find without any signs and additionally I had bee stopped and should walk. So, I walked but to be faster and lose less time, I ran and again was stopped. And everyone who stopped me, asked details about where I come from, where I want to go etc. At the border control it was not better, my delay grew and grew. When I could leave, the officer showed me a way, but that way ended with some barriers and only with the help of some sailors I could go on. Mr.G first showed me good directions, but of course he failed soon. I restarted the route, I looked at the offline map on my phone and could go one, this time without other detours, but now it was 19:30 and I had 13km to go. I rushed. I had a more flexible interpretation of traffic rules and traffic lights, although I was in Singapore, the fine city where you might pay a fine for the wrong handling of a chewing gum. But nothing happened. Sometimes, add bigger crossings with red light, I tried to get my phone started to inform Lulu, but it didn’t work. I arrived near to 20:30 and Lulu came waving and shouting when I was looking around to find the hotel. She helped me to check in and carry my luggage to the only expensive “deluxe room” that I could get. The only “deluxe” experience was the price, double of the price that I had booked online for the next days, the room was small and sordid.

The explanation of the clerk was: it is a 2-bed-room and it has a fridge. So, I used the fridge that was responsible for a 40SD mark-up to store the collected food from the ship. Lulu and I talked about our shared Iran experiences and about Uganda and about the plans for the next days and then I accompanied her to the bus stop.
After that I had a long up- and download session for my youtube videos and my Austrian radio program and at 1a.m. finished the day that had started at 4:40 (I guess I was nervous). At that time the omnipresent Durian smell lessened, and I fell asleep soon. But maybe because I had not finished my worked, had not written my diary etc, I was still nervous and feared to wake up late and so I overcompensated that by waking up at 3:50 and although I had set an alarm for 6:40 (early enough!) I had two other trials to start the day before that.