The Journey(s) of Ian

I am not a dorm person by natural inclination. Normally, I prefer a private room, and in most sea countries a good private room can be had in the $15-$20 per night price range, however, not so in the City of the Merlion. Here a basic private room will start in the $50 plus price range. Not overly exorbitant, but a price to avoid if travelling for an extended periods of time, however, there is an alternative to the hotel scene. This is a backpacker hostel. Once, hostels were non-existent in Sing. It was high-class tourism or nothing, now, fortunately, this has changed. There are now a host of backpacker hostels in the city. Most of these cluster near the lower income areas. These areas include "Little India" and "China Town". As you walk through the streets of these locales you will see buildings dating back to colonial days, in a traditional design, two or three stories high, intermixed with the occasional 7-11, and the somewhat jarring appearance of a pub with t...

Advice is sometimes, justifiably, considered the worst vice, however, here goes. My thoughts on how the smart traveller will maximize his (or her) travel pleasure. Things to do, and one or two things not to do. In no particular order of importance. * If hotel wireless internet is not advertised as being free, then it is not free. * updated: 5/02/2012. a. Pants Wear lose baggy pants, with lots of pockets. These trousers can be bought cheaply in most 3rd world corners of the world (or even 2.5). The advantage—cheap, and it is amazing how much, from time to time, you need to carry. Putting things in your pockets is the easiest way to do this. Also, by wearing ‘cargo’ pants, you are telling the world that you do not care about their trivial fashion rules, and that you are a traveling man. b. Tips. I have already posted a blog entry about tipping, but a good story bears repeating. Tipping in 99% of the world is mandatory, almost, certainly if you feel that it is jus...