Chasing Cars: The World Tour

Hi Megan, just checking in briefly myse,lf. As Marks says, I'm not in Singapore for long at all sadly. But, given the rates the hotels are charging in the weeks surrounding the Grand Prix, I couldnt have afforded to stay any longer.

I wonder if you have any tips when it comes to hotels actually? I would be looking for a reasonable place to stay on the evenings of 26th, 27th and 28th September. Doesn't have to be five star but I'd prefer somewhere that the mattress doesnt move of its own accord and somewhere that doesnt display a sign in reception with the room rate per hour!

If I stayed away from the marina area where the GP is being held, what is the public transport like? I would prefer to stay within walking distance but the hotel prices are insane. It'd be cheaper to go to Monaco.

The train idea was two-fold. It was a) a means of transport and b) an exceedingly cheap form of accomodation for the night if I booked a cabin onboard. So I'm not that concerned about it being slow particularly but appreciate the tip on that.

Thanks again and look forward to hearing from you!

Well I got talking with the guy on the front desk of the hotel that I'm staying in this evening and he has somehow sorted me a deal on the 'Atrium Holiday Inn' for the 26 through 29 September. It's four or five miles from the hotel to the circuit but I walked more than that when I did the Belgian race last year and it wasn't the end of the world. And the hotel is less than half the cost of anywhere else reasonable. So I'm pretty happy with that :)

The public transport in Singapore (buses, MRT and taxis) are efficient, clean and cheap so barring road closures due to the race, you should have no trouble getting around. If you are going to be doing lots of bus and MRT travel, you may want to get an ez-link card

Sorry I didn't get back to you with hotel tips. I don't actually have any as my guests have all stayed with me (other than one set who booked their own accommodation).
Happy trails!

Thanks for the tips, Meg. Appreciate it. Thankfully I have made a hotel reservation and booked my race tickets. I think I'm all set for the Malaysia and Singapore leg now.

I have to say that it's suddenly starting to dawn on me how close this all is now. When it was three months away it was all pretty chilled but it's suddenly dawned on me over the past few days that, in less than fifty days, I'll have left my secure job and I'll be on my own for 2/3 of a year.

In fact, almost exactly seven weeks to the minute, we'll be entering final approach into Toronto. I've just said my goodbyes to my two best friends who are making a new life for them in Vancouver (sadly I'll miss them by a few weeks when I'm there) and who I'll not see for 18 months or so. I'm actually a little bit freaked out by the whole deal... Any encouragement from anyone who has done anything similar would be very welcome about now! :s

Stayed there for about 18 months. Made new friends. Had a great time. But that's not the same as being on the move the whole time.

The cool thing today is that you can stay in touch with people via the web. I mean, really, how cool is that?!!? My dad traveled a LOT for his job. I remember a couple trips where he was gone for about 6 months and we only got to speak to him once or twice the whole time and the rest was just quick postcards. It was way too expensive to talk more than that. I would have loved to have been able to do emails, forwarding photos, post videos to share, talk via Skype, etc. during those times he was gone. What a difference that would have made!

So, really, I think the idea of it sounds lonelier than the reality will be.

And you'll be seeing some of your friends in June, right? In real life, even!

Remind me to quiz you about Hawaii... ;)

Yes, I know it's easier these days, a lot easier. That's why I've started my website -- to keep in touch. But it's still a big deal. In my mind at least. I know it'll be mega but I can't help but stress... :(

3 weeks and I'll be sat on an aircraft somewhere over the Atlantic... I've gone from 'the fear' to 'lets get on with it then' and, although I'm no where near ready, I could go tomorrow if it wasn't for what it says on the tickets...

Had all my jabs a week or so ago and have been suffering a little since. I dunno what they put in them but they've really left me feeling totally drained and exhausted since. Lots of early nights aren't helpful when planning a trip of this size so I'm somewhat behind but, what the hell, it'll be worth it in the end.

Hope you get to feeling better soon. I had to have a lot of shots when I went to Costa Rica. They weren't requred, but since my immune system is not the best my doctor made me get them. I remember how totally cruddy I felt.

I can't wait to read all of your updates during the trip.

Laura

I was actually quite lucky and missed out on a course of three jabs for Hepatitis B as I couldn't get the time off work to return for three succesive weeks. I also got away without anti-malarial tabs as I'm not going to any particularly high risk areas. Both were covered with a lecture on safe sex and covering up during peak bug biting times... I can live with that!

I'm doing okay by 'working' on the trip in the evenings until the point I just can't keep my eyes open. That seems to work... kinda!

Yeah - that's the one I remember the most. (Not to make you think I'm a wild child - I'm clumsy and my doctor was afraid I'd need a blood transfusion - wouldn't have been the first time.) It's good that I have it now since I work with the public so much. And I passed on the anti-malarial tabs as they (at least 10 years ago) have nasty effects on girls. Won't get into details, but just didn't seem worth the risk.

Long Sleeves and pants are the best protection again mosquitos. There are plenty of older people around here you refuse to go outside in anything less. I used to think it was modesty until my Dad pointed out that they were raised before era of pesticides.