The Singapore Sling cricket tour undertaken by the self styled Western Australian Masters began in dribs and drabs. The Skipper, Wayne, Tina and I were the first to leave at 12:20 am on Jetstar. As Jetstar is a budget airline the flight was uncomfortable, they build un-comfortableness in purposedly, but mercifully they flew fast and we arrived in Singapore 30 minutes early.

Tina and I elected to to taxi in to the hotel, Skip and Wayne decided that as check in was six and a half hours away they would use the airport shuttle bus . As it was they arrived 15 minutes after us and checked in immediately.

The Holiday Inn Express at Clarke Quay is a new (6 months old) hotel on the edge of Clarke Quay, Robinson Quay and Chinatown. It has been built with green principles, mainly the hallways are open and therefore not air-conditioned. The rooms are compact (ie very small) but well designed. The same could be said about the bathrooms except they are extremely small. Everything appears to work including the floor to ceiling windows which provide perfect two way views.

We avail ourselves of the "express" breakfast sitting outside on the pleasant garden terrace and watch the day break.

Once the sun is up Tina and I hit the sack and drift off to sleep for a few hours. Later we hit the shopping malls and Tina demonstrates her dislike of shopping by only buying 3 pairs of shoes.

During the day most of the touring party arrive and at 7.00 we meet in the HIE bar for drinks and the presentation of this tour's shirts organised by the Panther.

No-one took any photos, so there is nothing to show.

Chopper being the experienced Singapore Old Hand, had booked the touring party into an Balinese restaurant at Clarke Quay, The Bayang. We eventually arrived and had a pleasant evening dining in the noisy alfresco atmosphere.

Some of the unaccompanied members took a keen interest in the Persian Belly Dancing that was on display at the next door restaurant, but what happens on tour stays on tour. And I'm sure Morrie and Steensy would agree.

Some of the touring party stayed drinking at the Bayang and enjoying the local entertainment, while others (the accompanied members and Frank) drifted off to quieter places or an early night.