The flight to Singapore took 12 hours and we were flying out at 9pm which proved to be a good time so after a few games of cards I was able to get my head down and slept for 8 hours until I was awoken by a stewardess offering me the delights of an English breakfast. Needless to say it was not so much of a delight as when I had had finished my rubbery sausage and even more so egg, I could feel this bouncing in my stomach when getting off the plane. So we were now in Singapore, I had been advised in so much that this place was seriously hot so with my now sweat soaked jeans sticking to my legs we went off to find a taxi. I also felt the urgent need to take off my Christmas jumper as there certainly was no need for my grandmother’s winter warmer.

On arriving at the hotel we got some information out of the taxi driver who was extremely helpful as he advised us on places to go and visit. We all took note and I felt confident that the sites would be visited one way or another. The hotel was absolutely amazing and was in an ideal location for shopping, this was another thing that I had on my list to do, believe me there were certainly enough shops as I think that is a past time that the Singaporeans certainly indulge in. I hate shopping to be honest like most of the male species but I wanted to get a tailored suit and I would drag my sorry ass out to get this even if it killed me.

I quickly got changed and then made my way down to the hotel bar where I was greeted by Ken Powell and Marty Smyth two friends from the emerald isle. This proved not to be a great start to my week as they asked what I wanted to drink to which of course I just had to try out the Singapore Sling. I suppose they do say you should start as you mean to go on so what the heck get me another of those bad boys in. Approximately six or 7 slings later we decided to play spoof for the bill which unfortunately Barry Craig also from Northern Ireland picked up. The drinks were certainly expensive in the hotel bar as the bill came to $750 and the Singapore slings were $25 at a time. We decided to hit a few local establishments later that evening and I arrived back at the hotel at 7am great start I think not.

The problem that I find is that I am a firm believer in the old hair of the dog so the next day at approximately 2pm I found myself propping up the bar and having another one of those Singapore Slings. I sat looking out onto Orchard Road feeling sorry for oneself until I heard a familiar voice from the past with a South African accent, it was the one and only Snowball " Shaa my old mucker how are yeee?" Snowball is a great character and someone who I got to know very well at St Martaen in the Caribbean. Anyway he had just arrived and several drinks later the TV crew turned up and did some filming where Snowball gave his story about the Flaming Concorde.

The next few nights ended up being pretty much the same old routine whereby with all good intentions we ended up getting a few drinks at the bar to later find ourselves in one of the local nightspots. There was a particular story about one of the players who shall remain nameless in fear of being sued picked up two young delightful ladies at a club and they were more than willing to accompany him back to his hotel. However on arrival the hotel receptionist wanted to check their identification, this proved to be a god send to our stud as the passports proved that he had in fact pulled two young studs. This is certainly a bad beat that you simply could not have got over, I am sure that he was pleased that the receptionist decided to check it down.

See you at the tables …

Scotty ((Shaa boom))