I find it amazing the constant kind words and encouragement that come from all my family and friends. The best ones are from the people you least expect it from. It has basically been a month overseas and I couldn't have done it without all the love.

Thank you.

Tioman Island, Malaysia

     At 5 am Friday morning, Abby, Sophie, and I cabbed to the downtown area to catch a bus to Mersing. In order to get to Tioman we needed to go from Singapore -> Mersing, Malaysia -> Tioman, Malaysia. We got to the bus terminal around 5:30 and headed inside to buy tickets for the 6:30 am bus. To our surprise, the 6:30am bus starts in MARCH and there were no other buses to take us anywhere close. Feeling a sense of panic, we asked around and managed to figure out that there was a city bus headed to Johor Bahru, Malaysia, which is just over the Malaysian border. We then took a short cab to the bus terminal where we payed $2.40 SGD to take a 30 minute bus ride to Johor Bahru. It was funny to be on a bus, get off and go through Singapore customs, get on the same bus and drive over the bridge  to Malaysia customs. After we went through customs, we found another city bus to take us to the Larkin bus terminal where we could find a bus to Mersing no problem. After another 20 minute bus ride we hopped off and found a bus that was headed to Mersing at 8:30. We waited for about an hour, ate McDonald's breakfast and then got on our bus to Mersing (finally).

Pre ripped my ticket. Whoops.

Bus to Mersing! Had the two seats to myself.

Singapore (at the very bottom). Singapore ->Johor Bahru -> Pulau Tioman (bottom right)

    The bus to Mersing only took about 2 hours, and we managed to catch the 12:00 ferry headed to the island. Our destination was ABC beach, which was the fourth ferry stop so we figured it would be a lovely ferry ride for the two hours it would take ... WRONG! The ferry was the most sea-sick prone ferry I think one could ever be on. Although we did have comfortable indoor seats, the waves were so large that the ferry would have to go in and out of each and every one. So many people were sick everywhere and I just tried to fall asleep before I started to feel sick too. Luckily, the girls and I made it out alive and we arrived at Tioman at around 2pm. We were greeted by a spectacular view.

What a view

Departed Hall 15 at 5:00 am, Arrived in Tioman at 2:00 pm. 9 hour travel day.

First stop ... LUNCH

Double Ace Hotel - 50 MYR (Malaysian Ringit a night) which is equal to 16 Canadian dollars

     As soon as we got off the island set out for a place to eat and then find a place to stay. Since Tioman is just coming off it's monsoon season the beach and village were not busy at all! We found a family restaurant to eat at and then found the Double Ace to stay at. I think the meal cost me 10 MYR (Malaysian ringgit) which is 4 dollars Canadian, and for a one night stay it was so cheap too. Next stop? The beach. ABC beach is so pretty and has such a spectacular view I thought it was fake at first. The overcast skies didn't bother me so much, I just walked up and down the beach for an hour.

     When we got off the jetty earlier in the day we met a local named Danny who owned a bar right by the pier. He told us to come back and enjoy some beers and we promised him we would. A beer after a long day of traveling was perfect and the price wasn't bad either. For 3 Carlsberg it was $4 dollars Canadian ... DEAL. For the rest of the night we enjoyed beer and some local food with some other NTU exchange students but headed to bed by 10 for an early start Saturday.

     On Saturday mid-morning we headed down to Tekek, another part of the island to find ATM's and wander. We ended up finding taxi drivers that offered to take us up to the waterfall in Juara. For $50 CAD (between 7 people) we took a 30 minute truck ride up the mountain to see Juara waterfall, go to the turtle conservation, Juara beach, and then back to ABC beach. I think the pictures speak for themselves - the trek was well worth it.

Tekek

Jungle Trek in 4x4 

Had to climb down a mud hill in order to do.....

THIS! Juara waterfall

                              

No complaints!

Juara beach

     After our trek we got some more food, had naps, and then planned to meet up again for happy hour on the beach. It was Sarah's birthday on Sunday so about 15 NTU exchange students were ready to celebrate. It was a late night that involved Tioman locals, a beach fire, a fire dancer, and some beer. It was an early morning to catch the ferry back to Mersing at 6:30 am (which didn't end up coming until 8:30). We arrived back at NTU around 4, after a miserable taxi ride home. We were lost in Singapore for two hours because our Malaysian driver didn't know how to get us home and would refuse to consult a map. The ride home didn't damper the amazing weekend though. It was pretty perfect and I would definitely go back another time.

We hit happy hour again. Surprised?

Tioman local, Sophie, myself, Abby, Martin

A pretty perfect weekend. 

Sorry I haven't written a blog about Bintan yet. I had to take my computer to the shop, and am now laptop-less. I also have a fever but am hoping it leaves ASAP so I can head to Tioman Islands, Malaysia tomorrow. Sending love to my fans ..... but seriously miss you all.

Was in Indonesia this weekend!

Was in Bintan Island, Indonesia this weekend. Pictures and update coming soon!!!

Hall Room Switch

Hall 7 (Before)

Hall 15 (After)

The Weekend

     On Saturday the girls and I headed to Sentosa beach. Sentosa is an island that is part of Singapore and it's only about 40 minutes from my campus. The girls and I headed down (around 11 ... late night on Friday) and enjoyed the day of swimming in the ocean and tanning. Sentosa has a beautiful beach and a ton of tourist attractions - even a small Universal Studios. The beach actually faces a bunch of oil tankers so the views may not be incredible, but it was definitely nice to escape the heat and humidity in the water. At night, a bar called The Wave Shop held an exchange party for NTU (my university), NUS, and SMU. The party was crazy, it had wave simulators so people could surf fake waves, but no I didn't embarrass myself and do it, although I kind of wanted to. At night, I met up with my friend Samantha from UWO. She is in Singapore for 2 weeks before her exchange in Melbourne, Australia. Although it was kind of hard to navigate my way to her, I finally met up with her and it was a blast. It was crazy to see her so far away from home and I think we had a little too much fun together. A late night swim in the ocean, plus a hotel foam party was a perfect way to end the night before heading back to my hall for the night.

Sentosa Beach

Shelby and Michelle (from UWO) at lunch

Sarah and I

     The next day Sam and I woke up and decided to get breakfast on campus. After that, Sam, myself, and a couple of other girls planned our first trip to BINTAN ISLAND. INDONESIA. I am leaving Friday and I'll be there until Tuesday. Chinese New Year gives us both Monday and Tuesday off. After booking the trip, Sam and I decided to head down to Clarke Quay for the night. Walking around at night was absolutely wonderful, and we topped the night off with some tasty gelato. It was sad to say bye to her but I plan on meeting her Thursday when I am back from my trip. Sam - I know you'll read this - it was so nice to see you and get to know you more. We definitely shared some laughs and I can't wait to visit you in Melbourne!!!!

Sam and I at Clarke Quay

     Yesterday, Shelby, Michelle, Sarah and I booked a trip to Hong Kong, China for the first weekend in February. For just under 200 Canadian dollars we're going to head there for the weekend.
     Today, was an extremely busy day! I finalized schedules, SWITCHED HALLS (yay) and finally unpacked my things. I was sad to leave my roommate Caylin from Hong Kong, but was pleased to meet my new roommate Nicole from Singapore. Tomorrow, I'm going to load up my air conditioning card and hang up my huge Canadian flag in my room.

Before and after pictures of my res room coming ASAP. Also, bought a new camera so expect great pictures soon!

Classes are good, life is great. I am so lucky to be here.

Switching halls

FINALLY switching halls. Moving tomorrow and I couldn't be more thrilled. Hall 15 (with air conditioning and cleanliness) here I come!

A pretty perfect day

     It's 11:52 here in Singapore and I just got home from a long and exciting day. Sarah and I woke up at around 10:00 (I slept on the floor in her hall room .... For those of you wondering - no I haven't moved halls, but I am still hoping to!) and headed straight to the pool. We got to the pool and the weather was absolutely perfect. It was probably 30 degrees, sunny, and had a slight wind, so the heat was tolerable. When I was there I skyped my cousin Laura (miss her dearly) and my dad (miss him too) wirelessly. It was pretty amazing having my feet in the pool and skyping my loved ones. My dad was shocked at all the men in the background in speedo's but it's normal here. The pool is always busy with male students playing water polo or doing laps and speedo's are their outfit of choice. At 12:30, Sarah and I headed over to our class COM231, Creative strategies. I walked into the class and to my surprise he was a British professor. Turns out I have him for 2/4 classes and I am not mad! I think it will be hard to not speak British back to him, but I'll do my best. The class seems really interesting though and I'm exciting to take it. It's all about marketing strategies and learning different types and then creating your own. The course also allows us to work with real Singapore organizations so I'm exciting to put my creativity to the test.
     After class I headed back to my hall to change for an exchange outing - THE NIGHT SAFARI. I absolutely love zoo's and from what I heard Singapore has a great one. Two bus loads of exchange students boarded the buses to the zoo trip and it only takes about 20 minutes to get there from campus. For $26 SGD I got transportation there and back and admission to the night safari. The safari was awesome, saw lions and tigers and (sloth) bears oh my! We took a zoo mobile all around the safari which was a 40 minute ride. For anyone travelling Singapore (and for anyone that loves zoo's in general) I would say this is a must see. We also went into a bat cave where bats the size of new born babies (maybe bigger) would fly all over. With 6 screaming girls we ran through it pretty quick haha. Although we were supposed to board the bus at 10 pm sharp, we decided to go to the 9:30 nighttime animal show. We sat front row and watched some of the cutest (otters etc.) yet ugliest (hyenas) up close and personal. When they asked for a volunteer from the audience I obviously put up my hand only to find out that I wasn't paying attention when she asked for a young volunteer. I was shot down by her telling me "You were young ten years ago miss" and everyone laughed. Oops. After that all of a sudden alarms went off and people started screaming. The MC look panicked and everyone started to freak out. A lady screamed  and we heard there's an animal on the loose and we all started to pack up and run! The zookeepers were scrambling, I legitimately thought a leopard was going to come and kill me. Turns out they were ACTING (sneaky people) and the whole act was to pull out a huge snake from under some seats. It was well played - my friend Riley actually got up and ran to the stairs, it was hilarious now that I think of it but not at the time. We got back to campus at around 10 30 and I walked to Sarah's residence to get some of my things, and then walked back to my hall. Campus is so lively at night! I guess the extreme heat during the day causes people to do what they need to do at night. My hall has a cheerleading team and they practice tons and throughout campus people exercise! So may runners at night. My plan for tomorrow morning is to wake up early and go for a run. There is a really pretty garden relatively close to my hall so I think I'll run through that. I'm then meeting some girls at the pool to tan and plan our first trip. Chinese New Year is next weekend so we are hoping to venture out of Singapore for the weekend to Maaysia. Our travel visa's don't come in until the 20th so we can't leave Sing until then.

     I'm off to bed in this sauna of a room! Sorry if this blog is scrambled and imperfect, I write entries and don't review. Good night xo.

Sending my love to my family, friends, and especially the girls from 147 xoxoxox

Pictures of Little India, Kampong glam, Chinatown

Sushi market ...... the best

Waiting at the bus shuttle - beautiful campus

Sarah and I are on our way to the harbour front

Singapore skyline

The merlion ... half mermaid, half lion

Marina Bay Sands hotel ... going!

Swallowing the good luck water

The baby merlion

Sarah, myself, Sarah, Kristin

Arriving in China town

Temple in China town

Seafood crispy noodle

Curry chicken

So pretty! 

Mosque in Kampong Glam

Henna tattoos in Little India