I had been looking for the most affordable flight and, by golly, I had discovered it. I used to be in Brisbane, Australia on the time and was researching flights to Hong Kong. My pal Emily had organized for me to relocate to Xi’an, China to teach English to youngsters! I used to be excited, however funds weren’t a-plenty.
There’s a brand new price range Asian airline referred to as Scoot, and so they had been providing a stellar worth between Sydney and Singapore. The ultimate worth of my flights was about $200AUD lower than the usual itinerary, however there was one stipulation: a 20 hour layover in Changi Airport, Singapore.
Inside Changi Airport
I didn’t know a lot about Changi, so I did my analysis. This airport is filled with film theaters, bars with dwell music, eating places, free web terminals, excessive finish procuring, gaming venues, sleeper rooms, showers, the lot! If there’s one airport to spend the night time in, that is positively it.
I booked my tickets, and was virtually extra excited to sleep over in Changi than I used to be to go to China!
Visions of gorgeous ladies in the identical scenario as me danced in my head. I imply, isn’t all people on the lookout for a little bit of enjoyable in an airport? I might go to the cinema, take naps, verify my Twitter account, drink beer and flirt with ladies. This was shortly shaping as much as be one of the best in a single day in an airport. Ever.
Hastily, I had arrived in Singapore. Nonetheless delirious from my flight, I stroll off the airplane and straight by way of customs.
What I didn’t notice, although, is you could’t truly clear customs twice in the identical day! I wouldn’t be capable to re-enter the terminal till the subsequent day.
I had thought-about staying in a resort in a single day however determined it wouldn’t be vital. There have been napping sanctuaries in the airport! However these sanctuaries had been solely inside the terminal. I ought to have stayed within the terminal and prevented customs. As an alternative, I walked by way of, claimed my bag, and was basically left in Singapore with nowhere to go and nothing to do!
“Screw it.” I stated. “I’m going out!”
I dragged my bag into the toilet, shortly modified garments, sprayed Bleu de Chanel and put my contact lenses in. I saved my baggage and hit the metro—Clarke Quay or bust.
Clarke Quay, Celebration Central
Clarke Quay is the party central of Singapore. Blocks upon blocks are overcrowded with overpriced bars.
And prostitutes, apparently. And, apparently, ladyboy prostitutes.
For those unfamiliar with the ladyboys of Southeast Asia, these men dress as women and, far more often than not, pull if off remarkably well. Many have had their Adam’s Apple removed (among other appendages). Their slender physique resembles that of a woman very, very closely.
And frankly, some of them look downright hot.
Not in a gay way, or even a weird way. Ask anybody who’s encountered them–they’ll tell you the same thing.
I stepped foot in Clarke Quay and commenced to wander. Instantaneously, one in every of these males of the night time accosted me! She grabbed my arm, and pulled me to her. I smiled, stated whats up, and backed away. I used to be shocked.
I discovered a bar that regarded inviting and I sat within the smoking space outdoors. I figured I might bum a smoke off anyone and I’d make a pal for the night time. This gentleman was a middle-aged, Aussie-bred Londoner with a little bit of a tick.
As I sat there, girls and ladyboys alike had been signaling to me from a distance. They gave the thumbs up, the A-OK image, they winked and so they “come hithered.”
One got here contained in the bar and requested if she might sit on my lap. A well mannered “no, thanks” prompted a request for me to sit down on hers. Once more, a “no, thanks” was so as. She requested if I might purchase her a drink. At $16 per pint, there was no means that was going to occur. She lastly bought the trace and stormed off.
I believe my Aussie counterpart was a bit jealous.
Two beers and an entree later, I bid my new pal farewell, took a taxi again to the airport, and located myself a pleasant bench in Starbucks to sleep for the night time.
It wasn’t probably the most snug place I’ve ever slept, but it surely’s one night time I positively gained’t overlook.
And the lesson I’ve realized? Ladyboys love me. Aren’t I fortunate?
