Tily Travels
  • Destinations
    • Africa >
      • Kenya
      • Namibia
      • Tanzania
    • Asia >
      • East Asia >
        • China
        • Japan
        • South Korea
        • Taiwan
      • Eurasia >
        • Armenia
        • Georgia
      • South Asia >
        • India
        • Maldives
      • Southeast Asia >
        • Indonesia
        • Laos
        • Malaysia
        • Myanmar (Burma)
        • Singapore
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
    • Europe >
      • Canary Islands
      • Czech Republic
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
    • Middle East >
      • Egypt
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
    • North America >
      • Canada
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • United States of America
    • Oceania >
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
    • Scandinavia >
      • Denmark
      • Iceland
    • South America >
      • Argentina
      • Colombia
    • United Kingdom >
      • England
      • Wales
    • International
  • Categories
    • 🌏 Travel Up, Up & Away >
      • 🚐 Van Life
      • 👧 Solo Female Travel
      • 🏡 Staycations
      • 🚗 Road Trips
      • 💵 On a Tight Budget
      • 🏝️ Island Hopping
      • 👰 Honeymoon Guides
      • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Travel
      • 👫 Couples Travel
      • 🌃 City Breaks
      • ✈️ Airports & Flights
    • 🏠 Accommodation >
      • 🛋️ Airbnb
      • 🛌 Backpacker Hostels
      • ⛺️ Camping
      • 🛀 Hotels
      • ❤️ Luxury Villas
      • 🏡 Vacation Rentals
    • 😁 Adventure >
      • 🐘 Animal Encounters
      • 🚴‍♀️ Cycling
      • 🐟 Diving & Snorkelling
      • 👟 Hiking
      • 🎈 Hot Air Ballooning
      • 🏍️ Motorcycling
      • ⛰️ Rock Climbing
      • 🦓 Safaris
      • 🏂 Snow Sports
      • 🏙️ Urban Exploration
      • 🚣‍♀️ Water Sports
    • 🎨 Arty Art & Urban Art >
      • 🖼️ Exhibitions
      • 🌈 Street Art
      • 🧣 Weaving
    • 🎠 Attractions >
      • 🎪 Festivals
      • 🗽 Landmarks
      • 🛒 Markets
      • 🏺 Museums & Monuments
      • 🎢 Theme Parks
      • 🎡 Tourist Attractions
    • 📋 Bucket List Experiences
    • 🍸 Eat, Drink, Dance >
      • 🍹 Bars & Nightlife
      • 🍽️ Cafés & Restaurants
      • 🌮 Street Food
      • 🍜 Traditional Cuisine
      • 💃 Traditional Dance
    • 🌳 Into the Wild >
      • 🐘 Animal Encounters
      • 🏖️ Beaches
      • ❄️ Frozen
      • 🌻 Gardens
      • 🏔️ Mountains & Volcanoes
      • 🌲 National Parks
      • 🌴 Rainforests
      • 💧 Rivers & Lakes
      • 🐠 Under the Sea
      • 🏞️ Waterfalls
    • 🎢 Misadventure
    • 📸 Photo Diaries
    • 🛍️ Products & Accessories >
      • 🎒 Luggage
      • 👜 Travel Accessories
      • 📱 Technology
    • 🏰 Sights for Sore Eyes >
      • 🕌 Mosques
      • 🙏 Temples & Pagodas
      • 🗿 Ancient Ruins
      • 🏅 UNESCO World Heritage
    • 🚌 Tours & Tour Co's >
      • 🚞 Day Trips & Tours
      • 📝 Tour Reviews
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Advice
    • Blogging
    • Health
    • Tips on Saving Money
    • Travel Safety
    • Travel Tips & Info
    • Visa Info
  • Contact
  • Work With Me

Travel Blog

Misadventure in Singapore City - Part 1: Uni Students, Al Capone's and Sleeping Outside

25/8/2017

12 Comments

 
Singapore City skyline lights. Cityscape at night. Misadventure in Singapore City
Singapore City skyline lights.
There I am, walking through Singapore City, lost, at 7:00 AM, with bare feet and wearing last night's dress - I looked like the dirtiest of dirty stop-outs.​
Sometimes, when overseas, I find myself in some random situations and starting this trip off in Singapore, proved no exception. 

Stories in Part 1 and Part 2 centre around the great people I encountered at the Prince of Wales Backpacker Pub in Boat Quay, Singapore City, and the and misadventures that subsequently occurred after the bar closed each night at 1 AM.
I'm a bit of a flashpacker, Eeep; there I said it, however, I also love me a good party hostel. These two often don't combine harmoniously, and for this reason, I did not stay at the Prince of Wales backpackers. Instead, I googled the location of the backpacker bar, and I opted to stay next door at the flashy Port by Quarters Hostel, choosing to utilise the drink specials at the Prince of Wales backpacker bar each night.

NIGHT 1:
​UNI STUDENTS, AL CAPONE'S AND SLEEPING OUTSIDE

After three welcome wines and one sobering walk around the river, I arrived back at the Prince of Wales. There I met a great group of Uni students studying at the local James Cook University.
The Prince of Wales closed, and we all jumped in taxis to a bar called Al Capone's, located just off Orchard Road. I liked this venue. Quiet at the time, still, there is a positive vibe, and we easily grabbed a table outside. Bonus: you could order bottles of liquor for the table.

My phone died here, so I don't have many photos of this night.

I enjoyed the atmosphere the group created. Al Capone's shut at 3 AM, and they ensured I made it back to the hostel safely in a taxi.

After arriving back at the hostel, this is where my trouble started.
Monkey Shoulder Whiskey at Al Capone's, Singapore City
A bottle of Monkey Shoulder Whiskey ordered to our table at Al Capone's.
Once back at the hostel , before going to sleep, I thought I would go outside for a cigarette. I made noise while I awkwardly climbed down off the top bunk/ cube, then realised I had left my key card (to allow me access back into the room) on the centre of the bed, just out of reach.

​Not to wake anyone, instead of climbing the ladder again, I decided to use a door wedge to keep the door open as I had witnessed the staff successfully do. The door closed heavily behind me. I am stuck in the hallway... Great!

I knocked on the door a few times, however, either no one heard me, or no one bothered to come to my aid. 

As this is Singapore, it is custom to take your shoes off outside of the building. The hostel provided shoe boxes in the hallway, so at least I had my shoes and ​thankfully I hadn't changed into my pyjamas yet.

At this point I thought, I've come this far, if I am locked out of the room, I might as well go and have the cigarette', so I took my sandals downstairs and used one to wedge in the front door. Lucky me! The front door closed heavily behind me. I am trapped outside, great!

4:30 AM and with the reception closed, I had no choice but to sit and wait. Let the adventure begin!

There is a restaurant next door that (luckily) leaves their chairs outside in a place hidden from street view. I lined up three chairs with the intention of just laying down to wait and hope someone would arrive with a key soon... I fell asleep outside.

I awoke approximately 6:45 AM busting for a bathroom and still no way inside the building. Left with only one sandal, I had to opt for wearing no shoes and then took off in a frantic search for a bathroom.

Every business I'd quickly be able to dash inside of (with bare feet) had a 'closed' sign. Now a critical 'what would a guy do?' situation; Fort Canning Park became my destination. (It only occurs to me as I write this post, that I should have checked the nearby train station. Facepalm.)
Not paying attention to the direction and with my mind only on the objective, there I am, walking through Singapore City, lost, at 7:00 am, with bare feet and wearing last night's dress - I looked like the dirtiest of dirty stop-outs. All based on stupid assessments when going outside for a cigarette.​
Lost, I had walked so far, that I ended up walking past Merlion Park around 7:30 AM, just as people were starting their day and walking past me, dressed up, on their way to work.

​I shake my head at myself.​
The Merlion - Merlion Park, Singapore City
Merlion Park.
Map of my scenic walk around Singapore city.
Map of my scenic walk around Singapore city.

NIGHT 2:
THERE WAS NO NIGHT 2

After arriving back to the Port By Quarters hostel at 8 AM wiped out from little sleep and my lost, barefoot adventure around Singapore City, I ended up spending the whole day and night in bed.

​Happy I evaded a hefty fine, although, feeling sorry for myself and nursing a hangover. I hid from the world inside my cube, behind my closed curtain, only emerging to find food.

Early evening, a girl in our room had locked herself out. She began knocking on the door. As mentioned, I was in my hidey-hole so didn't rush to her aid. Instead, I will admit, I laid in my cube and had a little chuckle - however, even people walking around the room didn't help to let her in, which puzzled me. Luckily for her, someone entered the room after 2 minutes.
Queen Cube at the Port By Quarters, Boat Quay, Singapore
My hidey-hole.

Misadventure in Singapore Part 2: Expats, Ladyboys and Prostitutes, Oh My! The Crazyhorse at Orchard Tower.
MISADVENTURE SINGAPORE
Part 2: Expats, Ladyboys and Prostitutes, Oh My! The Crazyhorse at Orchard Tower.
A Collection of Photos from my First Visit to Singapore.
PHOTO DIARY SINGAPORE
A Collection of Photos from my First Visit to Singapore.



12 Comments
Mikayla link
27/8/2017 08:58:39 am

I love this! :')
Fantastic to see when travel isn't all glamour and perfect!
I had a similar time in The Phillipines last year! Though most details have skipped my mind ;)
Thanks for an honest, humorous read!
www.mikaylajanetravels.com

Reply
Natalie Marie link
28/8/2017 04:33:52 pm

Thanks for your comment Mikayla, appreciated 😊
My memory of my walk around the city is a little sketchy, although, I had enough to pin points to piece it all together. 7 Eleven, Fort Canning Park, Raffles City and the Merlion 😂

Reply
amit link
2/9/2017 10:48:14 am

If it's any comfort, I've also been locked out of many a hostels around the world over the last 6 years haha, although not fun at the time, great for story times in the future :D Also during my stint in Sinpapore I'm pretty sure I've had a drunken night in Al Capone's myself just to ask was the McDonald's close to the Prince of Wales not still open? (the one that's on the corner by the quay? (you may also like the post I'll be publishing next tues backpack and booze :D )

Reply
Natalie Marie link
2/9/2017 04:42:56 pm

This is the first one I've locked myself out of that I haven't been able to get back into 😂😂 McDonalds would have been the best option, however, I ended up turning left where the 7-11 is (the next parallel street). I didn't realise there was a McDonalds until I walked past once I was almost back at the hostel 😂😂

Email me a link to your post 🙂 tilytravels@gmail.com

Reply
Megan link
2/9/2017 12:12:54 pm

What an interesting peek into Singapore city and the Port by Quarters Hostel! I've never stayed in one, though I am intrigued. I appreciate the honesty and reality of your stay!

Reply
Natalie Marie link
2/9/2017 04:44:21 pm

I definitely recommend them 🙂 Just don't lock yourself outside 😂

Reply
C-Ludik link
3/9/2017 03:32:18 am

Ha, ha what an (Mis)adventure ! When you’re planning a trip, optimism reigns. Hotels look clean, maybe even charming. Sights look interesting, even exciting. The weather ? Should be fine — or even better ! Then you actually go. And that’s when things can go maddeningly, even hilariously, wrong. Sometimes travel doesn’t go as planned. Other days are simply a disaster of a trip. Singapore is a nice city to visit and I hope you have enjoy the rest of your stay ;-)

Reply
Natalie Marie link
4/9/2017 06:29:17 pm

Haha, misadventure is around most corners when I travel. Sometimes, that's what makes it so much fun (or at least funny to look back on).
Singapore was great, thanks, 🙂 beautiful city!

Reply
Samantha link
3/9/2017 05:04:13 am

Gotta love random stories like this! I find I get into shenanigans in Asia. I havent been to Singapore yet. Next on my list for sure!

Reply
Natalie Marie link
4/9/2017 06:31:49 pm

I'm full of random travel stories 😂
Singapore is a beautiful city. Definitely worth a visit 🙂

Reply
Michelle | michwanderlust link
3/9/2017 12:34:34 pm

Something nice: the hostel looks good! I'd stay there too.

An entertaining read, though I'm sorry to hear about your misadventures! I've exiled myself from dorms before thanks to biting insects, and spent the entire night outside. Not fun at all.

Reply
Natalie Marie link
4/9/2017 06:37:39 pm

No need to be sorry, this misadventure was entirely my own fault 😂 I definitely should have known better with this situation.

Eeep, I too have faced off with biting bugs. Can't confirm they were bed bugs as they looked more like little ants, but yeah, not a fun experience at all 😖 I feel your pain.

Reply

Your comment will be posted after it is approved.


Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Picture
    by Natalie Marie.​​

    An Aussie girls guide to
    the world. 

    ​I make all of the mistakes
    ​so you don't have to.
    ━━━━   CURRENT LOCATION  ━━━━
    World Map Southeast Asia Highlight
    Regional Victoria, Australia
    ━━━━━━   INSTAGRAM   ━━━━━━
    ━━━   FOLLOW TILY TRAVELS   ━━━
    myanmarvisa.org
    ━━━━━   DESTINATIONS   ━━━━━
    Melbourne (Home town) travel category
    Africa travel category
    East Asia travel category
    Eurasia travel category
    Europe travel category
    Middle East travel category
    North America travel category
    Oceania/ Australia travel category
    Scandinavia travel category
    South America travel category
    South Asia travel category
    Southeast Asia travel category
    United Kingdom/ UK travel category
    International travel category
    ━━━━━   BLOG ARCHIVE   ━━━━━
    ━━━━━    NEWSLETTER    ━━━━━
    * indicates required
    ━━    PLANNING AN ADVENTURE    ━━
    www.myanmartours.net
    Contiki Fly Free to Europe.
    Booking.com
    ━━━━    ADVERTISEMENT    ━━━━
© 2022 Tily Travels - All Rights Reserved. 
  • Destinations
    • Africa >
      • Kenya
      • Namibia
      • Tanzania
    • Asia >
      • East Asia >
        • China
        • Japan
        • South Korea
        • Taiwan
      • Eurasia >
        • Armenia
        • Georgia
      • South Asia >
        • India
        • Maldives
      • Southeast Asia >
        • Indonesia
        • Laos
        • Malaysia
        • Myanmar (Burma)
        • Singapore
        • Thailand
        • Vietnam
    • Europe >
      • Canary Islands
      • Czech Republic
      • Germany
      • Hungary
      • Portugal
      • Spain
      • Switzerland
    • Middle East >
      • Egypt
      • Qatar
      • Saudi Arabia
      • Turkey
      • United Arab Emirates
    • North America >
      • Canada
      • Jamaica
      • Puerto Rico
      • United States of America
    • Oceania >
      • Australia
      • Cook Islands
    • Scandinavia >
      • Denmark
      • Iceland
    • South America >
      • Argentina
      • Colombia
    • United Kingdom >
      • England
      • Wales
    • International
  • Categories
    • 🌏 Travel Up, Up & Away >
      • 🚐 Van Life
      • 👧 Solo Female Travel
      • 🏡 Staycations
      • 🚗 Road Trips
      • 💵 On a Tight Budget
      • 🏝️ Island Hopping
      • 👰 Honeymoon Guides
      • 👨‍👩‍👧 Family Travel
      • 👫 Couples Travel
      • 🌃 City Breaks
      • ✈️ Airports & Flights
    • 🏠 Accommodation >
      • 🛋️ Airbnb
      • 🛌 Backpacker Hostels
      • ⛺️ Camping
      • 🛀 Hotels
      • ❤️ Luxury Villas
      • 🏡 Vacation Rentals
    • 😁 Adventure >
      • 🐘 Animal Encounters
      • 🚴‍♀️ Cycling
      • 🐟 Diving & Snorkelling
      • 👟 Hiking
      • 🎈 Hot Air Ballooning
      • 🏍️ Motorcycling
      • ⛰️ Rock Climbing
      • 🦓 Safaris
      • 🏂 Snow Sports
      • 🏙️ Urban Exploration
      • 🚣‍♀️ Water Sports
    • 🎨 Arty Art & Urban Art >
      • 🖼️ Exhibitions
      • 🌈 Street Art
      • 🧣 Weaving
    • 🎠 Attractions >
      • 🎪 Festivals
      • 🗽 Landmarks
      • 🛒 Markets
      • 🏺 Museums & Monuments
      • 🎢 Theme Parks
      • 🎡 Tourist Attractions
    • 📋 Bucket List Experiences
    • 🍸 Eat, Drink, Dance >
      • 🍹 Bars & Nightlife
      • 🍽️ Cafés & Restaurants
      • 🌮 Street Food
      • 🍜 Traditional Cuisine
      • 💃 Traditional Dance
    • 🌳 Into the Wild >
      • 🐘 Animal Encounters
      • 🏖️ Beaches
      • ❄️ Frozen
      • 🌻 Gardens
      • 🏔️ Mountains & Volcanoes
      • 🌲 National Parks
      • 🌴 Rainforests
      • 💧 Rivers & Lakes
      • 🐠 Under the Sea
      • 🏞️ Waterfalls
    • 🎢 Misadventure
    • 📸 Photo Diaries
    • 🛍️ Products & Accessories >
      • 🎒 Luggage
      • 👜 Travel Accessories
      • 📱 Technology
    • 🏰 Sights for Sore Eyes >
      • 🕌 Mosques
      • 🙏 Temples & Pagodas
      • 🗿 Ancient Ruins
      • 🏅 UNESCO World Heritage
    • 🚌 Tours & Tour Co's >
      • 🚞 Day Trips & Tours
      • 📝 Tour Reviews
  • Blog
  • Resources
  • Shop
  • Advice
    • Blogging
    • Health
    • Tips on Saving Money
    • Travel Safety
    • Travel Tips & Info
    • Visa Info
  • Contact
  • Work With Me