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

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.

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.​

Merlion Park.

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.

My hidey-hole.

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MISADVENTURE SINGAPORE
Part 2: Expats, Ladyboys and Prostitutes, Oh My! The Crazyhorse at Orchard Tower.

PHOTO DIARY SINGAPORE
A Collection of Photos from my First Visit to Singapore.

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