Pupi arrived at 8:00, just as I was getting up. We went to the restaurant for breakfast--a couple of spoons of chicken soup and half a slice of dry toast was all I could manage. Then we explored the garden, a nice selection of tropical plants around a swimming pool, and took some pictures.

The total bill for the hotel, 3 nights plus a few meals and drinks, telephone calls, etc, was 478,000 rupiahs, which was pretty good value.

On our way to the airport we did a detour to take in the new mosque, an impressive dark-blue building completed recently. Groups of people were beginning to gather outside in preparation for the ritual slaughtering of the goats and distribution of the meat. Just behind the mosque was a large Catholic church.

Had to pay 25,000 rupiahs airport tax before boarding. Felt sorry leaving Pupi behind.

When the meal came around on the plane my appetite returned, but I played it safe by limiting myself to a few spoonfuls of rice and a few fried prawns, regretting that I could not finish what looked like (for plane fare) a delicious meal.

Was planning to return to the Metropole hotel, but then thought, in the spirit of adventure that this trip is supposed to be about, why not try something different? Being aware that today was also a holiday in Singapore--Hari Raya Haji--and that many hotels would be full, I phoned around a few of the more likely-looking hotels in the guide-book, and decided on the Amber, near the East Coast Road. Took a taxi there. It was refreshing being back in Singapore again.

It's a Chinese hotel, the reception resembling the interior of a Chinese temple, though perhaps more colourful, with three large statues of the main Gods behind the desk, surrounded by a happy-looking group of minor gods. S$60 a night. Only Chinese channels on the TV. Chinese don't seem to use bed covers or toilet paper, because neither were provided.

The day is being celebrated by muslims here as well. Thousands of sheep have been imported into the city. The price of a sheep is S$270. Since most of the meat is given away to the poor, some Singapore muslims have gone to poorer countries such as Indonesia to carry out the sacrifice, while 5,000 have gone on the Haj to Saudi Arabia.

Rain had started just before I got to the hotel and it continued in torrents all evening. This gave me a good opportunity to catch up on my notes, which I had neglected when I was hit by the bug.

Afterwards, after the rain laid off, took a stroll past the Paramount hotel, where there's a shopping centre and restaurants, and had an excellent "Fresh prawn dumpling noodle soup" for S$3. Couldn't finish it though, nor could I add the accompanying sliced chilli peppers.