There is little doubt Singapore Airport is impressive, almost a destination in itself. Choose from massage areas, full sized sleeper seats, a cinema, swimming pool, tropical garden or if you have time a City Tour. It’s an impressive place to change flights. This time however I was staying for a few days.

On finding the Metro and checking the map, I note the island is similar in shape and size to the Isle of Wight, except with the addition of four and half million people of mainly Chinese descent.

First port of call is Starbucks (Sorry! It’s what was there) to meet my friend and host for this weekend. Having been warned about the prices, the reality starts to kick in. $6 a coffee. In fact it was prices that dominated the weekend. Singapore is costly, very costly. (£1 is $2.2) An average meal can start at $30 for a main without drinks, even the street food can be expensive. A beer will set you back from $12 upwards. My rescue is that I’m being hosted by an old friend, thus accommodation costs are zero.

Oddly, despite the efficient transport system, taxis are cheap - $20 city to airport in the early hours. So no problems there and I was able to get around quickly. A small nod of the head to the Orchard Road shopping malls to pick up a couple of items, and wonder how any nation can function where every second shop sells ladies shoes and ever more extravagant handbags. Such a change from Cambodia, the money spent here on a handbag could feed a family for a month.

My choices for my stay were visits to Bukit Timah Nature Reserve, an area of unspoilt rainforest directly in the heart of the City. A good walk to the top, the highest point in Singa is about 40 minutes, mostly spent wondering in amazement at the Japanese tourists walking up in full sports equipment backwards! I also visited Sentosa, a man made tropical beach theme park, with all the rides and attractions you would expect. Situated next door to the huge docks, it really was a world away, until you looked at the industry going on just offshore. Two middle aged adults then got completely engrossed in the Luge, a go-kart type descent from the top of a hill to the beach. I’m not sure how fast we were going but it was fun.

Nightlife is busy, choose between the Chinese and Indian quarters or the action on the Quays. No shortage of live music here. It being Saturday night, we sought out one of the specialist sports bars - some are Chelsea, some are Man U, sadly no Albion ones. (Oddly I found a Pompey bar in Koh Samui last year.) Gap in the market anyone?

Soon enough back to freezing Britain, on a never ending 14 hour flight crumpled up on a 777, so different from the generous space on the new A380 double deckers Singapore run on this route. The staff seemed equally off the pace.

I am back to my life of Banana pancakes in the tropical garden for breakfast in early January. For now, looking at the snow outside it does seem a world away. Probably because it is.

We’ve recorded a special Christmas collage of the kids at the Orphanage. Search Facebook for Cambodia Orphan Fund, video is on the left. Happy Christmas everyone.