Yesterday was the longest day in the UK, a day I used to look forward to with great excitement when I lived there. When I lived in Aberdeen, in northern Scotland, the summer solstice was particularly special. Aberdeen is further north than Moscow so the summer days are long (if not always warm!) and the favourite way to celebrate was to climb a local mountain, Bennachie, in time for sunset (some time after 10 pm) and party till sunrise, at about 4 am. Why is it that staying up all night is the thing to do when you are young? It was fun though, and much easier than staying up all night would be in Singapore, at any time of year, since we have 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness throughout the year. That said, I will be up jolly early tomorrow, as I am taking the train to Malaysia at 4.30 am.
Now the 4.30 train was not my first choice, but these next few days are the last opportunity to take the train from the wonderful art deco railway station at Tanjong Pagar. Although the station is situated in Singapore, the land on which is sits is owned by the Malaysian railway operator and it was agreed last year that the station will cease to operate from the end of this month and train services will be transferred to the north of Singapore, near the checkpoint for the crossing into Malaysia. Despite never having taken the train before (the journey to Kuala Lumpur takes about 6 hours, compared to one hour by air), I wanted to make sure I made a journey from the station before the close. Alas, the whole of Singapore seems to be thinking the same thing, so I had to queue for a ticket and the only service not sold out for tomorrow was the 4.30 am.
The station building will be preserved, and is in desperate need of some care and attention, but it is a real shame to see it go. I'll add some pictures to the next post, if my iPhone delivers the goods.
Now the 4.30 train was not my first choice, but these next few days are the last opportunity to take the train from the wonderful art deco railway station at Tanjong Pagar. Although the station is situated in Singapore, the land on which is sits is owned by the Malaysian railway operator and it was agreed last year that the station will cease to operate from the end of this month and train services will be transferred to the north of Singapore, near the checkpoint for the crossing into Malaysia. Despite never having taken the train before (the journey to Kuala Lumpur takes about 6 hours, compared to one hour by air), I wanted to make sure I made a journey from the station before the close. Alas, the whole of Singapore seems to be thinking the same thing, so I had to queue for a ticket and the only service not sold out for tomorrow was the 4.30 am.
The station building will be preserved, and is in desperate need of some care and attention, but it is a real shame to see it go. I'll add some pictures to the next post, if my iPhone delivers the goods.
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