We spent the rest of the morning having leisurely showers and enjoying the air-con in the hotel ? we had intended to go for a swim in the hotel pool but on inspection it was quite small and well populated so we gave it a miss.

At around 2.00 p.m. we went out to get the MRT to where Mark and Lisa live ? so one train to Dhoby Ghaut interchange then a move to the North Eastern Line and on to Buang Kok station, where we were to meet Lisa.

They are renting a flat way outside the tourist area of Singapore

Its up on the fifteenth floor and its a really lovely home but the lease is nearly up and they are looking for a new one?

Lisa had made us tea, scones and jam (not what you expect to be eating in Singapore) gorgeous chinese dumplings with red bean paste filling and fresh fruit.

Then it was time for our manicure and pedicure all arranged by Lisa as a gift!!

First we were installed in chairs with footspa?s at the end, but when theses chairs were plugged and switched on ? the back massage began ? and went on for quite some time.

While our backs were being massaged our feet were being filed, bathed, snipped at and massaged?.

the foot massage bit was quite unnerving ? and Liz let out a shout a couple of times ? I just gritted my teeth when they pummelled the soles of my feet.

But ? it really was wonderful afterwards, a nice tingly feeling.

We were given chrysanthemum tea and it was very relaxing just sitting the have our nails painted ? pink for me and mauve for Liz? very posh!!

We were just finished when Lisa came to collect us and we walked back to their communal recreation area where Mark looked down and saw us..

Then he got in the lift and joined us ? he even brought beer?? nice one!!

Note the bare feet ? new polish there ? it needed time to dry!!!

We sat chatting and got on to the subject of ?Singlish? the Singaporean?s way of making every sentence as small as possible. Lisa was teaching us some phrases and got really giggly when we used them back at her.

It got funnier when we went back up to the apartment because Mark got out his Singlish phrasebook and just reading the phrases out had us all laughing!

Then we sat and watched some TV while Lisa was busy in the kitchen cooking dinner.

Note the very necessary fan there!!!

Dinner was gorgeous ? fried chicken served with mutton biriyani!!!

We left around 9.30 and got the MRT back to Orchard Road where we went for coffee before retiring ? showing off our very posh nails!!!