The random move to Singapore!

Hi and thank you for visiting Black Lad travel. This post is about my story and how I managed to move to Singapore with just myself and a backpack.

Back in the UK, I graduated as a Computer Forensic student and had just landed my dream job working as a Computer Forensic Analyst. I managed to bag the job straight after university which you would think I would be buzzing about, but for some reason, it just didn’t seem enough. I just wasn’t content, and I never really saw England as home which is why I turned to travel a lot.

So, how did I end up Singapore? After University 2 friends and I decided to travel to Southeast Asia, as you do. The bless thing is that once you get to Southeast Asia, things are pretty cheap so it’s just the initial flights that you need to save money for. The cheapest and best flights turned out to be flying in and out of Singapore from the UK so that would be our first and last stop.

When I got to Singapore it was life-changing for me - I remember walking out of Marina Bay Sands (pictured Below) and just thinking to myself ‘wow this is incredible, I want this life’. At the time I could barely scrape together a couple of quid so it was a distant dream for me as it’s probably the most expensive place we travelled to in Asia.

During the last few days of the trip, leading up to going home, I honestly just couldn’t picture leaving Singapore. I had never been somewhere so dreamy, and the way of life here just looked perfect; the vibe, the atmosphere, everything was on point. It got to the point where I just decided I didn’t want to leave. I ended up turning to my friends on the last few days and saying: “I can’t go back, you boys go – I am going to stay here and see what I can do”.

Of course, when I got here I was travelling and had in my plan to return to the UK so I didn’t have anything lined up when I decided to stay. I was struggling for money (still living in the student mindset), but I just chose to stay because I saw potential in myself here. I stayed in hostels and used this website ‘couch surfing’ to find places to stay. At one point I was staying in Malaysia to save money and taking a bus to and from Singapore. At the time I just thought to myself ‘let's see how it goes, what's the worst that could happen? If all fails, I can get a flight back to England.’

I gave myself two weeks and told myself that if I didn’t get a job or an interview at that time, then I will admit defeat and go home. I wouldn’t have the money to stay anyway……well, not until I received a blessing from above! Can you believe my luck – I put a bet on France to win the World Cup and won $300 and then a few weeks later won another $1000. It was a sign to stay for a bit longer and honestly thank god I did.

After a few weeks, I managed to get a job with a British company who got me my visa. I legit turned up to my interview in jeans because I was only supposed to go travelling!

I also found a place to live in Singapore and could afford to get by without having to travel to and from Malaysia (which was peak btw). It honestly just all came together.

Staying in Singapore was the best decision I have ever made – yes, I left behind a Computer Forensic Analyst job which I had studied for but there’s no reason why I can’t go back to doing that in the future. For now, I am living in the moment and creating memories that will last a lifetime.

I believe that life is about swimming or sinking. Was I just going to sink in a small dormitory room shared with 8+ people and feel sorry for myself or was I going to think what can learn here? I guess I just saw things differently – I thought about how unreal is it that I am surrounded by 8 people who have all come from different walks of life. If you open your mind, there’s so much to see.

Just remember you’ve survived 100% of the bad times you’ve been in my G’z!

Thanks for reading my story, feel free to read more of my blogs below

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Singapore Laws that you must know

Singapore the country renowned for its cleanliness, safety and rules and regulation. This post list the rules and regulations you should simply be mindful of when visiting to guarantee you a stress-free time.

1. Smoking

Yes, you can smoke in Singapore but not so freely as in so many different countries. Smoking is prohibited in Shopping Malls, Bars, Pubs and Nightclubs. Outdoor places are also included like fitness areas, overhead bridges/walkways and the entire Orchard Road area.

Penalty: Smokers are liable to a composition sum of $200 if caught smoking in prohibited places, or up to $1,000 if convicted in court.

2. Littering

Singapore is a very clean country and is content with keeping that reputation. Throwing any small items like sweet papers or receipts will land you with a fine. Bigger items could even have you appearing before the court.

Penalty: $2,000 for the first court conviction, $4,000 for the second conviction, and $10,000 for the third and subsequent convictions. You can even spend time doing community service

3. Being a public nuisance.

Quite self-explanatory so If you think of chanting Yaya Kolo Kolo or footballs coming home through the streets of Singapore prepare for a hefty fine. Apart from this if your quite forgetful and leave your bag in places this could also be an offence.

Penalty: up to $1000

4. Spitting

Another nuisance people often commit is spitting. Spitting is completely banned in any public space, roads, alleys, vehicles, cafés, restaurants, malls or movie theatres in Singapore.

Penalty: of S$1,000.

5. Drinking

The rules are pretty simple annoying but simple your 7-11s and shops stop selling alcohol at 10.30 – 7 am. There’s no point pleading with the cashier as it won’t work. You can still buy at licensed premises such as bars, pubs, clubs and hawker centres. I’d recommend a hawker centre if you're needing cheap beers to bring back to the accommodation.

Penalty: If you get caught drinking in public during the restricted hours, fine can be up to $2000.

6. Drugs

Singaporean laws are very strict about drugs consumption. The local police are always allowed to perform a narcotic test on citizens, foreigners, and travellers if they feel suspicious. It is completely illegal to consume drugs within the territory and borders. Be clear and stay safe, from any such issues. In the case of any discrepancy, there would not be any chance to escape.

Penalty: Death

7. Chewing Gums

That’s its part of the whole keep Singapore clean is the ban of chewing gum. Mints or breath spray are all good.

Penalty: jail term of 2 years or pay a penalty of about S$100,000.

8. No Nude

So, prostitution Is LEGAL here, with all the rules pretty crazy I know, however walking around your house butt naked Is ILLEGAL you’ll be punished and charged with pornography. This isn’t like your party holiday where you’ll be able to have fun on the balcony carefree, be mindful.

Penalty: Fine not exceeding $2,000 or serve a jail term of not more than 3 months.

9. Crossing the Street

Wait for the green man! Jaywalking is not allowed in Singapore. You’ll probably see the Aunties and Uncles crossing not giving a care in the world. but follow them at your own risk.

Penalty: $50 for the first offence. Repeat offenders can be charged $1000 and a jail term of 3 months,

10. Flush the toilet

Not flushing the toilet isn’t just disgusting or a breach of decency in Singapore, you’ll actually be breaking the law. Singapore is extremely extra on this, they’ve even fitted elevators with detectors that detect the scent of urine, sets off an alarm that keeps the doors closed until the police come.

Penalty: fine of up to $1,000 for first-time offenders.

What To Do If You Lose Your UK Passport!

­­­Passport Safety Tips:

· Make sure to keep a note of your passport number and a photocopy of the personal details section.

· if you’ve got a pretty secure system then I’d recommend taking a picture.

· Don’t keep everything in one bag, try to keep personal belongings separate.

· If you feel its been stolen don’t sleep on it call the passport advice line on 0300 222 0000.

Can’t find your passport flying out very soon

If you are flying out in more than 3 weeks you can simply fill in a replacement service here.

There are 3 ways to apply for an urgent passport for less than 3 weeks.

You’ll need to book an appoint at your nearest passport office. Find your nearest one here.

1. Online Premium

You get your new passport immediately at your appointment if approved can take around 30 minutes.

You can use this service to renew an adult passport.

Use the Online Premium service.

2. Paper Premium

You could get your new passport after 4 hours after your appointment if approved.

You can use this service to:

· renew an adult passport

· change the name on your passport (with a marriage or civil partnership certificate)

Use the Paper Premium service.

3. 1-week Fast Track

Your new passport is delivered to your home within 1 week of your appointment. I’d advise arranging a time when somebody would be in, to sign for it.

You can use this service to:

· renew an adult or child passport

· change your name on your passport (for example with a marriage certificate or deed poll)

· make changes to your personal details on your passport (for example, your gender)

· replace a lost, stolen or damaged passport

· apply for a first child passport

Use the 1-week Fast Track service.

Lost passport Overseas

Still don’t panic there's always a fix, although it may set you back £100.

You may need an emergency travel document. This actually allows you entry into 5 countries.

After completing the application online it’ll then tell you if you need to have an appointment with the British embassy, high commission or consulate.

Apply for this here

Find your nearest British embassy, high commission or consulate here