Burnley FC Media and PR Manager Darren Bentley is in Singapore with the Clarets on their pre-season tour to Singapore. Catch up with the alternative view every day, right here…
The Longest Day!
The further east you travel, the more you tend to lose valuable minutes of your life hurtling forwards in time.
And so it was as an epic journey began in earnest from London on Saturday evening; precious time we'll never get back!
Naturally, we had to head south first and the omens were not good when the sliding side door of the coach transporting us to the hell that is Heathrow kept sliding open unexpectedly through an air lock fault - starting just outside Burnley!
Chris Eagles at check -in
Comparing passport pics! We've all done it!
So when, just as we'd painstakingly taxied out to one of the main runways of one of the world's busiest airports a captain's announcement informed us of an electrical fault that would necessitate a return to the gate, the feeling this could be a long night quickly took hold.
A frustrating two-hour delay sat in our seats followed until we were finally given the green light to get airborne and Asian bound on this historic tour to Singapore.
First impressions here: It's damp and very muggy! But despite the murky gloom and searing humidity, this little republican state looks like a genuine modern metropolis, towering high and illuminated against the dark, threatening skies as we headed for our luxurious hotel.
Singapore skyline
Alas, it's far too late to fully explore - and training starts tomorrow, albeit in late afternoon to allow the lads to fully re-tune the body clocks - but I'll try to offer a snapshot of this incredibly clean city in tomorrow's blog.
But for now, it's been a long old jaunt - from midday departure on Saturday to preparing to hit the sack some 30 waking hours later.
So perhaps you'll forgive me if I hit the hay following a few little interesting snippets…
Man bag alert! Russ Wilcox keeps a straight face as his flight accesory of choice is mauled by the lads!
Ripping Yarns
Over a nightcap in the bar tonight (well a man has to sleep somehow!) I discovered a bizarre trait of the currency here in Singapore: it's waterproof!
All the monetary notes here are slightly translucent and waxy to the touch; something I'm reliably informed is to prevent them tearing in this extraordinary humidity. And guess what; it works!
Attempts to seriously rip up a two dollar note (I'm not made of money, you know) proved impossible.
Sadly, this doesn't mean to say my money will last all week.
The average cost of a pint of beer here is around £15SD, equating to about £7.50 sterling. Thankfully, you can drink the Corporation pop, or tap water as it's known these days!
Harry Up!
It's a social environment the Clarets are throwing themselves into here in South East Asia.
Invites have already been accepted to host open training sessions for media and fans - and attend the salubrious surroundings of Singapore Cricket Club, home to many ex-pats, during the week.
And one of the tour supporters, Harry's Bar, are also set to play host to Brian Laws and the entire squad at a 'Meet the Fans' night on Thursday.
Harry's Bar and ESPZEN - proud supporting partners of the Clarets' tour, have thrown down the invite to all travelling fans and locals to join the players and coaching staff at Harry's Bar Chijmes on the 22nd July between 8.30pm - 10.30pm, following the game against Home United.
So far, I've compiled at least 50 names of folk intending to watch the lads on tour, so a warm welcome seems assured as Singapore folk also join in the fun.
Righto, I'm off to bed ...
