Today was the last day of the PC show, that mad geek extravaganza of discount happiness. Pretensions had been thinking about acquiring a GPS navigation system for her car for some time, largely due to the high likelihood of her getting lost on the way to her destination. Google Maps inclusion of Singapore has helped a lot since April this year, but P finds it difficult to read driving directions and keep an eye on expressway traffic at the same time. If you ever see a little red car zipping across 3 lanes from left to right to make an intersection, or struggling desperately to get out of a U-turn only lane, that's probably P. P will take the opportunity to tender a public apology to the enraged Imam in the BMW that she managed to cut in front of during her last attempt to find a new location.

Having read in the papers that several GPS manufacturers would be represented at Singapore's mega-sale of PC equipment and accessories, P decided to brave the insane crowds at Suntec City in order to check out what was available. Along with everyone else in Singapore from the look of it.

No parking was available anywhere within 800m of the Suntec Convention Center. Even peripheral mall car parks like Raffles City had few lots going and P watched the Esplanade car park lots dwindle from 100+ to 38 within the space of 10min (as highlighted on the new nifty car parking spaces notice boards). P felt the need for a GPS unit just to locate a parking space. And even when you got one, the nightmare was far from over.

The picture on the right shows what the crowd was like outside the exhibition hall - P didn't want to risk being trampled by stopping to take photos inside the exhibition hall. There were points when P was simply crushed between long lines of people trying to go in all directions at once or responding to the loud hail of the ever-eager gadget salespeople. P felt very sorry for the couple who were obviously trying to hold a wedding dinner in the Chinese restaurant on the 3rd floor.

P has a theory that sales bring out the primaeval hunter's instinct in everyone - male and female. Being the sort that enjoys the idea of having secured a bargain, P tends to plan her sales rampages with a certain tactical eye. When to go? Which route is most free of obstructions? How many tai tais to shove out of the way? Once having spotted her prey, P will then stalk and bring it down, armed with a sharp eye, steely nerves, good reflexes and the bladed edge of her credit card. P most enjoys the triumphal journey home, bearing the tamed carcass of her latest acquisition and then being able to say to an awed audience "Oh that? I got it for a song at the sales".

Oh, and the GPS? P finally settled on a Garmin 200W for S$399 inclusive of US maps and a 1GB SD card loaded with Malsingmaps (and guaranteed free updates). Admittedly, she could have achieved this without going to the PC show but wouldn't have been able to cross-compare and try out all available GPS units, so still considers the couple of hours well-spent. Anyone who disagrees may have their power cables amputated without warning - you have been warned!