Central Plaza and Raffles Tour

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Today was another special day - at trip to Raffles in the afternoon but more on that later. In the morning we decided to walk to Central Plaza some 1km away from our hotel. It is a modern shopping centre in Tiong Bahru Road and Hazel did some shopping for small items.

At 13.30H we were all dressed and waiting at reception. Hazel had brought a surprise outfit for this special trip to Raffles. It comprised a lilac Indian dress with matching trousers and looked very special. I made the effort of putting on a shirt and long trousers - not at all easy after the freedom of a month in shorts and a teeshirt.

The tour began at the Asian History Museum and Raffles Square. I got the impression that before Sir Stamford Raffles sailed up the Singapore River in 1819 the area was little more than a sparsely inhabited swamp and that for the establishment of a trading post, the island may well have remained a sparsely inhabited swamp. It appears that the local Malay, Chinese and other local ethnic groups have been trying very hard to provide archaeological evidence that the island was of some importance in terms of trade, culture and heritage but the pre-colonial exhibition materials in the museum were very limited and unconvincing.

We were then taken to Raffles Hotel and shown where 'tiffin' was to be served. As we did five years ago, Hazel and I took the world's slowest lift up to the Long Bar on the second floor. By the time we had arrived even the most decrepit, zimmer-pushing trip participants has ascended two flights of stairs and were gently imbibing their brightly coloured Singapore Slings. Being back here again kindled memories of our first visit but the place was very busy and by the time we had been served and had a few tasty slurps, it was time to pay the massive bill (they charged us for one extra SS in error but even after correcting this, we were still hit for UK£16 for a glass of crushed ice, a cherry, piece of pineapple and some rather tasty juice containing a hint of alcohol. At least we were able to throw the peanut husks onto the floor! Being a tour, we were then rushed into the Tiffin room where the atmosphere was much more leisurely.

Tiffin is a timeless Singapore ritual and was as charming and pleasant as last time. The beautiful young harpist played the classics with celestial grace and the staff looked immaculate. High tea was not rushed but was taken in the leisurely manner which it deserved. Unlike last time, we were with a group of strangers. The only thing that could have made our visit perfect would have been to have the family with us on this auspicious and special occasion.

Soon we were back on the bus and heading for Clarke Quay where we climbed aboard a boat and had a short trip down the Singapore river. Until recently, the river flowed into the sea just below Boat Quay but land reclamation and a barrage sealed off the river and it has now become a reservoir in the heart of the city. Florence, our guide told us that the water is now much cleaner than before it was an opaque murky colour - doubtless, the water will be so cleaned up before going into the public supply that it will be fresher than a mountain spring.

After a long and very enjoyable day we were delivered back to our hotel.

Later in the evening we visited a 'Crab Delicacy' restaurant next to the hotel where we sat at a street-side table and ate prawn, scallops and crab - washed down with Tiger beer. Bright lights an a laser show lit up the skies over the city and we were entertained with this during our meal.

The highlight of our Singapore trip has been the Raffles visit and we have our nephews and nieces to thank for organising this.

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Photos

In Central Plaza
Some name for a shop!

In the Long Bar
A very hurried visit.