More from Singapore

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Hi All, yet more from hot and humid Singapore, we've only been in the city 4 days but it seemed like longer and yet we still didn't have enough time to see and do as much as we would have liked!!
However we did manage a trip down the river in river taxi, we started just by Clarke Quay, a very fashionable spot on the riverbank, here we boarded a river taxi or bum boat and were well entertained by a running commentary of the places we were passing, also being wildly pointed out by the very excitable Chinese captain running down the boat, just making sure we had spotted the correct buildings, the commentary was also interspersed by loud chinese music, when there wasn't a sight to view. All in all, a well spent $5 each for the entertainment!! We only took the river taxi as far as the Esplanade, from here we walked back along the river bank taking in the different sights and monuments, starting with the glitzy, ultra-modern Performing Art Centre and Theatre. These look like a pair of giant hedgehogs and are locally known as a pair of Durians, (A very smelly fruit for the uniniated, once smelt, never forgotten!!) Included on this walk are Indian and 1st and 2nd World War Memorials as well as one to a Chinese Gentleman Ling Bo Seng, who was a resistance fighter and despite horrific torture, he refused to give into to the Japanese, and was buried with full military honours. There are 2 statues of the famous Sir Stamford Raffles: founding father of Singapore, the first in front of the Victoria Theatre and Memorial Hall, the other on his first landing place in Singapore just on the rivers edge. On the opposite river bank is another very fashionable night spot and eating area: Boat Quay, I'm sure it must have been much more interesting before being refurbished, as this was the place where all the sampans or bum boats used to moor and coolies would load and unload the cargo. However the whole area is now very clean and the river almost looks healthy!! By now we are back at the Coleman Bridge and at the end of this walk, it's hot and it's time for a beer and shower in that order!!! That's our sightseeing for today!
Our last day in Singapore and we couldn't leave without visiting the famous Raffles Hotel, although we didn't know if we would be allowed in!! It's very impressive from outside, and guess what, we weren't allowed in!! Dress code states that long trousers must be worn and as Arnie had shorts on.....
However the lobby was stunning and we were allowed to take a photo. We wandered around the outer corridors and passage ways, admiring the colonial architecture until we happened upon a courtyard bar and as the sun was well over the yard arm it was time for a drink. I had a Singapore Sling (of couse) and Arnie a beer, these had to be the most expensive drinks of the whole trip!!! $34.50 for both but it was well worth it just to soak up the old colonial atmosphere.
Tomorrow we leave Singapore by coach and go over the border into Malaysia to Malaka, but's another day, bye for now
Maggie & Arnie

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Photos

River Boat Singapore
Our entertaining river taxi ride, a former bum boat, but I don't know why they have that name!!

Hedgehog theatre Singapore
One of two futuristic building, housing the theatre and performing arts, known locally as the Durians,w hich are smelly tropical fruit, known as The King of Fruit

Raffles Hotel
The imposing frontage of the famous Raffles Hotel, but they didn't let us in the foyer!!!

Raffles Bar
This was one place they let in, 'cause we were spending money!!! the most expensive drinks of the whole trip to date!!!!

Breakfast
This was breakfast Singpore style near our hotel, dim sum, (dumplings)rice,curry and a cup of coffee all eaten with chopsticks of course.