Singapore

Outside the Raffles Hotel

The Garden City. My dear cousin Nonnie Dillehay and her husband Barry have lived here the past 12 years, and know the city inside and out. My stopover in Singapore was to be a short one, but Nonnie saw to it that I took in the most important sights around town. We started with a Bumboat cruise down the Boat Quay, Clark Quay, and around Marina Bay. It was a pleasant little cruise passing by the old Boat Quay where fisherman and merchants would dock to sell and trade merchandise. The road was lined with original turn-of-the-century buildings that today are filled with bars and restaurants, each with a patio overlooking the water. Beyond the quay and under two bridges, we emerged at the Merlion, a giant fountain with the body of a mermaid and the head of a lion. Across the bay was the famous Marina Bay Sands Resort, a three building hotel connected by a large "boat" resting on top with the world's highest outdoor pool (over 600ft above ground-level). It was a sight to behold. The remainder of our cruise was spent admiring the modern skyscrapers while sipping our Tiger beers and doing our best to beat the immense heat. 

The following day, Nonnie and I went to the botanical gardens to play. It was a beautiful day for a picnic, and many families could be seen laid out on the lawns reading books, playing with children,  laughing and making merriment, surrounded by lush vegetation and singing birds - including the naughty bird, which makes sounds that little Forrest Gump's school principle made while visiting Mrs. Gump to 'discuss' Forrest's school placement. My favorite was the Orchid Garden, which had some 200 varieties of orchids on display. 

Walking through the gardens was wonderful, but not a good choice when trying to be out of the heat. We decided the best way to cool off was to get a Singapore Sling at none other than the Raffles Hotel. The hundred-plus year old hotel is without a doubt the epitome of Colonial World Luxury. Rich woods. Chrystal chandeliers. Oriental carpets. Guests referred to as "Members." It doesn't get any better than this. The Long Bar was the birthplace of the Singapore Sling - no surprise the drink here was $25! But it was gooooood… We sat on the balcony under revolving plantation fans looking around at the few empty tables imagining women in 1910 attire sipping tea (what were they thinking) and passing the time in style, looking out over crowded pedestrian streets and the ocean beyond. Today, that view is obstructed by 40, 50, 60 story skyscrapers. We raised our glasses and offered a cheers to days gone by.