Singapore

I need a break from writing the blog, so mum will do the honours for Singapore! Here we go..... By the time we reached Singapore this wretched cold held us both in its death grip. But Singapore was not to be missed, so we girded our loins, threw caution to the wind and leapt into the fray (i.e. boarded our tour bus)! We soon abandoned modern Singapore with its tall, glass covered office towers and banks and innovatively-designed hotels and convention centres and entered a world that hasn't changed much architecturally for over a hundred years – old Chinatown. Our first stop was the Chinatown Heritage Centre. Housed in a skinny, three storey building erected in the late 1800s, it displays the life of the early Chinese migrants to Singapore. As we climbed narrow, uneven wooden staircases and wandered along the darkened hallways we were able to gaze into crowded, dingy living cubicles, cluttered workrooms and common kitchen areas. It was easy to imagine how difficult life must have been for the original Chinese settlers. This is one of the best small museums I've ever been in as it was easy to picture the early lifestyle rather than staring at a variety of artifacts enclosed in clean, well-lit display cases. Next, our guide Andrew, led us along twisting lane-ways lined with numerous small stalls and shops displaying all manner of exotic wares. Unfortunately time was of the essence and we had to keep moving, catching titillating glimpses of fascinating items but never being allowed to stop and shop. Our next stop of interest was a brightly decorated Hindu temple. Even the ceilings were painted with depictions of Hindu Gods. We moved through quietly in our sock feet so as not to disturb people involved in prayer and various rituals. As an extra bonus, Andrew then directed us to a huge Buddhist temple elaborately decorated in red and gold with large murals and hundreds of Buddha statues covering the walls. It was interesting to compare the temples of the two different religions. Leaving Chinatown behind we were driven to the Royal Selangor pewter factory. After a brief introduction to the making and decorating of pewter objects, we were led to a workroom, given an apron, a pewter disc and a variety of tools and taught how to make a simple pewter bowl which we could keep as a souvenir. I can imagine what it must have looked like – two dozen senior citizens (plus Berna) lined up at counters and energetically flailing away with wooden mallets! After completing our projects we were offered a cold drink and a chance to purchase beautiful (and pricey) items made by the experts. Not being in the financial bracket of some of our companions, Berna and I decided to satisfy ourselves with our own hand-made pewter creations. Our last stop of the tour was a dream come true for me, the Raffles Hotel which featured in movies and literature I was exposed to in my teens. Built in 1887 it epitomizes the colonial style of the late 19^th Century. As we strolled over white marble floors through gracefully arched hallways we gazed out at a series of enclosed courtyards full of palm trees, giant ferns, delicate fountains and wrought iron benches. Every corner of the building seemed to contain a light, airy veranda complete with comfortable looking wicker furniture. One could easily imagine the colonial Brits strolling through the gardens and enjoying afternoon tea on the terrace! Of course no visit to Raffles would be complete without sampling the drink for which the hotel is famous – the Singapore Sling! Up a wooden staircase, around a corner, and there we were in the Long Bar – all dark polished wood, glass cabinets and wicker furniture. Palm shaped fans flicked back and forth on the ceiling. Once we were settled at tables for four our drinks were served in tall elegant glasses. As the recipe states the drink is an “attractive hue of coral” and is garnished with “a slice of orange, strawberry and mint leaves”. I don't know how much liquor it contained but it certainly packed a punch! In the middle of each table was a wooden box full of peanuts. Traditionally you're supposed to eat the nuts and toss the shells on the floor, an act which I found very difficult after 35 years of trying to teach Inuvik kids not to litter! Upon our return to the cruise centre, Berna and I had just enough energy left to purchase a couple of suitcases, then it was off to our stateroom for a little lie-down! As we sailed out of port we were treated to a spectacular thunderstorm complete with both sheet and fork lightning and a torrential downpour. What an exciting way to end an excellent day!