The words are synonymous, Raffles and Singapore. If you have been to Singapore you likely have been to Raffles Hotel or at least driven by it. Fellette and I did not go there this time, but just about everybody else did. Why? Because being in Singapore and not going to Raffles is like bread without butter, or a day without laughter, you know what I mean.
But after merely driving by it, I was drawn to it like a magnet. It has a certain aura about the structure and facade that makes you want to know more about it and explore it. Thomas Raffles landed in Singapore in 1819. He spotted the area as a strategic geographical trading post in Southeast Asia for Britain and the rest is history, as they say. He ended up as Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles. A hotel by that name was first erected in 1887, and designated a National Monument in 1989. It has 1700 pieces of oriental carpet in it, plus so much history in it's past it is almost impossible to comprehend.
Moe went to Raffles yesterday and had a Singapore Sling, [invented there in 1916], and said to me this morning "That's the way I want to live!". Moe's favourite drink when she was being courted by husband Ralph was a Singapore Sling. I suspect that the familiar taste bought back a few memories yesterday. She misses Ralph every day of her life and the time on the cruise sometimes makes it a bit tough for her. However, she looks happy enough in the photos, one in the 'Long Bar' and the other just exploring the place. Gail and Jim also had a visit to Raffles yesterday, again.
I had breakfast with friend George [of Ruth and George fame] this morning, Fellette was taking a day off again to nurse her cold. They and another couple took a cab to Raffles late yesterday morning. They have been to Singapore several times but never spent any time in this legendary place. Yesterday they did. [George and Ruth are on the right in the picture, interesting folks we met two years ago.] [The other couple are Nancy and Wendell whom we met earlier this trip and are in the quartet with Fellette, practising for the next passenger talent night.]
Upon arrival at Raffles, and after a little exploring, George and Ruth went to the famous 'Long Bar' to imbibe in a Sling, cost; twenty Singapore Dollars. [C$14]. They had made reservations for lunch upon arriving, so at the appointed time they went to the Raffles Dining Room. Starched linen and sterling silver cutlery with silver accessories helped to justify the rather hefty set-menu lunch cost; C$98 each. Mind you that included a pre-dinner unidentifiable appetizer, an appetizer, a soup and an entree, and an exotic dessert. This was all served by two attendants on a silver cart, that is right, a silver cart. Plus two glasses of 'paired wines'. A 'paired wine' is a wine that is 'paired' with what you are eating. [Maybe not too expensive at all upon consideration].
The white-gloved attendant was kind enough to bring a very tiny chair for the lady to place her bag on rather than on the floor. By now George was really into this and wondered why the chair was not padded!
The place does have some certain charm about it so I suppose that is why that little luncheon took just about three hours. George checked out the room rate, as we often do. The least expensive, rack rate, is U$700, single!
Maybe next time we will have a lengthier visit there. [That 114 year old Chinese friend on the subway yesterday has given me a higher life expectation rate than I had before!]
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