A Long Night at the Long Bar and more....

A few of us enjoyed our last night in Singapore by revisiting Raffles and seeing a new side of it from our first visit to dinner. We were fortunate enough to have an appointment with Roslee, the assistant guest relations manager/ concierge. Little did we know we were in for a treat! We are convinced he is one of the best historians of this historic property. Roslee gave us a private tour and delighted us with colorful and detailed stories that brought this landmark hotel alive. We felt a part of the history. Stories included an interesting tale about the silverware that was buried under the pool prior to the Japanese invasion of Singapore.

We visited the prestigious suite that Queen Elizabeth stayed on her visit to Singapore. This is a perfect place to bring your family and allow them to become a part of the history. A priceless and rare gift for those desiring a one of a kind experience. Celebrities include Ava Gardner, Queen Elizabeth, Charlie Chaplin, Heads of State, and many more too numerous to mention.

We finished our evening at the infamous “Long Bar” to enjoy the signature Singapore Sling drink. This beverage was created at Raffles Hotel at the turn-of-the-century by Hainanese-Chinese bartender, Mr. Ngiam Tong Boon.

In the Hotel’s museum, visitors may view the safe in which Mr. Ngiam locked away His precious recipe books, as well as the Sling recipe hastily jotted down on a bar-chit in 1936 by a Hotel visitor who asked the waiter for it. Originally, the Sling was meant as a woman’s drink, hence the attractive pink color. Today, it is enjoyed by all.

Raffles Hotel, the legendary symbol for all “the fables of the Exotic East” was established in 1887. Be sure on your visit to say hello to Jimmy at the Grand Lobby Piano while enjoying his tunes - the best ever!

Singapore Facts

Singapore – Republic of Singapore - I love little facts at a glance on destinations I visit. Here is a great overview:

• Singapore Dollar $1.20 USD = 1 Singapore Dollar
• Multi-cultural: Chinese 70%, Malay 15%, Indian 10%, Other 5%
• Population 5 million – about the size of St. Lucia in the Caribbean and growing – “reclaimed land”. It is the 2nd most densely populated country (1st is Monaco)
• Singapore has over 50% of its area

covered by greenery with over 50 major parks and 4 nature reserves. It is an enchanting garden city.
• History: This area was a part of Malaysia and they separated in 1965.
• Changi Airport – well organized, and incredibly fast immigration and baggage
• Location: Southeast Asia, South of Malaysia, North of Indonesia and right near the equator
• Weather: Tropical Climate: Hot and humid
• 18-hole fully lit golf course for night play (approximately $400 for green fees, club rental, cart, hotel transfers)
• The Flyer – A “ferris wheel” similar to the one in London. Approximately 30 people are lifted in the sky in an enclosed air-conditioned capsule for spectacular views of Singapore. One revolution takes 30-minutes and the capsule moves very slowly. Shopping and restaurants are located all around this area.
•Description:
o Vibrant nightlife scene
o Multi-cultural for dining and shopping: Little India, ChinaTown, Arab area,
o Orchard Row – 5th Avenue shops and miles and miles of shopping malls
o Marina Bay – newest feature dominated by the Marina Bay Sands casino, shops, and the SkyPark***
o Riverside – Singapore’s colonial core, museums, statues, theaters, restaurants, bars, clubs
o Sentosa-a separate island once a military fort developed into a resort. Sentosa is the closest that Singapore gets to Disneyland, now with a dash of gambling, Universal Studios, Feng Shui exhibit and tour (I actually found it very informative! Just a little bit “Universal Studio’ish). Capella Resort located on Sentosa.