Day 2

Dear Friends,

What a wonderful day!! After another yummy breakfast we headed out on foot to the National Museum of Singapore. It was lovely to stretch the legs and see some more of the city as we walked.

About to head out Day 2

The National Museum was beautiful - full of light and harmoniously designed. The traditional architecture blended seamlessly with the modern extensions.
Whilst some of the exhibitions were closed for refurbishment there was an excellent photographic exhibition and an extensive History of Singapore on display.

Outside the National Museum

In the Gift Shop at the Museum!

After the Museum we made our way on foot to Raffles for lunch. 

Outside the elegant Raffles Hotel

Raffles is a stunning hotel. We could feel the history of this iconic building as we walked through it's leafy courtyards and elegant restaurants. I kept expecting David Niven to gracefully rise from a wicker lounge or appear around a pillar. (Showing my age here!) For the younger amongst us perhaps Robert Pattinson?

Raffles Reception Foyer

On the way to lunch

After a short walk around parts of the hotel and quick browse in the (highly expensive) exclusive boutiques we went into Tiffans Restaurant for lunch. What a lunch! Absolutely scrumptious. Delicate, richly flavoured and delicious Indian dishes and mouthwatering desserts. It was fantastic to try food that is so different to our normal fare, such as carrot and cardamom pudding.
The service was warm and gracious. Even my shoulder bag was given it's own little wooden seat!  One of our students has a severe food allergy. The Head Chef made six courses specially for her and she was very happy (and very full!)

Happily replete after our Raffles lunch

Saying farewell to Raffles

After lunch we headed back to the Hotel Concorde for a short rest and the girls spent the afternoon going over their resolutions for THIMUN.

In the early evening we headed out to join a tour to Chinatown. 76% of Singapore is made up of Chinese people so the area is vast and bustling with business. We walked amongst the many stalls selling all sorts of things - clothes, home-wares, souvenirs and a multitude of places to eat. Our guide took us to a shop where we were given a red fan. We could nominate a word to be written in Chinese on our fan. Some of us chose the name of a loved one, others chose words such as 'Peace' and 'Honesty'. A lovely memento.

We were then taken up a 'secret passageway' (according to our cheerful guide Joyce) and sat down to a substantial Chinese meal. Does it seem we eat a lot? Lucky we walk everyday!

We were given half an hour to browse in the shops and soak up the atmosphere - gifts for Christmas were purchased at great prices!

After dinner we went on a trip to the river by Trishaw! This was so much fun! We sat two to a trishaw and took off through the narrow alleyways and yes even onto the main streets. Some of the trishaws played music so there was much hilarity as we rolled along bopping to the music!

Ms Bennett's is holding tightly to her shopping!

Edwina and I about to head off in our Trishaw 

Vinita and Emma travelled at a great clip!

Izzy and Selina 

Our fun trishaw trip finished at Clarke Quay.

During the colonial era, this quay was the commercial centre where barges would transport goods upstream to large warehouses. Over the years the Singapore river became very polluted. Hundreds of boats jostled and competed for business.

Clarke Quay in the 1900's
   
              
The government decided to move the cargo services to a new modern facility in a different area. The boats and lorries departed to their new home and Clarke Quay lay empty and silent. The government then undertook a huge but important job. It cleaned up the river and its environment from 1977 to 1987. The area turned into a flourishing commercial, residential and entertainment precinct.

Clarke Quay today - It is difficult to believe this beautiful river and embankment was once so polluted and crowded.

We went on a river cruise and enjoyed a different perspective of this gorgeous city. This trip on the water was beautiful and peaceful and a fantastic way to end an eventful day. The cruise was taken on a 'bumboat' - so named because they are the same type of small boats that used to take goods from the rear of big barges!

Vicki, Joie and Emily

About to get on the 'Bumboat'

Some of the areas we passed on the river:

The Three Towers we visited on Sunday evening

The commercial area - Historically, the tallest house along the river represented the success of a company. Our guide pointed out this attitude can still be seen in the skyscrapers today!

It was another wonderful and very full day. Our thoughts now are very much turned to THIMUN tomorrow and the days ahead.