Today and Tonight in Singapore

For some crazy reason we got up at 5:30 this morning. Perhaps that was connected to the long nap yesterday. The lobby of this hotel has this wonderful piece of blown glass in the center. The colors are beautiful and subtle. The piece is breath-taking- especially at night when it is surrounded by candle light provided by large candles.

We went to breakfast at about 7:30 and then hung out until we thought the mall outside our hotel would be open. It wasn't open until about 10:30 and was almost immediately filled with huge numbers of p

eople. There was nothing that tempted us, but we enjoyed the decorations.

In the early evening we took a taxi to the Raffles Hotel for dinner. The entrance was beautiful, 

the gentleman in the Indian uniform, and the flowers created an unforgettable image. 

As we entered the lobby a choir of about 20 young people began to sing carols. 

The  sound and the sight was almost a sensory over-load.

We went to the Long Bar Steak House for dinner. 

Our steaks were cooked to perfection and presented on wooden tray that was lined with a sizzling hot metal tray. was so good!

We then went to the Long Bar where the Singapore

 Sling was invented. We had arranged to meet Inge and Lawrence Lewis- friends from our Orient Cruise in 2006. We had enjoyed many afternoons of playing Team Trivia and were so glad to know they were coming on 

this journey.

After that we got a taxi to drive us on Orchard Road to 

see the Christmas lights. The driver said since it never snows people are always outside celebrating the holidays. He talked about having no snow and we laughed because- just as in Florida where there is no snow- the lights looked exactly like snow.

On every block there were people dancing and music playing. There was every kind of music you can imagine rock & roll, heavy metal, Christmas Carols. There were even some Nativity Scenes on the sidewalk.

 Shoppers were rushing among the party folk.

Because of this city being about 4 million and representing so many nationalities this time of year sees holidays for Indian New Year, a Muslim holiday, Chinese New Year and Christmas. Seemed like just one BIG party.