We wanted to stop in Singapore for a few days on this trip as this city holds some special memories for us. Whenever we needed something close to America, we would come to Singapore. You can drink water from the taps. Cars stop for you when you are in a crosswalk. Traffic is orderly. English is spoken by everyone. Time here gave us a sense of home. So for old-time sake, back for three days we came.

One of our first stops was to Raffles Hotel and Long Bar. Long Bar is where the Singapore Sling was invented. If you go to the Raffles Hotel web site, the following is the description of how the drink came to be.
The Singapore Sling, widely regarded as the national drink, was first created in 1915 by Raffles bartender Ngiam Tong Boon. Primarily a gin-based cocktail, the Singapore Sling also contains pineapple juice, lime juice, curaçao and Bénédictine. Giving it the pretty pink hue are grenadine and cherry liqueur. Bartender Ngiam deliberately chose to give the cocktail this rosy colour.

Following the turn of the century in colonial Singapore, Raffles was the gathering place for the community – and Long Bar was the watering hole. It was common to see gentlemen nursing glasses of gin or whisky. Unfortunately for the ladies, etiquette dictated that they could not consume alcohol in public. So, for the sake of modesty, teas and fruit juices were their beverages of choice.

Ever insightful, Ngiam thus saw a niche in the market and decided to create a cocktail that looks like plain fruit juice but is actually infused with gin and liqueurs. The clever bartender made the beverage pink to give it a feminine flair which, together with the use of clear alcohol, led people to think it was a socially acceptable drink for women. With that, the Singapore Sling was born. Needless to say, it became an instant hit.

You don’t dare litter in Singapore…a $300.00 fine the first time, subsequent offenses may result in court ordered cleaning a section of a neighborhood wearing a bright neon green vest. But littering in Long Bar is encouraged. On every table is a large sack of peanuts. The expectation is for everyone to brush the shells off the tables and onto the floor.

It was fun sitting in this historic bar, but it also put a little dent in our wallets….$30.00 for a Singapore Sling!!!! Ouch. Singapore in general is one expensive city.

From Raffles we went looking for another bar…the Atlas Bar. This bar was built in 2002 and pays homage to the art deco architecture in America and Europe in the late 1920’s. Beverage highlights include elegant European cocktails and one of Asia’s finest collections of gin, spirits and champagnes sourced from around the world. Such a rich atmosphere to enjoy a drink.

Besides littering, there are some other no-no’s in Singapore. Spitting carries fines of $500.00 and community service. Don’t dare bring cigarettes into the country, huge fines for having unpaid duty cigarettes in your possession, as well as fines for smoking in public places. Vandalism can bring caning punishment…some leniency if one is over 50 years old. Drug possession, buying or selling, can bring the death penalty. Jay-walking can get you a $50.00 fine or a month in jail. There are fines given for not flushing a toilet and don’t dare urinate in an elevator. Some Singaporian elevators are equiped with urine detection technology…the doors will lock until the police come to arrest you. And don’t ever feed the pigeons unless you want to give up $500.00. There is a reason Singapore is one of the cleanest cities in the world.

The first night we arrived in Singapore, we were sitting at an outdoor restaurant on Clarke Quay when we looked up and saw a Chinook helicopter carrying a massive Singapore flag flying over the downtown skyscrapers. And then out of nowhere came five F-15 fighter jets thundering overhead. Next a large transport plane accompanied by two more fighter jets. And then a single fighter jet roared into view and rocketed straight up over the city, leveled off, completed a few twists and jetted off while our hearts were thumping away!!!! We learned that Singapore National Day is August 9, and for the five weeks prior to this Independence Day, they practice. We were lucky enough to be here on a practice day, and that night watched the practice session of the fireworks and laser show. If this was just practice, wonder what the actual event will be like!!!!

Outdoor art abounds in Singapore. Seems there is a sculpture around every corner.

We also went in search of a Hawker Stand that received a Michelin Star for the Chicken Rice dish they serve. Imagine that…a Michelin Star for a humble hawker stand. Tells you something about the street food in Singapore. We used trusty Google maps to find this little hole in the wall. If it wasn’t for Heidi’s eagle eyes we would have missed it. We stood in line for about 10 minutes, grabbed our chicken rice and a couple of Tiger Beers….have to say we were a bit disappointed. Guess we were expecting more with all the award hype….but we checked it off our bucket list, explored Chinatown, and walked on for further exploration.

When it was time to go, we planned our departure so we could explore the new addition to Changi Airport. For the past five years, Changi Airport has been noted as the best airport in the world, and with good reason. There are two movie theatres, a two level butterfly park, separate parks featuring sunflowers, cacti, orchids, and ferns. There is a swimming pool, a gazillion restaurants and shops, big open spaces where kids can roam free, and people in purple blazers there to assist you with any problem that might arise. Customs and security are a breeze to clear as the efficiency speeds you through. And I swear the baggage distribution system works at the speed of light. But on top of all of that, a new section has been added across the street from Terminal One. It is called Jewel, and no security is needed. Inside this huge glass building are five stories of shops and restaurants and smack dab in the middle surrounded by trees and plants is a waterfall like you have never seen in your life. We paid a small fee to enter the glass walkway on the fifth floor. It is like walking on air and we timed it perfectly as a waterfall show commenced. Smoke, water changing color, lasers, and music…spectacular!!!! Only in Singapore.

All we had left to do now was board Japan Airlines (business class…ahhhhh), fly to Tokyo for a 10 hour layover. Stored our bags and went into town….to Ueno and the Zoo…Had to see the Panda’s and the resting spot for the elephants killed during WWII….but the zoo was closed. So we walked about in the pouring rain, grabbed a Starbuck’s Mug and a Tokyo Ueno Hardrock pin, and dashed back to the airport.

Then onto another flight (business class again) for the final leg home. This was a special trip for us…time to connect with dear friends, time to explore old and new, and time to say goodbye to a special corner of this world.

Selemat Tingal, Southeast Asia. Terima kasih for everything!!!!