Singapore

The flight on the Airbus 380 was just wonderful. The seats are 50% wider, larger in every way from traditional Business Class seats. Bed is completely flat and I managed a few hours of sleep. Food – prawn curry especially – was excellent and the entertainment – over 990 channels - was very good.

Arrived in Singapore early and so Ross was right there at the plane to meet me. We turned around and there was the hotel meeter&greeter. We were through customs and out of the airport so fast. Our BMW limo awaited, complete with flags on the front….we were waving at everyone – Queen Mum style!!!! The drive into the city is lined with beautiful plantings…..ugliness is not allowed in Singapore! No chewing gum here!!!

Ah Raffles! We got there by 8:30, well ahead of the 2pm check-in time. No problem, we can have a room ready within the hour…so go and have breakfast in the Tiffin Room…on us! The Andre Malraux Suite would be available before the Kipling Suite…so we took that. By 10 am, we were ensconced in our suite, which consisted of a parlor and dining area on either side of the entry, a huge bedroom, enormous dressing room and equally enormous bathroom. It was beautiful. And on the common verandah overlooking the lush garden, wicker table and chairs, which we used for evening drinks and morning coffee. Our very own butler presented himself, bringing fruit and a vase of fragrant frangipani. He asked if there was anything he could do for us and Ross (ever curious) immediately asked if we could see the Presidential Suite…and so we got a tour…..beyond impressive,

We rested for a while and then went to our 3pm appointment with the resident historian who took us though the history of the hotel from its very humble beginnings right through the major renovations from 1989-1991. Then, we went up to the pool, had a swim and just lolled. After drinks on the verandah, we went off to dinner in the Grill. A wonderful meal: yellow fin tuna in cucumber jelly amuse-bouche, smoked salmon for Ross, duck liver with chestnuts and cabbage for me; then pot au feu for Ross and Dover sole for me. Le tout washed down with Tattinger. A wonderful meal! We had our coffee in the main lobby, where we were presented with scrumptious chocolates from an enormous box and, of all things, a dish containing a mound of pink cotton candy! Incongruous!