Come sail with me on a virtual cruise on Majestic Princess to Fiji!

[ellie1145]

It's really crowded with hardly an inch of space, but a kind couple squeeze up to give us room to perch on a step, and we have a good view. It's still really hot and humid, and I'm glad I brought my fan with me - no, not an electric one,  just an old fashioned hand one which you waft to and fro, and which actually does a very good job of cooling.

 

The 'crown' of each tree has hundreds of twinkling lights among its branches.

 

We wait in anticipation for the show to start. We're not really sure what to expect.

[ellie1145]

There is a hush as the music starts. The sound is brilliant and it fills the air and wraps around us as we sit and watch the trees come alive. The colours change in time to the music, and we recognise many of the tunes.

 

Its so pretty. Yes, it’s not Disney, and there are no lasers or pyrotechnics, but its a lovely end to a wonderful day, and we still have one more place to visit. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

WARNING! SPOILER ALERT!

There follows a sequence of videos. If you don’t want to see and hear what the show was like then please don’t watch them.

 

But if you do, here’s a little taster.....

 

To open the show, one of my favourite movie soundtracks which can still send a shiver down my spine. I saw this Stanley Kubrick film in a special cinema in London in 1968. It was an ‘epic drama of adventure and exploration’ so maybe it should be the soundtrack of this thread? 😉

 

At the time the movie was famous for its pioneering special effects and its scientifically accurate depiction of space flight, and it received many nominations for Academy Awards.  Indeed, Stanley Kubrick won for his direction of the visual effects.  Some people regard it as ‘one of the greatest and most influential films ever made.

 

For us university students,  2001 seemed to be centuries away, and yet here we are 19 years past that date. Where the heck have 52 years gone??? And who would have ever thought that the world would be brought to a standstill for one tiny virus?

 

But it is the ideal way to start the light and sound show.

 

 

Another of my favourites, the wonderful theme from E.T.  This brings back happy memories of our time at Universal Studios Florida, flying high on a bicycle.

 

 

 

 

These were my little grandson’s favourite Disney songs when he was just 2 years old, “A Whole New World” from Aladdin, and “Under the Sea” from the wonderful Little Mermaid. 

 

 

And finally, a song my little grandson and I sing to each other, ‘Youv’e Got A Friend in Me” from his favourite movie, Toy Story. He points at me and I point at him....aah...

 

I hope you enjoyed seeing the show.

 

[dickinson]

5 hours ago, ellie1145 said:

Phew! That’s a relief!

 

I was getting worried that the men in white coats would be arriving to take me away!🤣

 

You are too funny!  That is one reason why your report is so enjoyable 🙂

[ellie1145]

26 minutes ago, dickinson said:

 

You are too funny!  That is one reason why your report is so enjoyable 🙂

Thank you. 😋

[ellie1145]

Bargain Shopping and Custard Tarts

 

The show is over and it’s been really lovely. I look down and see I have a small snail friend sitting beside me. Actually, not so small! Thank goodness I didn’t see him before or I might have been the cabaret act, could have been interesting, me running and screaming!

 

 

 

 

Our guide gave us instructions on where to meet and we retrace our steps but we have a moment of panic when we see all the buses and the hundred of people, and we can’t find our own bus. It’s literally heaving with people milling about and dozens of buses. What a pity I didn’t pick up a couple of rolls at breakfast then we could have followed a trail like Hansel and Gretel.............

 

But thankfully we find the brightly lit ticketing kiosk and see our guide and hop back on the bus.

 

We drive through the darkening streets and reach our final stop, the markets at Bugis.

 

 

The Marina Bay Sands Hotel and the Singapore Flyer.

 

Now in case you hadn’t heard, they are adding a fourth tower to the hotel which will house 1,000 suites, and will have its own sky roof featuring a restaurant and a swimming pool. Alongside there will be a new entertainment district with a state-of-the-art 15,000 seat music arena. 

 

The architect, Sadie Architects, were responsible for the amazing ‘Jewel’ at Changi Airport, with the world’s tallest indoor waterfall.

 

We will very soon see that for ourselves when we fly to Sydney.

 

 

 

 

The hospital named after the founding father of Singapore, Sir Stamford Raffles.

 

We arrive at the Bugis Street Night Market. It’s basically full of food stalls and souvenir stalls, pretty much all junk, and we wander up and down the brightly lit stalls, but there’s nothing that takes our fancy. 

 

We spy a stall selling the little custard tarts so popular in Portugal and THAT does take our fancy!  We also buy a fresh fruit drink which is delicious.

 

We buy a couple and eat them as we walk along. They are so delicious that we go back and buy a couple more to take back to the hotel, and finally pick up some fruit which looks fresh and inviting.

 

 

 

 

These look cute, don’t they? We’re not sure if there’s anything inside them.

[ellie1145]

The Long and Winding Road.......

 

The guide tells us that the bus has a couple of drop off points, including Clarke Quay, or we can go back to the Mall where we started.

 

We ask to be dropped off at Clarke Quay as we know we can walk back to the hotel from there. 

 

 

We make our way along the familiar river path towards our hotel.

 

People are still eating and drinking al fresco.

 

It’s been a tiring day but such fun. It feels incredibly safe even though its dark, and when we finally reach our hotel we are weary but we’ve completed 15,000 steps. Woo hoo!

 

We’ve had a wonderful day and tomorrow we have something which we've been looking forward to, afternoon tea at the iconic Raffles Hotel.

 

 

[ellie1145]

Night Night All....

 

After a quick shower we fall exhaustedly into bed, but not before I take a last look at the amazing vista outside our windows. Singapore is so beautiful in the dark.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are going to have a restful day tomorrow as we aren't going until the afternoon, so I hope you will take the opportunity to relax and recharge your batteries, before we meet at Raffles. 

 

I also hope you've got your 'glad rags' ready for tomorrow.........

 

 

[ellie1145]

Well, today was DH's birthday so I am going to call it a day, or maybe that should be a night.

 

I would be most grateful is someone could let me know if the videos load up ok, please.

 

Raffles tomorrow! And what a treat that is going to be.

 

Night night.

 

 

[cnd crsr]

What a wonderful evening! I loved returning to Chinatown and the night market, but the best was the light and music show. Now after all those steps, I can imagine you are ready for a rest before tomorrow's tea.

[DUCHESSRN]

Hi Ellie ...I have just jumped on board for your wonderful vacation ...

So far this Pandemic I have missed out on 2 cruises ,a trip to UK and a trip to Ireland ...I am ready for some adventure .

I am also a Brit but have lived in USA since 1983 , my family are in Winchester probably near you and I visit every year except this one ...

My Dad was in British Army in India , only survived as he was in hospital with Malaria when all his platoon perished ..he also never talked about it much .

I am about to book Majestic for end of 2021 ..10 day Mexico , our usual want to get away cruise .We have a 28day in March but TA told me today she fears it may be no go.

Thank you for for your pictures and  blog something uplifting to follow along with .

 

[ellie1145]

1 hour ago, cnd crsr said:

What a wonderful evening! I loved returning to Chinatown and the night market, but the best was the light and music show. Now after all those steps, I can imagine you are ready for a rest before tomorrow's tea.

It was good to have you along this evening. Glad you enjoyed the light and music show. 
 

Indeed I am looking forward to a rest, and am girding my loins for the mammoth Raffles afternoon tea session as we speak....

 

Will see you there!

[ellie1145]

38 minutes ago, DUCHESSRN said:

Hi Ellie ...I have just jumped on board for your wonderful vacation ...

So far this Pandemic I have missed out on 2 cruises ,a trip to UK and a trip to Ireland ...I am ready for some adventure .

I am also a Brit but have lived in USA since 1983 , my family are in Winchester probably near you and I visit every year except this one ...

My Dad was in British Army in India , only survived as he was in hospital with Malaria when all his platoon perished ..he also never talked about it much .

I am about to book Majestic for end of 2021 ..10 day Mexico , our usual want to get away cruise .We have a 28day in March but TA told me today she fears it may be no go.

Thank you for for your pictures and  blog something uplifting to follow along with .

 

 

Glad you have joined us, DuchessRN. We are very glad to have a member of the aristocracy along with us....especially one with British ancestry....

 

So sorry to hear about your cancelled cruises. It really is unbelievable how life has changed in such a short space of time. We were due to sail on Caribbean Princess for two weeks in May, and I felt so sad when the day came when we should have sailed. When it will all end I really can’t imagine, but I can’t see it being anytime soon.

 

So we must travel vicariously, and I hope that this thread will provide an escape from everything Covid related. 

 

How fortuitous it was that your father survived in India during the war. They were a brave and resourceful generation, and we should be proud of them. Their sacrifices made us the free nations we now are. 

 

Hope you carry on enjoying the remainder of the thread. There’s lots more to come.

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

Saturday October 12th 2019

Afternoon tea at Raffles Hotel

 

Good morning!

 

I trust you are all well rested, fully breakfasted and raring to go!

You have the whole morning to do as you please, but we need to meet in the Atrium at 1.25 pm, ready to get into our taxis, for our afternoon tea at Raffles.

 

I booked the tea online. It was very easy to do and the hotel were excellent at answering any questions. The website offers a choice of dates and times. When I first contacted them, via the Raffles website, the hotel was still closed for renovations, but they later emailed me to say that Afternoon Tea had been resumed.

 

 

You can request any dietary changed up to 48 hours before arrival, but I inadvertently forgot to do that until 24 hours before.  However, they still provided what I requested. 

 

 

Once the booking had been placed I was required to give a Credit Card Authorisation, via another link.

 

The afternoon tea cost S$68 plus a 17.7% service charge. The addition of champagne is $20 per glass. Cancellation up to 24 hours before does not incur a charge, but no-shows or late cancellations do.

 

 

[ellie1145]

                        THE TIGER WHO CAME TO TEA

 

 In 1902, a Bengal Tiger 18ft in length, escaped from a nearby circus. It eventually turned up at the Raffles Singapore Bar and Billiard Room.

 

Here is the afternoon tea menu:

 

 

You can add champagne for either $20 or $30

 

 

                

A selection of teas is included: 

 

 

If you don’t like any of those teas, there is also a menu of more exotic teas for an extra charge - this is just a small sample.

 

If tea is not to your taste you can have coffee, or one of the other beverages available.

Edited June 30, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

 

 

“To have been young and had a room at Raffles was life at its best.”

James A Michener

 

A Little Bit of History

 

Raffles has a long and distinguished history and is one of the best known and most iconic hotels in the world.

 

Two Armenian businessmen, the Sarkies Brothers, built a 2 storey 10 bedroom bungalow on Beach Rd in 1887. Land reclamation has pushed the sea back and it no longer overlooks the South China Sea.

 

BY 1899 Raffles had electricity powered by the hotel’s own generators, and which allowed for ceiling fans, call bells and of course, lights. At night it literally ‘blazed into the darkness of the night.’

 

Raffles has a long legacy of attracting the rich and famous, Marlon Brando, Elizabeth Taylor, the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, Charlie Chaplin, Michael Jackson and our very own Queen Elizabeth II.

 

It was both a magnet, and a haven, for writers and poets such as Joseph Conrad, Rudyard Kipling, Noel Coward, Ernest Hemingway, William Golding, Ben Okri and W.Somerset Maughan.

 

Maughan, apparently, loved to sit in the shade of the hotel’s fragrant frangipani trees to edit his manuscripts. It was in the Long Bar that he would sip a drink and listen to his fellow guests, who often provided the inspiration for such books as The Casuarina Tree, a collection of short stories.

 

You can see the Raffles palm tree logo everywhere.  It is the Traveller’s Palm, and signifies a welcoming oasis.

 

 

As most Brits will know, the afternoon tea ritual was begun in the 19th century in Great Britain. Ex pats took it with them wherever they went. 

 

The founders of Raffles, Singapore, the Sarkies Brothers, brought this elegant experience to the elegant Grand Lobby of their new hotel.

 

 

[ellie1145]

 You are invited to revel in the ‘elegance and grandeur’ of the Grand Lobby, and to take in the ‘gracious hospitality, rich heritage and timeless refinement’ of Raffles itself.

 

 Today we are going to have a lazy day, as yesterday was really full on, so we don’t rush to get up.

 

First stop, breakfast and we hop into the glass elevator for a ride down to the restaurant.

 

It never fails to mesmerise me as we drift slowly down the iconic atrium.

 

We enjoy a leisurely breakfast before returning to our room to chill out. I type an email to our children, then settle down with my kindle. I also like to relax with an online jigsaw puzzle. It’s nice not to have to rush off today. We’ve been pretty lucky with jet-lag this time, as last time it was like being hit by a 10 ton truck.

 

It’s an exciting day today as we are going to Raffles at 1.30 pm for our afternoon tea experience at 2.00 pm. It has only reopened very recently as it has been shut for 2 years for refurbishment.

 

 

This is an experience we have really been looking forward to as my FIL was stationed in Singapore during the war and, prior to the occupation by the Japanese, he visited Raffles, as did so many servicemen. With its iconic Singapore Sling it was THE place to go, so we hope to feel a connection to him this afternoon. Imagining him walking through its doors will make the afternoon even more special.

 

We relax until its time to shower and dress carefully (and we hope appropriately!) for our afternoon tea. There is a dress code for the Grand Lobby which is Casual Chic.

 

Gentlemen are encouraged to wear shirt and trousers teamed with ‘appropriate covered toes footwear.’

 

Ladies may be dressed in their ‘casual best, dresses, skirts or trousers with appropriate footwear, toes-covered shoes or heels.’ No shorts, open-toed shoes or sandals, or pool attire is permitted.

 

Accordingly, my husband is in a short sleeved shirt and trousers, and I am in a long dress (the nearest I can get to a ‘tea gown’) with a lace cardigan, and white court shoes. We hope we will pass muster!

 

I shall be leaving my trusty hoover behind (Dude, Looks like a Lady) as I am sure there will be enough lackeys to ensure that not one speck of dust or debris will be seen on the red carpet as I arrive..........

 

When we are ready we make our way down to the Lobby and DH calls another ‘Grab’ taxi which arrives within minutes and transports us rapidly to this amazing hotel. This system is working extremely well and we rarely wait more than a couple of minutes for our cab to arrive.

 

Are you with me? Grab a taxi then.....

 

 

[ellie1145]

 

“At Raffles, arrive as guests, leave as friends, and return as family.”  Natasha Fraser-Cavassoni, journalist and author.

 

 

Singapore is full of huge skyscrapers, more even than last time. They are demolishing all the low rise tower blocks and rebuilding them higher, planting trees and shrubs within these blocks to compensate for their carbon footprint. In fact they are planting trees everywhere, which is having a huge effect on their carbon footprint. Not only that, but there are beautiful flowering shrubs lining every road, pretty pink bougainvillea.

 

 

Raffles is a huge building in the colonial style, with just 3 stories. As such, it is very low rise compared to the buildings all around it. There it stands surrounded by soaring skyscrapers, it is an enigma, and a little oasis of calm among the hustle and bustle of this busy city.

 

 

With its low buildings and bright orange tiled roof it is unique, and quite historic. It’s all the more stunning because it sits in the midst of modern tower blocks, a low rise colonial building with a new tiled roof, which on one hand seems out of place, yet so right.

 

It has been closed for 2 years due to its extensive renovation. Once started they found numerous unseen problems with the foundations and the walls, so it took much longer than expected. Many of the problems were associated with rising damp, and as they removed cladding they discovered crumbling bricks and mortar, and inadequate foundations.

 

Everything had to be replaced, wiring, plumbing, roof, foundations and of course, all of the furniture. The marble floor of the Grand Lobby was dug up, and even the huge towering palm trees were replaced in the gardens outside. It has been repainted in a sparkling white which shimmers in the sunlight against blue skies.

 

 

 

It’s an amazing transformation which has not pleased everyone. Some say its very modernity makes it look like any other top end hotel. It used to be full of antiques worth millions of dollars, but whilst some of the antiques are gone, in its place is a tasteful combination of classic colonial, oriental and modern.

 

Now the hotel is really high tech, with an iPad which controls everything in each suite, which comes with its own butler. It is good to see that the louvred shutters are still retained in the suites, and we really enjoyed the wonderful decor of the areas we were able to visit.

 

Everywhere is immaculate, including the pristine manicured lawns and the exotic plants and trees. One thing that has been maintained is its legendary service which we experience at tea.

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

WE’VE ARRIVED!

 

 

Raffles is about 15 minutes from our hotel and we arrive to a sweeping circular drive, up to a red carpet where two impeccably  uniformed Indians stand waiting to greet us, and open the car door.

 

They are most impressive as their uniform is iconic. They look stunning in their white tunics with a black sash, red cuffs and stand up collar, gold braid, gold epaulettes, all topped off by a pristine white turban. You truly feel like royalty.

 

 

 

 

 

 

We are ushered up the red-carpeted steps, into the Grand Lobby where a beautiful young girl with an iPad greets us warmly.

 

 

She escorts us to our table under the magnificent chandelier - which took over 5 days to put up!

 

 

 

Our table is just behind the beautiful flower arrangement in the centre of the lobby.

 

 

The tea used to be held in the Tiffin Room, and it was quite extensive with a huge buffet including Asian food, and a tiered stand of sandwiches, pastries and scones. That has now gone as it is served in the new Grand Lobby, with its new white marble floor which shimmers and sparkles.

Edited June 30, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Food, Glorious Food......

 

 

 

We are offered a tea menu, and then they come to discuss the changes to the sandwiches which I had requested. They do not make us feel a nuisance, and it is all very seamless. 

 

The china is exquisite, pure white with an embossed pattern, very elegant and understated. The napkin is embroidered din gold thread.

 

 

 

 

 

 Tea is brought in an elegant teapot, and coffee for my husband.

 

A tiered stand is brought with an array of exotic sandwiches for my DH, including an array of exotic looking sandwiched for my DH, including one on octopus ink bread. 

He has a choice of  smoked salmon on octopus ink bread, plus prawns, egg mayonnaise etc, Mine, of course, are slightly more bland - I opted for plain egg and chicken which come on a separate plate.

The stand also contains three layers with sandwiches, pastries and on the top tier some fruit cake and a dessert in glass dishes.

 

 

[ellie1145]

Where do we begin?

 

 

 

We start with the gorgeous apricot mousse in a glass, which is slightly tart, with a smooth cream underneath.

 

There is also a slice of what looks like a fruit cake wrapped in a layer of pastry.

 

 

 

[ellie1145]

Which comes first, jam or cream???

 

 

 

After this they bring round warm scones and dishes of jam and cream.

 

 

The scones are warm and crumbly and full of fruit.

 

You can have as many scones as you like but nothing else, apart from drinks, is refillable, but to be honest it is plenty.

 

They happily refill our drinks and bring more scones and jam and cream.

 

Edited June 30, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

Now for some cakes....what will you choose first?

 

 

 

 

 

Edited June 30, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

There is a lady playing the harp nearby and it is very relaxing.

 

It’s a beautiful lobby area, and people are coming and going continuously, so its fascinating, and we sit and absorb the atmosphere of this hotel, watching the world go by for over two hours - or perhaps I should say ‘how the other half live!’

They don't hurry us and it is certainly an experience to remember, being pampered.

 

 

We watch as guests are checked in by IPad all afternoon and it’s fascinating to see who is staying there - it reminds me so much of the movie, “Filthy Rich Asians’ which was filmed here. Many of the suites are over $10,000 a night so unfortunately it is something we are never likely to experience, unless we win the lottery.

 

These stairs are a ‘no-go’ area, only guests allowed upstairs to the inner sanctum.

 

 

 

As we prepare to leave the young lady who welcomed us offers to take our photo, under the wonderful chandelier and in front of the magnificent floral display. How could we refuse such an offer?

Edited June 30, 2020 by ellie1145

[ellie1145]

I cannot resist peeping in here....... (I said ‘peeping!☺️)

 

 

 

 

However, I left this one to my DH!