Raffles' vision of Singapore was for her to become a vital international port and trading center for the Far East. This tour helps to retrace the course of the 'dream come true'. Your trip down memory lane begins with a visit to the Raffles Landing Site, where Sir Stamford Raffles is believed to have first set foot here in 1819, and then to an exhibition that traces the history of the Singapore River.
Next is a stop at Raffles Hotel, a hive of activity for the high-society in the 1800s, and famous for its 'Singapore Sling' cocktail. Here enjoy either an Afternoon Tea Buffet and local delicacies or light refreshments. The tour continues with a bumboat cruise. These hardy vessels were once used to shuttle cargo but today, they steer us through a kaleidoscope of historic Singapore River and harbour images set against the towering skyline of the modern business district.
Step off at Clarke Quay, a riverside festival village, and visit a Pewter Gallery to discover the history of pewter and role of tin in the development of Singapore as a trading port. A demonstration on pewtersmithing is also included. |
