Peanuts on the Long Bar

Shells on the floor. Singapore wouldn't be Singapore without Raffles and Raffles wouldn't be Raffles without the discarded peanut shells on the floor apparently. The Singapore Sling is also a bit of an icon so it had to be sampled. It was surprisingly good if not a bit pricey (S$31) but we stopped at just one each. The bar was packed with relaxed tourists taking selfies and soaking up the relaxed Colonial atmosphere and it was difficult not to join in the fun. The "Amurican" couple sitting next to us at the bar thought the place was quaint and loved the way that the locals drove on the British side of the road and hanged drug traffickers.
We avoided purchases at the classy but ridiculously expensive gift shop as we had already purchased out magnetic fridge magnet/bottle opener at the HRC earlier in the day, but rather we hastened to the City Space Bar 70 stories up at the top of Raffles City Complex.There is no charge for a window seat overlooking the Singapore river if you spend enough -and we did, on two Happy hour cocktails, an Erdinger Weiss Beer and a plateful of cheese nibbles.
After watching the all too rapid sunset we found ourselves engaged in yet another discussion with some fellow tourists. This couple were Australian and lived south of Melbourne in a "Carnoustie Drive" They had some interesting thoughts about how sustainable the Singapore economy was, but their main concern was whether they were going to have a hot and dry summer after an unusually harsh (sic) winter. There were predictions that the risk from bush fires would be paticularly high this year...
After paying our dues, we headed for another of Bernie's recommended eateries. His favourite restaurant - "North Border" - was close to the hotel and we were greeted as long lost friends by Cheryl the waitress and Anand the chef when we explained we were friends of Bernie. Complimentary drinks and deserts were forced upon us after beef quesadilla as starters and Pacific Sea Bass and Lamb Chops as our main course. After he finished his work, Anand joined us for a drink and we had a long discussion about food around the world before he insisted he take us for a tour of Indian restaurants tomorrow evening. A difficult offer to refuse when it comes from the creator of the best meal we have had in Singapore so far.