Our cruise arranged a cocktail at the bar, and ferried us there on rickshaws.
The original Raffles hotel was founded in Singapore, by Sarkies Brothers (who also established Eastern & Oriental Hotel and the Strand) in 1887. Raffles honor Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles (1781-1826), who founded modern Singapore.
The hotel does have the colonial feel. The rectangle shaped bar has high ceiling, makes pretty good cocktails, serving their signature cocktail in a jar; I’ve mojito, which is good.
The bathroom of the hotel is clean; but the one of the toilet seats moves (no paper liners), so is one of the hot water faucet at the sink.
Our friend spotted this restaurant with an eagle eye – we were looking for a place to dine after the night market, hoping for an air conditioned place. And our phones have no connection.
Walking into this restaurant, we decided, no a/c is ok, which turned out to be just fine.
On the river. Open air. Above Warsteiner party boats. Takes Visa credit cards. Although our Casillero del Diablo Chardonnay (2023) wasn’t totally chilled, but the excellent stems definitely made up for it.
For food, we’ve
buffalo skewers with lemongrass
stir-fried buffalo with lemongrass
steamed fish with lime juice
seafood fried rice
All are good. The buffalo is bit tougher than beef but is yummy. The fried rice is al dente, delicious and clean (not greasy). … which brings up my last fried rice at another restaurant in Tampa, Florida, it was greasy and is suing me for my review at this moment, inconveniently as I’m out of the country. (Thanks to the internet, got a lawyer and let’s go!) Oh well. I would think when a business appreciate customers feedback to improve, would do better.
We anchored right at this silver smith shop. As soon as we’re off the gangway, were met with multiple ladies with basket of jewelry to sell. One of them even so far to ask my name and is keeping an eye on me.
Rows of chairs are in the small front yard for us. An owner or worker gave briefing/intro to different kinds of materials that made with silver, and how to distinguish fake. Oddly enough, he spent lengthy time talking about deposits (which I consider the standard practice), and that friends and relatives are the worst customers because they refuse or the shops reluctant in asking for a deposit but then they change their mind, and the shop is stuck with the order.
After the silver smith shop, we were bused to Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Centre, and there they’re again, with the basket of jewelry! Apparently, they knew our literary and get there on their scooter or ferried by their husbands… After we returned to our ship, which’s anchored by the silver smith shop, yes, they’re back there before we did.
I got a pair of 925 earring at $35 inside the shop.
Vipassana Dhurak Buddhist Centre of Kingdom of Cambodia is one of, if not the monastery in the country: impressive, ornate and gorgeous. The golden girl in the pond is striking.
We walked thought living area for the nuns (who wear white; monks in saffron), the squalor, simple and crude conditions are in such sharp contrast to the splendid temples.
Vipassana is a movement, per wiki “The Vipassanā movement refers to a branch of modern Burmese TheravādaBuddhism that promotes “bare insight” (sukha-Vipassana) to attain stream entry and preserve the Buddhist teachings. It gained widespread popularity since the 1950s, and to its western derivatives which have been popularised since the 1970s, giving rise to the more dhyana-oriented mindfulness movement.”
