Starting our trip with two days at Raffles Hotel in the centre of Singapore. Staying here is like being in a 1920's novel--broad, airy verandas with comfy chairs, ceiling fans slowly revolving in every room, lovely Colonial architecture all painted white, delicious food and highly efficient and friendly service from the ever-friendly staff. Breakfast is served in the Tiffin Room--enormous buffet with a mouthwatering range of perfectly ripe fruit, among other goodies. We are getting a bit acclimated to the sultry weather, though the locals claim it's relatively cool. Directly outside our suite it's a tropical jungle--massive palms and other lush flora, most of which we can't identify. Yesterday was spent exploring the city, the highlight being Singapore's Botanic Gardens with their impressive Orchid collection. A couple of hours wandering around the immaculately maintained gardens, including a bonsai theatre. Riotous dinner last night with Robin's friend and colleague, Tom Drake, at Jim Thompson, a Thai restaurant in a former church. Best curry we've had in a long time.

This morning we're heading out to the National Museum for a bit of history. This is a brilliant museum with a wonderful overview of Singapore's long and fascinating history. Its location on the major trade routes of earlier centuries meant that its culture and history incorporate an impossibly vast range of influences from so many lands. One item that I particularly noted was a large bell that was cast by Paul Revere's Boston workshop. It was presented to the city of Singapore by his daughter Maria, who married a diplomat and ended up living there. Another section that captured our interest dealt with WWII, when the city was captured by the Japanese. Tonight we fly to Sydney.