Singablanca

We had brunch this morning. Like normal. Saturday brunch at Epicurious. I had smoked salmon on a bagel. Delicious, fresh juice. Wait...where am I??

Singapore is a big deal. Cosmopolitan. Successful. Locals and expats alike enjoy the restaurant culture, nightlife, business, universities, museums. Oh, and did I mention shopping? It's a serious metropolis for Southeast Asia. From what I've seen so far, THE metropolis.

After brunch, we cruised along the Singapore river. The country, independent for just over 40 years, has combined its British influence with modern, purely Singaporean constructions. A former post office has been turned into the Fullerton, a five-star hotel. The previous Supreme Court building opposes the new one on the skyline, a British colonial one facing the alien spaceship-styled new building.

The river is lined with great views of other city architecture. One building nicknamed the Singapore calculator, banks and more banks, and a merlion! Singapore is said to have been named from "singa" which means lion and "pura" meaning city. The lion city, the fish portion of the merlion emblem represents the city's link and historical tie to the sea as a port city.

In the near-ground, the river is dotted with restaurants and bars. A mix of cultures, mostly Indian, Malaysian and Chinese, all kinds of cuisine are available, even fusion of those. Outside influences also abound. A German beer garden. And was that Hooter's? Why, yes. Yes, it was.

After our river ride, we cruised a few of the shopping malls and headed to the Raffles' Hotel Long Bar for a cocktail. Singapore Sling, anyone? The Raffles is a luxury hotel named for Sir Stamford Raffles, the founder of modern Singapore, and has also been declared a national monument. One of the top 100 hotels in the world, it is indeed a beauty. While many parts of the hotel are reserved for residents only, the Long Bar is a treasure open for all. Upon entry, you're greeted to a floor full of peanut shells. Leaf fans line the wall and alternate swings for a breeze. The bar is all dark wood, the staff in waist coats and sarongs. The setting is so classic, you expect to see Frank Sinatra stroll in with a cigar and martini. It's Casablanca in Asia...except for the Aussies in their board shorts!