Susan and I were in Singapore summer of 2019 as the gateway city to and from our Eastern Malaysia, Borneo and Thailand adventures. These pictures were taken from our room at the Fullerton Hotel, the hotel rooftop bar or on the sidewalk along the Singapore River. We were fortunate in that our visit coincided with the National Day of Singapore, celebrating independence from Malaysia in 1965. Fireworks, parades, and an address by the Prime Minister of Singapore all taking place just across the Singapore River in Padang and Esplanade Park.
The Fullerton Hotel is a neoclassic landmark built in 1928 as the Fullerton Building serving as the General Post Office and as offices for other governmental agencies. Fantastic inside and out it offers modern amenities with colonial charm. It is worth visiting when in Singapore for the historical architecture, fabulous lobby and public spaces and the fantastic floral arrangements or afternoon tea. The Lighthouse bar located on the top of the hotel on the point of the Singapore River is the perfect place to take in the Marina Bay waterfront nightly laser show. Originally a functioning lighthouse providing guidance to sailing ships making their way to the mouth of the Singapore River it offers and a 360-degree view of the stunning Singapore skyline while enjoying your favorite libation.
The one indoor picture in this series was taken while dining at the elegant Atlas Bar. Located in Parkview Square the Atlas is inspired in its art deco design by Rockefeller Center in New York City. No expense was spared in the design and construction of this magnificent space. With over 1,300 different gins on their cocktail menu, some dating to the early 1900’s, and an amazing champagne list which includes 2,000 bottles of 1907 Charles Heidsieck champaign intended for Tsar Nicholas II, (torpedoed by German U-Boat and sent to the bottom of the sea, where it lied perfectly preserved until recovered in 1997), there is something for every taste. While the Long Bar at Raffles is another watering hole you must visit for the old-world colonial charm and its famous Singapore Sling, the Atlas is my favorite bar in the world, so far…
Singapore is one of the more interesting sovereign city-states in the world, modern, diverse with residents from around the world. Singapore’s history is evident through architecture, varied cuisines, religious temples, and diversity of markets. An interesting place with so much to explore, see and do, and obviously beautiful at night, we are looking forward to another visit to Singapore soon.
All images were taken with Fuji X100s with 23mm f2.0 lens in RAW format and Samsung Galaxy S8, processed in Lightroom Classic CC 9.4