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shop houses, colonial-style government buildings, bridges, modern skyscrapers and the pastel open-air restaurants and bars of Clarke Quay that lined the riverbank.

It was quite a surprise that we were all allowed to sit on the roof of the boat to take photos. No threats, no caning, no "rules." The view from the boat was spectacular. It was more than refreshing to see a green and clean city after trudging through the grimy and sad streets of Agra and Chennai in India.

Whereas in India, when one asked where to dispose of a discarded soft drink can one was shown the street, in Singapore, there is a place for everything and everything in its place. Singapore is clean. Very Clean. But though it is cleaner than many major American cities, it retains an exotic Asian charm.

As one of my traveling companions remarked, "A place doesn't have to be filthy to experience culture'." Maybe she has a point.
Our next stop was a visit to Sir Raffles Hotel and Museum. Raffles, of course, is a major tourist attraction. It's also the birthplace of the Singapore Sling. A chocolate dessert and special coffee for 87 people was a treat as was wandering around the vast expanse of green lawns and flowers. The quaint little Raffles museum showed a Singapore of years past with vintage photos and replicas of rickshaws and other bric a brac. It was also free of charge.

SENTOSA ISLAND

Our next stop was Sentosa Island, which was only a cable car ride away across the harbor. Singapore's cable cars aren't your typical cable cars. Besides being the first in the world to span a harbor, these cable cars are also glass bottomed and available for "sky dining" if you book in advance. Though sky dining isn't on my top ten list, I can imagine that those jaded travelers who have "been there and done that" might want to give it a try.

Sentosa Island, Singapore's mini Disneyworld, isn't an "authentic" Asian setting. It has a kind of mini Cancun feel, which is odd for Asia. Still, it offers sea breezes, man made sandy beaches, a pink dolphin show and the high tech "Images of Singapore" exhibit.
Sentosa is also home to a family friendly aquarium that is a maze of tube tunnels that gives tourists and locals a chance to get up close and personal with exotic sea creatures. The maze is a bit mesmerizing. I found it rather easy to get lost amidst the crowds of families, even on a weekday.

Sentosa Island is also known for its nightlife, restaurants, resorts and beach bars. This is where the locals go to get away from

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