TriXie's Travels: Singapore, Day Two

Today Singapore was sunny and hot, and we were anxious to get over to the convention hall to check out the action.

A local government official thrust a sword into a stone (for real) to signify the opening of the WCG Singapore Finals. The Asian Championships actually begin tomorrow. Here we are watching an enthralling speech.

Back at the hotel, Hooperkid and I consulted a map and my trusty Eyewitness Singapore guidebook. We decided that today we'd check out the many cool sights along the Singapore River which runs through the business core of the city.

Here's Lindsey, Hooperkid, Jim, and Video Monkey at Marina Bay. In the background you can see a stadium and giant wheel being set up for National Day on August 9.

Out by the bay we got a look at the famous Merlion (like mermaid, except it's a lion) that is the symbol of the city. This bad boy guards the river and sprays mist all over the park!

Here are Lindsey and I (wearing matching outfits, which we always seem to do) consulting the guide book as a massive metallic hedgehog waits for his moment to attack and eat us. Actually the hedgehog is Esplanade—Theatres on the Bay.

This is a statue of Sir Thomas Stamford Raffles, who landed on this very spot in 1819, and as the Brits were wont to do back then, turned a small village in the jungle into a thriving trading center—courtesy of the British East India Company, natch.

This is the Boat Quay on the south bank of the river. These cute little buildings used to be trading houses, but now they're restaurants and bars. The little water taxis are all over the place in the river and the bay.

Later that evening we journeyed to Raffles hotel (named after guess who), and checked out the Long Bar, where we sampled the joys of the Singapore Sling invented on this very spot in 1915. They cost 20 bucks each and taste like Kool-Aid.

Next, we went back to the Singapore River in search of dinner. The proprietors of the various restaurants are very aggressive, offering passersby free beer and appetizers if you choose their joint over the one next door. We chose one that promised us two free Tiger Beers each.

When the drinks are free I guess you're not supposed to be picky. But yes, kids, those are TENTACLES in my fried rice.

TriX out.