Singapore day four Wednesday 16/11/11

Again a later start, Singapore isn't an early morning place, nothing opens much before ten. Headed to Bugis street station and looked at the stalls in the streets there. More open than last time.  At the station realised that this was almost the closest station to the Raffles hotel so we plodded on by foot. Photo opportunities at the hotel which is looking in very good condition. Had morning coffee at Ah Tengs bakery, doesn't take much imagination to see what it was like in the early part of last century. Poked our nose into the famed Long Bar and then had a browse of the hotel museum for a while.
Found out the hard way that rickshaws are no longer a means of transport but a very expensive tourist trap and got onto the MRT again out into the further reaches of the island. For the whole journey the line was surrounded by medium rise tower blocks of flats. Hardly any open spaces. We found the science centre and claimed our elderly discount on entry. A tremendous contrast to the Art Science displays a couple of days ago, this was interesting and treated things in some depth, though there are also items to suit young children. Mix of the London science museum and the "Lookout" at Bracknell, though far better than the latter. Could happily have spent days here. Watched an Imax film in a spherical cinema. Not an ideal film though, "Born to be wild". Back in the main centre we had a presentation about flight which unusually gave much credit to George Cayley for his work. Final show was fireworks from a Tessla coil, well atrificial lightning really. Back on the MRT and we chose to go on the NS line which took us three sides of a square almoust round the whole island. Again there was not too much evidence of any open spaces. Being early evening by now we stopped off at Clarke Quay and saw what a different place it was compared to a Sunday Morning. Absolutely buzzing. Had a drink at Harry's bar where we sampled a Singapore Sling. Over the river we decided on a Thai restaurant on the quay side. Leaving there Carol cooled her feet in the fountain and we watched someone try the reverse bungee ride. Nearly our bedtime now so back through Little India to our hotel.