Had an early breakfast on the plane before arriving at Singapore by 07.15 some13 hours after leaving Heathrow! Already 28 degrees. Met by courier for the journey to Swissotel Merchant Court Hotel which turned out to be ideally situated in the centre of the city by the Singapore River. We quickly unpacked one of our bags and after speaking with the concierge we headed off to explore nearby Chinatown. On the way we purchased an MRT (mass rapid transport) ticket as he suggested - less than £10 for 3 days travel on trains and buses. This proved to be very useful. We then headed to Orchard Road which is one of the main shopping areas including Tangs departmental store which was very Christmassy. Most of the shops in this area were designer types with no prices and very few customers!!!!! We then headed back on the MRT to Civic Hall Station and we then walked the short distance to Raffles Hotel where the consierge had booked us in for High Tea in the Tiffin lounge. It proved to be much more than the high tea that we know. It also included a vast array of hot savouries as well as Dim Sum and Wantons with a variety of sauces and accompliments after which we were very full. After a very heavy rain shower we explored the rest of the hotel which included some very expensive gift shops. Our final stop for the day was a visit to the Long Bar for the obligatory Singapore Sling! We will certainly be making this at Christmas. By this time we were feeling the effects of missing a nights sleep so we walked back to the hotel and we were in bed by 20.30.