Travelogue #1.

Raffles Hotel

by

Robert L. Fielding

Rudyard Kipling once famously said, “Feed at Raffles!” I can see why he said it, though I have not yet dined here.

The ambience of this famous edifice, historically connected with Sir Stamford Raffles and the beginnings of the Straits Settlements, is a joy.

Sitting taking tea in the elegant Writers Bar, one can easily imagine W. Somerset Maugham penning in his notebook, the words, ‘Someone said George wants to blow his brains out.’
‘Will you do anything to dissuade him?’
‘Good Heavens, no!’
And we sat down and waited for the sound of gunshot.

These words may never have been uttered, but they are axiomatic – pointing to different days in the history of the Englishman abroad. No din from the traffic disturbed the taking of afternoon tea, no towers inhibited one’s view, and Beach Road really was next to the beach – that strand of sand along which evening strolls were taken as the settlement settled, the coolie rested and all was well with the World or at least that part of it upon which the sun never set.
Robert L. Fielding