Staying in a hotel room with my sister felt like stepping into uncharted territory. I imagined our parents smiling, delighted that we have found our way back to each other after loss. Our journeys could not be more different. I ventured far from home, embracing South Africa as my beloved new world, yet the Netherlands, where we began, will always hold a sacred place in my heart.

The next morning, we found a snug coffee nook near our hotel, where we lingered over cappuccinos before a taxi took us to the storied Raffles Hotel. There, we reunited with Betty and Evana, Margreet’s friends, who were also preparing for the Holland America cruise departing December 20.

Sunlight danced on the building’s white walls, and its grand verandas invited us into a world of timeless grace. The butlers, polished and poised, lent an air of bygone glamour. Though we were not guests, Betty sailed past the doorman with a grin, announcing she was there to see a friend. Her lively spirit was contagious, and Evana glowed with kindness. Following Betty, our bold leader, I felt a thrill of adventure ignite within me.

We quietly joined an excursion group, meandering through gardens so lush they left us awestruck. The Raffles Hotel seemed to enchant every traveller drawn to its legendary allure. I could only imagine the price of a night here, but the playful decor was eye candy. I spotted a book filled with tales of the hotel’s colourful history and its extraordinary butlers. Before we left this haven of luxury, I snapped a photo with the dapper doorman, then wandered over to the iconic Raffles shopping mall.

Every brand under the sun seemed to have a boutique here. Most names were new to me, but Betty and Margreet lit up, calling out familiar favourites, a few of which I recalled from the Cape Town Waterfront. I smiled to myself, picturing the simple shops back in Long Beach. After a swift stop at Starbucks, we parted ways.

I relished the cool respite indoors, grateful to escape the thick heat outside. Margreet treated me to a sale outfit, though the price still made me wince when I converted from Singapore dollars to Rand. She picked out a lipstick and a glittering charm for her phone.

As evening fell, we took a taxi to Marina Bay. Margreet’s research paid off; by night, Marina Bay bursts into a kaleidoscope of laser lights, with views from places like the Marina Bay Sands SkyPark, best admired from a chartered boat. The friendly attendant offered to take my phone and captured some stunning photos for us. We ended our adventure with dinner by the water before heading back to the Clan hotel by taxi.

More photos are found on this Facebook page

Our third day, 19 December, in Singapore