The Singapore River – birthplace of the citystate

The old Singapore River was the lifeblood of the island's entrepot trade. From the far corners of the earth, ships arrived and anchor out at sea, discharging their cargo onto lighters or bumboats that ferry it to the river banks where it was unloaded by coolies. These tough labourers hauled the goods such as bags of rice, jars of preserves or crates of manufactured goods on their backs and loaded them onto lorries for distribution, or storage in the warehouses that lined the river. 

The stink from the river at low tide could be quite formidable to the casual visitor, but was the smell of money to the towkays who owned the trading houses in the area. 

Today, after the relocation of the old businesses and a cleanup operation stretching over decades, the river is back to its pristine condition as it would have been when Stamford Raffles, the citystate's founder, first stepped ashore in 1819 to establish a trading post for the East India Company. 

Raffles had intended that the port would be the meeting place where people of all colours and tongues could trade free of duty or hindrance.

Now it also attracts tourists from around the world who cruise the waters in the pseudo-bumboats and take in the spectacular sights.

The pristine waters of the river are now the preserve of converted bumboats ferrying sightseeing tourists.

A cruise boat leaves the jetty for an exhilarating trip downriver and out to sea.

Catching the sun and some breathtaking views from the open deck.