Sights and sounds of Singapore River

Some observations of the present Singapore River:

As we walked along the Singapore River towards the Asian Civilizations Museum, the first thing that caught our attention were the river cruises/taxis/tours that made it's way down the river. We noticed that there were plenty of shops and restaurants near the river. Some even had seats and tables set outside, so that customers could enjoy the view of the river. The environment was relaxed and we saw several patrons coming in and out of bars during lunchtime as it was 'happy hour'. The patrons were probably from the office buildings nearby. We also observed several landmarks and historical buildings located along the river.

Inferences:

In the past, the Singapore River was a bustling free port, and ships were consistently coming in and out of the harbor. It was where trade took place, as all the goods were being imported into Singapore by the ships. As it was a central business district, there were obviously plenty of people around.

Now, in the present day, similar activities are still being carried out. The river is used as means of transportation, and there are shops along the river. It is also still the central business district.