Is it Christmas in Adelaide??

I have to profess that I am an early Christmas shopper. Adelaide on the other hand takes its time... while in Singapore, the whole entire Orchard Rd will be abuzzed with happy faces and we have the opposite at Rundle Mall (did someone just died?) This is a picture taken at around 6pm on a Thursday... outside of Starbucks. It was pretty sad especially if you are used to a little nocturnal shopping; decorations galore - the council must be making squillions!

Not too sure why but I have this strange feeling that the labour government have hired the same architects across all states - those grey tiles are just a dead giveaway. That was the first thing I found about Adelaide - people are passionate but far too moderate. Change is hard for them to cope and everything seems to be a battle. It takes a long time for them to adjust...must be the heat. But then again, the upside is that people tend to have a life after 6pm where in big cosmopolitan cities, time is money. I can't begrudge them for that since I am now a certified Adelaidian! God save me....

One of the good things about walking around with a camera is what you might get to see - it is usually things that will surpise you with "where's that camera when you need one?" moments. Adelaide hides itself from the casual eye you see - it is very elusive therefore it is always good to catch it with its pants down!

The beauty has to be experienced though so always look up while in Adelaide as much as you can. You will discover a whole new world when you do. Often, people are too busy talking and watching their feet but if you just stand still for a moment, you might just catch a glimpse of beauty. I recommend also looking people in the eye or make at least some eye contact. It makes the stroll less arduous especially catching a glimpse of that quizzical look of 'do I know you?' when they really don't. It puts them in a spot....can be quite humourous. Always good for a personal laugh (insane, I know) but people are strange...

This particular side street which I can't recall which is also filled with surprises. This entire wall was infact covered with toy cars. Very cheeky - made me smile at least especially when it was in a dilapidated carpark. Who'd guess someone had a good idea?

So have a stroll around Adelaide if you have the chance. If you're into shopping then I recommend visiting Melb or Sydney instead but if you're interested in a big country town atmosphere then I welcome you to Adelaide. Have a good trip and we will warm up to you. It will just take a little time....

Old Memories Die Hard - Happy Pictures

You know how certain trips make you all warm and fuzzy inside?Taken a long time back when everything is a little mentally chaotic but as they say only feelings remain so these were really good times (See Hadi smile). Not much of a Coleridge fan because he is a little suss (Romantics...my apologies) but we have pictures in this day and age that words should just remain words.

This was a good side trip to Switzerland while on a 3 weeks UK vacation, taken with an old mate that seemed to have disappeared from the face of the planet (IMAN where are you mate??). Cold meats, champagne, a little skiing and a little sledging - it was good fun - top of world feeling. I destroyed a pair of shoes that day which disintegrated off my feet from going up and down the alps, over and over again. Too indulgent!! My host could only laugh.

Switzerland is extremely clean, the lifestyle is very soothing and mature, the reason why I doubt that I could have lived there then. My priorities at that time was to see the world and settling down was not an option. But a trip here is highly recommended - go with a whole lot of dough coz it ain't cheap and remember to leave all your worries behind. A little Swiss German will go a long way but don't worry coz almost everyone takes up English as a second language. Recommend rummaging through Zurich for a bargain, if you can find one but it is also worth just sitting down for a coffee - to watch the world go by when everything is way out of your budget. One of the must dos while in Europe.

This was taken at a Llama Farm in Connecticut. A side trip while working in NY. The Boss was planning to retire and live on a farm so was scouting out some Llamas he's put on hold. I was more interested in the dog (Maremma Sheepdog) and she was me. And no, she was not on sale. The boss now has his own 'Snowy' to keep the foxes in check and I have my Schipperkes.

So apparently, Llamas bond with their masters as much as their mate and a good tip is to always touch them from below their chin. They tend to react aggressively if you come from the top. Their eyes just magnify your hands...just imagine if you had those beautiful eyes - you wouldn't want someone taking it out with their fingers which looks like a meter long stick!!

It was a good trip and I realised that NY is not to be reckoned with especially if you're looking for a career and still very naive. She's a real bitch at times and changes with the seasons. She is also culturally rich, snobbish and immorally opportunistic. A world of extremes....with little pockets of surprises. You'll definitely need a chaperon to ease you in. A place to visit, let your hair down but not to work unless you're single and hungry for some action.

America has its moments but if you're a nature lover well you're in for a ride. Here we are in Crater Lake National Park (Southern Oregon). It snowed buckets the night before but the sky was spectacular and it was freezing - I like the cold so it was pretty exciting. We hit a blizzard on our way down - it was also my first time running through one. Mad mad mad!! The snow itself was about 8 to 10 metres high and was a sight to behold.... I think I was there for about 2-3 months while the partner was working. Oregon can be a little dull but thank god for the bookshops and coffee. It was also the first time that someone asked me for my ID when I ordered beer?! Maybe my face was upside down that day but truly can't you tell?

So here's to some of my little memories, friends lost, friends made but all very fond which I keep close to my heart.

Taipei 101

Our intentions for this trip was to visit the National Palace Museum, see a little of Taiwan and yes climb or get elevated up the Taipei101. That was what we had planned anyway but then you know Murphy? We had only 3 days - a side trip via Hong Kong on our way back from Beijing.

Taipei is nothing like Hong Kong or Beijing. People are more laid back and life tend to pass them by. They like their gadgets - something I can relate and the metro is not as congested. Taipei is easy to get around and they have loads of bookshops to go to. It was also a little more humid than expected but yet not as cold as we had imagined it to be.

Eating was fairly cheap too especially when you're not into delicate cuisines preferring on-the-go meals. We ended up eating alot of Japanese while we were there and had no complaints.

The National Palace Museum was not as friendly to foreigners though as everything was written in Mandarin. There is a strong focus in Calligraphy and Chinese Poetry - we were into decorative arts and was totally disappointed when we got there. The Museum is also undergoing renovation, leaving most of its exhibit in storage rather than on display. If you are into jade and bronzes - yes do visit. The emphasis is very scholarly and therefore very isolationist to first-timers.

No pics of the museum - I recommend buying the book on Chinese Court Costumes if your interested instead over the web and unless there is a specific exhibition that might catch your eye, leave it out of your agenda.

As for Taipei 101, we did not manage to climb up either...it was a real bad day for viewing that even the staff advised us that we will not be able to see anything. We ended up having lunch there instead and me buying a pair of Gotex shorts! Oh well...we probably needed more than 3 days.

One thing I have to say about Taipe101 is that the interior concept is fascinating - they considered every single detail. Connecting beams are held together by cloud-like fixings which reveberated throughout the structure even on the external sections of the tower. It is a visual feast! It is very different from the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur - it is more luxurious and spacious while the latter is more mall-like. The Tower has a very futuristic resort like atmosphere about it and yes you can still shop till you drop.

Till next time.

Peking Duck Anyone?

Thanks to "Raise the Red Lantern" and the spectacular Gongli, I've always been romantically captivated by Tiannanmen and the Forbidden City. Not that it had anything to do much with the movie but just the idea of life in China among the red walls. This was the year (2005) that I was in constant pain with my knees and it was after this trip that I decided to go and have it fixed. Why is that important? Well you'd know when you've had a bad knee and you're itching to climb, jump and basically walk like normal people....

Beijing, like any other industrial country has its fair share of pollution and I doubt that it will get any better. Most of the time, this is exacerbated by Guangzhou - a major culprit of breathe ala haze!

With the Olympics looming in 2008, Beijing has stepped up to meet the needs of an ever-growing tourism industry both local and foreign. I was pretty amazed at the increase in numbers of public lavatories across the city but they have yet to embrace the idea of a 'dry' toilet. It is also disturbing at how fast urbanisation is creeping into the older sections of Beijing as they're doing a way with a lot of the hutongs i.e. old housing across the city and pulling them down in the name of progress. Have a stroll around these areas, it is very humbling.

It was good to be here to see what the 'new' economy has to offer. The other goal for this trip was to shop for antiquities, with my not so fluent mandarin and a little hand gesturing, we were able to have a taste of what's truly out there. The markets were also interesting especially local ones - it was the first time, I've seen a real chinese market and it was amazing i.e. very real especially the seafood section where you can choose your own eel while they're still in their tanks wriggling about -pick me! pick me!. There were hundreds!!

Food was also pretty accessible - the famous Peking duck is nothing to die for but worth the visit just to see what the fuss is all about. I still have a thing for Shanghainese food though so the duck went unnoticed by the palate. We recommend staying at a hotel that is close to the metro - it will get you to Wangfujing and the square quite easily.

Tiannanmen Square is like any other square - big open spaces and an endless ant-like queue to see Mao in his mausoleum. Not my cup of tea - dead people deserve to be buried and queues are a waste of time especially when you want to see it all. Of course, there was the 1989 student revolt that caused an uproar but like any communist state, it is hard to believe that people are not used to such things by now. Tried feeling nostalgic but failed.

The Forbidden city sadly is going through massive "conservation" if they can call it that. Old tiles are being replaced with new and cobbled walkways replaced with grey ones everywhere. It would have been good to have kept the cobbled stones - I can't say that I like the grey tiles that much but the Chinese has a history of not wanting to embrace the past so the cycle continues unabated. We also recommend visiting China now before money takes over the entire country and everything becomes too sanitised.


The Forbidden city itself is in fact pretty large - divided into sections in which the Emperor would address his court at different tiers of the city according to whom is seeking his audience and their ranks in society. It was a very hierarchical society then and still is now. Artisans selling their wares are accorded sections of the city circumnavigating the entire wall. Not too sure whether this is still the case now but it would have sustained itself pretty well.

At the far end of each corner of the city are bell towers. Here is an image of what it looks like on the outside and of my partner climbing down from one. Yes, everything is well inclined so get real good shoes that grips well and hold on tight.

The great wall is amazing. We were lucky enough to have had the opportunity to arrange our very own driver that took us to Mutianyu. It is further away (30-40 minutes by car) than usual but the good thing was that there was no one there to spoil our view and experience. The hotel you're in will have a travel desk and they do speak good English and many more are learning too - so be ready to be accosted by strangers wanting to know whether you're in need of directions. It is cheaper to do it on your own really rather than on a day trip package.

I have to admit that climbing the wall was very challenging especially for someone our age - we were just far too unfit to do much and did not want to admit it.

Along the trail, we were inundated by locals selling us photographic books. They're not pushy so a little smile goes a long way and if you do intend to buy, they're much cheaper here than in town so bargain hard.

The view is spectacular and you'll have to admit that this is as good as it gets. Each section is connected by a watch tower but the climb itself as you can see is not very forgiving especially for someone with a bad knee. I recommend one watch tower at a time and if you're not keen - go to the one closer to the city. But be forewarned - there'll be thousands trying to take a picture with you in the background.

So I say goodbye to Beijing. Next Stop Shanghai & Xian in 2008...

One final pic before I go.... the smallest car in the world - able to fit via parallel park along the high street of hutongville at the flick of a button plus one extra chinese on the side.

The Eastern & Oriental, Penang

What's with the Sarkies Brothers and their hotels? There is just something about black and whites which makes us feel all colonial and fuzzy. So here are two images of the E&O in Penang. The E& O I believe was affected by the Boxing day tsunami - these are not pics of that day.

These were taken on a normal day as it was just going to be hit by a storm. The water was belting against the walls quite ferociously and the sky was getting darker. Cannot imagine what happened on boxing day!!

My partner spent a lot of time when he was young in this exact hotel. Dad was busy working in the area which allowed him to explore the inner sanctum of this hotel as a live-in resident. Much has changed he says...it used to have various hideaways, places in which he could galavant without Mum knowing - bats and all.

So we took a trip down memory lane on this visit... it was good to find out a little more about him and his youthful escapades. The rooms were pretty generous overlooking the gardens/sea and we were just 5 meters away from the pool. The butler service was uncalled for since we prefer to make our own tea and like any boys be loosely clad at all times as and when we wanted to.... sorry those pictures are only available on requests.

If you are ever in Penang - I would recommend the E & O. It is worth a visit....

Not More of New Zealand!!

We flew to New Zealand for a wedding (2004). It was a good trip because there were very few people at the occasion making it very intimate. We were peopled -out that year and was not looking to spend more horrid moments with the unbearables... the world was getting to us, I guess!

The wedding was held in this chapel @ Lake Takepo on the south island. It was just over Christmas and yes, due to a fluke in the weather, it snowed that morning. By 10am though everything had cleared up which was very lucky for the bride who was wearing a boat-neck dress + chiffon scarf.

We then headed further south for a glacier tour... it was interesting and a good learning experience - learning how glaciers were formed, their age and what they taste like!! Even managed to bottle one for the rest of the trip. Pretty cool!

As you can see, I was feeding up for the winter and have put massive weight on - did not manage to hibernate much though - it was go go go. I have to say, there was a particular reason why I avoided being photographed this time around- the hair was bad and yes everything facial was far too round. Ok - just look at the mountains....aren't they pretty. And no, that's not me...its a life vest incase I get attacked by Walruses!!

The JAVA Trail

If memory serves me this picture was taken in Bali rather than Java. We were planning a trip that would allow us to not only do Bali but steal a couple of days in Jogya/Solo and Surabaya.

This was one of the better trips to Bali - we managed to hotel hop which allowed us to settle down finally to a non-touristy hotel where the atmosphere was just right for us.

This is probably in 2005 - after the Bali bombings which saw a dramatic drop in visitor numbers. I must admit that some shops being managed by muslim indonesians were no longer there and have moved out of Kuta but everything else was pretty status quo. Art Collectors expecting a bargain was also disappointed as most artefacts started appearing in Jakarta and Singapore so stay put if you're there....things will eventually come your way!

For those who knows Bali, they can be rest assured that there is nothing to worry about since Kuta is more 'romantic' to first time visitors and revellers of "Pattaya-like' action while the best spots are still unknown to them.

Historically though, most balinese were from the mainland of Indonesia. With the increase of converts to Islam, hinduism was slowly being isolated and believers + royals began moving towards the Island. Left behind are beautiful structures which reflected the once thriving hindu culture and the traditions of old.

The entrance to one of the temples above in Prambanan (Solo) is quite spectacular. This is one of the must sites to visit. It was built prior to Angkor (13th-14th) century and therefore as timelines go is rather momentus within the asia pacific context out of India itself.

Be forewarned though - there's the local line and the tourist line to get in. It is best that you arrange a guide from the hotel - bargaining is key and a little homework will get you to what you want to see within a day. I think the entrance fee is still in US dollars so be prepared. Locals get in pretty cheap...while in Japan its the other way around!!

You can spend quite a while here. The traditional lava rock structures are relentless in their attention to detail. There is also a very eering sense of serenity and there will be some local worshippers coming in and out - decked in vibrant colours.

We stayed there for about 1 hour the most as were eager to get to Borobudur which is a 9th Century structure made famous by 'VISIT Indonesia' ads. There is also the fact that we wanted to be there while tourists were still out for lunch.

I've dropped a couple of pictures here. If you are an ardent photographer being there early in the morning to catch the mist and just before sunset will give you sensational shots but we were on a deadline and well this was taken on a 4 mega pixel camera...we've upgraded since then to an 8 mega pixel but someday with a 10 mega pixel SLR, I bet you can get better shots especially with a wide angle lens. Hint! Hint...partner cued for a reply??

I thought I'd drop one shot of Borobudur which sums it all. Yes, the structure is not huge like Angkor but it is old and strangely more real -meaning you can actually get personal with the site. It is easy to take in and has less ground to cover - not as "roccocoish" as the Bayon but intricate enough to call attention to itself.

Do enjoy your travel through Java - don't forget that a train trip from Solo to Surabaya is also worth your while especially if taken during the day. You'll not only be able to see the lush countryside...this is more spectacular than the ones in Thailand or Malaysia, there is also the volcanic mountains which sits furiously as a backdrop. Once in Surabaya, try staying at the Hotel Majapahit. This was built by members of the Sarkies Brothers i.e. The E&O in Penang, The Strand in Yangon and the Raffles in Singapore. And yes, they have a spa if you feel like indulging and the rooms are fairly generous. Bon Voyage!

SCHIPPERKES on the loose..

Admiral and Indra @ Mom and Dad's 2006

I have to confess that I was once a cat lover. My boys are now 4 years old and they're real good dogs. Having trained them young in the hope that they'd turn out proper ...they have had their moments - separation anxieties, early morning cries to let them in (woof! woof!) and the occasional can I give you a kiss with my teeth, they're pretty well-behaved!

They're also pretty good guard dogs, keeping strangers (joggers) at bay and love running around in the park though being small dogs, can only bolster their enthusiasm for less than 5 minutes. After that you'd need a stick to prod them along.

Another pic for dog lovers!!
Can't imagine not having them now...my precious black devils!!

Travel Diaries and Other nuances!!

New Zealand 2005-06

Visions of India - Oct 2006

So this is my real first blog...and a recent pic taken, where else @ the Taj Mahal. It so happens that a couple was busy working their own shot but I found the image rather ephemeral/sensuous and had a very Indian flavour about its colour....it all depends on the time of the day including the regions you visit - indians aside.

The goal is to see all the 7 wonders of the world prior to retiring which is still a long long long way to go ... God have mercy!!

India itself has its moments and when they say you'd be surprised, I recommend leaving all your apprehensions at home. All those AMAZING INDIA! ads...well just remember you're there for the sights and everything else will be less of a turn-off or a disappointment. People in the capital cities are just like any other cultures so expect the usual banter. Even locals tip their own... don't forget that this is a 3rd world country - Gandhi was misled!


So here is another decent pic to share. Much like Cairo and the pyramids, make sure you zoom in as you can see here - "Palace of the Winds". Picture is obviously cropped to avoid busloads of tourists, oncoming traffic and the rather obscure "NO PARKING" sign in blue + the "Mona-lisa" style chain barriers surrounding the base of the facade.



OK - I have nothing against India...they love their Cricket but SHE has her moments just like anywhere else. The trip north was very dreary because we were always being herded to cottage industries of some sort and we met very few lovely honest people. Hopefully the south will be much better. Being a people person, it did leave me with a sour taste but hey it could have just been me and my prejudices. My partner came without expectations so he virtually walked away unscathed... apart from the indigestion on the 3rd day.

Must sees : All Forts if you can coz it is unbelievable especially at different times of the day. The other is Jodphur in the evening - absolutely time-warped us back to the past....having our dinner at the rooftop while being serenaded by Classical Mogul repertoires. The food was amazing even for a red meat advocate like myself.

Strangely enough we did not encounter the infamous self-inflicting blood-oozing street beggars. Touts on the other hand, well at every corner and at every turn...even those wanting to learn English. Similar angle with those in Beijing - be prepared to look 'egyptian-faced' as our guide exclaimed and he showed us how. AMAZING - even they have mastered the' ignore your own kind' look. Classic!

Just one more picture: The Taj in B&W. I have to say that I was very excited about seeing it. Being a romantic nothing was going to stop me from getting that one great shot of the Taj and my lens. Your trip will not be complete without seeing India's India.


And before I go, one last picture of my partner. He is an amazing and patient man - hard to live with but worth his weight in gold. He'd probably say the same but that's because I bribe him often. I don't tell him often enough...but deep down he knows.

New Zealand 2005-06

To my soulmate, I love you and thank you for sharing these beautiful moments with me. Till next time love and to everyone else Enjoy India where the COW IS GOD!!

Watch out world - here we come....