Beautiful Montenegro 2010

A small cove called Rose and part of our lovely river trip

More Thailand, Karsts & Long Tail Boats

One of the nice things to do in Ao Nang, Krabi is to take a long tail boat

These are typical Krabi Karst

A Chinese River

A sign of a wonderful place for me is when I make a return journey. This is Yangdi near Guilin and I have visited this area 3 times. This picture was taken when the river had flooded . The man crossing is walking on a submerged bridge  

Another sign of a really beautiful place is that it still looks wonderful in the rain! This photo of the River Li was taken during a downpour

Singpore Apartments

Having experienced hotel living  for 6 years  at the Shangri La on Sentosa Island Singapore, I decided, when I moved out, to rent a condo with a view. My friends commented that the one I choose was not typical of condos in Singapore which mainly looked into other condos. I loved the view from my red sofa  the windows were really large and at New Year and national day the firework display could be seen

I spent many hours in the pool  and then after 3 years of living there construction  began on 2 large condos next door which would mean no more wonderful views and a lot of construction noise so I moved

Ho Chi Min, Saigon, The Mekong in Vietnam

While Hanoi in the North of Vietnam is sometimes known as the Paris of the east Ho Chi Min has no such title but nevertheless has some pleasant sights and is well worth a visit. I returned there after many years and had a great few days with M , we were taking the Jetstar flight from Hoi An to Singapore and the flight routes through Saigon 

We stayed in a hotel overlooking the Mekong , from the balcony you can be entertained by watching the events in the busy streets and river below

Paris Summer 2005

In June 2005 on my way to L's wedding in Wicklow I stopped over for a few days in Paris The weather was lovely and the highlight was le petite dejeuner. Lovely fresh bitter orange juice followed by terrific coffee and baguette taken sitting at a small cafe on the banks of the Seine

The Paris architecture is always a treat

More Hoi An 2011

There are many soporific opportunities. You can relax at a cafe by the river and watch the  boats go by.

Or see how commerce is conducted here, this would seem to be a local export business

Hoi An Vietnam for New year 2011

 I have always found it difficult to find a place to celebrate New Year. In Singapore the problem for me is even worse so mostly I retire early.This year since M  was in town  I though I should make an effort but still I couldnt face the crowds that would throng Boat Quay, Clarke Quay and the new Marina Bay, so, after much thought  and a recommendation from A, a friend who had visited Hoi An, M & I took  off to visit  this small river town in Vietnam arriving on the last day of 2010. It fulfilled expectations and at the stroke of midnight we witnessed one lone firework in the sky above the Hoi An river . There were no crowds

There are temples and  ruins nearby to visit . You can then fly on to Saigon

Enjoying a Stroll in Connemara

There are many lovely walks with peace and tranquility as a feature and with the sounds of nature as a backdrop, here, the sound of the flowing river and the Spring birdsong create an inner peace.

The beauty of the new shoots are a feast for the eye with the begining of the Spring flowers 

The West of Ireland - Connemara

This is Kylemore Abbey, a former girls boarding school and a well known landmark in the West of ireland . It became  a Benedictine Monastry in 1920 but was originally in private hands and building had begun as early as 1867.

Its now open to the public

This is part of the garden

A Short trip to the West of Ireland

If you are lucky enough to visit Ireland in the Spring and lucky enough to avoid the soft rain , then you will see sights like this

You migh stay at the historic Ballynahinch Castle and enjoy the best of everything. Supberb local ingredients insure delicious dining treats. Toasty log fires warm you after return from a stroll in the gardens but the greatest treat of all is the shimmering beauty of the river .

Ballynahinch Castle has a 700 year history. Its first owners were the O'Flahertys.

Later in the early 20th century it was purchased by an Indian Maharaja.

In more recent times it was taken over by the Irish Tourist Board to save it from decay. I cannot wait to return.

Yet more on Singapore

Here we have the very impressive Marina Bay Sands Resort  by night. On the right the newest Singapore Museum, the Marina Bay Arts and Science Museum, designed by Moshe Safdie, an architect from Haifa. The museum is currently hosting a Dali exhibition and a Van Gogh

This is the morning view from the Marina bay Sands, The infinity pools looks over the Fullerton Bay. Singapore River and City Centre. Safdie also designed this building.

Amazing Singapore - the old and the new, some Art too!

Singapore continues to amaze with its ever changing modern skyline.

This is a view from the new Sands Hotel and resort where I spend a night in December 2010









However the Singapore that I really love was created long ago, these hidden gems can be found in China town, Little India and scattered around Orchard area.

Another aspect of Singapore, often neglected -  it's Art-  I  love this Botero close to Boat Quay and with its back to the Fullerton Hotel

Guilin and Yangshou in China

In the 80's I visited Guilin and the beautiful river Li. I returned this year and was not disappointed

In spite of the january cold it was haunting

This time I stayed near the very acceptable town of Yangshou where one can sip Yunnan coffee in a local cafe

This time it was too cold to take the river trip

However I did discover the wonderful Li River Retreat hotel overlooking the Li river and with great views of beautiful karsts

The Li River retreat is a faboulous escape, 15 mins walk from Yangshou along the river Li . Apart from its great location, all their food is cooked freshly and sourced locally and you get an eco alarm clock in the form of a local cockrel