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