Singapore: Garden by the Bay

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Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay simply transport you to another world where nature and technology work seamlessly together to create a one-of-a-kind experience for its visitors.  This billion-dollar sprawling waterfront garden spans over 101 hectares of reclaimed land, and features space-age bio-domes, giant cyborg trees, and countless flora from different environments and climates. Continue reading

Singapore: Marina Bay Waterfront

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The Marina Bay Waterfront in Singapore, like Sydney Harbour and Victoria Harbour, stands out as a fine example of stunning waterside architecture that has become an attraction for tourists and locals alike. The Marina Bay is a thriving place in Singapore where people work, live, and play.  A 2.6 mile loop takes you around to the most well-known landmarks in Singapore like the Merlion, Helix Bridge, and Marina Bay Sands hotel.  It’s the perfect place to watch the boats glide across the water, admire the views, and even catch a light show at night. Continue reading

Photo of the Week: Island

IMG_7263Coco Plum, Belize

Every once in awhile, I’ll look back at some of the old photos I’ve taken on my trips and relive the memorable moments.  One of my favorite trips was to the island of Coco Plum, a small private island off of the coast of Belize surrounded by crystal clear water and all kinds of sea life.  There are no TVs or computers on the island, making it the perfect place to un-tether.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.

Layover in Tokyo

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You’re probably (maybe) wondering where I’ve been the last two weeks. The answer is quite mundane, work has been all-consuming recently, leaving little time for anything else. Alas, it does pay the bills so I can’t complain. But I am back and I am ready to share about our trip to Asia. Earlier this year we found a cheap ticket to Singapore over Labor Day weekend, the only catch was a 22-hour layover in Tokyo.  Except, this was not so much a problem as an opportunity.  Fast forward 9 months later and here we are.  We’d been to Tokyo before, also on another short mileage run.  We loved the city every time we’re here, and lament the fact that we have to leave so soon.  Next trip to Japan will have to be longer, but for now, we will have to make the most of our time here. Continue reading

Photo of the Week: Canoe

IMG_8918Hartcourt, Canada

Last week signaled the end of summer, but I am not ready to let it go just yet.  Before I officially say good bye to warm summer nights, walks by the beach, and of course smelly subway stations, I wanted to share this photo of one of my fondest memories of this summer.  Our family got together and rented a cottage by Lake Miskwabi where we spent a few blissful days eating, swimming, and exploring. Spending time with the people I love in such an idyllic setting is the epitome of the perfect summer.  Now I am ready to welcome Fall with her brisk breezes and lovely colors.

Every week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the Follow button.

Photo of the Week: Freedom

IMG_4979Dachau, Germany

Standing at the entrance of the Dachau concentration camp, it’s impossible to remain unemotional. This place in particular, brings to life the inhumanity of Hitler’s regime. This was the first of the Nazi concentration camps opened in 1933 by Gestapo Chief Heinrich Himmler, and was used as a prototype for the many others that sprang up around Europe.   Over 200,000 Jews and other political prisoners were imprisoned here until the camp was finally liberated on April 29, 1945. The the iron gate with the ironic motto “Arbeit macht frei” (“Work will set you free”) belied the horrors that happened inside.  Once you entered, the only freedom was death.

Every Monday of each week, I’ll share a photo with you from my adventures around the world and at home.  Most of my photos have little or no post processing.  If you would like to see more, please click the ‘Follow’ button.

Day 5: On the Road in Singapore

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This morning we bid farewell to Singapore, and headed over to Kuala Lumpur on the next leg of our trip.  But before we left, we had to visit the infinity pool one last time.  It was hard to say goodbye to this incredible pool overlooking the downtown core, but the hotel itself, I didn’t really care for.  Ever since I saw pictures of the pool on top of the Marina Bay Sands, I’ve wanted to see it for myself.  Unfortunately the only way to visit the pool is as a hotel guest.  This hotel costs about the same as other luxury hotels, but the service and experience is subpar – it is more of a tourist attraction to be honest. But the view from the pool is something that a lot of people are willing to pay to experience at least once, myself included.

Day 4: On the Road in Singapore

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I felt like Alice in Wonderland, walking amongst the super trees in Singapore’s Garden by the Bay. The grove of 16 story-tall “trees” completely dwarf everything else around them.  These man-made structures are built on reclaimed land as part of an efficient green space project.  Each tree is surrounded by a steel skeleton that is used as the framework for planting various flowers, ferns and  other vertical climbers.  At the top are built in solar panels used as the main energy source to keep the structures lit at night.   These trees are as fantastical as they are practical and they are an iconic part of the city.