The trip to India last year was definitely one of the highlights in 2011. My first visit to the South Asian country was not timed with the best weather. In fact, I arrived in the midst of Indian summer with soaring daytime temperature of 40-45°C. Thus, the incredibly cheap airfare, Kuala Lumpur-New Delhi by AirAsiaX (MYR266 = GBP55 = SGD100 return per person, booked about 9 months in advance). India is a country of great contrast. Like many other cities in India, Delhi boasts a wealth of spectacular monuments and buildings. On the other extreme, houses in dilapidated condition are evident, especially in the older part of the city. Visitors arrive by air are greeted by the modern Indira Gandhi International Airport connected by the sparking new Airport Express line to the city. Travel options within the city can be an interesting mix of Delhi Metro, tuk-tuks and cycle rickshaws.

Cyclo rickshaw in Old Delhi (05/2011)


The iconic yellow and green tuk-tuk in Delhi (05/2011)


Decorative sculpture in the Indira Gandhi International Airport terminal (05/2011)

Tags: India, Transportation

The "Big Durian" Jakarta was my third destination in Indonesia after Lake Toba and Bali. Travelling to somewhere new was thrilling enough to me although I had the feeling that the capital of Indonesia did not rank high on the itinerary of most travelers and had little idea on what to expect. I was lucky to have an insightful introduction to the city thanks to a friend who lived and worked there. Kota Tua (Old Town) topped the list of attractions that I visited and was truly a gem in the city to me. It was a happening place. Buskers, cultural performers and street vendors filled the square with old colonial era buildings in the backdrop. The Jakarta History Museum, housed in the former Dutch-build Town Hall, was a great place to pick up some histories. The whole Kota Tua experience should be completed with a visit to Cafe Batavia at the other side of the square.

Dutch-build Town Hall (now housed the Jakarta History Museum) at Kota Tua Jakarta

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Tags: Indonesia

Tourists & Vendor
Food vending and family outing near the Jal Mahal (Water Palace) (05/2011)

Camel & Pepsi
Shade and Pepsi are what you need at 40°C (05/2011)

Tags: India, People

Clockwise from top left (click picture to enlarge):

• The Pinnacle@Duxton residential complex of seven towers connected by skybridges
• P & W MacLellan Engineers of Glasgow in Singapore
• Fern forest in the Changi International Airport, Terminal 2
• The boy and dog sculptures depicting life in the early days of modern Singapore

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The Year of the Rabbit is back again from 3 Feb 2011 to 22 Jan 2012. It is the Year of the Metal Rabbit, to be precise, as in the lunar calendar, the animal zodiac sign of each year is associated with one of the five elements, namely wood (木), fire (火), earth (土), metal (金) and water (水). Anyway, may the Metal Rabbit bring you health, joy and prosperity with plenty of precious metals!

Origami-inspired rabbits at ION orchard


The God of Prosperity at the River Hongbao (春到河畔) festivity in Singapore


River Hongbao festive decorations and Marina Bay Sands

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Tags: LunarNewYear, Singapore