Vinh Ha long - Bay of the Descending Dragon

Another long weekend in North Vietnam- we spent 3 contrasting days from cruising along the peaceful waters of Halong Bay to prowling the frenetic streets of Hanoi, which has since made me much more skillful as a jaywalker now...

Our Beautiful luxury Junk - The Lagoon Explorer 2

Romantic sunset over Halong Bay

A quiet moment in the Charming old quarter of Hanoi

4 Nights in Beijing

Phew! - Though having to pay for a really expensive SQ ticket and squeeze as much sight-seeing as possible over a 4-day long weekend, i must say that it's still really worth it. Every chinese has got to visit the chinese capital and every chinese man has got to climb the great wall, isn't it? Been there, done that!

Beautiful tree-lined boulevards among ancient architecture

Prayer ceremony at the Lama Temple

One of many magnificent structures at the immense Summer Palace

Stone boats build with absconded funds by Empress Cixi

Sections of the Great Wall at Badaling

Forbidden City - World's biggest Palace complex

Throne hall reputed to hide the forged will that made Yongzheng Emperor

Another palace hall, this place is really really huge

Krung Thep - City of Angels

To all Singaporeans: Bangkok's great for a weekend shopping spree, i know, but there's more to it then that! Check out the amazing sights as well; even with one full day devoted to sight-seeing, we still missed out quite a fair bit like the Royal Barge Museum, Wat Pho, Baan Jim Thompson etc. - an excuse for us to be back again to visit the sights, and of course, to do more shopping...

View of Wat Arun from Chao Phraya Tourist boat

Intricate details adorning Wat Phra Keow

City of angels- Bankok skyline at dusk as seen from Vertigo bar

It's a Beautiful World

On a Beautiful day ...

... Somewhere in this Beautiful World ...

... ... We shared a Beautiful moment together...

Summertime in Hokkaido

Finally, a trip to Hokkaido in summer, totally different from the freezing, but nevertheless enchanting winter i spent in Akanko last year. What's more, we covered most of the major spots on the island, making us probably more well-travelled in the province then most of the Japanese themselves. It was'nt all that perfect though, given that some days were either rainy or cloudy coz of the class 4 typhoon approaching Japan, but all in all, it was still great, and certainly most special (I'll reveal more in a later post) to me. In the meantime, please enjoy the pics.

The spectacular night view makes any visit to Hakodate worthwhile

Canals are a dime a dozen in many places, but the one in Otaru is just plain charming

One day i'm going back for the Sapporo Snow festival

A view of Cape Gorota with Mt Rishiri in the background, one of the rewards of taking the splendid hikes in Rebun Island

With Asahidake looking in the background, the Alpine flowers flaunt their beauty

Asahidake with its reflection in one of the snow-melt pools

A sight to behold -The entire Daisetsuzan carpeted with alpine flowers

Neat rows of flowers in the ever-popular Farm Tomita, Furano

Romantic Sundown at Biei

Iconic trees and patchwork fields - a pastoral paradise

Rugged yet beautiful coastline of the Okhotsk Sea, Utoro

Outdoor bath in our amazing hotel overlooking the sea

Eluding me yet again, the mysterious Lake Mashu

Historic Malacca

Woah, it's been a long time since i updated my travel blog, but well, it's been a long time since i've travelled for leisure anyway. Anyway, here goes: Historic Malacca/Melaka - Just 4 hours away from Singapore by bus, makes quite an enjoyable overnight trip. Some fairly interesting historic sights, a really cool Pasar Malam (that's a night market for people who don't know) that's also one of the most authentic i've seen in Asia in years, and best of all, lots of really good yet cheap food! (i think we ate 6 meals in a day there) Wanton noodles, chicken rice balls, laksa... but most importantly, try the Baba Chendol at the museum cafe and the lok lok/satay celup at capitol satay. (long queue for this one though... go early) Check out the pics:

Great Selection of Nonya deserts and snacks - I love gula melaka!

The Iconic A'Famosa (Porta de Santiago)

One of many tourist trishaws - gimicky but nevetheless pretty