Visit Indonesia 2008: Beautiful Central Java

To many Singaporeans, a holiday in Indonesia means a short holiday in Bali, or possibly a weekend in Bintan or Batam. For so long, we've been missing out lots on what our neighbour is able to offer us, as i have have just found out from this most recent trip to central Java. Other than the famous UNESCO heritage sites of Prambanan and Borobudur, Central Java has some of the most beautiful pastoral scenery i've ever seen in all my years of travelling- A mix of padi fields and other crops set amidst the backdrop of lush tropical jungle and the occasional volcano, it looks a lot more natural then the endless palm plantations in many other parts of South East Asia. Of particular mention is Dieng Plateau, with its dramatic mountains and valleys of terraced fields, cool and crisp mountain air, and ancient hindu temples, it is truly deserving of its name- 'Abode of the Gods'.

Beautiful local restaurant at Solo

First look at Gunung Merapi, one of the most active volcanoes in the world

Sun rising from between Merbabu and Merapi

Telaga Warna - Reminds me of JiuZhaiGou

The magnificent Borobudur Temple Complex - Built 100years befor Angkor

Misty Morning at Borobudur

My personal favourite - Prambanan Temple Complex

Padi Fields near Yogyakarta with Merapi smoking in the background

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

Pearl of the Orient, & Macau

Never thought i'd go for a shopping trip, but i did anyway. Fortunately, even though i've always preferred places of nature over a sprawling metropolis, Hong Kong is truly an impressive city, and just the views alone contribute much to make it a worthwhile trip. The landscape planning of Hong Kong island is really excellent, and the night scenery nothing short of spectacular. Our day trip to Macau was no less fruitful as well. With all the new glitzy and glamorous buildings built to support the casino industry, i'm beginning to see why it has overtaken Las Vegas as the city which generates the most casino revenue.

Hong Kong, the pearl of the Orient

The Harbour seen from Victoria Peak

Bright neon signboards hang above the busy streets

Little Portugal in China- The Largo de Senado

Admiring a 'picture' of the ruins of St Paul

The upcoming Babylon casino

Macau Fisherman's Wharf & the immense Macau-Taipa Bridge

Underwater Paradise

Pulau Sipadan- a place that is on every diver's 'must go' list. While october is not the best time to go in terms of visibilty, i was not the least bit disappointed by the spectacular underwater vistas off the tiny limestone island. The vibrant colours of the amazingly rich marine life surpassed almost all of the images that i've conjured of a true underwater kingdom. Swarming whirlwinds of jacks and baracuddas, schools of huge bumphead parrtofish, frequent sightings of sharks and turtles, a myriad of colourful corals and gigantic seafans, i could go on forever. Moreover, it was turtle mating season! Green turtles at every corner, some swimming around looking for a willing partner, some courting, some catching a little rest before their next 'vigorous' session- I even saw a pair actually doing it! Forget the fast and the furious, young things! The adage 'slow and steady wins the race' sums it up here. In fact, i hear it takes up to 24hrs on average. Oh how i envy them...

The Legendary Pulau Sipadan

Can't stop the chorus of 'Under the Sea' playing in my head

World of vibrant colours

one of the barras gasping in astonishment as it saw me

School of angelfish swimmin' by

Whirlwind of Jacks - Cool!

Green turtle in 'mid-flight'- how graceful...

Courting turtles, so cute- how can anyone like turtle soup!?

Sharks' fins- difficult choice...argh, stop messin' my head!

By the way, i found Nemo *smile*