Mark & Gill

Another great day today and a very hot one too. Might even be sunburnt through my T-shirt!
Headed to Angkor Wat this morning and were sweating it out before we got there! 32 degrees and I reckon that was in the shade.

Angkor is regarded as one of the most important archaeological sites in South-East Asia and is a UNESCO heritage site. Angkor Archaeological Park, over 400 sq kms in size, contains the remains of the different capitals of the Khmer Empire, from the 9th to the 15th century including the famous Temple of Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom, and the Bayon Temple with its sculptural decorations.

See Full Post...

Very quiet morning in Hanoi- just a walk and a few last photos.

Then flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia (Kampuchea), arriving just as the sun was setting.
Population here about 160,000 but numerous hotels catering for tourists as gateway to Angkor Wat, our destination tomorrow.
Cambodia is one of the smallest countries in south east Asia, mostly tropical rainforest and cultivated land traversed by many rivers. Could see these as we flew in and reminded me of the Rakaia River at home.

See Full Post...

Big day in Hanoi today, the capital city of Vietnam. Rather wet this morning too.
First visit was to the Ho Chi Minh Mausoleum –  important to people here as where “uncle Ho” declared independence  on 2 September 1945. Quite an imposing guarded structure as Ho Chi Minh’s body preserved here. Can be visited along with the house and gardens where he lived until his death in 1969.

See Full Post...

Good flight to Hanoi with Vietnam Airways.
Arriv ed as sun was setting so some nice sky colours on drive in to hotel on new modern road. Not so many cars but lots of motorbikes of course especially as we got into city. Little children (2/3 years) sitting/standing on bike seats between their parents, older ones clinging on – guess they have grown up on these bikes. Horns going constantly.
People busy in market gardens/fields in countryside areas on way into city and into city area could see some setting up night market stalls, zooming about on bikes or sitting chatting along streets/roadside verges as Sunday afternoon.
Array of houses. Many 2-3 stories high – narrow, no doubt maximising space and land. As we flew in could also see houses several stories high, clustered together in rural areas with surrounding land being utilised.
Lots of mist in the distance due to recent rain moisture and humidity.
Lovely Vietnamese food for dinner.

See Full Post...

Less of a haze this morning after some heavy rain, thunder and lightening last night.

Headed for Raffles Hotel named after the founder of Singapore and of colonial fame. Can imagine how it might have been even though somewhat modernised. Expensive to stay and eat here – steak alone around $S 98 and that only come with sauce!

We ate much more modestly in the Raffles Courtyard (pizza – todays specialty) to the sound of thunder and followed up with gelato – and then the rain came- short tropical spurt and then it was steamy! Nice and cool in the Long Bar enjoying a Singapore Sling and the infamous peanuts. The Singapore Sling invented here and now clearly a very big money spinner for the hotel. Likewise with the peanuts – you shell them and it is perfectly acceptable to drop bits on the floor- “the only place in Singapore that you are encouraged to make a mess.” Both the drink and the peanuts feature in the merchandise and memorabilia for sale.

See Full Post...

An awesome day today despite the haze. Presumably from the fires in Indonesia – have been warned by hotel of this and been offered masks if we wish to wear them! Not that bad and most people not wearing masks but would not like to be here all the time in this air.

Mastered the subway and had a quick wander round Raffles Square before heading to the Marina Bay area and the gardens.

See Full Post...

It has been great. Always hard to leave.♡
When/ will we be back again?

Long flight to Singapore – hot humid weather at 9am.
Enjoyed a wander and explore along Orchard Road – already well decorated for Christmas and the carols were playing this afternoon in the shopping mecca.
Some great art and sculpture to be seen. Ah, air conditioning!

An early night to catch up on disrupted sleep patterns.

See Full Post...

Lunch treat today – last day in London and a visit to Ottolenghi’s flagship restaurant NOPI.
If you are a foodie you will know who/what this is.
Scrummo.
Wish I could have bought Yottam’s book back personally autographed – he was there.

(Just a bit too heavy for the rest of our travels).
Special early “Christmas Dinner” and pressies with the family. Sad to be leaving tomorrow – time goes too quickly – always.

See Full Post...

A visit to the secret garden today – well The Roof Gardens in High Street, Kensington to be exact. Must be one of London’s best kept secrets – pretty much just us there this morning. Entry is free.

The gardens were first established in 1936 and opened in 1938 – covering 1 1/2 acres, 100″ above street level. Very tranquil in the middle of London. There are 3 themed gardens- Spanish, Tudor and English Woodland – complete with 4 resident flamingos (2 over 30 years old) and some ducks. There are several hundred species of plants and 7 of the original woodland trees. Also a bar/nightclub and restaurant in the evenings. The whole complex can be booked out for parties/events and it looks/is amazing- Google Christmas Party here last year so first hand report!

See Full Post...

Gorgeous sunny morning as we packed up at One Spring Lake- even needed to wear my sunnies as we set off for London.

Then….the fog came down and it stayed down except for 5 minutes at about 2pm! Such a complete opposite to yesterday and the lovely weather for the rugby test. Quite a few flights disrupted.

We stopped at Dinton Pastures Country Park for lunch on the way back to London. Discovered an amazing playground in which the boys played and explored for quite sometime – had  to drag them to lunch. The natural equipment and willow tunnels and teepees are awesome and inspiring for NZ playgrounds. Took lots of photos in the fog!

See Full Post...