Midwinter days in Tasmania can be some of the loveliest, calmest and with the bluest skies. When the sun goes down on these days, the chill does set in, but the twilight offers up new ways of seeing the island.
Farewell Krabi-for now
Aonang Beach has boomed since last i was here, no longer the sleepy backwater favoured by a few Europeans of a certain age looking for respite from Phuket’s party scene.
The Minton tiles of Georgetown, Penang
Now I’m no expert and so cannot claim that all these are by Minton, or that they are all Victorian era. They are all, however, a celebration of geometric pattern in decorative form, and wonderful survivors.
Singapore to Malacca
Since I last visited Malacca the historic heart of the city has had World Heritage status bestowed upon it. I am still considering my thoughts on how it is wearing the honour. Needless to say, the changes have not all been positive.
Asian civilisations celebrated in Singapore
Today’s find was the Museum of Asian Civilisation, new since I was living here. It is a treasure trove of artefacts telling the complex story of the development and evolution of the regions people’s, cultures and religions using religious art, sculpture, bronzes, jewellery, crafts and textiles.
Peranakan heritage in Singapore
So today was a cultural day, insofar as I spent a good deal of it in museums. This year marks 50 years of Singapore’s independent nationhood and every institution on the island (of which there are quite a few) seems to be focussing on aspects of the island nation’s story. My discovery of the day…
Boat Quay on the Singapore River by night
Evening at Boat Quay on the Singapore River
Spectacular light show on Singapore Harbourfront
Spectacular light show on Singapore Harbourfront
Revisiting Singapore
I’ve passed through fleetingly on numerous occasions since then, but this time I’m revisiting some old haunts. Which is not always easy, given the rapid pace of development pursued by the Lion City; more of which soon.
Port Arthur named nation’s No 1 attraction
Along with my hard-working colleagues, I am very proud that the Port Arthur Historic Site took out two major awards at the recent Qantas Australian Tourism Awards. As well as being named Australia’s best Major Tourism Attraction, Port Arthur took the award for Heritage and Cultural Tourism. You can read more about it in this…