Raffles Hotel - Singapore1887 Raffles Hotel Singapore opened. Great colonial landmark which began as 10
rooms in an old bungalow-style building overlooking the beach and the South China Sea. Writers Joseph Conrad and Rudyard Kipling frequented the Raffles’ bars.
Long Bar
Home of the original Singapore Sling. Two-story bar inspired by the Malayan plantations of the 1920s. Serving almost every delicious drink
concoctions imaginable.
Singapore Sling
Invented at Raffles in 1915. On a good day more than 2000 sold.
Add ice, a slice of pineapple and a cherry for garnish and, of course, 28 Singapore Dollars, and she’s all yours.
Texas Size Leaf
Tropical foliage abounds in every nook and cranny in Singapore. Not by any stretch of the imagination a concrete
jungle despite its population of 5 million.
Beautiful Lilly Arrangement
Beautiful flowers are plentiful in Singapore. This incredible arrangement of lilies graced the lobby of the Shangri La Hotel.
Orchids in the Gardens
The Singapore Botanic Gardens, founded in 1859, showcases the best and most spectacular of tropical flora set in a stunning landscape.
More Beautiful Flowers
It’s impossible to tire on the beautiful flowers that grace the terrain throughout Singapore.
Orchard Road
2.2 kilometer boulevard is the retail and entertainment hub of Singapore. Huge tourist attraction and the most popular shopping enclave in Singapore,
here decorated for Christmas.
High End Shopping on Orchard Road
Lined with high end stores, Orchard Road is bustling with locals and tourists. A main metro station is located here which affords easy travel throughout
Singapore.
Chinatown
Singapore's Chinatown is an ethnic neighborhood featuring distinctly Chinese culture and historically concentrated ethnic Chinese population. Chinese is
the largest ethnic group in Singapore so Chinatown is less of an enclave.
Marina Bay Sands & Casino
Developed by the Las Vegas Sands, billed as the world's most expensive standalone casino property at S$8B, including cost of the prime land.
The top hat is in the shape of a ship.
The Merlion
Located in Merlion Park near CBD, Singapore’s most famous and well-know tourist icon depicts a creature with a lion head and body of a fish.
Beautiful Candy Store
Located in the vendor area of Merlion Park, this beautiful store offered nice treats, comfortable seating, scenic views of the area, and bustling crowds.
Singapore Prices
Singapore is well known for extremely high prices. Group of wines are illustrative of this fact. The Apothic Red can be purchased for under $10 in
most stores in the US.
Changi Chapel
Located in courtyard of Changi Museum, site dedicated to all who suffered at the internment camps during the dark years of WWII. Chapel
serves as a pilgrimage point for veterans and families of ex-POW’s.
Hot Pot
Common site at many restaurants and food courts in and around Singapore and Asia in general. This one, however, was at a special gathering hosted by our son,
Jeff and his fiancee, Radhika.
Newton Circus Hawker Center
Tidy Singapore street vendors are confined to government regulated “hawker” centers where hundreds of stalls and booths prepare a staggering
variety of Asian cuisine. Look …..crawfish.
Krabi Thailand
Southern province on Thailand's Andaman Sea. Stone tools, ancient colored pictures, beads, pottery, and skeletal remains
found in cliffs and caves date back to 25,000–35,000 BC.
Shuttle Boats to Resorts
There is a walking path, affectionately referred to as The Monkey Path, to some of the resorts, but the quickest method of travel are the speedboats.
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas
Located on Pai Plong Bay with beautiful views of the limestone formations that characterize this part of Southern Thailand.
Centara Grand Beach Resort & Villas
Set into cliffs which are actually part of a national wild-animal refuge. Expansive open beach frontage gives visitors easy access to
the clear cool waters of the Bay.
Limestone Formations
Southern Thailand enjoys a plethora of photographic sites. Rock formations are often pictured in travel magazines of the area.
From Our Garden Room
Our rooms were actually built in the trees in the cliffs in what is a national wild-animal refuge.
Pai Plong Bay Sunset
Another beautiful sunset picture. Notice the long boat in the distance; a popular method of island hopping, fishing and general sightseeing.
Relaxing Before Dinner
The relaxation in this picture was soon interrupted by a Texas sized thunderstorm that moved over the resort.
Flower Arrangement Decorating the Food Tables
The ambiance of this Resort was reflected by its attention to detail.
Another Beautiful Arrangement
The flowers adorned all the tables in the dining area, enhancing the delicious dining options. Food in Thailand is typically Asian. Spicy,
delicious and plentiful.
Waterfall
Look closely and use your imagination and you can see what appears to be an elephant standing in the middle of the waterfall.
Momma & Baby Monkeys
We were basically in the middle of a national wild-animal refuge. Monkeys greeted us each morning with a display of their jumping and climbing skills.
This pair were soon the source of much entertainment.
Momma Talking Encouragement to Baby
While she made the big leap, she never let her baby out of her sight and kept talking in an obvious effort to build courage in her young one.
Baby Pondering Its Next Move
Baby monkey ponders the situation. With lots of verbal encouragement from Mom, the baby searched for a more reasonable jump path and soon made it to
Mom’s palm tree. They were off before we could get a picture.
View Trough the Underbrush
Thailand offers its visitors and locals abundant opportunities for taking scenic pictures.
Long Boat Adventure
We hired a long boat for a day of fishing, snorkeling, swimming and island hopping. Stopped for lunch at a beautiful island affectionately referred to as
Chicken Island. Delicious lunch.
More Long Boat Adventures
These beautiful limestone formations rise from the waters everywhere you look.
Welcome to Delhi
Few places share the madness of Delhi traffic. For a thrill, ride in the front passenger seat as your driver jockeys for position with 4 and 5 lanes of
cars vying for position on 3 lane roads; horns honking; motorbikes darting in and out of lanes.
Qutub Minar
A world heritage site constructed in 1192. The soaring conical tower is an exquisite example of Indo-Islamic Afghan architecture.
Qutub Minar
A favorite destination of tourists, and surrounded by lush, green gardens, the Minar has become one of India’s most visited
monuments attracting near 4 million visitors each year.
Qutub Minar Ruins
Most of what was obviously a magnificent series of buildings have been ravaged by the elements and father time. What remains is a
tribute to the past.
Alai Minar
Tower conceived to be massive in height in proportion with an enlarged mosque built nearby, but construction never completed by
successor dynasties.
School Field Trip
Students from the local school enjoy an outing to QutubMinar. It surprised us that all schools require students wear
uniforms.
Colorful Dress
Local waiting to enter Qutub Minar. India is famous for fine materials and colorful clothing. Some of you might be old enough to remember Indian Madras in the 60’s and 70’s.
Fast Food in India
A common site in and about Delhi. This vendor was on the sidewalk, or what would have otherwise been the sidewalk,
hawking his delights. Business was bustling.
Ironing Lady
This woman set up shop on the side of the street and spent the day ironing for local residents. She was all too proud to
pose for a picture.
Wake-Up Tea
Each morning the cook at the home we stayed served us tea in bed before breakfast. What a delightful way to greet each morning.
Delhi Delights
The home where we stayed was the home of our son’s fiancee’sparents. Their cook was fantastic. Numerous courses with each
meal; all delightful to one’s taste buds.
Welcome to Udaipur
Located in the state of Rajasthan in western India, Udaipur is also know as the White City, the City of Lakes
and the Venice of the East, and was founded in 1559.
Trident Hotel Udaipur
Incredible venue with lovely grounds, courteous and professional staff, comfortable rooms, lovely pool area, delicious meals. A true home away from home and one of the finest facilities we stayed
anywhere in the world.
Trident Hotel Udaipur
Lobby and relaxation area. The elegance of this facility was truly amazing. One could see themselves under its spell for quite some
time.
Hotel Grounds
The contrasts of colors in the White City where all the more striking, with flowers in abundance.
Udaipur Trident Hotel Sunset
Despite the ever-present haze, the sunsets were breathtaking. Notice the reflection of the sun on the lake.
Elephant Ride
This elephant man wanted us to pay for a picture of the elephant, so we took the cheap shot.
Main Entrance Door to City Palace
One of the grand doors guarding the entrance to City Palace. The huge spikes at the top of the door were designed to ward off elephants breaking down the
doors.
Udaipur City Palace
Located overlooking east bank of Lake Pichola this massive series of palaces were built at different times beginning in 1559. Balconies offer
panoramic views of the Lake Palace.
Udaipur City View From City Palace
Udaipur, a city of over 1/2 million, is mentioned under the spelling Oodeypore in Rudyard Kipling's The Jungle Book as the birthplace of
Bagheera, the fictional panther in the king's Menagerie.
Mirrored Chamber
Built in 1716 and considered the oldest part of the Palace, where a sage spent his entire life meditating.
Lake Palace From City Palace
Built in 1743-1746. Made of marble and situated on Jag Niwas Island in Lake Pichola. Originally built as the royal summer palace; now serves as a luxury
hotel, operating under the "Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces" banner.
Peacock Courtyard
Constructed of beautiful colored glass, 3 peacocks represent the three seasons of summer, winter and monsoon.
Badi Mahal or Garden Palace
The Garden Palace, home of the exotic central garden palace is situated on a high natural rock formation within the palace. Each column was carved from
one piece of marble.
Udaipur Taxi
An exciting way to enjoy the sights, sounds, and traffic in Udaipur. Not quite the adrenaline rush one is exposed to in Delhi, but exciting none-the-less.
King of the Road
You cannot travel India and not see cows ruling the roads. Revered in India they are seen along highways and byways, slowing down traffic, lying in the middle of
the road, or just generally taking their good ole sweet time.
Mehndi or Henna Function
Mehndi or Henna painting is recorded in the earliest Hindu ritual books. The practice of coloring with Henna serves as a symbol of good luck, health and
sensuality. The Mehndi was a huge party the day before the wedding ceremony.
Beautiful Henna
And the ladies are beautiful also, and all too proud to show their henna. The cute one on the left is my wife, Catherine.
The other cute one is her nephew’s girlfriend.
Mehndi or Henna Finished Product
In the old days the bride moved in with the groom’s family, so if her mother-in-law loved her she won’t make her do lots of work. Therefore the henna stayed
dark.
Mehndi Decorations
Marigolds and flowers of all kinds were strung together to accent the beautiful decorations. Functions in India are a kaleidoscope of colorful flowers and dress.
Marigolds are abundant particularly at religious ceremonies and weddings.
Mehndi Decorations
Colorful flowers and clothing are not the only items of prominence at a function in India. A delicious assortment and abundance of food is always available.
Mehndi Decorations
Close up of the beautiful flowers and leaves strung together to form the lovely decorations that grace most functions in India.
Our Family
It was quite a job gathering the tribe together for a family picture, particularly after a round of Hurricanes.
Bangles
The bride’s family provided bangles for all the ladies. A big hit with the women, and it was fun watching them act like kids in a candy store. Actually
some similarities as the bangles were packaged like colored candy.
Flash Mob
The bride and groom were surprised when the party was interrupted by a flash mob doing a dance to Pharrell Williams’ “Happy”.
Groom, Mother & Dad
The morning of preparation for the wedding ceremony was fun. The ladies gathered to get dressed in their beautiful India colors
while the men gathered to tell stories.
Beautiful Young Women in India Wedding Clothes
These American ladies were radiant in their India sarees.
Wedding Celebration Transportation
Not a horse-drawn carriage, but a pretty nice mode of transportation. The beautiful flower decorations on the car were a prelude to the lovely flowers
that graced the wedding venue.
Baraat
Procession which according to tradition begins at the groom’s house and proceeds towards the wedding venue. Attended by all relatives and friends from groom’s side with groom seated on a decorated horse.
Let’s Get This Show on The Road
Our son, Jeff, a savvy equestrian even brought his cowboy boots for the ocassion.
Procession Leaders
The Baraat procession was headed by a band of musicians playing drums and blowing India flutes. The music leading the procession was constant and loud,
and really got everyone in the groom’s family into the action.
Vadhu Aagman
The bride arrives under a canopy draped with beautiful flowers where she is taken by 4 brothers or uncles to another flowered canopy called the Mandap. Hindu weddings are supposed to take place outside, on the earth, thus the Mandap.
Var Mala or Jaimala
After prayers are recited, the bride and groom garland each other indicating their mutual approval to proceed with the ceremony. This ceremony includes
a fun tussle between the two parties.
Sankalpa
After the bride and groom garland each other the Pandit (Hindu priest) explains the fundamental tenets of the Hindu marriage to the
couple and they agree to marry each other.
Mandap & Kannyadaan (Giving Away the Bride)
Actual marriage ceremony takes place under Mandap. Bride’s parents give away bride as one of the noblest acts they will perform in their lifetime.
Bride and groom commit to remain faithful to each other.
Mandap & Kannyadaan (Giving Away the Bride)
Bride’s mother pours holy water on bride’s father’s palms, which flows into groom’s and then into bride’s palms, symbolizing continuity of life, repaying debt to their forefathers and passing of family heritage to next generation.
Mandap & Kannyadaan (Giving Away the Bride)
Bride’s father offers groom a sweet mixture of yogurt, honey and ghee. Honey for sweetness of speech and good health; yogurt for the cooling
effect and Ghee when melted blends the couple into one unit.
Saptapadi (Seven Steps) & Mangalpheras
Seven vows or promises the bride and groom make to each other for a happy and prosperous life. The Mangalpheras involves walking around the sacred
fire seven times.
Saptapadi & Mangalpheras
Customs and rituals are base of Hindu marriages, which denote real meaning of a happily married life. Groom holds little finger of bride and
leads her around fire four times; bride leads for last three rounds.
Seven Vows of a Hindu Marriage
Let us vow to share our food together.
Let us vow to be strong together.
Let us vow to be wealthy together.
Let us vow to be happy together.
Let us vow to have children together.
Let us vow to be comfortable with each other.
Let us vow to be friends of each other.
Ashirvad
Invited guests offer blessings to couple for full support of each other, for one soul residing in two bodies, for lives woven together with strong fabric of love, harmony and peace, and for a full life of joy, with family, friends, and children.
Ashirvad
After pandit declares couple as husband and wife, the couple bows to all invited guests and leave the Mandap as the guests shower them with flower
petals. Mom and Dad had to be first.
Entrance Gate to Taj Mahal
Located in the old heritage city of Agra on the bank of the River Yamuna in the state of Rajasthan.
Taj Mahal
Referred to as first wonder of the world, the Taj symbolizes India. Crown Palace build by the Emperor as a memorial to his wife.
Construction began in mid-1600’s, took 22 years and 20,000 workers.