Day 6 - Munich - the city and Xmas markets

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I think this is the first photo is the Museum of Folk art... but I neglected to label it, so am not sure. We are headed for the Marienplatz, to see the Glockenspiel - pictured here.

The heyday of King Ludwig's building program reliving the dreams of Ancient Greece at Konigsplatz

 - Glypotek.

Hotel Hilton Munich Park
Still feeling a bit of neck stiffness from the night flight from Singapore, and sitting in the bus for hours, I made a b-line for the Spa and Fitness centre, once I arrived at Hilton Munich Park, where I had a 15 minute massage with Antonia, for 15 euro. Sublime surroundings and the expert masseuse ensured I felt totally relaxed when time was up. Returning to the room, we reluctantly paid 8euros for 1  hour of internet time....Hilton does not offer free internet, at least not in Germany.

Come breakfast time, I had nothing to complain about. A magnificent feast awaited us: and we thought the hotel in Frankfurt was delicious. There were fresh pancakes, here, an incredible array of cheese and smoked salmon, hot dishes and pretzels and buns to die for... I was really exhausted just trying it all. I wanted to, but could not bring myself to try the white sausage wurst - it just looked wrong! Hot or cold.

Breakfast pancakes

Orientation tour of Munich 
Munich has 1.3 million people and is at 1800 feet or 540 metres. We saw the Chinese pagoda, and English garden from the bus,  Bavarian Museum of Folk art... How I wished I could have gone inside...The Haus der Kunst (Modern Art) which Hitler had used, and the Bavarian Chancellery. Then along Ludwigstrasse, we passed the Bavarian state library, Ludwigs church, the University and the Triumphal Arch which commemorates the Bavarian armies fighting against Napoleon during 1814-15. The irony is that it was at the Triumphal arch that Hitler was nearly assassinated in the 1920's 'Push'.

Ludwig statue near entrance to Marineplatz at Opera house

Propylean, Munich

We also passed the Music academy which was once the headquarters of the Nazi party. Munich housed more than 40 buildings  connected with the Nazis.

We also passed the eternal flame  to remember all those who suffered from fascism. The Hall of the General and the statue of Ludwig 1, on horseback, the instigator of all this massive building program, and finally stopping at the Opera House, next to the Residenz ( former home of the rulers of Bavaria, the Wittlesbachs. The Wittelsbachs ruled Bavaria for 900 years.

Munich- Ludwig strasse

On our way to Marienplatz

2.50 - 3 Euro Decorations

Our walking tour of the Marienplatz, (Main square) in Central Munich, with its Golden statue of Mary and the fabulous "New Town Hall" only finished in the 1920's. It was at this time that Hitler built the Haus der Kunst (Modern Art gallery) which was as a venue for all the art the Nazis stole from the occupied countries. Munich was after all, the centre of action for the National Socialists. A large Weinactsmarkt predominated in the square with decorations like these:

Marionplatz

Marienplatz with view to Church

 

 The glockenspiel was a crowd pleaser and we all watched the display at 11 o'clock. The top figures represent a tournametn held during the wedding of Duke William V and Duchess Renate Lorraine in 1586. 7 Bavarian knights in the blue and white oclours of Bavaria fight Polish knights in red and white. The bottom tier shows the Cooper's dance. ( barrel makers). Later we continued on to St Peters' and the Viktaulienmarkt. ( Food market selling delicious Hinbaer from Italiensk, and fresh Christmas decorations.)  1 Euro for  a double sized punnet....yum....

Christkindlmarkt

 We were sorely tempted by the fresh decorations of cinnamon/chestnut/ flowers decorations at the Christkindlmarkt but preferred to spend our time eating torte and Topfen strudel at Rischarf's Bakery. Two cakes and two hot chocolates for 9 Euros... Bargain!!! But there was no plain water, typical of Germany, only mineral water and 50 cents to use the rest rooms is pretty common.So you are warned!
The view from Rischarfs Bakery

What was left of the torte and Topfen strudel after a few minutes.

Rischarfs delicious bakery treats

You can not say that you have been to Munich and not been to the Hofbrauhaus, even if you don't drink beer. While it is a place for beer drinkers, of which I am not one.... the food menu looked rather nice.

  

Kaffe/Capuccino was 1.70 euro and kartofflesalat 2.70 Euro, but the padlocked beer steins adorning the walls were for local customers only....

Afternoon optional tour through the glorious German countryside, dotted with Churches with little onion domes every few kilometres. The population not only could see the churches easily from their house, but also could reach it within a half and hour. NO excuses not to attend really, here. At least I am sure that is what the local pastor thought!

This really was an incredible day of touring. After the  morning tour, we stopped at the Ettal monastery where I was gobsmacked by the beaty of the church. Before procedding on to Oberammagau and Linderhof... What an amazing day...
The pictures of this area are too beautiful to put here so I will make another entry... they deserve it....

But I will tell you how we spent our evening.....  once again finding ourselves in the....

Christmas Markets
As it was only just 6pm, and the night was still young, dark, very dark, but still young, we decided to venture to the nearby Englischer Garten, where the Xmas Markets was being held.
Avoiding the walk through the darkened park, because H. felt it was unsafe: we took the streets from the Hilton Munich Park, which is set back from the city and in close proximity to Englischer Garten
(English garden)  and ended up in the rather large Christmas market.
For reviews on this hotel see link here: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187309-d199637-r83287690-Hilton_Park_Munich-Munich_Bavaria.html

The stalls contain typical German Christmas items like Smokers soaps, decorations and trinkets, and typical German Christmas cuisine,like Gingerbread, and a few exotic dishes thrown in. We even managed to find some Pommes Frites, but it wasn't cheap. For 3 Euro 20 we requested a tray of Pommes frites as my youngster recoiled at the Wurst sausages and kebabs on offer. About some confused german english babbling, I was asked if I wanted Gluhwein with that.... Nein, only Pommes Frites danka.... I said... The attendant held up some Pommes Frites and I said "Ja"!!! I then had to pay 9 euro 20 cents, and received a cup of gluhwein and pommes frites.... well I don't really mind the gluhwein but it is the most expensive chips I have ever had.. By now is was after 6 pm and the markets became so busy, it was difficult to move around, so we made our way to the exit where we hoped to find a seat. A German women grabbed my arm and said something angry to me. ( But then, German for the most part, sounds angry anyway!!) When I feebly asked her if she could say it in English, she asked me Where did I get those? ( pointing to the silver plated Pommes frites!!!)  Now I know why they were so expensive, they threw in some free Gluhwein!!!! They are highly sought after!!!!!!

Joking aside, there was a wonderful atmosphere here but the temperature did plummet in the midst of the garten, especially when the wind picked up. The babies did need their little papooses tonight.  Upon returning the empty cup of gluhwein, and collecting my 1 euro deposit.. we strolled back along the side streets where large square roofed manor houses predominated. They looked like terrace houses, and were two storey, but had sloping roofs. I wondered how many had been divided up into apartments, and how few retained their original layout of the likes found in Clara's aristocrat's house in the book, Heidi.

Finding the way back to the hotel was easy as the location was adjacent to a little weir with the Isar river flowing at speed with black looking, very cold water!! Would not want to fall in that....that is something I do not want to ponder about..

 



 

Headhunters by Jo Nesbø The Movie

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 My previous review of this book is reproduced here so I can discuss the movie having just been to the cinema to see it.

MOVIE REVIEW
The movie has kept true to the book, although frustratingly two scenes that I felt were important and hilarious were left out. And as such, one has a deeper understanding of the plot than those who haven't read the book. Isn't this always the way it goes? Roger Brown was not as strong a character as I imagined, but the Director had to transmit to the audience, in one and half hours, the impotentce he felt being small,  and what a "small " man metaphorically he turned out to be. Albeit damn clever!! I wished that the movie was longer, and we don't get to see enough of the beautiful countryside that is Norway. Still, all in all, I think that those unfamiliar with Nesbø will like it. The girlfriend that accompanied me liked it, and Roger did win her over part way through the movie, but she was a bit squeamish about some of the more graphic scenes. Of course, they did not bother me nor would they bother anyone who worked in the medical fields, or watched splatter/horror films... 


What they could have done better: Explained the twists and turns of the plot, which I think would help to build suspense.
What they did well: Perfect portrayal by the Clas Greve actor



BOOK REVIEW
Wow... it seems incredible, but each book I have read recently becomes my latest Favourite author/novel. This is a little ridculous, but true. Why is that? 
Well I can make this claim because I have read this book from Jo Nesbø.

Nesbo has departed from the Harry Hole series in this superbly written first person story.Those averse to novels written in the first person will find it hard going, but if you can cope with that, it is an excellent book and if you haven't read Nesbø before, I can assure you that you will again. 

Offering an insight to the world of economics and business recruitment. (no doubt Nesbø drew upon his former profession as a source for this book), this is not the usual murder mystery but a little bit of a love story, or at least besotted love, part art history/theft story and mostly  psychological thriller, as the reader is manipulated into different directions by the twists and turns of this story. 


The characters, particularly the protaganist Roger Brown, were utterly believable, and his background and mindset, so carefully woven in to the story. However the crowning glory of this book was the fact that you could never anticipate the ending, no matter what.  

Roger Brown, albeit a man of short stature, (which is the bane of his existence), is the epitome of business success with a perfect track record of recruitment, but has a dark secret that even his stunningly beautiful wife, ( who appears to be equally besotted with him) is unaware. Does she have secrets too? Why  is her heart so sad? Enter another man who intervenes in their lives in a most unexpected but equally manipulative way with deadly consequences.


The police are not present in this story, and this is in contrast to Nesbø's other Harry Hole's stories. You are Roger Brown and experience all that he experiences, even the black humour and dire situation he finds himself in when trying to elude his pursuer. This scene, which I won't detail as it will spoil it, is so completely original and hilarious at the same time and cemented my admiration for this writer. Who else could inject black humour in to the totally serious psychological thriller, but Nesbø?


Becoming a motion picture I hope will only add interest to Nesbø's work, and this work in particular. Released in Oslo 2011.


The good:  Enthralling, riveting, edge of your chair thriller, which CANNOT be put down, and this, always a hackneyed phrase, is more than accurate, in this instance. I had to finish this book in one session. Final plot twist, and all those before it as well.


The bad:   One particular scene, where the protaganist eludes his pursuer in the most unlikely of places.Hilarious, yet bad..

The ugly:  Description of a liasion gone wrong, with a female women who was not Roger's wife.


This really has to be read...... only wish I could write like this....what a talent....

Day 5 A Munching we go… To Munich via Enchanting Rothenburg

Sunny and up to 9 degrees… sauna conditions in the front of the Insight bus…

Bring on the Gluhwein.....

A Munching we go… To Munich aka Munchen via Rothenburg

Sunny and up to 9 degrees… sauna-like conditions in the front of the bus…

Today's highlight started with a pleasant drive along the Romantic road's Autobahn to Rothenburg, the enchanted walled medieval city in South- Eastern Germany . Thankfully, this city was untouched during the war, and a Xmas market is found here from the first weekend of Advent onwards, a.k.a. four weekends before December 24. The atmosphere in the markets and city is magical, enchanting, and quite wonderful, even without any snow, but I was not impressed with the famed "snowballs"…. A baked piece of bland and tightly woven, hard crusty pastry strips with a tiny sprinkle of icing only the top. What was needed was some way for the sugar or salt even to stick to the whole of this traditional gastronomic disaster, which are about 4 inches in diameter, and about as full of flavour as a sweet biscuit without sugar…..needless to say, I threw it away…. Now if it had been dipped in chocolate maybe, it would have had potential, but the inner layers would still be completely devoid of flavour anyway. But the Mulled wine is good, very good. You will find these and other sausage delicacies in the main square, where you can witness the Glockenspiel display on the hour at the main clock. A variety of stalls selling overpriced Xmas decorations proliferate. Window shop is my recommendation.

Square with Rathaus and Glockenspiel at Xmas market time

Kathy Wohlfarts store

There is not one but 2 KATHY WOHLFART ‘s outlets here and the attendants remind adults and children “NO touching”blah blah blah at frequent intervals which detracts from the shopping experience and the jolly Xmas spirit, but the range of products is truly mind boggling. They will ship purchases home for an additional fee, if you are on tour and can’t carry fragile decorations around with you. Wander the narrow cobble stone streets and you will find all sorts of shops with knick-knacks, collectibles, and things that ladies like to buy and browse, hidden on every corner. An old style wooden trivet carved with an edelweiss which caught my attention. Waiting patiently in line to be served for over 20 minutes, I started panicking that I would be late back to the bus, and miss the departure, so politely requested “ Bitte” in German and offered the attendant the correct money and was happy to take the item without wrapping…. As the attendant was hell bent on putting sixteen layers of sticky tape on each purchase for each PERSON in the queue. Perhaps they had seen one too many American tourists pushing in, as she flatly refused to accept my purchase and money, held in my open hand. “NO MADAM” was all she Said. I dropped the trivet back on the counter, pocketed my money to my wallet and left the store. She just lost a purchase and a customer…. And I did make it back to the bus on time… finding a shortcut through the square, Delighted more that I then had time to scale the walls for a aerial look at the town. I would have liked to come back and stay within these walls one day in the future, in order to really soak up the atmosphere, but the abrupt German Fraulein did put me off that idea.

City Walls

Rothenburg's walls themselves are quite incredible… medieval history staring at you in the face. Unlike historic locations back home, you ARE allowed to touch and feel these walls, and climb the u shaped steps, so worn down with the treading of thousands of Rothenburg feet. One can imagine feeling like a Rothenburg citizen defending the city with bow and arrow through the narrow slits in the city walls. They are intact for quite a way and have the covered walkway on the entrance side of the city. A horse and cart ride is also possible at least when the Xmas markets are on.

Olympic stadium 1980

 





An afternoon drive to Munich was uneventful, except for the brief sight on the outskirts of the ginormous BMW (Bavarian Motor works) factory and some rather nice architecture like the Olympic stadium, which remains in my memory, for the mind-numbingly callous act of killing 11members of the Israeli Olympic team and one west German police officer by PLO's Black September group, way back in 1972. Such a tragedy, and in this location, which was once the stronghold of the National Socialists!!! 
Along the way the Insight guide gave us an abridged history lesson of the history of the Nazi party, which was given life in this area of Germany. Indeed, we even passed by Landsberg Prison, where Adolf Hitler was imprisoned in the 1920’s for inciting an uprising. It was  here he wrote the infamous”mystruggle” or “Mein Kampf”.Not only was Munich, the centre for the National Socialists,and we passed the road to the German concentration camp Dachau thankfully not visiting that, on this tour. For Trivia nights note that the Second Reich dated until 1870 (unification of Germany), Second Reich with Otto Von Bismarck till 1912 and Hitler was supposed to commence the Third Reich…  

Bavaria, apparently is considered in some quarters, still to be a country within Germany. Bavarians are different and consider themselves to be Bavarians first and Germans second. The Wittenbach family were the Bavarian royalty and controlled the state of Bayern for many years, starting the October fest, which was a Wedding feast for the Wiitenbachs where the entire population was invited.

I was puzzled by the meaning of this sign... it was frustrating having something like this to ponder about in light of history.

We arrived on time to our Hotel in Munich, which was located near to yet another Xmas market and the English garden. In 2010, they took 6 hours to make the same journey arriving well after dinnertime at around 8.30 pm due to heavy traffic and snow. We all wanted snow, but were kind of glad we had an easy run to hotel :
Hilton Munich Park hotel Am Tucherpark 7, Munich Germany 80538

Day 4 - Winter Wonderland Tour Day 1

Sunny tending to Overcast was the weather prediction and it was about 2 degrees when we set out to explore Offenbach proper. We walked northward, or at least we thought it was northward and happened upon a farmer's market, where we found a plethora of advent wreaths and candles. Little did we know that this was going to be a common occurrence in the weeks to come. 


Our breakfast had been huge: Smoked salmon, herring/ cheese/and chocolate banana muesli. I could get very used to that!!! Delicious mouth watering pastries/cake/fruit as wellas hot dishes and the most scrumptious pretzel buns. My new favourite food!!


Significant attractions this morning included many buildings and fine houses and a delightful church with wrought iron gates. Some of these manor houses are quite large and some built post war, others' obviously pre dated the war or were rebuilt afterward, as Frankfurt was fairly heavily hit in WWII. 


Something unexpected was the appearance of Peter Parker a.k.a. Spiderman and of course the landlady or spouse in the apartment above was dutifully cleaning the windows. ( An obsession that is purely German, I think). 

Schloss Offenbach is the largest manor house of all in Offenbach.
Dating from the 18th Century, it overlooks the river and the barge fleet, and appears deserted but is open on some occasions, according to the sign on the door. The orange paintjob is a little perplexing and I do wonder what the interior is like..... 


The Offenbach equivalent of the Gallery of Modern Art, was closed but H. was pleased about that as she thought the building was creepy. The leatherworkers museum was open but did not look enthralling enough for us to spend time there. A rather weird structure sits outside, but keep walking along this street to see some really fantastic suburban architecture and manor houses. Must have been studying history for too long, as I could see German soldiers or SS trotting about with their boots on, in the ever present piles of Autumn maple leaves that seem to be omnipresent in this part of the world.  On arrival back at the Sheraton Offenbach hotel, ( via the mall and the Xmas markets), we checked the free internet in the lobby and met up with our tour guide, Sue Mason. 


On tour of Frankfurt proper, we were introduced to modern Frankfurt The Euro bank ( in the news predominantly at the moment) tent city, Financial Deutsche Bank HQ with the affectionately named 'credit' and 'debit' towers, and our final stop which was to be the most exciting of the day. 

We found the bus that was to be our quasi day home for the next 9 days was roomy and comfortable. We ended up the back, opposite a couple from Texas, and in front of a Brissy couple who were headed for London for 2 years who alighted with us at the Frankfurt Xmas markets.....

Well it was a Saturday but an ocean of people greeted us. It was all but impossible to make your way around. I felt like I was back at sideshow alley at the Royal National Show. Most items were a little expensive compared to Offenbach, but we did find a few souvenirs and H. bought me something for xmas on the sly. ( Dear little thing) Food wise there was opportunities to sit and drink gluhwein, for 7 euro and you pay a deposit, refundable when you return the cup, but who has time to sit when there is so much to see and so many people to squeeze past!!! I did grab a  baked potato with dill sour cream sauce and that filled me up!! 

The Romer square or Romerburg is something to see, even with a sea of people. The quaint half timbered houses were amongst  the only few buildings untouched by the bombs as a postcard in one of the shops grimly testified. The city was reduced to rubble, and I mean rubble, except for the Romer square timbered buildings that we see today. Imagine how pretty Frankfurt would be if it all looked as the Romer does. 


Don't miss the Romer round church if you go to Frankfurt, and the city hall is somewhere you can whip around in, in less than 5 mins.  The first German parliament of the unified Germany 1832 and 1871. Inside some of the shops were gorgeous and had the old world charm happening bigtime, and others, no different, and had been thoroughly modernised.  

The good: Romerberg square original houses and Round church
The Bad:  High prices at the Xmas  markets
The Ugly: Very touristy and worse on a Saturday

Day 3 Europa 2011-12 - Flying High Back in Time to Frankfurt

Although it was Friday and we spent most of it flying over Asia and the Middle East, we were to move backwards in time and experience Friday a second time. It was shortly after 6 am Friday when we landed, so the start of Friday again!

Lufthansa A 380

Our Lufthansa flight was on the new and so enormous A-380, which has two floors of seating. With the Lufthansa CEO ( I had seen him later on German TV, otherwise would not have had the foggiest who he was) and his entourage taking up most of the senator class on the Upper deck, it took us almost an hour to board this huge flying monster that had come into service so recently, it still smelt new. The cabin was well insulated which did cut down on that awful vibrative noise one gets in planes.

The Crew were not very friendly, but not unfriendly either. Just a presence, not  a verbal one, more a physical one. As for the passengers, the man next to me was either Russian or East European and he was the best airplane neighbour I have had yet. He just curled up and went to sleep, and I did  not hear boo out of him all night. The other side of the plane consisted of a large group of square headed severely blonde gentlemen with no. 1 crew cuts, shouting in what sounded like an angry Deutche. But then German sounds like an angry language sometimes.

Rathaus cafe

Offenbach

Frankfurt airport is huge and extremely difficult to orientate oneself unless you go directly out to an exit. On passing through Passport control, we were asked about our itinerary. I must say that the customs/police were very kind and friendly, as was our taxi driver (who was however, hell bent on breaking the sound barrier, getting us to our hotel) in Offenbach, a satellite town of Frankfurt. He was from Pakistan, ( aren't most taxi drivers?) and he told us how he had a near fatal car accident when he first started driving... eeek! Something he tells his customers to reassure them......

To our delight, our room at Sheraton Offenbach was made available for us straight away, at 7.15 am, which was either by good fortune, or because we were part of a large tour group that was commencing the next day. After settling in, we toddled out to find what Offenbach had on offer....excuse the pun/Dad joke.


What we found was a small  Christmas market, focused on food, in the "main" (again excuses for the pun/Dad joke), a wonderful Cafe at the Rathaus, where hot chocolate would be served to you for a paltry $1.20 Euro ( but who am I to complain?) and a medium sized indoor shopping centre with some wonderful clothes shops. Heidi and I spent most of the day there buying jumpers and t-shirts, jewellery. We loved it and found many bargains and some nice new winter gear.

Searching for the illusive Squirrel

It was rather cold and we started to feel it, but nothing daunted, we did spot a squirrel in the nearby Palais park, and it was far too tempting to not chase this little fellow into the park.Whilst the Autumn leaves periodically dropped around us, we attempting to get a good photoof the illusive creature (which turned out to be a blurry shot anyway). The Palais is now a conference centre for the hotel, and looked like something that the Von Trappe family once owned.  It was about 5 degrees but felt a little colder, presumably after our Singapore sojourn, and we had not yet acclimatised to the cold.

Something else we had yet to learn about Offenbach was where to find good local eateries and we were somewhat put off by the name of some of the food at the Christmas markets such as  "Super Dickman."  (The mind boggles) Opting for something safer, we purchased some rolls from the Supermarket, (it always good to check out the local's food ) and found some delicious pastries instead, which were more than satisfying.

The German bakery treats were to become very familiar to us and indeed part of our permanent body shape for the next 3 weeks and hopefully not part of our body shape for three years. God they are good!!! In the end, tonight we dined at the hotel restuarant and the prices, once again, I have to say were moderate, compared to Australia. I had a delicious prawn pasta dish, seen below, in its triumphal glory and Heidi had a bolognaise that would have easily fed 6 people!!!

Prawn pasta with "water"

If you are used to having still water with your meals, then beware, in Germany you have to request it and pay for it, and they will provide mineral water in a bottle for you, at a price. If you just ask for water, they will give you this version with bubbles, or gas, as they say. In other words, sparkling mineral water. You have to ask for still vand, or still water. Perhaps because it is much colder than at home, noone seems to drink still tap water here.  You can see our requested water in the picture, where we learnt this lesson very quickly. Water was something we pondered about.

Seven highlights of (Middle Earth) Singapore in a Day - Day 2 Europa 2011-12

Singapore Weather: Hot Humid and Overcast  30 degrees


Sightseeing Agenda:
1. Botanic Gardens - Cluny Road Open from 5am - Midnight. (Free entrance)
2. Orchid Gardens - within the Botanic Gardens Nominal (free in school holidays) entrance fee
3. Hindu Temple - Donation for photography
4. Chinatown
5. Buddha Tooth Temple
6. River Cruise - $14 Singapore dollars
7. Marina Bay Sands  Entrance fee to Observation deck


1. Botanic Gardens are a restful way to spend an hour or two. If you need a break from shopping til you drop in Orchard road, rest a while in the closely located Botanic Gardens. On Weekends, this place gets really busy, but during the week you will only meet a few tourists there and perhaps some ex-pats with their maids pushing the ex-pat's child in a stroller. Incidentally, many of the larger central apartments here in Singapore have maid's rooms, which wouldhave to be the pokiest room known to man. Not even the length of a bed!!! 

But back to Botanical matters and you will find therein a small lake with several white swans (frequented by the ubiquitous small child and mother throwing scraps of bread),as well as plants from different parts of the world located in separate sections of the Gardens. It is a popular place for wedding photos, even during the week. 

Cafe and Souvenir shop and ice cream kiosk also in situ. A Choc Frappe is one of their specialities and much needed in the humidity in order to keep hydrated.

2. The Orchid Gardens located on the high point of the hill in the Botanic Gardens, opened in 1985 are a serene and marvellous place, even for those not interested in flowers. A humid climate must be nirvana for Orchids, as the masses of blossoms on these plants and the way they decorate the environment with them has to be seen to be believed. 

Innovative and creative, they have painted a picture with orchids of all colours and types and divided them into Seasonal shades. There are even a group of crossed hybrid plants with celebrity names.

And the famous Graffiti tree, is to be found there as well. Couples in love would scribe them names in the bark in order to make their love as eternal as the tree. NB: You are no longer allowed to scratch one's name in the bark as it was killing the tree. Killed with love....

Entrance was free for school children the day we went, as it was during the Singapore school holidays. The entry charge is really only minimal anyway. 

 A feast of colour for one'e eyes and one might even glimpse a rare bird or two.


 
3. Next stop was the Hindu temple and to this we caught the bus. Hindu is a minority in Singapore but the temple is an important place to visit because of its unique architecture. 

Visitors are allowed but please be respectful of the temple and remove your shoes before entering. Also cover your shoulders if exposed which mine were because of the heat. They ask for 40 cents in order for you to take photos, but this money goes towards mantaining the temple so it is not an onerous charge.

 















4. Chinatown   
Here you will find all sorts of stalls and vendors willing to haggle. Alongside you can ensure your continued hydration with juices - try an interesting soursop flavour, or lemonade that was more like lemon lime juice.  If you really want lemonade, you will have to ask for a sprite or seven up!!!  Mango juice was also very refreshing. Smoothies eat your heart out.
Stalls prices in Chinatown are cheap but cheaper elsewhere in Asia, for example, Hong kong currency conversion is a better rate for Australians and no doubt Americans too.

 
5. Buddha tooth temple
Four to five floors of temple splendour. Maintain Quiet and cover your shoulders when inside. Most of the floors photography is not allowed, so always check. 

The Buddha tooth is quite small and contained in a box, on the top floor, and even during the week you will see many people actively praying and paying for gifts for the various gods.  Also a floor with a library, reading room and small shop.

6. Singapore is a fabulous city for viewing the marvels of modern architecture. The River cruise is a great way to see all of this. There are various departure points, but you can not get off at all these points, only get on. 

 

 

 7. Marina Bay Sands
As if Singapore did not have enough Architectural icons, the recently Marina Bay Sands complex is a Feat of engineering that appeals to everyone's eyes.  The boat section actually holds the 3 enormous towers up. Visitors can purchase a ticket to the observation deck (on the boat's pointy end) and you might find you have to queue for the lift. To visit the middle section where the large pool is located, one has to take a guided tour or be a guest staying here. So we just peered through the glass door.

In a storm, which during the months of October to February, expect electrical Tropical storms. In a storm, the  observation deck will be closed, but if you visit before the storm, you will get, as we did a bird's eye view of not only the amazing Singapore skyline but the storm rolling in.... so we headed down the lifts before the throngs of tourists escaping the storm, invaded the lift foyer. The storm hit as we reached the bottom and we took a taxi back to Orchard road. There is a River cruise stop here at Marina Bay Sands so you can also take the cruise from here. 

Well that was Singapore's seven major highlights all achievable in a day. To finish off a perfect day with Annette, we browsed some shops at Tanglin Mall where we found some interesting bakery treats and had Pizza.

Before flying out, we walked further up Orchard road and saw an lovely Christmas lights display.


Singapore... On the Equator - middle earth definitely something to ponder about.

Singapore Sling: Hot & wet, with Hanna and a Hangover DAY 1

Wednesday DAY 1 of Europa 2011-2012

Brisbane to Singapore.  Sub tropical to Equatorial Humidity

Humid and hot leaving home; the International schools must have finished their yearly studies, for the flight was full of young Asian men, with short spiky hair, the kind that I would love to run my fingertips over, (but never would)!! All going home after a long year of study, perhaps?

Watched several in-flight movies, managed to fit in three! “Hanna”, which I have actually forgotten the plot, but remember a stiff performance from Cate Blanchett & Eric Bana, something about experimental manipulation of DNA in children, also Midnight in Paris, which was a totally unreal chick flick, but quite lovely, and the Hangover II: which I found especially unsettling, even shocking at times, even though I could see the use of “Black” comedy, in some scenes. Started to watch “Thor”, but found this movie so poor, that I skipped through at least 2/3 of the film, only watching the climax and concluding scenes. Still managed to follow the plot without confusion…. Enough said….?

Arriving in Changi airport, there were of course, no hassles, a completely streamlined entry. The ATM was conveniently located prior to the exit where taxis awaited me. Just as well, as the old Indian taxi driver did not take credit cards. His taxi was old, smelt like cigarettes, and despite the taxi meter reading only $17, (due to his breaking the sound barrier on the way to Annette’s house), he still charged me the quoted price of $20. Perhaps he was late for a Singapore sling at Raffles.

   

We were accommodated on the 29^th floor of Annette’s apartment tower in a premium location, resplendent with snowman welcoming us at the main ground guards-house entrance. Felt right at home, especially in the humid conditions! Fabulous views, with lots of floor length glass even in the shower!!! Annette’s views to the recently completed Marina Bay Sands were only occluded when a neighbouring high rise was finished. Life in Singapore the skyscraper city!!

More tomorrow

Simple Shortbread - New Oven

At hideous expense and much procrastination, the new oven is installed. My bestest mate the Westinghouse died after 27 years of dedicated service and the odd burnt offering. Now a Westinghouse mark II has come along. Chosen because of its wide girth, and rapid heat settings the new oven has multi-functions and programmable timers. Useful, methinks, very useful!
 so ...
Have new oven - will cook treats! Today we tried out new timings in the oven for shortbread and cinnamon biscuits ( they are not called cookies in this house!) They require some adjustment.

Shortbread 

115 g rice flour
225 g plain flour
115 g castor  sugar
225 g butter ( softened )
pinch  salt
Mix flours and dry ingredients
Rub in butter till mixture forms a dough
Roll into cyclinder and wrap in glad/cling wrap and place in fridge for 30 mins


Cut into 1 cm rounds crosswise and bake in slow oven 3/4 to 1 hour. On fanbake, 1 hour is necessary.

Swedish Cinnamon Biscuits


3/4 cup butter 
1 cup sugar ( I used castor but it does not matter)
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 1/3 cup flour
1 tsp baking powder
2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans
(1 tbsp cinnamon and 1 tbsp sugar extra)
Perlsukker ( Pearl sugar )

Soften butter and Cream it with the sugar, which you have gradually added. 
Beat in egg and vanilla
Sift flour with baking powder and 1 tsp cinnomon in bowl and stir in nuts. 
Add to egg mix and blend thoroughly.
Cover and chill for 30 mins to 1 hour.


Roll 1 inch balls in cinnamon/sugar (extra) mix 
and place 3 inches apart on tray.
Perlsukker on top if desired.

Into Oven at 190 degrees c  
Bake for 12- 15 mins.  

Eat....











Verdict on timing in the new Westinghouse... cook shortbread for longer on fanbake setting, or hotter!

Headhunters by Jo Nesbø

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Wow... it seems incredible, but each book I have read recently becomes my latest Favourite author/novel. This is a little ridculous, but true. Why is that? 
Well I can make this claim because I have read this book from Jo Nesbø.

Nesbo has departed from the Harry Hole series in this superbly written first person story.Those averse to novels written in the first person will find it hard going, but if you can cope with that, it is an excellent book and if you haven't read Nesbø before, I can assure you that you will again. 

Offering an insight to the world of economics and business recruitment. (no doubt Nesbø drew upon his former profession as a source for this book), this is not the usual murder mystery but a little bit of a love story, or at least besotted love, part art history/theft story and mostly  psychological thriller, as the reader is manipulated into different directions by the twists and turns of this story. 


The characters, particularly the protaganist Roger Brown, were utterly believable, and his background and mindset, so carefully woven in to the story. However the crowning glory of this book was the fact that you could never anticipate the ending, no matter what.  

Roger Brown, albeit a man of short stature, (which is the bane of his existence), is the epitome of business success with a perfect track record of recruitment, but has a dark secret that even his stunningly beautiful wife, ( who appears to be equally besotted with him) is unaware. Does she have secrets too? Why  is her heart so sad? Enter another man who intervenes in their lives in a most unexpected but equally manipulative way with deadly consequences.


The police are not present in this story, and this is in contrast to Nesbø's other Harry Hole's stories. You are Roger Brown and experience all that he experiences, even the black humour and dire situation he finds himself in when trying to elude his pursuer. This scene, which I won't detail as it will spoil it, is so completely original and hilarious at the same time and cemented my admiration for this writer. Who else could inject black humour in to the totally serious psychological thriller, but Nesbø?


Becoming a motion picture I hope will only add interest to Nesbø's work, and this work in particular. Released in Oslo 2011.


The good:  Enthralling, riveting, edge of your chair thriller, which CANNOT be put down, and this, always a hackneyed phrase, is more than accurate, in this instance. I had to finish this book in one session. Final plot twist, and all those before it as well.


The bad:   One particular scene, where the protaganist eludes his pursuer in the most unlikely of places.Hilarious, yet bad..

The ugly:  Description of a liasion gone wrong, with a female women who was not Roger's wife.



This really has to be read...... only wish I could write like this....what a talent....