VirtualTourist Member Wild_Orchid
| Page Views: 90,037 | a Voyage of Discovery, and seeing with new eyes by Wild_Orchid - last update: Apr 21, 2008 |
Look who I bumped into during Christmas in Helsinki
I was in Helsinki for a meeting around Christmas 2007 and bumped into Santa Claus. It's not surprising - because the official address for Santa is in Lappland, which is located in Finland. During Christmas time, all the kids will write a letter to Santa telling him what they would like for Christmas. The Santa I met was hanging around at the Vaanta airport. Many tourists and especially many young Japanese ladies were big fans of Santa & crowded around his sleigh, hoping for a picture, if not a sleigh ride!
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Back from Yamba...and with a Gold Coast tanI was onboard the inaugural Asia X-flight to the Gold Coast on 2nd November. Tony Fernandez was at the airport to see us off. The CEO of Air Asia X was on board along with a huge entourage of Air Asia-X staffers & members of the media. Upon arrival at Coolangatta, we had a red carpet welcome & greeted by volunteers from the Gold Coast Life Saving Association,...and Sponge Bob of Nickelodeon fame also made an appearance!:-)
Instead of spending time on the Gold Coast, my family stayed at a beautiful 3 bedroom apartment in Yamba, a scenic seaside town on the coast of NSW's northern coast. It was a wonderful holiday break for all of us. The air was crisp and clean, there was almost little to no traffic or pollution and the waves were wild, and good for surfing.
Here's a picture of me with my daughter on a beach at Byron Bay. It was a super windy day- but the sky was endlessly blue and beach so clean and gorgeous. What can I say? We fell in love - with the beach- at first sight. |
Christmas @ Cameron Highands Christmas at Camerons (2006)We had a lovely three day weekend at Cameron Highlands over the Christmas weekend. We booked the private bungalow up on the hills away from the maddening crowds and enjoyed the chilly air with some lovely red wine, a home-made BBQ ... |
| before love, what was there ? |
Highly Recommended Book-THE HISTORY OF LOVEI am reading a novel for the second time: It's called "The History of Love" by Nicole Krauss. It was such a beautiful book, that immediately after finishing it, I started it all over again. There are sections and chapters that I read out loud to my children, and simply for my own pleasure.
It is funny and sad at the same time...a joy to read. It explores the frailty of the human heart, but the voices are overwhelmingly voices of HOPE. a MUST READ! |
Happy in Hanoi Do you want to know a secret?I was away with my husband on a deserted island (oops, it was not really that deserted, but (hehe), that does sound rather romantic, doesn't it?) during a weekend in September 2005. It was reaaaally relaxing although we had some rainy weather. Look out for my Koh Samet pages coming soon to VT!
Sail away at Ha-long BayThe myths and legends of Vietnam & China inevitably involve mythical creatures such as dragons and phoenix. One such legend involving a dragon says that the beautiful Halong Bay was created when a dragon descended into the sea. The beauty of this bay defies description as the appeal is not merely visual, but involves all your senses. To enjoy and appreciate the total experience, sail away to Halong Bay on board a junk boat, sleep under moonlight and wake up early to listen to the waves lapping against the boat and to revel in the taste of morning mists upon your tongue. |
Born to be wild, but motherhood made me tameOn Motherhood:My kids bring great joy to my life. Motherhood is one of life's greatest source of happiness and a true blessing. Only another mother knows the pain and suffering and joys that motherhood brings. We live and learn but it takes a whole new generation to appreciate...and even then maybe or maybe not. (I'm melancholy today so I'm not sure what I really mean)
Getting in touch with the OrchidYou're welcome to drop in to visit me now and then. I enjoy being in contact with you guys so remember to drop me your comments when you visit. I also love to receive e-mails, so drop me a note, will ya? (can't promise to reply though, you know...those pesky kids keep me all tied up in knots haha). Some recent thoughts: My kids are growing up fast. I can't imagine where the time has gone. Sometimes I wish to hold on to my son and daughters and keep them with me forever.
"The real voyage of discovery is not seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes."
Marcel Proust"A traveller travels the world in search of what he needs...and then returns home to find it"
George Moore |
| Fred's Butterfly in Tokyo |
~PALS - People with A L S also known as Lou Gehrig's disease ~Fred Siwak, our VT member who uses the name PALS is a true hero of our time. He has a disease that does not allow him to travel, except in his mind and virtually through the internet. He continues to express himself creatively. His spirit is strong and among his dreams is to see pictures of his art in as many parts of the world as possible. Please do visit Fred to know more about PALS sufferers.
I took a copy of Fred's Butterfly with me and took this picture at Shinjuku, Tokyo during my last trip there in May 2005. If you are able to help Fred to realise his dreams, please write him an e-mail (with a regular e-mail contact, as VT allows only smaller size attachments) at seaweed@gis.net. He will send you a jpeg photo of his art so that you too can bring it along with you on your travels. I ask for your help to please help Fred realise his dreams.
Indescribable JapanIn November 2006, I revisited Tokyo, Japan and had a wonderful trip. I managed to visit the lovely town of Kyoto and experienced the bullet train. I am enamoured by Tokyo and can't wait to visit again.
During a trip to Tokyo in 2005, I chose to overnight at a Ryokan at the town of Narita. It was a great little town to visit and let me share with you that Narita is MORE than just another airport. The hospitality that I received at the ryokan was outstanding in every way. Don't miss out on the experience! |
Tokyo & Nikko Buddhism meets Shintoism at NikkoThe World Heritage Site of Nikko is among the most interesting from a historical and cultural perspective. It is where Buddhism meets Shintoism and the two religions co-exist in harmony, side-by-side. Apart from being of historical interest, the countryside around the area of Lake Chuzen will also be of interest to nature lovers. As the saying goes "Never say kekko (magnificent) until you've seen Nikko."
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mallyak Tue Apr 22, 2008 22:31 UTC
Actually we were supposed to be transiting through Narita enroute to london, but we are now going Via Seoul.But your pages are fantastic and will always be refered to. | robertgaz Tue Apr 22, 2008 08:38 UTC
All of the above please ;~) | janetanne Mon Apr 21, 2008 07:04 UTC
Hello there my dear friend. It has been a very long time since I have seen you on VT. Hope Spring has come to fill you world with blossoms and many wild orchids! Kisses from Athens | ellielou Mon Mar 24, 2008 02:10 UTC
well, I haven't seen you forever either! I hope you're well....I have a nasty cold and would love to have some laksa to knock it out of my system! ;-p |
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