~**~mmm ~**~

I was here again exactly 1 yr ago. Oh boy, I was so glad and felt lucky to witness the remake of history! This is like a replica of the previous ship that was sunk in the 1745. This new ship is taking two year long journey to China. As of now, they have already arrived China, and they will be arriving Singapore soon, about 4 mths later, and celebrating their new year here!!

This ship isn’t very big but it is very “vikings” looking :P I could feel the excitement with the crew and took many pics and even video footage of the ship!! Unfortunately, the public weren’t allowed to go inside the ship but could only take pic from the outside. Only invited VIP were allowed :(

The legendary “Gotheborg,” which made three voyages from Gothenburg to Guangzhou between 1743 and 1745, smashed into rocks about 900 meters from its destination after a 30-month voyage to China and sunk with its entire cargo outside the port of Gothenburg on its last return trip to Sweden in 1745.

The wreckage of the ship was recovered in 1984 and excavation conducted from 1986 to 1992. The discovery led to the idea of rebuilding a replica of the ship using the same traditional techniques and materials and sailing it to China again.

I heard there would be changes of crew in some of these destinations e.g. in Spain, and another change of crew when they arrive in Singapore!

schedule of various routes

I want to witness the history again and make sure I am taking the pic again when they are here in Singapore! And I’ll be celebrating New Year with them, HIPPIE ;)!!

It was in 1997, and the same year and same day that Princess Diana has passed away !(date on the pic).. We were there for about 2 days, Aug 31st to Sept 1st. I still remember that I was almost drowned in the miami beach..I had swum too far away, but got rescued by my good friend, whew :P

I finally got on the shore safely, rested enough, and we drove back home. On the way, we stopped by a convienient store and saw the shocking news of Princess Diana’s death..I felt an instant sadness, confusion, but at the same time felt grateful that I am still alive! Life is really precious, any one could be gone anytime!

I think from that trip, both me and my good friend, well, an American male friend, had gained some insights and things. At that time, he was constantly feeling sad, and trying to get over his break up with his Singaporean ex girlfriend(who is my good friend, still is, and she is living in Singapore now :)). It took him months to let go, and finally did it after the trip! =)

We didn’t party all night, but we did lots of walking around the entertainment area. It was very happening and fun place to be at. The entertainment scene was great, and lots of fine mexican food can be found here!

It’s a pity that I couldn’t get to go back to Miami & Key West again when I went back to the States about 9 mths ago, mainly due to the hurricane warning in the southern area. Only managed to visit Tampa, Orlanda, Clearwater, and St. Peterburg area.

One of my favorite countries in the world! Canada!!

Canadians are truly lucky to own one of these wonders in the world! The Niagara Falls is really an amazing place that you must not miss when you visit Canada!

I always wanted to visit this beautiful place and experience the awe-inspiring sight when I first saw it from the movie “Superman” in the 70s..Yup, I have imagined myself being rescued by him a few times in that place! lol

It did feel like in dreamscape when I there in 1993, awwww..!! So surreal scene and a very picturesque view of a waterfall!! This is by far one of my favourite places to visit and one of the favourite travel pics I have taken over the years!! And look closely, wow, rainbow!! (Pic was taken using a huge old 90s camera with a cool remote control, was considered innovative at that time lol)... I was lucky to have captured the awesome sight of the beautiful rainbow over the whole area, and I do feel very proud to have captured this moment in the pic!

Oh I really love this place! I love Canada!! So now, can the Canadian govt hire me to be their Ambassador ? ;)

That was in 1993!! (Yes I looked very 90s in that pic).. Ah, about 13 yrs ago!! It has been too long ago that I have forgotten most of the names of the places of interest we had been there…But I clearly remember it felt so unreal and magical when I arrived at those ancient architectural building, felt very much like in a movie ;P

Ok, first and faremost, I don’t remember the name of this popular church(there were lots of tourists in this area) I was standing in front of, not sure if it’s St. Peter or St. Paul Cathedral?? Do let me know if anyone happens to know!?

I do remember some of the more memorable places like the Colosseum, the Piazza and.. Via dei Condotti, a very cool shopping area that leads towards the big square where you could find tons of people seating and resting there..And lots of pigeons flying in that square too, yap, just like in the movie! It was very romantic and relaxed feeling when I was there, and the people were so charming! Ha, perhaps too charming that I was almost groped by some Italian men :P

I especially remember the Via dei Condotti well because that’s where I found this lovely “La Perla” Italian brand :)... And that’s when I realised that the Italian women seem to pay much attention to their inner beauty! ;).. Their lingeries shops were so exquisite looking and the lingeries they carried were all so beautiful and sexy looking!! So when I went back to Singapore, I looked high and low for this particular La Perla brand, and did manage to find in a very exclusive shop but it was way too expensive for me to buy anything there, damn…I was cursing myself of not buying more of their lovely lingeries when I was there!!

With that 3,4 days experience just in Rome, and another few more days in other parts of Italian cities, I must say that Italy is a place that I found oozed with much sensuality!!!!

I would definitely love to go back there one day again!!

This was where I became Charlie Angel…No.., just kidding ;P

This is the place where I went for my uni studies, and I remember hanging out quite a bit in downtown Denver and Cherry Creek area. I can’t say Denver is the most preferred city in the U.S. but it certainly gave me many memories =)

Pic was taken in downtown during the spring break(1996)..We were all school mates, the one on the left is from Hong Kong, and the one to my right is from Taiwan..and I am slightly shorter than them(they were both like 5ft 8)... I still remember that pic was taken right before we went to Tower Record to meet Chris Issak, the singer, for autograph signing. And till this day I still keep his lovely signature on my CDs and phone book, which says “I dig you” lol…

Oh yes, haha, he even invited the 2 of us, my galfriend (the one on the right, the taiwanese pal) and me to meet him at his hotel..No, of course we did not show up, as we were not a bunch of hard core groupies.. Who knows what we would ended up doing, perhaps some unthinkable act… The thought of it was neither sweet nor scary, just wierd..And no, we do not regret not showing up for his invite =)

I heard that Denver today has progressed much and more new things are sprouting up all the time in the city, perhaps it’s really different now from what I have seen or experienced more than 10 yrs ago!

Before I forget, if you do get a chance to go to denver, do visit their Red Rock Amphitheatre, it rocks!! I have seen at least 3 concerts there, and each time it had been an awesome and thrilling experience!! And not forgetting the Denver Art Museum, it’s one of the best in the U.S.!!

I have always wanted to go to this fascinating island, which supposedly used to belong to Singapore!!

To tell you the truth, I have never heard of this island till I dated an Australian Chinese guy (about 12 yrs ago) who was born on this island and is now based in Singapore. I actually thought he was kidding when he told me that he’s from Christmas island, I instantly thought “what a fancy name for an island”!! Both of his parents used to be “Singapore” citizens but because the island was sold to Australia later on, they have become “Australia” citizens even before he was born. Of course he grew up in all things Australian culture and speaks with a strong Australian accent, and now with a slight Singaporean accent ;)

Ahem, the Singapore govt must be eating their heart out now having to give up another precious piece of land, due to the scarcity of land here. I heard the Australian government had paid the government of Singapore £2.9 million in compensation in 1957.

Like Singapore island, this external territory of Australia, has population of 70% Chinese, 20% European and 10% Malay. English is the official language, but Chinese and Malay are also spoken.

I still remember him showing me pics of his home in Christmas island~the housing pretty much looks a bit like those zinc roof old style housing in Singapore in the 70s..and pics of thousands of red crabs (usually during nov period ) that crawl onto his home and backyard like nobody’s business :P…These are also known as land crab too, because they literally do come onto the land and surround you, and oh so strikingly red and cute!!

This island unquestionably has a wide range of unique and unusual species and habitats, which makes it very fascinating for me to visit in the near future.

( Attached pics of whale shark and red crabs )

I spent 30 mins of my life here..Hehe, just passed by via road trip to Las Vegas (in 1994) ;)

Two words to describe..”Simply Beautiful”!

P.S. This place is called as Badwater as well, known for its small salt pond ..it’s a place great for taking sunset and sunrise shot! (Which in my case was for the sunset shots :))

The first time I went to United States was in 93 which covered San Francisco, New York City and Arizona(Flagstaff & Phonenix)..And then went back to San Francisco again the 2nd time on the following year and got to visit this Ghirardelli Square and Soda Fountain. I have had fond memories of this chocolate store and Fountain area. Bought lots of chocolate goodies and coco powder, and oh ya, lots of people watch at the surrounding ;)

Strangely enough, didn’t get the chance to go back there much while working in San Francisco in 98. But would definitely love to pay a visit again.

This pic was taken in 94 during Spring break while studying in Denver, Colorado.

I have a soft spot for Toronto because I went to 6-mths of High school there. Though it was considered a little slow pace when I first went there in the 1993, and the winter can be bitterly cold, but it is a very special place and I heart Toronto :-)

This memorable place has made me look at Singapore in a different perspective. It made me feel appreciative of the beauty in the world, including both Canada and Singapore. Somehow Toronto has made me realised that life is not all about fast paced and rushing to get things done ahead of anybody else, and simple things in life can be beautiful :-)

And Canada is the first country that I have ever lived outside Singapore ;)

The Chinatown at yonge street, the diverse mixed of people, the old fashioned railway, the wonderful Canadian and Singaporean friends from Scarborough and Mississauga cities, all made up of my fond memories of Canada. Not forgetting my graduation ceremony was held at the lovely CN Tower! (attached a pic of the CN Tower taken in 93’ :))

I love this place and want to come back here one day with my future husband and kids!!

No words to describe this mesmerizing city..Been here in 96 for a day field trip with professor and classmates from Aix-En-Provence. Went up to some hill and the view of the city by the water was simply breaktaking!! Beautiful weather and lovely sights, this place has such pleasurable beauty that moved me in so many ways..completely astonished!!

I still remember that they had this world supermodel contest held at the same time when we were there, but we didn’t get to see the event or any cute models there ;)

The trip was too short!! Would definitely love to go back again!!