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July is long break time at the university, and the middle of the hot and humid season, so we decided to take the month off and visit family and friends in Australia - even though it's mid-winter there.
We stopped over in Singapore for a few days R & R as we hadn't been there for yonks. We had a really enjoyable time there, the weather was bearable, just, and the city is very easy to get around. Managed to vote at the Australian High Commission and they even had an election day sausage sizzle. We visited the National Orchid Gardens with it's magnificent display of so many colours and varieties and the Gardens by the Bay which is so extensive it's unbelievable - the climate is obviously amenable for growing things.
Even the iconic Marina Bay Sands Hotel building which I've always thought was so ugly, looks better up close. We rode the lift to the top and watched the sunset, then wandered down into the nearby Gardens by the Bay to experience the nightly light and sound show. It was really impressive, great music and lots of colour. Anyone can watch it from the top of the hotel, the towers inside the Gardens or wandering around at ground level. I think it was the best of any such show I've seen.
We also visited the magnificent National Gallery for a bit of culture and were very impressed. There happened to be an exhibition of comparative European and Asian art displayed in parallel and chronologically. Very interesting to see the cross influences. It included works by several famous Vietnamese artists, some of whom had studied in France.
From Singapore we flew to Melbourne to visit our son and granddaughter. It was lovely to catch up with them, see how much our granddaughter has grown and hear about things she's into. We caught the end of school holidays so we managed a movie and a trip to the zoo, a river trip and a few meals together. also went to a funky vintage/flea market - just the sort of thing I love. The weather was bitterly cold, but we were told it had been worse the week before we arrived, with lots of rain. Unfortunately I kept forgetting to take photos - only got the one! Obviously enjoying the company too much.
Next we headed to Perth to catch up with the rest of the family and friends. Having been broken in by Melbourne weather we managed to cope and at least it was mostly fine. There we enjoyed a bit of puppy-sitting and guinea pig feeding, birthday dinner, watching the grandchildren play soccer and lacrosse, had many meals out, saw a movie, the annual family reunion was timed for our stay, and we caught up with lots of friends and neighbours (apologies to some we didn't manage to see ☹️). Still I kept forgetting to take photos.
We had a great time back in Oz. Enjoyed old food favourites, did a bit of shopping, managed to adjust (almost) to the empty feel, quiet streets, obeying traffic signals, eating quietly, hearing people around us speaking English.
Now we are back in Tuyen Quang and pleased to see everyone. It seems odd unpacking a suitcase half full of winter gear (remembering how cold it was last winter) when the temperature is in the high 30s and the humidity 70%. Oh well, just wait a few months.
- comments
Zig Avenel, What a lovely break and great photos! Different places, catching up with family and a touch of winter thrown in - sounds very civilised and enough to keep you happy in Tuyen Quang a little longer. Cheers, Zig.x
avenel Thanks Zig,Yes it was lovely to catch up with everyone but now it's nice to get away from the cold. You your knee is continuing to improve. XSent from my iPhone
glenys davies Always good to read of your travels Avenal!Best wishesGlenys Davies