Blending of Cultures

and the

Asian Connection

November 2014 - January 2015

Changi Airport Flower Arrangement

Welcome to Singapore where cleanliness

and safety reign supreme.

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.

Couldn’t Pass Up the Opportunity

Seasonal Slings

Raffles Hotel Long Bar and the variety of “sling” offerings.

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.

Singapore Apartment Building

Apartment Buildings are abundant in Singapore.

Singapore Apartment Building

Another beautiful apartment building.

Singapore Apartment Building

Apartments were dominant throughout Singapore’s skyline.

Beautiful Lilly Arrangement

Beautiful flowers are plentiful in Singapore. This incredible arrangement of lilies graced the lobby of the Shangri La Hotel.

Birds of Paradise

Another beautiful flowering variety that graces the grounds throughout Singapore.

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.

White Orchids

Orchids greeted you at almost every turn.

More Beautiful Flowers

It’s impossible to tire on the beautiful flowers that grace the terrain throughout Singapore.

Purple OrchidsImagine an orchid bush over 8’ tall.

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

Beautiful sunset as a storm gathered off the coast.

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.

Looking Back into Cliff Backdrop

Truly a perfect blending of man and wildlife.

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 Shows Baby How It Is Done

It is amazing to witness how agile these creatures are.

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.

Another Beautiful Limestone Island

Signature Desert

Mangoes and sweet rice, garnished with a baby orchid.

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 to the City Palace

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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 Square

Mor Chok, or Peacock Square, is one of the more integral inner courts of the palace.

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.

Looking Out From Garden Palace

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.

Udaipur School Bus

There were 13 children pilled into this vehicle on their way home from school.

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.

DelhiWedding Festivities

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.

Hurricanes!

No good Mehndi is complete without a famous New Orleans Hurricane.

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.

Helping Hands

Jeff decided to engage Radhika’s nephew on the horse adventure.

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.

Dinner Seating

The grounds were decorated with more lovely flowers and colorful table decorations.

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.

Close Up of Beautifully Decorated Mandap

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.

Taj At Dusk

As the sun began to set a new glow fell on this magnificent tribute to love that never died. What an incredible end to a remarkable journey celebrating the marriage of two young people from different cultures

who’s love will live on like the Taj.