Three refreshing days in Singapore, exploring new sights, shopping and reconnecting with friends. Friday was catching up on some sleep and checking out the local neighbourhood and shops, finished off by the most delicious lamb shanks prepared by Tiri over the previous 24 hours, complete with champagne, to celebrate our wedding anniversary. Saturday we took the metro into town (an hour long trip) to visit Chinatown, where an unexpected and rash decision happened. ...

Today we travel back to Singapore to stay a few days with longtime friends Susan and Tiri. We always enjoy our time in Singapore. It's a great little city, clean vibrant and warm. Tiri and Susan and their two girls are a delight to stay with, always entertaining always great hosts.The Singapore Airlines flight was empty (we moved seats so we had a spare seat; further back there were at least thirteen rows with three people for nine seats). The service at check-i...

Today was reserved mainly to view the cathedral in the centre of Milan, one of the most magnificent structures developed during the second 1000 years BC. The importance of this structure transcends its primary purpose, and for centuries has driven the economy of Milan. Right from the beginning of this building when the decision was made to construct this structure from marble quarried hundreds of kilometres away, in the Lake District, the economic decisions made ...

Today we left the lovely lake town of Varenna and travelled an hour on the local train to Milan. Before we left we took one last walk along the lake around to the Cipressi Villa gardens, and stopped off at Hotel Du Luc for a coffee (or water in Rs case), and chocolate cake. The weather when we started walking was freezing and raining, with fresh snow showing up on the tops on the southern end of the lake, with cold cloud hovering around the peaks. The northern pa...

Today we set out to wander up the hill to see the castle, but this was put on hold briefly when Michelle remembered a special holiday market was on today in the piazza, so an investigation was required. It was a major disappointment. We really felt sorry for the stall holders as they grappled to hold their canopies down in the 'gentle' breeze, whilst there was almost no one around (they were still there at the end of the day, and for most it looked like no sales ...