Sunday, 24 November 2013

Koh Samui long weekend

Koh Samui is an island off the east coast of Thailand and is a short 2 hour flight from Singapore which makes it an ideal spot for a weekend getaway.
Although November is the rainy season we were lucky to have only a few short rain showers each day similar to the current weather in Singapore.
We stayed at the InterContiental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort which is located away from the main tourist area called Chaweng which is on the east side of the island. The InterContiental is on the west side of the island and is built on a mountain side overlooking 5 islands rising out of the sea.
The InterContiental Samui Baan Taling Ngam Resort makes it in to the book '1000 Places to See Before You Die ' and it certainly had amazing views over the Gulf of Thailand which made it a very relaxing weekend.



View from the rooms off the hotel


Great spot to sit and admire the view



The infinity pool overlooking palm plantations



The beach pool



Three of the five islands



InterContiental's jetty



Sunset


The beach


                                               View when you walk into hotel lobby



The beach at sunrise



Great spot for sunset cocktails



Interesting cloud formation one afternoon



Sunrise


Always somthing sailing by the resort


Thursday, 31 October 2013

Gardens By the Bay celebrates Deepavali

Deepavali is being celebrated in the Flower Dome at Gardens By the Bay. The display features decorated elephants amongst the flowers  of Amaranths, Cone Flowers and Cockscombs. Throughout the Flower Dome there are educational signs with information about Deepavali and the customs associated with the festival.




Wooden Elephants




Elephant planter boxes



The main display



Lotus flower lights ( Lotus flowers are the national flower of India )





Elephants amongst the Chrysanthemums




Traditional Indian fabric lanterns




Colourful umbrella



The main display




Educational sign


 A  festive Rangoli - a traditional folk art made with different coloured rice




Traditional Indian fabric lanterns



Indian spices amongst the display


Educational sign