Travel… beautiful places… people I love- sweet dreams are made of this. It almost doesn’t matter where… I want to go to Norway. But I also want to trek in Patagonia. But I really want to go to Iceland… and then I wanna go to the Faroe Islands. And how could I forget trekking in the rice fields of Sapa… all while on the plane heading to somewhere else. The crazy mind of an obsessed traveller. Me. But this trip is different and it’s been a long time in the making.. from nine years ago when cancer (f**k cancer) reared its ugly head for the first time in our beautiful Johnny… through the surreal Covid years… til today. It’s been a constant reminder that this very moment is the only one you know you have for sure… that life is short and the world is wide. 

So this trip is particularly special. I’m heading for Turkey with two of my very favourite people in the world… my brother Chris and his partner John. As brother and sister, Chrissy and I obviously share history… memories… deep things. But we also share a passion for photography… for savouring life intensely… and for the beauty of nature… whether that be the micro details of a flower or some weird fungi, the change of seasons, the sound of the ocean, watching the sunset, the smell of rain or starry nights.  And Johnny… well Johnny has been a wonderful constant for so many years. He’s just love and warmth and wisdom all wrapped up in one human. They both are. Love in action. And we all share a love for travel.

A lot of people think they’re burnt out because you’re doing too much. I believe it’s because you’re doing too little of the things that make you feel alive. And travelling makes me feel alive. I feel very privileged to be able to share this time with them. 

First stop- Singapore… the ultra-clean and ultra-green city where old-meets-new in the most bewildering yet ingenuis ways. Even looking out the window of our hotel room we had the obvious juxtaposition of the old terra cotta roofs with the skyscrapers that are perhaps thought more typical of Singapore these days. 

But Singapore does the “new” in the most spectacular fashion, and that’s why I’m here. It’s been years since the last time, and the main reason I wanted to come was to see the futuristic and unique Gardens by the Bay, which did not exist when I was last here. It is amazing what can be created when people have vision and creativity (and I guess, funds)… and I stood in awe at the amazing structures that are super beautiful and now so iconic! Gardens by the bay- Ferngully meets Avatar… with its supertrees measuring 25 and 50m tall resembling a massive garden of the distant future. 

Visited the amazing Cloud forest… a stunning climate controlled tropical wonderland enclosed in a massive greenhouse dome. I felt like I had left Earth and stepped into an Avatar world amidst the huge waterfall, lush vegetation, orchids, exotic rare plants, and misty air. It looks as if it was transported from the early ages of Earth… or from the future.. or maybe just from some drug induced creative dream. 

Next was the Flower Dome… a cool conservatory full of stunning flowers from all around the world. Currently housing the Impressions of Monet exhibition… which, of course would always appeal to me, despite having seen it in Australia. 

Then onto Floral Fantasy… a magical escape among suspended bouquets and creative floral arrangements… including a 4D Path of the Dragonfly experience. Loved it all!

With all the walking, I definitely needed sustenance and so raced to meet Chris and John at the luxurious and grand colonial hotel Raffles for high tea. Superb! 

After over-filling our bellies with scrumptious delicacies, we taxied to Mandai Bird Paradise and immersed ourselves in a  symphony of colour. Wow- the beauty of Gods creation constantly thrills me.

We then wandered down the road only a few minutes from our hotel to the Maxwell Food Centre where you can taste a Michelin star dish on a budget at Tian Tian Chicken Rice. Yum… although we were still rather full from our Raffles experience. 

Our day was not finished yet, although my body was wishing it was (19.6kms today). Headed back to Marina Bay gardens for Garden Rhapsody, when the whole place comes alive with colour and lights and sound… and people!

Beyond magical!

This was immediately followed by Borealis… another outdoor art installation that combines layers of light and cloud particles to recreate the magical splendour of the Northern Lights, illuminating the night skies of Supertree Grove…

accompanied by an atmospheric soundtrack. I’ve always wanted to see the Northern Lights but for now, this will have to do.

So ready for bed but instead headed back to the airport to continue on our journey…