Esplanade Drive Today, we walk onto Esplanade Drive. We are entering the Marina Bay area. The Esplanade complex highlights this area with its hard-to-miss architecture. The spiky metallic twin domes resemble twin durian fruit when seen from afar. These twin domes house a state of the art concert hall, theaters, rehearsal studios, and an art exhibition hall. The Singapore Symphony Orchestra plays regularly, often with world renowned guests. The spiky roof is made of variously angled aluminum shades. This technique maximizes the use of natural light and shields the glass roof from the heat of the sun. Not only this creates a visually artful and futuristic appearance but also a purposeful engineering achievement in energy efficiency. The Esplanade waterfront is another favorite destination. During the weekdays, professionals from the adjacent financial district descend here to... read more

Austrian and Bavarian Alps Traffic near Salzburg is relatively slow due to many road constructions. We mostly travel at around 70 km/h. I set the cruise control at 130 km/h, the maximum speed in Austrian Autobahn even though the current traffic will not allow me to go faster that 70 km/h. The Alps have mesmerizing views of jagged bare mountain tops. The lushes green pine trees carpet the lower three quarter of the mountains. At the bottom of the valley, we are surrounded by these magnificent rocks. A small town, Muhlbach am Hockkonig - a ski resort in the winter - populated by Alpine houses with vibrant color flower boxes on the balconies adds to the already uplifting and serene atmosphere. Thin cotton clouds sprinkle the bright blue morning sky. The air is fresh and crisp. ... read more

Arthur’s Pass Arthur’s Pass is the highest pass over the Southern Alps. The Maori hunting parties used this route way before Arthur Dudley Dobson discovered it in 1864. In the old days, this pass was beyond treacherous. Today, it is a spectacular sight of extreme civil engineering showcasing a giant viaduct, bridges, rock shelters, and man-guided waterfalls. Tranquil and fertile farmlands with herds of sheep grazing on the hillsides and herding dogs were the highlights of the mostly straight and lazy climb on Highway 73, West Coast Road. This road connects the two coasts of the South Island. It passes several climate regions, from lush to arid as it raises into the interior of the Southern Alps. I stopped at the sight of the magnificent rock formation of Castle Hill on Highway 73 towards Arthur’s Pass. ... read more

New Zealand is known as Middle Earth in many-Oscars-Academy-Awards-winning Lord of the Rings trilogy. The most captivating and magical settings for the world-class movie making are abundant here. Hobbiton, Mt. Doom, Eregion Hills and the pillars of Argonath were all filmed here. So, when I received an invitation to a wedding in Christchurch, New Zealand, I didn’t hesitate. I made the plan to attend the wedding and explore Middle Earth. Christchurch As soon as I cleared Custom at Christchurch International Airport, I shopped for the suitable rental car. Christchurch, near the center of the east coast of the South Island, east of the Canterbury Plains, was the ideal place to start my exploration, not only because of its historic importance but also because of its attractive surroundings and activities for thrill-seeking tourists. Skiing and snowboarding on ... read more

Montgomery Street It is a lot of fun to be in the financial district during lunch hour on weekdays. The place is buzzing with activities. Men and women, dressed-up for success, rush to get to their lunch appointments. UPS and FeDex delivery truck drivers are busy collecting the parking tickets. DHL guys don’t want to be left behind either. The florists are busy delivering colorful and fragrant thank you notes and love letters to the unexpected recipients working in the offices. Stock brokers are bragging to friends about the killing they have made in the morning trades. Bankers, investors, and lawyers are having a power lunch meeting about how to buy some third world country that starts with a ‘B’, over seared tuna appetizer and salmon with chervil and lobster entrée. Others decide to bask in ... read more