Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.
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Sunny Shanghai
The skies were blue, the temperatures cool in the early spring and Shanghai sparkled like a jewel in the Chinese crown during our visit there in mid-March. It’s a dazzling city buzzing with energy and excitement. Everyone heads to the Bund – an area full of landmark buildings, exclusive restaurants, hotels and boutiques. In short,…
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HongKong Highlights
We walked the route of the Wisdom Path during our visit to the Big Buddha complex on Lantau Island recently. We’re probably not much wiser but it is a very reflective place and soothing to the soul. Doesn’t sound like Hong Kong does it? This city is throbbing with activity day and night. We were…
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Goodbye to all that
We’re adjusting to life in Hong Kong and finding our bearings once again. It’s the season when the Kapok trees flower and bulbuls “go wild” cavorting in the gorgeous orange-red flowers. No one seems to notice but I love watching them. In Singapore, where so much has changed [new buildings, land reclamation, constant renovation and…
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Butterfly Bliss
Winged beauties float by, and all you can do is stand and gaze and delight in the colors and patterns and then click, click, click. Here are some photos from a visit to a butterfly farm in Teluk Bahang, Penang.
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Penang Pleasures
Thailand is locked in political turmoil so we decided on Plan B – to explore Penang instead. Penang is an island on the North West coast of peninsular Malaysia known for its scenic beaches, well-preserved heritage buildings and great food. The capital George Town is listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. Our Penang adventure…
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Street food is king
It’s inexpensive and it’s absolutely delicious. Food is an international language and Singapore excels in it. In fact, it’s one of the reasons tourists come here. Food lovers with an adventurous palate will find so many treasures that it’s mind boggling. Where do you start? There’s a gamut of offerings from upscale establishments featuring international…
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The parade passes by
The sounds of beating drums, the cymbals of the lion dancers, and twirling dragons manipulated by athletic young men is a memory that I always associate with the Chinese New Year. Growing up in Singapore, we kids would be attracted like bees to honey when these dancers and other simple floats came by our neighborhood. And there…
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The House on the Hill
Just behind the National Museum of Singapore on Stamford Road lies a quiet green oasis that once was called the Forbidden Hill. Forbidden, because this was the hillside abode of the Malay sultans who ruled Singapore since the 14th century. It’s now Fort Canning Park and my good friend and knowledgeable guide Shobana took us…
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Gardens by the Bay
It’s amazing and magical. Singapore’s Gardens by the Bay — a park and recreational space built on 250 acres of reclaimed land tops my list of places to visit on this island. Designed by a UK firm Grant Associates – Wilkinson Eyre Architects, this park recreates tropical environments, themed gardens, and showcases plants from virtually every continent. It…
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