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We watched the race from the Arts House, right on the F1 track, next to the old Parliament House. Inside we had drinks, food and a large screen TV … outside the real thing. Was a perfect combo.
Anyhow … I was wrong. Hamilton won. But Alonso was third. Not bad for a guess, right?
WOW … Singapore rocked over the past two days at Fort Canning, with the inaugural F1 Rocks concerts. And the line-up was world-class: Friday night N.E.R.D, No Doubt, Simple Minds … and my best for the evening ZZ Top! Don't ask … never was a fan of them but on stage they rocked. They were loud, the bass was thumping and everyone was shouting.
Actually, to be precise, there were 3 nights of shows, but I didn't go on Thursday night.
And last night another stellar lineup. Got there early to listen to DJ Havana Brown … and then Black Eyed Peas! They were phenomenal. Never seen them live but they know how to get a crowd of 10,000 on their feet and jumping. The energy during their show was electrifying.
The last to perform on Saturday night was mega star Beyonce … who came on stage around midnight. She gave it her all and is a fantastic performer. But in my eyes … she could not take the throne away from Fergie and the gang. The way they got the audience moving … sorry Beyonce.
Singapore has put together an awesome program to complement the F1 Grand Prix this weekend. The staging and setup at Fort Canning was extra-ordinaire. So many people, so many great performers and best of all … brilliant energy.
Did I mention that it was hooooooooot last night … sticky hot … humidity at its best?
I land after a good sleep, pick up my luggage for I have to change airports and of course, go to the bank machine to get cash … which is what I always do. Before I arrive to the ATM I check the exchange rate at a ForEx booth nearby. I'm standing at the ATM, trying to figure out all the buttons and denominations, select an amount … and get a whole wad of cash out! I knew something was wrong when I saw how many bills I had. Well … it was $1,000 worth of Wons!! I started laughing. I don't think I've ever done this before.
So with lots of cash in my bag … off I go to discover Korea :-) ... read on ...
Jeju is a Korean island that is registered as a UNESCO World Natural Heritage site due to it being a volcanic island with extraordinary lava tubes. Mt. Halla is the tallest volcano on the island and is also the highest mountain in South Korea at 1950m. Jeju lies some 60 minutes by plane due south of Seoul. It is also a self-governing province which is very much focused on being a high-tech test bed, and due to the ideal geographical location and it's mild climate with four very distinct seasons, tourism is also a big industry. The island also seems to be placing a lot of emphasis on renewable energy, for you see many wind farms along with solar panel stations. As you would expect in South Korea, everything is modern and advanced.
New restaurants that I discovered in Utrecht, Netherlands on my last trip there, in August 2009:
> Delphi's: When I was doing my MBA in Nyenrode, Breukelen … a beautiful little town very close to Utrecht … we would always come to Delphi's for a group dinner. We loved the Greek food here, so I was very happy to return to this great place after several years. And it's easy to find. When you're on the Oudergracht, find the McDonald's … and walk down that street onto the Neude square behind. Delphi's is located on the right-hand side.
> Zilt & Zoet (Maartensdijk): I've always thought that some of the best restaurants in Holland are not in the big cities, but actually in farm houses in small idyllic towns. Zilt & Zoet is one of them. Located on the outskirts of Utrecht, this is a wonderful and very affordable restaurant. The hardest thing about it will be finding it :-)
We came to Provence for the wedding of our friends. As a destination wedding ... you could hardly pick a better place in Europe. We've been to Provence several times, and coming back is all about enjoying the French joie de vivre. Time slows down, every morsel of food is enjoyed, driving down the tree-lined small country roads is peaceful and the regions hospitality is renowned.
The French Riviera is one of those unique locations in this world that you simply cannot replicate anywhere else. It's a dazzling combination of beautiful summers, soft evening light, super-yachts, the French joie de vivre, designer clothes, excess, OMG delicious French food, parades of people, euro-trash and so much more. It's a whole microcosm that seems to have been designed solely for your own enjoyment. Does anyone even work here?
Slovenia ... the only country with the word LOVE in its name! And it's my country!
Given that all my family lives in Slovenia, I'm there several times a year. Yet I never write about it for I never know where to start. I could be philosophical about it - and outline how my nation influenced and molded me as a young kid, nostalgic about it - given that this is where I was born and grew up, critical about it - given that I was reared here and have the right to point out its shortcomings, or simply describe the geographical beauty of this very small country of 2 million people.
Of course I feel that I can speak freely of the Dutch since I'm married to one … plus they would be frank and open with me anyhow :-)
