Silly or Smart Part 2

The first series of magic show under the same title was featured in my sis' blog. Subsequently, I did the same test with Nicholas and here's the results.

Weekend in Paris

It's hard to decide which is my favourite city in Europe - Prague or Paris. One is compact and magical, the other is grand and elegant. Fourth time here, and still many more places to discover.


Gregory introduces the Lourve here


Surroundings of Sacre Coeur Basilica


Inside Saint-Eustache, a very large church

SECOND

SECOND Anniversary of this blog!
What better way to celebrate it with a SECOND trip to Prague?

To answer your requests, more photos for this trip and more photos of my SECOND son, Nic. Some of these photos are not easily available. I shall not elaborate.


With Nicholas in the train


With Nic in Castle Musuem


With Gregory in St Victus


View from Charles Bridge


On Charles Bridge


Statues on Charles Bridge


St Nicholas


Somewhere in Prague Castle


Prague Castle


Old Astronomical Clock in Old Town


Our Lady before Tyn


Old Town Square in evening


Loreta


Kafka Monument and Spanish Synagogue


Our Lady before Tyn


My Favourite site. The shrine of Infant Jesus of Prague at Church of Our Lady Victorius


I like this painting.


Golden Lane


View of City

Amsterdam

Must be most expensive city in Europe. Lodging and food in London and Paris are far cheaper.


Big shoes to fill


Canal cruise


According to Greg:"Batman, Batboy and Batbaby".


Canal cruise.


Church near central train station that's always closed.


Kung fu in front of Opera house.


Can you find our subjects?


Giant Chess-set


The infamous Amsterdam Red Light District


Warehouses built at an angle to facilitate loading and unloading of goods

Recent Trips around Hamburg

Every weekend, we try to go somewhere new. Two weeks' ago was Lubeck and the art museum, and last week was the botanical gardens and Stade. We like Stade. Should be a beautiful little town in winter.


Appreciating art pieces


Same colours


Turkish food in Altona


Flowers blooming in the botanical gardens


Stade


Stade


Stade


Ice-cream in Stade

Hamburg vs Jakarta vs Singapore Part II

Quick on the heels of the most frequent question to me in the last two months, is this new one since my family arrived on 20th April 11.

'Do they like living in Hamburg?'

Pictures speak louder than words.


Greg in front of his favourite house. He claims to have four homes - Setiabudi, Bedok Reservoir, Strathmore and Osdorfer, and this (Osdorfer) is his favorite.


Too much TV.


Found an Easter Egg in the backyard, but only after 2 tries.


Needed to convince him to pose next to these "moving bunnies" as he was scareddd...


Breakfast in open-air market nearby, opened on every Sat mornings.


He helps to get rid of weeds.


Picnic in beautiful garden next to Alster Lake.

Hamburg vs Jakarta vs Singapore

I had been asked this question often: "Where do I prefer?"

I had always liked my host city and they'll ask for the reasons.

Hence, in my own (layman) ways, I will try to list my own criterion and scoring system (10 being extremely satisfied and 1 being least satisfied).



Surprised! I always thought that I had preferred living in Jakarta to Singapore but my scoring says otherwise. It struck me that each criterion had an equal weighting. But some criterion are definitely more important to me while some might be irrelevant. Hence, I decided to add the green column on weightings.



Now it makes sense - I do like living in Jakarta in many ways compared to Singapore; and clearly Hamburg more than Jakarta.

An interesting point for comparision: In Jakarta, some companies install a "punch-card" system to track employees working hours, particularly those who are often late or leaves early.
In Hamburg, companies install a "punch-card" system to ensure that their employees are not overworked, otherwise, they (the employees) will be called up for counseling. So much for welfare!