Cheers!

We had a nice and quiet New Year's Eve, complete with fireworks at midnight (we have a view of Singapore's fireworks from one of our rooms).

London

Susan went to London for a work trip in early December, just when her parents were leaving. Even though it was a very quick trip, she stayed with Rani and got to spend a bit of time with Rani and Ariana. Jen also came over from Switzerland for a day of Christmas shopping in the city - a great way to catch up and get in the Christmas spirit! Click on photo for more.

Planes, Trains, Automobiles & Tigers!

Susan's mom and dad came for a visit in late November. After a couple days to acclimate to this time zone and eat a quickie-Thanksgiving meal, we flew off to India to see the "Golden Triangle" and spend a couple days at a tiger reserve. Click the photo for more pics.



We've also posted a quick video clip of one of the tiger sightings


Her parents also did their own side trip to Kuala Lumpur. It was great having them in Asia again!

Mike is 40!

The Patels were very generous to offer their rooftop patio for Mike's birthday gathering. Happy 40th Mike!

five days in Northern Thailand

We timed our trip to Chiang Mai, Thailand with the annual Loi Krathong festival, during which thousands of paper hot-air balloons are launched into the night sky.

Click on each of the photos for more...



So inspired, we also launched ourselves into a hot-air balloon.



We found the elephants to be quite hospitable...



and the tigers too!



The chicken pad thai was so good, we had to find out how to cook it for ourselves. And of course we found some time for rest & relaxation too.

a night out in Geylang

The Geylang neighborhood of Singapore is known for offering the best of local cuisine, as well as hosting it's best known red-light district. We went out with friends June & David who led us to some good eats. It all tasted great, especially with cold Tiger beer, with the exception of the durian! Click on the noodles for more photos from our night out.

birthday girl

A milestone birthday for Susan deserves some chocolate cake and champagne!

A Trip to Bhutan

We took a trip to the Kingdom of Bhutan (in the foothills of the Himalayas between India and Tibet), and what an amazing place it is! The country measures its success not by GDP but by GNH (Gross National Happiness). Their traditions have remained the same for hundreds of years. Click on the photo to get a better feel of a country with only one runway and not a single traffic light!

Cargill Friends to Singapore

A workshop brought Cargill friends Rani, Cindy, Tracy, Damon to Singapore. It was so fun to have them here for even a short while. Click on photo for more.

Minnesota Home Leave

We had a great time seeing family and friends in Minnesota, as short as it was. Most of our time was spent up North, either at the cabin:



or in BWCA with Mike's family (click on photo for more):



and just one full weekend in White Bear (click on photo for more):

48 hours in Koh Samui

We spent another quick get-away weekend in Koh Samui Thailand. Click on photo for more.

48 hours in Phuket

Just a quick little trip to the island of Phuket in Thailand. Click on the photo for more.

another tri

Mike takes the boat over to Indonesia for another triathlon.

Currently in Minnesota...

Mike is back in Minnesota this week to do his semi-annual hospital service at United. Susan will join him for the weekend since she has some meetings the following week. It's been 9 months since Mike was last in Minnesota, so it's a great time to catch up with friends! Click on the photo for more...

London & Geneva in April

The day after Easter Susan went to London for a couple weeks' work, which not only gave her time to see some good friends in the London office (and stay with Rani and her family), but she also scored with glorious London weather for a change. During the weekend she visited Jen, Antony and Ryan in Lausanne, Switzerland ~ more gorgeous weather and fun time to visit just days before the twins are due! Click on the photo for more...

Easter 2009

We had the 3rd annual Easter brunch at our condo, including some fun and games for the kids, and a fabulous spread with everyone contributing. Click on the photo for more...

Minneapolis in April

Susan was in Minneapolis for a week at the end of March / early April. It was a busy schedule, but still had a chance to see Julie, Mary, Renee (Jeff) and their twins! Click on the photo for more...

Vespa day

Mike and I recently bought a little Vespa with which to scoot around Singapore. It can be a lot easier to buzz about than a car, but not so great when caught in the pouring rain - I speak from experience! On a recent Saturday we had a gorgeous day and took the Vespa to the modish area of Duxton Hill.

Recent visitors

We were so thrilled when Angie came to visit from Germany - the Blueberry sisters reunited! How wonderful to have a week with Angie. We also welcomed Tracy and Cliff for a couple nights on their way to Vietnam, and the Spence boys for a pizza night. Click on the photo for more.

Thaipusam

Last night Mike and I, with Rob and Micah, went to see the Thaipusam Hindu festival celebrated mostly by the Tamil community. It's an annual ritual for the birthday of Lord Murugan whereby devotees implore help from the god by enduring the physical burden of body piercing (thanks Wikipedia). The activities are now banned in all countries except Singapore and Malaysia. Let me just say that it isn't for the faint of heart. Check out the photos and the video.

Sri Lanka

Mike and I went to Sri Lanka over the Chinese New Year holiday. It was a quick trip but we managed to visit a couple places including the old fort town Galle and the beach areas just south of there. We had a great tuk tuk driver who took us around the area and invited us to meet his family. They live in a "tsunami house", that was built from tsunami disaster relief funds. Click on photo for more.

Hong Kong

Mike and I met up with Jen, Antony, Ryan and a couple Scanlon TBDs in Hong Kong for a long weekend. We had fabulous weather (we appreciated the coolness) and great time catching up!