The tallest residential block in the world

It was Ant's first time to Queensland, and Mum and dad suggested we potter round Surfers and go up to Q1.

Q1 is a new residential building - the highest residential block in the world, they claim.

The obsservation decks on Level 77 of 78 of this building provide some astonishing views up and down the Gold Coast.

A peaceful garden in the centre of Sydney

It has been so long since I've wandered through the sites of Sydney, and it also made me reflect on how I took them for granted the entire time I lived in Sydney.

The Chinese Garden of Friendship is located right in the centre of Sydney, just near China Town and Tumblong Park, Darling Harbour.



It's hard to believe that somewhere so peacful can co-exist so happily with the hustle and bustle of the city that encompasses it.

Every twist and turn, every plant and statue seems to have a purpose, and to have been put there to create a particular type of energy.

According to the official site, "the Chinese garden also embodies the principles of the Taoist philosophy of yin (calmness) and yang (activity). When opposites work together, they create a balanced whole. Contemplate the harmonious scene created by a cascading waterfall tumbling into a serenely still pond, or the elegant contrast of tall dark bamboo planted alongside rounded, flat stones."

The attention to detail is exquisite...right down to the very cute little water dragons that scamper through the leaves.

A day at Sentosa

Another part of Mum's birthday surprise was a pampering session at the fabulous Spa Botanica at the Sentosa Resort. Sentosa is an island just off the Singaporean mainland, easily reachable by bus, cab or car.

I'd been here before and had one of their yummy Singapore Flower Ritual packages. This is how they describe the package:

"Surrender to the peace and tranquility of a private garden pavilion where fragrant flowers sweetly scent the air. The treatment begins with a deep pressure dry massage in an outdoor massage pavilion to soothe weary muscles, after which a special preparation of local herbs and flowers is gently rubbed into the skin. Then enjoy an aroma massage to moisturise the skin and induce further relaxation. A revitalising soak in a sweet smelling frangipani filled tub and an elixir of calming tea completes the cycle of blissful reawakening."

I can say without hesitation that this was one of the best spa treatments I've ever had. I think Mum agreed!

With Mum safely tucked up in her floral wonderland, Dad and I headed up to Fort Siloso - Singapore's only preserved coastal fort.

I didn't really know much about Singapore's history and the Japanese occupation of it during WWII. It was a really interesting (and eerie) site, where you could explore the actual tunnel system below the fort.

We were in one of the old bunkers, when this peacock decided to put on a show.

















Several hours later, we picked up a refreshed Mum, and wandered down to the beach, where a flock of restaurants and bars provide a great view out over what signs claim is the southernmost point of the asian continent.

Lunch down on the beach was great - we found an eatery that served a dizzying range of seafood and noodles, and opted for a noodle dish, with chilli crab being on the agenda for dinner.