Louvain-la-Neuve, Belgium - Jan 2007

University Town built after breaking off from the (Flemish) University of Leuven in the 60s. LLN was created in double quick time to address the crisis of the split. Those of you who know about Belgium know that there is a big gap of culture between the Flems and the Walloons. Some factions in the Flemish government still long for a day when they will split from the Walloons, who are not doing as well economically within Belgium.

My Double Life :)

I am not in two places at one time, but i do live a double life.

In one, i live next to 300 hectares of wood and spend much of my time cleaning out leaves during autumn and chopping wood for fire during winter. Here, the air is very fresh and the surroundings quiet. Here, i enjoy the sound of nature: of birds singing and the trees swaying in the wind. Here, i converse in French and drive on the right side of the road.

In another, i live in this tropical island city state amidst dense skycraper residential estates. My favourite occupation here is roller blading by the sea and then having my ‘mee-pok ta’ (noodles) at my regular HDB heartland coffeeshop. Here I speak Singlish to make sure my orders are correctly placed and enjoy the casual, humid and sweaty environment.

Professionally, I am an information security specialist serving mostly banks in developed countries. In another, I sell environmental systems serving governments, mostly in developing countries.

Living a double life is fun, but it can be stressful, since I cannot be in two places at one time. Some people live a double life in two countries: one of them overt and the other covert and unknown to their spouse - making it a quadruple life!

Christmas Lighting by the Bourse of Brussels - 23 Dec 2006.

I had to packed my two hand carry bags into one for security reasons at Heathrow Airport. I don't understand how that will make the airport more secure and safe for the world, but it worked! I was allowed up the plane! :) - 17 Dec 2006

This design found along the pavements of Riyadh, reminds me of a Yantra. So I snapped it!

Kingdom Tower, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

The facade is made of mirror like glass, hence making it look translucent.

I snapped this picture to show the sharp edges the modern buildings here have. It contrasts very well with the clear blue sky, making it look very pristine.

Signs like these are outside every restaurant. There is an entrance for men and another for families.

This lovely Hindustani Mogul architecture is actually an Indian restaurant along the fashionable district in Riyadh.

This is an imaginative entrance to a cafe in Riyadh. The ordinary building is transformed by changing the facade of the first two floors. It is an amazing piece of art!

Affectionately called the 'Durain' instead of its more formal name 'Esplanade - Theatres by the Bay'. This unique architecture was arrived at partly by accident. The shades which gave its uniqueness was added as an afterthought - after they found that it was too hot inside - it would have been wouldn't it?

Roof top garden at the Esplanade, Singapore - 18 Nov 2006

Spooky beings around ! :)

Esplanade, Singapore - Nov 2006

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I lived in 17 cities across 4 continents over more than 20 years.

Riyadh, October 2006

Guess which country this is?

Elevated Consciousness! :) 2 Nov 2006

Is this your staircase of life? :) (3 Nov 2006)

Little India, Singapore

Oct 2006