Colours Of Nature: Deserted Island

Cerulean skies, white powdery sands, crystal clear waters with little fishes darting around, not afraid of human intruders. Lush overgrown woods with not a human soul in sight.

Silence. Pristine silence that lets us hear the diligent buzzing of bees and the whisperings of wild lallang that sways in the gentle breeze.

This is not a national park in a foreign land. Nor is it a beach paradise overseas. 

Instead, this is a little slice of paradise in Singapore - Lazarus Island. As part of hubby's and Big Bee's birthday celebrations, we had a bit of an escapade in Lazarus Island. We were far from the madding crowds of over-populated Singapore, and we could finally listen to the silence of nature.

We trudged in the luxuriant, deserted woods, occupied only by huge grasshoppers, crickets and swarms of angry, large red ants that freaked the girls out! 

We plunged straight into the spotlessly clear, unsullied waters and played with the teeming fish all around us. What untouched paradise is to be found just a stone's throw away indeed!

In the journey to the island, we also sailed past many of Singapore's Southern Islands. I find it sad that there are 63 islands in Singapore, yet the majority of Singaporeans had not touched foot on many of these quiet, uninhabited islands. 

After our little excursion, the girls were really curious about Singapore's offshore islands, and we spent a good afternoon exploring some of more popular offshore islands on the internet. Islands with fascinating legends and stories like Sisters Island, Kusu Island and Pulau Hantu. I wonder which island will we hop to next?

Travelling Back In Time (Part 6): Mozart's Home & The Sound of Music!

We spent a day in Salzburg, Austria, and its surrounding regions. The historic centre of Salzburg, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, is elegant and classy. It is also Mozart's home, and I could certainly feel the inspiration behind the baroque, classical music of Mozart!

I did find the town centre a little too manicured and touristy though.



However, as we ventured into the surrounding countryside, the beauty of rolling hills and huge tranquil lakes in the Wolfgangsee Lake District captivated us.



The Sound of Music was filmed in these very hills, and I could finally understand why Julie Andrews pranced around the emerald-green hills, singing away!! The entire landscape was so picturesque and stunningly beautiful.

It was a truly memorable and splendid day, and the highlights are below:

1) Strolling across the regal Mirabell Palace and Gardens, admiring the gorgeously trimmed flower beds and ubiquitous mythology-themed statues.



2) Our first view of the historic centre of Salzburg was breathtaking. The wide, placid Salzach river with the grand, baroque dome of the Salzburg cathedral and the imposing Hogensalzburg Fortress created an unforgettable and remarkable backdrop. Apparently, the fortress is the biggest (and best-preserved) medieval castle in Europe!



3) Ambling across the Makartsteg Bridge, admiring the collection of charming love locks all over the railings of the bridge!

4) Visiting Mozart's home, amidst loads of interested crowds! We even bumped into Big Bee's best friend there! What a small world!





5) A relaxing lunch at the art museum where we were able to sit back and enjoy the leisurely pace of life in this city, admiring the ubiquitous grand fountains, watching horse carriages go by and slurping ambrosial pasta!

6) Strolling around the charmingly quaint cobblestoned streets of Hallstat, a small village at the gateway to the Lake District of Austria. The architecture remains unchanged since the 19th century, and the surrounding alpine landscape of rolling hills and tranquil lake was stunning beyond description.





7) Taking a cruise around the Wolfgangsee Lake. We inhaled the pure alpine air, dreaming pensively while staring at the cobalt blue lake, immersing in the landscape around us, and listening to songs from the Sound of Music on the boat! The girls were positively blooming in such beautiful outdoors. Meanwhile, Hubby and I dreamed of retiring in these alpine surroundings!

What a beautiful day, and the breathtaking vistas will remain indelible in our memories for a long time indeed!