Singapore – a mix of architectures – colonial and modern…
Singapore – a mix of architectures – just plain modern…
Singapore – a mix of architectures…
This is that hotel with a swimming pool on the roof in the shape of a ship!
… and these huge sculptured water lilies…
The street art was fantastic…
The street art was fantastic…
The street art was fantastic…
This statue was in the Singapore Botanical Gardens – we thought it really fun.
Villa Halia in the Botanic Gardens where the first wedding reception was held.
Keith’s children Charlotte, Emily & Rob – all together again for the first time in ages
Rob & Jas performing the Tea Ceremony – isn’t Jas’ dress stunning!
The happy couple…
An Indian temple outside the coach station…
The causeway between Singapore and Malaysia.
Melaka has a mix of Portuguese and Dutch influence from the spice days…
Melaka has a mix of Portuguese and Dutch influence from the spice days…
…but the Chinese influence is also evident!
…but the Chinese influence is also evident!
We stayed in this converted former warehouse, right on the river.
The river mouth is almost silted up, but it still flows through the town.
… and we just had to take a ride on one of the pretty trishaws!
The street art wasn’t quite as interesting as Singapore!
Christine gets fitted for a Kebaya (jacket) and sarong.
Keith went up the Petronas Towers in Kuala Lumpur – I stayed firmly on the ground!
We met up with Rob at the ‘stuck-in-time’ Coliseum Café where Keith tucked into their legendary sizzling steak – complete with bib!
The next reception at the Grand Imperial restaurant…
Charlotte with Rob & Jas.
We tried not to look like yachties!
On the way from KL to Penang by coach…
… and then by ferry from Butterworth to Georgetown.
The wedding was being held at the famous Cheong Fatt Tze Mansion.
One of the many courtyards inside the mansion…
… and a delightful spiral staircase.
One of the corridors leading around the upper level.
… with a delightful day lounger situated to take advantage of the breezes.
The mansion is open to the public for daily tours so it was a privilege to be able to wander at our leisure.
Part of the public exhibition rooms.
This ornately carved hardwood & inlaid mother-of-pearl screen separated women from men when guests visited.
Each of the suites is ‘themed’ and we chose Nanyang which had a South Seas travel theme, featuring maps, travel trunks, etc – very appropriate, we thought.
The building has been restored and has some interesting features.
The building has been restored and has some interesting features.
Some of us gather for a guided walking tour of Georgetown.
Penang is a melting pot of cultures – and the architecture reflects that.
The ornate rooflines were fascinating.
And the Portuguese influence shows in this mosque!
Another amazing roof!
A kongsi or Chinese clanhouse – provides both a civic and religious assembly place for many overseas Chinese.
This impressive example is the Khoo Kongsi.
It is important to rub the buddha’s head for luck!
Rob, his mother, Yngve (Jas’ Norwegian brother-in-law) & Jas are filmed for a Korean food company! Great fun!
Amazing ‘trompe l’oeil’ paintings on the streets…
Amazing ‘trompe l’oeil’ paintings on the streets.
We finish up for sundowners at the colonial Eastern & Oriental Hotel…
Kayleigh, Charlotte & Jas enjoy sundowners with the Straits of Melaka as a backdrop.
Wedding day at last – and the groom and his entourage arrive at the Mansion by trishaw.
Inside, the ‘bargaining’ and challenges take us to all different parts of the Mansion…
The guys discuss just how much money they need to pay the girls to get access to the bride!
Finally everyone is satisfied and Rob gets to collect Jas!
Christine, Swee Lee (Jas’ mother), Jas, Sharmini (Jas’ sister) and Fran (maid-of-honour) all dressed up in their Kebayas.
We are honoured to be served tea by Rob & Jas…
… and get to give them the Welsh Love Spoon with Chinese Phoenix and Welsh Dragon we commissioned for the occasion.
Rob & Jas serve her sister Sharmini and brother-in-law Yngve.
Then its outside for the lion dancers…
Then its outside for the lion dancers…
A very proud father, Alaga, arrives with his daughter…
Emily acts as celebrant to take their vows – and does a fine job…
It was very moving.
And there always seems to be some light relief over the rings!
The happy couple join the crowd…
… and what a great crowd we were!
A lovely portrait of the married couple.
The inner courtyard of the Mansion was beautifully decorated for the wedding reception.
At Lone Pine Resort on the north of Penang island for some well-earned R&R.
Enjoying the luxury of a spa on our private balcony!
Keith & Rob try out the trishaw.
The tandoori oven beckoned us out to dinner at one of the local ‘hawker’ stalls!
Penang’s Tropical Spice Garden was the venue for a ‘thank you’ outing for everyone.
A guided walk took us through the gardens to a lovely pavillion for lunch.
A delightful way to end two weeks of Rob & Jas’ Grand Wedding Tour!
