When in Europe, you probably pass Belgium. And if you do, try to visit the small medieval town of Brugge. You won't be disapointed! It's a UN World Heritage site for a reason. Renowned for it's impressive cultural heritage, harmonious surroundings, delicious Belgian chocolates, sumptuous gourmet food, potent Belgian beers, intricate lace creations, sensual swans … all soothing for the soul.

To get around Singapore, you can jump on the Singapore Airlines Hop-on Hop-off bus. You get a 50% reduction when you show them your Singapore Airlines boarding pass - now 3 SGD pp). We had used these hop-on/hop off tourist bus formula's before, and they had always been excellent, especially if you do not have much time. Sadly, this version was lacking the usual emphasis on historical/cultural background info of the points of interest, and instead focused only on the hotels and shopping malls near the stops. So much for the added value.

We had a spicy lunch at one of the many Southbank Parkland riverside eateries: Chez Laila - Lebanese 'fusion' cuisine
We had some lebanese 'rolls' or wraps. Cheap and tasty!

We try to visit as many botanic gardens as possible, if we visit a place. The Brisbane Botanic Gardens is again another nice example, with lots of palmtrees and large bamboos, and even mangrove boardwalks, along the Brisbane River.

Must do, take a 'City Sights' bus tour to get to grips with the city. And if you're lucky you have a fabulous busdriver, who goes the 'extra mile', literally!
In between you can jump off and back on again at any stop. In the evening, use your City Sights ticket to jump on the CityCat ferry (it's free, or rather included), back up the river, at night. Great view of Brisbane skyline at night.

The Quicksilver caramaran is much larger than we expected. We are a bit dissapointed. This is mass-tourism. At least 200 or more other passengers embark on this.
Lots of seasick japanese tourists though, which was kind of funny...
Try to look for a smaller, more personalised Great Barrier Reef experience.

This is the place indeed! Incredible fusion food!
We later find out it is the hottest bar/restaurant in town. Former US president Bill Clinton was having his dinner here on september 11 last year, when he was informed about the terrorist attacks. Also Aussie pop queen (love her or hate her) Kylie likes the Salsa's cuisine and the Port's relaxed atmosphere ... We are treated to: smoked barramundi spring-rolls, grilled tuna fillet, seven spices kangaroo, mango and Macadamia Parfait, chocolate mousse and praline tart.

At the West-Coast (also known as 'Wet-Coast'), make sure you wear insect repellent against the sandflies, as they can give nasty bites, which will bug you for days.

The most important rule about walking in New Zealand is please leave the gates as you find them, i.e. close them as soon as you’ve walked through them, or leave them open if the landowner has left them that way (that's what a sheepfarmer told us anyway).