Wednesday, December 24, 2008

W Is For Wreath

We Wish You A Merry Christmas

Photographs copyright: DAVID McMAHON


I’ve never seen wreaths as elaborate as these, photographed at the famous Raffles Hotel in Singapore exactly a year ago. I had an eastbound flight to catch but I was determined to cover as much ground as possible – on foot – around the city before picking up my bags and heading to the airport.

I had already made up my mind that I would call a halt when I reached Raffles, one of the most historic buildings in the former British colony. Time was really ticking away and I didn’t realise how heavy the pre-Christmas traffic would be and that I would lose precious minutes on my way to the airport.


But I found the time to shoot these wreaths in a courtyard at the hotel. The stained glass in the shot above had me fascinated, for it threw an interesting range of colours into the mix as well.

It was early afternoon and there was the feeling of so much history on these flagstones as I tried to get as many photographs as possible. I knew that time was ticking away, but I tried not to think about it.

Eventually I made my way round to the hotel’s main entrance, where I made another pit stop to take photographs. Eventually, I knew I had run out of time and hailed a cab. But just as I was about to get in and tell the driver where to take me, I spotted this huge Christmas ribbon on a light pole. If you want to figure out how large it is, take a look at the huge palm fronds to the left – and that’ll give you a fair idea of its dimensions.

Yes, I caught my flight. But a good friend of mine, who knows how punctual I am, couldn’t believe her eyes when I arrived a few minutes late to meet her at the Singapore Airlines check-in desk.


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34 comments:

Daryl said...

Glad to see you tied one on for the holidays ... its the eve of the eve here and cold as can be ..

:-Daryl

Anonymous said...

Shame no time for a famous Singapore Sling, David.

Happy Christmas.

Sylvia K said...

Beautiful photos! Love the colors! But you gotta find time for Singapore Sling! Hope you enjoy a fabulous holiday, David, with lots of all the good stuff.

squawmama said...

Great photos David... Oh so your a drinker.... My kind of man... LOL

(((HUGS)))
Donna

Craig Glenn said...

I was caught up in the story.... will he make it???

lol

Nice post,
Craig

Kay Dennison said...

How wonderful these photos are!!!

Akelamalu said...

Great photos David.

Just wanted to wish you and your family a very Happy Christmas and I hope the New Year brings you Health and Happiness. x

Unknown said...

Lovely posting, David.

I wish you and yours a merry Christmas and a great new Year.

Regal said...

Have a wonderful holiday!

cheshire wife said...

Lovely photos!

Happy Christmas to you and your family.

spacedlaw said...

How very appropriate. Have a great holiday, David.

Hccm said...

They are so pretty

Rune Eide said...

I have had the pleasure of dining at Raffles, but never seen a Christmas wreath!

A Merry Christmas from Norway to you and your family!

Lakshmi said...

Merry Christmas ..and have a great time

Bear Naked said...

Wonderful wreaths photos for ABC Wednesday-letter W .
Seasons greetings from my blog to your blog.


Bear((( )))

antigoni said...

Excellent post! Merry Christmas.

Anonymous said...

I love the garlands, they are superb!

My daughter is just back from a soggy 'summer' in Aus.

Cheers

Maggie May said...

Very Christmasy! Great pics and glad you caught your flight!

Neva said...

wow....what beautiful wreaths. I imagine there will be a lot of wreaths today for "W" as it is sooo close to Christmas. Both my daughter and oldest son are in Singapore for Christmas with my BIL (they just arrived). Maybe they shoudl search for this hotel!

Betsy Brock said...

Beautiful! Merry Christmas, David!

SandraRee said...

Wishing you and your family a very Merry, Merry Christmas, David. xo

Hadriana's Treasures said...

Great photos. Worth it when all went to plan! Happy Christmas and a fantastic New Year 2009 to you and your family. Best wishes, Hadriana.

Baino said...

Lovely start to Christmas David, we're all decked and ready to rock and roll. Wishing you and yours a wonderful festive season . . have a happy Christmas and thanks for all the lovely photos throughout the year.

anthonynorth said...

Things have to be so rushed these days. A great shame.

Hilary said...

A very Merry Christmas to one of my favourite Aussies. May you and your family have a truly wonderful holiday.

Dora said...

Hope u had fun in Singapore. Wish u and ur family Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Chocolates!

Travis Cody said...

Very beautiful indeed.

Joyous Yule to you and yours!

Max-e said...

Hi David
Hope you and your family have a wonderful Christmas and a really great New Year. Thanks for all your visits and comments over the past year

Rinkly Rimes said...

My own experience of Singapore was very rushed and very very hot! We just had a stop-over and I never got to see Raffles. It's a regret. I can't picture it at Xmas time.

Shrinky said...

I had a couple of leisurely Singapore Sling's in there a couple of decades ago, thanks for taking me back. Merry Christmas David, to you and yours. x

The Quintessential Magpie said...

Merry Christmas, David! This is so lovely!

Sheila :-)

Unknown said...

It was worth it to be a few minutes late! Very beautiful wreaths indeed! Merry Christmas!

i beati said...

these wreaths are in a class all their own!!Sandy

Dragonstar said...

Oh, but you had to take that last photo!

I'm so late this week, but thank you for this seasonal post.