Little Wandering Wren …. chats!

Gotta love the Chinese Immigration! The first time I arrived in Shanghai was exactly thirty years ago and I just loved this city. In fact, I have always wanted to live in Shanghai. I love its cosmopolitan feel, its energy, its architecture, its vibe.  I remember once saying OK four years in Melbourne and then Shanghai... well that idea never flew, the global financial crisis hit, the kids had important exams and life moved on! So here I am ten years after my  last visit to China, to get eat, drink and get married, a whole other story, standing in front of a Bangkok Chinese Immigration official, who wants to know why in 2007 I had a double entry visa to China and only went once? Ummmmm well... Oh gosh, do you remember what you were doing ten years ago? I'm sensing this unintentional blot on my copybook could be stopping me from getting my visa to Shanghai. Or maybe it was something else? I thought I'd been care...

Christmas trees I've seen a few,  but rarely has a Christmas tree stopped me in my tracks  quite like the one at the Sofitel, Bangkok Sukhumvit. Wow, it is delightful.  It's hard to get a decent photo amidst the busy foyer entrance but I don't remember a Christmas tree that has me drawn me in, wandering round and around,  like this one! Every where you look there is something interesting. From the choice of books 'Beautiful Youth' to the rich luxurious cushions, candles and gifts just waiting to be unwrapped... Just look at the detail, can you spot the reading glasses? They've used hundreds of books through out the hotel. Of course on top there is something special Not a tired old fairy, or a wobbly star, but a whole black chandelier. So tall, it almost reaches the foyer ceiling lights. Oh the fun they must have had designing this tree!  The book theme is central to the Sofitel's Christmas dec...