Jakarta, Singapore, Amsterdam,Geneva, Kuala Lumpur

It's been a whirlwind of a week as I had to go to Geneva for meetings on the future of our Tsunami operation in Indonesia. With Avian Flu threatening to mutate into human influennza at any time, and HIVAIDS on the increase, I also discussed the scaling up of these programmes amongst many other issues. Had a day in Singapore on the way and time to look at Mont Blanc and the Alps from Geneva. Got back last night dog tired. No energy for a story but a few photos and a poem at the end.
Singapore is so charming by night.

Many of my old favourite Chinese buildings I first saw in the early 70s are still there and being tastefully restored.



It was sad to see how prostitution is so out in the open, something that was unseen in the 70s and 80s.



Amsterdam. I never got out of the airport but sampled the wine, food and admired Van Gough paintings on display and the superb copies for sale.
Geneva was pretty as ever and to the east, Mt. Blanc was visible on Friday and Saturday.
Close up of Mt. Blanc I took last year.



Below is a poem I wrote about Geneva a few years ago.

Calvin

A lonely chime
Rustles life into
Slumbering insects
In fallow fields
Where Knox and Calvin
Wandered deep in thought

A lazy chime
Rolls over a
Once puritanical city
Drained by the Rhone
And gathering greed
Veiled by a humanitarian face