In an attempt to keep up the daily activity I enjoyed while in Auckland, I have been going out early most mornings for a brisk walk around the area of Ipoh in which we live. The other day I came across this house – yes, it’s a house, not a hotel! I think it is meant to resemble a chateau in some mountainous region of Europe, hence the steep roof to cope with heavy falls of snow. The grounds are embellished with a fountain complete with cupids and the postbox is beyond my powers of description.

I guess whoever built it wanted a house big enough to conspicuously display his/her extreme wealth but also wanted a design that no-one else would have. I think they succeeded!