We awoke to the staff banging on the hotel door to clean the room, leaving us no option but to head downstairs for breakfast. (It really wasn't that late!) Fortunately a delicious array of goodies was available. Depite the need to wear a bikini later that day I plumped for the deep fried bananas with maple syrup. Yum (and genuinely, it is a bit late to be worrying about things like that after a three month food-a-thon).
As we are, quite literally, on the beach, we decided to head for a stroll along the front to get our bearings. We are in Kuta and we walked up towards Seminyak. I was mostly trying to spot the bar I want to go to this evening. It looks like the kind of place to sell pina coladas. And you know how I like pina coladas.
A couple of hours of strolling (so nice to have the time to do this) and it was a rush back to get ready for the activity of the day - surfing!
I have never been anywhere near a surf board before but I had visions of myself as a surf godesss. Clearly. I've got the sweaty betty bikini (per their PR - practical for watersports, yet effortlessly stylish). I spend hours and hours doing pilates (balance). What more do I need??
Quite a lot it appears. I could hear 'hahahahahaha, wipeout!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!' reverberating through my brain as I fell, and fell, and fell, into the water. I spent more time underwater than anywhere else and am quite frankly, exhausted. Having said that , I did actually enjoy myself and would certainly do it all again (ok, maybe not the bit where I hit myself on the chin with the surfboard while choking on salt water).
At one point the board and I managed to turn 360. Great as for once I ended up above water. (To be clear this was a roll into the water, not a great surfing move...)
Still, but the end of the lesson I had technically 'stood' on my board. Admittedly the board by this point was going v e r y s l o w l y... Still, I have now surfed. As a result I have weird shaped sunburn, red eyes and a need for beer. Immediately please.
Saturday, 4 September 2010
Beautiful Bali - the arrival...
Right. So I've not been 'in Asia' for three months and a tiny bit. So you would think I would be quite good at this travelling lark by now. Right?
Oh no sireee. Not at all.
I literally ran out of the office for my Gaurada flight (yes, the airline only recently re-permitted to fly into European air space due to safety concerns). As I ran I had an enormous cream and red stripey sun hat on my head and my parting words to my colleagues were "I'd say goodbye but I'll see you in a couple of weeks and I'm running a little bit late for my flight".
I say this over and over again but I am genuinely NEVER leaving for a holiday on a work day again. It just results in complete chaos. The day started badly with the 'apartment' promising to call me a cab, then advising they couldn't (man I really really do not like that place). Then my bag straps broke on the way to get a cab, then work security decided they didn't like the look of my UK pass (I've only been going into the building with it for three months) THEN my jeans ripped - right across the bum. A great look for the office. Nice.
Anyway, we made it to the airport, I hastily downed white wine in an attempt to forget all, mentally put myself in a position where I felt unable to look at my bberry and to get in the 'holiday spirit'. A few gulps of some (nasty tasting) dubious German white 'wine of the month'(actually the only wine available) and all looked as though it would go well.
To be fair, I would fly Garuda again. Unlike BA (don't get me started there) their response to the negative press appears to be to improve the service so people want to fly. They were lovely! (and there were no screaming children - I guess concerned parents would not use this airline - a bonus in my eyes!)
We (Mr Williams) and I arrive at Bali airport, clutching visa and customs forms. Alcohol and uncensored dvds (of any variety) are not permitted. Hmm, we have 4 bottles of champagne and two of (my favourite) red wine in the luggage - but surely we can chance it???
Ah, those would be the customs x-ray machines. So dutifully through the red channel we go - the customs form kindly advises you that alcohol will be destroyed (much better than the Malaysian form which kindly tells you drug trafficking is punishable by death). The customs men did not know what to do with us. We declared and asked if we could pay duty (not an option). There is a bucket to empty such contraband into (oh the waste) and we were pointed in its direction. Our explanations that it was very nice wine and would they not prefer to have it themselves (we were in good humour about this - these things happen and it is the holidays) were met with complete amusement / bafflement and resulted in a conflab of the customs chaps. Now I have to admit, such things do cause me stress (much to the amusement of DW) so at this point I was convinced we were about to be had up for trying to bribe a customs official. However, the result was one bottle of red (I still weep) emptied in the contraband-bucket, and we were waved on our way with a 'don't do it again next visit'. Phew! (and brilliant!). I remain thoroughly relieved that I did not pack the CSI box-set - not sure I could have handed that over!
To put the 'scariness' of the arrival process in perspective I think it is only fair I tell you that the officers in passport control had staff passes with neck straps sponsored by Billabong (mum, that is a surf brand).
So, we finally hit 'arrivals' and were met without incident by the taxi to our hotel - who provided cold towels and bottled water. Despite it being 10pm it was still 34 degrees. This set the tone nicely for arrival at our hotel .
Now, I had low expectations for the hotel. It cost (comparative) buttons, was difficult to book (no online reservation on the website, no response to emails, and booked via a random tour operator), recommended by the surf school and cheaper than anywhere else I could find. Overall a high risk strategy.
However, we arrived to tropical loveliness, a reception filled with ornate carvings, a stunning pool set in the middle of a central garden and a bar with a sea view playing suitably holiday-like tunes such as "Islands in a Stream" - go Dolly. Absolutely heavenly. (Hotel Kumala Pantai if you're thinking of a visit).
Whilst straight to bed would have been the sensible approach (DW is ill) we opted to head to the bar next door for the most delicious seafood you can imagine, free flowing bintang beer and a live 'band'. Hurrah.
Oh no sireee. Not at all.
I literally ran out of the office for my Gaurada flight (yes, the airline only recently re-permitted to fly into European air space due to safety concerns). As I ran I had an enormous cream and red stripey sun hat on my head and my parting words to my colleagues were "I'd say goodbye but I'll see you in a couple of weeks and I'm running a little bit late for my flight".
I say this over and over again but I am genuinely NEVER leaving for a holiday on a work day again. It just results in complete chaos. The day started badly with the 'apartment' promising to call me a cab, then advising they couldn't (man I really really do not like that place). Then my bag straps broke on the way to get a cab, then work security decided they didn't like the look of my UK pass (I've only been going into the building with it for three months) THEN my jeans ripped - right across the bum. A great look for the office. Nice.
Anyway, we made it to the airport, I hastily downed white wine in an attempt to forget all, mentally put myself in a position where I felt unable to look at my bberry and to get in the 'holiday spirit'. A few gulps of some (nasty tasting) dubious German white 'wine of the month'(actually the only wine available) and all looked as though it would go well.
To be fair, I would fly Garuda again. Unlike BA (don't get me started there) their response to the negative press appears to be to improve the service so people want to fly. They were lovely! (and there were no screaming children - I guess concerned parents would not use this airline - a bonus in my eyes!)
We (Mr Williams) and I arrive at Bali airport, clutching visa and customs forms. Alcohol and uncensored dvds (of any variety) are not permitted. Hmm, we have 4 bottles of champagne and two of (my favourite) red wine in the luggage - but surely we can chance it???
Ah, those would be the customs x-ray machines. So dutifully through the red channel we go - the customs form kindly advises you that alcohol will be destroyed (much better than the Malaysian form which kindly tells you drug trafficking is punishable by death). The customs men did not know what to do with us. We declared and asked if we could pay duty (not an option). There is a bucket to empty such contraband into (oh the waste) and we were pointed in its direction. Our explanations that it was very nice wine and would they not prefer to have it themselves (we were in good humour about this - these things happen and it is the holidays) were met with complete amusement / bafflement and resulted in a conflab of the customs chaps. Now I have to admit, such things do cause me stress (much to the amusement of DW) so at this point I was convinced we were about to be had up for trying to bribe a customs official. However, the result was one bottle of red (I still weep) emptied in the contraband-bucket, and we were waved on our way with a 'don't do it again next visit'. Phew! (and brilliant!). I remain thoroughly relieved that I did not pack the CSI box-set - not sure I could have handed that over!
To put the 'scariness' of the arrival process in perspective I think it is only fair I tell you that the officers in passport control had staff passes with neck straps sponsored by Billabong (mum, that is a surf brand).
So, we finally hit 'arrivals' and were met without incident by the taxi to our hotel - who provided cold towels and bottled water. Despite it being 10pm it was still 34 degrees. This set the tone nicely for arrival at our hotel .
Now, I had low expectations for the hotel. It cost (comparative) buttons, was difficult to book (no online reservation on the website, no response to emails, and booked via a random tour operator), recommended by the surf school and cheaper than anywhere else I could find. Overall a high risk strategy.
However, we arrived to tropical loveliness, a reception filled with ornate carvings, a stunning pool set in the middle of a central garden and a bar with a sea view playing suitably holiday-like tunes such as "Islands in a Stream" - go Dolly. Absolutely heavenly. (Hotel Kumala Pantai if you're thinking of a visit).
Whilst straight to bed would have been the sensible approach (DW is ill) we opted to head to the bar next door for the most delicious seafood you can imagine, free flowing bintang beer and a live 'band'. Hurrah.
Thursday, 2 September 2010
The last* day
* not really my last day.
So today was supposed to be wake up, pack up, head off. However, today is now wake up, pack for my holiday, hope that the apartment** can be left safely for two weeks, empty fridge, head off.
** for "apartment" read "tiny tiny room without walls".
However, today is my last day with my current Hong Kong team, who are somewhat amused that I have had been here only three months, had three leaving dos, and will be back in a fortnight. Ahem. Well, I'll only be back with them for a week (do you think I get to have another leaving do?). I do now have an official, official 'last day' - with a flight*** booked back to London and everything.
*** admittedly I have not received the flight confirmation but I am assured it is winging its way through the email ether to me.
Well, this week has flown by. Whilst at moments time went v e r y s l o w l y it does seem mere minutes ago that I arrived here, flip flops in one hand. Laptop in the other (which I promptly broke).
I was trying to think of my favourite HK moment in memory of leaving. However, as I'm not really I have a few (four) weeks respite until I need to make a final decision. Ooooh, what will it be!
Right, work then holidays. Bali here I come. Hurrah!
Wednesday, 1 September 2010
Spicy Crab and curly wurlys
Yes, more food. I do apologise if this has become an (almost) daily update of what I eat, but to be honest the middle bits are relatively dull.
In between eating my days go something like this:
- wake up, shower, leave flat
- get outside, realise I have forgotten umbrella, head back in - get umbrella
- put i-pod on, wish i-pod magically had new tunes added, skip tracks frantically to one I want to hear, find good track just as I get to traffic lights, press pause
- lights change, resume play
- arrive at work, wonder how I can look such a mess in only 25 mins. Try and remedy rain / sun damage
- get tea, spill the majority of it. Wonder why I seem to be unable to carry paper cups of tea without spilling them. Decide it must be a design fault - I was fine as a waitress
- tun on computer. Wait for it to start working, drink remaining (non-spilt) tea while waiting.
- email, write papers, print 'stuff', meetings,
- lunch
- email, write papers, print more 'stuff' meetings
- walk home (repeat i-pod routine), eat enormous amounts of food or pick up noodles and watch CSI.
- sleep
So, last night was NOT noodles and was in fact leaving do Number Three. (I should have said I was leaving earlier, is great for your social life). This was the turn of "Under the Bridge Spicy Crab". A frequently imitated restaurant, there are about five 'Under the Bridge Spicy Crab' restaurants in a row in Lockhart Road, Wanchai. I am assured we were booked into the best one.
It took us a few attempts to get to the right one but, as ever, the food was amazing. I'd go on and on about it but I've gone on and on about food a lot. Huge plates of delicious, fresh food. You get the idea. We had Blue Girl beer too, which for some reason amused me. I have no idea why, possibly drinking it makes it amusing. Who knows.
Anyway, I have nothing witty to say (tremendously disappointing) and there is a risk the canteen will close shortly causing me to miss my afternoon cup of tea. Which just can't happen.
Tonight is my last* night in Hong Kong. Madness. Where did the time go? And what shall I do as the last ever* treat? [Cue suspense]....
Oh, ps etc. Why curly wurlys? They were my leaving gift to the team. Can't believe they have never had them (I had three for breakfast yesterday). I think there will be a run on Tesco online overseas ordering now. Possibly.
*technically NOT my "last" night in HK.
In between eating my days go something like this:
- wake up, shower, leave flat
- get outside, realise I have forgotten umbrella, head back in - get umbrella
- put i-pod on, wish i-pod magically had new tunes added, skip tracks frantically to one I want to hear, find good track just as I get to traffic lights, press pause
- lights change, resume play
- arrive at work, wonder how I can look such a mess in only 25 mins. Try and remedy rain / sun damage
- get tea, spill the majority of it. Wonder why I seem to be unable to carry paper cups of tea without spilling them. Decide it must be a design fault - I was fine as a waitress
- tun on computer. Wait for it to start working, drink remaining (non-spilt) tea while waiting.
- email, write papers, print 'stuff', meetings,
- lunch
- email, write papers, print more 'stuff' meetings
- walk home (repeat i-pod routine), eat enormous amounts of food or pick up noodles and watch CSI.
- sleep
So, last night was NOT noodles and was in fact leaving do Number Three. (I should have said I was leaving earlier, is great for your social life). This was the turn of "Under the Bridge Spicy Crab". A frequently imitated restaurant, there are about five 'Under the Bridge Spicy Crab' restaurants in a row in Lockhart Road, Wanchai. I am assured we were booked into the best one.
It took us a few attempts to get to the right one but, as ever, the food was amazing. I'd go on and on about it but I've gone on and on about food a lot. Huge plates of delicious, fresh food. You get the idea. We had Blue Girl beer too, which for some reason amused me. I have no idea why, possibly drinking it makes it amusing. Who knows.
Anyway, I have nothing witty to say (tremendously disappointing) and there is a risk the canteen will close shortly causing me to miss my afternoon cup of tea. Which just can't happen.
Tonight is my last* night in Hong Kong. Madness. Where did the time go? And what shall I do as the last ever* treat? [Cue suspense]....
Oh, ps etc. Why curly wurlys? They were my leaving gift to the team. Can't believe they have never had them (I had three for breakfast yesterday). I think there will be a run on Tesco online overseas ordering now. Possibly.
*technically NOT my "last" night in HK.
Tuesday, 31 August 2010
Not peak hiking...
'Very Hot Weather' is the current weather alert, and whilst this feels no different to normal weather, it was the perfect reason not to go peak hiking. So off we went to a healthy restaurant (where I ordered the halumi and avocado burger - possibly not that healthy - but v nice).
Managed to fit in a few more HK top spots (Steps at Stauntons and Peak Cafe) so a few glasses of wine and raspberry mojitos were consumed.
Am absolutely shattered this week though. Month end (cue work madness), the excitement of a visitor and trying to fit in saying 'goodbye' to Honkers, whilst packing.
This has not been assisted by the laundry dying my wardrobe a new shade of grey (soooo not good) meaning I am reluctant to get any more done - but clearly need to as have packing issues otherwise. Moral high ground may have to be put to one side in search of clean clothes...
Right, I'd best try and fit a few more tons of stuff in the case. Remind me again of airline baggage allowances???
Two more nights in HK. Tonight is spicy crab night. Yes, more eating...
Managed to fit in a few more HK top spots (Steps at Stauntons and Peak Cafe) so a few glasses of wine and raspberry mojitos were consumed.
Am absolutely shattered this week though. Month end (cue work madness), the excitement of a visitor and trying to fit in saying 'goodbye' to Honkers, whilst packing.
This has not been assisted by the laundry dying my wardrobe a new shade of grey (soooo not good) meaning I am reluctant to get any more done - but clearly need to as have packing issues otherwise. Moral high ground may have to be put to one side in search of clean clothes...
Right, I'd best try and fit a few more tons of stuff in the case. Remind me again of airline baggage allowances???
Two more nights in HK. Tonight is spicy crab night. Yes, more eating...
Monday, 30 August 2010
Seafood...
For some reason I associate the "I'm on a seafood diet, when I see food, I eat" joke with Ursula. She of Little Mermaid (and birthday cake) fame, wrapped in the tight black purple and black number. Tell me you know what I'm talking about. If not, you probably never came to one of my sister's birthday parties, and certainly not the "Under the Sea' themed one. Was this part of her song? Who knows (who can say why).
Anyway, it appears that a level of concern has been raised about the amount I am eating and resultant impact on my waistline. Well, you'll have to wait until you see me but the eating has certainly not stopped in the last few days!
Sunday afternoon I went to meet my visitor at the airport. For once there was not torrential rain, instead we have a Tropical Cyclone Warning. Good-oh.
From the airport and straight to eat (obviously). This detracts from said visitor's hotel being slap bang in the middle of the red light district and mid-renovations... (that explains the bargain price!) Although 'straight' is a little generous. Step 1 is the cab from the airport express. What do you know we end up with the singing taxi driver... Fortunately we stuck to the Bee Gees and were spared the Chinese opera...
Step 2 is the MTR + minibus trek to Po Toi O, although again the seafood was well worth it. Crab, razor clams, lobeter-esque items and 'elephants nose' (do not ask me to describe what these look like, think long, white elephant trunks.....)
Post Po Toi O food, beer and the obligatory torrential rainstorm we headed back for a wander around Lan Kwai Fong (absolutely quiet on a Sunday night) and off to the Pawn, which I am sure I have mentioned previously. Now an ex-pat bar, previously a four storey pawn house. Stayed here chatting until they asked us to leave. To be clear, it was closing time rather than our outrageous behaviour. (I do consider ordering GBP21 glasses of wine 'outrageous', even if that is genuinely not the top end option...)
Monday lunch was my team leaving lunch where they stuffed me full of delicious dim sum. Unfortunately it was predominantly delicious due to the large amounts of MSG it contained. I still can't feel my tongue. Nice!
Not deterred by having eaten enough to keep a (very) small army fed for a week at the dim sum lunch, it was my leaving diner that evening (yes, that is bad diary management). So off to the Seafood Restaurant (Fuk Loi Kee) in Kowloon for yet more eats. Man alive. Eight dishes (plus rice, plus veg). Stuffed. I nearly fell asleep at the table.
However, who can sleep when there is the excitement of Temple Street night market to get to? Not me I tell you!
Finally (it was a Monday night...) headed home to try out the GBP 6.80 peaches (I kid you not, that is for one) and a glass of wine on the indoor/outdoor terrace.
Currently trying to decide if I will miss all this. I think if the MSG effects wear off soon and I stop shaking / am able to feel my tongue, I may well do so!
About to go for dim sum, actually having to mentally prepare myself to think of eating food...
Anyway, it appears that a level of concern has been raised about the amount I am eating and resultant impact on my waistline. Well, you'll have to wait until you see me but the eating has certainly not stopped in the last few days!
Sunday afternoon I went to meet my visitor at the airport. For once there was not torrential rain, instead we have a Tropical Cyclone Warning. Good-oh.
From the airport and straight to eat (obviously). This detracts from said visitor's hotel being slap bang in the middle of the red light district and mid-renovations... (that explains the bargain price!) Although 'straight' is a little generous. Step 1 is the cab from the airport express. What do you know we end up with the singing taxi driver... Fortunately we stuck to the Bee Gees and were spared the Chinese opera...
Step 2 is the MTR + minibus trek to Po Toi O, although again the seafood was well worth it. Crab, razor clams, lobeter-esque items and 'elephants nose' (do not ask me to describe what these look like, think long, white elephant trunks.....)
Post Po Toi O food, beer and the obligatory torrential rainstorm we headed back for a wander around Lan Kwai Fong (absolutely quiet on a Sunday night) and off to the Pawn, which I am sure I have mentioned previously. Now an ex-pat bar, previously a four storey pawn house. Stayed here chatting until they asked us to leave. To be clear, it was closing time rather than our outrageous behaviour. (I do consider ordering GBP21 glasses of wine 'outrageous', even if that is genuinely not the top end option...)
Monday lunch was my team leaving lunch where they stuffed me full of delicious dim sum. Unfortunately it was predominantly delicious due to the large amounts of MSG it contained. I still can't feel my tongue. Nice!
Not deterred by having eaten enough to keep a (very) small army fed for a week at the dim sum lunch, it was my leaving diner that evening (yes, that is bad diary management). So off to the Seafood Restaurant (Fuk Loi Kee) in Kowloon for yet more eats. Man alive. Eight dishes (plus rice, plus veg). Stuffed. I nearly fell asleep at the table.
However, who can sleep when there is the excitement of Temple Street night market to get to? Not me I tell you!
Finally (it was a Monday night...) headed home to try out the GBP 6.80 peaches (I kid you not, that is for one) and a glass of wine on the indoor/outdoor terrace.
Currently trying to decide if I will miss all this. I think if the MSG effects wear off soon and I stop shaking / am able to feel my tongue, I may well do so!
About to go for dim sum, actually having to mentally prepare myself to think of eating food...
Saturday, 28 August 2010
Lan Kwai Fong - take two
I feel I am starting to get into the swing of things just as I am about to leave. Yesterday turned into a lovely lunch trip to Ten Yoshi in Causeway Bay. Delicious tempura and sushi. The restaurant owners have three Japanese restaurants on three floors of Henry House. Tempura, sushi and yakitori. You can order from any of the three menus in each. Absolutely delicious and just what was required.
Following that it was a trip to the mandarin for the HK essential. A pedicure. Well, how else would I spend a Saturday?
The hangover kicked in (again) and I headed back to Wanchai for some CSI, a bit of a stroll round the market and then noodles. Late on I headed out to meet some friends for 'one end of night drink' in Cafe Gray (a bar I do wish I had found before). They do delicious elderflower and grape gins. Highly recommended.
Post the 'one' drink it was decided that, as this was my last Saturday, Lan Kwai Fong was a must. So off we went. It was absolutely heaving but I did discover there are actually some very nice places there (most unexpectedly).
We went to a bar called Lilly (apparently only open 3 weeks, impossible to get a table reservation and yet they don't advertise it?) which is on the 6th floor of Hotel LKF. I will be attempting to go back. Great drinks (the tequila and grapefruit cocktail was a favourite - reminiscent of Shady Lady's at the Zap) and they have this amazing cigar room. Provided you remember to send everything to the dry cleaners first thing the next morning, it is a great place to sit (and drink gin).
From Hotel LKF and onto Volar. Like everywhere else a 'members only' club but we (clearly I was a lucky bystander here) have known the bouncer since it opened six years ago so queue hopped and no admission. Good work! My favourite thing about Volar was the carousel horses that hung above each table. Really v cool design. Apparently there have been a few broken bones from people falling off so I did not attempt to climb on - although I was tempted.
Right, I have to go meet my next (and final!) HK visitor at the airport (excited!!) so I'll sign off. Have a good Sunday.
Following that it was a trip to the mandarin for the HK essential. A pedicure. Well, how else would I spend a Saturday?
The hangover kicked in (again) and I headed back to Wanchai for some CSI, a bit of a stroll round the market and then noodles. Late on I headed out to meet some friends for 'one end of night drink' in Cafe Gray (a bar I do wish I had found before). They do delicious elderflower and grape gins. Highly recommended.
Post the 'one' drink it was decided that, as this was my last Saturday, Lan Kwai Fong was a must. So off we went. It was absolutely heaving but I did discover there are actually some very nice places there (most unexpectedly).
We went to a bar called Lilly (apparently only open 3 weeks, impossible to get a table reservation and yet they don't advertise it?) which is on the 6th floor of Hotel LKF. I will be attempting to go back. Great drinks (the tequila and grapefruit cocktail was a favourite - reminiscent of Shady Lady's at the Zap) and they have this amazing cigar room. Provided you remember to send everything to the dry cleaners first thing the next morning, it is a great place to sit (and drink gin).
From Hotel LKF and onto Volar. Like everywhere else a 'members only' club but we (clearly I was a lucky bystander here) have known the bouncer since it opened six years ago so queue hopped and no admission. Good work! My favourite thing about Volar was the carousel horses that hung above each table. Really v cool design. Apparently there have been a few broken bones from people falling off so I did not attempt to climb on - although I was tempted.
Right, I have to go meet my next (and final!) HK visitor at the airport (excited!!) so I'll sign off. Have a good Sunday.
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