Tuesday, December 30, 2014
Monday, December 29, 2014
Wow
Seriously cold, seriously frosty for first time in as long as I can remember!
Very festive looking too!
Very festive looking too!
Tuesday, December 23, 2014
Quieter today
But still far busier than I was really expecting!
Let's see what tomorrow and more interestingly next week will bring!
Let's see what tomorrow and more interestingly next week will bring!
Monday, December 22, 2014
Christmas holidays...or lack of
I'm really surprised today how much today feels like any other Monday, given we're only three sleeps from the big day (I think)
Train this morning, although quoted than normal was still busy (did get a seat though) and both the office and London itself are still buzzing with commuters and workers!
Will be interesting to see how it looks tomorrow and when we are done on Wednesday given everyone seems to be bring their kids to work with them!
Train this morning, although quoted than normal was still busy (did get a seat though) and both the office and London itself are still buzzing with commuters and workers!
Will be interesting to see how it looks tomorrow and when we are done on Wednesday given everyone seems to be bring their kids to work with them!
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
Back to school
College today for more work on the ICA diploma in Financial Crime! Can't say I'm overly excited about it but compared to my youth, at least I'm not hungover!
Might grab the chance of its there to grab some delicious offerings from Borough Market! Yum!
Might grab the chance of its there to grab some delicious offerings from Borough Market! Yum!
Tuesday, December 09, 2014
Cold this morning
Jack Frost has been hanging out! First really deep frost possibly in close to two years in my eyes!
Monday, December 08, 2014
Delays
Again, only a few minutes, but been going slowly since leaving Birmingham International and now stopped about halfway to Birmingham New Street.
Let's just hope it's not the same later tonight!
Let's just hope it's not the same later tonight!
British people are pure hilarious
So there's a woman in a reserved seat on the train, and the two women who have booked them ask her to move. She does, but decides that these two women need to know her beef with Virgin Trains...'they wouldn't run this train without season ticket holders, and it's impossible for me to book seats, it's discriminatory!'
I can't help but feel her and travellers like her are in need of a freedom fighter, a Martin Luther King-styled leader, who will ensure that all travellers are treated equally no matter what the status of their train ticket!
Fantastic, hard hitting conversations on the 7.43 Euston to Birmingham! You can't beat it!
I can't help but feel her and travellers like her are in need of a freedom fighter, a Martin Luther King-styled leader, who will ensure that all travellers are treated equally no matter what the status of their train ticket!
Fantastic, hard hitting conversations on the 7.43 Euston to Birmingham! You can't beat it!
Early start
But hopefully the last trip to Britain's second city for a while!
Let's see how that works though!
Looking forward to my bed later! It being freezing cold doesn't help today at all!
Let's see how that works though!
Looking forward to my bed later! It being freezing cold doesn't help today at all!
Tuesday, December 02, 2014
Friday, November 28, 2014
Friday, ya beauty
Lovely Friday today, busy but went well!
Happy days and now odd to re airport and off up to Scotland to Linlithgow and Mum and Dads new gaff!
Then to Alford tomorrow to see Granny!
Happy days and now odd to re airport and off up to Scotland to Linlithgow and Mum and Dads new gaff!
Then to Alford tomorrow to see Granny!
Sunday, November 16, 2014
Add all your tweets to Timehop!
Go to twitter.timehop.com from a desktop computer to add all your tweets to Timehop.
Tuesday, November 11, 2014
I know they've had a bad year
Friday, October 31, 2014
Thursday, October 16, 2014
Friday, August 22, 2014
Wednesday, August 20, 2014
Monday, August 18, 2014
First Day
So an exciting day in Neil Robertson's life today, first day at new job in Lloyds Banking Group!
On the whole I'm pretty excited but I'm sure it will be a bit of a strange one and exciting all the same!
Wish me luck!
On the whole I'm pretty excited but I'm sure it will be a bit of a strange one and exciting all the same!
Wish me luck!
Tuesday, August 12, 2014
Sunday, August 10, 2014
Saturday, August 09, 2014
Another good night
Mostly just at the pub before heading back to the caravan for done card games!
Won first game of Uno but that's as good as it got!
Won first game of Uno but that's as good as it got!
Off to Clacton
Sunny day so should try and enjoy it!
Swimming was fun this morning with little Louie! He pure loves the water!
Swimming was fun this morning with little Louie! He pure loves the water!
Friday, August 08, 2014
Holibobs - Staycation
May it safely to the Haven caravan site in Clacton!
Looks like it should be fun!
Looks like it should be fun!
Thursday, July 03, 2014
Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Saturday, June 14, 2014
Thursday, June 12, 2014
Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Monday, June 09, 2014
Gili T - Day 3
Probably the best day of the holiday so far, as finally the stars seemed to align with everything we did. A very early start saw us bike round to the other side of the island for the final time to get the 9am dive trip with Blue Marlin, again as a DSD couple, but no need for theory and only the two of us in a group.
We headed to the dive site and once in, hardly had to swim for the first little bit as the current swept us past bountiful coral, fish and turtles!!!! Upon realising how strong it was the current, our instructor had us needing to kick quite a bit to elongate the dive and stop us sliding off the reef. This was hard work but by keeping low less energy was required, so at points we were practically hiding behind the turtles, so close we could touch, but didn't as we are good ecotourists!
After this fabulous experience, we have decided to look into holidays where we can do our PADI open water course in the future. We then headed to a beach bar to chill out and get liquids and lunch on board before renting our own boat with a skipper to take us snorkelling around the sister island Gili Meno (Gili Air will have to wait for another time!) in all we had three stops at varying different sites with different levels and variety of coral, fish and turtles which was brilliant. Amanda's confidence has really grown although she did decide to keep the life vest on! What was also great was watching the skipper go fishing for his dinner using a gun like instrument that basically stunned the fish. An excellent afternoon.
Back on the bikes home for sunset, including a go on the swings then it was to the next door resort (the bikes having been handed back) for dinner, delicious King Prawns at Aston restaurant for me and Amanda had a Mhai-Mhai fish. A few beers on the sofa/bean bags and the Gili Island experience was sadly all over. A wonderfully chilled out place and somewhere I would consider coming back to!
We headed to the dive site and once in, hardly had to swim for the first little bit as the current swept us past bountiful coral, fish and turtles!!!! Upon realising how strong it was the current, our instructor had us needing to kick quite a bit to elongate the dive and stop us sliding off the reef. This was hard work but by keeping low less energy was required, so at points we were practically hiding behind the turtles, so close we could touch, but didn't as we are good ecotourists!
After this fabulous experience, we have decided to look into holidays where we can do our PADI open water course in the future. We then headed to a beach bar to chill out and get liquids and lunch on board before renting our own boat with a skipper to take us snorkelling around the sister island Gili Meno (Gili Air will have to wait for another time!) in all we had three stops at varying different sites with different levels and variety of coral, fish and turtles which was brilliant. Amanda's confidence has really grown although she did decide to keep the life vest on! What was also great was watching the skipper go fishing for his dinner using a gun like instrument that basically stunned the fish. An excellent afternoon.
Back on the bikes home for sunset, including a go on the swings then it was to the next door resort (the bikes having been handed back) for dinner, delicious King Prawns at Aston restaurant for me and Amanda had a Mhai-Mhai fish. A few beers on the sofa/bean bags and the Gili Island experience was sadly all over. A wonderfully chilled out place and somewhere I would consider coming back to!
Gili T - Day 2
So today was brilliant in some respects and also a bit of a waste in others! Today was diving day, so we headed on our bikes to the East Coast / main side for 10.30 to have our diving course, which was good in terms of learning in a pool and having all the things we needed, however we were waiting around a lot with another girl and a Malaysian lad on our course, who were probably not as good as either Amanda or I.
As such when we finally got to go out at 2.30pm we hadn't had time for a proper lunch and were a bit rushed. He dive itself was good, although only saw one turtle in the distance and plenty of fish, but again we were hindered a bit by the other two members of our group which was disappointing. However given the fun we both had we decided that it was worth doing another one tomorrow at 9am as we wouldn't need to do the theory!
After the dive we rode to the northern end of the island to watch the sunset and have a few beers on the huts on stilts over the sea, very cool way to watch and enjoy and get a few photos. We then headed back to the hotel for a wash before once again grabbing the bikes to hit the main side of the island to eat at scallywags. Whilst the meal a BBQ again was only ok, the waterside location was excellent as we could watch the turtles coming up for air in the bay next to us, really great! Back once again on the bikes before early to bed!
As such when we finally got to go out at 2.30pm we hadn't had time for a proper lunch and were a bit rushed. He dive itself was good, although only saw one turtle in the distance and plenty of fish, but again we were hindered a bit by the other two members of our group which was disappointing. However given the fun we both had we decided that it was worth doing another one tomorrow at 9am as we wouldn't need to do the theory!
After the dive we rode to the northern end of the island to watch the sunset and have a few beers on the huts on stilts over the sea, very cool way to watch and enjoy and get a few photos. We then headed back to the hotel for a wash before once again grabbing the bikes to hit the main side of the island to eat at scallywags. Whilst the meal a BBQ again was only ok, the waterside location was excellent as we could watch the turtles coming up for air in the bay next to us, really great! Back once again on the bikes before early to bed!
Gili T - Day 1
So finally we are at the beach so we thought best to spend this morning at the swimming pool (beach is a bit too coral-ly) to soak up some sun, although carefully as the sun deck on the ferry had done its thing on us! The morning was spent at the hotel pool, before we hired some bikes in the afternoon, to give us a bit more freedom on the island...the walk back the night before was quite strenuous but had highlighted that moonlight would suffice in getting us home after dark!
We headed back to the main part of the island for some late, late lunch and also to look into Scuba. We ate a nice meal, salads all round, then actually picked the Blue Marlin, where we had eaten the night before. We booked in for the 'Discover Scuba Diving' course the next day.
We then headed back to the ranch in time for sunset this time taking the northern route. This highlighted a number of nice places to spend time but the road was far sandier so plenty of time spent walking the bikes! Sunset was phenomenal tonight!
We then washed and changed and headed to town once more for dinner, this time at The Beach House where we had BBQ on a table overlooking the sea. Not bad fare and very cheap but definitely could have been better. We stopped off on the way back for a wee cocktail and headed to bed in anticipation of our scuba course tomorrow!
We headed back to the main part of the island for some late, late lunch and also to look into Scuba. We ate a nice meal, salads all round, then actually picked the Blue Marlin, where we had eaten the night before. We booked in for the 'Discover Scuba Diving' course the next day.
We then headed back to the ranch in time for sunset this time taking the northern route. This highlighted a number of nice places to spend time but the road was far sandier so plenty of time spent walking the bikes! Sunset was phenomenal tonight!
We then washed and changed and headed to town once more for dinner, this time at The Beach House where we had BBQ on a table overlooking the sea. Not bad fare and very cheap but definitely could have been better. We stopped off on the way back for a wee cocktail and headed to bed in anticipation of our scuba course tomorrow!
Transfer Ubud to Gilis
So following our brief stop in Ubud it was time to travel today (Wednesday) to the Gili Islands for stage 3 of our trip. We were up early, actually very early as the palatial surroundings of our villa actually didn't help Amanda and I sleeping, and following the normal lovely breakfast, we were picked up once again by the local carriage company and headed to Pedang Bai (Bay) an hours drive away where we were to pick up the fast boat ferry service to Gili.
Once there we had a wee wait for the boat but boarded on time at 11am aboard Blue Water Express III for the hour and a half trip to Gili Trawangen. The fast boat was great fun, very fast and powerful and with a sun deck so we could sit outside and enjoy the scenery. This was immense with the volcanic shores of Bali as the backdrop, and the mood was enhanced even more when we saw Dolphins briefly and some flying fish. The journey dropped us on the beach of Gili T and we then took the horse drawn cart for the 15 trip to the other side of the island, known as Sunset to our hotel Hotel Ombuk Sunset. The hotel was very nice with great welcome juice and we spent the afternoon at the pool where we had lunch.
We then headed to the beach for a beautiful sunset with free cocktails and following showers took a walk in near the total darkness to the main drag on the main beach/harbour side of the island. Here we walked the main drag, took dinner at Blue Marlin and then walked on the coastal route home back for some sleep!
Once there we had a wee wait for the boat but boarded on time at 11am aboard Blue Water Express III for the hour and a half trip to Gili Trawangen. The fast boat was great fun, very fast and powerful and with a sun deck so we could sit outside and enjoy the scenery. This was immense with the volcanic shores of Bali as the backdrop, and the mood was enhanced even more when we saw Dolphins briefly and some flying fish. The journey dropped us on the beach of Gili T and we then took the horse drawn cart for the 15 trip to the other side of the island, known as Sunset to our hotel Hotel Ombuk Sunset. The hotel was very nice with great welcome juice and we spent the afternoon at the pool where we had lunch.
We then headed to the beach for a beautiful sunset with free cocktails and following showers took a walk in near the total darkness to the main drag on the main beach/harbour side of the island. Here we walked the main drag, took dinner at Blue Marlin and then walked on the coastal route home back for some sleep!
Sunday, June 08, 2014
Saturday, June 07, 2014
Unreal...
Meal, few drinks, amazing location and good service...all for under £20 for two!
Gili Islands and Indonesia...just visit!
Gili Islands and Indonesia...just visit!
Friday, June 06, 2014
Ubud - Day 2
Whilst day 1 in Ubud was pretty manic, day 2 was definitely less so and far more relaxed. That's because after a bit of a lie in and some tasty breakfast we headed to Ubud again, this time to the Shangraila spa for a 4.5 hour spa treatment.
It was so good, I managed to fall asleep about 10 times so that's a definite plus point! We then headed back to the hotel for a quick bike ride in amongst the rice paddies before taking dinner at Bridges. Words cannot describe how good dinner was, 5 stars and extra bonus for a honeymoon cake!
Back to the hotel then to enjoy the villa upgrade with cheeky bath, before closing our eyes on the first stage of our Indonesian adventure!
It was so good, I managed to fall asleep about 10 times so that's a definite plus point! We then headed back to the hotel for a quick bike ride in amongst the rice paddies before taking dinner at Bridges. Words cannot describe how good dinner was, 5 stars and extra bonus for a honeymoon cake!
Back to the hotel then to enjoy the villa upgrade with cheeky bath, before closing our eyes on the first stage of our Indonesian adventure!
Thursday, June 05, 2014
Ubud Bali - Day 1
We woke early unfamiliar with the early sunrise and number of strange jungle noises, so from 5 am to 7am we generally chilled and enjoyed a catch up on wifi etc. after that we headed to breakfast a sumptuous a la carte affair with mostly local dishes and some western ones too.
As we had time due to our early start we both went to a Yoga class, me for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised how hard work it was and enjoyable too. It was a bit sore and too hard in places though! After this we caught the shuttle into Ubud and started exploring this famous setting high in the hills of Bali. Our first stop was the Enchanted Monkey Forest, a strip of jungle that is home not only to a number of temples but also a large group of monkeys, which of course draw the tourists in. The Monkeys were very cute but were very animated in trying to get any food, which some tourists had bought bananas off the locals to get better photos. Their anger was also seen when an Aussie lady inadvertently stood on ones tail when taking a photo. Said monkey went berserk and went at her. Luckily she was wearing a flowing dress and all he did was bit this for a while! We enjoyed the walk although at one stage there was a commotion and around 20 Monkeys were running at me, a bit of a brown shorts moment if truth be told!
We then had lunch in the Three Monkeys a nice wee coffee shop restaurant with views over the rice paddies. Food was a bit pricey for the area although tasty and big. We finished our walk through Ubud and then headed up with a driver to Gunang Kawi a famous temple with aspects carved out of the rocks. It was a walk down 300 steps with a number of hawkers including those renting sarongs (one was very rough with Amanda) but it didn't ruin the experience. The walk up was a bit tougher though!
We then retuned home for a wash and a rest but managed to experience a wonderful sight when about 20 Monkeys enjoyed the last of the evening sun in front of our room, just magical!
We then headed into Ubud to Naughty Niri's for dinner, succulent BBQ ribs which were finished nicely with some Bintang. Naughty Niri's is famous in these parts and it was lovely (a bit strangely is built like a shack!) although my ribs had a large piece of cartilage that ruined it somewhat!
Spa day tomorrow!
As we had time due to our early start we both went to a Yoga class, me for the first time and I was pleasantly surprised how hard work it was and enjoyable too. It was a bit sore and too hard in places though! After this we caught the shuttle into Ubud and started exploring this famous setting high in the hills of Bali. Our first stop was the Enchanted Monkey Forest, a strip of jungle that is home not only to a number of temples but also a large group of monkeys, which of course draw the tourists in. The Monkeys were very cute but were very animated in trying to get any food, which some tourists had bought bananas off the locals to get better photos. Their anger was also seen when an Aussie lady inadvertently stood on ones tail when taking a photo. Said monkey went berserk and went at her. Luckily she was wearing a flowing dress and all he did was bit this for a while! We enjoyed the walk although at one stage there was a commotion and around 20 Monkeys were running at me, a bit of a brown shorts moment if truth be told!
We then had lunch in the Three Monkeys a nice wee coffee shop restaurant with views over the rice paddies. Food was a bit pricey for the area although tasty and big. We finished our walk through Ubud and then headed up with a driver to Gunang Kawi a famous temple with aspects carved out of the rocks. It was a walk down 300 steps with a number of hawkers including those renting sarongs (one was very rough with Amanda) but it didn't ruin the experience. The walk up was a bit tougher though!
We then retuned home for a wash and a rest but managed to experience a wonderful sight when about 20 Monkeys enjoyed the last of the evening sun in front of our room, just magical!
We then headed into Ubud to Naughty Niri's for dinner, succulent BBQ ribs which were finished nicely with some Bintang. Naughty Niri's is famous in these parts and it was lovely (a bit strangely is built like a shack!) although my ribs had a large piece of cartilage that ruined it somewhat!
Spa day tomorrow!
Wednesday, June 04, 2014
Tuesday, June 03, 2014
Transfer Day - Hong Kong to Bali
Sadly, I have to report this was an actual day too, a really quit long and painful trip if truth be told.
The day started early, with final packing and check out in The Park Lane, before a final trip on the Metro (MTR) to Central and the walk to Hong Kong Station to board the airport express. We made it safely to the airport and went through immigration and grabbed a Starbucks.
We then boarded an all economy B777 to Denpasar in Bali and the flight was very good and on time with arrival in Bali, however it was then that all he'll broke loose with a close to two hour wait at immigration. Hopeless and despairing. We met our agent who then informed us our journey would be about 1hr to 1hr 20, which was great to see the Balinese countryside, especially the awesome rice field terraces, but not so good regarding getting to hotel before sundown.
As such when we arrived we couldn't see too much, but found our way to the restaurant where we got a free tasting meal at the hotels restaurant - pavilion. Very nice it was too, and a Bintang to boot. Fairly early to bed with Bali and Ubud in particular to see tomorrow.
UPDATE - Dreamt of waiting in line at Denpasar!
The day started early, with final packing and check out in The Park Lane, before a final trip on the Metro (MTR) to Central and the walk to Hong Kong Station to board the airport express. We made it safely to the airport and went through immigration and grabbed a Starbucks.
We then boarded an all economy B777 to Denpasar in Bali and the flight was very good and on time with arrival in Bali, however it was then that all he'll broke loose with a close to two hour wait at immigration. Hopeless and despairing. We met our agent who then informed us our journey would be about 1hr to 1hr 20, which was great to see the Balinese countryside, especially the awesome rice field terraces, but not so good regarding getting to hotel before sundown.
As such when we arrived we couldn't see too much, but found our way to the restaurant where we got a free tasting meal at the hotels restaurant - pavilion. Very nice it was too, and a Bintang to boot. Fairly early to bed with Bali and Ubud in particular to see tomorrow.
UPDATE - Dreamt of waiting in line at Denpasar!
Monday, June 02, 2014
Sunday, June 01, 2014
Hong Kong - Day 3
Our final full day in Hong Kong, who knows where the time went? We started early and boarded the metro system for a long old haul out towards the airport on Lantau Island to take the Ngiong Ping 360 gondolas to the middle of Lantau Island, a route previously only possible by bus taking upwards of 2 days. The gondola which we took head high up over the lush forests below, and we could see it all with the help of a glass bottomed gondola...it's our honeymoon so we had to upgrade to the Crystal version!
At the end of the roughly 20 minute ride is the Ngiong Ping village, the Big Buddha statue and the Po Lin monastery. The big Buddha is pretty much as stated, a structure/sculpture that dominates the skyline (well apart from the mountains) and the very hot climb up around 500 steps allowed us to see him close up quite a cool thing to see in real life! Then it was done to the Po Lin monastery for a poke around at the statues and altars, with many locals burning incense as a gift to the gods. We hopefully helped by purchasing the vegetarian lunch, which was very nice and plentiful but too many mushrooms for our liking. we were unable to confirm if the monks cooked it either, although we expect not probably too busy contemplating life and it's meaning!
We then started our long trek back to the City, stopping first at the xxxxx temple, a fascinatingly beautiful and interesting experience with incredible and intricate details on many of the buildings and the walled gardens spectacular. Well they were until we took one stop further on and we saw the xxxxx gardens which were truly fantastic, something really incredible to behold, especially with my green fingers. The centre piece was an ornate golden pagoda. Really full of eastern promise. We then visited the adjacent xxxx nunnery which was also ornate and great to see.
Despite the heat and the walking we took the metro back to Prince Edward and decided after our experience the night before we should take a look at some of the markets. in this area of Mong Kok, we took in the flower bird, fish and ladies markets, the last being for ladies as opposed to being able to buy ladies! However when we went for dinner later, another noodles number, there did look the opportunity to do so in some of the 'dance clubs' opposite.
After the last HK supper we decide to rush down to the waterfront on HK Island to get a position to watch the light show on the ICC accompanied. By music and facts from the App that Amanda managed to download. A bit underwhelming, but very clever how the lights projected a number of different moving images on the side of the building.
A quick visit to see the Lions guarding HSBC HQ and notably the one that was gun shot ridden following the war, and we headed back to Causeway Bay for a final time on the Tram to take in Hong Kong. A quiet walk through Victoria Park opposite the hotel to calm the senses and it was time for bed and packing for Bali.
At the end of the roughly 20 minute ride is the Ngiong Ping village, the Big Buddha statue and the Po Lin monastery. The big Buddha is pretty much as stated, a structure/sculpture that dominates the skyline (well apart from the mountains) and the very hot climb up around 500 steps allowed us to see him close up quite a cool thing to see in real life! Then it was done to the Po Lin monastery for a poke around at the statues and altars, with many locals burning incense as a gift to the gods. We hopefully helped by purchasing the vegetarian lunch, which was very nice and plentiful but too many mushrooms for our liking. we were unable to confirm if the monks cooked it either, although we expect not probably too busy contemplating life and it's meaning!
We then started our long trek back to the City, stopping first at the xxxxx temple, a fascinatingly beautiful and interesting experience with incredible and intricate details on many of the buildings and the walled gardens spectacular. Well they were until we took one stop further on and we saw the xxxxx gardens which were truly fantastic, something really incredible to behold, especially with my green fingers. The centre piece was an ornate golden pagoda. Really full of eastern promise. We then visited the adjacent xxxx nunnery which was also ornate and great to see.
Despite the heat and the walking we took the metro back to Prince Edward and decided after our experience the night before we should take a look at some of the markets. in this area of Mong Kok, we took in the flower bird, fish and ladies markets, the last being for ladies as opposed to being able to buy ladies! However when we went for dinner later, another noodles number, there did look the opportunity to do so in some of the 'dance clubs' opposite.
After the last HK supper we decide to rush down to the waterfront on HK Island to get a position to watch the light show on the ICC accompanied. By music and facts from the App that Amanda managed to download. A bit underwhelming, but very clever how the lights projected a number of different moving images on the side of the building.
A quick visit to see the Lions guarding HSBC HQ and notably the one that was gun shot ridden following the war, and we headed back to Causeway Bay for a final time on the Tram to take in Hong Kong. A quiet walk through Victoria Park opposite the hotel to calm the senses and it was time for bed and packing for Bali.
Hong Kong - Day 2
We both arose relatively early on a Day 2 our first full day in Hong Kong and decided that we should just get on with our day so we headed into Central with the commuters to take the Oeak Tram to the top of Victoria Peak. This funicular system was again a very old and uncomfortable journey, but it was clear that the renovations had been made with tourists in mind as the restoration was faithful to the olden days.
At the top of the Peak Tram naturally enough was the peak where we took in Breakfast then enjoyed the audio tour of the Peak Lookout, a horrendous modern looking building on top of the peak but the tour I have to say was very good and very informative!
Back down in town we rode part of the Mid-levels escalator, 800m of escalators used for commuting, very unique! Then back to the hotel for a quick hours snooze and our best clothes on!
This was because we had a date at the Peninsula Hotel for Afternoon Tea. the Peninsula Hotel was the place to stay back in Colonial times and although the views had been spoiled by the creation of a horrendous Art Museum opposite, the lobby was wonderful and the afternoon tea, succulent and opulent! A unique experience and we decided to push out with a glass of champers each.
We then took a completely different gear heading to the Night Market where we enjoyed all the sights and sounds of Hong Kong right in our faces. to say faces and not eyes was true as the experience really hit all of your senses, all 5 really and was quite fascinating how the sellers would haggle with the tourists. We picked up a book for messages, a nice leather bound number.
We then went tot the ICC, the tallest building in Hong Kong and went to the Ozone Bar in the Ritz-Carlton, the worlds highest bar on floor 118 for some cocktails and the most wonderful panoramas of Hong Kong at night you can imagine! Absolutely lush!
At the top of the Peak Tram naturally enough was the peak where we took in Breakfast then enjoyed the audio tour of the Peak Lookout, a horrendous modern looking building on top of the peak but the tour I have to say was very good and very informative!
Back down in town we rode part of the Mid-levels escalator, 800m of escalators used for commuting, very unique! Then back to the hotel for a quick hours snooze and our best clothes on!
This was because we had a date at the Peninsula Hotel for Afternoon Tea. the Peninsula Hotel was the place to stay back in Colonial times and although the views had been spoiled by the creation of a horrendous Art Museum opposite, the lobby was wonderful and the afternoon tea, succulent and opulent! A unique experience and we decided to push out with a glass of champers each.
We then took a completely different gear heading to the Night Market where we enjoyed all the sights and sounds of Hong Kong right in our faces. to say faces and not eyes was true as the experience really hit all of your senses, all 5 really and was quite fascinating how the sellers would haggle with the tourists. We picked up a book for messages, a nice leather bound number.
We then went tot the ICC, the tallest building in Hong Kong and went to the Ozone Bar in the Ritz-Carlton, the worlds highest bar on floor 118 for some cocktails and the most wonderful panoramas of Hong Kong at night you can imagine! Absolutely lush!
Hong Kong - Day 1
It's always an interesting day, the first day of a long haul holiday, generally it feels like the longest day ever as you don't know when the day starts or ends. Yesterday fell under this category, but not in a bad way, indeed in the end we did an incredible amount.
We dropped the car back off at the holiday inn at Heathrow airport no problems and a short taxi journey got us to terminal 3 ready to board our flight to Hong Kong. Sadly, Cathay Pacific don't do upgrades so it was cattle class for us, but after a quick stop in the lounge, we enjoyed our flight to Hong Kong, enjoying Anchorman 2, the second Hunger Games and Frozen.
We landed a wee bit late at Hong Kong and cleared immigration before boarding the train to Hong Kong Island and free bus to the Park Lane hotel. Sadly, the hotel room wasn't ready so we took a quick walk around Victoria Park and Causeway Bay discovering an IKEA of all things.
We got back to the hotel at noon and the room was ready so we took a three hour sleep to rejuvenate and then took a metro to Central Hong Kong. Here we discovered the Star ferry and also that it was free today. As such, we took a ride over to Kowloon where we got to see the impressive panorama of Hong Kong Island. We also scoped out the Peninsula Hotel and planned our day tomorrow.
We took the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island then we boarded the second of the free items for the day, namely the Trams and we pooled back down to Causeway Bay on this the oldest of transport methods in Hong Kong. Now I have to say, this was an experience although not that comfortable or cooling, certainly built when people were smaller and air conditioning was only in the mind of a scientist with a very forward thinking mind!
Back in Causeway Bay and we ate at a local restaurant, Ho Hung Kee, a local Michelin Starred restaurant, although found in a shopping mall! We tucked into the specialist Wan-tan Noodles and Dim Sum and then decided to head to View 62, a bar/restaurant that revolved on Hong Kong Island. Some lovely bellinis and a wonderful view on the way up to the top were not matched by the views in the restaurant sadly, as the ac had resulted in condensation forming and giving a very blurred view of the Hong Kong skyline.
We dropped the car back off at the holiday inn at Heathrow airport no problems and a short taxi journey got us to terminal 3 ready to board our flight to Hong Kong. Sadly, Cathay Pacific don't do upgrades so it was cattle class for us, but after a quick stop in the lounge, we enjoyed our flight to Hong Kong, enjoying Anchorman 2, the second Hunger Games and Frozen.
We landed a wee bit late at Hong Kong and cleared immigration before boarding the train to Hong Kong Island and free bus to the Park Lane hotel. Sadly, the hotel room wasn't ready so we took a quick walk around Victoria Park and Causeway Bay discovering an IKEA of all things.
We got back to the hotel at noon and the room was ready so we took a three hour sleep to rejuvenate and then took a metro to Central Hong Kong. Here we discovered the Star ferry and also that it was free today. As such, we took a ride over to Kowloon where we got to see the impressive panorama of Hong Kong Island. We also scoped out the Peninsula Hotel and planned our day tomorrow.
We took the Star Ferry back to Hong Kong Island then we boarded the second of the free items for the day, namely the Trams and we pooled back down to Causeway Bay on this the oldest of transport methods in Hong Kong. Now I have to say, this was an experience although not that comfortable or cooling, certainly built when people were smaller and air conditioning was only in the mind of a scientist with a very forward thinking mind!
Back in Causeway Bay and we ate at a local restaurant, Ho Hung Kee, a local Michelin Starred restaurant, although found in a shopping mall! We tucked into the specialist Wan-tan Noodles and Dim Sum and then decided to head to View 62, a bar/restaurant that revolved on Hong Kong Island. Some lovely bellinis and a wonderful view on the way up to the top were not matched by the views in the restaurant sadly, as the ac had resulted in condensation forming and giving a very blurred view of the Hong Kong skyline.
Friday, May 30, 2014
The peak tram
Thursday, May 29, 2014
Monday, May 12, 2014
Monday, April 28, 2014
Commute returns
Back to the drudgery of the daily London commute and to think today's will be better than tomorrow as definitely no tubes tomorrow should tube strike not be averted!
Friday, April 25, 2014
Monday, April 21, 2014
Christ...
It's ruddy boiling here in Moscow today!
Plus I cannot go the life of me remember that it is Monday!
Fingers crossed the drive to the centre is ok!!! And fast!
Plus I cannot go the life of me remember that it is Monday!
Fingers crossed the drive to the centre is ok!!! And fast!
Moscow again
So sitting here at Heathrow Airport awaiting another flight out to Moscow Domodedovo airport aboard my good friends at British Airways! Have to say I'm over the going to Moscow thing now, been a very nice experience at times, but today, I'm just kinda over it and will be happy that I will not have to go again!
Still never experienced my birthday in Russia before, so there we go, something new never hurt!
Hopefully, despite this plane being smaller than usual there is videos to watch!
Still never experienced my birthday in Russia before, so there we go, something new never hurt!
Hopefully, despite this plane being smaller than usual there is videos to watch!
Thursday, April 17, 2014
Best Thursday
It's the Thursday that annually people look forward to most! Yep it's Easter weekend tomorrow!
Monday, April 14, 2014
Finally...
On a tube! What with the wifi not working at home, it's not been a great morning!
Might as well try and claim a cheeky refund on my ticket, see what happens...if you don't ask....
Might as well try and claim a cheeky refund on my ticket, see what happens...if you don't ask....
Err sorry mate...
Pretty sure there's not a good service on Waterloo & City line! The waiting here for 10 minutes tells me that!
TFL, modern day cowboys!
TFL, modern day cowboys!
Monday, March 31, 2014
1st for everything
Never been asked whilst waiting for the Waterloo & City line train to leave bank station if the train is going to Waterloo!
Definitely 1st time for everything this afternoon!
Definitely 1st time for everything this afternoon!
Contact lenses
Every now and then I get a really horrible result from a contact lense that doesn't seem to be the right prescription!
It makes life very blurry in that eye and a right pain for the head! Will see if it is that and not eye too when I get home and switch to my specs!
It makes life very blurry in that eye and a right pain for the head! Will see if it is that and not eye too when I get home and switch to my specs!
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Thursday, March 13, 2014
Tuesday, March 11, 2014
Monday, March 10, 2014
Friday, March 07, 2014
Thursday, March 06, 2014
Happier tonight
Let's hope my good mood doesn't drop into a funk once I'm home. Shouldn't do, it's Friday tomorrow! Whoop whoop!
Busy on tube
Three southwest trains arriving at once has done it!
Still it's sunny, mild and potentially possible to say spring-like!
Still it's sunny, mild and potentially possible to say spring-like!
Wednesday, March 05, 2014
Like London buses
Day two in a row with a frost! Let's see if things are drying out though!
Not helping my daffodils!
Not helping my daffodils!
Tuesday, March 04, 2014
Wednesday, February 26, 2014
Monday, February 17, 2014
Well that's a smack in the chops
Watching the BA flight of two hours later arrive as I leave Domododevo
Friday, February 14, 2014
Friday
Could be a very big day too later with some big meetings...hope they go well!
Then it's time for Scotland!!!! Woo hoo!
Then it's time for Scotland!!!! Woo hoo!
Thursday, February 13, 2014
Interesting new experience
Just been told we're going to arrive at Platform 20 this morning at Waterloo, on the old Eurostar area!
Wednesday, February 12, 2014
Tuesday, February 11, 2014
Another busy day
Off to flicks tonight to see the acclaimed and Oscar Nominated '12 years a slave.'
Very much looking forward to it!
Very much looking forward to it!
Monday, February 10, 2014
Successful (ish) but very quick day
Wow very quick day today and got a few things done, jut so busy at the minute!
Still Bette to be busy than bored!
Off to Chiswick flat now to check out this damp! Literally the #longwayhome
Leaving Cannon Street now!
Still Bette to be busy than bored!
Off to Chiswick flat now to check out this damp! Literally the #longwayhome
Leaving Cannon Street now!
Tuesday, February 04, 2014
Tiredness
Has kicked in massively, but big time need to shake it off as have horse riding then dinner then northern lights by boat to try and enjoy!
Only 2 days left, been brilliant fun so far!
Only 2 days left, been brilliant fun so far!
Sunday, February 02, 2014
Reykjavik cathedral
You can travel to the top and take in the views of the town with the mountains in the background!
Really nice !
Wednesday, January 29, 2014
Tuesday, January 28, 2014
Yuk
I hate the smell of red bull and there's a man drinking it on the train! Can smell it from 6 ft away!
Tuesday, January 21, 2014
Monday, January 20, 2014
Thursday, January 16, 2014
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Urrgh
Just cannot get out of my midweek, mid January funk today! Home alone tonight, football in bed I think!
Tuesday, January 14, 2014
Monday, January 13, 2014
Waterloo and City line
Needs to sort it's life out...so busy and such a delay missed train at Waterloo so a 25 minute wait! Brilliant!
Sunday, January 12, 2014
Weekend fun
So all in all have been pretty happy with my efforts this weekend...ok Saturday morning I didn't achieve a thing apart from work off a hangover, but that's just life isn't it!
Friday night to celebrate our 6 years together, Amanda and I went to the wine bar in Surbiton for a quiet night, however, this actually turned into 4 large bottles of wine each and therefore following a bottle and a half of wine each we decided that a kebab and taxi was the main way to get home! Needless to say, despite being in bed by 10.30pm Saturday morning was a struggle!
As such it wasn't until 1pm that we decided to head to Croydon to search out HobbyCraft for the wedding invitation stuff. Although this was productive, so we headed to Kim's for a tea and a Louie cuddle before heading home for steak and 'The Hobbit' which on the whole wasn't as good as The Lord of the rings films in my view!
So Sunday am was more productive as managed a 20km bike around Richmond Park then hit Tesco's up to do the weekly shop in the normal Sunday chaos there! Back home for wedding stuff, then I plan to do a pork dinner in my new strive to cook the Sunday evening meal!
Back to work tomorrow, will hopefully not be too chaotic a week!
Friday night to celebrate our 6 years together, Amanda and I went to the wine bar in Surbiton for a quiet night, however, this actually turned into 4 large bottles of wine each and therefore following a bottle and a half of wine each we decided that a kebab and taxi was the main way to get home! Needless to say, despite being in bed by 10.30pm Saturday morning was a struggle!
As such it wasn't until 1pm that we decided to head to Croydon to search out HobbyCraft for the wedding invitation stuff. Although this was productive, so we headed to Kim's for a tea and a Louie cuddle before heading home for steak and 'The Hobbit' which on the whole wasn't as good as The Lord of the rings films in my view!
So Sunday am was more productive as managed a 20km bike around Richmond Park then hit Tesco's up to do the weekly shop in the normal Sunday chaos there! Back home for wedding stuff, then I plan to do a pork dinner in my new strive to cook the Sunday evening meal!
Back to work tomorrow, will hopefully not be too chaotic a week!
Tuesday, January 07, 2014
More rain
Are you kidding me! It seems like it's been raining for about 3 weeks now! It's just crazy!
Managed to sort out the blocked drain though, albeit will need to check in it on the weekend when I have some natural light!
Managed to sort out the blocked drain though, albeit will need to check in it on the weekend when I have some natural light!
Monday, January 06, 2014
Blocked Drain
Really looking forward to heading home tonight and trying to sort out the blocked drain outside the house! Imagine it's fat and hair...will be really nice to try and fix that I imagine! At least, finally, there's been a let up in the rain!
Sunday, January 05, 2014
Holy pissing rain...
Again! Unbelievably wet so it is at the minute...seems like we'll never see the sun again!
Friday, January 03, 2014
Day 2
First angry tweet sent to Southwest Trains! It's nothing but an adventure the old commuting game!
Thursday, January 02, 2014
Commuters
Happy New Year, another one of misery overcrowding and fare rises!
Perfect, on day 1 we're queuing round the block for the Waterloo and City line!
Perfect, on day 1 we're queuing round the block for the Waterloo and City line!
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