Birthday Party No.1

I have decided that turning fifty calls for celebrating not just once but in many of my favourite places around the globe. Ka Jok See in Phuket is probably my best party venue in the whole world; so it was fitting to have the first party there. It's really hard to capture the marvel of the place in mere words and pictures but we did have a superb time as usual. Thanks Ka Jok See and friends, Robyn, Robin, Hanli, Andrew and Nikki, for  a great fun night!

Sailing and Diving and Song Kran

Nikki joined us from Perth for a few days of good diving at the Similan Islands, followed by five days of wonderful sailing with Rob and Andries. We sailed around Pang -Na Bay; stopping at PiPi island, Krabi and a few smaller islands. What a great trip! One afternoon we sailed through a big and beautiful rain storm, with lightening flashing all around and I found it oddly calming just being at the mercy of Mother Nature. It brought home the idea that worrying too much about something you have little or no control over is pointless. Another great  life lesson brought to me courtesy of travel and one that was about to come in very handy!
Thai New Year or Song Kran,(water festival) is celebrated around 13 April each year. In Phuket and especially Patong, this translates into a 48 hour water pistol fight and crazy party.One Nikki followed on from  the other Nikki as our party partner and we just kept going until we staggered onto a plane bound for SA on 15 April.

Phuket again

It's one of our  many 'home away from homes". As soon as we get to Capri Residence in Nanai Rd, Patong, we regret not having planned to stay much longer. Davide and Mui are happy to see us, the motorbike rental is opposite, the laundry service is two doors down and the best massage in the whole of Thailand is just down the road. Then it's off to lunch at Song Pee Nong, where we are greeted as long lost friends. We were surprised to see that our favourite sunset cocktail bar has been upgraded into the Barefoot Bar, with live acoustic music every evening now. Of course not all the crazy building and development going on in Phuket is good and there's a feeling that it's just getting too busy now! Blame it on the BRICS countries producing millions of new tourists every year who are looking for cheap and easy international destinations.The most exciting discovery for us this year was that the proposed development at Laem Sing Beach has been canned for the time being; so we were able to enjoy our favourite Thai beach for another year.Tums Bar is still hanging in there on Soi Seadragon but Mike and the band are somewhat drowned out by blaring music from the bars opposite, so he only starts playing at midnight now! We met baby Joshua; and hung out with proud grandparents Robyn and Robin.We loved having Hanli and Andrew join us for a week. It's great when "guests" are so enthusiastic and just enjoy themselves so much. We ate at beach shacks,drank through cocktail menus, rode on scooters,chatted to lady boys, stayed up till after 2am, listened to heavy music,shopped and had massages and facials.You don't have to do "nothing" to de-stress; you just have to do "different"!

Singapore on the rise

We love going back to Singapore every year to catch up with friends. Singapore is probably our best foodie city in the world; from Hawker Centres and Food Courts to the finest range of Asian and International Cuisine. We have our old favourites like Dim Sum at Din Tai Fung and "Better than you ever get in India" Indian food at Delhi in Race Course Road. Then it's on to Japanese, Vietnamese and Korean; followed by Chinese and Singaporean before attempting anything Western. We like to be here for Chinese New Year, so we can enjoy the Yu Sheng; which is not only supremely tasty but also brings you luck and prosperity for the coming year! What amazes us each year is how Singapore is constantly on the move. Everything changes and develops and this includes the restaurant and nightlife scene. What's in today is gone tomorrow and it has to be exceptional to endure.We loved all day breakfast at Wild Honey and lunch at Cocotte at the Wunderlust Hotel in Little India. The constant construction and redevelopment all over Singapore is amazing. We enjoyed the new Marina Bay Gardens - in fact we enjoyed the whole Marina Bay development; so typically Singaporean - very well done, no expense spared but sometimes lacking authenticity and soul.