No Place Like Travel

It’s been almost 10 years since we’ve visited Hong Kong and it all feels familiar and new at the same time. I remember the buildings and the lights, the smells and the sound. I’ve forgotten the grime and the dirt, the inability of people to walk in a straight trajectory and the desire of pedestrians to find space where none exists. This was my home many moons ago, and where I met some of my favorite people in the whole entire world. We are staying with one of them right now and it still feels as if time has not missed a beat. 

Wonderfully familiar territory…

…with tiny elevators

Not sure if low visibility is caused by fog, smog or a combo of both

A trip down memory lane…or more precisely a ride up escalator alley

Onward and upward

One hell of a job to maneuver the beast

All this banking, sightseeing and exploring is hard work

A more secure pillow fort

Making dinner with groceries from Aeon

Only Donna Deal would buy 8kgs of haloumi and 200 bottles of wine

Hong Kong by night

Yesterday’s post:

Tomorrow’s post:

Enjoying some much needed R&R at our lovely villa. So very glad we chose to stay here. Thank you to all our Facebook friends who gave us advice on whether an open swimming pool would be a hazard for an eight month old baby. The wonders of technology, allowing us to crowdsource an answer. 

Hello sunshine

Nap time now

Sweet potato for my sweet boy

Bringing home the goodies

More snacks

More napping

Hot stone rub down

And a delicious dip

Followed by a yummy (dark) dinner at the Bvlgari Resort

With my fabulous boys

Yesterday’s post: Love And Marriage

Tomorrow’s post:

I have known my Dear Kinder Friend since I was three. It has been a connection that spans continents, schools, companies and the passing of time. He played the song that I walked down the aisle to, and today I feel so blessed to share another milestone with him. His marriage to his soul mate. To my Dear Kinder Friend and his Missus, may the stars in the heavens shine upon you and happiness touch every day. 

Just chillin’

Enjoying the villa

Hello Babysitter Jawick

Off to breakfast

So nice to have an extra pair of hands (thx for the recommendation Party Marty)

Greeted by devilish smiles

So happy to be carried

Just over the back fence

Playing with Gong Gong’s girlfriend

Learning about hydrology

Mastering the two handed maneuver

Pool time pre wedding fun

Checking out Uncle Nik’s man jewelry

Waiting for the bus

The dress fits!…just

Enroute in traffic

Finally made it

Daddy please…

Hmmm!

Last minute prep

The longest wait

For his perfect soulmate

Lighting up the night

Local delicacies

A few drinks down the line

Wedding favors…

…with sagely advice

Second wind for the party boy

About to turn into late night pumpkins

Yesterday’s post: Bali High

Tomorrow’s post:

Bali was never on my list of places to go. Growing up in Australia, Bali was where the lager louts and bogans went for their corn roll braid holidays. Sort of like what the trashy Ibiza party crowd is to the English. But as I’ve learned over the last year to never say never. We are here for my Dear Kinder Friend’s wedding and I’m loving being in the heat and mess and smell of Indonesia. Having crowd sourced the decision to stay in a gorgeous villa with a private pool, we find ourselves amongst old friends. Over 25 years and still recognizable. Connections renewed, it is now time to play. 

A view from the top

Heading off to explore

Loving the sights and smells

And sounds and the craziness

May be a killer in more ways than one

What would Kentucky think?   

Traditional breakfast with an old family friend

Love checking out the local supermarket

You never know what you will find

Not surprising we got lost finding the villa last night

Going for the mini me camouflage look

Meeting up at Finns Bar

A long way down for a cocktail on the beach

Thank goodness for the mechanical intervention

Quick selfie plus one

Perfectly timed around the torrential storm

Maybe the crab ran off with English Hubby’s fitbit

Big hugs from a Starr

Not your average night in Bali

Yesterday’s post: Last Day Of An Amazing Year

Tomorrow’s post:

It’s been one of the best years of my life. Our little cherub arrived, we have each other, our health and the freedom to roam. I wake each morning feeling incredibly fortunate, blessed with more than I could ever ask for. Part wondering what we have done to be deserving and every ounce grateful. My artist friend Deb selects a word each year. Following in her footsteps my word for 2015 is “balance”. Being in equilibrium, at that continually changing point where things are harmonious, where the moment matters and is effortless in a positive way. Bring on 2015. 

We’ve managed to accumulate more stuff. Packing fast after a late wake up

Dearest Banana knows English Hubby well! Thank you my dear friend xx

Off to Sydney Bec’s for a quick drink and tips on navigating Bali immigration. Poor little Cousin curly Kiwi Frog lapping up his Panadol

Old and new friends, and can’t wait to meet the soon to arrive little one

Off to Bali. Safety first!

Do I really need this mummy?!

Our happy little traveler 

Lines aren’t too bad

Getting ripped off by the taxi driver – 275,000 rupees or bust

Fireworks over the horizon. Just don’t hold them.

Starting the new year with a swim in our pool. Thank you for an amazing year, and looking forward to 2015 with open arms

Yesterday’s post: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Tomorrow’s post:

English Hubby and I first met in Singapore over 12 years ago, when I gate crashed a leaving do he had organized for a team member of his. My Dear Kinder Friend had invited me, and coincidently it is to his wedding that we will be traveling to in Bali, in a few days’ time. Talk about things coming full circle. 

Now we revisit Singapore married and all grown up with a baby in tow, for a sticky walk down memory lane. So many days and nights we had both spent on this tiny island city. Working for various clients, getting up to mischief late into the night and early into the morning. Back then Singapore was a little backwater, starting to make its way onto the international scene. Now it feels like it’s all grown up too. 

Leaving his mark on Banana’s fridge

Cool new toys!

So very excited to get going and see some of the old hang outs. Looking forward to Hainese Chicken Rice at the bakery

Not as excited as mummy

Turns out the chicken rice place is not open until lunch time, so we follow another recommendation

Traditional street food breakfast – nasi goreng, kaya toast, half boiled eggs, sweet tea and milo

Baby Boy O is really loving it

Can’t get enough!

Off to explore our old hang outs

Everything has changed. From bars to restaurants. From single to married plus baby!

Finally awake from his jet lagged sleep

Loving the baby change facilities at Raffles Plaza Shopping Mall

Indulging in a bit of shopping

Touristing around the arts center durian

Getting creative

Many months spent working in the financial district and Shenton Way 

Landmarks

Found our way to the beautiful Fullerton Quay hotel

Anyone dare to pull the white string?

Old fashioned selfie

Picnic lunch with throbbing techno music

Getting some tropical papaya action

Environmentally conscious Singapore

All new (to us) Marina Bay Sands

Seriously, what’s with these selfie sticks?!

Oh no! Recycling gone too far

Walking, walking, walking

Over the bridge and far away

Admiring the lotus position

Ship ahoy!

High flyer

Creativity on the walls

Rest break, enjoying the Singaporean version of Glee Club

Learning about GrabTaxi, Comfot, Hailo and Uber

Surprise!

Instant cuddles

Thank you for my ang pow Khoo Poh and Uncle

Two things off the check list – Hainese chicken rice and satay

So heartwarming to see Cousin “Charles” and his family

Baby Boy O surrounded by lovely ladies

Little cuddle with Uncle SK

More cuddles with Khoo Poh

See you all soon…maybe in Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, America…?

Hope the wind doesn’t change Miss C3

Yesterday’s post: Made It To Singapore…Finally

Tomorrow’s post:

I’ve heard of Sleepless in Seattle, but never thought I’d be delayed in Doha! Thank goodness for middle eastern hospitality. Doha International was an oasis, compared to American airports. Nice clean family change rooms, places to comfortably rest, service with a smile, people who know what their doing. I think they should base the next reality TV season of Survivor in JFK. That is enough to make contestants cry. 

Diaper change time

Those men are just so loud, here’s a place to escape

Talk about awesome

Exploring the terminal. Not everyday you see a giant yellow teddy bear

Doing quite well given its about 2am London time

You’ve got to be sh*tting me. Now a 4.5 hour delay?!

Off to have a nap in the quiet room

Lunch / dinner / whatever at Marche. Not sure that time it is, nor do I want to know

With my superstar traveller

And finally we are on board…Singapore here we come!

Yesterday’s post: Farewell a England, For Now

Tomorrow’s post:

Airline tickets are now booked. In December we will depart on the next leg of our nomadic lives, with stops in London, Singapore, Bali, Sydney, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Los Angeles and back to Dallas to resume our road trip. 91 days hopping countries, and continents via plane. Lugging baggage and adjusting to time zones with a little one in tow. All I can say is thank goodness for our brilliant travel agent who helped us through a monumental booking exercise – juggling a multi-city gig, making flight times as reasonable as possible and planning with precision to avoid rush hour traffic en route. As John “Hannibal” Smith of the A-Team genre use to say, I love it when a plan comes together. 

Really looking forward to quality time with family and friends all round the world. 

• Thanksgiving in Dallas: ~24 Nov to 1 Dec
• Christmas in London: 1 Dec to 27 Dec
• Years’ end in Singapore: 28 Dec to 31 Dec
• Wedding in Bali: 31 Dec to 7 Jan
• Sun n Surf in Sydney: 7 Jan to 13 Jan
• Chinese New Year in Melbourne: 13 Jan to 23 Feb
• Hanging out in Hong Kong: 23 Feb to 28 Feb
• Lounging around Los Angeles: 28 Feb to 2 Mar
• Returning to the RV in Dallas: 2 Mar onwards, heading east

Planing frenzy: Tickets – check. Travel insurance – check. Request for bulk head bassinet seats – in progress. Visas – to do…