News Flash

On my latest trip to Sydney and Christchurch, I caught up with quite a bit that is happening around the world as well as some news that caught my attention.
This was further enhanced in Christchurch as I was woken up at 2am by a rowdy and drunken bunch who so happen to all congregate in the room next door, singing, talking, laughing while I had the pleasure to be part of it all courtesy of the paper thin walls.
I gave up trying to go back to sleep after enduring half an hour of the commotion and calling the reception proved fruitless. Started flipping through the papers to pass time while listening to music videos on TV.
Read about all the floods that are going on in the UK (their worst in 61 years), China, Indonesia, and Bangladesh, while heat waves and forest fires are killing and torturing people in Hungary and Greece. Down here in Australia, they are experiencing the coldest winter in 21 years, and Christchurch had a record -12 deg Celsius this winter too. All these news just make me feel that our earth is really getting sick, with natural disasters getting bigger in scale and all these ongoing erratic weather. Reminds me of this movie “An inconvenient truth” starring Al Gore that I recommend all to watch – it is not as boring as you think, and you will emerge knowing more than you asked for, but in a good way I promise. If all of us contribute to little gestures like having your own grocery bags (I think Germany is pretty good at enforcing that coz they charge you for every plastic bag you use. Learnt that during my 1st trip to Germany 5 years ago when I was wondering why my stuff are not put in bags, then I looked around and saw that most of the people have their own grocery bags. Had to ask the cashier for one without knowing I had to pay for it, was pretty embarrassing), the world may just breathe easier for our future generations. Part of me may be curious about experiencing the ice age, but on second thoughts, better not to be too curious about these things.

The city of Paris is also doing her bid to promote a green world, setting up more than 1400 stations with over 20000 bicycles available for loan. This way, you can keep fit and save the earth with less carbon emissions while commuting around the city.

Next up, dubai is in the talks of buying over Auckland international airport for NZ$2.6billion, and turning it to a regional hub for emirates’ expansion to the U.S. This caught my eye for the obvious reason, since I am working for the company.

It is no wonder so many people are killing and warring over where the oil is...dubai do not export much oil compared to their regional counterparts yet is already making enough money to be buying airports. Just last year, dubai also bought out the CIAS catering in Singapore. Well, at least they have the foresight to realize that oil is going to run out soon, so they are focusing on tourism and exercising their weight in the aviation business. Good for them.

Harry Potter mania is seizing the world with the launch of the final book as well as latest movie on the previous book. J.K. Rowling is really something, becoming the 1st billion-book author ever. In the U.S. alone, the book sold 8.3million copies in 24 hours! Yes, there is something obsessive about these numbers! Perhaps I should start reading them.

Do you know that Coca-Cola has this new energy drink called Mother?? I have never seen it! Bizarre name if you ask me…no wonder the drink is suffering fledgling sales.

Singapore airlines are auctioning off the 480 seats online for their maiden airbus 380 flight from Singapore to Sydney. Pretty curious how the response will be like on this one…I mean, after all the hype (more negative than positive ones with several delays of the delivery date due to technical problems), are you that desperate to get on one? Maybe I am more skeptical coz I am in this job, but to me it’s just a really big plane, with more people cramping together with you in a metal flying tube, nothing too exciting about that if you ask me. But that is just me…

Enough talking for now. Must go feed myself. Nice steak waiting to be cooked...

Firsts

Had my fair share of many 1sts this year, mostly happening in the last 3 months.
1st 10km jog – the longest I have done yet, though it did include walking little bits of it. Still pretty proud of my little feat, plus cheap thrill of crossing that double digit barrier.
1st time to Nice, Athens, Shanghai (so far), hoping to add more to the list by year end.
1st experience of having eye-lash extensions done, and now finding myself in a new conundrum of whether I should continue doing that, or just embrace what is given to me.
1st time to break the asian conservative mental barrier and hugged mummy with all my might, and know after I shall not stop at just that one, though mum was rather taken aback by the sudden gesture…it is after all a breakthrough from our normal hand holdings and friendly pats. I am so glad that I did it though, what better person than mummy to be sharing and giving your hugs to right.
1st time owner of Hermes, Fendi, Marc Jacobs, Longchamp (that is with mummy now coz she likes it) within the same month…gosh…one of my most extravagant months, still slogging away to rid that credit card bill.
1st time I did something stupid that nearly cost my life, and then grateful to have learnt one of the most important lessons from the experience.
1st traffic accident in dubai, and I am all alone that day! Scared the living daylights out of me when another car slammed into the taxi door as I opened it to get out, and I swear I did not see that coming when I checked for cars behind!
Then I somehow began to recall past 1sts…1st step, 1st word, 1st fall, 1st day at school, 1st tooth that fell, 1st birthday party, 1st time to come in 1st in class, 1st period (that was scary and bewildering since grandma reacted so happily to that and started calling everyone), 1st swim, 1st kiss, 1st crush, 1st love, 1st love at first sight, 1st heartbreak, 1st paycheck, 1st vacation, 1st job overseas, 1st time I saw snow, the list seems endless. We all have our own set of firsts, and they are all different.
Dunno what prompted me to be counting 1sts…but at the end of the day I am glad to be still in that stage of amassing 1sts in life…knowing there are many more to come for sure…before having to start counting lasts…then I began to wonder if life is such that the firsts and lasts are always the most memorable, and everything in the middle tends to being a blur. Then I thought no…the firsts and lasts may have their significance and meaning, but the strongest memories are more than often from emotional extremities and the “mosts” - that nastiest fall you had…the most embarrassing moment you had to endure, best night out, best trip, best meal, most beautiful sunset, just to name a few, and all the extremely happy, sad, magical moments in your life.
Memories - such powerful things, giving meaning, support, and comfort to each and every one of our unique lives. There is always something to rejoice about or learn from them.
What is one fond memory that came to your mind right this moment? Take some time to soak it up and indulge…

Shanghai

July 16th marks my 1st trip to Shanghai.
A cosmopolitan city compared to cultural Beijing and misty from the humid heat combined with pollution. As far as spitting/rudeness is concerned, it seems to fare marginally better than Beijing, though still bad I reckon! The public toilets, even at the high-end malls or restaurants are still unimaginably filthy and smelly according to Marilyn whom I went sight-seeing with, while I chose to persevere till back to own hotel room.
We saw the famous bund at night in the breeze and dazzling lights, noting the contrast of the old charming buildings against the skyscrapers and modern architecture on the other side. Could also hear the tasteless and “obiang” Chinese pop songs playing through loud speakers in the nearby landmark - pearl orient tower - which is adorned with glittering pseudo-disco lights at night. Decided not to go up the tower for the aerial view of the fast-growing city coz of the hazy weather, and the off-putting blaring music does not help too I guess. Was later rather shocked to discover the next morning that the tower is actually a rather unflattering pink and silver…hee…I may sound a tad too critical and biased here but you have to see it to understand.

Pretty happy to chance by Din Tai Fung, a Taiwanese restaurant chain, before we head back. Stuffed ourselves full with soup, dumplings, rice, pork, greens, and dessert!
Woke up early next morning for more sight-seeing and shopping. I had a vain attack and decided to wear my pretty Marc Jacobs ballet pumps over my comfy and reliable leather sandals coz I thought the former matched better with my clothes. What a disastrous and idiotic call!! Two hours into scouring the streets near Nanjing road, I was limping into watsons looking for band-aids to soothe my burst blisters on my heels when already disheveled and sweaty from the blistering summer heat.
Then came my second vain attack while picking out what band-aids to get (dun even ask what’s gotten into me that day coz I really dunno!). I was going to pick out the normal band-aids when I spotted these Disney cartoon ones made by 3M. Pondered for a moment and decided 3M can’t be bad since they are known to stick right? Wrong! I spent four times the price getting these cutesy looking strips that are going to be concealed anyway, walked 50 metres to find them rubbing off and tearing apart. Absolutely no cushioning let alone protect my blisters from getting worse. I sighed and whined and apologized to Marilyn for slowing us down with these unnecessary hiccups, thinking if only I had listened to instinct and wore my leather sandals instead.
Exasperated with own goofy-ness and dopey-ness, and also can’t take the abrasions no more, I walked into the first shop I saw that sells shoes in hope of finding a pair of flip-flops. Eventually settled with this pair of sandals that did ease my agony for the rest of the day. Not the best looking ones I know but they are really comfortable, and I was desperate with the capital letter D.

We also find ourselves constantly fighting off aggressive and so-in-your-face hassles chanting and nagging us to go to their nearby shops to look at all their fake guccis and pradas. These “scouts”, they could spot us a mile away and will immediately charge toward our direction, blocking our path and churning out all the brands they know in machine-gun speed. Now, this was something I was not expecting because I thought I looked the same (I am also Chinese!) and could blend in easily…so wrong…again…

I got to a point when I got into this mental shut-down mode and simply refused to acknowledge their presence.
Took the train back to an air-conditioned mall and sought comfort to a nice lunch and later dessert from a famous Hong Kong chain that we happen to pass by much to our delight. While waiting for our lunch I decided to take a “memorial” shot to mark my stupid vanity. I pulled out a fresh Disney band-aid, plastered it to my arm and posed for a picture for the fun of it. That one really stuck like a true 3M tape I must say, without the friction rubbing from anything that is…and no wound.

Must say this is a pretty funny and haphazard 1st trip, would love to do more sight-seeing and taste more local dishes. I bid the city farewell (for now) with a new bag for 50dh (neither gucci nor prada), 5 big packs of sesame dumplings, another big pack of meat dumplings, fishballs, and century eggs (that got confiscated by dubai customs apparently with new avian flu restrictions?!). Oh, and a couple of pieces of clothing from Zara sale – yes…we went to Zara…!

A chocolate tale

I had a godiva chocolate in my pocket. It is one of my favourites - 50% dark chocolate square – from the assorted box on flight. The other day, I saved it specially to go with my black tea after the hectic service.
I took the first bite, a tiny one since it’s just a small piece, and coz I wanted to savour it to the max. Just as I was feeling the pleasures coming through and having my tastebuds teased, I sensed a whiff and poof!...my chocolate has been snatched from my hands by my purser who then swiftly tossed it into the bin, all within a split second.
?!?!?!?!?! was my expression while still having chocolate melting in my mouth, and speechless of course by this sudden bizarre act.
“You worked too hard in the gym this morning for this!” – came the justification in a loud, clear and very righteous tone.

Okieeee….I did bump into my purser as I was running on the treadmill earlier. My first option was to hit the pool but to my dismay it was jammed packed. By the time I dallied back to my room and changed to my running gear, I realized I had only 30mins to jog before I had to get ready for flight. The point is, I then bumped into her while halfway through my jog.
Little did I know this little encounter was going to cost my precious chocolate later that day.

So – I guessed she meant well although I thought it’s a bit too harsh and pro-active on her part to pull that act on me. I just blinked in reaction to her explanation. Could not say anything for two seconds except look in the direction of the bin and secretly mourning for my loss knowing that was the last one in the box. Still reeling a bit since my logic is that I actually deserved that piece of chocolate more because I worked out. Almost wanted to say that out in defence but held back, as the damage was already done and won’t bring my chocolate back. Furthermore, do not see the point in starting an argument about this seemingly petty matter since we barely knew each other except from this flight, and she was unaware that I worship food, and jogging for me is really more a bid to keep fit rather than diet or lose weight.
What can I say, but manage a weak “thank-you” and that subtle “I guess I need people like you in my life” for a small sarcasm to ease self. Next time, if I ever fly with her again, I will just make sure my chocs are out of sight away from her.

Singapore National Song

This is sent to me by a dear fren wenwei, touching especially being away from home...do take a look if u have a few minutes to spare...missing sin...

Athens

The famous one...

Dionysos theatre

Emilyn and me

The illegal pic - got told off by guards for sitting there!

Finally got to fly to Athens after 5.5 years with emirates!
4 hours after take-off I am welcomed by clear summer skies and green mountainous terrains littered with houses, mostly white. Still kind of feel like ancient Greece for some reason, except with more modern buildings and definitely more houses.
Dashed out to the famed acropolis upon reaching hotel, feelings of excitement and anticipation rising, wanting to absorb into the culture and land as much as I can in the next 24 hours.
My camera already fully charged the previous night in preparation for massive shutter-bugging, track shoes to maneuver the uneven terrains as pre-warned by a pal, bottle of water to combat the summer heat and my active sweat glands, plus I have Emilyn (a fellow Singaporean) as company cum tour guide (she’s been to acropolis twice before), and I am all set!
Acropolis is in the midst of restoration thus there are scaffolding everywhere. Nevertheless, it is still a pretty sight, especially when we made our way to the top, plus all the scenic views of the city to feast our eyes on. Lots of ruins of course, somehow still charming in their bits and pieces, the theatres, the temples, the statues, all set amongst lush greeneries and hills.
And boy was it hot, and the sun seemed to get more merciless as we ascend! I cannot fathom being dressed in long sleeves and pants in this weather like the Japanese tourists we saw everywhere, but I really won’t mind the hats and umbrellas after half an hour. All of them have hats and umbrellas! My lines of defense were merely my sunnies and rapidly depleting tissue papers. We took advantage of every shade or shadow for a breather, and ahh-ed with relief for every bout of breeze that passed.
3.5 hours of exploring later, we emerged from acropolis, all sunned-out, hungry, sticky with sweat, and haggard and sore from all the walking and climbing. Despite all, we felt accomplished! Even Emilyn saw some sights that she missed on previous trips.

We then wandered to the lively markets off monastiraki. Had some yummy grilled corn, got my name in greek on a leather bracelet, an ethnic necklace to match my Grecian style dress, and 1kg of cherries for only 1.50 euros – my star buy!! Needed food desperately, so when we spotted Macdonalds, I begged Emilyn to go in and leave the greek cuisine to the next day instead. The greeks must love their mayonnaise coz the default question for sauce is mayonnaise or ketchup, and I have never seen such a huge packet of mayonnaise being meted out in all the Mackers I have been to all over the world. Another thing – they give out this tiny plastic fork for the fries, and I am only more than happy to oblige using it.
We explored around till about 9pm (the day is still bright, would not have realized if we did not check our watches) and fatigue began to take over. Fell asleep to one of the most comfy beds ever amongst all the destinations we fly to – and it is not my fatigue deluding my judgement I swear!
One peculiar thing I noticed about the hotel (Ledra Marriott) though, is that they left their feedback form on the bedside as well as in the bathroom beside the toilet seat. Hee, I thought its pretty original…guess they figured we could use some time helping them out on how to improve their services whilst doing number two.
Determined not to leave Greece without tasting the feta cheese and the souvlaki, I ordered room service the next day and had a blissful meal. The pork souvlaki is just heaven, you just know the greeks love their meat, and the feta so smooth and melting, even the pitta bread is unfaultable for a rice eater like me. I ate them all up without guilt as I already made up for my feast with a stint at the gym in the morning.
Still missed the Olympic stadium, the temple of zeus, the parliament house, some museums, and the islands off the saronic gulf. Have to leave them till next time…I underestimated the multiple sights in Athens as I read through the guide book before snoozing off.
By the way, another discovery is that the bag and jewellery brand Follie Follie is actually from Greece! Did not get a chance to visit the boutique will definitely do that on my next trip!

Dream

I dreamt of daddy last night. He looked well.
The whole family went out for dinner.
It’s good to see him again. It’s been several months since my last dream of him.
He did not talk much, but that is how he has always been.
Quiet, hardworking, wanting to provide the best for the family, always awkward to show his love being the traditional Chinese man, yet I just know he always have much much more to offer beneath that reserved self.
He doted on us. Ecstatic when I passed my PSLEs and GCE with flying colours and was amongst the top10% national level, like I am fulfilling something that he did not get a chance to when young. The 1st time I won an essay writing competition in primary 3, I gave him my prize, a parker pen, which he treasured so much he never used it until the ink has gone all dry.
He drove me to school every time I overslept, and I oversleep everyday at one stage so he can drive me. He will get up no matter how tired, and I was too young and insensible to take into consideration he works 15-hour days 24-7, except during Chinese new year. Still, he always obliged.
I took him out on a stroll during his last days around the garden of the hospice he was in. We met a few strangers along the way, and he will tell each of them, eyes filled with pride, “this is my daughter”. I will never forget the look on his face, and how it filled my heart with both tears of joy and sadness that day.
He passed shortly after, 2 months shy of my 21st. I was on the way home after an overnight watch as mum and bro had arrived to take over. When I received the call, I can’t remember how long I froze for, nor did I remember how I made it back to the hospital.
I did not cry, as much as I wanted to, even made some relatives angry at my “indifference”. Then, right till the 5th day, the moment we had to turn our backs so that his coffin is being lifted to the crematorium, it finally hit me that he is gone for real. Like something being unleashed inside me, I poured my heart out till it’s hollow.
Daddy, I am still sorry that I was not there with you when you drew your final breath. I am still angry at myself sometimes for missing such an important moment, or not taking in the cue that maybe you did not want me to go, with your big bright eyes just starring at me that morning when I said I am going home. Sometimes I ask why me? Wrote you letters about it…but now I try to tell myself it is your love for me that did not bear to want me watch you go…
Please come visit me often pappy…pappy - that is what I used to call him. I wish to share my dreams with you in my dreams, and know that you are doing okay from time to time, and give you lots of cuddles.

Nip/Tuck

Finished season 4 recently.
This is a show revolving around two plastic surgeons in Miami, supposedly an extremely looks-obsessed city where keeping up appearances are so paramount it has become a cult.
After the initial attraction of the yummy looking plastic surgeons, as well as this controversial social issue that the show debates on about our modern world, I begin to wonder why I like the show so much.
“Tell me what you don’t like about yourself” – the one line you will always hear but never tire of. On the contrary, it’s always with great anticipation for some of the most outrageous plots that will ensue.
As Dr Troy puts it, “beauty is pain. Suck it up!” Says so much in these six little words. Trying to bring out the best of what is god-given to you is not good enough for some. In the pursuit of beauty and seeking perfection, many lost their way and missed their life in return.
On the other hand, it’s also a pretty screwed up show and makes you laugh at its atrocities, but at the same time feels astonishingly real too in between those black humor. Maybe it’s true that life is indeed stranger than fiction sometimes.
Full of colourful and unforgettable characters…the man who wants to look like his puppet, the sudden-wealth lottery winner who ended up losing everything that meant something to her, the lonely wife who got her nipple bitten off whilst trying to engage in unthinkable acts with her rottweiler…
Also being reminded that plastic surgery is not just for the vain and rich, but necessary and life-changing for those with real disabilities, though this is often less glorified than the former. Burn or deformed victims, clef chins, a new pair of boobs or balls after beating cancer for that necessary self-boost, altering appearances to evade psychos or in the name of love as silly as it may sound…
There is beauty, skin, gross, suspense, romance, drama, family, humor all wrapped in one whopper of TV entertainment.

So much being said, I am not an active advocate for plastic surgery. Having lash extensions recently is as far and invasive as I will go, and trust me I am suffering for that in exchange of the compliments! There are definitely parts of me that I am not happy with but I’ll live and make peace with them through little whines from time to time. Add to that I have began to start feeling the onset of aging process and slowing metabolism at 281/2, I just wish to inherit mum’s good genes and age naturally with grace, without a scalpel near me unless it’s a life threatening situation.
In fact, I feel that the show only discourages any thoughts of doing a liposuction or nose job once you are being exposed to the explicit procedures time and again, which makes even a self-proclaimed horror sucker like me cringe without fail in every episode.

I once had a friend tell me that people like shows like seinfield coz the characters are such losers. Niptuck is sort of a show full of losers trying to win, prove their worth. Do we all derive some comfort and satisfaction watching people screw up in shows as a relation back to our own lives? Or use that to feel better about ourselves? But aren’t we all flawed in some way? In life we can never always expect to win. We will all have loser moments, so maybe being able to see that on shows keeps the perspective real. As much as I adore and prefer happy endings, life is not just made of fairytales.
The obsession with physical beauty has reached alarming heights in our times. Celebrities are portraying a skewed image of the definition of what looks good, causing many young gals and boys to emulate a negative body image. Anorexia and bulimia are new age diseases in developed countries while the bigger half of the world is starving.
But then again, throughout history people have sacrificed and died for vanity. Pride is one of the seven deadly sins and closely related to vanity. Like it or not, it’s in all of us to want to look good, only variance is the extent you will go for it.

Hence, for a show revolving around such sheer superficiality, it actually found its way deep into me with the lessons along the way.
Although beauty has its advantages and power, it is really what is in you that counts and shines at the end of the day. Beauty does work in mysterious ways, thus the saying “beauty lies in the eye of the beholder”. As long as you have a good heart, your beauty will shine through eventually, and that is one beauty that will withstand the test of time and stay with you eternally.

These 3 days...

Itchy backside wants to run out and embrace all the sales…then tell self to transfer all the extra energy on the treadmill instead, but body will rebel and get stuck to veg position…watched a whole bunch of movies after finishing niptuck…sleeping pattern is so out of whack the days literally become nights, I sleep only from dawn till dusk.
Filled brain with all these dialogues from the shows, feeling pretty moronic at one stage I was tempted to knock own brain to see if there is any more of me left in it. Dragging self out of bed to shower is a chore, but will always thank self for it after. Realized that do what I do long enough and anyone will easily sink into a temporary depression, even with the slightest good intentions in mind at the beginning.
I should be well rested, but I am still tired. No point lamenting when time is already spent.
Doing nothing is more tiring than doing something I learnt.
So I shall start, better late than never right…chatted with friends online and on the phone, packed up the room and for the trip tomorrow, and hello treadmill here I come!

stuck in dubai...

As frustrated as I am for not being able to go back to sin on my 3 off days coz of summer holidays and overfilled flights, I have decided not to fight it anymore, accept the fact after initial mourning period this morning, and see what good I can make out of this time off instead.

Went to supermarket and bought a bunch of stuff. 1st off…making chicken soup, easy and fuss free and filled with ingredients that I love like tofu, mushrooms, veggies, onions. I got a little carried away and overfilled the pot. The picture you see here is after 2 servings coz too busy and flustered just now to think of taking pictures. I will be full of soup in the next few days since no one is around to share the load. Good thing soup tends to get better overnight I console self.

Also got popcorn in preparation for chasing nip/tuck season 4 and a bunch of new movies; cherries, apples and melon for healthy snacks (I do try…); milk, yogurt and cereal for nutritious start; ribena to fight with recent diet coke addiction; cup noodles for my Paris flight on the 8th which so happens to be a Sunday (they know I need to save!).
In addition, aim to go to gym at least twice during these 3 days with all the vegging and pigging out.
Just to camp at home, avoid shopping malls and blistering heat outside, read and watch serials and exercise and eat for the next 3 days!! Most friends are not around anyway, so will take it as a break for self.
My laptop will be my boyfriend. Keep me company in case I got sick of doing anything mentioned above…take me wherever I want to go in cyberspace while keeping in touch with friends online.
Perhaps, 3 days will be gone in a blink…then I know at least that will mean I enjoyed myself. If not, you will hear more from me.

Powerpuff Nite

The powerpuff gals finally managed to be in town at the same time (at last!!) so must hurry to meet.
Picked a nice French restaurant called café chic so can catch up properly with good food and chocolate dessert. Service is immaculate with finesse and flair apart from the philipino waitress’s accent (god bless her she is sweet and nice but we just can’t help it with her “fan-pried fish”). Yummy bread even for a non-bread eater like moi…and all the little chef’s compliments peppering between our orders in famous French portions and style.
Had a great evening exchanging powerpuff gossip and teasing one another with own unique super power whilst making up for lost time over last 3 weeks. In addition, purple powerpuff updates about new guy on the block; red powerpuff is updating her wardrobe for her hot date in London; yellow powerpuff is blabbering about everything under the sun.

Finally had enough of a growingly obnoxious table at the other end of the restaurant and went to trader vic’s instead at madinat jumeirah. This may be an equivalent to a Monday night in most countries but trader vics is pumping with latino heat and passion. Ordered the infamous potent cocktails while enjoying music and company.
I found my new love called Singapore symphony, so yummy I finished the whole cocktail, feeling a little closer to home while sipping away, thinking I will be fine coz I already lined my tummy with French food. Yet, to my surprise, I still end up puking on the way to the carpark, at the toilet in the men’s prayer room!...sigh…this is only after ONE cocktail! Maybe I over-ate, maybe I am just getting worse (my yardstick of 3 smiroff ice given by a friend needs to be re-written soon).
Luckily I have my powerpuff gals to make sure I arrive home nice and safe. Now I am awake, with no hangover and ready to conquer the world with the powerpuffs again today!

Mauritius

Just got back from this small exotic piece of heaven thanks to standby duty.
Haven’t been there for almost 4 years. Flight is normally full of honeymooners or holiday makers. It is about 6 hours directly south of dubai surrounded by the Indian ocean, and the official language there is French.
Nothing has changed there all these time, apart from the refurbished airport. The pace there is still pleasantly idyllic. The same bus with the luggage rack on the roof…I always worry for whoever is lifting those suitcases up, but luckily our layover there is only a short 12 hours so most of us should have nothing in our bags apart from bikinis or pyjamas or both.
We still drive through a maze of corn fields before reaching the same beautiful hotel where you will be greeted by a smiling local serving you a refreshing fruit punch as you wait to check in to spacious rooms with balconies and big bathrooms.
As braindead and sleep-deprived as I was, there’s no time to waste! We have about 10 hours to go to the beach, have lunch and sleep before wake-up call. Azlinda and me managed to get connecting rooms. We changed into our beach gear and made a beeline for a spot in the sun. It was raining and cloudy when we landed but by the time we checked in the sun has decided to give us a glorious day instead.

I have not seen Azlinda for almost 4 years too…the last and only trip we did together was a SIN-BNE when we were still in business class...one of those memorable flights. She is one of those people whom you rarely see each other but will remember forever and still click like bosom buddies, talking and laughing non-stop. She is getting married on the 28th this month. You have all my blessings gal!
Azlinda is a regular on Mauritius trips. She took me to her favourite spot just two minutes away from our rooms. It’s a nice little stretch of beach enclosure about 10 metres wide with calm and clear blue waters, coconut trees, and sun chairs. There was no one else so we felt like its our private beach for the nest few hours. I was happily snapping away with new camera while soaking in the sun and sea. And guess what? There are no sand flies!! Life is bliss!
We bought accessories and beach bags from local vendors who comb the beach routinely. To think I will be safe in Mauritius from shopping…fat hope!! I spent my entire allowance plus 30 euros on 2 bracelets and 3 necklaces. Sigh…I am incurable to shopping. But I have to say these are some of the nicest stone and shell pieces I have seen, just have to bring them back with me!
It’s a happy day for the vendors too, as this is the 1st sunny day after a week of rain.
We tanned and chatted and bargained for our purchases for 3 hours before hunger beckoned and had to leave our little haven ever so unwillingly to seek food.
Would love to do some water sports that are all complimentary to hotel guests, but I have already extended my time of consciousness to the limit, and it’s time to shower and get some needed snooze before we head back to dubai’s oven heat.
Close to pick-up time, I arrived at the hotel lobby to romantic live music at the bar nearby. The sun has gone to sleep, perfect ambience to cosy up and relax with a loved one after a day in the sun…glad I am not alone and have my fun crew to sing along to “with or without you” and “fields of gold”.
I had a short but sweet stay, and did not get burned in the sun. Still, Mauritius is one of those places that I wish I can linger longer…but its farewell for now...