Beautiful Bali

I really believe this is my most favourite place on the planet so far.  If I ever disappear, I'll be found sipping Strawberry Daiquiries on a beach here, under a palm tree, soaking up the sun and admiring the view.  We 'discovered' Bali last year and chose to visit again - totally against the Williams philosophy of see it, enjoy it, move on.  This year's choice of destination was based on advice from a friend or two.  So it was then, that at 5pm one evening, we landed in the Big Bird which had brought us from Tokyo to Denpasar.

Our villa was stunning - even in the dark - which it was when we arrived due to a delay at Narita.  There were two huge bedrooms either side of a large lounge area (outdoors, but covered) and the private pool for our sole use.  Oh gosh, this was certainly the life and we quickly settled into it!  The bed was a bit of a shock to both Dave and me - it had a bit sticking out the bottom which got both of us on the shin so for the rest of our holiday we had a big purple bruise developing on our legs.  Togetherness..?!

We didn't 'do' an awful lot. We did not want to spend time in a hot stuffy car or wander about in hot, dusty towns.

We had massages and pedicures almost daily - they were so cheap and so accessible. We discovered the best places to eat, we met with friends who had also chosen Seminyak as their holiday destination, we found a fabulous beach, enjyoyed the ocean which on occasion could accommodate novice surfers too and loved our leisurely swims in the villa pool. We drank champage, enjoyed the local beer - Bintang, ate beef rendang and sate as well as amazing foie gras and lamb. We listened to music and yes... I even listened to the Archers and skyped family, courtesy of wifi in the place.  We relaxed and chilled and recovered from what we both decided had been quite a year.  The earthquake had taken its toll on both of us in different ways and it was a real joy to finally put that behind us and add it to our life experience list!



By our pool



On the beach at Legian

View from the front door

Frangipani blossoms

On the street in Seminyak

Street view

Oh to be in England

Hmm, yes, I thought it would be lovely too.  The weeks leading up to our return were warm and sunny - even the odd suggestion of a hosepipe ban - always a sign of real, summer weather.  July 9th 2011 we arrived at Heathrow.  It was raining and, to be honest, it stayed that way rpetty much all the way through.

There was an unusual glitch with the hire car which saw us leaving LHR a little later than we would have wished but we still arrived in Cheltenham by 7pm which was something of a miracle.  We were met by our lovely host, Lindy, who had prepared the 'garden' apartment in her amazing, Georgian home by filling the fridge and putting the heating on!  Lovely.  Had a quick look round - absolutely delightful and the bath?  Well, Romanesque and a jacuzzi to boot.  It was a little chilly in there though and I did manage to put bubble bath in it which I discovered was not such a good idea - the Magic Porridge Pot sprang to mind as I leapt about trying to stop the bubbles from flowing onto the floor.

We soon settled in, learnt how to light the fire and work the oven - all the important things in life.  Our time in Cheltenham was delightful.  We thought we knew it quite well but we found some fabulous places to eat and really enjoyed our stay with the close proximity to the M5 it was a perfect place to base ourselves.  I did suggest we might like to live there when we get back from our travels but it isn't near enough to the sea.

We met up with family and friends and had a wonderful time.  Dave's birthday was celebrated with his son and daughter in law and we went to Blancs Brasserie.  There's a story in here - you might have guessed.  Nic is allergic to many things and has the good sense to bring a list with her when she eats out.  We gave the list which included things like nuts and plums and cherries, to the waiter at Blancs and they did very well to start with.  Then we got to dessert.  Nic chose an apple crumble.  The meu described it and there was no mention of nuts of any kind.  Fortunately, Dave rather liked the look of it and tried a mouthful.  "Er... are those almonds?" He asked Nic.  Well, the panic that then set in.  Nic had to take her medication quickly to prevent a bad reaction, Lee was very concerned about his wife, Dave was furious with the restaurant and told them so very quietly and politely but with that look on his face - yes, THAT one!  Trysh, forever the first aider was watching Nic carefully to see if she might go into shock and was fully prepared to do the 999 thing..  All very scarey.  Fortunately there were no really bad effects - Nic did have a reaction but it was containable - thank goodness. The upside, and there had to be one, was that we had a free lunch for four people with drinks on Blancs.  They were very concerned about it all and very apologetic.  I must say however that that really isn't good enough for any restaurant, let alone one of Blancs calibre, and the nuts should have been highlighted on the menu.  Note to self - I must check to see if they have made changes to the menu.

A Day at the Rugby 2 July 2011 Japan v Samoa

A great day out at the Rugby - what fun we had!
Ooops, we forgot to tell Dave that Wales weren't playing!

Japan's Coach - John Kirwan

Japan

Chips at half time and Trysh's beer drops 20 feet,
carefully nudged by Dave  :(

A little of what we saw!

Ueno Park



Hydrangea season

 

I took myself off to Ueno Park the other day, not knowing what might be in store.  It was hot and humid and the kind of day that makes you want to take things at a slow and easy pace.  I strolled out of the station and there, right in front of me, in the middle of this huge city, was an area of green and tranquillity I found hard to believe.  Ueno Park - fabulous.

To make my day even better I was approached by a Japanese man in his early 30's (I know this because he told me!) who said "You're not American, are you?"  He then took me around the park pointing out things of interest and there was plenty.  It will need a return visit to take in all the galleries and museums in the place.  He told me his life story - a terrible brain tumor had affected his life and now he was unable to work.  He did however speak fluent English and wanted so much to practise.  I was more than happy to oblige.

A Temple - view from the steps

Lovely Japanese lanterns

The Peace Memorial for those who died in Hiroshima

Prayers

The tofu seller

A Day in the Park

Off to Kichijoji to meet up with friends and had an unexpected picnic in the park.

Priceless!

Myuki, Kumi and Kenka

Oh, anyone bring the wine glasses?

Tenten ( in green ) and Toro

Taken by a very nice man!

A break away from it all

"Fancy a week or two in Thailand?" I asked.  "OK... let me think about it... oh alright then." was his reply.  Well, long before the earthquake of 3/11 we had booked a holiday in Bangkok and Hua Hin for ten days.  Little did we know just how ready for it we were going to be.  For a while, it looked pretty unlikely that we would be able to get away.  David had a job to do and it wasn't going to be over any time soon.  Right up to the last minute we weren't at all sure we would be able to go, but go we did and it was an amazing ten days in a place we really fell in love with. 

We spent four days in Bangkok in a great hotel in the middle of the business district - shopping?  No problem.  Dinner?  No problem.  Relaxing by the pool in 34 degrees?  No problem.  We were well and truly pampered - the seats by the pool were sorted for us, towel laid out before us,  Just a little more shade?  No problem.  Would Madam like a drink while she basks in the sun?  No problem. An extra towel?  No problem.  And so it continued. We cruised the River at night and enjoyed a lovely dinner on board a very grand vessel, passing the temples and bridges which were simply stunning.

We were very lucky to arrive in Bangkok at Songkran - their new year festival.  What we didn't know was that to celebrate the new year the Thai people congregate in Si Lom and spray water at each other and daub chalk on each other - and it is very lucky if this happens to you.  We arrived in the Si Lom area quite by chance.  We had driven through it the night before on our way to supper on the river and decided to visit it the following day.  It was an area that looked real.  Busy and bustling with many people and shops and interesting back alleys.



Si Lom at Songkran

  When we arrived by taxi at a nearby hotel we sauntered down the road wondering what on earth was happening and why most of the young people seemed to be toting huge water pistols.  It became quite apparent that we were to run the gauntlet of enthusiastic youngsters as the sprayed and squirted and shot at anyone passing - age was no barrier in the end although we did think we might get away with it.  I was wet pretty quickly and it took some very brave souls to spray Dave - but he did not escape unscathed.  We laughed and smiled and ran as fast as we could down an alley which gave us some insight into the seedier side of the area.  Bars and girls and some very unsavoury looking men lurked there.  Not somewhere I felt I needed to return to when the sun went down!

The Hyatt looked after us so well.  They transferred us from the city hotel to their sister hotel in Hua Hin by shuttle bus.  When we booked this we were not at all sure about the standard of such a bus.  Would it be comfortable?  Would it  be airconditioned?  Would it be full of loud tourists?  Would it be safe to travel in?  We need not have worried.  This amazing four by four arrived to whisk us off.  We were the only travellers and there was icy aircon and ice cold water at our disposal.  What an amazing trip - three hours south of Bangkok on a holiday weekend and we arrived in what can only be described as manicured paradise.  It was stunning - palm trees, butterflies, wonderfully fragrant jasmine and staff who smiled and smiled all combined to make the place seem perfect.

 Our suite was gorgeous.  Cool, large and very comfortable.  We would be very happy to base ourselves there for a few days and the best thing?  The earth did not move - at all although it took us a few days to stop looking at each other inquisitively when we felt a slight movement.

We were befriended by a lovely Japanese woman who was the Guest Liaison person and she took pity on us!  We were uprgraded to a suite in the Spa and I have to say it can only be described as palatial.  We took one look at it and asked ourselves what on earth we could do in it.  It soon became clear... there was a free massage each, every day - taken on the airconditioned verandah area and a bath that would take a whole rugby squad (sadly, I had to make do with Dave!)

Our HUGE bath

The bed was nine feet wide - we needed a mobile phone just to see if the other was awake!  Along with this there was a lovely beach to enjoy:

View from the suite verandah

G&T anyone?

So we lolled around and totally chilled then headed back to Bangkok for a couple of nights before our return to Tokyo.  We stayed in the Hyatt again - fab room and all the comforts of home.  We nipped across the road to a rather smart Italian restaurant (part of the Intercontinental) and then back to the bar in the hotel basement where I nearly lost Dave to the well known charms of the local ladies of the night!  I had left him in the bar and returned to the room to get some sleep and within moments of my leaving (this is Dave's story and he is sticking to it!) a lovely young girl asked if the bar stool next to  him was taken.  He, very much the gentleman, said it wasn't.  I am not clear what then ensued but he assures me he left after a brief conversation with her!

Earthquakes, tsunamis and radiation issues!

OK, I hear you say, it's been a while and I apologise.  I thought you might find it interesting to know how life has been for us since, what the Americans are calling, 3/11.  The people of Japan have been expecting a huge earthquake for years.  We were well prepared and well rehearsed.  What they did not anticipate was a treble whammy - earthquake, tsunami and a potential radiation problem from a reactor plant which is normally of no significance except that it produces a whole lot of electricity so vital for running the industries and cities in this part of Japan.  My heart goes out to these lovely people.  They have done all they can to restore power and faith to us.  Here in Tokyo we have suffered a minor inconvenience.  Further north their lives have been destroyed and will never, ever be the same again.  We are so lucky to be here and not there.

I had a very humbling experience at the Embassy handout of Potassium Iodate at the weekend.  The queues were long but the system was organised and fair - we just had to wait our turn.  My turn came after a man who had been evacuated from the Fukushima area - he had nothing but a passport and his glasses with him.  He felt lucky too.  Imagine what a fraud I felt when I have a home and all the other comforts of life and he has nothing but his life and his glasses.  There were many stories like that.  There was no sense of panic and no sense of frustration.  Just a sigh every now and again as we inched our way to the front of the line where the FCO people were working so hard to help us all.  They must have been exhausted - it had been a long week and they were still working ten days after the quake - not much respite in between and some were just as traumatised as those around them.

David and I have an advantage here - we were not in the first big quake.  We carry no memory of the awful build up to the shaking and twisting that occurred.  We are emotionally much stronger than those who did and we were so right to come back to support those who have been traumatised by it.  The aftershocks (300 and counting) are still happening and some are large.  We rock and roll and hope that it gets no worse.  Then we get on with life - we went out to dinner after the last one ....  and so did the rest of Tokyo.  Being nine floors up, we wobble quite a bit but it is testament to the Japanese engineering skill that all the buildings in Tokyo have remained upright despite waving in the wind as one friend described it.

The school remains closed for a bit.  The Japanese government has asked us all to conserve power so that it can be directed to the disaster area.  Businesses and schools and universities have been closed to comply with that.  David has a job to do here and I am doing anything I can to help the Japanese come to terms with their dreadful experience.  In all the panic that the expats exhibited, no one actually stopped to think what their disappearance might mean.  It means that there is no one spending money, money that is so vital to support the people from the north - what we do here has a knock on effect.  There are people who were struggling with a recession and now this has happened.   (As I write we are having an aftershock!)

There are children in the playparks, dogs being walked, people in restaurants and Starbucks is functioning just as it always has - I can get my nonfat  latte with a macademia cookie on the side just like normal! They never missed a beat.  We have a bath full of water, our passports on us 24/7 and our potassium iodate tablets at the ready.  We will stay unless the FCO advises us differently.  David is in daily contact with the guys at the British Embassy and that means we have the top people in UK advising us on the risks.  We are not alone - many other expats have stayed for the same reasons as us - this is our home, we have a loyalty to the nation who made us feel so welcome and we feel safe here.

Potassium Iodiate Info



Power cut kit