I'm only checking my emails as I'm waiting for the maid to:

a) clean my room properly (the first time she did it this morning, it was apparently not up to standard) and

b) prepare me a paratha and coffee for a late breakfast. Goodness me what a life!

 

So have now ended up in Lahore after spending a few days in Singapore with Aboo where we had a blast! We ate lots, went to Indonesia (Aboo even managed to fit in some golfing practice in Malaysia) and I set up my new place after several late night visits to IKEA. It is an amazing space and I will post up some pics soon.

 

We had a funny running in with the Singaporean hospital system where I had to go as I had an allergic reaction to a dayspa treatment from Langkawi (by far one of the most beautiful resort islands in the world). Having informed the Emergency and Admissions unit of the hospital that I had recently been in Malaysia, I was rushed into quarantine with Aboo fully equipped with face masks etc. I jumped the waiting queue and received urgent treatment in fear of bird flu. Of course I knew it was a reaction to the tumeric, cucumber and yogurt body thermal wrap from days earlier and when I was given the all clear I made a quick exit to the nearest pharmacy to buy some hardcore antihistamine over the counter! Still an exciting few hours, 10/10 for the systematic approach of the hospital system.

 

Well it's time for me to start my day of shopping, socialising and yet more eating.

 

Oh, I think my driver has even arrived :)

 

Choti xox

I've just finished the Malaysian tour which was simply fantastic! There is too much to tell and I am completely exhausted having spent the last 2 nights on a remote lake "eco- island" where the shower was cold and the bugs/iguanas/water buffalo/frogs are allowed to roam freely (surprisingly it was the highlight of my trip!!!).

 

So far I have learnt how to cook Nonya and Malay cuisine, eaten the yummiest strawberries in the world, seen the most amazing orchids (I still hate roses I have decided!!), been blessed by Buddhist and Hindu priests, prayed in mosques, visited the most amazing shopping centre IN THE UNIVERSE (Hector, you would not be able to contain your excitement!!!!!!!!), met the most talkative cats with funny tails (don't worry Amma, I didn't touch them) and chose next season's ideal shoe and bag skin combo's.

 

Am now in Penang, an island off the coast off Butterworth, supposedly the home of the best food hawker stalls in Asia. If I wasn't so stuffed from the eating over the last 9 days, I would go check it out....hmm there are still a few more business hours to go so let's see if I end up there.

 

I am heading to Langkawi tomorrow, turns out I won't have to go 'backpacker-esque' because the exchange rate is so fantastic! I will be staying at a 5 star spa resort on the Pantai Kok coastline of Langkawi and I am reeeeeally looking forward to it. I intend on doing absolutely nothing but soak up the sun's rays (with coconut scented spf 30) and have countless massages/facials/body scrubs.

 

I hope all the Singaporean/Malaysian schoolkids on vacation won't get in the way!

 

More later, now it's time for a shower and naptime...

Choti xo

 

 

 

Have been fairly busy with Singaporean admin and am all but there.

 

Had a night out with (a familiar Sydney face) Wei on Friday, had a blast. Some pics are attached. Let's just say that Singaporeans can drink...a lot! The general jist is to purchase an entire bottle of Chivas/Vodka etc for around S$135 each and pour your mates drinks all night. They are very generous like that...

 

I did learn something very useful after this night out - Tom Yum soup is potentially the best ever hangover cure in the world! Washed down with a cold can of coke, you are in headache heaven!!!

 

Surprisingly, the bar/club crowd is highly unglamorous. There is very little witnessing of girls in fancy frocks or heels for that matter. Tonnes of trainers and Havaianas which I think have only JUST started selling here. And this applies to the Zouk's and Velvet's...very strange. Angie, missed you like crazy! You have to get your bum over here reeeeeeally soon...

 

I'm a bit out of action for a while, but that way I might have something interesting to say and actually upload some cool scenery shots!

Enjoy,

Choti xo

 

 

PS - I cut my hair but didn't have the gall to shave it...sorry Nasser. It's quite short though, and extremely Asian. I don't think I'm ready to reveal it as yet but will in my next entry. Stay tuned.

I'm bidding Christie goodbye today, we've had a fabulous week or so hanging out!! Hopefully she will be back here with that crazy Kenny in tow reeeeeeeally soon. Pics of our adventures are attached.

 

Of course we managed to find the HOTTEST bar in Singapore on the rooftop of an amazing boutique hotel 2 nights ago where we drank copious amounts of Moet (it is NOT cheap here!!!) and smoked apple tobacco from the 'shisha' or 'huka' for those subcontinentally educated/aware.

 

Am leaving for Malaysia on Sunday. I'm taking a gourmet food tour from Singapore (inclusive) all the way up to Penang which supposedly has some of the world's best beaches. I am going to take a few extra days by myself to get up to the resort islands in Langkawi. The kind lady at the Malaysian Tourism office assured me that there are 'backpacker-esque' day spa resorts :)

 

We'll see about that....

 

Choti xo

PS - Random pics from Punky Brewer's farewell/bday and my family get togethers are also attached.

PPS - I guess you should never diss it til you try it, but the Maggi potato n gravy "squishie" ROCKS!