Hi All,
So last week i was supposed to head up to Bangkok and Hua Hin with JB, but some very annoying protestors decided to over-run Bangkok airport and fall asleep there for a few days, while the police and army stood back and took it easy (a nice balanced view of Thai politics - think i should be a journalist!!) They timed this perfectly to start the evening i was due to fly, so i never got out of Singapore - oh well! The upshot of it was, i got to go to Bali for 3 days with 4 women! 3 French and an English girl - i was in my element!!! Bali was simply beautiful and i highly recommend it. We stayed in a very cool villa on the beach with its own pool and the staff come cook you breakfast every morning! 3 days was nowhere near enough, so will definitely be going back - its only a couple of hours flight away. See my pics below
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=1219954&l=90693&id=512991087
The other nice surprise was getting a random phone call from an "Indian fella" while i was 6km down and huffing and puffing on the treadmill training for this 10km race i stupidly did at 7:30am on Sunday morning (my competitor - Angela, has dropped out to go on holiday (again) which means she has to do a nice forfeit) This Indian guy was in fact Richard Freed, coming through Singapore as part of his world tour. Had a good day out and let him loose on some of my friends with his weird and interesting stories!!
Work has been very tough the last few weeks. One day i was even in until after 8pm!! I say it in jest, but unlike the last few months of my previous role in London, i hardly ever get on FB during the day and there are hardly any shows and concerts to email my friends about!! (Mr Ticketmaster has retired...well at least hibernating). 8pm might not sound too late, but that is constant work and fire fighting for almost 12 hours. In fact, i haven't had a chance to write up this email so am doing it in my personal time - how honourable is that?!?!
Have had some nice dinners and drinks with some of the students here to say goodbye after their exchange program. They really took over the jewish social scene here, so will be strange when they go. In fact i started seeing a girl called Diana (you can probably guess from the Bali pics). Lovely girl and i'm definitely punching above my weight!! Not sure what's going to happen when she leaves, but i'm enjoying spending time with her nonetheless.
Busy weekend involving football (scraped a win), the circus (absolutely shocking – I could have juggled better with some tennis balls), a 10km race (painful, but got round without stopping in just over an hour), brunches (eggs – yum!) and a boozy beach bar (madness). Thankfully had Monday off to recover with a well deserved massage!!
I can't believe i'll be home in 2 weeks!! This 4 months have gone so so quickly. Back in London Sun 21st-Weds 24th and the 'diff from Weds 24th-Sat 27th. Would be great to catch up if you're around
All the best, J
Tuesday, December 9, 2008
Bali Tips
Hi Guys,
Short write-up on my recent trip to Bali. Had an awesome time and highly recommend it
Flew in and out on Garuda leaving Singapore around 7am on the Sunday and leaving Bali around 8pm on the Tuesday. Flight costs SGD350. Other carriers are Lion Air, Singapore Airlines and i think JetStar
Stayed at the Ahimsa Estate in a 3 bed villa with private pool. Cost USD400 per night. 25 mins from the airport - they pick you up. Was brilliant, in a great location in Seminyak, 2 min walk to the beach. They come cook breakfast for you in the morning and the rooms and bathrooms are very plush.
Touristy stuff we did - You can easily hire a driver for the day around USD30. Our guy Nyoman was very nice and would recommend using him (mention Sarah and the French girls - 081 239 49491) We went to Nusa Dua to take a glass bottomed boat out snorkelling (very poor, didn't see anything) and to Turtle Island (animal sanctuary where you can take pictures with turtles, eagles, bats, Iguanas and other weird and wonderful animals - its ok, but a bit mean on the animals in my view) - we paid USD20 each for the 2 hour trip.
Then we went to a beach on the way to Ulwatu temple. Real hideaway cove that was very nice, but no idea what it was called! Then Ulwatu temple for sunset and a local fire dance which was interesting to see. The following day we went to Denpasar market which was ok
We drank at Ku De Ta - highly recommend. Very cool beach bar to watch the sunset. Ate at Cafe Bali which was gorgeous and so cheap for what we got.
3 days is not enough time and i will be going back. No chance to go to Ubud, Kuta, Monkey forest, Cycle tour, Volcano etc which all came recommended
Short write-up on my recent trip to Bali. Had an awesome time and highly recommend it
Flew in and out on Garuda leaving Singapore around 7am on the Sunday and leaving Bali around 8pm on the Tuesday. Flight costs SGD350. Other carriers are Lion Air, Singapore Airlines and i think JetStar
Stayed at the Ahimsa Estate in a 3 bed villa with private pool. Cost USD400 per night. 25 mins from the airport - they pick you up. Was brilliant, in a great location in Seminyak, 2 min walk to the beach. They come cook breakfast for you in the morning and the rooms and bathrooms are very plush.
Touristy stuff we did - You can easily hire a driver for the day around USD30. Our guy Nyoman was very nice and would recommend using him (mention Sarah and the French girls - 081 239 49491) We went to Nusa Dua to take a glass bottomed boat out snorkelling (very poor, didn't see anything) and to Turtle Island (animal sanctuary where you can take pictures with turtles, eagles, bats, Iguanas and other weird and wonderful animals - its ok, but a bit mean on the animals in my view) - we paid USD20 each for the 2 hour trip.
Then we went to a beach on the way to Ulwatu temple. Real hideaway cove that was very nice, but no idea what it was called! Then Ulwatu temple for sunset and a local fire dance which was interesting to see. The following day we went to Denpasar market which was ok
We drank at Ku De Ta - highly recommend. Very cool beach bar to watch the sunset. Ate at Cafe Bali which was gorgeous and so cheap for what we got.
3 days is not enough time and i will be going back. No chance to go to Ubud, Kuta, Monkey forest, Cycle tour, Volcano etc which all came recommended
Friday, November 21, 2008
Bangkok, Bintan and a Birdie
Hi All,
Well, suffice to say, although I’ve been away twice in as many weeks, this thing I do for about 11 hours a day has sure been taking its toll. It’s Q4, markets are crashing and we have to budget for next year. Lots of “intellectual masturbation” as one of my colleagues put it!! But when the big boss says jump, you don’t exactly leave early to play football (well, maybe once or twice!!!)
Nicole and Paul were passing through Bangkok after a couple of weeks on the beach in Krabi, so I went up to say hi. Bangkok is a cracking place – lovely food, welcoming people and some very cool places to go out. One thing is a serious problem though – traffic. Whatever you do, don’t plan on getting anywhere in a hurry!! Hours we spent in tuk-tuks (aka death-traps) and taxis. We went to go to the grand palace and turned up to be told it was closed for tourists until 1:30, but would we like to go on a tuk-tuk tour while we waited. Thought they were being nice and helpful until a couple walked past and told us we were being conned – sure enough, the palace was open so we hop skipped it round with Nicole doing her bit for cultural relations (see photos of her pose!)
Last weekend a group of 20 of us headed over to an Indonesian island called Bintan. It’s only a 1hr ferry ride away so very easy to get to. On the Saturday we played a round of golf – definitely one of the most frustrating games I’ve ever played. I typically manage to hit one nice shot per hole and finally it all came together on the par 3 on the 14th where I teed off to within 6 feet of the hole and putted in 1 – my first ever birdie – woohoo!!
We rented a couple of villas on the beach and that evening we had a pool and BBQ party with the theme Anchorman!! Some of the costumes were hilarious and some of them were disgusting (aka mine!!). Great fun and some cracking photos.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49694&l=a2e60&id=512991087
Footy is still going well. I’ve been transferred into a new team…stepping up from the 5th to 2nd division. And my 5 a side team won its league
Tonight I’m heading off to the Races and next week I go meet Jamie Black for a few days relaxing in Hua Hin.
And I’m officially coming home at Christmas/Chanukah time – I land in London on Sunday 21st, stay there a few days and then head to Cardiff on Xmas Eve for a few days. Lemme know if you’re about
Keep in touch, J
Well, suffice to say, although I’ve been away twice in as many weeks, this thing I do for about 11 hours a day has sure been taking its toll. It’s Q4, markets are crashing and we have to budget for next year. Lots of “intellectual masturbation” as one of my colleagues put it!! But when the big boss says jump, you don’t exactly leave early to play football (well, maybe once or twice!!!)
Nicole and Paul were passing through Bangkok after a couple of weeks on the beach in Krabi, so I went up to say hi. Bangkok is a cracking place – lovely food, welcoming people and some very cool places to go out. One thing is a serious problem though – traffic. Whatever you do, don’t plan on getting anywhere in a hurry!! Hours we spent in tuk-tuks (aka death-traps) and taxis. We went to go to the grand palace and turned up to be told it was closed for tourists until 1:30, but would we like to go on a tuk-tuk tour while we waited. Thought they were being nice and helpful until a couple walked past and told us we were being conned – sure enough, the palace was open so we hop skipped it round with Nicole doing her bit for cultural relations (see photos of her pose!)
Last weekend a group of 20 of us headed over to an Indonesian island called Bintan. It’s only a 1hr ferry ride away so very easy to get to. On the Saturday we played a round of golf – definitely one of the most frustrating games I’ve ever played. I typically manage to hit one nice shot per hole and finally it all came together on the par 3 on the 14th where I teed off to within 6 feet of the hole and putted in 1 – my first ever birdie – woohoo!!
We rented a couple of villas on the beach and that evening we had a pool and BBQ party with the theme Anchorman!! Some of the costumes were hilarious and some of them were disgusting (aka mine!!). Great fun and some cracking photos.
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=49694&l=a2e60&id=512991087
Footy is still going well. I’ve been transferred into a new team…stepping up from the 5th to 2nd division. And my 5 a side team won its league
Tonight I’m heading off to the Races and next week I go meet Jamie Black for a few days relaxing in Hua Hin.
And I’m officially coming home at Christmas/Chanukah time – I land in London on Sunday 21st, stay there a few days and then head to Cardiff on Xmas Eve for a few days. Lemme know if you’re about
Keep in touch, J
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Bangkok Tips
Hi Guys,
Had a short sharp trip to Bangkok. An excellent place worth visiting. Some tips.
Taxi to/from airport should cost no more than THB 500. Always make sure they’re on the meter. Took me 30 mins no traffic. Took 1hr back with traffic.
Traffic is an absolute nightmare. Skytrain supposedly efficient but I never took it. Tuk-tuks are pretty dangerous but great fun.
I went to the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha and spent an hour on a long boat – all in the same area and I recommend – just make sure you don’t get conned by the guys outside telling you the place doesn’t open for foreigners until 1:30 and how about you come on my tuk tuk for a tour for a few hours first – ignore them, they’re lying. You do need to cover up legs and shoulders in the grand palace, but you can borrow trousers/sarong there.
Ate dinner at Baan Khanita which was very good. Also recommend Face, Cabbages and Condoms, Curries and More. Food is very cheap
Drank at the open air bar Sirocco (at State Tower). Also recommend Vertigo (at Banyan Tree) and Bed Supper Club. (All London prices)
Stayed at Centrepoint Silom. Cost THB 2500 (about USD100). Hotels in general are pretty cheap and there are some cool boutique hotels – this is one of the cheapest of the lot, but a very 4 star good standard. Also recommend Peninsular, Oriental (expensive), Dusit Thani, Banyan Tree, Metropolitan (cheaper and very nice) Seven, Davis, Dream (Boutique)
Didn’t go to Khao San Rd this time, but very good fun and full of backpackers. Similarly, didn’t go, but I thought the area for “shows” is less seedy around Nana than Patpong. MBK and Siam Paragon are the enormous malls. And catch Muy Thai if you can – great fun.
Hope this helps.
Oh yeah, forgot to say….traffic is a nightmare!!! Jamie
Had a short sharp trip to Bangkok. An excellent place worth visiting. Some tips.
Taxi to/from airport should cost no more than THB 500. Always make sure they’re on the meter. Took me 30 mins no traffic. Took 1hr back with traffic.
Traffic is an absolute nightmare. Skytrain supposedly efficient but I never took it. Tuk-tuks are pretty dangerous but great fun.
I went to the Grand Palace, reclining Buddha and spent an hour on a long boat – all in the same area and I recommend – just make sure you don’t get conned by the guys outside telling you the place doesn’t open for foreigners until 1:30 and how about you come on my tuk tuk for a tour for a few hours first – ignore them, they’re lying. You do need to cover up legs and shoulders in the grand palace, but you can borrow trousers/sarong there.
Ate dinner at Baan Khanita which was very good. Also recommend Face, Cabbages and Condoms, Curries and More. Food is very cheap
Drank at the open air bar Sirocco (at State Tower). Also recommend Vertigo (at Banyan Tree) and Bed Supper Club. (All London prices)
Stayed at Centrepoint Silom. Cost THB 2500 (about USD100). Hotels in general are pretty cheap and there are some cool boutique hotels – this is one of the cheapest of the lot, but a very 4 star good standard. Also recommend Peninsular, Oriental (expensive), Dusit Thani, Banyan Tree, Metropolitan (cheaper and very nice) Seven, Davis, Dream (Boutique)
Didn’t go to Khao San Rd this time, but very good fun and full of backpackers. Similarly, didn’t go, but I thought the area for “shows” is less seedy around Nana than Patpong. MBK and Siam Paragon are the enormous malls. And catch Muy Thai if you can – great fun.
Hope this helps.
Oh yeah, forgot to say….traffic is a nightmare!!! Jamie
Monday, November 3, 2008
Perth....Hallowe'en....and a whole lot in between
Hi All,
While it’s been snowing back home, it’s been a pretty eventful couple of weeks in Asia.
The Northern Irishmen himself, Jamie Black came to stay for a few days before shooting off for a month traveling Asia – I’m meeting back up with him at the end of Nov for a few days partying and chilling on the beach. Had a couple of good nights out and showed Jamie some of the more “interesting” parts of Singapore!
Then a group of 8 of us headed off to Perth and Margaret River for 5 days of gluttony! Was basically a food and wine frenzy – couple of those “loosen your belts” moments! Stayed the first and last night in Perth – felt a bit like Cardiff – small City on the coast, easy to get around. Rest of the time we picked up a car (see my advert for Audi!) and drove down the coast to the southwest point of Oz – Margaret River. Gorgeous valleys and vineyards set against the beach and coast – really nice place to get away from it all and relax. Got some good pics on FB
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46487&l=30082&id=512991087
Friday night was of course Hallowe’en. Singaporeans sure make a big effort. A group of 12 of us headed to a comedy night under the theme “Golf Pros and Tennis Hos”! Some cracking costumes and a good boozy night all round. Not sure if it was because the first person was a guy and was British….or the fact that the “headline” was female and Australian, but it was one extreme to the other with the British fella having us in hysterics and the Aussie woman had us throwing plastic golf balls. Defining moment of the evening was our friend Jared getting up on stage in front of the 200 people for his dance interpretation of YMCA. Again, pics (and more importantly video!!) on FB
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46485&l=1be13&id=512991087
On Saturday, Anna “Preston” Preston arrived for 24 hours on her way to Sydney. Had a good night out at Supper Club and did some shopping and eating etc. Went to the famous Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel for lunch and can only describe my “Spring country chicken with frites” as KFC chicken and chips in a bucket – really frustrates me how these institutions trade on their name. That’s a problem with Singaporeans in general – they have no idea about good service.
Back to my old ways this week – seeing a Canadian comedian called Russell Peters. I’ve never heard of him, but he sold out his 3 shows in hours so I thought why not. And Friday we’re watching Avenue Q which I’m very excited about!! Next week, Nicole and Paul are in Bangkok so going to shoot up and see them for a couple of days.
Hope all is well wherever you are. Please write back and lemme know what’s going on, J x
While it’s been snowing back home, it’s been a pretty eventful couple of weeks in Asia.
The Northern Irishmen himself, Jamie Black came to stay for a few days before shooting off for a month traveling Asia – I’m meeting back up with him at the end of Nov for a few days partying and chilling on the beach. Had a couple of good nights out and showed Jamie some of the more “interesting” parts of Singapore!
Then a group of 8 of us headed off to Perth and Margaret River for 5 days of gluttony! Was basically a food and wine frenzy – couple of those “loosen your belts” moments! Stayed the first and last night in Perth – felt a bit like Cardiff – small City on the coast, easy to get around. Rest of the time we picked up a car (see my advert for Audi!) and drove down the coast to the southwest point of Oz – Margaret River. Gorgeous valleys and vineyards set against the beach and coast – really nice place to get away from it all and relax. Got some good pics on FB
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46487&l=30082&id=512991087
Friday night was of course Hallowe’en. Singaporeans sure make a big effort. A group of 12 of us headed to a comedy night under the theme “Golf Pros and Tennis Hos”! Some cracking costumes and a good boozy night all round. Not sure if it was because the first person was a guy and was British….or the fact that the “headline” was female and Australian, but it was one extreme to the other with the British fella having us in hysterics and the Aussie woman had us throwing plastic golf balls. Defining moment of the evening was our friend Jared getting up on stage in front of the 200 people for his dance interpretation of YMCA. Again, pics (and more importantly video!!) on FB
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=46485&l=1be13&id=512991087
On Saturday, Anna “Preston” Preston arrived for 24 hours on her way to Sydney. Had a good night out at Supper Club and did some shopping and eating etc. Went to the famous Long Bar at the Raffles Hotel for lunch and can only describe my “Spring country chicken with frites” as KFC chicken and chips in a bucket – really frustrates me how these institutions trade on their name. That’s a problem with Singaporeans in general – they have no idea about good service.
Back to my old ways this week – seeing a Canadian comedian called Russell Peters. I’ve never heard of him, but he sold out his 3 shows in hours so I thought why not. And Friday we’re watching Avenue Q which I’m very excited about!! Next week, Nicole and Paul are in Bangkok so going to shoot up and see them for a couple of days.
Hope all is well wherever you are. Please write back and lemme know what’s going on, J x
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Perth and Margaret River Tips
Hi All,
Just thought you might like a summary of my recent trip incase you wanted to do one similar – would definitely recommend it
Flew on the Friday afternoon with Tiger Airways. Got into Perth around 9pm. Flight time around 5hrs
Stayed for 4 nights and flew back on Tuesday night. Got into Sing around 3am (killer!). Total cost around USD 500
Picked up a car from Europcar. Bit flash and got an A4 convertible for about USD 100 per day. Also could do a Rav 4 for about half that.
Stayed 1st night at Murray St Hotel, Subiaco. Cost USD 50 each per night. More like a motel and very average. OK location, but you can probably find somewhere more centrally in Subiaco
Went out to Subi Hotel (cool) and Sapphire (smelt a bit!). Food at 3am at Fast Eddy’s. Lots of other places around there (corner of Hay and Rockeby) for a good night out
Drove Sat morning towards Margaret River. About 3hrs. Stopped halfway for lunch in Bunbury at VAT. Very nice, on the water.
Stayed 2 nights at Smith Beach hotel and Resort, in a gorgeous 4 bed beach villa. Worked out USD 100 per night each.
Great facilities, like BBQ, big lounge area, 2 balconies, 2 kitchens, central pool etc
Ate lunch/dinner at (order of favourite) – Voyager, Wise, Lamonts (although all excellent)
Wine tasted at Leeuwins, Brooklands, Wise, Voyager, Graylin, Vasse Felix (again, all excellent)
Also visited – Simmos Ice Cream, Chocolate Factory, Fudge Factory, Lake Caves
Drove back to Perth on Monday afternoon and stayed in Ocean Beach Hotel for USD 50 each per night. Great location in Cottisloe, but very average hotel. Supposedly a good bar to drink at, but was quiet as a Monday
Had dinner at Indiana Tea House which was excellent. Breakfast at Blue Duck (above average)
Tuesday, went shopping in Subiaco (very good), King St (good), Harbour outlet (average). Also went to Burswood Casino which was fun.
I actually have a 12 page doc with more details on the vineyards and places to eat etc if you want it.
Hope this helps. Would be great if you could send any reports on places you’ve visited that you recommend
Cheers, Jamie
Just thought you might like a summary of my recent trip incase you wanted to do one similar – would definitely recommend it
Flew on the Friday afternoon with Tiger Airways. Got into Perth around 9pm. Flight time around 5hrs
Stayed for 4 nights and flew back on Tuesday night. Got into Sing around 3am (killer!). Total cost around USD 500
Picked up a car from Europcar. Bit flash and got an A4 convertible for about USD 100 per day. Also could do a Rav 4 for about half that.
Stayed 1st night at Murray St Hotel, Subiaco. Cost USD 50 each per night. More like a motel and very average. OK location, but you can probably find somewhere more centrally in Subiaco
Went out to Subi Hotel (cool) and Sapphire (smelt a bit!). Food at 3am at Fast Eddy’s. Lots of other places around there (corner of Hay and Rockeby) for a good night out
Drove Sat morning towards Margaret River. About 3hrs. Stopped halfway for lunch in Bunbury at VAT. Very nice, on the water.
Stayed 2 nights at Smith Beach hotel and Resort, in a gorgeous 4 bed beach villa. Worked out USD 100 per night each.
Great facilities, like BBQ, big lounge area, 2 balconies, 2 kitchens, central pool etc
Ate lunch/dinner at (order of favourite) – Voyager, Wise, Lamonts (although all excellent)
Wine tasted at Leeuwins, Brooklands, Wise, Voyager, Graylin, Vasse Felix (again, all excellent)
Also visited – Simmos Ice Cream, Chocolate Factory, Fudge Factory, Lake Caves
Drove back to Perth on Monday afternoon and stayed in Ocean Beach Hotel for USD 50 each per night. Great location in Cottisloe, but very average hotel. Supposedly a good bar to drink at, but was quiet as a Monday
Had dinner at Indiana Tea House which was excellent. Breakfast at Blue Duck (above average)
Tuesday, went shopping in Subiaco (very good), King St (good), Harbour outlet (average). Also went to Burswood Casino which was fun.
I actually have a 12 page doc with more details on the vineyards and places to eat etc if you want it.
Hope this helps. Would be great if you could send any reports on places you’ve visited that you recommend
Cheers, Jamie
Monday, October 20, 2008
Don’t work too hard
Hi Guys,
So, as someone replied to my last email…”are you doing any work there?” it made me realize I hadn’t mentioned work once!! So here goes!! Yes, I spend about 50 of the 168 hours a week at this place called an “office”. Whatever I have left over from those 50 of surfing the net, messing around on FaceBook and typing annoyingly long emails, I do this thing called “work”. OK, so it’s pretty interesting and would put my enjoyment/satisfaction level at about a 6. My last 9 months in London would have been a 3 and the preceeding 2 years would have been a 9, so I’m happy but not ecstatic. A lot of admin c.rap to do, cause basically I’m helping one of the big cheeses here set up the new Structuring team, but I’m learning a heck of a lot of how to run a business which should give me some good skills for later in life.
Ok, back to the fun part!!
Threw my Hawaiian themed BBQ and pool party on Saturday which was good fun. Unfortunately the count was only 2 straw skirts and precisely zero coconut bikinis, but was a good laugh, lots of food and drinks, but no real scandal.
Yesterday I somehow wangled my second ever goal and second man of the match in 3 games. Took an absolute pasting, but I was on hand to nick the ball off a defender on the box and clip it round the keeper at the far post http://www.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=5002
Glad to see not too much has changed form back home and had our inaugural poker night last Weds. As the host, I had to let other people win, just so they come back..at least that was my excuse!! A girl won it. Someone’s ideas was to get naked butler type people round to put her off next time…although I think it might be a bit weird with 8 other blokes in the room!!
I made it through the 25 crazy hours of fasting in one piece! I kind of cheated by drinking some water, but please don’t tell the man upstairs! The community here are very friendly and headed to a family’s house to break the fast….on leaving we got invited to another house where they were just about to start so I had to eat all over again – would have been rude not to!
Now have the infamous Jamie “JB” Black staying with me for a few days. Doesn’t really feel too strange though cause there are so many Westerners here anyway…should have a fun week and then heading off to Perth and the Margaret River wine area this weekend. 8 of us going and I’ve called shotgun to drive the A4 convertible…have to do it in style!!
Keep in touch
Jamie
So, as someone replied to my last email…”are you doing any work there?” it made me realize I hadn’t mentioned work once!! So here goes!! Yes, I spend about 50 of the 168 hours a week at this place called an “office”. Whatever I have left over from those 50 of surfing the net, messing around on FaceBook and typing annoyingly long emails, I do this thing called “work”. OK, so it’s pretty interesting and would put my enjoyment/satisfaction level at about a 6. My last 9 months in London would have been a 3 and the preceeding 2 years would have been a 9, so I’m happy but not ecstatic. A lot of admin c.rap to do, cause basically I’m helping one of the big cheeses here set up the new Structuring team, but I’m learning a heck of a lot of how to run a business which should give me some good skills for later in life.
Ok, back to the fun part!!
Threw my Hawaiian themed BBQ and pool party on Saturday which was good fun. Unfortunately the count was only 2 straw skirts and precisely zero coconut bikinis, but was a good laugh, lots of food and drinks, but no real scandal.
Yesterday I somehow wangled my second ever goal and second man of the match in 3 games. Took an absolute pasting, but I was on hand to nick the ball off a defender on the box and clip it round the keeper at the far post http://www.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=5002
Glad to see not too much has changed form back home and had our inaugural poker night last Weds. As the host, I had to let other people win, just so they come back..at least that was my excuse!! A girl won it. Someone’s ideas was to get naked butler type people round to put her off next time…although I think it might be a bit weird with 8 other blokes in the room!!
I made it through the 25 crazy hours of fasting in one piece! I kind of cheated by drinking some water, but please don’t tell the man upstairs! The community here are very friendly and headed to a family’s house to break the fast….on leaving we got invited to another house where they were just about to start so I had to eat all over again – would have been rude not to!
Now have the infamous Jamie “JB” Black staying with me for a few days. Doesn’t really feel too strange though cause there are so many Westerners here anyway…should have a fun week and then heading off to Perth and the Margaret River wine area this weekend. 8 of us going and I’ve called shotgun to drive the A4 convertible…have to do it in style!!
Keep in touch
Jamie
Monday, October 6, 2008
I scored...
…..no, not with a girl, but on the football pitch. And this time, it wasn’t a fluke and nor was it a friendly. It was a 100%, genuine, undeniable goal. I was playing between in midfield (they obviously don’t realize just how unfit I am) and 5 mins into the second half, picked up the ball about 35 yards out and let rip. Top corner and the keeper had no chance!! Great feeling, although 10 mins later I missed a sitter when I was squared the ball on the edge of the penalty area and side footed wide. Oh well!! I got MOTM too!!
http://www.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=4941
After that I basically slept the whole day (this heat really takes it out of you), before heading to this beach bar called KM8. It’s basically a Singaporean version of Nikki Beach in St Tropez, but with Moet instead of Cristal !. People drinking champagne, messing about in a big Jacuzzi, some cracking looking local and foreign girls walking around in bikinis….just what you want in advance of a hard week at work!!
Wow….looking back, it really has been 10 days of partying!!!
- Started with the F1 a few days before the big race. Red Bull threw a party at a place called Café Del Mar (again, similar to KM8 or somewhere in South of France or Ibiza). Coulthard and Webber were there as were a load of local celebs, none of who I knew or recognized, but some of my friends seemed to be impressed. This one girl I met was called Rebecca Tan who’s a big tv star and business woman here – got a pic with her (see attached)…she was lovely and I definitely think there was some chemistry there…although I’m told she has a penchant for the same sex, so I’m not holding out too much hope!!
- Fri night I got up to the New Asia bar which is at the top of one of the hotels on the 70th floor. The most amazing view of the F1 seeing the whole course lit up…although the cars looked like micro machines (if you remember them from the 80s!)
- Saturday, I had an absolute result. My boss couldn’t use his tickets for the qualifying so gave them to me. After an absolute mission to get to my seat as I went in the wrong entrance, I found myself in the ING box overlooking the finish line and pits. As I arrive hot, sweaty and in desperate need of an ice cold shower(!) the lady takes us down to the pits to have a look at the cars and meet the mechanics. Was v cool!! Spent the rest of the day drinking and eating and watching the qualifying before heading off to a Mercedes party (cue more food and champagne!)
- Sunday was the day of the race. My friend Angela threw a brunch by the pool in the afternoon then we headed to the race. I have to say, F1 is pretty boring all in all, but it’s definitely something to go see at least once. The noise and atmosphere was electric. Critics have given Singapore a strong write-up for everything so am sure it’ll come back next year even better
- Click on the link below to see the pics
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41822&l=899c3&id=512991087
And then last Thursday, a friend’s family who own a few clubs here had the opening of their latest venture….a jazz style cabaret called Bellini Room (another cue for more food and champagne). Cracking show and a good laugh.
To all my jewish friends, a shana tova and well over the fast this week.
My new number is +65 9712 1093. Don’t be afraid of calling (I’m 7 hours ahead) and I’m happy to call you back (it’s basically free) J x
http://www.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=4941
After that I basically slept the whole day (this heat really takes it out of you), before heading to this beach bar called KM8. It’s basically a Singaporean version of Nikki Beach in St Tropez, but with Moet instead of Cristal !. People drinking champagne, messing about in a big Jacuzzi, some cracking looking local and foreign girls walking around in bikinis….just what you want in advance of a hard week at work!!
Wow….looking back, it really has been 10 days of partying!!!
- Started with the F1 a few days before the big race. Red Bull threw a party at a place called Café Del Mar (again, similar to KM8 or somewhere in South of France or Ibiza). Coulthard and Webber were there as were a load of local celebs, none of who I knew or recognized, but some of my friends seemed to be impressed. This one girl I met was called Rebecca Tan who’s a big tv star and business woman here – got a pic with her (see attached)…she was lovely and I definitely think there was some chemistry there…although I’m told she has a penchant for the same sex, so I’m not holding out too much hope!!
- Fri night I got up to the New Asia bar which is at the top of one of the hotels on the 70th floor. The most amazing view of the F1 seeing the whole course lit up…although the cars looked like micro machines (if you remember them from the 80s!)
- Saturday, I had an absolute result. My boss couldn’t use his tickets for the qualifying so gave them to me. After an absolute mission to get to my seat as I went in the wrong entrance, I found myself in the ING box overlooking the finish line and pits. As I arrive hot, sweaty and in desperate need of an ice cold shower(!) the lady takes us down to the pits to have a look at the cars and meet the mechanics. Was v cool!! Spent the rest of the day drinking and eating and watching the qualifying before heading off to a Mercedes party (cue more food and champagne!)
- Sunday was the day of the race. My friend Angela threw a brunch by the pool in the afternoon then we headed to the race. I have to say, F1 is pretty boring all in all, but it’s definitely something to go see at least once. The noise and atmosphere was electric. Critics have given Singapore a strong write-up for everything so am sure it’ll come back next year even better
- Click on the link below to see the pics
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=41822&l=899c3&id=512991087
And then last Thursday, a friend’s family who own a few clubs here had the opening of their latest venture….a jazz style cabaret called Bellini Room (another cue for more food and champagne). Cracking show and a good laugh.
To all my jewish friends, a shana tova and well over the fast this week.
My new number is +65 9712 1093. Don’t be afraid of calling (I’m 7 hours ahead) and I’m happy to call you back (it’s basically free) J x
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Planes, Train and Automobiles
….well a train, two buses and a speedboat anyway!!!
That was how I got to the lovely island of Sibu, Malaysia last weekend. There are a load of lawyers here from the UK on secondment, so I decided to tag along on their trip. Had the worse possible start when the 17 of us turned up to find one of the mini buses hadn’t shown…so we all piled into a 12 seater! Suffice to say I got to know 1 or 2 of them pretty well. Then, after a very long border crossing into Malaysia we were met by a second bus, but this driver was a cross between Lewis Hamilton and a 13 year old adolescent school boy. It was dark and this guy couldn’t appreciate why we wanted him to slow down going round the unlit corners. And so to prove a point he’d slow from 70mph to about 10mph…and at one point even stopped at the side of the road and turned his lights off!!! Finally we got to the resort after a fun ride on a speedboat and had a weekend of drinking, diving, eating and sleeping. Unfortunately it was the latter 2 I was best at….reckon I had seconds or thirds at every meal and got a good 16 hours sleep in total. Drinking wise I was p1ss poor compared to some of these boys and diving I had to come up 20 mins earlier than everyone else cause I had guzzled my air like I was running a marathon!!
Moved into my new place this weekend and without wanting to showoff too much, it’s pretty darn sweet. Basically, it’s like a hotel, with a 50m pool (I swam 3 lengths and was knackered….50m is a long way!!), tennis courts, state of the art gym (it looks nice, but not like I’m ever going to use it!!) Plus, the 31st floor is just a chill out floor with jacuzzis, steam room, sauna, comfy chairs etc. My actual flat is pretty nice with interesting views of the sea (which is basically just one big port of container ships) and a bathroom sink which holds less water than I could cup in my two hands. Living with a girl called Rachel who I used to work with in London and so far we’re getting on fine, but I have seen a few alarming looks as I stroll through the flat in just my boxers!!
Been playing quite a bit of footy recently. It is sooooooo tough in this heat. I came off the pitch yesterday absolutely dripping from sweat and drank no fewer than 2 bottles of water and 5 bottles of lucozade equivalent before I felt better. I scored my first goal in 11 a side since I was about 15….the last one coming from a header for Thornhill, when we beat Adamsdown 25-0!!! This one was a fluke to say the least. I picked up the ball about 10 yards in front of the half way line on the right hand side and hit a cross aiming for the edge of the area. Saw it going goal-wards and actually said to a fellow player “uh, that wasn’t a shot”…..it then proceeded to fly over the opposing keeper’s head and everyone looked at me with amazement!!
Alas, the local jewish girl I had been seeing has gone back to study in England. Still…was pretty impressed with my speed and tenacity!! On the subject of jewish, I actually went to the synagogue on Saturday for about the third time since by Bar mitzvah! Nice place and friendly people…..will probably be going back in a couple of weeks to fast and repent for all my sins!
I’ve also joined the ranks of High Society in Singapore!! A friend invited me to the Tatler Man of the Year party. Seriously not my thing, chatting c.rap to all these people who think they’re really important. But the free drink and food was right up my street!!! When they announced the winner, I actually had an inkling it could have been me…”This year’s winner is in his 20s (tick), is a self starter (maybe) and has amassed a wealth worth 9 figures (definite no…unless we’re talking 9 figures in Zimbabwean currency or something!!)…oh well, maybe next year!!
That was how I got to the lovely island of Sibu, Malaysia last weekend. There are a load of lawyers here from the UK on secondment, so I decided to tag along on their trip. Had the worse possible start when the 17 of us turned up to find one of the mini buses hadn’t shown…so we all piled into a 12 seater! Suffice to say I got to know 1 or 2 of them pretty well. Then, after a very long border crossing into Malaysia we were met by a second bus, but this driver was a cross between Lewis Hamilton and a 13 year old adolescent school boy. It was dark and this guy couldn’t appreciate why we wanted him to slow down going round the unlit corners. And so to prove a point he’d slow from 70mph to about 10mph…and at one point even stopped at the side of the road and turned his lights off!!! Finally we got to the resort after a fun ride on a speedboat and had a weekend of drinking, diving, eating and sleeping. Unfortunately it was the latter 2 I was best at….reckon I had seconds or thirds at every meal and got a good 16 hours sleep in total. Drinking wise I was p1ss poor compared to some of these boys and diving I had to come up 20 mins earlier than everyone else cause I had guzzled my air like I was running a marathon!!
Moved into my new place this weekend and without wanting to showoff too much, it’s pretty darn sweet. Basically, it’s like a hotel, with a 50m pool (I swam 3 lengths and was knackered….50m is a long way!!), tennis courts, state of the art gym (it looks nice, but not like I’m ever going to use it!!) Plus, the 31st floor is just a chill out floor with jacuzzis, steam room, sauna, comfy chairs etc. My actual flat is pretty nice with interesting views of the sea (which is basically just one big port of container ships) and a bathroom sink which holds less water than I could cup in my two hands. Living with a girl called Rachel who I used to work with in London and so far we’re getting on fine, but I have seen a few alarming looks as I stroll through the flat in just my boxers!!
Been playing quite a bit of footy recently. It is sooooooo tough in this heat. I came off the pitch yesterday absolutely dripping from sweat and drank no fewer than 2 bottles of water and 5 bottles of lucozade equivalent before I felt better. I scored my first goal in 11 a side since I was about 15….the last one coming from a header for Thornhill, when we beat Adamsdown 25-0!!! This one was a fluke to say the least. I picked up the ball about 10 yards in front of the half way line on the right hand side and hit a cross aiming for the edge of the area. Saw it going goal-wards and actually said to a fellow player “uh, that wasn’t a shot”…..it then proceeded to fly over the opposing keeper’s head and everyone looked at me with amazement!!
Alas, the local jewish girl I had been seeing has gone back to study in England. Still…was pretty impressed with my speed and tenacity!! On the subject of jewish, I actually went to the synagogue on Saturday for about the third time since by Bar mitzvah! Nice place and friendly people…..will probably be going back in a couple of weeks to fast and repent for all my sins!
I’ve also joined the ranks of High Society in Singapore!! A friend invited me to the Tatler Man of the Year party. Seriously not my thing, chatting c.rap to all these people who think they’re really important. But the free drink and food was right up my street!!! When they announced the winner, I actually had an inkling it could have been me…”This year’s winner is in his 20s (tick), is a self starter (maybe) and has amassed a wealth worth 9 figures (definite no…unless we’re talking 9 figures in Zimbabwean currency or something!!)…oh well, maybe next year!!
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
Just One Long Holiday
Hope all is well wherever you are. I’m really settling into my life here – it’s been 3 weeks and I guess at some point it’ll change, but I do feel like I’m on an extended holiday inter-mixed with a bit of work to keep me busy!!!
Work is going well. Tough to get motivated again after a lazy last few months in London. But now I don’t really have a choice! Was supposed to be in Bangkok on the weekend organising a big conference for 75 people within my new team, but got canned last minute cause of the protests, so had to stay in Singapore. Was good nonetheless and got some nice feedback, especially the places I picked to go for dinner and drinks!! Now the team is official and everyone has a better idea on what they’re doing, I’m hardly stopping. Some days I’m so busy I don’t even get a chance to check FaceBook!!!
The weekend before last, I went to Saigon with Angela and her sister. Is a cracker of a place. Great market (Bhan Than) with some really nice gear and lovely hotel and food. Treated myself to a total of 3 hours of spa treatments!! The reunification palace is a bit of an architectural monstrosity and trying to cross the road and dodge the motorbikes is a feat unto itself!! Highlight was most definitely the trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels to crawl through part of the 250km of tunnels used by the locals in the Vietnamese war. Plus I got to fire an M16, AK47 and M60 machine guns which was nuts!! Next weekend it’s off to an island called Sibu in Malaysia to go diving with a bunch of random lawyers out here on secondment.
Birthday last week was good fun. Can’t believe I’m now 27!! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Went out with my team for lunch and got no fewer than 3 birthday cakes (yes, it’s showing round the waist!!) In the evening had a dozen or so people over for a BBQ at my soon to be apartment. Didn’t get off to the best start when the chef we’d hired turned up and was not only shy, but couldn’t speak a word of English!! Thankfully everyone was well fed and watered by the end!!
Socially wise, things are great. Very busy playing footy and tennis, but the standard out here is pretty poor (so I fit in quite well !!) Tough to get used to the heat and humidity though. Very much integrated into the local jewish social scene. Lots of French, Germans and Israelis here, together with a few locals (no, not Chinese jews (!), but Iraqi jews that came over here around 70 years ago)….one of whom, I’ve become particularly friendly with! Also meeting lots of people in similar situations to me and everyone is very accommodating.
F1 is in 3 weeks and promises to be an amazing weekend. Struggling to get tickets for it, so if anyone knows anyone who can help me out, please let me know.
Work is going well. Tough to get motivated again after a lazy last few months in London. But now I don’t really have a choice! Was supposed to be in Bangkok on the weekend organising a big conference for 75 people within my new team, but got canned last minute cause of the protests, so had to stay in Singapore. Was good nonetheless and got some nice feedback, especially the places I picked to go for dinner and drinks!! Now the team is official and everyone has a better idea on what they’re doing, I’m hardly stopping. Some days I’m so busy I don’t even get a chance to check FaceBook!!!
The weekend before last, I went to Saigon with Angela and her sister. Is a cracker of a place. Great market (Bhan Than) with some really nice gear and lovely hotel and food. Treated myself to a total of 3 hours of spa treatments!! The reunification palace is a bit of an architectural monstrosity and trying to cross the road and dodge the motorbikes is a feat unto itself!! Highlight was most definitely the trip out to the Cu Chi tunnels to crawl through part of the 250km of tunnels used by the locals in the Vietnamese war. Plus I got to fire an M16, AK47 and M60 machine guns which was nuts!! Next weekend it’s off to an island called Sibu in Malaysia to go diving with a bunch of random lawyers out here on secondment.
Birthday last week was good fun. Can’t believe I’m now 27!! Thanks for all the birthday wishes. Went out with my team for lunch and got no fewer than 3 birthday cakes (yes, it’s showing round the waist!!) In the evening had a dozen or so people over for a BBQ at my soon to be apartment. Didn’t get off to the best start when the chef we’d hired turned up and was not only shy, but couldn’t speak a word of English!! Thankfully everyone was well fed and watered by the end!!
Socially wise, things are great. Very busy playing footy and tennis, but the standard out here is pretty poor (so I fit in quite well !!) Tough to get used to the heat and humidity though. Very much integrated into the local jewish social scene. Lots of French, Germans and Israelis here, together with a few locals (no, not Chinese jews (!), but Iraqi jews that came over here around 70 years ago)….one of whom, I’ve become particularly friendly with! Also meeting lots of people in similar situations to me and everyone is very accommodating.
F1 is in 3 weeks and promises to be an amazing weekend. Struggling to get tickets for it, so if anyone knows anyone who can help me out, please let me know.
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Ho Chi Minh Tips
Stayed in the Majestic Hotel. Really nice hotel in good location.
Went to Bhan Than market (excellent), Reunification Palace (average) and Notre Dame cathedral (poor)
Lunch at Creperie Café (very nice) and dinner at Le Camarague (again, very nice)
Drinks at Saigon Saigon, top of Caravalle Hotel (very cool)
Did the Cu Chi Tunnels tour (about a 90 min drive each way and 90 mins spent there) (excellent and highly recommended) Got to crawl through the tunnels, hear the stories and fire machine guns!
Dinner at Vietnam House (above average)
Second trip was with work
Stayed in the Park Hyatt. One of the nicest hotels i've stayed in - a real classic.
Ate a cracking meal at the French restaurant L'en tete
Drinks in the Rex and Sheraton hotels roof top bars and then onto Q Bar (trendy), Lush (loud house) and Apocalypse Now (infamous)
Went to Bhan Than market (excellent), Reunification Palace (average) and Notre Dame cathedral (poor)
Lunch at Creperie Café (very nice) and dinner at Le Camarague (again, very nice)
Drinks at Saigon Saigon, top of Caravalle Hotel (very cool)
Did the Cu Chi Tunnels tour (about a 90 min drive each way and 90 mins spent there) (excellent and highly recommended) Got to crawl through the tunnels, hear the stories and fire machine guns!
Dinner at Vietnam House (above average)
Second trip was with work
Stayed in the Park Hyatt. One of the nicest hotels i've stayed in - a real classic.
Ate a cracking meal at the French restaurant L'en tete
Drinks in the Rex and Sheraton hotels roof top bars and then onto Q Bar (trendy), Lush (loud house) and Apocalypse Now (infamous)
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hello from Singapore
So, I’m coming to the end of my first week in Singapore and boy has it been hectic. Got to fly on the new double decker plane – the A380. Pretty impressive and defo worth a go if you have the option.
Am being put up for month in an apartment. Great location just off the main street here – Orchard Road – as busy as Oxford Street, but taller buildings and smaller people!! Apartment is ok – big enough for a family to live in, but whoever designed the décor needs to be shot!! That’s the problem here – either places are ultra-modern or crumbling and decrepit.
Fell into the office last Wednesday on 3 hours sleep after a nice bout of jet-lag. That, together with my throat having an issue with air-conditioning, made for not exactly the most enjoyable first week in work. Good to meet the team and start to get settled in. Thankfully by the weekend I had caught up on sleep and got used to the environment.
Was barely 24 hours here and went to my first Jew do! Had emailed the shul here – they have twice as many Jews in Singapore as Cardiff! A whole 800 of them! It was some guys leaving party, so headed over – actually quite a nice bunch of people…not as warm as you might find in the provinces, but nicer than your average Londoner (no offence!)
After spending a total of 8 weeks of my life over 2 stints here previously, staying at a hotel overlooking the famous Raffles Hotel, I finally got to go in and see what all the fuss about. In fairness, it is very nice and is the ultimate in luxury in Singapore. I went for one of the Singapore Slings in the Long Bar where there are monkey nut shells all over the floor. Very nice!! Boozy night out later on involving the customary Jaeger bomb or two! Kind of a national drink out here! The expats here are all very friendly and everyone seems to know everyone.
Almost found a place to move to. Am negotiating contracts as we speak. Really nice apartment where my friend Angela lives. Cracking facilities such as a pool, gym, tennis courts etc. Not cheap, but good expat community there. Going to be sharing with a girl called Rachel who’s from here, but lived in London for a couple of years
Into my sport already. Played football on Sunday in one of the leagues. We lost 3-2 in the last minute which was annoying. If I said it didn’t stop raining the whole time, that would be an understatement! Then I played tennis last night – pretty good standard but was off my game. Plus, I think I was wetter from sweat than I was from the rain the day before on the football pitch!! Gonna take me a while to get used to this heat!!
Few trips planned already. Heading to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) this weekend and Bangkok the following weekend. I’ll defo be making the most of this!!
If you wanna get in contact, my number’s currently +65 9175 4205, but is likely to change when I get on a contract. We’re 7/8 hours ahead so no waking me up in the middle of the night please!! My address is:
6, Battery Road
#03-00
Singapore
049909
Am being put up for month in an apartment. Great location just off the main street here – Orchard Road – as busy as Oxford Street, but taller buildings and smaller people!! Apartment is ok – big enough for a family to live in, but whoever designed the décor needs to be shot!! That’s the problem here – either places are ultra-modern or crumbling and decrepit.
Fell into the office last Wednesday on 3 hours sleep after a nice bout of jet-lag. That, together with my throat having an issue with air-conditioning, made for not exactly the most enjoyable first week in work. Good to meet the team and start to get settled in. Thankfully by the weekend I had caught up on sleep and got used to the environment.
Was barely 24 hours here and went to my first Jew do! Had emailed the shul here – they have twice as many Jews in Singapore as Cardiff! A whole 800 of them! It was some guys leaving party, so headed over – actually quite a nice bunch of people…not as warm as you might find in the provinces, but nicer than your average Londoner (no offence!)
After spending a total of 8 weeks of my life over 2 stints here previously, staying at a hotel overlooking the famous Raffles Hotel, I finally got to go in and see what all the fuss about. In fairness, it is very nice and is the ultimate in luxury in Singapore. I went for one of the Singapore Slings in the Long Bar where there are monkey nut shells all over the floor. Very nice!! Boozy night out later on involving the customary Jaeger bomb or two! Kind of a national drink out here! The expats here are all very friendly and everyone seems to know everyone.
Almost found a place to move to. Am negotiating contracts as we speak. Really nice apartment where my friend Angela lives. Cracking facilities such as a pool, gym, tennis courts etc. Not cheap, but good expat community there. Going to be sharing with a girl called Rachel who’s from here, but lived in London for a couple of years
Into my sport already. Played football on Sunday in one of the leagues. We lost 3-2 in the last minute which was annoying. If I said it didn’t stop raining the whole time, that would be an understatement! Then I played tennis last night – pretty good standard but was off my game. Plus, I think I was wetter from sweat than I was from the rain the day before on the football pitch!! Gonna take me a while to get used to this heat!!
Few trips planned already. Heading to Ho Chi Minh (Saigon) this weekend and Bangkok the following weekend. I’ll defo be making the most of this!!
If you wanna get in contact, my number’s currently +65 9175 4205, but is likely to change when I get on a contract. We’re 7/8 hours ahead so no waking me up in the middle of the night please!! My address is:
6, Battery Road
#03-00
Singapore
049909
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
