Oh boy! Yes, yes, and yes. The last of my workmen, or the last of the Mohicans, as I call my fantastic team of guys who helped achieve the end result of my garden flat, have all gone now! Yoopy. It's time to party!
It is so strange not having the fortune to drive around London. However, having my brother Soltan and his lovely lady Tuba here has been bliss on many terms, as in whirling us around town, from B&Q getting a lawn mower (goodness knows how many times I will be using that!) to the BBQ, which again I will be counting on my good buddies to come and bring that alive. Spring is in the air, and the outbursts of warm sunshine at the end of March have been a wonderful surprise to the wet weather we have been experiencing most of the year.
Now, back in Vietnam... Upon arrival on board the Indochina Sails via the private tender, Alistair had already made acquaintance, and we sat at the table of two for a seafood lunch. At the same time, the junk cruised the magical bay, watching the sculpted limestone islands rising from the misty waters. We boarded the tender in drizzle and went to visit the fishing village nearby. It amazes me what conditions the rest of the world live in while we are blessed with so much comfort in the West.
A relatively uneventful evening apart from the fun company of Alistair at dinner; the following day, I awoke later than expected, with the gentle floating on the water, and the day began after breakfast with my new friend, Dale. Almost everyone had left as most stayed aboard only one night, so with Dale and a couple, we were handed plastic to wear to keep the rain away, in various colours to choose from and off we went on another boat to visit a cave on an island.
We then went kayaking through another cave, which led to a lagoon with water as smooth as a pool. Apart from the three kayaks we were in, no one was in sight, and the air's coolness was magically peaceful. Next came a visit to the Pearl Farm, where they showed us how the oysters were caught at sea and how to get the pearl out of the shells. It made me think, is there any cause of pain to the shells? Who's there to tell?
The pearl necklaces that took my fancy were in glass boxes, and black pearls in pieces were definitely more significant than any hazelnut I have ever encountered. Once the price tag was revealed, I decided my tour at the Pearl House had ended and simply rushed back to the tender. Time for the self-service lunch approached sooner than expected. A new crowd settled onto the junk, not the friendliest of people, as they seemed totally uninterested in mingling.
After the meal, we were yet again handed another wet-proof gear in another colour to board the tender and visit the most gigantic cave I had ever known. In my entire life, I have seen a few: Hang Sung Sut or the Surprise Cave. I'm not sure why Alistair thought otherwise, but I was certainly stunned by the grandeur of the space, which was apparently covered with the 3,000 visitors at the time, we were told.
To be continued...
Back here in London, the Persian New Year marked the beginning of spring with sunshine, and I got myself in the full swing of exercising. A Saturday afternoon gathering chez moi last week was to bid my dear friend and concert/rave companion Shane farewell as his lovely lady was in town that weekend, and he was moving back home to start a new chapter. It is not exactly sad to see friends move when you know they are changing cities to welcome a new destiny that will benefit their future, but although he will be missed, there is one more destination added to my places to visit... Again.
A whole week with family has been fabulous! I have barely gone out as the days have been active and the nights happily spent in each other's great company. However, the first housewarming party took place last Friday, and in all the excitement of gathering very close friends around, I spent most of the evening in the garden in a flimsy dress and caught a cold. I will get over it, no doubt.
Sending a RIP to one of the greatest DJs of all time, Frankie Knuckles, who passed away at the young age of 59, amongst the ones missing on the plane from Malaysia and the stunning 49-year-old L'Wren Scott. Who wouldn't want to be her? This talented artist took her life away, which makes one think, do not judge a book by the cover. None of us can genuinely realise what happens in anyone's mind and life. So, be kind to yourself and others, let go of nonsense, yet do not let anyone make decisions for you. Be in charge of your destiny.
Na night, amigos.
It is so strange not having the fortune to drive around London. However, having my brother Soltan and his lovely lady Tuba here has been bliss on many terms, as in whirling us around town, from B&Q getting a lawn mower (goodness knows how many times I will be using that!) to the BBQ, which again I will be counting on my good buddies to come and bring that alive. Spring is in the air, and the outbursts of warm sunshine at the end of March have been a wonderful surprise to the wet weather we have been experiencing most of the year.
Now, back in Vietnam... Upon arrival on board the Indochina Sails via the private tender, Alistair had already made acquaintance, and we sat at the table of two for a seafood lunch. At the same time, the junk cruised the magical bay, watching the sculpted limestone islands rising from the misty waters. We boarded the tender in drizzle and went to visit the fishing village nearby. It amazes me what conditions the rest of the world live in while we are blessed with so much comfort in the West.
A relatively uneventful evening apart from the fun company of Alistair at dinner; the following day, I awoke later than expected, with the gentle floating on the water, and the day began after breakfast with my new friend, Dale. Almost everyone had left as most stayed aboard only one night, so with Dale and a couple, we were handed plastic to wear to keep the rain away, in various colours to choose from and off we went on another boat to visit a cave on an island.
 |
| Pearl Farm |
The pearl necklaces that took my fancy were in glass boxes, and black pearls in pieces were definitely more significant than any hazelnut I have ever encountered. Once the price tag was revealed, I decided my tour at the Pearl House had ended and simply rushed back to the tender. Time for the self-service lunch approached sooner than expected. A new crowd settled onto the junk, not the friendliest of people, as they seemed totally uninterested in mingling.
After the meal, we were yet again handed another wet-proof gear in another colour to board the tender and visit the most gigantic cave I had ever known. In my entire life, I have seen a few: Hang Sung Sut or the Surprise Cave. I'm not sure why Alistair thought otherwise, but I was certainly stunned by the grandeur of the space, which was apparently covered with the 3,000 visitors at the time, we were told.
As we walked through the vast area, the cave was lit in different colours.
It made one wonder how many hidden treasures are still to be sighted, or with all the tourists flooding every historical site, are there still any left? After all, it has not been long since, for example, Machu Picchu in Peru was discovered.
At that moment, I realised that my trip alone to destinations so far away was pretty tame!
But I love every moment of it.
We were back on the Indochina Sails early evening to get ready for another dinner set with rose petals on white table clothes at set tables.
 |
| Bar and restaurant aboard Indochina Sail |
The only shame was that the Department of Transport had ordered these amazing vessels, once in their original wood colour, to be painted in white now, which somewhat diminished their character. Nevertheless, it was quite an enchanting experience.
We bid each other farewell with Dale, who had begun his work trip to Vietnam by taking a break from the junk and now had to return to Hanoi for work. At the same time, yours was about to be picked up by Tuan, the driver, to commute on a one-and-a-half-hour car ride to Haiphong, catching a plane to Hoi An and ready for a beach holiday with a warmer climate. |
| The flower market in the centre of Haiphong |
 |
| The Town Hall in Haiphong |
To be continued...
Back here in London, the Persian New Year marked the beginning of spring with sunshine, and I got myself in the full swing of exercising. A Saturday afternoon gathering chez moi last week was to bid my dear friend and concert/rave companion Shane farewell as his lovely lady was in town that weekend, and he was moving back home to start a new chapter. It is not exactly sad to see friends move when you know they are changing cities to welcome a new destiny that will benefit their future, but although he will be missed, there is one more destination added to my places to visit... Again.
A whole week with family has been fabulous! I have barely gone out as the days have been active and the nights happily spent in each other's great company. However, the first housewarming party took place last Friday, and in all the excitement of gathering very close friends around, I spent most of the evening in the garden in a flimsy dress and caught a cold. I will get over it, no doubt.
Sending a RIP to one of the greatest DJs of all time, Frankie Knuckles, who passed away at the young age of 59, amongst the ones missing on the plane from Malaysia and the stunning 49-year-old L'Wren Scott. Who wouldn't want to be her? This talented artist took her life away, which makes one think, do not judge a book by the cover. None of us can genuinely realise what happens in anyone's mind and life. So, be kind to yourself and others, let go of nonsense, yet do not let anyone make decisions for you. Be in charge of your destiny.
Na night, amigos.
| Bedroom with a sea view |
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