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Macau – ‘the Vegas of China’

You have to take the ferry to get to Macau, so we checked out of our hotel and made our way to the ferry terminal, which, like most things in Hong Kong, is in a mall. It was a bit of a mad scramble but we worked out how to buy tickets and where to queue for our ferry. We even had a lovely soup before we left.

The journey itself on the Cotai Ferry took about an hour and was really comfortable. Like most places in Hong Kong it had free wifi and as we’d booked first class we got snacks and a drink. The only seats that were left were in first, and we were keen to get there. On the way back we returned in economy and it’s just as good, you just don’t get the box of mystery snacks!

We had also booked to stay at the Grand Hyatt in Macau, and this was even more impressive than the one in Hong Kong – especially as they upgraded us to a suite larger than some of the flats I’ve lived in. However, we did discover one shocking thing – the hotel DIDN’T have a bar. Actually, what we realised pretty quickly, was neither do the casino’s. This is a big difference between Macau and Vegas – although they have similarities and in some cases exactly the same hotels (There’s a Venetian and a Wynn in Macau) the vibe is very different. Macau is about serious gambling, and there is no real drinking/cocktail culture to go alongside that. So we decided to go and find a bar, and didn’t have to go far. Across the road from us was the Wynn Hotel, which you had to get a very cute cable car to.

It went all round the lake, over musical fountains and was really good fun. So, deposited at the doorway of the Wynn we headed for the nearest (and only) bar. And what a bar. It was quite literally, fabulous. A vision of rich gold, jade green and mirrored loveliness. It sounds over the top, but actually it was gorgeous. Very well done and very comfortable. My picture definitely doesn’t do it justice, so I’ve used this one from the Wynn Palace Hotel website.

And they served the biggest Martin’s in the world.

Even the ladies toilets in The Wynn were gorgeously decorated.

Once we’d had our cocktail top-up it was back to our hotel for some time in the Casino. The next day we went out exploring in Macau old town, which was fascinating. It felt very Chinese – different to Hong Kong. There is a strong Portugese influence, dating back to when it was a Portugese territory, so you can get egg tarts everywhere – though it was impossible to find a coffee shop. We walked and walked and came across temples and great shops selling cute tea sets (I really wish I’d bought one) and lovely food. There was even a shop that sold only Portugese tinned fish.

Then it was back to the Hotel and all too soon we were getting up the next morning to head back to Hong Kong for the last part of the holiday.

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31st December 2016

Travel

Hong Kong – the holiday

Our hotel had a lovely rooftop pool, and although it wasn’t really pool weather, I insisted we spent at least a couple of hours just chilling out before we went exploring. The travelling was tiring and needless to say I hadn’t slept well, so I figured a couple of hours wrapped in cosy dressing gowns lying on a sun lounger wouldn’t do any harm. And we even had a quick dip – though it was a bit too cold for a luxuriating swim.

We had 3 days in Hong Kong before we tripped over to Macau, so we mostly spent them walking, sightseeing and eating. Lots and lots of eating.

We visited noodle bars and japanese restaurants, had brilliant Tapas at Jason Atherton’s restaurant and we even had an M&S sandwich at one point. The food in Hong Kong is excellent – there are Michelin starred restaurants nestled next to hole-in-the wall joints and modern, european cafe’s. Wonderful.

As we walked we came across parks, temples, jam-packed streets and lots and lots of sky scrapers.

Then before we knew it, it as time to pack our bags again and find the ferry to Macau, for part 2 of the holiday.

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29th December 2016

Travel

Hong Kong – the arrival

There is so much to say about Hong Kong, that I dont know where to start. So I might let the pictures do the talking:

We stayed in the Grand Hyatt in Wan Chai. It’s a fantastic hotel, although we didn’t realised that parts of Wan Chai are the Hong Kong red light district. So when we ventured out after travelling for 16 hours, jet lagged and bit dazed, it all seemed quite daunting. But I’m glad we went out the first night, even if it wasn’t for long.

We got back to the relative sanity of the hotel, had a look at the pool and took part in our usual Christmas Day holiday tradition – room service dinner with duty free Jack Daniels!

Then it was time for bed, ready for adventures to start in the morning!

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27th December 2016

Travel

Hong Kong – the journey

We usually go away at Christmas, and book something quite far in advance. Last year it was India, however, this year we didn’t really get round to it – I think the delay in going on the Antigua holiday with my parents meant we didn’t really want to commit to something in case it got moved again. Once it was looking like Antigua was going ahead, we realised we hadn’t made any plans for Christmas, in England or anywhere else.

On the spur of the moment and driven by some very reasonable flight prices (a result of the fact most people don’t want to lose their Christmas Day) and use of Avios points, we booked British Airways Business Class flights to Hong Kong, flying out on Christmas Eve and flying right through Christmas Day, arriving in Hong Kong in the afternoon. We finished work on Friday and headed to Mum’s for Christmas nibbles and drinks and presents the next morning, then we got to Terminal 5 with LOADS of time to spare so we could take advantage of the lounge and get into the festive holiday spirit.

We camped out in the lounge, poured ourselves some drinks, helped ourselves to some nibbles, poured some more drinks and generally nobbed about having fun and feeling very happy. We even found time to fit in a trip to Wagamama to try out some soups for Soup is Food.

Then it was time for the flight. We had specifically booked the route with the A380 on – it’s a brand new plane with a really lovely Club Cabin and as soon as the plane took off we changed into pyjamas, and obligatory Christmas headband (me). We ate a full Christmas dinner, complete with champagne, wine and port. Not quite like being at home but a brilliant substitute. The crew were ace, and it really felt like a valuable part of the holiday, rather than the usual feeling of just wanting to get the journey over with. And I got at least 6 hours sleep – perfect.

I definitely wouldn’t hesitate about flying on Christmas Eve/Christmas Day again, I really enjoyed it (and it was much cheaper!)

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26th December 2016

Travel

Blue Waters Resort, Antigua

SO, the time had finally come. After two postponements due to my Dad’s ill health, we were finally ready to fly to Antigua for our family holiday. I’m not sure the last time I went on holiday with my parents, on my own. Probably 25 years ago. Maybe even a bit longer? And having had the holiday postponed twice during the year, I wasn’t really sure that we would ever get there!

We flew from Gatwick, and had Club World seats out there, which meant champagne on the plane and a lovely meal, followed by watching the pretty dreadful Ab Fab film and a snooze.

The fact we could rest meant I arrived in Antigua after the 8-hour flight feeling quite chipper and not immediately needing to go to bed. As my Dad was met from the plane by a wheelchair, we were whizzed through immigration and were out with our bags before we knew it. VIP service ;-). We got a cab from the airport, which was really easy with a desk directly outside arrivals. The hotel is only about 20 minutes from the airport, and a very reasonable $15 USD, so we were there in no time, where we were welcomed with a drink – you could choose from rum or fruit punch – and completed check in while sitting down sipping our cocktail. Very chilled.

Our rooms had a sea view and were right next to eachother, and they were lovely. As we had booked the all-inclusive option you even got an extensive range of drinks in the mini bar, with a list to order more or different ones to your taste. And because my parents had been to Blue Waters before, a bottle of chilled champagne awaited them in their room with a personalised note welcoming them back. A very nice touch indeed.

Blue Waters is listed as one of the premium resorts on Antigua, and I can see why. Crystal blue sea, fringed by white sand beaches – all overlooked from 3 separate swimming pools and the main restaurant. It’s a very relaxing place and somewhere you can rest as much as you want, or if you want to be more active there are some watersports, a gym and a spa. Mum and I opted for facials, which were lovely, and about as active as we got.

I was only staying for 5 nights, so pretty soon it was time to leave again. We’d saved the champagne to have before I left, so after getting ready for the airport we shared a glass on the terrace of my parents room and I was whisked off in a cab for my flight home.

A very flying visit, but even with such a short stay I had chance to relax and spend some precious time with Mum and Dad. And all too quickly it was back to London and into the December party madness!

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12th December 2016

Travel

48-hours in Barcelona

We took Madge’s boys to Barcelona for a weekend. Lots of tapas, walking and a bit of sightseeing. The weather was really pleasant and it meant we could sit outside for drinks and chill out. The boys have never been to Barcelona before, so it was good to take them somewhere that was at least a little familiar to us.

We found an amazing sweet shop called Happy Pills – think posh pick and mix, but more fun.

We also drank fresh juice on the beach, and lit a candle in a cathdral.

I went and got my nails done and sneaked off for a cheeky plate of ham and glass of wine at the bar of a cool tapas place.

And of course we ate helados, one of my very favourite things.

Every time I go back to Barcelona there’s more to see, or new places to go. I love it, and will definitely be going back AGAIN.

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20th October 2016

Travel

Wonderful Rome

I had a wonderful time in Rome. After the boys finished the cycle, we had Saturday night, and full days on Sunday and Monday, so we made the most of them.

We walked our feet off, traversing the city and constantly being amazed by yet more brilliantly big old stuff. There were lots of churches, and sitting in on mass on Sunday morning was very special.

There was lots of pasta. The best Spaghetti Carbonara I’ve ever had, washed down with lovely rose wine.

There was no shortage of Aperol Spritz, all served in jars.

And it was wonderful to see The Vatican. The queues were so long that we didn’t go in, but even from the outside it is very special.

I adored Rome and would go back tomorrow. It has the best food, the best drink and it is so accessible. Everything is in walking distance, and there are some lovely neighbourhoods away from the main tourist areas. We didn’t have a bad meal or an unpleasant experience the whole trip – perfection!

And of course, there was plenty of gelato.

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9th October 2016

Travel

Ciao Roma

The great thing about living near an airport is that you can be from home to through security and eating your breakfast in 45 minutes flat.

After a 2 and a half hour flight, I landed at Rome’s Fiumicino airport around lunchtime, and with just hand luggage I waltzed through and out the other side to the train station. It was easy to buy a ticket and to find the ‘Leonardo Express’ train into the city’s Termini station. The boys were not due to finish the Epic Cycle until about 5pm, so I knew I had plenty of time to find my hotel and get some food, before making my way to The Coliseum.

Phone in hand, I started following the Google Map directions. Which was fine, though after a while it felt like I had gone round in a bit of circle. At which point I realised I was following the driving directions not the walking ones, so I’d obviously gone right round a one-way system! Just as my bag was starting to feel a bit heavy and my feet beginning to ache, I stumbled across a very nice looking small restaurant. I managed to order a lovely spaghetti pomodoro and 2 glasses of white wine, which fortified me enough to finish the remaining 10-minute journey to the hotel.

I was quietly proud of myself for getting to Rome, getting the train, finding a restaurant and walking to the hotel. The idea of travelling alone doesn’t scare me, but it’s not something I’ve done much of. I felt like a proper adult, and even managed to work out how to use the room safe – one of the hotel room features that frequently foxes me 🙂

So, buoyed by my travelling success I headed off across Rome in a cab to meet @madgie. I had an wonderful jar (yes, jar) of Aperol Spritz while looking at the The Coliseum and a cup of coffee at a nearby café. I really enjoyed my day of solo travelling, but I was glad to see @madgie when he finally came in.

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7th October 2016

Travel

Viva España

Just back from a wonderful 6 days in Andalucia. I love this area and could happily live there tomorrow.

Because Madge is doing the epic cycle from Venice to Rome in 3 weeks, he needed to get some cycling in during the week so after we picked up our car and got to the hotel, we went out in search of the bike hire place. Turns out the combinaton of an unknown car, on unknown roads, on the wrong side is a hairy combination so it took us a few goes to find the place, but once we did they kitted him out with the bike, leaving him to ride back to the hotel and me to find my way in the car. Once we got back I was happy to park the car up and start the holiday!

We stayed for 2 nights in the NH hotel just outside Marbella, which is a nice basic hotel with a lovely pool and a good bar next door, perfect for watching the MotoGP in while eating tapas and drinking cava. The best way to spend a Sunday afternoon.

On Monday we got the bus into Marbella for a stroll around the old town and along the beach. We dipped our toes in the Med and had some lovely tapas.

We got the bus back, checked out and headed off to our villa, where we were staying for the next 4 days. We’ve been there before, so finding our way was easy and it was nice to go back to somewhere so lovely and so familiar.

We were straight into the pool, before heading out for dinner at Villa Padierna, a very nice hotel near by. On Tuesday Madge was up early for a cycle into the mountains, so I dropped him at San Luis de Sabinillas down the road and headed back to Puerto Banus for breakfast on my own.

It was lovely drinking cafe con leche and watching the world go by, and before I knew it it was time to leave to go and pick Madge back up. We had lunch back at the Villa Padierna and dinner out at our favourite Italian restaurant in Puerto Banus.

Wednesday was my Birthday and we had already made plans to spend it at the PuroBeach club in Estapona. We booked beach-facing pool beds and started the day with fresh fruit and water, followed by swimming in the sea, the pool and pre-lunch cocktails. We had a gorgeous lunch at Camuri and then spent the rest of the afternoon round the pool listening to the great music, drinking cocktails and snoozing, before heading home, getting dressed up and going out to La Sala. A brilliant Birthday.

The rest of the week flew by in a flash and before we knew it, it was Friday morning and time to leave to drop the bike off and head to the airport.

We finished our wonderful holiday with champagne at the airport, perfect end to a perfect trip.

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11th September 2016

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