ring my bell (Scotland)

Hi ya

"My name is Alta and I'll be your waitress on today's flight". Yeah right. Man, the Scottish can drink!! They emptied the aircraft and left us with no break. My hotelbedroom in Glasgow was the first one I jumped on! Haha. It just look so cozy. I forgot to pack my jeans and looked quite ridiculous with a checkered coat, my funky check boots, scarf and...... and... gymtights. Haha!! But I improvised by purchasing grey legwarmers on my way to the trainstation and just blended right in with the UK's funky fashion style. The train is really awesome, even had a train attendant. Scotland is BEEEEAUUTIFUL!! No photos I took could capture the uniqueness and beauty of this destination. Even though it rained a little, the temperature was great. Green, lush, farms, strrrrong accents, whisky, bagpipes playing in the background, beeeg woman with even bigger calves balancing on high shoes, umbrellas, cleanliness and serious alcohol consumption all made up for Scotland. I went to Edinburgh (which is dropdead beautiful) to go see the Castle, went to a Scottish pub and had Haggis, neeps and tatties (a Scottish dish - mash, turnips and sausages - and surprisingly and pleasantly could have a vegetarian option) accompanied with Auchentoshn scotch whisky from that very same area. I just missed the last tour of the distillery:(

I had a great time.
Next I'm off to Joburg again, was there the other day. Will go visit my sis. Then a few turnarounds. Will probably not have news again for a month, as I'll be leaving the 12th for the trip to India to the Himalayas for two weeks!!

A'raait

Alta

italian iron stallion (Milan, Italy)

Buon giorno

Allora,
so I went to go visit George Clooney in Italy, but he wasn't home. Haha. Apparently he owns a house somewhere around the Lago (Lake) Como, which is a beautiful area about 40mins away from Milan. It was Sunday, the sun was strong, the weather hot and sticky. Many bikes, big scooters, Vespas, Ducatis, and other roaring beauties came passed us every minute as we were strolling the streets looking for a nice ristorante to chow some pizza. We found one, I had some Italian beer, and we finished it off with gourmet Italian icecream. It's so funny to see every different country with their unique style and with their things that make them famous. In Bangkok for example every second corner is a massage parlour and tailor shop. In Milan, it is icecream and a little shop that sells tramezzinis and paninis.

Old bicycles, laundry hanging on balconies, flower pots, shouting in streets, and men eyeing you all made up for Italy:) I loved it. I knew I was there. To finish off my experience, I went into a local supermarket and had a lot of fun. (and as my flatmate Paula would say: I wish I was a local for a day) Ooo, did I mention the men? They are hot! Hot, hot, hot! Even our busdriver and the train attendant were sexy. In the cabins already we had competition who had the sexiest man in their respective area, heehee. At boarding and disembarkation I greeted every person in italian. I always say Ciao anyways, so it was cool doing it professionally:) Going to Milan, we had 33 Afrikaans people on board though, that was funny;-)

We (Kate and Amanda, awesome girls) also went to see the cathedral in Duomo. There was a soccer game on, I think Spain against Italy and there were thousands of people gathered in that area. And it was so wonderful to see the sun still high and hot at 9pm!!

Back at my hotel, I enjoyed the sunset by sitting on my own balcony, trying to feel like a local:)
Looking forward to more trips to Italy

Arrivederci
Ciao
A

Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes - anonymous

thai me up, thai me down (Bangkok and Sydney)

Good day

6 flights, 3 nights in Sydney, 2 in Bangkok in 8 days can drive you slowly into madness. Up and down, 7 hours into the future, 4 behind, 2 ahead, let's go, where are we, what is the time? Aaaargh!!! So I spoiled myself with massages, facials, reflexology, more massages, shopping (clothes, shoes, decorations for the apartment - yes, I have become a consumer) and even a movie, Sex and the City (haha, so not me). This movie will never show in the Middle East because of it's content (well, as if the name already won't give them flushes), so we went to go see it in Sydney. Sydney is gorgeous!! Man, I just LOVE Oz! Our hotel was, as usual, very central and the Opera House was a 10 minute walk. What a beauty!! I walked all over the city, eventually off the map - haha.

In Bangkok, we stayed in Silom. Quite central. Even though my body was still recovering from a previous thai massage, I was ready for another. For those who are not sure what a thai massage entails...it those ones they use their elbows, knees, feet to knead your body (while you feel the need to plead), they stretch you in yoga positions, climb on top of you at times, and roll you on (well, some of my favourite sleeping) positions and massage you some more. I had something called a Modern Thai Massage, and this even included the use of powder and a hot compress. The best I've had in my life!! It's an experience of surrender, mercy, where pain meets pleasure till all you reach is a state of 'aaaaaah'. Thai massages are not recommended for everybody..

The trip felt foreverlong, between crew we played around a lot to entertain each other (laughing openly at passengers sleeping in hilarious positions - be warned. Ya, I know it's sounds cruel, but crew have to survive also and stay awake, heehee) I am still jetlagged, it has been a busy month (only halfway now, geez)

Well, alright then. This is it for now
Till laters
A
.
Ps.
Shopping references:
everything and anything
MBK mall in Bangkok (7storeys of shopping heaven)
Paddy's Market in Sydney (cheapest you'll get in Oz, and up to standard)


--
Let your soul stand cool and composed before a million universes - anonymous

the fast and the furious (Hong Kong, my sister and the new bike)

......and so I went to Hong Kong (which is like a Chinese New York) and found it fascinating that you have to take a train as you land, from the aircraft to the airport and vice versa. The place is huge!! Your gatenumber will determine at which station you'll have to get off. Well, as I landed I got the devastating news of my beloved elder sister. She passed away:( So, naturally I have no travelnews - as I wasn't in the mood to go anywhere.. I did walk around the city for a few hours.

Allow me to talk about my sister though, Marina.

This woman, an angel in physical form, is the most courageous woman that I have known. And to be able to call her my sister, is a blessing. She is a spirit of pure positivity, she showed us that the impossible was possible. Being told by doctors that she would live till she is 12 (born with a weak heart), she finally laid her heart to rest at 40. She showed us that you get what you put your mind to. It breaks my heart to remove her from this emailing list, she will be greatly missed - and so I dedicate the rest of my travels to her, a true jewel.

My company looked after me really well, and organized my whole trip home from Hong Kong, then Cape Town (in business class, hehe) and gave me a week off. Pookie and I were brought together, and i got to see my mom also. We got a new baby, Woeksie - the Yamaha R6, and the two of us took over the roads on the bikes (me on the Ducati). Param is by far my best biker's buddy:-)

Just arrived back this morning. Am off on a 8 day trip tomorrow. Hope to have some good news then:)

Cheerios
A