Simply Asia (Bangkok and Shanghai)

Huhloh

Huan jing

...and as that song goes: "Some people think I'm bonkers!" I know how the singer feels, hehe:) Because what have I been up to again lately?? Mmm...

So,
I only had one day off after Dusseldorf (which I forgot to mention last time - I planned on visiting my dear friend in Amsterdam, but unfortunately the itenary from the metro system was incorrect and it didn't work out, so I just rested. Then the Bangkok-Hongkong trip.. It works like this: We fly to BKK, stay for a day, don't check out (yay, no packing and unpacking), then shuttle to HKG and back. In HKG we leave the aircraft and get to wander around in the airport for 4 hrs or go to our own lounge where we get free snacks, drinks and internet. Back in BKK we stay another day. Throughout this, we keep handing over/being handed over the aircraft to the other crew we saw the day before, the once ahead or behind in the same trip.

Bangkok: What did I do in Bangkok?...mmmm...well...the usual.... massages, shopping and eating like a pig. Went on the skytrain for the first time in Thailand. Excellent!
And.... then I went to Patpong. This is an area... a 'district' I've always wanted to experience. I went to go watch the famous/infamous ping pong shows. All by myself, coz crew were either sick or tired. These places are superdodgy stripclubs, except that they don't strip, they are already naked when you enter and are hanging around on the stage like jellyfish in a tank. Then one comes forward and gives you the 'show' of your life! Now, I've heard all kinds of stories, but I will only share what I've experienced myself. The highlighted is not for the sensitive. (Ma, stop reading, heehee) One girl put ping pong balls up her punani(hahahahaha) then shoots it back while a 'floor'person picks it up with a fishnet. One pulled a string out that never seemed to end, one sucked water from a bottle and transfered it to another and then came to put the two bottles on my table asking for money(gross), one sucked rings with a tube and put the rings over a bottle. It's a freakin sex circus!!!!! After 20mins I couldn't watch anymore and tried to leave. This wasn't so easy. They tried to con me like they do all foreigners, I threatened them, they threatened me and after much negotiation, I left safely. It's all part of the journey. Ok, tick, done!:)

Shanghai: Went to the Jade Buddha Temple (wish I could share the video clips), lots of open praying and chanting going on. Then went walking for 2 hours in an area where I honestly saw NO foreigners, just little Chinese people. Just my style;) Saw many males without their shirts on (it was very hot and humid), saw the usual 'stunts' of families on scooters, crazy traffic and stinky roads. I must admit, I'm not a fan of China. I don't get the 'rhythm', whereas places like Thailand and India etc, I feel I just fit in!!

Hope you enjoyed:)

Ramadan Karim!

Take care Chinas

Alta

free fremantle, Perth (Australia)

Heya!



Whooooosh, my life is a tumbledryer and my head is spinning. LOL! I have been partying way too much and unfortunately alcohol was involved. I had another absent at work (missed my flight), a kick under the butt and now it seems Alta is back on track. So, let me tell you a little bit about Perth.



I successfully swapped my London flight to go to OZ instead and it was good to be back in Australia, even though it was a direct 11 hour flight. It is winter there now and the weather was glorious, stunning. I got up early in the morning and took a train to Cottlesloe... a cute neighbourhood right on the ocean. My map led me to the beach, I sat there for a while and counted about 34 surfers in front of me, around noon on a Monday. Then I decided to go further (bought a day pass train ticket) and went to Fremantle, the last stop. A harbour town. Perth, especially Fremantle has a lot of history with the Dutch and the little town itself looks European. I had lunch at the waterfront and a walk through the park and to my amazement in front of me which I thought were seagulls, on a closer zoom, they were actually white parrots. Everywhere. In the trees, on the grass...




I found the people very friendly, especially the elder ones. Reminded me of the uncle and aunts from my own little hometown:) Had a walk through the CBD and it was so much like Cape Town. It's amazing how much Australia is like SA, just without the crime. I miss hooooome!!!



I'll be coming home the end of the month, finally, after 6 months!! For a few days. Meanwhile, I'm going on a Bangkok trip tonight, then China and a visit to good old Jimmy in Dar E Salaam (another London swap)



Hope you are all good. Am looking forward to meeting up the ones I can:)



Mwah mwah

See ya later

A