A trip to Chatuchak market left me soaked in sweat, seriously dehydrated, bags of goodies and with only enough money left in my pocket for the monorail trip back to the hotel. Chatuchak is more than a normal market, more than the “standard” Asian markets with squawking chickens, frogs and strange animal parts. Actually it had none of those at all, but had something much better… products by fresh local young thai designers, indie music shops and baby rabbits in little costumes (absolutely dying in the heat). They also had little chipmunks in costumes. Imagine a chipmunk sized peter pan costume complete with woolen hat, and you have the correct mental image. Now duplicate those chipmunks by 10, and pop them on a little thai lady…bingo!

I seriously pushed my limits of heat tolerance in that trip, taking buses and walking around all day. Bangkok has some beautiful temples…I always go and pray whenever I get to visit temples. It’s nice, makes me feel happier and a feel little bit more peaceful.

Bangkok was so much fun. Will definitely be doing the Krabi-Bangkok trips in the future

Next email…I’ll have to dig my photos of kuala lumpur out of the archives! heehee

Shi

1. Jack the Ripper walk – very good, the guide (an actor by profession) did voices (horny wretches, toff, Cockney, fire truck (??)) , sang, danced – it was a good night. www.walks.com

2. Syon Park Enchanted Woodland Walk – very very pretty – they put up lights & effects in the park and it just turns into something else. It’s also the home of the Duke and Duchess of Northcumberland but unfortunately Their Graces are not part of the exhibit http://www.syonpark.co.uk/

3. Hyde Park Winter Wonderland. Ice rink is fully booked til Xmas (I’ve been told) but it’s more like a sandy watery rink..better to go to Somerset House. Excited kids, parents, couples, teens – everyone in London had turned up. Ferris wheel, tube slide, carousel, haunted house, rides, food, stalls for pressies, Santa

4. VIP shopping weekend – they closed parts of Oxford Street for shoppers – jugglers, entertainers etc. There’s this Argos ad on the telly now that has people sommersaulting over bollards, pushing, shoving…that was probably based on this event :p

5. Columbia Street Flower Market – oh the glorious smell of pine needles…mmm 25 pounds for a 5 ft xmas tree..sigh

6. East London Design Show – it was good. Didn’t find any xmas pressies tho

Oh yes in my previous email I said that it was Richard VIII – it should actually have been Henry VIII – my bad

Interestingly, Henry VIII was eaten by the estate dogs at Syon Park – considered divine judgement for turning Syon Abbey into Syon House.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Syon_House

Got soaked in the rain, it’s been raining all week. And the story behind that nice graffiti is here:

http://www.banksy.co.uk/outdoors/horizontal_1.htm

It’s located above the bus stop at the Old Street tube station and the story behind it is worth a read.

That’s it for now..I’m absolutely knackered.

zzzz
shi

hiya,

it’s been a strange August, just a lot of things happening. But came out of it ok, although slightly tired and not wanting to move from my bed/apartment.

What a boring git.

Mostly working, eating, trying to sleep and at the end of it – absolutely hating airplane food. Sent out postcards, met up with people, listened to my ipod. Came back home, packed again, tried to do laundry. Caught taxis, buses, trains, connecting flights, made notes, wrote emails, took photos. Lots and lots of photos. Smiled at customs people, got my luggage, went in and out and in and out and in again.

Saw my family, got sent to the airport, picked up from the airport. And again and again and again.

Working at london time in Vancouver.

Vancouver Pride Parade.

Eating fantastic seafood around vancouver.

Feeling absolutely shite when I couldn’t get my Japanese visa in time.

Playing company softball in the rain.

Flying/travelling for more than 24hrs.

Loving the weather in Msia.

Loving the 25m infinity pool with the view of Spore river.

Cycling in Holland, eating pickled fish in a bun.

Walking through the red light district.

Humongous carbon footprint.

Singing crazy singstar (karaoke) at home with colleagues.

London borough markets for coffee and eats.

And now I’m writing this email on a sunny sunday morning in london, with sunshine pouring in the window.

Soon I have to catch the ferry down the thames for a bbq in Greenwich..

Late already! eeks

Hope all is well, write soon
Shi