Wednesday 27 July 2011

It's a bit faaaarking chilly!!

Well hello peeps,


I am now in Brisbane and having a really good time. Have been chilling out a lot...still haven't started to write 'What to do when you don't know what to do'. I blame it all on the kindle. Every time I have a free moment, it calls to me 'read me, read me, don't ignore me...kaaaaaaaatieeeeeeeeeeee I'll cry!!!!!!!!' So I read. But I am not going to tell you all about Brisbane now, I might mention a couple of things, but as I'm here til Sunday I will write another email when I"m in Sydney telling you all about here. One thing, no I lie. Two things I will tell you about Brisbane. One- it's fucking hilly to run around - well the park is. Two - it's a bit fucking chilly in the evenings after Singapore and Bali. Am a tad worried about Melbourne and New Zealand. Maybe I will start writing in NZ as I won't be going outside AT ALL!!!!

So, Singaling. Left Bali on the Friday lunchtime and was a bit sad to leave my hotel, and my room, but was not sad to say good bye to Ubud. Got back to Singapore around 8.30pm and headed back to Milos before going to the cinema with him and a guy he works with called, shit, completely forgotten his name.....arse....nevermind. Let me just check if Milo gets these emails...apparently he doesn't, maybe I should add him...anyways it means I can refer to his colleague as hotty, because he was! And he had a nice body too. Thank you god for hot countries and swimming pools and sunglasses so you can perve...anyways, moving on. George, he's called George! Shame he's about 12 and has just moved to Singapore...right, Katherine shut up and move on.

So we went to see Brides Maids which was fucking HILARIOUS!!!!! And then headed back to his flat. On Saturday I got up and went for a run in the complex gym. We then chilled out by the pool before going to get some late lunch - had the most amazing french toast ever! It was made with danish pastry, yum yum yum - and went in the cable cars to a little island called Santosa I think and wondered around there. There is a theme park thing on there and a massive lion statue you can go up etc, but we just pootled around before heading back to the cable car. After this we went back to the flat for a bit and then went on a night safari at the zoo which was AMAZING!!!! Unfortunately I don't have any pics of the animals cause they are nocturnal and you can't use the flash on cameras cause it will do their eyes damage, but we saw lions, tigers, hippos, rhino's, loads of deer, water buffalo, giraffes etc etc oh and of course ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We also watched a show which was hilarious as it was the last one of the day and some of the animals were clearly fed up of behaving, so didn't. They also taught us about recycling by getting some otters to do it and other things.

On Sunday (my last day, sob, which I did when I said goodbye getting into the taxi...standard me) we went to the bird park which was incredible and the range of birds was huge! We wondered around for a couple of hours, seeing every type of tropical bird you can imagine, and vultures and swans and flamingo's etc. Worry not, I have about a billion pics and I will put some on here when I get back in Sept.

What else about Singapore? Not much, I don't think. It was so great to be able to spend some proper time with Milo. I don't think we've spent that much time together hanging out since I left school. He is a fabulous little bro. It was also great to hang out with his friends too, and they are hilarious. It's always good when you spend most of your time giggling. Oh and, wait for it, you'll never believe me.....I have a bit of a tan!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Well on my face, arms, chest and top of back, which lets face it, are the only bits that will be visible in the UK, so I'm fucking happy about that.

Well my lovely ones, I think that's about it. More next week at some point about Brisbane and what I've done. Am staying with a friend in Sydney which will be so nice, as the hostel is fine, and I splashed out to have my own room, it's always nice to be staying with someone that you know.

Right, am getting a bit hungry so am going to go and make some lunch - yes, have been good and bought salad stuff and fruit for my meals rather than eat sandwiches twice a day - Am saving up so I can eat sushi ALL THE TIME in Sydney!

Hope all is well with everyone, and that the sun has decided to shine.

Lots of love, laughter and smiles,
Me, XXX

Friday 22 July 2011

Monkeys and Elephants

Well my mind is changing a bit about Ubud.  It's still one massive shop/restaurant/spa but I've had a really good 5 days and haven't felt lonely for a minute!  When I've wanted to chill out, I've sat by the pool in my hotel with my kindle, which has quite possibly been the best thing I've ever bought, and read.  I think I'm on book number 5 now, so in my terms of chilling out and reading, I don't think I could have done much better.  And some exciting news, I have a vague strap mark on my should and haven't burnt, so maybe I might return home one shade darker than when I left, woop fucking woop!  I'm still sticking to the factor 30 though.

So what have I done other than attempt to barter a silk dress down from 30 quid to a fiver and failed?  Ummm, went to the monkey forest on Tues, have I already mentioned this?  I don't think so.  And spent a couple of hours there wondering around and laughing at the babies who are so curious.  So  curious that one climbed up my leg and sat on my shoulder for a while before I crouched down and gently shook it off so it would go back onto the ground.  A bit of a shame no one was there to take a photo, but never mind.  I also spend quite a lot of the time laughing at the size of the adult male monkeys balls which are ENORMOUS!  And at the odd willy when I saw it, and no, I wasn't looking on purpose, fucking dirty perverts the lot of you.

I also wondered around up and down the monkey forest road and up to the palace and temple for a while, had supper at the hotel and went to bed.  On Wednesday  I was up at stupid o'clock to be picked up between 8 and 9 am to go and see ELEPHANTS!!!!!!!!!!  I was with a hilarious gay couple from the states and one of them, who I will now love until the day I die, thought I was the funniest person he's ever met and pissed himself basically every time I said anything.  And I know you will all be laughing at this because I'm not funny, but I promise you, this is the truth!  And NO he was NOT laughing at me.

Went on a elephant ride and got chatted up by the elephant keeper guy which was quite funny.  We then watched a show, had lunch and headed back.  There were also 3 babies there (elephants, not humans), they were all born in 2009 so spent a fairly long time aaahing over them.  And yes, I have about a million photos both in colour and black and white.  Have finally played around with my camera and have found such delightful settings as black and white and sepia so watch this space, a budding photographer is emerging.....well, ummm, sort of....maybe not.  Anyways, I'm having fun which is good because I'm on my own and it would be pretty shit if I wasn't.

Today (actually yesterday as it wrote it yesterday and am posting it today)pootled around the forest road again and found starbucks.  Amazing, they are EVERYWHERE!!  And no, I didn't buy one, and yes, I did take a photo of the sign...what else have I done?  Went for a swim, seem to be slowly but surely conquring my fear of sharks in swimming pools and have chilled out by the pool.  Am doing this before meeting up with my cousin and her husband for sups as they are here on their honeymoon.  I have also just had my first bar of chocolate since leaving England and yes, it was a Milo bar (snigger) and yes, it was amazing!  Gone a bit light headed from the sugar though...and now need a drink, arse.

So I feel that  I have gone into babble mode.  I feel that I am also missing things out, but can't think what.

I'm really glad that I have taken myself here because I know that I can spend significant time on my own and be happy, and not bored.  I was going to start writing my guide/book 'What to do when you don't know what to do' but time seems to have run away, amazingly enough!!  I think that had I been on a beach instead I probably would have started it, but then I wouldn't have seen the elephants or monkeys.  Oh yes, monkeys, this is what I was going to say.  On Tues when I was walking back to the hotel in the evening, I fancied some crisps so bought some.  I walked past the entrance of the forest not thinking about anything in particular with the unopened crisps in my hand, and about 2 minutes after I had walked past I felt something grap the packet, and fuck me, it was an adult who had seen the packaging and followed me up the hill before nicking them.  Cheeky bugger!  Fucking clever though.  Oh, and in the forest 2 children had little bottles of water and a, well I suppose, teenage money took one of the bottles, undid the lid and then drank the water!!  When it had finished, it stole the other bottle from the other child!  Fucking amazing!!!!  It reminded me not to think of them as just animals.

Well, I think that's it.  I've seen monkeys steal and drink water, nick my crisps, an elephant play the harmonica, score a goal and twirl a hula hoop around it's trunk.  I've seen beautiful buildings and landscapes - the tiered rice fields are beautiful, as is the volcano.  I've eaten yummy food, slept a lot, read a lot, had a truly wonderful time with me, and made me so grateful for being able to be here.  For being able to just be with me.  And finally, before I turn into an emotional wreck, I'm so glad that I've got ear plugs because the frogs in the field behind my room are fucking loud and would otherwise keep me up all night!!!!!

So much love to all, and thank you for those of you who have emailed me back.  I will do my best to reply to you individually without repeating myself too much!!
XXX

Tuesday 19 July 2011

Seafood and Skyscrapers

Hello all,

How's England? Cold? Raining?  Ha ha ha.  Sorry, couldn't resist!

Am currently in Ubud in Bali typing on the shitest keyboard known to man and am really having to bash it to make it work. Because of this, I probably won't send as long an email as I was going to... some might breathe a sigh of relief knowing that... 

So Singapore, amazing, hot, and yes, expensive. It's a good job I've got an amazing little brother and nice friends who don't let me pay for anything!  I also got some pocket money from Milo.  Words can not express the amazingness of that.  Singapore is beautiful in a shard/gerkin/canary wharf way, so if you don't like modern glassy architecture with buildings that are MASSIVE!!!!!!!!!  don't go.  The food is immense though. The night I arrived Milo and his flatty Chris and myself went out for supper at this place called Jumbo and had crab - unfortunately a bit too spicy for me, but I managed one mouthful.  Fried baby squid, prawns, and other yummy things that I can't remember. On Sunday night just me and Milo went out for an all you can eat Sushi etc so am clearly going to eat some form of fish/seafood nearly every meal of the day. (Crouch I would post some to you if I could....it would probably be off by the time it got to you though....)

Milo's apartment is really nice and his complex has 3 pools, gym, sauna etc.  I didn't quite make it to the gym to go for a run on
Sunday as I was going to...but I will go twice this coming weekend when I am back.  Singapore is also really nice and HOT with out biting insects!  Or at least, I didn't get bitten when I was there.  Maybe that will change this coming weekend.  Much hotter than it is in Bali and I am regretting not bringing my fleece and umbrella (fucking idiot) as it looks like its going to piss with rain. Good.

Will tell you more about Singapore next week after I've had a full weekend there, but from what I have seen so far it seems like a really fun place to be, and the group of buddies Milo has is great.  One of which is a guy I was at uni with, who I didn't know very well and nearly fell in the pool with shock when he said hello!  I also managed a couple of hours of sunbathing WITH OUT BURNING!!!!!  WHOOP!!!  ...and yes dear peeps,of course I was wearing factor 30.

The flight over was fine, managed to sleep for about 6 hours, drank shite loads of water so wasn't massively dehydrated when I landed.  I had an aisle seat so I could pee my standard 15 times an hour without annoying anyone. At points it was rather bumpy...I'm always rather amazed that the planes don't fall out of the sky!!!

So what else?  The hotel I'm in here (Bali) is really lovely and I have a little balcony with a chair and table so will sit out there later and write my diary. There is also a pool, so weather depending this afternoon will chill out by it, do some swimming and potential sun bathing.  Tomorrow I'm going to go to the elephant park for the morning/early afternoon (que massive excitement, eek!!!!) and have lunch and ride and elephant and pootle around the park.  Admittedly it is about a million quid....but it's elephants!!  To be honest, I'm not that enamored with Ubud and Bali yet. It may be because yesterday when I arrived early afternoon I was really tired, was up at 6.45 and had been traveling for most of the day.  I also didn't do that much sleeping in Singapore because I wanted to spend as much time with Milo as pos.  Anyways, that's what this week is about.  Sleeping and chilling out, and to be honest where I'm staying is perfect for that as it's quite small, I think only 23 rooms and quiet with couples and families, not mental backpackers.  I might venture out and see what the night life is like on thurs night.  Last night I was in bed and asleep by 9.30pm and tonight will be another early one as I'm being picked up between 8 and 9am tomorrow.  Yes, I am rock and roll!! Bali is different to how I thought it would be. I thought it would be prettier and less hectic. It's a bit like the Koh San Road in Bankok.  After I've done this, I'm going to go to the monkey forest and explore Ubud some more as I appear to be staying on the main road that runs through it, and I'm sure if I wander down some side streets it will be a bit more chilled.  I am so glad I live in London though, because if I didn't, I don't think I'd be brave enough to cross the road.  You have to see an opportunity and go for it!

Well I think that's it for the moment.  Hope all is well with everyone, and next update will prob be when I arrive in Australia on Monday.

Lots of Love, smiles and laughter
XXX
p.s was only bitten 3 times last night, woop!  Have now bought mosquito repellent!

Friday 15 July 2011

Coz I'm leeeeeeeeeeeeeeving on a Jet Plane....

Right my lovely bloglets,

It's 2.45 and I've got an hour and a quarter before I leave.  I'm all packed, took me, believe it or not from 9am til 2pm to sort everything out, tidy room etc.  I also did a bit of a re pack as my backpack was veeeery heavy and I was worried it would be too heavy, so am going to carry on the little day sack instead of leaving it attached and have all the heavy stuff in there.  Amazingly the little day sack weighs nearly as much as the big pack!

I had a very funny time in Blacks on High Street Ken getting my new back pack yesterday - have no fucking idea where the old one is, which is a shame as it's a bit bigger, but hey ho, means I won't be lugging stuff around I don't need.  Also I had met a friend for lunch and was knackered so had a coffee, so by the time I got to Blacks I was in full blown caffeine induced babble mode.  So the guy who helped me had a delightful time with me!  I also managed to flirt £10 off th price, GET IT!  Especially as they are faaarking expensive.

So I have checked in, chosen my aisle seat so I can wander around and pee a million times without disturbing anyone, and printed my boarding pass.  I can't actually believe I'm going!!!  Milo knows I'm arriving tomorrow afternoon and is going to come to the airport to collect me.

I'm currently eating left overs form last night - burgers and veg, so I'm going to be nice and garlicky.  Lucky, lucky BA passenger who will be next to me!!

I've changed my degree to a masters, so that's exciting and am posting off my letter to student finance today, so fingers crossed this coming years fees will be paid for!!!

What else?  So much, but can't really be arsed to sit here typing for an hour before I go.  I also have a book I want to finish as I have bought a kindle and carrying around a book because I had a few chapters left would defeat the point of buying the kindle.

A couple of weekends ago I went on a EFT and Matrix Reimprinting course which was unbelievable!  I am also now qualified, so can now start to get clients which is very exciting.  I will post more about EFT etc at some point.

Before I forget, here is a pic of the cake I got from Hummingbird for my leaving tea party:

How funny is that?!?  I thought it was hilarious and bust out laughing when I was asked to check it was ok in Hummingbird, and the person working had a straight face....serious lack of sense of humour me thinks!

Ok, I think that's it.  I've also gone really sleepy as I've purposely kept myself sleep deprived so I sleep the entire flight.  It helps that it's a night flight too, as I want to avoid as much jet lag as possible.

So my lovely ones, I am now going to bugger off.  I am taking my old blackberry with me, so I will be tweeting and facebooking more than I thought as I've got a world bundle thing added to my account.  I'll also be on the email and doing this too, so there won't be as much silence from me as I initially thought.

Lots of love, laughter and smiles (and getting pretty fucking excited about my flight tonight!!!!!!)
Me, XXX