Macau – 7-9 August 2015

Nothing better than waking up on a Friday (August 7, 2015) and knowing at the end of the day you are heading away for the weekend! Well for me anyway :)

This time I'm taking a one hour (fingers crossed!) ferry ride to Macau to meet Anna, who is flying in from Singapore. She is moving to NYC in a couple of weeks so it's our last Asian holiday together.

I manage to leave work early and get on an earlier than booked ferry - Macau here I come! I had purchased my ticket online when they had a deal for a free upgrade - brilliant! Within minutes we are departing (surprisedly we were on time) I was asked if I wanted a drink. For some crazy reason I selected water over beer....that will come later.

The one hour journey went by super quickly and without any drama. Due to my upgrade I'm one of the first ones to exit the boat; the last time I was in Macau (when I lived in HK the first time) the lines at immigration were crazy crazy long. After a decent walk I'm into the immigration hall and more importantly air conditioning. Added bonus that there is no line at immigration - woo hoo within seconds I'm out into the world of Macau.

After a few failed attempts at locating the shuttle bus line I hear this "missey missey" (ah yes I'm in China), a lady I'd asked earlier for where the shuttle bus was located was coming to get me and put me in the right place. I was told to wait here for a couple of minutes. Done! Just before we depart the TV comes alive and talks about what happens when we arrive at the Venetian - buggar I'm on the wrong bus! Clearly my mind is on Italia. The very kind bus driver takes me off, walks me to where I need to go and points. Thank you! Now I have a wait until the bus turns up. Silly silly me.

Finally I'm at the hotel, and head straight to the room. After ringing the doorbell with no success a quick call was made and within seconds I'm heading to the club floor where Anna has secured us a table. Bingo! 15 minutes to the cocktail hour is over so I'm straight to bar. Then to get some food. The place is huge - by far the biggest club lounge I've ever been too, but bearing in mind the hotel is huge (at least two towers) it's probably to be expected. The bar man takes pity on us and pours one last drink while he is packing up.

We head back to the room for more wine and lots of chat.

Saturday (8 August) after a wee sleep in, pure bliss! We take our time heading to breakfast. There is nothing more I love in the weekends than not rushing, I do that more than enough during the week.



We finally make it to the pool just before midday; walking outside the heat heats me - heaven! The first think I notice is signs advising of the wet floor, funny that when it's a small dipping pool.....very strange!

Chairs are located, towels laid out, sun bathing positions are assumed - aah this is the life! I'm thinking this might become a regular weekend top away for me.

We get our own entertainment show through the day - a guy in speedos doing a whole lot of exercises and 2 Chinese guys spraying on what seems like baking oil then lying in the hot sun. Never a dull moment here!

We head down to the cocktail hour a few minutes before it officially opens, clearly we aren't the only ones that have the same idea. Tonight though we have dinner plans at 8pm so it will be semi civilized.



At the end of the cocktail hour (ok two hours) we go downstairs to get a taxi, within seconds of being on the ground floor I realize we have been living in a bubble up on 4th floor (club floor and where the swimming pools are) as there are people for Africa everywhere and all are very loud!

We join a very long taxi line, thankfully we could see the taxis queuing up to enter so this should go fairly quickly.

It's a quick 15 minute drive to the restaurant, which was recommended by someone at work (same lady that gave me the amazing recommendations for Seoul) that I had already reserved for us. Walking in I felt like I was back in Europe – low ceilings, the tables were packed, lots of chat! The smells are amazing.



Finally it’s our turn to be seated and order. The menu is long so we do with some recommendations. We are not disappointed.
Getting a taxi home wasn't as easy as we had thought, after the restaurant had tried to book one for us we headed out onto the street. Not a bright light to be seen so we walked down the street until one was located.



Sunday, 9 August our morning is a repeat of yesterday morning - heaven! The only difference being this morning we were up earlier so made it to the pool earlier.

Today definitely feels warmer (both heat and humidity) so we spend time on and out of the water. Bliss!

Late afternoon we head to the room, on walking on nearly freeze to death and our room is at 23 degrees. Time to have no a/c for a while.

At 5.30pm we head down to Cocktail hour, resuming the same seats from last night.

My wonderfully relaxing weekend Anna has come to an end - who knows when and where we will next meet, but I do know for sure it's a friendship for life.

I walk outside at 6.50pm and nearly pass out with the heat and humidity; thankfully within minutes of joining the line for the Taipa ferry pier the shuttle arrives. Talk about perfect timing. We sit waiting for a while, I'm ok with that though given the shuttle bus is air conditioned.

It's a quick ride to the ferry pier, on exiting the bus it's all go. There are lines of people everywhere!! I see a sign that says 8pm boat so head off to find the entrance way to join the line. I'm definitely glad I didn't delay leaving the hotel as within 10 minutes the line is three times as long. With no breeze and the heat and humidity still very high it's hot work standing here. After what seems like forever the line moves; the first ticket lady see's my paper ticket so hands it to someone else who asks if I want the free upgrade or, yes thanks the free upgrade (I don't wait to hear what the other option was). Immigration is nice and painless then I join another line to get an actual seat. I'm not quite ready for the weekend to be over.

Within minutes of sitting down an announcement is made in Chinese and people are jumping up and heading to board the boat - thanks very much but I'll wait for the rush to be over. I would like to get on the boat still alive and still relaxed after the lovely weekend with Anna.

Calgary, Canada – 5-7 July 2015

We arrive into Calgary mid-afternoon on Sunday 5 July and within minutes of checking into the hotel I'm in bed. More sleep is needed!!

Greg and I meet at 7pm for dinner; we wander down the road for a few minutes. I'm feeling like I should have just stayed in bed!

We had a delicious dinner at a steakhouse and cocktail bar; you can hold the cocktails thanks very much! Needless to say it was a very early night!

Monday (6 July) I wake up my alarm. Never fun and even worse on holiday but we are off to the Calgary Stampede today so there is no time for sleep today!

On exiting the hotel for breakfast the wind hits me like a piece of wood over the head. Brrrr it's chilly here! We finally manage to find somewhere that serves something that resembles breakfast. The first place tried to offer us a beer at 10.20am.....umm no not quite.

We meet Sean back at our hotel then wander towards the stadium for the stampede. Calgary is definitely a checked shirt and cowboy hat city - ye ha! Or as the Cowboys say, giddy up. There is lots of activity around downtown (actually I'm assuming that is where we are....) with the Stampede being on. A great atmosphere; would be awesome to be here all week. BUT not good on the liver!!




It's gone the hour of midday, and given everyone else is doing it, it's time for a beer before we head to our seats to watch the afternoon rodeo. I can say the first one goes down slowly, then that all changes.



The three of us end up sitting together as Greg and I have a spare seat next to us. The afternoon kicks off with band then flying cowboys followed by ladies on horses with their countries flags. I spy a Kiwi flag, woo hoo!!




We are kept entertained throughout the afternoon by six of the major rodeo events – saddle bronc, bareback, bull riding, tie-down roping, steer wrestling and ladies barrel racing.




Wow what a show! There are signs all around the stadium saying "the greatest outdoor show on earth" and they are not wrong. A shame our tickets are only for the afternoon - I could have spent hours and hours here watching everything.

We meet up with Ange then wander around the grounds; it's like a carnival with so many rides and show food.....which unfortunately we need eat. I make a wise decision to go with a plain hotdog; the liquid cheese looks absolutely gross!



On entering a "beer" hall the four of us are asked for I.D. - woo hoo! The legal drinking age is 18 but if you look under 30 you are asked. Yes I’ll take this. After getting our beers we head to the mechanic bull area and sit and watch. Great fun!! The boys decide to get up there and try - amazing!




The heavens open just before it gets dark which is a bit of a pain; within seconds we are all packed under the tent like structure and thankfully not wet! Ange and I decide now is a good time to start chatting to “cowboys”. After it stops raining we decide it's time to leave; I have a (long) flight to take tomorrow and it's been a big few days. Greg, Ange and I walk back into town and decide to go for more drinks....as you do.....before heading back to the hotel.



What an awesome day it's been! Such a shame I'm not here for longer.

Tuesday, 7 July, I'm woken just before 7am by some kind of stampede event across the road from the hotel. Not good when I got into bed after 12.30am! More sleep is needed. I was wise this time and did the majority of my packing prior to us going out yesterday.

I manage to drag myself down the road for some breakfast before getting a taxi to the airport. My time in Calgary has been awesome, but far too short! Time now to return to reality……..

What I'll miss the most about Canada (in no order) is the blue sky, day light savings, the friendly people, the clean air, the fresh food. It’s a country I definitely want to return to one day! What I will not miss is the tipping, can’t you just add that into the total bill please like Hong Kong does?!

Banff, Canada (for Lois and Nic’s wedding) – 30 June - 5 July 2015

We depart Vancouver dead on time, on Tuesday, 30 June, for Calgary. The views from my window seat are out of this world amazing! The clouds are light and fluffy, bouncing from one to the other would be great fun! In between the clouds I get bursts of snow on mountain tops - looks so pretty from here but I'm sure down there it will be chilly. We are flying above the clouds, with the sun streaming in - beautiful.





The flight is around 1 hour 15 minutes; a nice easy one! On arrival into Calgary it's a short walk to the baggage area and an even shorter wait. Great, this means I can make the 2.30pm shuttle instead of waiting an extra hour to 3.30pm which I had booked. Bag dropped off; now for food.

Walking back to the shuttle place I find a familiar face (Greg) walking towards me :); not exactly unexpected given so many of us are flying in today for Lois and Nick's wedding.

We depart dead on time at 2.30pm, I have a spare seat next to me then within seconds of the driver leaving the lady from the office knocks on the door to add one more passenger. Man it's just not going my way with spare seats.

It's an easy 1.45 hour trip to Banff; the scenery is amazing! I'm the last stop, but boy it's worth it as the hotel is up on the mountains. Wow!

After checking in, admiring my amazing view I drop my bags then head down to Banff town centre for a quick look see. It's still such a beautiful day, loving the day lights saving.



I have a chilled time in my room before heading to the hotel bar to meet up with Leonora, Ange and Melody. The whole day lights saving is really throwing me, it's feels like early evening but it's 8.30pm. Crazy to get my head around it!

Lois, Nick, Alek and family arrive late - we girls then sit and chat for a few hours. So much for a semi early night! Sleep is definitely needed.

Canada Day (1 July 2015) I manage a wee sleep in, although not really one when I was still wide awake at 1am!! I head to the gym and run for 40 minutes; while I'm happy to run downhill to Banff town the thought of running back uphill does NOT appear!
Breakfast is a chilled affair - nice to actually eat with people after my time alone in Vancouver.

Early afternoon we head down to Banff town for the Canada Day celebrations. Some of us choose to watch the parade from the comfort of our seats with a beer in hand.








Thursday, 2 July it's a slow start to the day! But it doesn't last long as we are off to Lake Louise for the day.

Lake Louise is about 45 minutes’ drive from Banff, with the stunning scenery I would have been happy if it was a 4 hour drive. On arrival it becomes very obvious that we weren’t the only ones that planned a day trip here.



After admiring the beautiful Lake Louise a few of us head off on a hike (3.5km up) to Lake Agnes tea house. While walking uphill isn’t my most favourite thing in the world to do the scenery around us made it easier to continue. On reaching the tea house we joined a long line to get a cool lemonade, very refreshing after the hike.








Back down at Lake Louise those of us left enjoyed an early dinner, or perhaps it was a late lunch before returning back to Banff. Lake Louise is a stunning place and in the winter months I’m sure would be amazing with the snow everywhere.

Friday, 4 July I wake feeling a million dollars better than I did yesterday morning! After a chilled breakfast it’s a relaxing day at the hotel. Perfect!

Lois and Nic hosted a wine tasting late afternoon for the wedding party and others involved in the wedding - as the MC (eeks alive) that includes me. We have the hotels sommelier come and teach us about the 4 different types of wine, then it turns into a drink whatever you want time.






I need to take it easy as the big day is tomorrow. Nic hosts drinks in the bar for the rest of the wedding guests; us girls head to Lois’ room for a few hours before Greg brings Nic back and the drinking starts! The bride needs her beauty sleep so we are “kicked out”. Ange and I are dragged to town by Greg…..finally home at 2.40am. Great night!



Saturday morning (wedding day) I wake up feeling the complete opposite of yesterday morning. Can we postpone the wedding by one day please??!! While last night was a HUGE amount of fun I’m definitely paying for it now. I have a couple of hours before I need to get ready, time to write my MC speech.

The wedding ceremony was outside, amazing backdrop with the mountains right there, followed up with cocktail reception on the terrace. The drinks were not going down well at all and I was fading fast. But given I’m the MC it’s not appropriate for me to return to my room and sleep for the rest of the day. Time for a bloody mary….to sort me out and calm my nerves.


The reception was lovely, and once my piece was all over I was onto the dance floor. Another very late night.


Sunday, 5 July for some crazy reason I woke at 7am (after getting into bed at 3.15am) feeling absolutely awful! More shut eye is needed before I have to get up to finish packing and face the day. The packing really should have done yesterday!
Breakfast thankfully is a chilled affair, with everyone chatting about the awesome day yesterday.
The majority of the wedding guests are all leaving today so there are people everywhere Sean, Greg and I leave before 1pm, it’s been an incredible 4 days! But my body needs a break. Calgary here I come.