Argentina in 45 minutes

The plane from Sydney was delayed as there were too many bags on the plane. The pilot quickly added that the plane was not overloaded just that there were too many bags. Mmmmm.

Arrived in Argentina after 12 hours and 50 minutes and a 2 hour delay in Sydney.

I had 45 minutes to catch my other flight. If I could have crawled along the ground without someone thinking I had mental health issues I would have done. I was in absolute agony.


I made my plane and we were again delayed so I swivled around as I cannot turn my neck and saw duty free. I bought 2 jars of dulce de leche and cigarettes...the baggage man looked at me. Oh yes I cannot carry bags so I had a baggage man!

In 13 hours I will be in London hooray!

Sydney 19 and 20

I get to Claire's house in Sydney. I am miserable.

What do I see of Sydney - from her car I see I see the harbour bridge and the opera house in driving rain at 9.30pm on Tuesday night.

I get to trailfinders agency and they say how can i help you. I say " I want to go home"

Oh they say they can't change my ticket cause it is london who booked it., So I say why are you called traiilfinders. You aren't the same company. I say get me home. Thank goodness I am in business class.

It gets sorted.

Big boss finally awakens and asks have I finished all the site visits.  had enough I emailed the CEO of the group.  I am coming home, i have pain radiating all over my neck, shoulder and back and I feel terrible.  No holiday for me then!!

Quantas upgraded me to first class!! There is a first for everything and a proper reaction to what has been an awful situation!

Homeward bound! I have spent 2 days and 2 hours in Australia. I have gone round the world in 20 days - is that a world record?

17 July - Melbourne

I arrived in Melbourne and its bloody cold. Understandly its winter here.

I am completely spaced out and feeling very very sick.

I have to take a 70km taxi ride and I have a mini panic attack. The driver was very sympathetic.

The man at the client site took one look at me and said what the hell are you dooing here. He said he saw my email and felt terrible. He said I shouldn't have come and I said yeah. [This is how normal people react!] Still no word from my boss nothing.

We finish the site visit and he said I am driving you back to the airport. I fall asleep in his car. I am at breaking point.

16 and 17 July

Valium is a wonder drug. I now understand the addiction to it. It makes you feel goooooood! The body is relaxed. Every bone relaxes. That bloody doctor only gave me 3. I need MORE. I take the valium with my other painkillers so you know this whiplash is no joke.

I spend most of the weekend looking at the origama ceiling and I saw Mel.

Mel took me to the airport. She said that my accident was reported in the national newspaper!! Apparently taxi accidents in Singapore is rare! Fame at last or should I say infamy.

Quantas business lounge in Singapore is rubbish. However the plane Airbus A380 is fabulous and the fully flat bed a marvel. I have some very sexy - ok won't exaggerate - quantas pyjamas now. I sat next to a very interesting man called Peter who is an executive coach. He made me realise I need to get a new job and get passionate again.  He said to me oh yeah I was in a taxi yesterday and my driver was telling me about this accident on friday morning involving a lady passenger. I said "that's me!!"

Famous I tell you - I am Famous in Singapore!!

CRASH - 12.30am Friday 15 July

20 hours of being awake. I had just sent a message to big boss on blackberry messenger to say arrived back in singapore, at airport and getting a taxi back to hotel. I had falled asleep on the plane; i was ready to sleep.
I joined taxi queue and the lady who manages the queue said "smile, don't worry be happy" - what prophetic words they were.

My blue champion cab arrived and I duly told the driver take me to wanderlust. I could almost sense the tempur topper mattress that my tired bones were going to sink into. Ah bliss and the rest of Friday and weekend was mine. At a junction intersection and 5 mins from the hotel ....i could smell the spices (hotel is located in Little India) heck I could get out of the taxi now and probably make it there before the taxi.  I didn't look at the traffic lights but I was alert, awake, lucid.

CRASH

I saw out of the corner of my eye a car, a red vw beetle - thank goodness for my eye for detail) coming at a break neck speed towards my taxi. My taxi driver didn't see though. There was nothing i could do. I honestly thought this is it. I braced. I screamed and screamed. My teeth felt loose. Every bone in my body tensed up and i prepared for the worse. I had my seat belt buckled.  Everything slowed down I saw the car but knew i could do nothing but protect my head that at least i needed to do.

Then it was over. The pain radiated down my left hand side of my body and my head was pulsating with the sensation of rivers of fire rather than blood circulating within it. I was shaking.

The taxi driver said "miss you don't need to pay for this fare"

"what?!'

the workman from the building site came. I was shaking. I managed to send bbm to my boss to say in accident and i called the last number in my phone.

I said to the driver "you crash into us"

"he said i tried to brake but couldn't"

An ambulance was called for me and i was stretchered in. Then the taxi driver came into it and two other people from the other car. The taxi driver started to have palpatations. They took my passport.

I fought hard to remain lucid and alert. I succeeded. I am if anything just bloody stubborn.

All 4 of us got wheeled into the emergency room and were lined up together in our wheelchairs.
The doctor was crap sent me away with pandol and cream even though i said i was on fire.

The police arrived. Am I legal. What?! Doctor says yes she's a lawyer. Thank goodness I have business cards!

I had to get a taxi back to the hotel. I had a panic attack and the driver was sweet he drove at 5km an hour apologising for shit drivers in Singapore.

I got to the hotel and got into bed. The doctor at least gave me a form saying if you develop any of the other symptoms come back asap and you shouldn't be alone tonight. Oh well nothing can do about that.

8AM
Panic. Can't move. I took my breathing down and then realised could move. I took myself back to the hospital by metro...i couldn't and still can't face getting in a taxi.
this time they took x rays - nothing broken but whiplash. i am told to wear a neck collar and given valium, dicofenac and something else. 

Get back to bed in hotel.

I get to the hotel and all the staff say "miss rosalynn what happened" they are stunned and apologise on behalf of Singapore. I coming back to Singapore. People here are so lovely and welcoming.  I love WANDERLUST HOTEL stay here!!

I tell my boss what happened by bbm - nothing not even get better. Radio fucking silence!

4pm - Police Station
My goodness even though they speak excellent English in Singapore the policeman was a bit dim. He then heard i was a lawyer and perked up. However the report he did was rubbish. So I said give me the keyboard and I typed it.  I am suppose to make a formal report later before i leave singapore.

Bastille Day in Malaysia

The Petronas Towers: the world's tallest buildings. A testament to stamina, tenacity and perserverance all of which I need to keep going!


I am currently writing this blog from Kuala Lumpur airport which I have spend nearly 5 hours in.  Today is Bastille Day in France, a public holiday and I am working like an idiot but I guess flying in and out of Malaysia for one day is not so bad.  Kuala Lumpur is a pretty airport:

I have been up since 4am this morning and arrived at Kuala Lumpur airport at 7.30am. I am not a morning person and when I saw the queue at immigration I just thought let it be.  Anyway we moved quickly.

Mike called me to see where I am. In person it is hard enough to be sure he understands on the telephone it is something else.

Mike: Where are you

Me: Waiting for a taxi

Mike: Good you in taxi see you soon

Me: Waiting for a taxi

Mike: Yes Yes

He clearly doesn't understand.



Site Visit Malaysian style
There was someone who actually spoke, understood and I could have a giggle with in English. The site was lovely. Mike could walk around. They even put up a welcome message on the big screen. I felt touched. They had coffee and water ready (very important given that I had been up for 5.5 hours by this time). I should point out that coffee over here seems to be premixed with sugar and milk and its vile!
Padang food is gorgeous. I gobbled it up as if I hadn't eaten in a weeks which in some respects is true. J'ai mangé le déjeuner comme je n'ai jamais mangé un repas pendant quelques semaines qui est un peu vrai d'ailleurs.

Petronas Towers
Here's a little history for you. The Petronas towers were finished in 1996 and are the world's tallest buildings. Members of the public can go to the top but tickets are relased on a first come first served basis so inevitably when I rocked up at 3.30pm there were no tickets; As is de rigeur there is a shopping mall in the basement.  If the world ever runs out of electricity we can blame all the shopping malls in Asia.


Malaysian Airlines
"We treat our customers just the same as if they were a guest in our house." It's true Malaysian airlines is fabulous and I would not hesitate to travel with them again.  Even though I cannot wait to be in business class again. Economy on Malaysian Air is a dream; lots of legroom, polite staff and refreshment! The same cannot be said for China Air.  I was at the airport at 5pm hoping to change my 22h45 flight to the 19h30 but alas it is full and left without me!!! However there is a positive outcome I have been able to update my blog. Tomorrow is my rest day in Singapore -  hooray!!

I have pinched myself it is a little rock and roll to spend just one day in a country!! Also I only had carry on I have never flown with so little in all my life:

Third Visit in Singapore plus flowers, water and anger - Wednesday 13 July

I am tired. Actually I am exhausted 13 days into this round the world trip. I meet Mike each morning at 7.30am for a breakfast meeting and then we spend several hours on site. I do take a long lunch but afterwards I am sending emails etc and what with the heat I am just exhausted!

Hot = drink water
I have not been drinking enough water and I have paid for it. Dehydration is no joke. I have learnt my lesson.

Solo site visit
I went to the site alone today and Mike has flown to Malaysia early. As much as his lack of understanding of some of the things got on my nerves. I actually miss Mike's standard "yes yes" and "it's cold in here" as the cab driver would crank up the air conditioning even more. I turned up at the site and what frustrates me the most with these site visits is they know I am coming so leave my BLOODY name with the security guards. It's the same rountine:

Security guard "who you want see?"

Me: "Mr x he is the EHS Consultant."

Secutiry guard "what, who, I call reception" talks in another language and then passes me the phone "talk, tell him"

Me: "who is on the phone?"

Security guard thrusting phone in my face "TALK"

Me: "Hello, my name is Ros and I am here to see Mr X [long pause on the phone]"

Mystery person at the other end says "No he no work here you at wrong site"

Ros: "No I am at the right site, he came here today"

I pass the phone back....more talking and finally I get shown away from the guard house and told walk up to the reception.

I should point out that the security guard stays in the nicely air conditioned guard house whilst I slowly cook in the heat of the 9am sun. At least on the Chinese sites they let me come into the guard house!

Flowers

After the bullshit of the site visit I decided I am tired of being alone I want to look at something pretty. So I took myself off to the Singapore Botany Garden which is free.  It is simply stunning and if you ever come to Singapore tear yourself away from the shops and come and see this. It is not commercialised and just an oasis of calm. It really cheered me up!
Aprés la merdie du visite de site je me suis allée au jardin de botanie à Singapore. C'est magique. Si vous venez à Singapore il faut y voir. Ca m'a fait du bien!

Crane fountain

Me

Curtain of roots

The bandstand

Anger
Yes yes it is fabulous to be sent round the world. I feel privileged but I am working and with little support. Big boss told me he was my contact if I needed anything. Well the fact I have to visit industrial sites on my own is not what I agreed to.  I sent him an email. He told me he was in a meeting. I told him I had to get up at 4am tomorrow morning to fly to Malaysia so he needs to respond to me.  He told me there is nothing he can do about me going alone and therefore "be strong and enjoy this wonderful adventure/ courage ros c'est un belle aventure!" I responded to him and let me say he now understands why flippant remarks in stressful situations aren't wise!

Next stop Malaysia for a day!!

Singapore Second Site Visit - Tuesday 12 July

It was all going toooooooooooo well obviously!! I got over the horror of China and I thought ok I can do this! WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I have breakfast as usual with Mike. He is the other local correspondent although he is Chinese but I guess that is local to Singapore. I am still suffering with my stomach so I only have orange juice and then tell him meet me for the taxi at 8.30am.  We are staying in the same hotel. The Chinese are very punctual. I now turn up on time - no more "Ros is 30 minutes late" - Ros has changed!! I turn up on time.
This site for the american client is uber strict and produces military parts.  Well the as is the American way they changed the rules. Chinese nationals are on their banned list. Did they bother to inform me of this fact before I turn up with Mike for the site visit. Poor thing had to wait in the room whilst I was whisked around the site. I felt so bad for him. I am not sure he always understands what I am saying but he is so sweet and says yes anyway. I do love a man who says yes to EVERYTHING I say!!
En gros les client americans ont decidé ne permets pas les chinois sur ses sites mais il m'a rien dire avant qu'on arriver au site avec Mike mon expert local qui est CHINOIS!  Donc maintenant je dois visiter les restes de sites toutes seules donc lendemain en Singapore, Malaisie et Australie - pas cool!!

I ate local food in the canteen. Singaporean food is fabulous and so full of flavour and CHEAP. It cost €2 for a whole plate of food. Fabulous.

After the site visit I decided to take myself off and lift my mood since I am  having to visit the site tomorrow alone. It is not cool but that is life!


Orchard Road

I have never seen so many shopping malls in one street! It is a shopping mecca there is every single shop here and then some. The malls are like cathedrals to design. Notice the photo of ION Orchard.  After a while though I got bored of walking aimless around shops although I do love the air conditioning given it is 36 degrees plus the 100% humidity!

ION Orchard - THE Mall on Orchard Street; Louis, Hermes, Gucci the gang are all here and then some!!









Culture Vulture
As I said I can't just walk around a shopping mall so I explored a little and stumbled across the the Singapore Art Museum and SATA which I think stands for the Singapore Arts Theatre Academy. I found the building for SATA amazing. Truly stunning from an architectural point of view although I am sure my photos do it justice!!

I am SAM.....Singapore Art Musuem

Singapore Art Museum

SATA

SATA

SATA

First Site Visit in Singapore and introduction to Singlish!

Ok I am sick I have eaten something and now I am sick!  I did though manage to go shopping and walk around downtown Singapore and see Raffles. I couldn't part with $28 Singapore dollars to buy "an original Singapore Sling".

The Raffles Hotel Courtyard

The site visit went well and everyone is lovely at all the sites although the level of English is questionable. My own use of my mother tongue has deteriorated rapidly. I now talk without personal pronouns and smile when I don't understand. For example asking the EHS manager do they have fire safety systems in place. I repeat the question in Singlish:

"Here, have fire alarm, smoke, what done when there is sound of fire alarm la."

He understood perfectly what I was saying! When I think that I actually taught English as a Foreign Language tut tuu....

Anyway no photos today peeps....too sick to upload :-(

Netball, local food and shopping of course!

I tell you after China I am more appreciative of the little things like cleaniless and clean air. SIngapore has both of them.I had the good luck to hook up with Mel who is living in Singapore and who I know from London. She took me along to the world netball championship finals....oddly captivating and engrossing. After a very tense game and extra time Australia beat New Zealand....but I was cheering NZ they had glitzy uniforms (les strips qui brille!!)

I have not played netball since school but I could still remember some of the rules; footwork!!











MTR (Metro )
Wow the stations are amazing here are some shots of Stadium metro stop and so clean, bright, just gorgeous. Come on London and Paris catch up with Singapore....it's cheap too to get around!!

Shopping

Global slowdown I don't think so!! The malls here just keep growing Mel took me to Marina bay mall and my goodness they have gondolas inside, a floating Louis Vitton store, more designer gear and who is spending here CPR (the Chinese from Mainland China) and they must have some serious money!  Here are some views of the Marina and the last one is of the light show!

Free lightshow with music, fire and water put on every hour on the hour by the shopping mall!!

FREEDOM NEVER FELT SO GOOD.......SING-A-POREEEEEEEEEE!

It feels so good to be in country where I can; access my blog, go on facebook, watch uncensored tv programmes and communicate using words rather than signs!! C'est un bonheur d'etre dans un pays ou je peux mis a jour mon blog, access au facebook et parler avec des mots et pas de signes!

Sunday 10 July finds me at the Wanderlust Hotel in Little India, Singapore http://wanderlusthotel.com/ and I certainly saved the best to last on this tour of Asia!! After questionable standards of chain hotels in China. My boutique hotel in Singapore is where it's at (C'est le perou/top/genial). The staff are sooooo lovely and polite! The room is boutique and small but what it lacks in size in makes up with all the EXTRAS! The bed is comfortable and all the mod cons - nespresso machine, rain shower, unlimited free wi-fi, hot tub open air jacuzzi, a free non alcoholic mini bar and KHIEL beauty products!  What a difference a day and a country make; I woke up in a super comfortable bed and had breakfast with real cereal, fruit, milk I can drink, a complimentary newspaper (I'm not sure I am even going to go on the site visits!!) I am joking of course!  Anyway Wanderlust is a little piece of paradise after the hell of mainland China (more of that later.) I will go back in chronological order to relive my Chinese torture in all its glory.

L'hotel Wanderlust est le top...oui les chambres sont petits mais il y a tellements d'extra nespresso machine, un mini bar gratuit, wifi bref toute est complimentarie et LE LIT comme dormir sur un nuage. J'adore et apres l'enfer de la Chine je le merite BIEN! 

I am going to jump in the hot tub but I will leave you with a few pictures of purple haze

I have a feeling that Jimi and I are going to have a fabulous week together!

Hong Kong (Part 3)

At 16.30 I dragged myself out of my hotel room and was greeted by the humidity and I actually thought about turning back.  Anyway I dug deep and found the energy to go to Times Square shopping mall: 87,300 sqm over 7 floors of shopping heaven!! 

It is a sight to behold; all the shops are here Aigle, Club Manaco, Camper, Ralph Lauren, Paul Smith etc and of course MARKS & SPENCERS.....a little reminder of home. It cheered me up.


The women here come in size extra-small.  The biggest size they do here is size UK12, 40 or US 10. I would say the woman on average here are size UK6, 34 or US 4. Tiny. I bought a pair of jeans and I took the biggest size ie 40 but then again I am taller and bigger than all the woman here (although walking around Times Square I must have burnt 1kg)!  As I was on my own today I really went shopping and I looked at prices and took my time. You can't do that when there are boys around!!  It's not cheap here and not even bargain cheap. Everything made in China is cheap everywhere but China.  Things may be 10% cheaper but not that cheap, basically the same price at home. All you save is the VAT.  When I think of a bargain I think 50% and then some.  I have not seen anything here worth buying. I can get it cheaper in recession hit England or France.  My bank manager will be happy!

Harry Potter Fever
They have Harry Potter Fever here and they have it bad; people dressing up in the gowns, taking photos etc:

As for food, I couldn't eat local. I just couldn't and I stepped through the golden arches and had a macdonalds!!  I really wanted an ice cream but given I have not visited any sites yet I think the best thing is not to get sick!!

Typhoon Season
Typhoon season - goodness - I am afraid in thunder storms.  I felt a nice cool breeze yesterday when I was with Roy and he is like that's not a good sign. That means a typhoon is coming. Give me strength.

Taxis
Official ones are red:

Hong Kong (Part 2)

I slept 12 hours straight and missed breakfast. I am disorientated. I have not been outside and it is 13.30 eek.

Here is a photo of my hotel room which I am going to hang out in today.

I need to get used to this time difference.

I am getting nervous about tomorrow's visit simply because talking to R he was shocked I was here alone and that I am travelling alone. Mainlanders are apparently different to people in Hong Kong eg manners etc. He saw the look on my face and he said "you'll be ok don't worry". I'm here now so let's get the show on the road.

Je suis naz aujourd'hui j'ai dormi 12 heures et je suis toujours fatiguée!!  Donc je vais profiter de ma chambre d'hotel etc.  Le cousin R a été choqué que je suis toute seule pour voyager etc il a dit que en Chine c'est complement different de Hong Kong et les gens beaucoup moins sympa. Il a vu l'horreur ce mon visage et m'a dit "ca va tout va passe bien". Je ne suis pas convainqu. Moi non plus c'est pas normal que je suis ici toute seul mais je suis ici maintenant donc on va faire avec!

Hong Kong - hot, humid and dense! (Part 1)

I lost 8 hours of my life on arriving in Hong Kong due to the time difference.

The queue for immigration was a sight to behold.  I have never seen so many people but unlike in England this queue was efficient and it moved swiftly. I did feel a little sad as there was no one to greet me and it is disorientating when there are so many people and you don't know where to go. Eventually I found my bags and the airport transit train.  Gorgeous, clean and AIR CONDITIONED. With the humidity as it is here I have never been so grateful for air conditioning. Here is a photo from the train:

 The airport is located on a different island from main downtown Hong Kong so the view from the train is better than average.

When I arrived in Hong Kong I felt like a little girl lost.  I was told there was a metro but couldn't see the signs and I felt exhausted. I took a taxi to my hotel and well driving here is a little different. Move lanes first and then indicate. On a few occasions I had my heart in my mouth.

I am staying this weekend in the Express by Holiday Inn which is located on the Causeway.  It is right opposite the shopping centre Times Square. Which leads me onto activites in Hong Kong: shopping (tax free here in HK) and eating and that is it.  However shopping here is something else...it is just buzzing and there are all the shops here: Marks and Spencers, all the American brands ie american eagle, holster everything. You name it, you want it, you can get it here in Hong Kong.

Now it may seem to you that I have just plunged straight into Hong Kong life. I had a little help in the form of Wing Yang's counsin, Roy. That's us with HK harbour behind us. If it wasn't for Roy I would have spent the whole day in my hotel. I was and am still shattered!!  However I did manage to visit lots and lots with Roy in my first 8 hours in Hong Kong!






Free HUGGGGGGGG
We entered Times Square one of the most expensive shopping areas and there were a crowd of young people giving out free hugs. Roy declined but I wanted a hug with superman but alas he was very popular so I had a free hug with this girl here:

Food and Transport
Transport is CHEAP here, eg the taxi ride cost me €4 approx.  Roy took me on a tram which only cost 23 pence and as with everything here we were squashed in. It made the RER B seem spacious (le tram etait blindé avec les gens, cela me faire pensé que le RER B n'est pas aussi mauvais que ça):

 We ate sushi when I first arrived and then in the evening on the suggestion of someone we went to Mos burgers. A Japanese chain of burgers where instead of bread then use rice for some of the burgers...oddly delicious:

Density, markets and shopping

Everything here is packed in and the buildings are tall. Here are a few photos:

Norman Foster designed HSBC headquarters

The market was surreal....everything is alive well aside from the meat. However at the fish counters everything alive with the fish jumping up and down on the counters. There are large tanks full of water with fish I did not recognise. The most fascinating was watching people buy a filet of fish. The fishmonger cuts the fish and sells half of it with the heart still beating. Roy tells me the Chinese like their fish FRESH - he's not joking.

Roy wanted to take me to eat local in the evening.  He asked me "how strong is your stomach?" Not strong enough" was the reply when I saw the building above the restaurant we were going to eat at.  I said: " you know what take me to Mos" (see above):

There was also a street market. Now maybe I am a little niave but I thought things were suppose to be cheap. I picked my mother up a bracelet from a market stall - the same junk we buy back home and it cost me the equivalent of £2. I know that would have cost me £1 at home so no more shopping for me.

I told you we packed a lot in and the one thing I am glad we did was visit the harbour and take a boat across to get some great shots of the HK skyline. Here are some of the stunning photos and naturally one of me:

Up in the air

Business Class was superb! Choice of wines, champagne and eating off real plates lovely!! I knew it was going to be good as soon as the air stewardess told me to turn left on the plane. Waiting for me was a REAL quilt, pillow and legroom!! The chair converts into a fully flat bed of 6 foot long.  As soon as I sat down I was offered a glass of champagne, juice or water. I actually chose water!  Then the menu and wine list was given out along with my complimentary elemis washbag (Donc j'ai eu un vrai menu, carte du vins et un sac de toilette avec des produits beaute d'elemis eg baume de levres, creme du visage etc):

Aperitif: champagne - lots of it! My glass was always half full)!
menu for dinner - i chose tomato salad, crab cakes followed by cheese. As for the wine I went with an award winning Australian.
I didn't watch any movies instead I just went to sleep. I have been told I snore (?!) and after the amount I drank I must have been snoring like a foghorn!


After a 7 hour snooze (dodo) I was woken up by the smell of real coffee brewing and gentle mood lighting.  I had real coffee in a real china mug followed by a fresh fruit plate. I declined the hot breakfast too full and we were ready to start our decent into Hong Kong.

Landing into Hong Kong: If you ever come to Hong Kong, for those of you that have yet to visit it, try and get a flight that arrives during the day. It is truly a sight to behold.  Hong Kong is made up of 2 islands surrounded by a jade coloured sea. I kid you not.  It is very mountainous and for the most part uninhabitated that is why where there are buildings it so DENSE!  When the plane comes into land there is the impression you are going to land on the sea - simply magical.