Guangzhuo China - April 2026

I've always wanted to see Guangzhuo but never got around to it. My interest was sparked when I started to learn Cantonese as Guangzhuo used to be known as Canton.

So on Sunday I caught the high speed train from Kowloon West to Guangzhou, which was an easy one hour trip to Guangzhuonan (Guangzhou South).

Guangzhou is China's third largest city and it is huge. Got a DiDi from the station to my hotel and went out for lunch at Taikoo Shopping Centre. The eggplant was good but very oily...

After that I had a nap, then headed out for a massage. One hour for RMB174 (AUD36)...

They served this weird fruit tea after but it was nice...

After that I went to meet some friends for an Omakase dinner...

The food was very good...

This was deep-fried Australian wagyu and not as nice as I was expecting...

I didn't love the snail...

This soup was quite bitter...

After dinner I went to a rooftop bar close by, which I had researched. It's on Level 70 0f the Park Hyatt and called The Roof Bar. It had stunning views of Canton Tower.

It's on Level 70 0f the Park Hyatt and called The Roof Bar. It had stunning views of Canton Tower...

Looking down the Pearl River...

The next day I got up and caught a Didi to a huge park. It was very nice and well kept.

After that I had a 60 mi8nute foot massage which cost only RMB109! After that, I checked out and walked to Taikoo for a coffee. I had an almond croissant but this was also on offer...

Then got a DiDi to the station and headed back to Hong Kong. Less than an hour to Kowloon West Station.

Bangkok - April 2026

I had to go to Bangkok to onboard a new team into our office. I flew on Qantas on Tuesday on the 1020 flight and landed at 4pm. 

I used the APEC queue to go through passport control, but they wouldn't let me take my two colleagues through with me, so I had to wait for them on the other side. 

We caught a Grab to the hotel at Renaissance Ratchaprasong. I got an upgrade to a very nice and large room...

I went and had a look at the pool...

The next morning I met my colleagues for breakfast and then we walked about 10 minutes to the office at Pier 111. It is very hot. Feels hotter than 33 degrees...

 This is the view from my office...

Sunset!

That night we went to Cru bar which I have been to before and it is close to the office...

It is a champagne and oyster bar so I had a Kir Royale...

The next day we worked in the office again and after work we caught a Bolt to Mango Tree in Silom which is my regular dinner place. After we walked to Vesper my favourite cocktail bar, but could get a table as it was so busy.

It's Good Friday now but it's not a public holiday in Thailand so we are working in the office. That night we headed to Jack's Bar, another one of my favourite places.

I had been caught before with not enough cash!

Saturday morning I went for a massage and had a Thai Milk Tea...

Walking around Pratunam...

After that I checked out and caught a Bolt to the airport for my 6pm flight to Sydney. Had some food at the Cathay Lounge...

And then boarded. Uneventful flight home.

Sydney - January 2026 to March 2026

My lawn at Pymble isn't looking so good, so on the Australia Day public holiday, I bought some soil and top-dressed it...

I had ordered a new latch for my cedar chest on Etsy, so I put that on...

Alex and Eliza...

One night I caught the ferry to Manly for dinner at the Skiff Club. It has been years since I caught the ferry and I really enjoyed it. It's a beautiful night...

I hadn't been to the Skiff Club since I was 20 something! It's a bit bigger now.

The food was great...

I had my driveway re-surfaced last year but it developed some cracks. So he came back and had another go...

It looks good. Hope it lasts this time...

My garden is looking really good at the moment...

One night we went to $5 taco night at a new local restaurant in St Ives. We each had four. They were good...

One day for lunch I had Korean Donburi which was great...

One day I went to a work function at Pendolino in the Strand Arcade. The risotto was really good...

The beef crudo was great...

Did the lawns at the Lake House...

Went to Umina one Saturday to see my house. I had brunch at my favourite cafe there...

Then I went to the beach...

Cooked roast lamb one night in the BBQ...

Went to Terrigal for a drive anaother Saturday and had brunch...

The lawn at Telegraph is looking better...

Qantas invited me to see Lorde in their corporate box at Qudos Stadium at Olympic Park. I took Alex...

The show was sold out...

We moved into our newly renovated office and it looks great...

One night I went to an ABBA tribute show at the Wyong Arthouse which was fun...

Another night we met friends for dinner at Esteban. The food is always great here...

Then went to see a comedy show at the State Theatre. Her name was Laura Ramosa.

Another night we went to Susan's 60th. It was a great night...

My lawn is looking the best it has all Summer...