Bangkok - February 2019

I was invited to a global partner conference in Bangkok starting Sunday.

Thought I'd head over on Friday night and have a relaxing day on Saturday. Took a late flight after work on the Friday night. Arrived about 1 am and crashed.

I've been before so don't feel the need to see all the temples.

Staying at Banyan Tree which bizarrely is where I went last time in order to check out the Vertigo and Moon Bar.

Next day had some pool time...

Met colleagues for a drink at Vertigo in the hotel...

Tried another bar while waiting for dinner...

Next night had dinner at Vertigo Moon Bar. Amazing...

We ate a lot of Thai food...

More pool time after conference closed...

Went to dinner to Asiatique by the river. The food was only average...

Airport transfer :-)

Singapore - February 2019

Went straight from Bali to Singapore, as I am working in the Singapore office this week. Easy flight on Jetstar and landed 25 minutes early. Only about 2 hours flight time. Arrived at Terminal 1.

Straight through immigration and my bag was waiting for me ! Taxi queue was unusually long due to CNY and many drivers being away.

Quick trip to Westin Hotel which is lovely. Got a twin room as Eliza is joining me for a couple of days...

View from my room...

View from the pool deck...

From the pool...

The spa...

Chinatown. It's the Year of the Pig...

I couldn't resist the challenge...

One of my favourites, fried oyster omelette...

Eliza joined me for a couple of days. Here we are at Indochine which is in one of the trees at Gardens by the Bay...

Bali - February 2019 - day 4

Last day today. Hung out at the Grand Hyatt in the morning and headed to Uluwatu in the afternoon. Famous for its beaches and sunset.

Got a Grab and it took about 40 minutes even though it's not that far. Traffic and roadwork ! You walk down steps past many bars and restaurants. At the bottom it feels like a cave...

Had a Bintang at a bar overlooking this beach...

It's a popular surfing spot...

Monkeys wandering around...

Watched the sunset from one of the bars...

Looking up to Single Fin...

Then headed back. But struck a problem. Although Grab dropped me there, they couldn't pick me up due to friction with local drivers. So I walked 600m in the dark as they driver requested, got in the car, but then he was accosted by a local (illegal) taxi and he refused to take me. I got out and had to take an illegal taxi back as it was dark and I didn't have any other options.

Got back and walked over to Melia for dinner. I like it there as they have a band. This is the path along the beach between the 2 properties...

Next day got an Grab from the hotel to airport. No traffic and about 20 minutes and IDR140,000 (I paid IDR390,000 through the hotel to come in). Breakfast at airport was good...

Bali - February 2019 - day 3

It's raining ! I didn't realise it was the rainy season ! Good day to sleep in.

Went for a walk and then had lunch.

After lunch went for another walk, and found a local massage place. 1 hour for IDR85,000 (A$8.50)
and it was really good !

Grounds of the Grand Hyatt are lovely...

There's a great paved path along many kilometres of beachfront past the hotels...

Bali - February 2019 - day 2

I hired a driver for the day for IDR700,000 (A$70) as I wanted to go to Ubud. He took me first to a traditional Balinese theatre which I found quite boring.

This little guy comes to visit each morning...

Balinese theatre...

We then went to a batik printing place which was just an excuse to get you in the shop. So I said no to more stops and we headed to what I really wanted to see - the rice paddy terraces. It was a long drive and traffic was bad. It was good, but I'm not sure it was worth the 2.5 hour drive...

It was nice to walk around, but it was very touristy. There was a whole town of tourist shops...

Then headed back and on the way did the second thing I wanted to do, Tegenungan Waterfall. Nice to see but also incredibly touristy. Why did I think it would be an unspoilt paradise ?

Afterwards had a Bintang and some food, before heading back to Nusa Dua...

Pool at Melia...

Lobster risotto...