Grand Cayman - Tuesday 14 November to Friday 17 November 2017

Started at work on Tuesday. Drove to work in the hire car. Not far and road runs next to the sea.

Spent the week working. Started most days with either gym or a run along the beach and then a swim.

I actually know quite a few people here as they have spent time in Hong Kong.

Right across the road from work...

Tuesday afternoon went to an Irish Pub with my Irish colleague Brian, to watch a football match. That night I had dinner at the hotel restaurant which is quite good. Sat outside next to the pool. It's pretty warm all the time.

Having dinner at Sunshine Grill at my hotel...

Wednesday went to lunch at Harveys Island Grill with Brian. It's close to the office, and overlooks the sea. Georgetown is very busy when the cruise ships are in but they leave mid-afternoon and the town returns to normal - quiet. 

After work I drove Osa back to the hotel , got changed, and returned to Georgetown and had dinner at a roti place that had been recommended. I think I should have gone at lunchtime as I was the only one there, and the roti was disappointing. Very dry.

Thursday was taken to lunch by the Managing Partner, again at Harveys. Nice shrimp ravioli. After work we drove about 1.4km further down the road to a bar called Sunset House and had drinks and dinner. Lovely rustic place right on the water.

Drove back to hotel and went to The Westin for another drink. The Westin is across the road from my hotel and a really nice property with an outdoor bar overlooking the water, and a band playing.

Beach in front of the Westin...

Pool bar at the Westin. Had a really nice vibe...

Going for a run before work...

Georgetown...

Found this place close by the office for lunch. I couldn't bring myself to do the turtle burger...

Friday had drinks after work with Brian then dinner at Sunshine Grill in the hotel. Then to bed, as I have an early start tomorrow to do the stingray tour.

New York to the Cayman Islands - Monday 13 November 2017

Early flight from JFK on JetBlue so caught an Uber. Normal craziness at the JetBlue terminal, but for some reason I got TSA special clearance which meant I went through a priority queue and didn't have to take off my shoes and belt etc. Had breakfast at my 'regular' place in the terminal.

Awful coffee...

Flight was 3.5 hours so arrived in Cayman about lunchtime. My colleague Osa picked me up in our shared rental car. Taxis are not plentiful here and very expensive so you need a car.

Staying at Sunshine Suites Resort. Nice apartment but the best thing is, that it is linked to the Westin on 7 Mile Beach, which means I can use all their facilities. 

We had lunch and then I hit the gym at the Westin. Came back to the hotel and crashed early.

New York - Sunday 12 November 2017

Walked to another Australian Cafe I wanted to try - Two Hands (related to the restaurant I went to but different location). However there was a long wait and another cafe close by that I wanted to try called Ruby's - also Australian !

After that I caught the subway to Brooklyn and wandered around Brooklyn Heights Promenade which has some great views of Manhattan.

Brooklyn also has some nice buildings (brownstones)...

I could be in Hong Kong !

Had lunch at a Shanghai type restaurant - dumplings etc - which were okay.

I then walked back across the Manhattan Bridge to Lower Manhattan, and walked to Greenwich Village via Canal Street Markets.

Had a drink there and found dinner at Grimaldi's which is a pizza place that I wanted to try. After that, I tried a couple of bars in Chelsea.

Back to my room to pack, as I have an early flight tomorrow.

New York - Saturday 11 November 2017

Another cold but clear day. Walked west to the Hudson and then north through Hudson River Park up to Greenwich Village.

Found the Friends Building and took some photos for Callum...

Walked to Chelsea Market and had a look around. very busy Then found a restaurant and had lemon ricotta pancakes for brunch. Not bad but I couldn't get a decent coffee !

After that I walked The Highline a walk on what was elevated train tracks. I had done this last year, but it is a lovely walk next to the Hudson River.

 This chain always reminds me of the first time I came to NYC in 1997...

I then walked to Row NYC which is the hotel I will be staying at in a couple of weeks when I come back.

Then walked back down to Greenwich Village and as it got dark I walked through Washington Square Park. 

Had dinner at a Mexican Restaurant in Greenwich Village.

New York - Friday 10 November 2017

On my way to Cayman Islands for work. Had booked to go to the BVI, but due to Hurricane Irma, that trip was cancelled and I was asked to use my ticket and go to Cayman instead. However, as I can only get a work permit in Cayman for 10 days, I have to spend this weekend in NYC. Not a hardship, other than I already planned to have a few days here on my way back.

Arrived at JFK very early in the morning, after a 1am departure from HK. Business Class on Cathay was good. Still a long flight !

Caught taxi to my AirBNB - first time I have tried that. My own room in a shared apartment, in Tribeca. Good to get to know a new area.

Dumped my bags and walked down to the Charging Bull in the Financial District. It is extremely cold. I was expecting it to be cold but there is a freeze warning for tonight and it is only 4 degrees, with a very cold wind.

I then caught the subway uptown and had a walk through Times Square and had a late breakfast at an Australian cafe, Bluestone Lane. Good avo smash.

Cheers Mate !

Walked to Bryant Park to see the ice-skating rink...

Then walked a few more blocks to Central Park. I wanted to hire a bike but it is just too cold. It's a lovely clear sunny day, other than the temperature ! Had a nice walk around up to the Met. I walked in but it's very busy today. I will come back to see the Michelangelo exhibition when it opens next week.

Caught subway back to my AirBNB and unpacked. Room is a good size but it's a bit weird being in a stranger's apartment.

I then walked to an Australian restaurant - Two Hands - for dinner. It was nice. Walked back to my room and it is -2 now so very unpleasant.

Freeze warning...for good reason...

Hong Kong - November 2017

The weather is getting cooler. Lovely days with clear blue skies.

Got my business shirts washed and ironed at the usual place. 10 shirts for AUD21 !

Alex came for a few days, so we walked The Peak and had a few meals. Was great having her here.

I've decided to read this. Inspired by Eliza's history teacher...haven't read a book for ages and certainly not one with 850 pages...

With my Cantonese / English language exchange partner, Philip, we often go to local restaurants in Jordan, an area known for great local food. This week we went to one known for wontons, that had just made the 2018 Michelin Guide. A$5.68 for tiger prawn wontons and noodles. Very good...

This is one of the exits at HKU MTR station. They are queuing for the lift to the uni. Fortunately we were coming the other way...

Saw this pretty flashy Rolls Royce in Sheung Wan one Sunday...

Hong Kong - October 2017

Jacqui and Alex have stayed in Vietnam on their tour, so me and the other 2 kids returned to HK to get back to normal.

Landing back in HK. Glad to be home...

The weather is lovely - cooler but still warm and clear blue skies. Walked the Peak one Sunday - haven't been for a while.



Had drinks with a mate from Sydney one night and tried to get back into the gym.

Instagram Pier late one night. Celebrating mid-Autumn Festival...

Team building one afternoon...

Shek-O one Saturday...

Drinks and dinner with David Whittle one night. Here we are at Woollomooloo...