same same but...

Travelling around a foreign country with your sisters is different to travelling on your own. For one thing you can't just say things and have them accepted, like "I know exactly where we are and we just need to go down there, hang a right, do a quick shimmy and we're there". Ok it’s true, in reality it was a quick swerve and a hard left but... we got there and though ‘technically’ wrong I was clearly right.......

Directions aside Jane, Rachel and I had a great time in Vietnam and in just 6 days we managed to explore Hanoi, Halong Bay and Sapa and not regress to being teenagers again and kill each other, pretty good going I’d say.

Now whether due to bravery or stupidity is up to interpretation but I’ll generally try just about anything, however... fear very nearly got the better of me in the markets of Sapa in North West Vietnam. The challenge I faced was having four days stubble forcibly removed from my face by a sinewy old local wielding a cut throat razor. In itself not that serious but complicate the job with my sisters trying to make me laugh and my face carrying considerably more flesh to cut up than his usual local customers and my nerves and skin barely survived.

Other highlights of the week were the (unintentionally) hilariously funny water puppets in Hanoi, kayaking through the caves and around the islands of Halong Bay, raucous cross country night trains, serene literary retreats, haggling for wellies and ponchos before slipping and sliding down the rice terraces of Sapa (with our great guide Gom), and meeting Uncle Ho himself with a visit to his Mausoleum.

Although the girls weren’t especially keen to “go local” - out was the 10p per pint bia hoi drank on the pavement, in was the cab. sav. in slick French colonial restaurant - I did manage to get them on the back of a scooter to fly around the streets of Hanoi’s old town. I also had my first go at three on a bike (the infamous Honda Dream not some smutty euphemism before you start), it actually felt surprisingly safe and the only time I felt at all ill-at-ease was when we were about 100 yards from our destination and the driver decided it was time to put his glasses on!

My only other recent excitement came from the 7s final at the Hong Kong Stadium Sean and I played in. Running out onto the pitch with my name printed on the giant screen felt very cool, being killed 19-0 by a younger faster team was less good. On the bright side after the match we were asked to help make an advert for next years HK7s and yours truly was picked for the star role, come January tune into Pearl TV to see me strutting my stuff, could this be the break I’ve ……....no, didn’t think so.

And that’s it, Jane is now home and I've packed Rachel off to visit Macau so all it leaves me to say is have a very merry Christmas and a happy new year.

Jonathan

All about the game

This month has mostly been about sport. First it was the Hong Kong 6s (cricket) which, beyond the fact England were a bit crap was great. Each game lasted about 30 minutes and involved each side hitting 4s and 6s at least every other ball for 5 overs with the occasional dramatic hat-trick from the bowlers! It helped that the sun was shining and that the pims was on tap, plus Sean and I managed to get our photo in the paper (though admittedly not the biggest picture you'll ever see).

Beyond watching England struggle in the Ashes on TV I've seen a couple of rugby internationals here in HK. Japan killed Hong Kong then South Korea in their bid to qualify for next year's world cup. As well as watching sport I've played a few games of football (all of which we lost) and rugby (all bar one of which we won) and even managed to step up to the 2nd team for one match which although a little bruising was great.

In news beyond sport I think I'm about to be fired. There may be another explanation but it seems too good to be true that I've been given a full leather chair to go with my corner window desk. It certainly can't be the work I'm doing but they seem to think I'm ok, last week I even got sent on a 24 hour trip to Singapore!

I'd never been to Singapore before so when offered the chance to go for a flying visit to attend a Vitra party (one of our suppliers) it seems the only right thing to do. The fact the party was based around going to a cabaret show at the Parisian styled "Crazy Horse" bar/ theatre only added to the fun.

I have to say the French have gone up in my estimation, almost 3 hours of dancing and miming by semi naked women and no one doubting it was anything but good honest entertainment is clever going. After the cabaret act the night deteriorated a little, we when back to a free bar until around midnight when wives and girlfriends were send home and I was taken out by Vitra's top bod in Asia and a few designers I'd met at a party in HK.

Although we hit a few bars the main venue was Orchard Towers, a place also known as "the four floors of whores".... This may sound bad - and in all honesty it was - but I assure you we were only there to drink. Effectively it’s a shopping centre full of bars that are heavily populated by Philippinos "looking for company" and Thai lady-boys - I didn't ask what they were after.

In eating news all I've tried recently was Low Por Ban which translates as Wife Cake. Its a pastry with gelatinous goo in it and yes, it tastes as bad as it sounds. Apparently the locals love it and it's the traditional food/ gift of engaged women so not really something I think I'll need to go near again!

Other than that I've also found a little time for the usual mix of BBQs, speed boats and a booze on beaches. Having won three out of three matched in a rugby 7s qualifying tournament last Saturday Sean and I will be playing in the final at the Hong Kong Stadium (where the world famous HK International Sevens is held) next Saturday and I've my sisters coming over for a trip to Hanoi and Halong Bay in Vietnam on Sunday so its all go until Christmas.

Hope all you're livers are ready for the party season.

Jonathan.