We are now in Melbourne. It is freezing cold and not a day goes by that we do not curse the (almost) universal absence of central heating.
Mark arrived safe and sound in Bangkok. On the taxi ride in, he lost to time declaring that his main interests were eating and shopping. No surprise there. We rose early the next day and after the obligatory sightseeing we hit the malls. His disappointment over having wait two months before he can actually buy stuff (we have 2 days in BKK before we fly back to CH) was soon dispelled by ample amounts of chocolate milkshake and satay.
Now after Manuel’s bad experience with Thai massages, Mark was intrigued but wary of this widely renowned manipulation. Luckily enough, I had discovered a place that offered an amazing foot & Thai massage some weeks earlier with Jess (Australian girl). As it was raining, I led him there.
We had the place to ourselves, so there we lay, side by side, with these tiny Thai women twisting us this way and that. Now at the beginning he was fine, joking away, until they started on his legs (the massage began with a foot massage). Suddenly he got progressively paler. On alarmed inquiry if he was alright, all he could manage was a strangled (and slightly hysterical) “yes”. After a while, it got to the point that he looked like he was praying! But he was alright in the end. The next day he actually claimed that he felt really good! Phew! A weight off my mind! That’s the last time I pull such a trick on him!
Just as we were getting bored with Bangkok (it kept raining), we found ourselves on a plane off to Singapore. Aunt Dolly and Uncle Edmund met us at the airport. Just like when we were young! J We had already switched into Singapore mode, which means “food, give us food”. And eat we did! From satay, to carrot cake (white radish omelette) and chilli crab we stuffed ourselves to the brim. Lovely! Uncle Edmund wowed us with his skills at the pool table and karaoke bar. Aunt Dolly took me out shopping and we made a beeline for semi-precious stones... great protection for the traveller!
The next night we saw the Pereira family: Richard and Christine picked us up and took us to the East coast, where we marvelled at an automatic wakeboard training lake. Dionne & Calvin with the two little rascals joined us, with Cara and her boyfriend. Food, food, glorious food soon appeared on the tables. After checking out the Singapore nightlife with Cara, we spent the night at Dionne’s place and were treated to sushi for breakfast and a demonstration of Calvin’s anti-snore device.
Thank you all for your generous hospitality!
