We just arrived in Phuket this afternoon, and we’re already on the beach. What a beautiful day and such a nice beach.
Greetings from paradise

We’re in Bangkok for a few days of relaxation. That sounds like a paradox considering we’re right in the middle of this city, but it’s a great change to be here with just the two of us.
We’re enjoying the city’s spa’s, shopping and restaurants.

I’d never tried snake before today - even after 7 years in Hong Kong. So some time ago two of my colleagues had promised me to take me to a restaurant that has snakes on the menu. Today lunchtime was the day: snake day.

Although before we went to the restaurant I had vague imaginations of a chef in a kitchen struggling with a live snake and a knife, it was all rather more civilized in reality. In fact the only snake dish on the menu was a soup which included the snake meat - together with some chicken and vegetables.

We each had a bowl of the snake soup together with some more regular canto food (”cha siu” or barbecued pork).

The soup was tasty - I liked it. Quite close to chicken but just a touch to the sour side which I like (but it could have been the soup that gave it this taste).

They say snake meat makes you strong and it’s also perceived as heart warming. My colleagues tell me it’s best to eat on a cold day as it will make you feel warm the rest of the day.

Anyway - this beat my Pret or Big Apple sandwich for today.

H&M opened up its first outlet in Hong Kong recently. Today I passed by their new shop and found a 400 mtr queue along the main shopping street. WTH?? Why would you want to be queuing up to shop in an H&M store???

This is insane; it’s Hong Kong brand madness. To think that one would want to line up to get into an H&M is just unthinkable in any European country.

Ow - and I saw a lot of men lined up too - alone. So not just shop-aholic ladies dragging on their husbands / boyfriends…

What’s going on in the world.

It’s a cloudy and humid Saturday in Hong Kong. For a change all of us are home this weekend, so what better to do then what most traditional families do here in Hong Kong; have a nice dim sum lunch with your family.

Dumplings, noodles, and pork buns. And Mango pudding for dessert.

Matthijs enjoyed it all and has been having fun playing with all the little pots, dishes, and plates that are part of a Chinese lunch.

After a trip to Ireland and Amsterdam I’m back in Hong Kong. The jet lag is nearly gone, but I still feel strangely tired or awake at odd times. It’s definitely worse now than on my way to Europe. Traveling West is easier than traveling East.

I’m traveling just too much lately, and I look forward to a few weeks without flying.

Back in Hong Kong we’re getting back into the wet season again. The humidity has shot up and it’s the time of the year that your towels just won’t dry up. So we have the dehumidifiers on and start wearing summer clothes again.

Two more weeks before our holiday starts - we’re off to the US while Matthijs will stay in Hong Kong with Opa and Oma who will arrive from Holland for a few weeks.

Dublin is a city like any other in Europe. I had a quick stroll around the town centre and then settled in a pub for a pint of Kilkenny’s.

Having a pint of the black stuff. I’m now in Trim where I have a conference - it’s about a 40 minute drive from Dublin.

Green planes and green clad flight attendants at this airline.

I always wondered why this company spells its name wrongly - must be the Irish way.

I’m now in Heathrow waiting for the connection to Dublin. I feel surprisingly well after the HKG-London leg as I slept nearly 9 hours.
Next update to this blog will come from dublin.