Hopping home…
There is a reason for my ‘radio silence’… just not a very good reason.
What happened?
I came back from Jakarta early with a nifty new acquisition and insight into a very different mode of travel.
Re-wind… exactly what happened? (more…)
My home, my peaceful sanctuary… invaded!
Being away from home isn’t easy… however sometimes being at home isn’t either.
Though we rent, we’ve put effort into making our apartment a home – a peaceful sanctuary…
A couple of months ago that changed.
We were invaded! Sonically invaded in the worst way! (more…)
Auchentoshan, AnCnoc, Deanston, Tomatin
If I was in Mumbai right now (not Jakarta), would be enjoying sampling whiskies in our monthly private whisky club.
Alas I’m missing it! So I have pulled out tasting notes from our ‘archives’ – courtesy of another member – as this was another evening I missed! The dratted down-side of travel 😉
Tasting Notes from April 2012
The evening was delightful with a very special malt selection comprising of Auchentoshan 12 year 40%, AnCnoc 40%, a not so common Deanston 46.3% and a Tomatin 21% received as a gift from the distiller. (more…)
The taxman cometh…
What does a Canadian living in India on contract for a project in Indonesia then Malaysia through an Australian company do for taxes?
Before I flew to Indonesia, there loomed the 15th March deadline for “Advance Tax” payment – a critical “To Do” task akin to getting a root canal. Ugh!
While I have no regrets about going ‘independent‘, the simplicity of a salary is something I sorely miss.
So decided to share my pain by sharing my warped understanding of the Indian taxation system: (more…)
Happy Holi + St Paddy’s Day
When away from ‘home’ it is easy to forget the rhythms of ‘home’ festivals and celebrations.
Like missing Chinese New Year celebrations in India… and catching the tale end in Malaysia.
St Patrick’s day wasn’t even on the radar until I went to Bluegrass in Kuningan, Jakarta for dinner with a fab gal pal and saw the St Paddy’s themed F&B specials appealing to the ex-pat crowd. (more…)
Confessions of a reluctant entrepreneur
While working in Malaysia, another contract for Jakarta came through – yippee!
I’ve mentioned – more than once – that I’m a highly reluctant entrepreneur! However by some brilliant stroke of luck (or two!) am somehow surviving with independent work.
Knowing there is nothing certain in life, I’ve been preoccupied with – don’t laugh – opening 3 companies! Yeah, like the paperwork and hassles for one isn’t enough, hmm?
Sounds fancy but isn’t really. Just have 3 very different types of work on the go… (more…)
“It was a pleasure not sleeping with you!” – Part 2
Last weekend was a brilliant – if sleepless – experience with my partner and a couple hundred other folks at The Company Theatre Workspace at Kamshet, Maharashtra, India.
While it was bloody cold it definitely delivered and was worth a little zzzz deprived night! (more…)
Mmmmm….. mushroom soup!
It’s been awhile since I shared a recipe. So when I picked up a lovely bunch of mushrooms, it was clearly time to make soup!
Feel free to mix it up, however the basic recipe includes: (more…)
“It was a pleasure not sleeping with you!” – Part 1
Tumbling exhausted but enriched out of the car, a tight hug, we said our goodbyes and parted ways.
Hello truck! En route to Kamshet, Maharashtra
We’d spent the last 18 hours together – including an intimate all night experience…
It started innocently enough…
A month or so ago my partner said “Love – just block your calendar for 1st – 2nd March, ok?”
I blindly responded with an enthusiastic “Sure!” Clueless of what would come…
When I learnt the weekend was an outdoor festival many miles from Mumbai with an unknown creature comforts quotient went “Hmmm…”
Allow me to remind folks, my partner’s style is more 5 star than backpacking. If he must camp, glamping (glamorous camping) is the preferred approach. (more…)
O my! Marvelous women… without men!
A funny thing happened this week. A friend of a friend passed on an urgent request for stories of American women between 40 – 60 years of age who relocated to Asia around 5 years ago to set up a business.
The story is for a feature in O Magazine – yup that is the famous Ms Oprah Winfrey folks! (more…)
Everyday Asia 