Return to Bangkok (August 2022)

It was strange returning to Thailand after nearly 10 years.  We needed to find rental accommodation and  were drawn to the same area of Bangkok as we had lived previously so we ended up in a condominium on Sukhumit Soi 19 called Ashton Asoke.  As we were going to be travelling a lot with Tony’s work, we rented a small bedsit style apartment.  The facilities are amazing with a spectacular swimming pool on the 35th floor, library and gym.  

The pool on the 35th floor of our apartment, Ashton Ashok

The gym at Ashton Asoke

The pool on the 35th floor of Ashton Asoke

Vientiane, Lao (Aug/Sept 2022)

Vientiane is the capital of Laos , located on the Mekong River.  It has a very relaxed atmosphere and life certainly seems to move slowly considering it is a capital city.  We visited centuries old buddhist temples, Patuxai Victory Gate (7-storey structure with beautiful walls, ceilings, paintings of gods, goddesses and elephants) and the Buddha Park (over 200 sculptures devoted to both Buddhism and Hinduism). The night market, located on the banks of the Mekong, was one of the highlights with many interesting stalls and food vendors cooking Lao cuisine.  We thoroughly enjoyed our visit to Vientiane.  

Patuxai Victory Gate

Buddha Park

Giant Reclining Buddha

Laser Show on the Hong Kong Foreshore

Every night there is a free laser show along the foreshore, approximately 20 mins walk from our apartment.  It is quite spectacular and well worth watching.

Tony and Tia looking in opposite directions at the laser show.

The spectacular laser show.  This photo is of Hong Kong Island.

Disneyland Hong Kong

On our first day in Hong Kong we went to Disneyland and had a great time ... particularly Tia.  Unfortunately, it was a public holiday so it was a little too busy so we had to wait an average of 30 mins for each ride.  Tia's favourite part of the day was the train ride through Winney the Pooh's One Hundred Acre Wood.

Tony and Tia just outside the entrance to Disneyland

Tony and Tia just inside the main gates

At the entrance to the Disney Castle

The 'It's a Small World' exhibit

Trip to Hong Kong

Tia and I are now one week into our two week visit to see Tony in Hong Kong.  Our apartment is really nice and the complex has great facilities including a 65m swimming pool, excellent pool, small supermarket, sauna and a steam room.  The location is great too as very close to the shops and the complex also runs a shuttle bus which takes us to the biggest shopping centre in Hong Kong, Harbour City.  

Tony and Tia next to the pool at our apartment complex

Our apartment overlooks the pool and the waterfront

Birds & Bees Resort, Pattaya

One of our favorite spots in Thailand was the Birds & Bees Resort in Pattaya. We only had the opportunity to visit it once though, in December 2010, but we had a lovely time. We went with our friends Greg, Nat and Lina who lived in the same condo - Kallista Mansion.

 The beautiful Infinity Pool at the resort.

The view from our 2-bedroom Villa

Posing with Tia, Nat and Lina

Tony with the condom display at the entrance to the resort's dining room. 



Life in Perth

Tia and I have been back in Perth now for 3 months and even though Tia hasn't settled into school yet we seem to have settled back into life here quite well.    I still believe Perth is one of the nicest cities in the World to live in ... clean, tidy, organised, beautiful beaches, parks, cycle paths, etc, etc.  Perhaps the biggest shock is the cost of everything, especially after living in Asia for 4 years.

The City from the foreshore at the end of our street in South Perth