The cripps in Hong Kong Hong Kong, Repulse Bay, Cripps, Crippo, Mark Cripps, Joss Cripps

Zai Jian 再見 (Hope to see you again soon)

A diary about our expedition to Hong Kong

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Thursday, March 15, 2007

Bangalore: Leela Palace Hotel





Another surreal moment - listening to the Archers omnibus edition in a 7* hotel in India. But then again, India is pretty surreal full of paradox.

This hotel is stunning - really luxurious; butler service; great food; choice of pillows; US$400 per night. Crazy when one thinks there are people outside the walls living rough. I'm not the first and I won't be the last to say this - India is a land of paradox ... fantastically industrious and clever and populous population -- and yet many things are tired and rundown and hard-to-get going. If I was running the country I would not know where to start.

Choice of pillows? You bet!

Your room is provided with goose down feather pillows but we offer a choice of pillows for your sleeping comfort and experience.


Try:

* Spelt pillow
* Neck supporting pillow
* Horse hair pillow
* Down special pillow
* Non allergy bolster
* Smoker pillow complete with "anti-smell" treatment
* Standard latex pillow
* Super soft pillow
* Chimera pillow
* Firm pillow
* Contour pillow
* Slim pillow

Crazy. I wonder how many people actually bother to change? Reminds me of the occasions when one goes into a NY deli for a cheese sandwich and then you're confronted with a bewildering choice of breads; cheeses; pickles etc etc etc and then you just choose the first on the list.

Let me tell you about the massage experience I had last night. I've had a few massages in my time in Asia now -- all proper massages if you know what I mean. And I think I know a good/bad one when I have it now.

Tonight I had a Ayurvedic Head, Neck & Shoulder Massage:

This massage is performed in a rhythmic motion by a therapist using a special massage oil over the head, neck and shoulders.


I'd not quite prepared myself for the quantity of oil but should have known ...

They insisted on standing over me whilst I took my top off. Then asked me to strip down to my pants. Gave me a dressing gown then I was escorted to the massge room.

Dim lights ... candles ... new age whale whining ... you know the deal. Then the (male) masseurs asked me to get naked. I questioned him on this (it was billed as a head and shoulder massage only) ... his retort was "there's a lot of oil".

I duly stripped off - then he wrapped this kind of paper sanitary towel round my nether regions, sat me on a stool, and then proceeded to tip a bucket of warm melted butter (ghee) all over me. Was not expecting that -- extremely smelly and itchy. Not very relaxing to be honest. I'll know for next time.

Joss walked out of a Ayurvedic massage recently - they laid her down on her back and dripped warm oil on her forehead for a full 5-6 minutes before she got bored/a headache/blew her stack.

Check this one out - recommended by one of my Indian clients!

NETHRA THARPANAM

In this treatment, a boundary of herbal paste is made around the eyes and warm medicated ghee is gently poured into it and retained. This not only cools the eyes, but strengthens the optic nerve, relieves eye strain and prevents eye disease.


Pouring luke warm melted lurpak on my open eyeballs is not for me to be frank!! Imagine what your eyelashes will be like when it hardens!

M

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Singapore 60th Floor of the Swissotel


!!!!woooooah!!!!

stayed on the 60th floor of the swissotel in singapore last night. "tallest hotel in asia".

the room had a little balcony -- there was a sign saying something like "please don't lean over the edge as injury may result".

now there's an understatement - too right there'd be an injury!

off to bangalore again in a minute ...

m x

Tuesday, March 06, 2007

Transit: Thai Airways Business Lounge Bangkok Airport



How cool is this?

On my way to India .... sitting in the business lounge of the new Bangkok airport. WiFi everywhere. Picture taken on my new Mac NoteBook and immediately published to the web via blog.

This was scifi 5 years ago.

Can't imagine what advances my children are going to see.

Yes on my way to India for a quick day trip - but involves two thru the night energy sapping flights.

And India next week too - but this time via Singapore (one day) and then 2 nights in India.

And the following week, FIVE WHOLE DAYS in India.

I'm gonna be wasted by the end of March.

I look it too by these fotos! Do you like the moody sunset? It was cold in HK today (15 degrees - and that's after a roasting toasting weekend ... 27-29 degrees and much sea swimming & a touch of sunburn). I'm rambling. Currently it's 32 degrees outside on the tarmac.

hey ho

M xx