on the Go with Bo!

Hot-air ballooning over Utrecht, Holland

WOW!!!  I finally did it.  And it was as magical as I expected.  I've wanted to go hot-air ballooning for a long time ... and on May 21, we took Robin's family on this great trip, to see their hometown and the surrounding area from up above.  His parents were just in awe ... to see the city they've lived in for nearly 60 years from 1600 m.

The weather didn't start of the best this morning.  What I've learnt about ballooning is that everything is unpredictable ... because weather is unpredictable!  Thankfully the day cleared up around 1600 ... and as we all arrived to the departure area, which was a big park on the outskirts of Utrecht ... we found out that the wind was still to strong.  So the waiting game began!  And some more waiting ... till finally the 'captain' gave us the green light and we started blowing up the balloon with hot air.  The gigantic balloon started to inflate ... with a massive Virgin logo on it.  I thought perhaps you had to be a virgin to go on it ... I would have been kicked off for sure!!!

As the people in the park were staring in amazement as the balloon inflated fully and started lifting into the sky, we all jumped into the basket ... and up, up and away we went.  It was amazing!  I just love watching the world from up high ... for the beauty is just so undeniable.  What totally surprised me is that the ride was completely silent and smooth.  There was absolutely no noise ... other than us chatting in excitement.  Just the wind blowing us into the horizon, over the evening lit landscape with the sun setting over a perfectly cloudless sky.  Even at 1600m, when you looked down ... no fear!  It's weird for all that you have between you and the emptiness below ... is a basket.  Not much ... but enough I guess.

That's when Bas exclaims ... it's like watching Google Earth!  Today's youth :-)

After over an hour, and with the sun having had dipped into the horizon, it was time to start our descent back to mother earth.  The sky was ever-changing from a yellow, to a burning orange, to an indigo blue ... to ever darker colours.  As we descended you could see the houses, people having dinner outside in their backyards, the dogs barking at us, cows staring with a bewildered look, rabbits running through the fields, foxes dodging the shadow of the balloon ... and I could go on and on.  I just couldn't help smiling.  I was happy!

We were told to hold on for landing ... for it's a bit bumpy.  So we all got ready ... with our backs facing the direction that we were travelling in ... and suddenly thump, bang ... and back into the air ... and another wack into the ground, a jump, a hop ... and our basket finally came to a stop.  Beautiful!  And somewhat rough!

A side-story ... I've had these Prada sunglasses for years, for which I paid a small fortune, and I've been thinking recently how it would be great to loose them so I could justify buying a new pair.  Dont' get me wrong, I've loved these glasses, and they've done me well ... but you know, it's time for a new pair!  Wouldn't you know it that on the first thump into the ground with our basket ... the sunglasses flew off my head and into the field below.  Finally ... I thought!  God is telling me ... go buy yourself a new pair!!  Yooohoooooo!  you see ... nature takes care of everything :-)

The funny thing about landing in a hot-air balloon, is that you never quite know where you're going to land ... and actually our landing spot couldn't have been better.  Right by a small country road, on a field that looked barren.  Until ... the owners of the land came to pay us a visit.  An older couple:  stern, angry, sour, distant ... and displeased that we ruined their field!  They said that they had just planted grass seeds and that we ruined everything with our landing.  Hardly!!  They finally extorted 50 EUR from us!!!!!  I assume for replacing their grass seeds.  More likely though ... to have a drink at the local pub!!

Oh ... and wouldn't you know it ... my nieces and nephews wanted to go see if they could find my sunglasses.  They were all clamouring for them.  I said fine ... first one who finds them ... keeps them.  So off we all went.  We're all searching in very little light, for the sun had set a long time ago ... till the captain calls us back, for the farmer was complaining that we're trampling even more seeds.  As I turn back, I make my first step to return ... and right by my foot ... my Prada sunglassess.  Damn!!!!  I picked them up, put them on my head ... and realized that nature is telling me ... don't spend money on a new pair just yet.

To book a ride on a hot-air balloon in Utrecht, contact Sky Promotions at www.virgin.nl

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Boating on Loosdrecht Lake (Netherlands)

The countryside between Utrecht and Amsterdam is very picturesque.  Small Dutch style houses, perfectly manicured gardens, bicycle paths and plenty of rhododendrons blooming in the spring weather.  Plus, there are many beautiful canals in the vicinity of Utrecht, the river Vecht lined with several grandiose mansions and the big lake of Loosdrecht.  Given that Holland is the land of water and canals, there is no better way to see this country than from a boat.  It's very typical to see groups of Dutch cruising down the canals in their open-design boats, weather permitting of course.  It's somewhat like having a picnic on the water: people sitting and standing in their boats, sipping rose and eating a variety of canapes ... with the customary assortment of delicious Dutch cheeses, cold-cuts and desserts!  It's a beautiful way to get to know Holland ... right from the water.

To read more on Utrecht, Netherlands ... and its surroundings ...

Russia - Moscow (May 2009)

Gosh I laughed!  Silly laughing!!  Love laughing on the plane.  Just finished watching 'Bridal Wars' enroute to Moscow ... and although the movie is totally ridiculous ... I laughed!

What will also be ridiculous is the Eurovision Song Festival finals that we're going to see this Saturday.  That is our raison d'etre for coming to Moscow.  Plus one must see the Red Square and the Kremlin at one point.  If you're a European you will know what Eurovision is.  Otherwise, I doubt you've heard of it.  It's basically a song competition between all the European countries, where each country first has a national competition to select the song that will represent them at the finals.  And then through a very complex judging system, a victor is selected during the final show, which is always hosted by the country of the previous year's winner.  Thus last year Russia won ... and now ... Moscow!

Read on ...

Asia Grand Restaurant

Just had lunch at this fantastic Chinese restaurant at the bottom of
Odeon Towers (331 north bridge road, #01-05). Walked in and saw this
delicious Peking duck. Will have to come back to try it. Was too much
to have for lunch! They also said the dim sum here is excellent.

Much Ado About Nothing at Fort Canning Park

How about doing something different on a Sunday night?

One way or another, Sunday night for me is always about preparing for the week ahead.  So to break the routine, last night we went to Fort Canning to see Shakespeare's play 'Much Ado About Nothing'.

There were 8 of us.  Most of the group brought food, but since we're handicapped when it comes to kitchen stuff, we volunteered to bring the wine, a wine opener, several plastic cups (we even had red cups for the red wine!!) and 6 sarongs.  It was appreciated :-)

I've been to the Botanic Gardens for the Sunday afternoon concerts in the park, but never at Fort Canning.  The setting is similar, yet different.  I know, I can hear myself saying 'same, same, but different'.  It's the same downhill slope where everyone has a picnic, except that behind the stage you see some highrises, and behind you is the actual Fort Canning building.

The show starts at 1930, but the gates open at 1830 so that you can spread out your many sarongs!!  The lawn was full and the crowd very appreciative.  I loved the production and the very convoluted love story.  It's Shakespeare after all!

And best of all ... when the second set started, above from the stage and just on top of the tree-line, was the full-moon rising.  A divine way to end the weekend.

Catch 'Much Ado About Nothing' from May 7 - 31, 2009, presented by Singapore Repertory Theatre.  Tickets available through SISTIC.

Best Nasi Padang ...

A friend mollie took me here soon after I moved to Singapore. And I
haven't been back since ... Till a few nights ago. Close to Great
World City mall, at No 55 Zion road ... A simple, inexpensive place
with delicious Nasi Padang. What else does one need?

I love ads in Singapore :-)

ASAE & The Center Study Trip ... THE END!

Here I am, sitting on our day-bed in Singapore, finally at home.  We all parted and said our good-bye's at the Dubai airport last night, around midnight ... tired and exhausted.  But full of memories of a great trip.  Great content, such fun, so much that we saw, new contacts that we made, the many laughs we had, the silliness, the friendships ... and I could go on, and on ...

 

For the people that did the entire trip, we started in Singapore on April 20 ... and without going back to the first entry of the blog, I wouldn't even be able to remember how it all started.  I can't even remember what we did yesterday!  Or where we were.  At this point, my mind is saturated.

 

Thanks to everyone for making this trip so amazing ... you know who you are!

 

Most of all though ... kisses to my muse ... Janice :-)

 

  

More photos from Abu Dhabi ...