It has been so hot and unbelievably humid in London recently, I am beginning to think I'm back living in Bangkok instead. 

Even Father who was here last week (dropping in for less than 48 hours after his trip to Milan to visit his daughter, how nice is that!) couldn't get a good night sleep from all the heat.  He said it's worse than Bangkok and wants me to buy air-con unit!  After some successful discussion on my part, as the air-con would be useful for about 1 month per year, it's not really worth it, we didn't get the air-con.  A few days later, Father called to ask if I changed my mind and luckily it was raining that day, so I can fully say all is fine.

 

A Bad decision.... it was piping steaming after that rainy day... and I reconsider air-con again!

 

In this summer heat, makes me think of the things one could do to cool down in Bangkok.  First comes to mind is, as usual, Khao Chae (Jasmine rice soaked in flower scented water served chilled with the water and ice) and its accompanying side dishes.  Googled it and here's a good picture.  Apparently this Royal dish is labourious to cook, can't find any place in London (in fact I doubt anywhere except Thailand) serves it.  Then it struck me.  I start missing the city, the night air, the hustle and bustle of life after dusk.  Street stalls, bargaining at markets, shopping till you drop dead while spending less than a tenth in London, good food everywhere, etc, etc, etc......It's all things of Bangkok that's so direct to see you don't and now without, you start to miss them.   And incidentally, a friend sent some very beautiful pictures of Bangkok and make me think of the city I left alot in the last few days...

 

 

Hope now that we're moving to the next month and hopefully end of the swelthering heat,  things might cool off a bit.  And I'd be myself, a jolly Londoner again....

 

Until then, it's off to Stockholm  this weekend for a break and seeing old friends.  Got to wake up very early to catch morning flight from Heathrow.... Hence it's 'Good night and good luck!' for now...

 

P.S.  Planning to read George Orwell's novel Animal Farm during travel as I enjoyed 1984 alot.  Will update how the novel's central motto 

 SOME ANIMALS ARE MORE EQUAL THAN OTHERS'  goes...

 

(sounds v v v similar to the Human World isn't it?  What do you think, mr. Bush?)

Took a week holiday from work to meet and greet with Topp (who flew from Sweden), Nuay and Arm in Germany.  Such a long time no see and good to see happy faces and familiar laughter.  Too bad didn't get to see Praew who came down all the way from North Germany to south, but had to leave early.  Hope to see her sometime soon.

 

Was able to immerse in both the beautiful Bavarian scenery as well as German craze of World Cup (that is, of course, before Italy score the 2 amazing goals at such heart-breaking time of extra time of world cup semi-final).  Got to watch the match in Ulm's townsquare which was jammed packed with most of the citizen of this little town.  There were loads of shouting, cheering, drunked craziness, screaming, noise, laughter, all so un-typical of German stoic and curt stereotype.  All that suddenly became complete silence when Italy scored, apart from a small band of Italians who were jumping up and down in front, exuberant, but not fearing for their lives.  The second goal scored and the whole townsquare was in utter dismay. And still tiny band of Italian jumping higher and daring further their lives.  Sounds scary, but nothing happened.  No clash, but loads of car honking in the streets and Italians waving their flags.

 

 

Went to Canterbury on Saturday, June 3 and was taken around by a very amicable guide: POP.

Even better, we took a bus from Canterbury to the coast, a small fishing village of Whitstable.  It's my trip to the beach in a very very long time.

 

Ah... the sun, sand, and sea.  The seafood fresh from the sea which could only mean..... fish and chips!

Yup, went all the way to the sea and the only food Englishmen serve at their good seafood huts are deep-fried beer batter (who recognizes that?) of different types of fish served with warm more deep-fried potato chips.  Some shake up to menu palette highly needed, i think.  Any one up on volunteer?

 

Luckily another pub stable is available - steamed moules in white wine sauce.  Those were excellent.  And a relieve that choice exists after all.

 

So, after a very happy lunch, we took bus back to Canterbury and walked around this tiny town.  Thanks to Pop, I got to see the whole town in an hour!  It truly is tiny.  And better yet is, for the first time in travelling, having to brainstorm and ran out of places to go.  Nevertheless Canterbury is such a picturesque medieval square I would recommend to others having a day to spare.

 

Another weekend well-worth....