valeriavine

I've got the house to myself and here are some solo adventures I've been having ..... with myself. Yes most people know that I come from a very spoilt culinary er... situation but that doesn't mean I rough it when I'm left to my own devices. Yes I've had the odd pizza or two, but I do work a rather full full time job. Pacific oysters have been my little treat of late and I buy half a dozen and slip them down as I cook. Oysters are not just an amazing flavour of the sea but a kind of experience. Because it's just lil' ol' me I spare no expense and splurge on the biggest freshest most glisteningly fat oysters I can find. I've posted these to show that some times beautiful meals are created ... read more

the work begins................. I originally met Carol in India, when we both attending the 90th Birthday celebrations of BKS Iyengar. She is one of the few senior Iyengar yoga teachers in Australia and a really lovely person. She runs the Darwin Yoga Space and when I heard she was leading a retreat in Bali I jumped at the chance. Typical yoga day 6.15 -7.15 Pranayama/Meditation 7.30- 10.00 Asana 10.30 - 11.30 Brunch Free Time 4.15 - 6.00 Asana 6.30 - 7.45 Dinner 8.00 - 8.30 Meditation What a treat! I've met a great group of dedicated yogi/nis; I'm staying in the AMAZING Alam Indah which is an old family business and eating the most delicious food doing yoga every day! Paradise! Day 1 sequence Pranayama Meditation As... read more

I have definitely less photos of Jakarta but that doesn't mean I'm having any less fun here. I've replaced eating with shopping as my new obsession!!!!!! Well maybe I have them both running concurrently but Jakarta is definitely the place to indulge the latter. I love SHOPPING!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i love it I love it I love it!!!!!! Jakarta is such a blast! I didn't realise how modern and vibrant it is. The people are really nice .... like really; as in opposite to fake, faking it, pretending to be nice, not being nice at all, not giving a damn. The service industry here knows the meaning of service. Retail is done smoothly and with panache; and what I mean by that is well designed retail spaces and a real variety of labels both local and international. it's ... read more

After playing Indiana Jones till 1am last night we woke up a little hung over from too much screen staring and clambered sleepily to our Xbox consoles..... yes this is very sad. At midday hunger forces me and Kerri out to forage in a food hall somewhere. Felina has long since left the house to have lunch with some other friends. Kerri not quite the consummate host like Felina leaves me to my devices to order, and it is then that I discover my Hokkien after many years of remission. Kerri and I move through the back alleys of............... near our other Ah Chor's house, which is now being renovated as a national heritage site, pretending we are in a computer game and laughing and my weird Hokkien. Tonight me Felina and Paige catch the plane ... read more

Morning Practice 6:30am - 8:30am My final day with the dentist. I have seen her every day since I arrived and shall miss her as a part of my daily routine. My teeth are looking great! Our mission today is to hunt down the best PAN MEE on the island AND buy Chinese Herbs for Mum and some special dietary supplement powder stuff for my Bro. Later Ah Khoo takes us out to dinner of frogs and eels.....the best I have tasted yet too. enjoy........ read more