Back in HK severe Mon traffic

Back in HK severe Mon traffic

Drive back to Brisbane was a breeze, except for the first 10 km one
lane gravel road in complete darkness in the rain that somehow my GPS
felt was a wise way to take to hit the M1

The plane ride back wasn't too bad except for the crying kid behind
me. Think that am pretty happy being a short person when having to
curl up in 2 seats coz apparently the biz class seats were full again.

So now back in hk trying to drop off my bag and change. Should have
trusted my instinct and taken a cab from the airport. Instead to save
200 lousy hkd took the train and then waited 40 min for a cab and now
stuck in severe traffic in central, ugh

Life is good near Byron Bay

When I renovated my apartment I took out the bathtub which was a bathtub cum shower with nasty plastic curtains et al, but I still love bathtubs, esp when they are proper standalone tubs, like the one I'm blissfully soaking in now

The nicest thing I discovered about Byron At Byron Bay is that most of the resort is rainforest, fragrant and full of birds, cicadas and resident enus. A walk away from the pool and lobby area led to lily ponds, rainforest and little areas to sit and read

After a still not cheap lunch and a stroll in picture perfect Bungalow, headed down to the beach at Byron Bay again where just like Santa Monica, it was just a little too busy for me, back at Tallow Beach, a 5-10 min walk from Byron resort, hung w/tons of surfers in the water and also shares the beach with fishermen, dogs and etc

Did also manage to grab a snack at the byron at BR, while reading an article on having essential one night stands--a 24 hr holiday away from the daily grind. I wholeheartedly agree!!

Finally got in a good night of sleep but maybe I over did it coz woke up with a headache

Still went up to the Byron lighthouse around 7 to drink in the very belated sunrise and beautiful views of the various beaches

Looked like it was going to rain but the weather cleared up. Took a lovely lovely drive to Bungalow. Only 10 min scenic drive away from Byron Bay, with a few cute shops and cafes. Much like that little town 5 min northeast of Katoomba (can't remember the name anymore)

Now chilling by the pool and probably headback to Bungalow for lunch later coz if a apple carrott celery juice just cost me A$10! Not sure how much food 'd cost!

Byron Bay

So in ByronBay after a relatively decent flight to Brisbane. No upgrade again despite diamond status. Cx either having a hard time filling up seats or I'm not asking aggressively enough. Wanted to try Fins which moved to Salt Village Kingscliff for lunch but ran into horrendous traffic. Vs a 2 hr expected drive into town took 4 hr to make it into Byron bay. Partially hertz's fault. Gave me a stickshift!! But despite all that. Worth it so far. The closer i got to byron the scenery got better! ( and the traffic just reminded me of LA)

byron @ byron bay itself is comfortable, kind of like an apartment in the middle of the rainforest. Comfy but no wow factor so far like places like the Datai. Being able to hear my neighbours's conversations, however interesting, still v annoying

Still a good happy way to spend a Sat. So far. Again. I think I miss SF

hunter valley

What to eat?

Poole’s Rock Winery Estate 576 Debeyers Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 6968; www.poolesrock.com.au)
offers the Firestick Café by day and the Rock Restaurant by night. Enjoy delicious wood-fired pizzas while overlooking 90-year-old shiraz vines over lunch, or award-winning regional cuisine – try the scallop tortellini – in ultra-modern surroundings at dinner.

***Roberts Restaurant, Halls Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 7330 www.robertsrestaurant.com)
dishes up delectable Modern European fare. This rustic but beautiful old log building with its vast ceilings, enormous fireplace and antique sideboards filled with crockery and Australian memorabilia is perfect for a romantic dinner.

Hungerford Hill Winery 1 Broke Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 49987666; www.hungerfordhill.com.au modern Terroir Restaurant and Wine Bar
The stylish wine bar has over 20 wines available by the glass where you can enjoy a simple salad or antipasto plate in relaxed surrounds. Next door is their stunning tasting room.

**(1)
Leaves & Fishes (737 Lovedale Road, Lovedale; +61 (0)2 4930 7400; www.leavesandfishes.com) lunch: hoiks its freshwater perch straight out of the adjacent ponds and slaps it straight on the grill. It doesn’t get much fresher than that (sun Lunch only)
82 Wilderness Road Lovedale
sat lunch

**(2)
majors lane http://www.majorslane.com/
sun lunch

**(3)
mojos http://www.mojos.com.au/
[other popular near by Lovedale restaurants are 'Mojos', which offers good food simply presented
sat dinner

**(4) The nearest wine bar is Tatlers, who provide modern Australian fare & sometimes... tapas http://www.tatlerwines.com/cafe.htm


Bimbadgen (Bimbadgen Estate Winery, 790 McDonalds Road, Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 4666; www.bimbadgen.com.au) seasonal modern Australian cuisine while enjoying great views. restaurant Esca lunch only

do….
Boutique Wine Centre Broke Road Pokolbin; +61 (0)2 4998 7474; www.boutiquewinecentre.com

good place to taste several labels under one roof… small-group tour with Hunter Valley Boutique Wine Tours (+61 (0)419 419931; www.huntervalleytours.com.au)... otherwise check out Thalgara, Peterson's Champagne House, Waverley Estate, nearest wineries are Warraroong, Wandin Valley and Sandalyn, Tyrell most professionally run

Molly Morgan Range on horseback: Hunter Valley Horse Riding & Adventures (288 Talga Road, Rothbury; www.huntervalleyhorseriding.com.au

Sicily

Hong Kong (HKG) To Rome (ROM ): Sat 24 Oct
HKG 00:15 FCO 07:15 13:00

fly wind jet

24-10-09 IV 563 Roma Fiumicino Terminal A Catania 08.35 09.50
1 Adult E-PROMO € 15,00 Taxes: € 15,39

http://www.villaducale.com/

Rome (ROM) To Hong Kong (HKG ): Mon 26 Oct
FCO 12:25 HKG 06:50 +1 11:25

26-10-09 IV 562 Catania Roma Fiumicino Terminal A 06.10 07.35
1 Adult C-PROMO € 11,00 Taxes: € 13,75

florence

oct 09

Thu 01 October
CX293 HKG 00:15 FCO 07:15 takes13:00
Sun 04 October
CX292 FCO 12:50 HKG 06:10 +1 takes11:20

Departs 01/10/2009 09:30 From ROMA TERMINI
Arrives 01/10/2009 11:09 At FIRENZE S M N 9432 Duration
1h 39m
Flexible first class Flexi 1 1 x 1st Cl Full Fare

Departs 04/10/2009 07:49 From FIRENZE S M N
Arrives 04/10/2009 09:29 At ROMA TERMINI 9423 Duration
1h 40m
Flexible first class Flexi 1 1 x 1st Cl Full Fare

cape town

23 Oct CX749 HKG 23:45 JNB 06:55 +1 16:50

24 Oct BA6411 Comair JNB 08:25 CPT 10:35

26 Oct BA6428 Comair CPT 07:30 JNB 09:30

26 Oct CX748 JNB 12:35 HKG 07:05 +1 17:35