Fortunately I had packed all my bags the night before knowing my lift to the airport was 9.15am and have having had a midnight feast I knew how tired I would feel in the morning. My cunning plan was to sleep on the j journey to the Airport and sleep on the 9 hour flight to Bangkok. I set my alarm for 7.30am. Final check. Tickets check. Handbag check. Reading glasses check Thai currency check . Passport. Pasport. Passport. ??? PASSPORT. DONT PANIC i told myself. It will be exactly where it should be… i unpacked my two suitcases completely. Shook out my handbag. Nothing. Then Sharm looked again. And again, nothing. Jai lightened the conversation slightly by asking me if i wanted him to take a look. By now i had missed my bus to the airport and had visions of misssing all subsequent flights so home13 days early. I could feel defeat decending. I sat on the sofa and told myseft there will be logical explanation. I only ever put it in one place. It wasnt there. I rememnered i had had it out of its pouch two days ago as i needed to email someone my passport numbers but there was no signal. So i left it on the kitchen table…. i remember thinking i will send the email later so possibly put it in my hand bag.but it wasnt there. Sharm and i emptied my bags and cases one last time. NOTHING.. n o t h i n g. part of me knew there was a simple explanation. Part of me was preparing myself to contact The British Embassy, miss my flights to Thailand and cut short my adventure…then REVELATION…. when i had travelled home in Simon’s car the night before…and stopped for Fish and chips…i put my bag on the floor of his car and it tipped over. When i arrived back at David’s house it was dark and i felt blindly around on the floor of the car for any contents that had fallen out of my bag. I wasn’t feeling for anything in particular but found my pen and my purse. Could i have missed my passport? Had it fallen out of my bag?? I didnt have Simon’s number so FB messaged him. I rang David who had gone to inform the airport bus that i would not be in time to board (I’d booked and paid the night before). David rang Simon and left him a message…then we sat and waited. BINGO! Simon found it on the floor of his car. Did I have time to catch my flight to Bangkok? Oscar to the rescue! He had just arrived back from a three hour round trip to the airport dropping the lovely Lina there on her way home to Kuala Lumpur. He offered to do it all again. He even offered to drive me the pretty route! What a hero. What a gentleman. What a genuinely nice guy. Airport here I come! Bangkok you don’t avoid me so easily! I’m on my way. On time. On schedule. This is when I discover the ENORMOUS diference between Emirates Business class and Jetstar airways Economy! I believe there is always positive in any situation and the positive in this,10 hour uncomfortable flight came in the form of an Australian lady called Charmae. Charmae was on the same flight and was seated on the other side of the aisle. Her meal arrived and i found myself asking her if she would like to join me in a glass of wine. I’ve never done this before.. and not sure why I did. But turned out to be a great decision. We got chatting. Charmae lives between the Gold coast of Australia and Chang Mai in Thailand. When i told her i was about to spend 3 days in Bangkok she gave me some REALLY useful tips. 1. Never ask for a Thai massage unless you want to find your toes behind your ears! Ask for an oil massage. 2. “Bow bow” means gently gently (may be useful for enthusiastic masseur) 3. Wat Po is the best place for massage. Its where they train the best.. Charmae trained there and said how ruthless they are with trainees if they don’t do it properly! 4. MBK is,a 7 floor shopping market. Each floor designated to different products. Worth a visit but don’t expect to find your way out as its HUGE! 5. If you like a market Chutujuck market is 10 acres of stalls. ! 6. A river cruise is well worth doing. 7. I was arriving on the first day of a month of mourning for their King who died a year ago so wearing bright colours may not be appropriate. Charmae told me how disciplined and strict the Thai people are in some situations. Situations like when her grandson was learning a martial art and did it wrong. Oh my!! No child protection here. I took heed of all she had told me and carried the note she wrote everywhere. It was relevant on several occasions. Charmae and I hooked up as FB friends and she has invited me to her homes on the Gold Coast of Australia and in Chang Mai in Thailand. She says she owes me a glass of wine! I have a feeling I may take her up on her invitations. We exchange FB banter. I had no idea when i offered a stranger to join me in a glass of wine that it could lead to more adventure. So 3 days in Bangkok are you ready?

I can’t believe it is my last full day in Melbourne. We have all bonded well and will be sad not to have the comfortable banter that we have fostered. However I do detect that David has mixed feelings! With the best will in the world it’s hard to share your home with people who don’t understand your quirks, your little routines and things that just annoy you. You have every right to run your home as you wish so when visitors put things in different places and accidently don’t shut the fridge door promptly (sorry David) its hard. I think I drove David to distraction so much so he developed a dreadful tick!

David had a lot to show us today including touring round all the houses he has lived in. Miles of beautiful coastline and beaches. We got out of the car at strategic places to see the sights and breath in the fresh sea air. I, being a hardy Northerner would have described the weather as ‘nippy’ or ‘bracing’, however Jai and Sharm from the hot climes of Bangalore chose different words!

The adventure continued as we wended our way.. ‘ I

i was surprised to see the word ‘backkside’ on this plaque.

Now..heading for a vineyard for some Aussie wine tasting… Can’t wait. Err… ‘closed’ said one Vineyard. ‘closed’ said another. Oh no surely we can find a vineyard open? Phew!! We found oneุ่ that said ‘open’.we were hungry too. ‘sorry we don’t do wine tasting ” WHAT?? YOU ARE a vineyard. YOU ARE OPEN. ‘we don’t do wine tasting’ So with a disppointed sulk I bought a bottle to sample when back at David’s house tonight. As we

were now running late for a lovely date, David decided we should skip lunch as we were heading for the hills for Devonshire Tea …a kind invitation by Nola a delightful woman we net at the Toastmaster nights. I was beginning to wish I hadn’t skipped breakfast but with Afternoon Tea in sight and my 5 extra stone of flesh to feed me I was hardly going to waste away for lack of one lunch.

Nola has a beautiful Colonial style home in secluded surroundings. She was on the Veranda to greet us along with Louise, another TM lady we met previously and who was Vegan so offered to make Vegan scones for Sharm and Jai.

Lovely homemade scones, jam and cream washed down with cups of tea served in China cups and saucers. Tea does actually taste better served this way. Add the glorious environment, great company and you have a perfect afternoon. We were also joined by Simon , another Toastmaster who sells land.

One little incident that makes me smile and makes Share squirm.., we were were so hungry it was now about 4pm that Share and Jai eagerly scoffed the Vegan scones that when Louise sat down to partake,, there was just a very small half of one left. Poor Sharm hadn’t realised that Louise was eating too. I still chuckle remembering both Sharm and Louise’s faces.

I feel a real connection with Nola.

I travelled back home with Simon.. stopping about 6pm at a fish and chip shop.. they were poor quality so I just ate a few to stop the hunger pangs.

When we all arrived home we emptied the contents of David’s fridge and tucked in unashamedly and washed it diwn with a good wine,

An eventful full day where I made more friends and where memories were made.

Toastmasters in a casino??   
Today we slept in.  Some were still unashamedly still in their pyjamas at  2.00pm but I won’t embarrass Jai by mentioning it was him!

Tonight we are all going to an Competition night where David is competing.

Jai and Sharm wanted a quiet da so I got a taxi to Frankston pier and beach and went for a chilly stroll.    We are at the beginning of Spring here so days can be cold and changeable.

When the chill was unbearable I found refuge in the Cheeky Squire and sampled the Reisling.   It was very good. I’ve not had Reisling in years.

This is the first Toastmaster meeting I have encountered in a Casino.

If course the room they meet in is private.

Being a visitor at a club is an eye opener. The way you are warmly greeted or sadly ignored says much about the Club”s mentality and ethos.  

Although nice people it was apparent they were a close cosy bunch of longstanding friends not eager to change, and set in their ways. 

As visitors from different countries and cultures, Sharm and myself were taken aback to be told quite agressively that the way we do things in India and UK is wrong!  It was however only one person’s opinion who needs to work in her communication and diplomacy skills. 🙂

I will make sure when I return to the UK that I make any new visitors to my clubs very welcome.

The Competition
 was entertaining and it was an enjoyable evening which finished off with drinks in the Casino.

I chatted to the Bouncer on the door  a tall bald guy named Lindzt.

Another good day.. more memories made.

Day 7 morning went a bit pear shaped.  David had plans to take us places but some got up late and some needed more rest after long journeys, and David had unexpected extra things to do. In fact, David had FAR too much to do but at least it was’ much to do about Something ! Why?  

Because today is the Day I had been invited to Speak. The reason this whole adventure was conceived.

 It was the 1000th meeting of Frankston Toastmasters and celebrations were  afoot.

 Food and drinks. Champagne to ‘toast”  black and silver helium baloons. 2 international speakers (Jai and I ) 

old members including the founder members.   David instigated, 

orchestrated and delegated and kept his finger on the pulse. The lovely Harry came to drive Jai and  I to the ‘event.  Jai was delighted as he had always wanted to ride in a BMW.

well done David and team!  The  event ran smoothly.  I had a whale of a time entertaining my  audience and finished by slinging chocolates with gay abandon out to everyone in the audience to remind them the job of a speaker is to feed their audience and hope everyone leaves with something tasty to enhance their lives.  When everyone had one or two chocolates. I then said ‘and just as you are feeling confident as a speaker that all  your audience have something to take, You carry on’ (I then threw lots more chocs into the audience) GIVE THEM MORE. More than they expect.  More than you have energy to give. Give them all you have.  As i threw chocolates wildly i was aware that some were heading straight for Jai but of course, being blind he couldn’t see them! So I shouted ‘Jai. Duck!’  But alas it was too late and he was attacked by chocolate’ perhaps this is where ‘Death by Chocolate’ originated? 🙂  ‘Jai’s witty response? ‘I didn’t see that coming!’

Jai”s keynote was fantastic. Overcoming fears. Overcoming obstacles. Overcoming disability. Handling setbacks, predudices and disappointment.

GO Jai..   the world needs to hear it. How wonderful that Jai has Sharm to be his sight. Sharm is one of life”s special treasures. 

There was a celebratory raffle where the lovely Lina assisted. Note..still wearing her coat!!

After a lst class evening  it was time to depart for home.

We were so hungry we had midnight snacks, more drinks and  a statutory  positive post mortem on the evening.

Conclusion;  a fabulous time was had bý all.

I feel so blessed and fortunate to have been invited to Australia by the unique David Hughes..  Who started out as a virtual Toastmaster FB friend and now has flesh!! #purelyplatoniclol

When I woke this morning David had already left home for the airport to pick up two more house guests, Jai and Sharm who live in Bangalore, South India.  Jai will be Speaking at the Event.

They arrived at lunchtime. What a delightful couple. We had a cuppa and felt we has known each other for years.

They have been married 11 years. Jai lost his sight about 20 years ago when he was around 35.

His condition Retinitis pigmentosa meant he went blind slowly. 7  He said he had an Ahha moment when he realized his condition is known as RP and not RIP.  It is not life threatening…  That’s what I call positive energy.

We chatted for hours our conversations positively enriching.  What a privilege that our worlds collided for an unknown purpose – it was like meeting up with unknown siblings.

We then went out for a meal to David’s local Chinese/Malaysian restaurant . There was David and his son Oscar. Sharm and Jai. Lina and myself. 

Lina  and Oscar are much younger and got on well.  Lina responded to me as if I was her mum.  

Yesterday we were strangers and today we were friends with an acceptance, understanding and desire to know more about each other’s culture and our past, present and future. There was a certainty that our paths were destined to meet. 

As it was David’s local restaurant the owner and her son Tim were very attentive and had no problem cooking specific Vegan food for Sharm.

David was DETERMINED to have the buffet for 4 but as most didn’t want it he downgraded to buffet for 2. Sadly no one wanted that either but never one to be defeated he ordered the buffet for 2 for himself!!   Here his us with two bowls of chicken and sweet corn soup. Lol

Lina was cold and sat in her coat all night.  Coming from Kuala Lumpur anything feels cold.  Even when it was 28° she  wore her coat.  

On our way out of the restaurant  we were given a bottle of complimentary wine to 

take home. Another night cap!

Day 5 and time to say goodbye to Country 1.
The reason for being here is The Importance of friendships and making time to enrich them.

Up at 5.00am for a 6.00am journey to the airport.
How is it fair that men wake up looking the same as when they went To bed and women seem to deteriorate beyond belief overnight? So at 5 am my hair goes in 5 directions with a delightful matted frizz around the edges. The bags under my eyes now resemble empty rucksacks. My eyes are slits and my breath would scare vampires away; and that’s AFTER I’ve done my bathroom regime!.

10.00am flight to Singapore. At 11am they serve me a lovely lunch starting with a mezze of delights followed by Singapore aromatic rice and chicken followed accompanied with a Sancere wine. I watched series 3 of Line of duty – wow really enjoyed it. After a lovely snooze it was time for an exotic Afternoon tea and champagne. 8 hours later I arrive in Singapore for a 2 hour stopover in the Emerates Lounge.
By my reckoning it is now 8pm at night.. but  obviously not in Singapore! I board for my 6/7 hour flight to Melbourne and was served lunch??? Followed a few hours later with afternoon tea??? Ok ok i am a foodie but this is like groundhog day.
By my reckoning it is now 10pm and I am eating my 2nd afternoon tea at 3am. but its obviously not 3am because it’s light and sunny outside!

I snooze again to be woken up for breakfast. Breakfast?? What day is it? What time is it? Who am I? Where am I??

I am tired!  Thankfully only an hour’s chauffeur drive to my destination. A chauffeur, Charles, who looks like a Chauffeur!

I arrived at the home of my host at 11.30am Melbourne time and warmly greeted by the sight of David, his dog Nessa and another house guest Lena

 who is Malaysian and lives in KualaLumpur sitting on the Veranda of a lovely single storey house on what looks like Ramsey Street.

G’day .

After brief greetings and a cup of tea I went to bed. Hmmmm soft, comforttable sleep inducing Zzzzzzż z

The rest if the day was a blur… we visited Oscar David’s son. He is of Guatemalan origin and adopted by David and Nancy aged 4.

After supper I was ready for bed but naughty David talked me into having a nightcap.. we laughed, reminisced, told jokes which lead to a second nightcap and more entertaining banter. I havnt laughed so much for ages, my belly ached and I am very sorry to say we said our goodnights at 3am. I slept very well!

G, Night all. 

You learn a lot about yourself when you have no agenda for the day and endless choices.   No deadlines, no one to answer to and no pressure.

I am happy sitting relaxing with a book,  making lists and plans for the next few months. Or going to a beach or park to people watch.  I don”t mind a bit of culture or a bit of shopping.

I had the afternoon to myself so after a fruit salad breakfast I jumped into a taxi ..well ok jumped is an exaggeration…i slowly manoevered myself in and the taxi driver passed me my last bit of appendage  in the shape of a foot that wouldnt bend the right way.  

I asked to be dropped at Dubai Mall where I would brouse the plethora of shops and have a light lunch. 

Wanting to stick with Healthy eating i decided to eat at Joes crab shack…lots of fish on the menu.   I avoided those meals obviously high in calories

I checked out the menu and found a win win meal. Something I loved and also no fat/chips/extra calories..  It read Shrimps served 3 ways in one meal.  Perfect .     Until it arrived!  Heaven and Hell appeared before me.
Where on the menu did it day 3 BUCKETS of Shrimp. Two buckets containing deep fried delicious mouth watering couldn’t possibly resist type of shrimp!

Oh dear oh dear. What is a woman supposed to do?  Send it Back? Or take the coating off?  I decided but only half heartedly decided to half heartedly take half the coating off!  Nibbling at the bit I had taken off!!   

I soon realised this could end up a lose lose situation. Ie. To eat it and not enjoy it.

So the choice to eat and enjoy or to eat and let negative thoughts about calories, overweight, misguiding menu blah blah blah ..

Justifying my decision with the excuse ‘I didn’t have breakfast I decided to tuck in and enjoy it To The full.  It was delicious with the most enormous prawns ever!

I sit now contemplating my decision knowing The dog you feed wins!’ 

And my Dog of desire to eat healthily had not been fed as much as the dog of ‘YUM that looks flippin good.. and It’s not MY Fault the menu wasn’t accurate’ .

There is no right or wrong here.  No good or bad decision. No halo of greatness or pit if shame.  

The healthy way to deal with this sort of happening is to simply accept it, love myself and love the Shrimp 

This doesn’t mean my resolve to eat healthily for more energy and healing is any less.  It remains my goal. However it is equally unhealthy to live in a cycle of guilt, failure and self loathing.  I am not my size.  I am not what can be seen on the outside.

Health stems from healthy mind,  healthy body, and healthy spirit.

Daily mantra.

I am deeply loved and acceptable.  You That is all.

Woke early and sat under a canopy with iced water at 6.30am 27°.   Contemplating  the day ahead.  Amanda has two lovely dogs. Both Rescue dogs with unknown history. Unfortunately I must either look, walk or sound like the Miss Hanagan of evil dog owners!  Every time I move (even if the dog ‘Sizzles’ cant see me) she barks as loud and repetitive she can… growling inbetween.  I know she won’t hurt me but she is very sca red of me. I can sit and stroke her but the moment I move… ‘WOOOOOOOOOF’.   

This reminds me of how deep rooted and subconscious our past can affect us.  It doesn’t always seem easy to forgive let alone forget and our senses often react naturally to memories.

I remember the smell and feel and icy chill of November 24th 1978. It was the first frosty day of the year and we were in our car on our way to visit a friend who had a new baby.  Me and hubby in the front of our pale green Vitesse; our 4 year old Matthew on the back seat and 17 week Daniel in his carry cot beside him.    We stopped to get petrol and I instinctively turned to check the boys . I could tell by the colour of Daniels skin and the lack Of movement when I jiggled his tiny fingers that something was dreadfully wrong.  It was 12.30pm and Daniel died (cot death) while we travelled beside him.  So Every first frosty day of the year I feel strangely tentative and insecure.  There is no rationale but it’s a deep uncontrollable reaction triggered in this instance by the ‘chill of the day’.   So…. Sizzles, I understand that you can’t help barking if I triģger a memory from the past. It’s OK.  It’s OK.

Dubai is a place most people would love or hate.  It’s hot. It’s opulent. Everything is top notch, first class.  Very low crime rate possibly due to the extreme punishments.  A huge gap between rich and poor and most shop workers, drivers, housemaids etc are from India, Pakistan, Philippines etc and get only a modest wage for long hours and send most of it back to their estranged families.  I met Ferne a Filipino lady when I had my Nails done in  a Dubai salon.  The salon offers a complete package to the girls from the Philippines.  A full time job; often 10 hour days. Accommodation. And a flight home once a year.  I learned that Ferne prefers two holidays every two years. She sends her money home to provide for her 7 year old son who lives with his grandparents. She also has a 21 year old daughter.   I can honestly say that she is the most talented, diligent nail technician who craves perfection.  Well done Ferne for putting your heart and soul into satisfying your customers even though your life is far from perfect.  

 After my trip to the salon it was back to have a good catch up with Amanda.  It’s rare to have friends who you can completely spill the beans with with no fear of messing up!   Amanda and I have always had an open honest relationship with the extremes of profound discussion and raucous laughter. You can never tire of that.  

I’m beginning to unwind and 
looking forward to the weeks ahead.   I’m intrigued to know the deeper purpose of what I am doing visiting 3 countries in three weeks and what life lessons i will face.   Watch this space.!