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It’s been a particularly fascinating few weeks. Rich in controversy, deep in action and harmoniously latherable in company.

Jonny B, I believe, had a pretty good time in HK. We were out mostly every evening, but didn’t really hit it heavy until the weekend. As it happened, most of my big meetings were towards the end of my visit, and thus there was no way that I could jeopardise business sign up. If I was in bed for 1ish, I was fine in the morning.

I was acutely aware upon JB’s arrival of the deteriation of body weight- he looked a damn sight lighter than his previous 21 stone jersey frame. He had actually plummeted to 16- my weight. However, the Silvermine buffet was a good medium to begin rebuilding his bulk after dietting on noodles and rice for the previous 6 weeks in China. His plate on that first night reminded me of Richard Dreyfus in his front room during Close Encounters of the Third Kind…but food rather than mud and branches.. Jonnys arms had wilted in China and I believe he took emotional umbrage when I remarked that his arms were chicken-like. Not even turkey-like. They were perculiarly small, wilted and out of proportion. Sorry Jon- don’t mean to harp on, but when one hits a raw nerve, isn’t it very English to continue mentioning it?

There were, on reflection, many highlights which I am sure will be laughed at when we get back to Jersey towards the end of November. For, sadly, it will be November when I see Jonny again. As for Olen and Evan, it will be next year. Damn shame, but i’ll explain the rationale further down..

I suppose the best day was the rugby on the saturday, as it transpired it was almost a free night (until after midnight, in any event). I somehow pulled a muscle in the morning playing tennis, and thus ran (walked/hobbled) touch whilst JB impressed and was even mentioned in dispatches as a very useful player. Can’t remember the exact wording- I sent JB the article. No doubt he will chersh the words. Despite his weak aarms, even I thought he played well, and there were even glimmers of tackles atvthe first defensive line. Never easy playing small Japanese, but victory was guaranteed as early as half time. Anyway, how to influence a rugby team on first inspection. As a result of the hype, we were cordially invited to a free buffet/drinks do for a player (Mine Mark) leaving to work in the Cayman. The Hong Kong club in all its glitzy glory. How the empire still treads the quality of days bygone- in some circles at least. Free eveything. Fine wines, beers from around the world- after China I could see JB’s face open with delight.. great. Stumbled out of there at about 11ish and hit Wanchai before we started making fools of ourselves.

Now Wanchai for those that don’t know is an illustrious place in HK where most of the action goes on- where the pubs/clubs/neon lights are, although to be fair, these are also intermingled with a number of ropey old venues charging considerably more than one should part with. However, for entertainment, live music and honest boozers, Wanchai proliferates with atmosphere on a saturday night and, I feel, offers the best night out in HK. As alluded to just now, prices are ridiculous and nothing stacks up to the quality of Macau. Beggers can’t be choosers though, and when in Rome, with JB in tow, merry from sport and drink, one siezes on the opportunity to enjoy oneself. But living in Mui Wo, it is of primary importance to ensure that the 3pm boat home is not missed. When it is, things can go quickly awry. And I think i’ll leave it at that…

I’m in Singapore now. Staying at the Shangri-La Hotel just off Orchard Road. I’ve had a fabulous week (as in the welsh “fabulous”..) as the weather has been hot hot hot. Attended a very rewarding STEP conference for a few days and met some excellent contacts during various networking opportunities. Again, as always at these types of conferences, I attract characters that stand out in a crowd- the loud, the strange, the ridiculously shy, the far too tall, surely the only ever eskimo trustee in the world. I must be odd person magnetic. But I wouldn’t want to change anything. Incidentally, I spotted my first albino chinese person walking down the street yesterday. I should have taken his picture, but i’m sure he’d be non-receptive to the proposition of gweilo photoman snapping away. He looked good though- I should have at least turned and followed for a while- perhaps engaged him in conversation..

I’ve made a balls up regarding meeting JB in China. As it happens, not only is it a hindu festival next week (deepawali?) but Hari Raya (muslim) and thus flights out of Singapore to almost every South East Asian worthwhile destination are chocker. So, my options have been severly limited, to an extent that the only flights out to China are actually via Bangkok (overnight stay) on 2nd Nov, to Cheng Du. Then I would have to arrange an internal flight down to Guelin. With every wil in the world the earliest I could get there would be probably 4th November, given the fly times. Equally, on the way back, the same is true. Buggering about in Airports and overnight stays in travel lodges etc. Just not my cup of tea at this stage, especially as I need to fly from CD on the morning of 11th and spend a day at Bangkok a/p. Consequently, even if I was to do the journey, it would leave me 6 real days in Guelin.

Alternatively, I have been offered a week in Cambodia at Ankor Wat and a week in Borneo jungle trekking. Same price. Sorry Jonny- I have to be somewhat greedy here and stick with the latter. I know i’ll be back in HK pretty soon, and thus further opportunities will arise- especially if we can arrange a teaching job for JB at the same time. However, there’ll be no more Sugar-Woodying if that’s the case, by the way!

So Ankor Wat it is. I leave Monday. Flights booked. Hotel reserved. Insurance sorted. Visa on arrival. Photos stashed. US$ bundled up. Not sure what to expect from the trip. No doubt Ankor Wat is said to be one of the 8 wonders of the world, but to what extent one can stay interested for an entire week without getting pagoda’d out, we’ll see. Cambodia is one of the poorest countries, so I expect little, other than rudimentary safety at a western hotel. There’s a whole blog of do’s and don’ts attached. Don’t drink water, don’t eat fruit, don’t wander off designated paths etc. Make that a list of don’ts. Think Pol Pot minefield(ed) the entire country. Glad I don’t sleep walk.

Got my camera at the ready and waiting to snap away. Be prepared for many temple shots and I would shove them on this site if only I could fathom out how to do it. Olen? Borneo sounds good fun as well. There’;s apparently a jungle retreat one can stay in and trek from both during the day and at night. Fascinating i’m sure. What study?