Surprise trip to Bali, September 20-23, 2007

Ever the romantic, even after 27 years of marriage, Pat (along with his Admin, Erica, at the FPG Plant) planned a surprise get-away long weekend to Bali after the September FPG Board meeting in KL. I had been informed of this trip for some months but hadn't really given much thought as to where we would be going! I knew only to pack summer-weather clothes and beach wear! I needed my passport, so I knew we weren't staying in Malaysia! Where were we off to now?!? We boarded a late afternoon flight to Denpasar, on the island of Bali, Indonesia, and arrived about 3 hours later! We spent three nights at the beautiful Grand Hyatt Bali at the southern tip of the island in Nusa Dua. There was much security getting into this area of prime hotels and more security (airport style) just to enter the Hyatt itself. Bali was taking no chances at another bombing incident to scare away the tourists.















The front entrance to the hotel with its beautiful koi ponds and fountains, breezy in the open air.














Typical gardens with colourful bougainvillea and various types of palms along the hotel's many pathways. It was so quiet, we wondered if the hotel was quite empty that weekend, until we learned that capacity was about 90%. Where was everyone?!?















This was our view from the breakfast table in the Regency Club lounge

A pretty bird behind us kept us entertained as guests threw bread crusts to the koi!















The beach in front of the hotel looks out to pounding surf, Hawaii-style, without the surfers!














We treated ourselves to a couple of wonderful relaxing treatments in the hotel's premium spa. What a delightful calming place!

On Day 2, Friday, we hired a driver to take us to the John Hardy Jewellry Factory in central Bali, near the town of Ubud, where a former P&G colleague of Pat's from Brockville, Ontario, is now Chief Operations Officer. Jeremy invited us to lunch at 1 p.m. when all the staff sit together and enjoy freshly prepared food in their kitchen and guests are introduced to the group at long tables placed end-to-end under colourful canopies! What a feast we enjoyed! Above one of the chefs is stir-frying noodles in a huge wok.















Grilled spicy fish wrapped in banana leaves

Jeremy and Pat at lunch-we enjoyed the most delicious fresh salad from vegetables grown on the Hardy property, tended to by the staff. All the food consumed on site is organic from rice to vegetables to the animals raised for meat. It just doesn't get any fresher!

Jeremy gave us the guided tour of the factory-this will be a future showroom possibly or more factory space. Note the interesting construction out of huge bamboo trees.

After lunch while Jeremy was at a budget meeting, we spent some time in their showroom and picked out some jewellry to buy. You can see their collection at: http://www.johnhardy.com/
It is sold in the US at Sak's Fifth Aveune and at Nieman Marcus...in case you are wondering!

On Day 3, Saturday, we organized a diving trip to the NE coast of the island, passing some interesting scenery along the way...lush and green with a volcanic mountain in the distance...
















Overlooking flooded padi fields...
















Then note the change of landscape as we neared the beach on the NE side of the island-you'd think we were in Southern California (with another volcanic mountain in the background)!

The diving beach-all rocks, not a grain of sand! Pat dove on a wreck just a few metres offshore. I snorkelled by myself close to shore and saw the most beautiful large bright blue starfish! We sat on little raised platforms under the trees to enjoy our picnic lunch brought from the hotel.

The locals carry diving equipment to and from the car park for a small fee-look how they balance the tanks on top of their heads with only a little towel to protect them! It was very hot and dry along the path and we were eager to drive back south again to the lush gardens of the Hyatt. We were there such a short time that we really didn't have time to see very much of Bali or even explore the hotel grounds! In fact, we didn't even stick our toes into the sea...imagine! We'll just have to go back again...

Jumpa lagi...

Eastern & Orient Express: Kuala Lumpur to Bangkok

Probably the most elegant trip we took in 2007 was a two-night train ride on the Eastern & Orient Express, leaving the old railway station in Kuala Lumpur on September 6th about 8 p.m. and arriving in Bangkok on September 8th in the mid-afternoon. We didn't sleep very well due to the noisy rocking and rolling of the train on the old rails, sometimes going slowly, othertimes careening down the tracks, but it was comfortable, the service impeccable and the food 5-star gourmet all the way! You can check out more details on their website at: http://www.orient-express.com/

















































The bar-lounge just before the end observation car was a popular spot for the 100 or so passengers on board. They were from Australia, Europe, India and the US for the most part.




















One of three dining cars offering two sittings for lunch and dinner each day (three course meals prepared in a tiny kitchen on board!).





















Pat at dinner the first night: in the foreground our appetizer of pan-friend sea scallops with lemon and vanilla dressing accompanied by cauliflower puree. Yum!














Dessert was a gingered pineapple tarte tatin and macadamia parfait drizzled with mango sauce!




















While we lingered over dinner, our compartment steward transformed our small pullman compartment into sleeping quarters with bunk beds (I got the top!).




















Through this door to the left is our tiny bathroom complete with flush toilet, corner sink and shower.

A continental breakfast arrived in the morning.
















Rural Malaysia as seen from the back observation (open air) car on the first morning.















Our first stop was at Butterworth where we boarded a bus to take us across on the ferry to the island of Penang and a trishaw ride around the old part of the city.















Morning market in downtown Penang















Old colonial architecture in Penang















The green of Malaysia















Nearing the Thai border, the landscape became decidedly "lumpy"!















The resident pianist entertaining passengers in the lounge before and after dinner.















Kathie and Pat with the Thai dancer who performed for us in the bar lounge on the second evening.














A taste of Malaysia: fried rice with Nonya curry and grilled chicken satay.




















After dinner drink in the bar lounge.















The second morning brought us to the River Kwai in Southern Thailand and the famous "Bridge Over...". We were taken on a boat trip down the river and had a lecture on what actually happened there during World War II (which did not exactly follow the American movie line!).




















A temple along the river route.
















The war dead have found peace in this beautiful cemetery, lovingly tended to by many gardeners and caretakers. We spent a long time in the mueum nearly, which highlighted the building of the Death Railway, by so many Japanese POWs, the majority of whom came from Malaysia, which we found interesting.

The end of the line-some of the staf at the Bangkok railway station. We hurried off to our favourite haunt in the city-the Jim Thompson Silk Shop and Pat bought more fabric for some shirts and pj's. I treated myself to a lovely purse and some toiletry/make-up cases! We spent the night at the Shangri-La Hotel by the river and flew back to KL in the morning via Air Asia. Another whilrwind long weekend...
Jumpa lagi...

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Christmas 2007
Greetings from the Bourques in Malaysia, Canada, and USA

Pat and Kathie in Hanoi in March where we met Ben and Jen after their 2 month trek around Southeast Asia! This year’s travels have taken us to the Maldives (where Pat swam with a whale shark), Bali, Canada, Japan, China, US, Siem Reap and the incredible temples around Angkor Wat in Cambodia! We will meet the girls in Melbourne for a “Down Under” Christmas, watching the famous fireworks over the Sydney Harbour on New Year’s Eve! In between trips, Pat clocks long hours at the plant and at regular meetings in KL and Singapore. Looking forward to our return to Canada, we bought two lots on Grand Lake, N.B. this summer and plan to build a cottage there in the next year or so. Kathie keeps busy with exercise and yoga, weekly mah-jong games and various social activities with her ex-pat friends.

Ben Seamone and Jen at McGill Graduation in May: Congratulations to the happy couple on their November engagement! A summer wedding is being planned in Montreal. Jen received her M.A. in Sacred Theology from McGill on May 31st, then spent the summer as a Chaplain at the Army and Air Cadet Camp in Whitehorse, Yukon. In September, sporting a new Honda Accord, she entered the Diocesan Theological College in Montreal for a final year of courses and an internship at St. Andrew & St. Mark’s Church in Dorval, QC. Ben continues to be a favourite Math teacher at Dawson College and is applying for a PhD program beginning in the Fall 2008.

Lou Harris and Steph in Mississauga in May: After her year in New Zealand and graduation from Auburn University in December 2006, Steph worked several months at the University before heading north to Canada for the summer. She worked on clinical trials in a busy dermatology clinic in Mississauga, joined Kathie at Lindsay’s wedding and Jen’s grad in May and joined Pat at Grand Lake in July. In mid-August she returned south to begin her first year of medical school at Louisiana State University in New Orleans. She is living in a cute 1920’s house in Uptown next to Pat’s former Admin from the Folger’s Plant. Her long dedicated hours of studying anatomy and histology are paying off with excellent marks. Hang in there Steph and keep up the good work!

A blessed and joyous Christmas to all our friends and family around the world and our very best wishes for a Happy and Prosperous New Year in 2008!

With love from all of us- Pat, Kathie, Jen and Steph

Singapore August 28-September 5, 2007

Travelling with Pat on his various business trips is indeed a treat! Over the past 2 1/2 years on various visits to Singapore, we have enjoyed the likes of the Grand Hyatt Hotel, the Shangri-La and more recently,The Hilton. These hotels are all located in the popular shopping district around Orchard Road and I have come to know the area pretty well, navigating the underground crossing spots, using the subway system and knowing which shops are in which mall! In late August we drove to Singapore, about a 5-6 hour trip from Kuantan along the East Coast Highway, and had the good fortune to take up residence in the elegant and very new Ritz Carlton Millennia Hotel near the mouth of the River. Pat was involved with trainings and meetings for three days that week then three more after the weekend. We cashed in my 2007 Valentine's Day gift which was a weekend at Raffles Hotel (see pictures below)...now THAT was special! What a "grand old lady" she is indeed! When I checked in on Friday morning, the desk clerk asked if we were celebrating any special occasion. I mentioned that we had just had our 27th wedding anniversary the previous weekend. To our surprise and delight, our personal "butler" delivered red roses, chocolate-covered strawberries and a bottle of champagne to our room that evening!














Downtown CBD of Singapore, The City State, along the Singapore River




















Alright everyone: take heed! All farm animals to be left in the barn!
















Here is the Cavenagh Bridge (devoid of animals!) in front of the Fullarton Hotel, formerly the main post office building.














Old shops and restaurants along the Singapore River with CBD skyscrapers towering above! This was taken from my favourite haunt on the other side of the river, The Asian Civilizations Museum, a great place to spend a few hours during a hot afternoon in Singapore!




















Lobby decor in the Ritz Carlton Hotel















View over the harbour/river area and CBD from the Ritz Carlton Hotel















The double Esplanade Theatre on the River-shaped like durian fruit!

Overlooking the elegant and tasteful lobby of the Raffles Hotel...no shorts or flip-flops please!

Outside the front door of our room at Raffles Hotel















The inner courtyard at Raffles Hotel-in a different courtyard on the other side of the hotel, we witnessed a wedding about to take place in a pretty garden gazebo! It really was a very relaxing weekend and amazingly quiet, despite being in the heart of the busy CDB of Singapore! A rooftop pool beckoned, in between heavy downpours of rain, as did English High Tea on Saturday afternoon in the lobby!

Jumpa lagi...