I'm back!

So the experience of Vietnam is over... for now.

I will most certainly go back. The Vietnamese people had a real effect on me, more so than some of the other Asian cultures I have been privileged to spend time with since moving to Hong Kong. The Vietnamese are survivors, and have resisted every crude and naive attempt that has ever been made to conquer them. And there have been many.

But they have recovered with such grace and hospitality.

It's a beautiful place, and the people's passion for life and independence makes it shine even more so. It's also extraordinarily cheap - a few US dollars for a meal, and I was able to squeeze in more spa treatments and massages on my final few days than I have ever had in any one year!

Most of all, it was incredibly special to see family again and meet up with my dad and his girlfriend in Nha Trang. Living abroad is strange thing... while family are always missed and on your mind, when you don't see them you come to accept that you won't for some time. But when they are right there in front if you again, and it comes time to leave, it's heart crushing.

So after time in Ho Chi Minh and Nha Trang beach, here are my top ten Vietnam moments - in no order!

1. Seeing and spending time with my dad, I love him so much!

2. Vietnamese food... milder and less complicated than Thai and Chinese, just simple, gorgeous, fresh flavours

3. The prices... while it's not good for the Vietnamese, when you are paying as a tourist, it's certainly a help to know your hard-earned pennies go far

4. Discovering the spirit of the Vietnamese people - they are friendly, sweet and quietly strong

5. Getting five spa treatments in three days... heaven

6. Walking through a 'couples' park each evening, where young lovers cuddle away from their parents in secret... so cute and so old school

7. Learning how to bargain at the markets and actually getting a good deal... by the last day!

8. Early morning walks along Nha Trang beach followed by a glorious hotel breakfast buffet

9. Being only a 2 hour flight from home... never had that luxury whilst living in pretty Sydney!

10. After-dinner drinks and laughs each night at the Sailing Club, with candlelit tables right on the beach... the way every evening should be!

I hope you had a wonderful week...

Another holiday...

I find living abroad makes me take a looooot of holidays... this is definitely one for the plus column. I think I am happiest when I am travelling :).

Tomorrow I am off to Vietnam to meet up with my dad, take some time out, and no doubt cry like a baby at the war memorial.

Have a fantastic week, check ya when I get back!

Comfort food...

I had to post about my lunch today, because I NEVER get to eat this sort of food in Hong Kong.

We took B's Canadian family to Bubba Gump Shrimp for something that didn't include noodles, rice or pork.

I never knew this place existed!

I had fried shrimp, a BBQ cheeseburger with fries, and a soft chop chip cookie with vanilla ice cream for dessert that came on a plate as big as my burger.

I am SO sick of noodles, rice and pork.

And I am so very, very full.

New You Tube video is up!

Simple, Seductive Eyes...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-8P5ucFyKmY

p.s B's mum (mom), sister, and two nieces are here... it's been bliss to have family around again. It's soothing. Warm.

B is Canadian and hasn't seen his mum in over a year. It's a pleasure to see them enjoy some time together. When family lives in a distant land, each and every moment is treasured, heightened.

Today we walked around the shopping hub of Causeway Bay, and then had famous Hong Kong foot massages.

If only every week could be like this! Life is an absolute delight sometimes.

I took this photo the last time I was in Canada, in the mountains of Vancouver. Such a gorgeous country with wonderful people.

Oh and grizzly bears. I don't like those.

My beautiful mother...

Meet Eva, my gorgeous mum, inside and out. I love this photo, taken when she was a young model in the 60s. Like so many models mum is from Polish heritage; she was born in Szcecin but came to Australia when she was still in pigtails. I also adore the styling on this shot - the black crochet top, earrings and stunning white headpiece.

These photos remind me of mum's stories of sleeping at her boyfriend's place in her false eyelashes, only to wake up with them crushed and stuck on cheek and chin - so unglamorous! Of course a rush to the bathroom to reapply before he woke fixed everything :).

My mum has also aged beautifully and gracefully. Ahh I do hope I have that same gene. Time will tell!

After TWO marriages to my father (yup, that's romance, however ill fated) she's now with her soulmate, my adorable step-dad Thom who has brought so much to our family.

As so many women say about their mums, mine is absolutely everything to me. She has offered me unconditional love, support and friendship every day of my life, and is one of my best friends. We love catching up over a glass of wine just like the two girls we are - in love with life and the world!

My mum is also a brilliant chef and has two cookbooks on the shelves, designed for cooking when travelling - her other great passion. Check out her website! http://www.caravanchef.com

Oh and yes, I have a new makeup video up! Wearable 1960's makeup... inspired by Eva. I'm addicted!

Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k30aatFkWjk