Turn over wood.....Balikpapan

Yes yes..what a name for a border town on the island of Borneo in the state of Kalimantan...a big part of Indonesia. An area rich of resources from coal to oil.....helping to drive the economy for the island.

My first glimpse of it from the air and I thought...hey looks like Ipoh ....maybe a little more dense and by the ocean. Very nice view as the plane touches down on the tarmac.

The airport...very small and crowded with folks from within and outside Indonesia. For my first trip there, I didn't have any expectations so it was all good. To meet at the airport was Yong, our resident driver.

The hotel we were staying wasn't new nor was it old but it was nice. I had a huge room that nite ...and all to my lonesome self. Pretty cool. Then I saw the advertisement for a spa.....what else could I do but call and find out the cost of a massage. Not expensive at all!!

Since I was travelling from India and just had a day at home to rest...I thought this would be an excellent excuse to get a massage and chill out. The Spa was located at the basement of the hotel....a lot of nice cosy rooms....scented and all. The massage took an hour and after that I returned to my room to chill out and get ready for bed :)

The next morning we were picked up bright and early for the road trip to the mine. It's about 2 hours away down windy roads and some off road areas too. What a trail!!!

Made it to the mine and met with some of the local folks...all very nice and helpful. Got the crew ready to head out to the mine whilst I hung out at the office. Internet connection was awful so I was unable to read mails or anything.

That night we spent at the mine...accommodation was simple yet comfortable. Most importantly..I had an attached bathroom which was CLEAN. That's the most important thing for me :).

The team at the mine organised a BBQ in honour of us...lots of meat...yummm and some local food too. The PM at the mine Grahame prepared some Argentine style steak...ohh my it was awesome...salty but nice and juicy.

Following morning, part of the crew went up in the chopper to get aerial shots and I hung around the office and took photos. Check out the big toys at work.

Then in the afternoon, we made our way back to Balikpapan town..checked in and chilled out till it was time for din din. We went to a seaside seafood restaurant called Ocean..yummy food again and quite cheap...along with beers and all.

I decided to check out the "noisy bar" at the hotel and dragged the crew along. What a blast we had. They had pool tables.....so we played a bit....and then the music...wow...2 live bands who weren't too bad...and lots of SPGs hahahaah. They were trying their luck with my crew but with not much luck....they stuck to me...ANGELS....for nite at least :)

All in all...a successful shoot :)

Incredible India

When I was told that I would be going to Delhi....I was truly excited. I've always wondered what this part of India was like...how different it would be from Chennai and Kochi which I visited recently. It's incredible....the sights, the smells, the people....WOW!!!

I am very fortunate that the company now has an account with The Imperial Hotel. Think Raffles Hotel and E & O....yeah pure luxury and sophistication. There's a lovely smell when you walk into the lobby and service...impeccable.

I had meetings on Friday so I didn't really see much of the city although I did pass the Secretariat buildings which were awesome and I told myself I must go back to see it. Nothing like i'd seen before. Had meetings in the South of Delhi at The Oberoi...another luxurious hotel.

Whilst you see beggars at the traffic lights...you also see luxury brand stores at the hotel and I wonder about the juxtaposition of it all. Strange.....but I suppose in this great big country...it's in the scheme of things

But...let's not wallow in such things. Except be thankful we are where we are ...living in comfortable homes with loving families and friends.

On Sat morning,....bright and early at 4am, my driver Gopal came to pick me to head to Agra. I was going to see the Taj Mahal, one of the wonders of the world. Nothing can prepare you for your first glimpse of it. It's awesome and such a gorgeous structure. Even the sea of people won't put you off. I was armed with my camera to take as many photos at as many angles possible. It was tough with the crowd but still I think I pulled it off.

I told my sis that even after seeing the palaces and castles in Europe...this place...was just simply mind blowing. It truly is....

Following that, we went to the Agra Fort. Another awesome place from which you can view the Taj Mahal. This place is also steeped in so much ancient history....the place reminded me of scenes from Jewel in the Crown and the Far Pavillions (I believe that was more Lucknow...) and such movies/mini series with an Indian/Colonial theme.

Anyways...here I go rambling...it's almost you can feel and hear the scenes from the past...of royals who lived there, men and women walking around ages ago, of royal parties and coronations.....

As it is summer out here, I was positively exhausted so I returned to the hotel and had a nap ...woke up in time for the start of the game. Went out to the bar of the hotel...and watched the first half before returning to my room. No friendly faces....then started working on a presentation whilst catching the 2nd half in my room.

Sunday...woke up bright and early and decided to head down for breakfast at about 7am,....was done and thought about seeing the interesting sights around the city of Delhi. Hired a cab for 4 hours....nice and polite Punjabi driver.

First stop, India Gate....looks pretty much like the the Arc-de-Triomphe of Paris. A war memorial where over 70,000 names of soldiers has been engraved. It was only 8am but the sun was up and high. Following that, I went to the President's official residence, the Secretariat Buildings, the Red Fort through the streets of Old Delhi and finally Qutb Minar within the ruins of Lal Kot.

I didn't realise there were ancient ruins in this city so it was a pleasant surprise....think Roman ruins..these are Asian ruins. WOW.....also very awesome. As usual I am putting together my Imagestation album...will wait till the end of this trip to upload all the photos.

Anyways, I hope to come back to this vibrant city again. Still places that I have yet to explore.

Spiderman and wisdom

"Whatever comes our way, whatever battle is raging inside us, we always have a choice. It's the choices that make us what we are, and we can always choose to do the right thing" - Spiderman

Wise words from Spiderman at the end of the latest movie but yet so meaningful. It is true that we all have choices...be it to be with someone we don't love but yet are just too comfortable to leave, a friend who craves attention all the time but you want to stop giving her that attention cause you can't take it anymore and think she should grow up...does that make you bad person? I guess you have to be cruel to be kind...and thats a choice you make and if that's the right thing...then it must be done.

Just ramblings once again.

Missing

My ex colleague Siek emailed me a link to a video of Conan O'Brien's visit to Intel. Boy....did it give me good memories of Intel Santa Clara and the whole Intel culture. It got me in stitches at my new office though and I hope nobody thought I was losing my marbles.

I didn't think I would miss the grey walls and high cubicles and geeks in the cafeteria but yes I do have fond memories. The crowd at the PG12 cafeteria at lunch....left much to be desired for by this city gal. But amongst them, I found some good friends whom I am still in touch. Photos taken on the aisles of PG9.....seems like ages ago.

Ahhh those good ole days.....

Plastics?

It's a holiday here and I was just watching Oprah...(my fave TV show, when I can catch it) Anyway, today the show focused on women addicted to plastic surgery.

I know I used to joke about it but just looking at one of the women who'd done as much as 26 surgeries. ....I don't think I could live looking like that. Whilst I may not look like a hot babe but I think I am OK looking...and don't look like a Barbie gone wrong.

Yeah so I am not perfect but then who is....I have read stories about models who think they aren't perfect even if others think so and go to great lengths to deal with it.

Just have to live life with the body you have and be HAPPY...

Ramblings.......