But a year after I started in the magazine business, I was finally sent on a proper press trip. Boy, I was so excited. It was for Nine West – we got to interview the Creative Director of Fred Allard. The presentation was set up in French Window at IFC with the fall/winter 2011 collection of shoes, accessories and ready-to-wear. With the sunlight flooding in through and a small press entourage, it was most possibly the best first work trip I could ever have. Fred was simply open and it felt like he was more like a friend than the creative director of a huge American shoe company. He teased me about my socks (yes, I was wearing my hi-tops instead of pretty shoes) and walked us personally through the entire collection. He spoke about Karen Elson (who was doing a collaboration with Nine West Vintage America) and how she was a muse. Can you imagine? Now I have like a one degree separation from a supermodel! (Like I “know” Fred and he is pals with Karen right, right?)

Meeting Fred was definitely the highlight of the trip but there were other highlights too. Having my very first meal at a three star Michelin restaurant, Caprice at Four Seasons Hotel. I’m no atas foodie, food is yummy or not yummy to me, but if I have to write a food snippet, I would take far too long. But I have to say, it was the best sort of shepherd’s pie I ever had and wondrous desserts (think petit fours and the most delectable to look at bonbons). Throw in a private room that overlooked the harbour and attentive waiters delivering the most delicious little castles of carbohydrates (read: bread). I just about died of happiness.

And that one glorious night in the Peninsula Hotel. The last time I slept alone, not counting being home alone, was back in hall (yes Eusoff, I mean you). So to see such awfully high ceilings, and a gorgeous bathroom, a little hallway before you enter the actual suite and such a huge fluffy bed all to myself, I felt like Eloise in the Plaza hotel or maybe just very grown up for once.

A little digression – since then I’ve been on another press trip (and more about that later) but the best thing about travelling for work is having the peace and quiet for just a few days is just delectable.

I’m all for cheap thrills and of course one night in such a luxury hotel was enough to put me on cloud nine for quite awhile, along with more than one visit to H&M, a wonderful Sonia by Sonia Rykiel discount buy (I love you stripes) and my first thrift store purchases (I love you too, high waisted skirts and ahma pants) that even as I pulled along my Stella for Lesportsac rollie (bulging at the seams), all due to the fore-mentioned buys on the 20 minute walk to Missy Teo’s workplace (DFS spilling with mainlanders) and arrived at my destination, swimming in sweat, I was still walking on air.

Missy Teo put me up for a night at her bachelorette pad that was very near St Francis Yard where the Monocle store and other cool shops were. She took me out to dinner to Soho, brought me to Maple (heh) and was kind to me for 2 days (she didn’t make me clean her house).

I finally had the opportunity to move around by myself. I think I’m the only person who will get lost in Hong Kong but I still managed to get to my destinations by myself without losing any limbs. I went into a coffee house and I ordered a sandwich without knowing any Cantonese with the proprietor speaking to me in Cantonese as though I was a retard. The next time I will make sure I get my instant noodles and luncheon meat – I go to what is a gourmet city and I just want to eat instant noodles, so sue me. Just trotting around a foreign town where everyone knows where they are going to while I took many pictures of a burger joint agreed with me greatly. I guess this is the reason by people love to travel alone. For someone who got lost walking to the Bart station in San Francisco – I clearly remember Pillay telling me to walk straight and turn one left – this is a great feat.

I’m terribly privileged to be able to travel like this for work (although my colleagues have been to Tokyo and Sweden and on more frequent trips for longer – OK we are not comparing here, not trying to anyway). This is exactly how I imagined footloose and fancy free to be.

How come I’m more stressed than I was at the ex beehive? Sigh.

Well, I am stubborn and wondering how to not wear pants and jeans but just layer and tights and legwarmers with dresses and shorts. I guess I’m asking for it.

But this picture just describes it all. Sometimes, life is very simple (of course if you have cash). Sometimes, all you have to do is lie next to the pool, with some of your good friends, some sea and attempted surfing, one of the most beautiful beaches and clear water you seen in your life, a bottle of Walking man shared mostly between two, an array of bikinis and summer dresses (or make that one dress for me), A&W and glorious pempek, two very kind boys who are willing for some reason unknown to chaffeur around. (I think I have blogged about Bali already, but nevermind).

Sometimes, all you need in life is to have Xiuru walking next to you, by your side, a frisbee in your hand.

Here goes:

Plane outfit – I am vain. I never mastered the art of travelling chicly though. I always believe my suitcase will get lost and all my best clothes would go missing forever. I don’t want to mourn on holiday. But ever since I went to Bali with the Tweedles, I realised just how severely lacking I am with it comes to holiday fashion. (and also just how little dresses I own but that’s another story). As I was going to be attending a wedding in Jakarta, I packed 3 dresses and 2 pairs of shoes (wedges and heels). Missy Hartono let me in on how girls dressed up, primped hair and IT bag with shoes. I never do well too with outfits worn on the plane but I think I managed to get it down to pat this time round. A black “I was in Paris” baseball cap, grey Zara 3/4 sleeved cropped denim jacket, sleeveless tie dye purple dress from Bangkok, blue footless Topshop tights and my trusty (and stinky) Stella McCartney for Adidas foldable flats. This time, because my knees were covered, they didn’t hurt on board the plane. Yay.

Harvey Nichols – The luxury lifestyle store was having its sale. I touched Lanvin, Missoni and various pretty frocks in person, floating on an air of cloud. The only reason I would even learn how to invest is so I can buy all these gorgeous dresses.

Level One – The row of shops leading to Harvey Nichols are kitschy like atas Haji Lane. A Lomo embassy? Sign me up.

Social House – In Harvey Nichols, just downstairs of Missy Hartono’s office. Poptart says that it’s like P.S. cafe. I never been to P.S. cafe, yes I am that sort of poser yummy place avoiding girl. But since I was on holiday, I’ll take a chance and said that I like the ice lemon tea there. They put a dollop of lemon sherbet in it.

Pempek and Bak Mee – Glorious glorious local fried food and too yummy oodles of noodles, I could eat every day!

Papilion Duo – When Missy Hartono suggesting going to this place for dessert, I didn’t know that after an hour plus traveling in the jam would bring us to this little corner in Pacific Place that I would fall in utter lust with. The desserts are Absolutely Divine displayed in the Pierre Herme tradition with artisan chocolates and bar chocolates were on sale too. But what caught my eye as we walked towards the glass doors was the Balenciagas and Comme Des Garcons clothes on display. Missy Hartono and I explored the circular table displaying perfumes like the one that Miss Hartono uses (I don’t know the brand!) and other cult perfumes. Balenciaga items are sold there and also CDG wallets. I mused over the wallet during our tea, I had this lovely dark and milk chocolate pyramid and took the bait after tea. This purple polka dotted embossed wallet is now all mine! I think I could live there. Love you Missy Hartono for being a such a wonderful host!

I brought many dresses, including my new French Connection Marimekko-ish dress. None too formal because I don’t have any formal dresses. This is the first time I am attending a Indonesian wedding and I have no idea how ostentatious they are, though I have heard plenty through the grapevine. I definitely am not able to fit into my JC prom dress, besides it is purple with polka dots. But I did well with the toiletries, taking a leaf from the Japanese way of packing.

Apparently, Jakarta’s nightlife is Legendary. I’ll let you know.

The plane tickets had been booked since er, I cannot remember, a few months ago so I guess my enthusiasm was a long time coming. Packing used to be a luxurious affair with lists made. But when I started working, it is a speedy throwing of random clothes onto the bed and things in my toiletry bag the night before or the day I leave if the flight is in the evening.

There are sacrifices to be made. Between having a variety of outfits and packing light. Previously, I was a light packer. Just a few tops and even less bottoms and I am ready. Now, it is between packing light, compactable clothes and having enough space to bring home purchases made during the trip.

What suitcase will you bring? Which bags will you bring while out and about in the foreign land that you chose to explore? Everyone knows I have alot of bags. The heavy duty front runners this time round will be my Karrimor backpack and Stella MacCartney for Lesportsac rollie. Although the Tokyo trip is not a true backpacking one with hostel stays however, having been to Japan before, I believe that it is easier to navigate the long walks and lots of stairs from the train to the hotel with backpack. However, my backpack is only 40 litres as it is for kids and hence the very pink colour. My love for colours extend to my bags too, I cannot help but clash even my bags with my outfits. (Oh your eyes.) Having a brightly coloured suitcase does make it easier to spot it on the airport baggage claim roundabout. Therefore, to add extra space, the pop print rollie comes in handy, it can be carried abroad the plane so claimed the description online but when it arrived, I had my reservations. However, it was 70% off and as much as her father was my least favourite Beatle, I do adore her collaborations with Adidas and the past ones with Lesportsac and even Net-a-porter, plus her stint with Chloe. In comparison with the usual huge ass rolling suitcases, this one is half their size and expandable with tough nylon so hopefully, I will have enough space in the end plus an easier time with my load on my shoulders and toting a lighter suitcase up those stairs that keep the Japanese very fit.

My trusty Yellow Manhattan Portage messenger will be my on plane carrier to stash my iPod, Nitendo DS Lite and book besides other necessities for the plane ride. Yes, I have an extremely shot attention span, you should see the number of reading material I bring on a beach holiday.

The two Longchamp Le Pliages, so much loved on holidays because they are foldable will be coming along. The medium one to replace my messenger when I am tired of slinging it across my body and the large one to tote things that are fragile or will not fit into my suitcase on the way back. The large one is still not as large as one of those Le Pliages that real atas people travel with and use for their carry ons (the kind that a big dog can hide in), for I am attempting to ration the purchases made and not buy a bulky ridiculous thing that I am prone to doing in a foreign land.

Two really totally rad inventions that make travelling so much easier:-
1. Disposable dailies (no more heavy solution)
2. Disposable underwear. Yes, very auntie but very very hygienic and no need for pantyliners. Plus they toss away to make way for a new top or food or a new top and food.

Shoes! Tokyo is going to be freezing (by my definition) and this is the good time to bring out my sneakers. Singapore’s humid weather is not conducive for covered shoes so sometimes it does make sense to go to a cold place for an holiday so you can wear your many shoes and jackets (heh) that never see the light of day usually. I have my Scarlett Johansson for Reebok hi-tops, they were a sample score from Tangs (very bizarre, her ‘collection’ for Reebok never made it to the mass markets) to wear on the plane for warmth. I like Reebok hi-tops because they are colourful (of course) and easy to wear with the top secured by velcro straps so the laces do not have to go all the way up. Hi tops are not advisable to wear when shoe shopping or any shopping in fact that would require you to take off your shoes. My Adidas Minnie Mouse (white polka dots on red) strap shoes will join me for the anticipated very much walking. I was contemplating a pair of Doc Martens for the trip (in pink) however, the pre-requisite breaking in persuaded me not to.

I will definitely have to eat, in no particular order.

The Gratin Croquette Burger.

Shaker Chicken.

Bacon and Potato Pie. Have you heard anything so glorious?

Accommodation:
We stayed at Best Western Mayfair, situated near Platinum Mall. However, the back street location was kinda isolated. To get to and fro the main road, we had to get on the hotel tuk tuk sometimes flashing the world whilst wearing short skirts. Seow, Xiu Ru and I shared one room. I never saw such a variety of toiletries before. An extra foldaway bed was requested but deemed to hard for the body to rest on, hence, it was dubbed ‘the dirty bed’. We all slept on the king sized bed and were perfectly comfortable. The hotel room was generally clean and pleasant though we had abit of issues with the card keys not working most of the time and the toilet loo being defunct (it could also be due to overactivity, oops!)

Breakfast was alright. There was not so much of a spread but then it was a very small hotel. Actually, I only ate breakfast one morning and slept through all the other days (along with Miss Chng), a vacation must allow time for rest.

Food:
Generally, we ate at food courts in the shopping mall. I always opt for my favourite pork noodles, the Thai love their pigs and the glass noodles are oodles of yum. We did eat waffles and what nots at Chatuchak market, the girls devoured their coconut ice cream served in a tiny half coconut husk with a cup of coconut juice. But no pork balls from the dirty road side stalls or insects on a skewer for Xiu Ru though the edible wares in which the road side hawkers were serving were looked on by rather desirably.

We found a quaint little cafe squeezed between 2 stalls at Chatuchak called ‘Frame Cafe’ and squeezed ourselves around a tiny table. Vintage mirrors were hung all around with the names of various fizzy drinks in old school type fonts where Mel cam whored for Seow. The orders were mixed up but the phad thai I had was really yummy, though the portions are small. Never to fear, Xiu Ru and I had the dubious honour of finishing the left overs (yes, even with tiny portions, the girls cannot finish their food) (as she puts it, we are the boys when there are no boys around).

Two dinners were sort of at ‘road side’ zi char places, with a whole fish with lime chili sauce, some tom yum, various meats and grilled prawns (someone always craves for prawns). We realised that the Thai people have small appetites. Case in point, when ordering a serving of rice, it came, precious grains i the exact shape of half a tennis ball. This is not exaggeration. The rice eaters would have a hard time in this country.

A&W! I missed you. Your curly fries and root beer floats. The dreams about lost childhood. But for some reason, the A&A at Pantip Plaza did not have Coney Dogs. (Blasphemy!) I had the fried chicken strips and Xiu Ru the fried chicken whole (when I was typing chicken, I actually typed children first, fried children, hmmmmm).

Mister Donut was fabulous as usual. Actually, I could not tell because I wolfed down the donut I bought on 2 separate occasions within 1 minute. I bet it was very good.

Muay Thai:
Trooping down to Lumpini Stadium on a taxi cab driven by an extremely friendly driver with limited command of English who told us not to eat the local food that we were drooling at from the vehicle. By his hand actions, we were conveyed the message that we would puke if we ate from those stalls. Upon alighting from the cab, those selling tickets immediately descended upon us but we insisted that we were looking for V.

In the end, we did not get our ring side tickets from the illusive V but still managed to get them for 1,600 Baht. The effect of being ripped off just a little less severe, I hope. A sticker was slapped onto us and we went through a security check where our bottle of water was poured into cups for us to bring in. I think that they do not allow us to bring in bottles perhaps there has been a history of angry punters throwing bottles into the ring when frustrated.

The atmosphere was total electrifying, abit like the WWE matches at used to play late at night on teevee. We walked in front of all the ringside seats as we were shown to the available seats. It was free-seating but almost all the rows were full except for the last row which suited us as Darren from Fight G told us to take the last rows to be able to take in all the action.

And action it was. The red corner was rather weak that night with all the red losing their matches. It was 5 rounds of 3 minutes and the first 2 rounds seem to be warm up though. The tempo picked up on the third rounds though and they were moving their limbs so quick like in fast forward. I realised the importance of push kicks and Siew pointed out how they did not even bother blocking the roundhouses but just took it. One very loud punter would start yelling insults at the red during the break between the third and fourth round. A group of people would gather at the red and blue corners and give some advice on what they think the fighter they were betting on should do to get more points. When you turned around, there was a sea of people all on their feet with their hands gesturing like mad towards the punters to place their bets. It was a great ball of activity and energy with the live ‘band’ that would play during each round.

We saw blood when one fighter got cut above his eye. The crowd gets increasingly excited with each round. Against Darren’s advice, we had to visit the toilet during the last match and pleasantly found the loos to be much less terrifying than he had described. My logic because much less women watched muay thai than men. However, our toilet outing caused us to miss out on the only K-O for that night.