So you (my clients who know me) and you (my prospective clients who I look forward to meeting) are about to learn a little more about me and what I do in my downtime …
“Downtime?” you may ask. Yes, downtime. I need it too.
I know, I am in the office everyday at 6.30am – if you really want to catch me, call me then. You will have my undivided attention. However, I have just returned from a week in Dubai, a week in Bali AND a week on the Gold Coast.
I go to Dubai every year, it has nearly everything I look for in a holiday – 5 star luxury hotels (yes the travel industry has spoilt me), the most wonderful shopping experiences, whether it is market shopping or in the largest shopping centre in the world, and, of course, warm weather, beach and pool time. This year I stayed at the glorious Fairmont on the Palm in a deluxe room with beach frontage and balcony. The rooms are so large. This year the Fairmont is offering a half board deal, which means breakfast and dinner each day at the hotel. The restaurant choice was so varied, from seafood, Brazilian or good old beach buffet. The only downside on half board is, you are so sated from what is offered each day that you can’t experience the wide range of restaurants and dining experiences that Dubai has to offer.
I went to the Karama markets again (why do I do it?), had fun with the knockoffs again and did Dubai Mall and Emirates of the Mall again. So tired each day, laden down with the largest of shopping bags. Nothing changes.
We then took a nine-hour trip with Emirates direct to Bali (again, Bali every year). I always stay in the same hotel – the W Resort and Spa in Seminyak, a one-bedroom pool villa. Honestly, you feel like you are living in your own piece of paradise. It is glorious. And what do I do? Beach time, shopping and eating. Gee, do I sound boring?
I think what it is, after managing my clients’ wonderful travel itineraries all day everyday to the far reaches of the world, I need to lie down and go to sleep. Bali still has the same ambience it always had. It just offers something that I don’t seem to get in other Asian destinations.
Then home again to the good old Gold Coast. I have nearly been everywhere in the world again, but the beaches we have here at our doorstep still take my breath away.
Written by
