Around Mumbai

The morning didn't look that promising as I got downstairs it was pouring down again, but decided to wait for an hour and just before midday the weather changed for better so started my walk. 

After walking for near an hour I reached the InterContinental hotel and had to stop for cold Diet Coke. I was absolutely exhausted from the humidity and heat. But I need to say that the Marine Drive InterCon doesn't get full points from me...

So continued my walk to the Gateway of India. Even the weather was rather cloudy, it stood in front of me with all it majestic glory, what an amazing sight! Considering the point that it is monsoon season and hence there isn't that many western tourists, it felt that I was far too much attention as every single seller in the square was selling their postcards, photo services, tours, all the things that I really do not need. And it did get to the point that I just had to leave... So with few quick steps I reached the safety of the Taj Hotel. After relaxing in the grandieur lobby for few minutes, I decided to move to the bar and treat myself with some wine. After thinking about it, and as having my book with me, decided to order full bottle of nice Australian sauvignon blanc and just have nice relaxed few hours in the luxury of quiet five star hotel ;) 

I have learned to love the service of luxury hotels while travelling, and they do bring smile to my face.

After recovering, I decided to walk back to my hotel, but just after few minutes of leisurely walk, the rain started again, and in just few minutes I was soaked to my socks and underwear, so had to resort to a taxi.
I asked the driver to stop two blocks before my hotel though, as I knew there is a Belgian chocolaterie, Leonidas, and thought that could treat myself with few pralines this evening while watching some movies on telly ;)

Feeling the life returning to my body after the draining last week. I think I am starting to be ready for week at office again. Wine and chocolates and luxuries of life... They keep me going on!  

Mumbai.

It was arigato Tokyo and namaste Mumbai last weekend. Over 16 hours of travelling... First to Hong Kong, and then to Mumbai.

Ground crew getting the CX B747-400 ready for flight to HK.

Over the skies of South China Sea.

I've been to India before, twice actually. Both times it was for holiday. However, this time flew here on business, and does it just make huge difference. Travelling for work and for fun are just so different things.
Flew here last weekend and haven't really seen much more than my hotel room and the office building! And even today, Saturday, was raining again just so heavily that thought that not going to venture out and actually fell asleep middle of the day watching TV. I think really needed all this sleep! However, planning to head out tomorrow to see some sights of Mumbai.

Yep, the room service knows how to treat me! Yummy!

Talking about the rain, yes, it is the monsoon season and it really does mean that it is properly raining every day! And I don't mean like little drizzle, I mean proper rain! Water gushing down the streets and the sewage system cannot take any more water.

However, this trip came as a bit of surprise, but it is just short visit, less than two weeks to go now, so hopefully work gets bit more easier and the rain has few breaks so I'm able to venture out to the city to see more. 
If not, oh well, then need to come back on holiday.

I am using the boardroom as my office while here.

View from office, you can just spot the sea through the rain...

Arigato Team Japan.

Time to say "Arigato" to Team Japan here in the GI Tokyo office. Six weeks long days, fun filled evenings, champagne and sake behind. Now time to move on again!
One more dinner and then off to sleep before tomorrow's flight to Mumbai, India! 

Already checked Cathay's inflight entertainment guide and there is a movie I really want to see "the Ghost Writer". I just hope my inflight entertainment system works perfectly and there is no screaming kids... It is 14 hours on plane after all... ok, with quick stop at Hong Kong International. (All you in HK, I will wave to you from the window while flying past!)

Champagne brunching in Tokyo.

Since I have been in Asia, I have been spoiling myself with helicopter rides and champagne brunches! And do I just love those champagne brunches!!! I think you are supposed to do them as your Sunday brunch, but we couldn't wait and did one this past Saturday ;)
This time tested out the Westin Hotel in Tokyo and the Terrace Restaurant's Veuve Cliquet Yellow Label Champagne Brunch.
The food was great, desert spread was fantastic and champagne was flowing! We definitely ate and drank for our money's worth!

Story from the Guardian.

I normally just blog about my travels, but this time thought that I would flag one article from the Guardian in London.
Many of you know that I volunteer for St John Ambulance Cycle Response Unit, so was overly proud to read this story about my colleagues attending an emergency in Clapham, London.

Medics on bikes hailed heroes after Clapham blaze rescue

Two mountain-biking medics from the St John Ambulance have been hailed as heroes after helping to save two women from a raging inferno in Clapham on Sunday.

Read the whole story at: 

http://www.yourlocalguardian.co.uk/news/8262014.Medics_on_bikes_hailed_heroes_after_Clapham_blaze_rescue/

QTR End night out with Tokyo Team.

What a fabulous evening! Joined the sales teams to celebrate their successful finish of the quarter. We met in a trendy bar in Harajuku (I have no idea what it was called as forgot to write down the name... But it is partly art gallery and the outside of building is covered with red scaffolding! Painted inside-out with bright colors... Wow!)

Michiaki, Michio, Sugi, Maya and Hiroshi getting ready for food!

After drinks we moved to the Okonomiyaki restaurant at the back. 
Okonomiyaki restaurants (okonomiyaki-ya) serve large, savory pancakes made with diced seafood, meat and vegetables. "Okonomiyaki" literally means "cook what you like," and customers get to choose their own favourite ingredients and then cook up their pancakes right at the table. Because the customers choose their own ingredients, Japanese sometimes compare okonomiyaki to pizza, although the similarity really ends there.

Manabu, Kyoko, Rie and Wataru

The okonomiyaki style of cooking originated in Osaka and continues to be most popular there, although okonomiyaki-yacan be found throughout the country. The restaurants are popular with students on a budget, since the food is inexpensive, tasty, quite filling and fun to prepare.

Rie mixing our batter with veggies.

The menu list the main ingredients available; an order of okonomiyaki consists of a bowl of pancake-like batter, plus a dish of diced vegetables and the main ingredient, such as shrimp or pork. Some restaurants also serve monja-yaki, which is a somewhat thinner and more watery pancake.

Manabu chopping our monja-yaki.

The waiter or waitress will come by to turn on the grill at your table and brush the surface with oil; after that you're on your own. First mix together all the ingredients, then pour the mixture onto the grill when it's hot enough. You'll find small spatulas for flattening the pancake and pushing it into shape, and a larger spatula for turning it over. Before and after turning, you can brush the top of the pancake with Worcestershire sauce, then you can sprinkle it with aonori (green seaweed powder) and katsuo (dried bonito shavings) before eating it.

Getting arty with our pancake :)

Oh yes, you do get instructions card as well ;)