I have always been a TV buff. I think my father is even more so, so was quite interested when I heard my friend Jay talking so much about his 3D TV a few weeks ago at a dinner party held at Alex's.
This interest soon lead into an invitation over to theirs to see it in action. So we sat down and watched one of my favorite Disney movies of all time, The Lion King.
Now if the opening sequence isn't enough to make your heart jump, watch it in 3D and it's something else again. I'm totally knocked over by it and thinking that our 3D ready TV is not ready enough. We need to get the glasses and the strip to bring it to life. Might even pop to John Lewis this week.
After a lovely night at the boys, Saturday was a lazy day before I had to head to the West End and meet Emily for a night with the London Gay Mens Chorus Ensemble, a side group of the main Chorus, who were performing at Saint Giles in the Field Church, in central London. Wow, what an amazing venue. With plaques on the wall dating over 250 years you know its somewhere special and then the voices of our special boys made it somewhat more special.
Had a lovely evening and and was still home in bed by 11:00, just in time considering the change of clocks and hello British Summer Time! Maybe that's why I can't sleep? Who knows?
Monday, March 26, 2012
Monday, March 05, 2012
Help Yourself Service Buffet
Have your ever noticed how the rules of engagement change suddenly if you ever find yourself at a Help Yourself Service Buffet (HYSB)? Our accommodation arrangements included half board and while we have never yet once made it to breakfast, we have been able to dine handsomely every evening.
Now when you arrive at the HYSB you should initially do a tour of offering to see what exactly tickles your fancy, but somehow we forget this every evening and initially arrive at the sumptuous Salad Bar. They don´t offer side plates so it´s main size servings only and while I only ever intend to have a small plate one marvels at how it differs each night. Parma Harm, Smoked Salmon, Chef´s Salad, Russian Salad, Salad with a name you have never heard of and all of it piled on to our plates. Of course, we are waistline conscious so actually didn´t have anything much of any sin, though look at some of the others in the restaurant and you would have thought they had not eaten in a month. I seriously saw one older gentleman with a 9" Plate stacked over 2" tall with salad!
Once we had our starter it was to the main food line. They literally offer everything. Soup, Pasta, Chips, Pizza and chicken are available every day then they differentiate it by adding some new dishes. I thought that Tunny Fish might be a Tuna Steak but it was some kind of curried fish (vile), but we have had fresh fish every day and while normally one protein would be ample, as its a HYSB, you feel that as its on offer you should at least try it. Some mixed Vegetables, Roast Beef, Sea Bream, Some fish you never heard of, a pork dish that looked like all bones and no pork.
Then of course there is the dessert line, Ice Creams and pastries available for those with an appetite.
I despise at the fact that some think they don´t have to join the queue, probably the same ones that break hotel rules and reserve sun loungers. Its forbidden people!
I can´t complain we have eaten like kings and tried to be healthy along the way, which is a good thing.
And to think David and co would have thought this post was about a different subject matter entirely!
Much love,
Neil xxx
Now when you arrive at the HYSB you should initially do a tour of offering to see what exactly tickles your fancy, but somehow we forget this every evening and initially arrive at the sumptuous Salad Bar. They don´t offer side plates so it´s main size servings only and while I only ever intend to have a small plate one marvels at how it differs each night. Parma Harm, Smoked Salmon, Chef´s Salad, Russian Salad, Salad with a name you have never heard of and all of it piled on to our plates. Of course, we are waistline conscious so actually didn´t have anything much of any sin, though look at some of the others in the restaurant and you would have thought they had not eaten in a month. I seriously saw one older gentleman with a 9" Plate stacked over 2" tall with salad!
Once we had our starter it was to the main food line. They literally offer everything. Soup, Pasta, Chips, Pizza and chicken are available every day then they differentiate it by adding some new dishes. I thought that Tunny Fish might be a Tuna Steak but it was some kind of curried fish (vile), but we have had fresh fish every day and while normally one protein would be ample, as its a HYSB, you feel that as its on offer you should at least try it. Some mixed Vegetables, Roast Beef, Sea Bream, Some fish you never heard of, a pork dish that looked like all bones and no pork.
Then of course there is the dessert line, Ice Creams and pastries available for those with an appetite.
I despise at the fact that some think they don´t have to join the queue, probably the same ones that break hotel rules and reserve sun loungers. Its forbidden people!
I can´t complain we have eaten like kings and tried to be healthy along the way, which is a good thing.
And to think David and co would have thought this post was about a different subject matter entirely!
Much love,
Neil xxx
Sunday, March 04, 2012
Maspalomas Carnival 2012
Well there is one thing I can say for certain, they certainly know how to throw a Carnival Parade and I am sure that my narrative will do it little justice compared to being their in person as you need to add that Wow factor.
We initially made our way to the Carnival route at 1700 as it was due to start then, but as the sun started to fall around 1815 and the evening breeze set in and yet a single float was set to arrive, we decided to bail, grab some food and an extra layer of clothing, then come back.
Arriving at 1930 there were large crowds heading back down Ave de Tijuana towards the bigger restort hotels and Dusan was sure we had missed it. But as I had read earlier online that the 6 KM route takes some 8 hours to pass fully, knew we would catch up with it.
The route makes its way from the Kazbar shopping complex, via the Yumbo and on to Maspalomas. We joined it adacent to the Yumbo Centre on Avenue de Tijuana. Spotting our first float light up like fairy lights on a christmas tree, long after we heard the first whistle, cheer or beating drum.
The floats were one thing, bringing music and an atmosphere to the swelling crowd and you can easily believe that every Mother, Son, Father, Granmother and daughter from the whole island had come out to party.
Some were dressed as Superheros, I lost count of the number of Superman, Spider Man, Banana Man, Mr Incredible we saw during the parade and in the crowd. There were witches and goblins, angels and devils, fairies (of the mystical kind), Snow White, Cinderella, drag queens attractive, awful looking drag queens. Straight guys dressed in drag. There were Princess, Princesses, Queens and slaves, Roman Guards complete with Chariot alongside leather guys dressed in chaps and a collective of Cabin Crew looking hostesses all in drag.
As much as our eyes were draw to the parade, we were looking around and taking in the carnival spirit all around. Indeed carnival should be described as a party and not a parade. There were carts up and down the route selling everything from Candy floss to Giant sugar Dummies.
We stood in the middle of the road on the raised middle section for over 3 hours as float after float followed by litterally thousands of party goers manovered its way slowly down the street.
Making our way over to the Yumbo centre for a break and drink you could be forgiven for thinking it were a superhero convention as litterally everyone was dressed in costume, except for us. Next year we will join a float and really be a part of carnival. If I could only describe it with one word it would "Amazing" and what lucky bitches we have been for being here. It was certainly on par with Rio. Happy Carnival one and all.
We initially made our way to the Carnival route at 1700 as it was due to start then, but as the sun started to fall around 1815 and the evening breeze set in and yet a single float was set to arrive, we decided to bail, grab some food and an extra layer of clothing, then come back.
Arriving at 1930 there were large crowds heading back down Ave de Tijuana towards the bigger restort hotels and Dusan was sure we had missed it. But as I had read earlier online that the 6 KM route takes some 8 hours to pass fully, knew we would catch up with it.
The route makes its way from the Kazbar shopping complex, via the Yumbo and on to Maspalomas. We joined it adacent to the Yumbo Centre on Avenue de Tijuana. Spotting our first float light up like fairy lights on a christmas tree, long after we heard the first whistle, cheer or beating drum.
The floats were one thing, bringing music and an atmosphere to the swelling crowd and you can easily believe that every Mother, Son, Father, Granmother and daughter from the whole island had come out to party.
Some were dressed as Superheros, I lost count of the number of Superman, Spider Man, Banana Man, Mr Incredible we saw during the parade and in the crowd. There were witches and goblins, angels and devils, fairies (of the mystical kind), Snow White, Cinderella, drag queens attractive, awful looking drag queens. Straight guys dressed in drag. There were Princess, Princesses, Queens and slaves, Roman Guards complete with Chariot alongside leather guys dressed in chaps and a collective of Cabin Crew looking hostesses all in drag.
As much as our eyes were draw to the parade, we were looking around and taking in the carnival spirit all around. Indeed carnival should be described as a party and not a parade. There were carts up and down the route selling everything from Candy floss to Giant sugar Dummies.
We stood in the middle of the road on the raised middle section for over 3 hours as float after float followed by litterally thousands of party goers manovered its way slowly down the street.
Making our way over to the Yumbo centre for a break and drink you could be forgiven for thinking it were a superhero convention as litterally everyone was dressed in costume, except for us. Next year we will join a float and really be a part of carnival. If I could only describe it with one word it would "Amazing" and what lucky bitches we have been for being here. It was certainly on par with Rio. Happy Carnival one and all.
Thursday, March 01, 2012
Holidays are coming
It seemed like the countdown to my next holiday would take foreer, infact I would say my body was demanding a break at least six weeks before the day finally came around. The final weeks felt like I was like an airplane that was litterally running on vapour.
Arrived at LGW and checked in before escaping to the Oasis of the First Class lounge. Seriously, I don´t think I could take a flight these days if I didn´t have access to the lounge. The free food and drink aside its tranquil and provides that little bit of Je ne cest pas!
The flight was fairly full and it was soon apparent the 12 Russians sat in front of us were drinking their Duty Free Vodka, quite liberally. But then they got rude and offensive and when one grabbed a crew member, the Purser was asking us all if we could provide witness statements. I almost expected Sky Marshalls to board at the airport and arrest the lot of them.
Thankfully we only waited a few minutes for our cases and the private transfer was awaiting our arrival. Usually we get a Mercedes or likewise Sedan but this time our carriage was a private 9 seater luxury Mini Van. It felt like had arrived to do a gig more than a Private transfer. The private transfer is worth every penny as within 20 minutes we were at our hotel and not having had to wait for 48 others and not stopping at every resort between the airport and Playas del Ingles.
It was surprisingly cool last night, a mere 14 degrees on arrival but that was more than compensated for by being 25 today. I rose and sat by the pool for a few hours while Dusan enjoyed a lie in and then the two of us made our way down to the Dunes and managed another three hours of relaxing on the beach in the gorgeous March sunshine.
Carnival is tomorrow and Saturday so should be exciting with the Parade and of course the bars packed full of tanned totty. I so love it here, could easily stay. Happy Carnival! Now where did I put that after sun :-)
Arrived at LGW and checked in before escaping to the Oasis of the First Class lounge. Seriously, I don´t think I could take a flight these days if I didn´t have access to the lounge. The free food and drink aside its tranquil and provides that little bit of Je ne cest pas!
The flight was fairly full and it was soon apparent the 12 Russians sat in front of us were drinking their Duty Free Vodka, quite liberally. But then they got rude and offensive and when one grabbed a crew member, the Purser was asking us all if we could provide witness statements. I almost expected Sky Marshalls to board at the airport and arrest the lot of them.
Thankfully we only waited a few minutes for our cases and the private transfer was awaiting our arrival. Usually we get a Mercedes or likewise Sedan but this time our carriage was a private 9 seater luxury Mini Van. It felt like had arrived to do a gig more than a Private transfer. The private transfer is worth every penny as within 20 minutes we were at our hotel and not having had to wait for 48 others and not stopping at every resort between the airport and Playas del Ingles.
It was surprisingly cool last night, a mere 14 degrees on arrival but that was more than compensated for by being 25 today. I rose and sat by the pool for a few hours while Dusan enjoyed a lie in and then the two of us made our way down to the Dunes and managed another three hours of relaxing on the beach in the gorgeous March sunshine.
Carnival is tomorrow and Saturday so should be exciting with the Parade and of course the bars packed full of tanned totty. I so love it here, could easily stay. Happy Carnival! Now where did I put that after sun :-)
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