Ka Jok See.

Back again with another nugget of Phuket 'sightings'. Ka Jok See is one of those places that you wouldn't just stumble across. In fact even our trusted taxi driver Wan Chai had difficulty finding it's whereabouts. Thankfully my auntie, SR, was our tour-leader and a very remarkable job she did too, our evening was booked before we even got to Thailand and so we had no idea what to expect from a bar that fully embraces lady-boys, endlessly flowing Mojitos and much joviality. Fortunately we were all pleasantly surprised as it turned out to be an unforgettable night and the Smiths being the undying party animals naturally we were the last ones to leave!

 The rather blurry calm before the storm. 

 The IJ Smiths loving life. Apologies for the unflattering angle and facial expressions. 

RS, MS a lady-boy and me. 

The last ones standing. 

If any of you are by chance jetting of to Phuket anytime soon or plan to in the future I couldn't recommend this place enough, it's a fantastic night guaranteed! I would say however that it's definitely better to go with a group and don't expect a quiet time as the place gets rather wild. In a good way of course. 

Patong.

The town of Patong is not for the fainthearted. This is what we were told so on day 2 of our holiday we ventured to the night market. Now that sounds dodgy I know and you're probably also thinking, what on earth you foolish bunch of inexperienced travellers but with this warning Patong was even more alluring.

Our trusted passion wagon chauffeur Wan Chai, was waiting outside our villa bang on time and ready to navigate the winding roads to Patong. With blue UV lights glowing and the hit Thai radio stations blaring we entered the bustling town. It was teeming with people, children and of course the odd lady boy in a feather boa. We didn't know where to look with so much to take in and we hadn't even started shopping!

RS enjoying the UV madness. 

They take street food seriously. 

After spending a good hour wandering amongst the crowds of all nationalities and snapping up a couple of bargains (after some inexperienced haggling), which included a jazzy bandeau bikini for £6 and three pairs of Calvin Klein boxers for a mere £4 we decided to call it a night and find our beloved Wan Chai.

Back on home turf.

Hello, bonjour, salut and ciao.

I've returned to the motherland after just over two weeks of truly unforgettable experiences. Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.

Basically the Smiths in their entirety headed to the beautiful island of Phuket, Thailand to celebrate a family wedding. There was a sublime white dress, rose petal confetti, speeches with much hilarity, raucous dancing and of course no beach wedding is complete without a couple dozen of lanterns wafting up into the night sky to conclude the festivities.

Now, that was just one of the many events that we were lucky enough to take part in. Obviously it was the most important of all the holiday's happenings but I'm just itching to tell you more! Just to keep you on your toes here's a brief visual morsel of some of the delights I was lucky enough to lay my eyes on.

Much prefer the Thai Sprite logo.  

 Poolside problems.

 Candy the incredible baby elephant. 

 Could not get enough of this soda water. 

Floating fishing village. 

Fret not, there is plenty more to come. My time is now dedicated to organising the next blog posts. Hopefully they'll be good'uns. 

A bientôt.

As of tomorrow I will be leaving Paris for a little while. This is not to say that I'm not coming back or vanishing off the face of the planet, however I am bound for a couple of other cities further afield but this will only provide me with more sights and inspiration for this 'ere blog.

Yesterday after a gruelling session of last minute grammar revision, I took myself off for a walk. Down Rue St. Dom, under the Eiffel Tower and then on to the top of the Champs. The evening was almost balmy as I made my way through the ever un-quahsable amount of camera clutching tourists. A couple of times during my stroll I had moments of "oh-my-word-I-actually-live-here." To be fair these aren't uncommon but they have been in the last couple of months especially with the incessant days of inclement weather. They provide a warm, pudding-y kind of feeling right in the pit of my stomach and I despite it being a massive cliché the sight of the Eiffel Tower in the sun provokes this feeling probably more than any other sight in Paris and it's something that'll fondly miss while I'm away.

I love the sight of the people feasting their eyes on the view from the top of the Arc de Triomphe. 

A bientot for now, I won't be gone long but until then, stay trendy, be safe and enjoy the sights in your life. 

p.s. Happy Jour du Macaroon for yesterday! 

Les Cocottes.

Last Saturday when HG was here we decided a proper meal out was in order, rather than my scrimpy-don't-spend-save- student ways and providing below standard picnics to enjoy in the bitterly cold conditions. Something more substantial was on the menu and so I suggested Les Cocottes which I had read about on this blog. it sounded quite ideal; good value, efficient service and on one of my favourite Rues, the one and only Rue St. Dominique.

We got to the door for bang on seven, the time they open for dinner and were quickly lead to a table for two at the bar. The interior was all looking rather minimal but with kitsch added details such as black boards, little bread baskets and hanging cured meats in the window. We had barely removed our layers of coats, scarfs and hats before the waiter was politely offering his opinion of which wine to choose. The meal itself came in no-time at all and although we got a couple of disapproving glances HG and i did our typical sharing manoeuvres. Sharing is caring after all. 

 I couldn't get enough of this ice-bucket-bag. If ever in desperation fill a handbag with ice et voila. 

 Barside. 

 Spring vegetables cooked en Cocotte. 

 Braised beef with red wine and mushrooms. It literally was melt in your mouth goodness. 

And of course we had to go halves on deserts as well. I went for pear and chocolate crumble. Just look at that little dish. 

 HG went for the chocolate tart because she said she just HAD to have a piece of tart. They were both divine and together it was a match made in heaven. 

Bear in mind this was taken just after a full on day of walking as well as being swept along my gusts of wind. Lets just say that the half bottle of Chablis was a very welcome sight. 

When Haz came to Paz.

So young Miss. Goffman my beloved and longest serving friend came to visit me last weekend for a visit filled with many chats, miles of walking and much perusing. It truly was a delight and luckily the elements were on our side with only the minor appearance of rain. During HG's short but sweet stay we managed, in no particular order: A spontaneous trip to Angelina, Galeries La Fayette, Printemps plus roof terrace, Le Bon Marché, a picnic in the Tuileries, a glimpse of the Panthéon whilst in search of cheap Chinese, general wanderings around Montmartre, the Sacre Coeur, yet another picnic with morsels of award winning baguette, a flit around Parc Monceau, a dalliance along the Champs, the Eiffel Tower, dinner at Les Cocottes, Le Marais, pitta pouches overloaded with falafel, stumbling along the cobbles of Le Marais and of course much needed slumbers in my little squat of an apartment.

please turn a blind eye to the slightly offensive curtains. 

Too good. 

HG and I couldn't actually consume the entirety of our jug in one sitting and so had to ask for a take away cup!

Rooftop view from Printemps. Always reminds me of "Ratatouille"

HG enjoying the scenic views of Paz.

Looking pretty in place de Vendome

This little bakery on Rue des Abbesses won best baguette in Paris 2010 did you know?

Montmartre musings.

Urm. Where is it?

Nothing quite completes an afternoon in Paris than a rather raucous manifestation. They were chanting and all but for what we weren't entirely sure. 

This just had to be done. 

Self timer fail. Possibly my favourite picture from the weekend though. 

A lovely lady took pity on our self-timing blunder and offered to be photographer. Bless. 

Jump of joy. 

Take 1.

Take 2.

Third time lucky!

I'd like to thank the cherub face that is HG for coming to visit me and keeping me in such wonderful company for four days. Visitors are just the best and it allows me to do, see and experience new things but also consolidate places that i already know by introducing them to my guests. I'd also like to apologise to for my cluelessness at times, "what Rue are we on?" seems to become my favourite catch phrase when in search of places I thought I knew the location of! HG was ever so patient as always though. She's the best.