Blake Runs Around the World

You'll know that I run a bit, particularly to have a look around new places. The past week has been pretty good for running around the world. Last week I was off to Switzerland and Korea for business so took a couple of days to visit Bec and Andy in Dubai on the way. (Mum was there as well and we got lots of time entertaining little Daisy, who is a great fun.)

While there, I spent Friday running (and staggering) in 40 degree heat around the desert sands of Dubai while staying with Bec, Andy, Daisy & Mum. By Monday I was galloping down the banks of the Rhine river in Switzerland, Thursday I was crawling up the very steep observatory tower hill in Seoul and this morning, trotting around the fantastic MacRitchie Reservoir track in Singapore.

A Quick Spot of Skiing in one of Dubai's Huge Malls

Followed by Dipping our Feet in the Bath-Like Sea
(You can just make out the famous Burj Al Arab Hotel in the Background)

The World's Biggest Barney that I bought on the way to Dubai was a Big Hit with Daisy

 

Out for Dinner at the Madinet Jumeirah

 

Basel - Switzerland

I'm off to Australia and New Zealand this week, watch this space for more pics.

Flynn Mackie

Just had our 5 month scan, and its a boy! Little Flynn Mackie was happily bouncing around all over the ultrasound screen. Pics to come.

Hurrah!

Blake in North East Asia

A few pics of the travels for country business reviews over the past week. Started off with a couple of days in Taiwan that included a very nice dinner at the top of Taipei 101. Only one pic unfortunately and it was taken at speed from a moving cab but i'm sure you get idea - very tall and Asian looking. And the locals are very proud of the worlds tallest building being in heir town.
 

Taipei 101

Next up was a week in Tokyo. Undoubtedly the best town that i've been too so far. Ultra traditional when you're doing business, then ridiculously crazy in a very cool way when you're not. Had quite a few outings - best summed up in the pics below:

Lost in translation for a dinner out in Ginza

 

 

 

Following which I had a few beers in Roppongi with some Finnish guys

 

 

Then topped the night off busting out some devils signs with my
homies in Maccers

 

 

 

 

Spent Sunday in Shibuya - one of the best hangouts for local trendsetters (thanks for the itinerary Jammo, made for a great day)

 

DogShibuyu has a statue of a dog as its centrepoint, apparently the dog went and sat outside the train station every day for 10 years, waiting for its dead master to come back from work - which he did not, being dead. Just goes to show that you can't teach an old dog new tricks.
I gave it a kick.

 

 

Obligatory temple shot - Meiji shrine

The Gazette

The latest sensation in Japanese glam metal - with their new album "Stacked Rubbish". I had a listen but it was a pile of crap.

Then a walk through Harajuku park where I saw a lot of very weird stuff - an adult pillow fight

 

 

Japanese Elvis's pulling out some random dancing

 

 

Following which I needed to cool off once more with
everyone's friend - Mr Asahi Dry.Thank You Tokyo

Weekend of June 30

Last weekend there was a dragon boating festival/tournament on so Blake was out at Bedok Reservoir for most of Sat and Sun. There was a lot of waiting around between races so I went out on Sat and we walked around the reservoir, which is like a huge lake in a park.

Most of the races were in long boats which have about 20 people rowing (I think) but there are also 10-person boat races. Blake had to wear Australian colours since it was the ANZA team and there are only two kiwis. He was not that impressed but at least he didn't join in for "Ozzie, ozzie, ozzie, oi, oi, oi" which they all starting chanting.

They raced in different groups each time and some of the teams did well, some not so well but it was a fun day for all. Blake's having a great time on the team as they are all competitive and love drinking. (They are even sponsored by a brewery that delivers a keg after every Saturday's practise session.)




On Saturday night we went to Sentosa Island for dinner. You can actually drive there over a big bridge, but it is an island. There is a flash hotel complex there which has a number of nice restaurants. We went to Barnacles which is right up against the water's edge. The food was fantastic and we (both) waddled away happy.


Speaking of waddling - I'm not quite there yet but you can see below that that the stomach has come a long way since the early weeks. It's starting to come in handy now that it's showing - I've had two people offer me their seat on the train. I'm going to have to take out my belly button ring soon - had a go with the pliers today but need another pair to hold the end still. Don't want it getting embedded in there.
I am now at 19 weeks and we have our 20 week scan on the 12th. We can't wait to find out the sex and will post results as soon as we hear.

5 week pregnant stomach

 

Now - 19 week pregnant stomach

(Don't expect me to be publishing any post-baby shots)

 

 

THE BLAKE TRAVEL UPDATE:
Blake's away more than he's here at the moment and the whole month of July is basically work and personal trips for him. (At least I have my job huh.)

He left on Sunday for Taiwan and then heads to Japan tonight. He comes back for a few days next week and then off to Dubai (to visit sister and family) then Switzerland, France and Korea.
We get four days together then he's off again, this time to Australia (work) and New Zealand (personal). That takes us to 7th August!

He has taken the camera and has instructions to get loads of good shots for y'all, so look out for his huge blog in August.

Weekend of June 23rd

So what have we been up to lately? The other weekend we headed out to the East Coast and hired bikes to ride along the long tree-lined promenade. It's a beautiful ride alongside the sea and goes for about 10km.

As you can see in this photo - the puku has definitely started to show!



Before we head anywhere in the weekend, we first have to stop at Starbucks and get Mr Mackie his mocha grande. Here he is winding down for the weekend.


We biked for an hour then stopped off at a stall for a platter of tropical fruit. Then we biked another 15 mins to the bike hire place, dropped off the bikes and headed to lunch at one of the many cafes and restaurants along the waterfront - Japanese, yum. We were pretty buggered by this time (it was pretty hot don't forget) so off we went in pursuit of an airconditioned taxi.

Here we are, post-bike ride, ready for lunch.

Saturday night saw us head down to Robertson Quay where we had a delicious dinner at a French Restaurant and then went to watch the rubgy at Harry's Bar.