nha trang

Quick update on current events as I've managed to hijack a computer here in Vietnamlands. Nha Trang is good, hot, and friendly. The food is gorgeous and I've stood eye to eye with a sea urchin (see right) today while scuba diving. One more day awaits here before taking another 3 flights to Malaysia and Borneo and the orangs. As much as I do enjoy a lazy few days and a never-ending beach, I do look forward to some activity.

If you've never been to Vietnam I highly recommend it. And see more than just this one place, even though it is stunning.

Jo x

off, off, and away!

Rightey-oh dear fellows - the time has come. 3 weeks without mascara await (still bringing blush)! There have been countdowns, and longings, and bookings, and checking, and double-checking, and so on - finally February 24 is here. In a mere half hour I'm starting the epic trip which will eventually take me to Nha Trang, Vietnam, and later on Borneo, Malaysia and the orangs.

I will try to keep this space updated along the way but apparently Borneo's rainforest hasn't quite reached the Wi-Fi hype as the more civilized parts of the world. However, photos will be taken and uploaded afterwards!

Take care, and wish me luck! Your monkey has to sort the last few details and then fly off, off - and away :) !

Jo x

just another food post

Only because it's new! This little bugger above is okonomiyaki - a sort of Japanese pizza/pancake type of thing. A restaurant serving this must be paradise to work in 'cause you literally get a bowl with the ingredients and then you cook it yourself. As for me, it meant veggies, egg, and the pancake base (flour and stuff) which you then mix round and round in the bowl and then put on the stove (which is in the middle of your table) and wait for it to cook on both sides. Then you slab some amazing sauce on (the brown stuff) and mayonnaise + sea weed sprinkles.

Absolutely incredibly yummy stuff!

Jo x

tokyo, you've got the rhythm in you...

Back in Tokyo town after an excruciatingly long trip. I do appreciate the spring-like weather that awaited and today I've completed the first day without jacket outside - and with great result!

I miss home already, but it's nice being back in plus-degrees, incredibly polite people, and proper training.

Now a few days of crazy gymming, un-packing and re-packing, and last-minute beach-body attempts before heading off to Vietnam and, later on, Borneo. In other words a lot more flight hours to sit through. The adventure awaits!

Jo x

happy valentine's

Happy Valentine's Day from Sweden! My epic celebrations have included two pairs of trousers on sale and a bouquet of roses from an important male figure in my life. Curious?

Unlike many of my single friends I don't mind Valentine's Day. It's a day to show love - any kind of love. I mean yes, it's a cheap commercialised holiday; and yes, you should show love to your close ones everyday. However, we don't live in in an ideal world where everything and everyone are perfect so for those who are human and maybe somewhat imperfect - take this opportunity and show some love to your family, friends and so on.

Without mentioning (and forgetting) anyone, I love all my friends and my family. I don't always appreciate how lucky I am to have you but trust me I do try to show it. I hope I can be half as good a friend to you in return. No matter the distance (and to some, it's huge these days) I know I have you only a short cyber second away.

So for all of those I love and cherish: "I'll be your Emmylou and I'll be your June if you will be my Graham and my Johnny too."

Happy Hearts Day.

Jo x

jag går på promenaden...

After 2 weeks at home I am a little fatter, a little more relaxed, and a lot bored. And yet, all of a sudden, as the return to Japan creeps up on me (Sunday) I can't help but feel a little sad. Sure, I've been extremely bored here and my training has suffered severely, but there is something about Sweden.

The rude people (compared to Japan), the freezing winter cold (although I'm wearing exactly the same clothes here as there) and coffee shops selling lattes for around £3 (I'd like to know the production cost of one of those things) - I love it. And even if I starkly dislike my home town Norrköping, it has something that some people might call charm (see photo above).

I don't know where these 3 weeks have gone and all of a sudden I have to focus on mosquito nets and disinfection for my Vietnam/orangutan adventure which is only 10 days away! Gosh.

Anyhuu, boring post, but that's Sweden for you. And at the moment, me.

Jo x

home

by Emma Svensson

See, I would update if there was anything, anything at all, going on. Fact is, home is as uneventful as it ever was. Snow and -20 degrees prevent me from any major excursions, and family time is lovely but hardly exciting. I'm spending my days writing (or trying at least) and talking to friends. Uneventful but nice.

Everything's on sale as well and I can finally stock up on vitamins from eating proper fruit & veg. Missing Japan a little, however, and it will be nice to go back in 2 weeks. People talk too much pointless crap here. At least in Japan I don't have to hear it as I don't understand much of what people are saying!

But it's a pretty city in many ways. Above is a residential building by the river. Granted, anything with a turret must be pretty. Fact.

That'd be all.

Jo x