Right, first things first, my apologies for taking so long to do this. We've been in Oz for over a week now and I've not written anything at all. So, by way of recompense, this will probably be quite a mammoth entry.
The last you heard, we were in Thailand, which was true until the 18th February, at which point we discovered, to our horror, that we had missed our flights by 24 hours. So, after several fruitless attempts to contact the 'travel butler' service we had been promised, we quickly packed our bags and headed to the airport to try and get ourselves on the next flight. We got ourselves onto stand-by for a small sum of money and then found out all four of us had made it onto the flight. Elated doesn't even begin cover how relieved we felt.
So, we made it on to the flight and arrived at 6:10am the next morning at Sydney's Kingford Smith airport, whereupon we were greeted by a series of extra-ordinarily rigorous security checks, including a second scanning of our hand a hold luggage and sweltering heat. Apparently Australia has been the victim of various plagues thanks to people bringing in diseases, animals and food that are not native. The Cane Toad for example, which, if you believe The Simpsons, they have Bart to thank for. Anyway, we made it to my Aunt's house in the leafy Italian (she's not Italian, but pretty much everyone else who lives there is!) suburb of Haberfield. After a couple of hours kip, recovering from the stressful day we had before and the 9 hour flight, we were feeling a little more human and so made ourselves presentable for the party that evening (a large part of the reason I was so relieved to make it onto the flight the previous day). Despite the few hours sleep we had caught up on earlier, we were still rather tired, so we bowed out a bit earlier than might have been expected were we on top form.
The next day I had the chance to catch up with a friend of mine from uni who has been in Sydney for a few months now, which was really nice and through her we found out about an excellent job opportunity that might even see us working in the Opera House (we're still waiting to hear about that, but fingers crossed!). Toby, my cousin, spent most of the day showing us around, taking us to places like Darling Harbour, Circular Quay and showing us the highlights and some of the lowlights of Sydney's City Centre. Then, in the evening, we went to a short film festival, held in The Domain, in the heart of Sydney, called TropFest. It featured 16 short films, ranging from the downright bizarre; the winner Animal Beatbox, to the sublime; Focus, which to my mind, should have won, being an excellent display of cinematography and direction from an up-and-coming director. There were 90,000 people at TropFest and I would heartily recommend it to anyone who is in Sydney at the right time, the atmosphere was fantastic and being able to sit out on the grass under the stars until the late evening was thoroughly enjoyable.
The next few days we spent exploring Sydney, seeing the Opera House and Harbour Bridge properly, taking the mandatory touristy photos in front of them and then getting to know Sydney a little better; where to go out, where not to go out, what the hostels are like, where they are largely located and that sort of thing. All useful stuff for us, but not terribly exciting for you. We were also rather surprised to see that the weather took a turn for the worse, a 'cold change' came in dropping the previously sweltering temperatures by around 5-10 degrees, meaning the temperature was something closer to an average British summer day. For us, however, rain in Sydney seemed alien.
Our next big trip was to Manly, on a day which started out as a rather overcast, boring day, but by the time we had gotten to Manly, was a lovely sunny day. Stupidly we had decided not to bring our swimming stuff, so we had to make do with paddling in the surf and indulging in a spot of sunbathing. This trip also provided me with an opportunity to see another friend who has also been in Oz for some time, since September in fact, which was really nice, if a little brief. Regardless, we left Manly determined to come back and actually go for a swim next time! On our return ferry trip, we suddenly found ourselves coming alongside the Queen Mary 2, which is to this date, the largest ocean liner ever built. She was certainly a sight to behold as she made her way out of the harbour in a suitably regal fashion. Our evening was then spent taking part in a pub quiz with my Aunt and Uncle at the local bowling green, which we ought to have won, but gambled our points and lost at the final hurdle.
The next day, was rather more productive, we first went to Darling Harbour again, to hand in some CVs to the manager of the tourist company that operates at the Opera House, Aquarium, Sky Tower and Wildlife World. Within minutes we had been rung to organise interviews for the next day, which we felt was surely a good sign. While leaving Darling Harbour, we spotted a sign advertising a combination ticket to and from Taronga Zoo, including entry, for a substantially cheaper price than we would have had to pay otherwise. Naturally, we took this opportunity and caught a catamaran ferry across the Harbour, stopping at Shark Island, Goat Island and various other famous sights around the Harbour, before dropping us off at Taronga Zoo. We then spent the rest of the afternoon wandering around the Zoo marvelling at some of the weird and wonderful creatures that Australia has to offer, much to Jon's delight.
The next day we spent relaxing in Haberfield, doing not a lot, before cooking roast lamb by way of thank you to my Aunt for hosting us, feeding us and looking after us.
The following day was a highlight of Australia, for me anyway, thus far, as we went to Bondi beach, something I did 22 years ago on my first birthday. So, I felt a strange affection for the place, despite not having any actual memories of it. It helps that despite it being heaving with tourists, it is still a beautiful beach and one that, again, one shouldn't miss when visiting Sydney. The water was crystal clear, the sand gloriously white and soft and there is plenty to do in and around Bondi if you are not content with just enjoying the water and the beach itself. That evening we were treated to a meal at a delightful italian restaurant in Haberfield called Napoli in Bocca. We ate rather a lot of good food before rolling home to crash out in front of the TV to watch 'Airplane!'. A comedy classic I'm told.
I took the opportunity the next day to go and visit some family friends in Wahroonga, where I spent a very pleasant day at the driving range and seeing some of the more exclusive parts of Sydney; Bay View, Palm Beach, Mona Vale and other parts of the North Shore. I was then treated to a good ol' fashion Australia BBQ in our friend's garden, before being taken back into Sydney by their son to go out with the guys. Not a bad life eh?!
Our biggest milestone in Australia so far came on the next day; we moved out of my Aunt's house and into a hostel in central Sydney, where I am sat currently as I write this. Prior to moving into the hostel, however, I went and had a second, much more informal, interview with a lady at the Opera House, to try and confirm the job at the Opera House. Having moved into the hostel, we went out that evening, before trawling around various bars, which, if I'm honest, weren't that great, we found ourselves in the first club we'd been to in Sydney thus far and the night picked up from that point on.
I need to catch up on the last couple of days myself, it's all been a bit of a blur but I do promise I will update this more often than I have done previously.
On a more usual note, Australia is, by and large, dismally dressed; the stereo-types of shirt, shorts and long socks or cargo shorts, t-shirts and flip flops are altogether too true. Roll on America for that.
Joe
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Thursday, 17 February 2011
More of Thailand's good times.
Ok, so first, my apologies for the delay in keeping you updated. As you might imagine, when spending six days on the closest thing to paradise this good earth has to offer, hoping on a computer to write down one's thoughts is not the first thing to come to mind. That said, I'm going to make up for it now. Second, it is a 3:22am and I am ridiculously hot, having just come back from a night out and thus unable to sleep.
So, when I last wrote I mentioned we were going to a. head to Kanchanaburi Tiger Sanctuary and b. go to Koh Pan-Ngan. Well, we did one of those and I'm afraid it was the tiger sanctuary that lost out. We took an eight hour bus journey from Bankok's Hua Lamphong station to Chumphon port, before embarking the ferry that took us via Koh Tao to Koh Pan-Ngan. The ferry seemed to take a long time, but I suspect it was largely down to the lack of sleep and the fact that a dutch 'douche' decided to produce a guitar and serenade us with the likes of 'Bad Bad Leroy Brown' and 'Rocky Raccoon', sung to the same chord sequence and chords. Tedious, as you might imagine. Anyway, upon arriving in Koh Pan-Ngan, again dodging the taxi touts and heading towards Ban Thai, where we were reliably informed the Half Moon Party would be taking place, we found ourselves tipped out next to a 7-Eleven at the top of a sandy road that seemed to lead to the beach. This being the direction we wanted to pursue, we wandered down it, trying to look as if we a. knew what the signs for the likes of 'Liberty's' and 'Mac's Bay' were, before eventually stumbling across a One2Dive shop, run by a a behemoth of a Canadian, standing at 6' 5", called Jeff. Who was to become something of a regular feature of life on Koh Pan-Ngan. First, offering to stash our bags, recommending somewhere to stay and inviting us to his BBQ later that evening, we soon became immensely glad we had met him. Anyway, the resort we ended up in was the aforementioned Mac's Bay, run by the affable and invaluable Chaiwat. Who sorted us out with a very nice, four person, air-conditioned room for a more than reasonable sum of money.
Having gorged ourselves on Jeff's cooking that evening, we then headed into the jungle towards the rhythmic sounds of the Half Moon Party, only to find an enormously set-up worth of perhaps Global Gathering or any other decent sized dance festival in the UK. With people already dancing like lunatics (largely the Germans, oddly enough) and generally having a good time. We proceeded to spend the next 6 hours doing much the same, while running into Chris Nash, another Warwick alumnus and generally making friends all round.
The next day, thanks to a rookie error on the boat, did not start well for me. We had all failed to appreciate that sun+water+no suncream= SUNBURN OF DEATH!! Awaking to agonising sunburn is never the most pleasant sensation, but it is worsened by the fact that you really ought to be out enjoying the glorious azure waters and white sands of the beach, not 10 yards away. Regardless, the day had to roll on, so we made for the sandbar some 50 yards out from our beach and proceeded to relax there for a while before returning to shore and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The evening brought a night out with a mixed group of English, American and Australian guys and girls who were also staying at the hotel, in Hat Rin at a bar called Cactus, which puts on fireshows, competitions, fire limbo and all manner of other ridiculous games and activities one can partake in, should you desire. As well as pounding music to dance to and copious quantities of alcohol. All in all, a pretty good night was had by everyone. I have to add one, rather surprising note, watching the Manchester Derby in the pub before heading to Cactus bar, even I had to conceed that Wayne Rooney's goal was incredible.
Having been out until the wee small hours of the morning, one might imagine that we were in a rather worse for wear state, which, to be fair, most of us were, but regardless, we got up at 10:30am to go snorkelling at Koh Ma, off the north coast of Koh Pan-Ngan; another, much smaller, island adjoined to Koh Pan-Ngan, by another sandbar, which we cross before heading out into the shallows to snorkel. To say the fish were colourful, would be doing them a huge disservice. This trip was organsied by the super laid back Jeff, who laid on a lunch-time feast and then entertainment in the form of an American football, that we spent some hours throwing around in the shallows of the beach. The evening, again, brought a night out at Cactus bar, although we weren't out quite so late this time. Instead making it home by an early 3:30am.
The following day, we had planned on going to Ao Thong Nai Ban, supposedly the most beautiful beach on the island, in the north east, but owing to general sleep deprivation and the unanimous desire to just relax on the beach, we proceeded to do so. I got a Thai massage on the beach, just to add to the all round relaxed nature of the day and then we spent the rest of the evening at Jeff's dive shop watching stand-up comedy, while sat in hammocks. All in all, not a bad day.
The day after, however, we did make it the Ao Thong Nai Ban and it really was a treat. Even more beautiful white beaches and clear water, both in colour and clear of coral fragments, which made for much a much more enjoyable afternoon. We returned to yet another BBQ at Jeff's, this time gorging ourselves on freshly caught and cooked Red Snapper, before, once again, heading out to Cactus bar, for another night of mayhem and chaos.
Sadly, the following day, saw our return to Bangkok, this time by sleeper train from Surat Thani. So, after a further few hours spend dozing on the boat and bus to Surat Thani station, we boarded the train a little after 7pm and began the 12 hour train journey back to Bangkok. Where you find us now, having spent another, rather more active night out on the town. Attempting a 'ping pong' show, but giving up in revulsion unsurprisingly.
Our flight to Australia leaves in a little over 12 hours time, so I will bid you good night and I promise to try and keep you posted more regularly!
Joe
So, when I last wrote I mentioned we were going to a. head to Kanchanaburi Tiger Sanctuary and b. go to Koh Pan-Ngan. Well, we did one of those and I'm afraid it was the tiger sanctuary that lost out. We took an eight hour bus journey from Bankok's Hua Lamphong station to Chumphon port, before embarking the ferry that took us via Koh Tao to Koh Pan-Ngan. The ferry seemed to take a long time, but I suspect it was largely down to the lack of sleep and the fact that a dutch 'douche' decided to produce a guitar and serenade us with the likes of 'Bad Bad Leroy Brown' and 'Rocky Raccoon', sung to the same chord sequence and chords. Tedious, as you might imagine. Anyway, upon arriving in Koh Pan-Ngan, again dodging the taxi touts and heading towards Ban Thai, where we were reliably informed the Half Moon Party would be taking place, we found ourselves tipped out next to a 7-Eleven at the top of a sandy road that seemed to lead to the beach. This being the direction we wanted to pursue, we wandered down it, trying to look as if we a. knew what the signs for the likes of 'Liberty's' and 'Mac's Bay' were, before eventually stumbling across a One2Dive shop, run by a a behemoth of a Canadian, standing at 6' 5", called Jeff. Who was to become something of a regular feature of life on Koh Pan-Ngan. First, offering to stash our bags, recommending somewhere to stay and inviting us to his BBQ later that evening, we soon became immensely glad we had met him. Anyway, the resort we ended up in was the aforementioned Mac's Bay, run by the affable and invaluable Chaiwat. Who sorted us out with a very nice, four person, air-conditioned room for a more than reasonable sum of money.
Having gorged ourselves on Jeff's cooking that evening, we then headed into the jungle towards the rhythmic sounds of the Half Moon Party, only to find an enormously set-up worth of perhaps Global Gathering or any other decent sized dance festival in the UK. With people already dancing like lunatics (largely the Germans, oddly enough) and generally having a good time. We proceeded to spend the next 6 hours doing much the same, while running into Chris Nash, another Warwick alumnus and generally making friends all round.
The next day, thanks to a rookie error on the boat, did not start well for me. We had all failed to appreciate that sun+water+no suncream= SUNBURN OF DEATH!! Awaking to agonising sunburn is never the most pleasant sensation, but it is worsened by the fact that you really ought to be out enjoying the glorious azure waters and white sands of the beach, not 10 yards away. Regardless, the day had to roll on, so we made for the sandbar some 50 yards out from our beach and proceeded to relax there for a while before returning to shore and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing. The evening brought a night out with a mixed group of English, American and Australian guys and girls who were also staying at the hotel, in Hat Rin at a bar called Cactus, which puts on fireshows, competitions, fire limbo and all manner of other ridiculous games and activities one can partake in, should you desire. As well as pounding music to dance to and copious quantities of alcohol. All in all, a pretty good night was had by everyone. I have to add one, rather surprising note, watching the Manchester Derby in the pub before heading to Cactus bar, even I had to conceed that Wayne Rooney's goal was incredible.
Having been out until the wee small hours of the morning, one might imagine that we were in a rather worse for wear state, which, to be fair, most of us were, but regardless, we got up at 10:30am to go snorkelling at Koh Ma, off the north coast of Koh Pan-Ngan; another, much smaller, island adjoined to Koh Pan-Ngan, by another sandbar, which we cross before heading out into the shallows to snorkel. To say the fish were colourful, would be doing them a huge disservice. This trip was organsied by the super laid back Jeff, who laid on a lunch-time feast and then entertainment in the form of an American football, that we spent some hours throwing around in the shallows of the beach. The evening, again, brought a night out at Cactus bar, although we weren't out quite so late this time. Instead making it home by an early 3:30am.
The following day, we had planned on going to Ao Thong Nai Ban, supposedly the most beautiful beach on the island, in the north east, but owing to general sleep deprivation and the unanimous desire to just relax on the beach, we proceeded to do so. I got a Thai massage on the beach, just to add to the all round relaxed nature of the day and then we spent the rest of the evening at Jeff's dive shop watching stand-up comedy, while sat in hammocks. All in all, not a bad day.
The day after, however, we did make it the Ao Thong Nai Ban and it really was a treat. Even more beautiful white beaches and clear water, both in colour and clear of coral fragments, which made for much a much more enjoyable afternoon. We returned to yet another BBQ at Jeff's, this time gorging ourselves on freshly caught and cooked Red Snapper, before, once again, heading out to Cactus bar, for another night of mayhem and chaos.
Sadly, the following day, saw our return to Bangkok, this time by sleeper train from Surat Thani. So, after a further few hours spend dozing on the boat and bus to Surat Thani station, we boarded the train a little after 7pm and began the 12 hour train journey back to Bangkok. Where you find us now, having spent another, rather more active night out on the town. Attempting a 'ping pong' show, but giving up in revulsion unsurprisingly.
Our flight to Australia leaves in a little over 12 hours time, so I will bid you good night and I promise to try and keep you posted more regularly!
Joe
Tuesday, 8 February 2011
Thailand, taxis and threes.
So, we arrived, as you might have guessed. The flight was long but by no means the worst flight I've ever taken despite its length. Having arrived, dodged the first wave of locals trying to flog you a 200Baht (4pound) taxi ride for 1100Baht (significantly more) and made our way the public taxi rank we were then driven to our family friend's house in the back streets of Bangkok, while listening to classic country & western tracks such as 'Rhinestone Cowboy' (who knew Glenn Campbell had made it the Orient!). We arrived to find ourselves in a 'proper palatial' (thank you Ollie for summising so precisely) house in a compound, similar to those found in ex-pat areas of third world countries the world over. (We have just been informed today that there is also a swimming pool and basketball court, oh the joy!) We decided discretion was the better part of valour and spent the night chilling out, listening to music and for some, drinking a few beers. All in all, not a bad start to the trip!
Day two, rather inevitably brought both many hours of rather aimless wandering and even more predictably, a wander down the surprisingly short Khao San Road. It is a bustling, noise, chaotic and rather charming road however, with travellers of all descriptions converging together to indulging some shopping, Irish bars, fish foot treatments (which we partook of and I must say it is one of the most peculiar sensations I have ever felt, but I'm sure my feet felt immensely improved afterwards) and sundry other ridiculous tourist traps. Having eaten some food at Mulligan's, thai food all round you'll no doubt be pleased to hear, we then proceeded to try and take in some culture and set out looking for the Victory Monument. This turned out to be a rather boring roundabout with an similarly dull monument on it, which we had actually already seen. By this time, it was getting dark, stomachs were beginning to rumble and tiredness was beginning to creep over us. So, having failed to find a taxi who would take us we ended up getting a tuk-tuk, which is a real experience in any country. Having last ridden a tuk-tuk in India, the experience was actually pretty civilised in comparison, despite cramming all four of us into something not much larger than a small golfbuggy, with Bobby leaning out of the side, tongue wagging like a dog.
Today, thus far has seen us consume breakfast at our usual vulture like pace and decide to take it easy again, perhaps going for a swim and Jon and I have one little chore to take care of, but I wont spoil the surprise for you.
The islands call, so I suspect we'll head down to them tomorrow evening, having visited Kanchanaburi Tiger Temple during the day ideally. Island paradise, here we come!
Joe
Day two, rather inevitably brought both many hours of rather aimless wandering and even more predictably, a wander down the surprisingly short Khao San Road. It is a bustling, noise, chaotic and rather charming road however, with travellers of all descriptions converging together to indulging some shopping, Irish bars, fish foot treatments (which we partook of and I must say it is one of the most peculiar sensations I have ever felt, but I'm sure my feet felt immensely improved afterwards) and sundry other ridiculous tourist traps. Having eaten some food at Mulligan's, thai food all round you'll no doubt be pleased to hear, we then proceeded to try and take in some culture and set out looking for the Victory Monument. This turned out to be a rather boring roundabout with an similarly dull monument on it, which we had actually already seen. By this time, it was getting dark, stomachs were beginning to rumble and tiredness was beginning to creep over us. So, having failed to find a taxi who would take us we ended up getting a tuk-tuk, which is a real experience in any country. Having last ridden a tuk-tuk in India, the experience was actually pretty civilised in comparison, despite cramming all four of us into something not much larger than a small golfbuggy, with Bobby leaning out of the side, tongue wagging like a dog.
Today, thus far has seen us consume breakfast at our usual vulture like pace and decide to take it easy again, perhaps going for a swim and Jon and I have one little chore to take care of, but I wont spoil the surprise for you.
The islands call, so I suspect we'll head down to them tomorrow evening, having visited Kanchanaburi Tiger Temple during the day ideally. Island paradise, here we come!
Joe
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Travelling transition and the Manics.
It is curiously appropriate that when I sat down to write this at my computer, as ever, the first thing I did was hit the spacebar to continue whatever was playing on my iTunes before I last left the computer and on this occasion it was The Manic Street Preachers' 'Further Away'. Not wanting to further examine the lyrics, the title itself is satsifying enough as a form of 'omen' or 'signal', call it what you like. It just struck me as appropriate.
Anyway, that time has finally arrived and I am off on my travels tomorrow. In fact, in 24 hours I will, with any luck, be about to board my flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand being the first of our ports of call on our seven month, round the world trip encompassing three continents and at least five countries. So, commencing in Thailand, we then move on to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada over the ensuing six and a bit (seven is so much easier to say) months. Now, clearly, we have a much more detailed itinerary than that, but I will spare you the intricacies.
Suffice to say, we travel around quite a lot in all of the countries listed above and any recommendations for things to do that are off the beaten path or perhaps missed by all but the most savvy of backpackers would be more than welcome. Certainly from my end of things anyway.
I will be posting photos from our travels and reporting, in some detail on what we get up to and where we go, as and when I can. I have no idea, however, how often I will have access to the internet and so you will have to just wait, patiently! So, having said a last few, not entirely easy goodbyes I will put the travelling to one side for the moment.
Not much to report fashion/style-wise to be honest. I have had one or two other things on my mind. Although popping up to London today did give me and always appreciated opportunity to dress up. Involving a combination of Black Watch colours and a chance to get out the good old full-length umbrella and look the true British gentleman, strolling purposefully around, tapping away, even though it wasn't really raining. One can never be to sure in this climate, you know! Oh, that and I found this delightful blog: www.unabashedlyprep.com, which, as you might imagine, is an American blog that focuses on the Ivy League Style, as sported by the likes of JFK and the myriad other Ivy League Alumni. It is always fascinating to open up another world of fashion and particularly one that is so well known and well entrenched in a society that is so close to ours and yet seems to have had surprisingly little, obvious, impact on us.
Musically, I have been enjoying the Manic Street Preachers recently, largely due to the coverage on the BBC Red Button that I stumbled across the other evening, while bored. Given that 'This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours' was one of the first CDs I ever owned, they have been sorely neglected. Particularly as I appear to have given away or lost the aforementioned album rather foolishly. Nevermind, I am well and truly re-enamoured and enjoying the lyrical highlights and curiously catchy glam-punk(?) and would urge anyone who enjoys the likes of Stereophonics, Ash or, dare I say it, Oasis to check them out or pursue them further if you haven't already. From the Unabashedly Prep blog linked above, I discovered the American band Locksley, whose song 'The Whip, features on this excellent video for Tommy Hilfiger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDW14VxRXM and if you like bands like The Strokes, or any of the British Invasion bands I advise you to check them out.
For the moment, Joe out, but expect many more colourful and envy-making posts in the not-too-distant future!
Anyway, that time has finally arrived and I am off on my travels tomorrow. In fact, in 24 hours I will, with any luck, be about to board my flight to Bangkok, Thailand. Thailand being the first of our ports of call on our seven month, round the world trip encompassing three continents and at least five countries. So, commencing in Thailand, we then move on to Australia, New Zealand, America and Canada over the ensuing six and a bit (seven is so much easier to say) months. Now, clearly, we have a much more detailed itinerary than that, but I will spare you the intricacies.
Suffice to say, we travel around quite a lot in all of the countries listed above and any recommendations for things to do that are off the beaten path or perhaps missed by all but the most savvy of backpackers would be more than welcome. Certainly from my end of things anyway.
I will be posting photos from our travels and reporting, in some detail on what we get up to and where we go, as and when I can. I have no idea, however, how often I will have access to the internet and so you will have to just wait, patiently! So, having said a last few, not entirely easy goodbyes I will put the travelling to one side for the moment.
Not much to report fashion/style-wise to be honest. I have had one or two other things on my mind. Although popping up to London today did give me and always appreciated opportunity to dress up. Involving a combination of Black Watch colours and a chance to get out the good old full-length umbrella and look the true British gentleman, strolling purposefully around, tapping away, even though it wasn't really raining. One can never be to sure in this climate, you know! Oh, that and I found this delightful blog: www.unabashedlyprep.com, which, as you might imagine, is an American blog that focuses on the Ivy League Style, as sported by the likes of JFK and the myriad other Ivy League Alumni. It is always fascinating to open up another world of fashion and particularly one that is so well known and well entrenched in a society that is so close to ours and yet seems to have had surprisingly little, obvious, impact on us.
Musically, I have been enjoying the Manic Street Preachers recently, largely due to the coverage on the BBC Red Button that I stumbled across the other evening, while bored. Given that 'This Is My Truth, Tell Me Yours' was one of the first CDs I ever owned, they have been sorely neglected. Particularly as I appear to have given away or lost the aforementioned album rather foolishly. Nevermind, I am well and truly re-enamoured and enjoying the lyrical highlights and curiously catchy glam-punk(?) and would urge anyone who enjoys the likes of Stereophonics, Ash or, dare I say it, Oasis to check them out or pursue them further if you haven't already. From the Unabashedly Prep blog linked above, I discovered the American band Locksley, whose song 'The Whip, features on this excellent video for Tommy Hilfiger: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZDW14VxRXM and if you like bands like The Strokes, or any of the British Invasion bands I advise you to check them out.
For the moment, Joe out, but expect many more colourful and envy-making posts in the not-too-distant future!
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
Orange trousers, travels and Temper Trap.
Yes, I confess, I bought a pair of orange trousers today. Controversial and just a tad ridiculous I realise. I have, however, been looking for a pair of trousers that range outside the normal blue/black/grey/beige/khaki spectrum. As many colours as that is, they're not the world's most exciting trousers. I was specifically, if somewhat passively, looking for a pair of red trousers, which are something of a sartorial dichotomy. Or so I'm told. I've always thought that, provided one didn't wear them with a blue blazer and call oneself 'The Captain' (thank you How I Met Your Mother for that), they probably were ok. So, when wandering past H&M today in Windsor, what did I spy, but what I thought were a pair of red trousers. It didn't take much for me to not-quite-run into the shop and head straight to the menswear section to find these illusive trousers. Upon picking them up, I discovered, to my (initial) horror that they were orange. Yes, bright orange. Now, having shown them to the guys I was with and had the retorts 'I think they're hideous, but they are very you' and 'Yes, they are very you' any sane person might decide against it. I appear not to have listened to my sanity and went ahead and bought them. Here they are:
Now, there is a certain logic to my buying them, twisted though it may be. 1. I wanted, as I said before, a pair of trousers of more interesting colour and 2. I'm going away for six and a bit months to hot countries where bright colours are very much de rigeur, in contrast to grey, rainy Britain (much as I love it, it's not the most interesting palate of colours) where such things are greeted with disdain and disbelief. So, there is, as I said, a logic to it, after a fashion...
I have also just read this article on the Telegraph website: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8296752/Meet-Bill-Cunningham-the-original-street-style-photographer.html which shines a light on a man I had heard of, vaguely, but really knew nothing about. So, sartorialites, street style photography goes way, way back beyond him. Albeit in a rather less well known and rather less well publicised guise. It sounds like a fascinating documentary and I will be sure to catch it when possible.
Musically, I have been on a bit of a Guns 'N' Roses kick recently, listening to most of Appetite for Destruction and both the Use Your Illusion albums on my journey back from London today. If you either don't know or like Guns 'N' Roses, then more fool you. There's a reason that Appetite for Destruction has gone platinum 18 times. Not to mention VH1 naming Welcome to the Jungle the greatest rock song ever. Also, I want to bring to your attention the Temper Trap's album 'Conditions'. While you may not know the name of the band or indeed the name of the album, you will certainly know their first single from it; Sweet Disposition. Used on a multitude of adverts and trailers, it is an instantly recognisable song that has permeated the subconscious of the public, whether they know it or not. Go on, listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU and tell me you don't know it. My point, however, is that the rest of the album is of a similar calibre and definitely merits further listening. The instrumental Drum Song is brilliant, while the song Science of Fear, pops into my head, unwarranted, at regular intervals. In other words, get it!
Now to the subject of the impending transformation of this blog and my impending departure. This Sunday I leave on the aforementioned 6 and a bit months' travels. So, expect lots of photos of sickeningly white beaches, sunny skies, beautiful sunsets and me and my friends making general tits of ourselves while on the other side of the world. Naturally I will endeavour to keep you posted on anything that I find of stylistic/musical interest, but rather predictably my travels will be my main focus. I'm sure you wont begrudge me that.
Two summers on the trot... It's going to be incredible!
Joe
Now, there is a certain logic to my buying them, twisted though it may be. 1. I wanted, as I said before, a pair of trousers of more interesting colour and 2. I'm going away for six and a bit months to hot countries where bright colours are very much de rigeur, in contrast to grey, rainy Britain (much as I love it, it's not the most interesting palate of colours) where such things are greeted with disdain and disbelief. So, there is, as I said, a logic to it, after a fashion...
I have also just read this article on the Telegraph website: http://fashion.telegraph.co.uk/news-features/TMG8296752/Meet-Bill-Cunningham-the-original-street-style-photographer.html which shines a light on a man I had heard of, vaguely, but really knew nothing about. So, sartorialites, street style photography goes way, way back beyond him. Albeit in a rather less well known and rather less well publicised guise. It sounds like a fascinating documentary and I will be sure to catch it when possible.
Musically, I have been on a bit of a Guns 'N' Roses kick recently, listening to most of Appetite for Destruction and both the Use Your Illusion albums on my journey back from London today. If you either don't know or like Guns 'N' Roses, then more fool you. There's a reason that Appetite for Destruction has gone platinum 18 times. Not to mention VH1 naming Welcome to the Jungle the greatest rock song ever. Also, I want to bring to your attention the Temper Trap's album 'Conditions'. While you may not know the name of the band or indeed the name of the album, you will certainly know their first single from it; Sweet Disposition. Used on a multitude of adverts and trailers, it is an instantly recognisable song that has permeated the subconscious of the public, whether they know it or not. Go on, listen to this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxKjOOR9sPU and tell me you don't know it. My point, however, is that the rest of the album is of a similar calibre and definitely merits further listening. The instrumental Drum Song is brilliant, while the song Science of Fear, pops into my head, unwarranted, at regular intervals. In other words, get it!
Now to the subject of the impending transformation of this blog and my impending departure. This Sunday I leave on the aforementioned 6 and a bit months' travels. So, expect lots of photos of sickeningly white beaches, sunny skies, beautiful sunsets and me and my friends making general tits of ourselves while on the other side of the world. Naturally I will endeavour to keep you posted on anything that I find of stylistic/musical interest, but rather predictably my travels will be my main focus. I'm sure you wont begrudge me that.
Two summers on the trot... It's going to be incredible!
Joe
Tuesday, 25 January 2011
Weather for lovers, or it's vintage daaaahhhling.
I am by no means immune to the charms of the hipster's favourite genre of clothing; vintage. In fact my vintage Italian army satchel arrived from ASOS Marketplace (ASOS itself wasn't dangerous enough?!) just this morning and is pictured below:
I am also the proud owner of a 1940's French marine nationale peacoat, which I picked up in a market in France for the very reasonable price of €50.
I did, however, find myself flabbergasted when wandering into The Vintage Showroom in the Seven Dials area near Covent Garden, I was browsing the military shirts and looked at the price tag of a very taggarty old one - £95. Now, really this was just out of curiosity as I have recently been looking at them on ebay (still, to my mind, the best, most convenient place to buy 'vintage' clothes), but when one finds oneself being charge nearly ten times, yes, 10x, the price of a virtually identical shirt on ebay, it does rather bring to mind the 'money for old rope' adage. I will not be parted with the best part of £100 for anything less than something seriously wardrobe changing/augmenting, which I'm afraid said shirt fell substantially short of. Dream on Messrs. Hipster. Vintage, is dead? Probably not, there are people out there who will undoubtedly fall for it. Poor fools.
More interestingly, the reason I was in London was a. to meet up with two dear friends, one of whom I have not seen in far too long and b. to go to the Royal Opera House to see Il Barbiere di Sivilgia. More on that later. Now, going to London alone provides me with an excuse to dress to the nines, but going to the ROH, even more so. I decided to go all out and wear suit, shirt, tie (as is only fitting), contrast waistcoat, boots and complimenting pocket handkerchief:
The first, demonstrating the complimenting tie and pocket handkerchief and the second the complete ensemble. Admittedly looking a little tired, but I had just been to London for the day and back! Allowances must be made.
I have also been following with keen interest the photos come in from the Paris and Milan menswear shows and am still enjoying the layering that has been so prevalent recently. Ideal for the British weather all year round. One's choice of material and colours is vastly enhanced by this effect and I for one will be glad to see it continue. I was disappointed by the Jean Paul Gautier show, however, the supposedly Bond inspired show seemed to be just that little bit too French for my tastes. As Mr Le Sartorialist said, the shows this year were rather disappointing, even his strongest choice at Milan; Bottega Veneta, seemed rather staid and dull. A little too much leather, a little too much monochrome and not enough variety to my mind. Ermenegildo Zegna, however, I did rather like, a good use of subtle autumn colours and complimentary checks on various different items of clothing and a lot of red bode well for the coming Autumn.
On to the evenings main event; the opera. It was a delightful opera buffa, a comedic opera, brilliantly sung, acted, choreographed and directed. One highlight was the earthquake scene when the entire stage was tilted from side to side with the entire cast on it flung from side to side while singing in a brilliant comedic performance. It was a wonderful first time for me at the ROH, but one I will certainly be repeating and one I cannot urge you to try too. Opera is a music form that has an unjustly earned reputation for being fusty, boring and elitist. Granted we were in a youthful minority, but that is no obstacle to enjoying oneself. Glyndebourne next? Who knows!
Now, a day in London is hardly complete without a good meal and particularly when going to the theatre/opera it is a part of the experience that enhances it enormously I think. So, we went to Brown's and in a rather shorter period of time that I would have liked, I consumed a wild boar and chorizo burger while my friend had a rather tasty looking pasta dish. All in a all a restaurant I would highly recommend for its excellent food, warm ambiance and highly professional service.
Aside from the opera, I have been enjoying a rather rocky kick in the last couple of days. Largely owing to watching BBC Four's documentaries on Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden, both of which make for fascinating, entertaining and informative viewing. The first major metal gig in India with its thousands of screaming fans is a sight that truly warms the heart. Rarely does one see such honest passion nowadays in western audiences. The Lizzy documentary, while largely of a more sober not, was just as enjoyable and as a result I am currently listening to one of Lynott's lyrical masterpieces; Cold Sweat. Other than that, not much to report musically, except if you haven't heard Thin Lizzy's 'Live and Dangerous' go out get hold of it now, it is the greatest live album ever, no argument and magically captures the band's live energy on record.
Plans for my dinner party are coming together nicely, I will be cooking the ham recipe and I will be sure to report back to you on how it goes down!
Bon App a tous et a toutes!
Joe
I am also the proud owner of a 1940's French marine nationale peacoat, which I picked up in a market in France for the very reasonable price of €50.
I did, however, find myself flabbergasted when wandering into The Vintage Showroom in the Seven Dials area near Covent Garden, I was browsing the military shirts and looked at the price tag of a very taggarty old one - £95. Now, really this was just out of curiosity as I have recently been looking at them on ebay (still, to my mind, the best, most convenient place to buy 'vintage' clothes), but when one finds oneself being charge nearly ten times, yes, 10x, the price of a virtually identical shirt on ebay, it does rather bring to mind the 'money for old rope' adage. I will not be parted with the best part of £100 for anything less than something seriously wardrobe changing/augmenting, which I'm afraid said shirt fell substantially short of. Dream on Messrs. Hipster. Vintage, is dead? Probably not, there are people out there who will undoubtedly fall for it. Poor fools.
More interestingly, the reason I was in London was a. to meet up with two dear friends, one of whom I have not seen in far too long and b. to go to the Royal Opera House to see Il Barbiere di Sivilgia. More on that later. Now, going to London alone provides me with an excuse to dress to the nines, but going to the ROH, even more so. I decided to go all out and wear suit, shirt, tie (as is only fitting), contrast waistcoat, boots and complimenting pocket handkerchief:
The first, demonstrating the complimenting tie and pocket handkerchief and the second the complete ensemble. Admittedly looking a little tired, but I had just been to London for the day and back! Allowances must be made.
I have also been following with keen interest the photos come in from the Paris and Milan menswear shows and am still enjoying the layering that has been so prevalent recently. Ideal for the British weather all year round. One's choice of material and colours is vastly enhanced by this effect and I for one will be glad to see it continue. I was disappointed by the Jean Paul Gautier show, however, the supposedly Bond inspired show seemed to be just that little bit too French for my tastes. As Mr Le Sartorialist said, the shows this year were rather disappointing, even his strongest choice at Milan; Bottega Veneta, seemed rather staid and dull. A little too much leather, a little too much monochrome and not enough variety to my mind. Ermenegildo Zegna, however, I did rather like, a good use of subtle autumn colours and complimentary checks on various different items of clothing and a lot of red bode well for the coming Autumn.
On to the evenings main event; the opera. It was a delightful opera buffa, a comedic opera, brilliantly sung, acted, choreographed and directed. One highlight was the earthquake scene when the entire stage was tilted from side to side with the entire cast on it flung from side to side while singing in a brilliant comedic performance. It was a wonderful first time for me at the ROH, but one I will certainly be repeating and one I cannot urge you to try too. Opera is a music form that has an unjustly earned reputation for being fusty, boring and elitist. Granted we were in a youthful minority, but that is no obstacle to enjoying oneself. Glyndebourne next? Who knows!
Now, a day in London is hardly complete without a good meal and particularly when going to the theatre/opera it is a part of the experience that enhances it enormously I think. So, we went to Brown's and in a rather shorter period of time that I would have liked, I consumed a wild boar and chorizo burger while my friend had a rather tasty looking pasta dish. All in a all a restaurant I would highly recommend for its excellent food, warm ambiance and highly professional service.
Aside from the opera, I have been enjoying a rather rocky kick in the last couple of days. Largely owing to watching BBC Four's documentaries on Thin Lizzy and Iron Maiden, both of which make for fascinating, entertaining and informative viewing. The first major metal gig in India with its thousands of screaming fans is a sight that truly warms the heart. Rarely does one see such honest passion nowadays in western audiences. The Lizzy documentary, while largely of a more sober not, was just as enjoyable and as a result I am currently listening to one of Lynott's lyrical masterpieces; Cold Sweat. Other than that, not much to report musically, except if you haven't heard Thin Lizzy's 'Live and Dangerous' go out get hold of it now, it is the greatest live album ever, no argument and magically captures the band's live energy on record.
Plans for my dinner party are coming together nicely, I will be cooking the ham recipe and I will be sure to report back to you on how it goes down!
Bon App a tous et a toutes!
Joe
Wednesday, 19 January 2011
Moncler, my new favourite fashion blog and military shirts.
I spent a large part of today perusing a blog I just discovered, quite where I discovered it escapes me, but it is fantastic. It is the wonderful jakandjil.com run by one Tommy Ton, which seems to overwhelmingly feature women's fashion, which is of less interest to me, but occasionally comes up with some incredible men's fashion shots, par exemple: http://jakandjil.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2010/08/pittiman.jpg. This photo seems to be doing the rounds from Pitti Uomo, but it deserves it. This old boy shows an incredible flair for textures, patterns, colours and all round sprezzatura, that much sought after magical element that a. allows someone to get away with wearing something that should never work on a normal human being and b. do it with such aplomb that it makes one gasp and wonder 'why on earth didn't I think of that?' Anyway, the blog is well worth checking out for anyone interested in fashion, particularly if you are a fan of Anna Dello Russo as he seems to be rather chummy with her.
Thom Browne's show for Moncler seems to be the talked about show of Pitti Uomo, it's remarkable use of red, white and blue on the dressage kit and throughout the collection itself (which is also filled with wonderful tweeds, hunting breeches, riding boots and all manner of country-esque wear, all given the Thom Browne treatment - although with very few too-short sleeves and cuffs in sight), had me enraptured from start to end. Even if the music was a little too much for my tastes. Worth having a look though if you like Mr. Browne's work or like the recent trends in field and farm chic
Also, having spent so much time perusing the aforementioned fashion blogs, it has been come to my attention that military is still very much in and on top of that, the must have item is the military shirt. This seems to be an extremely versatile piece of clothing, worn over t-shirts, under shirt jackets and with a shearling jacket for example. Or worn over another shirt, perhaps red, black and yellow plaid and then under a peacoat with a different check scarf perhaps. Either way, it seems too good an item of clothing to ignore, not to mention it being extremely hardwearing and useful. I shall have to invest in one soon, once I find one I like. I am also, alarmingly, coming round to the idea of a denim shirt, perhaps in a light stone wash. Where once I would have sworn blind never, ever to have worn a denim shirt, I now find the idea rather appealling and have, finally, it must be said, realised the fashion potential of said item. About three years late I know, but that seems to be my way. Dragged kicking and screaming into the now when it is about to be the yesterday and everyone else has know for some time, when the evidence is planted firmly in front of my eyes by a source I trust. Tant pis.
Otherwise, I have been enjoying Bardo Pond's latest opus, featuring their usual blend of tripped out hippie ambiance and psychaedelic rock, even at its longest (21.02 minutes) it still draws you in and, I imagine as it is supposed to, entrances you. One for listening to in a dark, candlelight room when lying on the floor, volume turned up just that little bit too high to really enjoy it. Not all that much else to report musically, I have just heard the first track from the new Flogging Molly album, which seems to lack the vim of their previous albums, but we shall see. One can't always be a punk I suppose.
As a result of having spent so much time looking at brilliantly composed photos I find myself once again wanting to get out there and take photos of everything, everyone and everywhere. Soon I hope to be able to. Once on my travels I shall get properly snap happy and you will get sick of them! Mwhahaha! Something for you to look forward to.
Gastronomically, not much to report, I am no closer to making a decision about my upcoming dinner party, except perhaps doing a glazed ham recipe from Mr. Fearnley-Whittingstall's cookbook, with spiced figs and parsley sauce. It all depends on what the butchers have got in and what takes my fancy whilst I'm there. A trip into town will reveal all.
For now, I shall leave you, but until the next time dear readers!
Joe
p.s. It also dawned on me today, that I look forward to being able to move out of chez les parents (not that it doesn't have its advantages) largely so I can really dress it up and have an excuse to do so (living in London and wandering its streets, one can hardly do otherwise). How funny.
Thom Browne's show for Moncler seems to be the talked about show of Pitti Uomo, it's remarkable use of red, white and blue on the dressage kit and throughout the collection itself (which is also filled with wonderful tweeds, hunting breeches, riding boots and all manner of country-esque wear, all given the Thom Browne treatment - although with very few too-short sleeves and cuffs in sight), had me enraptured from start to end. Even if the music was a little too much for my tastes. Worth having a look though if you like Mr. Browne's work or like the recent trends in field and farm chic
Also, having spent so much time perusing the aforementioned fashion blogs, it has been come to my attention that military is still very much in and on top of that, the must have item is the military shirt. This seems to be an extremely versatile piece of clothing, worn over t-shirts, under shirt jackets and with a shearling jacket for example. Or worn over another shirt, perhaps red, black and yellow plaid and then under a peacoat with a different check scarf perhaps. Either way, it seems too good an item of clothing to ignore, not to mention it being extremely hardwearing and useful. I shall have to invest in one soon, once I find one I like. I am also, alarmingly, coming round to the idea of a denim shirt, perhaps in a light stone wash. Where once I would have sworn blind never, ever to have worn a denim shirt, I now find the idea rather appealling and have, finally, it must be said, realised the fashion potential of said item. About three years late I know, but that seems to be my way. Dragged kicking and screaming into the now when it is about to be the yesterday and everyone else has know for some time, when the evidence is planted firmly in front of my eyes by a source I trust. Tant pis.
Otherwise, I have been enjoying Bardo Pond's latest opus, featuring their usual blend of tripped out hippie ambiance and psychaedelic rock, even at its longest (21.02 minutes) it still draws you in and, I imagine as it is supposed to, entrances you. One for listening to in a dark, candlelight room when lying on the floor, volume turned up just that little bit too high to really enjoy it. Not all that much else to report musically, I have just heard the first track from the new Flogging Molly album, which seems to lack the vim of their previous albums, but we shall see. One can't always be a punk I suppose.
As a result of having spent so much time looking at brilliantly composed photos I find myself once again wanting to get out there and take photos of everything, everyone and everywhere. Soon I hope to be able to. Once on my travels I shall get properly snap happy and you will get sick of them! Mwhahaha! Something for you to look forward to.
Gastronomically, not much to report, I am no closer to making a decision about my upcoming dinner party, except perhaps doing a glazed ham recipe from Mr. Fearnley-Whittingstall's cookbook, with spiced figs and parsley sauce. It all depends on what the butchers have got in and what takes my fancy whilst I'm there. A trip into town will reveal all.
For now, I shall leave you, but until the next time dear readers!
Joe
p.s. It also dawned on me today, that I look forward to being able to move out of chez les parents (not that it doesn't have its advantages) largely so I can really dress it up and have an excuse to do so (living in London and wandering its streets, one can hardly do otherwise). How funny.
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