Spa Weekend

At the end of November Caroline and I went for a spa weekend at Dunkeld Royal Hotel near Perth. It was very posh. We need got a whiskey or sherry upon arrival (which was needed as we drove there in torrential rain and through more than one flooded road). 

I thought I had booked our treatments for the Saturday but I got it wrong and booked for Sunday, so we had all day Saturday to chill out. We sent some time by the pool and using the spa facilities.

The view form the pool

We didn't really do much while there, though we did take a bit of a walk around the hotel. To be fair, it didn't really stop raining the whole time we were there. 

The Dunkeld Royal Hotel

The river was quite high

After the walk before our dinner, we found a side room with some comfy chair to read out books.

We had our spa treatments on the Sunday morning. While Caroline was having hers, I had a hot stone massage, which was pleasant, and a seaweed bath. I wasn't sure what to expect, but it turns out it was a really hot bath with some seaweed in it. It was an ... interesting experience. 

It was a good weekend and nice change.

Portland

A couple of weeks ago, I went on a business trip to out other offices in the States and I took my grad Demi with me. The trip out there started with a 11.5 hr trip to San Fransisco but it wasn't as bad as it sounds. We upgraded to premium economy as it was amazing! I have never had so much room on a flight. The seat even had a foot rest that came up. 

We had about 3 hrs in San Fransisco before our next flight to Portland so found a nice little bar to try some California wines.

My Pinot Noir wine flight

We got to the hotel early evening on the Saturday. It was later than expected as I had to spend some time tracking down my suitcase which went on a little adventure. It finally got delivered to the hotel 24 hrs later. Luckily I had a few bits in my hand luggage and did a bit of hand washing that night so I didn't smell too badly the next day. I hope.

The hotel was very nice (a perk of travelling for business - there was no way I could afford it myself) and was wine themed. That was a coincidence I swear. 

Unusual hotel room art.

More wine theme.

One of the hotel's bars. Yes, just one of them.

On the Sunday afternoon it was the Super Bowl so after our tour (which will be in another post) we found a bar to watch the game and grab something to eat. This was Demi's first time in the states so I tried to expose her to as much 'American" as possible. As this was a typical American bar. The game was seriously boring but we had good fun people watching. Some of them were quite intense. At the end there was a raffle and Demi won a snow board. She was not very amused at this - it was as big as she is - and to the disgust of everyone who heard the story, she exchanged it with another winner for a  T-shirt. 

A winner!

Over the week, we were working so spent most of the time in the office. The food in Portland is amazing and most lunch times we wondered over and tried some of the different food carts. The chefs will use the food carts to try out new recipes etc so the food is awesome.
And on an evening before dinner we often headed to the bar. Yes our Portland office has it's own bar upstairs. You just help yourself. In London we can't always even get enough milk for our tea. Seems a little unfair.

Office bar.

Sailing and whales

Last weekend I took a trip down to the south part of the island to do some exploring. When I got up Friday morning, it was raining in La Laguna. :( But it sort of cleared up. I have been getting the buses around, which are cheap but take some time. It took about 2 hours to get to the south of the island.  

I managed to get to the boat at Costa Adeje in time to sit and have a coffee before we set off. The Blue Jack is a small boat and only takes 11 people out at a time. It was more expensive than some of the others, but they have 50+ people on board. No thanks.

Staking out my spot.

I ended up sitting right at the front of the boat. A perfect spot for one. I felt a little guilty blocking the view but there wasn't anywhere else to sit so tough.

Sailing away from shore

First we headed out to the fishery nets. I was a little confused by this (not very scenic) but the dolphins hang out there. Apparently they love sea bream which are grown in the nets and patrol for escapees (to just bite their way into the nets!).

Dolphin.

Happy swimmers.

After the dolphins decided to go off for a swim we headed further out. Some boats had spotted a pod of pilot whales. Because we were on a sail boat with the sail up and no engine, we just glided up to near them. They didn't seem to care and came to investigate and play!

Pilot whales

Racing us!

<Insert Jaws theme tune>

They came right up to the boat. They were about 3-5m long and not shy.

Saying hello.

Popping out from under the boat.

 I did jump a few times when one surfaced the other side of me.

Whale below

Surfacing.

Off for a dive...

... and back up for air.

I should point out that none of these photos are zoomed in. This one really made me jump! I was sitting right at the front and looked down just as he/she came up to say hi.

Hello!

After scaring me.

Had enough playing now.

After about 20mins, they decided we weren't interesting any more and swam off. It was so cool. Then the crew came round with drinks, which included Cava. As I was on vacation (even if it was only a couple of days), way not!

Cava with a view.

I look a little nervous in this shot as they were putting up the sail behind me and I was a bit concerned with going over board.

Happy (but nervous)

Shortly after, while we were sailing along the coast to our next stop, the weather clouded over. At least it stopped me from getting sun burnt. Although I did manage to burn the bottom of my feet. We couldn't wear shoes on the boat, and the floor was hot! I was walking very gingerly for the next few days.

Sailing.

Not the best weather.

We stopped in a cove for lunch (very tasty sandwiches and they made me some especially with GF bread which was very sweet) and a swim. I went in briefly and the water was warm but there wasn't a lot to see. It was too murky. Still I had fun sharing my lunch with the fish.

Fish lunch.

While we were there another boat pulled up. It was one of the larger boats and so crowded. I was very happy I was not on that boat! And by the looks on the faces of the others on my boat, so were they. On the way back the weather cleared up a little of course, so I still got to top up my tan.

Headed back to port. 

I was lazy (and surprisingly tired for having not done a lot) and got a taxi to my hotel in Playa  de las Americas. The room was nice, though the electrics were ... ad hoc.

Plug?

While lounging around, I got a knock at the door and a very nice lady handed me a surprise bottle of Brut and some chocolates. I am not entirely sure why but once I established it was for me, from the Hotel (not some pyscho who had seen me in the lobby and was trying to find my room number by following the wine - too much Criminal minds, I know) and it was free, I happily took them off her.

Surprise!

Apparently it was a "thank-you for staying with us" gift. Given that they were giving me free wine, I decided to over look the fact they assumed I must be a man (despite booking with my own name, which is decidedly not male). I enjoyed this over the 2 nights I was there.

Mr. Harris?

For the evening, I had done some research and found the "best restaurant in Playa de las Americas" according to Trip Adviser and booked a table. I was glad I did because it was packed and they were turning people away. I wasn't too impressed with Playa de las Americas. It was super touristy (not my thing) and made me appreciate living in La Laguna instead. I took a few photos before going for dinner.

Fountain

Main concourse.

Sunset

Bit like Vegas

The Hard rock was very popular.

My restaurant, Imperial Tai-Pan, was lovely. The sushi was really good and I got to feed my addiction to Hot and Sour Soup. It was bit more expensive than other places (a lot more than anywhere in La Laguna) but good sushi is worth it. (Though I think I paid more for 2 bottles of water than the sake.)

Moving again and Roaches

On Saturday I moved into my new apartment in La Laguna, very near the Institute. On Monday morning, I moved out again in a hotel for a few nights.
Sunday was ok. Rodrigo, who I will be sharing the flat with, flew to Scotland early in the morning and I had the place to myself. I didn't see anything nastier than a little spider.

Then I woke up Monday morning and nearly stepped on a cockroach in the kitchen. I had bare feet. There was a LOT of screaming and jumping about before dropping a very heavy chopping board on it. And then I found a second. The screaming and killing was repeated. At that point I grabbed some things and ran! Really fast!
I can deal with most bugs. But there is just something so gross about cockroaches. And they move really fast. Hate them!!!! I sometimes really hate living alone. You have to deal with everything yourself. I have to meet the landlord (lots more charades I guess) this afternoon.

I have moved to a hotel for a few nights until they exterminate the bugs and I decided whether I can face going back or try to find somewhere new to stay. The hotel is nice, though the shower seems to periodically shoot jets of boiling water. I guess a few minor burns are a small price to pay for sleeping cockroach free. But the hotel also has a spa so I have booked a welcome massage (great discount) and hopefully I can use the pool and sauna. Also my tub in my room has jets!!! I see a night in with wine and a book happening.

But the good news is I finally have everything (paperwork-wise) sorted to work here until Christmas. I still have to do a medical checkup (which is going to be interesting given the language barrier) but I think all the important stuff is done. Including the travel certificate so hopefully I will be able to go observing next week. :)

N.B: I have just meet the landlords and they are going to set off an industrial bug bomb in the apartment. Death to the Cockroaches!!!!!!

Mountain Lodge (Dirty Dancing)

On Monday I hired a car and drove up to Mountain Lodge, about 16 miles outside Blacksburg. The drive up was ... interesting. The first half is a dual carriage way so fine. Then it goes to a windy road (in the dark at this point). Which was also fine, though I am glad I didn't see the sheer drop on the far side at this point. It was when the fog descended when I become a bit nervous. I couldn't see a few meters in front of the car at one point! And on an unfamiliar road in the dark, it's not a good place to be.

The entrance of the hotel is 2 large stone pillars. Just as I was approaching (very slowly) a huge stag stepped out of the fog and into the road, looked at me briefly and ran off. It was amazing!!!!!

After that I went into the hotel area. Well I drove around. It was deserted. There were a few lights on. The hotel is a huge stone thing. I have seen that film. The girl dies in that film! It was a little unnerving. In the end I kind of abandoned my car near the most likely entrance (thankfully I was right) and ran inside. It was sooooo cold! But they plied me with hot tea once I got there so all good. (And nothing like where my imagination was taking me!)

I went up there to do some outreach for the Elder Hostel. Over 50s from around the country descend and spend a week doing astronomy. I did a planetarium show on Monday night, which didn't exactly go to plan thanks to technical difficulties. They were supposed to go to a professional show but no one wanted to go outside so they got stuck with me! (Somewhat less that professional - hey it's been about 3 years since I last did one!)
But they were a great bunch and didn't seem to mind my fumbling. :-) I was going to go and have a drink with them afterwards but once I got to my room I crashed! (I was going to take a photo of the room as it was nice but I made a mess first!)

On Tuesday morning, I gave a 2.5 hr talk on the history of Astronomy.
1.) 2.5 hours is a long to talk for!
2.) I spent the weekend learning about the history as I have no clue.
3.) I had a historian in the front row how taught this for a living.
Still, it went well. I know my limits so when the historian interrupted (politely), I was happy to stop and let him talk. It was interesting and it gave me a break. (And he is going to email his notes so I can improve the talk for a later date.)

My talk room.

The hotel was nice but a bit old and out dated. The bathroom was impressively cold in the morning (and had no shower curtain so ended up very wet too!).  This was not helped by a snow storm over night. I braved it after my talk to take some photos.

Snow

There wasn't a lot, thankfully as I had to drive that day back down the mountain. But it made the lodge look very pretty.

Mountain lodge.

Mountain Lodge's claim to fame is it was the set of Dirty Dancing. They have a lot of things out to remind people. I need to rematch the film now. (I meant to before I went but work has been crazy so haven't had much downtime recently.)

Memorial to Patrick Swayze

From the gazebo

Unfortunately there is a lot less of a lake than there used to be. A lot less.

The boat house.

Jetting to the "lake"

And I found a helpful thermometer to prove how cold it was. And I should point out this was without wind chill.

Cold!

I do not like!

 I did like all the little (fearless) birds around.

I wanted to get more photos but it was just way too cold. I had double layered fleece gloves on and after 10 minutes,  I couldn't feel my hands! So I got in the car and went home!