The Melbourne Trip

You may have noticed last week's Fabulous Friday post went by the wayside. Mr Big and I travelled to Melbourne for a few days' R & R. Can you guess what we got up to? Here's a quiz...

1  We trekked to Melbourne for
a)  the Australian Open
b)  a LEGO convention
c)  a blogging convention
d)  Fashion Week
correct answer: b (but the other options sound all kinds of rad too!)

2  While there, a 10-year-old told me I look like
a)  Miranda Kerr
b)  Miley Cyrus
c)  someone's mum
correct answer: flatteringly, c : (

3  Happily, I was also complimented by a stranger on my
a)  Banana-yellow skinny jeans
b)  Mandarin-orange shorts
c)  Grape-purple peep-toe ankle boots
correct answer: a (although I do own b and c)

4  My favourite LEGO exhibit was
a)  a gigantic pink-frosted doughnut
b)  The Love Boat
c)  styrofoam LEGO men the size of Cabbage Patch dolls
correct answer: a (b and c were there too)

5  We met up with
a)  our long-lost identical twins
b)  a celebrity I was interviewing for a top glossy
c)  friends who've moved to Melbourne and Mr Big's online friend from an action figure forum
correct answer: c

Up for another quiz? See how I feel about the ol' day job in Workin' 9 to 5.

Our Malaysian Holiday

Gong xi fa cai (happy Chinese new year)! For those of you keen to hear how our recent 10-day trip to Malaysia went for our friends' wedding, here's a quick quiz...

1  The bazillions of shopping bargains we snagged include:
a)  a wicked-cool gift for Mr Big's brother
b)  four pairs of comfy-but-chic flat shoes
c)  a LEGO book and several sets of Nanoblocks, LEGO's tiny cousins
d)  all of the above
correct answer: d

2  During the trip, we ate:
a)  dragonfruit
b)  snails
c)  century egg
d)  all of the above
correct answer: d

3  Almost every T-shirt on the island of Langkawi featured:
a)  Angry Birds
b)  Charlie Sheen
c)  Spiderman
correct answer: a

4  On Langkawi, we tried:
a)  milking buffalos
b)  parasailing
c)  a fish foot spa (where small fish nibble on dead skin to exfoliate your feet!)
d)  all of the above
correct answer: c (we wanted to try the other two activities, though!)

5  I ordered a great, hulking mess of a McDonald's burger in Penang called the:
a)  Double Prosperity Burger
b)  Chinese New Year Burger
c)  McYucky Burger
correct answer: a (check out the TV ad here), but suspect its real name was c

So much fun! Anyone else been to Malaysia? How did you find it?

Gone Flying. Back 9 February!

Hello hello! Just jotting a quick note to let you know I'll be travelling to Malaysia tomorrow for my friends' wedding!

Sadly, that means no Fabulous Friday post this week. Fear not, however. I have some juicy things lined up for you upon my return on 9 February, including an interview with a clever intern, a magazine guide and reviews of some adorable new glossies I've discovered here and there. Plus, all the goss from my travels.

In the meantime, I'll be updating Twitter and Facebook still, so pop by and have a chat there, if you'd like.

Love you all!

xx

Becks

Travel Words for Writers

Writing about travel? Your work will really take off with these words and phrases.

Jetset, resort, hotel, motel, lodge, accommodation, luggage, rustic, casual, backpacker, hostel, bed 'n' breakfast, castle, vast, business, luxury, palatial, suite, room, bunk, flight, boarding, spacious, cavernous, quaint, cosy, serviced, apartment, plunge pool, spa, sauna, retreat, treehouse, relaxing, eco-tourism, adventure, pioneer, extreme sports, cliff, ranges, river, bluff, dunes, beach, estuary, creek, sea, stream, canyon, ocean, forest, bush, wetlands, scrub, waterfall, rainforest, lake, farmland, gulf, peninsula, jungle, tropics, atoll, island, woods, continent, reef, desert, hills, mountain, city, country, peaks, rocky outcrop, roads, caves, barren, wasteland, cape, quay, vacation, holiday, getaway, escape, destination, journey, path, lush, undergrowth, airplane, pleasure, pilot, travel, pursuit, navigate, explore, festival, event, drive, leave, motor, caravan, camping, glamping, prairie, frosty, historic, museum, natural wonder, heritage-listed, modern building, gallery, site, romantic, untouched, bustling, train, tram, buggy, carriage, ski lift, attraction, activity, culture, restaurant, cafe, eatery, deli, canteen, landscape, carnival, chilled out, pampering, plush, honeymoon, exotic, transfers, complimentary, continental breakfast, fully cooked, portable, trek, hike, walk, scenic, guided, view, see, tour, experience, underwater, submerge, paradise, heavenly, perfect, idyllic, peaceful, happening, nightspots, stroll, amble, slow pace, spa treatments, helpful, butler, laze, stretch out, day trip, transport, theme park, dining, languid, hammock, charming, staff, polite, gimmicky, souvenir, kayak, canoe, golf, tennis, gym, diving, snorkelling, swimming, surfing, jetski, cruise, parasail, gondola, paddle boats, themed, murder mystery, outback, bike, cycling, time out, breezy, cocktails, casino, shopping, duty-free, fascinating, wildlife, ecosystem, animals, flora, fauna, equipment, compass, orienteering, GPS, follow, footsteps, retrace, map, survival, icy, wet, chilly warm, sticky, hot, humid, heated, comfort, snooze, nestle, lounge, float, drift, dreamy, sandy, still, rapids, trickle, flow, splash, delicious, delicacy, standard, bonus, rest, bus, coach, helicopter, ride, ticket, station, stop, go, companions, sunny.

Any more? Comment below and I'll add them to the list.

Sex and the City Guide to New York

The sequel to my Sex and the City Guide to Paris, this is my ultimate guide to channelling Carrie Bradshaw in New York. Whether holidaying there soon or daydreaming for now, BYO Mr Big and keep calm and Carrie on! 

A Sex and the City trip to NY just wouldn't be the same without visiting...

1. Carrie's apartment: 'Nuff said, really. Essential.
2. Conde Nast Building, Times Square: Mecca for magazine groupies like me, this building is home to Vogue, where Carrie lands a writing job after her breakup with Aidan. Cue getting drunk with new boss Julian, being called "Cookie" incessantly and him dropping his pants in the Vogue accessories closet!
3. Central Park Boathouse Restaurant: Nervous to impress each other, Big and Carrie end up falling in the pond here while on a date in episode 48, "Cock a Doodle Do". I wonder how many couples reenact that scene here each week?
4. St Mark's Comics in East Village: Carrie dates Wade, the man-child who runs this comic book store and still lives with his parents. Given Adam's massive collection of Spiderman and Iron Man action figures (or "dollies," as I call them!), this is a site we could both appreciate!
5. Oniels Bar, Soho: Miranda bumps into Steve, who invites her and Carrie to the grand opening party of hip new bar, Scout, jointly owned by Steve and Aidan. Carrie sees Aidan here for the first time since their breakup.
6. Staten Island Ferry: Carrie dates a pee-loving politician after travelling with the girls on this ferry to judge a firemen calendar competition. Best Samantha quote after spotting dumb-but-f*ckable firey, Ricky: "Hello 911? I'm on fire"!
7. Patricia Field: Covet Carrie's fashion? Shop here at the iconic costume designer's store for the wildest, Carrie-flavoured clothes imaginable or buy Patricia Field online here.

I can't wait to visit all these and more (next year?) in New York, the Big Apple of my eye!

Sex and the City Guide to Paris

I've been dreaming of Paris lately, creating an ultimate wishlist themed on Sex and the City's final two episodes, An American Girl in Paris (parts une and deux). Soon, pretty city, soon!

I'd love to follow in Carrie Bradshaw's footsteps and visit:

1. The Dior Store: Site of an embarrassing tumble and losing her namesake necklace, Carrie shops up a storm here to compensate. Sigh, wish I could do the same, but there's always window shopping!
2. Hôtel Plaza Athénée Paris: Carrie stays with her Russian lover, Aleksandr, at this top-notch hotel before Mr Big sorta rescues her. It now offers a Sex and the City package, including daily continental breakfast for two, cosmopolitan cocktail, red Plaza Athénée umbrella and delicious cake offered in room upon arrival. All this starting from 3800 Euros, which when converted to Australian dollars roughly works out to holy shit!
3. Eiffel Tower: Aleksandr's daughter may dismiss it as hideous once the evening light show kicks in, but how could I resist?
4. Le Kong Restaurant: This ultra-chic restaurant is where Carrie lunches with the Russian's ex-wife, Juliet. Check out the futuristic web site.
5. Ladurée Patisserie: Remember the scene with Carrie eating French pastries seated beside the sad-looking dog? This is the place. Check out the books, postcards and new beauty collection online.
6. Galerie Nationale Du Jeu de Paume: Who didn't have a knot in their stomach watching Carrie wait for Petrovsky in the art gallery and miss her book party with her French fans? This is the spot, housing contemporary art exhibits.
7. Pont des Arts: Romantic site of the final scene between Carrie and Big, this bridge would be another must-see. Here, Big tells Carrie that she's the one. Magic.

With any luck, the city of Paris will soon be avec Beck!