LONDON

I was in London for a month! No wait more than a month. Jeez how did that happen? Well I sort of know how but I mean why did that happen? That I'm still not too sure about. I was on Koh Tao Island in Thailand on the 10th and then I'm in Madrid for like a week and then London. A man happened, that's what.

I landed in London all bleary eyed and dazed, not too sure what had just transpired in the last 48 hours. All I wanted was to go back to the peace I had felt standing in the crystal clear water watching the sunset. But even then my mind was running with thoughts about the meaning of life, my future, my dreams...him.

London began with what I thought would be a quick visit with my sister and her family, a few friends and cousins before I took off for India. But a week turned into two. Five weeks later and I was still around. I made the mistake of not applying for an Indian visa as soon as I got there and that delayed things as well as persistent friends who convinced me to stay longer. But the truth is, I needed a time-out. Time-out from all that had gone on. I needed to be still and clear my mind. It worked but it did take time, a lot of time and distraction - and this is where my sis and her family came in.

Adrian the chatter box and Milo the Monster (my nick-name for the cutie since he's a feisty one) kept me occupied. They'll never know how they helped my hurting heart heal so it could be filled with love for these two adorable boys. So I spent most of my days with them; Gor, Oli, Adrian and Milo. Highlights include: picking up Adrian from pre-school and watching him scan the crowd of parents and then light up when he had spotted me; dancing with Milo (by far the best dance partner I've ever had); picnic with the whole family at the beautiful Emmetts Garden on a sunny day; laughing my ass off when Adrian yelled out through tears 'It's gone forever!' when Gor got the buggy caught in the trunk latch; Milo's face when trying Perrier for the first time; going out for drinks with Gor in a pub and realizing we have more in common than we thought, laughing at Oli as he tried to tarzan his lanky body across a stream by hanging onto a wooden stick, drinking wine and snacking on cheese and olives on the patio table long after the kids were put to bed, taking the kids to the park, chasing Adrian around the house and playing peek-a-boo with Milo. These are just the highlights, everyday was something new with the kids. And I don't think I would have felt the freedom to take my time if it weren't for Gor and Oli. They made me feel so welcomed and at home, it was just what I needed...sigh...

And of course there are my amazing friends who listened, cared, gave advice and made me laugh. There was much time spent skyping and chatting over facebook with friends as well as face to face time with friends that live in the city. It was so strange seeing Gemma for the first time in London since she wasn't wearing her travelling garb or had her massive backpack strapped to her. Gemma had told me, while we were in Bali that when I came to London I'd have to go see Les Miserables with her so that's exactly what we did. It was an amazing show. We also spent time sucking our chupa Chups lolly's as we reminisced about Siem Reap, Aqua, Bali and Gili.

About to go see Les Mis

At Buckingham Palace on a nice day

With my preggers friend Cauvery there was much time spent chatting and catching up on each other's lives. It was so nice getting to spend more than a few days with her and her husband Rishabh. They took me to Oxford where Rishabh had done law and I got to see the gorgeous University. I stayed over at their place for a few days and Cauv and I would chat well into the night talking about...well just about everything!

At Christchurch 

Oxford

I got loads of down time in London and it was a nice change from being on the go all over South East Asia. Not to mention being able to drink tap water and a change in food. My friends and family know how to feed me well. Other highlights include seeing a former CTV co-worker and my cousins. Oh and how can I forget, the Queen!

Queeny