Honey works beautifully with tea. I haven't had sugared tea in years. It is a bit of an acquired taste though (takes some time to get used to the honey siifad). I had a meeting on the 5th floor of a lift-less building this morning and I was a wreck by the time I got to the top. I could barely breath and this is the girl who'll be trekking great distances in a few weeks. Yikes. I walk quite a bit but I need to increase the length and intensity, I think. Currently contemplating walking to the west end (a couple of miles) daily after work and commuting from there, I'A.

Isis, you and your hypothetical questions! Hypothetical answer: The child is innocent, therefore I wouldn't have any qualms about looking after her, even if I'm no longer married to the yellow-bellied ba$tard who fathered her, which is more than likely. Now, what's brought on this little scenario? Have you been watching Arabian soaps, again?

Resistance, there are quite a few traditionally matriarchal cultures in the world, where women take multiple partners and children take their mother's lineage and name. It's possible, if not probable, for a woman to love more than one man at a time. And if there are no obstacles, why not have her cake and eat it too? From a female perspective, I don't think variety is a bad thing, but it's more difficult for men to accept it (see above posts - coincidence that they all revert, in a demeaning way, to the physical act?). Maybe because the idea puts that evolutionary 'men are natural hunters and bed hoppers' crap to bed.

C&H, does he usually have a sense of humour? People tend to laugh about that sort of mix up, rather than take it as a serious something else. Say you don't want to talk about it and maybe he'll drop it.

Here's one Dubai thread among many on this forum. Just do a search and you might find what you're looking for.

So I see, so I see! So, who's stayed in with hubby, who's had a hot date and who has locked themselves in a dark room on this day? C'mon girls, spill.

^ Thanks, K. Africaown, thank you for the duco. I'll be part of a group, I'A, so it should be fairly safe. FB - In about 6wks, so got plenty of time still, I'A.

Crikey, this room has changed since I last visited.

^ Maybe he has plans? Muxuu kaa soo doonayaa?

Sheh, I hear you about the expectations! I don't think they can get any higher over here. Sleeping outside guesthouses in a foreign country is the stuff they write about in horror stories. Ilaahay baa ku badbaadiyey. I know it's going to be really tiring but it's probably the best way to see all those countries in a fairly short amount of time. Here's a thing: every Thai hotel review I read mentions bed bugs. Ick Ick Ick. What's that all about? Thailand is incredibly reliant on tourism, shouldn't the hotels at least be bed-bug free? Ashkiro, I'm sure you won't be disappointed. It will be an incredible experience I'A. Red, thanks. The other issue, you know I don't like greed - as you are already affianced, mid ku eekow. At least for a little while.

^ I can imagine how frustrating that must feel. Good luck and all the best, luv. Puja, really sorry to hear you've been caught up as well. Insha'Allah something even better will come along. I've been reigning in my spending over the last year and a half, so in that regard I haven't been affected much. But there's doubt as to whether my job will still exist beyond March, which is why I opted to travel and work abroad, I'A.

Marx doesn't realise racial profiling doesn't care for integration, or lack thereof. I always get stopped and searched several times at Heathrow. I had a bit of trouble in Italy, where I was passed from one official to another and I was picked out of the line at Melbourne at 'random', when I was the only non-white person in the queue. How random is that? That sort of profiling sucks.

Happy birthday JB.

Congrats, Sayid. Babies are always a blessed addition.

^ Thanks, Urban. I saw a little of the TG episode already. Ashkiro, studying in China? How exciting! Which city will you be based in? I suppose the only downside to living in one of the big cities is the incredible amount of pollution. Best of luck with your application, I'A.

LoL. Ibti, that's quite a strange situation you described. Me, I would have fobbed him off with some literature. Do that to start with and see how interested he remains?

No way. If NG starts writing full time we'll never see him in here. Leave him be.

Thanks everyone. I had been planning my down under working holiday for a while but I was in half a mind about doing the Asian tour, mainly because I like my comforts and I'm not exactly into exerting activities of any sort. Sauntering around Asian villages and trekking for seven hours a day seemed a bit full on, but my dad took me aside recently and told me to stop fluffing about and to go. Life is too short were his exact words. He apparently had the best time of his life traveling around EA when he was my age. So I booked. Insha'Allah khayr. Zii, finding a bride for FB is beyond my capabilities, am afraid. Ibti - Mine is still two months away so I'll be sure to ask Nehand about her experiences, I'A. India and Pakistan sound exciting - everyone I know who has been there loved it. Planning is fun, you just gotta do a bit of research once you know the dates and locations you want to see. Saving up is something else altogether. It took me ages and I'm still at it! It won't take more than a few months if you are very disciplined and can put away a good chunk of your salary each month (am not!). Sheh, three weeks in each country? Really? It's going to be a whistle tour but even so I thought 6 weeks for all was long enough. I don't think I can rough it for more than that! So, Hoi An is the place for clothes? It looks so quaint and otherworldly in your photos, I'm so looking forward to it, walaahi. I'm taking a few items of clothing, so there'll be plenty of space for additions! I'll be in Vietnam in April, I'A. NG, it's as good a time to go as any, maybe more so because of the recession. Buuxo, lol I guess I misread. I did wonder why you were offering sarongs but the thought flew away as quickly as it came. I think I had a blond moment there. I'll probably make it to your beaches sometime in mid May I'A. Li Ka-shing, Thanks for that. I've got Hong Kong and China (and Mongolia) in mind, but I will need to rest and replenish before I contemplate taking them on. So maybe later in the year, God willing and finances permitting. :cool:

Sounds grim. It must be really bad if glittering Dubai is taking it in the neck.

Hmm...I thought it must be about cannibalism when I read the title. Guess there are some really dirty stop outs in here.

^^

Oh, vaccinations....what a bundle of joy. So, polio, tetanus and malaria tablets. What else? Is a yellow fever vac necessary?

Hi Guys..thanks for the well wishes, duas and advice. Insha'Allah I'll come back in one piece. A happier, more experienced, more together piece. Buuxo, I'll be happy to take those sarongs off you, thanks! Yes, I'm going on a small group tour because am not brave enough to do it on my own! I'm not spending long in Perth, maybe four or five nights, I'A. I want the warmth of Somalis and I don't fancy staying at a hotel, so let me know if you know of any families with a spare room, who wouldn't mind accommodating me. Am happy to pay! Li Ka-Shing, That's fabulously helpful. Thank you for the link, I've had a look and seen some good value accommodation for next to nothing. I'm staying in Bangkok for a couple of nights before flying to Vietnam for the overland segment and my original booking was for the Bel-Aire Princess hotel, but at 55 pounds a night I can see it's not a good deal at all. I'll check out Patpong and the restaurant and let you know, I'A. Quick question, is it better to arrange airport transfers in advance or just get a taxi from the airport on arrival? My priorities are safety and comfort, so I have prearranged everything which, although costly, gives me peace of mind. But Bangkok is a bustling city and fairly safe, wouldn't you say? Sheh, you are fabulous. As I knew you would be! Thanks for the tips - I love the idea of the silk sleeping bag. I was wondering what to do about the bed & pillow covers! You said I would find this in Hanoi markets? Any specific market? I think we'll be spending quite a few days in Hanoi and its surroundings (we'll also be taking in Hoi An). As it's a package tour, the itinerary is set in advance but we get one or two free days to explore in each location. It's also inclusive of accommodation, transportation and some meals throughout the journey. The whole purpose of the trip is to lose my fear and increase my confidence! ME - lol @ male companion. Yeah, mate. Nephy - I'm holidaying for a couple of months and working for the rest I'A, so it's not all fun. I'm starting with a budget of 5k, which covers a 12-month round the world ticket (London, Bangkok - surface to Singapore, Perth, Melbourne, Sydney, Auckland, LA - surface to New York, London), the Asia tour, spending money and two months rent in Australia whilst I look for a job. It's pretty tight but I'm the queen of budgets so it should be alright, Insha'Allah. I've got to say, what I'm most excited about is chucking in my job and leaving London behind!

^ Thank you, darling. I've always wanted to see East Asia but this is the first time I've had the opportunity to plan the trip. My family, God bless them, helped finance it.

This is mainly for Sheh, as she's the only SOLer I know who's been through most of Asia but any contribution will be valued. I'm out of London in a couple of months to travel the world, specifically through Asia and Australasia for 6-12months (that is, the ticket is for 12 months but I'm giving myself leeway to come back after 6 if I can't hack it!). God willing, I'm going to be taking in Cambodia, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand and Vietnam over 43 days. It will mostly be an overland tour, trekking/busing/boating/and by rail from Hanoi down to Ho Chi Minh City/Saigon, then up to Phnom Penh and Angkor Wat, then across to Bangkok and Koh Pha Ngan, then down to Penang and KL, finally ending in Singapore, where am catching my flight to Perth, I'A. I suppose what am looking for is any kind of advice:- what to avoid, what to make special arrangements to see, what to take (rucksack v draggable samsonite? mosquito net? Wellington boots? Am traveling light!), what are the customs/immigration officials like in these countries? etc, etc. Anything helpful, really.