dolphingirl47
In Search of the Tag Fairy
- Joined
- Dec 25, 2007
Day 1
And finally the day has come. After seemingly endless months since our May trip, we are now officially on holiday. I still had to work until 15:30 and then I had booked an airport shuttle service to take me to the Crowne Plaza at Manchester Airport. I had arranged to meet Graham there. Towards the end of my shift, I had a lovely surprise. My colleagues presented me with a birthday card and some spending money for the holiday. This would be turned into something nice later in the trip.
I had booked the shuttle for 15:45 just in case I could not get away promptly. I did get away on time and the shuttle arrived slightly earlier than scheduled as well so I was soon on my way. Leaving the office was a little bittersweet as this would be the last time I would be in that office. By the time I get back, we would have moved to the new office. I was really looking forward to working in the new office, but nearly 9 years worth of memories are connected with the old office.
When I got to the Crowne Plaza, I checked if Graham had arrived. He had not, but arrived shortly after me. We got checked in and headed up to our room. After relaxing there for a bit, we headed down to the Club Lounge. We both had some juice. Graham went with orange juice and I decided that I may as well get in the mood for Hawaii and had some pineapple juice, which was actually really nice. We also had a coffee each. Graham went with the Latte and I had a double Espresso. It was still just over an hour until Happy Hour so we decided to head back to our room for a bit. Graham had a short nap and I tried to finish reading my guidebook.
We headed back down to the Club Lounge just before 18:00. By then we were both thoroughly relaxed and in full holiday mood. Graham had a Newcastle Brown Ale and I had a really nice Gin and Tonic. We also got some really delicious crispy prawn won tons with sweet chili sauce. We took our time over our drinks, but then decided that we better do something about dinner. They have a new grill restaurant in the hotel and initially we thought that we may give that a go, but then we decided that we were not that hungry. So we ended up in Sampan's Oriental Restaurant again. Rather that the set meal that we normally go for, we just had an egg fried rice each and a main course. Graham went with the special, which was roast duck in hoi sin sauce and I had the Chicken Massaman Curry. We were both happy with our choices.
After dinner, I quickly sent a couple of emails and then we both had a very early night. It was only 20:00, but we were both tired.
And finally the day has come. After seemingly endless months since our May trip, we are now officially on holiday. I still had to work until 15:30 and then I had booked an airport shuttle service to take me to the Crowne Plaza at Manchester Airport. I had arranged to meet Graham there. Towards the end of my shift, I had a lovely surprise. My colleagues presented me with a birthday card and some spending money for the holiday. This would be turned into something nice later in the trip.
I had booked the shuttle for 15:45 just in case I could not get away promptly. I did get away on time and the shuttle arrived slightly earlier than scheduled as well so I was soon on my way. Leaving the office was a little bittersweet as this would be the last time I would be in that office. By the time I get back, we would have moved to the new office. I was really looking forward to working in the new office, but nearly 9 years worth of memories are connected with the old office.
When I got to the Crowne Plaza, I checked if Graham had arrived. He had not, but arrived shortly after me. We got checked in and headed up to our room. After relaxing there for a bit, we headed down to the Club Lounge. We both had some juice. Graham went with orange juice and I decided that I may as well get in the mood for Hawaii and had some pineapple juice, which was actually really nice. We also had a coffee each. Graham went with the Latte and I had a double Espresso. It was still just over an hour until Happy Hour so we decided to head back to our room for a bit. Graham had a short nap and I tried to finish reading my guidebook.
We headed back down to the Club Lounge just before 18:00. By then we were both thoroughly relaxed and in full holiday mood. Graham had a Newcastle Brown Ale and I had a really nice Gin and Tonic. We also got some really delicious crispy prawn won tons with sweet chili sauce. We took our time over our drinks, but then decided that we better do something about dinner. They have a new grill restaurant in the hotel and initially we thought that we may give that a go, but then we decided that we were not that hungry. So we ended up in Sampan's Oriental Restaurant again. Rather that the set meal that we normally go for, we just had an egg fried rice each and a main course. Graham went with the special, which was roast duck in hoi sin sauce and I had the Chicken Massaman Curry. We were both happy with our choices.
After dinner, I quickly sent a couple of emails and then we both had a very early night. It was only 20:00, but we were both tired.