London's burning

Freakin' hell. London what is up? I mean, look- I know 'what's up' but my god, I never would have expected to see a bonified war zone in London. Water canons? Looters and rioters? It's pretty god damn terrifying. I have very very close friends in London and have been pretty shocked and scared for them all. I just can't believe how quickly the situation has escalated out of control...God I hope that everyone's voices that need to be heard -are heard, and both sides can come to some kind of a reasonable compromise. 2011 has been a year of absolute hell thus far with earthquakes, flooding, riots and bombings. Come on let's give it a break everyone.

Well, we are all pretty excited about the boys first day of school. We have organised everything needed, security passes, clothes they need and now all we have to do is show up. It's been quite a while since they've been at school, so it will be really great for them. And high time they  meet some friends in Mumbai too. Plus I will really welcome a little time to myself. I have an enormous amount of work to get back on top of- and a thousand and one emails to catch up on as well.

Dr Fish Pedicures Mumbai

I went to get a pedicure yesterday and nearly had a heart attack when I looked in the tub to discover hundreds of little fish (normally hot springs dwellers) swirling around my feet. Apparently they suck off the dead skin cells on your feet whilst giving you a hot soak at the same time! The ladies then move onto a massage and nail polish application. All this for 4 euros...WTF? Seriously? I couldn't quite bring myself to go ahead with it. I mean it just seems sort of disgusting having fish eat your dead skin cells...hmmm. Not sure about this one. Might get the "QM" one of these 'Dr Fish pedicures' as a gift and use her as the guinea pig. I mean I could be missing out on something here? (Bloody doubt it but ya never know)
So we have decided to just stay here at the hotel for the first month as it's very close to everything and has a lovely pool and quite a good gym. Just for while we search for the right apartment it seems the simplest option. Have seen nothing interesting yet, but going to look at a few penthouses with outdoor terraces on thurs, fri and saturday. Fingers crossed. Living in a hotel isn't ideal with the wee princes but they have been so good so far- thank god! And love riding their scooters round racing the butlers down the hallways! I don't know who has more fun- the bored to death staff or my unruly sons!!!

Chicken Tikka Masala wraps

Might also head into Satya Paul to get some salwar kameez' and indian attire soon. They have some stunning pieces there and I would really like something to wear out to formal events etc. We have a friends wedding coming up in Delhi so I should try to get something soon.There are so many different options that I really want to do some research into what exactly is the go for hip young fashionistas in Mumbai.
Right I'm off to the gym to try to work off all those chicken tikka masala wraps I've been chowing down. Or I could just skip it and head down to the bar with the family for a G&T apero...yes, that sounds alot more appealing. Maybe they could bring it up to the pool area? Kids could swim...yes that's a plan. Such a good mother always thinking of them first huh? LOL

Who runs the world?

Girls do obviously...right? Don't we? Well in some parts of the world maybe that isn't so true? Hmmm- at least I am happy to report that in Mumbai it really does seem the same as most places I know. Girl's seem to rule the roost just like Beyonce preaches. Went shopping at Palladium Mall (Phoenix Mills) in the city yesterday...and was pretty impressed. The mall is definetly up there with anywhere we like to shop in K.L, Singapore, Sydney (Bondi Junction eat yer heart out), Melbourne, L.A or Paris. As malls go it was fab! I watched all the confident- super cool looking young ladies trotting about in their ankle boots and skinny jeans dragging their poor unsuspecting men folk in tow...was rather surprised at first- but in the end it all just seemed so natural. So yes, even in Mumbai girls seem to run the world! (And... in stiletto heels just like the rest of the world!)  Consumerism is just as alive and kicking in Mumbai (sadly) as anywhere else on the planet too. So most of the poor men folk at the mall I saw had arms laden with their ladies purchases. Oh well at least their wallets were getting lighter.

Dome Bar Marine Drive Mumbai

We also had a great night out at "The Dome Bar" in Mumbai. Great food and fantastic cocktails...my french girlfriend and I had a boogie after a few drinks-which amused all and sundry of course! Mumbaikars definetly seem to keep quite composed in bars...(well compared to us lot) we didn't quite make it to the "Blue Frog" so can't comment on the nightclub situation just yet. But we'll be checking it out this weekend I'm sure.
"HRH" is off for a root canal tomorrow...poor thing. It's the last thing I would feel like doing at the moment. While his crown was getting sorted the other day the dentist discovered this newbie. Just great.

Aurus bar and restaurant Juhu

Anyhoo off for a nice quiet dinner with the kiddies and friends tonight at Aurus restaurant and lounge bar in Juhu beach. I hear weeknights are pretty tame but they have cool dj's in the weekends- so tonight can be a reiki of sorts. Looking forward to a chilled out evening tonight actually.
The Elephanta caves  that we went to 2 days ago, were quite honestly mind blowing. Looked like something out of Indiana Jones and the temple of doom... a tropical island with lush rain forests, monkeys hopping everywhere and caves with huge stone statues in devotion to Lord Shiva. Pretty damn fascinating in my books. And watching that monkey snatch a packet of chips off my girlfriend had the little princes and I in hysterics. What a fab day trip out of Mumbai. Four star event in Queenies books. Now what to wear tonight?Ooh I'm really looking forward to Aurus Bar's signature tangerine caipiroskas....Mmmm.
A big warm welcome to the new readers from Moscow, Nepal, and Denmark. We have hit the over 2000 readers a week point now....fantastic everyone and thanks for the support. Well I'm off to join all the other girls in Mumbai and attempt to run the world!

Queenie

"Mumbai Meri Jaan"

Wow...Mumbai is massive (just in case you didn't know!) Not only is there about 20 million people here but it's also quite spread out. Finding anything can take you several hours. Yesterday our gorgeous french friends arrived, "HRH" had a disaster, the little princes got away with murder and I gave my (silver croc) Hunter wellies a whirl. Where to begin?

Ganesh Festival Mumbai 2010

My friends arrived from France on a day that the heavens opened up and poured down on Mumbai...okay it is the "monsoon season" so we were expecting it. But boy did it rain. I think my girlfriend was suffering from what I call  " Mumbai Shock Syndrome" when she arrived at our hotel, which everyone gets when they come to Mumbai for the first time. It's like a slap in the face with a leather sandal...Mumbai just runs at you with the speed of a freight train. And all the National Geographic doco's you've watched to prepare yourself and Monica Ali books you've read- go right out the door. It's there in your face demanding a response. She looked lost, confused, upset, disapointed, excited, exhausted and hungry all at once. The first thing I did was order her a bloody mary (spicey of course c'mon we're in India) and a bite to eat! Next I took her out for a ciggie and "let her have a wee chat". Sometimes you just need time to process what's going on around you- find your stance or reasoning and then you can put everything into order in your head so the next time you are hit with it you know exactly how to react or reason with it. And that's what we did. It honestly does help. There is alot to process and all at once. Humanity is right there in front of you...nothing is hidden and at times it can be tough. But at least it's honest and real. I always believe that you learn more about yourself when you come to India...because it forces you to have to make decisions and have opinions on topics that you might prefer to ignore in your own world. But this is LIFE. You can pretend it isn't this way for as long as you want but THIS is the reality. And I'm ready for it...it doesn't mean I like what the reality of our world is -but I accept it. I understand it exists. Thats all.
So after that we got a call from "HRH" who sounded like he was in agony. He was calling from a chiropractor somewhere apparently he had put his back out. Again. And had taken a cab out immeadiately to see a chiropractor. Whilst in the waiting room he had been offered a chewy fruit candy. He had several and on the third one when he bit down- his gold crown completely fell out. He screamed in pain- had to leave the chiropractors (with assistance and rather slowly as his back was still out) and go to the emergency dentist in Bandra. Which took an hour in the traffic to get to. Poor "HRH" it sounded like hell. Five hours later he returned with a gaping hole in his mouth and his back was still out as he never actually made it into see the chiropractor. What a palava I say..."HRH" is just so unlucky sometimes.

Esco bar Bandra

We decided to go out to a local low key restaurant in Bandra where we ate four times more than a normal adult should. It was delicious...perhaps a little spicey for the frenchies. Teehehehe. But overall pretty good meal. I ordered the house specialty "Paddle crab curry". The poor creature was brought to the table live to be inspected which I thought was a little over the top but the end result was pretty spectacular.
Next we went to "Esco Bar" on Linking road, Bandra. It was a fabulous place with a stunning outdoor rooftop bar which was unfortunately covered over due to the rain. I marched in bold as brass wearing my silver gummies and matching fendi headscarf much to the wait staffs amusement. I don't think they'd ever seen a get up like it. But I didn't care, it was practical and with all the rain I didn't have a care in the world. Needless to say I will be back to heels tonight when we hit the AER bar at the Four Seasons...my wellingtons will be safely tucked away under the bed.

Caves at Elephant Island

When we arrived home at 1am "Lil G" and Prince M were still awake and taking the poor little Indian girl for a complete ride. I couldn't believe they were still awake and giggling like little monkeys. The make shift party was quickly shut down. And I respectfully explained to the babysitter that SHE was in charge and not those two little devils. She told me that Lil G had managed to lock himself in the bathroom for an hour and they had to get maintenance to free the door which had jammed. Lil G had gotten quite upset. Much to Prince M's amusement of course. They were allowed to ride their scooters around the hallways which was pretty nice and explore the hotel. She was absolutely lovely insisting the boys had not been too bad and then agreed to be our babysitter during our stay at the hotel. All in all it had been a massive day. But a great day. Have decided to postpone our apartment search till next week so we can hang out with the frenchies. Tomorrow the plan is to go to Elephant Island to visit the caves and ancient temples. The kids will love it. They'll feel right at home with all the monkeys!
Thanks again to the new readers from Japan, Bermuda and Turkey. Woohoo this is it. We're here- it's really happening!

Namaskar from Mumbai!

We're here everyone...and it's a beautiful sunny day in Mumbai! Monsoon my arse! kid's are bouncing off the walls with excitement and with the amount of Mango lassi's they've consumed I'm beginning to get uneasy. Wow is all I can say. Mumbai is quite honestly a bubbling mix of humanity...humanity in it's raw and truest form. And that's life. I love it. I'm alive. Off to Bandra bandstand to enjoy the sunset this evening I think. What a way to begin. So much for the Jimmy Choo wellingtons huh...
A big warm welcome to the new readers from Finland, Bermuda, Trinidad and Tobago and Canada. Am still amazed at how much interest there is. Well get ready everyone...here we go MUMBAI!!!!!!!

Au Revoir Paris...

Good Morning Paris...feeling alive again after a good coffee and almond croissant. Well finally found my passport in the car after about 30 minutes of frantic foul mouthed searching. (As you can imagine "HRH" was less than impressed let's just leave it at that...)
So we're all checked in and I'm sitting here at the Qatar airways first class lounge having a post breakfast champers as you do. Chilling out after nearly having my (rather bejewelled) Versace belt confiscated as the spikes on it could have been deemed a weapon- or so the anal french customs lady claimed! The customs officials then balked when we had to remove all 4 laptops (the boys have their own for school these days) and all 4 ipads...each one (they insisted) needed it's own tray to go through the scanner so we held all and sundry up as our menagerie of technology slowly rolled through...I was mortified of course. What is the world coming to with all these gadgets...so shameful. And why did Donatella design such a belt that is impossible to travel with?
Any how moving on, our good friends the architects arrive to Mumbai in 2 days time so already have plans to head out to dinners and to do some sight seeing with them. The little princes are thrilled! I have an agent booked in to show us over 20 apartments in the Bandra West/Pali Hill/Mt Mary and Khar West area on August the 5th and then we have a visit of their school on August the 8th. So "aare yaar" let's get moving. Ooh hang on, just need 2 last things from duty free...hold my glass "HRH" I'll be back soon. Au revoir France- it's been "formidable comme d'habitude".
And hello to our new readers in Qatar, Turkey and Belgium. Thanks to all the readers from the U.S.A and the U.K I had the most readers ever yesterday! Mumbai here we come!

Moonage Daydream?

Phew....this is it. We're off. I still can't believe it. I feel kind of numb- and have this particular David Bowie song going round and round in my head for some reason? Maybe because I'm walking around in my own daydream! Must snap out of it....but can't drag myself out. Plus this song is just off the hook. Bowie at his best I say!
Valises' are packed. Canon camera fully charged, ipod safely zipped up in the Gucci carry on, French wallet left in the safe (next to it's Australian buddy) and swapped for the new Indian one, bathers packed, wellingtons packed, ipads brimming with newly downloaded games, mosquito repellant packed, "HRH's" anti delhi belly sachets packed, Queenie's inflight secret stash of chocolates packed, latest Rolling Stones magazine with Dylan on the cover (french version) packed, absolute super top secret stash of "Vogue" ciggies packed, inappropriately high stiletto boots packed, sh#* hang on a minute- where's my passport? You've got to be sh*#ting me? 

High class gypsy? But where to park the caravan?

The next Gypsy Queen? I think not!

Oh my friggin God we are leaving TOMORROW!!! That means this is our last real day in the south of france. Our last day with this 'beautiful' some might say serene view out the window. Last day with my french friends. Last day of playing petanque in the back yard. Last glass of my neighbours home made pineau. Last day. Last day. Last day...
"Lil G" has told me he considers himself Australian. "Prince M" has told me he considers himself French. So what does that make me? A travelling gypsy with no where to park her caravan at bloody present- me thinks! I keep having horrible visions of that show "My big fat gypsy wedding!" "Oh god no...garcon? Yes, yoohoo- could you please get me a bloody mary immeadiately ?!"
But let's not forget that means there will be a first day in India, a first day in our new home (just because we don't have one in India at this very moment -there's no need to go caravan shopping just yet!) a first day  for meeting new friends, a first day for the kids at their new school. A first day for discovering our new favourite restaurant. A first day to mark the beginning of our new lives. A first day. A first day. A first day...
Wish it was all that bloody simple.

The Sami Sisters? What a find!

Down to 6 days till we arrive in Mumbai and everything is cruising along quite nicely here in France. My obsession with India and all things Indian is getting out of control, quite quickly! I just can't stop thinking about the food, the monsoon rains, cricket matches, the mosquitoes, BOLLYWOOD...all of it. Bollywood...yes that's right- I'd forgotten about that whole industry. Wow how fascinating. Am so excited.

Was flicking through my ipod yesterday and came across "The Sami Sister's" a band that I first heard of whilst holidaying in New Zealand over a year ago. Well- they appear to have a new single up on itunes and an album just released. Brings back wonderful memories of that amazing country down under. I strongly suggest you all have a listen...and of course just discovered they are part Indian too! (What a small world) They have a website which I will be checking on regularly to try to get my hands on a copy of their new album www.thesamisisters.com or itunes New Zealand of course.

Anyhoo I have added some profile pages for each member of the family (after all your requests- you curious monkeys) which you will find at the top of the page. Funnily enough the most popular profile page to date has been our cat Sammy's which is pretty hilarious! What's up with that everyone? 

Went to a fabulous little french market this morning and purchased a vintage YSL scarf and "HRH" found a very rare bright blue "Ricard" ash try in mint condition. Will have to squish them in the valises for India too. Merde! How we will fit anything more in I don't know.

Right, off to our friends home to play petanque and drink copious amounts of pineau and rose wine. Pineau and petanque are a great mix of course! Have a lovely evening everyone and hope you enjoy listening to the Sami Sisters...their sound is just sublime.