Covid strikes

The last couple of years have disrupted wedding schedules. As such, we've seen a fair amount of virtual weddings, last minute weddings, postponed weddings and even the forfeit of large wedding ceremonies. With things slowly opening up, our cousin decided (rather last minute) to arrange a ceremony in Kuala Lumpur. It's an excuse for people to get together and the first family trip since Cairns, and first time abroad in a long time.

So this trip, had a handful of challenges. 1) mum's passport had expired and had to request an emergency replacement, which unfortunately due to the lack of customer support proved to be quite a nerve wracking race against time. 2) Charlie needed a passport to travel 3) the flights booked by mum and dad did not include check-in luggage, and 4) everybody except me got covid and missed the wedding.

The first three challenges were resolved and we managed to book a couple of serviced apartments for our trip. It was only on the Sunday morning one week after arriving in Malaysia when dad started having a cough, then a fever. We continue to socialise over Sunday until he takes a RAT which turns up positive, and he is forced into isolation. Unfortunately this did little to spread the virus as one by one, fevers and coughs were being reported. Mom, Rio, Auntie, Charlie. Within 2 days everybody was testing positive. All, except me. 

Paranoid that I may have already caught Covid for a second time, I go into isolation 3 days after arriving into Malaysia. I end up dining alone and potting about the hotel deciding when I should take a PCR to ensure I can attend the wedding. On the Thursday I decide to get a PCR and inadvertently whack my foot against the kitchen counter. The PCR comes back negative, my foot hurts, I get an x-ray, slight fracture, I'm given pain killers.

I attend the wedding. Although it felt weird knowing that everybody was stuck inside the apartment. The final day we have breakfast, by now everybody is feeling better. It feels all very illegal to gather as a group. What an unexpected trip.

Four-zero

Managed to get to 40 years old. Where has time gone? It was a fairly low key affair, small gathering, some cake and some whisky. Looking forward to cracking the Mouton open!

Quarantine update: 0+3

Long awaited change in policy. The removal of hotel quarantine requirements for inbound travellers arriving into Hong Kong. It feels like a small win considering most other countries have removed all restrictions, and ultimately this really only helps residences but it's a step in the right direction.

So what does this mean? 3 days of self-monitoring, daily testing and minimised interaction with the public without masks (Restricted access to venues that require Leavehomesafe app sign in. Read: Gyms, bars, restaurants).

Quarantine: 3+4

Finally, a change to the rules. 3 days of hotel quarantine, plus 4 days of self monitoring. Quite enjoying this little speed hump

USI Roadtrip: Return to New York

People think "Oh you're going to the US for work, that's awesome!". It is and it isn't. I'm still not at that phase where I don't enjoy traveling for work, particularly with all the restrictions over the last couple of years it is nice to get out. But it's not all glamour. I think our busiest day was a 7 am start for client meeting 2 meetings throughout the day and the a final meeting at 9 pm. The days can be long, there can be a lot of dead time. The hotels where we stayed for one night, we barely unpacked and kept all our stuff inside the bag. The destinations where we didn't stay over night we had luggage with us. 

Despite all of this it was good to talk to clients, see colleagues as well as catch up with friends in New York.

 

USI Roadtrip: Minneapolis

Final destination. Final meeting. In and out, one last meal with Liam and back to New York. Client stuff completed!

Chia Lattes have become the drink of the trip.

USI Roadtrip: Chicago

Just over halfway through the trip. The early starts, late finishes, delayed flights, taxis to the airport, taxis from the airport, TSA lines, jet lag and admittedly too much alcohol are starting to catch up. We get into Chicago a little later than expected, it's raining, first sign of wet weather. Also, it's cold, on the cusp of winter, luckily we don't need a different wardrobe. 

Really enjoying the running, managed to crank out a good long run near Lake Michigan. Also managed to have a deep dish pizza and a Chicago hot dog. Crossing those items off the list.