(This was actually written on Tuesday 1 April, approx. 8pm.)

Me. Land. International Conferences Events Coordinator, a.k.a. Globe trotter. It’s Tuesday 1 April and I’ve just embarked on the biggest trip of my career. I’m feeling a mixture of emotions. Excitement, nervousness, anticipation, tiredness, weariness and therefore on the very edge of my tether…

Sunrise as we approach Asia.

Having landed in Manila (capital of the Philippines for those of you who may not have been awake during school geography lessons) only a few hours ago, I am utterly shattered. I reckon I must have slept a total of 1 hour during the last 24, and it was probably broken sleep at that, hence it’s not at all surprising I’m a little bleary eyed and struggling to communicate coherently with those around me.


It’s not really a problem for me to communicate from head to paper though, so I thought I’d take this opportunity to blog, especially since I haven’t done so in a LONG TIME!!

Fond memories and anecdotes are already beginning to form about this adventure. Jeni and I chuckled for ages when I realised that my entire outfit matched exactly in colour to the Thai Airlines logo – pink, purple and a sort of sandy colour. I wasn’t sure if I should be embarrassed or impressed! It’s not like I’d studied the Thai Airlines logo or anything and I don’t particularly recall even seeing the logo before arriving at the check-in desk, although perhaps I would have caught a glimpse at some stage, remaining in the back of my memory for my subconscious to pick up on. Well, whatever happened in that brain of mine, it proved to be of comical entertainment value for about 15 hours.

All round the flight over was good – friendly air hosts and hostesses, plenty of legroom, hardly any turbulence and fascinating birds eye views of countries’ landscapes. I captured a few on film. The only downfall was that despite trying, Jeni and I unfortunately didn’t receive the upgrade to business class we were hoping for. L Never mind… there’s always the journey home! ;)

A birds eye view of the landscape below.


I was a little shocked, however, when one of the air hosts approached me to confirm my gluten-free meal. I haven’t been gluten-free for ages, and in this surprise moment I wasn’t particularly considering the length airlines go to to cater for passengers with ‘special dietary requirements’, so I said that I didn’t need it. VERY glad I stuck to the ‘normal’ meals – I had a delicious pork red thai curry for dinner – yum!!! Nevertheless, on my short flight from Bangkok to Manila, I thought I’d better stick to the gluten-free meal so not to cause any offence or confusion. BIG MISTAKE!! I’d forgotten how tasteless airline gluten-free meals are! It’s as though they think gluten-free equals taste-free. Why, just because someone cannot eat a certain food group do they think it’s okay to omit flavour?! A quick phone call to my travel agents tomorrow to rectify that one and I won’t have to suffer the plain, dull and boring food on my way home!! Hurrah!!

Bangkok Airport


Anyway, back to Manila... Upon exiting the airport I was hit with a mighty blast of humidity, something I’m going to have to cope with for the next three weeks, and heat is not particularly something I cope with well!! It is, however, a VERY welcome change from the current freezing climate of the UK.

So… upward of 2000 delegates both Friday and Saturday, we’re set for an awesome time! God is gonna rock the house!

Next stop is Singapore, where the Alpha Conference will be held, and Worship Central number two, plus 2 Worship Central Celebrations with Planetshakers, amongst many other events spanning 6 days. Exhaustion awaits!

I look forward with great anticipation to the moment the aeroplane takes me to the glorious beaches and rugged forest of Krabi, Thailand, where I will relax on smooth white sands and sun-drench my pale winter skin…