'travel'

Just back from IMCAS, Hong Kong, Dr Young has a now an even bigger array of skills.

Initially visiting the city of Guangzhou, to visit a few laser companies and clinics. He moved onto HK, where he attended his 2nd Asian IMCAS, which was held last year in Bangkok.

Set in the HKSEC, overlooking the harbour, it is an amazing venue.

Many interesting talks such as lip length reduction, fake anti wrinkle injections, mesotherapy, and filler lifting.

Notable speakers were Michael Kane, Gordon Ma, and Benjamin Ascher.

Incidentally Dr Young bumped into an old colleague, Dr Shiu, who now works in one of HK’s busiest cosmetic clinics.

Over the next few weeks Dr Young will expound on the above and also discuss China.

I recently had a  trip to Bangkok for a short break, and visiting colleagues. Having been to Bangkok twice before, I was well and truly prepared, or was I?

Well it was the red shirts vs the yellow vs the multicolored shirts?

Thailand’s political climate had been simmering for months, then escalated into bloodshed in the week prior to me visiting Bangkok.

Whilst there I really didn’t feel intimidated, coming from South Africa, we get a bit blase with this sort of thing, army and police all over the place, not to mention rolls of barbed wire.

Only until the last day of my trip did the crisis make me a little uneasy, and this was when the army “entered’ the red shirt zone.

Nevertheless, I did manage to do almost everything I wanted to do.

Catching up with friends, and enjoying the excellent cuisine. Of note some great Bangkok restaurants- Sirocco, Koi, Kuppa, Bed Supperclub.

A little shopping, tick.

Tiger Temple, tick. Wow was that an amazing morning, feeding tigers, washing them, walking them, what beautiful cats.

So intelligent, and tame. It is so great seeing them so loved and cared for, lets hope there is more and more tigers saved.

The monks have done a wonderful job since the first tiger cub arrived in 1999, there are over 30 tigers now.

This monastry was established in 1994 by the Abbot Phra Kanthitharo.

Since its opening this place has gained a reputation as a wildlife sanctuary. It started with an injured jungle fowl given to the monks by the villagers.

Then peacocks came attracted by the calls of the by then rather large colony of jungle fowl.

An injured wild boar stumbled in to the monastery and the monks cared for him until he was released back into the forest.

Now there are four species of deer, buffalo, cow, horses, and wild goats. All roam freely in these grounds.

Ayutthaya, tick. The former Thai capital, was resplendent in the sun, with temples beaming. It was founded in 1350AD, by King Uthong. It was one of the richest cities in Asia by the 1600’s, but sadly by 1767 most of the city was burned by the war with the Burmese.

One of the most famous sites is of  a head of Buddha, wrapped within the roots of a fig tree. Simply stunning. These ruins show various styles of architecture.

Back to Bangkok.

So as the turmoil settles, and the 30 or so fires that were set smolder, I hope my friends in Bangkok stay safe, and the smiles return to this amazing city.

Travel to learn, and grow as a human.

No, this is not a blog about the heiress from Bel Air, it’s about one of my favourite cities.

I have been fortunate enough to have visited the place  almost every year since 1998, so I am quite familiar with the “City of Light”. Many times for Conferences, and many for friendly visits.

Like everything, I try to simplify my life, and discover my areas and really get to know them well. Fortunately I have have great friends in Paris, whom over the years have distilled a Parisian sense within me, rather than just French. I am  1/4 French, this heritage is via my maternal grandmother who was a French Hugenot to Cape Town.

• Here are my little snippets of a very passionate, identity driven Paris, who prides itself on heritage, and authenticity.

Hotels- Plaza Athenee, Le Meurice, or Hotel D’Aubusson and Hotel de Crillon.

Restaurants- one must eat! In comparison to Australia, Paris doesn’t really do “fusion”. There is generally the whole cuisine, and no blending with others, but as always there are exceptions.

So, will it be French or non- French, noting that there is so much diversity in French food, that one will still be able to eat only French in a 10 day break, and not get bored. In general the brasserie style places will deliver excellent fare.

In no particular order- Les Ombres, Jules Verne, Tsukizi, Le Train Bleu, El Mansouria, Mama Shelter and then there’s Ze Kitchen Galerie, which is a fusion with Japanese/Thai.

Your local brassierie can easily dish up a simple elegant feast too, oh yes stay away from Maxims, and be wary of Costes and Buddha Bar.

Desserts- all French love desserts! So welcome to heaven at Laduree( long queues), Pierre Herme( long queues), Sadaharu Aoki, Lenotre, and La Parisserie des Reves.

La Bague de Kenza- Algerian cakes.

At your local supermarket, try as many different fridge desserts as possible, eg La Laitiere- Secret de Mousse.

Its all about taste and refinement, don’t worry about the calories, you will walk them off in Paris!

Shopping- its all about the boutique! Avoid Galleries Lafayette, but if you must go to a department store( une Grande Magazin) try Le Bon Marche( cafe is nice too).

So areas you should try- Le Marais, which straddles 3/4th, open sundays, and closed mondays and St.Germain des Pres.

Some notable boutiques-

Mariage Freres- amazing teas since 1864.

Cire Trudon, oldest chandler( candle maker) company continuously open since 1643, amazing candles, they have made candles for Napoleon etc.

Thierry Mugler, beautiful mens wear, great staff, thanks Jean-Paul and Sophie.

Shakespeare and Co- for books, just opposite Notre Dame.

Cameras- rue Beaumarchais (11).

Merci- a wonderful 3 level shop, set in an old warehouse, where all profits are donated to charity.

Museums- Louvre-atleast 3hours, Musee D’Orsay, Carnavalet -a history of Paris, Rodin – a lovely gardin, Picasso, L’Orangerie, Quay Branley- note the restaurant Les Ombres, Fondation Henri Cartier Bresson- for photography, Musee Victor Hugo- set along the lovely Place des Vosges.

Parks- Monceau, Luxembourg has nice sailing boats for children.

Outside of Paris- Versailles. Outstanding free spaces only 20mins outside Paris, upcoming artist- Xavier Veilhan, with his amazing futuristic steel carriage and horses, from september to december.

So just as passion reigns in Paris, so too does it at FRESHface Clinic- we do things because we love doing them!

Feel free to email me on any travel questions at wayne@freshfaceclinic.com.au