Miles’ Blog » Travel

Really, has it been nearly a month since I last posted? If you’re anything like me, you hate to see blog posts where people apologise for being recalcitrant in keeping their blog up to date.

I have an excuse! Well, not really. I’ve been in Bali you see, for 15 days of blissful family time, with my children and wife and no email or phone. A week in Sanur, a week in Ubud, and a day in Kuta to remind us why the beaten track is the better track.

We practised our Bahasa (Tidak Bagus Bahasa!), we took many photos (3,000+) and we ate and drank our way through every meal. I’ve come back with a beard, Meredith came back with a tan and the kids came back with a cultural experience, fond memories and plenty of DVDs.

Where’s your favourite holiday destination? It need not be overseas, or even that far from home, but what makes you a relaxed soul?

I’ll be back as soon as reality kicks in.

Photo: Statue, Puri Saraswati, Ubud, Bali.

It’s official! We’re having another pre-Web Directions Port80 meet up, and so far have had RSVP’s from all across our land. The night before the conference, where else would you want to be besides the following great event?

On the eve of Web Directions South 2007, come along for a warm up social networking session with your industry peers. It’s free to drop in, there’ll be some free nibbles and rumours of a bar tab (if we can find a sponsor!).

There’ll be a gang of folk from Port 80 Perth, folks from Adelaide, Canberra and Brisbane, and possibly even some Sydney locals. Lots of attendees to the conference, and a good chance a few speakers will also show.

It’s all kicks off at 6.00pm, September 26th 2007

Quarryman’s Hotel
216 Harris St
(Cnr. Pyrmont Bridge)
Pyrmont NSW 2009

See a map to the venue.

This venue is literally stumbling distance from the WDS07 venue, so here’s a chance to scope out where you’ll be for two days, and get to drink and meet your peers.

If you’ve got any questions, feel free to hit the Port80 forums.

For more information about Port80, see the Port80 website or more about AWIA at the Australian Web Industry Association website.

So, who’s in with me?

Image: Sorrento Beach, WA.

So, we’re doing it. I’ve been talking about it for a while, so we have finally organised passports for the kids, and we’re off to Bali, Indonesia for two weeks in the second half of October.

We’ll be staying in beach front Sanur for a week, and then up to the hills and Ubud for a week, and no doubt visiting everywhere else as well. The plan is relax, eat, drink, shop, relax, eat…you get the idea.

The kids are practicing some basic Bahasa at home the last few weeks, so cute when Leia goes to Kindy and says to her teacher ‘Selamat Pagi!’ (Good morning).

So, anyone got any inside tips on where to eat or visit in either area, whilst we’re there? I have only ever been to Kuta before, back in 2003.

Image: A family worth of passports.

This blog appeared as a result of attending Web Essentials 2005 in September 2005 in Sydney. Since then, the conference has evolved into Web Directions South, with a few of my posts from WDS 2006 hitting this blog, and now a ‘warm up’ post for Web Directions South 2007.

Why a warm up post? Well, it’s not for another six weeks, and although the speakers and topics have (mostly) been announced, there’s still no actual schedule as yet, so there could be conflicts in timings for some of the following.

Here’s a short list of some of the presentations that I am hoping to attend (in no particular order);

Andy Clarke presenting The October Revolution. Andy presented last year, and not only was a smooth public speaker, he made Keynote shine, and he hung out more than once with the Perth crew.

Pushing beyond design sounds like a great topic, by RedBubble team member, Justin French. I visited the offices of RedBubble back in 2006, and they certainly have some cool stuff rolling out.

Being interested in SEO, Scott Gledhill talking on Is SEO Evil? should be an enjoyable presentation.

George Oates, an Australian working on that little photo sharing site, Flickr, will be presenting Human Traffic.

Mark Pesce did a fantastic closing keynote for last year, and he is back this year with Mob Rules. We’ll be expecting another motivating close to the conference no doubt.

A big part of the national trip to attend Web Directions on the other side of Australia is the chance to socialise with your peers in a licensed venue. This year, we’ve gone one better and hired most of a pub for our accommodation. I’m looking forward to the networking that’s for sure.

Speaking of team building, I am looking forward to hearing local Googler Carl Sjogreen speaking on the topic of Building and managing great development teams.

WDS 2006 drinking partner, Ben Winter-Giles, is joining the line up with a talk entitled Managing agile projects in large organisations. Ben is a fluent and passionate person, so I can’t wait to see what he has in store for us (No red wine, OK Ben?).

So there’s seven of the presentations, however they all look to be worth attending - the challenge is trying to get to as many as possible, and at least absorb some of it.

All in all, I’m glad they’ve managed to add another stream, so now we have Design, Development and Management & Strategy streams. Here’s looking forward to late September!

Image: Seats at Web Directions South 06 (prior to the doors opening).

Although considered two entirely separate areas, Bugis Street and Kampong Glam are within a few minutes walk of each other, and have a similar atmosphere.

You cannot be considered a tourist unless you’ve bought some of the many cheap fashion items at Bugis Street Markets (open from 10am – late every day) or bought a snack from one of the many local takeaway places. Fortunately, Bugis Street MRT is in the centre of it all, and there’s a smaller markets selling cheap t-shirts and food directly outside the MRT in the park.

Opposite the markets is Bugis Junction, home of a large BHG store (similar to David Jones or Myer) and a plethora of smaller trendy shops. Bugis Junction is also home to a great Japanese restaurant, Ajisen, where Meredith and I had dinner one evening (200 Victoria Street, Ph (65) 6333 9512).

A few minutes walk from Bugis Junction up North Bridge Rd will take you to Kampong Glam, also known as the Arab Quarter. At the centre, lies Singapore’s Sultan Mosque and this is surrounded by narrow streets with shop houses selling everything from auto parts to used Japanese clothing to Beads and fabrics.

It’s also home to our favourite lunchtime spot, an Arabic café with hip black and white décor, Samar Café (60 Kandahar St (65) 6398 0530). Also look for Quaint Secrets, Haji Lane, for all your beading supplies (just ask Meredith!)

Photo: Haji Lane, Kampong Glam, Singapore.