Icy Midwest winters – bring it on

I can’t wait to get off the plane. My flight from Tokyo to Minneapolis clocked in at 10.5 hours; I’m a good long-haul traveler but I was getting a bit antsy after eight.

I’m one of the first people off the plane but cause much bumping and cursing as I stop and just inhale the brisk winter Minneapolis air on the gangway. MAN, how I have missed that refreshing, bracing air. After a few deep gulps, I keep walking. (Chill out people. If you lived in 80 degree heat year-round, you’d want to stop and enjoy the cold air for a moment, too.)

I dash to the nearest bathroom to change out of my odd plane attire – a combination of Singapore (black and white cotton dress, sandals) and travel clothes (leggings, pashmina and Louis’ zip-up sweater) – and into the black leggings, long gray sweater and rugged knee-high Cole Haan boots that I have been lugging in my carry-on so I can put on at the first possible moment. I feel like I whole new woman once I’m back in “normal” clothes. Time for a Quarter Pounder and fries. Let the holiday gluttony begin.

Weekend Getaway: Impromptu long weekend in Bali

I realize it was an unfair tease to post on our arrival in Bali, then say nothing of the rest of trip. Quite simply, our three nights in Bali were relaxing and uneventful. We stayed put at our lovely resort and didn't venture to really explore the island's restaurants, satay stands, teak furniture stores and huts. Next time. This time, we were content to lie around, read, catch up and have no schedule or things to do.

"Monsoon season" was manageable -- it rained a bit each day but cleared up quickly. The landscape was dramatic. We took breaks from the pool to stroll along the cliffs and look below at the violently churning Indian Ocean.

We faced west so sunsets were gorgeous, viewed from the comfortable verandas. The resort's food was sufficient -- nothing to write at length about but good enough to keep us satisfied for our time there.

The ride back to the airport was nauseating and mildly claustrophic. The flight home was comfortable with the usual Singapore Airlines' class.