I’m just a girl, sitting in a big chair

Thu April 7th 2022

Having a martini in the Palm Court lounge of the Mandarin Oriental Ritz. The piano is playing. The lovely boy pours me a water (as I cough) next to my dry martini; Hendricks with a slice (not just a slice but a designer cut) of cucumber. The sun is shining through the glass dome that makes everything inside a sunny glowing golden yellow. The cream with gilt edged furniture adds to the glow. It just exudes lushness (not talking about me here). The flowers, sigh Mum would have loved them. The man next to me looks a little rough around the edges but he is drinking Ruinart champagne at £36 a glass and he writes about food and wine (according the conversation I overheard whilst he was talking to the waiter - or the person slightly more senior than a waiter - I didn’t mean to eavesdrop). Anyway it’s a beautiful hotel that truly makes you smile, and anyone can enjoy it.

And to add to the fairy story; after moving to the incredible Pictura bar the General Manager overheard (you see other people eavesdrop also) our kiwi voices and realising we were travel agents invited us to their signature restaurant Deesa for an incredible degustation dinner. What an amazing experience starting with an apple rose champagne cocktail. The courses just kept on coming. It was very special.

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