CHRISTMAS HASH TRASH & REFLECTIONS ON BALI HHH 2

PENNED ON MONDAY DECEMBER 28 2020

Another day without the Hash Seems like a day too long Or river vale devoid of dash Or hymnal song gone wrong.

Pretty poor show if you ask me, Boxing Day without any presents.

What was your Christmas like? Not so convivial as yesteryear methinks, though there was compensation snow. On Christmas Day even I was presented with an eye-stretching array of Hawaiian Shirts and cheese and chocolate, and Single Malt Scotch Whisky. Later in the day, I was invited to FLY by SU, where I happened to bump into none other than MARBLE BALLS.

He’d just got back from a round of golf with SURINDEREELA at Bali Handara.

Well, one thing led to another, culminating in a bottle the like of which I’ve never seen or tasted before in SE Asia.

CHARDONNAY – it said on the label – SEA SMOKE 2009; it mentioned as well a massive ABV of 15.2%. Now I’ve drunk the odd bottle of this grape variety in the past, including some exceptional Kiwi & Aussie ones. Who will ever forget Cloudy Bally from Marlborough or Mosswood from Margaret River – big, bold and buttery and unconscionably delicious. As an aside, I used to do a vintage straight Chardonnay Blanc-de-blancs Champagne under the grand marque Charles Heidsieck. They don’t come much better than that. Now I see, also from the label, that this Sea Smoke Chardonnay comes from California; but the most noteworthy detail is the inscription – GRATIS – which means without payment’ in any language. You will not find anything as good in the market place. And PRESTO! another bottle appears upon my desk this morning.

Thank you MARBLE BALLS & BILLIONAIRE BOB for this ineffable gift.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.