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Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Sunday, 30 November 2014
Sunday, 9 October 2011
Off again...
.
Off travelling tomorrow. Only for about a week and a half this time.
Nephew's wedding in London and then home via Prague. We have heard good things about Prague - Martin & Roni and Simon have been there - but, always the scientist, I felt the need to test the experiment for reproducibility.
I'll let you know how we go.
...
Off travelling tomorrow. Only for about a week and a half this time.
Nephew's wedding in London and then home via Prague. We have heard good things about Prague - Martin & Roni and Simon have been there - but, always the scientist, I felt the need to test the experiment for reproducibility.
I'll let you know how we go.
...
Saturday, 23 April 2011
Home again, I think.
.
Home again but I think I passed my brain, still heading east, on the way back.
When checking in to Chicago airport, they scanned my carry-on bag. The operator and another guy look closely at the screen and then a guy with blue gloves came up and said "Is this your bag?", "Yes", "I want to inspect it, come over here".
So I collected shoes, belt and computer and followed him over there.
"Before I open it Sir, is there anything sharp in here that may cut me?"
Me thinks: You x-rayed it, Bonzo, you tell me.
Me says: No.
"Please do not touch the bag while I inspect it".
He rummages and comes up triumphant with what had caught the attention of the x-ray guy.
"And what is this?"
"It's the power cord for the computer I am holding."
(pause)
"Okay, you can go."
...
Home again but I think I passed my brain, still heading east, on the way back.
When checking in to Chicago airport, they scanned my carry-on bag. The operator and another guy look closely at the screen and then a guy with blue gloves came up and said "Is this your bag?", "Yes", "I want to inspect it, come over here".
So I collected shoes, belt and computer and followed him over there.
"Before I open it Sir, is there anything sharp in here that may cut me?"
Me thinks: You x-rayed it, Bonzo, you tell me.
Me says: No.
"Please do not touch the bag while I inspect it".
He rummages and comes up triumphant with what had caught the attention of the x-ray guy.
"And what is this?"
"It's the power cord for the computer I am holding."
(pause)
"Okay, you can go."
...
Thursday, 21 April 2011
Day 4.
.
The business side of the visit is over. Today, a visit to the local lab in the morning. The picture is of the car that took us. In Australia, we have a company pool car. In the US, the company car has a pool. And is probably bulletproof.
Speaking of which, I have been in the US three days and have seen no shoot outs and not even heard a decent burst of gunfire in the middle of the night.
The local lab was very impressive.
Yesterday was chilly. Today also chilly. My ‘ear-freeze-index’ suggests that they were comparably chilly.
Lunch was a ‘chicken sandwich’ that would have supported a small African village for a week. Didn’t even think about trying to finish it.
Some quite lovely architecture around the city – 1920s or thereabouts, I think. And some impressive modern stuff too.
The streets are very clean, even in areas that I was told are ‘bad’ areas.
At Boneman's suggestion, I visited the Institute of Art. An impressive collection of work. As always, visiting a gallery makes me itch to take up the brushes again. Usually, by the time I have found my way home again, the itch has subsided.
At dinner tonight I was offered a black serviette as I was wearing dark trousers. First time I have met a restaurant that tries to colour co-ordinate your serviette.
The restaurant had a ‘club’ you could join, earning points from each visit. They offer club members a complimentary lobster on their birthday. I have Lewis Carroll-esque visions of a lobster on my plate saying “My, you are a handsome brute!’
Accumulate 12,000 points and the owner will do a caricature of you and put it on the wall. 24,000 and he wont.
Tried some Hersey’s dark chocolate – tasted, well, like dark chocolate.
Found the secret to the coffee situation. When the waiter says “Would you like coffee?” Under no circumstances say “yes” as no further negotiations are entered into and they vanish, only to reappear with a mug of wet, brown, odourless liquid. The only sensible response to their question is a further question: “Do you have espresso?”. Then you are in with a fighting chance.
Head home tomorrow.
...
The business side of the visit is over. Today, a visit to the local lab in the morning. The picture is of the car that took us. In Australia, we have a company pool car. In the US, the company car has a pool. And is probably bulletproof.
Speaking of which, I have been in the US three days and have seen no shoot outs and not even heard a decent burst of gunfire in the middle of the night.
The local lab was very impressive.
Yesterday was chilly. Today also chilly. My ‘ear-freeze-index’ suggests that they were comparably chilly.
Lunch was a ‘chicken sandwich’ that would have supported a small African village for a week. Didn’t even think about trying to finish it.
Some quite lovely architecture around the city – 1920s or thereabouts, I think. And some impressive modern stuff too.
The streets are very clean, even in areas that I was told are ‘bad’ areas.
At Boneman's suggestion, I visited the Institute of Art. An impressive collection of work. As always, visiting a gallery makes me itch to take up the brushes again. Usually, by the time I have found my way home again, the itch has subsided.
At dinner tonight I was offered a black serviette as I was wearing dark trousers. First time I have met a restaurant that tries to colour co-ordinate your serviette.
The restaurant had a ‘club’ you could join, earning points from each visit. They offer club members a complimentary lobster on their birthday. I have Lewis Carroll-esque visions of a lobster on my plate saying “My, you are a handsome brute!’
Accumulate 12,000 points and the owner will do a caricature of you and put it on the wall. 24,000 and he wont.
Tried some Hersey’s dark chocolate – tasted, well, like dark chocolate.
Found the secret to the coffee situation. When the waiter says “Would you like coffee?” Under no circumstances say “yes” as no further negotiations are entered into and they vanish, only to reappear with a mug of wet, brown, odourless liquid. The only sensible response to their question is a further question: “Do you have espresso?”. Then you are in with a fighting chance.
Head home tomorrow.
...
Wednesday, 20 April 2011
Day 3.
Didn't get out of the hotel today.
Weather so bad I couldn't even see out of the hotel today.
"chilliest late season readings in 71 years Tuesday" says the on-line weather.
...
Weather so bad I couldn't even see out of the hotel today.
"chilliest late season readings in 71 years Tuesday" says the on-line weather.
...
Tuesday, 19 April 2011
Day 2.
Woke to find a light dusting of snow around the place. Most of it disappeared pretty quickly. Cloud around some of the buildings, esp Trump Hotel. Perhaps a symbolic nebulous hairdo.
Was reading the room service breakfast thing that you hang on your door if you want delivered breakfast (I didn’t but there was nothing on the 55 channels of TV). The “American Breakfast” included a choice of fresh eggs and protein with potatoes. Funny my textbooks said eggs were largely protein. The options of protein were bacon, sausage and ham.
Had a DIY continental breakfast down on the concourse. The principle sources of protein that were available there were sliced cold meat and cheeses.
Saw an open top double decker bus going around the place – no takers to ride upstairs.
First day of the meeting was interesting, with some folk a lot more intense and earnest than others. All terribly keen to save money.
The optimist says that the glass is half full.
The pessimist says that the glass is half empty.
The Industrial Performance bod says that the glass is too big. Downsize and reduce your cleaning staff.
Was taken on a tour of head office – for some reason I felt that, as it was arranged for us to spend an hour looking at it, it would be something special. Art deco, maybe. Or high tech perhaps. But it was an enormous cubical farm. Dilbert lives.
Evening meal at Andy’s Jazz Club. Food good without being ‘wow!’. Music likewise. Good company, nice beer and then home to try to move a few time zones closer to Chicago. Mighty cold walking home but, mercifully, no snow.
...
Was reading the room service breakfast thing that you hang on your door if you want delivered breakfast (I didn’t but there was nothing on the 55 channels of TV). The “American Breakfast” included a choice of fresh eggs and protein with potatoes. Funny my textbooks said eggs were largely protein. The options of protein were bacon, sausage and ham.
Had a DIY continental breakfast down on the concourse. The principle sources of protein that were available there were sliced cold meat and cheeses.
Saw an open top double decker bus going around the place – no takers to ride upstairs.
First day of the meeting was interesting, with some folk a lot more intense and earnest than others. All terribly keen to save money.
The optimist says that the glass is half full.
The pessimist says that the glass is half empty.
The Industrial Performance bod says that the glass is too big. Downsize and reduce your cleaning staff.
Was taken on a tour of head office – for some reason I felt that, as it was arranged for us to spend an hour looking at it, it would be something special. Art deco, maybe. Or high tech perhaps. But it was an enormous cubical farm. Dilbert lives.
Evening meal at Andy’s Jazz Club. Food good without being ‘wow!’. Music likewise. Good company, nice beer and then home to try to move a few time zones closer to Chicago. Mighty cold walking home but, mercifully, no snow.
...
Wednesday, 6 April 2011
Another passport.
.
Perhaps I wont use this passport but entering a travel phase - off to Sydney tomorrow to sit in on an audit and the Chicago trip approaches quickly, Sunday week.
Boneman said he liked the Institute of Art in Chicago, I see it is only a 15min walk from my hotel.
I assume it is safe to walk in Chicago?
.
Perhaps I wont use this passport but entering a travel phase - off to Sydney tomorrow to sit in on an audit and the Chicago trip approaches quickly, Sunday week.
Boneman said he liked the Institute of Art in Chicago, I see it is only a 15min walk from my hotel.
I assume it is safe to walk in Chicago?
.
Thursday, 31 March 2011
Italy - Barcelona - Chicago?
.
Originally it was suggested that I attend a meeting in Italy.
Then it was realised that it was actually in Barcelona.
Then it was realised that it was on issues of no relevance to me.
Then it was suggested that I attend an 'operations' meeting in Chicago in the week before Easter.
Two thoughts cross my mind:
1. They seem really keen to send me somewhere. Anywhere.
2. Where will the final destination be? Swaziland? Brazil? North Korea?
...
Originally it was suggested that I attend a meeting in Italy.
Then it was realised that it was actually in Barcelona.
Then it was realised that it was on issues of no relevance to me.
Then it was suggested that I attend an 'operations' meeting in Chicago in the week before Easter.
Two thoughts cross my mind:
1. They seem really keen to send me somewhere. Anywhere.
2. Where will the final destination be? Swaziland? Brazil? North Korea?
...
Sunday, 25 July 2010
I'm back! Well, sort of.
.
In fact we got back 4:45am Friday before last but I have been playing catch up this last week and blogging has kept being pushed back: tomorrow, tomorrow...
At last (I hope I hear you cry), it has reached 'today'.
It doesn't pay to go away for six weeks - all sorts of things happen. Saint Kevin has joined the pantheon of fallen idols; Queen Julia has grabbed the throne and headed off to an election; the garden has grown even though it is winter and pruning is the order of the day.
I will use the Odd Angry Squawk one for electoral comments.
I hope to be more frequent with my Chemist's Kitchen posts.
And Mr Newbery has a few observations from his travels that will be posted over coming days.
Sort of back? Well, I head off to Sydney for three nights tomorrow for work related stuff. I thought I had done with hotel rooms for a while. Mind you, JCN seems to thrive on solitary confinement so the nights are not entirely lost.
...
In fact we got back 4:45am Friday before last but I have been playing catch up this last week and blogging has kept being pushed back: tomorrow, tomorrow...
At last (I hope I hear you cry), it has reached 'today'.
It doesn't pay to go away for six weeks - all sorts of things happen. Saint Kevin has joined the pantheon of fallen idols; Queen Julia has grabbed the throne and headed off to an election; the garden has grown even though it is winter and pruning is the order of the day.
I will use the Odd Angry Squawk one for electoral comments.
I hope to be more frequent with my Chemist's Kitchen posts.
And Mr Newbery has a few observations from his travels that will be posted over coming days.
Sort of back? Well, I head off to Sydney for three nights tomorrow for work related stuff. I thought I had done with hotel rooms for a while. Mind you, JCN seems to thrive on solitary confinement so the nights are not entirely lost.
...
Monday, 31 May 2010
A break in the clouds...
.
Break 1: Margaret's back is improving.
Break 2: No new eruptions in Ecuador.
...
Break 1: Margaret's back is improving.
Break 2: No new eruptions in Ecuador.
...
Sunday, 30 May 2010
Black clouds on the horizon
.
Cloud 1: Ecuador's volcano, "Throat of Fire" has started erupting and briefly closed the air space.
Cloud 2: Margaret has done something nasty to her back.
Am I doomed to never get to Galapagos?
....
Cloud 1: Ecuador's volcano, "Throat of Fire" has started erupting and briefly closed the air space.
Cloud 2: Margaret has done something nasty to her back.
Am I doomed to never get to Galapagos?
....
Tuesday, 25 May 2010
Trial Pack
.
Eleven days out and it's getting serious.
Documents, vouchers and such like have arrived.
Did a trial pack. 7kg in the suitcase, 4kg in the backpack. That will blow out once I add a book to read etc but it amuses me that I took more to Sydney for a week than I take on a six week trip to foreign places.
...
Eleven days out and it's getting serious.
Documents, vouchers and such like have arrived.
Did a trial pack. 7kg in the suitcase, 4kg in the backpack. That will blow out once I add a book to read etc but it amuses me that I took more to Sydney for a week than I take on a six week trip to foreign places.
...
Monday, 17 May 2010
Of ash and turtles.
.
It's such a small pimple on the bum of the planet but the Icelandic volcano is causing some grief.
Even to me.
In under three weeks we head off to finish our 2008 holiday - Galapagos Islands, Cuba and...
...on to Belfast for the sister-in-law's (mumbleth) birthday party.
Maybe. Ash permitting.
...
It's such a small pimple on the bum of the planet but the Icelandic volcano is causing some grief.
Even to me.
In under three weeks we head off to finish our 2008 holiday - Galapagos Islands, Cuba and...
...on to Belfast for the sister-in-law's (mumbleth) birthday party.
Maybe. Ash permitting.
...
Thursday, 15 October 2009
I see a trip resuming...
.
Plans afoot to finish the trip we were on last year that was cut short by my Dad's death.
Galapagos Islands, Cuba and Ireland in June-July, 2010.
Woohoo!
Ireland's new on the itinerary; my sister in law is having a 60th birthday do in Belfast and we thought, well, if we are going that far why not....
And, well, you see where the thinking went.
Look out turtles!
...
Plans afoot to finish the trip we were on last year that was cut short by my Dad's death.
Galapagos Islands, Cuba and Ireland in June-July, 2010.
Woohoo!
Ireland's new on the itinerary; my sister in law is having a 60th birthday do in Belfast and we thought, well, if we are going that far why not....
And, well, you see where the thinking went.
Look out turtles!
...
Thursday, 19 March 2009
And while we are on nationalities...
.
"I think it should be explained in the brochure that the local store
does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts"
- A British holidaymaker complains about their trip.
...
does not sell proper biscuits like custard creams or ginger nuts"
- A British holidaymaker complains about their trip.
...
Monday, 29 September 2008
Forgiven, I think.
The trouble with travelling is you often have to get someone else to look after your pets.
Well, our only pets were two of our sons and they seem to have looked after themselves quite well. (OK, there was the small issue of putting out the rubbish but they got through our absence reasonably fed and washed.) Our other 'pets' were the birds who had got quite used to being fed in the mornings. How would they cope with us being away for the best part of seven months?
Quite well it seems.
Not only that, there seems to be no hard feelings as they return to their 'normal' routine.
...
Sunday, 27 April 2008
Run, run, run...
It is less than a week since we returned and less than a week until we head off again.
Have been replacing stolen stuff, making insurance claims (Grrr! Don't start me on that issue!), tracking down foreign currencies, answering mail, seeing my parents (see below), attending parties (see below), chucking out things we took but never needed, collecting things that we will need (we think) in the cooler countries of the next leg. It's all go, go, go.
Pretty soon we will go.
I need the rest!
◊◊◊
Phase two of our travels are: The trans-Mongolian train trip (Beijing to St Petersburg), Britain, France, Spain, Portugal and Morocco. Leaving on May 2nd, returning August 20th.
...
Friday, 29 February 2008
Farewell, wish you could come to the dinner!
.
Tomorrow, we head off. Well, Sunday really but the flight time is 00:45hrs on Sunday morning. Really, I ask you!
Well, we have to be at the airport on Saturday so, tomorrow it is.
Things are packed, the car is up on jacks, last minute things are being dealt with, and the malaria tablets start tonight (I wonder if they taste any better than the last time I had them?).
So: one more sleep!
But tonight, we dine. The official farewell dinner.
I have decided to give those staying behind a taster of the trip:
Starter: Vietnamese fresh spring rolls.
Soup: Thai hot and sour prawn soup.
Main: Malaysian chicken satay skewers with rice.
Dessert: Coconut mousse with mango.
OK, I cheated on the dessert. It has no fixed abode that I know of but it does have a tropical slant.
Now, it's time to cook...
Tomorrow, we head off. Well, Sunday really but the flight time is 00:45hrs on Sunday morning. Really, I ask you!
Well, we have to be at the airport on Saturday so, tomorrow it is.
Things are packed, the car is up on jacks, last minute things are being dealt with, and the malaria tablets start tonight (I wonder if they taste any better than the last time I had them?).
So: one more sleep!
But tonight, we dine. The official farewell dinner.
I have decided to give those staying behind a taster of the trip:
Starter: Vietnamese fresh spring rolls.
Soup: Thai hot and sour prawn soup.
Main: Malaysian chicken satay skewers with rice.
Dessert: Coconut mousse with mango.
OK, I cheated on the dessert. It has no fixed abode that I know of but it does have a tropical slant.
Now, it's time to cook...
Tuesday, 26 February 2008
The Milky Way
.
My way of telling when something is getting close is by the date on the milk.
When the milk will last longer than the time to the event, I know it's close.
We fly off on March 2nd.
◊◊◊
The first trip will be
Thailand
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Khao Sok
Ko Samui
Ko Tao
Malaysia
Sabah, Borneo
Sarawak
Malacca
Kuala Lumpur
Vietnam
Hanoi
Halong Bay
Hue
Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh City
Cambodia
Siem Reap
Melbourne
April 21st.
...
My way of telling when something is getting close is by the date on the milk.
When the milk will last longer than the time to the event, I know it's close.
We fly off on March 2nd.
◊◊◊
The first trip will be
Thailand
Bangkok
Chiang Mai
Khao Sok
Ko Samui
Ko Tao
Malaysia
Sabah, Borneo
Sarawak
Malacca
Kuala Lumpur
Vietnam
Hanoi
Halong Bay
Hue
Hoi An
Ho Chi Minh City
Cambodia
Siem Reap
Melbourne
April 21st.
...
Sunday, 10 February 2008
The Birthday Girl
cruise up the Yarra, the river running through Melbourne.
Three hour leisurely affair, complete with a five course dinner.
◊◊◊
This post started life as an email post to Blogger, to prove that I could post photos by email in anticipation of life on the road.
I had two issues: 1. The photo, sent as an attachment, was left justified while I prefer them to be centred. And 2, lines left blank to space the document disappeared, running the two sentences into one block of text.
I logged in and tweaked the post to correct both these issues after posting.
Anyone out there know how to work around these issues more elegantly?
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