New Years Eve In Muscat

It's 80 degrees and all we can see from the balcony is blue sky and bathing suits - that's what New Year's Eve is supposed to be like!!!

Seminar View in Abu Dhabi

When we looked out the window in the seminar here, this was the view. Wow!

Saturday Night in Limassol, Cyprus

I'm here during three of the 300+ sunny days a year in Cyprus. The temperature is a high of 65 degrees, so no one on the beach, but I can imagine in the warm months that it's very different.

Think our American elections are of interest all over the world?? In the Sponge Shop here, they have a picture of our president-elect behind the counter!

Thursday night in Nicosia Cyprus

I'm here in Nicosia for one more night, then going to Limassol for a long weekend. I hope the weather is good, but then again, rain is needed so badly here, that I would trade nice weather for some rain! Looking out my hotel window, this is the view -- across part of the city, into the Turkish occupied portion of Nicosia. A city split in two - what a bad situation!

Thanksgiving in Cumberland

The Rock House gang was in Cumberland Maryland for Thanksgiving. Lots of turkey, some baked and some fried, and all the other stuff to make for lots of eating!

Saturday Night at Ceviche House

Larry, Deborah, Susan and Glenn went to a benefit for a hospital in Peru last night, at Ceviche House in Rockville, Gathersburg, or North Potomac depending on who you talk to. The food was good, and it was for a good cause, and the Pisco Sours were good too! Now, next time, if we learn Spanish before we go, we'll know what's going on!

Saturday afternoon at TRH - with Hydro Hampster

It's sure fall here now - leaves are coming down today like snow! We're all back at The Rock House for a while now. Hydro is a bit under the weather, with a swelling of some type on his throat. Someone said it made him look like a hampster!! Well, earlier he did, but now he looks normal again, and Vets think antibiotics will cure it all.

Sunday Night, after the Pumpkin Dive

Did you know you can carve pumpkins underwater? All it takes is some dive gear and some knives, and this is the result!

Thursday Morning at The Rock House

I'm back home now for a couple of weeks, after Jamaica, LA, and Hartford. Now its pumpkin carving, racquetball, and walking the dogs until time to go to Edmonton in early November.

(Then to NYC, Toronto, Cyprus and Kuwait.)

Tuesday morning in Kingston, Jamaica

So there' s nothing like a little controversy, huh? When they erected this statue in Kingston's Emancipation Park, it caused some arguments!

I've read that the detail in the statues (both male and female) is quite specific. I've not been there in enough light to verify that -yet. I'll likely have Statue-envy when I do!

Saturday Morning, all back at The Rock House

Well, everybody is back home all at once - for a while. The Shelties back from WV, Deborah back from West Coast, and me back from Peru and Galapagos. Mine was probably the most fun of all, because it wasn't work-related - just diving and touring.

Monday Evening in Lima, Peru

I'm off the Galapagos scuba boat, and finished with Machu Piccu now. Wow!

A couple of days here in Lima, then back home.

Galapagos, Lima, and Machu Pichu

That's where I am. Scuba diving and seeing lots of stuff.

Sunday Night At TRH

Deborah and I are back at The Rock House, but puppies are still in WV. They'll stay there for a couple of more weeks. I'm off to Galapagos Islands for scuba diving, and to Peru for Machu Pichu (a bunch of old stuff up in the mountains, I think.)

Sunday Morning in Palm Beach

I'm back here now, and Tropical Storm Fay is gone-finally. It looked like a swamp land flying in on the plane!

Now we're getting ready to go to the Sunday Brunch at the Breakers Hotel. That's an event which requires several days of recovery, so I won't post blogs for a while -- I'll be a blob instead!

Wednesday Night at TRH

I'm back at The Rock House, having dodged Tropical Storm Fay. She sure didn't make Palm Beach much of a beach place though. Oh well, I had to be working anyway!

Deborah and I both will head back there on Saturday for a week, me working two days, and golfing the rest. Deborah will spa and sun the whole time!

Monday, Near Tropical Storm Fay

They say the storm will miss us here in Palm Beach, but that doesn't mean its beach weather!

Sunday night at The Breakers

If this is Palm Beach, there must be a hurricane on the way. Yep, sure is!

Friday Afternoon at TRH

Well, I'm home with the Shelties, but Deborah is still in California until Sunday. But, then I'm off to Palm Beach and the Shelties back to WV. Maybe end of next week we'll get the whole gang back at TRH.

Tuesday Afternoon in Sao Paulo Airport

I'm at the airport, headed for TRH tonight. Another night on an airplane - about the sixth this year, I think. At least it saves on hotel room costs!

There was one nice two hour period in Rio Monday, and everyone flocked to the beach. Then, the sun retreated and so did the crowd. I think it's a place better visited in the Summer months here. Rio reminds me of Miami Beach, and South Beach, except more people in Rio speak English, I think....

Maybe tomorrow I'll make it to WV to get the Shelties for a while.

Sunday Night in Rio

Rained all day today, and was cloudy, so it wasnt much of a day to tour or sit on the beach or see the city from Corcovado! So, all those string bikini's I was expecting to see were hidden - best I could do was the pictures here.

The rain did stop long enough to sit at a cafe on the beach and have some lunch. And, everybody was talking about some Girl from Impanea, but I didnt get to meet her even though I was right there.

Friday Night in Sao Paulo

Finished with class now, and off for a tour of Sao Paulo tomorrow. I've really seen nothing here but the path from the hotel to the seminar site, many times. After that I'll head for Rio - the city everyone here in Sao Paulo says I need to go to. Then back to here Monday, for some meetings on Tuesday, then back to The Rock House by Wednesday morning.

Wednesday Evening in Sao Paulo

Well, the rain finally finished, with one big cloud burst yesterday. Now, there's blue sky everywhere. Except for amongst the tall buildings, while traveling to/from the seminar site in a taxi - I spend lots of time doing that, because traffic is terrible here!!!

Two more days of work here, then I'm heading to Rio de Janeiro for the weekend. That sounds like fun doesn't it! Then back here on Monday, visit to Banco Itau on Tuesday, then back to the US late Tuesday night.

Sunday Afternoon in Sao Paulo

This is my first time to Sao Paulo Brazil - it's a big city just like many others in the world!

The airport arrival area was a zoo! Getting bags was easy, since I didn't check anything, but the exit like snaked across the baggage area like switchbacks going up a big mountain! There were many more people waiting to leave than there were waiting on the baggage. I waited about 15 minutes, with no movement, then all the sudden we practically had to run to stay with the line - it was like they starting let people go out without any checking.



Almost took a hour to get thru the airport to a taxi! Now, what I get to see from my hotel room is a white sky, and lots of buildings!

Monday at TRH

.... but heading for Phily, then next week to Sao Paulo.

Monday Morning at the Rio in Las Vegas

I'm in LV for a week. My opinion still is that this place, and Dubai, were better as deserts than as what they have become. What a zoo! Construction everywhere here.

After class today I'll go to see the Beatles Love show.

Saturday Morning at TRH

I am back home now for a couple of weeks. Hot, and the grass needed mowing, here!

Thursday Night in Kuwait Dasman Lounge

I think this is the 5th time I've been in this lounge in Kuwait, waiting on a flight, this year! I feel like I am a regular! Brands of beer and wine are still the same -- None!

About 3 hours until boarding time.

Thursday Afternoon in Doha

I'm leaving windy, hot Doha Qatar, headed to hot, windy Kuwait City. But there, in KC, I wont pass thru security, so wont get out into the heat. (Unless, like last trip, my midnight flight gets cancelled and I get to spend an extra day enroute home.)

With any luck I'll be in the Dulles airport around 7am Friday morning

Doha Weather

Well, while I have been here, the weather in Qatar has been nothing but consistent, and this graphic describes it all:

I'll finish my work here tomorrow, then start Thursday evening the long trip home, to get there Friday morning.

Thursday Night in Doha

I made it to Doha, Qatar -- It's hot and dusty and windy here, too. Imagine that!

Thursday Morning in Kuwait City

I'm leaving Kuwaite later to day to go to Qatar. Last night I saw the biggest, nicest mall I have ever seen. The Avenues Mall is hugh, high-ceilings, very open spaces - like being outdoors, except with A/C -- lots of A/C. And that's just parts 1 & 2 - when they open part 3 it will be even bigger!

I'll go to Doha later today, and fly back thru Kuwait next week this time on way back home.

Wednesday Afternoon in Kuwait City

Ugggg - what a brown sky there's been here, and hot temperatures! In January when I was here the sky was blue and beautiful. Now, it's just the opposite! People say it wont get any better until September!

Monday Morning in Kuwait City

I made it to Kuwait, again. Third time for that 11 hour flight this year, so far. No empty seats on the plane this time.

It was 108 degrees at 6pm when we arrived.

Tuesday Morning at TRH

It's been a long time since I blogged! I'm here at TRH for another week, then off to Kuwait and Qatar for a week or so.

Going today to see the Border Patrol, and see if I can get a fast entry card to get thru customs quicker. That would be nice!

Sunday Morning at TRH

It's a rainy Sunday, but at least yesterday was nice enough to be in the yard all day. Now, we're all here at TRH for a couple of weeks.

Friday Night, Back at TRH

I finally made it home from my 3 week trip. This weekend we'll likely go to Cumberland to work on PC's and to WV to get the Shelties. Then, for a couple of days next week, we'll all be back home!

Wednesday Afternoon at Crown Plaza Abu Dhabi

I'm finished now in Abu Dhabi, and leave at 2am for Istanbul, then onto Zurich. I spend Thursday night there, then head back to TRH for arrival in mid-afternoon Friday. It will be good to be home again, at least for a while.

Monday Afternoon, made it to Abu Dhabi

I left the Sharm el Sheikh resort at 5am, went thru Cairo, and now am in Abu Dhabi. Finally, it's warm!!! About 95 degrees here now!!

And, a reminder: Never fly thru Cairo airport. Repeat - NEVER fly thru Cairo. Even if you have to fly an extra day, or in the opposite direction, never fly thru Cairo. There are no employees in the airport or Customs that work for only their salaries. Everybody needs a tip for helping you. Never fly thru Cairo.

Sunday, April 6, at the Jolle Ville in Egypt

I leave early tomorrow, pass thru Cairo airport, then on to Abu Dhabi. I've never made it thru the Cairo airport without having to pay someone, usually a customs or airline person, during the process. I hope I have better luck tomorrow! I dont even want to go there, so it seems like I should not have to pay anyone for their "help" for the transfer. But, we'll see.

I'm going to be in Abu Dhabi for two nights, then start back to the US, arriving sometime Friday.

Thursday Night at the Jolie Ville in Sharm el Sheik

32 years ago I made my first scuba dive in Naama Bay, where this hotel is located. Then, it was about 5 hotels, a couple of restaurants, and an airport nearby. That was nice compared to what it is here now. Too many hotels, too many restaurants, and especially too many people! It is a mess! I did one dive in the bay, but won’t get to do any on the reef – just not enough time. But, someone who does dive says the objective of the dive boats is to move as many people as fast as they can, from reef to reef, so he decided not to dive here again. If that is right, and it likely is, then I don’t think I’d like the diving anyway.

Coming here, and seeing what a tourist trap Sharm el Sheik has become, makes me want to go to Vietnam, and those other parts of the world that are still sane, before they too go crazy with tourists.

Three nights here then a couple in Abu Dhabi, then I make my way back to TRH.

Monday Morning in Istanbul

There's a nice view out my window here. It doesnt face the river, or the really historical places, but it's pretty good none the less. Later today, after some email and other work, I'll try to get out and see some of the city. I've thought about riding around in the open-top bus, but it's just TOO COLD!

Sunday Night at the Intercon in Istanbul

After a long wait in the Sofia airport, and a short flight, I made it to Istanbul. Two nights here, then to Amman.

It's cold here! I thought I was finished with cold in Bulgaria, but Istanbul is not any warmer. Still right around 35-40 degrees when I arrived, and a mist that made it seem like snow. Burrrrr.

Friday night at the Crystal Palace

I'm finished with work for the week, and tomorrow will finally get to tour the city a bit. Then next day leave for Istanbul, then onto Amman, then to Sharm El Sheik.

Tuesday Night at the Crystal Palace

Well, yesterday it was spring in the morning, then it rained and stormed in the afternoon. Today it was spring in the morning, and it snowed in the afternoon. Sounds just like home in MD in the spring, doesnt it?

I went to the Bulgarian Opera tonight. Some guy named Puccini wrote something called Turandot right before he died. It was in Italian, with Bulgarian subtitles - I found out I could listen with my eyes closed!

Sunday-Blog Anniversary

Three years of Travel Blogs today! Lots of places! Now leaving Zurich (in the snow) to go to Sofia, Bulgaria for 10 days.

Tuesday Morning at TRH

I'm back at TRH after the quick trip to Jacksonville. Seems like springtime here in DC!!

Sunday Night at the Hyatt in Jacksonville

I'm on a short trip to Jacksonville, FL for a day-long training seminar, then back to TRH for the rest of the week. On Friday night comes Zurich, Sofia, Sharm El Sheik, Abu Dhabi, and Istanbul all in one long trip.

Sunday at The Rock House

Everybody's back at TRH now -- and it's spring time - well almost. At least the early-spring flowers are out!!






On the pics, one is from today, the other is from February 23, 2000.

Saturday Afternoon - In Curacao Airport

I am now back in Curacao, after flying in from Aruba this morning. I got up to see the sunrise there, from a mountain at the south end of the island - but there was not sun. Too cloudy!

Now, I have about 3 hours before going thru Atlanta to TRH by midnight or so. I guess it will be cold back there! At least Priority Pass gets me into the lounge in Curacao airport, so I dont have to pass the time in the boarding area.

Thursday Night in Aruba

I had a meeting with Jolley Holding Company today, a rental car, autodealer, insurance, real estate company here. A little bit of everything.

I also did the second day of 2+ hour snorkel/swims in the water outside of the Paradise Found B&B I am at. For snorkeling, it's pretty good - good enough to make me not want to go out on the rocky dive boat. That might turn out like the dive boat trip we did here 8+ years ago - the roughest boat ride, with the littlest to see on a dive!

Tomorrow I have lunch at Marina Pirata restaurant, then back to TRH on Saturday morning.

Wednesday Afternoon in Aruba

I made it from Curacao to Aruba yesterday. Little did I know, until paying the departure tax, that Aruba is an international destintation, compared to Curacao. So instead of $8 tax, it was $32!! And, I learned Aruba is not part of the Netherland Antilles any more - I learned that when I tried to use Bonaire money at a grocery store here!! They gladly took US cash instead.

When I got here, I looked around and found the long-lost lighthouse that we had pictures of but I could not place - it's California Lighthouse!!



And, there's an E&Y office here - but not exactly a high-rise!! I'll be at D&T tonight for an IIA meeting so will compare.

Monday Night at the Habitat Curacao

When I saw the can of bug spray in the closet of the hotel, I should have known it was there for a reason. Ants have almost overtaken the room -- so nice!!! I sprayed, then went to dinner, and now the ants are gone and I get to smell the insecticide!!

I went into town today, Willemsted. It was like being in Amsterdam!! I guess that makes sense, but I never got that same feel from being in Bonaire.

Instead of buying wooden clogs to wear, I bought some of the silly plastic ones - but these are a reasonable color, not orange or red. Even if they dont work, the cost was just $7, as opposed to the $30 they sell for in the US.

Tomorrow I am flying to Aruba in the afternoon.

Sunday Night at Habitat Curacao

Diving in Curacao really wasn't much different, or better, than Bonaire. Same views and same temperature. We did see Pilot Whales from the boat on the way to the dive site, so that was pretty neat. We dove in the Mushroom Forrest - but to me, it looked like most other non-mushroom dive sites!!

And, I guess I'm either very international or very boring, since I'm setting in my hotel room in Curacao, using the internet to book airline tickets for Bulgaria and Jordan and Egypt. I should be out doing something else!! I have a couple of business meetings tomorrow in Willemstad, so we'll see what that is like.

Saturday Morning - Leaving Bonaire

Leaving here on a 3pm flight to go to Curacao for three nights. Then after that on to Aruba for four nights. Maybe diving in those places, but mostly meetings to try and get some future seminars there. And, I even have some work to do.

Friday Noon at Buddy Dive in Bonaire

Finished with diving here now, and headed to national park this afternoon just for a drive thru. It was good diving here in Bonaire, lots of seahorses and eels this year, and the weather was good all week.

Wednesday Night in Bonaire

Lots of sun here this week - better than the cold weather back at TRH I think. Diving is good, there are more seahorses here than I have seen before, and still no sharks. I dont think I have ever seen a shark here - maybe tomorrow!

Sunday Night at Buddy Dive in Bonaire

After a 1 day delay my luggage and dive gear arrived in Bonaire. Better than last year when it took 3 days to get the luggage here!

Everything here at Buddys and on Bonaire is about the same as last year - diving and not much else to do! I can deal with that!

Saturday Night - Black Tie and Tails

The Shelties went to one of their formal events Saturday night. Benefiting the Animal Welfare League of Alexandria. Lots of tux's and formal attire for humans, and a chance for all the puppies to mingle about. Even Joan Rivers, well a look-alike, was there.

Guess which water the Shelties choose to drink from??? Evian, Perrier, Fiji, or Toilet water???

Thursday Morning at TRH

I've been home for a week now, but that's gonna stop soon. Feb 23 to March 1 I'll be in Bonaire, Curacao, and Aruba. Some of it is diving and the rest work.

Then, back to TRH for a couple of weeks before Bulgaria, Jordan and Abu Dhabi.

Link to my calendar

Wednesday back at TRH

Well, that was quite a return trip! Finally got home about 10am, after two hours in Dulles trying to get luggage. I was the last one out of customs!

And forget about that "four empty seats to stretch out" thing - there was not an empty seat on the plane, so I got to spend all 13+hours of flight time squished into a seat between two people - guys no less!

Tuesday Night at the Dasman Lounge - Kuwait City

Well, it's prooving a bit difficult to get out of Kuwait this time. Last night, the 12:40am flight was cancelled, at 3am. Then we got to the airport transit hotel (very bad!) at 4:30am - the confusion was at a high level!!

Now, about 24 hours later, I'm trying again to get out on the same 12:40am flight. We'll see if it goes any better this time.

Meanwhile, I missed January 29th at TRH. Sorry!

Monday night in Dasman Lounge - Kuwait

It seems like I've been here too much lately. Another 2 hours and I'm off to the US.

Monday Evening in the Dubai Airport

I'm finished in Dubai and on my way to Kuwait City then on to IAD. If all goes well I should get there sometime early Tuesday morning. Since I've already taught all day Monday, and have 15+ hours of flying still to go, I guess that makes Monday a pretty long day! I sure hope United Economy Plus out of Kuwait is not crowded so I can stretch out across four seats!!

Saturday Night - back in Dubai

I made it back to Dubai today, and it was amazing at passport control - no people in line there!!! I walked right up to the booth!!! That's better than the 30-40 minutes before!!! But, I still got to wait though, because it was 30 more minutes before my bag came up. They made me check the bag because it was too heavy to carry-on - thanks to the Wii, I guess.

Then I went to the Emirates Mall - and I know why there was no one at passport control -- they were ALL at the Mall. What a zoo!!!! I think it's related to what they call dsf - Dubai Shopping Festival http://www.mydsf.com/. I escaped back to the Metropolitan Hotel after buying a hamburger and watching the kids ski down the slopes. I dont think I need to go back!

Friday Night - Last Night in Qatar

I'm leaving for Dubai tomorrow, then teaching there two days Sunday and Monday, then leaving for the US early, early Tuesday morning, thru Kuwait and to be back at TRH my mid-morning Tuesday January 29.

January 29 - there's something familiar about that date ...

Friday Night after Qatar Tour

I went on a tour today, to see a bit of Qatar. They really are doing lots of building here. I went north to the natural gas fields, where all the money comes from!!!

And I saw the fish market. Guess what my shoes smell like now?

And, there is a mall here that is copied after the Venetian in Las Vegas - canal, sky, buildings and everything. But, I guess they could not call it the same name -- so they named it the Vellegio. Not the Beliago, or the Venetian - but a combination of those names!

Thursday Night, after the Camel Races

Well, I know what happens at camel races now. The camels are secondary -- the real objective is for everyone to drive their SUV's in the desert!! The camels are on an oval track, maybe 6 miles around. They race on the trace while 40+ owners, spectators, etc in their SUV's race around the inside and outside of the track to keep up.

I don't really know which camels won - because they all looked the same to me. And, real people don't ride the camels -- they used to tie kids on top, but somebody thought that was a bad idea, so now they use robots. The driver/owners in the SUV's have remote controllers that can cause the robot to swat the camel to get them to run faster!!!

And yes, it is in the desert, and it's just as dusty as it sounds like it would be. I think one trip to the camel track will be enough for me.

I didn't think I'd know anybody there --- but then Flat Stanley showed up!!! It reminded me of our Flat Stanley.

Thursday Morning in Doha

I think this really is a "little Dubai" - building cranes everywhere! I went to the old souq's yesterday, then to the City Centre Mall - lots of contrast in those two places. Today, I'm off to the camel races!!!

Oh, and I have not seen a blue sky yet -- there's always this brown, sandy colored sky instead.