tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-99031692011-11-27T20:07:39.943-05:00Here is where I describe my travels, so you know where I've beenLarry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.comBlogger3871100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-8865509379137622542011-02-16T10:11:00.002-05:002011-02-16T10:17:00.416-05:00

I have not updated this travel blog in more than a year. That does not mean I am not traveling. In fact, here's all the places I've been lately: http://lhubbard.wikispaces.com/Trip-LogI think that it means I am a Twitter-length guy and a Facebook guy, but not a blog-length guy.You can find me at:http://twitter.com/ldhubbardhttp://www.facebook.com/ldhubbard

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-43127792731225135302010-05-13T02:32:00.002-05:002010-05-13T02:37:48.545-05:00

Back at TRH after Karachi, Dubai, Istanbul, Sofia, and Abu Dhabi. I'll be here a couple of weeks (except for a trip to Richmond) then off to San Juan and onto Dominica for a week of diving.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-15675987305592442322010-02-10T18:08:00.005-05:002010-02-10T18:20:16.772-05:00

I hope we are on the downside of the Blizzard of February 2010 (as opposed to the Blizzard of December 2009, which was enough for anyone). For the February storm, from 2/5-10, there have been 30+ inches of snow, with lots of blowing wind. I know TRH lost two trees, and many limbs, from breakage with the weight of the snow. I've paid, and cleared myself, the drive more times than anyone should

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-25093111043136005562010-01-27T11:30:00.003-05:002010-01-27T11:35:18.894-05:00

I'm home between trips: Just back from Bonaire, and off next week to Niagara on the Lake, then Belize. Also planning future dive trips to Dominica and Bonaire, later this year.All my Bonaire 2010 videos and pictures are on Picasa, and some videos are also on YouTube.My browser is set for a live telecast of Apple's press conference today, likely to announce the Apple Tablet - something I've been

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-41758369062228556232009-12-25T10:10:00.003-05:002009-12-25T10:15:09.818-05:00

Wow - Christmas already. Lots of traveling, and lots of snow on the ground here in Bethesda. I'm off this afternoon for Istanbul for a week.Merry Christmas, Happy Holidays, and Happy New Year to everyone!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-69957375035284273892009-11-10T07:24:00.002-05:002009-11-10T07:29:02.001-05:00

Just returned from Rome, Riyadh, and Jeddah. I flew from Dulles to Rome and back on United, on one of their new 767 jets. It was really nice! I upgraded to Business Class, where the seats recline into fully flat beds, there is on-demand video, power for your PC, and a USB plug to charge your mobile devices.I actually flew to Rome in Economy Plus, and returned in B-Class. There's a real difference

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-69856505313724493472009-10-23T11:48:00.003-05:002009-10-23T11:54:56.372-05:00

Well, I guess this is my monthly blog entry. That seems to be the level of activity. I'm much more active on Twitter - there I update Twitter, Facebook and Plaxo with where I am, so that if I disappear somewhere in the world, someone would know where to start looking for me.I am home now, then going to WV to see the Shelties. They've been there a couple of weeks, and looks like they wont come

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-47429450807730583192009-09-23T08:11:00.003-05:002009-09-23T08:14:07.469-05:00

Hello blog - It's been another month, and still I am tweeting instead of blogging! Maybe I'll do better soon! I'm at TRH for a couple of weeks, then off to Abu Dhabi, Dallas, Austin, Rome, Riyadh, Bahrain, Hawaii and Istanbul (at least) before yearend. Many weeks on the road after this spell at home.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-67639215877932510242009-08-25T05:50:00.003-05:002009-08-25T05:54:09.271-05:00

Hey blog - I've been ignoring you again. Updating my status via Twitter, and showing it on Facebook and Plaxo fits my style much better. I think I'm a 140 character writer instead of the more lengthy kind. I'm back from Bonaire, and off to Palm Beach and Toronto over the next several weeks.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-5984683655432904932009-07-18T17:20:00.003-05:002009-07-18T17:26:14.500-05:00

Hello Blog! It's been a while - but then again this is a travel blog, and I have not been traveling. I don't count all those trips to WV to deliver and pickup the Shelties, or those to Cumberland to fix PC's as trips.But, coming up are San Francisco, Winston-Salem, Bonaire, Palm Beach, then Toronto -- between now and mid-September. Even though the Cumberland trips aren't overseas, they still

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-13876389620893423382009-06-26T07:16:00.004-05:002009-06-26T07:19:35.796-05:00

These are held every 2 years at David Taylor Research Center, right across the street from The Rock House. It's a really neat event, to see and to dive at. The website is International Submarine Races.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-30882545786451662222009-06-22T08:16:00.003-05:002009-06-22T08:23:12.386-05:00

Ya know, of all the cities in the world, NYC is just a pretty great place! Even an IPhone camera phone picture looks good from there.Maybe that's why I go there three or four times a year!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-34786810120832491952009-06-10T11:09:00.005-05:002009-06-10T11:15:33.495-05:00

OK, so all those overseas places were nice. But, there are also some pretty, and nice, places just around the corner here right at home. Like this, on the way home from West Virginia today.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-66952165645138333762009-06-04T13:25:00.005-05:002009-06-04T13:42:43.148-05:00

What a beautiful country Bulgaria is! I know everyone wont believe that, but I've seen the southern part of it, near Greece, now and I can say first hand how pretty it is.I visited Plovdiv, then the Vucha Lakes area, where the weather was great and the scenery was even better.I'd certainly do that again - but there's a whole country out there to see! Maybe starting with the Black Sea coast next

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-50127710016444859842009-05-28T00:26:00.003-05:002009-05-28T00:31:50.240-05:00

This pic is looking out my window at the Hyatt Regency in Istanbul. Not bad! It's located across street from the Intercontinental Hotel, where I've usually stayed, in Taksim Square area. The 2am to 6am flight from Riyadh was no fun, but business class helped. Now, we'll see if I can stay awake all day. Getting off the plane in 60 degree weather helps though - that's different than the 90 degrees

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-90054976105782670102009-05-22T14:02:00.002-05:002009-05-22T14:12:07.332-05:00

Here are pics of my favorite things here: Kingdom Center and the Red Sea!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-53191875286485766302009-05-17T02:12:00.005-05:002009-05-17T02:32:06.347-05:00

I'm finished with 3 days of work here, and off this evening to Riyadh. The Radisson Hotel here is way south of the city, so a long bus ride into town if you want to go. I didn't - thought I'd likely seen enough cities recently. And, finally, after almost three weeks (from back in Beirut) I've kicked off the cold I had. Finally had to go to clinic here at resort and get some antibiotics and

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-52620140558731805382009-05-12T13:47:00.002-05:002009-05-12T13:53:16.996-05:00

Wow - what a place Rome is - it's like a big, outdoor museum. In fact, I think that's in their tourist literature somewhere. Every block has old stuff on it or in it - amazing. It would take forever to see all this place - because I guess it's been here almost forever. Something about being the eternal city, I think.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-20955486159231272432009-04-29T08:54:00.004-05:002009-04-29T09:04:53.798-05:00

People this week asked if this was my 1st time to Dubai. When I said it was about the 10th time, they were surprised. I guess that does sound like a lot. Lets see, 10*15 hours of flying each way is about 300 hours in an airplane. Wish I got paid to fly!This Meridien is close to the airport and has lots of waiting space.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-65200003406012530062009-04-20T10:12:00.003-05:002009-04-20T10:28:14.956-05:00

I made it thru Saudi Arabia, and am now in Beirut -- what a beautiful city! And the weather is super - 70 degrees and blue skys. I walked along the sea front corniche today for about 4 hours. Lots of miles (tracking my route all the way on my Iphone, of course!!)Lots of great looking swimming/club's were along the area nearby the lighthouse point, but mostly they were closed. Not due to the

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-22619125486779080622009-04-09T12:03:00.002-05:002009-04-09T12:07:22.014-05:00

Tonight was going to be an overnight in the desert night. But, these non-Texans here decided it was too windy and sandy, so we were blown out!! So instead of a nice quiet night in the starry desert, I'm back in Steineke. Or, maybe they were right and it wouldnt have really been nice and starry tonight in the desert ...

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-77730424180279259332009-03-31T12:03:00.003-05:002009-04-02T03:52:56.714-05:00

Ahhh - I'm back in good ole Steineke Hall at Saudi Aramco. Almost like like a university dorm. But, there are improvements this time: an HD TV in the room, and a desktop computer. It took a while to get the computer to work, but now all is OK (for a while). They have bought thousands of new PC's, monitors, keyboards, etc here. That's good. But all the monitors and PC's have digital video ports

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-4378156687354657882009-02-10T17:47:00.002-05:002009-02-10T17:52:56.595-05:00

I'm here at the Paradise Found B&B in Aruba again, just like this time last year. Next week I'm off to Bonaire for scuba diving. Weather is a bit better here than at home right now!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-29214281897476002152009-01-22T15:50:00.004-05:002009-01-22T15:52:14.179-05:00

There's not so many Blogs now, because I've found I live better in the 140 character world of Twitter!You can follow me on Twitter much more frequently than here on the Travel Blog.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-17506454065404130402008-12-31T07:35:00.002-05:002008-12-31T07:39:53.909-05:00

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!!!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-22792560417901235382008-12-26T23:47:00.002-05:002008-12-31T08:11:23.692-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-46345058674093451642008-12-13T11:54:00.003-05:002008-12-13T11:58:56.274-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-21261199493984875072008-12-11T14:47:00.002-05:002008-12-11T14:54:18.407-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-66242792348266428282008-11-30T20:37:00.004-05:002008-11-30T20:39:57.876-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-17579845591931706462008-11-16T08:28:00.004-05:002008-11-16T08:35:22.156-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-2168698806089011862008-11-08T13:10:00.006-05:002008-11-08T13:17:21.193-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-91971879510749019082008-10-26T15:53:00.004-05:002008-10-26T15:57:37.691-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-81332708097430072112008-10-23T07:36:00.003-05:002008-10-23T07:44:19.447-05:00

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.)

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-22604606306082729362008-10-14T07:14:00.005-05:002008-10-14T07:26:15.394-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-28316947825539735742008-09-20T07:48:00.004-05:002008-09-20T07:53:59.479-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-16802666136759481302008-09-15T19:31:00.000-05:002008-09-15T19:33:53.364-05:00

I'm off the Galapagos scuba boat, and finished with Machu Piccu now. Wow!A couple of days here in Lima, then back home.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-33266101070627076262008-09-03T06:15:00.001-05:002008-09-03T06:16:57.736-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-35392938976693635812008-08-31T22:11:00.002-05:002008-08-31T22:13:38.359-05:00

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.)

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-35920975365891190922008-08-24T09:06:00.003-05:002008-08-24T09:12:40.814-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-60282076230172357272008-08-20T19:38:00.003-05:002008-08-20T19:40:28.193-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-54325374856169054492008-08-18T18:10:00.002-05:002008-08-18T18:28:30.189-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-74123828433572681772008-08-17T19:36:00.000-05:002008-08-17T19:40:04.169-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-47927384487137330052008-08-15T15:22:00.001-05:002008-08-15T15:24:01.186-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-19121299837380385212008-08-12T14:51:00.002-05:002008-08-12T14:55:12.098-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-63091762475088283992008-08-10T18:54:00.006-05:002008-08-12T14:58:58.448-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-60212874890443032342008-08-08T19:31:00.002-05:002008-08-08T19:37:25.191-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-56164496296417602792008-08-06T18:35:00.002-05:002008-08-06T18:40:04.706-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-27842128122760937872008-08-03T12:41:00.005-05:002008-08-03T12:49:00.790-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-1794691870663352432008-07-28T19:11:00.002-05:002008-07-28T19:11:54.665-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-48464636298138989072008-07-21T09:08:00.002-05:002008-07-21T09:12:53.920-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-25040149105195161362008-06-14T05:31:00.001-05:002008-06-14T05:33:19.736-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-35571117933572118192008-06-12T12:16:00.002-05:002008-06-12T12:19:25.779-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-40761307626519694642008-06-12T08:32:00.002-05:002008-06-12T08:34:41.688-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-9865344430097638112008-06-10T09:17:00.003-05:002008-06-10T09:20:21.666-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-89994218773207925042008-06-05T13:48:00.001-05:002008-06-05T13:49:12.248-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-20503660719279203892008-06-05T00:36:00.002-05:002008-06-05T00:43:28.813-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-25403271039189791792008-06-04T07:14:00.002-05:002008-06-04T07:19:50.547-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-57308022171634952742008-06-01T06:40:00.000-05:002008-06-01T22:46:24.038-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-6194032266743294392008-05-27T09:51:00.000-05:002008-05-27T09:54:11.505-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-86161268129230374062008-04-20T10:35:00.001-05:002008-04-20T10:36:50.978-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-35615073960646916152008-04-11T17:47:00.000-05:002008-04-11T17:48:29.936-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-14605864681336462652008-04-09T14:50:00.001-05:002008-04-09T05:53:21.968-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-57369305409931226462008-04-07T16:13:00.000-05:002008-04-07T07:16:55.620-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-83260520765734009862008-04-06T17:43:00.000-05:002008-04-06T10:44:24.862-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-8074536950776814182008-04-03T21:03:00.001-05:002008-04-03T14:06:24.967-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-85207819947132954752008-03-31T01:54:00.004-05:002008-03-31T02:01:30.270-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-71939736824890078782008-03-30T22:27:00.000-05:002008-03-30T14:30:15.318-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-18947402418222310192008-03-28T21:22:00.000-05:002008-03-28T14:24:53.809-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-24922148916875417812008-03-25T22:15:00.001-05:002008-03-25T15:25:21.722-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-70270809049336351052008-03-23T08:07:00.002-05:002008-03-25T15:26:01.061-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-22410200475855998582008-03-18T08:48:00.002-05:002008-03-18T08:49:15.129-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-78731282378211834132008-03-16T19:23:00.003-05:002008-03-16T19:25:44.807-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-44386437471708758792008-03-02T14:13:00.006-05:002008-03-02T14:32:43.352-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-88212110771980664572008-03-01T12:37:00.003-05:002008-03-01T12:41:06.175-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-74322080957057293212008-02-28T17:06:00.003-05:002008-02-28T17:15:24.385-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-15552990111097674042008-02-27T13:46:00.006-05:002008-02-27T13:56:03.849-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-21209551847127075702008-02-25T18:56:00.005-05:002008-02-25T19:08:59.644-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-39157696689135746282008-02-24T20:40:00.004-05:002008-02-24T20:48:31.910-05:00

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,

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-66189537211808957292008-02-23T08:24:00.002-05:002008-02-23T08:29:53.382-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-70182065057393527562008-02-22T10:44:00.005-05:002008-02-22T10:58:48.082-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-27891268926206117412008-02-20T22:33:00.002-05:002008-02-20T22:39:48.028-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-87009078988376246642008-02-17T21:20:00.002-05:002008-02-17T21:22:29.938-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-12932677080664340572008-02-11T09:53:00.000-05:002008-02-11T10:06:14.487-05:00

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???

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-29816295488994978922008-02-07T10:46:00.000-05:002008-02-07T10:49:52.546-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-52740813604361894742008-01-30T12:52:00.000-05:002008-01-30T12:56:01.951-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-19113164136777580892008-01-29T19:48:00.000-05:002008-01-29T11:51:54.481-05:00

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!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-22031571622325662662008-01-28T22:37:00.000-05:002008-01-28T14:40:31.012-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-14623698981932733892008-01-28T18:19:00.000-05:002008-01-28T14:41:09.968-05:00

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!!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-41894724448045566962008-01-26T20:41:00.000-05:002008-01-26T12:00:07.107-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-80544663590673447012008-01-25T22:21:00.000-05:002008-01-25T14:24:10.907-05:00

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 ...

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-82674267968563570172008-01-25T09:26:00.000-05:002008-01-25T09:37:16.939-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-15148062263133947272008-01-24T14:40:00.000-05:002008-01-24T23:57:05.144-05:00

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

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-16072054100427892772008-01-24T08:05:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:08:36.432-05:00

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.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-63318378072915875632008-01-22T19:14:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:09:16.979-05:00

I made it to Doha. We were late leaving Abu Dhabi because a "delegation" had to board. The plane pulled away from the terminal then stopped, and a ramp-truck came to the door. Then 5 or 6 black and white limos pulled up, and a dozen or so men in suits, and local dignitaries got out. They said farewells, then the dozen suits came on the plane -- and went to back of economy class, even though

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-67659577175088446192008-01-21T18:30:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:09:42.376-05:00

I'm finished with work here, and off tomorrow to Doha, Qatar -- everyone says it's a "Little Dubai" with all the construction going on. We'll see.Oh - and I bought a traveling companion in Abu Dhabi - a Wii!!!!!!! Now I can play tennis, baseball, etc. in the hotel room!!!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-89383812650148337092008-01-19T22:10:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:10:02.899-05:00

I made it out of Kuwait City for the 2 hour flight down to Abu Dhabi. When I got the airport I remembered one of the reasons why I like this city better than Dubai - no line at Passport Control. I walked up, showed my Passport, and walked thru - that easy. I didnt check any luggage, so I was out of the airport within 5 minutes of getting off the plane - much better than the hour or so in Passport

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-28350017454232469402008-01-18T14:23:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:10:43.012-05:00

Well, I saw all of Kuwait City, and almost all of Kuwait country in a 4 hour tour this morning! It's not a really big place. But, all those building cranes that are not in UAE and Qatar are here in Kuwait, I think!!Those are the Kuwait Towers in the background, and me in the foreground (in case you didn't recognize me with the beard!)

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-77878155068770447242008-01-18T07:55:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:10:43.012-05:00

I made it back to Kuwait, and this time instead of just transferring through the airport, I actually am going to stay a couple of nights. After that, it's on to Abu Dhabi, then Doha, then Dubai, and maybe even back here to Kuwait before leaving for TRH around February 1.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-81866254787003867652008-01-07T08:41:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:11:33.405-05:00

We're all back a The Rock House for a week or so!

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9903169.post-8976212798515787272008-01-04T09:54:00.000-05:002008-01-25T00:11:02.568-05:00

We made it thru Dubai and Jordan and now are on the long trip back to TRH. Six hours here, then a 12+ hour flight to arrive Dulles about 7am Saturday. We left our coats out so we'll be ready for cold weather again.

Larry Hubbardhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02815370101602072009noreply@blogger.com0