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Sorry for no posts while I was in Hong Kong. My data service didn't work there. Anyway I really liked the city. There was so much to do, and it wasn't too expensive. The city skyline is really amazing especially from this ferry view. A lot of history here too.
Everything is on time, another see eye flight, this time to Hong Kong. It is a Cathay Pacific flight. They are Hong Kong's airline and view are supposed to have some me the best service in the world. Their seats are good but not great, once again the cabin is empty so it should be a good flight. Dubai was fun but I am excited to in to another new city.
Well, this morning I went to the beach and relaxed a bit. I went around 8 am so it was still bearable heat. Then I went back to my hotel to shower and check out. With some time to kill I decided to stop by the massive Mall of Dubai. I got some ice skating in, and a bite to eat. Now back to the hotel to get my luggage and say Goodbye to Dubai.
Today I booked a desert 4x4 excursion. It's also called 'Dune Crashing'. Basically there were a bunch of drivers who were crazy and tore through the desert. It was a blast. I also got a chance to ride a camel. So it was a very interesting afternoon. Tomorrow I am going early to the beach and then heading to Hong Kong.
I am staying on Sheik Zayred road which is also known as The Strip. Lots of big skyscrapers here. This is one of the metro stations. The Dubai metro just opened on 9.9.09, and it is quite impressive, though many stations are still under construction. Nearly all look just like this; it is meant to be like an oyster. Today I am taking an excursion to the desert which should be a lot of fun.
Today I finally got to explore Dubai a bit. Dubai is very spread out. The area I am in is the business district. Against my normal instincts I decided to buy an afternoon tour package. It was not expensive and was worth the money (even though some parts were boring). Here we took a water taxi. It was cool, the taxi was old, probably older than every building in sight. Everyone in Dubai is so nice, even random people on the street. Still, I am only now feeling more comfortable in this very different place.
Got to my hotel, the Crowne Plaza. I used hotel points for my nights here. Happily they let me check in at 630 am, and even gave me a room upgrade! Here's the view from my room. I am going to shower and take a stroll before it gets too hot.
Well I am safe on the ground in Dubai, passed immigration. Still at the airport since it's only 6 am. The British Airways crew was great, but there were only 7 of us in Business Class so view had it easy. The plane was originally a 747 but got down gauged to a 777, I think it is safe to say business travel is suffering here. Got a terrific view of the city on approach but too dark for photos. Now, to tackle a taxi to my hotel!
Well today is my last day in England, at least for now. Matt dropped me at Rugby Station which is about 30 min from his house. This is the most efficient way to Manchester Airport, though it still requires two train transfers! My long leg to Crewe is over now and here I sit. It was on a Virgin train and it went about 125 mph. I upgraded to First since they have a Sunday special, it was nice, free WiFi and power plugs, but I don't think I'd pay full price. Coach is pretty nice too. Now I have a short hop to London and then transfer to Dubai.
I met Matt in Northampton which was a pleasant and inexpensive train ride from Birmingham Airport. We went up to his place in Market Harborough from there. It was a cloudy day on Thursday but Friday and today are sunny and warm again. No clouds. Yesterday I went to Cosworth and had a bit of an interview with them, they will supply engines to 3 F1 teams next season. It went well. Today Matt and I are on the train to Nottingham. It's my last full day in England.
We arrived at The Granary yesterday. Gramps friend Paul (pictured) and his wife own this farmhouse and have a terrific bed and breakfast on what was a working farm. They also have a working restaurant on weekends. Their farm house is from the late 1600s? It has been hard to get data service here so apologies for the lack of updates.
Bill, Gramps and I visited the Claverly Cricket club. It's the same place that view both played Cricket in 1954. The old clubhouse was there and the last match me the year was being played. According to my company it wasn't as big a spectacle as it used to be and the clubhouse was tired. But it still brought back some memories. I learned a bit about the game as well, and again we could not ask for better weather.
We went to an air museum in Cosford yesterday. It was a really interesting museum with four hangars. This hangar was the most interesting construction. It had a lot of cold war items. Bill and Grandpa (in the photo) were able to resolve some disputes about some early aircraft too. Not a cloud in the sky and very pleasant.
Yesterday Grampa and I drove through Wales and back into England. We stopped at a slate mine in Wales which was fun. Wales is beautiful. We then stopped at Bridgnorth which is where Gramps used to go shopping when he lived in Claverly. This is the town Hall.
We are staying at a bed and breakfast tonight in Beaumaris. It also has a castle, but this one in Conwy is grander. It has been a long day of flying and driving but this area is beautiful.
New city, new aircraft. Always a pleasure. It's my first time on an American Airlines 767 internationally. It is not as nice as United but the seat seems plenty comfortable. The entertainment seems a bit sketchy, looks like a laptop shoved in the seat! But i have no complaints. Everything is on schedule.
Well apologies for not giving more frequent updates. The Chicago weather has been brilliant. Here is a view from the Sears tower.
Well I arrived in Chicago early, waiting for my friend Matt to pick me up. Just wanted to show you guys what 2 months me travel packs like (and my new Rimowa roller!). There is even a sleeping bag in there if you can believe it!
