Sunday, January 29, 2006
In transit...
I am in Dubai Transit and its really weird. Its 2:30 am in the morning and there are thousands of zombie like people wandering aimlessly around, occasionally buying something from the innumerable shops selling anythings that is shiny and glittery.
Its weird.
The flight to this zombie shopping paradise was uneventful. Watched some movies and ate some food. Leg space was great...
We just spent out last dirham we had left over from our visit here not so long ago on two cups of Starbucks coffee. And now I am standing at the Samsung free internet space whilst Sandra stares aimlessly at the strangeness.
Still 20 minutes to check-in. Dum dee dum. Be Boop.
Sandra and I are now going to check in...
See you from the other side of the equator.
Its weird.
The flight to this zombie shopping paradise was uneventful. Watched some movies and ate some food. Leg space was great...
We just spent out last dirham we had left over from our visit here not so long ago on two cups of Starbucks coffee. And now I am standing at the Samsung free internet space whilst Sandra stares aimlessly at the strangeness.
Still 20 minutes to check-in. Dum dee dum. Be Boop.
Sandra and I are now going to check in...
See you from the other side of the equator.
Friday, January 27, 2006
Hmmph...
This morning I woke up and saw to my left a bundle of blankets that I decided not to disturb. First I lay for over an hour without moving staring at the ceiling trying to fall back to sleep. Then eventually... very very slowly... I inched my way off the bed... and then in the absolute darkness I searched for my tracksuit pants and my shoes; which was no easy task in the dark. Eventually I then, quiet as a mouse, slipped through a crack in the door - so no light could slip in. The bundle never stirred, never moved and most importantly did not get irritated and angry with me.
Very proud of myself I walked though the kitchen into the eating area and discovered Walter, Martin, Doris and Sandra all eating breakfast.
Hmmmph...
I spent most of the day watching BBC and CNN and listening to their commentary on the dramatic democratic revolution in the territories.
Hmmmph....
Well day is done, and we are packing to go homewards.
Very proud of myself I walked though the kitchen into the eating area and discovered Walter, Martin, Doris and Sandra all eating breakfast.
Hmmmph...
I spent most of the day watching BBC and CNN and listening to their commentary on the dramatic democratic revolution in the territories.
Hmmmph....
Well day is done, and we are packing to go homewards.
Thursday, January 26, 2006
Back in Germany again...
The drive was uneventful. Sandra seems adamant that tomorrow will be spent here in this house and then of course on the next day we head homewards...
I am being called for supper...
I am being called for supper...
On the way back to Germany...
We are about to leave for Germany. Walter and Sandra are busy packing the car and we have all just finished breakfast. Five of us (Walter said he was not interested) chose numbers for the Swiss Lotto for 220 million Swiss Francs (give or take a few million); if any of the chosen sets come up we will split the money five ways.
Once back in Germany we will spend the next full day in Germany, I am hoping for chance to to go the Cologne art museum, but it seems we may just spend the day in the house whilst Sandra sorts Sandra stuff out. I am not in charge of this day. But I am still hoping a little...
later...
Once back in Germany we will spend the next full day in Germany, I am hoping for chance to to go the Cologne art museum, but it seems we may just spend the day in the house whilst Sandra sorts Sandra stuff out. I am not in charge of this day. But I am still hoping a little...
later...
Wednesday, January 25, 2006
A bit of a stroll....
Today was taken very leisurely. A slow breakfast and then in the early afternoon a leisurely stroll around the Swiss and French countryside. The Grafs live in Crassier in the countryside on the border between France and Switzerland so as we wandered and looked at the fields, farms, animals, ducks etc we constantly criss crossed between France and Switzerland.
And then we relaxed indoors after a vegetable soup to read and relax. I am reading Coetzee`s new novel "Slow Man".
Nicole and Karine, just back from Cape Town, joined us for supper and we heard the stories of the rest of their holidays in South Africa.
All in all a slow, leisurely and relaxing day.
Tomorrow we return to Germany.
Sleep tight....
And then we relaxed indoors after a vegetable soup to read and relax. I am reading Coetzee`s new novel "Slow Man".
Nicole and Karine, just back from Cape Town, joined us for supper and we heard the stories of the rest of their holidays in South Africa.
All in all a slow, leisurely and relaxing day.
Tomorrow we return to Germany.
Sleep tight....
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
About in Geneva
Walter and Doris were not interested in joining Sandra, Rémond and I in visiting museums, so just the three of us set off this morning. Our first port of call was the main museum of Geneva. Wow! Sandra and I wandered around with eyes and hearts wide open. We saw great paintings from all the great artists modern, surrealist, impressionist and classical. There were also Rodin sculptures and an area in which an old castle that was taken down had been "rebuilt" indoors. It was wondrous. This took us to lunch time, and we had coffee and shared some cake between us... We then moved on to the next stop, a stop which was to take my breath away, we went to see what if was not the largest private book collection in the world, was damn close. We went to the the museum of the book of the Foundation Martin Bodmer. There were original Egyptian papyrus scrolls, copies of Virgil and Homer and Homer from hundreds and hundreds of years ago. I saw a Gutenburg Bible. I saw the oldest copies of Shakespeares plays. I saw pieces, poems etc from Satre, Kant, Marquis de Sade, Lord Byron and many more written in their own handwriting.
And the first editions.... Sir Isaac Newton's "Principles", More's "Utopia", Galileo, Copernicus... Even a first edition of Gulliver's travels, Goete, Rousseau and so on and so on and so on... to be able to almost reach out and touch (if it was not for the thin pane of glass separating us) books that changed the way people think and act. The first editions are editions of books as they existed before they changed (in some cases literally) the entire way the world turned; the way governments acted, revolutions turned and people thought. Pages, blocks, papyrus with Greek, Hieroglyphics and even an artifact from the earliest writing ever recorded.
Sandra and I, both being bibliophiles, left stunned.
But our wondrous day had not come close to ending yet. Rémond told us he will be retiring in the next year or so and probably the next time we are in Geneva he will be retired; so if we are interested in how air traffic control works now was the time. And of course we were more than just a little excited to be given such a privledge:- to see into how the air traffic of the world is controlled and kept safe and secure.
We then got a complete tour. We started at the air traffic control center (after going through passport control) and from above we learnt how the control center is divided. Rémond pointed exactly what was happening in each area, who each person was; and, what each person did. From there we went to the training area where there were apprentice air traffic controllers being trained. In this area a copy of the control area is created, and in another area there are trainers playing the roles of pilots communicating with the trainees.
From here we then went into the real air traffic control room. Rémond then gave us a rare privledge! Using the real-time live system he logged in and showed us what it described to the air traffic controller; and how he used it to receive information though the system. This was in the section for planes flying through the air space controlled by Geneva, and we learnt how to read the radar screen. What each blip meant, and what exactly was happening. He also explained what the air traffic controller had to do in order to keep the skies in order, and what he had to pay the utmost close attention to... to prevent tragedies. Once we understood what we were reading on the radar screen it was hypnotic to watch. He then took around the different areas showing us the screens for the different sections (or different altitudes). We started off in the area of high altitudes, ie for directing planes passing above in the skies but not landing or departing from the Geneva airport; to the departure section where the moment a plane takes off, from here the next instructions are given. And of course all the time this was happening in an air traffic control room in which people were working. So once something was described we could see it happening in front of us.. But the privledge did not end here. Once we left the air traffic control center we went through passport control again; and then onto the runway; and then up into the control tower! From here the actual landing and departure instructions are given. Once a plane has taken off it is "given" from here to the air traffic control room; and when a plane is ready for landing it needs to receive final permission to land from the the control tower; for the tower can give it the order to fly over and come back for another pass if this is necessary.
From here we could see the entire airport with every plane. We saw how the control tower works and from such a vantage point Rémond explained every area of the airport, all the different kinds of planes (passenger, private, cargo etc) and how the different parts of the airport work together, and what the air traffic controller in the control tower needs to be aware of, and what he needs to do.
And then we watched it all for ourselves in the busy airport with a plane taking off or plane landing almost every minute. We could see every tiny detail of the airport itself. In the control tower we saw the equipment, we heard the conversations between the pilots and the controllers and we of course we saw the planes contsantly taking off and landing, parking and others immediately getting ready for take off.
Quite a thing. And I felt very privledged and lucky not only to see how these vital arteries of the world work. What beauty and power! ...But also to have been given such a thorough personal guided tour which covered every detail of the process. What I have written here in this stuttering, "scribbled" post is just a thin slice of the information and knowledge and insight provided to us by Rémond.
After this Sandra and I, after such a full day that not for a slightest moment did not contain amazement, came back to the Graf home for a delicious supper.
When I excused myself after coffee to "quickly write on my blog", Doris misheard me and thought I said that I wanted to be excused for "quick run around the block".
What a wonder fulled day...
And the first editions.... Sir Isaac Newton's "Principles", More's "Utopia", Galileo, Copernicus... Even a first edition of Gulliver's travels, Goete, Rousseau and so on and so on and so on... to be able to almost reach out and touch (if it was not for the thin pane of glass separating us) books that changed the way people think and act. The first editions are editions of books as they existed before they changed (in some cases literally) the entire way the world turned; the way governments acted, revolutions turned and people thought. Pages, blocks, papyrus with Greek, Hieroglyphics and even an artifact from the earliest writing ever recorded.
Sandra and I, both being bibliophiles, left stunned.
But our wondrous day had not come close to ending yet. Rémond told us he will be retiring in the next year or so and probably the next time we are in Geneva he will be retired; so if we are interested in how air traffic control works now was the time. And of course we were more than just a little excited to be given such a privledge:- to see into how the air traffic of the world is controlled and kept safe and secure.
We then got a complete tour. We started at the air traffic control center (after going through passport control) and from above we learnt how the control center is divided. Rémond pointed exactly what was happening in each area, who each person was; and, what each person did. From there we went to the training area where there were apprentice air traffic controllers being trained. In this area a copy of the control area is created, and in another area there are trainers playing the roles of pilots communicating with the trainees.
From here we then went into the real air traffic control room. Rémond then gave us a rare privledge! Using the real-time live system he logged in and showed us what it described to the air traffic controller; and how he used it to receive information though the system. This was in the section for planes flying through the air space controlled by Geneva, and we learnt how to read the radar screen. What each blip meant, and what exactly was happening. He also explained what the air traffic controller had to do in order to keep the skies in order, and what he had to pay the utmost close attention to... to prevent tragedies. Once we understood what we were reading on the radar screen it was hypnotic to watch. He then took around the different areas showing us the screens for the different sections (or different altitudes). We started off in the area of high altitudes, ie for directing planes passing above in the skies but not landing or departing from the Geneva airport; to the departure section where the moment a plane takes off, from here the next instructions are given. And of course all the time this was happening in an air traffic control room in which people were working. So once something was described we could see it happening in front of us.. But the privledge did not end here. Once we left the air traffic control center we went through passport control again; and then onto the runway; and then up into the control tower! From here the actual landing and departure instructions are given. Once a plane has taken off it is "given" from here to the air traffic control room; and when a plane is ready for landing it needs to receive final permission to land from the the control tower; for the tower can give it the order to fly over and come back for another pass if this is necessary.
From here we could see the entire airport with every plane. We saw how the control tower works and from such a vantage point Rémond explained every area of the airport, all the different kinds of planes (passenger, private, cargo etc) and how the different parts of the airport work together, and what the air traffic controller in the control tower needs to be aware of, and what he needs to do.
And then we watched it all for ourselves in the busy airport with a plane taking off or plane landing almost every minute. We could see every tiny detail of the airport itself. In the control tower we saw the equipment, we heard the conversations between the pilots and the controllers and we of course we saw the planes contsantly taking off and landing, parking and others immediately getting ready for take off.
Quite a thing. And I felt very privledged and lucky not only to see how these vital arteries of the world work. What beauty and power! ...But also to have been given such a thorough personal guided tour which covered every detail of the process. What I have written here in this stuttering, "scribbled" post is just a thin slice of the information and knowledge and insight provided to us by Rémond.
After this Sandra and I, after such a full day that not for a slightest moment did not contain amazement, came back to the Graf home for a delicious supper.
When I excused myself after coffee to "quickly write on my blog", Doris misheard me and thought I said that I wanted to be excused for "quick run around the block".
What a wonder fulled day...
Monday, January 23, 2006
In Switzerland after a wonderful relaxing week...
We arrived a few hours ago at the Grafs in Switzerland. We then were treated to a delicious meal filled with warmth and love. I have just excused myself from the lively talkative table to quickly write this note for those avid readers of this little place on the internet.
We drove up to Balderschwang in two cars. Martin and Doris in the one; and I and Sandra and Walter in the other. The drive was pleasant and comfortable. Slowly the surrounds got more and more white until we were surrounded by a winter wonderland. We arrived in the evening and went to sleep early (well at least I did.)
The next day was sunny and the sun was bright and hot and reflecting off the white snow everywhere. Sandra and Walter and Martin and Doris went off to ski and I spent the day lounging and reading. Occasionally venturing out onto the balcony to enjoy the sun and the view. There was a cross country snow track that passed quite close to the balcony of the house we were staying in; and I watched the different types. There were obviously experienced skiers that just glide; and there were the others (the majority) that looked a bit unsure of themselves and moved in jumps and starts. There were also a quite a lot of young teenagers. And there was the occasional sod that fell on the one dip I could see and then could not figure out how to stand up again. Sandra was destined to be one of those poor sods in a few days time when she decided to go cross country skiing. Eventually the Kelms returned from skiing and Sandra complained that every muscle in her body was in pain.
The next day the snow came down all day long. Walter and Doris went to Austria to help Andrea who had called saying there was strange smoke coming out of her car could someone come and help. Martin declared that this snow was perfect for snowboarding as the snow was soft due to the current snowing and went out to snowboard. Sandra and I spent the day warm and snug as bugs reading.
The following day was sunny and thus Walter and Doris went skiing again. Sandra and I (after getting very warmly wrapped up) went for a walk in the snow covered surrounds. We walked through the forest to a small restaurant in the mountains (not very up) where we had hot chocalate and shared a piece of home-made cake. We then walked back again. It was approximately a 5 kilometer walk.
That evening I cooked supper. I cooked a potato curry; I had accidenltly declared myself an excellent cook and Doris had said "Good, you will cook supper." Luckily I know how to cook a basic curry; and it was delicious. Walter was at first very suspicious and at the beginning of dinner had said he was not hungry and would probably only have a little salad; but in the end he had two full helpings and declared the meal - "Good."
The next day was a little overcast and we drove up to nearby nature walk along a river through a ravine. I think "ravine" is the right word. We walked under frozen waterfalls and all sorts of beautiful natural wonders. You have to pay entrance and the path is kept gravelled and there are fences and wooden balconies etc to allow one safety and at the same time the opportunity to view wonders of Nature.
The following day (Friday) Martin left with the one car back to Germany and Andrea and Rudiger arrived. I think I may have got some of the days mixed up but this definitely was Friday. Unfortunately although they brought their Wedding DVD and a laptop with them; the DVD would not play on the laptop - and we could only look at the pictures.
The next day, Saturday, I can not remember what I did. Probably read my book as I did a lot of the time. Walter was a bit amazed that I spent so much of the holiday indoors reading when I could be out in the snow. But I found the leisure and comfort to be able to read in such a spot one of the greatest luxuries I have had in the longest time. That evening we had raclette and conversation.
And then it was Sunday. Sandra and I did a short walk whilst the others skiied and then we met up for lunch. Andrea and Rudiger then went home and the rest of us stayed up late talking and chatting and telling stories of the last years.
This morning we left for Switzerland; in quite a crowded car and eventually arrived to the warm welcome I described at the beginning of this note which brings us to now.
We will spend the next two full days in Switzerland. Rémond has said that tomorrow he is not working which is good as that menas we will we doing something interesting with him tomorrow.
All is good...
We drove up to Balderschwang in two cars. Martin and Doris in the one; and I and Sandra and Walter in the other. The drive was pleasant and comfortable. Slowly the surrounds got more and more white until we were surrounded by a winter wonderland. We arrived in the evening and went to sleep early (well at least I did.)
The next day was sunny and the sun was bright and hot and reflecting off the white snow everywhere. Sandra and Walter and Martin and Doris went off to ski and I spent the day lounging and reading. Occasionally venturing out onto the balcony to enjoy the sun and the view. There was a cross country snow track that passed quite close to the balcony of the house we were staying in; and I watched the different types. There were obviously experienced skiers that just glide; and there were the others (the majority) that looked a bit unsure of themselves and moved in jumps and starts. There were also a quite a lot of young teenagers. And there was the occasional sod that fell on the one dip I could see and then could not figure out how to stand up again. Sandra was destined to be one of those poor sods in a few days time when she decided to go cross country skiing. Eventually the Kelms returned from skiing and Sandra complained that every muscle in her body was in pain.
The next day the snow came down all day long. Walter and Doris went to Austria to help Andrea who had called saying there was strange smoke coming out of her car could someone come and help. Martin declared that this snow was perfect for snowboarding as the snow was soft due to the current snowing and went out to snowboard. Sandra and I spent the day warm and snug as bugs reading.
The following day was sunny and thus Walter and Doris went skiing again. Sandra and I (after getting very warmly wrapped up) went for a walk in the snow covered surrounds. We walked through the forest to a small restaurant in the mountains (not very up) where we had hot chocalate and shared a piece of home-made cake. We then walked back again. It was approximately a 5 kilometer walk.
That evening I cooked supper. I cooked a potato curry; I had accidenltly declared myself an excellent cook and Doris had said "Good, you will cook supper." Luckily I know how to cook a basic curry; and it was delicious. Walter was at first very suspicious and at the beginning of dinner had said he was not hungry and would probably only have a little salad; but in the end he had two full helpings and declared the meal - "Good."
The next day was a little overcast and we drove up to nearby nature walk along a river through a ravine. I think "ravine" is the right word. We walked under frozen waterfalls and all sorts of beautiful natural wonders. You have to pay entrance and the path is kept gravelled and there are fences and wooden balconies etc to allow one safety and at the same time the opportunity to view wonders of Nature.
The following day (Friday) Martin left with the one car back to Germany and Andrea and Rudiger arrived. I think I may have got some of the days mixed up but this definitely was Friday. Unfortunately although they brought their Wedding DVD and a laptop with them; the DVD would not play on the laptop - and we could only look at the pictures.
The next day, Saturday, I can not remember what I did. Probably read my book as I did a lot of the time. Walter was a bit amazed that I spent so much of the holiday indoors reading when I could be out in the snow. But I found the leisure and comfort to be able to read in such a spot one of the greatest luxuries I have had in the longest time. That evening we had raclette and conversation.
And then it was Sunday. Sandra and I did a short walk whilst the others skiied and then we met up for lunch. Andrea and Rudiger then went home and the rest of us stayed up late talking and chatting and telling stories of the last years.
This morning we left for Switzerland; in quite a crowded car and eventually arrived to the warm welcome I described at the beginning of this note which brings us to now.
We will spend the next two full days in Switzerland. Rémond has said that tomorrow he is not working which is good as that menas we will we doing something interesting with him tomorrow.
All is good...
Sunday, January 15, 2006
Off to Balderschwang...
Well last night we took a GPS navigator with us to the find the way to Mark and Susanne and find the way home again.
Amazing. Turn left to 500m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m. Turn left now!
Impossible to get lost with one of those things and they talk to you and everything. ubercool.
We spent the evening there, chatted, looked at their wedding photographs and then went out to supper with them at a nearby restaurant. It was difficult to find a dish that did not have pork in it somewhere! In the end I had a fillet with onion latkes and the beans (without the bacon sprinkles!)
We all woke up here at the crack of dawn so that we can begin the 8 hour drive as early as is decent. We will be driving in two cars. Walter the one and Martin the other. Which will be very soon. Sandra is calling me so I had better go help finish the packing.
So we are all off to Balderschwang.
later...
Amazing. Turn left to 500m, 400m, 300m, 200m, 100m. Turn left now!
Impossible to get lost with one of those things and they talk to you and everything. ubercool.
We spent the evening there, chatted, looked at their wedding photographs and then went out to supper with them at a nearby restaurant. It was difficult to find a dish that did not have pork in it somewhere! In the end I had a fillet with onion latkes and the beans (without the bacon sprinkles!)
We all woke up here at the crack of dawn so that we can begin the 8 hour drive as early as is decent. We will be driving in two cars. Walter the one and Martin the other. Which will be very soon. Sandra is calling me so I had better go help finish the packing.
So we are all off to Balderschwang.
later...
Saturday, January 14, 2006
Some pictures from Dubai and off to visit Mark and his wife
I slept very well last night and woke up after nine in the morning. I had some hard boiled eggs for breakfast. Most of the morning was spent relaxing and reading. I am reading the Time Travellers Wife and it is extremely enjoyable reading. For lunch we had fish and vegetables and potatoes and salad and then I downloaded all our photos off our camera onto a CD so that we can take some more. Digital cameras are a lot easier to deal with than film cameras.
Later today we are going to go and visit a long time friend of Sandra, Mark; and his wife, Susanne. They recently got married and we have a wedding present for the newly weds that we bought at the BAT center in Durban.
I also have a slideshow of a couple of pictures we took whilst in Dubai. (Click here for slideshow)
Enjoy!
Friday, January 13, 2006
Safe, sound and in Germany
(By the way, if you look again at my post called "Daisy... her voice was full of money" you will see I have added some links showing more about our short holiday in Dubai!)
The transfer to the airport from the hotel was smooth and easy. Once there the process went like clockwork. Change all my dirham into Euros, check in luggage, go through passport control, walk through duty free, buy a coffee, sit and drink coffee, go through the boarding gate, board the plane, take my shoes off, sit in chair, watch three movies, watch plane land, exit plane, go through passport control, go to baggage claim, go through customs and hey presto Doris and Walter and a coldish Germany.
Emirates is definitely has the most comfortable planes I have ever flown on in my life.
Germany is not as cold as I had the impression it would be. It feels no colder than the Drakensberg in Winter. Doris says the worst of the Winter is over already. I was tired and nodded off on the drive to the country home. Once here we all had a glass of champagne and then a good solid lunch of vegetables and chicken and rice and potatoes.
Our room is warm and very comfortable. A double bed and a tv!
I then took a nap for a few hours and woke a few minutes ago.
I am now drinking a nice warm cup of tea and feel very relaxed.
I think tomorrow we will go into Cologne to meet up with some of Sandra's friends; and tonight probably some conversation followed by a good night's sleep.
I still can't get over Dubai, in fact, the whole city felt a bit like one of Gatsby's parties (just without the alcohol!).
later...
The transfer to the airport from the hotel was smooth and easy. Once there the process went like clockwork. Change all my dirham into Euros, check in luggage, go through passport control, walk through duty free, buy a coffee, sit and drink coffee, go through the boarding gate, board the plane, take my shoes off, sit in chair, watch three movies, watch plane land, exit plane, go through passport control, go to baggage claim, go through customs and hey presto Doris and Walter and a coldish Germany.
Emirates is definitely has the most comfortable planes I have ever flown on in my life.
Germany is not as cold as I had the impression it would be. It feels no colder than the Drakensberg in Winter. Doris says the worst of the Winter is over already. I was tired and nodded off on the drive to the country home. Once here we all had a glass of champagne and then a good solid lunch of vegetables and chicken and rice and potatoes.
Our room is warm and very comfortable. A double bed and a tv!
I then took a nap for a few hours and woke a few minutes ago.
I am now drinking a nice warm cup of tea and feel very relaxed.
I think tomorrow we will go into Cologne to meet up with some of Sandra's friends; and tonight probably some conversation followed by a good night's sleep.
I still can't get over Dubai, in fact, the whole city felt a bit like one of Gatsby's parties (just without the alcohol!).
later...
And we're off...
We woke up a 5am here at the Golden Sands. We have just checked out of the hotel at 5:40am and are waiting for the transfer to the airport.
We both slept well and are rearing to begin our next leg...
later from Germany...
We both slept well and are rearing to begin our next leg...
later from Germany...
Thursday, January 12, 2006
Daisy... her voice was full of money.
Yesterday afternoon, my how time flies, we walked from the hotel to a shopping center (the Burjuman) about ten minutes away. It is by no means the fanciest shopping center in Dubai. I know this because we chatted to an American... and yesterday evening we took a 2 hour evening cruise (which included a buffet dinner) down the Dubai Creek.
... it was stupendously beautiful. The food, the views,the sights... wow!
And then this morning (12th January) we went on a Big Bus tour of Dubai. This included an hour long walking tour of the old city and the variuous souks. The walking tour not only took us through various areas of the old city and the souks, but also a delightful ride on the traditional mode of transport across the Creek - the abra. It also included admission to the Dubai museum and of course a tour of the entire city with commentaries. Because one could jump off and on a different points we also explored a little - and went and looked at the indoor ski area in the Mall of the Emirates shopping center.How weird. It was snowing inside and the temperature is kept at -2 degrees centigrade.
This took the entire day.
Sandra is busy packing our bags for tomorrow morning's flight to Dusseldorf, I had better get back there as I was sent to fetch her jersey she had forgotten at the buffet supper and was meant to return immediately.
Its all good...
... it was stupendously beautiful. The food, the views,the sights... wow!
And then this morning (12th January) we went on a Big Bus tour of Dubai. This included an hour long walking tour of the old city and the variuous souks. The walking tour not only took us through various areas of the old city and the souks, but also a delightful ride on the traditional mode of transport across the Creek - the abra. It also included admission to the Dubai museum and of course a tour of the entire city with commentaries. Because one could jump off and on a different points we also explored a little - and went and looked at the indoor ski area in the Mall of the Emirates shopping center.How weird. It was snowing inside and the temperature is kept at -2 degrees centigrade.
This took the entire day.
Sandra is busy packing our bags for tomorrow morning's flight to Dusseldorf, I had better get back there as I was sent to fetch her jersey she had forgotten at the buffet supper and was meant to return immediately.
Its all good...
Wednesday, January 11, 2006
In Dubai and ready to explore
We had a pleasant relaxing flight to Dubai and were asleep in bed at our hotel early enough to wake up and have an enjoyable breakfast by the hotel pool.
Tonight we have booked a river cruise that includes dinner, and tomorrow a full day city tour and then of course the next day we will head for Germany.
Now we are off for a stroll to a nearby shopping center.
Having fun!
later...
Tonight we have booked a river cruise that includes dinner, and tomorrow a full day city tour and then of course the next day we will head for Germany.
Now we are off for a stroll to a nearby shopping center.
Having fun!
later...
Friday, January 06, 2006
Dinner At Durban Harbour
Post now updated with links!
Karine and Nicole got back on Wednesday from Himeville. They were full of stories about their trip up the Sani Pass to Lesotho and clearly had enjoyed themselves.
Yesterday they went to Ushaka and visited the Durban aquarium there and walked on the beach.
In the evening we all went down to the Trans Africa Express bar cum restaurant on the harbour (and above the BAT center) for a dinner and to enjoy the view of the different ships and the harbour activities.
This morning they left for their road trip to Cape Town. They are planning to first go up via Harrismith to Bloemfontein which is the more scenic route.
They will then head towards PE but spend a few days at the Addo Elephant Park. This is the same Nature Reserve Sandra and I visited in July. Once they reach PE they will take the garden route to Cape Town.
They are having a wonderful summer holiday!
later...
Tuesday, January 03, 2006
New Years Eve
Well on the afternoon of the 31st December Sandra and I left home to collect Karine and Nicole from the airport, after their long trip from Switzerland.
They arrived tired but very excited about the wonderful Durban weather. We soon got home and they were soon asleep.
That evening we went to the Durban Playhouse to see the show The Sound Of Music. The show ended exactly at midnight and then the cast did a count down and then sang Auld Lang Syne.
Afterwards in the foyer there was champagne and a jazz band and we toasted the old year gone by, and the new year just born.
The next day, when eventually everyone was awake we went down to the Gateway shopping center - and discovered everything closed. And then it began to rain. We ended up at our flat watching the DVD Donnie Darko.
The next day (yesterday) Karine and Nicole took themselves off to the Gateway, followed by the beach and then a few minutes at the casino. They ended their evening by coming over to our flat and drinking green tea with Sandra, Meira and me.
We had spent the afternoon at the Umbilo Bird Park with Meira and then had gone over to Sandra's violin teacher Beatrice for evening snacks and conversation.
After that we met up with Meira again at my flat and were later joined, as I mentioned above, by Karine and Nicole.
Today the two tourists are off to Himeville for a night (or maybe two.)
later...
They arrived tired but very excited about the wonderful Durban weather. We soon got home and they were soon asleep.
That evening we went to the Durban Playhouse to see the show The Sound Of Music. The show ended exactly at midnight and then the cast did a count down and then sang Auld Lang Syne.
Afterwards in the foyer there was champagne and a jazz band and we toasted the old year gone by, and the new year just born.
The next day, when eventually everyone was awake we went down to the Gateway shopping center - and discovered everything closed. And then it began to rain. We ended up at our flat watching the DVD Donnie Darko.
The next day (yesterday) Karine and Nicole took themselves off to the Gateway, followed by the beach and then a few minutes at the casino. They ended their evening by coming over to our flat and drinking green tea with Sandra, Meira and me.
We had spent the afternoon at the Umbilo Bird Park with Meira and then had gone over to Sandra's violin teacher Beatrice for evening snacks and conversation.
After that we met up with Meira again at my flat and were later joined, as I mentioned above, by Karine and Nicole.
Today the two tourists are off to Himeville for a night (or maybe two.)
later...
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