We departed the hotel at 08:00 to visit a jade factory… It was interesting to learn about jade, but I would have preferred to see more of Xi’an instead. Picture below is of one of the engravers making one of the family balls (multiple layers inside each other) After the government shopping…
Today was a fairly late start to the tour, which was fine because yesterday we did not arrive to the hotel until around 21:30. I was up late booking a trip to South Africa which includes Kruger National Park for November…. The first stop was – you guessed it a stop at the government…
Today was an early start, with a lot of travel. We left the hotel at 07:30 and went to visit another government operated store, this time pearls. After the shopping stop we visited the summer palace. This is certainly a place that you could spend many hours. Below pictures are from the summer…
Today we left the hotel at 0800. We took a scenic drive to the Great Wall. The section we visited was 33 km long and was the inner wall. I was surprised there were not so many people visiting. I scaled much of the wall, but did not reach the very top of the mountain….
This morning we started out at the Temple of Heaven. I did see it from a distance during my last visit, but this was my first opportunity to see it up close. It was very nice and our tour guide explained that it was built in 1420 (same year as the forbidden city) and that…
I’m through immigration and customs. The flight from Toronto was good. Air Canada actually serves alcohol even in economy. I was actually one of the very few people to have an empty seat next to me. I guess my evil genius plan to try and have a full row to myself partially worked. The tour…
I arrived at the airport 2 hours before the flight. No queues for checking in, but a considerable queue for Pre-Check (security). I found the United Club lounge was conveniently located across the aisle from my departure gate. Inconveniently the lounge didn’t open until 07:30 (my scheduled departure time) so I went to the next…
My adventure begins. Last night I returned from Asia (Qatar), a little later than expected thanks to United Airlines. At least the flight across the pond on Lufthansa was good. You don’t realize how quiet the 747-8i really is until you get on Airbus and can’t even hear the video with earbuds on. I’ve…
I’m headed back to the states a week later than expected. I’ll have enough time at my house to do laundry, pack and get a much needed haircut. I have one of the craziest routings. Because hardly any airline flies to Doha I am flying Lufthansa. Unfortunately the first segment stops in Kuwait on…
1 week to go before my 2 week tor of China. This will be the first escorted tour I’ve ever been on – so I am curious about the experience. I’ve been on many excursions during cruises, but this is the first land based trip (although there is a river cruise and many flights…
I walked around West Bay today despite the heat.
I am finally back on land after taking an Augusta Westland 139 back to Doha, Qatar. I spent 21 days onboard the Seafox Marinia… (see information in links below). I’m looking forward to some good food back onshore. Seafox Marinia information: http://www.seafox.com/en/webfolio/fleet/Seafox-Marinia/e/pm/102/ https://www.superb-vacations.com/wp-content/uploads/attachments/Seafox-Marinia.pdf
Two days ago I took an Augusta Westland 139 out to sea. I’m located at the circle on the map below next to “Idd Al Shargi”. It was my first helicopter ride of the year (I’ve taken plenty through the years). Today I did a lot of walking and climbing up and down stairs. The weather has…
United has some new cool napkins
So far the trip is uneventful, about to fly to Dallas… United’s magazine features someplace I’ve already been…
USA Today story regarding laptops and tablets no longer being allowed in carry-on baggage on flights from Qatar, Turkey, UAE, etc. Official information from Department of Homeland Security: https://www.dhs.gov/news/2017/03/21/fact-sheet-aviation-security-enhancements-select-last-point-departure-airports
I’m going on my first escorted tour in May. I’m going to China, which requires a visa (except for the 72/144 hour visa waiver if you continue to a third country). I applied for the visa last Friday at the Chinese consulate in Houston (yes, I was actually in Houston) and picked up my passport with…
On my way to Houston from Abu Dhabi. First flight to Amsterdam on KLM was slightly delayed. It was on a nice new Boeing 787. I can tell the difference as my eyes aren’t as dry as on any of the other airplanes. Now I’m sitting in the upper deck of a Boeing 747. It’s…
I was lucky enough to get a day off so I could enjoy being outside and watching the Red Bull Air Race in Abu Dhabi. Unfortunately I didn’t bring my good camera – I figured I wouldn’t have any free time. So some poor mobile phone pictures will have to do…. …
Here are some pictures from Yas Mall / Ferrari World in Abu Dhabi. I went to get some Greek food (at the mall, not at Ferrari World). I’ve been to Ferrari World twice already, but I just wandered over to see what was on display (and the Greek place is next to the entrance). They…