Monday 18 June 2012
Sunday 17 June 2012
Father's Day
I got some lovely presents for Father's Day - a mug (which says "I'd rather you go and ask Mum"), a couple of slabs of Hotel Chocolat goodness, and a couple of great pictures.
One of the pictures is considered to be more appropriate for me, one for Nicky. I'll leave you to decide on which is which!
I've also finally finished off uploading that original batch of photos from my first day in Orlando which didn't want to upload on the hotel wifi. Here are just a couple of them:
One of the pictures is considered to be more appropriate for me, one for Nicky. I'll leave you to decide on which is which!
Wednesday 13 June 2012
MCO
Right, as it looks like we might have a little bit of a flight delay, as I sit here in the Delta lounge at MCO, it looks like I have a little bit of time to tell you about my car.
Despite setting my alarm for 7am, I snoozed away and did my best to ignore it until about eight, when I finally got up and started to face the packing. I face-timed with Nicky part way through this, and she found it highly entertaining to see the piles of stuff on the bed, as this is normally her job.
However, thankfully it all fitted in (by using the extra Disney bag that I'd brought with me) and by about 9.30 I was away, leaving my bags with at the hotel luggage service (with instructions to store one of the bags in the fridge until I returned!).
As I'd only been in briefly on my first evening, I decided that the Magic Kingdom was to be park of the day, and always keen to avoid parking with the riff raff (!) I took the car in to the Polynesian resort and parked there (scoring some photos of the Avengers monorail at the same time). I wandered through the hotel and took the resort launch across Bay Lake to the Magic Kingdom.
My first stop on arrival was at Frontierland, where after picking up a Thunder Mountain fast pass I took the raft across to Tom Sawyer island. Glad I went to have a look (even if the second island across the rope bridge was shut) but I can confirm we've been right not to put this too near the top of our "must do" lists in recent years! By the time I got back to the mainland it was almost time for my train ride, so I stuck around, taking a few photos, before heading onto the ride. I kept my camera out and took a few photos on the way around, just to prove that I'd done it (seeing as I'd not done any "thrill" rides at all on the trip up to this point). By this point it was coming up to midday, so Pecos Bill was the next stop (where interestingly, due to how busy the park was, the cast members were enforcing a strict traffic flow policy with only one entrance open, and cast members preventing people from staking out tables if they didn't have any food). The busyness didn't slow me down, as I walked straight up to a server, uttered the famous words, "pulled pork please" (is now a good time to confess to grandad about yesterday's chowder - I understand he already knows!), collected my food, and went straight to a table.
Refuelled, I headed to Liberty Square, as next stop was to be the Hall of Presidents. However, I'd obviously just missed one show starting, and the next one was in 20 minutes. So, rather than stand around and wait, I wandered off to take some photos (all of the little statues around the "Partners" statue in front of the castle, the mosaics inside the castle ...) before coming back when there were only a few minutes to go.
The show was great - I love all of that stuff (just like the American Adventure at Epcot). It may give a rather rose-tinted view of American history, but hey, it's stirring stuff!
Coming out of the show, the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It show was doing it's stuff in front of the castle, so I watched that for a little while.
Next stop Fantasyland, not for any rides, but for a quick inspection of how building works are coming along with "New Fantasyland" and there is certainly a lot happening back there. Took several photos of the building works for posterity's sake, and to compare with the finished article when we get to see it.
Came through Tomorrowland and back onto Main Street - the Castle stage show was taking place, so watched that for a little while, before bidding farewell to the Magic Kingdom (see you in six months!) and heading out of the park.
Got the monorail back to the Polynesian (just to complete as many forms of transport as possible on this trip!), picked up the car, and headed off to do some last minute shopping, firstly at Walgreens (again, no trip to Orlando can be considered complete without a trip to Walgreens, even if I didn't buy any chocolate malty balls (!), and then to LBVFS to grab a few bargains at Old Navy.
Final stop Downtown Disney where I had a chocolate malt, and picked up a few bits in World of Disney, and then it really was time to go. Stopped at the Hess filling station at Downtown, and did the usual dance of trying to pay with my credit card at the pump and failing due to no zip code, trying to fill up and pay inside and being told over the tannoy that prepay was the only way, going in and explaining that I didn't know how much I was going to put in because I had to fill up, leaving my credit card behind the counter, going back out, filling up, and coming back in to pay. Such fun!
A quick stop back at Pop to pick up my bags (one of them feeling encouragingly cool!) and then over to the airport (where I did some final repacking at the rental drop off to accommodate today's shopping), checked in, battled through the long lines at security (spotted Justin Rose in the line in front of me - took a sneaky photo on my phone!), and made it to the lounge at about 6.20.
And here I am now, expecting to get the 7.30 update about the Virgin technical problem at any moment ...
By the way, photo count of the day - 163 - I think that I will need to do some fairly severe editing before inflicting them on anyone else!
And the update has just come through re VS16 - and to quote from the announcement, "the update is that there is no update!" More news at 8pm.
Annoyed now that I packed my USB memory stick converter into my checked luggage, otherwise could have been syncing and uploading some photos now. Oh well, never mind - at least I can surf.
Will post this now - keep an eye on the twitter sidebar for further updates!
Despite setting my alarm for 7am, I snoozed away and did my best to ignore it until about eight, when I finally got up and started to face the packing. I face-timed with Nicky part way through this, and she found it highly entertaining to see the piles of stuff on the bed, as this is normally her job.
However, thankfully it all fitted in (by using the extra Disney bag that I'd brought with me) and by about 9.30 I was away, leaving my bags with at the hotel luggage service (with instructions to store one of the bags in the fridge until I returned!).
As I'd only been in briefly on my first evening, I decided that the Magic Kingdom was to be park of the day, and always keen to avoid parking with the riff raff (!) I took the car in to the Polynesian resort and parked there (scoring some photos of the Avengers monorail at the same time). I wandered through the hotel and took the resort launch across Bay Lake to the Magic Kingdom.
My first stop on arrival was at Frontierland, where after picking up a Thunder Mountain fast pass I took the raft across to Tom Sawyer island. Glad I went to have a look (even if the second island across the rope bridge was shut) but I can confirm we've been right not to put this too near the top of our "must do" lists in recent years! By the time I got back to the mainland it was almost time for my train ride, so I stuck around, taking a few photos, before heading onto the ride. I kept my camera out and took a few photos on the way around, just to prove that I'd done it (seeing as I'd not done any "thrill" rides at all on the trip up to this point). By this point it was coming up to midday, so Pecos Bill was the next stop (where interestingly, due to how busy the park was, the cast members were enforcing a strict traffic flow policy with only one entrance open, and cast members preventing people from staking out tables if they didn't have any food). The busyness didn't slow me down, as I walked straight up to a server, uttered the famous words, "pulled pork please" (is now a good time to confess to grandad about yesterday's chowder - I understand he already knows!), collected my food, and went straight to a table.
Refuelled, I headed to Liberty Square, as next stop was to be the Hall of Presidents. However, I'd obviously just missed one show starting, and the next one was in 20 minutes. So, rather than stand around and wait, I wandered off to take some photos (all of the little statues around the "Partners" statue in front of the castle, the mosaics inside the castle ...) before coming back when there were only a few minutes to go.
The show was great - I love all of that stuff (just like the American Adventure at Epcot). It may give a rather rose-tinted view of American history, but hey, it's stirring stuff!
Coming out of the show, the Move It, Shake It, Celebrate It show was doing it's stuff in front of the castle, so I watched that for a little while.
Next stop Fantasyland, not for any rides, but for a quick inspection of how building works are coming along with "New Fantasyland" and there is certainly a lot happening back there. Took several photos of the building works for posterity's sake, and to compare with the finished article when we get to see it.
Came through Tomorrowland and back onto Main Street - the Castle stage show was taking place, so watched that for a little while, before bidding farewell to the Magic Kingdom (see you in six months!) and heading out of the park.
Got the monorail back to the Polynesian (just to complete as many forms of transport as possible on this trip!), picked up the car, and headed off to do some last minute shopping, firstly at Walgreens (again, no trip to Orlando can be considered complete without a trip to Walgreens, even if I didn't buy any chocolate malty balls (!), and then to LBVFS to grab a few bargains at Old Navy.
Final stop Downtown Disney where I had a chocolate malt, and picked up a few bits in World of Disney, and then it really was time to go. Stopped at the Hess filling station at Downtown, and did the usual dance of trying to pay with my credit card at the pump and failing due to no zip code, trying to fill up and pay inside and being told over the tannoy that prepay was the only way, going in and explaining that I didn't know how much I was going to put in because I had to fill up, leaving my credit card behind the counter, going back out, filling up, and coming back in to pay. Such fun!
A quick stop back at Pop to pick up my bags (one of them feeling encouragingly cool!) and then over to the airport (where I did some final repacking at the rental drop off to accommodate today's shopping), checked in, battled through the long lines at security (spotted Justin Rose in the line in front of me - took a sneaky photo on my phone!), and made it to the lounge at about 6.20.
And here I am now, expecting to get the 7.30 update about the Virgin technical problem at any moment ...
By the way, photo count of the day - 163 - I think that I will need to do some fairly severe editing before inflicting them on anyone else!
And the update has just come through re VS16 - and to quote from the announcement, "the update is that there is no update!" More news at 8pm.
Annoyed now that I packed my USB memory stick converter into my checked luggage, otherwise could have been syncing and uploading some photos now. Oh well, never mind - at least I can surf.
Will post this now - keep an eye on the twitter sidebar for further updates!
Tuesday 12 June 2012
D day 3
Just a quick blog tonight as the wifi on the laptop seems to have packed up and I'm doing this from the phone.
First stop Studios today where I got a typical (not very good) score for me on TSM. Then a bit of a photo wander (do you sense a theme developing) before getting on the boat to Boardwalk where I had lunch at the ESPN Zone whilst watching the England game. Into Epcot to finish off my last two countries for photos plus taking several of the globe whilst heading out the front to get a bus back to HS to pick up the car.
Back to hotel for swim and rest and then this evening I've been back to Epcot for Illuminations.
Packing in the morning for tomorrow I head home.
First stop Studios today where I got a typical (not very good) score for me on TSM. Then a bit of a photo wander (do you sense a theme developing) before getting on the boat to Boardwalk where I had lunch at the ESPN Zone whilst watching the England game. Into Epcot to finish off my last two countries for photos plus taking several of the globe whilst heading out the front to get a bus back to HS to pick up the car.
Back to hotel for swim and rest and then this evening I've been back to Epcot for Illuminations.
Packing in the morning for tomorrow I head home.
Monday 11 June 2012
Disney Day 2
The alarm woke me at 8am this morning, and after the long day yesterday, I did press the snooze button a couple of times before getting up and ready to face the world (or rather, the World) and so it was a little after nine by the time I made it along to the Animal Kingdom, where I spent a happy few hours wandering around and taking photos.
I did both the Pangani (Africa) and Maharajah (Asia) trails, and got some great photos, particularly of the gorillas in Africa and the tigers in Asia (even if they were both behind glass and fast asleep). I also took some time around the pathways near the tree of life, and the Oasis, where I hadn't spent as much time before. No rides at all, but I enjoyed myself!
By a little after midday it was getting seriously hot, and I was ready for a break, and so I went back to the car, and came back to the hotel for a little siesta. When I woke up there were some texts from home, so we spent some time Face-timing, and I tried (with limited) success to convey a video tour of my immediate surroundings.
It was still pretty warm as I headed back out at about five o'clock (the car made it 107 when I got in, settling to around 100 as I got going). My plan on departure was to head to a Denny's, but coming off I-4 at the exit nearest Vineland, I realised that heading back past Crossroads would be a bad idea, as I'd have to join the queue on the way back. So, I went straight up Vineland and stopped off just before Premium at the Longhorn Steakhouse, where I had a very nice burger followed by key lime pie. (Message to Grandad - there was chowder on the starters menu, but I overcame the urge!).
Had a wander around Premium, and picked up one or two things, and then made my way to Downtown, watching the lightning flashing away in the distance. The radio (Zee 88.3 - love it!) was saying that a big storm was on its way, and sure enough, it arrived at Downtown at the same time that I did. So, I sat in the car for about 40 minutes whilst it was rocked by the wind and pelted by the rain, and watched the light show through the torrents on the windscreen.
Once it had eased off, I went in to Downtown and did some shopping. By the time I left (about 10.45) the rain had pretty much stopped, and there was hardly anyone left around - it was quite pleasant to shop without the crowds.
Back here now and syncing photos onto the Mac and will then get an upload going, so will pause here whilst I do that ...
Right, uploading is proving to be pretty slow, so I will add the few that I've got so far, and try harder tomorrow!
I did both the Pangani (Africa) and Maharajah (Asia) trails, and got some great photos, particularly of the gorillas in Africa and the tigers in Asia (even if they were both behind glass and fast asleep). I also took some time around the pathways near the tree of life, and the Oasis, where I hadn't spent as much time before. No rides at all, but I enjoyed myself!
By a little after midday it was getting seriously hot, and I was ready for a break, and so I went back to the car, and came back to the hotel for a little siesta. When I woke up there were some texts from home, so we spent some time Face-timing, and I tried (with limited) success to convey a video tour of my immediate surroundings.
It was still pretty warm as I headed back out at about five o'clock (the car made it 107 when I got in, settling to around 100 as I got going). My plan on departure was to head to a Denny's, but coming off I-4 at the exit nearest Vineland, I realised that heading back past Crossroads would be a bad idea, as I'd have to join the queue on the way back. So, I went straight up Vineland and stopped off just before Premium at the Longhorn Steakhouse, where I had a very nice burger followed by key lime pie. (Message to Grandad - there was chowder on the starters menu, but I overcame the urge!).
Had a wander around Premium, and picked up one or two things, and then made my way to Downtown, watching the lightning flashing away in the distance. The radio (Zee 88.3 - love it!) was saying that a big storm was on its way, and sure enough, it arrived at Downtown at the same time that I did. So, I sat in the car for about 40 minutes whilst it was rocked by the wind and pelted by the rain, and watched the light show through the torrents on the windscreen.
Once it had eased off, I went in to Downtown and did some shopping. By the time I left (about 10.45) the rain had pretty much stopped, and there was hardly anyone left around - it was quite pleasant to shop without the crowds.
Back here now and syncing photos onto the Mac and will then get an upload going, so will pause here whilst I do that ...
Right, uploading is proving to be pretty slow, so I will add the few that I've got so far, and try harder tomorrow!
Sunday 10 June 2012
Gone to Pop
Well, today has certainly been a long day, but an enjoyable one too.
As I type, iphoto is desperately trying to catch up with all of the photos that I have taken today, and it looks like it might take a while, so not sure if I will be posting photos today, we'll have to see how it gets on!
Early start this morning - I was up just after five, and showered, packed and checked out of the Miami Airport hotel before six. The domestic check in area for AA was fairly busy, and it was a case of using the machines to check in before queueing for the bag drop. I had a minor panic when the machine didn't want to recognise either my credit card or my passport, but thankfully I noticed that there was an option to type in the booking reference, and once I'd done that it was all plain sailing. I dropped off my bag, and didn't have to wait too long to get through security, and so was airside and ready to go before half past six for my eight o'clock flight!
Had a sausage and egg muffin and a coffee from Nathan's (not up to the same standard as the one at MCO), and made them last a fair while whilst I read my book (which I finished on the flight - the fifth of the Morse books - The Dead of Jericho - top quality. Now read three books on this trip so far and only have one left!).
The flight was less than half full (like the one back from Costa Rica yesterday), and we were only in the air for about 40 mins to get from Miami to Orlando, and we landed just after nine. No need to deal with customs, and my bag was on the conveyor pretty soon after I arrived there, and to finish off an easy airport transit, the line at the Hertz rental desk was short. I am now driving around Orlando in a Mazda 3.
Arrived at the Pop Century, and continuing my good fortune, my room was ready - I am in the 80s section. I have already taken quite a few pictures around the resort - it's good fun.
Once I'd unpacked and got my bearings around the resort, I was ready to face a park. The plan was to go to the Magic Kingdom, and so I set the Mazda in that direction. But, passing the Boardwalk, I thought that I cunning plan might be to park there, have a little look around Epcot and then get on the monorail to MK. So, I diverted to the Boardwalk, told the gate fellow that I was coming for lunch, and parked up.
By now the muffin at MIA was starting to feel like rather a long time ago, and so I stopped off at the Boardwalk Bakery for a cheese danish and a drink, before heading into Epcot through the International Gateway. Then, rather than heading left for the monorail, I decided to head right towards France, and for the next couple of hours enjoyed pottering about the World Showcase, taking a huge number of photos, and taking in a few shows.
By the time I'd finished the anticlockwise circuit at Mexico, the clouds had not only gathered, they'd started to deposit a fairly large amount of rain, so I missed out completing the full set of country photos by walking straight through Canada (Off Kilter were playing Dirty Old Town!) and the UK, and back to the car. Obviously by the time I got to the car, it had pretty much stopped raining, but I was happy to come back to the hotel for a while. Apart from anything else, my camera battery was in need of putting on charge and swapping for the spare, due to overuse!
I relaxed at the hotel for a while, and whilst watching TV I realised I could hear a slightly strange noise outside the room. When I looked out, I realised that it had really started raining - the kind that soaks you to the skin in a second - so I felt rather smug about my decision to return to my room when I did!
Once the weather had eased, the next task was a trip to the supermarket (Publix on Vineland) to stock up on drinks and snacks, and to start working my way through the shopping list that I was sent with! So far so good. Mind you, just after heading out from my room, I realised that I hadn't spotted a coffee machine in my room. I popped back to check, and sure enough there wasn't one. When I phoned the front desk they explained that this was indeed the case at this resort. Seems a bit stingy to me. Still, good job I checked, otherwise I would have been rather annoyed if I came back with coffee, milk, sugar and so on. (Makes me a bit more annoyed that I forgot to bring my resort cup with me on the trip!)
Back from the supermarket, and I was still not ready to call it a day, and decided that I should stick with the original plan of getting to the Magic Kingdom on day 1, and so I headed for the bus stop - and by jogging the last 50 yards or so, I was able to get straight on a bus without any wait at all.
Got to MK at about 8.30 and it was pretty busy. Didn't do any rides at all, but enjoyed watching the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Wishes fireworks, and a new little show they've put in between, which I've already forgotten the name of, but which involved projecting all sorts of images onto the Castle, including photos that had been taken of people who'd visited MK today.
Leaving just before 11, the line for the Pop Century bus was enormous, but thankfully not very many people had noticed the fact that the Art of Animation line (two stops away) was really short, so I went over to that line, got straight on a bus, and walked across the bridge between the two resorts and back to my room.
So, as I said some time ago, a long but enjoyable day!
Photos are still transferring into iPhoto so can't upload any yet. Plan for tomorrow is to go to a park in the morning but have a break in the afternoon, so will probably upload some and do an extra post then.
Night night all.
As I type, iphoto is desperately trying to catch up with all of the photos that I have taken today, and it looks like it might take a while, so not sure if I will be posting photos today, we'll have to see how it gets on!
Early start this morning - I was up just after five, and showered, packed and checked out of the Miami Airport hotel before six. The domestic check in area for AA was fairly busy, and it was a case of using the machines to check in before queueing for the bag drop. I had a minor panic when the machine didn't want to recognise either my credit card or my passport, but thankfully I noticed that there was an option to type in the booking reference, and once I'd done that it was all plain sailing. I dropped off my bag, and didn't have to wait too long to get through security, and so was airside and ready to go before half past six for my eight o'clock flight!
Had a sausage and egg muffin and a coffee from Nathan's (not up to the same standard as the one at MCO), and made them last a fair while whilst I read my book (which I finished on the flight - the fifth of the Morse books - The Dead of Jericho - top quality. Now read three books on this trip so far and only have one left!).
The flight was less than half full (like the one back from Costa Rica yesterday), and we were only in the air for about 40 mins to get from Miami to Orlando, and we landed just after nine. No need to deal with customs, and my bag was on the conveyor pretty soon after I arrived there, and to finish off an easy airport transit, the line at the Hertz rental desk was short. I am now driving around Orlando in a Mazda 3.
Arrived at the Pop Century, and continuing my good fortune, my room was ready - I am in the 80s section. I have already taken quite a few pictures around the resort - it's good fun.
Once I'd unpacked and got my bearings around the resort, I was ready to face a park. The plan was to go to the Magic Kingdom, and so I set the Mazda in that direction. But, passing the Boardwalk, I thought that I cunning plan might be to park there, have a little look around Epcot and then get on the monorail to MK. So, I diverted to the Boardwalk, told the gate fellow that I was coming for lunch, and parked up.
By now the muffin at MIA was starting to feel like rather a long time ago, and so I stopped off at the Boardwalk Bakery for a cheese danish and a drink, before heading into Epcot through the International Gateway. Then, rather than heading left for the monorail, I decided to head right towards France, and for the next couple of hours enjoyed pottering about the World Showcase, taking a huge number of photos, and taking in a few shows.
By the time I'd finished the anticlockwise circuit at Mexico, the clouds had not only gathered, they'd started to deposit a fairly large amount of rain, so I missed out completing the full set of country photos by walking straight through Canada (Off Kilter were playing Dirty Old Town!) and the UK, and back to the car. Obviously by the time I got to the car, it had pretty much stopped raining, but I was happy to come back to the hotel for a while. Apart from anything else, my camera battery was in need of putting on charge and swapping for the spare, due to overuse!
I relaxed at the hotel for a while, and whilst watching TV I realised I could hear a slightly strange noise outside the room. When I looked out, I realised that it had really started raining - the kind that soaks you to the skin in a second - so I felt rather smug about my decision to return to my room when I did!
Once the weather had eased, the next task was a trip to the supermarket (Publix on Vineland) to stock up on drinks and snacks, and to start working my way through the shopping list that I was sent with! So far so good. Mind you, just after heading out from my room, I realised that I hadn't spotted a coffee machine in my room. I popped back to check, and sure enough there wasn't one. When I phoned the front desk they explained that this was indeed the case at this resort. Seems a bit stingy to me. Still, good job I checked, otherwise I would have been rather annoyed if I came back with coffee, milk, sugar and so on. (Makes me a bit more annoyed that I forgot to bring my resort cup with me on the trip!)
Back from the supermarket, and I was still not ready to call it a day, and decided that I should stick with the original plan of getting to the Magic Kingdom on day 1, and so I headed for the bus stop - and by jogging the last 50 yards or so, I was able to get straight on a bus without any wait at all.
Got to MK at about 8.30 and it was pretty busy. Didn't do any rides at all, but enjoyed watching the Main Street Electrical Parade, the Wishes fireworks, and a new little show they've put in between, which I've already forgotten the name of, but which involved projecting all sorts of images onto the Castle, including photos that had been taken of people who'd visited MK today.
Leaving just before 11, the line for the Pop Century bus was enormous, but thankfully not very many people had noticed the fact that the Art of Animation line (two stops away) was really short, so I went over to that line, got straight on a bus, and walked across the bridge between the two resorts and back to my room.
So, as I said some time ago, a long but enjoyable day!
Photos are still transferring into iPhoto so can't upload any yet. Plan for tomorrow is to go to a park in the morning but have a break in the afternoon, so will probably upload some and do an extra post then.
Night night all.
Saturday 9 June 2012
Miami - again
Here I am again in Miami. Flight from Costa Rica was fine. Off to bed now as it's an early start in the morning.
I'm sure I'll have more to report tomorrow ...
I'm sure I'll have more to report tomorrow ...
Friday 8 June 2012
Thursday
Back on the bus at 7.15 and back to a full day in the office today. Folks were kind, expressing there concern for my wellbeing, and sorry that I missed the trip out yesterday (which sounded like lots of fun) and I was pleased to say that I felt much better today. Just my luck to be poorly for the day out, and well for all of the office time. Oh well!
After our office day today, it was back on the bus and straight from the office to our restaurant for the evening, which was once again at the top of a big and steep hill, offering great views across the city. This time I did at least have my phone with me, and so was able to take a couple of photos. They are currently struggling their way off my phone and onto flickr, and if they arrive before I finish this post, I will include them here.
Talking of photos, I've just seen the pictures on the photo stream of the chinese meal out - looked very tasty indeed. Sounds like a pretty good birthday all round - just a shame that I couldn't be there to enjoy it with you all. I am assured that next year's version of this event will not be happening at the same time of year!
Right, I'd best be getting on with some packing, as I will be checking out tomorrow morning, taking my luggage with me to the office, and heading straight from there to the airport at lunchtime.
(No luck with the photos yet - will have to show you another time!)
After our office day today, it was back on the bus and straight from the office to our restaurant for the evening, which was once again at the top of a big and steep hill, offering great views across the city. This time I did at least have my phone with me, and so was able to take a couple of photos. They are currently struggling their way off my phone and onto flickr, and if they arrive before I finish this post, I will include them here.
Talking of photos, I've just seen the pictures on the photo stream of the chinese meal out - looked very tasty indeed. Sounds like a pretty good birthday all round - just a shame that I couldn't be there to enjoy it with you all. I am assured that next year's version of this event will not be happening at the same time of year!
Right, I'd best be getting on with some packing, as I will be checking out tomorrow morning, taking my luggage with me to the office, and heading straight from there to the airport at lunchtime.
(No luck with the photos yet - will have to show you another time!)
Thursday 7 June 2012
Wednesday
So, disappointing news today - something I ate yesterday disagreed with me, and I wasn't in a fit state for the 3 hour bus ride to the hot springs this morning. So I missed out on the trip and have stayed at the hotel for most of the day today.
Slept on and off this morning, and the around lunchtime wandered over to the local mall, where I had a bucket of coke and some cookies, sat on one of their comfy sofas, and finished off my book.
Watched TV at the hotel this afternoon - found a channel which is from South Florida, so have been watching the local news from Miami.
Hopefully I'll be back on form tomorrow (for another full day in the office!).
Slept on and off this morning, and the around lunchtime wandered over to the local mall, where I had a bucket of coke and some cookies, sat on one of their comfy sofas, and finished off my book.
Watched TV at the hotel this afternoon - found a channel which is from South Florida, so have been watching the local news from Miami.
Hopefully I'll be back on form tomorrow (for another full day in the office!).
Wednesday 6 June 2012
Tuesday
Wow, five comments for one day - thanks everyone - keep them coming, it's really good to hear from you all.
Tuesday has been fairly uneventful - another early start, on the bus to the office at 7.15 again with another full day of presentations and discussions. Exchanging texts with home, and keeping an eye on photos appearing in the cloud was great - I was sorry to miss the Round Wood street party, even if the weather did turn rather wet!
This evening I went out for tapas with one of the internal audit guys who I'd met in Brighton last year. He's helped me out with a few difficult questions on American Football, so watch out Jake, I've got a couple of tricky ones for you over the next few days!
We had to sign up for tomorrow's activities at Tabacon this afternoon, so I've decided to give the zip line a go. Will report back tomorrow, and will try to get some photos to share.
Get well soon Jake, and I hope you are well enough for your trip to the theatre tomorrow - have fun!
Tuesday has been fairly uneventful - another early start, on the bus to the office at 7.15 again with another full day of presentations and discussions. Exchanging texts with home, and keeping an eye on photos appearing in the cloud was great - I was sorry to miss the Round Wood street party, even if the weather did turn rather wet!
This evening I went out for tapas with one of the internal audit guys who I'd met in Brighton last year. He's helped me out with a few difficult questions on American Football, so watch out Jake, I've got a couple of tricky ones for you over the next few days!
We had to sign up for tomorrow's activities at Tabacon this afternoon, so I've decided to give the zip line a go. Will report back tomorrow, and will try to get some photos to share.
Get well soon Jake, and I hope you are well enough for your trip to the theatre tomorrow - have fun!
Tuesday 5 June 2012
Monday
Evening all, or morning for those of you in a more advanced time zone!
So, picking up from where we left out, we went out for a group dinner last night to what I think may have been a converted monastery at the top of a steep hill overlooking the city. The views were great, but sadly I hadn't taken a camera or phone with me so didn't manage to get any pictures of the views. Lots of people did, so I'll see if I can get someone to send a picture over to me so that I can show you.
We didn't get back too late, and I fell straight into bed and off to the land of nod. I only woke up once or twice in the night, and only long enough to check the time and go back to sleep. I'd set the alarm on my phone for 7.45, but only because it hand't realised we were no longer on Miami time - in Costa Rica terms, that was actually 5.45.
The early start was due to the plan to leave for the office at 7.15, which we all duly did in a couple of minibuses after breakfast. It was great to see home on FaceTime this morning before we left, and I've since been able to see Nicky's recent iPhone photos thanks to the wonders of clouds and wireless networks.
The day was spent in meetings in the office (well in what they call the "auditorium" at the front of their office building) before minibusing back here at the end of the day, and this evening we went to a Peruvian restaurant near the hotel.
Tomorrow is another day of meetings, and then on Wednesday we get a day out to Tabacon Hot Springs - check it out here and let me know what you think.
And to finish for today, here's a photo taken this morning out of my hotel room window.
So, picking up from where we left out, we went out for a group dinner last night to what I think may have been a converted monastery at the top of a steep hill overlooking the city. The views were great, but sadly I hadn't taken a camera or phone with me so didn't manage to get any pictures of the views. Lots of people did, so I'll see if I can get someone to send a picture over to me so that I can show you.
We didn't get back too late, and I fell straight into bed and off to the land of nod. I only woke up once or twice in the night, and only long enough to check the time and go back to sleep. I'd set the alarm on my phone for 7.45, but only because it hand't realised we were no longer on Miami time - in Costa Rica terms, that was actually 5.45.
The early start was due to the plan to leave for the office at 7.15, which we all duly did in a couple of minibuses after breakfast. It was great to see home on FaceTime this morning before we left, and I've since been able to see Nicky's recent iPhone photos thanks to the wonders of clouds and wireless networks.
The day was spent in meetings in the office (well in what they call the "auditorium" at the front of their office building) before minibusing back here at the end of the day, and this evening we went to a Peruvian restaurant near the hotel.
Tomorrow is another day of meetings, and then on Wednesday we get a day out to Tabacon Hot Springs - check it out here and let me know what you think.
And to finish for today, here's a photo taken this morning out of my hotel room window.
Monday 4 June 2012
Costa Rica
I have arrived at Costa Rica. It is 5pm local time, and so midnight back home. I've got a little while to myself to unpack and relax before meeting people downstairs for a drink at six before we head out for our Sunday night group dinner, in advance of the main event kicking off tomorrow morning.
The flight from Miami was uneventful. Before leaving the hotel I had some time to kill and so was typing up some impressions of the place, which I will cut and paste into here at some point. As you will see they weren't overly glowing, but my thoughts on Miami Airport improved when I got airside in the AA area which was shiny and new (and by the way so large that there was a "sky train" on the roof of the building shuttling people between different areas of the building - and it had four stops - and this was just for the gates for on airline!).
Before I made it airside, I had to go through security, laptops out, shoes off, and then into a little booth where I had to stand on the marks and put my hands above my head - I think it was one of the new body scanners (don't know whether it was one of the ones that "sees through" your clothes or not!), and after stepping out, the security guy still wanted to wave his wand down my right hand side - I don't think I've had a hip replacement that I've forgotten about!
Once I'd wandered up and down the AA area airside for a while to waste some more time (didn't make it end to end - just too far) I went into a cafe and had a pain au chocolat and an apple juice. I should have taken a picture of the pastry really - it was a proper American one - lots of chocolate on the inside, and almost as much on the outside as well.
Then to gate D22 for a short wait before boarding our flight. I shall never cease to be amazed by the size of the bags that American's consider to be "carry on" luggage. Thankfully I was the first one to my row of seats, and so there was still some space in the overhead locker. Flight was uneventful, if a little bumpy on the way down, and I was glad it was only two and a half hours - a combination of unfamiliar bed last night and economy seating (albeit with decent legroom) has left me with an aching back.
Waiting for my bag at the caroussel, one of my American colleagues came over to say hi (I'd met him at the Brighton meeting last year) and to introduce me to a couple of others I'd not met before, and we shared the arranged transfer to the hotel.
And here I am. And now I shall sign off, with some more to follow tomorrow.
By the way, if you're reading this (and don't worry, I'm under no illusions that my readership is extremely small), do me a favour and leave a comment. Nice to hear from home when I'm this far away!
The flight from Miami was uneventful. Before leaving the hotel I had some time to kill and so was typing up some impressions of the place, which I will cut and paste into here at some point. As you will see they weren't overly glowing, but my thoughts on Miami Airport improved when I got airside in the AA area which was shiny and new (and by the way so large that there was a "sky train" on the roof of the building shuttling people between different areas of the building - and it had four stops - and this was just for the gates for on airline!).
Before I made it airside, I had to go through security, laptops out, shoes off, and then into a little booth where I had to stand on the marks and put my hands above my head - I think it was one of the new body scanners (don't know whether it was one of the ones that "sees through" your clothes or not!), and after stepping out, the security guy still wanted to wave his wand down my right hand side - I don't think I've had a hip replacement that I've forgotten about!
Once I'd wandered up and down the AA area airside for a while to waste some more time (didn't make it end to end - just too far) I went into a cafe and had a pain au chocolat and an apple juice. I should have taken a picture of the pastry really - it was a proper American one - lots of chocolate on the inside, and almost as much on the outside as well.
Then to gate D22 for a short wait before boarding our flight. I shall never cease to be amazed by the size of the bags that American's consider to be "carry on" luggage. Thankfully I was the first one to my row of seats, and so there was still some space in the overhead locker. Flight was uneventful, if a little bumpy on the way down, and I was glad it was only two and a half hours - a combination of unfamiliar bed last night and economy seating (albeit with decent legroom) has left me with an aching back.
Waiting for my bag at the caroussel, one of my American colleagues came over to say hi (I'd met him at the Brighton meeting last year) and to introduce me to a couple of others I'd not met before, and we shared the arranged transfer to the hotel.
And here I am. And now I shall sign off, with some more to follow tomorrow.
By the way, if you're reading this (and don't worry, I'm under no illusions that my readership is extremely small), do me a favour and leave a comment. Nice to hear from home when I'm this far away!
Sunday 3 June 2012
Miami
Blogging to you from Subway at Miami Airport.
Flight over was fine - Upper Class is rather nice. Took lots of photos. We landed at about 4.10, and one of the benefits of being in the posh seats is that you're first off, first through passport control, and your bag appears on the conveyor first, so I was checked in to my hotel before five.
Called home and then went for a wander to get the lay of the land - I know whereabouts I'll be checking in tomorrow now.
Minor panic in room when one of the dials on a padlock wouldn't budge but eventually got it spinning and into my luggage.
Watched some of the CBS and NBC news and the good news is that the Queen's Jubilee is getting some coverage. One station even mentioned that she went to the durby today!
Right, I'm off to see if I can get a hot chocolate from Starbucks, and then it's off to bed.
Night night all.
Flight over was fine - Upper Class is rather nice. Took lots of photos. We landed at about 4.10, and one of the benefits of being in the posh seats is that you're first off, first through passport control, and your bag appears on the conveyor first, so I was checked in to my hotel before five.
Called home and then went for a wander to get the lay of the land - I know whereabouts I'll be checking in tomorrow now.
Minor panic in room when one of the dials on a padlock wouldn't budge but eventually got it spinning and into my luggage.
Watched some of the CBS and NBC news and the good news is that the Queen's Jubilee is getting some coverage. One station even mentioned that she went to the durby today!
Right, I'm off to see if I can get a hot chocolate from Starbucks, and then it's off to bed.
Night night all.
Saturday 2 June 2012
Clubhouse
I am posting this from the rather splendid Virgin Atlantic Clubhouse at Heathrow. I am trying to upload a photo from my phone to show you, but it doesn't seem to be playing ball at the moment, so may have to do that a little later on.
The Clubhouse is pretty impressive - there's a restaurant, a few lounges, a big TV area (with the golf on), a salon and spa, bar, and even a pool table! There is a full menu of goodies in front of me, but I am being restrained and have just asked for a Coke - probably don't want to get on a transatlantic flight with a few cocktails on board!
Despite dire warnings of holiday weekend traffic, our journey from home went very smoothly - we set off as planned at 7am, and we were here, parked, and checked in by half past eight. We had breakfast together before the sad farewells, and Nicky and Jake should be on their way to see Henry now.
I was told on the way into the lounge that they should be calling our flight at about 10.45, so hopefully we'll be getting away pretty much on time, and so I will be blogging some more from Miami later on.
The phone upload has just come through to flickr, so here's a picture of the lounge - I'm currently sat on the little white table on the right of the photo!
The Clubhouse is pretty impressive - there's a restaurant, a few lounges, a big TV area (with the golf on), a salon and spa, bar, and even a pool table! There is a full menu of goodies in front of me, but I am being restrained and have just asked for a Coke - probably don't want to get on a transatlantic flight with a few cocktails on board!
Despite dire warnings of holiday weekend traffic, our journey from home went very smoothly - we set off as planned at 7am, and we were here, parked, and checked in by half past eight. We had breakfast together before the sad farewells, and Nicky and Jake should be on their way to see Henry now.
I was told on the way into the lounge that they should be calling our flight at about 10.45, so hopefully we'll be getting away pretty much on time, and so I will be blogging some more from Miami later on.
The phone upload has just come through to flickr, so here's a picture of the lounge - I'm currently sat on the little white table on the right of the photo!
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