Transmission from this site will be non-existent for the next week while we explore the wilds of Mauritius.
In our absence: please be good, be kind and be careful!
29 March 2006
27 March 2006
Baghdad Burning
UPDATE: We were suddenly getting an increase in hits to our blog. Turns out this post has been picked up by the Mumbai Mirror.
The more exposure for bloggers, the better!
Here’s some great news – of all places, I first found the article in the NZ Herald!
When I explored all the blogs that are listed on toot, I came across a couple that really tugged at my heart and soul. Since “discovering” them, I’ve regularly visited their sites for updates.
One of them is Baghdad Burning (riverbendblog); written by an anonymous Female Iraqi blogger whose tagline is: “Girl blog from Iraq...let’s talk war, politics and occupation.”
Her posts can sometimes send cold chills rushing through me as I read about what the normal Iraqis are enduring every day in their own country. After reading her accounts, no one could truthfully say that Iraq is better off now that it was 3 years ago.
I’m pleased to read that more literary bods, than I, have been reading Baghdad Burning, and she has been nominated for one of literature's most prestigious non-fiction awards – the £30,000 British Samuel Johnson Prize.
The posts have been compiled into a book, published by independent publishers, Marion Boyars, and it is among 19 contenders vying for the award – the winner will be announced on June 14th in London.
Congratulations to Riverbend – I know that this blogger and lots more like her will be hoping, wishing and praying that you win.
The more exposure for bloggers, the better!
Here’s some great news – of all places, I first found the article in the NZ Herald!When I explored all the blogs that are listed on toot, I came across a couple that really tugged at my heart and soul. Since “discovering” them, I’ve regularly visited their sites for updates.
One of them is Baghdad Burning (riverbendblog); written by an anonymous Female Iraqi blogger whose tagline is: “Girl blog from Iraq...let’s talk war, politics and occupation.”
Her posts can sometimes send cold chills rushing through me as I read about what the normal Iraqis are enduring every day in their own country. After reading her accounts, no one could truthfully say that Iraq is better off now that it was 3 years ago.
I’m pleased to read that more literary bods, than I, have been reading Baghdad Burning, and she has been nominated for one of literature's most prestigious non-fiction awards – the £30,000 British Samuel Johnson Prize.
The posts have been compiled into a book, published by independent publishers, Marion Boyars, and it is among 19 contenders vying for the award – the winner will be announced on June 14th in London.
Congratulations to Riverbend – I know that this blogger and lots more like her will be hoping, wishing and praying that you win.
“…I’ll meet you ‘round the bend my friend, where hearts can heal and souls can mend…”
25 March 2006
A Cacophony of Cars
Every weekend night, it’s the same deal. People flock to the Dubai Marina for dinner, with the adults sitting outside enjoying the food while the kids play in the fountain.
It’s a great scene – here’s Dubai enjoying itself.
However, around the valet parking area, it’s a different story. It’s a problematic dead-end street with a turning circle at the end – one way in and one way out. Exacerbating the situation is that the entrances and exits to the 2 underground garages are also on the turning circle. Even if it’s your desire to park your own car, you'll still end up in the valet parking traffic.
Chaos reigns!
Porsches, Mercedes, Lamborghinis, Jaguars and Bentleys are forced to wait and mix with Hondas, Toyotas, taxis and their ilk as the road becomes a carpark. Mix in a couple of stretched limos, and the situation really starts to get heated. A common misconception is that the harder and longer you lean on your car horn, the faster you’ll be, and a clear path will magically open up.
It’s fun to watch, and reminiscent of the Neil Diamond song from the 70s, Beautiful Noise.
It’s a great scene – here’s Dubai enjoying itself.
However, around the valet parking area, it’s a different story. It’s a problematic dead-end street with a turning circle at the end – one way in and one way out. Exacerbating the situation is that the entrances and exits to the 2 underground garages are also on the turning circle. Even if it’s your desire to park your own car, you'll still end up in the valet parking traffic.
Chaos reigns!
Porsches, Mercedes, Lamborghinis, Jaguars and Bentleys are forced to wait and mix with Hondas, Toyotas, taxis and their ilk as the road becomes a carpark. Mix in a couple of stretched limos, and the situation really starts to get heated. A common misconception is that the harder and longer you lean on your car horn, the faster you’ll be, and a clear path will magically open up.
It’s fun to watch, and reminiscent of the Neil Diamond song from the 70s, Beautiful Noise.
24 March 2006
Rocky Hajjar Picture Show
Update: I notice that a lot of people come to this post after googling to find out if there is a passport control between Dibba and Ras Al Kaimah. At the time of writing in 2006, there was a control at the RAK end, but since then I have heard reports that this route has been closed to through traffic, and only UAE (maybe GCC) nationals are allowed to use it.
I'm not sure how you would check that information, but entering it from the Dibba end and expecting to turn back would be the best bet, if you did want to go ahead and try it. At least you'd get to see the most stunning bits through the wadi and on the high mountain route - and carry your passports just in case they let you back in through RAK!
Don't attempt driving through Wadi Bih if it's been raining or looks as if it's going to rain. Flash floods rip through the wadi, taking everything away.
Also read:
Through Wadi Bih
The Long and Winding Road
With J’s sister and bro-in-law in town, we decided to take them to Fujairah and then along our favourite road to RAK from Dibba, through the wadi and over the Hajjar range.
About 5km into our gravel journey from Dibba, we had to stop – there was no road!
The recent rains have caused considerable damage in this area, and as the road followed a wadi bed through the canyon, the water has washed away the route. In its place is tonnes of rock, gravel and silt. We walked up the wadi over rocks as big as cars, and marvelled at what must have been a most incredible act of nature. The scratches and gouges in the canyon walls from the debris rose 3m above us – that’s how high the water must have been.
We estimate this damaged area to be about 1km long, and without knowing the condition of the rest of the track, it’s going to take a few months to carve a road back out of the debris.
We’ll let the images tell the story - you can click on them to enlarge.
I'm not sure how you would check that information, but entering it from the Dibba end and expecting to turn back would be the best bet, if you did want to go ahead and try it. At least you'd get to see the most stunning bits through the wadi and on the high mountain route - and carry your passports just in case they let you back in through RAK!
Don't attempt driving through Wadi Bih if it's been raining or looks as if it's going to rain. Flash floods rip through the wadi, taking everything away.
Also read:
Through Wadi Bih
The Long and Winding Road
With J’s sister and bro-in-law in town, we decided to take them to Fujairah and then along our favourite road to RAK from Dibba, through the wadi and over the Hajjar range.
About 5km into our gravel journey from Dibba, we had to stop – there was no road!
The recent rains have caused considerable damage in this area, and as the road followed a wadi bed through the canyon, the water has washed away the route. In its place is tonnes of rock, gravel and silt. We walked up the wadi over rocks as big as cars, and marvelled at what must have been a most incredible act of nature. The scratches and gouges in the canyon walls from the debris rose 3m above us – that’s how high the water must have been.
We estimate this damaged area to be about 1km long, and without knowing the condition of the rest of the track, it’s going to take a few months to carve a road back out of the debris.
We’ll let the images tell the story - you can click on them to enlarge.
Before:
After:
After:
22 March 2006
toot Map
The toot people have created a toot map on Frappr which hopefully will remain unblocked for those with cretinous internet providors who seem bent on spoiling everyone's fun.
Members of toot can go to the map and plug themselves in.
We can even download images that can be made into a movie, and with the code embedded into the blog template, it can play like this:
Members of toot can go to the map and plug themselves in.
We can even download images that can be made into a movie, and with the code embedded into the blog template, it can play like this:
21 March 2006
The Poseidon Adventure
Last Sunday, the vessel Poseidon (registered in Moroni, Comoros) was towed into the Palm Jumeirah, and now lies anchored with its stern facing a branch that is devoid of permanent villas. This frond appears to have only white tents on it, and must be housing some of the Palm’s construction workers.Poseidon is a ferry with a history that started in the dockyards of Japan where she was built and named Suzuran Maru in 1968. Since then, she’s gone through a series of name changes. Her funnel is now painted to resemble the UAE flag – and a real one also flies off the mast. It’s interesting to note that she was only bought and registered under the Moroni flag in December 2005 which means that she’s possibly only recently been acquired by a UAE shipping company and registered in Moroni as a barebones registration. At night, Poseidon has a pretty row of lights strung from bow to stern which gives it the appearance of a cruise ship.
The Poseidon’s presence in the Palm possibly means one of these:
1. the workers have done the construction equivalent of painting themselves into a corner, and now the only way to get them off the Palm is to ship them out
2. more accommodation for extra workers is now required if the Palm is ever to be finished
3. they are housing the existing workers on the ship instead of bussing them on and off the Palm, as this has turned into a logistical nightmare which sees the workers spending more time on the buses than on the job
4. Nakheel is so happy with the project that they’ve promised the workers a free cruise once it’s all completed
Your choice – but if you chose Option 4, all I can say is welcome to Fantasy Island!
12 March 2006
Bound for New York
Today, we're on our way to New York by train, from Baltimore.
We have some good news re our luggage - after 6 days, all 4 pieces have apparently been found and are being delivered to our hotel in New York.
We're not celebrating yet - we have no idea of the condition of it, whether it's still intact; or even if it's our luggage!
We'll either be doing the happy dance tonight or drowning our sorrows at the bar.
We aren't the only ones with missing luggage who have travelled through Germany - fellow Kiwi blogger, Rod Drury, has this tale to tell.
See you on the other side!
UPDATE: Doing the happy dance! Luggage all safely delivered, although my case had been searched and everything was a total mess inside. Only thing missing appears to be my spare camera battery. So we're now more relaxed and can head into this VERY busy week with all our expo signage and our clothes! Sky: the margarita was good!
We have some good news re our luggage - after 6 days, all 4 pieces have apparently been found and are being delivered to our hotel in New York.
We're not celebrating yet - we have no idea of the condition of it, whether it's still intact; or even if it's our luggage!
We'll either be doing the happy dance tonight or drowning our sorrows at the bar.
We aren't the only ones with missing luggage who have travelled through Germany - fellow Kiwi blogger, Rod Drury, has this tale to tell.
See you on the other side!
UPDATE: Doing the happy dance! Luggage all safely delivered, although my case had been searched and everything was a total mess inside. Only thing missing appears to be my spare camera battery. So we're now more relaxed and can head into this VERY busy week with all our expo signage and our clothes! Sky: the margarita was good!
9 March 2006
Politicking, Postulation, and Posterior Preservation
We're in Baltimore, Maryland attending a conference, and still reeling over the 5 day fiasco surrounding our lost luggage. Somewhere in Germany are 4 pieces of our gear - 2 suitcases of clothing and 2 large wheelie cases of exhibition signage that we desperately need for next week's show in New York. Despite our best efforts to have the baggage directed to our NY hotel address, someone in Germany has decided to over-ride the computer information and send our baggage via Washington and Denver, and then maybe to NY! Right now, we have no idea where it is.
It's bureaucracy at its finest.
We're also being treated to a shining example of democracy.
In every taxi that we ride in, the radio talk shows are full of the DP World ports deal. It's the same rehashed, mostly inaccurate info time and time again, with the more educated callers being shouted down, or given less airtime because voices of reason do not qualify as good entertainment.
The TV news shows are also carrying a lot of reports on the same subject. Today, it's all about the House of Appropriations Committee which has resoundingly voted 62-2 to block the ports deal, as this CNN article reports.
The CNN article goes on to say that despite this outcome, there are still plans on Capitol Hill to save the ports deal, including the final decision that can be taken by President Bush - the power of veto.
It says a lot for the members of Congress that they have voted in this way.
Think about it.
It's election year.
The majority of their electoral constituents are people who believe that America should be owned by Americans - not realising that it hasn't been this way for a long time with major shipping ports, airports and companies all under foreign control.
A vote against the ports deal by their congressional representative looks good to the voting public, so they'll vote for him/her again.
Where does this leave the ports deal?
It will go ahead. If it gets to the final hurdle, Bush will veto the opposition and allow the deal to happen. He has nothing to lose - he's coming to the end of his tenure.
That's why the members of Congress are leaving it to him to make the decision.
It's the Republican Democratic way!
Now - where's our luggage?
UPDATE: It now appears that DP World will transfer the US port management to a "US Entity" - see this CNN report for more details.
In my opinion, it's a wise move. In an earlier post, I pondered on why DP World would want to assume responsibility for the ports, knowing that if security was breached in any way, that it and the Islam/Muslim world would be blamed for it - regardless of who was in charge of security.
As a representative from the Ports Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) rightly pointed out on US TV just now, they are very careful about any comments they make on this situation because the PANYNJ also operates foreign ports, and they empathise with DP World - they know how situations can go wrong.
It's also with deep shame that it has to happen in this way, as the decision will now appear to be a backdown by DP World.
Those who opposed the deal will now claim victory, and misguided righteousness will prevail over the lost opportunity to bring the West and the Middle East closer together through joint economic ventures - or at least any that would be owned by Arab companies on US soil.
On the surface, for Sheikh Mohammed to have announced this decision on behalf of DP World appears to be easy capitulation - or given with a great deal of diplomacy on his part. He is a wise and savvy leader.
It's early times - the announcement has only just been made in the last couple of hours, so there isn't much detail to be known - if we ever do get to hear the full story.
Within me lies the hope that there's more to this outcome which gives DP World and the UAE the credit and recognition that they deserve. I'm just sorry that it will most likely be hidden away, and not used to positively silence the opponents of the deal who used outright lies, racism and fear as weapons to publicly denounce what could have been an historic partnership between the Middle East and the USA.
It's bureaucracy at its finest.
We're also being treated to a shining example of democracy.
In every taxi that we ride in, the radio talk shows are full of the DP World ports deal. It's the same rehashed, mostly inaccurate info time and time again, with the more educated callers being shouted down, or given less airtime because voices of reason do not qualify as good entertainment.
The TV news shows are also carrying a lot of reports on the same subject. Today, it's all about the House of Appropriations Committee which has resoundingly voted 62-2 to block the ports deal, as this CNN article reports.
The CNN article goes on to say that despite this outcome, there are still plans on Capitol Hill to save the ports deal, including the final decision that can be taken by President Bush - the power of veto.
It says a lot for the members of Congress that they have voted in this way.
Think about it.
It's election year.
The majority of their electoral constituents are people who believe that America should be owned by Americans - not realising that it hasn't been this way for a long time with major shipping ports, airports and companies all under foreign control.
A vote against the ports deal by their congressional representative looks good to the voting public, so they'll vote for him/her again.
Where does this leave the ports deal?
It will go ahead. If it gets to the final hurdle, Bush will veto the opposition and allow the deal to happen. He has nothing to lose - he's coming to the end of his tenure.
That's why the members of Congress are leaving it to him to make the decision.
It's the Republican Democratic way!
Now - where's our luggage?
UPDATE: It now appears that DP World will transfer the US port management to a "US Entity" - see this CNN report for more details.
In my opinion, it's a wise move. In an earlier post, I pondered on why DP World would want to assume responsibility for the ports, knowing that if security was breached in any way, that it and the Islam/Muslim world would be blamed for it - regardless of who was in charge of security.
As a representative from the Ports Authority of New York and New Jersey (PANYNJ) rightly pointed out on US TV just now, they are very careful about any comments they make on this situation because the PANYNJ also operates foreign ports, and they empathise with DP World - they know how situations can go wrong.
It's also with deep shame that it has to happen in this way, as the decision will now appear to be a backdown by DP World.
Those who opposed the deal will now claim victory, and misguided righteousness will prevail over the lost opportunity to bring the West and the Middle East closer together through joint economic ventures - or at least any that would be owned by Arab companies on US soil.
On the surface, for Sheikh Mohammed to have announced this decision on behalf of DP World appears to be easy capitulation - or given with a great deal of diplomacy on his part. He is a wise and savvy leader.
It's early times - the announcement has only just been made in the last couple of hours, so there isn't much detail to be known - if we ever do get to hear the full story.
Within me lies the hope that there's more to this outcome which gives DP World and the UAE the credit and recognition that they deserve. I'm just sorry that it will most likely be hidden away, and not used to positively silence the opponents of the deal who used outright lies, racism and fear as weapons to publicly denounce what could have been an historic partnership between the Middle East and the USA.
1 March 2006
I got run over by Chevygirl
Keefieboy tagged CG, who in turn tagged me – and now I have to answer these questions and tag 4 more suckers, who will now hate me for doing this!I also figured out while answering the questions, that I’m pretty boring. However, I think that it’s better than turning into a frog. (Stop threatening us, Keefie!)
Four jobs that I’ve had:
- shopgirl in a bakery
- bartender
- photographer
- prolab operations manager
Four movies that I could watch over and over:
- Lord of War
- Hello Dolly
- Contact
- The Fifth Element
Four places where I’ve lived
- Suva, Fiji
- Tauranga, NZ
- Auckland, NZ
- Dubai, UAE
Four TV shows that I like:
- I have to bail out of this one, because I don’t watch TV
Four places where I’ve vacationed:
- Hawaii, USA
- Hong Kong, China
- Sydney, Australia
- Reethi Ra, Maldives
Four of my favourite dishes:
- Anything with shellfish or crustaceans
- Anything curried
- Anything barbequed
- My stirfry – lots of veges and heaps of chillies!
Four sites that I visit daily:
- NZ Herald
- Gulf News
- UAE Community Blog
- toot – The Arab blog network
Four Books that I’ve read this year - this year?
C’mon, it’s just gone March!
The last four books that I’ve read:
- The Journey Home – A Kryon Parable: Lee Carroll
- Polar Shift: Clive Cussler
- Who says Elephants can’t Dance?: Louis V. Gerstner, Jr.
- Muhammad – a biography of the Prophet: Karen Armstrong
Four Bloggers (sorry people!) that I’m going to tag with this:
Moryarti
Dubai Sunshine
Seabee
Abu Dhabi Sunshine
Gribbet!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)