Saturday 27 November 2010

The One with the Parisian Birthday

The girl took me to Paris for my birthday for a glorious game of rugby, lots of wine and a kilo steak. We arrived to a couple of hours of light snow fall before heading out for dinner at my favourite restuarant 'Cafe Du Commerce' where I decided to tackle the gigantic kilo steak. It wasn't long before I was engulfed with the meat sweats but pushing on I dominated it into submission.

The next night was a pleasant surprise where the Wallabies once again showed what they are capable of by destroying the 6 Nation champions (59-16) in a display of form they surely need to carry over next year to be any hope of lifting Bill.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

The One from the Canyon of the Crescent Moon

"Da na na naaaa...... da na naaaaa"

The whole way down the valley I had the Indy tune bouncing throughout my head. It was inspiring to come across such a magnificent rock carving that is the Treasury. Unfortunately only a penitent man shall pass and I was unable enter but I figured that it was for the best - the grails powers cannot be taken past the sacred seal...

Sunday 7 November 2010

The One from the Dunes

The girl and I headed for our middle eastern expedition. Our first stop was in Dubai where the girl was unfortunately working. This enabled me to stay in the hotel pool during the day to frequent the in-pool bar for some delicious cocktails. After a couple of days the girl had finished her wheeling and dealing so we headed to visit one of my mates from school in Qatar.

It was rather amusing to arrive to Doha amongst a bunch of sheets and tea towels in my shorts and pluggers but it was good to see the Mack was picking us up in the same attire.

The Mack took us out for possibly the only thing to do in Doha - cruise the dunes. We trekked our way to the inland sea. It was actually on the border of Qatar and Saudi Arabia so in essence we were about a 500m swim from a very painful death. It was crazy to see the locals head down some of the freakishly steep dunes sideways before righting themselves to drive off at the bottom.

We went for a local meal where I was able to sample some delicious 'baby camel'. After we went to a hotel to devour some cocktails - interesting you have to take a passport to prove you are not from the country to be able to booze it. It is safe to say we devoured a reasonable quantity, including a number of very strong rums prepared by the Mack on our arrival home, before my memory dims - although I woke up the next day around midday still very drunk to the sound of the Macks 2 year old daughter berating him, "Bad Daddy!" And the hangover I got later that afternoon I was inclined to agree!