Chronicles from the Road

March 29, 2014

March 2014

The advice I give Annie is to "Just Write." Sound advice, let me take it...

Took a ride to Flagstaff to visit Robby Pitagora. Great time. Rode down Rt. 89A to Sedona. Amazing road down a mini-Grand Canyon. Spectacular.

Went to Jerome, AZ for lunch. Incredible little mining town built on the side of a mountain. Reminded me of a Swiss village perched on steep slopes.

On Thursday I decided to go to Phoenix, well Mesa to be precise, to watch the Cubs play the White Sox. The Cactus League website needs some improvement. The start time was "Rocky Mountain Standard Time." I guess that is technically accurate. However, Arizona goes to Pacific Daylight Time this time of year—or so I thought. The long and short—I knew I was about an hour late for the game, but it was actually two. And, the game was sold out.

I cruised around ASU, and had lunch at a cool,college like restaurant on Mill Street. College towns are always great.

On Friday I rode back to LA from Mesa. Nice warm ride. Got to LA and decided to cut up to Sunset, ride through Hollywood/Beverly Hills for a more Scenic ride to Lorenzo's. The traffic was horrible. Should have stayed on the 10.

Dinner last night at Fathers Office on Montana. There was a 5.3 earthquake, but I didn't feel it...

February 26, 2014

To Myanmar.

February 26, 2014

Adventure to visit Annie in Myanmar.

I left LA on South China Airlines at 10:30 PM on Monday. The plane was an Airbus 380 (I think). It was a big double decker. Very cool to enter through a jetway that only serviced the second floor. Given that the total trip was 10 hours I splurged for business class—well worth the coin. Had a nice little lie flat cubical. Nice comforter, and I got everything set up just right. After takeoff served a nice dinner with lots of white wine refills. Pretty soon the cabin lights were turned off and it was "Good Night Irene!"

It was the smoothest flight I have ever had. I slept for 10 hours, woke up, had breakfast, and landed in China at 5:00 AM local time. Refreshed and ready to go.

In Canton (I can't spell the current name) airport the Southern China lounge was deserted. But, very nice with luxurious clean showers. Also, there were 20 people working there to help the three travelers with anything. So, I look a nice long shower and was ready to "Sieze The Day."

Up eventful flight to Yangon where Heidi met me at the airport with a driver and a guide. Of course Heidi was in a rush to see museums, markets and much more. I started to get tired, but I hung in there. I knew what travelling with Heidi involved—I guess I'd just forgotten the details.

A funny, and perhaps scary, thing abou Myanmar is that they just "Can't get enough of the Right Hand Side!" The cars drive on the right, and the steering wheels are on the right. Must be a very right wing country.

Finally, with my head nodding, we got to our Hotel—The Strand. Very nice old style hotel. Old school service—butler outside room 24 hours a day. Can't think of what I might ask to do for me, but quite impressive just the same.

It's early Thursday morning and Heidi has the guide and Driver picking us up at 8:30. Not sure what we are rushing off to see, but you know the Heides: "Busy, Busy, Busy." God, I thought a nice breakfast at the hotel might have been an option, but no–places to see....

It is an amazing country. If I don't die of exhaustion, it will be magnificent.

Then, midday we meet Annie at her boat which is about 1 hour from downtown. We have word the the customs officials have said that it will be slow processing the kids, so it may be anytime between 1:00 and 6:00 that we meet Annie.

Can't wait!