Safari

Spent three days in the Masai Mara, Kenya to see the Great Migration. It was amazing to see so many animals, lions, elephants, zebras, hippos etc. We had two excellent safari guides Charles and Soloman.

Check out these lions, literally 10 feet away. Turn up your speakers!

Kenya

Leah and I spent three days on safari and 4 days on Lamu Island. I will write more when I have more time, but I wanted to post a few pictures.

Gold Cappuchino In Abu Dhabi

After checking in to our hotel, we hired a car and went down the coast to Abu Dhabi. We met Leah's friend at the Palace of the Emirates. The thing to have is a Palace Cappuchino because they sprinkle real gold on top! It is an incredible place and a memorable birthday experience. The Palace was beautiful, very ornate and encrusted with gold leafing.

My Birthday in Dubai

Well I finally did it, I turned 43! I don't feel old. We just arrived from Kabul. Getting out of the airport was quite the experience. We had our passports checked 5 times.

To celebrate my birthday, my sister and I drank champagne in Le Meridian Hotel in Dubai. Dubai and Kabul are the extreme opposites. I'm still thinking about all the wonderful people I met in Kabul. One of the guards at my sister's compound had his cousin (who is a tailor) make me a traditional Afghan outfit. Another guard bought me a melon as a going away gift.

Beer Running in Kabul

Greetings from Afghanistan where I actually did a beer run! I hooked up with the Kabul chapter of the Hash House Harriers and ran through the streets of Kabul. Did I just read that Jon was

complaining about running in a little heat? First of all, Kabul is 6000 feet above sea level and the
altitude really kicked my butt. I felt like a first day runner. Not to mention running past open sewers, weaving around goats, women in burkas, guards with AK-47s, and puzzled looking people.

An armoured SUV trailed us and the team leaders carried guns. It was a memorable and surreal experience. In the drinking and hazing circle at the end, we drank beer to the sound of a mosque's call to prayers and a mine explosion.

It just goes to show you how people strive to create normalcy out of chaos. It is quite remarkable that there are so many normal activities going on amidst the danger. I sat in gardens, restaurants, and even a mall. There are constants reminders that this is a war zone as I saw armed guards, police, armoured SUVs, and the occasional International Assistance Force convoy.


A Hasher is given his new Hash name and is dowsed with beer, flower, and eggs.

Pictures At Flickr

I'm keeping a written journal of my journey which I will post when I have more time. Until then, please my photos here.

Greetings From Kabul

I made it! Not sure where or how to begin describing what I've seen so far. Guns, dirt, open sewers, poverty, goats, mules, crazy drivers, burkas, kites, children.....