glcarter
Gary L. Carter Joined: September 5th 2005
Logged in: February 23rd 2006
Logged in: February 23rd 2006
Travel Blog Posts
The Peninsula
and the city don't know what the city is getting..." Heh - now you try to get that damned song out of your head. I had it running pretty much nonstop for four days. And, Murray Head had it exactly right - Bangkok does seem to have everything but Yul Brenner! (Interestingly, the stage play from whence ONiB came, an '80's play called Chess, was written by Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus, both of ABBA fame, and renowned lyricist Tim Rice. Not a bad pedigree for such an annoying tune.) Anyway, back to the blog. Here I am in กรุงเทพมหานคร อมรรัตนโกสินทร์ มหินทรายุธยามหาดิลก ภพนพรัตน์ ราชธานีบุรีรมย์ อุดมราชนิเวศน์ มหาสถาน อมรพิมาน อวตารสถิต สักกะท... read more
Raffles
Continuing the post-Rita catching up with my blog. This entry is beginning Wednesday, 21 September. After a quick ride into the city, I’m dropped off at the Conrad Centennial Singapore. Conrad is Hilton’s “high end” brand. This is my first stay in one. Stylish and elegant. Like everything I’ve seen so far, spotlessly clean. I ask one of the porters if the hotel is new - he says no, “It’s nine years old.” I’m shocked - it does not look any older than a year at best. Try to check in. Wham - my first introduction to Asian service and hospitality standards. By all rights the Conrad didn’t need to let me check in until 14.00 or 15.00; instead three people are taking me up to the Concierge Lounge, getting me coffee, and very efficiently finding ... read more
St Paul's
PSA: If I dated this entry appropriately - September 20 - it would get posted behind the most recent entries. So, I'll leave the date as 27 September. But, let me take you back to Monday and Tuesday of last week... Well, today is International Talk Like a Pirate Day. In honor of that, I decided to spend my last day near and around The Thames. Specifically, from St. Paul's to the Tower of London - and great spots in between. I started my last morning in London in Shepherd's Market in Mayfair - right behind my hotel. An amazingly cool, and atmospheric, little corner of London that I adore. Grabbed a coffee at a snappy little chain called Cafe Nero. Whereas Starbucks is generically American/Seattle-ish no matter where you are on the globe; Cafe Nero ... read more
Nice View of St Paul
Well, it certainly seems awhile since I posted. Rita just kind of zapped my interest in telling you of my journeys while things of much greater import were happening. And, indeed, there were much greater things for us all to worry about late last week... However, as probably all of you know by know, Rita graciously spared The Woodlands - beyond some downed tree branches and a four or five hour power outage. Mary Frances and Megan slept through the whole storm. Judy had them sleep in our master closet - it does not have windows and is large enough in which to put two inflatable beds. Judy dealt with it as she deals with all things - superbly. So, that's behind us. I have a lot of catching up to do and will do so ... read more
Holy smokes - this thing looks mean. I'm obviously very concerned. Judy seems reasonably calm, and she does have our good friends the Weavers and the Bullocks very nearby to help as necessary... But, I'm still worried. Looks like mid-day Thursday Houston time will be the deciding point for most residents of The Woodlands (Where we live - 45 miles north of Houston.) to stay or go. Judy tells me that some in The Woodlands have gone, and many are playing a wait and see game. Many thanks to Pearce and Rick for your help! Pouring down rain here on Thursday afternoon. Came back to the room for my umbrella. Back out shortly. Just wanted to post and let you guys know that Judy is on top of things and has very able help in deciding ... read more
St. Stephen's Clock Tower
I submit you're likely dead. I don't think any city in the world is its equal. Especially during a pub crawl on a glorious Sunday afternoon in the Fall!! Today is my last full day in the Northern Hemisphere. Last day in the Western half of the world. Last day of cool weather until Australia! Speaking of weather, Judy tells me that stores in The Woodlands are nearly sold out of water and batteries and such as the Katrina Paranoia factor kicks in. Rita has just entered the Gulf! The Buchner Theorem at work - I can't post what the BT is, but if you knew my friend Mike Buchner, you'd find it highly amusing. I really did spend Sunday on a marvelous pub crawl. I had to start at the Grenadier in Hyde Park Corner ... read more
Looking up at Castle Rock
Hard, to believe but Scotland is already behind me. In London at the Park Lane now. I had dinner last night with my dear friends Bill and Muriel Kyle. I think I overwhelmed them with my chattiness since I hadn't had a proper face-to-face discussion in 8 days! Heading out to Essex this afternoon to see four generations of the Kyle clan today. Very excited to see Bill's parents - the coolest 80 year olds in the world. And, Muriel's Mum too. She just lost her husband of 59 (!!!) years about a month ago. I'll report on the Essex journey in a future blog. Interestingly, Judy and I were here a year ago this weekend for Helen Kyle's wedding. Beautiful wedding in a centuries old hotel. Then, I got in a fight in a pub ... read more
No Words Necessary!
Okay, sorry for the weirdness on the posts. The internet has been iffy, and as Judy will attest, Travelblog had some issues as well. Too tired to post too many thoughts, but I wanted to show theses pictures. Particularly the first one. I'm standing on the freaking Swilkin Bridge!! I can die now. Jack Nicklaus stood on this bridge exactly two months ago in his farewell to to playing in the majors!! Loved the train ride up to St. Andrews. Loved the pubs there so much I missed the 4:20pm and 5:40pm trains back to Edinburgh... But, it did give me a chance to explore University of St. Andrews, where the future King of England just graduated last Spring. Riding the train through Fife was gorgeous. I wanted to jump out at each small village we ... read more
As Only the USSR Could Do
Well, Travelblog seemed to have a hiccup that caused me to lose some thoughts. Frustrating, but hey, the site is free. I'm now in Edinburgh, but this post will finish off Berlin. I think that on Sunday and Monday I must have walked a combined 20+ miles. When I get one of those famous Thai massages in Bangkok, I'll probably pay for two hours on my feet alone. PSA (okay, this means Public Service Announcement for those of you who asked): I have a very good friend who underwent a stem cell transplant a month ago in his fight against cancer. He had his battery of tests this past Monday to gauge the success of the transplant. Results are due on September 20. PLEASE keep Chris in your thoughts and prayers this week as we hope ... read more
For Judy and Jane
Internet issues here in Scotland. I have a full journal ready to go as soon as I can get help. A couple of pictures. ... read more
