Geo: 29.7605, -95.3698Time Check: 2030hrs Central Time.....0230hrs GMT.....Status: Sitting in Room 2059 in the George Bush Marriott Hotel at the guess what ........The "GB" Intercontinental Airport" We landed at 1820 after a first class flight with United. Our steward Ian was in his early 70's and must have been with the airline when they flew coverted B29 Bombers from WW2. He was not your typical "Steward"....more like a smaller version of "Batmans" Butler.......posh English voice...married (F) and had lived in Bunker Hill Houston for over 50 years.....we got on well and he plied me with copious glasses of UA's best grog.....so much so I took an early "zzzz" about 3 hours into the flight to recover......or perhaps it was the side effects of the hand constructed "KNICKERBOCKER GLORY"....delicately assembled by a petite ... read more

Geo: 51.4673, -0.4529Time check: 1715 GMTLocation: Room 501 Heathrow Hotel (whoop) Bath RoadThe last remnents of daylight are fading. The lights of the Runway 27R twinkle in the distance as a crescent moon hangs high above the chilly scene. A distant rumble and another 777 lumbers into the air.....one can only guess at the destination.....New York......Bridgetown Jamica.....Singapore....Chessington?....Tomorrow beckons with the alluring prospect of  10hr + flight to Houston followed by a night in the George Bush Hotel and then a 4 hour sector the next day (Saturday) to Managua in Nicruagua. This is exciting stuff.....enough to warrant washing my sponge bag earlier in the day. I have been up since 0400hrs packing.....cleaning......charging appliances......etc. CHECK IN ON LINE STRIKES AGAIN....I never cease to be amazed at the length airlines go to reduce staff and pas... read more

Geo: 41.6517, 41.65621435: Room 307 Hotel Era Palace - Batumi, West Georgia.Woof! It's been an interesting 24 hrs to say the least! I last updated you from our ramshackle hotel balcony in Kutasi. We set off (via a couple of monasteries) to the mountainous regions of North West Georgia to stay in Mestia which is famous for huge scenary and funny little brick towers called "Vendetta Towers". This region still practices the tradition of the blood feud, or vendetta -- a custom which nearly wipes out large families in the region. If a young man or woman is killed by a member of another family, the victim's family must avenge the death of their relative by taking a life in the offending family. The vicious circle can continue for generations. "If another person kills a member ... read more

Geo: 41.72, 44.791816hrs Tbilisi: Sitting on our little balcony overlooking the Old Town. Over the years we have developed a City/Town rating as follows:-London - NewYork - Paris.........5 Horse TownsEpsom - 3 Donkeys (5 Donkeys = 1 Horse)Calcutta - 2 Horse - 4 Plagues and 4 Fleas (5 Fleas = 1 Plague)Jinka - Ethiopia - 5 PlaguesTbilisi is a 2 Horse 2 Flea Town. A mix of Turkish and Russian mixed with a healthy dose of "falling down" due to earthquakes wars and lack of investment. However, it has huge character........we have three nights to explore this labyrinth of cobbled streets,orthodox churches and fantastic markets.Mild consternation as I discover our supply of Ukranian Wheat Vodka has been gently haemorrhaging into a dark blue pair of  M & S underpants in my suitcase......I am not sure what ... read more

Geo: 41.2019, 47.17560810 Wednesday: The Olympic Park Hotel ShekiUp and about: we are billeted in a "sports 5 star hotel"....Azerbaijan seems to lay claim to the Olympics at every opportunity.........The Olympic Conference Centre.....park.......restaurant.....hotels......schools.......When did Azerbaijan last host the Olympics.....?....Our Hotel is acceptable, but it's is not not 5 star as proudly proclaimed by the State Hotel Ministry. We are the only guests which is spooky and reminiscent of the film "The Shining". We finally arrived in pitch black at about 2130hrs after a "convivial" group dinner in an open air town centre restaurant . I sat opposite two mature ladies who "loosened up" after a bottle of local plonk and took great delight in trying to find out how I "ticked". They obviously don't have much contact wit... read more