Hello Family & Friends,
Here is our blog #3 of our fabulous trip to California!
We had lots planned and to do and people to see during our 2 ½ weeks in Cali! A BBQ and then night out in Campbell with some friends was a great way to start the trip! Next, we drove up to Bass Lake with my parents to a lovely log cabinwe rented for the week on the lake. There was a heat wave this week, so the weather was about 100 every day (the same temperatures we have in Dubai just without the 95% humidity)! We relaxed, swam, layed out, drank some ice cold beers and Maragritas, rented a house boat for a day, jet skied, BBQ’d and also made it to Mariposa Grove and Yosemite. Mariposa grove (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mariposa_Grove) is a beautiful area located within Yosemite national park with Giant Sequoia trees and lots of hiking trails. We hiked for 5 or 6 miles up to a museum, which ended up being closed by the time we made it up. But it was absolutely beautiful. We drove to Yosemite another day and went into the valley. This was the first time Mark had been and he was in awe! We did some hiking, mark & dad did some bike riding……
Here are some pics of bass lake & yosemite:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277650&id=6402232&l=34cebafc2f
After a fabulous time up at bass lake for the week, we drove to San Francisco to stay at Amber’s flat. She was able to take some time off work and show us around her stomping ground. We saw all her favorite bars, restaurants, parks, and were really happy to see her place. We also were very touristy and did a Bay Quackers Tour around the city (http://www.bayquackers.com/). It is a car and boat refurbished from WWII, which is an Amphibious landing craft. That evening we met lots of friends at MoMo’s bar next to the giants stadium (http://www.mlb.com/sf/ballpark/index.jsp) for some drinks and then proceeded into the Game to watch Lincicum pitch an amazing game for a Giants win against the Pirates. While in SF we also made it to the newly re-done Californa Academy of Sciences Museum in Golden Gate park (http://www.calacademy.org/) which was really nice. There was an albino alligator, a rainforest with all sorts of creatures, a beautiful aquarium, an Exploratorium star show and lots more. In San Fran, we also had a Saturday night out on the town, a fabulous authentic German meal, and did some shopping.
Here are the pics from our time in SF:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277651&id=6402232&l=43b8dac11d
After 4 nights in SF, we drove back to Morgan Hill to finish the party planning and spend some more time with the Durica’s! We had a lovely welcome home & Anniversary BBQ party in Morgan Hill. Quite a few family and friends were able to make it and it was so great to see and catch up with everyone.
For our actual anniversary on 2 August, we drove over to seacliff, where my grandparents were staying beach front in their motorhome. We spent the day with them and camped out in the motor home that night. It was defo a memorable first anniversary.
The 2 ½ amazing weeks in California flew by and we were so sad to leave everyone and were not looking forward to coming back to the heat and to reality. We were lucky enough to get a FREE upgrade to business class on the flight back, due to us complaining about the horrible flight on the way to SFO. Business class is the way to go! 16 hours of luxury on a plane!! It was the first time both of us had flown business class, and it was spectacular! Lobster, unlimited champagne, gourmet meals, a lay down chair/bed, a huge tv, etc – we felt like royalty :)
Link of our pictures from anniv party, seacliff & the flight home:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2277654&id=6402232&l=e073f2fcec
Upon arriving back in Dubai, our apartment was all in one piece, the A/C and cars were still running, and we are adjusting back to the heat. Both of us struggled a bit with jet lag and found it hard to get back into the work mode after 3 full weeks off work.
For all of those we saw in Cali it was so fab! And for all of those we missed, we are sorry we couldn’t see you & our door is always open for visitors :)
Hope this finds you all well.
All our Love
Mark & Erin
xxxxx
Subscribe To Our Blog
Posts
All Comments
Monday 31 August 2009
A flight we will never forget!!
So its 4.30am July 17th and we wake up to the now not so sweet sound of “Sweet Child O’Mine” (Our alarm clock ring tone)! Everything on our long list was completed the night before, a 14 hour stint at work the day before checked everything off the ‘to do’ list for both of us and we were ready for our first holiday and trip out of Dubai after 8 long hard working months in the Desert.
We got to the airport on time, courtesy of the Dutco Balfour Beatty driver, checked in no problems and found the best place in an airport………….the bar! It was time for the traditional airport Bloody Mary for me and the newly formed tradition of Mimosa (Bucks Fizz) for Erin, perfect drinks to start the holiday and went very well with a big fat hearty full English Breakfast!
Boarding time arrives for our 15 & ½ hour direct flight to San Fran – we have good seats, a fantastic entertainment system, free booze and everything was set.
However……………
After about 2 hours in we notice a guy sat across the aisle to us, he was an older gentleman, late sixties, early seventies, and he had been up and down the plane a few time and then he started to venture through the curtain into Business class, soon to re-appear being put back in his seat by a stewardess. He did this on numerous occasions and we didn’t think too much of it at first. We actually started playing a game to see how long it would take before he was up again and attempting to sneak in and try and fly business class.
After about three more attempts at business class we notice the stewardess’ getting a little bit more vocal and aggressive, apparently as he was walking around the plane he started to touch a few of the crew in what can only be described as inappropriate places. His next little adventure involved him standing in the aisle and dropping his trousers, again, to me and Erin this was rather amusing and seemed pretty harmless.
The man was an Iranian and didn’t speak any English whatsoever, the crew didn’t speak his language and his wife just sat there with a stupid grin on her face, as if she didn’t know what day it was……..This is where it got kinda serious, the next thing we know, there is a huge debate and shouting and he had gone into business class toilets to smoke a cigarette and this was obviously not allowed and then the crew started shouting at him and had to get a few passengers to translate and explain the seriousness of what he had just done.
About 2 hours or so passed, then he was up again, this time the economy toilets was his choice of where he was going to smoke, the problem this time was he ended up putting the ciggy in the bin which started a fire. It was then that they decided he needed to be restrained. It took about five people standing on seats in front of him and behind him to try and tie his arm behind his back with the temporary handcuffs (zip ties) and lock his legs together in seatbelts.
He obviously didn’t appreciate this and was kicking and screaming and shouting and trying to headbutt the crew. They eventually got him in his seat, gave him oxygen and he was getting himself into a frenzy and unable to breathe. He spent the next 3 hours shouting and moaning under the watchful eye of the staff! It was very unrelaxing and there was no chance of any sleep. They let him out once, so that he could go to the toilet and of course he caused trouble, this time he pushed his wife to the ground in the aisle and then once again the 20 minute struggle to restrain him was happening!
We were then told that the police in SF had been informed and that he was to be arrested upon arrival. The remaining 5 hours consisted of him shouting and screaming randomly, and the occasional spitting session at other passengers (until they forced a mask over his mouth)! Erin was feeling very uncomfortable and was scared thinking about what he was going to do next!
Anyway, we landed in SF and were told by the Captain to remain seated, about 5 cops came onto the plain, Handcuffs ready and he was dragged off the plane. As we got off the plane, there was about 25-30 SFPD charging towards our plane (I think they had had a boring day and this seemed like a good bit of action)! He was arrested and I can only imagine US Customs and Immigration sent him straight back on the next plane out of there.
It wasn’t the best way to start our holiday as we didn’t catch any sleep whatsoever and it was a 16 flight that we will never forget and hopefully never experience again. However, we were in California and very excited to start our 3 week vacation with family and friends, just about to leave the airport when……………………………….
We were the chosen lucky ones - US Customs picked us out of the 250 people on the plane and decided they were going to open everyone of our suitcases and rummage through every item that was in there…………….Perfect!!!
Hope this finds you all well and brings a smile to your face
To follow: Part 3 - ‘We finally leave the airport’
Love to you all,
M&E
xxxxx
We got to the airport on time, courtesy of the Dutco Balfour Beatty driver, checked in no problems and found the best place in an airport………….the bar! It was time for the traditional airport Bloody Mary for me and the newly formed tradition of Mimosa (Bucks Fizz) for Erin, perfect drinks to start the holiday and went very well with a big fat hearty full English Breakfast!
Boarding time arrives for our 15 & ½ hour direct flight to San Fran – we have good seats, a fantastic entertainment system, free booze and everything was set.
However……………
After about 2 hours in we notice a guy sat across the aisle to us, he was an older gentleman, late sixties, early seventies, and he had been up and down the plane a few time and then he started to venture through the curtain into Business class, soon to re-appear being put back in his seat by a stewardess. He did this on numerous occasions and we didn’t think too much of it at first. We actually started playing a game to see how long it would take before he was up again and attempting to sneak in and try and fly business class.
After about three more attempts at business class we notice the stewardess’ getting a little bit more vocal and aggressive, apparently as he was walking around the plane he started to touch a few of the crew in what can only be described as inappropriate places. His next little adventure involved him standing in the aisle and dropping his trousers, again, to me and Erin this was rather amusing and seemed pretty harmless.
The man was an Iranian and didn’t speak any English whatsoever, the crew didn’t speak his language and his wife just sat there with a stupid grin on her face, as if she didn’t know what day it was……..This is where it got kinda serious, the next thing we know, there is a huge debate and shouting and he had gone into business class toilets to smoke a cigarette and this was obviously not allowed and then the crew started shouting at him and had to get a few passengers to translate and explain the seriousness of what he had just done.
About 2 hours or so passed, then he was up again, this time the economy toilets was his choice of where he was going to smoke, the problem this time was he ended up putting the ciggy in the bin which started a fire. It was then that they decided he needed to be restrained. It took about five people standing on seats in front of him and behind him to try and tie his arm behind his back with the temporary handcuffs (zip ties) and lock his legs together in seatbelts.
He obviously didn’t appreciate this and was kicking and screaming and shouting and trying to headbutt the crew. They eventually got him in his seat, gave him oxygen and he was getting himself into a frenzy and unable to breathe. He spent the next 3 hours shouting and moaning under the watchful eye of the staff! It was very unrelaxing and there was no chance of any sleep. They let him out once, so that he could go to the toilet and of course he caused trouble, this time he pushed his wife to the ground in the aisle and then once again the 20 minute struggle to restrain him was happening!
We were then told that the police in SF had been informed and that he was to be arrested upon arrival. The remaining 5 hours consisted of him shouting and screaming randomly, and the occasional spitting session at other passengers (until they forced a mask over his mouth)! Erin was feeling very uncomfortable and was scared thinking about what he was going to do next!
Anyway, we landed in SF and were told by the Captain to remain seated, about 5 cops came onto the plain, Handcuffs ready and he was dragged off the plane. As we got off the plane, there was about 25-30 SFPD charging towards our plane (I think they had had a boring day and this seemed like a good bit of action)! He was arrested and I can only imagine US Customs and Immigration sent him straight back on the next plane out of there.
It wasn’t the best way to start our holiday as we didn’t catch any sleep whatsoever and it was a 16 flight that we will never forget and hopefully never experience again. However, we were in California and very excited to start our 3 week vacation with family and friends, just about to leave the airport when……………………………….
We were the chosen lucky ones - US Customs picked us out of the 250 people on the plane and decided they were going to open everyone of our suitcases and rummage through every item that was in there…………….Perfect!!!
Hope this finds you all well and brings a smile to your face
To follow: Part 3 - ‘We finally leave the airport’
Love to you all,
M&E
xxxxx
Saturday 15 August 2009
Shorter & Sweeter!
Hello Family & Friends,
Well as usual it has been a bit of a whirlwind this past month. We’ve been very very busy over here in Dubai and also travelling over 8,000 miles to the opposite side of the world.
Due to the hectic month, we have broken down the long long blog update to 3 shorter blog entries, we hope you enjoy our updates
We had only just recovered from the surprise visit by Andy & Karen, getting back into the routine of work and not waking up drunk, when Ashley & Aubrey (Two of Erin’s best friends from California) made a short 5 day stop in town. They are currently doing a world tour and had 5 days in Dubai. We planned lots of events for them including a Tuesday night all you can drink Mexican meal and the infamous Friday Brunch! This time the Brunch was booked for us as well as 30 other friends and acquaintances. So it was more like a big party & was lots of fun and very entertaining. On the taxi journey home Aubrey proceeded to feed the taxi driver chips, mark was asleep drooling, and Ash & I were singing random songs!
Whilst we were both at work, Ash & Aubs also did a desert safari and dune bashing, they didn’t enjoy this too much, but I think that had a bit to do with the hangover from the night before. They both had a bit of upchuck from the crazy dune bashing. We also made it to the Burj al Arab (World’s only 7 star hotel) and did the high tea in the Sky Bar which looks out on the ocean and the Palm Jumeirah Island. High tea was very enjoyable and much more than just Tea. We arrived to a glass of Bubbly, given a slice of fantastic Beef Wellington, then we moved onto the sandwiches, pastry and the tea, followed by a large selection of little cakes, scones and jam. I would thoroughly recommend this activity to any visitors of Dubai!
We showed them the spectacular fountains at the base of the Burj, had a great night in with the girls, few cheeky drinks, cup cakes and a very very competitive game of apples to apples! (pics from their visit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2270938&id=6402232&l=b8ec921b57)
We absolutely loved having them over to visit and were so happy they could see & learn about our life here in Dubai.
Once Ash & Aubs left to continue their travels and visit Sarah in London, we had a very busy week….we were both working extra long hours to complete all the tasks before going on holiday, we were recovering from our visitors, trying to pack for Cali and cleaning the house….(Mark did manage to sneak his next round of the Karting championship in) so the week flew and next thing we knew we were on a plane to San Francisco…………….
Lots of love & hugs,
Mark & Erin
xxxxx
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2268569&id=6402232&l=76db0e9ab5
Well as usual it has been a bit of a whirlwind this past month. We’ve been very very busy over here in Dubai and also travelling over 8,000 miles to the opposite side of the world.
Due to the hectic month, we have broken down the long long blog update to 3 shorter blog entries, we hope you enjoy our updates
We had only just recovered from the surprise visit by Andy & Karen, getting back into the routine of work and not waking up drunk, when Ashley & Aubrey (Two of Erin’s best friends from California) made a short 5 day stop in town. They are currently doing a world tour and had 5 days in Dubai. We planned lots of events for them including a Tuesday night all you can drink Mexican meal and the infamous Friday Brunch! This time the Brunch was booked for us as well as 30 other friends and acquaintances. So it was more like a big party & was lots of fun and very entertaining. On the taxi journey home Aubrey proceeded to feed the taxi driver chips, mark was asleep drooling, and Ash & I were singing random songs!
Whilst we were both at work, Ash & Aubs also did a desert safari and dune bashing, they didn’t enjoy this too much, but I think that had a bit to do with the hangover from the night before. They both had a bit of upchuck from the crazy dune bashing. We also made it to the Burj al Arab (World’s only 7 star hotel) and did the high tea in the Sky Bar which looks out on the ocean and the Palm Jumeirah Island. High tea was very enjoyable and much more than just Tea. We arrived to a glass of Bubbly, given a slice of fantastic Beef Wellington, then we moved onto the sandwiches, pastry and the tea, followed by a large selection of little cakes, scones and jam. I would thoroughly recommend this activity to any visitors of Dubai!
We showed them the spectacular fountains at the base of the Burj, had a great night in with the girls, few cheeky drinks, cup cakes and a very very competitive game of apples to apples! (pics from their visit: http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2270938&id=6402232&l=b8ec921b57)
We absolutely loved having them over to visit and were so happy they could see & learn about our life here in Dubai.
Once Ash & Aubs left to continue their travels and visit Sarah in London, we had a very busy week….we were both working extra long hours to complete all the tasks before going on holiday, we were recovering from our visitors, trying to pack for Cali and cleaning the house….(Mark did manage to sneak his next round of the Karting championship in) so the week flew and next thing we knew we were on a plane to San Francisco…………….
Lots of love & hugs,
Mark & Erin
xxxxx
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2268569&id=6402232&l=76db0e9ab5
Hot Hot Hot!! - (Mid July Blog)!
Well we have been rubbish for the last 2 months and not managed to get an update out! Don't worry, we are still alive and kicking - just been super busy at work and especially at play!! Most of you keep up to date through our status on facebook - but those who dont here is the last 2 months blog summarised as much as possible!
The temperatures here in Dubai over the last two months well can only be described as BLOODY HOT!!! The lowest temperature we have seen has been 30 degrees C (thats at about 11pm) - It has been on average about 40-45 degrees everyday with the highest temp we seen at 51C!! Within the last 2 weeks it has become very humid and as soon as we walk outside the sunglasses steam up!
Some Big and Exciting News for us both was that about 2 weeks ago we received a phone call, with an urgent message to call HSBC - In Dubai there are strict laws about financing and going into debt and huge penalties, anyway, I phoned back quite nervous about what they were going to say..............and to cut a long story short - We had won 10,000 Dirhams, in a draw we were entered into when we signed up to the account. We picked up a cheque and had our photo taken yesterday. All very exciting and I have already spent the money in my head!
In May we were lucky to have Trish & Sarah visit us again!! It was SO lovely to see them and we had a great time. They bared the heat and did lots of sun bathing while mark and I were at work, so went back to the UK with a lovely tan. We also made it to the Burj al Arab for a high tea –asian style – Sar was in awe at the site she’s been wanting to see up close for so long. They made sure they were here on a Friday, so we could go to a Friday Brunch – we took them to the Yalumba brunch – which may be the wildest one here. Let’s just say ‘how good is Sambuca!!’
Mark’s 6 month probation period ended at work & my 3 month probation ended. So this gives us a bit more job security and confidence. Poor Mark is still working his fingers to the bone, but he hopes to get a big part of his project agreed on in the next few weeks, which will be a relief. He’s been able to get his mind off work on some evenings by joining a karting Championship (at the Dubai autodrome: http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/general/index.aspx ) - This may allow him to qualify for a race in October against a few of the F1 drivers who will be here for the Abu Dhabi F1 race. Mark has also been golfing every Wednesday night at Emirates Golf Course.
Our friends whom we hung out with from our first week in Dubai, Dan & Gemma, welcomed their son into the world on 28 June. We have been lucky enough to see baby Ryan and hold him a few times – so precious!
We made it out to this place called the Irish Village a few weeks ago for a friends birthday celebration. It is a quaint area with cobblestone pavement and lots of bars & restaurants – literally like a village in Ireland. It’s very nice and we’ll defo head back there. (http://www.theirishvillage.ae/)
Mark and I were very sad to have missed the wedding celebration of my Uncle Tom and his wife Judee, but from the pictures it looks like it was a beautiful day! We were also sad to have missed Ashley’s graduation with her Masters in SLO, all the girls went down and we missed a great time – looks like they relived what we did last year drinking from 5.45am!
Last week, Andy & Karen surprised us! They booked their flights 2 days before and flew over from the UK for 5 days and we packed them full of the must do’s in Dubai. The top priority was the Friday Brunch, which we went to at the Shangri La hotel – this was a big hit and we had a fun and crazy day! We took full advantage of the 'all you can drink' arrangement that the Brunches provide. The boys (instructed by Karen) brought a whole new meaning to the Dubai Desert Classic! (photos and video to follow). We also went out for some lovely meals, saw the Amazing Dubai Fountains at the Mall and we booked them on a Desert Safari (andy did some Sand Boarding, however it was so hot in th Desert, that the sand actually blistered his skin - Ouch)! it was awesome just to see them and spend time with them, show them our lives and re-live a few Jagerbomb moments with them. Andy (after a few beers) has agreed to visiting us once a month from now on.
We have another set of visitors coming in a weeks time, 2 of my best friends Ashley & Aubrey!! They are doing a world trip for the next few months and are stopping here for 5 days! We can’t wait to see them and of course have a desert safari & a Friday brunch planned for their visit!!! (I'm sure there will be a great blog after their visit)!
On the 17th July we fly direct to SFO, Cali for 3 weeks! If you haven’t received the emails from my mom or myself, we will be at bass lake at a cabin from the 18-24 July – and we would love anyone to come to join us there! We also are planning a BBQ at the Durica residence in Morgan Hill on the 1st August – let us know if you need more info about either. We hope to see all that we can while we are in Cali! And we look forward to getting away from the HOT & very humid weather here in Dubai and look forward to time away from work. Mark never thought that he would be looking forward to flying to California to COOL down!!! hehe!
Hope you are all well! We love and miss you all!
Love,
Mark & Erin
The temperatures here in Dubai over the last two months well can only be described as BLOODY HOT!!! The lowest temperature we have seen has been 30 degrees C (thats at about 11pm) - It has been on average about 40-45 degrees everyday with the highest temp we seen at 51C!! Within the last 2 weeks it has become very humid and as soon as we walk outside the sunglasses steam up!
Some Big and Exciting News for us both was that about 2 weeks ago we received a phone call, with an urgent message to call HSBC - In Dubai there are strict laws about financing and going into debt and huge penalties, anyway, I phoned back quite nervous about what they were going to say..............and to cut a long story short - We had won 10,000 Dirhams, in a draw we were entered into when we signed up to the account. We picked up a cheque and had our photo taken yesterday. All very exciting and I have already spent the money in my head!
In May we were lucky to have Trish & Sarah visit us again!! It was SO lovely to see them and we had a great time. They bared the heat and did lots of sun bathing while mark and I were at work, so went back to the UK with a lovely tan. We also made it to the Burj al Arab for a high tea –asian style – Sar was in awe at the site she’s been wanting to see up close for so long. They made sure they were here on a Friday, so we could go to a Friday Brunch – we took them to the Yalumba brunch – which may be the wildest one here. Let’s just say ‘how good is Sambuca!!’
Mark’s 6 month probation period ended at work & my 3 month probation ended. So this gives us a bit more job security and confidence. Poor Mark is still working his fingers to the bone, but he hopes to get a big part of his project agreed on in the next few weeks, which will be a relief. He’s been able to get his mind off work on some evenings by joining a karting Championship (at the Dubai autodrome: http://www.dubaiautodrome.com/general/index.aspx
Our friends whom we hung out with from our first week in Dubai, Dan & Gemma, welcomed their son into the world on 28 June. We have been lucky enough to see baby Ryan and hold him a few times – so precious!
We made it out to this place called the Irish Village a few weeks ago for a friends birthday celebration. It is a quaint area with cobblestone pavement and lots of bars & restaurants – literally like a village in Ireland. It’s very nice and we’ll defo head back there. (http://www.theirishvillage.ae/)
Mark and I were very sad to have missed the wedding celebration of my Uncle Tom and his wife Judee, but from the pictures it looks like it was a beautiful day! We were also sad to have missed Ashley’s graduation with her Masters in SLO, all the girls went down and we missed a great time – looks like they relived what we did last year drinking from 5.45am!
Last week, Andy & Karen surprised us! They booked their flights 2 days before and flew over from the UK for 5 days and we packed them full of the must do’s in Dubai. The top priority was the Friday Brunch, which we went to at the Shangri La hotel – this was a big hit and we had a fun and crazy day! We took full advantage of the 'all you can drink' arrangement that the Brunches provide. The boys (instructed by Karen) brought a whole new meaning to the Dubai Desert Classic! (photos and video to follow). We also went out for some lovely meals, saw the Amazing Dubai Fountains at the Mall and we booked them on a Desert Safari (andy did some Sand Boarding, however it was so hot in th Desert, that the sand actually blistered his skin - Ouch)! it was awesome just to see them and spend time with them, show them our lives and re-live a few Jagerbomb moments with them. Andy (after a few beers) has agreed to visiting us once a month from now on.
We have another set of visitors coming in a weeks time, 2 of my best friends Ashley & Aubrey!! They are doing a world trip for the next few months and are stopping here for 5 days! We can’t wait to see them and of course have a desert safari & a Friday brunch planned for their visit!!! (I'm sure there will be a great blog after their visit)!
On the 17th July we fly direct to SFO, Cali for 3 weeks! If you haven’t received the emails from my mom or myself, we will be at bass lake at a cabin from the 18-24 July – and we would love anyone to come to join us there! We also are planning a BBQ at the Durica residence in Morgan Hill on the 1st August – let us know if you need more info about either. We hope to see all that we can while we are in Cali! And we look forward to getting away from the HOT & very humid weather here in Dubai and look forward to time away from work. Mark never thought that he would be looking forward to flying to California to COOL down!!! hehe!
Hope you are all well! We love and miss you all!
Love,
Mark & Erin
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)