Kuwait

The whirlwind week continues. Today was Kuwait City to meet with Kuwait Oil Tanker Company.

I tried to get a picture of the iconic towers that formed the background of the pictures from the Iraqi invasion but couldn't get a look. Instead included a pic out of my dusty hotel window of what I thought was an unusual open sandy lot behind the hotel in the middle of the city. After looking at it for a while I came to realize what it is with the thousands of regularly spaced mounds. Spooky.















There are 3 million residents in Kuwait, but only 1.2 million Kuwaitis. Nice people, but they generally don't get their hands dirty. Unless it's political corruption, which seems to be the national past time. The Prime Minister was getting grilled in parliament today and the Emir may dissolve parliament shortly. What a mess.

Weather was delightful. High of 68F under a cloudless sky.

TWG
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Via Blackberry

Muscat

Today in Muscat, Oman, just outside the Strait of Hormuz on the ocean.

What a very pleasant surprise this has been. After the superficial atmosphere of the hyperbuilding of Dubai and Doha, Muscat is a refreshing breath of a more genuine Arabia. There are no buildings over about 6 stories. Most are in a traditional Islamic decorative style with very intricate screening.

It's still very dry but very mountainous, so more rain off of the Indian Ocean/Gulf of Oman, so no where near the dust of Doha. A rainbow of petunias and grassy medians lining the roads. Very nice. The infrastructure regarding roads is much better developed than Dubai and Doha.















The people are also wonderful. Very friendly. If they see you on the street looking confused they'll stop to ask if you need help. Very low crime and probably the safest of the Arab countries.

The mountains run straight into the ocean, so all sorts of hidden coves. Look out towers and fortresses hanging off of cliffs all over the place.















TWG
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Via Blackberry

Qatar

Middle East this week. Today is Doha, Qatar. A bit of the new and old in the pics. One of downtown and all the new skyscrapers. Second of the Souk Waqif. A 1930's recreation, but still pretty neat.















TWG
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Via Blackberry

Originally sent December 6, 2009

Athens

Even over rooftops and between buildings, not a bad view to wake up to from your hotel room.
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Via Blackberry

Bosphorus

View looking from the summer palace an Ottoman Sultan built for his sister c.1857 on the Asia side of the Bosphorus. This is looking back towards the central part of Istanbul that's on the other side of the bridge. Asia is on the left shore and Europe on the right. Crossed the bridge this morning making it the first time I've driven between continents. You can see all the ships in the picture transiting the Bosphorus between the Mediterranean and Black Sea. One of the busiest waterways in the world.

We rented the palace for me to host a dinner tonight for 130 clients in the area. The 2nd picture is of the set up for the evening. Pretty cool being able to have a selection of palaces to choose from.















TWG
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Via Blackberry

The tallest building in the world is due to officially open in January. It is unbelievably tall.
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Via Blackberry

Originally sent November 15, 2009

Am I losing it

No kidding. This is on my train tonight.
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Via Blackberry

Originally sent November 13, 2009