Saturday, June 09, 2007
where in the world...
Sunday, February 05, 2006
211212
Part 1
JANUARY 2012
Prologue
Sunday 1st January 2012, Midnight.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lights flashing, music blaring, bells ringing out, people everywhere…
“Happy New Year” a chorus of voices sang out in unison, as fireworks exploded around the Twin Towers.
Connor cursed as his drink was spilt over him, it wasn’t his clothes he was bothered about, just a waste of good alcohol.
He tried to smile at the people around him, hugging and kissing strangers, he didn't really want to be here, but he couldn't refuse the invitation for free drinks. His smile became less strained as an attractive woman, one he'd been observing since he came in, dressed in a short cut white dress, approached him and flung her arms around him, like a long lost friend. As she kissed him, he was conscious of the smoky taste in his mouth, he'd only extinguished his last ever cigarette twenty minutes ago.
“Happy New Year”, she whispered in his ear “I’m Paula, glad we finally met”. He didn’t instantly recognise the accent, there was something unusual about it, it certainly didn't match her asian appearance, he tried to focus into her green eye's, she appeared as drunk as he felt.
“Hi, I'm Conner, “, his arm slipped around her slim waist, “and I just love Kuala Lumpur”.
***
Sunday 1st January 2012 Midnight.
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Lights flashing, music blaring, bells ringing out, people everywhere…
“Happy New Year” a chorus of voices sang out in unison as Big Ben triumphantly brought in 2012.
Lucy and Claire, crammed in the middle of the dance floor, squeezed each other tightly,
“Happy New Year,” Lucy beamed, helped by a few Vodka shots, “It can’t get any worse than last year”.
Auld Lang Syne, a traditional song which was a custom, in Scotland, to be sung on New Year Day, began 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot - as was tradition everyone crossed arms and sang there very own muddled, drunken version, no one knew anything other than the chorus, and still got it wrong. Robbie Burns must turn in his grave every time is sung, although he never actually wrote it, mearly transcribed it and sent it off to the British Musuem in 1788, now to be forever associated with him.
A drunk, dishevelled, teenager approached Lucy, and ,as was typical, didn’t even give, the 20 Stone Claire a second glance, he managed to steady himself long enough to blurt out “Happy New Year, gorgeous,” he slurred, pulling Lucy towards him, “Give us a kiss”.
“Get lost,” Lucy’s disgusted face should have been enough for him to leave, but he persisted, lips puckered, eyes closed, desperate to kiss the most attractive girl he’d seen all evening, “Now get off me, and go back to your mum”. She pushed him off violently.
The unfocused teenager didn’t seem very perturbed, he fell back, staggered then swung round to Claire, and gave her a kiss instead. Claire didn’t resist. Afterwards he staggered off to get more kisses from willing drunken victims.
Lucy and Claire laughed together as they took off for the all-important toilet break, a chance to ensure no make up had moved out of place.
“Nothing could be better than being in your twenties in Aberdeen at New Year”, Claire said.
***
2nd January 2012 Early Morning.
Cairo, Egypt.
His lone steps echoed down the empty hall.
Even at this time in the morning, he was perspiring, but not just from the heat, his heart was racing, he’d never put himself in such a dangerous position before.
The guards he’d bribed handsomely had promised him that the museum would be empty, but as he passed the massive stone structures he could feel the stare of the stone Jackels, he quickly moved from room to room, desperate to get in and out as quickly as possible.
The vast museum, constructed in 1900 contains over 120000 objects from the pre historic to the Greco-Roman period. It was world renknowned though, for housing the treasures discovered by Howard Carter on that fateful day in November 1922, the Treasures of Tutankhamun. The maze of corridors displayed the contents of many royal tombs, from the 3500 artifacts taken from the tomb of Tutankhamun, 1700 are displayed in the museum, but he knew exactly where to find the artifact he was looking for.
He passed the main treasure room that contained the wondrous golden mask of Tutankhamun, but as priceless as it was, it wasn’t his target.
Where was it? Should be down here at the bottom of this corridor, he took a deep breath, trying to keep any panic at bay.
It had taken him 30 years to get to this moment, he’d dreamt of it many times. Too bad Jack couldn’t be here, he thought, again wiping the sweat from his face.
Finally it was there in front of him.
Made of wood and completely covered with gold, silver and inlayed with coloured semi-precious stones and glass paste, the golden throne was an impressive site to behold. The back depicted Tutankhamun siting with his queen, Ankhesenamun, standing in front of him, anointing him with perfume, beneath a floral pavilion. The rays of the sun god Aten shine down from the sky covering the couple in the sign for life, the Ankh.
“Yes, oh Yes”, he shivered with excitement, placing the toolkit he was carrying down beside him. “Oh baby, look at you, you are glorious, after 3000 years come home to Pappa”.
A sound in the room, made him hold his breath, and turn around.
“Who’s there?”
Silence.
He took a deep breath, “Control yourself man, “ his hands shook as he picked up the toolkit “Just get on with the job and get out of here”.
It took him a further hour to take the display case apart, more money had bought him the security plans of the museum, and he knew how to dismantle the display.
For the first time and last time he laid his hands on the throne.
If he hadn’t been quivering with such excitement, running his hand over the chair, he may have heard the man approaching.
No warning was given, no goodbye speeches, no chances for retribution, Lorenzo was killed the instant the knife penetrated his back, and embedded itself in his heart.
He slumped over the throne, his warm sticky blood discolouring the 24 carat gold seeping into the 3000 year old wood.
***
2nd January 2012 Morning,
Cairo, Egypt.
Inspector Ahmed-Kamar surveyed the scene again, he was confused, and he didn’t like being confused.
The once golden chair was occupied.
The naked man sitting on the chair was staring straight ahead, as if he had recently been crowned king of Egypt. His eyes never blinked, since his life had been removed a few hours earlier. The chair was no longer golden, but covered with the dead mans blood.
“Bloody Curses”, swore Ahmed, “more stories for the conspiracy lunatics to say this museum is cursed”.
“The man was 55 year old Lorenzo Azeer”, Lieutenant Spencer explained to the Inspector, “he was found when the museum opened at 8am. Whoever killed him doesn’t appear to have taken anything”, he stepped around to the back of the chair. “Now why would anyone break into the most famous museum in the world, and then not steal anything?”
This wasn’t the only thing unsettling Ahmed.
Looking closely at the body, he read again, the numbers cut out from his chest.
211212
“Freaks, they watch too many damn movies”.
Chapter 1
5th January 2012 Early Morning,
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Lucy rubbed her bleary eyes, and thought she really ought to get to sleep, but once she started on the computer she could never stop.
She typed another message:
‘Where are you from?’
A slight pause…
‘Aberdeen.Scotland’
‘Really? :) me too’
‘:)’
On and on she would go, Instant messaging was nothing new, but it changed the way people met and flirted, having mundane meaningless conversation with stranger after stranger. She was in no way unusual, using the Internet was how most people met these days, chatrooms, online dating agencies, texting. It was 3am and this was her fourth online flirt this evening. Her only problem now was figuring out which one she would meet up with at the weekend.
‘Where do you work?’ she enquired, enjoying the thrill of chatting up unknown guys.
‘Offshore, on for next two weeks. You?’.
Plenty of money, she liked him already.
‘Assistant PA. Do you drive?’
‘Cool. Yes BMW’
‘Hey Lucy!’ another message, from someone else – Jonathan - flashed up on her screen. Damn, just as she was getting interested.
‘Hi Jonathan. Up late tonight?’
‘Just home, missing you. Why you not called?’ Whilst she thought over her answer carefully, she typed another one for her yet unknown admirer. ‘Got a girlfriend? What’s your name?’
‘Busy Sorry’ was her abrupt response to Jonathan.
‘Paul. No girlfriend. Want to meet?’
Yes, she thought, this one will do.
“Got to go’ she typed to Jonathan, ‘sorry tired and work tomorrow’
‘Call me :)’
‘Will do’
An hour later she was still typing away to Paul, as the evening wore on the messages became more and more intimate, some photos had been passed, and they agreed to meet the next evening. Lucy was already considering what to wear, and thinking she really needed to tidy up her apartment.
***
7th January 2012
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony disturbed Connor just as he was scuba diving toward the wreck, gliding weightlessly 30 meters under the sea. Sharks swam around him keeping their distance since he had just killed one of them with his bare hands. He was just going to save the women trapped in the wreckage of the car that had plummeted off the cliff as he drove away from the terrorist’s that were chasing him down.
‘Damn, who’s this calling at this time on a Saturday morning?’ he picked up his mobile and although he didn’t recognize the number, pressed the pick up button.
‘Yes’.
‘Connor, Hi’
A sultry woman’s voice, ok, he thought, I should know who this is. Stalling techniques were required.
‘Yes, Hi’, who was this again, something about her accent was familiar? ‘How are you?’
‘Good. Good thanks.’
Still no idea. He sat up in bed and looked at the clock. 11am, later than he expected, he must have drunk more last night than he thought. He tried to think back to the previous night, all he could remember was being in a club, surrounded by beautiful woman, could this be one of them?
‘I’m just surprised you haven’t call me this past week. Didn’t we have fun?’
Still not sure. Damn, why did he always drink so much? A week ago she said?
‘Sorry, I’ve been diving on the east coast this past week, just got back,’ he lied, ‘I would have called you tonight,’ If I could remember who you were.
‘Don’t mean to sound pushy, it’s just I’ve never had such a good New Years Day before and was looking forward to repeating the evening again.’
New Year, oh no, now he recognized the slight Scottish accent, Chinese appearance, attractive at night, but by the morning, he couldn’t get out quick enough. He’d had no intention of ever returning her calls.
‘
JANUARY 2012
Prologue
Sunday 1st January 2012, Midnight.
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Lights flashing, music blaring, bells ringing out, people everywhere…
“Happy New Year” a chorus of voices sang out in unison, as fireworks exploded around the Twin Towers.
Connor cursed as his drink was spilt over him, it wasn’t his clothes he was bothered about, just a waste of good alcohol.
He tried to smile at the people around him, hugging and kissing strangers, he didn't really want to be here, but he couldn't refuse the invitation for free drinks. His smile became less strained as an attractive woman, one he'd been observing since he came in, dressed in a short cut white dress, approached him and flung her arms around him, like a long lost friend. As she kissed him, he was conscious of the smoky taste in his mouth, he'd only extinguished his last ever cigarette twenty minutes ago.
“Happy New Year”, she whispered in his ear “I’m Paula, glad we finally met”. He didn’t instantly recognise the accent, there was something unusual about it, it certainly didn't match her asian appearance, he tried to focus into her green eye's, she appeared as drunk as he felt.
“Hi, I'm Conner, “, his arm slipped around her slim waist, “and I just love Kuala Lumpur”.
***
Sunday 1st January 2012 Midnight.
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Lights flashing, music blaring, bells ringing out, people everywhere…
“Happy New Year” a chorus of voices sang out in unison as Big Ben triumphantly brought in 2012.
Lucy and Claire, crammed in the middle of the dance floor, squeezed each other tightly,
“Happy New Year,” Lucy beamed, helped by a few Vodka shots, “It can’t get any worse than last year”.
Auld Lang Syne, a traditional song which was a custom, in Scotland, to be sung on New Year Day, began 'Should auld acquaintance be forgot - as was tradition everyone crossed arms and sang there very own muddled, drunken version, no one knew anything other than the chorus, and still got it wrong. Robbie Burns must turn in his grave every time is sung, although he never actually wrote it, mearly transcribed it and sent it off to the British Musuem in 1788, now to be forever associated with him.
A drunk, dishevelled, teenager approached Lucy, and ,as was typical, didn’t even give, the 20 Stone Claire a second glance, he managed to steady himself long enough to blurt out “Happy New Year, gorgeous,” he slurred, pulling Lucy towards him, “Give us a kiss”.
“Get lost,” Lucy’s disgusted face should have been enough for him to leave, but he persisted, lips puckered, eyes closed, desperate to kiss the most attractive girl he’d seen all evening, “Now get off me, and go back to your mum”. She pushed him off violently.
The unfocused teenager didn’t seem very perturbed, he fell back, staggered then swung round to Claire, and gave her a kiss instead. Claire didn’t resist. Afterwards he staggered off to get more kisses from willing drunken victims.
Lucy and Claire laughed together as they took off for the all-important toilet break, a chance to ensure no make up had moved out of place.
“Nothing could be better than being in your twenties in Aberdeen at New Year”, Claire said.
***
2nd January 2012 Early Morning.
Cairo, Egypt.
His lone steps echoed down the empty hall.
Even at this time in the morning, he was perspiring, but not just from the heat, his heart was racing, he’d never put himself in such a dangerous position before.
The guards he’d bribed handsomely had promised him that the museum would be empty, but as he passed the massive stone structures he could feel the stare of the stone Jackels, he quickly moved from room to room, desperate to get in and out as quickly as possible.
The vast museum, constructed in 1900 contains over 120000 objects from the pre historic to the Greco-Roman period. It was world renknowned though, for housing the treasures discovered by Howard Carter on that fateful day in November 1922, the Treasures of Tutankhamun. The maze of corridors displayed the contents of many royal tombs, from the 3500 artifacts taken from the tomb of Tutankhamun, 1700 are displayed in the museum, but he knew exactly where to find the artifact he was looking for.
He passed the main treasure room that contained the wondrous golden mask of Tutankhamun, but as priceless as it was, it wasn’t his target.
Where was it? Should be down here at the bottom of this corridor, he took a deep breath, trying to keep any panic at bay.
It had taken him 30 years to get to this moment, he’d dreamt of it many times. Too bad Jack couldn’t be here, he thought, again wiping the sweat from his face.
Finally it was there in front of him.
Made of wood and completely covered with gold, silver and inlayed with coloured semi-precious stones and glass paste, the golden throne was an impressive site to behold. The back depicted Tutankhamun siting with his queen, Ankhesenamun, standing in front of him, anointing him with perfume, beneath a floral pavilion. The rays of the sun god Aten shine down from the sky covering the couple in the sign for life, the Ankh.
“Yes, oh Yes”, he shivered with excitement, placing the toolkit he was carrying down beside him. “Oh baby, look at you, you are glorious, after 3000 years come home to Pappa”.
A sound in the room, made him hold his breath, and turn around.
“Who’s there?”
Silence.
He took a deep breath, “Control yourself man, “ his hands shook as he picked up the toolkit “Just get on with the job and get out of here”.
It took him a further hour to take the display case apart, more money had bought him the security plans of the museum, and he knew how to dismantle the display.
For the first time and last time he laid his hands on the throne.
If he hadn’t been quivering with such excitement, running his hand over the chair, he may have heard the man approaching.
No warning was given, no goodbye speeches, no chances for retribution, Lorenzo was killed the instant the knife penetrated his back, and embedded itself in his heart.
He slumped over the throne, his warm sticky blood discolouring the 24 carat gold seeping into the 3000 year old wood.
***
2nd January 2012 Morning,
Cairo, Egypt.
Inspector Ahmed-Kamar surveyed the scene again, he was confused, and he didn’t like being confused.
The once golden chair was occupied.
The naked man sitting on the chair was staring straight ahead, as if he had recently been crowned king of Egypt. His eyes never blinked, since his life had been removed a few hours earlier. The chair was no longer golden, but covered with the dead mans blood.
“Bloody Curses”, swore Ahmed, “more stories for the conspiracy lunatics to say this museum is cursed”.
“The man was 55 year old Lorenzo Azeer”, Lieutenant Spencer explained to the Inspector, “he was found when the museum opened at 8am. Whoever killed him doesn’t appear to have taken anything”, he stepped around to the back of the chair. “Now why would anyone break into the most famous museum in the world, and then not steal anything?”
This wasn’t the only thing unsettling Ahmed.
Looking closely at the body, he read again, the numbers cut out from his chest.
211212
“Freaks, they watch too many damn movies”.
Chapter 1
5th January 2012 Early Morning,
Aberdeen, Scotland.
Lucy rubbed her bleary eyes, and thought she really ought to get to sleep, but once she started on the computer she could never stop.
She typed another message:
‘Where are you from?’
A slight pause…
‘Aberdeen.Scotland’
‘Really? :) me too’
‘:)’
On and on she would go, Instant messaging was nothing new, but it changed the way people met and flirted, having mundane meaningless conversation with stranger after stranger. She was in no way unusual, using the Internet was how most people met these days, chatrooms, online dating agencies, texting. It was 3am and this was her fourth online flirt this evening. Her only problem now was figuring out which one she would meet up with at the weekend.
‘Where do you work?’ she enquired, enjoying the thrill of chatting up unknown guys.
‘Offshore, on for next two weeks. You?’.
Plenty of money, she liked him already.
‘Assistant PA. Do you drive?’
‘Cool. Yes BMW’
‘Hey Lucy!’ another message, from someone else – Jonathan - flashed up on her screen. Damn, just as she was getting interested.
‘Hi Jonathan. Up late tonight?’
‘Just home, missing you. Why you not called?’ Whilst she thought over her answer carefully, she typed another one for her yet unknown admirer. ‘Got a girlfriend? What’s your name?’
‘Busy Sorry’ was her abrupt response to Jonathan.
‘Paul. No girlfriend. Want to meet?’
Yes, she thought, this one will do.
“Got to go’ she typed to Jonathan, ‘sorry tired and work tomorrow’
‘Call me :)’
‘Will do’
An hour later she was still typing away to Paul, as the evening wore on the messages became more and more intimate, some photos had been passed, and they agreed to meet the next evening. Lucy was already considering what to wear, and thinking she really needed to tidy up her apartment.
***
7th January 2012
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Beethoven’s 5th Symphony disturbed Connor just as he was scuba diving toward the wreck, gliding weightlessly 30 meters under the sea. Sharks swam around him keeping their distance since he had just killed one of them with his bare hands. He was just going to save the women trapped in the wreckage of the car that had plummeted off the cliff as he drove away from the terrorist’s that were chasing him down.
‘Damn, who’s this calling at this time on a Saturday morning?’ he picked up his mobile and although he didn’t recognize the number, pressed the pick up button.
‘Yes’.
‘Connor, Hi’
A sultry woman’s voice, ok, he thought, I should know who this is. Stalling techniques were required.
‘Yes, Hi’, who was this again, something about her accent was familiar? ‘How are you?’
‘Good. Good thanks.’
Still no idea. He sat up in bed and looked at the clock. 11am, later than he expected, he must have drunk more last night than he thought. He tried to think back to the previous night, all he could remember was being in a club, surrounded by beautiful woman, could this be one of them?
‘I’m just surprised you haven’t call me this past week. Didn’t we have fun?’
Still not sure. Damn, why did he always drink so much? A week ago she said?
‘Sorry, I’ve been diving on the east coast this past week, just got back,’ he lied, ‘I would have called you tonight,’ If I could remember who you were.
‘Don’t mean to sound pushy, it’s just I’ve never had such a good New Years Day before and was looking forward to repeating the evening again.’
New Year, oh no, now he recognized the slight Scottish accent, Chinese appearance, attractive at night, but by the morning, he couldn’t get out quick enough. He’d had no intention of ever returning her calls.
‘
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
We are now living in KL. This is a picture from the Petronas Tower Bridge. Claire visited us in October, looking forward to a rematch in May. This is a test.
This is a test
This is a test
Wednesday, July 07, 2004
The Deep Red Sea - Part 3
12:40 24th February
Dive 1
So that was it. I now have no fear. What an experience. For 45 minutes I was surrounded by the most incredible display of colour and life. The conditions were perfect, we opted to follow the dive master and I was nervous that I would ruin for everyone else. Two other chaps who we haven't bothered introducing ourselves to joined us. I was convinced that the 210bar that I had at the start would run out quickly and we would all have to turn back because o me. My nerves were high when I kited up and I was dreading jumping off the back of the boat. But off I went and splashed into the warm sea.
It was a little bit choppier than I thought it would be and found my mouth filling with water -I didn’t want to put the regulator and waste the precious air and my snorkel kept filling with water. It was hilarious that Ray lost his cylinder when he jumped in, he had to climb back out - so glad it wasn't me, I would have given up and gone home if that had happened. With 4 x 2kilos on my weight belt I wasn't sinking so I put another couple of klos in my pockets And within minutes I was sinking down to the depths.
Our plan was to head out for two smaller coral reefs, then onto the main large reef. All around us in the water were fish. Now my knowledge is severely limited so I cannot begin to write what I saw. Just believe me when I say there were hundreds of varieties. Everywhere you looked there were beautiful colours swimming around. Mostly smaller to medium sized fish. I was still a little apprehensive and wasn't sure I managed to get neutral buoyancy. Found myself constantly adjusting, filling up with air and releasing quite a lot. When I did relax I could look all around me at the wonders. What an experience.
We finned slowly and just took our time going around the reefs. It's cliché but it is like another world. Quite incredible. I was relieved when I looked at my gauge to still see more than enough air. We were told when it got down to 100 to turn around back the boat. It was half an hour before I hit this stage - the same as everyone else. What a relief. Occasionally we only really went down o 8-9 meters and stayed at this depth. The floor was immediately below us and you would look around for something more unusual than just the normal shoals of fish. It was amazing how quickly most of the fish were the norm. How spoilt we get so quickly in this world. Of course the minute I got out I'm dying to go back in again. So we didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but that didn’t make it any worse. I cannot explain how amazing it was. It must be experienced to be believed.
So back on the boat we all came, I was surprise there was not much chat but I guess you've got to concentrate and get your kit off and sorted out. But I still expected more smiles from everyone.
Speaking of everyone people on the boat seem a bit of a boring bunch. No mad youngsters, a bit of a shame but at least we won't have to waste time with idle chatter. I feel like sleeping now, just had lunch - a good selection buffet. But I was feel a little sick (too much seawater) so didn't eat as much chicken as I normally would. There are about 16 people on the boat, mostly older blokes, and a few older woman - all seem a bit snobby for my liking, but you can never tell. The two chaps who came along with us may get chatty, but I’m just happy to relax. Most of the people belong to one group - Bobby's bits - as they called themselves, so this meant they tended to all chat together. So were on the move again, to the next dive site! And every day is going to be like this it’s quite incredible.
The sun is beating down surrounded by sea; my only frustration is that I can’t communicate with home. Missing the wife and kids, I would like to be able to chats with them now, haven’t seen a phonebox yet,not convince I can get one.
Dive 2
The adventure really began now, more confidence and now Ray and I can buddy together with nobody else looking after us. What a difference -feel so free. We swam round and round a reef - swam off to another one and returned safely. Superb
Dive 1
So that was it. I now have no fear. What an experience. For 45 minutes I was surrounded by the most incredible display of colour and life. The conditions were perfect, we opted to follow the dive master and I was nervous that I would ruin for everyone else. Two other chaps who we haven't bothered introducing ourselves to joined us. I was convinced that the 210bar that I had at the start would run out quickly and we would all have to turn back because o me. My nerves were high when I kited up and I was dreading jumping off the back of the boat. But off I went and splashed into the warm sea.
It was a little bit choppier than I thought it would be and found my mouth filling with water -I didn’t want to put the regulator and waste the precious air and my snorkel kept filling with water. It was hilarious that Ray lost his cylinder when he jumped in, he had to climb back out - so glad it wasn't me, I would have given up and gone home if that had happened. With 4 x 2kilos on my weight belt I wasn't sinking so I put another couple of klos in my pockets And within minutes I was sinking down to the depths.
Our plan was to head out for two smaller coral reefs, then onto the main large reef. All around us in the water were fish. Now my knowledge is severely limited so I cannot begin to write what I saw. Just believe me when I say there were hundreds of varieties. Everywhere you looked there were beautiful colours swimming around. Mostly smaller to medium sized fish. I was still a little apprehensive and wasn't sure I managed to get neutral buoyancy. Found myself constantly adjusting, filling up with air and releasing quite a lot. When I did relax I could look all around me at the wonders. What an experience.
We finned slowly and just took our time going around the reefs. It's cliché but it is like another world. Quite incredible. I was relieved when I looked at my gauge to still see more than enough air. We were told when it got down to 100 to turn around back the boat. It was half an hour before I hit this stage - the same as everyone else. What a relief. Occasionally we only really went down o 8-9 meters and stayed at this depth. The floor was immediately below us and you would look around for something more unusual than just the normal shoals of fish. It was amazing how quickly most of the fish were the norm. How spoilt we get so quickly in this world. Of course the minute I got out I'm dying to go back in again. So we didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, but that didn’t make it any worse. I cannot explain how amazing it was. It must be experienced to be believed.
So back on the boat we all came, I was surprise there was not much chat but I guess you've got to concentrate and get your kit off and sorted out. But I still expected more smiles from everyone.
Speaking of everyone people on the boat seem a bit of a boring bunch. No mad youngsters, a bit of a shame but at least we won't have to waste time with idle chatter. I feel like sleeping now, just had lunch - a good selection buffet. But I was feel a little sick (too much seawater) so didn't eat as much chicken as I normally would. There are about 16 people on the boat, mostly older blokes, and a few older woman - all seem a bit snobby for my liking, but you can never tell. The two chaps who came along with us may get chatty, but I’m just happy to relax. Most of the people belong to one group - Bobby's bits - as they called themselves, so this meant they tended to all chat together. So were on the move again, to the next dive site! And every day is going to be like this it’s quite incredible.
The sun is beating down surrounded by sea; my only frustration is that I can’t communicate with home. Missing the wife and kids, I would like to be able to chats with them now, haven’t seen a phonebox yet,not convince I can get one.
Dive 2
The adventure really began now, more confidence and now Ray and I can buddy together with nobody else looking after us. What a difference -feel so free. We swam round and round a reef - swam off to another one and returned safely. Superb
Wednesday, June 16, 2004
Hungry in Hurghada - Part 2.
Deserted in the desert. That's how it felt as we landed in Hurghada. A pleasant 21º and glorious blue sky greeted us. With Ray’s experience to guide us through customs we soon found ourselves sitting on a bus, a little too early. Egypt was two hours ahead and it was now 6pm, we were on our way to our apartments - aida verdi.
Saturday 09:08 Onboard ISA our boat for the week. Can’t quite believe I'm actually here. Sitting on top of the boat sailing away from shore. It's a gorgeous day, and I'm a little apprehensive, the kit is down stairs all ready to go. Most other people on the boat seem pretty advanced, but it looks like people will leave us alone. All the others have their own kit and have done around 100 dives, and here's me 9 dives in the freezing North Sea. The view from here is stunning, hills in the distance hardly another boat in sight and the sea is much calmer than my nerves. The dive couldn't come soon enough we've got about three-quarters of an hour to wait! Home seems a very long way off, and there's no turning back now.
Of course I would never have drunk too much last night! What a great time we had, regretting it a little bit when we had to get up at 0630 this morning. Started off innocent enough. Our deserted bar in the hotel and a Stella. The Stella certainly remained constant, fortunately we changed location. Had quick walk into town and found a very reasonable Italian. Chicken and mushroom was consumed and enjoyed along with more Stella. As usual I forgot to take a towel with me, and my first attempt to barter for one didn't go too well. I ended up paying the going price e32 Egyptian pounds.
The Hilton was our next location and in 'the pub' there was some live music. I don't know if its cause I'm in the holiday mood but the guy play Santana, and it was excellent. Just him on a guitar and the usual attractive singer - who for a change could actually sing.
This was far too sophisticated for us, so we soon legged it upstairs, where the nightclub was. What a bizarre start. I think the entertainment was supposed to be funny. But I guess it was Egyptian humour. A woman was lying down and ubi dooby was the catchphrase to start with a the woman (who was lying on some sheets - it wasn't porno) was asking for ubi doobie from her husband. I want ubi doobie she screamed. Ended up them playing hand games, believe me that was the only part of the entertainment I understand. It got even more bizarre, a man standing as a statue trying to swim and various women coming out a painting him??? Fortunately it only last about half-hour and soon the music was blaring out the speakers. It took a good hour or so before we were pissed enough to start dancing. When we did there was no stopping us. The local talent was rather whorish and the images of two women in Florissant pink and green should stay with me for the remainder of the week. But Ray and I bounced around the dancefloor until 1am. Stotting back home at 1am and into the land of nod in minutes.
We’ve just our boat brief, and well be diving in around 30 minutes its 945 and the bottled water is going down perfectly. Bloody hell I'm still scared.
Margaret is our dive master and Kirsten is another one I will definitely dive with one of them to start with. I really cannot wait. The next time I write I will have experience the Red Sea! This is the trip of a lifetime, about to become a reality.
Saturday 09:08 Onboard ISA our boat for the week. Can’t quite believe I'm actually here. Sitting on top of the boat sailing away from shore. It's a gorgeous day, and I'm a little apprehensive, the kit is down stairs all ready to go. Most other people on the boat seem pretty advanced, but it looks like people will leave us alone. All the others have their own kit and have done around 100 dives, and here's me 9 dives in the freezing North Sea. The view from here is stunning, hills in the distance hardly another boat in sight and the sea is much calmer than my nerves. The dive couldn't come soon enough we've got about three-quarters of an hour to wait! Home seems a very long way off, and there's no turning back now.
Of course I would never have drunk too much last night! What a great time we had, regretting it a little bit when we had to get up at 0630 this morning. Started off innocent enough. Our deserted bar in the hotel and a Stella. The Stella certainly remained constant, fortunately we changed location. Had quick walk into town and found a very reasonable Italian. Chicken and mushroom was consumed and enjoyed along with more Stella. As usual I forgot to take a towel with me, and my first attempt to barter for one didn't go too well. I ended up paying the going price e32 Egyptian pounds.
The Hilton was our next location and in 'the pub' there was some live music. I don't know if its cause I'm in the holiday mood but the guy play Santana, and it was excellent. Just him on a guitar and the usual attractive singer - who for a change could actually sing.
This was far too sophisticated for us, so we soon legged it upstairs, where the nightclub was. What a bizarre start. I think the entertainment was supposed to be funny. But I guess it was Egyptian humour. A woman was lying down and ubi dooby was the catchphrase to start with a the woman (who was lying on some sheets - it wasn't porno) was asking for ubi doobie from her husband. I want ubi doobie she screamed. Ended up them playing hand games, believe me that was the only part of the entertainment I understand. It got even more bizarre, a man standing as a statue trying to swim and various women coming out a painting him??? Fortunately it only last about half-hour and soon the music was blaring out the speakers. It took a good hour or so before we were pissed enough to start dancing. When we did there was no stopping us. The local talent was rather whorish and the images of two women in Florissant pink and green should stay with me for the remainder of the week. But Ray and I bounced around the dancefloor until 1am. Stotting back home at 1am and into the land of nod in minutes.
We’ve just our boat brief, and well be diving in around 30 minutes its 945 and the bottled water is going down perfectly. Bloody hell I'm still scared.
Margaret is our dive master and Kirsten is another one I will definitely dive with one of them to start with. I really cannot wait. The next time I write I will have experience the Red Sea! This is the trip of a lifetime, about to become a reality.
Friday, June 04, 2004
The Rings of Saturn
270,000 kilometres in diameter yet no thicker than 100 meters, Saturn's ring system must rank amongst the most spectacular phenomena in the solar system. Many things are still unknown about them, and an understanding of their dynamics and evolution has implications for the origin of the solar system itself.
First observed by Galilio in 1610 when he pointed the telescope to the heavens. He understood them to be handles or large moons on either side of the planet. Viewed from Earth they move in such a way that every 15 years they will be side on to earth and therefore disappear, known as the ring plane crossing. Galilio observed this in 1612 and wrote "I do not know what to say in a case so surprising, so unlooked for and so novel"
It wasn't until 1856 that our very own James Clerk Maxwell realised they were not solid rings, but made up of “an indefinite number of unconnected particles”.
The rings have been given letter names in the order of their discovery, only A, B and C rings and the Enke gap can be viewed from Earth. It wasn’t until Voyager flew past in 1980 that the others were identified.
Still not fully understood it is thought that the majority of them are plain old water ice, countless unconnected particles, ranging in size from nearly invisible dust to icebergs the size of a house.
Particles can be cleared from a region to form the divisions by the gravitational effects of a moon about 10 kilometres in size, such a moon was found within the Encke gap.
Large dark shadows, now termed spokes, have been viewed moving across the B ring, these are thought to be clouds of smaller grains acquiring electrical charges and interacting with the magnetic field.
In 2004 the Cassini probe will approach Saturn, it is expected to reveal many more of Saturn's secrets.
First observed by Galilio in 1610 when he pointed the telescope to the heavens. He understood them to be handles or large moons on either side of the planet. Viewed from Earth they move in such a way that every 15 years they will be side on to earth and therefore disappear, known as the ring plane crossing. Galilio observed this in 1612 and wrote "I do not know what to say in a case so surprising, so unlooked for and so novel"
It wasn't until 1856 that our very own James Clerk Maxwell realised they were not solid rings, but made up of “an indefinite number of unconnected particles”.
The rings have been given letter names in the order of their discovery, only A, B and C rings and the Enke gap can be viewed from Earth. It wasn’t until Voyager flew past in 1980 that the others were identified.
Still not fully understood it is thought that the majority of them are plain old water ice, countless unconnected particles, ranging in size from nearly invisible dust to icebergs the size of a house.
Particles can be cleared from a region to form the divisions by the gravitational effects of a moon about 10 kilometres in size, such a moon was found within the Encke gap.
Large dark shadows, now termed spokes, have been viewed moving across the B ring, these are thought to be clouds of smaller grains acquiring electrical charges and interacting with the magnetic field.
In 2004 the Cassini probe will approach Saturn, it is expected to reveal many more of Saturn's secrets.
Thursday, June 03, 2004
Hello Holland
Hi to all those people who've moved over to Holland.
HELLO STEPHEN KELLY!!!!!!!!
Hi Suzie
Hi Kevin
Hi Chris.
HELLO STEPHEN KELLY!!!!!!!!
Hi Suzie
Hi Kevin
Hi Chris.
