Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab business plans. Long may it last if I can travel this well, this cheaply for my personal holidays. I think we spent $120 on dinner and $20 on taxi fare. Not sure if we were worth subsidising. Our stop over on the way back is only one hour and neither of us are big shoppers.
Have dinner at the Oberoi Mumbai. It's just an incredible experience. Surrounded by the worlds worst poverty and most excessive wealth, all within 1km.
I know this sounds awful, but.,... it is quite something. They put gold leaf on the curry and outside there are people living on a dollar a day. I felt so guilty i went outside and just gave people money. As much as i could,
If you want a memorable evening that is it. And the Indians are charming, poor to rich. A wild place.
The food in the hotel is surprisingly mediocre. Curry with gold leaf is worse than just curry. You can get better street food outside. Nonetheless it is a unique and brilliant experience and gives you weird hope for the future of India's poor. I reckon they will be the new China. Given half a chance. And good luck to them.
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Palace, and then up to Darjeeling. Ending the three week trip with week in Kovalam at The Leela. It's pretty much a greatest hits tour of India because she's never been before.
I was there about eight years ago. It was bizarre. I was there with Morgan Stanley and our salesperson had an infinite budget to keep us amused. The curry was merely OK, and 50 yards away was desperate poverty. But it was still an extraordinary evening.
We, as a country, have never bought into the "Europe as a political union" ideal that is a part and parcel of the EU. We stayed a member, and an unhappy one at that, because we thought it construed economic benefits upon us.
I am likely to be disappointed, in that my beliefs and goals will not be met. But I think the alternative is probably worse: staying inside a political union with which we are profoundly unhappy is corrosive to public trust.
Your argument always boils down to psychology: we don't like it (although you never state your personal feelings).
I think this psychological problem will be solved by having our own constitution, and sense of identity, reconfigured by the loss of Scotland and NI, and shedding the remaining baggage of the era when Britain was a world power in its own right.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE A WORLD POWER
Fuck all that. Who exactly do we plan to invade and colonise? Ludicrous. We can be a paid-up, made-up member of NATO and reinforce western security that way.
I would be extremely happy if the UK (or rUK) became a well armed, much bigger version of Switzerland. Very democratic, very rich, very western, no minarets.
And skiing, We need skiing. I don't mind paying a little more taxes in return for decent skiing.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab business plans. Long may it last if I can travel this well, this cheaply for my personal holidays. I think we spent $120 on dinner and $20 on taxi fare. Not sure if we were worth subsidising. Our stop over on the way back is only one hour and neither of us are big shoppers.
Have dinner at the Oberoi Mumbai. It's just an incredible experience. Surrounded by the worlds worst poverty and most excessive wealth, all within 1km.
I know this sounds awful, but.,... it is quite something. They put gold leaf on the curry and outside there are people living on a dollar a day. I felt so guilty i went outside and just gave people money. As much as i could,
If you want a memorable evening that is it. And the Indians are charming, poor to rich. A wild place.
The food in the hotel is surprisingly mediocre. Curry with gold leaf is worse than just curry. You can get better street food outside. Nonetheless it is a unique and brilliant experience and gives you weird hope for the future of India's poor. I reckon they will be the new China. Given half a chance. And good luck to them.
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Palace, and then up to Darjeeling. Ending the three week trip with week in Kovalam at The Leela. It's pretty much a greatest hits tour of India because she's never been before.
I was there about eight years ago. It was bizarre. I was there with Morgan Stanley and our salesperson had an infinite budget to keep us amused. The curry was merely OK, and 50 yards away was desperate poverty. But it was still an extraordinary evening.
We had a choice between the Oberoi and the Taj, we chose the former because my sister went to the latter and said it wasn't very good.
We, as a country, have never bought into the "Europe as a political union" ideal that is a part and parcel of the EU. We stayed a member, and an unhappy one at that, because we thought it construed economic benefits upon us.
I am likely to be disappointed, in that my beliefs and goals will not be met. But I think the alternative is probably worse: staying inside a political union with which we are profoundly unhappy is corrosive to public trust.
Your argument always boils down to psychology: we don't like it (although you never state your personal feelings).
I think this psychological problem will be solved by having our own constitution, and sense of identity, reconfigured by the loss of Scotland and NI, and shedding the remaining baggage of the era when Britain was a world power in its own right.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE A WORLD POWER
Fuck all that. Who exactly do we plan to invade and colonise? Ludicrous. We can be a paid-up, made-up member of NATO and reinforce western security that way.
I would be extremely happy if the UK (or rUK) became a well armed, much bigger version of Switzerland. Very democratic, very rich, very western, no minarets.
Me neither, what good was having "a seat at the top table" ever meant to do anyone? It leads to nothing but psychopaths like Blair whose test for a foreign policy was "does my dick look big in this?"
O/T More trouble for Fillon - He's had to apologise after the Republicains official Twitter account published an anti-semitic cartoon attacking Macron.
We, as a country, have never bought into the "Europe as a political union" ideal that is a part and parcel of the EU. We stayed a member, and an unhappy one at that, because we thought it construed economic benefits upon us.
I am likely to be disappointed, in that my beliefs and goals will not be met. But I think the alternative is probably worse: staying inside a political union with which we are profoundly unhappy is corrosive to public trust.
Your argument always boils down to psychology: we don't like it (although you never state your personal feelings).
I think this psychological problem will be solved by having our own constitution, and sense of identity, reconfigured by the loss of Scotland and NI, and shedding the remaining baggage of the era when Britain was a world power in its own right.
I DON'T WANT US TO BE A WORLD POWER
Fuck all that. Who exactly do we plan to invade and colonise? Ludicrous. We can be a paid-up, made-up member of NATO and reinforce western security that way.
I would be extremely happy if the UK (or rUK) became a well armed, much bigger version of Switzerland. Very democratic, very rich, very western, no minarets.
And skiing, We need skiing. I don't mind paying a little more taxes in return for decent skiing.
If we invade Switzerland then that sorts out SeanT because it automatically makes us, by definition, a larger version of Switzerland ... and your skiing is organised at the same time.
Sky news tonight showing Turkey calling tne Dutch and Germans fascists in diplomatic blow up.
Where is this all going to end
Genuine question -does Erdogan not understand the Dutch/Deutsch distinction?
Turkey has closed off the Dutch Embassy and Consulate as well as the Embassy for security reasons.
Must raise big questions over EU migration and how it will effect the Dutch election. As a betting site opportunities I assume
Ultimately, though, how much do the actions of the Turkish government (1,800 miles away) affect the day-to-day lives of most Dutch people?
Said Dutchmen and -women will go to the polls next week and vote for their next government. Likely their major concerns will be economic: who will most likely pay their pension or ensure their continued employment.
I suspect that that this spat will merely further alienate Turkey from Europe (in general, rather than the EU in particular) and push it further towards Russia. Likely Turkey will end up poorer as a result (the Russian economy, as measured by value of exports, being slightly smaller than Belgium's), and the Turkish people slightly poorer. Somewhat more migrants will die in the Mediterranean sea, sadly. But, for most of us, life will continue,
Sky news tonight showing Turkey calling tne Dutch and Germans fascists in diplomatic blow up.
Where is this all going to end
Genuine question -does Erdogan not understand the Dutch/Deutsch distinction?
Turkey has closed off the Dutch Embassy and Consulate as well as the Embassy for security reasons.
Must raise big questions over EU migration and how it will effect the Dutch election. As a betting site opportunities I assume
Ultimately, though, how much do the actions of the Turkish government (1,800 miles away) affect the day-to-day lives of must Dutch people?
The Mayor of Rotterdam has declared emergency measures (usually used for football violence) in the centre of the city and Dutch special forces are at the Turkish consulate... I think it will have an impact somehow....
Sky news tonight showing Turkey calling tne Dutch and Germans fascists in diplomatic blow up.
Where is this all going to end
Genuine question -does Erdogan not understand the Dutch/Deutsch distinction?
Turkey has closed off the Dutch Embassy and Consulate as well as the Embassy for security reasons.
Must raise big questions over EU migration and how it will effect the Dutch election. As a betting site opportunities I assume
Ultimately, though, how much do the actions of the Turkish government (1,800 miles away) affect the day-to-day lives of most Dutch people?
Said Dutchmen and -women will go to the polls next week and vote for their next government. Likely their major concerns will be economic: who will most likely pay their pension or ensure their continued employment.
I suspect that that this spat will merely further alienate Turkey from Europe (in general, rather than the EU in particular) and push it further towards Russia. Likely Turkey will end up poorer as a result (the Russian economy, as measured by value of exports, being slightly smaller than Belgium's), and the Turkish people slightly poorer. Somewhat more migrants will die in the Mediterranean sea, sadly. But, for most of us, life will continue,
Probably the correct answer but Turkey does seem to want to attack European Countries as they have also included Germany and Austria in this spat. Also how long will they continue in NATO at this rate
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab business plans. Long may it last if I can travel this well, this cheaply for my personal holidays. I think we spent $120 on dinner and $20 on taxi fare. Not sure if we were worth subsidising. Our stop over on the way back is only one hour and neither of us are big shoppers.
Have dinner at the Oberoi Mumbai. It's just an incredible experience. Surrounded by the worlds worst poverty and most excessive wealth, all within 1km.
I know this sounds awful, but.,... it is quite something. They put gold leaf on the curry and outside there are people living on a dollar a day. I felt so guilty i went outside and just gave people money. As much as i could,
If you want a memorable evening that is it. And the Indians are charming, poor to rich. A wild place.
The food in the hotel is surprisingly mediocre. Curry with gold leaf is worse than just curry. You can get better street food outside. Nonetheless it is a unique and brilliant experience and gives you weird hope for the future of India's poor. I reckon they will be the new China. Given half a chance. And good luck to them.
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Palace, and then up to Darjeeling. Ending the three week trip with week in Kovalam at The Leela. It's pretty much a greatest hits tour of India because she's never been before.
It's wonderful. It's also worth doing the cliched touristy horse drawn or cycleshaw tours. And make sure you go out at night and just look at the water. Along with everyone else. If your wife is white or blonde prepare for unbelievable attention. It's just the way things are.
Mumbai is simulatenously tough and fascinating. I do believe India has an amazing future. 1.3bn people held back by caste, religion and socialism. Take all that away: wow.
Last time I was in Mumbai, I stayed in the legendary Red Shield Salvation Army Hostel. A bargain at a pound a night, but I thing it has gone up a bit now. A great location next to the Gate of India and Taj, and breakfast included. Great memories.
One of the great political tragedies of our time is that Nicola Sturgeon was born Scottish. Imagine if she'd be born to a struggling Geordie couple, or a semi-posh pair of Didbury lefties. A class act.
Better than Salmond for me
Yes. Salmond raised the game. But I think Sturgeon is more calculating. They are both Socialists.
Not at all - they are very pro business but have a social agenda at the same time. That is why they are so popular as there is something for everyone. The only issue that will cause a fracture is an Independence referendum that could tear Scotland apart with neither side certain of victory
I think it means they're SDP. In Denmark and Sweden in the 20th.C. the SDP stayed continuously in power for 30 or even 40 years. Might the SDP, er sorry SNP, just put forward something similar?
They'd be content with being the largest party for years, if not a majority govt. They'd huff and puff about independence but never actually quite get there; the finances could be just a little awkward.
I can't see them being confident of victory unless a series of polls average about 55/45%. September 2014 was 55/45% but it was the wrong way round. A defeat could badly knock their reputation for competence.
The economics for indy now are horrendous. They were iffy in 2014, but with oil at $50 a barrel (in perpetuity, apparently) and Scotland's deficit near 10% - Jesus. Indy would be suicide. iScotland would default in months, or have to be bailed out, or impose tax hikes and spending cuts like Greece since 2008.
And that's ignoring the bank/currency issue.
Of course, that doesn't mean Scotland won't vote for it. Emotionally. But there must be some calmer Nats who know that this is NOT the time for indy, economically. Tricky choice.
Sovereignty is more important than economics. Brexit has taught us all that lesson very well.
The BBC has both headlines -- second Scottish vote on the main Scotland page, and indyref2 on the story itself. I'm not sure there are any deep conclusions to be drawn, or that one is more benign than the other -- whatever benign means in this context.
The BBC has both headlines -- second Scottish vote on the main Scotland page, and indyref2 on the story itself. I'm not sure there are any deep conclusions to be drawn, or that one is more benign than the other -- whatever benign means in this context.
The word has gone out not to refer to a second vote as 'Indyref2' as that might raise questions over what was promised in Indyref1......
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Etihad Business is indeed very good, and usually well priced too. AD as a short city break location, somewhat less so! Enjoy your trip to India.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Etihad Business is indeed very good, and usually well priced too. AD as a short city break location, somewhat less so! Enjoy your trip to India.
Been to Abu Dhabi once, and then only to the cricket stadium . Few houses in the distance .... then anyway... otherwise out in the desert.Seating was almost empty, but it was a spring warm-up match between two touring English county sides.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Last time I was in Mumbai, I stayed in the legendary Red Shield Salvation Army Hostel. A bargain at a pound a night, but I thing it has gone up a bit now. A great location next to the Gate of India and Taj, and breakfast included. Great memories.
The dichotomy between rich and poor is the most extreme in India. The guilt I felt became quite depressing and the attitude of Indians doesn't help either. There is truly the belief in karma and everyone's lot is deserved. Until that attitude is changed, India will always struggle. I find it abhorrent that a country with its own space program and nuclear weapons cannot provide a working toilet for all its citizens.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Last time I was in Mumbai, I stayed in the legendary Red Shield Salvation Army Hostel. A bargain at a pound a night, but I thing it has gone up a bit now. A great location next to the Gate of India and Taj, and breakfast included. Great memories.
The dichotomy between rich and poor is the most extreme in India. The guilt I felt became quite depressing and the attitude of Indians doesn't help either. There is truly the belief in karma and everyone's lot is deserved. Until that attitude is changed, India will always struggle. I find it abhorrent that a country with its own space program and nuclear weapons cannot provide a working toilet for all its citizens.
A relation went to Thailand and, when he came back said he could never go again; couldn’t ‘take’ the poverty.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Last time I was in Mumbai, I stayed in the legendary Red Shield Salvation Army Hostel. A bargain at a pound a night, but I thing it has gone up a bit now. A great location next to the Gate of India and Taj, and breakfast included. Great memories.
The dichotomy between rich and poor is the most extreme in India. The guilt I felt became quite depressing and the attitude of Indians doesn't help either. There is truly the belief in karma and everyone's lot is deserved. Until that attitude is changed, India will always struggle. I find it abhorrent that a country with its own space program and nuclear weapons cannot provide a working toilet for all its citizens.
A relation went to Thailand and, when he came back said he could never go again; couldn’t ‘take’ the poverty.
I told him never to go to India!
India is the most extreme place I have ever been. Extreme beauty, extreme horror, extreme colour, extreme numbers of people, extreme smells, extreme commodification of people, extreme spirituality. Every where else is a bit dull afterwards.
I was running a teaching course there, in a rural hospital. As a Christian hospital in a backward rural they were campaigning against dowries and "bride burnings". Their burns unit was about the only place that would take these women who had been covered in kerosene and burned alive by relatives. It is something that I will never forget. The horror and the selfless service was an uncomfortable juxtaposition.
Did Zurich to Abu Dhabi on Etihad and spent the evening in the city. Abu Dhabi is extremely boring. Etihad business class is extremely good. The best I've been on I think. Next stop Bombay/Mumbai.
It wasn't even that expensive for the business ticket. £950 return for ZRH to BOM. Not sure if it is just cheap in general or I got a decent offer.
Indeed. Etihad is excellent. All the gulf states are incredibly boring as destinations.
My gf has helpfully pointed out that the ticket is massively subsidised. So hurrah for oil money and crazy Arab
We're booked there for three nights, Sean. Then a quick stop over to visit my family, then to the Lake Last time I was in Mumbai, I stayed in the legendary Red Shield Salvation Army Hostel. A bargain at a pound a night, but I thing it has gone up a bit now. A great location next to the Gate of India and Taj, and breakfast included. Great memories.
The dichotomy between rich and poor is the most extreme in India. The guilt I felt became quite depressing and the attitude of Indians doesn't help either. There is truly the belief in karma and everyone's lot is deserved. Until that attitude is changed, India will always struggle. I find it abhorrent that a country with its own space program and nuclear weapons cannot provide a working toilet for all its citizens.
A relation went to Thailand and, when he came back said he could never go again; couldn’t ‘take’ the poverty.
I told him never to go to India!
India is the most extreme place I have ever been. Extreme beauty, extreme horror, extreme colour, extreme numbers of people, extreme smells, extreme commodification of people, extreme spirituality. Every where else is a bit dull afterwards.
I was running a teaching course there, in a rural hospital. As a Christian hospital in a backward rural they were campaigning against dowries and "bride burnings". Their burns unit was about the only place that would take these women who had been covered in kerosene and burned alive by relatives. It is something that I will never forget. The horror and the selfless service was an uncomfortable juxtaposition.
I can’t, and wouldn’t want to, match that, but once went to a beautiful, and new, temple; marble adorned with gold, with people apparently living on the steps.
Comments
Double bonus! Sorted!
Must raise big questions over EU migration and how it will effect the Dutch election. As a betting site opportunities I assume
Said Dutchmen and -women will go to the polls next week and vote for their next government. Likely their major concerns will be economic: who will most likely pay their pension or ensure their continued employment.
I suspect that that this spat will merely further alienate Turkey from Europe (in general, rather than the EU in particular) and push it further towards Russia. Likely Turkey will end up poorer as a result (the Russian economy, as measured by value of exports, being slightly smaller than Belgium's), and the Turkish people slightly poorer. Somewhat more migrants will die in the Mediterranean sea, sadly. But, for most of us, life will continue,
http://www.rotterdam.nl/Concern/Document/Noodbevel centrum.pdf
http://nos.nl/liveblog/2162510-turkse-minister-tegengehouden-speciale-politie-eenheid-bij-consulaat.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4304946/Did-billionaire-fertiliser-baron-bail-Trump.html
https://twitter.com/janpaul_b/status/840723235117371395
https://twitter.com/AgentP22/status/840657891182931969
http://www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/magazine/labour-party-crisis-red-sag-jeremy-corbyn
I told him never to go to India!
Citation required - and an independent one, not exaggerated numbers from a 'charity' chasing govt funding.
https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2017/mar/12/complaining-and-voting-personality-quiz
I was running a teaching course there, in a rural hospital. As a Christian hospital in a backward rural they were campaigning against dowries and "bride burnings". Their burns unit was about the only place that would take these women who had been covered in kerosene and burned alive by relatives. It is something that I will never forget. The horror and the selfless service was an uncomfortable juxtaposition.
Any time that correlations are cited I always remember sites like:
www.tylervigen.com/spurious-correlations
www.correlated.org