Featured Favorite: Feasting on Asphalt

I picked this book up at Barnes & Noble from the discount table. If you get a chance to see reruns of the Food Network special, it was fun to watch. I couldn't pass up buying this book and I'm glad it was on sale because I have a feeling that this could very well have been a once in a lifetime trip for Alton and his crew. Oh, and there are recipes inside.

Homeward Bound -- Posted by Brad via Amy

The last leg of my flight what a day it has been. We started leaving the hotel at 6:30am from there we taxied to the ferry where we had an hour long boat ride to the Hong Kong airport. All the while it was raining like a monsoon. During our wait for our luggage on the ferry we met a senator from California. Who said he lived in palm springs what a nice guy he was. I think he said his name was Jim Buxton. I would vote for him in a heart beat after talking to him.

Next we went through security. The security in other countries is so laid back. I made it through the metal detector with my shoes, belt and hat on. Oh, and a bunch of coins in my pocket. We then waited 2 hours or so past our departure time for our flight to arrive. Once it arrived they board all classes at the same time, why in the world do they even bother with boarding numbers if they aren't going to use them.

Once we are on the plane I notice there is no video screen. And come to find out that the main projector and music system on the plain are broken. So 13 hours of nothing to do. After about 4 hours into the flight I had still not received a drink. So I decided to go back and ask an attendant for some water. She grabbed the bill of my hat shook it back and forth and said oh sweetie go to sleep. Then she walked away.

Next we arrive at SFO what a relief to be at home and wow I can understand what people are saying. well the joy was short lived. Since my last flight was so late arriving I had missed my connection to Reno and the next one wasn't until 5 hours later. I tried to get on another flight with my boss as stand by but there was no hope. I finally got on a plane at about 5pm our time, 7am Hong Kong time. And 24 hours of traveling later I was home. God I miss my family.

Wet -- Posted by Brad via Amy (cleaned up a bit)

Woke up very early today. Partly because my body is so screwed up and partly because I was so excited to get out of the casino and travel to Hong Kong. Immediately we noticed it was raining in sheets of water. What a bad day to go to Hong Kong. Never the less we pressed on.

The ferry ride was awful I have never been on such a bumpy ride. As we approached Hong Kong Dave pointed out an amazing site - the sky line. It was full of skyscrapers and really beautiful. So after our boat ride we got some lunch at a little Chinese restaurant. Very good but I'm sick of Chinese. Then off to go shopping. While we were walking so many Indian people were trying to sell us copy watches or suits. Then Mark found us this little shopping area where we got amazing deals on just about everything. I got Amy a ***** and Hannah a couple Chinese outfits. Of course there was the Black Market area too but that's another story I'm not talking about online. After tons of shopping we headed to a pub called Ned Kelly. It was an Australian pub named after the Australian version of Billy the Kid. The food was as expected traditional pub quality, but very welcomed. Did I mention I'm sick of Chinese food? Well about this time we were all exhausted so we caught the ferry back to Macau sopping wet and exhausted.

New post from Brad via Amy (raw with some edits)

Last night we started out with dinner at Alourche a Portuguese restaurant. Possibly one of the best tasting cuisines I have ever had. Prawns the size of my plate. Sausage clams and much more. Super yummy. Then it was back to the venetian for drinks. After a while I was dragged to the IGT party. Unfortunately I had no idea we would actually go because we were not invited and I was in shorts and a T-shirt. But as it turned out it was OK. We just told everyone I was an artist and that seemed to calm down the bigwigs. Even our VP who is super nice said its OK after I apologized for not dressing up.

The next day was the last of the show. Overall everything went very well. John was happy with our AVP roll out and had a chance to discuss the future of international with Steve Morrow for a bit. Phew that was a bit intimidating talking to Steve, but as it turns out he is just a really nice guy and very down to earth. After about 12 of us went to Morton's steak house for dinner. It was amazing. The steak was one of the best I have ever had. But no ones beats Jim ' Teriyaki steaks. By the end of the meal we got the bill. It was over two thousand dollars. I'm sure glad I didn't pay. I might have a bit of trouble explaining that one to my boss Janna on the expense report. After dinner I had a real hard time keeping my eyes open so I called it an early night. Tomorrow we go to Hong Kong. I can't wait I really am sick of hanging in the hotel.

Another Post -- posted by Brad via Amy (& edited as well)

Started the day looking for a place to get breakfast. But to my surprise the only places open to eat were noodle shops. Do they not have bacon, eggs and hash browns? How weird. Well its top ramen for me, oh but there is a plus freshly squeezed mango juice. Yum yum.

On the way to breakfast I was propositioned twice right on the casino floor. That makes three times in 24 hours. One girl actually came to me and said "you beautiful, want " something in Chinese " I give happy ending" of course immediate response was no, no, no but that didn't stop this one she tried to grab my arm like I was her escort. I jumped to the side yelled no and continued to walk away. I must learn the word for no in Chinese. Sin city has nothing on this place. This is crazy! On another note I won on Chinese Treasure and it looked good!!!!!


Dave and I started by taking a taxi to the ahman temple. It was raining softly but no one even cared because the humidity was so high it was a nice relief from the heat. The temple was so amazing. Incense was burned in such mass quantity it actually made my lungs heavy and burnt feeling. There were stone rock carvings that were from the ming dynasty and were beautiful. The temple is still used so we were super respectful while we were there.

From the temple it was over to the maritime museum. It was interesting to see how Macau was a tiny fishing island before all the casinos. Sent Amy a digital post card then we were off to go explore on foot. On our adventure we stopped at a local market where you could buy chickens live and they would slit there throats and pluck them right there. The fish were even weirder; they precision cut them open and you see their heart and lungs still functioning. The lady would take the fish from the water filled tray and scale it right there. Really crazy! The areas we walked through were nothing short of eye opening poverty and living conditions are just horrid yet people seem to be in good spirits. They were helpful and appreciative even in the rougher areas of town. I think they we're just excited to see a 6ft tall American. We definitely felt like minorities. Gosh there was so much to talk about today but don't have the finger strength to type it all out on the black berry. So I'll save it and the other stories for when I talk to you. Having fun, missing my family and grateful for my wife. Hang in there you two.

Another quick post -- Posted by Brad via Amy

I guess my body knows it is 6 am no matter what time zone I am in. I woke up to an amazing view of the chinese landscape. The mountians look like something out of a sagwa cartoon but instead of a villiage in the foreground there are tall casinos and skyscrapers.

The humidity is insane its probably 70 degrees here but it feels like it is over 100. I'm sticking to everything, the ac helps a little but not enough to make everything stop sweating. well off to a shower and some breakfast. I saw a mcdonalds here last night maybe I'll ltry that first before I get adventerous with the food.

Posted for Brad by Amy

Today started with a bit of a scare. The ticket agent did not bother to ticket me correctly. After I was able to sort things out and go through security a couple times I was off to San Francisco. After I arrived in S.F. I found out the first class booking I thought I had purchased did not happen. My transaction never went through apparently. But either way I got a really good seat on my way to tiawan. Oh and by the way the movie jumper really sucks.

5:30 pacific time: There is a little girl running around the airplane with her daddy. She can't be more than 2 years old. But she reminds me of my little boo. Its funny I have been away about the same amount of time as a days worth of work, but I feel like it has already been forever. I'm missing my family already. I guess long flights make everything seem longer. Only 9 more hours til this leg of the trip ends.

3 am pacific: time landed in Taipei people are super friendly here. The ads are nothing short of hilarity. One of them had a guy reaching up a rhinos butt. The other ad I found was of some condom character. When I get home I will share them with you all. Super tired and still 2 more hours to go. Next stop Macau, China.

Dinner on the flight to Macau was the worst thing I ever smelled. To be honest I'm not sure what it was. I could Identify rice and some sort of meaty goo on top with a cabbage or something like kimchi. I passed and asked for an OJ and roll. The best part of the two was the roll. I'm feelling a bit disorientated right now. I think my body is done flying. I can't wait to hit the bed at the Venetian.

Not sure what time it is in the US. But it is 11 Pm here. The venetian is spectacular
So far the best part of the trip. Words can not describe its beauty. Everything is gold and my suite is awesome. I have to crash now. More tomorrow.