tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-47825345782923942892024-03-13T23:54:29.986+04:00Ramble OnNickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.comBlogger85125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-70359313249975890372009-01-08T10:47:00.000+04:002009-01-08T10:48:01.550+04:00AC Milan vs. Hamburg<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SWWhoCP4YeI/AAAAAAAAVCY/TnY4_esF4b4/s1600-h/IMG00001.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SWWhoCP4YeI/AAAAAAAAVCY/TnY4_esF4b4/s400/IMG00001.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Ronaldinho scoring a penalty kick against zee Germans!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-85257305249785255662008-11-21T14:14:00.000+04:002008-11-21T14:14:56.289+04:00Al Ain and Franco-Anglos...<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHacccUI/AAAAAAAARUE/sGlVQrbAMEE/s1600-h/IMG_2998.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHacccUI/AAAAAAAARUE/sGlVQrbAMEE/s400/IMG_2998.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHYEfoNI/AAAAAAAARUM/Rz3kBIN0y6w/s1600-h/IMG_3008.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHYEfoNI/AAAAAAAARUM/Rz3kBIN0y6w/s400/IMG_3008.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHrG_MjI/AAAAAAAARUU/Rxl1Cz_qKgI/s1600-h/IMG_3016.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKHrG_MjI/AAAAAAAARUU/Rxl1Cz_qKgI/s400/IMG_3016.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKH_8XkCI/AAAAAAAARUc/uUkxJZ6fwOU/s1600-h/IMG_3030.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SSaKH_8XkCI/AAAAAAAARUc/uUkxJZ6fwOU/s400/IMG_3030.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-10597044281612370602008-11-10T12:07:00.000+04:002008-11-10T12:08:22.724+04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr8pUU28I/AAAAAAAARMo/2F2fqqsookY/s1600-h/IMG_2841.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr8pUU28I/AAAAAAAARMo/2F2fqqsookY/s400/IMG_2841.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr88UPwiI/AAAAAAAARMw/Xt3dBi_Ybrw/s1600-h/IMG_2873.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr88UPwiI/AAAAAAAARMw/Xt3dBi_Ybrw/s400/IMG_2873.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr9LMD5II/AAAAAAAARM4/AFtlvL7g8TI/s1600-h/IMG_2897.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfr9LMD5II/AAAAAAAARM4/AFtlvL7g8TI/s400/IMG_2897.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-66864685118011032602008-11-10T11:55:00.000+04:002008-11-10T11:56:13.082+04:00Random since Bolivia<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGKJBd6I/AAAAAAAARMI/tWCS_U5GmUA/s1600-h/IMG_2812.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGKJBd6I/AAAAAAAARMI/tWCS_U5GmUA/s400/IMG_2812.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Louis, Steve, Louise (my roomie), and me at Juan's place on the Palm Frond.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGWjW_UI/AAAAAAAARMQ/s30xytAUAfo/s1600-h/IMG_2793.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGWjW_UI/AAAAAAAARMQ/s30xytAUAfo/s400/IMG_2793.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Me geared up for a photo shoot for Toni in the mountains.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGuPc_DI/AAAAAAAARMY/ebqTDy6J5Tg/s1600-h/IMG_2769.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpGuPc_DI/AAAAAAAARMY/ebqTDy6J5Tg/s400/IMG_2769.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Toni, Em, and me after a delicious, spicy meal at Karachi Darbar<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpHEqsI8I/AAAAAAAARMg/4uWhSiSfgGg/s1600-h/IMG_2720.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SRfpHEqsI8I/AAAAAAAARMg/4uWhSiSfgGg/s400/IMG_2720.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Joshua and me just before my inaugural run with the Arabian Gulf... Fateful night. Two minutes into the game against Hong Kong, my shoulder fell off, again... shit.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-17941566840704379812008-09-17T16:47:00.000+04:002008-09-17T16:48:24.281+04:00more bolivia<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lexY4WI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/PQBoH0M9emE/s1600-h/IMG_2136.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lexY4WI/AAAAAAAAM2Q/PQBoH0M9emE/s400/IMG_2136.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lW2EVaI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/esBf7dCflTI/s1600-h/IMG_2178.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lW2EVaI/AAAAAAAAM2Y/esBf7dCflTI/s400/IMG_2178.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lzRZSRI/AAAAAAAAM2g/0-IXq_7oMdc/s1600-h/IMG_2227.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8lzRZSRI/AAAAAAAAM2g/0-IXq_7oMdc/s400/IMG_2227.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8l9RH2GI/AAAAAAAAM2o/XBMg5yJdD1E/s1600-h/IMG_2246.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SND8l9RH2GI/AAAAAAAAM2o/XBMg5yJdD1E/s400/IMG_2246.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-57986591349359581772008-09-17T11:17:00.000+04:002008-09-17T11:18:16.830+04:00<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvNoEIcVI/AAAAAAAAM1w/pzXEi07F1Sg/s1600-h/IMG_2116.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvNoEIcVI/AAAAAAAAM1w/pzXEi07F1Sg/s400/IMG_2116.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Pachamama, or Mother Earth. In reality, it's a huge hill that is the Potosi mine, and where the colonial Spaniards got boatloads of silver.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvNv9oofI/AAAAAAAAM14/ZyR7ZNmIQz0/s1600-h/IMG_2121.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvNv9oofI/AAAAAAAAM14/ZyR7ZNmIQz0/s400/IMG_2121.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Sofia and I on the top of an old, renovated cathedral, for a delicious lunch of spicy chicken.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvN3wc8-I/AAAAAAAAM2A/ihD2MQy5inE/s1600-h/IMG_2122.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvN3wc8-I/AAAAAAAAM2A/ihD2MQy5inE/s400/IMG_2122.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Inside courtyard of the Potosi Mint.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvOJZ7sUI/AAAAAAAAM2I/5GAfX_s9vbI/s1600-h/IMG_2124.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCvOJZ7sUI/AAAAAAAAM2I/5GAfX_s9vbI/s400/IMG_2124.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Getting ready for the 6 hour, off road, bus ride to Uyuni, the gate to the world's largest salt flats.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-38922149881295432912008-09-17T11:10:00.000+04:002008-09-17T11:11:14.065+04:00Bolivia. continued<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtjmhA3zI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/kuSxIn68Ja8/s1600-h/IMG_2028.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtjmhA3zI/AAAAAAAAM1Q/kuSxIn68Ja8/s400/IMG_2028.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Johnny, our tour guide for the Potosi mines, with a handful of coca leaves, bitumen, and unfiltered cigarettes for the miners.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtj7oYOII/AAAAAAAAM1Y/Fota_2iFRcg/s1600-h/IMG_2032.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtj7oYOII/AAAAAAAAM1Y/Fota_2iFRcg/s400/IMG_2032.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Helmet, explosives, and coca leaves.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtkL69J_I/AAAAAAAAM1g/yrMAVYyrSrQ/s1600-h/IMG_2092.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtkL69J_I/AAAAAAAAM1g/yrMAVYyrSrQ/s400/IMG_2092.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>"Lungs of Metal," the name of a local coop of miners.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtkAjTVAI/AAAAAAAAM1o/G1RhUDe4xJg/s1600-h/IMG_2101.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCtkAjTVAI/AAAAAAAAM1o/G1RhUDe4xJg/s400/IMG_2101.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Yes, that is a small, handmade grenade in my hand. Johnny made it for me!<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-86076465412452741202008-09-17T10:30:00.000+04:002008-09-17T10:31:22.958+04:00Bolivia, summer 2008<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkN1jG0dI/AAAAAAAAM0w/3s44Kdtl6cM/s1600-h/IMG_1963.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkN1jG0dI/AAAAAAAAM0w/3s44Kdtl6cM/s400/IMG_1963.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>The lone guitarist at Valle de la Luna.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOGzGYcI/AAAAAAAAM04/IgF76a98XFY/s1600-h/IMG_1987.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOGzGYcI/AAAAAAAAM04/IgF76a98XFY/s400/IMG_1987.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Rodrigo and I getting the ATV out of a hole...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOS90KGI/AAAAAAAAM1A/29dMP3n_JvI/s1600-h/IMG_2004.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOS90KGI/AAAAAAAAM1A/29dMP3n_JvI/s400/IMG_2004.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Dehydrated llama fetuses, and other indigenous religious artifacts.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOgrXUhI/AAAAAAAAM1I/8e2fSHRrSnM/s1600-h/IMG_2009.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SNCkOgrXUhI/AAAAAAAAM1I/8e2fSHRrSnM/s400/IMG_2009.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Yes, those are ocelot skins hanging on the wall, and yes, the are on sale, for a gratuitously low $35 (and that's without even bargaining). Aren't they endangered???<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-71086949397350091342008-08-17T17:37:00.000+04:002008-08-17T17:38:08.869+04:00Via Ferrata<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpvq_4SBI/AAAAAAAAKf0/FGxZU8QsH0c/s1600-h/Mike+Via+Ferrata.JPG"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpvq_4SBI/AAAAAAAAKf0/FGxZU8QsH0c/s400/Mike+Via+Ferrata.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Mikey hanging out on the 'other' side... this gorge goes down at least another 150 meters, if not more!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpv01mnhI/AAAAAAAAKf8/-Yc9Q_XGFSs/s1600-h/IMG_1908.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpv01mnhI/AAAAAAAAKf8/-Yc9Q_XGFSs/s400/IMG_1908.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Greg keeping an eye on the flash flood... was just a baby one, though it was a burly 30 minute storm, complete with hail in the Sultanate. <br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpv-48f5I/AAAAAAAAKgE/2-wcSmedOFY/s1600-h/IMG_1951.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpv-48f5I/AAAAAAAAKgE/2-wcSmedOFY/s400/IMG_1951.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Greg getting himself up to the third traverse. Probably the dooziest one, you had to do a bit of a climb before you could get on a little perch (one person at a time) to set up your pulley for the cross. Once set though, it was smooth sailing straight across.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpwEsnu6I/AAAAAAAAKgM/KWexfOE6Acs/s1600-h/IMG_1930.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SKgpwEsnu6I/AAAAAAAAKgM/KWexfOE6Acs/s400/IMG_1930.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>The descent down to the beginning of the VF.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-74428015833546757892008-08-17T15:00:00.002+04:002008-08-17T15:02:13.378+04:00Via FerrataMore Oman this past weekend, with another visit to Snake Canyon. This time, in addition to the wadi walk through of Snake Canyon, we topped it off with a run through of the Via Ferrata there, basically a bolted section of steel cabling with several traverses across the wadi, all 300 meters from the canyon floor. Fun!<br /><br /><table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/f/img/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/ViaFerrata"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/nicholas.dreves/SKfiwV_O-ZE/AAAAAAAAKfU/mWfKJeBO4hI/s160-c/ViaFerrata.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/ViaFerrata" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Via Ferrata</a></td></tr></table>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-47996380487641178742008-08-09T13:27:00.002+04:002008-08-09T13:29:09.038+04:00Oman Roadtrip August 2008I'll definitely post some more pics later, but I wanted to at least get this link up so that everyone can see the full album if they want to: <table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/f/img/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/OmanRoadtrip"><img src="http://lh6.ggpht.com/nicholas.dreves/SJycW-N3lgE/AAAAAAAAJ-Y/8S_bNb_1R9I/s160-c/OmanRoadtrip.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/OmanRoadtrip" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Oman Roadtrip</a></td></tr></table><br /><br />Absolutely fantastic trip, good guys, breathtaking scenery, and some damned good cliff jumping! Oman rocks!Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-15228569437551923592008-07-23T13:31:00.001+04:002008-12-11T02:49:14.000+04:00scuba trip - RAK<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dRf3TGI/AAAAAAAAI0s/tyZoTyjpFSM/s1600-h/IMG_1483.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dRf3TGI/AAAAAAAAI0s/tyZoTyjpFSM/s400/IMG_1483.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Mungo and John Gregory<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dn_0O_I/AAAAAAAAI00/2VcTG_fBrmw/s1600-h/IMG_1501.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dn_0O_I/AAAAAAAAI00/2VcTG_fBrmw/s400/IMG_1501.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Makram, Mungo, a drunk blondie, and Sean<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIcPBc4L_1I/AAAAAAAAI1M/VS6OXl2WATw/s1600-h/IMG_1481.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIcPBc4L_1I/AAAAAAAAI1M/VS6OXl2WATw/s400/IMG_1481.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226162410192895826" border="0" /></a>Iraqi Moe wants YOU...<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dreKLCI/AAAAAAAAI08/-oQFGIniPEQ/s1600-h/IMG_1524.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SIb6dreKLCI/AAAAAAAAI08/-oQFGIniPEQ/s400/IMG_1524.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">Makram, Mungo, and Ewan? at the pool next to the Gregory's place up in RAK... pool and beers and marlins - doesn't get much better.<br /></div></div><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-80150633721478187462008-06-05T17:16:00.000+04:002008-12-11T02:49:14.859+04:00Phuket cont'd<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnO2TM1uI/AAAAAAAAIyc/i5pJC2Q8JEE/s1600-h/IMG_1415.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnO2TM1uI/AAAAAAAAIyc/i5pJC2Q8JEE/s400/IMG_1415.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>A little bit o' Speedracer in a Thai downpour... I just missed it, but those three in the background are all about to spin out!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnO2TM1vI/AAAAAAAAIyk/87SzRLHkvcw/s1600-h/IMG_1421.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnO2TM1vI/AAAAAAAAIyk/87SzRLHkvcw/s400/IMG_1421.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>and some off-roading...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnPGTM1wI/AAAAAAAAIys/nlL6GDVljSc/s1600-h/IMG_1426.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnPGTM1wI/AAAAAAAAIys/nlL6GDVljSc/s400/IMG_1426.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Oh, damn, these were flippin' amazing - banana milkshakes all around! And who knew that I'd even like it? HATED bananas not even 5 years ago...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnPWTM1xI/AAAAAAAAIy0/WMpRyNIstVE/s1600-h/IMG_1438.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfnPWTM1xI/AAAAAAAAIy0/WMpRyNIstVE/s400/IMG_1438.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>OK, not the best pic, in fact probably a really bad one, but the only one I got of all of us on our rice rockets.<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-58928938872117089292008-06-05T16:54:00.000+04:002008-12-11T02:49:15.374+04:00Phuket 10s with the Hurricanes!<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiB2TM1qI/AAAAAAAAIx4/GIrogPk5Vtw/s1600-h/IMG_1336.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiB2TM1qI/AAAAAAAAIx4/GIrogPk5Vtw/s400/IMG_1336.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>The beach is THAT way!<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCGTM1rI/AAAAAAAAIyA/cwIekNCbmmM/s1600-h/IMG_1344.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCGTM1rI/AAAAAAAAIyA/cwIekNCbmmM/s400/IMG_1344.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>We sponsored two children from the local town to be able to attend school for an entire year. I'm not sure which two they actually are, but they're supposed to be sitting with us somewhere...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCGTM1sI/AAAAAAAAIyI/WZkmPQRFxw8/s1600-h/IMG_1384.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCGTM1sI/AAAAAAAAIyI/WZkmPQRFxw8/s400/IMG_1384.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>After making it to the playoffs, we lost in the semi's to the Kukri Badgers, a UK-based team comprised mainly of semi-pro guys outta London. Seriously fit, strong, and big boys. They knocked us out, but then asked me if I wanted to play with them during the Championship game (I very happily agreed). I managed to get almost the whole game in with them, and am happy to say that I kept up with them, and even managed to get a couple of nice runs in myself. They didn't share their famous pink socks with me, but I managed to stand out just fine with my bright yellow ones! I've been invited to join their mailing list and will hopefully be able to join them for future tournaments (7s and 10s) this year.<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCWTM1tI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/d4RM_Nl0-EU/s1600-h/IMG_1388.jpg"><img alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SEfiCWTM1tI/AAAAAAAAIyQ/d4RM_Nl0-EU/s400/IMG_1388.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-83618835728079373072008-05-25T11:53:00.003+04:002008-08-17T17:39:39.655+04:00DWS continued<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8464.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8464.jpg?size=400" border="0" /></a> </div>From the right: Mike, Yon, Jenny, and Ben (?)...<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8486.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8486.jpg?size=400" border="0" /></a> </div>Just outside of Masafi coming back from Dibba and trying a fresh date (quite tasty). Nope, can't remember this guy's name, though he did sell Mike a great looking watermelon for AED10.Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-69038427209206836772008-05-25T11:44:00.001+04:002008-12-11T02:49:15.920+04:00Dibba Deep Water Soloing<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkYzmTMyUI/AAAAAAAAIUU/87UK1Whotyo/s1600-h/IMG_1215.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkYzmTMyUI/AAAAAAAAIUU/87UK1Whotyo/s400/IMG_1215.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>So we headed to the East Coast this past weekend for a little deep water soloing. Hired out two speed boats from the local Omanis and shot up along the coast line for a few hours to get some climbing in. The fun part is getting to the top of the route and having no way back down except jumping! There were some great lines right along the water, with plenty of deep blue beneath for a safe bail out.<br /><br />Special thanks to fellow Yank Mike Olver for organizing the trip.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkY0GTMyVI/AAAAAAAAIUc/FP9wtkIv1hs/s1600-h/IMG_1238.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkY0GTMyVI/AAAAAAAAIUc/FP9wtkIv1hs/s400/IMG_1238.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Yon, Dave and Felipe all at once.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkY0WTMyWI/AAAAAAAAIUk/bEtFHyn17Ko/s1600-h/IMG_1244.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDkY0WTMyWI/AAAAAAAAIUk/bEtFHyn17Ko/s400/IMG_1244.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>The approach to the pic below... Absolutely stunning cliff faces, ranging from smooth sandstone like this to jagged volcanic rock that can shred your fingers (and shoes).<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8476.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://localhost:1898/4d45278af418a5840896039f44b622c3/image8476.jpg?size=400" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br />Yes, we actually jumped this one (at least Mike, Tom, and I) - a solid 60 footer...<div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-36837425784658450692008-05-22T11:18:00.001+04:002008-12-11T02:49:16.546+04:00Pakky<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebWTMyQI/AAAAAAAAITs/N2hIeifJ4Zo/s1600-h/IMG_0963.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebWTMyQI/AAAAAAAAITs/N2hIeifJ4Zo/s400/IMG_0963.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>In Taxila - about an hour outside of Islamabad - on the top of a hill and standing amongst Roman ruins. Less than 1km away there were some old Greek ruins dating back to Alexander the Great. Stunning. The two guys on the right are students at a local engineering school that offered to give us a bit of a tour. We would never have found this place without them. My colleague, Paul Wood from DMCC on the left, and our driver next to me. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebWTMyRI/AAAAAAAAIT0/s8KvOknBLjU/s1600-h/IMG_0953.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebWTMyRI/AAAAAAAAIT0/s8KvOknBLjU/s400/IMG_0953.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>The walk up to the Roman ruins took us through golden fields of wheat, just being harvested. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebmTMySI/AAAAAAAAIT8/sWvc-ySaEEg/s1600-h/IMG_0926.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUebmTMySI/AAAAAAAAIT8/sWvc-ySaEEg/s400/IMG_0926.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Psychedelic bus... only one amongst millions.<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUeb2TMyTI/AAAAAAAAIUE/dXsHtBbeVyg/s1600-h/IMG_0983.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUeb2TMyTI/AAAAAAAAIUE/dXsHtBbeVyg/s400/IMG_0983.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">A little bit of wild pot... seriously, the stuff was growing everywhere. So weird to be driving along only to get smacked in the head with wiffs of stinkiness!<br /><br /></div><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-90465960098735001702008-05-22T11:06:00.001+04:002008-12-11T02:49:17.193+04:00<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUbeGTMyMI/AAAAAAAAITI/pY233L9RwdQ/s1600-h/IMG_0899.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUbeGTMyMI/AAAAAAAAITI/pY233L9RwdQ/s400/IMG_0899.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Brain Masala - seriously the best dish I had during my entire trip to Pakistan. And no, it does not mean that everything else sucked. Was an amazing dish, kind of reminded me a mabo dofu, and great with a half chicken and a 7UP. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUbemTMyNI/AAAAAAAAITQ/c82r-dXaQxo/s1600-h/IMG_0905.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUbemTMyNI/AAAAAAAAITQ/c82r-dXaQxo/s400/IMG_0905.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDUbfWTMyPI/AAAAAAAAITg/wqf8IISkAkg/s1600-h/IMG_0945.jpg"></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-46834605788174273602008-05-20T16:14:00.001+04:002008-12-11T02:49:17.954+04:00Pakistan II<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAuW_oQVI/AAAAAAAAISc/znwg2Tqd9HA/s1600-h/IMG_0865.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAuW_oQVI/AAAAAAAAISc/znwg2Tqd9HA/s400/IMG_0865.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>King Faisal Mosque, among one of the largest mosques in the world, with a capacity of 300,000 worshipers. <br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAu2_oQWI/AAAAAAAAISk/OToN5qc8A5s/s1600-h/IMG_0868.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAu2_oQWI/AAAAAAAAISk/OToN5qc8A5s/s400/IMG_0868.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>The grave and memorial to ex-President Mohammad Zia ul-Haq of Pakistan. Apparently the only artifact actually buried there is his lower jaw bone, though they haven't confirmed that it it actually his, and not that of the pilot or US Ambassador that was also on the plane when it swan dived into the mountains. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAu2_oQXI/AAAAAAAAISs/JAT5M1ZkOK4/s1600-h/IMG_0878.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAu2_oQXI/AAAAAAAAISs/JAT5M1ZkOK4/s400/IMG_0878.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Lal Masjid, otherwise known by its more infamous name: the Red Mosque. I didn't get any more shots of the area, but bullet wounds on trees and lots of propaganda. The pic below is where the madrasah (religious school) attached to the school used to be before it was razed after the Red Mosque conflict and armed stand-off. <br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAvG_oQYI/AAAAAAAAIS0/zl1dPuHKig4/s1600-h/IMG_0876.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDLAvG_oQYI/AAAAAAAAIS0/zl1dPuHKig4/s400/IMG_0876.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-60060173900308158992008-05-20T15:58:00.000+04:002008-12-11T02:49:19.016+04:00Pakistan<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9AW_oQRI/AAAAAAAAIR4/ca81GbuQ0Rs/s1600-h/IMG_0819.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9AW_oQRI/AAAAAAAAIR4/ca81GbuQ0Rs/s400/IMG_0819.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9BW_oQSI/AAAAAAAAISA/ir2MdfMQO70/s1600-h/IMG_0835.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9BW_oQSI/AAAAAAAAISA/ir2MdfMQO70/s400/IMG_0835.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9BW_oQTI/AAAAAAAAISI/aQVkbErV0Bk/s1600-h/IMG_0800.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9BW_oQTI/AAAAAAAAISI/aQVkbErV0Bk/s400/IMG_0800.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9CG_oQUI/AAAAAAAAISQ/10QWlxmDHz0/s1600-h/IMG_0808.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SDK9CG_oQUI/AAAAAAAAISQ/10QWlxmDHz0/s400/IMG_0808.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-89263817984216793542008-04-23T11:23:00.004+04:002008-12-11T02:49:19.541+04:00Press from the Championshiphttp://www.gulfnews.com/sport/Rugby/10207256.html<br /><br />http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticleNew.asp?xfile=data/sports/2008/April/sports_April641.xml&section=sports&subsection=rugby<br /><br />http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080419/SPORT/857626083<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SA7mLncfGII/AAAAAAAAHrI/fT1OsOFL2Zc/s1600-h/The+National+-+19+April+2008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SA7mLncfGII/AAAAAAAAHrI/fT1OsOFL2Zc/s400/The+National+-+19+April+2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192340507646171266" border="0" /></a><br />http://www.thenational.ae/article/20080421/SPORT/479827276/1026<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SA7nI3cfGJI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/TqUeh5rBCJU/s1600-h/The+National+21+April+2008.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SA7nI3cfGJI/AAAAAAAAHrQ/TqUeh5rBCJU/s400/The+National+21+April+2008.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5192341559913158802" border="0" /></a>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-91686838093299246062008-04-20T00:08:00.002+04:002008-12-11T02:49:20.085+04:00Arabian League Champs!!!<div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRZkk6YZI/AAAAAAAAHqk/gNEYyKZuoC0/s1600-h/IMG_0625.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRZkk6YZI/AAAAAAAAHqk/gNEYyKZuoC0/s400/IMG_0625.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Sherrin, Mungo, me, and Sean...<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRZ0k6YaI/AAAAAAAAHqs/F1EiJbnA0mw/s1600-h/IMG_0631.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRZ0k6YaI/AAAAAAAAHqs/F1EiJbnA0mw/s400/IMG_0631.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Hools (coach), meself, Chris Gregory, and Brian ('nother coach) hold up four fingers for four trophies this year!<br /><br /><div style="margin: 0px auto 10px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRaEk6YbI/AAAAAAAAHq0/WNO-MX6sPic/s1600-h/IMG_0634.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApRaEk6YbI/AAAAAAAAHq0/WNO-MX6sPic/s400/IMG_0634.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: left;"><br />Some of the Hurricanes family.<br /></div> </div><div style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://picasa.google.com/blogger/" target="ext"><img src="http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif" alt="Posted by Picasa" style="border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: -moz-initial; -moz-background-origin: -moz-initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: -moz-initial;" align="middle" border="0" /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-16889503466498276722008-04-20T00:00:00.000+04:002008-12-11T02:49:21.215+04:00Office Opening, and injured kitty<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPrkk6YVI/AAAAAAAAHqE/jlxF24nfGeQ/s1600-h/IMG_0613.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPrkk6YVI/AAAAAAAAHqE/jlxF24nfGeQ/s400/IMG_0613.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Colleagues Amin, Michelle, and Mark at Meat&Co. dinner...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPr0k6YWI/AAAAAAAAHqM/OojvT0qaCZo/s1600-h/SL270912.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPr0k6YWI/AAAAAAAAHqM/OojvT0qaCZo/s400/SL270912.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>EcoSecurities Dubai office, missing Bita and Charbel...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPr0k6YXI/AAAAAAAAHqU/lag29-tsGBo/s1600-h/IMG_0665.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPr0k6YXI/AAAAAAAAHqU/lag29-tsGBo/s400/IMG_0665.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div>Came back from the beach this afternoon only to find a very injured Mewsif. Looks like she got herself into a bit of a scrap and had her belly ripped open. She's at the vet now for an extended convalescent holiday...<br /><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPsEk6YYI/AAAAAAAAHqc/y06J3eelxkU/s1600-h/IMG_0651.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/SApPsEk6YYI/AAAAAAAAHqc/y06J3eelxkU/s400/IMG_0651.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br />Toni and I heading to the Jumeirah free beach (he's chatting away with Em, his honey in Madagascar)<div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-28245708492181833952008-03-31T10:44:00.000+04:002008-12-11T02:49:21.969+04:00More Pano - 'cause he's my little bro<div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIWdKmLFI/AAAAAAAAGjo/NRxXM_OIaG4/s1600-h/IMG_0313.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIWdKmLFI/AAAAAAAAGjo/NRxXM_OIaG4/s400/IMG_0313.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIW9KmLGI/AAAAAAAAGjw/ggYm04e0GDQ/s1600-h/IMG_0228.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIW9KmLGI/AAAAAAAAGjw/ggYm04e0GDQ/s400/IMG_0228.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIXNKmLHI/AAAAAAAAGj4/owSryJsaG0w/s1600-h/IMG_0253.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIXNKmLHI/AAAAAAAAGj4/owSryJsaG0w/s400/IMG_0253.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><br /><div style="MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; TEXT-ALIGN: center"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIXNKmLII/AAAAAAAAGkA/eq1fgHg6dt4/s1600-h/IMG_0220.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_" alt="" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_8k4UvZ3Z1Hk/R_CIXNKmLII/AAAAAAAAGkA/eq1fgHg6dt4/s400/IMG_0220.jpg" border="0" /></a> </div><div style='clear:both; text-align:CENTER'><a href='http://picasa.google.com/blogger/' target='ext'><img src='http://photos1.blogger.com/pbp.gif' alt='Posted by Picasa' style='border: 0px none ; padding: 0px; background: transparent none repeat scroll 0% 50%; -moz-background-clip: initial; -moz-background-origin: initial; -moz-background-inline-policy: initial;' align='middle' border='0' /></a></div>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4782534578292394289.post-52374299529040258752008-03-26T10:07:00.001+04:002008-03-26T10:09:06.094+04:00White Beaches and Platinum HairHere are photos from the long Easter weekend trip to Musandam with some mates and Pano. The original photos are on my other laptop, so I'll post here when I get home later. <br /><br /><table style="width:194px;"><tr><td align="center" style="height:194px;background:url(http://picasaweb.google.com/f/img/transparent_album_background.gif) no-repeat left"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/MusandamClimbingWPano"><img src="http://lh6.google.com/nicholas.dreves/R-nXD9KmICE/AAAAAAAAGgw/t0nezdAlju8/s160-c/MusandamClimbingWPano.jpg" width="160" height="160" style="margin:1px 0 0 4px;" /></a></td></tr><tr><td style="text-align:center;font-family:arial,sans-serif;font-size:11px"><a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/nicholas.dreves/MusandamClimbingWPano" style="color:#4D4D4D;font-weight:bold;text-decoration:none;">Musandam Climbing w Pano</a></td></tr></table>Nickhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11774321293262585343noreply@blogger.com0