BurbleChaz

This whole 'job' thing interferes somewhat with one's life. I don't seem to have quite as much time for diversions such as riding bikes up hills, sailing small boats, and boring you all with my reports on such activities. Life is made up exclusively of work and surfing these days (of which more later, promise).

Case in point: Friday before last, my boss asks 'Can you go to Israel?' 'Certainly', I reply. 'When is this happy little jaunt to be?' 'Tomorrow' he says. Bang go my weekend plans. A quick trip to the beach on Saturday morning, a little splash in the waves, then off to the airport to start the marathon journey.

The first leg is with Thai Airlines. Middle seat. Surrounded by People of Ample Girth. The food is good, and the wine plentiful. Ten hours later, arrive at Bangkok. With only two hours before my next flight, I head straight to the gate for my next flight, where the charming and efficient El Al staff probe my reasons, person and luggage. Tedious. The airport is huge, and has some interesting displays. This one was a Naga god attacking a chap with a number of limbs more common amongst arthropods. The whole display was over 30 metres long.

Nagas

When attacked by a 50 metre, three-headed snake, dance. It worked for him.

So, with all appurtenances certified explosive-free, onto the El Al plane. Again, a middle seat, with neighbours of an adipose nature. I took the only possible course of action. Got drunk and went to sleep. I think I may have snored. Interesting fact - El Al supplies metal knives with the cutlery. This is the difference between security theater and real security.

The route from Bangkok to Tel Aviv goes over Somalia. This is stupid. It means flying 2000 miles further than you need, and makes the flight eleven hours. It would truly have been quicker to fly London. Mind you, I'd have been eating with a plastic knife, so mustn't grumble. Anyway. Arrived around 0700 on Sunday morning, dropped stuff at the hotel and went to work. All I can really tell you is that Tel Aviv has an airport, a hotel and an office. There are a lot of cities around the world where my knowledge stops there. Depressing.

That's my hotel in the background. This is in the old docks area, and has been recently regenerated. Pubs, restaurants, nightclubs. Quite nice

This is the view from my (second) hotel. Very Mediterranean.

Obligatory sunset. The surf was less than a foot and choppy.

My return flight was delayed, so i got to spend a second night (in a different hotel, natch). I say 'night' but mean 'three hours', since my flight back was at 0600. This meant getting up at 0230. Not happy. It takes eight checkpoints and over an hour to get through security on the way out. The flight back was a little better. On the first leg, I had a window seat, and had some lovely views of Isreal and the Red Sea. The second leg, with Thai again, was awesome. A brand-new 777 with a full crew and about fifty passengers. I had a whole row to stretch out on. The food was excellent again. Almost got some sleep, too.

So, 55 hours travelling including 45 airborne for one meeting. Best carbon footprint ever. I'm off to plant a tree.