Dinner Thursday was “modern” Tex-Mex with Graeme who had spent the day in San Diego on business. One of the best chicken salads (with black eyed peas) I had ever had. Back to the hotel for an latish night after catching up on emails etc.
Friday was another relaxing day. I arrived at Graeme and Penny’s home to find the kids home from school. With all of the swine flu hysteria one of them had come home not feeling well so Penny brought them both home. Lunch with Graeme where we shot the breeze about his upcoming business launch. He has a factory in Manila in the Philippines which makes custom models and is about to launch some new products linked to a community website where kids can play games against others online. Interestingly he has a full business team in Manila including web designers, sales call centre, production and shipping. Given the cost structures this is no surprise.
In the afternoon the kids (8 and 9) – who I must say have a wonderful combination of charm and cheekiness – went for a swim at my hotel while Penny and I sat around the pool. Hmmm….. home from school sick and swimming ….. sounds wrong to me but certainly something our kids would have done.
Friday night dinner we opted for Benihana’s Tepanyaki. Good show for the kids as the chefs cook in front of you throwing the knives, food and perform various interesting tricks with the food - but it is actually quite expensive around $US60 a head by the time everything gets added in. The tax (8.3%) and tip (usually 15%) make a $US25 main course (considered moderate) come to $A45 something approaching top prices in Sydney.
On Saturday morning I drove out to Graeme’s new warehouse where I found Graeme, Penny, the kids and four Mexican labourers working like beavers getting everything cleaned and set up – I didn’t offer to help. Late lunch was at a lovely sandwich café followed by some lying on the bed and reading.
On Saturday evening I had arranged to return P&G’s hospitality by taking them out for dinner and decided against my normal rules and dining at the restaurant in my resort. I had of course investigated it and it certainly lived up to my expectations. See if you can guess what I ordered http://tinyurl.com/54cbls.
The food was beautifully presented in a wonderful desert style furnished restaurant. The food was international cuisine with Cuban/Latin accents. We were delighted with our meals and I even had a Mojito. And don’t forget to look at the dessert menu.
Another charm of the restaurant was the Cuban Artist Nelson Garcia-Miranda whose artworks adorned the restaurant and who was creating new works in the lobby of the restaurant. Had the walls in my house not been fully adorned I would certainly have been interested in a Chagall like piece – see what you think http://taledu.com/21stcoa/Miranda.htm
Back late to the hotel to pack and ready for my departure the next morning.
Up early and finishing packing and off for a final meal and farewell to the Warrings at Chompies New York Style Deli. http://www.chompies.com. I had Matzo Brye which was great – what more can one say.
A five hour drive to Vegas in Graeme’s – hey forgot to tell you – Convertible Jaguar – the last hour with the top down to absorb the late afternoon sunset. No dramas except for the thirty minute delay at the Hoover Dam which I took in my stride – eventually when I saw that the delay going the other way was an hour or more.
At the hotel where I managed for the first time to get a room overlooking the pool rather than the car park – a quick salad dinner and here I am readying for bed.
Catch you all soon
XD
Sunday, May 3, 2009
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