This evening we depart for Dublin, Ireland. We will arrive there on Wednesday morning around 8:30A.
We will be here seven days and plan on many day trips revisiting the small towns of Ireland.
We also are looking forward to spending time with my nephew Brian's future in-laws, Marie and Bernard, who reside in Dublin. It will be nice to have a "pint" with them in their homeland.

Wednesday July 23, 2008

Our flight yesterday was canceled due to three inoperative lavatories. We were rerouted 3 hours later through London and connected to Dublin in the afternoon.

After a few delays along the way we finally arrived in Dublin at 5p, 8 hours later than planned.

We arrived at our hotel, The Merrion just after 6p.

We were invited to a cook out at Marie & Bernard's home (Fionas parents). Bernard insisted that he "collect" us from our hotel instead of us driving to their home and trying to navigate through Dublin after our long day.

Great food, friends and a great welcome to Dublin by the McEntee's.

(Marie & Bernard)

Thursday July 24, 2008

We spent the day walking around the city of Dublin. Visited a few shops, and a tour of the Jameson Brewery. Later we had lunch in pub, washed down with a pint of Guinness.
Dinner tonight was at the Bleu Bistro.

Friday July 25, 2008


Today was a full day of driving out of Dublin headed toward Kilkenny. (Loaned GPS, perfect travel companion) The weather is cool and raining on and off all day. Very typical weather this time of year and perfect for sight seeing.
Kilkenny is a quaint small town with many shops, pubs and hairdressers.
We parked the car in the garage and walked a few blocks to the castle for a one hour tour. No photos were allowed inside the castle.

After our tour, we stopped for lunch at a pub recommended by Mr. Travel, Rick Steves

We both had sandwiches (no beer, driving) with other tourists and many locals.
Since we were south of Dublin already, we decided to do the 45 minute drive to Waterford. On our previous trip in 2002, I regretted not buying more future gifts at the Waterford factory. Since we had arranged dinner plans, 45 minutes was all the time to shop. It was a marathon shopping spree. Completed in 40 minutes. The box will be shipped back home.
We made it back to Dublin in plenty of time for our dinner out with th McEntee clan. There was nine people in our party for dinner at The Trocodero Restaurant.

Wonderful place that requires advance reservations. Lovely, as they say.


After dinner we strolled over to the Shelbourne Hotel.
We found our way to the smaller of their two bars where we were able to have a few corner tables (photo above).
While we were enjoying the evening, Fiona received a call from Brian back home with some great news. Her green card had arrived. She now can go back and forth to Ireland and not apply for all the necessary visas.
We finished the night off at a local club that was filled with people on both levels.

Saturday July 26, 2008

We slept in today until mid-morning. Well needed rest from the full driving day and evening out until the wee hours.
We were told about Phoenix Park in Dublin, the largest enclosed urban park in Europe. It encompasses over 1760 acres, and is located just outside the city centre.
We rented bicycles at one of the designated entrances. Perfect way to see the park and get the well needed exercise. Bargain priced at 10 Euro for
2 1/2 hours. A must see and do if you visit Dublin.
After our ride we walked past the Guinness Brewery (toured last trip), stopped for a late lunch at Foley's Pub and rested a bit before our full night ahead.

Tonight Michael Buble' concert, thanks to our new friend Dolores in Dublin.
The venue was a short distance from the hotel, but we managed to get lost and a taxi took us to the correct location.
The concert was outdoors and the weather was perfect and our seats were in the second row. In our opinion the concert was better than when he appeared in Chicago.
I was able to take some video of of 5 of his songs. If your interested in viewing them click here.
After the concert, we met Marie, Dolores and Ann at the Westbury Hotel for drinks. We relaxed in the very nice bar until just past 1.
Dolores had made arrangements for us be admitted to Lillies, a club that is private on the top floor.
This was a relatively small room that you were only admitted if you were on the list. The three piece band was excellent and played to the quaint room of about 60 people.
We sipped champagne, enjoyed the music and people watching until 4A.

Now we were starving. No White Castle here.
Near the hotel was an all night stand serving Turkish pita sandwiches.
They hit the spot.
Perfect day in Dublin.

Sunday July 27, 2008

Late morning start but we decided on a drive to Glendalough, the valley of two lakes. It is renowned for its Early Medieval monastic settlement founded by St Kevin in the 6th century.
It was a perfect walking day with beautiful grounds and scenery.Dinner this evening was at the Eden Restaurant, located in the Temple Bar area of Dublin.


Monday July 28, 2008

We decided that today would be our last road trip out of Dublin. We traveled on 4 lane highways, fast moving and winding narrow 2 lane roads and roads that were barely large enough for 1 car.

(click below to play short drive experience)

Our travels today took us south of Dublin to Wexford, where we strolled around this medium sized town. More winding town streets filled with shops, restaurants and corner pubs.

(WEXFORD)

The return trip, we drove along coast of the Irish Sea, through the great small resort town of Wicklow. Very picturesque and the perfect setting for a short holiday.
We arrived back at the hotel around 8P. At the last minute we were able to get a reservation at the Tea Room, located in the Clarence Hotel.

Tuesday July 29,2008

Today was our final day in Ireland. We opted to just take it easy and stroll around Dublin.

(Jim with Oscar Wilde)

The driving can take a toll on you. The opposite side driving, and constant state of watching every move on the roads can be bit stressful (we logged 585 driving miles).

So this was a great way to see the city again in perfect weather.
We had pint at Foley's (Fionas uncle has worked there for about 9 years) and had a nice chat.
Our final dinner was with the McEntees at a great restaurant Fallon and Byrne.
Our group ended the evening with a stop at the pub, for a final cocktail and Guinness.
Wednesday July 30, 2008

Return flight home on AA 5 hours late due to an earlier mechanical delay.
Back at home by 6P.
Cannot wait to return to Ireland.

"Lucky 7"

This was my seventh trip to Beaumont. Work is still ongoing with limited volunteers. We are still working in Port Arthur, 25 miles south of Beaumont.
On 40th Street we are building three homes in an area that is not the best part of town.
The video below is from Channel 6, a local news station. Habitat is trying to get more local volunteers. Since I was there this week, they asked me to be interviewed as part of the story and encourage local recruits.




My group this week were two local guys, Tommy (retired printer), David, the prisoners and myself. No visiting groups, due to the upcoming holiday and I sure the rise in traveling expenses.
This trip I switched hotels to the MCM Elegante in Beaumont. I was able to get a great deal on Orbitz, which proved to be well worth the difference from previous hotels.

(Hotel Bar with a bit of London)

We worked on one home and installed siding, support porch posts and sided the gable. For a small group we accomplished quite a bit even though we were rained out on two afternoons.

(A bit warm in the afternoon)

(Completed siding and gable)

This week on my sixth trip to Beaumont, was Jimmy & Rosalynn Carters 25Th anniversary being involved with Habitat for Humanity. Though they were in Biloxi, MS., the anniversary was being celebrated at all the affiliates in the southeast.

This week we were building from ground up on three homes in Port Arthur (30 minutes south of Beaumont).

On Monday, the local press was at the site for a ceremonial wall raising. Local dignitaries were present to show their support.

Usually when I arrive, the homes are already started. This was a nice change to be part of the actual raising, installing and leveling of the interior and exterior walls.

The Americorp Group of 20 have been here for about two weeks. We also had two retired couples from Connecticut and Kansas and a few other volunteers from the Texas area.
Weather was great this week. Every day in the 80's except on Thursday-rain in the morning. (Since we could not work in the mud at the site, a few of us were assigned some inside work on Jenard Street, where I previously worked.)
There is only one home remaining and the neighborhood is complete. It was nice to return and see first hand the completed block of 30 homes. I stopped and visited a bit with Miss Bea.

Dinner was at my usual new find, Poblano Grill. It also was great to see my friend Lois (previous Habitat coordinator). We were able to have dinner on two nights and we returned to my favorite blues/jazz club, Nells on Friday night.

There still quite a bit of work to be done. Construction will continue this year in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Sabine Pass

(Our group---Me far left)

There still quite a bit of work to be done. Construction will continue this year in Beaumont, Port Arthur and Sabine Pass.

Friday January 4, 2008

We arrived last night in Hong Kong, after a long 17 hour flight. We were delayed in Chicago for 3 hours due to an air conditioning problem with the aircraft.
I was seated in coach, but the center seat was open, which made for more comfortable seating. My co-passenger on the aisle though was something else. She was an elderly women, who had no clue of who she was or where she was going. Mid flight she required oxygen, then slept the rest of the way to China.
We took at 20 min ride to the Four Seasons, checked in and went straight to the Blue Bar in the hotel. Same staff as two years ago. Great place to return.

Hotel Room View- Kowloon across Harbor

Jim spent most of the day at the Hong Kong office with his client, and I walked to Causeway Bay, the shopping district. I spent about 4 hours exploring the local stores and watching the people. My only purchase was a SIM card for my phone and bottles of headache pain herbs that work so well on Erin.




We had dinner at the top of Victoria Peak. The view was great, food was just OK.
We took the funicular, back to street level. The ride provided a spectacular view of Hong Kong at night.

On our way back to the hotel we strolled through Lan Kwai Fong. Here, the area is loaded with restaurants, bars and great night life. This is a great area for the twenty-something crowd.




We finished off our evening at The Blue Bar, our favorite place at The Four Seasons.

Saturday January 5, 2008

This morning, we took the Star Ferry over to Kowloon. The pier has been moved from where it was when we were here two years ago. The new entrance is very modern and a short walk from the hotel. We spent the day walking the busy shopping streets Kowloon and dodging all the "Rolex" watch sellers. Though the fish and meat that is being sold on the streets looked appealing, we opted for lunch at the Intercontinental Hotel, located close to the ferry. We split a large hamburger and very thin crust pizza.

After a well needed nap, we went to dinner at the Green T House. This is the same as the one located in Beijing that we thoroughly enjoyed. We were surprised that when we arrived at the restaurant, we were the only two customers. We stayed and enjoyed the meal once again. (Evidently they cater more to private functions and are located 20 minutes from Hong Kong Central) It was like having our own private dining room and servers.

Sunday January 6, 2008

Small Asian Feet.

I bought new shoes before we left home and never broke them in before arriving here. I thought it would be easy to find a pair here in Hong Kong. I walked into more stores, and finally gave up. If you ask for a size 47/48, which is a 13 US, they just about fall over laughing. "Size 11 US biggest in Asia". I have given up looking.

Once again the streets or any open space is lined with Filipino domestics. Sunday is their day off for gathering, shopping and snding packages home. It is their day off to socialize with friends.

Walked, roamed and got lost. Finally made it back to The Four Seasons mid afternoon. Jim came back from the office and we went back out to a store he visited the day before and purchased 2 tablecloths for our dining room table.

Monday January 7, 2008

I tooked the Ferry again today to Kowloon and spent most of the afternoon walking Nathan Street and the surrounding neighboring areas. It is surprising how the shops and people change from one block to the next. Vendors selling fish, meat and vegetables, lining the streets that are backing up to some very high end stores.

Chinese women are very pushy. The will knock you out of line or off the street in a minute.

Dinner tonight was at Zest, a reecomendation Jim received from the local office. Very good food, reasonable and located near Lan Kwai Fong.

Tuesday January 8, 2008

Walked, got lost, walked, got lost, all over Hong Kong. I think I have seen for vendors selling womens underwear then anyplace we have visited. Every shape, color and style. (This is one item I will not take orders nor will I shop I bring bags back to the states.)

Dinner at M at the Fringe. Excellent. We were here two years ago and also in their other restaurant M on the Bund in Shanghai last year for New Years Eve.

Jim has finished his work at the office this afternoon, so he will be able to enjoy the sights over the next few days.

Wednesday January 9, 2008

Great tourist day in Hong Kong. We took the MTR (which is identetical to the tube in London) to Ngong Ping which is on Lantau Island. Buddha is located here via a 30 minute sky tram ride. The view was spectacular on the tram though you really can see all the smog over the island. The tram travels next to the Hong Kong airport. Luckily it is not crossing on any runway.

Jim

Me

The film below is about 5 minutes in length and covers our subway ride to our lunch at the foot of Buddha.

Dinner tonight was at Felix in the Penninsula Hotel on Kowloon. The dinner was very good, but the highlight is the mens room. Three urinals are placed by the window, for a fantastic view of the city.

Thursday January 10, 2008

Today is our final day in Hong Kong. We took the street trolley to Causeway Bay, where we walked the many streets, stopping at the various street vendors. Below is just a small example of the fish, meat vegetable stands that can be found on the side streets in Hong Kong.

We returned to Gaia, one of our favorite Italian restaurants we had dinner at two years ago. Nice place with a small banquet room, dining room and tables for outdoor dining.

The flight back to Chicago, left on time Friday morning at 11:30A. I was once again fortunate to have the all three seats to myself. This made for a very comfortable 14 hour flight and plenty of room to streach out and sleep. It certainly helped on not having the jet lag last all weekend.

For the remaining digital photos: Click Here

Sabine Pass - After the Storm

I arrived in Houston to start trip number 5 for Habitat for Humanity, based in Beaumont Texas. (I find it hard to understand that Katrina/Rita occurred over two years ago and people/families are still living in trailers and the rebuilding is still going on)

When I was deplaning in Houston I saw a gate agent who caught my eye. After a closer look I realized that she worked for me and later I think I fired at Midway some 15 years ago. Though she gets around the airlines, I made no attempt to make contact.

Also, for the first time in almost 30 years of travelling, my second bag containing work shoes and tools did not arrive. Fortunately, it was sent to Beaumont later Sunday night.

After I checked into the hotel I took a ride to our new location, Sabine Pass.

Sabine is 35 miles southeast of Beaumont.
The ride took me through the refineries and the intracoastal waterway.
On the way back I thought the weather was changing, but noticed that a large field was burning. The growing season has ended and it they probably were clearing the the fields. The heat could be felt from the fire as I drove past the field.

I was disappointed to learn that my favorite evening stop, Rocky's, was closed. I stopped a few blocks away at Kings Pub. Miller Lite in a can and bug on the bar made me quickly decide that I will not return.

Monday October 29, 2007

This week I will be working with a church group of twelve, from Cedar Rapids, Iowa, a couple from Michigan, and until tomorrow, eight from Americorp. (Their assignment will end and they will be driving back to Denver)
We will be working on two homes that will be occupied by people who have always lived in Sabine. Margaret is in her early 70's is full blood Cherokee Indian, and Phylis, mid 30's, both lost there homes in Hurricane Rita.
Margaret's home did not have a mortgage and was on the lot she owns before it was totally destroyed. Her husband died just before Rita from West Nile Virus. Her adult children all live in the area and currently is living in a trailer on her property. She commented, that if not for the volunteers, people here would not have any hope.

(Margaret )

(FEMA TRAILER)(Margarets Future Home)

(Beneath the home)

Phyllis, was renting a home with her 3 children, twins 10 years old and son 17. The entire inside was also destroyed. She was able to purchase the land where her new home will be built and is currently living in a FEMA trailer in Sabine with her three children.

The homes will be similar size to those on Jenard street, but must be built on stilts 12 feet above sea level.

Our first day is always is a bit unorganized. We are waiting to some inspections on Margaret's home, so work on Monday was limited.
I went to dinner with Lois, the previous volunteer coordinator. We had a nice evening catching up since my last visit. She also introduced me to Poblano Grill nearby, that I really enjoyed.

Tuesday October 30,2007

We worked on Phyllis' house today putting up the side plywood. There is no power on the property, so the nailing is done the old fashioned way.

(Back/Phylis house)

Phyliss stopped by this afternoon to say "thanks" and to meet the group. She has lived in Sabine her whole life and wants to remain here. Phylis bought the property from an elderly couple that had their home destroyed and decided to move. The cost of the property was $1500.

(Phylis standing)

Any home that sustained damage by Rita, could be repaired if less than 50% was damaged. If more than 50%, then the house was destroyed and a new home could be built, but only on the stilts. Last year the team from Extreme Makeover built the fire house an school auditorium. (We were able to purchase a DVD copy of the show) The school has grades K-12 with about 250 total students. Because the school is new, many parents have their children sent from Port Arthur to attend.

(New School)

(New Firehouse)

She has been in the trailer for almost two years and is hoping that she will be in by Christmas.Lunch today was at Skeeters. A small building that you would never think to stop in and eat. The food is great and staffed by the local women.

(Skeeters)

I still wonder why people stay here in Sabine. It is a very small town and not really anything going on. Though it seems that most of the people have their whole family living there. It makes Mayberry seem like the big city.

Wednesday October 31, 2007

The women in our group were sent to Beaumont to complete indoor painting of another home. The guys were left to work in Sabine. Today we did hurricane clips, attic floor and misc carpentry. It was a nice opportunity to work the the crew from Cedar Rapids, all of whom are allot of fun to be around.

(Attic crawlspace floor)

When the day was finished, I made a visit to Miss Bea and her mother on Jenard Street. Both are doing well and the block is almost complete. One more home will be built in January. This will be an ALL Women build, which I understand they do once or twice a year.

There are 75 children occupying the Habitat homes on this block.

Thursday November 1, 2007

Today was wall wrapping, window installation and reinforcing walls for cabinets and bathroom fixtures. The weather has been great. Not one day of rain and temperatures in the 70's & low 80's. Unusually warm for this time of year in southeast Texas.

We are at the Holiday Inn in Beaumont, though I am sure we could have gotten a better rate here.

( Robert (Habitat Lead) & Brock from Iowa & me)

Friday November 2, 2007

The final day of work in Southeast Texas before I leave for home on Saturday.

Today we met at the Habitat warehouse in Beaumont. We loaded some supplies to prepare for the 10 day two house blitz build that will begin on Monday. The area is in Beaumont and run down. The low income housing/apartments located across the street are in the process of being demolished to make way for new housing. The buildings were evacuated after Rita.

(To be destroyed)

Here we installed base plates on one of the two homes and built pink saw horses for the blitz. This kept us busy until 11:30. After lunch the church group that we enjoyed working with this week, packed up and started their road trip back to Cedar Rapids.

(Base Plates)

(Lunch on our new horses)

The couple from Michigan and myself were then sent over to do some trim work on a home that is being built by local church volunteers. This home is a Saturday only build that the have been working on for about 10 weeks.

(Saturday Church build)

Once again I enjoyed meeting future homeowners and hearing their stories. It is also a pleasure to work and get to know other volunteers and hear what brought them here.

Each and every time I am here, I find that most of the future owners remain positive even though they lost all material items including their homes. They see the light at the end of the tunnel and are grateful to have survived.

It would be nice say "we're done". But unfortunately the progress is very slow with many hurdles and red tape. Many will wait even longer to get their lives and homes back to sense of normalcy.