Alagaesian

Have you ever wished you could fly?  Here’s an idea how.

But seriously, this is a nice video I bumped into on Youtube.  You can look at the channel by clicking on this link. 

Lesson learned:  There’s always a way to reach your dreams.  Think out of the box.

Went up to Geilo for a ski trip last weekend with some friends.  Geilo is about 3 hours east of Bergen and 3.5 hours west of Oslo.  The sentrum is about 800 meters above sea level with peaks and ski slopes from 1200 meters above sea level.

We got to the cottage at about 9pm after a 3 hour train ride from Bergen.  The sky was amazingly clear with stars in bright contrast against the dark.  Temperature about -9 to -17 degrees Celcius.  The snow around the cottage was waist deep up to a meter high so I had to do some shoveling the next morning. 

The shoveling was a nice warm up before the real workout.  It was my 5th time on skis i think and did a 3-hour run on the cross country tracks on Saturday amidst blowing wind and snow, and another 2 hours on Sunday (this time with calm weather and light snow).  Run might not be the right word as I also had countless falls and did some acrobatic exhibitions a couple of times. 

Still a long way to go before I can really perfect skiing, a bit frustrating as well after all the falls.  But overall it was fun, not to mention a nice workout (haven’t been to the gym lately as it has been crazy working nights in the office the past week).

All the skiing and falls worked my appetite for the good hearty dinners cooked by Kari and Anita.  While the guys were making the fire and getting settled, the girls were busy working their magic in the kitchen.  We had tomato soup on Friday night like nothing I’ve tasted before (will have to get that recipe soon!) and a Filipino delicacy called pancit canton (canton noodles) prepared by Anita on Saturday.  Probably gained a couple of pounds from all the eating over the weekend.

It was a nice and relaxing weekend getaway.  I have decided to frequent the cottage this winter until I finally learn how to cross country or do alpine.  

Technorati Tags: Geilo, winter, ski

Took me 3 hours to organize my photos to a movie format. 

As you will see in the video – the Sharm is a nice place to escape the cold and dark winter days in Europe.

I guess it is a regular type of resort which you can also see in the Canary Islands, etc. The only difference is – instead of just drinking beer, you have the option to try out a wide range of egyptian tea, or how about the water pipe?

Technorati Tags: egypt, sharm el sheikh, holiday

You would think that after Christmas, you will be able to put your over-used wallet to rest for at least some months. 

Until you see all the Sale signs everywhere. 

Most of the stuff I bought this afternoon are half price which is a very good deal.  I also got a nice Bergan’s of Norway jacket which is not discounted (costed Kr 3500, about US 522)  though but I nevertheless bought.  I’m fed up of always getting wet and counting casualties out of my umbrellas.  It’s also a pretty cool jacket for skiing. 

It also has a RECCO chip on the sleeve.  Recco is an avalanche reflector which needs no batteries or maintenance.  It uses radar technology to quickly locate avalanche victims.  Not that I’m a hardcore skiier or something – but who knows?  I’m taking skiing lessons in Geilo later this month.

Technorati Tags: bergans, recco, ski, skiing, geilo

After 74 days of rain, we finally had our first snowfall this winter.  25 centimeters on my balcony this morning. 

And then it rained.

We still have a couple of days of snow in the forecast this week.

Technorati Tags: bergen, snow

Egypt Dec 2006b009

Originally uploaded by alagaesian.

Egyptians are really nice people. They only get to eager when they see tourists – especially in tourist places like Khan al Kalili (largest market place in Cairo) and Sharm el Sheikh.

There’s not a minute that we weren’t asked where we where from and our names in their attempt to invite us in the souvenir shops to sell their wares. Usually tea, perfume or papyrus. After a week of trying to resist their offers – I ended up buying one of each.

We tested the tea and they seemed good and they claimed it to be healthy. I bought mint tea and some other health alternatives. Perfume called ‘Ramses’ which they claimed to be a concentrated extract actually smells like Cool Water. The papyrus I’m just happy to get as it will be a nice reminder of my Egyptian holiday.

Egypt Dec 2006b103

Originally uploaded by alagaesian.

It’s an amazing experience having a traditional dinner with the Bedoines (local Sinai people – not sure if spelled correctly though). They made us some sort of flat bread which I imagine is something that the old people did back in the old testament of the bible.

Dinner was great, especially their local tea!

After dinner, we just layed on the desert sand and watched the sky – i’ve never seen the sky so clear. We had to move though shortly as we’re slowly freezing.

Never thought that it could be that cold in the desert. The temperature drops 10 degrees from day to night!

69 days with rain in Bergen. 

The old record was 59 days from 2 December 1974 to 29 January 1975.

There are now some dry days being forecasted next week.  We’ll see about that…

Technorati Tags: Bergen, rain

My first post for the new year.

I came back early this week from a sunny holiday in Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt.  It was great to get some sun after months of wet weather in Bergen. 

I should now be recharged with vitamin C & D which should last me until April.  I’m now booking my Easter holidays in Boracay, Philippines (voted one of the best beaches in the world). 

Technorati Tags: Sharm el Sheikh, Egypt, Boracay, Philippines, 2007