Long past time for an update, I'd say. We haven't done any work on the house this summer, both because we were focused on our trip to Asia, and because it's too damn hot here in the summer. Well, it's now September, so it's time to get going on the house before it gets too cold. As we start up some serious work, we'll post some more pics. In the mean time, we've got some pictures of our trip to share. Here's just a few of the pictures I took. As we upload Hun's pics, and retrieve the pictures that are at the lab, we'll add a few more. In the mean time, enjoy...

Joel

We started our trip off with an uneventful flight from DC to LA. We were actually pretty relieved that it was uneventful, as we left 24 hours after the British bomb scare story broke. We really felt pretty safe, in no small part due to the two Federal Air Marshals sitting behind us. I hope their training in marksmanship and tactics are better than their training in staying undercover. They were pretty damn obvious, as were their ankle holsters. We had a 12 hour layover in LA, so we made the most of it by leaving the airport and heading to Santa Monica for a few hours. After walking around for quite a while, and getting some lunch, it was decided that a manicure/pedicure was in order. I really couldn't argue, as my toenails were pretty gross, and I knew I'd be wearing sandals for a few weeks. After surviving my first manicure/pedicure (all 20 nails were as glossy as the clear coat on a brand new Mercedes), it was time to meet up with Sharon, James and Sandra for dinner. Some good shrimp and french bread were consumed and many laughs shared. Sharon kindly shuttled us back to the airport in time to enjoy the business class lounge. After a couple beers and a snack it was time to board. MMMMM, biz class. The oh so yummy orange juice flowed like water. I managed to sleep 6 or 7 hours, which made the 15 hour flight a lot easier. As we approached Hong Kong, the pilot informed us that there had been a problem with the landing gear on takeoff (Hun and I both noticed it took an unusual length of runway to get off the ground) and we would have to stop on the taxiway to have it checked out. After sitting on the taxiway for 5 minutes, the pilot told us that we couldn't taxi to the gate, so the mechanics would change the wheel while we waited. 5 minutes later, the pilot came back on the PA to tell us that the change would take longer than expected, so he was requesting busses and stairs to come out and meet us on the taxiway. Everyone packed up and lined up to deplane, but after 10-15 minutes, the pilot returned and told us that Hong Kong Tower wouldn't let the busses come out on the taxiway and that we would have to wait up to an hour to resolve the issue. Everyone groaned and headed back to their seats. just as we got re-settled, the pilot came back one last time, chuckling, to say that the tower had relented and we would be off the plane very soon.

I wish I had my camera in hand as we deplaned. Walking out on the taxiway right next to a 747, watching the mechanics literally jack up a jumbo jet, with the water and the mountains and the sunrise, it was all very cool. A shower in the Hong Kong biz class lounge and some breakfast was followed by a 2 hour hop to Bangkok. Did you know there is a golf course between the runways at Bangkok? A sliced shot could easily wind up on the runway. A little bizarre, to say the least.

The next morning we boarded an early flight to Phnom Penh. That's where I started to take some pictures, so stay tuned to the next post, it will be a bit more interesting, I promise.

Joel