Images from Abu Dhabi

I just came back from a trip to Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates where I checked out the new Abu Dhabi Triathlon with its unique distance 3km swim, 200km bike and 20km run. Prize money for the event is $230,000 for the Pros and $20,000 for the amateurs ($1,000 for each age group winner.) Wow.

Below are a few images from the trip:

The Check-In counter at Etihad Airlines



I was very comfortable on the flight



Reading Trizophrenia by Jef Mallett on the trip



We stayed in the Shangri La hotel



The view over the pool



The Grand Mosque is just across the river



Returning from a run along the river



One night this car was parked in front of our hotel



We got to visit the stunning Sheikh Zayed Grand Mosque



Beautiful from every angle indeed



As most of us wore shorts we were given a Kandura to wear



Stunning colors and artwork everywhere



Lots of Italian marble was used in the creation of the mosque



Our tour guide took us also to Heritage Village



James from 220 Triathlon in the UK makes a friend



The view from Heritage Village to modern Abu Dhabi and all its construction



The very luxurious Emirates Palace Hotel is quite a landmark



The swim course behind the Emirates Palace Hotel



Part of the race will be on this 5 Lane highway which will be shut down for the triathlon



Here is the run turnaround of the event



Amazing local food offerings



We also visited the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital



A variety of feathers are available to repair broken wings



Putting this patient from Pakistan to sleep



A broken wing feather had caused imbalance



This Falcon is almost good to go



About 5 minutes after the operation the patient is good to go



With an Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital resident on my arm



The trip to Abu Dhabi was fantastic, but now it is time to go home

Abu Dhabi soon

Next week I am heading to Abu Dhabi for a few days to check out a new race venue. I am super exited as I have never been to that part of the world before. Lots of things to see for sure. Plus my passport will enjoy the exotic stamp.

Poor little fellow

One day when Amy and I walked back to our Condo in Kona we noticed this little fellow who seemed to have had some unfortunate encounters. :-(

Impressive speech

No need for an intro here, this man says it all.

Impressive display

The former Bayer AG headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany was transformed with 5.6 million LED lights into a huge display of colors. Wow

Some Ironman Hawaii 2009 impressions

Defending champion Craig Alexander contemplates the task ahead as the sun is coming up.



Amy volunteered at the 2009 Ford Ironman World Championships in the swim-bike transition.



... as Navy seals parachuted in just before the start.



The Pro men and women awaiting the start signal.



The age group athletes are slowly easing into the water.



Many of the Pro men are lined up like a string of pearls as they come over the horizon. My buddy Luke McKenzie is in the front here.



Andreas Raelert and Craig Alexander just passed Faris Al-Sultan in pursuit of the leaders Chris Lieto and Chris McCormack.



We grabbed dinner at Huggo's on the Rocks to stay strong until midnight.



The view from the restaurant was spectacular



Just like the year before, Amy and I waited for the last person to cross the finish line.



2009 winners Chrissie Wellington and Craig Alexander greet and embrace the last finisher just a few seconds before midnight.

Images from Maui 2009

After an endless trip on Thursday we arrived safely and with all of our bags in Maui late last night. We pretty much passed out when we got into our room and woke up relatively early. 5am Maui time / 11am Eastern Standard Time.

The stunning view in front of our hotel in Wailea



Amy loves the beach



The view from the main hotel pool is just spectacular



A scenic and windy view on our way to our run



At the start of the Waihe'e Ridge Trail run today (Thank you Lauren for that tip)



Up and up and up and up



Not exactly the end of the trail, but the turnaround point to go back down



A quick pic before heading downhill and trying not to squint with all that sunscreen in my eyes



And down the hill we go, yeah



Although mostly downhill, there were a few tiny uphill sections



Mama's Fish House was a highly recommended restaurant choice and we had lunch there after the run



The view from our table is hard to beat



The food looked and tasted fantastic

Milk, it does...

Milk is said to do a body good, but in Germany it appears that milk does a few fields good. Well, we are looking at farmers protesting low milk prices.

Well, well

This might have been the longest break I have taken from this blog. Maybe I have too many things going on. :-)

Julie Bower

Police woman Julie Bower of Broward County, Dog the Bounty Hunter wants his haircut back. :-)

Beautiful spot

This Coca Cola spot won an Emmy for outstanding commercial and deservedly so.

The September 2010 target

On Monday I registered for the 2010 Ironman Wisconsin in Madison, Wisconsin. Race date is September 12, 2010. Below is the list of folks who qualified this year for the Ironman World Championships in Kona, Hawaii. Well, they qualified in this year's race for the 2011 race in Hawaii. But that gives me a rough idea how fast I will have to be next year in Madison if I want to race in Kona in 2012. :-)

Happy Birthday Mama

Ich wuensche dir alles liebe zum Geburtstag.

A nice visit...

Paul and Anita came to visit us this weekend and they arrived Friday evening. Pete was very excited to see them, and they were equally happy to see Pete. After showing them around in the new home we went out for dinner to the Village Tavern in Reynolda Village. We ate outside and the temperatures were perfect indeed. We chatted forever and got home pretty late.

Saturday morning we headed out for a bike ride and did about 45 miles



Are you taking a picture of me?



It was a beautiful day for a bike ride



Cruising along Baltimore Road towards Flint Hill Road



Amy, Paul and Anita in our driveway after the ride



I was wearing an older kit from the Wangener Rad Union



Late lunch at Ollie's bakery and Paul and Anita had tomato soup and focaccia bread



Amy and I had salmon and cream cheese on delicious rolls



I love strawberry tarts with custard. Yum



Paul could not wait digging into that chocolate cake



Everybody looks a bit confused after a light afternoon nap



After dinner at Mozelle's Saturday night we walked back to our house



Sunday morning we did a trail run at Salem Lake and after getting cleaned up we had brunch at 1st Street Draught House. Another place that is in relative easy walking distance from our house. Food was very good and the place itself is quite nice. Anita and Paul both said that this would be their favorite hang out if they lived as close to that place. But commuting there from Chattanooga would be quite a stretch.

Pretty impressive drawing skills

Senator Al Franken showing that he can draw a map of the USA from memory at the Minnesota State Fair.

Jordan Rapp wins Ironman Canada

Wow, my buddy Jordan Rapp won the Ironman Canada last weekend. Overall that is.
Congrats Jordan, that was an amazing win.

Ants, ants and more ants

If you served coffee to a guest in the designer coffee cup below you better be ready that it gets dropped on the table or the floor. After all, who wants "ants" in their coffee?