Meakin's 10000 "Super Strong Beer"

Had dinner with some relatives last night, tried a crazy beer, another item that keeps the Indian Armed Forces angry. The thing I noticed immediately (and this was corroborated by the 3 physicians in the room) was an unmistakable odor/flavour of formaldehyde... a truly filthy beer-like beverage. Egads. Upsets me just to think about it again. The label says that the alcohol content is "Between 5 and 10%" - how do they get away with that??? The label also says "Possession By Persons Other Than Defence Personnel Is Strictly Prohibited." Personally, I'm thinking it's practically the height of irresponsibility to serve this beverage to individuals with access to weapons of any kind... I'se outta here. <img alt="Meakin's" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/Picture002.jpg" width="400"><br />Had dinner with some relatives last night, tried a crazy beer, another item that keeps the Indian Armed Forces angry. The thing I noticed immediately (and this was corroborated by the 3 physicians in the room) was an unmistakable odor/flavour of formaldehyde... a truly filthy beer-like beverage. Egads. Upsets me just to think about it again. The label says that the alcohol content is "Between 5 and 10%" - how do they get away with that??? The label also says "Possession By Persons Other Than Defence Personnel Is Strictly Prohibited." Personally, I'm thinking it's practically the height of irresponsibility to serve this beverage to individuals with access to weapons of any kind... I'se outta here.

A quick stop in Dubai

En route to India, a quick, 12 hour layover in Dubai. Don't know why I've never eaten at the Bastakiah Nights restaurant, in, well, Bastakiah. It's my favorite part of Dubai, I always try to come to this area (for the mint lemonades, especially), but now I know. Of course, we also hit my other favorite stop in Dubai, the Turkish Hammam at the One & Only Royal Mirage, where both management and attendants now know be by name, and without fail juggle appointments to fit my schedule. They have my loyalty, definitely! Dinner later that night was also very interesting, Spectrum on One at the Dubai Fairmont - 8 interactive kitchens, 6 different cuisines - think upscale foodcourt with table service.

Also had another excellent Chateau Musar Blanc, this time a 1999. Less complex than the 98, more yellow than orange, very smoky, and less of the sherry-like characteristics one reads about. Paired with hammour, a local fish from the gulf, done as an Indian-style kebab, called Nimbu ki Boti. I was a bit surprised by the pairing, as I don't much care for wine with fish, I don't like the interaction, but this was very cleansing. I am wondering if the oxidised style is responsible. <img alt="bastakiyah" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/IMGP0073.jpg" width="400"><br />En route to India, a quick, 12 hour layover in Dubai. Don't know why I've never eaten at the <a href="http://www.bastakiah.com/" target="_blank">Bastakiah Nights</a> restaurant, in, well, Bastakiah. It's my favorite part of Dubai, I always try to come to this area (for the mint lemonades, especially), but now I know. Of course, we also hit my other favorite stop in Dubai, the Turkish Hammam at the One & Only Royal Mirage, where both management and attendants now know be by name, and without fail juggle appointments to fit my schedule. They have my loyalty, definitely! Dinner later that night was also very interesting, <a href="http://www.fairmont.com/dubai/GuestServices/Restaurants/SpectrumonOne.htm" target="_blank">Spectrum on One</a> at the Dubai Fairmont - 8 interactive kitchens, 6 different cuisines - think upscale foodcourt with table service.<br /><br />Also had another excellent Chateau Musar Blanc, this time a 1999. Less complex than the 98, more yellow than orange, very smoky, and less of the sherry-like characteristics one reads about. Paired with hammour, a local fish from the gulf, done as an Indian-style kebab, called Nimbu ki Boti. I was a bit surprised by the pairing, as I don't much care for wine with fish, I don't like the interaction, but this was very cleansing. I am wondering if the oxidised style is responsible.

Indo-Malaysian Bobsled Team Victorious!

Even set a Lake Placid speed record. For Indo-Malaysian Bobsled Teams.



Great weekend of skiing at Whiteface. No one injured. We didn't burn down the house either. Ohkagura Honjozo by the isshobin in the snow. Tremendous. Even set a Lake Placid speed record. For Indo-Malaysian Bobsled Teams.<br /><br /><img alt="Photobucket" border="0" src="http://i178.photobucket.com/albums/w250/orie0704/IMGP3336.jpg" width="400"><br /><br />Great weekend of skiing at Whiteface. No one injured. We didn't burn down the house either. Ohkagura Honjozo by the <i>isshobin</i> in the snow. Tremendous.