Mark'sWorld 2003
BeerMap locations covered in this photo-only issue for 2003: Dominican Republic, Vail, Ft. Lauderdale & South Beach, Greece, Dubai, Malaysia, New Zealand, the Maldives, South Africa, Thailand, Maui, Seattle, the UK, Venice & Norway.
Heather, Jim and I snowmobile to 12,400 feet, although we had to take the guide's word for this as it was a white-out and we couldn't see jack.
We enjoy a beverage after a day skiing (or snowboarding) at Keystone. Well, maybe not a day, but several hours at least.
(September) With nothing but time, I take a month to reprise my infamous Asia expedition of four years ago. This time traveling around Asia, the Middle East, Africa and New Zealand.
A couple of days in the United Arab Emirates. The ultra-modern Dubai skyline. For a Moslim country, the UAE are very tolerant, so much so that I stayed up way too late and got trashed in all the downtown western bars.
A scenic post-regurgitation portrait amongst the dunes of the Saudi Peninsula.
I'm acosted by a friendly baby camel.
A few days in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Here the Petronas Towers, the world's tallest building, made famous by co-starring in "Entrapment" with Catherine Zeta Jones' ass.
An ancient Hindu temple that's up in the limestone caves near KL. That's a lot of friggin' steps in 250% humidity.
Auckland, New Zealand. Here the harbor and world-champion Kiwi racing 12m America's Cup yachts, just steps from the hotel.
The Auckland Sky Tower. Of course I picked the most miserable day all week to visit the top. Where, for those with bigger balls than me, can pay to bungie jump from the ledge.
The beautiful city park in Christchurch, NZ, the town where I watched American football on the biggest sports bar screen I've ever heard of; over two stories.
A chilly day aboard the classic lake steamer in Queenstown, NZ, home of extreme sports such as bungie jumping and drunk bungie jumping.
Penang, a "resort" island off the west coast of Malaysia. A pretty poor, dingy place I thought. Here's one of the many fabulous Chinese temple/community halls. This one where they filmed "Anna and the King."
A a few pints with some Aussie soldiers at the cool Hong Kong Bar where the walls are covered with US, British, Aussie and Kiwi military unit plaques and mementos.
Paradise on earth: the Maldive Islands. Thousands of islands in chain of atolls running north-south through the equator in the middle of the Indian Ocean. An Islamic country, most of the islands are off limits to tourists and the highest elevation in the country is about four feet.
I spent four days on tiny "Fun Island" (not it's real name), where all there was to do was sit in the sun, drink with English tourists and listen to exquisitely bad karaoke.
Also, the best snorkelling I've ever experienced and completely beyond description.
This is the view 10 steps out from my beach bungalow.
One day I rented a sea kayak and explored some of the neighboring uninhabited islands.
Possibly the highlight and most surprising stop on the trip: Cape Town, South Africa. Here's a view of famous Table Mountain, the magnificent backdrop to the city, on one of five very sunny, warm days of my stay.
The city's setting is incredible. Nestled on rugged, rocky coast with many sandy bays and inlets, the town spreads out to the south around the foot of the mountain, along the shore, each neighborhood has its own beach, spetacular setting and character.
A panoramic view of Cape Town from the top of Table Mountain. Which to reach I subjected myself to a rigorous and sweaty climb as the line for the cable car was about two hours long.
My hotel is near the beach to the left of Lion Mountain, the pointy peak.
Lion Mountain from my hotel room.
More of the Cape Town coast south of the city with Lion and Table Mountains in the distance.
The Cape of Good Hope, incorrectly believed by many to be the most southerly point in Africa (it's actually a long-ass drive on a dirt road several hours further south east; however I did see a wild ostrich).
More coastline.
A cuddly hyrax. Which looks like a rodent but is actually a relative of the elephant. I'm not making this stuff up.
A penguin from the local colony.
When in South Africa, cage dive with great whites, the saying goes. A couple hours south of the city, myself and several other insane tourists visit the seasonal feeding grounds for these huge beasts.
A little reluctant at first, I was the last one to go down in the cage (that's me). But once underwater with the animals swimming within reaching distance (we had strict instructions NOT to stick our hands out of the cage, as if we would), I forgot my anxiety and watched in awe. A once-in-a-lifetime experience!
The boat's skipper is able to rub their noses and lips without incident. They actually seem to enjoy it.
Phuket, Thailand, a resort island famous for cheap beer and inexpensive hookers. A view from the very nice hotel down to the spot in town where I was bitten in the face by a monkey (at home, I ended up getting a serious of uncomfortable and expensive rabies shots in the ass).
A day trip to the incredible jungle-coated limestone islands that protrude straight from the sea.
Our tour was conducted by long-tail boats, essentially a propeller attached to a semi-truck engine by a 30 foot drive shaft.
The cool, but very touristy Muslim fishing village built completely on stilts.
A cave through which the boats travel.
"James Bond Island" where "The Man with the Golden Gun" was filmed. If you remember the film, then this needle-like island will look familiar as the spot where Scaramanga's solar panel emerged.
(October) Upon my return from Asia, Cathy throws a great surprise 40th birthday party for me.
(October) On our annual pilgrimage to Hawaii, we spend several days on Maui. Scenery from the famous road to Hana.
(November) Cathy and I travel to Seattle for our annual Husky game, this time the Dawgs dismember Cathy's highly-ranked Oregon Ducks. Shawn, Andrew and I visit John, Beth and Chris in Tacoma. Michelle, Sam and I commiserate with Heather on her move to New Jersey.
(November) Tophie, KJ and I visit the London Eye during Cathy and my annual Thanksgiving trip to London. Anna, Jim, Cathy and I eat Scottish food, get drunk and aimlessly wander the streets of London.
On this year's European side trip, Cathy, Kay, Phil and I spend a few days in a beautiful and rainy Venice. The view of the Grand Canal from our fabulous hotel room. Cathy on one of the innumerable bridges.
A few pre-dinner drinks at one of the many sidewalk cafes. An afternoon walk.
Back in London, we head out for drinks. Not being able to resist the low inter-Europe fares and never having been there, I head over to Norway for a night. Here Stavanger, a quaint but expensive Viking fishing town.
(December) Jim and I attend the Xmas Ball at Anna's family's yacht club outside NY City. Cathy and I celebrate Jodi and Mike's wedding on New Year's Eve in Portland, Maine.