Back to Dallas after 3 days in Los Angeles

Yet again on a plane, now flying from Los Angeles LAX airport to Dallas. I spent four interesting days learning new stuff at Microsoft PDC09 event (Professional Developers Conference) with announcements around Windows Azure etc. Useful week I have to say and still one day to go.

Los Angeles, CA for a few days

I am on my way to Los Angeles for a conference and very excited about it as Microsoft will now publicly announce Windows Azure, its cloud computing platform. I am staying there until Thursday and unfortunately did not get upgraded on my way there but will be flying business coming back.

Flight via Paris to Dallas, Texas had some issues

I returned to Dallas via Paris and of course it was delayed in Paris due to a technical issue but fortunately the issue was cleared. I was upgraded to business so I had the opportunity relax and sleep some during the flight. One week and I am good again for another trip, this time to Los Angeles.

A week in Helsinki is behind

I had a productive week in Helsinki with numerous meetings with different companies. The weather was typical for this time of the year.... dark, rainy and we even got snow one day... I heard that it is still more then +25 centigrades in Dallas which is sweet....

The flight between New York and Helsinki was sweet..

I was lucky, Finnair upgraded me for my flight over the Atlantic. I was able to sleep, work and enjoy the flight.... Thank your Finnair!

Amazing flight between Dallas - New York

I was lucky even if the storm almost screwed my flight... I had a good discussion with a President of a very well known brand sitting with me and discussing about life, career and other fun stuff. Now I am sitting in business class flying from New York to Helsinki...cool, very cool...

Finland on my mind: Fall weather in Helsinki

Well, it was fun as long as it lasted... Dallas, my home, is without me for a week as I am on my way to Finland for a week. The weather here in Dallas is aweful, a front from north is approaching, the temperature will drop from 79 Fahrenheit to 55 in matter of hours but I am sure that it will be bad in Helsinki as well... I will have a bunch of meetings so I am good with any weather!

A week in Seattle behind

Yet another week away from home.... This time the weather was pretty rainy, but very successful from business perspective. I am in Dallas for a few days and then I have to fly to Helsinki again for a week... Miles get clocking....

Seattle, Redmond, Bellevue in my mind

A week in my home city and now it is time for travel again. I am headed to Seattle, Tacoma to have meetings for the whole week. The weather in Dallas is beautiful this early morning and I have had my first triple grade soy latte.... Life is good...

Finally back in Dallas, Texas

The change of plane in Frankfurt was too tight, I just barely made my flight. We were 9 passangers that had to get off the Finnair flight and run to American Airlines flight 71 to Dallas. We were running like crazy, but made it. I was upgraded to business and had a very pleasant flight. Dallas is cold to this time of the year (52 degrees).

On my way to Dallas, Texas from Finland

A week is behind and I am on my way back to Dallas via Frankfurt Germany. The week was very successful, meetings and the weather was very fall-like with snow coming in northern part of Finland. It will be nice to get back home.

Finally in Finland

Finally in Helsinki, Finland after a long trip via New York to Helsinki (from Dallas). It feels strange as the weather is below zero and the fall is here. The contrast between Finland and Dallas at this point in time is huge. The sun is shining, so life is good!

I am on my way to Helsinki again, via New York

It stinks, I did not make my upgrade to first class, so it is going to be coachall the way to Helsinki. Finland got its first snow yesterday, so the difference between Dallas and Helinski weather is huge at this point in time. It is raining in Dallas today.

Business trip to Seattle/Redmond is almost over

Finally I am on the plane in Seattle-Tacoma airport on my way back to Dallas. It has rained the whole week in Dallas and the sun has shined in almost every day. My flight is delayed for almost 3 hours so I will be home around midnight... huh...

Seattle, Redmond for a week

It is time to spend a week in Seattle, Redmond Campus. Like before, I am still amazed how large this country is. It takes more than 4 hours to fly from Dallas to Seattle-Tacoma airport. It has rained 4 days in Dallas, so I am ready for the nice sunshine in Seattle.

Two weeks in Finland was productive

I am back on the Helsinki Vantaa airport waiting on my flight back home to Texas. I came here 2 weeks ago via New York, and messed my flight schedule as I did not realize that there were 2 Friday evening flights to Helsinki so I spent 6 hours in the New York American Airlines Admirals Club waiting for my flight. At least I got some work done. The flight to Helsinki was good, but had to sit in coach which was not fun. Now I am flying back to Dallas via New York (coach again) but will have First Class from New York to Dallas. The weather in Finland has been warm, pretty sunny and the trip was a success overall.

Final leg on our vacation

Getting onshore from the cruise ship was effortless and easy. The only thing we would have wished that the cruiseline would have told us that we were able to make-up our delay from Grand Cayman Islands. We took a cab from the Ft Lauderdale port to Miami International airport (MIA) and this was a 30 min ride and cost me 81 dollars. At the MIA airport we used the comfortable Admirals Club and the only thing I would have wished is to get a direct flight to Dallas and not via Nashville... Well, we will be home tonight in DFW and that is what matters.

Two days sailing from Panama Canals to Ft Lauderdale

We spent two full days on the Carnival Freedom cruise ship enjoying the beautiful weather and the amendnities of the ship. The ship has a large gym (I used it 3 times during the 8 day cruise) with machines and free weights and it is on the uppermost deck with beautiful scenery over the waters.

We also had to do an emergency stop at Grand Cayman as somebody had to be taken for emergency surgery and this delayed us a little but the current and the crew was able to make it back during the rest of the cruise. We came in to Fort Lauderdale early Sunday morning 9th.

The most interesting excursion during the 4 years of Caribbean cruises (Panama) and 17+ Caribbean Islands

Yesterday was the most interesting day so far during our 17+ islands of exploration so far. We woke up 5.30 AM to get ready for a full day of exploration of Panama City, Panama Canals and Colon, the second largest free port on the earth after Hong Kong. We drove for an hour from Colon to Panama City (second town) that is being completely rebuilt by the protection of Unesco and this city project will take 10 years. From there we moved for lunch to the business city with all of the banking centers etc. And finally to the old city where everything started. On our way back to the ship, we visited the canal locks at the Caribbean side and that sight was impressive! I have always wanted to see the Panama Canal and this dream came true yesterday. I hope to be able to revisit Panama soon.

Limon, Costa Rica day

The morning started in an interesting way. The Costa Rican officials refused to let the passangers to get off the ship.... more than an hour of negotiations and we do not know the reason for it other than Carnival HQ in Miami getting involved in the discussion.

We participated today into an excursion that took us to a banana plantation where we could see how 26 percent of the worlds banana production is handled and how the 10 US/day employees are managing the production line. We also drove down a river into the rain forest for 2.5 hours and saw plenty of different animals and birds. The same river would take one up to Nicaragua if you continue for 6 hours (80 miles) so this gives one some perspective to the country. Tonight we will continue to Panama where we will participate in an excursion with 8 hours of Panama City and surroundings.