Luanda, Angola (02.19)

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Today was a nice long day.  For the first time since I got here in Luanda, we had some beef for lunch.  Today could be the start of my first day without fish in my diet.
We stayed late at the office (didn't leave until 9:00pm) as we had some work that needed to be done.  At least we didn't get stuck in traffic for 2.5 hours like the rest of the guys as the traffic is bad on fridays..  Dinner was served (and cold) but we made use of the microwave for the first time . . . and we had chicken too!  So no fish for me today!
I didn't take many pics today that I can post, but the guy in this picture is Axel (from Germany) . . . he is actually a pretty cool guy.  He has been here for a year and a half and rolls everywhere, and even runs to the house on occasion.  Rock on!
So tonight I am spending time on the patio with some of the guys that work in the field and learning so much about the inner workings of the company that I have called home for the last 8 years.  I don't think you can really learn about what a company does, until you spend time with the gang in the far reaches of the world.  I have spent time with the guys in Equatorial Guinea, Abu-Dhabi & Dubai, Canada, Mexico, and now Angola.  What a wide stretch.  I wonder where I will be going on my next trip to the outer limits.
So anyway I get to look forward to another warm night.

Luanda, Angola (02.18)

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Another day in Angola.  All these pics are either driving to or from the office.  It's not really safe to do be outside the bus.
So for lunch today I had Fish Pizza with a side of white rice and cabbage.  A hot pineapple soda was thrown in for good measure.  Anyway the pizza was called "Hawaiian" style, but no pineapple on the pizza, and it was room temperature as well.  Not the best.
Dinner was not that much better, coming to the Baker Atlas Staff House at 8:30PM I think (it should be there around 6:00 PM).  Dinner consisted of fish and rice.  Okay, I am officially tired of fish!  And before you say that "fish is great!", try having it every day in your mean, and then picking out bones from your mouth with every bite.  Oh well, just another week here on the "Africa Craig Diet" and I will be back home.
On another note, my air condition broke in my room, so it was a nice hot night for me :(

Baker Atlas Staff House (02.17)

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After work, we got to the Baker Atlas Staff House.  It might not look like much (and the pool needs some work) but I am sure it is way nicer than staying at a hotel.  I was glad enough to have a bed  to sleep on, and a working toilet (without a toilet seat though), but not having a towel for the shower is depressing.  I used a sheet to dry off after my shower.

Baker Hughes, Sonils Base, Luanda, Angola (02.17)

Well our office here is interesting indeed. Unfortunately I won't be able to share any photos of the Baker Hughes facilities, but I can talk about them. We spent some time today checking the satellite connection to Aberdeen, UK and some adjustments were made. Most of our time here will be to take a look at some issues . . . The guys here are great. Most of them are expats from everywhere . . . the local guys are good too. We had lunch with Dario (Local IT) at the cafeteria. The food was not great, unless you dig fish with bones. Actually the rice and bread was good. Glad my last meal in Portugal was a hamburger from McDonalds. I had an NYCrispy burger and it was awesome. I don't think they have that in the states . . .

Anyway here is the only picture of the office I can publish . . . poor Bryce was tired from two overnight flights . . .

Luanda, Angola (02.17)

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Well I finally made it . . . not too much to see, but it is much better here than Equatorial Guinea!  We flew in first thing in the morning and had a driver from Baker Hughes pick us up at the Airport.  Traffic was incredible, with mopeds and motorcycles darting all over the roads, people with on regard to their safety crossing congested streets.  What a ride.  After about 30 minutes we were at the Sonils Base at our office.

LIS to LAD

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We went to the LIS airport to have some dinner, then to catch our flight to Luanda, Angola.  I had some McDonalds and then kicked it in the TAP Airline lounge for some R&R before catching my flight at 10:00 PM local time.
Well aside from the lack of sleep on the plane, the flight from Lisbon, Portugal to Luanda was okay.  Fish was served for dinner (pass), and again some fish for breakfast.  WTH?
At least I got to edit some pictures from Lisbon, and watch the Hangover on the Mac.

Lisbon, Portugal (02.16)

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I am sitting in the TAP Portugal Executive Lounge taking some time to upload pictures from Lisbon before catching my flight to Luanda, Angola. The internet at the hotel was not working too good, so I couldn't update these albums over the last few days.
Today started out uneventful, just some packing. Bryce Findley finally arrived in today. We made a quick trip to the airport to check our bags, and then ended up catching the Metro to see some of the sights of Lisbon. Not sure when my next update will happen as I doubt I will be able to update anything from Africa. Cheers.

Lisbon, Portugal (02.15)

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Well the weather was cold and rainy all day, but I still managed to get some pictures of this old city.  Not much to write at the moment, time to get on a flight to Africa

EWR to LIS

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So I tried to take some night shots . . . and some the next morning.  Too bad the engine was in all my pictures.

IAH to EWR

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Well what a great Balentime's (as Chase would say) Day.  Courtney and Chase too me to the airport and I am headed to Africa.  First stop is to Newark, New Jersey for a layover before heading to Lisbon, Portugal. I met a guy name Mike Price, who is a juggler for Norwegian Cruise (I think).  What a cool cat.  We kicked it in the IAH Continental President's Club and then I met up with David Frazier before getting on my flight.  I am in Newark with now, at the Continental President's Club here . . . Oh and there is a pic of a new ring . . . Thanks Courtney . . . L

Travel Packs

Since I am not going to be taking a camera bag, I needed to buy a new backpack that can handle the travel a little better.  Rain is in the forcast everyday in Luanda, Angola, so gear protection was important.  I decided to buy two packs, but will probably send one of them back before I leave depending on which one I prefer.

The first pack I ordered is the North Face Overhaul 40 from Backcountry.  I made sure to go through Bing Cashback to get 12.4% back, so I should be getting back $18.47.  Kelly at Backcountry was nice enough to bump me to 3 day shipping for free.

Cost:  $130.48 ($148.95 -$18.47 Bing Cashback)
Size:  21.25" x 13" x 9.5"
Capacity:  2450 cu. in.
Weight:  3 lbs

From the reviews of this pack, it is geared to the traveler . . . I like the pocket on the bottom to stuff in my raincoat when not in use.

The second pack I ordered is the North Face Base Camp Compressor from eBags.  Again I went through Bing Cashback to get a 20% return.  Too bad eBags charges sales tax to Texas.

Cost  $79.41 ($89.99 + $7.42 Tax -$18.00 Bing Cashback)
Size:  20" x 13.25" x 9.25"
Capacity:  2022cu in (33L)

Weight:  2 lbs, 13 oz

This bag is similar in size to my North Face Recon that I use everyday at work, and it is made of a waterproof material, so this may work out perfectly.  I will update when I receive the packs and have a review

Travel Lens Protection

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I have a two week trip to Lisbon, Portugal and Luanda, Angola coming up and I decided I did not want to take a camera bag, and wanted to take them in a standard backpack. The problem with a standard backpack is they do not offer padding like a photo backpack, but they are thinner and don't look like a photo backpack. I tinkered with the thought of getting a Think Tank Shape Shifter, but with limited pouches, I could not take what I wanted. So this post will be a review of how I am padding my lenses to go in a standard backpack.

I have reviewed the Op/Tech USA Lens Sleeve and LensCoat Hoodie before (Nikon 50mm Lens Protection, Nikon 14-24mm Lens Protection, Nikon 24-70mm Lens Protection), but I decided that this was not enough padding, and Op/Tech USA does not have a Lens Sleeve longer than 6", so a no go for my 70-200mm f/2.8G VRII, so here is what I used.

Op/Tech USA Snoot Boot (Large 3.6"D x 9"L)
Domke Protective Wrap (Large 19")
LensCoat LensPouch (Extra Large Wide 5" x 11")

Dan The Katy Handyman

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Dan "The Katy Handyman" came over today. I met him a few weeks back from Craigslist when I needed someone to come out and install an over the stove microwave. As my Handyman skills are severely lacking . . . and my hand has caused us to call a plumber on two occasions, I am banned from working on anything related to the house.

Today we had Dan do some put some brackets on the microwave, pins to hold the sink in the kitchen down better, replace some sheetrock and tile in Chase's bathroom, as well as installing new fixtures.  His painting stills were used to paint the hallway, and we had plenty of time to install a new ceiling fan.

His rates are great, his work is awesome, and he is probably the most friendly guy you can get that won't rip you off.  Thanks Dan!