MUGA Day #7: Sydney--A TOTAL MAKEOVER FOR NORTH KOREA

Went to sleep last night with Eric Clapton's Tears in Heaven, #248.  He wrote the first verse after his 4-year old son Conor fell from a 53rd floor window in New York City.  The song won the 1993 Record of the Year, Song of the Year and Best Male Pop Vocal.  He stopped playing this song in concert in 2004. I awoke to the Righteous Brothers' Unchained Melody, #172.  I soon leave for the airport, but can provide Max's...

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MUGA Day #6: Australia

G'day.  Woke up to #410, True by Spandau Ballet.  Executive Club breakfast.  #402, Traveling Wilburys singing Handle with Care.  Haven't seen them for some time.  They are led by Bob Dylan, George Harrison, Roy Orbison and Tom Petty.  They recorded two albums between 1988 and 1990, except Orbison passed away before the second one was released.  Harrison was largely responsible for getting this group going, and their...

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MUGA Day #5: Sydney: Est

Again, MUGA stands for My Ultimate Global Journey.  The countdown is at #495, Bob Seger's Old Time Rock and Roll, with the video mostly about Tom Cruise in Risky Business.  Est was wonderful.  I had an enjoyable 3-hour meal, which began with Sommelier Chiara and a 2003 Dom Perignon (in a DM champagne glass):The first course was a chilled soba with assorted vegetables.  Perhaps the noodles could have been a tad more al dente, and...

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MUGA Day #4: Sydney--Australian Royal Easter Show

MUGA:  My Ultimate Global Adventure.  First, a tip is not expected in Australia.  Sure, go ahead and leave 10% at the top restaurants, if you must, but this is not necessary.I'm here on the four days of Easter holidays, so many of the finest restaurants are closed, as workers go on holiday.  Thus, I again will miss Quay, probably the best in Australia.  By the way, fish markets are open, for people here eat seafood on...

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MUGA: Day #3-- Arrival into Sydney, Australia

My United flight from San Francisco to Sydney left on time.  We all got these toiletries in our section:The usual champagne followed by a red and a white with appetizer, soup, salad and a spinach tortellini.  Okay, but then everyone went to sleep, so I did, too.  This is why I don't like overnights.  What a waste, but I was exhausted.  The flight was bouncy, I watched two Korean films...and 14.5 hours after departure:The...

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