Ophir Travel the Globe

Washington Wizards vs. Cleveland Cavaliers - Clifinar

I had a lot of expectations from this game, especially as I bought these tickets in advance and paid a nice amount of money. Actually, we knew that the gae will take place obly the day before so the excitement was even better.

The atmosphere in the street before the game was very good. Lots of young people, all wearing white ("white-out"), getting ready to the game, the street is crowded, police officers, cheerleaders, TV teams, reporters etc.

The verizon center has multiple food and beverage booths as well as sponsored booths and Wizards gift shops. Wizard cheerleaders are walking in the crowd, intervieweing, cheering, laughing, making banners and playing games, to boost the atmosphere and to get ready to the real thing - the game... Or is it?

Well, The Wizards played really bad. They were not organized in the offence and were too dependant on Antuan Jamison, Heyward and Butler - wheres they simply did not play any defence. Cavs could take open shots whenever they felt like it, and they did!

After a good 1st quarter where the Wizards lead the game, the Cavs took over and started increasing the difference, up to ~20 points somewhere late in the 3rd quarter. The Wizards tried to get back to the game with a few good offensive moves, but their weak defence simply eliminated any chance to get back to the game. Cavs simple scored every time they wanted to.

Lebron James:
Deshawn Stevenson started the unneccessary "overrated" debate about King James, and the Wizards (especially the Verizon center team) tried to put James down as much as possible, with ongoing calls and marks on the scoreboard as a "cry baby", numerous focuses on James hurt after getting fouls, promoting T-shirts from the audience with "cry baby" and "Princess James" (in Pink too :-) ). It wasn't James' best game in my opinion. Offensively, he passed lots of good balls but his on actions were'nt too sucessful, at least vs. the exepectations.

So the Wizards are out, and I'm back at the hotel telling the story, tomorrow I'm moving on to the big apple for a few days. This was an amazing experience, I will truly remember.

anyhow - visit my clifinar page

Last Day in Paris

Well, It's already Monday and this is our last day in the city. We planned a few last minute shopping rounds and basically to take the day easy as tomorrow we're on our way to London.

We started the day with the deliciou hotel breakfast, and headed east to Boulbard St. Michelle for some shopping.

We then headed up to Rue de Rivoli and enjoyed the wide busy street. I took pictures of some people around and bought a pair of leather boots - great bargain too!

Since it was noonish, I pulled the 'recommendations' list. This is a list compiled by 3 people: my Mom (a veteran in paris), my friend Itay who lived in paris for a few years and Our friend's Vincent's Brother's wife (lot's of 's here...)

This carefully compiled list contained places we can, must and should command if we are to consider ourselves to really enjoy Paris.

This list caused us heavy expenses (Taxi's...Bills) and horrible pain (walking the city north, south, east and west...). nevertheless, most recommendations were really good ones, and surprisingly (or not) at least 3 places were recommended by more than ne person!

Som we walked along St. Honor street from start to end, to St. Honor Place - to a restaurant called: Le Rouge Tomate.

Unfortuntely it closed 10 minutes before we arrived. Well, at least it was close to cafe Angelina :-) so we headed for more chocolate and le monte blanc!!!

Rue Mouftard Street Market

After a late breakfast (again, very delicate and nice) we headed to one of our favorite Paris markets - Rue Mouftard. The market closes at 14:00 we we rushed in order to maximize the experience.
Walking to the Mouftard from the heart of St. Germain neighborhood takes 7-10 minutes, and includes the bonus of window shopping at Boulvard St. Michel ("BoulMush" as locals call it), walking by the Sorbon school - this IS how a schold should look like! Amazing buildings with the mix of "heavy", "old" - educative area with the young fresh ambiance of the young locals hanging round.
After you cross the Sorbon, an amazing structure "hits" your face - The Pantheon. Without getting into history and religion - this is one impressive monument.

The Mouftard is a small street, taking you from the top of the hll near the Pantheon down to nice palace with yet another fountain (sooo many fountaines).
The street is full with small boutiques, shops and of course fresh food - from Cheese, to sousages, meat, fish, wine and fresh vegetables - everything is fresh and inviting. The nice thing is it's not too big or crowded so you can easily "walk it off" - smelling, atching tasting and buying what you like.
Secondly, and this is not only to the Muftard - you will always find some creative artist trying to show off their act. This time we actually saw a complete play (Video will be uploaded in a few days - promise) with actors, musicians and costums. Quite a site.

Paris Tips by Ophir (Glossary of Terms)

When in Paris, prepare to walk - walk a lot...

Well, while walking the beautiful streets of the city, I was thinking that the best way for me to communicate my experiences, would be to write a short glossary of terms with my point of view on them.

So here goes...

Paris Tips - By Ophir

Food

L'Entrecote

When I was a kid, I think I was 4 years old, my parents took me to Europe. We went to all the best and recommended

places, and one of the trip's highlights was "L'Entrecote Paris" one very famous and busy restaurant in Paris. Well, after we waited for 4 hours we finally got a table and 2 minutes after yours truly was sound asleep.

As this experience never escapes my memory (nor do my parents forget to remind me every now and then...), I promised my self that every time I'm in Paris, i will command L'Entrecote for a meal. The thing is, that the promise is not hard to keep, as the restaurant never fails. It always amazes me how this very simple menu and same restaurant décor never fails; how such a simple salad, steak and fries can still be that good every time I visit.

Angelina (Heaven for desert lovers)

The Angelina Cafe is very touristy, in a very touristy area, with touristy prices. However, This is again, one of the very reasons (for me) to keep returning to Paris. The so unique hot African chocolate, with whipped cream; the "Le Monte Blanc" (chestnut cream desert), the atmosphere, the waitresses and floor managers who work there since ever and forever, the French décor, all make this place a must. Do NOT miss it.

Hotel Breakfast

In a small room, on a small table for two (60 cm diameter), with small glasses, small plates and small croissants; so tasteful, delicate, exact and simply right. Amazing how different it is from 5 star hotels with kilometers of buffet stands for breakfast but for me, this is the best.

Les Fontaines

Thanks Itay Shalit (AKA "2") for sending us there. Les Fontaines is a small Bistro near the Sorbon School with very good food and service. I had my first Fois Gras in his trip and it was very good.

Chez Janou

Thanks Vincent's sister for sending us to this very popular, crowded, busy restaurant in Marais. The place was absolutely full, people standing in line were practically eating my food but the ambience was so cool...Food was okay, no more.

Crepe

Every 5 meters a booth with a guy making Crepe. I personally recommend Nutella+Banana which is a killer combination (can also be effective as sugar level lifter or diabetic murder tool)

Ambience

Architecture

3rd time for me in Paris for the last 6 years, I'm still amazed with the architecture. Not sure whether locals completely understand their surrounding. Every simple building here could be the most impressive piece of rock in other cities I've seen, and every 3 blocks an amazing statue, church, tower, plaza or other amazing piece of work simple 'pops up" right in your face. All you got left to do it to be amazed.

Romance

Paris is Romantic and Sexy. Don't know what exactly about it, but it's a feeling you get just by walking don the streets.

People

People walk, shop, talk, eat, drink, and smoke. Don't you guys ever work??? (Not sure what the answer is....) Secondly, people dress so cool; people (both men and women) look GOOD.

Weather

Outdoor

Don't believe a word they say - weather is great.

Indoor (2 stops from Hell)

Once you step into a shop, the air conditioner "welcomes" you with the warm dry wind into your face. Taking into consideration that you are wearing 3 layers of cloths to keep warm from the outside cold and wind, this blow of heat can kill you instantly. (Imagine blowing a hair dryer into your face...)

Things to do

fnac (1 stop from Heaven)

I just needed a simple SD card for my camera. I ended up spoiling my video cam, my laptop and my PC with cool gadgets and widgets. fnac is a 4 story heaven for electronics lovers, geeks - and even for regular "late adopter" type people.

Pompidou

Personally, I prefer the outside of the building than the actual exhibitions inside. Looking around you will always find a young artist trying t make a living and/or be "found".

Walking

Paris is all about walking the streets, seeing, smelling and feeling. Bring good comfortable shoes and walk.

Arrangements

Mordi

Mordi is an Israeli guy. A great example of a personal entrepreneur who started nothing with nothing and came up with an empire of transfer services to and from the airports, with a fleet of cars and drivers.

For me, the amazing thing is that he remembers. 25 minutes X 2 ways 4 years ago, and he remembered me, my wife, our story and the street name where he took us that time. Amazing dude: +33-66-376-1330

Click "play" to view 4 minutes from me:

Paris is Great, Starbucks Internet tokens crashes...

Paris is amazing as I remembered. I spent the last hour writing all about it and it got erased as my starbucks token expired. Too bad.

Here are some pictures, and I promise to write the next time I connect.

Klong Paru Beach, Koh Chang

Kong Prau Beach is very peaceful and quiet place. There are almost no western people around. The main roads takes you along the each line where on both sides of the road you can find guest houses, small shopping booths, local restaurants and 7/11 type shops.

The population is comprosed very simple village people, with very basic (and less) English. Most of them are sittting in their shopps and wait insode for clientelle, however once a western goes by the street, they almost "jump" on them offering their merchendise, services and goods.

The beach next to the hotel is very nice. It's a long bay, woth 2 small islands in front (app. 1 km far). The sand is clean and the water are shalow and quite calm, especially in day light.

Nonetheless I saw better looking cleaner beaches in southern parts of thailand back in 2004 (before the Tsunami).

A weird effect we saw, was that the river of the island was "exporting" a lot of dirt including black leaves and other shi* to the ocean, and the strams were driving the exported "goods" right next to our hotel beach.

in Thaoland, a problem like this is quite easily solved - every day, about 30 thai people were working all day long collecting the shi*** from the beach into nice bags and taking it away, sothe western hotel guests can enjoy a clearer waters...

Our Bangkok to Koh Chang (Trat) Flight

The Coup D'etat in Bangkok Thailand caught us entering our hotel room, the night before we had to fly for a few days vacation in the southern part of the country.

After some hysterical phone calls to our homeland and back, we decided to take the afternoon flight to Koh Chang. We landed in this weird open Cabana-like airport and headed to the Island.

The hotel driver picked us up in the airport and took us to the hotel. the trip included app. 30 minutes deive from the airport to the ferry, a- 25 minutes ferry ride and some 30 minutes driving on the Island itself.

From first look, Koh Chang seems like a quite and peaceful Island. There are 3 main tourismm areas: The White Beach Sands, The KLong Prau beach and Bang Bau at the south of the Island (mostly for fishing and sea food).

In many ways, the Island reminded me of Koh Lanta in the southern Krabi area of Thailand.

We headed for our hotel, Amari Emerald Cove Resort for 4 nights of relaxation.

Thailand, the Thai King, Mondays and Yellow Polo Shirts

I just had to add this note to the Thailand Coup D'etat happenings.

Perhaps I mentioned this before, but I discovered that every Monday, a huge amount of Thai citizents are wearing this special yellow polo shirt with a unique logo.

It appears that Monday is "the king's day" in Thailand this year, celebrating the Thai King's 60's regeim anniversary. Thai people love and appreciate their king, so every monday they all wear these yellow shirts (day and night...). Even the women in the Pat-pong sex shows wear these shirts!

I was wondering why and what was so special on Mondays - and I found a cool explanation.

Well, in the Thai tradition, every day has a special color associated with it, and Monday is Yellow. The connection to the king, is that he was actually born on a Monday!

Revolution in Thailand - Special Report from Bangkok

Hia,

I received dozens of phone calls to my mobile since last night. It seems that a kind of a revolution has occured here in Bangkok, Thailand.

This is weird and surprising to me, and in this post I will share with you some of my experiences since yesterday morning.

Well, for me, it started 2 days ago - Monday the 18th. While walking in the streets of Bangkok with my wife, travelling and enjoyign the atmosphere of this city, I noticed that a lot of "street shops" are offering this very same yellow polo shirt with the same logo.
It gathered my attention because it was not a "ralph loren" or "lacoste" logo :-)

Yesterday at lunch time, I was eating with my friend. He lives here in Bangkok for 5 years and runs a , my trip to Bangkok has a lot to do with this friend.
Well, in lunch, I asked him what was this shirt all about, and why so many people wear it?

My frioend explained to me that this shirt is worn by thai people every Monday this year, to symbolize their devotion for the king - who rules this amazing land for 60 years now!

My friend joked with me that "no one saw this king lately, good chance tha he is dying...and if he dies, a big mess will occur here in this land" He said.

So this was yesterday (Tuesday, 19th) noon!

And last night, when we got back to our room we learned about the latest happenings. On top of all things, there was one thing that couldn't be noticed - the fact that all soldiersm vehicles and even tanks had this yellow band tied somewhere, to symbolyze their devotion to their king.

Of course, this did not prevent them from starting a revolution - but this IS the Thai thing - "Same Same - But Different..."

Speaking to some of the Hotel employees (I must say we developed annoying stress from the situation) -they sound amazingly calm. The girl in the Business center who helped me set my flight said: "Well, I am very calm becvause gathering of people is not prohibited..." (Her words, not mine, I swear!) - Imagine a ervolution in your country and you are calm because they don't prevent you from gathering...well, if this is OK than I guess everything else is OK too, right? - well - thia, in my humble opinion is the essence of Thai people. So naive you cannot imagine - wake up people -your army chief has taken over the government with tanks - haven't you heard? No, they say. We can gather up, so it is OK.

Well, now I am in the Bangkok international airport waiting for a flight to trat airport - near Koh Chang island, for a few days of real vacation near the sandy beaches. I promise to update you, and next time to add osme pictures to the post.

Take care,

Ophir

P.S - sorry for spelling mistakes, I had to do it fast because this is public internet and there is a long line behind me..

Bangkok Business - far Beyond your Expectations

This is my second time in Thailand, and in Bangkok. It's a real good feeling to come back to a place you like so much, to feel the atmsphere once again...However this time, I came to Bangkok to work. I guess some of you are now wondering what can a "western" guy do here, and until recently, I myself could not really grasp the concept of this place, as a business center.

However, in the last year, I experienced some various business relations with companies which are located here, and now i came here to visit some companies and work for one of our clients.

As I mentioned, this is "something completely different" than what we can expect. When people talk about Bangkok, all you hear is about the traffic jams, the filth, the smell, cheap shopping and the famous "ping pong" shows in the Pat Pong area (we'll get to that later...) - But no one ever says anything about this modern, western, rich business center, with giant cmpanies locatd here condicting international business. This makes us, the "western", the "Israel start-up geniouses", seem old fashion.

Looking around The SG Towers, near Lumphini Park: One side is completely green, the other shows the sky-scrapers of the city featuring 40,50,60 and even 80 floor buildings!
Behind my back is a horse race court and everywhere you look there is a sky train (above ground) and an underground train, while Tel Aviv municipality is still "thinking" (for 30 years) about routes, budgets etc.

This is, completely and totally large, modern and advanced business center. The only sad thing in this story is the fact that there is a huge gap between the people sitting up here in the 10th floor of the air conditioned building, and the poor, illeterate people downtown.