Meetings and Events Calendar

Well hello there all the VT members, either residents or visitors to Dubai. I am posting on Behalf of Hamed (VT name smarty29) which this meeting was his idea. We are planning a get-together for Friday August 29th, 2008 to be started at 8:00 P.M. in Irish Village. The meeting is almost before starting the Holy month of Ramadan (for the Hijri year of 1429). Irish Village is one of the best meeting places in my opinion and they have a wide range of food and beverages on their Menu.
If you are interested to attend please sign in so we can arrange a table in advance. The meeting is planned for the purpose of having some friendly chat, lots of laugh, taking a delicious food and probably shooting some photos to be our memory for the coming years and possibly forever :-). To make it easier for everybody, please check their official web site which a location map and contact details of the club is available on the site. Their URL is as following:

http://www.irishvillage.ae/

The Location map URL:

http://www.irishvillage.ae/contact_us/map/


The Aviation Club is situated on the north side of Al Garhoud Bridge adjacent to the Emirates Airlines Training Centre. Tel: 04 / 2824750/2
Ample car parking is available.

You all take care and hopefully will see you all in the meeting :-)

****IMPORTANT NOTICE****
Because of the heat I will get indoor of the Irish Village as they have aircondition. I try to find a table so will sit there until all the members get in and then maybe we can bring and join two tables together so it can accommodate more individuals. Preferebly on the smokers side of the indoor section!! :-) So when arriving at or about 8:00 P.M. just get inside the Pub and look for members table.

This is de mail I sent to some of you via email for this afternoon. Please sms me if you can be there! Thanks, hope to see you.

---------------------------------------------------
Hi There all!

Very nice that you want to come and looking forward meeting you!

Jennifer gave us a good tip for to have a drink:

Palate Palette Restaurant & Bar
21 Jalan Mesui, off Jalan Nagasari
50200 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
www.palatepalette.com

My colleague Paul Koning made reservations for us at 15.30 hrs.on Saturday the
30th!
Please allow me to invite you and pay for a few drinks and snacks! (well my
colleague Paul; -)

As you know are doing this for a TV programme. So when we meet you will find out
that it is not just me, but also 4 other people from the TV crew: Paul, Han,
Oscar and Edwin. All relaxed relatively young ;-) and outgoing people. Just to
give you an impression: I would like just to attend this ?ordinary? meeting and
the camera will follow this(so no acting necessary). I will ask you some
questions about your daily life and maybe some tips about Malaysia or Kuala
Lumpur. And I will share some of my (travel) experiences if you?re interested.

At a certain moment it may occur -not to be rude- that we need to leave as we
have some sort of schedule to follow.

At the moment we will be with 4 members, so would be nice if some more people
can come, please let me know if you bring somebody or if other VT members will
join in.

For me this is a new thing, but as I mentioned before, such a great way to get
to get to know some new people and experience Kuala Lumpur!

My colleague Paul has a cell phone (international) also possible to sms of
course:
+31 6 1586 8056

See you Saturday!

Sebastiaan

Dear VT members,

My name is Sebastiaan Labrie and work for a Dutch travel programme "3 Op Reis" (translated: Channel 3 travels). In each episode we travel across the world in search of unknown and inspiring travel destinations. The programme is broadcasted on the third public channel in the Netherlands.

I read about the VT meetings that are organized all over the world, what a great way to meet people and different cultures and get to know a place!

At the end of August we (myself and a camera crew) will be in Kuala Lumpur, therefore I would love to meet some people from KL or fellow travelers before continuing my trip. Would be great to exchange some tips about this -in my idea- fascinating and interesting city!


Date and Time: Saturday August 30, 15.00 hrs

Place: Somewhere in the center of KL, suggestions are welcome!

If you are in ´town´, and speak English or Dutch please sign up and let's have a drink!

Best Regards,
Sebastiaan Labrie


Ps: To get an idea about our programme, check our website: www.3opreis.nl
Or our broadcast company: www.llink.nl

We are trying to organise a VT meet in Cadiz at the end of August if you will be around for lunch/dinner on the 30th drop me a line, I would love to hear from you! Puerto _Lover will be coming along too, so come on join in!

Hi, Louise - lou31 - will be in town all the way from sunny Queensland in Australia - and would like to meet up with any VTers who want to meet for a chat, a coffee, a beer, a meal - whether its for a few minutes, an hour or all afternoon and evening - please let us know whatever suits!

Open to suggestions for general consensus meeting time - maybe afternoon or evening Saturday 30th or Sunday 31st - before Lou flies home late Monday night 1st Sept.
Venue or venues to be determined!

Gates open at 11:00 and the music starts at 12:00. I'll be in the dance tent located beside the concession stands most all day. The weather promises to be great.
See the tip on my page there is a link to the rhythm and roots home page there for more details.
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/e35d4/d2e20/4

Hi, I am going to be in London from Aug 28 leaving Sep 2. Would like to meet VT members for dinner/launge/drinks. Some place fun and unique (preferably locals favorite)

Hi Guys and Girls,

I will be in Dubai from Aug 30th until September 3rd, Just wondering if anyone wants to meet up for drinks?

Cheers

Cam

Hi, I am going to be in Istanbul in September for a while. Would like to meet VT members for dinner/launge/drinks. Some place fun and unique (preferably locals favorite)

So completely new to both Thailand and Bagkok, planning on visiting all the temples, taking some photographs and experiencing the culture. If anyone wants to tag along let me know and we'll arrange either a day's sightseeing or an evening drinks meet.

Be part of history. Be part of the longest party!

This is one of the events that made more Manila Vters -more active at VT...The event that strengthened bonds w/ other Vters incldg the int'l virtual attendees...The event that launched new & exciting VT members (dcmanicad, clairedemaisip, bluechef)... The one event that every Vter & aspiring Vter is waiting for...This is Asia's version of Europe's famous month long beer drinking event...It is one of Philippine's contributions to merrymaking and fun...

Its' the Annual SAN MIGUEL BEER OKTOBERFEST 2008

In anticipation for the month-long, worldwide beer festival called ?Oktoberfest? grows, the Philippines? well-loved beer brand San Miguel Pale Pilsen will attempt to put the country on the Guinness World Records for the most number of people toasting and the longest beer bar.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen, the country?s first and most renowned brew, will try to get Filipinos on the record books by holding the biggest Oktoberfest celebration ever and getting beer lovers to raise their glasses and toast at the same time. The current record is 13,500 people, set by the United States in Las Vegas, Nevada.

The venerable beer brand is also setting its sights on another world record ? for the longest bar. The event will feature a 600-meter bar area which will stretch throughout San Miguel Ave from Julia Vargas to Lourdes Ave. to best the current record of 240 meters held by Taiwan.

The world record attempts are set to take place on September 5, Friday, all over Ortigas Center in Mandaluyong City, at the kick-off of this year?s celebration of San Miguel Oktoberfest. The event is open to all.

San Miguel Pale Pilsen will set up four stages along San Miguel Avenue to accommodate around 40 of the country?s hottest bands, including a popular foreign band, to provide entertainment to the toasting crowd.

On the same day, San Miguel Oktoberfest Siento Bente will also be welcomed simultaneously in Lapu-Lapu City, Cebu; Iloilo, Davao, Olongapo and Sta. Rosa City.

San Miguel Oktoberfest, recognized by the Department of Tourism (DoT) as an official fiesta celebration, will start a month early to extend the festivities to 120 days-- the longest Oktoberfest celebration in the world.Be part of history. Be part of the longest party!

Meeting place: McDonald's El Pueblo Pasig City.
Time: 7PM onwards and till drunk...

For more updates:
San Miguel Beer
'07 HighlightsManila's top VT photographer
More pics1 of Manila's top event organizer

We enjoyed the show and the meeting last year. So let join the crowd again (around 1 million?!) and see the sterling performance of the fastest pilots, a thrilling battle over the banks of the river Douro. But before all this liveliness lets get together in another vtmeeting.
This time to avoid the crowds "at the table" we will meet saturday evening between the qualifying race (saturday afternoon) and the final race (sunday afternoon).
We didn't decided yet the final plans but maybe a fish dinner in Matosinhos / Leça da Palmeira area will be appropriate - after all it's the "Festa do Mar" (Feast of the Sea) season. Moreover the fish /sea food there it's very fresh and we can find very good and cheap restaurants and open spaces out on the street during the Feast.
Subscribe and send your opinions about the meeting. Then we will democratically decide.

Welcome t' us up North.

In the hills and valleys around Calderdale there is a stirring.
Children cry, mothers lock their doors and the dogs walk round in pairs.
Hoards are set to descend on this small sleepy town of Halifax.
Is this a curse? Are there monsters abound? Are our trees safe?
What could be lurking, so menacing or just plain frightening.

Yes, you have guessed right!!!

It is a VT meeting.

Norland Scarecrow Festival.
This weekend will include a visit to the unusual Norland Village Scarecrow Festival.
Here the entire Village produces Scarecrows, which are displayed throughout the Village.
This years theme is: - Books and Authors.

The Rushbearing.
In the good old days, churches did not have any form of floor covering.
What they used were rushes, these however had to be replaced and was done by local volunteers which then became a festival.
The Rushbearing is a simile of this event.
A cart is covered with rushes, a poor young lass has then to sit on the top of this (aprrox 15 feet in the air) and then the entire cart is hand pulled round the local villages by big strapping lads.

Clay Pigeon Shooting.
You will be taken to my local gun club where you will have the opportunity to fire a shotgun.
You will be given tuition on how to safely use the gun and shoot the clays.
PLEASE NOTE, at no time is there EVER live animals shot at our shoots.

Rough plans to date:-
We are work during the week days so we will be unable to spend anytime with our visitors.

Thursday night 4th September, we go to a local Cricket Club for "Quiz Night" You are of course welcome to come and join us, a light supper is usually supplied.

Friday night: - We have arranged for those of you who wish to dine out at our favourite Halifax restaurant, Café Passion. The food is Mediterranean in style and will be a buffet style meal.

Saturday: -
08.45 Leave hotel and visit "The Scarecrows" in Norland.
10.00 Depart for "Mystery Trip" (£6)
12.30 Lunch, "Fish, Chips and Mushy Peas".
14.00 Arrive in Sowerby Bridge for the "Rushbearing Festival"
17.00 Go and see the "Gibbet"
20.00 Evening meal at The Wool Merchants Hotel. (Italian)

Sunday: -
08.45 Clay Pigeon Shooting.
13.00 Traditional Sunday Lunch
15.00 Triangle Inn to see the descent of the Rushbearing Cart down Millbank.
When this has finished, we will go down to our local village cricket club and have a drink or two and watch a little cricket.
Evening meal: - TBA


Now for the bad news.
I am having to limit the amount of people attending this meeting to 49.
Haydock races are on this weekend and all the smaller coaches have been taken.
I can get a 49 seater, which I will have to book now. Anything bigger than this will be very restricted in the narrow lanes around Norland and seeing the Scarecrows would be near impossible.
I have my car which will take another 3 if I have to.


For your information, this meeting is a VT member, see:-

http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/f75f5/

Here will be posted as much information as I can give, including hotels, transport and a rough guide to what is going to happen and where.

If you wish to become a Virtual Attendee for this meeting, please Email me.

Hello VT'ers! :-)

So I am going to be in Singapore for 2 days only and wondered if anyone wanted to meet up for drinks etc on Sep 7th! I am traveling alone so looking for a guide / drinking friends if you want to meet up / tag along. See you there! :-)

Hi, I am going to be in Bodrum from Sep 8th. Would like to meet VT members for dinner/launge/drinks. Some place fun and unique (preferably locals favorite)

I'm taking a day off work to see something special. I'm going on my own, and then I thought I'd open it up to all VT members. Short notice & unusual event, but who knows...

Laytown is near Drogheda. Once a year it holds a horse race meeting which is the same as anything you'll see at Longchamps, Epsom or Monmouth Park - except that it takes place on the beach at low tide. For more information look at www.goracing.ie and select the Laytown tab on the left.

First race is at 3pm. The 6th and last is at 5.30.

I'll be renting a small car at Dublin airport about 10am, and could take anyone who needs transport. I'll be having lunch somewhere near Drogheda.

Any questions - email me!

Hi London,

Actully, we are coming from dubai and we will stay in london 09 - 11 & 26- 29 of september 08.

Please let me know if you VT members are ready to have a meeting in one of those days.

I also share my experince about UAE, Middel east and also how to invest your money which is very intersting for you.

Please do not hesitate to reply me,
Best Regards,
AZADEH

Hi everyone! I am so excited to be going to Mexico City with my sister. We will be in town for only 5 days. We are going to see as much as we possibly can but we would love to meet any VT members that are going to be around in the area at the same time. Locals,Tourist...it doesnt matter. Lets find a place to meet!

Anybody up for meeting for drinks? I will be in Singapore starting 12 Sep to 21 Sep, I would love to meet new people.

This is just an attempt to convene first VT meeting in Skopje. All the details are to be discussed later, your agreement counts first

Greetings from the USA ....

My wife and I will be in Edinburgh
for the 1st time in September, and
we would like to meet up with other
VT'rs while we are there for coffee,
a drink or two, or an traditional
Scottish lunch or dinner.

We arrive later in the afternoon on
September 10th and leave the morning
of the 18th.

Any day/night from the 10th thru the
17th would be fine.

We hope to hear from some fellow VT'rs
from the Edinburgh area ....

Happy Travels,
Al and Mary - USA

Meeting of Mary Ann & Takla for all VT members for the second time after the first in October 2007 in Manila
I am already in philippines from 10 August in dumaguete then im manila from 7 september my phone number is 092 72 750 156

Best wishes for all

Mary Ann
Takla

Me and my spouse will be in Dublin on 13th & 14th of September and then in the month of november again. Would love to see some VT'rs for coffee or dinner.

Bonjour Paris,

Actully, we are coming from dubai and we will stay in Paris 19 - 22 of september 08.

Please let me know if you VT members are ready to have a meeting in one of those days.

I also share my experince about UAE, Middel east and also how to invest your money or how to find the job in Dubai or .

Please do not hesitate to reply me,
See you soon,
AZADEH

September 20 - 21
Anilao, Batangas

Activities:

Coastal Cleaning (for divers and non-divers alike)
Coral Watch
Placing of buoys and artificial reef
Out-reach program for the coastal community

I will be in Vietnam after September 17th so anyone would like to meet up for drinks let me know....

ΚΑΛΗΣΠΕΡΑ. ΕΝΔΙΑΦΕΡΟΜΑΙ ΝΑ ΕΡΘΩ ΣΤΑ ΓΙΑΝΝΕΝΑ ΤΟ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΚΥΡΙΑΚΟ 20 ΜΕ 21 ΣΕΠΤΕΜΒΡΙΟΥ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΑΓΩΝΑ ΔΡΟΜΟΥ ΣΤΗ ΛΙΜΝΗ. ΣΥΓΚΕΚΡΙΜΕΝΑ ΓΙΑ ΤΟΝ ΓΥΡΟ ΤΗΣ ΛΙΜΝΗΣ ΙΩΑΝΝΙΝΩΝ 29,4 ΧΛΜ. ΑΝΑΖΗΤΩ ΛΟΙΠΟΝ ΔΙΑΜΟΝΗ ΓΙΑ ΤΟ ΒΡΑΔΥ ΤΟΥ ΣΑΒΒΑΤΟΥ (ΑΝ Η ΠΟΛΗ ΚΟΙΜΑΤΑΙ) ΚΑΙ ΘΑ ΗΜΟΥΝ ΥΠΟΧΡΕΟΣ ΣΕ ΟΠΟΙΟΝ ΠΡΟΣΦΕΡΕΙ. ΩΣΤΟΣΟ ΒΕΒΑΙΑ ΔΕΝ ΞΕΡΩ ΑΝ ΟΙ ΔΙΟΡΓΑΝΩΤΕΣ ΚΑΛΥΨΟΥΝ ΔΙΑΜΟΝΗ ΣΕ ΚΑΠΟΙΟ ΞΕΝΟΔΟΧΕΙΟ ΑΛΛΑ ΕΠΕΙΔΗ ΚΑΤΙ ΤΕΤΟΙΟ ΕΙΝΑΙ ΔΥΣΚΟΛΟ ΓΙ' ΑΥΤΟ ΚΟΙΤΑΖΩ ΕΔΩ. ΣΑΣ ΧΑΙΡΕΤΩ, ΣΤΕΦΑΝΟΣ ΑΠΟ ΑΘΗΝΑ

My wife and I are visiting my son who just moved to London. It would be nice to finally meet some of the VT members in the area.

Details:

Time: 1:00 pm
Restaurant: Crabby Joe's
Address: 557 Wellington Rd. S
Directions: South of Commissioner's Road, on the west side of Wellington. Turn into Waterman Ave as the entrance is off there.

Website: www.crabbyjoes.com

We can then decide if we want to go somewhere else afterwards, or not... depending upon how we feel then.

Dear All,

Actully, we are coming from dubai and we will stay in Rome 22 - 26 of september 08.

Please let me know if you VT members are ready to have a meeting in one of those days.

I also share my experince about UAE, Middel east and also how to invest your money or how to find the good job in Dubai .

Please do not hesitate to reply me,
See you soon,
AZADEH

25- 28th September 2008. Please check this site for details:
WorldMeet2008

{For optional 2 days organized tour in PETRA & WADI RAM sign up here Petra }


NO DEAD-LINE TO ATTEND WM08 & PETRA TOUR!

- Anyone who will be waiting for our bus on 25th Sept 07:00 AM, in West Jerusalem, Mount Herzl [=har herzl] - will join the group

Tentative Itinerary:

Flexibility:
The program is modular. Everyone is free to skip a part and take a rest or use their own personal initiative. See also our suggested modules here
-----

Thursday, Sept 25, 2008

Begin two unforgettable days in the holy and historical city of Jerusalem.
Two nights in lively Tel Aviv: ? night club/ dance bar.

Morning:
Jerusalem Panoramas
Grasp the topographical position of Jerusalem, a city poised on the edge of the desert on one side and amid the Judean Hills on the other.
Breathtaking views of the holy sites from vantage points surrounding the Old City:
Mount of Olives (including visits to the Church of all Nations ? Gethsemane, Church of the Paternoster and the Kidron Valley) ; the Mormon University on Mount Scopus

Touring the Old City of Jerusalem:
Jaffa Gate, Armenian quarter, Mount Zion, Chapel of the Last Supper, Tomb of King David, Church of the Dormition, the ancient Roman-Byzantine Cardo, Church of the Holy Sepulcher.

Lunch: At the picturesque Jerusalem "Mahane Yehuda" outdoor market

Afternoon:
Israel Museum: Visit the fascinating model of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple
and The Shrine of the Book, the exhibition of the Dead Sea Scrolls, found in caves in the Judean Desert, including the oldest known manuscripts of many of the books of the Bible

The awe-inspiring Western Wall Tunnels and the Wailing Wall, the holiest site in the Jewish heritage

Late Evening: Night Club/ Dance Bar in Tel- Aviv

Overnight at Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
-----

Friday, Sept 26, 2008

Morning:
The Talpiot Promenade and view of the Old City from the south; Segway tour - optional.

Walking inside Hezekiah's Water Tunnel; 500 m long. We will be walking in water at a depth of about 30- 40 cm.

Temple Mount (Dome of the Rock, Al Aksa Mosque) [provided by conditions & authorities' permission].

Lunch:
Oriental Restaurant in the Moslem Quarter of the Old City.

Free time to explore on your own & shopping.

Afternoon:
Experience the welcoming of the Jewish Sabbath while strolling through the Jewish Quarter of the Old City of Jerusalem

Late Evening Tel Aviv: Night Club/ Dance Bar

Overnight at Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, Ein Kerem, Jerusalem.
---------

Saturday, Sept 27, 2008

Desert tour in a specially-designed Safari vehicle, from Jerusalem (+700m height) to Dead- Sea (-420m).

Safari ride through the heart of the Judean Desert and incredible views of the Rift Valley phenomenon and the Dead Sea
- Mt Muntar
- Hyrcania Fortress
- Mar Saba Monastery
- Hyrcania Velly
- Metzoke Dragot
- Ein Gedi
- Masada

Lunch: Ein Gedi

Supper and Overnight at the Masada Guest House.


---------

Sunday, Sept 28, 2008

Morning:
Masada: Ascend the hilltop fortress built by King Herod, where a small band of Jewish zealots took refuge after the Roman destruction of the Second Temple and attempted to resist a siege by the mighty Roman army.

The "Ahava" cosmetic factory based on minerals from the Dead Sea

Afternoon:
Relax at the mud baths and sulfur springs at a delightful Dead Sea spa, & floating on the unique water, to round out the desert experience

Evening:
Israeli ethnic style barbecue in the heart of the desert wilderness.Bonfire, music, singing & dancing.
Overnight at Masada Guest House.
------------

============
Cost:
Everyone pays for their own flight and accommodations. One lunch is included in the price. All other meals are paid for individually - we will be eating together in the same restaurants for the most part.

Accomodations:
It was not easy to find hotel/ guesthouse in Jerusalem in January for September, but I did it. Most of us will be at the Notre Dame de Sion Guest House, a lovely place in Ein- Kerem.

Please click here to see details of it:
http://members.virtualtourist.com/m/tt/9453a/#TL

I have made a reservation and paid a deposit in advance.

Rates:
Double room: approx 150 Shekels p/n, p/p,
Single room: approx 230 Shekels p/n, p/p.

Rather than give the exchange rate which changes, I suggest checking on XE -
Currency converter:
http://www.xe.com/ucc/

Masada Guesthouse - price is per person
Double room: approx. 250 shekels
Single room: approx. 370 shekels

The total cost of the guide, transportation [bus + safari], entrance fees etc,
not including hotels, will be US$ 200- 250 for all 4 days. Since actual number of participants is unknown - greater number might decrease the total cost for US$ 150- 200.

And of course, the option of Petra's extention.