Just returned from another round the world adventure. Cyprus is always a treat; Amman has good friends and conversation; Dubai is spectacular; India is a mess but a land of opportunity, and Singapore is a pleasant rest stop on the way home and a lovely city-state doing things right. I was in India for business and I am working with that country on a go-forward slowly basis with minimal entanglements, but it was worthwhile getting oriented with this important country.
Take a look at the travelogue just posted which offers thoughts from people I spoke to and some observations, particularly with regard to the Middle East, India and China.
A few personal thoughts on the Middle East the past two months: The Pakistani FM and Israeli FM met in Davos. Pakistan wants to deal with Israel and Turkey as a counterweight to Iran. Saudis are close to Pakistan and they can’t be objecting too much as Iran makes them nervous. Pakistan tried in 2003 to make relations with Israel and the attempt leaked; maybe they try again now post-Arafat. The head of a Jordanian political party said to me in Amman that if Israel bombed Iran he would officially thank Israel — nobody there is thrilled with those guys.
Hizbullah might be making a big mistake in Lebanon. No question that something is afoot in the Middle East. Syria is under pressure and even Mubarak is moving; maybe a show of reform to keep the US at bay in a coordinated move and the US can show that it is affecting change. Not sure how much movement is actually going on with Palestine but the point is that both sides are making moves they see to be in their own interest rather than as concessions to the other, and this is more likely to last. I think that Iraq is getting better; people there expect things to improve and real estate prices are going up.
A few Travel Notes about Fisher Island & Miami Beach from a weekend there in February
Breakfast at Delano Hotel is good but not that good. Go see the pool. Ritz Carlton is nice but not that impressive as a big hotel — no exclusivity to it. Duck Tour lets you go on ground and in the waterway to see nice homes around Star Island. 90 minutes of fun for the whole family. Fisher Island is nice; hotel seemed just fine and we got a great deal with Amex pay for 2 nights get the third free; we had a very nice 2 BR decorated 1,700 square foot condo which beats their cottages. Piano lounge at night; City View restaurant in the clubhouse is great; the Italian trattoria was good; the Italian restaurant not so great. Good beaches, spa — no complaints. We didn’t find the place dated at all and despite the fact that the courtyard villas are the most desirable, we preferred the condos and the oceanfront view and, having seen both rooms, wouldn’t recommend the villas. For a New Yorker, it is quite reasonable. Started a school there teaching in 3 languages. The ferry ride is 7 minutes and leaves every 10-15 minutes and then it is less than 15 minutes to the airport. Ride around in a buggy; few private houses; it’s really all condos. Service and the natives seemed friendly. Easy to get to work from there. Pretty to sit around with the birds, trees and water. Sunday brunch very good; lots of nice yachts. Dinner Sunday at the Forge; still one of the best restaurants anywhere and quite reasonable. This week in Miami was the Food & Wine show and the Boat Show; it is a popular destination. We didn’t get to see the new hotels in downtown Miami but I do look forward to seeing the Four Seasons and the Mandarin Oriental which has Acqua, one of Miami’s hottest new restaurants.
