The Nassau Experience

I’m in Nassau at the moment. This is my first time here and so far is seems quite nice. It’s not rustic like some of the other islands I’ve been to, but at the same time it’s not a bustling metropolis. The theme this week is James Bond. I’m visiting all the locations for the upcoming “Casino Royale” movie. Mark L. Craighead, our director of Photography is here as well, scouting locations and talent for our RICH GUY GAL segment.

I want to say a quick word about Air Canada. I flew Economy today, 3.5 hours. It was a very enjoyable time for a seemingly routine trip. Mainly I was surprised by how comfortable the seats were and the courtesy the cabin crew showed towards everyone. Just as I was starting to get hungry we were served a breakfast, something usually unheard of from my former preferred airline. Kudos to Air Canada for having a truly world class airline.

After checking in this afternoon and having a quick bite by the pool, I visited the Pirate Museum. If you have a huge interest in Pirates like I do, then you’ll love this little tour. You’ll see torture devices, and actual artifacts recovered from the beaches of Nassau. While the gift shop is a bit overpriced how could I resist a T-Shirt that says “BOOTY INSPECTOR” on it?

In true Bond style I’ll be visiting some of the local eateries and the high class Atlantis Casino. I’m staying at the hotel where Sean Connery keeps a room (lobby pictured), although the quality of the room I’m staying in cannot really be called luxurious, the setting is. Tomorrow and the following days I’ll be Rolling cigars, gambling, riding fast boats and experiencing the finest that luxury has to offer in the Bahamas. This will be the only update I can make until I get back home for the start of next week. Look for some better photos and a few tips on how to be like Bond…James Bond!

The Querk, Golf and Diners

I’ve spent the past few days in New Mexico on a golfing trip. I started off in Santa Fe, one of the nations oldest towns and then ended up in Albuquerque, or as some of the locals call it "The Querk". I’m sitting at the airport right now looking to board my flight to Phoenix and all I can think about are the nice people and great food here.

Anyone that knows me knows that I love diners. Crappy diners have some sort of allure, I find myself visiting a diner in every town that I end up in. Last night I was at the Route 66 Diner in Albuquerque, hardly a crappy diner, more of a throwback to the 50’s. The food was fantastic, the meat cooked perfect to order.

A perfect way to end a great golfing trip.

You’ll read more about this trip in an upcoming issue of RICH GUY. Until then I’ll leave you with a few pictures to enjoy.

Adam Jet Test Flight

I’ve been traveling the past few days, on Thursday I was in Philly in the morning and off to LA in the afternoon to the LMU campus as a guest lecturer for the technology and business class there. The students at the Conrad Hilton School of Business listened to me talk about RICH GUY and the way it started etc. Then they gave me some suggestions. One young lady, Lydia Schuler, from New York State suggested I add titles to the website’s index. Which I did during a break. Feedback like that is invaluable!

Also the highlight of this trip was a visit to the Adam Aircraft factory in Denver Colorado. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the company, they are the manufacturers of the A500 turboprop which was featured in Miami Vice and the A700 jet which will be released soon. I met Jan D’Angelo one of the pilots that flew the Miami Vice plane and also the VP of Sales for the company. It was a quick introduction “Hi, Nice to meet you, lets go flying”. Just the words I like to hear!

I originally went to do a story about the plane, and while flying the plane was incredible (flight review to be posted soon) I found the people in the company to be very much like all the fly guys that I grew up with. They love flying and are doing something they believe in.

Here are a few pictures of my test flight. A high angle of ascent, steep turns, the whole drill as they say. I had my camera recording video as well but it was set to a macro mode and kept focus hunting. I botched the landing but the plane forgave my misjudgments of altitude and speed ;)

Funny enough I actually nailed the first landing, as luck would have it, I didn’t record it.

Now I'm off to New Mexico for a week of golf!

Here's the video: Adam A700 Landing Video

To Carry-on or not to Carry-on

The US Transport Safety Association (TSA) is an incredible organization. I realized this today as I was preparing for this week’s trip to the Southwestern USA. I haven’t traveled via airline since the new carry on rules were put into effect. Due to the new rules, I decided to take a moment and go through my overnight bag to take out all the liquids that are no longer allowed in carry on baggage.

I took out my aftershave lotion, sun block, hair gel that I’ve never used, some lotions, shampoo and a little bit of shaving cream. All that was left was my razor, toothbrush and deodorant. I wasn’t sure about the deodorant or toothpaste, so I looked up the TSA on the web. They have a very useful website that lists everything you are allowed to bring on a plane.

On this website, I found out that Deodorant sticks (non gel) are allowed. Phew!

Also allowed are knitting needles, scissors and toy weapons.

Toothpaste is prohibited. Go figure…

TSA's Carry-on list

It's my Birthday!

Today is my birthday

It’s somewhat of a milestone birthday, as I have knocked off another decade. I don’t feel much older, in fact, I feel younger than ever.

When I was 15 I had crazy dreams, I dreamt that one day I’d be flying around in a private jet, but not just any private jet, I’d be the pilot of this one. I also imagined I’d have my own exotic car, specifically a Lamborghini Countach. I’d have a wife and kids and we’d live on an island in the Caribbean, in a giant house that overlooked the sea. Very childish thinking, but then again I was 15.

And now that I’ve piloted nearly 30 different types of aircraft, traveled the world and driven nearly every car known to mankind I feel a bit older than the 15 year old that I was, but not by much. I’m still a teenager at heart but with an old man’s wallet.

Without a goal, ambition is irrelevant.

Enjoy the weekend!

Girls gone LIVE!

After months of shooting, The RICH GUY'S GAL segment is now live. Our first model is Rachel Russell, a marketing student. We had a lot of great pictures but decided to go ahead with the two that we used. There will be a new GAL updated each week, you can even receive the update via email so that you don't miss anything.

We've got women lined up for the next few months but we're still looking for more, if you know anyone or would like to submit yourself, send an email to gals@richguy.com .

And now, I present the link: www.richguy.com/girls

A delight in the Northwest Territories

It was a year ago today that I ventured out into the Northwest Territories for a story on Hunting and Diamonds. When I left Toronto I had no idea what to expect but when I returned I couldn’t stop thinking of my experiences.

Nothing can prepare someone from seeing the vast and barren lands of the north when visiting the hunting outpost. To realize that you are quite literally on top of the world, and any mistake could lead to death, is quite a humbling feeling. Medical help is an hour flight away. Should you be lucky to have a plane at your disposal.

The first day at the outpost, myself and a few of the other hunters decided to sight in my brand new Savage .308 rifle. While walking to the target range I caught a bit of movement out of the corner of my eye and saw what looked like a wolf looking at us. I showed the other hunters and we all agreed it looked like a wolf, but none of us could 100% without a doubt agree that it was. So nobody took a shot at it. Later it turned out that it was the camp’s husky, that nobody had cared to tell us about, it was roaming the land to keep the bears away. That was a little bit of responsible hunting on all our part.

The city of Yellowknife in itself is amazing as well. All the amenities of a modern city are available, there are pubs, restaurants and even a Wal-Mart. The population seems cheerful, and as one person told me: “Everyone that lives here chooses to live here, you aren’t just stuck here in Yellowknife.” And it seems apparent; people seem to be happier in Yellowknife, each with a healthy sense of humour and grand sense of camaraderie.

I’ve been craving some of the great food that can be found only from family owned restaurants. I’ve yet to see menu items such as “Arctic Char Chowder” and “Muskabou Burgers” a combination of Caribou and Muskox on any menu here in Ontario.

It’s been a year, but I believe the Northwest Territories to be one of the coolest places on earth and definitely a place I’ve been meaning to re-visit from the moment I left.

You can read the entire story published in the RICH GUY Holiday 2006 issue by clicking on the following link:
The Last Frontier – A Diamond in the North