Arabian Days and Arabian Nights

It’s been a while since my last posing but I have been extremely busy. As the motorsports season draws to an end, there seems to be more to do. Actually we are ending the year on a high, with a few road trips that require a great deal of planning. This post is about one such trip, to Abu Dhabi.

As a prelude to the Formula 1 season finale, the Yas Marina circuit decided to invite select member of the media over to see the circuit for themselves and more importantly, to experience a ride around the circuit in a two seater car.

I’ve never been to the middle east and was pretty curious as to why dozens of people flock there and come back raving about the lavishness of the place… it’s a desert for goodness sake. But once I arrived, I immediately understood.

We were put up in the ultra lush Emirates Palace. Now I have stayed in some very swanky hotels, but I must admit, this was establishment truly lived up to it’s name. It wasn’t a hotel, it was more like a palace, as the pictures can prove.

The Emirates Palace

The corridor leading to my room

My fabulously lavish room

Perfect tub to soak in after a long day at the circuit

The organisers were aware that many of us might not have had an impression of the capital of the UAE so they organised a heli ride for us. And I have to admit, there’s no better way to get a sense of a city then by flying over it… awesome!

Valen, Our Pilot, Me and Tiff

Ferrari World, next to the circuit... will be ready next year

The most famous landmark, the Sheikh Zayed Mosque

The food in the middle east was very meaty. I love my meat, but even I got a bit sick of eating so much of it.

Bread stuffed with delicious meat and a plate of vegies

Valen enjoying a smoke indoors, yes, it's totally legal

The highlight of the trip was a two seater Formula 1 ride around the Yas Marina circuit. Former F1 driver Martin Brundle was my driver and he did a magnificent job of putting me through the G-forces that a driver experiences. I could go on and on about this but check out this video instead.

Since there were no flights back the following day, we had the day to ourselves and made full use of it by lounging around the hotel, enjoying it’s private beach and pool before heading on a desert safari.

This was probably the most authentic middle eastern experience that I could ever have hoped for. We started off by sand bashing, which is basically driving our 4x4s up, down, over and across sand dunes as the sunset around us. I was just a passenger but I could tell that it takes a lot of skill to do this right. Our guy was great and was really taking us for a ride!

After a quick stop at a camel farm, we headed out to our “oasis” in the middle of nowhere. It was so great to get out of the city cause I finally felt that I was in a desert. Surrounded by sand under the stars, Valen and I rode a camel and then attempted to sand board down a the dunes. It’s almost like snow boarding but on sand. After two unsuccessful tries, I finally got it right and flew down a sand dune but getting sand down my pants in the process.

Sand bashing

Free falling

Snowboarding in the desert

The buffet at our oasis was great and once again we piled on the meat. Post dinner entertainment was none other than a belly dancer… and in the middle east, a belly dance actually comes with a belly! At least ours did. It was hard to appreciate her moves when I was fixated on her jiggling tummy.

After entertainment, we moved to a nice area with cushions to chill and smoke sheeha under the stars. The guys switch off all the lights and we leaned back, smoked, starred at the starts and just enjoyed the moment.

Our entertainment

Sheesha under the stars, just before the lights went out

It was brilliant to just lie on the sand and stare up at the Arabian sky. As a kid I’d read Arabian Nights a hundred times and had always wondered imagined what a night in the desert under stars would be like… and finally, I got to experience it. The sky was beautiful, the stars were plenty and the silence of it all was extremely calming. I wish I could have lied there for hours longer.

I would highly recommend this for anyone travelling the same way. I’m not one to fall for tourist trips but this experience was definitely a highlight.

It’s hard to escape the impression that money is coming out of the ground in Abu Dhabi. Everything is so lavish, from the malls, to the hotels to the buildings to just about everything. But sadly, it’s quite apparent that there is a caste system. Emirati, Caucasian, and then everyone else, with Asian minorities at the bottom of the food chain. But I guess most countries start off that way, even Malaysia, except that we put the Caucasians above our own people.

Strangely, there’s nothing like living in complete luxury to help me realize that it’s the simple things in life that truly make me happy. Maybe that’s just me.

Surreal Singapore Pt 2

When last year’s Formula 1 rolled out of town, I was left with brilliant stories from my friends who had had the best party of their lives. And there I was thinking how lucky they were that their work didn’t revolve around covering the actual event so that they could fully enjoy whatever wild adventure the city threw at them.

This year, I decided that I wanted in. I didn’t want to spend another year just working and not really experiencing the full effect of Formula 1 in my city. And so I did, and what a ride it was.

I pick up this posting from where I left off, the Friday before the Grand Prix.

Fuel Party

We spent most of Friday night in the paddock covering the post practise interview sessions.

The view from the TV Compound

The last turn before the start finish

It had been a long day and to be honest, the events of the past nights were slowly catching up on me and I was thinking of hitting the sack early. But an old friend, Joanna was in town and we’d spent the day texting trying to meet up. Finally, at about midnight she said she was in New Asia Bar and Jac convinced me that we should head out for a while at the very least. Since I hadn’t seen Joanna in years, I gave in to Jac’s persuasive ways and we headed to the Swissotel.

After quickly freshening up, we used our Red Paddock passes to get us in New Asia with no problems. Upstairs I met Joanna and a few guys from KL. We were on the dance floor when Jac spotted Maya. What a small world.

I chatted with Maya for a while but since everyone wanted to head to the Fuel Party, I said goodbye and joined them. The Fuel Party was at the National Musuem and we were prepared to pay to get in. Just as we got out of our cab, a random stranger asked us if we wanted tickets and we gratefully accepted.

It turned out that his tickets were VVIP tickets and we had access to the most prestigious piece of real estate in the place. Inside we met more people, including Tiff, Uday and Debbie from work, Jill and Jeanette and a few more.

Our free tickets

The scene inside the National Museum

Party time

Me, Tiff, Joanna & her friend

Sarita, Jill, Jeanette & me

No Doubt was partying right there as well, minus Gwen, but still. It was a great night, and I was so glad I didn’t follow my instinct and headed home early.

No Doubt just meters away from where we were partying

Samantha Ronson was great on the decks and Lindsay was partying in a sheltered corner, it was awesome!

Samantha Ronson on the decks

The girl has talent, music was awesome

Pre Quali BBQ

After stopping by the office and sorting out the qualifying show, I stopped by Lev’s place for his pre quali BBQ lunch. Was hungry and the food was excellent. Embarrassingly met Ashley for the second time (I somehow don’t recall our first meeting at Brix) and we chatted and caught up.

Our host, Lev who grills a mean chicken

Was great meeting Ashley again :-)

Headed down to the circuit and grabbed Karun for our pre qualifying show, which went smoothly enough.

Karun and I

Working the press scrum, grabbed Liuzzi

Beyonce made an appearance and Lewis gave her a garage tour

After quali and once the post session interviews were done, we headed out to the official F1 After Party venue, Stereolab, which was organised by Tamara Ecclestone.

The entrance to Stereolab

For some reason, I was so bored there and was glad when Jac suggested we go and meet her friends at Wine Bar, outside Zouk. Headed there for a couple of easy drinks and a massage, and then called it a night. Still had a big day ahead of me tomorrow

My masseuse

Raceday

So the big Sunday finally rolled in and I was all psyched for our biggest F1 show of the season. Today it was Alex in the paddock with me and we went about with our throws and interviews. The big news was that Alex was named by Tony Fernandes to be apart of the new 1Malaysia F1 Team and so we included a significant part of that into our show.

Raceday with Alex

Grid Girls

The highlight of course was the on the grid interviews. Fernando was great, but the other big boys were hard to get. Went to the end of the grid and they boys were much more willing. Worked my way back up to the front before we had to leave 15 minutes before the start. On the way out, I saw Tun Mahathir and quickly grabbed him for an interview about the new Malaysia team, which was aired in Sportscenter Malaysia. I’d interviewed Dr M when he was still Prime Minister and it felt nice to be able to do it once more.

Alonso just before the start

The other Ferrari driver, Fisichella

Will I Am and Nicole heading to the McLaren garage

Interviewing Tun Mahathir

The rest of the night was spent watching the race and waiting for the drivers who crashed out to appear for an interview.

We finally finished at about midnight, and Paula had secured a table at New Asia Bar for us. On the way there got a call from Sarah Ann, the grid girl who was holding the British flag next to Lewis Hamilton’s pole grid spot, and I told her to join us. She asked if she could bring a few friends and I said “Of course!”

It was great to be with the team after such a massive weekend. Steve Dawson, Paula Malai Ali, Alex Yoong showed up much later, but essentially we all had a drink together and it was great to unwind.

Also met Dom, from Channel V who turned out to be a massive fan of my work. Felt nice to get a bit of kudos from people within the same circles.

Spent a lot of time, and money here over the week

Sarah Ann, me and Sarah

Our Dream Team, me, Steve, Jac and Paula

Love the view from up here

Before I knew it, it was 5 am and since we were in the VVIP area upstairs, no one wanted to come and tell us that the place was closed… finally I think we noticed that we were the only ones there and so the five of us who were left standing did the only thing that we could have.

We left and headed for dim sum supper. Sarah had a favourite place that she insisted we head to and I wasn’t about to argue.

Breakfast in Geylang

By the time I got home, the sun was rising and it was about 7am, just enough time to catch a short nap before heading into the office for Engine Block at 10am!

Ah Singapore, I now know we can be friends.

Singapore Grand Prix Fever

You know when Fiona suggested I keep a blog cause I’m blessed with such a marvellous job, I never took her seriously. I guess when you’re too close to something, you never see it for what it is. Oooh, I could go off on a tangent right there but I won’t.

Instead, let me share with you what has started off to be a mind blowing Singapore GP weekend, and it’s only Thursday so far. To date, I’ve raced a remote control car against a Formula 1 driver, met a Hollywood A-list celebrity, interviewed most of the paddock, spent a day with Sebastian Vettel, had a blast at the best beach / pool party Singapore has ever seen, met some lovely people, made heaps of friends and crashed a black tie party and sipped on blue label.

Sigh… all this in the space of just 60 hours… I must be blessed.


Remote control in Reverse


Heikki Kovalainen and I were racing remote control cars together. He’s immediately whoppoed my arse despite driving left handed. After lapping me, he slowed down to let me catch up, but I was so hopeless that he decided to race backwards, and still whopped me in reverse! He was a great sport and that video will be on Engine Block this Monday (28 Sept 09).

Heikki has nitro RC cars at home, of course he killed me

This is the closest i came to him... his car was way ahead of mine

Lovely Lewis

Paula was hosting an Lewis meet and greet at Paragon and we went to shot her video diary. Lewis and I made eye contact. Paula claims I was staring at with all doe eyed, but I beg to differ.



Red Bull Racing Party @ Wave

Wednesday started out with me getting a garage tour with Kazuki Nakajima before heading over to the Red Bull Party that night. Half the office was there and Shane, Ravin and Claire decided to drive down just for this party. It’s an exclusive, invite only and I had plenty of invites to go around. Felt like santa claus giving them out. Last year’s party was wild, this year’s party was wicked!

Ravin & Shane, me & Lev

Monique and her friends

Jeanette's white lie... no snogging took place

Jac keeping lubricated

Awesome foursome

She's famous in Singapore, Jade Seah

Maya & me

Hollywood comes to Singapore

Come Thursday, we were in full swing. Had a long day of shooting ahead and it didn’t help that at 9 o’clock after only about 3 hours sleep (hic), my phone rang and woke me up… ah, drama’s with the camera setup, my day had begun…

It started with the PR company cancelling our session with Lindsay Lohan, but then they called back an hour later saying it was on again. What a rush, but we made it there in time, only to have to wait almost 2 hours for Ms Hollywood to arrive. We had just 3 questions and Paula was on form and it was clear that she responded to her. TV magic was made. As you can see, it took the opportunistic approach of getting my picture taken with her. But at least we interacted when I got her to record a station ID for me, that’ll be on Raceday this Sunday (1830, 27 Sept, STARSPORTS)… Oh, and I shook her hand… who knows where that hand has been…awesome!

Lindsay Lohan in the flesh

Paula making magic while i am shameless

Getting Lindsay to record a station ID

Legged it to the paddock after that. Can you imagine walking from City Hall all the way to the Pit Building at 2.30 in the afternoon? Not fun, and very sweaty.


In the Paddock

I’d suggested to Red Bull that I’d like to do a day in the life of Sebastian Vettel and they agreed, so at 4.30pm we were at the paddock gates waiting capture him coming in. We followed him through his day as he met ZZ Top, conducted his media sessions and went on his track walk. He was accommodating and actually quite good about it.

Seb with Star Sport

"Alright mate, you may be an F1 driver, but for now, listen to me"

In between we still had to juggle covering the bullpen. Managed to do ok given the circumstances. Spoke to Nico Rosberg, Mark Webber who was grumpy and started off by going “oh fuck, another one?” That’s not going to air but his thoughts on “Crashgate” will. Lewis was slightly distant. Surely he can’t be still ticked off about Australia??? And Kimi Raikkonen. This man is magic in a press conference. One monotonous continuation of sound to answer all your questions! But surprisingly he was quite chatty and possibly the most relaxed I’ve ever seen him. I think it’s the long hair, the longer it gets, the more chirpy he becomes… however he’ll probably need to match Rapunzel before we get a full smile out of him.



The highlight of the night however was meeting the one person in this whole world who currently makes my heart melt, my knees wobble and my charming personality “exit-stage-left”. We spotted her just walking around the paddock, and seized the opportunity to take a picture with her. Ah, she is just SOOOOoo nice. It’s so hard to find “nice” people, especially gorgeous lingerie models, but she is nice. And I just wished I’d said something nice and witty to her, but I just stood next to her silently, took my picture and then said thank you. Ah…bliss nonetheless. I had had my moment.

"Heaven, i'm in heaven, and my heart beats so that I can hardly speak"

After all that was in the can, we met up with Steve Slater and went to record the track changes with him. It was near impossible to walk for more than 3 minutes without someone stopping him for his autograph or to take a picture.


The Crystal Ball

The icing on an already beautiful cake. We had to walk past the Ritz Carlton so we decided to stop in and see how the Crystal Ball shoot was going. It was a glitz and glamorous black tie event that I managed to get a table allocated for the “Stars of STAR SPORTS”. Got all the bosses on the table along with Paula, John Dykes, Andrew Leci and a few others.

As we were walking in, my boss was leaving and he said we should head on down cause the night was winding down and we’d be ok. Very hesitantly we did. Mind you we’d been sweating our skin off and probably smelt to high heavens by now. But a quick touch up in the men room and I was good to go.

The PR lady I’d been dealing with was delighted to see me and took me in all my “under-dressed-ness” for a tour of the entire event setup. It was nice with a cigar bar outside, a nice lounge outside the ballroom and of course the ballroom itself was beautifully decorated in simple black and fuchsia.

She offered a drink, and I said yes. She asked me if I liked whiskey, and I said yes. She asked if Blue Label was ok, and I said YES!

Hardly red carpet attire

part of the deco

Sipping blue label in the lounge area outside the ballroom watching everyone decked up in bowties and exquisite gowns was kind of nice. Didn’t care if some people looked at us, they probably were too drunk to even remember we were there in the morning. The supermodels were tall, thin and extremely surreal. “Not Real People” I say to comfort myself!

As we were leaving, bumped into Monique, who I’d forgotten I’d met at the Red Bull Party the night before when she’d almost spilt her drink on me and we ended up chatting for a while. She came up and said hello and helped jog my memory. Jac and I are in full blown cam whore mode so we took another pic just to make sure we didn’t forget the next time.

So just 3 days in it’s been this crazy and wonderful. Even if nothing else happens the next couple of days, it doesn’t matter… I think I’ve had my fair share, don’t you?