We’re celebrating christmas in an unexpected place. Matthijs and I joined Nadine and flew up to Dubai for a few days so that we can enjoy Christmas together.

As a real nice surprise for matthijs we went to “Ski Dubai” yesterday which is an indoor snow and ski park. A great thing to do during christmas.

What a contrast from the snow of yesterday to be sitting in the pool today! It’s a nice 25 degrees and a little windy.

Tomorrow we plan to look at the desert and maybe a few camels.

I spend my lunch with a walk through the Wanchai Computer Centre. Not the bigger one near the Wanchai MTR, but a smaller - more local one on Hennessy Road no. 289

I was out looking for an 8GB Micro SD, but couldn’t find a shop stocking it yet. They are selling 4GB cards at HKD319 right now (abt 40 USD or 28 Euro). I guess I’ll have to wait a few more weeks before I can add 8GB to my phone and finally ditch the IPOD alltogether.

The other thing that struck me is that you can now buy a 22inch LCD monitor for just about 2000 honkies (250 USD or 175 Euro).

Here’s a forecast: devices will come out that include TV tuners, hard-disks and internet connection. They will be Linux based entertainment devices (actually I have one already) that hookup directly to any LCD panel and an HiFi set.

New brands will appear in the entertainment device area while the current TV brands will become commodity panel providers.

If you observe the picture below closely you can see that I’m having champagne and reading a copy of the Telegraaf. All courtesy of the Cathay Pacific lounge.

A bit of consolation for taking a flight on Sunday midday - I’d rather stay home with the family!

Next few days I’m in Singapore.