The first Beetle equipped with airbags

-- Posted on-the-go

God help me

Longest. Backgrounder. Ever. We're past the 1:30 mark and people are asking about how the tripometer work?


-- Posted on-the-go

Arrived at the ball...

Got a 20 minute nap in, but I think a few beers and this view should keep the jet-lag at bay.



-- Posted on-the-go

Well, that didn't take long

After dealing with a botched flight from Frankfurt to SFO (long story, not worth repeating), I was able to spend a full 35 hours at the homestead before catching a flight to Orange County for a Mazda3 event. As much as I love the travel, the accommodations and the cars, I'll be glad when this month finally comes to a close and March (Launch) Madness is over. Just too many events in too many locations over a short period of time. But even as the backlog of reviews mounts, I can't complain. The picture above is the view from the lobby at the Montage in Laguna Beach, CA and the pic below is outside my balcony. Astounding, but no time to enjoy it. I have to get through emails, feeds and some AOL-mandated training that's due tomorrow (corporate culture FTW!) before I head down to the Mazda reception at 6:30 PM. Plus, with jet-lag still present, I'd like a nap. Something tells me that just isn't going to happen.

Day Deux is a wrap

Found one desolate road outside the hotel ripe for prime hoonage.

I just returned from my second day on the road. The agenda was the same (roads, routes and refreshment breaks) but today I was piloting Jag's new XK coupe and convertible, including the supercharged, 510 hp (!) XKR. It's been more than a memorable trip and provided further proof that I've got one of the best gigs in the world (at least for me). It's also been peppered with those rare moments of contentment (normally involving a cigarette and a cup of coffee or a potent blend of bends) that I haven't experienced for far too long.

If Lufthansa can keep its act together, I'll be back in the States tomorrow at 5:30 PM. In the meantime, here are a few more shots (most of which aren't lame mobile-phone pics) from today, along with one shot of the XFR (at the bottom) in a gorgeous blue hue from yesterday.

One poorly stitched-together panoramic of my view at lunch (click the pic to enlarge)

The little villa I picked out that sits on a small peninsula inside a cove jutting out into the Mediterranean. My initial bid of 5 euros was not accepted.

Another poorly Photoshopped pic of the Mediterranean.

My new friend I met at our first break. He just wanders around this magnificent little property, munches on grass and then walks back to his stable. No fences needed.

The blue on the XFR is almost a match to the Mediterranean -- and it's almost as gorgeous.

Smitten by the South of France

Check the castle at the top of the mountain (upper right)

After three years of attending product launches, I can say with impunity this is the most entertaining event I've attended. The best roads, the best scenery and some thoroughly impressive machinery -- bar-none. Everything you've heard about Southern France is true and likely understated. The combination of the Mediterranean, the Alps in the background and the most impeccably maintained tarmac (and this coming from a California boy) has made my first full day one to remember. Here's more less-than-stellar iPhone pics (you can click each to enlarge) and I'll have some shots of the Jags I was driving tomorrow.

View through the windshield - The Alps

Some randomness - Pic above is a two-way street. Unfortunately, just after I took this shot a tour bus came through and I had to back up, along with two other cars, to let it get through. The streets that run through the villages were not designed for cars. But then again, they're three-times older than the whole of the United States.



The restaurant we went to tonight was an olive oil processing plant for the last few centuries.

Most of the equipment is still in the building.

Those are actual keys embedded into the concrete at the entrance to the restaurant.

The soufflé (my first) and the cheese course that preceded it blew me away. (Left) Chocolate sorbet (Right) Orange soufflé.

The reason I'm back in my room. It's a liquor that's similar to absinthe (anise-flavored), but I don't remember the name.

Served like so. One shot of the liquor is in the glass below. Ice-cubes are filled in the cone-shaped glass above. Water is poured through the ice and filters (chilled) through a small hole into the liquor-filled glass below, diluting it. As someone who likes absinthe, it's good, if a little on the weaker-tasting side. But it's probably 120 proof, so it's time for bed.

Nice is Nice in the morning

And it gets better...

(Poor) Video Tour: Four Seasons in Nice, France

For my love who enjoys the finer things...

Stepping out into the courtyard...

... after dinner at the Four Seasons.

1950 XK120

1965 Mark II Sedan (3.8)

1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight (for Dad)

Geeky details below (click the pic to enlarge).


For better or worse (likely better), I won't be driving any of these. Although I did ask if I could bring the E-Type back to run in the California Mille. No go.

The flight into Nice

I opened up my window on the plane after trying to take a nap and this is what I was greeted with...

The Alps (click any pic for a biggie-sized image)

The descent into Nice

I've always see pictures and videos of roads that snake up a hill in a series of 170-degree angles. They're here. And I finally get to drive them.

More to come. Love you all.