I thought long and hard whether to write this or not. I've had quite a few trips to the Middle East in recent times, and in the main I've enjoyed them. The UAE, or rather Abu Dhabi, I have huge affection for and remember the place well and enjoy visiting it.

For once I was given the opportunity to go to Dubai - notionally the second city, but likely to be the one people of heard of in the UAE. For the first time, also, I flew with Emirates. If you ever plan to go to the UAE, do not fly with BA, go with Emirates; the service is a world of difference from BA, the seats are more comfortable, the in flight entertainment does entertain, and the food actually tastes of something and fills you up. And all this in "Cattle Class". You won't regret it!

Last night was a fun night. I wasn't expecting it to be, in all honesty, but it was.

We went to the Indianapolis Indians (must have taken days to think of that name) vs Charlotte Knights at their local baseball ground, the Victory Field. You have to have some confidence in your squad to name the field that! There wasn't the largest crowd. The colleagues from America spent a while trying to explain the rules of American Rounders to us, and that was fun. Then the real fun started.... the foolish woman from the local TV station plonked herself next to me and on live TV asked me who out of three players in the first innings(?) was going to score the most runs (possibly). She said the names, I chose one with my expert knowledge of 5 minutes... He failed. But he did manage to score the only run of the evening, so it was a victory of sorts.

Even if Duckman (no 23) was the better player, and failed.

I arrived in Indianapolis, Indiana on Sunday evening. I settled in, and prepared myself for a week in Indy. Tonight we went to Dunaways.

The evening started with a fun drive to the restaurant, which involved a tour around the scenic, and not so scenic, parts of the city. The staters were pre-defined which included Crab Cakes, a mushroom based dish and a asparagus dish. All were fantastic. Whilst eating this the drinks order were taken "what would sir like" was the question. A martini was the answer. "We have Bombay Sapphire, Tanquerray..." was the reply. Always a good start! I ordered a Bombay Sapphire martini, and the evening began well. The martini arrived suitably chilled, and with just enough vermouth to taste but without drowing. The main course - fillet mignons - also arrived exsquisestly prepared. The beef was so tender and delicious that the pudding was superfolous, but obligartory. Flourless chocolate cake. Perfect.

The drive back took in the good, and not so good, areas of Indy and I arrived back at the hotel suitably full and happy for a perfect evening with perfect company -- and a perfect martini.