Nurburgring race track in Germany

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It’s one thing when your older sister turns 40, but another when friends start to achieve that milestone. Although I can’t say I’m excited to get there myself, some of the celebrations are certainly making it worth it. After a great 40th celebration last year in Budapest, and then a weekend in Paris, we celebrated another one for our friend Mark with a weekend in Nurburg, Germany, home of the famous Nurburgring race track.

Nurburgring was opened in the 1920’s, and was quickly known as the most challenging race track in the world. This was due to the combination of its extreme length (over 20km / 12 miles), an unusually high 73 turns, and multiple changes in elevation.

In 1970 a Formula 1 driver was killed during the race. In response, the other drivers refused to race the following year unless changes to the track were made to improve the safety. Some improvements were made but since the track is between mountains not all were possible. The race was resumed in 1976, but on the 2nd lap a fiery crash badly injured the then #1 ranked driver. Because the track is so long, emergency crews could not respond quickly. The driver was only saved because other drivers stopped to assist, and future Formula 1 races were canceled. Additional modifications were then made, and a Grand Prix track was opened, which has remained in use since the mid-’80s.

The long track is technically classified as a public toll road in the Germany highway system, which means any type of registered vehicle can drive on it, including cars, motorcycles, or motorhomes. It also means that, similar to the autobahn, there is no speed limit. This, along with it being known as the most challenging professional race track in the world, also makes it one of the most popular.

We arrived on Saturday afternoon, and settled quickly into the birthday celebration which carried on through the night. The next morning, 7 of us headed over to an office to pick up our race cars (and sign some insurance forms!!) We drove race modified BMW Z4 and VW Scirocco's. Our guide explained to us that we would have four laps on the “long course.” He casually recommended that we take a “learning” lap with him, in his large, VW cargo / passenger van, saving our 4 laps for real racing. Shortly after accepting, I found myself in one of most terrifying roller coaster rides of my life, which lasted over 10 minutes! I’m pretty sure our host had both feet on the accelerator, which explains how this big van was moving so fast, and how he didn’t have any feet available for the brake pedal. I’m not a big roller coaster fan, so I started sweating a bit after 60 seconds of ups / downs, rights / lefts, and extreme speeds over the course. 9 minutes later when the “learning” lap was over, I was a pale, sweating mess, and completely unsure of what I had gotten myself into!

The next four laps were amazing, with the confidence (and speed) improving with each one. We would take a break after each lap, which at 10-11 minutes was exhausting. While the men were risking their lives, the women and children were spending time at the indoor racetrack amusement park near the hotel. They did get a chance to come watch us for 2 laps. It was a great weekend and a fun way to celebrate a 40th birthday!

Dubai Again!

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When we went to Dubai last February we pretty much thought it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Therefore, we stayed at the Atlantis, swam with dolphins, and went on the desert safari. This fall, when we figured out my mom’s October visit would coincide with the kids’ fall break, we had to choose a destination for all 5 of us. Mom mentioned that she’d love to go to Dubai. Knowing the weather would be awesome, it wasn’t hard to convince us to go.

We researched it and found out was possible to go again, just on a different budget. :) We took Etihad Airways again, whose tickets from Belgium to Abu Dhabi are the same or cheaper than it costs to fly to the US. We took a free hour shuttle from the airport to our nice hotel apartment in Dubai. We were also able to buy breakfast foods and drinks at a local mini market which helped bring down the costs.

The apartment was spacious (about as big as our first house!) and had access to a roof top pool and a small workout center. My mom thought it was comical that when choosing between two rooms Nicholas chose the one with the full size bed for himself and told Nana she could sleep with Lindsey in the room with two twin size beds! Both kids were thrilled with this decision as you can imagine. :)

When you stay at the Atlantis there really is no reason to leave the complex as everything you need is right there -- water park, beach, restaurants, pools, aquarium, gift shops, etc. This trip we were forced to explore more of Dubai (a good thing) even though we spent one lovely day at the Atlantis resort with friends who were staying there. You can pay general admission and gain entrance into the water park (about $300 for the 5 of us! -- Thanks, Nana!).

When you aren’t staying at the Atlantis, you also realize how many American restaurants are in Dubai. A list of the places we ate: Cold Stone Creamery, Applebee’s, P.F. Chang’s, Tim Hortons, Starbucks, Pizza Hut, Burger King. It was quite obvious we were traveling with kids on this visit and unfortunately, my mom didn’t get to experience the local cuisine.

Other things we were able to do this time that didn’t happen on our last visit (if you remember, Lindsey was super sick and spent our first day in the hospital): visited a public beach for the day with friends who were staying at the Atlantis, while Paul played golf with her husband, went ice skating at the Dubai Mall, shopped and dined at a touristy souq, went through the Aquarium at the Dubai Mall (where Nicholas held a Burmese Python around his neck), and visited a local park with friends from Belgium who moved to Dubai.

Three things we were not able to fit in were: a visit to the one local mosque that allows visitors to take a tour and learn more; Indoor skiing and shopping at the Mall of the Emirates; and visiting traditional souqs/markets where they sell spices, jewelry, fabrics, etc. I wonder if it’s possible we can talk Paul into going a third time!?