Art

I like these wall paintings that sum up a story of  life past here.  

Offshore FPSO

Week in the operations and camp keeps me busy. 

Visited two offshore rigs today, one was a floating production storage offloading vessel.  A huge ship basically that on, offloads, stores and processes product.  

Lots of stairs. 

Beauty in the concrete

Sometimes have to stop and appreciate the random glimpses of nature in the busy developing city. 

Sunday short lived tradition at staff house.

There are about 6 rotating expats at the Luanda staff house. One brought a little BBQ and every Sunday they BBQ.  There are some markets that some decent meat can be bought.  

Today was my first.   Good steaks but we got rained out so went in the mess hall.  

It's short lived because the cook is leaving in December.  Most us rotators will be leaving in the coming months it appears.   

As good as it gets for sure.  

Winter nights

Malongo nights of lights.  

Only fast food option

There at be some local fast food type offerings in Angola but the only true fast food that has been allowed here or has been able to survive is the Kernel.  

Rainy Season

Seems to be the rainy season for the next several months.  The standard scene from my office.  I was going to go to other building but had no way to cross the street.  Slowly but surely the infrastructure develops. 

November Hitch

Mosquitos are in full breed since rains have been more frequent; getting warmer as summer approaches; saw more military with new gear on ride in; and next week marks 40 years independence for Angola so it's a local holiday.  

Back to work and production.  

Days bleed together and nights emerge in serenity.

From malongo camp to city of Luanda. 

Workforce health

As a company we do so much for workforce and community health. Event today focused on cardiovascular health.  

Great dance demonstration included. 

In the works and how it works

A national colleague told me the city would not function without the blue vans that shuttle people all over the city and suburbs. They are all over. One guy drives and another runs along getting people to get in their can. Not sure what the charge is. 

Lots of public works projects occurring. They are trying to improve roads, park space and infrastructure. Lots of road and sidewalk work I have seen lately. They try. 

We support a lot in Angola

Chevron has supported and offered resources for a long time in Angola. 

Been here 60 years. 

It's pretty impressive what we do in other countries to help the development of the community we operate in. 

Our ambulance in Luanda 

We used to have a coffin program for employees and I think we still do. To support safe and hygiene of handling the deceased. I came across some at our warehouse the other day. 

Holiday Angola.

Thursday is a national holiday here in Angola. Something about the founder I believe.  But I guess sometimes the government just decides some other days are holidays too.    

The government sent a note out that Friday is now a national holiday too and employers must give their employees the day off.    Kind of one of the Thursday Friday combo days off I guess. 

So I get an extra long weekend in the office by myself to get a lot done.  

Well the government says its a day off work so all must comply or be in noncompliance with the labor laws.  

Cabinda- Luanda scenes

Quick trip to Malongo.  

Cabinda province is different. Not as built up, much greener, more rain, less resources but lots more oil offshore. 

They do have a football stadium though. 

And back to Luanda. 

There is a beach area of sorts on the ilia. 

Hitch 5,8?

Back on hitch, routines, work and work. 

Improvement: we now use the BestFly terminal to go to Malongo/Cabinda.  

It's nicer and quieter. 

The usual interesting and changing times otherwise. Angola is entering a tough period with economic, resource and growth challenges. 

Luanda Namibia Cape Town --Cape Town Namibia Luanda Houston San Francisco

Lots of travels but now in the right direction.  

Namibia- 

The air Namibia flight back to Luanda parked right next to our Houston express.  So close.  Just 11 hour wait now.  

Would revisit for sure

Cape Town seems like a place to revisit. Nice office where everyone was freindly and accommodating.   

Nice food, scenery, English speaking, wine and beauty. 

Enjoyed some of the local pinotage wines.  

Cape Town work

Days of training at our Cape Town office. But got to take a half day and drive around the cape.  Beautiful topography and scenery. 

Simons town-

Table mountain