Synergy 23 Oct 2010 at the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal

Well it's been a while since I went to a doof doof type event but it just happens that we arrived in Amsterdam the weekend of the Amsterdam Dance Event (ADE), which is apparently one of Amsterdam's premiere dance events.

Hundreds of venues all over the city play host to various dance events of all genres. Armin played on Thursday and Paul van Dyk on Friday. Saturday was the turn of Ferry Corsten with Josh Gabriel and Cosmic Gate.

Old timers will well remember with sadness the break up of Gabriel & Dresden. I haven't heard Josh Gabriel since the breakup and when we arrived at the venue at around 11.30 pm, he was mostly through his set but the last half hour that we did manage to hear was excellent.

Then comes Cosmic Gate, another of the old timer faves who are now doing interesting stuff again with a harder more techy edge to their music.

And a shot of the crowd.

Spain aka my Jamon pilgrimmage

Finishing off a two week whirlwind tour of Spain and have seen and learnt many wondrous things:

• Gaudi's buildings such as Casa Batllo and the Sagrada Familia


• Discovered that the creator of Chupa Chups was Spanish and that the Chupa Chups wrapper was designed by Gaudi


• Visited word heritage sites in Trujillo, Caceres and Granada


• Seen amazing paintings by my two all-time favourite painters (Bosch and Breughel) at the Prado


• Attended awesome flamenco performances in Granada

However the standout experience of the trip was easily the Joselito Jamon Iberico de Bellota Gran Reserva. No ordinary ham this. This is the king of all hams with a unique, sweet flavour that comes from the acorns that makes up the free roaming black iberian pig's diet prior to their slaughter. Once eaten, no other ham compares.

I rate this on par with the highest quality toro and wagyu beef.

This is an experience not to be missed when visiting Spain!

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