saturday march 13
we are back in singapore as of yesterday afternoon. it was great to see diana and jim again. diana of course put out a nice spread for a late lunch, and then invited us to a good -bye pool party for one of their neighbours. then it was off to sentosa to see the new casino complex that has recently opened. talk about culture shock...and serious gambling. we slept in a bit today, had one of diana's delicious breakfasts, and then headed back to the beach on sentosa island. everything in singapore is "go big or go home" and this was no exception. volleyball courts, paddle boats, bars, swimming and a "surfing ride", they have it all. the soon to be opened universal studios will just be the icing on the cake. this afternoon just happened to be a" 50 man hunk competion day". it was a hoot. if signed up to join singapore's longest limbo dance you got two free drinks and a loot bag. we of course signed on. turned out to be an entertaining afternoon. we are back at diana's now where she will cook a delectable meal, and have some friends drop by. they have quite the life here.
we thoroughly enjoyed our six days on the beach in our hut. not much to report as our days consisted of reading, eating and walking the beach. we had such fun with all the young people that we met, the food was amazing, and the owners, Malcolm and Koy, a delight. i have volunteered to run the place for them, should the stress of sitting on the beach every day necessitate (?) a holiday. they said they would keep me in mind. a few more days and we are home. i can't believe that it is coming to an end.
Saturday, March 13, 2010
Sunday, March 7, 2010
monday. march 8
we made an enquiry at our hotel in bangkok as to the cost of a taxi to the airport. 25 bucks. i don't think so, so we left ourselves lots of time and took public transportation. 90 cents to the end of the skytrain line, and another 1.25 by mini van directly to the airport, we made it in such good time that we were even able to hop on an earlier flight to phuket. sometimes things just work out.
we got a cab to our guesthouse on phuket. we are on phuket island but up at the north end where it is very quiet. we have a little thatched hut on the beach..paradise. we were going to move from here after a couple of days but have decided against it. the only downside is there is no internet or any other means of communication. today we came into town to do some banking, and book a flight to singapore. we are flying back to singapore on friday the 12th, and i will resume contact then. don't feel too sorry for us.LOL.
the only bad news. when gerry opened my backpack to get the camera out it had been stolen. they took the camera and left the case. we guess that it happened at the airport. not that the pictures were great or the camera worth much, but there go our memories.
we are in the town of phuket at the moment. there must be a nice area, but it isn't here. time to head back to the beach.
i will be in touch again from Diana's. all the best.
we made an enquiry at our hotel in bangkok as to the cost of a taxi to the airport. 25 bucks. i don't think so, so we left ourselves lots of time and took public transportation. 90 cents to the end of the skytrain line, and another 1.25 by mini van directly to the airport, we made it in such good time that we were even able to hop on an earlier flight to phuket. sometimes things just work out.
we got a cab to our guesthouse on phuket. we are on phuket island but up at the north end where it is very quiet. we have a little thatched hut on the beach..paradise. we were going to move from here after a couple of days but have decided against it. the only downside is there is no internet or any other means of communication. today we came into town to do some banking, and book a flight to singapore. we are flying back to singapore on friday the 12th, and i will resume contact then. don't feel too sorry for us.LOL.
the only bad news. when gerry opened my backpack to get the camera out it had been stolen. they took the camera and left the case. we guess that it happened at the airport. not that the pictures were great or the camera worth much, but there go our memories.
we are in the town of phuket at the moment. there must be a nice area, but it isn't here. time to head back to the beach.
i will be in touch again from Diana's. all the best.
Friday, March 5, 2010
saturday march 6
we had dinner last night at "cabbages and condoms" another one of those restaurants with a social conscience. we ate on the terrace which was all lit up with fairy lights, and had a young woman playing traditional music. for the first time since we left home the bill tacked on a service charge, then put tax on the total amount. that left a really bad taste in my mouth. then we dropped in for a beer at an american bar...met a couple of real characters living here in thailand from the states. lots of good stories.
this morning we headed off early to the week-end market. there is absolutely everything there. so much so that it is totally overwhelming. you have to see the animal section to believe it. the sweetest puppies ever. we spoke to an australian woman who told us that they are well cared for..we can only hope.
we catch a flight to phuket this evening. we have booked a little hut on the beach so may be out of communication for a few days. we'll see.
we had dinner last night at "cabbages and condoms" another one of those restaurants with a social conscience. we ate on the terrace which was all lit up with fairy lights, and had a young woman playing traditional music. for the first time since we left home the bill tacked on a service charge, then put tax on the total amount. that left a really bad taste in my mouth. then we dropped in for a beer at an american bar...met a couple of real characters living here in thailand from the states. lots of good stories.
this morning we headed off early to the week-end market. there is absolutely everything there. so much so that it is totally overwhelming. you have to see the animal section to believe it. the sweetest puppies ever. we spoke to an australian woman who told us that they are well cared for..we can only hope.
we catch a flight to phuket this evening. we have booked a little hut on the beach so may be out of communication for a few days. we'll see.
friday march 5
well we made it. the 8 dollar bus got us back to bangkok from cambodia. we had to walk across the border and wait for immigration, but it all worked out in the end. when we were between countries the kids came begging. they carry their baby siblings in slings and it is really difficult to tell if these kids are alive or dead. i swear that some of them are not living any longer. anyway, the kids saw some palm sugar in my backpack, it is the cambodian equivalent of maple sugar, and they asked if they could have it. i gave them one pack and they went crazy. i insisted that they share, and they did. i just gave up the other two packs and you would have thought that they had won the lottery.
we are staying in another area in bankgkok, and it is great. we are on the sky train line and so are seeing a different part of the city. we went to the jim thompson house this morning. very lovely. then we spent part of the day on the river.fabulous. tomorrow we fky to phuket to spend a few days at the beach. the weather is still perfect. hope things are heating up in toronto. until tomorrow.
well we made it. the 8 dollar bus got us back to bangkok from cambodia. we had to walk across the border and wait for immigration, but it all worked out in the end. when we were between countries the kids came begging. they carry their baby siblings in slings and it is really difficult to tell if these kids are alive or dead. i swear that some of them are not living any longer. anyway, the kids saw some palm sugar in my backpack, it is the cambodian equivalent of maple sugar, and they asked if they could have it. i gave them one pack and they went crazy. i insisted that they share, and they did. i just gave up the other two packs and you would have thought that they had won the lottery.
we are staying in another area in bankgkok, and it is great. we are on the sky train line and so are seeing a different part of the city. we went to the jim thompson house this morning. very lovely. then we spent part of the day on the river.fabulous. tomorrow we fky to phuket to spend a few days at the beach. the weather is still perfect. hope things are heating up in toronto. until tomorrow.
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
wednesday march 3
we have spent the last two days at the temples. they are miraculous, but two solid days of stone is enough. the tuk-tuk driver and guide picked us up at 7:30. the guide was the most open and chatty person that i have met yet. we had to work hard to understand his english, but it was doable. he rhymed off the facts about the temples, but what he really wanted to hold court on, was cambodian politics and history. he was a man of many opinions and happy to share them. he is a hindu who hates buddhists, thinks tht all the monks are on the take, feels that all the border countries are trying to steal cambodia's land, particularly hates Thailand, and doesn't think that the Vietnamese shouldb e allowed to move freely into cambodia. we are tired of being bombarded by children selling us non-stop and are looking forward to getting back to Thailand.
we tried to get a flight to Bangkok, but it was going to cost us 400 dollares plus a 50 dollar departure fee so we opted for the bus. it leaves at 7:30 tomorrow and costs 8 bucks each, no departure tax. i asked her if that included the bus. LOL. we will see. you have to walk across the border and get another bus on the other side.it might be another adventure happening. i will report back. still hot and humid here. hope all is well in canada.
we have spent the last two days at the temples. they are miraculous, but two solid days of stone is enough. the tuk-tuk driver and guide picked us up at 7:30. the guide was the most open and chatty person that i have met yet. we had to work hard to understand his english, but it was doable. he rhymed off the facts about the temples, but what he really wanted to hold court on, was cambodian politics and history. he was a man of many opinions and happy to share them. he is a hindu who hates buddhists, thinks tht all the monks are on the take, feels that all the border countries are trying to steal cambodia's land, particularly hates Thailand, and doesn't think that the Vietnamese shouldb e allowed to move freely into cambodia. we are tired of being bombarded by children selling us non-stop and are looking forward to getting back to Thailand.
we tried to get a flight to Bangkok, but it was going to cost us 400 dollares plus a 50 dollar departure fee so we opted for the bus. it leaves at 7:30 tomorrow and costs 8 bucks each, no departure tax. i asked her if that included the bus. LOL. we will see. you have to walk across the border and get another bus on the other side.it might be another adventure happening. i will report back. still hot and humid here. hope all is well in canada.
Monday, March 1, 2010
monday march 1
we are in siem reap. the little bit that we have seen looks quite nice.
the restaurant that we wanted to eat at last night was closed, so we ended up at a little place by the hotel with lianne and mike. it only had about four tables and doubled as a bike shop, bike tour place, and laundromat. the guys running all these various factions also cooked, and the food was excellent. at the same time they were having a good-bye party for their friend. they were absolutely hilarious and we had a great evening. we ended up for a beer later, and of course all the kids are out hawking all sorts of goods for the tuk-tuk guys who are pimping them. lianne, being a community worker, was all into it. she was talking up the kids, their mothers and the pimps. mike was like "i am not madonna"i guess you had to be there. we ended back there for breakfast. i took a chance on a bacon and egg sadwich, i haven't seen bacon here yet, and it was delicious. then it was off to the bus to siem reap. we arrived at about 6, checked into our hotel. organized a tuk-tuk and guide for tomorrow and grabbed some dinner. we are off to the temples tomorrow. perhaps we will see angelina jolie (tomb raider) until then.
we are in siem reap. the little bit that we have seen looks quite nice.
the restaurant that we wanted to eat at last night was closed, so we ended up at a little place by the hotel with lianne and mike. it only had about four tables and doubled as a bike shop, bike tour place, and laundromat. the guys running all these various factions also cooked, and the food was excellent. at the same time they were having a good-bye party for their friend. they were absolutely hilarious and we had a great evening. we ended up for a beer later, and of course all the kids are out hawking all sorts of goods for the tuk-tuk guys who are pimping them. lianne, being a community worker, was all into it. she was talking up the kids, their mothers and the pimps. mike was like "i am not madonna"i guess you had to be there. we ended back there for breakfast. i took a chance on a bacon and egg sadwich, i haven't seen bacon here yet, and it was delicious. then it was off to the bus to siem reap. we arrived at about 6, checked into our hotel. organized a tuk-tuk and guide for tomorrow and grabbed some dinner. we are off to the temples tomorrow. perhaps we will see angelina jolie (tomb raider) until then.
Saturday, February 27, 2010
sunday february 28
we are in phnom penh. there is an incredible amount of infrastructure for a country that has only really been at it for 20 years, but it is for the most part painfully poor, particularly the rural areas where there is no electricty or sanitation, only cellular service.
we spent two days getting here by boat and bus. it was a good little trip and once again we met a good little group from all over. we spent the night in chau doc where we dined with four of our bus mates. the food was good, but you have never seen so many flies in your life. not house flies, but midges of some type, completely covering everything.
the trip up the mekong yesterday was hot and interesting. the rural people really use the river. they appear to be completely self-sufficient. we joined a young couple from Scotland for dinner last evening, and we are meeting them again tonight and goint to one of these reataurants run by street kids. should be fun. we had a local specialty last night...amok. it had a thai taste, and after the bland vietnamese food it was a pleasant surprise.
today we went to the killing fields and S-21. a very depressing morning, and i think that we are in need of a 60 cent beer. the atrocities are mind-boggling.
tomorrow we hop on a bus at noon and head up to siem reap. weare looking forward to this leg.
i will report back on angkor wat.
we are in phnom penh. there is an incredible amount of infrastructure for a country that has only really been at it for 20 years, but it is for the most part painfully poor, particularly the rural areas where there is no electricty or sanitation, only cellular service.
we spent two days getting here by boat and bus. it was a good little trip and once again we met a good little group from all over. we spent the night in chau doc where we dined with four of our bus mates. the food was good, but you have never seen so many flies in your life. not house flies, but midges of some type, completely covering everything.
the trip up the mekong yesterday was hot and interesting. the rural people really use the river. they appear to be completely self-sufficient. we joined a young couple from Scotland for dinner last evening, and we are meeting them again tonight and goint to one of these reataurants run by street kids. should be fun. we had a local specialty last night...amok. it had a thai taste, and after the bland vietnamese food it was a pleasant surprise.
today we went to the killing fields and S-21. a very depressing morning, and i think that we are in need of a 60 cent beer. the atrocities are mind-boggling.
tomorrow we hop on a bus at noon and head up to siem reap. weare looking forward to this leg.
i will report back on angkor wat.
Thursday, February 25, 2010
February 25 Thursday
Happy Birthday Breen!!!
I haven't been able to log on to my blog for the past three days.
Monday we piled into the van for 16, thank goodness there were only 9 of us, as that is all that fit. The drive was harrowing. vietnamese drive like maniacs. he who has the biggest vehicle rules the roadways. fortunately there are very few cars, but there are thousands of motocycles, and lots of bicycles, but they are completely bullied by the bigger vehicles. pedestrians are the lowest on the chain and you need eyes on the sides and back of your head. we arrived about 8pm in nha trang, checked in, grabbed a bite, and hit the sack.
Tuesday we spent at the beach. after driving through rice paddies, oxen, ducks and chickens goint to market, oh yes and even 2 goats on a motorcycle, nha trang was surreal. a georgous beach with beautiful huts and bars with delicious smoothies, it was like landing in another country. could have been the bahamas, the cote d'azure, or any other fabulous beach locale. the water was warm and the surf perfect. we all hooked up for dinner at the sailing club. a nice upscale beach on the water. i had soft-shelled crab.yum. we topped the night off with a pint at the australian brew pub just down the way. good times all around. pat brought up a picture of her dinner guest from the night before...a big rat right on the table top. gross.
wednesday we did more of the same. beach beach and more beach. we had dinner at a small fish place. decided to go cheap. a salad big enough to feed four, bar-b-cued tuna and fries, and i am talking a huge piece of tuna, and two bottled waters. 6 dollars total. amazing. at 8:30 we boarded the overnight bus to saigon and i went off to sleep. it was perfect.
we arrived in saigon at 7:30 this morning. checked in and went out exploring. we saw the fine art museum, 2 markets, the reunification palace and the war museum. the war museum was the best. there was an exhibition of photos taken during the war by embedded photo journalists. some we certainly remembered from magazines but lots were new to us. there was also a huge display of the birth defects as a result of chemical warfare. pretty awful stuff. after 2 hours i was propaganded out, and i am now finished with the vietnamese war, or the american war, as they call it.
tomorrow morning we are off on a 2 day boat and overland trip to phnom phen. nest message will be from cambodia.
keep well.
Happy Birthday Breen!!!
I haven't been able to log on to my blog for the past three days.
Monday we piled into the van for 16, thank goodness there were only 9 of us, as that is all that fit. The drive was harrowing. vietnamese drive like maniacs. he who has the biggest vehicle rules the roadways. fortunately there are very few cars, but there are thousands of motocycles, and lots of bicycles, but they are completely bullied by the bigger vehicles. pedestrians are the lowest on the chain and you need eyes on the sides and back of your head. we arrived about 8pm in nha trang, checked in, grabbed a bite, and hit the sack.
Tuesday we spent at the beach. after driving through rice paddies, oxen, ducks and chickens goint to market, oh yes and even 2 goats on a motorcycle, nha trang was surreal. a georgous beach with beautiful huts and bars with delicious smoothies, it was like landing in another country. could have been the bahamas, the cote d'azure, or any other fabulous beach locale. the water was warm and the surf perfect. we all hooked up for dinner at the sailing club. a nice upscale beach on the water. i had soft-shelled crab.yum. we topped the night off with a pint at the australian brew pub just down the way. good times all around. pat brought up a picture of her dinner guest from the night before...a big rat right on the table top. gross.
wednesday we did more of the same. beach beach and more beach. we had dinner at a small fish place. decided to go cheap. a salad big enough to feed four, bar-b-cued tuna and fries, and i am talking a huge piece of tuna, and two bottled waters. 6 dollars total. amazing. at 8:30 we boarded the overnight bus to saigon and i went off to sleep. it was perfect.
we arrived in saigon at 7:30 this morning. checked in and went out exploring. we saw the fine art museum, 2 markets, the reunification palace and the war museum. the war museum was the best. there was an exhibition of photos taken during the war by embedded photo journalists. some we certainly remembered from magazines but lots were new to us. there was also a huge display of the birth defects as a result of chemical warfare. pretty awful stuff. after 2 hours i was propaganded out, and i am now finished with the vietnamese war, or the american war, as they call it.
tomorrow morning we are off on a 2 day boat and overland trip to phnom phen. nest message will be from cambodia.
keep well.
Sunday, February 21, 2010
sunday february 21
we met up with 7 others for dinner last night on the river. 3 canadians and 6 poms, as the aussies call them, brits to us. this is the group that is renting the van for the trip to na trang tomorrow. we will try to make a stop at mai li on the way there. there is a museum and a memorial there. it will be sad but hopefully worth the visit.
today we rented bikes and rode around the coast. the beaches are beautiful. white sand and surf as far as the eye can see. there is only one tiny section with resorts although i suppose that to will change with time.
all the vietnamese ride motorcyles. there are thousands of them on the road and nobody follows any of the rules. lots of people here where masks, i am guessing as the birthplace of avian flu perhaps that is what they are trying to prevent. what you see all time, however is a family of 4 on a motorbike. both parents often have helmets, but the children never do. they are often standing or riding side-saddle in their flip-flops, no helmets, but masks on. seems crazy, but it is the norm. i read in the paper yesterday that there have already been 400 fatalities on the first six days of the new year. crazy.
we are off to grab some dinner. we just can't decide where, we both feel like good old home food tonught, but i guess that is out of the question. we had lunch at a great little restaurant that trains street kids for the hospitality industry. it is an 18 month apprenticeship and they get hired for all the best spots. it was by far the cleanest place we have eaten in yet, and the food was wonderful.
off at the crack of dawn tomorrow. i expect that we won't get to na trang until about 8 tomorrow. in the meantime, hope everyone had a great week-end.
we met up with 7 others for dinner last night on the river. 3 canadians and 6 poms, as the aussies call them, brits to us. this is the group that is renting the van for the trip to na trang tomorrow. we will try to make a stop at mai li on the way there. there is a museum and a memorial there. it will be sad but hopefully worth the visit.
today we rented bikes and rode around the coast. the beaches are beautiful. white sand and surf as far as the eye can see. there is only one tiny section with resorts although i suppose that to will change with time.
all the vietnamese ride motorcyles. there are thousands of them on the road and nobody follows any of the rules. lots of people here where masks, i am guessing as the birthplace of avian flu perhaps that is what they are trying to prevent. what you see all time, however is a family of 4 on a motorbike. both parents often have helmets, but the children never do. they are often standing or riding side-saddle in their flip-flops, no helmets, but masks on. seems crazy, but it is the norm. i read in the paper yesterday that there have already been 400 fatalities on the first six days of the new year. crazy.
we are off to grab some dinner. we just can't decide where, we both feel like good old home food tonught, but i guess that is out of the question. we had lunch at a great little restaurant that trains street kids for the hospitality industry. it is an 18 month apprenticeship and they get hired for all the best spots. it was by far the cleanest place we have eaten in yet, and the food was wonderful.
off at the crack of dawn tomorrow. i expect that we won't get to na trang until about 8 tomorrow. in the meantime, hope everyone had a great week-end.
Friday, February 19, 2010
saturday february 20
we arrived in hoi an yesterday at about 5. it is everything that we hoped it would be. a really lovely city. this time we took a tourist bus and got here without a hitch. the only problem was that the hotel didn't have our reservation so they sent us to one of their sister hotels for the night. better location, but not nearly as nice. today we are at the hotel that we booked and it is lovely. we went out for dinner along the river and met some great people. they are having the same travel problems as we are, due to tet, so they have decided to rent a van and driver to take them to na thrang on monday. we are in. should be a lot of fun. the sun is finally back and the weather is grand. what a difference it makes. hoi an is on the river and at night it is all lit up and stupendous. we did a bit of shopping today, gerry even lived dangerously and got a haircut.
we are heading back out to the streets and will meet our travelling companions for a drink at 7.
more hoi an news to follow.
we arrived in hoi an yesterday at about 5. it is everything that we hoped it would be. a really lovely city. this time we took a tourist bus and got here without a hitch. the only problem was that the hotel didn't have our reservation so they sent us to one of their sister hotels for the night. better location, but not nearly as nice. today we are at the hotel that we booked and it is lovely. we went out for dinner along the river and met some great people. they are having the same travel problems as we are, due to tet, so they have decided to rent a van and driver to take them to na thrang on monday. we are in. should be a lot of fun. the sun is finally back and the weather is grand. what a difference it makes. hoi an is on the river and at night it is all lit up and stupendous. we did a bit of shopping today, gerry even lived dangerously and got a haircut.
we are heading back out to the streets and will meet our travelling companions for a drink at 7.
more hoi an news to follow.
Thursday, February 18, 2010
thursday february 18
we arrived in hue about 1:30 and have had a chance to visit the city and see the imperial palace. no much else going on here, and we are heading off to hoi an tomorrow afternoon. it is also a unesco world heritage sight so should be quite lovely. it has been overcast the whole time we have been in vietnam, but fortunately we have managed to escape the rain.
the last twenty four hours have been challenging. the train ride was an experience that Gerry absolutely refuses to re-visit. i will spare all the gory details at this time, suffice to say that it wasn't pretty. we survived however, and will live to tell the tale. it was a total of 17 hours and gerry insists that conditions in the don jail are better.
other than the train it has been a quiet day.
next report will be from hoi an. we are chasing the sun, but haven't found it quite yet.
hope all is well at home.
we arrived in hue about 1:30 and have had a chance to visit the city and see the imperial palace. no much else going on here, and we are heading off to hoi an tomorrow afternoon. it is also a unesco world heritage sight so should be quite lovely. it has been overcast the whole time we have been in vietnam, but fortunately we have managed to escape the rain.
the last twenty four hours have been challenging. the train ride was an experience that Gerry absolutely refuses to re-visit. i will spare all the gory details at this time, suffice to say that it wasn't pretty. we survived however, and will live to tell the tale. it was a total of 17 hours and gerry insists that conditions in the don jail are better.
other than the train it has been a quiet day.
next report will be from hoi an. we are chasing the sun, but haven't found it quite yet.
hope all is well at home.
Wednesday, February 17, 2010
wednesday february 17
we are just dropping by at the guest house to pick up our packs and head to the train station. it was a long day of walking in hanoi. the water puppet show was fabulous, dinner was excellent, and we even caught a bit of olympic hockey. the train will be 16 hours in a 6 bed hard sleeper. i will report back. in the meantime have a great few days.
we are just dropping by at the guest house to pick up our packs and head to the train station. it was a long day of walking in hanoi. the water puppet show was fabulous, dinner was excellent, and we even caught a bit of olympic hockey. the train will be 16 hours in a 6 bed hard sleeper. i will report back. in the meantime have a great few days.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
tuesday february 16
the young man from hanoi kids arrived right at 9 after a nice breakfast of pho. he was happy to practise his english as ha says english study in school is boring. sound familiar? we started at the temple of literature, the first university in hanoi. i am not sure of the start date but hanoi will be 1,000 years old in october. the students all visit the temple at the beginning of the new year and rub the heads of the turtles(bronze)for good luck. then it was off to the pagoda where every person in hanoi was visiting and making offerings for a new year. there was even beer stacked up. we had some street food there, more pho, but also these deepfried shrimp on a crispy cake of some sort. yum. we tried to ask questions but there were things that he would not discuss. he would not even tell us what his father does. quite interesting.
in the afternoon we wandered over to the army museum. luckily it was open, but oh my,such propaganda. it actually becomes a bit tiring. very intesting to see the other side mind you, and vietnam has had a lot of oppression in it's lifetime. then we wandered aimlessly...actually i was in charge of the map and managed to go in the complete wrong direction. big whoop, it wasn't like we had anywhere to be.
i think that we will go to a little tapas bar near the lake for dinner. it looked cute, and was reasonably priced. tomorrow is our last day in hanoi before we climb aboard the slow train to hue.
the young man from hanoi kids arrived right at 9 after a nice breakfast of pho. he was happy to practise his english as ha says english study in school is boring. sound familiar? we started at the temple of literature, the first university in hanoi. i am not sure of the start date but hanoi will be 1,000 years old in october. the students all visit the temple at the beginning of the new year and rub the heads of the turtles(bronze)for good luck. then it was off to the pagoda where every person in hanoi was visiting and making offerings for a new year. there was even beer stacked up. we had some street food there, more pho, but also these deepfried shrimp on a crispy cake of some sort. yum. we tried to ask questions but there were things that he would not discuss. he would not even tell us what his father does. quite interesting.
in the afternoon we wandered over to the army museum. luckily it was open, but oh my,such propaganda. it actually becomes a bit tiring. very intesting to see the other side mind you, and vietnam has had a lot of oppression in it's lifetime. then we wandered aimlessly...actually i was in charge of the map and managed to go in the complete wrong direction. big whoop, it wasn't like we had anywhere to be.
i think that we will go to a little tapas bar near the lake for dinner. it looked cute, and was reasonably priced. tomorrow is our last day in hanoi before we climb aboard the slow train to hue.
Monday, February 15, 2010
monday february 15
happy family day to all you ontarians.
we started the day off bright and early here in hanoi. cool but fortunately the rain held off. the guest house provided big bowls of pho for breakfast. yum. not gerry's favourite but good for his system. he is feeling much better today, though not 100%. then it was off to the train station to figure out a way to leave. that was a production let me tell you. you start to understand why people take tours, particularly when there is such a language barrier. we did finally manage to get an overnight train to hue on wednesday. a six berth hard sleeper...we'll see. then it was off to continue our exploration. the city was very quiet in the morning but got busier as the day went on. we wandered over to the "hanoi hilton" to see when it would be open, and lo and behold it was. it was very interesting. the french treatment of the vietnamese prisoners was depicted as worse than living for sure. the depictment of the american prisoners shows them playing soccer and volleyball, decorating a christmas tree and receiving souvenirs. i am sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
dinner was at a cute italian restaurant recommended in frommers, but anytime they quote the price in US dollars you know that you are being ripped off, because the price in dong seems so outrageous. today we took 8,000,000.00 out of the bank. that has never happened before.
tomorrow we have made an appointment with hanoi kids. they come and spend a few hours with us to practise their english. should be fun and we will get to see some new parts of hanoi.
i'll get back to you.
happy family day to all you ontarians.
we started the day off bright and early here in hanoi. cool but fortunately the rain held off. the guest house provided big bowls of pho for breakfast. yum. not gerry's favourite but good for his system. he is feeling much better today, though not 100%. then it was off to the train station to figure out a way to leave. that was a production let me tell you. you start to understand why people take tours, particularly when there is such a language barrier. we did finally manage to get an overnight train to hue on wednesday. a six berth hard sleeper...we'll see. then it was off to continue our exploration. the city was very quiet in the morning but got busier as the day went on. we wandered over to the "hanoi hilton" to see when it would be open, and lo and behold it was. it was very interesting. the french treatment of the vietnamese prisoners was depicted as worse than living for sure. the depictment of the american prisoners shows them playing soccer and volleyball, decorating a christmas tree and receiving souvenirs. i am sure the truth lies somewhere in the middle.
dinner was at a cute italian restaurant recommended in frommers, but anytime they quote the price in US dollars you know that you are being ripped off, because the price in dong seems so outrageous. today we took 8,000,000.00 out of the bank. that has never happened before.
tomorrow we have made an appointment with hanoi kids. they come and spend a few hours with us to practise their english. should be fun and we will get to see some new parts of hanoi.
i'll get back to you.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
sunday february 14
happy valentines day, chinese new year, and tet.
we have arrived in hanoi. it is cold and drizzly.
for our last night in luang prabang we decided to go to a touristy place where they had traditional music, dance and food. it was good fun even if a bit pricey.
news flash!! big emergency. someone stole my lipstick. yes my lips are naked. i already lost the lipliner and now someone has taken my lipstick. i left it in the bathroom at the guest house and someone there took it! i ripped the room apart to no avail, but believe me i know exactly where i left it.
back to the blog. gerry has been feeling under the weather since last evening. i hope that it was just something he ate. he hasn't had any appetite today and is now in bed. hopefully tomorrow he will be better.
this morning we went out to the elephant conservation park to ride the elephants, have lunch, go for a river ride and then back. it was great fun on the elephants. i got to ride bareback sitting on her head. i've never done that before. then it was off to the airport and on our way to vietnam. security in loas is just a suggestion, and entering viet nam was a piece of cake.
with everything shut down for tet, i am not sure what the next two days have in store. i tried to cas some travellers cheques and the gal told me that the banks won't open until next monday...8 days away. the girl at the desk here at the guest house tells me that i won't be able to get a plane, train, or bus for the next few weeks. it wouldn't be the end of the world except that it is cold here. i veel your pain.
i will let you know where this all goes. until then...happy Tet.
happy valentines day, chinese new year, and tet.
we have arrived in hanoi. it is cold and drizzly.
for our last night in luang prabang we decided to go to a touristy place where they had traditional music, dance and food. it was good fun even if a bit pricey.
news flash!! big emergency. someone stole my lipstick. yes my lips are naked. i already lost the lipliner and now someone has taken my lipstick. i left it in the bathroom at the guest house and someone there took it! i ripped the room apart to no avail, but believe me i know exactly where i left it.
back to the blog. gerry has been feeling under the weather since last evening. i hope that it was just something he ate. he hasn't had any appetite today and is now in bed. hopefully tomorrow he will be better.
this morning we went out to the elephant conservation park to ride the elephants, have lunch, go for a river ride and then back. it was great fun on the elephants. i got to ride bareback sitting on her head. i've never done that before. then it was off to the airport and on our way to vietnam. security in loas is just a suggestion, and entering viet nam was a piece of cake.
with everything shut down for tet, i am not sure what the next two days have in store. i tried to cas some travellers cheques and the gal told me that the banks won't open until next monday...8 days away. the girl at the desk here at the guest house tells me that i won't be able to get a plane, train, or bus for the next few weeks. it wouldn't be the end of the world except that it is cold here. i veel your pain.
i will let you know where this all goes. until then...happy Tet.
Friday, February 12, 2010
saturday february 13
on tuesday we caught the bus to chiang kong. we could learn a few things. for the princely sum of 7 dollars we gt a reserved seat, a steward on the bus, water and a bag of cookies each, and a hand towel to clean up when we arrived at our destination. then it was a taxi to the ferry, a quick ferry ride across to laos, a one page form to fill out, payment of 42 u.s. dollars, and we were in laos. we canadians pay the most to enter laos however. the most in the world. the americans only pay 35 dollars, and they bombed the hell out of them. go figure. then it was dinner and to bed.
wednesday morning we grabbed a cab to the pier and boarded out boat at 10;15 for an 11: 00 departure. the seats were hard wooden benches really not meant for 2 people, and the boat didn't leave until 12;30. our bums were sore before we even got going. nevertheless it was surprisingly fun people from all over the world were on the boat, and it was easy and fun to strike up conversations. there was beer and food onboard...and only one bathroom. surprisingly, though it wasn't pretty, they kept it clean and well stocked the entire trip. we were talking to an american viet nam war vet. he was full of great stories, but unfortunately he was racist redneck.after having too much to drink he fell in the Mekong getting off the boat. in all fairness it was a very thin plank and he is 69. we arrived at pakbeng at 6;30, found a room, had dinner and went to bed.
on thursday we arrived at the pier to start the whole process all over. this time they took all the people from two boats and put them on one. it went from bad to worse. the benches were even smaller and they were three across instead of two. once again we had a blast as we knew lots of the people quite well by then. we were able to sit on the edge of the boat with our feet hanging over..can you imagine that in canada? they would have a big wire fence and people yelling at you to get away from the edge. it was a longer day and we arrived in lang prabang at 6:30 again. we found a room, got cleaned up and met some dutch friends for dinner. a great time was had by all.
luang prabang is beautiful. a world heritage sight. yesterday we explored the town. you can see the french influence here. a very large baguette on the street stuffed with anything you want including lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, onions and chili sauce costs 1.20. everyone who speaks a little english wants to have a conversation with you, including the monks, of which there are many. for dinner last night we had a lao barbecue. a hot coal fire with a sombrero shaped grill on the top. in the brim or the moat goes the broth and the noodles and vegetables, and on the top you grill the chicken and the tofu. it comes with fabulous garnishes and egg. delicious. because of the french influence you can also get a glass of wine much easier than in Thailand.
today we rented bikes and have been exploring outside the town. tomorrow we go see the elephants and have a ride, and then it is on the plane to vietnam. we would have stayed here a bit longer but we if we didn't leave tomorrow we couldn't get out for a week because of tet. we are flying lao air...cross your fingers.
we have loved laos, both the country and the people. i would return here in a heartbeat. next posting will be from vietnam.
take care all.
on tuesday we caught the bus to chiang kong. we could learn a few things. for the princely sum of 7 dollars we gt a reserved seat, a steward on the bus, water and a bag of cookies each, and a hand towel to clean up when we arrived at our destination. then it was a taxi to the ferry, a quick ferry ride across to laos, a one page form to fill out, payment of 42 u.s. dollars, and we were in laos. we canadians pay the most to enter laos however. the most in the world. the americans only pay 35 dollars, and they bombed the hell out of them. go figure. then it was dinner and to bed.
wednesday morning we grabbed a cab to the pier and boarded out boat at 10;15 for an 11: 00 departure. the seats were hard wooden benches really not meant for 2 people, and the boat didn't leave until 12;30. our bums were sore before we even got going. nevertheless it was surprisingly fun people from all over the world were on the boat, and it was easy and fun to strike up conversations. there was beer and food onboard...and only one bathroom. surprisingly, though it wasn't pretty, they kept it clean and well stocked the entire trip. we were talking to an american viet nam war vet. he was full of great stories, but unfortunately he was racist redneck.after having too much to drink he fell in the Mekong getting off the boat. in all fairness it was a very thin plank and he is 69. we arrived at pakbeng at 6;30, found a room, had dinner and went to bed.
on thursday we arrived at the pier to start the whole process all over. this time they took all the people from two boats and put them on one. it went from bad to worse. the benches were even smaller and they were three across instead of two. once again we had a blast as we knew lots of the people quite well by then. we were able to sit on the edge of the boat with our feet hanging over..can you imagine that in canada? they would have a big wire fence and people yelling at you to get away from the edge. it was a longer day and we arrived in lang prabang at 6:30 again. we found a room, got cleaned up and met some dutch friends for dinner. a great time was had by all.
luang prabang is beautiful. a world heritage sight. yesterday we explored the town. you can see the french influence here. a very large baguette on the street stuffed with anything you want including lettuce, tomato, cucumbers, onions and chili sauce costs 1.20. everyone who speaks a little english wants to have a conversation with you, including the monks, of which there are many. for dinner last night we had a lao barbecue. a hot coal fire with a sombrero shaped grill on the top. in the brim or the moat goes the broth and the noodles and vegetables, and on the top you grill the chicken and the tofu. it comes with fabulous garnishes and egg. delicious. because of the french influence you can also get a glass of wine much easier than in Thailand.
today we rented bikes and have been exploring outside the town. tomorrow we go see the elephants and have a ride, and then it is on the plane to vietnam. we would have stayed here a bit longer but we if we didn't leave tomorrow we couldn't get out for a week because of tet. we are flying lao air...cross your fingers.
we have loved laos, both the country and the people. i would return here in a heartbeat. next posting will be from vietnam.
take care all.
Monday, February 8, 2010
monday february 8
this morning we were up at 6 to watch the superbowl at a local sportsbar. we met a great guy from portland maine last night and he joined us. a good time was had by all. fortunately the best team one. what made it so much fun, however, was a young american from new orleans. he was so pumped that he made it fun for everyone. it turns out that he lives here and has a small mexican restaurant.
we went off to the bus station to pick up our tickets for the bus trip to chiang kong tomorrow. a 6 and a half hour bus ride for 7 dollars each. we will get our visas to laos at the border, hopefully, walk across the bridge, and be in laos tomorrow night. on tuesday morning we will get on a slow boat, two full days, to luang prabang. this will be an adventure!!! l
there is a good chance that i won't be able to get back on the blog for 3 days or so. we won't have disappeared off the face of the earth, just incommunicato.
thailand has been fabulous and we look forward to returning before we head back to singapore.
until then.
this morning we were up at 6 to watch the superbowl at a local sportsbar. we met a great guy from portland maine last night and he joined us. a good time was had by all. fortunately the best team one. what made it so much fun, however, was a young american from new orleans. he was so pumped that he made it fun for everyone. it turns out that he lives here and has a small mexican restaurant.
we went off to the bus station to pick up our tickets for the bus trip to chiang kong tomorrow. a 6 and a half hour bus ride for 7 dollars each. we will get our visas to laos at the border, hopefully, walk across the bridge, and be in laos tomorrow night. on tuesday morning we will get on a slow boat, two full days, to luang prabang. this will be an adventure!!! l
there is a good chance that i won't be able to get back on the blog for 3 days or so. we won't have disappeared off the face of the earth, just incommunicato.
thailand has been fabulous and we look forward to returning before we head back to singapore.
until then.
Sunday, February 7, 2010
sunday february 7
we had to change hotels as the one we were in could not accomodate us for two additional nights. we managed to get one just across the street. wandered the saturday night market last night. gerry is marketed out. they are all similar...tons of people, goods and food. off to dinner after. we found a lovely place where we could get a glass of wine with our thai food. a real treat.
today we went to sammy's organic cooking school. it was fabulous. he has a place in the country with his wife and two year old. the only others in the class were a gal from Taiwan and her 15 year old nephew. we had a blast. i think that i can manage pad thai quite handily now. we are so stuffed that we can barely move. no running around looking for dinner tonight, but we will pay a visit to the sunday night market.
tomorrow morning we are off to some joint to watch the superbowl. since we are twelve hours ahead i will know the outcome long before you. LOL!!! care to bet??
talk tomorrow.
we had to change hotels as the one we were in could not accomodate us for two additional nights. we managed to get one just across the street. wandered the saturday night market last night. gerry is marketed out. they are all similar...tons of people, goods and food. off to dinner after. we found a lovely place where we could get a glass of wine with our thai food. a real treat.
today we went to sammy's organic cooking school. it was fabulous. he has a place in the country with his wife and two year old. the only others in the class were a gal from Taiwan and her 15 year old nephew. we had a blast. i think that i can manage pad thai quite handily now. we are so stuffed that we can barely move. no running around looking for dinner tonight, but we will pay a visit to the sunday night market.
tomorrow morning we are off to some joint to watch the superbowl. since we are twelve hours ahead i will know the outcome long before you. LOL!!! care to bet??
talk tomorrow.
Saturday, February 6, 2010
saturday february 6
last night we decided to go to a restaurant recommended in frommers. of course we wandered aimlessly looking for it. i had the wrong address in my head, but eventually it was located. it was northern thai and the food was fabulous. the best food that we have had yet...and it has all been darn good. the place was lovely. tablecloths and beautiful decor...all for the princely sum of 12 bucks, that included four dishes and two beers.
today was off to the flower parade. it was spectacular. i haven't seen the rose bowl live, but i am guessing that this parade would give it a run for its' money. communities far and wide participated with beautiful floats all created out of flowers, people in native dress, and every marching band that is in existence in northern thailand. the floats ended up at the park with a huge botanical show, booths of every kind, and of course food as far as the eye can see. all these people do is eat, and they are all rail thin.
we are off to a cooking course tomorrow. we chose one that is out of the city so that we can have a day in the country. "sammy" seemed really nice, there are only 6 people per session, and he has an organic farm.should be fun.
everybody negotiates really hard here. sometimes it just seems so cheap, but i guess that is how business is done. the standard fare to the airport here is 120 baht about 4 dollars. the girls behind me just talked him down to 70. seems like it would hardly cover his gas.
not sure about dinner plans yet. we just scoped out a spot for the superbowl at 6 on monday morning, and then on tuesday we are off to laos. weather here is hot- even for chaing mai. later
last night we decided to go to a restaurant recommended in frommers. of course we wandered aimlessly looking for it. i had the wrong address in my head, but eventually it was located. it was northern thai and the food was fabulous. the best food that we have had yet...and it has all been darn good. the place was lovely. tablecloths and beautiful decor...all for the princely sum of 12 bucks, that included four dishes and two beers.
today was off to the flower parade. it was spectacular. i haven't seen the rose bowl live, but i am guessing that this parade would give it a run for its' money. communities far and wide participated with beautiful floats all created out of flowers, people in native dress, and every marching band that is in existence in northern thailand. the floats ended up at the park with a huge botanical show, booths of every kind, and of course food as far as the eye can see. all these people do is eat, and they are all rail thin.
we are off to a cooking course tomorrow. we chose one that is out of the city so that we can have a day in the country. "sammy" seemed really nice, there are only 6 people per session, and he has an organic farm.should be fun.
everybody negotiates really hard here. sometimes it just seems so cheap, but i guess that is how business is done. the standard fare to the airport here is 120 baht about 4 dollars. the girls behind me just talked him down to 70. seems like it would hardly cover his gas.
not sure about dinner plans yet. we just scoped out a spot for the superbowl at 6 on monday morning, and then on tuesday we are off to laos. weather here is hot- even for chaing mai. later
Friday, February 5, 2010
friday february 5
the flight from bangkok was uneventful. going through security is so painless it is laughable. the gal looked at my passport, commented on the great colour of my lipstick, smiled and said have a good day. i decided to check my bag for the first time. just because. when i went to retrieve it at the other end it wasn't there...last bag to come out. only me.
we spent the day wandering around the old city. one of the wats had a "talk to the monk" spot. it was very interesting. you could ask him anything that you wanted. i got a lot of my questions answered. the oddest thing is that they can't take part in any sport or physical exercise.
today we started with breakfast out. no breakfast at the hotel. i had sticky rice and mango. fab. we sat with an older couple from germany and three young people from italy. interesting conversation and the young italian gentleman was very easy on the eyes. we spent the rest of the day visiting other parts of the city n foot, and ended up with a massage. gerry's gal was fabulous and mine was completely useless. i thought that my head was going to blow off. i don't like being touched..painful massage i don't mind, but this was just awful. i bit my tongue, sucked it up and soldiered on. for 5 bucks you can't kick up too much of a fuss. we are just looking at cooking schools and i will keep you posted.
the flight from bangkok was uneventful. going through security is so painless it is laughable. the gal looked at my passport, commented on the great colour of my lipstick, smiled and said have a good day. i decided to check my bag for the first time. just because. when i went to retrieve it at the other end it wasn't there...last bag to come out. only me.
we spent the day wandering around the old city. one of the wats had a "talk to the monk" spot. it was very interesting. you could ask him anything that you wanted. i got a lot of my questions answered. the oddest thing is that they can't take part in any sport or physical exercise.
today we started with breakfast out. no breakfast at the hotel. i had sticky rice and mango. fab. we sat with an older couple from germany and three young people from italy. interesting conversation and the young italian gentleman was very easy on the eyes. we spent the rest of the day visiting other parts of the city n foot, and ended up with a massage. gerry's gal was fabulous and mine was completely useless. i thought that my head was going to blow off. i don't like being touched..painful massage i don't mind, but this was just awful. i bit my tongue, sucked it up and soldiered on. for 5 bucks you can't kick up too much of a fuss. we are just looking at cooking schools and i will keep you posted.
Wednesday, February 3, 2010
wednesday february 3
the steets of bangkok are the best at night! there is a fabulous vibe and everyone is out. bangkok is the complete antithesis of singapore..it is dirty, poor, smelly and totally non-conformist, not particularly law-abiding,..difficult to read their maps and generally hard to get around, but at the same time utterly fabulous.
today we did the major temples. at wat pho which houses the massage school we had a thai massage for ten bucks. it was great. painful but great. then we hoofed it over to chinatown and in the noon-time heat grabbed an ice cream cone at mcdonalds for 25 cents.
back in our neck of the woods we grabbed some street food. pad thai and a spring roll for 90 cents. we stuck to the vegetarian version just to be safe. some of the meat and fish seems to hang around in the heat for a very long time. we have discovered that people who stop to help you on the street never tell you the truth. i thought france was bad, but you haven't seen anything until you come to bangkok.
tomorrow we are off to chiang mai. gerry nixed the bus, and we found a cheap flight for 75 bucks each.
we really must head out for a beer. it is bloody hot here, even at night. next report will be from chaing mai.
the steets of bangkok are the best at night! there is a fabulous vibe and everyone is out. bangkok is the complete antithesis of singapore..it is dirty, poor, smelly and totally non-conformist, not particularly law-abiding,..difficult to read their maps and generally hard to get around, but at the same time utterly fabulous.
today we did the major temples. at wat pho which houses the massage school we had a thai massage for ten bucks. it was great. painful but great. then we hoofed it over to chinatown and in the noon-time heat grabbed an ice cream cone at mcdonalds for 25 cents.
back in our neck of the woods we grabbed some street food. pad thai and a spring roll for 90 cents. we stuck to the vegetarian version just to be safe. some of the meat and fish seems to hang around in the heat for a very long time. we have discovered that people who stop to help you on the street never tell you the truth. i thought france was bad, but you haven't seen anything until you come to bangkok.
tomorrow we are off to chiang mai. gerry nixed the bus, and we found a cheap flight for 75 bucks each.
we really must head out for a beer. it is bloody hot here, even at night. next report will be from chaing mai.
Monday, February 1, 2010
tuesday february 2
we are in bangkok. it is fun and fabulous. one final note on singapore. we flew air tiger, which is a budget airline. the budget airlines have their own terminal..i guess they don't want the plebs mingling. but what a terminal! there is free computer access with an abundance of working computers. there are beautiful tv's scattered about and the speakers are in the seats.there is food and drink and anything else you may wish to purchase, and there are free foot massage machines. sometimes i think we have a lot to learn. the flight to bangkok was uneventful. yea.
we arrived in bangkok, got a bus to our area, and then walked for two hours looking for our inn. we finally found it. it is great. a great location and free breakfast which consisted of real food. fabulous fried rice, stir-fried beef, salad, and the usual breakfast stuff. minus the peanut butter. we wandered around the area last evening. it is perfect. a giant beer costs 3 bucks and a plate of food about 2. people have advised against eating the street food, but is is tempting, it all looks so good.
this morning we got scammed into a ride around bangkok by tuk-tuk. the driver got so fed up with us not buying anything that he dumped us at one of the temples and disappeared..oh well it didn't cost us anything. today is a buddhist holiday so a lot of the temples are closed. finding our way back was a bit of a challenge as reading a map here is almost impossible and the people either don't speak english or only want to help if you are going to buy something from them. anyway, alls well that ends well. the adventure continues.
we are in bangkok. it is fun and fabulous. one final note on singapore. we flew air tiger, which is a budget airline. the budget airlines have their own terminal..i guess they don't want the plebs mingling. but what a terminal! there is free computer access with an abundance of working computers. there are beautiful tv's scattered about and the speakers are in the seats.there is food and drink and anything else you may wish to purchase, and there are free foot massage machines. sometimes i think we have a lot to learn. the flight to bangkok was uneventful. yea.
we arrived in bangkok, got a bus to our area, and then walked for two hours looking for our inn. we finally found it. it is great. a great location and free breakfast which consisted of real food. fabulous fried rice, stir-fried beef, salad, and the usual breakfast stuff. minus the peanut butter. we wandered around the area last evening. it is perfect. a giant beer costs 3 bucks and a plate of food about 2. people have advised against eating the street food, but is is tempting, it all looks so good.
this morning we got scammed into a ride around bangkok by tuk-tuk. the driver got so fed up with us not buying anything that he dumped us at one of the temples and disappeared..oh well it didn't cost us anything. today is a buddhist holiday so a lot of the temples are closed. finding our way back was a bit of a challenge as reading a map here is almost impossible and the people either don't speak english or only want to help if you are going to buy something from them. anyway, alls well that ends well. the adventure continues.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
february 1
here we are singapore airport enroute to bangkok. the good times are over. now i can't even brush my teeth with anything but bottled water. my salad days are on hold, but to be honest there is no shortage of food anywhere around these parts.
singapore is a truly amazing place. it is so perfect that it is surreal. people are kind and friendly and everyone gets along. there is no garbage anywhere, the public transit system is fast, efficient, user friendly, and cheap and it appears that there are two major pastimes...eating and shopping.
d and j live in a lovely home in a great location with easy access to the whole city. they are superlative hosts, bailey the dog is tons of fun and with help from Ria d doesn't need to stress too much about cleaning. what a great life.
i am not sure what kind of internet acces i will have in the next little while, but i will do my best.
happy shovelling.
here we are singapore airport enroute to bangkok. the good times are over. now i can't even brush my teeth with anything but bottled water. my salad days are on hold, but to be honest there is no shortage of food anywhere around these parts.
singapore is a truly amazing place. it is so perfect that it is surreal. people are kind and friendly and everyone gets along. there is no garbage anywhere, the public transit system is fast, efficient, user friendly, and cheap and it appears that there are two major pastimes...eating and shopping.
d and j live in a lovely home in a great location with easy access to the whole city. they are superlative hosts, bailey the dog is tons of fun and with help from Ria d doesn't need to stress too much about cleaning. what a great life.
i am not sure what kind of internet acces i will have in the next little while, but i will do my best.
happy shovelling.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
sunday january 31
thaipasum needed to be seen to be believed. devotees gather at the temple with their family and friends. a small altar is set up by each group and a set of ritual prayers performed. then the devotee, usually a young man who has been fasting in preparation, is pierced. three piercings are made through his forehead, and then many spikes are pierced just under the skin. the final and most invasive is a skewer through the mouth from cheek to cheek, and then one from the top lip, through the tongue, and out the bottom lip. then these skewers are decorated. finally, a very tall basket that has been highly decorated is placed on the man's head. this thing looks stinking heavy. after a series of prayers in the temple, the devotee and his followers set off and join the 4 kilometre parade route in the heat with bare feet, carrying this load. look it up on the internet to get some pictures. i am just not doing it justice.
it was dinner out with d and j. a good time was had by all. the only minor glich was d sambucca which turned ou to be water. the problem was rectified after she complained. i guess so.
today we are off to a baby birthday party for some friends of d a j, and then tomorrow we pick up our vietnamese visas and head off to Thailand. good-bye good life, hello reality.
thaipasum needed to be seen to be believed. devotees gather at the temple with their family and friends. a small altar is set up by each group and a set of ritual prayers performed. then the devotee, usually a young man who has been fasting in preparation, is pierced. three piercings are made through his forehead, and then many spikes are pierced just under the skin. the final and most invasive is a skewer through the mouth from cheek to cheek, and then one from the top lip, through the tongue, and out the bottom lip. then these skewers are decorated. finally, a very tall basket that has been highly decorated is placed on the man's head. this thing looks stinking heavy. after a series of prayers in the temple, the devotee and his followers set off and join the 4 kilometre parade route in the heat with bare feet, carrying this load. look it up on the internet to get some pictures. i am just not doing it justice.
it was dinner out with d and j. a good time was had by all. the only minor glich was d sambucca which turned ou to be water. the problem was rectified after she complained. i guess so.
today we are off to a baby birthday party for some friends of d a j, and then tomorrow we pick up our vietnamese visas and head off to Thailand. good-bye good life, hello reality.
Friday, January 29, 2010
saturday january 30
the singapore zoo is something to see. they have done an amazing job. the night zoo, though a bit gimmicy is lots of fun as well. you get a chance to see the nocturnal guys that are always asleep every other time that you go to the zoo. like every other place in singapore there is good eating. no mcdonalds at this this zoo..fabulous local food.
yesterday we decided to book Chiang Mai before we headed out for the day. not much selection at the hostels, things are busy in this neck of the woods. it was the changi museum yesterday, a very interesting history of the japanese occupation during the second world ward, then back to chinatown and a visit to the buddhist temple and museum. fascinating stuff. today it will be off to the hindu temple for thaipassan, a festival where young men get piercings through their body, and then carry goods on the sticks that are pierced through the body, for 4 kilometres. i am not sure of the signifigance, but will find out more today. d is preparing breakfast as i write. every morning it is a plate of fresh fruit, passionfruit yoghurt with homemade granola, and toast. great coffee and great conversation. better than the fairmont i am sure. i will let you know about today's festivities.
the singapore zoo is something to see. they have done an amazing job. the night zoo, though a bit gimmicy is lots of fun as well. you get a chance to see the nocturnal guys that are always asleep every other time that you go to the zoo. like every other place in singapore there is good eating. no mcdonalds at this this zoo..fabulous local food.
yesterday we decided to book Chiang Mai before we headed out for the day. not much selection at the hostels, things are busy in this neck of the woods. it was the changi museum yesterday, a very interesting history of the japanese occupation during the second world ward, then back to chinatown and a visit to the buddhist temple and museum. fascinating stuff. today it will be off to the hindu temple for thaipassan, a festival where young men get piercings through their body, and then carry goods on the sticks that are pierced through the body, for 4 kilometres. i am not sure of the signifigance, but will find out more today. d is preparing breakfast as i write. every morning it is a plate of fresh fruit, passionfruit yoghurt with homemade granola, and toast. great coffee and great conversation. better than the fairmont i am sure. i will let you know about today's festivities.
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
thursday january 28
yesterday was a big fun day in singapore. we started with an indian breakfast of idli's and dosa's and then had a tour of little italy. the highlight was definitely the hindu temple with all it's small colourful god stations with different ceremonies going on in each. the temple is a cocophony of colour and smell. we still don't know the sisnifigance of the people who colour their hair yellow with what appears to be a chalk. from there it was off to the famous raffles hotel, a beautiful place, and no we, did not have a thirty dollar singapore sling. from there it was down to the waterfront where tons of construction is going on. they are building a huge casino complex with a hotel that is something to behold. also down there is their very lovely theatre. back to diana and jims for a swim and dinner.
this morning diana is off to her opainting class and we are going to bike over to the reservoir jungle for another big long walk in the hopes of seeing the monkeys again. later today we will go to the regular zoo and the night zoo. endless fun.
later
yesterday was a big fun day in singapore. we started with an indian breakfast of idli's and dosa's and then had a tour of little italy. the highlight was definitely the hindu temple with all it's small colourful god stations with different ceremonies going on in each. the temple is a cocophony of colour and smell. we still don't know the sisnifigance of the people who colour their hair yellow with what appears to be a chalk. from there it was off to the famous raffles hotel, a beautiful place, and no we, did not have a thirty dollar singapore sling. from there it was down to the waterfront where tons of construction is going on. they are building a huge casino complex with a hotel that is something to behold. also down there is their very lovely theatre. back to diana and jims for a swim and dinner.
this morning diana is off to her opainting class and we are going to bike over to the reservoir jungle for another big long walk in the hopes of seeing the monkeys again. later today we will go to the regular zoo and the night zoo. endless fun.
later
Monday, January 25, 2010
tuesday january 26
yesterday was off to the vietnamese embassy to get our visas. they will be ready to be picked up on monday, so d and j are stuck with us a little bit longer. we will head right from there to Bangkok. next stop was an ex-pat area similar to the Danforth where we stopped for some absolutely delicious lime juice and then hopped on a bus downtown to the museum. after the museum it was lunch in a "food court" teppenyakki...delicious. i had oysters that were fresh,creamy and perfectly cooked. the malls here are something to behold. there are three louis vuitton stores on the one stretch and they are all busy. people shop like i have never seen. back to d and j's for dinner.
this morning we went for a nature walk in this gargantuan park smack dab in the centre of Singapore. there were monkeys along the path so close that we could have touched them. the babies were playing all around. it was amazing and oh so cute. there was also a canopy walk. lunch was "chicken rice" a singapore specialty. it was ok, but there is just so much better food all around. i am shocked that the people here are all so tiny. the food is fabulous, and people seem to be eating all the time. all the best. will talk soon.
well, off to the pool for a swim. it is hot and humid. above thirty everyday with no rain.
yesterday was off to the vietnamese embassy to get our visas. they will be ready to be picked up on monday, so d and j are stuck with us a little bit longer. we will head right from there to Bangkok. next stop was an ex-pat area similar to the Danforth where we stopped for some absolutely delicious lime juice and then hopped on a bus downtown to the museum. after the museum it was lunch in a "food court" teppenyakki...delicious. i had oysters that were fresh,creamy and perfectly cooked. the malls here are something to behold. there are three louis vuitton stores on the one stretch and they are all busy. people shop like i have never seen. back to d and j's for dinner.
this morning we went for a nature walk in this gargantuan park smack dab in the centre of Singapore. there were monkeys along the path so close that we could have touched them. the babies were playing all around. it was amazing and oh so cute. there was also a canopy walk. lunch was "chicken rice" a singapore specialty. it was ok, but there is just so much better food all around. i am shocked that the people here are all so tiny. the food is fabulous, and people seem to be eating all the time. all the best. will talk soon.
well, off to the pool for a swim. it is hot and humid. above thirty everyday with no rain.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
monday january 25
yesterday started with a leisurely breakfast then off to get our visa pictures done. it was hilarious. she handed gerry a comb, then asked him if he would like to put on a jacket. she made me take down and comb my hair, then stopped the pictures to flatten out some flyaway hairs, and finally told me where to put my hands "to make my shoulders appear smaller." at the end she photoshopped out all the redness and sent us on our way.
next it was off to the arabic area to see the mosque and all the great little shops.i will definitely go back there before i return home. great batik inn beautiful colours of provence. d and j had a wedding to attend so gerry and i spent some time on the computer figuring out our next move. looks like the weather in north vietnam is not great so we think that we will strart in Thailand. we wandered up to the local strip plaza to grab some dinner. pad thai, red curry, rice and a tofu hot plate with vegetables...yum and only 20 sing dollars...about 14 or 15 canadian.
we are going to head out shortly to the vietnamese embassy to see if we can get our visas organized, then off to the museum. another fun day ahead.
this skype stuff that they have here is amazing. i have spoken to more people at home from here than i do at home. ah technology.
yesterday started with a leisurely breakfast then off to get our visa pictures done. it was hilarious. she handed gerry a comb, then asked him if he would like to put on a jacket. she made me take down and comb my hair, then stopped the pictures to flatten out some flyaway hairs, and finally told me where to put my hands "to make my shoulders appear smaller." at the end she photoshopped out all the redness and sent us on our way.
next it was off to the arabic area to see the mosque and all the great little shops.i will definitely go back there before i return home. great batik inn beautiful colours of provence. d and j had a wedding to attend so gerry and i spent some time on the computer figuring out our next move. looks like the weather in north vietnam is not great so we think that we will strart in Thailand. we wandered up to the local strip plaza to grab some dinner. pad thai, red curry, rice and a tofu hot plate with vegetables...yum and only 20 sing dollars...about 14 or 15 canadian.
we are going to head out shortly to the vietnamese embassy to see if we can get our visas organized, then off to the museum. another fun day ahead.
this skype stuff that they have here is amazing. i have spoken to more people at home from here than i do at home. ah technology.
Saturday, January 23, 2010
sunday january 24
fun day yesterday. we walked through d and j neighgourhood enroute to the botanical gardens. stopped by a beautiful chinese antique store located in a fabulous residence. the gardens are large, lush, full of families and beautiful. then it was off to Orchard Rd. and a visit to a brand new mall. one of many here in Singapore. they are full of high-end stores...think Harry Winston, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Ferragammo...you get the idea...but the amazing thing is that people are actually buying. we had lunch in the food court. no fast food here.a fabulous malaysian meal for about three bucks. on the way back we stopped at pierre's, the wine purveyor, who imports only from France. He opens and talks about the wine, we sip, and then we make our purchase. No magnotta here unfortunately. then home for a gand t and a swim.
in the evening it was off to chinatown for the start of chinese new year. all the lights were on, the streets were packed, fireworks were roaring, and a good time was being had by all. next stop, the riverfront. this is the entertainment district on the river. it is stunning.we stopped by a cuban club for the very best mojita i have ever tasted, with a live cuban band, and the occasional se asian couple trying their hand at the tango. the execution was good, but the latin passion, not so. finished off with a glass of wine by the river, and home to bed. what a lifestyle.
fun day yesterday. we walked through d and j neighgourhood enroute to the botanical gardens. stopped by a beautiful chinese antique store located in a fabulous residence. the gardens are large, lush, full of families and beautiful. then it was off to Orchard Rd. and a visit to a brand new mall. one of many here in Singapore. they are full of high-end stores...think Harry Winston, Coach, Louis Vuitton, Ferragammo...you get the idea...but the amazing thing is that people are actually buying. we had lunch in the food court. no fast food here.a fabulous malaysian meal for about three bucks. on the way back we stopped at pierre's, the wine purveyor, who imports only from France. He opens and talks about the wine, we sip, and then we make our purchase. No magnotta here unfortunately. then home for a gand t and a swim.
in the evening it was off to chinatown for the start of chinese new year. all the lights were on, the streets were packed, fireworks were roaring, and a good time was being had by all. next stop, the riverfront. this is the entertainment district on the river. it is stunning.we stopped by a cuban club for the very best mojita i have ever tasted, with a live cuban band, and the occasional se asian couple trying their hand at the tango. the execution was good, but the latin passion, not so. finished off with a glass of wine by the river, and home to bed. what a lifestyle.
Friday, January 22, 2010
saturday january 23
we are in singapore. arrived yesterday at 3;30. singapore is lush, green and hot compared to hong kong. diana made a fabulous dinner. today we are off to the botanical gardens and then will head out to chinatown tonight for the lighting of the new year lanterns. their home is fabulous, and the pets are well. some fun days ahead.
we are in singapore. arrived yesterday at 3;30. singapore is lush, green and hot compared to hong kong. diana made a fabulous dinner. today we are off to the botanical gardens and then will head out to chinatown tonight for the lighting of the new year lanterns. their home is fabulous, and the pets are well. some fun days ahead.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
friday january 22
we are at the coffee shop and will leave shortly to cath the bus to the airport and off to singapore. hello diana and jim.
some musings on HK. there are public toilets everywhere that are clean, well stocked and attendant free. there is either little crime or drugs or both. there are mcdonalds and starbucks on every corner. the prices at the mcdonalds are so much lower than at home. in no time this slim nation will all be looking like us westerners. i am not sure how the cost of living compares, but the subway is 80 cents, the tram 30 and the ferry 25. getting around is cheap. we were in the ladies market and a fellow approached us when he heard us szpeaking english.turns out he is from newmarket. go figure. then we were walking upto peak tram and we ran onto a german woman from the camino who is a mid-wife here to deliver a friends baby. small world.
can't say i'm sorry to leave the hostel. it was so damp my washed underwear haven'tdried in two days.
oh well, onward and upward. from singapore next time.
we are at the coffee shop and will leave shortly to cath the bus to the airport and off to singapore. hello diana and jim.
some musings on HK. there are public toilets everywhere that are clean, well stocked and attendant free. there is either little crime or drugs or both. there are mcdonalds and starbucks on every corner. the prices at the mcdonalds are so much lower than at home. in no time this slim nation will all be looking like us westerners. i am not sure how the cost of living compares, but the subway is 80 cents, the tram 30 and the ferry 25. getting around is cheap. we were in the ladies market and a fellow approached us when he heard us szpeaking english.turns out he is from newmarket. go figure. then we were walking upto peak tram and we ran onto a german woman from the camino who is a mid-wife here to deliver a friends baby. small world.
can't say i'm sorry to leave the hostel. it was so damp my washed underwear haven'tdried in two days.
oh well, onward and upward. from singapore next time.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
thursday january21
we are here in hong kong!!!
i amtrying to post this from a public computer andthe spacebar is jammed. there are no internet cafes around. i guess everyone is wired up at home.
we made it in good time to the airport, in fact we had our own private limo/gobus. everything went smoothly, but asusual they suspected that i was a terrorist. they made me standon the rubber mat holdingup the whole line until they could get an available female to check my chest and my hair. Please. Anyone can tell bylooking atmethat there is no bomb on my chest, and absolutely no where to hide one. the flight was long but went by amazingly quickly with good inflight entertainment. i played who wants to be a millionare butcame out broke.
we arrived at 5 in the morning, went to our very sparse and heldtogether with duct tape hostel, and because the room wasn't ready, struck out on a walking tour of Kowloon.Think of a gigantic Spadina and Dundas, and you have the picture. People everywhere..but a surprising lackof cars and almost zero bikes and motorcycles. We fell into bed at 6 so exhaustedthat we couldn't speak. The rock hard mattress didn't even bother me, although I could have used a softer pillow.
we are off to hongkong island after this coffee for another fullday of sightseeing.
food is a bit off a probem. but yesyerday morning, starving, i just pointed to whatthe other lady was eating and it worked out fine.
we are off. will write soon.
we are here in hong kong!!!
i amtrying to post this from a public computer andthe spacebar is jammed. there are no internet cafes around. i guess everyone is wired up at home.
we made it in good time to the airport, in fact we had our own private limo/gobus. everything went smoothly, but asusual they suspected that i was a terrorist. they made me standon the rubber mat holdingup the whole line until they could get an available female to check my chest and my hair. Please. Anyone can tell bylooking atmethat there is no bomb on my chest, and absolutely no where to hide one. the flight was long but went by amazingly quickly with good inflight entertainment. i played who wants to be a millionare butcame out broke.
we arrived at 5 in the morning, went to our very sparse and heldtogether with duct tape hostel, and because the room wasn't ready, struck out on a walking tour of Kowloon.Think of a gigantic Spadina and Dundas, and you have the picture. People everywhere..but a surprising lackof cars and almost zero bikes and motorcycles. We fell into bed at 6 so exhaustedthat we couldn't speak. The rock hard mattress didn't even bother me, although I could have used a softer pillow.
we are off to hongkong island after this coffee for another fullday of sightseeing.
food is a bit off a probem. but yesyerday morning, starving, i just pointed to whatthe other lady was eating and it worked out fine.
we are off. will write soon.
Monday, January 18, 2010
monday january 18
here we go again. the plane leaves at just after midnight tonight and gets us to hong kong wednesday at 5 am. i was hoping that my typing skills would have improved before i started to blog again. i down-loaded mavis beacon, but it was only a two day trial, so i didn't get much beyond fff fff ddd ddd,so for the sake of time, i am going to leave out the capitals and see if that speeds up my output even a bit. no secretarial job for me when i return.
thank you for all the "driving to the airport offers." in keeping with the style of travel we will try the viva and go bus again. this time i leave the timeline to gerry as you all know the outcome from the last trip. running down yonge street, paniced, trying to hail a cab.
it is my understanding that internet cafes are plentiful and cheap and so i will do my best to stay up-dated.
the next entry, if everything runs according to plan, will be from hong kong. see you all there
here we go again. the plane leaves at just after midnight tonight and gets us to hong kong wednesday at 5 am. i was hoping that my typing skills would have improved before i started to blog again. i down-loaded mavis beacon, but it was only a two day trial, so i didn't get much beyond fff fff ddd ddd,so for the sake of time, i am going to leave out the capitals and see if that speeds up my output even a bit. no secretarial job for me when i return.
thank you for all the "driving to the airport offers." in keeping with the style of travel we will try the viva and go bus again. this time i leave the timeline to gerry as you all know the outcome from the last trip. running down yonge street, paniced, trying to hail a cab.
it is my understanding that internet cafes are plentiful and cheap and so i will do my best to stay up-dated.
the next entry, if everything runs according to plan, will be from hong kong. see you all there
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