Friday December 03, 2010

Well the idea of blogging was a good one but you need time and access to the internet on a regular basis.  Unfortunately we have had neither.  So updating has gone out the window.

We are now almost ready to head home.  Only tomorrow and part of Sunday and we’ll be on our way.

Very, very hot and humid in Vietnam and Cambodia.  We have been well steamed while here.  Temps are in the low 30’s during the day and cool down to about 21 overnight.  The locals think it is COLD!!!!!  We are dripping all the time and a shower at the end of the day is heaven.  We are actually looking forward to cooler temps.

Everything has been going well and the days have been long and interesting.  We have seen lots of sights and we are “Templed Out”!!!!  We have seen more buddahs than we ever thought even existed.  Think I mentioned that before.  Our next trip will be to a country with no temples, churches or buddahs!!!!!  Enough already.  Dave says that he has had enough of rice and noodles and doesn’t want to see any more of that type of food for a good long while.  However, even though he doesn’t like rice and noodles very much he did EAT a scorpion, a tarantula and a cricket!!!!!  He ate them all and how he did that I will never know.  Not my thing, that’s for sure. 

We’re fine and have enjoyed the company of our travel companions.  All great people and the trip has been quite amazing.  We can hardly remember starting out in Bangkok.  It seems like a long time ago.

Hope everyone is well and we are looking forward to landing in Vancouver in a few days. 

Tuesday November 23, 2010

Well here we are in Hoi An, Vietnam.  We had hoped that blogging would be easier but the internet connections have not been all that great so have not been able to get online.

We have thoroughly enjoyed the trip so far.  Laos was wonderful and we saw some great sights.  After leaving there we flew to Hanoi and that was sure an eye opener for us.  There are 87 million people in Vietnam and 45 million scooter/motorcycles!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Wow, they must all be in Hanoi too as the traffic is something to behold.  Crossing any road is a real adventure.  They told us to just start walking - DON'T STOP IN THE MIDDLE OF THE ROAD - and all the vehicles will weave around us!!!!!  That is hard to do when there are buses, cars, trucks, motorbikes, bicycles and every other moving thing roaring towards you at a horrendous pace.  We thought we might be limited to just walking around a square block as crossing the road seemed far too dangerous.  Our guides are tremendous and got us through some scarey situations.  There is no road rage or fist shaking between the drivers.  They all seem to be so carefree and polite.  There is some horn honking here but it is a type of signal system that they all understand but it baffles us.  Two honks mean one thing and six or seven short honks mean something else.  Quite amazing to see.  We could sure learn from these people.

We went out to Halong Bay and that was a beautiful trip on a junk.  Floated through the limestone islands - there are several thousand of them - and enjoyed the views.  We got off on small boats and then climbed through some caves and loved it.

We went to Dien Bien Phu to the site of the French & Viet Minh (hope I've spelled everything correctly) battlefied.  Visited several museums and memorials.  Dien Bien Phu doesn't see too many tourists yet so it is quite quiet compared to Hanoi.  The locals look at us as if we have arrived from Mars.

Went to another open air fruit, veggie, meat and live animal market.  Tried to keep our bare, sandaled feet out of the fish and meat juice that had formed puddles on the ground.  Not really too appetizing but it is all so interesting.  Seeing some of the meat products - like boar - with the hair still on it didn't make us want to take it home to the BBQ.  We also saw Roast Dog - whole and including teeth - which turned our stomachs.  It is a very different culture here, for sure.

Hoi An is lovely and a beautiful little town.  Today we have a free day - our first - so we are going to have a nice, quiet day walking around and looking at the sights.  The vendors are very aggressive here, as everywhere, and it is a constant fight to keep ahead of them.  They all have something to sell and can't believe that you don't want to buy it - over and over and over.  How many bracelets can I buy - Dave won't wear any of them.  When you buy three they think you should buy twelve more!!!!!!!!

So off for some walking, beer, more walking and probably more beer.  Sure tastes good in this hot and humid weather.  Oh yes, we had our first rain shower yesterday.


All for now.  Hope I haven't made any spelling mistakes.  If I have well that's what happens.

Monday November 15th, 2010

We’ll we’ve had a wonderful week since I was last  able to get on the internet.  Access is somewhat limited in this area and then you also have to have the time to do it.  Each day is so busy and full that it is hard to even think about “blogging”.
We left Chiang Mai and headed to Chiang Rai.  Wonderful drive and thoroughly enjoyed the scenery.  Went to see another two Hill Tribes and walked through the villages.  The children pester us to buy bracelets over and over and over.  Tough to see the filth that these children live in and we know that their futures won’t offer them any alternatives.  The guide says not to give them money as it will only turn them into beggars.  It is the same worldwide.  Schooling is only mandatory to the end of the primary level.
We went to the Golden Triangle area where the borders of Thailand, Laos and Myanmar come together.   We saw a huge new casino built on the edge of the Mekong River in Myanmar (also has a golf course) and right across the river in Laos they are in the midst of constructing another huge casino.  The casinos haven’t reached Thailand “yet” but everyone can go by boat to either of the casinos whenever they want!!!!
After that we saw more temples – Dave is still not all that keen on all these temples and sometimes stays outside to enjoy the gardens.  I go in but don’t stay too long as they are all starting to look the same!!!!  Walked out into some rice fields and saw the workers harvesting the rice by hand.  Sure makes us appreciate all the rice that we eat and how hard these people work to make a very meager living.
Flew back to Bangkok and met our Tour Leader and 3 new travel mates.  Two from Ottawa and an 89 year old lady from southern California.
One of our travel mates had a suit made for him in Bangkok.  He went for the fitting at 2 PM in the afternoon and the suit, a shirt and three ties were back to him for a final fitting at 9 PM.  The company works 24-7 and they have quite a crew working.  One fellow made the suit!!!!!!!!!!!
We’ve seen more open air meat and veggie markets along the way.  Every type of meat you can imagine and some you would never even think of!!!!!!!!!!  All the parts are there for you to buy – feet (with the nails or claws on), heads with the eyes looking at you, teeth sticking out on some and lots of intestines, livers, hearts, etc. hanging here and there.  Hmm – a little different than going out to Superstore.  Flies are always optional!!!!!
Flew to Luang Prabang, Laos, on a two hour flight.  Upon arrival we went to yet another temple and walked up 400 steps to view it and also to see the sunset.  It is very hazy and smoggy here (also was in Thailand).  Nice colours through the smog.
Laos is just getting into tourism so things are a bit basic and a bit rustic but we’re not complaining.  It is a beautiful country and the people are really so nice and enjoy having the tourists visit.  We’ve learned a lot about this country that we didn’t know and about the “secret war” that killed so many innocent people.  It is really heartbreaking to hear the details.  The UXO’s (unexploded ordnances) are still a great danger to the people of this country.  There are so many areas that no one is allowed to go into to this day, 35 or so years later.  It will be many, many years before they ever get it all cleaned up….if ever.
No matter how rustic it is here everyone has a cell phone.  Saw a little old lady at one temple and when her phone rang it played Jingle Bells!!!  How strange is that????  A Buddhist country and they use a Christian Christmas song for their cell phone.
We got up at 5 one morn and went to give some monks their food for the day.  The are out every morning before 6 to beg for their daily food and have a large bowl that they carry to accept the offerings.  They eat breakfast and lunch and then can only drink liquids in the afternoon and evening.  The young ones go to school during the day, cannot play any games, watch TV, or participate in any “fun” activities.
We went to the Plain of Jars in Phonsavan and that was an incredible visit.  The Jars are huge and it is amazing that so many survived the bombings by the Americans.  We went to two different sites.  The roads are like our logging roads at home, a little bumpy and a little dusty!!!!  Lots of red dust everywhere.
Travelled for 9 hours and covered just 270 kms.  There must have been 1,000 or more switchbacks – quite the road and our bus driver is amazing.  Lots of stops for photo ops and WC breaks which is always good.
A little cooler in Phonsavan in the evenings which was quite refreshing after the heat and humidity of Thailand.  Now we are back at a lower altitude and it is warmer both day and night.  The people here think it is winter and are dressed in parkas and warm sweaters.  We are all in shorts and tee shirts!!!!  They tell us that in the summer it reaches about 42 degrees with high humidity and that there are few tourists around.  We can sure understand as we find this weather, about 28-30 degrees and pretty high humidity, quite warm.
Yesterday we drove for another 9 hours and only 236 kms along yet another section of twisting highway.  Stopped to watch more rice workers in the fields.  Mostly it seems to be done by hand but some farms do have some machinery.
We arrived in Vang Vieng, Laos, yesterday aft.  Our hotel room is along the Nam Song River and we overlook the river and the limestone mountains from our  balcony.  A lovely spot.  This morn we have time to wander the local markets and relax and this afternoon we will drive to Viangchan (Vientiene), the capital of Laos. 
(Note:  I apologize for any typos and spelling errors – trying to do this quickly is not an easy thing!!!!!  C)

Monday November 08, 2010

Chaing Mai was so interesting and we thoroughly enjoyed our visit to that area.  We have seen more temples than we probably ever thought existed.  Dave is Buddah’d out!!!!!  We seen more gold Buddhas than ever and also some jade ones – in fact one yesterday that was carved from BC jade.  A donation from a wealthy Canadian.

We went to the Elephant Rehabilitation Centre near Chaing Mai and had an hour long elephant ride.  We were in seventh heaven.  Got to feed them bananas and sugar cane and also got some big hugs from them.  What a thrill.  We  went to see a Mom and baby elephant – 10 months old – and got to feed them too.  We watched them play soccer, paint pictures, move some logs to show how they used to work and then they just played to the crowd.  We saw them bathing in the river and what clowns they are – they all have such great personalities.  Definitely a highlight of the trip.  Lainy darling you would love the elephants – they are so big but so gentle.

Yesterday we had a ride in a longtail boat up a river to visit a Hill Tribe.  We were on the river for about an hour weaving this way and that through some trees and rocks and had a wonderful ride.  We saw a 69 kg Boa Constrictor which two of our travel mates decided to pick up and put around there necks.  Very, very brave!!!!!  Went to visit the Karen Hill Tribe.  They are a Christian group so as it was Sunday they were on a day off.  No selling of trinkets, etc. much to our delight.  Everyone in this area is always selling something and we are constantly bombarded with requests to buy one thing or another.

Our guide is a real character too.  She has already determined that Dave isn’t really into temples.  She said last night, with a twinkle in her eye, “Tomorrow is a Temple Free day”!!!  So we are off to visit a couple of the Hill Tribes – the Yao and another one which I can’t remember the name of right now.  We are also going to the Opium Museum today and we are all wondering if getting a sample or two might be a good thing.  Guess not!!!!!

Friday November 05, 2010

Here we are at the end of our first week in Thailand.  It has been fantastic.  Weather has been wonderful and warm and a tinge humid but we’re not complaining.

Tony & Lainy – you would be so amazed at your Grandfather.  Yesterday he ate deep fried Bamboo WORMS!!!!!  Grams tried just two.  Gramps insisted that they tasted just like french fries.  He ate almost a whole bag of them.  He has also eaten Tofu, Pad Thai (which is noodles, bean sprouts, Thai spices, etc.), and lots and lots of rice.  He is loving it.

Yesterday we were up at 3:30 AM and caught a 7 AM flight from Bangkok to Pitsanolok in Northern Thailand.  It was only a half hour flight although we were told it was going to be just under an hour.  We had a breakfast of a tiny weiner wrapped in a tiny pastry and a little glass of water.  Guess that is all they could manage in half an hour.  Arrived at the airport and were met by our next guide.  A lovely lady that lives in Chiang Mai.  We spent the morning touring more temples much to Dave’s delight and listened to monks chanting.  Then on to lunch in an open air restaurant.  Good cold beer and Pad Thai noodles with chicken.  Off in the afternoon to an amazing outdoor market selling everything you could ever imagine in food products.  There were vegetables of all types, live frogs, dried frogs and cooked frogs, live fish and eels in bags of murky water hanging on poles, then we saw buffalo skin, feet and tails – all for sale to eat!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!   There were lots of cooked bugs and crickets and again all to take home to eat.  Just made our mouths water!!!!!  We could have spent a lot longer there as it was so interesting but we finally had to move on.

Then back on the bus for a one hour ride to Chiang Mai.  We arrived at our hotel at about 6 PM and just had time for a quick cold drink and cleanup before heading out to dinner.  Dinner was a set dinner with a choice of either Western style or Thai style.  It looked great but was hardly enough to feed a child.  Hmm – we might need to go to the Pizza Hut down the street for a top up.

Off today to see yet more temples and more buddhas.  We just can’t see enough of all the gold buddhas!!!!!  Tomorrow are off to ride the elephants.  Can’t wait.

Wednesday November 03, 2010

Great flights to Hong Kong and Bangkok - even if somewhat long.  Arrived a bit tired as our flights were all full to the brim and no way we could stretch out.  Anyway, all's well and we are delighted with the trip so far.  Spent our first day out at a floating market - we were told it was the "quieter one" but it was chock a block full of people.  Boats crashing into each other as we were paddled around the canals.  Fascinating to see and smell!!!!  Saw one boat with all sorts of baskets of fish, shrimp, etc. on board and the flies were competing to see who could get the best spot.  Guess they come free with the fish!!!  Took a motorized longtail boat ride through some other canals and we had to remember to keep our mouths shut otherwise we would have been sampling some of the nice Thai waters.  Back to the hotel for an early night as the time difference was catching up to us.

Then yesterday we were up and out at 6:45 AM for a trip to the River Kwai and surroundings.  Boarded a small passenger van and proceeded through the Bangkok morning rush hour to pick up various tourists at other hotels.  It took about an hour and a half to pick up everyone and then another 1 1/2 - 2 hours to drive at breakneck speed to the river.  Our driver was Sterling Moss in disguise with a death wish to boot.  He gave us some thrills.  If I (C) could have gotten to the front of the van I would have had my foot firmly on the brake pedal over and over and over.  Phew - some driving!!!!  Went to the War Cemetery, Museum, and then Dave walked a short ways over the Bridge (built in 1945).  Then we were off to catch a ride on the Death Railway.  We were told the train would be there in just 5 minutes.  After about 25 minutes the train rolled into the station.  We climbed aboard and enjoyed a 1 1/2 hour ride through the countryside.  Unfortunately the vegetation has grown so high along the rail tracks and banks that you can't see much but that was okay - it was an experience.  Met a couple of lovely young girls from Slovenia and spent a good part of the time talking travel with them.  Then off for lunch at a floating restaurant.  Sat along the riverside and watched the longtail boats fly by.  Lunch was really tasty - buffet of stir fry and veggies.  Then we were back aboard our bus for a trip to a waterfall.  Lots of tourists there and lots in swimming in the pools at the base of the waterfall.  Then we were back on the bus and picked up and dropped off tourists along the way back to our hotel.  Took forever to get back as the evening rush hour is almost gridlock so not much rush in the whole process.  Great dinner at the Narai Hotel.  Dorothy, the Narai is spectacular.  Likely much renovated since you all were there.  Lovely and open and bright inside.  Back to the hotel for a cold one and off to bed.

Today we start our actual tour and will be off at about 9 AM for a tour of some of the sites of Bangkok.

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

We’re now down to two days to departure.  We’ll be driving to Vancouver on Friday October 29th.  We’ll stay a few hours in a local hotel and then head to the airport for our 2:45 AM flight to Bangkok.  The time of leaving isn’t really to our liking but the arrival time of 11:00 AM in Bangkok suits us.  We don’t like arriving in a strange place in the middle of the night.  This will also allow us a few hours to get our feet on the ground in Bangkok after 18 hours of flying.