I am extremely nervous for the turn out of this election. The polls are looking good but I am still scared. Voting for McCain is like voting for me not to come back to the US for the next four years. Voting Obama is the other way around. I don't think I can look at some people the same for a while.
McCain has no judgment, a bad support team, and has the worst VP candidate in recent history. I have been checking the political news and blogs twice a day and it's driving me mad.
Vote smart. Nervous breakdowns: I don't like them.
Friday, October 31, 2008
Wat-ed Out
I am officially overdosed on temples. But what temples they were. The majesty of Angkor Wat. I think I've seen every major temple in the area except for Bakong, of the Rulous Group, and Kbal Spean, the river bed temple.
Banteay Srei really surprised me today. I took a motorbike from Siem Reap to the temple, which took about 45 minutes to get there. The carvings were really exquisite and the temple was compact that you can take in all of the carvings. My favorite one might be Banteay Kdei or Angkor itself. Kdei was not touristed at all for being one of the big temples of the region. There was even a huge cotton silk tree growing into one of the gopuras, the west gopura I believe.
Alright, I don't really want to talk too much more about the temples. I'm burnt out on them. Ask me in person if you want to know more.
Let's instead write about the people I have met recently.
Kamil and Marie: Marie and Kamil are a couple I met in Si Phan Don, Laos. Marie is Danish and Kamil is French. Both are trying to learn their partner's language, but they are using English in the mean time. They were really laid back and easy to get along with. Very friendly and open to striking up a conversation. You can tell that they were definitely pro travelers and their tales of India definitely confirmed it.
Dave: American guy from Marin County. Seemed like a surfer type with a slow, deliberate speech. Young guy that's still learning the world.
Jan: Cool German dude trying to stay in Asia. I feel that he has a lot of sadness within. He's reading the poems of Lao Tse and unofficially learning about Taoism without realizing it. Hope he finds what he is looking for.
Maud and Thomas: Very nice French couple from Lyon and Paris respectively. They have been traveling for a month and just traveling for fun through the former French colonies plus Thailand. Maud is in consulting (strategy) and Thomas is in school studying business administration.
Been on the computer at the internet cafes for a while. Bored of temples, unfortunately. Three days is enough for the Angkor experience. Week is really for true enthusiasts. I'm half way in between. Although, mosquitoes and the heat don't help with creating enthusiasm.
Banteay Srei really surprised me today. I took a motorbike from Siem Reap to the temple, which took about 45 minutes to get there. The carvings were really exquisite and the temple was compact that you can take in all of the carvings. My favorite one might be Banteay Kdei or Angkor itself. Kdei was not touristed at all for being one of the big temples of the region. There was even a huge cotton silk tree growing into one of the gopuras, the west gopura I believe.
Alright, I don't really want to talk too much more about the temples. I'm burnt out on them. Ask me in person if you want to know more.
Let's instead write about the people I have met recently.
Kamil and Marie: Marie and Kamil are a couple I met in Si Phan Don, Laos. Marie is Danish and Kamil is French. Both are trying to learn their partner's language, but they are using English in the mean time. They were really laid back and easy to get along with. Very friendly and open to striking up a conversation. You can tell that they were definitely pro travelers and their tales of India definitely confirmed it.
Dave: American guy from Marin County. Seemed like a surfer type with a slow, deliberate speech. Young guy that's still learning the world.
Jan: Cool German dude trying to stay in Asia. I feel that he has a lot of sadness within. He's reading the poems of Lao Tse and unofficially learning about Taoism without realizing it. Hope he finds what he is looking for.
Maud and Thomas: Very nice French couple from Lyon and Paris respectively. They have been traveling for a month and just traveling for fun through the former French colonies plus Thailand. Maud is in consulting (strategy) and Thomas is in school studying business administration.
Been on the computer at the internet cafes for a while. Bored of temples, unfortunately. Three days is enough for the Angkor experience. Week is really for true enthusiasts. I'm half way in between. Although, mosquitoes and the heat don't help with creating enthusiasm.
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Foiled by rain again!
That's three sunsets in a row that rain has foiled my attempts to see sunset at Angkor Wat. Going to try for sunrise tomorrow and see what happens in the morning. I really apologize for the lack of pictures in these entries and that this one is rather short. Really short.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
"Little Pieces of Shit"
When I was in Guilin, I met this Kiwi girl that worked as a tour guide for Southeast Asia. She was based in Hanoi (She suppose to tell me this place for a great fruit shake but she never bothered to remember. She couldn't describe the location). When I was asking her about Vietnam and Cambodia, I distinctly remember that she called the children around Angkor Wat little pieces of shit. I was taken slightly a back since it's very hard to see children being so totally aggravating that they would receive such a moniker. After all, Cambodia was hit very hard in recent history and they are still trying to recover.
Enter the present day. After four days in Siem Reap and exploring the Angkor temples, I can honestly agree that the children here are little pieces of shit. They put on a show and know exactly to put on the poor, innocent, helpless face when they are trying to sell you useless junk for a dollar a piece. After, they go on smiling and arguing with their relatives. I remember on the second day when I was at Banteay Kdei, this boy kept saying his family was very poor. I wouldn't give him anything and the next thing he was doing was playing with sister and eating snacks. Snacks are a luxury my friend that even I don't indulge in too often.
On a more positive note, Angkor temples are awesome. I loved Angkor Wat and it's bas reliefs. Seeing the churning of the milk sea and understanding the story behind was very incredible. There are some great views all around. The sunrise at Srah Srang was beautiful and sunset at Phnom Bakheng is breathtaking. Most interesting experience thus far was finding Ta Nei temple. It's a temple that's hidden in the forest and you have to follow a small forest path. It's not on any of the main routes. So following this temple path I fell into a big puddle of mud. Most of my calves and feet were caked in mud. It was actually very cool if one got over the fact that it was dirty mud. Ta Nei was definitely hidden. There were no ticket collectors, no children selling crap, and no other tourists. I had the temple all to myself.
Today I've holed myself up in Siem Reap town until mid-afternoon. It was raining in the morning and it's really hot to go out now. Maybe two o'clock would be a good time to start. Going to explore the whole of Angkor Thom today. This includes the famous faces of Bayon. I've also saved sunset at Angkor for today. Hope it doesn't rain at sunset like the last two days. Should be exciting
Enter the present day. After four days in Siem Reap and exploring the Angkor temples, I can honestly agree that the children here are little pieces of shit. They put on a show and know exactly to put on the poor, innocent, helpless face when they are trying to sell you useless junk for a dollar a piece. After, they go on smiling and arguing with their relatives. I remember on the second day when I was at Banteay Kdei, this boy kept saying his family was very poor. I wouldn't give him anything and the next thing he was doing was playing with sister and eating snacks. Snacks are a luxury my friend that even I don't indulge in too often.
On a more positive note, Angkor temples are awesome. I loved Angkor Wat and it's bas reliefs. Seeing the churning of the milk sea and understanding the story behind was very incredible. There are some great views all around. The sunrise at Srah Srang was beautiful and sunset at Phnom Bakheng is breathtaking. Most interesting experience thus far was finding Ta Nei temple. It's a temple that's hidden in the forest and you have to follow a small forest path. It's not on any of the main routes. So following this temple path I fell into a big puddle of mud. Most of my calves and feet were caked in mud. It was actually very cool if one got over the fact that it was dirty mud. Ta Nei was definitely hidden. There were no ticket collectors, no children selling crap, and no other tourists. I had the temple all to myself.
Today I've holed myself up in Siem Reap town until mid-afternoon. It was raining in the morning and it's really hot to go out now. Maybe two o'clock would be a good time to start. Going to explore the whole of Angkor Thom today. This includes the famous faces of Bayon. I've also saved sunset at Angkor for today. Hope it doesn't rain at sunset like the last two days. Should be exciting
Saturday, October 25, 2008
Khmer-chameleon
My first full day in the capital city of Cambodia. I apologize in advance as I got a little emotional visiting Tuol Sleng prison today or rather known as S-21. It was such stark visualization of the terror and horrors left behind by Pol Pot and the Khmer Rouge regime. I find myself crying in front of the pictures of the children who were imprisoned there, who were eventually executed. There is no rhyme and reason to that place. People of all walks of life were killed there. Even associates in the Khmer Rouge who were thought to be traitors. It was the most depressing place I have ever been and it is such a horrible atrocity that few people know about this. Hello USA!? I believe the administration was responsible for a lot of the follow up to what happened. Especially for backing the Khmer Rouge after the Vietnam War.
Enough with the sadness and darkness of man. In Phnomh Penh, there are a lot of charity restaurants. These are restaurants that provide aid, training, and support for street kids. It's really hard to say no. The food is good and when they ask you for dessert, you think 'Why not? It's for a good cause'. Definitely a dangerous way to make your wallet shrink fast. Food is not that cheap in those restaurants.
Tomorrow I'm going to Siem Reap, home to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. It will prove to be an exciting day. I already bought a book which I will be reading on the ride there and tonight as well. Angkorian history here I come!
Enough with the sadness and darkness of man. In Phnomh Penh, there are a lot of charity restaurants. These are restaurants that provide aid, training, and support for street kids. It's really hard to say no. The food is good and when they ask you for dessert, you think 'Why not? It's for a good cause'. Definitely a dangerous way to make your wallet shrink fast. Food is not that cheap in those restaurants.
Tomorrow I'm going to Siem Reap, home to the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat. It will prove to be an exciting day. I already bought a book which I will be reading on the ride there and tonight as well. Angkorian history here I come!
Friday, October 24, 2008
In the heart of questionability
Hello dear readers from the land of Phnomh Penh Cambodia. Supposedly a lukewarm like it or hate it city. It's just okay so far. A lot of pushy touts like in Hanoi. It's same, same but different. (God, I can't believe I picked that up)
Got into Pakse and stayed there three nights. Did Champasak, Bolaven as one day trips individually. Got a little sick. I think that I just didn't get a good nights sleep during that time. Got some Bolaven coffee, which made my bag smell entirely of coffee. Champasak is nice but getting there is a pain in the ass. Transportation in Laos is not all that convenient. But hey, with the friendly locals it seems you'll pay for it anyways.
After 3 days in Pakse, I hightailed my butt to Si Phan Don (4 thousand islands). I had a very basic bungalow with outside shower with little water pressure. It wasn't that bad that there was not much water pressure since all the water was dirty Mekong water anyways. But I had the best view and the family was really nice. I even got to join them for fish barbecue for free! Met a cool Israeli guy and a Danish/French couple.
I hope that everything will work out tomorrow. I don't like tours and I don't like touts.
Got into Pakse and stayed there three nights. Did Champasak, Bolaven as one day trips individually. Got a little sick. I think that I just didn't get a good nights sleep during that time. Got some Bolaven coffee, which made my bag smell entirely of coffee. Champasak is nice but getting there is a pain in the ass. Transportation in Laos is not all that convenient. But hey, with the friendly locals it seems you'll pay for it anyways.
After 3 days in Pakse, I hightailed my butt to Si Phan Don (4 thousand islands). I had a very basic bungalow with outside shower with little water pressure. It wasn't that bad that there was not much water pressure since all the water was dirty Mekong water anyways. But I had the best view and the family was really nice. I even got to join them for fish barbecue for free! Met a cool Israeli guy and a Danish/French couple.
I hope that everything will work out tomorrow. I don't like tours and I don't like touts.
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Why Feet Cry
Feet cry when you abuse them. Make them walk in five year sandals with no support. They cry when they have to walk on gravel, pebble, and broken asphalt to the orders of the crazy man they are attached to. I am that crazy man that made my feet cry. I have walked over 30 km today in the city of Vientiane and it was actually okay until the last bit.
Today was Visit the Cambodian Embassy Day so naturally I walked there. A good 5 km and back. So a total of 10km. Took a good chunk of the morning. Had some super duper fruit shakes (orange and pomegranate) for less than 2 dollars for the both of them and a southeast asian style sandwich. Good lunch. Decided that it was time to go see That Luang and Paxuay (sp?), the golden stupa and the Laotian 'Arc de Triomphe' respectively. That was another good 8km. And then I did the Cambodian embassy again since I had to go pick it up. Fun times for all. Except, of course, for my feet.
I can't actually remember when I last posted so let me go back to Luang Prabang. On my last night in Luang Prabang I had a lot of orange juice. They are so so good, fresh squeezed, and only about 50 cents each. Headed out to Vang Vieng and did tubing. I went out on a zipline that went into the water and bit my tongue that wasn't too fun. Vang Vieng is really a drug haven for Laos. Happy pizzas, shakes, burgers, and even cakes are available (read: opium, pot). Thought it would be rather stupid to try it with strangers so I didn't. Doesn't mean I wouldn't though. You never know.
Got to Vientiane yesterday and the boat racing festival was crazy. Wall to wall people and litter everywhere. I did my best to stay as far away as I could. Supposedly a Laotian team from some village won, but I don't think too many people cared. Seemed like more people were eating, drinking, playing the carnival games than watching the actual boat race.
Going to Pakse soon. Probably tomorrow. Ta ta for now.
Today was Visit the Cambodian Embassy Day so naturally I walked there. A good 5 km and back. So a total of 10km. Took a good chunk of the morning. Had some super duper fruit shakes (orange and pomegranate) for less than 2 dollars for the both of them and a southeast asian style sandwich. Good lunch. Decided that it was time to go see That Luang and Paxuay (sp?), the golden stupa and the Laotian 'Arc de Triomphe' respectively. That was another good 8km. And then I did the Cambodian embassy again since I had to go pick it up. Fun times for all. Except, of course, for my feet.
I can't actually remember when I last posted so let me go back to Luang Prabang. On my last night in Luang Prabang I had a lot of orange juice. They are so so good, fresh squeezed, and only about 50 cents each. Headed out to Vang Vieng and did tubing. I went out on a zipline that went into the water and bit my tongue that wasn't too fun. Vang Vieng is really a drug haven for Laos. Happy pizzas, shakes, burgers, and even cakes are available (read: opium, pot). Thought it would be rather stupid to try it with strangers so I didn't. Doesn't mean I wouldn't though. You never know.
Got to Vientiane yesterday and the boat racing festival was crazy. Wall to wall people and litter everywhere. I did my best to stay as far away as I could. Supposedly a Laotian team from some village won, but I don't think too many people cared. Seemed like more people were eating, drinking, playing the carnival games than watching the actual boat race.
Going to Pakse soon. Probably tomorrow. Ta ta for now.
Sunday, October 12, 2008
Dirty Germans and Lao-style torture
Back in Luang Prabang after short 2 day sojourn in Muong Ngoi. Nice small village by the river. There were no roads connecting it, so the only way to get there was by boat. Fairly pleasant town. The trip on the other hand was hellish. The one hour boat road was in a longtail boat crammed to the gills like a can of sardines. You sit on a super low bench and you are stuck there for one hour. Not very pleasant. Easy for the legs to go numb from the loss of circulation.
The local 'bus' is not really a bus at all. The bus is a converted pick up truck with two benches against the sides and tiny children chairs along the middle. These chairs are wooden hardened instruments of torture for any unfortunate falang to travel the local bus in Laos.
One thing that really bugged me was that there was a German family throwing their banana peels and orange peels out the window. Would they do that in Germany? No... So why do it when you travel. It sets a bad example for Lao people on how to behave and gives tourists a bad name for Lao people who know better
The local 'bus' is not really a bus at all. The bus is a converted pick up truck with two benches against the sides and tiny children chairs along the middle. These chairs are wooden hardened instruments of torture for any unfortunate falang to travel the local bus in Laos.
One thing that really bugged me was that there was a German family throwing their banana peels and orange peels out the window. Would they do that in Germany? No... So why do it when you travel. It sets a bad example for Lao people on how to behave and gives tourists a bad name for Lao people who know better
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Lao, Laos, Laotian
Got into Luang Prabang yesterday night and the difference between Laos and Vietnam is black and white. Totally different from Hanoi and the hustle and bustle of it all. It's so much more relaxed and not very many push touts.
Flying into Luang Prabang, I was really scared. We were flying in a Russian made ATR propeller plane. Not even an Airbus or Boeing plane. The Japanese family in front of me at the ticket gate gasp once they saw it. My thoughts at that moment were "It's okay, this plane takes hundreds of people to and from Hanoi everyday. It'll be fine". That's what I told myself anyways. The stewardesses were extremely nice and the service impeccable.
I met a Canadian named Mike and hung out with him for a bit. Basically followed him to the same guesthouse. I didn't have any reservations so I hoped for the best. I got a room and it's fairly nice. Not too shabby. I think I still prefer the dorm atmosphere.
Today, I met a group of older people at the National Museum. (Or was that the big temple on the hill?) They were extremely nice and extended an invitation out to the waterfalls with them, which I gladly took. The Kuang Si Waterfall was extremely dramatic. The waterfall was tall and the water pressure was really hard. My glasses kept misting.
I think I am going to be spending a lot of money here since everything is so speech. I already bought two linen lounge pants, a shirt, and soft slippers for all about $9 US dollars. The night market is really great for souvenir shopping. I just have to remember light and small things. Can't buy anything too heavy. (Just forgot that I bought a $5 dollar shirt from the bear rescue center. Go Bears!)
Flying into Luang Prabang, I was really scared. We were flying in a Russian made ATR propeller plane. Not even an Airbus or Boeing plane. The Japanese family in front of me at the ticket gate gasp once they saw it. My thoughts at that moment were "It's okay, this plane takes hundreds of people to and from Hanoi everyday. It'll be fine". That's what I told myself anyways. The stewardesses were extremely nice and the service impeccable.
I met a Canadian named Mike and hung out with him for a bit. Basically followed him to the same guesthouse. I didn't have any reservations so I hoped for the best. I got a room and it's fairly nice. Not too shabby. I think I still prefer the dorm atmosphere.
Today, I met a group of older people at the National Museum. (Or was that the big temple on the hill?) They were extremely nice and extended an invitation out to the waterfalls with them, which I gladly took. The Kuang Si Waterfall was extremely dramatic. The waterfall was tall and the water pressure was really hard. My glasses kept misting.
I think I am going to be spending a lot of money here since everything is so speech. I already bought two linen lounge pants, a shirt, and soft slippers for all about $9 US dollars. The night market is really great for souvenir shopping. I just have to remember light and small things. Can't buy anything too heavy. (Just forgot that I bought a $5 dollar shirt from the bear rescue center. Go Bears!)
Monday, October 6, 2008
Daybreak of departure
Finally, leaving Vietnam in about 7 hours. I have been here way too long and most of it in Hanoi. My readiness to leave Hanoi is beyond capacity. I have about 100,000 VND to spend and I'm not sure what I should buy. I wanted to buy some underwear and socks but they are just quoting me outrageous prices that I don't even want to try haggling with them.
Although, I did have the best time in Hanoi the past few days. There were three Irish girls and two Danish guys that were really cool and we went on an impromptu pub crawl and I finished a whole pint without feeling too funny. I think the trick for me is to finish it fast. The faster the better.
We played pool and I totally screwed up the game. Whoops. Never good at pool anyways.
Although, I did have the best time in Hanoi the past few days. There were three Irish girls and two Danish guys that were really cool and we went on an impromptu pub crawl and I finished a whole pint without feeling too funny. I think the trick for me is to finish it fast. The faster the better.
We played pool and I totally screwed up the game. Whoops. Never good at pool anyways.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Of H'mong and Motorbikes
Arrived back in Hanoi today (Really. What the hell am I going to with, now, four days in Hanoi). Had a great day in Sapa yesterday. I "splurged" and rented a motorbike for the day and just rode around the countryside. It was a lot fun. The guy kind of ripped me off but I just really didn't care at that point.
I have never driven a moped/motorcycle before so it took me about 30 minutes before I got the thing to work for me. I mainly stayed in second and third gear. The guy who was renting to me I think was kind of scared for his motorbike. There is a lot of freedom when riding a bike. The sense of independence and adventure of a continuous road passing you by.
Saw the 'Silver Waterfalls'. Whatever. It was whatever. Natural wonders were cooler in China. You can see I have posted so many blogs entries from Vietnam. Mostly because I am bored here and on the computer at the hostel a lot. A lot a lot. Also, I guess because I didn't have internet access while I was on the beach in the Perhentians. Fuck, I really wish I didn't get sunburned. The islands would have been much more fun.
I have never driven a moped/motorcycle before so it took me about 30 minutes before I got the thing to work for me. I mainly stayed in second and third gear. The guy who was renting to me I think was kind of scared for his motorbike. There is a lot of freedom when riding a bike. The sense of independence and adventure of a continuous road passing you by.
Saw the 'Silver Waterfalls'. Whatever. It was whatever. Natural wonders were cooler in China. You can see I have posted so many blogs entries from Vietnam. Mostly because I am bored here and on the computer at the hostel a lot. A lot a lot. Also, I guess because I didn't have internet access while I was on the beach in the Perhentians. Fuck, I really wish I didn't get sunburned. The islands would have been much more fun.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Sapa Ordeals
Officially, I am so over Vietnam. Don't really like the people that much, except for the odd exceptions. Never liked the language. In fact, it's my least favorite language in the world. Maybe I am just burnt out from traveling. I arrive in Laos in a few days and I hope for the best.
Maybe the reason for my disinterest is that I have not found any good travel companions as of late. My last one was in Hong Kong and that was weeks ago. Joachim was a cool guy. I think the big hostels I am staying at really takes away from the meeting individual people and the hotels makes one isolated. I have to find that happy medium between overwhelming and hermitville.
On a funny note, I got 'cock-blocked' a few days ago at my hostel in Hanoi. I was talking to this French girl and apparently she was already talking to some Australian guy before. I didn't know and just talked away when this guy, I guess, when to get a drink. Anyways, sitting on this bench and talking when he came back and just completely interrupted our conversation. I would like to think that he thought I was competition, which if funny.
Tomorrow is my last day in Sapa and really tired of people trying to sell me crap. The rice terraces were cool but when trekking these two women followed me trying to sell me their wares. They just kept chatting away and all I wanted was some peace and quiet with my trekking. I was like 'Shut up! I can't hear my own thoughts.' They got the message through some sign language that I wanted quiet.
Now what the hell am I going to do with three days in Hanoi!?
Maybe the reason for my disinterest is that I have not found any good travel companions as of late. My last one was in Hong Kong and that was weeks ago. Joachim was a cool guy. I think the big hostels I am staying at really takes away from the meeting individual people and the hotels makes one isolated. I have to find that happy medium between overwhelming and hermitville.
On a funny note, I got 'cock-blocked' a few days ago at my hostel in Hanoi. I was talking to this French girl and apparently she was already talking to some Australian guy before. I didn't know and just talked away when this guy, I guess, when to get a drink. Anyways, sitting on this bench and talking when he came back and just completely interrupted our conversation. I would like to think that he thought I was competition, which if funny.
Tomorrow is my last day in Sapa and really tired of people trying to sell me crap. The rice terraces were cool but when trekking these two women followed me trying to sell me their wares. They just kept chatting away and all I wanted was some peace and quiet with my trekking. I was like 'Shut up! I can't hear my own thoughts.' They got the message through some sign language that I wanted quiet.
Now what the hell am I going to do with three days in Hanoi!?
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