Clubbing, representing 101 in Asia !!
Pho Ga. They say this is the dish that built the nation. Yummy and even better at $1.50
Metal Sculptures
Thursday, April 06, 2006
Hanoi. again.
Clubbing, representing 101 in Asia !!
Pho Ga. They say this is the dish that built the nation. Yummy and even better at $1.50
Metal Sculptures
Some more Hanoi pics
Lady selling nuts
Cute kiddies
Chinese Pagoda in Hanoi. Oh, and Em :)
Fruity?
Going over, Vietnam stylee.
Wednesday, April 05, 2006
See what I can do .....
Been a while posting. Seems I can't view this from where I am but I can get into post. Very wierd. Can't view any sites from this blog.
Em and I have been to Nah Trang and also out to a commune where her organisation does some work. That was cool but also wierd as they don't get many foreigners apparantley, so we were stared at quite a bit. We chose to go for a walk and this coincided with school getting out, so they al thought we here a great giggle and tested their English on us.
Nah Trang was awesome. We hired a bike and went out to a temple just out of town and then to a natural spring for a mud bath and hot mineral spring. Was really awesome, though I thought the swimming pool was a bit hot at 38 degrees. The next day we went on a boat trip out to some islands, Mon and Mut Islands I think. Went for a snorkle just off Mut Island, checking out the tropical fish, though it seemed a bit polluted. The water was absolutely beautiful, I haven't enjoyed swimming this much for so long. We had lunch on the boat and then the crew, who play as a band at night, made us all sing kareoke style. They had a song for every country someone was from, so I ended up doing a rather punkish version of Waltzing Matilda. I founf out it's a bit like Advance Australia Fair, as I couldn't remember most of the second verse. Though the song made me fee quite patriotic. Was good fun. We then had a "Floating Bar". Get in the water with a lifebouy and drink some type of wine while floating about. Sweet. When the wine ran out, I got stuck into the beer. Their theory, if you don’t get drunk, you don’t go home. We hooked up with a pommy couple and 3 girls from Ireland and a guy from Korea. Was quite funny, as the Paddys said they were thinking at the start of the trip who would be the first ones to crack a beer. I did my country proud. It was the AUSSIES of course. Later tht night we all went out to dinner at a sweet joint called the “Sailing Club”. Em and I actually went their the night before. Expensive for asian standards, but a beautiful place to be, right on the beach.
We’re in Hoi Ann atm, just out of Da Nang. China Beach is about 15k, on the way down here. Hoi Ann is renowned for tailors. I picked up a 3 piece suit 2 days ago and 5 shirts. I’m back this afternoon to pick up 2 more suits that I have but needed some minor adjustments done. Em’s got a pile of clothes made and also shoes done as well. Nice and cheap and you get what you want. If only I knew I could take more home I would have seen if I could get something close to Puma Suedes made. Oh well. We’ve been maxing in the Hoi Ann Beach Resort, just between the river and trhe beach. We get up, have brekky, then go to the beach for a bit of a swim and then hop on a bike to town. Town is rather taxing, as everyone wants you to buy from their shop. Reminds me a bit of India. Seriously, there are hundreds of tailors, so the issue is actually choosing one. So it’s always nice to come back to the hotel which is about 5k from the town.
Out for now. Will try and get some of these pics up also, but interent here isn’t quite like home ☹
PS. Click on the photos for bigger pics. If they get up.
Em and I have been to Nah Trang and also out to a commune where her organisation does some work. That was cool but also wierd as they don't get many foreigners apparantley, so we were stared at quite a bit. We chose to go for a walk and this coincided with school getting out, so they al thought we here a great giggle and tested their English on us.
Nah Trang was awesome. We hired a bike and went out to a temple just out of town and then to a natural spring for a mud bath and hot mineral spring. Was really awesome, though I thought the swimming pool was a bit hot at 38 degrees. The next day we went on a boat trip out to some islands, Mon and Mut Islands I think. Went for a snorkle just off Mut Island, checking out the tropical fish, though it seemed a bit polluted. The water was absolutely beautiful, I haven't enjoyed swimming this much for so long. We had lunch on the boat and then the crew, who play as a band at night, made us all sing kareoke style. They had a song for every country someone was from, so I ended up doing a rather punkish version of Waltzing Matilda. I founf out it's a bit like Advance Australia Fair, as I couldn't remember most of the second verse. Though the song made me fee quite patriotic. Was good fun. We then had a "Floating Bar". Get in the water with a lifebouy and drink some type of wine while floating about. Sweet. When the wine ran out, I got stuck into the beer. Their theory, if you don’t get drunk, you don’t go home. We hooked up with a pommy couple and 3 girls from Ireland and a guy from Korea. Was quite funny, as the Paddys said they were thinking at the start of the trip who would be the first ones to crack a beer. I did my country proud. It was the AUSSIES of course. Later tht night we all went out to dinner at a sweet joint called the “Sailing Club”. Em and I actually went their the night before. Expensive for asian standards, but a beautiful place to be, right on the beach.
We’re in Hoi Ann atm, just out of Da Nang. China Beach is about 15k, on the way down here. Hoi Ann is renowned for tailors. I picked up a 3 piece suit 2 days ago and 5 shirts. I’m back this afternoon to pick up 2 more suits that I have but needed some minor adjustments done. Em’s got a pile of clothes made and also shoes done as well. Nice and cheap and you get what you want. If only I knew I could take more home I would have seen if I could get something close to Puma Suedes made. Oh well. We’ve been maxing in the Hoi Ann Beach Resort, just between the river and trhe beach. We get up, have brekky, then go to the beach for a bit of a swim and then hop on a bike to town. Town is rather taxing, as everyone wants you to buy from their shop. Reminds me a bit of India. Seriously, there are hundreds of tailors, so the issue is actually choosing one. So it’s always nice to come back to the hotel which is about 5k from the town.
Out for now. Will try and get some of these pics up also, but interent here isn’t quite like home ☹
PS. Click on the photos for bigger pics. If they get up.
Friday, March 24, 2006
Downtown Hanoi
On the Xe Om
Em at lunch
Well, just did my first Xe Om (motorbike taxi). Well fresh. Went and met Em for lunch and met some of her work colleagues and saw the office. Wasn't too keen on the pigeon in the window, or the wierd long wings with feet, perhaps frog??
Hanoi
OK, well kniod of a bit settled here. Basically living right in the middle of the city. My rputine is get up, lounge for a bit, venture out a different way on the streets and luckily find my way back each day. The streets in the city are stright(?) and diagonal, so it's eay to get lost and recover ground you have previously. There's a street for everything, like shoes, silks, art galleries etc. Got into some more shopping last night. The galleris are amazing, with artists painting the most extraodinary reproductions of all styles of painters, Van Goh, Kandinsky and Dali amongst others. Em and I go for a wander about to explore the streets after she gets in from work, go and eat and just wander about. I have her use her basic Vietnmese to ask how much things are, lots of places let you know in US dollars which is interesting.
The traffic is crazy, but not quite as crazy as Mumbai, though 90% of the vehicles are motorbikes and scooters. Crossing the road is fun, dogding in and out of these. You look at the raod and it's clear, 1/2 way across there's 100 motorbilkes coming at you! I haven't seen blue sky since I got here and the air is quite polluted. I've got a goddamn cold which doesn't seem to be getting any better, but just like Mumbai, it'll take longer because of the air. We're thining of taking off to Nha Trang this weekend and Ho Chi Minh City to have a look about, and Em needs to check some of these places out for work.
Aplogies for the lack of photos recently but I have real issues uploading them from here and I cannot view my blog either. I only know it's happening as Luke from work confirmed it for me.
Out for now, Chevlis in Vietnam.
The traffic is crazy, but not quite as crazy as Mumbai, though 90% of the vehicles are motorbikes and scooters. Crossing the road is fun, dogding in and out of these. You look at the raod and it's clear, 1/2 way across there's 100 motorbilkes coming at you! I haven't seen blue sky since I got here and the air is quite polluted. I've got a goddamn cold which doesn't seem to be getting any better, but just like Mumbai, it'll take longer because of the air. We're thining of taking off to Nha Trang this weekend and Ho Chi Minh City to have a look about, and Em needs to check some of these places out for work.
Aplogies for the lack of photos recently but I have real issues uploading them from here and I cannot view my blog either. I only know it's happening as Luke from work confirmed it for me.
Out for now, Chevlis in Vietnam.
Wednesday, March 22, 2006
Sibu
My Uncle Raymond.
My cousin Mark while we were out in KL. Boy knows how to have a good time.
Below my Uncle Joe. I reckon he lloks like Albert Ben Simmons :)
More
Fake kicks.
Uncle and AuntyWell, I've done Malaysia and am now in Hanoi. Malaysia was awesome, especially good to catch up with Uncles I only see once every 15+ years. The food was great and it was good to see Sibu, where my dads from as I hadn't been there since I was 6 months old. My uncle Raymond still lives in my grandparents house and he took me about showing me a bit about the Fuchow and thier journey to Sibu. I stayed with my Uncle Joe and wen to a dineer the first night there clebrating 105 yrs of the Fuchow in Sibu. A bit daunting being the only 'westerner' there and everything was spoken in chinese. We seemed to be constantly eating, but I wouldn't complain as the food was so damn good. Everything. Best balachan I've had in a long time. I was there for 3 nights and thenwent back to KL with Joe as he had some business to attend to, which was fine with me as I wanted to go back for some shopping. Had time to go and get some more stuff, prices comparable to home, but gear I couln't find in Australia, hence me buying 5 pairs of sneakers.
Friday, March 17, 2006
More Kuching.
ABC. An awesome refreshing desert. My auntie Nancy will laugh, as I'd never eat it when I worked with her :)
The Kuching waterfront.
The view across the river from the hotel
Family
My Uncle Lawrence, his kids, my cousins, Wendy and Boniface. They took good care of me while I was in Kuching, and made sure I ate plenty, which seems to be the way over here. My uncle had just gotten out of hospital this day. Get well uncle.
Wednesday, March 15, 2006
Monday, March 13, 2006
Malaysia. Game On.
What can I say? The food is more than I could've ever dreamed about. Noodles and Char Sui (BBQ Pork) on the way home last night. Mouth watering Yum Cha for breakfast and incredible curry noodles for dinner. Dinner cost me 4MR today. About $1.50 aus. Went and had a look in the city today, some shps, China town and Petronas Towers. It was closed for tickets to go up, so that was bit of a shame, but it's an absolutely hige structure. I beleive the second tallest int he world. Almost scary after being used to the little buildings we have in Adelaide. Need to come back here with an empty suicase for shopping. Very seriously. understand how people can go on shopping holidays now. It was only not being able to take the wieght on the plane which stopped me from buying 10 plus pairs of fake kicks.
Thank god for Japanese girls who want their photo taken. Got me one too.
Wednesday, March 08, 2006
Game Over.
Well, I'm leaving India tonight. Gonna leave some good people, good food and a very different place with so much to offer. Never a place I would have gone if I had the choice to travel, but after 7 weeks and a few different places, I know I'll be back sometime. Work was cool, a great change from the norm. DJ's and clubs left a bit to be desired, by my expectations, however did come across one cool club called Club Escape. Not necessarily my styles of music, but the DJ was good and kept the crowd rockin'. Also come across a Bangra version of Next Episode, I'll post it when I get home. But who wouldv'e thought I'd catch Kool and the Gang here.
Made some good friends who I'd love to visit again when I return. Picking up some Hindi is the key, though I didn't. Found it very interesting in the way a whiteboy (or close to) sticks out like a sore thumb, Raph Boogie got your whole setup comin' undone. Hang on, a tangent. Was a bit disappointed that I couldn't take my Ipod into the Taj, had a great playlist ready for the occassion. Doh.
Is wierd seeing how everyone lives, yeah, there's poverty and slums like I never imagined. Makes you wonder what some people complain about, rather humbling. Makes me wonder why I've spent so much on wax over the past years. Maybe time to move on and go digital. Everyone just gets on with their shit, no matter what that be.
More photos to come as I get sorted.
The Chinese Elvis signing off from the land of many and the land of less. Back home for 2 days and then my pilgrimage to my fathers homeland, Malaysia,a nd then to see my sweetheart in Vietnam.
To everyone I've met along the way, worked with and had the odd boozy night with, cheers and word 'em up for the many good times. You know who you are. You kept me sane in an insane environment.
Made some good friends who I'd love to visit again when I return. Picking up some Hindi is the key, though I didn't. Found it very interesting in the way a whiteboy (or close to) sticks out like a sore thumb, Raph Boogie got your whole setup comin' undone. Hang on, a tangent. Was a bit disappointed that I couldn't take my Ipod into the Taj, had a great playlist ready for the occassion. Doh.
Is wierd seeing how everyone lives, yeah, there's poverty and slums like I never imagined. Makes you wonder what some people complain about, rather humbling. Makes me wonder why I've spent so much on wax over the past years. Maybe time to move on and go digital. Everyone just gets on with their shit, no matter what that be.
More photos to come as I get sorted.
The Chinese Elvis signing off from the land of many and the land of less. Back home for 2 days and then my pilgrimage to my fathers homeland, Malaysia,a nd then to see my sweetheart in Vietnam.
To everyone I've met along the way, worked with and had the odd boozy night with, cheers and word 'em up for the many good times. You know who you are. You kept me sane in an insane environment.
Red Fort
From the outside, this overlooks the Taj Mahal from across the river. Where emperor Shah Jahan was imprisoned by his son for building it. At least he got to overlook his creation everyday, apparantley surround by concubines.
The view across.
Unfortunately you can't see the whole fort,as it's still 2/3 occupied by the military.
Taj Mahal, Agra Fort
And the pics in the previous post are of Akbah's Tomb, the father of the dude who built the Taj. DOn't you love my historical correctness?
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