Here I am again in the Pacific ocean off the coast of Australia. We are way out cause you cant see the coast anywhere. Just blue choppy water everywhere. And i do mean choppy. I tried again to snorkle this morning and was taking water in my snorkel and again got a tow in from the rescue boat. I have a friend in Dallas who says "nothing stops you"! Choppy water stops me. It scares me to death. I guesss this gives me a reason to come back to australia. They say the weather was beautiful last week, the waer was smooth the sun was shining.
The captain of the boat says this is what the weather forecast is for the next 10 days. So it wouldn't make any difference if I came back later other than my ears might be in better shape. The Polish guy Eric who has been checking the people in and out of the water was somewhat irritated with me. He told me yesterday that if I wanted to go in today he would get someone to go in with me as the open water instructors are free now that there class is done. He said it was rougher today than the first day and you know he was right. Thank goodness they were watching and could come and get me.
Another lesson in living in the moment. Enjoy the boat ride, someone is fixing me 3 meals a day and i don't have to do anything but eat, sleep, enjoy the view, finish reading the Lee Child book about Jack Reacher. It's disappointing that I am not getting to dive. But as the guy in Indonesia said, "It's your holiday." and I do want to come back on my feet and not in a box. That would ruin my day and everyone else's....
I can live vicariously through the other divers. The strong snorkeler said it was too choppy for her as well.
Tomorrow I am going on an excursion to the rain forest and to Cape Tribulation. Then I am going to airlie beach to a 2 day one night sailing excursion in the whitsunday's. Hopefully, the water will be calm there and there will be beautiful fish there.
Friday, December 16, 2011
Thursday, December 15, 2011
Pacific ocean, Australia
Hi- I am sitting on a boat in the pacific ocean occasionally getting to snorkel on the great barrier reef. I am on live aboard boat with a dive group called pro scuba. This was one of the prime reasons I wanted to come to Australia. I even remembered to bring my dive card. S you might be asking yourself why isn't Jean diving. The answer to that is that I couldn't get my ears to clear when I went diving in The Gilli Islands in Indonesia and when I got to Australia and had paid for the trip and was talking to their staff they suggested that I go see the dive Dr. At the 24+ medical clinic. I did and he checked my ears when I was holding my nose and blowing out and the ear drum was not moving so I have a temporarily unfit to dive problem. Fortunately, their are 5 other people on the boat who are also snorkelers.
Yesterday,the first time in the water I didn't use my common sense. It was apparently on the blink. The water was very rough and I got in anyway. I was very scared. I ended up waving my arm with the distress signal and they came and towed me back to the boat. It was challenging to swim in the rough water, challenging to see anything in the rough water. It was grey, cloudy and raining.
The second time in the water ni stayed close to the boat and was in the water about 10 minutes. The third time, I went out with one of the dive instructors and we went out to the coral and saw some beautiful fish. Some of the same fish we saw in Indonesia. I guess they followed me here.
Now this morning it is raining again and the water looks rough. So I am writing instead of struggling in the water. Pro-Scuba is a pretty professionally run group. They take no more tha 32 people out at a time. If you are a diver or are getting your dive certification you can do it on board. You have the opportunity to dive 11 times, snorkel 9 times. Snorkelers do not snorkel at night in the dark. They check us in as we get in the water and check us out as we get out of the water. There is a lookout on the top of the boat looking out for all the people in the water. This is apparently stinger season and so we are all wearing a full body suit that covers your hands, head, neck, and legs with a strap under your foot. This is really when I miss Jim. He was a great dive buddy. You never dive alone. I would really like to have a snorkel buddy. There is a woman from Germany who is here with her brother who has befriended me. There is another German girl that I might team up with who also got scared yesterday in the rough sea. She doesn't speak as much English as the first one. I don't know anyone's name.
It's a bit like going to dance camp. You have certain times to dive, someone else is doing the cooking and cleaning up and you are there to have a good time. Every body else on this trip is from Europe. Most of them are German, some Swiss, and a couple from Holland and me. Traveling by myself hasn't been too bad. There are some disadvantages and advantages. You canto on the tours you want to but you do t really have anyone to discuss your decisions with.
Yesterday,the first time in the water I didn't use my common sense. It was apparently on the blink. The water was very rough and I got in anyway. I was very scared. I ended up waving my arm with the distress signal and they came and towed me back to the boat. It was challenging to swim in the rough water, challenging to see anything in the rough water. It was grey, cloudy and raining.
The second time in the water ni stayed close to the boat and was in the water about 10 minutes. The third time, I went out with one of the dive instructors and we went out to the coral and saw some beautiful fish. Some of the same fish we saw in Indonesia. I guess they followed me here.
Now this morning it is raining again and the water looks rough. So I am writing instead of struggling in the water. Pro-Scuba is a pretty professionally run group. They take no more tha 32 people out at a time. If you are a diver or are getting your dive certification you can do it on board. You have the opportunity to dive 11 times, snorkel 9 times. Snorkelers do not snorkel at night in the dark. They check us in as we get in the water and check us out as we get out of the water. There is a lookout on the top of the boat looking out for all the people in the water. This is apparently stinger season and so we are all wearing a full body suit that covers your hands, head, neck, and legs with a strap under your foot. This is really when I miss Jim. He was a great dive buddy. You never dive alone. I would really like to have a snorkel buddy. There is a woman from Germany who is here with her brother who has befriended me. There is another German girl that I might team up with who also got scared yesterday in the rough sea. She doesn't speak as much English as the first one. I don't know anyone's name.
It's a bit like going to dance camp. You have certain times to dive, someone else is doing the cooking and cleaning up and you are there to have a good time. Every body else on this trip is from Europe. Most of them are German, some Swiss, and a couple from Holland and me. Traveling by myself hasn't been too bad. There are some disadvantages and advantages. You canto on the tours you want to but you do t really have anyone to discuss your decisions with.
Friday, December 2, 2011
Indonesia
HI
I am in Indonesia now. Today we left Lovina and have arrived at this fabulous hotel called Strawberry Hill. The reason this is a fbulous hotel is because it has tv that works, internet i the room as well as the restaurant, a seperate shower as well as a bath tub, a balcony, soft shhets.
This is actually the first hotel we have stayed in here that has tv that works.
So i arrived in Ubud, Indonesia. The monkey forrest is there. Let me back up, I went to the emergency room in darwin, australia the day i left and they xrayed my wrist. it sounds like it's not healing exactly right but it is healing and the good thing is they took off the plaster cas and put on a removable hard plaastic splint. That means I have been able to go swimming, and snorkeli \ng and get in the waterfall. It has made this trip so much moe enjoyable. For the past 3 nights we have been in Lovina. Yesterday, we went snorkeling. The fish were so colorful, the water was so beautiful. Crystal clear turquoise, and when you look past the coral the dark blue was beautiful as well. There was one fish that reminded me of some wild colored tennis shoes. we saw purple tipped coral, electric bluefish, lightturquoise colored fish, needle nose long skinny fish, nemo-clown fish in tow colorations. I had forgotten how beautiful the fish are since it has been so long since I have been diving, snorkeling or to the ocean like this. The snorkeling guide on my boat was so thoughtful. Our first snorkel was from the beach and the second one was from the boat. I was not sure I was going to be able to get back in the boat from the ocean with only one useful hand. He had the boat driver pull the boat up very near the dead coral. So in effect iwas able to get back in the boat with a minimum of help.
We were snorkeling at Pulau Menjangan in Bali Barat National Park. We bought a picnic lunch of rice, chicken, green beans, and some peanut thing. It was delicious.
We have seen weavers makiing sarongs, and dyeing the yarns in a pattern, trekked through the rice field, sweated buckets. It's an unusual time for this region. It's been hotter here the last couple of days than usual. On the trek through the rice field, i finally had had it. I caught up with that guide, his name was Numan. Everyone is named the same thing here. First born boy or girl is Wayan, second is Made, third is Numan!Anyway my ace was red, I was not having a good time, I was sweating buckets and it looked like we were going to be walking another 45 minutes. I asked him to call someone to come and get me. So the best 10,000 rupiahs I have spent. I paid a young man to take me to the bridge where we were having lunch on the back of his scooter. Although when we were going down the hills and his breaks were screeching I was praying they were going to hold and work. It's time for dinner. I will finish up later.
I am in Indonesia now. Today we left Lovina and have arrived at this fabulous hotel called Strawberry Hill. The reason this is a fbulous hotel is because it has tv that works, internet i the room as well as the restaurant, a seperate shower as well as a bath tub, a balcony, soft shhets.
This is actually the first hotel we have stayed in here that has tv that works.
So i arrived in Ubud, Indonesia. The monkey forrest is there. Let me back up, I went to the emergency room in darwin, australia the day i left and they xrayed my wrist. it sounds like it's not healing exactly right but it is healing and the good thing is they took off the plaster cas and put on a removable hard plaastic splint. That means I have been able to go swimming, and snorkeli \ng and get in the waterfall. It has made this trip so much moe enjoyable. For the past 3 nights we have been in Lovina. Yesterday, we went snorkeling. The fish were so colorful, the water was so beautiful. Crystal clear turquoise, and when you look past the coral the dark blue was beautiful as well. There was one fish that reminded me of some wild colored tennis shoes. we saw purple tipped coral, electric bluefish, lightturquoise colored fish, needle nose long skinny fish, nemo-clown fish in tow colorations. I had forgotten how beautiful the fish are since it has been so long since I have been diving, snorkeling or to the ocean like this. The snorkeling guide on my boat was so thoughtful. Our first snorkel was from the beach and the second one was from the boat. I was not sure I was going to be able to get back in the boat from the ocean with only one useful hand. He had the boat driver pull the boat up very near the dead coral. So in effect iwas able to get back in the boat with a minimum of help.
We were snorkeling at Pulau Menjangan in Bali Barat National Park. We bought a picnic lunch of rice, chicken, green beans, and some peanut thing. It was delicious.
We have seen weavers makiing sarongs, and dyeing the yarns in a pattern, trekked through the rice field, sweated buckets. It's an unusual time for this region. It's been hotter here the last couple of days than usual. On the trek through the rice field, i finally had had it. I caught up with that guide, his name was Numan. Everyone is named the same thing here. First born boy or girl is Wayan, second is Made, third is Numan!Anyway my ace was red, I was not having a good time, I was sweating buckets and it looked like we were going to be walking another 45 minutes. I asked him to call someone to come and get me. So the best 10,000 rupiahs I have spent. I paid a young man to take me to the bridge where we were having lunch on the back of his scooter. Although when we were going down the hills and his breaks were screeching I was praying they were going to hold and work. It's time for dinner. I will finish up later.
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
australia
Traveling with a cast on your left hand continues to be a challenge. Spent all day tuesday in the emergency room of St. Vincents hospital trying to get a waterproof cast. It is not possible with my break. according to the Dr. can't take this cast off because the break would move and definitely don't want that to happen. It's a struggle to get dressed. Open bottles! Bathe! Cut your food! Open any sort of packet! etc. Put one of your hands in a bag and see what I mean!
I am a trifle annoyed at Intrepid travel. When they notified me that Thailand was cancelled due to flooding, I sent them an email requesting to cancel Indonesia, because it is a lot of swimming, bike riding etc. My part, I should have called and didn't. While, I was sitting in the hospital I saw an email from them saying if I cancelled now I would loose all that money. Red flags for a girl who has money issues. So now am flying back to Indonesia to do that trip. I am trying to go with the flow.
Today i am going to do my laundry. Since i am staying in a youth hostel in Sydney they have washers & dryers. In Vietnam & Cambodia it was easier and cheaper to send it out!
Arrived in Sydney on Sunday/. Monday, I went to the blue mountains, saw olympic park and took a mini harbor cruise. The find of the day though was this restaurant that had steak, salad & chips for $10. And as the Australians say, the steak was "beautiful!" It arrived pink in the middle, tender and tasty. Before I could eat it though, I had to send it back to the kitchen to get it cut up.
Tuesday, in the ER. there are some hospital workers who like to scare the patient. The physiotherapist that first looked at the vietnam x-rays kept going on and on about surgery. Fortunately, hers wasn't the final word. When the orthopedic Dr. got out of surgery, he said cant disturb the cast! It would cause more problems.
Wednesday, talked to citibank because haven't been able to use the card. It was being denied.I talked to them for more than an hour on several occasions before i left the USA about my trip, where I was going, how long I was going to be and changed the billing address. My daughter in Florida is paying my bills. The reason I haven't been able to charge is because I haven't paid because you guessed it, they didn't change the address. My daughter hasn't gotten a bill since I left. Yes, I was annoyed about that. Yes, I realize I could be getting the bills on line and paying them on line but I don't want to.
Wednesday's tours. Bought a ticket for the hop on hop off bus. The ticket seller gave me the senior rate which was a saving of $10. So I saw all the general sights of Sydney from the top of the bus. While on the bus, I bought a discounted ticket for the aquarium saved another $8. So I saw in depth the fishes of australia without having to get wet. Walked around the Sydney Opera house and went inside. I passed on the tour. I didn't really want to know how much it cost to build it or any of the other details. Then i decided to go to Bondi Beach. So hopped on another bus and went out there. Walked in the sand, walked in the surf and picked up a few shells. The water is a pretty aquamarine color. It was cold. I think it's the pacific ocean. Got back on the bus at 5:15, arrived back at the Sydney central YHA where I am staying at 6:15, just in time for $5 pizza night. So had a pizza for dinner. It's expensive here in comparison to Vietnam & Cambodia. Double what we were paying for food. And you know I don't do well on nothing! They show a movie every night and last night it was Gulliver's travels with Jack Black.
Thursday-so far update the blog, take a shower, get dressed! Now am off to breakfast, do my laundry and talk to the travel experts down stairs!
I am a trifle annoyed at Intrepid travel. When they notified me that Thailand was cancelled due to flooding, I sent them an email requesting to cancel Indonesia, because it is a lot of swimming, bike riding etc. My part, I should have called and didn't. While, I was sitting in the hospital I saw an email from them saying if I cancelled now I would loose all that money. Red flags for a girl who has money issues. So now am flying back to Indonesia to do that trip. I am trying to go with the flow.
Today i am going to do my laundry. Since i am staying in a youth hostel in Sydney they have washers & dryers. In Vietnam & Cambodia it was easier and cheaper to send it out!
Arrived in Sydney on Sunday/. Monday, I went to the blue mountains, saw olympic park and took a mini harbor cruise. The find of the day though was this restaurant that had steak, salad & chips for $10. And as the Australians say, the steak was "beautiful!" It arrived pink in the middle, tender and tasty. Before I could eat it though, I had to send it back to the kitchen to get it cut up.
Tuesday, in the ER. there are some hospital workers who like to scare the patient. The physiotherapist that first looked at the vietnam x-rays kept going on and on about surgery. Fortunately, hers wasn't the final word. When the orthopedic Dr. got out of surgery, he said cant disturb the cast! It would cause more problems.
Wednesday, talked to citibank because haven't been able to use the card. It was being denied.I talked to them for more than an hour on several occasions before i left the USA about my trip, where I was going, how long I was going to be and changed the billing address. My daughter in Florida is paying my bills. The reason I haven't been able to charge is because I haven't paid because you guessed it, they didn't change the address. My daughter hasn't gotten a bill since I left. Yes, I was annoyed about that. Yes, I realize I could be getting the bills on line and paying them on line but I don't want to.
Wednesday's tours. Bought a ticket for the hop on hop off bus. The ticket seller gave me the senior rate which was a saving of $10. So I saw all the general sights of Sydney from the top of the bus. While on the bus, I bought a discounted ticket for the aquarium saved another $8. So I saw in depth the fishes of australia without having to get wet. Walked around the Sydney Opera house and went inside. I passed on the tour. I didn't really want to know how much it cost to build it or any of the other details. Then i decided to go to Bondi Beach. So hopped on another bus and went out there. Walked in the sand, walked in the surf and picked up a few shells. The water is a pretty aquamarine color. It was cold. I think it's the pacific ocean. Got back on the bus at 5:15, arrived back at the Sydney central YHA where I am staying at 6:15, just in time for $5 pizza night. So had a pizza for dinner. It's expensive here in comparison to Vietnam & Cambodia. Double what we were paying for food. And you know I don't do well on nothing! They show a movie every night and last night it was Gulliver's travels with Jack Black.
Thursday-so far update the blog, take a shower, get dressed! Now am off to breakfast, do my laundry and talk to the travel experts down stairs!
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Cambodia
Have moved on to Cambodia. Yesterday, we arrived in Siem Reap. Yesterday we saw a several hundred year old bridge made out of stone and the floating villages. Took pictures of some pigs in a floating pen. Interesting. Last night we went to a wedding reception for one of Intreped tours guides. It was a lot of fun. We went in a tuk-tuk. That is a cart for 4 people pulled by a motorcycle.
Cambodian tradition for a wedding, the man's family pays for the wedding and reception. They had a seated dinner for more than 500 guests, including tourists. On every table were cans of beer, soft drinks and a fith of Johnny Walker Red. Servers were walking around refilling the drinks. They had a five piece orchestra, an mc and dancers on stage. You walked in through a reception line. All the ladies were wearing pretty pink long skirts and pink silk looking tops. The men had on pink as well.and the parentscwere formally dressed also. There were about 7 courses. Lots of fish. Fish soup, duck, fish salad, steamed rice, grapes. No wedding cake.
Beautiful flowers on the center table as well as piles of fresh fruit. No wedding cake. After everyone had dinner the bride and groom came out together in matching grey silk outfits. The wedfing party also had grey silk dresses and the men wore grey pants and a matching shirt. The bride and groom had a lot of sparkly jewels. I don't know if they were costume or diamonds. The grooms wedfing ring was big, bold and had more than 6 diamonds in it. I don't know about the brides.
We ate, we drank and we danced. No couple dancing. We walked around the fruit table waving our hands. It was tun.
Today, we went temple hopping starting at 5 am. We did indeed see the sun come up around Angkor Wat. It was gorgeous. It has been a long hot day. It must be at least 80 degrees and have humidity of 85%. We are going out tonight so am going to sign off and take a quick nap.
Cambodian tradition for a wedding, the man's family pays for the wedding and reception. They had a seated dinner for more than 500 guests, including tourists. On every table were cans of beer, soft drinks and a fith of Johnny Walker Red. Servers were walking around refilling the drinks. They had a five piece orchestra, an mc and dancers on stage. You walked in through a reception line. All the ladies were wearing pretty pink long skirts and pink silk looking tops. The men had on pink as well.and the parentscwere formally dressed also. There were about 7 courses. Lots of fish. Fish soup, duck, fish salad, steamed rice, grapes. No wedding cake.
Beautiful flowers on the center table as well as piles of fresh fruit. No wedding cake. After everyone had dinner the bride and groom came out together in matching grey silk outfits. The wedfing party also had grey silk dresses and the men wore grey pants and a matching shirt. The bride and groom had a lot of sparkly jewels. I don't know if they were costume or diamonds. The grooms wedfing ring was big, bold and had more than 6 diamonds in it. I don't know about the brides.
We ate, we drank and we danced. No couple dancing. We walked around the fruit table waving our hands. It was tun.
Today, we went temple hopping starting at 5 am. We did indeed see the sun come up around Angkor Wat. It was gorgeous. It has been a long hot day. It must be at least 80 degrees and have humidity of 85%. We are going out tonight so am going to sign off and take a quick nap.
Wednesday, October 26, 2011
Vietnam
Hi all-
Vietnam is beautiful, complicated and challenging. We went to see the war memorial yesterday. I had originally thought the French when they occupied Vietnam were the worst but the USA use of agent orange during the Vietnam war far exceeds any thing I have ever seen. There are children still being born with massive birth defects that can be linked to agent orange. The USA military sprayed it all over their country for ten years, 1961-1971.
We are going to the Mekong delta this morning. We are in Saigon now or Ho Chi Min City. We went on a cyclo ride last night. A cyclo is bicycle wheel in back and a seat in front-a bicycle rickshaw. Those men are amazing. To be able to ride around in that traffic without getting run over. They ride without lights. You have to really be paying attention in Vietnamese traffic as there are cyclos, scooters, and lots of them. In Ho chi min city there are cars and SUVs. In the other places we have been there hasn't been many cars.
While we were in Hoi Ann, I fell and tried to catch myself with my left hand. I broke my wrist at the base of my thumb. I have a cast from my elbow to my fingers. It is quite challenging being off balance in a foreign city. The Dr. said it's a typical fracture for a person my age.
Hoi Ann is the shopping capital of Vietnam. They have a jewelry store that copies any design you want. You can have clothes, purses, belts, and shoes made. I guess you could have any article of clothing copied or made there.They have lots of fabric. Several pattern books. They measure you and have it back within 24 hrs. I bought 3 silk scarves for Elisabeth and her girls, easy to pack and light weight, had my accident and am now trying to get my travel insurance to repatriate me back to the USA and repay me for my lost trips I am not able to take.
The trip company I bought these trips from have travel insurance. Today, I wish I had bought theirs. Because they are better at send g you home when you are hurt. I can't believe I am hurt. It is very frustrating. I wish there was an American clinic on the corner so I could get a waterproof cast. And a cast with a larger thumb hole. If anyone knows of a Dr. Or clinic in Ho Chi Min city I would appreciate the information.
Vietnam is beautiful, complicated and challenging. We went to see the war memorial yesterday. I had originally thought the French when they occupied Vietnam were the worst but the USA use of agent orange during the Vietnam war far exceeds any thing I have ever seen. There are children still being born with massive birth defects that can be linked to agent orange. The USA military sprayed it all over their country for ten years, 1961-1971.
We are going to the Mekong delta this morning. We are in Saigon now or Ho Chi Min City. We went on a cyclo ride last night. A cyclo is bicycle wheel in back and a seat in front-a bicycle rickshaw. Those men are amazing. To be able to ride around in that traffic without getting run over. They ride without lights. You have to really be paying attention in Vietnamese traffic as there are cyclos, scooters, and lots of them. In Ho chi min city there are cars and SUVs. In the other places we have been there hasn't been many cars.
While we were in Hoi Ann, I fell and tried to catch myself with my left hand. I broke my wrist at the base of my thumb. I have a cast from my elbow to my fingers. It is quite challenging being off balance in a foreign city. The Dr. said it's a typical fracture for a person my age.
Hoi Ann is the shopping capital of Vietnam. They have a jewelry store that copies any design you want. You can have clothes, purses, belts, and shoes made. I guess you could have any article of clothing copied or made there.They have lots of fabric. Several pattern books. They measure you and have it back within 24 hrs. I bought 3 silk scarves for Elisabeth and her girls, easy to pack and light weight, had my accident and am now trying to get my travel insurance to repatriate me back to the USA and repay me for my lost trips I am not able to take.
The trip company I bought these trips from have travel insurance. Today, I wish I had bought theirs. Because they are better at send g you home when you are hurt. I can't believe I am hurt. It is very frustrating. I wish there was an American clinic on the corner so I could get a waterproof cast. And a cast with a larger thumb hole. If anyone knows of a Dr. Or clinic in Ho Chi Min city I would appreciate the information.
Friday, October 21, 2011
India, Vietnam
Hi
I have been without an Internet connection since leaving Jennifer's. Kathryn & I spent 2 weeks at an ashram. Up at dawn for prayer, meditation,chanting, yoga for two hours, lunch, sitting on the floor, eating with our hands just like the natives. Lecture at 2, yoga for 2 hrs. Dinner, ending the day with prayer, chanting, singing, etc. And a little sweet. I was sure I was going to starve to death but in actual fact managed to gain 3 lbs eating vegetarian. We went on 4 field trips. Went to the elephant preserve, bathed, fed, and rode the elephant. Went down to the southern tip of India, and saw where the bay of Bengal, Indian ocean and Arabian ocean meet. Then the next week we went to see the lions and a jungle hike. The high light of the jungle hike was, leeches, boy are they disgusting and a fabulous waterfall and pool to swim in. After the ashram we flew to Delhi and got in a car and saw 4 cities in 3 nights. Agra, Jaipur and old Delhi. We saw the Agra fort, the amber fort and the Taj Mahal. Rode an elephant again and took a lot of pictures of the taj, and various forts. In Jaipur, there was every kind of vehicle youcna imagine, camel pulling carts, bicycles pulling carts, women carrying sticks on their heads, tractors, cars, scooters, motor bikes, donkeys. The only thing I didn't see was a motorized wheel chair.
Now I am in Hanoi, Vietnam. Lots of people. There is a book called the Lonely Planet. I think it might be a misnomer. There are so many people in india and Vietnam it is unreal. The traffic is horrendous. The Vietnamese ride scooters. The women wear gloves long sleeved shirts that have an extra piece to cover theirnhands, and lots of people wear face masks. The air is terrible here. They wear a mask so they are not breathing the air, ourguide says it's mists that is causing the haze but in think it might be pollution as well. We have seen factories for shoes, glass and cannon printers. Last night we spent on a junk in Ha Long bay. Pretty spectacular landscapes. This trip is basically an Australian experience. 9 Australians, 1 American, and 2 Germans. We went to see the prison today where they imprisoned American pilots during the Vietnam war. I think during the war they called it the Hanoi Hilton and today there is a 5 star hotel named the Hanoi Hilton. That is where our taxi driver took us in the beginning. One of these days i will figure out how to add pictures. Actually I know how to add pictures, but for some reason when I trynto, the add picture is Greyed out and son there is no way to add them.
We are off on the train tonight. We have all bought a sleeping bag sheet to sleep on on the train. I hear it is going to be quite an experience.I hear that the worst part is the bathroom. I bought some hand sanitizer, and have some toilet paper, and 3 bottles of water, a baguette and some cheese. I am sure I won't starve. In the 4 & 5 star hotels we stayed in india there Internet came at a fee, in this 3 star hotel in Vietnam, the I tenet is free.
I have been without an Internet connection since leaving Jennifer's. Kathryn & I spent 2 weeks at an ashram. Up at dawn for prayer, meditation,chanting, yoga for two hours, lunch, sitting on the floor, eating with our hands just like the natives. Lecture at 2, yoga for 2 hrs. Dinner, ending the day with prayer, chanting, singing, etc. And a little sweet. I was sure I was going to starve to death but in actual fact managed to gain 3 lbs eating vegetarian. We went on 4 field trips. Went to the elephant preserve, bathed, fed, and rode the elephant. Went down to the southern tip of India, and saw where the bay of Bengal, Indian ocean and Arabian ocean meet. Then the next week we went to see the lions and a jungle hike. The high light of the jungle hike was, leeches, boy are they disgusting and a fabulous waterfall and pool to swim in. After the ashram we flew to Delhi and got in a car and saw 4 cities in 3 nights. Agra, Jaipur and old Delhi. We saw the Agra fort, the amber fort and the Taj Mahal. Rode an elephant again and took a lot of pictures of the taj, and various forts. In Jaipur, there was every kind of vehicle youcna imagine, camel pulling carts, bicycles pulling carts, women carrying sticks on their heads, tractors, cars, scooters, motor bikes, donkeys. The only thing I didn't see was a motorized wheel chair.
Now I am in Hanoi, Vietnam. Lots of people. There is a book called the Lonely Planet. I think it might be a misnomer. There are so many people in india and Vietnam it is unreal. The traffic is horrendous. The Vietnamese ride scooters. The women wear gloves long sleeved shirts that have an extra piece to cover theirnhands, and lots of people wear face masks. The air is terrible here. They wear a mask so they are not breathing the air, ourguide says it's mists that is causing the haze but in think it might be pollution as well. We have seen factories for shoes, glass and cannon printers. Last night we spent on a junk in Ha Long bay. Pretty spectacular landscapes. This trip is basically an Australian experience. 9 Australians, 1 American, and 2 Germans. We went to see the prison today where they imprisoned American pilots during the Vietnam war. I think during the war they called it the Hanoi Hilton and today there is a 5 star hotel named the Hanoi Hilton. That is where our taxi driver took us in the beginning. One of these days i will figure out how to add pictures. Actually I know how to add pictures, but for some reason when I trynto, the add picture is Greyed out and son there is no way to add them.
We are off on the train tonight. We have all bought a sleeping bag sheet to sleep on on the train. I hear it is going to be quite an experience.I hear that the worst part is the bathroom. I bought some hand sanitizer, and have some toilet paper, and 3 bottles of water, a baguette and some cheese. I am sure I won't starve. In the 4 & 5 star hotels we stayed in india there Internet came at a fee, in this 3 star hotel in Vietnam, the I tenet is free.
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