5 Days to go until I take that long flight across the globe again.
I'm trying to get things together here again, it's a lot more straight forward this time than the first time I left. I'm not really in to making a long post right now, I have bread to bake while I still have an oven :) And there is a lot more time to create posts in Hong Kong. It's amazing how much easier it is to type a post on an iPhone when you don't have to drive a car...
I'm still contemplating how I'm going to get my banjo 8,000 miles intact, but I think I've found a solution. I have some things to get in Plattsburgh and I'm working out my baggage situation and my computer parts situation, but overall it's nothing compared to last time AND I've already sent 50% of my stuff over with my darling wife, who may or may not have arrived in Hong Kong as of the typing of this; 96 hours after taking off or is it 120 right now? :p
What a crazy awesome three months it's been, I should write a recap post to catch everyone up to speed on my time back now that I've sent out a hundred of my business cards to everyone that came to our reception.
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travelling. Show all posts
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Friday, April 16, 2010
Macau Fever... (Part 2)
Now for the stunning conclusion:
6:51pm: A massive blast is heard and the blur of a vehicle slams to an instant halt in the blink of an eye. Dama throws some money towards the captain and the other three jump out and race to enter the airlock and clear security. Dama collects his earth-money change and views the countdown board from the distance. He thinks to himself, "Why is there no time showing?" Has his super sonic journey slowed time? Stopped time? No, that's crazy; it's just that the "Cut-Off" buzzer has already sounded. This name is derived from what happens if any body parts exist between the outside world and the airlock when time is up.
6:53pm: A large group of Slowpokes were entering the airlock chamber. Known for their speed and dexterity this tribe of people often travels aboard the fast vessel bound for the urban jungle. However, the entry guards tend to be very cautious when tendering fare and this can cause vast hold ups. Luckily for the quartet, they were able to hop on the coat tails of this group, literally, as the Slowpoke tribe is known for their vast coat tails. Here is a security photo of the quartet entering the airlock:
6:54pm: The quartet was safely aboard their vessel and entering hyper sleep. Just before nodding off Dama spotted his Janbo next to Samje and released a nervous sigh of relief. He had completely forgotten about it in the chaos when leaving the transport.
7:35pm: The supersonic vessel battles tidal waves and eludes pirate boats as it enters the CCA (Central Containment Area) Dama awakens from his sleep, grabs his janbo, and leaves the terminal. He emerges from the megalith and enters a busy concrete metropolis. Nibra takes off on a quest to acquire something to cover his legs, as this is the generally recognized custom of Macau. Dama, Samje, and Tane head to a special area where Dama's pocket computer can receive specially crafted radio signals. These radio waves tell Dama the earth-location of their destination in the density of Macau.
8:10pm: The trio acquire their tickets from the Hyperjet Hydro-Plane Ferry ticketing robot, then try to contact Nibra through special radio waves emanating from Dama's pocket computer. Nibra is outside the compound unsuccessful in his quest to acquire his leg coverings. He enters the complex, utilizes the motorized stairs, purchases his ticket, and meets with the group. Samje and Tane finished their ethanol bubble water, which just so happens to have a slightly higher percentage of ethanol than 7-up, and entered security clearance.
--------That's all I've got for today, tune in tomorrow for a conclusion, maybe, it all depends on how this sickness is treating me.......
6:51pm: A massive blast is heard and the blur of a vehicle slams to an instant halt in the blink of an eye. Dama throws some money towards the captain and the other three jump out and race to enter the airlock and clear security. Dama collects his earth-money change and views the countdown board from the distance. He thinks to himself, "Why is there no time showing?" Has his super sonic journey slowed time? Stopped time? No, that's crazy; it's just that the "Cut-Off" buzzer has already sounded. This name is derived from what happens if any body parts exist between the outside world and the airlock when time is up.
6:53pm: A large group of Slowpokes were entering the airlock chamber. Known for their speed and dexterity this tribe of people often travels aboard the fast vessel bound for the urban jungle. However, the entry guards tend to be very cautious when tendering fare and this can cause vast hold ups. Luckily for the quartet, they were able to hop on the coat tails of this group, literally, as the Slowpoke tribe is known for their vast coat tails. Here is a security photo of the quartet entering the airlock:6:54pm: The quartet was safely aboard their vessel and entering hyper sleep. Just before nodding off Dama spotted his Janbo next to Samje and released a nervous sigh of relief. He had completely forgotten about it in the chaos when leaving the transport.
7:35pm: The supersonic vessel battles tidal waves and eludes pirate boats as it enters the CCA (Central Containment Area) Dama awakens from his sleep, grabs his janbo, and leaves the terminal. He emerges from the megalith and enters a busy concrete metropolis. Nibra takes off on a quest to acquire something to cover his legs, as this is the generally recognized custom of Macau. Dama, Samje, and Tane head to a special area where Dama's pocket computer can receive specially crafted radio signals. These radio waves tell Dama the earth-location of their destination in the density of Macau.
8:10pm: The trio acquire their tickets from the Hyperjet Hydro-Plane Ferry ticketing robot, then try to contact Nibra through special radio waves emanating from Dama's pocket computer. Nibra is outside the compound unsuccessful in his quest to acquire his leg coverings. He enters the complex, utilizes the motorized stairs, purchases his ticket, and meets with the group. Samje and Tane finished their ethanol bubble water, which just so happens to have a slightly higher percentage of ethanol than 7-up, and entered security clearance.
--------That's all I've got for today, tune in tomorrow for a conclusion, maybe, it all depends on how this sickness is treating me.......
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Macau Fever... (Part 1)
Pretty crazy last few days, I'll try to reconstruct the events that transpired recently (names were changed to protect the innocent) **Some events dramatized**
Monday:
Approx 5pm: Dama meets up with Tane, Samje, and Nibra to acquire food at a nearby establishment; the name of which comes from the large American bird otherwise known as the Kutrey. Tane proceeds to inquire to Dama about possibly going to the most densely populated country in the world. Of which Dama takes careful consideration over his blended yogurt/mango drink and earth-potato grease sticks.
6:10pm: Dama realizes that it would be fun to go back to Macau, a place he spent either fleeting moments under cover of darkness or later, in a rain soaked fog. Dama relays his decision to the group and they take into account their time allotment. Dama knows a fast ferry leaves at 6:50pm and explains that it will produce a more desirable outcome in relation to earth-time if they are present on this vessel when it departs.
6:20pm: It comes to light that the outcome may be unobtainable due to the great distance between the eager group and their special pieces of paper. These papers prove that they are who they are and are actually from where they were born. The feasibility of the 6:50 option heavily depends upon returning to this very location within 30 earth-minutes. Thus, the group is compelled to hire a nearby small blue carriage, knowing from past experiences that these carriages can sometimes approach the sound barrier, much to the distress of their occupants.
6:30pm: The quartet reach their village and scramble to reach their individual residences and acquire their necessary components for international travel as well as their highly glossed wooden noisemakers. Their rocket chariot needs 10 minutes to warm up its afterburners before it can return, thus, the group knows it needs to be prepared for reentry by 6:40. If this occurs,they will be present at the entry gate before the fast boat leaves. Dama takes off to his flat to grab his identity book. Nibra runs to the village washer-woman in hopes of donning a clean pair of trousers, rather than is multi-day old board shorts. Samje and Tane run to acquire their documents and the noisemakers.
6:35pm: Dama sprints to his mansion on the bluff overlooking Pui O, passes three levels of security, and enters his vast abode. He throws off his crocs, imitation Billabong shorts, and "Urban Man" shirt (Dama likes to dress down on occasion). He then dresses in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and D&G Trousers. Dama still wants to maintain his casual fashion sense, but still give the impression that he's a man of fine taste.
6:38pm: Dama races back to the launchpad, down the hill and across the bridge. He grabs his Nexus 1 cellphone, newly imported from The Union of 50. This one is refered to as "Nexus 3" though, he always buys everything in threes; Nexus 1 and 2 remain carefully locked away. The wonderful device shows a holograph of Samje getting suited up for his supersonic journey back to the place the quartet started their epic journey less than two hours previous...
6:45: Delays with the supersonic fabric coating cause the carriage to depart late and hopes of the four dwindle to nothing as they race "Fi-dee, Fi-dee" towards their destination.
Will the unrelenting quartet arrive at their destination unscathed and on time? Will Dama almost forget his noise making Janbo in the trunk of the supersonic carriage? Does Nibra have pants on?
----These questions answered and more next time in the stunning conclusion of "Macau Fever"----
Monday:
Approx 5pm: Dama meets up with Tane, Samje, and Nibra to acquire food at a nearby establishment; the name of which comes from the large American bird otherwise known as the Kutrey. Tane proceeds to inquire to Dama about possibly going to the most densely populated country in the world. Of which Dama takes careful consideration over his blended yogurt/mango drink and earth-potato grease sticks.
6:10pm: Dama realizes that it would be fun to go back to Macau, a place he spent either fleeting moments under cover of darkness or later, in a rain soaked fog. Dama relays his decision to the group and they take into account their time allotment. Dama knows a fast ferry leaves at 6:50pm and explains that it will produce a more desirable outcome in relation to earth-time if they are present on this vessel when it departs.
6:20pm: It comes to light that the outcome may be unobtainable due to the great distance between the eager group and their special pieces of paper. These papers prove that they are who they are and are actually from where they were born. The feasibility of the 6:50 option heavily depends upon returning to this very location within 30 earth-minutes. Thus, the group is compelled to hire a nearby small blue carriage, knowing from past experiences that these carriages can sometimes approach the sound barrier, much to the distress of their occupants.
6:30pm: The quartet reach their village and scramble to reach their individual residences and acquire their necessary components for international travel as well as their highly glossed wooden noisemakers. Their rocket chariot needs 10 minutes to warm up its afterburners before it can return, thus, the group knows it needs to be prepared for reentry by 6:40. If this occurs,they will be present at the entry gate before the fast boat leaves. Dama takes off to his flat to grab his identity book. Nibra runs to the village washer-woman in hopes of donning a clean pair of trousers, rather than is multi-day old board shorts. Samje and Tane run to acquire their documents and the noisemakers.
6:35pm: Dama sprints to his mansion on the bluff overlooking Pui O, passes three levels of security, and enters his vast abode. He throws off his crocs, imitation Billabong shorts, and "Urban Man" shirt (Dama likes to dress down on occasion). He then dresses in a Ralph Lauren polo shirt and D&G Trousers. Dama still wants to maintain his casual fashion sense, but still give the impression that he's a man of fine taste.
6:38pm: Dama races back to the launchpad, down the hill and across the bridge. He grabs his Nexus 1 cellphone, newly imported from The Union of 50. This one is refered to as "Nexus 3" though, he always buys everything in threes; Nexus 1 and 2 remain carefully locked away. The wonderful device shows a holograph of Samje getting suited up for his supersonic journey back to the place the quartet started their epic journey less than two hours previous...
6:45: Delays with the supersonic fabric coating cause the carriage to depart late and hopes of the four dwindle to nothing as they race "Fi-dee, Fi-dee" towards their destination.
Will the unrelenting quartet arrive at their destination unscathed and on time? Will Dama almost forget his noise making Janbo in the trunk of the supersonic carriage? Does Nibra have pants on?
----These questions answered and more next time in the stunning conclusion of "Macau Fever"----
Friday, February 26, 2010
Three hundred and sixty something days and counting...
Just over a year ago I left New York on a journey that I knew would change my life, however, it was impossible to tell just what I would encounter along the way.
Here I am still travelling down this path with an unknown destination, however it's this very journey that keeps me going. "The journey is the destination" I used to tell my kids at ALE.
I knew that this experience would change things for me and going to a place that literally couldn't be further away from home definitely did just that.
Signing a 13 month contract was the longest contract I had ever committed to and at first it seemed daunting to me, then I settled in and found the flow of things, then the reality of 6 more months set in, along with (I'm not really sure how to say this...) let me just say that several factors more numerous than I want to list here allowed me to make the decision that...I'm DONE with this company or as they say in the states..."Done like dinner" or in New Zealand..."Done and Dusted"
or multiple choice...
"I'm as done as ______"
1) Conan O'Brien hosting The Tonight Show
2) Eliot Spitzer's political career
3) Healthcare Reform
4) Tiger Woods and golf
OK, maybe some of those things aren't a lock just yet, but I've decided long ago that I am looking for other things. I like Hong Kong and I'm not ready to live in the US yet; I can't wait to go back and visit though. Around 60 days and I'll be back in the good ol' US of A and I've also booked 3 shifts at ALE that will bring me into the summer. Katy's coming to visit me in New York and then I'll return for DrB HK Part 2 sometime in August, who knows what that will involve...
A quick summary of the past year would involve travelling to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, and Nepal. Also seeing Mount Everest from the airplane, then Dhaulagiri and Annapurna the 7th and 10th highest peaks in the world from the ground. Scuba diving, reaching 12,170 feet in altitude, walking on 110+ degree Malaysian beach sand, being in 4 countries in 16 hours, sleeping everywhere from luxury buses and junkboats to local buses' plywood bench seats and cardboard boxes. As well as finding love and getting a place to call my own in Hong Kong among many many more things.
The spring season starts March 1, people are arriving now, although the nor' easter on the East coast is messing up some people's plans. The confusion and frustration have reawakened, oh March 31 where are you?
The Nepal pictures and journal are coming soon, I'm getting a lot more pictures from Elena soon.
I have some ideas about this blog and some changes I'd like to make, I'm hoping to finally finish my journal from last spring and reorganize it to the correct dates and maybe put in my trail journal from my Long Trail journey in 2008, I'd also like to integrate all my twitter messages into the posts somehow. This is all in hopes of creating a print version of this blog I think it would be pretty cool to have a hard copy of all my writings and pictures, we'll see how it goes. I think the Lapsap Stringband and yelling at kids might take up most of my time once things get going...
Here I am still travelling down this path with an unknown destination, however it's this very journey that keeps me going. "The journey is the destination" I used to tell my kids at ALE.
I knew that this experience would change things for me and going to a place that literally couldn't be further away from home definitely did just that.
Signing a 13 month contract was the longest contract I had ever committed to and at first it seemed daunting to me, then I settled in and found the flow of things, then the reality of 6 more months set in, along with (I'm not really sure how to say this...) let me just say that several factors more numerous than I want to list here allowed me to make the decision that...I'm DONE with this company or as they say in the states..."Done like dinner" or in New Zealand..."Done and Dusted"
or multiple choice...
"I'm as done as ______"
1) Conan O'Brien hosting The Tonight Show
2) Eliot Spitzer's political career
3) Healthcare Reform
4) Tiger Woods and golf
OK, maybe some of those things aren't a lock just yet, but I've decided long ago that I am looking for other things. I like Hong Kong and I'm not ready to live in the US yet; I can't wait to go back and visit though. Around 60 days and I'll be back in the good ol' US of A and I've also booked 3 shifts at ALE that will bring me into the summer. Katy's coming to visit me in New York and then I'll return for DrB HK Part 2 sometime in August, who knows what that will involve...
A quick summary of the past year would involve travelling to Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Philippines, Malaysia, Singapore, Macau, and Nepal. Also seeing Mount Everest from the airplane, then Dhaulagiri and Annapurna the 7th and 10th highest peaks in the world from the ground. Scuba diving, reaching 12,170 feet in altitude, walking on 110+ degree Malaysian beach sand, being in 4 countries in 16 hours, sleeping everywhere from luxury buses and junkboats to local buses' plywood bench seats and cardboard boxes. As well as finding love and getting a place to call my own in Hong Kong among many many more things.
The spring season starts March 1, people are arriving now, although the nor' easter on the East coast is messing up some people's plans. The confusion and frustration have reawakened, oh March 31 where are you?
The Nepal pictures and journal are coming soon, I'm getting a lot more pictures from Elena soon.
I have some ideas about this blog and some changes I'd like to make, I'm hoping to finally finish my journal from last spring and reorganize it to the correct dates and maybe put in my trail journal from my Long Trail journey in 2008, I'd also like to integrate all my twitter messages into the posts somehow. This is all in hopes of creating a print version of this blog I think it would be pretty cool to have a hard copy of all my writings and pictures, we'll see how it goes. I think the Lapsap Stringband and yelling at kids might take up most of my time once things get going...
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Friday, September 25, 2009
Back from Bohol
I just arrived back from "the second greatest island in all of the Philippines" Bohol :)
I left early Wednesday and took the 2hr ferry south to the 11th largest island in the Philippines. When I arrived the usual deluge of people offering rides and tours emerged, but I knew what I wanted and got a tri-cycle ride right to the bus terminal. I went to the ATM at the mall nearby and bought some dried mango and jack fruit along with 3 liters of water. I hurried back to the bus and we began at noon. We rumbled down the sometimes gravel, sometimes cement and often rugged roads for about 2 hours before getting a flat tire. The crew had the tire changed in less than 10 minutes which was quite a relief. At the 3rd hour we arrived in Danao where I jumped on a motorbike (habal-habal style) and made my way towards E.A.T Danao. I had called them before I left Tagbilaran, right after getting off the ferry and getting their number from the motorbike driver.
I'll have to post pictures for this when I get back to Hong Kong
I reserved one room there for 600 pesos (about 12 USD). So I arrived and checked in to my room with double bed, ceiling fan, and bathroom. I placed my things down and went up to the "extreme adventure area" I decided to do the "Suislide" so they strapped me in and sent me down the cable. It was the most amazing feeling, almost exactly like flying because you can't see anything but the ground underneath you and your entire periferal vision is just the gorge and river underneath you. They send you down the first slide, which is almost 500meters then they unhook you and you walk up to another part and they hook you up and send you back. Totally amazing, the entire thing took about 5 minutes and cost about $7 US. They were trying to sell me on "The Plunge" which is a freefall and swing, which cost 700 peso, but I didn't really think it was worth it, so I went back to get my camera and got a personal tour on a short nature walk and learned about Fransico Dagohoy "the hero of Bohol." After the walk I headed back to my room and took a shower, the accomodation is pretty far away from the city so the only things going on were with the workers cleaning and preparing various things. I showered and read and then went out to order some dinner.
I ordered rice and a pork dish with fried vegtables, it was a nice meal. I also asked about how to get back to Tabilaran and as luck would have it someone from EAT Danao was driving back there in the morning. Tata had to drive back early, i.e. leaving by 6am, I took the opportunity, not know what other options were available (besides a 3hr bus ride back at who knows what time) So I finished my meal and had a early night, mostly because there was nothing else to do and no other non-workers around...
I awoke early, had a breakfast of dried mango and water and was off in the small cab of the yellow jeepney back towards Tagbilaran, the place I arrived the day before. After two hours we arrived, I was dropped off at a mall and had to wait about an hour before it opened. I got a cup of coffee and a cookie to hold me over. Once it opened I ordered some breakfast at "Jollibee" and then caught another tri-cycle ride to Hinagdanan Cave. Another wonderful place, I wandered around there for a while and then walked out to the main road in search of transportation to Alona Beach on the end of Panglao Island. After walking for maybe 20 mins another tri-cycle went by
and brought me to a place James and I stayed last time we were there. 480 pesos a night. I rested/read in the room for quite a while and then emerged to walk the beautiful white sand beach for a while and then eat some grilled dinner on the beachside. After a meal of baked potato, pork, chicken, and chorizo I headed back to my room, ordered breakfast to be ready at 8am and then went to bed.
This morning I woke up and had breakfast and met my tricycle driver that brought me to Alona the day before to head back to the ferry pier in Tagbilaran. I arrived pretty early, but had a nice surprise while I was waiting. A tri of musicians benefiting the disabled persons of Bohol were playing a set of music for the crowed that waited. I read and drank more coffee and listend to an awesome version of "Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree" and then boarded the Weesam Express back to Cebu. I arrived at about 1pm and went to SM mall watched "Surrogates" and then got a taxi to where I'm sitting now....
phew.... I guess it's good that i put this all down now (seeing how good i've done with transcribing the events of my last trip to the Philippines...It's coming I swear!)
Tomorrow is my last full day here and then it's back to the ol' HK
I left early Wednesday and took the 2hr ferry south to the 11th largest island in the Philippines. When I arrived the usual deluge of people offering rides and tours emerged, but I knew what I wanted and got a tri-cycle ride right to the bus terminal. I went to the ATM at the mall nearby and bought some dried mango and jack fruit along with 3 liters of water. I hurried back to the bus and we began at noon. We rumbled down the sometimes gravel, sometimes cement and often rugged roads for about 2 hours before getting a flat tire. The crew had the tire changed in less than 10 minutes which was quite a relief. At the 3rd hour we arrived in Danao where I jumped on a motorbike (habal-habal style) and made my way towards E.A.T Danao. I had called them before I left Tagbilaran, right after getting off the ferry and getting their number from the motorbike driver.
I'll have to post pictures for this when I get back to Hong Kong
I reserved one room there for 600 pesos (about 12 USD). So I arrived and checked in to my room with double bed, ceiling fan, and bathroom. I placed my things down and went up to the "extreme adventure area" I decided to do the "Suislide" so they strapped me in and sent me down the cable. It was the most amazing feeling, almost exactly like flying because you can't see anything but the ground underneath you and your entire periferal vision is just the gorge and river underneath you. They send you down the first slide, which is almost 500meters then they unhook you and you walk up to another part and they hook you up and send you back. Totally amazing, the entire thing took about 5 minutes and cost about $7 US. They were trying to sell me on "The Plunge" which is a freefall and swing, which cost 700 peso, but I didn't really think it was worth it, so I went back to get my camera and got a personal tour on a short nature walk and learned about Fransico Dagohoy "the hero of Bohol." After the walk I headed back to my room and took a shower, the accomodation is pretty far away from the city so the only things going on were with the workers cleaning and preparing various things. I showered and read and then went out to order some dinner.
I ordered rice and a pork dish with fried vegtables, it was a nice meal. I also asked about how to get back to Tabilaran and as luck would have it someone from EAT Danao was driving back there in the morning. Tata had to drive back early, i.e. leaving by 6am, I took the opportunity, not know what other options were available (besides a 3hr bus ride back at who knows what time) So I finished my meal and had a early night, mostly because there was nothing else to do and no other non-workers around...
I awoke early, had a breakfast of dried mango and water and was off in the small cab of the yellow jeepney back towards Tagbilaran, the place I arrived the day before. After two hours we arrived, I was dropped off at a mall and had to wait about an hour before it opened. I got a cup of coffee and a cookie to hold me over. Once it opened I ordered some breakfast at "Jollibee" and then caught another tri-cycle ride to Hinagdanan Cave. Another wonderful place, I wandered around there for a while and then walked out to the main road in search of transportation to Alona Beach on the end of Panglao Island. After walking for maybe 20 mins another tri-cycle went by
and brought me to a place James and I stayed last time we were there. 480 pesos a night. I rested/read in the room for quite a while and then emerged to walk the beautiful white sand beach for a while and then eat some grilled dinner on the beachside. After a meal of baked potato, pork, chicken, and chorizo I headed back to my room, ordered breakfast to be ready at 8am and then went to bed.This morning I woke up and had breakfast and met my tricycle driver that brought me to Alona the day before to head back to the ferry pier in Tagbilaran. I arrived pretty early, but had a nice surprise while I was waiting. A tri of musicians benefiting the disabled persons of Bohol were playing a set of music for the crowed that waited. I read and drank more coffee and listend to an awesome version of "Tie a yellow ribbon around the old oak tree" and then boarded the Weesam Express back to Cebu. I arrived at about 1pm and went to SM mall watched "Surrogates" and then got a taxi to where I'm sitting now....
phew.... I guess it's good that i put this all down now (seeing how good i've done with transcribing the events of my last trip to the Philippines...It's coming I swear!)
Tomorrow is my last full day here and then it's back to the ol' HK
Sunday, September 20, 2009
The Departure
I'm going to be catching the 5:40 bus out of Mui Wo towards the Airport via Tung Chung.
I made up a little plan for this trip, first off....
I will have my SPOT Tracker (http://tinyurl.com/drbones)
Second.....
My very tentative plan goes like this: Tonight I will take a taxi from the airport in Cebu to Missy's house and then stay either there or at Glenda's Monday and Tuesday night, depending on what happens I may go to Bohol and probably stay in Panglao near Tagbilaran City on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday night, This all depends if I'm able to meet up with Irvin's friends in northern Bohol (Danao) or not. Then come back maybe Friday or Saturday and be around Cebu (maybe scuba diving if I can fit it in and give myself enough time to readjust before flying) again until I fly back to Hong Kong next Sunday evening around (7:30pm should be landing here)
Take care everyone!
I made up a little plan for this trip, first off....
I will have my SPOT Tracker (http://tinyurl.com/drbones)
Second.....
My very tentative plan goes like this: Tonight I will take a taxi from the airport in Cebu to Missy's house and then stay either there or at Glenda's Monday and Tuesday night, depending on what happens I may go to Bohol and probably stay in Panglao near Tagbilaran City on Wednesday, Thursday, and/or Friday night, This all depends if I'm able to meet up with Irvin's friends in northern Bohol (Danao) or not. Then come back maybe Friday or Saturday and be around Cebu (maybe scuba diving if I can fit it in and give myself enough time to readjust before flying) again until I fly back to Hong Kong next Sunday evening around (7:30pm should be landing here)
Take care everyone!
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Video uploads, Halong Bay, Cave, and Hanoi
Halong Bay Pier craziness
Here's a video of the cave we went to:
Street view in Hanoi:
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Day 6 - Tuesday, May 5, 2009 - Hue to Savannahket via Dong Ha (Part 1)
***Written at 8:30am***
I'm sitting on the "tour bus" now after a hectic morning that started with the first alarm at 5:30, then another at 5:38, then another at 5:45. I woke up, packed up, and went to check my e-mail while I was waiting for James and Meg.
One (of the many) things that I picked up from my ALE days is the ability to go from a full dead sleep to fully packed and ready to go in no time at all. After some e-mailing and twittering I had some Vietnamese coffee. I'm not sure if I explained how this was made already, but they make it in a glass (not a mug) with a small tin filter on the top. They add some fine ground coffee and then hot water, it drips into the glass that has a bottom of thick sweet condensed milk. Just as we were sitting down a man came to bring us back to Dong Ha to catch the bus. So we chugged and ran.
We picked up some other tourists bound for the DMZ at a hotel and set off out of Hue at 7am, which didn't seem like enough time to make it before 8am. After some nail biting and reassurance from the driver that it was only "2 minutes away" we made a phone call and found that the bus leaves at 8:30 instead of 8. We picked up some supplies, bread and jam and coffee for the road.
The manager called us a taxi to the bus station, we loaded up and she followed us to the station on a motorbike. She paid the fare and made sure we were set before leaving us. She was such a great help in making all of our plans happen.
The bus took off at 10 til 9, I'm writing now 15 minutes after departure with about 10 other people on the bus, we'll probably pick up a few more along the way. Alright, we'll see how things are in 4 hours...
I'm sitting on the "tour bus" now after a hectic morning that started with the first alarm at 5:30, then another at 5:38, then another at 5:45. I woke up, packed up, and went to check my e-mail while I was waiting for James and Meg.
One (of the many) things that I picked up from my ALE days is the ability to go from a full dead sleep to fully packed and ready to go in no time at all. After some e-mailing and twittering I had some Vietnamese coffee. I'm not sure if I explained how this was made already, but they make it in a glass (not a mug) with a small tin filter on the top. They add some fine ground coffee and then hot water, it drips into the glass that has a bottom of thick sweet condensed milk. Just as we were sitting down a man came to bring us back to Dong Ha to catch the bus. So we chugged and ran.
We picked up some other tourists bound for the DMZ at a hotel and set off out of Hue at 7am, which didn't seem like enough time to make it before 8am. After some nail biting and reassurance from the driver that it was only "2 minutes away" we made a phone call and found that the bus leaves at 8:30 instead of 8. We picked up some supplies, bread and jam and coffee for the road.
The manager called us a taxi to the bus station, we loaded up and she followed us to the station on a motorbike. She paid the fare and made sure we were set before leaving us. She was such a great help in making all of our plans happen.
The bus took off at 10 til 9, I'm writing now 15 minutes after departure with about 10 other people on the bus, we'll probably pick up a few more along the way. Alright, we'll see how things are in 4 hours...
Day 4 - Sunday, May 3, 2009 - Halong back to Hanoi and on to Hue, Vietnam
Woke up around 7am on the boat, packed up my stuff and woke James and Meghan up to get ready. I thought we needed to get out of the room before breakfast, but it tuned out we didn't. Breakfast was scrambled eggs, toast, cucumber, and coffee. The coffee was quite bad, but Hong Kong has prepared me for even the worst bitter motor oil brews out there.
After breakfast we hung out on the top deck and talked with the others on the boat as the boat putted its way back to the harbor to complete our day. On our way we dropped off 3 people on Cat Ba Island so they could continue on for another night and leave the next day. The docking procedure was a crazy chaotic mess. We watched a lady on another boat that came in too fast fall down a flight of stairs and another woman on the roof almost fall off the front as the boat they were on barreled in to fast to get a good position and rammed the cement pier. There were so many boats in Halong Bay, the tour guide said anywhere from 500-700 boats like the one that we were on. We continued on to the port and had an alright lunch of seafood again. We departed the ship as we crawled and hopped a labyrinth of planks and halls over other boats to make it to the pier. We slugged through crowds of people waiting to depart on their own Halong Bay experience as we were leaving ours.
We met at a van and loaded up on our 3 hour trip back to Hanoi. We lost 2 of the Swedish guys and had to wait around for a while. Finally they showed up and we were off at around 12:30, down the slow and rugged highway. I slept most of the ride, thankfully. We stopped halfway for a break, I bought an ice-cream cone and a Taro/coconut bar for 30,000 VND. Then we loaded up once again and continued our way back to Hanoi.
When we got back, James and Meghan went to find a post office so I stayed back and ordered some food, a dozen spring rolls, sweet and sour pork with rice and a can of soda for 80,000 VND (18,000 VND = 1 USD) The travel company is supposed to come around 6 to bring us to the bus station and our overnight bus to Hue. We bought bug repellent and sunscreen to get ready for Laos.
The spot tracker seems to be a big hit, both James and Meghan have given the link out to their friends and families, it's too bad the computers here don't display google maps very well. Hopefully the overnight bus will be comfortable tonight.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Day 3 - Saturday, May 2, 2009 - Off to Halong Bay!
Woke up at 7 to pack up and eat breakfast. I had an egg & cheese omelet and a fresh baguette with Vietnamese coffee. The van picked us up and we drove around Hanoi to pick up a few more people that would be on the cruise with us. There ended up being 16 people in that 15 passenger van with all their gear too.
It was almost a 3 hour drive to Halong Bay, but it felt pretty quick (probably because I was sleeping like a bobblehead doll in the middle seat of the van). We passed through all the craziness happening on the pier, boats going in and out people boarding and exit all around, and loaded up on our boat. We relaxed for a bit with a cool towel and some flat orange soda, before we took off out to sea.
After an hour or so our lunch was ready. We ate shrimp, rice, tofu, and fish. It was decent food, but there wasn't a lot of it. We went to a spectacular cave first ****(I can't wait to post pictures of this Halong Bay trip and the cave, it was one of the most beautiful breathtaking views I've ever seen).
After the cave we went kayaking in these dual seat, heavy fiberglass boats with 15lb fiberglass paddles, haha. After returning from our hour of kayaking we were able to jump off the top of the tour boat. I jumped off a few times and Meghan has a water proof camera so she got a few shots of us from the water.
After swimming was finished dinner was served and we had fried shimp, beef and vegetable, Bok Choy type steamed greens, this food was also very tasty, but alas left me wanting more when it was gone.
James and Meg taught me to play the card game euchre, i think i almost have it down. Pretty soon our tour guide Kip busted out the Karakoke dvd for a while and some people went swimming again. A 7:30 breakfast tomorrow as we make our way back to Hanoi and then on to Hue.
It was almost a 3 hour drive to Halong Bay, but it felt pretty quick (probably because I was sleeping like a bobblehead doll in the middle seat of the van). We passed through all the craziness happening on the pier, boats going in and out people boarding and exit all around, and loaded up on our boat. We relaxed for a bit with a cool towel and some flat orange soda, before we took off out to sea.
After an hour or so our lunch was ready. We ate shrimp, rice, tofu, and fish. It was decent food, but there wasn't a lot of it. We went to a spectacular cave first ****(I can't wait to post pictures of this Halong Bay trip and the cave, it was one of the most beautiful breathtaking views I've ever seen).
After the cave we went kayaking in these dual seat, heavy fiberglass boats with 15lb fiberglass paddles, haha. After returning from our hour of kayaking we were able to jump off the top of the tour boat. I jumped off a few times and Meghan has a water proof camera so she got a few shots of us from the water.
After swimming was finished dinner was served and we had fried shimp, beef and vegetable, Bok Choy type steamed greens, this food was also very tasty, but alas left me wanting more when it was gone.
James and Meg taught me to play the card game euchre, i think i almost have it down. Pretty soon our tour guide Kip busted out the Karakoke dvd for a while and some people went swimming again. A 7:30 breakfast tomorrow as we make our way back to Hanoi and then on to Hue.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Day 2 - Friday, May 1, 2009 - Exploring Hanoi Motorbike Style
I want to start posting what I have completed. This post is unfinished I still want to add pictures to it when I get to a computer with a USB drive and if my USB stick isn't toast...
Also keep in mind this is a flashback post...queue harp arpeggio and wavy lines fading to black...
I awoke at 9:30 after a good night's sleep. We headed down for our complimentary breakfast. I had an omelet with cheese and bread with black Vietnam style coffee (which is brewed individually in each cup with a small tin filter that you pour hot water into and it drips down through, almost like the inner cup part of a percolator, this also creates that fine coffee slurry at the bottom of your cup)
We decided to rent motorbikes to explore around the city. The hotel called up a company and within minutes a man showed up ready to rent us 3 bikes at $6 each for the day. James signed them out and we were off in no time. Our first challenge was finding a gas station which wasn't as hard as I thought it was going to be. We pulled in and 50,000 Dong later I had a full tank which was maybe 2 liters of gas.
We cruised around randomly for a while and then parked our bikes by the lake near the bustling downtown area of Hanoi and went to the markets. We were bombarded from all directions by street vendors trying to sell stuff. A lady walked by me with pineapple baskets balancing on a long strip of bamboo, plopped it on my shoulder and threw her hat on me for us to take a picture of. She also wanted to sell 2 bags of pineapple for 50,000 Dong, I wasn't sure if it was a good price or not and ended up buying some (I later found out that I could get the same amount for 18,000 Dong or $1 USD) Oh well you live and learn...
We went over and bought tickets to the famed Hanoi Water Puppet Show
We wandered around some more and ended up walking through a fresh food market and buying some mangoes and some army green with the red star Vietnam hats. We sat with the locals on the street for a bit before mounting up again in search of "The Museum of Literature"
It took us a little while to find it, we parked our bikes and spent a few hours wandering around the museum.
As we were leaving we met a Vietnamese man by the name of Duc (prounuced Dook, very quickly) He was from Ho Chi Minh city and was in Hanoi for a few days working for an electric company. He offered to show us around, so we followed him for a bit and ended up back at the lake that we were dropped off the night before. He had some work to take care of, so we parted ways with plans of meeting up after the puppet show.
We took off on our bikes yet again and ended up coming out on a road that ran up the coast. After a few miles of riding we pulled off at a restaurant that was on stilts over the water. We didn't stay very long (there was no English food menu) and the sun was going down. The bikes were also due back at 8pm. We made it back by the deadline only to find out they weren't going to pick them up until the next morning and that we could use them more if we wanted to.
We left the bikes at the hotel as we made our way to the water puppet show starting at 9:15. We bought some mini-pizza things and made our way to a more commercial restaurant serving Vietnamese food but in a more Western (Gweilo) setting and method, but it was still pretty tasty. I had a beef and noodle dish with mixed in vegetables.
We went down to the theater and made it to our seats, it was a smaller venue, probably 200 seats and there was a live traditional Vietnamese band providing the music and lyrics to the scenes of the show. None of the words or songs were in English but I got the idea of the performance. It was pretty good I'm glad I was able to see what the water puppet theater was all about.
After the show Duc called us up and we went cruising again. He brought us to the Hanoi brewery but it was closed. So we stopped at one of the roadside sitdown places. We talked for a while and Duc ordered a bowl of food for all of us to share, we were still pretty stuffed from the dinner we had earlier so we didn't eat much.
We were all pretty exhausted from a long day of constantly being on our guard riding the motorbikes up and down the busy streets. Duc showed us back to the hotel and we bid farewell to our gracious host. Off to bed for our early rise on the way to Halong Bay tomorrow!
Day 1 - Thursday April 30, 2009 - Hong Kong to Hanoi, Vietnam
I want to start posting what I have completed. This post is unfinished I still want to add pictures to it when I get to a computer with a USB drive and if my USB stick isn't toast...
Also keep in mind this is a flashback post...queue harp arpeggio and wavy lines fading to black...
We went to the airport at 11:25 after finishing getting ready in the morning, we exchanged money, ate, and caught our plane. We were pretty tired and our plane waited in line a while before taking off. We had a 1.5 hour flight into Hanoi, we made it though customs pretty easily and helped out a British couple who didn't bring any US dollars with them to pay for their visas... So we took their Hong Kong dollars in exchange for some US greenbacks.
We found a local bus going into the city which was supposed to be "leaving in 10 minutes" an hour later we pulled out for the hour ride into the city. It was alright though we were able to pick up a few Vietnamese phrases from some of the bus attendants that would come in handy over the next few days.
We didn't really have a destination, just the Old Town part of the city. The bus attendant waved to us to get off at this one intersection near a park. We stepped off the bus and into a world of chaotic craziness; walls of motorbikes, zooming cars, and relentless beep-beeps coming from all directions. We walked around awestruck and overwhelmed. Eventually we found our way to the "Blue Sky Hotel" which was a very nice place for $7 each per night which included Breakfast, TV, Air Conditioning, and Internet. Most of these Hotel/Hostels were also travel agents and could hook you up with pretty much anything you needed to do to be a tourist.
We bought Halong Bay tickets for a 2 day, 1 night stay on a tour boat called "Fantasea Adventures" this included meals and transportation to and from Halong Bay which was 3 hours from Hanoi.
We also decided to take an overnight bus from Hanoi down to Hue, Vietnam on Sunday night.
We went out exploring around the bustling streets and found a place to get traditional Vietnam food. I ordered a really great meal of Pineapple, beef, and cashews in a mild sauce with rice and some spring rolls. This cost about 79,000 VND (Dong) which ends up being about $4.5 dollars for a excellent and filling meal. Really tired as I write this entry.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Workin' For The Weekend
I've spent the greater part of the last 2 days organizing, cataloging, and cleaning 26,000 mp3 tracks in iTunes for T.I. It's pretty mind numbing but I do it in small blocks, plus I knew of a lot of utilities to make things easier.
We (James, Meghan, and I) have applied for our Vietnam visas for our trip there on April 30-May 10 we will be flying into Hanoi and then making our way by bus and train through Laos and into Cambodia where we will fly out of Siem Reap. James and I will then go to Cebu in the Philippines to stay with Irvin for a few weeks before coming back to Hong Kong or maybe reuniting the Lapsap Stringband in Malaysia for a week or so before coming back to start surf camp training on June 15. The airfare in Southeast Asia is so inexpensive it's really great.
I'm heading to jam on Hong Kong Island tonight and then heading to Tai Long Won again this weekend. Keep an eye out for the spot tracker and I'll be back Sunday
We (James, Meghan, and I) have applied for our Vietnam visas for our trip there on April 30-May 10 we will be flying into Hanoi and then making our way by bus and train through Laos and into Cambodia where we will fly out of Siem Reap. James and I will then go to Cebu in the Philippines to stay with Irvin for a few weeks before coming back to Hong Kong or maybe reuniting the Lapsap Stringband in Malaysia for a week or so before coming back to start surf camp training on June 15. The airfare in Southeast Asia is so inexpensive it's really great.
I'm heading to jam on Hong Kong Island tonight and then heading to Tai Long Won again this weekend. Keep an eye out for the spot tracker and I'll be back Sunday
Monday, February 23, 2009
Dreamt I went away in a steam powered aereoplane...
I bid farewell to everyone Saturday night as we left for Albany. We decided (mom, dad, and I) that rather than risking driving down early in questionable weather on Sunday we would go Saturday and sleep a night in a hotel.
After a restless nights sleep we woke up around 7am, ate the continental breakfast, and went to the Albany airport to check in.
The flight from Albany to Newark was pretty uneventful, one of my checked bags was one half pound less than the maximum limit (50lbs), I was pretty happy about that.
I ate at Newark and I am writing this aboard the 777 somewhere east of Hudson Bay, it is -72 F outside right now. We have travelled 1000 miles and cruising at 564 mph right now at 32,000ft. We will be withing 60 miles of the North Pole before we start heading south again. I'm so lucky I have an outlet for my laptop, but there are also personal movie screens for each person.
I just had the in-flight dinner and it was alright, steak, rice, and salad as I looked over the frozen wasteland of northern Quebec
-5:22 pm EST
I'm watching the sun come up over the Siberian tundra as I hit the halfway point of the flight. I've been staring out the window for almost an hour, awestruck with the sight of all the ice, snow, and cloud formations. I napped for a little while earlier, hopefully i can get a little more sleep soon.
-11:09 pm EST
Thursday, February 5, 2009
There's no such thing as China
There's No Such Thing As China
I purchased my airfare on Monday and I will be leaving February 22 from Albany International. I go from Albany to Newark, then Newark to Hong Kong on an 8,000 mile 16 hour economy class marathon. I arrive around 8pm their time, which would be 9am our time. It's going to take me a bit to get adjusted to the time difference I think.
I purchased my airfare on Monday and I will be leaving February 22 from Albany International. I go from Albany to Newark, then Newark to Hong Kong on an 8,000 mile 16 hour economy class marathon. I arrive around 8pm their time, which would be 9am our time. It's going to take me a bit to get adjusted to the time difference I think.
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