tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-14305982152811031222024-02-08T01:22:58.614-05:00Discovering South East AsiaLes aventures de Julie Soleil au Vietnam, au Cambodge, au Laos et en Thaïlande. (bilingual)segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.comBlogger14125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-53070498327944234242013-04-28T10:04:00.000-04:002014-03-31T10:05:51.999-04:00Hoi An Day 3 and 4 - Meeting Mysterious Mister PhongDay 3<br />
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We rented 2 motorbikes for $7 each, just outside the hotel door, and headed for Mr X's village. Mr X led the parade with Mom, the 2nd motorbike was Dad, I was 3rd, and an Australian couple at the rear. I've never motorbiked before.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">I've never motorbiked before. Let's go zig-zagging in ridiculous highways. <span style="text-align: start;">My travel insurance does not cover motorbike accidents.</span></span></td></tr>
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Whizzing through the rice fields on a few dusty, bumpy roads among other motorbikes was fine. Then we saw the highway ahead and followed Mr X straight into the traffic, and to the LEFT (so we had to cut through oncoming cars and trucks from both directions) I was very tense! But I managed.<br />
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We made it safely to Thanh Quit village and Mr X's house. There he gave us a real history lesson about Vietnam and the war, the role he played as officer with South Vietnam... Against the Viet Cong, in which his uncle was fighting. After US marines fled Saigon he was captured like most of his SV soldiers and had to get "communist re-education". (Or brainwashing) Because he had connections, he was only emprisoned for a year, while others were emprisoned for 2-3 years. He told us: "The whole time we learn everything about communism, we say Oh I didn't know that before! And to make sure we can leave we answer Yes, communism is a good idea, yes! But we don't believe in it, no, we don't believe in communism." Of course he wouldn't say these things in public in Hoi An. Only to us in his home.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting an authentic first hand, Vietnam history lesson from Mr Phong.</td></tr>
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Mr X explained that while the population of Vietnam is approx. 90 million people, only 3.5 million are "communist members". There are specific criteria to become a communist member. You become an elite member of society, with higher priviledges and access to higher level jobs reserved for communist members.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Here is Mr Phong, chatting with his uncle's wife. She was so lovely. Sadly she passed away a few months after we met her.</td></tr>
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After visiting Mr X's small house (big compared to the rest of the village) walking around the small streets in the sizzling sun, seeing watermelons, drying rice, rice wine (strong liquor), jackfruits, drying tobacco, cute kids and a cheap barber shop, we had a delicious lunch prepared by Mrs X: whiterose springrolls (with shrimp), wintermelon soup (also with shrimp), fried morning glory with garlic, and a pork & veggie stir fry.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Delicious lunch.</td></tr>
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I learned that his daughter, who looks 20 yrs old, is actually 40 yrs old. Say what??? Vietnamese women look so young... None of us could believe it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This hardworking man was rolling leaves of tobacco full speed. His palms were black with a thick crust of tobacco leaves that must surely be seeping through the pores of his skin.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mr Phong's uncle who also fought in the Vietnam War. They're both very happy to be at peace again.</td></tr>
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Back by 4pm, in one piece - luckily, cause saw a car accident on the road - we returned the motorbikes. I went for a 2nd (and last) fitting of my orange aodai: the chest is a bit floppy (yeah yeah, laugh away) but everything looks lovely. It would look better on a super-skinny vietnamese girl of course.<br />
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Pool time and then dinner by the river. We sat with the locals on tiny stools for some traditional cao lau, this time with Quang noodles. Delicious! We walked around Hoi An by night one last time. So many colorful lanterns!<br />
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<h3>
<b>Day 4</b></h3>
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Every time we come back from the beach or from biking on the island, and we really feel at home. We recognize our street corner easily, and the banana-pancake-lady, and the mango/pineapple stand...<br />
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This morning we rent 1$ bicycles and head over to the ferry. We paid 20,000 dong each ($1) for the ferry. Then we realized that locals were paying 3000-5000 dongs. Damnit! We'll refuse to pay on the way back.<br />
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We wandered around Cam Kim Island, rice paddies, drying peanuts, tabacco and rice, cute little paths... It's still authentic here, compared to touristy Hoi An. But it won't be long for theisland to develop the same way.<br />
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We came back, didn't pay for the ferry and went out for lunch. Banana blossom salad was delicious! Then we just sat on a patio for 3 hours and talked, watched people, drank beer, chilled. We got a cheap ride to Danang to head straight for the airport. I had expensive pho bo ga and took an evening flight to HANOI!! The old capital reminds us of Saigon a bit, the jumbled mess of electric wires at every street corner, but the traffic is not as bad. Buildings in most of Vietnam cities are very narrow (5-6 feet wide) but super long (20-30 feet deep) so sometimes you can see a small shop and their home in the back, it goes in very deep into the buidling. But everyone is happy because they all get a bit of the sidewalk! Sometimes you can see that the 3rd, 4th or 5th floor's façade just doesn't fit with the rest of the building: it's probably because it was added afterwards.<br />
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We headed straight for our Hong Gnoc Hotel, 6th floor bedroom at the front of the building. Our room was the same width as the building, so once we opened all the curtains we had a 270 degree view of Hanoi by night. Cooool...segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-311880123803985412013-04-27T17:20:00.000-04:002013-08-03T17:48:52.515-04:00Hoi An Day 2: My Son Ruins and An Bang Beach <div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
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We were outside by <b>4:30am.</b> Which meant stepping over the 2 reception staff sleeping in the lobby on their cots, unlocking the hotel door, and climbing over the small gate. It was still dark outside.</div>
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There were two other young tourists sitting on the sidewalk so we asked:<br />
- "Hi! Are you going to My Son as well?"<br />
- "... uh... Wha... Where?"<br />
- "The Champa ruins, the sunrise tour?"<br />
- "No we, we were, uh... We're looking for our hotel, hostel. We dunno where we are. Hahaha! *hic!* Can't remember the, uh... the name of the street... or the hotel. *hic!*"<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-8OckBg7z7yjX_KkyvBmPNCXkHzQuDqycwkRLBqOaXTmWDQRcgDka0x15svmQEnaZDuNjJDcv_gWKLPolmKe8dSpH4HRTxDq-yV81hYUOGUhSH4HWj7tJYFK0lY3pDHjVdC5zD4gAhE/s1600/IMG_0259.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY-8OckBg7z7yjX_KkyvBmPNCXkHzQuDqycwkRLBqOaXTmWDQRcgDka0x15svmQEnaZDuNjJDcv_gWKLPolmKe8dSpH4HRTxDq-yV81hYUOGUhSH4HWj7tJYFK0lY3pDHjVdC5zD4gAhE/s400/IMG_0259.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know... some people get up at sunrise, others party til sunrise.</td></tr>
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Direction: <b>My Son</b> (pronounced "mee son") <b>ruins of the Champa people!</b> The Kingdom of Champa reigned from yrs 400 to 900 in central Vietnam. The temples here, outside Hoi An, were built for their king and no one else. Not even monks could occupy the place! Some of the temples were royal tombs... They look very different from Angkor, because they used brick and resin.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champa ruins of My Son, outside Hoi An</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Champa ruins of My Son, outside Hoi An</td></tr>
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Many restoration projects are taking place around the site. My parents and I tried to communicate with some of the workers who were restoring a particularly old structure. They were so very proud to show us the bricks, the bucket of resin, the tools, and eager to show us their extremely slow and meticulous process of fitting the new bricks in one by one, <b>by trial and error</b>, adjusting the shape with sandpaper each time. Ôi Chúa ơi! ("Oh my god" in Vietnamese.)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SSMxHJ-e-7wYcq6xL2r6TerweH6G8YekQacXN5KglqnSkiP1-SY-RYN6d93-mZPa0O6OxYZsT7AYxk0ZPj-xLcVODXVlBsrkYDXEqiZSZNapL0tz0MjBjer5Dyv-CzECO5slrKRgzM/s1600/IMG_0314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR3SSMxHJ-e-7wYcq6xL2r6TerweH6G8YekQacXN5KglqnSkiP1-SY-RYN6d93-mZPa0O6OxYZsT7AYxk0ZPj-xLcVODXVlBsrkYDXEqiZSZNapL0tz0MjBjer5Dyv-CzECO5slrKRgzM/s400/IMG_0314.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Restoration project on one of the temples can take years. Yay, more jobs!</td></tr>
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According to our guide, There are only about 160,000 Champa people left today, scattered about Vietnam and Cambodia.<br />
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We were back on time for breakfast! That's how early we got up this morning... <br />
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After the ruins, it was pool time, siesta time, and <b>we rented bicycles (for $1)</b> to go to An Bang beach, which was a lovely break from the heat! Just the feeling of COLD waves was one of my best moments in Hoi An. I biked back to town in my super short shorts. Shouldn't have done that. My legs were an extremely dangerous distraction for the drivers on the road.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_LfrVz3hSksri45cQKojxD8gChDP7hPpOJ2-bOW6LUgwGbu6bt1QsPv0rL_1NfEAD0EmwZO_Gw55poXqMJu409FvJrgU-3nam84hIzO-2vmTtycrO6mhuUCsQpDy2SUb5aNfMP-POzc/s1600/IMG_0345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc_LfrVz3hSksri45cQKojxD8gChDP7hPpOJ2-bOW6LUgwGbu6bt1QsPv0rL_1NfEAD0EmwZO_Gw55poXqMJu409FvJrgU-3nam84hIzO-2vmTtycrO6mhuUCsQpDy2SUb5aNfMP-POzc/s400/IMG_0345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An Bang Beach, 30 minutes bike ride north of Hoi An.</td></tr>
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We wanted a light healthy lunch and ended up eating some not-so-good local banh xeo (really oily & eggy pancake) and deep fried spring rolls for lunch. Greasy... We spent an hour at the Sinh Tourist planning our next stretch in the north of Vietnam: Hanoi, Halong, Sa Pa! <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The famous Japanese Bridge in Hoi An</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More colorful lanterns along the Thu Bon River in Hoi An.</td></tr>
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We spent the evening walking around Hoi An. It's very touristy: it's all restaurants, tailors, cooking classes and massage. There's too much choice!! I went back to BELI tailor for a first fitting, to cut the shoulders a bit more and tighten the neck.<br />
<br />segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-89687580889696347152013-04-26T16:00:00.000-04:002013-06-28T16:02:18.369-04:00Hoi An Day 1: Tailored Aodai, Delicious Cao Lau and an Intriguing Invitation from Mr X<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8wvXWgvzWOpPvvPwnDrEpbicZYANTi3t1gpTnbu3-5OajBu6bnxbps0DyVR7f-9dwfXHgoozRgSaxCT-ECEFbgS4zufMw3t7j0KNqfVYOMQ9U7F8LqV7TGggTdjlEKxmjJVqg4e-q5Q/s1600/IMG_0196.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhA8wvXWgvzWOpPvvPwnDrEpbicZYANTi3t1gpTnbu3-5OajBu6bnxbps0DyVR7f-9dwfXHgoozRgSaxCT-ECEFbgS4zufMw3t7j0KNqfVYOMQ9U7F8LqV7TGggTdjlEKxmjJVqg4e-q5Q/s400/IMG_0196.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Since the day we landed in Saigon, every time we went in or out of the hotel there was a guy with a ponytail in front of the vietnamese fastfood next door. He talks to a line up of people on motorbikes, then in a big microphone, then to more people, it goes on and on all day. It took a while for me to figure out what's up: He's the drive-through guy! People stop by and order food, and he repeats it all for the kitchen, through his mic. "2 Saigon Beers, 2 sticky buns, 2 pork rice cakes, to go!" And everything is prepared at light speed. So we tried some fast food rice cake. Gotta eat like the locals!<br />
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Goodbye Ho Chi Minh City that everyone still calls Saigon. We were really starting to feel at home. The traffic was the most mesmerizing thing to observe.</div>
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Short flight from Saigon to Danang, which wasn't our actual destination. But Hoi An, 45 min south, has no airport. <b>We drove right through </b><b>Danang, a strangely developing city. </b>The streets looked empty and many shops were closed. Lunch time siesta maybe? During our drive to Hoi An we barely saw the beach on the left because there are so many high fences blocking the view, with giant photos of "5 star castle coming soon" and "dream resort paradise" and other promises. A huge part of the coastline has been sold to big investors and blocked off from local fishermen. But the plans to build beach resorts and 5 star hotels are moving so slowly (or are on hold in some cases) that it simply looks deserted. </div>
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Once settled in our lovely Thran Van 1 hotel, Dad made me notice <b>the French architecture and antique furniture in the room. Some of it might date back to the early 1900s.</b> Our room was cramped and dark, but the hotel was kinda cute, with small indoor bridges crossing over the pool at the 2nd and 3rd floors, with flowers everywhere, actual good computers with fast internet, and a friendly staff.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mom and Dad having a refreshing swim!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flowers everywhere around the 3rd floor made me forget how many steps I'd just walked.</td></tr>
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We quickly organized our morning trip to My Son ruins (pronounces "mee son") for the next morning and we went hunting for a tiny home-restaurant called Ba Thanh, recommended by one of the staff girls. Surprisingly, I found it! It's someone's home. We tried their local dish called Cao Lau. It's a bit like pho, but there's no broth, thicker noodles, more greens, peanuts and croutons. Yummm!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Cao Lau in Hoi An. Delish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Forget big fancy restaurants when you travel to Vietnam. Find out where the locals eat.</td></tr>
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We got caught in the rain on the way back - first rain of our trip - and took shelter under a blue tarp where old ladies were making little deep fried omelettes in a batter shell, for which I have no name. We felt compelled to buy one each. Oily but tasty!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGGmtbQTYxdEJQsCxOPDACfsN5FCF528np5PHVom35SRnaNIA0Pg6Y7VpLS_8hu4J9HE_Uo_zmHx-mlQ2LlkP_ejiepa4QROFCv7Oixey5A4JjLRJq7S6SAHq_yg__O4I-zxgdjpa0Q4/s1600/IMG_0209.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGGmtbQTYxdEJQsCxOPDACfsN5FCF528np5PHVom35SRnaNIA0Pg6Y7VpLS_8hu4J9HE_Uo_zmHx-mlQ2LlkP_ejiepa4QROFCv7Oixey5A4JjLRJq7S6SAHq_yg__O4I-zxgdjpa0Q4/s400/IMG_0209.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">If you know what this is called please tell me! I asked many Vietnamese people.</td></tr>
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I checked some of the tailor shops, and the price for a knee-length, sleeveless aodai (pronounced "ow-ee-aye") was always between $30 and $50. You get what you pay for! If you want quality silk and two fittings, pay up. So I went into BELI tailor, which is a family business compared to many other commercial shops and I ordered an orange aodai! First fitting tomorrow night.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatBWp46OZu-oKgO9BwL-aPo4dP_R3OdqmehfAqfh9JdsP4gqAxntztyPt0bkOdqa7e8_HpTALqnTc0x8-Xu3_UZzqKB_FjWrnN7kdSJ7ssUhtOIiB2zS1jhiR2CkSj3pdLVz9lxuEg_Y/s1600/IMG_0212.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhatBWp46OZu-oKgO9BwL-aPo4dP_R3OdqmehfAqfh9JdsP4gqAxntztyPt0bkOdqa7e8_HpTALqnTc0x8-Xu3_UZzqKB_FjWrnN7kdSJ7ssUhtOIiB2zS1jhiR2CkSj3pdLVz9lxuEg_Y/s400/IMG_0212.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This tailor doesn't realize that tourists in 35 degree heat are not interested in winter coats</td></tr>
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<b>We had dinner along the beautifully lit Thu Bon river. It's like a contest between every restaurant and bar: who has the most number of colourful lanterns?</b> It's at riverside restaurant that we met Mr X (I'd rather keep his name anonymous). He was helping with orders and tables. He's a family man with many stories to share. "You motorbike to my house and I will tell you all about Vietnam War, and when I fought for South Vietnam. I will introduce you to my family, show you around my small village and then my wife will make a delicious traditional lunch for you. $12 per person." Sold. We're in. He's a good entrepreneur!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXuTpskdaVU9iWwubWar_kRBs52WDClNODjFDaYoEn9RIFC1Z4I1FqMAKvh7vzpdllSeNHWbZ9wPqmNGYnkHqX4XKTB-4x-4rlWjPWc1wCkRNHehv_dn4Dqrye9PwhVUICwgMoPS3_O0/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaXuTpskdaVU9iWwubWar_kRBs52WDClNODjFDaYoEn9RIFC1Z4I1FqMAKvh7vzpdllSeNHWbZ9wPqmNGYnkHqX4XKTB-4x-4rlWjPWc1wCkRNHehv_dn4Dqrye9PwhVUICwgMoPS3_O0/s400/IMG_0238.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dinner at Quang Thang restaurant where we met mysterious Mr X.</td></tr>
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A little walk along the Thu Bon river brought us to the cheaper food, Vietnam style. Food is cooked outside, everyone eats the same thing (in this case, cao lau) and sits on small stools. But we ate already, so maybe tomorrow night.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns and lights everywhere along the Thu Bon River. </td></tr>
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segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-41295610377871200782013-04-25T08:30:00.000-04:002013-05-10T06:28:50.383-04:00The Mekong Delta - Part 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
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Our beautiful Van Phat 1 hotel prepared a succulent buffet breakfast that I throughly enjoyed. We were still the only group there. A mix of vietnamese and western breakfast food. Yes I am still blogging about food. <br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Again, here the coffee already tastes a bit like hazelnut... </td></tr>
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We got to the wharf and took a motorboat to the Cai Rang Floating Market, the biggest in all of the Mekong Delta. At our first approach, 3-4 small boats rushed our way and their passengers stood up with a rope and hook to hold on to our boat. It happened so fast it totally felt like a pirate attack! "Coca Cola? Bottle Water? Coconut? Bananaaaa?" Ah, yes, tourists... That's what they buy.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We're getting close to the Cai Rang Market!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mangoooos?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2z4FCzDx3ckLpGOc-oyZFUp0oeLbHvvGo0BYYLVe89Kp20KyaZsgP6VkY0HPWQK3aVodngHXLEU1WU84dLckoYycN2kFUaZUGw1DBHKnmoS6bbWcrjTbVlsvVEW5soSwxBWlxdlt6bE/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM2z4FCzDx3ckLpGOc-oyZFUp0oeLbHvvGo0BYYLVe89Kp20KyaZsgP6VkY0HPWQK3aVodngHXLEU1WU84dLckoYycN2kFUaZUGw1DBHKnmoS6bbWcrjTbVlsvVEW5soSwxBWlxdlt6bE/s1600/IMG_0082.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattomelooons?</td></tr>
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There are multiple floating markets on the Mekong, <b>where local businesses buy wholesale goods </b>(large quantities). If a boat sells watermelon, they will hang one from a tall bamboo stick so people can see from afar. Most of the crazy busy shopping happened around 6-8am. So by the time we got there, yes there were many boats of all sizes scattered all over the river, selling watermelon, bananas, mangos, potatoes, jackfruit, more melon, etc... But not so many people buying & bargaining.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku_8s2M9kV_f8Bly50IsCIY28iJr6Ato_q3P7Ld4TPAqtDP9zRIY4zGN-2jJ7xxn5dh80bR50xL55me76YaW085WN1SUc-xloFVLu0qBthW6aWKhe1zfezta-xrd2Qw8Z3QP9NzQShyw/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhku_8s2M9kV_f8Bly50IsCIY28iJr6Ato_q3P7Ld4TPAqtDP9zRIY4zGN-2jJ7xxn5dh80bR50xL55me76YaW085WN1SUc-xloFVLu0qBthW6aWKhe1zfezta-xrd2Qw8Z3QP9NzQShyw/s1600/IMG_0078.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wattomelooons, potatoooes!</td></tr>
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Just as we were leaving the market a speedboat drove past and the waves almost knocked over a poor old lady's tiny row boat. WHOOAAA! And there goes half her stack of fruits, lost to Davie Jone's locker...
Apparently the famous Mekong floating markets are getting smaller. They will probably shift gradually towards cleaner, ventilated indoor areas. (Then at least when they drop merchandise it won't sink.)<br />
<br />
Our boat took us into more small canals off the main river. There are hundreds of small canals like this, along which people live in stilt houses. If they're lucky, they have a paved path for motorbikes running near their house. Otherwise they get around by rowboat or motorboat!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1bQlh9Uu0cL0rA3UB5QIWlKBHyK-Gzya06zPWFegbqIAuH5u4hY0RUewMdcn-5DZFjk3QN7_IO2b2E6JRsyhp-D1USAkzYjL7szUF0yH_7lnHBHcUCq8OXhN5_GDh59KhZPR0NA3Fgk/s1600/IMG_9886.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS1bQlh9Uu0cL0rA3UB5QIWlKBHyK-Gzya06zPWFegbqIAuH5u4hY0RUewMdcn-5DZFjk3QN7_IO2b2E6JRsyhp-D1USAkzYjL7szUF0yH_7lnHBHcUCq8OXhN5_GDh59KhZPR0NA3Fgk/s1600/IMG_9886.jpg" height="400" width="331" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martina, our new friend from Finland, observes how this adorable kid in X-Large flip flops will cross this makeshift bridge. If he can do it, you can! </td></tr>
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We stopped by <b>a fruit farm</b> and wandered around the gardens: pineapple, jackfruit, mango, papaya, coconut, banana, lotus flower, dragonfruit, mini-oranges! But it was so hot and sticky out, we just couldn't wait to get back in the boat to feel the tiniest breeze on our faces...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA_oLms-Ucw_N2epQgq3fHn0kNjNtN9ujCSSHWC7XUXvKiUZBB_ExGAviSnMnfrVx1zd4-mGbyhfLSbuI5kMk_IXNiojS2MwMDA8AVFEfEvpAa6csCVKiNy_u4DFn1on-tHsEVJCWTtk/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbA_oLms-Ucw_N2epQgq3fHn0kNjNtN9ujCSSHWC7XUXvKiUZBB_ExGAviSnMnfrVx1zd4-mGbyhfLSbuI5kMk_IXNiojS2MwMDA8AVFEfEvpAa6csCVKiNy_u4DFn1on-tHsEVJCWTtk/s1600/IMG_0107.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jackfruits are enormous! </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lSANDPJ1654_6pcwNHA2s72ptMkuuaqPKr-tst_PWAIu-RJlp57Vqt4MeFg4jZuQZ4bA4mUsD11aBXHrbq85KkQHN6xwZ1-AunkqIwQTG27bnFz3R88vpKqvu7R2pOz78i9Qy_Jbknk/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8lSANDPJ1654_6pcwNHA2s72ptMkuuaqPKr-tst_PWAIu-RJlp57Vqt4MeFg4jZuQZ4bA4mUsD11aBXHrbq85KkQHN6xwZ1-AunkqIwQTG27bnFz3R88vpKqvu7R2pOz78i9Qy_Jbknk/s1600/IMG_0132.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pineapples</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYlLzdOa7qpvr3L56pIoXtNRZdFCuGxfZNiYVUCrxJnhzvZzNASjsK3w9wLlwE8GaUj8iU1aPm4fLiR5b4ZPiAaNRxBJQXujjXk-7wO_rRE5DwXaWL0rmW6RIrhgLnYiPMZhPK4aRUqw/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgYlLzdOa7qpvr3L56pIoXtNRZdFCuGxfZNiYVUCrxJnhzvZzNASjsK3w9wLlwE8GaUj8iU1aPm4fLiR5b4ZPiAaNRxBJQXujjXk-7wO_rRE5DwXaWL0rmW6RIrhgLnYiPMZhPK4aRUqw/s1600/IMG_0143.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">C'est comme CA qu'ils poussent les dragonfruits!?!?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNyyL5ikNDmokTNcgGdAZwqgpWuaH8TDdGbd64Vz5NK06MgU90WIC50YhE3zORUdJD8Zy8fSIzgQgQs7GBa5Bi8BRn31-EtEKw0VUHX773H0YPtjvd1X4UgAe1A5x454xmjXPYXfi3kc/s1600/IMG_0116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrNyyL5ikNDmokTNcgGdAZwqgpWuaH8TDdGbd64Vz5NK06MgU90WIC50YhE3zORUdJD8Zy8fSIzgQgQs7GBa5Bi8BRn31-EtEKw0VUHX773H0YPtjvd1X4UgAe1A5x454xmjXPYXfi3kc/s1600/IMG_0116.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and me Dad on the "monkey bridge".</td></tr>
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I had a delicious squid lunch at the hotel, while the parents kept to the more casual food. We took the bumpy bus ride back to Saigon. Thank you The Sinh Tourist for another wonderful, packed, interesting tour!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qJvqlbwTh1TbbQi_Ryv25ci3bKw5qm1fB9XN20W3zLMW-Yj76CQTsjHTASqAcmhkWmOvemXBrjeKcyREpu3cO5r24Dushwm2z5GNYdJoYefknlXUQbZY4HwNMvSy-Xz4pOw3oWdfYJ8/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3qJvqlbwTh1TbbQi_Ryv25ci3bKw5qm1fB9XN20W3zLMW-Yj76CQTsjHTASqAcmhkWmOvemXBrjeKcyREpu3cO5r24Dushwm2z5GNYdJoYefknlXUQbZY4HwNMvSy-Xz4pOw3oWdfYJ8/s1600/IMG_0166.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Thank you for the great trip, Sinh Tourist! It was a VERY good deal.</td></tr>
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For a last night in Saigon I decided to take mom & dad to a night market recommended by a fellow traveller.<br />
<br />
Actually, funny story... Dad loosened his fake tooth by biting on a coconut candy today. So while we looked for our night market, Dad stopped in front of a random but clean-looking dental clinic and just went in.<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"How late are you open?" </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"We are close in 45 minute." </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
Dad explained briefly to the <i>very</i> young dentist that his tooth with a crown was falling out and he needed a temporary solution. From behind his mask the young man replied: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"Is a crown, yes? I can do quick, I put temporary glue ok? Only... 5 minutes. Ok?" </i></blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"How much will it cost?"</i> and under our surprised stare the young dentist said: </blockquote>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"No no. Free for you, ok? Come."</i></blockquote>
Cool! That was easier than we expected. Walk-in clinic, free medical care. But finding my night market with tons of open restaurants was not so easy... It was an epic fail. We got a bit lost, walked in circles and never found it. Maybe it just doesn't exist anymore! So we ended up in a small vegan restaurant having meatless hot pot. Meh...segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-69372103433351328052013-04-24T22:53:00.000-04:002013-05-09T08:25:51.589-04:00The Mekong Delta - Part 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDs1qusMtFxFcoPGGIaIx4J5U6E8l91YaSeSsRElZ5kA9FrPLvOtnRDDkHcubJ7ycMqO8js6pEdi1FZUFsqYFyDo5hRCydznAN2e7YL2ajU9S7Mur_xfrCVFq3rJeYt9CKdIv3V82aaJc/s1600/IMG_9897.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDs1qusMtFxFcoPGGIaIx4J5U6E8l91YaSeSsRElZ5kA9FrPLvOtnRDDkHcubJ7ycMqO8js6pEdi1FZUFsqYFyDo5hRCydznAN2e7YL2ajU9S7Mur_xfrCVFq3rJeYt9CKdIv3V82aaJc/s1600/IMG_9897.jpg" height="239" width="320" /></a></div>
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"The weather out there today is hot and shitty with continued hot and shitty in the afternoon. Tomorrow a chance of continued crappy with a pissy weather front coming down from the north. Basically, it's hotter than a snake's ass in a wagon rut."</i> (Good Morning Vietnam)</blockquote>
Indeed. Today we explore<b> the Mekong Delta</b> with The Sinh Tourist. 2h bus to <b>Ben Tre Province</b> where the Mekong has been buzzing with life for thousands of years. We got on a motorboat in Ben Tre, on the wide, brown Mekong and turned into a smaller branch, with lush forest all around.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaR6H56j98EOI4z0w5vtkeiejLcfshQifIBJxkJRRfl61ooJ2efaqwfQRaVj-xK2Gipq69WHAcFlbZY4K5mxwRHWrLun0Qqui0PKBBsak2JT9cHo79MDJEVysJU92tzCZKeDwomWPH0Y/s1600/IMG_9937.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJaR6H56j98EOI4z0w5vtkeiejLcfshQifIBJxkJRRfl61ooJ2efaqwfQRaVj-xK2Gipq69WHAcFlbZY4K5mxwRHWrLun0Qqui0PKBBsak2JT9cHo79MDJEVysJU92tzCZKeDwomWPH0Y/s1600/IMG_9937.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Me and the 'rents on a boat in the Mekong.</td></tr>
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We stopped at a small house where we got to taste <b>local honey and fruits. </b>And buy souvenirs of course.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Can't remember how we call this strange alien fruit. It's a bit like lychee ínside. </td></tr>
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After the succulent fruit tasting we got a performance of <b>live local singing and music </b>which I can't wait to show you on video. But I won't upload video because the connection is crap.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI5epjWpZbnbg7Tz-wLC29FwtHM8AxuiEs9rx9640j1Q392uU4g8qNc3yt8rR3HLw4lWQnRdbLG0aF3NwrgS-730AmrdVRXW2WVmH5qYPBVqzlFj-qTkQIifp5MCo43-8loUA6YQ2Aik/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQI5epjWpZbnbg7Tz-wLC29FwtHM8AxuiEs9rx9640j1Q392uU4g8qNc3yt8rR3HLw4lWQnRdbLG0aF3NwrgS-730AmrdVRXW2WVmH5qYPBVqzlFj-qTkQIifp5MCo43-8loUA6YQ2Aik/s1600/IMG_9816.jpg" height="292" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Theỉr traditional singing is just so so so different! Lots of high-pitch, nasal tunes. But in a good way.</td></tr>
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Instead of getting in the boat again we were seated in <b>small rowing canoes which they call a xuong.</b> It was magical. And it was a good break from always hearing the loud motor. Most of the locals rowing the boats were women. They look old and delicate but they are so strong! That's how they travel most of the time.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbqAow7oNaMxDdFBfd3hvWkxHBYnDAPivtOVs3JzjHFHYlTJhYn97GNVPaqiXN3eZum6QiHOCRFsSGOAHXxm1TzR2JLHK2k33f7WlV3ilgzzLLvVnquCH0DEgVEGQUEdqozruutPZZvQ/s1600/IMG_9900.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEbqAow7oNaMxDdFBfd3hvWkxHBYnDAPivtOVs3JzjHFHYlTJhYn97GNVPaqiXN3eZum6QiHOCRFsSGOAHXxm1TzR2JLHK2k33f7WlV3ilgzzLLvVnquCH0DEgVEGQUEdqozruutPZZvQ/s1600/IMG_9900.jpg" height="440" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rowing along the quiet Mekong canal, listening to the cicadas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Julie contente. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A lovely, elegant local saying thank you and good bye.</td></tr>
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We then stopped at a <b>coconut farm </b>where they make dried coconut shreds (delicious), coconut candy and many other coconut based snacks. They boil the coconut water until it thickens, then they spread it in strips to harden and cut them in small pieces.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8zXyfMJBTcWnqKPeg1QF9Q9184qpMFi0kbxDJRC3VeCvxfjYjPovV1Mb8z-A5XtHl6LbWB8Zlyumv9iy3NVRhRDNl6GjYuXU9iBNEaGITfCuQW1h253pfsrfRp8UyDCy6neMgTIu8m8/s1600/IMG_9866.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN8zXyfMJBTcWnqKPeg1QF9Q9184qpMFi0kbxDJRC3VeCvxfjYjPovV1Mb8z-A5XtHl6LbWB8Zlyumv9iy3NVRhRDNl6GjYuXU9iBNEaGITfCuQW1h253pfsrfRp8UyDCy6neMgTIu8m8/s1600/IMG_9866.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Young gỉrls working hard despite the humid heat.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8sUY6LISgfpgQkXGS5rkZXrEmGpuDnYO6hFtD7Grkv8Xg-n8Z6Y1pnTjIgyijccCYmai1ijf_ecCUbsawiTnWua-39yEkwyZgV3hBu7tSiTWaGPFMLkBv443vVQx5-aQ2Jt7QdMv2SA/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy8sUY6LISgfpgQkXGS5rkZXrEmGpuDnYO6hFtD7Grkv8Xg-n8Z6Y1pnTjIgyijccCYmai1ijf_ecCUbsawiTnWua-39yEkwyZgV3hBu7tSiTWaGPFMLkBv443vVQx5-aQ2Jt7QdMv2SA/s1600/IMG_9868.jpg" height="238" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Coconut Candy! Don't eat that ìf you have a fake tooth, right Dad?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIXaCkPcRi7PKiG7gaMz8hLq_sCg7iYiQxripjpVAuuRk2GzqOg6UMN4uuJ9S1c9Ez0LM7ReNw9RxrwZK4IhWcOsQByUYpqYdx3q_EFbA_6DSowJuh_Q_6mMUC26dvgEdoSInqH7RfgY/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDIXaCkPcRi7PKiG7gaMz8hLq_sCg7iYiQxripjpVAuuRk2GzqOg6UMN4uuJ9S1c9Ez0LM7ReNw9RxrwZK4IhWcOsQByUYpqYdx3q_EFbA_6DSowJuh_Q_6mMUC26dvgEdoSInqH7RfgY/s1600/IMG_9876.jpg" height="400" width="298" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Also there happened to be a snake.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Finally after a delicious farm lunch with chicken, grilled fish, morning glory, pork stew, veggies we headed towards <b>Can Tho</b> (more boat, more bus, I think I slept through the bumpy ride...)<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg_JvWFb9SxIBChsUO3Vur4Zky6JdJuOig602wEdKjsm2oDMpax74DlexdYeAmUdQdqnJ9t7cXBHECopmbs7uPp1WojsGIqOtFtmZ7QwlwA057kDq0L_JLf88AvgkOna1UWyj7btJ0O0/s1600/IMG_9924.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizg_JvWFb9SxIBChsUO3Vur4Zky6JdJuOig602wEdKjsm2oDMpax74DlexdYeAmUdQdqnJ9t7cXBHECopmbs7uPp1WojsGIqOtFtmZ7QwlwA057kDq0L_JLf88AvgkOna1UWyj7btJ0O0/s1600/IMG_9924.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two Chinese dudes who really wanted a photo with me. Happens ALL the time.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div>
Part of the organized 2-day trip included our 1 night at the <b>Van Phat 1 Hotel,</b> a four star fancy hotel outside the Can Tho city centre. It's a good thing that our group came, because this huge, brand new, beautiful, four-star, refreshing, the hotel was eerily empty when we arrived... Weỉrd.There is a huge, clean swimming pool, a giant banquet hall on the main floor, empty. Another empty dining room on the 7th floor, from where you can get a great view of the sunset over Can Tho or the sunrise over the Mekong.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
There was a beautiful eating area outside, with rooftops, a cute pond surrounded by trees and little lights.. . In fact I don't know why it was so empty! We ended up having a sumptuous dinner there. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qB6qjAlwuN7M-5ve0-Ih7JKBmBY8iL5-nfdshwLIDCuwUCBfc97wyQujwnvtlF0_QOzSJSWrZiNUiNpJwS4WvPDiZvkF_hOIweq9p5Bt3A9oo-nA-5x5GJPlo6Azpfm0D2GFa4ay2nA/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8qB6qjAlwuN7M-5ve0-Ih7JKBmBY8iL5-nfdshwLIDCuwUCBfc97wyQujwnvtlF0_QOzSJSWrZiNUiNpJwS4WvPDiZvkF_hOIweq9p5Bt3A9oo-nA-5x5GJPlo6Azpfm0D2GFa4ay2nA/s1600/IMG_0018.jpg" height="298" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It's a shame the hotel & restaurant were so empty. Look at that!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
After dinner "went to town" to see the <b>Can Tho night market. </b>We just sat with a beer on a patio and observed the crowds: Sooo many young people with motorbikes, just hanging out late. Some of them are dressed so posh for 32 degree sticky heat! Well... if I lived in a small, dark, damp, even hotter, miserable home (which many of them do) I would also hang out as late as I can. It's really the cheapest stuff here because it's the locals who shop here. <b>Lots of t-shírts with Chinglísh</b> (gibberísh that makes no sense).</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZLD9Cz0q5nswCoeUwc6u9INzjrvN98In52hxLElxprggZa85Q5x0ksruUIXaJx6byjz-GFCjxOZ4DGKd6NNNtpYZWWgpRNST2HePz6Yfoe0FR4No0KP_C1WfnvSnbk5GqBgB5QDPN_E/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAZLD9Cz0q5nswCoeUwc6u9INzjrvN98In52hxLElxprggZa85Q5x0ksruUIXaJx6byjz-GFCjxOZ4DGKd6NNNtpYZWWgpRNST2HePz6Yfoe0FR4No0KP_C1WfnvSnbk5GqBgB5QDPN_E/s1600/IMG_0024.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption">Joelle, I was going to buy thís for my nephew Leo but I don't want him to become illiterate.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
Finally after a long, tiring day, my mother and I went to the 6th floor for <b>a cheap massage.</b> Lady? Sir? Looking for massage? Well, for 120,000 dong ($6.00) Van Phat 1 Hotel has unexperienced young "massotherapists" who sit on you, give an awkward, improvised massage, who test the limit until you say <i>"Heyo! Hands off!"</i> and dress like they offer other things, if you ask for the massage with a happy ending. Whatever makes you happy!</div>
segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-75586807555329517142013-04-23T20:54:00.000-04:002013-04-30T20:58:18.322-04:00Chinatown de Saigon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyT_kGHk894ljomm1vJjJtclYfRbqVk_N1ak5vpKUqvzS2UMwcQtR-pQFtaxqo6NH4MaQwxS1a5IFT_Muvy3JDZlX-unUgwasATQoSxp0fgJPV5BDZADrAJPO3M2nLkerTlG9f7IJiPA/s1600/IMG_9721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="241" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyT_kGHk894ljomm1vJjJtclYfRbqVk_N1ak5vpKUqvzS2UMwcQtR-pQFtaxqo6NH4MaQwxS1a5IFT_Muvy3JDZlX-unUgwasATQoSxp0fgJPV5BDZADrAJPO3M2nLkerTlG9f7IJiPA/s320/IMG_9721.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Par habitude je me suis reveillée a 4am, 5am et 6am... Alors je me
suis rendue a la piscine a 6:30am sous le regard des petits geckos qui
couraillent sur les murs.<br />
<br />
Apres le déjeuner on s'est
promenés dans le grand marché de souvenirs de Siem Reap. Même
constatation qu'hier: Il y a tellement de stuff!! <b>Une centaine de kiosques avec les memes bebelles:</b>
foulards, chapeaux, biblots, peintures, évantails, flutes, petis
bouddhas, gros bouddhas, flipflops, bracelets, lunettes, "Ale Baba"
pants, chemises, faux vetements de marque, porte-clés, cartes postales,
housses de coussins, ... a n'en plus finir. Mais j'aime pas les
bebelles. J'achete soit un morceau de vetement qui se porte... ou des
choses qui se mangent. Hehe!<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqJV17kodJ92IPox400XBLKwwuiS4rYfOKV1HHKJfnHiTPEaqcaxrJ65WSbSIyoXqVu7zjT2fejal7VIhDxUNPRLwa6JvVtG69-k-DVX7egZJ9NmjdcCd_BWSlOphyB-Jnh7QaRef-EM/s1600/IMG_9695b.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="373" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdqJV17kodJ92IPox400XBLKwwuiS4rYfOKV1HHKJfnHiTPEaqcaxrJ65WSbSIyoXqVu7zjT2fejal7VIhDxUNPRLwa6JvVtG69-k-DVX7egZJ9NmjdcCd_BWSlOphyB-Jnh7QaRef-EM/s400/IMG_9695b.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">J'ai vu un million de touristes porter des "ale-baba" pants. Les memes qu'au Perou et les memes qu'au Marche By.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
On a repris le tuk tuk a l'aéroport avec notre driver Mala - on lui enverra un petit email avec des photos. <i>Aw-kohn tom-tom!</i> Apres un long vol d'avion de 45 min, nous re-voila a <b>Saigon</b>,
une ville qui ne dort jamais et qui bourdonne d'activite! La majorité
des gens l'appellent encore Saigon, et non Ho Chi Minh City.<br />
<br />
<b>Direction Marche chinois Binh Tay:</b>
Pistaches, champignons séchés, fruits, crevettes séchées, fruits de
mer, épices, nourriture bizarre que j'oserai jamais gouter... La majeure
partie du marche est en en fait un enorme entrepot ou les gens peuvent
acheter en vrac. C'est pour les petits magasins et les restaurants, pas
vraiment pour les touristes! On se sentait dans le chemin un peu... au
lieu de se faire courrir apres pour acheter des souvenirs, on se faisait
regarder un peu croche, comme trois grosses chenilles dans un mega-nid
de fourmis qui grouillent.<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyT_kGHk894ljomm1vJjJtclYfRbqVk_N1ak5vpKUqvzS2UMwcQtR-pQFtaxqo6NH4MaQwxS1a5IFT_Muvy3JDZlX-unUgwasATQoSxp0fgJPV5BDZADrAJPO3M2nLkerTlG9f7IJiPA/s1600/IMG_9721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDyT_kGHk894ljomm1vJjJtclYfRbqVk_N1ak5vpKUqvzS2UMwcQtR-pQFtaxqo6NH4MaQwxS1a5IFT_Muvy3JDZlX-unUgwasATQoSxp0fgJPV5BDZADrAJPO3M2nLkerTlG9f7IJiPA/s400/IMG_9721.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">La section plus "entrepot" du grand marché chinois Bonh Tay.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Maman a eu<b> une experience particulierement chinoise</b>,
aux toilettes. Moi j'ai tout vu, en Chine en 2011. Mais elle n'en
revenait pas: Dans la petite toilette publique, sombre, humide et pas
mal dégueu, il y avait une ligne d'attente. Maman se demandait pourquoi
les planchers étaient si mouillés et elle a vu une petite vieille qui
remplissait des seaux d'eau et qui les jetaient par terre. Heureusement
il y avait un bon drain au centre. Lorsqu'elle s'est enfin rendue a une
cabine, elle etait barree. C'est une autre madame chinoise qui lui a
montre comment faire en placotant en chinois: <i>Si t'as envie de faire
un "numero 2" va dans la cabine. Mais pour un "numero 1", tu te baisses
les culottes ici la devant tout le monde et tu pisses pas terre. Comme
ca, regarde!</i> ... Et comme de fait, elle s'est accroupie devant la cabine de quelqu'un pour pisser. On aura tout vu.<br />
<br />
Pouvez-vous
croire qu'il y a une pauvre petite vieille qui passe sa journee a
pitcher des seaux d'eau par terre pour nettoyer la pisse du monde??<br />
<br />
Apres avoir tourné en rond un peu perdus dans l'énorme quartier chinois, on s'est retrouvés subitement devant<b> un enorme centre d'achat</b> <b>a 6 etages</b>,
presque vide. Il y avait de toutes les marques les plus dispendieuses
de parfum, de maquillage, de linge sport, de souliers, de montres, de
bijoux, etc. Quel contrastre! <i>Personne </i>ne peut se payer ca ici!
Peut-etre 2% de la population du Vietnam! Qui a eu l'idee parreille de
batir ce centre d'achat de luxe au centre d'un quasi-bidon-ville?<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_QkDF6k7YuVDLTWZEhEi1t4KWbyMWUzB7GUvlP1fbSWRLfXYuHCc-gIXXC56bK7RDojMJCKZjvPcrV7bZ3I06HwWRE9rDxqW1WKBR7pofQwB2ORRIvf9SKDQzLKUlhOtJgBPcrhcG8Y/s1600/IMG_9747.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgX_QkDF6k7YuVDLTWZEhEi1t4KWbyMWUzB7GUvlP1fbSWRLfXYuHCc-gIXXC56bK7RDojMJCKZjvPcrV7bZ3I06HwWRE9rDxqW1WKBR7pofQwB2ORRIvf9SKDQzLKUlhOtJgBPcrhcG8Y/s400/IMG_9747.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les extremes contrastes entre la pauvreté et la richesse sont hallucinants.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
En tout cas... l'air climatisé nous a fait beaucoup
de bien pour quelques minutes... On a encore une fois observé le traffic
ridicule de Saigon. C'est fascinant. Des milliers de motocyclettes. Pas
de feux de circulation. Pas de "shoulder check"... Le pere conduit, et
la mere a un bébé dans chaque bras. Ou encore un gars conduit et sa
blonde est sur son iPad, derriere lui. Ca se coupe a l'aveuglette d'un
bord, et de l'autre. Un taxi tourne a gauche dans le gros traffic qui
s'en vient dans le sens inverse, et toutes ces motos et voitures devront
ralentir, ou meme arrter, pour que le taxi passe. Ca regarde jamais
derriere, juste en avant. <b> </b><br />
<br />
<b>On commence a comprendre comment traverser la rue sans perdre une jambe:</b>
S'il y a 50 voitures et motocyclettes qui approchent a 40 km/h, tu n'as
qu'a marcher tout droit, lentement, de facon continue et previsible.
Tous les vehicules vont s'ajuster comme l'eau d'une riviere autour de
toi. C'est fou, mais ca marche! On a traversé ces rues occupées au moins
30 fois depuis le 19 avril! Jusqu'a date, 30 sur 30! (Une chance...) <br />
<br />
Dodo apres une bonne soupe Phở Bò traditionelle.<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/null"> </a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn40wm67X1sEBJxPOpbKkw64pFNZcZcmETyF2RXuso0FfFE-liVTNGMU4_fgiXFd8vlB4Lsx1unOSkChP5fRQZ5LTmNFfkzU03aVU63p0DspS3ZrPCNB-2FzogQanUdsFqkZ_9A5cHAQ/s1600/IMG_9721.JPG" imageanchor="1">
<img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzn40wm67X1sEBJxPOpbKkw64pFNZcZcmETyF2RXuso0FfFE-liVTNGMU4_fgiXFd8vlB4Lsx1unOSkChP5fRQZ5LTmNFfkzU03aVU63p0DspS3ZrPCNB-2FzogQanUdsFqkZ_9A5cHAQ/s400/IMG_9721.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-41848007785040348972013-04-22T11:51:00.000-04:002013-04-28T11:52:49.711-04:00The Temples of Angkor, Cambodia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL6rrOg9lCAaKSaTnzvZa9wck7HFHYLqNbn0O31JJ5vC3RdDlTwm_iIcvOyI4Me7xKQBupjjvbJMUg5boVNy_6nHbrHqZn1VxDG-AzEKT8sJ5ML9G-X7WJ_l4ALf_LnCLh0wZHHvNQzg/s1600/IMG_9662.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCL6rrOg9lCAaKSaTnzvZa9wck7HFHYLqNbn0O31JJ5vC3RdDlTwm_iIcvOyI4Me7xKQBupjjvbJMUg5boVNy_6nHbrHqZn1VxDG-AzEKT8sJ5ML9G-X7WJ_l4ALf_LnCLh0wZHHvNQzg/s320/IMG_9662.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
4:30 AM - The streets of Siem Reap were dark and quiet as we got ready to catch <strong>the sunrise behind Angkor Wat.</strong> It felt very strange after the crazy-busy streets of Saigon!<br />
<br />
As we got closer to the <strong>UNESCO World Heritage Site</strong> I noticed that we were part of a long parade of tuk tuks, all carrying tourists, with the hopes of witnessing a colorful sunrise. The weather was as cool as it could be (26-28 degrees) but even with the wind on our face we were sweating already. For $17 US, Mala agreed to be our tuk tuk driver for the whole day, stopping at the main sites that we chose: Angkor Wat, Angkor Tom, Ta Prohm and Banteay Kdei.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvF-g7O30hT8G-306xv4CeZAWKfoffO4ayz9uNMlyrbHhdYv83lNq_vh6vyE7X_u0QzoWJ7HwMQGm5nF8tRagzSJTWfO2oedNh0WqZEVmaEQjV8bv76npCsCnloulXNBGHwYse-_jiq4/s1600/IMG_9702b.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="261" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIvF-g7O30hT8G-306xv4CeZAWKfoffO4ayz9uNMlyrbHhdYv83lNq_vh6vyE7X_u0QzoWJ7HwMQGm5nF8tRagzSJTWfO2oedNh0WqZEVmaEQjV8bv76npCsCnloulXNBGHwYse-_jiq4/s1600/IMG_9702b.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Our excellent tuk tuk driver Mala.</td></tr>
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5:30 AM - Under a slowly lightening sky we paid our entry ticket: $20 US. You need to show your pass at every temple. The amount of security at the gate was ridiculous. Beyond the gates I saw rows upon rows of small tables, open food stands, huts and tables all along the road to the temples. Hundreds of hopeful Khmer locals, living in near-misery, behind their shop, <i>trying </i>to<i> </i>sell souvenirs or food to tourists. But every vehicle was just whizzing by without giving a second glance. From what I've seen, in both Siem Reap and Angkor temples, there are <em>way</em> too many food/drink/souvenir stands for the number of people visiting.<br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;">Angkor Wat</span></h2>
6:00 AM - Despite the clouds, I still managed to get some sun rise colours on camera (thanks to my Vivid Colors setting. I know. I cheat.) The long walk over the moat and towards the main temple was spectacular. Almost every column, wall and ramp is covered in detailed bas-relief. I will never see the Cambodia flag the same way.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn9rycD0xkdwT6GTfHus9zHPrkWxsa8n0_V_7TPihW-V6UA3t31IpubZa2CpujQU3CoTcLPUEr5WGgYrMOxxBugaSTkWf2GnZ6i0kSqf6rb5R8UXKqAww7Ni_zbll6h1hEvYjVwGN-Co/s1600/IMG_9339.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTn9rycD0xkdwT6GTfHus9zHPrkWxsa8n0_V_7TPihW-V6UA3t31IpubZa2CpujQU3CoTcLPUEr5WGgYrMOxxBugaSTkWf2GnZ6i0kSqf6rb5R8UXKqAww7Ni_zbll6h1hEvYjVwGN-Co/s1600/IMG_9339.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">5:45 AM Sunrise on Angkor Wat.</td></tr>
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We spent at least 2 hours at <b>Angkor Wat </b>(12th century) visiting the corridors around the temple and going as far in - or up - as the site allows. Many staircases are closed. For good reason too! They're very steep and unstable. Like any good tourist, I looked around in awe and tripped 3-4 times over fallen stones or door frames. I was trying hard to catch the perfect postcard photo: it should include the majestic ruins with vegetation growing on them, as well as a Buddhist monk in bright orange passing by. And it still counts even if he's on his mobile phone, we are in 2013.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvpWPv66w3-8oS2ULApi2MyPEtIwwZwcxXg5ViII4-C6GqxP6n_63-s5pgu1sQO9kf6sAst1iz_5aenjHjZjIEo9gecXdvTctPfekhbpIEFyPG2pt9SzDaRDA1W_8VlTJh_MvAV3p56c/s1600/IMG_9360.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvpWPv66w3-8oS2ULApi2MyPEtIwwZwcxXg5ViII4-C6GqxP6n_63-s5pgu1sQO9kf6sAst1iz_5aenjHjZjIEo9gecXdvTctPfekhbpIEFyPG2pt9SzDaRDA1W_8VlTJh_MvAV3p56c/s1600/IMG_9360.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Some of the Apsara carvings inside of Angkor Wat.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Angkor Thom</strong></h2>
8:00 AM - Angkor Wat gets all the attention, but I think I prefered Angkor Thom! At most of the sites we visited there isn't much information about the structures and statues. You need a tour guide or book to know why they were built, in honour of what god, and what each carving means. However there is a lot of signage about the impressive conservation projects happening in every temple of the complex! In many cases, structures were completely falling apart... so they were taken down, the pieces were numbered and rebuilt with a solid foundation and replacement stones (for those missing or broken) <strong>like a massive 3D puzzle!</strong><br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKAR9qCDUJsaY02hguXJovBcI04I7443uIiuAh2pwiUvypp0SrfAogZ3R-xLHHwYScqaB_5C8nEpLFuw-8xu-FOy744CO378u4lS00FPA31W6nSIDYqMDirfXTGPJiO0uQFTv_G_V2Pc/s1600/IMG_9491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqKAR9qCDUJsaY02hguXJovBcI04I7443uIiuAh2pwiUvypp0SrfAogZ3R-xLHHwYScqaB_5C8nEpLFuw-8xu-FOy744CO378u4lS00FPA31W6nSIDYqMDirfXTGPJiO0uQFTv_G_V2Pc/s1600/IMG_9491.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Side of <b>Bayon</b>, the biggest temple within Angkor Thom. </td></tr>
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After the <b>Bayon</b> (above), there was <b>Baphoun</b> (below), where I climbed about 100 steps to the top and met a couple with a baby. Canadian dad & Australian mom. 7 hours in the scorching heat, going up and out steep stairs... I'm impressed!<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8IeVrRgZ7Lynvhoh51wk3G3vyfKRh-Kr4LzK2eSkektnf_Qahiu_IPJjySQtoTGd9sWSUzBRo1JKG6NLNxlCM4vCLO_aICImpy3RFV8GzVBzoYhlTuI5wQ4uypxrXE55AZuJDwGQ_0s/s1600/IMG_9528.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk8IeVrRgZ7Lynvhoh51wk3G3vyfKRh-Kr4LzK2eSkektnf_Qahiu_IPJjySQtoTGd9sWSUzBRo1JKG6NLNxlCM4vCLO_aICImpy3RFV8GzVBzoYhlTuI5wQ4uypxrXE55AZuJDwGQ_0s/s1600/IMG_9528.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Me at the top of <b>Baphoun</b>, one temple of Angkor Thom.</td></tr>
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Past the <b>Terrace of the Elephants</b>, my parents took a little break in the shade. I climbed (crawled) to the top of <b>Phimeanakas,</b> which is also falling apart. I noticed a broken, roaring lion statue leaning dangerously close to the edge. I don't want to be the next tourist to walk underneath.<br />
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV5A1c_-kLP6PMq9aghOjR0tWs91gbS1iSKzu5fYZleg7O115igPNVlIZYFA68mLyIxLjKQ1CiZ4g-5vhPbnaP-XB1bNp4c2XqR1aldpvLo3wnoGzcd7HpXnR-S4zskV07f8Bp3Wk0fo/s1600/IMG_9546.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIV5A1c_-kLP6PMq9aghOjR0tWs91gbS1iSKzu5fYZleg7O115igPNVlIZYFA68mLyIxLjKQ1CiZ4g-5vhPbnaP-XB1bNp4c2XqR1aldpvLo3wnoGzcd7HpXnR-S4zskV07f8Bp3Wk0fo/s1600/IMG_9546.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">You really have to watch your step once you get to the top of Phimeanakas.</td></tr>
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Ta Prohm</h2>
11:30 AM - Hot hot heat! 35 feels like 45, I think. But it wơn't stop me from visiting <b>Ta Prohm</b> which is by far my favorite temple. Not because it appears in Tomb Raider but because it's just so damn beautiful. For better or for worse, because the massive fig trees growing all over the templ ruins are actually destroying it very slowly. The roots are very strong so they hold up the walls. But once the tree dies, everything falls apart.<br />
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12:30 PM - Lunch in an air conditionned restaurant. <i>Thank goodness!</i><br />
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Banteay Kdei</h2>
1:00 PM - We went for one last visit: <b>Banteay Kdei,</b> "the Citadel of Monks", built in the 12th and 13th centuries. I think it looks like a mini version of Angkor Thom, with scultped faces on the top, with trees growing all over it like Ta Prohm, and with very well preserved carvings of Apsaras on the walls. Unfortunately this temple is full of wooden or metal beams holding the place together until a proper restoration project can be funded here. France? US?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">A nice inside view of Banteay Kdei gives perspective...</td></tr>
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There were adorable Khmer kids trying very hard to sell souvenirs and flutes. I took a 360 degree video of the temple in which they correct my "Banta Srey" to "Banteay Kdei" and within 5 seconds one of them yelled: "You take my photo, now you buy flute!" They learn quickly.<br />
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<h2 style="text-align: center;">
Back to Angkor Wat</h2>
2:00 PM - Before leaving the complex on our tuk tuk with Mala, I couldn't help but running back to the main Angkor Wat temple to get a good glimpse of this beauty under the full sunlight. Even with the scaffolding and green tarps in the middle, Angkor Wat is still breathtaking.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;">Tạm biệt Angkor Wat!</td></tr>
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We could have fallen asleep in the tuk tuk on the way back... We had a quiet dinner by the pool: traditionnel Khmer dísh called "Amok" with a well-deserved mango smoothie.<br />
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Sleepy time!segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-5257637658033358102013-04-21T00:47:00.000-04:002013-04-28T11:46:27.159-04:00Biking around Siem Reap, Cambodia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
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Humid, sweltering hot weather sounds perfect for biking around town. So after a quick breakfast at the Golden Banana, that's what we did!<br />
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We first went to a <strong>small buddhist temple</strong>, then around a park, then way off the map and got completely lost. By noon the sun was sizzling hot so it was time to ask for directions back downtown. But the two people we approached could not read our map. We just turned back to retrace our steps.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Biking around a small town is the best way to see more, get off the beaten path and get lost. You end up with interesting stories to tell. </td></tr>
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My Dad read in many websites and guidebooks that men can get a <strong>$1 haircut in Cambodia</strong>. So we walked into a small barbershop which was also a living room, with two kids running around. I carefully explained in multiple ways with hand gestures "Please don't shave off his sideburns" and the barber nodded and said "Ok, ok, ok!" Then he proceeded to shaving his sideburns. Oh well, I tried! We still gave him $3. Meanwhile I drank a "winter melon" drink that tastes strangely like maple sap, and watched a bit of Ghost Rider in Vietnamese with the kids.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dad getting a $1 hair cut in Siem Reap, Cambodia.</td></tr>
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On the otherside of the road there was a cinema: A big room sheltered from the sun, with 30-40 chairs, and one large flat screen playing a cheesy soap in vietnamese. Once my Dad's shor' shor' haircut was done, we biked back to town, around the market and to the B&B.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Siem Reap market - I noticed this local delicacy, among many other insects on display. But I didn't dare have a taste.</td></tr>
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Before going back to the Golden Banana to pass out in the pool we got a <strong>dead-skin-eating-fish-massage</strong>. That sounds disgusting. It kind of is. But I'm sure it has a fancy name. The little "Doctor fish" wriggle around your feet to nibble off the dead skin. It's really funny! And it was nice to sit in the shade, feet in cool water and beer in hand.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our feet getting eaten away by tiny fish. Weirdest feeling.</td></tr>
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Finally back at the pool, I was greeted by my little welcome committee of geckos on the outer walls and ceilings... also there are always a dozen flowers floating on the surface like someone put them there for me.<br />
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I did a bit of reading: <strong>Les Chroniques Vietnamiennes</strong> written by Claude Potvin, a friend of my parents. He wrote it in 1995 and has been living in Hanoi for many years now with his vietnamese family. Interesting anecdotes, very well written and quite funny at times!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDPeUy2rt8izQuvA82sJIibnvOjQIMCQv4YczZnIRE_-VlXmjxSaDz9PgdtH94dar7T5tKmuNzJ5w1jcLy8i-ay0yPZgrEaKIFQPqZwIKpiVzx2BaLl_OZkWDfMP3ned7ha1MW8cSwKA/s1600/IMG_9184_2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDDPeUy2rt8izQuvA82sJIibnvOjQIMCQv4YczZnIRE_-VlXmjxSaDz9PgdtH94dar7T5tKmuNzJ5w1jcLy8i-ay0yPZgrEaKIFQPqZwIKpiVzx2BaLl_OZkWDfMP3ned7ha1MW8cSwKA/s400/IMG_9184_2.JPG" height="306" lwa="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walking like an egyptian under the soothing, refreshing "waterfall" at the Golden Banana B&B.</td></tr>
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After a relaxing pool time & nap we dressed up (however you can dress up in 34 degree heat) to go to a <strong>traditional Khmer food buffet and Apsara dance performances</strong>. They wear lovely outfits, bracelets, headdresses and of course... they dance so well! It requires a lot of balance and strength to pivot <i>ever so slowly</i> on one foot. Also... I think they are all double jointed. Fingers and elbows can't possibly bend that way.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRnvOL6koS9xR2ATRdsaxO0wWty9C4Z8_v6cKwse08MntLwR8K1JcRUePkuDDk90zA44WJvyNuu9Y_YQdQMCC6sT72cNwvOypZO69roBV303R-BPHjS4jt1D87FG1ag8bZc9qEUGOA0M/s1600/IMG_9290.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXRnvOL6koS9xR2ATRdsaxO0wWty9C4Z8_v6cKwse08MntLwR8K1JcRUePkuDDk90zA44WJvyNuu9Y_YQdQMCC6sT72cNwvOypZO69roBV303R-BPHjS4jt1D87FG1ag8bZc9qEUGOA0M/s400/IMG_9290.jpg" height="300" lwa="true" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An evening of delicious Khmer food and traditional Apsara dancing at "Angkor Mungdial".</td></tr>
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segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-10143379506727345022013-04-20T11:29:00.000-04:002013-04-28T11:46:01.216-04:00The Tunnels of Củ Chi (near Sài Gòn)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; display: none; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YFphSvZYrNZ_9mAOZ8AoQLvaF7FjU4aj9LkAVSnFgTH-Yi4TVK5rCKwVFg2D6aHpt6Njd25QPiahA3-bB0MP33EJDmXBUfexE2HS0mNRM3mFHwJgZjeqyt1-j7iCmZXXnPtiTMHAXiM/s1600/Picture+022.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2YFphSvZYrNZ_9mAOZ8AoQLvaF7FjU4aj9LkAVSnFgTH-Yi4TVK5rCKwVFg2D6aHpt6Njd25QPiahA3-bB0MP33EJDmXBUfexE2HS0mNRM3mFHwJgZjeqyt1-j7iCmZXXnPtiTMHAXiM/s320/Picture+022.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
*Desolee du manque d'accents. <br />
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Debouts super tot, on a profite du buffet-petit-dejeuner du Elegant Hotel. Delish! Melange de bouffe traditionnelle vietnamienne pour les curieux, et quelques options western pour ceux qui se sentent un peu "home sick". On a vite embarque sur notre demie-journee organisee, avec Sinh Tourism, direction Cu Chi District!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOf_0or8dfpYVmuakxa_3E0rLpRLPU19-NrC5zITTjMQnLcEdE05jCv79_bg_8paMZS5A09sphWEqndG-VD8RLumcBPxuuAaSmeRQ-HCPKQMtmZZa4DVZYGbIHQhE57vL5B7x_qqhNBY/s1600/Picture+021.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIOf_0or8dfpYVmuakxa_3E0rLpRLPU19-NrC5zITTjMQnLcEdE05jCv79_bg_8paMZS5A09sphWEqndG-VD8RLumcBPxuuAaSmeRQ-HCPKQMtmZZa4DVZYGbIHQhE57vL5B7x_qqhNBY/s200/Picture+021.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">La visite des tunnels de Củ Chi etait superbe! Malgre les 35 degres + 60% humidite. </span>Notre guide Anh (prononce "ang") etait fantastique. Son anglais est excellent et il fait des bonnes petites blagues que 1/3 des personnes comprennent.<br />
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Avant de rentrer dans les details des Cu Chi Tunnels Anh nous a fait un bon resume de la Guerre du Vietnam de facon plus ou moins neutre, en comparant South Vietnam & North Vietnam a la Coree, et en terminant avec "les vietnamiens l'appellaient la Guerre anti-communiste." On a aussi regarde un video de propagande de "la jeune heroine vietnamienne qui tuait des americains pour venger la mort de sa famille." Tres patriotique...<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81IplUZl5yKpEdqc_9APJyTEocOaVrJs6FK2yRszct-XTEo3cc6Rz8UEMAPlD2IJwrSvUSEJr5DyyzRd785CNqlCv-PeCpB2_st4wZgACXNvl_J-grJvsSsG-8fVoKOJw6G5aD2QOTCI/s1600/Picture.jpg" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj81IplUZl5yKpEdqc_9APJyTEocOaVrJs6FK2yRszct-XTEo3cc6Rz8UEMAPlD2IJwrSvUSEJr5DyyzRd785CNqlCv-PeCpB2_st4wZgACXNvl_J-grJvsSsG-8fVoKOJw6G5aD2QOTCI/s320/Picture.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Anh nous explique que des petits trous comme<br />
ca servaient a aerer les tunnels 3-6m en dessous.</td></tr>
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<b><span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">LES TUNNELS</span></b></div>
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<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">Un reseau de tunnels souterrains</span><span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;"><span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">, etroits, chauds, sombres, sales et dangereuxs...</span> construits pendant la Guerre du Vietnam, dans la region de Củ Chi (nord-ouest de Sai Gon) de presque 250 kilometres au total!! Environ 60cm de large et 90cm de haut, les Viet Cong pouvaient se faufiler sans trop de problemes dans le differents tunnels jusqu'a 10m de profondeur.</span> </div>
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L<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">es americains qui sont alles combattre dans le coin preferaient bombarder la place en esperant frapper les bons endroits que rentrer dedans, se perdre ou se faire blesser par les trappes.</span></div>
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<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;"><b>LES TRAPPES</b><br /><br />Partout sur le terrain et dans les tunnels il y avait des "booby traps" hyper dnagereuses avec des tiges de bamboo affilees, des trous, des trucs assez barbares, quoi... </span>Des milliers de vietnamiens, hommes, femmes, adultes, ados et enfants, ont resiste a l'offensive americaine<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4kOezGLYTvuoVavaWmT2-ygQIAPTLnSgUl_OuHYTCIpXDnYeOmQ60Td050O7S6vimSBdlzEGG-lf_auMY90BjtB-TvUSiDUMvJzQ_X2-ChP1w1WQycNEc5_cL_Dn60B-C6DN2_HwYco/s1600/Picture+022.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4kOezGLYTvuoVavaWmT2-ygQIAPTLnSgUl_OuHYTCIpXDnYeOmQ60Td050O7S6vimSBdlzEGG-lf_auMY90BjtB-TvUSiDUMvJzQ_X2-ChP1w1WQycNEc5_cL_Dn60B-C6DN2_HwYco/s400/Picture+022.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papa et moi, avec aucune idee qu'on va vivre 10 minutes INFERNALES, sous terre. Ce tunnel n'a pas ete elargi pour les touristes. Donc 60cm de large par 90cm de haut. On commence accroupis, on fini a quatre pattes, le front, le dos et la craque de sein degouttent... c'est tellement desagreable! Respect a ceux qui ont peri la-dedans.</td></tr>
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<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;"> De retour a Sài Gòn pour se decrotter et se rafraichir, on prend un taxi vite vite vers Siem Reap (Cambodge). Notre tuk-tuk driver nous attend avec une petite pancarte qui dit "Francine" et nous conduit de l'aeroport au centre de Siem Reap. Il y a une grande avenue de plusieurs kilometres avec <i>juste</i> des hotels 5 etoiles, et d'autre bigga-hotels en construction. Contente de reste au Golden Banana Bed & Breakfast!</span></div>
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<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">Le personnel du Golden Banana est super gentil, je pratiques mon "khmer" (langue du Cambodge) avec eux. La piscine (et l'air climatise) est rafraichissante et le voisinage super mignon. Sauf le coq du voisin. Tout le monde veut l'egorger. Mais ses enfants sont cute, alors ca compense. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIjUwuzuMVytBNuXGG9ceCd6QZDWcsA8W4ro5U9vqMAwEYTGQt5qI1RYYt2HqR_QTIQBRYuzMCxkje4A_xD2UU4Q5Uz_RTeV3L7mWH9r0cLohhN4CiTpyJC9anvulakGbxa8ZBEYyMx8/s1600/Picture+025.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqIjUwuzuMVytBNuXGG9ceCd6QZDWcsA8W4ro5U9vqMAwEYTGQt5qI1RYYt2HqR_QTIQBRYuzMCxkje4A_xD2UU4Q5Uz_RTeV3L7mWH9r0cLohhN4CiTpyJC9anvulakGbxa8ZBEYyMx8/s400/Picture+025.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Les enfants khmer du voisin sont cute. Mais pas son coq qui chante a chaque heure de la journee.</td></tr>
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<span lang="SV" style="mso-ansi-language: SV;">La journee n'est pas complete sans une photo de nourriture khmer: </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Une vieille dame de 4 pieds de haut, avec un chapeau pointu <i>nón lá</i> poussait son chariot... Ca m'a pris du temps avant de comprendre qu'il etait PLEIN de petites mini-moules salees & epicees.</td></tr>
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<br />segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-35861010791658404162013-04-19T10:22:00.002-04:002013-04-27T00:51:36.290-04:00Ho Chi Minh City (Thành phố Sài Gòn)I will only say it once: <b><i>Damn it's hot out here!</i></b><br />
<b><i><br /></i></b>It's just the contrast with Ottawa that's a bit of a shock... So far we are coping quite well with the heat. It was only 28 degrees today, it might be 30 tomorrow.<br />
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Our highlight of the day: <b>the traffic</b>. There's no perfect way to describe it. You have to be in it, holding on for dear life, to understand the organized mess that are the Saigon streets. Cars and motorbikes and bicycles all rushing through. Motorbikes carrying an entire family. One of them holding a 5 month old baby under her right arm and a basket of EGGS in her left. Cyclists pushing or pulling loaded carts piled so high they can't even see where they're going unless they stand up.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoeC_vKnwg8jQJ-HJVnd-_hQVMZ05pgh47diRODAuATdMCRCs4JBIQOD0QogmILYdh_4Yf6rzk3hd8jj3XqOGUIhAY7JfX5cVrgP2OX6kHNn3Hf_46brJ21DdCuRCCUSQdttAVAFBcZY/s1600/IMG_8950.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxoeC_vKnwg8jQJ-HJVnd-_hQVMZ05pgh47diRODAuATdMCRCs4JBIQOD0QogmILYdh_4Yf6rzk3hd8jj3XqOGUIhAY7JfX5cVrgP2OX6kHNn3Hf_46brJ21DdCuRCCUSQdttAVAFBcZY/s400/IMG_8950.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The first intersection I saw with lights. But they're more like guidelines anyways...</td></tr>
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But the most impressive thing is their driving. I haven't seen a single car or motorbike signal left or right, and they never do shoulder checks. They just focus on what's in front and beside them. Those behind have to adjust. If you need to turn left and there are no lights? No problem, my friend! Just drive straight into the oncoming traffic, slow down a little bit so your moves are predictable, and the 30 cars and motorbikes coming your way will merge around you and find their way through. I just can't get used to it.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnirHs6EzzNhBYpGdttU8E1qmNuFYDMaQqAYc7BJWUbCDS9I8K768Ox0Fwl39S3MFeJnLfidGjwSIlqX330TJRGQygLJvgBnCmjAk2sjqYC1MwOdmOORfUUBANiQqh_95nZkOkD5LBePw/s1600/IMG_8915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnirHs6EzzNhBYpGdttU8E1qmNuFYDMaQqAYc7BJWUbCDS9I8K768Ox0Fwl39S3MFeJnLfidGjwSIlqX330TJRGQygLJvgBnCmjAk2sjqYC1MwOdmOORfUUBANiQqh_95nZkOkD5LBePw/s400/IMG_8915.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">First meal in Vietnam. Dad already bit into some really spicy hot pepper. Yaouch!</td></tr>
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Another one of our big fascinations in Saigon is the electricity: This is just a glimpse of the tangled mess that are electric lines everywhere in Saigon. Enough to make any electrician cringe. Why have they not planned installation in advance? Why are there open wires? It really feels like locals improvise and set up their own electricity when no one's looking.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs4YL8Y9jG2gv2fpPg9Savu5jHjf-w8h20NIKDVRCQXLtCL6xL2TySzKsM8jL7zGeJM3OeLCLK6NQoIRl24mt1yKiYNmmYCIfkq2cNuXYaauYlTSRS4LWFH2G3mQ3JRSNFjr57mhESTc/s1600/IMG_8920.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNs4YL8Y9jG2gv2fpPg9Savu5jHjf-w8h20NIKDVRCQXLtCL6xL2TySzKsM8jL7zGeJM3OeLCLK6NQoIRl24mt1yKiYNmmYCIfkq2cNuXYaauYlTSRS4LWFH2G3mQ3JRSNFjr57mhESTc/s400/IMG_8920.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
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After a good jetlag siesta we went back to the hot, noisy, busy, crowded streets to go stop by the War Remnants Museum and leanr a bit more about Vietnam War.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijipPLaCGpQQ4-O_7FlWf-HEz1fm8lWR0ZXyYZZNlFaX4Yic09eqZvjpB_VD0V9c3VChF8ul-t9VLtYpUgaMGvEcE3z5FeiCrWECtKRxgd4n23N-D7bCyVLRvEgOoySlrducKFeSge_4/s1600/IMG_8926.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgijipPLaCGpQQ4-O_7FlWf-HEz1fm8lWR0ZXyYZZNlFaX4Yic09eqZvjpB_VD0V9c3VChF8ul-t9VLtYpUgaMGvEcE3z5FeiCrWECtKRxgd4n23N-D7bCyVLRvEgOoySlrducKFeSge_4/s400/IMG_8926.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quick stop at the War Remnants Museum. Very, very interesting and somewhat neutral information on the Vietnam War.</td></tr>
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Then we went to see the Water Puppet Show! ... I thought it would be a tourist trap... but it turned out to be wonderful. Accompanied by 6 live musicians and singers, the 6 puppeteers are behind the green curtain, and I think they control the puppets with long poles. But I still don't understand how they can make the little characters and water buffaloes and dragons dance, turn in circles and change positions without stepping all over each other behind that curtain.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7DqTLJcUsL_Zfg4f-dy1zhwy9y6ugzpFNc_GAfFK3vhrlYUj2kifh5eGROaxqH1a-DFa5L8YtsDfjMBI3WiwoqhYKy62xE36_kZ6Xeaa7skK6qoqQo5fl4JqXXy6CSRXWmYFS19wAs0/s1600/IMG_8929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt7DqTLJcUsL_Zfg4f-dy1zhwy9y6ugzpFNc_GAfFK3vhrlYUj2kifh5eGROaxqH1a-DFa5L8YtsDfjMBI3WiwoqhYKy62xE36_kZ6Xeaa7skK6qoqQo5fl4JqXXy6CSRXWmYFS19wAs0/s640/IMG_8929.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We went to see a funny, ingenious "Water Puppet Show"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Then I picked a restaurant suggested in the Lonely Planet (edition 2010) and had my fears confirmed. A small business who gets recommended by a popular guidebook like the Lonely Planet with eventually be a victim of its own "fame" (or good review). They have nothing to lose and everything to gain in increasing their prices because they know they will have a good crowd of tourists like me for 2-3 years.<br />
<br />
<b>In the side street Barbeques and small, sketchy restaurants I can get a delicious dinner for 20,000-40,000 vietnamese dongs, which is 1-2 US dollars.</b><br />
<br />
Yet this Huong Lai restaurant, friendly and clean thought it was, had dishes starting at 4 or 5 US dollars. This happens a lot with restaurants, shops, hostels, hotels and attractions that find their way in the Lonely Planet, Footprint, Le Guide du routard, le Petit Fute', Frommers, etc.<br />
<br />
<br />
Ok bed time! Cu Chi Tunnels tomorrow!segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-72726509343976940602013-04-19T10:03:00.001-04:002013-04-19T10:08:32.568-04:00Montreal, Paris, Saigon<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Oui, j'avais tout ce qu'il em faut dans ma valise. Mais il me manquait mon billet d'avion!</div>
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<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Heureusement un gentil monsieur d'Air France m'a demontre qu'avec la nouvelle technologie, pas besoin d'imprimer son billet. Il suffit de "scanner" son passeport pour imprimer ma boarding pass.</div>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Mercredi soir 20h00: depart de Montreal</div>
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Jeudi matin: 3h00 arrivee a Paris. J'ai pas dormi.</div>
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Tout petit somme a l'aeroport de Paris... </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8m_gVxUnrsah8eG7ytHBJ8XDvnWLfpQ5n5HLVgmx4RAiQHGkKDK_-HvAKht6hwJ0jBVEMuSHrnOEV_gxnzcn5r5q_vN9n30qLfw-0QpCphDWMuTDPuzrOWatCKwDJzcFQpzouNKIK6w/s1600/IMG_8899.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz8m_gVxUnrsah8eG7ytHBJ8XDvnWLfpQ5n5HLVgmx4RAiQHGkKDK_-HvAKht6hwJ0jBVEMuSHrnOEV_gxnzcn5r5q_vN9n30qLfw-0QpCphDWMuTDPuzrOWatCKwDJzcFQpzouNKIK6w/s400/IMG_8899.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dans ma tete il est 5h00 du mat, je suis en train de passer une nuit blanche.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Jeudi 7h30 depart de Paris (il est deja 13h30 ici!)<br />
Jeudi 18h30: j'arrive a Ho Chi Minh City! Mais ici c'est pas le soir. On est deja rendu vendredi le 19 avril, 6h30 du matin. Pas l'temps de niaiser, il faut saisir le jour!<br />
<br />
Ca fesse, le decalage horaire.segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-60553115576499760442013-04-15T12:50:00.001-04:002013-04-17T14:38:38.026-04:00Packing ListWhen going on a backpacking trip, one must travel light! But I must have forgotten something. My backpack is almost TOO light! :/<br />
<br />
<div>
<b>Let's see if I have everything I need:</b><br />
<b><br /></b>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWifKaXiHq7OgtxXxuvgaa1QSScWZs6O0kD_-yhck2_ZgO9Hx2k-0VIuK4NdNl_NenNiN-mVvCZo8IImj891BOMs9_SwKmi-sw229rvFaE-X5NhsH_6o0pWfUSDGmbn6a4RP5Shew_T8/s1600/IMG_8881.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkWifKaXiHq7OgtxXxuvgaa1QSScWZs6O0kD_-yhck2_ZgO9Hx2k-0VIuK4NdNl_NenNiN-mVvCZo8IImj891BOMs9_SwKmi-sw229rvFaE-X5NhsH_6o0pWfUSDGmbn6a4RP5Shew_T8/s400/IMG_8881.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Non... Bébé Léo peut pas venir.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Pochette de ventre: passeport + carte d'immunisations<br />
<div>
Photocopies de passeport, de cartes, de numéros d’urgence<br />
Travel Insurance copy<br />
Vietnam tourist visa: letter of approval + 95 USD<br />
Cambodia tourist visa: 2 photos (2x2) + 20 USD<br />
Laos tourist visa: 2 photos (2x2) + 42 USD<br />
Thailand visa - already received<br />
<br />
LonelyPlanet South East Asia<br />
Travel diary + pens</div>
<div>
Currency card (table comparing USD with Dongs, Kips, Bahts!)<br />
<br />
iPhone + charger<br />
Canon Powershot<br />
Batteries x2<br />
Battery charger<br />
Ridiculous amounts of SD cards (92G)<br />
3-4 USB keys (28G)</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
</div>
<div>
Swiss army knife<br />
Lampe de poche<br />
Head lamp<br />
Batteries AA<br />
Corde + épingles à linge</div>
<div>
Mousqueton + sac en filet<br />
Serviette qui sèche vite<br />
Sac mince qui se roule en boule<br />
Casquette<br />
Lunettes de soleil<br />
Crème solaire<br />
Afterbite</div>
<div>
Bug spray<br />
Wet ones</div>
<div>
Taie d’oreiller<br />
Plastic cover for backpack<br />
Pleins de sacs en plastique<br />
Sacs Ziplocs grands et petits<br />
Cadenas<br />
Rouleau de P-cul</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Trousse:</div>
<div>
Mini-bottles (Shamp/Con/Soap/Cream)</div>
<div>
Brosse à dents, dentifrice<br />
Tweezer, épingles, kit de couture<br />
Earplugs<br />
Hand sanitizer<br />
Malarone prescription<br />
Malaria prescription<br />
Gravol, Imodium, Réactine, Advil<br />
Bandaids<br />
Élastiques à cheveux x300<br />
Diva cup (j'peux pas l'oublier ou je l'ai mise, hein Catou?)</div>
<div>
<div>
<div>
<br />
Poncho?<br />
Coupe-vent rouge</div>
Espadrilles brunes<br />
Sandales<br />
Flip flops<br />
<br />
Foulard / bandanas</div>
</div>
<div>
<div>
Pantalons de camping khaki<br />
Shorts x2<br />
Yoga pants noirs</div>
<div>
Petite robe de plage<br />
Maillot</div>
<div>
Manches longues polypropylene d’NZ<br />
Tshirt sport x3<br />
Tanktop sport x2<br />
Chemise à manches longues<br />
Bas x5<br />
Sports bra x2<br />
Underwear x7<br />
PJ léger</div>
</div>
<div>
<!--EndFragment--></div>
segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-14869093474376016732013-03-29T12:36:00.001-04:002013-05-09T07:40:26.738-04:00Deuxième blogueNow let's see how each Dynamic View displays the images and text. Magazine and Mosaic are pretty cool... but the important thing will be my beautiful photos, right?<br />
<br />
This elderly Chinese woman was in shape! Followed us all the way up to Jinshanling Wall of China (2011) and insisted on giving an improvised tour:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">
<i>"You buy souvenir? Later? Ok. Later... Every day, I come. Every day five hours! This side Mongolia, this side China. This part, Xing dynasty. That part Ming dynasty. Now you buy souvenir?"</i></blockquote>
<div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KdhrJC86Kq9zR2kM53atXUVuSHciD_0rkDx8QkFcyzuzTBTzqVGyxXCZaapICTMlFHNhDbB0wAgFZCNKfOuU9d5KSg7r8RCetPKfKxbE8F83cXgyeAmHVuYPgPFWCikGgljm6deTxWA/s1600/IMG_0893.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2KdhrJC86Kq9zR2kM53atXUVuSHciD_0rkDx8QkFcyzuzTBTzqVGyxXCZaapICTMlFHNhDbB0wAgFZCNKfOuU9d5KSg7r8RCetPKfKxbE8F83cXgyeAmHVuYPgPFWCikGgljm6deTxWA/s400/IMG_0893.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Ok now you buy souvenir!? Ok?"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNz2BzNUyKF6alGNCbZIQaCrL8vqDH1yDIjMpm_ytgYOCjvwND-ty2Dqz_VA69ap-xt22MKCObAFrfC4JkZY89DRjzscbx7if8anrf0WL4fUmLSG0wpfPjBvFNohW8u5uaUjVky1ZMds/s1600/IMG_1031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimNz2BzNUyKF6alGNCbZIQaCrL8vqDH1yDIjMpm_ytgYOCjvwND-ty2Dqz_VA69ap-xt22MKCObAFrfC4JkZY89DRjzscbx7if8anrf0WL4fUmLSG0wpfPjBvFNohW8u5uaUjVky1ZMds/s1600/IMG_1031.jpg" height="300" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Noisy miners - native birds from Australia</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
</div>
segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1430598215281103122.post-82565749091152391912013-03-29T11:58:00.000-04:002013-04-15T11:07:28.518-04:00Premier postVoyons voir de quoi cette template a l'air avec une belle photo de mon petit neveu adorable, Léo. C'est le plus beau, le plus fin et le plus drôle.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSRo94buz-nRNrW-nsLGbbYs3Wrpfw-UtrA4zxAU9VMCZSXRWRzSwzckL82E7ceKxuDRbAjPzRTE-oOvc16b5vl7OZBGOE98CrYGCSLjmsg79rSraMMJMJF4aUVveZ2-UEyz8X1StTMU/s1600/LEO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxSRo94buz-nRNrW-nsLGbbYs3Wrpfw-UtrA4zxAU9VMCZSXRWRzSwzckL82E7ceKxuDRbAjPzRTE-oOvc16b5vl7OZBGOE98CrYGCSLjmsg79rSraMMJMJF4aUVveZ2-UEyz8X1StTMU/s400/LEO.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">"Is it really Good Friday? Thank the Lord for statutory holidays!"</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
And a second picture for good measure. The stunning Maheno shipwreck on the beach of Fraser Island.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e3q_vqJ8qX45g3iUETANRImfxsmF_pOj64gCmCORpzeRyM7ZXzvu9EGX5wD1iZt_v-eBZxzIFbOYB2uvXip2j_iNyHK7pSJ3HjGe2ltCwkPD2RCDvYza5MYZO7DITnnz-qd1t98iB3Y/s1600/IMG_0663_photoshopped.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="310" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7e3q_vqJ8qX45g3iUETANRImfxsmF_pOj64gCmCORpzeRyM7ZXzvu9EGX5wD1iZt_v-eBZxzIFbOYB2uvXip2j_iNyHK7pSJ3HjGe2ltCwkPD2RCDvYza5MYZO7DITnnz-qd1t98iB3Y/s400/IMG_0663_photoshopped.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yep, I photoshopped the tourists out of the picture.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
And a bit of Lorem Ipsum. Vivamus nisi urna, posuere at dignissim sed, pretium vel metus. Mauris interdum lacus ac nisl venenatis ultrices. Morbi et sodales enim. Suspendisse eget enim augue. Nulla eu accumsan magna. Pellentesque et enim vel ipsum ullamcorper sodales quis ut leo.<br />
<br />
Nulla in felis neque, id fringilla urna. Aenean viverra tristique quam, porttitor fringilla enim pretium ut. Etiam id odio sed urna egestas adipiscing. Maecenas cursus sem in enim pharetra non egestas enim bibendum. Nullam imperdiet sem in diam bibendum elementum. Nulla pharetra magna non augue fringilla laoreet.<br />
<br />
Nam vitae vulputate elit!<br />
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<br />segjulie@gmail.comhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00333277656818797574noreply@blogger.com0