tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90540327062543520592024-03-12T16:53:48.086-07:00PLANET MOORESTom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.comBlogger281125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-51429604150779480622017-11-09T20:24:00.001-08:002017-11-09T20:24:49.853-08:00Adventures on the way back--second part<span style="background-color: yellow; color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">S</span>ardegna! That's Sardinia, a Mediterranean island province of Italy, though in some ways feeling like a unique country. Halfway between the mainland and North Africa, it is drenched in history from many civilizations.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sardinia flag</td></tr>
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Cagliari is the capital. It's a little reminiscent of the bits of Portuguese Macau we saw (we haven't been to Portugal proper so can't compare). Elegant 4 - 5 story OLD buildings. Charm and a little roughness, just the real-ness of daily life of ordinary people.<br />
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From the Castello area of the city--great views.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Random ruins in Cagliari--Roman ampitheater</td></tr>
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After exploring Cagliari we picked up a rental car and headed to the southernmost town of Sardinia, Sant'Antioco, which is actually an island connected by a causeway that has existed since Carthaginian times, so 1200 BC. Yup, BC. </div>
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The drive from Cagliari was our introduction to the scenery of Sardinia. Many people visit just for the stunning beaches. There are lots of rocky outcroppings, some mountains, palms, cactii, and great views of the sea. The island is about 50 miles wide and 150 miles long, with a couple of mountainous areas and lots of hills. Many areas are suitable for wind turbines. The vistas and vegetation reminded us of Southern California in spots.<br />
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Sant'Antioco was the first Phoenician colony in Sardinia. We first "met" Phoenicians in Lebanon, where they manufactured the purple dye and Lebanese cedar oil so favored by Egyptian royalty, among others.<br />
The city fell to the Romans during the Punic Wars, having sided with Pompeii against Caesar. </div>
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It was a bit refreshing to find that hardly anyone spoke English :-) . </div>
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We toured a volunteer-run threesome: Ethnographic Museum; Savoy fortress built in 1812 on top of the remains of a Phoenician temple, raided by Barbary pirates in 1815; and a Hypogean (underground) Village that consisted of caves that first were Punic era tombs in the 6th - late 3rd century BC, then abandoned in the 1 st century BC, then used again in the 4th century AD by Christians seeking refuge, and then by poor townspeople who needed housing and lived in them up until the 1970s. We were to see this mind-boggling layer upon layer of civilizations throughout the island.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Carthaginian necropolis</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hypogeum home entry</td></tr>
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Sant'Antioco was a very pleasant town with a lively evening presence along the main street. It is closed to traffic at 9 pm and pedestrians take over. Lots of cafes, many with outdoor seating, line the streets. Everyone disappeared mid afternoon, to reemerge at night. We experienced a street fair one night, and a marching band another. Street karaoke both nights!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some pavement in Sant'antioco</td></tr>
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Sardinia is particularly known for its Nuraghe--remains of a Neolithic civilization dating from 1600 - 9th and 8th C BC. We were able to see a number of the monuments and dwellings--incredible!</div>
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But first, Tharros, which while also a Nuraghic settlement, is better known for being a major Phoenician and then Roman town. We stopped at Tharros on our way north to the present day city of Alghero.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxFp3vQy42c1xNnMMTRW9wFOaCcwEHNNFnkBAP5iWoAlaJX3DSxcKqijEd-b9ZnzzHDcRY7y16A4LDldje5f8WOrcNLgg17SXt4JlgwPGQ0tuQ0L_WS0rWPLwg2plaMTFqLqEzZpQvxw/s1600/Tharros+Roman+road.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXxFp3vQy42c1xNnMMTRW9wFOaCcwEHNNFnkBAP5iWoAlaJX3DSxcKqijEd-b9ZnzzHDcRY7y16A4LDldje5f8WOrcNLgg17SXt4JlgwPGQ0tuQ0L_WS0rWPLwg2plaMTFqLqEzZpQvxw/s320/Tharros+Roman+road.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roman road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnXGEOq6KzEE9PgkYgNNRg4thMtHWjADqyFKPg0QDAcJF7pVa7c2YGSRp-jb3b2Jnedh2_P99jutJVe5kibB2K7lgTlIm1sM2b1k4ExMg4B7DHDGf7OGVkHF0UhJKqkDUpDym41eGYJs/s1600/aqueduct.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrnXGEOq6KzEE9PgkYgNNRg4thMtHWjADqyFKPg0QDAcJF7pVa7c2YGSRp-jb3b2Jnedh2_P99jutJVe5kibB2K7lgTlIm1sM2b1k4ExMg4B7DHDGf7OGVkHF0UhJKqkDUpDym41eGYJs/s320/aqueduct.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">aqueduct</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai81y-xHvUGQSredEMZJy5lXYfc6-RPqnIc6rRNfFBjnnlFdJSZ6XQqz65tz0jJQoBgUMcnCBXw6DGNCsvxqp9BPhOT8m86H-EXUAyV878uLEW1Z6I1Nv3dC0F8zimWxXk-4q0Q2YVYA/s1600/neolithic+remains+at+tharros.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjai81y-xHvUGQSredEMZJy5lXYfc6-RPqnIc6rRNfFBjnnlFdJSZ6XQqz65tz0jJQoBgUMcnCBXw6DGNCsvxqp9BPhOT8m86H-EXUAyV878uLEW1Z6I1Nv3dC0F8zimWxXk-4q0Q2YVYA/s320/neolithic+remains+at+tharros.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some Neolithic remains at Tharros</td></tr>
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Tharros is surrounded by water on two sides. There is a popular beach nearby</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYpcflE67nfjtpHg5TON1RA2tTJOuG11bTv-ATj8if03OVvW3MbPp6b8ov20zJe5tw-6pQCZ72m-8dcesrX-B2N6QsdsjvpBJYwUQF3dj8AXfeGl6TQawoA68XluD-7CGVu1f8V4ZkZM/s1600/beach+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYpcflE67nfjtpHg5TON1RA2tTJOuG11bTv-ATj8if03OVvW3MbPp6b8ov20zJe5tw-6pQCZ72m-8dcesrX-B2N6QsdsjvpBJYwUQF3dj8AXfeGl6TQawoA68XluD-7CGVu1f8V4ZkZM/s320/beach+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arrived in Alghero, a beautiful old city with a Catalan feel, it having once been a Spanish colony (14th century). It is a major tourist locale (lots of Spanish tourists especially) but somehow remains a very vibrant town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfMEPE0QNCGc3-RpR_Fta-8CIUK_tQlgwIOzioU2Wdc7UJ-IuvV9KnfoF7SnTIKEuonxP5wjCs_nrzaLLywbD2TGf3xjNvF4hXiohlHw4NbNbhWqhZxSP-QmpdW58YdY3IFZVoeJ20F0/s1600/Alghero+boat+trip+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTfMEPE0QNCGc3-RpR_Fta-8CIUK_tQlgwIOzioU2Wdc7UJ-IuvV9KnfoF7SnTIKEuonxP5wjCs_nrzaLLywbD2TGf3xjNvF4hXiohlHw4NbNbhWqhZxSP-QmpdW58YdY3IFZVoeJ20F0/s320/Alghero+boat+trip+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had a so-so modern hotel, but worth it for the smashing view of the old city, the port and the sea from the 9th floor</div>
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We took the "must do" boat excursion to Grotto Nettuna (Neptune Grotto) --we agree: definitely a Must Do! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQSbJ3k0zUOIXltBNBT8vIH5gwPR1hyiHXMA-eYvTDc2mmgTIZkj1Z6aT8oObPohwhBUOoR1W-dRS4XlBefo0aRBC2ax-rLTiq_p0ZdcS4CIFIptKRFRoYCEff6TFPIHg1KJeOOOYPlA/s1600/cave+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQSbJ3k0zUOIXltBNBT8vIH5gwPR1hyiHXMA-eYvTDc2mmgTIZkj1Z6aT8oObPohwhBUOoR1W-dRS4XlBefo0aRBC2ax-rLTiq_p0ZdcS4CIFIptKRFRoYCEff6TFPIHg1KJeOOOYPlA/s320/cave+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr_gW6NxOAW1QCDUcBHo72hmd8QPHwkdfLUHhjULbaTHd7gKQSUr19dbOLamZSPtflbLHvKKV5yeA1rZwpv_yThLS91AFIakG6EJUp0YOoo3LiOraHtV8_5aYpJCmmM2J9rf-GNQznCc/s1600/cave+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLr_gW6NxOAW1QCDUcBHo72hmd8QPHwkdfLUHhjULbaTHd7gKQSUr19dbOLamZSPtflbLHvKKV5yeA1rZwpv_yThLS91AFIakG6EJUp0YOoo3LiOraHtV8_5aYpJCmmM2J9rf-GNQznCc/s320/cave+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seen in Alghero...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczS6kv611gL2jsG8sLZUBRtD37mZrVS-zev6QN2pmnJ9u841kK3b149Tv1fAx32vCzqdLmG143QkfoD7V0VDlkLHGl23DX362KuU00zpmToOy5FnEyiVeLGOV246cvjUZ7FZ3lKRZ8E/s1600/Alghero+7.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjczS6kv611gL2jsG8sLZUBRtD37mZrVS-zev6QN2pmnJ9u841kK3b149Tv1fAx32vCzqdLmG143QkfoD7V0VDlkLHGl23DX362KuU00zpmToOy5FnEyiVeLGOV246cvjUZ7FZ3lKRZ8E/s320/Alghero+7.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We left the city, the tourists and the beaches for the inland mountains. We stopped at an important Nuraghe site, Santu Antine. One of the largest and best preserved, it was a royal palace. There was little recent reconstruction here. Absolutely amazing. Three stories of stone from the Bronze Age, 18th C BC.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_voSnrV1DdeHsddTJhzyq0qnDIy2sG9Oo4rB_WjdcugzhaBjL2aNb3mktSqz3pqIFKzZgB6Ydbrc_I2xar62i8mytfGDHk3ohpaBtISwBbbdSjj79hwmOZGRJao1pz5IOppv2QTWGaSw/s1600/Nuraghe+palace+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_voSnrV1DdeHsddTJhzyq0qnDIy2sG9Oo4rB_WjdcugzhaBjL2aNb3mktSqz3pqIFKzZgB6Ydbrc_I2xar62i8mytfGDHk3ohpaBtISwBbbdSjj79hwmOZGRJao1pz5IOppv2QTWGaSw/s320/Nuraghe+palace+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ5kc5IeRQ8jU_Ni_rM4kP-LYhEPW3uZKuLzQU1-sSMaOgGLj8vfSfriqr9GqZcobi1uJZ2hAUs9scstUsjwN4PEJGSLSCeyIa1jcy-giR6gVGSjvS34C2sR7fW4uH3ncIgSLwJ9Hosw/s1600/Nuraghe+palace+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGJ5kc5IeRQ8jU_Ni_rM4kP-LYhEPW3uZKuLzQU1-sSMaOgGLj8vfSfriqr9GqZcobi1uJZ2hAUs9scstUsjwN4PEJGSLSCeyIa1jcy-giR6gVGSjvS34C2sR7fW4uH3ncIgSLwJ9Hosw/s320/Nuraghe+palace+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the ceiling </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd2ifxqedJMgG2N6JyLZ-cuSocMekxdGU8PSOVeNUv7Qy4ophVF0-z7ocuePsJi3rx7hVoVkX9cBQa_0yhYNA8rQFltIHNhnOkwGXNmbXOKJrim-kTQQ95pm89tDh2E4eDBNnV_7cVTY/s1600/Nuraghic+palace+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKd2ifxqedJMgG2N6JyLZ-cuSocMekxdGU8PSOVeNUv7Qy4ophVF0-z7ocuePsJi3rx7hVoVkX9cBQa_0yhYNA8rQFltIHNhnOkwGXNmbXOKJrim-kTQQ95pm89tDh2E4eDBNnV_7cVTY/s320/Nuraghic+palace+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIveoSyLQpXSLBTkXOuWOTSbKcZnYK-tO-ByiyOG9rb2Eht2KB3EqFtLUkzEEYvVS_omsV2a1dWpZT2r9l51fGlO7Hr53NDqqA_f9J6lmnk_ul209VilqHen-z2Aqu3l4yzeXVFIxQGc/s1600/Nuraghe+drawing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1201" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIveoSyLQpXSLBTkXOuWOTSbKcZnYK-tO-ByiyOG9rb2Eht2KB3EqFtLUkzEEYvVS_omsV2a1dWpZT2r9l51fGlO7Hr53NDqqA_f9J6lmnk_ul209VilqHen-z2Aqu3l4yzeXVFIxQGc/s320/Nuraghe+drawing.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">An artist's rendering of the site</td></tr>
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Onward to the mountains, and the village of Laconi, where we stayed in a B&B run by super sweet elderly couple. No English...K was able to communicate to a degree with the proprietress who spoke French.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDz-tQov0dlTrlEHolhvAu4jMfDA0cLeSVAqqPCRfpQCxT1DCrxUrZHuOzHRHsQyOAaLvvjz8W-RDoHQi4VTcja4709VH50Eoibs52HNQB9ZzPj1YAPQmFOYH4NdCRkiakrDReYq57IY/s1600/B%2526+B+couple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVDz-tQov0dlTrlEHolhvAu4jMfDA0cLeSVAqqPCRfpQCxT1DCrxUrZHuOzHRHsQyOAaLvvjz8W-RDoHQi4VTcja4709VH50Eoibs52HNQB9ZzPj1YAPQmFOYH4NdCRkiakrDReYq57IY/s320/B%2526+B+couple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Laconi has a wonderful, large public park (see waterfall pix below) and a remarkable museum featuring prehistoric standing stones which were found in the vicinity.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_zkQYbAbC0EHvomF4m7Pcc0KT_4TsJtHzN4lMUBd3NNuG_-pIoJxfEY1_m2Ev0BcfQuGTE-1jzkVHbvIeNQbNV1Vw5HhjhN2g-UbqBjefztCdKdUDUMTMv82g5dCQj1RHn7x6qIsTPE/s1600/Laconi+waterfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_zkQYbAbC0EHvomF4m7Pcc0KT_4TsJtHzN4lMUBd3NNuG_-pIoJxfEY1_m2Ev0BcfQuGTE-1jzkVHbvIeNQbNV1Vw5HhjhN2g-UbqBjefztCdKdUDUMTMv82g5dCQj1RHn7x6qIsTPE/s320/Laconi+waterfall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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From the Menhir (standing stones) Museums</div>
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We left Laconi to head back to Cagliari for our last day in Sardinia. We hit one more impressive Nuraghe site, Su Nuraxi, on the way.</div>
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Back to the city and a fond farewell to Sardinia. This time we stayed up in the Castello area.</div>
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Goodbye soulful Sardinia !</div>
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One more major stop on our homeward journey: Sicily. Due to boat/plane timings and the desire to cover Sardinia somewhat comprehensively, we were left with only four full days for Sicilia. </div>
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We started in Palermo, which we had skipped during our first visit to the island. It is dramatic flying in--with the sea on one side and a sharp hill on the other. The city is in a stunning location, sitting (it seems at least) in the bowl of a large volcano, with shards of mountain peaks on 2 - 3 sides, the fourth open to the sea. </div>
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Palermo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RoaZk2sVfcyu1mcTCfgutU2psdl_fnVIJo6q1M012Kwbeo-ipsatXXTqpx_-Ftdx2Y1GdIAXEIDaPsKn00LZGu-jP5rXoLbB10TfbD2spxzaRak8sqAcoaEhYbz2bv2cAAsQTRDK-hE/s1600/Palermo+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-RoaZk2sVfcyu1mcTCfgutU2psdl_fnVIJo6q1M012Kwbeo-ipsatXXTqpx_-Ftdx2Y1GdIAXEIDaPsKn00LZGu-jP5rXoLbB10TfbD2spxzaRak8sqAcoaEhYbz2bv2cAAsQTRDK-hE/s320/Palermo+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sicily is not quite as large as Sardinia but has many more people--5 million vs. 1 1/2 million. The topography is fairly similar. There is oleander everywhere. Wind turbines on many ridges and occasional solar arrays. We didn't notice the abundance of provincial flags as we had in Sardinia-- the Sardinian "Quatro Moori" --four Moors.</div>
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Armed only with a poor map and sporadic internet connection on a phone, we set off through the island to the southwestern town of Sciacca.</div>
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On the way we passed a Roman Bridge.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvt7yun55RLHszXQYm26loaQPZeISaqiexM_SE_jFimZ_HQFJgzmtSPUoZjG28Ez6SyM3Jni2WrzStiPb0nlqxDzcNBVJ4H2kNm5OAMUCNZwfcKrLsRhNdbucrgE04T3yxU6oIxTpzY/s1600/Roman+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPvt7yun55RLHszXQYm26loaQPZeISaqiexM_SE_jFimZ_HQFJgzmtSPUoZjG28Ez6SyM3Jni2WrzStiPb0nlqxDzcNBVJ4H2kNm5OAMUCNZwfcKrLsRhNdbucrgE04T3yxU6oIxTpzY/s320/Roman+bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Had to catch a photo of this sign:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyB66-IymYQHeO91y0iJ8AewSPxCH8G2KCFzkkyR5TmiP54aPrZT2hXciYIMGgPTJfFJDi81XAH8IzRJ9mvaOE7RpS6IC5J_y1LWi-mWGq-7uFMs17EPXs0o_qYMi0lk_okLhXAEoY_o/s1600/corleone.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAyB66-IymYQHeO91y0iJ8AewSPxCH8G2KCFzkkyR5TmiP54aPrZT2hXciYIMGgPTJfFJDi81XAH8IzRJ9mvaOE7RpS6IC5J_y1LWi-mWGq-7uFMs17EPXs0o_qYMi0lk_okLhXAEoY_o/s320/corleone.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sciacca was not our fave place. Fishing industry. Old city up a hill, lacking some of the charm of other historic districts we've seen. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpIuVMXzMksHhy2QXyXmNGuP-NW4LKVfSvpgTnxVQ7Hrd6HfZgDVFw7zvSphyDZCU9tlCnOyL_M3GzwC0SbOuwR8IF8_LwqtmuqlRiDMsnAAYwPcvHGBMdxUMplY69jOKKp2shJJrf5I/s1600/Sciacca.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJpIuVMXzMksHhy2QXyXmNGuP-NW4LKVfSvpgTnxVQ7Hrd6HfZgDVFw7zvSphyDZCU9tlCnOyL_M3GzwC0SbOuwR8IF8_LwqtmuqlRiDMsnAAYwPcvHGBMdxUMplY69jOKKp2shJJrf5I/s320/Sciacca.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We toured Luna Castle, built in 1380:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8CQLhKTVbp8RnH9xl1B1_KzBMv0_4AylOyV7WTOB60gbpMUcTRNJ1wxdustJT29mIQatIOHkJy9DvkkvSrC6pcwqUM17-aVPb2WU9Q3znimGEIenjkpE4z_9r3QCmt0UIhrEdunyiJ0/s1600/Luna+castle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy8CQLhKTVbp8RnH9xl1B1_KzBMv0_4AylOyV7WTOB60gbpMUcTRNJ1wxdustJT29mIQatIOHkJy9DvkkvSrC6pcwqUM17-aVPb2WU9Q3znimGEIenjkpE4z_9r3QCmt0UIhrEdunyiJ0/s320/Luna+castle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FNs86mc5pEgcliRUKFmhNGvWWgKXwy7PGiq5vEmgaRyqifENcjGz0rSqz3LlvYug2SQSG1Ykl2G7i21IX5SNN8Uo2zEJILagAqQLUHcthCqBTR0fBaMkw3oYAzb1bjNVTKhOqYCXjTw/s1600/chastity+belt.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8FNs86mc5pEgcliRUKFmhNGvWWgKXwy7PGiq5vEmgaRyqifENcjGz0rSqz3LlvYug2SQSG1Ykl2G7i21IX5SNN8Uo2zEJILagAqQLUHcthCqBTR0fBaMkw3oYAzb1bjNVTKhOqYCXjTw/s320/chastity+belt.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">chastity belt, anyone?</td></tr>
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We were then headed for the town of Modica in the southeast. Intrigued by the "ruins" icon on the map we made a stop at Eraclea, ruins of an ancient Greek city but actually inhabited since the 6th C BC. The site is on a bluff with a commanding view of the sea. Here is the forum:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sgt0J6yea7clrgNOhdEGstHqBj4uaVs_mMy2xeiw9EwORuseGBlz_jNLcP8T0e3za97j4DGIpIoSC2snz1xCJFYAVKEDwFyImRWo9FouSNYEA7ODIIn_2flfgNRgjBK0PJu2xevkABU/s1600/Eraclea+forum.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7sgt0J6yea7clrgNOhdEGstHqBj4uaVs_mMy2xeiw9EwORuseGBlz_jNLcP8T0e3za97j4DGIpIoSC2snz1xCJFYAVKEDwFyImRWo9FouSNYEA7ODIIn_2flfgNRgjBK0PJu2xevkABU/s320/Eraclea+forum.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">Modica is
an amazing town, quite large, and consisting of the Upper, the Lower, and the
surrounding area which is newer. It is considered a Baroque town and is listed
by UNESCO. Upper and Lower feature gorgeous old buildings, some quite ornate,
with many steep walkways connecting the two.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-WmeMgSJ3pJqkIrRR6Q0-_0b39krdYJV6zKNTeJ6VJThj2oP-qQ33rwzLrpORSLAjQBeapTaOKQiZQZFJEaabRIOs__Dm_FxMq7RZR9jC2NK-raEbidUOTY1eXP9wunDj7tz_onW67k/s1600/Modica+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB-WmeMgSJ3pJqkIrRR6Q0-_0b39krdYJV6zKNTeJ6VJThj2oP-qQ33rwzLrpORSLAjQBeapTaOKQiZQZFJEaabRIOs__Dm_FxMq7RZR9jC2NK-raEbidUOTY1eXP9wunDj7tz_onW67k/s320/Modica+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inside one of the many churches</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsDV2kkMGdzALt4imzRHuunIAf_U6n37hHYazDDp6njE_acdMM8dJct0_U-k0qGLo8qR9hC755gs3JGVL2U5EEyLznJBdsR5ffn07UUv3N6SlQHS4UuMcL4ju1xYENFKHT6X-dena1I8/s1600/Modica+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGsDV2kkMGdzALt4imzRHuunIAf_U6n37hHYazDDp6njE_acdMM8dJct0_U-k0qGLo8qR9hC755gs3JGVL2U5EEyLznJBdsR5ffn07UUv3N6SlQHS4UuMcL4ju1xYENFKHT6X-dena1I8/s320/Modica+1.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8hAAtmPUvc6lFbbhV3wIkG7j1hTxyk5u3IejSkUYc12PVDl0Mv5WlFypmXwyJ2GlN-GYyUpR1qSYjJmylh-x1WZ6ij6EPadAdmNoEzepA7eJd8jpJUN9YFoD-WxfWBM6LV4lzezhgKo/s1600/Modica+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgh8hAAtmPUvc6lFbbhV3wIkG7j1hTxyk5u3IejSkUYc12PVDl0Mv5WlFypmXwyJ2GlN-GYyUpR1qSYjJmylh-x1WZ6ij6EPadAdmNoEzepA7eJd8jpJUN9YFoD-WxfWBM6LV4lzezhgKo/s320/Modica+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">We understand
there is a community of British retirees here.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman",serif; font-size: 12.0pt; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-language: EN-MY;">We
visited a cave city--Cava d'Ispica, which was a Neolithic burial ground whose
caves were later used a dwellings in the Middle Ages<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcP7R1fGMd0oYksYddDceDaBMkT_cMDMNvaQicvB2uFPiyEap1KS96KdTsKDEBlEvuocJdYBGU6IKXtfCRdrNc0hEqBebrBZe54PvqjkFSL-IovWeby_0nNaCGUndBKeeQiUF6mGLRWA/s1600/Modica+cave+town+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHcP7R1fGMd0oYksYddDceDaBMkT_cMDMNvaQicvB2uFPiyEap1KS96KdTsKDEBlEvuocJdYBGU6IKXtfCRdrNc0hEqBebrBZe54PvqjkFSL-IovWeby_0nNaCGUndBKeeQiUF6mGLRWA/s320/Modica+cave+town+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioQ92GSQEgYQktyZ2rizYXo_z7if6yc6KLtWxRI41NsIaW6DGOHlnD2aUzxKlfrk4S9lRGVVwOh7Jz_dSiiJkiOraEYaxezxzE5jSHfOn_RRuchPU1FQjWnsjitkAHMUrnR1M_wXu3qE/s1600/Modica+cave+town.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjioQ92GSQEgYQktyZ2rizYXo_z7if6yc6KLtWxRI41NsIaW6DGOHlnD2aUzxKlfrk4S9lRGVVwOh7Jz_dSiiJkiOraEYaxezxzE5jSHfOn_RRuchPU1FQjWnsjitkAHMUrnR1M_wXu3qE/s320/Modica+cave+town.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">There was even a gymnasium with stone seats around to watch the action.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Our Sicily time at an end, we drove north to Catania to catch a flight
to Rome and on to the US.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Due to a planning glitch of the good sort, we had an extra day near
Rome's airport, which allowed us to visit Ostia Antica, the port city of
ancient Rome. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">It was amazing and a vast site. Marketplace, temples, necropolis,
mosaics--frescoes with reds and some yellows still visible, preserved for so
many centuries<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNiPpNdMRYQ7lJFdmKT5B2UqlOOZThGWJW82zF473D3m-SfGtUid7Ek5q_fkq6DolMozREnNHPV5JSL33VviQBOGgLTAHRl0nS27IwxrKJlDx_8kD1wVGVrVTJYsF4MW8CkG8ZfoOtPE/s1600/Osta+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihNiPpNdMRYQ7lJFdmKT5B2UqlOOZThGWJW82zF473D3m-SfGtUid7Ek5q_fkq6DolMozREnNHPV5JSL33VviQBOGgLTAHRl0nS27IwxrKJlDx_8kD1wVGVrVTJYsF4MW8CkG8ZfoOtPE/s320/Osta+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Times New Roman", serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Good bye Italia!!!!!!!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZ-aQmJWQYxy04j5vVaFEKhyphenhyphen0LQ0WwLz-EV5f5lr8-Ft9dM9rOT8POJBNL-HgVMcQ4E5wakFtaFishGhsZ5lld6S3Y4K9-D_o6A2mKFJGdvUCJeiUAjEltkCM8VuYp5Apq9cAOzBUpQ/s1600/Bye+Italy%2521%2521%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyqZ-aQmJWQYxy04j5vVaFEKhyphenhyphen0LQ0WwLz-EV5f5lr8-Ft9dM9rOT8POJBNL-HgVMcQ4E5wakFtaFishGhsZ5lld6S3Y4K9-D_o6A2mKFJGdvUCJeiUAjEltkCM8VuYp5Apq9cAOzBUpQ/s320/Bye+Italy%2521%2521%2521.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-75988363353639329892017-10-30T08:10:00.000-07:002017-11-09T20:26:43.751-08:00Adventures on the way back (finally!)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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AKA <span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;"><i style="background-color: white;">O</i></span><i><span style="font-size: large;">ur</span> <span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">F</span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-size: large;">arewell </span><span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">o </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">O</span><span style="font-size: large;">verseas-</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">L</span><span style="font-size: large;">iving </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">T</span><span style="font-size: large;">our.</span></i>.. We had planned for a lengthy bit of travel before returning to the US to live. A mix of favourite and new places. We had imagined a [second] return to Lebanon for sure, but when it came time to put pen to paper, credit card to website, we realized that aside from seeing a few friends there, it wouldn't be so good, given the large number of desperate Syrian refugees--over a million--there now, added to the 4 million Lebanese and half a million Palestinian refugees in the small country. When we happened to catch part of a random cooking show on Malaysian TV showing Georgian kinkhali and kachapuri, we looked at each and said, "Georgia!". Aside from the food, it's a beautiful country with much to explore. We decided to revisit Georgia instead.<br />
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At the end of June we set out on a really odd, most appealing trip, leaving Penang for Georgia, Macedonia, Sardinia and Sicily, passing through a few other assorted places en route.<br />
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<span style="background-color: #f1c232; font-size: x-large;">F</span>irst was Georgia, starting with a day and a half in Tbilisi, letting the relief of having successfully made our Malaysian exit sink in, and revisiting some places familiar to us from our time living in Azerbaijan, when we happily escaped it's grey and forbidding spirit to relax in Gorgeous-stan.<br />
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The warmth of Georgian summer felt positively voluptuous, deeper somehow in it's temperateness compared to the constant, lush heat of tropical Penang. Present in the capital, Tbilisi, yes, but even more so outside it in the small towns we visited: Gori and Kvareli.<br />
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Salads of ripe red tomato, cukes and super fresh purple basil or sometimes dill--not minced beyond recognition as we might do in N. America but given in bold pieces.<br />
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We took the cable car up the hill and T enjoyed his first kinkhali overlooking Tbilisi.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view of Tbilisi from top of Mtatsminda Hill</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">kinkhali</td></tr>
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We had planned to fly in a small plane to the Svaneti area of the Caucasus Mountains, but after waiting some hours in a small airport outside Tbilisi, the flight was finally cancelled due to "clouds." Most of the other <span style="background-color: #eeeeee;">(8 - 10) tra</span>velers then arranged to go by car (7+ hours) but we scrambled to make other plans, namely getting to Gori two days earlier than expected, and adding a visit to the Khaketi area after that. The owner of the Gori guesthouse kindly drove 1 1/2 hours to pick us up herself.<br />
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Gori was a much nicer town than we had imagined. A few derelict Soviet era factories, yes, but vibrant shops and lovely parks. Apparently many tourists visit because it is the birth place of Stalin, but our interest lay in Uplistsikhe, an ancient city fortress about 10 miles outside Gori. It dates from the early Iron Ago to the late Middle Ages. Impressive!<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carved "beams" made to look like wood!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tunnel to exit</td></tr>
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Well, when in Gori, may as well visit Stalin<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carpet featuring his likeness</td></tr>
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Lovely proprietor at the gate of the guesthouse where we stayed in Gori. Her daughter, who picked us up in Tblisi, is a professional businesswoman who speaks five languages.<br />
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With daughter's help, we hired a driver to get us to Kvareli, in the famous wine-growing region of Khaketi, about 1 1/2 hours east of Tbilisi. Gori is 1 1/2 hours west of Tbilisi. If there were any useful road signs they were all in Georgian, so we were very glad to have a driver. Not that it was easy for him either--we seemed to have overshot the small town of Kvareli we were aiming for, eventually arriving an hour or two later than planned.<br />
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On the way, two YIKES: 1) stopping to fill up on natural gas at a gas station, the driver lights a cigarette; and 2) road signs near Tbilisi announcing mortal enemies Baku and Yerevan together on one sign--horrors!<br />
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Once found, Kvareli was a sweet little town at the foot of the Caucasus, and home to a famous winery, which operated a charming hotel. Our very comfortable, modern room faced a park-like square sitting between the hotel and the police station, that was full of life at all times of day with people passing through, but especially in the evening, up to 11 pm even, people sitting, chatting, even famiies with kids that late. It didn't get dark until around 10 pm but the community carried on a good deal later.<br />
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Next to the hotel was an old fortress. Best use for an old fortress EVER: it is a soccer field.<br />
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We walked out of town to a lake</div>
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Fueled by the ubiquitous fresh Georgian bread, we walked and walked. Georgian bread is a distinctive shape and costs only pennies. Often still hot. So delicious.<br />
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Street scene<br />
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Random note: Countries where women walk alone, unafraid--Georgia is one.<br />
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On to <b><span style="font-size: large;">Macedonia.</span></b> We had met a teacher from Macedonia in Penang, and had never been to this part of Europe, so... <br />
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The Republic of Macedonia (generally confused with the province of Macedonia in Greece, which is nearby) is south of Kosovo, east of Albania, west of Bulgaria. It is required to formally call itself "The Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia (FYROM)" because <span style="background-color: white;">Greece will not have them using the name. We flew in</span>to it's capital, Skopje. An appealing town but apparently not always so.<br />
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We heard that people were happier as part of Yugoslavia under Tito, who managed to create harmony among disparate ethnic groups (he was half Serb and half Croatian). Tito's rule offered stable socialism where citizens were free to travel (and to speak), unlike nearby Albania or Romania.<br />
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Macedonia recently emerged from 11 years of corrupt government, through an election monitored by the EU, which saw multiple opposition groups united against the regime. One massive project of the previous administration was actually far-sighted but at the time incurred the wrath of much of the populace. Referred to now simply as "2014", as in "the terrible plan that was undertaken in 2014", it was intended to draw tourists, which it has done. A large area of the city was razed, and added were fountains, grand buildings, bridges lined with statues, and--where we stayed--a four star hotel in a wooden "ship" built in the shallow river. At the time, people saw that there were schools and hospitals to be built, but millions were spent instead to turn downtown Skopje into a picture post card.<br />
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We found it a welcoming mix of churches (Mother Teresa was born here, a fact perhaps disputed by the Albanians?) and mosques, friendly people, great beer, and wine finer than we found in major wine-exporter Georgia. Grand museums are too new to have extensive collections and the Museum of the Oppressed, AKA the Fighters, required a one hour guided tour perhaps so we would become well educated in a favored version of history. We skipped it.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turkish part of town!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Statue of guy whose name begins with "A"</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our hotel room</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjtN_glf66j8o_aNAYOG_0nKES4VoDGSU26IHJWqW3NuYTcVphcQUg31rVnAXFtQ4n-KZPG_af3sK1D4Yt3Jj9bey7qtYxxwbqAQgSnAQBM2FEZdtZ5xHTJdwW8Xg5qmbE6aC38a9XUA/s1600/Skopje.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjtN_glf66j8o_aNAYOG_0nKES4VoDGSU26IHJWqW3NuYTcVphcQUg31rVnAXFtQ4n-KZPG_af3sK1D4Yt3Jj9bey7qtYxxwbqAQgSnAQBM2FEZdtZ5xHTJdwW8Xg5qmbE6aC38a9XUA/s320/Skopje.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">at a cafe on the main square</td></tr>
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We had a wonderful dinner with our friend--her treat despite our protests.<br />
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We left Skopje and set off for Lake Ohrid, a 37 km/22 mile long lake in the mountains. Gorgeous scenery and a quaint old lakeside town. The lake is the oldest in Europe and one of the deepest, at 900 feet. We took a bus there, traveling along the Via Ignatia Roman road, which goes through the mountains all the way to Thessaloniki in Greece.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">from our balcony :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cobblestone streets of the old town</td></tr>
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There is a fort at the highest point of the town--great views<br />
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Great food!<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 18px;">In the old town we came across an excavation of what looked like a Roman villa, with mosaics from the 4th or 5th C, under a protective roof. There was no sign or door, and it was open to whatever public happened to wander by.</span><br />
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We took an incredibly scenic 1 1/2 hour boat ride along the lake to St. Nahum/Naum, almost to the end of the lake, across from the Albanian town of Pogradec.<br />
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">A rowboat took us to an "Underwater Garden", a UNESCO
protected (Yay, UNESCO!) area of crystal clear water at the foot of Mt.
Galicica, with springs bubbling up underneath.</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Aside from the Underwater Garden, St. Naum features a fortress,
church, restaurant and plenty of day-trippers.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> Back in Ohrid, we had the great fortune to be in town for The
Annual Balkan Folk Festival, held in an open air theater overlooking the lake
and the mountains beyond--fabulous. </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S10UqxJW4VHQlCJ5rkSBGIntSrOBkI7bmXrHmaYUm0filuRq7K9FcdnA1d0cW5aO4RTYEuHmO5U055a0cbBardctA2avDRDZ6wuKo0fUB67bjscc3RuidQ5Xrum9mAHN2z9rfWwzI4c/s1600/folk+festival.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5S10UqxJW4VHQlCJ5rkSBGIntSrOBkI7bmXrHmaYUm0filuRq7K9FcdnA1d0cW5aO4RTYEuHmO5U055a0cbBardctA2avDRDZ6wuKo0fUB67bjscc3RuidQ5Xrum9mAHN2z9rfWwzI4c/s320/folk+festival.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxm8DAQ4N2mW6stUhcyKWwqnnWC3anfI46YrDMlGxpRAUvF9Smp2o4nKffL6KTc7FsHNUfQEShmDW8usuDoUQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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id="Picture_x0020_23" o:spid="_x0000_i1047" type="#_x0000_t75" alt="https://www.blogger.com/video-thumbnail.g?contentId=4f80b70c4868901b&zx=s2wgen3hrxzt"
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"> We left Lake Ohrid and Macedonia for Durres, the port in Albania
from which we were scheduled to take an overnight ferry to Bari, Italy. We
avoided no doubt great but time-consuming adventure on a series of buses in two countries by hiring a car and
driver. it was comfortable and way faster than expected--around three
hours from Ohrid to Durres, bypassing the Albanian capital, Tirana.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Albania seemed wilder, poorer, and simpler than Macedonia. We
passed along the far side of Lake Ohrid and through dramatic hills at the
Macedonian border. We stopped briefly in Elbasan, its fort and clock
tower with Arabic numerals pictures here:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0muCiKxnr7mZdA5vRwRN-xCaq5C9zxOnvkC_p2hy9Npqjbkkv9ScDIiUWPSLUSMzpxLuF7f8Iq4R0vlFbXjc0XzsS8ZOvQM06TA0_MOefarLW00QRkEY5vaG80BSTB38JnAcawcZVyc/s1600/P1010562.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0muCiKxnr7mZdA5vRwRN-xCaq5C9zxOnvkC_p2hy9Npqjbkkv9ScDIiUWPSLUSMzpxLuF7f8Iq4R0vlFbXjc0XzsS8ZOvQM06TA0_MOefarLW00QRkEY5vaG80BSTB38JnAcawcZVyc/s320/P1010562.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdKnMm-9ZAMkkvBvUIxtRJpDH4FCOSF7PivrbiolZCNBhdYFXW_wtty1VM1bzLcsVfrjwKZ5d-va7KXFnshyAHokxoeJ0fDfXj4ERcmCF-cMdzcLOsLY4Uh0HJhXEPop_A5gLzIw3phg/s1600/P1010564.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisdKnMm-9ZAMkkvBvUIxtRJpDH4FCOSF7PivrbiolZCNBhdYFXW_wtty1VM1bzLcsVfrjwKZ5d-va7KXFnshyAHokxoeJ0fDfXj4ERcmCF-cMdzcLOsLY4Uh0HJhXEPop_A5gLzIw3phg/s320/P1010564.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">We arrived in Durres on the Adriatic coast, earlier than expected,
giving us a full day there to explore. Durres is a pleasant port city,
with missed opportunities to inspire and direct tourists--we suspect like much
of Albania. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">An unexpected offering in our hotel room:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFxGxh1Sc_rdIAnrLdAT4K8fYVxk_-TP_2o2Du5YUInX1zDtZxP3o3SbIQnHUwGSSqXaUjDFZDwSkl5DKh0S0r9DQtSsNS8fNg-FptgMX-qqc_PNt2O3imdpmxIw9soCbv0o8n9vxBVo/s1600/durres+hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFxGxh1Sc_rdIAnrLdAT4K8fYVxk_-TP_2o2Du5YUInX1zDtZxP3o3SbIQnHUwGSSqXaUjDFZDwSkl5DKh0S0r9DQtSsNS8fNg-FptgMX-qqc_PNt2O3imdpmxIw9soCbv0o8n9vxBVo/s320/durres+hotel.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 9.5pt;">fresh
basil<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiBUVdqvtAa528On8d3smI48HWpC8AUt3uvThAQEDOWBPVyRhuecrhX5ACH4ZwUXTeTfLbTTtirlfrvs6uoyiotq4E6RknFDA_sQnX9aZ3g-mf2n3bqFgrJudXYpwXQtk6umT8XP1xYk/s1600/P1010575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiBUVdqvtAa528On8d3smI48HWpC8AUt3uvThAQEDOWBPVyRhuecrhX5ACH4ZwUXTeTfLbTTtirlfrvs6uoyiotq4E6RknFDA_sQnX9aZ3g-mf2n3bqFgrJudXYpwXQtk6umT8XP1xYk/s320/P1010575.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Here is the port, and the beach strip<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8HUeoL2MwC0FO4cc9kjJ_YMiHG6Wcxqm2VEZxkbDyVe_wsLyX9lEFNdS_2x_e-xKkMq1GvJBMlHetJLVhGWzzv9ezeAZBf6o_8SczvAN-gRk6K1hGELJkNE1g-Q-MfGxd5HPEipKv2w8/s1600/durres+port.JPG"><span style="color: blue; font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><!--[if gte vml 1]><v:shape id="Picture_x0020_19"
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfQXJArtfGgFalnbh4wpA9Qmc_zV3Ty-23JbzK5GD3fxejVnmaTUBBLxI9V5Tnhm_uo8XGaDpWbHVBXWu7dOzLDko68BUScOXzsqCp_WK92OhY8bucSoTZsap5M2Fke6Y92oZ0V3gZcY/s1600/durres.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjfQXJArtfGgFalnbh4wpA9Qmc_zV3Ty-23JbzK5GD3fxejVnmaTUBBLxI9V5Tnhm_uo8XGaDpWbHVBXWu7dOzLDko68BUScOXzsqCp_WK92OhY8bucSoTZsap5M2Fke6Y92oZ0V3gZcY/s320/durres.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">The beach strip has several hotels and restaurants.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">There is a 16th C Venetian tower with a bar on top! Narrow winding
steps to the top, and the kitchen is at the bottom...</span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Gas stations in Albania have an unfortunate name in English</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsROVzvwZrwN1fG0q9D0zh7AgNSeGNKApVBUGs39NP2SIHkrl4YTZ_zWAlZ6i67QzYPHGUNBLSn36igabO1_5AMKjHZenGobDe-MZD19w5U_HsmzOUPW-jD7iET9_fVrwfAE38miNyZA/s1600/gas+station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsROVzvwZrwN1fG0q9D0zh7AgNSeGNKApVBUGs39NP2SIHkrl4YTZ_zWAlZ6i67QzYPHGUNBLSn36igabO1_5AMKjHZenGobDe-MZD19w5U_HsmzOUPW-jD7iET9_fVrwfAE38miNyZA/s320/gas+station.JPG" width="320" /></a></span></div>
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Roman ruins dot the area<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Off to the ferry to Italy!</span><br />
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Here is the (Italian) ferry boat<o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjInoAHQ-jlREHivDNm_wZUXUKWdZCLWPMlP30SWxulNvyDxO6VZ3aKp6fhOykOev0zvi682nDcyXIVpBb_Ekl5WgQFxO1xN0yAK8rQ_FdaJcw5W8mFg6CSLTH-snjRNix63tjpKUWqJg/s1600/bari+ferry.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjInoAHQ-jlREHivDNm_wZUXUKWdZCLWPMlP30SWxulNvyDxO6VZ3aKp6fhOykOev0zvi682nDcyXIVpBb_Ekl5WgQFxO1xN0yAK8rQ_FdaJcw5W8mFg6CSLTH-snjRNix63tjpKUWqJg/s320/bari+ferry.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arrival in Bari<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsM1A77rxA6-kJqnNGjU1paIgMBNt9ksko0PmH9jmEuaRO8aJjoW_yNjw3U4yMlQzxDzsRFBO8V_Te2twmI9d6TOWv7RUk6DOVZHNnoGLMcrBGovYMObfWt8pSrCnqsDeo3rUCL18OZQ/s1600/bari+ferry+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilsM1A77rxA6-kJqnNGjU1paIgMBNt9ksko0PmH9jmEuaRO8aJjoW_yNjw3U4yMlQzxDzsRFBO8V_Te2twmI9d6TOWv7RUk6DOVZHNnoGLMcrBGovYMObfWt8pSrCnqsDeo3rUCL18OZQ/s320/bari+ferry+3.JPG" width="240" /></a><br />
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<span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Ah, Italy. Stylish women, even those with less than "ideal"
figures. comfortable in tight dresses, lots of jewelry. The side streets
of the old town give a bit of the feel of Napoli. We visit the Norman fortress,
which later became a castle. We take a relaxing evening walk. Lots
of families out, siting after a long hot day either outside their homes or at
sidewalk cafes.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=9054032706254352059" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: "times new roman" , serif; font-size: 13.5pt;">Off to Sardinia! <i> (and Part 2 of 2 of the Journey Back)</i></span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivicQggopLaq1Sl7ftdn461vn6n-LCO5oldSQzEBbphFmHrobVFGlI5RDhbBqZ1mRwEjA7_WEzi9dm4OogOVQG4Q8f8U0A7-5lx5Yr02rB-WLqtFjqo7zGYDQSDQxoHx7exfqUcOrF0hk/s1600/leaving+Bari+for+Cagliari.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivicQggopLaq1Sl7ftdn461vn6n-LCO5oldSQzEBbphFmHrobVFGlI5RDhbBqZ1mRwEjA7_WEzi9dm4OogOVQG4Q8f8U0A7-5lx5Yr02rB-WLqtFjqo7zGYDQSDQxoHx7exfqUcOrF0hk/s320/leaving+Bari+for+Cagliari.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-2522867551549374082017-06-17T01:27:00.001-07:002017-06-17T01:27:46.249-07:00It's been a decade...<span style="color: #a64d79; font-size: x-large;">P</span>acking up, preparing to return to live in the US after 10 years, what goes through the mind?<br />
<br />
Will I miss:<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: yellow; font-size: x-large;">?</span></div>
<ul>
<li>"Good morning, Madam/Sir"</li>
<li>our apartment's view of the Andaman sea out front, jungle out back</li>
<li>the sound/feel when two motorcycles pass you at speed, one on either side, on a 2-lane winding road with no shoulder</li>
<li>finding a gecko in the cereal box</li>
<li>unregulated traffic, where lane markers are mere suggestions, frequently very poor ones</li>
<li>not having to wear socks, ever (YES!)</li>
<li>hearing defaMAtory, cooperAtive, aCADemic, cerVEYEcal cancer</li>
<li>Ramadan bad breath (poor things can't brush their teeth during the day all month)</li>
<li>perplexing items in the store, such as: <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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</li>
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<div>
<br />
Just came across this quote from Mark Twain: “Travel
is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and
many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad,
wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be
acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all
one’s lifetime.” <span style="color: #351c75;"> </span><span style="color: blue;">I do dearly wish everyone in the US would travel, or have to attempt to learn a language--any language, just to see that there are other ways of thinking.</span><br />
<span style="color: blue;"><br /></span>
Trump-land here we come, well, via many interesting places on the way as we meander back over the next month, namely Georgia, Macedonia, Albania, Sardinia and Sicily 🙋</div>
Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-614971213747944692017-05-30T05:31:00.002-07:002017-05-30T05:31:59.087-07:00C's grad<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">W</span>e flew to New York for a ridiculous 4 days, to attend C's graduation from Medical School. Amazing achievements that boy worked long and hard for! Medical doctor and Masters in Public Health all in four years, and with the added recognition of the Cor et Manus Award for "excellence in leadership and community service". Where he and his diplomat brother, these bright, overachieving men, came from I know not. Well I do but can't believe they are ours.<br />
<br />
There were two ceremonies, first the "hooding" for the school of medicine, held near New York Medical College. Here are C and the lovely Miss L getting ready<br />
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Proud parents</div>
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More proud parents</div>
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Hooding...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6iY-nRQM4NvvNEE5d2nsGJzpxHfuYrUCNbwLfW-oXfp6YLWMiiHm8ZDoOlA0ms0Iwf8oXoII5Hb9XZET9VlyE-bYnYr8VifhpdBOfjyDfoEXsKPwvOu8KJAWI-1_xZ8kc1xw9Ir5YXg/s1600/c+being+hooded.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6iY-nRQM4NvvNEE5d2nsGJzpxHfuYrUCNbwLfW-oXfp6YLWMiiHm8ZDoOlA0ms0Iwf8oXoII5Hb9XZET9VlyE-bYnYr8VifhpdBOfjyDfoEXsKPwvOu8KJAWI-1_xZ8kc1xw9Ir5YXg/s320/c+being+hooded.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Hooded!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxxwJs8Nu1OUNnQvT0XfuKGg6gJx2Y1RVUytXiL_MuCuC52swGydHtwZHddgom3O2kZVPY98s4Ya_ZrgEWN6vBUPrcQKbxzxvTWoIbbcbMw10UIBH31N4-4RkPJWAvCDhgFassN6SPq4/s1600/hooded%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBxxwJs8Nu1OUNnQvT0XfuKGg6gJx2Y1RVUytXiL_MuCuC52swGydHtwZHddgom3O2kZVPY98s4Ya_ZrgEWN6vBUPrcQKbxzxvTWoIbbcbMw10UIBH31N4-4RkPJWAvCDhgFassN6SPq4/s320/hooded%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
And the hoods, C modelling two, count 'em two, hoods, one for the Master's in Pubic Health<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hIRd9MAGkOiU83J15lfkRRPbHAFUmpOUOqkxrl58CnmHZDLMD56c3DmV6YKENxVBZZrUY2aqwGjemKeD0EUGhM9UjEQkMvJRbcbAO2nSBucPmmko2sV0vpFuJSJClYbXNQAJ_4k2bEM/s1600/hoods.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_hIRd9MAGkOiU83J15lfkRRPbHAFUmpOUOqkxrl58CnmHZDLMD56c3DmV6YKENxVBZZrUY2aqwGjemKeD0EUGhM9UjEQkMvJRbcbAO2nSBucPmmko2sV0vpFuJSJClYbXNQAJ_4k2bEM/s320/hoods.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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L had dreamed of becoming a doctor from a very young age, so it was a particularly poignant time for her. Here is the early Dr. L in action.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I8d15Jh4fTPE5n63wO17a7dttmt_9Nd9fg0yiTzpeeIc0RXLLD2XBGezzSYWWXj0C9KpUse_wZg9lCn8CTnjZCpAC7Y6lZJQU7wBMjOp4arLr2BhaquoWzVyni9XAyQUy3i4QkPB7Qs/s1600/early+Dr.+Lisa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="800" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8I8d15Jh4fTPE5n63wO17a7dttmt_9Nd9fg0yiTzpeeIc0RXLLD2XBGezzSYWWXj0C9KpUse_wZg9lCn8CTnjZCpAC7Y6lZJQU7wBMjOp4arLr2BhaquoWzVyni9XAyQUy3i4QkPB7Qs/s320/early+Dr.+Lisa.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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On to Carnegie Hall for the actual Commencement</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJCQgyZuNikTh3bKw6R64y4C-SUuvzeTjztoWhY0b9C25ssC-VfmGTqUME1fIgBm6lMTLXWlWKWmpa3b2TLLEPphzTwEKKeIMfOUPZjEC0sPblpzbA6VMA148K-xKEpV737zEHJOSdDk/s1600/carnegie+hall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihJCQgyZuNikTh3bKw6R64y4C-SUuvzeTjztoWhY0b9C25ssC-VfmGTqUME1fIgBm6lMTLXWlWKWmpa3b2TLLEPphzTwEKKeIMfOUPZjEC0sPblpzbA6VMA148K-xKEpV737zEHJOSdDk/s320/carnegie+hall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigae85J1NEu3lxUGvgZn7GmloPEvO2aXswgx1STduZibfytEV17YnVf5thPxLcQYrls-uEPxgjL9BxhWblUTeeaKS3gvhpQ6fUyZgYSse0zZzMF4O3Z8HhTi4mCGhYzV55C8vpWRAqxgo/s1600/carnegie+hall+non+blurry+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigae85J1NEu3lxUGvgZn7GmloPEvO2aXswgx1STduZibfytEV17YnVf5thPxLcQYrls-uEPxgjL9BxhWblUTeeaKS3gvhpQ6fUyZgYSse0zZzMF4O3Z8HhTi4mCGhYzV55C8vpWRAqxgo/s320/carnegie+hall+non+blurry+shot.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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After the ceremony</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB7tWL2kece2_8ytVLAFNejRa0eHceiTFUUT-tnuLQb_CoOld8ebHme9bJWzpGIyiVxBWkczQb-GjW6MpzocMq3ztbLxJPvkhQyiBFhvj1DqF88VWWbCxpg8okwFN1gJR2T4jakdRG9w/s1600/Lisa+and+Theo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdB7tWL2kece2_8ytVLAFNejRa0eHceiTFUUT-tnuLQb_CoOld8ebHme9bJWzpGIyiVxBWkczQb-GjW6MpzocMq3ztbLxJPvkhQyiBFhvj1DqF88VWWbCxpg8okwFN1gJR2T4jakdRG9w/s320/Lisa+and+Theo.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Dinner after</div>
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C unknowingly made the cover of a medical journal</div>
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Hard to believe, but they closed on a dream house the very same day</div>
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-51684443275320629462017-05-30T05:31:00.001-07:002017-05-30T05:31:34.249-07:00One last Penang waltz<span style="color: #93c47d; font-size: x-large;">W</span>e attended our last ball in Penang--and possibly ever--is it done in the US??<br />
MaiBall, sponsored by the Malaysian-German Society Fun!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuwH1ub7oiF2wMeWodb-eUkqcnQC1YskgzBdDqtDNCo0LTKsbjozRbpvnsolsAi6ajzx1gjSQE8tz4w-cRo8py-IXUt9ibQ_COLEp7XWkm1RVJOSincifjqPGJPQLEo7cK-n1ExExpio/s1600/T+and+K+Mai+Ball+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="480" data-original-width="360" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSuwH1ub7oiF2wMeWodb-eUkqcnQC1YskgzBdDqtDNCo0LTKsbjozRbpvnsolsAi6ajzx1gjSQE8tz4w-cRo8py-IXUt9ibQ_COLEp7XWkm1RVJOSincifjqPGJPQLEo7cK-n1ExExpio/s320/T+and+K+Mai+Ball+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-4819175164477994702017-04-30T18:23:00.000-07:002017-04-30T19:15:52.578-07:00Kyoto<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">F</span>orty-five years. Yup. K was 20 when last in Kyoto. How fun to see it and dear Nihon again. She recognized nothing!<br />
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We had only two short days, but we made the most of it.<br />
Starting at the Fushimi Inari shrine, photogenic home to thousands of tori (gates).<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLvhyphenhyphenOXsnrqJzSw2oyNik8Givy5nUAzGTFTudBoIr7LFWRLnpAYQuJsp-_gjjhwKeBZ5XLWF7M5gMOzz1EQAMdP3BBSst9urD3AOHJnZT8URbZI_a_w9IaByK2OuZM6FQs6lk_pD7il8/s1600/fushimi+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimLvhyphenhyphenOXsnrqJzSw2oyNik8Givy5nUAzGTFTudBoIr7LFWRLnpAYQuJsp-_gjjhwKeBZ5XLWF7M5gMOzz1EQAMdP3BBSst9urD3AOHJnZT8URbZI_a_w9IaByK2OuZM6FQs6lk_pD7il8/s320/fushimi+temple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A certain photogenic couple</td></tr>
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People travel from all over the world to see the cherry blossoms in Kyoto. Advance weather reports indicated that we might miss them, but our normal state of incredible good fortune kicked in, and it turned out that we hit them at full bloom--gorgeous! </div>
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The weather was perfect, the blossoms were at their peak, and some started falling as pink snow--magical!</div>
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The Philosopher's Walk is especially favored for cherry blossom viewing<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">some philosophers</td></tr>
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Pink snow!<br />
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At the top of K's list to visit was Ginkakuji, the Silver Pavilion, near which she had lived so many years ago. It was lovely<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudzISCFwo3Rynxp0DwWHDqpeveLhm9jBRtARrDuHQfmLwJKaWafrz-wF7i2MwN0qYCeJhnmwgo7O-9RVa1iurknYpD6b8MuNK4ihdhIHEDpIY2-17h99sGE39t1PhI-Dt3j2st5wCDfc/s1600/Gink+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhudzISCFwo3Rynxp0DwWHDqpeveLhm9jBRtARrDuHQfmLwJKaWafrz-wF7i2MwN0qYCeJhnmwgo7O-9RVa1iurknYpD6b8MuNK4ihdhIHEDpIY2-17h99sGE39t1PhI-Dt3j2st5wCDfc/s320/Gink+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">pink snow on moss</td></tr>
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We traveled by bus and subway</div>
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Everything is well-thought out. Trains are "mildly air conditioned"</div>
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So much good food </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">tempura</td></tr>
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A good meal was necessary for these samurai-to-be.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ta da!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9I-XNwDssgjzoK2eE3U7lv75-0tIqVKtvF0d5CqdsdZXXJRvfJenp1HEpMThJF1dAcmd4_Jv7OGtRAzLXpeyaf1oMTpgtVOshUNYlFrN2ThcfTWsbfhYNcEVIzIplU7oe9245KQmvQc/s1600/samurai+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ9I-XNwDssgjzoK2eE3U7lv75-0tIqVKtvF0d5CqdsdZXXJRvfJenp1HEpMThJF1dAcmd4_Jv7OGtRAzLXpeyaf1oMTpgtVOshUNYlFrN2ThcfTWsbfhYNcEVIzIplU7oe9245KQmvQc/s320/samurai+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEiYWq3L5UlvbDFlsAg404jkJ8YgpaERubIUmWbAXbMj_d8-2gGFsz_k8cF-fsA4506IEoacX3-pKeGZi2qBhODOjTG05gcmKYNvXRyS8E-26NhxkLt4_lCjq_Wzxc5qqEt1HrXeDjtCNoE/s1600/samurai+crossed+swords.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYWq3L5UlvbDFlsAg404jkJ8YgpaERubIUmWbAXbMj_d8-2gGFsz_k8cF-fsA4506IEoacX3-pKeGZi2qBhODOjTG05gcmKYNvXRyS8E-26NhxkLt4_lCjq_Wzxc5qqEt1HrXeDjtCNoE/s320/samurai+crossed+swords.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">crossed swords</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Samurai duds<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuDYEaEMkrwW1nLQCVsnWYCglxVEp8EashQ5q4dQF5zm9Ou3g0XmXEDXbNShs1OMHVv7uH9gBPgjrutjdM6bwvLsqKoDtmMXiLfjbpX8nwz2_lac_5y_F011ojqyBMKsmuVr1Q0NOU5A/s1600/samurai+duds.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXuDYEaEMkrwW1nLQCVsnWYCglxVEp8EashQ5q4dQF5zm9Ou3g0XmXEDXbNShs1OMHVv7uH9gBPgjrutjdM6bwvLsqKoDtmMXiLfjbpX8nwz2_lac_5y_F011ojqyBMKsmuVr1Q0NOU5A/s320/samurai+duds.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3t1Jg29IR88s5cd8GHGrVKatsdjl2IDYcEc-XDrXGU7q5H028mwI5PtYEzIqqqjDtWnsYvXq99sWOc6Zk9Z2vLp73yxlGminZAmkv_b-mNK7SsOfv1jdZsJJvNPs7usyS9iPYWwe2qE/s1600/samurai+last.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf3t1Jg29IR88s5cd8GHGrVKatsdjl2IDYcEc-XDrXGU7q5H028mwI5PtYEzIqqqjDtWnsYvXq99sWOc6Zk9Z2vLp73yxlGminZAmkv_b-mNK7SsOfv1jdZsJJvNPs7usyS9iPYWwe2qE/s320/samurai+last.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">They passed--well, got a certificate</td></tr>
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After all that, one needs ice cream. B took us to a famous sundae place. Here's one costing $200</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhGBxsvJnjsXu615poCncq1mHpxJu5EwdEgDOi3EUn6u9Jv-E2sDIRttaR4jXctxhwvY5LENWpv1LuyQ7N37cYRp4O3epIWeXCrAFCr1sOsPcYXIv208t30z5tZtTLP2JOEMEXsoaPyI/s1600/%2524200+sundae.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBhGBxsvJnjsXu615poCncq1mHpxJu5EwdEgDOi3EUn6u9Jv-E2sDIRttaR4jXctxhwvY5LENWpv1LuyQ7N37cYRp4O3epIWeXCrAFCr1sOsPcYXIv208t30z5tZtTLP2JOEMEXsoaPyI/s320/%2524200+sundae.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Or perhaps you'd prefer:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5_fagRwMTGvgMgeceYjeuQXqdcnm2O83SNqmS8Q5VArISctol0zQ82w5PXe6cPGtwW5sgF1vmKdKJQEjgOw-YY0_mTC0lWYn8v4EiLaMauE6Ua-h-pbMEK_cnse_7pjHfWXaAhfcdzE/s1600/American+dog+sundae.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5_fagRwMTGvgMgeceYjeuQXqdcnm2O83SNqmS8Q5VArISctol0zQ82w5PXe6cPGtwW5sgF1vmKdKJQEjgOw-YY0_mTC0lWYn8v4EiLaMauE6Ua-h-pbMEK_cnse_7pjHfWXaAhfcdzE/s320/American+dog+sundae.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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K noted the same brands of cigarettes as long. long ago--hard to forget about Hope and Peace</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw8skNIQFhmJFSXskh1quRPTp67bIpq_IHjnGaS1VofNkhgK24LeUxbrLQ1SyOeGQtDLdBBh1e5IS_v00AoFQbrFRdtNe2c4oK1lsJ55yGiSCe30eH6bJ6WFxgAbXhygEc_D_OeuS-M4/s1600/peace.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggw8skNIQFhmJFSXskh1quRPTp67bIpq_IHjnGaS1VofNkhgK24LeUxbrLQ1SyOeGQtDLdBBh1e5IS_v00AoFQbrFRdtNe2c4oK1lsJ55yGiSCe30eH6bJ6WFxgAbXhygEc_D_OeuS-M4/s320/peace.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We visited the Nishiki Market:</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuf8jcLfidFLVUlW_gNexveqUoCzGptQP1lqvh-h7Nlt07Pb3QJzZ2DyaAxS-FW94qbECxjYSrkoIomjb-elfPipytFYxuFGgww3TYDKQJyAMsmuG1_B1SaAw69A0Aq42ODFQ0HZ8X7A/s1600/market+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsuf8jcLfidFLVUlW_gNexveqUoCzGptQP1lqvh-h7Nlt07Pb3QJzZ2DyaAxS-FW94qbECxjYSrkoIomjb-elfPipytFYxuFGgww3TYDKQJyAMsmuG1_B1SaAw69A0Aq42ODFQ0HZ8X7A/s320/market+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">eel</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyMNZ5a-Nzy2EskAnQLiGKc2oN2AvYcIS2pJJ0WymPMIQkfuOseLqiiePwvdi0AQf2hfKslTIUznmh8pbdB8Pla7AwyNpbxIAuwfjHrJShbeI0-Fkv81RPTI8E0KPmv9UWbGVW7EhGbA/s1600/market+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEyMNZ5a-Nzy2EskAnQLiGKc2oN2AvYcIS2pJJ0WymPMIQkfuOseLqiiePwvdi0AQf2hfKslTIUznmh8pbdB8Pla7AwyNpbxIAuwfjHrJShbeI0-Fkv81RPTI8E0KPmv9UWbGVW7EhGbA/s320/market+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuPzRQymdhppOSgZG_jfrqr9wJ3rwTfW1z5rVnsK1w6gPVaBOPk5N79uB5p-arLFwTNsaNRvYtWAZTzG6lO1_Eg68pVolcIbRVh2jPJZ_RVIDJ7aKEXKGPLE7TOqBtiP-KOSSw9Cq5SA/s1600/market+5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFuPzRQymdhppOSgZG_jfrqr9wJ3rwTfW1z5rVnsK1w6gPVaBOPk5N79uB5p-arLFwTNsaNRvYtWAZTzG6lO1_Eg68pVolcIbRVh2jPJZ_RVIDJ7aKEXKGPLE7TOqBtiP-KOSSw9Cq5SA/s320/market+5.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV0zWgugvbFuIpSM8xlS3qKu55JemCsGkkyZ10F_gs-F3B5J0C5CIdhV5Qw8Got6z2WLGY2K-cwDancshWcaAaQIkf9G0DPWaSqUKVM40k5oWytUZ6B8vC-YZJOav47HIHxbPRtYkMRk/s1600/market+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiV0zWgugvbFuIpSM8xlS3qKu55JemCsGkkyZ10F_gs-F3B5J0C5CIdhV5Qw8Got6z2WLGY2K-cwDancshWcaAaQIkf9G0DPWaSqUKVM40k5oWytUZ6B8vC-YZJOav47HIHxbPRtYkMRk/s320/market+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></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/AVvXsEiWIf0FnI9CksXqTpSUcMpdsxOhlL05tP-G97sEsECFqsTWITtukLGebdU83tLN6OMw9Nko8fsufEUSv9e9WUHU0L3pVoOUpzMLBgty1gcyzb4EotxKMS5ojNFRjHpkZBlhj7cmVAOErVQ/s1600/market+6.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWIf0FnI9CksXqTpSUcMpdsxOhlL05tP-G97sEsECFqsTWITtukLGebdU83tLN6OMw9Nko8fsufEUSv9e9WUHU0L3pVoOUpzMLBgty1gcyzb4EotxKMS5ojNFRjHpkZBlhj7cmVAOErVQ/s320/market+6.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cherry blossoms to go</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrgOEwG5Pbu8oz9pKCry4K5SP62mF0ClsUGDQi_aiegcexm9Goh7mJw1ZYMZ3rkQ43bDGofGati-eqHQAwGQf6QV5-vEB-B4J3FhHLnsWjI0oBQtaCgPDnBwEjoJCT_kpfKf61o100vQ/s1600/marekt+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTrgOEwG5Pbu8oz9pKCry4K5SP62mF0ClsUGDQi_aiegcexm9Goh7mJw1ZYMZ3rkQ43bDGofGati-eqHQAwGQf6QV5-vEB-B4J3FhHLnsWjI0oBQtaCgPDnBwEjoJCT_kpfKf61o100vQ/s320/marekt+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We also attended Miyako Odori, an annual geisha dance performance held each April in Kyoto for the past 143 years. We were not allowed to take photos; this photo is from Japan Talk website.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLqeqoRoceLWUkaxJoK-9zECRk-5rvJ5LfNhxJjigu55aSuLb8LZdPDXMXeYRfPWAD3D4q1vye6BPsZb6CfmiDyg9MG40KWjbw8JHhPhQSorNaL4hiKBYNvOBp8zizTaxAUUQPN05Nk8/s1600/miyako+odori+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLqeqoRoceLWUkaxJoK-9zECRk-5rvJ5LfNhxJjigu55aSuLb8LZdPDXMXeYRfPWAD3D4q1vye6BPsZb6CfmiDyg9MG40KWjbw8JHhPhQSorNaL4hiKBYNvOBp8zizTaxAUUQPN05Nk8/s320/miyako+odori+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
It was spectacular. We were very glad that we chose to rent audio guides though, or we wouldn't have had a clue what was happening.<br />
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<div>
Later we happened to see these geisha trainees ("maiko") walking down the street. We only knew they were trainees thanks to the performance guide which had explained the difference in clothing = longer sleeves and obi and higher soles on the shoes.</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/AVvXsEhlQ8FmgXStyJ2Thdfp6nL5euMCosDtfqTCn9R86YJhsbNTU2CK1nDOI2vTkeF0cslKjV_61zIrteVEzKHsnN_VL8cMTF6LkGCLybQ2TsqoO3cq-SUMFejZ1_D_5Gqos9wS4vE1nebnp18/s1600/geisha+trainees.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlQ8FmgXStyJ2Thdfp6nL5euMCosDtfqTCn9R86YJhsbNTU2CK1nDOI2vTkeF0cslKjV_61zIrteVEzKHsnN_VL8cMTF6LkGCLybQ2TsqoO3cq-SUMFejZ1_D_5Gqos9wS4vE1nebnp18/s320/geisha+trainees.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">coming</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/AVvXsEh1yVbaEEbIh-z-GaYoLpPxMnxRiDVxG5CXRuoREbC-lkQJAi9YfSFulFZp8pZGNhAJKwHz7E0VotBtEt777IZLfKORwJ29QvBHuqRqQmO1vwrEV5JARQbQSWIEjjRsfgdrS2rZ6ch8J-E/s1600/geisha+trainees+going.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1yVbaEEbIh-z-GaYoLpPxMnxRiDVxG5CXRuoREbC-lkQJAi9YfSFulFZp8pZGNhAJKwHz7E0VotBtEt777IZLfKORwJ29QvBHuqRqQmO1vwrEV5JARQbQSWIEjjRsfgdrS2rZ6ch8J-E/s320/geisha+trainees+going.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and going</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div>
Ah, Kyoto<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr_d4qw3d7yYrc5u0XXemXCgZagkj3cjad2-_kOhnsdYEmA_8JQYDZPD5y6r5M38QvYwsPKzUU0armf8QoP1RRpycZ9S57eNYj7i5er37vhpmoE61dJguewr9WJfN3Z5E4x6WGprV5hc/s1600/random+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHr_d4qw3d7yYrc5u0XXemXCgZagkj3cjad2-_kOhnsdYEmA_8JQYDZPD5y6r5M38QvYwsPKzUU0armf8QoP1RRpycZ9S57eNYj7i5er37vhpmoE61dJguewr9WJfN3Z5E4x6WGprV5hc/s320/random+scene.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and this is a common sight as well:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYYvTEJ2jDcc_1MvSQUhW0Uql-VP0qLOjbNicryG5PUZLwOwwWsaf0xLN5_5I0SwPv8BpgR6T9Cobe5930htO5q0cjTDFddfJnhy2Jwg6LPico_D7LeVYAmHgm-OAjV86rjZVCr209nM/s1600/pachinko.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfYYvTEJ2jDcc_1MvSQUhW0Uql-VP0qLOjbNicryG5PUZLwOwwWsaf0xLN5_5I0SwPv8BpgR6T9Cobe5930htO5q0cjTDFddfJnhy2Jwg6LPico_D7LeVYAmHgm-OAjV86rjZVCr209nM/s320/pachinko.JPG" width="320" /></a>Pachinko parlor!</div>
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Time to say bye, Kyoto</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHKkHvrKpGysgp90lLYZ1WZfC1TFUBzDeS_99xBAzUJhzhrqGJ_93yrm6T23C3YVwF4ePlHJFQFgU620fVJ3DtLDAEFqMlX97VuLIvF8R7vWr7_oNWpSicBoz4w88myh17q-ojVMWdVE/s1600/Kyoto.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOHKkHvrKpGysgp90lLYZ1WZfC1TFUBzDeS_99xBAzUJhzhrqGJ_93yrm6T23C3YVwF4ePlHJFQFgU620fVJ3DtLDAEFqMlX97VuLIvF8R7vWr7_oNWpSicBoz4w88myh17q-ojVMWdVE/s320/Kyoto.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span id="goog_1871185336"></span><span id="goog_1871185337"></span><br /></div>
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We would both love to return to see more of Japan someday.</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-34480586533188676902017-04-29T05:01:00.001-07:002017-04-29T05:01:29.764-07:00China!<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">O</span>nly time for two spots in this vast country: Xi'an and it's terracotta warriors, and Beijing.<br />
We were on our own in Xi'an, and met up with B and S in Beijing.<br />
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Xi'an is the start/end of the Silk Road. The old city is surrounded by 13 km/8 miles of intact, restored city walls, which we looked forward to exploring.<br />
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Our first excursion though, a stroll through the atmospheric Muslim Quarter to the Drum Tower, built in 1380 in the early Ming Dynasty. <br />
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We happened to hit one of the regular performances inside the tower.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5FXifw8g0ZnvsWbASAy0zEtm1_A3h1iRJrGG30mmgBL3fr3z-H68domrEqMZerNb49kAELkpWP9Bung-KxMhci7m4G3Zoa2Ap-wrxydxW64DI1a3R3HI8-o-m1hNXg0w7nVKoFH0gEA/s1600/school+group.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD5FXifw8g0ZnvsWbASAy0zEtm1_A3h1iRJrGG30mmgBL3fr3z-H68domrEqMZerNb49kAELkpWP9Bung-KxMhci7m4G3Zoa2Ap-wrxydxW64DI1a3R3HI8-o-m1hNXg0w7nVKoFH0gEA/s320/school+group.JPG" width="240" /></a>As did these kids, on a field trip.</div>
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Here is the view from the Drum tower of the similar, nearby Bell Tower:</div>
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The bell, cast in 711 weighs 6500 kg (7 tons).<br />
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We saw few foreigners in Xi'an. Curiously, in our hotel, the staff wearing suits and working the front desk and lobby area, were also seen clearing dishes in the restaurant and changing sheets in the rooms. Perhaps a residual policy: everyone does their part for the whole? How different from the US and most other countries we know, where must do the s _ _ t work before hopefully--less hopefully than previously--one rises to management. What about ten years from now, the youth, are we looking at a different mindset? More slowly, with the internet so controlled, one suspects.<br />
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Back to the neighborhood:<br />
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The one mosque looks nothing like any other mosque we've seen. We couldn't get very close without paying a fee but it definitely had a more Chinese pagoda feel. It dates from the early Ming Dynasty.<br />
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Had a fabulous bowl of lunch noodles, thanks to this kind chef, who showed us the drill:</div>
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In the evening the back streets filled with mahjong games, and the local park with table tennis players and people strolling.<br />
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There is no Google or Facebook in China, which no doubt helps maintain the popularity of some of the old-time amusements.<br />
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I found China--Xi'an anyway--to be more affluent, and people more stylish than I had imagined. People are friendly but there is NO English (for example no English menus in any of the restaurants), so that presents certain challenges to non-Chinese speaking travelers.<br />
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The next day, the main attraction: the Terracotta Army of China's first emperor, Qin Shi Huang, created to protect him in the afterlife. Astoundingly old, from 210 BCE, and amazingly well preserved. It was more phenomenal than we expected, imagining the work that went into it--each figure is different.</div>
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By the car park--bear skin anyone?<br />
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In our hotel lobby, no idea why:<br />
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Xi'an street--loved this</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56UJR73h8sRMnP6aG52LfCbkw5zKdw0pyiI3EXGs2KrgO1MvGW5R3QY_gvX80PpVw9-LozrurjvO3zSXs3mmvIZq1bR4jsOUCnFWTMNHWeyJ9GAaqWThGrvTYpkr0CJEtix88qqjweJw/s1600/xian+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh56UJR73h8sRMnP6aG52LfCbkw5zKdw0pyiI3EXGs2KrgO1MvGW5R3QY_gvX80PpVw9-LozrurjvO3zSXs3mmvIZq1bR4jsOUCnFWTMNHWeyJ9GAaqWThGrvTYpkr0CJEtix88qqjweJw/s320/xian+street.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On to exploration of the restored city walls, dating from the 14th century. Magnificent! They are 12 meters (almost 40 feet) high, 15 meters/50 feet wide at the top, and run 13.7 km/8 1/2 miles in a square around the city. There are various watchtowers and four gates. The modern day impediment to breaching the wall is 4+ lanes of traffic with no crosswalk. We walked 1/4 of the way around, from one gate to another. </div>
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Well, here's a crosswalk but they are ignored. </div>
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One of the gates, and the door to enter:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrugXR6BUntGp0kNU580w7sJevcSMtHDXAG3e8zV2pCDSd8TC7AqIMzRRp7o1lmouNZm6R9ScubIyx7dFekNpqcNby1pOfkfbWE4BNp2y1jl6HJiP3pLKjE2_p8fir9hn3liX7fg56A4/s1600/door+to+city+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsrugXR6BUntGp0kNU580w7sJevcSMtHDXAG3e8zV2pCDSd8TC7AqIMzRRp7o1lmouNZm6R9ScubIyx7dFekNpqcNby1pOfkfbWE4BNp2y1jl6HJiP3pLKjE2_p8fir9hn3liX7fg56A4/s320/door+to+city+wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A deep moat goes all the way around:</div>
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Views from on top of the wall:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgw6R9bMQnb_kyky03D5_HBZsdzHk9OETnG7sYDiePThckcCofNaPfpe5soQ9WAext-CWY91BaSeZkytltLSgzHT_J20undYKQaSlWYuMevueHhOQ7B8FCDjJhMEz1OvceAQmkMSw9gk/s1600/from+the+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZgw6R9bMQnb_kyky03D5_HBZsdzHk9OETnG7sYDiePThckcCofNaPfpe5soQ9WAext-CWY91BaSeZkytltLSgzHT_J20undYKQaSlWYuMevueHhOQ7B8FCDjJhMEz1OvceAQmkMSw9gk/s320/from+the+wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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A sign on the wall top--oh dear:</div>
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A respectful relic:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29PyNUEdHfk9npMPXz6pu4uqcycI4INhL08XpINiorXKJIL-UUXykWtbDFJiq7yDuVLPAM34aW5Z6rT8nKRLmsNmHSkctianbb3PGV3CXkIK-LWMSxtAHjuTZ4a-En4OSSzgbZO-h-Zk/s1600/K+at+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg29PyNUEdHfk9npMPXz6pu4uqcycI4INhL08XpINiorXKJIL-UUXykWtbDFJiq7yDuVLPAM34aW5Z6rT8nKRLmsNmHSkctianbb3PGV3CXkIK-LWMSxtAHjuTZ4a-En4OSSzgbZO-h-Zk/s320/K+at+wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One sight from the wall was the Guangren Temple, apparently the only Buddhist temple in Xian and one of the oldest in China. It is well preserved. I was surprised to see Tibetan prayer flags.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Bxeglnxg4Tv7Fs_jBdA7vpQVn2MtB5CDY4mnaZiWzKJNuHWxXFgbT_vj6p7d_1pGj2kj9gYY3zTr1WV8bs-wOFPFAS0aj2w_TwCFl2uxL6izuD1OIiqgiHk9nosPJAxI8LPSCOKpeI/s1600/Tobetan+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-6Bxeglnxg4Tv7Fs_jBdA7vpQVn2MtB5CDY4mnaZiWzKJNuHWxXFgbT_vj6p7d_1pGj2kj9gYY3zTr1WV8bs-wOFPFAS0aj2w_TwCFl2uxL6izuD1OIiqgiHk9nosPJAxI8LPSCOKpeI/s320/Tobetan+temple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Later, searching for a dinner spot took us into many places, hoping for an English menu or an obvious veg or fish option. Many places. Finally a kind lady saw us peering in to her restaurant and opened the door to beckon us in with a smile. Displayed were vegetables and seafood as well as meat, so we decided to give it a go. She cheerfully helped us navigate the unfamiliar territory, and we had a very nice shared hotpot type meal with incredibly cheap beer. Lovely, helpful ladies! Manager on left, server on right--both were so kind.</div>
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There were few foreigners in Xian and, in some locals, understandably, we noted fear in their eyes when they saw us coming = "Yikes--I don't know how to communicate with them!" We could relate! Others, like these ladies, were not fazed. </div>
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We had one more day so mastered the metro (not hard--well signed, with good maps) to the Giant Wild Goose Pagoda (Dayanta). It has an extensive series of fountains in front, which are programmed to music--the largest such display in Asia apparently. The cherry blossoms were in bloom--great timing!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojJA1k9aPhQ1QuPip9N3BiFKPWJk8SRKAtB2fUntAktaO-NtJ60fuFso6RDYAp1y8XO8ruH7zF55vODSYcmUBihpHwJCU7e2rFBaFRDvpLJ8lSv4AUyjjcw8LDnSgwS3qR-rszs_okE4/s1600/xian+pagoda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjojJA1k9aPhQ1QuPip9N3BiFKPWJk8SRKAtB2fUntAktaO-NtJ60fuFso6RDYAp1y8XO8ruH7zF55vODSYcmUBihpHwJCU7e2rFBaFRDvpLJ8lSv4AUyjjcw8LDnSgwS3qR-rszs_okE4/s320/xian+pagoda.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had the impression we were being followed. There was a man in a memorable jacket (with an incomprehensible English phrase on it) in our metro car both ways, and a young woman in a black and white dress who crossed the street near us, twice, as we walked from the Giant Goose to a nearby lake. Maybe, maybe not. </div>
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We were just strolling. The lake turned out to be inside a kind of large amusement complex. The weather was iffy, and it looked like a lot of walking inside, and we decided not to enter. We did catch the backside of a drum performance:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwDjWUdXerBndf0KamWeNSkQ0eF28wf6iOfbAjHrzbAL0faHQ2FCdRJFmMkkSUjFAiZ23vhPY-Jh27Zx0JqXvs2HMk6fXcMM_UFxJAXk-7DsmPjnLfs7f70zwRixg_cP7SH1_oJo5NH4/s1600/drum+performance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdwDjWUdXerBndf0KamWeNSkQ0eF28wf6iOfbAjHrzbAL0faHQ2FCdRJFmMkkSUjFAiZ23vhPY-Jh27Zx0JqXvs2HMk6fXcMM_UFxJAXk-7DsmPjnLfs7f70zwRixg_cP7SH1_oJo5NH4/s320/drum+performance.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Outside the place, T says it's his gated community:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghyphenhyphenrB_GSUXTNc6Czy2zYqj71fceOVdQe53u5LYXL7s1WMu94NvENgLf2vSZak7U1OKPaDwWJ3chMaIb6B2RdPHy_F4vnPzKcJhmLKOTvFgl50o9iHZeJVxy_9B9wC9ULN5bV65zNjgVo/s1600/T+%2527s+gated+community.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhghyphenhyphenrB_GSUXTNc6Czy2zYqj71fceOVdQe53u5LYXL7s1WMu94NvENgLf2vSZak7U1OKPaDwWJ3chMaIb6B2RdPHy_F4vnPzKcJhmLKOTvFgl50o9iHZeJVxy_9B9wC9ULN5bV65zNjgVo/s320/T+%2527s+gated+community.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also seen in the area:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifR3FO731Fj1V5DXQ-fUwRUcXnqHdYBS3HwI7Qz810XsjmzdJ8nS7ZaxGsLLQy90B820t7C_CySSwIFaADas9nFIO3JSBSEpYRRvrCWu7Ow7EGgPnrZBsLN-h4hFD-K3ucmaRO8t-O2c/s1600/first+noodle.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgifR3FO731Fj1V5DXQ-fUwRUcXnqHdYBS3HwI7Qz810XsjmzdJ8nS7ZaxGsLLQy90B820t7C_CySSwIFaADas9nFIO3JSBSEpYRRvrCWu7Ow7EGgPnrZBsLN-h4hFD-K3ucmaRO8t-O2c/s320/first+noodle.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5F0ryzM68kQ-ko3_Ci94GNg6JhqW96tFx7KQmxW94_ovycXsvPLU2LO49NW0_zwV9bx8ZpfSD3OAicYAj9lcC-N0fi0U_coLDbTZPm1qbyVcKMllP6TeD7ysYEmgzhqDuREGBy-SrZo/s1600/statue+with+cherry+blossoms.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm5F0ryzM68kQ-ko3_Ci94GNg6JhqW96tFx7KQmxW94_ovycXsvPLU2LO49NW0_zwV9bx8ZpfSD3OAicYAj9lcC-N0fi0U_coLDbTZPm1qbyVcKMllP6TeD7ysYEmgzhqDuREGBy-SrZo/s320/statue+with+cherry+blossoms.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPyntBAe66LygA_0ErNk3p8rHL1_yegfDyku_6c42aZpDogL-XYEuRBmJUF3lzyAr52-eTBSbm4SQX8CsV2ndCmAVNcAKbV0VYicgvXYxQ0d7c8BEWONmkmIRFRmLQsDsR1lvCe5hZvo/s1600/T+with+buddy.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnPyntBAe66LygA_0ErNk3p8rHL1_yegfDyku_6c42aZpDogL-XYEuRBmJUF3lzyAr52-eTBSbm4SQX8CsV2ndCmAVNcAKbV0VYicgvXYxQ0d7c8BEWONmkmIRFRmLQsDsR1lvCe5hZvo/s320/T+with+buddy.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
Nice park near the pagoda. T and some guys.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigw6EQ8GFx6G7AtkDnjpdDjeri-SaUACE6HaQ8SswoWfRGwRWLeukRTU4lkTJ0hB-HtH0y77u-EPcpu-a9KpPssjHuVj55EHLkoaaAhPxxBRKOWKpg94H3h_drveJUgMTKKEwSBBph7NM/s1600/T+with+buddies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigw6EQ8GFx6G7AtkDnjpdDjeri-SaUACE6HaQ8SswoWfRGwRWLeukRTU4lkTJ0hB-HtH0y77u-EPcpu-a9KpPssjHuVj55EHLkoaaAhPxxBRKOWKpg94H3h_drveJUgMTKKEwSBBph7NM/s320/T+with+buddies.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkDCFiDKl-f3adVFdbVXrNkBiyVgJXWassMEQGtd90xNKLp_yDWJ2OuG4QTQryVQu8z4ayiX2VU2nmzXzAwCrgUWTCBHow8qU19Kd_beuLOFWvPw9TDAPZsgHnmpE3hWNq9j_K3fueM/s1600/slam+dunk+yoour+rubbu%253Dis.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggrkDCFiDKl-f3adVFdbVXrNkBiyVgJXWassMEQGtd90xNKLp_yDWJ2OuG4QTQryVQu8z4ayiX2VU2nmzXzAwCrgUWTCBHow8qU19Kd_beuLOFWvPw9TDAPZsgHnmpE3hWNq9j_K3fueM/s320/slam+dunk+yoour+rubbu%253Dis.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Slam dunk your rubbish.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_MyCUPDYkbXE5dn7ESKWbwxKm_88HZGQfj00FxiAu6NHv32_kMmXkgDAGxtwUGLTMpRovOVOPjffSSIkUNFe4O2Zmp8MB8bcAmBBCVMVTZ2VkmQc3QYK__vwsXfBhOwN02gLlbx4zf0/s1600/one+of+the+relics.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR_MyCUPDYkbXE5dn7ESKWbwxKm_88HZGQfj00FxiAu6NHv32_kMmXkgDAGxtwUGLTMpRovOVOPjffSSIkUNFe4O2Zmp8MB8bcAmBBCVMVTZ2VkmQc3QYK__vwsXfBhOwN02gLlbx4zf0/s320/one+of+the+relics.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It's a park for relics.</div>
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The pagoda again. And this time we got to see a musical fountain show!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAxPGIn1O2Kn5Y7jBpU6vEprd47T5JjgPjoCsvSxVE3WnVPejqo1EZOkxCSVH21SCguQmqFnCg_Sf_88XQf_oDmSdESZ2N8PW57B_f81aeNZ3Gd8FS1jDCCKC6QMy471cZgerR5sWODc/s1600/another+pagoda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBAxPGIn1O2Kn5Y7jBpU6vEprd47T5JjgPjoCsvSxVE3WnVPejqo1EZOkxCSVH21SCguQmqFnCg_Sf_88XQf_oDmSdESZ2N8PW57B_f81aeNZ3Gd8FS1jDCCKC6QMy471cZgerR5sWODc/s320/another+pagoda.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yl4lnGIXdkfzFmOU1lAudWV0tfzZstz8Mu-yEVpM4CMx8dkaEpRa7Qq3mQiOiIdO3xEScSqgensCW-Y9PeMMtEiGrbNABJT5ygd6FcJfwPn-e-9brM-NCe5ZTwIBTdtcz0kK2_4eVXc/s1600/water+show.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5yl4lnGIXdkfzFmOU1lAudWV0tfzZstz8Mu-yEVpM4CMx8dkaEpRa7Qq3mQiOiIdO3xEScSqgensCW-Y9PeMMtEiGrbNABJT5ygd6FcJfwPn-e-9brM-NCe5ZTwIBTdtcz0kK2_4eVXc/s320/water+show.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Also on the plaza with the fountains:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCV4YcWymo-vj_rO0o_X7FHcK22FgX0lHbV6V1VKeWeAkjTcrzHYwByLnkndWwbQ-enXPARVzpfnEp7Z5ClYDn7eaMandjEkV9TEv5_ERjjUasKkzWgO2RL_rdkUg35ZICmZqEntTbyY/s1600/kfc.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNCV4YcWymo-vj_rO0o_X7FHcK22FgX0lHbV6V1VKeWeAkjTcrzHYwByLnkndWwbQ-enXPARVzpfnEp7Z5ClYDn7eaMandjEkV9TEv5_ERjjUasKkzWgO2RL_rdkUg35ZICmZqEntTbyY/s320/kfc.JPG" width="240" /></a>at least there's a building code in the area</div>
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We left that night for Beijing on the overnight train. We had splurged on a private compartment, quite pricey. But we have our own loo :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMquxLYfIBhxj_Jp2oMfjhDuP4ThpKhANSMEtHbxuHt_1igRjTWMLLdNS-GB-xA28M7QP6Wvmb4wgeb_Wj7ey9ZVqx0DkeTM_Dx3PNGSS4ZKfJmWEx4h79oUkqJdiQnM1dHhDi8fxEs50/s1600/train+loo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMquxLYfIBhxj_Jp2oMfjhDuP4ThpKhANSMEtHbxuHt_1igRjTWMLLdNS-GB-xA28M7QP6Wvmb4wgeb_Wj7ey9ZVqx0DkeTM_Dx3PNGSS4ZKfJmWEx4h79oUkqJdiQnM1dHhDi8fxEs50/s320/train+loo.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGndKh-mlmVXwIt6-uJvi_XsUQGoMQQiuWMUUR_E0tIGaUsojz2s-ofIcUck8mfzOGxxMHyhlPTP2KBnu1kkJ1IcoUAThCRXgkuStyxjGIKJc5XjCBMo3bhTvJrHPzR_cemeuz1-UZ_k/s1600/t+on+train.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVGndKh-mlmVXwIt6-uJvi_XsUQGoMQQiuWMUUR_E0tIGaUsojz2s-ofIcUck8mfzOGxxMHyhlPTP2KBnu1kkJ1IcoUAThCRXgkuStyxjGIKJc5XjCBMo3bhTvJrHPzR_cemeuz1-UZ_k/s320/t+on+train.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and comfy chair. The train matron explains that the "window" is closed and if we find it too cold in the night we could open it. We were confused by this until realizing she meant "vent" as opposed to window.</div>
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The train was not super modern but the tracks were very smooth. We love overnight train travel and stopped to count how many countries we've done this in...8 -10! US, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Azerbaijan, Malaysia, Thailand, Canada (K) and Kenya (K).</div>
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We arrived in Beijing, and after a lengthy taxi ride made it to our hotel in the courtyards area (good choice--interesting residential neighborhoods and not far from the main sights.). B and S arrived by air from the US at about the same time and, ditto re taxi ride, made it too--yay</div>
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First stop, the most amazing Starbucks ever</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzpK1u_tVEAhilvEPfAMAG89Wcs14dzrF067GY6gE0AsGOnPH-P1QDutXdAQQgjWHioj51tIQ-BM51X4U1Alw22uXuNOMo_6Z7yVQ0aBa5dddN-WF9FhZkXuRjjByoeCqGWhyphenhyphenyHxrObs/s1600/starbucks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNzpK1u_tVEAhilvEPfAMAG89Wcs14dzrF067GY6gE0AsGOnPH-P1QDutXdAQQgjWHioj51tIQ-BM51X4U1Alw22uXuNOMo_6Z7yVQ0aBa5dddN-WF9FhZkXuRjjByoeCqGWhyphenhyphenyHxrObs/s320/starbucks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Suitably fueled, we made our way to the Forbidden City</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3tE_A9ssd3wXnVWfao2cEPY8rJGub87_tOOZQUA7wwKpTKEV3-w_L3LssgP2U7AvKbzQUol7Lh3gIEc1EsKLEDHXcfnJeTe2p0wAi4WEf-rshtUtcwxyR2C916tvFhnfRjOvbTPUYA/s1600/forbidden+city.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicf3tE_A9ssd3wXnVWfao2cEPY8rJGub87_tOOZQUA7wwKpTKEV3-w_L3LssgP2U7AvKbzQUol7Lh3gIEc1EsKLEDHXcfnJeTe2p0wAi4WEf-rshtUtcwxyR2C916tvFhnfRjOvbTPUYA/s320/forbidden+city.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">outside</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0kkEFbFEFHsITJPvjDZDCwMqhsBZpOkZmM0etHIdhWQarxEq4kNkN0RVXQMww66K2Ko_Rr9ctgFypTpnIbAGhy2CCjmO4mq-oHexfWZiZFR3-PmQ4c-DoluO2sHMnRyFiRnYnK3nIeI/s1600/B+and+S+Forbidden+city.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0kkEFbFEFHsITJPvjDZDCwMqhsBZpOkZmM0etHIdhWQarxEq4kNkN0RVXQMww66K2Ko_Rr9ctgFypTpnIbAGhy2CCjmO4mq-oHexfWZiZFR3-PmQ4c-DoluO2sHMnRyFiRnYnK3nIeI/s320/B+and+S+Forbidden+city.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0CoWylKgvnFMebuvI1lkFvuCFduS-gjkm-s83wjqm5NmPhYpiPRHarlJ_W91jNt6ODbnXcnWOYyQYy8WoEzaKULd2kgT0HwmFTBpesYm0JUtRJ_0UbckKZhnahfdGDBtSF51KQ153qQ/s1600/T+and+K+forbidden+city.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR0CoWylKgvnFMebuvI1lkFvuCFduS-gjkm-s83wjqm5NmPhYpiPRHarlJ_W91jNt6ODbnXcnWOYyQYy8WoEzaKULd2kgT0HwmFTBpesYm0JUtRJ_0UbckKZhnahfdGDBtSF51KQ153qQ/s320/T+and+K+forbidden+city.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEhqcQ5AJHwzJsdkAJSIap_EAKBpa2OnGmBg_HWaP5CP49cIUspWpO3dTsyBnVW0Sy-yz8rygcPGJsUaQ3wAijB2S8_HjKfoZeGsUxHFRMJVt-aLO834jDXs3C3YXqj9qw1LbyRDvvelS2Q/s1600/panorama+forbidden+city.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="111" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqcQ5AJHwzJsdkAJSIap_EAKBpa2OnGmBg_HWaP5CP49cIUspWpO3dTsyBnVW0Sy-yz8rygcPGJsUaQ3wAijB2S8_HjKfoZeGsUxHFRMJVt-aLO834jDXs3C3YXqj9qw1LbyRDvvelS2Q/s320/panorama+forbidden+city.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">panoramic view</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwmY9n2GE2vXPskB3FNi5gPrPeFlqqIIefc7gLbeaSB8_7lfozWCY-m7R4Xy0ojlBTqC68KtwZYlh26rgQXBeL98IkLVKVTdU-mnZiyDaRtDHNFc384CtCtIyl_hPxMnm-FqlNKDRcY8/s1600/ceiling+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwmY9n2GE2vXPskB3FNi5gPrPeFlqqIIefc7gLbeaSB8_7lfozWCY-m7R4Xy0ojlBTqC68KtwZYlh26rgQXBeL98IkLVKVTdU-mnZiyDaRtDHNFc384CtCtIyl_hPxMnm-FqlNKDRcY8/s320/ceiling+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ceiling detail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rwa3GaP7L72w5kWJe3yDjkXkcHQJZA6Q7vbhdIcs3dYO2x0hugodU97ChwtU-Egn_Lj65ebZ93q0cJ5G5BykdF2PcCXWQa5FjoDxcwOZAbU_RWD5f3WF9zAa-2kD14hyphenhyphenXIUmuX5ohdc/s1600/temple+roof+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Rwa3GaP7L72w5kWJe3yDjkXkcHQJZA6Q7vbhdIcs3dYO2x0hugodU97ChwtU-Egn_Lj65ebZ93q0cJ5G5BykdF2PcCXWQa5FjoDxcwOZAbU_RWD5f3WF9zAa-2kD14hyphenhyphenXIUmuX5ohdc/s320/temple+roof+detail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIj-_WcaYkXP_VuUtUa1-oplYsyICEMtwgae8Pf01dok_erufbVOnSFM4rv9s7WoAJaQTcuV0mRfPVDQIL8ne4xFImlyv5J65YF2pPgToW4iBz-sHoorG01d_yy-8X4ddSn8N33I-XQM/s1600/temple+stairs+detail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrIj-_WcaYkXP_VuUtUa1-oplYsyICEMtwgae8Pf01dok_erufbVOnSFM4rv9s7WoAJaQTcuV0mRfPVDQIL8ne4xFImlyv5J65YF2pPgToW4iBz-sHoorG01d_yy-8X4ddSn8N33I-XQM/s320/temple+stairs+detail.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzJhm9kJneR2galg7et3KFP4PmPnb0yZl3XAGGLM4aK_qDHsQQveqaZljXhr3s6ohIXTelu8nnRSQJKmhNBrWG58zXEplZaLMcg98SZgTWn9OjAWHC8bUAyqJQqZPqjfyTWGnS1Esdms/s1600/T+with+dragons.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHzJhm9kJneR2galg7et3KFP4PmPnb0yZl3XAGGLM4aK_qDHsQQveqaZljXhr3s6ohIXTelu8nnRSQJKmhNBrWG58zXEplZaLMcg98SZgTWn9OjAWHC8bUAyqJQqZPqjfyTWGnS1Esdms/s320/T+with+dragons.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Elsewhere in Tiananmen Square</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/AVvXsEix7k8UoGVtM44VP-aJ4-Xb-i-ZMZ0jL81OabPUw-N7RdsptWouFHnC60VIUUfslI0goD-o_C4cnqxE5lNQTauW_sTvKjCIKdraWIPtsPjbSR16x04Jda5e0z-bPPtuZvHjfK44Ljh5Mbg/s1600/monumnet+to+workers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix7k8UoGVtM44VP-aJ4-Xb-i-ZMZ0jL81OabPUw-N7RdsptWouFHnC60VIUUfslI0goD-o_C4cnqxE5lNQTauW_sTvKjCIKdraWIPtsPjbSR16x04Jda5e0z-bPPtuZvHjfK44Ljh5Mbg/s320/monumnet+to+workers.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Power to the people</td></tr>
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Plotting a course</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv57IHpgTut01szMVXnZ8YB4qtzPhIdnIaku0ZsBY9m0ICL_29IyEx32YkVjYb1lochyphenhyphenTI9JUGhd6QfOzqRauPi8Do1mb68ezJvc_Cy4GCnM79QZYPAARNNvvNTFF3RPGfCuVXvUHZayI/s1600/B+finding+the+way.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv57IHpgTut01szMVXnZ8YB4qtzPhIdnIaku0ZsBY9m0ICL_29IyEx32YkVjYb1lochyphenhyphenTI9JUGhd6QfOzqRauPi8Do1mb68ezJvc_Cy4GCnM79QZYPAARNNvvNTFF3RPGfCuVXvUHZayI/s320/B+finding+the+way.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ah, to Peking duck of course</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiC_E0kiLlC8D3SXdcQTYLg58sSgEmN24NLQ9Wxl1UXOr8Yq_E2uvpWl5DnbxZYFZEI2O-3KNsCk-FrZ5_3FNnTz5n8NK1DKFSnUac7FkZjGmm6VcNyBqAtW_Llu6QlFmRViNCZMufXY/s1600/Peking+duck+restaurant.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPiC_E0kiLlC8D3SXdcQTYLg58sSgEmN24NLQ9Wxl1UXOr8Yq_E2uvpWl5DnbxZYFZEI2O-3KNsCk-FrZ5_3FNnTz5n8NK1DKFSnUac7FkZjGmm6VcNyBqAtW_Llu6QlFmRViNCZMufXY/s320/Peking+duck+restaurant.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hyphenhyphenmAcwifLU7wR3CpiI2tgVhkkM6Mn_k4sLjFrvfbCbZ0xsb_7ADDMopPXLEg3RG9sx-E8lD6N5uI9GWJ4h8KwVqGyECidMiw2VSzDknIJIqNyYdlVOeMlFDZrZ7UeLsxzhLapHRgTu8/s1600/Peking+ducks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5hyphenhyphenmAcwifLU7wR3CpiI2tgVhkkM6Mn_k4sLjFrvfbCbZ0xsb_7ADDMopPXLEg3RG9sx-E8lD6N5uI9GWJ4h8KwVqGyECidMiw2VSzDknIJIqNyYdlVOeMlFDZrZ7UeLsxzhLapHRgTu8/s320/Peking+ducks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7tEJA-6iZEdy-iU8_jLJqQ-9OI1tCDENPdUqiQ_jgBzjc__phtz38lAWZm8ll3J3SPZ8iykczueOBF2g-YjqvyON5aWKAUGsWiIVRR5ZQydCKVfESw05PEEdGlKmODhAy-C3NRIL0Gw/s1600/Peking+duck+eats.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF7tEJA-6iZEdy-iU8_jLJqQ-9OI1tCDENPdUqiQ_jgBzjc__phtz38lAWZm8ll3J3SPZ8iykczueOBF2g-YjqvyON5aWKAUGsWiIVRR5ZQydCKVfESw05PEEdGlKmODhAy-C3NRIL0Gw/s320/Peking+duck+eats.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were most pleasantly surprised (as is everyone in the know to whom we've talked since) to find blue skies in Beijing. No apparent pollution, for all three days we were there. A few stars at night even. More than one person in Penang speculated that it was so because factories had been ordered to close for some days before a big meeting or event. We never learned what event that might have been.<br />
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From the hill of Jingshan Park, a view of the Forbidden City below gives some idea how expansive it is.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYKra4AvuOPvwphBjaaVsKsxDs2MqyxkmcBSWxmZf1O1XVU5I79pTbLZ8oMFxaUYk5RJRnWERGQ2KR-dtM9q0MdbyDUh4Wds6ZBdlCwdjnimpwKy9VuB4kQ-f7mkWBMK6RVAG3kIT0rQ/s1600/Forbidden+city+from+hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSYKra4AvuOPvwphBjaaVsKsxDs2MqyxkmcBSWxmZf1O1XVU5I79pTbLZ8oMFxaUYk5RJRnWERGQ2KR-dtM9q0MdbyDUh4Wds6ZBdlCwdjnimpwKy9VuB4kQ-f7mkWBMK6RVAG3kIT0rQ/s320/Forbidden+city+from+hill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset over Beijing, from Jingshan Park</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G6pn7PVaL0AmP0IGEHZ0QIS0X-aatTCElDiO1qYAiXh_NMwNGGRat15QUusZLEfLi_0e1jsjhc9H0BtOeVDs8LfBr4Tcm4-Ye2zzGof3ci6bD8DwWLqQNsIHZPJNj3Yq7cI99QWBAG0/s1600/sunset+over+beijing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2G6pn7PVaL0AmP0IGEHZ0QIS0X-aatTCElDiO1qYAiXh_NMwNGGRat15QUusZLEfLi_0e1jsjhc9H0BtOeVDs8LfBr4Tcm4-Ye2zzGof3ci6bD8DwWLqQNsIHZPJNj3Yq7cI99QWBAG0/s320/sunset+over+beijing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seen in our neighborhood:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpqAWAs67omtNhVeIIHVuoteXp-Ol3M5rMLdUHUY50HYyfsiSLQUnziwohss9-yTLgy5IzR8CQECYu8Ql2BrADSUvzyenEIwQq6u9sNeLMed-Ldj_UpmEQYDkmV7wELEmtjAQrhn8jdc/s1600/neighborhood+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihpqAWAs67omtNhVeIIHVuoteXp-Ol3M5rMLdUHUY50HYyfsiSLQUnziwohss9-yTLgy5IzR8CQECYu8Ql2BrADSUvzyenEIwQq6u9sNeLMed-Ldj_UpmEQYDkmV7wELEmtjAQrhn8jdc/s320/neighborhood+shot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And at our charming hotel:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qd9nYv6bGrYPhfNuol-kgTN6lntM4d4ZC44DP9Joqr2_G5LA1jd49w7Z-h1rtHEgTSLL1RGoo5zI4USu7LYL8hMozfxIhV5hywXHwhub9WynNSV7Ol_L_bBX8JDuIpjhWX6vkuYIZ00/s1600/B+S+K+at+courtyard.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_qd9nYv6bGrYPhfNuol-kgTN6lntM4d4ZC44DP9Joqr2_G5LA1jd49w7Z-h1rtHEgTSLL1RGoo5zI4USu7LYL8hMozfxIhV5hywXHwhub9WynNSV7Ol_L_bBX8JDuIpjhWX6vkuYIZ00/s320/B+S+K+at+courtyard.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Next day, off to the Great Wall at Mutianyu! We hired a car to take us there, then hopped this bad boy to go up, up, up to the wall</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18juPvVg-uoxFQdfGkRA5Y_vMpwo_66joejZCIl8WSv9QSL1McuTnAEEMakN-zoiVW4B5f9_OSN-37NfJYQADQgz5zT_0ZELwcZLWnAMrGQCDK-PhdFKCBHbz0jwQ2vW6NaOVNAXKy9Y/s1600/B+and+S+on+ski+lift.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj18juPvVg-uoxFQdfGkRA5Y_vMpwo_66joejZCIl8WSv9QSL1McuTnAEEMakN-zoiVW4B5f9_OSN-37NfJYQADQgz5zT_0ZELwcZLWnAMrGQCDK-PhdFKCBHbz0jwQ2vW6NaOVNAXKy9Y/s320/B+and+S+on+ski+lift.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were much more awestruck by the wall than we had anticipated. Although it is not a continuous structure and never really kept any marauding hordes out, it is extremely impressive given it's size and the dramatically mountainous terrain.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBXs2A1EH00Bb6lNUZ12ne910wx0yph9VVkPRZ7UtIrMGM0a3P6KuJLqROImR6HhgdnTJxxiIgika0WTkqSpZje7suJ4N7EJQB7-PyxWb470ShOR61_6kskuNngLRHPZXN9yAi76CDc0/s1600/wall+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCBXs2A1EH00Bb6lNUZ12ne910wx0yph9VVkPRZ7UtIrMGM0a3P6KuJLqROImR6HhgdnTJxxiIgika0WTkqSpZje7suJ4N7EJQB7-PyxWb470ShOR61_6kskuNngLRHPZXN9yAi76CDc0/s320/wall+1.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH7ORrQAIc7r-qRHMKen6lo9as1O_2EkS8ApBt2-sQTzz1zjCyeOpdkX6ljO9eAlvfblNOVjVsyIqVuZc9v88yhx7Mv-lcROUuruT7plckmdKkYwFNLOd9GVeO22wpeHmp_rGkwA6MlM/s1600/wall+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjH7ORrQAIc7r-qRHMKen6lo9as1O_2EkS8ApBt2-sQTzz1zjCyeOpdkX6ljO9eAlvfblNOVjVsyIqVuZc9v88yhx7Mv-lcROUuruT7plckmdKkYwFNLOd9GVeO22wpeHmp_rGkwA6MlM/s320/wall+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I6kND1ObBc97sQqvXNB8QSn4WUsD1afWS3NTHZs1XoZQHgPw0NCoj1-7DIN3trG40KN64tc5JuJqpe3tNDRUHQhS3hkeFfewZHcE6nEmhOIR9Po3lTHAR0gBpT2W8GStaMppUSvzmkA/s1600/wall+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-I6kND1ObBc97sQqvXNB8QSn4WUsD1afWS3NTHZs1XoZQHgPw0NCoj1-7DIN3trG40KN64tc5JuJqpe3tNDRUHQhS3hkeFfewZHcE6nEmhOIR9Po3lTHAR0gBpT2W8GStaMppUSvzmkA/s320/wall+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopZ94YiOkrII6qaHWFBzAkrQfKKAVgJmxqwXR3GdYPqEagHCsPvnxw319ewTC2kDWzLMakjFTe30jlCCxa1e05det8l6quaCiuqtDjJUXenjC87iV4Z08DmNblbGBe0LPCmx3zHL5Kyw/s1600/wall+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgopZ94YiOkrII6qaHWFBzAkrQfKKAVgJmxqwXR3GdYPqEagHCsPvnxw319ewTC2kDWzLMakjFTe30jlCCxa1e05det8l6quaCiuqtDjJUXenjC87iV4Z08DmNblbGBe0LPCmx3zHL5Kyw/s320/wall+4.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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There are watchtowers:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPEzHjdWrA9k7lfq8iY0H9h6oSKNu7xFlurNETXtW0fS-ykvpOoQJINOcsPQhnLKwjlG8AMs1gbK-LIPUb4i2j8z3W_YxKvkjUvEJPfzA8mmPWwOgYXLWgO1iGKrlMYK6gUAVbaJTrgM/s1600/tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOPEzHjdWrA9k7lfq8iY0H9h6oSKNu7xFlurNETXtW0fS-ykvpOoQJINOcsPQhnLKwjlG8AMs1gbK-LIPUb4i2j8z3W_YxKvkjUvEJPfzA8mmPWwOgYXLWgO1iGKrlMYK6gUAVbaJTrgM/s320/tower.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is a view from one</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpyyvLRky-i0X9txKupY81LM1_QtWytIbJejjcMWArQ8HlBPAqVrv8IUaevQK3CHywUbiBxrbSmsePkMflt9PcFNn3H621AXOkh0qyVcSalF-tp5sk4Rm7gs7TjUCl-eGShA6NhIwwNI/s1600/view+from+one+of+the+towers.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpyyvLRky-i0X9txKupY81LM1_QtWytIbJejjcMWArQ8HlBPAqVrv8IUaevQK3CHywUbiBxrbSmsePkMflt9PcFNn3H621AXOkh0qyVcSalF-tp5sk4Rm7gs7TjUCl-eGShA6NhIwwNI/s320/view+from+one+of+the+towers.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkw2w4g52wBnTMLMbx0A2llCA-jyVkdBD31vM4ncMbBW46WenlONb_mJUaiKrqej4kd_guICJ1V7Op2pUhv00T00wpxnOvSuYZZAMY6gm7VTNw1OlphcWc6HM3QUiL7SY5M8Eh4hpjc0/s1600/S+and+B+at+wall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkw2w4g52wBnTMLMbx0A2llCA-jyVkdBD31vM4ncMbBW46WenlONb_mJUaiKrqej4kd_guICJ1V7Op2pUhv00T00wpxnOvSuYZZAMY6gm7VTNw1OlphcWc6HM3QUiL7SY5M8Eh4hpjc0/s320/S+and+B+at+wall.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2xcL-9aJ71wQDtS90Vgq-1sjuoOs_ewOnG6gwmDpO7Ryu_3N4guT1eqL4XYU8F-vQmG9XeYt8YBzcNCJIa0JswlpZ-tZQ-2Xf3gFKx64z75ljSmm0XPsk8VBmuhmR-37qEAk1nd00Lw/s1600/wall+name.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEij2xcL-9aJ71wQDtS90Vgq-1sjuoOs_ewOnG6gwmDpO7Ryu_3N4guT1eqL4XYU8F-vQmG9XeYt8YBzcNCJIa0JswlpZ-tZQ-2Xf3gFKx64z75ljSmm0XPsk8VBmuhmR-37qEAk1nd00Lw/s320/wall+name.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We reached the cable car stop, glad we had avoided much of the crowds by taking the ski lift up.</div>
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Lots of steps!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69FzP-4emNxXb5fy_w61K2Sv61g2OoG3e82zSqirDjLwPfFdgXdEmJfZjqhkO3z6QDvNR1ysVErW6VmLAFCQb0JX6OrFKuE3E1pBQpszZC2pi-L7uZFz-ZToeNVfL_ICZ2T6aqo5YZmg/s1600/K+steps.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi69FzP-4emNxXb5fy_w61K2Sv61g2OoG3e82zSqirDjLwPfFdgXdEmJfZjqhkO3z6QDvNR1ysVErW6VmLAFCQb0JX6OrFKuE3E1pBQpszZC2pi-L7uZFz-ZToeNVfL_ICZ2T6aqo5YZmg/s320/K+steps.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made it!<br /><br /></td></tr>
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Back in Beijing, we went searching for a hot pot dinner. There was considerable competition to be found in a row of restaurants. These ladies, in the angel ? wings, beckoned customers from above</div>
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A restaurant was chosen</div>
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Cigarettes are widely sold, sans cancer warnings, but smoking is not as prevalent as we might have thought.</div>
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Of course we could have gone here for dinner</div>
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Already time for a snack?</div>
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Next day, before leaving China, we had time for a walk to a shopping area next to the river. </div>
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Off to Japan!</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-27920874731949252872017-04-23T01:25:00.000-07:002017-04-23T16:56:24.555-07:00Kota Kinabalu kalled us<br />
<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">W</span>ell, there were two weeks of school holidays, only one spoken for, and we had been to every Malaysian estate except Sabah, so....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xDJS2UtgAA2EpLycATasnUlayNIyVax3XlKTaGEZ5RcnQNIq9ss4Hj_yuhIMlZ0bMR683x_jDoONHnK_JHgsw55G80gGyiQ2MRWfRiBfJPuHk9EGkuwyc0m43AraNftgzx4UO0NtYBs/s1600/T+at+KK+port.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xDJS2UtgAA2EpLycATasnUlayNIyVax3XlKTaGEZ5RcnQNIq9ss4Hj_yuhIMlZ0bMR683x_jDoONHnK_JHgsw55G80gGyiQ2MRWfRiBfJPuHk9EGkuwyc0m43AraNftgzx4UO0NtYBs/s320/T+at+KK+port.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is T, and the South China Sea<br />
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We saw an absolutely amazing sunset the first night we were there.<br />
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Other KK sights:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BR6SLFUneai3009AmiwQXLNeh3GE_xSWJKD2lptcancZ9SF9aEDAHijT-PHRexbbW7hIwc68iiRHXNrNPntd-_pjLnmrMk4WqNF0XTVtuZyGxNUWoj6o0igHVpxy1dCgj6vlH0DA_hk/s1600/K+with+paper.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4BR6SLFUneai3009AmiwQXLNeh3GE_xSWJKD2lptcancZ9SF9aEDAHijT-PHRexbbW7hIwc68iiRHXNrNPntd-_pjLnmrMk4WqNF0XTVtuZyGxNUWoj6o0igHVpxy1dCgj6vlH0DA_hk/s320/K+with+paper.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxj8_9G5ey890aEtEZeuU9CJXVSJZu7EZrSYKSUr1f07ofBE6vN6iPCydJdy9Npc6sftSzKFhaVbnGR-QWOaTD8yXQkmp6ufs4mjcAub20Zzo9jyKhoLYJ49v_8keu0XBkt2vQufpw9U/s1600/P1000438.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaxj8_9G5ey890aEtEZeuU9CJXVSJZu7EZrSYKSUr1f07ofBE6vN6iPCydJdy9Npc6sftSzKFhaVbnGR-QWOaTD8yXQkmp6ufs4mjcAub20Zzo9jyKhoLYJ49v_8keu0XBkt2vQufpw9U/s320/P1000438.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The charming Jesselton Hotel where we stayed</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEg93noRLQMhX-cagcO-8tQ7agJRClZA2NONf210pZNv4xBglZFxfNU8BgvZdSd8chg2nND0VwTW0kDvkg68KdSgKvAdBA-QU_ULn_qeNZ06lU-WMO6Bkog1TA2wEiYuOiXwg3qzdR_r0YI/s1600/P1000436.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg93noRLQMhX-cagcO-8tQ7agJRClZA2NONf210pZNv4xBglZFxfNU8BgvZdSd8chg2nND0VwTW0kDvkg68KdSgKvAdBA-QU_ULn_qeNZ06lU-WMO6Bkog1TA2wEiYuOiXwg3qzdR_r0YI/s320/P1000436.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hide your little girl's body (R) but tantalize us with form-fitting versions of black robes for women (L)</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYsu0atM2fNjzZU0LNmk_cHz_P2en9jzO3Xg5njBKRuzQL4498YJnko7asbD6LHiMAvNoSlUWTpftyZNeNHQ4uGAurzhlQpmxQloG__vbLWuGZ1ZEuDpblwu-nutYpJkqVhBMBccK5eo/s1600/fish+at+the+market.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMYsu0atM2fNjzZU0LNmk_cHz_P2en9jzO3Xg5njBKRuzQL4498YJnko7asbD6LHiMAvNoSlUWTpftyZNeNHQ4uGAurzhlQpmxQloG__vbLWuGZ1ZEuDpblwu-nutYpJkqVhBMBccK5eo/s320/fish+at+the+market.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">seafood for sale at the market</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEgqIxm_ibom4xwob395a4za-2dC3xQRdAHFj8_ZsAcH0ajcwfLP3JmaxzgahwtvToCcMEizqUmviKVdaq6sII8gu5Lz7VF6m7zIYOVaX8fqkcqsQ3WMn4QIRP4WXQICg7VrihvZ-qstKCM/s1600/water+is+good+for+you.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIxm_ibom4xwob395a4za-2dC3xQRdAHFj8_ZsAcH0ajcwfLP3JmaxzgahwtvToCcMEizqUmviKVdaq6sII8gu5Lz7VF6m7zIYOVaX8fqkcqsQ3WMn4QIRP4WXQICg7VrihvZ-qstKCM/s320/water+is+good+for+you.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">water is good for you</td></tr>
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The next day was our day to go look for Proboscis monkeys, so called because of their remarkable noses. Here's a professional photo so you can see:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSZvKh-FQAN4r9L13F583lfIuJyqybki9cVOjMQTi8UwmoiS5ImSIVKYJMiAkAtWaJ2gCqZ81pLVOOLLWPJsUo_GrLFZ-zxs00R_VF7BKKRndE-aWP4ofguGcrf5-TSGz6PTv6GfAgso/s1600/Male-Monkey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTSZvKh-FQAN4r9L13F583lfIuJyqybki9cVOjMQTi8UwmoiS5ImSIVKYJMiAkAtWaJ2gCqZ81pLVOOLLWPJsUo_GrLFZ-zxs00R_VF7BKKRndE-aWP4ofguGcrf5-TSGz6PTv6GfAgso/s320/Male-Monkey.jpg" width="320" /></a><a 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" 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Or perhaps:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEUd1TyhUNvuAyUgSYQpqv4mpcw7hgkZy9arS2kHIVQXF1H7heNTMsHe_9DzMK2GI9QaY9kfBK4_SDzmZDfzl1e9LAm7X2kCtIIuLmEEqx3baS-72KwTgAuMTC8Xp5fFkSoIYAcgIFZ0/s1600/proboscis+pal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVEUd1TyhUNvuAyUgSYQpqv4mpcw7hgkZy9arS2kHIVQXF1H7heNTMsHe_9DzMK2GI9QaY9kfBK4_SDzmZDfzl1e9LAm7X2kCtIIuLmEEqx3baS-72KwTgAuMTC8Xp5fFkSoIYAcgIFZ0/s200/proboscis+pal.jpg" width="150" /></a></div>
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Handsome fellow, no? In the wild, with our modest camera, we could never hope to get as close a photo. But actually seeing them would be a thrill. We bought tickets to ride in a van to go nearly three hours outside the city to an area where we would then get on a boat, in hopes of spotting the monkeys. It rained the whole day. T in his newly acquired rain slicker:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xHpGyYIRDYHDlAv9On3QvTh69nfC-AD8d-FB7II2VY1G2SBzX8b0WsWAt_ZEThj5c5H7LZCerafVhkGlc1cNmFJxTOcX-s1uzWWBUdP8QJ0aJWup02RMMSVP0LDadx1JSjvSE0D8dqw/s1600/T+in+raingear.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3xHpGyYIRDYHDlAv9On3QvTh69nfC-AD8d-FB7II2VY1G2SBzX8b0WsWAt_ZEThj5c5H7LZCerafVhkGlc1cNmFJxTOcX-s1uzWWBUdP8QJ0aJWup02RMMSVP0LDadx1JSjvSE0D8dqw/s320/T+in+raingear.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQshP-Lof0tAjzsirYtpSaEZnV5zAL9EPCtmt1bABG9HfEHdcgDj7xoQCMQ6KZLPhamcTAQRbEzhcTB6n_Gwsq9pmO9fBmejV5wq8xY5YSUzY0eGeCYPNHk9YQ4uIfo6JVmm-45ua8LY/s1600/boat+in+rain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTQshP-Lof0tAjzsirYtpSaEZnV5zAL9EPCtmt1bABG9HfEHdcgDj7xoQCMQ6KZLPhamcTAQRbEzhcTB6n_Gwsq9pmO9fBmejV5wq8xY5YSUzY0eGeCYPNHk9YQ4uIfo6JVmm-45ua8LY/s320/boat+in+rain.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a double-decker boat in the rain, one of the many boats people-filled boats looking for the monkeys. And T on our boat:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9GcUAQd6zMgDtFfI5LPJmtsPmXepnzdKnRqJ0KsAyYroV-9gvBKqGrGP96VaTDjStsVCgU281KtGT2QvlwytZoG39zVy3qyBrEta96FoMt38g5jVSsql-oO-F0d6v1ZeTI-7lohBS28/s1600/T+on+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ9GcUAQd6zMgDtFfI5LPJmtsPmXepnzdKnRqJ0KsAyYroV-9gvBKqGrGP96VaTDjStsVCgU281KtGT2QvlwytZoG39zVy3qyBrEta96FoMt38g5jVSsql-oO-F0d6v1ZeTI-7lohBS28/s320/T+on+boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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It was nearly sunset, a good time for animals to feed, and we got lucky, spotting several high up in the trees. Can you spot them?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSQ0klLGVbJAoEsgk-lUqPHYOXp6paIRbZOI20ZEJfNsXJUZzOlgYkXoGnhRD1hplhzAFYEF2gHLF1Q7l6geGMe7S4FsUCjjpOj_ZJb52tFRwTbBhS-llPy_GQ-kgqH7inkJvoQzsY0Q/s1600/prob+moneky.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRSQ0klLGVbJAoEsgk-lUqPHYOXp6paIRbZOI20ZEJfNsXJUZzOlgYkXoGnhRD1hplhzAFYEF2gHLF1Q7l6geGMe7S4FsUCjjpOj_ZJb52tFRwTbBhS-llPy_GQ-kgqH7inkJvoQzsY0Q/s320/prob+moneky.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="data:image/jpeg;base64,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" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a>Our luck continued, as the second part of the tour was to see the small fireflies that travel in swarms along the riverbanks, sometimes. Especially just after the rain, we learned. Here is a photo to help you imagine them :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKl6eWYVhjPtpyEEfyQ_e9ZhjcYs9kuf5p244nEa7vvm0FeD1gmjOasJrTU_6TEd66Qau5KpgJtLx3tgQdnH-x3KKghmA_sysWgj4iHzFaKsp6If0yx7u9dzbgsWvwVPMZWajdJGr6CQ/s1600/fireflies.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmKl6eWYVhjPtpyEEfyQ_e9ZhjcYs9kuf5p244nEa7vvm0FeD1gmjOasJrTU_6TEd66Qau5KpgJtLx3tgQdnH-x3KKghmA_sysWgj4iHzFaKsp6If0yx7u9dzbgsWvwVPMZWajdJGr6CQ/s320/fireflies.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back in town, we had one more day to explore. So we walked and walked, up Signal Hill--here's a view of the city from the top</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJBNrXAdw0r7Vg5COnujlIA2agnJexlYVfTpo5aXp4Ra56qDfC_Of937n_V5FmXJeYJ9xlGwG4VkEemvP6VmYX073Q0fJmhvhrSQioVZDezDHrJlMcfT-wL1dEMQOtxB43Y73CxtGTmg/s1600/overlooking+KK.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJBNrXAdw0r7Vg5COnujlIA2agnJexlYVfTpo5aXp4Ra56qDfC_Of937n_V5FmXJeYJ9xlGwG4VkEemvP6VmYX073Q0fJmhvhrSQioVZDezDHrJlMcfT-wL1dEMQOtxB43Y73CxtGTmg/s320/overlooking+KK.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and down the other side, finding ourselves at a wetlands reserve.</div>
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Time to head back to Penang, with a one day turn around before our next big trip :-)</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-8610236287784414092017-04-22T00:16:00.001-07:002017-04-22T00:16:16.978-07:00Various items of March<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">Y</span>oga at the Botanical Gardens has some interesting moments....Visited by flower-eating macaques!<br />
Who knew. Guess they are yummy<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize8mSvtU5YT_5SLeyc_KjlpEUhXz50EUM_mQmhNFRAJ7vpTs-0hWOIWt2ilungHCKPgSIWZ37cO3pf2NVf9EjDxfN2SYrbu8VohyeGKAhh-Jo6g-wUmNtkdwELna_qGwcPfEDUm-FJVo/s1600/MOnkey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEize8mSvtU5YT_5SLeyc_KjlpEUhXz50EUM_mQmhNFRAJ7vpTs-0hWOIWt2ilungHCKPgSIWZ37cO3pf2NVf9EjDxfN2SYrbu8VohyeGKAhh-Jo6g-wUmNtkdwELna_qGwcPfEDUm-FJVo/s320/MOnkey+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Don't think you'd see this at the supermarket in the US ("Frozen Balls")</div>
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Highlight of the month!!!!!!!! Cam and Lisa getting great residency placements</div>
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And our super special treat, 30th anniversary gift from the boys, two nights at Penang's venerable Eastern and Oriental Hotel. Staycation Sublime. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFL2RRbyMvDjsSJ9c1LH-X3pYKtERSYctBBYPooxDCd-gXV2Y3_OsFrPajyw47z4yyUm_KNt2PFhVtMJoQcq54SSeiCxCT9yek-pk4_ixyAE2G5UBsEVgF4hS7X-mn0JC32Zvee-vP1k/s1600/E%2526O.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikFL2RRbyMvDjsSJ9c1LH-X3pYKtERSYctBBYPooxDCd-gXV2Y3_OsFrPajyw47z4yyUm_KNt2PFhVtMJoQcq54SSeiCxCT9yek-pk4_ixyAE2G5UBsEVgF4hS7X-mn0JC32Zvee-vP1k/s320/E%2526O.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZuD6CVwu-jnhca_fYxKHiUTPzc0tZFqjQXQnnZ_aaLgm-c91b-EFN8OMRDd0JwLlAokEfxcMWiu61U2ZECpeu2WbrvzHohGB6TKykJBECOA86Ylgkiqax1Xco6-IH9YH-prC1qfvlRE/s1600/killer+bathroom.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCZuD6CVwu-jnhca_fYxKHiUTPzc0tZFqjQXQnnZ_aaLgm-c91b-EFN8OMRDd0JwLlAokEfxcMWiu61U2ZECpeu2WbrvzHohGB6TKykJBECOA86Ylgkiqax1Xco6-IH9YH-prC1qfvlRE/s320/killer+bathroom.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Killer bathroom</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaHk2vlPXVe5teZwec1msUVSl248eKO8zn2g2HguaoyjAfRPMSCbkoECdrc7DqCBknkJs9cvZOlz94s8rN758Qf-h2mTsxi3yPuOsluDM_jdhPCI71pQs-Dh_q4znpCUmJQA3Sf0CUx0/s1600/relaxing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaHk2vlPXVe5teZwec1msUVSl248eKO8zn2g2HguaoyjAfRPMSCbkoECdrc7DqCBknkJs9cvZOlz94s8rN758Qf-h2mTsxi3yPuOsluDM_jdhPCI71pQs-Dh_q4znpCUmJQA3Sf0CUx0/s320/relaxing.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mode Relax</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nespresso on the balcony</td></tr>
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Many famous persons (besides us) have stayed here over the years</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NGteULwrwED99qd4Atrak2kfZ2GLKIqRjHWeT6F01VBwjvwnKTaZhjwk-OU0XZN97LQtz6ASoZk9sy41QAI-gtX5dlNDr6MTljhoiP0FGc5GBwdgEh9Wl_qB50PQNYQaTN-ULTfMOIo/s1600/somerset+maugham+was+here.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0NGteULwrwED99qd4Atrak2kfZ2GLKIqRjHWeT6F01VBwjvwnKTaZhjwk-OU0XZN97LQtz6ASoZk9sy41QAI-gtX5dlNDr6MTljhoiP0FGc5GBwdgEh9Wl_qB50PQNYQaTN-ULTfMOIo/s320/somerset+maugham+was+here.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rita Hayworth</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv3gpC3sTh_5YPJBR7QDRULNOOmpAMLxPva8_EG5ROD6bwN39xw768xE2NqjtMbQG3bOdJ3MfHLgNkRcbL-PoZgWcuCpXT6S2O85dZpdS-VGvnQf2YiH5Jp3zwMoaNdT6QibDNEC1wRA/s1600/charlie+chaplain.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXv3gpC3sTh_5YPJBR7QDRULNOOmpAMLxPva8_EG5ROD6bwN39xw768xE2NqjtMbQG3bOdJ3MfHLgNkRcbL-PoZgWcuCpXT6S2O85dZpdS-VGvnQf2YiH5Jp3zwMoaNdT6QibDNEC1wRA/s320/charlie+chaplain.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We had a great time walking around Georgetown at leisure, and taking in a guided walking tour.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIRfawr6U1RsPx6OFWveQE8sa6yGjZezHGTlX989kpvbuJsCbOX7HtUzBlbm_DMM7AiC6xq8r18j1EC2ZNRxEhn26cps2aCLOsy5q-CJK5YhTdXNXJ_DAn0cJ39JQtETYWlqx16KngtA/s1600/blue+mansion.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVIRfawr6U1RsPx6OFWveQE8sa6yGjZezHGTlX989kpvbuJsCbOX7HtUzBlbm_DMM7AiC6xq8r18j1EC2ZNRxEhn26cps2aCLOsy5q-CJK5YhTdXNXJ_DAn0cJ39JQtETYWlqx16KngtA/s320/blue+mansion.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Blue Mansion</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52t1PYHo4MrDBz4H32dQkomf-_PK1Chv31xXIDl17p9X2sBzHqUyUjLWuY1hS7SlOEtS8ZWOLHWwxCQppzK2jlP9xWHAwLAjHXMnWjFT2JIvD6zFUhARw9YYzlD1ejr_xMdxS8mSz_bw/s1600/georgetown+corner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh52t1PYHo4MrDBz4H32dQkomf-_PK1Chv31xXIDl17p9X2sBzHqUyUjLWuY1hS7SlOEtS8ZWOLHWwxCQppzK2jlP9xWHAwLAjHXMnWjFT2JIvD6zFUhARw9YYzlD1ejr_xMdxS8mSz_bw/s320/georgetown+corner.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A corner in Georgetown </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">cruise ship in town</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nothing to be sad about!</td></tr>
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Brekkie on the terrace </div>
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-80839147075781606682017-04-03T19:16:00.000-07:002017-05-10T23:20:55.246-07:00Myanmar moments--UPDATED<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">F</span>or February's mid-term break we dashed to Myanmar with my dear old friend S. With only a week, we planned to make just one major foray outside the capital, to the former British capital of Mawlaminye (Moulmein to the Brits). This post has been updated to add photos taken by Susan Ritz. You can tell which are hers because they are just sooooo much better than ours!<br />
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First, an evening in Yangon with a visit to the must-see, highly revered golden temple of Shwedagon. According to some, it dates from 588 BC,though archaeologists put it "between the 6th and 10th centuries AD". It has been damaged by a number of earthquakes. The current 322 foot chedi dates from 1769.<br />
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Since the 1400s it has been the custom to apply gold leaf to the structure, and as a result it simply glows, especially at night.<br />
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Appropriate attire required; Tom had been told his long shorts would be OK but at the temple he is told to acquire a longyi (cloth sewn into a cylinder). Tricky business, tying it. Tutorial#1 here.</div>
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And modeling it, pre-sunset. Sorry, few pix and this blurry one--we had a camera issue, entirely due to user incompetence...<br />
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Below, Burmese dinner at our suburban area hotel. YUM<br />
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We were surprised to learn that Burma has the third largest population of Baptists in the world, after the
US and, wait for it..., India. People are
so <u>nice </u>– polite, gracious. How
long will it take to inure them to the tourist onslaught? We may mean well but we make such a large footprint.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We found our 2011 Lonely Planet to be way out of date, on the use
of US dollars, formerly recommended, now not, on cell phones, formerly a status
symbol for the rich, but now everyone has them, and of course on some of the recommended restaurants
which have suffered “the Lonely Planet effect” and gone soulless, expensive and frequented mainly by tour bus travelers. We had no trouble finding other options throughout our stay. Look at this food!<o:p></o:p></div>
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In a Yangon restaurant, The Lady's portrait--unlike Thailand where the King's portrait is everywhere, this is not common in Burma.</div>
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The next day we went to Bago, a former capital of the Mon dynasty, about an hour and a half drive from Yangon. Bago is loaded with religious sites. Driving there we had our first full experience of Burmese transport. Driving is on the right (US style), mainly in right hand drive cars (UK style)! YIKES. Traffic flow was changed overnight by General Ne Win in 1970. I guess people are used to it. It makes passing on a two lane road quite exciting, as you can't see around the vehicle you are passing until you are way out in the oncoming lane.<o:p></o:p></div>
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On the way to Bago we stopped at the Taukkyan War Cemetery--a large memorial for the 27,000 WWII Allied soldiers who died. Over 6000 are buried here, and tablets list names of others who died whose bodies were not found. There were many Indians and Nepali soldiers and we were surprised to see African names as well, and many Moslems.<br />
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Here is a monument to East Africans</div>
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Entering Bago<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">left hand drive car on right hand drive road</td></tr>
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Lots of temple visiting there </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtXGF18iEFdwjn0SmP1_Fy4nPXVwTIES_qM0DF6-NTp1HjjFCoFsEP-oGoZ7V-ShqTo4YqMtqVIL_BkfPnOZrSRJRJ0nxA-v4VDoN7IQ5PpEM06ws9wQxnn4BvcCt8jnS-f0Yodh4DcI/s1600/guys+in+store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHtXGF18iEFdwjn0SmP1_Fy4nPXVwTIES_qM0DF6-NTp1HjjFCoFsEP-oGoZ7V-ShqTo4YqMtqVIL_BkfPnOZrSRJRJ0nxA-v4VDoN7IQ5PpEM06ws9wQxnn4BvcCt8jnS-f0Yodh4DcI/s320/guys+in+store.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
[Our] photos are thanks to these guys jury-rigging a memory card for us!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasIV1LjIBTBx0T-u8n4sNGaEZPThOogD6glY0I_s26JgvolOXNpJIlwXvqDoSYafjOwcE3fl-6NFb7_kJ119JQ3b_N1QJB9e6tzoK6dv8um_2vlbMGN3JYI6wulVCwQKL0utOgAHWVqs/s1600/carving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgasIV1LjIBTBx0T-u8n4sNGaEZPThOogD6glY0I_s26JgvolOXNpJIlwXvqDoSYafjOwcE3fl-6NFb7_kJ119JQ3b_N1QJB9e6tzoK6dv8um_2vlbMGN3JYI6wulVCwQKL0utOgAHWVqs/s320/carving.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">carved pole--teak?</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxDWREJluuDJDsatjcBJjaCSjrRfbQlsfV0I2AUKf24-h4RLfecbhXQ0sFbb2-jinJe_TEwJ1UL1atns_OnPbCkUelcxka9ArAvLPaEEIPxLPscUcJqg124z621zCz7DrB9GkEk5vbnw/s1600/T+at+Bago+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQxDWREJluuDJDsatjcBJjaCSjrRfbQlsfV0I2AUKf24-h4RLfecbhXQ0sFbb2-jinJe_TEwJ1UL1atns_OnPbCkUelcxka9ArAvLPaEEIPxLPscUcJqg124z621zCz7DrB9GkEk5vbnw/s320/T+at+Bago+temple.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longyi abandonded for the moment...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCkr1naiKrXoKMaOUD2jdjI3IER8OOzl7Z5srvmZiD-jWlea4b8iqxCeYlhPVES5IldYbNL9DAqZ9HHeoBewUgXtHBgPRIIiNwyRI406dy3hTQpPEXBlzqNCY0kDfTY73h14gempYepY/s1600/panel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheCkr1naiKrXoKMaOUD2jdjI3IER8OOzl7Z5srvmZiD-jWlea4b8iqxCeYlhPVES5IldYbNL9DAqZ9HHeoBewUgXtHBgPRIIiNwyRI406dy3hTQpPEXBlzqNCY0kDfTY73h14gempYepY/s320/panel.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdeVhuR9e1S2YlrG1jsoQuODQKiRdbZg3Bdb1lQ1orS-5tummM5bws7bv-LYnP2J9AoNBuINDKufO2HlXwDwIfD4jA9ijdr-GKQXkomjik6QgLUSpszL4WqBc3kCqYohAAu_qHIouToQ/s1600/temple--falen+bit+with+devotees.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXdeVhuR9e1S2YlrG1jsoQuODQKiRdbZg3Bdb1lQ1orS-5tummM5bws7bv-LYnP2J9AoNBuINDKufO2HlXwDwIfD4jA9ijdr-GKQXkomjik6QgLUSpszL4WqBc3kCqYohAAu_qHIouToQ/s320/temple--falen+bit+with+devotees.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Devotees praying at a section of a temple that fell over in a 1930 earthquake</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j_DjG3Fvyv6McL-nVar4MKLzFY02027_yOoXMF9WAFjQ_IBWNFV0I35UmUu90-81cqI_mObQppXEwcS7RnR9-F3mOuZxSIlGl85l2ZY-j3VPHRa_R-FsLdZ4KN58DMGlfqx-aXlXDCQ/s1600/temple--fallen+bit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3j_DjG3Fvyv6McL-nVar4MKLzFY02027_yOoXMF9WAFjQ_IBWNFV0I35UmUu90-81cqI_mObQppXEwcS7RnR9-F3mOuZxSIlGl85l2ZY-j3VPHRa_R-FsLdZ4KN58DMGlfqx-aXlXDCQ/s320/temple--fallen+bit.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">rebuilding that section</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEj2WXude7f4kbiGquZBfqes_mStve03lY9wkjx2YB93G5u9s8dilPrCxKqqjfxnuYzTjkOfPKhI_LOojBY5uot0rAZvZnPWkjoC5dol1KAF6nNPN9R1aquqQFwk0gtaFszciFolXpSD5mE/s1600/another+great+dinner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2WXude7f4kbiGquZBfqes_mStve03lY9wkjx2YB93G5u9s8dilPrCxKqqjfxnuYzTjkOfPKhI_LOojBY5uot0rAZvZnPWkjoC5dol1KAF6nNPN9R1aquqQFwk0gtaFszciFolXpSD5mE/s320/another+great+dinner.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fab lunch!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEjZ5XhA7MZD1UY3wG9oq0_ro5ghWggzKHLTiURlVgvz7NW0DXx2Tb7N1ML6dUvmiOoAwW6ZiVPYgkBWsXQPawFM3D2a0s7bfJhENCgUOYoejK0sJb2gV3QbQb_FP3OD3fYjHvST13lGbiI/s1600/T+and+S+charting+the+way.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZ5XhA7MZD1UY3wG9oq0_ro5ghWggzKHLTiURlVgvz7NW0DXx2Tb7N1ML6dUvmiOoAwW6ZiVPYgkBWsXQPawFM3D2a0s7bfJhENCgUOYoejK0sJb2gV3QbQb_FP3OD3fYjHvST13lGbiI/s320/T+and+S+charting+the+way.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Learning about the place<br />
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</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpv_7sLXQIqL6rCxe7g0RKz2cVs3hqAit2GwiVzB9ogpFW9HhxfcsjmGNOxgTVbyev9CgzduTJWKI2q3h8KlT4T_jWHjeSTtTh9uDIVSn0wJ1Ec7Kq4xiQAH1mD_KNu0BZ-Ws2UxITa8/s1600/temple+piece.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpv_7sLXQIqL6rCxe7g0RKz2cVs3hqAit2GwiVzB9ogpFW9HhxfcsjmGNOxgTVbyev9CgzduTJWKI2q3h8KlT4T_jWHjeSTtTh9uDIVSn0wJ1Ec7Kq4xiQAH1mD_KNu0BZ-Ws2UxITa8/s320/temple+piece.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RiGD-bLioGGajGOsskJQ_-i6WZtRDtgBZd_tFCD4Ou_56G8dIN5PQ9kzcpADFrYVOrzqhIE9itP1q37urQjS0n_Kdz5r1iEc53faPaKXhnJ8nBKwqeddQ7y_xTUIxFKCEw_mTSsk0m4/s1600/K+at+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0RiGD-bLioGGajGOsskJQ_-i6WZtRDtgBZd_tFCD4Ou_56G8dIN5PQ9kzcpADFrYVOrzqhIE9itP1q37urQjS0n_Kdz5r1iEc53faPaKXhnJ8nBKwqeddQ7y_xTUIxFKCEw_mTSsk0m4/s320/K+at+temple.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmm, how would this design look in our house?</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Our driver took us to a temple where several hundred people were gathered to give alms to the resident monks as they passed by on their way to take their daily meal<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzH4JJC-eI7D14tlS9jQDfKSQxdRarsWERLGc1SLsGPrx3AGjr392Bhg5unq4ufoU3iaLiHLoGXM0InMpkkrq8F3jjc21bTUUJ-RvfkaieAE0If8_nIQo7QdvLa8Qsy24lsAHfbDlAg8/s1600/Monks+unch+first.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbzH4JJC-eI7D14tlS9jQDfKSQxdRarsWERLGc1SLsGPrx3AGjr392Bhg5unq4ufoU3iaLiHLoGXM0InMpkkrq8F3jjc21bTUUJ-RvfkaieAE0If8_nIQo7QdvLa8Qsy24lsAHfbDlAg8/s320/Monks+unch+first.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwK08SYvQMiL_3D4hkx2xwQyEefOyIIjWfpM38J1NdbG2DjmMT4z-ohRy41aU__gN0xn0mBtuPYwVRfJZ3ZlfwIEgXEAoAjJJERD8HYEmc9-LnxtIw8RmBSDezKm_t0cnwvv1hDaquzI/s1600/Monks+lunch+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKwK08SYvQMiL_3D4hkx2xwQyEefOyIIjWfpM38J1NdbG2DjmMT4z-ohRy41aU__gN0xn0mBtuPYwVRfJZ3ZlfwIEgXEAoAjJJERD8HYEmc9-LnxtIw8RmBSDezKm_t0cnwvv1hDaquzI/s320/Monks+lunch+2.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI5qLWUoh9i2VE7awFtVhSPMAjfSyMM9WRYvs_5Am72OB4YdWxmCKSt7Fv9xQtXxDGJ_dfwSrOz85wtS9s3msujFjVDhwRXWWpqO_ChPWHwMBJKaXLKSFSN4WVM7R2tYKpJeWu4oT-N4/s1600/Monks+lunch+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrI5qLWUoh9i2VE7awFtVhSPMAjfSyMM9WRYvs_5Am72OB4YdWxmCKSt7Fv9xQtXxDGJ_dfwSrOz85wtS9s3msujFjVDhwRXWWpqO_ChPWHwMBJKaXLKSFSN4WVM7R2tYKpJeWu4oT-N4/s320/Monks+lunch+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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More help for T as we watched the monks</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFafaJIPFSAqNb2N4OAGUrP1O2e_hP_PWiSKrdaFHFVER1_Gq5VhSpstR8XubYUYicAsQ6HajYJWqIEPTfMSivm0cbS-OiAIAL4iOMiheTYm6vDLhR8nnGunQn-pEzLfvZYIGo0pcrkAQ/s1600/T+longi+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFafaJIPFSAqNb2N4OAGUrP1O2e_hP_PWiSKrdaFHFVER1_Gq5VhSpstR8XubYUYicAsQ6HajYJWqIEPTfMSivm0cbS-OiAIAL4iOMiheTYm6vDLhR8nnGunQn-pEzLfvZYIGo0pcrkAQ/s320/T+longi+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjoo2N9v9h4G9hsDY28XO6IQnTcm5ipNFOeyv81b6KQUv_1KfI38R3RxA9zPR9u-uuAQlnUtkrs6-gJhpNVEs5NfB2B-7xCLAu9HXuyBIZbh7X7_5-Y6l6_2PRE2r27qKecj5Wj9Brds/s1600/T+longi+laugh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHjoo2N9v9h4G9hsDY28XO6IQnTcm5ipNFOeyv81b6KQUv_1KfI38R3RxA9zPR9u-uuAQlnUtkrs6-gJhpNVEs5NfB2B-7xCLAu9HXuyBIZbh7X7_5-Y6l6_2PRE2r27qKecj5Wj9Brds/s320/T+longi+laugh.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">hopeless?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fwiYLXYbMHlVMSJ449YscZVPjaSs-DEeX-nLU3M8PQ5STnGq95OzizlbrmW-q4Uc3MYRuO8ze97ELnIhvbBHUStu8Zdl_YkosEKLLK26oEhGTt6Vw2k6b9UhvV-SXRm9liCVU5p82Sw/s1600/contemplation.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fwiYLXYbMHlVMSJ449YscZVPjaSs-DEeX-nLU3M8PQ5STnGq95OzizlbrmW-q4Uc3MYRuO8ze97ELnIhvbBHUStu8Zdl_YkosEKLLK26oEhGTt6Vw2k6b9UhvV-SXRm9liCVU5p82Sw/s320/contemplation.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Off to Mawlamyine, the former British capital known as Moulmein. It's only a distance of 300 km (less than 200 miles) but we opt to take one of the twice weekly prop plane flights and avoid a long bus ride. The Yangon airport is quite modern. Fancy a meal?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I'll have OJ with that, please</td></tr>
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Arrival in Mawlamyine</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We made it!</td></tr>
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Had a great hotel right on the river, well placed to watch river traffic and the gorgeous sunsets.</div>
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A ridge of hills runs behind the town and is lined with stupas/pagodas/temples. This driver/vehicle took us up to the first and largest, Mahamuni Paya temple complex.</div>
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Be sure to take off your feet before entering</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">view from the ridge<br />
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Lovely details inside the temples<br />
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S investigates an area outside<br />
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with cat figures<br />
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and she asked these men to pose<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYN86kmFjj1BCXYmh2TcrsTtg_0yaja4E5J0dALXnLRqaP3FDtB-F1DQQQ_X8V5X2_e7RcnKsUOU7LLWbNWR5ukOkILfNx5-hZjxAK9J_vvM1UyczV8fvuOY9RcIb8RHxF0w99cyspqk/s1600/men+at+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzYN86kmFjj1BCXYmh2TcrsTtg_0yaja4E5J0dALXnLRqaP3FDtB-F1DQQQ_X8V5X2_e7RcnKsUOU7LLWbNWR5ukOkILfNx5-hZjxAK9J_vvM1UyczV8fvuOY9RcIb8RHxF0w99cyspqk/s320/men+at+temple.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtVBYqrouK51OlHnS8krRQk6J3mu0ZQIQ9D8DjZLm5DC4BtJqV3myRj-OsK_3wmRrahpNnSptjlAkj5TDkNI2E-VqErgkizP4eeKOVW0jqkAR6bHs9H7eWp172XnFxl3Sf0aodjswV40/s1600/S+guy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrtVBYqrouK51OlHnS8krRQk6J3mu0ZQIQ9D8DjZLm5DC4BtJqV3myRj-OsK_3wmRrahpNnSptjlAkj5TDkNI2E-VqErgkizP4eeKOVW0jqkAR6bHs9H7eWp172XnFxl3Sf0aodjswV40/s320/S+guy.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdmeZaaJLwWYZux8EQcKvAlyvUynRXlm2iSs1IjPHL9SHvhlwffW0O4csGbFy0go7LXgS3YtxFJB5h1_tD8uWVK7X5b5zw5jS2PZaQxTl5NFTrrUbLkd2I-tiJ1AaweEIwVMmbwASmHQ/s1600/K+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOdmeZaaJLwWYZux8EQcKvAlyvUynRXlm2iSs1IjPHL9SHvhlwffW0O4csGbFy0go7LXgS3YtxFJB5h1_tD8uWVK7X5b5zw5jS2PZaQxTl5NFTrrUbLkd2I-tiJ1AaweEIwVMmbwASmHQ/s320/K+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SoNM0zw2O8gpQSD3QQQTYcBfpmCOm25FPOz_sDRNFkzi37IzjlhP0pgfTR_cdA8VvRd5oMVAP7Y0vegeQoW6Q6GN_HUfRjjO5vrOHAxDvMN_Tl391gZDXEgbN400r6EAe651Gmjh23g/s1600/temple+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8SoNM0zw2O8gpQSD3QQQTYcBfpmCOm25FPOz_sDRNFkzi37IzjlhP0pgfTR_cdA8VvRd5oMVAP7Y0vegeQoW6Q6GN_HUfRjjO5vrOHAxDvMN_Tl391gZDXEgbN400r6EAe651Gmjh23g/s320/temple+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
And moi<br />
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Many temples along the ridge<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgRfZX43nwRzH_LRfK6bew864LTgJrz5rTbExyAvTfNx9kgykqghIdHVcC-AfinWjG8Ki47f9F2Z76m63W4JQf9xW1NJSaeGI1lVF-bAUSM-Rijox7AVv23aOWkU0ZGoCPpm1hBYUm-c/s1600/temple+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUgRfZX43nwRzH_LRfK6bew864LTgJrz5rTbExyAvTfNx9kgykqghIdHVcC-AfinWjG8Ki47f9F2Z76m63W4JQf9xW1NJSaeGI1lVF-bAUSM-Rijox7AVv23aOWkU0ZGoCPpm1hBYUm-c/s320/temple+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></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/AVvXsEj8Gr7EkTZi4phVkI14yWrfiRoZ0EhZKwJqXqqEIJNFAqxs8ukAoKmaHLWE1v2J954DP7fsz1nDc-vAIcLSx5k7vSk9U-sk5HO9rrrnWsunOWQSyE6MUGia-Ya01lfjjyKUAsi50OcNsK8/s1600/S+temple+celiing+detail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Gr7EkTZi4phVkI14yWrfiRoZ0EhZKwJqXqqEIJNFAqxs8ukAoKmaHLWE1v2J954DP7fsz1nDc-vAIcLSx5k7vSk9U-sk5HO9rrrnWsunOWQSyE6MUGia-Ya01lfjjyKUAsi50OcNsK8/s320/S+temple+celiing+detail.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ceiling detail</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhxucpy_kV9Xmt1A5F5-9DkYLfxPhn4mU01x1-1tNG99re5jnmPO_m8ZgYugfFc_2TGesFKASoWFGGqpXzFMAdTkAkqiT-YZ2oBDuNPr2wwCiNYl5stbounP33iZ8AjQ5NU50-8-d9l8/s1600/temple+to+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFhxucpy_kV9Xmt1A5F5-9DkYLfxPhn4mU01x1-1tNG99re5jnmPO_m8ZgYugfFc_2TGesFKASoWFGGqpXzFMAdTkAkqiT-YZ2oBDuNPr2wwCiNYl5stbounP33iZ8AjQ5NU50-8-d9l8/s320/temple+to+temple.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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one of the walkways from one temple to another</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cxlpSmvwjoxHyKBgEZwOFLtzkmhRf_UCUPNn5A9f1IfSNU473BCVuR64wwc7PyDoiBW9dSRP4rR0LDPsP1fwYecW8lInAIQxFouswxslqApt4qebImCS2w6eZcHdIusGPD9f4j4b1cE/s1600/temple+outside.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cxlpSmvwjoxHyKBgEZwOFLtzkmhRf_UCUPNn5A9f1IfSNU473BCVuR64wwc7PyDoiBW9dSRP4rR0LDPsP1fwYecW8lInAIQxFouswxslqApt4qebImCS2w6eZcHdIusGPD9f4j4b1cE/s320/temple+outside.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The temples are spread along the ridge, perhaps a mile long<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/AVvXsEiiNP2VWdI5DySaXD71t8xZwKYthxe-PXj3Cdvw1ey3FbY-zVoskxmgoQkmdDIN5akgtwKi_8MZklOwusTH8nY3-xA2218Y-in1Ca1yMDCLpXSt32U1ct4WEtkVj3lT-vL8qJDqChteGkg/s1600/holding+up+the+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiNP2VWdI5DySaXD71t8xZwKYthxe-PXj3Cdvw1ey3FbY-zVoskxmgoQkmdDIN5akgtwKi_8MZklOwusTH8nY3-xA2218Y-in1Ca1yMDCLpXSt32U1ct4WEtkVj3lT-vL8qJDqChteGkg/s320/holding+up+the+temple.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hard work keeping the dragons in check</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzSwOdVcUgEKnM-J5zOO1qvZPcrnE2iB6snNj_pOS_2AUCUzSRmsi-LsOchOmIS88OG2_sYet063NVOvKHDRhNqAFC8CKcvTVx_tvBJP3U38MaYB_GDwIIPfJEp0RZ4YVMd7H_lDkfIM/s1600/tmple+work.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXzSwOdVcUgEKnM-J5zOO1qvZPcrnE2iB6snNj_pOS_2AUCUzSRmsi-LsOchOmIS88OG2_sYet063NVOvKHDRhNqAFC8CKcvTVx_tvBJP3U38MaYB_GDwIIPfJEp0RZ4YVMd7H_lDkfIM/s320/tmple+work.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">and making restorations after earthquakes</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaQZm_9hNHtzac5xzu9lM1R30VAnYGilhU9Z2HLLdjSjjMaeH5wxWexfQ7piz0Z3R-uWSgZtI2Iqa9P50BTE9KI15_dIczSqaROMna29vgneQ0gWVzMCbfP7BdUcKVNptTj9ZRW2ugEU/s1600/reandom+temple+shot.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFaQZm_9hNHtzac5xzu9lM1R30VAnYGilhU9Z2HLLdjSjjMaeH5wxWexfQ7piz0Z3R-uWSgZtI2Iqa9P50BTE9KI15_dIczSqaROMna29vgneQ0gWVzMCbfP7BdUcKVNptTj9ZRW2ugEU/s320/reandom+temple+shot.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="text-align: center;">Another of the walkways between temples along the ridge</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wmphx6LoDSvUHjEYW-gAY9FdCTHtnIpiSTxXPyZBSg8Tle_dhO1j52NIY4GkLJOJQPm3OyPdHOg7cl4SUdlbkjMDh-2Ar1RS38hqoPKUA08TmZfLtuRiOKGAARXZagNptUaCgENt4Cs/s1600/between+temples+on+ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Wmphx6LoDSvUHjEYW-gAY9FdCTHtnIpiSTxXPyZBSg8Tle_dhO1j52NIY4GkLJOJQPm3OyPdHOg7cl4SUdlbkjMDh-2Ar1RS38hqoPKUA08TmZfLtuRiOKGAARXZagNptUaCgENt4Cs/s320/between+temples+on+ridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tree shrine :-)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc-d34urEp5DMdAn8O7Jr_hSXkW4B5NicgcAg-F9FIP3HnGPan-4otXExZmzK-x837h6SMueOnoSujX2QdxkMjHA56YGPxalirFM-7kcxUBcoCcT0IydDhbq4AvTq61ehQ9xXAEYOusY/s1600/temple+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXc-d34urEp5DMdAn8O7Jr_hSXkW4B5NicgcAg-F9FIP3HnGPan-4otXExZmzK-x837h6SMueOnoSujX2QdxkMjHA56YGPxalirFM-7kcxUBcoCcT0IydDhbq4AvTq61ehQ9xXAEYOusY/s320/temple+scene.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HwA49xJd4Et2gcoGbqlq2wVQTy6zFL9yWL_l7orPIUqT2iR6pCi9LUTG0CiPs3dVHBMfRdtXJMIHya-lIEPZCIH2iIZlWSrrY6LSO86wTCMUktjO-q0anIqs0gjPC_A8IqeB8GIgxWM/s1600/loed+the+coloured+glass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2HwA49xJd4Et2gcoGbqlq2wVQTy6zFL9yWL_l7orPIUqT2iR6pCi9LUTG0CiPs3dVHBMfRdtXJMIHya-lIEPZCIH2iIZlWSrrY6LSO86wTCMUktjO-q0anIqs0gjPC_A8IqeB8GIgxWM/s320/loed+the+coloured+glass.JPG" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEizbwyzv7VKYh1dcZEYGUcqCrFVuQEbvNcoi_4OYjeCPxXarFO6cQnXCzoC9fEJWqjX1jkB23xBYBMWh6v25IN4wQjfN3fhMFza3EQDNkFttOA2BdDhNL3nXRckkY_lEtGCTMGX4zUU0IE/s1600/T+and+frend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizbwyzv7VKYh1dcZEYGUcqCrFVuQEbvNcoi_4OYjeCPxXarFO6cQnXCzoC9fEJWqjX1jkB23xBYBMWh6v25IN4wQjfN3fhMFza3EQDNkFttOA2BdDhNL3nXRckkY_lEtGCTMGX4zUU0IE/s320/T+and+frend.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T and friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqci4i-JlrGyLhekFEs2jlqLaw0c_DHngPa9rUG0AzAeSib0P74UqWckX5ZmDEwCTw4Pam6ujv4ZY_uhv5_yJ8FhKWsLce-Q8v26UK0GdEKhTosi5HXp1YDlH4OgLy4YEIlvjodcl0nbU/s1600/stupa.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqci4i-JlrGyLhekFEs2jlqLaw0c_DHngPa9rUG0AzAeSib0P74UqWckX5ZmDEwCTw4Pam6ujv4ZY_uhv5_yJ8FhKWsLce-Q8v26UK0GdEKhTosi5HXp1YDlH4OgLy4YEIlvjodcl0nbU/s320/stupa.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CLDV5qDjMGeZA-p1OsTOR5IPiae9NYMi3SbG1L_tdxL4_T32tYxOz4TjqbJwwx3KwfIgnklThT7ujctzQXaXHNTI6O_ZX2orHMo8IfJHzHvfZuH-qzJf9oaXwvw0VwTjbEH3ySzTiN4/s1600/tiger.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6CLDV5qDjMGeZA-p1OsTOR5IPiae9NYMi3SbG1L_tdxL4_T32tYxOz4TjqbJwwx3KwfIgnklThT7ujctzQXaXHNTI6O_ZX2orHMo8IfJHzHvfZuH-qzJf9oaXwvw0VwTjbEH3ySzTiN4/s320/tiger.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoZ5Qasd84jytqFFcyKg3kFrwNR2fpqj_TVOjUGanGaUpRSiXJ_NJLt7Pifkai7Bph8c6mtKtHm-CdaQv58r6T_4wEEeM5hNUcsvNDgjWg6LkUZeXCBr8PcZ42roCwt9ueKF9B5DXFIw/s1600/T+an+friend.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZoZ5Qasd84jytqFFcyKg3kFrwNR2fpqj_TVOjUGanGaUpRSiXJ_NJLt7Pifkai7Bph8c6mtKtHm-CdaQv58r6T_4wEEeM5hNUcsvNDgjWg6LkUZeXCBr8PcZ42roCwt9ueKF9B5DXFIw/s320/T+an+friend.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T and another friend</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-E-gcd50VVrrqXJahsZQ-2CbNTN8Esv7xMoqEuWMZ3IpGm7qkTP1hCThnUdR9VGGazlq9GjhTZ4eSHtjwurO6bQvw5YuQCFniLNaBWssQafaX6oK4MMMG-EYIi8uswa6T97c6MKWZs/s1600/K+and+S.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7d-E-gcd50VVrrqXJahsZQ-2CbNTN8Esv7xMoqEuWMZ3IpGm7qkTP1hCThnUdR9VGGazlq9GjhTZ4eSHtjwurO6bQvw5YuQCFniLNaBWssQafaX6oK4MMMG-EYIi8uswa6T97c6MKWZs/s320/K+and+S.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF50uV6Vgq3f1PZNTr-90entnYQDTWSM14r8mRF512R7xk4Pnq11eE9ilEc7_zbm_0wtb4lRBg4iZ-dYpOgrQdueDCcujvWMoWP2-u2fQ8SQbsbo7WTo8Rz5FUDifQnClpfrAn3r7ooF4/s1600/temple+view+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF50uV6Vgq3f1PZNTr-90entnYQDTWSM14r8mRF512R7xk4Pnq11eE9ilEc7_zbm_0wtb4lRBg4iZ-dYpOgrQdueDCcujvWMoWP2-u2fQ8SQbsbo7WTo8Rz5FUDifQnClpfrAn3r7ooF4/s320/temple+view+3.JPG" width="320" /></a>View over the ridge. See the covered steps leading up to the temple?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWy5bD9aKeocqMoUJiHsxgHSrOo1kJCmdneusFPJm_nMj2hMvNgnGY5a58bAlJqRMWu1RJqGOPMLsl5QYYtnjTbsIY77MF7Q2YXxsEaXAUrYwvtYnIOyiVInmdxR4OIAp3de6imYtm38/s1600/temple+view+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqWy5bD9aKeocqMoUJiHsxgHSrOo1kJCmdneusFPJm_nMj2hMvNgnGY5a58bAlJqRMWu1RJqGOPMLsl5QYYtnjTbsIY77MF7Q2YXxsEaXAUrYwvtYnIOyiVInmdxR4OIAp3de6imYtm38/s320/temple+view+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back down in the town of Mawlamyine:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfFTM_ldKgOtEoMyok5RFXufItPmuLF7t24nwj9cvKZTiz6fHunqhXAISkT3RsPItSYB8LLKBdt2uTZIaSlL5gvtrlmTj8Z2QgMNOLSa6NMhDehmqmNlFhUYkl_INA2KCqzmdnbg6548/s1600/Malam+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixfFTM_ldKgOtEoMyok5RFXufItPmuLF7t24nwj9cvKZTiz6fHunqhXAISkT3RsPItSYB8LLKBdt2uTZIaSlL5gvtrlmTj8Z2QgMNOLSa6NMhDehmqmNlFhUYkl_INA2KCqzmdnbg6548/s320/Malam+scene.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9CAymFrVblfEa76bfwPB7eQMk7qhz0IAYbn_xtMiUpQHVlB8vMbTTQhsOs4aKmN8SA_qZLJwiiX0TXqMa7fyWFzQZEfhEBRDOYbghrufZmANvnuiKp-u-fDC1PvIu8a7e2kho80sLXk/s1600/house.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga9CAymFrVblfEa76bfwPB7eQMk7qhz0IAYbn_xtMiUpQHVlB8vMbTTQhsOs4aKmN8SA_qZLJwiiX0TXqMa7fyWFzQZEfhEBRDOYbghrufZmANvnuiKp-u-fDC1PvIu8a7e2kho80sLXk/s320/house.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglah6_4fjIMr67KzBv4Na0bWvqHLeybdEDQZnQkUXnaxv-DM4-aTrR9hNeVTZUImdzMyxjzXck-_w7laZ3iMtc5ToMNnu-KgATCBhyCag81049zpNjn2pJNqwQ3N-6RkPIqkMKD9WbHjc/s1600/pearls%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglah6_4fjIMr67KzBv4Na0bWvqHLeybdEDQZnQkUXnaxv-DM4-aTrR9hNeVTZUImdzMyxjzXck-_w7laZ3iMtc5ToMNnu-KgATCBhyCag81049zpNjn2pJNqwQ3N-6RkPIqkMKD9WbHjc/s320/pearls%2521.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oh, pearls, did you say?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6eKykmJpKHcx7l6qh8QgOK2xe8CvzAPB66MxF-f9ZF8aZCf-ys4AlpDM8tSpT_YuHGVh-oDTaQPmeCFXyu-_gDj8yeYxpRanQfYAw8YuOBDtX8gNqteytl9TJC1XU40AWjrWxNb1tVc/s1600/S+lunch+with+us+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL6eKykmJpKHcx7l6qh8QgOK2xe8CvzAPB66MxF-f9ZF8aZCf-ys4AlpDM8tSpT_YuHGVh-oDTaQPmeCFXyu-_gDj8yeYxpRanQfYAw8YuOBDtX8gNqteytl9TJC1XU40AWjrWxNb1tVc/s320/S+lunch+with+us+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">food glorious food</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlVsWKnYkdi_NSI9bkOIx49CFBYpdyMeW4ugWrerO273kjWjG4FB915hCwKjHJYwc_7ALBLJpxajJUADdLjKl4fsCrMUa_g5P23DMiT_vaKP1qe90PJb65WlhdxOGI9xwjYYwhSyriww/s1600/S+lady.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmlVsWKnYkdi_NSI9bkOIx49CFBYpdyMeW4ugWrerO273kjWjG4FB915hCwKjHJYwc_7ALBLJpxajJUADdLjKl4fsCrMUa_g5P23DMiT_vaKP1qe90PJb65WlhdxOGI9xwjYYwhSyriww/s320/S+lady.jpg" width="320" /></a></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/AVvXsEiLFOWNwRKA_MwSKcSEsz01jthqIIiAhYIh8FIu1WbJwK1RIv09AdF8ZsIOswJ7VfvWxbiOxYgRbh0a9NsUsSPjqqdmC2Kg-PwOeKRUzN-MiXu-ew5qrs7Xj81j_8eNeQ0kX8kuZZ5qJs8/s1600/store.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLFOWNwRKA_MwSKcSEsz01jthqIIiAhYIh8FIu1WbJwK1RIv09AdF8ZsIOswJ7VfvWxbiOxYgRbh0a9NsUsSPjqqdmC2Kg-PwOeKRUzN-MiXu-ew5qrs7Xj81j_8eNeQ0kX8kuZZ5qJs8/s320/store.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myanmar is the local beer</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdQ1VMaZrNnV5uZ2qr0gQP8Mkd9QeqN_beJua21lfLc3Ndmp3iFNqwlwi1e8JLLfhWg3-dSEujmsbccuGG_SbkX133uw74NTfNlrQ681qAjotEN-Qd0EcgoVE1G8Sr5iJGIdUXsyWIRY/s1600/boat+trasnport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDdQ1VMaZrNnV5uZ2qr0gQP8Mkd9QeqN_beJua21lfLc3Ndmp3iFNqwlwi1e8JLLfhWg3-dSEujmsbccuGG_SbkX133uw74NTfNlrQ681qAjotEN-Qd0EcgoVE1G8Sr5iJGIdUXsyWIRY/s320/boat+trasnport.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ferry to the other side of the river<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8uQpexacGvxl2Ev1toa0PKjBhPvUdlr6M6IOc6E7S3QtKkiKXR9W7YLf6M2myb5UldYpQFMooZKhUqR5LiIQManEDRv1Z-42De4NkcOs6FdpHSAWaRjtaqu7aCoqGVxYPV5aBHNCWmw/s1600/now+u+here.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ8uQpexacGvxl2Ev1toa0PKjBhPvUdlr6M6IOc6E7S3QtKkiKXR9W7YLf6M2myb5UldYpQFMooZKhUqR5LiIQManEDRv1Z-42De4NkcOs6FdpHSAWaRjtaqu7aCoqGVxYPV5aBHNCWmw/s320/now+u+here.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Now U here--good to know<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4WmaZZoli2iz-MNwkrN4LLi7seUQiwcPQKjva1nQk_dZvZnrziSEdGHGIM26nJGd8J8oIBA6TeMsNPLY1OUFkT8XCJYy-0kGF8XIWQLXPp8CPGK2o3a9NO1z0uSojKjwlgSZsDi_1Ps/s1600/comparing+notes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgq4WmaZZoli2iz-MNwkrN4LLi7seUQiwcPQKjva1nQk_dZvZnrziSEdGHGIM26nJGd8J8oIBA6TeMsNPLY1OUFkT8XCJYy-0kGF8XIWQLXPp8CPGK2o3a9NO1z0uSojKjwlgSZsDi_1Ps/s320/comparing+notes.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Are you sure?</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t5DWRWMf0HmX1g4yUnlV-07mAkSSRWqkAZM_SK111T3ogWYmtC951oly1Swx9NlZrLiQB-jHe6_3_yHErKPEXj0iRixhjQeCoN8z2VLtXz4eo0KjPF3ya3d_SfcjHKnXRQkXw9gbkVQ/s1600/boy+with+umbrella.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7t5DWRWMf0HmX1g4yUnlV-07mAkSSRWqkAZM_SK111T3ogWYmtC951oly1Swx9NlZrLiQB-jHe6_3_yHErKPEXj0iRixhjQeCoN8z2VLtXz4eo0KjPF3ya3d_SfcjHKnXRQkXw9gbkVQ/s320/boy+with+umbrella.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Getting ready for sunset diners, at an outdoor food court</td></tr>
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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/AVvXsEiicUbnYnYqQo196eVd2bEkf4QrWLZIr9j7mQDaFG0Ipwq-vIG0A_mU1FdY9w7mdt33IGBzA5Hh4lD2hOIIFAdNrfdWLykMiSutPeQCxjpmx_MIeXOF3iRXk0b_51nEeJdLQrj7d8GUQW8/s1600/S+T+with+food+night+bbq.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiicUbnYnYqQo196eVd2bEkf4QrWLZIr9j7mQDaFG0Ipwq-vIG0A_mU1FdY9w7mdt33IGBzA5Hh4lD2hOIIFAdNrfdWLykMiSutPeQCxjpmx_MIeXOF3iRXk0b_51nEeJdLQrj7d8GUQW8/s320/S+T+with+food+night+bbq.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Look at the choices!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFmw1y5PONhcWcAhuiGnsd9T0xA8jOHTQ-AAbU7InNBgTJtG2O_3HwHqNBnsLNlh5blJtX2kDdJPLTcNEEIFkLW-2DDvfrxZZL2eGX2-_wz3I-Y2fxdioDq2QemwuULuCFRowKZys8Ps/s1600/Tbeer+sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLFmw1y5PONhcWcAhuiGnsd9T0xA8jOHTQ-AAbU7InNBgTJtG2O_3HwHqNBnsLNlh5blJtX2kDdJPLTcNEEIFkLW-2DDvfrxZZL2eGX2-_wz3I-Y2fxdioDq2QemwuULuCFRowKZys8Ps/s320/Tbeer+sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">sunset diner</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7_ZShwS6kTxrbBUzbVugUdPQRNuSq8UFwvr0hgm3rS6V0_cLmV0DEqJXVFPWT_wQYNN2yxKgAVXBR_crTHH5Z1AMJpAfV0BamFb2sPuwRRQXzwnqlL1rQaoSYpt1RTimSNFvqZ0XYrM/s1600/Mawlamyine+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgL7_ZShwS6kTxrbBUzbVugUdPQRNuSq8UFwvr0hgm3rS6V0_cLmV0DEqJXVFPWT_wQYNN2yxKgAVXBR_crTHH5Z1AMJpAfV0BamFb2sPuwRRQXzwnqlL1rQaoSYpt1RTimSNFvqZ0XYrM/s320/Mawlamyine+street.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">mosque</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuYELGrVoc4-hd_BZZaK0sA2Su-gM05kp5KfGy6ksGS3d9X3wcZSfoRI9j5V6yG1p9x3Y3OiEUJ0L4p7TF66zpQzgnfOIElkiolYJQEiCUppDxzcj3yBffLgJQvacr2e9mlg38nMrlsU/s1600/U+of+M.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnuYELGrVoc4-hd_BZZaK0sA2Su-gM05kp5KfGy6ksGS3d9X3wcZSfoRI9j5V6yG1p9x3Y3OiEUJ0L4p7TF66zpQzgnfOIElkiolYJQEiCUppDxzcj3yBffLgJQvacr2e9mlg38nMrlsU/s320/U+of+M.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">University of Mawlamyine</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAnZwNfwjcbfl6f74F6wDxresI5VNTrVejhQlWK7nKlZOz4GUBiSjV_uJBDjweYREXc2I4k4bmWZs7EnDQ0bo67__LuPSbNB5vl0OWJLqGTQv_5MjqmejxUqQOFZMEMa7JUABq8qnJOU/s1600/walking+to+lose+weight.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOAnZwNfwjcbfl6f74F6wDxresI5VNTrVejhQlWK7nKlZOz4GUBiSjV_uJBDjweYREXc2I4k4bmWZs7EnDQ0bo67__LuPSbNB5vl0OWJLqGTQv_5MjqmejxUqQOFZMEMa7JUABq8qnJOU/s320/walking+to+lose+weight.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well we did some of that today</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQBCIk9XqpsC_VZNiSqgVjkw5EGT4StaACcUxDI5Wndem_6lLE2L8c_ikx31zAFp2JKbRR9hsg7l6_HLNwgyUBTl2TQ43d-fVdcXifyLfemRrEf3_WmgGzkoEAdQk_6BxE2uL2LwR6U4/s1600/bling+bling.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXQBCIk9XqpsC_VZNiSqgVjkw5EGT4StaACcUxDI5Wndem_6lLE2L8c_ikx31zAFp2JKbRR9hsg7l6_HLNwgyUBTl2TQ43d-fVdcXifyLfemRrEf3_WmgGzkoEAdQk_6BxE2uL2LwR6U4/s320/bling+bling.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bling's in fashion everywhere</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Night market seller</td></tr>
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Next day we took a boat up the river to HpaAn, capital of the Karen (AKA Kayin) State. At around four hours, including two temple stops, it gave great views of the countryside. Small, basic villages of simple houses, with golden stupas on the hills above them.</div>
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We stopped at one of the villages<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ryjxVTYTPoEDw2gNxxxFsCQLXrIkoM8WTgd2JGOtyynHDqo_yzaWPyzRtUJCoWkTBZ_eaFAVO3q3D4zsIgJvW5YEDDJfCz90qNtVo9kjP_6rv7qfi_D2YEehSDffUB6Dp_Od-t1qBo0/s1600/Karen+village.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ryjxVTYTPoEDw2gNxxxFsCQLXrIkoM8WTgd2JGOtyynHDqo_yzaWPyzRtUJCoWkTBZ_eaFAVO3q3D4zsIgJvW5YEDDJfCz90qNtVo9kjP_6rv7qfi_D2YEehSDffUB6Dp_Od-t1qBo0/s320/Karen+village.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a Karen village along the river</td></tr>
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And visited a temple there<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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On to HpaAn, which was much larger than we expected. A pleasant, bustling town just 175 km/100 miles from Mae Sot, an important border town in Thailand, it has the feel of a frontier town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVuGSsnP0A44n8rvjTuL1pF1anUeQ6138i26jc3DytHq6jyYJqTRWDqTcwEMbGQVawv1QGQO2Z8fdnpmJnxvt_WNmws_R9ezW_SKhyphenhyphenRkKoUMEIO3_NOJl-9KaBoB1RcArL3IBpxTQyDw/s1600/HpaAn+clock+tower.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSVuGSsnP0A44n8rvjTuL1pF1anUeQ6138i26jc3DytHq6jyYJqTRWDqTcwEMbGQVawv1QGQO2Z8fdnpmJnxvt_WNmws_R9ezW_SKhyphenhyphenRkKoUMEIO3_NOJl-9KaBoB1RcArL3IBpxTQyDw/s320/HpaAn+clock+tower.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR8bLKjIoJfEWd-yLEOBLaaOCrPMBcLqxkWFQEuROaF2v1R_ch03yLlG-UZKgAHv7kNBia968VGVkzZaiH_YnNcK-9mxMaIDtts7_VOVzJoxBgKuOKE1eaZ2zWKmml8uRm8w236UNYa4/s1600/Hpa+An.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPR8bLKjIoJfEWd-yLEOBLaaOCrPMBcLqxkWFQEuROaF2v1R_ch03yLlG-UZKgAHv7kNBia968VGVkzZaiH_YnNcK-9mxMaIDtts7_VOVzJoxBgKuOKE1eaZ2zWKmml8uRm8w236UNYa4/s320/Hpa+An.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">From our hotel window!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ9ewoJI8fVGBQfxfEaS2H3BgTPaFzp2B_hbQAkBytkubnDDGClykIONm3CotLFzfulEyvn0n-xqRRHZ7UpEhCzCSh3KjPnDLwk-5KMJp8C4um_VFyqxJAsL4Qe-GrwM5hFvb68qC5Qo/s1600/S+T+on+roof+og+Hpa+An+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQ9ewoJI8fVGBQfxfEaS2H3BgTPaFzp2B_hbQAkBytkubnDDGClykIONm3CotLFzfulEyvn0n-xqRRHZ7UpEhCzCSh3KjPnDLwk-5KMJp8C4um_VFyqxJAsL4Qe-GrwM5hFvb68qC5Qo/s320/S+T+on+roof+og+Hpa+An+hotel.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">on the hotel roof</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Too much wifi around anyway<br />
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From HpaAn we did a day trip to a lake temple and a large cave.<br />
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First stop the lake, with another stupa balanced atop a pinnacle of rock in the middle. The man-made lake is unfortunately almost dry, but the site still impresses.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">one of the temples on the site</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shop near the lake temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN8sVCv4RNOFmyjHOnBi2G6qZ6eJlVnY5RKgvH3CHuntWc2h5uc9Y4DeOsN18MIkuVwm5aujmgQlMc6tQ1q6BT28zlvqxwtO6Tmm6CYGQncQCE1RNXpp-n-74oJnog_agr4tEYHfNIxQ/s1600/T+putting+on+his+legs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJN8sVCv4RNOFmyjHOnBi2G6qZ6eJlVnY5RKgvH3CHuntWc2h5uc9Y4DeOsN18MIkuVwm5aujmgQlMc6tQ1q6BT28zlvqxwtO6Tmm6CYGQncQCE1RNXpp-n-74oJnog_agr4tEYHfNIxQ/s320/T+putting+on+his+legs.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Longyi abandoned, T puts his "legs on" to enter the temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Karen country</td></tr>
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On to the cave, Saddar Cave--very large and full of Buddha statues.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F6-SNlPidCXAQKF1obcQ5l3CQNlcVGEvSAZW5MC5zd7KrIPGzbMkhigej-RRVdY0oZCv3GtBT3kJEdWvPhRS6ybYRcPF0C7FYNOxqjmHVgp48qdcuUEHiwiKIQj0uZ0Vy3Z_45QZ58I/s1600/cave+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2F6-SNlPidCXAQKF1obcQ5l3CQNlcVGEvSAZW5MC5zd7KrIPGzbMkhigej-RRVdY0oZCv3GtBT3kJEdWvPhRS6ybYRcPF0C7FYNOxqjmHVgp48qdcuUEHiwiKIQj0uZ0Vy3Z_45QZ58I/s320/cave+temple.JPG" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDvmy4RyEbmhsFdj_QNuAJ_zGNZFuMPPFdBuVp8YjUBG7FpjB_7rkJvNRrURSbUTW7D8_FkZQLvGFNzAHUJy9Qa7oTQnogy5uChfF6pjIveMALgdTADC2BXhbh9EgLqUBlOb88XuGArs/s1600/cave+temple+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWDvmy4RyEbmhsFdj_QNuAJ_zGNZFuMPPFdBuVp8YjUBG7FpjB_7rkJvNRrURSbUTW7D8_FkZQLvGFNzAHUJy9Qa7oTQnogy5uChfF6pjIveMALgdTADC2BXhbh9EgLqUBlOb88XuGArs/s320/cave+temple+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz70FvnJgVfzlZlDs57qDOMk9OWM6BrauxeJgCoT4tja9XAg0n70kAjZaBmdX6LlDCpVn0vs4P24efNQwt5YfDsj4yTv5sAO6t4_f1esOzwUoklQ-puMQpS5I1cTDx4h8ajy94rg3NAs/s1600/cave+temple+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIz70FvnJgVfzlZlDs57qDOMk9OWM6BrauxeJgCoT4tja9XAg0n70kAjZaBmdX6LlDCpVn0vs4P24efNQwt5YfDsj4yTv5sAO6t4_f1esOzwUoklQ-puMQpS5I1cTDx4h8ajy94rg3NAs/s320/cave+temple+3.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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You remove your shoes, as it's a holy site, and walk all the way through the cave and out the other side, next to a river. The shore is lined with boats to take you back to the entrance, for a fee. It sounded good to us, so ....<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzenB02WDo2y27K6B3-S2g_2H1jGTthncnkI4JEuGk6k-YIjmt8Z0Yq3Q7ygFbG5eWEVb1Mx4YZe3fjOLxt5LLZjGv2omu8sB-KyXik4CZSusRHGIalcZLnKcCGzCCWGALHHugnV_k8/s1600/cave+boat+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjapzenB02WDo2y27K6B3-S2g_2H1jGTthncnkI4JEuGk6k-YIjmt8Z0Yq3Q7ygFbG5eWEVb1Mx4YZe3fjOLxt5LLZjGv2omu8sB-KyXik4CZSusRHGIalcZLnKcCGzCCWGALHHugnV_k8/s320/cave+boat+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The ride was nice, passing under a rock ledge and then through paddy fields. Saw these dugout canoes along the way</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTBYdyXJTV53qugt9v50IR2xCLb2RQOJf9dtRpYCiiUZzLy6kjaQ1DQYhANS840aywR-QHHa7ZJcqHqgVz04aK7khNbdNRVJkoelnSnODXeUwicChRNdRgZ6Mr3Q5gpK2OYiSPVuhmqI/s1600/dugout+canoes.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTBYdyXJTV53qugt9v50IR2xCLb2RQOJf9dtRpYCiiUZzLy6kjaQ1DQYhANS840aywR-QHHa7ZJcqHqgVz04aK7khNbdNRVJkoelnSnODXeUwicChRNdRgZ6Mr3Q5gpK2OYiSPVuhmqI/s320/dugout+canoes.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Alas, the boat ride did not in fact take us to the entrance of the cave. There was a considerable walk...no shoes. We had pooh-poohed a group of Germans for wearing their shoes in the cave, but now we envied them on the hot path</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuMFKUBd7FDxtuxfrKQo3sNsTj8BsgFumg4zliO2PCDPadIBwr82oRhhsxzV7ZVve9jrvjxrNicHlU3e6RXDq6V3yYdTwPFXX-4Sdcy-5lyLsKKibHCvs3niIyaDueWMq60Q9bpt0Wmw/s1600/long+walk.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRuMFKUBd7FDxtuxfrKQo3sNsTj8BsgFumg4zliO2PCDPadIBwr82oRhhsxzV7ZVve9jrvjxrNicHlU3e6RXDq6V3yYdTwPFXX-4Sdcy-5lyLsKKibHCvs3niIyaDueWMq60Q9bpt0Wmw/s320/long+walk.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpqX_YnjBbNRwkCTOJbd7ZlknniPWKOYMwljLrdJaKoJObdxGUSFTJo2T1-pt794UMvaydFqRz9zdre1ERqvJyd7roSlHmVtuqfUDKTYzPon7lO0C5FnPyuHluejFUcfPQEp1jT8caWQ/s1600/walking+from+cave+temple.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVpqX_YnjBbNRwkCTOJbd7ZlknniPWKOYMwljLrdJaKoJObdxGUSFTJo2T1-pt794UMvaydFqRz9zdre1ERqvJyd7roSlHmVtuqfUDKTYzPon7lO0C5FnPyuHluejFUcfPQEp1jT8caWQ/s320/walking+from+cave+temple.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Yeow</div>
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The next day we headed back to Yangon, opting to hire a car so we could stop at an important site on the way: Mt. Kyaiktiyo, the golden balancing rock in Mon State.</div>
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Getting to the famous site requires either an 4 - 6 hour hike straight uphill, or riding an open sided, bench-lined truck sardine style along with about 100 other souls.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0kWkat2C7p_aeBMZzobKxb3x1i8IVjqHbjKnRc6MrSNGte3knUdISTEpsfG1bZzdsEwiS8zxV2a3p5FGLcsydVwczA4yIRM_OvZC4JilRN4JnB6uh3rGRyS-GzBHqLguxiMj3OrQwVI/s1600/truck+to+Mt.+Kyak.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0kWkat2C7p_aeBMZzobKxb3x1i8IVjqHbjKnRc6MrSNGte3knUdISTEpsfG1bZzdsEwiS8zxV2a3p5FGLcsydVwczA4yIRM_OvZC4JilRN4JnB6uh3rGRyS-GzBHqLguxiMj3OrQwVI/s320/truck+to+Mt.+Kyak.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We later came to appreciate that life insurance was included in the ticket. It was a truly hair-raising experience, enhanced by our driver's daring along the treacherous single lane road. He just flew around hairpin turn after hairpin turn up the steep, narrow road, overtaking another vehicle at the one spot wide enough to consider such a thing. Perhaps he was fond of this drink:</div>
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They are building a cable car up to the top. A much more sensible way to go. </div>
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Here it is! Covered in layers of gold leaf, and reportedly sitting atop a hair of the Buddha, placed so that it would never blow away.<br />
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Back we went down the mountain, thankfully with a driver who seemed to place a greater value on human life.</div>
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On to Yangon. Seen enroute</div>
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Alas, no time to stop and check out the Goldfish Shoe and Slipper store.</div>
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In Yangon, we are struck by how many more people wear western clothes than outside the city. We thought 90% of everyone, men and women, outside Yangon wear longyi, whereas there it seemed more like 60%. So interesting, the process of opening to homogeneous world culture.</div>
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Last Burmese dinner!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HVgDF0V8ag-d9zCQnrYH7M_9H39qQguGcPLPHrRyIxJYA2xsWxtSoFEP7if5OQVOOGxAQpKOzIB2ymbpbPo8u-Sq4wv8NibEJI21uwytXf4_clXbMB8zMP4VhjvfvCjRLTU2uLAumi8/s1600/S+and+T+a+dinner.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5HVgDF0V8ag-d9zCQnrYH7M_9H39qQguGcPLPHrRyIxJYA2xsWxtSoFEP7if5OQVOOGxAQpKOzIB2ymbpbPo8u-Sq4wv8NibEJI21uwytXf4_clXbMB8zMP4VhjvfvCjRLTU2uLAumi8/s320/S+and+T+a+dinner.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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At the Yangon airport, you can even travel to Mother Earth</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-20476756383994796792017-01-25T02:44:00.000-08:002017-01-25T02:44:01.715-08:00January 2017<span style="color: #660000; font-size: x-large;">W</span>e left New Orleans with many happy memories and the remains of a box of yumminess that had been brought by S from California.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_CdUcKunmzxJbDbEQNV0Kz5q4tna9sOAPrp_N2WrxM5wNAZ5ZmZXOS0nvT8YmJHUK_PZ2c365ZiPPSZxI7-s9McKfvMIY27619v1LtJ5gdD9Iv09KHZ_3TOkq8Jk4ltlXhOI3iCAgkA/s1600/Baklava.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_CdUcKunmzxJbDbEQNV0Kz5q4tna9sOAPrp_N2WrxM5wNAZ5ZmZXOS0nvT8YmJHUK_PZ2c365ZiPPSZxI7-s9McKfvMIY27619v1LtJ5gdD9Iv09KHZ_3TOkq8Jk4ltlXhOI3iCAgkA/s320/Baklava.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had one day and night in Florida before our flight out of the country, and were able to spend time with T and C who now live there. They kindly drove some hours to meet us and took us touring down to Key Largo.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRbHcOVsHIciXW9IZAz4oSEgna290PEe3x-vPo4vxRntw79_eVcHy9jnW5zDzIffkMZE-ZmcdqW_0SqoMtP5TomhMyvAgFxhBsVD_3UBjXsyEJNgG-2Dw8mm4_awlt71LHEZM-8VSyjM/s1600/Tim+and+Chaty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRbHcOVsHIciXW9IZAz4oSEgna290PEe3x-vPo4vxRntw79_eVcHy9jnW5zDzIffkMZE-ZmcdqW_0SqoMtP5TomhMyvAgFxhBsVD_3UBjXsyEJNgG-2Dw8mm4_awlt71LHEZM-8VSyjM/s320/Tim+and+Chaty.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Our last US lunch, by the sea, did not disappoint. And we even found key lime pie for dessert :-).</div>
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Festive Florida:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn3pAKh5iIiC24lYAQX3opj3CIf-1gO3mMOx4s-6hFCR2uJOn71tbau89R7IW4EAbEXJSeFRbHehA3CbQPPE_NGOwauY36PlxntcN4ZXxfQ59qR00IwZL5cHbyAWofnByTOIbn47p7Vs/s1600/palms.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcn3pAKh5iIiC24lYAQX3opj3CIf-1gO3mMOx4s-6hFCR2uJOn71tbau89R7IW4EAbEXJSeFRbHehA3CbQPPE_NGOwauY36PlxntcN4ZXxfQ59qR00IwZL5cHbyAWofnByTOIbn47p7Vs/s320/palms.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Thirty-nine hours of traveling found us at our Batu Feringgi doorstep, unable to get in because the gate was padlocked. That was sorted out within an hour or two and then we found 3 cm of water on the kitchen floor. That got sorted out too. Worse than those bits of excitement, the next day I found a desiccated gecko in the toaster!! After toasting!</div>
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Soon after, Another session of Talk Time at the Indonesian Consulate's shelter. Seven volunteers and 26 participants. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG9mdPm7pNjyoqvK4WE7O1JapgvddJ28syaGrA1GztlDpjwncJlJkFxXDR_PMUNZXl0TMOOcJPJUunXfhmZUZUzXn_L6KfqK_KmZY_kPDwaadAapUdSEnYD0uNxRfOYQFgifnhP0835Q/s1600/Body+Talk+Time+2+%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkG9mdPm7pNjyoqvK4WE7O1JapgvddJ28syaGrA1GztlDpjwncJlJkFxXDR_PMUNZXl0TMOOcJPJUunXfhmZUZUzXn_L6KfqK_KmZY_kPDwaadAapUdSEnYD0uNxRfOYQFgifnhP0835Q/s320/Body+Talk+Time+2+%2528Small%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5wJY1iTtWiJexf46qumvlW9S6SfJADJtzLDtEKtZzfArbzvdCAnsn0GSTUTNyL-vU8BuT-iS2AGB7ShkmhrXhKx-K8IVme1S4ayfDSgfVcFKEInGjbZtfUWTmAk6CVFJ7hN77zpCJu0/s1600/Body+Talk+Time+4+%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN5wJY1iTtWiJexf46qumvlW9S6SfJADJtzLDtEKtZzfArbzvdCAnsn0GSTUTNyL-vU8BuT-iS2AGB7ShkmhrXhKx-K8IVme1S4ayfDSgfVcFKEInGjbZtfUWTmAk6CVFJ7hN77zpCJu0/s320/Body+Talk+Time+4+%2528Small%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAMl9wAiD8475L215nbyPgYjjoeKs7pua43OWhYXvGNeRNTiZmCMO3OYLY8mmGtLc_GyuVyKIG3KGvAe8RUmjZCwSXhk7vw9mMpXBfd43dKHJVNEwhTxZBiURSEQqLyrngWnlNXM4obg/s1600/Sticky+notes+3+%2528Small%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGAMl9wAiD8475L215nbyPgYjjoeKs7pua43OWhYXvGNeRNTiZmCMO3OYLY8mmGtLc_GyuVyKIG3KGvAe8RUmjZCwSXhk7vw9mMpXBfd43dKHJVNEwhTxZBiURSEQqLyrngWnlNXM4obg/s320/Sticky+notes+3+%2528Small%2529.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Six months to go in our ten year escapade overseas...</div>
Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-57948841382709885082017-01-25T02:16:00.000-08:002017-01-25T06:11:34.221-08:00NOLA New Years!<span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">F</span>lying from Miami/Florida to Louisiana you pass miles and miles of bayou, the land largely submerged. A few impossibly placed buildings, seemingly surrounded by water. You have to wonder at what rate coastal areas are disappearing.<br />
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Landing in the wonderfully-named Louis Armstrong airport we immediately catch the New Orleans vibe<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgRGb4698_sdVOt6sJ1exrliu9xAxAgYsElCr7tenS2UlaydcgeKoW0ivCz9rr4GWJJI3vRrtbcykKk6Ybgdkzzhm86e5OdjRFC8PC8vjTJjodu906GK0n71l_prRHDj2uHkxUtgqXYA/s1600/NOLA+airport+ad.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRgRGb4698_sdVOt6sJ1exrliu9xAxAgYsElCr7tenS2UlaydcgeKoW0ivCz9rr4GWJJI3vRrtbcykKk6Ybgdkzzhm86e5OdjRFC8PC8vjTJjodu906GK0n71l_prRHDj2uHkxUtgqXYA/s320/NOLA+airport+ad.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And then spot this sobering? helpful? sign: <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4TwmOo62Jssq2BzYwZYPx2qRtIFIZLkQQeQixmYCh8ODE2zvWUwD8bIuReN3pMrsTfI4MYcKaNb3Nk-upvaXWm_laIHqI68uQU4lihyCZ0cnlRyoG2TgtK8odUBJPGogREaUxu5ms6A/s1600/sign+2+from+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP4TwmOo62Jssq2BzYwZYPx2qRtIFIZLkQQeQixmYCh8ODE2zvWUwD8bIuReN3pMrsTfI4MYcKaNb3Nk-upvaXWm_laIHqI68uQU4lihyCZ0cnlRyoG2TgtK8odUBJPGogREaUxu5ms6A/s320/sign+2+from+airport.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leaving C and L as advance guard to explore the city, T, M and K headed to Lafayette, Louisiana to meet M and K's long-lost first cousin, whom we'd not seen for years and years and years. While we regret not having made the effort sooner, for he is one of our very few cousins and a really interesting guy, the timing is good because he is in ill-health and not expected to be around very much longer. We found that he reminded us very much of our deceased brother.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBFCJ4U6Uoj31w56TGWValS-GIpndInPs2Uydgg1xLhXu0QuZpKH4EvzLdKSzqnd5TI6V_1fnNa4SAediUyGdo9p-A0q13aOub_PSsf_jZJ2CsnOR8sa2rJ8lMTMPoiDH4YhQTCYr-ts/s1600/E+and+M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBFCJ4U6Uoj31w56TGWValS-GIpndInPs2Uydgg1xLhXu0QuZpKH4EvzLdKSzqnd5TI6V_1fnNa4SAediUyGdo9p-A0q13aOub_PSsf_jZJ2CsnOR8sa2rJ8lMTMPoiDH4YhQTCYr-ts/s320/E+and+M.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We stayed two nights in Lafayette (he treated us to a hotel!) and had fabulous meals both evenings. This fellow greeted us at one restaurant where we enjoyed crawfish etouffe </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQFiypbrcYkaTcTvpSWRETujAriNe_fXwuqKC1LRk9AJ_27Y0Nq2AoWFxSAtXYaWy6hKSyOzleMaIOSS1CBEmTRt6MCFJK3PHL8dCkHQZK2Az1QnfiHJluTJYwR839lgdrCkBc-iys7Y/s1600/lafatyetter+crocodile.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyQFiypbrcYkaTcTvpSWRETujAriNe_fXwuqKC1LRk9AJ_27Y0Nq2AoWFxSAtXYaWy6hKSyOzleMaIOSS1CBEmTRt6MCFJK3PHL8dCkHQZK2Az1QnfiHJluTJYwR839lgdrCkBc-iys7Y/s320/lafatyetter+crocodile.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We heard many great stories of Cousin Ed's life and our family, including the real story of the spelling of the name "Stroad". But first, verification that our grandmother was indeed full-blooded Native American--Lakota Sioux. Amazing. Wish we had known her, though the scowl she presents in photos is quite off-putting. How did our grandfather meet her, one wonders. Ed did not know.</div>
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The Stroad story is quite marvelous, and differs greatly from the one M and I were told as kids (= two great aunts simply thought Strode was boring and common, so they changed it). Apparently, our great grandfather, Elisha Stephen Strode, born 1845 in Kentucky and the youngest of 10 children, served in the Union Army during the Civil War. Poor dear, he suffered there from hemorrhoids, a common complaint at the time and attributed to the strain of moving dead bodies around to bury them... His were so bad that he left the army and began receiving disability checks. The first check had a spelling error, which he never bothered to try to correct, and hence <i>Stroad </i>was born.</div>
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Cousin Ed has four daughters, three of whom we met--so fun to know them and gracious of them to make time for us</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvAdFsufrOVc2BdxyHmGnQynJ7wYXGhYvj7Qf5-V5v93MOVB9cAs1gl6PdMgsjeR5eTMd2hZv4ZS2rSbjEdhyWS4c1d0ehj5WBVM6QlYbge9JauprBImzUuyuj1AzUuHmJR0r0ph_P7c/s1600/Ed%2527s+daughters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdvAdFsufrOVc2BdxyHmGnQynJ7wYXGhYvj7Qf5-V5v93MOVB9cAs1gl6PdMgsjeR5eTMd2hZv4ZS2rSbjEdhyWS4c1d0ehj5WBVM6QlYbge9JauprBImzUuyuj1AzUuHmJR0r0ph_P7c/s320/Ed%2527s+daughters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Ed told us a bit about his life. He had many years with the US Air Force in VietNam in electronic warfare (jamming radar) and earning multiple medals. Here are two he found to show us</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqDMYicWoZlEpj0qwi7LkbHCFkGOALyW1SlGCXMh_dDepm5M4-lmpSatFt6gCJa-mqEzDvlWG7-zWmdCQfCM4A1TNt7i0Hq7RcWbTM_my0T8L5D6uPHZUe-Yj4Ix6-d1G50Bgv9FWtuA/s1600/ed%2527s+medals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZqDMYicWoZlEpj0qwi7LkbHCFkGOALyW1SlGCXMh_dDepm5M4-lmpSatFt6gCJa-mqEzDvlWG7-zWmdCQfCM4A1TNt7i0Hq7RcWbTM_my0T8L5D6uPHZUe-Yj4Ix6-d1G50Bgv9FWtuA/s320/ed%2527s+medals.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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He then worked on offshore oil platforms in Louisiana, prospected for gold in Georgia and Nevada, and started a film production company. He also had bit parts in a number of films, including Lonesome Dove and Secretariat. Interesting, sweet guy.</div>
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Time to head back to New Orleans. Our visit had exhausted him in his frail health, but I think we were all glad we had the time together.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm-jerql84rD01_xzV0ar5Zzc2v2WqTNAlKFw64Dn6FCCipG609tqbmKdRkR1lWlUwNyeo1zED6gKirBNVQIg31lovz7bUFc-x_9x2lmQqTIHx8ds4lOVwLvgWchOMHK6BMqrW91xyPE/s1600/K+and+Ed+and+M.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWm-jerql84rD01_xzV0ar5Zzc2v2WqTNAlKFw64Dn6FCCipG609tqbmKdRkR1lWlUwNyeo1zED6gKirBNVQIg31lovz7bUFc-x_9x2lmQqTIHx8ds4lOVwLvgWchOMHK6BMqrW91xyPE/s320/K+and+Ed+and+M.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Spotted in a Lafayette restaurant, an unfortunate typo--making it the place to go to make ADA-related complaints</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYSjuwVDafxq6AK7r83LJMFEz_rOK7IJ0VNH5fLcAftRVoU7tenA92ho_Q__h60m4zesoz1wH1MSFPOTM_I4qgh-HIFPbjWTwnfAl-xVq9JAQfyL6KSRHSR6XCsvgjoHO3rRwR7qfa_M/s1600/ADA+complaint+facility.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGYSjuwVDafxq6AK7r83LJMFEz_rOK7IJ0VNH5fLcAftRVoU7tenA92ho_Q__h60m4zesoz1wH1MSFPOTM_I4qgh-HIFPbjWTwnfAl-xVq9JAQfyL6KSRHSR6XCsvgjoHO3rRwR7qfa_M/s320/ADA+complaint+facility.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">~</span></div>
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New Orleans' French and Garden Quarters are like what one imagines France wold have been like in the late 1800s. Lovely, grand houses with great charm. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9VmXw5ll3CkN2MGTNNDIneIg-knpVElmhjPSaFEDFXyvJDfZ4rWFfyLIrnNQ2W08G8nl4-yH_Kp1crW93Kkk8ebjgqNGlOhsA9xMYOOSudjbDMrHXrQVxiBjRJDSsQcqyNj9je-CZSM/s1600/architecture+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH9VmXw5ll3CkN2MGTNNDIneIg-knpVElmhjPSaFEDFXyvJDfZ4rWFfyLIrnNQ2W08G8nl4-yH_Kp1crW93Kkk8ebjgqNGlOhsA9xMYOOSudjbDMrHXrQVxiBjRJDSsQcqyNj9je-CZSM/s320/architecture+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw7LhX6SKPlOR15sQuOKYWnlk8KKIeFUCN4QLWQqVUKMQWfbKZbZMfx_9gNnxsRCFWzZcFhyphenhyphenjIHzE54CgrP7fkYiks3DyP26nMZLq-pA6O3_lAdCTx9j8O3kw_azHmD2zL2h9ujAMvrE/s1600/gorgeous+architecture.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbw7LhX6SKPlOR15sQuOKYWnlk8KKIeFUCN4QLWQqVUKMQWfbKZbZMfx_9gNnxsRCFWzZcFhyphenhyphenjIHzE54CgrP7fkYiks3DyP26nMZLq-pA6O3_lAdCTx9j8O3kw_azHmD2zL2h9ujAMvrE/s320/gorgeous+architecture.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So much good food to try! </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOppGOniT3b63h-p_qAHBaDYb0-0augpGxMVda5G5z3xousFLx509C9C8IfeV_2U3zsQTTRSn6ezAvPf22PFxQ2hKJ5hPuWfu5YnFotdSoHz1oVVhIMgg-DQFD1LGj-x92EDDY4PaR2k/s1600/oysters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPOppGOniT3b63h-p_qAHBaDYb0-0augpGxMVda5G5z3xousFLx509C9C8IfeV_2U3zsQTTRSn6ezAvPf22PFxQ2hKJ5hPuWfu5YnFotdSoHz1oVVhIMgg-DQFD1LGj-x92EDDY4PaR2k/s320/oysters.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oysters!</td></tr>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAd7RPBWjjRJJxU6jrleROMqvLy4kPIZ8QbGs6IObynG6AGTSWobNj29snVbCoRnvou-GEJHcGwfSaGejXjV63yXDAiWnjV-8y85nXM96sG0aHwWqzGzedw1-PSHpbDXvKVzVYU3BUyQ/s1600/po%2527+boys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhAd7RPBWjjRJJxU6jrleROMqvLy4kPIZ8QbGs6IObynG6AGTSWobNj29snVbCoRnvou-GEJHcGwfSaGejXjV63yXDAiWnjV-8y85nXM96sG0aHwWqzGzedw1-PSHpbDXvKVzVYU3BUyQ/s320/po%2527+boys.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Po'Boys!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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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/AVvXsEivwRgayzy_yeglLrLrI8zf1NtsaSz8YPswg294mk-p0eXoPfmf_wPh6UvILI7VZnPQ-ZLfkxmSzuflFdP0S6r_3mZegr7RGw53n3NlcxDEVLvHNS7iB7UxakyOXr0LcMnKxjTP3DjUupQ/s1600/beignets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivwRgayzy_yeglLrLrI8zf1NtsaSz8YPswg294mk-p0eXoPfmf_wPh6UvILI7VZnPQ-ZLfkxmSzuflFdP0S6r_3mZegr7RGw53n3NlcxDEVLvHNS7iB7UxakyOXr0LcMnKxjTP3DjUupQ/s320/beignets.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Beignets!</td></tr>
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Raw oysters: T enjoying and S bravely trying</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuCVYRo6e476E2j4C4SWcTx03U7y4g6eV4vrQRfnZEaKq3ydDqjGVY_WRNMh8C278hj1oFUQSteuyjq-epnOeFXcEBqgU9810hWc4rHWpwPu7kMEPMu8E5Bsen-Cxx60Qd2hcQZYRJKA/s1600/T+eating+oyster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuCVYRo6e476E2j4C4SWcTx03U7y4g6eV4vrQRfnZEaKq3ydDqjGVY_WRNMh8C278hj1oFUQSteuyjq-epnOeFXcEBqgU9810hWc4rHWpwPu7kMEPMu8E5Bsen-Cxx60Qd2hcQZYRJKA/s320/T+eating+oyster.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx2M8N_OhWREtipP1qDDtQj3C544u-LeWlN4Xnh9Ipp8QhvAFTDiQqeX5NqPmV2M2D2g8ehLR3TSBNcu6chlit59xVn1mhiizzNkptykmBW7YcGeHq0SDBHaoQ2bK5RMZ7pHHrdxSk9Q/s1600/Sarah+trying+oysters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEx2M8N_OhWREtipP1qDDtQj3C544u-LeWlN4Xnh9Ipp8QhvAFTDiQqeX5NqPmV2M2D2g8ehLR3TSBNcu6chlit59xVn1mhiizzNkptykmBW7YcGeHq0SDBHaoQ2bK5RMZ7pHHrdxSk9Q/s320/Sarah+trying+oysters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Crawfish anyone?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCHxw1z95kkJnIluaQTkaQrTQ_HXrgla2X8kIioXLA_xOcrbfVkRpR10PPEQzxsovqC3zJHAYnDuwxUy0LlNEwzfBRE1_LPTB4HJ_QA2qjk9dtgORX0OgtTyjQ72LmM43asMLRUFu5Do/s1600/Lisa+with+crawfish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeCHxw1z95kkJnIluaQTkaQrTQ_HXrgla2X8kIioXLA_xOcrbfVkRpR10PPEQzxsovqC3zJHAYnDuwxUy0LlNEwzfBRE1_LPTB4HJ_QA2qjk9dtgORX0OgtTyjQ72LmM43asMLRUFu5Do/s320/Lisa+with+crawfish.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And there was plenty to drink</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQEwWTdbpq0l6-RGDYqfUZOcKczZQlb0Nn99MdAsGf3lfa-7vb6cA5oZQ88_-k7m7YxA89Hb89DugCPJb58SPWoXNtsWo6BvzmdkKzfRurJIhIteMRALyEXXvWPET5fR71UbySpXaIHw/s1600/B+and+C+with+hand+grenades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQEwWTdbpq0l6-RGDYqfUZOcKczZQlb0Nn99MdAsGf3lfa-7vb6cA5oZQ88_-k7m7YxA89Hb89DugCPJb58SPWoXNtsWo6BvzmdkKzfRurJIhIteMRALyEXXvWPET5fR71UbySpXaIHw/s320/B+and+C+with+hand+grenades.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And great music!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzNELlcfXl9UwXAogI8oFFCBqSjaseJJpGY0gMGUTKo7GTiD6y-5hYVbGw5lsvrZi7DAw7VgPNFEczgfgRQNRT04ThstO2-53ccQnaGMkYgxgnZZ0uPWtBsLKnj7qqavBb6HLQIW76pc/s1600/live+music.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnzNELlcfXl9UwXAogI8oFFCBqSjaseJJpGY0gMGUTKo7GTiD6y-5hYVbGw5lsvrZi7DAw7VgPNFEczgfgRQNRT04ThstO2-53ccQnaGMkYgxgnZZ0uPWtBsLKnj7qqavBb6HLQIW76pc/s320/live+music.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Jeff Chaz--we bought a CD</td></tr>
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Well-sated in NOLA:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ysQyDdZg_MC_sfV8YSg37kbnwzyvoAyXS63FCmLN9THkYXN_S9FzJ1dVa9kIK_5dGeFdNwbM0D8geeoXvwWfFqSMMVJu8_K2k49hZ0hl7Z0jSzX9IvgO6rkn5oRFfHoJrFg6MsEzM8s/s1600/happy+in+NOLA.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ysQyDdZg_MC_sfV8YSg37kbnwzyvoAyXS63FCmLN9THkYXN_S9FzJ1dVa9kIK_5dGeFdNwbM0D8geeoXvwWfFqSMMVJu8_K2k49hZ0hl7Z0jSzX9IvgO6rkn5oRFfHoJrFg6MsEzM8s/s320/happy+in+NOLA.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Christmas spirit was evident</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49UrAh_W_dNujAFQB9Es9xJfpOpyfQuzHC24p-zFGJzFtuqBrLnW7GRpsy1jHrgAU1zCKH4K-mEMX6h1CZln2zKw4apchwHmpR9r7DQD7ni-BOvo46XqxDaG6YkvDCCkUvEkBe05g6Jo/s1600/Santa%2527s+message.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi49UrAh_W_dNujAFQB9Es9xJfpOpyfQuzHC24p-zFGJzFtuqBrLnW7GRpsy1jHrgAU1zCKH4K-mEMX6h1CZln2zKw4apchwHmpR9r7DQD7ni-BOvo46XqxDaG6YkvDCCkUvEkBe05g6Jo/s320/Santa%2527s+message.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGN38cemPa_0tKvxGMXOBa8onA9AfsJfvCZLGNY4fmsZULSdBSPfXfFTkTNFT4TczHkHLu1HHAGmIfcJTCJK1HCpruag23ckGAQr9vDXe-aueUxcCU8LH-NKLsokTi358ZZBmdDrS7K0/s1600/merry+chiristmas+oysters.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoGN38cemPa_0tKvxGMXOBa8onA9AfsJfvCZLGNY4fmsZULSdBSPfXfFTkTNFT4TczHkHLu1HHAGmIfcJTCJK1HCpruag23ckGAQr9vDXe-aueUxcCU8LH-NKLsokTi358ZZBmdDrS7K0/s320/merry+chiristmas+oysters.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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K chickened out on a bronco ride but B gallantly stepped in</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4HSHGG3lNNsgJBoDgN9LRj5naWAnQKasKXqR-H1UrdncCBjKfHFockqtttsWsbnxT41L1f8YXVqtPrp2LCBeb_kCcVmBgNa8XBrocGaW7CXGIOYJohOdXbR-BIjxUlqbuEUIogms2kI/s1600/Bne+riding+bronco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ4HSHGG3lNNsgJBoDgN9LRj5naWAnQKasKXqR-H1UrdncCBjKfHFockqtttsWsbnxT41L1f8YXVqtPrp2LCBeb_kCcVmBgNa8XBrocGaW7CXGIOYJohOdXbR-BIjxUlqbuEUIogms2kI/s320/Bne+riding+bronco.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
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In the Oh dear in America department</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5Mv3jTVcuNwYoin9Hx8v5J4Kfv_NC2F9upoTrfgZ0CBWQOe2qA1B86ehTinThcmZlxJCnYmTH5seJ7dq2gikVyAiPXeVen1JHoIkzmh2qHFq9fcKFb0ET8d9lWFvY0j-mrfDoaqZBYM/s1600/oh+dear+in+merica.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG5Mv3jTVcuNwYoin9Hx8v5J4Kfv_NC2F9upoTrfgZ0CBWQOe2qA1B86ehTinThcmZlxJCnYmTH5seJ7dq2gikVyAiPXeVen1JHoIkzmh2qHFq9fcKFb0ET8d9lWFvY0j-mrfDoaqZBYM/s320/oh+dear+in+merica.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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A little rain didn't slow us down, though some live musicians had to turn off their amps</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxZ2LVDDgkklvWC-f2DMJQ6qDrCxp-Ftidh-8douSMvznnpdGR5aVj5IHlJ7vJEcOEk-KrAo_FcgIdKfKt9siS3nP8ZhSvmibCfOgvdm4mHYsHPnEVFB6OjBpDslyGVJ3BU1D3lKaZrk/s1600/happy+in+the+rain.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIxZ2LVDDgkklvWC-f2DMJQ6qDrCxp-Ftidh-8douSMvznnpdGR5aVj5IHlJ7vJEcOEk-KrAo_FcgIdKfKt9siS3nP8ZhSvmibCfOgvdm4mHYsHPnEVFB6OjBpDslyGVJ3BU1D3lKaZrk/s320/happy+in+the+rain.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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New Years Eve! </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi810iYwhExWtFA96rrQj6Gj-MbjgV4oGT3Lz1TdXIkAg11hEFZe1uyWbuD21HVV4U3pQ7IV0T4iiQD5-nX3ak2XxAqD9VYXhrOSw7KqtRPuP3Vl11HWxb-h4_JgeX0u5sHJK3mGFfHn-4/s1600/happy+new+year.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi810iYwhExWtFA96rrQj6Gj-MbjgV4oGT3Lz1TdXIkAg11hEFZe1uyWbuD21HVV4U3pQ7IV0T4iiQD5-nX3ak2XxAqD9VYXhrOSw7KqtRPuP3Vl11HWxb-h4_JgeX0u5sHJK3mGFfHn-4/s320/happy+new+year.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Managed to find an AWESOME spot to see fireworks--a loaded barge trundled down the Mississippi River, and stopped directly in front of us<span style="font-size: x-large;"> !</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ubl7iZlPxtXDXe8Hd1OXbknEPzaUG1_AmPR8umSTnwwjounWObgNn-s9tfkZIHw__xMueOk0Ag_EdvkQHWFpQARPEOjw7Gzwuq4tOqHjhz49bR4jiX1775vkKxjyeORANjfVNECRFFk/s1600/Mississippi+River+fireworks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4ubl7iZlPxtXDXe8Hd1OXbknEPzaUG1_AmPR8umSTnwwjounWObgNn-s9tfkZIHw__xMueOk0Ag_EdvkQHWFpQARPEOjw7Gzwuq4tOqHjhz49bR4jiX1775vkKxjyeORANjfVNECRFFk/s320/Mississippi+River+fireworks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lbQ0PyNwk7OM-OClXYXWL4SyPTFpF_mvwCrYTrviAFlcIjT0n7zthGfdYy68Pat9BHCjnXFOWNJFgWJk5ckcb-YFyI83TAxFTvAdzIl8_vEbuVnp6T9eDiYPLWGwz4MxyNB_dHSQgBA/s1600/happy+new+year+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_lbQ0PyNwk7OM-OClXYXWL4SyPTFpF_mvwCrYTrviAFlcIjT0n7zthGfdYy68Pat9BHCjnXFOWNJFgWJk5ckcb-YFyI83TAxFTvAdzIl8_vEbuVnp6T9eDiYPLWGwz4MxyNB_dHSQgBA/s320/happy+new+year+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Among the best fireworks shows any of us had ever seen.</div>
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We also found time for some exploring. Here, an excursion across the river to Algiers Pt.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeH9H9V4ixT-JiyVq82orR2vS3eRMMcGx776LSODWMGqX2w_G2U87g86wbpQ9Uu1keblOkhKV3gKESW3sD_abRasyrD76yD6W6SjdLEQUG-bBlMzmAjPyxVkG8bru4i5qTPSgZTPsbdg/s1600/going+to+algeirs+pt..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOeH9H9V4ixT-JiyVq82orR2vS3eRMMcGx776LSODWMGqX2w_G2U87g86wbpQ9Uu1keblOkhKV3gKESW3sD_abRasyrD76yD6W6SjdLEQUG-bBlMzmAjPyxVkG8bru4i5qTPSgZTPsbdg/s320/going+to+algeirs+pt..jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b-G9tHOoEwqqaJmy0abY-KtSciozpj4avfgvi2_HD07NYq8rvTshr9dzisYnldeyXJY7fVY8tboM2_55iXo_GCzUOZ9VBJZni0fmd6-bh0QjVN2d57D8g5_pcn4RTOa457CoUspOmH4/s1600/boat+to+algiers+pt..jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5b-G9tHOoEwqqaJmy0abY-KtSciozpj4avfgvi2_HD07NYq8rvTshr9dzisYnldeyXJY7fVY8tboM2_55iXo_GCzUOZ9VBJZni0fmd6-bh0QjVN2d57D8g5_pcn4RTOa457CoUspOmH4/s320/boat+to+algiers+pt..jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Looking excited to see Algier's Pt,</td></tr>
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Awww....</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA9C-AiQKpnFTyJZGwaVU-PQir8ftXBLwntoQvLF0z2h18i8zXxmH236k3fHf0J15Zs_50qbmhj5pqgsPB1LCudwVSGEYtNa-FWVishYWq6rcb4TMnby9pK3CzhM5E3H77pZCrqJ3i6E/s1600/Awww.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicA9C-AiQKpnFTyJZGwaVU-PQir8ftXBLwntoQvLF0z2h18i8zXxmH236k3fHf0J15Zs_50qbmhj5pqgsPB1LCudwVSGEYtNa-FWVishYWq6rcb4TMnby9pK3CzhM5E3H77pZCrqJ3i6E/s320/Awww.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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M found a statue in her honor</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGTkl5uSOI4SLDJY-FA2An2GEGYfCYUUsoys1GKzSsP7hwxw8WCiCBA9Cfh_ipJuu-MR7tyfr48tFz2vkAOfEJL1MVQqihhBbnzfLdlAozMHOjeK7jNban2SXWBZmWEOqPOXnlLJ-l4Q/s1600/margaret%2527s+statue.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSGTkl5uSOI4SLDJY-FA2An2GEGYfCYUUsoys1GKzSsP7hwxw8WCiCBA9Cfh_ipJuu-MR7tyfr48tFz2vkAOfEJL1MVQqihhBbnzfLdlAozMHOjeK7jNban2SXWBZmWEOqPOXnlLJ-l4Q/s320/margaret%2527s+statue.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Just walking along...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRh4g763cZ7ht4OXrE8G89AtXxlmUbrnCb_KFgVPD6MgEbLran7G4gRdnqUlejW9Krj6qvbRrS3E95CaoJ5tT_yTreeLWrdWnm7qMo5YObHSooxGpbkayfFWUJluxkQNj8v5R5Rngupk/s1600/walkin%2527.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZRh4g763cZ7ht4OXrE8G89AtXxlmUbrnCb_KFgVPD6MgEbLran7G4gRdnqUlejW9Krj6qvbRrS3E95CaoJ5tT_yTreeLWrdWnm7qMo5YObHSooxGpbkayfFWUJluxkQNj8v5R5Rngupk/s320/walkin%2527.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and a fight breaks out</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGPgCa8UXoGYV8KyhDVG-Sa8RKX6VH8GFRxUUHpd90QXcD_RqUWvyda3vyvc40BVeV9K2smVT-OcPi5F1-y_pnxM_OHay12EhQL2dpuDOhRsOeYgjzkx_AblEahXArImLGwiUz0UEm5Q/s1600/fight+broke+out.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifGPgCa8UXoGYV8KyhDVG-Sa8RKX6VH8GFRxUUHpd90QXcD_RqUWvyda3vyvc40BVeV9K2smVT-OcPi5F1-y_pnxM_OHay12EhQL2dpuDOhRsOeYgjzkx_AblEahXArImLGwiUz0UEm5Q/s320/fight+broke+out.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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No apparent damage. </div>
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The perfect anniversary gift for K was found, in a jewelry store in the French Quarter. Two stunning pearls for the boys, and gold for T who holds everything together. And all were there to witness the discovery--a magical moment</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNOtsHfBlVqS9FgstyM7V2RXRdtxORwLrQ5SIlW3EQRJO7eAtPsdo2oK_H3D-RNIggfEbY8Ez1SgZXwwwUThbtCdfyGIqU0rC8kG4wRFH7L348z2FHFqmcd6R8DOmzvpmsPsBEUS0iwI/s1600/anniversary+gift.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfNOtsHfBlVqS9FgstyM7V2RXRdtxORwLrQ5SIlW3EQRJO7eAtPsdo2oK_H3D-RNIggfEbY8Ez1SgZXwwwUThbtCdfyGIqU0rC8kG4wRFH7L348z2FHFqmcd6R8DOmzvpmsPsBEUS0iwI/s320/anniversary+gift.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Happy new year!!</div>
Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-3008513348853410362017-01-15T15:15:00.001-08:002017-01-15T15:15:44.670-08:00Epic Christmas journey<span style="color: #6aa84f; font-size: x-large;">P</span>enang - Kuala Lumpur - Heathrow/8 hour layover - Miami/airport hotel overnight, and finally Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, where a joyous, near miraculous reunion of family coming from four different places actually arrived at more or less at the same time. Yay!<br />
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For the KL - London leg we got to fly on the upper deck of an Airbus A380. It is basically a two story airplane, with business and economy seats upstairs.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJIGqsKm87nbQUuUaIvIQkbZtlM-PS_VML-LmvCq-smzcm7SZijBPrxNNyriFOK2CL5dglicXk1B7gkRyAqlDUdE06uwGPVyg2qlVX4pgkKuiUjN5p8j3twSxHA94CsJ-z9MQPTwmUHo/s1600/double+decker+plane.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkJIGqsKm87nbQUuUaIvIQkbZtlM-PS_VML-LmvCq-smzcm7SZijBPrxNNyriFOK2CL5dglicXk1B7gkRyAqlDUdE06uwGPVyg2qlVX4pgkKuiUjN5p8j3twSxHA94CsJ-z9MQPTwmUHo/s320/double+decker+plane.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Majestic Colonial resort was a great spot for Christmas for our group of 11. It has a beautiful beach, very comfortable rooms, and all you can eat <i>and </i>drink. <br />
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Cam came ready for the occasion with loads of home-baked Christmas cookies, including fattigman!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H9z0kmOS-jxqNsu7J00YetrTyH2cPkT0JRf8t9mSzxX7gWcdS09mFBEsAcQ3gjRrB-y1qwhkZQtlvbRrr7AF1hyRBfeaG7PcUVyL8yLFgZJFqlLfnMd3mzvTfIzdeeposO0sf5EhkJw/s1600/Cam%2527s+cookies%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-H9z0kmOS-jxqNsu7J00YetrTyH2cPkT0JRf8t9mSzxX7gWcdS09mFBEsAcQ3gjRrB-y1qwhkZQtlvbRrr7AF1hyRBfeaG7PcUVyL8yLFgZJFqlLfnMd3mzvTfIzdeeposO0sf5EhkJw/s320/Cam%2527s+cookies%2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4epCmpR5Y2TGsa_-i9ne94EEoPkV2ZnIY6vkq8CkxM3Qq4CMNI9QQLNKYCv2RKc9imkHN6dyxONtqu0Gv0ta-6-Y8_1vS3-T-f_2-8NrqX8Xbc4AMNi3s6Dpwg5yH-zL5XVNsgB9Hvo/s1600/Cam+and+Karim+with+cookies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig4epCmpR5Y2TGsa_-i9ne94EEoPkV2ZnIY6vkq8CkxM3Qq4CMNI9QQLNKYCv2RKc9imkHN6dyxONtqu0Gv0ta-6-Y8_1vS3-T-f_2-8NrqX8Xbc4AMNi3s6Dpwg5yH-zL5XVNsgB9Hvo/s320/Cam+and+Karim+with+cookies.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
appreciated by all<br />
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The first full day we toured a cigar factory<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BzJRx15XOU4R4K9fpT0gItzu6Ah5qlM0BaeL5s5jIKgQFNLGAkLhA_K3fNHgsHt6HgfN1gsV__EllYIrieTCsMK1X-Hc60IGVjeUKqSU7At_fTS2mB5N2tQZJhd7v418etW-fyxJNf4/s1600/cigar+Moores.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6BzJRx15XOU4R4K9fpT0gItzu6Ah5qlM0BaeL5s5jIKgQFNLGAkLhA_K3fNHgsHt6HgfN1gsV__EllYIrieTCsMK1X-Hc60IGVjeUKqSU7At_fTS2mB5N2tQZJhd7v418etW-fyxJNf4/s320/cigar+Moores.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAZewRnB0UX_-qF26FGeBWrBQ7do9bb10L3PNLetflM3skuZZ-pnMxtQKJ0hDN0HNvbVZ4rVKeT-TdV1LCQR4eRFIzTGnZHAwuzPhnPevsN7FyZsdlt3t-tDCHn4rCrmaKBN9v32teKo/s1600/IMG_20161223_154428624.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAZewRnB0UX_-qF26FGeBWrBQ7do9bb10L3PNLetflM3skuZZ-pnMxtQKJ0hDN0HNvbVZ4rVKeT-TdV1LCQR4eRFIzTGnZHAwuzPhnPevsN7FyZsdlt3t-tDCHn4rCrmaKBN9v32teKo/s320/IMG_20161223_154428624.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwz_XOqY9b6MS_A54mpFBMO3uM8cbOwdppIixBzkgwuqzwqFdSoTbWVSnagHd97UdGCvdD5nTUJNUKNbigfTrVLDf7PShY1lnLtQdyd1hMmPfZJadE4LTjgDIY6HmGq7FnTGhNtSC9sw/s1600/B+at+cigar+place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfwz_XOqY9b6MS_A54mpFBMO3uM8cbOwdppIixBzkgwuqzwqFdSoTbWVSnagHd97UdGCvdD5nTUJNUKNbigfTrVLDf7PShY1lnLtQdyd1hMmPfZJadE4LTjgDIY6HmGq7FnTGhNtSC9sw/s320/B+at+cigar+place.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And did some rum tasting...<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPkq3S2944KLvswCsjc0AZ0BxlWhBIo-jwRg3Q-y6jvgXrg5JPTtncEebch9mOr08PqhM2OsAlXPH1SyRzNos-9jtIKkVv-fH3qmy8JUWpvv2mDy8d0pjQxY1I6LYCxAOhW0i-R5Faqk/s1600/K+and+M+rum+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCPkq3S2944KLvswCsjc0AZ0BxlWhBIo-jwRg3Q-y6jvgXrg5JPTtncEebch9mOr08PqhM2OsAlXPH1SyRzNos-9jtIKkVv-fH3qmy8JUWpvv2mDy8d0pjQxY1I6LYCxAOhW0i-R5Faqk/s320/K+and+M+rum+tasting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYiisNeBIw-6KDK8qmi2RmBkePX2OrQWg7tYTcCkLetsB3eZGSQ3VIEf0zGocB6cZ7fYuZDJrEZ7t2b5Kh-i8PRzt1Gy1s8dCjW6Jj9I_I-FW6jlD7GITB3ocjyvMjfhE2FojUQsWGDM/s1600/T+and+K+rum+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRYiisNeBIw-6KDK8qmi2RmBkePX2OrQWg7tYTcCkLetsB3eZGSQ3VIEf0zGocB6cZ7fYuZDJrEZ7t2b5Kh-i8PRzt1Gy1s8dCjW6Jj9I_I-FW6jlD7GITB3ocjyvMjfhE2FojUQsWGDM/s320/T+and+K+rum+tasting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUrA1pimSw6_WzBe1kHdJlUzIqABkydLpwX8-m682a3-QAb1ffgTWWsYu1K4HeB1gtcPXbNj3Tm1QJIomLTYamhNtTcqPYaq2o0dLVnAFQ5kKumlXfpt9ENBWj0DU_6ZUazeR-y8LKbk/s1600/Intisar+and+Sarah+rum+tasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnUrA1pimSw6_WzBe1kHdJlUzIqABkydLpwX8-m682a3-QAb1ffgTWWsYu1K4HeB1gtcPXbNj3Tm1QJIomLTYamhNtTcqPYaq2o0dLVnAFQ5kKumlXfpt9ENBWj0DU_6ZUazeR-y8LKbk/s320/Intisar+and+Sarah+rum+tasting.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Then it was on to the pool. It's bar and it's Bali beds" were a big hit with the fam<br />
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There were always more drinks to be had<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy4wF-tVH7eEKVFQHGrIsrPhcuPHB30ym6xs3iQOLmV70UimoJpljiuNZyI5yOunBIouxfmwk0QVJe_gIBCqdTWoGaACkbg_U9PUBgWpl_4xmfJZgfc51TTo3yPrjVxH-A8WsDyTBu_g/s1600/Cam+fetching+drinks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTy4wF-tVH7eEKVFQHGrIsrPhcuPHB30ym6xs3iQOLmV70UimoJpljiuNZyI5yOunBIouxfmwk0QVJe_gIBCqdTWoGaACkbg_U9PUBgWpl_4xmfJZgfc51TTo3yPrjVxH-A8WsDyTBu_g/s320/Cam+fetching+drinks.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cheers! <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrevizKH8CT39YeL7RO10fMq-aHCTK7m-w7b5OFvClb34Z9ZrZXcVGLCu2EXpUrnTWxibPUvpvqiJuX5p7Z01cZj31kgO4vNd0-V00ODJO41sxw6ZNHX9VwaXZZm5fQvi_t0IfLTMOUg/s1600/Moore+men.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkrevizKH8CT39YeL7RO10fMq-aHCTK7m-w7b5OFvClb34Z9ZrZXcVGLCu2EXpUrnTWxibPUvpvqiJuX5p7Z01cZj31kgO4vNd0-V00ODJO41sxw6ZNHX9VwaXZZm5fQvi_t0IfLTMOUg/s320/Moore+men.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And more food!</div>
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And we were even serenaded at one point<br />
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Christmas Eve arrived. More celebration!</div>
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The stockings were hung in the hotel room with care</div>
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in hopes that St. Nicholas would soon arrive by speedboat </div>
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There were many thoughtful gifts</div>
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And what would a resort be without a casino</div>
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That calls for a little dancin' in the street</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNExp0V6j22eBQm-PVTpyTT881LoMNGK449OPo7OLwrgIYkCPs3CF2DG3BjBBzl18td3WPIDi9_oyTGAFOl5nQAl02KkuMzwpoDIlgIImk7VUvDrYjSBGnV6-zsQ4emvP3QuaS5_mMVTE/s1600/dancin+in+Punta+Cana.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNExp0V6j22eBQm-PVTpyTT881LoMNGK449OPo7OLwrgIYkCPs3CF2DG3BjBBzl18td3WPIDi9_oyTGAFOl5nQAl02KkuMzwpoDIlgIImk7VUvDrYjSBGnV6-zsQ4emvP3QuaS5_mMVTE/s320/dancin+in+Punta+Cana.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Fuel for the revelers....</div>
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Back to the water!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-6W_tuV3ajGKsxi0nUTshlP_lqmrxc2BuqsZL7XMCQRDpoKBNAhEDa5AHVrXlCdDQM0KDXZbQcCrYeWjTqfuPtHsKxG_vff6Qj167XQT_9pd5diy4W05fXs3J4UJrP44zQP7evi9RZg/s1600/punta+cana+in+the+water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN-6W_tuV3ajGKsxi0nUTshlP_lqmrxc2BuqsZL7XMCQRDpoKBNAhEDa5AHVrXlCdDQM0KDXZbQcCrYeWjTqfuPtHsKxG_vff6Qj167XQT_9pd5diy4W05fXs3J4UJrP44zQP7evi9RZg/s320/punta+cana+in+the+water.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Alas, time came for a farewell drink the night before departure </div>
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Goodbyes ending our Punta Cana reunion</div>
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<span style="color: blue;">NEXT: Louisiana New Years</span></div>
<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-50347450245068046072016-12-10T07:22:00.000-08:002016-12-10T07:22:27.071-08:00Hong Kong and Macau<span style="color: red; font-size: x-large;">W</span>ell, we discovered we had enough British Air miles to buy a short-ish flight during a non-peak time, and T had mid-term break in October, so Hong Kong it was--discount Malindo Air there and free British Air Business class on the way back :-).<br />
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It turned out to be magnificent timing, in between monsoons and missing most of the dire "Black rain" warning times. Though raining quite heavily our first day there, T talked me into following the planned itinerary, and we set off for The Peak, which ordinarily would have offered fabulous views of Hong Kong Island and beyond. This day on the trail that goes all the way around the top, views of water cascading down the hillside.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsaWbiVsJCKMXMyOLjiDdQSaNOswFBuatX_h1c3GbfyBGm1DsvFzyFyZY8WQ833_V2bf2QJEaRdxrQm9D_c59rWLVKf7mi6PYjKmIB443zZAAXQbYVqqLCbRxeCBl_vZh_3Labb5e62k/s1600/WP_20161018_11_06_17_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEsaWbiVsJCKMXMyOLjiDdQSaNOswFBuatX_h1c3GbfyBGm1DsvFzyFyZY8WQ833_V2bf2QJEaRdxrQm9D_c59rWLVKf7mi6PYjKmIB443zZAAXQbYVqqLCbRxeCBl_vZh_3Labb5e62k/s320/WP_20161018_11_06_17_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI6Q7XGcExNaqm_dCUcwlQtcO8tfpKSUIa8RC9zqd1bXVfRtvGWdd3M1hCHc5O3g2tAFzXgzy7XWLbKBsMoCh9LUUNhTmFqomw3GC3pZK4zsSloUrdAKQIlOB5XYWIY3E7_DB99ifmhM/s1600/WP_20161018_11_08_01_Selfie.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSI6Q7XGcExNaqm_dCUcwlQtcO8tfpKSUIa8RC9zqd1bXVfRtvGWdd3M1hCHc5O3g2tAFzXgzy7XWLbKBsMoCh9LUUNhTmFqomw3GC3pZK4zsSloUrdAKQIlOB5XYWIY3E7_DB99ifmhM/s320/WP_20161018_11_08_01_Selfie.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And this!<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj992SNYwF817giLlMAIGcOtLlqrhowMPci1z3VeP7N2TX1YwDcSRaEfH9P_CRhxOXKeRRczwVnb6ScMgH9DQaaslOJt_qAer6IdMovuPeSwIqprIjULzjDBd-sV_8xgw4xX9qQ9njex2k/s1600/WP_20161018_11_04_39_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj992SNYwF817giLlMAIGcOtLlqrhowMPci1z3VeP7N2TX1YwDcSRaEfH9P_CRhxOXKeRRczwVnb6ScMgH9DQaaslOJt_qAer6IdMovuPeSwIqprIjULzjDBd-sV_8xgw4xX9qQ9njex2k/s320/WP_20161018_11_04_39_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Seen in a Hong Kong supermarket:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV_s6Y5S0G-pAhOdGfsiM6frMS1v7LdQzkQsb6Z04cOmKDiYSFJcLUb7G86lPtYpUxzijw_kNNqITC1MQhqPYKenkOoYH6emkn7uGxLWp1lbno5e9SeeOygFzErtczLMhl1vBplHPuvQ/s1600/IMG_20160725_052921335.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXV_s6Y5S0G-pAhOdGfsiM6frMS1v7LdQzkQsb6Z04cOmKDiYSFJcLUb7G86lPtYpUxzijw_kNNqITC1MQhqPYKenkOoYH6emkn7uGxLWp1lbno5e9SeeOygFzErtczLMhl1vBplHPuvQ/s320/IMG_20160725_052921335.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And in a subway station:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplLlqViJBUINv-GQTqs8uwqRbo_lsLIpGYc9fcVJggOiJ3V2XfWp0N2E8Y8TfakpfnGhDJGv5qSVz7vNzkO-6OstpWmvqgkchxwaBKAyCD6HEx1zm24a1ZhM8uWGvOy4E1YvXiphSteQ/s1600/IMG_20161019_102301297_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgplLlqViJBUINv-GQTqs8uwqRbo_lsLIpGYc9fcVJggOiJ3V2XfWp0N2E8Y8TfakpfnGhDJGv5qSVz7vNzkO-6OstpWmvqgkchxwaBKAyCD6HEx1zm24a1ZhM8uWGvOy4E1YvXiphSteQ/s320/IMG_20161019_102301297_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And the airport:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q38yeakdfu84veOjVu0ERAlcT1tt2cxsltFNtRPAtNM4KCcPUDdJbuV6GsfaReuih9I5mTNu4cdB6_oqp2nqd9gRmMoYHfiiW0-EwoNVkMOA9F3IaSAqKIFITJl_DAm3EmbUcvNpn_w/s1600/IMG_20161020_111319015_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8Q38yeakdfu84veOjVu0ERAlcT1tt2cxsltFNtRPAtNM4KCcPUDdJbuV6GsfaReuih9I5mTNu4cdB6_oqp2nqd9gRmMoYHfiiW0-EwoNVkMOA9F3IaSAqKIFITJl_DAm3EmbUcvNpn_w/s320/IMG_20161020_111319015_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The next day, day two of two, we decided to go for Macau, an hour's boat ride away. Portuguese colony of history and gambling paradise of today, it manages to retain considerable character and feels quite unlike Hong Kong or mainland China, which is virtually a stone's throw away. </div>
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Balancing map and umbrella, trying to find our bearings soon after stepping off one of the many free casino buses from port to town, a kind man offers to help. Portuguese speaking kind man!</div>
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We meander through the historic city center:</div>
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making our way to the must-see tourist spot, the 16th Century ruins of St. Paul:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD-_OOGxr9KToBxPhZFHMTsT0cYCkJWA-nDSTshA24fM9q13yIs5_wnppY3ff2meCyoN8cs8EHoEd6P-USdng0ZX6QalOJ-XuxTQY4cekWPZTOcBzAYxZGLhxKnW79xyn28ceATQ_CdA/s1600/IMG_20161019_134205936_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaD-_OOGxr9KToBxPhZFHMTsT0cYCkJWA-nDSTshA24fM9q13yIs5_wnppY3ff2meCyoN8cs8EHoEd6P-USdng0ZX6QalOJ-XuxTQY4cekWPZTOcBzAYxZGLhxKnW79xyn28ceATQ_CdA/s320/IMG_20161019_134205936_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBM89Rp-8hGxqGBR8e6mKYfVZp6vfQQDp3fJ7XHAH89mPljN86Q_mf17WH8RiF9C3hY9Vxgnmt2uxqo2-T4ubrr4Tk9k2PC2FcVx_PJRkynQ0C6J8nYCjabKLzPiteEoVwLMNeqODFBM/s1600/IMG_20161019_134151120.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVBM89Rp-8hGxqGBR8e6mKYfVZp6vfQQDp3fJ7XHAH89mPljN86Q_mf17WH8RiF9C3hY9Vxgnmt2uxqo2-T4ubrr4Tk9k2PC2FcVx_PJRkynQ0C6J8nYCjabKLzPiteEoVwLMNeqODFBM/s320/IMG_20161019_134151120.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">maybe she's praying</td></tr>
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Failed selfie...:</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/AVvXsEgcmFfwX8_kLmkemdhQXDJbmlZk3p6xA84IFdyOoDGjRDYgOKS-dBSVwVR5dR-c_kfJazOa6HLP0eWP2nUcbvCgjDm7LT0AEs59Xr5MhwMhHGnVUS_4lsBCPwdZBhRfhGq8FLEPeuj5OP0/s1600/IMG_20161019_134403776.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmFfwX8_kLmkemdhQXDJbmlZk3p6xA84IFdyOoDGjRDYgOKS-dBSVwVR5dR-c_kfJazOa6HLP0eWP2nUcbvCgjDm7LT0AEs59Xr5MhwMhHGnVUS_4lsBCPwdZBhRfhGq8FLEPeuj5OP0/s320/IMG_20161019_134403776.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T says he was only halfway into it</td></tr>
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Up the hill from there, some good views:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IxIT5wUP2D1OoWK8tOsH4H2CyhaLiTclRFlyWaSoVGj5SGKQQ8ZmTIbNxBbSV3msSK54T0SzVpQ-geQCxC_xlYBMe4YU3kTDco141tUnUIm4rB2vQk6nMDDpfmDJekjub6HmeDZZISE/s1600/IMG_20161019_135549333_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7IxIT5wUP2D1OoWK8tOsH4H2CyhaLiTclRFlyWaSoVGj5SGKQQ8ZmTIbNxBbSV3msSK54T0SzVpQ-geQCxC_xlYBMe4YU3kTDco141tUnUIm4rB2vQk6nMDDpfmDJekjub6HmeDZZISE/s320/IMG_20161019_135549333_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi-O9LCLkMe2nWe5AoB9UcH3stRlFqh4wVdLnPKpdlQKg1R3oztNey14Sj36IO1nvztrVrF6lnYcqL8ZK2Pxe8-LVjUE4uRSGzef58_pACKp17PYJIsWoZ4XnLcMHIKpGgZ09GR3wx14/s1600/IMG_20161019_135148777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmi-O9LCLkMe2nWe5AoB9UcH3stRlFqh4wVdLnPKpdlQKg1R3oztNey14Sj36IO1nvztrVrF6lnYcqL8ZK2Pxe8-LVjUE4uRSGzef58_pACKp17PYJIsWoZ4XnLcMHIKpGgZ09GR3wx14/s320/IMG_20161019_135148777.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ready, aim.... Not the casino!!</td></tr>
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A Nepalese guard at the top removes his shoes to demonstrate how to enjoy a little reflexology:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXFmFFwLHzhRB6wJ6BBVLIOWo5bkUqEZh-YfmOBysm97-MsJ5bXSz7i-jNWX9WarsX3NJzafFUw9YdS4L-iPVbFs69hZP99ENAMp3LDZeGbdNksMDqztcBcwldm0WDLo3C36UiITwbUk/s1600/IMG_20161019_135734160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUXFmFFwLHzhRB6wJ6BBVLIOWo5bkUqEZh-YfmOBysm97-MsJ5bXSz7i-jNWX9WarsX3NJzafFUw9YdS4L-iPVbFs69hZP99ENAMp3LDZeGbdNksMDqztcBcwldm0WDLo3C36UiITwbUk/s320/IMG_20161019_135734160.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI9M4v1QVEFoKyilBC82kyGqKqg3syCel_vokPtm1thoqhnxkpQLYLUNkanv-jvROE-eAwuEYZG9izDYOpPiAd1uIRc2BJiTsHLOcI6dGkmAhHQcjvMe5KwMGQZQ9KLxxbGKtzkRA71k/s1600/IMG_20161019_135738167.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUI9M4v1QVEFoKyilBC82kyGqKqg3syCel_vokPtm1thoqhnxkpQLYLUNkanv-jvROE-eAwuEYZG9izDYOpPiAd1uIRc2BJiTsHLOcI6dGkmAhHQcjvMe5KwMGQZQ9KLxxbGKtzkRA71k/s320/IMG_20161019_135738167.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yeow! No way</td></tr>
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Our very brief tour at an end, we catch the catamaran back:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84ewOG31N8UV5jXrCxjJ-Uc1t6tMWXJDYovqlKGLsGxHqZZVjVVTVFtRGPLEA5ChiYnEEjL9x1Wz2WEPQKpQzwYOBmnYgNCfyUNGpv__GJk71uFmoTnpHLENzumfti-L5PfaoQfCz4Q/s1600/IMG_20161019_151117595.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu84ewOG31N8UV5jXrCxjJ-Uc1t6tMWXJDYovqlKGLsGxHqZZVjVVTVFtRGPLEA5ChiYnEEjL9x1Wz2WEPQKpQzwYOBmnYgNCfyUNGpv__GJk71uFmoTnpHLENzumfti-L5PfaoQfCz4Q/s320/IMG_20161019_151117595.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And find that Hong Kong is under a rare Black Rain warning--the most severe. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfRrc0qcxTH8AxcjETp_BE4HiH2oID3f-CgVE8qnqgSf0AH-j_lUp3THWdRDiMhbKYiIJ1wgZIMd19RT39iGwY7K0dCjdPe7-cvEtKO9XB3LdTOKYgeeV2FTITzLNmdfqrahV6ke7nGk/s1600/IMG_20161019_165407851.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmfRrc0qcxTH8AxcjETp_BE4HiH2oID3f-CgVE8qnqgSf0AH-j_lUp3THWdRDiMhbKYiIJ1wgZIMd19RT39iGwY7K0dCjdPe7-cvEtKO9XB3LdTOKYgeeV2FTITzLNmdfqrahV6ke7nGk/s320/IMG_20161019_165407851.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We have been most fortunate to miss most of the bad weather. For Black Rain, people are advised not to walk, but it isn't bad where we are and we are able to walk to dinner and view the ferry traffic to and from Kowloon: </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fkjhLuJ3F-Q385eWlnm32FmFT1z9afrvTJKPqJo02n2Omxgo4rrHrU8rgLRh4sbf_Imuqv8TXwZO9XFEgBsu7qwzCuF8v1yVbrToS9MVfAyQYw5rOKfvztIXjHGl7Y0XDHdKoQlvIoI/s1600/IMG_20161019_202201625.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fkjhLuJ3F-Q385eWlnm32FmFT1z9afrvTJKPqJo02n2Omxgo4rrHrU8rgLRh4sbf_Imuqv8TXwZO9XFEgBsu7qwzCuF8v1yVbrToS9MVfAyQYw5rOKfvztIXjHGl7Y0XDHdKoQlvIoI/s320/IMG_20161019_202201625.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithzLABhw1iO64pLBFLAwVfdkxfx0wGV-GfjjZaHwG63sESwqxOHleHS6U8q2j7BN0_SxeoD6LwiCZLcnjaeg18ev29bch6_wzvYq9pXjB6KTXau3GQGF_cn0F8_5XFc7HhQVcLL61vMw/s1600/IMG_20161019_202358502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithzLABhw1iO64pLBFLAwVfdkxfx0wGV-GfjjZaHwG63sESwqxOHleHS6U8q2j7BN0_SxeoD6LwiCZLcnjaeg18ev29bch6_wzvYq9pXjB6KTXau3GQGF_cn0F8_5XFc7HhQVcLL61vMw/s320/IMG_20161019_202358502.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVWMIFB50XMD_Tu1HPMydTX__FETqHAej43-YPLpTkGhfeSJ01Ls9KGszI1n43wM6vqnwHVYVKnxq7xRr2nC9nj6_RitIDrf-Owc7LdV0Pgw0w1QMAF0LYw9gmVqvewko-gDQSWsOJA/s1600/IMG_20161019_202845489.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQVWMIFB50XMD_Tu1HPMydTX__FETqHAej43-YPLpTkGhfeSJ01Ls9KGszI1n43wM6vqnwHVYVKnxq7xRr2nC9nj6_RitIDrf-Owc7LdV0Pgw0w1QMAF0LYw9gmVqvewko-gDQSWsOJA/s320/IMG_20161019_202845489.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Alas, time to return to Penang. We confess to going a but early to the airport to enjoy the free lounge access that comes with our Business Class [free] flight...</div>
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Bye Hong Kong <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypnNjLhZ1HnzrtRaK6xDsqbiNAEI77TuMzZZ85eNKj-UBrriV0J6gW9Bvi6G4DRJ-UoijqKZ3DYQYqkD70WorbiK9AcIzDM_NsUjD5EdU3nbBi4us912LvykHURiovVkkZEgx8iHJpTM/s1600/IMG_20161020_184453850.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjypnNjLhZ1HnzrtRaK6xDsqbiNAEI77TuMzZZ85eNKj-UBrriV0J6gW9Bvi6G4DRJ-UoijqKZ3DYQYqkD70WorbiK9AcIzDM_NsUjD5EdU3nbBi4us912LvykHURiovVkkZEgx8iHJpTM/s320/IMG_20161020_184453850.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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*************</div>
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Back in Penang:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuADI_r9RmCz5D3iCrV6Bf_ps7YCbPtiXpj0zlsYmpFWPIm0101K7xT0pqVQu2Fxk6JOvm0QYNG5f3iry5RJCtB2y88CSUCCJok9S6VE2TjWb9QQplF1DuGouXu-lJSgyBAs1j110XdI/s1600/IMG_20160629_125304875_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLuADI_r9RmCz5D3iCrV6Bf_ps7YCbPtiXpj0zlsYmpFWPIm0101K7xT0pqVQu2Fxk6JOvm0QYNG5f3iry5RJCtB2y88CSUCCJok9S6VE2TjWb9QQplF1DuGouXu-lJSgyBAs1j110XdI/s320/IMG_20160629_125304875_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjZep2LG9GZibOcBkezksInjOOJR04PDNaBE_3x-BEeY_2ROfluRc8irxOKWjPy2qkEL9gEcz66Ka4creOOz70Z2rDArGx_EEM_i0eSesHl_XFhGgHCWE0klWNMonWVK6fdt_kFHDPSU/s1600/IMG_20161017_062229656_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnjZep2LG9GZibOcBkezksInjOOJR04PDNaBE_3x-BEeY_2ROfluRc8irxOKWjPy2qkEL9gEcz66Ka4creOOz70Z2rDArGx_EEM_i0eSesHl_XFhGgHCWE0klWNMonWVK6fdt_kFHDPSU/s320/IMG_20161017_062229656_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-70545102725532410632016-12-07T16:41:00.004-08:002016-12-07T16:41:53.063-08:00Singapore Revisited<span style="background-color: white; color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">I</span>n August just before school started we slipped in another, likely last, trip to Singapore, with an aim to exploring parts of the island we had not seen before. It made us appreciate the country even more, while realizing the shocking upheaval and sacrifice it took to make it what it is: modern, efficient, comfortable.<br />
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Here, recycle bins at world's #1 airport:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNQ7gxJ5UhnwGwqe3_Xdgj9cplLg1JjcUAVc4cnUx4vcRjy_SbFPEoHSVoGw-qQwproVzYP5AVrdqs4OfDjVAzBtNIiUOzlREm2LpEgtqc7hWskkfepubSnqEun3q_b0YEBP-05MAcKg/s1600/IMG_20160802_131954054.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDNQ7gxJ5UhnwGwqe3_Xdgj9cplLg1JjcUAVc4cnUx4vcRjy_SbFPEoHSVoGw-qQwproVzYP5AVrdqs4OfDjVAzBtNIiUOzlREm2LpEgtqc7hWskkfepubSnqEun3q_b0YEBP-05MAcKg/s320/IMG_20160802_131954054.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And night scene from our hotel balcony:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkbeP6vpD04jzo9blWcqOt-T0q5HRvoQFKB8_BNHcZpcdqPUbph7co6mp4_1S3VP7rcHr9t32bsx2HvAAg1z-XbaIG7Sf8rj09mvIWivX9Lku7q0QF1zc3qkszpBlmkQMkV_HaCocU1I/s1600/IMG_20160802_222308049.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxkbeP6vpD04jzo9blWcqOt-T0q5HRvoQFKB8_BNHcZpcdqPUbph7co6mp4_1S3VP7rcHr9t32bsx2HvAAg1z-XbaIG7Sf8rj09mvIWivX9Lku7q0QF1zc3qkszpBlmkQMkV_HaCocU1I/s320/IMG_20160802_222308049.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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They managed to retain/create many parks, and bits of greenery are evident in every area. We visited the large Botanic Gardens. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCAei5T3mYRaQUX6wm1GmkJV1AbQ1By2GV5-KJy50CCgrrEEauWkdZt75JWxNBvTYjoXhPXiWwkj_swsNUzaDbDI_uV2hHb-eZn5Wes63ccQNB4zP8gVUqwDATAIhqq4d0X1dAFrCBEk/s1600/IMG_20160803_124657457_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFCAei5T3mYRaQUX6wm1GmkJV1AbQ1By2GV5-KJy50CCgrrEEauWkdZt75JWxNBvTYjoXhPXiWwkj_swsNUzaDbDI_uV2hHb-eZn5Wes63ccQNB4zP8gVUqwDATAIhqq4d0X1dAFrCBEk/s320/IMG_20160803_124657457_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom, plotting our course</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yOMtw1MRWL19ttrwW5xtMDTUWgvsvcJY-Y6SN-0BKfMELK89omXmrmui1qmg46Mgi_oFwExTzRirdskCPgMsDleq3idgKffiMl04fy1j_LXNIA7n1Ba5aTgC2JwI_BavbXn6Ihyphenhyphen8W_o/s1600/IMG_20160803_130006064.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yOMtw1MRWL19ttrwW5xtMDTUWgvsvcJY-Y6SN-0BKfMELK89omXmrmui1qmg46Mgi_oFwExTzRirdskCPgMsDleq3idgKffiMl04fy1j_LXNIA7n1Ba5aTgC2JwI_BavbXn6Ihyphenhyphen8W_o/s320/IMG_20160803_130006064.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtUqZrb93a269HN60rzK8cTWbaAvG22tdLHxEm2mGY25QYQRJWxUf9agSCt38YHLhxa2hhedyDXYGYMIc_raXY31qU12crTkWT5dz_xNvU_TnjbpgAmogd9sj-ggej2RLu0dqCsvMbzc/s1600/IMG_20160803_130432853_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCtUqZrb93a269HN60rzK8cTWbaAvG22tdLHxEm2mGY25QYQRJWxUf9agSCt38YHLhxa2hhedyDXYGYMIc_raXY31qU12crTkWT5dz_xNvU_TnjbpgAmogd9sj-ggej2RLu0dqCsvMbzc/s320/IMG_20160803_130432853_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Every park needs giant lizards<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T3Phv9ZhTEZS-CPny22jgEREdmTi7Lp4zVsVmxZgFLhUmW7eVzhNfjWkp6kqywsi7ZoiQN9aDl1fpUtZq-CfO1eGfDZUK1hEc6OpdN-myB0COul9btTogEuc51Wq3A_zkZvF5k76ktc/s1600/IMG_20160803_135641623.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6T3Phv9ZhTEZS-CPny22jgEREdmTi7Lp4zVsVmxZgFLhUmW7eVzhNfjWkp6kqywsi7ZoiQN9aDl1fpUtZq-CfO1eGfDZUK1hEc6OpdN-myB0COul9btTogEuc51Wq3A_zkZvF5k76ktc/s320/IMG_20160803_135641623.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">And gentle heroes</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0DUZt_zCyTOpKhGVlZv6_IqWtJjffcVhaLlOqY5N2ZIXrrjbWuRfBsO0Dc7g77Kg7Bk-DSlWmlZib5CnPbfteiYYW_sdGl-eDHuqJuxNWfoqtevt93RZZAa_UZhPA5kak3JN9QlMUIg/s1600/IMG_20160803_130909707.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH0DUZt_zCyTOpKhGVlZv6_IqWtJjffcVhaLlOqY5N2ZIXrrjbWuRfBsO0Dc7g77Kg7Bk-DSlWmlZib5CnPbfteiYYW_sdGl-eDHuqJuxNWfoqtevt93RZZAa_UZhPA5kak3JN9QlMUIg/s320/IMG_20160803_130909707.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On public transport, as everywhere in Singapore, we are told how to behave:<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFfaGjs7rvqq5tsiCvMARyyhyphenhyphenij0uPp0JPduM5-EmdR86VV1RiGLKfUu6wOs19pxEL1iF-Ci-1_-_bk4NHddoxceYfvaxFi2rIx_rq38-HMONdRHu3iR5KOTbUesf-R-W4fcycHR_WpE/s1600/IMG_20160803_151958987.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTFfaGjs7rvqq5tsiCvMARyyhyphenhyphenij0uPp0JPduM5-EmdR86VV1RiGLKfUu6wOs19pxEL1iF-Ci-1_-_bk4NHddoxceYfvaxFi2rIx_rq38-HMONdRHu3iR5KOTbUesf-R-W4fcycHR_WpE/s320/IMG_20160803_151958987.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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As part of our hotel deal we get a trip on the Hop On Hop Off Bus. Some shots from the bus:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFduDxaqw56X32liDjbat-OqLX6cHGDoVSpuG-xqOetcTJhzaXkZ5hjLn_WV2sPrQHCKc9ALa23rZtjiIKRqUR8g9u9Hav5BTftaHG7zs8xv7KAwOnKC2v5No1-aLhu44Ga3xJuvNbbqE/s1600/IMG_20160803_113528977.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFduDxaqw56X32liDjbat-OqLX6cHGDoVSpuG-xqOetcTJhzaXkZ5hjLn_WV2sPrQHCKc9ALa23rZtjiIKRqUR8g9u9Hav5BTftaHG7zs8xv7KAwOnKC2v5No1-aLhu44Ga3xJuvNbbqE/s320/IMG_20160803_113528977.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgeJdY36XrdoBNy0sNivbIutS3tgMNKxztCQjElNXrTwvqNG5y_j43UwJP1S2TrrjX0pCsdtkVX1GH_9nlyNZlkwCBsbtox2pDJkpr1JAd5F7zSCQuATUC92MraabYKBqyoiQsWdTW0w/s1600/IMG_20160803_115225591.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTgeJdY36XrdoBNy0sNivbIutS3tgMNKxztCQjElNXrTwvqNG5y_j43UwJP1S2TrrjX0pCsdtkVX1GH_9nlyNZlkwCBsbtox2pDJkpr1JAd5F7zSCQuATUC92MraabYKBqyoiQsWdTW0w/s320/IMG_20160803_115225591.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We traveled to the northern coast of the island, to Sembawang Park, and saw a big ship refurbishing operation.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN02f2oKzxSQdrGEHROqHxSb8iD-vxsIUpN1sUMmHUKsXXDn3q2vtpBAxOVDCGh3RiymfBA1-gaygOpzUv7n4LPw_xXzSKoy_f6WxesGbTxbpqW2DOg1AjNNIhvypMDCYfIL6cc_J9KO8/s1600/IMG_20160804_133100291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN02f2oKzxSQdrGEHROqHxSb8iD-vxsIUpN1sUMmHUKsXXDn3q2vtpBAxOVDCGh3RiymfBA1-gaygOpzUv7n4LPw_xXzSKoy_f6WxesGbTxbpqW2DOg1AjNNIhvypMDCYfIL6cc_J9KO8/s320/IMG_20160804_133100291.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More exploration on foot. We set out for Henderson Waves, a 275 meter (900 foot) pedestrian bridge along the 9 km (5.6 mile) Southern Ridges Trail, which connects three different Singapore parks. Wonderful for an urban place!</div>
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K sporting umbrella and monkey-scaring stick</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT1J3ur6rdgKoDlnyQa_wp7lfHKVSrfXnAT2hvUG-3RV5A7TkdleeJmV6nt9uQmna3WBJuyDRr721YbmcepO_zK13V5FnbbO_QaKN8k1e-3s9GcFCRGGAH9n4z6n4RrXOk6GG3zBmHG0/s1600/IMG_20160803_141010.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlT1J3ur6rdgKoDlnyQa_wp7lfHKVSrfXnAT2hvUG-3RV5A7TkdleeJmV6nt9uQmna3WBJuyDRr721YbmcepO_zK13V5FnbbO_QaKN8k1e-3s9GcFCRGGAH9n4z6n4RrXOk6GG3zBmHG0/s320/IMG_20160803_141010.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Henderson Waves:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcPlQsy1ak1F6CVaaeJ5etFwwMe8kklnISYym04e8Bay0gExnaQD2CcjnOlpS1sh0Em7CN3mK7oFZUErKJ_Wi2W47j1VkJCygKDwA_BFIC1cS1lhc5-gLPj7S_WEJ9KmRHZKb8zaa06Q/s1600/IMG_20160803_160655808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcPlQsy1ak1F6CVaaeJ5etFwwMe8kklnISYym04e8Bay0gExnaQD2CcjnOlpS1sh0Em7CN3mK7oFZUErKJ_Wi2W47j1VkJCygKDwA_BFIC1cS1lhc5-gLPj7S_WEJ9KmRHZKb8zaa06Q/s320/IMG_20160803_160655808.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbDhN4uRkAa4eiwjK_JIBunEMdoCwDBfybRZKhN4yDHOWEUWJz_Xh6wZ4Es5d-T0lO7jD0xYnFeNB789FMA5rlpVTt466l03MwFbbKWsPoL6KVjOznz3nMzk2ix_Rss3dMXlDiMJjDnM/s1600/IMG_20160803_154824095.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinbDhN4uRkAa4eiwjK_JIBunEMdoCwDBfybRZKhN4yDHOWEUWJz_Xh6wZ4Es5d-T0lO7jD0xYnFeNB789FMA5rlpVTt466l03MwFbbKWsPoL6KVjOznz3nMzk2ix_Rss3dMXlDiMJjDnM/s320/IMG_20160803_154824095.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_EnOi_cD9EqepsgdN0JRlNn9K_rVnL8zIz4ooWZG7k9REeEuqZrQZyUnEchkt_tM3pf8owWtKRYQzr_6NfAHOjDz3bJHxvwJxk3cg1itlciZ-53IHDTMxqS_sLM2On5MG8tYdlpWDK0/s1600/IMG_20160803_153855758.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT_EnOi_cD9EqepsgdN0JRlNn9K_rVnL8zIz4ooWZG7k9REeEuqZrQZyUnEchkt_tM3pf8owWtKRYQzr_6NfAHOjDz3bJHxvwJxk3cg1itlciZ-53IHDTMxqS_sLM2On5MG8tYdlpWDK0/s320/IMG_20160803_153855758.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Back at the hotel, we have splurged on a Club Room and enjoy free cocktails and hors d'oeuvres, over a game of Scrabble </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmiwB2JNmbtwHUXWKOK8H5MEtQiZwbswjoDM5OXzS0ljw7FeUM8yQZanMTxhM13ErHytK7cOExq6YTFcBlqcAPLCZczxGUM4OHSJFEufgbG2KeSXY_w5eUr58BhvRVA21GVaucpZ11Cs/s1600/IMG_20160803_191113980.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRmiwB2JNmbtwHUXWKOK8H5MEtQiZwbswjoDM5OXzS0ljw7FeUM8yQZanMTxhM13ErHytK7cOExq6YTFcBlqcAPLCZczxGUM4OHSJFEufgbG2KeSXY_w5eUr58BhvRVA21GVaucpZ11Cs/s320/IMG_20160803_191113980.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day we enjoy touring the neighborhood of Katong where the hotel is located. A great neighborhood--loads of restaurants and small shops. We pass small gardens along high rise apartment buildings.</div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB6Ig9a6A95dOV17uaFvBogR7sxphAy-QegaaAtdx_8Wd3l72Flz6pAQaA-Qu23eOa2nY9tN81_9hQNgl9oSe0OkWLEIxjITE5iR3SX8e30HiCTPRQF3o_nLaurg8Rw15fHkAkgY0ZAc/s1600/IMG_20160804_105939403.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLB6Ig9a6A95dOV17uaFvBogR7sxphAy-QegaaAtdx_8Wd3l72Flz6pAQaA-Qu23eOa2nY9tN81_9hQNgl9oSe0OkWLEIxjITE5iR3SX8e30HiCTPRQF3o_nLaurg8Rw15fHkAkgY0ZAc/s320/IMG_20160804_105939403.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Papaya tree, in the shadow of a high rise building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9dDsZXf_YqBFpHvhhgdD5w5Rz9-SzcEXxCAdHNuJhY0Ap4F3SmnyiNljE7U0jVMNSoeovc1mHGEygZt6bB-mlMoj5L4UGIPDLWZRaB6q-J2Bi-mWLWvp4aJCEH1Qj33hoPwpFnDM1Us/s1600/IMG_20160804_110219501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC9dDsZXf_YqBFpHvhhgdD5w5Rz9-SzcEXxCAdHNuJhY0Ap4F3SmnyiNljE7U0jVMNSoeovc1mHGEygZt6bB-mlMoj5L4UGIPDLWZRaB6q-J2Bi-mWLWvp4aJCEH1Qj33hoPwpFnDM1Us/s320/IMG_20160804_110219501.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Banana tree</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu72CMGvhA1eeXZBqa8VALR243FlEyTQcNXoIDwVb_pTn5D7cK-LJ0T4Bctoh2jtcT0yh8PF3ne18P2D8ScB_vRocZMTdRsOe-F3aPANqnOO0_Ome9onaECw75rU7WXfeJs4pMhakJc6Y/s1600/IMG_20160804_110345748.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu72CMGvhA1eeXZBqa8VALR243FlEyTQcNXoIDwVb_pTn5D7cK-LJ0T4Bctoh2jtcT0yh8PF3ne18P2D8ScB_vRocZMTdRsOe-F3aPANqnOO0_Ome9onaECw75rU7WXfeJs4pMhakJc6Y/s320/IMG_20160804_110345748.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T walking along the garden-lined walkway between buildings</td></tr>
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In a small neighborhood park:<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK7danR40oROr6y5UwEAFa-6V_6egBx1S1yXPiWPCkBEirFVCANsvI-NjqoyuJ1NEKaOltX-QMb7kObqxgdoKSprR2ZIZibBNka_iHyntubusIzrQsYY6GMO1JipiXWUiOKExNnzD2yE/s1600/IMG_20160804_105223233.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBK7danR40oROr6y5UwEAFa-6V_6egBx1S1yXPiWPCkBEirFVCANsvI-NjqoyuJ1NEKaOltX-QMb7kObqxgdoKSprR2ZIZibBNka_iHyntubusIzrQsYY6GMO1JipiXWUiOKExNnzD2yE/s320/IMG_20160804_105223233.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqZORYRrDxJ6K48xrUWsj3TJyS7skdO4FQk0Cw3yfFo0PFAtRWtDKoPP8MioScPYoG8zHfQFyVym_aMvOTfKxd2AynBDB1nup4x73hRBWa5QJD2XvM-EAoq7qTTwQSMJnvYt2W4ZYdmA/s1600/IMG_20160804_105238704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqZORYRrDxJ6K48xrUWsj3TJyS7skdO4FQk0Cw3yfFo0PFAtRWtDKoPP8MioScPYoG8zHfQFyVym_aMvOTfKxd2AynBDB1nup4x73hRBWa5QJD2XvM-EAoq7qTTwQSMJnvYt2W4ZYdmA/s320/IMG_20160804_105238704.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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And at a local market:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ezR6hqGgczB7TlLHTUh9Cf7PBFji4Gu4zZ3HH7LeCgsGD__wWpsO7_MA-40PD0EqqNjHWxzdizGSnJWNbDGcah6R5aTvcV_mxZIOHsFyo6qDkgrUWne6vSXMFOfnHJE3YlP8Q1rH6U/s1600/IMG_20160804_111614047.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY_ezR6hqGgczB7TlLHTUh9Cf7PBFji4Gu4zZ3HH7LeCgsGD__wWpsO7_MA-40PD0EqqNjHWxzdizGSnJWNbDGcah6R5aTvcV_mxZIOHsFyo6qDkgrUWne6vSXMFOfnHJE3YlP8Q1rH6U/s320/IMG_20160804_111614047.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the essentials</td></tr>
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In a public toilet:<br />
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-48875986898420050412016-08-23T02:56:00.000-07:002016-08-23T02:56:50.344-07:00Tioman Island<div class="gmail_default" style="background-color: white; font-family: verdana, sans-serif;">
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<span style="color: cyan; font-size: x-large;">T</span>ioman Island, off the east coast of Malaysia, was much nicer
than we had pictured. We'd been to Perhentian Island up the coast previously, having chosen it over Tioman which is closer to both KL and Singapore and, we, thought, crawling with rich travelers from those cities. </div>
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But we found Tioman more beautiful, more interesting, and the snorkeling at least as wonderful as the Perhentians. It is a popular place to be sure, despite the difficulty of getting there--thanks in no small part to the utter inefficiency/lack of coordination of local transport options. </div>
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It is a large island,
20 km/12 miles long and 12 km/7.5 miles wide, with one real village and 6 or 8
inhabited beaches = resorts. 90% of the
island is high hills covered with lovely jungle--as the rest of Malaysia surely looked
before Palm Oil, and Singapore before law, order and concrete.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Glad we stayed four nights—it was very relaxing, with snorkeling right off the beach in front of our room, and a couple of good jungle/beach walks.</div>
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Here is T emerging from the sea</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cONHy3hU7xFwBt7fAaAYFO3cmhCXKaTxT2qjyvyKs7zSQHMwN4tbC1HhUcomJk432A4O5kNucN8-xW_iH0SQdUDCVLOuspeBPHIePHcFX31qAUbtNQBk5j0sshQMdiry1dwmG0Bvg6w/s1600/IMG_20160726_174029491.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8cONHy3hU7xFwBt7fAaAYFO3cmhCXKaTxT2qjyvyKs7zSQHMwN4tbC1HhUcomJk432A4O5kNucN8-xW_iH0SQdUDCVLOuspeBPHIePHcFX31qAUbtNQBk5j0sshQMdiry1dwmG0Bvg6w/s320/IMG_20160726_174029491.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And our room, right on the beach!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshkd3WUF4C4VcX6EFZq2ZLIpnAnP6Qj3pvOga0N84KK_7NB4m20c0aes9xlEQd5vVC3p2XqNYvSQ2XceVlIRfTpr0AF1RwnQ_JqXD2zjq0UwzIc9pfd3pNGjIDjo4YKhdK0EpRg8KIBY/s1600/IMG_20160726_174048734_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgshkd3WUF4C4VcX6EFZq2ZLIpnAnP6Qj3pvOga0N84KK_7NB4m20c0aes9xlEQd5vVC3p2XqNYvSQ2XceVlIRfTpr0AF1RwnQ_JqXD2zjq0UwzIc9pfd3pNGjIDjo4YKhdK0EpRg8KIBY/s320/IMG_20160726_174048734_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and the view down the beach...<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX8bP4GZxDj_JnnEuwKMSN9w4-4HYLfxXeYN15VkIJkV3i21fw4RQpObQukInHd52Qvd3ceycpoqzJGKAhXBF2LsbTjx_92qoDzRe67Qn4fwGZS4w9HYxvolO31RAS9uXNmikmOwqZR0/s1600/IMG_20160728_165410569_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRX8bP4GZxDj_JnnEuwKMSN9w4-4HYLfxXeYN15VkIJkV3i21fw4RQpObQukInHd52Qvd3ceycpoqzJGKAhXBF2LsbTjx_92qoDzRe67Qn4fwGZS4w9HYxvolO31RAS9uXNmikmOwqZR0/s320/IMG_20160728_165410569_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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One local inhabitant:<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrViGEJj4MYdJXuhEDmv4zz2Zc2khLJmTl8MyWmXQHTzG4DevbCfGKzYKyVWL7Rma1qPVn7MXzQdhSaT5zckWDjA4L926Dgnp-hx5xyg1XAbFWvrmNkx3-YBRCuC6UEwZazlJMXetcc0/s1600/IMG_20160728_165638268_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrViGEJj4MYdJXuhEDmv4zz2Zc2khLJmTl8MyWmXQHTzG4DevbCfGKzYKyVWL7Rma1qPVn7MXzQdhSaT5zckWDjA4L926Dgnp-hx5xyg1XAbFWvrmNkx3-YBRCuC6UEwZazlJMXetcc0/s320/IMG_20160728_165638268_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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and a neighborhood primate</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEZYO1QZ2lV-xKNUOIl81oym6cVhaILD8JatUzxFiwjfYYMMZxl895yF38nYLVz-FhmgyyOSECA_vSD2k1QDSQSj_LFKF3wyUqvFpMS0mBU8ftoUtBpSo2FSbgSeXWIpXJXcbUqp5kVc/s1600/IMG_20160728_174608352.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdEZYO1QZ2lV-xKNUOIl81oym6cVhaILD8JatUzxFiwjfYYMMZxl895yF38nYLVz-FhmgyyOSECA_vSD2k1QDSQSj_LFKF3wyUqvFpMS0mBU8ftoUtBpSo2FSbgSeXWIpXJXcbUqp5kVc/s320/IMG_20160728_174608352.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Another lovable primate, on our the porch</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojpXBmAXrDSyWolbQQQU2j8mJAsze-yvd3F_u77exf6Ij9qV2x5d32mZjSj9xnHh3XIfILIbBIsTwXCHUNUF9IEb-U0o5rJK6M1OeuXemel3mDpILIryH1VdhhRJyrdxSD-poAuwt6xY/s1600/IMG_20160728_174751124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgojpXBmAXrDSyWolbQQQU2j8mJAsze-yvd3F_u77exf6Ij9qV2x5d32mZjSj9xnHh3XIfILIbBIsTwXCHUNUF9IEb-U0o5rJK6M1OeuXemel3mDpILIryH1VdhhRJyrdxSD-poAuwt6xY/s320/IMG_20160728_174751124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtdUtN6P3iuY_xBEFhmcD7sBll792-wOgoQiCmtbZleAwNyIuYFWplz2BPVEt11Y9ILCN6rW-JuVHQoXOS5rxDliDEBd7OxiNh6MrfzMGSo-0haibVHeA5AtNUfr9nFJY9rjO3WJELU/s1600/IMG_20160728_184429153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihAtdUtN6P3iuY_xBEFhmcD7sBll792-wOgoQiCmtbZleAwNyIuYFWplz2BPVEt11Y9ILCN6rW-JuVHQoXOS5rxDliDEBd7OxiNh6MrfzMGSo-0haibVHeA5AtNUfr9nFJY9rjO3WJELU/s320/IMG_20160728_184429153.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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The snorkeling right off the beach was not so good, but we did a full day boat trip to nearby Coral Island which was amazing. Sadly, the death of our second underwater camera leaves me no choice but to steal someone else's photos for illustrative purposes</div>
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<img alt="Image result for tioman island snorkeling trip" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTFjjcK-SQQADQhuPgliVtyhB0l4_nmgUpU54yIYJNInDjfjdhd" /><img alt="Image result for tioman island snorkeling trip" src="https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSyJ8BkoJ-BK3JPrTV9gfw2kTA6rDC5gkrBTEDc4FmUDYq24eM" /></div>
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Just kidding...no shark for us</div>
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We also stopped at a small island just south of our beach. T and I swam all the way around.</div>
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<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkCqqC04EOoQdwkwfGBiUgIkKIp5_puVNJJYOgCD-5P6YN07dY4vWspZY9KL6pIFpfN4d7qANbzBF5vMxFHK9FBPVtXJOKxXC8vjE-tuEoUMOV7zDV7_At9lgJdXGgJ7df_cXejqyCwIQ/s640/01+Renggis+Island+-+Final+Stop+of+the+Full+Day+Snorkeling+Trip+@+Tioman+Island+%5BMalaysia%5D+(Large).JPG" /></div>
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We were on a boat like this</div>
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<img alt="Image result for tioman island snorkeling boat" src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcReyCacjoFj0tlF6rATJpjILK7MSXv7okOnxjzIrW-d9Xd8ZP5Q" /><img alt="Image result for tioman island snorkeling trip" src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRDa1B2O7g-uBk0twqY4siRAX0yRcvC6nea3ki5Pd-zSmBWFeszeQ" /></div>
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with two ladies from Sri Lanka and a young couple from France. When we stopped for lunch T suggested we all sit together. It was really nice getting to know them a bit. French lady and I shared bunion stories :-).</div>
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Time to leave for the mainland. We had arranged a taxi to take us to the ferry. So had a Dutch family. Here they are getting in, with one more to go. T and I opted for the inside... Thankfully I can report that all survived.</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-86441229536116465052016-07-24T00:23:00.000-07:002016-07-24T00:23:57.712-07:00Northern Thailand<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: x-large;">O</span>ff on adventure during summer break, the very day after K's "boot" and dressing came off, three weeks post-foot op. First to Bangkok--did you fly, you might ask. Nay! We went in style: city bus to the 'Jeti", and thence the ferry to the mainland and the train station.<br />
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Bye Georgetown (Penang).<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">young ladies checking out the snacks shop on the ferry</td></tr>
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We took a Malaysian train to the Thai border and then had to wait several hours for the Thai train to Bangkok. We struck up conversation with fellow waitees: a US expat living in Bali, a Chinese tourist/IT student and a Japanese tourist. We bought each other beer from the duty free shop in the station. </div>
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There is very little coordination between the two countries' train service. T and I went to great lengths to secure a first class (= private) sleeper on the overnight train. We had to buy two separate tickets and have the Thai ticket delivered by courier to our Malaysian address. Though not luxurious, the first class compartment was very comfortable.</div>
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Seen in the Bangkok train station: </div>
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We happy tourists stayed one night in Bangkok with friends who had just moved there from Penang, from a taxi there I spot a truck with large lettering on the side "Yamazaki" (a Japanese name) with a picture of a Western girl of 6 - 8 years, in pigtails, eating [Yamazaki brand] white bread. Brain cramp!</div>
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It was a short flight to Sukothai. "Old" Sukothai is a UNESCO world heritage site dating from the 13th century. It was part of the Khmer empire until 1288 when two Thai rulers formed a kingdom that lasted 200 years. Sukothai Historical Park's main area is spread out over a 5 kilometer (3 mile) radius. Visitors are advised to bicycle or hire a car. We walked, K on her new foot. It was fine--we took it slow, and stopped periodically. Lovely area, sites (temples) quite spread out, relatively few visitors. We were impressed with the variety of architecture--much more varied than those at Angkor Wat. Much of it is in ruins but what remains includes Hindu, Khmer and Singhalese (think Sri Lanka) styles. Sukothai is a style in it's own right and includes walking Buddha images. lotus bud chedi, lines of elephants around chedis, and Budhha images in four styles: walking, standing, sitting and reclining, each facing a different direction.<span style="color: #404040; font-family: Arial, "Lucida Sans Unicode"; font-size: 15.84px; line-height: 25.92px;"> </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">detail of an enormous Buddha figure at Wat Si Chum. T asks who his manicurist is...</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq5U6-I3qHDGS_B9jYCTiZ0etoNWZlyvMSVlOUnjqKB2KL1oPOI9KwJ4lZMwQWWZQymZ9Rc35zjyzGKv5BmxP6YksxZW5QI5xlawtve4fNBSGZcB6n2DRBk_mF2cDJlH8sc1V0dGiLsI/s1600/IMG_20160710_140717247.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHq5U6-I3qHDGS_B9jYCTiZ0etoNWZlyvMSVlOUnjqKB2KL1oPOI9KwJ4lZMwQWWZQymZ9Rc35zjyzGKv5BmxP6YksxZW5QI5xlawtve4fNBSGZcB6n2DRBk_mF2cDJlH8sc1V0dGiLsI/s320/IMG_20160710_140717247.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">elephants </td></tr>
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The next day we hired a tuktuk for two hours, to go to some of the farther out places. The first stop was Wat Saphan Hin, about four km west of the old city and accessed by climbing a stone path and stairway. Beautiful colors of stone. There is a standing Buddha at the top and a nice view of the countryside.</div>
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We were able to see around two dozen wat ruins to the west and south of the walled city as we putt putted by, including the above Saphan Hin. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo_i6sQ8KfivuSVtZjb5kmbB3_fin5EFK4YuJT4M7zO2eYw3SoXuE2mPq3ko2WanRxFOHkKDmUOphZ7K0ludNjWpgR6mgU2NK_50ur3g7uRss8RSvZ0wN2VwCFPp7AqBvDJ6H9b1s5oY/s1600/IMG_20160711_110036754_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqo_i6sQ8KfivuSVtZjb5kmbB3_fin5EFK4YuJT4M7zO2eYw3SoXuE2mPq3ko2WanRxFOHkKDmUOphZ7K0ludNjWpgR6mgU2NK_50ur3g7uRss8RSvZ0wN2VwCFPp7AqBvDJ6H9b1s5oY/s320/IMG_20160711_110036754_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Wat Ma Muang</td></tr>
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T's favorite was Wat Chetuphon, with remains of a four-sided Buddha figure--walking, standing, sitting and reclining, one on each side. Only the walking Buddha is still easily visible, but you can tell the others by the shape of the remaining brick work that underlays the statues. We saw this at many of the sites--brickwork, with some kind of plaster on top.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIudZ0n81oz8fDBuZZ-bs_gifNPXDQXc1WzzgvvCKw-KRkd5hYZVJRqFz4vUWswyQuf8G2SZopkLWK447zwwalfvV-xIFq9dLfO_ardakuOb3CtO2x2inEuNr7jjx1pTEE9HOLE66hs6U/s1600/IMG_20160711_113250089.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIudZ0n81oz8fDBuZZ-bs_gifNPXDQXc1WzzgvvCKw-KRkd5hYZVJRqFz4vUWswyQuf8G2SZopkLWK447zwwalfvV-xIFq9dLfO_ardakuOb3CtO2x2inEuNr7jjx1pTEE9HOLE66hs6U/s320/IMG_20160711_113250089.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">walking Buddha</td></tr>
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Also at Chetuphon are remarkable stone walls and archways, held together by mortise and tenon cut into the stone.</div>
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Back at the hotel:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD-mVWvqoQPfSg_olAHoqsJZJI-sfou_F6g-fM9gGOnnDV3Mh3VtBv3bl5oKZke52LElVjVbvAelx1CR5j3ccqtJHLBmPK_30-1MkfHzQtB5KbZYtcm7m61bPR0_OMWgbsHgURZW-TFk/s1600/WP_20160711_17_44_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpD-mVWvqoQPfSg_olAHoqsJZJI-sfou_F6g-fM9gGOnnDV3Mh3VtBv3bl5oKZke52LElVjVbvAelx1CR5j3ccqtJHLBmPK_30-1MkfHzQtB5KbZYtcm7m61bPR0_OMWgbsHgURZW-TFk/s320/WP_20160711_17_44_57_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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And at the Sukothai Museum, we find a family tree!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN7Ka-yefMVnPo7V5HHqYLRpsO3b-cC3KIiVi277-wahNUxmpAGDxpxJvKK9lOzrmr2dp0kxOOdOHZOMahyphenhypheneZ5TTCBwWwyRViYQSHCvoIdRsZHBdae6gcA8JsSsXcjHY25Qoz2z9Ugm4/s1600/IMG_20160710_103713661.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQN7Ka-yefMVnPo7V5HHqYLRpsO3b-cC3KIiVi277-wahNUxmpAGDxpxJvKK9lOzrmr2dp0kxOOdOHZOMahyphenhypheneZ5TTCBwWwyRViYQSHCvoIdRsZHBdae6gcA8JsSsXcjHY25Qoz2z9Ugm4/s320/IMG_20160710_103713661.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Within the old city walls, an active wat on an island in a small lake:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcUO4AugkU3JerJmHcdUeK3NdYU8xWYDj7tEFcKxJY0I_SIHneLQdHrOGkN3_N9Gnvb7J6NmatwhQj_sjk130qldYnY7s3Qz0aQPrK62Sh2wdip87cNV8aNnMb-OJyvxT4dxPdtFX1cM/s1600/IMG_20160711_174643205_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfcUO4AugkU3JerJmHcdUeK3NdYU8xWYDj7tEFcKxJY0I_SIHneLQdHrOGkN3_N9Gnvb7J6NmatwhQj_sjk130qldYnY7s3Qz0aQPrK62Sh2wdip87cNV8aNnMb-OJyvxT4dxPdtFX1cM/s320/IMG_20160711_174643205_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNiEcBsq2jkvMvUmRYl6zRP6jG61EpQk9bpDiWsQEPjHs_998Kr82V3UB0uhyphenhyphendfmODcKl7v_YIICFKcAzMrpZFYDHWYQpZL4ajVkokoAuCMfAdyFkJCqJ4XoGeHUTlElm6rNIxbrE2ps/s1600/IMG_20160711_175914951.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilNiEcBsq2jkvMvUmRYl6zRP6jG61EpQk9bpDiWsQEPjHs_998Kr82V3UB0uhyphenhyphendfmODcKl7v_YIICFKcAzMrpZFYDHWYQpZL4ajVkokoAuCMfAdyFkJCqJ4XoGeHUTlElm6rNIxbrE2ps/s320/IMG_20160711_175914951.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6gfcUq6W-NQV3myImLQhG6CY-SmXzPm5ohnWrWZs51NZTU0Z3FruKzUGLeH1HRTbNsiDJk5r9fZWzF68QsfWLOoQDI4_rO2dACqqtq7yp5_GRIIy_YSTKhrxWLOPgQ7dlGbUyFcwBGg/s1600/WP_20160711_17_43_57_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS6gfcUq6W-NQV3myImLQhG6CY-SmXzPm5ohnWrWZs51NZTU0Z3FruKzUGLeH1HRTbNsiDJk5r9fZWzF68QsfWLOoQDI4_rO2dACqqtq7yp5_GRIIy_YSTKhrxWLOPgQ7dlGbUyFcwBGg/s320/WP_20160711_17_43_57_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buddha footprint inside the wat</td></tr>
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After Sukothai we rented a car in nearby Phitsanulok and set out for "the alps of Thailand" and Loei Province. Leaving Phitsanulok, we spot one of those "Never in America" sites, a large store:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWnE0EsznPmzg3yvZPtTXjbqat1FRa9K-vQGo2qdTP7huQioNjyzkLs21lQgMLCUdxqtGr3n7R7fHzxgg4zOg6Y-nRrLSOzmFA7F4AKpDBkiA8n1bl_pkyITvfVx0jhRJjBLX-VemLEs/s1600/IMG_20160712_103212647_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVWnE0EsznPmzg3yvZPtTXjbqat1FRa9K-vQGo2qdTP7huQioNjyzkLs21lQgMLCUdxqtGr3n7R7fHzxgg4zOg6Y-nRrLSOzmFA7F4AKpDBkiA8n1bl_pkyITvfVx0jhRJjBLX-VemLEs/s320/IMG_20160712_103212647_HDR.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We had booked two nights at the Rainforest Resort along scenic Highway 12, and left two nights after that open for adventure, mainly owing to the lack of online information (in English anyway) on accommodations. Rainforest Resort was an amazing oasis right off the four-lane highway. Here is K enjoying a wooden swing by the river.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq3Emrzqu2bSnX-WNpuBrdEmktIx_oMxkd-f5sW7TrH0ysS0wRORM2Hzd3c-8_puuZglAYh3S-tO16j-PNJDDfFby01txtNYaCf6PMAj-qVB97YzQoLvWydwXuseYYAdbFPnUYMv88zg/s1600/WP_20160712_14_54_22_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWq3Emrzqu2bSnX-WNpuBrdEmktIx_oMxkd-f5sW7TrH0ysS0wRORM2Hzd3c-8_puuZglAYh3S-tO16j-PNJDDfFby01txtNYaCf6PMAj-qVB97YzQoLvWydwXuseYYAdbFPnUYMv88zg/s320/WP_20160712_14_54_22_Pro.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We did a day trip from there to Phu Hin Rong Kla National Park, gulped at the 500 Baht per foreigner entrance fee (US$14) plus car fee, but enjoyed a 3.5 km hike that featured both very cool, unusual rock formations and remnants of the former outpost of the Thai Communist Party.</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CoxdbQ4Gl7jZgRw3eZy8fT74iKxnL_RTMRKqfj7jDE-1t37DYGZPoJGYbA5gK0H16sZBhWMn8mTcIf15BW1Zf9jueBqtMq1mLWHOEuELwm2SdE-Y3B5d0zfpEgaFjdah-mVHWF02Uqg/s1600/IMG_20160713_115426834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7CoxdbQ4Gl7jZgRw3eZy8fT74iKxnL_RTMRKqfj7jDE-1t37DYGZPoJGYbA5gK0H16sZBhWMn8mTcIf15BW1Zf9jueBqtMq1mLWHOEuELwm2SdE-Y3B5d0zfpEgaFjdah-mVHWF02Uqg/s320/IMG_20160713_115426834.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">the path!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uG26SQZuEBQdtqprNf6KjAkxO4Q2EwhIW-jo-4-5QlVFMZ_xj00Tdvzm2v4qzFf7hNW8obZPGnkqJCWadKDPFdZm2sM8joO65kMslWIML0ddoazjCcFC5tXDha7LHRwiB9Ul4dOHhlE/s1600/IMG_20160713_115818073.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3uG26SQZuEBQdtqprNf6KjAkxO4Q2EwhIW-jo-4-5QlVFMZ_xj00Tdvzm2v4qzFf7hNW8obZPGnkqJCWadKDPFdZm2sM8joO65kMslWIML0ddoazjCcFC5tXDha7LHRwiB9Ul4dOHhlE/s320/IMG_20160713_115818073.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">nature-made! </td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvmY5xEW0RxPbYjwmk980Ln6DDgE-I8cC9lpTFS3iF9YGuyuhfn_LVISA-i0QorUmJ3aZlYfdz5sBmIsSSZKVfL-QizoDSbND4j4J7FiFBlcl4uzVgPx9GN0yhfhzLxgEjJKXiFVY9PA/s1600/IMG_20160713_120151481_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAvmY5xEW0RxPbYjwmk980Ln6DDgE-I8cC9lpTFS3iF9YGuyuhfn_LVISA-i0QorUmJ3aZlYfdz5sBmIsSSZKVfL-QizoDSbND4j4J7FiFBlcl4uzVgPx9GN0yhfhzLxgEjJKXiFVY9PA/s320/IMG_20160713_120151481_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm9X-CCxm8oF2aKEOjYHnRFTG6SAnxvMl0oDD37R397-Ym8t2ciRUP9xB0MH1R-OVjqIgLFg97YO_jNgWRF1JC1p8i5zSgjghuZ1t9xwBXDn3Uv0Tn5TrWBu1INC_-JUvWVgMPFVWH4A/s1600/IMG_20160713_120234815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm9X-CCxm8oF2aKEOjYHnRFTG6SAnxvMl0oDD37R397-Ym8t2ciRUP9xB0MH1R-OVjqIgLFg97YO_jNgWRF1JC1p8i5zSgjghuZ1t9xwBXDn3Uv0Tn5TrWBu1INC_-JUvWVgMPFVWH4A/s320/IMG_20160713_120234815.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">K's new toe, and rocks</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQoJhQSPCFVKYWGep1MdMqKXVdrmSez38txKeaX2kwF3oaWYpfVeycLH3s_NmpN_nrJK8lLPaeELLdJcgn_uUbA9ia6vSP11rbz4R9bR_5MUgjfaaCAmltiGlG6Y9cLkxh5-fC2xEeFM/s1600/IMG_20160713_123103558.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQoJhQSPCFVKYWGep1MdMqKXVdrmSez38txKeaX2kwF3oaWYpfVeycLH3s_NmpN_nrJK8lLPaeELLdJcgn_uUbA9ia6vSP11rbz4R9bR_5MUgjfaaCAmltiGlG6Y9cLkxh5-fC2xEeFM/s320/IMG_20160713_123103558.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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So odd it didn't seem natural...but was/is.</div>
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Here is the rebels' "air raid shelter":</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAoJeXmcpTxsXFkvJHHvDNZl6EyUcndCIGIOfjqM90sUYnU8eBm7oTUznHq-gRJptm_FQmrwYPKD0n2AVS62n9oOGWGqwlpBIGC4b23by4s3nKLvtrgkeCzsdKZ-t4sMjrQyCdWCYgiE/s1600/IMG_20160713_124305946_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiAoJeXmcpTxsXFkvJHHvDNZl6EyUcndCIGIOfjqM90sUYnU8eBm7oTUznHq-gRJptm_FQmrwYPKD0n2AVS62n9oOGWGqwlpBIGC4b23by4s3nKLvtrgkeCzsdKZ-t4sMjrQyCdWCYgiE/s320/IMG_20160713_124305946_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and the former prison, listing to the right...</div>
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And there were some waterfalls in the park. Saw this bad boy on a trail to one of them:</div>
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One night at the Rainforest Resort we had a river view room. Here is the view from our balcony:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt_L2_wL3hj0G13OSVSq12HTVVwyYHVTHA5K3IrqSjTzZoRZfbl-pmMkK8u3qBcIwmQjKEafktEL0PbjKmbu3CJqN_dHKarFMOgR2eVB7ktx33wjSQpFjkcz8j-rPxS-BJ_2yLsoUh6A/s1600/IMG_20160713_074520816_HDR.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQt_L2_wL3hj0G13OSVSq12HTVVwyYHVTHA5K3IrqSjTzZoRZfbl-pmMkK8u3qBcIwmQjKEafktEL0PbjKmbu3CJqN_dHKarFMOgR2eVB7ktx33wjSQpFjkcz8j-rPxS-BJ_2yLsoUh6A/s320/IMG_20160713_074520816_HDR.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And here is the shower :-)</div>
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T enjoys wild boar at the restaurant there</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC4CRHmK5X3RrFcpSgAJSBFkiuQx31A-pF29aleMhtHkeGn-zTkNqvtIzmxAfkrZKuapPZlAoU3nlhxGYkJuwzvtJltCx0GJzI5lmBDiliVr3Sf1nLuhZe9IWMHeDKCeeBEp7lAgQV2Y/s1600/IMG_20160712_182002392.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNC4CRHmK5X3RrFcpSgAJSBFkiuQx31A-pF29aleMhtHkeGn-zTkNqvtIzmxAfkrZKuapPZlAoU3nlhxGYkJuwzvtJltCx0GJzI5lmBDiliVr3Sf1nLuhZe9IWMHeDKCeeBEp7lAgQV2Y/s320/IMG_20160712_182002392.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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On toward Loei Province, along the so-called Green Route of Highway 12. We visited Nam Nao National Park, and had a hike to a waterfall. The air was very still through a bamboo forest--a relief to get back out to the road and some air. Here is the waterfall (Sai Thong, I think):</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTOKgwmfE19Jcr3RSoe1_d3SNReNCNWhcXLSQdfWHdlJCfPZ6Cv0ALHO-2PidteOU9hUDMLxdARly0GfbIMh5g-A-103izsLUUqyjwrf7xruQXFY2UsNUFPBmuirpBD0hITHQRDaS6zU/s1600/IMG_20160714_125856379.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRTOKgwmfE19Jcr3RSoe1_d3SNReNCNWhcXLSQdfWHdlJCfPZ6Cv0ALHO-2PidteOU9hUDMLxdARly0GfbIMh5g-A-103izsLUUqyjwrf7xruQXFY2UsNUFPBmuirpBD0hITHQRDaS6zU/s320/IMG_20160714_125856379.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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We were on the lookout for a place to stay, having heard there were several near Nam Nao, which we did not find to be the case. Nearing Kohn San, T spotted an outline of a camel and quickly pulled over. Huh?, thought K. Camels, oasis, rest stop, and we had found a wonderful motel for the night! Each room was a different style, ours quite ordinary but very comfortable, with AC, TV and fridge. Free hot drinks in the morning. But T made his own espresso (thanks, Cam for the apparatus!).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9frjAzRCAVgz29oougxh6-yxAU_48TVbVzpZ5Zfj8jGv_XwjwfcdnrYbHM5rDbeaCQ7piWtSWmdRjNn8d3smy5V8xM633EOK9g5WaEK4Ye0ZNBuwBlrpwtnAdYdpK1vN2N8_7_D91GE/s1600/IMG_20160715_081526229.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq9frjAzRCAVgz29oougxh6-yxAU_48TVbVzpZ5Zfj8jGv_XwjwfcdnrYbHM5rDbeaCQ7piWtSWmdRjNn8d3smy5V8xM633EOK9g5WaEK4Ye0ZNBuwBlrpwtnAdYdpK1vN2N8_7_D91GE/s320/IMG_20160715_081526229.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Sweet lady who dealt with our massacred Thai language and served us dinner--T thought she might have overcharged us, at 210 Baht/$6 including beer. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPRZRTN8571xf8fDk7jUBasfL7CPBs8Btum4ISLYiq8QLcfTZVFZdWleIbo9csEOjt1-EqVEGjel3QV_C2pk9MgdwaNSfGeI8mcgLfNPbaYYIniwRvvzl7vIxZWAFZHTe1wD-hvbvWcg/s1600/WP_20160714_18_39_30_Pro.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrPRZRTN8571xf8fDk7jUBasfL7CPBs8Btum4ISLYiq8QLcfTZVFZdWleIbo9csEOjt1-EqVEGjel3QV_C2pk9MgdwaNSfGeI8mcgLfNPbaYYIniwRvvzl7vIxZWAFZHTe1wD-hvbvWcg/s320/WP_20160714_18_39_30_Pro.jpg" width="179" /></a></div>
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Welcome to Loei, where hardly any farang go.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-PxQbpgJgZhIvinnsT7DfqKXu2bdGLjI45ZaOb_W96IDMcRUShFHN0TsM1rB_9PjcW1BE205xT0RG5ocA_8CaoGD1pHvtX9XEaZSioOdLOcMyEkArF7mhH7tXfgzs-Xq0tjaf-Acg-g/s1600/IMG_20160715_141522431.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht-PxQbpgJgZhIvinnsT7DfqKXu2bdGLjI45ZaOb_W96IDMcRUShFHN0TsM1rB_9PjcW1BE205xT0RG5ocA_8CaoGD1pHvtX9XEaZSioOdLOcMyEkArF7mhH7tXfgzs-Xq0tjaf-Acg-g/s320/IMG_20160715_141522431.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Along the road in Loei Province:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxphUjW3-tEPPbgpptMhqHMRhZ03_fMpI0cUYRhVtzvmutgHrjksofR6JTHdlTB6k6B1wLY9qqd0OrFzHFXkI2eeSJkuqVnlGHNtZd97f5x4vmgCV0UkpY1p3SJ-D9TfnB_mFhNJ3owJU/s1600/IMG_20160715_101513782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxphUjW3-tEPPbgpptMhqHMRhZ03_fMpI0cUYRhVtzvmutgHrjksofR6JTHdlTB6k6B1wLY9qqd0OrFzHFXkI2eeSJkuqVnlGHNtZd97f5x4vmgCV0UkpY1p3SJ-D9TfnB_mFhNJ3owJU/s320/IMG_20160715_101513782.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We were on the trail to find a stone maze (!) K had read about, a place known as the Kunming of Thailand for its dramatic rock formations. A place with no signs in English--well, there was <i>one </i>but it was behind a tree and only sported a left turn indication with no apparent left turn in sight. At a loss, we stopped at a opportunely located cafe and ordered coffee. A really nice place with this on the wall</div>
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The proprietor was a teacher...with a barista certificate from Chiang Mai. She drew us a most helpful map to the desired road, and made some terrific lattes. The road is very good, passing through farms and villages</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxhCIandlbPAy09hpAvk7LqaawgkVIoUO-nzuR_S_5LTZeaRDSDP5nCDQseZA74OHZojCCoMjNUc2JStzz8vOaI04VHoBr4WStMID032jD1gygc8iFNqMBDc144OsDGlcMZ2e8-ZZ9ss/s1600/IMG_20160715_115700375.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPxhCIandlbPAy09hpAvk7LqaawgkVIoUO-nzuR_S_5LTZeaRDSDP5nCDQseZA74OHZojCCoMjNUc2JStzz8vOaI04VHoBr4WStMID032jD1gygc8iFNqMBDc144OsDGlcMZ2e8-ZZ9ss/s320/IMG_20160715_115700375.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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At 15 km we hit the park entrance and the ranger took our picture. No foreigners here for some time, apparently... Another 5 km and we sail by another desired turnoff, eventually turn around and spot the sign that says various things in Thai and then "Kunming" under that. Mind you, Kunming is a place in China and this place is actually called Suan Hin Pha Ngam. Ah well. K has since posted detailed directions on Trip Advisor to possibly aid future ignorant travelers... </div>
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We reach a row of shops and a deserted parking area--this must be it. A "spirit dog" appears, and leads us to a stone-studded path. Only then did we see a sign for "Nature Trail." Way to go, puppy! We followed it for awhile, stopped to leave the trail to take a picture of a Buddha statue, wondered what was on the other side of it, and Ta Da--we discovered the stone "maze". Incredible! Crazy rock formations and a beautiful narrow path among and around and through them. And we were completely alone, save our canine companion. We understand that Thai people travel on weekends and holidays and this was neither.</div>
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Mainly pictures of K, who was apparently too busy enjoying the place to take photos.</div>
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A wonderful place, really. We emerged at the end, which turns out to be the main entrance,. Spirit dog had vanished...</div>
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We drive back to the main road, stopping in a village for lunch, in a two-table restaurant that doubles as the post office. We have a terrific noodle soup, and have our photo taken a second time...</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yum</td></tr>
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Back on the road, we cover some distance and then find a place for the night, a place with a large sign in English: Nimit Paradise. it was fine, but nothing so special as the camel place of the previous night. </div>
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The next day we head for our final destination, the town of Nong Khai on the Lao border. We stop on the way at Phu Prabat Historical Park, for more weird rock formations :-). This place, though quite remote, is solidly on the tourist trail, and for good reason. People inhabited this place 2500 - 3000 years ago, and left behind paintings that are still visible</div>
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Nice views in one area of the park<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkeCaBPXuVzXhUcIY3fTaTeetXgXIgykDM-YWX-Cbn-FfazCmL1Czn1QZ6-XgRnD9EhO9BZz83RCW0N9mFpzEAgqnfEMRK689ovhhLkEBY5gsBwHGjVtwXAIvM5DIfgsfTQzDiGZ0Fgg/s1600/IMG_20160716_122701825.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnkeCaBPXuVzXhUcIY3fTaTeetXgXIgykDM-YWX-Cbn-FfazCmL1Czn1QZ6-XgRnD9EhO9BZz83RCW0N9mFpzEAgqnfEMRK689ovhhLkEBY5gsBwHGjVtwXAIvM5DIfgsfTQzDiGZ0Fgg/s320/IMG_20160716_122701825.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Here is a well<br />
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T checking out paintings<br />
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In a more recently inhabited area, a Buddha image and sacred area surrounded by stone pillars.</div>
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On to Nong Khai, on the Mekong River, roughly across the river from the Lao capital, Vientiane. Very cool for us as we have been on the other side, looking toward this place. The contrast is striking--Thailand is prosperous, Lao is not. Here is the view:</div>
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On this side of the river a well maintained and lighted path lines the river the length of the town, several kilometers. On the Lao side, a pitted road that loses all pavement at one point.</div>
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We make a pilgrimage to Sala Keku, a weird sculpture park. The man who created it also created an earlier one on the other side of the Mekong, which we have seen. The creator, Luang Poo Boun Leua Sourirat, fled Laos in 1974 at the communists gained power there. He thought they might not appreciate his views We found the Lao side one stranger, with more variety than the Thai version. Still...</div>
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The guy is actually buried here. His crypt, lit in green lights:</div>
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In the "Never in Malaysia" category, outside a hotel in Nong Khai, magazine racks--English, Thai and gay:</div>
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We visit Wat Lam Duan--a wat in Nong Khai right on the Mekong, climbing to the top of an enormous Buddha statue to see the view:</div>
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Another wat, Wat Tung Sawang, has a variety of Buddhist deities:</div>
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We enjoyed sunsets on the Mekong, and had dinner two nights at a simple restaurant we fell in love with. T went wild for the Isan (northest Thailand) sausages, twice, and K their two fish dishes and sticky rice</div>
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Here is the bridge over the Mekong, AKA Thai-Lao Friendship Bridge, built by the Australians in 2007.</div>
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We had a terrific view from our guesthouse balcony</div>
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At 8:46 pm Laos went dark--lost electricity--for a few minutes. Thailand did not. It came back on a few minutes later.</div>
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T on the Mekong</div>
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We watched a remarkable, day-long process of lorry after lorry/truck after truck of Thai-made goods being unloaded, carried into a terminal building and pushed down a ramp into boats bound for Laos. Plastic furniture and many assorted goods, one batch labelled " sunscreen with whitener".</div>
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Our last evening we sat on the balcony overlooking the Mekong, playing [travel] Scrabble and tuning in Spotify [again thanks Cam] to "chill Music", subcategory "beach"--well, the Mekong makes a kind of beach.</div>
Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-12333857852679272512016-07-06T01:44:00.000-07:002016-07-06T01:44:16.110-07:00Sharp things of June<br />
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<span style="color: lime; font-size: x-large;">J</span>une brings lovers of world's most exotic, spiky fruit from far and wide to Penang Island, especially to the farm stands along the west coast. We had two sets of overseas visitors recently, giving us the perfect opportunity, nay obligation, to show them this treasure of Penang: the durian.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfoNbhcVrs9nujQN0xovpzQ7rVgiT5oVNWOE1cJpxHFf8IlrbnHboS6e6vNSZCcQKlJae9A8yDETtiLJGgL2Q57mqOWCm-SKrbL4h937R2ouNswKDHPigMyEDygDG58Wkz8sp7MFeI3g/s1600/IMG_9899.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsfoNbhcVrs9nujQN0xovpzQ7rVgiT5oVNWOE1cJpxHFf8IlrbnHboS6e6vNSZCcQKlJae9A8yDETtiLJGgL2Q57mqOWCm-SKrbL4h937R2ouNswKDHPigMyEDygDG58Wkz8sp7MFeI3g/s320/IMG_9899.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyBIuZkmwky8ZfJHXuUx-9UAmirskUzeZ856y7y9bM4Sd32y7D6XMTyg6SealLiNQLvDUWHFoO10udGT0Rf6UPnJJ3-b9eqvitYCIyhK375PPF2SvpMS0ENDRZcL_C156lrKlqeBqpCg/s1600/IMG_20160626_143130935.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxyBIuZkmwky8ZfJHXuUx-9UAmirskUzeZ856y7y9bM4Sd32y7D6XMTyg6SealLiNQLvDUWHFoO10udGT0Rf6UPnJJ3-b9eqvitYCIyhK375PPF2SvpMS0ENDRZcL_C156lrKlqeBqpCg/s320/IMG_20160626_143130935.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">delerious for durian</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LZdyuAv_bkPcvL75Dn_2cqemYrh5UVHdDsyIJF1iA9JeE-SytQefUgupbGUAXwL8qvHu3rml10BNMPuCgTthhsKV9CgRx89CB1TO6GK5q2GZX0GAjiVOQjRCkkmmIGEFTakQc8KZiA8/s1600/Durian+swoon.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-LZdyuAv_bkPcvL75Dn_2cqemYrh5UVHdDsyIJF1iA9JeE-SytQefUgupbGUAXwL8qvHu3rml10BNMPuCgTthhsKV9CgRx89CB1TO6GK5q2GZX0GAjiVOQjRCkkmmIGEFTakQc8KZiA8/s1600/Durian+swoon.JPG" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">durian swoon<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">courageous effort</td></tr>
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Alas, among us, a hater. To his credit he bravely accepted a tender morsel from his mate. Then he declared the rest was for us.</div>
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There are many varieties of durian, "Kampung," or "village" durian being the least desirable. We chose better ones, which cost around US$15 for a small to medium size fruit. The spikes are so sharp that it is painful to carry them. Handlers wear thick gloves. Once purchased, the fruit is scored with a machete in a few places, allowing the experienced or brave to push the spikes apart to reveal three large seeds, covered in the delicious goo that is the edible bit. It is very hard to describe the complex taste. The taste bears no resemblance to the smell, which many find unpleasant. </div>
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We hear that durian-flavored condoms are now available in Thailand...presumably it is the former smell the producer was trying to emulate.</div>
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The day before school finished K checked into the hospital to have foot surgery. Bye bye bunion, AKA <i>hallux valgus</i>. All went well and the pain was not nearly as bad as feared. She had two nights in the hospital, emerging with two incisions, twenty-some stitches, two titanium pins, and an extra large "boot" designed to protect the toes and allowing her to walk the very next day. Completing the ensemble was a pair of stylish elbow crutches, made in--wait for it--La France.</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-14139440324612869322016-06-07T01:12:00.002-07:002016-06-07T02:20:12.141-07:00Penang bits<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: x-large;">R</span><i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">an into</span></i> a lady I know from the choir, at the supermarket. I asked if she was coming to sing the next day. "No," she said. "I have to train my new maid." I look at the girl and smile. No smile back. "From Cambodia?" I ask. "No, Indonesia.The last one I had ran away after two days," she tells me. "The agency says this one won't run because she is from a remote area." I suggest she could bring her along, she might like to come and hear the singing, see what a good person she (singer lady) is to sing in the old folks home. I smile again at the maid. No response from either of them. Sigh.<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Held</i> </span>our sixth Talk Time (ESL class) at the Indonesian consulate last week. The biggest group yet--28 I think. There were 40 women at the shelter--not sure why all didn't attend. We have five lesson plans now and have started to repeat them. The topics are: food, with pretend market and shopping lists; body, with giant bandaids and doctor badges, and of course "head, shoulders knees and toes; adjectives (mostly emotions), with an adapted version of If you're happy and you know it clap your hands; colors and numbers; and directions, with toy cars and maps, and blindfolded mazes around chairs. Well, they are fun for the ladies even if they don't actually retain any of the simple language we try to impart.<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Saw</i></span>, too close, a dead motorcyclist on the main road in front of our condo. A haunting image. It looked like he had been trying to pass in the oncoming lane, at speed. A very common practice unfortunately. There is little or no traffic control/enforcement, and motorcyclists have the right of way anyhow, in whatever lane/direction they are going.<br />
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Alternating the sad and the upbeat here... <br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Received</i></span> the greeting of "Good morning Madam" from the man in the guardhouse--pretty much each day as I leave. Tom gets lots of "sirs" at work. Perhaps we will miss this next year?<br />
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<i><span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;">No eyebrow raised </span></i>for the commuter backhoes and forklifts sharing the shoulder-less roads with us on a regular basis.<br />
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<span style="color: #134f5c; font-size: large;"><i>Sailed by</i></span>: "Ovation of the Seas"--a <span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #134f5c;">5,000</span> </span>(!)<span style="font-size: large;"> </span>passenger cruise ship! It was quite far off shore but easy to spot from our balcony. Looks like a tall, overloaded container ship.<br />
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-6363654882102721592016-04-19T00:55:00.000-07:002016-04-19T00:55:19.537-07:00Down Under!<span style="color: #cc0000; font-size: x-large;">w</span>e touched down in Melbourne on 27 March, Easter and T's 65th birthday. Pumped!<br />
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Within two hours of landing, a second cousin of T's, whom he'd never met, arrived at our hotel, and she and her husband whisked us off to show us the town. First stop, their charming home for a "simple" lunch that, to us, was very special indeed: lovely cheeses, smoked salmon, avocados, great bread, washed down with Australian red wine--every item a treat for us Penangites. Then they drove us around Melbourne, through downtown, around the Australian Grand Prix track (--the many viewing stands were still up), and past museums and other buildings they thought we might like to explore on our own the next day.<br />
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Indeed, the next day we took the tram to downtown, and started with the Art Museum, which we thought we would just have quick look at. T's cousin had told us of the stained glass ceiling in the back that sounded like worth a look. Two + hours later we exited.... Here is the ceiling, and T getting a good look<br />
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We paused to watch and listen to a pond full of ceramic ware floating along, making chime-like sounds as they bumped into each other </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb8rrKqTfgW_OWT3eVJM7xIXdbXiUeFsuIG2NSuINxQOdCj_GiNEN-rjZaxcm4SrCcENLK5nG62tx8eVW_2WiZObgVqkt2D9rI33FBervsKeQtUChwjRuMfFr4TnOWUoLElQ6yt_RYEs/s1600/watermelon+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKb8rrKqTfgW_OWT3eVJM7xIXdbXiUeFsuIG2NSuINxQOdCj_GiNEN-rjZaxcm4SrCcENLK5nG62tx8eVW_2WiZObgVqkt2D9rI33FBervsKeQtUChwjRuMfFr4TnOWUoLElQ6yt_RYEs/s320/watermelon+2.JPG" width="320" /></a>While Tom went in to to see Whistler's Mother, K spent ages w<span style="text-align: center;">atching a video of two people placing rubber band after rubber band around a watermelon. Yes, she did get the satisfaction of watching it burst. Art!</span></div>
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On to downtown proper, across the Yarra River</div>
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and the cricket stadium</div>
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Trams are free in the CBD (= central business district)</div>
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Melbourne mixes charming old (late 1800s - 1920s) buildings with interesting tall new structures, really well. Odd bits of art are seen here and there, even along the highways. We found many other reasons to love the place. Sensible public transit. A vibrant downtown, with many small shops that are open and full of customers. How is this possible? A thriving middle class, thanks to a livable minimum wage. What a concept. We heard of a cleaner earning US$19 an hour. You don't routinely tip in restaurants because WAITERS EARN ENOUGH TO LIVE ON. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoTbKyTrKk5IRt-uSBWHydqDKaJ3Qj8SmrEPmQ9xOOFgLTtEl8FY2l7C1LjIb1UAQAceVwtha0UoWs0kNTpiKjxcoFZ9rTBUc2Fkq-cJWZbYL-BGnpNEzwv3mi3C_DTPMCpGYPk2mMQU/s1600/melbourne+street.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipoTbKyTrKk5IRt-uSBWHydqDKaJ3Qj8SmrEPmQ9xOOFgLTtEl8FY2l7C1LjIb1UAQAceVwtha0UoWs0kNTpiKjxcoFZ9rTBUc2Fkq-cJWZbYL-BGnpNEzwv3mi3C_DTPMCpGYPk2mMQU/s320/melbourne+street.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Without having a clue what it meant, we had booked an Art Series hotel, the Blackman. Great reviews, and we will certainly be adding ours to that. It was very convenient, for one thing, just a few tram stops from the CBD. Super comfortable--studios complete with dishwasher (a real novelty for us) and a small balcony. Classy--stuffed with the art of Charles Blackman. And outstanding customer service--they gave us a bottle of prosecco with an ice bucket for T's birthday. Here is T in the hallway, and a rack of art publications in our room.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KUTlVpnmcAhSr_3yyETj0BOkTEFne79QlWoZYo-EPZSfKKbLm2sMuhyp58LvsmIFPFBsYutK8aOIuOvdAbiEmZSr7ts7aXRFY-obsMUYlE0ZGgm1CM6koor0Lu_PAuvzJr37fLS_Z3Q/s1600/our+hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5KUTlVpnmcAhSr_3yyETj0BOkTEFne79QlWoZYo-EPZSfKKbLm2sMuhyp58LvsmIFPFBsYutK8aOIuOvdAbiEmZSr7ts7aXRFY-obsMUYlE0ZGgm1CM6koor0Lu_PAuvzJr37fLS_Z3Q/s320/our+hotel.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxhnEoDp4Hek7PwQ5ckwYAhTktijWEygY1JOBen1JPqPqq_NtsxPoVbiONPGAvyyPs_lcw09FcAuCgcF2cG16SWlxcotye2x-X_1Th5eMt2bJIf_AW-oPfsg7NK2MHbEAh07ARRCiZ1o/s1600/hotel+room.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdxhnEoDp4Hek7PwQ5ckwYAhTktijWEygY1JOBen1JPqPqq_NtsxPoVbiONPGAvyyPs_lcw09FcAuCgcF2cG16SWlxcotye2x-X_1Th5eMt2bJIf_AW-oPfsg7NK2MHbEAh07ARRCiZ1o/s320/hotel+room.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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On the advice of T's cousin we visited the Melbourne State Library, a gorgeous old building. Up on the fourth floor T runs into students from Uplands! What good students, in the library!</div>
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There is a university nearby, and many of their students using the library.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz9RTeXfooGR4EiRwtioOtBPtsNrJ9M_oyUqJDK3qzWnbDDr2ydVnBHn1Sb9srklI19zTsyIdceUSQoD_6PuLTrmt0ZlouTdcWG8MBbY9m57vxd9NzPDe04IJonFC1WR5HvlrWFzv9Ug/s1600/Library+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPz9RTeXfooGR4EiRwtioOtBPtsNrJ9M_oyUqJDK3qzWnbDDr2ydVnBHn1Sb9srklI19zTsyIdceUSQoD_6PuLTrmt0ZlouTdcWG8MBbY9m57vxd9NzPDe04IJonFC1WR5HvlrWFzv9Ug/s320/Library+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We learn that Ned Kelly's armor is here and have to have a look. A legendary outlaw in the 1870s, he and his gang robbed a lot of banks before all were killed by police save Ned, whose homemade armor apparently offered some immediate protection. He was arrested and hung in the Melbourne Gaol in 1880.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHZYVq_gOtNhouq-hQ8RAvo_0NzK5VNl4JVc5lTXXG6kmmPNAau7XAUE_DFxYHgUzQba3pFLEHIcKm9jaNAQc7hJCOccXRVvbHaJ50ESptGCtLgQJeRH88WcLsx5faBRTCDHstEf8s70/s1600/Ned+Kelly.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHZYVq_gOtNhouq-hQ8RAvo_0NzK5VNl4JVc5lTXXG6kmmPNAau7XAUE_DFxYHgUzQba3pFLEHIcKm9jaNAQc7hJCOccXRVvbHaJ50ESptGCtLgQJeRH88WcLsx5faBRTCDHstEf8s70/s320/Ned+Kelly.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Here is a famous Melbourne's landmark, Flinders St. train station.</div>
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Every town needs a Lolly shop, no? And a discount one, all the better.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOBZqAj8NJTcmeRvhVCTuixn3UZ0rVLi7NtKKLB2BJysi1iIhLCR6TtR3HdXmgiCc9L-hzNgDMnond-9EsaQZ6FcNVgW28NSNMcYVCGRaIy4l753czgGBB_A0hYgtCWXu4SgtlZ2CV1s/s1600/lollie+shop.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBOBZqAj8NJTcmeRvhVCTuixn3UZ0rVLi7NtKKLB2BJysi1iIhLCR6TtR3HdXmgiCc9L-hzNgDMnond-9EsaQZ6FcNVgW28NSNMcYVCGRaIy4l753czgGBB_A0hYgtCWXu4SgtlZ2CV1s/s320/lollie+shop.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Downtown Melbourne has several historic malls, called arcades. we stopped for drinking chocolate in this one. Oh yes.</div>
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We hopped a tram to the once seedy beach town of St. Kilda. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1RSfuX8DA9Je_YILXGTncJiQD4CYa4fpwQOZSPLOI3aMfr0trPM9ho5EXzJYq76VM3GwIbef-Kc7ktA6CD_Zg4o5sQWAX4FPKFiWFSnvyhS-Ud7FUpVrp7P0R02Uwy2xoElOSfnJ4ic/s1600/St.+Kilda.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjP1RSfuX8DA9Je_YILXGTncJiQD4CYa4fpwQOZSPLOI3aMfr0trPM9ho5EXzJYq76VM3GwIbef-Kc7ktA6CD_Zg4o5sQWAX4FPKFiWFSnvyhS-Ud7FUpVrp7P0R02Uwy2xoElOSfnJ4ic/s320/St.+Kilda.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We walked out to the end of the long pier and were rewarded by finding two of the 1,000 little penguins said to live there. It was quite windy and they were snuggled in between some rocks.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92WEhDDPuYVRFnkPKNw-QwGnbO4G_NaKirmdp81kQtBhaIDpgK-8Y8AmspTt4Epq2ILYpUSUeuzsweMuGm36RaFMMXgY3GNMwTxjKqROrhxsSagn8xhbKTMcyYijazdZKMoKzBLWqMrM/s1600/penguin1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh92WEhDDPuYVRFnkPKNw-QwGnbO4G_NaKirmdp81kQtBhaIDpgK-8Y8AmspTt4Epq2ILYpUSUeuzsweMuGm36RaFMMXgY3GNMwTxjKqROrhxsSagn8xhbKTMcyYijazdZKMoKzBLWqMrM/s320/penguin1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TPfMrMuw0OtRzP40na8Ja9gE1JY2py00X5trd-O8PaftX00LTSy5kBqcVUUpr8ogKEYXOk7UgiDPZdWE_fgj17WOxTuUt-hJ2naz8FozEl4OPIFGHQ0pEQX2gnLGh9nbBtVnc0wGKBg/s1600/penguin+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6TPfMrMuw0OtRzP40na8Ja9gE1JY2py00X5trd-O8PaftX00LTSy5kBqcVUUpr8ogKEYXOk7UgiDPZdWE_fgj17WOxTuUt-hJ2naz8FozEl4OPIFGHQ0pEQX2gnLGh9nbBtVnc0wGKBg/s320/penguin+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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View of Melbourne from St. Kilda</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5qS0ylNPq79lPcLe8drWdhz21hsGqoaZkBs6yMQjOaJIoWl_Mo6ICdZPQmo8V-u3iYggdsx7FuxPfFoHD2KcDn7LyXK1zbxmpebWIo6bOIXanf9rke8J-2LubsioWiyRxGx6dml6Gxo/s1600/city+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe5qS0ylNPq79lPcLe8drWdhz21hsGqoaZkBs6yMQjOaJIoWl_Mo6ICdZPQmo8V-u3iYggdsx7FuxPfFoHD2KcDn7LyXK1zbxmpebWIo6bOIXanf9rke8J-2LubsioWiyRxGx6dml6Gxo/s320/city+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BncXjVmjJCsUEq0H6cVkBacW8iThyphenhyphenZvkukBVpBbeGoBB6eUwU4EkmO6XqZJvublwLbX6Gd78ozhkYD4A65u14Jpk4V_UbCY_2hgycVg38NesYcmG0yRQyv0INDCpjUjwQFYyKzCkMmQ/s1600/St.+Kilda+last.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-BncXjVmjJCsUEq0H6cVkBacW8iThyphenhyphenZvkukBVpBbeGoBB6eUwU4EkmO6XqZJvublwLbX6Gd78ozhkYD4A65u14Jpk4V_UbCY_2hgycVg38NesYcmG0yRQyv0INDCpjUjwQFYyKzCkMmQ/s320/St.+Kilda+last.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day we picked up a car and headed south to the Great Ocean Road. A good and fitting name. The first town one passes through is Torquay, surfing capital and birthplace of both Quicksilver and Ripcurl brands,</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm812x-wO99ayMTZr0bFmiRwStVlbgFDtrzxqb-K3MaTqReUMTRqqKmZTTwaGzzA00XOq-CCRjg4u7vI7_TM_t_lqruJMAK2tZNpSqboRJV0VjRdMHD-Ao3XkA2IBFUpLrSboeE5d3zo/s1600/great+ocean+road+town.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSm812x-wO99ayMTZr0bFmiRwStVlbgFDtrzxqb-K3MaTqReUMTRqqKmZTTwaGzzA00XOq-CCRjg4u7vI7_TM_t_lqruJMAK2tZNpSqboRJV0VjRdMHD-Ao3XkA2IBFUpLrSboeE5d3zo/s320/great+ocean+road+town.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPws4C3EB1l1aLjji4EfcdtKaqRvuYCfCqZUuz2KfYNKB5cbGwY6_bzCGHhrpuuQpmf4okSTuGQLSfMinHZNBVOxxRz3_e3kqpyB461HIqQSpWKl0w056Eo8j4_594MdcD0hhQqJLaYE/s1600/great+ocean+road+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEPws4C3EB1l1aLjji4EfcdtKaqRvuYCfCqZUuz2KfYNKB5cbGwY6_bzCGHhrpuuQpmf4okSTuGQLSfMinHZNBVOxxRz3_e3kqpyB461HIqQSpWKl0w056Eo8j4_594MdcD0hhQqJLaYE/s320/great+ocean+road+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Along the way a slight detour inland to the Kennet River, to see if we could spot some koalas. Scanning the trees as we drove yielded nothing, but when we pulled over so T could find a bush, after some moments he spotted this guy right in front.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zXRk7P7bUSWSLOjHWrsSDEEnsqmFPa9gflmPjmvcuOkswJqwIa-woxFOeMOMPnFHh8xncN3tmHtBMo9FnL1aJrUnvGVdLaZbaT67lFE07uFTBVUH8BDHOej4YWghNihMvwiiv4IciL4/s1600/koala%2521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3zXRk7P7bUSWSLOjHWrsSDEEnsqmFPa9gflmPjmvcuOkswJqwIa-woxFOeMOMPnFHh8xncN3tmHtBMo9FnL1aJrUnvGVdLaZbaT67lFE07uFTBVUH8BDHOej4YWghNihMvwiiv4IciL4/s320/koala%2521.JPG" width="302" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVnqWRHIgITsUWKrZRsz1DHHMdgH36Ax4KczNLGHP0sBf8_AojxtLkIOGoK8FPBRHilABD_1k_zNVqhanqXXdE2fTozt8j1xt3TGIHSc4amiRVO1DQ7a9YL2jEndVMJdwpG8iO0Kridk/s1600/koala+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBVnqWRHIgITsUWKrZRsz1DHHMdgH36Ax4KczNLGHP0sBf8_AojxtLkIOGoK8FPBRHilABD_1k_zNVqhanqXXdE2fTozt8j1xt3TGIHSc4amiRVO1DQ7a9YL2jEndVMJdwpG8iO0Kridk/s320/koala+2.JPG" width="320" /></a>and this one. </div>
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Back to the Great Ocean road, time for lunch! Our first Aussie fish and chips, right by the sea. Perfect!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfgFVvfHV7M5GUGb4DH69vzZeX3fbKsiLQ_MRQKmNM7Q2n_pt5SSxve6yxkeW2egkBTlcV0DjM_loORtBcINft34Mx2ei0SPq-VLAJruK8ovw3owMEcTXXsSc0cPe3SM1WS2Y2vqyP-M/s1600/fish+and+chips+by+the+sea.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidfgFVvfHV7M5GUGb4DH69vzZeX3fbKsiLQ_MRQKmNM7Q2n_pt5SSxve6yxkeW2egkBTlcV0DjM_loORtBcINft34Mx2ei0SPq-VLAJruK8ovw3owMEcTXXsSc0cPe3SM1WS2Y2vqyP-M/s320/fish+and+chips+by+the+sea.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicViy_H7ckYGETiRfIcSlGHf4ZsBwtc9XtmvG4mSCzw6KvQZpNGPuPVzRT1PrNW8wp6xi63G2AfEBnHQyVK5A_TvqsOAu97Y_zPcCORINXfeH9lUsswwTRKmVEQqN3WDRj88AhNaq2TbQ/s1600/fish+and+chips.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicViy_H7ckYGETiRfIcSlGHf4ZsBwtc9XtmvG4mSCzw6KvQZpNGPuPVzRT1PrNW8wp6xi63G2AfEBnHQyVK5A_TvqsOAu97Y_zPcCORINXfeH9lUsswwTRKmVEQqN3WDRj88AhNaq2TbQ/s320/fish+and+chips.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">this fish is Blue Grenadier</td></tr>
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The Great Ocean Road is 250 kilometers (155 miles) of national heritage two lane highway along the southern coast of Victoria--that's southeast Australia. Built by soldiers returned from World War I. A major tourist attraction, understandably.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOORTOK7rkQb2993_UZCiNzspO8DmqW8m-ceyaUNyP5rro62FXRaDBgDGheOt7VEbf-yO70CPa8yfehT86ruM24t2jLGRkfeinrmfuBmZrGjvDnCpFsyuA3_GGRcamX65LmFwvafZeT8g/s1600/great+ocean+road+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOORTOK7rkQb2993_UZCiNzspO8DmqW8m-ceyaUNyP5rro62FXRaDBgDGheOt7VEbf-yO70CPa8yfehT86ruM24t2jLGRkfeinrmfuBmZrGjvDnCpFsyuA3_GGRcamX65LmFwvafZeT8g/s320/great+ocean+road+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXoHOSQ6rFb_rXZmZTmM0l4pKQ2-nqU0PgzEDirRPFa2nlSAum5cZkQ0II64j81hP5kSsBoQ4Jvbyacc9Np3U2btCLg7B8wDNrucO1hmU4zwT2s16DN38Yp7YJLOHhK8lcd8tImKKz8c/s1600/great+ocean+road+99.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDXoHOSQ6rFb_rXZmZTmM0l4pKQ2-nqU0PgzEDirRPFa2nlSAum5cZkQ0II64j81hP5kSsBoQ4Jvbyacc9Np3U2btCLg7B8wDNrucO1hmU4zwT2s16DN38Yp7YJLOHhK8lcd8tImKKz8c/s320/great+ocean+road+99.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roughly halfway along are the "12 Apostles," limestone stacks that actually number only 9. One apostle:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrmJWr-92GSMVqFLS_ImYB_-eHDgiO9saUyYJHXWpdfHDkAvZMRM8FdZ912pFinfDezwQ6ztyoYFOkplIVT4zjOj0XWzegWRWEKtGn77T4Qdj9tVpYL7diVrj7mCOIesvXvxTh1mPE_8/s1600/one+of+the+twelve+apostles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrmJWr-92GSMVqFLS_ImYB_-eHDgiO9saUyYJHXWpdfHDkAvZMRM8FdZ912pFinfDezwQ6ztyoYFOkplIVT4zjOj0XWzegWRWEKtGn77T4Qdj9tVpYL7diVrj7mCOIesvXvxTh1mPE_8/s320/one+of+the+twelve+apostles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H3NUytSRwjYBNPjGcmG2QH2TBdAb6paLYPT1dY3uI2T2DDjfPOkkP-LfPBorwkjlxrqArUOPRPL_Pi9FOPiz7tck6CVBis-M89CZUliz3O9kh9NtHjIDw52qkLbyqEqdwgE70sR0uCg/s1600/two+of+the+12+apostles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8H3NUytSRwjYBNPjGcmG2QH2TBdAb6paLYPT1dY3uI2T2DDjfPOkkP-LfPBorwkjlxrqArUOPRPL_Pi9FOPiz7tck6CVBis-M89CZUliz3O9kh9NtHjIDw52qkLbyqEqdwgE70sR0uCg/s320/two+of+the+12+apostles.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Two apostles</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1u0Y1XxKHQ8nhvhxgBvD6RPI54rulVnOwILl7vHKsc1Q-aGAum-IvnINmya1J2FWFUhrZomtn8OZ49RCfNt_as5qAzH-1pnPFtikD4ZajIVFYTHhlpTm2ygzdlJkz2aMbWK5Uxhqvr4/s1600/K+and+apostles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1u0Y1XxKHQ8nhvhxgBvD6RPI54rulVnOwILl7vHKsc1Q-aGAum-IvnINmya1J2FWFUhrZomtn8OZ49RCfNt_as5qAzH-1pnPFtikD4ZajIVFYTHhlpTm2ygzdlJkz2aMbWK5Uxhqvr4/s320/K+and+apostles.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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More</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tWJpRzytVbFgAtPS6KPjJblir4MdSV9zmB-yMYI4U4Ne3pe8MMMuZx7XVV6fM0E84BJQtc0MPWCUyXIy_hxWKpmWh6jegleovWr7is0KrwCeyBRr_dSDl5lZ9jnEKKpB_XRvnf42CBA/s1600/more+of+the+12+apostles.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4tWJpRzytVbFgAtPS6KPjJblir4MdSV9zmB-yMYI4U4Ne3pe8MMMuZx7XVV6fM0E84BJQtc0MPWCUyXIy_hxWKpmWh6jegleovWr7is0KrwCeyBRr_dSDl5lZ9jnEKKpB_XRvnf42CBA/s320/more+of+the+12+apostles.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Such different trees! We have no idea what any of them are. One type is reminiscent of Lebanese cedars.</div>
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We stopped for the night in Warrnambool, a pleasant small town not far from the end of the road, to to speak. We stayed in the Hotel Warrnambool, very conveniently situated above a really nice pub.</div>
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The next day we turned north, heading for Grampians National Park. New road signs appear:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorZQ6Owy2tLKqjbxORvi_zw0kbWrX63F8kjx9sP3pMRGBdgA9h0QimmF64mJrqW9CFeZnM-ggiSjeNFYBbIGVCLe_0UYscD4rp_85QMghAAkMKUaGWzex1xua1Kq34BJW7hAmvpNpWso/s1600/watch+out.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorZQ6Owy2tLKqjbxORvi_zw0kbWrX63F8kjx9sP3pMRGBdgA9h0QimmF64mJrqW9CFeZnM-ggiSjeNFYBbIGVCLe_0UYscD4rp_85QMghAAkMKUaGWzex1xua1Kq34BJW7hAmvpNpWso/s320/watch+out.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Unfortunately the first one we see is dead, by the roadside. Three of those before we reach our destination.</div>
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Our first glimpse of the Grampians mountains</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU8sZsnM9nyEZneOrVICt-GB7IyUCsiwR9j_NQd-_o5m_0qYxStN8uh99_UmoxxvRZBzyf1c3l-mIG2GbDD2J1w-tHs38HIJM_RHhLMGolZ0_ER5nPJBJt4YTwYgdcGNa89XjQjffWeY/s1600/first+hint+of+the+Grampians.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuU8sZsnM9nyEZneOrVICt-GB7IyUCsiwR9j_NQd-_o5m_0qYxStN8uh99_UmoxxvRZBzyf1c3l-mIG2GbDD2J1w-tHs38HIJM_RHhLMGolZ0_ER5nPJBJt4YTwYgdcGNa89XjQjffWeY/s320/first+hint+of+the+Grampians.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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and nearer</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MXS2pP7OUODHCzRAbTq-dvNTkv_96GmMKk03xZ8vRj1LQ8wUAnKLmqXeex4mR1S0c_mqhCYipBk5E-TcamZWeiYHBff6kk2KpSXL-r-9_YiiUAMi0e5_eYtuaNvq0BDHoLvXa21-LZ4/s1600/and+nearer+the+Grmapians.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7MXS2pP7OUODHCzRAbTq-dvNTkv_96GmMKk03xZ8vRj1LQ8wUAnKLmqXeex4mR1S0c_mqhCYipBk5E-TcamZWeiYHBff6kk2KpSXL-r-9_YiiUAMi0e5_eYtuaNvq0BDHoLvXa21-LZ4/s320/and+nearer+the+Grmapians.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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And a live one--don't hit him/her!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0cAUxIwVb8TqbhTXY7_7yisHz1oYSR13YFD5rrgtoOKfAjqVM2DcnJT7vy1cN4JLwKwoDOvNCdiNgiU6FJxHG4FaO6b-3i4h-6k5VsEpvGxf7iEgmVFu8gYEjN_PJuKCCuIVYDM-aQ8/s1600/don%253Bt+hit+him.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0cAUxIwVb8TqbhTXY7_7yisHz1oYSR13YFD5rrgtoOKfAjqVM2DcnJT7vy1cN4JLwKwoDOvNCdiNgiU6FJxHG4FaO6b-3i4h-6k5VsEpvGxf7iEgmVFu8gYEjN_PJuKCCuIVYDM-aQ8/s320/don%253Bt+hit+him.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVvavBJMXFdovYzAIseHnlG7cNX2Ir9QQQ2rty_vlr2UHdl8087kyAwzEkZPtxLPl4UshizqIaJCmuYGSbyWk-Mxgr5aindZvjOGLDPQI01fuqiTZNt68r6Yr_2CNRtqUCo_amiHn0z4/s1600/Kangaroo+meat+sign.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMVvavBJMXFdovYzAIseHnlG7cNX2Ir9QQQ2rty_vlr2UHdl8087kyAwzEkZPtxLPl4UshizqIaJCmuYGSbyWk-Mxgr5aindZvjOGLDPQI01fuqiTZNt68r6Yr_2CNRtqUCo_amiHn0z4/s320/Kangaroo+meat+sign.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Or else? </div>
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We reach Halls Gap, where we spend two nights. Our motel backs up to a large field full of...kangaroos!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf7Z2uOk3aaMLN8mOBTm8ORNBB6ic59pUmuKTdP4vqFIzbdUJZgWbsjuplYHPpD2o_gwZq3p_7YVhOp2KFHPnhdpuJ1IxHhUPQJQ9lFPGPGn0bC20YmQ_g6fkJvXdBiMCl40DWw3fi2I/s1600/kangaroo+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwf7Z2uOk3aaMLN8mOBTm8ORNBB6ic59pUmuKTdP4vqFIzbdUJZgWbsjuplYHPpD2o_gwZq3p_7YVhOp2KFHPnhdpuJ1IxHhUPQJQ9lFPGPGn0bC20YmQ_g6fkJvXdBiMCl40DWw3fi2I/s320/kangaroo+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and cockatoos! The fence divides our small terrace and the field.</div>
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The kangaroos raised suddenly in alert mode, then moved quickly off to one side. Off in the distance we spotted the reason: an emu. </div>
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We did several short hikes to various viewpoints in the park.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWAHzseUHutKIKOlFBQKtkS6FYWYFLEafo6kYOFCyNP1PxIHa94xFm2UEjkR4izoyiUggeMo9GCHr7It-TihotpSMalkW171sb5QpFHWD0EbEDm0k6zwgrN0NzEWGzj9vlYWWSUOXEk0/s1600/T+and+K+above+view.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtWAHzseUHutKIKOlFBQKtkS6FYWYFLEafo6kYOFCyNP1PxIHa94xFm2UEjkR4izoyiUggeMo9GCHr7It-TihotpSMalkW171sb5QpFHWD0EbEDm0k6zwgrN0NzEWGzj9vlYWWSUOXEk0/s320/T+and+K+above+view.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbErv5LzuGmAKLwuubTX7d5WuZEqVrJ33548rwtH3d2LEKfvSy8jaBvmLhZRfYUe3g3d9-n92KVmc2IccDUhTJ1cW9LmrPcqWRrVf2UAuNjwgC39P4Diex9KMC7jbO9-GS9Blxfv4i_BA/s1600/K+above+waterfall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbErv5LzuGmAKLwuubTX7d5WuZEqVrJ33548rwtH3d2LEKfvSy8jaBvmLhZRfYUe3g3d9-n92KVmc2IccDUhTJ1cW9LmrPcqWRrVf2UAuNjwgC39P4Diex9KMC7jbO9-GS9Blxfv4i_BA/s320/K+above+waterfall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Well, some of us find this interesting--kangaroo poo:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOmd3-fDE05Rq_OIjdSQh6OZpxtr5W2olnFvQdXq8fxi-Z0IDdkfgTnixRaz0wRY6YaJeIb9ZBl6r7-1O6Jkh7K505imE2XQyh8JFKRZZYnqUiFfTpiuE9opnWT70qjbVai7wjb6fi74/s1600/kangaroo+poo.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWOmd3-fDE05Rq_OIjdSQh6OZpxtr5W2olnFvQdXq8fxi-Z0IDdkfgTnixRaz0wRY6YaJeIb9ZBl6r7-1O6Jkh7K505imE2XQyh8JFKRZZYnqUiFfTpiuE9opnWT70qjbVai7wjb6fi74/s320/kangaroo+poo.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Much of the area had suffered forest fires. Fascinating how the vegetation works with local conditions: the very cool looking plant (with cool looking homo sapien, below) called kangaroo tail only germinates after being burned. Apparently they can live up to 600 years!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdbAGFEIVPgFTnS0fOJH8Z9tKeOTOBCAKfSeUIDjTKqkxWDKAKXwSOF1wMyzO4tKmcSaE4OiDJF7t3Cn5_LbmqWhLzmOj1XGP2idsHfmNZai4OI6lvuGvfjGp_nvSwYOI3ldbJGXubnc/s1600/T+with+kangaroo+tail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGdbAGFEIVPgFTnS0fOJH8Z9tKeOTOBCAKfSeUIDjTKqkxWDKAKXwSOF1wMyzO4tKmcSaE4OiDJF7t3Cn5_LbmqWhLzmOj1XGP2idsHfmNZai4OI6lvuGvfjGp_nvSwYOI3ldbJGXubnc/s320/T+with+kangaroo+tail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKA6T0VU9QTJxFMa2-a1zxr5tjkoQaLnTieboUx9AMNbi_0IimlYGNbaZMfkmKmZMNioAcaKkQSzYd2eueMWsPYyAzUFuJB2mURcq6qzIcV1sJqvl3mEvPu2EXlU1UmACPJ4fruVlEbw/s1600/stump+of+kangroo+tail.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxKA6T0VU9QTJxFMa2-a1zxr5tjkoQaLnTieboUx9AMNbi_0IimlYGNbaZMfkmKmZMNioAcaKkQSzYd2eueMWsPYyAzUFuJB2mURcq6qzIcV1sJqvl3mEvPu2EXlU1UmACPJ4fruVlEbw/s320/stump+of+kangroo+tail.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Above, the burned stump of a kangaroo tail. Presumably it will sprout.</div>
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One hike was to a waterfall, that in this dry season had little water but was still beautiful.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikRk_W-UM17jRj6_cEPIf89ouGf4gm9RoJjHBgO2DnsF0i9y5uNScLYjYMDc5U1jHsg6Kwu_zJ4x8v4N_tsYDZ-42TFsi3_uQFY5AdSpW1ndxYrmmERpL35BsufXe4vLEggdMgNNnjTw/s1600/water+fall.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikRk_W-UM17jRj6_cEPIf89ouGf4gm9RoJjHBgO2DnsF0i9y5uNScLYjYMDc5U1jHsg6Kwu_zJ4x8v4N_tsYDZ-42TFsi3_uQFY5AdSpW1ndxYrmmERpL35BsufXe4vLEggdMgNNnjTw/s320/water+fall.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQtUQAtblLNVXre5hdHaONZAeepDM1Cw8hzH7Tb8rM0eX9e7TMRjghYu1Z-G30xu35sxy_DjQSr2ikawWtxGIwdZ6nJOUO-Vpc3UbzZlv5x_rg2E9zW02ezateixczSdBEh8fL4_Htlo/s1600/water+fall+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvQtUQAtblLNVXre5hdHaONZAeepDM1Cw8hzH7Tb8rM0eX9e7TMRjghYu1Z-G30xu35sxy_DjQSr2ikawWtxGIwdZ6nJOUO-Vpc3UbzZlv5x_rg2E9zW02ezateixczSdBEh8fL4_Htlo/s320/water+fall+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We left the Grampians to head for the small town of Kaniva, to meet another of Tom's second cousins. Kaniva is, well, pretty much in the middle of nowhere, halfway between Melbourne and Adelaide on the well traveled Western Highway. Kaniva has a strong community, which really makes the place stand out, Apparently the Garden Club waged a beautification campaign that eventually won everyone over. There are trees and green spaces that might not have been, and bits of art. Evidence of a sheep painting contest are dotted about the town.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjdDqMhWTcD2W46oAGuQq4PHlxsE2uyR95SRNTRiCBxBDQIm0LiHoOubZRZni4C-ztMCxM54COsqKGRPq6zYUjrL3_iKNMnF9CBSVmAlLGfMF_ssmScz6f9YLUvlz8FE9_tZdRjrvIMs/s1600/Kaniva+sheep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYjdDqMhWTcD2W46oAGuQq4PHlxsE2uyR95SRNTRiCBxBDQIm0LiHoOubZRZni4C-ztMCxM54COsqKGRPq6zYUjrL3_iKNMnF9CBSVmAlLGfMF_ssmScz6f9YLUvlz8FE9_tZdRjrvIMs/s320/Kaniva+sheep.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoONdOJ4UYQsc7C6rvCdxHt-b2MuNfLO5XAD2siFW_Lv0dWGBjuuBWIzdAEiFpiEwsGVN0HPXrDzypr3ol93wLkypSgjZocJZh78x0aQbvTl4KEeSFsQfO-_wU5BUS9ERXBJ89Nw5DWY/s1600/T+with+sheep.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQoONdOJ4UYQsc7C6rvCdxHt-b2MuNfLO5XAD2siFW_Lv0dWGBjuuBWIzdAEiFpiEwsGVN0HPXrDzypr3ol93wLkypSgjZocJZh78x0aQbvTl4KEeSFsQfO-_wU5BUS9ERXBJ89Nw5DWY/s320/T+with+sheep.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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When an oil company announced that it would be closing the<br />
only gas station in town (leaving the nearest station 38 km/23 miles away), locals came up with a plan to buy and operate it--people bought shares in the venture and it is now a thriving community fixture. We had breakfast inside and were happy to pay 3 cents more a liter for gas at this community-run station. The train station was not so lucky. For the station to remain open, not only to passengers but to freight cars transporting harvested grains, trains a minimum of 25 carriages long are needed, more than Kaniva can produce.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpINNdxnomkKbe0Xc1hbzxNa3I9zU-pTH3vnWttt_A0Lm7maTGNsWh1b2lrHUemHOGBkZ3yCUSMNg_fKHdNh6vn1pHDoD6luNHRtCB5ZYEJkymQWYmEtIxXQrp0dnoEEtiPRdB5_LkoDM/s1600/Kaniva+gas+station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpINNdxnomkKbe0Xc1hbzxNa3I9zU-pTH3vnWttt_A0Lm7maTGNsWh1b2lrHUemHOGBkZ3yCUSMNg_fKHdNh6vn1pHDoD6luNHRtCB5ZYEJkymQWYmEtIxXQrp0dnoEEtiPRdB5_LkoDM/s320/Kaniva+gas+station.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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T's cousin Barry gave us a great tour of both Kaniva and the homestead where T's grandfather lived. We saw a sheep-shearing shed and learned of the many different crops that large farms in Australia grow, in rotation and depending on the amount of rainfall. Canola and lentils are two, as well as clover, which brings nitrogen back into the soil and provides feed for the sheep. Australia is also the second largest producer of almonds after California. Barry alluded to how much of a challenge farming is. He showed us an area where someone from Qatar (or maybe the government) had just purchased 120,000 acres.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHWMzj8ZephJwb8iyAgoTUNTNrFeg5FLeBlQ8vxkjWWqxutXdfGAq5F8eQ1ntmeCr5fC_MbA2DmFUA2sMCV3VgBKGziB6LHouBydPwy729mWFWbG0xyi1rJ_ZmdysdxXD59PX3ZvDLp4/s1600/T+and+Barry+at+Kaniva+farm.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCHWMzj8ZephJwb8iyAgoTUNTNrFeg5FLeBlQ8vxkjWWqxutXdfGAq5F8eQ1ntmeCr5fC_MbA2DmFUA2sMCV3VgBKGziB6LHouBydPwy729mWFWbG0xyi1rJ_ZmdysdxXD59PX3ZvDLp4/s320/T+and+Barry+at+Kaniva+farm.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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Barry showed us the church where their family had gone for generations, and where T's grandfather once preached (in an earlier building).</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8yuF66mk6jL5dKKY5Xi6SUm-94s035o4PKWbxFVM3LwVJCNPRsqVhwv5ZCWfHeh_Z0rTG9PLspteSj5-VtiPanPGKTMfe3OTqSpai1_uP2tMVv071yG7tIwwd6sGPwUcdo74h4yWN_Q/s1600/Kaniva+church.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl8yuF66mk6jL5dKKY5Xi6SUm-94s035o4PKWbxFVM3LwVJCNPRsqVhwv5ZCWfHeh_Z0rTG9PLspteSj5-VtiPanPGKTMfe3OTqSpai1_uP2tMVv071yG7tIwwd6sGPwUcdo74h4yWN_Q/s320/Kaniva+church.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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With great thanks to second cousin #2, we moved on the Adelaide. Along the way, K made T stop to enshrine on this document for all to see, the Giant Koala</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F59kevuce_LXPIfrkJ3tCgVlVFdumAjDV-WRvUwk0RxxHvUlBSdci6vd1luU87xSJpkRDHDH0sR3pk0InuA8gGG5TE4Zw7Do5JRTanPm7V2Bb2iKKyvPDub4XZWgzzuftYaNYXby7Os/s1600/giant+koala.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7F59kevuce_LXPIfrkJ3tCgVlVFdumAjDV-WRvUwk0RxxHvUlBSdci6vd1luU87xSJpkRDHDH0sR3pk0InuA8gGG5TE4Zw7Do5JRTanPm7V2Bb2iKKyvPDub4XZWgzzuftYaNYXby7Os/s320/giant+koala.JPG" width="320" /></a>we didn't get out of the car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7k14Sw_yV4WWEtkZeesE617BlEAEk_5POuvRXoc7UwPLiM0XnWR4B232-OIgg7Ep2QST6wQfQNiPbK7Tbx1yaa4Cl86VzoR-tQYRJ5s7fc5Elhlrfye4WJAgPESZzs-O6ZfGUFEEojs/s1600/K+adelaide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEif7k14Sw_yV4WWEtkZeesE617BlEAEk_5POuvRXoc7UwPLiM0XnWR4B232-OIgg7Ep2QST6wQfQNiPbK7Tbx1yaa4Cl86VzoR-tQYRJ5s7fc5Elhlrfye4WJAgPESZzs-O6ZfGUFEEojs/s320/K+adelaide.jpg" width="179" /></a>Adelaide has a different vibe than Melbourne. It shares wonderful features like free downtown transport and many green spaces, but doesn't have the artsy vibe of Melbourne. The new and old are not blended so well, and the new just isn't as appealing. Adelaide does have FREE WIFI downtown though, which is amazing.</div>
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We went to the South Australia Museum for a little culture. Your author felt compelled to take the following two shots:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRCmNK61pO5cX5KSytOEfSsJlqNJS0ftmB8VU17VNJiJ16k6jvx880X_YIQfwgZYcb9bcLhu8m0affeBlJDdag6BVDvACblzrodhzeipLm_eXmykLY9W7qHIf3vI-Mv-GVDWGOuYeX5Y/s1600/boomerangs.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieRCmNK61pO5cX5KSytOEfSsJlqNJS0ftmB8VU17VNJiJ16k6jvx880X_YIQfwgZYcb9bcLhu8m0affeBlJDdag6BVDvACblzrodhzeipLm_eXmykLY9W7qHIf3vI-Mv-GVDWGOuYeX5Y/s320/boomerangs.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Boomerangs<br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVb_TR-nRXbNyg9XRdNGmvLC2TSkhgZ55OkU0sFh1JEdvvq2-C5HVrXB_sq60ALUCC2GLIObzLULpJAavuRUcu9siRnRWxRlNxEs_h_nMuz_UpFvthxaAehmWU-O83JOIswEmdt1NN8I/s1600/K+with+Kanga.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxVb_TR-nRXbNyg9XRdNGmvLC2TSkhgZ55OkU0sFh1JEdvvq2-C5HVrXB_sq60ALUCC2GLIObzLULpJAavuRUcu9siRnRWxRlNxEs_h_nMuz_UpFvthxaAehmWU-O83JOIswEmdt1NN8I/s320/K+with+Kanga.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">both stuffed </td></tr>
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Besides shopping and culture, we made time for a tour of Haigh's Chocolates. Super yummy, and also a class act of a company. Haigh's is family owned, with well-treated workers and a commitment to the environment. We visited just after Easter (sale--yay!). The company does not make Easter bunnies, as rabbits are a real scourge in Australia, Instead they make bilbys, which look quite a bit like rabbits but for the pointed nose. They also make chocolate frogs, to bring awareness to an endangered frog species.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll9dkC7ZVX4aCthDTS6DQtRQ18tRshEHHelTrMvIdhEqKMLzyzXpEZgc1mK966AVebznsmP7PYk4W2FtybjJv-QejkG1v7w-H6TfnW713elZ5TVy5aKo0oVfaT3GzrHOMpe1PAnzQTvc/s1600/chocolate+factory.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjll9dkC7ZVX4aCthDTS6DQtRQ18tRshEHHelTrMvIdhEqKMLzyzXpEZgc1mK966AVebznsmP7PYk4W2FtybjJv-QejkG1v7w-H6TfnW713elZ5TVy5aKo0oVfaT3GzrHOMpe1PAnzQTvc/s320/chocolate+factory.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our last night was spent in Glenelg, a suburb of Adelaide and location of Holdfast Bay, which was surveyed in 1838 by Col. William Light who is also famous in Penang. </div>
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At the Glenelg Museum there is a fun old-fashioned arcade</div>
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Glenelg marina--had our last dinner in Australia here</div>
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Absolutely no idea what this is good for.</div>
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Bye Down Under!</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-54370694311028729932016-04-12T20:37:00.001-07:002016-04-12T20:37:27.162-07:00Talk Time at the Indonesian Consulate<span style="color: #674ea7; font-size: x-large;">K</span> was asked if she might in interested in teaching English to the ladies in a shelter for migrant worker women at the local Indonesian Consulate. Shocking to learn they have nearly 30 women taking shelter there, all with terrible stories, most involving lack of payment. One woman has not been paid in 9 years!! But what to do with a large group of varied English levels, mostly next to nil. "Talk Time" came to mind, a group conversation focused activity that works well for intermediate level students. Each session is based on a theme and the idea is to offer a safe place to practice language and have a little fun, rather than a formal lesson. Definitely not designed for low level, even preliterate students, but...she decided to give it a go. <br />
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The theme for the first session was fruits, vegetables, and tableware. Four fabulous volunteers made it happen, and K came laden with papayas and potatoes. We began with "Upset the fruit basket," which was a big hit. The sight of the ladies smiling, laughing and having fun nearly brought one NGO worker volunteer to tears. In four small groups they learned some vocabulary (enter papaya and potato, with labels) and then we held a "market" (photo) with the fruits and veg, plates, etc. ("Please give me a papaya") and a cafe ("please give me tea"), for which the consulate provided tea and cakes--another big hit with the shelter ladies.<br />
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A second was held a couple of weeks later, on the theme of "body". After introducing vocabulary we had half the group wear "doctor" tags and other other had large bandaid stickers and we practiced "My XX hurts". At the end we played Simon Says and distributed sticky notes with body parts written on them, to place on selected volunteers (see photo).<br />
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The third was on adjectives (big, small, hot cold, etc.), including emotions (happy, sad, confused). The object each time is to teach the most useful, basic language possible. As usual we had some great visuals, starting with the basics and working up to "large nose" and my fav, "cold ear" (ice cream cone sticking out of ear), We tried a very simple writing exercise, with a simple illustration of an emotion and letter spaces below for them to write in the word. We ended with a tailored rendition of "If you're happy and you know it clap your hands."<br />
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One more is planned next week on clothing, colors and numbers. One group activity will be passing around a bag with a mystery object (e.g. brown shoe, red T-shirt) while music plays, and when the music stops the person with the bag has to put on the item and say what it is. We shall see..<br />
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Once we have five or six planned we should be able to reuse them, as the population of the shelter is not constant, and assuming enough trusty volunteers are willing to participate. It has been rewarding and fun. Well, a lot of work and occasional stress, but definitely worth it.<br />
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-3239979051386276032016-03-17T03:07:00.000-07:002016-03-17T04:21:23.578-07:00Sumatran Interlude<span style="color: purple; font-size: x-large;">W</span>e flew into Medan, which is only 171 miles away but certainly feels like more. We are told that the modern, attractive airport is the best in Indonesia. It sits well outside the city center, through which one must pass to reach, well, everything else. It takes ages to make our way through the traffic-clogged streets of uninspiring Medan. Three and a half hours to travel 100 miles to the jungle place we have booked in hopes of seeing/hearing siamang (black gibbons). We are surprised at the number of churches we pass along the way, We spot six in the first hour alone, along with perhaps 25 mosques, many with shiny aluminum domes. It's a surprise because we are so close to Aceh, where there is shariah law and presumably few Christians. Perhaps we are wrong about that. Churches here are large and look well-attended.<br />
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Through the city at last, and into another small city called Binjai, which feels downright attractive after Medan. It is not long before we hit palm oil plantations. On the left, trees about 25 years old, which is their maximum useful life span as they get too tall to easily harvest. On the right, those about 5 years old, maybe 12 feet. I ask how old they are at first harvest--only 2 1/2 years. It's not an unattractive tree, but with miles and miles and miles of the one crop, it's overwhelming, sinister even. Nothing grows underneath them, and animals cannot live there. Where do they go??<br />
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The roads become a pit to pit 1st gear ride. and eventually we reach Bukit Lawang, where we will hike in the Gunung Leuser park (what's left of it) the next day. The park is a shadow of it's former self, picked away by people trying to make money one way or another.<br />
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Our first Bintang, Indonesian beer, by the river which is quite high as there has been a lot of rain. In 2003 the entire village of Bukit Lawang was wiped out when a dam burst upstream--an act attributed to illegal logging in the park. It was nighttime and people were sleeping; over 600 people lost their lives. No wonder locals are watching the river closely.<br />
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Here is (evidently) Tom's guesthouse, on the other side of the river and down a ways. Ours is cooler looking, and much smaller.<br />
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The entire village is entirely dependent on tourism. There are hikes and camping in the park and rafting in the river. Below is part of the walkway from the road where cars drop tourists coming to the village. Deliveries of supplies for the many guesthouses are made either on foot or by motorbike along this path.</div>
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We had an interesting, looooooong, and largely very wet hike the next day. Here is K with Omano, our guide. This is as we crossed the river to enter the park.</div>
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Just outside the park, someone has planted rubber trees </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafl_ib4gYuP5xivl2cR1JEoVNdWbfqn6h5ufdgiJ70BKWmtCQNgsBsEfVzGbK-NkER29zgfCJQri47AF-ArPnO5qLca4O2PwN4QB66Hd8k_ns5ZY9QGZj95Jix2vgDXjoE71Vffu7V1c/s1600/rubber+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgafl_ib4gYuP5xivl2cR1JEoVNdWbfqn6h5ufdgiJ70BKWmtCQNgsBsEfVzGbK-NkER29zgfCJQri47AF-ArPnO5qLca4O2PwN4QB66Hd8k_ns5ZY9QGZj95Jix2vgDXjoE71Vffu7V1c/s320/rubber+tree.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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and cocoa<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lyH5T7EF7g8_wqGpho24UnTf5P9LgYomuPk3UF3YfeDlunQ-v8wL_HnoGjKK-m8pwdevgnU9w3eGPiGC_JwpcxdUhYckhyF57bFJCT5Xyj24WNWFojIPtam2pOHHysrVQXvWLRpXO4/s1600/cocoa+tree.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ2lyH5T7EF7g8_wqGpho24UnTf5P9LgYomuPk3UF3YfeDlunQ-v8wL_HnoGjKK-m8pwdevgnU9w3eGPiGC_JwpcxdUhYckhyF57bFJCT5Xyj24WNWFojIPtam2pOHHysrVQXvWLRpXO4/s320/cocoa+tree.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Park entrance</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblsK1amoiFclOy6jcBJSsPQC-GaOYi-5QlNIWNlJhZOnFyhIUxVEw0onEPf_M-F4S5poKKtjunyolYSJdsDap8r53GWM7teanmjKlnsteaNpVHjFwEsMfN0SNVYzh-7GOGPEe6GCZnwM/s1600/park+entrance.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiblsK1amoiFclOy6jcBJSsPQC-GaOYi-5QlNIWNlJhZOnFyhIUxVEw0onEPf_M-F4S5poKKtjunyolYSJdsDap8r53GWM7teanmjKlnsteaNpVHjFwEsMfN0SNVYzh-7GOGPEe6GCZnwM/s320/park+entrance.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On our day-long hike we saw: Thomas' Langurs and 4 semi-wild orangutans--see pix. We were able to watch the langurs for quite awhile--cool looking! It hadn't started to rain yet...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRec3jLUW34vcFKUx2krPNX9QU9RG30ddJRsUh0taf-YY9NU-RKxfZsM0RV7sHiSLkde1RqDkHkT46TGDMFQE6jSwT_02ygpz5AYzKp3B4dqVbC5ve6wfJVlhRJNogwb0kDpkgCKazno/s1600/Thomas%2527+Langur.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTRec3jLUW34vcFKUx2krPNX9QU9RG30ddJRsUh0taf-YY9NU-RKxfZsM0RV7sHiSLkde1RqDkHkT46TGDMFQE6jSwT_02ygpz5AYzKp3B4dqVbC5ve6wfJVlhRJNogwb0kDpkgCKazno/s320/Thomas%2527+Langur.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNsVkjjvVhIfrZl-j_-ver7QAuYQSlYJPesL_4CalZGtTy7THvB2xWB69GpY74GHAGsvqD6v9j2V_ZGl0rU109WAiYvOd159Vkifsds9jDq9i5vS889QtUDHZZi9_Rt7oem0YJnagLew/s1600/Orang+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNsVkjjvVhIfrZl-j_-ver7QAuYQSlYJPesL_4CalZGtTy7THvB2xWB69GpY74GHAGsvqD6v9j2V_ZGl0rU109WAiYvOd159Vkifsds9jDq9i5vS889QtUDHZZi9_Rt7oem0YJnagLew/s320/Orang+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The orangs were a different story. The guides know them by name and know which ones can be safely observed. The ones in this area are semi-wild, meaning they were once in captivity. Meaning they know that humans bring food. We did encounter two aggressive females, and were quickly shepherded out of the way by our guide and his assistant, leaving the assistant to bribe them with fruit he carried just for the purpose. Sad! They said if they were alone they could outrun the animals, but with us they had to protect us by distracting the orangutans with food.<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dymAjzybey7edPNxyFFWFOQint8b5k5sjl9fhZhO6pwXjrmPUy1f7hkHLQmYyGuI_FRJ1YtzNIaAmtTtWT3KQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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Tom got the first leech :-) It was so cozy in his armpit... All in all we satisfied 3 leeches during the day, and frustrated one other.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8wCmjZeC1uJo7D9D-GPURT4pwB3OQiUSt9q9mVviu-7-pW19RXKtmiShy02DFwLwunuU9OEH3pOMc3RUMsjxNm-nuZWPh9TzCi3oOkOTMPOLl9NeORlmC8Bb27KmBi9IxS2uR7m7ggI/s1600/T+leech.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX8wCmjZeC1uJo7D9D-GPURT4pwB3OQiUSt9q9mVviu-7-pW19RXKtmiShy02DFwLwunuU9OEH3pOMc3RUMsjxNm-nuZWPh9TzCi3oOkOTMPOLl9NeORlmC8Bb27KmBi9IxS2uR7m7ggI/s320/T+leech.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Well, the main hope for the trek was to hear the sound of the group siamang vocalization, and we did come close. Omano and his assistant tried hard to find and then follow a group of them but just as they started singing, the rain began to pour down and they stopped. We did hear lots of white-handed gibbon vocalization, which is much simpler and no group effect. Also in the area but not seen by us are pig-tailed macaque, loris, and civet cats.</div>
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Our second encounter with an orangutan surprised the guides (and us!!). The assistant was forced to hand over the pineapple he'd brought along for our afternoon treat.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ0PB4RXe1xsKgihTemGksk-81gZ6gSDwJCQwGLc7WKBwJMIIcMhNNAym5sjM2WvevhiQQav8N4mFB03SJ2gzgErDr00Z9tekllcImsm6jujtkuNYuvipMs5aGhX1F46tguWmkVAvCDs/s1600/Orang+2--Lena.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXQ0PB4RXe1xsKgihTemGksk-81gZ6gSDwJCQwGLc7WKBwJMIIcMhNNAym5sjM2WvevhiQQav8N4mFB03SJ2gzgErDr00Z9tekllcImsm6jujtkuNYuvipMs5aGhX1F46tguWmkVAvCDs/s320/Orang+2--Lena.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dwkCLTqZXh-mG4uhUZjFBLAXkGuVaux6etkK92kuRf7GJWYgeorU8svNPYsRg-WWvVZzrWLBdFV3scbQvDrTg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br />
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Omano knew how much I wanted to hear the siamang, so we traversed the relatively small area of the park for hours, 7 hours total rather than the 2 - 3 planned. I enjoyed the lovely forest, and tried not to think of the hill primary forest I had hiked in 30+ years ago, not so far south of here....</div>
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Can you see the stick insect?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFnOHQhbsOAuYAe8uyEHvgzeVed72lEDr6qBEpa1zBhk5vvH8zc4cDGzVPX5e4h38QROHcOzKztxrrvFkg8PB8kakgixAn3NbbCE3dSls8PVcfHVNRfljglXDX33vuK2P1sO5Tl7UMy0/s1600/stick+insect.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBFnOHQhbsOAuYAe8uyEHvgzeVed72lEDr6qBEpa1zBhk5vvH8zc4cDGzVPX5e4h38QROHcOzKztxrrvFkg8PB8kakgixAn3NbbCE3dSls8PVcfHVNRfljglXDX33vuK2P1sO5Tl7UMy0/s320/stick+insect.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcP3ZwhdUxwpc9DrOQmz3cLZbqhuTk7FCHvts9IMLoEQxCau3hyphenhyphenbgEDlNmLWjTlfNojwrD5Y2UfgEXKIBVHBut_5pm7cPFjMUnD7w-L6oCF2NQzcXm0A_4kwlsIWkxuRcHl3F3lfLsPg/s1600/mushroom+ladder.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZcP3ZwhdUxwpc9DrOQmz3cLZbqhuTk7FCHvts9IMLoEQxCau3hyphenhyphenbgEDlNmLWjTlfNojwrD5Y2UfgEXKIBVHBut_5pm7cPFjMUnD7w-L6oCF2NQzcXm0A_4kwlsIWkxuRcHl3F3lfLsPg/s320/mushroom+ladder.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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The end of the hike brought us to a very long, steep, muddy and downright treacherous descent to the river. Very long--several hundred feet anyway. I would never have made it without the steady hand of the assistant guide. You have to wonder how many tourists they've lost down this path, which in other places (even Malaysia) would have guide ropes. Thankfully we made it. Here we are at the bottom, waiting for a "taxi" to get us across the river</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2xDONxzOPbo0QpIv4-6m4_VsN8XbodK1B4rbZeKNmRrOxMdR9AXluIleapP_umEAuGS35UMZVaR2lGlgqxsh9N-xXNbrhDCdHgBpfr8723zOU76bLx_Zk6i7pIIj1Ao_FxmBpUeP_aA/s1600/waiting+for+taxi.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO2xDONxzOPbo0QpIv4-6m4_VsN8XbodK1B4rbZeKNmRrOxMdR9AXluIleapP_umEAuGS35UMZVaR2lGlgqxsh9N-xXNbrhDCdHgBpfr8723zOU76bLx_Zk6i7pIIj1Ao_FxmBpUeP_aA/s320/waiting+for+taxi.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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the taxi approacheth</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JAyt3hz_IhYJo2xIOb9epVo9TJHuwD8pHzegZ0EAg93jEZ-OMFj0oqXzUKD1WMRC1Z7TIKliCI2GUvYG_AU-xAfZ7AxFWVNW6f2QwTnQ7ozRilUnJYdHN4JAVFmowJYTYuE8n2oJQcc/s1600/taxi+arriving.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_JAyt3hz_IhYJo2xIOb9epVo9TJHuwD8pHzegZ0EAg93jEZ-OMFj0oqXzUKD1WMRC1Z7TIKliCI2GUvYG_AU-xAfZ7AxFWVNW6f2QwTnQ7ozRilUnJYdHN4JAVFmowJYTYuE8n2oJQcc/s320/taxi+arriving.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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and off we went.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvXYHuhLqFdF3vRJSCY9AG6MHSa8sAuKIGGgV3J2496q7_Y_IwJ8yZXxkecgav7vdThxmfcuLfB4ShguyjrP0vTZW9XCGao9FG8mKsdfbDZCW9InXP257uEZtc9AKbuyNXtUsK8e2zXQ/s1600/taxi+ride.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihvXYHuhLqFdF3vRJSCY9AG6MHSa8sAuKIGGgV3J2496q7_Y_IwJ8yZXxkecgav7vdThxmfcuLfB4ShguyjrP0vTZW9XCGao9FG8mKsdfbDZCW9InXP257uEZtc9AKbuyNXtUsK8e2zXQ/s320/taxi+ride.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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And on the home stretch back to Bukit Lawang and our river-side guesthouse, this lovely sight.</div>
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The next day we traveled on to Berastagi, a hill top city famous for strawberries and other temperate climate crops. The road was quite good until we hit the palm oil plantation headquarters, where processing takes place. Here the road is made nearly impassable by truckload after overloaded truckload of the oil fruits. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-u50UD03VjiCWwxAf2gQWzwbd2-TzOtslxL2yabxBL5HmNGLixNSlZdrvxb_Do3ZIWdTORjwECIglik-SJiEXly8qSM6gwJnW3wXrcDymQZoZcvOfTqgEgGweI98HJpiqeJkbd8RYYI/s1600/palm+oil+ruits.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-u50UD03VjiCWwxAf2gQWzwbd2-TzOtslxL2yabxBL5HmNGLixNSlZdrvxb_Do3ZIWdTORjwECIglik-SJiEXly8qSM6gwJnW3wXrcDymQZoZcvOfTqgEgGweI98HJpiqeJkbd8RYYI/s320/palm+oil+ruits.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are so many palm oil trees you get to the point where it is a relief to see a different tree of any sort. We did see some small rubber plantations, but nothing on the scale of the palm oil. The road condition is appalling, mostly, making travel long and uncomfortable, second gear down to first, up to second down to first. People say the government doesn't care. In one spot two boys age 5 - 8 use a hoe and buckets to fill some potholes, while another stands in the middle of the road with a pail collecting donations for the work. Our driver stops and searches for a coin to give the boy.</div>
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It had rained much of the previous day, and heavily all night. We occasionally pass along the river, which is high and carries a lot of branches and bits of trees. We think anxiously of Bukit Lawang.</div>
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Nearing Berastagi the road begins a long climb. Lots of hairpin turns, speeding trucks, and gorgeous views. </div>
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We reach Berastagi. In a rather dramatic contrast to the jungle guesthouse, we stay in a resort with a view (weather permitting) of one of the local volcanoes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlZTxHJU-RifL9I7BQoS4YA5Amn97HDS4ZTgfEA34MPHD7DUNla4L6-myzls-JHzTGy1lvuZOVsohrH016ft4rlPkTytpM5JIifhOccHoQt6px0wGl7kT5Qxes3ywb2UIznuMTttVmMI/s1600/our+resort+hotel.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOlZTxHJU-RifL9I7BQoS4YA5Amn97HDS4ZTgfEA34MPHD7DUNla4L6-myzls-JHzTGy1lvuZOVsohrH016ft4rlPkTytpM5JIifhOccHoQt6px0wGl7kT5Qxes3ywb2UIznuMTttVmMI/s320/our+resort+hotel.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeA7eZREAM3fVus5QF-mTQpMESC9grNFGIfoETVUnlrHjTT-KOlD5hMx2el0Nxc0lifIpwz45VD5_kOqwMNiN7oMg6aA7M6LKE_zVsJvwgewwykAETyBKb7rSjOv3zh2NNEB6xqowcNKU/s1600/hotel+from+our+balcony.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeA7eZREAM3fVus5QF-mTQpMESC9grNFGIfoETVUnlrHjTT-KOlD5hMx2el0Nxc0lifIpwz45VD5_kOqwMNiN7oMg6aA7M6LKE_zVsJvwgewwykAETyBKb7rSjOv3zh2NNEB6xqowcNKU/s320/hotel+from+our+balcony.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The next day we set off to conquer a volcano--Mt. Sibayak. The hike begins on paved road, steep at times. That part took us an hour and a half--T leading the pace (otherwise it would no doubt have taken K a good deal longer). Then there are steps, or what's left of them, to clamber up, about 30 minutes' worth. </div>
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Here is T at the foot of the volcano</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN2Ae-3gOtzYnyQohgstjDJwBD73tyYx3t9qr7zRCEHKK1g9BgIZtKh2BlPlkFxKQUAUNbQb9MnilDPLT6kbaKagQqvUJ8BvksmmJ1PTLeC_gu-wmG3VKwFcfD23CJ1HxMUd06Glpf5o/s1600/foot+of+volcano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwN2Ae-3gOtzYnyQohgstjDJwBD73tyYx3t9qr7zRCEHKK1g9BgIZtKh2BlPlkFxKQUAUNbQb9MnilDPLT6kbaKagQqvUJ8BvksmmJ1PTLeC_gu-wmG3VKwFcfD23CJ1HxMUd06Glpf5o/s320/foot+of+volcano.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyKUh7c4FdYopo5uEmYbzq9PeOOuOw6U5pGx-BNak2tle9lEI8iE5VVwXYNP8nd34MVtCwiRkOiguhyXeYBB0Jo9zWNLhx65mtt4WQrDXJtf_AEjVE7KB1RBcLlsCQLMaZfTSpJvwzIo/s1600/intrepid+jungle+hiker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigyKUh7c4FdYopo5uEmYbzq9PeOOuOw6U5pGx-BNak2tle9lEI8iE5VVwXYNP8nd34MVtCwiRkOiguhyXeYBB0Jo9zWNLhx65mtt4WQrDXJtf_AEjVE7KB1RBcLlsCQLMaZfTSpJvwzIo/s320/intrepid+jungle+hiker.JPG" width="320" /></a>And nearing the top</div>
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Our first glimpse of the volcano</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FUBK-UE7Gl96SwKGw60dx6khQujU6G7a7JepMwrC6NvzIH_PdTS3O9BjCBMchtAVLdiv86EDv8_R7K0w0duu2UDRs5DGkv-7MRWNeRcaxhBRsbHV8lq8PBdJjn-rWBUZ2jQKVMqXbiw/s1600/first+glimpse+of+volcano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6FUBK-UE7Gl96SwKGw60dx6khQujU6G7a7JepMwrC6NvzIH_PdTS3O9BjCBMchtAVLdiv86EDv8_R7K0w0duu2UDRs5DGkv-7MRWNeRcaxhBRsbHV8lq8PBdJjn-rWBUZ2jQKVMqXbiw/s320/first+glimpse+of+volcano.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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See the steam vents? We were able to walk right up to them</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbiSIMMu_7K5vBrkgRMvLVhp9_Oyf2tEaav2mPRiMvWIrC1VwOBDG_AJHeOkTmMmwHDT3zs6NfnBfZ3k1VE4VfOiJp5qayhkhr7kHKcPNbg1MbsL7OYG8KtwviTbHUvnMHrrpfvnQc-8/s1600/P1010317.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipbiSIMMu_7K5vBrkgRMvLVhp9_Oyf2tEaav2mPRiMvWIrC1VwOBDG_AJHeOkTmMmwHDT3zs6NfnBfZ3k1VE4VfOiJp5qayhkhr7kHKcPNbg1MbsL7OYG8KtwviTbHUvnMHrrpfvnQc-8/s320/P1010317.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Want to hear it?<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxc8qlFBsSou-WwhSuS52ddfy2bk4WfLgJh87FPFmftBaj-fvcHFffBd-4U_k1J5QlkOZMSOEJhwsCyJfzwfA' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
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There's a beautiful shallow lake in the caldera</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAvt1BLIr2PqVNiTuHg-DbFjfUs8_NhltnsGK4cEMmCpXNbkN3le4wzE8I2ldsL0bCRx48SoV8Pn8oY3WBf2KNSiIw7QgPtne69vXU7BB3GVhINmDgmCM4xoZOCfZk0Gazy_WAI_ke_c/s1600/volcano+lake+from+higer.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaAvt1BLIr2PqVNiTuHg-DbFjfUs8_NhltnsGK4cEMmCpXNbkN3le4wzE8I2ldsL0bCRx48SoV8Pn8oY3WBf2KNSiIw7QgPtne69vXU7BB3GVhINmDgmCM4xoZOCfZk0Gazy_WAI_ke_c/s320/volcano+lake+from+higer.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL56fLJt_0a5h1HDVMVY2WKU3DYwwn3gJlp8jnQMs-tFebBfI_wISgns__ArgqMofBm3a8PkdCc1s2Rlu66Zyix4S9hbh0DbbE8WNKE5RGE8sCOQmv-ZICelT_1MInPmFzLX93wSi0PnQ/s1600/volcano+lake.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL56fLJt_0a5h1HDVMVY2WKU3DYwwn3gJlp8jnQMs-tFebBfI_wISgns__ArgqMofBm3a8PkdCc1s2Rlu66Zyix4S9hbh0DbbE8WNKE5RGE8sCOQmv-ZICelT_1MInPmFzLX93wSi0PnQ/s320/volcano+lake.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yPz99yyY_LHz0Zu-L6PUKFZ5QKEG-LyhVw1IIq0rQ4wqex3bghc7-KiXjLwdcTtKjZLKo_WgVGJSzBvRC49JntSEYJVLbcjHi4oNBU4mLLAIwYAFhr1c6aOjBb8Oan006xUeI1OKTpY/s1600/hiking+the+volcano+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6yPz99yyY_LHz0Zu-L6PUKFZ5QKEG-LyhVw1IIq0rQ4wqex3bghc7-KiXjLwdcTtKjZLKo_WgVGJSzBvRC49JntSEYJVLbcjHi4oNBU4mLLAIwYAFhr1c6aOjBb8Oan006xUeI1OKTpY/s320/hiking+the+volcano+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
We decided to climb up to a peak to check out the view.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-llVqEzlueaZHDcXy-itXehZ8NtjJRSh6D2mNrp5RjMQyi2QOUBXvIjuPPwAlGwZ8XPAvEE5UrSyxIanb7YySAY5tPn6STFGmnE1xYl913xPW6jEMJNrV0eRsYTarVsAx5SoSfD7xUW8/s1600/hiking+the+volcano.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-llVqEzlueaZHDcXy-itXehZ8NtjJRSh6D2mNrp5RjMQyi2QOUBXvIjuPPwAlGwZ8XPAvEE5UrSyxIanb7YySAY5tPn6STFGmnE1xYl913xPW6jEMJNrV0eRsYTarVsAx5SoSfD7xUW8/s320/hiking+the+volcano.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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T at the top</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpp0BGzlLDblmzQuwPkmsm8HIIniwqfbFJT9QVP6K9PuueY_e3s4Ka65Eh0hNWwkNmybiIjZnsQG2XRE5TFqw4vuGWq6AYjtmyRPRTTCeYTOn30Dqph18cqkA_IjdshKI_hr5EtCyo5k/s1600/T+at+top+of+ridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrpp0BGzlLDblmzQuwPkmsm8HIIniwqfbFJT9QVP6K9PuueY_e3s4Ka65Eh0hNWwkNmybiIjZnsQG2XRE5TFqw4vuGWq6AYjtmyRPRTTCeYTOn30Dqph18cqkA_IjdshKI_hr5EtCyo5k/s320/T+at+top+of+ridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sadly there is quite a bit of trash from campers/hikers</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftDyQtOcMNNgn4QBw3DG2FoObQlh-P5Hb8w_YKI9TqDfnN3KqxH6Wu-VOwsrD1ZEA2XDRcXh7-9AN6BKLDpTVJVZm9d5UTRnDX29vQ5KotmxWHwBjZDwMZ7GE3gKTfrifQe7_qKjhSH0/s1600/P1010301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhftDyQtOcMNNgn4QBw3DG2FoObQlh-P5Hb8w_YKI9TqDfnN3KqxH6Wu-VOwsrD1ZEA2XDRcXh7-9AN6BKLDpTVJVZm9d5UTRnDX29vQ5KotmxWHwBjZDwMZ7GE3gKTfrifQe7_qKjhSH0/s320/P1010301.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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We hiked all the way back to the hotel... The day's damage included major sunburn and at least two funky toenails, but it was worth it!</div>
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The next day we opted for rather more tame adventure, Another hill: Gundaling Hill, reachable by car but of course we walked :-) </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3l6hR016HaNuEWIsqWdBi4HHjoh9LSJd73Bd1hGk9bfImOz5B97q2SNCeq_Dz2o7j60V0kvxRGCCiIiGP74ndxVMIKiPYX1UzbJHy7IvdkxpKyCzEkIeGS0OmuSa9kaYcccfRnx17yc/s1600/Mt.+Sinabung.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-3l6hR016HaNuEWIsqWdBi4HHjoh9LSJd73Bd1hGk9bfImOz5B97q2SNCeq_Dz2o7j60V0kvxRGCCiIiGP74ndxVMIKiPYX1UzbJHy7IvdkxpKyCzEkIeGS0OmuSa9kaYcccfRnx17yc/s320/Mt.+Sinabung.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
A pleasant walk from the town, around 45 minutes. At the top, groups of people rent a covered area to sit and relax, or take a horse cart ride around the top of the hill.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zKGINnAcijaFfzRcs0fr94AniqXLmg_JBelEAB-h1LtnxhVrU0Bi9RmNRYzoJfpUJxi2cleQaRL5i2kbju6WBicv51HD0_h2g0n4dxCwgjqruOu1RpGojrjb-X2hkgPdjGwLhQMaYxU/s1600/top+of+hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zKGINnAcijaFfzRcs0fr94AniqXLmg_JBelEAB-h1LtnxhVrU0Bi9RmNRYzoJfpUJxi2cleQaRL5i2kbju6WBicv51HD0_h2g0n4dxCwgjqruOu1RpGojrjb-X2hkgPdjGwLhQMaYxU/s320/top+of+hill.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP_jd_45WlWXqzckcSLCL3ULkMtOtVMRLz9NJ-QVeOwfSECHEvNMq-99Q_TibYfgg0ijAn_7JqR2Sp2DUEbAgOFJfSFQsjDVv9bNIV3ZYBbVzwDwtH0A0vcrf-JVhdPQ4N4FINN_IDkc/s1600/statues+at.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirP_jd_45WlWXqzckcSLCL3ULkMtOtVMRLz9NJ-QVeOwfSECHEvNMq-99Q_TibYfgg0ijAn_7JqR2Sp2DUEbAgOFJfSFQsjDVv9bNIV3ZYBbVzwDwtH0A0vcrf-JVhdPQ4N4FINN_IDkc/s320/statues+at.JPG" width="240" /></a>statues on the hill top</div>
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One local volcano we did not visit was Mt. Sinabung, a classic-shaped number some 20 kilometers away. Climbing it is not advisable because <b>A)</b> it is really steep, and <b>B)</b> there is regular volcanic action. Indeed, the day before our arrival there had been "pyroclastic activity." No one was allowed within a 5 kilometer radius. A man at out hotel showed us photos from the place, indicating where jungle had been a few years earlier, and a village wiped out by magma and landslides.<br />
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And finally, here are some scenes from the town of Berastagi: </div>
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tofu maker at the market</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h_pEpIetZ_TeoOVIc91Ld0kxg4KejXkovVhAMZS3ZeNl9kKHEsTkkXawZtuAKoL-YtrBguMM1m1nsQyOapolr4ECMqjlJDH4lcQS0ZTzzpv8at2qitG1WpiE67iNWBtlOD7QODHqEOw/s1600/tofu+making.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1h_pEpIetZ_TeoOVIc91Ld0kxg4KejXkovVhAMZS3ZeNl9kKHEsTkkXawZtuAKoL-YtrBguMM1m1nsQyOapolr4ECMqjlJDH4lcQS0ZTzzpv8at2qitG1WpiE67iNWBtlOD7QODHqEOw/s320/tofu+making.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYKEdfJk_1d8busXc-JxSpZyfkGxrM8638WrHtzlEk3IuCLu_txDsNAlPPRrEFfkqPLRnwptX47qaIQ2bvvqbt0mfzfaGhl58wCD18dFeqI6TlVNPK61pRwg6jyk4bUNFmxQftzDCjE/s1600/bus+station.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHRYKEdfJk_1d8busXc-JxSpZyfkGxrM8638WrHtzlEk3IuCLu_txDsNAlPPRrEFfkqPLRnwptX47qaIQ2bvvqbt0mfzfaGhl58wCD18dFeqI6TlVNPK61pRwg6jyk4bUNFmxQftzDCjE/s320/bus+station.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The bus station<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AZvHYYSt2rZUikpOjYX6bMbRCFN5MM1vDukmXX7O14Ss3QfAFUotjoJFN0o6x9L40nsyInRKowhDriqs_ZBcPuNA88qnfnhhyphenhyphenRkDIlSLodorYBKMU1CcEaHj4bj9F_bTbqxnnMlE3B8/s1600/cabbage+statue.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6AZvHYYSt2rZUikpOjYX6bMbRCFN5MM1vDukmXX7O14Ss3QfAFUotjoJFN0o6x9L40nsyInRKowhDriqs_ZBcPuNA88qnfnhhyphenhyphenRkDIlSLodorYBKMU1CcEaHj4bj9F_bTbqxnnMlE3B8/s320/cabbage+statue.JPG" width="320" /></a>The famous cabbage statue</div>
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The next day, we had a pretty scary taxi ride flying down the mountain, into, through and out of Medan to the airport and the short flight home. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2zKGINnAcijaFfzRcs0fr94AniqXLmg_JBelEAB-h1LtnxhVrU0Bi9RmNRYzoJfpUJxi2cleQaRL5i2kbju6WBicv51HD0_h2g0n4dxCwgjqruOu1RpGojrjb-X2hkgPdjGwLhQMaYxU/s1600/top+of+hill.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br /></a>Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-38901116924115160652016-01-25T04:16:00.000-08:002016-01-25T04:16:01.610-08:00New Year in North America 2016<span style="color: blue; font-size: x-large;">W</span>e (C, L, T and K) set out on Amtrak, teeming (?) across the state of New York toward Montreal. The ten hour ride was comfortable and allowed us to get a good game of Catan going...<br />
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Montreal and snoooooooow. T and K ill-equipped for the weather, having raided the box labelled WINTER and washed the mildew off it's long-forgotten contents. Ben jetted in from DC and we had a great couple of days eating, drinking and exploring the city in the snow.<br />
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And getting warm after<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi274epLfEI53v_o6zwtEovVFsCazcCIIDVdgmxY17h9h94RfUKETNRy3CcVOpdrn64LUD0LPkrqxLCRpLTv5OwHQmdT1F2IXGY2F0bqNgWrmmyi0owmCjrGrs47fMnuy4d-C3x4y8T8u4/s1600/L%252C+B+and+C.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi274epLfEI53v_o6zwtEovVFsCazcCIIDVdgmxY17h9h94RfUKETNRy3CcVOpdrn64LUD0LPkrqxLCRpLTv5OwHQmdT1F2IXGY2F0bqNgWrmmyi0owmCjrGrs47fMnuy4d-C3x4y8T8u4/s320/L%252C+B+and+C.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Had to try some local microbrews:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATe-J-7gp6DXEwB543O-HsRMvuDzFyjHOePc7qo0J0zclV-Lx-FoK5RflR0bgxFE2LfDYm485-iUfNOilLX-HVOL9E0Q4_IYlwMpwxGXQzEy6qXdJ9578f_nYuIOYGz8pfSuOV7pAxjE/s1600/men+with+brew--better.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhATe-J-7gp6DXEwB543O-HsRMvuDzFyjHOePc7qo0J0zclV-Lx-FoK5RflR0bgxFE2LfDYm485-iUfNOilLX-HVOL9E0Q4_IYlwMpwxGXQzEy6qXdJ9578f_nYuIOYGz8pfSuOV7pAxjE/s320/men+with+brew--better.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Catan time!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXTi7AHFduJMLiSiZFYi30WXZlrPwKsJcRCI_UPP2b4y4jVhmEYHxp2Hqw8C20UUO0raAMTnrPxxedY8aGRMQdONWB9OdJY_jMrsUJVwNdb2w337TMELVQ4Cxkqu26V7yzo4i0KfpSRI/s1600/is+he+cheating.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikXTi7AHFduJMLiSiZFYi30WXZlrPwKsJcRCI_UPP2b4y4jVhmEYHxp2Hqw8C20UUO0raAMTnrPxxedY8aGRMQdONWB9OdJY_jMrsUJVwNdb2w337TMELVQ4Cxkqu26V7yzo4i0KfpSRI/s320/is+he+cheating.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadIRsdC3YiHInrSHIetUx4gX4Hsdka8RtxAv7HeVCCaxbpUn376c8MnIBr01mDKtgkCUk4mFF5bCKh7Ld4kQ_aU-OPyIZ4apYGsTAdJanZ49Lgw7iF23Qs_SiolxDIbuoddjLdUBS58Q/s1600/playing+catan+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjadIRsdC3YiHInrSHIetUx4gX4Hsdka8RtxAv7HeVCCaxbpUn376c8MnIBr01mDKtgkCUk4mFF5bCKh7Ld4kQ_aU-OPyIZ4apYGsTAdJanZ49Lgw7iF23Qs_SiolxDIbuoddjLdUBS58Q/s320/playing+catan+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hmmmm...is he cheating?<br /><br /><div style="text-align: left;">
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T had been looking forward to Canada's national dish, poutine, for months. We were not disappointed--we went to a restaurant entirely featuring the high carb wonder dish of French fries, curds and gravy. The menu:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOBo0ZrlSI9h4evTwyjCrJa_zkbR-1HBDjB-gHscaDO1WoiSUuM8nG5-q1McLwnomvAy2rV9uHnX3Cx2ID33jG_8z8AQiR8sjez0Zq_RCMySpHhsULqCiVUpY-wuuDGK3sy2AdC4gcgc/s1600/putine+menu.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQOBo0ZrlSI9h4evTwyjCrJa_zkbR-1HBDjB-gHscaDO1WoiSUuM8nG5-q1McLwnomvAy2rV9uHnX3Cx2ID33jG_8z8AQiR8sjez0Zq_RCMySpHhsULqCiVUpY-wuuDGK3sy2AdC4gcgc/s320/putine+menu.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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They even had a veg version...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30bANDezaAtTDUbKguj0gsyswvjs-C3DJb1A_AZQby3OVjHumyH6fVvath6qc6QjRf7QrzMHGcXdxJrUYvCUACDJx6OdqVuq0DtFEndzzXbq_uzqCc-0cn6bPktISLXFE9LBzp7k-fQc/s1600/veg+poutine%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30bANDezaAtTDUbKguj0gsyswvjs-C3DJb1A_AZQby3OVjHumyH6fVvath6qc6QjRf7QrzMHGcXdxJrUYvCUACDJx6OdqVuq0DtFEndzzXbq_uzqCc-0cn6bPktISLXFE9LBzp7k-fQc/s320/veg+poutine%2521.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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and many non-veg versions</div>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7kkHu5kCDE7EygMz5JMpcCjSU4Ab_xwGVkX0qI6kYVYAkoXfWy2XRFc3tlR07tG6RIPnO66WeSb2rloRqHIZYj9EFAj9DHfKVtXnE3_WXPpDagglals5_uv6Ki_8BqZiNGZ4smIckGU/s1600/non-veg+poutin....jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiS7kkHu5kCDE7EygMz5JMpcCjSU4Ab_xwGVkX0qI6kYVYAkoXfWy2XRFc3tlR07tG6RIPnO66WeSb2rloRqHIZYj9EFAj9DHfKVtXnE3_WXPpDagglals5_uv6Ki_8BqZiNGZ4smIckGU/s320/non-veg+poutin....jpg" width="240" /></a> enjoyed by all</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSyH72EC76nXim8_BMAaplgopVwJ2o8aEiYWJ9WAq85eDB9lRR6E3jblISvCeVDKN3gQms2OKJgeubTqTD1lGr_EXJJOlQ-EfPi3pgcm-K2CQkCimyP2YmXjKPnoaaC6FI8Hy5d075RI/s1600/T+and+puotine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuSyH72EC76nXim8_BMAaplgopVwJ2o8aEiYWJ9WAq85eDB9lRR6E3jblISvCeVDKN3gQms2OKJgeubTqTD1lGr_EXJJOlQ-EfPi3pgcm-K2CQkCimyP2YmXjKPnoaaC6FI8Hy5d075RI/s320/T+and+puotine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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Frozen people</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUVV8oK72KBx-SpcofT2E_5uQxkZ9-GnfiBymD6nyrNqeA6s1kWs9LLR03NWLH8QjLFS7B931Sckv3nEoTZWR4srhSZsagh3CVwDL-h41NIwEEol5pMAhr6J6WXJOVUhI1ascfq-R3Pw/s1600/frozen+people+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbUVV8oK72KBx-SpcofT2E_5uQxkZ9-GnfiBymD6nyrNqeA6s1kWs9LLR03NWLH8QjLFS7B931Sckv3nEoTZWR4srhSZsagh3CVwDL-h41NIwEEol5pMAhr6J6WXJOVUhI1ascfq-R3Pw/s320/frozen+people+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7obfrpmABytSzuwNOew9nKgIUiJ8rrrPrasr6Ke0ADAfuN0qOCH987P6jMrp7jIcNy7QqmQLZt30QHKHbf3tg9mlgsldUw7TaP1tkDhJWjlBQc_RE7CIy4_pUpmgqVm5YoOsWVBe2Io/s1600/frozen+people+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP7obfrpmABytSzuwNOew9nKgIUiJ8rrrPrasr6Ke0ADAfuN0qOCH987P6jMrp7jIcNy7QqmQLZt30QHKHbf3tg9mlgsldUw7TaP1tkDhJWjlBQc_RE7CIy4_pUpmgqVm5YoOsWVBe2Io/s320/frozen+people+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNYZCoQbwSx_j56WidDE5-2T9a-q7q-46mQzZAeGxsbzB8Y8p6GO7peoqv-4kuDwY28TudljCAwZCHkIBdD7tiR_S15Sm1mk9Tz_9aUcAH2po795xMNZletorw0m69sD1c7Z02bce7gw/s1600/frozen+people+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidNYZCoQbwSx_j56WidDE5-2T9a-q7q-46mQzZAeGxsbzB8Y8p6GO7peoqv-4kuDwY28TudljCAwZCHkIBdD7tiR_S15Sm1mk9Tz_9aUcAH2po795xMNZletorw0m69sD1c7Z02bce7gw/s320/frozen+people+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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New Years Eve and the above frozen people (well, except the statue) made it to the waterfront but turned back when they realized that the midnight and the fireworks were 20+ minutes off... But on the way back to the hotel the hour struck, horns blared, people kissed, and this wonderful person stuck in traffic screamed joyously, emerged from her car and ran to passersby to hug them. K ran to share a hug...</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrNGXtaBSE_Vc9L3WqLsEr8Rv5aKUiIlbTEQ7r-E9PJ1Q1_XWiUjuTJgSe6LEBtaVPHqodoBfZwiZSWi5mA_b0njwOSMFnMZ0HJCk1M2SXj3b_xAXmfW1VrjCv-HwFUq9NtupcOBO1Ww/s1600/dancing+lady+at+new+year%2527s.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUrNGXtaBSE_Vc9L3WqLsEr8Rv5aKUiIlbTEQ7r-E9PJ1Q1_XWiUjuTJgSe6LEBtaVPHqodoBfZwiZSWi5mA_b0njwOSMFnMZ0HJCk1M2SXj3b_xAXmfW1VrjCv-HwFUq9NtupcOBO1Ww/s320/dancing+lady+at+new+year%2527s.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Back at the hotel, we braved the elements for our traditional New Years' Eve cigar.</div>
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Happy New Year! Bonne Annee!<br />
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Back to New York... Due to K's planning skill, which has, its true, been known to experience a <i><span style="color: #3d85c6;">FLAW</span></i> once or twice before, we manage to hit all three New York airports on the trip. We fly back from Montreal into LaGuardia airport...<br />
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Cam and Lisa are back at work the next day<br />
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And we are off to Hong Kong...from JFK :-)</div>
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<br />Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-14552614184859966642016-01-25T01:01:00.000-08:002016-01-26T15:51:52.709-08:00Christmas 2015 in North America<span style="color: #38761d; font-size: x-large;">S</span>ome crazy traveling and some excellent family time. First, the send off at Penang airport by our taxi driver friend, Daya:<br />
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Penang - Hong Kong, Hong Kong - New York (the latter a 14+ hour ride). Met at the airport by Cam and Lisa, and whisked off to their spacous flat in Paterson NJ. Treated to Cam's home brews, great food, and tickets to Broadway!<br />
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<img alt="Image result for book of mormon" 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" 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A memorable evening for sure, the culmination of a day in Manhattan with an early dinner at Dad's fav: Peter Lugar's steakhouse. The play was aMAZing! The music, the jokes, the choreography--entertainment at its best. We sat close to the front and could see the actor's faces and dance moves. Super fun.</div>
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Here, Cam with some of his 1,00 or so Christmas cookies</div>
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Having missed Cam's graduation from college (he missed it too...), it was fun to go with him to pick up his diploma three years later</div>
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On to Vegas, K and T fighting killer colds acquired perhaps from airplane air? Climate change shock? Ah, but our world is now full of doctors and doctors-to-be, so we were well taken care of :-).</div>
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Mooradian Madness = lots of love and way too much good food. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQtFoAlvBAbVxc7X05jhvSE0kckV3cC0Egnw7pXucHuMMZf1g_bmHlMdtKScjeYmus_qP6DODf4721HjGfs91CtG9OPJCZsUQltIeHHm2Gk_6djUgTUsdIfAHzwSOnp2quqexZ2gDp-I/s1600/master+chef.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwQtFoAlvBAbVxc7X05jhvSE0kckV3cC0Egnw7pXucHuMMZf1g_bmHlMdtKScjeYmus_qP6DODf4721HjGfs91CtG9OPJCZsUQltIeHHm2Gk_6djUgTUsdIfAHzwSOnp2quqexZ2gDp-I/s320/master+chef.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master chef</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSBuV-Yt89iNSuDgqS62fuB_R60LP-vnJqLiLuRd5IIvOmn1yXoQasXn2-enGb_RU-D9NPW9ESAOGbkUy8213uQARizjh9dLwF20YSOa3GDyzHQFaM4bT0OH-iHaGo0qqTyMY1RL__3k/s1600/Master+host.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwSBuV-Yt89iNSuDgqS62fuB_R60LP-vnJqLiLuRd5IIvOmn1yXoQasXn2-enGb_RU-D9NPW9ESAOGbkUy8213uQARizjh9dLwF20YSOa3GDyzHQFaM4bT0OH-iHaGo0qqTyMY1RL__3k/s320/Master+host.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Master host!</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVXn5jRWILO7WBAPhtqEfKsTDAQnBlLjSYppYBieCbsJZKZ-uq7vQb6leWw0M1vhtMsGSGW5NIwD7ouODKWKMydwe62pU9KZlX8LNsrtfXT2zXZPAGqaOEaxgMe1Rt_HbUVYbUSLy8rI/s1600/Santa+in+action.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUVXn5jRWILO7WBAPhtqEfKsTDAQnBlLjSYppYBieCbsJZKZ-uq7vQb6leWw0M1vhtMsGSGW5NIwD7ouODKWKMydwe62pU9KZlX8LNsrtfXT2zXZPAGqaOEaxgMe1Rt_HbUVYbUSLy8rI/s320/Santa+in+action.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5qRoB7cZhJKXLBXRxem0CIfxQLgjFaUiIe0BgVksGcykawCygnAPf1NvN7q1k-mBKIw8D-9MgUaw4pgyONt_7Yk6ashwKuuZESzxYxz5CWohSaBKXMk6uUwXs8MwfLSBGhyE9NwVLaI/s1600/well-fed+stupor.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid5qRoB7cZhJKXLBXRxem0CIfxQLgjFaUiIe0BgVksGcykawCygnAPf1NvN7q1k-mBKIw8D-9MgUaw4pgyONt_7Yk6ashwKuuZESzxYxz5CWohSaBKXMk6uUwXs8MwfLSBGhyE9NwVLaI/s320/well-fed+stupor.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">well-fed stupor</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLyLkTkKOYF_HyFszKOUZUYVpCQrgT5qkvKlbtPew3EzpvBB4jzvgrCqQ5-b5mq3L5QThQ3LlWdr6GL0s6w8tZl4cpfv1JHmtIqOdnP7H_hE2JatmSG1lfiC8Uk-OmTfg6vkebg8Shnw/s1600/Youssif+and+Ano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoLyLkTkKOYF_HyFszKOUZUYVpCQrgT5qkvKlbtPew3EzpvBB4jzvgrCqQ5-b5mq3L5QThQ3LlWdr6GL0s6w8tZl4cpfv1JHmtIqOdnP7H_hE2JatmSG1lfiC8Uk-OmTfg6vkebg8Shnw/s320/Youssif+and+Ano.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98wPKnZFyUa75tVML3zZgbwMQb7OagUbJTY4GTwGI0DOEajQ2MC4ZAQx1lV0DXprX6QpewRKAN_4khvENIidFNQBOPe8OmmUNGu1KP9MHrip6I6zEGgwIm9cIP1hsjmHQW6Bu8oN7Pk8/s1600/Cam+and+MArgaret.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj98wPKnZFyUa75tVML3zZgbwMQb7OagUbJTY4GTwGI0DOEajQ2MC4ZAQx1lV0DXprX6QpewRKAN_4khvENIidFNQBOPe8OmmUNGu1KP9MHrip6I6zEGgwIm9cIP1hsjmHQW6Bu8oN7Pk8/s320/Cam+and+MArgaret.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUsD5BuvROSOE9_xriWeaf2IsaTGr8nLXtSFpDjjOgYknGaFjea9xxmP-Kp4tk6wUZTrwuExnqbBXqNy2-_g9OcDMFMgoYv5s9rxw4ErI-5fitGurQE2UySnsXr5o7sVqnxy6t4LAHGk/s1600/Youssif%252C+Victoria+and+Anwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUsD5BuvROSOE9_xriWeaf2IsaTGr8nLXtSFpDjjOgYknGaFjea9xxmP-Kp4tk6wUZTrwuExnqbBXqNy2-_g9OcDMFMgoYv5s9rxw4ErI-5fitGurQE2UySnsXr5o7sVqnxy6t4LAHGk/s320/Youssif%252C+Victoria+and+Anwar.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEUsD5BuvROSOE9_xriWeaf2IsaTGr8nLXtSFpDjjOgYknGaFjea9xxmP-Kp4tk6wUZTrwuExnqbBXqNy2-_g9OcDMFMgoYv5s9rxw4ErI-5fitGurQE2UySnsXr5o7sVqnxy6t4LAHGk/s1600/Youssif%252C+Victoria+and+Anwar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a></div>
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We stayed at a casino, and had our Moore Christmas in a hotel room there. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dTzmT1a4NVGwFHfQ_XLRMx_LJEQrSrb6bxXTh1Xfr2Qu8oacof-MVJIHseMP3gguEBRs1J1G6OSS8Te_IwovMFRUeTYJjL5q3JFFF90Wvd7yLB61d1yarw7gooWhnCNkDdnUB2whAtA/s1600/Christmas+scene.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6dTzmT1a4NVGwFHfQ_XLRMx_LJEQrSrb6bxXTh1Xfr2Qu8oacof-MVJIHseMP3gguEBRs1J1G6OSS8Te_IwovMFRUeTYJjL5q3JFFF90Wvd7yLB61d1yarw7gooWhnCNkDdnUB2whAtA/s320/Christmas+scene.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzSDtdVWfYNatApL8xpopASfZePyVnn5YQc7yW3XNmQ0i0HwtDO0ofACcGZbCXOdTBgp2oECrXx3Xz5Hsi6uGczarTRHKL0uwEZw9ygxqqEY3aP_Rr7guk6DqelI_NzQ6hIJO0i7akDg/s1600/prezzies+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizzSDtdVWfYNatApL8xpopASfZePyVnn5YQc7yW3XNmQ0i0HwtDO0ofACcGZbCXOdTBgp2oECrXx3Xz5Hsi6uGczarTRHKL0uwEZw9ygxqqEY3aP_Rr7guk6DqelI_NzQ6hIJO0i7akDg/s320/prezzies+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
(In lieu of a tree, a hand drawn one and a couple of sprigs of stolen foliage from outside the hotel...)<br />
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Prezzies!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVCWqR9MBw7pW64iOngfzFbxer6bs5HGFjMwdVKJoHYinHlmLuJGwKIyDMxqAEhyphenhyphenYt54Oz_tthBrkyBM_xmEiTDSqCbs1vXypecP-wWaJyNsnMz2T1e5JAnBn_R2jiKZOC9kX9X7QnXE/s1600/prezzies+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYVCWqR9MBw7pW64iOngfzFbxer6bs5HGFjMwdVKJoHYinHlmLuJGwKIyDMxqAEhyphenhyphenYt54Oz_tthBrkyBM_xmEiTDSqCbs1vXypecP-wWaJyNsnMz2T1e5JAnBn_R2jiKZOC9kX9X7QnXE/s320/prezzies+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cam brought us into the 21st century with a flat screen TV (delivered to Malaysia), Apple TV, and lots of downloaded shows. OMG!</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNxornACIjoVz-gvhTvUhAwVpi7nrbdn88bvDdv3PY7ydd4B_dElgZBCpcQAqUFnnJRwUQsQ1rJc9ftsXZ0Om9RHPGqtXVa14hnz0iVeQ6Svb3fwB-QxRfvVVBhCDuW1amv8x0TvN638/s1600/IMG_20151106_160058708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwNxornACIjoVz-gvhTvUhAwVpi7nrbdn88bvDdv3PY7ydd4B_dElgZBCpcQAqUFnnJRwUQsQ1rJc9ftsXZ0Om9RHPGqtXVa14hnz0iVeQ6Svb3fwB-QxRfvVVBhCDuW1amv8x0TvN638/s320/IMG_20151106_160058708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcg98WWVzle_vttu8cw250crYQSgWaQ-VlaVdtth_ASZcEtW0PmInuKw_y2Cb8gn1IDptOxJgWbIBI5lZBx_pEzTkpYbrcK65bLvg3K8Z65cQui7j0oPoSX77HbE0t231zn25gEs-WKA/s1600/Italian+olive+oil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrcg98WWVzle_vttu8cw250crYQSgWaQ-VlaVdtth_ASZcEtW0PmInuKw_y2Cb8gn1IDptOxJgWbIBI5lZBx_pEzTkpYbrcK65bLvg3K8Z65cQui7j0oPoSX77HbE0t231zn25gEs-WKA/s320/Italian+olive+oil.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ben brought estate bottled olive oil brought from Italy! And estate-bottled balsamic vinegar too!</td></tr>
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Super yum!</div>
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A fun family outing to the bowling lanes in the casino complex:</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7bx3Rmsf-KDpaLU_5r5D5joxq1iSxFoVOx-DrYjIhJw6l2hmTUQYLYNPvmDLETAO3G2okYXpiU01Ts9NzKnvlmTj0VCoGKk057tG9O2nHBEb_U6Dnt1OFVMUEshrVN7SdxUFSsk7G4/s1600/Bowling+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYB7bx3Rmsf-KDpaLU_5r5D5joxq1iSxFoVOx-DrYjIhJw6l2hmTUQYLYNPvmDLETAO3G2okYXpiU01Ts9NzKnvlmTj0VCoGKk057tG9O2nHBEb_U6Dnt1OFVMUEshrVN7SdxUFSsk7G4/s320/Bowling+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRiFfOY-PSQiMEZnHE-PFNriMVygCtSsNpk7UADyzVkeWCE7PzhGqv2JqfE3eI_0EZ2HDfhnlKWU7C1iQ5X6YdO94bfLLyF8xauwmC3uukhypREAtfNVzy2t4XNi2insrHTonWfoRd0/s1600/Bowling+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIgRiFfOY-PSQiMEZnHE-PFNriMVygCtSsNpk7UADyzVkeWCE7PzhGqv2JqfE3eI_0EZ2HDfhnlKWU7C1iQ5X6YdO94bfLLyF8xauwmC3uukhypREAtfNVzy2t4XNi2insrHTonWfoRd0/s320/Bowling+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPSsSBz0sNYOp0uwjRzfWyU0IX3v27NNluGLnLoJuLrqGQdlWXwRNfbGj-lioPpPqJHohRrpAZe3GUcL8t-aNZLLwUN9w7Tp884mXsJ0HICAkxLYO7wm2ezcsaRH_paoRof-TjiagZ38/s1600/Bowling--Ibrahim+and+Kholod.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGPSsSBz0sNYOp0uwjRzfWyU0IX3v27NNluGLnLoJuLrqGQdlWXwRNfbGj-lioPpPqJHohRrpAZe3GUcL8t-aNZLLwUN9w7Tp884mXsJ0HICAkxLYO7wm2ezcsaRH_paoRof-TjiagZ38/s320/Bowling--Ibrahim+and+Kholod.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMM1Vs2TTYbFbkLQ_vf0c0WFkhbs5XvwhbfOGErB3HCurgbkRLvVAaLBExIA7z02Vmt8Oj6gNeioM44pMrQNeMJtZOqNs2McPbspev06jfqAvc_a8jeoJAI9Ggc11c88anJdJqbzBfCA/s1600/bowling+4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwMM1Vs2TTYbFbkLQ_vf0c0WFkhbs5XvwhbfOGErB3HCurgbkRLvVAaLBExIA7z02Vmt8Oj6gNeioM44pMrQNeMJtZOqNs2McPbspev06jfqAvc_a8jeoJAI9Ggc11c88anJdJqbzBfCA/s320/bowling+4.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0skS-Lajj9VzPzMiR8Yn7N4bxVwq6niM1OYd_HOBYibS0HJVdWycmw7Q4_tt6wUe4te2uXxwYJsz4WXOxxOG1i0IMbON3K0lOQ-2SwzN3ap6tfJ7zL1luCgcB5zg6KO-xTBm5pizS98/s1600/Bowling+fun.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhx0skS-Lajj9VzPzMiR8Yn7N4bxVwq6niM1OYd_HOBYibS0HJVdWycmw7Q4_tt6wUe4te2uXxwYJsz4WXOxxOG1i0IMbON3K0lOQ-2SwzN3ap6tfJ7zL1luCgcB5zg6KO-xTBm5pizS98/s320/Bowling+fun.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOfiFJ75cp5b0DiwPrseuQDHlnAY5ynuFiwqsdZGI2YRGXmeaLOtMpAp2Ou1Y2sCRd-AnPV4kSAOA-nU15C9A3r2MuJOmmp5D-xRQl_BQlXueDb33l_r_G1piZkyvoj1TwpCoYglMrhE/s1600/Bowling+score....JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGOfiFJ75cp5b0DiwPrseuQDHlnAY5ynuFiwqsdZGI2YRGXmeaLOtMpAp2Ou1Y2sCRd-AnPV4kSAOA-nU15C9A3r2MuJOmmp5D-xRQl_BQlXueDb33l_r_G1piZkyvoj1TwpCoYglMrhE/s320/Bowling+score....JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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Hmm, wonder who set up the score sheet??</div>
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Of course we had to have a little casino action too</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBM-jWOwspuIubmFfCE9jrMGeMrHBb6NB77h5kYStvGqIkHpsZb5vD3JH4tAV0H5tP3o2WZVoah9Bp8dfo-avCK8KpuDq3qi7PU6u-GoZpUUi01jSm_yiFUPB4n3sghuqY6DY_25PFPc/s1600/casino+action+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBM-jWOwspuIubmFfCE9jrMGeMrHBb6NB77h5kYStvGqIkHpsZb5vD3JH4tAV0H5tP3o2WZVoah9Bp8dfo-avCK8KpuDq3qi7PU6u-GoZpUUi01jSm_yiFUPB4n3sghuqY6DY_25PFPc/s320/casino+action+2.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">T won a little</td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNeD4Plo1F9VfZjH03Oa8MhM1i3PKkKNarcAHDBBzvdhEGrXMC36LMQxA3zTvlIwsKnH7Q_FkK8OM5ppmwUzLih0SZylQ2cgMmy2LU0oYEW5Ykhd8m-AFD_64kcbGD8XTByC_E-Akl4A/s1600/casino+action.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcNeD4Plo1F9VfZjH03Oa8MhM1i3PKkKNarcAHDBBzvdhEGrXMC36LMQxA3zTvlIwsKnH7Q_FkK8OM5ppmwUzLih0SZylQ2cgMmy2LU0oYEW5Ykhd8m-AFD_64kcbGD8XTByC_E-Akl4A/s320/casino+action.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5sWF6kNfCad8jHqbuU6QtjpI6zsZlHrdRI1PuT8wjmlgFE_Vt93IQ3Oehd7Cb-4H93E6a0FpIVP0udiunc0IlAbnNMZkkY_fLP5wAvgvKSdlVs-iZB65mTSwgAeLYdAADBbx28bIyaU/s1600/casino+regular.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjy5sWF6kNfCad8jHqbuU6QtjpI6zsZlHrdRI1PuT8wjmlgFE_Vt93IQ3Oehd7Cb-4H93E6a0FpIVP0udiunc0IlAbnNMZkkY_fLP5wAvgvKSdlVs-iZB65mTSwgAeLYdAADBbx28bIyaU/s320/casino+regular.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">spotted plenty of casino regulars...<br />
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We saw the news Star Wars movie, in 3 D Imax :-) [dark in there!)</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1AnV6-TWI2UdgsIlsuSLWMmqu3ZSdvGe2duX0WriDV4OcXAi_R9INUsYdWnAa_HRYFhccizIWkI33YnkGBUnwh6l5MqgUguicX9PlCWNumPqt_9LCP3_uue3R6h1f1icpj3T31Zpj9g/s1600/star+wars.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz1AnV6-TWI2UdgsIlsuSLWMmqu3ZSdvGe2duX0WriDV4OcXAi_R9INUsYdWnAa_HRYFhccizIWkI33YnkGBUnwh6l5MqgUguicX9PlCWNumPqt_9LCP3_uue3R6h1f1icpj3T31Zpj9g/s320/star+wars.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We drove out to Red Rocks Canyon, thinking a hike would be good, but it was really cold, with blustering winds. Only the bravest emerged from the car.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I58oh5KEp0BSiN5_Xf3amy7299nZwpZOfmhfYurO2YOjTSBr3uJ_Ywe2Xh6ygZmfcQgWb6WIBgxZm5cdggWnLVFMY2IW47khir00NL4B3wxQof5kwJq-y97iRJHuKQSLnznbxhyOSaI/s1600/boys+at+red+rocks+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3I58oh5KEp0BSiN5_Xf3amy7299nZwpZOfmhfYurO2YOjTSBr3uJ_Ywe2Xh6ygZmfcQgWb6WIBgxZm5cdggWnLVFMY2IW47khir00NL4B3wxQof5kwJq-y97iRJHuKQSLnznbxhyOSaI/s320/boys+at+red+rocks+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ5d4GGJHk9rpp8o5mXUMnuBlMabkMY9j9JXkL4xU8GEOJUuX9BoYT_DnW362i5jPTS4ALEhTkPb9NIELUcdsr78p8NiIdKk1234z5a6KXIFE_ZBaLu6Nhey3hedjmOPGtleXH2K9_J8/s1600/red+rocks+3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixJ5d4GGJHk9rpp8o5mXUMnuBlMabkMY9j9JXkL4xU8GEOJUuX9BoYT_DnW362i5jPTS4ALEhTkPb9NIELUcdsr78p8NiIdKk1234z5a6KXIFE_ZBaLu6Nhey3hedjmOPGtleXH2K9_J8/s320/red+rocks+3.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Our time in Las Vegas at an end, we are treated to a traditional goodbye of water-throwing, to wish for safe travels. Here is our smiling water crew at the ready.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMApkkc9saPSLe6WYbZEyLwSJAGp3w2D2_eXYXG6M-Z7KOfqZqr0-yHP5d-y6P0tAE3tjDebSHPyfkPlfvy1NWDblvFVpumZaOquzlO0YtqAmSo6ZODNRFXONA6gxF_zubwOQ1cHaFA8/s1600/water+crew.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRMApkkc9saPSLe6WYbZEyLwSJAGp3w2D2_eXYXG6M-Z7KOfqZqr0-yHP5d-y6P0tAE3tjDebSHPyfkPlfvy1NWDblvFVpumZaOquzlO0YtqAmSo6ZODNRFXONA6gxF_zubwOQ1cHaFA8/s320/water+crew.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
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And a last glimpse of the lovely Muradian home, front yard palm decorated with Christmas lights.</div>
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Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9054032706254352059.post-16161213905939730402015-12-17T18:07:00.002-08:002015-12-17T18:07:38.345-08:00Christmas letter postscript<span style="color: #3d85c6; font-size: x-large;">S</span>oon after hitting "send" and sharing our three page Christmas greetings to half the world I realized I had left out something that really needed to be said: <br />
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<span style="color: #0b5394; font-size: large;">We are so, so, so, so fortunate.</span></div>
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While grateful for an extraordinary quantity of blessings, and reasonably mindful of others' situations, we could do lots better on both counts.</div>
Tom and Kris(tine)http://www.blogger.com/profile/12215595414372202194noreply@blogger.com0