tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-60273421587172952432024-03-08T13:26:42.011-08:00Nomadic LensesFor fellow wanderers and adventurers... Definitely not a cure for people afflicted with wanderlust -- Could be a dose for temporary relief for those who could travel with the mind or a stimulant for those who'd rather be there physically.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.comBlogger35125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-89227204760061252262012-09-18T17:44:00.001-07:002014-10-11T04:18:37.356-07:002 Months And A Half Off! (Part 9)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 16: The Day Before </b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The day before our long bike trip to Leh, we headed to New Manali to buy some things that we'll need for the road. One of the most taxing errands we had to do was getting a sim card that we can use in case of emergencies. Here, a photo, a copy of your passport and visa and some signed document from your guesthouse or hotel are needed to get a sim card. Luckily, the man selling the sim card was nice enough to sell it to me without asking for the signed document from our guesthouse. And, I was given several packets to choose from. Here in India, even your mobile number can change your luck.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">I must've picked an unlucky number. The minute I turned on my phone I started getting phone calls from unknown people. Around five numbers have called me repeatedly. And, telling them that they've called the wrong number didn't deter them from calling again. It was absolutely frustrating I had to keep my phone on silent or turn it off.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 17: Day 1 of the Manali to Leh Epic Bike Trip</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">At around 6 in the morning, our bags were packed and we were headed for Keylong, our destination for that day. The small town was around 125 kilometers away from Manali. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Even though the drive from Manali to Keylong wasn't that long, we had to leave early in order to avoid the traffic on the narrow roads. Also, being ahead of everyone else meant that we will have loads of vehicles to count on for help should we have any problems with our bike. Another good reason for being early is that the water in the stream is higher in the afternoon than it is in the morning.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Our drive from Manali to Rohtang Pass started out smoothly. White, feathery clouds covered the mountains opposite us. And, we saw several waterfalls along the way.</span></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unG9h7ayvro/UFhSz3XrwBI/AAAAAAAAGBA/2eztEluKMdw/s1600/IMAGE_5AA7C16D-6819-4F1B-845D-E71B520DD459.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-unG9h7ayvro/UFhSz3XrwBI/AAAAAAAAGBA/2eztEluKMdw/s640/IMAGE_5AA7C16D-6819-4F1B-845D-E71B520DD459.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Our first challenge were the muddy bits that we'd been warned about a couple of days ago. We crossed like three or four stretches of mud pits and I could feel the tires slip as we went through them. And, it didn't help that we were sharing the road with trucks, buses and jeeps. Fortunately, my boyfriend's amazing motorbike riding skills kept us from falling off. His shoes were absolutely soaked by the time we got to an asphalt road.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYMh9bkdugI/UFhjut6VESI/AAAAAAAAGEM/dm6j6Cbji9Y/s1600/IMAGE_B61A85EE-B15F-4934-AD24-81773A30179F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-mYMh9bkdugI/UFhjut6VESI/AAAAAAAAGEM/dm6j6Cbji9Y/s640/IMAGE_B61A85EE-B15F-4934-AD24-81773A30179F.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The muddy road up Rohtang Pass.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After the muddy bit, we had a mix of smooth asphalt roads and areas filled with gravel and sand. We also crossed a couple of small streams which added some spice to our trip. We were lucky to have an early start since the streams we had to cross were shallower and less threatening.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ7JckPCFJU/UFhh4U-Q-UI/AAAAAAAAGBw/e9BhJd30M1Q/s1600/IMAGE_CE5EF083-8D07-44A2-B82A-A3E371A04E49.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LJ7JckPCFJU/UFhh4U-Q-UI/AAAAAAAAGBw/e9BhJd30M1Q/s640/IMAGE_CE5EF083-8D07-44A2-B82A-A3E371A04E49.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The road up the pass.</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Moving along the scary mountain roads</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rohtang Pass</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcJ0UuX05nU/UFhh_HHfOZI/AAAAAAAAGCU/MtywvUuFWu8/s1600/IMAGE_2D5FF04A-6FEC-44D7-9DB3-C084DBAA1EF0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GcJ0UuX05nU/UFhh_HHfOZI/AAAAAAAAGCU/MtywvUuFWu8/s640/IMAGE_2D5FF04A-6FEC-44D7-9DB3-C084DBAA1EF0.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>We were up close and personal with the mountains.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3crk1Csnd4/UFhiDSxhTsI/AAAAAAAAGCg/X6jTM4fZONk/s1600/IMAGE_91819F4A-0F51-47DE-B3D5-9B05D025EAD4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-V3crk1Csnd4/UFhiDSxhTsI/AAAAAAAAGCg/X6jTM4fZONk/s640/IMAGE_91819F4A-0F51-47DE-B3D5-9B05D025EAD4.JPG" height="480" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a scene that city folks don't normally get to see... And, I thought it was beautiful.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lr_XJMG7Xg/UFhiIVGpF7I/AAAAAAAAGCs/ZsGM8pkrjts/s1600/IMAGE_7302264F-2149-4EBF-BF9D-D0EE6E53C145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0lr_XJMG7Xg/UFhiIVGpF7I/AAAAAAAAGCs/ZsGM8pkrjts/s640/IMAGE_7302264F-2149-4EBF-BF9D-D0EE6E53C145.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>There was a waterfall in every corner.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Before we reached Tandi, where we were going to stop for petrol since this is the last town with a petrol station, we stopped at Glacier Cafe for a cup of chai. Below it are several rooms with clean bathrooms. And, opposite the cafe, are melting glaciers that looked like silver on the mountain's dark gray surface.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgh-zN2RdeA/UFhiWPcVF6I/AAAAAAAAGDc/3EK7Vo1v0To/s1600/IMAGE_C8EDD7C5-6D7B-4CD4-9190-29B1524BFC13.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Wgh-zN2RdeA/UFhiWPcVF6I/AAAAAAAAGDc/3EK7Vo1v0To/s640/IMAGE_C8EDD7C5-6D7B-4CD4-9190-29B1524BFC13.JPG" height="640" width="480" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A melting glacier on the dark mountain surface.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;">After getting some petrol in Tandi, we headed to Keylong which had very dusty roads. We arrived at around 1 PM and found out that we had a flat. Luckily, we passed a mechanic on our way into town and the problem was fixed in no time.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Nalua Guesthouse</b> <i>(Keylong, Altitude: 3,080 meters, 500 rupees per night)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">We picked this guesthouse because it had a restaurant and a small shop. The rooms were very sweet with ensuite bathrooms, hot water and a shared balcony with a nice view of the mountains.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeafpRr23mM/UFhiM9DS8AI/AAAAAAAAGC4/C5jOV3JLGkY/s1600/IMAGE_D4018CA8-4D04-42C5-8904-38A4D52E1F41.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NeafpRr23mM/UFhiM9DS8AI/AAAAAAAAGC4/C5jOV3JLGkY/s320/IMAGE_D4018CA8-4D04-42C5-8904-38A4D52E1F41.JPG" height="212" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Guesthouse</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jd2N6xZNaA/UFhiPi9IR1I/AAAAAAAAGDE/fmnpGgjALWI/s1600/IMAGE_1CA3839B-EC2C-4B73-A7D6-0C203CC51BAE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3Jd2N6xZNaA/UFhiPi9IR1I/AAAAAAAAGDE/fmnpGgjALWI/s400/IMAGE_1CA3839B-EC2C-4B73-A7D6-0C203CC51BAE.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The View From The Guesthouse</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvRx8cb8734/UFhic2dxSiI/AAAAAAAAGEA/ibegriZw2Cg/s1600/IMAGE_C09CDD6B-4514-499B-BBDB-0D18D021BB44.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-TvRx8cb8734/UFhic2dxSiI/AAAAAAAAGEA/ibegriZw2Cg/s400/IMAGE_C09CDD6B-4514-499B-BBDB-0D18D021BB44.JPG" height="265" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Sunset at the terrace.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Travel Tips</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><b>Leave early.</b> The roads are narrow and being ahead of all the other vehicles makes the drive a whole lot easier. The streams are also much shallower in the morning.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><b>Enjoy the view.</b> The scenery along the way is the climax of the trip. Nothing can be more beautiful than the untouched green mountains and silver waterfalls you'll be passing by on the way. Stop and take a picture. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;">Fill up and bring spare petrol. Tandi is the last place you can get petrol on the way to Leh.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><b>Do some sightseeing (if you have time).</b> There are a lot of temples in Tandi and Keylong. I didn't make it to any of them.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-23471537870158885882012-09-15T09:26:00.001-07:002012-11-16T04:38:17.091-08:002 Months And A Half Off! (Part 8)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 14 (PM): Hadimba Temple</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">When I returned to the guesthouse I had a nice chat with boyfriend's old friend (who had arrived from Leh the night before). Since she was keen on doing some sightseeing, we decided to head to the Hadimba Temple which was walking distance from our guesthouse while my boyfriend sorted out our bike.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">From the Eagle Guesthouse which is located around 100 meters from the clubhouse, we walked towards the bridge, crossed it and climbed up the steps opposite it. This led to the uphill Hadimba Temple Road which is lined with vendors hawking t-shirts, accessories and other wares. We even passed a couple of women asking for 50 rupees to have a picture with their extremely furry rabbits.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The simple wooden temple was built in 1553 by Raja Bahadur Singh. It was dedicated to Hadimba, a character from the Mahabharata, who became a goddess after going through tapasya which is a combination of meditation, prayer and penance. The Hadimba Temple, was built over a rock on which she meditated.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">It was in this temple that I prayed for our safety during out bike trip. It was a very Indian experience -- The man in the temple placed a red dot on my head and gave me some red rice crispies. I smiled and tried some. But, since I didn't want to eat the whole handful, I chucked it into my bag and left.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70qOkhPrydY/UC3guK2S0CI/AAAAAAAAFpk/ZjkXbYq9y6Q/s1600/IMAGE_BC79DD94-1ECF-4CF9-9ACB-8A447DCAFBC9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-70qOkhPrydY/UC3guK2S0CI/AAAAAAAAFpk/ZjkXbYq9y6Q/s640/IMAGE_BC79DD94-1ECF-4CF9-9ACB-8A447DCAFBC9.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Hadimba Temple</i></span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa2PuElKlPg/UC3g8zUQxWI/AAAAAAAAFp0/m16b_WBYJaQ/s1600/IMAGE_361C9573-47CC-4E9C-9F2A-9C5275617F1E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Aa2PuElKlPg/UC3g8zUQxWI/AAAAAAAAFp0/m16b_WBYJaQ/s640/IMAGE_361C9573-47CC-4E9C-9F2A-9C5275617F1E.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Some kids singing outside the Hadimba Temple.</i></span></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="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rdgv-22DpM/UC3hHsXQIbI/AAAAAAAAFp8/QPxTgtDx_Vs/s1600/IMAGE_D812F820-C938-46BE-AAC0-CE711B50018C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rdgv-22DpM/UC3hHsXQIbI/AAAAAAAAFp8/QPxTgtDx_Vs/s640/IMAGE_D812F820-C938-46BE-AAC0-CE711B50018C.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ibex horns on the walls for warding off evil spirits.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLRcyNYVyQs/UC3hpSdXTdI/AAAAAAAAFqc/-kdgLMxz8Do/s1600/IMAGE_480391B2-9047-4AA5-A50A-EE964C75BEBF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLRcyNYVyQs/UC3hpSdXTdI/AAAAAAAAFqc/-kdgLMxz8Do/s640/IMAGE_480391B2-9047-4AA5-A50A-EE964C75BEBF.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A very nice park filled with pine trees.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>A Tree Shrine</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">In the same area, beside a colorful carousel and a huge heart where couples are supposed to have their pictures taken, we found a tree with loads of flowers and other ornaments. It looked like a shrine of some sort. With no guidebooks to tell us to whom it was dedicated to, we had no idea why it was there.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B8Duinw1qM/UC3hOU8m3hI/AAAAAAAAFqE/6e9iJmppOrs/s1600/IMAGE_4A7DAA45-6E3C-4789-81BF-726A002035F0.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8B8Duinw1qM/UC3hOU8m3hI/AAAAAAAAFqE/6e9iJmppOrs/s640/IMAGE_4A7DAA45-6E3C-4789-81BF-726A002035F0.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A very beautiful shrine</i></span></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="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USYfB2VRafI/UC3hZlcs-BI/AAAAAAAAFqM/RMDOuzAzJiQ/s1600/IMAGE_ED52B8D3-0A74-4431-A896-A6E1F27656C4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-USYfB2VRafI/UC3hZlcs-BI/AAAAAAAAFqM/RMDOuzAzJiQ/s640/IMAGE_ED52B8D3-0A74-4431-A896-A6E1F27656C4.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpyqD74XCxs/UC3hkBS2NwI/AAAAAAAAFqU/Y__FzrgaTdw/s1600/IMAGE_E407853A-824B-420F-9FA8-B609FC52ED0B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DpyqD74XCxs/UC3hkBS2NwI/AAAAAAAAFqU/Y__FzrgaTdw/s640/IMAGE_E407853A-824B-420F-9FA8-B609FC52ED0B.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A tattered carousel that shows a lot of character.</i></span></td></tr>
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Green Forest Cafe (on the way to Hadimba Temple)</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">On our way down the hill, we decided to stop by Green Forest for lunch. They've got really nice cheese and vegetable momos (dumplings) and curry-flavored thukpa (vegetable noodle soup). This restaurant serves these Tibetan staples with an Indian twist.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 15: Test Drive</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The next day, my boyfriend and I decided to take <i>En Oi</i>, the 500cc Enfield Machismo that we rented for our trip to Ladakh, for a test drive. Since he's gone through the road to the Rohtang Pass the day before, he was excited to share the stunning views with me.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After yoga, I walked up the steps to meet him in Vashisht while snapping some pictures on the way.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb4HGTWCOkk/UC3sJrbwo2I/AAAAAAAAFrM/tYZg0m9zY9U/s1600/IMAGE_CD541DF8-D029-45D6-B83B-8D9376C19C39.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eb4HGTWCOkk/UC3sJrbwo2I/AAAAAAAAFrM/tYZg0m9zY9U/s400/IMAGE_CD541DF8-D029-45D6-B83B-8D9376C19C39.JPG" width="236" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The area seems to be populated by these scaly things.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RF3P1bX4U8/UC3sZX8B33I/AAAAAAAAFrc/Akf7KcZa7ug/s1600/IMAGE_B81347B2-88F1-4F4C-A7AB-BE1D71F1D955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1RF3P1bX4U8/UC3sZX8B33I/AAAAAAAAFrc/Akf7KcZa7ug/s400/IMAGE_B81347B2-88F1-4F4C-A7AB-BE1D71F1D955.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A man carrying some leaves up the steps.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVeTAHGTaEQ/UC3tHjrxSuI/AAAAAAAAFsI/CJpRs5BWoY8/s1600/IMAGE_0D0FE074-2772-442F-8371-9181933B3B8B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-oVeTAHGTaEQ/UC3tHjrxSuI/AAAAAAAAFsI/CJpRs5BWoY8/s640/IMAGE_0D0FE074-2772-442F-8371-9181933B3B8B.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The View of the Beas River from Vashist</i></span></td></tr>
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><span style="font-size: large;">Basho (Vashisht)</span></b></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">He drove pass when I reached the top of the steps. And, we headed to Basho for some breakfast before going for our drive. The view from the restaurant's terrace and they've got a really nice vegetarian burger. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEbHWrwaTww/UC3tRU4Mi4I/AAAAAAAAFsQ/7vHDZ2LmHcI/s1600/IMAGE_16954AF8-0D21-43EB-AF3A-6D5680830186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lEbHWrwaTww/UC3tRU4Mi4I/AAAAAAAAFsQ/7vHDZ2LmHcI/s400/IMAGE_16954AF8-0D21-43EB-AF3A-6D5680830186.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The River View From The Terrace Of Basho</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>The Road to Rohtang Pass</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After getting a spare helmet from <a href="http://www.bikerentalsmanali.com/" target="_blank">Bike Rentals Manali</a> (where we rented our motorbike for 1,000 rupees a day), we began our trip up the road that led to Rohtang Pass. The road was fairly smooth with loads of switchbacks that looked like mutated hands on Google Maps. And, as we went higher up, the views became even more stunning.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;">With each turn, we were greeted by waterfalls sliding down the rock surface. And, as we moved up, we had a better view of the green valley before. The dark earth, the green grass and pine trees, the glistening waterfalls and the blue skies had such a rich contrast it was impossible to take a bad picture.</span></span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgTgHV5r0cU/UFR9bCqEy7I/AAAAAAAAF34/nt9XbtJB6SE/s1600/IMAGE_9C7ABB5F-FBA5-44F3-BA52-370CBCA41D7D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rgTgHV5r0cU/UFR9bCqEy7I/AAAAAAAAF34/nt9XbtJB6SE/s400/IMAGE_9C7ABB5F-FBA5-44F3-BA52-370CBCA41D7D.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Tom and En Oi on Rohtang Pass</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-el_pz_pD3VI/UC3tdNgtPnI/AAAAAAAAFsY/7EMEhTZXsyw/s1600/IMAGE_9C4A184F-4808-41DC-860A-A449BD59744F.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-el_pz_pD3VI/UC3tdNgtPnI/AAAAAAAAFsY/7EMEhTZXsyw/s640/IMAGE_9C4A184F-4808-41DC-860A-A449BD59744F.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>One...</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EH_RpRI5Ijg/UC3tijGIikI/AAAAAAAAFsg/r28YHZhzZtg/s1600/IMAGE_13484CE1-3E93-4AA9-9D3F-125D01608381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EH_RpRI5Ijg/UC3tijGIikI/AAAAAAAAFsg/r28YHZhzZtg/s640/IMAGE_13484CE1-3E93-4AA9-9D3F-125D01608381.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Two... Three...</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FThqAcPmayU/UC3tsYGCbVI/AAAAAAAAFso/fLm1XbQXbb4/s1600/IMAGE_02A91533-FC8D-4E75-9989-7B17249A1A6B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FThqAcPmayU/UC3tsYGCbVI/AAAAAAAAFso/fLm1XbQXbb4/s640/IMAGE_02A91533-FC8D-4E75-9989-7B17249A1A6B.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Four... The pass is just filled with waterfalls.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zwPW0J5gL8/UC3txk7reaI/AAAAAAAAFsw/PVuoglIWp5U/s1600/IMAGE_C9B2D630-B3AE-4800-B3A9-58BC89814DC9.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--zwPW0J5gL8/UC3txk7reaI/AAAAAAAAFsw/PVuoglIWp5U/s640/IMAGE_C9B2D630-B3AE-4800-B3A9-58BC89814DC9.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>It's a nice feeling to be so close to the clouds.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5fJlg4UNJU/UC3uO4BjkBI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/k6Ba5Pw_yPk/s1600/IMAGE_DA5E02B1-935C-491C-AC09-DC603502442E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-y5fJlg4UNJU/UC3uO4BjkBI/AAAAAAAAFtQ/k6Ba5Pw_yPk/s640/IMAGE_DA5E02B1-935C-491C-AC09-DC603502442E.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is what dreams are made of...</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hffe6Uox7yo/UC3uZ24V6wI/AAAAAAAAFtg/cH6te0uZl4U/s1600/IMAGE_282D3307-78C3-4525-B16B-A87DC66C6B81.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hffe6Uox7yo/UC3uZ24V6wI/AAAAAAAAFtg/cH6te0uZl4U/s640/IMAGE_282D3307-78C3-4525-B16B-A87DC66C6B81.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And, nightmares as well...</span></i></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;">We didn't get to Rohtang Pass that day. We stopped before we reached the challenging muddy bit that lead to the pass, took some pictures and headed back to our guesthouse.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><b>Casa Bella Vista (On the way up to Hadimba Temple, on top of the steps across the bridge)</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;">Since it was my boyfriend's birthday, we decided to have a long lunch in Casa Bella Vista, where they served cold beers and really good Spanish-Italian dishes. The staff was so accommodating that they helped make their desert (a scoop of ice cream topped with chunks of brownie floating in a cup of espresso) extra special by putting candles and flowers around it.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">bruschetta</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Their version of Patatas Bravas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Four Cheese Pasta.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Havana.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-28878657567913547362012-08-17T06:47:00.000-07:002012-11-16T04:38:36.198-08:002 And A Half Months Off! (Part 7)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 11: The Long Drive to Manali</b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Yesterday, realizing that it was within our budget to book a taxi to Manali, we got the owner of Hotel Grace to sort one out for us. Unfortunately, when we checked out, the taxi that we booked for eight o'clock hadn't arrived yet. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Twenty minutes later, a taxi arrived and we were about to put our bags into the trunk when we were told to wait. The receptionist talked to the driver in Punjabi. And then, the taxi driver left and the receptionist told us to wait again.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Another twenty minutes passed and another taxi came. Instead of letting us put our baggage into the car, we were again asked to wait. And, again, loads of talking followed. And, once again, the taxi left.</span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Around 9:30 AM, the owner and his son came in. Another cab pulled over. And, finally, we got a ride to Manali. The trip to Manali usually takes twelve hours. But, because our newbie driver made a wrong turn, we ended up arriving in our guesthouse around 11:30 PM.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">The taxi was 6,200 rupees. We were told that because of huge taxes, they couldn't give us a lower price. The owner of the hotel named three types of taxes. During our ride to Manali, however, we only paid the toll once. And, according to the sign, the toll fee was 500 rupees.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I don't know where the money we paid was going but our arrangement with them was to pay the "taxi company owner" a deposit of 2,000 rupees and then give the cab driver 2,200 rupees for his expenses. The remaining 2,000 rupees should be paid after we've reached our destination. </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1aWFz2xoY/UC3SFV1ge1I/AAAAAAAAFnA/bX7fR8FTBMk/s1600/IMAGE_DB26575E-DD2E-4338-B286-1A324F4828B8.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-1aWFz2xoY/UC3SFV1ge1I/AAAAAAAAFnA/bX7fR8FTBMk/s640/IMAGE_DB26575E-DD2E-4338-B286-1A324F4828B8.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The traffic as we were leaving Amritsar.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ladies picking flowers.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Landslide.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Shades of orange and yellow</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hG41RtMwAjI/UC3SxvOAvMI/AAAAAAAAFno/aaQ_H5a1slQ/s1600/IMAGE_1631E0AA-6C18-4A83-B1E7-2D1F529F172A.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-hG41RtMwAjI/UC3SxvOAvMI/AAAAAAAAFno/aaQ_H5a1slQ/s640/IMAGE_1631E0AA-6C18-4A83-B1E7-2D1F529F172A.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmCUederuAQ/UC3S2MhZxVI/AAAAAAAAFnw/t9zCc-eBHfU/s1600/IMAGE_CF2C6F20-D082-45F5-9BF7-9C598FD8436D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RmCUederuAQ/UC3S2MhZxVI/AAAAAAAAFnw/t9zCc-eBHfU/s640/IMAGE_CF2C6F20-D082-45F5-9BF7-9C598FD8436D.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Sunset. Taken during one of our stopovers.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 12: The Morning After</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The night before, when we arrived at 11:30 PM, we walked around in the dark to look for the <a href="http://www.eagleguesthouse.com/">Eagle Guesthouse</a>. And then, we climbed up some steps with all our bags. It was quite a challenge getting up the steep steps. And, it was a long, rough day for the both of us.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">The next day, however, everything just got better. I looked out of the window and saw the beautiful scenery. Outside our window was an apple orchard with yellow and pink fruits and behind it was a magnificent mountain with wisps of clouds. Outside our room was a shared terrace with a view of more green mountains with silver waterfalls slithering on their slopes. And, from the garden below, we had a good view of the river. And, every second, we were accompanied by the sound of its flowing water.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">We had an amazing breakfast. My boyfriend had a toasty while I got their shakshuka. Their helpings were very generous. My shakshuka had three eggs and I had a hard time finishing my breakfast. And, the owners and other guests were great company. We were in paradise -- great company and food, wi-fi and a nice room with a comfortable bed in a beautiful location far away from the noise. It was a really nice place to chill before our three-day bike trip to Ladakh. </span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">For such a fantastic place, we paid a very reasonable amount of 450 rupees per night. So, we decided to stay here for six nights.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The View From Our Window.</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwvLoIf50SE/UC3Tq0A8vJI/AAAAAAAAFoA/TNYcpochSeY/s1600/IMAGE_8776C433-5936-4A3B-A608-5FA17E3E8734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QwvLoIf50SE/UC3Tq0A8vJI/AAAAAAAAFoA/TNYcpochSeY/s640/IMAGE_8776C433-5936-4A3B-A608-5FA17E3E8734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiocQNR0d3A/UC49_mhVijI/AAAAAAAAFyo/d4GsZBt_qWQ/s1600/IMAGE_7068915E-B4E9-4DD8-A68F-B813D61F79C4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-PiocQNR0d3A/UC49_mhVijI/AAAAAAAAFyo/d4GsZBt_qWQ/s640/IMAGE_7068915E-B4E9-4DD8-A68F-B813D61F79C4.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNM4zDDvRkA/UC4-GG5MFqI/AAAAAAAAFyw/O729zreZ0gM/s1600/IMAGE_AD278D88-15D7-4532-AEA7-3C0019CD1808.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-LNM4zDDvRkA/UC4-GG5MFqI/AAAAAAAAFyw/O729zreZ0gM/s640/IMAGE_AD278D88-15D7-4532-AEA7-3C0019CD1808.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opw4XzC9u0A/UC4-Op1lpAI/AAAAAAAAFy4/Nuqc1g9Skto/s1600/IMAGE_97195C87-EEF7-4B7C-A2E9-04B9F80994B3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-opw4XzC9u0A/UC4-Op1lpAI/AAAAAAAAFy4/Nuqc1g9Skto/s640/IMAGE_97195C87-EEF7-4B7C-A2E9-04B9F80994B3.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The guesthouse dog, Tiger</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 13: New Manali</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We spent the morning in New Manali, buying supplies for our trip to Ladakh. There were loads of shops, stalls and people walking about but it wasn't as intense as Amritsar or Delhi. Better yet, cars and rickshaws weren't allowed in some areas. So, we were able to do our shopping without worrying about getting hit by something. Most of the shop owners don't hard sell so it was quite a pleasant place to shop.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For lunch, we had some delicious mutton curry in our guesthouse. The food was so good there we barely ate elsewhere.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mutton Curry</span></i></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 14 (AM): Vashisht</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yesterday, I found out that our host, Liet, did yoga in the past and has been trying to go to the ashram in Vashist but hasn't had the time to do so. So, we decided to check it out together.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Shri Hari Yoga Ashram</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The yoga ashram is located along the shortcut to Vashisht which is basically a bunch of steps which can be found after a petrol station. It had a beautiful and well-kept garden as well as a fantastic view of the mountains.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The teacher was quite nice. He may look serious at first but you can get a chuckle or two from him while he's helping you with a pose. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The teacher is a Hatha yoga instructor. And, the Intermediate and Advanced class at eight o'clock began with some pranayama, followed by some forward folds and back bends and ended with a hanging headstand. The hanging headstand he made us do had three variations. First, our legs were in an upavistha konasana (wide legged pose) position. Next, we were asked to do a baddha konasana. For both variations, the teacher pushed us as close to the wall as possible. And, the third one was quite a stretch. He asked us to do a baddha konasana again. This time, our shins were on top of the rope. And, while we were holding on to the rope with our legs, he gave us a nice stretch away from the wall. He did this around three times before he moved on to the next person. It was a very nice opening experience.</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-27746408220688824012012-08-16T20:24:00.001-07:002012-11-16T04:38:56.209-08:002 Months And A Half Off (Part 6)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 9: Amritsar</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After coming home late from Agra, it was a challenge to pack our bags to catch an early train to Amritsar. Luckily, we didn't have to share our seats in the train with anyone. We were able to book two chair seats which means we have our own chairs on the train. And, they were comfortable. Sockets for charging phones and other electronics were also available by the window.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">After getting out of the train and doing some haggling, we got an auto-rickshaw to the Grace Hotel. We read in the Lonely Planet that it was a budget accommodation that had a limited rooftop view of the Golden Temple so we decided to check it out.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>The Grace Hotel </b><i>(Amritsar)</i></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">When we arrived at the reception area, we saw that the hotel rates posted by the desk were twice the rates that were indicated in our outdated Lonely Planet: 1,500 Rs. for a standard room and around 2,500 Rs. for a double room.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">After some haggling, we managed to get a room for 1,000 rupees per night. For a dingy and grimy room, the rate was a bit too high. It was hot and we were tired - We couldn't be bothered to carry our bags around, looking for another place to stay. So, we took the room.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">The room we got had two small windows and an a/c. It was supposed to have a TV but it was broken during the time of our stay. We also had wi-fi. Aside from the grime and ants, what I couldn't stand about the room was the number of times I woke up because the A/C's turned off and the room's become too hot. Apparently, there was a master switch outside the room. And, when the people in the hallway or in the adjacent room turn on some lights, they make the mistake of turning off the power in our room. This happened more than once during our stay.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The hotel's rooftop was filled with rubble. Worse, it had a huge brick wall blocking the view of the temple. So, I had to climb one of the ladders leaning on the temple. And, from there, I got a limited view of the Golden temple.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The nice chai man opposite our hotel</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The limited view of the Golden Temple</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 10 (AM): The Golden Temple Area</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The one thing that some travelers may not appreciate when staying in this area is that smoking and drinking are prohibited here. You'll have to take an auto-rickshaw to get to a bar. Also, they don't serve non-vegetarian meals in this area.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>Jutti</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The area is filled with Jutti shops. The displays of colorful Punjabi footwear were really nice to look at. But, looks aren't everything. And, you might have to spend some time trying on different pairs of shoes in different shops to get one that fits you. In order to get good prices, you should have change, patience and good haggling skills. I've had so many experiences wherein I managed to get the price as low as 150 rupees but because I gave them 200 rupees, I ended up being told that the agreed price was actually 170 rupees.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">I liked the Amritsar Punjabi Jutti (Ram Building Opp. Jallianwala Bagh, Amritsar) because the shoemaker there has lined the insoles of his shoes with soft leather or synthetic suede, making them more comfortable. Also, he's made some backless juttis with an elastic strap that would keep it from falling off. </span></span><br />
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<b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">Domino's</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">It was the most unlikely place to find a Domino's pizza place. So, we decided to check it out. They had a selection of vegetarian pizzas, crusts and desserts. We got a magherita with a thin whole wheat crust and another one with a cheesy burst crust. The thin whole wheat crust reminded me of chapatti and the cheesy burst crust was like cheese parantha. It was actually a good mix of Italian, Indian and vegetarian.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Zaika</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Breakfast time in Amritsar can be a challenge. Every single place we went to was full. We found an unoccupied table in Zaika. Unfortunately, everyone was too busy to serve us. It took us around twenty minutes to get served. The paranthas here were worth the wait. And, the owner was considerate enough to apologize for not being able to serve us immediately.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;"><b>The Golden Temple</b></span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Also known as Harmandir Sahib, the Golden Temple is the spiritual center for the Sikh religion. It attracts thousands of visitors everyday. </span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We left our shoes in a storage area outside the complex. And, from there we walked bare foot into the temple. Once, a lady on a motorbike decided to drive on the mats that were laid out to lead people to the temple, almost running over bare toes.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">By the complex entrance, we washed our feet in a small pool before we walked inside. The structure was beautiful but it wasn't that impressive. The attraction here is more of the absorption of the unique culture of the sikhs rather than the structure itself.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 25px;"><span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around the complex, there were people sitting or sleeping on the floor. In the temple, there was a huge crowd of people making it impossible to go in. Some of the devotees crouched by the pool to splash themselves with water. There was also a crowd of male devotees bathing in another area of the pool. We also passed some glorified sikhs in full attire. One of them had a huge turban on his head.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is the biggest turban I've ever seen.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 10 (PM): The India-Pakistan Border</b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Everyday, loads of people head to the India-Pakistan Border to watch the border closing ceremony which starts at 6 PM and ends at around 6:45 PM. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">To get to the border, we booked a shared jeep with our hotel. We paid 125 rupees each for a ride to the border town. We were quite lucky to be picked up from our hotel since most of the people we rode with had to find their way to our hotel, which was the pick up point.</span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">Since we were picked up around 2:30 PM and we arrived at the border at around 3:30 PM -- a bit too early for the ceremony. We were only allowed to bring our cameras and money so we didn't have much to entertain ourselves with during the wait. Bags aren't allowed in the border.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">As we made our way to the ceremony, we were inspected twice. Whatever food we brought with us was thrown into the bin. Once, we were in the same queue as the locals. The second time around, we were in the foreigners' queue. There's a place allotted for foreigners in the ceremony area. And, unless you don't have plans of taking pictures or you have zoom lens, you might as well come in late to get a seat close to the action.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Pakistan</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The march.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The kick.</i></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-84145419422411948052012-08-16T18:08:00.001-07:002012-11-16T04:48:21.249-08:002 Months And A Half Off! (Part 5)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Day 8: Agra</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The train station was crawling with people and flies. The stench of urine mixed with the scent of incense and samosas filled the air. The non-stop droning of announcements punctuated by a comical tone filled our ears.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">When the train arrived, everyone rushed to the open doors, pushing their way in. It was absolute chaos. I found it silly because an allotted seat number is given to each passenger. But, when we got to our occupied seats, I realized what the fuss is about. Seats get stolen all the time. And, claiming your seat can be quite a hassle!</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">We reached Agra five hours later. Outside the station, we found a booth for prepaid taxis. On it was a chart with the destinations and prices. The most expensive package in the list was an air conditioned taxi that will take you to all the tourist spots in Agra and back to the train station. Both of us were not keen on rushing from one spot to another or wasting time looking for our taxi driver, so we decided to take a non-air conditioned taxi to the west gate of the Taj Mahal for 150 rupees.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span><b style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">The Taj Mahal </b><i style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">(Agra)</i></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The Taj Mahal is a masterpiece of love. It was built by the Mughal emperor Shah Jahan in memory of his third wife, Mumtaz Mahal, who died after giving birth to their FOURTEENTH child. This white marble mausoleum is admired because of its beauty and symmetry. A very popular tourist attraction, the area was filled with swarms of locals and foreigners.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">The entrance rate for foreigners is much higher than the local's. It's around 750 rupees. This includes a bottle of water, a pair of shoe covers and a VIP treatment (sort of). Foreign tourists a separate queue and are given priority in entering the building. They are also not required to remove their shoes when the enter the mausoleum which was quite a relief since the shoe racks tend to be disorganized and we even saw some flip flops thrown into the gutter.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzETlXVGwjU/UCqClUE39bI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/5qh3iEhIj9w/s1600/IMAGE_0A484E2D-3143-427B-97A2-DB0F0A8FFFBF.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KzETlXVGwjU/UCqClUE39bI/AAAAAAAAFXQ/5qh3iEhIj9w/s640/IMAGE_0A484E2D-3143-427B-97A2-DB0F0A8FFFBF.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The way in.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My first glimpse of the Taj</i></span></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="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjxm8Fhnm8U/UCqDF-PrsdI/AAAAAAAAFX4/Q32_awJYZhY/s1600/IMAGE_3FBF2FFA-4B07-4401-A742-D6175DB1103C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bjxm8Fhnm8U/UCqDF-PrsdI/AAAAAAAAFX4/Q32_awJYZhY/s640/IMAGE_3FBF2FFA-4B07-4401-A742-D6175DB1103C.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Taj Mahal and all its admirers.</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Khnzg0v5NG4/UCqDMGuY0bI/AAAAAAAAFYA/3F6Zohz9Ifc/s1600/IMAGE_4A79E2BA-8ED8-4629-9317-DEE93E431B66.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Khnzg0v5NG4/UCqDMGuY0bI/AAAAAAAAFYA/3F6Zohz9Ifc/s640/IMAGE_4A79E2BA-8ED8-4629-9317-DEE93E431B66.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_F2p_24daA/UCqDc24z2jI/AAAAAAAAFYc/N7y1dpgTDbA/s1600/IMAGE_79BF4FFB-A133-4DC8-97B5-811D9F80DB4B.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X_F2p_24daA/UCqDc24z2jI/AAAAAAAAFYc/N7y1dpgTDbA/s640/IMAGE_79BF4FFB-A133-4DC8-97B5-811D9F80DB4B.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46puL0cr8Is/UCqDh0mpLrI/AAAAAAAAFYk/3yhSpRpDLg0/s1600/IMAGE_2A067E36-2F8A-4DC6-B276-E2BCEBD744C4.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-46puL0cr8Is/UCqDh0mpLrI/AAAAAAAAFYk/3yhSpRpDLg0/s640/IMAGE_2A067E36-2F8A-4DC6-B276-E2BCEBD744C4.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Before heading to the Agra Fort, we went to the Host Hotel for a bite. Even though it was raining, we headed to their rooftop where we had a view of the Taj Mahal and monkeys moving from one rooftop to another.</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLQ_-zkAsKg/UCqDul7lOUI/AAAAAAAAFYs/7EPjLhRtImQ/s1600/IMAGE_B4D5E5E4-3B51-4B4A-9477-61BFEB9C7551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xLQ_-zkAsKg/UCqDul7lOUI/AAAAAAAAFYs/7EPjLhRtImQ/s640/IMAGE_B4D5E5E4-3B51-4B4A-9477-61BFEB9C7551.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Maybe we didn't really need to pay much for a view of the Taj.</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60S85c2N-ss/UCqD4uMwkrI/AAAAAAAAFY0/kPCqN1S1zLg/s1600/IMAGE_BB49F099-42E4-467A-8171-E8738317BED1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-60S85c2N-ss/UCqD4uMwkrI/AAAAAAAAFY0/kPCqN1S1zLg/s640/IMAGE_BB49F099-42E4-467A-8171-E8738317BED1.JPG" width="640" /></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="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpOT38Nb6U4/UCqEME26RiI/AAAAAAAAFZM/fUjwDg22x00/s1600/IMAGE_091C6DD1-B203-40CC-827E-4D2ED7A674D1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="460" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-GpOT38Nb6U4/UCqEME26RiI/AAAAAAAAFZM/fUjwDg22x00/s640/IMAGE_091C6DD1-B203-40CC-827E-4D2ED7A674D1.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A family of monkeys.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>The Agra Fort</b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Shah Jahan was imprisoned in this walled city by his son after he was overthrown. In a marble tower facing the Taj Mahal, he spent the last of his days staring at the structure where his wife was buried. </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euuXDKj0Q34/UCqFsPzUFZI/AAAAAAAAFa8/LklFOE4E2e0/s1600/IMAGE_55A7B1AB-B69A-4EC0-B7AA-D2005FD68FC3.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-euuXDKj0Q34/UCqFsPzUFZI/AAAAAAAAFa8/LklFOE4E2e0/s640/IMAGE_55A7B1AB-B69A-4EC0-B7AA-D2005FD68FC3.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The details are made of semi-precious stones.</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkxD_dk_Eo/UCqFw6Qo2lI/AAAAAAAAFbE/To_mTnGDW5o/s1600/IMAGE_096FE7B0-5580-48F3-B290-7E00BC4FB73C.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uRkxD_dk_Eo/UCqFw6Qo2lI/AAAAAAAAFbE/To_mTnGDW5o/s640/IMAGE_096FE7B0-5580-48F3-B290-7E00BC4FB73C.JPG" width="424" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our 5-hour train ride home was horrible. We were seated by the aisle and the passengers who sat beside us kept pushing us off our seats. In India, that is the difference between getting a train seat and a chair. </span></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-26112063211197911062012-08-15T09:51:00.000-07:002012-11-16T04:55:04.260-08:002 Months and A Half Off (Part 4)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.294118); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; color: #666666; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', Trebuchet, sans-serif; line-height: 18px;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 7 (PM): Humayun's Tomb and Jama Masjid</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After lunch, I did some research and found out that the Nizammudin Train Station where our train to Agra will be departing from is opposite Humayun's Tomb. Since we wanted to find out how far we were from the train station, we hopped on an auto-rickshaw headed for the tomb.</span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b>Humayun's Tomb</b> <i>(opposite the Nizammudin Train Station, entrance fee: 250 Rs.)</i></span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Built in the sixteenth century for the Mughal emperor Humayun, this sandstone and marble structure was the first garden tomb in West Asia. The tomb took eight years to build. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Let sleeping dogs lie.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969);"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">Jama Masjid </b><i style="font-family: Arial; text-align: left;">(opposite the Red Fort)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;">From Hayuman's Tomb, we took an auto rickshaw to the Jama Masjid mosque since the Red Fort was closed to the public. In front of the Jama Masjid entrance, is a market filled with stalls and people. From the non-stop pleas from hard-selling hawkers to the rickshaws passing through the narrow road, this area can overwhelm your senses.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Arial;"> </span></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Arial; font-size: large;">In an empty space between two stalls, a man stood beside a tiny dead cobra. He was yelling at the crowd before him. We thought he was going to make the cobra come to life. Instead, he performed some cheap magic trick with a matchbox and continued to yell at the people. A bit disappointed, we left and continued our walk towards the mosque.</span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.296875); font-family: Arial; font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-composition-fill-color: rgba(175, 192, 227, 0.230469); -webkit-composition-frame-color: rgba(77, 128, 180, 0.230469); -webkit-tap-highlight-color: rgba(26, 26, 26, 0.292969); font-size: large;">Unfortunately, the mosque wasn't open to public either. There was some religious ceremony going on and we ended up sitting on the steps by the mosque's entrance.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWGTmldFXKg/UCi9hkv5zZI/AAAAAAAAFUg/kvCXNIKcQVo/s1600/IMAGE_928478C3-30A1-420A-A6D2-072D78C996AE.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-JWGTmldFXKg/UCi9hkv5zZI/AAAAAAAAFUg/kvCXNIKcQVo/s640/IMAGE_928478C3-30A1-420A-A6D2-072D78C996AE.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><i>Luck!</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puTBCJhqi-Q/UCi9m0L2LEI/AAAAAAAAFUo/FjeBLahij-o/s1600/IMAGE_A896F372-A5D6-463E-BF2D-35FEBD44D41D.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-puTBCJhqi-Q/UCi9m0L2LEI/AAAAAAAAFUo/FjeBLahij-o/s640/IMAGE_A896F372-A5D6-463E-BF2D-35FEBD44D41D.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Mother And Child</span></i></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPhvl3njBdE/UCi9o498CEI/AAAAAAAAFUw/bd6yjjikO3U/s1600/IMAGE_89260A2D-F659-4734-8B10-58CA8CD233F5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QPhvl3njBdE/UCi9o498CEI/AAAAAAAAFUw/bd6yjjikO3U/s640/IMAGE_89260A2D-F659-4734-8B10-58CA8CD233F5.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Mosque Goers</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>A discussion...</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial;">The trip ended with a rickshaw ride back to the Paharganj area where we snacked on potato cakes topped with different sauces.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Fried Mashed Potatos</i></span></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-38555495979771223562012-08-13T06:13:00.002-07:002012-11-16T04:59:27.558-08:002 Months And A Half Off (Part 3)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 6: Delhi</u></b></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">Since unreasonable AirAsia wouldn't let us rebook our flights, we decided to book new flights with Indigo and head to Delhi instead of the original plan of going to Kolkata and taking the train to Varanasi. Good travelers are always flexible and make the most of their trip.</span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">In Delhi airport, an unexpected surprise awaited me. I found some of my favorite snacks from home in one of the airport's stores -- Chippy and Piatos. I'm definitely making some space in my hand carry bag for these goodies.</span></span></span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b>The Metropolis</b> <i>(Paharganj Area)</i></span></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">While we were on the plane, we picked a random hotel from Lonely Planet for our arrival cards. We copied the address of the Metropolis Hotel so we got a pre-paid taxi (You can pay for it in a booth at the very end of the first floor marked "Taxi and Police Station.") to this hotel which is located in the Pharganj Area.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Pre-paid Taxis</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">It was a bit over our budget -- 1,500 Rupees per night. So, I stayed in their restaurant while my boyfriend looked for a place to stay. The waiters were really accommodating and friendly. They helped us with our bags and gave us tips on where to stay for the night. One of them even gave me a free cup of chai.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Since the place is more of a high end hotel and restaurant, the dishes were slightly more expensive than the other restaurants in the area. But, since it was our first night, we decided to dig into their papadams, malai kofta and butter garlic nan.</span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFvpgW_ANM0/UCixP6LjB0I/AAAAAAAAFQM/B09y6HblkQk/s1600/IMAGE_F8109713-6C56-4BC8-BA50-4AFC98FEADCC.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yFvpgW_ANM0/UCixP6LjB0I/AAAAAAAAFQM/B09y6HblkQk/s320/IMAGE_F8109713-6C56-4BC8-BA50-4AFC98FEADCC.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Malai Kofta and Butter Garlic Nan (The Metropolis)</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Ajay Guesthouse</b> <i>(Paharganj Area, Delhi)</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">We stayed in the Ajay Guesthouse which was tucked in a tiny alley in the Paharganj Area which is near the New Delhi Train Station. It had a nice rooftop area where films are shown, a bakery and a 24-hour internet cafe. For a small price, you can also get some credit in order to use their wi-fi. And, the guesthouse also supports a charity for empowering women.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">For 800 rupees, the room was really sweet. It's got a comfortable bed, a shared terrace and clean and tiny bathroom with orange and white tiles with a Winnie The Pooh and friends theme. The bathroom came with toiletries that you usually find in posh hotels. And, another huge plus was the powerful A/C which will cool you down after climbing four flights of stairs to get to your room. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 7 (AM): Paharganj Area</u></b></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">We spent the morning roaming around the Paharaganj Area, taking photos. With the old structures interspersed with the new buildings and the streets slowly coming to life, it was a bit of a challenge to capture the intensity of this area in still life. I was also a bit scared of taking pictures of people. I don't mind being told <i>No</i>, but I do mind being harassed to buy something.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Hooch Mafia</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Rickshaw</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Masala Chai</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Auto Rickshaw</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The driver harassing me to go to Connaught Place after taking the picture above!</i></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw0TMiItk1k/UCixgyXF8TI/AAAAAAAAFRM/MNwUaECnyOk/s1600/IMAGE_B7465D0D-DD5E-4D4C-B8B9-F4AA078DAC0E.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sw0TMiItk1k/UCixgyXF8TI/AAAAAAAAFRM/MNwUaECnyOk/s640/IMAGE_B7465D0D-DD5E-4D4C-B8B9-F4AA078DAC0E.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After our walk, we headed to a restaurant opposite the train station for some breakfast. From the second floor of the restaurant, I got to take some more pictures without being noticed by my subjects.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Paneer</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Overly friendly people at the restaurant</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Breakfast</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Crazy Delhi</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbNo_Qu0GdM/UCixvi7VC-I/AAAAAAAAFSE/bfk_zgCWKwE/s1600/IMAGE_96B71079-616F-461F-A089-AAA1D20E2733.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sbNo_Qu0GdM/UCixvi7VC-I/AAAAAAAAFSE/bfk_zgCWKwE/s640/IMAGE_96B71079-616F-461F-A089-AAA1D20E2733.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>The Railway Station</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Rickshaw Man waiting for a passenger</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Where We Had Breakfast</i></span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 25px;">After breakfast, we got our tickets to Agra for the next day and our tickets to Amritsar the day after. We paid a thousand rupees for all our tickets. It was quite easy since there are tickets allotted for foreigners and the information guy was really friendly even though I thought it was quite odd that he wanted my picture.</span><br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-1066356876873956972012-08-13T04:59:00.001-07:002012-08-13T04:59:30.712-07:002 Months And A Half Off (Part 2)<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train and bike trip in India and a yoga teacher training.</span><div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 2: Dodgy Chicken</u></b></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">The morning began with a morning swim and a few nibbles from the Trang Palace's breakfast buffet which came with the room. They had a nice selection of dishes but most of them were too salty for my taste. After typing my first blog post by the pool and reading my book, I packed my bags and checked out of the hotel.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Checking out took longer than I thought it would. I called up the receptionist who told me that she'll send a porter to get my things. I waited for around half an hour but the porter never came. Seeing through their ruse of making me wait so that I'll miss the check out time and end up paying half a night's rate, I lugged my bags to the reception area (which is in the adjoining building) to officially check out, leave my things in their storage room and thank them for wasting my time.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I got on a taxi and headed to Rambuttri where I met my boyfriend and his nephew. From there, we headed for a walk around the backpacker area and feasted on amazing curry and tom yum goong in The Macaroni Room and huge servings of ice cream in Swensen's before we headed to the airport hotel where we will be spending two nights before our flight to India.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Unfortunately, the red curry in the Macaroni Room wasn't so amazing and my boyfriend's nephew ended up with food poisoning two hours before his flight. Instead of seeing him off, we ended up going to the airport clinic which is on the second floor of Suvarnabhumi Airport. From there, we had a nice ambulance ride to the Samitev Srinakarin Hospital where we ended up staying for two nights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Fortunately, World Nomads and my aunt in Thailand did a brilliant job in making sure that we didn't have to pay a single cent during our stay in the hospital which was rather posh and expensive. A night in their cheapest room costs around $200. And, before you can be admitted, a deposit of 20,000 baht (around $600) needs to be paid. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">The hospital room we got was like a hotel room with a flat screen TV, a refrigerator, a microwave oven and a really plush couch for us to sleep in. The bathroom came with lavander scented shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion as well as a dental kit and other things you usually find in a hotel. It even had room service! It was a whole lot better than the room we booked for the two nights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 3: Hotels And Other Things</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b>The Cottage Suvharnabhumi</b> <i>(Lat Krabang Road, Bangkok)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Since we knew that our flight for Kolkata would be cancelled and would need a couple of extra nights in Bangkok to sort out our flights as well as my boyfriend's newphew's flight home, we decided to extend our stay in The Cottage Suvharnabhumi. The hotel's policies made it impossible for us to do that.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Because of a promotion on Agoda, I got a nice room with a private terrace in The Cottage Suvharnabhmi for $25. But, when I asked if we could stay two more nights, we were asked to pay the full amount per night which was $50. So, that day, with the hospital's complimentary wi-fi, we sorted out our new rooms and flights.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 4: Check In, Check Out And Back To The Airport Again</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">After spending the night at the hospital, I headed back to the hotel to pack our stuff and check out. And, to make the most of our stay in The Cottage, I spent a couple of hours by the pool before I checked out. I thought the red bean bags were a nice addition to the pool area.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cottage (Pool Area)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cottage</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Cottage (Lounge Area)</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">The hotel staff in The Cottage were very helpful when I checked out. They even wrote down our new hotel's address in Thai so that the cab driver would know where to go. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b>The Great Residence Suvharnabhumi Hotel</b> <i>(Lat Krabang Road, Bangkok)</i></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I thought it was really lucky to book a triple room in this hotel for only $21. It's a bit old and the wi-fi wasn't very reliable but it had a pool and a private terrace. </span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">Since my boyfriend in formed me that they would leave the hospital that day, I decided to spend the day exploring the area. At first, I thought I've made a huge mistake booking a place in the middle of nowhere and we would be dependent on the hotel's restaurant which was only serving around six unappealing dishes. The waitress was also quite surly and unapproachable. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">When I approached the counter, I noticed a poster that had some English sentences with Thai translations. This was the pleasant spill she was supposed to give when a customer approached her. Instead, she skipped all the lines, gave me a grunt and handed me the menu. I just shook my head and took a walk to look for a place to eat.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">It was lunch time and all the bar restaurants near the hotel were closed. Luckily, at the end of the road, I spotted a 7/11 and a noodle stand. There, I had a huge brunch which consisted of a prawn wanton soup from 7/11 and a beef noodle soup from a cheerful old man's noodle stand. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: 25px;">After the huge meal, I decided to go for a walk and discovered an arcade filled with restaurants. And, at the very end of that arcade, I found heaven -- The Thai Senses Spa which had a really comfy chair. I had a foot spa and a foot massage and dozed off. That chair claimed me and it took some time before I was able to get up and head back to the hotel.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Most Amazing Chair Ever!</td></tr>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">I got back to the hotel in time to let my boyfriend and his nephew into the room. I found out that he got a booking to fly home that night. So, we had dinner at a nearby bar restaurant which had three Vietnamese waiters. Fortunately, the last meal didn't bring about another case of food poisoning. A few hours later, we took a cab back to the airport to see his nephew off.</span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;"><b><u>Day 5: A Day For Chilling</u></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: medium;"><span style="line-height: 25px;">Since our flight to Delhi was booked for the next day, we had a day all to ourselves. We spent it eating, chilling by the pool and indulging in massages in the nearby spa with the comfortable seats. It was a nice rest day before a long trip.</span></span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-64789888075304741972012-08-13T00:15:00.000-07:002012-11-16T04:59:53.242-08:002 Months And A Half Off<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; line-height: 25px;">This series of posts is a day by day account of my two-month-and-a-half trip that begins with a stay in Bangkok, followed by a train ride Amritsar, a bike trip from Leh to Manali and a yoga teacher training in Kullu Valley, the end of the habitable world.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b><u>Day 1: The Beginning</u></b></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><b>Trang Palace</b> <i>(Wisut Kasat, Bangkok)</i></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trang Palace Hallway</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trang Palace Superior Room</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Trang Palace Swimming Pool</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Knowing that waiting for a shuttle can take a long time, I got myself a taxi to get to my hotel from the airport since it's not near any of the stops of the railway system. This is actually one of the downsides in staying in this hotel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Although it's far from any of the railway systems, it's quite near some tourist attractions. Wat Indraviharn, which contains a huge Buddha relic, is practically next door. Other tourist spots are ten to fifteen minutes away from Trang Palace, that is if you don't mind walking in the heat. From here, you can also take a walk to Khao San Road or Rambuttri Street. Although the hotel staff said that it's only a fifteen-minute walk, it took me about 25 to 30 minutes to get there.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The rooms in this hotel are very pleasing to the eyes. And, as long as the faucet doesn't leak and the sink doesn't overflow, I suppose that it's alright to have a sink in your bedroom. The hallway that leads to the rooms, however, is an eyesore. It's a very plain looking area in white and gray.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">The indoor pool and the lounge chairs make up a very relaxing space for swimming, reading, writing and lounging. In fact, I'm writing this entry here right now.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">They also have a beautiful outdoor dining area with a fountain in the background. The tables are lit with candles, making it quite a nice place to have dinner in. Unfortunately, you'll have to pay a huge sum for average food. The shrimp wanton soup, beef Masaman curry and bottle of water I had cost me almost 400 baht because of the added vat and service charge. The waitress was very smiley and friendly, however.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Another downside of staying here would be the staff. As friendly as they try to be, communicating with them can be very difficult. They're level of English isn't very good and asking for special requests like late check outs can often lead to major discussions. When I was there, I witnessed two heated discussions between the receptionist and the hotel guests. One of them was about an Australian family who were being asked to pay an extra amount despite having paid the full amount through Agoda. The other one was a guest who was harassed to eat in the hotel restaurant.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I booked the Trang Palace Hotel through Agoda. I requested to be in a room with a shared balcony overlooking the pool. I also requested to be picked up from the airport. Both requests were ignored. They didn't bother responding by e-mail.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">So, adding up the pros and cons of staying here. I can say that despite the beautiful pool area that closes at 9 PM, the hotel is mediocre.</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Samsen@samsen3</b> <i>(Samsen Road, Bangkok)</i></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tom Yum With Seafood and Mushrooms</td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><i><br /></i></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I found this place as I was walking towards Rambuttri. It's a small restaurant that serves traditional style Thai Noodles.</span>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">I ordered the Seafood Tom Yum for 60 baht. It was tasty and creamy and filled with huge portions of seafood - around two prawns, 4 calamari rings and a huge mussel. And, it wasn't too spicy. I also ordered a lemongrass juice which only cost me 15 baht. With their delicious good value meals, I thought that the place was A Plus!</span>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Butterfly Bookshop</b> <i>(Rambuttri, Bangkok)</i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Of course, that's not the real name of the bookshop. I don't really know what it's called but its one trademark is the butterfly stamp at the bottom of each book they sell. If you walk along Rambuttri Street from the yellow bank at the beginning of the street, this is the first book shop that sells real books.</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I often return to this shop whenever I'm in Bangkok because of their reasonable prices and their offer to buy back the book they sold you for half the price as long as it's still in good condition. Also, they have an outstanding collection of books and the staff is super friendly.</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-24962646263189436342012-02-22T09:16:00.000-08:002012-02-22T09:16:41.382-08:00HCMC, Cambodia and Hoi An in 10 Days (Part 2)<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Day 2</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had an early start and were pretty much peeved that the hotel didn't prepare our breakfast since we asked them if we could have our free breakfast to go the night before and they said it was OK. They seemed to have overcharged us as well -- The exchange rate they used was higher than normal.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way to the bus station, we got some snacks for the road and started our long bus journey to Cambodia. After a few hours, the bus stopped at the border where we got our passports stamps. Again, I was lucky to be from Southeast Asia. I didn't have to wait for them to give me a visa. I had to wait for the rest of the tourists to get through though. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>At The Cambodian Border</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After going through the border, we stopped by a stall where we got some lunch. Opposite that stall is a bank and we were able to withdraw some dollars from the ATM. We also got some money changed to Cambodian Riel. We realized later on that dollars were also accepted in Cambodia. It was good to have some of the local money though -- They tend to charge you a dollar for everything unless you haggle and show them that you have some local currency in hand.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally reached the Sapaco Office in Pnom Penh at around two in the afternoon and waited for the mini van that would transfer us to the bus station. When we got to the bus station, we were a bit disappointed. The man from Sapaco gave us open tickets that meant that we didn't have seat in the 2:30 PM bus. We ended up having to wait in the bus station for another hour. And, I was a bit peeved that I forgot about the golden rule of purchasing anything in Vietnam -- Ask the seller about everything at least three times to know what you're getting. Otherwise, you might end up with an "I'm sorry! Big misunderstanding!" and no compensation for the time lost and the holiday ruined.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, we just had to deal with an hour's delay. We opened our books and munched on some snacks as we waited for the next bus to arrive. I was quite entertained by the tiny Cambodian boy who sat beside us and managed to share my Pringles with me. I'm quite immune to begging kids but I do have a weakness for kids who give me that "Feed me!" look.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was around nine o'clock when we finally reached Siem Reap. We got a tuktuk to our guest house and were happy to find out that the room that we reserved in the Khmer Inn was still available. Unfortunately, their kitchen was closed for the night and we had to find some food elsewhere. We were really lucky to find a nice restaurant near the inn. They served some yummy curry and the prices ranged from $2 to $4.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Day 3</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the morning, we were served a huge breakfast and got to meet the family that owned the guest house. It's so nice to stay in family-owned places where you get loads of warmth and you never feel alone. The kids were very sweet. Their youngest girl wouldn't stop flashing her plastic jewelry as she walked around the dining room like a model. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was greeted by this beautiful sunrise when I got up that morning.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While we ate our breakfast, we managed to arrange for a tuktuk to take us around Angkor Wat. Our Tuk Tuk driver and tour guide was Phally Louem, the little girl's father. I thought he was a very sweet man who took us to the ticketing office so that we can make sure that we would be able to make sure that we would be able to leave for Pnom Penh without anymore problems the next day. We then headed to the Angkor Wat and purchased a one-day pass for $20 each.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I walked around Angkor Wat, I realized that it wasn't just the age of the structure or the intricacy of the carvings on the wall that made it special. Yes, it was very beautiful. But, what attracted me to it was the serene energy that I felt as I walked through the halls. It just made me feel this quietness inside despite the fact that it was filled with tourists when we visited. But, somehow, there was something about the place that can make you tune them out and be at peace. At the same time, I loved the way the structures just blended with the location. The contrast of colors was so amazing I couldn't help but take loads of pictures.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After getting "stoned" (a term that jokingly used for having seen enough rocks in one day), we asked Phally to take us back to the guest house. We told him that we would rather chill in the hotel room while waiting for the sunset. He agreed to drive us home and take us back at around 5 PM. When we were heading up to our rooms, he noticed that the strap of my bag was broken and got it from me, promising to have it fixed before we leave. That's what I call service!</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Later on, Phally brought us back to the site and we hiked up a steep hill to get to Phnom Bakheng. We climbed up the steps of the temple and waited for the sunset.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On Top Of Phnom Bakheng</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I took this at a view point that we passed on the way down the hill.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Day 4</b> </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, we woke up to the sound of drums next door. It was Chinese New Year and it was customary to have group perform a Dragon Dance for good luck. Luckily, the top floor of our guest house gave us a good view of the event.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After breakfast, we got some snacks before the mini van came to pick us up and take us to the bus station. This time, we didn't go through any problems. We immediately got on a bus that took us to Pnom Penh at full speed.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well, it wasn't exactly smooth sailing. Because the driver was driving too fast, we ended up with some mechanical problems along the way. It took them a few hours to fix the problem and we ended up not being able to do any sightseeing in Pnom Penh. The one good thing about it was that I got some pictures of the sunset while waiting.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 13px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Poor guy was wearing a clean, white shirt...</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was already eight in the evening when we arrived in Pnom Penh. In order to study the map for a place to stay that's near the bus station, we went inside a shawarma and kebab restaurant to eat and talk about our itinerary. The food there, by the way, was disgusting. I ordered lamb and I got cold beef. So, I suggest you skip this joint when the bus drops you off.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were lucky we stopped by the dodgy joint and were able to talk to the two Korean ladies who were on the same bus. We found out that they were staying in a really cheap place near the bus station and decided to take a tuk tuk with them there. And, fortunately, none of the cheap fan rooms were taken so we managed to get a good deal and saved some money.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Day 5 to 6</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The trip back to Saigon went a bit more smoothly. We got there around two in the afternoon and we immediately booked a room at the Hotel Anh Phuong. After that, we headed to the tourist offices to book a bus to Mui Ne the next day. Unfortunately, we didn't have any luck booking a bus since it was Tet (the Vietnamese Lunar New Year). So, we ended up staying in Saigon until the day we were scheduled to fly to Dannang. It was a bummer but it was also a welcome rest after going through the long bus rides that we went through in the past few days.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We had our meals in a nice restaurant at the corner of Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien. It's got both an indoor and outdoor area. The items in their menu were good value and tasted really nice. I loved the fruit shakes they served for 20,000 dong. Also, if you're alone and you're looking for fellow travellers to hang out with, this is a good place to go. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day was fairly chilled. It started with a lie in and a nice walk around the city. That night, I visited the Seventeen Saloon with an acquaintance that I met at the corner restaurant where we usually have our meals to check out the live band. The live music was pretty good. I wasn't that keen on the dance number that followed since the music and glittering costumes somehow clashed with the ambiance of the place. The beer was relatively expensive -- 70,000 dong ($3.50) for a small bottle.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mr. Phally Louem. Tuk Tuk Driver.</b> (855) 012516103. happyphally@yahoo.com. 142 Korkragn Village, Songath, Siem Reap, Cambodia.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Khmer Inn Angkor.</b> No. 232 Taphul village, Svay Dangkum Commune, Siem Reap.</span><br />
<br class="Apple-interchange-newline" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-32834628116087668162011-11-23T04:55:00.001-08:002012-02-22T09:01:33.731-08:00HCMC, Cambodia and Hoi An in 10 Days (Part 1)<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day 1</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was around six o'clock when we got on a taxi and headed for Noi Bai Airport. And, from there, we had a smooth trip to Ho Chi Minh City, where we got an airport taxi to take us to the Saigon Mini Hotel which is located in an alley not far from the bus companies.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvy355TjDmA/TsyvRi1TXgI/AAAAAAAADZM/aMfsPMjs6Fk/s1600/DSC_0021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nvy355TjDmA/TsyvRi1TXgI/AAAAAAAADZM/aMfsPMjs6Fk/s400/DSC_0021.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We met a new friend as we were getting out of the alley.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MA4s0PVx0BY/TsyvbaNgfUI/AAAAAAAADZU/4y27vZKpdBY/s1600/DSC_0024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-MA4s0PVx0BY/TsyvbaNgfUI/AAAAAAAADZU/4y27vZKpdBY/s400/DSC_0024.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lucky Dog.</b> A dog in a restaurant that's loved and won't be served as food.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't waste any time! We immediately headed to Pham Ngu Lao Street to find an agency that can book our tickets so that we can leave for Cambodia the next day. Armed with our haggling and negotiating skills, we managed to get return tickets for both Ho Chi Minh to Pnom Penh and Pnom Penh to Siem Reap from Sapaco for around 800,000 Dong (USD$40) each. We also managed to get a private tour around the Cuchi Tunnels for under $20 after lunch. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, we headed for a quick lunch at a nearby Indian Restaurant before getting on a taxi to see the Cuchi Tunnels. When we got there, we realized that the fee we paid at the travel agency was just for the transportation and the guide who was very pleasant, friendly and fluent. It was also very refreshing to have a conversation with a Vietnamese lady who doesn't believe that marriage should be her only aspiration in life. In fact, she was happy to meet an unmarried 30-year-old.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the entrance of the Cuchi Tunnels, my friend was asked to pay 80,000 dong for the entrance. Apparently, my Asian features and the few Vietnamese words I knew made the girl at the counter think I was Vietnamese. And, she only charged me half the price. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tour was pretty interesting. We got to crawl into one of the underground tunnels and see the different array of traps used during the war. Being claustrophobic, I couldn't go into the longer tunnels. I tried but as soon as I had a feel of how narrow the tunnels were, I backed out. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Watch where you step!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is what's waiting for you if you fall in there!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here's our tour guide demonstrating how they hid in these holes to surprise the enemy.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Soldiers chilling now that the war's over -- Of course, they're not real!</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the end of the tour, we decided to shoot some guns. We decided on firing the AK47 and sharing the ten rounds which cost us 260,000 Dong. It was a nice experience which was ruined by the fact that they screwed the rifle on a wall -- A very high wall. Being 5 feet tall, tiptoeing and barely getting a proper aim was a nuisance. I loved feeling the power of the weapon though. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>An M16</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Would've been nice to fire this one but I've got to stick to my travel budget.</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Famished after our tour, we decided to have dinner at an Indian restaurant along Bui Vien Street. It was a few buildings away from the first one we ate in at lunch time and we were sorely disappointed and regretted trying out the new place. The service was slow and we were served the Vietnamese version of Indian cuisine. Samosas just aren't meant to be dipped in Chin Su chilli sauce. An Indian man owns the place but it seems that his grumpy Vietnamese staff does the cooking and serving. So, if you're in the area, pick Mumtaz Indian Restaurant (where we had lunch earlier that day) and not this dump!</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Mumtaz Indian Restaurant.</b> 226 Bui Vien Street, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Lac Hong Tours.</b> 305 Pham Ngu Lao Ward, District 1, HCMC.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-21725513943696547242011-11-13T19:30:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:47:15.379-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 18)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTEXlNrNjgI/TryWjAaZ8HI/AAAAAAAAC8M/fv4wSqIe9VA/s1600/DSC_1172.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fTEXlNrNjgI/TryWjAaZ8HI/AAAAAAAAC8M/fv4wSqIe9VA/s320/DSC_1172.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 24: Thakaek to Vientiane</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This day was spent heading back to Vientiane and sorting out our visa for Vietnam. Then, we checked in the Mixay Guest House where we stayed last time. After that, we headed to Le Silapa for dinner. It's got amazing food, fantastic decorations and really friendly cats. So, make sure you sit inside if you don't want to be anywhere near them. We sat aside and it was difficult to pry them off my lap -- They're not shy nor afraid of humans. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vientiane</span></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 25: The Buddha Park</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We drove 25 kilometers out of Vientiane to see Xieng Khouan, a sculpture park which was created by Luang Pu Bunleua Sulilat in 1958. The park represents the union of Buddhist and Hindu beliefs. In the park, you'll see statues of gods, animals, humans and demons. You'll also see a pumpkin-shaped head of a monster with its mount open. Inside this monster is the creator's interpretation of heaven, earth and hell. You can climb into the monster's mouth to check out the different compartments filled with statues.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Reclining Buddha</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Enter The Mouth If You Dare</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBBK04I97Q8/TryqRXsUl4I/AAAAAAAADF8/El5nHlvIg-Y/s1600/DSC_1313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fBBK04I97Q8/TryqRXsUl4I/AAAAAAAADF8/El5nHlvIg-Y/s640/DSC_1313.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What's Inside The Head</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Buddha Park</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our last day in Laos ended with ice cream in Swenson's and some pizza at Le Ranch after failing to find the shooting range which has apparently moved to a different location. With a box of pizza for the road, we headed to the bus station for our trip back to Hanoi.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Read About The Journey From The Beginning:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-1.html">Part 1</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-2.html">Part 2</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-3.html">Part 3</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-4.html">Part 4</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-5.html">Part 5</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-6.html">Part 6</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-7.html">Part 7</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-8.html">Part 8</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-37204283813014397492011-11-13T19:01:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:43:04.837-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 17)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRVIsgJ3tV8/TryWtEx_roI/AAAAAAAAC8g/AUCJq6vH798/s1600/DSC_1177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eRVIsgJ3tV8/TryWtEx_roI/AAAAAAAAC8g/AUCJq6vH798/s320/DSC_1177.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 22: Hin Boun to Thakaek</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next town that we were going to visit was Thakaek which was around 181 kilometers away from Hin Boun. The journey would've been more eventful were we able to visit the legendary Kong Leng lake which the villagers believe to be sacred. They say that they hear the sound of a gong from the lake every full moon. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Lonely Planet describes the lake as crystal clear since the water in it has been filtered through the limestone karsts. The thing is it's hard to get to -- You'd have to get through terrible dirt roads. And, when you get to the lake, you'll have to ask for the villagers' permission to swim in there. Also, you can only swim in the stream near the wooden footbridge and not the lake itself. <a href="http://ethelenesegara.over-blog.com/photo-1843868-0399_Tha-Kaek---Kuhn-Kong-Leng-Lake_JPG.html">But, some lucky tourists have made it to this location and it is indeed magical.</a> </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What Stopped Us From Getting To The Lake!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got to Thakhaek in the afternoon. And, we decided to splurge a bit and stay in the Inthira Hotel where we got a beautiful room with a terrace. What made the room unique was that the toilet and the shower seemed as if they were in two wardrobes separated by a sink. Feeling a bit rich that night, we decided to have their sashimi platter and were sorely disappointed to find out that the serving was small and it was more like a ginger platter than a sashimi platter.</span><br />
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<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">Day 23: Around Thakaek</b><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We visited Tham Pha Pa, a Buddha cave which is 18 kilometers from Thakhaek. Their collection of six-hundred-year-old Buddhas was impressive. And, one of the people guarding the place recited some incantations while tying bracelets on our wrists. I guess this means that we will have double the protection during the remainder of our bike trip. Sad to say, I wasn't able to take any pictures in the cave.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Cave Guardians' Pet?</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Pool Outside The Cave</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the Buddha Cave, we decided to go to a nearby stream called Tha Falang. It may not be as beautiful as the lake that we missed the day before but it was definitely a magical place. By the stream, you'd see several butterflies flying about, making it seem like a place you'd only hear about in fairy tales. And, the best part about it is that you've got it all to yourself. During our stay there, we only ran into two tourists who jokingly left us to have the place for ourselves.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tha Falang</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a dip, we headed back to our hotel and chilled. After that, we looked for a place to eat. This time, we had dinner by the Mekong River, looking at the bright lights on the Thai border. And, we decided to get a cheaper fare that night -- Some local food from the stores scattered by the river.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Khoun Keng Long.</b> It's about 30 kilometers northeast of Thakhaek. These are the directions according to the Lonely Planet: "Head north along Rte 13 and turn right (east) at Km 25 onto a dirt road. After 2 km, turn right (south) again and bump up over hills and through villages for 16 km until your reach Ban Na Kheu. Once you've got approval for swimming, it's another 1 km to the lake."</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tham Pha Pa Cave.</b> We weren't exactly asked for an entrance fee but there was a donation box at the entrance. Tham Pha Pa is arond 18 kilometers away from Thakhaek. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tha Falang.</b> It's just a few kilometers away from the Tham Pha Pa Cave.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-10136904583987649082011-11-11T08:18:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:43:50.834-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 16)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 21: Kong Lor Cave</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We woke up to find a breath-taking view outside. The dark shade of the karsts that lined the river blended well with its blue-green waters. The terrace was an amazing place to do my morning yoga. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although it would've been great to just chill on our terrace, I didn't want to miss going to the Kong Lor Cave and seeing its underground river. The Nam Hinboun River flows through the 7.5-kilometer cave. After a fifteen-kilometer drive, we got to the park and paid for the entrance fee, the guide and the long tailed-boat and boat man that would take us through the cave -- around 100,000 kip for the both of us.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the cave, the boat stopped and we were asked to walk into a dark cavern and I spent some time groping in the dark as the flash light that they provided us was quite useless in the dark cave. And then, the cavern was suddenly flooded with lights. Apparently, electricity had been installed in the cave. Some blue lights were installed around some stalagmite formations, enhancing them.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our trip through the cave, we had lunch at a nearby restaurant and headed back to the Sala Hinboun and spent most of our afternoon there.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Kong Lor Cave.</b> It's around 15 kilometers from the Sala Hinboun. You'll need around 50,000 kip to pay for the entrance fee as well as the boat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-65782429022965646022011-11-10T17:57:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:44:24.202-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 15)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 20: Vientiane to Phu Hin Boun NPA</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After having gone through our loop and with 5 more days in Laos, we decided to go to the Phu Hin Bun NPA which is around 311 kilometers for Vientiane. The roads from Vientiane to Vieng Kham were pretty straight and were sort of boring after going through the mountainous terrain up north. The only thing you'd probably find exciting during the trip would be having a glimpse of North Eastern Thailand across the river or the occasional traffic jam caused by water buffalos. We had two stopovers before getting to Sala Hinboun where we were going to stay for the night. One was at a restaurant (for the sports commission according to the sign) by a river and a bridge and a small store in Vieng Kham.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Temple That We Passed Along The Way</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>In Laos, water buffalos tend to have their way on the road.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Beep all you want but they ain't moving.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was after a turn in Vieng Kham that the landscapes changed. The karsts that we passed were definitely striking. Around 38 kilometers from Vieng Kham was a view point. Below it stood several limestone karsts that had a dark, gothic appeal amidst the green and blue hues that surrounded them. It was absolutely breath-taking.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The View From The Viewpoint</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Sala Viewpoint </b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> It was already 7 in the evening when we finally reached Sala Hinboun. There, we got a charming bungalow with a spacious terrace by the river. It was well-maintained and the bedroom was beautifully decorated. The only complaint that we've got would be the water running out at night. And, on our first night there, we did have some challenging shower situations. Since it was already dark, we didn't get to appreciate the beautiful view opposite our terrace.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sala Hinboun.</b> It's around 15.1 kilometers from the Kong Lor Caves. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.salalao.com/Salalao/Content/Hinboun.htm">http://www.salalao.com/Salalao/Content/Hinboun.htm</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sala Kong Lor.</b> It's around 1.5 kilometers from the Kong Lor Caves. We didn't get to stay here when we were in the area since it was open yet. </span><a href="http://www.salalao.com/Salalao/Content/KongLor.htm"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">http://www.salalao.com/Salalao/Content/KongLor.htm</span></a><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-30281421637735274012011-11-10T09:36:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:44:57.977-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 14)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 18: Luang Prabang to Kasi</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, we packed up our things and headed to Cafe Bat Van Sene for our last breakfast in our favorite cafe. When we got back to the Khem Khong View, we were ready to hit the road. But, our bike wouldn't start and we had to wait for someone to come and fix it. The good thing is that the owner of Jules Classic Rental had a lot of contacts in Laos. And, he was able to ask a mechanic in Luang Prabang to pick up our bike and have it fixed.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended up leaving Luang Prabang around 12:30. Since we knew that we weren't going to make it to Vientiane before dark, we decided to spend the night in Vang Vieng. Although the motorbike problems held us back, our spirits weren't dampened because the landscapes that we passed on the way back to Vientiane were more beautiful because of the noon sun. It was the perfect time to take pictures. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Taken from one of the view points indicated in the GT Rider Map</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> As we made our way through the town of Kasi, however, the weather suddenly changed. The skies became darker and then the rain fell in torrents. Although we had our rain gear on, it was impossible to drive through it. So, we had to stop by a shade in one of the houses that lined the streets. We were lucky that the rain fell when we were already in town and we weren't stuck in the middle of nowhere. It rained for a long time and we were lucky that the owners didn't mind having us in front of their house. They even asked us to come inside but we didn't want to intrude. And, we wanted to leave as soon as the rain lifted.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When it finally did, it was starting to get dark so we had to stay in Kasi. Since truck drivers use this town as a stopover, we were able to find some guest houses along road. We ended up staying in a small bungalow by a farm. We had dinner in a nearby duck restaurant and karaoke joint which seemed to be popular in the area. It wasn't the best dinner we've had in Laos but we were happy to find a place to stay and something to eat.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 19: Kasi to Vientiane</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, we headed for Vang Vieng with a craving for a greasy breakfast. We reached Vang Vieng around 10 in the morning. And, we found a nice, quiet restaurant where we got some cheesy garlic fries and toasties. The place had a unique motif -- It was filled with monkey figurines.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We finally reached Vientiane at around 4:30 PM. We decided to stay in the Mixay Guest House where we got a fan room for around 90,000 kip. The room we stayed in was very clean. And, there was a shared veranda outside our room. After we've taken our bags into the room and chilled for a bit, we headed to The Pizza Company for a pizza. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-43870553062966447372011-11-09T18:33:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:52:43.282-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 13)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 16: Luang Prabang</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I began the day with a walk around town, visiting temples. Since I seem to have a problem with directions, following the walking tour in the Lonely Planet was a bit difficult for me so I ended up wandering about and visiting temples that catch my eye. Funny enough, I seem to have ended up visiting the lesser known temples in Luang Prabang. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The first temple I visited was Wat Siphoutthahat Thippharam which had a charming old, temple. I loved the faded drawings on the door and the intricate carvings on the aging posts. Here, I got to have a chat with one of the monks and he told me that there's a newer version of this temple that has been built in the complex. Although I politely told him that I would check it out later, I didn't really feel like taking pictures of new temples. The old ones have more character.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Aging Gracefully</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I left the temple complex, I passed the Nam Khan River on my way to the next temple I was going to visit.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My next stop was the complex of Ban Aham where I found the That Makmo (also known as the Watermelon Stupa), Wat Aham (also known as The Monastery of the Opened Heart) and Wat Wisunalat (also known as Wat Visoun). I probably got there at the right time since I didn't see any tourists in the area. There were some stands selling cold drinks, post cards and other souvenirs though. But, the vendors didn't bother me and I was relieved. Having lived in Vietnam for some time, I've quite gotten used to bracing myself for vendors or stall owners who would actually go in front of your motorbike so that you'd go to their stalls.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Stupas Around Wat Aham</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wat Aham. </b><i>The temple has two guardians: Ravana and Hanuman from the Ramayana epic. The white monkey on the left is the Laos counterpart of Hanuman, Phalak Phalam.</i></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Doors of Wat Aham</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the site where Wat Aham was built there used to be a a shrine for worshipping the guardian spirits, Pu No and Na No (Phou Nheu and Nha Nheu). This was built by Fa Ngum, a prince who was raised in Angkor. King Photthisarat, the ruler of the Lan Xang kindom, however, destroyed this shrine and created a monastery. He also banned the worship of guardian spirits. According to local superstition, the destruction of the shrine of the guardian spirits caused the misfortunes that followed: diseases, drought and crop failure. So, after the royal capital was moved to Vientiane in 1563, the spirit shrine was rebuilt. Years later, around the mid-twentieth century, the shrine was once again destroyed. This time, however, no misfortune occurred since the two guardian spirits have now taken the form of the two banyan trees that can be found in the monastery grounds. And, during Bun Pi (Mai Pimay), the Laotian Lunar New Year, the guardian spirits are remembered in the "Dance of the Masks."</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>That Makmo</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wat Wisunalat. </b><i>Luang Prabang's oldest operating temple.</i></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At around 10, the grounds started getting filled up with tourists. And, I decided to head back to the Khem Khong View Hotel. From there, my boyfriend and I decided to have brunch at the Cafe Bat Van Sene.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, we decided to get a light dinner -- A sandwich from the Scandinavian Bakery. On our way back to Khem Khong View, we ran into some friends from Hanoi. And, we ended up having a chat and some drinks before heading home.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 17: Luang Prabang</span></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We didn't really intend on spending one more night in Luang Prabang. As far as we were concerned, we were supposed to be heading back to Vientiane that morning. But, because of the rain, we ended up having a lie in and spending the day chilling and shopping.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent the afternoon in Dyen Sabai which is across the Nam Khan River. It's a really serene location with cozy mats and cushions for you to sit on. You get to have two cocktails for the price of one during Happy Hour. And, they've also got some board games for the worn out tourist who just wants to chill.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The Footbridge</b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way to Dyen Sabai, we passed by Wat Xieng Mouane. What made the temple different is that it had Chinese guardians instead of the Ramayana characters or the dragons.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Wat Xieng Mouane</b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We ended the day with a few drinks at a bar and a last visit to the night market where I got to buy some gifts to send home. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-62284319846273763272011-11-08T20:34:00.000-08:002012-01-04T21:53:29.523-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 12)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 14: Muang Sui (or Nong Tang) to Luang Prabang</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, with empty bellies, we left early for a 184-kilometer trip to Luang Prabang. We didn't have a good start, however. The weather was really bad and we had to travel in the rain.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At some point, the rain fell in torrents and became difficult for us to see the road so we had to stop by one of the tiny shelters along the road. Huddled in a corner to avoid the water streaming from the leaking roof, we spent around half an hour in that shelter, not realizing that we could've stayed in a noodle stall in Nam Chat around 10 kilometers away.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When the rain lifted a bit, we decided to make our way to the nearest town which as I have mentioned was 10 kilometers away. There, we had some noodle soup while waiting for the rain to let up. Less than an hour later, we continued our journey to Luang Prabang.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A few kilometers away from Nam Chat, the road was muddy and slippery. Our bike slid and we ended up falling on the muddy road. Luckily, none of us got hurt. And, my camera and my laptop were both intact. We were a bit grimy after our spill though. We got on our bike and had a really chilly drive to Pukhoune. The way to the peak was very wet and misty.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we finally got to the tiny restaurant that we used as a stopover when we left Vientiane from Luang Prabang, the lady who owned the joint wouldn't let us in until we've removed our grimy shoes and rain gear. After I've changed into dry clothes and gotten some Oreos, Pringles and some drinks, we talked about staying in Pukhoune for a night if the weather doesn't change.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fortunately, the sun came out and we jumped on the bike to head for Luang Prabang. And, we got there in time for dinner at The House where we had some of their famous fries with curry sauce.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Day 15: Luang Prabang</span></b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I woke up the next day, I was surprised by the amount of energy I had despite our nasty trip the day before. Since I woke up earlier, I decided to walk to the Luang Prabang National Museum on my own. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The National Museum</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Built in 1904 during the French colonial era, the Luang Prabang National Museum used to be the Royal Palace of King Sisavang Vong and his family. It's location by the river is carefully chosen so that official visitors could disembark and be received below the palace. The palace was turned into a national museum after the Royal Family was taken to re-education camps in 1975.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At the entrance, I paid around 110,000 kip for the entrance fee which included an audio guide which enhanced the tour for me. I didn't just look at the displays in the museum I learned why they were there. I enjoyed looking at the rooms that the the former King and Queen stayed in. According to the audio tour, the King couldn't visit the Queen unless there was a white flower on her door. I thought that was a very nice way to communicate. Couples do need their space once in a while.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another thing that caught my attention was the secretary room which is filled with diplomatic gifts from Laos' visitors from various countries. Among these objects is a piece of moon rock from one of the Apollo missions. There is also a small flag of Laos which the inscriptions say have been taken to the moon and was returned to earth to be given to the Royal Family.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Phra Bang, a Buddha image which was taken to the city by King Visoun during the golden age of Lan Xang and was the reason why Luang Prabang got its name, can be found in the Royal Palace Museum.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I've finished listening to the audio tour, I took my camera out of the locker room and headed back to Khem Khong View to wake my boyfriend and up and get some breakfast. Yes, it was very unfortunate that cameras aren't allowed in the museum and I couldn't take any pictures. I was able to take some pictures of Wat Ho Pha Bang.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After having breakfast in our favorite Cafe Ban Vat Sene, we decided to climb Mt. Phousi by going up the long, winding the staircase. At the peak of the Mt. Phousi was a beautiful temple and a breathtaking view of the city below. And, to make our climb more worth it, we decided to buy one of the caged birds and set it free. According to their practices, freeing this bird would give you good karma.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent most of the day chilling by the Mekong River. That night, we decided to head to the night stalls for some barbecue. On the way back to the Khem Khong View, we stopped by the night market to do some shopping.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: large;">Quick Travel Tips:</span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Luang Prabang National Museum (Royal Palace Museum).</b> I paid around 110,000 kip for the entrance fee which included an audio guide. The audio guide is optional and you can enter the museum for a smaller fee without the audio guide. It is worth the extra amount though. Before entering the museum, remember to put your cameras in the locker. Otherwise, you would be rudely disturbed by the head attendant who wouldn't wait for you to finish a track from your audio tour. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Mt. Phousi.</b> The entrance is around 20,000 kip. It's actually much better to climb this during sunset.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
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</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-63552385101181989702011-11-04T09:26:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:53:52.420-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 11)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</span></i><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 13: Phonsavan to Muang Sui (or Nong Tang)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Before hitting the road the next day, I took some pictures of the decorations in the Kongkeo Guest House. It was quite creative how they used these old weapons and ammunitions as decorations. They even turned a shell into a flowerpot. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The night before, we read about a beautiful lake around 48.7 kilometers away from Phonsovan. So, we decided to get some sandwiches from Craters Bar and Restaurant and have a picnic by the lake before heading to Luang Prabang to complete our loop. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Muang Sui or Nong Tang (in the GT-Rider map) is a beautiful and peaceful town. We found a place to sit by Nong Tang lake and had our late breakfast. While we were eating our sandwiches, we read about a Buddha cave in the vicinity and we talked about staying there. When we found out that bungalows were being rented by the lake for 60,000 kip we got tempted to stay for a night. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Bungalow We Stayed In</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After putting our bags in the room, we headed to the Buddha Cave -- Since it wasn't a popular tourist destination, we were the only ones there. After paying for the entrance fee (around 20,000 kip), a guide accompanied us to the cave. The cave was well-lighted -- They've installed some lights in it. The good thing is that the lighting enhanced the beauty of the cave. And, it was one of the most photogenic caves I've ever seen. The shapes that the cave walls made resembled abstract sculptures.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This Massive Buddha Greeted Us At The Entrance</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Joss sticks beside the Buddha can tell your fortune -- You might need to have someone interpret it though.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Paintings On The Cave Wall</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Tiny Headless Buddhas</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>An Elephant</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to our guide book, the Buddha figures were hidden in this cave in order to protect during the Haw Invasion. This cave has also been used as a hospital by the North Vietnamese Army during the Indochina War.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Buddha Cave wasn't the only place we thought of visiting while we were in Muang Sui. We also thought about checking out the Tham That which contained an old stupa ruin and the coffin cave. But, because the paths are poorly marked and there wasn't a proper guide who can help us find our way around, we weren't able to see these places. We decided to do some reading instead.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When lunch time came, we found it a bit difficult to find a place to eat. We found a place that served some tasteless noodle soup. After that, we decided to look for a small store that sells snacks. When we found one, I filled up my bag with snacks. It was a good idea because when night time came, we didn't feel like walking in the dark (since the area didn't have any street lights) so we ended up having the snacks that we bought instead. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">If you're thinking of heading to Muang Sui or Nong Tong, you should pack some food in your bag. Otherwise, you might end up going hungry.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-57155300219238195472011-11-02T05:44:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:54:10.389-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 10)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxxh0soQ_ts/Tq9JI9klkMI/AAAAAAAABcQ/spRWbFo5eV8/s1600/DSC_0352.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Lxxh0soQ_ts/Tq9JI9klkMI/AAAAAAAABcQ/spRWbFo5eV8/s320/DSC_0352.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 11: Sam Neua to Phonsavan</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After spending the night in a hotel which is near a government office and the Sam Neua monument, we left very early for a 164-kilometer drive to Phonsavan. Around 35 kilometers away from Sam Neua, we spotted a beautiful waterfall and decided to have a stopover and take pictures. Tat Saloei, also known as Phonesai, can be spotted from Nam Noen. It's around 100 meters high and has a unique appearance because of the way the flowing water follows the contours of the rocks.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The way to Phonsavan was quite interesting. The kids that we passed didn't hesitate to shout "Hello!" and we spotted tons of free range farm animals moving about. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Sam Neua Monument</b> -- This was shot from the entrance of the guest house we were staying at.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A Government Building very near the guest house we stayed in.</span></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When we arrived at our guest house in Phonsavan, we saw the people we shared the tour with in Vieng Xai. With a few rounds of Laos beer and green mangoes, we got to know the two French girls and the Taiwanese guy who explored the Vieng Xai caves with us. After that, we all went to Nisha's Indian Restaurant for dinner.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 12: Phonsavan (Plain of Jars)</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, we headed to the Plain of Jars with the two French ladies and the Taiwanese guy that we met in Vieng Xai. It took us less than thirty minutes to find the first site. And, when we got there, we paid around 10,000 kip each for the entrance and 2,000 kip for the parking.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">From the entrance, we walked down some steps to get to see the Plain of Jars. On the ground, you'll find several square, bi-color signs that will tell you where you're supposed to walk. According to the signs that we saw by the entrance, you're supposed to stay in the white side of the mark to avoid stepping on UXO's.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The sight of the dots of gray jars on the green grass makes the place look beautiful and photogenic. But, what really attracts the tourists to the Plain of Jars isn't just its beauty but the mystery that surrounds it. Why are they there?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">People say that these jars are 2,000 years old. But, because no organic material like food or human remains were found in the jars, it was impossible to date them. Madeleine Colani, the French archaeologist who examined these jars in the found 1930's, thought that there was a connection between the stone megaliths near Sam Neua and the Plain of Jars. According to her publication in 1935, she found a bronze, human shaped figure and some beads in some of the jars but the location of these artifacts are currently unknown.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">According to a local legend, these jars were created to ferment wine for the celebration of Khun Jeuam's victory against the cruel ruler, Chao Angka. These jars were made from some type of cement, buffalo skin, sand, water and sugar cane and was fired in a nearby cave kiln. Some say that they were used for burying the dead. Others say that these jars were used for holding rice. While I was there, I noticed that the jars were filled with rain water and I thought that they were created to collect and hold rain water for the dry season.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Now, it's used as a bin.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe it used to be an aquarium.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>They say that Khun Jeuam drank from this jar. It's the only jar with a lid.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIIMS0uaweQ/Tq9KIIpnjsI/AAAAAAAABeg/dgec_JnxXOQ/s1600/DSC_0411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kIIMS0uaweQ/Tq9KIIpnjsI/AAAAAAAABeg/dgec_JnxXOQ/s640/DSC_0411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Stay on the white side if you don't want to get blown up.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I thought this hill looked interesting.</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The cave that was used a kiln?!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5G8EwL2_9Q/Tq9KUHqYgsI/AAAAAAAABfA/ytlI9tCeoMM/s1600/DSC_0443.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-C5G8EwL2_9Q/Tq9KUHqYgsI/AAAAAAAABfA/ytlI9tCeoMM/s640/DSC_0443.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This cave was used to shelter them from bombs.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfXDrw6ktbo/Tq9KWe5IouI/AAAAAAAABfI/NrzyXNO3WRU/s1600/DSC_0448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jfXDrw6ktbo/Tq9KWe5IouI/AAAAAAAABfI/NrzyXNO3WRU/s640/DSC_0448.JPG" width="424" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>People always want to leave a mark.</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After our walk around the Plain of Jars, we decided that we've had enough jars and headed to Muang Khoun, a once beautiful ancient capital that was destroyed by the Indochina war. There really isn't much to see but the stupa that was mentioned in the Lonely Planet. We saw it from the noodle place where we had lunch. We, however, couldn't find a way to the stupa. So, we ended up visiting a temple on a slope. The view from the slope was beautiful though. And, one a very dirty and worn board in front of the place where we had lunch, we saw a picture of the old capital before the war.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We headed back to Phonsavan and chilled at Crater's which serves Western food. They've got really good sandwiches. And then, we had to get some sleep for another long ride tomorrow.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Craters Bar and Restaurant</span></b></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Quick Travel Tips:</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Restaurants</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Craters Bar and Restaurant. </b>This restaurant serves Western dishes as well as some Lao and Thai dishes. You can easily spot it because of the shell cartridges at the entrance. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Nisha Restaurant.</b> If you're tired of Laos cuisine and if you're craving for some Indian food, this is the place to go. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Accommodations</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><a href="http://www.kongkeojar.com/">Kongkeo Guest House</a>.</b> This is a cool guest house to stay in. Not only is it affordable, it's got really nice and clean bungalows and it's got warm and friendly people running it. And, if you're a fan of bombs, bullets and guns, you'll definitely have fun looking at and taking pictures of their unique decoration.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Plain of Jars.</b> The entrance fee for Site 1 is 10,000 kip and the parking ticket is 2,000 kip. In Site 1, they sell some really cool souvenirs. With so much metal from plane and tank wrecks from the war, the locals had this brilliant idea of making spoons and jewelry from them. So, if you're looking for something unique, then get yourself one of these items.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0Phonsavan, Laos19.46 103.1800000000000619.4392815 103.12227900000006 19.480718500000002 103.23772100000006tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-34407345973465290492011-10-31T09:22:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:54:34.476-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 9)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HJX7_BAWgk/TqoJPzNdnzI/AAAAAAAABP4/QPqrQMVSy3s/s1600/DSC_0424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2HJX7_BAWgk/TqoJPzNdnzI/AAAAAAAABP4/QPqrQMVSy3s/s320/DSC_0424.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 10: Vieng Xai to Sam Neua</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The day began with a visit to the Vieng Xai caves, a network of caves in limestone mountains which were used as shelter by the Pathet Laos and 23,000 people during the Indochina War in the 1960's. Hidden in the caves are hospitals, schools, meeting rooms, military barracks, a theater and a radio station. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">During the 1960's, in order to stop the spread of communism, the United States bombed this area in order to get rid of the Pathet Laos. Their original hide out was in the nearby area of Xieng Khouang but after their base had been bombed, they moved their base to the limestone caves of Vieng Xai. After that, Vieng Xai was heavily and regularly bombed by the Americans. More bombs were dropped in that area than any country in Europe during World War II -- Around 2,000,000 bombs were dropped in this very small area. The people of Vieng Xai had to stay in these impenetrable caves and do their farming and gathering in the evening once the bombing has stopped.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Despite the tremendous amount of ordinance that were dropped in this area, the Americans managed to keep this war a secret. And, for some time, even the Laos government kept this secret. It was only around 2 years ago that this place was opened to the public. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we were late for the morning tour, we had to pay for a private tour (around 120,000 kip) along with an entrance fee of 40,000 kip which included an audio guide that was narrated by John Hurt and contained some accounts of people who lived during the war. We were very lucky that four other tourists arrived and we split the fee for the private tour.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The tour included the caves inhabited by the key leaders of the Pathet Laos. These are: Kaysone Phomivhane who was the leader of the Laos People's Revolutionary Party, Nouhak Phoumsavan who was the Minister of Finance during the Second War, Prince Souphannouvong who was the first president of Laos PDR and Khamtay Siphandone who was the supreme army commander of the Secret War. We also got to see the hospital, the school, the theater and the barracks.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Meeting Room (found in Kaysone's Cave)</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Wash Room</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bedroom</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Contraption Used For Pumping Air</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Air Holes</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Nouhak's House By The Cave</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bomb Crater</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Memorial Stupa For Souphanouvong</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Hospital Cave</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Really Old Medicine Bottles</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After the tour, we headed to the restaurant where we had drinks yesterday. This time, they were serving food. Unfortunately, I found some maggots wriggling in my fish laap. After my unsatisfactory lunch, we packed our bags and head to Sam Neua where I finally got to eat my lunch at the Dao Nao Muang Xam Restaurant very near the guest house we stayed at. Not only did I enjoy eating the fried rice that I ordered, I also enjoyed the company of the two French girls that we shared the Vieng Xai tour with. It's quite funny that we ran into them there.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sam Neua</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BwR3BywFk0/Tqqwv4AhhNI/AAAAAAAABag/lO8ngoLc084/s1600/DSC_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5BwR3BywFk0/Tqqwv4AhhNI/AAAAAAAABag/lO8ngoLc084/s640/DSC_0165.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Watch <a href="http://topdocumentaryfilms.com/most-secret-place-on-earth/">The Most Secret Place On Earth</a> to know more about the Secret War before coming to</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Vieng Xai.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Accommodation</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The place we stayed at cost us around 80,000 kip and is around one building away from the Dau Nau Muang Xam Restaurant. There, we got our own en suite bathroom, a TV, A/C and a shared terrace.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-39849839562915252002011-10-28T04:25:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:55:19.397-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 8)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7R6VXqinaA/Tqog8UtyuKI/AAAAAAAABSs/3rMl8TNRzcY/s1600/DSC_0494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="211" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-S7R6VXqinaA/Tqog8UtyuKI/AAAAAAAABSs/3rMl8TNRzcY/s320/DSC_0494.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 9: Vieng Thong to Vieng Xai</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Since we didn't have to travel far, we decided to have a bit of a lie in. We also changed our plans and headed for Vieng Xai instead of Sam Neua. On our way to Vieng Xai, we decided to stop by Sua Hin, the Laos version of Stonehenge. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Mountains We Passed Along The Way</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou4x-F09kwc/TqofMHGKJOI/AAAAAAAABQY/GtpNXQQzvSk/s1600/DSC_0441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="380" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Ou4x-F09kwc/TqofMHGKJOI/AAAAAAAABQY/GtpNXQQzvSk/s400/DSC_0441.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where are the tigers?</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMqoZ2RaS9Q/TqofPtcPo4I/AAAAAAAABQc/39L8zx93YRQ/s1600/DSC_0442.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NMqoZ2RaS9Q/TqofPtcPo4I/AAAAAAAABQc/39L8zx93YRQ/s400/DSC_0442.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>All I see are water buffalos!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Nominated as a world heritage site, Sua Hin (stone garden) is also known as Sao Hin Tang (Standing Stone Pillars) or the Hintang Archaeological Park. It's got an arrangement of stone pillars that are 2 meters high and some large discs. These structures are around 2,000 years old and no one really knows why they were built. What's interesting is that the stones these megaliths were made of are somewhat similar to the materials used for the jars in the Plain of Jars in Phonsavan. Some people say that the discs used to be on top of the megaliths and they were supposed to serve as a table for the sky spirit, Jahn Hahn. Some believe that this used to be a burial ground as there are tunnel-like trenches under some of the pillars.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These stones were discovered and excavated Madeleine Colani in 1931. She found some funerary urns, ceremonial stone objects, bronze brazelets and ceramic hanging pendants which lead her to believe that these were built for the purpose of honoring and giving offerings to the dead. These could've been built by the ancestors of the people who built the jars in Phonsavan before they had the tools or abilities to make jars since the grave offerings and the lids used to cover the jars and the graves in the stone gardens were quite similar.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Sua Hin Tang</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Local legend, however, say that this was an unfinished city that would've been greater than Luang Prabang.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>"In ancient times Lao was inhabited by the Kha Yeui. Their chief, Ba Hat was a great giant possessing amazing powers, to whom the gods also gave three magical objects : a double-headed drum - one face struck to make enemies disappear and the other to call help from the gods ; an enormous awl which pierced the stoniest ground and made water gush out ; and an axe which could cut hard rock like wood.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ba Hat fell himself no less strong than the Luang Prabang Kingdom, thanks to these marvelous instruments, so he decided the were no longer subjects of the king, who soon declared war. But the victory went to Ba Hat. Later believing the enemy king intended to return, Ba Hat called on the help of the gods. The chief of the gods descended in person and on seeing no enemies anywhere he flew into a rage and seized back the magical drum.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Ba Hat still had the other tools given him by the gods. With the magical axe, he set his people out to cut blocks of stone along Nam Peun, and bear them to the top of San Ang ridge to build the new city of Kong Phanh. This aroused the king of Luang Prabang’s fears and he decided a ruse to keep that city from ever beeing founded. He succeeded in marrying his son to Ba Hat’s daughter. Misplacing their confidence in the prince, the Kha Yuei were induced to lay the magical awl and axe onto a white-hot brazier. The two instruments immediately lost all magic power.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>So the Kha Yuei had to abandon their project and they just left the stones where they had been raised along the crest. These later on became the menhir fields of San Kong Phanh and the neighbouring countryside."</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>(Article based on a text of the Department of Museums and Archaeology, Laos PDR Ministry of Information and Culture).</b></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1jGiq9lL44/TqoghlzezNI/AAAAAAAABSE/xVnuwgxN54U/s1600/DSC_0481.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-B1jGiq9lL44/TqoghlzezNI/AAAAAAAABSE/xVnuwgxN54U/s640/DSC_0481.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Hole Under The Pillar</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qUaCzxHvQGc/TqognLOeuAI/AAAAAAAABSM/8LBGBpzvwsg/s1600/DSC_0486.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qUaCzxHvQGc/TqognLOeuAI/AAAAAAAABSM/8LBGBpzvwsg/s640/DSC_0486.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What we had to go through to get here!</b></span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ckmTcaq41U/TqpVZE_ZHMI/AAAAAAAABWg/OiTZEI6Qv4E/s1600/vieng+xai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--ckmTcaq41U/TqpVZE_ZHMI/AAAAAAAABWg/OiTZEI6Qv4E/s320/vieng+xai.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived in Sam Neua in the afternoon and we grabbed some snacks before heading to Vieng Xai which is around 68 kilometers away. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Vieng Xai is a very beautiful and serene location. It's quite hard to imagine that it was bombarded by bombs during the Secret War. Because of the tons of bombs that were dropped in the area, the people had to stay in these caves to protect themselves. And, we planned on visiting these caves the next day -- The Secret City of Vieng Xai.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We found a guest house by the lake. After putting our things in the room, we decided to explore the town and found a restaurant by the lake. Since they weren't serving food at that time, we decided to have some cold drinks and chill. While we were there, the landscape was enhanced by the double rainbows in the sky.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, we had dinner in our guest house while looking at the beautiful view outside until it became too dark to see. I loved the fish with sweet and sour sauce. The beef was a bit tough but it tasted good. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Guest House Where We Stayed In</span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The View Opposite The Guest House</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Kids Playing In The Lake</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The View From The Place We Had Some Drinks</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Double Rainbows</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The View Outside The Guest House</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>How To Get To Sua Hin</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sua Hin is around 55 kilometers from Sam Neua. You'll see a sign on the road. And, from there, you'll have to hike around 6 kilometers. In our case, we had to ride our motorbike up an uphill, muddy road. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #cfe2f3;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: red;"><b>GPS Coordinates:</b> N20 07.388 E103 53.737</span></span></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Guest House In Vieng Xai</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">I can't really recall the name of the guest house we stayed in but I remember that it had a Vietnamese name. Since Vieng Xai is a city that's near the border of Laos and Vietnam, it's no wonder that there are some Vietnamese people living here. Our dinner was actually disturbed by the loud chatter of the other guests. We knew that they were Vietnamese because we could understand a bit since we've been living in Vietnam for some time. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The guest house is on the lake and has a U shape. The bedrooms located on each side of the U and the dining area is located in the middle. This is the reason why I could take a picture of one side of the guest house while having dinner. We paid around 60,000 kip for this place.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues</b></span><b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-large;">:</b><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-2880196544767018892011-10-27T19:14:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:55:59.551-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 7)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knkPN8dr9tA/TqoJAlZ7CiI/AAAAAAAABPc/GixTjlvozjY/s1600/DSC_0416.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-knkPN8dr9tA/TqoJAlZ7CiI/AAAAAAAABPc/GixTjlvozjY/s320/DSC_0416.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 8: Nong Khiaw to Vieng Thong</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After having breakfast and grabbing some sandwiches from Delilah's, we left for another long bike ride with hopes of reaching Sam Neua before night fall. The weather wasn't in our favor that day. While we were having a stopover in Vieng Thong, we ended up getting stranded because of some heavy showers. Seeing that it was impossible to get Sam Neua before dark and that it would be difficult to find any accommodations on the way, we decided to stay in Vieng Thong for the evening.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Beautiful Blue Mountains</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEc7qF5rfhg/TqoHAm7UR6I/AAAAAAAABMI/OaZXYkuwfEg/s1600/DSC_0313.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="424" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zEc7qF5rfhg/TqoHAm7UR6I/AAAAAAAABMI/OaZXYkuwfEg/s640/DSC_0313.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Road</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although the lights were out in the guest house we were staying at, we were both very happy to explore a new place that's not available to most tourists. Our guest house had a list of sites to visit in Vieng Thong and even though the directions were difficult to follow, we found ourselves in the hot springs the town is apparently known for. It was beautiful. With the mist moving up from the gurgling spring, we were awed by the magical setting.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Near The Guest House</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Rice Field Outside The Guest House</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Bathe here!</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After that, we decided to explore an uphill road and ended up staying in a family-owned cafe overlooking beautiful green fields and blue mountains.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">That night, after a meal of sticky rice and Laos beef steak that had the texture of beef jerky, we slept amidst lit candles, enduring the heat as the electricity was still out.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;">The road from Nong Khiaw to Sam Neua has only one big town where you can stay the night, Vieng Thong. So, in case you feel that you can't get to Sam Neua before dark, you should stay in Vieng Thong. Otherwise, make sure that you've got a tent with you.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Hot Springs.</b> They're located 1 kilometer north of town. Take the Ban San Tai Road. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-8.html">Part 8</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-78769951892690173282011-10-26T18:44:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:56:33.143-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 6)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 7: Nong Khiaw</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After a nice yoga session in a terrace overlooking the river and the limestone mountains, I decided to go for a walk towards the historical Pathok Caves where people hid during the second Indochina War. It was farther than I thought. It took me more than 45 minutes to get there but since I was distracted by the beautiful landscape, I spent loads of time taking pictures.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I was walking, a couple on a red, China-made Honda semi-automatic scooter passed by. The girl didn't speak English but the boy was able to ask a question as he passed me. He asked me where I was heading -- I told him I was walking towards the caves. He said, "Caves!" and pointed straight ahead before speeding away.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I finally got to the area where the cave was, I found a tiny hut where I was asked to pay 5,000 kip for the maintenance and preservation of the historical site. After that, I crossed a small bamboo bridge. It was there I spotted two men doing their laundry and hanging them on their scooters which were in the river. It was quite an odd sight -- 1.) Men doing laundry? and 2.) Scooters parked in the river -- Isn't water bad for the engine?</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After crossing the bridge, I made my way through the path that led to the cave. At the mouth of the cave is a stair case. Climbing the first few steps was alright. As I got higher, however, the steps became narrower, making it difficult for me to fit my size five foot on the steps -- Yep, the last few steps were made for babies. In order to make it easier for myself to climb up, I decided to do it side ways.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In the cave, I heard music playing. Seriously -- It was the last thing I would expect. And, I was a bit miffed that there was music but no light. I thought that maybe the people who reconstructed the cave and turned it into a tourist attraction should've prioritized lighting it rather than putting a sound system. I reasoned that maybe it would've ruined it for tourists who wanted the experience of spelunking... Whatever! OK -- I was a bit miffed because I also forgot to bring a flashlight or to get one from the lady in the hut.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily, I met Justine, a Singaporean guy who was also staying in the Sunrise Guesthouse. He had two flashlights with him -- And, I followed him into the cave. The cave was actually quite big -- Nothing like the caves I've been to where you'd have to do a lot of crawling into or climbing up or down tiny passages. It was like walking into a tunnel where the ground is just slightly uneven. It was when I reached a hole overlooking the fields below did I find out where the music was coming from. The two teenagers I met on the road earlier were seated on a bamboo mat eating sunflower seeds and uncooked noodles flavored with the seasoning that comes with each packet and drinking a mixtured of lao lao and orange juice while listening to music from a huge MP3 player. They offered me some lao lao and asked me to sit with them but I refused since I wanted to do more cave exploring.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As I walked around, I thought to myself, this wasn't such a bad place to take refuge in until I saw the bamboo ladders leading to a tiny passage... Justine and I decided to join the two teens instead -- The passage just seemed too narrow, too deep and just scary. Hanging out with two giggly Laoatian teens and drinking lao lao seemed more fun, less dangerous and less scary -- At least, that's what I thought until I got home.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Anyway, before that part, I enjoyed the company of the two teens. Lay, the boy with the cool spiky hairstyle (Honestly, I haven't seen any Laoatian in Nong Khiaw with the same hairstyle) doesn't know a lot of English words but managed to strike a conversation with us. Using gestures and objects around us (realia, as we English teachers call it), he managed to teach us some Laos words and laugh about different nationalities especially how tipsy Filipinos get after a few shots of lao lao... Well, I am a light weight.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On the way back to the Sunrise Guest House, I decided to stop by for some lassi after my long walk. The lassi became lunch when my boyfriend decided to join me. And, after my long walk that morning and my big lunch, I decided to spend most of the afternoon, sleeping in the guest house and watching the sunset from our terrace. The last thing we did that day is get some dinner at Delilah's.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Quick Travel Tips:</b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Pathok Historical Caves.</b> It's actually a nice place to chill. The entrance fee is 5,000 kip.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Deen's Indian Restaurant.</b> I really love their malai kofta. By the way, there's an added attraction in this restaurant -- A huge bomb casing which used as a decoration.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Delilah's.</b> They've got both Asian and Western dishes. Watch out! Some of their dishes can be really spicy.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
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<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-6.html">Part 6</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-7.html">Part 7</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-8.html">Part 8</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6027342158717295243.post-81233089410399946292011-10-26T07:34:00.000-07:002012-01-04T21:57:15.511-08:0025 Days of Laos (Part 5)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>This is a journal of our 25-day trip around Laos on a rented Honda FTR that we fondly called Mustafa. It starts with a long bus ride from Hanoi to Laos and ends with a longer bus ride back to Hanoi.</i></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 5: Luang Prabang</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My day started with a nice bike ride around Luang Prabang. Although I'm not really a morning person, getting some sun and cycling at a relaxed pace without having to worry about evading loads of passing vehicles or a crowd of tourists made it worth the early start.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I got back to Khem Khong View, my boyfriend and I headed to Cafe Ban Vat Sen where we pigged out on pain au chocolat and butter croissants. This amazing breakfast marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship with Cafe Ban Vat Sen. It became our breakfast place in Luang Prabang.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The butter croissant was creamy. And, when we ordered some cream cheese with it, they gave us a huge scoop. The pain au chocolat had a creamy, bittersweet chocolate filling. And, we were very much impressed by the service. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After breakfast, we went for a walk around the temple area. Wat Phouhak, the wat by the steps that lead to the peak of Mount Phousi got my attention. I climbed up the steps to take a picture of it. After taking a few shots of the exterior, I noticed that the door was open and went inside. The walls were covered with paintings, describing scenes from ancient Laos. When I got out, I took some pictures of Wat Pha Bang which is located across the street.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On our way back to Khem Khong View, we passed by some more wats. One of them is Wat That which resembles a temple in Chiang Mai, Thailand. We also passed Wat Mahathat which has a drawing of Buddha under a Bodhi tree.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>An Old Stuppa in the Wat Mahathat Temple Grounds</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Day 6: Luang Prabang to Nong Khiaw</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started our day with breakfast in Cafe Ban Vat Sen, where we feasted on croissants, before leaving for a four-hour trip to Nong Khiaw. It was an easy drive with not many slopes and turns. We did have some problems with our motorbike. Our rack came loose and we had to find a welder to help us repair it.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Luckily, we found one on the way. He seemed very skilled as he had all sorts of furniture made of gears welded together. I thought that the concept was really original. While my boyfriend was busy with his motorbike, I took some pictures of the little girl who kept saying "Sabaidee" to us and the kids across the streets who were watching us and were giggling non-stop.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We arrived at the the Sunrise Guest House where we got a really basic cottage by the river. Although we had to bear with a squat toilet, we had a terrace with a beautiful view of the river. And, it came with a comfy hammock that's great for chilling. </span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After we dropped off our luggage, we had lunch in a restaurant across the street from our guest house. The have a really nice rice curry. At the back of the restaurant is a noisy myna bird that drew my attention.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We chilled on the terrace until dinner time came. That night, we were in the mood for some Indian food so we went to Deen's for some papadams, malai kofta, chicken masala and lassi. And then, after a long day, we headed back to our guest house to get some sleep.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Our Favorite Breakfast Place in Luang Prabang</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>What I saw in one of our stopovers.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>A Table Made Of Gears</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Road to Nong Khiaw</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Kids Across The Road</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0MlB-V9EX4/TqeDpURI7_I/AAAAAAAABG4/bwybpim7C1Y/s1600/DSC_0102.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-y0MlB-V9EX4/TqeDpURI7_I/AAAAAAAABG4/bwybpim7C1Y/s400/DSC_0102.JPG" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Welder's Daughter</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The view from the restaurant where we had lunch</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The Noisy Myna </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>The View From Our Terrace</b></span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b><u>Quick Travel Tips</u></b></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Accommodation and Food</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Sunrise Guest House.</b> What I like about this place is its location and price. It's pretty cheap and has got a view of the river. It's also near most of the restaurants. Across the guest house is the restaurant where we had lunch. It serves fried rice and noodles and has a beautiful view of the river. Beside that is <b>Deen's Indian Restaurant</b>. And, across Deen's is <b>Delilah's</b> which serves western food and has hammocks that are great for chilling.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>The Journey Continues:</b></span><br />
<ul style="text-align: justify;">
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-6.html">Part 6</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-7.html">Part 7</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-8.html">Part 8</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/10/25-days-of-laos-part-9.html">Part 9</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-10.html">Part 10</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-11.html">Part 11</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-12.html">Part 12</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-13.html">Part 13</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-14.html">Part 14 </a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-15.html">Part 15</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-16.html">Part 16</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-17.html">Part 17</a></span></li>
<li><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: large;"><a href="http://traveladventurephotographyaddict.blogspot.com/2011/11/25-days-of-laos-part-18.html">Part 18</a></span></li>
</ul>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04685637410178645964noreply@blogger.com0Laos19.85627 102.49549615.559693999999999 98.689688 24.152845999999997 106.301304