tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-78656610235359541212024-03-19T15:34:53.528+08:00My Travelling DaysThis blog is an attempt to keep a record of my travels. Not that I travel that frequently, but as the years add up I realize that there will come a time when I will no longer be able to move around as I am still able to do now. When that time comes, I would like to be able to recall the trips and share the memories with my grandkids.wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.comBlogger48125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-61021074670658233532012-05-31T13:44:00.001+08:002012-05-31T14:06:44.879+08:00Shanghai China<br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Hangzhou we travelled back to Shanghai by train and
spent a couple of days there before flying back home. Once again the hotel we
booked was located on a <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/east-nanjing-road.htm" target="_blank">pedestrian street (East Nanjing Road)</a>. Food, shopping, even
street entertainment was conveniently close by. If you grew tired of walking,
there were <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/transportation/sightseeing-bus.htm" target="_blank">special sightseeing “buses”</a> (actually electric-powered train-like
compartments) that travelled up and down the pedestrian street. The section
where our hotel was located reminded me of New York Times Square.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East Nanjing Road (Pedestrian Street)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pedestrian Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street entertainment</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Since we were staying for only had a couple of days, it
seemed that the best way to see the city of Shanghai was to take the <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/transportation/sightseeing-bus.htm" target="_blank">City Sightseeing Bus</a>. For CNY30 one can hop-on hop-off at different points along the
bus route (the ticket is good for 24 hours). There are two routes: one running
in the Puxi area (the older city center) and the other in the Pudong area (the new financial/commercial district); one ticket allows you to get
on both routes. Passengers are given a map/guide and earphones when they first
board. You can connect your earphones to the jacks and hear commentaries about
the different places of interest in the language of your choice (eight different
languages to choose from: English, German, French, Spanish, Japanese, Korean,
Russian and Chinese. I decided to complete both routes first to see what was
there (it took half a day). </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">City Sightseeing Bus</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sights along the Puxi route</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yuyuan Market</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0mDFrvfeAiA8D4ipy0iQqqQ_XsV3B4TztpQLQz0Z2o6KFBIXIq1b5Pyb4aWZis6lrmVD_sUXH6LBT3jMsGmc3JqStk-VFEfPw5R4iSs5nN88YonrUyDo7rKzmUwY51T3cnLRNqKcNg/s1600/Picture7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc0mDFrvfeAiA8D4ipy0iQqqQ_XsV3B4TztpQLQz0Z2o6KFBIXIq1b5Pyb4aWZis6lrmVD_sUXH6LBT3jMsGmc3JqStk-VFEfPw5R4iSs5nN88YonrUyDo7rKzmUwY51T3cnLRNqKcNg/s400/Picture7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sights along the Pudong route</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I actually completed four rounds of the Puxi route and
two rounds of the Pudong route during our stay. Unfortunately, my husband was
experiencing vertigo and had to rest at the hotel most of the time; he was still able to complete a single round of both routes tho. Why four
times for me? Well, I just had to go back (twice) to <a href="http://www.chinaodysseytours.com/shanghai/yuyuan-market.html" target="_blank">Yuyuan Garden in Old Shanghai</a> for some shopping.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we were packing our bags, I realized that I had much
more stuff than when we arrived. No worries,
I just went around the many department stores on East Nanjing Road and bought a
travelling bag (it was on sale too!).</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information on Shanghai, you may want to check this out </span><a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai#b" target="_blank"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">http://wikitravel.org/en/Shanghai#b</span></a></div>
<br />wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-90718165576973267572012-05-30T16:12:00.000+08:002012-05-31T14:07:20.582+08:00Hangzhou China<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was excited to see China again; my first trip had been to Hangzhou in 1998 and Chengdu in 2007. After 14 years, I was eager to revisit Hangzhou. My husband and I were meeting up with our son who was had been staying in the city a few months and would be our guide. We landed at the <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/pudong-airport.htm" target="_blank">Pudong International Airport </a>in Shanghai close to midnight. Since we were going on to Hangzhou we decided to wait out the few hours at the airport until the subway (Metro) trains started running at 6am. We had received detailed instructions from our son on how to get to Hangzhou, including: how to buy Metro tickets from the machine, taking the subway train from Pudong to <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/cityguides/shanghai/transportation/hongqiao-railway-station.htm" target="_blank">Hongqiao railway station</a> (complete with exit /entrance locations), where to purchase train tickets for Hangzhou, getting on the fast train, exiting the train station, boarding the bus and getting off at the stop closest to our hotel. We were able to catch some sleep on the airport seats, then after eating breakfast, we were on the train to Hongqiao. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4t-Sbe3dJi1gmgQ86FSpiO0U9sExLIuDjKizNboQgx4s101ZAcbXNLGh_EtZSnCgmF5fm5BW3p-hSrPC_Ihzj6wQV03BT7RITb0RumDYZBeSsd5k8sXpKYb32qc98XVQwz-v2QBE8g/s1600/Picture8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU4t-Sbe3dJi1gmgQ86FSpiO0U9sExLIuDjKizNboQgx4s101ZAcbXNLGh_EtZSnCgmF5fm5BW3p-hSrPC_Ihzj6wQV03BT7RITb0RumDYZBeSsd5k8sXpKYb32qc98XVQwz-v2QBE8g/s320/Picture8.jpg" width="238" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our instructions<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4efxYshFgNGqFp6go-u4PGaBCCnukkelavYVZiCOIDh3qkmGwe3iLtvdsoX9HRp8oDaogkpMmvqzdBOS03XTn9KtrMhbzEJwv94BsKZsga6a0FDkfeoM3w-u4pK3IrUbjPmORzq1rHw/s1600/Picture1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4efxYshFgNGqFp6go-u4PGaBCCnukkelavYVZiCOIDh3qkmGwe3iLtvdsoX9HRp8oDaogkpMmvqzdBOS03XTn9KtrMhbzEJwv94BsKZsga6a0FDkfeoM3w-u4pK3IrUbjPmORzq1rHw/s400/Picture1.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pudong International Airport to Hongqiao Train Station by Metro</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Everything was going as planned until we had to purchase the train tickets. We knew that there was a holiday (<a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Qingming_Festival" target="_blank">Tomb Sweeping Day</a>) but we did not anticipate that it was such a big holiday and that there were lots and lots of people going back to their hometowns. There were long queues; we were still lucky to get tickets for the noon trip. The train station was packed with travellers ; we were in for a long wait and finding a seat was a challenge. Once on the <a href="http://www.seat61.com/China.htm" target="_blank">fast train</a> tho, it was quite comfortable and speedy (about 300 km/hr).</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWSFE6qNuzu2EDxkbw_BnndqyLXWb-AARkSQUUW0O5HmiqczFEUGg01uhUMxoQwfesS8YSQmjFPEp6wnFPkFnJVRPGdmWMrw3AWDO6iGrqa0FA7h_ZwoW-dt0ohpGDuzySy0gVYxIAg/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWWSFE6qNuzu2EDxkbw_BnndqyLXWb-AARkSQUUW0O5HmiqczFEUGg01uhUMxoQwfesS8YSQmjFPEp6wnFPkFnJVRPGdmWMrw3AWDO6iGrqa0FA7h_ZwoW-dt0ohpGDuzySy0gVYxIAg/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hongqiao Train Station</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our hotel was located on a pedestrian street (<a href="http://www.grandchinatravel.com/chinaguide/Hangzhou-Shopping-HangzhouZhongshanRoad.htm" target="_blank">Zhong Shan Zhong Road</a>) – no vehicles allowed. We had to cross the street from the bus stop (there was an escalator to get to the overpass); then it was a short walk to the hotel. The cobblestone road made for one rather noisy and bumpy walk due to the luggage we were rolling along. The hotel location was ideal tho – lots of interesting places and things to do within walking distance.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2CWSr2fH8-_zzkUjDUYt2pPAVzDs4L7-a_I6ihMK68XliG5s_epr-SuMJG9snXT9JeGanHWJj4OStzHlZbCn_bTBTSIxlqdWsQtBvk8cE_tyxXI9sA7RD3YPIbbBpk2AK-8uYkbdqw/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2CWSr2fH8-_zzkUjDUYt2pPAVzDs4L7-a_I6ihMK68XliG5s_epr-SuMJG9snXT9JeGanHWJj4OStzHlZbCn_bTBTSIxlqdWsQtBvk8cE_tyxXI9sA7RD3YPIbbBpk2AK-8uYkbdqw/s400/Picture3.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Zhong Shan Zhong Road - Pedestrian Street</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLaPR05-HXyQ-R1BfHbXTzSkGcBsOjWSpUxuXtWzPZVhCWZY67P485srNSgVW28cLVU7SpB1se1qu1oRHwiidL3wj1oKw3aO3uAMp6B42HSo6ztyLmmm0ImmhXa44VfglqIbyIWSW4g/s1600/Picture4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfLaPR05-HXyQ-R1BfHbXTzSkGcBsOjWSpUxuXtWzPZVhCWZY67P485srNSgVW28cLVU7SpB1se1qu1oRHwiidL3wj1oKw3aO3uAMp6B42HSo6ztyLmmm0ImmhXa44VfglqIbyIWSW4g/s400/Picture4.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nearby - The <a href="http://www.wikipedia123.com/Wikipedia-800973-Hangzhou-Drum-Tower.html" target="_blank">Drum Tower </a></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.chinatourguide.com/hangzhou/Hefang_Old_Street.html" target="_blank">Hefang Old Street</a> was really interesting; day or night it was always full of activities and people – street food, vendors, craftsmen, teahouses, souvenirs, even old-fashioned movie players. It seemed that everyday we were in Hangzhou, we would always spend some part of the day at Hefang St.
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cq4ZKtZzKCEeZoLJu7UhZIb_9sW2pIgOyqaF_G7tYZqGlJ6-Jcfn5pFMy80WoKScy0niS9_I9EKG4ElKnjpL2luqjoas3DF7zvlvAfN_dQ_k_DqdORzOByNYNyWwdFbHzCx2oW9W4g/s1600/Picture5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_cq4ZKtZzKCEeZoLJu7UhZIb_9sW2pIgOyqaF_G7tYZqGlJ6-Jcfn5pFMy80WoKScy0niS9_I9EKG4ElKnjpL2luqjoas3DF7zvlvAfN_dQ_k_DqdORzOByNYNyWwdFbHzCx2oW9W4g/s400/Picture5.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hefang Street attractions</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNW_hixuAVox5UJr_o_TUawypGqrQx89VeNjPDvLBKSIIURn1odg0u3cUY-FYDEqiTqVaKjxTDqRFiaU-hrSRXqePQ2tTfzLLhfZQqupfuneyPf0HEuRcBBcZoytNmcEs12NX_aUx7g/s1600/Picture6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="231" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxNW_hixuAVox5UJr_o_TUawypGqrQx89VeNjPDvLBKSIIURn1odg0u3cUY-FYDEqiTqVaKjxTDqRFiaU-hrSRXqePQ2tTfzLLhfZQqupfuneyPf0HEuRcBBcZoytNmcEs12NX_aUx7g/s400/Picture6.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hefang Street food</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi1g-Xji4S6rLaZfzjBI-j1gNzAMpeTFyGk1YUbFjIJO3c2oH3Cu-fje28pcCdRhD36wW3353OXjLgRoQiRMRei13upd9xR0CBZtJJyD9Bd0zw8Hb5iYHvtDOSaDrwalekbdPP_FF4w/s1600/Picture7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="98" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAi1g-Xji4S6rLaZfzjBI-j1gNzAMpeTFyGk1YUbFjIJO3c2oH3Cu-fje28pcCdRhD36wW3353OXjLgRoQiRMRei13upd9xR0CBZtJJyD9Bd0zw8Hb5iYHvtDOSaDrwalekbdPP_FF4w/s400/Picture7.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.chinaprivatetravel.com/attractions/hangzhou/hu-qing-yu-tang-traditional-chinese-medicine-museum.htm" target="_blank">Traditional Chinese Medicine Shop</a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/zhejiang/hangzhou/west_lake.htm" target="_blank">West Lake</a> district is the principal tourist destination in Hangzhou; from our hotel, it was about a 20-30 minute walk. Exploring the lake area can also be done on foot but there’s really so much to see and it can get tiring. One way to get an overview of the whole lake is to take the tour bus that goes around the lake. The ride starts at the bus terminal at the Hangzhou Tourist Center near the Hangzhou Sports Complex. Another great alternative is to rent a bike. Locals use the card system that allows them to take and return a bike from the many bike racks around; if they return the bike within an hour, the card is not charged so they can essentially get around the area for free.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvraFDB7eGrjmEjqmA0UDUdHbVcDZkbEsC-00rYJHVZKqq2htJAVrDhj0wZp1-YCULrfwKXrbOB4XvqB13eZX_c7k-YQvEor9b_NQBUTsg_LrGlrDpUABSYJmE2jURERuVBOrMtwVpAA/s1600/Picture9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="148" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvraFDB7eGrjmEjqmA0UDUdHbVcDZkbEsC-00rYJHVZKqq2htJAVrDhj0wZp1-YCULrfwKXrbOB4XvqB13eZX_c7k-YQvEor9b_NQBUTsg_LrGlrDpUABSYJmE2jURERuVBOrMtwVpAA/s400/Picture9.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tour bus and bike rentals</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9x-o_RHSHTtyz90S_mTHW_B21pyJF-WnV5bHk9yp_pMy97xFenYMofPpG_M7kyddRCRo9ELv7ptQusJrMZvYpUKhV0jZwkv5wYkOoA7O49WHSLGLcYK74Y6Kgi5Zuvfwq1S0pz_IwA/s1600/Picture10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjE9x-o_RHSHTtyz90S_mTHW_B21pyJF-WnV5bHk9yp_pMy97xFenYMofPpG_M7kyddRCRo9ELv7ptQusJrMZvYpUKhV0jZwkv5wYkOoA7O49WHSLGLcYK74Y6Kgi5Zuvfwq1S0pz_IwA/s400/Picture10.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around West Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbhsA6vR2D80zY8Yt-fk3uovBCvnkxSW3WrDMVeNvRuDkJ1GN_prNlJJp4AyRkcQxwYOKerQdJNGVJbNeG7VCxpc36Kfy0EnkFM0pY0LpNLq4kK3R3EH4e7feTxklael6QYPnGAoHZw/s1600/Picture11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPbhsA6vR2D80zY8Yt-fk3uovBCvnkxSW3WrDMVeNvRuDkJ1GN_prNlJJp4AyRkcQxwYOKerQdJNGVJbNeG7VCxpc36Kfy0EnkFM0pY0LpNLq4kK3R3EH4e7feTxklael6QYPnGAoHZw/s400/Picture11.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Around West Lake</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjd2CWSr2fH8-_zzkUjDUYt2pPAVzDs4L7-a_I6ihMK68XliG5s_epr-SuMJG9snXT9JeGanHWJj4OStzHlZbCn_bTBTSIxlqdWsQtBvk8cE_tyxXI9sA7RD3YPIbbBpk2AK-8uYkbdqw/s1600/Picture3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the other side of the Qiantang River is Binjiang district;
this is the modern part of Hangzhou and a rapidly developing business center.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq4JwUZzVeriLbh9nSq_5ghLn22fJTawaITyYkkdiccatii_Jd21OyZAugvxs93dNPbLxduUjPnMLbn5Tp7aP9BzK02Jw5GMepDm5T6a0UB0fK8bkWLcI7mnUMC_oQT9cJEy5MmlmnQ/s1600/Picture12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgq4JwUZzVeriLbh9nSq_5ghLn22fJTawaITyYkkdiccatii_Jd21OyZAugvxs93dNPbLxduUjPnMLbn5Tp7aP9BzK02Jw5GMepDm5T6a0UB0fK8bkWLcI7mnUMC_oQT9cJEy5MmlmnQ/s400/Picture12.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Binjiang district</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For more information on Hangzhou, you may want to check this out <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Hangzhou" target="_blank">http://wikitravel.org/en/Hangzhou</a></span><br />
<br />wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-77188793189862608072011-10-13T20:04:00.009+08:002011-10-13T20:37:32.403+08:00Hong Kong Part 3 – Hong Kong Island<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIeT3d70pH2gpFDy02U6y6Kmee1PK-Cwk5OfyBaz_z8dJ0Z0jH6uySbEHewlzWoZgnZW7eSn3dkQbcuTxP-LK2c8uODUUXDMUTWrxFlE03mH3M5oG65sGg8RaFt8qIsjw1iLzpcHUbQ/s1600/15+MTR_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwIeT3d70pH2gpFDy02U6y6Kmee1PK-Cwk5OfyBaz_z8dJ0Z0jH6uySbEHewlzWoZgnZW7eSn3dkQbcuTxP-LK2c8uODUUXDMUTWrxFlE03mH3M5oG65sGg8RaFt8qIsjw1iLzpcHUbQ/s400/15+MTR_Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Once again we took the MTR to get to Hong Kong Island. From the Tsim Sha Tsui station, we boarded the train bound for Central station (red line). We were headed to <a href="http://www.travelchinaguide.com/attraction/hongkong/island/victoria.htm" target="_blank">Victoria Peak</a> (also known simply as The Peak), the highest point on Hong Kong Island. We decided to take the Peak tram. From Central we walked to the Peak tram lower terminal on Garden Road; the streets were noticeably steep and we got a good aerobic workout.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq32nzmb_8LEIxe61vZ8KT43Y1ghYL_wZp0WJt1O8l7XvXbGzcsjuCg3eZbGWgUZzVQc9gWEt_7QCjCylnqqy6BCf9omZpCEM7ccdc13L_kgCoCaG6IsjlRgomacxs85v7mS3ybTYWzQ/s1600/29+peak+terminal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq32nzmb_8LEIxe61vZ8KT43Y1ghYL_wZp0WJt1O8l7XvXbGzcsjuCg3eZbGWgUZzVQc9gWEt_7QCjCylnqqy6BCf9omZpCEM7ccdc13L_kgCoCaG6IsjlRgomacxs85v7mS3ybTYWzQ/s400/29+peak+terminal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peak Tram lower terminal</span></td></tr>
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_5_1.asp" target="_blank">Peak Tram</a> track is almost 1.4 km long and it takes the tram about 7 minutes to complete a one-way trip. The climb is rather steep (about 373 meters) and the buildings we passed appeared to be leaning. We got off at the upper tram terminal located at The Peak Tower. From there we went to the <a href="http://www.panoramicearth.com/1975/Hong_Kong/Lions_Pavillion_at_The_Peak" target="_blank">Lion's Pavilion viewpoint</a> from where we had a great view of the Victoria harbor, Kowloon, the green hillsides and the city below. We also took a short walk in Pok Fu Lam Country Park.</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6GmaWu4hbv2fM6g2YzLe2R7U1HyNghrBpRmWGiPeVSce31cFHaW68FgyaQg06JFTIIf18XvqLdw7-ZBBZyu6No99fZhUFjy1UhrbcZZNAl1sgT5JC7ZKpghkzPIx5cYw3Y74wezmcw/s1600/29+peak+tram.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP6GmaWu4hbv2fM6g2YzLe2R7U1HyNghrBpRmWGiPeVSce31cFHaW68FgyaQg06JFTIIf18XvqLdw7-ZBBZyu6No99fZhUFjy1UhrbcZZNAl1sgT5JC7ZKpghkzPIx5cYw3Y74wezmcw/s400/29+peak+tram.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peak Tram and view from tram</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NxmW0oCSePvVMOsLUBfRvHtff6ggRzLKdPZPy_7aVapB1IKgNS1rXtmkFobNsmat1aPw8E_6x2PVlzWtMoQtc2hFTeIYNBIx3vLi7P-r9uHDIFqU5oqVe_ySXpzQZ5O1KGe9TQ0tbw/s1600/30+view+from+lion%2527s+pavilion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8NxmW0oCSePvVMOsLUBfRvHtff6ggRzLKdPZPy_7aVapB1IKgNS1rXtmkFobNsmat1aPw8E_6x2PVlzWtMoQtc2hFTeIYNBIx3vLi7P-r9uHDIFqU5oqVe_ySXpzQZ5O1KGe9TQ0tbw/s400/30+view+from+lion%2527s+pavilion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lion's Viewpoint Pavillion</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJTyMxfKawqdaMJQ3nSG3ooYWDcOLfyGbpO_XueVUqetJ_FXAYO5xex_FcUZprVKODONE1LvwG_3ipRQP8SjZqR7V5IOE1dF3Xw_cdlVIcO4MVytL0yKN8W4GB7LcvzY2kBfAyKesfw/s1600/31+walk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjJTyMxfKawqdaMJQ3nSG3ooYWDcOLfyGbpO_XueVUqetJ_FXAYO5xex_FcUZprVKODONE1LvwG_3ipRQP8SjZqR7V5IOE1dF3Xw_cdlVIcO4MVytL0yKN8W4GB7LcvzY2kBfAyKesfw/s400/31+walk.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walk in the park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are other locations which provide magnificent views; there is the viewing terrace at the Peak Galleria and the Sky Terrace 428 at the Peak Tower. The <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/1_2_1.asp" target="_blank">Peak Tower</a> is a wok-shaped building housing shops, restaurants, entertainment venues, and the upper terminal of the Peak Tram. The <a href="http://www.thepeak.com.hk/en/5_2_1.asp" target="_blank">Sky terrace 428</a> is the highest viewing platform; it stands 428 meters above sea level. <a href="http://www.madametussauds.com/HongKong/en/Default.aspx" target="_blank">Madame Tussaud’s Hong Kong</a> is located at Level 1 of the Peak Tower.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n22Mu7jMG8kumGyHC7TlaVHoP9y69RPboZsLI_yQNAyQY1B3bcsFma2UTGlYmtHzA_YwuHuso3P1Yj__5M__URp0rhLvL1o3Tazzux7LBOIXai7hDp1W32QOD8bmbAB72UZsSF6EfA/s1600/32+peak+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5n22Mu7jMG8kumGyHC7TlaVHoP9y69RPboZsLI_yQNAyQY1B3bcsFma2UTGlYmtHzA_YwuHuso3P1Yj__5M__URp0rhLvL1o3Tazzux7LBOIXai7hDp1W32QOD8bmbAB72UZsSF6EfA/s400/32+peak+tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peak Tower and the Sky Terrace 428</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaNoN-o9jFCkEWjsoC9FDj-ttjxUTeHVrDeH5kJSWhtykxjIQjJOG_Y05HJY_brUGkXCMVNKx5DLTAiq-SBlh5Up2M_8HoYhh6zyD_UVHYcqxAmznmfIm4tCcoKqOpqiMEhjb36r0VA/s1600/33+peak+escalator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiaNoN-o9jFCkEWjsoC9FDj-ttjxUTeHVrDeH5kJSWhtykxjIQjJOG_Y05HJY_brUGkXCMVNKx5DLTAiq-SBlh5Up2M_8HoYhh6zyD_UVHYcqxAmznmfIm4tCcoKqOpqiMEhjb36r0VA/s400/33+peak+escalator.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">View from the Peak Tower escalator</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpAxIC5PSOGT8e66newpQOS-stpYkacstT4QDGtDy4MgfObgq852fTaYLfT4uRSMC9A6cnOvetlQeECMPrF2JPSiDHpgAnsdokLSCkiVLKMwvGcwCkaSzqswFzcYsJ3BODjrrwgEGng/s1600/34+peak+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijpAxIC5PSOGT8e66newpQOS-stpYkacstT4QDGtDy4MgfObgq852fTaYLfT4uRSMC9A6cnOvetlQeECMPrF2JPSiDHpgAnsdokLSCkiVLKMwvGcwCkaSzqswFzcYsJ3BODjrrwgEGng/s400/34+peak+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Peak Market at the Peak Tower</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFJpyTvJ943qJo9Ho80JxVBS3oAsZqShZuITvYOM3HLJwfoNcLmVnBTkHg-UORSOEWORURMa3kclwgS2DSarmENSJD1dohWwCx1UEOYtus_KpYM8PpxV8eYwEB9QYNs8Oqnbwr69npg/s1600/35+mdm+tussauds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFJpyTvJ943qJo9Ho80JxVBS3oAsZqShZuITvYOM3HLJwfoNcLmVnBTkHg-UORSOEWORURMa3kclwgS2DSarmENSJD1dohWwCx1UEOYtus_KpYM8PpxV8eYwEB9QYNs8Oqnbwr69npg/s400/35+mdm+tussauds.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Madame Tussaud's Hong Kong</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From The Peak, we descended via the Peak Tram and walked to the other attractions around the city. It was challenging to walk up and down the inclined roads. Fortunately Hong Kong has the longest outdoor covered escalator system in the world, the <a href="http://www.12hk.com/area/Central/MidLevelEscalators.shtml" target="_blank">Central Mid-levels escalator</a>; it is actually a series of small escalators that move in only one direction. There are stairs alongside the escalator so people can also go in the opposite direction. When we got on the escalator, it was moving up; they change the direction at specific times (06:00 to 10:00, downwards; 10:00 to 22:00, upwards).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorak4J4LL7Ic3ujW0Jxx4NL8sOpICUpc8DEzJAJ1GE47e9bQs4QcbJD1vvgTAYra0856RMLZK5clO_eY-W4VZ-PMC7Jh8brWiUhLYGslYW1Bke0kWWtih-xAgQ170-jCvY3G8Yd0wlQ/s1600/35+mid+levels+escalator.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjorak4J4LL7Ic3ujW0Jxx4NL8sOpICUpc8DEzJAJ1GE47e9bQs4QcbJD1vvgTAYra0856RMLZK5clO_eY-W4VZ-PMC7Jh8brWiUhLYGslYW1Bke0kWWtih-xAgQ170-jCvY3G8Yd0wlQ/s400/35+mid+levels+escalator.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took the escalator up the hill, planning to get got off on the streets that we wanted to explore. We passed by SoHo (</span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">uth of </span><u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ho</span></u><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">llywood Road). SoHo has an international mix of cafes, restaurants and bars. We got off at <a href="http://hong-kong-travel.org/Hollywood-Road/" target="_blank">Hollywood Road</a> and Upper Lascar Row (also known as "Cat Street"); here there are antique shops and curio street markets. The <a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/hongkong/manmotemple.htm" target="_blank">Man Mo Temple</a> nearby has giant incense coils hanging overhead and the smoke and scent can be overpowering; there are several electric fans running in order to aid air circulation. </span><span style="color: #666699; font-size: 9pt;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22nTRTh1CZTS9QmDgBKKzbAxFWEdw0vN9axSZINFNG1pD_nLmPDu4cEwxNlBYUWTI61vUztb-t_A3HSVo4x8vpcc02B6baOhJ3Atwl8CGZW95f0SRbawppTGA_c1XZYi_hMtS1R6fnw/s1600/36+antiques.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh22nTRTh1CZTS9QmDgBKKzbAxFWEdw0vN9axSZINFNG1pD_nLmPDu4cEwxNlBYUWTI61vUztb-t_A3HSVo4x8vpcc02B6baOhJ3Atwl8CGZW95f0SRbawppTGA_c1XZYi_hMtS1R6fnw/s400/36+antiques.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hollywood Road and Cat Street</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt6E_03NWRIApqqNjXyYr4oCMGlq2aayOPckZZ4Ru6Y4eG1zCMFCjyxB7oBE2-QywJsZ5mGbgtc2c5BCN4eDNAQHx7CyZZFugCcFwMkvkj-c2CPPcSXNuhx4tLeW1GuHFIYsO1zV-AQ/s1600/37+man+mo+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEt6E_03NWRIApqqNjXyYr4oCMGlq2aayOPckZZ4Ru6Y4eG1zCMFCjyxB7oBE2-QywJsZ5mGbgtc2c5BCN4eDNAQHx7CyZZFugCcFwMkvkj-c2CPPcSXNuhx4tLeW1GuHFIYsO1zV-AQ/s400/37+man+mo+temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Man Mo Temple</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were curious to see another item on our list, the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/hk-western-market.html" target="_blank">Western Market</a>. It was quite a distance from Hollywood Road, and we got a bit confused (I think we were walking around in circles). We finally found the red brick Edwardian-style building that had been converted into a shopping complex. The architecture was nice but there was not really much to see in terms of merchandise since they were about to close.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_02cKuIQGVZsA4ut8kHDWAEG4Hkn9J3JpBiXRW4XUpS0OTPrB3ZWYOK5-WtR6-ZdYzq3Hgub3PArad0JOTkKggmvp2GlmoBryNWlrpnC97oBMTjsLAbO_0YzXcwH9zDSgEuVnX7gFg/s1600/38+western+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT_02cKuIQGVZsA4ut8kHDWAEG4Hkn9J3JpBiXRW4XUpS0OTPrB3ZWYOK5-WtR6-ZdYzq3Hgub3PArad0JOTkKggmvp2GlmoBryNWlrpnC97oBMTjsLAbO_0YzXcwH9zDSgEuVnX7gFg/s400/38+western+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Model of the Western Market; inside the market</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were two activities going on in line with the Hong Kong <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/events/festival-mid-autumn.html" target="_blank">mid-autumn festival</a>: the Lee Kum Kee Lantern Wonderland and the Fire Dragon Dance. We went to see the lanterns first; the main attraction was the giant fish-shaped lantern made up of many small lanterns. The fish was color red but during the show, it changed to different hues. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE4MLPzqulkjeMAJ9INAv2FJn061K9si35YCQinPowuNtKoL2tOLJ8vP9qr_yBCM1Z-o3EMMXtJl1tpA0yGNfJq24lyl21ajp2mxJa-I3hXVdIRRE05_heZzzczGB3QkquqzIV9Sh_g/s1600/39+lantern.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmE4MLPzqulkjeMAJ9INAv2FJn061K9si35YCQinPowuNtKoL2tOLJ8vP9qr_yBCM1Z-o3EMMXtJl1tpA0yGNfJq24lyl21ajp2mxJa-I3hXVdIRRE05_heZzzczGB3QkquqzIV9Sh_g/s400/39+lantern.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lantern Wonderland</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We then walked to the place where the fire dragon dance was to be held. There were lots of people in the streets and there were also people gathered around a building. The crowd was thick and we could not really see what was going on. People had their cameras raised overhead and were clicking away; I did the same; <span style="font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%;">I<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"> got a photo of the dragon’s tail (I think).</span> </span> When the crowd started moving, we followed along; we stopped when they did. At the plaza we waited with the crowd. The dragon was apparently dancing through various streets before coming to the plaza. We waited a long time but never got to see the fire dragon since we had to catch the train back to Kowloon. Well at least I have a picture of its tail.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-14228877030904944542011-10-13T11:57:00.004+08:002011-10-13T12:08:50.094+08:00Hong Kong Part 2 – Lantau Island<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We spent two days going to sights on Lantau Island; one day was devoted to Hong Kong Disneyland and another to Ngong Ping.</span><br />
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</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl-GIzg85N-JVV8rkwevZz63_r3twZlXFwYG4SeWKo6kHw9jxy-2BKnLF8bcGaJtXoIMWpi60bhyphenhyphenKizhPwjMobuXWDLwCgKMiJSRVf1LMU0zt663q704NTqusBJHQw_rFk3m5UE9xvQ/s1600/15+MTR_Map.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXl-GIzg85N-JVV8rkwevZz63_r3twZlXFwYG4SeWKo6kHw9jxy-2BKnLF8bcGaJtXoIMWpi60bhyphenhyphenKizhPwjMobuXWDLwCgKMiJSRVf1LMU0zt663q704NTqusBJHQw_rFk3m5UE9xvQ/s400/15+MTR_Map.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hong Kong Disneyland</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We took the MTR to get to <a href="http://park.hongkongdisneyland.com/hkdl/en_US/parks/overview?name=ParkOverviewPage" target="_blank">Disneyland</a>. From our hotel we walked to the East Tsim Sha Tsui station (purple line) to board the train going in the direction of Tuen Mun. We got off at Nam Chong station and transferred to the yellow line (going in the direction of Tung Chung) and got off at the Sunny Bay Station which then connects to the Disneyland line (pink). The air was already festive on board the Disney train; the train’s windows and ring handles were designed with Mickey ears. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Ay-RqpALglZni0s0prpLAnSfp-cH9ycS0oZbjrM4Jup9nv0hET5hYRt_JPlVgMZNLWUYt3uKrkyIZIB4yoK2r6PE-C1jCoLTVNAJkE_CRLHghMGmGm1V4tp3oReWh89cpDziit0vw/s1600/16+P9090301.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi86Ay-RqpALglZni0s0prpLAnSfp-cH9ycS0oZbjrM4Jup9nv0hET5hYRt_JPlVgMZNLWUYt3uKrkyIZIB4yoK2r6PE-C1jCoLTVNAJkE_CRLHghMGmGm1V4tp3oReWh89cpDziit0vw/s400/16+P9090301.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disney train</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOvDit5NB7tOTtWCEDqBJkO0PJxHKad5DOhj2__chXI168rbFio6rgHeuM0Is2uNUmy2jvMuL-HU17aKYp-le6k4HYdoQtWw4FfYe8n67OyvvwziV_6FsQw9sm2QTQFqiEVWun5F31g/s1600/17+P9090305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFOvDit5NB7tOTtWCEDqBJkO0PJxHKad5DOhj2__chXI168rbFio6rgHeuM0Is2uNUmy2jvMuL-HU17aKYp-le6k4HYdoQtWw4FfYe8n67OyvvwziV_6FsQw9sm2QTQFqiEVWun5F31g/s400/17+P9090305.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Disney train station</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at Disney a few minutes after its 10am opening time and stayed for the fireworks at closing time. We made the most of our day and went on almost all the rides and watched the shows too. We were very disappointed though that Space Mountain was closed that day.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CN5i_XGiGancEjuYUWW-SPiFhpPDKSdxOOThxogygQ5nkIxjf5Ysm3FnfjZJzKfSL0_SbJvWMfw2Wni3jO50vN73amwKSKgIJFsNVF3V7uWNyoBCukoVA67m4JlKNJa2a52oZGI4Fw/s1600/18+disney1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2CN5i_XGiGancEjuYUWW-SPiFhpPDKSdxOOThxogygQ5nkIxjf5Ysm3FnfjZJzKfSL0_SbJvWMfw2Wni3jO50vN73amwKSKgIJFsNVF3V7uWNyoBCukoVA67m4JlKNJa2a52oZGI4Fw/s400/18+disney1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_GpOg0x8yfazugWlH6jnxsfaqII_8vOJ-pCTtJFzn6zUC_D1p_qtBToHdmAAmt-BzidnS-Qh00MXeliNkKDI52BjXHj9xnMrrjkwpyNy-QoRLmroQNHU37VTFJRxzE8pDuA6e_qmag/s1600/21+P9090327+space+mountain+was+closed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ_GpOg0x8yfazugWlH6jnxsfaqII_8vOJ-pCTtJFzn6zUC_D1p_qtBToHdmAAmt-BzidnS-Qh00MXeliNkKDI52BjXHj9xnMrrjkwpyNy-QoRLmroQNHU37VTFJRxzE8pDuA6e_qmag/s320/21+P9090327+space+mountain+was+closed.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Space Mountain - closed for the day!</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvSjp0HrRiSmIpm9L0TU0aY47IH2qrS48nUYeLkzCDVlAN4pr9EWnhOzNelxe4P3ICCm6Lsdp4m7-KL-n1VJgPTB0ITrMmjarGYJIg1iZ9zpyabGFvtmtB22mzPaPoe3CL0rHPTi3PQ/s1600/22+P9090428.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSvSjp0HrRiSmIpm9L0TU0aY47IH2qrS48nUYeLkzCDVlAN4pr9EWnhOzNelxe4P3ICCm6Lsdp4m7-KL-n1VJgPTB0ITrMmjarGYJIg1iZ9zpyabGFvtmtB22mzPaPoe3CL0rHPTi3PQ/s320/22+P9090428.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E7vanXMF91CIWQj32eJgs603X19TsAae_IVsiWBRApx_HpYOunkfx4BW79ciMLFCfgphazpIkxgytjB5oGeDB4rXRbhJOtPktiKZRK6I12WyAX4bdTCyMBK8oIoY2eLMXe1FXdoo0w/s1600/23+P9090440.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1E7vanXMF91CIWQj32eJgs603X19TsAae_IVsiWBRApx_HpYOunkfx4BW79ciMLFCfgphazpIkxgytjB5oGeDB4rXRbhJOtPktiKZRK6I12WyAX4bdTCyMBK8oIoY2eLMXe1FXdoo0w/s320/23+P9090440.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ngong Ping </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we went to Ngong Ping, we basically followed the same MTR route; however, we went all the way to Tung Chung which was the end of the yellow line. We then boarded the <a href="http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/cablecar_index.html" target="_blank">Ngong Ping 360 cable car</a> that took us to Ngong Ping Village. The 5.7 km cable car ride took about 25 minutes. From the cable car we had a magnificent 360-degree view (hence the name) which included the South China Sea, the rolling green terrain of Lantau Island, and the Hong Kong International Airport. As we approached the Ngong Ping Plateau, we could see the majestic statue of the Giant Buddha. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs3zMhirmFd0j6AY2C8z0sT4ompBTaEc7oTdidYI1nKbVEv0XhtE7zZs7xD0x6ShAzLBiLx8c7pCkrIrG7jUdRJmxlQL7SAniCTGN-wnb3URwmcasdeGFyfSDuDEj1WeOFZXIl_uiMA/s1600/24+cable+car.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqs3zMhirmFd0j6AY2C8z0sT4ompBTaEc7oTdidYI1nKbVEv0XhtE7zZs7xD0x6ShAzLBiLx8c7pCkrIrG7jUdRJmxlQL7SAniCTGN-wnb3URwmcasdeGFyfSDuDEj1WeOFZXIl_uiMA/s400/24+cable+car.jpg" width="356" /></a></div><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.np360.com.hk/html/eng/np360_exp/village_index.html" target="_blank">Ngong Ping Village</a> is a culturally themed village; there are souvenir shops and places to eat. The Bodhi Wishing Shrine in the courtyard plays a central role in two of the village attractions (Walking With Buddha and the Monkey’s Tale Theater). From the village, it is a short walk to the base of the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/outlying-giant-buddha.html" target="_blank">Tian Tan Buddha Statue (the Giant Buddha)</a>. Visitors have to climb more than 200 steps to get to the top; one is rewarded with a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">magnificent view. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7BNvH9zBu7I1uXZqKM8UPYidSXFSoqmlUO3kG28dI5G8Y1hH06YnsoY3PkV5nYru1LpoStK6QdkOkNCn9A78z8M6llrbTv5NCFtdkXnbCl1a1pqV054qlAfpZ_EhZynIN1e_W7umUA/s1600/25+ngong+ping+village.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="237" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7BNvH9zBu7I1uXZqKM8UPYidSXFSoqmlUO3kG28dI5G8Y1hH06YnsoY3PkV5nYru1LpoStK6QdkOkNCn9A78z8M6llrbTv5NCFtdkXnbCl1a1pqV054qlAfpZ_EhZynIN1e_W7umUA/s400/25+ngong+ping+village.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Visitors can also walk to the <a href="http://hong-kong-travel.org/Po-Lin-Monastery/" target="_blank">Po Lin Monastery</a>. There are two temples there, one of which is reached by going up some steps; from the higher temple you can see the Giant Buddha. We had a vegetarian meal at their cafeteria.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLLLHkhoObBIBW4VHcOxlAhuGLUz-4Nhwl4eB34-jHMpdPIyRpQT19zHWgZ8QuSpFSESyE_-fZ699-7C6XQgO9T2eoaICX2mQbBzCb0rkwK83ONkgORjcheicrAjxdB3cfdj5I-Eg4Q/s1600/27+po+lin+monastery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsLLLHkhoObBIBW4VHcOxlAhuGLUz-4Nhwl4eB34-jHMpdPIyRpQT19zHWgZ8QuSpFSESyE_-fZ699-7C6XQgO9T2eoaICX2mQbBzCb0rkwK83ONkgORjcheicrAjxdB3cfdj5I-Eg4Q/s400/27+po+lin+monastery.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-50133439791731147842011-10-12T15:32:00.001+08:002011-10-12T16:28:21.368+08:00Hong Kong Part 1 – Kowloon Area<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geography_of_Hong_Kong" target="_blank">Hong Kong</a> primarily consists of three main territories: Hong Kong Island, Kowloon Peninsula and the New Territories which include the Islands; the largest of these islands is Lantau Island on which the Hong Kong International Airport is located.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From the airport my daughter and I boarded the <a href="http://www.hongkongairport.com/eng/transport/to-from-airport/bus_from_hkia.html" target="_blank">Airport Bus A21</a> that took us into Kowloon where we had booked a room in a hostel. Inspite of the specific instructions given by the hostel managers regarding the bus stop we should get off at, we somehow missed the stop and had to walk back a few blocks. We made sure that my son, who was arriving the next day from mainland China, did not make the same mistake.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We stayed at the Maple Leaf Guesthouse in <a href="http://www.chungking-mansions.hk/" target="_blank">Chung King Mansions</a>. From our internet research, we were aware of Chung King Mansions’ (mostly negative) reputation. Nevertheless, the <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Maple-Leaf-Guesthouse/Hong-Kong/23495" target="_blank">Maple Leaf Guesthouse</a> seemed the ideal place to stay because of its convenient location (along Nathan Road) and its price. In addition, the <a href="http://www.hostelworld.com/hosteldetails.php/Maple-Leaf-Guesthouse/Hong-Kong/23495/reviews" target="_blank">reviews</a> about the hostel itself were mostly good so we decided to go for it. We would be out during the day anyway, returning late at night. When we got to the building, we were indeed quite shocked; there were individuals who approached us with offers to stay at this or that hostel and the ground floor was generally chaotic and intimidating. We spent some time going through the maze of busy hallways before finally locating the elevator; it took a while for the very slow elevator to reach the 12</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">th</span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> floor. Once at the hostel itself, things were better; the managers were very friendly and helpful and the room was indeed very clean although quite small. The ground floor just took some getting used to but it was generally alright.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Getting around Hong Kong is easy and very convenient because of the <a href="http://www.chinatouristmaps.com/travel/hong-kong/mtr.html" target="_blank">MTR (Mass Transit Railway)</a>. Since we were going to be moving around a lot, we decided to buy the <a href="http://hong-kong-travel.org/Octopus/" target="_blank">Octopus Card</a> instead of purchasing tickets for each journey. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There are so many things to do and places to see in Hong Kong but we only had five full days so we had to prioritize and plan our itinerary well.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kowloon Area</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hong Kong is indeed a haven for shoppers. One can choose to go to the shopping malls, department stores and outlets or hit the street markets. I prefer the latter; it’s so much more exciting and haggling is fun. <a href="http://www.hong-kong-travel.org/Mong-Kok/" target="_blank">Mong Kok</a> is a major shopping district especially for those looking for bargains. There are even <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/shopping/theme-shopping-streets.html">specialty streets</a> such as Cheung Sha Wan Road (Fashion Street-wholesale), Fa Yuen Street (Sneakers and sportswear Street), Tung Choi Street (Ladies’ market, although other merchandise are also sold here), Temple Street night market (also known as Men’s Street but not limited to men’s merchandise). The flea market at Apliu Street and adjacent streets sells almost everything. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmZ8D4ZFo5TOB41neM50gTk24QCvfvKpuR0tmHnVfUpfs3vl_qyMKfC9XsvNQOqMk8Vno7CfatDqCYIsY8dHArpG5WKzC0gkRDXoF9smhs0ttmTOHyDphgKUpsbuy9CWXftTK-ACDYQ/s1600/1+malls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="353" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmmZ8D4ZFo5TOB41neM50gTk24QCvfvKpuR0tmHnVfUpfs3vl_qyMKfC9XsvNQOqMk8Vno7CfatDqCYIsY8dHArpG5WKzC0gkRDXoF9smhs0ttmTOHyDphgKUpsbuy9CWXftTK-ACDYQ/s400/1+malls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Malls and Luxury brands stores</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp4xjxBo4-ivDbd4r8IAdrS6rIy6URTuLuUr7FiImAhAW15aNVlHNZItvL6wsZq1nTG92VJZV4V1xAZ-QFtsVyePNFyq15BDUZLpZAta3mfFJViPK2zBB2E9eQW-m6HEEgcuk2RkbSg/s1600/2+temple+st+night+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCp4xjxBo4-ivDbd4r8IAdrS6rIy6URTuLuUr7FiImAhAW15aNVlHNZItvL6wsZq1nTG92VJZV4V1xAZ-QFtsVyePNFyq15BDUZLpZAta3mfFJViPK2zBB2E9eQW-m6HEEgcuk2RkbSg/s400/2+temple+st+night+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Temple Street night market</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kgDoLT_tN3s6MoASIswfje9TYxh4Gsv10lsMXBBBnD34s3pWCxKJJ-cE5F9ZaA6v37oDWYmOSkdekvizEft1EHv57rZzz8rgjyPGLQW3vWbwKAr2IsHJCqaLrHzREjf3bTcAUKE5mA/s1600/3+fashion+st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8kgDoLT_tN3s6MoASIswfje9TYxh4Gsv10lsMXBBBnD34s3pWCxKJJ-cE5F9ZaA6v37oDWYmOSkdekvizEft1EHv57rZzz8rgjyPGLQW3vWbwKAr2IsHJCqaLrHzREjf3bTcAUKE5mA/s400/3+fashion+st.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fashion Street</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi6v2DEEd_gAWPMqTeySqbJR04btY593wloMpfGBXleqbe52UVZ5yuJyjFF0L89A3iMe9Ps9AsTEqH3y9rRbSjjYp9YsCVB2JSYszLZGxdxXuq_tBXiL6_plJHYOvbQGxyozBezeu9g/s1600/4+ladies+and+sneakers.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="296" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNi6v2DEEd_gAWPMqTeySqbJR04btY593wloMpfGBXleqbe52UVZ5yuJyjFF0L89A3iMe9Ps9AsTEqH3y9rRbSjjYp9YsCVB2JSYszLZGxdxXuq_tBXiL6_plJHYOvbQGxyozBezeu9g/s400/4+ladies+and+sneakers.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ladies market and Sneakers street</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX52p0giWoeULUJP3jiRm2F1G_pcZKzOjBWzhm4p5EgpJBa9HGxDtoGVmk08ND8YfkVL1-HBeofPOx-9iYiDkk_NAMSiBHkHJnGtU-NBe5qPoCQtB__qXtXy1HVGitWuj8n-rYOA7ig/s1600/5+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjX52p0giWoeULUJP3jiRm2F1G_pcZKzOjBWzhm4p5EgpJBa9HGxDtoGVmk08ND8YfkVL1-HBeofPOx-9iYiDkk_NAMSiBHkHJnGtU-NBe5qPoCQtB__qXtXy1HVGitWuj8n-rYOA7ig/s400/5+food.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food stores</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TmxxVGNedsE1ZRzW6dX9anbGEAOcOce0XhMOZKX5VPolFDydfAHPJEoE-QUUREaGFjipo_JTZvV8ySP3MJOq-H90bKK3YH6o-jcB77IknWzp0lNHi9M9vK1bIL_hjcsiNSsRzsRWog/s1600/6+apliu+st+flea+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4TmxxVGNedsE1ZRzW6dX9anbGEAOcOce0XhMOZKX5VPolFDydfAHPJEoE-QUUREaGFjipo_JTZvV8ySP3MJOq-H90bKK3YH6o-jcB77IknWzp0lNHi9M9vK1bIL_hjcsiNSsRzsRWog/s400/6+apliu+st+flea+market.jpg" width="361" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Apliu Street flea market</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.aviewoncities.com/hongkong/kowloonpark.htm" target="_blank">Kowloon Park</a> is a great place to relax and unwind, offering an escape from the city’s hustle and bustle. There are lots of beautiful gardens, ponds, fountains and paved walks; there is also an aviary. There is a children’s playground as well as several swimming pools and a sports center. Many people come here to stroll, jog, exercise or just sit and read under the shade. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoRzx5vOlMl0dgHnBbdLUfiNh_ORzxqysusC4svrPm1m1pCtCPhxh1NNr3AoVzBVoW8pFp5CBD9K58D_NPCY0-HpGLTDEkaqsE-efxuAFcSWKDkcj0ymYOmi3-xL82EPk1cAgw8GfWQ/s1600/7+kowloon+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="295" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaoRzx5vOlMl0dgHnBbdLUfiNh_ORzxqysusC4svrPm1m1pCtCPhxh1NNr3AoVzBVoW8pFp5CBD9K58D_NPCY0-HpGLTDEkaqsE-efxuAFcSWKDkcj0ymYOmi3-xL82EPk1cAgw8GfWQ/s400/7+kowloon+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Kowloon Park</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The area along <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/victoria-harbour.html" target="_blank">Victoria Harbor</a> has many interesting sights; the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/museum-hongkong-cultural-centre.html" target="_blank">Hong Kong Cultural Center</a> and the nearby <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/kln-clock-tower.html" target="_blank">Clock Tower</a>, the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/museum-hongkong-space.html" target="_blank">Hong Kong Space Museum</a>, and the <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/museum-hongkong-art.html" target="_blank">Hong Kong Museum of Arts</a>. There is a fantastic display of lights (“<a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/kln-symphony-lights.html" target="_blank">Symphony of Lights</a>”) every night that can be viewed from the promenade along the harbor. The <a href="http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/attractions/kln-stars-avenue.html"target="_blank">Avenue of Stars</a> is also on the promenade. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDf8AC7pi4Qql9HF60s_uy7MxuU5M0lQcqfVPzEhyphenhyphenF4hm1RcSDCAu2XbRrvPXv8oBJu1m75i-WlxPE9x8EUePs_-x7jgsVxh1t5Ye5oHpF5MPO-VoXN3Mt0AqSU2kvsf_1k_xpNbxrQ/s1600/8+tower.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlDf8AC7pi4Qql9HF60s_uy7MxuU5M0lQcqfVPzEhyphenhyphenF4hm1RcSDCAu2XbRrvPXv8oBJu1m75i-WlxPE9x8EUePs_-x7jgsVxh1t5Ye5oHpF5MPO-VoXN3Mt0AqSU2kvsf_1k_xpNbxrQ/s400/8+tower.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The Clock Tower</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsO8KsU2xOODcMn7N_m-CkTcZhj522z_1-l4VYkKv2WdoE7mnuoVbh21iPfQ9BkP4td7HFgKLzkDK3F3H2IawQTQqYKkCFw7zUae4I6oMRZcJIJXUbnSGMQODgNYqRNWORxc75eyT_w/s1600/9+cultural+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnsO8KsU2xOODcMn7N_m-CkTcZhj522z_1-l4VYkKv2WdoE7mnuoVbh21iPfQ9BkP4td7HFgKLzkDK3F3H2IawQTQqYKkCFw7zUae4I6oMRZcJIJXUbnSGMQODgNYqRNWORxc75eyT_w/s400/9+cultural+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hong Kong Cultural Center</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvgrUeEELDmO3jevKImcOz7xJV5iI_f9MhXzCwp0Jp4XirIuPzNpL56S4l0nIEy7zOXeg-mi4MikFRw5u5-sjGxNxvFNHzGWK5QT1-7G0cR7YEJwLjsHYd4bfv3chdi8zQtAhVr0HlA/s1600/10+museums.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDvgrUeEELDmO3jevKImcOz7xJV5iI_f9MhXzCwp0Jp4XirIuPzNpL56S4l0nIEy7zOXeg-mi4MikFRw5u5-sjGxNxvFNHzGWK5QT1-7G0cR7YEJwLjsHYd4bfv3chdi8zQtAhVr0HlA/s400/10+museums.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cultural Center, Museum of Arts, Space Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrVcJW9OFZdunfd5zbS_YTEPBqFZkRedptwZ_Ych3BwtrGd1hcAVzd_SCazWSTMYpJ62im4vf8AGdhWAa2T_tQ-fRr44OGCxVgGF1QU-bT04bLe6Y6eeo5NPXXkQMQDEr2f2DrRGdqA/s1600/11+symphony+of+lights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrVcJW9OFZdunfd5zbS_YTEPBqFZkRedptwZ_Ych3BwtrGd1hcAVzd_SCazWSTMYpJ62im4vf8AGdhWAa2T_tQ-fRr44OGCxVgGF1QU-bT04bLe6Y6eeo5NPXXkQMQDEr2f2DrRGdqA/s400/11+symphony+of+lights.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Symphony of Lights</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXX5ubMH0ghDaFxfqKNKrI1Wtw3zpFzpxit661x6K_HtUQTjofipvCooT34N35Tw3-XGODp4KT__hJVPoc0eWF9YtLE9-MJkf8x7EPjxUm9aVCB9F3lCHk-SO4FLoSeuq_Adz_xJHdQ/s1600/12+avenue+of+stars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeXX5ubMH0ghDaFxfqKNKrI1Wtw3zpFzpxit661x6K_HtUQTjofipvCooT34N35Tw3-XGODp4KT__hJVPoc0eWF9YtLE9-MJkf8x7EPjxUm9aVCB9F3lCHk-SO4FLoSeuq_Adz_xJHdQ/s400/12+avenue+of+stars.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Avenue of Stars</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv23_-3yx97W6BtI1kj38EP1AutpHJfmQj4gdodrFNedI_75IBLyCAwuuoyVTot5fdnPMydZLPMaBDfQD1gTcq40Rgqvqy5M3EoKtBERl50EZais_CHweCx-6_5Jm40SkaTCcURGy0w/s1600/hk+kowloon+harbor+panorama+3+panels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="168" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQv23_-3yx97W6BtI1kj38EP1AutpHJfmQj4gdodrFNedI_75IBLyCAwuuoyVTot5fdnPMydZLPMaBDfQD1gTcq40Rgqvqy5M3EoKtBERl50EZais_CHweCx-6_5Jm40SkaTCcURGy0w/s400/hk+kowloon+harbor+panorama+3+panels.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Victoria Harbor by day</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn4LZh39CvpR4at4gOCp_5Z4nhNPRtX4Ddc4_KCUt19z7UXxw6J9isM6fpov_FtK5Q65nn1hClRutsYAnSVrA8EVr_REfM618xlradmc_d46JCZXOxA8zxj5ZUBxt_l1coYfTG0RZzg/s1600/symphony+of+lights+panorama+6+panels.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwn4LZh39CvpR4at4gOCp_5Z4nhNPRtX4Ddc4_KCUt19z7UXxw6J9isM6fpov_FtK5Q65nn1hClRutsYAnSVrA8EVr_REfM618xlradmc_d46JCZXOxA8zxj5ZUBxt_l1coYfTG0RZzg/s400/symphony+of+lights+panorama+6+panels.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Victoria Harbor at night<br />
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-63401522004671643882011-10-11T13:10:00.002+08:002011-10-11T13:22:19.832+08:00Davao City – Part 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We had planned our trip to Davao City to coincide with the <a href="http://www.kadayawan.com/#4" target="_blank">Kadayawan Festival</a>. When I was living in Davao City ten years ago, I was not even aware that there was such a festival and I only accidentally saw the parade that culminated the festivities. Since then I have wanted to go back to Davao City to experience the festival. During the weeklong celebration, there are many activities and exhibits around the city.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiTi148_Mp2NcQAGFe_HJ2ZBmRPr4OYPOyvJGZT0mYMniXYncrmPC53fEvKDpJ8BevDxo8PxOy5s3sal_V8up2FPtxO28HUgScoMrBO7NYmLEOqBOC7XBf22nocAdiu3Rmp_hPrXlNQ/s1600/14+kadayawan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuiTi148_Mp2NcQAGFe_HJ2ZBmRPr4OYPOyvJGZT0mYMniXYncrmPC53fEvKDpJ8BevDxo8PxOy5s3sal_V8up2FPtxO28HUgScoMrBO7NYmLEOqBOC7XBf22nocAdiu3Rmp_hPrXlNQ/s400/14+kadayawan.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We visited the <a href="http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/2011/05/museo-dabawenyo.html" target="_blank">Museo Dabawenyo</a> located near the City Hall; admission is free. We wanted to go through the museum at our own pace but our guide said that it was their job to accompany visitors and explain the various displays. We learned a lot about Davao’s history. Unfortunately, once inside, no photography was allowed.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The other museum is called the <a href="http://www.davaoboard.com/davao-museum.php" target="_blank">Davao Museum</a>; this is located inside the Insular Village in Lanang. Unlike the Museo Dabawenyo, this one charged an entrance fee. However, we were free to take photographs and look through the displays at our leisure.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRHoqYvT9usPgGRHdq27tCeTANGPhJ8KMX4XqL6bzqaQMeENu0TrloBYohkdulvrykl6EWm_bwXxnItLgM7mIo0gDSJlO5gX9tm2NKYjkePWneC-azBUGaww3E1ku-dLMQOSUn47o0Q/s1600/14b+davao+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihRHoqYvT9usPgGRHdq27tCeTANGPhJ8KMX4XqL6bzqaQMeENu0TrloBYohkdulvrykl6EWm_bwXxnItLgM7mIo0gDSJlO5gX9tm2NKYjkePWneC-azBUGaww3E1ku-dLMQOSUn47o0Q/s400/14b+davao+museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://davaotoday.com/2007/12/20/peoples-park-opens-in-davao/" target="_blank">People’s Park</a> was a venue of daytime activities and nightly performances. Outside the park, there was the night market where you could find an array of goods and food; you could even get a henna tattoo. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_-qt6Hj6aKbbWdzLc1Eo_bRa6HcU-0Q5l7XPPvcPBznJNNe_PdtGcjVAhk5iZ7NC1uCVj5QU4CKC8mI5jz8IRMBnsiKYAOFUEL83pqB6bxRf1Ixlowu1kRzKuB29Pcvsno_Pm27cFA/s1600/15+peoples+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="102" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH_-qt6Hj6aKbbWdzLc1Eo_bRa6HcU-0Q5l7XPPvcPBznJNNe_PdtGcjVAhk5iZ7NC1uCVj5QU4CKC8mI5jz8IRMBnsiKYAOFUEL83pqB6bxRf1Ixlowu1kRzKuB29Pcvsno_Pm27cFA/s400/15+peoples+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMtTFVC326jFWIHcZIzoDM77WrilT0-E0xFGIgngJeOrA4OfNmTjM1h_ij6DoQXlmjY1bFZkf9mnuv6cH9nN82Fnf4scD_M2bfLEt_r3OpYaCoRNCN4bmL2tFTSXVk8FEyG41Wux3XA/s1600/P8190094.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKMtTFVC326jFWIHcZIzoDM77WrilT0-E0xFGIgngJeOrA4OfNmTjM1h_ij6DoQXlmjY1bFZkf9mnuv6cH9nN82Fnf4scD_M2bfLEt_r3OpYaCoRNCN4bmL2tFTSXVk8FEyG41Wux3XA/s200/P8190094.jpg" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were two parades scheduled for the weekend: the “Indak-indak sa Kadalanan” and the “Pamulak Kadayawan.” Indak-indak was more of street dancing while the Pamulak was a parade of floral floats and more. The Pamulak parade actually started with an early morning motorcade featuring all sorts of cars. The parade proper included motorbikes, bicycles, horseback-riders, people on foot, more street dancing and the floral floats. On both days, people lined the streets and the air was very festive. Vendors also took the opportunity to do brisk business, selling refreshments, balloons, hats and other merchandise. We were lucky to be staying at a downtown hotel just off CM Recto Street which was along the parade’s route. We just had to walk up the street to get to the parade’s starting point close to the <a href="http://www.localphilippines.com/attractions/1191/aldevinco-shopping-center" target="_blank">Aldevinco Shopping Center</a>. After the parade, we hit the shops of Aldevinco. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGqnS2etbHbNQYG3typo_w_dRepY8oHGUVJ1v44lO0zqIDtB5hlXWn_UiMH_i1txsjXG81j8lJ4zCYVWJwCGgNt8jZkdMzb2Nk-JUQCShK731WuPRQTDrAvmbmLrsmgpeIrFW4KnJAQ/s1600/16+indak+indak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmGqnS2etbHbNQYG3typo_w_dRepY8oHGUVJ1v44lO0zqIDtB5hlXWn_UiMH_i1txsjXG81j8lJ4zCYVWJwCGgNt8jZkdMzb2Nk-JUQCShK731WuPRQTDrAvmbmLrsmgpeIrFW4KnJAQ/s400/16+indak+indak.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Indak-Indak sa Kadalanan</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4HsFfYl09Tw4sDi4Slr-tBEcqt3-9pefkQPimkK_qaYMN6LBb5nI4RkIeSek1PZJQAGYawQ_65SylNzwcL4CLJID43cY9-2O6hkxNwSv9yYRggpCCvPB-PBMCPL6uRHZ284Ako1NSw/s1600/17+pamulak+kadayawan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe4HsFfYl09Tw4sDi4Slr-tBEcqt3-9pefkQPimkK_qaYMN6LBb5nI4RkIeSek1PZJQAGYawQ_65SylNzwcL4CLJID43cY9-2O6hkxNwSv9yYRggpCCvPB-PBMCPL6uRHZ284Ako1NSw/s400/17+pamulak+kadayawan.jpg" width="351" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pamulak Kadayawan</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdt9PgiqhrElogeSARUoJSKu4C0JdLMXv0-1ZMtD9LCXI9nHfSPUFn2SS50mbpS7gvzq9_1tU9z3hfBOmsJX56S2XoIdXNYvihPUd1VBmse3l05jFRvdJpLbFFCDIJnKItGS8nLysiQ/s1600/18+businesses.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEdt9PgiqhrElogeSARUoJSKu4C0JdLMXv0-1ZMtD9LCXI9nHfSPUFn2SS50mbpS7gvzq9_1tU9z3hfBOmsJX56S2XoIdXNYvihPUd1VBmse3l05jFRvdJpLbFFCDIJnKItGS8nLysiQ/s400/18+businesses.jpg" width="277" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Floral floats of local businesses</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u5WyMBFH8kjaZ9aalZOEzAVshFMeur0-ibwlgcIMqWU8Qbog3ggN4Brq7peJ1KTBg2sZqr2Qrf_ZZyfzej6BmIJiJqPeZ4M_8liEkhayWGj_wW_WLiJSZ53hnbnEXSjpdKQt1e5xwQ/s1600/19+vantage+pt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1u5WyMBFH8kjaZ9aalZOEzAVshFMeur0-ibwlgcIMqWU8Qbog3ggN4Brq7peJ1KTBg2sZqr2Qrf_ZZyfzej6BmIJiJqPeZ4M_8liEkhayWGj_wW_WLiJSZ53hnbnEXSjpdKQt1e5xwQ/s400/19+vantage+pt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Parade spectators</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE0UHJPIzRMxfSoI1fpAJZ17kkFbDkTY5A6ZojJykmVKXfsCxv7QQDv4o2GJH88qN0L5W6rU4G9VGpoET9vyd3plFQrJFgS0VxwyIh_uluAxQsaqfW3OBwiSlBGrbN2NazGdckAwVUw/s1600/20+refreshments.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVE0UHJPIzRMxfSoI1fpAJZ17kkFbDkTY5A6ZojJykmVKXfsCxv7QQDv4o2GJH88qN0L5W6rU4G9VGpoET9vyd3plFQrJFgS0VxwyIh_uluAxQsaqfW3OBwiSlBGrbN2NazGdckAwVUw/s400/20+refreshments.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Refreshments</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rjJ9iSfGPOILHEKSjIndYxeKDcBhvEeAugR1AWf0oeBe22OdKfUQjv9YRSPHJYvJTrZXxwpNQrJRJtE4wi73KjM-tPPpxE1rosem5fRGpx4nzGaZPnJAaWAuG60KbQaLGFt3RYmFaQ/s1600/aldevinco.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="135" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9rjJ9iSfGPOILHEKSjIndYxeKDcBhvEeAugR1AWf0oeBe22OdKfUQjv9YRSPHJYvJTrZXxwpNQrJRJtE4wi73KjM-tPPpxE1rosem5fRGpx4nzGaZPnJAaWAuG60KbQaLGFt3RYmFaQ/s400/aldevinco.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Aldevinco</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-60597655731039914332011-10-11T11:42:00.002+08:002011-10-11T11:53:27.277+08:00Davao City – Part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Davao City has several ziplines. My daughter and I were newbies so we chose to go to <a href="http://zipcity.psdgroupph.com/" target="_blank">Zip City</a>, advertised as the most accessible, most scenic and the friendliest zipline for all ages. Zip City is located at the Hilltop; we used to go to the Hilltop for the view and to dine at Dencio’s. The zipline actually starts at Zip City and ends at Dencio’s where you could then stay for refreshments using the credit from the entrance fee (which is P300, P100 of which is consumable). After gearing up, you have to climb the steep stairs to the launching point; then you have to sit down with feet dangling in the air before the guide actually launches you. I think the scariest part for me was going up the stairs; I had to will my legs up one step at a time. Once launched, it was exhilarating! Wheeeeee!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6sQSWy9GK9q85dD4QPmw0wy68Y97pyUBx0x4-8uySaShejMCnV7zLxKnBW605MR1ebJwaRhh82gVVIIaZQTJQBzxNK00iqeIDKtIyD1DelJEw-X8DRPrkC4D_ZQjJ9vhGGA_9a37HA/s1600/8+zip+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6sQSWy9GK9q85dD4QPmw0wy68Y97pyUBx0x4-8uySaShejMCnV7zLxKnBW605MR1ebJwaRhh82gVVIIaZQTJQBzxNK00iqeIDKtIyD1DelJEw-X8DRPrkC4D_ZQjJ9vhGGA_9a37HA/s400/8+zip+city.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Zip City</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On <a href="http://www.dencioskamayan.com/hilltop" target="_blank">Dencio’s</a> side, we had a snack while enjoying the view. Another zipline was visible from the Hilltop; it looked steeper, longer and faster. I think it may have been the <a href="http://www.angdabawenyo.com/2009/01/06/the-xcelerator-longest-zip-line-in-asia/" target="_blank">Xcelerator</a>, considered </span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Asia’s longest, fastest and tallest</span></span></span><span class="apple-converted-space"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">zip line</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. Maybe we’ll try it out next time. </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLE8jUt7yM2_0qVzamJfucq_ZR-I3kKId5YnseScCLwB_vtsp6O2UeXoGYBM1bSdQVJauD1QxDyCb0cHDs-FqXMxfYyq2GRWTba4vgOh9icuxsoY6JSewDebtopgroig9vFLrI3YZ3w/s1600/9+dencio%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYLE8jUt7yM2_0qVzamJfucq_ZR-I3kKId5YnseScCLwB_vtsp6O2UeXoGYBM1bSdQVJauD1QxDyCb0cHDs-FqXMxfYyq2GRWTba4vgOh9icuxsoY6JSewDebtopgroig9vFLrI3YZ3w/s400/9+dencio%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Dencio's</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Davao City also now has a wakeboarding facility, <a href="http://www.decawakeboardpark.com/about.html" target="_blank">DECA Wakeboard Park</a>, 30 minutes away from downtown. We visited friends at their home in Mintal and they offered to take us to DECA. My daughter wanted to give wakeboarding a try but they were having a competition that day. Although non-competitors were allowed to get onto the water, it was quite intimidating (especially for a first-timer) to be among the pros and in front of an audience; so we just watched. We’ll come back to practice some other time when few people are around.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cZHRR6puj9cr-5dndc6CxYwP7N-XegvJz7mQ4tcPVi_9j-ICqO1T8Ib7-HyOYgOS1dRjoKrG9niEFjwXjw_tyP2PZjC8S4Q9IARsYA_53DZ9We9KkvPptEMzEhcc-nfjkmh6_vHfvw/s1600/10+deca.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="88" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cZHRR6puj9cr-5dndc6CxYwP7N-XegvJz7mQ4tcPVi_9j-ICqO1T8Ib7-HyOYgOS1dRjoKrG9niEFjwXjw_tyP2PZjC8S4Q9IARsYA_53DZ9We9KkvPptEMzEhcc-nfjkmh6_vHfvw/s400/10+deca.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">DECA Wakeboard Park</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our stay in Davao City extended until after Kadayawan. We checked out of our downtown hotel and moved to the <a href="http://www.holidaycity.com/waterfront-insular-davao/index.htm" target="_blank">Davao Waterfront Insular Hotel</a>. We were looking forward to more relaxation now that the festivities were over. The hotel is located in Lanang, along the Davao Gulf. Across the spacious lawn, we could see the <a href="http://www.paradiseislanddavao.com/" target="_blank">Paradise Island Park and Beach Resort</a> on the Island City of Samal. It was only a five-minute boatride away and you could arrange (with hotel reception) for a boat from Paradise to pick you up from the dock at the hotel’s Pirata Bar and Restaurant.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekJgJtRPHysXEJ0vhSCtYuzNvITNBY6CP9TWiF_ezQkj94T4Dj8tWzzCe3a-QzC10NsBLmwRrOf_iEHV0GBzxWC1xx859ayGxqx-0kGmYn-Qs4olyuzNOsKCQ9qUIWDhTcck59mG_GQ/s1600/11+waterfront+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgekJgJtRPHysXEJ0vhSCtYuzNvITNBY6CP9TWiF_ezQkj94T4Dj8tWzzCe3a-QzC10NsBLmwRrOf_iEHV0GBzxWC1xx859ayGxqx-0kGmYn-Qs4olyuzNOsKCQ9qUIWDhTcck59mG_GQ/s400/11+waterfront+hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Davao Waterfront Insular Hotel</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6dOsVyNtsbv-Z1JQEWGKn_82wmx7DYdZPkLHLYJBakQ0O19k_V8x6KP15HUvLRurNCJnvEceivrQ4LFpZeGFWHAg_jGY3pKXeHsRjGdDfAUiXtDiLYl5ZxA9VUxPyMX2RsoXyChtNQ/s1600/12+boatride+to+paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP6dOsVyNtsbv-Z1JQEWGKn_82wmx7DYdZPkLHLYJBakQ0O19k_V8x6KP15HUvLRurNCJnvEceivrQ4LFpZeGFWHAg_jGY3pKXeHsRjGdDfAUiXtDiLYl5ZxA9VUxPyMX2RsoXyChtNQ/s400/12+boatride+to+paradise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The dock, the boat and a view of Paradise</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On my last visit to Paradise Island, shade was provided by the “talisay” trees that dotted the beach. Now the trees have grown tall and a long shaded area has been constructed underneath the trees; there are also cottages for rent. We lounged under the shade while enjoying a fruit shake and buko (young coconut) juice. We wandered around in the playground, aviary and mini-zoo then enjoyed a game of billiards before taking the boat back to the hotel.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg4P7GwrYtSRqNXmGIR7WO8l0sdzw_AEd-5mfg8nhGpRtzLFsPVJp_scA1bqo9JK8eWOhHxAYH62IeA3op5lQ_10fS04k1CKM7y0L7pVGbunQwufNlEpq5JwTZxW8F2FW459rJ3Wqgg/s1600/13+paradise.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="193" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtg4P7GwrYtSRqNXmGIR7WO8l0sdzw_AEd-5mfg8nhGpRtzLFsPVJp_scA1bqo9JK8eWOhHxAYH62IeA3op5lQ_10fS04k1CKM7y0L7pVGbunQwufNlEpq5JwTZxW8F2FW459rJ3Wqgg/s400/13+paradise.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Paradise Island</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-40340939965734776182011-10-10T16:02:00.004+08:002011-10-11T09:08:28.522+08:00Davao City – Part 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It has been more than nine years since I left Davao City where I lived for two years and I was eager to see the changes that had happened since then. First thing that was different - we landed at the new international airport. It was the week of the Kadayawan Festival and there were costumed performers to greet the visitors; they were also serving Davao punch at the lobby. Nice welcome!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSFZ9WuWEiQJN00EHr_apqeZYXIEUs7VwMd_2ltRQgcaFjH8LsikenM0bsIVYM0J3I5ieM1h5t7ZnnSxylMq_xpVP7Dg6XnwDZeYJYd1HOjKFi65eHc0EdhfS45K0PZiBqz1b8YQ6LQ/s1600/1+airport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPSFZ9WuWEiQJN00EHr_apqeZYXIEUs7VwMd_2ltRQgcaFjH8LsikenM0bsIVYM0J3I5ieM1h5t7ZnnSxylMq_xpVP7Dg6XnwDZeYJYd1HOjKFi65eHc0EdhfS45K0PZiBqz1b8YQ6LQ/s400/1+airport.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We initially stayed at the <a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/MTRC-DMSF-v280561" target="_blank">MTRC (Mindanao Training Resource Center)</a> where my husband had booked a room for us; this is where he usually stays when in Davao City. It’s not exactly a hotel or even a hostel; it is a place where they hold conferences and they rent out rooms; it is inside the premises of the Davao Medical School. After a couple of days, we moved to the Blue Velvet Hotel; it’s downtown location was much more convenient since we were closer to the many Kadayawan activities going on. We were lucky to find a room (we walked in just after someone had checked out); hotels were usually fully booked at this time.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Abreeza Mall is a new addition; it is already operating even as part of the huge complex is still under construction. The NCCC Mall in Ma-a is another new shopping place. When I left Davao, SM City had just opened and from what I recall, it was quite small compared to other SM stores. The place has since been extended and they are building another one in a new location! Yes, indeed, Victoria Plaza Mall and Gaisano Mall now have a lot of competition.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I met up with a friend from <a href="http://www.upmin.edu.ph/" target="_blank">UP Mindanao</a> and she graciously took us on a tour of the campus. During my UP Min days, it was quite a challenge getting to the school due to the rocky and bumpy road which would be dusty during dry periods but would become like muddy streams when it rained. Now it was paved all the way! The drive leading up to the UP oblation is impressive (work is still on-going). Several sculptures by a local artist adorn the front lawn of the College of Science and Math building; more landscape work was being completed. The campus was developing nicely. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi0WF8IofOJJrEAYcXuaBOewt04xBKm9KuubrE05Cn-_FbwYC-094VAzrY990y0R63QxqM7xrPdL75fiwxKQNOJ9X1oE-P2UY8hZOwCdEU_FeMhYOUp52hasFhpSgIMhmMpty0TGS2g/s1600/2+upmin.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAi0WF8IofOJJrEAYcXuaBOewt04xBKm9KuubrE05Cn-_FbwYC-094VAzrY990y0R63QxqM7xrPdL75fiwxKQNOJ9X1oE-P2UY8hZOwCdEU_FeMhYOUp52hasFhpSgIMhmMpty0TGS2g/s400/2+upmin.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We went to <a href="http://antoniosbarandgrilldavao.com/" target="_blank">Antonio’s Bar and Grill</a> at SM City for lunch for my friends’ joint birthday celebration. All the dishes we ordered were delicious. The waiters came over to our table singing “happy birthday” and even gave each of the birthday celebrants a cup of ice cream decorated with a candle.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFDvxPoHYXa6ZZJ5Hs2LAkRSyDNlP96QgVGxXW3lSaSctgTZkK74GYHRDWs50DDkUP_czutoZgrgEFDE3ZiJYFGKyumDYU4BxsuBv3ckPiTOVg8P1arzgDkjWf6eDJcglzT5WEB1FtQ/s1600/3+albertos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTFDvxPoHYXa6ZZJ5Hs2LAkRSyDNlP96QgVGxXW3lSaSctgTZkK74GYHRDWs50DDkUP_czutoZgrgEFDE3ZiJYFGKyumDYU4BxsuBv3ckPiTOVg8P1arzgDkjWf6eDJcglzT5WEB1FtQ/s400/3+albertos.jpg" width="372" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wanting to go back to an old haunt, we went to the <a href="http://davaocitybybattad.blogspot.com/2011/09/matina-town-square.html" target="_blank">Matina Town Square (MTS)</a> for dinner and some live music. The place is always packed with people; it was still quite early so we were lucky to get a table near the stage. The band that evening was playing oldies music, just right for me.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpInguuwtxXl3t1c8X8fAR6uaPrNIjnIFJqIR9PaQs9oBDhh6fBUbULXTAUOQsEpJIgki0meZ-iiqOwRojcU2sOwFED1SQZ7xCeFFMYp4avM4jCdnZ5t6laQzzAQ7JzRp8xwxRDHpAQ/s1600/4+mts.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMpInguuwtxXl3t1c8X8fAR6uaPrNIjnIFJqIR9PaQs9oBDhh6fBUbULXTAUOQsEpJIgki0meZ-iiqOwRojcU2sOwFED1SQZ7xCeFFMYp4avM4jCdnZ5t6laQzzAQ7JzRp8xwxRDHpAQ/s400/4+mts.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a taste of Davao’s famous “sugba” (grill) and “kinilaw” (ceviche), we went to Colasa’s BBQ. The place is very simple and may look a bit run-down but it is always very busy. When customers can’t find seating, they usually order take-out.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_d7KhQtf84LnMKTXfAuKGH1tLhc0T54GHe6CRIko4kRHo8IArarbPHTxlejA2RqjyzZBUE-xYTT5CkhQVM4ewqo419ynfSjUIOgtuWkQWPbCWzH2YZZAsyV0lhrIT3E3g8-vKcBeMQ/s1600/5+colasa%2527s.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="90" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEip_d7KhQtf84LnMKTXfAuKGH1tLhc0T54GHe6CRIko4kRHo8IArarbPHTxlejA2RqjyzZBUE-xYTT5CkhQVM4ewqo419ynfSjUIOgtuWkQWPbCWzH2YZZAsyV0lhrIT3E3g8-vKcBeMQ/s400/5+colasa%2527s.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Another thing I had been missing about Davao was <a href="http://www.philippines.hvu.nl/durianfruit.htm" target="_blank">durian</a>. When durian was in season, we we used to go to the fruit stands along the highway in Tugbok. We would select several durian fruits, have them opened up and, using our bare hands (after washing them of course) , we would feast on them right there at the fruit stand. Durian was paired with ice-cold Coke! It may sound strange but it works! So when my friend wanted to treat us out to lunch, I requested that we go to Tugbok instead. My daughter has always refused to eat durian; her main objection was the odor. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 17px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">(Note: Hotels do not allow durian and have signs posted). </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Calibri, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 17px;"> </span>So my friend selected a new durian variety that was almost odorless and my daughter agreed to try it. She actually liked it! </span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftcJBdLOOe1_6bjVB8Emjb91iYjn3oCtobwOQy04q8VwimIuZvJCeOQGAzxKIg_Y-pWabHty5jaobZTXDd5kd-_VuwE9XUsh7sF5r1XaRNJ9wW_bJ5zrR5m9-vqiaMCKmqZQlrVWfHA/s1600/7+durian.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="97" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjftcJBdLOOe1_6bjVB8Emjb91iYjn3oCtobwOQy04q8VwimIuZvJCeOQGAzxKIg_Y-pWabHty5jaobZTXDd5kd-_VuwE9XUsh7sF5r1XaRNJ9wW_bJ5zrR5m9-vqiaMCKmqZQlrVWfHA/s400/7+durian.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-79353562511933069472011-10-09T12:06:00.003+08:002011-10-09T14:58:58.443+08:00Ho Chi Minh Vietnam - Part 3<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other places</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">All our sightseeing within Ho Chi Minh City were done on foot and by our second day we were crossing streets like locals (fearless). Walking also gave us more opportunities to view interesting street scenes. Not only could you get your meals right on the sidewalks, you could also get a haircut, have your jeans repaired or enjoy a friendly board game match; or you could just take a nap under shady trees.</div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82QuSypQRTWKqw2j7zHu2iR8aNmauIPHgoGI4PFXy2sPj2UrAhFxyK5hShhLqZ8QGFqJpOTU4B3QYdBujwyRhuOlEa6uIay4mFQ1L6jD3pb7dLM3P2aice45uNDzp8vaVPxooBjIrOg/s1600/31+street+scenes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj82QuSypQRTWKqw2j7zHu2iR8aNmauIPHgoGI4PFXy2sPj2UrAhFxyK5hShhLqZ8QGFqJpOTU4B3QYdBujwyRhuOlEa6uIay4mFQ1L6jD3pb7dLM3P2aice45uNDzp8vaVPxooBjIrOg/s400/31+street+scenes.jpg" width="356" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Street scenes</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.hcmclife.com/tao-dan-park-a-peaceful-escape-from-the-bustle-of-ho-chi-minh-city/" target="_blank">Tao Dan Park</a> offers a welcome break from the city’s bustle. The lawns are dotted with interesting pieces of sculpture. It’s a peaceful place where people could meet, play, exercise; there’s also a Buddhist temple within the park’s grounds.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDo1VTl0f-4Uv4yeHW7sAK8zJL4TsObcYnqiCWhK6dE2HEQHF_45wxKgMUeT_Ipgx8iGnB8bhqQ-jm7_20Lvay4Z21PtcL-Xx3U2v4dP0eb-RKB6J-MFtGMNEE7iS0FXxOTPNRa6bsQ/s1600/30+tao+dan+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinDo1VTl0f-4Uv4yeHW7sAK8zJL4TsObcYnqiCWhK6dE2HEQHF_45wxKgMUeT_Ipgx8iGnB8bhqQ-jm7_20Lvay4Z21PtcL-Xx3U2v4dP0eb-RKB6J-MFtGMNEE7iS0FXxOTPNRa6bsQ/s400/30+tao+dan+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tao Dan Park</span></td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://www.vietvisiontravel.com/tour/pgid/82/aid/3462/" target="_blank">Nam Bo Women’s Museum</a> is a center for educational and cultural activities. It showcases the role of women in building Vietnam’s society, including their active participation in the country’s defense during the war. We were there quite early; they literally opened the museum to let us in. There was no entrance fee and they even gave us a commemorative pin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjWOQSZzZnfw8TbmBgcuILCdYPx7vNs52u_PiH93OMTwwiEKtwwejDhJTMxLZjM-RjllJbr4cxHdGHsDyBppmn7lH1HzneZE6EsqymdS2dixT2J2PEKJOuZlY0a55M4vpBylNU3eLAg/s1600/32+women%2527s+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAjWOQSZzZnfw8TbmBgcuILCdYPx7vNs52u_PiH93OMTwwiEKtwwejDhJTMxLZjM-RjllJbr4cxHdGHsDyBppmn7lH1HzneZE6EsqymdS2dixT2J2PEKJOuZlY0a55M4vpBylNU3eLAg/s400/32+women%2527s+museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Nam Bo Women's Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We also passed by the <a href="http://www.saigonscene.com/Museums.htm" target="_blank">War Remnants Museum</a> but did not go in; we had just come from viewing the war memoirs at the Women’s Museum and that was quite enough (quite sad and depressing).</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJEVPCY19A7PnXrd1OZDzH5XSD0QEQIVubsnF3hOJV64z2OuBknZtCoQ2wqvIXcOVjJ9Or4DJM88637I16dH1Es7JQUYyNOp_IQPTsPgMGps-EQymBDZZspwIj4CTUnmfuGvoeEi-Ug/s1600/34+war+remnants+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmJEVPCY19A7PnXrd1OZDzH5XSD0QEQIVubsnF3hOJV64z2OuBknZtCoQ2wqvIXcOVjJ9Or4DJM88637I16dH1Es7JQUYyNOp_IQPTsPgMGps-EQymBDZZspwIj4CTUnmfuGvoeEi-Ug/s400/34+war+remnants+museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">War Remnants Museum</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">Vietnam is known for beautiful lacquerware products. We visited the <a href="http://tayson.vn/About-Us/" target="_blank">Tayson Lacquerware Factory</a> and were given a tour. The gracious guide took us through the different processes involved in making the intricately decorated products. The attention to detail was amazing. We could not resist buying some souvenirs. </div></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fxx5yfNTBxXOwNTK-_eXkxq_uLfz5nQhOwhN2t2yWaOEKzifdkj8JND-t50el7RYn5QPvAqwrFaqorHSvYl7MYkV0zaUrAi8lr_2AJdEp3K_x0VIhBCex287CtBAZPwCTpYC444gaw/s1600/33+laquer+factory.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Fxx5yfNTBxXOwNTK-_eXkxq_uLfz5nQhOwhN2t2yWaOEKzifdkj8JND-t50el7RYn5QPvAqwrFaqorHSvYl7MYkV0zaUrAi8lr_2AJdEp3K_x0VIhBCex287CtBAZPwCTpYC444gaw/s400/33+laquer+factory.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tayson Lacquerware Factory</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;">For our other purchases, we hit <a href="http://www.vietnamonline.com/attraction/ben-thanh-market.html" target="_blank">Ben Thanh market</a>. It seemed that Ben Thanh had just about everything you may want to buy – name it, the market probably has it. You could even get your meals there. The market stalls were open during the day; at night the merchandise moved out into the streets.</div></span><br />
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</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcEP5pGbEasgxWwcuSp8qQzHdN7Gu3BH6kuozhPrk4RlVFQoTQjDFyKHUiYulePOm4chSihU61Oy9DPyUyuwnYjlUkUblmgfMWBrEDP2poyD-vDuHdy7iyIdJo-qgq6Hng1jKneT4Jw/s1600/33+ben+thanh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEcEP5pGbEasgxWwcuSp8qQzHdN7Gu3BH6kuozhPrk4RlVFQoTQjDFyKHUiYulePOm4chSihU61Oy9DPyUyuwnYjlUkUblmgfMWBrEDP2poyD-vDuHdy7iyIdJo-qgq6Hng1jKneT4Jw/s400/33+ben+thanh.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben Thanh market</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwqR7M0AZu2Z6UUeLzyjHqO0qjXmGSUkrMn9dU8GUJqiJpYaXig3iyTB94yPUkaspDrK5HZTPFJhYsIcMVm8ouprfO0wX4J9a3lmCCgBL-Ft7qXsb-uY0CkLviaEr7rHodZrOw1m-pQ/s1600/34+food+section.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBwqR7M0AZu2Z6UUeLzyjHqO0qjXmGSUkrMn9dU8GUJqiJpYaXig3iyTB94yPUkaspDrK5HZTPFJhYsIcMVm8ouprfO0wX4J9a3lmCCgBL-Ft7qXsb-uY0CkLviaEr7rHodZrOw1m-pQ/s400/34+food+section.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food section</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo2XF84qlaoAIvPQeIqpphdFTx9oKPXi6M6fTly9Vq0dKUlA79iXcE59z1GPvs1p3k0d55yMs00xkv_1INi3iyW8ayL9MMp8dM5a4kC6rfK-IGU5GCJLMnNLHrPevtrQRB4SJTgnGCQ/s1600/35+night+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYo2XF84qlaoAIvPQeIqpphdFTx9oKPXi6M6fTly9Vq0dKUlA79iXcE59z1GPvs1p3k0d55yMs00xkv_1INi3iyW8ayL9MMp8dM5a4kC6rfK-IGU5GCJLMnNLHrPevtrQRB4SJTgnGCQ/s400/35+night+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Ben Thanh night market</span></td></tr>
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Food</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the hotel, the choices for breakfast were pho or Vietnamese-style baguette with eggs; these were served with either Vietnamese coffee (hot or iced!) or juice along with fruit. Pho is a Vietnamese noodle soup; it is usually served with beef or chicken and garnished with Vietnamese basil, mint leaves, and bean sprouts. I’ve heard that Vietnamese iced coffee was really good so I had to try it, even for breakfast. I liked their baguette too; it was light and airy, crispy and chewy. I guess baguettes are Vietnamese staples; I saw baguettes being sold by street vendors and at sidewalk food stalls. We also tried the pho at <a href="http://www.noodlesoup.asia/Pho_2000">Pho 2000</a>, the place where former US president Bill Clinton stopped by for a bowl.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-_QXWpnf6eYEFcjzKP_pHnhoaT-zqpLjA_A_Mhr3XLB14xbSOpX83GYOaUAQpiHvDj-3r4gvWtz7QEa92rh71NF2EpW7L0uFskkB9-HnfCaa25NV6_bnmULBXnRexbBUYr4RzlmtnQ/s1600/29+bfast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC-_QXWpnf6eYEFcjzKP_pHnhoaT-zqpLjA_A_Mhr3XLB14xbSOpX83GYOaUAQpiHvDj-3r4gvWtz7QEa92rh71NF2EpW7L0uFskkB9-HnfCaa25NV6_bnmULBXnRexbBUYr4RzlmtnQ/s400/29+bfast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hotel breakfast</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBbEQ2TynCW_HuxNMErPMWdr7rHdxJK_tvUMJD3Hl5imVQa8a8ahZgwFwuLV4hbH1lhdnTTi3OB5KHKM8uxNI11xY7nQMnRXoNg1ftkHMCLfZ-vZmk4LeAxI2VlQKneUwa7lk6_8S2Q/s1600/16+pho+2000.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="155" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuBbEQ2TynCW_HuxNMErPMWdr7rHdxJK_tvUMJD3Hl5imVQa8a8ahZgwFwuLV4hbH1lhdnTTi3OB5KHKM8uxNI11xY7nQMnRXoNg1ftkHMCLfZ-vZmk4LeAxI2VlQKneUwa7lk6_8S2Q/s400/16+pho+2000.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For a fine-dining experience we went to <a href="http://www.saigoncookingclass.com/indexen.html" target="_blank">Hoa Tuc</a>. Their outdoor seating was inviting but after all the walking we had been doing, we wanted to get out of the heat and humidity for a while so we chose to go indoors. Good call because strong rain suddenly poured. We ordered passion fruit juice, shrimp chips, barbeque filet of snapper and a vegetarian omelet which was served with a plate of greens and dipping sauce. Everything looked delicious and we proceeded to eat. We noticed the head waiter watching us and soon he was at our table. He politely asked me if I wanted to be shown how the omelet dish was to be eaten. Ooops, I was not eating it right?!!! Well, apparently not. He then showed me how I was to take a piece of the omelet, put it in the center of a leaf, wrap the leaf around it then dip the whole thing in the sauce before popping it into my mouth. Oh I see! It made eating the omelet much more exciting and satisfying. For dessert, we had sticky rice balls soup and passion fruit custard. It was raining pretty hard while we were eating but after our meal, the rain had stopped and the sun was out again. (Note: Hoa Tuc also offers Vietnamese-cooking classes.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgANB2RNJIXkYwOlbNKTR-oSxGIOjgyHaNPs6Ecti4-kIzp5NkFfPSFQ_syKsAZWkqb0zHfoHgb1WM_VujZ47qs-VMEDV0W2080ejCHPnDuLFTNLYZWuAm5VF3v4XwUsiMF5xnRkIwKA/s1600/35+hoa+tuc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgANB2RNJIXkYwOlbNKTR-oSxGIOjgyHaNPs6Ecti4-kIzp5NkFfPSFQ_syKsAZWkqb0zHfoHgb1WM_VujZ47qs-VMEDV0W2080ejCHPnDuLFTNLYZWuAm5VF3v4XwUsiMF5xnRkIwKA/s400/35+hoa+tuc.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Hoa Tuc</span></td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My daughter had read about an ice cream parlor in the city; she had included it in our itinerary and we went to seek it out when we needed to rest and refresh ourselves from all that walking. <a href="http://www.vnnavi.com/restaurants/fanny/en_index.html" target="_blank">Fanny Ice Cream</a> was a cozy little shop which served natural ice cream; there were lots of flavors to choose from. Good rest stop.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigp3ocFpR4Wlz_BsQXemkD6Hd_AXJ8qUYBVyUta7tdvtnMwAPr0N4aMaagalzifPMT3is2K0lCAgZgNZx9DBeIgREsS2TpSLl89KlxY1vQz2R30rWwQ87eLLyoTyDmE2NoS04_UmxGIw/s1600/39+fanny+ice+cream.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigp3ocFpR4Wlz_BsQXemkD6Hd_AXJ8qUYBVyUta7tdvtnMwAPr0N4aMaagalzifPMT3is2K0lCAgZgNZx9DBeIgREsS2TpSLl89KlxY1vQz2R30rWwQ87eLLyoTyDmE2NoS04_UmxGIw/s400/39+fanny+ice+cream.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fanny Ice Cream Parlor</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman';"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The last thing on our itinerary was “<a href="http://xinchaosaigon.com/" target="_blank">Xin Chao</a>”; it was advertised as the “must see show of Vietnam”. It was quite entertaining but not very polished. After the show, we had dinner then went back to the hotel to check out; then we headed for the airport.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HiTFhKUZUvI26TmWQ1lNPmHscWIWw-I4ep_XY34apynuLI_-ndBbWpH-3HrI8q2XiCuJ_qCA8Ha7NKyOImlTc7mup1gKc7WF0nYfC9ZlQjWirw4EDBBL3u5cnkSytxGiZb3O3OjGOw/s1600/40+xin+chao.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="189" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HiTFhKUZUvI26TmWQ1lNPmHscWIWw-I4ep_XY34apynuLI_-ndBbWpH-3HrI8q2XiCuJ_qCA8Ha7NKyOImlTc7mup1gKc7WF0nYfC9ZlQjWirw4EDBBL3u5cnkSytxGiZb3O3OjGOw/s320/40+xin+chao.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-65900756136223353932011-10-08T09:25:00.001+08:002011-10-08T09:26:58.734+08:00Ho Chi Minh Vietnam – Part 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Mekong River Delta tour</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">There were several tours available through the hotel and we signed up for a day tour of the Mekong River delta. We were picked up by a van around 730 am; the van then went to other hotels to pick up other guests who were also joining the tour. We were then brought to Pham Ngu Lao Street where we transferred to a bigger bus. It was about a 3-hr drive from Ho Chi Minh to Cai-Be; we had a short rest stop mid-way. During the drive our English-speaking tour guide entertained and educated us with stories about life on the Mekong River delta. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2zW1ZBxCL18a__KSrY3F6VyjnGAA3WO2006oArb6Ff0c9p9VJUmh_7TCx9fDW-szTtZLRSNcVsXkms0_iZDrd2Il7e6GX_Rsi1Kl37tAJ510_QF9ImJE3Nc08Pi6H5cwLSjP21mJlA/s1600/18+drive+to+cai+be.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgm2zW1ZBxCL18a__KSrY3F6VyjnGAA3WO2006oArb6Ff0c9p9VJUmh_7TCx9fDW-szTtZLRSNcVsXkms0_iZDrd2Il7e6GX_Rsi1Kl37tAJ510_QF9ImJE3Nc08Pi6H5cwLSjP21mJlA/s400/18+drive+to+cai+be.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Drive to Cai-Be</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4NXT8v5Ueo6LL0msK3UYzrdBj-uuzRomiqgSSqrNTTlYJNglBs3F-9miWLZmQuAhJIvuaSA5ZR2Xx3Wz5B2JD9LDgYlx2t__MMIq2fM0IJqxnmx0UohVsd0I1J2dcbHOyYG0B_KI8A/s1600/19+DSCN0274+rest+stop.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk4NXT8v5Ueo6LL0msK3UYzrdBj-uuzRomiqgSSqrNTTlYJNglBs3F-9miWLZmQuAhJIvuaSA5ZR2Xx3Wz5B2JD9LDgYlx2t__MMIq2fM0IJqxnmx0UohVsd0I1J2dcbHOyYG0B_KI8A/s400/19+DSCN0274+rest+stop.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rest Stop</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9w4v8XNN90LeTUcPaNgPLZjSZC4Zgs73PIPwaMIBUFlJzyaD5i-5y-FVUpqghULc5jZRzi5cVbVTWupd01PjxqYslrChzsVOg_QG6NBSn7fSlTEOrD4f99MM5RXfmmThmj7T0_KoIw/s1600/20+cai+be+boat+terminal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO9w4v8XNN90LeTUcPaNgPLZjSZC4Zgs73PIPwaMIBUFlJzyaD5i-5y-FVUpqghULc5jZRzi5cVbVTWupd01PjxqYslrChzsVOg_QG6NBSn7fSlTEOrD4f99MM5RXfmmThmj7T0_KoIw/s400/20+cai+be+boat+terminal.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cai-Be Port</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at Cai-Be where we then boarded the boat that would take us along the Mekong River; for this part of the tour, a different English-speaking guide accompanied us. He gave us facts about the Mekong River and told us stories about life on the river delta. We saw the Cai-Be floating market and our guide explained how each boat carried a different product. The boats displayed their product at the end of long poles so that customers would know what the boat carried. He also explained why most of the boats had “eyes” painted on the bow; the people believed that the “eyes” help the boat find their way on the river.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6DciLdlPGtyV4wLhQ2hbasnWGvN152fWp0X_UzMoePW1Ldw3l3FK2rrJDu086oV1A0TRMzkjP5P0JvvTiNDcbzLFjLMc_cNWCNtoNCw7Knayt1i35b_CQSPC_f7vArIRAdq7UldQRQ/s1600/21+floating+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih6DciLdlPGtyV4wLhQ2hbasnWGvN152fWp0X_UzMoePW1Ldw3l3FK2rrJDu086oV1A0TRMzkjP5P0JvvTiNDcbzLFjLMc_cNWCNtoNCw7Knayt1i35b_CQSPC_f7vArIRAdq7UldQRQ/s400/21+floating+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cai-Be floating market</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got off the boat and walked to a village where we were shown how they made puffed rice, rice paper and coconut candy. We then walked to a bee farm where we sampled their honey-kumquat tea. From the village we once again boarded the boat which took us to another village where we had our lunch (this was included in the tour package). </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWl4_HHDPOdp8fkNn7NariRLBFdLgC-m7xUBfcpbSi5HRwG5kEl9gQYYRhnWLFuXgFJ3qkPEuXmnNmVgOTo3m5Wy_9m8to_GFMyA6qJA5sdMPb9YxOLRvgzu58TF8qhTIzse3ak_Ytg/s1600/22+puffed+rice.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRWl4_HHDPOdp8fkNn7NariRLBFdLgC-m7xUBfcpbSi5HRwG5kEl9gQYYRhnWLFuXgFJ3qkPEuXmnNmVgOTo3m5Wy_9m8to_GFMyA6qJA5sdMPb9YxOLRvgzu58TF8qhTIzse3ak_Ytg/s400/22+puffed+rice.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Making puffed rice</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0ko3JTdR1k4Jhko8dHDLNuuV3r1YpBmFlaVMeRFDqg7r4RkRqRJ6eWIwy7Y5t6NKiHbeHiyzc2dzXR0SUAMZZMY5mFXkoaJHPz7AExxAY-a9bXvSzltb-KOgcb-SM6pn3LYIQ0sEwg/s1600/23+rice+paper.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX0ko3JTdR1k4Jhko8dHDLNuuV3r1YpBmFlaVMeRFDqg7r4RkRqRJ6eWIwy7Y5t6NKiHbeHiyzc2dzXR0SUAMZZMY5mFXkoaJHPz7AExxAY-a9bXvSzltb-KOgcb-SM6pn3LYIQ0sEwg/s400/23+rice+paper.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rice paper</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaA1vefxpr49L8-FLZQhiE6a8-EM9hsoLdoTRhY-ZcOBfEJIaPx6cCB7bQXm7R0Clb_6bCfUke3UIJnwX7quYoUCpBfg9ozrFpIW2z0Y9tejtZjUq-WWTwJP6TkxUHBoDproE8FNAgrg/s1600/24+coconut+candy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaA1vefxpr49L8-FLZQhiE6a8-EM9hsoLdoTRhY-ZcOBfEJIaPx6cCB7bQXm7R0Clb_6bCfUke3UIJnwX7quYoUCpBfg9ozrFpIW2z0Y9tejtZjUq-WWTwJP6TkxUHBoDproE8FNAgrg/s400/24+coconut+candy.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Coconut candy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G5VvPC3ePsI_XexsfKaV3nN2zyRTxQnq3ISZ_AyFd7UqHXYFPHDD493hrwHBBjlM3rBzUC7JUWZ8XLYyJ28GclAjAWmZeF2GIeHzjFi8vs_szB-dvpswVIVfIpR4izKsHzUjzj51_w/s1600/25+honey-kumquat+tea.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9G5VvPC3ePsI_XexsfKaV3nN2zyRTxQnq3ISZ_AyFd7UqHXYFPHDD493hrwHBBjlM3rBzUC7JUWZ8XLYyJ28GclAjAWmZeF2GIeHzjFi8vs_szB-dvpswVIVfIpR4izKsHzUjzj51_w/s400/25+honey-kumquat+tea.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Honey-kumquat tea at the bee farm</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi7Mchm9pzRMePniO9GqlpJI23m7oW112D40kEoMHGMABS-1V_yJpcRuz9pvWlE-po3wvez_5SF5x-tEst7XXckj80cxfgrhTbz8z2uOF9Chkf-9-QR-BjjT3ULpVZ0AaW2IW-WIydw/s1600/26+P6180155+another+village+for+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsi7Mchm9pzRMePniO9GqlpJI23m7oW112D40kEoMHGMABS-1V_yJpcRuz9pvWlE-po3wvez_5SF5x-tEst7XXckj80cxfgrhTbz8z2uOF9Chkf-9-QR-BjjT3ULpVZ0AaW2IW-WIydw/s400/26+P6180155+another+village+for+lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Walking through village</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After lunch, we were divided into groups of four because we had to take smaller boats down the narrower part of the river. Vietnamese ladies rowed the boats for us. When we got to the wider part of the river we transferred to the bigger boat again and proceeded to Vinh Long City (capital of Vinh Long province). In Vinh Long we walked through the local market to get to the waiting buses that took us back to Ho Chi Minh. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AMOfw-CXYywwrgNQ0_sqLbG1iXjX-1apRkAHRxZ4zlHV2Zei4YRYmBu81ULAEpy2mAH9tfdHuPJaE-fjRPyKU2pZnXOWPX79JWkEPHyTPbYjTHe8_UbSujlWdqIoeXJOkxP2yRD3aA/s1600/27+small+boat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="110" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5AMOfw-CXYywwrgNQ0_sqLbG1iXjX-1apRkAHRxZ4zlHV2Zei4YRYmBu81ULAEpy2mAH9tfdHuPJaE-fjRPyKU2pZnXOWPX79JWkEPHyTPbYjTHe8_UbSujlWdqIoeXJOkxP2yRD3aA/s400/27+small+boat.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Rowing through the river</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA6lz1IW3n8XjfyK4kYroLfNokFUaB0O8sLmDPE-uR5vvXiYmqhsEUhWREgNKmqDV6f38iBANS4a9F3MnttNNtdmccuYUdzeNrheAwpy28itez8rWrgORt-jhO3rujq74Z-FrojSaWg/s1600/28+vinh+long+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="202" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYA6lz1IW3n8XjfyK4kYroLfNokFUaB0O8sLmDPE-uR5vvXiYmqhsEUhWREgNKmqDV6f38iBANS4a9F3MnttNNtdmccuYUdzeNrheAwpy28itez8rWrgORt-jhO3rujq74Z-FrojSaWg/s400/28+vinh+long+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Vinh Long market</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-7347706850232462412011-10-07T17:19:00.007+08:002011-10-11T09:15:32.150+08:00Phnom Penh Cambodia - Day 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The following morning we were up bright and early. Right after breakfast we rode a tuktuk to yet another temple. <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2102.htm" target="_blank">Wat Phnom</a> (“Temple of the Mountains", "Mountain Pagoda”) is a Buddhist temple built upon an artificial hill. Even at that early hour, the place was buzzing with activity. People were trekking to the top to make offerings; there were vendors, some were selling birds that one could then set free to obtain good luck for the day. On the grounds below, people were gathered around an elephant, watching as visitors fed it bunches of bananas and even gave it several “Coke” bottles to drink.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBRmzKy-sRMq0DUCxdX82S0TR66K58gg1KCJGbn0gpj3Ex2znbiqwALfuENzP8qMEh2PuKXSq-b0JhzufFOAUoaodb-Iz-DeRVsQLG-haOXywy2rYpgRZhBOUveiVSohnOlO4LPDKOw/s1600/18+wat+phnom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbBRmzKy-sRMq0DUCxdX82S0TR66K58gg1KCJGbn0gpj3Ex2znbiqwALfuENzP8qMEh2PuKXSq-b0JhzufFOAUoaodb-Iz-DeRVsQLG-haOXywy2rYpgRZhBOUveiVSohnOlO4LPDKOw/s400/18+wat+phnom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wat Phnom</span></td></tr>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIRXOitTKeYMlUinP707ReIDLnoaThmLxlwKF7Tp_OGU-LetDCq7zIsK1S3FLtRIi6cSydJlz6LZinudz1cTqA9dOuXpnw0eWSLO_0Z0lipcVfwK_3tIUvLIzjHvTS3HLiHUfHN0e6g/s1600/19+offerings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIRXOitTKeYMlUinP707ReIDLnoaThmLxlwKF7Tp_OGU-LetDCq7zIsK1S3FLtRIi6cSydJlz6LZinudz1cTqA9dOuXpnw0eWSLO_0Z0lipcVfwK_3tIUvLIzjHvTS3HLiHUfHN0e6g/s400/19+offerings.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRk6AIrpq3x1WyIapxBVBlGIUY1nR2Ie4YtDe6w2izR_ectQSB6McjWx5QJZIvWShK94Fo73rX6QrqZCBPPPm1ajNtU7RfoWYH555YQ3nm-64srfL7PGPj1DVpdfaBAUiBcHYe5VLJg/s1600/20+grounds.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKRk6AIrpq3x1WyIapxBVBlGIUY1nR2Ie4YtDe6w2izR_ectQSB6McjWx5QJZIvWShK94Fo73rX6QrqZCBPPPm1ajNtU7RfoWYH555YQ3nm-64srfL7PGPj1DVpdfaBAUiBcHYe5VLJg/s400/20+grounds.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRUAmpdOlp_lJWHsWPH3C6ySm3SBHWOow8Y5YNDLVO0ezj3zX6zdy_fkbdlRjwKhYv3nAgeY1eelY-Gi4lF6SfIazlin7ItH0PxDkN0InFI9lWB7n3VlGq-80DWQhJeyFPaKmqCMKZg/s1600/21+vendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="118" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYRUAmpdOlp_lJWHsWPH3C6ySm3SBHWOow8Y5YNDLVO0ezj3zX6zdy_fkbdlRjwKhYv3nAgeY1eelY-Gi4lF6SfIazlin7ItH0PxDkN0InFI9lWB7n3VlGq-80DWQhJeyFPaKmqCMKZg/s400/21+vendors.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our bus back to Ho Chi Minh was leaving at 1130 am so after Wat Phnom we went back to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">the hotel to </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">check out and proceeded to the Central Market. Once again we became fascinated with the variety of merchandise available. After a few more purchases, we walked through the food and fresh produce section on the way to the bus terminal. We were hoping to catch a quick lunch at the market.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Among other things the selection of fruits was delightful. There was this one fruit that was totally new to me so we went to take a closer look. The lady vendor offered me a taste; it was very good and I decided to buy some. The place was quite cramped and crowded. I was engrossed with making my purchase when a lady vendor from the adjacent stall called my attention and pointed to my shoulder bag. This bag had lots of zippered pockets and the pocket that was facing away from me was open and the strap of my camera was dangling out! Through sign and body language, the lady conveyed to me that she had scared away the pickpocket who had attempted to steal from my bag! Luckily nothing was taken. Whew! Thanks to the vigilant lady!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIZDUUaSZFVHRlAOnatZGOYLaJQJLxSwDOQXhasJ7U2Yw0OcsCB74kdCg_hix7efDI8YyXyf0-7pE4_3G9OH6u2pH-Dli3iHF3MEMZGGUympprVPadijj_NPImVedn26h6iFwayVa5Q/s1600/23+fruits.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwIZDUUaSZFVHRlAOnatZGOYLaJQJLxSwDOQXhasJ7U2Yw0OcsCB74kdCg_hix7efDI8YyXyf0-7pE4_3G9OH6u2pH-Dli3iHF3MEMZGGUympprVPadijj_NPImVedn26h6iFwayVa5Q/s400/23+fruits.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MzlVzwSXJWD7gryeLW7R_Lp2FpeAE8vrIaDJ5-AYRVDkPCds_3RE1DRvlGp-yhovzKgLXD_SubbxI1M8XoYrogKdyOwJHn9ajSrrbdmBUH27hl5Id34O13m19SHDXNu38Ougs7OPcw/s1600/24+mysterious+fruit.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3MzlVzwSXJWD7gryeLW7R_Lp2FpeAE8vrIaDJ5-AYRVDkPCds_3RE1DRvlGp-yhovzKgLXD_SubbxI1M8XoYrogKdyOwJHn9ajSrrbdmBUH27hl5Id34O13m19SHDXNu38Ougs7OPcw/s320/24+mysterious+fruit.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What fruit is this?</span></td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We quickly walked away from the crowded market and went to eat lunch at a quieter restaurant before boarding the bus (this time it was a VIP double-decker bus). Once again we went through Cambodia and Vietnam immigration at the border. We were back in Ho Chi Minh a little past 5pm. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphencCwilE2doRj5-bogidtJHf3mRfPZZf7K4bYFIerX17kncnOWLkeoz5egZOZLOVb_S3_cnIWMjiHMqBOZKk2gKyvDoHp9-eApTYN67zv3eWISTRZC7LfoZBfkJnz1gMWGWEzD9cPQ/s1600/25+lunch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7hyphenhyphencCwilE2doRj5-bogidtJHf3mRfPZZf7K4bYFIerX17kncnOWLkeoz5egZOZLOVb_S3_cnIWMjiHMqBOZKk2gKyvDoHp9-eApTYN67zv3eWISTRZC7LfoZBfkJnz1gMWGWEzD9cPQ/s400/25+lunch.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwQ-xpYpCHM8tZtNsnn-79vhOul-l6Cir_SgCjBxNxz4nMvQGw-441-nxEW4YH9sNSqmJ3Vw_uX2XJEqWZu7yx2SNZUBQy0-3CinRaUZ0Lom_W0ZDjrfhEQcqZCvV1F9UtwkxPA4Y7w/s1600/26+P6170388.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgwQ-xpYpCHM8tZtNsnn-79vhOul-l6Cir_SgCjBxNxz4nMvQGw-441-nxEW4YH9sNSqmJ3Vw_uX2XJEqWZu7yx2SNZUBQy0-3CinRaUZ0Lom_W0ZDjrfhEQcqZCvV1F9UtwkxPA4Y7w/s320/26+P6170388.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="color: black;">Note: A few days after posting this, my daughter texted me from Bangkok to inform me that she had just tasted a popsicle with this mystery fruit flavor. The fruit is called <a href="http://www.etawau.com/HTML/Agriculture/Salak.htm" target="_blank">salak</a> (snake fruit); it originated from Indonesia but is now grown in Thailand and Malaysia.</span> </span><o:p></o:p><br />
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</span></span></div></span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-90476787606513384562011-10-07T16:18:00.007+08:002011-10-08T09:37:31.536+08:00Phnom Penh Cambodia - Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl8FVUs50-slBaPBs4dMgETdor70tGZP3q0SHK4djr2zRZr5T6203RwsA4z3N6HMV2dKPKg-U0G1VfUmxVIzFq4KRKJ9bwt7eY2Su7vtoZdbREVCwSWIQDfpFLZJXNcZzwthyphenhyphenCtdzdQ/s1600/1+P6150004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFl8FVUs50-slBaPBs4dMgETdor70tGZP3q0SHK4djr2zRZr5T6203RwsA4z3N6HMV2dKPKg-U0G1VfUmxVIzFq4KRKJ9bwt7eY2Su7vtoZdbREVCwSWIQDfpFLZJXNcZzwthyphenhyphenCtdzdQ/s400/1+P6150004.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our bus to <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Phnom_Penh#b" target="_blank">Phnom Penh</a> was to depart from Ho Chi Minh at 645 am so we requested the hotel for an early breakfast. Then we walked to Pham Ngu Lao where the bus terminal was. We were early birds; we were the first ones to board the bus. Other passengers then started coming; we were traveling with a group of students who had attended a football camp in Ho Chi Minh. They were returning to Phnom Penh with their coach. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1SrTOuFkrpVsbrO0x_O3QHjLaShLi5G11fDEjcM0QHpH7v2fF9WAMKLCd3r78MdbXSR7a-21iogeH0CASfB_89ApJ-s4Yjh8_NWxScuVeFr-Vg7JxCyyuFRRKfpow3I0RG75u9yzDw/s1600/2+road+trip.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="301" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN1SrTOuFkrpVsbrO0x_O3QHjLaShLi5G11fDEjcM0QHpH7v2fF9WAMKLCd3r78MdbXSR7a-21iogeH0CASfB_89ApJ-s4Yjh8_NWxScuVeFr-Vg7JxCyyuFRRKfpow3I0RG75u9yzDw/s400/2+road+trip.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The bus ride took about 5½ hours; at one point the bus boarded a ferry to cross a river. We also stopped for a short break at a roadside cafeteria. Then we were at the Vietnam-Cambodia border. The bus company took care of immigration and visa processing so it was really very convenient. First we had to go through the Vietnamese immigration, then we walked to the next building where we got our Cambodian visas. I noticed the many new casinos and hotels (some still being built) after we crossed the Cambodian border. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXpXIv4Evb-tSjyJsot-F-ZX_-cvd4XtK-RvgPVf-kIfoBvAVnUeXZsmlt9IdA6hyWgPSO7TDA0IwlBVr06bzoaSp477kIjJNUDagcJ3JMfMGvZFtt8OL8vdyUngHNHJI1jP9en8_0Q/s1600/3+P6170403+cambodian+border.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqXpXIv4Evb-tSjyJsot-F-ZX_-cvd4XtK-RvgPVf-kIfoBvAVnUeXZsmlt9IdA6hyWgPSO7TDA0IwlBVr06bzoaSp477kIjJNUDagcJ3JMfMGvZFtt8OL8vdyUngHNHJI1jP9en8_0Q/s400/3+P6170403+cambodian+border.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Cambodian border</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mXVrW-SrJaLCsG3YYOV5B3hFO_HGNjs8c9T0cRijmrNoJndtzLZMqZbic-cb36PMCc8ipxRWGAPwhQmD3wtYgqzSR3eaRBP9lO4p9lbEvltoD9LJmFevwAPaAjhrfrdvQvUn5EnpAQ/s1600/4+casinos.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_mXVrW-SrJaLCsG3YYOV5B3hFO_HGNjs8c9T0cRijmrNoJndtzLZMqZbic-cb36PMCc8ipxRWGAPwhQmD3wtYgqzSR3eaRBP9lO4p9lbEvltoD9LJmFevwAPaAjhrfrdvQvUn5EnpAQ/s400/4+casinos.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Newly-built casinos</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We arrived at the Phnom Penh bus terminal shortly after noon. The terminal was situated near the <a href="http://www.phnompenh.gov.kh/phnom-penh-city-central-market-141.html" target="_blank">Central Market</a>. When we saw the marketplace, the variety of merchandise attracted us like magnets. We ended up buying lots of souvenirs even before we had checked in at the hotel. Loaded with our overnight bags and the newly bought items, we hailed a <a href="http://www.travelfish.org/blogs/phnompenh/2011/02/getting-around-phnom-penh-by-tuk-tuk/" target="_blank">tuktuk</a> and headed for the <a href="http://www.silverriverhotel.com/"target="_blank">Silver River Hotel</a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWAYyJCMov3MUqJOIdLGGXlflqGEqkBIZO9gKPOJzplMioiATPHDlx8YXJ6out_uf8cS-hr3Pr1WpeA2vJgp_AUi9IwrMLbP5pqUik-rDPcRleDXV5I9TF0basy8wNRHftf_U-YSZOQ/s1600/5+central+market.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsWAYyJCMov3MUqJOIdLGGXlflqGEqkBIZO9gKPOJzplMioiATPHDlx8YXJ6out_uf8cS-hr3Pr1WpeA2vJgp_AUi9IwrMLbP5pqUik-rDPcRleDXV5I9TF0basy8wNRHftf_U-YSZOQ/s400/5+central+market.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Central Market</span></span></td></tr>
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</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFhUUj1l_QwbCB0nui4YnXFIwjWdFi8ptJ3tkyP98-9y8qaYp9Hk7iCngGqofn-6i1gKuhwOs7rOO7OdC2jYZkhgrKV-EzzVYn5lGGl1XbV1QlPUwP-DzcJ2raVTqbRD76hBLbD6Adg/s1600/6+tuktuk+to+hotel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="195" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFFhUUj1l_QwbCB0nui4YnXFIwjWdFi8ptJ3tkyP98-9y8qaYp9Hk7iCngGqofn-6i1gKuhwOs7rOO7OdC2jYZkhgrKV-EzzVYn5lGGl1XbV1QlPUwP-DzcJ2raVTqbRD76hBLbD6Adg/s400/6+tuktuk+to+hotel.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After unloading our stuff and freshening up a bit, we were ready to hit the streets again. Based on the maps we had downloaded from Google, the places we wanted to see were within walking distance. Wat (temple) Ounalom was right down the street from the hotel so that’s where we started. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqofHhB3RG6ZzYGpchC6JBFNxBGokPZCYNLyQ7_MIVgewWLt6OnhzcXrIUXn6rbCrkDLCuH-QHQUD5dWaG0djj4CRvWzrBUVGXPiZyO3CBKLLpuwDypVtbgVdXSdU10DIUBqt21rk8g/s1600/7+wat+ounalom.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="163" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyqofHhB3RG6ZzYGpchC6JBFNxBGokPZCYNLyQ7_MIVgewWLt6OnhzcXrIUXn6rbCrkDLCuH-QHQUD5dWaG0djj4CRvWzrBUVGXPiZyO3CBKLLpuwDypVtbgVdXSdU10DIUBqt21rk8g/s400/7+wat+ounalom.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.thailandbeyond.com/2011/05/wat-ounalom-monasteryphnom-penh.html" target="_blank">Wat Ounalom</a></span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our “places to see” list also included the <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2104.htm" target="_blank">National Museum</a>, the <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2101.htm" target="_blank">Royal Palace</a>, the <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2106.htm" target="_blank">National Assembly</a>, <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2107.htm" target="_blank">Wat Botum</a>, the <a href="http://www.enotes.com/topic/Cambodia-Vietnam_Friendship_Monument" target="_blank">Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship monument</a> and the <a href="http://www.taxivantha.com/2_Phnom_Penh/2103.htm" target="_blank">Independence monument</a>. During our walk there were tuktuk drivers offering to take us on a city tour; we declined all offers. There was this one guy who was very, very persistent; he followed us around on his tuktuk for several blocks but eventually quit. I guess the maps we downloaded were not that updated; many street names did not match. We had lots of misses (no, we really did not get lost) but we continued walking anyway and got to see other interesting buildings and landmarks that were not on our list.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF_JRFrb7ZHJQeJ1U_Mb1j78OCxEeg0M_fh2sEJIA6YUyeW-deJjHWDPoh0bQfgojb_1Gy5IJETMvaUu27aSzdm5yYJUBS35A4HNWTPGPGgUlRPHrT80w9OPl_kjpFpphZg34P3hqmA/s1600/15+P6160148.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxF_JRFrb7ZHJQeJ1U_Mb1j78OCxEeg0M_fh2sEJIA6YUyeW-deJjHWDPoh0bQfgojb_1Gy5IJETMvaUu27aSzdm5yYJUBS35A4HNWTPGPGgUlRPHrT80w9OPl_kjpFpphZg34P3hqmA/s400/15+P6160148.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The persistent tuktuk driver</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOBNw6LN-ZxxCvmW4C2mv7mhvkQ9uqGEG4DHFS6NFbcHfUgICxzY6mtt9Q2-IvbxPNkqoiLJgg_9onAWzZITtb7N87uZW00jZKutgYmJ8w39Othh2xu1GMElotAbIwU10pArlrDV_1w/s1600/8+P6160114+national+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCOBNw6LN-ZxxCvmW4C2mv7mhvkQ9uqGEG4DHFS6NFbcHfUgICxzY6mtt9Q2-IvbxPNkqoiLJgg_9onAWzZITtb7N87uZW00jZKutgYmJ8w39Othh2xu1GMElotAbIwU10pArlrDV_1w/s400/8+P6160114+national+museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">National Museum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ItM4EUdMSP4TtouNsIyckt2EtOuvt2pubv8PtuTUKUUYQVR9e1029P4CA-JrS2OVFIbMgrHKG8YSfoSaFHTOZQq_9d_Sb7F1ZVpuAjveRMrTIqa0Vhg1Eu4ABFeas-Q6Z0FHyPysQ/s1600/9+P6160131+plaza+in+front+of+the+royal+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgi8ItM4EUdMSP4TtouNsIyckt2EtOuvt2pubv8PtuTUKUUYQVR9e1029P4CA-JrS2OVFIbMgrHKG8YSfoSaFHTOZQq_9d_Sb7F1ZVpuAjveRMrTIqa0Vhg1Eu4ABFeas-Q6Z0FHyPysQ/s400/9+P6160131+plaza+in+front+of+the+royal+palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Plaza in front of the Royal Palace</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgE4VuaMNJmsWLG4sLc-8jGBqpt0NO86BO_po-C-oP-oUzWPetYgq_z3EDuDEzPzDQp5nJDR_pETuiyiJMNFWB4ZX2KgaDh4uzeoqBAZ1CSj5vi363nAzok_r1Ob-N0juMfbcv4xS6Q/s1600/10+P6160143+royal+palace.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtgE4VuaMNJmsWLG4sLc-8jGBqpt0NO86BO_po-C-oP-oUzWPetYgq_z3EDuDEzPzDQp5nJDR_pETuiyiJMNFWB4ZX2KgaDh4uzeoqBAZ1CSj5vi363nAzok_r1Ob-N0juMfbcv4xS6Q/s400/10+P6160143+royal+palace.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Royal Palace</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ7pGKduSXvAJQ_t0H9bmMkJf-LJY_-msyS-ibaf9a9gY39SKc9-BnvY07X4beoJ1ZoaekyOOt-FlA4uxv6CUFOWIJn8CgbywvWaLv9kMMXoAz0XAP8_kOqA5-VKNGOK_o-qxlUNlcw/s1600/11+P6160165+old+national+assembly.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEQ7pGKduSXvAJQ_t0H9bmMkJf-LJY_-msyS-ibaf9a9gY39SKc9-BnvY07X4beoJ1ZoaekyOOt-FlA4uxv6CUFOWIJn8CgbywvWaLv9kMMXoAz0XAP8_kOqA5-VKNGOK_o-qxlUNlcw/s400/11+P6160165+old+national+assembly.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">National Assembly</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslgCfTeBWJKFdB4QsuQTuohZPE8g62NS6FFc4x67Kho8pKPEXeiRoMG-mKseEub91k701GdqVjo2Wpy6Ww8X12aw2SnDALTomKS6edljTn7Oek4Nye52d4EGDdwhwFSP5Xy3EvCurBA/s1600/12+P6160171+wat+botum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgslgCfTeBWJKFdB4QsuQTuohZPE8g62NS6FFc4x67Kho8pKPEXeiRoMG-mKseEub91k701GdqVjo2Wpy6Ww8X12aw2SnDALTomKS6edljTn7Oek4Nye52d4EGDdwhwFSP5Xy3EvCurBA/s400/12+P6160171+wat+botum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wat Botum</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1CNhWDL1-KaTySFwF47WnTjY29ZbDFtKKfeEH0g1gpH3HPiOcHltMIGrJi-U2i7wpZfXu6Qg9_oI88H5K5QdPnZayKQt8zlCBJ2McY6oQehTeGnzne4o2MzWBYiLVQH44Oc0-PPEfA/s1600/13+P6160181+cambodia-vietnam+friendship+monument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG1CNhWDL1-KaTySFwF47WnTjY29ZbDFtKKfeEH0g1gpH3HPiOcHltMIGrJi-U2i7wpZfXu6Qg9_oI88H5K5QdPnZayKQt8zlCBJ2McY6oQehTeGnzne4o2MzWBYiLVQH44Oc0-PPEfA/s400/13+P6160181+cambodia-vietnam+friendship+monument.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Cambodia-Vietnam Friendship Monument</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBs2OX6QAUrgMdQlTXopmQPrGzCXKEt5jm0_B3bJTI-HOeiecs0J6WzpO0Xstrdm1-eAKFj8MkNZk7bLsNHNmkm7YRWBukhDV2tou4tJEw449cTq8DaWTfjkexfNsLRJfEwnsTmat1A/s1600/14+P6160188+independence+monument.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfBs2OX6QAUrgMdQlTXopmQPrGzCXKEt5jm0_B3bJTI-HOeiecs0J6WzpO0Xstrdm1-eAKFj8MkNZk7bLsNHNmkm7YRWBukhDV2tou4tJEw449cTq8DaWTfjkexfNsLRJfEwnsTmat1A/s400/14+P6160188+independence+monument.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Independence Monument</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCrXl3oy4nT4dKLvF4A_Fo6osRscaDV5H-iiWCc96MkxAiOVcKnfZltyYcJ5hyphenhyphenlvb4sDEDi6Fx-VWfkVnyVzC4EdQNq7r8tsjSoODH26aMDhfz-zkKKfa3qgWQ42U_qpfd0bDt_nOBA/s1600/16+others.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCrXl3oy4nT4dKLvF4A_Fo6osRscaDV5H-iiWCc96MkxAiOVcKnfZltyYcJ5hyphenhyphenlvb4sDEDi6Fx-VWfkVnyVzC4EdQNq7r8tsjSoODH26aMDhfz-zkKKfa3qgWQ42U_qpfd0bDt_nOBA/s400/16+others.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Other places of interest</span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We stopped at <a href="http://phnom-penh.leboost-cambodia.com/guide/vego-salad-bar-161.html" target="_blank">Vego Salad Bar</a> for a snack and to rehydrate (it was very hot and sunny). We were actually looking for a vegetarian restaurant that was on our itinerary but found this place instead; we were not disappointed. After the meal, we were once again ready to go. This time we hailed a tuktuk to take us to the <a href="http://www.phnompenh.gov.kh/phnom-penh-city-russian-market-142.html" target="_blank">Russian market</a> which was quite a distance away. Apparently it was already closing time so most of the shops had ended their business for the day; there were only a few street stalls that were still open.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC3ce6cTLWA5Eo4W4FsRYGlvtCyCxhaRivV_z6SbvWdiBD4VXIMe8BRj1VyNJMEYiTzZEzsxmjpD1WabP7TvX0PZ9jyWeXax-qI9QJ2zI_xdKq5dcAj-ceECD8ycgiBRSZ5guAjiBqg/s1600/17+vego.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="95" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzC3ce6cTLWA5Eo4W4FsRYGlvtCyCxhaRivV_z6SbvWdiBD4VXIMe8BRj1VyNJMEYiTzZEzsxmjpD1WabP7TvX0PZ9jyWeXax-qI9QJ2zI_xdKq5dcAj-ceECD8ycgiBRSZ5guAjiBqg/s320/17+vego.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back at the hotel we indulged in a Khmer massage. Aaaahhhh, we deserved it after the day’s travel and all that walking.</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-86720768202416141532011-10-06T17:09:00.011+08:002011-10-08T09:35:29.843+08:00Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam – Part 1<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">My daughter planned our <a href="http://wikitravel.org/en/Ho_Chi_Minh_City#b" target="_blank">Ho Chi Minh</a> itinerary. Minus flying time, we had five days for this trip, including a side trip to Phnom Penh, Cambodia. She really packed a full schedule!</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">I have heard from friends that there are lots of motorbikes in Vietnam but I was still overwhelmed when I saw them firsthand. WOW! There are really lots and lots of motorbikes! We were staying at the <a href="http://www.tulipshotel.com/" target="_blank">Tulips Hotel</a> and it’s location was ideal; most of the places we wanted to visit were within 5-20 minutes walking distance. Crossing the street was always exciting; when you think it’s safe to go, there would be motorbikes popping up suddenly from unexpected places. </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfZ0BV9l-pKUNee8ijOm-y-6b4l9Edfak9x2OgBdSIvzs7Vc1TzOuTR3P7B6g2-dupuUZJ3IcrbCQ-i0oHLs5xP6cyLFzU9MsArUCBHCoFk05TfQhly4nV8qmom11ngNaYI5lbbIpSQ/s1600/0+motorbikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDfZ0BV9l-pKUNee8ijOm-y-6b4l9Edfak9x2OgBdSIvzs7Vc1TzOuTR3P7B6g2-dupuUZJ3IcrbCQ-i0oHLs5xP6cyLFzU9MsArUCBHCoFk05TfQhly4nV8qmom11ngNaYI5lbbIpSQ/s400/0+motorbikes.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We accomplished a lot on our first day. After having some money changed at a pawn shop in the Ben Thanh Market area we proceeded to Pham Ngu Lao (backpackers’ district) where we bought bus tickets for the trip to Phnom Penh (the next day).</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.ppsoryatransport.com/" target="_blank"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipYXZRgs0Ur6NgXeLjzi1bIZKx7kGe3C30u0thaTs53Iq3_Hj8wgIo1FxR3ekYGcFANJ9peCaHbqPhgBE44Ew7yFrsZj-ZmWDDlLeXpxK0ukNSTPQdEbt1-J54jDrQvukZanxZk_3i6w/s400/0+P6140107.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">Among the places we visited were: the Ho Chi Minh Museum of Fine Arts, the People’s Community Hall (aka Ho Chi Minh City Hall or Hôtel de Ville de Saigon), the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Post Office, the Saigon Opera House, and the Reunification Palace (also called the Independence Palace). Along the way, we passed by a Hindu Temple, a Buddhist Temple, many sidewalk food stalls and street vendors. Aside from regular merchandise, there were also interesting and exotic stuff for sale (insects, snakes in bottles). </div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50kQTPdhiwjKyxVzbG1-Vh7DI1RZIoEn131DTkwYiwc7-6lVPKm7rtiexAMviagsMumjYFGUOo1nrAKG6QS7HZHXuInWNoEQqu56DnNQSy05_pYWZ77kmRtpz7o_AXuu8qY-ROcq4aw/s1600/1+fine+arts+museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="142" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50kQTPdhiwjKyxVzbG1-Vh7DI1RZIoEn131DTkwYiwc7-6lVPKm7rtiexAMviagsMumjYFGUOo1nrAKG6QS7HZHXuInWNoEQqu56DnNQSy05_pYWZ77kmRtpz7o_AXuu8qY-ROcq4aw/s400/1+fine+arts+museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fine Arts Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnzbTjMPau-05L82yBdfJtWIKl7jqJhgBHslmEZfFmAcH-k-3RPNgU93XLmWGpd71-hj4zRZz7xTrs5LcLDCb5E4nyOP3d4KC3b12fbQaOodionz99AH8B0nX_qJ6tfRQEUtUZqwlrw/s1600/2+opera+house.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpnzbTjMPau-05L82yBdfJtWIKl7jqJhgBHslmEZfFmAcH-k-3RPNgU93XLmWGpd71-hj4zRZz7xTrs5LcLDCb5E4nyOP3d4KC3b12fbQaOodionz99AH8B0nX_qJ6tfRQEUtUZqwlrw/s400/2+opera+house.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Opera House</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsrat_oUvpVl4kRZgdNGh-ITG-P2X7-qDZBUYcEO7xznCEFWXljoD_FeT2stGCq0UkiIMY_8OuxNJlSJWBWQ9vf7VdjJ9VmH8-E3VEpzLZ7cr8exIuSQIPDZfRZ1l0jVu6MBYKBCAg/s1600/3+people%2527s+community+hall.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="141" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRWsrat_oUvpVl4kRZgdNGh-ITG-P2X7-qDZBUYcEO7xznCEFWXljoD_FeT2stGCq0UkiIMY_8OuxNJlSJWBWQ9vf7VdjJ9VmH8-E3VEpzLZ7cr8exIuSQIPDZfRZ1l0jVu6MBYKBCAg/s400/3+people%2527s+community+hall.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">People's Community Hall</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW2V16vIAbCGvxSPtclF9x5pj1bRmXuLuML1hMAOGkiudsYBV8YLvY8IkhWoT2KXupwdXA2UUacVDJpq2KqXR1TD7K9-FoPN-GkQOVY4YMEp7-zUNRdySgLAki99pemldccBHNdJZVA/s1600/4+P6150219+notre+dame+cathedral.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWW2V16vIAbCGvxSPtclF9x5pj1bRmXuLuML1hMAOGkiudsYBV8YLvY8IkhWoT2KXupwdXA2UUacVDJpq2KqXR1TD7K9-FoPN-GkQOVY4YMEp7-zUNRdySgLAki99pemldccBHNdJZVA/s400/4+P6150219+notre+dame+cathedral.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Notre Dame Cathedral</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_PEtPASPS-y5PKlFw92hMXeldSXwADonIlbS2y1I7HdObaJYuRK5GFSd0VcuQnjJ5P82mPAsFqfHNv3nqarHVPocrkbEHiuXr-3QQaofpEUxq-ojLUMWjiaBySj5cknNSZgAuiTHOw/s1600/5+P6150234+post+office.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1_PEtPASPS-y5PKlFw92hMXeldSXwADonIlbS2y1I7HdObaJYuRK5GFSd0VcuQnjJ5P82mPAsFqfHNv3nqarHVPocrkbEHiuXr-3QQaofpEUxq-ojLUMWjiaBySj5cknNSZgAuiTHOw/s400/5+P6150234+post+office.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Post Office</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kIOOWh4OyLaaOnsGZst0UXHV2p1YRiW097iT7iAOh3lbwBp6BYfDMsh4bKOe_zPau_0uuWCrhB0mD6MR9c8FfgVFhC7sc4ET1bOEvAxTB_BAfaPTwcZkfhFwNO0fR6xl8ObAB4Zx4w/s1600/7+P6150255+reunification+palace+%2528independence+palace%2529.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1kIOOWh4OyLaaOnsGZst0UXHV2p1YRiW097iT7iAOh3lbwBp6BYfDMsh4bKOe_zPau_0uuWCrhB0mD6MR9c8FfgVFhC7sc4ET1bOEvAxTB_BAfaPTwcZkfhFwNO0fR6xl8ObAB4Zx4w/s400/7+P6150255+reunification+palace+%2528independence+palace%2529.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Reunification Palace</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2UOWlGHae_Go049ks0db2596Pg6qThoGOtcUaYQDJlRfpv7HFXaaO4kXgLWwr5zxbP1AKGNoRmnfHS9yF33nvxrMM_u3OUgRE9TYvJPcZJIrj6QDkmqGRXbnjka0TjYH8keD_bYLw/s1600/8+hindu+temple.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-c2UOWlGHae_Go049ks0db2596Pg6qThoGOtcUaYQDJlRfpv7HFXaaO4kXgLWwr5zxbP1AKGNoRmnfHS9yF33nvxrMM_u3OUgRE9TYvJPcZJIrj6QDkmqGRXbnjka0TjYH8keD_bYLw/s400/8+hindu+temple.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Hindu Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MmwZT_ZnBidhykDX_koiK3bL8VtmpGZS77zUpLVg0Vzx1ZNtJJd8fd67wIXr2ma5cRiqMOmdaGlPhHRuY9whTsqUcmF4MXUZzGaQNq6MNXtsjzNy8BBjvCRkEHA8h-SKcnGcf7H5bQ/s1600/9+P6140415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MmwZT_ZnBidhykDX_koiK3bL8VtmpGZS77zUpLVg0Vzx1ZNtJJd8fd67wIXr2ma5cRiqMOmdaGlPhHRuY9whTsqUcmF4MXUZzGaQNq6MNXtsjzNy8BBjvCRkEHA8h-SKcnGcf7H5bQ/s400/9+P6140415.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A Buddhist Temple</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjSNdWfaWlx3uKAsfbqq45tlZHY22jXjTaU_Vh6mWgsO_9US_-F7tVaQP6g64yyBS5dU5PXGaY3iGnbruzwVkrM35WWzPdsDe4m77rFkb8X73CZjdvZz3V6FDU_ivYnRRBS1I6L4qmg/s1600/10+sidewalk+food+stalls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFjSNdWfaWlx3uKAsfbqq45tlZHY22jXjTaU_Vh6mWgsO_9US_-F7tVaQP6g64yyBS5dU5PXGaY3iGnbruzwVkrM35WWzPdsDe4m77rFkb8X73CZjdvZz3V6FDU_ivYnRRBS1I6L4qmg/s400/10+sidewalk+food+stalls.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sidewalk food stalls</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSq1-mS77ncqqs-1aBhyPlC_Wwf7L5MBi3q1wkhwtH05Cc5SDKtir8EPP0ZyJ1arm-7Igxx_N7HaJKiBniZL0W9WyuTVIOVMzPc_m1N5TZa9BV5Tjak8eyMfIg7lo_F5pZrtUjN34FQ/s1600/11+street+vendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKSq1-mS77ncqqs-1aBhyPlC_Wwf7L5MBi3q1wkhwtH05Cc5SDKtir8EPP0ZyJ1arm-7Igxx_N7HaJKiBniZL0W9WyuTVIOVMzPc_m1N5TZa9BV5Tjak8eyMfIg7lo_F5pZrtUjN34FQ/s400/11+street+vendors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street vendors</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrgHe2CjZK4BHBAIdWayEWIm7dPMKa-vZsxtUQTx0wfIJbq3MmVWClbLnxzon5uWNtblJJY0goUAemRvtkqY1-eNVMZKRZww5DcMqWHLIGSc718Qcv73V_AUsZPAyDl1_HhAFkLBRlA/s1600/12+exotic+stuff.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvrgHe2CjZK4BHBAIdWayEWIm7dPMKa-vZsxtUQTx0wfIJbq3MmVWClbLnxzon5uWNtblJJY0goUAemRvtkqY1-eNVMZKRZww5DcMqWHLIGSc718Qcv73V_AUsZPAyDl1_HhAFkLBRlA/s400/12+exotic+stuff.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Exotic merchandise</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We did a lot of walking; we just did not have the courage to get on a motorbike so we declined offers of tours on motorbikes. I enjoy walking but it was quite hot and humid. When we were in front of the Opera House, I saw a street vendor who was selling “buko” (young coconut). I was really thirsty at that point and ordered two pieces (one for my daughter, of course). When I asked how much it cost, I was shocked! The guy said VND 150,000.00! That’s about US$ 7.00! more than PHP 300! Seriously!!!??? We told the vendor that we were from the Philippines and buko there was much, much cheaper (PHP 50 is already a high price). We haggled and he brought the price down to VND 70,000; still quite expensive but I was thirsty.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AO82feeelH1mfGZgbySja-9sYEkwYmilXWSx75s90U-I-g0hVA7sTbnbv6SI74yRxyJDioUZfAuWDMtKlFRm7W_eSHoak-ptOnHLQ6ZlwUReiQYeWEF70ZoKbE5WxpVVIAv-IBKTyA/s1600/13+P6140298.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4AO82feeelH1mfGZgbySja-9sYEkwYmilXWSx75s90U-I-g0hVA7sTbnbv6SI74yRxyJDioUZfAuWDMtKlFRm7W_eSHoak-ptOnHLQ6ZlwUReiQYeWEF70ZoKbE5WxpVVIAv-IBKTyA/s400/13+P6140298.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">How much? Seriously??!!!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We stopped for lunch at a place called “<a href="http://www.vietnamvespaadventures.com/cafe_zoom" target="_blank">Café Zoom</a>”, a Vespa-themed café (yes, more motorbikes). You can watch the traffic go by (again mostly motorbikes) as you enjoy your meal.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfc5qKcUjvshVxH70NBwjJ2fJJxw9S36Kz98Gk0A5Wk5wx7GA4NalS9nTBR_dU8_MOUPnU7x9erg0ojWhxFEbVp6pu-fBBGNsn4JVsZjwJ-0vcsqjrPfGUcU8_-MBpnmkPTNsxQajNg/s1600/14+P6150133.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxfc5qKcUjvshVxH70NBwjJ2fJJxw9S36Kz98Gk0A5Wk5wx7GA4NalS9nTBR_dU8_MOUPnU7x9erg0ojWhxFEbVp6pu-fBBGNsn4JVsZjwJ-0vcsqjrPfGUcU8_-MBpnmkPTNsxQajNg/s400/14+P6150133.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We were able to get tickets for that afternoon’s water puppets show at the Golden Dragon Water Puppet Theater. By then our legs and feet were really, really tired and sitting down for the show was a welcome break. A traditional Vietnamese orchestra provides the background music and the narration is in Vietnamese. We may not have understood exactly what they were saying but we got the gist of the story and we enjoyed the show nonetheless.</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_35yHg1uvTRv2mMrNqk6MwibtbIqlhoBJXnnNHaUCFfO0fS8cSPBOBQKKyN7Apdv1XC5ywstx3QvlwH1e-ogsB8Ty_jMVBDmNfeG6OXlWBxpKCDAxYWJoWVrDKv24IHGsGzHUv6NnQ/s1600/15+water+puppets+show.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="282" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY_35yHg1uvTRv2mMrNqk6MwibtbIqlhoBJXnnNHaUCFfO0fS8cSPBOBQKKyN7Apdv1XC5ywstx3QvlwH1e-ogsB8Ty_jMVBDmNfeG6OXlWBxpKCDAxYWJoWVrDKv24IHGsGzHUv6NnQ/s400/15+water+puppets+show.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water puppets show</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;">We were pretty tired after all that walking so we just bought some food and headed back to the hotel. We had to get up early the next day for our trip to Phnom Penh!</div></span></div><div><div><div><div></div></div></div></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-30971381192953811772011-10-05T14:24:00.001+08:002011-10-05T14:27:06.444+08:00St. Augustine - Florida<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://staugustine.com/history/nations-oldest-city" target="_blank">St. Augustine</a> is the oldest city in the US; it was founded by Don Pedro Menendez de Aviles of Spain in 1565. We drove up to St. Augustine from my niece’s place in Orlando (about a 2-hr drive). Since we had one-year old baby with us, we decided that the most convenient way to see <a href="http://www.oldcity.com/attractions-sightseeing-information.cfm"target="_blank">city’s attractions</a> was to take the <a href="http://www.trolleytours.com/st-augustine/day-tour.asp" target="_blank">Old Town Trolley tour</a>. It was a hop-on hop-off tour that covered the entire city; the conductors also provide narrations about the different sights mixed with trivia and humorous stories. We made stops at the Old Jail/ Gator Bob’s Trading Post/ St. Augustine History Museum, the <a href="http://www.sansebastianwinery.com/" target="_blank">San Sebastian Winery</a> and the Castillo de San Marcos.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NT3DqhaormN380QIR9mhcQyPSEeuoS06qmoEKltqrkMxNRN5DTtocE70Wnbeqttq17GwqJmrVdR7hgN6q3_VrJ-vAKITq2GNsg_azxuEONjLZNB0BHUer_uL4ASey4k2MptcNrJwaw/s1600/18+DSCN9931.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8NT3DqhaormN380QIR9mhcQyPSEeuoS06qmoEKltqrkMxNRN5DTtocE70Wnbeqttq17GwqJmrVdR7hgN6q3_VrJ-vAKITq2GNsg_azxuEONjLZNB0BHUer_uL4ASey4k2MptcNrJwaw/s400/18+DSCN9931.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlI4K1-rn0GJ37V4LxNvVU_XWLiqRpMhMhkNs9bjHwoLFtdFlLjPMiv04gain5T4LFeWL8IImG5g03KiI7hzhKKfnYjBFkJbfxRDNBqaIhKkprvDFoJgRITE52bUD1GNLs8Gzqfs4NA/s1600/19+oldest+tree.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxlI4K1-rn0GJ37V4LxNvVU_XWLiqRpMhMhkNs9bjHwoLFtdFlLjPMiv04gain5T4LFeWL8IImG5g03KiI7hzhKKfnYjBFkJbfxRDNBqaIhKkprvDFoJgRITE52bUD1GNLs8Gzqfs4NA/s400/19+oldest+tree.jpg" width="267" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtabph9RvPe9z2eUKZnKH5PXiuszZadnHZ6LwThmWzVmRSB8t9TyKyrGCwOrwX6lMthiBdqg9ts2ogTsc3sbTzVCgh8mnzEG16FLpb3AMVjcxIvQGL5jTNdtNzi6GVJQXtuMPuA5lWA/s1600/20+old+jail.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxtabph9RvPe9z2eUKZnKH5PXiuszZadnHZ6LwThmWzVmRSB8t9TyKyrGCwOrwX6lMthiBdqg9ts2ogTsc3sbTzVCgh8mnzEG16FLpb3AMVjcxIvQGL5jTNdtNzi6GVJQXtuMPuA5lWA/s400/20+old+jail.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Osi6a4yAibRanRl9k5fxLhS_S4IJ_PR0WB9hMPNA8838n5ZzPnxxDpBl0rc2OxOlcYTdwyrETQ_Q6EoanV2gqzQ0JLu_Q1PkKvAyBwTM4yOFWCEzGtFui3O772Zc1eWkfJPhPk8rw/s1600/21+other+sights.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA8Osi6a4yAibRanRl9k5fxLhS_S4IJ_PR0WB9hMPNA8838n5ZzPnxxDpBl0rc2OxOlcYTdwyrETQ_Q6EoanV2gqzQ0JLu_Q1PkKvAyBwTM4yOFWCEzGtFui3O772Zc1eWkfJPhPk8rw/s400/21+other+sights.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdC36nVDP5rhSZ4ElHonoBkOzXKriKdGlzoJWxA0obFZKnNe5Y7pCZ8RTJSaPzKlf74_hmutHr31sNy97lJQzW_ksCtxY-GUKC19WsNSBWwYDzO4P-WviNEUnnbF1wxBmZu-eC-fahQ/s1600/22+oldest.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTdC36nVDP5rhSZ4ElHonoBkOzXKriKdGlzoJWxA0obFZKnNe5Y7pCZ8RTJSaPzKlf74_hmutHr31sNy97lJQzW_ksCtxY-GUKC19WsNSBWwYDzO4P-WviNEUnnbF1wxBmZu-eC-fahQ/s400/22+oldest.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">At the end of the winery tour, we received a crash course on wine tasting and got to sample San Sebastian’s wines. It was a very interesting and informative session; I felt like I understood wines better after that experience. We ended up buying two bottles of their fine wines.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh3ufGWFxIFnQXtHwrZOzISdjxR8wXHVPaA30uQ9uPREWWeVSI5an8LLJ3Tjm_QwUBvUOOqFOcpIVY7TWt_kXWf513SByXAVFi5uU25eiErm_ttvpjWgWjl9zLU5CziylF3SunPnkvw/s1600/23+san+sebastian+winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBh3ufGWFxIFnQXtHwrZOzISdjxR8wXHVPaA30uQ9uPREWWeVSI5an8LLJ3Tjm_QwUBvUOOqFOcpIVY7TWt_kXWf513SByXAVFi5uU25eiErm_ttvpjWgWjl9zLU5CziylF3SunPnkvw/s400/23+san+sebastian+winery.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br />
</div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-8555503847097116272011-10-05T11:15:00.001+08:002011-10-05T11:22:41.480+08:00The everglades - Florida<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;">A<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">s a young girl I used to watch a show on TV called “The Everglades”. It was exciting to see the airboat gliding over the “grass” on the water. Now I know that this sawgrass prairie is the primary feature of the <a href="http://www.nwf.org/Wildlife/Wild-Places/Everglades.aspx" target="_blank">everglades</a>. The everglades encompasses a huge area; it is a two million acre wetland ecosystem that reaches from central Florida (near Orlando) all the way to Florida Bay in the south. When my brothers and I were planning a trip to the everglades, we were pleased to learn that the <a href="http://evergladestours.com/"target="_blank">Sawgrass Recreation Area</a> in Weston was just 30 minutes away.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN7OxoKCAIpRE5Cwb9XJuxhznp3Nl1koiGKfBzaEqtvnkWuH27390OkNjltVY6DB6D1SUA5quzq3VTQ9NKWPePwmL0mv9Ei7ur-EWE-1p_Wa-tIe2VVp_fwM5j_MC1bkctW0uLl1Z-w/s1600/9+DSCN9806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWN7OxoKCAIpRE5Cwb9XJuxhznp3Nl1koiGKfBzaEqtvnkWuH27390OkNjltVY6DB6D1SUA5quzq3VTQ9NKWPePwmL0mv9Ei7ur-EWE-1p_Wa-tIe2VVp_fwM5j_MC1bkctW0uLl1Z-w/s320/9+DSCN9806.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhZx4ycVtIzzsVo-f82t-A03rDbc6K3cxSMrn6j2VnYa4rtAcGkNbujGY3PNcf3n0w4uJTLLz-HS08ydpMbbu0yAKbJ1OL7dbwsNKaYMQQWChmNAxyTmT9nZPCdbAof78mLu25e-0hA/s1600/10+DSCN9750.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvhZx4ycVtIzzsVo-f82t-A03rDbc6K3cxSMrn6j2VnYa4rtAcGkNbujGY3PNcf3n0w4uJTLLz-HS08ydpMbbu0yAKbJ1OL7dbwsNKaYMQQWChmNAxyTmT9nZPCdbAof78mLu25e-0hA/s400/10+DSCN9750.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When we bought our tickets for the airboat ride, they also gave us earplugs; I would soon find out why. When we boarded the airboat, the first thing we were instructed to do was to put on the earplugs; the guide then started the airboat’s engine. We could feel the powerfull vibration of the motor but everything was muffled.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPB0bf0l1mdglGUec07nnAPc_wZWbFHTCrseZwLcinwcc9Mva0y9aUeiQrT7Uuu3l6g1dIL6GaothHkHQY6j_byFB1PtK-QalnSGVvtAgbV3Ja7Lk2L-G7YofdeL-WhXvtJI42XGirg/s1600/11+everglades.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSPB0bf0l1mdglGUec07nnAPc_wZWbFHTCrseZwLcinwcc9Mva0y9aUeiQrT7Uuu3l6g1dIL6GaothHkHQY6j_byFB1PtK-QalnSGVvtAgbV3Ja7Lk2L-G7YofdeL-WhXvtJI42XGirg/s400/11+everglades.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU__3w_0CT9xcQCJSh7CCt8jDPQVgFyencEUg5u6MkhMKKVVxKxZHf0_BdOx3G9mvvvkXPw3AS3rQAKyGF2Sdp7-QhFOdKA5hcVyTwP5v93w8Oo2gQBigojfbrY9_mQPkmTW4RcW-Z-w/s1600/12+DSCN9800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU__3w_0CT9xcQCJSh7CCt8jDPQVgFyencEUg5u6MkhMKKVVxKxZHf0_BdOx3G9mvvvkXPw3AS3rQAKyGF2Sdp7-QhFOdKA5hcVyTwP5v93w8Oo2gQBigojfbrY9_mQPkmTW4RcW-Z-w/s400/12+DSCN9800.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The rubber gator</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The guide warned us to keep all body parts inside the boat; the sawgrass blades are sharp and at the speed we were going, we could get nasty cuts. He also told us that, if we were lucky, we might get to see some alligators up close! Oh, I would not mind at all if we did not see any. So we skimmed over the water, slowing down at times, stopping in some places and waiting for alligator sightings. The ride was over and we had yet to see a single gator. I was thinking that with all the noise that the boat was making, the gators would surely be getting out of our way.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdFWjLTouevTY6QD66O0eTqG-VFY0OkgPTKY1fuQRM_nGjDp_mjier3eamkPjFwLtjrV16TW0n2tNHGdP-46LOmFS6vUlyThDC2477ibq-K7axtijuOnCaQGV1dWlmFH2lmMMeMt9GA/s1600/13+DSCN9815.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNdFWjLTouevTY6QD66O0eTqG-VFY0OkgPTKY1fuQRM_nGjDp_mjier3eamkPjFwLtjrV16TW0n2tNHGdP-46LOmFS6vUlyThDC2477ibq-K7axtijuOnCaQGV1dWlmFH2lmMMeMt9GA/s400/13+DSCN9815.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So back on land we decided to check out the “mini-zoo” where they had gators and other reptiles, as well as other animals. I’m not really a zoo-person so the small animal exhibit was just right. The highlight for me was when I got to hold a baby gator! (It’s mouth was taped shut so I was fine.)</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-dFL-AIzBMKR1Y1DSZdsm4p4wct3uQDbkuXqTvOn4keZ7O3cqF1zBr274zDLgItCf1C4aEP7mEsOZtk-qwhr53uBM2FUd-m4hWyxDnWhF8qTf_jA7jpCdPGdBDwT4Qoq-fLuu9Mtew/s1600/14+gators.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjX-dFL-AIzBMKR1Y1DSZdsm4p4wct3uQDbkuXqTvOn4keZ7O3cqF1zBr274zDLgItCf1C4aEP7mEsOZtk-qwhr53uBM2FUd-m4hWyxDnWhF8qTf_jA7jpCdPGdBDwT4Qoq-fLuu9Mtew/s400/14+gators.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURYD_RmsAnbmWgCF1okXfsLwYDhz6PZDvXFyEyZ6TthSopS4BabRkvfmr2YWR3gyYjoVxviwtugPANJec6RGTodPVhcrhyhOKOpflU5yDJc5D5JWV97S7WvP1es6tzdQNlkX3MOo8sA/s1600/17+other+animals.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURYD_RmsAnbmWgCF1okXfsLwYDhz6PZDvXFyEyZ6TthSopS4BabRkvfmr2YWR3gyYjoVxviwtugPANJec6RGTodPVhcrhyhOKOpflU5yDJc5D5JWV97S7WvP1es6tzdQNlkX3MOo8sA/s400/17+other+animals.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-31702079985750079642011-10-04T17:50:00.007+08:002011-10-05T14:47:05.555+08:00Key West, Florida<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The <a href="http://miami.about.com/cs/touris1/a/keys.htm" target="_blank">Florida Keys</a> is a chain of islands that begin at the southeastern tip of the Florida peninsula; the islands of the Florida Keys run southwest from Miami. The Florida Keys span some 110 miles and are connected by bridges and causeways. The first island, and the largest, is <a href="http://www.fla-keys.com/keylargo/" target="_blank">Key Largo</a>. The last island is <a href="http://www.fla-keys.com/keywest/" target="_blank">Key West</a>; it is also known as the Last Resort, the Southernmost Point in the continental US.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRL-YGDhUw8qOT5EWe4mRnlK83nQnzaUjXP1jhA9WuNwA5IVHlnILzMq9yKKM3UW1_9Yliqs8WTiGjblXHepQbJBUPlaxmssOASi5DIrzVZtUGJDTrnhrgcj7vK9G6-vcocos8L66rQ/s1600/1+drive+to+key+west.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcRL-YGDhUw8qOT5EWe4mRnlK83nQnzaUjXP1jhA9WuNwA5IVHlnILzMq9yKKM3UW1_9Yliqs8WTiGjblXHepQbJBUPlaxmssOASi5DIrzVZtUGJDTrnhrgcj7vK9G6-vcocos8L66rQ/s400/1+drive+to+key+west.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We drove to the Florida Keys from Fort Lauderdale. It was intended as a day trip since my niece (my brother’s youngest daughter) was going to be confirmed the following day and we all wanted to be there. I was with my two brothers, one of whom came from LA together with his wife. Our itinerary had been carefully planned out by my niece. It was a very pleasant drive; it took us about 3 and ½ hours. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; line-height: 17px;">We first stopped at a beach then of course we stopped at the Southernmost Point marker.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiu4c_HiYc4IIi27XXRdigsRzTy0je4pbaXzUa9gShuaI7cEHG_NjKkFCu5Ea-DizwG4MNYEVU13cMKAK70eRJCNh5-5IG7HPfccHgqYe_e6ibBAdUqFc5k9Oakg1xwpwIPQ6MXrNjg/s1600/2+P5270067.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBiu4c_HiYc4IIi27XXRdigsRzTy0je4pbaXzUa9gShuaI7cEHG_NjKkFCu5Ea-DizwG4MNYEVU13cMKAK70eRJCNh5-5IG7HPfccHgqYe_e6ibBAdUqFc5k9Oakg1xwpwIPQ6MXrNjg/s400/2+P5270067.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2k6j0-IM3B_kxVT4aQi5EcHYr9AQFTkuw2cbl7ubWwhyd93xm4lR46znH5slPQHWb804459FV8rbIuUtmS6TgqEoWXmmgMgksgrpsHQixFwUYVVJGpVfp7tcIVZwLjba0tnuWCkKAg/s1600/southernmost+point.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV2k6j0-IM3B_kxVT4aQi5EcHYr9AQFTkuw2cbl7ubWwhyd93xm4lR46znH5slPQHWb804459FV8rbIuUtmS6TgqEoWXmmgMgksgrpsHQixFwUYVVJGpVfp7tcIVZwLjba0tnuWCkKAg/s400/southernmost+point.jpg" width="205" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was quite hot and my sister-in-law wanted to change into something cooler. Since we were supposed to return to Fort Lauderdale that evening, none of us had brought extra clothes. So we hit the stores on Duval Street, the heart of downtown Key West’s commercial area. After looking through a few stores, my sister-in-law was so overcome by the heat that she had one of her dizzy episodes. It was fortunate that we were inside a store at the time she had her dizzy spell. However, as has happened before, she had to lay down (on the floor of the store) for quite some time; she was unable to tolerate any movement. She has had these episodes before and based on their experience they (my brother and sister-in-law) decided that it would be best if we spent the night in Key West and head back to Fort Lauderdale very early the following morning. So we checked in at the nearest hotel; we were lucky to find an available room. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">While my sister-in-law was resting, my brothers and I went exploring – just up and down Duval Street. There were lots of shops to check out. After a while I sent my brothers back to the hotel; I could tell they were getting impatient since I was going into all the shops. I had an excuse; I needed to buy clothes to sleep in. I ended up buying a pair of shorts and a tank top.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe9wvZx4J_gEbdyIWnaBfLAaLKy2eFPLz1KYVxKqU9RwPSwmAVyKhP1kbPWRRDsO1fHUH9rghcs10nkyGfk1O-Yv5J12IcF_yatYQIADVsujE_nhf096hpJ1yr3MJy8N-EgtK3b3uGA/s1600/8+P5270122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSe9wvZx4J_gEbdyIWnaBfLAaLKy2eFPLz1KYVxKqU9RwPSwmAVyKhP1kbPWRRDsO1fHUH9rghcs10nkyGfk1O-Yv5J12IcF_yatYQIADVsujE_nhf096hpJ1yr3MJy8N-EgtK3b3uGA/s400/8+P5270122.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfT03LtL5NVG7l1WTXz830sLgh6hP1Snv9jmvNmB-tXJGf5P_AclIdCgMB7qyNcrf-Lypahxpj94SRY-Z3ClJ_JAzpHnXwtPMVh9vFbDVt4AOOC-KYnbl0Y6afGNXhEVMFW2fMavfXbQ/s1600/9+shops.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfT03LtL5NVG7l1WTXz830sLgh6hP1Snv9jmvNmB-tXJGf5P_AclIdCgMB7qyNcrf-Lypahxpj94SRY-Z3ClJ_JAzpHnXwtPMVh9vFbDVt4AOOC-KYnbl0Y6afGNXhEVMFW2fMavfXbQ/s400/9+shops.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were up while it was still dark and saw the sunrise as we were driving on the seven mile bridge (believed to be the world’s longest segmental bridge).</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-71870865735511407092011-10-04T15:26:00.005+08:002011-10-05T11:36:45.069+08:00Fort Delaware - Pea Patch Island<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I stayed with my 80-year old aunt in Delmar Maryland for a couple of weeks. She is a member of an association of retired persons; their group organizes trips to different places in-state as well as out-of-state. I joined their trip to <a href="http://www.destateparks.com/park/fort-delaware/index.asp"target="_blank">Fort Delaware</a> in Pea Patch Island.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO137N0JaWhW8kXOp3RDAS4OoR3wAvOYJ3JbMFcBBw00HvT_Dnb4izbnPT7qitJ0jeaS6Uw85LMV0VPl-cGiwkPnPVTajxvPRr5tWyQF68v2CxooLTcLmFGqGsCY4VnSxbJACKLurfMw/s1600/P5210037.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiO137N0JaWhW8kXOp3RDAS4OoR3wAvOYJ3JbMFcBBw00HvT_Dnb4izbnPT7qitJ0jeaS6Uw85LMV0VPl-cGiwkPnPVTajxvPRr5tWyQF68v2CxooLTcLmFGqGsCY4VnSxbJACKLurfMw/s400/P5210037.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Pea Patch is a small (about 1.6 km long) island located in the mid-channel of the Delaware River near its entrance into Delaware Bay. From Delmar, we had to drive to Delaware City from where we would take the ferry to the island. On the island is Fort Delaware which was used by the Union during the American Civil War as a prison for Confederate prisoners of war. Today the fort and the island make up the Fort Delaware State Park and encompasses a living history museum; the island also provides a wetlands stop for migratory birds.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNXsYijB9LBr3imuICREn_3iaxyTEesxAMGtBbgQf0hwOsfTk6aMJEY5LJuIOf5C1BCLVJO6DxrcmSkHX79wcBSXBScMV306pwXxud4ehYOI2JUKIqDLJuS2q-0JE41-QwtDdkIES7g/s1600/P5210052.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoNXsYijB9LBr3imuICREn_3iaxyTEesxAMGtBbgQf0hwOsfTk6aMJEY5LJuIOf5C1BCLVJO6DxrcmSkHX79wcBSXBScMV306pwXxud4ehYOI2JUKIqDLJuS2q-0JE41-QwtDdkIES7g/s400/P5210052.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ferry ride was very short, just ½ mile. When we reached the island dock , it was a short walk to the jitney that was waiting to take us to the fortress.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon arrival, we were greeted by costumed guides who stayed in character; they provided tours and hands-on history lessons to visitors. It was very informative and I quite enjoyed being able to glimpse how they lived in the past.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr06JXsaX9KCFY48QzcNwXfhhJtKt6fLUq6bOHgEHake-_f2HgbrGz8oz0EzEtrfsDOTcbYiL0Pq08iwv1lSZU1ZeKciFT9Xsl3gTS_s_vLF_DejT_uQaAj75RQN5QGdqz5pFTsCRag/s1600/Picture2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBr06JXsaX9KCFY48QzcNwXfhhJtKt6fLUq6bOHgEHake-_f2HgbrGz8oz0EzEtrfsDOTcbYiL0Pq08iwv1lSZU1ZeKciFT9Xsl3gTS_s_vLF_DejT_uQaAj75RQN5QGdqz5pFTsCRag/s400/Picture2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Fort Delaware has its share of ghost stories. Visitors can join the ghost tours and paranormal investigations being conducted at night. Not for me though; I was glad we went there on a bright sunny day. </span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-63288386051643814522011-10-04T13:12:00.008+08:002011-10-05T12:00:50.445+08:00New York City – Day 2<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Our second day in New York was a “reunion day”. Our New York City-based high school classmate was not able to make it to the San Francisco reunion so we were meeting up for an early lunch and then spending the rest of the day with her. We took the bus to <a href="http://manhattan.about.com/od/gettingaround/a/portauthority.htm" target="_blank">Port Authority Bus Terminal</a> (42</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">nd</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> St) and walked to <a href="http://www.carnegiedeli.com/home.php" target="_blank">Carnegie Deli</a> (7</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> St between 54</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and 55</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">). It was quite a distance (at least 12 blocks) but we did not mind at all; there was a lot to see along the way. <a href="http://www.timessquarenyc.org/" target="_blank">Times Square</a> was alive even at that early hour; so much was going on. We took lots and lots of photos.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOCv419vpGy7qPo-cFH-qWO8K9iO4BruiEuYojOLZCAch-bQHLd4zCIweABQntMzMUR31RGaBgKZriIa-yNqrRDiPgKgzbITSg0zCVEec7SdOBqOJgVq0yTMHELyKEe5-j11hJRRBuA/s1600/14+DSCN9567.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTOCv419vpGy7qPo-cFH-qWO8K9iO4BruiEuYojOLZCAch-bQHLd4zCIweABQntMzMUR31RGaBgKZriIa-yNqrRDiPgKgzbITSg0zCVEec7SdOBqOJgVq0yTMHELyKEe5-j11hJRRBuA/s400/14+DSCN9567.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along 42nd St</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g6gIHIbp2utKt-szJGEyb2z-F6DigunkkZ3nWjPjFEWTLoxuH7UpPEEdfHJWpd4XHFHYcsoe8ylCJfIuftuxSPk7NMkMDgDIyNw1Zn_YqOoZ0NMx7r7Yf1Ec4dMti4Y1Xa1zKiTgGA/s1600/15+times+square.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="297" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4g6gIHIbp2utKt-szJGEyb2z-F6DigunkkZ3nWjPjFEWTLoxuH7UpPEEdfHJWpd4XHFHYcsoe8ylCJfIuftuxSPk7NMkMDgDIyNw1Zn_YqOoZ0NMx7r7Yf1Ec4dMti4Y1Xa1zKiTgGA/s400/15+times+square.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Times Square<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68_ILs8AhR9BMorusOe_pGSwjiUJ-N8IpKobw79WQPdNZDPiwgpKLDCNt2RkUixZwH9pX8VTvnhv7abNAucy_nLYoC8Tt80KcW07FL2oPkrWQKkGZ0i0faWRBY4wUOfEpWmgGEuVroQ/s1600/16+visual+feast.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="233" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj68_ILs8AhR9BMorusOe_pGSwjiUJ-N8IpKobw79WQPdNZDPiwgpKLDCNt2RkUixZwH9pX8VTvnhv7abNAucy_nLYoC8Tt80KcW07FL2oPkrWQKkGZ0i0faWRBY4wUOfEpWmgGEuVroQ/s400/16+visual+feast.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visual feast<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Lunch at Carnegie Deli was really filling; their sandwiches were overflowing and the salad was huge! We still had a little room for dessert though; we all shared a slice of cheesecake. It was good that we had an early lunch because when we left the deli, there was a long line <span style="line-height: 115%;">of people waiting to get in</span>.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnEujnN7cmRL0ArGlJ2R9GsjUImd4fVvu2EnJFfEEoSNZ9rODxep2vovhrWB0GCnUIBvdbBWbCoRJYAwz_5SD6YL_t2GFe9fZiLLcMnCIeu1SeSBTtB7JFGAsr6IXiGnLW1pTRwxOIQ/s1600/17+carnegie+deli.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwnEujnN7cmRL0ArGlJ2R9GsjUImd4fVvu2EnJFfEEoSNZ9rODxep2vovhrWB0GCnUIBvdbBWbCoRJYAwz_5SD6YL_t2GFe9fZiLLcMnCIeu1SeSBTtB7JFGAsr6IXiGnLW1pTRwxOIQ/s400/17+carnegie+deli.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">Carnegie Deli</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_Qq6rIGTQBVpcvSqXykaCWTe_TorcI7cGShtgaXqEBRVkPcHMgYbBb9FdKg74JJkS3BBMADSg3mTXT7bHaH52fdGhUBe8wBfT9_gpM0XLKrJrQNfajZI3xMusiE35xKflpUxjujwnw/s1600/18+carnegie+delish.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="355" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhL_Qq6rIGTQBVpcvSqXykaCWTe_TorcI7cGShtgaXqEBRVkPcHMgYbBb9FdKg74JJkS3BBMADSg3mTXT7bHaH52fdGhUBe8wBfT9_gpM0XLKrJrQNfajZI3xMusiE35xKflpUxjujwnw/s400/18+carnegie+delish.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big portions!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucfIF8KJygZFsWtbnCdSmJrXXpAh4YlQ8mDehyphenhyphendS98GHJJkJ09DayJyBvpSzZhlF-OnUdXhbUKfxYfs0ZPpcuZRl-PjTXaCdOmaDx60so7NwI7moMfxOaPsAE7HuHjguHMubHi3axEA/s1600/19+carnegie+deli+reunion.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="371" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgucfIF8KJygZFsWtbnCdSmJrXXpAh4YlQ8mDehyphenhyphendS98GHJJkJ09DayJyBvpSzZhlF-OnUdXhbUKfxYfs0ZPpcuZRl-PjTXaCdOmaDx60so7NwI7moMfxOaPsAE7HuHjguHMubHi3axEA/s400/19+carnegie+deli+reunion.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Catching up</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Back on the streets, we continued our catch-up stories. One of us really wanted to watch a broadway show so we brought her to the theater for a matinee performance of “</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.mamma-mia.com/" target="_blank">Mamma Mia</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">”. We reassured her that we would be waiting outside after the show. So meanwhile the rest of us continued with our leisurely walk, talking non-stop. It was my first time in New York and I was wowed! There was so much to take in - street entertainment, street food, street vendors, lots and lots of people. We entered some shops to check out the merchandise. <a href="http://www.macys.com/"target="_blank">Macy’s</a> was overwhelming! When we got tired, we stopped for some refreshment and to give out feet a break.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdU4yibMYyu6whRV0RxwbIfv0LhP_eC_1GViUuQTZcWdxZQ0Hzg74LkqdHWZkd2cywO1GDPBC-CjWLTsIiQzrYwP3uTcdo0VHtzVXNXxFkMm7emlpd8K35stBdOT2OxW3k2Rj6dysow/s1600/22+street+entertainment.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="101" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdU4yibMYyu6whRV0RxwbIfv0LhP_eC_1GViUuQTZcWdxZQ0Hzg74LkqdHWZkd2cywO1GDPBC-CjWLTsIiQzrYwP3uTcdo0VHtzVXNXxFkMm7emlpd8K35stBdOT2OxW3k2Rj6dysow/s400/22+street+entertainment.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: x-small;">street entertainment</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wIeh17BNSWPMKbCISgp732SS3dt64SXiapML_7hsUjvETBb9M2UVSrIykAhA3lMy2Ndo6a1cByuUGCZh7_1G6m-VjwbGXYW1C13iSowd3Wa4QANDWByMoREOA5ErTm-PHq3_RVPE-A/s1600/20+street+vendors.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="302" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wIeh17BNSWPMKbCISgp732SS3dt64SXiapML_7hsUjvETBb9M2UVSrIykAhA3lMy2Ndo6a1cByuUGCZh7_1G6m-VjwbGXYW1C13iSowd3Wa4QANDWByMoREOA5ErTm-PHq3_RVPE-A/s400/20+street+vendors.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">street vendors</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0l-o1ZfyfGAKpJTFT1bIaK3H9W4ZFUullUnIgHnADlR9W9aiwUQIDX8myrtE_2S8ftA_r8rb6MhW_adxe4rL7oXrXNNwoluigkuliQzjYSF34XgMAkloJInXoqlvXZqJNox7DyZXpw/s1600/21street+food.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="391" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgF0l-o1ZfyfGAKpJTFT1bIaK3H9W4ZFUullUnIgHnADlR9W9aiwUQIDX8myrtE_2S8ftA_r8rb6MhW_adxe4rL7oXrXNNwoluigkuliQzjYSF34XgMAkloJInXoqlvXZqJNox7DyZXpw/s400/21street+food.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">street food</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYMLsMhbQsW6mj6E1-U6A3yFH0DKN3ym5YSZhA3Coq5sm-K0HuY0hGeMnYt-Q547idmCPzPnvTHp-oB__ULFKSX0nEDv0bRP8IpZQE9a8zQvQzd6qkGnhFj4cY2aqRalJjC-npcHXMQ/s1600/macys.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivYMLsMhbQsW6mj6E1-U6A3yFH0DKN3ym5YSZhA3Coq5sm-K0HuY0hGeMnYt-Q547idmCPzPnvTHp-oB__ULFKSX0nEDv0bRP8IpZQE9a8zQvQzd6qkGnhFj4cY2aqRalJjC-npcHXMQ/s400/macys.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Macy's</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR8LZRf8kdio-CU1OnpJBoYEL7w5amR1N8mEMfGuLGOEGRZlrkBc_fT2DQOPZZOfejmjaarBqn52FrdSW78-CaPv8npX4X6sfK7FPC4P_u8y1Lc9tlCq2XUs51oYTYH0TDU4sT1Qb0A/s1600/P5070068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRR8LZRf8kdio-CU1OnpJBoYEL7w5amR1N8mEMfGuLGOEGRZlrkBc_fT2DQOPZZOfejmjaarBqn52FrdSW78-CaPv8npX4X6sfK7FPC4P_u8y1Lc9tlCq2XUs51oYTYH0TDU4sT1Qb0A/s400/P5070068.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Broadway</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we had picked up our friend from the theater, we strolled to <a href="http://www.centralpark.com/" target="_blank">Central Park</a>. Soon it was time to part ways but all of us knew that we would get together again in a few years. <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWMdiUnx7xlIdQdPqd-BYBNL01Qfr6uRYNZn8QaDWwzvs4QNEqPkb5bCMeX2EicvNof0zkGv4nS06-MR1pO93VDZE5E_Q2y3zHRRQtm7GzufapZjDy_vZak-XcOTh_a9v4fxwL2_fZg/s1600/24+central+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmWMdiUnx7xlIdQdPqd-BYBNL01Qfr6uRYNZn8QaDWwzvs4QNEqPkb5bCMeX2EicvNof0zkGv4nS06-MR1pO93VDZE5E_Q2y3zHRRQtm7GzufapZjDy_vZak-XcOTh_a9v4fxwL2_fZg/s400/24+central+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Central Park</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQftMEomy35Kx3rRpuiYEG_phS9wOYdPjxXM2m4e2qIfLIqRTULeN9UWIqjRRGaQ59iQKtrjzb1F-Th83BJwqlLQx3IiNk9ebR-QhxlAriRXzECAqVrYhrRH6bZ_sZYIRwrcyqbdA3g/s1600/25+P5070160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYQftMEomy35Kx3rRpuiYEG_phS9wOYdPjxXM2m4e2qIfLIqRTULeN9UWIqjRRGaQ59iQKtrjzb1F-Th83BJwqlLQx3IiNk9ebR-QhxlAriRXzECAqVrYhrRH6bZ_sZYIRwrcyqbdA3g/s400/25+P5070160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Girls<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
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</div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-87605719686685929792011-10-03T20:26:00.001+08:002011-10-03T20:30:05.769+08:00New York City – Day 1<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">As we were finally entering New York City after having been on the train for three nights and almost four days, my overworked camera broke! I had been clicking away and periodically recharging the batteries. I had to remove the battery from the camera to do this and I guess the battery cover/lid had weakened and finally came off! Oh no! Not now! Not when we had finally reached our destination! The camera still worked but I had to secure the cover with a rubberband; this “first-aid” had to suffice until I could purchase a new camera (asap – as in the following day). <o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We were met at the New York Penn station by my classmate’s friend and she assisted us in getting a cab to Union City, New Jersey where we had booked two rooms in an apartment. It was so much cheaper than staying in New York City itself and it was quite accessible. It was actually only a 10 minute bus ride from the Port Authority Bus Terminal in NYC, through the Lincoln Tunnel. We only needed to walk two blocks from the apartment building and we could see the Manhattan skyline.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusuwjnZ5ymprhQkfpp77hMRaYXDNBB1uSdt0cz4i2OCEYVbr81nubttX_fJSFfimzCojZVSuQpUCPhIYLR6eMBJkR8OJsBX1Tqi7HWMu8XP2TS8CtjSArtIf1NVGwpEt2Lt7eghx9GQ/s1600/0+view+of+manhattan+from+union+city.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhusuwjnZ5ymprhQkfpp77hMRaYXDNBB1uSdt0cz4i2OCEYVbr81nubttX_fJSFfimzCojZVSuQpUCPhIYLR6eMBJkR8OJsBX1Tqi7HWMu8XP2TS8CtjSArtIf1NVGwpEt2Lt7eghx9GQ/s400/0+view+of+manhattan+from+union+city.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View of Manhattan from Union City, New Jersey<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span></span></span></td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We only had two days to see as much as we could of NYC so we were on a very tight schedule. We all agreed that a bus tour would be a good place to start off so we took the hop-on hop-off Gray Line bus Downtown Loop tour. The tour took us through the streets of downtown Manhattan where we had a view of magnificent old buildings as well as modern architecture. The tour also took us through some of the oldest and newest neighborhoods in Manhattan. The tour begins at Times Square/ Gray Line Visitors Center (7</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Avenue-Broadway between 47</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> and 48</span><sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;">th</span></span></sup><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> Streets). Stops include or are near Broadway/ Theater District, Macy’s/ Madison Square garden, Empire State Building, Flatiron Building, Union Square Shopping District, Ground Zero Museum Workshop, Greenwich Village, Soho, Chinatown/ Little Italy, City Hall/ Brooklyn Bridge/ World Trade Center Site, Whitehall Street/ Battery Park, South Street Seaport, Lower East Side, East Village, United Nations, Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, Rockefeller Center, Central Park, and Winter Garden Theater.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm6ObAUWRaCauhURrmh_QNACjtR892Wg0MrPTdC39qcMFXo9LZfd4VQkpKMpEfk48fGskV5-9tnfyO616FENnuOb4F-5DCzuIPzg_mXL6OCBfJBW9u1W8FlKJ0xg_e2ySg6wf39Ohvg/s1600/1+gray+line+tour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXm6ObAUWRaCauhURrmh_QNACjtR892Wg0MrPTdC39qcMFXo9LZfd4VQkpKMpEfk48fGskV5-9tnfyO616FENnuOb4F-5DCzuIPzg_mXL6OCBfJBW9u1W8FlKJ0xg_e2ySg6wf39Ohvg/s400/1+gray+line+tour.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Gray Line Downtown Loop Tour</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TaEEe2HcvrA3ajs4Zb50F6pfIFUOV2ffHNsaqnUK4i7epVS34wXrAWab2pBXTtwmEovDUQAlEuBkxZxCviCuVQuL3rASF-0Mo-pqQUsvk1YUArwGjU1zyOr8dPxmCPE7GacDKPU12A/s1600/2+streets+of+manhattan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="185" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TaEEe2HcvrA3ajs4Zb50F6pfIFUOV2ffHNsaqnUK4i7epVS34wXrAWab2pBXTtwmEovDUQAlEuBkxZxCviCuVQuL3rASF-0Mo-pqQUsvk1YUArwGjU1zyOr8dPxmCPE7GacDKPU12A/s400/2+streets+of+manhattan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Streets of Manhattan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2drXG0j4IOOlh1bIHA057ahWyq_v4rqAGRx1m39M2q_-V7jh9WkqoMalDp50ZMEGXdADHGxbLTnMGv4vlzj_Gz38r1P-0el-EEL6AwWiYyvjCV-2Uv9zWs5UxrQNAUdjdsBbQZquJg/s1600/3+old+and+new+buildings.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="383" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy2drXG0j4IOOlh1bIHA057ahWyq_v4rqAGRx1m39M2q_-V7jh9WkqoMalDp50ZMEGXdADHGxbLTnMGv4vlzj_Gz38r1P-0el-EEL6AwWiYyvjCV-2Uv9zWs5UxrQNAUdjdsBbQZquJg/s400/3+old+and+new+buildings.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Buildings of Manhattan</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithZ_hsER5r8jMUM5Aob4L3Ix7AGyZlmB6OE_iiA721kKDUyt8qiDkjtzvGiTzw2IEMR97hWCZcqReGk3jEJ9B9TvjeJiw1QD_jG1U6dvAcfRkHoQQHj3mmHFAsfvL7u1IE-fnTQqU_A/s1600/4+flat+iron+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEithZ_hsER5r8jMUM5Aob4L3Ix7AGyZlmB6OE_iiA721kKDUyt8qiDkjtzvGiTzw2IEMR97hWCZcqReGk3jEJ9B9TvjeJiw1QD_jG1U6dvAcfRkHoQQHj3mmHFAsfvL7u1IE-fnTQqU_A/s400/4+flat+iron+building.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Flatiron Bulding</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIqGAKNZ_rSrsvvPC2bqrqaRzNP7AHXOAyOQixBkdTIKdZmE_QKbv48SaWgP9FkqyCT5o5t6Wd3u_yJcTpgeGVanE-8J1J8rdyZc2hegn9S2r5Um8DL7jCoZ7rOZV3BXCtSlYlIL4Wg/s1600/5+empire+state+building.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="273" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHIqGAKNZ_rSrsvvPC2bqrqaRzNP7AHXOAyOQixBkdTIKdZmE_QKbv48SaWgP9FkqyCT5o5t6Wd3u_yJcTpgeGVanE-8J1J8rdyZc2hegn9S2r5Um8DL7jCoZ7rOZV3BXCtSlYlIL4Wg/s400/5+empire+state+building.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Empire State Building</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhyphenhyphenlBeDU2ajPDDEEzOdNEoD6z-41WXJtysuF6TahRMpgBI4AtWEVhcsecD-K2DCRxqhJvBMEkfMquNG93pSceQ0lYL1gNws_0A7g8rY5LaHHx5WgV58Z6KVoL4Gkz0XuOf_KRR3tKfg/s1600/6+manhattan%2527s+neighborhoods.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXhyphenhyphenlBeDU2ajPDDEEzOdNEoD6z-41WXJtysuF6TahRMpgBI4AtWEVhcsecD-K2DCRxqhJvBMEkfMquNG93pSceQ0lYL1gNws_0A7g8rY5LaHHx5WgV58Z6KVoL4Gkz0XuOf_KRR3tKfg/s400/6+manhattan%2527s+neighborhoods.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manhattan neighborhoods</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></o:p></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We got off at Whitehall Street/Battery Park because we were going to take the free Staten Island Ferry. The 5-mile boat ride to Staten Island takes only 25 minutes and provides a view of the New York Harbor, the skyscrapers of Lower Manhattan, the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. We had to be content with viewing Lady Liberty from a distance since we were pressed for time. It was a cool and blustery day and we enjoyed hot soup and sandwiches on the promenade of the outdoor plaza atop the terminal building while taking in the magnificent view. We then took the ferry back to Lower Manhattan.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_HDFxlx2Vk0hwL7m6fuA6-t5xywYgadwFcet6xLUzNk0pKzWG8ds_8QL20hLNZshZgQd9l1sKK3LDuagqpcLxiMnrirCdHntYwDMsEw2DcHLLJ08p06mACogKqNL2-FCNDxJfh95SA/s1600/7+Lady+Liberty.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI_HDFxlx2Vk0hwL7m6fuA6-t5xywYgadwFcet6xLUzNk0pKzWG8ds_8QL20hLNZshZgQd9l1sKK3LDuagqpcLxiMnrirCdHntYwDMsEw2DcHLLJ08p06mACogKqNL2-FCNDxJfh95SA/s400/7+Lady+Liberty.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lady Liberty</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxu_q8wUJc4P6VuzXPQBw0uDzR5kRmdLEW3mqesSMS9pOlZGCEDnjkggHS46nYRxdwyy2QhPn75nBGI5ehmtrbXhFcI-wV75nlb6rOf988KW1qTr1hoBsffsWmAYpcOYoaN-q4cUDoA/s1600/8+view+from+staten+island.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMxu_q8wUJc4P6VuzXPQBw0uDzR5kRmdLEW3mqesSMS9pOlZGCEDnjkggHS46nYRxdwyy2QhPn75nBGI5ehmtrbXhFcI-wV75nlb6rOf988KW1qTr1hoBsffsWmAYpcOYoaN-q4cUDoA/s400/8+view+from+staten+island.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Staten Island</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Before boarding the Gray Line bus again to continue our tour, we decided to do some exploring on foot. Actually we were looking for a shop so I could buy a camera. It was close to Mother’s Day and I got one on sale – good buy! So I had a new camera but it was only partially charged. No time to charge the battery; we had to move on! Anyway, I still had my trusty rubberband-bound camera and the camera on my cell phone. So the photos shown here were taken using the three cameras I had with me.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">After we had completed the tour route we did more exploring on foot (Fifth Avenue and surrounds). Oh so much to see but so little time. The last item for day 1 was the Empire State Building. It was so cold and windy up there but we just had to see the city lights! Our New York experience would have been incomplete without the view from the ESB.<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><o:p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RqO8thscndap00OYenU51-V87aQLGRM7OKQn5cx0guD1x0YDfVp9PWDBAApKm9e76ZAMFzfGou-dhdbn2z4utTgKx3jSpLQGIqrXE7m4DoG2WMArZzSuyph7xVvVcQ-9LySjDC5A-g/s1600/9+st+paul%2527s+chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9RqO8thscndap00OYenU51-V87aQLGRM7OKQn5cx0guD1x0YDfVp9PWDBAApKm9e76ZAMFzfGou-dhdbn2z4utTgKx3jSpLQGIqrXE7m4DoG2WMArZzSuyph7xVvVcQ-9LySjDC5A-g/s400/9+st+paul%2527s+chapel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Paul's Chapel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxMpYNqx9SuUSnEkJUy3Xl9CKL9p0RsFZN65Yy0fbdPI_ro8ax-p_rT_mCAqqrXPKgJKWAYiHW2CXySKQWcWhpaQNb1JM5R36ESysP0ezaxRySOnPNDipKutHf5jW0mPn6sMxJ0zXuQ/s1600/10+ground+zero+viewed+from+st+paul%2527s+chapel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSxMpYNqx9SuUSnEkJUy3Xl9CKL9p0RsFZN65Yy0fbdPI_ro8ax-p_rT_mCAqqrXPKgJKWAYiHW2CXySKQWcWhpaQNb1JM5R36ESysP0ezaxRySOnPNDipKutHf5jW0mPn6sMxJ0zXuQ/s400/10+ground+zero+viewed+from+st+paul%2527s+chapel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ground Zero viewed from St Paul's Chapel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oWREvoXvMOL_8eZN7-tqN8HuIyOM2BQACChOyOHh9e2vqNnny5qQ5C76YOX9Ew8G6RfhGw6bnP9P28UfZx2PTaKkjHsUkbt_gMxiGajMYyce2lwtk7-HkN5jsWPweLETxxZeIyTfZQ/s1600/11+The+BIG+Piano+FAO+Schwarz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1oWREvoXvMOL_8eZN7-tqN8HuIyOM2BQACChOyOHh9e2vqNnny5qQ5C76YOX9Ew8G6RfhGw6bnP9P28UfZx2PTaKkjHsUkbt_gMxiGajMYyce2lwtk7-HkN5jsWPweLETxxZeIyTfZQ/s400/11+The+BIG+Piano+FAO+Schwarz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Big Piano FAO Schwarz</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9L0eRRbi8jB3TM7NRiWdMFJH3onpAhIE6s0frBmh-oVNzxW236MaFfJSnLge3DFG9xPat0Rzd_CaR0YAHNWhUWUpaxa8OTjtUBjKU3MD4RlbD9UGjU5ryqmeOSrmnrk-zvKxBPkbYA/s1600/12+rockefeller+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-9L0eRRbi8jB3TM7NRiWdMFJH3onpAhIE6s0frBmh-oVNzxW236MaFfJSnLge3DFG9xPat0Rzd_CaR0YAHNWhUWUpaxa8OTjtUBjKU3MD4RlbD9UGjU5ryqmeOSrmnrk-zvKxBPkbYA/s400/12+rockefeller+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rockefeller Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidLCYx-4LcJP5667pgfyYvS3oDA4_LYk3MPlUaUpNny0OV8onkYCNGyZYbjSn-BZLetA1YNKb3hgaIehfvsqxNonYplxNBkI7TDwEwePDzTQzyzOrs2I0idL1z4YC55DxbS06uhfx8w/s1600/13+View+from+ESB.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjidLCYx-4LcJP5667pgfyYvS3oDA4_LYk3MPlUaUpNny0OV8onkYCNGyZYbjSn-BZLetA1YNKb3hgaIehfvsqxNonYplxNBkI7TDwEwePDzTQzyzOrs2I0idL1z4YC55DxbS06uhfx8w/s400/13+View+from+ESB.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the Empire State Building</td></tr>
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</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was close to midnight when we finally headed back; we caught the last bus back to Union City.</span><o:p></o:p></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-49340320139120889892011-06-26T23:52:00.009+08:002011-10-02T14:37:53.458+08:00San Francisco to New York City via Amtrak<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rzzSh6Ih6KuIPfO4gChBqnZO5UOPsAG2azdg73KwuLNmS8tVhZ8Pv7JYemS0nMz7n4HVG-u38kW4zQFiB7ji6zvC-5SYfsHKs8AzAEpApVo8rUYYP9MRlxH8dwbVIzzk23fA5Nnb5w/s1600/1+train+%25236+the+eastbound+california+zephyr+emeryville+CA+may+2+-+910am.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-rzzSh6Ih6KuIPfO4gChBqnZO5UOPsAG2azdg73KwuLNmS8tVhZ8Pv7JYemS0nMz7n4HVG-u38kW4zQFiB7ji6zvC-5SYfsHKs8AzAEpApVo8rUYYP9MRlxH8dwbVIzzk23fA5Nnb5w/s320/1+train+%25236+the+eastbound+california+zephyr+emeryville+CA+may+2+-+910am.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was shocked and saddened by the recent news (June 24, 2011) about the Amtrak train that was hit by a truck (<a href="http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/06/26/us-amtrak-collision-idUSTRE75O1P620110626" target="_blank">Source</a>)</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">. The collision resulted in at least six deaths (including the truck driver and the train conductor) and countless injuries (some critical). The train was called the California Zephyr and travelled between Emeryville/San Francisco and Chicago. This particular train was westbound, en route from Chicago to Emeryville, California and had 204 passengers and 14 crew members on board when it was hit. The collision occurred at a crossing of U.S. Route 95 near the town of Lovelock, about 70 miles east of Reno, Nevada.</span><br />
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</span></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZYR-OV0QlBMceiwSgoItWXef_yk7t-kVeDMZe7WmROa7tQihKdJMDp2ZoCjmzZtL2kIfXjjZxLWaVD55tIZBPKqvtdI8AGDBwwnBHhWlVwXU4F50HzWdQfGgEtrr3g_kdOYKI6YjPg/s1600/route.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="133" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilZYR-OV0QlBMceiwSgoItWXef_yk7t-kVeDMZe7WmROa7tQihKdJMDp2ZoCjmzZtL2kIfXjjZxLWaVD55tIZBPKqvtdI8AGDBwwnBHhWlVwXU4F50HzWdQfGgEtrr3g_kdOYKI6YjPg/s400/route.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amtrak.com/servlet/ContentServer?c=AM_Route_C&pagename=am/Layout&cid=1237608341980" target="_blank">Map source</a></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">It was only last May (May 2 to 5, 2011) that I, together with three of my high school classmates, travelled on the California Zephyr. We had attended a high school reunion in San Francisco and wanted to make the most of our trip to the US. Two of us had travelled from the Philippines, while the other two had come from Australia (Melbourne and Sydney). We had planned to see New York City and decided to take the leisurely route by train. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Experienced travelers say the California Zephyr is one of the most beautiful train trips in all of North America; I totally agree. The train took us through the snow-capped Sierra Nevadas, the heart of the Rockies, and the plains of Nebraska and Iowa. We could view the beautiful scenery from our coach seats or we could go to the sightseer lounge car that had ankle to ceiling picture windows for panoramic viewing. </span><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in; text-align: justify;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> The California Zephyr scenic highlights include</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Rocky Mountains<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Sierra Nevadas<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Moffat Tunnel<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Colorado's Gore, Byers and Glenwood Canyons<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Winter Park<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Truckee River<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• Donner Lake<o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">• San Pablo Bay and the Carquinez Strait</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: 'Times New Roman'; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;">You may want to check out this site for a <a href="http://www.railpassengerusa.com/routes/californiazephyrroute.php" target="_blank">route guide</a>.</div></div></span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The photos included here are just a few of the hundreds that were taken during the train ride. It was a good thing that the train had electrical outlets so we were able to recharge our camera batteries. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UDBVXVrNnhgtojt-ZugIy4M6szGIuH7CWnXkhzJeBjPAqtYI9293A6wgc0jObtM_oRHSxpHzYPmKE9B2LmQCPGf3gQJ6AUfGlSgx5-rw-5Q-AZENdsQRavVUCtEc8_dLrfQA0gDRhg/s1600/2+the+viewer+lounge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-UDBVXVrNnhgtojt-ZugIy4M6szGIuH7CWnXkhzJeBjPAqtYI9293A6wgc0jObtM_oRHSxpHzYPmKE9B2LmQCPGf3gQJ6AUfGlSgx5-rw-5Q-AZENdsQRavVUCtEc8_dLrfQA0gDRhg/s400/2+the+viewer+lounge.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Sightseer lounge car<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg382UGQap-jWV6-c6_sYApIIIqfbIzKH-1aSQLvjiX5mOVOwJtf5aOr0sZpyPnM3pVkWeZzpevPHyNzq-tcH7axymk_7iyFrdAxSg3rLYY756mQPuG8Bm_-lGzLgAe-gn-cEX5nC0TVA/s1600/3+a+few+minutes+after+leaving+the+stn.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg382UGQap-jWV6-c6_sYApIIIqfbIzKH-1aSQLvjiX5mOVOwJtf5aOr0sZpyPnM3pVkWeZzpevPHyNzq-tcH7axymk_7iyFrdAxSg3rLYY756mQPuG8Bm_-lGzLgAe-gn-cEX5nC0TVA/s400/3+a+few+minutes+after+leaving+the+stn.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The view a few minutes after leaving the station<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEe3F8kL9QgN17Shqd5IiyTdPiMOGY9DSQB3LgzqitK2PX3TAYuu6wLEaY5D9HdC9yc58umdJBJRRRQNeiyxBSSV1Rz8t3Vh4YQzS3itCZrQlT0qm2CbUUhaaPnIfNjJ7DMchQ4JAw/s1600/4+DSCN7629.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgaNEe3F8kL9QgN17Shqd5IiyTdPiMOGY9DSQB3LgzqitK2PX3TAYuu6wLEaY5D9HdC9yc58umdJBJRRRQNeiyxBSSV1Rz8t3Vh4YQzS3itCZrQlT0qm2CbUUhaaPnIfNjJ7DMchQ4JAw/s400/4+DSCN7629.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Passing over the freeway<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKFaAOQm2kyzL1OSEbONP5Fxdhvafz6xU-IYBL_BeRVfJDcAXPHzFWnbDR19h7pBPZogFl0UPUbyjMwkDXpkR5_mIyKRqfQmA4xT93BGdNGVh41OJMULzeNqywU4Ne234s7weovEgmg/s1600/5+DSCN7670+sierra+nevada+range.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEKFaAOQm2kyzL1OSEbONP5Fxdhvafz6xU-IYBL_BeRVfJDcAXPHzFWnbDR19h7pBPZogFl0UPUbyjMwkDXpkR5_mIyKRqfQmA4xT93BGdNGVh41OJMULzeNqywU4Ne234s7weovEgmg/s400/5+DSCN7670+sierra+nevada+range.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sierra Nevada Range<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3zxtakGrZQieL1jQL1o0yhpstIAf8Zrryj2hhiWsJIwuplqt4LC8xCF3Y51Q2WwrY8XycSq1wu2bfVwvEaDjrNeFBEZ5uwq2w5tmbrE-pzlxKQZytbd9jTpkvsqQeZRy1gWXp0sk6g/s1600/6+DSCN7691+donner+lake+sierra+nevada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW3zxtakGrZQieL1jQL1o0yhpstIAf8Zrryj2hhiWsJIwuplqt4LC8xCF3Y51Q2WwrY8XycSq1wu2bfVwvEaDjrNeFBEZ5uwq2w5tmbrE-pzlxKQZytbd9jTpkvsqQeZRy1gWXp0sk6g/s400/6+DSCN7691+donner+lake+sierra+nevada.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Donner Lake Sierra Nevada<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bHXhrVUy8HMP9_vMIvQNXZn1rSspfIlHfW-CAFucg7Vca-nD3GIgzYVaOXwspV-qQap_VTjeepYEU3yc8Uqpe2_1PTdxta9DE3cf7C0pQ0b7ri_-q2tHLkktk1giz17QiKEhDVb7tw/s1600/7+DSCN7717+truckee+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2bHXhrVUy8HMP9_vMIvQNXZn1rSspfIlHfW-CAFucg7Vca-nD3GIgzYVaOXwspV-qQap_VTjeepYEU3yc8Uqpe2_1PTdxta9DE3cf7C0pQ0b7ri_-q2tHLkktk1giz17QiKEhDVb7tw/s400/7+DSCN7717+truckee+river.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Truckee River<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislFEtNQFPYyQbYgWJ2Vb4divRZC4nI2UBNVbQdPZk1aJvCZ45FUBn0b8RwlgHTc-5fu0sd3qmkM0ftVlT7hx3kplssEAZxy7asiCl-I1J4UU_jrEzLHRKiho0YM5tKq4nXk0lTSbUjA/s1600/8+DSCN7748+nevada.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEislFEtNQFPYyQbYgWJ2Vb4divRZC4nI2UBNVbQdPZk1aJvCZ45FUBn0b8RwlgHTc-5fu0sd3qmkM0ftVlT7hx3kplssEAZxy7asiCl-I1J4UU_jrEzLHRKiho0YM5tKq4nXk0lTSbUjA/s400/8+DSCN7748+nevada.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Nevada<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rFd5o7jxHsXIbrEFLE0gPU_j1eTSrkA8j4wG5mooErm4tDD8xobSJrZsaNVo1Nb8Z3jMuFyKBIEevbeqReL8w3b4tqmHBFjH8ok0yn5eNeTNStfL8ZbhJFE6WitFDR20GS82MY2P8Q/s1600/9+utah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8rFd5o7jxHsXIbrEFLE0gPU_j1eTSrkA8j4wG5mooErm4tDD8xobSJrZsaNVo1Nb8Z3jMuFyKBIEevbeqReL8w3b4tqmHBFjH8ok0yn5eNeTNStfL8ZbhJFE6WitFDR20GS82MY2P8Q/s400/9+utah.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Utah<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADvfjp3Ty4QK2ftrCN4qxJUy6pGSPhmAg07217M76-g1zfYbxLA0-NIH_efEFDCId5wLfL_ohSnnL80UvMIXq6vmOXxEyAGlhEWyRvLQU-RFOQKePHQhYC99DzH1XgKZhj8DNYrstUw/s1600/10+colorado1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhADvfjp3Ty4QK2ftrCN4qxJUy6pGSPhmAg07217M76-g1zfYbxLA0-NIH_efEFDCId5wLfL_ohSnnL80UvMIXq6vmOXxEyAGlhEWyRvLQU-RFOQKePHQhYC99DzH1XgKZhj8DNYrstUw/s400/10+colorado1.jpg" width="355" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Colorado Rockies<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0MpqZJBUWJcGOAn_1VCFKIBst7PgidpZrnoHS53iu7pxFBPkHJf-JOtMXyOT9kes19ONIF40TLFOHz1xxizq4a_QPznYlUytNf0g61Rjy-1xCaRi77Fsv5scUrf0X01NvcVM11lYVQ/s1600/11+colorado2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhC0MpqZJBUWJcGOAn_1VCFKIBst7PgidpZrnoHS53iu7pxFBPkHJf-JOtMXyOT9kes19ONIF40TLFOHz1xxizq4a_QPznYlUytNf0g61Rjy-1xCaRi77Fsv5scUrf0X01NvcVM11lYVQ/s400/11+colorado2.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Colorado<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ2TT3BTcaEP4zqcxPClee7g8ByfmfQyL_yTxoaVvyB-Q1l3W30YANHDCMdqig56uukEYE8rzvNtgtuqwYIB1Pl5128EY54wWtsQqFQT8nFukACVzvDRmSVntbRsaZm_v62-HM4ibAA/s1600/12+DSCN8282+granby+CO+the+gateway+city+to+the+rocky+mountain+natl+park.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBJ2TT3BTcaEP4zqcxPClee7g8ByfmfQyL_yTxoaVvyB-Q1l3W30YANHDCMdqig56uukEYE8rzvNtgtuqwYIB1Pl5128EY54wWtsQqFQT8nFukACVzvDRmSVntbRsaZm_v62-HM4ibAA/s400/12+DSCN8282+granby+CO+the+gateway+city+to+the+rocky+mountain+natl+park.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Granby Colorado - the gateway to the Rocky Mountain National Park<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IQZlC8ovcnvKi5s3e7eU5PR6JoBjIfETEJLY8ebQYFtCOjAhhVYtjCO9yIa16Sv7v91kpdtvoF174lEeSgSR4uFuK9PSm7It8Gd9Kv2TIi2Pf2TmytoMms0L1sem2PmeK7X8XykegA/s1600/13+DSCN8335+fraser+CO+%2528winter+park%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_IQZlC8ovcnvKi5s3e7eU5PR6JoBjIfETEJLY8ebQYFtCOjAhhVYtjCO9yIa16Sv7v91kpdtvoF174lEeSgSR4uFuK9PSm7It8Gd9Kv2TIi2Pf2TmytoMms0L1sem2PmeK7X8XykegA/s400/13+DSCN8335+fraser+CO+%2528winter+park%2529.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fraser Colorado (Winter Park)<br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXUNLdjpH7A8zrguMm2HQdIWTYrsU9BPs5K8b0VExbYJJh5SIY8GHNCFcBBC441GD1g3QbckQf81HzGhSAbiTYRSzZsyzs-WomPO8vGeBidq08ndaWhV4tPicutw30pjkaexS9Xf9bg/s1600/14+DSCN8454+moffat+tunnel.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRXUNLdjpH7A8zrguMm2HQdIWTYrsU9BPs5K8b0VExbYJJh5SIY8GHNCFcBBC441GD1g3QbckQf81HzGhSAbiTYRSzZsyzs-WomPO8vGeBidq08ndaWhV4tPicutw30pjkaexS9Xf9bg/s400/14+DSCN8454+moffat+tunnel.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Moffat Tunnel<br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF3p3GJD0c2EgTyOMheiojb1wycleMVoCksSQqk0e_tGmaRnFVw5cwq9yWQjMEDuqGzmiNsG-EsJCTXh4AqVKyMzsThihbhn5SKjHseqNgg6jMr2ZQm4FP5RUUIJrmgD_5DFAAoB4dg/s1600/15+iowa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVF3p3GJD0c2EgTyOMheiojb1wycleMVoCksSQqk0e_tGmaRnFVw5cwq9yWQjMEDuqGzmiNsG-EsJCTXh4AqVKyMzsThihbhn5SKjHseqNgg6jMr2ZQm4FP5RUUIJrmgD_5DFAAoB4dg/s400/15+iowa.jpg" width="266" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Iowa<br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvOP2XtKelNWAdLj4xEZZGwhSOSgoOgavj6Gr2Y8ib5ef20gFrH5CuFjrC9TdWSarKv7hpnu6789EMqkLnUua8g40__OE291PEA_qTf1Vqqwp2mUQvmqbkEcf2PDqv7-gDC8_hLyb_Q/s1600/16+DSCN8753+mississippi+river.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwvOP2XtKelNWAdLj4xEZZGwhSOSgoOgavj6Gr2Y8ib5ef20gFrH5CuFjrC9TdWSarKv7hpnu6789EMqkLnUua8g40__OE291PEA_qTf1Vqqwp2mUQvmqbkEcf2PDqv7-gDC8_hLyb_Q/s400/16+DSCN8753+mississippi+river.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mississippi River<br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOsziTZ87hYeEnPON1H__SjT4kz24mDwQIO0Cq0dAZPgfjmRdUuldbAc3iQaUyaykQft7zDLylexiAx4WxrnH5vLuJ3LBHdam2yMuwEp-NqaHgz2R7NSguPX6UipxVqF3hUSYcr72uQ/s1600/17+DSCN8796+illinois.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsOsziTZ87hYeEnPON1H__SjT4kz24mDwQIO0Cq0dAZPgfjmRdUuldbAc3iQaUyaykQft7zDLylexiAx4WxrnH5vLuJ3LBHdam2yMuwEp-NqaHgz2R7NSguPX6UipxVqF3hUSYcr72uQ/s400/17+DSCN8796+illinois.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Illinois<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjXMX_LYwSHP3NW85Pp2p5VPTgPw4iVAhy_aEMHOI4UpZQq38ujPoUkuDdq8H-nxfzqW_1zSo2CCrfive1c3f8LPU6qI2XPFheF-qJflXV2UArrVgJJh3YoQamcU_9ukJyOfcuQ1tuw/s1600/18+DSCN8847+approaching+chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpjXMX_LYwSHP3NW85Pp2p5VPTgPw4iVAhy_aEMHOI4UpZQq38ujPoUkuDdq8H-nxfzqW_1zSo2CCrfive1c3f8LPU6qI2XPFheF-qJflXV2UArrVgJJh3YoQamcU_9ukJyOfcuQ1tuw/s400/18+DSCN8847+approaching+chicago.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Approaching Chicago<br />
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</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUen2FN93NQ7zSNgeAgKJYq3jpEAJ5iCLeHiBdpyh34w9BOBGwac3IR6M9FoIyepkmZ39QHJSmavRbeEiHj443mrMul8ww6ZWVsrO65iVJOJOnyhvgL6N3ZizC9RHcQAIVF9r4tlV9w/s1600/19DSCN8984+amtrak+union+stn+chicago.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUen2FN93NQ7zSNgeAgKJYq3jpEAJ5iCLeHiBdpyh34w9BOBGwac3IR6M9FoIyepkmZ39QHJSmavRbeEiHj443mrMul8ww6ZWVsrO65iVJOJOnyhvgL6N3ZizC9RHcQAIVF9r4tlV9w/s400/19DSCN8984+amtrak+union+stn+chicago.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak Union Station Chicago</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">From Chicago, we transferred to another train (train # 48, the Lakeshore Limited) that took us into New York. Admittedly, after the Rockies in Colorado, the scenery was no longer that exciting. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ek6e4wbtgHOWfJYX1_GZV8lTo0q07ClrFYtSghSy4_PG5vBcvxkmeGqEZ9i0rZBwSNA-kP4rp1YZ8vTutZAyGXEZNDlfmDebVMUEBjVyd-RRkYNhBkFOZ5oJ-0EDbUro8vkkJoelPQ/s1600/crop+field+somewhere+in+ohio.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ek6e4wbtgHOWfJYX1_GZV8lTo0q07ClrFYtSghSy4_PG5vBcvxkmeGqEZ9i0rZBwSNA-kP4rp1YZ8vTutZAyGXEZNDlfmDebVMUEBjVyd-RRkYNhBkFOZ5oJ-0EDbUro8vkkJoelPQ/s400/crop+field+somewhere+in+ohio.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">a crop field somewhere in Ohio<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOQKzyMCzMgiN06LczYvQ0K2LIN6u3jnaEUDpXg5NKw1kqppu-adXmBHMYzGdNNnSJKng5F7KV2CF0SmCPX8_JqVyS1ReNx8GvHq9YI9dY9x6qlez2zDxa4r55FoaB0-kzJbaXBHYtw/s1600/amtrak+stations.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNOQKzyMCzMgiN06LczYvQ0K2LIN6u3jnaEUDpXg5NKw1kqppu-adXmBHMYzGdNNnSJKng5F7KV2CF0SmCPX8_JqVyS1ReNx8GvHq9YI9dY9x6qlez2zDxa4r55FoaB0-kzJbaXBHYtw/s400/amtrak+stations.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amtrak stations in New York</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-69343312354225680912011-05-21T05:00:00.000+08:002011-05-21T05:00:54.628+08:00Hollywood Blvd and Universal Studios<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I was going to San Francisco to attend a reunion with some of my high school and grade school classmates. But even before the reunion itself, three of us planned to meet up in Los Angeles. My two friends were flying in from Australia, one from Sydney, the other from Melbourne. Having come from quite a distance we thought we should get the most out of the trip. Fe, from Sydney, arrived a day ahead; Doris and I arrived within a few hours of each other on the following day. We all met at the hotel and, directly after lunch, we hit Hollywood Blvd and checked out its tourist attractions (the 14 or so hours of flying did not matter!). The next day was devoted to Universal Studios!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNbNc4-9mgFcfIE-hptDYvVtTiraStyUDcliederMTUmUTasSEwo0HPjWrEdO91L5QzySZ-Hq0XzbTL9OAZtcdtTW4QBG46OrEQCzegZYefJ_aaHLZPtf9haKa63mte50MyaU84Q-SA/s1600/DSCN7018+hollywood+blvd.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNbNc4-9mgFcfIE-hptDYvVtTiraStyUDcliederMTUmUTasSEwo0HPjWrEdO91L5QzySZ-Hq0XzbTL9OAZtcdtTW4QBG46OrEQCzegZYefJ_aaHLZPtf9haKa63mte50MyaU84Q-SA/s400/DSCN7018+hollywood+blvd.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood Blvd</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4jQV4F7qrXr6dyFYUDLvi2ZgnsbR9E5y2LSwI8EnBpaW9QSgy0z3RGm-fb5q5kGtcGtOklZejIMk35fh-XlhEW7S1Hqu_QNrusYIsEE7e-sW8Ph-uP5707TbnLoUP0WcCKkvx1lkBA/s1600/DSCN6922+hollywood+%2526+highland+center.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEho4jQV4F7qrXr6dyFYUDLvi2ZgnsbR9E5y2LSwI8EnBpaW9QSgy0z3RGm-fb5q5kGtcGtOklZejIMk35fh-XlhEW7S1Hqu_QNrusYIsEE7e-sW8Ph-uP5707TbnLoUP0WcCKkvx1lkBA/s400/DSCN6922+hollywood+%2526+highland+center.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood & Highland Center</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn3sR6KSZ6BRG_AjFqEpPdilhYQvsSTVAxdzhvREi-QJfM4yNxqvEpsiVWw9VmncKhTAWX8r5PexVkY4GpkE_WpOje43La1At4Lurh2NhQJVPnsmMh70-zGF9cbWLeHYglBlQwdzjMg/s1600/the+hollywood+sign.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDn3sR6KSZ6BRG_AjFqEpPdilhYQvsSTVAxdzhvREi-QJfM4yNxqvEpsiVWw9VmncKhTAWX8r5PexVkY4GpkE_WpOje43La1At4Lurh2NhQJVPnsmMh70-zGF9cbWLeHYglBlQwdzjMg/s400/the+hollywood+sign.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Hollywood Sign</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9UHITLdzuPXkqxQXGwthb58DmRQtXYbe24vSBKu177tTqqXDrYAUzA-qE0EjLacD7jPShKlj5FT0QyziZx-Zsx7-FHfy7VSybWSMy9cflYwntDqbyynN3y4JJi1TEC5gCspAWC1QQ/s1600/DSCN6929+el+capitan+theater+across+the+st.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjH-9UHITLdzuPXkqxQXGwthb58DmRQtXYbe24vSBKu177tTqqXDrYAUzA-qE0EjLacD7jPShKlj5FT0QyziZx-Zsx7-FHfy7VSybWSMy9cflYwntDqbyynN3y4JJi1TEC5gCspAWC1QQ/s400/DSCN6929+el+capitan+theater+across+the+st.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The El Capitan Theater across the street</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVtr4DX-XgNOxo5btFacS1K0JEu7a00uiOPbHKrgQDa-Mny7Fz9kvkeVyNIS1mx2ZfJFTo8i22Kdam42z9rehUNdFJHwgXFQrEYnBkTW5Qomv5IUgvFFylco7rtwG4tl4B4acbrkQhA/s1600/DSCN6934+kodak+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmVtr4DX-XgNOxo5btFacS1K0JEu7a00uiOPbHKrgQDa-Mny7Fz9kvkeVyNIS1mx2ZfJFTo8i22Kdam42z9rehUNdFJHwgXFQrEYnBkTW5Qomv5IUgvFFylco7rtwG4tl4B4acbrkQhA/s400/DSCN6934+kodak+theater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Kodak Theater</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnsv1sSwLXYXiZymkV3Y730rruwSkVJVUwKaTYWu5juPQeM8e5VyH85VZarT2K11vP3oaFcfbuDpdH1EA8oiiWfnwh40yDtLeiV-4-JKlP6yN789KpXCkHq29iOGvkcU7oyXqXcYNSQ/s1600/DSCN6937+hollywood+walk+of+fame.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYnsv1sSwLXYXiZymkV3Y730rruwSkVJVUwKaTYWu5juPQeM8e5VyH85VZarT2K11vP3oaFcfbuDpdH1EA8oiiWfnwh40yDtLeiV-4-JKlP6yN789KpXCkHq29iOGvkcU7oyXqXcYNSQ/s400/DSCN6937+hollywood+walk+of+fame.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hollywood Walk of Fame</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51FaCO9AoyRaoohx5tdspAFiqPelUlojOPdfiXwNWuLhwr99MfeADIJIFdRBV4-ls6kEjk3cCvW9IhqeLxnfNGNZeIHwjDxQEvL2ZrFkLfyV95mlyh9EJ1jgoLbsQocBghePl9OpXxg/s1600/chinese+theater.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh51FaCO9AoyRaoohx5tdspAFiqPelUlojOPdfiXwNWuLhwr99MfeADIJIFdRBV4-ls6kEjk3cCvW9IhqeLxnfNGNZeIHwjDxQEvL2ZrFkLfyV95mlyh9EJ1jgoLbsQocBghePl9OpXxg/s400/chinese+theater.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chinese Theater</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYqTFCbWNDUia5JXC91UpDzPpdKqCMEODT62pKhD9MdGBkIVHqAcUKMHMKEz5WOpNX_b_tZHcVnmkUUpWay9yT53UymcB5WMBguFVCUUgGwlNdo9SbFoIU0qzssXcSlu2V7XXnT8geg/s1600/Madame+Tussaud%2527s+Wax+Museum.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsYqTFCbWNDUia5JXC91UpDzPpdKqCMEODT62pKhD9MdGBkIVHqAcUKMHMKEz5WOpNX_b_tZHcVnmkUUpWay9yT53UymcB5WMBguFVCUUgGwlNdo9SbFoIU0qzssXcSlu2V7XXnT8geg/s400/Madame+Tussaud%2527s+Wax+Museum.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Madame Tussaud's Wax Museum</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD-SoheZ945_6VbTbiIvoNFKbLY0ejawMLFhKwG8f9jc9kDeF4aDdYvll2MhNe9Yod07ca6LNX54GHj4NnXEoUFDqUV8kODNXhqQ29XXesWRslxURiozZACygDf9vdWq7XNnzrHm4FQ/s1600/DSCN6912+universal+citywalk.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyD-SoheZ945_6VbTbiIvoNFKbLY0ejawMLFhKwG8f9jc9kDeF4aDdYvll2MhNe9Yod07ca6LNX54GHj4NnXEoUFDqUV8kODNXhqQ29XXesWRslxURiozZACygDf9vdWq7XNnzrHm4FQ/s400/DSCN6912+universal+citywalk.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal Citywalk</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObprB8wjankVA-c6jPBCb4nR2AvXh6MrgJ6xd9J8vM_7Vzuwy8JUgyRVK_U_L4vislXgaoW2FAjxp0LbufjINIp5v7-kfXuR5U4z8hcpW6iNgT-oqDgGaPizk_L91KMaD-fZBb1xrrQ/s1600/universal+studios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObprB8wjankVA-c6jPBCb4nR2AvXh6MrgJ6xd9J8vM_7Vzuwy8JUgyRVK_U_L4vislXgaoW2FAjxp0LbufjINIp5v7-kfXuR5U4z8hcpW6iNgT-oqDgGaPizk_L91KMaD-fZBb1xrrQ/s1600/universal+studios.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjObprB8wjankVA-c6jPBCb4nR2AvXh6MrgJ6xd9J8vM_7Vzuwy8JUgyRVK_U_L4vislXgaoW2FAjxp0LbufjINIp5v7-kfXuR5U4z8hcpW6iNgT-oqDgGaPizk_L91KMaD-fZBb1xrrQ/s400/universal+studios.jpg" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Universal Studios</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBO_xgbkcz5TDwRuopfxoqYo3Wpv3-2PS12GDzj69wYOP1x41MAAaK4ie-FBite_6x-YJdQT1OZHhyphenhypheniAj-Tja3UWokf3OFcLUuW6vrC8YuNXFFxLqXoThzDVwt0MpgIeTEBllBps2IQ/s1600/universal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBO_xgbkcz5TDwRuopfxoqYo3Wpv3-2PS12GDzj69wYOP1x41MAAaK4ie-FBite_6x-YJdQT1OZHhyphenhypheniAj-Tja3UWokf3OFcLUuW6vrC8YuNXFFxLqXoThzDVwt0MpgIeTEBllBps2IQ/s320/universal.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: .0001pt; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-89861114936501305212011-05-20T20:50:00.003+08:002011-05-20T20:56:33.601+08:00Napa Valley and Calistoga<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhlT2e3_cyMmPbu4PxmJt_1GlqkOMvM5tTVEqgPD9SaMW_8pi4bUmALLDwjCBIEKdyizNsS-H3xqnNLQJuVmHUZnM1AhkCdxddbbvN6tO8Me1oTvGsa4rvqR-R3ZgVyIcXsEnn9DVFQ/s1600/DSCN7537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
<img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjhlT2e3_cyMmPbu4PxmJt_1GlqkOMvM5tTVEqgPD9SaMW_8pi4bUmALLDwjCBIEKdyizNsS-H3xqnNLQJuVmHUZnM1AhkCdxddbbvN6tO8Me1oTvGsa4rvqR-R3ZgVyIcXsEnn9DVFQ/s400/DSCN7537.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Wanting to make the most of our time in San Francisco, my California-based friend (Thanks, Mitzi!) arranged for a day trip to Napa Valley, a world famous wine area and a popular tourist attraction. Napa Valley is home to more than two hundred wineries.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxdpWrcjjsXMY1tX8I7HckWn5jgJeSuE7CUG_kZod53QYxBROkkOQjuHPRse28leaLsshrAGsO6NzcT3XHz6hLy6wFUA6nKXJ6D2AEIPlnCrCqswSyqhbOPhFXWv1Wz3MJHBglc_4uw/s1600/domaine+chandon.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoxdpWrcjjsXMY1tX8I7HckWn5jgJeSuE7CUG_kZod53QYxBROkkOQjuHPRse28leaLsshrAGsO6NzcT3XHz6hLy6wFUA6nKXJ6D2AEIPlnCrCqswSyqhbOPhFXWv1Wz3MJHBglc_4uw/s400/domaine+chandon.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Domaine Chandon</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET_HiW9-QTr9z9taidZPjOuI0uvBQQmcsBqKSpwbZZ0Vd7DLJcqMODyx34iw1bjIUOWDjxwTnbk5GTXlAialVbYFfnOU9ZmoAH8vN0ADTVIvvZCpdejiYHidtCSIbA0xo5by_9fPaMg/s1600/robert+mondavi+winery.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjET_HiW9-QTr9z9taidZPjOuI0uvBQQmcsBqKSpwbZZ0Vd7DLJcqMODyx34iw1bjIUOWDjxwTnbk5GTXlAialVbYFfnOU9ZmoAH8vN0ADTVIvvZCpdejiYHidtCSIbA0xo5by_9fPaMg/s400/robert+mondavi+winery.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Robert Mondavi Winery</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQRz7T2itfgqhAp0cQYrcUPsA2B7u51D2ad9iD9NcGp0w27jqICIWXDE133ijvRFlpK5r6Yvl8xTL2fsUu4WUh3ytAGCsiSGEl-325Ja-wzuehxYPAtnPQoXd8yJp3gjpe4qKEGRM5Q/s1600/DSCN7520.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpQRz7T2itfgqhAp0cQYrcUPsA2B7u51D2ad9iD9NcGp0w27jqICIWXDE133ijvRFlpK5r6Yvl8xTL2fsUu4WUh3ytAGCsiSGEl-325Ja-wzuehxYPAtnPQoXd8yJp3gjpe4qKEGRM5Q/s400/DSCN7520.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">An interesting observation: there are usually rose bushes planted at the end of a row of grape vines. Why is that? The practice is also seen throughout the wine regions of France and grape-growers use the roses as an early warning system. Roses and grapevines are susceptible to a disease (powdery mildew) caused by fungi . Roses are more sensitive than grapevines; if a grape-grower sees that his roses have powdery mildew, he can then take measures (like spraying sulfur) to prevent the disease from spreading to the grapevines. Roses also warn of other diseases and growing problems before they affect the grapevines. They also serve as a habitat for some beneficial insects that eat other undesirable insects. And besides, roses are beautiful!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the afternoon we proceeded to drive to Calistoga to see California’s Old Faithful Geyser. We were advised that Old Faithful was erupting every 5 minutes that day. Our timing was just right because shortly after we had entered (there’s an entrance fee), Old Faithful let out a powerful stream of hot water high into the air. And as we were about to leave, it performed for us again!</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi159PdPZpyXBZXBfGEznNa_Yd3CsTgtHxG94Spz4jW0Gg77JvSXHJVbjgLblE35CQpRu5MfZq6pey_UqM9xrVG-IbdUSPNJkXHDWAPqqH0LX_5WMnnDCC3jdY0wQcGBgTaf3jLgGQmgQ/s1600/old+faithful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi159PdPZpyXBZXBfGEznNa_Yd3CsTgtHxG94Spz4jW0Gg77JvSXHJVbjgLblE35CQpRu5MfZq6pey_UqM9xrVG-IbdUSPNJkXHDWAPqqH0LX_5WMnnDCC3jdY0wQcGBgTaf3jLgGQmgQ/s400/old+faithful.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">California's Old Faithful Geyser</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWbJMPXILd-pbhoa5bybz29xuarqY0vJCjIReiX-hiEY6cWZN-ZYFXzyXCkvtiXbKlkd9SJJUb9_0oOKyMZS3gVcT6xN0Yd81AYGf01iHfjb8NHIaZ_HiMe01VBOjrEA8QYSOZPzuhQ/s1600/waiting+for+old+faithful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxWbJMPXILd-pbhoa5bybz29xuarqY0vJCjIReiX-hiEY6cWZN-ZYFXzyXCkvtiXbKlkd9SJJUb9_0oOKyMZS3gVcT6xN0Yd81AYGf01iHfjb8NHIaZ_HiMe01VBOjrEA8QYSOZPzuhQ/s400/waiting+for+old+faithful.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for Old Faithful</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qn9YsycD6rgDd9X8H22V5oeU4EoLXU99BHrAjnbiQ0TDWrs08OLWA5hfMIL0_CD4_B-56-g5wHt1xVzLt4zCvIJlrcmyIuJsjkF8DkdFSrMHlQVkrWi9K0KuehO6XYrH2VWgFg9mNw/s1600/there+she+blows%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Qn9YsycD6rgDd9X8H22V5oeU4EoLXU99BHrAjnbiQ0TDWrs08OLWA5hfMIL0_CD4_B-56-g5wHt1xVzLt4zCvIJlrcmyIuJsjkF8DkdFSrMHlQVkrWi9K0KuehO6XYrH2VWgFg9mNw/s400/there+she+blows%2521.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">There she blows!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0.0001pt; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Note: they say that the water is 350-degrees F and can go as high as 60 feet into the air. (</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><a href="http://gocalifornia.about.com/cs/napasonoma/a/canapageyser.htm" target="_blank">Source</a>)</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-3730361345132179282011-05-20T03:57:00.003+08:002011-05-20T21:00:52.540+08:00Around San Francisco in a limo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrLOftw-aks4M5jEkUYeTM3uaHzF-ap4Jl87IHiiTWPvZQoSAOeg8dv_09irN0RrJPFr3vxRyDfHygym4El4rZgrfk4JxXF_1irgBae93929R_QBW9u6WzYkT3Pr6fcdA7FwEoRr_Uw/s1600/Hyde+St.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxrLOftw-aks4M5jEkUYeTM3uaHzF-ap4Jl87IHiiTWPvZQoSAOeg8dv_09irN0RrJPFr3vxRyDfHygym4El4rZgrfk4JxXF_1irgBae93929R_QBW9u6WzYkT3Pr6fcdA7FwEoRr_Uw/s400/Hyde+St.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">recently had my first limo ride - at age 55! Thanks to the reunion with my high school (and even grade school) classmates. Ten of us reunited in San Francisco; some of us had not seen each other since our high school graduation 38 years ago! But time did not seem to matter; we were all chatting away as if we had parted ways just the day before. This group of goldengirls meeting</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">in SF had come not only from different US states (California, Maryland, New Jersey, Texas) but also from other parts of the globe: Canada, Australia (Sydney and Melbourne), and the Philippines. Some had been to SF before; for others it was the first time. We went to the tourist places but we did it in style! I noticed that people would be looking as we pulled up. I was puzzled by the interest; then it dawned on me – they were looking at the limo! I wondered</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">- were they expecting some celebrity to alight? Were they disappointed to see a bunch of radiant goldengirls?</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"> </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">LOL!</span></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN67UkkLr-hjU08TynWBRpuK5HoeCXrfhoXqTzZi1hdbLcxOExOK319rJdTWHvLDAygmWMQO6Xpfp6xHJX0VXo587jQfaYIP2vCGYZCxzCIk_YlF2EYp5WpmHoXdzSDmI1vGftuDi2w/s1600/The+Goldengirls.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXN67UkkLr-hjU08TynWBRpuK5HoeCXrfhoXqTzZi1hdbLcxOExOK319rJdTWHvLDAygmWMQO6Xpfp6xHJX0VXo587jQfaYIP2vCGYZCxzCIk_YlF2EYp5WpmHoXdzSDmI1vGftuDi2w/s400/The+Goldengirls.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlJvmDAwe5QFVBNzCqRa8tTmTePUPCgLrPEblmmzAGF48l6bFwbHZiY2ER3RBFv8H618Q5I1NSbOrddiGljE3UTVyDO_CYvWfiJGczmRWYF9sU2KqG55ozI8xL6WYcYvdmervZVjVLA/s1600/Bay+Bridge+and+San+Francisco+skyline.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIlJvmDAwe5QFVBNzCqRa8tTmTePUPCgLrPEblmmzAGF48l6bFwbHZiY2ER3RBFv8H618Q5I1NSbOrddiGljE3UTVyDO_CYvWfiJGczmRWYF9sU2KqG55ozI8xL6WYcYvdmervZVjVLA/s400/Bay+Bridge+and+San+Francisco+skyline.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay Bridge and the San Francisco skyline</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqCfMeLbVq58ckw2VhEziub7p0D_3BbMjuX5u2M4HhpTX_URhQtXIzqMf2G8inNUd5BceqKCt57cDDf7JgG_CVh-DD_GSto6ZFwac_U-xaFiiYTMCx1vFT0gdwwNpdX1e1yvL0iEV8w/s1600/Alcatraz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifqCfMeLbVq58ckw2VhEziub7p0D_3BbMjuX5u2M4HhpTX_URhQtXIzqMf2G8inNUd5BceqKCt57cDDf7JgG_CVh-DD_GSto6ZFwac_U-xaFiiYTMCx1vFT0gdwwNpdX1e1yvL0iEV8w/s400/Alcatraz.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alcatraz</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eu2oyy3SeX8j1NpxD3d9vg7_A1TqAwUzlO-nD4wm-txw6ps2Z06uFHe9a218hq_3PkbzSQJd95lz72ueHmaH8-2mND8c4NxClK6QHknXxERZFqlc5BETyIOzvOO_n5tz6MtT6CSRHg/s1600/Postcard+Row+Steiner+St.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2eu2oyy3SeX8j1NpxD3d9vg7_A1TqAwUzlO-nD4wm-txw6ps2Z06uFHe9a218hq_3PkbzSQJd95lz72ueHmaH8-2mND8c4NxClK6QHknXxERZFqlc5BETyIOzvOO_n5tz6MtT6CSRHg/s400/Postcard+Row+Steiner+St.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Postcard Row Steiner St</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcXi39fUDHejNAWNp-ylxSRJJkdO2rWgXeXAsSd_KJmrDapcD1BLUtPbjfoA3YjxPBSVSHQKTBhsg3_IIjO1wZWGtgjzLfiniy9Bhd9Ts2bUChV9X1Z1TamKSmbJwhJTxCMKYI2VBJA/s1600/View+from+Twin+Peaks.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWcXi39fUDHejNAWNp-ylxSRJJkdO2rWgXeXAsSd_KJmrDapcD1BLUtPbjfoA3YjxPBSVSHQKTBhsg3_IIjO1wZWGtgjzLfiniy9Bhd9Ts2bUChV9X1Z1TamKSmbJwhJTxCMKYI2VBJA/s400/View+from+Twin+Peaks.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Twin Peaks</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0iW7PPfD0gzRJizUl2eLgW0ZVTqFsI-iLsWba3468G8s6Hljn8ZwII4Cb2E0e83yrItcjDtJZc5_vUKKnToROt4350aZVpqV_jHXMF3NyVSaIam2gIjCFVVkNyYT7819CFEA0IZiNA/s1600/Fisherman%2527s+Wharf.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC0iW7PPfD0gzRJizUl2eLgW0ZVTqFsI-iLsWba3468G8s6Hljn8ZwII4Cb2E0e83yrItcjDtJZc5_vUKKnToROt4350aZVpqV_jHXMF3NyVSaIam2gIjCFVVkNyYT7819CFEA0IZiNA/s400/Fisherman%2527s+Wharf.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fisherman's Wharf</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sILtRdGczKWLWokdeWnDpg5QU_V1hbp2qHgn-n962TyPdjRaWiDSTcjVtxJVV_LBa3LyCWgjIrkBrNtfLy00nzcNQEb_EGdfdOTIE2JMnLddp4W3FqhTMJm64nGH_hR9avB5Zq7w8A/s1600/Pier+39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-sILtRdGczKWLWokdeWnDpg5QU_V1hbp2qHgn-n962TyPdjRaWiDSTcjVtxJVV_LBa3LyCWgjIrkBrNtfLy00nzcNQEb_EGdfdOTIE2JMnLddp4W3FqhTMJm64nGH_hR9avB5Zq7w8A/s400/Pier+39.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Pier 39</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh635Q-VH9rC15Rw5zCZ7rBQJmt_5fxsO8S0UKRnCCmg8xCbjwAWTun9VCtKCnDGiD9kNevsH0PyKXy-cOhhaqXiuvW1o-Nn56iZf41XvRS3kZ5bqwC3ORF573Qc5qcCxAUgC5ULyGg/s1600/Lombard+St.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh635Q-VH9rC15Rw5zCZ7rBQJmt_5fxsO8S0UKRnCCmg8xCbjwAWTun9VCtKCnDGiD9kNevsH0PyKXy-cOhhaqXiuvW1o-Nn56iZf41XvRS3kZ5bqwC3ORF573Qc5qcCxAUgC5ULyGg/s400/Lombard+St.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lombard St - the crookedest road</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOqZv_F1pnzgJMHWpN8unDzzDvSCh8YnHxptmhMFzg6EEq8T3mTuBkuS-qSHKhoQuR_5JMS_Wr-N9fcSUuc8KPxRqje_smQVB05QPBQTjPHr1v48YEF8XufzByYmirRQYTg6GuZH1mA/s1600/Golden+Gate+Bridge.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisOqZv_F1pnzgJMHWpN8unDzzDvSCh8YnHxptmhMFzg6EEq8T3mTuBkuS-qSHKhoQuR_5JMS_Wr-N9fcSUuc8KPxRqje_smQVB05QPBQTjPHr1v48YEF8XufzByYmirRQYTg6GuZH1mA/s400/Golden+Gate+Bridge.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Golden Gate Bridge</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s38EqudamzIIDsFtrDC9f_FlWAwAV9hmujowN8dRSK8PhJjhEhuf9QZXP_ho34aZz-vhyphenhyphenp09VAYG6OjYHMYLogUtkbT2y-zQVYst5RXRxYkQyaSqC-zSQNvAEoHNrzuT71Kmg0YsEg/s1600/DSCN7457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0s38EqudamzIIDsFtrDC9f_FlWAwAV9hmujowN8dRSK8PhJjhEhuf9QZXP_ho34aZz-vhyphenhyphenp09VAYG6OjYHMYLogUtkbT2y-zQVYst5RXRxYkQyaSqC-zSQNvAEoHNrzuT71Kmg0YsEg/s400/DSCN7457.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Grace Cathedral<br />
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<div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: small;">Thanks, Mitzi, for making the arrangements!</span></div></td></tr>
</tbody></table>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-16775691072323381622011-04-23T11:14:00.001+08:002011-04-23T11:26:55.673+08:00Visita Iglesia 2011<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In the Philippines, there is a tradition called “visita iglesia” (church visit) which is carried out during Holy Week. The practice probably originated in Rome and was introduced in the Philippines by the Spanish Catholic friars. Traditionally, the faithful visit seven churches on Holy Thursday but now church visits are done throughout the Lenten period; some have expanded it to fourteen churches, saying one Station of the Cross in each church.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSwvFyAk9pxCAbrw07Mj1FDSSIgG1lkG-pSClKphay31gV1DWYV0tgVJ5PSKrPne9_Phfz40vO7oA-BJMGHaivK0ZRSRk7QT9osdWDDrfLsQvER8ceJu2SmeQnBJcylJkJp3SzgQfrw/s1600/st+therese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSwvFyAk9pxCAbrw07Mj1FDSSIgG1lkG-pSClKphay31gV1DWYV0tgVJ5PSKrPne9_Phfz40vO7oA-BJMGHaivK0ZRSRk7QT9osdWDDrfLsQvER8ceJu2SmeQnBJcylJkJp3SzgQfrw/s400/st+therese.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Therese - UPLB campus<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fF_l0m3cpxWNVM2MhoVuD-Hm89QlRpZ1z5IKZT5tyKCTdfuYkGhWO3y3HnNRIdzDeiEl-6Cn-TXAmw647tjy0LdnMKvi3fB8R154Js9Qegd0SXnx_MhIVxZVppESqVNLkX5mzV_laA/s1600/lb+crossing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4fF_l0m3cpxWNVM2MhoVuD-Hm89QlRpZ1z5IKZT5tyKCTdfuYkGhWO3y3HnNRIdzDeiEl-6Cn-TXAmw647tjy0LdnMKvi3fB8R154Js9Qegd0SXnx_MhIVxZVppESqVNLkX5mzV_laA/s400/lb+crossing.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">San Antonio - Los Banos Crossing<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtJLCVT83EiECkdFrIqaiV7oWG4vy8vBzdXw5qZSyRaDbcUX7X0UHUtiX2AiB0l1s-TyirXJipr7jSzaTn1IYGDtQD-gfIxmCqA3s41_tU6uDncCd50OrMqvQI5YE9MgWtCGv5YiQDA/s1600/bayan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAtJLCVT83EiECkdFrIqaiV7oWG4vy8vBzdXw5qZSyRaDbcUX7X0UHUtiX2AiB0l1s-TyirXJipr7jSzaTn1IYGDtQD-gfIxmCqA3s41_tU6uDncCd50OrMqvQI5YE9MgWtCGv5YiQDA/s400/bayan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Immaculate Conception - Los Banos Bayan</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">For the past several years, it seems that on Good Friday we always end up in Liliw, Laguna, having started out from Los Baños. This year, we altered our route a bit. Still starting close to home, we first went to the church (St. Therese) inside the University of the Philippines Los Baños campus, followed by two churches still in Los Banos (San Antonio in Crossing and the Immaculate Conception in Bayan). Then came the church (St. Augustine) in the next town, Bay. We had started out at around 11 am and it was a hot day! Everytime we would get out of the air-cooled car, we could feel the intense heat pounding on our heads. By the time we were in Bay, we were ready for some cool refreshment – “dirty ice cream”! </span><br />
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</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The next church was the one in Pila, then onto Pagsanjan. It was already past lunch time; I could not remember how to get to one restaurant that I had been to before so we drove on. We were supposed to go to Nagcarlan then Liliw (as in previous years) but then when we got to the intersection, we saw that Caliraya was just 7 km away. Well, why not? We had not seen the man-made lake for quite some time and we could have lunch there. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv74ThqYFT6B0KzSthRaHgSGOeOYJOHLEk8btYFvGLZcyyowuoo4gUHTm7jShjyzjDx_Tsi8OdkzbhOGOFQvNxUK6XjsQdrJS8999ApYJWEgDat31mxKwz9kRWwDdBg-oS0FAiA0PSQ/s1600/bay.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvv74ThqYFT6B0KzSthRaHgSGOeOYJOHLEk8btYFvGLZcyyowuoo4gUHTm7jShjyzjDx_Tsi8OdkzbhOGOFQvNxUK6XjsQdrJS8999ApYJWEgDat31mxKwz9kRWwDdBg-oS0FAiA0PSQ/s400/bay.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Augustine - Bay</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZGqnyEgJ6DepjkDcUdKiBBJRn41egrth87iW-lk7Cfk6vsRZvnh_Vk8xg3rUr-Tl991JTkuWz1BJBKqO_87GNzPlkZcBEPtiR-fUArhXIZT_pMlvKmbZMaraYlfLdfFVt3bmPZI77Q/s1600/pila.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEZGqnyEgJ6DepjkDcUdKiBBJRn41egrth87iW-lk7Cfk6vsRZvnh_Vk8xg3rUr-Tl991JTkuWz1BJBKqO_87GNzPlkZcBEPtiR-fUArhXIZT_pMlvKmbZMaraYlfLdfFVt3bmPZI77Q/s400/pila.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">St Anthony - Pila</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaI-yjJd7StY09LSaLDnUeBHTpajy5sAWRR5UENuq11NouLeIec8ifdf2U-LEv1vcLqKuiyZftOD8V7VMmqx88e2up7sBgqnk8QZupI4N5JbPBUH6piIlaljKldZUo-8pSMfBmUx_Zg/s1600/pagsanjan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZaI-yjJd7StY09LSaLDnUeBHTpajy5sAWRR5UENuq11NouLeIec8ifdf2U-LEv1vcLqKuiyZftOD8V7VMmqx88e2up7sBgqnk8QZupI4N5JbPBUH6piIlaljKldZUo-8pSMfBmUx_Zg/s400/pagsanjan.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Lady of Guadalupe - Pagsanjan</td></tr>
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Caliraya looked different from what I remembered; there were resorts and other establishments that did not use to be there. Anyway we were starving by this time and we saw this quaint restaurant by the roadside. Waiting for our orders to be cooked took a while; we finally had lunch at around 2 pm. </span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W3qTHG4Bwo03FmCu0E8Dk05vs-mK-nolslahc8ghbl1RjqEUzl7dPUoFGdGu7itW0h7dtdkXPFTzN8nkK7sZFEza-UuwcWZTVkEVh42HxLMTHhc8fN6wgpUgP-GFxNbAwe8rAVtAKw/s1600/caliraya.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="100" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W3qTHG4Bwo03FmCu0E8Dk05vs-mK-nolslahc8ghbl1RjqEUzl7dPUoFGdGu7itW0h7dtdkXPFTzN8nkK7sZFEza-UuwcWZTVkEVh42HxLMTHhc8fN6wgpUgP-GFxNbAwe8rAVtAKw/s400/caliraya.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Caliraya<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
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</tbody></table><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We still had one more church to go to complete the seven; we decided to go to Paete. Driving into town, we saw the places that did wood carvings but they were closed. The roads seemed to be getting narrower and when we were almost at the town proper, the road was blocked! There was a procession under way and traffic had been re-routed. We had to pass even narrower roads in order to get back to the highway. By this time, the pounding in my head that had started in Pagsanjan was a full-blown headache (I guess it was because of the combined effects of heat and hunger) and I was eager to get back home.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">On the way back we decided to make one last effort and turned into the road leading to the town of Victoria. We always pass the town’s sign on the highway but have never really seen the town proper. We had been driving for a while but still had not located the church even when it seemed we had reached the end of the town. Why no one thought of asking for directions, I don’t know. Finally, we decided to turn back and when we were almost back to where we had started from I spotted the church (or maybe it was their chapel) but then it was close. Oh well, maybe next year we will complete the seven.</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7865661023535954121.post-56412015260918720492011-04-10T18:59:00.000+08:002011-04-10T18:59:29.719+08:00Taal Volcano<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvx4VDP7usyLKD96EXGsxD1yN1tttUPpJdrWG4TzJNMwz6FmhyphenhyphenR1_n7Ej_pnwKHQp_zasylkuYkHYCgKLUqTB-j-OFl1w6kkOJTRNajSr4Hw6FFvNVqoF3TqE4p4ccu_lYcYT9pVXgg/s1600/taal+volcano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="120" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzvx4VDP7usyLKD96EXGsxD1yN1tttUPpJdrWG4TzJNMwz6FmhyphenhyphenR1_n7Ej_pnwKHQp_zasylkuYkHYCgKLUqTB-j-OFl1w6kkOJTRNajSr4Hw6FFvNVqoF3TqE4p4ccu_lYcYT9pVXgg/s400/taal+volcano.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Whenever we go to Tagaytay we always stop to view the Taal lake and volcano. On our most recent visit tho, we decided that we would go and see the crater up close. We were in Tagaytay for a wedding and scheduled our trek to Taal for the following day. The hotel we stayed at had contacted a guide who would accompany us on the boat ride from Talisay to Taal. We had to drive down to Talisay from our hotel close to the Tagaytay rotunda then boarded the boat for the 20 minute boatride to Taal. Upon reaching Taal, we registered at the visitor center. To get to the crater, you can either walk or go on horseback. I had wanted to go on foot but since we were pressed for time we decided to take the horses instead. It turned out to be a good decision since the trail is sandy/rocky and gets quite dusty at times especially when you are trailing behind the horses. The horse I was on was quite aggressive and always trotted on ahead of the others. Of course each horse had its own guide so I felt quite safe, but my butt did hurt afterwards!</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br />
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</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Upon reaching the top (after about 40 minutes), the horses and their guides had the chance to rest while we climbed the remaining steps to the viewpoint. Wow! You can see the crater lake that seemed to be boiling in some places; there was steam rising from the sides of the lake and you could smell the sulfurous fumes (rotten egg smell). There were some stalls selling refreshments at the top and not surprisingly there were also souvenir items (mostly T-shirts).</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkZ8aNNigFsvkf_BhN1IbJ_ww3nhpa6kZYwyGGtRki6hfRJoOO4ReKX1vTI0n7R1ptCRJuh_MIL_qG_452cqtH76TAXlve8nOyhus2EstpuSMyCcNV0SS9bZ1bz9MQ67lw2KtdKhZIA/s1600/caldera.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtkZ8aNNigFsvkf_BhN1IbJ_ww3nhpa6kZYwyGGtRki6hfRJoOO4ReKX1vTI0n7R1ptCRJuh_MIL_qG_452cqtH76TAXlve8nOyhus2EstpuSMyCcNV0SS9bZ1bz9MQ67lw2KtdKhZIA/s400/caldera.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD-kIwSlPThM_K0oLzINugKIxFouoczqszpAWVUNCjZ7it4ivBvKCzthh7POfmCIGnIrdNJN11FBaQhPvlbaaJgpD4ZK46zcR_E4E7ftr9wwP-bK8yk-rmm9cgfoilmE5AkNcfZwmWQ/s1600/at+the+top.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="117" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZD-kIwSlPThM_K0oLzINugKIxFouoczqszpAWVUNCjZ7it4ivBvKCzthh7POfmCIGnIrdNJN11FBaQhPvlbaaJgpD4ZK46zcR_E4E7ftr9wwP-bK8yk-rmm9cgfoilmE5AkNcfZwmWQ/s400/at+the+top.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</span></div>wilmahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03768931114235632444noreply@blogger.com1