tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-31186431117198904912024-03-05T12:41:03.668-07:00TrekDigestOur favorite travel adventures.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger31125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-77049112941908512222019-12-03T18:17:00.005-07:002022-08-26T15:59:02.237-06:00Crafts of Crete - Historic Museum in Crete - Iraklio<div style="clear: both;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39vgPxUL6Ks/VGkSS7ZVORI/AAAAAAAAC3o/FPIMTBtBgP8/s1600/P1100368.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="354" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-39vgPxUL6Ks/VGkSS7ZVORI/AAAAAAAAC3o/FPIMTBtBgP8/s640/P1100368.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hills with wild herbs above Zaros, Crete.<br /><br /></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">On a hike high in the hills of central Crete, near Zaros, we came upon woven and embroidered hand crafted bags displayed on the stone walls of a lake-side restaurant. How beautiful, but just a small sampling of the gorgeous historical crafts we were to see a few days later in <b>Iraklio</b> at the <b>Historical Museum of Crete</b>.</span></div><div style="clear: both;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2N18_lrGzE/VGfuip7R0RI/AAAAAAAAC24/hoDmNLFEwis/s1600/P1100338.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-m2N18_lrGzE/VGfuip7R0RI/AAAAAAAAC24/hoDmNLFEwis/w212-h191/P1100338.JPG" width="212" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Embroidery of Crete in Zaros</span></td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MPuampxJEU/VGfvCOMOguI/AAAAAAAAC3A/shXRjJYHFRo/s1600/P1100339.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3MPuampxJEU/VGfvCOMOguI/AAAAAAAAC3A/shXRjJYHFRo/w354-h197/P1100339.JPG" width="354" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crete Weaving in Zaros</span><br /><span style="font-size: small;"><br /></span></td></tr></tbody></table><div style="font-size: medium;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: medium; text-align: center;"></div></span><span style="font-size: medium;"></span><div style="clear: both; font-size: medium;"></div><span style="font-size: medium;"></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span><b>Pictures from the Historical Museum of Crete </b></span><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: medium;">For a full understanding and appreciation of the beautiful handmade crafts of Crete, be sure to visit the Cretan folklore collection on the third floor of the </span><b>Historical Museum of Crete</b><span style="font-size: medium;"> in Iraklio. What a find this was! The entire museum was fascinating, but I had no idea of the extensive collections of hand crafted antique laces, embroideries, woven cloths, musical instruments, pottery, jewelry and basketry all so beautifully displayed on the top floor. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Lace making display at the Historical Museum of Crete.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Basket weaving at the Historical Museum of Crete. Beautiful!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Crafts of Crete. Embroidery & Pottery of Crete</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yYLrpT5GTk/VGkUUKriTTI/AAAAAAAAC4U/LUmr0FuQblM/s1600/P1100383.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2yYLrpT5GTk/VGkUUKriTTI/AAAAAAAAC4U/LUmr0FuQblM/s1600/P1100383.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Wonderful re-creation of a Cretan home of days gone by, displaying crafts and way of life.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">The loom was large and central in the small Cretan home of yesteryear.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Handmade wooden musical string instruments of Crete.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ac-lr4bcFA/VGkXiLtUl6I/AAAAAAAAC58/uUENwmHgkdg/s1600/P1100395.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7ac-lr4bcFA/VGkXiLtUl6I/AAAAAAAAC58/uUENwmHgkdg/s1600/P1100395.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Gorgeous embroidery of Crete</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtB9K9DqgSI/VGkWvqsr4LI/AAAAAAAAC5s/S71ySc71Y7E/s1600/P1100393.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gtB9K9DqgSI/VGkWvqsr4LI/AAAAAAAAC5s/S71ySc71Y7E/s1600/P1100393.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">More stunning weaving, embroidery and lace hand crafted in Crete.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MueMBa5ueGA/VGkVJnkNNNI/AAAAAAAAC4s/Hdr-bYmXP8s/s1600/P1100385.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-MueMBa5ueGA/VGkVJnkNNNI/AAAAAAAAC4s/Hdr-bYmXP8s/s1600/P1100385.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px;"><span style="font-size: small;">Beautiful Cretan embroidery, and weavings displayed in imaginative and realistic setting.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-4291168442498686822018-11-04T13:50:00.003-07:002022-08-26T15:59:05.392-06:00Hydra, Greece in October<br />
<span style="font-size: large;">The pretty island of Hydra is just an hour or so by ferry from Piraeus, the port of Athens. During our visit in October, temperatures were moderate - with no rain. The tourist crowds of summer were gone by mid-October, so this was a fine time to visit.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><span style="font-size: large;">Hydra does not allow motorized vehicles on the island. There are no cars, no trucks, no buses - so the air is clear and fresh and the town is quiet. Mules stand ready at the port to move goods around the island. This absence of cars, trucks, motorcycles and buses makes Hydra unique. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sunset behind Hydra town, Greece</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The town of Hydra rises up gracefully from a lovely seaside port. Restaurants serving traditional Greek dishes are scattered throughout the town. Some have sea and sunset views. </span><span style="font-size: large;">Unless you stay on the wharf, be prepared to climb up and down the cobbled steps in Hydra. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We watched some interesting quayside hustle and bustle from the dockside cafe, </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Oraia Hydra</i><span style="font-size: large;">, where we enjoyed really tasty Greek dishes. Had we stayed longer than 4 days in Hydra, we would have, no doubt, ended up at </span><i style="font-size: x-large;">Oraia Hydra</i><span style="font-size: large;"> every afternoon for a seafood snack and a glass of local wine.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are long walking trails along the coast on either side of the town. More vigorous hikes take you up into the higher parts of town and beyond. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hydra, Greece - no cars allowed</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Hydra, Greece - hike along the coast, or up in the hills</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8L2rZ4AMf0/W99a5vK1EuI/AAAAAAAAEic/Zu8m4uCz-aEWtfpzMydxsV5UxKp51AmcgCLcBGAs/s1600/0E035DE7-4805-4F01-AEE7-C7FD940FC3AE.jpeg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1409" data-original-width="1600" height="561" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8L2rZ4AMf0/W99a5vK1EuI/AAAAAAAAEic/Zu8m4uCz-aEWtfpzMydxsV5UxKp51AmcgCLcBGAs/s640/0E035DE7-4805-4F01-AEE7-C7FD940FC3AE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">"Like a bird, on a wire" Leonard Cohen wrote the song when he lived on the island of Hydra.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span><div><span style="font-size: large;">Hydra is one of those unique places most travelers hope to visit. It's easy to get to by boat, with a beautiful port. There's a few beaches, decent shopping for tourists, tons of restaurants, lovely sunsets, good hiking and fine people. Hydra has an interesting history, too, which includes some challenging times for the residents. Check it out.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">At the pretty port of Hydra</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Sponge - once an important industry</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Greece is, of course, the best!</span></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-29149879947492455252018-03-08T17:58:00.004-07:002023-09-10T19:53:16.300-06:003 Weeks in Sri Lanka<br /><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hints for Travel in Sri Lanka</span><br />
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<b>Take the train!</b><br />
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Be sure to travel on the trains of Sri Lanka. They are older, reasonably priced with frequent departures. Windows can open, and there is sometimes an observation car at the very back where passengers can gaze out the back at the tracks. The train takes you through beautiful countryside, tea plantations, pretty towns, high up into the clouds or down in the lush valleys of Sri Lanka. If you like trains, you will love the trains of Sri Lanka! The one north to Jaffna was bouncy. The train to Ella was crowded with tourists, but most often it is the people of Sri Lanka who regularly ride the trains - students, workers, families.<br />
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<b>Hire a car and driver</b><br />
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When our journey took us to places without train connections, we hired a car with a driver. We asked the staff at our hotels to arrange for a car and driver. This always worked out. We talked at length with our drivers, who pointed out the sights along the way. As we chatted, we got good insight into the people and politics of Sri Lanka. The drivers were committed to getting us to our destinations, which were sometimes difficult to find. The main roads and highways are newly paved and very good.<br />
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<b>Use the hotel to make travel, tour arrangements </b><br />
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We also had the hotel staff arrange for tuk tuk tours in Colombo and in the ancient Buddhist kingdoms. We asked for a driver who was also a tour guide. Again, this always worked out! Sometimes it was raining hard at the northern Buddhist sites, so it was wonderful to have a driver near with dry transportation.<br />
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<b>Chat with the people</b><br />
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The people of Sri Lanka are extremely friendly, interested and interesting, and happy to talk with tourists. Many speak English. We had the opportunity to talk at length with many people in Sri Lanka, and this added so much to our trip. Travel around the island and strike up conversations with the welcoming people of Sri Lanka.<br />
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<b>Try local cuisine</b><br />
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Western food is readily available, however, we preferred the tremendous variety of curries with rice. Dal (lentil) is served at every meal, including breakfast. We enjoyed the 'hoppers' - egg hoppers and string hoppers - a delicious breakfast food. Fresh fruit - lots of it- is always served. What a pleasure to have so much fresh fruit - banana, pineapple, passion fruit, mango. The Sri Lankan diet is healthy, fresh and delicious. The dal is easy to digest. We had no problems anywhere with the food.<br />
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<b>Prepare for dengue</b><br />
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Mosquitoes carry disease, and Sri Lanka has dengue. Take protective clothing and bug spray with Deet, and monitor the danger before you go. We took bug spray with Deet, and noticed it was not readily available in Sri Lanka.<br />
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<b>Climate varies throughout the island</b><br />
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The climate of Sri Lanka varies greatly depending on the area of the island you are in and the time of year. We experienced sunny hot weather at the beach, but in the midlands it was warm with rain. High in the hills, it was rainy and cool enough to need sweaters. Check this out before you go and take appropriate clothing.<br />
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<b>Wild elephants are beautiful!</b><br />
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We stayed at a lodge in Polonnaruwa where wild elephants came right up to the fence. They roamed and lived wild around the ancient man-made lake. We watched them travel across the marshlands! The lodge staff were reverent and respectful of these majestic visitors.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Lodge staff knocked on our door. "The elephants are here!" </b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>My camera is not on zoom. The amazing wild elephants of Sri Lanka!</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Beautiful and healthy wild elephants of Sri Lanka</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-53474899638868536952015-10-04T11:31:00.000-06:002023-09-10T19:53:19.866-06:00 Buddhas in Singapore<span style="font-size: medium;">The Asian Civilizations Museum, Singapore, 9 Stunning Buddhas.</span><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yu1lxUnzUvY/VhFgmvI_0qI/AAAAAAAADNM/mgNEgdrEuGg/s1600/India%2B1%2B122.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yu1lxUnzUvY/VhFgmvI_0qI/AAAAAAAADNM/mgNEgdrEuGg/s400/India%2B1%2B122.JPG" width="300" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">Statues and figurines of the Buddha have inspired devotees through the ages. In Singapore I first discovered for myself the calming and majestic, yet humble, beauty of human depictions of the Buddha. The Asian Civilizations Museum in Singapore has an extensive collection of Buddhas, presented in an elegant, dramatic manner. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">What is it about these images of Buddha that is so compelling? Does the Buddha remind us that although life is challenging in so many ways, we can find peace and hope?</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Gentle loving kindness, reflection, mindfulness, joy and gratitude...... enjoy these ancient treasures from the Asian Civilization Museum in Singapore.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><i>“Resolutely train yourself to attain peace”</i> the Buddha.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MPto5gTjUk/VhFg4Uk6gxI/AAAAAAAADNk/XPfVw0eyahM/s1600/India%2B1%2B109.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7MPto5gTjUk/VhFg4Uk6gxI/AAAAAAAADNk/XPfVw0eyahM/s640/India%2B1%2B109.JPG" width="480" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Meditation can help us embrace our worries, our fear, our anger; and that is very healing. We let our own natural capacity of healing do the work.</i> Thich Nhat Hanh</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: 14px;"><i>Let us fill our hearts with our own compassion - towards ourselves and towards all living beings</i>. Thich Nhat Hanh</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><b>See majestic <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2014/12/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-bagan-myanmar.html">Buddhas from Bagan, Myanmar</a></b></span><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">Here are more beautiful <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2015/10/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-london-england.html">Buddhas from the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, England.</a></span></b><br />
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Beautiful chanting......<br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-53774307260452899602015-10-01T18:50:00.000-06:002023-09-10T19:53:22.831-06:00 Beautiful Buddhas in London, England<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Victoria and Albert Museum, London, England</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Buddha Through the Ages as Portrayed by Many Cultures</b></span><br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aiVBoC0pVVo/Vg3SGVTvwRI/AAAAAAAADLk/LTEO079zCEc/s1600/P1110510.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aiVBoC0pVVo/Vg3SGVTvwRI/AAAAAAAADLk/LTEO079zCEc/s400/P1110510.JPG" width="400" /></a><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: medium;">It was an unexpected delight to further my photographic collection of Buddha images in London, England, at the Victoria and Albert Museum. The delicate sculptures of the Buddha are small, but elegant and s</span><span style="font-size: medium;">tunning! </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Each expression of Buddha glows with gentle kindness. </span><span style="font-size: medium;"> The mudra, or meaningful hand gestures, tell of the teachings of the Buddha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">These ancient figurines of Buddha were of bronze or other metal, and so they have survived through the ages. This is a lovely collection in a museum that is, in all ways, astonishing. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We missed the <a href="http://www.vam.ac.uk/content/articles/r/radiant-buddha/">Radiant Buddha</a>, which was not on display....... and so I must return to London and the Victoria and Albert museum to view this famous depiction of the Buddha. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Enjoy these beautiful images....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; border: 0px; box-sizing: inherit; clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Noto Serif", serif; line-height: 1.4545; margin: 0px 0px 1.4545em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: start; vertical-align: baseline;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><i>“We will develop and cultivate the liberation of mind by lovingkindness, make it our vehicle, make it our basis, stabilize it, exercise ourselves in it, and fully perfect it.”</i> The Buddha</span></h1>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjL3wtlanPo/Vg3SWVZxvCI/AAAAAAAADL0/U-GQPRXWv0k/s1600/P1110506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sjL3wtlanPo/Vg3SWVZxvCI/AAAAAAAADL0/U-GQPRXWv0k/s640/P1110506.JPG" width="478" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: small;">We have more possibilities available in each moment than we realize</span></i>. Thich Nhat Hanh</td></tr>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2-CRkkPTV0/Vg3ScnE4FRI/AAAAAAAADME/gdxC2VGjMcU/s1600/P1110498.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K2-CRkkPTV0/Vg3ScnE4FRI/AAAAAAAADME/gdxC2VGjMcU/s640/P1110498.JPG" width="476" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">Do not dwell in the past, do not dream of the future, concentrate the mind on the present moment. - </i><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: "arial" , sans-serif; font-size: x-small; text-align: left;">Buddha</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_iy9UEPBH_Q/Vg3TGTufUVI/AAAAAAAADMk/D94rlN679Ig/s1600/P1110489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-_iy9UEPBH_Q/Vg3TGTufUVI/AAAAAAAADMk/D94rlN679Ig/s640/P1110489.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: small; text-align: left;">You will not be punished for your anger, you will be punished by your anger. - Buddha</i></td></tr>
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">See majestic and beautiful <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2014/12/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-bagan-myanmar.html">Buddhas from Bagan, Myanmar</a></span></b><br />
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<b><span style="font-size: medium;">View more beautiful <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2015/10/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-singapore.html">Buddhas in Singapore.</a></span></b><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-3598979864829159982014-12-23T15:05:00.003-07:002023-09-10T19:53:32.410-06:00Beautiful Buddhas in Bagan, Myanmar<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: arial, tahoma, helvetica, freesans, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white;"><i>This post is from 2012, just before President Obama traveled to Myanmar.</i></span></span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">The Buddhists of Myanmar revere the ancient, sacred statues of Buddha found throughout Burma (aka Myanmar). A place to view towering and elegant statues of Buddha is in Bagan, Myanmar. Bagan is a 'must see' in Myanmar. It is not yet a UNESCO world heritage site....but hopefully one day it will be.</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">We traveled on a slow tourist boat up the Irrawady river from Mandalay to Bagan. The trip was a full day. We boarded in Mandalay at dawn and arrived in Bagan after dark. We had made arrangements before-hand to be picked up at the landing site and taken to our hotel. This you must do in Myanmar. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Many of the stunning, towering Buddhas of Bagan are covered in gold leaf. These are huge sculptures of Buddha, that have survived for hundreds of years in the protective stupas and temples of Bagan. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">The temples, monasteries, and pagodas of Bagan were constructed between the 11th and 13th centuries, when the ancient city was the capital of the region of Pagan, later to be known as Myanmar or Burma. </span><br />
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif;">Of the 10,000 original structures, just over 2000 remain. This amazing sight is particularly gorgeous at dawn or sunset.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Placing gold leaf on Buddha</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "noto serif" , serif; font-size: 19px;"><i>“Know from the rivers in clefts and crevices: those in small channels flow noisily, the great flow silent. Whatever’s not full makes noise. Whatever is full is quiet.”</i></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: "noto serif" , serif; font-size: 19px;">The Buddha</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm7LJ5e8-kg/VJnb_VUWdNI/AAAAAAAADG8/zqGGAaFxziA/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Nm7LJ5e8-kg/VJnb_VUWdNI/AAAAAAAADG8/zqGGAaFxziA/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B467.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">“A further sign of health is that we don't become undone by fear and trembling, but we take it as a message that it's time to stop struggling and look directly at what's threatening us. ” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8052.Pema_Ch_dr_n" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Pema Chödrön</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_6178701" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/183281" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">The Places that Scare You</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mudra - meaningful hand gestures</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGEWDlxIEzs/VJnbObhLItI/AAAAAAAADGM/CSLKI1NfbpE/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B533.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KGEWDlxIEzs/VJnbObhLItI/AAAAAAAADGM/CSLKI1NfbpE/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B533.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">“nothing ever goes away until it has taught us what we need to know” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8052.Pema_Ch_dr_n" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Pema Chödrön</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXMmDoWH3IY/VJnbzTpRg7I/AAAAAAAADG0/1cvRrYVp8Kg/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-uXMmDoWH3IY/VJnbzTpRg7I/AAAAAAAADG0/1cvRrYVp8Kg/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B575.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">One of four towering buddhas, facing four different directions</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkkrJ_d573Q/VJnbkhcdoUI/AAAAAAAADGs/Ua7iP7xaiSg/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GkkrJ_d573Q/VJnbkhcdoUI/AAAAAAAADGs/Ua7iP7xaiSg/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B474.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">“When we protect ourselves so we won't feel pain, that protection becomes like armor, like armor that imprisons the softness of of the heart.” </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">― </span><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8052.Pema_Ch_dr_n" style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-weight: bold; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">Pema Chödrön</a><span style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;">, </span><span id="quote_book_link_687278" style="background-color: white; color: #181818; font-family: "merriweather" , "georgia" , serif; font-size: 14px; text-align: left;"><a class="authorOrTitle" href="https://www.goodreads.com/work/quotes/2464740" style="color: #333333; font-family: Lato, "Helvetica Neue", Helvetica, sans-serif; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none;">When Things Fall Apart: Heart Advice for Difficult Times</a></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq9jvcpSHIloytjv4UiT9IQalP3gKqvUR8knn3A2LNmorVNA6mhlLR9nyrjTLpRTklP7ujFGJNv5DYvWOS8KLAT_XQyocK3Vdx-MYYFQGWGAojCeSPYlY9RxMV-nW-Z-4wC0nkWEMIHIx/s1600/Myanmar+2+and+wedding+550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPq9jvcpSHIloytjv4UiT9IQalP3gKqvUR8knn3A2LNmorVNA6mhlLR9nyrjTLpRTklP7ujFGJNv5DYvWOS8KLAT_XQyocK3Vdx-MYYFQGWGAojCeSPYlY9RxMV-nW-Z-4wC0nkWEMIHIx/s1600/Myanmar+2+and+wedding+550.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Revered</td></tr>
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The Buddha statues of Bagan are magnificent. They tower, in their original halls of worship, so majestic and powerful, yet so gentle and kind. They loom large, but each one provides, through expression and mudra (hand gestures) teachings of the Buddha.<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-434JzGIDXkg/VJnhShx9RmI/AAAAAAAADHU/eH983PZAH3g/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B855.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-434JzGIDXkg/VJnhShx9RmI/AAAAAAAADHU/eH983PZAH3g/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B855.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Bagan, Myanmar Sunrise.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boB_WIuiICA/VJnjTxk_JxI/AAAAAAAADIE/Ts22SvSU95o/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B958.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="394" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-boB_WIuiICA/VJnjTxk_JxI/AAAAAAAADIE/Ts22SvSU95o/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B958.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Buddhist Monks in Bagan, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>See more beautiful <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2015/10/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-london-england.html">Buddhas from the Victoria and Albert Museum</a> in London, England.</b></span></span><br />
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: "arial" , "tahoma" , "helvetica" , "freesans" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: white;"><b>View beautiful <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2015/10/9-beautiful-buddhas-in-singapore.html">Buddhas from Singapore</a></b></span></span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-37156566224967114752014-12-23T13:42:00.001-07:002023-09-10T19:53:34.871-06:00UNESCO World Heritage Cella Septichora, Early Christian Burial Site in Pecs, Hungary<script data-ad-client="ca-pub-4263825796069566" async src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>UNESCO Early Christian Burial Site of Sopianae, Pecs, Hungary</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: medium;">A few hours south by train from Budapest is Pecs, a cultural center of Hungary</span><span style="font-size: medium;">, a lovely medieval <i>and</i> modern university town with multi-cultural roots. It is also home to the UNESCO World
Heritage Site, the Early Christian Necropolis of Pecs. This archaeological site is part of the ancient city of Sopianae, founded by the
Romans almost two thousand years ago and once home to 10,000 people. The city of Pecs, with a population of 150,000, now completely overlays the ancient town of Sopianae.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Early Symbol of Christianity at Pecs</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Romans introduced Christianity to this part of Hungary and by 400 AD, the trading center of Sopianae had a significant Christian population. Three ancient Christian burial grounds are just outside the old walled town of Sopianae. Here are tombs, numerous family burial chapels, monuments and mausoleums. This type of Christian burial
site, with many grouped stone ceremonial buildings and chambers, was
unique for this era in Europe. The well-preserved 1600 year old site is, therefore, historically important. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">From the town center in Pecs we easily walked to the </span><span style="font-size: medium;">UNESCO World Heritage site, the Cella Septichora, Early Christian Cemetery. The burial chambers excavated here, around the Szent Istvan Square, date back to the 4</span><sup>th</sup><span style="font-size: medium;"> century.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Cella Septichora, Early Christian Cemetery, UNESCO World Heritage site at Pecs, Hungary</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"> The UNESCO Center entrance is a low, concrete structure, nestled into the surrounding public plaza and steps. It's easy to miss. Once inside, descend below ground to the</span><span style="font-size: medium;"> courtyard chamber, well-lit due to a glass roof that serves as the floor of the public square above. Through tunnels we ventured into deeper burial chambers with remnants of biblical frescoes and Christian and Roman imagery. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">In the two story barrel-vaulted Saint Peter and Paul Chamber, the Apostles point to an early Christian symbol of Jesus, a circular Christogram with Greek letters. The garden of Eden and other biblical stories are depicted as well as a faded portrayal of a woman, possibly the Virgin Mary. It was fascinating to see these Christian images which were created only a few hundred years after the death of Christ. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We later toured the nearby Mausoleum, with a large sarcophagus and 4th century images of Daniel and lions, and Eden. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="text-align: start;">UNESCO World Heritage Site </span><span style="text-align: start;">Cella Septichora, Early Christian Necropolis, Pecs, Hungary</span></span></b></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmxMaw_AjEI/VJl64NKvi9I/AAAAAAAADEE/NzxrrZefZHY/s1600/P1100741.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EmxMaw_AjEI/VJl64NKvi9I/AAAAAAAADEE/NzxrrZefZHY/s1600/P1100741.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Fresco in Saint Peter and Paul Chamber, UNESCO</b></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">This World Heritage site is well protected and beautifully
displayed. It is one of the
largest and best preserved early Christian burial grounds in Europe. We found it interesting, well-presented, reasonably priced and like most UNESCO World Heritage sites, invaluable for its preservation of human history and culture. In Pecs, be sure to seek it out. The Center is also used for current cultural events by the citizens of Pecs. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">The UNESCO site was closed on Mondays.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfF_l68O5j0/VJl9367pcUI/AAAAAAAADEs/y7Amsf6w4Jo/s1600/P1100741.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><img border="0" height="171" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xfF_l68O5j0/VJl9367pcUI/AAAAAAAADEs/y7Amsf6w4Jo/s1600/P1100741.JPG" width="640" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Apostles point to early Christian symbol of Jesus, UNESCO World Heritage, Pecs, Hungary</b></span></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">More information on the <a href="http://www.pecsorokseg.hu/index.php?nyelv=english">World Heritage Pecs</a> site.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qv1-NgiP818/VJmf4fMlYzI/AAAAAAAADE8/H2PoZeZARyw/s1600/P1100721.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qv1-NgiP818/VJmf4fMlYzI/AAAAAAAADE8/H2PoZeZARyw/s1600/P1100721.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pecs, Hungary - medieval roads</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BodLIMSKgEo/VJmgE9I1KAI/AAAAAAAADFM/k53hdezIX3w/s1600/P1100748.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BodLIMSKgEo/VJmgE9I1KAI/AAAAAAAADFM/k53hdezIX3w/s1600/P1100748.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Pecs, Hungary, with temporary Leonardo da Vinci exhibit -the Horse.</b></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>Center Square of Pecs, Hungary</b></span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-64600755660901269632014-11-30T14:16:00.000-07:002023-09-10T19:53:38.980-06:0013 Travel Tips<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHc695h0OQO01IZRLOhc-Sib6ZdoiBkyeosqZ02p3SjHygHucOLsN4t57bdCRvXpqX6j1O02BHJ_a5zpoCNj82_RJYGSVg3KZmZUg4G-uBdjvF5CmYRt71NQAIjhEF_yn5sxUNLoleXOf/s1600/Untitled.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNHc695h0OQO01IZRLOhc-Sib6ZdoiBkyeosqZ02p3SjHygHucOLsN4t57bdCRvXpqX6j1O02BHJ_a5zpoCNj82_RJYGSVg3KZmZUg4G-uBdjvF5CmYRt71NQAIjhEF_yn5sxUNLoleXOf/s1600/Untitled.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Udaipur, India </span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">1. In your 'carry-on'</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> take a change of
clothes, medications, electronics, money, credit cards, passport, ID, travel documents and your camera. If your checked luggage is lost, you will survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b>2. <u> <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2010/05/10-great-tips-to-pack-light-clothing.html">Pack light, <b>travel light</b></a></u>. If you must shop for gifts, buy light, small items. In Budapest buy paprika; Thailand, silk scarves. Buy heavier items at the end of the trip. Shopping takes time, money and weighs you down. Resist.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-size: large; line-height: 27.6px;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">3. Read up before you go to</span></span><span style="font-size: large; line-height: 27.6px;"> appreciate the cultural experience. </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 27.6px; text-align: center;">Learn at minimum a few words of the local language, such as ‘thanks’ and ‘hello’. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBkjbdrCF4c/VHuHZjOhidI/AAAAAAAAC7o/kCzhYHEYDjM/s1600/P1000991-003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-DBkjbdrCF4c/VHuHZjOhidI/AAAAAAAAC7o/kCzhYHEYDjM/s400/P1000991-003.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Jaipur, Rajasthan, India</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8gNBev1jiw/VHtsZTSIsTI/AAAAAAAAC6o/81WrMflGixU/s1600/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="191" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-W8gNBev1jiw/VHtsZTSIsTI/AAAAAAAAC6o/81WrMflGixU/s400/Myanmar%2B2%2Band%2Bwedding%2B509.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Small plates in Bagan, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: 27.6000003814697px;"><b> </b> 4. </span><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;">As a pedestrian, be aware. C</span><span style="line-height: 115%;">ross streets with
the locals. Not every city is pedestrian friendly – some are downright hostile.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"><br /></b></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> </b><span style="font-family: inherit; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">5. Beware the ‘soft’ scams. Even the
most experienced travelers can be fooled. Don’t go with strangers who
approach you on the street and don't take their advice. Make your own plans and
stick to them.</span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><br /></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><b> </b>6. Use public transportation from the airport. Research
this before you go and save cash and time. <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2010/03/singapore-tour-past.html">Singapore</a>, Athens, <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2010/05/rome-forums-and-spring-flowers.html">Rome</a>, London, Amsterdam, <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2010/04/montmartre-paris.html">Paris</a> all have fast public transit from the airport. Sometimes your hotel can arrange for a pick up at the airport. This may be the best option in cities like Delhi or Hanoi. Ask your hotel for a good local travel agent for day trips, too. Generally, they won’t steer you wrong.<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="line-height: 27.6000003814697px;"><b> </b> 7. </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%;">Enjoy great food as you travel, but use common sense. Creamy foods should be cold, hot foods should be hot, not lukewarm. Take
medications to combat diarrhea, constipation and vomiting. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 27.6px;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCCZ-MLxuEA/VHtyA90mE1I/AAAAAAAAC7A/7011H5Niaq0/s1600/P1020463.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VCCZ-MLxuEA/VHtyA90mE1I/AAAAAAAAC7A/7011H5Niaq0/s400/P1020463.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Shopping in Udaipur, India</span></td></tr>
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<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><u><br /></u></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;"><span style="font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal;"><b> </b>8. Arrive early. </span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">Check departure times and departure locations. Where is the train station or bus depot? Leave enough time. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="line-height: 27.6000003814697px;"><b> </b>9.<b> </b>Buy a good guide <u>book</u>.</span> </span><!--[endif]--><span style="line-height: 115%;">E-readers are fine for reading indoors, but not great as 'on the street' travel
guides. They are hard to read in daylight and difficult to flip through when on the street. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"><span style="font-stretch: normal;"><span style="line-height: 27.6000003814697px;"><b> </b>10.<b> </b>In the tropics, s</span><span style="line-height: normal;">tay cool</span><b>.</b> G</span></span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%;">et a room with air conditioning. You will need it to get a good sleep. Mosquitoes? Tuck the mosquito net under the mattress really well! Cover up and wear bug repellent. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from the hotel room in Delhi</span>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">11. Resist riding on motorcycles or mopeds. We have encountered MANY injured travelers. Thinking of deep sea diving, or para-sailing? Safety is not always a priority on the tourist beach. CAUTION!
Is the equipment truly safe, is the training excellent, is the company
reputable, are you insured for injury?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> 12. Buy medical travel insurance</span><b style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">.</b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">You think you are healthy and nothing will
happen to you? Maybe not, but maybe so. Get your shots before you travel, too.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> 13. Keep your </span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;">valuables secure</span><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large; line-height: 115%; text-indent: -18pt;"> on your
person. Zip them up.</span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-74097327711906286752012-12-14T19:12:00.002-07:002023-09-10T19:53:45.998-06:00Mount Popa, Myanmar<div align="left">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9f7MjdHtQI/UMvJAuXQlDI/AAAAAAAACkY/GaS4pZkCRw4/s1600/Myanmar+2+and+wedding+746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img bea="true" border="0" height="396" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o9f7MjdHtQI/UMvJAuXQlDI/AAAAAAAACkY/GaS4pZkCRw4/s640/Myanmar+2+and+wedding+746.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-size: small;">We climbed to the top of Mount Popa, 777 steps.</span></strong></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Rendition of Nat spirits at Mount Popa</strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: x-large;"><b>Nat Worship in Burma.</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Some Buddhists in Myanmar, especially those in rural areas, worship <strong>Nats</strong>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nats are uniquely Burmese. They are <strong>spirits</strong> or guardians and protectors with dominion over people or things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The worship of Nats <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>pre-dates Buddhism, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>which became the national religion of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Burma in the eleventh century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nat worship was a form of animism, especially popular with the hill peoples of Myanmar, but practiced all over the country.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><strong>Mount Popa, Burma</strong></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mount Popa, an extinct volcano in central Burma, was <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>home of the most important Nat, the Lord of the Great Mountain, and his Sister Lady Golden-Face.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the ninth century they became the guardian gods of the city of Pagan. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nat worshippers travelled to Mount Popa for a feast at the full moon in December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Animals were sacrificed,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>people drank palm toddy wine and danced. Full moon festivals were common throughout Burma.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong><span style="font-family: inherit;">Atop Mount Popa, monkey surveys Myanmar forest</span></strong>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the town below Mount Popa</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Although pre-Buddhist practices, such as astrology, alchemy and the worship of Nats, were suppressed when King Anawratha unified Burma in the eleventh century and made Buddhism the national religion, Nat worship continued. The King eventually integrated Nat worship into Theravada Buddhism,<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>added one of his own to the traditional 36 primary Nats, and replaced other Nats with his own dead war heroes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="font-size: large;">Today in Myanmar, Nat worship continues, side by side Buddhism, with pilgrimages and festivals held throughout the country. Nats are similar to Saints. Some drink and smoke. Others protect the environment and dwell in the forest or mountains. Environmental destruction could bring their wrath.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> <span style="font-size: large;">Nats are spiritual friends of the Burmese people.</span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Nats guard Buddha in Bagan. Stop, and look, they seem to say.</strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mount Popa is a day trip from Bagan. On the way to Mount Popa from Bagan, we stopped to see how palm oil, palm candy (jaggery) and palm toddy wine are made, the old fashioned way. The drinking of toddy, wild dancing and traditional hsaing music induce the trance at a Nat festival, and assist in the belief that revelers are possessed by the Nats.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><strong>Grinding to make palm oil</strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mount Popa is an important shrine to Nat worship. Monkeys inhabit the temples. Fun to watch but keep your distance as they can be aggressive. The climb up to the top, 777 steps in bare feet, was not too difficult. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;">Mount Popa does not have the beautiful old Buddha statues, pagodas and temples of Bagan, but Nat worship is still prevalent in Myanmar and Mount Popa is culturally important. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Mandalay, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-75580277567839925202012-10-06T01:47:00.000-06:002023-09-10T19:53:48.806-06:00Jodhpur, India, the Blue City<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<span style="font-size: small;">Jodhpur town square at twilight. Look at the activity, </span><span style="font-size: small;">even as the day is </span><span style="font-size: small;">winding down. </span></div>
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<span style="font-size: small;">The tailor sewing, customers at the pakora cart. </span><span style="font-size: small;">In the background, trucks and </span></div>
<span style="font-size: small;">motorcycles rage ahead near cows, </span><span style="font-size: small;">and above it all - the ghost of the </span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;">British empire, the landmark clock tower.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><strong>Jodhpur - the <span style="color: blue;">Blue City</span>, from the Fortress the Mehrangarh</strong></span></td></tr>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: blue;"><strong>Jodhpur, the Blue City of Rajasthan</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">After an afternoon train ride from <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2011/10/jaisalmer-rajasthan.html">Jaisalmer</a>, we arrived after dark at the bustling Jodhpur train station. We were quickly ushered out towards the cabs through the crowds, into the dark, noisy night. Local travellers were sleeping outside, next to the station. Every free spot of ground was occupied. Something was moving at the base of the walls of the station....quickly and rythmically. Rats. Hundreds of rats, running in and out of cracks and holes in the walls of the station - scurrying around the blanketed sleepers</span>. <span style="font-size: medium;">It was a startling but mesmerizing sight. </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the Fort, Jodhpur, India</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><em><span style="color: purple;"><strong>Busy, crowded, colourful, friendly.....Jodhpur</strong></span>.</em></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Mr. Sharma, astrologer, in Jodhpur, India</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;"><strong>The Mahrangarh</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">With only one full day in Jodhpur, we headed to the Mehrangarh. The formidable, impressive fortress of Jodhpur, the Mehrangarh, rises solidly on rock above the blue city. It houses cannons, gates and turrets, grand palaces, jewelled rooms of maharaja royalty and an interesting, popular museum. We took the recommended audio tour. Famous astrologer, Mr. Sharma, read my palm and astrological chart inside the fortress. Astrology has been valued by the people of India since ancient times, and astrologers are consulted for many matters, including marriage compatibility. What better place for an astrological reading than India? </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the fortress at Jodhpur</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"><strong>Markets near the Clock Tower Landmark </strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We walked around the lively Sadar market and the narrow streets and medieval bazaars of old Jodhpur. The marketplace was bustling, with crowds of local shoppers, carts with fresh produce and lunch foods, stores with teas and spices, beautiful bolts of fabrics, Rajasthani crafts, and household dry goods of all sorts. The friendly people of Jodhpur were happy to chat with us. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spices and friendly people in Jodhpur, India.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the old town and marketplace in Jodhpur</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: magenta; font-size: medium;"><strong>Vibrant Jodhpur</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">Jodhpur, a city of just under a million people, is rich in the cultural history of Rajasthan. It has a rural feel about it. Jodphur was the most colourful of any of the places we visited in Rajasthan, with a panorama of blue buildings, dazzling neon fabrics, sparkling handicrafts, and brightly decorated auto-rickshaws, or 'tuk tuks', as we called them. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: medium;">I love my pictures from Jodhpur - some of my favourites of the entire trip. We stayed two nights in Jodhpur, as planned. It's a place worth visiting, on any trip to Rajasthan. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">Decorated tuk tuk in Jodhpur - behind a belching truck ...</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: blue; font-size: small;">....loaded with bright fabrics.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Negotiating a tuk tuk ride in Jodhpur. Only two passengers per tuk tuk- that's the rule.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: magenta; font-size: small;">Jodhpur</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: medium;"> Next stop......Udaipur via Ranakpur and the renowned Jain temple.</span><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-51391019999332318132012-09-29T18:56:00.006-06:002022-08-19T07:50:08.587-06:00Dieppe, France. A Soldier's Story from WWII<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">clipping from the Windsor Star, August 1942.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">The Dieppe Raid: August 19, 1942 </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Of the 6100 assault troops to land at Dieppe, 5000 were Canadians, many from Windsor, Ontario. Dieppe was a nightmare and a disaster for Canadian soldiers - over 900 Allied soldiers killed, 2000 captured, hundreds more wounded. Here is one soldier's story of the Dieppe raid on August 19, 1942. </span><br />
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<i><span style="font-size: large;">My dad, Henry Charles Read, and his younger brother, William George Read, from Windsor, Ontario, were both soldiers at the Dieppe raid. They were Sergeants with the 11th Field Company, Royal Canadian Engineers. </span></i><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">As engineers their orders were to get into the town of Dieppe, set explosives and blow up their target, which was a factory. They landed at Dieppe in the dark, before sunrise and before the majority of the Allied troops came ashore. The Germans were waiting for them, and there was heavy gunfire and shelling. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">My uncle Bill was wounded shortly after landing. His arm was badly injured and he was evacuated back to a hospital in England. My dad continued on with other engineers into the town of Dieppe where they set and detonated explosives, as ordered. </span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i></div><div><i><span style="font-size: large;">Eventually, as the slaughter of Allied soldiers continued on the beach, the word came down the line from the Canadian command that the Canadian soldiers were to surrender to the Germans. My dad and a few of his buddies would have nothing of that. As he said, he wasn't going to sit out the rest of the war in a German prisoner of war camp. Instead, they surveyed the land and the beach and found a spot where they 'went into the water'. They waded out into the English Channel, where a Polish destroyer picked them up a few hours later, and they were returned safely to England.</span></i><br />
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<a href="http://www.canadianmilitaryhistory.ca/dieppe-70th-anniversary-feature-the-raid-in-the-lcmsds-photo-holdings/">For pictures of the day on the Dieppe Raid</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?list=ULMSKK_n8VWek&feature=player_embedded&v=MSKK_n8VWek">A link to video of the Assault on Dieppe</a><br />
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<a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZFnS0dNDYV0&feature=channel&list=UL">A link to video footage of the Aftermath at Dieppe, August 19, 1942</a><br />
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Dieppe now......<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBcgpxM-hIU/UGdr2SMV7dI/AAAAAAAACY8/tjIDwJbxyQg/s1600/France+412.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="396" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RBcgpxM-hIU/UGdr2SMV7dI/AAAAAAAACY8/tjIDwJbxyQg/s640/France+412.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The pebbled, rocky beach at Dieppe. Was it any wonder the tanks got stuck?</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgP2IGSW-jM/UGdsVGryMqI/AAAAAAAACZE/HF-beRMRZOk/s1600/France+430.JPG" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="198" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SgP2IGSW-jM/UGdsVGryMqI/AAAAAAAACZE/HF-beRMRZOk/s320/France+430.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">We traveled to Dieppe a few years ago</span>. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TNOJkpgX68/UGdrlQF31RI/AAAAAAAACY0/viIru6KdFUQ/s1600/France+409.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="122" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1TNOJkpgX68/UGdrlQF31RI/AAAAAAAACY0/viIru6KdFUQ/s200/France+409.JPG" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arrived by train </span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOSHPBAz7ZY/UGds_2BecFI/AAAAAAAACZU/ON0hZPNYueo/s1600/France+423.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOSHPBAz7ZY/UGds_2BecFI/AAAAAAAACZU/ON0hZPNYueo/s640/France+423.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">From the cliffs, it was evident that Dieppe could be easily defended by the Germans.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlVWDr3pelc/UGdtPPeJXtI/AAAAAAAACZc/1eHt9kTbjfo/s1600/France+424.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="430" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xlVWDr3pelc/UGdtPPeJXtI/AAAAAAAACZc/1eHt9kTbjfo/s640/France+424.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On main street, Dieppe, France.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyLYqvHdZhA/UGdrP5p7a0I/AAAAAAAACYs/63d0Rwy3QRc/s1600/France+425.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" kea="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-tyLYqvHdZhA/UGdrP5p7a0I/AAAAAAAACYs/63d0Rwy3QRc/s320/France+425.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Canadian War Memorial on the beach at Dieppe, France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0sPw2FnTKg/UGgAGBMeypI/AAAAAAAACZs/ca5pCMfTAno/s1600/France+411.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" kea="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0sPw2FnTKg/UGgAGBMeypI/AAAAAAAACZs/ca5pCMfTAno/s640/France+411.JPG" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Poppies growing near the beach at Dieppe, France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EO76JZV4suQ/UGdsz6idWmI/AAAAAAAACZM/G1VTkcQuTyE/s1600/France+426.JPG" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="346" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EO76JZV4suQ/UGdsz6idWmI/AAAAAAAACZM/G1VTkcQuTyE/s400/France+426.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">On August 19, the sun shines exactly through the maple leaf carved out on the monument, to match up with the cement maple leaf on the ground. </span><br />
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</div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-56554521233244459122011-10-15T23:26:00.094-06:002023-09-10T19:53:59.684-06:00Jaisalmer, Rajasthan<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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Inside Fort Jaisalmer, view from a patio</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Station in Jaipur</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jaisalmer in Rajasthan, India is in the Thar desert, near the border with Pakistan. For security reasons, the airport isn't open. T</span><span style="font-size: large;">he remote location of Jaisalmer attracts few tourists. It exudes a tranquil charm. We left hectic Jaipur for Jaisalmer by train shortly after midnight and awoke next morning streaming through the Thar desert. We caught glimpses of peacocks along the tracks and viewed wind generators in the distance. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We arrived in Jaisalmer, the Golden City, around noon. Fort Jaisalmer, built in 1156, rises on a sandstone ridge high above the desert. A third of the people of Jaisalmer still live in the old town inside the Fort. We stayed outside at the <a href="http://www.hotelfifu.com/">Hotel Fifu</a>.</span></div>
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Jaisalmer Fort from Hotel Fifu</div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Hotel Fifu is in a rural neighbourhood within easy walking distance of the Fort. Above the guest rooms of this small hotel are several levels of comfortable dining and relaxation terraces with stunning views of the Fort and the surrounding desert. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the Jain Temple</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Fifu hooked us up with</span> <span style="font-size: large;">local guide, Vivender, for a full day walk through the historic sites of Jaisalmer. We toured the Fort, old havelis, exquisite Jain temples, attended a Hindu celebration, and climbed up a turret to a patio for tea and views of the Fort and the desert beyond. Interesting day.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Jaisalmer lies in the heart of the Thar desert. This is the land of snake charmers and camel caravans, where women wear bright neon scarves and dance with fire pots on their heads. The music is lively, crafts are colourful, the architecture medieval, and the people are friendly and unique with a rich culture. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Village near the camp</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Mr. Fifu organized a safari by jeep through the desert, where we slept in canvas tents, with camels nearby, ready for trekking. We watched the sun set over sand dunes, an entrancing, peaceful experience. After dark, there was energetic and beautiful Rajasthani folk music and dancing around the campfire by local Kalbelia folk artists - a highlight! </span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Talented dancer at our campsite.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We visited Jaisalmer in early March, midway through our 3 week trip through Rajasthan. There is an annual performing arts festival in Jaisalmer in early February, which would be spectacular to see. Jaisalmer is fascinating in so many ways, and Hotel Fifu, too, was a special place. Summer is brutally hot in Jaisalmer, so check out the climate before you book - but go.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Our tents in the Thar Desert</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">After sundown - local talent</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Thar desert near Jaisalmer, Rajasthan</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Rajasthan music and dance around the campfire.</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-43084623314121775412010-09-06T10:58:00.017-06:002023-09-10T19:54:03.016-06:00Hotel Arches in Fort Kochi<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Street scene near Hotel Arches </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Terrace view</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Fort Kochi we began each day with breakfast on the serene rooftop terrace of our favourite hotel in Kerala, the Hotel Arches. The morning sky was always soft, breezes gentle, as the heat of the day had not yet set upon Fort Cochin. Through the treetops swooped tropical birds. In the distance we saw glimpses of the sea. This peaceful setting was perfect for an anxious traveller like me, new to India. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Das</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">On each of our 5 mornings on the rooftop terrace we were greeted by Das, a friendly dignified man, who brought us dark Keralan coffee, fresh juice and local fruits, eggs and toast, or a delicious masala dosa and coconut chutney.</span> <span style="font-size: large;">We dined within view of St. Francis Church, built in 1503, the oldest European church in India, and the original burial place of Vasco da Gama.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>All of the staff</strong> at the Hotel Arches were considerate and sincerely kind. They arranged reliable transportation for us <a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.com/2010/01/tea-plantations-munnar-kerala.html">(Josie) from the airport and on to the tea plantations of Munnar.</a> They quickly moved us to a lower floor, without request, upon seeing that I had injured my ankle - and they brought ice for the swelling- even at 3am.</span> <br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TIUbv-qK7wI/AAAAAAAABOk/8_xj0QWXnrI/s1600/India+1+258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TIUbv-qK7wI/AAAAAAAABOk/8_xj0QWXnrI/s320/India+1+258.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;">The Hotel Arches itself was lovely in all ways. Rooms were large, perfectly clean, with air conditioning, TVs, and private baths. Free internet access was available in the hallway and there was an interesting collection of books for guests in the lobby. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There are fancier hotels in Fort Cochin, but I doubt that we will ever encounter the genuine sweetness of the staff we met at the Hotel Arches. The wonderful breakfasts, and the exceptional people at the Hotel Arches were a memorable part of our trip to Kerala. Thank-you <a href="http://www.hotelarches.com/">Hotel Arches</a>.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUpbzpOoBkHeGVOahLlGacRHpfOg32AYxuJt9AFqFBqeAFsbNaopl82nihPimY_u8l_6A0Q_IgZIkPVotODkIJliC7qPxhayL4FruTF-hoDun1mlYrIfsjhHB2UinmTamxqMqk_PZFksJ/s1600/India+1+389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyUpbzpOoBkHeGVOahLlGacRHpfOg32AYxuJt9AFqFBqeAFsbNaopl82nihPimY_u8l_6A0Q_IgZIkPVotODkIJliC7qPxhayL4FruTF-hoDun1mlYrIfsjhHB2UinmTamxqMqk_PZFksJ/s320/India+1+389.JPG" width="320" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NbbYOCkUAyGsz1ET6fXDfXxtr95TJyqRjnPRkMm2hU8sto58Ot9K8WbekX89XD-_2ENemdQaYWx8dIRDQuoJ0f-NzDvsGR2rymt81ci6RWNV9IdG6CcPydxCN6urAuk-STsHgYijS7fC/s1600/India+1+391.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" ox="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NbbYOCkUAyGsz1ET6fXDfXxtr95TJyqRjnPRkMm2hU8sto58Ot9K8WbekX89XD-_2ENemdQaYWx8dIRDQuoJ0f-NzDvsGR2rymt81ci6RWNV9IdG6CcPydxCN6urAuk-STsHgYijS7fC/s320/India+1+391.JPG" /></a></div><span style="font-size: large;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Balcony view and St. Francis Church</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-81153567637911278092010-07-25T18:34:00.021-06:002023-09-10T19:54:05.946-06:00Cairo: Ancient Egypt<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TEzXl2LwXoI/AAAAAAAABDc/ui7apxj3oRU/s1600/001.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" hw="true" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TEzXl2LwXoI/AAAAAAAABDc/ui7apxj3oRU/s640/001.bmp.jpg" width="289" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">our tickets</td></tr>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TFRLtXWwliI/AAAAAAAABDk/sZeNJlfpkEg/s1600/Egypt+001.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" bx="true" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TFRLtXWwliI/AAAAAAAABDk/sZeNJlfpkEg/s320/Egypt+001.bmp.jpg" /></a><strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">The Pyramids and The Egyptian Museum</span></strong></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We were in Cairo in 1998, for just a few days. We flew in from Athens at night, and as we approached Cairo the city lights went on forever. Cairo is the largest city in Africa, with over 6 million people, and another 10 million on the outskirts. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">From the Pyramids at Cheops we could see the Cairo skyline. At that time only the <strong>Second Pyramid (Giza)</strong> was open for internal viewing. The entrance doorway to the Pyramid was short and narrow. We walked single file, bent over through the long dark narrow passage. The corridor ended in a rectangular cement-like room with a bit of old graffiti on the wall and one sarcophagus in the centre. So old, so amazing.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We walked around the grounds in the blazing hot sun and had our pictures taken in front of the Sphinx. All in all, pretty spectacular.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Next day we went to the <strong>Museum of Egyptian Antiquities</strong>. It was jam packed like an overstuffed garage with impressive artefacts, giant statues of Pharoahs, furniture, coins, jewellery - all from Ancient Egypt, the largest collection in the world. We met our tour guide, Moses, outside the museum. “Moses coming through “ he announced as he led us around the famous sights of the museum, barging ahead of tour groups. Moses was full of fantastic facts. Did you know that one drop of lotus oil on the forehead of an 80 year old woman made her look like a teenager again? Similar claims for men. The pitch to buy perfumes came after the tour. We enjoyed the entire experience.</span><br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TEzWzalBF-I/AAAAAAAABDM/8KbcWBkgi8Y/s1600/pyramids+001.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: right; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="424" hw="true" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/_cXIQzy80Esc/TEzWzalBF-I/AAAAAAAABDM/8KbcWBkgi8Y/s640/pyramids+001.bmp.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> At the Egyptian Museum we also viewed the contents of King Tut’s burial tomb, over 3500 items. So many things for life in the here and now, and in the afterlife. Chairs of every size for the growing king, boats for the journey to the netherworld, ritual jewelry and gold. King Tut was 19 years old when he died, probably of an infected leg wound. DNA testing has also revealed that he had malaria.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">And then on to the <strong>Royal Mummies Hall</strong>. This was eerie, just as much from the stern armed guards, as from the Royal Mummies laid out around the room. Quiet! Everyone spoke, by order, in hushed tones, out of respect for the dead. This was thrilling, especially for the kids.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Pyramids and the Egyptian Museum are sights every traveller longs to see. Inspiring, fascinating, perplexing.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG7B2k3sTmRdZ2mU1HJ0xry6X7SMsVsmO1d1Q6piLTIqY9BBR9HuHEuxAVOsMh2FIzM6n0LxDoT6wpMHx_eCgLJNErl8u7W_w7AzFK-0Pp1bRRhs9CgK8M9OHRHeY-ErMs_WntSCcMyG8/s1600/pyramids+002.bmp.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="235" hw="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaG7B2k3sTmRdZ2mU1HJ0xry6X7SMsVsmO1d1Q6piLTIqY9BBR9HuHEuxAVOsMh2FIzM6n0LxDoT6wpMHx_eCgLJNErl8u7W_w7AzFK-0Pp1bRRhs9CgK8M9OHRHeY-ErMs_WntSCcMyG8/s320/pyramids+002.bmp.jpg" width="320" /></a><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-5934075173393053802010-06-28T20:28:00.004-06:002023-09-10T19:54:12.254-06:00Basilica Cistern in Istanbul<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Basilica Cistern Medussa</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The subterranean Basilica Cistern in Istanbul once provided water for the Palace of Constantinople, and later for Topkapi Palace. It is thought to be an enlarged version of an original cistern built by the Emperor Constantine and then rebuilt and expanded by Emperor Justinian in 532 AD. Water travelled to this largest cistern, and to the numerous others in Constantinople, via aqueducts from woodlands 12 miles away. The cistern is an impressive archeological wonder of the Byzantine Empire.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"> The cavernous cistern, also called the <strong>Sunken Palace</strong> or <strong>Yerebatan Sarayi</strong>, was cool and dark, with water dripping from above when we ventured down from the hot sunny streets of Istanbul. Twelve rows of marble columns hold up the high arched ceilings, and coloured floodlights add to the intriguing aura. Carp swam in the quiet reflective waters, as we moved along the damp cement walkways. Keep walking through the cistern to the back and you will come upon the Medusa heads. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">These huge amazing stone carvings sit at the base of two columns. One mossy Medusa is upside down and the other lies on its side. Where they came from is a mystery. Why are they not upright? To ward off evil spirits? To celebrate the triumph of Christianity? This, too, is a mystery. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Like many of the fantastic historic sites of Istanbul, the Basilica Cistern is within walking distance of the Blue Mosque, across the way from the Haghia Sofia in Sultanahmet. Worth seeing, be sure not to miss the Basilica Cistern.</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-85302789561110451922010-06-12T12:03:00.031-06:002023-09-10T19:54:15.126-06:00Fort Kochi, Kathakali<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Make-up applications and preparations for the performance.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Fort Cochin in Kerala on the southern tip of India, we saw a shortened version of a <strong>Kathakali</strong> presentation, a dramatic religious story told through chanting and drumming, elaborate make-up and costume, and detailed facial expressions and movement. It was fascinating, like nothing we had ever seen before. Exactly what a traveller wants.</span><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-476747087677403002010-05-06T05:08:00.001-06:002023-09-10T19:54:19.596-06:00 Rome: Forums and Spring Flowers<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-89461549878775727582010-05-04T19:40:00.013-06:002023-09-10T19:54:22.725-06:0010 Tips to Pack Light: Clothing. Travel Light!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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1.Take clothes you can <strong>wash in the sink</strong> and that will <strong>dry overnight</strong>. Take laundry detergent in a small plastic jar. Use soap sparingly and wring wet clothes almost dry.<br />
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2.Pack no clothes that <strong>need ironing</strong>. Roll them up and pack them tightly to reduce wrinkles and volume.<br />
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3.Take clothes that are <strong>lightweight, compact </strong>and<strong> easy care.</strong><br />
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4.If your clothes ‘<strong>go together’ </strong>you won't need as many.<strong> </strong>Are they<strong> appropriate</strong> for your destination?<br />
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5.Pack clothes that you can <strong>layer together for additional warmth</strong>. Rely upon the cumulative warmth of your clothing. The shirt over the T-shirt, under the fleecy, under the Gortex. <br />
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6. Only take garments that you <strong>really like</strong>, have <strong>worn before,</strong> are extremely <strong>comfortable </strong>and<strong> durable.</strong> Test everything before the trip.<br />
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7. Are your clothes comfortable for the <strong>climate?</strong> Research this. Temperature, precipitation, humidity?<br />
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8.Pack clothes with <strong>zip pockets and deep pockets</strong>. Keep money, passports and credit cards safe. Front zip pockets on shirts are preferable. A purse can be grabbed.<br />
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9. Make a clothing <strong>packing list</strong>. Review. Do you really need all those clothes? Try fitting them into your bag. Perhaps you will want to buy some clothes at your destination. If so, take fewer clothes.<br />
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10. Do you need clean clothes every day? Most likely not. Take the same amount of clothes for seven weeks as you think you will need for one week, no more. Count on doing laundry. Pack all the clothes you think you need and then <strong>take 1/3 out</strong>. Can you make do?<br />
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More ideas: -Many hotels lend umbrellas to guests. Cities in Asia have inexpensive plastic rain ponchos for sale.<br />
-In really hot places, sandals may be all you need.<br />
-Air conditioning can be cold and temperatures on planes can fluctuate. Prepare.<br />
-Check with your lodging before you go for things like beach towels, shampoo, laundry service and laundry fees.<br />
-Just take enough face cream, etc. to last the trip. Label small plastic containers with your necessary products.<br />
-Many places also have hair dryers in the room. Don't pack one.<br />
-Pack a small flashlight for power outages<br />
-Consider a compact camera instead of big photography gear<br />
-Take a light-weight bag, with wheels. <br />
-take few books, buy books as you go, bring an e-reader, leave books behind as you go.Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-66806228482795396192010-05-01T16:24:00.043-06:002023-09-10T19:54:28.442-06:00Melaka, Malaysia UNESCO World Heritage<div style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
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<span style="font-size: large;">On the streets of Melaka, Malaysia, some of my favourite photos were of the people we came upon. I snapped all of these shots on a Sunday afternoon. On a quiet street we encountered a groom (above), preparing to be married. What a lovely moment.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dancing Tourist Police draw a crowd </td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">The city of Melaka is only 4 hours away from Singapore by express bus, so if you are in Singapore, consider a few days in Melaka. It is a holiday destination for Singaporeans, who appreciate the cheaper prices of Malaysia. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Melaka, once an important trading port, is also a <strong>UNESCO World Heritage</strong> site and has historical, multi-cultural attractions. We were content to walk around and view temples and mosques, and the unique architecture of Melaka. There were antique shops galore and numerous stores for tourists to buy inexpensive gifts to take home.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Hereen House</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo with a big snake in the town square</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stayed for 2 nights at the Heeren House, which is ideally located to view the old city on foot. The excellent and reasonably priced cuisine of Melaka reflects its' rich cultural heritage: Chinese, Islamic, Indian, and European. We enjoyed sitting outdoors at the Geographer Cafe, and later dined on the fabulous Melakan Portuguese dishes at the Eleven Bistro, just up the street. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Walk along the river</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: center;">Making a New Year's video<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Small temple</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Shopping in a historic setting<br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-72516288678437902222010-04-17T15:29:00.145-06:002023-09-10T19:54:30.286-06:00Istanbul, Turkey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<em><strong>Start the music at the end of this post....</strong></em><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">By the Sea in Istanbul. </span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Along the banks of the Bosphorus sprawls the port city of <strong>Istanbul</strong>, 5th largest city in the world. This growing metropolis winds around the shores of the Golden Horn inlet and along the Sea of Marmara. The Bosporus Straight divides Europe from Asia, and Istanbul spans both continents. To the north the Bosphorus links with the Black Sea and to the south, the Marmara, which flows to the Mediterranean, via the Dardanelles. The deep natural harbours and strategic location of port Istanbul have made this ancient city, once called <strong>Constantinople</strong>, and before that <strong>Byzantium</strong>, a centre for land and sea trade.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Yedicule</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">From atop <strong>5th century fortification walls</strong> that once protected the 'old city' from land invasion, at a place called <strong>Yedikule,</strong> we viewed ships in the distance moving through the Sea of Marmara. Here, at the <strong>Fortress of Seven Towers</strong>, we observed dozens of sea freighters transporting goods to and from Turkey and Asia to Europe and the world. The Fortress itself was under restoration, as were other parts of the fortification wall. We took a cab from our hotel, <strong>the Dersaadet</strong>, near the Blue Mosque, to Yedikule. The hotel staff were happy to completely make the arrangements for us to take this 'out of the way' excursion. The Dersaadet is a wonderful mid-sized hotel in a restored Ottoman wooden house. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fresh fish from the docks in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheJieHrPO0Xjp0HTlYJMmM481_oFLkDmzy-U09OHErG12PW2sTq3-SL7tytS6gFZOZCbA62OLl35R17MhYYJWbHzBEsIejtBpkznS3HxuKYdIyDdqA1MiZuzth_Ab3t_cNW0JoqIuN3pSL/s1600/100_0399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></a><span style="font-size: large;">The population of Istanbul is 12 million, with another 5 million nearby. Many Turks rely upon sea transportation to commute and sea busses carry passengers between Europe and Asia, up and down the Bosporus and around the Golden Horn. The main commuter docks are in the old city, the <strong>Sultanahmet</strong>, and are crowded and lively. They are a short walk from the Topkapi Palace, Blue Mosque, Aya Sofya, and other fabulous attractions. Street vendors set up shops on the sidewalk and food stalls serve fish sandwiches. On small boats men grill fresh fish to sell to shoppers, tourists and commuters. This is a terrific spot to see residents of Istanbul out for a stroll, enjoying the panoramic views of the city.</span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Istanbul, Turkey</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Along the Bosporus to the Black Sea</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">For a day trip, we took a ferry from Istanbul along the Bosporus to the Black Sea and stopped at the village of <strong>Anadolu Kavagi</strong>. We climbed to a medieval castle built originally by the Byzantines. From the castle, we could see the forested banks of the Black Sea. Turkey lies on the southern shore of the Black Sea. Georgia, Russia, the Ukraine, Romania, and Bulgaria border around the western and northern perimeters. We had a fresh seafood lunch in the town of Anadolu Kavagi before we headed back to Istanbul.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Black Sea</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>Istanbul is one of the great cities of the world</strong>, with excellent museums and attractions, great food, interesting people and history, and a pleasing climate. It is a city on the move, with a young population. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">More to see in Istanbul.....</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In the Blue Mosque</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Aya Sofya</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Spices at the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">In Topkapi palace</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">A Unesco World Heritage event, Sufi dancing at the Orient Express train station in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Mummies at the Istanbul Archeology Museums</span> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: small;">Hippodrome </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">View from our hotel window in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Miniature paintings in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Fish market in Istanbul</span></td></tr>
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<a href="http://trekdigest.blogspot.ca/2010/06/basilica-cistern-in-istanbul.html">Link to the Basilica Cistern</a><br />
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-90368113378725888802010-04-09T07:14:00.033-06:002023-09-10T19:54:32.445-06:00Vimy Ridge, France<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">At the Canadian War Memorial, Vimy Ridge, France</span></strong><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vimy Ridge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">We travelled by train from Amsterdam, through Holland and Belgium, to France. First stop <strong>Arras</strong>, France, for its proximity to the <strong>Vimy Ridge Memorial</strong>, and its’ historic role in WWI. </span><span style="font-size: medium;">At the Vimy Ridge battle in April,1917, Canadian Corps forces overtook German foes in a 3 day fight. Here on this ridge of farmland, in the cold mud, 3600 young Canadians died, over 7,000 more were wounded. Germans took huge casualties. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">The Canadian War Memorial at Vimy towers over the French landscape on 250 acres of land forever given to Canada to commemorate the horrible sacrifice. We toured the underground tunnels, viewed the trenches, and walked by restricted grounds where explosives may still be lurking. The poignant limestone Memorial solemnly stands at the highest point on the ridge, overlooking the Doui Plains. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Vimy, France</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">It has been said that Canada was ‘forged’ as a nation at Vimy, and that the ‘victory’ at Vimy Ridge was a defining moment for Canada. Certainly it was tragic for our young country. WWI, the Great War, the ’War to End All Wars’ was a horrific and senseless war where more than 60,000 Canadians died. Globally 15 million people died in the First World War. It was a <strong>terrible human failure</strong>, of which nothing good came and it set the stage for tensions that led up to World War II. </span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arras, France</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: medium;">After our trip to the Canadian War Memorial, we returned to Arras, and at a quiet outdoor café, we sadly tipped our glasses of Stella Artois to the ’boys’ . We noticed other tourists from Canada, Australia and New Zealand in the town. Arras was fully destroyed in WW1, as it stood right on the battle lines, and it has mostly been reconstructed, as it was before the war. It really is a lovely town , with pretty Flemish architecture. Robespierre was born here.</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Arras, France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Heading underground at Vimy Ridge, France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Underground at Vimy Ridge</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">Underground tunnel at Vimy</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Canadian War Memorial at Vimy Ridge, France</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: small;">The Vimy Pin</span></td></tr>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-82895494630553100422010-04-05T20:34:00.035-06:002023-09-10T19:54:34.630-06:00Montmartre, Paris<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;"> Sunday Morning in Montmartre</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">There is always, always something to do in Paris. The city is lovely and beloved, for good reason. Art and architecture, museums and history…the food and wine! Paris has it all, and although it's 'expensive', many pleasures of Paris are free, you need only head outside and start walking. On every visit to Paris (well, both of them) we walk and walk, with long rests at outdoor cafés, for wine and cheese. We sit and watch Paris go by. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Montmartre is the perfect place in Paris for a stroll. We ventured up the hill on a Sunday morning in springtime. The busier streets of Montmartre are lined with flower shops, fruit stands and bakeries. From the sidewalk cafes, the smells of fresh croissants and morning coffees linger. We headed up to the Basilique Sacre Coeur, climbing through neighbourhoods where city kids played street ball in the quieter quarters. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">At the top of the hill, Butte du Montmartre, in the historic church courtyard, street performers were entertaining festive tourists. We walked the treed perimeter to catch long views of Paris. Around the church, narrow village roads were crowded with people. A Napoleonic-dressed military troop, with young drummers out front, marched by. History is alive in Paris. The city is full of such surprises!</span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Sacre Coeur. See the Eiffel Tower?</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: large;">An hour or so later, we descended to the lively streets of Montmartre. A jazz band had set up in the tiny square outside the Metro and everyone shared in the beat. Celebrate. The sun is shining, people are happy. The world, with all its woes, is still out there, but in Montmartre on a Sunday morning in May, you cannot escape the festivity. Just relax and enjoy.</span></div>
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<i>Enjoy this beautiful music from Amelie, a movie set in Montmartre....</i><br />
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-53389832188554922542010-04-02T10:06:00.039-06:002023-09-10T19:54:36.772-06:00Bangkok, Thailand, Thai Buddhas<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the river boat</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Outside the Grand Palace</td></tr>
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Beloved Buddhas</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">To get to the Temple of the <strong>Emerald Buddha</strong>, we travelled by river boat down the Chao Phraya River to the Ko Ratanakosin area. These large grounds are home to the <strong>Grand Palace, Wat Phra Kaew,</strong> where the Emerald Buddha sits, and <strong>Wat Pho</strong>, the home of the <strong>Reclining Buddha</strong> statue, as well as numerous fine Thai paintings, sculptures and historic architecture.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Emerald Buddha is perhaps the most revered </span><span style="font-size: large;">buddha statue in Thailand. ‘Emerald’ refers to the colour, and it is most likely carved of jade or jasper. The Emerald Buddha is 2 feet high and sits atop a large gold alter. We were not allowed to take pictures. Visitors sat quietly on the floor, careful not to point toes at the Emerald Buddha. The Thai Buddha was dressed in summer costume, jewels and crown.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;"><strong>The Reclining Buddha</strong></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Not too far away in Wat Pho is the majestic <strong>Reclining Buddha</strong>. At 46 metres long, it is the largest reclining Buddha known. It is covered in gold plate, with mother of pearl inlays, and is surrounded by other important Buddhist carvings and images. The Reclining Buddha depicts Buddha about to enter Nirvana. Like the Emerald Buddha, it is astonishingly beautiful. </span><br />
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<em> Around the Reclining Buddha</em><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Buddhas are located on large sacred and royal grounds with stunning, colourful Thai mosaics, murals, many other Buddha statues and images, decorated spires, stuppas and buddha temples. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">More about our trip to Thailand, this link takes to you north of Chiang Mai, to the hilltribes to see <a href="http://gemtown.blogspot.com/2009/11/hmong_09.html">traditional cloth making of Hmong villagers. </a></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-66778758286971823542010-03-26T00:47:00.037-06:002023-09-10T19:54:42.287-06:00Singapore<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<strong><span style="font-size: x-large;">Tour the Past in Singapore</span></strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We stopped for a few days in the city-state of Singapore on our way to and from Kerala, India. In mid- November, Singapore was seriously decked out for Christmas with blue lights and “Have a Glitzy Christmas” banners everywhere. The 3 towers under construction in the picture below are gambling hotels. Singapore wants a piece of the action.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Singapore is well organized, clean, safe, and new. Some freedoms, such as free speech, are restricted. Drug traffickers get the death penalty. On the other hand, Singapore is an economic success and its 5 million multi-cultural inhabitants enjoy a high standard of living. They seem to be content. Singapore is not easy to figure out.</span><br />
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<strong><span style="font-size: large;">Look to the Past</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Singapore is so modern, but there are some great museums where you can travel back in time to learn of Singapore history. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The <strong>Asian Civilisation Museum</strong> in Singapore is a treasure, with focus on cultures that had an impact on Singapore. We spent several hours viewing displays and artefacts from China, India and southeast Asia. The exhibits are well presented, with extensive information about the culture, religion and migration of Asian peoples. We didn't expect to, but we learned lots about India, our next travel destination, in the Asian Civilisations Museum. (There are beautiful Buddha statues on display, too).</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The early days of Singapore are described at the entrance to the museum -the role of the British in the creation of Singapore for the 'Empire', the immigration of Chinese workers, and the brutality of the Japanese in WWII. </span><br />
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<strong>The Chinatown Heritage Centre</strong><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">The Singapore <strong>Chinatown Heritage Centre</strong> was also exceptional. It is in an old ‘shophouse’ in Chinatown, with realistic re-creations of the lives of Chinese immigrants to Singapore. The displays are artistically and thoughtfully presented and we left with understanding of the tremendous hardships Chinese immigrants faced in Singapore, the poverty, opium addiction, disease, the struggle to survive.</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: large;">Both museums added depth to our visit to Singapore. We escaped the modernity for a few hours and saw beautiful archeological displays in the Asian Civilizations Museum. The Chinatown Heritage Centre, by delving into the recent past, provided some insights into Singapore of today.</span><br />
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See more about the <a href="http://gemtown.blogspot.com/2010/04/asian-civilizations-museum-singapore.html">displays at the Asian Civilisation Museum</a>.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3118643111719890491.post-10187252100176029132010-03-14T18:06:00.053-06:002023-09-10T19:54:44.889-06:00Lyon, France<div class="separator" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Things I loved about Lyon:</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>It's a great city to walk in.</strong> </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">Two rivers, the Rhone and the Saone, meet in Lyon. Bookfairs and cafes line the shores, and on weekends, crowds wander amongst local artisans and musicians. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Vieux Lyon</em> has medieval architecture and narrow cobblestone streets. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><em>Croix-Rousse</em> is an old quarter where the silk industry once thrived. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Art.</strong> <em>The Musee des Beaux-Arts</em> has an exciting large collection of paintings and sculptures from all periods.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Roman History</strong>. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;">The <em>Theatre Romain</em>, built by the Romans in 15 BC, and the <em>Musee de la Civilisation Gallo Romaine</em>, tucked into the hillside behind the amphi-theatre were extremely interesting.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: x-large;"><strong>Food</strong>. <em>Les Halles de Lyon</em> is one of many wonderful markets in Lyon, where you can see fabulous displays of French food in all its glory. Lyon is known for its' gastronomic excellence.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">A <strong>bouchon</strong> is a type of eatery unique to Lyon that specializes in pork, all parts. One of our favourite meals was at the bouchon Cafe Des Federations.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Wine (Beaujolais) is served in a 'pot', a smaller bottle or carafe. Lentils, salad, cheeses, and of course, pork, are common fare in a bouchon.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">We had another delicious meal at Le Garet. Here we had a special house pear liquor and chatted with French tourists. Food is plentiful at bouchons, so go on an empty stomach. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Travel can change your daily diet. After Kerala, we crave masala dosa. From Greece it was feta cheese and olive oil. Italy, sardines on pizza, and pesto pasta. In Lyon, it was the salad, made with frisee ( or endive), hard boiled eggs, lardon (chunks of bacon) and a dressing heavy with Dijon mustard. </span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">In Lyon, we also developed a serious romance with cheese. The fresh cheeses of France are hard to resist. Save room at the end of the meal for the cheese course.</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: large;">Throughout France the cuisine was supurb.</span><br />
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