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 |   Theses are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call life. |
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These are my thoughts and ramblings as I forge my way through this thing they call Life. I blog with these groups:     "Blogging Circle of Friends "  [E] 
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 30 Day Blogging Challenge Johannesburg, South Africa Johannesburg is the place to go to mix big-city culture, shopping, dining and nightlife with outdoor adventures, up-close wildlife encounters and visits to historical sites. Explore caves and nature reserves, or visit a traditional village by day, then enjoy dinner at a hip cafe or five-star restaurant. And if you're a shopper, bring an extra, empty suitcase. With malls, open-air markets and places that blend the two, you'll find plenty of unique souvenirs. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g312578-d2322502-Reviews-The_Residence_... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312578-d313843-Reviews-Apartheid_... This museum is not something anyone should hurry through. Enjoy the (2000+) photos, discuss some of the ones that appeal to you. Did you discover the other name for Johannesburg and what is it? Jo'Burg Johannesburg, Jo'Burg, Jozi, Egoli – The many names of the City of Gold. Johannesburg, commonly known as Jo'Burg or Jozi, is South Africa's second largest city with a population of over than 3 million. I am not a fan of staying in South Africa, but at least I can take my time wandering the Apartheid Museum. The signage disturbs me - Blanks and Non-Blanks. Even as a child of 5 I had an issue with discrimination of any kind. My northern Ontario school had a separate door and seating areas for Boys and Girls. I remember thinking 'why was that necessary?' Why should it matter? I followed the rules... but I remember going into the school one evening to get my shoes I'd forgotten and running into the boys section to touch the windows just to show some defiance... I was only 7. It was very liberating, even if my mother was the only one to see me do it. The fact that this kind of signage existed bothers me to the core, making my time in South Africa (virtual or not) uncomfortable. There is beauty here - in its natural form, but there is an ugliness as well. A kind of unclean that inequality leaves, like a film... one that I fear will take a long, long time to get rid of... if it even happens. I find it interesting that the tickets designate you are white or non-white on an arbitrary basis - giving you a taste of what it may have been like. Going to Mandela House is another place I would like to venture to just to get an essence of the man who was willing to go to jail to speak out against the injustice of the system. Our hotel is much more quaint here. Cape Town was over the top, Johannesburg seems more down to earth... even if it is a far bigger city. The pool was shaded with lovely trees and I felt it easier to breath here. Not so opulent. I had no interest in shopping and decided to stay in and write for the evening once I had enjoyed a lovely dinner. It just felt like a more reflective thing to do. Blogging Circle of Friends Nelson Mandela, was a complex man. Discuss what you learn with one of the links. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g312587-d2436621-Reviews-Mandela_H... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nelson_Mandela#:~:text=Widely%20regarded%20as%20an... Being able to be in the place where Mandela's family spent their lives was good. A quiet neighbourhood. A house full of memorabilia that spoke of the man and his family. The enlarged photo of his wife, Winnie, made me smile. Now there was a strong black woman raising her daughters and fighting the fight while Mandela spent his 27 years in jail. What a life that must have been. https://europeansting.com/2019/07/19/here-are-10-of-nelson-mandelas-most-inspira... There are 10, but I have included 6 of my favourites here: 1. Be passionate “Everyone can rise above their circumstances and achieve success if they are dedicated to and passionate about what they do.” 2. Nothing’s impossible “It always seems impossible, until it is done.” 3. Make a difference “What counts in life is not the mere fact that we have lived. It is what difference we have made to the lives of others that will determine the significance of the life we lead.” 4. Be optimistic “I am fundamentally an optimist. Part of being optimistic is keeping one’s head pointed toward the sun, one’s feet moving forward. There were many dark moments when my faith in humanity was sorely tested, but I would not and could not give myself up to despair. That way lays defeat and death.” 5. Learn and teach “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.” 6. Make mistakes “Do not judge me by my successes, judge me by how many times I fell down and got back up again.” One must not forget Desmond Tutu as well. Here are some wonderful quotes: Do your little bit of good where you are; it's those little bits of good put together that overwhelm the world. My humanity is bound up in yours, for we can only be human together. Without forgiveness, there's no future. |
| Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2836 Prompt: Pick out one of these things to do in Cape Town https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g312659-Activities-Cape_Town_Central_Wes... and write a story, article, or poem about it. The natural world calls to me And I find myself walking the rugged shore line And scampering over craggy rocks To find myself on fine sand Shared with tuxedo-ed birds Who languish in the winter sun. So different from their southern neighbours Who huddled in the snow and ice These penguins dip and glide in the surf Like they are on some foreign vacation Like me, they avoid the touristy traps And save their money For more authentic ventures. When I do head back into town I venture to the market's of Hout's Bay And wander the stalls Filled with arts and crafts Made by local artists and artisans I am drawn to the colourful Vividness and diversity of the place As night draws us in Music fills the air Lulling me into a place Where I feel at peace And one with my my heart In this place Still cut by its past. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Arusha Tanzania We're staying at Arusha Serena Hotel and Resort Spa. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297913-d304446-Reviews-Arusha_Serena_H... https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297913-d15883436-Miracle_Ex... As dawn breaks over the horizon, you serenely drift over the magnificent marvel of nature, The Serengeti, enjoying an eagle’s eye view of the wildlife theatre as it unfolds below you. You will have ample opportunities to spot wildlife from a different perspective. If you are fortunate, you might be able to spot the Big Five: Lion, Leopard, Elephant, Buffalo, and Rhino, as well as giraffe, zebra, hippo, crocodile and a variety of birdlife. Your game viewing opportunities from the sky are endless. Following the flight, you will celebrate with sparkling wine and a splendid bush breakfast in the middle of the Serengeti, capping off what is sure to be your most memorable morning in the skies of Africa. The afternoon we'll be enjoying some of the awesome amenities at our hotel before the BCoF people take us to our next adventure. My room is an oasis in an of itself. A huge bed. A curved desk just under the window with a view that is quite inspiring. I can prop my door open and get a little fresh air. I can even pull a curtain of netting around the bed. Our hotel is set at the heart of a traditional coffee estate in the majestic environs of snow-capped Mount Kilimanjaro, the exquisitely appointed Arusha Serena Hotel, Resort & Spa ( formerly Lake Duluti Serena Hotel) offers heady views over verdant tropical forests, cool mountain walks, a wonderful array of wildlife, roaring fires and superlative cuisine. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OnMSCYqBBR0 Now this is Africa at its finest! City Tour and history of Arusha, Tanzania - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H0iXTd1NcnA The balloon ride is is a unique way to experience a safari. It was one of the most magically memorable of the Serengeti experiences. A balloon safari allowed us to drift in silence above the splendour of the plains. We dipped down to visit the hippo pools of the Grumeti River and enjoyed a bird's eye view of the wildlife theatre as it was enacted below us. This is Africa!!! We were awakened by an early morning cup of tea, then we were driven to the balloon take-off point. There, we met our balloon pilot and watch as the team inflates the enormous rainbow-coloured balloon. As dawn breaks and the balloon slowly rights itself, we were helped into the wicker basket, the sandbags were cast off and the balloon rose majestically into the cool of the morning air. After a 45-minute flight, our balloon descended to the plains, where the ground crew greeted us with a glass of chilled champagne. Later, we had a full English breakfast, which is traditionally cooked on the burners of the balloon. After breakfast, we enjoyed a leisurely game drive back to the lodge. |
| Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2829 Prompt: Check out Fifteen best things to do in Cairo https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g294201-Activities-Cairo_Cairo_Governora... pick one, and write a story or a poem about it. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g294202-d11464487-8_Hour_Pri... 8-Hour Private Tour of the Pyramids, Sphinx, Egyptian Museum and Bazaar including Camel Ride and Lunch from Cairo Hit Cairo’s essential sights in just a day with your personal Egyptologist and Wi-Fi–enabled minivan on this time-saving door-to-door tour. See the Pyramids of Giza, the Great Sphinx, and ride a camel across the desert, then enjoy a restaurant lunch. Spend the afternoon at two signature city attractions: the Egyptian Antiquities Museum and the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar. Egypt's treasures buried in the sand We ride camels out into the desert To see history rise up As pyramids in Giza. The Sphinx watches us With eyes that are all seeing All knowing... We look through antiquities of time Displayed within an Egyptian Museum, Before enjoying delicacies of the region And walking the stalls of the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar. After taking an extra day in Bhatan to soothe my rioting soul... I joined the group for a time - honoured trip among the pyramids. What a great way to put time into perspective. In reality, I spent my day in virtual workshops learning how to use technology to improve my teaching. 5 and a half hours of virtual workshop today and another 5 and a half hours tomorrow. I may be laying low.... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge I don't know about you but I'm needing some quiet time, we've been with a lot of people. There are many things available for you to explore. Discuss what works for you. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g321541-d14994126-Reviews-Bhutan_Spirit... Bhutan, a Buddhist kingdom on the Himalayas’ eastern edge, is known for its monasteries, fortresses (or dzongs) and dramatic landscapes that range from subtropical plains to steep mountains and valleys. In the High Himalayas, peaks such as 7,326m Jomolhari are popular trekking destinations. Paro Taktsang monastery (also known as Tiger’s Nest) clings to cliffs above the forested Paro Valley. Imagine a place of tranquility and beauty. A place where you connect to yourself and all that surrounds you; body, mind and spirit. This is the newly opened (August 2018) Bhutan Spirit Sanctuary, located high in the beautiful Neyphu valley in Paro. We are a 5+ star boutique resort, aiming to create a lasting positive change in our guests’ daily lives. As guests in our home experience what ‘Inspirational Hospitality’ means to us. We are the only well-being inclusive property in Bhutan, which means all services are included in our room rates. From all meals and snacks to all drinks and minibar (only excluding alcohol) to individually designed well-being programs, including a consult with the traditional medicine doctor, yoga/meditation classes, as well as a wide variety of wellness treatments such as Kunye (Tibetan massage therapy) and Hot Oil Compression. Enjoy many more complimentary services such as art classes, cooking classes, and short excursions surrounding our Sanctuary. First thing I needed to do was check a map and I see that Bhutan is east of Nepal and north of Bangladesh. It is south of China. Intriguing. Another place of beauty. Our hotel - https://bhutanspiritsanctuary.com/ was relaxing just to walk and explore the grounds and my room. It was not long before I found myself in the infinity pool letting the stress of travel slip away. Some yoga and meditation sessions also helped me re-balance after all the traveling we've been doing. TIGER’S NEST I was intrigued by this place. After my swim and sessions of yoga, I headed off to trek to the world famous Tiger’s Nest, a Buddhist monastery high up in the mountains, and only a 45 minute car ride from the Sanctuary. Our guides were amazing. After our intense hike, I took them up on their recommendation for a herbal hot stone bath in the Sanctuary. I later enjoyed more yoga and some time to meditate. "Paro Taktsang, is a prominent Himalayan Buddhist sacred site and the temple complex is located in the cliffside of the upper Paro valley in Bhutan. A temple complex was first built in 1692, around the Taktsang Senge Samdup cave where Guru Padmasambhava is said to have meditated for Four Months in the 8th century. Padmasambhava is credited with introducing Buddhism to Bhutan and is the tutelary deity of the country. Today, Paro Taktsang is the best known of the thirteen taktsang or "tiger lair" caves in which he meditated. The temple devoted to Padmasambhava is an elegant structure built around the cave in 1692 by Gyalse Tenzin Rabgye. It has become the cultural icon of Bhutan." Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2827 The hotel offers many "CLASSES". I avoided the cooking classes in favour of the art studio. I tried my hand in a pottery class where we could take home our hand-made ceramics. I sent mine knowing it would not make the rest of my journey. I also tried painting and couldn't wait to capture the essence of the place in watercolour. Some of our group were interested in the traditional Bhutanese sports such as darts and archery in the apple orchard,but I opted out of that as well. My activity was saved for the hike to Tiger's Nest. I also loved to spending time in "The Library". I found a quiet little corner full of light where I could write and explore the varied collection of books and magazines on well-being, meditation, yoga, mindfulness and travelling. Such an elegant place, decorated by wall covering tapestries of the former Bhutanese kings. The "Tea Bar" was also be a welcome spot. It is a restaurant that offers over 20 herbal infused teas, each focusing on a different aspect of balance between the body-mind-spirit. The restaurant team gladly informs guests about the benefits of each tea. This was both informative and lovely. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Halong Bay, we're going for an up-close look at its amazing limestone islands, rock formations and caves. Whittled away over centuries by wind and water, they’re breathtaking. Today we're going to see Sung Sot Cave (Surprised Cave) and Titop island. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293923-d17475877-Halong_Bay... https://indochinatravelblog.com/tag/sung-sot-cave-wikipedia https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g293923-Activities-c57-t54-Halong_Bay_Qu... Discuss what you've learned and what you felt seeing the pictures. The first stop on our adventure today is Sung Sot Cave (Surprise Cave). We get to go beneath the bueaty of the surface to venture into the bowels of the land. Here rock formations delight as we make our way through he biggest cave in the area. We dock at the bottom of Bo Hon Island. We got out and began to climb up 100 or so steps to the mouth of Sung Sot Cave. The cave covers a staggering 10,000 square meters (that’s twice the size of the White House if that’s anything to go by). The cave is about 30 meters high and sports a 500-meter long passage - no worries for anyone with issues with claustrophobia. The views were extraordinary and I took lots of photos. The entire cave is strewn with stalactites (tite to the ceiling) and stalagmites (come up from below) which apparently serve as endless material for the legends and lore of the area. Within the formations you can make out shapes and animals. Our tour guide did an amazing job pointing out the patterns and telling us the tales. One that we were told was that one of the stalactites greatly resembles a horse and a long sword. That horse and sword belong to the legend of Thanh Giong (Thanh can be translated to Saint in English) who is a pretty famous figure in Vietnamese folklore, who left these items here to protect Halong Bay from evil demons. Our guide also pointed out other ‘recognizable’ formations - mammoths, elephants, seals, flowers, and even a general gathering his troops. We we also lucky to be one of the first groups to tour through today so it was not so packed. That was really nice. https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g293923-d456290-Reviews-Sung_Sot_Ca... https://indochinatravelblog.com/destinations/sung-sot-cave-the-surprising-story-... We headed off to Titop Island for more amazing views. It was so worth the climb just to see the panoramic views. Thank goodness I was able to pan a video of the experience. My mind circles with ideas for story here - I am indeed filling my creative well. It was also walk along the warm sand. I took my shoes off and let the grains work away at my soles naturally. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g293923-d4795456-Reviews-Ti_Top_Is... Blogging Circle of Friends BCoF prompt is Halong Bay is located by the sea so needless to say there are a variety of local fruits and vegetables and you can also check out the local seafood. There are huge mounds of crabs, jump shrimp and fish here, and if you want to set up your own beach barbecue later then this is the place to source your produce. Take us on a shopping excursion.What's different about Vietnamese markets versus ours? https://www.visithalongbay.com/travel-tips/halong-bay-food-guide.html https://vina.com/halong-night-market/ https://www.fareastour.asia/guide/detail/what-to-eat-in-halong-bay-22.html Sa sung is the only thing on the list of seafoods I wouldn't want to try - sea worms. Nah. But everything else....I am so open to try. The Halong Squid cake was quite good. As was the Horseshoe Crab (Sam) and the Drunken Prawn and Lobster dishes. I am liking the night markets. Browsing the interesting collection of items and talking to the locals. The lights and buzz and hum of the place is welcome after a couple of days in tranquil heaven on Halong Bay. I picked up a T-shirt and some trinkets. And of course, I took lots of pictures. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge Halong Bay, Vietnam We're doing a 2 day/2night cruise Day 11 and Day 12 will be in Halong Bay. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g293924-d20211050-Halong_bay... Kayaking, swimming on the beach. learning how to make Vietnamese spring rolls and after dinner squid fishing. Let your imagination get carried away, discuss what fun things you've experienced. This place is beautiful. My room has a view that is spectacular. Our cruise ship is just the right size for slipping around the grand outcroppings of rock that rise like untouched fortresses in the sea. Lush green clings to the steep limestone and the bay is a turquoise dream. I can handle a couple of days and nights here. I took so many lovely photographs! Kayaking in warm, calm water was so very different from Antarctic... are you sure we're still on the same planet! The icebergs have been replaced with rocky mounds piled with lush greens. Swimming in this water is FINE. I could float away. End credits rolling. We even got to try our hand at making Vietnamese spring rolls. Mine taste better than they look... just saying. More a spring dump than a roll. Squid fishing. Now that was an experience. We even got eat one that we caught... after they cooked it, of course. Day 1 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3N1ppVq_yNk Day 2 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zMRm5Hl2yqM Spectacular views - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gLbbzNdbhX4 Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2825: Halong Bay, Vietnam Prompt: Pick out one of the five legends/myths in this article: The Legend of Halong Bay: Discover Myths Behind The Names https://www.visithalongbay.com/insight-guides/the-legend-of-halong-bay.html and write a story or poem based on the legend/myth. Legends of Hanh Cave Some do say, that in Halong Bay three women lost their way Stories told, from the very bold their lives, into the walls did fold. So captured by the beauty, enraptured tides swept in and their lives were fractured The stories rave about Hanh Cave, But take care, it's your soul you must save. https://www.visithalongbay.com/caves/hanh-cave-the-longest-cave-in-halong-bay.ht... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge 30 day Hard to believe, we've been traveling ten days already. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g641719-d2622335-Reviews-Kensington_Eng... This is the hotel we're staying at in Pak Chong, Thailand. The Bonanza Exotic Zoo (BEZ). https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g641719-d7082897-Reviews-The_Bonan... https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g641719-d6669408-Reviews-Haew_Suwa... We're going to have a picnic by the falls this afternoon. And spend some quality time together. Give a brief summation of the last ten days including today's sights, in your entry today. Thailand. Our hotel is beautiful. It seems a little out of place in Thialand... a British luxury, but it is lovely and I feel safe. I have decided not to venture with everyone to the zoo. Since there is a National Park nearby, I would much rather go there. The Zoo is great if you have children and I often feel sad when the animals are contained. Going to the Park means I will meet you at the waterfall for the picnic. Appaently the Haew Suwat waterfall may be recognizable to some. It is from the big screen – it shot to fame after being featured in the hit movie, “The Beach”. I didn't see this. We could hear the roar of the water from the road and it got increasingly louder as we walked the short distance (around 100 metres) to the viewing point. Some of us were feeling energetic, and followed the trail leading to the top of the 20-metre high waterfall (65 feet) and see where the tumbling water comes from. The view was amazing. The last ten days of travel have been wonderful, except for being contained on a train, I have managed to venture out into lots of natural settings and walked the land of 4 countries and 3 continents! I have tried to find the heart of each place I have been in.... avoiding the closed in spaces (not so much because of my Covid experience, but because nature inspires me and traveling should inspire you - fill your well, so to speak - even if it is virtually). From what I have gathered of reading other people's posts, we are all avid travelers and find what makes us happy. SandraLynn Team Florent!   has gone to a cooking class. Whereas I have walked the markets and taken virtual chances with the street food. She has also taken a hot air balloon ride. I prefer my feet on the ground. BlueMoon   and I had a wonderful time wandering the night market in Cambodia. I even enticed her to dance with me! She told me about going to the landmine museum. I could not bring myself to go to that... it seemed too depressing and stark. We saw Lyn's a sly fox  having one of those fishy foot massages and we both cringed. Lyn was giggling away, but I couldn't help but think it didn't feel right. It reminded me of an eposide of Bones when I body floats up our of the water... no thank you. Sandra Lynn mentioned the hospital visit she'd heard about and that nailed the idea closed. We've kayaked. We've biked. We'd hiked and trekked. There have been planes, trains, and tuk tuks and quite possibly a car. At least one of our group took a hot air balloon! I look forward to further adventures. Way to go Lyn's a sly fox ! You rock! Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt: Pick one of these fun places and write about it. Experience Thailand With These 10 Things To Do In Pak Chong! - Updated 2020 https://trip101.com/article/things-to-do-pak-chong Thailand is most famous for its beaches, nightlife, and Thai heritage. Nature has also blessed this country with some of the most important National Parks. The Khao Yai National Park was the first national park in the country. Area wise, it is the third largest national park of Bangkok. The city Pak Chong is mostly famous for its proximity to the Khao Yai National Park. It is the gateway of the Khao Yai National Park as well as one of the main tourist cities. Pak Chong is located in the western end of the district named Nakhon Ratchasima Province. I opted to come to the park instead of the zoo, in favour of more authentic wildlife viewings. Many creatures call Khao Yai National Park home. Macaques are very easy to spot, often descending on parking areas to try and steal food from visitors and rummage through litter. Watch out for snatch-and-run attempts on your bottles of water when hiking around the national park! Deer, otters, and gibbons are also fairly common sights, along with numerous species of reptile, butterfly, and snake. Whilst some of the park’s snakes are harmless, be aware that you may come across huge pythons and venomous cobras. I am wearing boots and long pants just in case. Bird-spotting is fun, with many varieties of birds flying through the skies, hopping amongst the branches, and scuttling through the undergrowth. If you want to see a mighty hornbill in the wild in Thailand, this is one of the best places to do so. I brought my binoculars and my camera. Tigers no longer seem to live in Khao Yai National Park, although they do roam around neighbouring national parks. Bears, on the other hand, still live in the large mountainous jungle. I will be careful. Khao Yai National Park has a sizeable elephant population, and sightings are becoming more common. https://trip101.com/article/discover-thailand-s-fascinating-and-diverse-khao-yai... |
30 Day Blogging Challenge We;re staying at the Viroth Hotel https://www.tripadvisor.com/Hotel_Review-g297390-d9514361-Reviews-Viroth_s_Hotel... Siem Reap is the capital of the province Siem Reap in Cambodia. One of their most famous sites to visit is the Angkor Wat temple. Besides that, they have many more temples, museums, the Old Market and the Cambodian Cultural Village. Explore the different options and discuss. Make us envious. https://inspitrip.com/blog/8949/things-to-do-in-angkor-wat-and-siem-reap https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g297390-d11466657-Private_Fu... I know so very little about Cambodia. I spent a good portion of my morning just watching travel videos from a couple - James and Tah - Divert Living. Here's a taste. This is visiting the fishing villages.... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5cOHU_E4sE This is the markets and general feel of the place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SSfBetSN_es I also checked out the map to get a sense of place. https://www.google.com/maps/@12.7267172,105.1633634,6.74z That puts things into perspective. Adds a realness to the place and gets me out of any of my thoughts... that are probably skewed. The hotel is very beautiful. In a country that seems so poor, it seems almost too much to be living in such luxury. In one video I watched, the guy said that the tourist section of the city has lights at night, but in the area where the locals live, it is dark - no street lights. That couple had rented an apartment in the local side and found getting home after dark a challenge. Shows you where the money goes. I found myself wanting to explore as much as I could. Much of the day tripping has to be done in the morning due to rain in the afternoons, so I headed out to the Sunrise tour of Angkor Wat. Watching the sunrise over Angkor Wat was a truly unforgettable experience. I got some amazing photos as I soaked up the place. We enjoyed a guided tour of the ancient ruins, and visited the temples of Ta Prohm, Angkor Thom, and Bayon Temple. Because our group was small, we had plenty of time for questions. I took my sketchbook as well and managed a few sketches. In the afternoon, after a dip in the pool and a nap, I wandered off to the Made in Cambodia Market (see below). I got to experience some Cambodian cuisine. A very different sort of thing, but good. Probably healthier than my usual... or it looks that way anyway. I just have to be careful there are no peanuts in anything. Thankfully I have my epipen if I need it. Blogging Circle of Friends Day 2822 BCoF:Educate us about famous musicians from Cambodia. I've given you one resource, feel free to expand with more information for us. Make us want to see one of the artists. https://theculturetrip.com/asia/cambodia/articles/11-cambodian-musicians-you-nee... https://theculturetrip.com/asia/cambodia/ this link worked better and then I just scrolled down for the musicians link. ...or discuss a shopping experience. Shopping Siem Reap can be as rewarding as exploring Angkor Archaeological Park’s exquisite temples—and there’s no need to wake at the crack of dawn. Siem Reap is home to craft markets, stylish boutiques, artisanal workshops, and artist’s ateliers, all filled with treasures that you can take back home. They're open well into the night for those who made it to Angkor Wat at sunrise. https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attractions-g297390-Activities-c26-Siem_Reap_Siem_Re... Shopping. I decided to venture out to the Made In Cambodia Market for a taste of authentic Cambodia. I was not disappointed. I had to buy a Krama - a woven scarf. My biggest problem was choosing only one and which colour? Whether you’re in the countryside or the city, the krama can be seen everywhere and is undoubtedly Cambodia’s signature fabric. To the untrained eye, the checked cloth is solely used as a fashion item, hanging around the neck like a scarf. Of course, this is one of its uses, but there are a multitude more, with the krama forming an essential item to any household. I would love one of these. https://www.etsy.com/ca/listing/827896984/krama-khmer-scarf?ref=pla_similar_list... The Made in Cambodia Market... https://www.tripadvisor.ca/Attraction_Review-g297390-d4066214-Reviews-Made_in_Ca... There was so much to see.... and buy! I am normally not one for picking up souvenirs, but the market had lots of interesting things that I could see myself using, not just putting out to capture dust. The market itself also had some musicians playing. The music was good, different in some ways. I did check out the link for the musicians and was intrigued. I really liked the SmallWorld SmallBand group. They were fun and had lots of energy and they incorporated the language into their music. Nikki Nikki was great too, but as I listened to her ,I just kept thinking how western influences seemed to colour her music - or at least that piece. SmallWorld SmallBand: https://youtu.be/UoXek1rDLW8 Nikki Nikki https://youtu.be/trIdWoN8MEk Looking into more traditional Khmer music - https://asiasociety.org/education/khmer-music by Sam-Ang Sam - "Khmer music is an important aspect of Cambodian life and culture. It is a significant component in religious and traditional ceremonies such as weddings or temple celebrations. Khmer civilization reached its peak during the Angkor period, from the ninth to fifteenth centuries when great monuments were built, with elaborate carvings depicting myths, gods and aspects of daily life. The carvings musical ensembles on bas-reliefs are nearly identical to the ensembles performing in Cambodia today, where virtually every village in Cambodia possesses a music ensemble. This continuity is testimonial to the strength of this ancient tradition. Khmer music consists of polyphonic stratification and is based predominantly on the pentatonic (five-tone) scale. It is built linearly, devoid of harmony in the Western sense. Musicians in a music ensemble have a collective melody in mind that no single musician actually plays. Rather melody provides a kind of road map that directs the musicians to a common destination and serves as a guideline around which musical embellishment or ornamentation takes place. It up to the drummer to regulates the pace of the ensemble. Cambodian music. " Here is some Khmer Traditional music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b7X7UjHo9z4 Khmer Classical Music - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zaAox5PZk2w It has a relaxing quality, though I could only listen for awhile before I needed a break. |
30 Day Blogging Challenge https://www.mapsofworld.com/australia/ https://www.mapsofworld.com/asia/ so you have an idea where we are Perth, Australia and where we are landing next in Angkor, Cambodia. 30 day, Perth - Cycling is the locals’ favourite way to get around. So hop on, blend in, and discover the sights of Perth on this 3 hours experience. https://www.tripadvisor.com/AttractionProductReview-g255103-d20197509-Perth_by_B... The tour guide is so excited to have such a large group. And there's a lot of interesting places along our ride. Discuss what you've seen and what you liked thus far in Australia.. Biking. I'd love to, especially around a city I could have been born in. Just before I was born my Dad had an opportunity to go to Perth for a 2 year stint in the mining industry, but at the last minute they changed the plans and had their people come to the mine in Northern Ontario. My dreams of being born down under were gone, but my mother was happy about that. I was her first and only child and she was already nervous about giving birth, let alone doing it in a strange country. That said, I know where Perth is in Western Australia. Perth is a city of contrasts, where new urban skylines meet famous historical landmarks. By bike, we were able to get an overview of the place. The unmissable panoramic views of the Swan River from The Old Swan Brewery were lovely. We got to see the incredible Eliza Statue which likes to play dress-up. I wonder if if is anything like the bear at the University of Guelph that is often dressed in odd get-ups. We got to see a beautiful blue boathouse that has been rebuilt several times and had a color change or two. I hear this is an awesome place to take a sunrise photo - I'll have to do that tomorrow before we leave for Cambodia. We cycled through the 400-hectare King’s park, where the fresh scent of lemons and clear skies awaited us at every turn. We ended at Elizabeth Quays, where we were welcomed by a vibrant and romantic atmosphere and were able to hear the haunting chimes of the Bell Tower - this was the perfect way to finish your cycling experience. The afternoon I wandered and found the Hay Street Mall. Lots of shops. I had lunch in the Croissant Express and grabbing a few savoury muffins for the road... who knew you could have muffins with pumpkin and feta or spinach and ricotta. I found a coffee shop - Lowdown with some great coffee and browsed through several book shops in the area - Dymocks (the leading Australia bookshop), Elizabeth Bookshop (the oldest since 1973) and Boffin Books (the greatest in Perth). The nightlife was fun. We popped in to the Wolf Lane for some rather zany cocktails before meandering onward. https://www.wolflane.com.au/bar/ Blogging Circle of Friends Prompt: Perth - As a tourist, which would you rather come home with: lots of souvenirs or lost of pictures. Why? Now that I am older, I would have to say pictures because there is only so much clutter a world can have. I will buy post cards to capture images that I don't have and I enjoy looking at the touristy stuff, but I limit my purchases knowing I have to carry all this stuff around. Collecting small things, like stamps is interesting. So is a small collection of coins, but nothing weird... like that Kangaroo balls thingie I saw in one market video. Who would buy crap like that? The poor kangaroo! |
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