Keep on trainin' Relieved and enjoying your journals, happy to know all is well. Your trip and traveling companions are so interesting. Thanks for letting us know how you are. No need to reply as I know these chances to email are far and few between. I am hoping you give a presentation when you are home.
First time we have accessed your travel blog Hi Dave,
We just returned from 10 days in Japan and Hawaii (my son got married in a Shinto wedding ceremony in Hiroshima on 10/13/09) and am looking forward to reading all of your entries. I noticed that I have five more waiting and will read them later today. I can hardly wait to see how you fare in Kazakhstan and Vietnam.
Freda
Hey David, you ought to be traveling with me...Laos last week, Cambodia this...hotels between $2.95 (included breakfast) and $6.00 per night! I complain when I have to spend $10 for an overnight bus trip! Oops, forgot, you
e one of those rich Americans and Im just a non working volunteer.
Keep treking, Lynda
FYI Hi Dave, good hearing from you. Sounds like you are having a challenging trip. I am just going back to PA alone and have ogida. We are all set to go for Sunday. Pat Benke, Linda Karen and me. Rich wants to know what the weather is. Take care and enjoy.
Are you having fun yet? Hi Dave, Just wanted to let you know we are getting your blogs. Sounds like quite an adventure! We are praying that you will run into Engllish-speaking people all along your way when you need them. Keep the blogs coming. All is well here except that Emma Lee is having severe health difficulties. John told us last night at council meeting that she was diagnosed a diabetic a couple of years of ago but has been ignoring it, and now it has caught up with her. Cheryl has now totally cleaned out the kitchen of all the bad stuff and is serving only good food, but her system isn used to it. She was taken to the ER with severe vomiting a couple of nights ago. I think she will be OK after this period of adjustment to normal food. Will keep you posted.
super! I REALLY enjoyed reading this. I would love to do a trip like this but not physically capable. What an adventure and thanks for taking time to share!
Gerry
mongolia i will be in vietnam shortly from thai and cambodia and was curious about the logistics of getting into china and then taking a silk road route into central asian...will i be able to obtain visas for those in these countries? how much are the costs in terms of trains or buses to cover the journey?
thanks
rob
What an adventure I'm surprised you have made it to Irkusk! Sounds exciting. I guess Russian men like to be close. Noticed all pixs in Russia (I think) other person in photo has his arm around you. Did notice your wedding ring in clear site so you should be safe (I hope.). Barb
hope trip is going well. Barb says she heard from you. just getting ready to go sounds as if it was exciting. looking forward to next installment. do you want me to send you aaron and caitlin's address/email phone in case you get to HaNoi? k
Time adjustment David,
Have you adjusted to the time change yet? That can be difficult given how many hours different your location is from Boulder City.
Have you met any fellow travelers yet?
Just curious to see how the trip is going?
Don
Have a great trip! Watch the dates on any bottles of water, etc. you buy!
We went to China, on a tour, in 1993. I bet you will see a lot of changes, more cars than bicycles for one.
I hope you have good Internet access....we were there before email.
I remember the Chinese postcards were beautiful works of photography.
Look forward to reading about your adventures.
Public restrooms in China smelled awful. Prefered those in restaurants.
When we arrived in Shanghai at night there was no place to change money. Had to do it at our hotel.
Cab ride to hotel was Mr. Toad's wild ride. Teeny car shut off car at every stop light!
Hong Kong prices high, go to Stanley Market on Hong Kong Island for bargains. Take the bus.
Get a walking tour book of old Hong Kong on HK Island for a taste of the old shops.
Have heard that toilet paper might be hard to find in restrooms in Russia. No problem in china.
THANKS, David!!! Thanks for all of the info on here today!!!! Marsha and I will be following your trip, word by word, mile by mile....as we would both like to do the same type of trip without a tour agency. No matter how "cryptic" your writing will be, we will be here to read it, make notes and enjoy our reporting. Keep them coming!!!!!
John
David, We'll read with interest - since it is not a trip we would probably ever take! But good for you. Take care, be careful, stay warm and enjoy. Did you say how long this trip is going to be?
David, I will continue to read your blog and watch your travels. While in Thailand I'm taking the opportunity to travel in SE Asia but will be further south (I HATE the cold)! However, I am very interested in the areas you will be in. I have traveled through Vietnam and found it to be beautiful and the people family. You should find many young people in Vietnam and China who speak English. Good luck and happy travels.
Rain Forest Loved your journal once again!
I remember the huge yellow banana slugs in the rain forest! Hope you got to see some of them.
Squim is a really nice area too...cedar forests and rocky shores is what I remember.
Hey, I'll bet you slept really well after that channel kayaking day!
You must also be able to catch all the wild black berries as you travel home through Oregon! I expect you will be blue by the time you get home ( from eating so many blackberries)
Best wishes for continued happy travel adventures!
David is a retired analytical chemist who now, at age 65, has time to travel. He is trying to better understand why "things are the way they are" in a social and political context. The developing areas of the world are of particular interest and has plans to travel anywhere and everywhere.
Barbara is a semi-retired dietitian who hasn't completely given up the life of work, but is also excited to travel and see and learn. She is particularly interested in the food experiences of other cultures. ... full info
Along the way
David Paulsen
news from home
Becky, thanks for the updates .... could not get to the church news letter ... may try again....