Thanks my friend Thanks for all the fantastic stories. Its been a true pleasure to follow your travels thrue the world. And oboy ship o hoy your son looks just like you hehehe
All the best to you and your family
Andy the captain Vos
Digging away in Sweden
You'd be missed....... Hi Jason and Jennifer......oops hi to Kiva too. I have been reading up on your blogs (including the earlier ones) and now feel like I have met you, played with Kiva, and traveled with you. Just want to let you know that I wish you good luck on your new academic endeavor, but also wish you wouldn't quit blogging altogether. Your stories have made us all better-informed, even amused, and overall wanting to follow your path!
Hi Travis I think I know what you are trying to say, but having lived and travelled in Asia for many years seeing Asian women as "fetish" is a little ethnocentric. Are Turkish women the same as Japanese women; Indians, Chinese, Saudi, Thai, Sri Lankan, Korean...? Asia makes up 60% of the worlds population - as such would it be fair to say a "fetish" for Asian women is a fetish for women? And would me calling white North American women a "fetish" be painting the world in black and white?
Thanks for the comment 50% You´ve really made me think; perhaps I should write a blog about suspiciously defensive homophobes who leave sad anonymous little comments on travel blog websites (they inadvertently stumble across whilst googling their favourite pastime)...you don´t happen to know anyone like that do you? Anyway, you seem like a pretty deep philosophical kinda guy, so I´ll cut you a deal; you send me a valid email address and when I get a boyfriend, I´ll send you a picture of his ass!
asia Hmmm good post but don't forget that the Philippines is still a part of Asia with the exception that they have been a lot more exposed to Western culture and people compared to most areas.
From my experience, there is the economical element of finding a Western partner, but there's also a fetish for Western guys just like there is a fetish for Asian women in the US. Ignoring all filipinas is pretty much saying that they are all the same. It's ridiculous to assume all of them want to use you for money or that all foreigners in a relationship are exploiting somehow. It's just another attempt to paint the world white and black, good and evil. Sex is only one aspect of a relationship.
50% Dear broke-back backpacker,
I admire your "hands off my penis" approach to the Philippines, it's important to have standards. Prostitution is common in SE Asia and places in Europe so why not just write about that problem? You know, many Asian women marry older rich guys even from their own race. Why is it necessary to target outmarriages in the Philippines involving Caucasians in particular? Why do you want to stick your nose where it doesn't belong? Does it make you feel like a bigger person to take pity on the Philippines or to blame white guys who marry Filipinas (a.k.a "sexpats")?
Go back to broke-back mountain and go back to talking about your boyfriend's ass.
Sounds like paradise... Just wanted to thank you, for taking the time to write your thoughts and I am pleased with your intelligent verbosity. I have recently met a young woman from Bdesh (by accident online) and am seriously thinking of visiting her there and maybe even moving there for a short time or more. But no matter what, I am definitely going to go visit as soon as possible, after reading your blog on it's people, government and conditions. What was the reason you told them you needed the special passes, if I may ask? (why did you tell them you were there?) Just wondering? Again, a special thanks for the commentary. Max in Lake Havasu, AZ. USA
Excellent Nicely written, mate. Echoes a lot of my thoughts on the Philippines...and your attitude to the STs mirrors my own. I'll read a bit more when I get a minute. Good stuff, mate.
http://highseasdrifter.blogspot.com/2009/04/looking-for-love-in-all-wrong-places.html
Warren
Romance and Sex This is a good topic, Romance and sex is so important these days, I'm a more kick back guy. When it comes to sex I travel to the caribbean at this place called Charlisangels Exotic Resort. A paradise with babes all around, great sex vacation. When it comes to romance I go to Venice with my wife and enjoy this lovely culture full of good vibes.
the anthropolgist's wonderful contribution in reviving the probably lost tourism in this God's great land of water.
Thanks to all who have given this blog site its worth seeing facettes and unveiled the very object of concern "The Andamans"
post Tzunami.
Another comment regarding the cross-island-highway Hi, Jason, I was very impressed by your comments. I got the feeling you DID enjoy Taiwan very much and I'm very glad. I was born in Taiwan but emigrated to the US with my family at 8 years of age, have been here for over 35 years! so you can say I am American. However, we return to Taiwan on a regular basis and my husband and I just adopted a little boy from Taiwan in November, 2008. Just to add a slight detail to who actually built the cross-island-highway. Yes. the trail was initiated by the Japanese, and yes, the paved highway was built during the reign of the KMT (Nationalist Chinese). But it was the Taiwanese who actually BUILT it. Many Taiwanese died building that road (twice). Happy traveling and hope you will return to Taiwan for a longer visit! Blessings, Joanna
strange comments about Georgia. When did they travel? You dont call girl there Natasha. I think you met with some local Russian living there and calling girls like that. I dont have any problems on this name, but The Georgian girls name there Nato, but not Natasha. And secong: if you are a gusts, especially from other countries teh Georgians are always hospitable. I dont know what kind of chacha-vodka they gave you to taste,but indeed they will offer you the wine. And finally,some 'tourists' try to see in other countires most demaged things and make photos, but I beleive you also have some trouble alcoholics in your own countyr. Respect the country you travel and then use your opinions.
You found one of the most wonderful place's on the planet. I've been to Tusheti in both 2007 and 2008.
Have a peep at my blog
Cheers Chris
http://travelsintusheti.blogspot.com/
hei thanx for the great photos! hi jason my friends and me r going to this paradise-like place next month.im even more excited after i saw these posts.i will read what u wrote and get equipped!thank u so much!
"Timeshifter" If you write back to me with a valid email then I can reply to your request...I was under the impression I had released the rights to this photo?
Grumpy bear Thanks for your concern - those 'toys' are traditional handmade keepsakes the Dong sell to Chinese tourists in Chengyang. Par for the course, the tourists kept giving them to Kiva, despite our refusals. He didn't really take to them as you can see, and we thought it merited a grumpy photo. But don’t worry; there won’t be any pictures of him drinking bleach or playing with knives. Though a few blogs back you may be shocked to find him chuggin on a beer!
Kiva Kiva is such a cutie ! As a parent, I wouldn't contemplate of taking my children on the road at an early age for countless reasons. You really are gutsy first-time parents for doing so. Just a friendly advice, I wouldn't hang toys around Grumpy Bear's neck if I were you as it can get caught onto something and.... (let's say freak accidents happen.)....knock on wood. Anyway, impressive photos you got there !
Kiva is exposed to a lot of dangers on the road but if I were Kiva, I would not have it any other way. You are one gutsy couple and I admire you and your adventures. Stay safe and keep us up to date with your travel.
Enjoy your travel Alike every girl wish to find a sugary daddy but not everyone succeed. There is nothing wrong to expect the greenlight, however approval or not should in line with the regulaiton. In your case, it has nothing to do with bureaucratic at all. Should you prepared in advance,the extra 3 days loging cost will save and bitter ticket buying experience will vapored accordingly.
Traveling is finding something different, wherever you are, whatever it is. The less your complaint about, the more easier your journey will be and of course more happiness you will find.
Nice shooting and cute baby.
There is a clue cleverly hidden in the title! The "National Day Golden Week" begins on October 1st...and if you look closely some of the rice terraces are not only green but golden;-)
Longji.... Are this really your pictures? We were there last week as well... and it was not green at all, the were filling the rice terraces with water and it was all dry... Mmmmm... Very strange isn't it?.. Enjoy travelling..
Jo Trouble
Jo McCarthy
Hasta luego
Hope it's not too long before you're back :-)