Look for Beauty I lived in Cambobia frm 1960 to 1963 and it was a beautiful place at that time.
In late 1963 the U.S. began bombing this lovely and historic land of beautiful people. Millions of Cambodians died at th hands of the Americans and the Chinese.
The opinion of this person seems to be that Cambobia place of death, however I think that Cambodia has come a long way back from the sorrow that was unfairly placed upon them.
Did you go to Ankor Whot, take a river boat up the Mekong, go to one of the silk making viligages I visited when I was a kid.
Did youride an elephant?
Did you ride in a ceclo?
Cambodia is a place full of bautiful people, let's help them forget the killling feilds and replace the wonderful life they have enjoyed for centuries
thank you for this entry this was one of the most jolting entries yet. it's all about perspective; you learn to appreciate your roots more and more as you gain such impressive and eye-opening experiece.
Thank You These small novels you are writing are fascinating and so fun to read. Its the highlite of my day following your adventure. Thi bike trip was so cool especially with your guide and personal driver. What a way to see the best of everything almost in slow motion. By the way your Mom is sooooo proud. Be safe and have fun.
What an experience! Lieve Jos,
We now understand why you were radio silent for a few days!! Sounds like a fantatstic trip for both sights and experience. I think that you are maiing some outstandiing memories.
I have been looking for you on MSN just before we go to bed between 11 PM and 12 midnight but you haven't been there. So, keep enjoying yourself and learning and continue to be careful. Look forward to your next comunique.
Heel veel liefs,
Dad
Oh, and by the way I forgot to mention that the Asian Giant hornet was not the one that stung you - apparently it's orange - but it's enough to say that there are hornets out there that are capable of killing a human!
Cheers,
David
No Respect Hey Jos.
I'm thinking that you should at least include a mention of the talented Canadian who took those photos. Usually there's at least a referrence - you know, an asteriks which corresponds to very small print at the bottom saying "photo taken by very cool Canadian", or "if you would like images of the same quality as these very cool photos, please go to www...." I think you get the point.
By the way, I've been trying to google the hornet that stung you (in fact, it's the reason why I found your blog) but can only find info on the "Asian Giant Hornet", which has a sting that is lethal to humans. The website I found is http://www.answers.com/topic/asian-giant-hornet - it also discusses the defense mechanisms of one of the hornet's favourite prey, the honey bee. If you get a chance, read it...
Hope the travels are going well.\
Take care,
DAvid
long time no see hi jos... id' like to know the thought behind the giant cement arc instead of an air strip. thought that was interesting. i think it's great you're connecting with the canadian embassy. good idea getting some suits made, i heard that's what travellers do when they go to instanbul, they load up on clothes and shoes and whatnot, probably a great way to get quality clothing (hopefully not coming out of a sweat shop thou) - good luck on your next adventure and enjoy. look forward to hearing about this next round.
Hi Jos Hi Jos! I can't believe what an amazing time you are having! We always read your blog and think that it is such a great idea--better than the mass emails. We want to go to Thailand soon and after reading your blog the past few weeks, we can't wait. Stay safe, but keep having those crazy adventures. We are thinking of you!
Kristen and Mike
the view at the top zip lines..boats..tree huts... just sounds so amazing. pictures can't describe the sensation i'm sure, looks beautiful. i looked at your other pictures too, that little black bear is soo sweet. i would love to see a little bear up close. i'm printing your journals off so my nana can read them, she's so interested to know what kind of things you're doing in asia. keep safe, keep having fun...
Are you Crazy? Hi Jos
It sounds like you are having a blast but do you have to always choice the most dangerous option? Are there any large animals in this jungle? And do the guards have any protection say from a tiger?
I just wrote a long note to you and it disappear so the must be a time limit to write so maybe I will send this now and start a new one and reset the timer.
O.K.
Love
Mom
Haha I love that you find Asian toilets so enjoyable. Maybe when you get back your parents will let you did a little pit in your backyard.....no? As for the dogs, I bet you're happy you got your rabies shots! You never know what could happen if you got near on of those fights. I'm with everyone else in thanking you for continuing these blogs...you're writing paints a perfect picture of what you've been up to. Keep having fun and living this experience to its fullest. I'm looking forward to all the advice you'll have for me when you get back.
Talk to you soon, Heather
Gibbons ...Here You Come! Lieve Jos,
Thanks for your continued travelblog- everyone finds it really interesting.
You certainly have experienced a range of experiences so far and you are only one month into it. I think that by the time you come back, you will have a somewhat different outlook on the world.
Enjoy the Gibbon Experience and hang on to your stuff while out there. We look forward to hearing from you on this next part of your walkabout.
HVL,
Mom and Dad
I hope you understand how lucky you are right now! I can even imagine the sights that you are describing. I love reading these entries, and I am so glad that you are letting your friends and family enjoy this experience with you. You know you are off the beaten track when you have to clear it as you go, ...incredible! Take care, and keep writing!!!
Jungle Jos.... Lieve Jos,
Another great read that you have written. Keep it up. We are all really enjoying seeing your trip through your eyes. It is like being there. I also enjoyed our MSN chat last night. The marvel of technology, eh!
So, hope you are enjoying your rest and that your next trek is even better than this one. Please let us know when you are on the road again and where you are.
Enjoy each day as it is special!
Heel veel liefs,
Dad
just, wow i'm so happy for you right now. that last entry made me want to cry. not very many people get to experience what you're experiencing in their entire lifetime. you are seeing some beautiful things, thought provoking things, just sounds amazing.
Amazing Adventure Hi Jos
What a great story and adventure!! Your writing is getting really excellent!! I am glad that you are having so much fun.
Cory's grad is coming up on the 28th. It seems like yesterday that you were singing at yours. How time flies. It is wonderful that you are able to go on this adventure now when you are young and healthy with no commitments!! You are very wise to use the opportunity.
On monday we when to T.O. for Chystal's grad and to meet her parents aunt and Nana. He was a really nice get together and Cystal was very happy. We missed you but these separations make our time together more appreciated. Thanks for keeping in touch so often, It really does put my mind at ease. Keep the e-mails coming.
Love
Mom
Great Pictures and Wonderful Stories Lieve Jos,
I really enjoyed reading your story about the tourist buses. I can just pictures this person sitting in the bagage compartment waiting for the bagage to arrive so that he can 'sort' it out! Just be careful that you do not get something put into your bag that should not be there or have something taken out! Are you using Ri's pack security mesh when travelling like this? I hope so.
Your pictures are really neat and the scenery is beautiful. It also looks like you met some fellow travellers that are good company. So keep it up as you continue your explorations. We are really enjoying your write-ups. Pretty good writing for an engineer!
Happy travels and take care,
Heel veel liefs,
Mom and Dad
beautiful your scuba diving experience sounds breathtaking. i wanted to try it in Turkey, but we didn't have enough time. instead we bought cheapy goggles and floated around looking at minos...but after you have described it so well, id love to try it out too. maybe we'll go and meet Chole and she can teach us too! ah, dreams. good luck on your return to Bankok and your next adventure. thinking about you.
Congrats on Getting Certified as a Diver! Lieve Jos,
What a great experience to be able to dive under such excellent circumstances- especially with an experienced diving instructor like Chloe. She obviously knew whay to do when you felt uncomrtable at 18 metres! To see such marine life all around you is truly magical. My scuba diving course was done with the Canadian Navy in the Victoria,BC harbour where visibility was about 3-4 feet and the water was filthy in comparison. We used have to take ear drops after the dive to make sure that we did not get any fungus growth in our ears. However, it too was teeming with all sorts of marine life.
Your next adventure sounds interesting. Why did you chose to go there- what will you be seeing there?
We are so glad that you are having a great experience. You might be in culture shcok when you get back. In the meantime, enjoy your travel and continue to keep an eye out for yourself.
Heel veel liefs,
Mom and Dad
Hey Jos!
Oh the stories you are accumulating...
It's really upsetting that there are so many people out there just waiting to prey on good natured travelors. I'm certainly listening closely to your stories and learning from them. Glad to hear you finally found Cloe and a good spot to take diving lessons...I'm so envious! Keep taking advantage of everything your travels have to offer, you're doing something that will benefit you for the rest of your life.
Talk to you soon, Heather
I finally had a chance to sit down and read these today - amazing! It makes me feel like I'm traveling again - thanks for such great stories and for heading out and doing something most people only dream of. Don't blink - it'll all be over before you know it - just live in the moment. Enjoy your dives - don't touch the colourful spikey looking things.... and go get your sore butt a Thai massage :)
Under da Sea Jos,
Your diving course sounds exciting! The water's so warm in Thailand you'll be able to go forever. Enjoy,
Love, Ri
PS Will you be PADI certified, because it's recognized everywhere.
Wicked Jos Jos,
Your travel blogs are awesome...definately not boring! Glad you've found the beauty of travel. Love you and I look forward to hearing what comes next for you,
Love, Ri
scuba i probably would have gone with that guy too thinking he'd stick to his word and take me back if i wanted to leave. oh well, lesson learned. no point scuba diving on one of the lesser beaches. good for you for finding the right place. right back and tell us how the lesson went!
Happy Diving Lieve Jos,
It is really interesting how serendipitty is active in your travels! You are obviously adapting well to the ways of Thailand and travelling smart!
Troy and Christina's wedding was a wonderful, loving experience for everone involved. They looked so happy and in love. From the ceremony to the reception- everything was well organised and well thought out so it ran smoothly. They had a really good DJ who played the music loud enough for dancing while you could still talk- even on the dance floor, without straining your voice or ears! Troy, to the surprise of everyone (including Christina), sang a song during the mass to Christina and it was just beautiful. They are honeymooning in a resort in an ecological area of Jamaica- about an hour out of Montego Bay.
So, happy diving. Have a great time exploring life under the sea but be careful about time at depth and always swim with a buddy.
Heel veel liefs,
Mom and Dad
Stuart
non-member comment
Look for Beauty
I lived in Cambobia frm 1960 to 1963 and it was a beautiful place at that time. In late 1963 the U.S. began bombing this lovely and historic land of beautiful people. Millions of Cambodians died at th hands of the Americans and the Chinese. The opinion of this person seems to be that Cambobia place of death, however I think that Cambodia has come a long way back from the sorrow that was unfairly placed upon them. Did you go to Ankor Whot, take a river boat up the Mekong, go to one of the silk making viligages I visited when I was a kid. Did youride an elephant? Did you ride in a ceclo? Cambodia is a place full of bautiful people, let's help them forget the killling feilds and replace the wonderful life they have enjoyed for centuries