Highways Hi Roel and Amy,
I couldn't add comments to part 2, so came back to part 1- The pictures of the highway construction and the projected finish dates is mind boggling. Amazing what you can accomplish with millions of available workers.
Jim
Hi Amy and Roel,
I have really enjoyed getting to know the Far East a lot better over the last two years through your eyes and ears. Thanks for providing the experiences.
Jim
was a slice Aimsey and Roelie.....was truly a pleasure working with you and hanging out every so often to....will miss some of the laughs and the b'n'g sessions we had over a few brewskies....wishing both of you great success in future endeavours....hope to see you back here in this fab city (even if just for a visit) Aimsey make sure Roelsie behaves eh?
You are inspirational It has been wonderful reading from time to time your blogs that reinforce for me especially that life isn't about the destination. It is about the journey . You have journeyed so well, heartfully sharing with many friends and volleagues via your blogs your windows on the world from the beginning of your great trek. That joy of discovery keeps one young and full of wonder. Thank you for sharing your stories. So many of us talk about what we could/should do. You model the doing and reflecting. What a great way to learn. Thank you for including me on your list. During the time before I progressed from crutches to a wheel chair, and was confined in a bed for months, your journey gave my imagination legs. Are you tempted to convert your inspiring prose into a book? I'd buy a copy for my daughter who has an adventurous heart.
Saigon looks almost as good as Hanoi:) It must have been amazing to stay in that historic hotel. Did you see Graham Green ghosting about? I'm going to assume that those large 'copas de vino blanco' were probably something light and French, not snake wine, hey? .....Seeing photos of those tunnels and entrances gives new meaning to the determination of the Vietnamese people. One has to admire their courage and cleverness. I can't believe Roel squooshed himself into that space. Wasn't he a tiny bit concerned about getting stuck. I'm sure that the engineers and builders never imagined a day when tourists would try to do that. I have to say that I too am too claustrophobic to give that a go. Anyway, thoroughly enjoyed this blog. Although I must admit that I'm glad that I got to enjoy Vietnam before the heat, as you guys look like you were melting. Love, Carrie:)
Hey Mom and Dad!
Wow - the shots of Dad getting into the tunnel are amazing! I can't believe he did it... Terrifying!
I can't believe that we'll seeing you soon... almost one week! Craig says that he can't wait to pick up the international school banner and keep the legacy alive.
Love you both!
Carly and Craig
Number One Daughter and son-in-law Honourable children, Your most honourable and excellent parents have accepted your felications, and have decided that number one daughter is in our favour...honourable son-in-law should remember: kill the chicken and you get monkey... or if you pay peanuts, you get monkeys. Honourable Father and Mother.
Stars in your own movie. This is, what I think, most people imagine China to be. I know that Shanghai is a great place to live and to work but it must be wonderful to see this side of the country. I remembered the people on our boat tour wanting us to be in their pictures. The way they did it was really quite flattering. So, I particularly enjoyed the photo of you guys in that really cute cafe with the locals snapping your picture. You should print that one. I shared your blog with one of my Grade Three students and he was really impressed. Take care. Love, Carrie:)
My Wonderful Parents Hello Your Excellencies,
I find nothing funny about these photos. I think you both look extremely dignified and wise in every single picture.
Thank you both for being such great people.
Your Eternally Filial Daughter,
Carly
monkey see monkey view Wow! Quite a world away from Shanghai, huh? I love the "Town Building" picture- what an amazing view. Imagine going 90+ floors up for a martini there!? Speaking of views, it appears as if the monkey is quite enamored with his. I have yet to figure out if it is Roel himself that he is intrigued with or could it be that the monkey is able to see his own reflection?
New Looks Thanks for another beautifully written blog with captivating, and hilarious tales of travel. You guys really do pack in all in!
So...I have a suggestion. Amy; from now on I think you should sport a parasol, it suits you! And Roel, make sure to bring a monkey home with you- the look on your face in the photo tells me you'd be a happy pair.
Looking forward to seeing you both home soon!
Love johanna
To: Reindeer? Where did Roel sleep? Imagine, being called an animal and being refused entry to good hotels. Carefully nurturing my reputation over the years finally seems to have paid off.
Love R
Reindeer? I didn't know animal life still existed in China... Oops, pardon me, Dad's over there. :)
Nice to see you two enjoying your remaining few months... It sounds like you'll miss Shanghai a bit when you get home. I personally think that, despite the madness and the noise and the soot, Shanghai's a pretty fun place to live.
Can't wait to see you when you get home though!
Love
Car
This might make it easier to come to your 'real' home. I remember in the months just before I left Mexico, everything seemed to go wrong, as in difficult to do or arrange anything. In my mind this somehow made it easier for me to leave what had, in essence become my home as well. So, maybe that's what's happening now as in this little excursion that seems from your blog to have been somewhat disappointing.....photos are good, though, especially the deer, the horse, and you guys on the boats.
reindeer, horses, centaurs oh my I love the pic of the horse in the mist -very cool. Did you see a Centaur? This reminds me of my adventure to Pongu Islands. It was the off season and I took a boat to the wrong island -the industrial island. There was a military base and a huge heap of China's garbage burning all day and all night. Those were fun times! I literally stayed the night and got on the first ferry back to the main land...
Here's a link to an interesting article I found about China's emerging "ecovillages" (something that Im very interested in!) -hope you enjoy.
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/chinas-first-ecovillage-proves-a-hard-sell/2006/08/25/1156012740582.html?page=fullpage#
Love u guys!
Take care,
Chalo
Adventuresome...you two Theo finally sent me your blog, so I can keep up with your travels.
You mentioned you were forbidden to go into Vietnam....why? I get the impression you roughed it, but it seems to agree with you. Hopefully Carrie and I will get together soon so she can bring me up to speed about all your adventures. Keep well, Irene
Vietnam IS great... Hey Carrie, I've blanked on the noodles on the train...I definitely am not a fan of the noodle breakfast. And I can only remember our first sip of that incredible coffee with the scenes of the jungle from our window. Like I said, I think we went back for the coffee!This time we only got a 'taste' of Vietnam, but from what we saw the flowers in South Vietnam had the ones in the north beat. That being said, I think Hanoi was funkier, and nowhere was as cool as Hoi An. Talk to you soon, love, Amy
Cambodia's a trip... Hey Carrie, Yes...I'm glad we didn't go to Cambodia our first year in Asia, either...we definitely had to work up to it. Now I'm only sorry we ran out of time for Laos. No, there were no big bugs or other creepy crawlies...apart from pythons and snake wine, that is :-) Thanks for the great comments, love Amy
Ooooo.. ...oooOOOOooo.. I'm a ghost... OOOOOooooOoOoO...
Are you scared? :) Seems like you guys had an amazing time! Me so jealous. Where's my second major holiday in a month? Huh???
Love seeing Vietnam again. You've forgotten how delicious the noodles were for breakfast on the train from Hanoi to Hue. Along with that amazing coffee....Also lovely to see the flowers for tet. Although I don't remember seeing sunflowers in the North. That is a wonderful photo. Also the one with all the scooters. Is it as scary to cross the road there. It seems that the streets are wider, more posh somehow. Read this blog after the other one. Oops:)
Wow, this makes Vietnam seem like Disneyland. I have to admit that I'm glad we chose to do Vietnam, Cambodia seems too demanding pour moi. Anyway loved the photos. Was that you on the elephant? You have not mentioned any large insects, snakes or other critters. Did you see any? This blog must have taken your whole weekend. Anyway, I for one enjoyed your efforts. Shanghai must seem very suburban after that. Great blog!
Can't believe they've been married six years! Carly and Craig still have that starry-eyed, cozy look of newlyweds. Love the photo of Xian Tin Di. And the balcony with the clean undies. I also can't believe that you were up so high, looking down on the Pearl Tower! Furthermore I can't believe that a year has passed since I was looking forward to my trip. Take care, Carrie:)
We are a couple of intrepid wannabe hippies -- young at heart -- who have dropped out of the Canadian rat race to explore life in the Shanghai teaching circuit. Join us on journey -- but only if you dare (or have nothing else better to do) What we lack in youth and energy, we'll try to make up for in entertainment value -- or a couple of laughs with us (or at us, at the very least :-).... full info
Jim Allen
non-member comment
Highways
Hi Roel and Amy, I couldn't add comments to part 2, so came back to part 1- The pictures of the highway construction and the projected finish dates is mind boggling. Amazing what you can accomplish with millions of available workers. Jim