Fantastic Writing I just wanted to leave a comment noting that I thoroughly enjoyed your blog. It is not often that a travel blog is so informative and engagingly written, so as Kiwi Steve noted some time ago, please keep me in the loop when you publish a book.
Comments on Rd.8 Lak Xao I enjoyed your comments on Lak Xao Road. I happened to be member of the International Consultant team (SWECO) for construction supervision of the project.
thanks for the heads up man! im of in 2 weeks to thailand loas oz and nz and was looking for something like this to get my teeth into!! sounds amazing.,... and yeah those pesky moaning tourists scared of a bit of danger! haha
Anywhere else you particularly recommend in laos??
Ryan
serxu to yushu i'm amazed at your comment " a short bus ride" from serxu to yushu. I did this journey in the other direction in 1997. i did it by bike, because there was no traffic over the pass - the road tailed off on the way up and i only saw one army jeep in the two days it took me to do the crossing. i enjoyed reading your account - brought back some good memories.
They eat at home! Wow, for only 1 week you did a decent job of capturing the spirit (or sometimes lack thereof!) of this city. I've been here a year and agree with much of what you've written.
However, Lebanese food IS Arabic food - it is a regional cuisine. And as for where the locals are and what they eat, the true locals, as in UAE Nationals, tend to eat at home in very large family groups. Having been to one of these dinners, I can report that this is where most meals are taken, and the dishes are typically Syrian, Egyptian, and Lebanese variations on standard Arabic favourites, along with an Indian style Biryani rice dish which reflects the long trading history across the water. Many Arabs and Africans married into UAE families or settled here originally, and just like the US or Australia, the family table is informed by migrants bringing with them their own dishes. The streets of Abu Dhabi don't really reflect the 'life' of the city. Most of that happens behind closed doors.
An Inconvenient truth? Hey Matty,
Sleep better knowing that there is no scientific evidence that climate change is killing polar bears. You may even want to chase down the report from the British High Court judge about the 9 "Significant Errors" in the film and the liner notes provided to children in the UK so they know which bits are true and which bits are 'embelished'.
Good to see you didn't get ransomed by any pirates (as much as I was looking forward to seeing you next to a guy wearing an eye patch).
hmm Sorry, the movie quote was to do with the small line "... but that's true", not the stomach part. Nevertheless, I didn't know that was a book quote anyway, I figured it was just an old saying.
Not there yet What you have to remember is that Abu Dhabi is a work in progress - even if nobody is quite sure what the final result will be. What IS sure is that in 5 - 10 years it will be the new Dubai (minus some of the quirky charm that has managed to survive the bulldozers in Dubai). It really is just a big facade (well, they both are). But whatever you think, you have to admit its pretty amazing what can be done with desert sands and too much oil. I suppose there is a heart and soul there, but not sure where.
Helpful I'm an english guy living in London, UK, I'm thinking of continuing my academic career at UoW. Thanks for the insight into Seattle. Sounds like my kind of place.
Agreed As a Seattle native I can completely agree with you about the "Seattle Freeze", until I moved away and came back I didn't realize that we rarely let outsiders into our groups. That is until I started dating an outsider, who always told me how hard it was to meet locals. I'm glad you enjoyed your time in Washington and will continue to read up on your future travels!
intermission Yes, Seattle is a bit ambiguous. Abu Dhabi is a whole different animal, as I am sure you will discover!! I was there 18 months ago, but I am sure I wouldnt recognise it even now.
when? thanks for your detailed blog.So you it'sbetter to go in september?No musson rain?i want to go in september.
and also i read your trip in istanbul.if you're still here i can give you some other advice
Amazing pics... ..and a great blog. I've painful memories of going above 5000m but I'd love to try this hike to Base Camp someday. Though perhaps not in December!
Finished uni? Too lazy to get a job? Got a passion to see the world? Why not run away and try to cross the world from Bangkok to London without flying!
Starting on January 11, 2007 I set out to do just that with my mate Jeff. Bangkok, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, a six month sojourn in China, Mongolia, Nepal and India have happened already. Who knows where this new year will find me.
See the World.... full info
Ngeaw Swee Leng
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Xin luhai, tibet
This is a best place to mediatate and to enjoy the beauty of the nature! It is the most memorable place that I ever forget!!!