smatlanek's Guestbook

26th March 2007

souds oh soooooooooo exciting
I am so looking forward to our trip...well really your trip..but you make everything sound so exciting and adventurous I can almost feel the blisters, the shortness of breath, the cold the hot the cold the hot.. Have a great trip Barb and I will be looking forward to your blogs...

From Blog: Spanish lessons and the Pan American Highway Mega Tour

26th March 2007

George Mills
non-member comment

Your Blog
Hi Barbara, Nice to hear from you, and great to see you're 'off ' again. I'm not quite sure what you are doing as i haven't heard from you in a long time. I went to Taiwan in Jan via Thailand and on the way back i stopped over for a little R+R, visited some places i loved 35 years ago! The thai's are such lovely people. Regarding health, since we met in Banares i have been diagnosed Diabetic and high blood pressure ( Prexum ) - welcome to the club!! Go well, stay well. georgem

From Blog: Spanish lessons and the Pan American Highway Mega Tour

24th January 2007

ira-jane
non-member comment

on BOARD
HI barbara......looking forward to your blog entries....lots for you to do to get ready for the ANCHORAGE and all points south!! Stay well in Toronto meanwhile!!

From Blog: Sudbury Winter

23rd April 2006

ary
arvind sethi

5000 meters
hi barbara. hope you are back home safe. every year i spend about 2 months in kashmir so i have a fairly decent knowledge about kashmir. your guide was mis-guiding you as there is no motorable place within 200 kilometers having an alt of 4000 or 5000 meters.

From Blog: Snowed into Srinagar

28th March 2006

Sri Fred
Fred Stride

Give it a Goa
Just back in UK from Goa. I found information on the Braganza house at Chandor very helpful and would like to add to it. Anyone planning to get there from Margao (pronounced Margo) should understand that they have to get to the main local bus terminal 3km north of town and ask for the Chandor bus. Pay on the bus, its not required to stand in line at ticket office. The bus does take a different route back from but the advantage is that you can get off in the Margao market square. The market is worth a visit but is SE of the square not W as one guide book says. Regardless of what is said, the tourist office in the square is a waste of space. Going by what was written, I must have had the same tour around the Braganza house (or to be exact - half of it) which was very interesting. No photos allowed. I agree at the end of the tour you are encouraged to put a donation in the box and its difficult guess at what is appropriate. We went for 2 x 200Rs which was well worth it. First thing on the tour you are shown is the hand painted flower wallpaper but the guide had difficulty pronouncing the 'th' in thistle, we coached her a bit so you could check for any advacement but, unless you are from the UK, you may have trouble yourself. Did meet the 87 year old matriach, the guide must trot her out as part of the furniture. Tour took about 30 minutes. Nearby there was no place obvious to eat so we too finished up at the same bus stop eating chocalote buscuits rather than ice cream (bit dodgy in in Idia with all the power cuts). Some general tips on India. Watch you change! I was regularly given change for a 50R note rather than 100R, also the 500R looks very much like the 100R. The supermarket in Benaulim was the worst offender for short chancing and over pricing. After several trips to India its certainly a bad idea giving money or anything to kids on the street. The ones I was generous to 8 years ago are now youths standing around on corners to making easy money out of tourists usually dishonestly. I agree Furtados near Benaulim seemed a relaxed friendly place quite the opposite to Colva. Travelling around, I found you could easily live in style staying at mid-range places and eating well for less than $50 a day. Avoid Air Deccan (last minute cancellations, massive delays, terrible web-site). Fly Kingfisher whenever possible - better than anything in Europe. For internet air tickets its still better to go to a decent travel agent since they will get you the Indian price which is often much cheaper than that for Foreigners. fredstride@hotmail.com

From Blog: Goan Goan Gone

28th March 2006

Fred Stride
non-member comment

Margao and Breganza
Just back in UK from Goa. I found information on the Braganza house at Chandor very helpful and would like to add to it. Anyone planning to get there from Margao (pronounced Margo) should understand that they have to get to the main local bus terminal 3km north of town and ask for the Chandor bus. Pay on the bus, its not required to stand in line at ticket office. The bus does take a different route back from but the advantage is that you can get off in the Margao market square. The market is worth a visit but is SE of the square not W as one guide book says. Regardless of what is said, the tourist office in the square is a waste of space. Going by what was written, I must have had the same tour around the Braganza house (or to be exact - half of it) which was very interesting. No photos allowed. I agree at the end of the tour you are encouraged to put a donation in the box and its difficult guess at what is appropriate. We went for 2 x 200Rs which was well worth it. First thing on the tour you are shown is the hand painted flower wallpaper but the guide had difficulty pronouncing the 'th' in thistle, we coached her a bit so you could check for any advacement but, unless you are from the UK, you may have trouble yourself. Did meet the 87 year old matriach, the guide must trot her out as part of the furniture. Tour took about 30 minutes. Nearby there was no place obvious to eat so we too finished up at the same bus stop eating chocalote buscuits rather than ice cream (bit dodgy in in Idia with all the power cuts). Some general tips on India. Watch you change! I was regularly given change for a 50R note rather than 100R, also the 500R looks very much like the 100R. The supermarket in Benaulim was the worst offender for short chancing and over pricing. After several trips to India its certainly a bad idea giving money or anything to kids on the street. The ones I was generous to 8 years ago are now youths standing around on corners to making easy money out of tourists usually dishonestly. I agree Furtados near Benaulim seemed a relaxed friendly place quite the opposite to Colva. Travelling around, I found you could easily live in style staying at mid-range places and eating well for less than $50 a day. Avoid Air Deccan (last minute cancellations, massive delays, terrible web-site). Fly Kingfisher whenever possible - better than anything in Europe. For internet air tickets its still better to go to a decent travel agent since they will get you the Indian price which is often much cheaper than that for Foreigners. fredstride@hotmail.com

From Blog: Goan Goan Gone

27th March 2006

elsie
non-member comment

lively message
B. I enjoyed your trip. I was there all the way, right up to the large roach. I bet I saw a bigger one in Cuba. E

From Blog: Final Farewell to India

24th February 2006

Sam
non-member comment

Superb article
I'm off to Goa next week. Where exactly was the Ayuveda massage? I've been working non stop for 11 months and it sounds like exactly what I need! It sounds excellent.

From Blog: Goan Goan Gone

15th February 2006

Patti
non-member comment

not like shopping at sears well maybe at Christmas
Wonderful shopping experiences, but maybe I will stick to Zellers. Not so much pollution.

From Blog: Anjuna Market Day

12th February 2006

Martyn Brown Kali Travel Home
non-member comment

Ashurah
Just a little background on the procession you saw Barbara. Ashurah The procession of Muslims wearing black, carrying swords and beating their chests goes to the heart of the split between Sunni Moslems and Shi'a. The 10th day of the month of Muharram is called Ashurah. It commemorates the martyrdom of Hussein ibn Ali, the grandson of Muhammad at the Battle of Karbala in the year 61 AH (AD 680). It is a day for mourning. The battle was between the two rival forces fighting for leadership of the Moslem world shortly after the death of Muhammad and resulted in the split into the two major schools in the Islamic world, Sunnis and Shi'a. This day is of particular significance to Shi'a Muslims, who consider Hussein the third Imam and a rightful successor of Muhammad. Many Shi'a make pilgrimages on Ashurah to the Mashhad al-Hussein, the shrine in Karbala, Iraq, that is traditionally held to be Hussein's tomb. Shi'as also express mourning by thumping their chests. This is intended to connect them with Hussein's suffering and death. Hussein's martyrdom is widely interpreted by Shi'a as a symbol of the struggle against injustice, tyranny, and oppression. The regime of Saddam Hussein saw this as a potential threat and banned Ashurah commemorations for many years. Mourners, both male and female, congregate together (in separate sections) for sorrowful, poetic recitations performed in memory of the martyrdom of Imam Hussein, lamenting and grieving to the tune of beating drums and chants of "Ya Hussein." Passion plays are also performed, reenacting the Battle of Karbala and the suffering and death of Hussein at the hands of Yazid, the Sunni leader. It is not a festival -- the event is the saddest event for Shi'a Muslims and it is a period of intense grief and mourning. Some Shia celebrate Ashurah with a traditional flagellation ritual called zanjeer zani or zanjeer matam, involving the use of a zanjeer (a chain with a set of curved knives at the end). The practice is not universal - many Shi'a enact the ritual by beating their chests symbolically. Models of the shrine to Hussein are often carried in the procession which is often lead by a white horse. For the duration of the observance, it is customary for mosques to provide free meals on certain nights of the month to all people. These meals are viewed as being special and holy, as they have been consecrated in the name of Hussein, and thus partaking of them is considered an act of communion with God,Hussein and humanity. Martyn...and thanks for the kind words.

From Blog: Oh Calcutta x 10

5th February 2006

Michelle and Nick
non-member comment

Holy Shit
Hi Barbara, we were just reading your emails and cannot believe that you have survived all this time there! Are you ready to come home? Or is it still too exciting? Have you been accosted by eople begging or do they leave you alone? Take care of yourself! Lots of love, Miche...Nick wishes you lots of luck

From Blog: Victoria, St. Paul, and Fly Nets

2nd February 2006

Diane
non-member comment

Smatlanek, What is the name of the hotel you described as being very very clean? My husband and I will be travelling in that area towards the end of the year. And also, how much did it cost to stay in this hotel? Thanks....enjoy the rest of your holiday :).

From Blog: The Clouds of Dharamsala/McCleod Ganj

30th January 2006

Georgem
non-member comment

Howzit
Hi Barbera, pleased to see you have 'suvived' the 'V V'and that you are enjoying the tea country. Go girl. Pass on my love to Wendy.

From Blog: High on Tea in Darjeeling

29th January 2006

Gail
non-member comment

farts from stangers
Hoping the Imodeum has done the trick. Absolutely loved the discription of sleeping in the presence of stangers. take care.

From Blog: Agra and the Taj Mahal

27th January 2006

Pat B.
non-member comment

Barbara and Wendy: Hello from all your W.I. buddies! We miss you. I just found out about this site last night and am so glad - it is fascinating! Nothing new here. p.s. Hope you both got over your "affliction" and are back to normal - (define normal?) - well as normal as possible!

From Blog: Vegging in Varanasi

26th January 2006

Carole
non-member comment

SPELLBINDING JOURNAL
What a brave duo! Thinking of you Wendy and what a combo of agony and ecstacy this adventure must be. What amazing memories! Keep writing and keep safe. Ah, Sudbury has become so mundane compared to this!

From Blog: Vegging in Varanasi

22nd January 2006

Sandra M.
non-member comment

Keep them coming!
Oh, Barbara, I have been laughing out loud at your blogs. Say hi to Wendy and keep writing!

From Blog: Agra and the Taj Mahal

21st January 2006

John & Darla
non-member comment

Hello
Are you going to join us in Goa??

From Blog: Agra and the Taj Mahal

21st January 2006

Michelle&Jairett
non-member comment

Intrepid travellers!!!
Well, well, well! So glad to hear you've survived the snow and cold weather!I hope you are taking some amazing photos to illustrate the points you are making. Glad you are all well. Love you, Michelle and Jairett

From Blog: Agra and the Taj Mahal

20th January 2006

Fran Holland
non-member comment

Hello to you both, I'm so enjoying your tales and think of you often. Have fun and be careful.

From Blog: Agra and the Taj Mahal

15th January 2006

Gail McPhee
non-member comment

cleanliness
Think maybe you are too fixated on the clean? Unless someone has left a streak of shit across the seat what are you expecting to catch? Mentholatum for the nose sounds like a must for travllers. I do pity your poor cold feet.

From Blog: What I Have Learned in India

15th January 2006

Gail McPhee
non-member comment

shivering with you
I was worried when I hadn't seen any more action here. It is wonderful to have the options of warmth in one's own home. Enjoying the continued journey

From Blog: Snowed into Srinagar

9th January 2006

darlene dardick
non-member comment

following your trip
Hi Barb: I do not know if you remember me, but i am with the Sudbury Basin Potters..and am enjoying your blog...thanks for thaking the time. fond Regards Darlene (darldar@isys.ca)

From Blog: The Golden Temple

7th January 2006

Ira-Jane
non-member comment

wow
Hey, what adventures u2 are having; you have enough for at least one book already!!! I thought you were going to a part of the the world with heat!! Thanks for the enjoyable entries so far.

From Blog: Snowed into Srinagar

6th January 2006

roy
non-member comment

please respond!!!!
What company did you do the overnite safari with??? i am looking to go there in the next couple of weeks - please lemme know!!! (raubeela@uwo.ca) Thanks!

From Blog: Souks, Sand & Camels

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