Blogundrum

Having finished (essentially and prudently) blogging travels to Nepal (Spring, 2008) and Ireland (Fall, 2008) we now turn to other possible (past) adventures; South African Safari (Fall, 2008), Sicily, Cinque Terre, France, Germania, Sardinia, Corsica, Crete, Greece (with Santorini), Scotland, Denmark, Australia, New Zealand, Kangaroo Island, Safari to Tanzania, Expedition to Patagonia, Italy, Yugoslavia, Albania, Bonaire, Norway and Sweden, and then some hidden "travel jewels", etc.

We solicit input, with a vote for the next postings to be.

Personally, we may just default to one of the more recent, National Geographic Expedition to South Africa, before setting off to The Natioanal Geographic expedition to Bhutan (leaving April fool's day, 2009).

View from room 1723, Radisson Hotel Bangkok

Last night of this expedition!

Visiting The Wat Arun in Bangkok

Wat Arun (The Temple of Dawn).

Admission ticket: 50 Baht.

Flip side of the ticket with some advice.





The temple is decorated with broken pottery ware that arrived in Bangkok as ballast.

Lost in translation.

Nepal - Sustainable Community Development Project

This project will assist a total of 1385 families in the Chitwan, Nawalparasi and Palpa Districts of Nepal, which are characterized by widespread poverty, caste discrimination, and illiteracy, among other problems. The 475 original project families will receive 900 meat goats, 40 water buffaloes and fodder seed/saplings, while their respective local groups will receive funding to purchase fruit and vegetable seed/saplings. An additional 910 families will benefit though passing on the gift. All project participants will receive trainings on Heifer's 12 Cornerstones, self-help group management, improved animal management, kitchen gardening and organic farming, forage feed production, reproductive health and HIV/AIDS awareness. The project will also conduct Values-Based Literacy Program (VBLP) classes at 11 centers and organize youths into 17 groups for Cornerstones training. Heifer will also train Village Animal Health Workers (VAHW) and provide basic veterinary equipment and vet supplies. Exchange visits will be organized for project participants to learn from other Heifer project sites.

Go to:

http://www.heifer.org/site/c.edJRKQNiFiG/b.3638001/

Cruising Bangkok canals

The sign reads "It is one of five Buddhist precepts to refrain from killing animals and fish. Please give generously when feeding the fish. All proceeds go towards the upkeep and maintenance of the Temple."





The Royal Thai Navy Headquarters, with The Wat Arun in the background

From Kathmandu to Bangkok, with time to spare

"B" is for Bangkok.
We spend the afternoon exploring Bangkok canals, lined with "homes", restaurants and other attractions.


Poor dog has no front yard nor backyard!



After a handfull of breadcrumbs the surface erupts!

Passing the Balloon Gauntlet en route to Kathmandu

A water balloon is launched!


A blue water balloon hits the van window just as it was being slammed shut to avoid serious bluing. Bonnie's Chitwan Jungle hat bears witness of a direct hit. Those in the seat in front of us bore the brunt of the assault.

Holi festival, March 21, 2008

This festival of water and colors that falls between February/March is also known as “Phagu” in Nepal. This day is observed to rejoice the extermination of female demon Holika who together with her King brother conspired to kill his son Pralhad, an ardent devotee of Lord Vishnu. On this day, playful people especially the young ones wander through the streets in groups on foot or vehicles with various colors smeared all over them and the people in houses make merry throwing colors and water balloons at each other and also to these people on the streets. We had several blue water balloons hurled onto and into our van as we were underway.

Expedition leader and guides, Chris, Som and Jyambhang.


Som applies RED

Som gets red for Jim.

Tom and Mimi got redded too.

And so did Bonnie.

Colorful Holi kids on the prowl.