tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-56465592903999347322024-03-21T22:18:19.043+08:00Dunia KecilViews of a small world from 3 degrees north of the equator...Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.comBlogger63125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-42040405537693424172013-04-11T13:18:00.004+08:002013-04-11T13:57:12.326+08:00India: Maha Kumbh Mela in photos<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the first 5 days in India I didn’t sleep in a real bed or take a shower. </span><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wasn’t the plan, but then again I didn’t have one. My
sleeping spots included the bunk of an overnight train (the first of many of my
trip) and the floor of the thatched hut of our new friend Swami G. I never learned our Swami’s true name, but I
did find out he had a website, it didn't matter that he spoke no English. I was
just happy to have anywhere to sleep in the middle of the largest human
gathering on earth, the Maha Kumbh Mela.
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This 55 day long version of the Maha (main) Kumbh (pitcher)
Mela (gathering/fair/congregation) Hindu religious festival takes place once
every 12 years and saw 120 million people this year. The short version of the story is that for 12
days and nights (12 human years) the demigods and demons fought over a pitcher
full of the nectar of immortality that was churned from the milk ocean that lies
in the celestial region of the cosmos.
During the battle, drops of the nectar fell to Earth. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today, the rivers where these drops landed are considered
sacred and millions come to wash away their sins and attain a short cut to
nirvana by bathing at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Saraswati Rivers
during this auspicious time (determined by astrology). The festival is nearly a month and a half
long, and during that time there are certain “highly auspicious” bathing days. We happened to be there for the <i>most</i> auspicious day, along with 30
million other people. A truly once in a
life time experience no matter if we had a place to sleep or not; we could do
as the pilgrims did. Of course there’s
so much more to be said, but I’ll let the photos speak for themselves.</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lAInb4iaNKPrHEd3oy3UNrJW-aBx5JF9-rGFWSFjkS_n3CkUWswuCocQ1ldxwlFqtPkoD67BJkX7TNNoUhg_tdoEGgtB2vHAy9VAQ4AE96d-jbXwZgyg19CLkaREPNLpSE_YF5wSBCM/s1600/IMG_1525.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1lAInb4iaNKPrHEd3oy3UNrJW-aBx5JF9-rGFWSFjkS_n3CkUWswuCocQ1ldxwlFqtPkoD67BJkX7TNNoUhg_tdoEGgtB2vHAy9VAQ4AE96d-jbXwZgyg19CLkaREPNLpSE_YF5wSBCM/s320/IMG_1525.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was the scene as we crested the hill walking <br />from the train station. "Sangam" means confluence.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaaL2nFpqDeu_zYQHVjZiMgMmwEQRqAWzC1SenS2_P2fwWYC-RpGeFUzfKmfXJHrCi6wHqA2fhgQUJaFScfg3AHKrDBLjaEPwqhe4VtN9J73iKAHz8f_9LXdZtjb7rclk9RRPYC4vt7Q/s1600/IMG_1540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYaaL2nFpqDeu_zYQHVjZiMgMmwEQRqAWzC1SenS2_P2fwWYC-RpGeFUzfKmfXJHrCi6wHqA2fhgQUJaFScfg3AHKrDBLjaEPwqhe4VtN9J73iKAHz8f_9LXdZtjb7rclk9RRPYC4vt7Q/s320/IMG_1540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pilgrims</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmQ69fqzz8nkk3ghyphenhyphenuMdQYMFZA8Dcj4j_T-lcvEEsSm_dIkSdEKm3F0dptNml5z_RQn6IcBNj-hdZKfWTLM0E9V2oqj7eyinKJ-Bh6nACna9bxh6oBz3O8qVRo12SvThgC-DmF1qcbTE/s1600/IMG_1545.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCmQ69fqzz8nkk3ghyphenhyphenuMdQYMFZA8Dcj4j_T-lcvEEsSm_dIkSdEKm3F0dptNml5z_RQn6IcBNj-hdZKfWTLM0E9V2oqj7eyinKJ-Bh6nACna9bxh6oBz3O8qVRo12SvThgC-DmF1qcbTE/s320/IMG_1545.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A religious holy man was later spotted lounging on this spiked <br />chair while being pulled over a burning fire.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc5ZzNQgF07oev2unILxraNyeFgqPJ3hLVQH59fo8I_xIoZemNFBkmIKxiIkIQAmgkmOSYkC_PLoxD9jLEzBmuktny1rzpPDdYWt3oywgaJEXA7b7718SS9tBtuePdcppky7CGt0gBZU/s1600/IMG_1560.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizc5ZzNQgF07oev2unILxraNyeFgqPJ3hLVQH59fo8I_xIoZemNFBkmIKxiIkIQAmgkmOSYkC_PLoxD9jLEzBmuktny1rzpPDdYWt3oywgaJEXA7b7718SS9tBtuePdcppky7CGt0gBZU/s320/IMG_1560.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Where the heck did this random Indian kid selling tambourines at the Kumbh Mela at Allahabad, India get an Alaska Grown sweatshirt?! He spoke no English and was probably so confused as to why I was taking a photo with him. The face that ther were 30 million people at the festival that day...and that I ran acrouss this young man with his unknown symbol of my home...on the other side of the globe...I love travel :)</span></span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Our swami who let us sleep on his floor, distributing free biryani (spicy) rice to pilgrims.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciO9G2aMcLPIDBlNYCwYU0P_AWsADw4H488RPswPgSmQ-PnJD3JaqbxTNxP8eXqz_jIpYTHVjE3AIpbHK3RTrvAUC7Wpd7eX8UPEWRk2xKNrkhByHeTIygEpctSYqhTRsFGrR57j0zpM/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjciO9G2aMcLPIDBlNYCwYU0P_AWsADw4H488RPswPgSmQ-PnJD3JaqbxTNxP8eXqz_jIpYTHVjE3AIpbHK3RTrvAUC7Wpd7eX8UPEWRk2xKNrkhByHeTIygEpctSYqhTRsFGrR57j0zpM/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My travel companions, both from Oregon, both met on the road not known to me from America.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A view of a few of the 18 temporary floating pontoon bridges.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taking the holy dip.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from my "bed".</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stuck in a holy parade.</span></td></tr>
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Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-67651466826497027092013-01-14T11:45:00.000+08:002013-01-14T11:45:13.944+08:00An Ode to 2012 Travel<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Perhaps posting a few of the favorite photos of places I visited but didn't have a chance to write about will inspire me to mentally re-visit those experiences and write about
some of the adventures I missed! It was
an amazing year of travel in which I was able to visit 10 countries. The only downfall is that the only thing
that will satisfy me now is more travel. You'll have to wait for the next post to see where I'm headed next...</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4_wx4YsUOkwRfCSYIZfVaaOxWHJjC5teL3_FfOfKYqc73E47etL8SvxHumnd0YTvpnNK54lkI8jL3VO_IeybXdQHU3dVoFfWkG2wM26XAF64hh_IZ8A5N0j_OlhIEbhRQPSY7cMxlz0/s1600/IMG_4743.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhP4_wx4YsUOkwRfCSYIZfVaaOxWHJjC5teL3_FfOfKYqc73E47etL8SvxHumnd0YTvpnNK54lkI8jL3VO_IeybXdQHU3dVoFfWkG2wM26XAF64hh_IZ8A5N0j_OlhIEbhRQPSY7cMxlz0/s400/IMG_4743.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Incense sticks in Hue, Vietnam</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdK3AlogZAg77Qmc8hsg0DBTQ8TJdyafS8vnZhr8If3uEncN6siJNNmkIr1gUWjEnHDR_zP_V7Kz4iScq6VoFCJXhqoivPkMw0TyhBO752f2UH1kUxzEDMfxiPT4AdGwTIYpQJDWm-u8/s1600/shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMdK3AlogZAg77Qmc8hsg0DBTQ8TJdyafS8vnZhr8If3uEncN6siJNNmkIr1gUWjEnHDR_zP_V7Kz4iScq6VoFCJXhqoivPkMw0TyhBO752f2UH1kUxzEDMfxiPT4AdGwTIYpQJDWm-u8/s400/shoes.jpg" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Foot tracing for a set of personally customized shoes in Hoi An, Vietnam.<br />Photo by Kristin Drenzek</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGEKibEA5uZsvxAKf8sGNQe_gGJmoSPdvAsZvBrlydTKe0cTUlwrkQdMzDzF60dEm_V2Ldc519AmaRrvaomg5EBYMh2nr55Ia4v_Cncf5JVCBw_9HtT5N8quKYXl_9XV2OEcJrc7ZMQQ/s1600/IMG_4482.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpGEKibEA5uZsvxAKf8sGNQe_gGJmoSPdvAsZvBrlydTKe0cTUlwrkQdMzDzF60dEm_V2Ldc519AmaRrvaomg5EBYMh2nr55Ia4v_Cncf5JVCBw_9HtT5N8quKYXl_9XV2OEcJrc7ZMQQ/s400/IMG_4482.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Halong Bay, Vietnam (aka Never Never Land)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jw_hKN6ej-GydSbCUnwH-7xtYXg_5mbZ5fhM7D2XBh2vqssENhnF9htB1408R9xTJ8x6XSuNEDxmRstzrrpNUrfKTyTbtkuje6xR3dlVDjuLwUE_JaX9_69bYdkwKZcF9DDQiIwT4Ag/s1600/IMG_4866.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7Jw_hKN6ej-GydSbCUnwH-7xtYXg_5mbZ5fhM7D2XBh2vqssENhnF9htB1408R9xTJ8x6XSuNEDxmRstzrrpNUrfKTyTbtkuje6xR3dlVDjuLwUE_JaX9_69bYdkwKZcF9DDQiIwT4Ag/s400/IMG_4866.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">My favorite tropical fruit...starfruit! Homestay farm in the Mekong River delta near Cai Be, Vietnam.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HitRRrrJ42Q11c10qYscpYZvgU0zmSfC-J16DF5K6ielNI9Vk1I8hwurhxR5nfmB00gU8l1srUCaprlzGjRRmNBMH7aq-aMv6SczZykWVRYupHFq8duP0oMblVqe-izn5WqHgROYATk/s1600/IMG_7591.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9HitRRrrJ42Q11c10qYscpYZvgU0zmSfC-J16DF5K6ielNI9Vk1I8hwurhxR5nfmB00gU8l1srUCaprlzGjRRmNBMH7aq-aMv6SczZykWVRYupHFq8duP0oMblVqe-izn5WqHgROYATk/s400/IMG_7591.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lake Toba, Sumatra, Indonesia.<br />Largest lake in Indonesia and largest volcanic lake in the world.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxdfMGt_I5t-rcXtIvrwc5EDDFmy8QoKbk9GGbpUOiEHSqEaxQLlPpFYqnu7_3fqs45pQFl9xAMDV_rmgDb0NUdmWc19REun1jI5GIsYhsKgNlNnKvx20kDsUDWHt13yvQZRQdJSq3oI/s1600/IMG_7439.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjxdfMGt_I5t-rcXtIvrwc5EDDFmy8QoKbk9GGbpUOiEHSqEaxQLlPpFYqnu7_3fqs45pQFl9xAMDV_rmgDb0NUdmWc19REun1jI5GIsYhsKgNlNnKvx20kDsUDWHt13yvQZRQdJSq3oI/s400/IMG_7439.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sipiso Piso ("like a knife") waterfalls near Lake Toba, Indonesia.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl1dpD4w2cJ3xaWQiVp4oCqxo7tOYpkGhcxfS5Z4RxSnnep8KEkwW95v_RIlT6jKl8UY1oRpPvEsnnCkUE4NQcljhILc9pruznqwyVA6HMqGqgrfuipCDaw0n9VHfO9Ue9QaKAdHw-rE/s1600/IMG_7815.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicl1dpD4w2cJ3xaWQiVp4oCqxo7tOYpkGhcxfS5Z4RxSnnep8KEkwW95v_RIlT6jKl8UY1oRpPvEsnnCkUE4NQcljhILc9pruznqwyVA6HMqGqgrfuipCDaw0n9VHfO9Ue9QaKAdHw-rE/s400/IMG_7815.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Kuang Si Waterfalls near Luang Prabang, Laos</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLweSKHB6pF0bK8hF-cNFXeeL579-XEn0rcXYm7MtrZZFYetumgEG-R2-5ZC_U3GQqdAreTjWMQqlfcBLX0zikAvcTsMGD3DrYaPuqKPmecUbSoAeGrZwVC1giw8Frz621WEz4IXa1fhM/s1600/IMG_7850.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLweSKHB6pF0bK8hF-cNFXeeL579-XEn0rcXYm7MtrZZFYetumgEG-R2-5ZC_U3GQqdAreTjWMQqlfcBLX0zikAvcTsMGD3DrYaPuqKPmecUbSoAeGrZwVC1giw8Frz621WEz4IXa1fhM/s400/IMG_7850.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Monks, Luang Prabang, Laos<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyp53O21Dld_4gP3uaAUK6WaajXQp7aklSLg6LCvlC9dFzLi5V9rRrbCdPoO6-43EA5usZ-B2K4B9H01Is2AcdCMDgOQ2MziGfbHESkWghKatgEj-S7zgrIWXFgp4Xyv3LX7wRuymjQo/s1600/IMG_8320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNyp53O21Dld_4gP3uaAUK6WaajXQp7aklSLg6LCvlC9dFzLi5V9rRrbCdPoO6-43EA5usZ-B2K4B9H01Is2AcdCMDgOQ2MziGfbHESkWghKatgEj-S7zgrIWXFgp4Xyv3LX7wRuymjQo/s400/IMG_8320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Shwedagon Pagoda, Yangon, Myanmar</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-j_wGgK9ghY0pDjQmYBbdo4jmomPv5Wrke62fU9YcbIgaEr597GP_52IAXNv9svUAfMXCgQmHEkWRpZNVGH3I8QxUPXJwF8wIIdCb_-tT0FmSf4PVvNibfKkmfpiMacwaMLDp-BqGGo/s1600/IMG_8286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-j_wGgK9ghY0pDjQmYBbdo4jmomPv5Wrke62fU9YcbIgaEr597GP_52IAXNv9svUAfMXCgQmHEkWRpZNVGH3I8QxUPXJwF8wIIdCb_-tT0FmSf4PVvNibfKkmfpiMacwaMLDp-BqGGo/s400/IMG_8286.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Women and children near Yangon, Myanmar with thanaka on their faces</span>.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gZ0O87BOMKv8PyZhjsPBqS948pb1o-ZAWhiOudHfSpOJ9_upYk7-TlBzgAEdj2JwFDiT-0AiGVwtLch8fB_T7aLZI6WXJ9CZi3C7BShVhGtnqOMn7269xIJL6heldAkbx-kZqOl0Duo/s1600/IMG_8493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-gZ0O87BOMKv8PyZhjsPBqS948pb1o-ZAWhiOudHfSpOJ9_upYk7-TlBzgAEdj2JwFDiT-0AiGVwtLch8fB_T7aLZI6WXJ9CZi3C7BShVhGtnqOMn7269xIJL6heldAkbx-kZqOl0Duo/s400/IMG_8493.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Myanmar script in Bagan</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xn8qN6hbKKZ7tqw_ANAWV11flAZSLlhri5c564pqwxqiedbCIqijwz1vCIzI5lx5MznmrkDn8Cqb2AdsaSnQpCZa9B9VlnaP-cIXMW11Bpz2cLwW47eEA93kHKfNkSkpSvIkfBFqDlQ/s1600/IMG_8597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7Xn8qN6hbKKZ7tqw_ANAWV11flAZSLlhri5c564pqwxqiedbCIqijwz1vCIzI5lx5MznmrkDn8Cqb2AdsaSnQpCZa9B9VlnaP-cIXMW11Bpz2cLwW47eEA93kHKfNkSkpSvIkfBFqDlQ/s400/IMG_8597.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Bagan, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uSM9K4NZzijLdhy-X5eSxV6w1b0Kmx_2daHMpjV3sRZid0ejOyCUTJKLH80z3mASPh5uP427DXCaxSiwVyy3SXILm6DL5FCMbeXwZXZB1rqyF-jKKLDkt5sWrpTvwm1pV2CYsNhw5Vg/s1600/IMG_8625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5uSM9K4NZzijLdhy-X5eSxV6w1b0Kmx_2daHMpjV3sRZid0ejOyCUTJKLH80z3mASPh5uP427DXCaxSiwVyy3SXILm6DL5FCMbeXwZXZB1rqyF-jKKLDkt5sWrpTvwm1pV2CYsNhw5Vg/s400/IMG_8625.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Our sleeping horse cart driver, Bagan, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilngOUASO3UPYyNbYyUUZXv50c3ZTa_klXKqHiMEZIlN_bh3Skp-T84tfZaXiZyBjOsQtSvnS7nTYkqNMnh91UPHkM_ayPX02Pf2AX6iqT0Lf9k8I82SBOJR-58Q2fmeeZa9RfeL0pO-M/s1600/IMG_8786.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilngOUASO3UPYyNbYyUUZXv50c3ZTa_klXKqHiMEZIlN_bh3Skp-T84tfZaXiZyBjOsQtSvnS7nTYkqNMnh91UPHkM_ayPX02Pf2AX6iqT0Lf9k8I82SBOJR-58Q2fmeeZa9RfeL0pO-M/s400/IMG_8786.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Nuns, Nyaung Shwe, Mynamar</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEiaDTbbE4OpzpSGida3Wt0AfJ_W7NCpyQr_3oT3494SdfyKwgDhdhuxcqRNM5VJQ4otaAMEjadmOSYRW2e7qeuq8HgPjSY7qS63Emdl6AB1KLOziCLexTsOymIKiTh0NFpIZg_EqDco/s1600/IMG_8746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkEiaDTbbE4OpzpSGida3Wt0AfJ_W7NCpyQr_3oT3494SdfyKwgDhdhuxcqRNM5VJQ4otaAMEjadmOSYRW2e7qeuq8HgPjSY7qS63Emdl6AB1KLOziCLexTsOymIKiTh0NFpIZg_EqDco/s400/IMG_8746.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Monks, U Bein Bridge, Mandalay, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTmeDx1rgtuV-4jpxqBsGUz_kih6bISmQ8kPtTKnskLJHzV_6ipkGe412KsROq1yPN68G9hS36vRT-HGMMz4w3e_nXrP9Siuh4MewDzYYfo2cg9Edxd8U8Xz072BwWKNLi1h35CvQ9OY/s1600/IMG_8757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfTmeDx1rgtuV-4jpxqBsGUz_kih6bISmQ8kPtTKnskLJHzV_6ipkGe412KsROq1yPN68G9hS36vRT-HGMMz4w3e_nXrP9Siuh4MewDzYYfo2cg9Edxd8U8Xz072BwWKNLi1h35CvQ9OY/s400/IMG_8757.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The travelers favorite banana pancake, Nyaung Shwe (Lake Inle), Myanmar</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkF1ykZ4ngxHd-vAdNY8aYczbYjghV4hRmWwqAyErbiiIHoLc-ysaSf42AqEPuU2Afcq6oABCu57ylQvKsbOh2QgxWrFylDKLpZyYDhnkBbDsenKAk9nrE_2Ylcg8Gn0RWdV38k_SQSA/s1600/IMG_8800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkF1ykZ4ngxHd-vAdNY8aYczbYjghV4hRmWwqAyErbiiIHoLc-ysaSf42AqEPuU2Afcq6oABCu57ylQvKsbOh2QgxWrFylDKLpZyYDhnkBbDsenKAk9nrE_2Ylcg8Gn0RWdV38k_SQSA/s400/IMG_8800.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Lake Inle, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yq6QNrNLStNl7mS13aKI7HZ_X6TYYUY-MMS7byt3L00ddxprpK-Ghyphenhyphen2Yyxi6m4BhCLefSXWsCc9uJLldVCGtCi9oQz0TGug2V7zvt5tDAeYIdn8WI5CPBk4gdL7KmujuYdluCVyARbU/s1600/ashley+and+i.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yq6QNrNLStNl7mS13aKI7HZ_X6TYYUY-MMS7byt3L00ddxprpK-Ghyphenhyphen2Yyxi6m4BhCLefSXWsCc9uJLldVCGtCi9oQz0TGug2V7zvt5tDAeYIdn8WI5CPBk4gdL7KmujuYdluCVyARbU/s400/ashley+and+i.jpg" width="266" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Myself and fellow Ambassadorial Scholar Ashley charming in Bago, Myanmar</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB6zGmuncFFDhHG2q7SC2ePxQ3bdbRH_PhNeCd0vzsFBxFamLZpqycSV_ggD9y32gW6ASDufaYI3R6-MbykKUC0eEt5hR3MECVzrL9EDEbqgsM2s14cTtd9panh7hdye0GrbSRD7U1Tw/s1600/IMG_8044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgeB6zGmuncFFDhHG2q7SC2ePxQ3bdbRH_PhNeCd0vzsFBxFamLZpqycSV_ggD9y32gW6ASDufaYI3R6-MbykKUC0eEt5hR3MECVzrL9EDEbqgsM2s14cTtd9panh7hdye0GrbSRD7U1Tw/s400/IMG_8044.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Malay fashion, Tawau, Sabah, East Malaysia (Borneo)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eyN7LRGE-HnbZtzIw75oi1eBFEMfliXVXLOcxb3mw6atpWpnwPHWGwTd7hD4Ijs__0PdURLzbGwmLiTqtL-Aq8muS_Q6Mc-Q7xT8EptZxMLRnqpbkhmktMEMJDVQ52yGOV7sYL-BzRs/s1600/IMG_9120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2eyN7LRGE-HnbZtzIw75oi1eBFEMfliXVXLOcxb3mw6atpWpnwPHWGwTd7hD4Ijs__0PdURLzbGwmLiTqtL-Aq8muS_Q6Mc-Q7xT8EptZxMLRnqpbkhmktMEMJDVQ52yGOV7sYL-BzRs/s400/IMG_9120.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">We survived six hours of Advanced Adventure Caving in Mulu Caves National Park , Sarawak, Borneo</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-407298975268052122012-07-03T19:33:00.000+08:002015-10-10T01:37:12.813+08:00Diving Sipadan<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greetings from the Sulu Sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a few weeks in Kuala Lumpur
full of Rotary activities and, gasp...applying for jobs so I have something to
do upon my return to America, I set off for another quick adventure with my two
Japanese roommates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CIAj4Zn00hLN0mme6it_xJQ9Nl0_IDUKST7PP1uiC2V2mN8sKQu2NMqrhlbumbIl6HD_RGUZtlB57M2WnMuY9EUE81rx3uhBIVLox-5zyR1fYtj_Zt45e2kJaIeQS8Df91jcGPEd2_Q/s1600/IMG_8007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CIAj4Zn00hLN0mme6it_xJQ9Nl0_IDUKST7PP1uiC2V2mN8sKQu2NMqrhlbumbIl6HD_RGUZtlB57M2WnMuY9EUE81rx3uhBIVLox-5zyR1fYtj_Zt45e2kJaIeQS8Df91jcGPEd2_Q/s320/IMG_8007.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We flew to Tawau, Sabah and
hopped a ride to the coastal town of Semporna which was our base for two days
of wonderful scuba diving.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sabah is in
East Malaysia, know more to the rest of the world as Boreno.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Malaysia they refer to this area as East
Malaysia because the Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak only comprise less
than half of the island of Borneo.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
bottom half of Borneo is the Indonesian state of Kalimantan and the small country
of Brunei is also tucked in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6yftcIDN2B-4MeeD6BpzSfZvFg7VbI5Iemtuej_I56owuCtH_KjiPdu7aKCUuv5HB2f3uO02JzwMhB1CQPBBaRVoMSoAoHN1T-gDofVaR1MCten8RZxq2cCYfRhAbl_hfZn0uZErCbU/s1600/IMG_8052.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk6yftcIDN2B-4MeeD6BpzSfZvFg7VbI5Iemtuej_I56owuCtH_KjiPdu7aKCUuv5HB2f3uO02JzwMhB1CQPBBaRVoMSoAoHN1T-gDofVaR1MCten8RZxq2cCYfRhAbl_hfZn0uZErCbU/s320/IMG_8052.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spotted a Rotary billboard in Tawau!</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9o7NIzHW2Ef76ayThx2lRujyLvqj-n3bfQzI53Uilxgiblm47_rI01GJQkBpfiizhyVKGCOkMS7RichgHJTjqwcSGKgVYJRPpLq9fY6SqTzgtoSJV-lajHHTYj-baTBr6uobsB6BiJA/s1600/IMG_8043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn9o7NIzHW2Ef76ayThx2lRujyLvqj-n3bfQzI53Uilxgiblm47_rI01GJQkBpfiizhyVKGCOkMS7RichgHJTjqwcSGKgVYJRPpLq9fY6SqTzgtoSJV-lajHHTYj-baTBr6uobsB6BiJA/s320/IMG_8043.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-Co2tJMUFZPuWDrgW1LAG8edUr6ztWAK3rtDcBlXlDdplL2Fb62Wp5d6vmqGRDYNiFgc2RS1HhjKj2tNGHJ4T5RRD6XpCf1Yzd_-3s2YdwixlF6jeqH6iMto4Mgug1ayNZmT9aHo3nE/s1600/IMG_8039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL-Co2tJMUFZPuWDrgW1LAG8edUr6ztWAK3rtDcBlXlDdplL2Fb62Wp5d6vmqGRDYNiFgc2RS1HhjKj2tNGHJ4T5RRD6XpCf1Yzd_-3s2YdwixlF6jeqH6iMto4Mgug1ayNZmT9aHo3nE/s320/IMG_8039.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">About to enjoy a seafood dinner on a nice evening in Semporna</span></td></tr>
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S<span style="font-family: Calibri;">ipadan is a small island off the
coast from Semporna and is touted as one of the top dive sites in the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island formation rises 600 meters
from the sea floor and was created by living corals growing on top of an
extinct volcanic cone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Shaped like a
mushroom with a small island forming the dome, vertical sea cliffs drop off
dramatically just meters from shore.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This beautiful island and underwater world was highlighted by Jacques
Cousteau’s film <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Ghost of the Sea Turtles</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6MnKbVsrBltfbLDMqeDFd3cNIia2MlXyvQBEmiEx8wEOjDblj9ximeZTLU9S4YG4zMGMPWVeQeUCiRq2TTFzHjX5B8UkW2nESDnPGi0fmqrbCAMrwea99oGxmpCHrqQwSdW1x8xISKc/s1600/IMG_8029.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ6MnKbVsrBltfbLDMqeDFd3cNIia2MlXyvQBEmiEx8wEOjDblj9ximeZTLU9S4YG4zMGMPWVeQeUCiRq2TTFzHjX5B8UkW2nESDnPGi0fmqrbCAMrwea99oGxmpCHrqQwSdW1x8xISKc/s320/IMG_8029.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I can see why Jacques Cousteau liked Sipadan Island</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f8FkG1NZuvwa0akAzB6HHyqDwWX2AaWTP6UKZ22Ok2ImLsmiuBmuZ8L6slgbqQ86R78pNRUzCp9gs8xUMonCkWo8PUeBLXCRsaEIrZc6YGbXI-QHyVX5k3SNUWSQ_BHa_Hd92AhPc2k/s1600/IMG_8032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_f8FkG1NZuvwa0akAzB6HHyqDwWX2AaWTP6UKZ22Ok2ImLsmiuBmuZ8L6slgbqQ86R78pNRUzCp9gs8xUMonCkWo8PUeBLXCRsaEIrZc6YGbXI-QHyVX5k3SNUWSQ_BHa_Hd92AhPc2k/s320/IMG_8032.JPG" width="320" /></a><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">This island has a very unique
history; there used to be five resorts on the island but in the year 2000 21
people (10 dive tourists and 11 resort staff) were kidnapped by Filipino
pirates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were held for more than a
year and slowly ransomed off for millions of dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our dive master told us he was working on the
island during that time but happened to be leading a night dive when the
kidnapping occurred.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He and his group
surfaced when they finished their dive but heard people yelling “pirates!” from
the shore so they quietly re-submerged and hid in a shallow area of the reef
for two more hours before resurfacing to safety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island was also part of a territorial
land dispute between Indonesia and Malaysia for many years until it was
officially declared part of Malaysia by the International Court of Justice in
2002.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu4ItiSnQ8ee4P2lea1qvkBPmGfC5HSt9UwUneq0eWIT8n_cY7ZGt2HTuukiflC9KjgxS-hf9Fvu6Uw4zX82CjjL4MShyo_SV0w4SjabDx10IRZodP0GYIdbeBlsIJaSTWLiRoR4jqn0/s1600/IMG_5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu4ItiSnQ8ee4P2lea1qvkBPmGfC5HSt9UwUneq0eWIT8n_cY7ZGt2HTuukiflC9KjgxS-hf9Fvu6Uw4zX82CjjL4MShyo_SV0w4SjabDx10IRZodP0GYIdbeBlsIJaSTWLiRoR4jqn0/s1600/IMG_5113.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu4ItiSnQ8ee4P2lea1qvkBPmGfC5HSt9UwUneq0eWIT8n_cY7ZGt2HTuukiflC9KjgxS-hf9Fvu6Uw4zX82CjjL4MShyo_SV0w4SjabDx10IRZodP0GYIdbeBlsIJaSTWLiRoR4jqn0/s320/IMG_5113.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In 2004, under pressure from
conservation groups and others, the Malaysian government ordered all on-site
dive operators to remove their structures from the island and operate from someplace
else.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I assume that after the
kidnappings, there probably weren’t many visitors that came for more than day
trips anyways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To further reduce impacts
on the marine environment, only 120 permits per day are issued to visit the
island which includes divers, snorkelers, and guides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means you definitely need to plan ahead
if you want to dive there, and pay the price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many backpack type travelers show up only to be disappointed that
permits may be booked out for weeks or months.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2Ms50SPYcbaDzi1u7n9khmq_Lrvj2XX3BzOEwzAqzo6PqljGZsplLEY4teSLvTXpcDAc-uu-6xQxs4aQZD6IPYqVEqcgPXUD8FVxiRrcJQCsi_DdVUrXroewNI8T0wN4YyWJXPnWxA4/s1600/IMG_5164.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEio2Ms50SPYcbaDzi1u7n9khmq_Lrvj2XX3BzOEwzAqzo6PqljGZsplLEY4teSLvTXpcDAc-uu-6xQxs4aQZD6IPYqVEqcgPXUD8FVxiRrcJQCsi_DdVUrXroewNI8T0wN4YyWJXPnWxA4/s320/IMG_5164.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although I have only been diving
in a few other areas before Sipadan (namely Koh Tao, Thailand and Roatan, Honduras),
I believe the diving here lived up to its hype.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The diversity and abundance of plants and animals was amazing, and the
underwater geography was mind blowing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Literally vertical sea wall cliffs dropping off for hundreds of meters,
never ending as you looked up and down!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We encountered sea turtles, reef sharks, and HUGE schools of fish
including barracudas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was crazy being
faced with and surrounded by walls of fish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Diving at this location was d</span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">efinitely a memorable
experience and worth the journey and logistics to get there. My roommate Tomomi had an underwater housing for her camera so I can't help but share many of the great shots:</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4DZ95BjN4aHR5e_7QutqYA7VmJMLQgztCK4REppH1dUjNbLeKRtxDU6hPSHYzRBx6gSWFF3XQlnQNmXSCweY5qREulkEGHNADLEs5rGpXyek9E4xMYooRvLLDXAdc1CuvbS2AIJxjRw/s1600/IMG_4924.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjA4DZ95BjN4aHR5e_7QutqYA7VmJMLQgztCK4REppH1dUjNbLeKRtxDU6hPSHYzRBx6gSWFF3XQlnQNmXSCweY5qREulkEGHNADLEs5rGpXyek9E4xMYooRvLLDXAdc1CuvbS2AIJxjRw/s320/IMG_4924.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlxNsLRPGRuO8K9YE5CYeL7jjGzfudJY73N-gCum8Vzvbni57yLePqNXNOpc9DdXAKetuYi-03WG7jGt4vhsSozWK3VcgdJ5cqkPsX722vughCNbAYEaNgyBLVMHGKsuTN64JsLEi_mc/s1600/IMG_5067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqlxNsLRPGRuO8K9YE5CYeL7jjGzfudJY73N-gCum8Vzvbni57yLePqNXNOpc9DdXAKetuYi-03WG7jGt4vhsSozWK3VcgdJ5cqkPsX722vughCNbAYEaNgyBLVMHGKsuTN64JsLEi_mc/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-65376134250131530822012-06-24T09:45:00.001+08:002012-06-24T09:45:46.498+08:00More on a Day in the Life of an Ambassadorial Scholar<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As you may have
guessed from reading this blog, our duties as Ambassadorial Scholars are very
flexible, and we are forever grateful for that. Our mission is to serve as a
catalyst of exchange of information and ideas between our host and sponsor
Rotary Districts. Rotary in Alaska is much different than Rotary in Malaysia. <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">By visiting, interacting, and
presenting to Rotary Clubs, Rotaract Clubs, Inner Wheel Clubs, and other
groups, my knowledge of how Rotary works and the spirit and pure energy of the
people who engage in this organization has blossomed. Since Rotary Clubs
reflect the cultures in which they exist (socioeconomic, gender, age, formality
or informality, level of interaction), I have been exposed to many inside
delights of the country that I would not have a chance to understand if I was
merely a traditional exchange student at the University of Malaya. I have
learned so much about everything from religion to government, to eating habits
and, of course…how to be a passionate and engaged global citizen! <o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIq7PI7BqxYdTBnSMt8CU3cNHGQKn_TjrZepO541uonpmOMBwWHP-TSMkYMXi5aiHT71k-knQTVJupgO3HYojNwJb_VcdYFw3OysnKzCWkXwUjRmLmazJqdUJUftOgX6LAdK8SunLngI/s1600/IMG_7921.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIIq7PI7BqxYdTBnSMt8CU3cNHGQKn_TjrZepO541uonpmOMBwWHP-TSMkYMXi5aiHT71k-knQTVJupgO3HYojNwJb_VcdYFw3OysnKzCWkXwUjRmLmazJqdUJUftOgX6LAdK8SunLngI/s320/IMG_7921.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A pleasant afternoon spent at a Sikh temple experiencing a thanks giving prayer ceremony.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym-IJHrLR2d6HBd6HSSV6qPlGbB11Yu2DRV-47RLbobTQXvFud0SBquT9y5MTDZIeCKxqENbUYsdQKIhoIMK3d_fhSyYHoVhQ0GKB99B4ycwFrqztBqWc7R-ee8CT8Y-IsPNhcoSGrD4/s1600/IMG_7925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiym-IJHrLR2d6HBd6HSSV6qPlGbB11Yu2DRV-47RLbobTQXvFud0SBquT9y5MTDZIeCKxqENbUYsdQKIhoIMK3d_fhSyYHoVhQ0GKB99B4ycwFrqztBqWc7R-ee8CT8Y-IsPNhcoSGrD4/s320/IMG_7925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Any day that you get to wear a Punjabi suit is a good day. Learning about </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">global religions with my Malaysian Rotary host counselor Kiren.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Through
volunteering with clubs on service projects,<span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> I have enjoyed </span>tasting the fullness of life,
stretching my mind and perspective in new and extraordinary ways. It is through
these opportunities that we are able to open our hearts and eyes and learn more
about the world than our newspapers will accommodate. The joy of living in a
foreign country is the luxury of leaving all of my beliefs and certainties at
home and allowing myself to see everything I thought I knew in a new and
different light. </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At this point I have to put a plug in for Rotaract, as I've seen this group in a new and different light in Malaysia and globally. I'm sure I've mentioned this segment of Rotary a few times before in this blog, but recently it was great see how strong and vibrant this group is in Malaysia. Rotaract Clubs are Rotary sponsored clubs for young adults aged 18-30ish and the title stands for Rotary in Action. Rotaract's purpose is to provide an opportunity for young men and women to enhance the knowledge and skills that will assist them in personal development, to address the physical and social needs of their communities, and to promote better relations between all people worldwide through a framework of friendship and service. D3300 Rotaract had their awards night recently and it was amazing to see all the energy that these students and young professionals bring to the community projects they execute.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZKRA12BZr85Z7Pb_h4GzwBCybFhRDA-ogdQ4yTtE4H9Pq8m3t8yDUi_t4bzX4VyjqqWn1gI-tXZRbtfsDl23qfbxBRCrVvz-zJyotYij199bAtBFsyEVltpqmEXd1Mt6dux6yRnIalA/s1600/IMG_7907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTZKRA12BZr85Z7Pb_h4GzwBCybFhRDA-ogdQ4yTtE4H9Pq8m3t8yDUi_t4bzX4VyjqqWn1gI-tXZRbtfsDl23qfbxBRCrVvz-zJyotYij199bAtBFsyEVltpqmEXd1Mt6dux6yRnIalA/s320/IMG_7907.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Current District Rotaract Representative awarding the immediate past District Rotaract </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Representative the coveted recognition of Rotaractor of the Year. Nice work guys!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xsIvTealG4IP3NbFy8L1JI0KvXhkstFTntiY7jhRVvZsHlkM4m8i2JwRqiDsjD9hyphenhyphenhKbpoBTCZ0v4-fyLgwOMvjQfqYu34YJTTwFa-IFnY8nHdMRsBAoVY1laC5vL2SAcx4UGm0WSHY/s1600/IMG_7913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7xsIvTealG4IP3NbFy8L1JI0KvXhkstFTntiY7jhRVvZsHlkM4m8i2JwRqiDsjD9hyphenhyphenhKbpoBTCZ0v4-fyLgwOMvjQfqYu34YJTTwFa-IFnY8nHdMRsBAoVY1laC5vL2SAcx4UGm0WSHY/s320/IMG_7913.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Congrats to the Rotaract Club of Kuala Lumpur for their numerous recognitions throughout the evening. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Truly an inspiration for me when I head back to Alaska and re-engage with Rotaract there.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGP4WRsZvNUFqPjWfep0h3ETOwGY9BYjH7j5Das-3fD1y-GlG8XXnhMsnwUKHeYcdiCPdjSfltC1R1hKyKew0QbkueyOxulU-6pzq4bfCwW4piS_kLaCawNH17VOTRfQs82xjay0dPb0/s1600/IMG_7917.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggGP4WRsZvNUFqPjWfep0h3ETOwGY9BYjH7j5Das-3fD1y-GlG8XXnhMsnwUKHeYcdiCPdjSfltC1R1hKyKew0QbkueyOxulU-6pzq4bfCwW4piS_kLaCawNH17VOTRfQs82xjay0dPb0/s320/IMG_7917.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Of course the evening couldn't end without dancing! Kudos to the organizing committee for pulling off such a great even with such large attendance (over 300 people!). All the hard work paid off.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">So far, by rough count, I’ve formally
given over 30 presentations to Rotary Clubs and other groups. I’ve informally
visited many more clubs and participated in Rotary in as many other ways that
you can think of. So here’s a few more flag exchange photos for you and
highlights from recent Rotary related events and activities. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUjuOWhQbvLeM1Pjd54UAerFQRUmEw0enjvTft6vkV1rQXghAEtwVnxR6xGvYW0Q5gCPIQvl2Bm9-iUFnC8NUmjtv4UKB-xJ0mjMi9Gtj33TPZMsWPnhydphxUCTzVckjXPR7xf6XH4g/s1600/IMG_7692.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibUjuOWhQbvLeM1Pjd54UAerFQRUmEw0enjvTft6vkV1rQXghAEtwVnxR6xGvYW0Q5gCPIQvl2Bm9-iUFnC8NUmjtv4UKB-xJ0mjMi9Gtj33TPZMsWPnhydphxUCTzVckjXPR7xf6XH4g/s320/IMG_7692.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sharing about Rotary in Alaska and Alaska's unique culture with RC Bandar Sunway.</span></td></tr>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcGKXyL0u3sQhHqnVtyslq61lMR5t-yHyE394MI7VJk6bx-bbMmOBPdkhHs4WuQsB4m3yaPAQ3TrYUypzOwHEi6kGwLUa3FNfG8eWGE2rL-iJTJ6WALF0rMd1Ks_Bfi2maR7abDr_-yE/s1600/IMG_7694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrcGKXyL0u3sQhHqnVtyslq61lMR5t-yHyE394MI7VJk6bx-bbMmOBPdkhHs4WuQsB4m3yaPAQ3TrYUypzOwHEi6kGwLUa3FNfG8eWGE2rL-iJTJ6WALF0rMd1Ks_Bfi2maR7abDr_-yE/s320/IMG_7694.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Another Rotary get together with the wonderful Rotarians from RC Pantai Valley</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The strong women of RC Bandar Utama whom which I climbed to Everest Base Camp with.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My favorite Rotarian and birthday buddy, Kiren.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Joint presentation to RC Gombak with fellow Ambassadorial </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Scholar Tomoko (also my dear friend and roommate).</span></td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-3537859039518440552012-06-23T16:06:00.000+08:002012-06-23T16:06:12.979+08:00Buses and Baguettes<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I stepped on board the bus,
armed with two baguettes, I was happy to realize the relative comfort my 12
hour bus ride from Hanoi, Vietnam toward northern Laos would provide.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Unlike many other Southeast Asia backpack
style travelers, I have greatly avoided long bus rides at any cost because of
my highly motion sensitive tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But as
this was an overnight sleeper bus with fully horizontal bunks, I figured I
could pop a Dramamine, put on my headphones and awake that much closer to
realizing my recent dream of exploring Laos by riverboat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm23C8ENETuTrXerHgxO4N8f3c_HIZEjTuUD__GKiWLLK-NXg1KzxySwcfztC7fi4YEsMSY-dlymONFBpawuk3WqDBAJ4kloDTFzmsjlyuuRWEBziAsljoP_sUjTo-yOlm5T5uWufiMyQ/s1600/IMG_7727.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm23C8ENETuTrXerHgxO4N8f3c_HIZEjTuUD__GKiWLLK-NXg1KzxySwcfztC7fi4YEsMSY-dlymONFBpawuk3WqDBAJ4kloDTFzmsjlyuuRWEBziAsljoP_sUjTo-yOlm5T5uWufiMyQ/s320/IMG_7727.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">...but anything that helps me to sleep on long bus rides is OK :) There were many signs like</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> this one, sponsored by the German government, nearing the Vietnam/Laos border.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unfortunately, although the bus
looked and felt fairly modern, that didn’t penetrate to the engine itself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I awoke at 11pm wondering why I was feeling
highly claustrophobic and realized it was because the bus was stopped, engine
off, meaning no air conditioning, and no opening windows, ahhh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were broken down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I struggled out of my bunk to towards the
front door as quickly and quietly as I could which was not an easy task as
there were many people sleeping in the aisles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Many forms of transportation in this part of the world employ “the bus
is never full” rule and fit as many humans as possible for the ride to make more
money.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My apologies to any random
Vietnamese whose faces I may have stepped on while trying to reach the front
door.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6AWAW9kzv2ab6sJvIDRpW574i9F4-z_cro7FKdrCBUYOsE6rbYNUb_xAcu_pSOABwWolkORjxRmV52NidlNbw3TavpweBGgBiqerKPnHg5amuQGjWWrCjA7rZoz6EEnZwQfgRV5zbYg/s1600/IMG_7711.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ6AWAW9kzv2ab6sJvIDRpW574i9F4-z_cro7FKdrCBUYOsE6rbYNUb_xAcu_pSOABwWolkORjxRmV52NidlNbw3TavpweBGgBiqerKPnHg5amuQGjWWrCjA7rZoz6EEnZwQfgRV5zbYg/s320/IMG_7711.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Some cute kids, content to play with their squash, until the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">excitement of a broken down bus came along.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After much banging and clanking
by the driver on the rear part of the engine, which everyone else seemed to
sleep through, we were on the road again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But this scene repeated itself several more times at 1am, 5am, and 7am. At one point the engine quit going over a pass, stranding us on a 9% incline on a blind corner. Here I disembarked again and enjoyed watching the Hmong women with their long, black, beautiful hair walk and buzz by on motor bikes with the morning produce and a few pigs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We finally reached our destination on for that leg of the trip, albeit 6
hours late.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We arrived in Dien Bien,
Vietnam (about 90 km from the Laos border) at 10am, 5 hours after I was
supposed to have connected with another bus that would take me directly across
the border to meet up with my travel companion and enjoy some river time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I tried not to be too disappointed and thankfully
found a guesthouse right across the street from the bus station where I could
wash the journey off of me and figure out what there was to explore in this
town I knew nothing about, and that apparently received very few foreign
visitors.</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOR-bCE61GgcqytVyapxapz4HlUG88IPxyLN8XrsTZ5jDj3KBECxv_iL7r_blexFkiODahIgOXe10Fipff2jblFy4VI4_c13PzVhSSen8QLxclGK4kvvUyABGV7ZoEp0oIr3a3jA73po/s1600/IMG_7718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNOR-bCE61GgcqytVyapxapz4HlUG88IPxyLN8XrsTZ5jDj3KBECxv_iL7r_blexFkiODahIgOXe10Fipff2jblFy4VI4_c13PzVhSSen8QLxclGK4kvvUyABGV7ZoEp0oIr3a3jA73po/s320/IMG_7718.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A little friend I made in Dien Bien.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Dien Bien, I learned, is known
for a famous battle where the French colonial forces were defeated in 1954.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the most remote parts of
Vietnam and the region is very beautiful. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A random Vietnamese guy who befriended me on
the bus with a bit of English offered to show me around as he was in town on
business, something to do with concrete is all I could surmise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We visited a cemetery, had tea with a local
family that he was friends with, explored underground trenches, bunkers, and
bomb sites.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So an unexpected delay turned
out not so bad after all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_5MDKrUh0_l0vungd9T8a-gpeCvgJ2NqIJput5gDzsq5RqxfdCDdG4FMqYUA5oP2yA-ggkOrdTl6asrNnbzPLp8uTvjHHoe8bbLM7Z7ZLcISwe0JP9I1Ue0qMpttaqkIrYHP9kzpKOs/s1600/IMG_7713.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-_5MDKrUh0_l0vungd9T8a-gpeCvgJ2NqIJput5gDzsq5RqxfdCDdG4FMqYUA5oP2yA-ggkOrdTl6asrNnbzPLp8uTvjHHoe8bbLM7Z7ZLcISwe0JP9I1Ue0qMpttaqkIrYHP9kzpKOs/s320/IMG_7713.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Downtown Dien Bien.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-88389931700604941872012-06-06T15:35:00.001+08:002012-06-18T15:20:25.915+08:00Rotary May Recap<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">With many Rotary activities taking place in May, I thought I’d
take the chance to catch up and share some photos of recent events and
with some of my favorite people.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Rotary International Convention took place in the beginning of May in Bangkok and
you can read about that <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2012/05/rotary-international-convention-2012.html" target="_blank">here</a>, but it was also a busy month for my local Rotary
district in Malaysia.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The Rotary Foundation (TRF) night was a great celebration of
Rotary and its donors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Rotary
Foundation is the non-profit corporation that supports the efforts of Rotary
International.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Foundation is
supported solely by voluntary contributions from Rotarians and friends so share
the vision of making the world a better place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s a district wide event so I loved seeing many Rotary friends that I’ve
become acquainted with from many clubs throughout my stay.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhd3tP-84TqevyAo7j9WP0HW05Xe3kW4Iw_Prpiv_6OMgWCNxN7dcLsd3N72PhlhtC10kJSXJR9ebNtmTHd4bwrPc0FYCXF0p59KlUKRhDwfk3ejOP3uG8oqhnCP_ZPp1n-veoDOSdoI/s1600/IMG_7291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPhd3tP-84TqevyAo7j9WP0HW05Xe3kW4Iw_Prpiv_6OMgWCNxN7dcLsd3N72PhlhtC10kJSXJR9ebNtmTHd4bwrPc0FYCXF0p59KlUKRhDwfk3ejOP3uG8oqhnCP_ZPp1n-veoDOSdoI/s320/IMG_7291.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Past President Dr. Sen, myself, and Tomoko.</span></td></tr>
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<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL5ImXUfmoBVY02KBg0n7k5P3ocS9uQfg3DrWjSOIzteKQmtf4bo5VSE8IutiHYYKECA62-un6jakOUNlSoo9cDp8hc2dB7G5dF_EN_MI61veIbtKkfOBqhWbiDvMzhuTJbTWK42br2s/s1600/IMG_7295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHL5ImXUfmoBVY02KBg0n7k5P3ocS9uQfg3DrWjSOIzteKQmtf4bo5VSE8IutiHYYKECA62-un6jakOUNlSoo9cDp8hc2dB7G5dF_EN_MI61veIbtKkfOBqhWbiDvMzhuTJbTWK42br2s/s320/IMG_7295.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lovely Rotarians from RC Pantai Valley.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK2t8du8ghhFTdam8_hSiMC36ZRVIdmpZVN9_bDmanfJcTA3vpq8vsgZqKVR-Cs4rnmJRWKVk3dgLhRAsSHPT92KLZ16gNlSrzy1PUYlv04Gw97jkhtrGhVDd49zq7mQagRZanoijcog/s1600/titiwangsa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="162" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVK2t8du8ghhFTdam8_hSiMC36ZRVIdmpZVN9_bDmanfJcTA3vpq8vsgZqKVR-Cs4rnmJRWKVk3dgLhRAsSHPT92KLZ16gNlSrzy1PUYlv04Gw97jkhtrGhVDd49zq7mQagRZanoijcog/s320/titiwangsa+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The fantastic members of my host club RC Titiwangsa.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day brought the re-dedication of the Rotary
District 3300 Time Capsule.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This time
capsule was established in the year 2000 with the intention of opening it in
100 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enclosed are bulletins and
memorabilia from all the Rotary Clubs that were established at the time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Over the last 12 years, the monument has
suffered from a bit of decay and vandalism so the district stepped up its
efforts to re-vitalize it adding some stone pillars with Rotary information
inscribed about the mission of the organization, and by adding a huge Rotary
wheel atop the monument.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
transformed the site into more of an official square/park which will invite
more people to check it out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s quite
impressive in that is located right in the heart of Kuala Lumpur at Freedom
Square, where many historical events have occurred in Malaysia’s history. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think there is any other major city in
the world that has Rotary’s vision so prominently displayed for the public to
learn about.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m thankful to be part of
such an active district and have the chance to learn about Rotary and its many
missions and programs.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjI7wz0WPH3eMU-Tugsg54wOknPyr807RS8WkG0QpngbrwTNym855WXtPuTfaN5aJCty7M9gz8GnicWa3WPCkTT7Hn-gV8TyL-pk8oqy90fzv_OpQI10bs2STPbzqUHSpKDYhmJ-LzQQ/s1600/IMG_7345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizjI7wz0WPH3eMU-Tugsg54wOknPyr807RS8WkG0QpngbrwTNym855WXtPuTfaN5aJCty7M9gz8GnicWa3WPCkTT7Hn-gV8TyL-pk8oqy90fzv_OpQI10bs2STPbzqUHSpKDYhmJ-LzQQ/s320/IMG_7345.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next, I had the chance to give a present to the Rotary Club
of Cheras.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is the only bi-lingual
club in the district and it conducts its meetings in English/Mandarin.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully, when they have visitors, they
stick to English </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always easy to recognize Rotarians from
this club because they have adopted a sort of uniform…green blazers!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At any event, you can always easily spot a
Cheras Rotarian and start up a good conversation with them.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p4AoYHTWRgD7vL6cCXuHOJK5NFVf1EvB7pDg4DeYkzgdHf5nQZAHvyv-9suQGaMJyZep9Q67b3dPBa_UChXxXYB97Twg4mOSm1b9mg-Jiy5cCHHoiV5zWT4etbL0bj79fT9TlEek8Ak/s1600/IMG_7378.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4p4AoYHTWRgD7vL6cCXuHOJK5NFVf1EvB7pDg4DeYkzgdHf5nQZAHvyv-9suQGaMJyZep9Q67b3dPBa_UChXxXYB97Twg4mOSm1b9mg-Jiy5cCHHoiV5zWT4etbL0bj79fT9TlEek8Ak/s320/IMG_7378.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fellowship and attendance are serious business!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXMs6-FW5GL6rIH88HxcknS25pHScm9QQNFJxK4jIwX3i74uv4XI4akGiykRHwfBjZiWVd03ZU-mHQNR4mDzpM3agZXlRsxeNReHpm7g8OPOcZCvSVS8EAlCfrYh5IuD1Q7k1GQK99yc/s1600/IMG_7390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWXMs6-FW5GL6rIH88HxcknS25pHScm9QQNFJxK4jIwX3i74uv4XI4akGiykRHwfBjZiWVd03ZU-mHQNR4mDzpM3agZXlRsxeNReHpm7g8OPOcZCvSVS8EAlCfrYh5IuD1Q7k1GQK99yc/s320/IMG_7390.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I didn't have a green blazer, but I tried to wear the greenest, most Chinese thing I owned, haha.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day I had the chance to meet and present with the Rotary Club of Seremban which happens to be the first chartered club in Malaysia. The city of Seremban is about 45 minutes south of Kuala Lumpur and I always enjoy visit there and seeing many Rotary friends, including visiting my host counselor and her family in their home. This is also the home club of the District Governor, although he was not in attendance that evening. Its OK though as we've met many other times at district events. One of the members was so kind to host me in their home that evening as I had to be at the airport super early to catch a flight to Sumatra! </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYSo-6YbBMVFOcEfA0cxy08tVSNZZO59M_9juBNR_4MCTHo4FvxE2i3U5D2estw6O1sJrRqXsM5vYOghjUCnN7vPITgJGQg0IvX9-Wim1F7vtCMlEQVjlki6u1ZHUa8asz8iRnxHZ4LU/s1600/IMG_7396.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFYSo-6YbBMVFOcEfA0cxy08tVSNZZO59M_9juBNR_4MCTHo4FvxE2i3U5D2estw6O1sJrRqXsM5vYOghjUCnN7vPITgJGQg0IvX9-Wim1F7vtCMlEQVjlki6u1ZHUa8asz8iRnxHZ4LU/s320/IMG_7396.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Last but not least, we had a special visitor…another Ambassadorial Scholar!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Miss Kristen is from Texas and she has been serving as an Ambassadorial Scholar in Hong Kong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can follow her fun and inspiring blog about her experiences at <em><a href="http://kristenlindley.wordpress.com/" target="_blank">Kristen's HKB</a></em>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have found it great to be in touch with other SE Asia Ambassadorial Scholars to compare our experiences and learn from each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She and her boyfriend made the trek to Malaysia for a short holiday before her term ended and she headed back to Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were excited to host them and tried to show them as much of Kuala Lumpur as we could in two days!</span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj029QeKRmn31k_W-LHZbECiRF6TlfcLjrjb-XGhGWeWxyH3TNjmEJKeSeb-v6KCxlJvcA139J-FAzg8ZiB10c5JZWPDwAGUhOD2FA2ygSgTiBpHs2GMLvvvsNhF_h9qEmRbIH2VJz3Jfs/s1600/fireflies.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj029QeKRmn31k_W-LHZbECiRF6TlfcLjrjb-XGhGWeWxyH3TNjmEJKeSeb-v6KCxlJvcA139J-FAzg8ZiB10c5JZWPDwAGUhOD2FA2ygSgTiBpHs2GMLvvvsNhF_h9qEmRbIH2VJz3Jfs/s320/fireflies.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The gang enjoying a fantastic fresh seafood dinner on our way </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">to witness Malaysia's best fireflies. A very nice excursion.</span></td></tr>
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</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9XGeS20mX91PsWkCs4Bl_hwCF5TicidAryY3AcbPvjimem4DYNjtdPycQe9qBPITlQDxQC-YUU-azLMy4YcHKh4hUHUtJgMEcQT1OdqNdCIIdJ-BbZf1KpPvzp0MdA6onn0t76lBMqI/s1600/IMG_7326.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT9XGeS20mX91PsWkCs4Bl_hwCF5TicidAryY3AcbPvjimem4DYNjtdPycQe9qBPITlQDxQC-YUU-azLMy4YcHKh4hUHUtJgMEcQT1OdqNdCIIdJ-BbZf1KpPvzp0MdA6onn0t76lBMqI/s320/IMG_7326.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying a various selection of local foods at a vegetarian food fair in my neighborhood.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb9ZURa23jXtT9nXaPQuBPh8pGpfuzEN0mnHQQ55Hlt1iQtknXqsEbf9FGW4zJtHqU4XvnrSywSDjxLb59nvJdLAGbIB1uavDNm2pmvlvgtVNY7yYup2f9TvgT_Rh6DClooVJqt7cL5U/s1600/ambassadorial+scholars.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCb9ZURa23jXtT9nXaPQuBPh8pGpfuzEN0mnHQQ55Hlt1iQtknXqsEbf9FGW4zJtHqU4XvnrSywSDjxLb59nvJdLAGbIB1uavDNm2pmvlvgtVNY7yYup2f9TvgT_Rh6DClooVJqt7cL5U/s320/ambassadorial+scholars.jpg" width="241" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There happened to be a big parade and celebration put on by the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malaysian Tourism Association so we stopped by to check it out.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopf0GQ1pKmcitSienELKaN6jRNRoZQ_mRFamMblKmzHO2gB5wGW6yLBrdNiPfkJG2Qv-LfGpkfZKfVULWCh9i51uZu-BvC6_r9of1vTWpYD4sTRmgu_I6Yk_E_k_p-OvxUEppGXSA-AQ/s1600/IMG_7339.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjopf0GQ1pKmcitSienELKaN6jRNRoZQ_mRFamMblKmzHO2gB5wGW6yLBrdNiPfkJG2Qv-LfGpkfZKfVULWCh9i51uZu-BvC6_r9of1vTWpYD4sTRmgu_I6Yk_E_k_p-OvxUEppGXSA-AQ/s320/IMG_7339.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Trying to fit everything "Malaysia" on one float. I find it amusing </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that they include shoe shopping as one of the main highlights.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m off to share the culture of Alaska and what Rotary does
up north with another local club, the Rotary Club of Bandar Sunway.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve officially given presentations to more
than 30 clubs and it’s been an honor to do so, they are always so
welcoming!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even if it’s just a small
thing to share a bit of our cultures, I do think it goes a ways to help make
the world a better place </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Two months and four days until I return to America, stay
tuned!</span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-5434071257528581112012-06-06T09:18:00.001+08:002012-06-06T09:18:36.728+08:00A Very Special Visit with the Rotary Club of Medan Deli<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A recent trip to Sumatra,
Indonesia provided me with the opportunity to visit with one of the sister
Rotary clubs of my host club in Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The Rotary Club of Medan Deli was so kind to welcome me and show me
around many of their service projects and sites of Medan, and of course include
me in some wonderful fellowship and good food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s always a treat to be able to visit a place and be shown around by
locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Medan is only about a 50 minute
flight from Kuala Lumpur and is a city of about 2 million people with five
Rotary Clubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>RC Medan Deli went so far
as to re-schedule their usual weekend meeting to a different day so that I
could meet everyone!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They kindly greeted
me with a delicious vegetarian Chinese dinner and we shared information about
our clubs and projects as well as our cultures.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>They really welcomed me and made me feel like a true ambassador </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb43ohpfbZc133hhsiWRj33ZygUIBSbQwyx2j5IPp5zgtC-4HtwH7CLjHwsdcuclWjEvxIzz2-K5nMQagoOAP09Jkd6BroZMwTReENVXiVimJCZYyzJDnG6oT7KBZEyCu0Rmze84-5rUQ/s1600/IMG_7647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgb43ohpfbZc133hhsiWRj33ZygUIBSbQwyx2j5IPp5zgtC-4HtwH7CLjHwsdcuclWjEvxIzz2-K5nMQagoOAP09Jkd6BroZMwTReENVXiVimJCZYyzJDnG6oT7KBZEyCu0Rmze84-5rUQ/s320/IMG_7647.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Fellowship with RC Medan Deli members.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next morning Rotarian Sui Kim
greeted me nice and early for a local vegetarian noodle breakfast and then took
me to the outskirts of the city to visit one of several clinics that the club
built and helps run.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was a
specialized optometry clinic as well as being a general clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Daily they conduct eye exams and are also able to
treat other ailments and give out prescribed medicines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The clinic is on a sliding scale of pay what
you can.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The major activity that takes
place here is cataract surgeries.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Twice
a year a doctor comes over from India and in three days performs approximately
150 cataract operations!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is an
amazing and very important service as c<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">ataract prevalence in adults rural Indonesia
is among the highest reported in Southeast Asia. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cataracts are the primary cause of blindness
worldwide, even though this can be treated with a relatively simple,
cost-effective operation. Cataracts particularly afflict people in East Asia
and South Asia. The main cause is high exposure to UV sun rays and in coastal
areas the tropical sunlight reflecting off sand and water. Smoking, poor
nutrition, and aging are also contributing factors. I<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> also learned how the club was able to apply for and receive a Rotary International Global grant to purchase supplies for these surgeries by partnering with co-sponsoring clubs in Taiwan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ability to give 300+ people per year the gift of site is only one of the many great projects of RC Medan Deli.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsny2vWba0nrI_6pSmMaOOnUsZPP5v_XrTtzQYdt5RqUoJPMzzGUl6EtA7DGptoMbzULgUDgYSvEHvHO1deJ4RTUUzx3ySigEwJMJ0L_2m6ZwMXEowqpFUnQQGP65zC1yYUV7TH0S1NCY/s1600/IMG_7655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsny2vWba0nrI_6pSmMaOOnUsZPP5v_XrTtzQYdt5RqUoJPMzzGUl6EtA7DGptoMbzULgUDgYSvEHvHO1deJ4RTUUzx3ySigEwJMJ0L_2m6ZwMXEowqpFUnQQGP65zC1yYUV7TH0S1NCY/s320/IMG_7655.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Rotarian Sui Kim and the nurse at the clinic.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></span></span> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNPlXvv90B4LuNTdU_D2Ev7WBiHNoCzbuV81pST1H6qVXJJynFDgIGm1LIkHj_RZQ928THdoo03NlZvwqDWT2V8PB_b-wgdvpEom7KAQ-OSSpkN15oZH-U_fKbxj9sQztppKjDuYS1-c/s1600/IMG_7650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLNPlXvv90B4LuNTdU_D2Ev7WBiHNoCzbuV81pST1H6qVXJJynFDgIGm1LIkHj_RZQ928THdoo03NlZvwqDWT2V8PB_b-wgdvpEom7KAQ-OSSpkN15oZH-U_fKbxj9sQztppKjDuYS1-c/s320/IMG_7650.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Next I joined Past President Sarkunadas
to visit a second clinic.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This one was
completed just six months ago in November 2011 and acts as a general clinic and
also as a dental clinic on two days per week.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was great to meet the doctors there that volunteer their time to help
others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another great thing is that
these clinics are built right in the communities that they serve so people can
walk to ride a bicycle there and not have to travel long distances just for
basic medical care.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs-1R35Gjr8sFkesKrAEOMINnWpJhhPwMTQ02Gnskj9fIkWZ746JoSvFrnTrDciyuIFadZ0Y26Aif9JC36VJGHQsInNn3Cp3CNSMvctxp-oTpJueNzZQue_8jtLRD9Jy6VHOTO0DmZRM/s1600/IMG_7659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXs-1R35Gjr8sFkesKrAEOMINnWpJhhPwMTQ02Gnskj9fIkWZ746JoSvFrnTrDciyuIFadZ0Y26Aif9JC36VJGHQsInNn3Cp3CNSMvctxp-oTpJueNzZQue_8jtLRD9Jy6VHOTO0DmZRM/s320/IMG_7659.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The volunteer dentist in the new clinic.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Soon after we met up with President Pa
Bie Bie who is the driving force behind the Rotary club and also has his own
charitable foundation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He used to work
in the palm oil industry and has now “retired” to full time charity work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>He gave us a tour of the home for the elderly
that he is in the process of constructing which will open later this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Compared to old folks’ homes that I’ve seen
in America, this one is turning out to be quite exquisite!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There was a lot of effort put into the
gardens and landscaping including a meditation garden with shaded sitting areas,
ponds, and fountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was looking
more like a resort than an elderly home, so the geriatrics that live there will
definitely be comfortable.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcmbc8GCOR-JosYuGAKWliuPH-8npDIDhrt-eRsndaUk0VQVmKdjcVVJOxzuVTrxa937CuBpGQzF5DyTAGuMU5KK66zrVYYZTn2LYwmrDUMtsBhfUlVKu1fAitlZ7AeyPVuilQ-zuDWo/s1600/IMG_7666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglcmbc8GCOR-JosYuGAKWliuPH-8npDIDhrt-eRsndaUk0VQVmKdjcVVJOxzuVTrxa937CuBpGQzF5DyTAGuMU5KK66zrVYYZTn2LYwmrDUMtsBhfUlVKu1fAitlZ7AeyPVuilQ-zuDWo/s320/IMG_7666.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9fAI2vsKKtfeUaYf3lFG-DyVmLNi2sfsFNhpMusyPaMUw64nbzF9D3zFNkHArRRNx8OtGwXjCcjk3xgRyAHTPk717C_gHT7cJ7bCgb2hq_ITozgrb7MbgTWXN8lW6Og441xboUNU8Qo/s1600/IMG_7668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU9fAI2vsKKtfeUaYf3lFG-DyVmLNi2sfsFNhpMusyPaMUw64nbzF9D3zFNkHArRRNx8OtGwXjCcjk3xgRyAHTPk717C_gHT7cJ7bCgb2hq_ITozgrb7MbgTWXN8lW6Og441xboUNU8Qo/s320/IMG_7668.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Past President Sarkunadas, myself, and President Bie Bie.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oqjPKTm0K2wwHzq3e1VPZm37zP6mdV6WshpWTy-wVCEDPt0Qlv3Jox11Lr35Ec-QY2XPNrSSDqq6OEDnQUCH1eB6TusEgvL407y5rhwCBIpMPfJshwcDgZOtutML4hhhnOtJ6Dqi8Mc/s1600/IMG_7672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-oqjPKTm0K2wwHzq3e1VPZm37zP6mdV6WshpWTy-wVCEDPt0Qlv3Jox11Lr35Ec-QY2XPNrSSDqq6OEDnQUCH1eB6TusEgvL407y5rhwCBIpMPfJshwcDgZOtutML4hhhnOtJ6Dqi8Mc/s320/IMG_7672.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Constructing the meditation domes.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">We were able to meet the landscape
architect who explained to us his vision of creating a forest there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t wait to return in five years and see
how it all looks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Also included on the
ground are housing for monks, a vegetarian kitchen and herb garden for them,
and a Buddhist temple that will be used for ceremonies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it is finished, it will house about 110
people and include and community type center and maybe someday a school. </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaHzhhSIBfJcNUB1JwvUQ-i_6mm_yFdyE_t_F1BfAcLhMdWy3XkAFLE4c0G3jHTWrQ8uDr3Ppoz6h-yodTAeZ_sGdux1L4QCG6kPtN2LNW-WrTWq6B22Hb-ctIP-j1qBS1XIhC9Vqow4/s1600/IMG_7677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUaHzhhSIBfJcNUB1JwvUQ-i_6mm_yFdyE_t_F1BfAcLhMdWy3XkAFLE4c0G3jHTWrQ8uDr3Ppoz6h-yodTAeZ_sGdux1L4QCG6kPtN2LNW-WrTWq6B22Hb-ctIP-j1qBS1XIhC9Vqow4/s320/IMG_7677.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The visionary landscape architect with us in front of one of his creations. He was fascinating </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">as he's also been a journalist, opera singer/composer, artist, and has lived in NYC and Texas and Jakarta</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4vFXLEkyUGa-_QpE-IHOJLcDPC2nXLDTBqSiYQFtorSLqoNN-iUH8bEyJQiom9gWM9dQ0WlsNNiLkDcoqqvrkPZm9ocHgylbXw9hMtwCBN38U5sT9iYN7M8gCxjhLpVxpXm1vm2rl0/s1600/IMG_7681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRb4vFXLEkyUGa-_QpE-IHOJLcDPC2nXLDTBqSiYQFtorSLqoNN-iUH8bEyJQiom9gWM9dQ0WlsNNiLkDcoqqvrkPZm9ocHgylbXw9hMtwCBN38U5sT9iYN7M8gCxjhLpVxpXm1vm2rl0/s320/IMG_7681.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One more of RC Medan Deli's projects to help the community.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rKwnlvzYSZzIWv2UWoLJToW-Ij4txFFOarSuKQ1LghJwf3WDg7S-UoAyywhbxojGopFQ-_p7gtDYvfyOVvBR779Xx9UX6JsbkK_i6FIH96nEwJKD7bxVGv10aGBpTvjm8E_2o1R6ADE/s1600/IMG_7671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3rKwnlvzYSZzIWv2UWoLJToW-Ij4txFFOarSuKQ1LghJwf3WDg7S-UoAyywhbxojGopFQ-_p7gtDYvfyOVvBR779Xx9UX6JsbkK_i6FIH96nEwJKD7bxVGv10aGBpTvjm8E_2o1R6ADE/s320/IMG_7671.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Different community groups and members sponsored construction of some of the </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">units in the elderly home, including two by RC Medan Deli.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The great thing about cruising new
places with locals is the chance to indulge in delicious and unique food that
you would have never known where to find otherwise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were in a seemingly industrial area when
they pulled over and walked right into what looked like someone house, no sign,
no anything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A few minutes later we were
presented with some very yummy <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">nagasari </i>which
is a steamed cake made form flour, coconut milk and sugar, filled with bananas
and wrapped in a banana leaf.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Other delights were presented and I was informed that more was cooking
and in another hour or two the place would be packed with people coming way out
of their way from the city just to visit this place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Who would have known?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rotarian Sarkunadas, although I found out
that it was his birthday, was then kind enough to take me to a vegetarian restaurant
in the city which was buffet style, allowing me to try and bit of
everything.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s always fun to compare
type of cuisine with people from around the world as they are very interested
in what is the norm in America.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have
to always remind them that I don’t indulge in the typical American diet as I am
a vegetarian (with the exception of wild Alaska seafood </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Indonesia, even more so than Malaysia,
is famous for its batik.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can read a
description of the craft in my earlier post <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2011/12/around-town.html" target="_blank">here</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> B</span>atik actually comes from an old Javanese
word meaning “to dot" and I decided I couldn't leave Indonesia without taking some back with me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a fine man
who agrees to accompany a lady to the market for some shopping to pick out some
batik pieces especially on his DOB, haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I tried not to take too long, but the prints, patterns, and designs were
all so amazing that it was hard to choose!</span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Also, a big thank you to Past
President Sugoro for coordinating my visit and arranging for me to stay in his
guesthouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope that I can meet some
of these lovely Rotarians again before I leave SE Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwu0iZ9vN5mQKUZhJRR-ccUivM-AvTO8OU2_8OLT1KdCjS42MaLAuxL11Z68KpPPno3yVLfkPiZ_qDgvDiEf5qNRDv3f5kCaeHggr4j2ece_6c4vvzMSQC8wY6Yjr-udekert1R-HPuo/s1600/IMG_7685.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitwu0iZ9vN5mQKUZhJRR-ccUivM-AvTO8OU2_8OLT1KdCjS42MaLAuxL11Z68KpPPno3yVLfkPiZ_qDgvDiEf5qNRDv3f5kCaeHggr4j2ece_6c4vvzMSQC8wY6Yjr-udekert1R-HPuo/s320/IMG_7685.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Displaying my new batik blouse with Past President Sarkunadas and </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">his wife over a yummy Indian meal.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-4244396681470947682012-05-31T10:58:00.000+08:002012-05-31T10:58:33.156+08:00Chiang Mai: High Quality, Low Price<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBFdRwZjID9hV_gzciWhrABSGf6sJ5RSk3ZkoiB7AtcYBNdPb-d2sRZnaLV3u780BNrg-R_92yDYUGJhg3Txs7BRFTy2BankUq4pdanFUEqOhP3tGHcBVf_kMikLZXWZv-vwmxRcBBVg/s1600/IMG_7248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBFdRwZjID9hV_gzciWhrABSGf6sJ5RSk3ZkoiB7AtcYBNdPb-d2sRZnaLV3u780BNrg-R_92yDYUGJhg3Txs7BRFTy2BankUq4pdanFUEqOhP3tGHcBVf_kMikLZXWZv-vwmxRcBBVg/s1600/IMG_7248.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQBFdRwZjID9hV_gzciWhrABSGf6sJ5RSk3ZkoiB7AtcYBNdPb-d2sRZnaLV3u780BNrg-R_92yDYUGJhg3Txs7BRFTy2BankUq4pdanFUEqOhP3tGHcBVf_kMikLZXWZv-vwmxRcBBVg/s320/IMG_7248.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With our few short days in Chiang Mai we were able to fit in a more than reasonable amount of fun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We took advantage of Northern Thailand’s vibrant spices and flavors by indulging in a Thai cooking class, it was great to learn how to make curry paste from scratch and enjoy picking out the ingredients for the dishes we would make at the local market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJ_JOiU7NAPZPztM8X-b5QwKIMoYugc_WZAwdDg-HPwOwMki9m2rqkeCw-voZz-1sx4symJF-cxH4vLi9Mq6_UVLPgyo09lHSsEijoFHsuiV0yAJ2P0r38mXvyHjnPASzHRLbZZtR0I/s1600/IMG_7256.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmJ_JOiU7NAPZPztM8X-b5QwKIMoYugc_WZAwdDg-HPwOwMki9m2rqkeCw-voZz-1sx4symJF-cxH4vLi9Mq6_UVLPgyo09lHSsEijoFHsuiV0yAJ2P0r38mXvyHjnPASzHRLbZZtR0I/s320/IMG_7256.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7-Df4MVc1Kb_HVwzGu7wvifHfZg0CGG4yU34u7VyqSeKEF51t-e7kZznydScwndWbMfSYapZT9lComItrcCAHAYVQn6v2kD2QHh6AnOdndaDQ8N5G5uwQP5RFAejzrfwA9YmUazjlqE/s1600/IMG_7066.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjO7-Df4MVc1Kb_HVwzGu7wvifHfZg0CGG4yU34u7VyqSeKEF51t-e7kZznydScwndWbMfSYapZT9lComItrcCAHAYVQn6v2kD2QHh6AnOdndaDQ8N5G5uwQP5RFAejzrfwA9YmUazjlqE/s320/IMG_7066.JPG" width="320" /></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">At a recommendation of a friend, we checked out Woody’s Elephant Training and got up close and personal, and very filthy with some kind and fun elephants for a whole day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A few other self-indulgent activities we took part in were
of course the ridiculously cheap massages (decent 1 hr. massage for $4 USD,
sign me up!), and the chance to get some clothing tailor made.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We found a wonderful shop run by a pair of
Nepali women who had been living in Thailand for decades and I ended up with a
fantastic semi-formal silk dress, dress slacks, and a blouse.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All tailor cut to my measurements, with my
choice of material, and for cheaper than I would find at a department store in
America…what a concept!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Chiang Mai also
has an amazing weekend night market that we spent hours wandering around
admiring the handicrafts.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">One thing that makes Chiang Mai such a charming city it that
although the city has a population of around 200,000, and the metro area up to
almost 1 million, many conservation measures have been taken in terms of land
use planning policies that allow the city keep its feel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is a ban on high-rise construction
within 90 meters of a temple, the main river, and city walls/moats (old town is
surrounded by a moat), so with so many temples in the city that means many
areas without tall buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I think I
read that totals around 90% of the land within municipal limits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">My apologies for not providing much insight or
vivid descriptions in the last several posts, at this point I <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>just wanted to make sure and post some photos before
I get too back logged </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; line-height: 115%; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sometimes
this travelogue is more for me to remember than for anyone reading, haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hopefully I can post soon about the rest of
Thailand and recent Rotary activities before heading off to Sumatra tomorrow
and Laos next week!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only two months and
ten days left in S.E. Asia, oh my!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-23823036464714128172012-05-31T09:36:00.000+08:002012-05-31T09:36:22.129+08:00Chiang Mai: City of Wats<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After exploring the pleasant temple complexes of Sukhothai,
we hopped a questionable bus north to Chiang Mai to enjoy a relaxing few days
in the northern part of Thailand surrounded by mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mostly only able to explore the old town area
on foot, we were amazed at the number of temples within the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed like every 150 meters there was another
beautifully ornate wat; it turns out there are over 300 temples in Chiang
Mai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just up a hill overlooking the city
is a particularly impressive temple called Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Legend has it that at a temple down the hill
from Doi Suthep, there is Buddha relic that miraculously duplicated itself in
the 14<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> century.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As it was, the
relic was mounted on the back of a white elephant and the animal was let loose
to wander around until it “chose” a site on which a temple would be build to
house the Buddha relic the elephant was carrying.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When it reached the site it lay down and
died. </span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJvBTSot0ywpCM-ttDKA267FxFtQk3NeRs1Nl3YGHEtBOCZC11yHE0-2nrSljpAcN9T_BDRtaUY4Dma2SilKqnkqSBYeLFNE4V3eYYgjiU_IzA1kDJE4I79gbhrwnK5iTg4He8AW5OYg/s1600/IMG_7021.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTJvBTSot0ywpCM-ttDKA267FxFtQk3NeRs1Nl3YGHEtBOCZC11yHE0-2nrSljpAcN9T_BDRtaUY4Dma2SilKqnkqSBYeLFNE4V3eYYgjiU_IzA1kDJE4I79gbhrwnK5iTg4He8AW5OYg/s320/IMG_7021.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Adorable monk garden gnomes at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_oHj8aDlxYX3-lXp6WJubzGWH_AylT5CgzF-oLlNZsjnLha8d58lHVDReFL-lkbadSTyhCnt60hS3g60shsfOGJmPn_cAdGGRuKsBFb9rGS5cAOOvE8O65t9v0XJQKVfkdifFtOx4zc/s1600/IMG_7024.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF_oHj8aDlxYX3-lXp6WJubzGWH_AylT5CgzF-oLlNZsjnLha8d58lHVDReFL-lkbadSTyhCnt60hS3g60shsfOGJmPn_cAdGGRuKsBFb9rGS5cAOOvE8O65t9v0XJQKVfkdifFtOx4zc/s320/IMG_7024.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you haven't seen the cute movie <em>Gnomeo and Juliet</em>, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I highly recommend it. This scene made me think of it :)</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sacred durian tree?</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5p3U3Fp-l6cktRIsBHgbwTkecTuuC8_8ETZawtH5fXfRzqDxIsElmf-AUlW6Oay7ztlkF8KYQin6hNzYaDx0PiufitsegzZ5JapWRc68_8G_FsJuvgHzVhI2meWCcUp1K0QqBrFIJz8/s1600/IMG_7043.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5p3U3Fp-l6cktRIsBHgbwTkecTuuC8_8ETZawtH5fXfRzqDxIsElmf-AUlW6Oay7ztlkF8KYQin6hNzYaDx0PiufitsegzZ5JapWRc68_8G_FsJuvgHzVhI2meWCcUp1K0QqBrFIJz8/s320/IMG_7043.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Stunning gold painted pagoda at Wat Phra That Doi Suthep, </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">one of the most sacred in all of Thailand.</span></td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J17Di9DUPQdHDkBOIz6gu6qXKq-fZEz49ZBdb1vVqCR6A1DrrFGnWmpKicglNZd17qftamglSe_mm0fBf4AkMnQiTpGjZ4DHLclnv3__ZYa4cOkZ3HTp6fxQbWic4b4HDHfnZMNuEvI/s1600/IMG_7044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-J17Di9DUPQdHDkBOIz6gu6qXKq-fZEz49ZBdb1vVqCR6A1DrrFGnWmpKicglNZd17qftamglSe_mm0fBf4AkMnQiTpGjZ4DHLclnv3__ZYa4cOkZ3HTp6fxQbWic4b4HDHfnZMNuEvI/s320/IMG_7044.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of my favorite Buddha postures, the walking Buddha.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The beautiful grounds of Wat Phra Singh.</span></td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-33217267465599351902012-05-23T12:39:00.001+08:002012-05-23T12:58:00.856+08:00More Temples at Sukhothai UNESCO World Heritage Site<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After Ayutthaya we skipped town and headed north to
Sukhothai, about half way to Chiang Mai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This is the “low season” for tourism in this area of the country, not
because it’s the rainy season, but because it is so incredibly hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>While we were there, it reached 99<span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">°F!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Sukhothai Historical Park is beautiful and
well kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A nice way to see the many
temples is to rent a bicycle and cruise around for the day as the grounds are
super flat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were motivated to hop on
bikes, but by the time we checked into our guesthouse and developed a plan, the heat had
already penetrated our already tired bodies and we opted for a tuk-tuk
instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiding from the sun with the driver's son</span>.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">The Sukhothai Kingdom
existed from 1238 until 1438 and </span><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">the park has over 40 temple remaining
complexes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This was the first notable
kingdom of the Thai people (known as the Siamese by the Khmers).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The most well-know ruler of this time is
credited with inventing the Thai alphabet and there is a famous stone here on
which he recorded the history of Sukhothai.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Literally translated Sukhothai means “the dawn of happiness.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My best Mary Poppins impression.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xgiFhTLvV_EBqKjiOOCoDlFb0WzefDOeMSpqC2-R2Mygfba_HvC2e4KjJJ1ysjT3b8szwmGQ0BM3INFlwmbamkIlnFJAOztEgiuC4TGn3XwSIAB85YpEk5XyTkOtbTnMu9K3Onqr59I/s1600/IMG_6933.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2xgiFhTLvV_EBqKjiOOCoDlFb0WzefDOeMSpqC2-R2Mygfba_HvC2e4KjJJ1ysjT3b8szwmGQ0BM3INFlwmbamkIlnFJAOztEgiuC4TGn3XwSIAB85YpEk5XyTkOtbTnMu9K3Onqr59I/s320/IMG_6933.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Buddha's footprint.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-62171766073583450312012-05-22T16:13:00.002+08:002012-05-22T16:15:46.067+08:00Ayutthaya, Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our last day in the
Bangkok area, Tomoko arranged for us to meet with a colleague from her
newspaper in Japan who is working as a foreign correspondent.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds like a cool job, but also very
stressful as is in charge of reporting on the whole SE Asia region.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This means that when Malaysia has elections
that he will be visiting KL to report on the happenings.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">He was kind enough to take
us out for day of sightseeing outside the city.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>First we visited Bang Pa In, the summer palace of the kings of Thailand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s an interesting combination of European,
Chinese, and Thai architecture and the grounds were beautifully kept.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s located along the banks of the Chaopraya
River and you can see how they had to go to great lengths to prevent the site
from being flooded last fall when many areas in and around Bangkok were inundated.</span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial;">Thai-style pavilion with the rather daunting title of "The Divine Seat of Personal Freedom."</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The ruins at the Ayutthaya
Historical Park (UNESCO World Heritage site) were not so fortunate in terms of
the floods.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As we toured around, you
could see the water line on many structures that had been left as many areas
were surrounded by standing water for months. The ground had been saturated and softened under some of the temple structures so it was no longer safe to walk directly in and around them and had to be closed off only to be viewed from a distance.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Ayutthaya was the Siamese royal capital from 1250 to 1767, and a Khmer
outpost before that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sanskrit name
means “unassailable” or “undefeatable.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Many areas were damaged when the Burmese ransacked the place in 1767</span>.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bliss.</span></td></tr>
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<span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Later that evening he took
us to a German Brewery for dinner and entertainment and we met up with two other Japanese correspondents from other news agencies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It turned out that it was HUGE!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Touted as the “world’s best Thai-German bar
and restaurant,” it could probably fit 500 people on multiple levels.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It did a decent job at east-meets-west and some
pretty funny performances by well known Thai singers and dancers.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-19815701369568738822012-05-22T14:52:00.001+08:002012-05-22T14:52:27.946+08:00Bangkok in Between<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Even though I was in Bangkok for almost a
week, I only had a chance to do a little bit of sightseeing between all the
convention activities.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Coming from
Alaska, Kuala Lumpur seems like a big city, but going from KL to Bangkok is a
whole different story.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bangkok is home
to at least 7.5 million people with 14.5 million in the greater metro area. KL
can only claim 1.6 million, although the greater KL area is about 7.2 million.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned I was fortunate to stay with
a fellow Ambassadorial Scholar during part of my time in the city and
she had a beautiful view from the top of her building.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many more sky scrapers in Bangkok;
it’s really amazing to think of the sheer number people who live or work in
those buildings </span><a href="" name="_GoBack"></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">and how we all co-exist. For a charming account of living and studying in Bangkok, please check out Ashley's blog creatively titled <a href="http://ashleythaitales.blogspot.com/2012/05/health-is-human-right.html">Chasing Dreams and Curries</a>! She's really a much better blogger than I am, haha :) </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRtixEr1hVzwOb1Nn8SkwxrcXNArZHY8pcYghZzw_fP41jWZ4DfKJaHxKe_PkRgyBJHMCf5zbXVaGQaf7bypfBI974tzAkDfCqnHelLXW3mTPRNmBjhbX8AK-33012qGlrn5bKHDwb1U/s1600/IMG_6651.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnRtixEr1hVzwOb1Nn8SkwxrcXNArZHY8pcYghZzw_fP41jWZ4DfKJaHxKe_PkRgyBJHMCf5zbXVaGQaf7bypfBI974tzAkDfCqnHelLXW3mTPRNmBjhbX8AK-33012qGlrn5bKHDwb1U/s320/IMG_6651.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View of Bangkok from my friend's apartment.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">One afternoon I snuck out to visit the
famous Chatuchak Weekend Market. Throughout my travels I have tried to limit the amount of
goods/souvenirs/stuff that I buy, I still enjoy experiencing the markets just to see the crafts
and of course enjoy the local foods!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
heard that this market was particularly huge and sold everything from silks to
hip clothing, ceramics, fruits, puppies, birds, fish, and many other fluffy little creatures including these animals that looked something like baby squirrels
(for pets, not eating...I think).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
so large that there’s actually an information booth (if you can find it).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to check at the info booth just to find
my way back <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">out</i> of the market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapjO4NKQ9T28riMerkWjvFvuJhfBxA5GK3gMPjr-GfhcojOaqPaOJ_qVQAC2Mr38RbmZ-FrtM2QnPcc0B2TU8NHrJVYkR5naqXw0ttv6jTeSkehN7rqOMbLtNQlQmpJXhnXOoyfutDmk/s1600/IMG_6696.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgapjO4NKQ9T28riMerkWjvFvuJhfBxA5GK3gMPjr-GfhcojOaqPaOJ_qVQAC2Mr38RbmZ-FrtM2QnPcc0B2TU8NHrJVYkR5naqXw0ttv6jTeSkehN7rqOMbLtNQlQmpJXhnXOoyfutDmk/s320/IMG_6696.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Little turtles for sale at the Chatuchak Market.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As I mentioned in the last post, we had
several activities with a sister Rotary Club in Bangkok and one of them was a
night river boat cruise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It happened to
be on the night of the recent super moon so we were lucky to witness the huge
moon peaking in and out from behind the clouds over the Bangkok cityscape.</span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS-PJw1BtB_Gv2jiMxfFCRHXJLd0BwYxo3uVHL8ypQAcQtu78IT3XFMC3DvGwlov15H4lNLWGhUzD33pBvszrAIAYPlgZ2nFrpKHgvbHNJs-HND2E5B4ikmx0p8NAQtUiro5aznXDfQ4/s1600/IMG_6726.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJS-PJw1BtB_Gv2jiMxfFCRHXJLd0BwYxo3uVHL8ypQAcQtu78IT3XFMC3DvGwlov15H4lNLWGhUzD33pBvszrAIAYPlgZ2nFrpKHgvbHNJs-HND2E5B4ikmx0p8NAQtUiro5aznXDfQ4/s320/IMG_6726.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super moon rising over the banks of the Chao Phraya River, Bangkok.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReRfJScA3_tz7tKhbHAHTCl46GHuaRqQnc-5zmbbMVEcPlANs35wAPOSndbgmj0nH0fQdwcCMnHG6rMmEj3Dig8uXhfmGLa6y23otMtxFmXSdA90SJov_ie25Q7K-mbX46XALyIcFkfQ/s1600/IMG_6731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgReRfJScA3_tz7tKhbHAHTCl46GHuaRqQnc-5zmbbMVEcPlANs35wAPOSndbgmj0nH0fQdwcCMnHG6rMmEj3Dig8uXhfmGLa6y23otMtxFmXSdA90SJov_ie25Q7K-mbX46XALyIcFkfQ/s320/IMG_6731.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Grand Palace and Wat Pho where beautifully lit up at night. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hard to get good shots in the dark from a moving boat though!</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhuLfxmxoEMbzepRVAS5Vz80krEPREZuD2o9U4ZW2QofV7cdqyfqnUBbMsLhPSit6kjeYaR0SykkHGSjuEQ_uyoIhkg4IY-hCFK_1iGOXEwBOKkrYRgPCOWF3lg7Vn0ljWlPuSOr0WIc/s1600/IMG_6744.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAhuLfxmxoEMbzepRVAS5Vz80krEPREZuD2o9U4ZW2QofV7cdqyfqnUBbMsLhPSit6kjeYaR0SykkHGSjuEQ_uyoIhkg4IY-hCFK_1iGOXEwBOKkrYRgPCOWF3lg7Vn0ljWlPuSOr0WIc/s320/IMG_6744.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Temple of Dawn....at night.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59Ma8SdHaAP6P_OrWRHBp-nY2TPILy4t7F1TYGVHs_brRNaKvZ_HmwWEZcAZDabxvPVPvb62-3YSufP4qpcmaWm4BTTX64qrIPteMxBitxdlyhMWboL-rbkOnWgvll6BBMtxv2oXzCgA/s1600/IMG_6757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi59Ma8SdHaAP6P_OrWRHBp-nY2TPILy4t7F1TYGVHs_brRNaKvZ_HmwWEZcAZDabxvPVPvb62-3YSufP4qpcmaWm4BTTX64qrIPteMxBitxdlyhMWboL-rbkOnWgvll6BBMtxv2oXzCgA/s320/IMG_6757.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Super moon glowing from behind the cloud.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On one of the last days I headed out to
visit the Grand Palace and some Wats (temples) nearby.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew they closed for the day in the
mid-afternoon, so I made sure to rush over.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Well, unfortunately they don’t inform tourists when the Palace may
randomly be closed for the day due to the Prince visiting and things like that,
so when I showed up they said it had closed a noon and that I would have to
come back the next day, oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I did
get to visit Wat Pho which made up for my disappointment because it features
the largest reclining Buddha in Thailand.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In the reclining position it illustrates the passing of the Buddha into
nirvana (i.e. the Buddha’s death).</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOw_zsKFdhtSvyzFsIljLwL430kUHPOlJYkyl3WFrah9-JQIW-yIPztPe3-s9dS1H9MXlrnyRYSkElAYBBbGblvHL9zvy6lsavHpW8HZYv3Q23XYJKdFcXIlxsXzvWxIhisxjh2B-gII/s1600/IMG_6791.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIOw_zsKFdhtSvyzFsIljLwL430kUHPOlJYkyl3WFrah9-JQIW-yIPztPe3-s9dS1H9MXlrnyRYSkElAYBBbGblvHL9zvy6lsavHpW8HZYv3Q23XYJKdFcXIlxsXzvWxIhisxjh2B-gII/s320/IMG_6791.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO_ktv3tvsntdOFyTbgfmPVjbh0LWRaxY0-tnpG3A24qbSjDjVdrNr8TdHLwAQOphxzA7hYevgvTzmkCegNDFXEJPA8PuahGNEVbJHkoTKFRsU6ZyBK1eh9870aRcI56qtAZlyrqnaIc/s1600/IMG_6801.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtO_ktv3tvsntdOFyTbgfmPVjbh0LWRaxY0-tnpG3A24qbSjDjVdrNr8TdHLwAQOphxzA7hYevgvTzmkCegNDFXEJPA8PuahGNEVbJHkoTKFRsU6ZyBK1eh9870aRcI56qtAZlyrqnaIc/s320/IMG_6801.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is an impressive statue at 46m long and 15m high!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Wat Pho is also the national headquarters
for the teaching the preservation of traditional Thai medicine, including Thai
massage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So when you are hot, tired, and
dehydrated, you can slip into an air conditioned building on the grounds and
enjoy a foot massage</span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are many figures
around the temple area depicting yoga techniques in which the original purpose
was as visual aids.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCjzRvqc5VE7ZJvtS5HqSuIQxmP-9Ggg_R1s2vZW5MQfgPcoyDgD9nUmIY20szUN_bCTgOtb4Xm4kvxGIRvXcQSKtxQ8IV9HhLouizELpkM-ZBWn-_u92q60Mzdy4eDt1ikIA575ySDE/s1600/IMG_6824.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMCjzRvqc5VE7ZJvtS5HqSuIQxmP-9Ggg_R1s2vZW5MQfgPcoyDgD9nUmIY20szUN_bCTgOtb4Xm4kvxGIRvXcQSKtxQ8IV9HhLouizELpkM-ZBWn-_u92q60Mzdy4eDt1ikIA575ySDE/s320/IMG_6824.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span lang="EN-MY"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">From there I opted to take another route
back to the hotel by hopping a river boat taxi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>There were many locations along the river to catch a boat so I headed to
the nearest one.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I arrived and it looked
rather abandoned looking and there was no schedule so I thought I’d just wait a
few minutes and if no boat came then I would wander on my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Eventually I saw one coming my way but it
didn’t really look like it was slowing down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It came straight toward where I was standing and the attendant just
informed me to JUMP as the boat was still moving by!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Good thing I was wearing appropriate shoes or
else I might have ended up in the very dirty river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-24459421359306156042012-05-10T21:08:00.000+08:002012-05-10T23:41:36.356+08:00Rotary International Convention 2012 Bangkok<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lest some of you think that having the opportunity to attend conference/convention in a far away and desirable place is just an
excuse to enjoy a holiday, let me say that there is quite a bit of work involved and exhaustion
through the heart of it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are
sessions to attend, booths to visit, meetings with colleagues, partnerships and
networks to be formed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One must have
their game face on when attending a large international conference like this
one because you never know who you will run into or what opportunities can be had.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have only had the chance to
attend a few large conferences such as the Geological Society of
America Annual Conference and HydroVision.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I had no idea what to expect from an international conference with more
than 32,000 people registered to attend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>In addition, I was wearing two hats as you could say;<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was attending both as an Ambassadorial
Scholar and <a href="http://www.rotaract.org/" target="_blank">Rotaract</a> member.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFKhFUPs8PkQiBxPzLq8E2Nk-HhSHszii1gMqE55pcULspquCf2IEvb8cSfPXO7ZejAd0HRu5x6r1c3_hydRWgOUw9UqUpW_B-tqlOIDsqyQV_veBmBx1x14RebTulPaJdN5Mtvj1pfY/s1600/IMG_6675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFKhFUPs8PkQiBxPzLq8E2Nk-HhSHszii1gMqE55pcULspquCf2IEvb8cSfPXO7ZejAd0HRu5x6r1c3_hydRWgOUw9UqUpW_B-tqlOIDsqyQV_veBmBx1x14RebTulPaJdN5Mtvj1pfY/s320/IMG_6675.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a disclaimer, I apologize in
advance for all of the Rotary lingo that I’m sure I’ll use in this post.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It will seem vague to many people reading, and
I would love to explain more, it’s hard to go into detail about all the
different projects and programs that “make” Rotary as it is such a large
international organization that it takes on a culture of its own.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel like it’s one of those topics that the
more you learn, the there more there is to know!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If anyone wants more information please
contact me via e-mail or Facebook or whatever, I’ve heard for
some reasons it’s difficult to leave comments on the blog so just feel free to
contact me directly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I started out by arriving a few
days early to take part in the Rotaract RI Preconvention Meeting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was so great to interact with Rotaractors
from around the world, with especially large turn outs from Australia,
Malaysia, India, and Nepal!.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Rotaract community in Alaska is fairly small with only a handful of clubs in
the whole state, which makes sense based on the small population.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So it was a wonderful eye-opener for
me to see and learn how strong and engaging Rotaract is in other parts of the
world and what is possible, plus gain great ideas of possible future community
service projects and how to work closely with Rotary Clubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attended workshops on <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Doing Good in the World: The Rotary Foundation’s Areas of Focus</i> and
<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Connecting with Rotaract’s Global
Network, </i>as well as participating in some great fellowship activities
(social outings) that were organized.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon22SxtGpnu3vhWC-m7PufUQ52IX7EjIo6R2KZZpQtemUIzQuzcQkv-nThevmnUH_O1KSzCY3AL6UeXCUX37_3A_5aAZ4OfTXqcpMvUerUMcCIvWLSht75UJJFLt9iuO0gPkHf3xW0xM/s1600/IMG_6671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjon22SxtGpnu3vhWC-m7PufUQ52IX7EjIo6R2KZZpQtemUIzQuzcQkv-nThevmnUH_O1KSzCY3AL6UeXCUX37_3A_5aAZ4OfTXqcpMvUerUMcCIvWLSht75UJJFLt9iuO0gPkHf3xW0xM/s320/IMG_6671.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8zf2ncncuLwkE7rYUNlGTn0b_VU6PfffOfhSBlqrB39pc-szmZRYAE0wiRyfkD062mc0assPB1BxgMPi4UG2Afo69fjYAS2KVuDiDWXJQMm7QjtF0oH9BmW9UsbZx47WMYF_gfPG29I/s1600/IMG_6672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx8zf2ncncuLwkE7rYUNlGTn0b_VU6PfffOfhSBlqrB39pc-szmZRYAE0wiRyfkD062mc0assPB1BxgMPi4UG2Afo69fjYAS2KVuDiDWXJQMm7QjtF0oH9BmW9UsbZx47WMYF_gfPG29I/s320/IMG_6672.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After two days of Rotaract, I was
already exhausted and the formal convention hadn’t even begun! I attended a bit of the World Peace Symposium and next came the highly anticipated Opening
Plenary Session which featured a great display of Thai culture through music
and dance performances and a flag ceremony featuring all the countries Rotary
is active in (200+) including a few new ones such as Bhutan.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were probably 20,000 people in a huge
convention room for the first ceremony and you could really feel the energy and
refreshing diversity of volunteers coming together from literally every corner
of the world!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next few days were full of
breakout sessions, networking, and visiting with new and old friends from
around the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I attended sessions
focused on clean drinking water such as <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Planning
for Water, Sanitation and Hygiene Projects</i>, and <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Rotary International/USAID H20 Collaboration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></i>Rotary has recently formed a Water and
Sanitation Rotarian Action Group which is a global leadership initiative for
safe water (</span><a href="http://www.startwithwater.org/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.startwithwater.org/</span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I made sure to visit all the booths that
featured clean drinking water projects and new technologies.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m hoping to perhaps keep my options open
for doing more work in the humanitarian side of international water resources.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This convention was a great chance to meet
with other Ambassadorial Scholars from the SE Asia region, as we have all been
in touch online but mostly never met in person!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I want to say a special thank you
to a new/old friend Bangkok scholar Ashley (from California) who hosted me in
her apartment for my first three nights in Bangkok amidst all the craziness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was fantastic to compare experiences with
someone who speaks the same language, Rotary language that is, haha, it really
does suck you in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3SIqPWWDFekG64ilrpI52y_6DnBZ9baAmOQCwsOvTAg2CVYuq5ojcm3mDxIMhOICtkPfN9d_dJnevrWGAzWVlIsrTmhRBxk7YMQYEabodAp1bo4bdksq0q9OaBnL9eh729iVzkZ_Wlk/s1600/IMG_6678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjm3SIqPWWDFekG64ilrpI52y_6DnBZ9baAmOQCwsOvTAg2CVYuq5ojcm3mDxIMhOICtkPfN9d_dJnevrWGAzWVlIsrTmhRBxk7YMQYEabodAp1bo4bdksq0q9OaBnL9eh729iVzkZ_Wlk/s320/IMG_6678.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley and I after the World Peace Symposium.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Svw0Apjp-4eVXLYjS8MZ9jqkZgAQhozCoD2X2gL-wun6PypVkb3Rbw_jN-Msa6rpF_O1qH_3nkI4O_PXRXHaoazatSjA-yQZ7dbgfrf673UBIG8lnRjNJrO2KEqo1BRGXt5lJXpqns8/s1600/IMG_6772.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Svw0Apjp-4eVXLYjS8MZ9jqkZgAQhozCoD2X2gL-wun6PypVkb3Rbw_jN-Msa6rpF_O1qH_3nkI4O_PXRXHaoazatSjA-yQZ7dbgfrf673UBIG8lnRjNJrO2KEqo1BRGXt5lJXpqns8/s320/IMG_6772.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ashley and I and the guy who helped make it happen, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Jorge...our host counselor </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">through Rotary International who coordinated between our home and host districts</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
S<span style="font-family: Calibri;">omething else that anyone else
who has been to large conventions might be able to relate to is what I call <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">badge blig</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here, we started out with a simple name badge
and added on from there.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mine in no way
represented that I was an Ambassadorial Scholar, so I had to add that on
myself, then you got pins and stickers and tags based on whatever other groups
and activities you were associated with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the end, it was quite the assortment to carry around and I had to be
sure to remember to remove my garland before navigating the public transit of
Bangkok each night or I would have looked pretty silly/important(?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMJkv_4gYuWJ4anYAKfrNRTAR8f3OS_mhy7EYIUZoZAYVGF7hJND-8O4ZziSo-agWuIe_4rZkOHiTJL_RyYHE3MygrINQL8A63SWq3LJkm-j_DNO6NRg1iN_k93Zohuohv0e91E2WgqM/s1600/IMG_6694.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUMJkv_4gYuWJ4anYAKfrNRTAR8f3OS_mhy7EYIUZoZAYVGF7hJND-8O4ZziSo-agWuIe_4rZkOHiTJL_RyYHE3MygrINQL8A63SWq3LJkm-j_DNO6NRg1iN_k93Zohuohv0e91E2WgqM/s320/IMG_6694.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">There were many great less
serious activities to participate in during the conference as well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One night I was invited on a river cruise
with the sister club of my Malaysian host club (Rotary Club of Titiwangsa) and
another evening we attended the Host Hospitality Night which featured
speciality food from the many different regions of Thailand and also around the
world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was truly and extravagant
experience that included a cultural parade with what I call “food fairies”
prancing around with platters of amazing food goodies </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Another activity, that I didn’t participate
in unfortunately, included creating the so called “biggest smiling face in
Thailand,” since this is the country of a thousand smiles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mlshBKa5Fbm4cwf-RWFnO-utgUJhKJDpCRjRGYN5kCEEXT4TtiwoT_mqVGL4CKoM1FWjotHnQAfZSv5BespsKJg_LhkEBCc-iEuzc5xOK5X5Uc5n6yGDnaO15_0EmI6ACS6YBABYEto/s1600/IMG_6712.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3mlshBKa5Fbm4cwf-RWFnO-utgUJhKJDpCRjRGYN5kCEEXT4TtiwoT_mqVGL4CKoM1FWjotHnQAfZSv5BespsKJg_LhkEBCc-iEuzc5xOK5X5Uc5n6yGDnaO15_0EmI6ACS6YBABYEto/s320/IMG_6712.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My dear Malaysian host counselor Kiren and I on a dinner cruise.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0nAdJnfXqm-68p2C6E0IOyeLZ3iupiJK-jSXFmjRZIuadhE-p2EkBryGZxxyPRkGKLNtFDg24SifR3HMMfL_5OECwlJBZmhIr8lJb67qeHwMZvcdXAy5OzwoL1mQ-z4nkKDLsRQhlK4/s1600/smiling+face.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhu0nAdJnfXqm-68p2C6E0IOyeLZ3iupiJK-jSXFmjRZIuadhE-p2EkBryGZxxyPRkGKLNtFDg24SifR3HMMfL_5OECwlJBZmhIr8lJb67qeHwMZvcdXAy5OzwoL1mQ-z4nkKDLsRQhlK4/s320/smiling+face.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over 2,000+ Rotarians coming together to creat a vibrant smiling face :)</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakAFHx-p_T1jBH9FEq0qRSlHvk8wz8ZItDr5wvt7ldhoqcD-L5QmPLhD7-KzxvY2GZhQ4HZx3Te_zM6cqn9zvkzcP23QgU26aSuMuHofGYHhSwCrghY70iHBTEyyrXCHmkDhWVZod47A/s1600/IMG_6773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakAFHx-p_T1jBH9FEq0qRSlHvk8wz8ZItDr5wvt7ldhoqcD-L5QmPLhD7-KzxvY2GZhQ4HZx3Te_zM6cqn9zvkzcP23QgU26aSuMuHofGYHhSwCrghY70iHBTEyyrXCHmkDhWVZod47A/s320/IMG_6773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sorry so blurry, hard to capture prancing food fairies!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDiJIJrXP0VRL-GfJaBLBsw07A4PvQSAYBrbMP5QNtRdF-PvMqQuBYV8WVVu29-lItVnZe0S64fpuGU9COGhgJZetSXca9da0_1d-8JmpUWdk3M8ePJNvAhLcKy6PWGd2LhOaabHac-I/s1600/IMG_6777.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzDiJIJrXP0VRL-GfJaBLBsw07A4PvQSAYBrbMP5QNtRdF-PvMqQuBYV8WVVu29-lItVnZe0S64fpuGU9COGhgJZetSXca9da0_1d-8JmpUWdk3M8ePJNvAhLcKy6PWGd2LhOaabHac-I/s320/IMG_6777.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I think Bangkok did a swell job
of hosting such a HUGE event considering all of the logistics and planning that
go into bringing 30,000+ Rotarians together in one place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They did a great job of branding as we were
greeted with welcome signs and other Rotary project symbols almost everywhere
we went in Bangkok from the airport to billboards to our coffee cups!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzMfUadYpyzS9aGKzp_VVme80mJT1Buxu0H7EjVsCAmKXOTiJeLScJ4mpTj3Rhwbya9mFxRQlSaj3LjZPyK_mBpdgkdm7RflUTjqZxOrOXb9DmQFJFcdXYIDCuSJyCK-VvVz7E3YzTZI/s1600/rotary+coffee.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAzMfUadYpyzS9aGKzp_VVme80mJT1Buxu0H7EjVsCAmKXOTiJeLScJ4mpTj3Rhwbya9mFxRQlSaj3LjZPyK_mBpdgkdm7RflUTjqZxOrOXb9DmQFJFcdXYIDCuSJyCK-VvVz7E3YzTZI/s320/rotary+coffee.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Overall, I left the convention
feeling very inspired and even more grateful for the amazing opportunities
Rotary has provided me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I know we (as
Rotaractors/young people) will have some big shoes to fill based on the
accomplished and prominent Rotarians I had the chance to engage with.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-51021326706319817432012-05-03T17:16:00.000+08:002012-05-03T17:16:39.722+08:00KL Sunrise<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I procrastinated on finishing my
packing for Bangkok, which required me to wake up earlier than I would have
otherwise this morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it’s a good thing I did
because I was able to catch a splendid sunrise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course the photos don’t do it justice, but
I couldn’t pull myself away from the window. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully I still made it to the airport on
time!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1yMGGVXK4l2DsA0Z9mAVexySMs0rMTT5cWUjua5hvhvvY5RwEzIEj_J_IWtaLXohfQS-JEszlRvDljPo99m0DALBU4BI8ANPTEPeQ3xanSI_mkEPm_Rs2QXck67zlLNrIwH4NcNjxh0/s1600/IMG_6627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf1yMGGVXK4l2DsA0Z9mAVexySMs0rMTT5cWUjua5hvhvvY5RwEzIEj_J_IWtaLXohfQS-JEszlRvDljPo99m0DALBU4BI8ANPTEPeQ3xanSI_mkEPm_Rs2QXck67zlLNrIwH4NcNjxh0/s320/IMG_6627.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUrtyMbUMr0cGtyzgvWXGG83t-cxMFG5R5M6Q9airdO0LS6tNTWy1RXH2fOMlM6bO59h5vKNOqRW-geP_UrL2lamEZsOeux3HUbHqUwwujjqd2kb4gPqgZx1vc2oDDgbXB8S_oBiHP40/s1600/IMG_6636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyUrtyMbUMr0cGtyzgvWXGG83t-cxMFG5R5M6Q9airdO0LS6tNTWy1RXH2fOMlM6bO59h5vKNOqRW-geP_UrL2lamEZsOeux3HUbHqUwwujjqd2kb4gPqgZx1vc2oDDgbXB8S_oBiHP40/s320/IMG_6636.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-6WL1MwKrwmsK9By0MkaU2OQpNFgyudIQ2bN3N-VWJZfffJFZENlpF2R0Amt5gc8HYNbIrKDUTTLkD8ii35zJq5GqjuEQoazV59xFlPDID8mmlURhbIwXYGIHyh6ao8LbvUfraDdvQo/s1600/IMG_6638.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii-6WL1MwKrwmsK9By0MkaU2OQpNFgyudIQ2bN3N-VWJZfffJFZENlpF2R0Amt5gc8HYNbIrKDUTTLkD8ii35zJq5GqjuEQoazV59xFlPDID8mmlURhbIwXYGIHyh6ao8LbvUfraDdvQo/s320/IMG_6638.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nBj77M4y83dNagc6k4ipKRpel7wVe2GUvSdUPk7mly7VD4FfefA-dob63Me-teoWiy9UIIzXIcERGI2D5JvFh5nKq6PXmQjy3sVll7wUz2zM9CWJE_VQBdVC62JI53hC1y84tqv616c/s1600/IMG_6599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9nBj77M4y83dNagc6k4ipKRpel7wVe2GUvSdUPk7mly7VD4FfefA-dob63Me-teoWiy9UIIzXIcERGI2D5JvFh5nKq6PXmQjy3sVll7wUz2zM9CWJE_VQBdVC62JI53hC1y84tqv616c/s320/IMG_6599.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This one is from after the storm last night, but I just thought I'd throw it in.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-42527823304509637662012-05-02T15:32:00.001+08:002012-05-02T15:39:23.402+08:00More on the Trail to Everest<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">“<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">Climb the mountains and get their good
tidings. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Nature’s peace will flow into
you as sunshine flows into trees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
winds will blow their own freshness into you and the storms their energy, while
cares will drop off like autumn leaves</i>.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Mr.
John Muir said it well; I definitely felt nature’s peace flowing through me as
I found myself in the Himalaya.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I feel
like a half dozen more posts are necessary to really do justice to documenting
my Nepal travels and experiences amongst the Earth’s tallest mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But alas, another adventure beckons at my
door tomorrow as I head to Bangkok for the Rotary International Convention. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So I we’ll see what I can do to share a bit
more through photos.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Here are a few photos of the crew that I trekked with. 14 people total, 12 Malaysians, one Singaporean, and me! Some Rotarians, some relatives of Rotarians, and some non-Rotarians.</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmHUgL-nUZ4PeirJdwVGVDoIFHjaKA65esZIi_3CIrIFkfPUkPAFkvDWH5VA379aTcYpFDcCl_xMXJgQ7SUHleDvIb2Vflsw96tJSuAd9s-vPcarvS2d4aEYbQc0ccqc4JS7rm7q0FQ/s1600/IMG_5451.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgNmHUgL-nUZ4PeirJdwVGVDoIFHjaKA65esZIi_3CIrIFkfPUkPAFkvDWH5VA379aTcYpFDcCl_xMXJgQ7SUHleDvIb2Vflsw96tJSuAd9s-vPcarvS2d4aEYbQc0ccqc4JS7rm7q0FQ/s320/IMG_5451.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Crew.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV52Q1fDbDqWD_gdQt65xe9FnutaN9DwnNKiSInIrNoKPNoQ-t-V4Rf4-HGoM0oGqxAhB8CsuSVZMu37lyv76M-sJSkgioP0h9xULXZd9LCSH0qYuAKxP0TfKj9PF9Pm4NjJiVRROCUQ/s1600/IMG_5467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpV52Q1fDbDqWD_gdQt65xe9FnutaN9DwnNKiSInIrNoKPNoQ-t-V4Rf4-HGoM0oGqxAhB8CsuSVZMu37lyv76M-sJSkgioP0h9xULXZd9LCSH0qYuAKxP0TfKj9PF9Pm4NjJiVRROCUQ/s320/IMG_5467.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A selection of the colorful women in our trekking group.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNHaYTuWzp43PggBp7zDSJ75P1-hI3VvMjOkk9BrcAYU3Fci4o4M5Iw4bBd-KP67PuC8s3aQ4qyDv6RzNQo9wmL5UuK7sdpmqJ-avQze72028mRqALmEEDbzi4CFaVyjPpNPcGeInBu0/s1600/IMG_5959.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDNHaYTuWzp43PggBp7zDSJ75P1-hI3VvMjOkk9BrcAYU3Fci4o4M5Iw4bBd-KP67PuC8s3aQ4qyDv6RzNQo9wmL5UuK7sdpmqJ-avQze72028mRqALmEEDbzi4CFaVyjPpNPcGeInBu0/s320/IMG_5959.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_hh87ESf02eukfhK43X7NSDFRLTU83xjEz-PqCiFUchFrtIKF8tPHPOyFN-2_kZvtuybUcK1PIXOSGAZ18SmHVO3oo3Ckz_FJjKdfRi4JSV2CiT2q81qZNsCjQnES04Q46VdPGkNWY/s1600/IMG_6237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh80_hh87ESf02eukfhK43X7NSDFRLTU83xjEz-PqCiFUchFrtIKF8tPHPOyFN-2_kZvtuybUcK1PIXOSGAZ18SmHVO3oo3Ckz_FJjKdfRi4JSV2CiT2q81qZNsCjQnES04Q46VdPGkNWY/s320/IMG_6237.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Myself and another team member with the wonderful porters that carried some of our gear. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They sure made our trekking days a lot easier.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">It
was amazing to see the symbols of Sherpa culture and religion during out time
on the trail.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The Sherpa people are very devout Buddhists
and you can see this woven into the fabric of their lifestyles.</span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">They believe in numerous deities and demons that
inhabit every mountain, cave, and forest amongst other things.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujdqmOOC30AN1JGc95KxSycRJwnWrl6VIgP-z6ys6_jtxgicnk2P79m2mLGWnzQBzf-7XgQc5eift2FuOCHdCiWx_2LYUbBDh17wz7dx4ZvBvAx4A88qi5qqUJYYKvQBnBoGm7g4SJm0/s1600/IMG_5361.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgujdqmOOC30AN1JGc95KxSycRJwnWrl6VIgP-z6ys6_jtxgicnk2P79m2mLGWnzQBzf-7XgQc5eift2FuOCHdCiWx_2LYUbBDh17wz7dx4ZvBvAx4A88qi5qqUJYYKvQBnBoGm7g4SJm0/s320/IMG_5361.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Traditionally, prayer flags are used to promote peace, compassion, strength, and wisdom.<o:p></o:p></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">It is thought that prayers and mantras will be blown by the wind to spread goodwill and </span></span></span><br />
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">compassion into all the pervading space and bring benefit to all.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I7W2H69qs9OaSc4fz0I5c1VhFWqBYuP-156CdiKNwmOL6ynLatG80tEVUpaQisNtNtxSfc8vvyGFNKNyarl6L8TtfkhMVBNNCEAFmRkLJ6QOPvqDOzzrR7UlYJo5h10kVIln_EBNvPA/s1600/IMG_5383.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6I7W2H69qs9OaSc4fz0I5c1VhFWqBYuP-156CdiKNwmOL6ynLatG80tEVUpaQisNtNtxSfc8vvyGFNKNyarl6L8TtfkhMVBNNCEAFmRkLJ6QOPvqDOzzrR7UlYJo5h10kVIln_EBNvPA/s320/IMG_5383.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">On of many many of stupas along the way.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFzKM2MvRYsSkIL1keoHMTju8ZmXSN3yu6TUMOSoeOl7i8nhsnFkLOjs4mGNvK2rPDh3-gX6AkNA50ttJRuaNkIgbrhIq1nDhPo-1Ck9IXjayjLQJ6iMuKF09-oApE9wGLfH5juIeDgE/s1600/IMG_5258.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkFzKM2MvRYsSkIL1keoHMTju8ZmXSN3yu6TUMOSoeOl7i8nhsnFkLOjs4mGNvK2rPDh3-gX6AkNA50ttJRuaNkIgbrhIq1nDhPo-1Ck9IXjayjLQJ6iMuKF09-oApE9wGLfH5juIeDgE/s320/IMG_5258.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">We stayed in about nine different villages
along the way and trekked through many more.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I loved the names of the villages such as Namche Bazaar, Tengboche,
Dingboche, Gorakshep, Phortse, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqG5Ev4mJLay4rP0zOPQ-uslzy8Jq6Ec13rHTofs1T0MpZD07jz96jD-C9zXJ6FQLfy9C_AS8-3u5w-XU96obv4XafjMTEdis1kImcSHurf_AIggA1E22BAMfRQ_9hLZlSIQr7h12LYU/s1600/IMG_5691.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWqG5Ev4mJLay4rP0zOPQ-uslzy8Jq6Ec13rHTofs1T0MpZD07jz96jD-C9zXJ6FQLfy9C_AS8-3u5w-XU96obv4XafjMTEdis1kImcSHurf_AIggA1E22BAMfRQ_9hLZlSIQr7h12LYU/s320/IMG_5691.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dingboche from above.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-JYy34UCYrsuEDJFMx-3REx9GvkjlBNhSVzleD0Zz4TKH8MtfiF5j7PGb4lnkH5lxpEqvTDgK7TN4scdi2DXbQBWpewrBY4xs8jtEIg1a0yJ9T4q9TFXEgFhQHKdCunF9x7xz8-z0bE/s1600/IMG_5411.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO-JYy34UCYrsuEDJFMx-3REx9GvkjlBNhSVzleD0Zz4TKH8MtfiF5j7PGb4lnkH5lxpEqvTDgK7TN4scdi2DXbQBWpewrBY4xs8jtEIg1a0yJ9T4q9TFXEgFhQHKdCunF9x7xz8-z0bE/s320/IMG_5411.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">First light on Namche Bazaar (the largest village in the region) as seen from our bedroom lodge window.</span></td></tr>
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Of course I can’t say enough about the yaks
and other pack animals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although they
made the trail quite dusty at times, I couldn’t help but take photo after photo
of them in magnificent settings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At
higher elevations about tree line, they also provide another valuable resource,
poo!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where there is no wood to burn to
cook or keep warm, locals collect dung from the animals and dry it out to use
as fuel.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpoGnQmBUp7sIRBXMLUOZBfQQEUVaB_0Z04NfdSNdDeFAcgxhI4H2RbtZZ2I_clWlO-wnIjhF_ceUhHW7QEoNfSls1CN_1f6NR6c68rS06R4GIbGbvLdfU8SYYoaDHV-jKutOGfzXJgc/s1600/IMG_5424.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJpoGnQmBUp7sIRBXMLUOZBfQQEUVaB_0Z04NfdSNdDeFAcgxhI4H2RbtZZ2I_clWlO-wnIjhF_ceUhHW7QEoNfSls1CN_1f6NR6c68rS06R4GIbGbvLdfU8SYYoaDHV-jKutOGfzXJgc/s320/IMG_5424.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Yak dung drying for fuel.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c6L9bQd1cPk-CLc26qevoCvHE4xH5wDzrY-CI7Mugh4pU0tg57qxEkBRd669ltuZoMCNyB2XFBbduKvN9p4KEXTYO7ac5tLUWlfrwhbgnqi6t3ES82Y3vd30W5WIk6MruXVd8eJz8E4/s1600/IMG_6015.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_c6L9bQd1cPk-CLc26qevoCvHE4xH5wDzrY-CI7Mugh4pU0tg57qxEkBRd669ltuZoMCNyB2XFBbduKvN9p4KEXTYO7ac5tLUWlfrwhbgnqi6t3ES82Y3vd30W5WIk6MruXVd8eJz8E4/s320/IMG_6015.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Pack animals near Everest Base Camp.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span></o:p><span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Another
aspect of the trail that I found quite fascinating was the numerous suspension
bridges.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was amazing to see a train
of yaks with full packs crossing hundreds of feet about a raging river.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Just thinking of how they get all the
supplies there to build the bridges is mind boggling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">A big concern on the trail is avoiding acute
mountain sickness (AMS) commonly known as altitude sickness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Symptoms can include anything from general
fatigue, headache, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness/dizziness,
insomnia, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is one of the main
challenges of mountaineering, climbing and trekking above 8,000ft
(2,400m).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It effects everyone
differently, and some people not at all!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’m happy that felt great for most of my time on the trail with just two
noticeable headaches and some lightheadedness.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I felt like the lightheadedness actually enhanced my trekking at one
point as I felt like I was floating across the trail surrounded by an
amphitheater of glorious peaks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is
a medication you can take to reduce symptoms called Diamox, but it has many
side effects that I didn’t want to deal with including tingling fingers/hands
and the incessant need to urinate as you must drink tons of water if you
take it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I found that consumption of
Ibuprofen did the trick and it was convenient that a <a href="http://www.npr.org/blogs/health/2012/03/21/149064059/high-altitude-got-you-down-try-ibuprofen" target="_blank">study</a> came out right before I left verifying that it is shown to
prevent altitude sickness. We took two layover days on the way up to acclimatize. </span></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: small;"><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">The joy and beauty of being in the mountains
was overwhelming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As you climb higher
and higher the scenery just gets better and better and better until you come
around a corner towards the last village and are presented with an amphitheater
of unimaginable mountains in every direction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It was hard to keep your eyes on the trail to prevent tripping (as we
were hiking across a glacial moraine at that point) when there were so many
majestic mountains to witness including Everest (29,029 ft), Lhotse (</span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">27,940 ft)</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">, and Nuptse</span><span lang="EN" style="color: black; font-size: 11.5pt;"> </span><span style="color: black; font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">(25,791
ft)</span><span lang="EN" style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11pt; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_HvaveyeJXbxjcDDvmNCE05qsOHusw5rZqIIw488qU1ChsohvP0C4-Fnfoj0Yq_Dzhzep9oKUJZAZ-kESGRy84KZJdK3dmdlkozJY4l5tm1e5RvR96mVPZI2_ICCf_LF48okQGCfT3w/s1600/IMG_5773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjB_HvaveyeJXbxjcDDvmNCE05qsOHusw5rZqIIw488qU1ChsohvP0C4-Fnfoj0Yq_Dzhzep9oKUJZAZ-kESGRy84KZJdK3dmdlkozJY4l5tm1e5RvR96mVPZI2_ICCf_LF48okQGCfT3w/s320/IMG_5773.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">View from the village of Labuche.</span></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwdO1nE_NEhOBKDYiY2PWNobo70eaxE2vAjCw62gDm6NnV9V2HBE7t1e1VQZl0fqUwQboasbNPRpnXZ0f8nfsm-fe_tp_l7oYLOOr3vOCrINoq_J4w_A5VlzOCfTJi8376PMILcVuAHc/s1600/IMG_6034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipwdO1nE_NEhOBKDYiY2PWNobo70eaxE2vAjCw62gDm6NnV9V2HBE7t1e1VQZl0fqUwQboasbNPRpnXZ0f8nfsm-fe_tp_l7oYLOOr3vOCrINoq_J4w_A5VlzOCfTJi8376PMILcVuAHc/s320/IMG_6034.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The moon setting as a few of us trekked up Kala Pattar at 5am.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIeIEFzZV9L_Fg7nzdCIlcTyWQPyNq1AECxKmiZAwejnfwS0Iw4EtAggWhLQAxzV2fzuPo_94qvnWA4GBbT-n5uEM2eb9wcIV1GNOHQp9TJEv-OqVKQ9is1Fu2tCkmlEewAFIEcTipSI/s1600/IMG_6040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWIeIEFzZV9L_Fg7nzdCIlcTyWQPyNq1AECxKmiZAwejnfwS0Iw4EtAggWhLQAxzV2fzuPo_94qvnWA4GBbT-n5uEM2eb9wcIV1GNOHQp9TJEv-OqVKQ9is1Fu2tCkmlEewAFIEcTipSI/s320/IMG_6040.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The peak of Mt. Everest emerging as we ascended with the sun rising from behind </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">illuminating the snow blowing off the summit.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJsdxgsgmtjTon01qdqpas_rbUowynsfYURouZMxcdjLkKMT57sKaYdyuv1zyio6-fZeMftzMED0GdO2an4jaJlv0Ghqc4vtOX3_Bzuh3AXsSUq5Q6xxs71rT4tQsiTnjnGhYkDZpfkg/s1600/IMG_6030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnJsdxgsgmtjTon01qdqpas_rbUowynsfYURouZMxcdjLkKMT57sKaYdyuv1zyio6-fZeMftzMED0GdO2an4jaJlv0Ghqc4vtOX3_Bzuh3AXsSUq5Q6xxs71rT4tQsiTnjnGhYkDZpfkg/s320/IMG_6030.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraJHVm_tDtYupWfQ4ge6px3kDai8MROnQjnQ7oC8uHwhscAqA5lAKJwa5rkuo1te8NfnSsS1hmNMPd9sKbuIJdf044xNVPiIbiHrRgtz_0YvJNcrmGt0zY5MldzZw5hxB2Dqg4HwsWXc/s1600/IMG_6074.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiraJHVm_tDtYupWfQ4ge6px3kDai8MROnQjnQ7oC8uHwhscAqA5lAKJwa5rkuo1te8NfnSsS1hmNMPd9sKbuIJdf044xNVPiIbiHrRgtz_0YvJNcrmGt0zY5MldzZw5hxB2Dqg4HwsWXc/s320/IMG_6074.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Toward the summit of Kala Pattar (in the foreground). Pumori in the background.</span></td></tr>
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</span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-73679805843880478002012-04-29T17:39:00.000+08:002012-04-29T17:39:26.739+08:00Kuala Terengganu<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">In addition to enjoying the soul
soothing island of Leng Tengah, we also squeezed in some sightseeing and
cultural experiences on the mainland of the state of Terengganu thanks to the
kindness of some wonderful Rotarians.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Terengganu is one of the most ethnically Malay states in the country and
we spent some time in the capital of Kuala Terengganu (population: 360,000).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was nice to experience a quiet, more laid
back side of Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span>
<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiyHtuVDH6_0aOp6XEzzN6BPOhyphenhyphensP13xi42iGe9XYk_Gzhjs8NWPle2eI4NKjNPo9M1qNKRX7NLwghA2JtExURE5S1kTaG8HzvczaOUBJy0w1QcHD3rkIvs_lGrXoAehREOS_c8Tj-n4/s1600/IMG_6386.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBiyHtuVDH6_0aOp6XEzzN6BPOhyphenhyphensP13xi42iGe9XYk_Gzhjs8NWPle2eI4NKjNPo9M1qNKRX7NLwghA2JtExURE5S1kTaG8HzvczaOUBJy0w1QcHD3rkIvs_lGrXoAehREOS_c8Tj-n4/s320/IMG_6386.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Coastline of Kuala Terengganu</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Before the island we visited the
Terengganu State Museum which is touted to be the largest museum in SE
Asia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We only had a few hours so we didn’t
get to see every exhibit, but there were wonderful and informative displays of
textiles (history of batik), royal regalia, crafts, and a important historical artifact-
a stone carved with Jawi (traditional Malay text) that dates the arrival of
Islam to the nation.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Replicas and
statues of this stone are seen all over the town in traffic circles, parks,
etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We practically had the entire
museum to ourselves.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ps-RBPvsJUTqjDWP4VejVWJLb1Frf2iAZx-itnC69c-kA_Muo42iH7dTWoLxLvMiYiUVn9lcCL98YIa2cAEPdSL56404LFxTHk1MOYnDaxCCjQWo3a5sgroTtNTB-XrrsRNvk8xP_H8/s1600/IMG_6385.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9Ps-RBPvsJUTqjDWP4VejVWJLb1Frf2iAZx-itnC69c-kA_Muo42iH7dTWoLxLvMiYiUVn9lcCL98YIa2cAEPdSL56404LFxTHk1MOYnDaxCCjQWo3a5sgroTtNTB-XrrsRNvk8xP_H8/s320/IMG_6385.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Terengganu State Museum</span><br />
</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Rotarians were so helpful in
transporting us around, sharing their knowledge, and treating us to local
food.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wouldn’t have been possible
without them as K. Terengganu is practically void of taxis.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t help but include this photo of a
typical Malaysian dessert which I believe is called <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ais kacang</i> (bean ice) or <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">'<i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ABC</i>' (acronym for Air Batu
Campur</span><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span lang="EN"> </span></i>meaning
‘mixed ice’).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It can come in a variety
of forms but its basically shaved ice with red beans, sweet corn, grass jelly, and
can also include cendol, evaporated/condensed/coconut milk, and then drizzled
with some kind of sweet syrup.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Needless
to say, I did not order this concoction, but I have indulged in tastings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQUPLNWhv4-_0qUR8ZjrM3ecy30TNWNQST0-AdYMEE2NlmDhUIL1wZ_xAKyA-kZ2ebtWIjDMOtV3UmW0QygmQ9HL_U3yelcHYQ3VqWmcLxC1FvudXPgCXPW6OFVW_hlKx6LYdr7eJ2Vs/s1600/IMG_6390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEQUPLNWhv4-_0qUR8ZjrM3ecy30TNWNQST0-AdYMEE2NlmDhUIL1wZ_xAKyA-kZ2ebtWIjDMOtV3UmW0QygmQ9HL_U3yelcHYQ3VqWmcLxC1FvudXPgCXPW6OFVW_hlKx6LYdr7eJ2Vs/s320/IMG_6390.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ais kacang</span></td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On our way back through town from
the island, I had a chance to visit Taman Tamadun Islam, the world’s first
Islamic civilization park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It seemed so
odd that I couldn’t pass it up.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is
essentially a series of miniature models of famous Islamic landmarks from
across the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Where else can you see
the Taj Mahal (India), The Sacred Mosque (Mecca, Saudi Arabia), and the Minaret
(China) all in one location?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were
20+ replicas, most of them were just replicas of the outside, but a few you
could go inside and were complete with stain glass and all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were informative sign boards, but they
mostly discussed the architecture of the mosques and I felt they could have
given more context and historical details for someone who isn’t all that well
versed in Islam as it exists around the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The park was big enough that I rented a bicycle for $2USD and cruised
around the quiet park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was definitely
the only foreigner there and only non-Muslim so I must have looked pretty
strange riding a bike around in the middle of heat of the afternoon in my skirt
with bare legs, but oh well.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can
also take boat rides and enjoy a carousel and other small rides.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The brochure calls it a “one stop edutainment
park.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I believe it was constructed
sometime within the last 10 years and was fairly new looking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFC64cN6MQ_Et_NEaoHdlG54gmqrbrlYlH5sn92X9Q-igPDGtqg1-31us9lp21_9acVq5bJqCaFSzwr3TlZ8EoqTRTXfUW2odA7uWt7BtqtIAcKaQS4T48bequ6PP_Hsk_xEX5oQlNtE/s1600/IMG_6475.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyFC64cN6MQ_Et_NEaoHdlG54gmqrbrlYlH5sn92X9Q-igPDGtqg1-31us9lp21_9acVq5bJqCaFSzwr3TlZ8EoqTRTXfUW2odA7uWt7BtqtIAcKaQS4T48bequ6PP_Hsk_xEX5oQlNtE/s320/IMG_6475.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kul Sharif Mosque, Russia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwneu6LXamVoMAhAFXUaYXRbFM0AqCAPD-kb9Fx5HPXbw61bPi9Jq3uOEJ_5V8byb1ZvxMvSe5lvyMvQGKqng1ASx4qmi3x5DdFCYunshoIuOT_TpdYNLOblWOMl9ThaqQFeYiBOy7k4/s1600/IMG_6477.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGwneu6LXamVoMAhAFXUaYXRbFM0AqCAPD-kb9Fx5HPXbw61bPi9Jq3uOEJ_5V8byb1ZvxMvSe5lvyMvQGKqng1ASx4qmi3x5DdFCYunshoIuOT_TpdYNLOblWOMl9ThaqQFeYiBOy7k4/s320/IMG_6477.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Suleyman Mosque, Turkey</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_-gIy1P072J2mYZmIk1CAGO7ofwtWkohHAmlktJrxDb0l7Fo3vbXxNVJAjOSzr6GCBBVNXhY9uJBunvvzxCKkSLpRrUXAd8ORQIQZ9ms6jQp9kjgLictIr4aI6BGYTnK8MxUOUrNX80/s1600/IMG_6483.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj_-gIy1P072J2mYZmIk1CAGO7ofwtWkohHAmlktJrxDb0l7Fo3vbXxNVJAjOSzr6GCBBVNXhY9uJBunvvzxCKkSLpRrUXAd8ORQIQZ9ms6jQp9kjgLictIr4aI6BGYTnK8MxUOUrNX80/s320/IMG_6483.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Aleppo Citadel, Syria</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-NPjeGtbCKqMVkyYZTyjZN97GGdQZK5NKWXAOqr2PjU10bvPtc6sTz-aHcfCOVJy618TpUkS831vOg6DSaGnok0qulo-Ke5Fo_cvD_TAEivH1a1liQioQjt9vcUlJShPnZZkG5a2lf4/s1600/IMG_6487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7-NPjeGtbCKqMVkyYZTyjZN97GGdQZK5NKWXAOqr2PjU10bvPtc6sTz-aHcfCOVJy618TpUkS831vOg6DSaGnok0qulo-Ke5Fo_cvD_TAEivH1a1liQioQjt9vcUlJShPnZZkG5a2lf4/s320/IMG_6487.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Sacred Mosque (Masjidil Haram), Mecca, Saudi Arabia</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3OGKZNpEGjL9NYb3mdpdTpWskDdFS58aPjpDxgFgpGYbI0rIxlUHh7Od4LeJE7pQXqTQCCZ1a0iQmPHpYty9AfvkgQtL8urCRBBgBgKQHYL5-A_xz3Kp_KVsGWyXu43-SGNYiPGILog/s1600/IMG_6493.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht3OGKZNpEGjL9NYb3mdpdTpWskDdFS58aPjpDxgFgpGYbI0rIxlUHh7Od4LeJE7pQXqTQCCZ1a0iQmPHpYty9AfvkgQtL8urCRBBgBgKQHYL5-A_xz3Kp_KVsGWyXu43-SGNYiPGILog/s320/IMG_6493.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Taj Mahal, India</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lFbJCfCGk8pgYHdPZVIz6vZ5_H3AkPkRGzhOApEFpgg-Bu_7r1WCpa0uwKXQ_CJo-cdsKVbdik5hQGORR2wVGJIEJjNhH3i_aWLMyXDMuXYZRx8sW0SErU3WO_eQ1rKnTKetJqa8UAc/s1600/IMG_6494.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3lFbJCfCGk8pgYHdPZVIz6vZ5_H3AkPkRGzhOApEFpgg-Bu_7r1WCpa0uwKXQ_CJo-cdsKVbdik5hQGORR2wVGJIEJjNhH3i_aWLMyXDMuXYZRx8sW0SErU3WO_eQ1rKnTKetJqa8UAc/s320/IMG_6494.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: black; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a shrine built around a rock. According to Islamic tradition, the rock is the spot<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;"> </span></sup>from </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">which Muhammad ascended to Heaven accompanied by the angle Gabriel. </span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Another highlight right outside
of the park is the Crystal Mosque.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
the first and only mosque built from steel and glass which gives it is crystal
like image.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Its build on a jetty out
into the Terengganu River and did offer an exhibit with much more information
about Islam.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had to wear a robe and
headscarf to enter and within the 10 minutes I spent inside I probably sweated
my body weight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I mentioned before, it’s
just getting hotter and hotter here and the temperature was around 34C/93F
outside plus 85% humidity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6PXbkvF8p0EyTYW2RnuMjiAm8Ys29_lwVs9HfcPZtKIW-AQYWi2p9liqTq4wjNxGGw2hdCk65tXIvLavWL1Tk8w0931Gh60dwvmtGnzDd4zSLXeeTCaNZbiX6tmosYv1MJgwcBSXS70/s1600/IMG_6499.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj6PXbkvF8p0EyTYW2RnuMjiAm8Ys29_lwVs9HfcPZtKIW-AQYWi2p9liqTq4wjNxGGw2hdCk65tXIvLavWL1Tk8w0931Gh60dwvmtGnzDd4zSLXeeTCaNZbiX6tmosYv1MJgwcBSXS70/s320/IMG_6499.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVeTc1Lyol07lEKFu9ncXPEz2mD9OuUUitALunIYVKrrmLYI_y0H72GlkRAOLdAqU_iFVVNuVpSQnuq4vkwQ1cHRPkTAsl825I0LORRAvjgTNfk0iaroSF3PtVUbsFgj7lDSoSGdKa5o/s1600/IMG_6500.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXVeTc1Lyol07lEKFu9ncXPEz2mD9OuUUitALunIYVKrrmLYI_y0H72GlkRAOLdAqU_iFVVNuVpSQnuq4vkwQ1cHRPkTAsl825I0LORRAvjgTNfk0iaroSF3PtVUbsFgj7lDSoSGdKa5o/s320/IMG_6500.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Lastly, right before we went to
the airport we joined some Rotarians for a quick visit to the community’s Wesak
Day celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Wesak Day is informally
called Buddha’s Birthday as it celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and passing
away of Buddha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We stopped by the
Buddhist Society center where they were preparing for a candle light procession
to commemorate the day with youth and adults from different groups lining up
and distributing candles in lotus flower holders. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjcAOD4XeS9brGpEzfnxWdO9NFw8OZ7eU6ifsu_kW7ulJSqFVK-EWc4NQHnPDG8JT1JKllOnDOFKxZb32RCIqVeQcw0G6ljI6JZ3RSF2owi9F5gXCfCIGtQzTZdSkMO1Ax2ZSbyTZha0/s1600/IMG_6503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEjcAOD4XeS9brGpEzfnxWdO9NFw8OZ7eU6ifsu_kW7ulJSqFVK-EWc4NQHnPDG8JT1JKllOnDOFKxZb32RCIqVeQcw0G6ljI6JZ3RSF2owi9F5gXCfCIGtQzTZdSkMO1Ax2ZSbyTZha0/s320/IMG_6503.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEjrItleK0wf1UWEeY7WIigRE7Tv7NfRj1GcWtCJs_JPgBXYbAcs9a3gCVLYHeg87jkMyqai8U9xcnwRQcPC7TZRpbk3HnlhSasTRSCEr11lHldaG09lu2XWkUu9n-qZ4WiI28wM8wCE/s1600/IMG_6506.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcEjrItleK0wf1UWEeY7WIigRE7Tv7NfRj1GcWtCJs_JPgBXYbAcs9a3gCVLYHeg87jkMyqai8U9xcnwRQcPC7TZRpbk3HnlhSasTRSCEr11lHldaG09lu2XWkUu9n-qZ4WiI28wM8wCE/s320/IMG_6506.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavadXYnZ3VndYpIz-ik4iqvLFmpDMiSMfDXiL6HsWm1HPV_dj_x_8fK5qrqGzkBsgqS-tkDLZRhpWLx-a1jDyebsCSSVmREkW8Yx7EPytYvh5_Gls5WFiUlNprSmEUX9zp8L5pCDzv7Q/s1600/IMG_6509.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgavadXYnZ3VndYpIz-ik4iqvLFmpDMiSMfDXiL6HsWm1HPV_dj_x_8fK5qrqGzkBsgqS-tkDLZRhpWLx-a1jDyebsCSSVmREkW8Yx7EPytYvh5_Gls5WFiUlNprSmEUX9zp8L5pCDzv7Q/s320/IMG_6509.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although a quick trip, I really
enjoyed experiencing this edge of Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Everyone was so kind, friendly, and welcoming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope to visit again as there is definitely
more to see!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s a few more photos from the
island to make you feel warm and relaxed:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwIi7TPEnsanwkbXn8KDiXRFSSazohjsvG95YJcR2oGhv2xkgUIz6a1HMWaz4aN6k6CTFgC-Z-3q4nt99f8S6tRduCe7wl5VZpu3RaVn6U80ikjb0HlkMYvCiFgms2dppFr4uCHAtyc/s1600/IMG_6455.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizWwIi7TPEnsanwkbXn8KDiXRFSSazohjsvG95YJcR2oGhv2xkgUIz6a1HMWaz4aN6k6CTFgC-Z-3q4nt99f8S6tRduCe7wl5VZpu3RaVn6U80ikjb0HlkMYvCiFgms2dppFr4uCHAtyc/s320/IMG_6455.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNoXUtmCPXbTaPGZ-0cGyc_KoeuiHhxtcxqcW8u9AEVuSRGWxG4eQyE-rgLT6VIa9_YGT4sMun_1trDJZ8urdI82ET2CwS9HtiqzG6sVht9GU3tYaGg5mMOXjxPwAkij_z2AYLIdGMms/s1600/IMG_6462.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNoXUtmCPXbTaPGZ-0cGyc_KoeuiHhxtcxqcW8u9AEVuSRGWxG4eQyE-rgLT6VIa9_YGT4sMun_1trDJZ8urdI82ET2CwS9HtiqzG6sVht9GU3tYaGg5mMOXjxPwAkij_z2AYLIdGMms/s320/IMG_6462.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Although very different from Lake Tahoe, some landscapes here reminded me of the beautiful body of water near where I grew up. This scene with the shades of blue reminds me of Tahoe's blue water, and blue mountains, against the blue sky.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi46gJCz9_i0ena9FwXCiEukAQVKekZPKTn4uPmqdegJLdbtq889Ilcx50RCfVcAkDHAOAP5MzoEwR8mVjwkftm0T31wfaSYp-ruCMA5_YOd8_v4Es9wbGv6vSppvRtNnTPkSVuujLOdMg/s320/IMG_6471.JPG" width="320" /></div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_1FlXSnr3Xc7gVwS92j4i1uTAA78QTCKJ5OqGZRPhVF4JM2sKeFoBsXaAI12-_RJsd2Neuzkw6dTQ_Q8fMKJD6aigiA8p-iOLy0epNulFyPVj8J5J5-wSLTZZmDlld6xMFtUXlC3tAc/s1600/IMG_6473.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih_1FlXSnr3Xc7gVwS92j4i1uTAA78QTCKJ5OqGZRPhVF4JM2sKeFoBsXaAI12-_RJsd2Neuzkw6dTQ_Q8fMKJD6aigiA8p-iOLy0epNulFyPVj8J5J5-wSLTZZmDlld6xMFtUXlC3tAc/s320/IMG_6473.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This pier reminds me of the one below from Nevada Beach at Lake Tahoe.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThzuANsvqPqvmvPFL8gl0l0oHk2BmEsu2J6LdK99JqnWXNobti7SfrnPsYFGi4BSd9kdrHIbgRyTLCcU9xBQpkEdDmg4ty0tb2ZAow6ztUt729fyjU6Ejqt-yAyPVE3EldlhV3KeXllE/s1600/Tahoe+pier.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgThzuANsvqPqvmvPFL8gl0l0oHk2BmEsu2J6LdK99JqnWXNobti7SfrnPsYFGi4BSd9kdrHIbgRyTLCcU9xBQpkEdDmg4ty0tb2ZAow6ztUt729fyjU6Ejqt-yAyPVE3EldlhV3KeXllE/s320/Tahoe+pier.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lake Tahoe</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /></div>
</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-14431773880855129432012-04-28T20:42:00.000+08:002012-04-28T20:51:08.296+08:00Bersih 3.0<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LSHKs927Vl1a4X9z-xHicmk4tl-5Q8qtI_KcX_MNl7s5IIdvweh7sKPl1PklYIzPUXeE0eObT1NJnhTkCiHFbOZY4yzVBueHOonytdxAv158aeORAT9hwIKAzDGyJWWsUb2RFSmxFUw/s1600/IMG_6543.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4LSHKs927Vl1a4X9z-xHicmk4tl-5Q8qtI_KcX_MNl7s5IIdvweh7sKPl1PklYIzPUXeE0eObT1NJnhTkCiHFbOZY4yzVBueHOonytdxAv158aeORAT9hwIKAzDGyJWWsUb2RFSmxFUw/s320/IMG_6543.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Freshly back to the big city from
a nice time on the tropical East Coast, I jumped at a chance to join in the
Bersih 3.0 demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Bersih, which
in Bahasa Malaysia means “clean”, is a coalition for free and fair elections
and is made up of NGOs with the aim or revising the current electoral system to
ensure fair elections in Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of
the demands for clean politics/elections include:</span><br />
<ol start="1" type="1">
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpFirst" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Clean the electoral roll<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reform </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_voting" title="Postal voting"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">postal voting</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> (Malaysians living abroad
cannot vote unless military personnel or students)<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Use of </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indelible_ink" title="Indelible ink"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">indelible ink</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A minimum </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Political_campaign" title="Political campaign"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">campaign</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;"> period of 21 days <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Free and fair access to </span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Media_of_Malaysia" title="Media of Malaysia"><span style="color: windowtext; text-decoration: none; text-underline: none;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">mainstream media</span></span></a><o:p></o:p></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Strengthen public institutions<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stop corruption<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
</span>
<li class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal; mso-add-space: auto; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto; tab-stops: list .5in;"><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-small;">Stop dirty politics<o:p></o:p></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Please take note that everything I write in this post is only a reflection
of my own understanding.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Of course the
political situation here is much more complicated than I can holistically comprehend
after spending only 9 months in the country, so please investigate for yourself
to enhance your understanding of my scant attempt at describing this
demonstration and the politics behind it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; mso-margin-bottom-alt: auto; mso-margin-top-alt: auto;">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Unlike the USA, where the presidential campaign drags on for <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">years</i>, in Malaysia, the ruling party can
call an election at anytime and it can take place within a few <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">days</i>!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>An election must be called within every 5 year period, but it can be at
anytime.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year they gave 10 days
notice, and that was generous from what my friends described.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Although the U.S. Embassy warned that American citizens
should stay away from the demonstration areas, I couldn’t resist the urge to
witness this cultural gathering for myself.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I joined with two Malaysian friends around noon and we walked from my
apartment to Pasar Seni (Central Market near the Chinatown area) which was a
staging area for participants that would then walk to <span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Dataran Merdeka</span> (Independence
Square) for a sit-in demonstration. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
government had refused a request from the organizers to use Merdeka Square, and
had offered them a stadium instead.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVWrKTolfwxu9PgMO5LrOXXIz4zJJNHSKUlc4AVHqMIWTZ5veYdO7WUZ4Y9fn_SVu3QWlkigH-EYA1759faHevnkcFF9W_zxYxvnyJWsWBUFrkonLZesGuUHogW-ulfPTjdt4f2BNaXM/s1600/IMG_6519.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRVWrKTolfwxu9PgMO5LrOXXIz4zJJNHSKUlc4AVHqMIWTZ5veYdO7WUZ4Y9fn_SVu3QWlkigH-EYA1759faHevnkcFF9W_zxYxvnyJWsWBUFrkonLZesGuUHogW-ulfPTjdt4f2BNaXM/s320/IMG_6519.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Police prepared for any misbehavior.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">But the funny thing is that leading up to the Bersih 2.0
demonstration in 2011, the government had in previous talks agreed to allow the
demonstration in a stadium, but then as protesters were approaching the
stadium, police officers were ordered to disperse them so that they couldn’t
even reach the stadium.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>More than 1600
people were arrested.<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bersih 3.0 was deemed to be a <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">duduk bantah </i>or “sit-in protest.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After some fiery speeches to excite the
crowd, we began to slowly walk from our location the short distance to the
square.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Demonstrators had gathered at
several other locations around the city and were walking toward the square at
the same time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujrf2q2CCtROBoLfwcXPUvH8js63JtlHCIqCfs7ePvBH2qeOEHIXq95J_PjtMuu4gbyg8W1y_ix-5YdqIpt-QuC-kVFV0Tq_Pm-1FE6L1UpEk1-raBMXwLNDX1dM80Nw1_QbfaWIgMrU/s1600/IMG_6532.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiujrf2q2CCtROBoLfwcXPUvH8js63JtlHCIqCfs7ePvBH2qeOEHIXq95J_PjtMuu4gbyg8W1y_ix-5YdqIpt-QuC-kVFV0Tq_Pm-1FE6L1UpEk1-raBMXwLNDX1dM80Nw1_QbfaWIgMrU/s320/IMG_6532.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A reflection in a building of demonstators walking toward Independence Square.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmNdUkGj8H7x7VE_VdBdPNBnwqRVMIsfoZODcNSlDD73onQcjj0cz1m4DT8HoMSRGSAn24n9AriYEi376gMuVad8hBd4W9FWWoSdky1xa7WyFFe0CM6WrGAAOk8YSWQ7j7SW-McD1qmM/s1600/IMG_6536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcmNdUkGj8H7x7VE_VdBdPNBnwqRVMIsfoZODcNSlDD73onQcjj0cz1m4DT8HoMSRGSAn24n9AriYEi376gMuVad8hBd4W9FWWoSdky1xa7WyFFe0CM6WrGAAOk8YSWQ7j7SW-McD1qmM/s320/IMG_6536.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When we arrived near the
square, they called for everyone to sit down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We did so, but several times we had to get up and move back as the crowd
was so huge that there wasn’t enough room for people in the front to sit
down.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From my vantage it is difficult
to even make an estimate of how many people there were in the vicinity, and I
had no clue as to how many people were on different streets in different directions.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt-z0zKJde_cKbYkcV8MwaOolc1ey1GB5xTc47N3JLNWKCEpy_Ah62u7_0AeQjsqQX2-3-HhIMYeijlTOlkQr04vP3KuvCJCTYACPkgZaVPeFDlz1D4C3US8t5K5Qzjgr7vgYJTjG5Wo/s1600/from+facebook.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGt-z0zKJde_cKbYkcV8MwaOolc1ey1GB5xTc47N3JLNWKCEpy_Ah62u7_0AeQjsqQX2-3-HhIMYeijlTOlkQr04vP3KuvCJCTYACPkgZaVPeFDlz1D4C3US8t5K5Qzjgr7vgYJTjG5Wo/s320/from+facebook.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">News source photo of a portion of the crowd.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkkLo66I1TZYxJkAmBn0E365K3QbnfeJ2_a0MpNJjdsX4vUkOY78HaRGexKYi8agLGVanGsguolW7RsDD51uKOt5xVwjsN6oHOipzd_hxH14bsbg2OMrMXLhTRF-FGrihhWrpOp7kuKE/s1600/IMG_6540.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJkkLo66I1TZYxJkAmBn0E365K3QbnfeJ2_a0MpNJjdsX4vUkOY78HaRGexKYi8agLGVanGsguolW7RsDD51uKOt5xVwjsN6oHOipzd_hxH14bsbg2OMrMXLhTRF-FGrihhWrpOp7kuKE/s320/IMG_6540.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Enjoying the sit-in.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After a while of peacefully
sitting, shouting rally chants, and melting in the hot sun, my companions
decided they were hungry and we decided to leave our posts and find some makan
(food).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Most restaurants and businesses
in the area where closed in anticipation of the rally and so the ones that were
open were overly crowded with other hungry demonstrators.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We finally found an open table and as soon as
we had filled our tummies, we saw people running.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It didn’t take us long to realize
why.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police had begun to spray tear
gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We scooted out of there with
everyone else and I didn’t feel any effect from the tear gas as we had been on
the outskirts of the pulse of gas I suppose.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>At that point we started to wander back toward the direction of my
apartment, but eventually found it impossible to avoid any tear gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5MkBKMNmz8NgkalmFQhT7PT8K1ai0imSwx9OVeOrNE07M4xDe62s9WizuATSGE6HDtoDQ5t9NsJG5aGPK32g7p0wwOhsoYoymfxU0ljakOxzfoA5MkBeohKApLboTc_5xjP4kxdKGok/s1600/IMG_6547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii5MkBKMNmz8NgkalmFQhT7PT8K1ai0imSwx9OVeOrNE07M4xDe62s9WizuATSGE6HDtoDQ5t9NsJG5aGPK32g7p0wwOhsoYoymfxU0ljakOxzfoA5MkBeohKApLboTc_5xjP4kxdKGok/s320/IMG_6547.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Tear gas being sprayed from the tops of buildings.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqg2R_noqqnDprMX0k-ERRDXs_DUCfqmHAgdT56q8jvCeko5xrCtVn8CY-LeSDFNFnnQ9gkKkYBptZphOXqQc6m8nO4sA16i57OPxAkspPlJaSezZ-yqVe3Dsb2-YBwFdeAtMFCmGpes/s1600/IMG_6555.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRqg2R_noqqnDprMX0k-ERRDXs_DUCfqmHAgdT56q8jvCeko5xrCtVn8CY-LeSDFNFnnQ9gkKkYBptZphOXqQc6m8nO4sA16i57OPxAkspPlJaSezZ-yqVe3Dsb2-YBwFdeAtMFCmGpes/s320/IMG_6555.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Can you see the low flying helicopter assessing the crowds?</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5Np0eXrnOQ4z66aD1sFpOnYsJdL3N2dAe-foOhf6XnseTgy62Ep6vakTXErtnIEtmN_KQPTWhJl_m0XWtMWpwuMZWbSQCUunTXs3aoG7t6mF_3uVqA8pvl5t9Yf0Jf8FVk4J78QtVLk/s1600/IMG_6553.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV5Np0eXrnOQ4z66aD1sFpOnYsJdL3N2dAe-foOhf6XnseTgy62Ep6vakTXErtnIEtmN_KQPTWhJl_m0XWtMWpwuMZWbSQCUunTXs3aoG7t6mF_3uVqA8pvl5t9Yf0Jf8FVk4J78QtVLk/s320/IMG_6553.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">What the streets looked like once they began spraying tear gas, quick dispersal</span>.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Apparently some protestors had breached the barricade
that was protecting the square (even after strict instructions from the Bersih
organizers not to) and the police were taking action to disperse the entire
crowd (which now has been estimated as high as 100,000 people or more).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One news agency reported: </span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="color: black; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">[The organizer] told a press conference that the some 250,000 to
300,000 protesters who turned up were “extremely well-behaved and excellent,”
until “someone” pushed through the barriers in front of Kuala Lumpur City Hall
(DBKL) leading to Dataran Merdeka.</span></i><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><o:p></o:p></span></i></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We came upon one intersection
where the police were using water cannons so we turned back another direction
only to find tear gas streaming from the tops of strategically located
buildings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rushing away from the gas
that was stinging our eyes, skin, and throats, we took refuge with many others
in a small makan shop (restaurant) until it dispersed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Washing our eyes with water and eating salt
to ease the burning in our throats, we attempted to leave several times but
were turned back again by tear gas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9xBpHtPpbyYwvXnSMDvqyzKRmtKQftnkCRmcLDMO1Sy_c4DH3ShP42nu0gCa5Ot6DPx_TQS1fAgWHlWybSF4Tj3hurAEvxQ7LD1F7MLQ4FA4HQM2Nvh0nSsjtCWeM5DTVrOk2d9Rbjo/s1600/IMG_6550.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjc9xBpHtPpbyYwvXnSMDvqyzKRmtKQftnkCRmcLDMO1Sy_c4DH3ShP42nu0gCa5Ot6DPx_TQS1fAgWHlWybSF4Tj3hurAEvxQ7LD1F7MLQ4FA4HQM2Nvh0nSsjtCWeM5DTVrOk2d9Rbjo/s320/IMG_6550.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2deCRWoNF1IB8M_x004ySzqe0-zcMnCWbD2hn66Ncjp6K92GuZaJCkJY6tVlM1QcZZmX3ZkDIxJPVuNa2HQiRgEb-70g-17ZX3ZXrpYtkr5QBEb0svBc-5qkHgo0DyA19vOh7gztTfmY/s1600/IMG_6552.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2deCRWoNF1IB8M_x004ySzqe0-zcMnCWbD2hn66Ncjp6K92GuZaJCkJY6tVlM1QcZZmX3ZkDIxJPVuNa2HQiRgEb-70g-17ZX3ZXrpYtkr5QBEb0svBc-5qkHgo0DyA19vOh7gztTfmY/s320/IMG_6552.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Hiding from the tear gas in a crowded makan shop.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Eventually, we wandered out hoping to make it to a LRT (light rail)
station nearby, only to find out upon our arrival that all the stations in the
area had been shut down due to the demonstration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The police were attempting to disperse the
crowd, but then the demonstrators had no way to disperse as the public
transportation was suspended.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We
eventually found a safe way out of the maze of tear gas and water cannons and
walked back toward my apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I only suffered one battle wound
from the experience, and that occurred when we were walking back, haha!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I stepped on a concrete tile on the side
walk, it was not secured and it tilted causing me to collapse into a deep
hole.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With a gouged knee bleeding more
than it should have, I had to wrap my bandana around it to keep it contained
the rest of the walk.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLG_WdV6BmQXeIDd_F3hZMbJiutbYcWldafIdacwLwthuxLCn_wbAQcQNEvJqSRfHhG5Th5fzXpdXAMWq28hVfTEQDuQf5g24iTVK4yehF8a3Icng1M49P_ieQDwi3hxw-z0bsvAemcI/s1600/IMG_6559.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLLG_WdV6BmQXeIDd_F3hZMbJiutbYcWldafIdacwLwthuxLCn_wbAQcQNEvJqSRfHhG5Th5fzXpdXAMWq28hVfTEQDuQf5g24iTVK4yehF8a3Icng1M49P_ieQDwi3hxw-z0bsvAemcI/s320/IMG_6559.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Ouch!</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">We’ll see how this demonstration
goes down in history, or at least how it is reported in the media
tomorrow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For me it was refreshing to
experience the multiracial unity among the protestors.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There were Malays, Chinese, and Indians all joining
together to stand up for their human rights.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I saw hardly any other Caucasians besides those watching from the roofs
of their hostels in Chinatown.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a link to the Associated
Press article: </span></div>
<a href="http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=151572974"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=151572974</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Some articles from independent
Malaysian news sources:</span></div>
<a href="http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/04/28/bersih-condemns-violence-wants-investigation/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2012/04/28/bersih-condemns-violence-wants-investigation/</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<a href="http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/litee/malaysia/article/bersih-admits-lost-crowd-control-after-police-action/"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.themalaysianinsider.com/litee/malaysia/article/bersih-admits-lost-crowd-control-after-police-action/</span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here is a play-by-play as
reported through information gathered through social media:</span><br />
<a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196320"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196320</span></a><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It’s also suspected that the
protestors who breached the barriers and over turned police cars were saboteurs:</span></div>
<a href="http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196343"><span style="color: blue; font-family: Calibri;">http://www.malaysiakini.com/news/196343</span></a></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-37921367944340154122012-04-26T09:41:00.000+08:002012-04-29T17:57:28.071+08:00From the Mountains to the Sea<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Greetings from the South China
Sea!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ll take a break
from the Everest posts for a moment to blog in real time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I write from the island of Lang Tengah off the east coast of peninsular
Malaysia.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We flew to the city of Kuala
Terengganu and spent a day with some lovely Rotarians, and collected
information for Tomoko’s thesis, before hopping a small boat for 1 hour to the
island.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are several beautiful
islands off the coast here including the <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2011/08/baby-sea-turtles.html">Perhentian Islands</a> which I visited in
August when I first arrived, and Redang Island which is a very popular holiday
spot for locals.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The island we are
staying on only has four hotels spread out around the island so it is nice and
quiet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tomoko is taking the opportunity
to earn her dive certification, and I am indulging in relaxing on the beach,
swimming every 30 minutes in the warm clear blue water, reading and
napping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Maybe if I have the energy I
will go snorkelling, haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beach here
has redefined my concept of “white sand beach” with its powdery soft shoreline. </span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUN_fQcwSTaR70y8WRqy-8HnYWNn17VbxNqUNz9fl-13W4u2z72XaZc6I7ZbzVUEDIZ7PtvTDxz_wuuWsfzu80AFzYAO7m66e_WhhjjiP2fQxLLCP3ymaAEyxPt7KnbPzxkoNhnIiDlE/s1600/IMG_6430.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXUN_fQcwSTaR70y8WRqy-8HnYWNn17VbxNqUNz9fl-13W4u2z72XaZc6I7ZbzVUEDIZ7PtvTDxz_wuuWsfzu80AFzYAO7m66e_WhhjjiP2fQxLLCP3ymaAEyxPt7KnbPzxkoNhnIiDlE/s320/IMG_6430.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5u6XHEVc4Y1As5c_rG6Ld0iZ22ydvk3x9TOEu2NpfrDSaj2vbkurUb35alk24S17CdQaAWkT3wI2qwVlxrfh7iIJ2TPhZ-fWmGmXhNkA2HXjCBHHKOJQz1JrAQwxow2HNkLTy_KUr-I/s1600/IMG_6446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie5u6XHEVc4Y1As5c_rG6Ld0iZ22ydvk3x9TOEu2NpfrDSaj2vbkurUb35alk24S17CdQaAWkT3wI2qwVlxrfh7iIJ2TPhZ-fWmGmXhNkA2HXjCBHHKOJQz1JrAQwxow2HNkLTy_KUr-I/s320/IMG_6446.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This part of Malaysia is well known for their batik crafts. At the resort, everything is batik from the table cloths to the curtains...and matching robes.</span> </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I hope everyone is enjoying
springtime in America, there is no such thing here in SE Asia, it just keeps
getting hotter and hotter and hotter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can handle the heat when all I have to do is lay on the beach and dip in the
sea once in a while, but it’s a different story on the mainland when you have
to wear something more than a swim suit and trek around on the hot pavement to
catch public transportation to get from one place to another.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can’t believe it’s only another few months
before I return to a place with four seasons!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It seems like all of the sudden it’s almost the end of my time here,
ahhh!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will miss many many things about
Malaysia, but walking out of an air conditioned building and feeling like someone
tossed a hot, wet blanket over you is not one of them!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-77555361987739669572012-04-21T22:08:00.001+08:002012-04-29T17:52:14.501+08:00Luxury Trekking<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For me, the trek
to Everest Base Camp (EBC) is what I would call "luxury trekking."
This is because, in my world, trekking (or what I would normally call
hiking/backpacking), consists of carrying a heavy backpack, sleeping in a tent
on the ground, and cooking all your own food. Teahouse trekking includes a
porter to carry your gear, a bed of some sort to sleep in, and a wood stove
heated dining room in which to consume the meals that someone else prepares for
you three times a day. Plus endless cups of steaming tea when you walk in off
the trial. <o:p></o:p></span></span></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">With daily camp
duties remove, this left lots of time for recreational reading, a concept I am
HIGHLY enjoying indulging in after so many years in academia where I started to
consider reading scientific journal articles not directly related to my thesis as
"recreational." I read a book called <i>Buddhas Orphans</i> by Samrat
Upadhyay. An interesting novel which intertwines half a century of Nepals
political and social history with a fictional story about middle class Nepalis
while vividly describing Kathmandu. I quickly finished that and on a
layover/acclimatization day in the village of Dingboche, traded it for <i>A
Suitable Boy </i>by Vikram Seth, a 1,500 page Indian novel which I'll be luck
to finish by the time I leave Asia, I let the porter carry that one. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> </span></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Times New Roman;">
</span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Its hard to complain about the luxury,
but it does provide that many more people come to this region than would
otherwise. We started hiking on the early end of the trekking season March 31.
While we didn't have the trail to ourselves, there weren't mobs of people
either. You could trek at least a little way with out seeing others. We did
however share the trail with multitudes of donkeys, yaks, and dzope- a cross
between yak and cow pronounced <i>jopeh.</i></span></span></span></span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuk7xWkkksfeX4NoGOMj72raH_Hh77a5G7GtcFzDcVIP4gWXSt2IfhmCvoQSoMRcoo02Yq3gp1v_b1vEWEAk5jDNjp49XLH1srYF6UfZwr5AwMsvCiojKESctzrqY9oZVdt6yrZPONiY/s1600/IMG_6301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuk7xWkkksfeX4NoGOMj72raH_Hh77a5G7GtcFzDcVIP4gWXSt2IfhmCvoQSoMRcoo02Yq3gp1v_b1vEWEAk5jDNjp49XLH1srYF6UfZwr5AwMsvCiojKESctzrqY9oZVdt6yrZPONiY/s320/IMG_6301.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">This dzope brought to you by Gore-Tex!</span></td></tr>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvisaZ-jYUasf_wQP9Lz_wf8V5Fw30FohXzhtTdcbpd54lXITmum0FUQ4KE85IMQZLfd6yFo2qnT27JhHZQBLhsuNOTodXu2kp-Kk6iuZLTM8CbuF2d4Hl2WGjOLVOXwIRurhMMPhszs/s1600/IMG_5925.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOvisaZ-jYUasf_wQP9Lz_wf8V5Fw30FohXzhtTdcbpd54lXITmum0FUQ4KE85IMQZLfd6yFo2qnT27JhHZQBLhsuNOTodXu2kp-Kk6iuZLTM8CbuF2d4Hl2WGjOLVOXwIRurhMMPhszs/s320/IMG_5925.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">The trail was yak-tastic, but I don't really need to be able to buy a Coca-Cola, Pringles, and a Snickers bar at 17,000 ft.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65S_zRFJP8U-35mU6UtBVK1XLH5cVGSizzg0YICKUIMGNgsxF4fyum2wCu96HJypIqLG1JAZy0ZmB_9KamwRdY1YKDXCpF3ETGHDCn9wvEgpUv2Ct1vBIR-qvUDRDYUDRom0mcty6feY/s1600/IMG_5734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg65S_zRFJP8U-35mU6UtBVK1XLH5cVGSizzg0YICKUIMGNgsxF4fyum2wCu96HJypIqLG1JAZy0ZmB_9KamwRdY1YKDXCpF3ETGHDCn9wvEgpUv2Ct1vBIR-qvUDRDYUDRom0mcty6feY/s320/IMG_5734.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">One foggy morning with 3 inches of snow the night before, we followed </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">the sounds of the yak bells to keep from losing our way.</span><br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On the way back
it did seem like there were far more people on the trail than on the way up,
but that can also happen when the weather is bad a no flights can land in Lukla
for a few days, causing large pulses of trekkers. I enjoyed meeting people from
all around the world on the trail and getting to chat with others in the
guesthouses while relaxing by the wood stove. We were on roughly the same
itinerary with a group from Hong Kong staying in many of the same lodges and
independent trekkers from many other places. Closely mirroring our itinerary,
but thankfully not staying in the same lodges, was a group of about 30 high
school boys from the UK. I also met a 29 year old woman from Bangladesh who is
attempting to climb the 7 Summits (highest peaks on each of the 7 continents).
Visit her </span><a href="http://bdon7summits.org/"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Women
Reaching Heights</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> website for some inspiration and find her on
Facebook at </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/#!/BangladeshOnSevenSummits"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Bangladesh on 7 Summits</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;">. <o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This year is the
50th Anniversary of the first American (James Whittaker) summit of Mt. Everest.
Because of this, Outside Magazine sent one of its senior editors to </span><a href="http://www.outsideonline.com/outdoor-adventure/climbing/mountaineering/everest-2012"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">blog</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> from base camp about everything from the
effects of tourism on the Khumbu region to the Everest Ultramarathon to a S.
African guy who is attempting to swim across a glacial lake near the camp to
raise awareness about climate change. James Whittaker, now 84 years old, was on
the EBC trail this year to commemorate the anniversary. Here is a </span><a href="http://adventure.nationalgeographic.com/adventure/everest/jim-whittaker/"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">National Geographic article</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> about his legacy,
although it was published on the 40th anniversary, its still a good story. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;">
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">While there is
always great respect for those who summit Mt. Everest, it is important to
remember that their success wouldn't be possible if not for the hundreds, maybe
thousands, of Sherpa porters and local support that expeditions hire and rely
on. Two Sherpas have been declared National Geographic's </span><a href="http://thehimalayantimes.com/fullNews.php?headline=National+Geographic+declares+Nepali+duo+Adventurers+of+2012&NewsID=322316&a=3"><span style="color: blue;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Adventurers of the Year</span></span></a><span style="font-family: Calibri;"> for 2012. This title was
earned by successfully climbing Mt. Everest, paragliding from the summit, and
kayaking down the Ganges River to the Indian Ocean. <o:p></o:p></span></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here are a few
photos from the trail:<o:p></o:p></span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCfsy_rTxkdq7Dqd_cvNL9QK3xo3SohS287qfiyZANULr_D87dB98fgP_HYr9-n_7zmsf5vOPw5HbUmjzCq14kOhGf1e6aqrGcArwAYaHiQc-HC4TUvxBdxjpPZhhtwOq14BH92qNJNE/s1600/Cleanse+Your+Soul.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyCfsy_rTxkdq7Dqd_cvNL9QK3xo3SohS287qfiyZANULr_D87dB98fgP_HYr9-n_7zmsf5vOPw5HbUmjzCq14kOhGf1e6aqrGcArwAYaHiQc-HC4TUvxBdxjpPZhhtwOq14BH92qNJNE/s320/Cleanse+Your+Soul.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaME1rMP-EcJBmMcYxQ9QqsG1ozyAmxNenCTVOLLtCHfSLGLB_h4QwpRkyHqEWVDIWV6v5AWL50K-h9Z4CtPUnB7-OxzAvo3B96O_uihoPS0p3gqE3LQnpW9o2oR7Vlw4YV-bDPsbw-SU/s1600/IMG_5299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaME1rMP-EcJBmMcYxQ9QqsG1ozyAmxNenCTVOLLtCHfSLGLB_h4QwpRkyHqEWVDIWV6v5AWL50K-h9Z4CtPUnB7-OxzAvo3B96O_uihoPS0p3gqE3LQnpW9o2oR7Vlw4YV-bDPsbw-SU/s320/IMG_5299.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Sherpa child</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgg9B61-imGkq8k0kyMcKrC02RQRZFYVfzE_9RZ3X64BhgcJE5X6KaTVDj0BatzUEN-0A-AfqjHNyIjaijFWctQRfVl7nhLwp__juZ47yzBomg3lPx93UegohpVZ01JpF8ZuV8V59_Oc/s1600/Phakding+Snow+Lodge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipgg9B61-imGkq8k0kyMcKrC02RQRZFYVfzE_9RZ3X64BhgcJE5X6KaTVDj0BatzUEN-0A-AfqjHNyIjaijFWctQRfVl7nhLwp__juZ47yzBomg3lPx93UegohpVZ01JpF8ZuV8V59_Oc/s320/Phakding+Snow+Lodge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd15-OQfJ6J9_jbho3NhHHxnO6jmvpqRnG99iI8ZlInKrL15u0cC6lPb84SpVCogXin34PGvaQdyspNPhcg0m2v0sRxJMXnBxgPoa3jBKnPUqoFFS6M4GCyx_xHLo7v3hBO1z3Mj_xCeY/s1600/IMG_5298.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd15-OQfJ6J9_jbho3NhHHxnO6jmvpqRnG99iI8ZlInKrL15u0cC6lPb84SpVCogXin34PGvaQdyspNPhcg0m2v0sRxJMXnBxgPoa3jBKnPUqoFFS6M4GCyx_xHLo7v3hBO1z3Mj_xCeY/s320/IMG_5298.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">A wildfire visible on our second day on the trail. It had been burning for four days locals said and there was no way to battle the blaze. Having been frequently disturbed by wildfires during many adventures, but never seriously threatened, I selfishly worried that all the smoke would destroy the fantastic mountain views. It did a little bit down low but we left it behind as we ascended. More serious was the deforestation it was causing as wood is a valuable commodity in the Khumbu region as much of it lies about tree line. Intense deforestation took place as tourism became popular in this area and before it became a national park and regulations took effect to control the stripping of the hillsides to provide bonfires for trekkers.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg00YEeJckmMMb3Mc8vPWJhr9updMn_3bERq2lkrKoNivK5sxAhs9v7odqkn9uVfnKfhM7H6SIM9nKbSdbszlDbWnp96WMUn4OpRD2UYypuDBsSJ9xde-bg7mOxHRVggaNt9tvkYAgtYc/s1600/IMG_6287.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-size: small;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg00YEeJckmMMb3Mc8vPWJhr9updMn_3bERq2lkrKoNivK5sxAhs9v7odqkn9uVfnKfhM7H6SIM9nKbSdbszlDbWnp96WMUn4OpRD2UYypuDBsSJ9xde-bg7mOxHRVggaNt9tvkYAgtYc/s320/IMG_6287.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<br /></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-62683214857124763032012-04-20T18:17:00.001+08:002012-04-20T18:46:52.073+08:00Everest Base Camp Trip Statistics: Rotary Climb for a Better Tomorrow<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Number of Participants:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>14</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Oldest participant: 64</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Youngest participant: 26 (me)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Reached Everest Base Camp: 12</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Summited Kala Pathar: 4</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Cups of tea personally consumed:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>62 (roughly 4 to 5 per trekking day)</span><br />
<div class="MsoNormalCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: 150%; margin: 1em 0px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Photos taken: 1,108 (just on the trek itself, not including Kathmandu and Pokhara)</span></div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;">Highest elevation reached:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>18,129ft./5,545m</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ckufMwy-MucE5PuVo9lA4L3KpB41GbSBKKaGoBndM6KrqFi9WLCa1-jhjM0_n3VaIrOk7ZE_-6OtixQarf03IfU9_1gCBYDrZuIe4C0fvHFnfhJapKFzNm2cI2tYe1n8LBjDc0Xg1S8/s1600/IMG_5404.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0ckufMwy-MucE5PuVo9lA4L3KpB41GbSBKKaGoBndM6KrqFi9WLCa1-jhjM0_n3VaIrOk7ZE_-6OtixQarf03IfU9_1gCBYDrZuIe4C0fvHFnfhJapKFzNm2cI2tYe1n8LBjDc0Xg1S8/s320/IMG_5404.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I had such an amazing time on this trip and learned so much that it’s hard to know where to start in describing it and deciding how to narrow down which photos to share.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I came to Malaysia through the graces of Rotary, I never imagined I would find myself trekking in the Himalaya!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For a girl from Alaska who loves mountains, my heart and soul were elated to have this opportunity.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although I was very excited, once I arrived in Kathmandu, I felt the way I feel about many adventures I indulge in here, whether it be deep water soloing in the <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2011/12/thailand-continued.html">S.Andaman Sea</a> or visiting <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2011/11/cambodia-kingdom-of-wonder.html">Angkor Wat</a>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leading up to it, it all seems very exotic and unique, but then once you arrive in the “location” it/you don’t feel as special because everyone else is there doing the same thing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For example, when I arrived in Kathmandu, there were over 800 trekking related businesses in the small tourist district of Thamel!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So although I stressed about having the right gear and being able to get water purification tablets, once I arrived I found out that everything you need is easily purchasable and for a cheap price.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When you told people you were trekking to Everest Base Camp, the reaction was more like <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">oh..yeah…everyone does it</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And there were a lot of trekkers!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzV8vo1t2tCqpykio4AoNny3vboyhFZD2QWB5T6plkA0Ws5OQuzrmsWbeaeTt_Xwhh8JJtYuhPhrdzi9zJPf04xuuK2O7D8Mf3m3bQPD8dMHAq9V-huRFicpzKXEE5OJSMbPtizltNvM/s1600/Lukla+Arch.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjzV8vo1t2tCqpykio4AoNny3vboyhFZD2QWB5T6plkA0Ws5OQuzrmsWbeaeTt_Xwhh8JJtYuhPhrdzi9zJPf04xuuK2O7D8Mf3m3bQPD8dMHAq9V-huRFicpzKXEE5OJSMbPtizltNvM/s320/Lukla+Arch.JPG" width="240" /></a></div></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">But that didn’t dampen my anticipation or wipe the huge smile off my face as we began our trek.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Plus, ours was no ordinary trek, it was Rotary’s <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">A Climb for a Better Tomorrow!</i><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Some of the Malaysians I climbed <a href="http://6636miles.blogspot.com/2011/10/mt-kinabalu.html">Mt. Kinabalu</a> (<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">13,435ft./4,095m)</span> with were further inspired to go bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They set their sights on the Mt. Everest Base Camp (17,598ft./5,364m) and used the journey as sort of a trek-a-thon to raise money for Rotary projects back in Malaysia, specifically for Rotary Club of Bandar Utama’s (not my host club here, but another one of many that I have been closely involved with) Music Dream Center.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In particular, to send autistic students from the club's Music Dream Center who show promising advancement on to higher music education at the college level through scholarships.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, we were able to donate school supplies to some Sherpa villages along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc3kqTW9EC2WF9V7tTQp0kXUp7SX2tRNTQSEX9FQtQxjg_3GOVof6VhusEet-yR3TNmrc4hY7TV_7BSDp14j0yw2yVdmKRqfVPQEEDXo3Skaare6J6G1GaDmIJ4vKILNxdEIrpj74hzs/s1600/Lukla.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQc3kqTW9EC2WF9V7tTQp0kXUp7SX2tRNTQSEX9FQtQxjg_3GOVof6VhusEet-yR3TNmrc4hY7TV_7BSDp14j0yw2yVdmKRqfVPQEEDXo3Skaare6J6G1GaDmIJ4vKILNxdEIrpj74hzs/s320/Lukla.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Last minute supplies available on the "streets" of Lukla.</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">There are so many interesting details that I can't possibly describe everything, but I'll try through a stream of consciouness. From Kathmandu, you fly into the "village" of Lukla about 30-40 minutes east. I was slightly nervous about this flight 1) because my uncle had described his memories of flying there over 30 years ago and said he could still remember his girlfriend screaming and her intense death grip on his arm as they landed, and 2) it has been described by many sources as the <em>most dangerous airport in the world </em>(see this <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5vx5K43aveA&feature=related">History Channel</a> piece). It was constructed in 1964, instigated by Sir Edmund Hillary (first to summit Everest in 1953) as a a way to shave a week off the time it took to get materials and supplies to the Khumbu region for schools and other aid projects he was involved with. It is said that he provided endless supplies of Sherpa beer to locals to stay up all night and stomp down/compact the runway since there was no heavy equipment for hundreds of miles. Now it brings more than 500 trekker tourists daily to the region during the high seasons of April-May and October-November. It wasn't even paved until 2001 and it has a 12% grade to aid in slowing down aircraft on landing. Sloping uphill keeps the planes from slamming into the mountain at the end of the runway. It reminds me of an Alaska airport...Lukla could be the counterpart to the Kodiak airport, but instead of an ocean at one end of the runway, there is a 2,000ft. cliff! </span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPk140mPQpQXvS87G8vlJvD5wbXte4v_HLWEWxmOjFdxVtGPSPh_5BfTegmKet1LKWLKc-tTdVi0E2aommsOja2hyphenhyphenWsi4rH92N6ieVueeV_NvdxJ_mb0RMU-y5xemgYYPjOs2Yw0Ofvs/s1600/Lukla+Airport.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivPk140mPQpQXvS87G8vlJvD5wbXte4v_HLWEWxmOjFdxVtGPSPh_5BfTegmKet1LKWLKc-tTdVi0E2aommsOja2hyphenhyphenWsi4rH92N6ieVueeV_NvdxJ_mb0RMU-y5xemgYYPjOs2Yw0Ofvs/s320/Lukla+Airport.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span dir="auto"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Tenzing-Hillary (Lukla) Airport runway.</span></span></td></tr>
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</div><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"> </span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-74805038776386230642012-04-18T10:38:00.000+08:002012-04-18T10:38:37.047+08:00Xin chào, Namaste<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="shorttext"><span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">I’ve been on the road since March 10<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>First, I headed to Vietnam for 12 days to meet up with great Alaska friends and explore the country north to south.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After a one day turn around in Kuala Lumpur, I grabbed my trekking gear and headed to Nepal for 26 days of adventure and a well deserved dose of mountains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Here are a few teaser photos, hopefully I will keep good on my promise to blog in depth about my experiences and all I’ve learned in the past six weeks! </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUz121njquVwt9zbP92pjYUcviyZ-VIwha5p4J92hk5KzMjA011AJnWmwJoMzybHLuyfApDu-Ec_qFTG1CPzP6lxEOzAWLMtUpNc5YxFj4BYgKPslttCI6DyzytG7vJajUyimWvhWUEY/s1600/IMG_4333.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbUz121njquVwt9zbP92pjYUcviyZ-VIwha5p4J92hk5KzMjA011AJnWmwJoMzybHLuyfApDu-Ec_qFTG1CPzP6lxEOzAWLMtUpNc5YxFj4BYgKPslttCI6DyzytG7vJajUyimWvhWUEY/s320/IMG_4333.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water puppets in Vietnam.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRgcQeMHOMPnLTvCzukm6RR7mHeyx53X67aXN1SogVY9LVrCEs9ZMiXbda8MEfIi_AX7OC7SD3nwJkRvNO8EZkgYk_GAf4MqCKClGF8bs4Rzl9PUCdgMzySET2AE0Ypo1BEZOSHbLn6s/s1600/IMG_4492.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLRgcQeMHOMPnLTvCzukm6RR7mHeyx53X67aXN1SogVY9LVrCEs9ZMiXbda8MEfIi_AX7OC7SD3nwJkRvNO8EZkgYk_GAf4MqCKClGF8bs4Rzl9PUCdgMzySET2AE0Ypo1BEZOSHbLn6s/s320/IMG_4492.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The crew (Tomoko, myself, Tim and Kristin-from Alaska) at Halong Bay, Vietnam. It reminded me of Never Never Land :)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglonrOmuWHX8Lzn4a2l2tL8HW5L1l84Rglh3GokoZwhXVR0QQ4x3DiAQzoZGbgLHWOfiYqwajFXibUkxBi5nQ-1KVCINmdliRKIR4Ywed0JZjqF6i9iDVKh_B9bqEuHIH1cTghzYTGZ1c/s1600/IMG_4644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglonrOmuWHX8Lzn4a2l2tL8HW5L1l84Rglh3GokoZwhXVR0QQ4x3DiAQzoZGbgLHWOfiYqwajFXibUkxBi5nQ-1KVCINmdliRKIR4Ywed0JZjqF6i9iDVKh_B9bqEuHIH1cTghzYTGZ1c/s320/IMG_4644.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Spectacular caves in Phong Nha National Park, Vietnam.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3OWEvHHPDhEOmbcLcZgjXtvI6NIOmg-GgHekegipgjbKcpcX-GR-KWctWA3859n5x4WkuXpJ15qxVhyAD1RkcAr4GpeiIf1yQIf_8w-kp74LYJR97UUmimJOQOi5r6Iy7MiWSwDJs7o/s1600/IMG_4746.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb3OWEvHHPDhEOmbcLcZgjXtvI6NIOmg-GgHekegipgjbKcpcX-GR-KWctWA3859n5x4WkuXpJ15qxVhyAD1RkcAr4GpeiIf1yQIf_8w-kp74LYJR97UUmimJOQOi5r6Iy7MiWSwDJs7o/s320/IMG_4746.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Incense sticks in Hue, Vietnam. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lXlvIRNEcXj4fjpHs0Uy_XRpv7hdftr4zTsbvH1YclQTkauptE5cqLErtQhW3MstXTfPRoGKh41YZF711tyj_H2ZY-LFrZO-T1gq8MBQ4g3t2jXu1C5Bd7QI50xkpJzWEwhB1aR9vaQ/s1600/IMG_4778.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8lXlvIRNEcXj4fjpHs0Uy_XRpv7hdftr4zTsbvH1YclQTkauptE5cqLErtQhW3MstXTfPRoGKh41YZF711tyj_H2ZY-LFrZO-T1gq8MBQ4g3t2jXu1C5Bd7QI50xkpJzWEwhB1aR9vaQ/s320/IMG_4778.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Visiting tombs in Hue, Vietnam.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpCq68OgROLgfx39JOpzMtnrTWvfXId_SZnFrdZoZE44-kia_a4LQyClMKjpE6T6CNooqUpN4ecH3sXDLlBX_M6SIuziAicIOLbld04uCBFwQtYxyrt8f0rDG9LqLnYvM7zQ64Xs87WI/s1600/IMG_5080.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBpCq68OgROLgfx39JOpzMtnrTWvfXId_SZnFrdZoZE44-kia_a4LQyClMKjpE6T6CNooqUpN4ecH3sXDLlBX_M6SIuziAicIOLbld04uCBFwQtYxyrt8f0rDG9LqLnYvM7zQ64Xs87WI/s320/IMG_5080.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from Swayambuhnath (monkey temple), Kathmandu, Nepal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiW9XO2pz1l-rLEUlt9MV5DrmgDGzRYGFfG_NW3k_vZlc9TA0wDlaCuHogxfukFAM76V6WweO1lFUQ-HQ_N9Gzp3bprQp2qZHyO4Sj5Z8i-rWg9sVsK9T86dUUixUk8q9e1Mfsx8LcAZM/s1600/IMG_6373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiW9XO2pz1l-rLEUlt9MV5DrmgDGzRYGFfG_NW3k_vZlc9TA0wDlaCuHogxfukFAM76V6WweO1lFUQ-HQ_N9Gzp3bprQp2qZHyO4Sj5Z8i-rWg9sVsK9T86dUUixUk8q9e1Mfsx8LcAZM/s320/IMG_6373.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bodhnath stupa Kathmandu, Nepal.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfecnw7rmF6lgaNJRUrB41w4b1j2JYWp9iqWnTWqaAJ_-gZ_cX9gT7eco26eZ0pdQ1ChP8E773HqIO6UnKxAY6bpDO7akhvJUVENKF8juzG-XlDc70vFdWmwKe5GAKGBlABhemqUEnR4/s1600/IMG_6125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWfecnw7rmF6lgaNJRUrB41w4b1j2JYWp9iqWnTWqaAJ_-gZ_cX9gT7eco26eZ0pdQ1ChP8E773HqIO6UnKxAY6bpDO7akhvJUVENKF8juzG-XlDc70vFdWmwKe5GAKGBlABhemqUEnR4/s320/IMG_6125.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Myself with Malaysian trekkers summiting Mt. Kala Patthar (18,129 ft.) in the Himalaya!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-BzzEhMUm3L2v0N3yUHqXhqx33_3gzosq-K4f5rAQkWs7dTFVeOM5eWkHIBml3W_VLY5Q9lDrxLK8um4cFbjGLWydzlPKSr3-IeQ3qAqmL86ncOqOfqeHR4WYPaLqTXOCLh4W6LnSaM/s1600/IMG_5763.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr-BzzEhMUm3L2v0N3yUHqXhqx33_3gzosq-K4f5rAQkWs7dTFVeOM5eWkHIBml3W_VLY5Q9lDrxLK8um4cFbjGLWydzlPKSr3-IeQ3qAqmL86ncOqOfqeHR4WYPaLqTXOCLh4W6LnSaM/s320/IMG_5763.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mountains, mountains everywhere!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBEkHw0NfoTVYYMywTjh5zNpAvgy166S6J261rCiMzIKdNWvVs6hw-1gDtnL5NGG5REfODRIjxruuNP27t3MUrrildaIwtPYB3EtLD8sCPWxzA7xGtN8aWQUsCLDTtS72XTUEo_Pcqjk/s1600/IMG_6068.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiBEkHw0NfoTVYYMywTjh5zNpAvgy166S6J261rCiMzIKdNWvVs6hw-1gDtnL5NGG5REfODRIjxruuNP27t3MUrrildaIwtPYB3EtLD8sCPWxzA7xGtN8aWQUsCLDTtS72XTUEo_Pcqjk/s320/IMG_6068.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sunrise over Mt. Everest.</td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-24360649890113960532012-03-10T19:40:00.000+08:002012-03-10T19:40:58.597+08:00Obligatory Half Way Post<div style="text-align: center;"><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">“I see my path, but I don’t know where it leads.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not knowing where I’m going is what inspires me to travel it.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>~Rosalia de Castro<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfU181xLZ4_8Kh7LQ-wCWU7h4KKkZG-z0FIl3Lo9RA7OVQs0YNywpcg0lhD40HKaQWHgJr-vi4RMjrcAe3-Uf01bRVEOJAoDvCHQq6WKXwzRP_Wo9sm3GP9SdA4ByYoCfMOJw_mt2Bg/s1600/IMG_4234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaBfU181xLZ4_8Kh7LQ-wCWU7h4KKkZG-z0FIl3Lo9RA7OVQs0YNywpcg0lhD40HKaQWHgJr-vi4RMjrcAe3-Uf01bRVEOJAoDvCHQq6WKXwzRP_Wo9sm3GP9SdA4ByYoCfMOJw_mt2Bg/s320/IMG_4234.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this path...and it lead to a beautiful waterfall! Hiking here, there's no bears to fear, only the leeches, ahhh.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’ve been meaning to write this post for a while, back when I officially passed by the half way mark of my tenure in Malaysia back on February 16<sup>th</sup>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now that I’m officially closer to the end than to the beginning, people are starting to ask what’s next for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Well, if you have any good ideas, let me know, or else I’ll just enjoy living by the quotation above </span></span><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span lang="EN-MY" style="font-size: 12pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Here’s a short run down of what I miss (and don’t miss), and some randoms of what I’ve learned.</span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>What I miss (besides friends and family of course!):<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Driving</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>the freedom of getting in your car and running to the grocery store when you really have a craving for cheese.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or the chance to hop behind the wheel for a Sunday drive out to the coast or to a trail head to go trekking.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Snow</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>or at least change in temperature every once and a while<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Mexican food</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>probably one of the few ethnic foods that you can’t find well represented in the big, global fusion city of KL<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Affordable dairy products</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>cheese, yogurt, etc. just seem expensive here, at least to a vegetarian who loves cheese<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Sliced olives</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>olives are one of my favorite foods that I like to throw in many dishes, but I have yet to find anything but whole olives at the grocery store here, slicing them is a chore that makes me appreciate the convenience of buying them pre-sliced!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Good beer</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>especially Alaska's micro brews, and I was very sad to miss my favorite pumpkin beer around the birthday season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The beer market here is dominated by Chang, Tiger, Carlsberg, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Voicemail</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>people just don’t really use it here.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m part of the crowd, I haven’t even set it up on my cell phone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Many businesses don’t even have it, the line just keeps ringing and ringing and ringing forever so you don’t know if you have even called the correct number!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Vitamix</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>my super-duper blender that brought me joy every day with beautiful smoothies and basil lemonade.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m glad it’s in good hands as cousin Molly is taking care of it for me </span></span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>What I don't miss:<o:p></o:p></em></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Driving</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>as you can see this appears on both lists.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is because I don’t miss driving in the snow, and in reality, driving here is a pain because of traffic jams and the lack of places to actually <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">park </i>your car when you get somewhere.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Incessant political news</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’m not too sad to be out of America during an election year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can keep track of what’s going on if I want, but I enjoy not being bombarded by every little stupid piece of political news from every form of media.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Cost of living</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>besides cheese, the cost of living is much cheaper in Malaysia than Alaska!<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Super giant huge consumer items</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>most things here are much more reasonably sized than in the US, for example- toothpaste, shampoo, cars, etc. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><b style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Graduate school</span></b><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘nuf said<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">There are many more things to add to the “don’t miss” list, but I spent so much time on the “miss” list that I lost steam. </span></i><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><em>Things I've learned</em>:<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Always carry your own toilet paper<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Although at sometimes it might not seem like it, if you listen carefully, we are all speaking the same language, accents and all.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">-Don't get too excited about "western" food, the concept of lemonade, cheese cake, or nachos in a foreign country might be far different form than what you are expecting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Better to stick with roti canai, noodles, and the thousand varieties of faux meat products that vegetarians can enjoy on the Chinese menu.<o:p></o:p></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Living in a foreign land has helped me learn more about my own country and state. People ask me questions that I don't know the answers to and I always remember to look them up later. Questions including details of the economy of Alaska, U.S. politics, national environmental issues, etc.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone even asked me if they have strip clubs in Alaska, they thought that since it was so cold that people wouldn’t want to take their clothes off!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Didn’t have to look up and answer to that one, haha.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I don't know when it happened, but I started feeling comfortable here. Sometimes I find myself the one giving out navigational directions, informing other travelers of interesting places to explore, or telling Malaysians about wonderful destinations in their country that I have visited that they have never been to.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It works in both ways, many Malaysians tell me they have visited New York City and the Grand Canyon, neither of which I have visited!</span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz-uSAKaQWiBMExoQc7N5Gr14RstFGnA21ov_JFOMqiWuS5oQAB0XMN6RXPwd40Qkw6Ewdj45rQ-yGo3GuYUdGYYmLAXVATVPwYZc_ZyvTUXO9qVFjre9GJJw1eYOZSyRf2FZ8GE_toE/s1600/IMG_4254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVz-uSAKaQWiBMExoQc7N5Gr14RstFGnA21ov_JFOMqiWuS5oQAB0XMN6RXPwd40Qkw6Ewdj45rQ-yGo3GuYUdGYYmLAXVATVPwYZc_ZyvTUXO9qVFjre9GJJw1eYOZSyRf2FZ8GE_toE/s320/IMG_4254.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lonely Planet book club. Its fun beg, borrow, steal, swap these goods with other travelers!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">Even though I’m keeping very busy, to me this has felt like a nice long break from the goal driven (graduate school) life that engulfed my existence for so long.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There is no hard fast definition for the Ambassadorial Scholar or set of highly strict tasks that we must complete that dictate our days.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is nice to be given the freedom to define your own role as “ambassador” and the flexibility to both enjoy and improve the world while learning how to be informed and productive global citizens.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVSeKflsLC30eCcnuXBnL4vUHGPik87r9Iyket2phgPUUUBfEkoFplF1vGHqW9OGWDh5N005oIoTSiv7ICNDRV0VuMsg4vbwYpyiRsM6C0b_D1p8rwRUQ2ye0_XrjZU1QO1Vk_DlML80/s1600/IMG_4286.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMVSeKflsLC30eCcnuXBnL4vUHGPik87r9Iyket2phgPUUUBfEkoFplF1vGHqW9OGWDh5N005oIoTSiv7ICNDRV0VuMsg4vbwYpyiRsM6C0b_D1p8rwRUQ2ye0_XrjZU1QO1Vk_DlML80/s320/IMG_4286.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Some "official" ambassadorial duty.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";">This opportunity has given me a new sense of space and time where <span style="color: #333333; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">I have enjoyed </span></span><span class="messagebody"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">tasting the fullness of life, stretching my mind and perspective in new and extraordinary ways.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is through these opportunities that we are able to open our hearts and eyes and learn more about the world than our newspapers will accommodate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The joy of living in a foreign country is the luxury of leaving all of my beliefs and certainties at home and allowing myself to see everything I thought I knew in a new and different light.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I hope I have done at least a half way decent job of sharing what I am learning with others through this blog, even if I tend to ramble sometimes </span></span></span><span class="messagebody"><span style="font-family: Wingdings; font-size: 12pt; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span class="messagebody"><span style="font-size: 12pt; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">!</span></span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAiKwh0lYG_yyygxlde8eSvCpZyO1P9lJwYfM9csyZqyMoon1PkJ9JPDI2DZjKqXqBZZqaJ-msDUQ6MFrVUfsXP50CozT-IoSdfqtLpvrObvTd73HkhX8r-DRhYt-cZHy_DiG4YVbcPI/s1600/IMG_3862.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKAiKwh0lYG_yyygxlde8eSvCpZyO1P9lJwYfM9csyZqyMoon1PkJ9JPDI2DZjKqXqBZZqaJ-msDUQ6MFrVUfsXP50CozT-IoSdfqtLpvrObvTd73HkhX8r-DRhYt-cZHy_DiG4YVbcPI/s320/IMG_3862.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new perspective on fashion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A new perspective of the Petronas Towers...from the top!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyBu-JF1czdq68BQF8dYm_BOOejbB3p7U_QgNOUZOr8gODm965DQhCRwqFXDcR-ztEdQanzOZWuttvHUy6IqtD_pJVx0wLsV-8U8IOVhc34k5pIuQejJgR38P-wcJ_vVOGyB4mpb_LV0/s1600/IMG_3967.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyBu-JF1czdq68BQF8dYm_BOOejbB3p7U_QgNOUZOr8gODm965DQhCRwqFXDcR-ztEdQanzOZWuttvHUy6IqtD_pJVx0wLsV-8U8IOVhc34k5pIuQejJgR38P-wcJ_vVOGyB4mpb_LV0/s320/IMG_3967.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A visit to the National Museum. Ambassadors in the making :)</td></tr>
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</div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-54379781024487667202012-03-02T22:00:00.000+08:002012-03-02T22:00:06.067+08:00When it Rains, it Pours<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">For my whole life I have always lived in locales that have four seasons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Alaska, winter seems to be longer than the other seasons, but each season is distinct in its own way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living in an equatorial climate is pretty much as opposite as a girl can get from the temperatures and seasons of Alaska.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In Kuala Lumpur, they say there are two seasons (wet and dry), but it seems like it’s been pretty consistent to me since I arrived.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thunder showers usually arrive in the afternoon, but once in a while you’ll wake up to the sounds of pouring rain in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The rains never seem to last more than an hour or so, and they roll in and out very quickly.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And when it rains here, it really rains!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Being used to the cold light drizzle of Alaska, it’s fascinating to me to look out the window and literally see <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">sheets </i>of rain coming from the sky, not to mention the sounds of soul rattling booming-crashing thunder like I’ve never heard before.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I first arrived, these quick storms were accompanied by majestic displays of lightening that I wish I could capture on camera.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Always having lived in places where lightening was feared for its potential to start wildfires, here I am able to enjoy the light show that is painted across the sky with the cityscape in the foreground.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyIldCwKif9OPRKG7humXcbIDV2xoeQ5bEnOwjVMHg78ecxduCoD8v5xJeZlnJxpaForK-k0aA-1KSSafbrs3wnpA0oDVgKypka-HntLZcNTyAsCmpoMsxcAEOwe7iqOVY_w6SIT_RcA/s1600/IMG_2997.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiyIldCwKif9OPRKG7humXcbIDV2xoeQ5bEnOwjVMHg78ecxduCoD8v5xJeZlnJxpaForK-k0aA-1KSSafbrs3wnpA0oDVgKypka-HntLZcNTyAsCmpoMsxcAEOwe7iqOVY_w6SIT_RcA/s320/IMG_2997.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the 23rd floor before a storm.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpbBqvYrjlyFbnl0-spZ4OqikaAusarlsBwJ_5yzMzd7WxXir1OcTCMet2jp0KKHhihH8WWnyisAeUwYzqKQcFlrq4NK0NNF4qt5bKDyDbL1iqjNNm5QZOLXl-zlY7Fe8sIR3jvO5Ez4/s1600/IMG_2785.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCpbBqvYrjlyFbnl0-spZ4OqikaAusarlsBwJ_5yzMzd7WxXir1OcTCMet2jp0KKHhihH8WWnyisAeUwYzqKQcFlrq4NK0NNF4qt5bKDyDbL1iqjNNm5QZOLXl-zlY7Fe8sIR3jvO5Ez4/s320/IMG_2785.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">View from the 23rd floor during a storm. The view is obscured purely by the volume of water falling from the sky, no fog.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The thought of river front property has always been intriguing to me, as I have focused a bulk of my young existence on studying rivers, and here in Kuala Lumpur, I finally have just that.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it’s not the type of river front property I have always imagined, it’s fun for a hydrology geek like me to observe the changes in the urban river out my window with the coming and going of the intense rains.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsZ8pwI8dyrAHRaWPW-67yUITUbyXzS9OnhRsMOI6N8Hyag2TzVGiYuWsWbNJM_OI1bjgXPNlnd_qu7iXzYyJ_lDR3Twt1eACUUXMgDV1kPFcTtlJJDKrtsoSapLCOgvhgGXkeUhUXQc/s1600/IMG_2841.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHsZ8pwI8dyrAHRaWPW-67yUITUbyXzS9OnhRsMOI6N8Hyag2TzVGiYuWsWbNJM_OI1bjgXPNlnd_qu7iXzYyJ_lDR3Twt1eACUUXMgDV1kPFcTtlJJDKrtsoSapLCOgvhgGXkeUhUXQc/s320/IMG_2841.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My urban river to the right. You can tell that its been raining when there is a steady stream of trash, or rubbish as they would say here, floating down stream.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-30459385117976108022012-03-01T18:24:00.001+08:002012-03-02T21:22:51.436+08:00Rotary Inner Wheel, Meeting a Princess, and Cake<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In being part of an international organization made up of 1.2 million members and 34,000 community-based service clubs, it sometimes feels like the more you learn about Rotary, the more there is to know.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>There are so many facets and programs within Rotary that I am always discovering new and exciting aspects of the organization and the good work they, or should I say “we”, are doing.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Today I had the pleasure of being invited to speak at a Rotary Inner Wheel Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Before 1989, membership in Rotary was not open to women, so they formed an alternative and met in Inner Wheel Clubs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Membership is open to wives, sisters, mothers, and daughters of Rotary and Rotaract members.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though women are now allowed to join Rotary, Inner Wheel Clubs are still very active and some women are members of both a Rotary Club and an Inner Wheel Club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">This afternoon I presented to the Inner Wheel Club of Kuala Lumpur.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an honor to stand in front of a group of such strong and active women.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have only interacted with a few Inner Wheel women before, but they tend to be a very fun bunch.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After the meeting, this group in particular, was practicing some dance moves for a performance they are going to give at the Inner Wheel District Conference in late March </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">In attendance at the meeting was one of the clubs honorary members, <span class="ft"><span lang="EN-MY" style="color: black; mso-ansi-language: EN-MY; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Tengku Puteri Puan Sri Datin Seri Norzehan, also known as the Princess of Selangor.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She is sister to the </span></span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;">Sultan of Selangor Sultan Sharafud-din Idris Shah.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was an privilege to meet her and hear about all her charity work, including that with the Make-A-Wish Foundation in which she recently gave a seven year old little girl a very wonderful gift, she made her “</span><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><a href="http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?sec=central&file=/2012/2/23/central/10777120)"><span style="color: blue;">princess for a day</span></a>”.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The girl was even able to visit the palace and have lunch and a tea party.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></span><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Princess and I</td></tr>
</tbody></table><span lang="EN" style="color: #333333; mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-family: Calibri; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">On another note, I thought I’d share Malaysian Rotarians love for….cake. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Yup, that’s right, not only have I definitely not lost weight since coming to Malaysia because of the traditional food delights of the country, but in addition it seems that at every single Rotary meeting I attend, there always seems to be a cake at the end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This is mostly because Rotary Clubs are very good at recognizing and celebrating the birthdays and anniversaries of their members’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In between those celebrations (usually the first meeting of the month), there are other anniversaries to celebrate such as the date the club was chartered, and significant Rotary Foundation dates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So all this adds up to lots and lots of cakes and calories.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Believe me, they never let you escape without at least one piece of cake in your tummy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Oh well, hopefully those calories will evaporate into the Himalayas on my upcoming trek to the Mt. Everest Base Camp! </span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;"><br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It was particularly refreshing to visit the Inner Wheel Club after presenting to a group of all males the night before at a joint meeting of RC Subang and RC USJ. Can you pick me out? Look for the earrings, haha. With short hair and a blazer I blend in!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Rotarians and their cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Inner Wheel ladies and their cake!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXN3uOIqTxy3XqVtzwRXPCJKzt-w3zcggmvw8DTVZw20PQGk2hkiXnnl2z8SBTkICmdhbUrgcaYHV6iq3Nt-qg3IciKhxyibJduB4rLAq0v2uXqWOAqdSuxMUFHXQAZEYxx2uqAJrFec/s1600/IMG_3877.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXN3uOIqTxy3XqVtzwRXPCJKzt-w3zcggmvw8DTVZw20PQGk2hkiXnnl2z8SBTkICmdhbUrgcaYHV6iq3Nt-qg3IciKhxyibJduB4rLAq0v2uXqWOAqdSuxMUFHXQAZEYxx2uqAJrFec/s320/IMG_3877.JPG" uda="true" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A cake that we ended up with after a Rotary meeting. It took us a while to finish it :)</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5646559290399934732.post-42729553281034163312012-02-26T10:03:00.000+08:002012-02-26T10:03:04.635+08:00Rotary World Understanding Month<span style="font-family: Calibri;">On February 23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> Rotary celebrated its 107<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">th</span></sup> anniversary.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As a global non-profit organization, The Rotary Foundation has designated themes or celebrations for each month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This month is World Understanding month.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>November is Foundation month, March is Literacy month, etc.</span><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">As a Rotary International Scholar, I have been invited recently to many Rotary Club gatherings for international celebrations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the Rotary Club of Gombak’s International Night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We were treated to a presentation by the High Commissioner of Kenya and also in attendance were the Ambassadors of Namibia, Russia, and many other countries around the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With all attendees, there were 14 countries represented in all.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was great fun to be in such a diverse room and learn from people all over the world.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09GqVBJprdM1QHnb5tzqPYrQkYYTrv0xM2RJmuE5cDVueEAWBJYvFjITY3NZ2WHOngJL-EvfmZ_p5yMpL2ggQxB5RQj7-1R2gC9GFtMWl_qX3wJabpkcMkjnjLTPncWI1V_Opl5hBkBY/s1600/IMG_4119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi09GqVBJprdM1QHnb5tzqPYrQkYYTrv0xM2RJmuE5cDVueEAWBJYvFjITY3NZ2WHOngJL-EvfmZ_p5yMpL2ggQxB5RQj7-1R2gC9GFtMWl_qX3wJabpkcMkjnjLTPncWI1V_Opl5hBkBY/s320/IMG_4119.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The dress code was "ethnic" so I pulled the kebaya out.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The next day I attended the Rotary Club of Kelana Jaya’s “Out of Africa” themed international night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I took place at a rare African restaurant at a sports club.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The food was very ethnic and we were treated to a key note address by the Commissioner of South Africa who was very jolly and even sang for us at the end of the evening.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRB5gug3i944q5rxXvU_kaeZGXXShQ-baZQYecukLmAoQAvCOhOMEpaoWpd7fCsN69PZPtewoxCCAN_pllUwvlWv5a6_tGHrLH_KjRHT9LGHp5Bf8Yrfm83BxDjAOL8cnnjLBODXpB5s/s1600/IMG_4198.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvRB5gug3i944q5rxXvU_kaeZGXXShQ-baZQYecukLmAoQAvCOhOMEpaoWpd7fCsN69PZPtewoxCCAN_pllUwvlWv5a6_tGHrLH_KjRHT9LGHp5Bf8Yrfm83BxDjAOL8cnnjLBODXpB5s/s320/IMG_4198.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><br />
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">The past few weeks and coming weeks are also filled with many Rotary Club presentations for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’ve been happy to share my passion for Alaska, Rotary in Alaska, and my role as an Ambassadorial Scholar with the Rotary Clubs of Pudu, Kelana Jaya, and shared some info with the Rotary Club of Kajang at their international night at one of the member’s homes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I’ve mentioned before, one of my favourite parts of this experience is being invited to people’s homes to see how local people really live.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the coming week I will be visiting my wonderful host club while in Malaysia (RC Titiwangsa), as it’s been a while since I’ve actually been able to attend one of their official meetings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Additionally, I will make an appearance at a “visitor night” for RC Danau Desa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I look forward to presenting more about Alaska and my “culture” to a joint meeting of RC Subang and RC USJ and then heading back to Seremban to visit another favourite club there (RC Senawang) with my roommate and Ambassadorial Scholar Tomoko.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lastly, right before I leave for Vietnam, I will present to a joint meeting of RC Danau Desa and RC Bernam Valley in Rawang.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeP0reZgJCeEpkJb1EYtgGLKE_Wh4H7pvLvb2yVoLVtFCdAR9FW6zzK8alqow74AhJD1fpajSvu9DAPGAxIxTK2wStHLufum8Xuu5jmZR5CI4n34oV5NC34e7cyndj6zR34l8gDhM8es/s1600/IMG_3906.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggeP0reZgJCeEpkJb1EYtgGLKE_Wh4H7pvLvb2yVoLVtFCdAR9FW6zzK8alqow74AhJD1fpajSvu9DAPGAxIxTK2wStHLufum8Xuu5jmZR5CI4n34oV5NC34e7cyndj6zR34l8gDhM8es/s320/IMG_3906.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLq9h0a7AHmug3PQ7uWB_YtkanbCFP4JyooL1SEA-oSEg2IiTCXfoChiq5VMyIh_bSeWRLpMvrOk7IatXyZ4yd7FHhsNkTmAPaU9hbSNHygJ8ch6DWiXFZ8UVu316JW_MxRHxtUM047g/s1600/IMG_3918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNLq9h0a7AHmug3PQ7uWB_YtkanbCFP4JyooL1SEA-oSEg2IiTCXfoChiq5VMyIh_bSeWRLpMvrOk7IatXyZ4yd7FHhsNkTmAPaU9hbSNHygJ8ch6DWiXFZ8UVu316JW_MxRHxtUM047g/s320/IMG_3918.JPG" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I have some creative ideas for what I am going to do with all these flags once I get back.</td></tr>
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<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">Maybe this post is more of a reminder to myself than it is of importance to those who are reading </span><span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span><span style="font-family: Calibri;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it at least gives you a glimpse into some of the activities and responsibilities of being part of this program and trying to perform the true duties of an <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">ambassador</i>.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And not to forget that I also get to attend classes, meet many new people outside of Rotary, and engage in volunteer projects.<o:p></o:p></span></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt;"><span style="font-family: Calibri;">I’m really looking forward to the Rotary International Convention in Bangkok in May as a chance to meet many of the other Ambassadorial Scholars in the region and to share/compare our experiences.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I don’t think I’ve described it here, but this year there are roughly 400 Ambassadorial Scholars scattered around the globe.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In SE Asia we have 6 or so in Singapore, 2 in Malaysia, at least 3 in Thailand, 1 in Hong Kong, 1 in India, etc. etc. and those are just the ones I know about! Someone started a Facebook page for SE Asia Ambassadorial Scholars so its fun to know who is out there. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>Ann Mariehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15466336754239896837noreply@blogger.com0