TravelStream™ news feed for member bernie-s on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/bernie-s en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:29:03 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1219145940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1219145940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1219145940/tpod.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 08:29:03 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Singapore, Singapore

It is 7:40 Singapore time, and I am stood at one of the many free internet terminals, to bring to you my last entry. I hadn't intended that my last blog would be written standing up, but yesterday Ho Chi Min computers were having none of it.

After leaving Cambodia, I spent the rest of my days (about four) in Ho Chi Min City AKA Saigon. Vietnam is a little pricey, more so than I had expected and the food is definitely not the best in Asia. I am however delighted that Saigon was my last destination. It seems shopping in Saigon is fantastic fun, too much probably, and I am not sure I have not spent money so frivolously on my whole trip as I have done in the last week. That's the problem when you mix deadlines, Bernie, cash in the bank and Saigon. My bag weighs in now at an impressive 21.5kg. (Compare that with the 9kg seven (ish) months ago.)

I did manage some more worthwhile activities while I was in Saigon, other than shopping. For instance I visited the fantastic War museum. I hadn't expected much from it, mainly because I hadn't had the time to think about what I was expecting, but it was impressive. Outside the museum there are model planes, tanks and other such killing things, that were used in the Vietnam war. The best part though had to be the collection of photographs. This hall was set up to commemorate the photographers that died in the war, and at the same time, bring a very real and aesthetically pleasing side to an otherwise depressing and bleak war. Although the photographs do not depict something that you might want to see, they are incredible. They bring a reality to an other wise imagined war. Imagined, because to some one like myself, at nineteen years of age, the Vietnam war was not something I ever saw in the present tense. Yet, this is just what these photos do, capture and store the present. In a single image. Some of the photos were take seconds before the photographer died, having leapt up into the line of fire just to achieve the shot. Although that might be going a little far, it is thanks to them that a very real and honest side of the war can be seen, even now, years later. There was a disturbing part of the museum documenting war crimes by the U.S. It included overly graphic images of victims of mines, bombs, Agent Orange and other such chemicals. I almost wanted to be angry at some of the images that were shown, but then I had the same feeling that I experienced at the killing fields. A belittling of my own problems. My unease at having to view this pictures was incomparable to the reality of the situation. My feelings towards the images were exactly what was desired, and needed. An anger at the images, that wasn't directed onto the directors of the museum, but instead the original perpetrators of such a crime. On a lighter note, another fantastic part of the museum was an exhibition called "War through the eyes of children." It included pictures drawn by children up to the age of fifteen, living in Saigon. The pictures were as impressive as the photographs. I was really surprised to see pictures by people of thirteen years that were better than anything I have ever produced.

I also visited the Independence palace. Which was fairly interesting. The basement of the palace was the best thing, with all these old retro looking phones and radios, and big maps of Vietnam. Leather chairs for important people to sit in and discuss strategy. It was interesting.

A fairly depressing expedition was to the womens museum. I had felt optimistic and enthusiastic (and I still do) that there was even a womens museum, I hadn't heard of one before. However, upon my arrival my viewing of the exhibits was somewhat hindered by the lack of lights. No one, it appears is interested enough in women to come to the museum, and so no one turns the lights on. I searched, in vain, for the light, and instead sat in the middle of the empty, eerie museum and meditated. I decided this would be the best thing to help my mood. The exhibits that I could make out were fantastic, it's just a shame that no one wants to know about the Vietnamese women that gave up their lives in the war. Or the women that were protesting for womens rights, the women aware of their peoples rights under the Geneva convention as early as 1955. Oh well, I thought. At least there IS a womens museum . Slowly but surely.

So what have I learned in the last seven months? I've spent something like 5 grand (sterling pound, that's important when you realise how strong our currency is), and it is probably worth addressing what it has been for.
Well, one, my happiness. While I have been traveling I have learned to be optimistic about things that before, would have got me down. (Example - the above.) With optimism comes happiness, and being happy is invaluable. So already, my money doesn't seem wasted if I can come away and look at things in a positive light, rather than a negative light, which is all too easy. I also feel I have learned a lot. About myself, about everyone else, about societies and about history. For instance, my understanding of all the places I have been has greatly improved. From naming the capital (before I would have struggled with a place like Lao), to understanding the recent history. That isn't to say I have all my questions answered, if anything I leave with more questions than when I started.

Where next? Anywhere and everywhere. I don't think there is a place that I don't want to visit. Some are more realistic than others. For the next three years I will be somewhat limited in my travel plans, due to university. However I think a likely option will be summer trips across to Europe. Hopefully Spain (I've decided I want to learn Spanish.) Maybe I will choose the four year program at Leeds which means I get to spend the third year in either Europe, America or Canada. I've made a list (in order (ish)) of places that I definitely want to visit in my lifetime;

Iran, Spain, Canada, China, Indonesia, Japan, U.S.A, Ireland, Iceland, Europe in general (Eastern Europe especially), Africa (It's cheating really to say an entire continent, but I would have to do more research... Nigeria, from reading "Half of a Yellow Sun".) Mexico, India, Brazil, Nepal, Tibet and everywhere else.

So I should wrap it up now, my flight to England calls. Thank you for reading, I hope that you have had a chance to virtually experience the sights and sounds of my seven month trip through these blogs that I have been keeping, and the photos that I have been uploading (sometimes, anyway). I hope you have enjoyed it at least. Thanks for all the encouragement. Hopefully I have infected at least one person with the traveling bug.

Lots of Love,
Bernie
XXX
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447180/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447180/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447180/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 06:02:06 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

A few pictures from Phnom Penh, most are of the temples in Angkor Wat, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447300/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447300/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218447300/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:46:29 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

At the moment I am resting my weary well traveled legs in Sihanoukville. It's a strange and wonderful place, that is filled, as all of Cambodia is, with lovely lovely people. The beach is lined with bar after bar, it would be depressing and touristy, if there were not so many Cambodians. But here Cambodians out number travelers. I think Sihanoukville might be where Cambodians come to party. It is not the most aesthetically pleasing place that I have been, but I like it none the less.

We also visited the killing fields, a few kms out of Phnom Penh. The
entrance is marked with a temple, inside the temple are the skulls of
nearly 9000 people who died here. It is a strange and disturbing sight,
seeing the skulls of children. Seeing where the bone was broken. Beaten
instead of shot, to save bullets. Piles of clothes and bones stick up out through the earth and as you walk around you can see many mass graves that have yet to be unearthed. People must learn from these mistakes, and I suppose that is why I subjected myself to it. I concluded that the upset I would feel from visiting such a disturbing place is incomparable to the atrocities that happened here. That each member of society owes it to the world to learn about history, so that this can not be repeated. If you do not know about the Khmer Rouge, I would recommend informing yourself. Or borrowing a book from me when I get back (9 days!), called "First they killed my father.

On a lighter note, Kaare, Jesse and myself have found ourselves occupying our days with pool. Also, in Phnom Penh we found a board game bar, with fantastic cushions and, you guessed it, board games.

PICTURES!!! Finally, I have found a computer that can handle the uploading of pictures. So there are now five albums for the more interested amoung you to trawl through. Enjoy :)
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218446760/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218446760/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218446760/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 05:30:38 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Pictures from Don Det one of the Four Thousand Islands, southern Laos. Really southern.
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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Pictures from Luang Nam Tha, Laos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218443520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218443520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218443520/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:47:59 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Pictures from Nong Khiaw, Laos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218442860/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218442860/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218442860/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:32:49 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Pictures from Luang Prabang, Laos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218441000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218441000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1218441000/tpod.html Mon, 11 Aug 2008 04:32:36 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Sihanoukville, Cambodia

Pictures from Vang Vieng, Laos.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1217838360/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1217838360/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/bernie-s/round_the_world/1217838360/tpod.html Mon, 04 Aug 2008 05:06:03 -0400 Six and a Half months, Four and a half grand, tons of flights and two CrAzY people.

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Siem Reap, Cambodia

Hello all!

At the moment I am in Siem Reap. I have spent three days visiting the temples of Angkor and they were seriously impressive. On the first day I went to a group of temples that were smaller than the biggest attraction, Angkor Wat. There are very little restrictions as to where you can and can't go, so you find yourself believing you are out in the jungle discovering this temple as you walk down one of the old corridors completely alone, vines growing up the side of the building. The detail in the architecture, is incredible. I like to walk outside the temple and blur my eyes, imagining it when it was first built in all its fantastic proportions and with out the weathering and erosion the temples have endured. I like to imagine that I am stood in the same spot that people have been walking over for a thousand years. Every detail of the temples holds history.

For the second day I went to the oldest temples at Angkor, (known as the "Roulous group" for anyone interested), built in the 9th century. They look spectacular. Bakong in particular which is a temple with five tiers. Because these temples are older they are no located as near to all the other temples. So the view from the top of the Bakong is of four levels down, rising temples on the bottom level with details that can still be seen from this high up view, and beyond this is just dense green.

On the third day I went to the most famous temples. Bayon, which is in the ancient city Angkor Thom. And of course, Angkor Wat which is the worlds largest single religious monument. Both were incredibly impressive, each was a maze of beauty and intricate carvings. Anyone that has the opportunity should definitely not miss it. I think I preferred Bayon to Angkor Wat, although it is a close call. Hopefully I will get some pictures up before I come home. (2 weeks!!!)

Today I had planned to go to the museum and the floating market but I have found myself preoccupied with pressing internet matters. Such as my sisters birthday! HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAT. Even though this may well embarrass her, I think it is my duty to inform you that my sister is absolutely fantastic. I know you think your siblings are the best, but have you met Cat? (Well, I'm sure we can agree to disagree.) Have a great day though!

Next stop Sihanoukville. Which is south, below the capital Phnom Penh. Maybe I will hit a bit of beach before I come home.

Love Bernie
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

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Phnom Penh, Cambodia

On my way down to Pakse (From Vientiane) I noticed that the ground became a reddish colour. In a way that resembles the ground in Australia, and it actually brought about a twang of nostalgia. For my last few days in Lao, and I suspect it shall be a while till I'm back (unfortunately), I'm on an island that lies within swimming distance of other islands, most of them unpopulated. The edge of these islands are green, with overhanging leaves and trees hiding the banks of the river, the water leaks in through the shrubs until it hits a muddy bank. It's the erosion of this bank that gives the river its look of hot chocolate. It sweetens the underneath of my bungalow, which leans out over the river, as do all the bars and cafes. The view out of my window, off my balcony or while I eat is that of my three favorite, and often underrated colours. Brown, followed by green, followed by blue. (River, island, sky.) And if I were some how able to acquire just one of these many islands, these horizontal bands of colour would be my flag. I sit in this situation that was one a dream, and now reality, while I sip on a coconut shake that defies the law of taste. It is so cold that the flavour vibrates through my body. The taste is that of the thickest milk, with a splash of coconut, but it also has the rehydration of water. This is Don Det, one of the "Four thousand islands"

I write this blog in Phnom Penh. I had been on my way to Siem Reap. I booked the ticket in Lao ( I needed to use up my kip) but for some reason, I have to come to Phnom Penh first, because there are no direct buses. This seems like a huge waste of my time, and it could also possibly be a lie. Either way, I am here and leaving tomorrow. (I shall be back to explore the city a little more, but first to the west.)

Coming in to Cambodia I noticed several differences. The first is the terrain. The land is so fantastically flat! Although I have come to love mountains, the way they add a new dimension to landscapes, I dislike the fact that they make travel tediously slow. So to see open stretches of road in front of me as far as I could see, felt as though I were indulging in something forbidden. The houses are a little nicer. Although often still wooden shacks, they are a little straighter. The outside is solid wood rather than a flimsy woven sheet. Some of the houses even have tiled roofs! There are carridges pulled by buffalo and smiling faces everywhere. Although I was served a mouldy burger (I made the mould discovery after I had eaten 3/4 of the burger, shame.) and a possibly fake ticket, my first impressions of Cambodia have still been positive. The people bring it back.

Tomorrow I shall attempt to get to Siem Reap, and engage in some temple exploring. Or maybe just a long awaited rest ( I have to get up early tomorrow.) I have been trying to upload some photos in the hope that they would reach you, but as of yet I am unsuccessful (well, you may have noticed there is one picture up there). Computers in Asia aren't really designed for mass uploading I think.

At the moment, my return date is uncertain. I am trying to change it to the 30th, but this is the busiest time of the year to fly and so I have found myself on a waiting list. But I will see you in the near future probably!

Love Bernie xxxxx
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