TravelStream™ news feed for member lecklund on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/lecklund en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:36:26 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1176419640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1176419640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1176419640/tpod.html Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:36:26 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Phnom Penh, Cambodia

On April 10 I started the first leg of a wonderful trip:"Mekong Delta Trip Ending in Phnom Penh (2 days, one night, Cai Be - Vinh Long - Long Zuyen - Chau Doc - Phom Penh (Cambodia)**". Bus left at 8 :15 a.m with 4 different types of travellers going ib Mekong River direction and we split off at Long Xuyen into smaller groups. The itinerary, according to Sinh Travel brochure and is what actually transpired, was:
Day 1 - Depart at 8 a.m from Sinh Office to Cai Be by aircon bus. Have a motorized boat ride to see round Cai Be Floating Market with local people selling, buuying, exchanging goods from their boats. Walk around tos ee orcahrd, rice paper making, rice crispies producing process (bizarre to watch, like making popcorn!), etc. zStop for a rest and a free Vietnamese lunch (deep fried meat spring rolls, rice, pork chop and vegetables)
Boat through a village to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural setting of Mekong Delta region. Take a boat trip through some islands and cross Mekong river to Vinh Long. Land transfer to Chau Doc (fish). Overnight in Chau Doc (at Than Tra Hotel).
(Three of us, Vicky from York, Eng, a retired lawyer whose last job was as a Court Inspector for the English Government but who had been volunteer teaching in a hilltribe village in Thailand, and Letitia, a young teacher from Paris and I went for dinner together. Vicky and I had to use our 'French' as Letitia's English was not so good. Funny how the French I have met have a limited knowledge of English compared to the Germans, Scandinavians, Swiss, etc.
Day 2:
(3 Koreans and I left our group from Day 1 to join another group going to Phnom Penh as our group was going back to Saigon via another night at a different town and apparently Sinh Travel was not working on the 12th as it was start of Khmer New Year Holiday in Cambodia and many shops were closed.)
Do a 2-hour rowing (we had rowers from the village, 2 tourists per boat, my boat mate was a young woman from Korea who will email pics she took as my disk was full), boat trip to visit floating houses with caged fish breeding, a village of Cham ethnic (Muslim) minority, Moselm mosue. towel weaving. Take 2 hour boat trip to the border at Vinh Xuong, VN. Crossing the border, take 1 hour high (well, that is relative) speed boat to Lek Luang. Then land transfer to center of Phnom Penh by bus (rickety mini buses, which took 9 people each). Starting at 4:30 p.m., and after two hours of bumpy bumpy roads due to poor roads and construction and tons of pick ups with people piled up and over them travelling for New Year celebrations, pick up drivers could barely see out window we arrived at King Guesthouse and travel where we could arrange for rooms if we wanted. Many people who had thought they would try another guesthouse out of Lonely Planet, (including me), determined that after a long day of travelling, a room at King sounded pretty enticing. Roms were adequate at $10 per night for a single.
**All this for $22 US per person and I paid an extra $5 for a single room (included 1 lunch, hotel in Chau Doc and breakfast, all transportation)!
Day 1: Depart at 7:45 AM from Sinh office to Cai Be by air-conditioned bus. Have a motorized boat ride to see round CAI BE FLOATING MARKET with local people being selling, buying, exchanging goods from their boats. Walk around to see orchard, rice paper making, rice crispies producing process, ect...Stop for a rest, a free Vietnamese lunch including tropical fruits.
Boat through a village to see peaceful tranquil life of villagers, admire marvelous natural setting of Mekong Delta region. Take a boat trip through some islands and cross Mekong river to Vinh Long. See the making of incense sticks on the way to Chau Doc town. Overnight in Chau Doc.

Day 2: Do a 2-hour rowing boat trip to visit floating houses with caged fish breeding, a village of Cham ethnic minority, Moslem mosque, towel weaving. Take 3-hour boat trip to the Vinh Xuong border. Crossing the border, take 1-hour high speed boat to lek luang. Then land transfer to Phnom Penh by bus. Finish tour at Capitol office.


That evening after checking in at King Travel I was arranging a tour for the next day, with a tuk tuk driver employed by the guesthouse . A couple from the Mekong Tour had checked into King as well and wanted a tour the next day too, so we decided to hire a tuk tuk together. A great couple, George, who works in pollution control for the Norwegian Government and who travels within Europe at least twice a month and Tonje, who had been working in Hanoi for a month with the Norwegian Embassy as part of her role in Innovation Norway, to increase investment in Norway (sound familiar, Terry?), from Oslo Norway. We went to Choeng Ek, the Killing FIelds, a horrible sight with clothing still strewn about and big holes where bodies were buried but it had to be seen to give respect, and to the wonderful National Museum which included many statues from Angkor near Siem Reap, a city north of Phnom Penh. We hired a tour guide for the Museum for 40 minutes for $5 for the 3 of us and it was well worth it. Then we went for lunch to the Foreign Correspondents CLub, (Thanks Maria for heads' up on that one) which used to be just for the Press in the days when Cambodia was relatively open but now anybody can go, an airy place with excellent food and service. Nice to have the airy part as we were very hot from walking around. Then I had to go back to hotel to leave at 4 to catch my 6 p.m. flight to Siem Reap. I decided to fly rather than take the 8 hour bus trip as I am due in Bangkok for some dental work mid April and I wanted time to see Siem Reap where Angkor Wat, Angkor Thom and other Khmer temples were built to house communities of people. Booked the King guesthouse in Siem Reap, related to King one in Phnom Penh and was picked up at the airport on arrival at 6:45 p.m. (only a 45 min. flight) by La, a young driver the guesthouse hires. I had expected a tuk tuk, which can be scary in its own right but he only has a motorbike! so here we go, my big pack in front of him, my smaller pack on my back and another bag I am carting around in between him and I. I told him to drive slowly as I am a nervous rider, and he said no problem, he is a good driver He appeared to be conscientious, as he actually wore a helmet and has a relatively new bike (no helmets for passenger however). I was quaking in my sandals but make it to King Hotel ok. Immediately had a large Angkor Beer and was not extremely pleased with the room, as the Phnom Penh guesthouse has extolled the virtues of this 'new guesthouse' the family built in SR. Building, painting and decorating skills, and housekeeping are very limited here and I don't know if it is because they have been so downtrodden in the past they give up, or it's too hot, or they are not used to level tourists expect. Anyway this new building already needs painting, holes in the walls still there where were put in the wrong place to begin with and kind of covered up, paint is worn (it is only 3 months old!), the doors still have tape on them and felt pen with instructions to the builders, bathroom was filthy from previous guest etc. Anyway got a few things sorted out and planned my next day as La wants the job as my driver as that is his only employment. He is a young guy with a one year old child and a wife. More on Siem Reap tomorrow.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1185754620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1185754620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1185754620/tpod.html Sun, 13 Jul 2008 11:04:23 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Rotorua, New Zealand

First stop was Rotorua and I stayed 2 nights at Treks Backpackers, a great hostel. Shared a dorm room with a woman from Japan and one from Finland. The next night only the Finnish woman and I in the room. Spent the day at Te Puia, the Maori Cultural and Geothermal visitor Experience www.tepuia.com (weaving and carving).
<embed type="application/x-shockwave-flash" src="http://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" width="288" height="192" flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&RGB=0x000000&feed=http%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2Flindaecklund2709%2Falbumid%2F5222496396475726977%3Fkind%3Dphoto%26alt%3Drss" pluginspage="


http://picasaweb.google.com/lindaecklund2709/TePuiaRotaruaNZ
click the above link for the pictures I took at the Maori Cultural Center -
more info on their website http://www.nzmaori.co.nz/
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1159473960/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1159473960/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1159473960/tpod.html Sat, 31 May 2008 09:21:04 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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New York City, New York, United States

Hi from NYC - it is a marvellous city, very friendly, clean,and safe so far! The Rolling Stones concert was last night, and Mick,Ron, Charlie and Keith can still rock for a sold 2 hours nonstop! mick paced the stage, you know the drill, like he was,well, 40years younger! Except for 2 wannabe divas and a Peter Pan in front of me, (who else, so I moved seats), who wouldn't sit down through the whole concert and were more interested in posing for each other and the crowd and looking beautiful, and smoked when it was clearly non smoking, the crowd was well behaved and spanned many ages. It was my birthday, one I will clearly remember when someone says, 'where were you when you turned XX?'
Barb and I are busy - trying to pack in all the sights of NYC in 6 days. Have a metro card for 6 days and a Greyline hop on hop off bus pass for2 days and have put on many shoe leather miles on in between. Tonight it's Mamma Mia, the musical - tomorrow, our last day, it's Staten Island Ferry, Ellis Island, Statue of Liberty. This aft. I picked up my RUssian Visa so I am set to go there, probably Oct. 9 from Tallinn, Estonia. A Russian friend of a friend had us over for tea in her beautiful Manhattan apartment on Tues. (a block from Central Park) and she said I 'must got to Moscow' as well, so I guess if I'm in the neighbourhood... The Kremlin is to be worth a visit for sure. Our NYC hotel is a one star, but literally 2 blocks from Central Park, which is just as beautiful as all the reports.
Well, bye for now, - will report in from Frankfurt - arrive there Oct. 1 at 6:30 a.m.

and here is Barb's version: lots more great memories!
NEW YORK - BARB & LINDA - SEPTEMBER 24 - SEPTEMBER 30/06

ARRIVED LATE SUNDAY NIGHT, SEPTEMBER 24, PICKED UP BAGGAGE (WONDERFUL AIRPORT - SO WELL ORGANIZED - GOT OFF PLANE AND WENT DIRECTLY INTO OUR OWN PRIVATE ROOM WITH ONE LUGGAGE CAROUSEL - COULDN'T BE EASIER). CAUGHT A SHARED SHUTTLE TO MANHATTAN - TOOK AWHILE TO GET THERE - VAN FULL OF PEOPLE ALL BEING DROPPED AT DIFFERENT HOTELS - COST - $17.00 U.S. CAB DRIVERS & ALL KINDS OF PEOPLE WAITING AT THE DOOR TO RIP YOU OFF. BEWARE AND KNOW YOUR PRICES BEFORE YOU GET INTO A VEHICLE. A CAB COSTS ABOUT $45 - $50 TO MANHATTAN I THINK.

LEFT EARLY EARLY EARLY SATURDAY MORNING, SEPTEMBER 30 - HAD TO BE AT JFK AT 6:00 A.M. AFTER MUCH THOUGHT, I ASKED THE HOTEL TO ORDER CAR SERVICE - COST ME $60 (PLUS TIP) TO BE DROPPED AT TERMINAL 7 FOR MY FLIGHT. LOVELY LINCOLN TOWN CAR WITH LEATHER SEATS - WELL WORTH IT !

FYI - YELLOW CABS IN NEW YORK DO NOT HAVE A PHONE NUMBER - TO GET ONE, YOU HAVE TO FLAG ONE DOWN IN THE STREET - DID NOT FEEL LIKE DOING THAT AT 5:00 AM IN THE DARK. I FIGURE IT ALL BALANCED OUT - WITH THE CHEAP SHUTTLE SERVICE ARRIVING ...

OUR HOTEL: PARK SAVOY - FABULOUS LOCATION, ONE BLOCK FROM CENTRAL PARK (SOUTH). MIDTOWN. VERY BASIC NO FRILLS HOTEL. KIND OF BUILT SIDEWAYS ON THE STREET SO NO LOBBY/ENTRANCE REALLY. ADVERTISED FREE CONTINENTAL BREAKFAST - CROISSANTS & BAGELS & MUFFINS ONLY OF COURSE AND COFFEE. THEY DIDN'T WANT YOU TO GO BACK FOR EXTRA COFFEE BUT DIDN'T ACTUALLY STOP YOU. ROOM WITH TWIN BEDS AND BATHROOM. MAID SERVICE, CLEAN. TO USE THE HOTEL PHONE, YOU HAD TO PURCHASE A $5.00 CARD AND THEN USE UP THE TIME ON THAT. NO HAIR DRYERS, KLEENEX OR ANY EXTRAS. WE STOPPED IN AT QUITE A FEW HOTELS IN CASE WE COULD DO BETTER BUT DECIDED IN THE END TO STAY THERE - COULD NOT BEAT THE PRICE. ALL HOTELS WERE AT LEAST $100 + MORE PER NIGHT. NICER BUT MUCH COSTLIER. OURS WAS $155 PER NIGHT INCLUDING ALL TAXES. WE STAYED IN ROOM 302 - HAD A WINDOW (NO SUCH THING AS A VIEW THERE - IT LOOKED OUT ONTO A BACK AREA - NO BACK LANES IN MANHATTAN - PRETTY YUCKY - SO WE JUST DIDN'T LOOK OUT. TO SEE SKY, YOU HAD TO TIP THE BLINDS AND LOOK STRAIGHT UP - TO SEE IF IT WAS SUNNY OR NOT. MANHATTAN IS FULL OF HIGHRISES - YOU DO NOT SEE SKY UNLESS YOU LOOK UP. THERE WAS A WINDOW IN THE BATHROOM THAT OPENED ONTO SOME KIND OF HUGE ROUND PIPE THAT CAME UP FROM WHO KNOWS WHERE. AS I SAY, NOT PARTICULARLY ATTRACTIVE - DEPENDS WHAT YOU WANT AND HOW MUCH YOU WANT TO PAY ... NOTE: ROOM 301 WAS BEING COMPLETED REDONE SO THAT MIGHT BE WORTH LOOKING INTO. OUR ROOM WAS ABSOLUTELY DEAD QUIET - NEVER HEARD A SOUND EVER. A BIG BONUS I MUST SAY.

DAY ONE [MONDAY]:

WALKED THROUGH CENTRAL PARK, STRAWBERRY FIELDS, SAW THE DAKOTA AND CONTINUED UP THROUGH THE PARK, THE LAKE, THE FIELDS, THE PLAYGROUND, THE GREAT LAWN, THE RESERVOIR, ETC. ETC. TOOK THE 96TH STREET EXIT AND CONTINUED TO WALK THROUGH THE UPPER EAST SIDE - FIFTH AVENUE, MADISON AVENUE, PARK AVENUE, LEXINGTON - WALKED ALL THE WAY DOWN THROUGH THOSE STREETS. STOPPED AT THE RUSSIAN EMBASSY AS LINDA HAD TO ORDER HER RUSSIAN VISA.

DID MORE WALKING. WALKED THROUGH BLOOMINGDALE'S WHILE LINDA WAS GETTING HER FACE DONE. WENT BY TIFFANY'S, SAKS FIFTH AVENUE, DIAMOND DISTRICT, ETC. ETC. SAW THE BARBIZON - DISAPPOINTING - COULD ONLY SEE THE TOP AS THEY ARE RENOVATING AND IT WAS MOST COVERED UP. WALKED ALONG MUSEUM MILE.

CARRIED ON WALKING ALL THE WAY DOWN TO THE ALGONQUIN HOTEL ON 44TH STREET. HAD A GLASS OF WINE IN THIS LOVELY OLD HOTEL - OLDEST OPERATING HOTEL IN NEW YORK - HOME OF THE FAMOUS ROUND TABLE - WHERE JOURNALISTS IN THE 20'S SAT AND DISCUSSED IMPORTANT MATTERS. OLDEST BARTENDER IN NEW YORK - 90 + - SHOOK HIS HAND. GREAT ATMOSPHERE. WOULD BE FUN TO STAY HERE I THINK. WALKED BACK TO OUR HOTEL - FOUND A DELI ON THE CORNER AND PICKED UP FOOD. ABSOLUTELY EXHAUSTED. DIDN'T TAKE ANY BUSES OR SUBWAY TODAY - WALKED MANY MANY MILES.

DAY TWO [TUESDAY]
SAW COLUMBUS CIRCLE CLOSE TO OUR HOTEL - WALKED ALL ALONG BROADWAY TO SEE THEATRE DISTRICT. WALKED THROUGH THE CARNEGIE DELI & STAGE DELI - BOTH FAMOUS DELIS - ALONG WITH MANY OTHER DELIS ALL OVER THE PLACE. GREAT FOOD EVERYWHERE IN THE DELIS.

WENT TO LINDA'S RUSSIAN FRIEND'S APARTMENT IN MANHATTAN FOR TEA - SO WE GOT TO SEE A MANHATTAN APARTMENT. IT WAS LOVELY - BIG COURTYARD AND LOVELY VIEW FROM HER PLACE - 14TH FLOOR.

BOUGHT AN 'ALL LOOPS TOUR' TOUR BUS TICKET FOR $49. WENT ON THE NIGHT TOUR. LIGHTS WERE GORGEOUS - PARTICULARLY THROUGH TIMES SQUARE AND WE SAW A FEW THINGS BUT THE GUIDE HAD SUCH A STRONG ACCENT THAT WE COULDN'T UNDERSTAND HIM. WENT THROUGH BROOKLYN WHICH WE WOULDN'T HAVE SEEN OTHERWISE.


DAY THREE [WEDNESDAY]
ROLLING STONES DAY !! DID ½ DAY TOUR ON HOP ON, HOP OFF BUS. CAUGHT IT AT CENTRAL PARK. MUCH BETTER GUIDE - LEARNED LOTS OF THINGS. WENT THROUGH SOHO, GREENWICH VILLAGE, BY EMPIRE STATE BUILDING, CHINATOWN, SAW MACY'S, GARMENT DISTRICT, FLATIRON BUILDING, BROADWAY, THEATRE DISTRICT, BROOKLYN BRIDGE, WORLD TRADE CENTER SITE, BATTERY PARK, WALL STREET, ETC. GOT OFF AT SOUTH STREET SEAPORT - WALKED AROUND BATTERY PARK A BIT AND HAD LUNCH ON THE WATER. BOUGHT MY CHARM FROM HERE. TRIED TO GET CHEAP TICKETS FOR MAMMA MIA BUT NO LUCK. HAVE TO DO IT TOMORROW.

WALKED PART WAY OVER THE BROOKLYN BRIDGE - VERY INTERESTING TO SEE.

CAUGHT THE SUBWAY BACK, CLEANED UP AND HEADED DOWN TO PORT AUTHORITY TO CATCH THE BUS @ 5:00 PM TO GO TO NEW JERSEY FOR THE CONCERT. WELL ORGANIZED, LOTS OF BUSES - THEY TOOK US STRAIGHT TO THE GIANTS STADIUM. WE WERE PLENTY EARLY BUT WEREN'T SURE HOW LONG IT TOOK TO GET THERE, ETC. MET SOME NICE PEOPLE AT THE CONCERT ALTHOUGH THREE PEOPLE STOOD UP THROUGH THE ENTIRE CONCERT - NEVER SAT DOWN ONCE - RIGHT IN FRONT OF LINDA. FORTUNATELY THERE WAS AN EMPTY SEAT RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME. SHE MOVED UP TO IT SO SHE COULD SEE. THEY GIVE AN AMAZING CONCERT FOR SUCH OLD GUYS ! HAD TO WAIT A VERY LONG TIME FOR BUSES TO GET US BACK TO THE PORT AUTHORITY AND THEN WE TOOK A CAB BACK TO OUR HOTEL AS IT WAS 1:00 AM AND I WASN'T IN THE MOOD FOR A SUBWAY RIDE AT THAT TIME. NOT TO MENTION WE WERE - YET AGAIN - TIRED ... GOT BACK TO OUR HOTEL AND DECIDED WE WERE HUNGRY SO WE WALKED OVER TO OUR FAVORITE DELI AND GOT SOME FRUIT SALAD. FINALLY WENT TO SLEEP AROUND 3:00 A.M.

DAY FOUR [THURSDAY]
THIS IS MAMMA MIA NIGHT ! LINDA HAD TO GO GET HER RUSSIAN PASSPORT AND I WANTED TO TAKE A LONG WALK IN A DIFFERENT DIRECTION SO WE ARRANGED TO MEET AT MACY'S @ 2:00 PM. I WALKED THROUGH AREA CLOSE TO OUR HOTEL - FAO SCHARTZ - AMAZING, CARNEGIE HALL, TRUMP TOWER - BEAUTIFUL INSIDE - LOTS OF MARBLE EVERYWHERE, GRACEFUL FOUNTAIN, ETC., "21", BERGDORF GOODMAN, RADIO CITY MUSIC HALL. CARRIED ON TO NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY, BRYANT PARK RIGHT NEXT TO IT. LOVELY GREEN AREA IN THE MIDDLE OF THE CITY. LORD & TAYLOR, MADISON SQUARE GARDENS, PENN STATION, GRAND CENTRAL STATION, WALDORF ASTORIA, BARNES & NOBLE, ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL. LOVED GRAND CENTRAL STATION - HUGE, INTERESTING, CLEAN, FUN. COULD NOT FIND LINDA SO CALLED THE HOTEL (PLAN B!). SHE HAD LEFT A MESSAGE THAT SHE WOULD MEET ME AT THE HOTEL AT 5:30 PM. GOT ON THE SUBWAY (MY FAVOURITE LINE - "Q" WHICH I HAD FINALLY FIGURED OUT AND WENT DOWN TO CANAL STREET BECAUSE I THOUGHT IT LOOKED SO INTERESTING. I LOVE OUTDOOR MARKETS !! IT WAS INTERESTING !! DID MY SOUVENIR SHOPPING FOR EVERYONE HERE. ALSO BOUGHT AN AUTHENTIC CARTIER WATCH FOR $20 - SUCH A GOOD DEAL ... PASHMINAS EVERYWHERE. WENT OVER TO EMPIRE STATE BUILDING AND WALKED THROUGH MACY'S JUST TO GET AN IDEA OF WHAT IT WAS LIKE.

HAD A BITE TO EAT AT TGI FRIDAYS - CLOSE TO THEATRE BEFORE GOING TO MAMMA MIA. THOROUGHLY ENJOYED SEEING A PLAY ON BROADWAY! LIVIN' THE HIGH LIFE! OUR SEATS WERE GOOD AND THE PLAY WAS EXCELLENT. GOT SOMEONE TO TAKE A PICTURE OF THE TWO OF US AFTER THE PLAY ALTHOUGH I GUESS WE WEREN'T SUPPOSED TO ... WALKED HOME & CRASHED.

DAY FIVE [FRIDAY]
TOOK THE SUBWAY DOWN TO BATTERY PARK, CAUGHT THE STATEN ISLAND FERRY (FREE). PASSED THE STATUE OF LIBERTY AND ELLIS ISLAND. WONDERFUL VIEW OF THE MANHATTAN SKYLINE. NOTE: YOU MUST GET OFF THE FERRY AND GET BACK ON ANOTHER ONE TO GET BACK TO MANHATTAN. IF WE HAD MORE TIME, THERE ARE SPECIFIC FERRIES THAT STOP AT LIBERTY ISLAND AND ELLIS ISLAND AND YOU CAN GET OFF AND WALK AROUND.

TRIED TO GET TO ROCKEFELLER CENTRE BUT DIDN'T QUITE MAKE IT. I HAD TO GO TO FIFTH AVENUE TO RETURN A T-SHIRT - LINDA DID A QUICK STOP AT THE EMPIRE STATE BUILDING.

HEADED DOWN TO GROUND ZERO AND WALKED AROUND. VERY SAD BUT LOOKS WELL CLEANED UP AND THEY ARE REBUILDING.

TOOK THE SUBWAY UP TO THE UPPER EAST SIDE TO GO INTO THE GUGGENHEIM. VERY INTERESTING - MOSTLY MODERN ART WHICH ISN'T MY THING BUT ... SOME INTERESTING MODELS, ETC. DID NOT GET TO THE METROPOLITAN MUSEUM OF ART. SHOULD HAVE BUT JUST COULDN'T QUITE GET THERE. KEPT RUNNING OUT OF TIME. TOOK THE SUBWAY BACK TO OUR HOTEL AND WERE HOPING TO HAVE AN EARLY NIGHT AS I HAD TO GET UP AT 4:00 A.M. TO LEAVE. YIKES !! PICKED UP SALAD, ETC. AT OUR DELI AND TOOK BACK TO OUR HOTEL ROOM.


NOTES:

WE OFTEN JUST PICKED UP FOOD FROM OUR DELI AND ATE IN OUR ROOM AS WE WEREN'T EVER HUNGRY AND TOO TIRED AT THE END OF THE DAY TO LOOK FOR A PLACE TO EAT. IT WAS OPEN 24/7 SO WAS VERY HANDY. WE ATE OUT A FEW TIMES AND USUALLY BOUGHT FRUIT AT THE DELI FOR THE MORNING TO GO WITH OUR COFFEE BEFORE WE HEADED OUT.

WE BOUGHT A 7 DAY METRO PASS - SUBWAY/BUSES. EXCELLENT INVESTMENT & MADE LIFE VERY SIMPLE. CONFUSING SUBWAY SYSTEM. MUST KNOW IF YOU ARE GOING 'UPTOWN' OR 'DOWNTOWN'. WE ENDED UP IN QUEENS ONE DAY AS WE WERE GOING THE WRONG DIRECTION. GOT SOMEWHAT FAMILIAR WITH THE 'Q' LINE - AND COULD FIND MOST THINGS FROM THAT LINE. WITHIN A FEW BLOCKS AT LEAST. HAD TO STOP ALL THE TIME TO ORIENATE MYSELF TO FIGURE OUT DIRECTIONS - EAST/WEST AND UP/DOWN. SUBWAY SYSTEM IS MOST IMPRESSIVE. I WOULD HAVE TO SPEND SOME TIME FIGURING IT OUT AS IT WAS NOT AS SIMPLE AS SOME BIG CITIES - LONDON OR PARIS FOR EXAMPLE. BUT IT OBVIOUSLY WORKS FOR THEM AS IT IS VERY BUSY AND QUICK TOO.

FYI -- Subway Entrances: Subway entrances in New York are usually found on street corners, marked with a staircase descending to the station. The stop will have a large green ball outside (indicating a booth inside where you can buy tokens or MetroCards) or red ball (no token booth inside; you must have fare available to enter).

FYI -- Uptown/Downtown: Directions will usually be to take either an uptown or downtown train; there are also several crosstown shuttles. Many subway entrances specify Uptown Only or Downtown Only, meaning trains on the platform accessed by that specific entrance will be going in only one direction. A platform with trains running in the opposite direction will most likely be across the street behind you - an entrance across the street to your left or right will most likely have trains running in the same direction. Generally, subway stops for uptown are on the east side of the street, downtown on the west. Streets ascend in number as they run north. For example: If you're at 14th Street and your destination is 50th Street, you'll be going uptown (to get to midtown).

NOT SURE WE GOT OUR MONEY'S WORTH OUT OF OUR 'HOP ON, HOP OFF' BUS PASS. THE TRAFFIC IS SO BAD THAT YOU SIT ON THE BUS FOR AGES TRYING TO GET TO AND FROM PLACES. INTERESTING FOR AWHILE BUT THERE ARE PLACES TO GO AND PEOPLE TO SEE SO THERE ISN'T TIME TO JUST SIT IN TRAFFIC. THE TOUR GUIDES KNEW THEIR STUFF THOUGH SO FOR AN OVERVIEW OF MANY THINGS YOU MIGHT NOT SEE IT PROBABLY WORKS.

DOZENS AND DOZENS OF YELLOW CABS ALL OVER THE STREETS. JUST LIKE IN THE MOVIES. PRETTY AMAZING REALLY. TRAFFIC WAS CRAZY. CARS EVERYWHERE AND THEY HONK CONTINUALLY. ALL STREETS ARE ONE WAY SO PEDESTRIANS ARE ALWAYS HALFWAY INTO THE STREET AND CROSSING BEFORE ANY OF THE LIGHTS CHANGE. TOURISTS STAND OUT IN THE CROWD AT FIRST BECAUSE WE WAIT DUTIFULLY AT THE LIGHTS AND EVERYONE ELSE IS LONG GONE. I HAVE ALSO NEVER SEEN SO MANY CELL PHONES. EVERY SINGLE PERSON ON THE STREET IS CONSTANTLY TALKING ON THEIR CELL PHONES.

LOTS MORE THAT WE WANTED TO SEE OR SEE MORE OFF OR FOR LONGER BUT THE TIME WENT QUICKLY. I DON'T THINK WE COULD HAVE DONE MUCH MORE IN THE TIME THAT WE HAD. WE WALKED AND WALKED AND RODE THAT SUBWAY TO AND FROM ALL KINDS OF PLACES.

BECAUSE MANHATTAN IS SUCH A SMALL ISLAND, THE NUMBERED AVENUES START ON THE EAST SIDE AT THE EAST RIVER/HARLEM RIVER [QUEENS AND THE BRONX ARE ACROSS THAT WATER] AT FIRST AVENUE AND WORK THEIR WAY TO THE WEST.

FIFTH AVENUE IS THE DIVIDING LINE BETWEEN EAST AND WEST AVENUES.
HUDSON RIVER IS ON THE WEST SIDE - HEADING TOWARDS NEW JERSEY.

ALL THE STREETS ARE NUMBERED ONLY ABOVE HOUSTON (PRONOUNCED HOW-STON) STREET. BELOW THAT, THE STREETS HAVE NAMES. NUMBERS GO UP AS YOU MOVE NORTH 'UPTOWN'.

PARK AVENUE IS 4TH AVENUE BELOW 14TH STREET.

BROADWAY DOES NOT RUN NORTH AND SOUTH - IT ANGLES ACROSS THE STREETS & AVENUES.

NEW YORK CITY IS MADE UP OF FIVE BOROUGHS - MANHATTAN, QUEENS, BROOKLYN, BRONX, STATEN ISLAND. THERE ARE THREE MAIN AIRPORTS, JFK, LA GUARDIA - CLOSER TO MANHATTAN AND NEWARK. I FLEW INTO JFK.

LINDA IS OFF ON HER WORLD TOUR NOW AND I HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK ... HMMMM ... SOMETHING WRONG WITH THIS PICTURE ...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1206539580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1206539580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1206539580/tpod.html Wed, 26 Mar 2008 09:58:31 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Inuvik, Northwest Territories, Canada

3. Ice Road Truckers star contemplates Hollywood potential
CBC News

March 20, 2008 - A hit U.S. television show about ice-road truck drivers in the Northwest Territories could very well move to the silver screen, and the show's Yellowknife-based star says he could envision a Hollywood debut. 20th Century Fox has recently purchased the rights to use Ice Road Truckers, the History Channel's documentary series, as the premise for an action film, CBC News has learned.

Peter Pitino, a Canadian Fox spokesman, said a script writer has yet to be hired and the film remains in the concept stages. There is no word on who would play Yellowknife's Alex Debogorski, the veteran trucker known on the show for his outgoing personality and hearty laugh.

"I suppose if there's an opportunity to get involved in it, I'll have to start jogging and lifting weights," Debogorski said Wednesday. "I'll have to get some of that Botox and stuff so the guy looks a little younger," he added with a laugh. "I think I can do that."

Debuting last year, Ice Road Truckers followed Debogorski and five other truckers as they hauled loads along the Contwoyto ice road from Yellowknife to the territory's diamond mines. The show brought in 3.4 million viewers in the United States, as viewers tuned in to watch how the truckers endured frigid northern temperatures and braved the risks associated with hauling industrial loads on an ice road.

Ice Road Truckers is not shown in Canada, but Yellowknifers have been able to rent DVDs of the first season from local movie rental stores.

A production crew is filming new episodes on the winter road between Inuvik and Tuktoyaktuk, N.W.T. Four the show's original drivers, including Debogorski, are involved in the second season. "This summer, the Arctic Ocean becomes their road," declares a preview video on the show's website.

But Debogorski is not on the road right now - he was flown by medevac from Inuvik to Stanton Territorial Hospital in Yellowknife earlier this week, after he began experiencing shortness of breath. Debogorski told CBC News that he has a blood clot in his lung, and he is optimistic about his health.

"Well, they don't have to amputate anything and it hasn't affected my good looks," he remarked. "Probably going to die of old age within the next 50 years; that's my prognosis."

Meanwhile, the affable Debogorski is already thinking about spinoffs, should he get that call from Hollywood. "They'll have my little action figures right next to the G.I. Joe figures in Wal-Mart," he joked.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1198159200/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1198159200/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1198159200/tpod.html Wed, 26 Dec 2007 17:19:40 -0500 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, Canada

I hope my Christmas letter finds you healthy, happy and looking forward to the Christmas season.
December 2006 in Florence
I spent last Christmas in Siracusa, Sicily, Italy and New Years in Venice, (photo in Florence taken just over a year ago) almost half way through my year off work to travel. The Christmas carol I heard most was "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" and I laughed to myself because they would have to keep dreaming.... while in Yellowknife it is a given Christmas will be white! I had a marvellous year travelling, starting in New York city at the Rolling Stones Concert in September on my birthday and continuing on to 17 countries, finishing up in Australia and New Zealand. I met marvellous people, both locals and other tourists (you know who you are!) I arrived back in Canada in mid August - and to Yellowknife, where I work for the Government of the Northwest Territories, at work Oct. 1.
So I am now in parka (this pic was taken yesterday) weather.
Winter in Yellowknife December 2007
Other than working, I have been singing with the 'Aurora Chorealis' choral society which has many more members (60-70) and a real turnover since I left. We performed our Christmas concerts last Wed. and Thurs. They consisting of John Rutter's version of Magnificat in the first half and R. Murray Schaefer's Chants (new music) for the second half and a Christmas song at the end. Some people were disappointed there wasn't more traditional Christmas music, but our musical directors like to stretch us as well as the audience. We were accompanied by a live orchestra, consisting of harps, violins, viola, clarinets and flutes with 9 musicians coming from Edmonton - mostly from the Edmonton Symphony Orchestra, to add to our local musicians,. That was a real experience, singing with a live orchestramuch less listening to them! After New Years, we'll start practising for the Spring concert.

On Sat. Dec. 15 Yellowknifers started to have a real treat - the local movie theatre is now offering HD live performances from the Metropolitan Opera in New York . I attended the performance of Romeo and Juliet 11 a.m. until 2:30 p.m., with Placido Domingo (yes the opera singer) conducting. Renee Fleming did intermission interviews. It was funny getting dressed in fleece and parka to go to the opera! We will now be getting all the Met operas, and next Sat. the Nutcracker is playing.

I leave for Saskatchewan tomorrow the 21st for Christmas with my family, and I return to Yellowknife Jan. 11.

Fireworks 2006 New Years Eve in Venice

So that's all for now - Merry Christmas and Happy New Year and thanks to you all for reading my ramblings and typos - it has been a blast!
Linda
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174510500/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174510500/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174510500/tpod.html Sun, 09 Dec 2007 14:09:31 -0500 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Hoi An, Vietnam

Arrived in Hoi Ann on the 18th after a 3 hour bus ride from Hue, which went by China Beach (from the movie) and Marble Mountain. So many houses looked like they are in disrepair and vacant but almost look like they have been burned. Much land is taken up with lots of huge burial grounds with elaborate temple like structures built over graves. Big airplane hangars off the highway which housed airplanes during the Vietnam War (here called the "American War". Arrived without accommodation and bus stopped at a Guesthouse and everyone piled off. Guesthouse owners asking people if they needed a place to stay; I think I'm the only one that said 'yes'. Whisked me upstairs to a room before I had a chance to change my mind - looked very nice; double room, air con, tv, windows and I said it was nice but there were a couple I had marked on my map I wanted to check out. He was so disappointed and said "no, no this nice room, stay here!" He seemed like a nice guy so I said ok,. Then room phone rang and he answered it as why would it be for me? He says a few things in Vietnamese and then hands phone to me and I think who would be calling me here, no one in the world knows where I am right now! and it was the front desk They had already booked that room for someone else that night! but they would take me, by motorcycle taxi to another 'very nice guesthouse'. So I said ok, what else could I do and they were most apologetic. So off I go on the back of a motorcycle (that's the way I was transported to ferry boat in Hue as well) along with my big backpack, which was placed in front of the driver between him and the handlebars. Off we go roaring down the busy Vietnamese streets and I am closing my eyes.... beep beep all the time.. but we arrived and yes indeed it was another nice Guesthouse! (Hai Pho) even with a huge shared open walkway looking toward street and trees. And I got it (double room, aircon, tv etc.) for $7/US per night! They are great people running it, two women who each work 24 hour shifts, sparing each other off.
Developed a cold in Hue and ran to Pharmacy just before 8 a.m bus for some Strepsils as my coughing kept me up all night and had sore throat. Over the next 2 days in Hoi Ann, didn't subside and during a visit to a Museum my ear started to throb like an ear infection, and I decided I better get back to my Hai Pho Guesthouse. I took a couple of Ibuprofen and went to bed and was up coughing all night, throat still sore but my ear stopped throbbing. The next day I was visiting the Japanese Bridge and all of a sudden I felt very feverish so decided to go to the hospital to see a doctor - I took a guy up on his offer of 'cyclo, Madame'? and said yes to the hospital, please. He carefully helped me into the seat (in front of a bicycle) and as it was raining, he covered me up with the plastic sheet and off we went for the 15 or so minutes to the hospital, he cycling, me in the little compartment. He helped me out when we got there and a nurse came out to help me as well (they didn't appear to have much to do!) and he said he would wait for me. They took info, blood test, xray and I saw a doctor. Within an hour I was diagnosed with bronchitis, given 4 different types of medicines, paid $45 US and nurse called a taxi. I went out to get into taxi and here is my cyclo driver waiting for me in the waiting room! He was bound and determined I was to come with him and taxi driver was too, so here I was, feeling very sick and had to choose between them! I took cyclo as he seemed quite concerned (although fleeced me on what he charged me!
Was planning to go to My Son 'Cham' period temple but it rained a lot, and I thought it would not be good me, as my energy level was pretty low. I enjoyed the cooler temps of Hoi An, and it is a beautiful ancient port, with many UNESCO preserved buildings of the 15-16th century, including Chinese meetings halls etc. and family houses, still in the same family after 6 centuries.
Left March 22th on the 8 am bus for Danang and then 14:00 overnight train to Hanoi, where I am now. Will update that tomorrow!

much
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174776780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174776780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1174776780/tpod.html Wed, 21 Nov 2007 14:50:17 -0500 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Hanoi, Vietnam

Arrived in Hanoi at 4:30 a.m. yesterday after a14 hour train ride from Danang, where I spent a couple of hours touring the Cham Museum after my bus ride there from Hoi An, about 45 minutes away. The bus stopped at Marble Mountain for everyone to be bombarded by souvenir sellers who each sell the same thing from identical stalls, side by side.
Shared sleeper compartment with a man!, an a woman, both Vietnamese. He spoke some English and she none at all (they were not related). She and I had bottom bunks. They served a hot meal on the train (included inprice of $39 US), consisting of soup, rice, an unidentifiable meet and some chicken chop suey type. Car was not full.
Was bombarded upon arriving by motorcycle taxis and regular taxis (theyover charge foreigners so they really like us) and since it was raining I took a regular taxi to the guesthouse I had prebooked -the NGOC Minh on Luong Ngoc Quyen Street, in the old city. Arrived and the guesthouse was dark, but banging on the door brought a guy to life who was sleeping on the floor along with another 'guard.' By the way, guesthouse said they would pick me upat train but guard forgot. Got a room but it is a double, very nice overlooking the busy street but with balconyand I am paying more than I would like - $22 US. Last night went to drink beer down the street where little chairs are lined up and for 2000 dong (15 cents) you get a glass of Hanoi beer, verygood. The older German lady I met in Hue advised me this is where she and her friend hung out and reallyenjoyed the ambience, watching the busy street, with mainly other tourists. I sat beside a woman last night who it turns out has been to Inuvik! and spent 9weeks in Yukon mainly wiht a friend who is a GP there. She is a GP in Germanyand loves northern Canada and hopes to goback, even to work! ANd then we were joined by a woman from Sydney Aust. who motorcycles all over the world and works as the Manly Harbour Master for SydneyFerries, and this is just after Katrin from Germany said her other favourite place, where she did a medical locum, was Australia! So it was a bizarre little evening and we took a pic with her camera and she will send to me. She and her friend (who got dengue fever here and was in bed!)were heading back to Germany today.
I went on a citytour todayand expected one of those tour buses but it turns out there were only 5 of us and so we taxiied everywhere witha guide who kept having to call a taxi and getting one to pull up in this horrid traffic and crossing streets walking is an exercise in sheer terror. I wouldl ike the city if it had some rapid transit like inBangkok. The temp is great, a lot cooler than what I have been experiencing for 3 months (my half way gone date was yesterday, by the way, Mar. 22!) Anyway aside from amixup where to meet the guide after visiting Ho Chi Minh's tomb, we had a pretty good day, included a good lunch, all for $15 US. The other people (mother and son from Canada, woman (she works in management for a plastic factory in Bangkok and we are going to hook up when I get backt here, and niece from Thailand) all went to the Water Puppet Theatre at 2:30 but i had a full day tour ticket so the young guide, Tuuy, and I walked around the lake, he practised his English with me by reading what he had downloaded from the Hanoi tourism webiste of the places we visited (one pillar pagoda, Temple of Literature (The Temple of Literature ( Van Mieu ), dedicated to Confucius, was founded in 1070 by Emperor Ly Thanh Tong. In 1076, Vietnam's first university was established here to educate Vietnam's administrative and warriors class. Parts of the university date from this earlier time period although the large complex has undergone many changes over the centuries. But recent archaeological study indicates that the architecture of this site belongs primarily to the Ly (1010-1225) and Tran (1225-1400) Dynasties. The complex is in a tranquil park-like site in the heart of central Hanoi. The progression is essentially axial from the entrance gate to the central temple sanctuary), and West Lake.
and about the water puppets (I am going on Monday) and by asking me questions about my life, like "why are you travelling alone, and what do you do in the evenings?". He graduated from University as an IT Programmer but likes tour guiding more as he gets to travel, meet people and makes more money! He was verycharming, was my shield crossing the street, and gave me a ride on his motorcycle back to my guesthouse. Bythe way, there is aguy here orig. from Vietnam who lives in Vancouver now and his family own this guesthouse and he is here visiting. He is a professional poker player in Canada and was giving me tips on how to be a good poker player. I said it's it just to "know when to hold 'em, know when to fold 'em and know when to walk away?" Who doesn't know that? but we talked about the psychology of it and reading body language etc.
Tomorrow I am going to a mall to a Vietnamese movie filmed in Hoi An, called the Long White Dress and make plans to go on an 3 day, 2 night overnight cruise onHalong Bay for $40 US. Then I think I must come back to Hanoi and I'll go north to Sapa, near the Chinese border.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1186014000/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1186014000/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1186014000/tpod.html Sun, 18 Nov 2007 11:20:53 -0500 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Taupo, New Zealand

I was really tired of being with people (as I get sometimes) and since we got to Taupo in mid afternoon, I would splurge on a motel room with a TV! and a bathroom! and a heater! and it even had an electric blanket. I was a happy camper for the evening and just watched tv and tried to warm up. Lake Taupo was a very beautiful sight.

http://203.86.194.7/Gems/punakaiki/punakaikibrochure2006.pdf
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1166128740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1166128740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1166128740/tpod.html Mon, 08 Oct 2007 17:29:19 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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Sorrento, Italy

Hello from Sant Agnello, near Sorrento, about 40 minutes by train from Naples. Actually I am in Sorrento now as there are no internet cafes in Sant Agnello but I am staying in a hostel there. I have a dorm room plus bathroom and sitting area to myself as I am their only guest! So it is quite a bargain and I have extended my stay by 2 nights. as I usually do it seems. Highlight has been to spend a day in Pompeii, http://www.thecolefamily.com/italy/pompeii/index.html# (this website is a good review of all Pompeii, Ercolona and Naples Museum has to offer re the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 62 AD) a 20 minute train ride away. Awesome, so much has been preserved from 64 BC believe it or not! The ash and mud that came down as a result of the Vesuvius eruption preserved a lot and frescoes still have colour, houses still have rooms etc. The Roman civilization was so advanced, then came the 'dark ages' and a reversal in technology and fortune. I met a great couple, Diane and George from New Jersey, who shared a tour guide with me and 2 other couples. We met up with a Canadian, Meghan from Victoria as well, and journeyed back to Sorrento and had dinner there. I am staying literally a 2 minute train ride from Sorrento, but the streets are so narrow and the traffic so heavy, it is too much of a trial to walk. My nerves are frayed from walking the 3 minutes to the little street Via San Veto my hostel is on, from which i stride 45 degree angle for 15 minutes to reach it. Scooters and cars donàt believe in stopping too readily for pedestrians and i usually wait for others to cross with... but I am getting better but still think i could evaporate under a scooter at any moment. Today there is a Festival on in Sant Agnello and rows upon rows of market stuff, food, junk, etc. I guess it is for Christmas presents. a lot of African sellers as well.
Yesterday Meghan and I unexpectedly were on the same bus to Positano and Amalfi so it was good to have some companionship for the day. The trip was winding through the mountainous cliffs and was a breathtaking journey over an hour each way. To think people live there and do that trip frequently. In fact, on the return bus were a bunch of high school students who were being dropped off at little towns along the way. Spectacular views some of these houses built on the side of cliffs much have;parking is at such a premium some home owners have built parking lots on top of their houses whose roofs are flush with the road....
Anyway I just booked by train out of here on Friday the 16th. when I head for palermo, Sicily. I have decided that is where I am spending Christmas, somewhere on the island and may venture to Greece for New Years. I have been warned by a Florentine woman who was in a travel agnecy with me to not go to Turkey so I thanked her for that info. I havenàt been keeping up with any news. Naples is out too, as apparently I hear there is Mafia fighting and people could get caught in the cross fire, literally. It is bad enough I have to changefrom the Rail line Circumvesuvius so the Rail line Trenitalia there. I have been hearing scary things happening just outside the train station. It is unfortunate as the Archeological Museum in Naples has a lot of artifacts from Pompeii and sounds fascinating. by the way, I sure am motivated to learn more about the Roman civilization. So i leave at 2 pm. and arrive in Palermo at 10:30 p.m. The train goes on a ship, which I did years ago my first trip to Sweden. Quite interesting to all of a sudden feel like your train is rocking on water....
To update my last couple of days in Florence, I went to Siena for a day trip, about 40 minutes each way except the bus back got stuck in traffic and we were delayed by an hour, just in time for me to run to the place which was hosting the River to River Indian-Italian film festival. Got a ticket for 'Dubai Return' the stupidest film I have ever paid money to see, fortunately it was cheap. I walked out after half an hour but so did others.. and i wasn,t the first. I hadn.t had dinner yet so that was a motivator, or lunch for that matter as everything in Siena was so busy.
gotta run now,

]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1161092640/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1161092640/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/lecklund/round_the_world/1161092640/tpod.html Sun, 07 Oct 2007 12:03:27 -0400 Taking a year off work to backpack around the world.

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St. Petersburg, Russia

Well tonight at 10:30 p.m. I leave this beautiful but challenging city for a 8 hour trip to Moscow. I am going to be staying at the Gozilla hostel there, which comes with recommendations from people I met at this hostel.
St Petersburg was envisioned as a 'European City' and I understand that Moscow is more Soviet style, colder in many ways.... I will only stay there 2 nights and then I'll go to Poland. Apparently if I take the train I will need a transit visa for Belarussia as the train goes through a corner of that country, oh brother another hassle. I may just fly if I can find a cheap flight. altnernatively I can go to IT is built like a w the Cyrillic alphabet, that would help. Anyway I have seen so much since my last entry I thought another write up was essential, for the record! i spent two exhausting days at the Hermitage; one's visual senses get a workout. But I also went to see Tsarkoe Selo (from the Finnish words for elevated land), Peter I gave to his wife Catherine II and she gave it to her daugher Elizabeth, and Pavlovsk Palace, which Catherine II gave to her son Pavel Petrovich, 30 km south of the city near the Slavianka river - both out of the City of St Petersburg. It is rainy and cold now, winter is setting in. Yesterday I went on a 6.5 hour guided walking tour which left from the hostel International hostel, st petersburg www.ryh.ru Address: 28, Third Sovietskaya ulitsa.
I moved to for two nights. THe walking tour went to the Peter and Paul Fortress, built by Peter the Great to protect the city from those dreaded Swedes but which never saw it used (guess it worked). The assassinated family of Czar Nicholas is buried there. I have covered a lot of territory and my shoes show it! Anyway I'll update you from Moscow, after I've seen Lenin's tomb..!

Hostel directions:
How to get there: the nearest metro station is Ploschad Vosstania/ Mayakovskaya. It will take you approximately 10-12 minutes to walk to the hostel from the metro station. The hostel is clearly signposted in English.

Map
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