TravelStream™ news feed for member sally63howse on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/sally63howse en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Sun, 18 May 2008 11:56:50 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1209887820/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1209887820/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1209887820/tpod.html Sun, 18 May 2008 11:56:50 -0400 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Franz Josef Glacier, South Island, New Zealand

OK so when was the last time you wore a hat in your house? I'm at the YHA in Franz Josef and the fire in the lounge - the only form of heating, isn't working. Some people are wearing hats like me (well not hats like me you understand but....) others just several layers of clothing. At least I have my bargain purchase of a mini hot water bottle in a polar bear cover for just 5.99 NZD - kept me nice n toasty last night. There is a free sauna here from 5-9 but that would require the removal of some, not all, items of clothing so that's a no no!Had a great but fairly lazy day today. Could have gone on a hike on the glacier but decided I really am not fit enough , so did 3 little self guided walks and got some fab views for a change of the mountains and walked to a place called Wombat pools having to negotiate a fallen tree across the path on the way. I did think "bugger" when I came across it but would not be thwarted, and as I couldn't get over it without risk of injury I limbo danced under it instead. I say limbo danced....more like undignified scrambling, but you can imagine me limbo dancing if it gives you a laugh!  Hopefully, if there are other people interested, I should be doing the "grand tour" helicoptor ride over the 2 glaciers and over to Mount Cook and also a peek at the Tasman (fingers crossed) After that I shall be heading towards Hokitika for at least a couple of nights b4 wending my way up to Nelson and then hopping back on to North Island to Auckland and home  - eek!The jet boating on lake Wanaka and the Clutha river was fab tho not so sure my back now agrees!The jet boat, a NZ invention can proceed on just 10mm of water, and pumps thru the equivalent water content of an average swimming  pool every minute  - astonishing I know! We zapped down certain bits of the river heading straight for the trees,  the bank etc and then swerved away at the last minute. We also did some pretty full-on 360 degree turns which are spectacular even if your stomach and neck don't necessarily agree at the time or even a bit later!The drive from Wanaka to Franz Josef was stunning -quite a few hairpins so some seriously slow driving of necessity, 25 and 15 km/ph is very slow but any faster and you've sudenly an uninterrupted view of the mountains and a ruddy great drop beneath you!P.S I did do the helicoptor ride (another first) and it was great. I did feel a little bit pukey at a couple of stomach lurching moments and in fact I'm sure I did scream at one point when we had been up high and then we crept up and over a precipice and then plunged down -yikes!! I say I think I did as I had headphones on so not sure how audible it was!Now in Hokitika (great place with a very interesting South African stone painter with whom I chatted at some length one day) sitting writing this with a view of the sea and Keane playing in the background. Neil, one of the owners is from Biddulph and is quite a card. Kerry his wife from Congleton is an artist and her work adorns the walls and nooks and crannies of the place . They also have a Australian Kelpie  (dog) called Sid who is lovely and getting a lot of attention ( Liz G) Now I've not yet spoken about birds of prey have I? They are here in abundance often to be found in the middle or the side of the road munching on a squashed possum. Whilst there are scores of birds in the air there are also scores of squashed furry bodies underfoot (or under wheel I should say) As I must pass on average every day about 20 such squashed bodies I have to wonder who is doing the squashing given that it's not me? I have to my hideous embarrassment nearly run over 2 birds of prey when they took off from the carion a little too late... Anyway back to possums . I saw a great t-shirt the other day that said "Possums, New Zealands little road bumps". Now don't go all glassy eyed about the little critters they are a furry pain in the backside! At the last count (whoever did that) there were estimated to be between 65 and 70 million possums and betweeen them they devastate great tracts of native bush ruining the habitats of indiginous birds and mamamals and are quite frankly a major introduced curse. In fact, one of their most heinous crimes is that they eats birds eggs and kill young birds including the endangered kiwi -there! that's how evil they are! And did you know that there is a dark side to NZders ? They will actually go out of their way to run over a possum over - I know! So, given that possums are nocturnal I imagine enraged car driving NZders going out  at night and swerving and running the little critters over determined to rid NZ of this pest -scary? I think so!!Sheep is the next topic.You know all this talk of sheep whenever NZ is mentioned? Well I have news for you..... cattle are fast taking over where once were sheep. I didn't think I'd seen too many and when chatting to a farmer was told that a lot of producers are going over to dairy as it's more profitable. Also prevalent in certain areas are deer and alpacca .Not only does the geography of the place confuse you as to which country you're in  but the animals don't help in some instances either!Now in Nelson and hopefully taking a trip to Abel Tasman national park tomorrow. Have been pottering about in Nelson this morning and this avo went to the magnificent World Of Wearableart (that's how they put it) or WOW for short . What a stunning collection - I was really blown away. Staying at yet another great backpackers called the Bug (as in Travel Bug) with a lovely couple and a black n white and spotty greyhound called Yukon. Anthony and Steph are our hosts and where does Anthony come from?  Drum roll.... Oadby!! Just how crazy is that? He went to Gartree, the same high school as me and also worked in the Oadby Owl (pub) like what I did - this was some years apart from when I was attending both institutions however as he is but a youthful 32.Did go kayaking in in Abel Tasman National Park -it was a lovely morning and I was paired up mwith the instructor as there was only 2 other peeps a Belgian couple on their honeymoon (apparently 2 man kayaks are known in the trade as divorce boats but Kelly my guide decided not to appraise them of this fact -after all they'd only been married 2 weeks!)Had a very international evening meal at the Bug the other night  -we were coralled together by Clive from the UK and we ended up with 2 from England, 1 from Canada, 1 from Israel, 1 from Germany and 1 Taiwanese. Most interesting and then "Z" the guy from Israel announces it's his 25th birthday - little tinker. Later on that evening Anthony appears with homemade apple crumble and ice cream and dammit! I'm too full to partake -curses! (free food of any description if a big deal when you're backpacking trust me) Played scrabble against Jenna (Canada) the other night and a mother and daughter combo from England. I was spectacularly useless and was last both times but d'you what? I wasn't really that bothered - relaxed or wot?From Nelson I wandered over to Picton amidst , yes you've guesed it, some spectacular scenery (for a change). Even tho at the start of the journey the weather was foul it brightened and I found myself a great backpackers called Seqouia Lodge that does free chocolate pud and icecream at 8pm each night -yum! They also do free breakfasts in Winter (that's from May in NZ) and chuck out is 11am instead of 10am -every xtra bit of sleep counts if you're not in a tearing hurray! Caught the ferry and had a very pleasant sailing to Wellington, the views of the Queen Charlotte Sound on the drive over and on the ferry journey were just splendid (running out of adjectives again) On arrival in Wellie, drove for a few hours arriving at Wanganui at  Tamara Lodge where I had a lovely double room to myself, heated a tin of soup had a quick chat to an Aussie couple and hit the sack. Up and out by 9am the next morning and arrived back in Auckland about 3.30pm and then after dropping in on Phil's parents drove up to the bach at Snell's beach and hit the deck. Parcelled up more stuff I couldn't get in my rucksacks the following day and posted then to myself, proceeding to cram everything else in - altho I did discard some t-shirts and a pair of trousers (well done!)The journey home was long and after about 15 or so hours you wish you could be beamed home as in "beam me up Scotty". At the airport at 10am, flew at 1pm -straight thru flight to KL Malaysia 11hrs, 3 hours at KL then 13 hours thru to Heathrow - bit knackering -arrived Swindon yesterday at 9am . Drove my car; 12 yr old Renault Clio, and it felt broken, it drove like a tank!! Today has been better and feels more normal althoi twice  I couldn't remember how to get into reverse -duh!  and the indicator is on the other side so the windscreed wipers have been on once or twice for no particular reason! When I was in NZ I was driving a much newer Daihatsu Scirion whaich was a  very light touch and it turned on a sixpence, or spun off a gravel road into a ditch with the car landing on the drivers side!! - that was about 4 weeks ago and I didn't mention b4 it as mum reads this , but I told her this morning so I can share that bit of "excitement" with you now. That was a moment when I did feel 12,000 miles from home as I hung sideways in my seatbelt thinking simultaneously shit! and thank goodness I seem to be all right!  The car was pulled out of the dich by a few burly blokes and a towrope and some nice peeps invited me to their home for a cupa and later for supper . Everyone who went past stopped to offer help and everyone ws so nice it was almost worth having the accident for all the positives  in which it resulted. Car was a bit damaged but drivable but changed it over a few days later as the overtaking mirror was completety smashed off and the driver's door damaged. You don't quite realise how much you rely on an overtaking mirror til you haven't got one!  Think that's about it may do one further blog pulling some rivettinf stats and profound thoughts together in a week or so but now shall upload the photso/Lots of love from back in Blighty KiwiSal XX
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208736780/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208736780/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208736780/tpod.html Thu, 01 May 2008 18:36:50 -0400 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Oamaru, South Island, New Zealand

Well, hello there, thought I'd better get started on the next instalment as so many great things are happening daily , if I don't bung em down I'll forget!After leaving Kaikoura and my busy couple of days I headed south towards a town on the peninsular just south of Christchurch called Akora. Blimey what a find , altho I am beconing weary of haring myself say that as there appears to yet another gem of a place around each and every corner! Akora means long harbour and so strangely that's what is has, which gives it the feel of a lakeside town. Backed by mountains again it provided a wonderful vista upon my arrival (ok so a the fact that a day or so later there was a fairly full-on hailstorm is neither here or there!)Akora was "discovered " by the French in 1840 and accordingly has a French feel (altho I didn't let that put me off - that was for you Rivers!)I found a great Backpackers -Bon Accord - altho much more a homestay cos of the welcoming disposition of the staff -I have to put this they're going to be reading this.....) Owned by Cathy from England and being looked after by a lovely ? young couple from Newcastle and Guisborough respectively  for 3 weeks (Anne, Julia reminded me so much of you accent wise) Had a great time there and felt very welcome and there were nice little touches like being provided with a hot water bottle, slippers, and a couple of chocs left on your bedside table to welcome you - nice stuff guys! It was great just pottering around the town and along the length of the waterfront - beaut little shops and cafes  and restaurants with as ever, stunning views wherever you looked. We sat around and chatted the first night accompanied by Cathy's gorgeous boxer-cross dog, Boots and Tiger the cat who Julia makes look like a demented gremlin she pulls his ears back so hard (which he loves by the way b4 you ring the RSPCA!)I'm not saying it was the best thing about Akora (and of course it wasn't) but it did have the most fantastic homemade fudge shop. I'd already tried and found fab the Bailey's Irsish crean flavour but then I tried the passionfruit and man what a flavour -awesome!Well it's now May 1st and I've been here there and everywhere since I wrote that last lot! After Akoroa I headed for Oamaru  -the home of the blue penguin -aah watched a load of them emerge from the sea just after dusk to return to their nests. They climbed and hopped up the cliff and then crossed a gravel path, looking this way and that b4 they ducked (or penguined!) under a wire fence. They resembled little POWs sneaking out of camp. I was also fortunate to see yellow eyed penguins which are probably twice the size of blues (them being the smallest penguin variety n all) The YEPs have a stunning yellow band around their head too and are really quite handsome. Oamaru also has the THE most stunning bulidings and whilst quite a small place now it was quite the place back in whenever (yes I know that's not terribly accurate but I 'm trying to cram a lot in and can't keep looking up things I've forgotten!)After Oamaru came the Otago Peninsular and guess what??! Yes, that was fab too! Stayed at Billy Brown's backpackers on the less advertised side of the peninsular, just a couple of kms from Port Chalmers. What a great place and a top bloke Billy is. The lodge sat atop a very steep hill -the drive up was challenging but the views were fabulous aided by the number of large windows on each side. No telly but a wood fire stove and a collection of vinyl which included Louis Armstrong, Joe Jackson, Van Morrison and the B52'S to mention but a few!  After 4 nights there and a visit to another albatross doo dah where I saw 2 chicks  - bit fluffy white balls hanging on to the hillside..... Ah, I forgot to mention the exciting first night at Billy's. Perching on this hill minus anything to stop the wind ,the wind  accordingly blew at 131km per hour that night right against my bedroom window. As I was pretty sure the windows were going to come in at some point I built a small barricade of pillows on the window side and pulled the sheet over my head -both of which actions would no doubt have given me superb protection from flying glass! However I need not have worried this ws a sturdily built steel frame building and I needn't have been such a wuss! After Billy's I headed towards the Catlins -a range of mountains at the base of the South Island. Loads of really interesting coastal features including a blowhole in the cliff 200m from the sea, a petrified forest (I'm not going to make any jokes hard tho it is to resist) a some rocks called the Nuggets and evn more exciting possibly -real live sea lion on the beach , oh yes, not fur seals, which I've seen already but sea lions!! I stopped the night at Owaka and then made my way to Invercargill where I met a woman from Yeovil who was also in HR (Land D actually ) and for the first time for flippin ages talked a bit about HR - crazy behaviour! that won't be happening again in a hurry I can tell you! From Invercargill it was straight thru to Te Anau the stopping off point for all things Milford Sound. Decided to take a bus trip from Te Anau to Milford for a cruise and back again otherwise it would have been yet another 4 hours of driving on high and winding roads and trust me I 've done a lot of that! We were driven by a DOC guy -Dept of Conservation who was incredibly knowledgable about birds, animals, eco sytems n stuff so that was great.  The cruise on Milford altho overcast and wet meant that the waterfall were even more spectacular. That was another great backpackers - Rosie's homestay and there was a surfeit of Midlanders. Someone else from Coventry (Jo), Brum. Northampton and me -who would believe it? small world blah blah. Also caught up again with Peter and Val from Australia who had been staying in the same place in Owaka as I. From Te Anau I trundled off without a clear idea of my next stopping place but ended up in Arrowtown which is an old  gold mining town and it was in it's full Autumn colours  -stunning. Stayed at Poplar Lodge last night -v.nice too, and wandered about there this morning b4 heading off a little way down the road to Wanaka where I presently type this rivetting epistle for you! Tomorrow sees me going on a jet boat up/down the river -should be exciting and then should in theory end up in Franz Josef tomorrow night. So you feel better there was ice on the car window this morning so adios warm weather. However now I am equipped with merino wool/possum mix beanie hat (attractive!) and gloves and socks I can laugh in the face of frezzing temperatures - ha, ha!Ok enough. Now the tedious bit  - loading photos .Should manage one more blog b4 I return  -it's rushing up on me now -eek!Lots of love KiwiSal xx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208152140/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208152140/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1208152140/tpod.html Thu, 17 Apr 2008 19:19:29 -0400 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Kaikoura, New Zealand

Well, I sampled the most amazing seafood chowder but a couple of hours ago en route to Kaikoura in the South Island -yes, I'm finally here! Stopped off at a place called The Store which produced this culinary masterpiece -so groovy I took it's photo!Had a quick stop off in a spot of drizzle to go "aahh" at a colony of NZ fur seals  - quite a few pups and yes they were cute and funny.Before leaving the North Island  I took a trip to an island called Tiritiri Matangi which is home to some of the most endangered birds in NZ.A third of the world population of Takahe's live there and the photo is of  one called Greg who greeted us upon landing . They make the most ridiculous sound , like a nasal moan completely inconsistent with their looks and size and it really made me giggle every time he uttered his call. I took a guided walk which was an absolute bargain and consequently saw far more bird life than I would have otherwise. S Also saw the following birds: saddleback, stich, whitehead, bellbird all of which have I never seen b4 nor even heard of - it was great!Driving thru North Island  particularly yesterday the scenery unfurled before me. It's reminiscent of Scotland, the Yorkshire moors, Lake District all rolled into one. In fact what it is, is a physical geography lesson in the flesh ; interlocking spurs, alluvial plains . y'know there are probably even terminal moraines somewhere altho they'll be at the glacier bit I expect! . Quite how they expect you to keep a half decent eye on the roads when stunning scenery is hurled at you around every corner I know not!.Kaikoura is a beautiful place, "mountains meet the sea" and so much on offer on the wildlife front.It's 16 April now and guess what I did this morning? I swam with wild dusky dolphins  -how cool is that? Actually cool was the word in more senses than one as the water was only 16 degrees C -might sound warm but even in a wetsuit it was a bit of a shock for the first couple if mins til you got used to it. Then it was great and I spent my 2 or 3 forays into the water singing squeaking and generally making noises into the snorkel as it was our role as humans to entertain the dolphins (apparently) and it brings them over to you, and under you and shooting past you out of the gloom giving you a bit of a start- amazing! There were about 3-400 around us some swimming "normally" , others jumping out the water, spinning (no, not with a spinning wheel -no fingers y'see!) and somersaulting -staggering.Well after the whalewatching what next? There's albatross to see and I'm advised in the backpackers I'm staying in that it's a better experience here than in Dunedin so may have stay another day! There's also the whale watching altho a girl did it yesterday and half the boat were throwing up! It was a litle lumpy going out this morning but I was equipped with my special ingredient- the Kaikoura cracker. Had this slightly surreal experience yesterday went in the chemist and said "sea sickness tablets?" Instead of being pointed to the relevant shelf the assistant pulled a little tub of pills out from under the counter (I thought ello -what's going on here?) and she said "these'll fix you" so armed with the Kaikoura cracker  - 4 for $10, I took 2 this morning , and by jove!they were very effective -hurray to them whatever they were!So may be here for another day or so then heading South towards the Otago Peninsular, dropping in at the Moraki boulders on the way. Had a long chat with a very nice guy (Ben from Auckland) yesterday about places to go and we peered at maps. I'd also had a interesting chat with an American guy called John, studying in Auckland, over breakfast that morning. John had the firmest handshake I've exoerienced in a long time! Now you know I'm not shallow, but both these guys were probably half my age and good looking to boot -it's tough work but someones's to do it!Took myself off for a 3 hour walk around the peninsular in Kaikoura yesterday and en route visited another seal colony and there was a large chap in the car park pretty unperturbed by people altho you are warned to keep away 10 metres away from them at this colony and generally 20 metres as thy can bite and will apparently if you disturb them and why wouldn't they?The views on this walk were stunning (for a change) and the sky and the moutains provided an amazing backdrop during the walk as the weather changed about 3 times. I was walking about in shorts and tshirt and sandals and became a little chilly at one point but then the sun blasted thru the clouds and sun cream and my attire seemed more appropriate.I'll get some photos up now stop wittering on.Love n stuffKiwiSal  (look I've only just remembered to change the name)xxxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1206746940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1206746940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1206746940/tpod.html Tue, 01 Apr 2008 23:55:16 -0400 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Napier, New Zealand

Well, yes, hello, it's been a while hasn't it?Beautiful, stunning, amazing , wow, look at that view!! etc etc These words plus others found in a thesaurus at "amazing" could suffice as those descriptors as my overall  impressions of NZ - the beauty is really something and in a strange sort of way it's kinda overwhelming... Peeps say that South Island is even more stunning than the North - I'm not sure I can cope in that case!Upon arrival nearly 2 weeks ago now I spent a few days exploring my local environment , had my hair cut, legs waxed, back sorted and then booked my self in for major dental work on the 1st April -seems appropriate!! (A huge filling fell out in Koh Samet -I'm blaming  a Thai massage the last bit of which was a couple of sharp blows to the back of the head - it was the next day it fell put with no warning - damn and blast!!)Today is 28th March and I'm in downtown Napier in North Island.Flew in from Thailand via Malaysia about 10 days ago and have so far been relaxing at a beachouse belonging to some wonderful friends  at a place called Snell's beach about an hour's drive from Auckland.Currently have the company of the lovely Jo, (one of the girls on the Thailand trip -she had some time to kill b4 starting an organised 21 day tour of both islands) for 8 days and have taken a road trip to Napier about 300 miles drive away.OK to get a bit caught up, has a good week on Koh Samet - in fact enjoyed more than I expected - beautiful white sands and warm sea so not too much suffering going on! Had a few swims and a had an on-beach pedicure and manicure provided at your deckchair (no need to move even!) for 200 baht -bargain! (60 baht is a quid) Food was great and cheap altho the service in the restaurant we were required to use - (Joe's) was hilariously bad! The waiters were mostly young guys who seemed to work ludicrously long hours. Their level of interest in customer service was non existent and the wait for food was very long often with items forgotten, food just put down in front of anyone, and if you ordered chcken and rice say, the rice may come first at leasst 20 mins b4 the next part of ther meal. You had to laugh or get really peed off (which some people did!)Went on a boat trip mid week and did some snorkelling which was great -don't think I've snorkelled since Australia 11 years ago (Anne) Might do some more here at a place called Goat Island Marine Reserve just along the way from Snell's.Anyway.... after lots of jumping about.... it's 2nd April today and just been into Auckland to the dental technician  (just had 2 crowns done yesterday -don't ask!) and to drop Jo back for the start of her tour tomorrow. Got predictably completely lost in Auckland  and spent quite some time trying to track down the N1 North which I eventually found.Have done some sight seeing around  Orewa and Snell's  -they're about 30km apart and surrounded by beautiful beaches and regional parks and places of interest  - blimey there's so much to do it makes your head spin!! On the way back from Napier which was beautiful and so interesting - earthquake 1931 and thereafter a great many  buildings built in the Art Deco style we dropped in at Rotorua -the area alive with geysers (no gals!) and very smelly air. Again really interesting altho the smell does get on your wick after a while. But did see boiling mud and a geyser going off -all very entertaining oh, and some Maori dancing singing and stuff which was great.Whilst we were over Napier way we also visited Cape Kidnappers a bit of coastline that James Cook landed upon -over that way is the largest mainland gannet colony in NZ? something like that. We took this tractor ride along the beach and to some extent in the sea about 6 km along the coast and then took a steep walk to wheere the gannets were. And were they beautiful? Why yes! and watching some of them coming into land was quite hilarious - landing on their faces pretty much!Ok , I'm going to upload some photos now and let them do the rest of the talking... Hope to hear your news soon.Love and stuff,Sally xx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1204385400/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1204385400/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1204385400/tpod.html Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:57:45 -0400 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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150km North of Bangkok, Thailand

Hi there -1st March already -I can hardly believe it!Having a wonderful time with our ellies -2 of them a male 15yrs and a female 35yrs, and fairly unimpressively I can't remember either name! Our eco location is in a beautiful spot on a hillside. We walk down hill to our ellies in the morning and ride them 3km to cut sugar cane for them with machetes -I know another weapon I'm used to handling! After the first day riding on a howdah (seat thing) to the sugar cane fields I opted to walk the following day as the seat dug into the back of my legs something chronic and the movement of the ellie means you have to brace for the entire journey which is about one and a half hours at ellie pace. In any event it's lovely walking alongside them and as this project is only in its 3rd month ellies  are a new thing in this area  and they're treated as celebrities in the surrounding villages. Yesterday a very bent and toothless old lady emerged from her shack with sugar cane and bananas for them and the evident pleasure it gave to feed them was fabulous to witness. As soon as they caught sight of the food they practically ran - not a comfortable experience and everso slightly terrrifying if you're on top! They, the ellies came across a jackfruit tree one day and took great delight in removing it from the tree (jackfruit can weigh up to 20kg and I think its the most delicious fruit I've ever tasted and that's a big claim now after the absolutely wonderful sweet and juicy pineapple and watermelon we have each morning for breakfast -I digress) and treading on it to break it open. Dried and crisped jackfruit is a speciality in one of the local villages and I can tell you  that it's absolutely yummy as well as in its natural state . The ellies also take great delight in snacking en route to the sugar cane fields stopping off the pull up leaves, roots and grasses. I stood during one such stop off and stroked the trunk of the male and thought to myself  "wow , what a privilege it is to be able to do this" It's amazing watching the mahouts handle them, and the way they clamber all over them to wash them is something else. Talking of washing them I did take a shower on ellie back on our first evening there and it was fantasic although incredibly uncomfortable for me what with my rubbish hips n all. Mind you I wouldn't have missed it for the world and you and the ellie come out of the whole process very wet but clean!It's now Sat 8th March and I can't believe its our penultimate day here - its gone so quickly. I had the most fantastic ride/shower on the female ellie yesterday evening and she's a much more stable seat than the male who as as he's a teenager can be a bit wilful at times whereas on the female the mahout will get off and leave you to it as she's such a good girl.Yesterday we had a change from cutting down sugar cane , which is very satisfying although you have to watch out for the leaves as they are razor sharp and there are also tiny prickly hairs not unlike my dear friends the prickly pears from South Africa! A farmer had called the project and asked if we would lke to clear the remaining  bananas from him crop for the ellies as  they would only go to waste as he was going to dig it all up and plant something else.  Cutting down banana palms made a nice change from sugar cane - getting the angle of the machete right was key to minimising the slog of taking them down altho in about half an hour I hsad an impressive blister! I'd had a really good ride on the ellie the previous day as I'd stuffed my fleece at the back of my knees to cushion the rubbing and it was far more comfortable but I chose to walk again yesterday. There's something really quite special walking along the "road" with 2 huge animals sometimes just behind you or just in front or, cutting right in front of you so you have to change diresction -it's not like you're going to argue! For such big animals they move so quietly and they watching their very deliberate foot movments is kinda hypnotizing. I dug around in  the adjacent now ploughed potato fields along the way for bits of potato and once found I'm only needed to vaguely wave it b4 an enquiring trunk nudged it's way into my hand! It's very difficult to describe the feeling you have being in such close proximity to the ellies and I think it has something to do with their size and strength but their incredible gentleness and calmness too.Calmness was a great quality my female ellie dispalyed yesterday as I dismounted her without the aid of the platform. I say dismounted, I actually fell out of the tree we pulled up to with the mahout pointing to this branch about 15ft above the ground suggesting I climbed on to it and then got to the ground (how??!!) Fortunately as I fell there was a ruddy great elephant behind me to shoulder my fall and Kwan, one of the Thai guys grabbed hold of me as I stumbled!. Barbara caught the whole thing on video and it's now available as a training video " How not a get off an elephant" I'm sure you're thrilled to know that I wasn't much injured apart from from a bleeding toe which I may have broken (but I'm being terribly brave as you would imagine!)We're off to Koh Samet tomorrow and  I'm not sure there's that much to do there except sunbathe altho I think I'll try and find out about boat trips else I'll be getting a bored  quite quickly. We will however be meeting up with our other group mates with whom we spent the first week so it'll be fun catching uop and seeing what's what.I'm on Koh Samet now and yes although the beach is lovely and the sea is warm and appears to be clean it's also very busy and full of farangs(wetserners) and having been out in rural Thailand with very few western faces it certainly is a bit of a culture shock. Shall have a swim later but have just popped into this internet cafe with Jo whilst trying to find the start of a trail that no one seems to know where it is or is interested in in even hazarding a guess -ho hum...Going to sign off now and probably lose the will to live uploading photos....Love and hugs Asia Sal xx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1203796920/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1203796920/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1203796920/tpod.html Sat, 23 Feb 2008 04:14:31 -0500 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Bangkok then Singburi, Thailand

Gawd, just taken me about half an hour to log on to the site so a bit frazzled! Here I am in Thailand and have spent the first 3 days in Bangkok doing cultural stuff. We then moved about 150 km to Singburi where we'restaying in an eco lodge type place which is great -all meals provided -all Thai food -yum!Great bunch of peeps here and have had a fab week. We're right out in the sticks here and we're located near a river along which I amble in the evening. You have to be fairly robust tho to brave the regular ambush and cacophony of barking dogs all defending their owners dwellings but it's worth it. Local peeps almost without exception smile and wave as they go about their daily tasks and there are THE most stunning buterflies I think I've ever seen which are all too quick to photograph -curses! This last week we've visited enough temples and buddahs in various positions to last me a lifetime -not that they're not beautiful  you understand but you can suffer from a degree of overload! We had a visit to a very interesting place yesterday -a temple cum village for sufferers of HIV and AIDS.  People living there are in various stages of the disease,some still living in "sheltered" accom and others in hospital in a pretty rough state.We were permitted and even encouraged to walk thru the ward of poorly peeps and we smiled and said hello in Thais to them and some smiled and wai -ed back  (Wai-ing is where you put your hands together as if in prayerat a height between your chest and head  -and whre you put them all depends upon whom you are addressing) We've also had the opportunity to learn the basics of Thai culture, some language and some cooking -it's been really great.  There are 13 of us on this trip and on Monday 4 of us do the ellie bit about 3-4 hours away for 2 weeks whilst the others do more cultural stuff and some trekking, then we all meet up again in Koh Samet for a week of R and R. I've had some late nights whilst here 1and 2am; I blame Jo and Andre who are 2 people I've particularly hit it off with -unfortunately neither are ellie-ing but it'll give us loads to catch up on when we get to KS.  The cost of living out here for us Farangs (Westerners) is so cheap -I bought 3 lovely hand made bracelets and some earrings this morning -90 baht the lot (60 baht is a quid) There is an abundance of fresh fruit at every turn too -every morning pineapple and water melon is available in addition to bananas and oranges. Along the "lane" where we are there are banana, mango, papaya and even pomegranates growing! Tried soem unrpe mango last night in the bar  and that was mighty tasty too. Only down side is ruddy mossies  -have a large collection of bites on my heels and ankles and they ITCH like mad -aaaaaargh!! When we're on our next leg on the ellie bit we also apparently get the opportunity to do some teaching in the village schol so that will be interesting.... Think I'm going to keep this short and upload some photos and then do some bits  -y'know pick up some money and supplies.Sending you love n hugsAsia Salxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202593080/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202593080/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202593080/tpod.html Wed, 13 Feb 2008 01:49:24 -0500 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Vang Vieng and Luang Prabang, Lao Peoples Dem Rep

Well, thought I'd better get started on my next blog. Currently sitting at a PC in downtown Siem Reap Cambodia. Had a fab flight here which I nearly missed -strolling to the gate at the appointed time I was rushed thru and out on to the tarmac to the plane. I was the last one on - there were 7 of us on a 72 seater!! In flight service was very efficient as you might imagine and we could all have a window seat or several in fact!Hadn't thought thru the fact that it's currently Chinese new year and therefore everywhere with a Chinese influence is packed out as its holiday and party time, consequently finding some accomm was a bit of a bind but helped out by a nice licensed cab/tourist chap who I've hired for the day tomorrow to see some of the various sites of the Angkor Wat sites -just bought a book on it in fact so that's my reading for the next few hours. my guide alsom took me to the small Cambodian land mine museum and relief fund run by a guy poacher turned gamekeeper who is now involved in demining areas and supporting the children of families whose lives have been blighted by landmine maiming or deaths. Stayed in some rather nice tho bijou (i.e tiny) accomm in Luang Prabang but it was right in the middle of the old town and within easy walking distance of most of the stuff I wanted to see and do.Very nearly got picked up by a boatman who started chatting to me whilst I was debating going into yet another temple given that the guide book had said it was 500kip and it was in fact 20,000kip. Mind you given that there are 17,500 kip to the pound it's not like it was going to break the bank! This chap asked me if I had a boyfriend and without even thinking I said no, he then went on to offer me a nice boat trip down the river and whilst he may have been totally legit I decided it wasn't the brightest idea...I'm glad I have my book  for this evening's entertainment as the hotel I'm staying in have rather unsportingly got signs up saying that handguns , grenades and needles are not allowed..... ho humThe night markets in Luang Prabang were fabulous, the array of stunningly coloured items that were on offer particularly the silk scarves, but also fabulous bags, tshirts, wooden carvings, silver ware etc . Once it was dark the stall keepers illuminated their wares with a light bulb hanging over them. With a large number of these it made for a lovely effect and it was relaxing to walk amongst it all and just look. You weren't hassled the stall holders would just call Sabadee (hello) to you as you went past. Just backtracking a bit (just had a look at my last blog) had a nice couple of days in Vientaine and had a traditional Lao massage on my feet and legs and upper body -blimey she'd strong hands! some of the "massaging " on my legs was a bit uncomfortable at the time but no ill effects afterwards apärt forn the odd bruise! You have to try these things! It was then onwards to Vang Vieng that I had not expected that much of. This was after a 3.5 hour journey on a VIP bus, hmm not very VIP by my standards but all part of the experience and full of travellers and no local fowl which you get on non VIP buses! In any event Vang Vieng turned out to be a little treasure. Along the banks of the river were local houses and local people washed themselves , their clothes and even their trucks in the river!Young children played in it and older people crossed it  (with garments held up) where it was shallow to avoid paying the toll to cross it. At either end of the bridge there were some tasteful decorations (see picture) You'd be amazed how many poeple didn't twig what they were. Had some really good Pad Lao here -noodles and veg n stuff and tofu -yum! Ran into some Canadians and a Kiwi I bumped into in Vientiane and had supper with them one evening.Well it's now 13th February and I'm in town town Phnom Pehn, Cambodia. It's about 12.45 lunchtime and I'm extremely grateful for the overhead fan which is preventing my head from exploding in the heat. Am staying at a backpackers place overlooking a lake -pretty basic but pleasant enuf for only $5 a night! The area around here is a maze or warren of tiny streets packed with places to stay,eat, buy stuff, make phones calls, use the internet etc , On arrival here yesterday teemed up with a nice chap that had been on the same bus from Siem Reap and we took a tuk tuk out to the "Killing Fields" the site of the mass graves discovered after Pol Pot was deposed. We also visited centre 21 , a school in PP which had been turned over to a torture and extermination camp during Pol Pot's reign -all very sobering. On a brighter note whilst in Siem Reap I spent 2 days with my trusty driver and guide Sokhem and visited most of the many sites of the Angkor civilisation. The scale of the places and it's sites is truly amazing  my enjoyment only marginally marred by the hoards of (I think) Korean tourists. Going to have a break now and then go out and visit the Silver Pagoda later this afternoon when its cooled down a bit.TTFNAsia Sal xxP.S Would be great to hear from some more of you'se, thanks to all my regular contributors -I really appreciate the contact!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202005260/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202005260/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1202005260/tpod.html Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:31:37 -0500 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Kuching ,Sarawak then Vietiane, Laos, Lao Peoples Dem Rep

Well readers, here I am in Laos! But first let me fill you in about my days in the jungle of Sarawak.....I'm pleased to say that my geography is improving hand over fist during this trip I might even choose Geog questions in Trivial Pursuit in future! You may or may not know that (did you know Helen?) that Borneo is the 3rd largest island in the world and comprises the states of 3 countries Sarawak (Malaysia), Sabah (Indonesia) and Brunei.  Anyway, we flew from KL to Kuching the capital of Sarawak and stayed in a fabulous lodge called Singahsanna for 2 nights b4 our foray into the jungle began. We didn't have too much detailed info about our accomm and thought there might be some serious lack of washing available hence the purchase of dettol wipes and yes, really, cotton disposable knickers - don't wince these are the realities of travelling!We were collected on the auspicious date of Jan 24th (thanks to those of you that wished me a happy birthday by the way!) and drove in a comfy bus for about 4 hours to the wharf at Batang Ai to get into our transport for the remainder of the journey. (As an aside for Jenny , not only have the Hilton a huge hotel on the waterfront at Kuching -(not too out of place) it has one at Batang Ai -in the middle of flippin nowhere -it's getting as bad as Tesco..!)Our transport was open canoe style boats with outboard motors and being driven by what appeared  to by 12 year old (or thereabouts) Iban lads (Iban are the tribe with whom we would be sharing our jungle experience) We'd taken what we thought we needed of our overall kit leaving a good amount in Kuching , and that was wrapped in bin liners in the boats; we were all wearing life jackets and not a little uncertain about the degree of rocking that had been experienced as we clambered somewhat shambolically into the boats. The journey was to take about 1and a half hours and we were perched on little wooden seats at the bottom of the boat - numb bum or wot by the time we got there! Francis, our guide who had accompanied us from Kuching had been making us believe we'd be weeing down at the river and washing in a bucket and sleeping on a wooden surface with  only a thin mat to cushion the old bones. When we finally arrived that little tinker Francis had been fibbing, a trait of his we would come to love.....We had sturdy and roomy bunk beds and showers (mostly cold but warmer in the afternoon) and joy of joys - proper Western loos!! Now for those of you ladies thast have experienced Asian loos you may understand my unparelled bliss in this discovery -I cannot get on with Asian loos and to to be fair I don't really want to. For those of you that haven't just thank your lucky stars.We undertook our first trek into the jungle the following day -I should really say up into the jungle  as the longhouse we were staying in was by the river and the jungle rose precipitously behind us. Now I've always for whatever reason been pretty rubbish at going uphill and this was to prove no different; and' if you consider the heat and the humidity and the sometimes wet leaf litter underfoot I found it pretty tough going. In the photo you will see my face is puce and my clothes are wet thru with sweat (as were everyones). We saw a couple of old Orang nests but none of the occupants. Whilst on this topic I'll quickly backtrack.... Our 2 days in Kuching involved a visit to Semengoggh  - an area where Orangs that have been rehabilitated now roam freely , the only concession to "captivity" if you can call it that is that food is out out for them twice and day which they can come and get or not as the mood or need arises but they are essentially wild as evidenced by one of the females chasing and taking a large bite out of one of the rangers' legs the other week -he was in hospital at the time of writing. We were so lucky as we we went early morning and it was an occasion when a number of Orangs came to feed including a huge male called Ritchie who had bitten the finger off one of the other males in the recent past. He came right down onto the ground -he was huge and hellishly impressive looking -quite scary actually when you consider they are 6 x stronger than humans! What was amazing was seeing them swing thru the trees as God intended and I have to say it did make me a little wistful and wish that Wasabi could experience this freedom. They are the most amazing creatures to witness in their natural habitat and their high wire antics and their agility on the lianas is breathtaking. On our 2nd day we went to the Matang Rehabilitation centre where work is done with Orangs and other animals that have either been seized from private owners or rescued from unsuitable places or  have been orphaned. In addition to Orangs there were sun bears which are native to Malaysia. There is a tremendous amount of education needed and much work is being undertaken with tribes people and children to develop a greater understanding for the need to value wildlife and to conserve endangered species and look for ways of finding common interests and making compromises on all sides.Whilst at Matang we were offered the opportunity to try an Orang favourite- the durian - it's a fruit which it's said by some to to "taste like heaven but smell like hell" well the ones we were offered, what can I say... the smell made me heave at about 10 paces - it's so hard to describe -but once you've smellled it you'll know it again. Needless to say I opted not to try it (Emma) and those that did really wished they hadn't  - hats off to them and all that but  I'm really glad I didn't.Anyway back to the jungle and the trekking..... After we trekked upwards for about an hour overall with the odd pit stop we came back down again and the key point here is there really was next to no horizontal trekking -it was either up or down and down presented it's own problems for me as I'm about nervous about falling and knackering either of my hips. Consequently neither up or down were great for me. And of course don't forget the leeches (Tiger leeches that can jump) and they are everywhere -you don't feel them attach to you, you become aware later that you've been leeched when you find blood stained clothing and a small scar -bless them. I didn't mention I don't think that I'd been leeched at the zoo -right in my belly button -urgh! Mind you I actually find mosssie bites a whole lot more irritating. The crux of the trekking tale is that I decided that after the first one , given that the subsequent ones were going to be more arduous ,notto undertake the others and felt quite comfortable in making that decision.In addition to the trekking the other key part of the experience was interacting with the Iban who lived in a longhouse a couple of 100 yrds along the rivers. We met up with them twice to do some weaving -a mat first and then a basket -I really enjoyed it and found it relaxingly therapeutic altho you dod have to concentrate and count -no wonder I was never any good at knitting mum-unlike you superstar knitter.In addition to our weaving classes we had a pasrty with the Iban on our last night, ate, played sonmem games ,danced - it was a great time wasn't it Bob? The locally brewed rice wine was flowing liberally and a few peeps got a little merry with one of our number needing to be carried to and from the boat......The following day we packed and flew back to Kuching -I put my clothes thru the express laundry service at the hostel. The smell was gross -we all smelt pretty ropey as despite the heat in the jungle the humidity pretty much prevents things from drying out - hmm damp , dirty and very sweaty clothes -lovely!Well I stayed in some accomm near KL airport on Friday and then flew to Vientiane on Sat morning into rain which it has pretty much done non stop -tho has reduced to drizzle (Phil) and there have been the odd dry patch so have wandered about some. Here for 2 nights so must go out and book the next bit of my journey . Proposing to go to Loang Prabang vai Vang Viang. Also having lots of fun trying to get to grips with the money as they take Laotian Kip, Thai baht and US dollars here and you can get receive change in a different currency to that which you paid!OK signing off for now - probably be Cambodia when I catch up next.Lots of love n hugs etcAsia Sal xxxaSIAOdoia      
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200695940/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200695940/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200695940/tpod.html Fri, 18 Jan 2008 05:54:37 -0500 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Taiping, Malaysia, Malaysia

Well, I've just moved computer and bow I can get on with this blog - the last one was not being at all cooperative -aaargh! Mond you this one appears to have a silent t so if they are missing thruout this blog you'll know why!For those of you that may not have revisited my last blog , after I posted it I put up 10 photos so do please have another look if you can be bothered. You'll find the start of lots of photos of Wasabi -yep, there's plenty more to come!Ok so last Saturday we set off for our 4 days hols on Penang Island -a 100km journey took an hour on that whilst they'd spent money on air con they'd clearly saved a huge amount by having no suspension or shock absorbers -mind you it was horrendously expensive as it cost 5.90 ringitts -that's nearly a pound I'll have you know! A ferry ride across the Malacca Straits (I think) cost a hideous 1.20r and then a taxi to the hotel 2.50rWe turned up a some accomm that the Rough Guide had recommeded which was ironic as it was indeed rough. Instead we wandered across the road to the Banana someting or other hotel  and 7 of us shared 2 rooms (but it had air con so that was the main thing-more important than a bed actually!)Sunday involved a trip up Penang Hill up possibly the longest funicular I've ever seen! The journey took 45 minutes and even involved a change halfway and was really quite precipitous! (don't look down!)At the top we looked at the temple (pictured on the previous blog) and also undertook a canopy walk across narrow wobbly planks (with netting either side  I hasten to add ) about 200 or so feet up in the tree canopies -an experience as I'm not that great with heights (dad would have hated it!)The following day Barbara and I went off without the others (as 7 people trying to make decisions and reach a consensus was turning out to be very wearing!) and took a bus ride of about 45 mins out to a place called Temput Bahang and had a lovely walk in part of the National Forest there. A huge Monitor Lizard crossed our path a one point, must have been abouit 3ft long - exciting or wot? After a couple of hours there we found a spot of beach to ourselves and relaxed fo r a little while having paddled in lukewarm seas. We'd been advised agains swimming as the state of the sea is a bit grim and smelly in places although   where we were there were little fishes and crabs that seemed to roll like wheels at high speed across the sand. However as we departed our idyllic spot some  small whole dead fish started to wash in with the tide. Nice.A spice garden was our next destination and we picked up a bus for the journey at no cost! The gardens were beautiful  even if neither of us proved competent at following the signs directing us around the various walks!Monday was travelling back day and the wait for the bus under a tent cum tarpaulin thing was a killer for me -SO hot!Back in lovely Taiping, it was back to work at the zoo on Weds and I can hardly believe its Friday already and we only have one day proper remaining a the zoo. I spent my lunch break today putting togeher guidance notes for future volunteers on how we clean and feed the animals in our area as we to a degree suffered from language difficulties and clarity of instruction wasn't good.Wasabi continues to be a daily delight and I try and spend time with her every day outside our chores . She just has the sweetest face and looks cuter still when she bites her bottom lip in a crooked way that is very comical. In terms of enrichment work this week we've frozen lumps of fruit in mild cordial  -we gave them to he orangs and the chimps this afternoon and they were a great hit. I went in with Wasabi and she came and sat next to me to suck her ice block and hen kindly wiped her wet sticky hands all over my light coloured trousers! Mind you I think I'd forgive her anything! She particularly likes to show you what she's eating so I have been treated to mouthfuls of masticated carrot and leaves which she shows me by protruding her bottom lip -she sometimes licks ants from the bars of her cage and then shows me them which I pick off her lip and chuck away reprimanding her mildly! (We did other enrichment work too but I'm flagging now and need some tea!)As we walked into town this afternoon Barbara and I had a close encounter with a large stroppy Macaque monkey who bared his teeth and frightened B so much she gave it her bottle of water. I came after me too but I faced it down and it went away but then followed us and I shouted at it and bared my teeth -it was pretty scary tho even tho I got used to stroppy vervets in S Africa.On the monkey theme I don't think I mentioned las time tha amongst the primates in our care we have 2 gibbons, Andrea who will grab your hair, knock your glasses off etc whenever you're not looking (this is all thru the bars of the cage but they have the longest arms!)  but like you to hold her long spidery hand. And there's Simon too, who always makes a mess and like to throw his food and water plates around the cage but who also likes to have his tummy tickled. And their voices! When they call it is absolutley deafening, and somtimes Hassan will join in with grunting and the noise that emits from Amy the lemur defies description! The marmosets are really sweet and some have really funky hairstyles -they're hard to photograph tho as they move so quickly! Cleaning their cages is a bit challenging a times as there's plenty to walk into and unless you're under 5ft 5 and /or a contortionist its a bit of a squash especially as you have to shut all the door direcly behind you to prevent them absconding!Sunday we're invited to a zoo memeber of staff's daughter's wedding so that should be fun.Monday, at 7.45am we're off back to KL and then fly to Kuching for the next part of our adventure -the rehbilitation centres for Orangs and then our 7 days in the jungle -should be amazing and hot and knackering and full of scary animals and insects..... I'll let you know...Signing off for nowAsia Sal xxxx
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200089580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200089580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/sally63howse/southafrica2007/1200089580/tpod.html Sun, 13 Jan 2008 07:58:13 -0500 OK so that's South Africa done; now to South East Asia and New Zealand..

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Taiping, Malaysia, Malaysia

Well, hello! This is likely to be a short entry as this is a quick visit into town after work to find some accomm for our long w/e in Penang -Sat- Tues. Time off all ready?! I hear you say. This will effectively be our 2 w/es put together to allow us a decent bit of time off a distance away. (I've just noticed as I'm sittting here I absolutely honk of sweat -charming I know. Mind you worse still the room Barbara and I are sharing began to smell of Orangs last nite-bit of a worry!)The zoo is great and the orangs varied. Wasabi a girl of 5 is lovely  and great to play with altho even at 5 she's quite strong and you need your wits about you. Heaven and Pudding are 2 older girls and Pudding is a bit of a psycho  -not to be toyed with, but Heaven is lovely. Hassan, an older chap is ok too but a bit poorly at the mo as he had to have a finger amputated.Our routine at the zoo is to clear the outside Orang area of leaves , old food etc, then clean their nite accomm -quite smelly (mind you hark who's talking!) We clear out old food and poo, then hose down with water, scrub with disinfectant, hose again and then squuegy all the left over water out. We then change drinking water and put food out. In our area we also have Tamarinds, marmosets, leopard cats (one was dead the other morning  -the other 2 had killed it) and Amy the beautiful black and white Lemur! We also feed the otters (3), they're in a big area with some large birds and their food mix includes fish, prawns and maggots -yum!  -so smelly hands if you get lumbered with  fish!Our accomm is a nice little house ablut 15-20 mins walk from the zoo where we have to be at 7.50am ready for work at 8am. 8-10 is cleaning, 10-11 is feeding, 11.00-11.30 break, 11.30-12.30 various 12.30-2pm lunch. After lunch every day we do enrichment work (for the animals that is not us!) Tuesday we plaited ropes for the orangs and the lions to play with, yesterday we sewed food into hessian sacks for the orangs and the sunbears and today we cut holes into banana leaf stalks and pushed sunflower seeds , honey and raisins into them again for ornags and sunbears. We watched Wasabi with her banana leaf stalk which was great fun for us and her -she is so gorgeous  - I spent part of my lunch hour today chatting to her and playing with some long green beans-pushing aand pulling them thru the  bars of the cage! We've a nice group, 6 girls and a boy -age range 19-47, 3 zoo assistants and 4 Orang project peeps. There's 4 other Orang project peeps who are at a zoo in KL who we meet up with after 15 days zoo work. It's hot and incredibly humid here , you break into a massive sweat just walking to walk so you're pretty much dripping once you've done the cleaning!What's really unusual here in Taiping? Westerners! Therefore everywhere we go we're stared at and hooted and called to-nicely, but it's a bit weird til you get used to it. Peggy is blonde too and gets people coming up to her and demanding to have their photo taken with her! My silk sleeping bag liner is perfect in this heat (mum) and my towel is ace (Mel). Just want to say a huge well done to Swindon Scratch choir for what seems to have been a magnificent performance at the Arts Centre. I'm really sorry I wasn't there with you , altho I was in spirit!Must sign off now  and get looking for accomm. Will get photos sorted for next time -this was just a quickie -will write again after Penang and b4 Borneo I guess.Lots of love Asia Sal xx
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