Some additional links have been added (right hand side of the blog, below the blog entry index). I've included them here for anyone who wants to easily check them out now.
The first is by a professional photographer who's studio Ros and I visited in Nha Trang, on the Vietnamese coast. Long Thanh has received awards for several of his photos across various international competitions. He has some amazing photos depicting everyday life in Vietnam (rural Vietnam mostly):
http://www.longthanhart.com
The second one is a site maintained by another traveller that I met in Laos, Kyle Lamy. He's got some great photos from India, Asia and NZ:
http://kylelamyphoto.com
Tuesday, 24 July 2007
Monday, 23 July 2007
Another month, another shave
So another month has passed, and therefore time again for a street side shave session. This time: Phnom Phen, on a wide street that, while it allowed traffic to pass, was actually shave central. 
For the record, this one cost 3000 Riel, approximately 80 cents AUD
After selecting the middle chair, I met my barber and tried to coax him into a smile for the obligatory before shot:
Reserved he remained at the beginning, an artist perhaps still in thought in preparation for his work on a canvas that also doubles as my face. But a splendid job he did, and in recognition he allows a broad smile as the moment is recorded.
For the record, this one cost 3000 Riel, approximately 80 cents AUD
Introducing... DUDEness
This is me with one of the finest examples of "Dudeness" we found in Vietnam. 
After seeing lots of similarly presented elder statesmen of the Vietnamese community, we came upon the moniker of "Dudness". It's more than the clothes: the daytime pyjamas, the scarf, and usually a fedora; more than than the vocation: wandering the streets amiably; it's also about the attitude: the calm facial expressions, the strong overtones of confidence, and a large dose of charisma that make Dudness a special highlight when traveling through this long country of 80+ million.
Upon reflection it seems all the more astounding that the most calm and content Vietnamese appear those of the "Dudness" collective as they are the ones most likely to have seen the worst of Vietnam's troubled and violent history.
If I'm a patch on this guy at 80 (his age), I'll be a very happy man. Have a closer look:
Thursday, 12 July 2007
Monk Party
I should start off by mentioning that I'm about to tell a tale that occured several months ago in Sukaithai, Thailand. Ros and I only recently realised that neither of us had recorded this amazing evening - so here it is.
It is very quickly learned in Asia that good food can be found outside of the main streets - especially good CHEAP food. And so it was that Ros and I diverted our course from the main street of Sukathai into what looked like a busy side street. We found plenty of tables, an abundance of food, and surprisingly an abundance of rum also (surprising as most Thai's can't afford to drink liberally).
To our surprise a lady came to us immediately, guided us to a table, placed a full bottle of rum in front of us. Food then promptly arrived, and our new host directed our attention to a large stage where a male singer was performing before 5 stunning dancers who were making some very suggesting pelvic thrusts as part of their dancing routine. A little perplexed we reviewed our environs more closely and realised that we had stumbled upon a private party, and the host had, in the best Buddhist tradition, welcomed us to join them and share in their lavish celebrations.
We also spotted a very nervous looking novice monk (maybe 15 years), and with some effort learned that the party was to celebrate his commencement as a monk (all males in Thailand spend some time as a monk, usually in their teen years). So what better way to celebrate the start of abstinence, celibacy and modesty than by watching about 150 of your extended family go on an eating, drinking and dancing binge, with the hottest babes in town thrusting their groin everywhich way they can?
He was certainly nervous, and so watched from a quiet corner where he was not able nor tempted to look at the stage.
After having a beer in acceptance of their kindness (we couldn't refuse their offers, but it was too much for us to accept a full bottle of rum knowing that it cost them more that it would to feed someone for a week), we were encouraged onto the dance floor...
Suitably embarrassed (both us and the monk), we boogied for about 15 minutes, blessed the monk, and made a speedy exit. We felt sorry for the monk. It was a party in his honour, but there was not one part of it in which he could participate. Not only that, but a few random farang had just hijacked the interest of all the other attendees...
It is very quickly learned in Asia that good food can be found outside of the main streets - especially good CHEAP food. And so it was that Ros and I diverted our course from the main street of Sukathai into what looked like a busy side street. We found plenty of tables, an abundance of food, and surprisingly an abundance of rum also (surprising as most Thai's can't afford to drink liberally).
To our surprise a lady came to us immediately, guided us to a table, placed a full bottle of rum in front of us. Food then promptly arrived, and our new host directed our attention to a large stage where a male singer was performing before 5 stunning dancers who were making some very suggesting pelvic thrusts as part of their dancing routine. A little perplexed we reviewed our environs more closely and realised that we had stumbled upon a private party, and the host had, in the best Buddhist tradition, welcomed us to join them and share in their lavish celebrations.
We also spotted a very nervous looking novice monk (maybe 15 years), and with some effort learned that the party was to celebrate his commencement as a monk (all males in Thailand spend some time as a monk, usually in their teen years). So what better way to celebrate the start of abstinence, celibacy and modesty than by watching about 150 of your extended family go on an eating, drinking and dancing binge, with the hottest babes in town thrusting their groin everywhich way they can?
He was certainly nervous, and so watched from a quiet corner where he was not able nor tempted to look at the stage.
After having a beer in acceptance of their kindness (we couldn't refuse their offers, but it was too much for us to accept a full bottle of rum knowing that it cost them more that it would to feed someone for a week), we were encouraged onto the dance floor...
Suitably embarrassed (both us and the monk), we boogied for about 15 minutes, blessed the monk, and made a speedy exit. We felt sorry for the monk. It was a party in his honour, but there was not one part of it in which he could participate. Not only that, but a few random farang had just hijacked the interest of all the other attendees...
Monday, 9 July 2007
Texture (4)
There's texture everywhere!!!
Bricks awaiting their destiny... Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
What was, I'm sure, a stunning flower display before they all died. Cholon markets, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Spices in the outdoor markets in Cholon (Chinatown). Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Bananas for sale!!! Street vendor in a restaurant alley in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ornamental beach wall at the snazzy, designer hotel next to the cheaper place where we were staying...Doc Let Beach, Vietnam
Mossy roof at "Crazy House", an architectural marvel in Dalat, Vietnam.
Another wonderful concrete facade juxtaposed to a leafy tree. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Up to now a rare sight - a flowering palm. Ho chi Minh City, Vietnam.
Sunday, 8 July 2007
Reunification Palace, Ho Chi Minh City
Reunification Palace is so named as this is the place where the governments of northern and southern Vietnam officially agreed to the establishment of a single Vietnamese country in 1975. A fairly striking building, in a central park enclosed location in Ho Chi Minh City, Ros and I found ourselves taking quite a few photos, some of which are below. Note the various influences: communist concrete, modernist simplicity and even "Get smart"!
The palace from the front. What you see are the reception halls and offices for the (former Saigon) prime minister and his wife, with a danceflor on the roof (seriously), with the main reception hall and prime minister's residence behind.
Ho Chi Minh himslef (well a bronze cast anayway) looking magnificent on the stge in the reception hall
Halways adjoining the smaller reception halls at the front of the building.
Gambling room (yes I'm serious again).
The Prime Minister's Wife's formal office
I did say "Get Smart" didn't I? This is a communications room in the basement
Another "Get Smart" style office in the basement.
An Amzing Ride
1,400 Kms, 21 days, 11 cities, 1,000,000 rice paddies and 2 very sore bottoms later, and the bike has been returned without a hitch!
Special Bathroom Bonus
When you check into a guest house, it's wise to check out the bathroom, to be certain that it is at least somewhat clean, determine the hot water status, and to find out if you get free stuff like toilet paper, toothbrushes or even a comb.
During a recent inspection, chaparoned by a middle age lady (of surprisingly mild disposition for a Vietnamese), in a quiet, unassuming guest house on the Vietnamese coast, I spotted a couple of posters as depicted featuring 80s-esq bikini babes as shown. What could be more surprising than that? The fact that they weren't posters. These are tiles - a permanent feature of the establishment!
During a recent inspection, chaparoned by a middle age lady (of surprisingly mild disposition for a Vietnamese), in a quiet, unassuming guest house on the Vietnamese coast, I spotted a couple of posters as depicted featuring 80s-esq bikini babes as shown. What could be more surprising than that? The fact that they weren't posters. These are tiles - a permanent feature of the establishment!
Thursday, 5 July 2007
You'll Never Walk Alone...
It's seems to be the fashionable thing to do these days, which makes me the follower, and people such as Dan and Charlie the pioneers (at least in my knowledge)...
Yes, I'm talking about the phenomenon that is going to a major football (soccer) match in the land of your travels, and cheering as though you have the team's song tattooed across your chest. In my case, it was a game between Vietnam and Indonesia as part of the Olympic qualifying rounds. What's that I hear you ask? Yes, granted, not superpowers in the world game, but on a cold and raining night in Hanoi, that's not what the 40,000 odd supporters thought!
As with most adventures, there's a good story to go with it: and yes, it's true that unplanned events always end up more interesting, and this is a fine example. We learned of the game on the morning of match day, and so headed off in search of tickets. Luckily we were able to get some scalped tickets at only marginally above face value - so the stage was set. Keeping the best interests of fellow travellers in mind, we'd purchased 6 tickets - two for Ros and I, two for some Kiwis we'd been travelling with for a few days, and two with the hope that we'd run into other similar minded travelling fans eager for a bit of impromptu sporting madness.
Yes, I'm talking about the phenomenon that is going to a major football (soccer) match in the land of your travels, and cheering as though you have the team's song tattooed across your chest. In my case, it was a game between Vietnam and Indonesia as part of the Olympic qualifying rounds. What's that I hear you ask? Yes, granted, not superpowers in the world game, but on a cold and raining night in Hanoi, that's not what the 40,000 odd supporters thought!
As with most adventures, there's a good story to go with it: and yes, it's true that unplanned events always end up more interesting, and this is a fine example. We learned of the game on the morning of match day, and so headed off in search of tickets. Luckily we were able to get some scalped tickets at only marginally above face value - so the stage was set. Keeping the best interests of fellow travellers in mind, we'd purchased 6 tickets - two for Ros and I, two for some Kiwis we'd been travelling with for a few days, and two with the hope that we'd run into other similar minded travelling fans eager for a bit of impromptu sporting madness.
Alas we arrived at the ground without allocating the last ticket, so we had to try and scalp it at the gate - a challenge given that we had competition from about 20 other scalpers who had the advantage of actually being able to speak Vietnamese. After some interesting negotiations (which generally consisted of us holding out our ticket, and someone asking something of us in their native tongue before walking of in an amused state), we hit paydirt, and cleared the ticket at a negligible loss. And so off to the game.
It's fair to say that the Vietnamese shat all over the Indonesians who were persistent and scored an equaliser in the 88th minute in response to an early goal from the home team. The stage was set for a hero, and so extra time arrived with an anxious crowd on the edge of their seat.
But then A MOMENT OF GLORY. A chip to the top corner of the net and in response two waves of emotion rush from the stands to the pitch in celebration of a victory well deserved, but almost passed....
One side of the grandstand, seated under "Uncle Ho (Chi Mihn)"
Ros in her "Vietnam Victorious" head band, and me in my Vietnam shirt
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