September 9, 2009 – Day 258 – Lhasa, Tibet
Being in Lhasa is literally being in a whole different world. It is absolutely nothing like China and it is difficult to see just why China insists on maintaining ownership over this small, poor region. The people are so wonderful and even though they do stare, they are honestly curious instead of nosy and will return your glance with a big smile.
In the streets of Lhasa
September 8, 20009 – Day 257 – Lhasa, Tibet
When talking about a place as colorful and detailed as a Tibetan Buddhist temple, how is it possible to describe the interior without pictures? No photos are allowed inside any Buddhist temple and it makes it difficult to fully paint a picture with enough or the right words.
Monk in the temple
August 31, 2009 – Day 249 – Beijing, China
Today found us clamoring all over the glorious Great Wall of China. And wow, what a view! Not only is it utterly amazing to be standing on such an incredible and unlikely structure, you can actually see its length go on for miles in either direction!
The Wall
August 25, 2009 – Day 244 – Beijing, China
Hundreds upon hundreds of tourists flood the gates of the Forbidden City once they has rushed through Tinananmen Square behind their shouting tour guide wildly waving a flag or umbrella (or contraption of both affixed together).
Iconic Mao portrait
July 16, 2009 – Day 203 – Hong Kong
Somehow we got up before noon today and dropped off our visa applications at the visa agency. They seem to know what they are doing so hopefully everything will go smoothly and we can pick them up tomorrow.
A Junk (seriously that's what it's called) in the harbor
July 4, 2009 – Day 191 – Sarajevo, Bosnia
It’s July 4th and we’re on a train to Sarajevo, Bosnia. At home, our friends and families are celebrating with cookouts and reunions, enjoying a great American day. Today, we feel a bit homesick and definitely out of the loop of the goings-on in our motherland. For us, there will be no grilled burgers, cold beer or fireworks but it was a good reminder of the cost of freedom to experience July 4th in a land where the scars of war are still so evident.
Out the window and into the world
June 30, Day 187: Sibenik, Croatia
Sightseeing in Sibenik. Very interesting and famous cathedral, a lovely old city, and dilapidated remains of the old castle walls. From the high walls, much of the city is visible but most spectacular is the view over the sea. It was a warm, clear blue day and we were able to see the nearby Kornati islands and boats of all sizes zipping through the azure water below.
Heads around the Cathedral
June 2, 2009 – Day 159 – Petra, Jordan
“The Pink City” of Petra holds true to its name and its allure. Feeling like Indiana Jones (ok, sans horse) we made our way through the 80 meter high walls of the amazing Siq and marveled at the random trees and bushes growing from cracks in the rock. How they can sustain themselves in such an environment is pretty incredible!
Burro in front of the Treasury
May 24, 2009 – Day 150 – Luxor, Egypt
Egypt is all about tours. Everyone seems to have a hand in at least five or six enterpirses aimed at the tourism industry. For those who prefer sightseeing alone find it twenty times more difficult than it should be. So as it turned out, it was more economical to take a tour to the Valley of the Kings and surrounding area (a whopping $25 for guide, transport, and all tickets; each sight has its own entrance fee and taxis charge astronomical fees to take you to the area and then wait for you).
Columns amoung the ruins
May 2, 2009 – Day 128 – Athens, Greece
The National Gardens in Athens are dreadfully boring. Although admission is free, there are essentially no flowers except a few small rows of pansies and petunias by a couple entrance gates and around the base of a monument. Mostly it’s just a park with dusty paths and over pruned hedges on the verge of death. There is a filthy little fish pond with turtles too but the water is so dirty that you can’t even really see the fish but only a few orange darting spots below the surface. The turtles just hang around on the rocks that are oddly stacked in the middle while pigeons hop from one turtle shell to another, completely oblivious to the fact that they are standing on top of a (very unhappy) fellow creature.
Flowers and the fence
Taxi Rides = 123
Boat Rides = 35
Motorcycle Rides = 10
Plane Rides = 16
Bus Rides =330
Train Rides = 124
Rickshaw Rides = 98
Truck Bed Rides = 25
Rainy Days = 42
Current Rummy Score
Lin 10950, Saben 12435
