The bus trip of 10 hours from Luang Prabang was most interesting and filled up with breathtaking sceneries high in the mountains and in deep valleys with rivers and rapids. We sometimes passed beautiful villages, which probably have been looking quite the same for centuries. We stopped somewhere and the the village people were as curious of us as we of them.
Next day I started to explore Vientiane, and found it quite pleasant and friendly city. However much more international than I did expect. After a few hours walking I stopped at a nice looking terrasse of Lotus resturant for some drink to find out that at the next table were sitting and writing postcards my fellow counrtry men Kari 43 and Minna 38 from Helsinki. I had not been talking with anybody for a couple of days, and with the help of new drinks I became very talkative and interupted their writings probably too many times. Later back in my hotel's garden bar, there came in two young American fellows from Arizona James 23 and Luke 22. I already had met James briefly earlier that day, so they joined me for some beers. They both were English teachers in Nanjing, China, working there for the Chinese government with one year's contract.Later that evening after looking the Tennis final from Australian Open in Melbourne,I decided to go to a nice looking Italia restaurant, which I had passsed earlier, L'Opera. I took a tuk tuk to there and had an excellent dinner penne with mozzarella and porcini. I also loved to hear them playing Luciano Pavarotti and asked them to play the cd louder. They did it and I became a friend with Giancarlo Pozzoli, the owner of the ristorante. He was a deep Pavarotti fan, and in his opinion there never was anybody to be compared with the late singer.
We did have a nice chat, and I did also like the marvellous house wine from Italy
of couse. Yesterday I first met Steven around 45,from Kent, England and his local Thai wife Mod. We sat together a couple of hours, and now I was mostly listening.
Later at another terrasse I met Johnny 58, an extraordinary character, born in Pakistan as a son of Irish missionar. He had no home and had been travelling all the world since he was 20. Everything he owned was two pairs of shoes, two pairs of trousers and two shirts. I did not quite understand, how he did manage everything, living in hotels, eating, drinking, giving money to beggars etc. He never had worked
anything. He started to buy drinks for me and I did then do the same.We spent all the evening together, moving to different places. He had been in Vientiane for three months, and knew the city well. In his opinion I was the most interesting man he had met in long time. So we had a lot fun with philosophical discussions, and departed around midnight. I did not as you can see have any time to study deeper the local culture, but at least I did visit in Luang Prabang The National Museum, former Royal Palace. Tonight I'll have an all-night bus ride to Pakse.
Monday, January 28, 2008
Friday, January 25, 2008
Luang Prabang, Laos
I have been here for four days , and did have in this very pleasant town a good time
like almost always during last ten months.This place is also in World Heritage program, and I can very well understand it. I have not been busy at all and mostly keeping company by myself. Yesterday evening I however met very nice Australian honeymooners
from Sydney, Allan and Ellen both 28, and we had a interesting chat for a while in my favourit garden bar just opposite to my guest house. Later some younger gentlemen from
Scotland,Holland and Sweden joined me for couple of beers at open fire place there.
The weather has also been most pleasant all the time, maybe some 25 degrees in centigrades. And I must mention again that of all over 300 hundred days on this trip
only three or four partly rainy days until now!
Tomorrow a long bus ride to Vientiane.
like almost always during last ten months.This place is also in World Heritage program, and I can very well understand it. I have not been busy at all and mostly keeping company by myself. Yesterday evening I however met very nice Australian honeymooners
from Sydney, Allan and Ellen both 28, and we had a interesting chat for a while in my favourit garden bar just opposite to my guest house. Later some younger gentlemen from
Scotland,Holland and Sweden joined me for couple of beers at open fire place there.
The weather has also been most pleasant all the time, maybe some 25 degrees in centigrades. And I must mention again that of all over 300 hundred days on this trip
only three or four partly rainy days until now!
Tomorrow a long bus ride to Vientiane.
Monday, January 21, 2008
Bangkok, Thailand
I really did not intend to visit Bangkok on this trip. However my schedule and flight connections brought me here for two nights. My last visit to Bangkok was ten years ago, and due the big traffic problems then, I thought that it should be my last one too, even having so much fun especially during 70's and 80's here.
Now to my big surprise, even douple so much vehicles in traffic, everything seems to be organised. New highways and flyovers. Not too bad at all! I got a small but clean
and nice room with TV and mnibar including Singha beer,Mekong whisky etc. in the heart of Bangkok just a few steps away from Patpong night life district. Well, this is something after the boring lonely evenings in Myanmar.
I must say that there is a difference of everything at least of 30 years between these two neighboring countries. At least all those places I recently did visit in Thailand are wealthy compared with Myanmar. However the atmosphere in Myanmar was mainly very positive, when working and waiting for better times.
Tomorrow I continue my trip to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Now to my big surprise, even douple so much vehicles in traffic, everything seems to be organised. New highways and flyovers. Not too bad at all! I got a small but clean
and nice room with TV and mnibar including Singha beer,Mekong whisky etc. in the heart of Bangkok just a few steps away from Patpong night life district. Well, this is something after the boring lonely evenings in Myanmar.
I must say that there is a difference of everything at least of 30 years between these two neighboring countries. At least all those places I recently did visit in Thailand are wealthy compared with Myanmar. However the atmosphere in Myanmar was mainly very positive, when working and waiting for better times.
Tomorrow I continue my trip to Luang Prabang in Laos.
Bagan, Myanmar
I am sitting on my veranda at Thande Hotel's garden, sipping slowly pretty good Tiger beer, and looking down to Ayeyarwaddy river.I can't say to which direction the river flows,the stream is so lazy and those passing-by-boats seem to have the same slow speed to both ways. The river is very wide, several hundred meters,but probably
not very deep. Behind the river,maybe one mile away, is a a row of mountains with some pagodas against the clear blue sky. On the riverbank six old time ox carts are rolling forwards to the nearby market place, bringing fresh vegetables.Each load is huge needing two strong bulls, especially because there is no road just a route.
And many butterflies around. This view is most relaxing and very enjoyable. I can see everything at least one mile away to the North and to the South. I sat there for hours thinking the past and the future, only 66 days left of my journey of one year.
Bagan is the ancient capital of the first dynasty of Burma. This culture florished during 11th-13th century A.D.
Today there are more than 2000 pagodas and temples still left in relative small area
from that period.
not very deep. Behind the river,maybe one mile away, is a a row of mountains with some pagodas against the clear blue sky. On the riverbank six old time ox carts are rolling forwards to the nearby market place, bringing fresh vegetables.Each load is huge needing two strong bulls, especially because there is no road just a route.
And many butterflies around. This view is most relaxing and very enjoyable. I can see everything at least one mile away to the North and to the South. I sat there for hours thinking the past and the future, only 66 days left of my journey of one year.
Bagan is the ancient capital of the first dynasty of Burma. This culture florished during 11th-13th century A.D.
Today there are more than 2000 pagodas and temples still left in relative small area
from that period.
Wednesday, January 16, 2008
Mandalay, Myanmar
Mandalay is 668 km north from Yangon, and a very busy as well as very polluted city like Yangon too. My first reaction after my arrival to Myanmar was the quality of the air, visibility about two kilometers and a clear sky. You first thought you cannot breath this air. The green leaves of the trees are actually gray of dust, and seemingly many trees are not feeling well. I am mostly alone among Burmese people.
I have only seen very few foreigners, German, French and Japanese citizens.
I yesterday agreed with Yeye 36, a taxi driver that he could show me Mandalay and surroundings yesterday and today for about US$50. He did his best, and I did enjoy not just a city sightseeing but a lot more. Like Mandalay Hill, even with poor visibility, tens of magnificent mainly golden Pagodas, like those of Mahamuni, Kuthodaw and Kyauktawgyi among others. I was quite disappointed with the Royal Palace of the last dynasty. An empty museum
surrounded by a huge garden in critical condition. Also the cars here are mostly very old and in a shape, which could not be acceptable in any Western countries. The local special
transporter is a Chinese tractor motor without any hood with locally built freight levels, and somehow installed four wheels. Yeye had a Toyota Corolla, maybe 20 years old but much better than most other vehicles on the streets, and could even reach 60 km/h, which was a racer speed in those streets and roads. I was a little concerned about my stomach, but everything went well, and I could also enjoy the good local Myanmar Beer as well as pretty good food with very reasonable prices. Tomorrow I will continue to Bagan.
I have only seen very few foreigners, German, French and Japanese citizens.
I yesterday agreed with Yeye 36, a taxi driver that he could show me Mandalay and surroundings yesterday and today for about US$50. He did his best, and I did enjoy not just a city sightseeing but a lot more. Like Mandalay Hill, even with poor visibility, tens of magnificent mainly golden Pagodas, like those of Mahamuni, Kuthodaw and Kyauktawgyi among others. I was quite disappointed with the Royal Palace of the last dynasty. An empty museum
surrounded by a huge garden in critical condition. Also the cars here are mostly very old and in a shape, which could not be acceptable in any Western countries. The local special
transporter is a Chinese tractor motor without any hood with locally built freight levels, and somehow installed four wheels. Yeye had a Toyota Corolla, maybe 20 years old but much better than most other vehicles on the streets, and could even reach 60 km/h, which was a racer speed in those streets and roads. I was a little concerned about my stomach, but everything went well, and I could also enjoy the good local Myanmar Beer as well as pretty good food with very reasonable prices. Tomorrow I will continue to Bagan.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
The Tiger and I, Yangon,Myanmar
The last day in Hong Kong was a bit lonely after having so good fun with my sons and their girl friends,who already left early in that morning.I had tried to reach my very old friend Mr.Fraser Simpson but he supposed to arrive from U.K.the day after my departure.I went to look at HMV for some old American Jazzy music and did spend exactly HK$1000.for Julie London,Dick Haymes ,Jo Stafford.Paul Anka(his easy listening music)etc.before having some vine at the Holiday Inn Golden Mile Executive Lounge.There i had part time company ,when not busy.of Miss Sandy Yip.the most charming and very helpful young lady of 24,Guest Relations Officer,who in my opinion,took care of me during our stay as a special guest.
Vey best regards to her,who did not like to hear that this visit in Hong Kong was probably my last,as I there have been there for over 50 times.
I had a midnight flight to Bangkok,and saved some money sleeping on a bench or actunlly on two pairs of chairs at the airport for five hours before checking in to my flight to Yangon.
Here was waiting the best hotel I have been in a long time.I can recommend to anybody the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel,in a beautiful garden at lakeside with excellent and perfect friendly service.
So,the Tiger or actually a female one,a Tigress.I had yesterday nothing better to do,so I visited the zoo.There were many interesting things ,but the gage of two beautiful Bengali Tigers interested me especially.A couple I guess.They were laying in the shadow under a tree until I came to the fence.The male did not react at all but she jumped up very energic and came to me,a distance about 1.2 meters.Then,she put her whole body over two meters against the poles of the gage but having a very friendly look at me.The local people were starring at us.What was going on? Did she plan to have me as a present to her husband for lunch or did she want to have a new love?When I moved two meters she followed me and sat down when I stopped.This did go on and on.And more and more locals appeared to look this show .At least fifty people were there.But,I was her only interest .She did not care of those other people but followed me just as near as possible.Very tame and very loving,I guess.A beautiful romance with a such a beautiful animal.
Later that day,I met Frank 44 from Limburg,Germany who had travelled a lot in these countries but else where too,and I got some very good advices.Today before noon I visited on incredible Pagoda of Shwedagon,over 2500 years old partly at least. A fantastic experience of over 1000 Buddhas, tons of gold and jewels in a not so rich but quite happy country anyway. I do not like to have any political comments .it's not my business and I don't know local circumstances. I only know that the people here are very very nice and helpful.Tomorrow morning ,awful early I shall fly to Mandalay.
Vey best regards to her,who did not like to hear that this visit in Hong Kong was probably my last,as I there have been there for over 50 times.
I had a midnight flight to Bangkok,and saved some money sleeping on a bench or actunlly on two pairs of chairs at the airport for five hours before checking in to my flight to Yangon.
Here was waiting the best hotel I have been in a long time.I can recommend to anybody the Kandawgyi Palace Hotel,in a beautiful garden at lakeside with excellent and perfect friendly service.
So,the Tiger or actually a female one,a Tigress.I had yesterday nothing better to do,so I visited the zoo.There were many interesting things ,but the gage of two beautiful Bengali Tigers interested me especially.A couple I guess.They were laying in the shadow under a tree until I came to the fence.The male did not react at all but she jumped up very energic and came to me,a distance about 1.2 meters.Then,she put her whole body over two meters against the poles of the gage but having a very friendly look at me.The local people were starring at us.What was going on? Did she plan to have me as a present to her husband for lunch or did she want to have a new love?When I moved two meters she followed me and sat down when I stopped.This did go on and on.And more and more locals appeared to look this show .At least fifty people were there.But,I was her only interest .She did not care of those other people but followed me just as near as possible.Very tame and very loving,I guess.A beautiful romance with a such a beautiful animal.
Later that day,I met Frank 44 from Limburg,Germany who had travelled a lot in these countries but else where too,and I got some very good advices.Today before noon I visited on incredible Pagoda of Shwedagon,over 2500 years old partly at least. A fantastic experience of over 1000 Buddhas, tons of gold and jewels in a not so rich but quite happy country anyway. I do not like to have any political comments .it's not my business and I don't know local circumstances. I only know that the people here are very very nice and helpful.Tomorrow morning ,awful early I shall fly to Mandalay.
Monday, January 7, 2008
Meeting my sons in Hong Kong and Macao, China
Last Sunday was the day I had waited so long.I would have the possibility to meet my both sons with their girl friends after so many months again. We really had here in Hong Kong a family reunion. Kristian 25 and Anna 25 had already arrived here, when I came, Tomas 22 and Annika 21 landed four hours later. These moments were incredible.
They all had already earlier decided to visit Macao next day, and asked me to join them.I told ,I would like to do it, but I first have to try to get a visa for Myanmar and they might need my passport. So it was but I got my passport back at 3pm,
and we then continued to Macao with a fast ferry after I had shown them some interesting spots in Victoria including my old special place Captain's Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hotel.There I especially during 70's until mid 80's spent for sure a couple hundred of evenings with local and visiting friends. The Philippino house band always remembered me with the song "Welcome back Matti,welcome..."
So, Macao was very nice and wealthy with it's luxory casinos and half of a million inhabitants. I still could remember the tiny and very poor fisherman's village kind of town 35 years ago.
But I must say that I also very much enjoy Hong Kong which some time ago was like another home for me, after visiting it more than 50 times, even for weeks in 70's.In two days time this delightful visit here is over, amd we all part to different directions.Who knows, if I ever come back here anymore.
They all had already earlier decided to visit Macao next day, and asked me to join them.I told ,I would like to do it, but I first have to try to get a visa for Myanmar and they might need my passport. So it was but I got my passport back at 3pm,
and we then continued to Macao with a fast ferry after I had shown them some interesting spots in Victoria including my old special place Captain's Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hotel.There I especially during 70's until mid 80's spent for sure a couple hundred of evenings with local and visiting friends. The Philippino house band always remembered me with the song "Welcome back Matti,welcome..."
So, Macao was very nice and wealthy with it's luxory casinos and half of a million inhabitants. I still could remember the tiny and very poor fisherman's village kind of town 35 years ago.
But I must say that I also very much enjoy Hong Kong which some time ago was like another home for me, after visiting it more than 50 times, even for weeks in 70's.In two days time this delightful visit here is over, amd we all part to different directions.Who knows, if I ever come back here anymore.
Meeting an old buddy in Pattaya, Thailand
Just sitting in a street bar looking the people walking by, I suddenly discovered a familiar face among them.I shouted after him, and he immediately joined me like we have done so many times in our own home town Helsinki, where we just have the same favourit places.Mr. Esko Vayrynen and me explored then during two days the whole bar world and most night clubs of Pattaya actively.We had a lot of fun too.
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