Well, I arrived here yesterday afternoon around 3PM after hop-on-hop -off in Guam, Truk and Pohnape, just a local trip of 17 hours. After a sandwich and a quick beer I went to sleep for 14 hours. Today I waked up at 7 o'clock , and realized that I am almost alone in paradise.
Then I remembered that I yesterday did walk not far but along the beach to find some local guys
charcoiling all kind of meets. I just stopped to look, and someone gave me a fat chicken leg. It was the best part of chicken I ever tasted. These 4 guys laughed, when I told that I never did like chickens very much but this was something special, and I got an another big tasty leg. They then said that I am invited to their party starting two hours later but unhappily I already was deep in sleep.
Today after breakfast around 7.30, I was on the beach alone peacefully looking at the sea and my life
backwards. I was then later advised by personal that it would be clever to by drinks from a shop a mile away by taxi cost of 2 US dollars. So I got a lady taxi for 2 dollars but paid 3 because her friendliness. I bought 1,75 liter bottle American grain vodka 50%, mango juices over 2 liter and 6 cans beer to start for my next 5 days. Today was sunny +32C.
Monday, January 11, 2016
Sunday, January 10, 2016
Koror, Republic of Palau Jan. 8.- !0.
Alii! This is hello in Palauan language. I have had two superb days here in Palau, sunny +30C.
Yesterday morning I just did not do anything except drank two San Miguel beers . During the afternoon I visited for couple of hours a fine dolphin park with 7 funny creatures, making all kind of tricks on command or even by them selves. After dinner I enjoyed hotels free car service to a bar "Poseidon"due recommendation. It was a Karaoke place, and immediately a 25- years old Philippine-girl Aya De Los Reyes took care of me and said that we are going to sing together. I wasn't too eager, but she selected "My way" and I could not resist it anymore also because her beautiful smile and black eyes. We then sang several pieces together from 60's-70's with some beers and vines. Her voice helped and gave courage to me a lot, before I was picked up to my Airai Waterpark Hotel.
This morning I was picked up at 8.30 to participate to a whole day tour to Peleliu Island, where in Autumn 1944 Japanese and American troops had heavy fights, before the Japanese were killed almost until last man. We could see reminiscences of tanks, cannons, a Zero fighter, caves and the ruins of Japanese head quarter . I was in a company of 9 young Japanese, and some of them were very friendly and spoke surprisingly well English. This Peleliu Island was quite far . It took by speedboat one hour to get to there and one hour back on a bit rough open sea.
Tonight at 01.45 I'll have my next flight to Kosrae. Who can guess, where it is?
Yesterday morning I just did not do anything except drank two San Miguel beers . During the afternoon I visited for couple of hours a fine dolphin park with 7 funny creatures, making all kind of tricks on command or even by them selves. After dinner I enjoyed hotels free car service to a bar "Poseidon"due recommendation. It was a Karaoke place, and immediately a 25- years old Philippine-girl Aya De Los Reyes took care of me and said that we are going to sing together. I wasn't too eager, but she selected "My way" and I could not resist it anymore also because her beautiful smile and black eyes. We then sang several pieces together from 60's-70's with some beers and vines. Her voice helped and gave courage to me a lot, before I was picked up to my Airai Waterpark Hotel.
This morning I was picked up at 8.30 to participate to a whole day tour to Peleliu Island, where in Autumn 1944 Japanese and American troops had heavy fights, before the Japanese were killed almost until last man. We could see reminiscences of tanks, cannons, a Zero fighter, caves and the ruins of Japanese head quarter . I was in a company of 9 young Japanese, and some of them were very friendly and spoke surprisingly well English. This Peleliu Island was quite far . It took by speedboat one hour to get to there and one hour back on a bit rough open sea.
Tonight at 01.45 I'll have my next flight to Kosrae. Who can guess, where it is?
Wednesday, January 6, 2016
Hong Kong Jan.6.2016
First thing, when I did wake up a couple of hours ago, I wanted to know the game results of yesterday
between FINLAND and RUSSIA in Ice hockey Junior World Championship final.
I could not believe my eyes when reading of Finnish Victory. Marvellous!
Yesterday here was a rainy day . What else could I do than to sit in some of the famous bars of Wanchai surrounded by beautiful girls and having glasses of Tsingtao Beer in my hands. I survived with my own inexpensive beer costs and some minor tips, but having much fun. The rest of the evening I spent in Captain's Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, listening a very good trio playing main stream jazz.
Today Buddha smiles . It's a great sunny day, cloudless blue sky, 22C.
between FINLAND and RUSSIA in Ice hockey Junior World Championship final.
I could not believe my eyes when reading of Finnish Victory. Marvellous!
Yesterday here was a rainy day . What else could I do than to sit in some of the famous bars of Wanchai surrounded by beautiful girls and having glasses of Tsingtao Beer in my hands. I survived with my own inexpensive beer costs and some minor tips, but having much fun. The rest of the evening I spent in Captain's Bar at Mandarin Oriental Hotel, listening a very good trio playing main stream jazz.
Today Buddha smiles . It's a great sunny day, cloudless blue sky, 22C.
Monday, January 4, 2016
PACIFIC tour by myself from Jan. 4. to April 24. 2016
This morning I did arrive to Hong Kong, after travelling 19 hours from home to hotel here. It's cloudy and only +20C . It's Winter in China too. This must be for me since 1972 about 70th visit here, and I feel like being at home.
I just read the news about the great ice hockey victory over Sweden by The Young Lions of Finland. This means at least a silver in World Championship. Hopefully they are tough enough to beat Russia.
I just read the news about the great ice hockey victory over Sweden by The Young Lions of Finland. This means at least a silver in World Championship. Hopefully they are tough enough to beat Russia.
Wednesday, December 30, 2015
A triple birthday in Venice on Nov.24.-25.
My very good old friend for over 47 years Mr. Peter Gloystein arranged a triple birthday fest in beautiful and romantic Venice. Mrs. Marita Vossmeyer , a Finnish/ German lady and me on 24th, and Peter on 25th. We had a great Dinner Party at Bauer Hotel, drinks at Harry's Bar and nicht caps until very early morning at the Hotel bar, opened late just for us. We were 62 persons, all ages from 13 countries, majority from Germany. With Marita and Peter and their families I knew about 20 of guests from the past, but got also many new friends, especially a German lady Mrs. Brigitte Schmid, with whom I spent a lot of time. I also was very delighted that my younger son Tomas could join the party. Peter took care of all the party costs, I wonder if he ever tells me the total amount.
On my birthday the weather was absolutely beautiful and sunny, and I enjoyed the traffic on Grand Canal sipping wine on a terrace before the party beginn. Lovely trip of 4 days, even with troubles to get back to Helsinki on 26th.
On my birthday the weather was absolutely beautiful and sunny, and I enjoyed the traffic on Grand Canal sipping wine on a terrace before the party beginn. Lovely trip of 4 days, even with troubles to get back to Helsinki on 26th.
Friday, December 25, 2015
A Yangtze-River cruise from Shanghai to ChongQing Sept.22.- Oct.4. 2015
We a group of 22 had a direct night flight from Helsinki to Shanghai, where we stayed for two days.
I have there my favourite bars and night clubs, which I naturally did introduce to my very good friend for 47years, Mr. Seppo Panhelainen, whom I had over-spoken to participate this trip.
I did have a short romantic time with a nice Chinese song bird but that was all except that she did sing for me all the evening.
Shanghai means "On the Sea" and is also named "Paris of the East" and "Pearl of the Orient" has a great history with international business and banking center before WW2. This can still be seen trough Victorian late-19th century architecture but also today's Chinese supermodern architecture.
This puzzling city is a must to any world -traveller.
On the 4th day we boarded on "Victoria Sophia", our home for next 9 days. The ship had maybe 120 passengers, our Finnish group was the biggest, then people from Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Germany etc. plus 2 Chinese couples.
We immediately found out that Chinese cooking on board was very good , and the young personal very friendly , especially the pretty waitresses at The Yangtze Club on deck 5, where Seppo and I spent most of our free time, and became good friends with those girls, aged 18 - 22. They did remember our first names from the beginning of the cruise, and hugged us warmly when leaving the ship in ChongQing.
There was all kind of programs during the days when sailing but we two were most happy sipping the-daily-specials with 30% discount at the Club, where we could sceneries flowing by.
First stop in Yangzhou was interesting, a real old fashion Chinese city, where time had stopped 200 years ago. This charming city was known already 2500 years ago as a trading center and for it's artists for centuries. It's claimed that Marco Polo was serving here 5 years theYuan dynasty under Kublai Khan in 1280's. We visited a Marco Polo Memorial and Museum.
We also stopped in Wuhan, a modern university city but did not have time to explore the city better except a tiny museum. Here Mao had his Summer place and he crossed the river Yangtze swimming a mile or so, is told.
The Three Gorges Dam Project on the 9th day is the largest water conservancy project ever done by man. It was fully completed in 2009 after 6 years hard work. The Dam is 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 130 meters wide at the bottom and 18 meters wide at the top. The place with its surroundings was absolutely impressive, but also very beautiful with many gardens and flowers.
During next days we cruised trough most gorgeous and magnificent landscapes, spectacular mountains up to 2000 meters, they rise steeply to the skies on the both side of river banks. Here we saw first time clear blue sky up above with real shining sun. Until this, days had been smoggy or foggy or both.
On 12th day we arrive to ChongQing, leave the ship and visit right away the Zoo famous for it's Pandas. I saw 3 of them, but it is not quaranteed, that you'll see any.
This huge city 33millions people is the biggest in the world but quite uninteresting, with it's non -English-speaking-people. Not even in 5 star hotel. Goodbye China!
I have there my favourite bars and night clubs, which I naturally did introduce to my very good friend for 47years, Mr. Seppo Panhelainen, whom I had over-spoken to participate this trip.
I did have a short romantic time with a nice Chinese song bird but that was all except that she did sing for me all the evening.
Shanghai means "On the Sea" and is also named "Paris of the East" and "Pearl of the Orient" has a great history with international business and banking center before WW2. This can still be seen trough Victorian late-19th century architecture but also today's Chinese supermodern architecture.
This puzzling city is a must to any world -traveller.
On the 4th day we boarded on "Victoria Sophia", our home for next 9 days. The ship had maybe 120 passengers, our Finnish group was the biggest, then people from Great Britain, France, Italy, Australia, New Zealand, Germany etc. plus 2 Chinese couples.
We immediately found out that Chinese cooking on board was very good , and the young personal very friendly , especially the pretty waitresses at The Yangtze Club on deck 5, where Seppo and I spent most of our free time, and became good friends with those girls, aged 18 - 22. They did remember our first names from the beginning of the cruise, and hugged us warmly when leaving the ship in ChongQing.
There was all kind of programs during the days when sailing but we two were most happy sipping the-daily-specials with 30% discount at the Club, where we could sceneries flowing by.
First stop in Yangzhou was interesting, a real old fashion Chinese city, where time had stopped 200 years ago. This charming city was known already 2500 years ago as a trading center and for it's artists for centuries. It's claimed that Marco Polo was serving here 5 years theYuan dynasty under Kublai Khan in 1280's. We visited a Marco Polo Memorial and Museum.
We also stopped in Wuhan, a modern university city but did not have time to explore the city better except a tiny museum. Here Mao had his Summer place and he crossed the river Yangtze swimming a mile or so, is told.
The Three Gorges Dam Project on the 9th day is the largest water conservancy project ever done by man. It was fully completed in 2009 after 6 years hard work. The Dam is 2,335 meters long, 185 meters high, 130 meters wide at the bottom and 18 meters wide at the top. The place with its surroundings was absolutely impressive, but also very beautiful with many gardens and flowers.
During next days we cruised trough most gorgeous and magnificent landscapes, spectacular mountains up to 2000 meters, they rise steeply to the skies on the both side of river banks. Here we saw first time clear blue sky up above with real shining sun. Until this, days had been smoggy or foggy or both.
On 12th day we arrive to ChongQing, leave the ship and visit right away the Zoo famous for it's Pandas. I saw 3 of them, but it is not quaranteed, that you'll see any.
This huge city 33millions people is the biggest in the world but quite uninteresting, with it's non -English-speaking-people. Not even in 5 star hotel. Goodbye China!
Monday, September 21, 2015
Croatian islands 22.-29.8
After 3 hours flight from Helsinki to Split, Croatia, we a group of 22 arrived to our home for next 7 nights, a 37 meters long small cruiser. After a good lunch on board we left to Makarska, one very popular and lively tourist spot to overnight there. Following morning after breakfast we sailed to Mljet National park, and we did stay there until next morning, when we continued to Dubrovnik .
I have been in this interesting city many times and I knew where to go. In the old town on a tiny street I found a nice and friendly wine bar with good selection of local reds. I had an interesting talk with the young waiter, and with the bill he gave me a present, a black T-shirt with essential Dionisos - emblem at the back side of the shirt, the name of the bar. It was my size, and I like it very much as I like Croatian people generally but their gorgeous women especially. Next afternoon we were already at Korcula island, which suppose to be the birth place of Marco Polo. The medieval Korcula town is very exciting and pretty. Also here I knew my old routes and did not join the group excursions even we had a charming guide. I almost never take part anywhere in group excursions. I just like to explore places and things by myself. A day later we were on Hvar island known as a resort of many royal families and international celebrities. I enjoyed there a dozen of very fresh oysters with a bottle of local rose'. On the seventh day then we had a beach holiday in Bol at the southern part of the island of Brac. We had however stopped everyday somewhere for an hour or so for swimming in beautiful surroundings. The water was everywhere crystal clear and some 26c. warm. The last evening we spent in Split, from where we flew next morning back home.
This trip was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable. The food, that is the breakfast and lunch + one captains dinner on board was generally very good. All days were just sunny , but as cruising there always was a nice breeze, and not too hot even the air temperature was 28-30 c.
I warmly can recommend this journey to anybody.
I have been in this interesting city many times and I knew where to go. In the old town on a tiny street I found a nice and friendly wine bar with good selection of local reds. I had an interesting talk with the young waiter, and with the bill he gave me a present, a black T-shirt with essential Dionisos - emblem at the back side of the shirt, the name of the bar. It was my size, and I like it very much as I like Croatian people generally but their gorgeous women especially. Next afternoon we were already at Korcula island, which suppose to be the birth place of Marco Polo. The medieval Korcula town is very exciting and pretty. Also here I knew my old routes and did not join the group excursions even we had a charming guide. I almost never take part anywhere in group excursions. I just like to explore places and things by myself. A day later we were on Hvar island known as a resort of many royal families and international celebrities. I enjoyed there a dozen of very fresh oysters with a bottle of local rose'. On the seventh day then we had a beach holiday in Bol at the southern part of the island of Brac. We had however stopped everyday somewhere for an hour or so for swimming in beautiful surroundings. The water was everywhere crystal clear and some 26c. warm. The last evening we spent in Split, from where we flew next morning back home.
This trip was absolutely relaxing and enjoyable. The food, that is the breakfast and lunch + one captains dinner on board was generally very good. All days were just sunny , but as cruising there always was a nice breeze, and not too hot even the air temperature was 28-30 c.
I warmly can recommend this journey to anybody.
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