Live to Eat, Drink, and Travel [ :@)) :@)) jealous much? mwahaha...] http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/ 12 rows en-gb 60 YVR: "R" Is For Rain?! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1695329.html wish i could eat and drink more lol. the weather was fabulous, actually, i even got a tan. rained once, on the second last day of my visit [i like this global warming phenomenon]. north american idea of 'pub' is different from european's. more like restaurants that serve beers than 'pub'. there's absolutely no traditional pub atmosphere. also, 20% tip is outrageous! it was a nice short return visit but i couldn't wait to get back to my cosy pubs here. Sunday 10 May 2009: wish i could eat and drink more lol. the weather was fabulous, actually, i even got a tan. rained once, on the second last day of my visit [i like this global warming phenomenon]. north american idea of 'pub' is different from european's. more like restaurants that serve beers than 'pub'. there's absolutely no traditional pub atmosphere. also, 20% tip is outrageous! it was a nice short return visit but i couldn't wait to get back to my cosy pubs here.

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]]> Sun May 10 2009 Bamberg, Oberfranken: Gott Sei Dank Ich Bin a Frank! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1631604.html "Schlemmerreise Bamberg Der Himmlische Biergenuß"... coming soon. i've started PP'ing today oct. 17. hope to get it done before i leave for my next holiday. check out the previous Bamberg pics in the meantime. Wednesday 31 December 2008: "Schlemmerreise Bamberg Der Himmlische Biergenu_"... coming soon. i've started PP'ing today oct. 17. hope to get it done before i leave for my next holiday. check out the previous Bamberg pics in the meantime.

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]]> Wed Dec 31 2008 Hong Kong/Macau/China: Have You Eaten Rice?! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1495698.html all basic food and drink photos from this trip are here. more food/drink/trip related photos with observations/comments can be seen on my other photo site http://saudades.proboards.com [see threads start with ":Look Back In Hunger: China 2008..." in Food Coma section] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my third trip to China in 3 consecutive years. such a vast and fascinating country where i've seen so many amazing things, as well as so many appalling things. i'm so glad i get to go home at the end of the trip. my companion and i simply with our backpacks, a guide book, and a phrase book, doing everything by ourselves at our own pace. we hardly ever see fellow foreigners most of the time [with the exception of Lijiang and Chengdu. my first trip to Chengdu in winter 2006 there were no other backpackers in the street! now loads, and it was even before the earthquake. but the food and the pandas are what i come for though...]. anyway, although i should mention the language barrier is a bit worrying at times. but fret not because it'll turn out to be adventures. the rural Chinese are pure and kind, and primitive. coarse in features and manners but i somehow find that endearing. there's still so much to *eat* and experience -and it's so addictive!- but it's also good for the soul to take a break from China and see something new for a while. besides, i can't really face rice for another couple of years or so. lol... ps: after 3 trips Chinese toilets still haunt me for the rest of my days :( OMG.. the horror! and how can i not mention the intense pollution! each trip i get sicker. if you're susceptible to respiratory infections then take good care! i mean it, or better yet stay home. get everything checked out *tho*rough*ly* when you come back. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my itinerary: 2008.03.07 AMS-LHR-HKG- [via Shenzhen] -Huizhou-Chaozhou-Meizhou-Yongding-Xiamen-Wuyishan- [via Shaowu] -Nanchang-Changsha-Chengdu-Songpan-Jiuzhaigou-Songpan-Huanglong-Songpan-Chengdu-Emeishan- [via Panzhihua] - [via Ninglang] -Luoshui/Lugu Lake-Lijiang- [via Kunming] - [via Shenzhen] -Macau-HKG-LHR-AMS 2008.04.21 Saturday 19 April 2008: all basic food and drink photos from this trip are here. more food/drink/trip related photos with observations/comments can be seen on my other photo site http://saudades.proboards.com [see threads start with ":Look Back In Hunger: China 2008..." in Food Coma section] ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my third trip to China in 3 consecutive years. such a vast and fascinating country where i've seen so many amazing things, as well as so many appalling things. i'm so glad i get to go home at the end of the trip. my companion and i simply with our backpacks, a guide book, and a phrase book, doing everything by ourselves at our own pace. we hardly ever see fellow foreigners most of the time [with the exception of Lijiang and Chengdu. my first trip to Chengdu in winter 2006 there were no other backpackers in the street! now loads, and it was even before the earthquake. but the food and the pandas are what i come for though...]. anyway, although i should mention the language barrier is a bit worrying at times. but fret not because it'll turn out to be adventures. the rural Chinese are pure and kind, and primitive. coarse in features and manners but i somehow find that endearing. there's still so much to *eat* and experience -and it's so addictive!- but it's also good for the soul to take a break from China and see something new for a while. besides, i can't really face rice for another couple of years or so. lol... ps: after 3 trips Chinese toilets still haunt me for the rest of my days :( OMG.. the horror! and how can i not mention the intense pollution! each trip i get sicker. if you're susceptible to respiratory infections then take good care! i mean it, or better yet stay home. get everything checked out *tho*rough*ly* when you come back. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my itinerary: 2008.03.07 AMS-LHR-HKG- [via Shenzhen] -Huizhou-Chaozhou-Meizhou-Yongding-Xiamen-Wuyishan- [via Shaowu] -Nanchang-Changsha-Chengdu-Songpan-Jiuzhaigou-Songpan-Huanglong-Songpan-Chengdu-Emeishan- [via Panzhihua] - [via Ninglang] -Luoshui/Lugu Lake-Lijiang- [via Kunming] - [via Shenzhen] -Macau-HKG-LHR-AMS 2008.04.21

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]]> Sat Apr 19 2008 Nürnberg/Bamberg/München: Bier, Wurst, & Gemütlichkeit! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1452384.html there are even more food/beer related photos from this trip to be seen here: http://saudades.proboards.com [look under threads start with ".:Deutschland Über Alles:." in Food Coma section. if you don't see it on the first page just go backward to older pages.] --------------------------------------------------------- AB.SO.lutely delicious beers, really good Franconian wine you most probably won't find outside of Franconia let alone within Germany. the oink is king, queen, and bishop. Franconians are shockingly friendly, rather delightful having lived in Rubber Cheese land too long. Franconian pubs are so warm and cozy, and pub food is rarely a disappointment. the glorious beer halls in Munich are amazing! a mind boggling selection of sausages and cold cuts... OMG! breads and pastries as well. Everything tastes so good and of high quality :drool: the local food and beer culture in Bavaria is incredible. these people really love to eat and drink, and live the good life. just like me. always do your food/beer/wine 'research' before arriving in Bavaria, as with everywhere else, so you know what they like to eat and drink. well now go on, impress them! another 'beer dream' has come true for me. nice that i'm only a few hours from Bavaria and i can return any time i fancy. actually, i've recently booked my Bamberg return trip for christmas... mwahahah. it's good to be me. Sunday 3 February 2008: there are even more food/beer related photos from this trip to be seen here: http://saudades.proboards.com [look under threads start with ".:Deutschland _ber Alles:." in Food Coma section. if you don't see it on the first page just go backward to older pages.] --------------------------------------------------------- AB.SO.lutely delicious beers, really good Franconian wine you most probably won't find outside of Franconia let alone within Germany. the oink is king, queen, and bishop. Franconians are shockingly friendly, rather delightful having lived in Rubber Cheese land too long. Franconian pubs are so warm and cozy, and pub food is rarely a disappointment. the glorious beer halls in Munich are amazing! a mind boggling selection of sausages and cold cuts... OMG! breads and pastries as well. Everything tastes so good and of high quality :drool: the local food and beer culture in Bavaria is incredible. these people really love to eat and drink, and live the good life. just like me. always do your food/beer/wine 'research' before arriving in Bavaria, as with everywhere else, so you know what they like to eat and drink. well now go on, impress them! another 'beer dream' has come true for me. nice that i'm only a few hours from Bavaria and i can return any time i fancy. actually, i've recently booked my Bamberg return trip for christmas... mwahahah. it's good to be me.

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]]> Sun Feb 3 2008 Hong Kong/Macau/China: Oinkers' Paradise! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1264306.html have deleted some photos in this album. the whole thing is archived in original posts under ".:CN-HK-MC-2007:. day xx: xyz" on my other photo site http://saudades.proboards.com -------------------------------------------------- finally finished pp'ed the trip photos. phew... took months but i did it! :) i'm going to delete some in this album but everything is still stored here: http://saudades.proboards.com many photos were taken in near complete darkness so please excuse the graininess/lousy quality! my poor Sony is now dead :( ------------------------------------------------- just returned from a fantastic 7 week oinking holiday. HK is incredible! Thank you HK, for the brilliant smoking ban! Saw more minority people than real Chinese on this trip, with the exception of HK, Macau, Guangzhou, and Yangshuo [too many package tourists from Guilin! and domestic sheep!]. Endless hair-rising minibus rides on endless scary mountain roads! The way (minority) people gawk at tourists/us has raised another bar! As has the train ticket purchasing experience in Guiyang (bloody hell!)! Seen plenty of horrific (Asian) toilets in all my years backpacking but those on this trip will haunt me for the rest of my days! :( Dimsum in Guangzhou and Zhaoqing is exquisite, and cheap! Macau -whose history precedes HK by 300 years- is delightfully different, feels a little like I was still in Portugal [was just there 2 months or so prior to this holiday]! Saw nearly zero foreign tourists in mountain towns and villages. Wondrous (tea) terraced fields along the way alone are worth all those harrowing minibus rides in the mountains! Rampant smoking in public/enclosed places is absolutely DESPICABLE!!! If you have a weak respiratory system then take good care! Photos are being processed and uploaded. Original post-processed pics are first posted here [http://saudades.proboards.com] with remarks/observations. cheers. ----------------------------------my itinerary:----------------- 2007.03.01 AMS-LHR-HKG -HK--by catamaran-> Macau- [pass through Zhuhai] -Zhaoqing- [pass through Wuzhou] -Yangshuo- [pass through Guilin] -Longsheng- [side trip Ping An to see terraces] -Sanjiang-Zhaoxing [incredible terraces!] -Diping- [pass through Zhaoxing again] - [pass through Liping] -Rongjiang-Kaili --by train-> Guiyang --by train-> -Kunming- [side trip Shilin to see Stone Forest] -Gejiu- [pass through Nansha] -Yuanyang [most spectacular terraces OMG!] - [pass through Nansha again] - [pass through Jianshui] - Shiping- [pass through Yuanjiang] - [pass through Mojiang] - [pass through Pu Er] -Simao-Jinghong- [side trip San Cha He] -Lancang- [pass through Xiao Hai Jiang] - [pass through Shuangjiang]- Lincang [pass through Bao Shan] - Luxi-Ruili - [pass through Tengchong] - Bao Shan-Dali- DLU/Dali --by air-> CAN/Guangzhou --by train-> Hong Kong-HKG-LHR-AMS 2007.04.20 Wednesday 25 April 2007: have deleted some photos in this album. the whole thing is archived in original posts under ".:CN-HK-MC-2007:. day xx: xyz" on my other photo site http://saudades.proboards.com -------------------------------------------------- finally finished pp'ed the trip photos. phew... took months but i did it! :) i'm going to delete some in this album but everything is still stored here: http://saudades.proboards.com many photos were taken in near complete darkness so please excuse the graininess/lousy quality! my poor Sony is now dead :( ------------------------------------------------- just returned from a fantastic 7 week oinking holiday. HK is incredible! Thank you HK, for the brilliant smoking ban! Saw more minority people than real Chinese on this trip, with the exception of HK, Macau, Guangzhou, and Yangshuo [too many package tourists from Guilin! and domestic sheep!]. Endless hair-rising minibus rides on endless scary mountain roads! The way (minority) people gawk at tourists/us has raised another bar! As has the train ticket purchasing experience in Guiyang (bloody hell!)! Seen plenty of horrific (Asian) toilets in all my years backpacking but those on this trip will haunt me for the rest of my days! :( Dimsum in Guangzhou and Zhaoqing is exquisite, and cheap! Macau -whose history precedes HK by 300 years- is delightfully different, feels a little like I was still in Portugal [was just there 2 months or so prior to this holiday]! Saw nearly zero foreign tourists in mountain towns and villages. Wondrous (tea) terraced fields along the way alone are worth all those harrowing minibus rides in the mountains! Rampant smoking in public/enclosed places is absolutely DESPICABLE!!! If you have a weak respiratory system then take good care! Photos are being processed and uploaded. Original post-processed pics are first posted here [http://saudades.proboards.com] with remarks/observations. cheers. ----------------------------------my itinerary:----------------- 2007.03.01 AMS-LHR-HKG -HK--by catamaran-> Macau- [pass through Zhuhai] -Zhaoqing- [pass through Wuzhou] -Yangshuo- [pass through Guilin] -Longsheng- [side trip Ping An to see terraces] -Sanjiang-Zhaoxing [incredible terraces!] -Diping- [pass through Zhaoxing again] - [pass through Liping] -Rongjiang-Kaili --by train-> Guiyang --by train-> -Kunming- [side trip Shilin to see Stone Forest] -Gejiu- [pass through Nansha] -Yuanyang [most spectacular terraces OMG!] - [pass through Nansha again] - [pass through Jianshui] - Shiping- [pass through Yuanjiang] - [pass through Mojiang] - [pass through Pu Er] -Simao-Jinghong- [side trip San Cha He] -Lancang- [pass through Xiao Hai Jiang] - [pass through Shuangjiang]- Lincang [pass through Bao Shan] - Luxi-Ruili - [pass through Tengchong] - Bao Shan-Dali- DLU/Dali --by air-> CAN/Guangzhou --by train-> Hong Kong-HKG-LHR-AMS 2007.04.20

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]]> Wed Apr 25 2007 Portugal: Muitas Saudades! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c1184759.html ***this album will be rearranged soon*** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i have a love affair with Portugal and things in it. i'd also like to express my gratitude to senhoras Jean Anderson [thank you for your emails!], and Maria de Lourdes Modesto for writing 2 fabulous cookery books. their passion for Portuguese food brings a tear to my eye. muuuuito obrigada! --------------------------------------------?nossa!--------------------------- my itinerary: 2006.12.19 AMS-LIS-Nazar?Óbidos-Ericeira-LIS-AMS 2007.01.07 Sunday 14 January 2007: ***this album will be rearranged soon*** --------------------------------------------------------------------------------- i have a love affair with Portugal and things in it. i'd also like to express my gratitude to senhoras Jean Anderson [thank you for your emails!], and Maria de Lourdes Modesto for writing 2 fabulous cookery books. their passion for Portuguese food brings a tear to my eye. muuuuito obrigada! --------------------------------------------?nossa!--------------------------- my itinerary: 2006.12.19 AMS-LIS-Nazar?_bidos-Ericeira-LIS-AMS 2007.01.07

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]]> Sun Jan 14 2007 Tibet: OMG, The Cold! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c966512.html this album will soon be rearranged. cheers ------------------------------------------ I have only 2 words for you: go now! like...NOW!!!! (before the People's Republic of Dictatorship destroys it all). The 4x4 drive to Mt. Everest base camp was incredible, surely something I shall treasure for a long time. Still marvel at the photos so I think this Mt. Everest base camp trip from Lhasa currently occupies the number one spot on my list of most memorable travel moments. Everywhere in Tibet the sky is extraordinary blue, like in the Andes, but even nicer. The air is crisp and in the shade it cuts like a knife in early March. 2 weeks in Tibet were too short i know. There's of course an album of food pics taken on this trip here [http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c866775.html ], or go back to index page and open China The Food album. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my China-Tibet itinerary: 2006.03.01 AMS-HEL-PEK-CTU-LXA-mebc (Mt. Everest Base Camp) -lxa-CTU-PVG-hgh-szv-pek-HEL-AMS. 2006.04.17 [lower case airport or city codes mean I got there not by air] Monday 22 May 2006: this album will soon be rearranged. cheers ------------------------------------------ I have only 2 words for you: go now! like...NOW!!!! (before the People's Republic of Dictatorship destroys it all). The 4x4 drive to Mt. Everest base camp was incredible, surely something I shall treasure for a long time. Still marvel at the photos so I think this Mt. Everest base camp trip from Lhasa currently occupies the number one spot on my list of most memorable travel moments. Everywhere in Tibet the sky is extraordinary blue, like in the Andes, but even nicer. The air is crisp and in the shade it cuts like a knife in early March. 2 weeks in Tibet were too short i know. There's of course an album of food pics taken on this trip here [http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c866775.html ], or go back to index page and open China The Food album. ----------------------------------------------------------------------- my China-Tibet itinerary: 2006.03.01 AMS-HEL-PEK-CTU-LXA-mebc (Mt. Everest Base Camp) -lxa-CTU-PVG-hgh-szv-pek-HEL-AMS. 2006.04.17 [lower case airport or city codes mean I got there not by air]

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]]> Mon May 22 2006 China: To Live Is To Eat (& Drink Tea)! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c866775.html ***this album will be rearranged soon*** -------------------------------- this is my first ever trip to China and I got struck really bad with a respiratory infection (intense pollution!) already on the third day. From there on it only got worse. By the time I got to Shanghai I could barely breathe, still I managed to have fantastic holiday. Tibet is the best part, Chengdu has the best food and prices, Shanghai is the worst in terms of food/pollution/price/being accosted by people wanting to sell you crap constantly/everything/EVERYTHING! Peking is nice and expensive but it has a number of ancient sites, 2 of which i found astonishing (the Great Wall and Forbidden City). China is fantastic is so many ways. The more I see the more I want to see. So, same time next year! :) ---------------------------------------------- my China-Tibet itinerary: 2006.03.01 AMS-HEL-PEK-CTU-LXA-mebc (Mt. Everest Base Camp) -lxa-CTU-PVG-hgh-szv-pek-HEL-AMS. 2006.04.17 [lower case airport or city codes mean I got there not by air] --------------------------------------------- i'll try to redo this album soon. at the moment i'm busy with newest photos from a recent trip to the far east. cheers. Monday 22 May 2006: ***this album will be rearranged soon*** -------------------------------- this is my first ever trip to China and I got struck really bad with a respiratory infection (intense pollution!) already on the third day. From there on it only got worse. By the time I got to Shanghai I could barely breathe, still I managed to have fantastic holiday. Tibet is the best part, Chengdu has the best food and prices, Shanghai is the worst in terms of food/pollution/price/being accosted by people wanting to sell you crap constantly/everything/EVERYTHING! Peking is nice and expensive but it has a number of ancient sites, 2 of which i found astonishing (the Great Wall and Forbidden City). China is fantastic is so many ways. The more I see the more I want to see. So, same time next year! :) ---------------------------------------------- my China-Tibet itinerary: 2006.03.01 AMS-HEL-PEK-CTU-LXA-mebc (Mt. Everest Base Camp) -lxa-CTU-PVG-hgh-szv-pek-HEL-AMS. 2006.04.17 [lower case airport or city codes mean I got there not by air] --------------------------------------------- i'll try to redo this album soon. at the moment i'm busy with newest photos from a recent trip to the far east. cheers.

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]]> Mon May 22 2006 Česká Republika: Pivo & Knedlíky Prosím! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c828644.html ***this album will be rearranged soon*** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most of the photos were made in near complete darkness so I salvaged what I could, that means some photos are not so great :( Other towns besides Prague I went to were Českı Krumlov, and Brno. I especially liked Českı Krumlov and its local brew Eggenberg. Sunday 15 January 2006: ***this album will be rearranged soon*** ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Most of the photos were made in near complete darkness so I salvaged what I could, that means some photos are not so great :( Other towns besides Prague I went to were Česk_ Krumlov, and Brno. I especially liked Česk_ Krumlov and its local brew Eggenberg.

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]]> Sun Jan 15 2006 Vietnam: Best Food & Coffee in S.E. Asia! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c702063.html pics have been deleted, awaiting to be PP'ed and reuploaded. ----------------------------------------------------- Outstanding food from the deep south to the far north! Vietnam's fabulous cuisine is an excellent example of using the simplest and freshest ingredients and turning them into something utterly delectable in little time. Don't go to places where you see fellow tourists, and also where you see (some) English on the menu. Real Vietnamese food is where locals pack the place, where you sit on a tiny plastic stool 5cm from the ground next to a roaring road, dust, exhaust and all. Eat the food and understand the people. Oh yeah, go now. Go NOW!...before it turns into another bloody Thailand. -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14] Saturday 24 September 2005: pics have been deleted, awaiting to be PP'ed and reuploaded. ----------------------------------------------------- Outstanding food from the deep south to the far north! Vietnam's fabulous cuisine is an excellent example of using the simplest and freshest ingredients and turning them into something utterly delectable in little time. Don't go to places where you see fellow tourists, and also where you see (some) English on the menu. Real Vietnamese food is where locals pack the place, where you sit on a tiny plastic stool 5cm from the ground next to a roaring road, dust, exhaust and all. Eat the food and understand the people. Oh yeah, go now. Go NOW!...before it turns into another bloody Thailand. -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14]

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]]> Sat Sep 24 2005 Cambodia: Have Prohok Will Travel! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c692688.html pics have been deleted, awaiting to be PP'ed and reuploaded. ---------------------------- The entire Angkor complex, and Angkor Wat in particular struck a cord with me. I don't think I've ever seen *in person* a man-made structure so heart-stoppingly beautiful! Forget Discovery and NG channels, or Lara Croft in Tomb Raider...nothing can quite prepare you for the grandeur of Angkor (Wat)! I didn't realise my hands were gripping the bar on the back seat of the 'moto' really hard as Angkor Wat came into view for the very first time, and then I saw the full glorious view...OMG! My chest became constricted, my heart raced, my mouth opened unvoluntarily and a small sound was uttered, also unvoluntarily. Most impressive! Mar-VE-loussssss! As for Khmer food it's pretty good, actually. Some dishes are strikingly similar to versions seen in Vietnam, its weathier neighbour. Apparently they both claim those similar dishes their own inventions. [note that southern VN used to be Cambodia.] -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14] Friday 16 September 2005: pics have been deleted, awaiting to be PP'ed and reuploaded. ---------------------------- The entire Angkor complex, and Angkor Wat in particular struck a cord with me. I don't think I've ever seen *in person* a man-made structure so heart-stoppingly beautiful! Forget Discovery and NG channels, or Lara Croft in Tomb Raider...nothing can quite prepare you for the grandeur of Angkor (Wat)! I didn't realise my hands were gripping the bar on the back seat of the 'moto' really hard as Angkor Wat came into view for the very first time, and then I saw the full glorious view...OMG! My chest became constricted, my heart raced, my mouth opened unvoluntarily and a small sound was uttered, also unvoluntarily. Most impressive! Mar-VE-loussssss! As for Khmer food it's pretty good, actually. Some dishes are strikingly similar to versions seen in Vietnam, its weathier neighbour. Apparently they both claim those similar dishes their own inventions. [note that southern VN used to be Cambodia.] -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14]

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]]> Fri Sep 16 2005 Cambodia: Wondrous Kampuchia! http://bonvivantnl.fotopic.net/c692676.html note: this album will soon be deleted. some selected photos will be posted at another location. ----------------------------------------------------- a fantastic country! go NOW before it's too late. before it's ruined like bloody Thailand. -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14] Friday 16 September 2005: note: this album will soon be deleted. some selected photos will be posted at another location. ----------------------------------------------------- a fantastic country! go NOW before it's too late. before it's ruined like bloody Thailand. -------------------my itinerary------------------- [*Winter 2004-2005. four weeks in Vietnam, but before entering VN I spent a couple of weeks in Cambodia*. 2004.12.04 AMS-KUL-PNH- boat to-Siem Reap- [boat to] -Battambang-Phnom Penh-Shihanoukville-Kep-Kampot -[side trip Bokor Hill Station] -Phnom Penh- [boat to Vietnam] -Chau Doc- [pass through Rach Gia] -Phu Quoc island-Can Tho-Ho Chi Minh City- [pass through Phan Thiet- Phan Rang-Cam Ranh] -Nha Trang-Hoi An- [pass through Da Nang- Hue]-[pass through Vinh] -Ha Noi- [pass through Lao Cai] -Sapa-Bac Ha- [pass through Hai Phong]-Ha Long Bay-Hanoi-KUL-AMS 2005.01.14]

Published in Live to Eat, Drink, and Travel [ :@)) :@)) jealous much? mwahaha...]

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