Hong Kong - Octobert 27-31

Hong Kong is the final stop on the second half of my around the world adventure. It is also one of my favorite cities to visit. On my first day I walked from my hotel to Central Hong Kong Island, about 2 or 3 miles. I then took the Star Ferry to Kowloon - across the bay. This time I traveled like a Hong Kong local with my Octopus Card - good on the ferries, busses and metro.

That evening I returned to Kowloon - where all the night action is. I love going to the markets which are only open at night. I was in the mood to buy something, but only got a few small items.

My hotel was near the fish market and I thought you wanted to see what I didn't eat.

On my second day I went to Lantau Island to visit the Giant Buddha. It was amazing to see this statue on top of the mountain. Of course I had to climb to the top twice, since I had my camera set on the wrong settings the first time.

Here I am at the bottom of the mountain with the Buddha in the background. There must have been over two hundred steps to the top.

This is the Po Lin Monastery at the Tian Tan Buddha Statue. I had a vegetarian lunch here, which was mainly mushrooms and rice. First course mushroom soup. Second course mushrooms and veggies. Third course mushrooms and bokchoy. I skipped the mushroom tart.

On the way back I stopped at Disneyland Hong Kong. Here is a picture of the train to get there. It is a much smaller park, and there were very few people on the grounds outside the park. I walked to the resort hotel, which looked identical to the ones at DisneyWorld.

Here's the sign at the entrance to the park.

On the next day I went to Macao, the Las Vegas of Hong Kong. Here's the Venetian Hotel, which was exactly like the one in Las Vegas, including the indoor canal and shopping mall. I could not believe how large the casino was, much larger than the ones I've seen in Las Vegas. I didn't even wager one of my Hong Kong dollars.

This is one of the other amazing casinos in Macao.

And so ends my around the world adventure. I had a fantastic flight from Hong Kong to JFK. Because I gained 12 hours, I think I had six meals on October 31. Now I'll stay home, at least for a few weeks. I hope you enjoyed viewing and sharing in my adventures.

Delhi - October 26

Today is my last day in Delhi. I visited Old Delhi two days before Diwali - The Festival of Lights. It is similar to our Fourth of July, with fireworks everwhere. The markets are usually closed on Sunday, but because of the holiday everything was open.

This picture was taken outside Delhi - you can see the trash on the dirt sidewalk. This is a common scene throughout India. Trash is just thrown anywhere.

And finally here I am in one of the three wheeled cabs. I rented it for two hours for about $5. I felt safer in this cab than I did in any other car in Delhi, probably because the speed was limited.

Taj Mahal, Agra, India October 25

Wake up call was 4:30am for the long ride to the Taj Mahal. All the trains had been booked well in advance. I tried to sleep in the car, but the driver drove with his horn, changing lanes constantly - two reqruiements for driving in Delhi. The sky was dark and covered with fog and smog - would it clear? The driver almost fell asleep at the wheel and hit the curb, but luckily he recovered quickly and we made him stop for some stron tea. Still two hours to go.

We finally made it - I paid $15 for admission and my local guide paid $.50. The first sight of the Taj Mahal was like the first time you see the Grand Canyon, Machu Piccho, or the Pyramids. Truly amazing with 50+ picutres to show for it.

Here's the cutest picture of me, holding the Taj Mahal in my fingers. Seeing the Taj Mahal made the long horrible drive worth it - but would I survive the return ride.

We left the Taj Mahal around noon and for the first 2-3 hours the traffic was fine. But when we reached the outskirts of Delhi the traffic stopped. Remember there are no rules - you drive where you want, even in the wrong direction. You ignore all lights. There are animals on the streets - see photo below, walking of just sitting. There are camel drawn carts, millions of motorscooters and taxis, all tring to merge from 8 lanes to 2 lanes. No one gives an inch - you are packed in like sardines. I'm sure you get the picture and after 4 1/2 hours I was back at the hotel for a well needed drink or two.

Here a picture of one of the taxis I took to dinner. After dinner I fell asleep around 7:30pm and woke up at 10am the next morning.

New Delhi, India October 24 Posting One

I arrived in New Delhi on the evening following two long flights from Bali to Tokyo and then Tokyo to Delhi. Upon arrival, I arranged for a prepaid taxi to my hotel. That was my first experience in Delhi traffic, lot looking forward to more. No one follows any traffic rules - but I'll get into the details later.
My hotel was very nice, and following dinner, I called it a day.

On the 24th my first mission was to buy my prescription drugs. I heard they were cheaper than in Argentina and they were. I now have an 18 month supply of everything.

I hired a car for a four hour city tour. Of the 4 hours, at least 2 1/2 was stuck in traffic.

I did see the Qutab Pinar - the tallest tower in New Delhi build in the 13th century (pictured above).

I then visited the Lotus Baha'i Temple which reminded me of the Sydney Opera House.

Humayon's Tomb was next, from the 16th century and was the forerunner to the Taj Mahal.

We finally stopped at the India Gate - which is a memorial to the Indian Soldiers killed in World War I.

Bali - October 18-22

I had a great time in Bali, a tropical paradise. I stayed at a five star resort on the ocean. It was my time to relax, and i sure did.

It was a pleasant change for everything to be inexpensive, especially the food. Lunch averaged $5-10, and dinner $10-15, including drinks.

One of the best reasons to visit Bali is for the massages. I had three in four days. The first was a very special four hand massage - two masseurs in prefect synchronization. I think Bali is the only place that offers this. This was my most expensive massage - $40. My second was just a single, but great as well for $12. And my third was a complimentary massage in the hotel. I am still very relaxed.

On day three I took a tour of the island, visiting two temples and a giant statue. I had a driver and tour guide for the day. Lunch was at a typical Indonesian restaurant. You sit down and they place at least a dozen plates on the table with various dishes, some I could not recognize and did not try. At the end of the meal, they estimate how much you ate and charge accordingly. I paid for all three of us, and the total was $15. I'm glad I didn't know that they take the leftover food and serve it to the next group - if I knew this in advance, I don't think I would have eaten anything - but I'm still alive.

On my final day I walked to Kuta Beach, about 3 or 4 miles in total, and bargained with the vendors for a few shirts. I met my guide and driver for dinner before heading to the airport. We went to a beach side restaurant for lobster and giant prawn. You actually pick your own food from the many tanks. I'm not sure what the meal cost, I just gave the driver all the money I had. The exchange rate is 10,000 to one dollar, so every time I went to the ATM I got a million.

I'm sitting in the Tokyo airport again, waiting for my second flight of the day to Delhi. Only two more stops on my around the world adventure.

Tokyo, Japan October 15-18

Picture to follow (9872 Temple, 9868 Me, 9925 Fish Market,　9960 Tokyo Tower, 9992 Letters, 10012 Light)

I arrived in Tokyo on October 15th, after a ten hour overnight flight from Perth. The airport was an hour and a half from the city. I was very surprixed to find a five star hotel at the end of my ride. I had booked the hotel online, and you never know what you get.

After a short rest I took the subway and got a brief overview of Tokyo. On the subways, not one person talked or used their cell phone. Lots of text messaging, but to talk would bother other passengers. Like that will ever happen in the US.

On Thursday I bought a subway pass and did a nice walking tour of the Shitamachi area. Its an older section of town with lots of shops, markets, restaurants and even an amusement park - no, not Tokyo Disney.

I had my first meal on my own. I just pointed to a picture and prayed. Not bad, tempura prawns.

Next I went to Ueno. There was a beautiful park, with temples, museums and restaurants. There was also a huge street baazar under the train tracks - no bargains in Tokyo.

っいぇ＠でぇ　　でぇ　ん、で　

Don't ask me what I just wrote.

My final stop for the day was the Ginza. Every shop from Fifth Avenue and more. There was a two block queue to get into H&M.

That evening I stayed in my hotel and had a 6400 yen ($67) tempura dinner. They cooked and served each item individually - about 12 in all. I definitely won't gain any weight here.

Friday morning I was supposed to be at the fish market by 6am, I made it by 10am. I missed the major action, but got plenty of good photos of the fish and vegetable markets. I was amazed at how clean the markets were, with hardly a smell at all.

Next I went to the Tokyo Tower. Its shaped like the Eiffel Tower, but taller. I got some amazing shots from the top.

The Zojoji Temple was next. One of many I've seen.

My last night I went to Shinjuku, kind of like Times Square. Bright lights and shopping malls dominated the streets.

I got very daring for dinner. Again, I picked from pictures and got an excellent meal. First I had a half pound grilled prawn, folled by a tempura dinner as good as last night. With beer - under 2500 yen. You figure out the dollars.

Now I'm at the airport waiting for my flight to Bali and the beaches.

Perth, Australia October 10-14

I arrived in Perth October 10. Its a very modern city with beautiful glass skyscrapers. I spent one afternoon walking around the city centre. My hotel is about 10 miles away, on the Indian Ocean. The sunset above was taken on my first night there.

The following day I went to the port town of Fremantle. My first stop was the Fremantle Prison. I took two tours, one visiting the grounds, cells, chapels and gallows. The second tour focused on the escape attempts, with not one success in over 100 years. I walked around town, visiting the markets and the harbour.

The next day I took a ferry to Rottnest Island. When the Dutch discovered the island they thought the animals were large rats, thus the name Rottnest. These animals are really Quokka, small marsupials. There are no cars on the island, so I spent the day on my bike - over 25 miles in total.

Today is my last day in Perth. I'll relax by the pool and read before heading off to Tokyo tonight.

Melbourne, Australia October 4-10

This is the closest I got to seeing Koalas and Kangaroos. It gives me an excuse to come back again.

I visited the Old Melbourne Gaol (Jail for my North American friends). During the guided tour we were locked in the cells and the Sergeant even turned the lights off for a while. I felt like I was on the TV show Prison Break.

I visited Geelong, about an hour south of Melbourne. The Geelong Grammar School reminded me of the school Harry Potter went to.

I then visited Queenscliff, a seaside town with magnificent mansions. I had fish and chips for lunch, and later found out I ate shark. It wasn't that bad.

I did get to see four cute lifeguards on the beach.

Tomorrow I'm off to Perth.

London - Singapore - Melbourne 22 hours

I left London on October 2 and arrived in Melbourne on October 4. We stopped in Singapore for a few hours and saw the beautiful orchids throughout the airport.



I arrived at Gary and Sebastians flat at about 6am. After a quick shower we picked up my other friends, Bill and Ian, and were on the road to the King Valley Wine region. Absolutely no time to worry about jet lag. Pictured above - Sandy, Bill, Gary, Ian and Sebastian.




The first stop of the day was wine tasting at the Gracebrook Stables Vineyard. For $10 per person we were able to taste over 100 bottles of wine. I had my picture taken for the local paper with Julie.





After a fantastic dinner at Rinaldo's, the designated driver - ME - drove on the left side of the road all the way back to our Guest House. No, that isn't the car I drove. We thought it was the local taxi.

On Sunday we were off to taste wine and cheese at a few more vineyards. See the pictures we took of the newest boy band - Gary, Ian, Sandy and Sebastian.

Around the World 2 - London

This is the second half of my 2008 Around the World adventure. Its also my third trip to London this year. I'm staying with my good friends Norman and Ann Shuker. Above is their modest home. My room is on the second floor on the far left. I've already reserved the room for the 2012 London Olympics. Below is a picture of my hosts, Norman and Ann.




We were very lucky with the weather, sunny and cool on October 1. We visited Kew Royal Botanic Gardens. Hundreds of acres of beautiful plants and trees, missing most of the flowers which bloom in the summer. Above is King George III's house. He invited me in, but I wasn't allowed to take any photos inside. Below are some beautiful lillies in one of the many greenhouses. The original greenhouse was the largest in the world when it was built over 100 years ago.


That evening we celebrated Norman's birthday, having a fantastic meal at a refurbished hotel. In attendance were Norman and Ann, Alex and Tamsin (whose wedding I attended in June - see blog entry below), Amber and Mark, and me. I didn't have my camera, I'm waiting for Mark to send me the pictures so I can post them.


On Thursday I took the train to London. Who says it rains in London? Again, perfect weather. Above is the BA London Eye, and below is Big Ben.



As usual, I cannot leave London without my portion of Peking Duck. Above you can see the ducks hanging in the restaurant window.

Tonight I leave for Melbourne, Australia. Its a 22 hour flight, with a stop in Singapore. I let you know about the flight and Melbourne sometime next week.