tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-307169462024-03-08T11:47:04.827+09:00Laura's PensieveThis half-Japanese girl is off to Nagoya, Japan for a year (or two!) to teach English, backpack around Asia and learn Japanese (or at least more than 'goodnight' and 'stapler'). Tune in for pictures, stories and of course, engrish!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.comBlogger193125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-23702888600423680442008-11-22T22:00:00.000+09:002008-11-23T12:13:23.791+09:00Osaka & Takarazuka!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0_a5a8j00qxO663yARzrF6ft24_jrpZEo7QNeR8m2V9LwEQeqF9VVE-zs1skCSJDpnCkF9kma8P8oc3gLACa1CgJK7HN7df7B-rwE6-5gzVER0dtzfSm1V7TMc2aVSmVFI/s1600-h/sc000e4c41.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGD0_a5a8j00qxO663yARzrF6ft24_jrpZEo7QNeR8m2V9LwEQeqF9VVE-zs1skCSJDpnCkF9kma8P8oc3gLACa1CgJK7HN7df7B-rwE6-5gzVER0dtzfSm1V7TMc2aVSmVFI/s320/sc000e4c41.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246764155195144066" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dk8Ht2N6KaOpahIcHdHs0RVMzik76G5zdNoKEUpJyie1KMhQmr7Y-gOg8QKmcuGyardeu8pYgzKqdi3eJsECXKjjyshlxbCjrXpmNYbpt9BRJMdQOaSz-TwD0V5Do-YfvCw/s1600-h/IMG_6494.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5dk8Ht2N6KaOpahIcHdHs0RVMzik76G5zdNoKEUpJyie1KMhQmr7Y-gOg8QKmcuGyardeu8pYgzKqdi3eJsECXKjjyshlxbCjrXpmNYbpt9BRJMdQOaSz-TwD0V5Do-YfvCw/s320/IMG_6494.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246066267575108930" border="0" /></a><div>Date: June 22 & 23, 2008</div><div>Where: Osaka and Takarazuka</div><div>Info: Elspeth told me about Takarazuka a long time ago and we finally got around to going on our final weekend getaway. Takarazuka is a city northwest of Osaka and it's home to the Takarazuka Revue, an all-female cabaret. They are famous for their extravagant costumes (think sparkles, feathers, Las Vegas) and finales. We got tickets for The Scarlet Pimpernel (HA!) and met up with some of Elspeth's Kyoto friends.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-R-89J5_wjCMwNg70ijXG5f8m3WtdFecVf6pSmM2qs6cwMUtsrnzshJjnfFBgL9hhaIwtU_KWgyWdKRI-gfpF5CuxM7i4Ho0ESEyuLwSDPbYdVv-WIGkUnIi6YElWvBb_s/s1600-h/IMG_6459.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P-R-89J5_wjCMwNg70ijXG5f8m3WtdFecVf6pSmM2qs6cwMUtsrnzshJjnfFBgL9hhaIwtU_KWgyWdKRI-gfpF5CuxM7i4Ho0ESEyuLwSDPbYdVv-WIGkUnIi6YElWvBb_s/s320/IMG_6459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246065556887602482" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4wcK29iQFleTB3i3-JhV248C5CJnJnUgc7pdoEKcsID69duJuMNEL-elGx9rcCSyNLyzGBdwLT9JFp3hi-XK7Hs3Lvd1TWBRv2VIj96wQOJcbtAA8KrHq-fIaN15pC-8So/s1600-h/IMG_6447.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0x4wcK29iQFleTB3i3-JhV248C5CJnJnUgc7pdoEKcsID69duJuMNEL-elGx9rcCSyNLyzGBdwLT9JFp3hi-XK7Hs3Lvd1TWBRv2VIj96wQOJcbtAA8KrHq-fIaN15pC-8So/s320/IMG_6447.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246066270756689522" border="0" /></a>Our first stop in Osaka was the touristy HEP Five mall (apparently, this place gets more visitors than Tokyo Disneyland each year!) where we rode the famous red Ferris Wheel located on the top of the building. It was overcast but we had fun taking pictures and trying to find Osaka landmarks.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD-QgWPPGS9q80TgFcD-rh_n51ysAu5PIZ_C6nxe32Ho5ySsrXUaHqb0Q0Kj3a4yXPOWOmSOqRD-4DzO__Pm6hg4DF6etqiaYLPmNSgkrlu8qv35UFl9qfdWYV7R3yODQJAo/s1600-h/IMG_6449.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgDD-QgWPPGS9q80TgFcD-rh_n51ysAu5PIZ_C6nxe32Ho5ySsrXUaHqb0Q0Kj3a4yXPOWOmSOqRD-4DzO__Pm6hg4DF6etqiaYLPmNSgkrlu8qv35UFl9qfdWYV7R3yODQJAo/s320/IMG_6449.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246065541039746322" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIZGIJcm1UF0RfJKvSLIfyVfN9Aeml3qNK8Bnc5UtpnIiFH1i0CYodE0xx8Zi4XebxvUEOjOcFzg6Y-wMLcmbxbt1Y1N7tJzMSPlbiz3JwiTpBTfIZ7pVUF5S4z3XNTiPh8s/s1600-h/IMG_6454.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIZGIJcm1UF0RfJKvSLIfyVfN9Aeml3qNK8Bnc5UtpnIiFH1i0CYodE0xx8Zi4XebxvUEOjOcFzg6Y-wMLcmbxbt1Y1N7tJzMSPlbiz3JwiTpBTfIZ7pVUF5S4z3XNTiPh8s/s320/IMG_6454.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246065547150746338" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd1LnhZ6jSjFVdQkFNlIVUQa467vkM7v_LIr2pD1SX19ubcDf33a_qtkARQDCStZLoHdqBjRkDvNcO3YJMh24fqH6XVsyua8WGNS0vmaRzfDZ0Jh4K4oBn3KDHcKepwGe75w/s1600-h/IMG_6458.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJd1LnhZ6jSjFVdQkFNlIVUQa467vkM7v_LIr2pD1SX19ubcDf33a_qtkARQDCStZLoHdqBjRkDvNcO3YJMh24fqH6XVsyua8WGNS0vmaRzfDZ0Jh4K4oBn3KDHcKepwGe75w/s320/IMG_6458.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246065554401878002" border="0" /></a>From the Ferris Wheel pod you could see all across the city. The vastness of Japanese cities still amazes me. The buildings seem to go on forever.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_DII-ImhGRmOjeY8ZTXr6by-dRBrQReAvskHT8FIuKEzX4xYKMCvJqhFl4rqw9OGCJmZyyJb2cqL5JDLo-72szDObBrTyIlASLwEhnDMsppBi9uv4xEz_C1jJs8gFsYoraY/s1600-h/IMG_6461.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_DII-ImhGRmOjeY8ZTXr6by-dRBrQReAvskHT8FIuKEzX4xYKMCvJqhFl4rqw9OGCJmZyyJb2cqL5JDLo-72szDObBrTyIlASLwEhnDMsppBi9uv4xEz_C1jJs8gFsYoraY/s320/IMG_6461.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246064587121938770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikz-JpXN17xW1IiPmJTsvyMrwZ7rsbHRIcVoo3kOargrJBzGrwkRTQ7M2SZKFTW35fjWdYTtdMWrXy5TnPz9kDAhZVOuhFX9dRfhY0N7JJLU5y5i98QQayFN7VmZwE5dhzdg/s1600-h/IMG_6467.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgikz-JpXN17xW1IiPmJTsvyMrwZ7rsbHRIcVoo3kOargrJBzGrwkRTQ7M2SZKFTW35fjWdYTtdMWrXy5TnPz9kDAhZVOuhFX9dRfhY0N7JJLU5y5i98QQayFN7VmZwE5dhzdg/s320/IMG_6467.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246064591416299378" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv05tLxgvvOnql_qIDXcFspUanystY2NzhO8qx8lsHrf9TgTe8e7ISXq56ciqMJjX-1zXlUXV8SAvRw7VuExfHRe_fdNn9zCxluF8d0_nwsjvmlK5Ea0IwHMix5Y9B4AocC8/s1600-h/IMG_6469.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuv05tLxgvvOnql_qIDXcFspUanystY2NzhO8qx8lsHrf9TgTe8e7ISXq56ciqMJjX-1zXlUXV8SAvRw7VuExfHRe_fdNn9zCxluF8d0_nwsjvmlK5Ea0IwHMix5Y9B4AocC8/s320/IMG_6469.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246064599161445186" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b7qaUUUGiMFNOByu4Ci4UUwxBLk7H9mdiVihFJxbzgv_413moqS6TUnrXqerJqeaP16xvIFVSyTld5a0qIcWoLQ1A6NOLXdk4oReUCnKthxFBPUHwFLK3prEegnpQOYVtoI/s1600-h/IMG_6479.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0b7qaUUUGiMFNOByu4Ci4UUwxBLk7H9mdiVihFJxbzgv_413moqS6TUnrXqerJqeaP16xvIFVSyTld5a0qIcWoLQ1A6NOLXdk4oReUCnKthxFBPUHwFLK3prEegnpQOYVtoI/s320/IMG_6479.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246062961218614450" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Elspeth pondering...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOEV4xoFAyI0CWj2VugCu29YNBC9GXG8zWDOVOuFjoocmODVYfFMJZTX9n16LFlU5UTMOFIY4X2dMzAhbERlFAAwwmoK7kpbSpobQRHi9xffl5KSCruwZR9oG0F_0UxjqIbA/s1600-h/IMG_6483.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpOEV4xoFAyI0CWj2VugCu29YNBC9GXG8zWDOVOuFjoocmODVYfFMJZTX9n16LFlU5UTMOFIY4X2dMzAhbERlFAAwwmoK7kpbSpobQRHi9xffl5KSCruwZR9oG0F_0UxjqIbA/s320/IMG_6483.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246062965723447330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxEc1ve_tXgGIF3g5lw9TjW3_HgEEBcljSqKHfFkXnfUU1vvRNRhXs34tYBkoeiwGQbuPuOdLtFXqI3aizcoSwA6BOPWrZ0ps0QelBQ3coC36r3BYPOkiagPGgFgB0es1QEI/s1600-h/IMG_6486.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpxEc1ve_tXgGIF3g5lw9TjW3_HgEEBcljSqKHfFkXnfUU1vvRNRhXs34tYBkoeiwGQbuPuOdLtFXqI3aizcoSwA6BOPWrZ0ps0QelBQ3coC36r3BYPOkiagPGgFgB0es1QEI/s320/IMG_6486.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246062969825749922" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We tried to get some good pictures of us with Osaka in the background.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ubSqaTQ4yEmKmzUMuTea3ni3xjboEjC7rL3FJKjD9u8n84gmkt3HCF3ZH3tzhfCihip9i46OEs-vSki7cjC58HTLQ4d46bsDL7WPCMCY4PvRMwLRpme_K7QoUWriC30gbQ/s1600-h/IMG_6487.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU8ubSqaTQ4yEmKmzUMuTea3ni3xjboEjC7rL3FJKjD9u8n84gmkt3HCF3ZH3tzhfCihip9i46OEs-vSki7cjC58HTLQ4d46bsDL7WPCMCY4PvRMwLRpme_K7QoUWriC30gbQ/s320/IMG_6487.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246062972981648722" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We finally got bored of the views and just started acting crazy...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GhR08tfeN_JlFzbxuItJNoXvy4bUc-bVDjyIz-6qN4Z1erywEUeUdKjfelClpbhItJR540EuDQuufFV8X5faZ7SNrmjGgiQ55j64_cak_u32ivwDX-PCkWg9AwhgSFc9mcQ/s1600-h/IMG_6489.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-GhR08tfeN_JlFzbxuItJNoXvy4bUc-bVDjyIz-6qN4Z1erywEUeUdKjfelClpbhItJR540EuDQuufFV8X5faZ7SNrmjGgiQ55j64_cak_u32ivwDX-PCkWg9AwhgSFc9mcQ/s320/IMG_6489.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246061229137897938" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Seriously, Elspeth...we are crazy.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4j8P4MccpEG8-qZGX5GPICuCZ7F13JsRDO0_OQyzGsabiWzoJ5LrMNJqD_eM8wSt6N7sx_V_RAlEfKcORAKCZK-45J_ma44cv4JtbBvE6IuPI0SQ3I84RsRh0peVN_ViOcU/s1600-h/IMG_6490.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt4j8P4MccpEG8-qZGX5GPICuCZ7F13JsRDO0_OQyzGsabiWzoJ5LrMNJqD_eM8wSt6N7sx_V_RAlEfKcORAKCZK-45J_ma44cv4JtbBvE6IuPI0SQ3I84RsRh0peVN_ViOcU/s320/IMG_6490.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246061231561754562" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRlMHmbN9KpOC_n7rOqM9ZN9OxMOD4jGVgbQ9LOW31g6hEIFEOCnqDTjfy2eAf8YY3l3rFaTSvHqq9KIU89yiyqYQrYJOhypyPLqu6mV8NNOJ1aA_XI289HZBSWTpf5udPII/s1600-h/IMG_6499.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdRlMHmbN9KpOC_n7rOqM9ZN9OxMOD4jGVgbQ9LOW31g6hEIFEOCnqDTjfy2eAf8YY3l3rFaTSvHqq9KIU89yiyqYQrYJOhypyPLqu6mV8NNOJ1aA_XI289HZBSWTpf5udPII/s320/IMG_6499.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246061243422807522" border="0" /></a>We found an game center, played some taiko and took some purikura. We looked around the HEP Five stores but decided it was too busy and expensive (and any mall without a Hello Kitty store isn't worth Elspeth's time). We looked around the insane Disney store and then took the subway to Namba Station and walked to our favourite tanuki-themed okonomiyaki restaurant.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdA_i1QG8sTTVnZdCskffBCl5t5fI56OuB1HSRKlCEu3tvTdbPR-a60tHOLtnBui-cnhScaEaaJK6jn-3HnpGz2kV0HAXsWSuvt-_EgX7Ld9Y3g1P79Ga1TjRYhGjf57egvA/s1600-h/IMG_6501.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAdA_i1QG8sTTVnZdCskffBCl5t5fI56OuB1HSRKlCEu3tvTdbPR-a60tHOLtnBui-cnhScaEaaJK6jn-3HnpGz2kV0HAXsWSuvt-_EgX7Ld9Y3g1P79Ga1TjRYhGjf57egvA/s320/IMG_6501.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246061244916577458" border="0" /></a>Our waitress seemed to think that we had no idea what we were doing and hovered over our grill. We tried to show her that we were okonomiyaki pros but she didn't believe us. Once it was cooked and we'd applied our sauce and mayo, she grabbed the mayo bottle and ran away, relieved that she didn't have to help the foreigners anymore. We took our time eating (it was raining outside) and giggled at the young boys eating beside us (their flipping attempt went very bad indeed).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlUc3kMm4RuzdbQKXL6a-2Z9AecLh9eRQelxcK7ucU5AiVuRji9TJ0rPiewiZCf0mDBpOZun8AKydZgzdO0fe3km7PTh1UpaCwjKutkus2kNXhkJVzn1oA0wI_kYlEA85M2I/s1600-h/IMG_6504.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOlUc3kMm4RuzdbQKXL6a-2Z9AecLh9eRQelxcK7ucU5AiVuRji9TJ0rPiewiZCf0mDBpOZun8AKydZgzdO0fe3km7PTh1UpaCwjKutkus2kNXhkJVzn1oA0wI_kYlEA85M2I/s320/IMG_6504.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059959460039042" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNNvAVqxTc2uqv48iMbqEz8vZhzfYwZHMAe_opGcbu_bymEC49zo4pl8tp9JbeGOSWJ3wzhBix-yTBqiC4SebL3tP60u6RIM9-UbjPfpGHhl8WYVMZU3AyUzeZcfD0qkiJfY/s1600-h/IMG_6505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuNNvAVqxTc2uqv48iMbqEz8vZhzfYwZHMAe_opGcbu_bymEC49zo4pl8tp9JbeGOSWJ3wzhBix-yTBqiC4SebL3tP60u6RIM9-UbjPfpGHhl8WYVMZU3AyUzeZcfD0qkiJfY/s320/IMG_6505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059964738627714" border="0" /></a>We wandered down Dotombori and saw that the famous Kuidaore Ningyo mechanical clown, who stands in front of a famous restaurant, was decked out in an Indiana Jones outfit to celebrate the release of the movie. Interestingly, I read on the internet that this restaurant has recently closed and that the clown, who has been standing there since 1950 (and is always surrounded by tourists) is to be removed.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZSayiVhhxEkoAGCK9pGKr09uZlBaIRjDgB67vwKWeN9T9l1Sg6Zp3QZX5nDoqp2LJYHMI89G9ng3pz4rtfbLRWSty4XpJe92JDECmKuO8IsZLmZth4jJKVKjXz9ZH9T0_IU/s1600-h/IMG_6512.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZSayiVhhxEkoAGCK9pGKr09uZlBaIRjDgB67vwKWeN9T9l1Sg6Zp3QZX5nDoqp2LJYHMI89G9ng3pz4rtfbLRWSty4XpJe92JDECmKuO8IsZLmZth4jJKVKjXz9ZH9T0_IU/s320/IMG_6512.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059977306291842" border="0" /></a>Our next stop was the Kaiyukan (Osaka Aquarium). Yes, I'm sure you're all thinking, 'Laura, you've been there so many times! Aren't you tired of it?' Well, yes, I have been there a few times (with a bunch of different people) but I love it. And this time we went at night, which I've never done before. Before entering the aquarium we did a bit of omiyage shopping and I bought myself a big stuffed takoyaki toy (octopus ball). It was so cute and made me think of all of my apartment takoyaki parties that I couldn't resist...<br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBfKCMsU_dQTcEGZayaVDlqJQn5_ZehUA-KeovtbD4Je-JPu5FtgtJ1zMBL2cN-xW_gP9UYDLj461y9BkKbojcIRhyh6AuqkE3CtLGs4yaxB82ilhTaj-5ShST1aR1yzjUDE/s1600-h/IMG_6516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJBfKCMsU_dQTcEGZayaVDlqJQn5_ZehUA-KeovtbD4Je-JPu5FtgtJ1zMBL2cN-xW_gP9UYDLj461y9BkKbojcIRhyh6AuqkE3CtLGs4yaxB82ilhTaj-5ShST1aR1yzjUDE/s320/IMG_6516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059984613140594" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ9oj4mKORhz0YEvCeCxcAc_wVKgGm5NV8e0_Xqd_Cp9cQ8P5U8_gZJaJ3I4sUCS6sB5GGVlj9xuvUS5JvAQjSaIccoi1qAvUufIkqAOt4tqTDeSqpUDq9lQAgPGiC7jE22Y/s1600-h/IMG_6530.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYQ9oj4mKORhz0YEvCeCxcAc_wVKgGm5NV8e0_Xqd_Cp9cQ8P5U8_gZJaJ3I4sUCS6sB5GGVlj9xuvUS5JvAQjSaIccoi1qAvUufIkqAOt4tqTDeSqpUDq9lQAgPGiC7jE22Y/s320/IMG_6530.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059987496274802" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZEMJ-MBBQpGAsrCOXsamv4a6Z__nTSVcyGGy38PDakKUv9N2RJcQwqS2ONpD4n3BhbS2-H6YhA113VBcrXnArAlX1K1Mfobg2mXI7AjcrgYtV7y9wNdWLQw_2n9-8Cy3KpE/s1600-h/IMG_6533.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZZEMJ-MBBQpGAsrCOXsamv4a6Z__nTSVcyGGy38PDakKUv9N2RJcQwqS2ONpD4n3BhbS2-H6YhA113VBcrXnArAlX1K1Mfobg2mXI7AjcrgYtV7y9wNdWLQw_2n9-8Cy3KpE/s320/IMG_6533.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059039119410770" border="0" /></a>It was beautiful and calm, like always. We wandered around and were puzzled by a poster introducing 'Kai-kun' the whale shark. I could have sworn the shark had been larger the last time I'd been there and after a little research I found out that the old, large whale shark (Yu-chan) had died only a few days after I'd seen her with Tiff and Aaron in 2007.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HXKmA9CAFS7mzhzRiwuyCSxzV5cnSfPgHkl4t0ENL3LXtPvh_5d_ILGF2ZOINaq7v3akAqbTrC3o6grD11C_rZTe9ACfHAyGNLmhnxtRDo-2eB69mWZ7eS6EEdxxBMux7ug/s1600-h/IMG_6544.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5HXKmA9CAFS7mzhzRiwuyCSxzV5cnSfPgHkl4t0ENL3LXtPvh_5d_ILGF2ZOINaq7v3akAqbTrC3o6grD11C_rZTe9ACfHAyGNLmhnxtRDo-2eB69mWZ7eS6EEdxxBMux7ug/s320/IMG_6544.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059046289108274" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We were freaked out by fish that you could see through and that didn't move.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiymZ5b8Av1gQr8DT5t4yoODfSPCbGBhyn5c-OJqVEovU7HJzVfGBIk1CCCuF-3c2aiRmMdmxSpYA4WQrn-pCwMUGms7haaZgARFAkEkwVduqtFki4uH_kW5o01VCJEmKaLs/s1600-h/IMG_6547.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYiymZ5b8Av1gQr8DT5t4yoODfSPCbGBhyn5c-OJqVEovU7HJzVfGBIk1CCCuF-3c2aiRmMdmxSpYA4WQrn-pCwMUGms7haaZgARFAkEkwVduqtFki4uH_kW5o01VCJEmKaLs/s320/IMG_6547.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059049506271538" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">We were also freaked out by little pink fish who could hang out vertically and stay like that for a long time...<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJuCI8hJmjiV4sfewuesJGL-lqs5c1-auQNza358bjUD9T6rppxwSFVf1gWe4D_OLvqyTy601viwx-JSESN0FanXnkJ6ZzLQ1CClrsPI0Zbs2uCo_3pnbJCI3UIigzV62paU/s1600-h/IMG_6559.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFJuCI8hJmjiV4sfewuesJGL-lqs5c1-auQNza358bjUD9T6rppxwSFVf1gWe4D_OLvqyTy601viwx-JSESN0FanXnkJ6ZzLQ1CClrsPI0Zbs2uCo_3pnbJCI3UIigzV62paU/s320/IMG_6559.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059057740246210" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The jellyfish were awesome as usual and seemed extra bright that day.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0X0jJJHFxfDKmbUrdKyRPoJRr-5Gzy6KlnZJq4Dj1RT7S5RmVJXUlVQJH9VV4cEixmBHfqTp8bZNUX12lVLvQdSaRW1sNi_Vmzr2kHyGrsKqZJvDj9a_hHH70Dt8mJu7Esg/s1600-h/IMG_6571.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji0X0jJJHFxfDKmbUrdKyRPoJRr-5Gzy6KlnZJq4Dj1RT7S5RmVJXUlVQJH9VV4cEixmBHfqTp8bZNUX12lVLvQdSaRW1sNi_Vmzr2kHyGrsKqZJvDj9a_hHH70Dt8mJu7Esg/s320/IMG_6571.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246059064034142114" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHOIi6wPYinFokFmN7-B2CE93vk6DKrLf7xgqO9BZvPl7aiCuaRZqnhWM6vqLDHH2T-pAWBve7O3Ew0idNq1WbX8LN2zGk1j5R8mEgdsPceFhGAV4_7ZNlN5mW9hopKk4wVw/s1600-h/IMG_6584.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFHOIi6wPYinFokFmN7-B2CE93vk6DKrLf7xgqO9BZvPl7aiCuaRZqnhWM6vqLDHH2T-pAWBve7O3Ew0idNq1WbX8LN2zGk1j5R8mEgdsPceFhGAV4_7ZNlN5mW9hopKk4wVw/s320/IMG_6584.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246057736531211954" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtjvIJZpTKJedZUU_hNXZpOtuXRXXfk9XK9IZx_e5UY2EqZ9W66wVz_Hb1odYaeTbgVNI0zLbBxM33iPqRuoVEKzda9C9-uAM05VqI3PMWa9NrU79kdYoIdapY8hQd2TPyto/s1600-h/IMG_6585.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQtjvIJZpTKJedZUU_hNXZpOtuXRXXfk9XK9IZx_e5UY2EqZ9W66wVz_Hb1odYaeTbgVNI0zLbBxM33iPqRuoVEKzda9C9-uAM05VqI3PMWa9NrU79kdYoIdapY8hQd2TPyto/s320/IMG_6585.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246057741758457138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHLnLJC7T6MmrM-S3l88mk8QTNVTJ47ImdLY6jlUxbcOCqUt_9OoWFzAU-OvsqfGZo7ZCr-klm2yD1Lj9Js3nBQzlJxLXknUOGDFN_FCHydjG8u_bP9ckIOUh-cCQulWjkEs/s1600-h/IMG_6586.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiHLnLJC7T6MmrM-S3l88mk8QTNVTJ47ImdLY6jlUxbcOCqUt_9OoWFzAU-OvsqfGZo7ZCr-klm2yD1Lj9Js3nBQzlJxLXknUOGDFN_FCHydjG8u_bP9ckIOUh-cCQulWjkEs/s320/IMG_6586.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246057744827457522" border="0" /></a>We saw little worm-fish-things that were cute and a pink-blob-thing that wasn't.<br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5_Bs1C3B7_Ud3PEJmTVUWUPnCo7ASP6Lb2IbbgG4Zy4J_oFdrxF-FapNUF_nK5mTRTBt5oMOpfaHvqayDY0p4w5fcdhi0DCNeiOqjhfuBgGeeAwB2bR9Xgl_WZ3LQcDmAQI/s1600-h/IMG_6594.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF5_Bs1C3B7_Ud3PEJmTVUWUPnCo7ASP6Lb2IbbgG4Zy4J_oFdrxF-FapNUF_nK5mTRTBt5oMOpfaHvqayDY0p4w5fcdhi0DCNeiOqjhfuBgGeeAwB2bR9Xgl_WZ3LQcDmAQI/s320/IMG_6594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246057751793183986" border="0" /></a>We stayed until the aquarium closed and then took the subway to our hotel. We got a bit lost (we were staying at a station close to the private train to Takarazuka) but an old woman helped us find the hotel. We wandered around the empty arcade and then found a ramen chain shop that Elspeth had been raving about earlier in the day. We slurped down some of the best ramen I've ever eaten and then ran back to the hotel in the rain.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFdwufuQ10IhfeFp3bh5eqCLvErkPZV1nJTQWfIuYO54ZDCB4zv4cdfV8VD5_yt1v3lAp8sPsG9IL8zHqjPnmYeCq_9YXOpQdJTr-eBjqlgEQ5PKk9hTjhYfoLASbGMz28AE/s1600-h/IMG_6599.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyFdwufuQ10IhfeFp3bh5eqCLvErkPZV1nJTQWfIuYO54ZDCB4zv4cdfV8VD5_yt1v3lAp8sPsG9IL8zHqjPnmYeCq_9YXOpQdJTr-eBjqlgEQ5PKk9hTjhYfoLASbGMz28AE/s320/IMG_6599.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246057764536766450" border="0" /></a>The next day we took the Hankyu private train line to Takarazuka with Elspeth's friends. The performance was really great. I should have read what the Scarlet Pimpernel was about before going but Elspeth helped me out and Elysaar filled us in about the political/historical info at the intermission .<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVarLZhpMdU8If5qt_LCLp4j3ksKrAiqaqDHh1_lKwEKcUz_q807cUBiIXLQ1xoMaDzn2OWa7S4e-gRllvtL_b-va6bbUuKh2E6ysO2F1rJ8bq4u_5FFa6qmEHyuOuWRfbLo0/s1600-h/hoshi2008.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVarLZhpMdU8If5qt_LCLp4j3ksKrAiqaqDHh1_lKwEKcUz_q807cUBiIXLQ1xoMaDzn2OWa7S4e-gRllvtL_b-va6bbUuKh2E6ysO2F1rJ8bq4u_5FFa6qmEHyuOuWRfbLo0/s320/hoshi2008.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246056311408034322" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">The finale was especially fantastic, complete with can-can line and large feather cape-things!<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a8OvedY-f1tD-gJyVCjnSstHeojbCAHReO32Fv6BHswXYVSicjMdxF2OJ-MLce_JIf79OtL2t1UqduAHC4O3FjANckDOK3wj6kY8GgSlacEA0tM4SrY6ZwuCmiky-qR_EbA/s1600-h/aska01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-a8OvedY-f1tD-gJyVCjnSstHeojbCAHReO32Fv6BHswXYVSicjMdxF2OJ-MLce_JIf79OtL2t1UqduAHC4O3FjANckDOK3wj6kY8GgSlacEA0tM4SrY6ZwuCmiky-qR_EbA/s320/aska01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246056314644311570" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5TEpGciGF5b6J3i5zXkyuBcDwZGaaQWBp6Uban7hQSIXNxt6iUtKaEc4_-OL9IDVcpzScwhZ5jk5DM6blILPFgugl3eN5dfWxzs7558DWlv2kt32Bn0IUp4zp1d2uJG3waw/s1600-h/16takarazuka01.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq5TEpGciGF5b6J3i5zXkyuBcDwZGaaQWBp6Uban7hQSIXNxt6iUtKaEc4_-OL9IDVcpzScwhZ5jk5DM6blILPFgugl3eN5dfWxzs7558DWlv2kt32Bn0IUp4zp1d2uJG3waw/s320/16takarazuka01.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246056317324014546" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">(This isn't from the performance I saw but just so you can get an idea of what the Takarazuka Revue finale looks like!!)<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCeOItYA83y0pbXsTB_5Zwg-u5iR53nngFSQK9uaVefA64GenLut-xYl9EG2DCdtSjgErQ-8Hq6SlVLqoWY_6xmiu_ZoRze2M-9UFhPsuVvFCCS7WVBm6ixbPKlVqVYxdjHo/s1600-h/IMG_6604.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkCeOItYA83y0pbXsTB_5Zwg-u5iR53nngFSQK9uaVefA64GenLut-xYl9EG2DCdtSjgErQ-8Hq6SlVLqoWY_6xmiu_ZoRze2M-9UFhPsuVvFCCS7WVBm6ixbPKlVqVYxdjHo/s320/IMG_6604.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246056322583425442" border="0" /></a>Takarazuka was a rather small city so dining options were limited after the show. We ended up buying food at the station department store and eating outside. A group of little kids were running around a fountain and they all stopped to look at the group of foreign girls eating gyoza and noodles. We said goodbye to the others and then headed back to Osaka and took the train back to Nagoya.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGb2xCKv7cqzK5UMpdIPVPfUAdEIWdOx9dTuXIVHQXIUxF0TMWL1VhIrRw5Jp7l8mg4a9k2DIFLNkHgWqh506ZjCIZ5vviXuLTp5Nsjf9uchBtStql9QdlbXqtGSXTYIqN88/s1600-h/86MDJF4FW80M.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiGb2xCKv7cqzK5UMpdIPVPfUAdEIWdOx9dTuXIVHQXIUxF0TMWL1VhIrRw5Jp7l8mg4a9k2DIFLNkHgWqh506ZjCIZ5vviXuLTp5Nsjf9uchBtStql9QdlbXqtGSXTYIqN88/s320/86MDJF4FW80M.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246055616160281746" border="0" /></a>Elspeth had purchased a stuffed kitty (she's a fan of the kitten in socks character) so we couldn't resist stopping in at our favourite game center under Bic Camera and taking some purikura with our little friends. These are some of my all-time favourite photos...so awesome. I'm sure my mother is cringing while reading this and looking at these photos...hahaha!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJi8-pnZ6oqWxWmBVA7UOEOQo266-N3JXRRjiIQ5yK_BxN1z81v7K956AKom-iIFT1tVnVaqVFq5BMl8oioR3mkTUYR3u9T-vilUdzkIB1LBpXlKqXzxBAYkZdX7lbR9GI1s/s1600-h/DWIVJOWI6TO5BU.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrJi8-pnZ6oqWxWmBVA7UOEOQo266-N3JXRRjiIQ5yK_BxN1z81v7K956AKom-iIFT1tVnVaqVFq5BMl8oioR3mkTUYR3u9T-vilUdzkIB1LBpXlKqXzxBAYkZdX7lbR9GI1s/s320/DWIVJOWI6TO5BU.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246055616546633122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8TlrEC6fBKc3jk4YmBgSJekoN3fY_pBWXLWKpbAUmhYNzEehkNCSunxBvRNCPt0C0Vj-oT6XZ9ax-zvb85sRUDyEF09gvcytQguBpUVlF64sujnQL5kmN7YhwaLvesve6_s/s1600-h/takocat.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD8TlrEC6fBKc3jk4YmBgSJekoN3fY_pBWXLWKpbAUmhYNzEehkNCSunxBvRNCPt0C0Vj-oT6XZ9ax-zvb85sRUDyEF09gvcytQguBpUVlF64sujnQL5kmN7YhwaLvesve6_s/s320/takocat.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5246055618028641858" border="0" /></a>I loved Osaka's wonderful food, sights and atmosphere! Each time I visited I found something new and exciting! I miss you, Osaka!!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-50351672186222670162008-09-04T15:50:00.001+09:002008-09-05T04:52:50.623+09:00Playing dress-up in Kyoto<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH5WhwNe8BU6g7laSNRJDCDXcm_v67sZBYRPFIUOfpBqrzQe5kmdnbjpEtRXAhcd160tcH5H73AYuaGHFrX_DLWU6wfXPxTTUsLObOPqQlYbY93T7VTs3uuqfd-RmYeEa1yd2/s1600-h/19730012.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZH5WhwNe8BU6g7laSNRJDCDXcm_v67sZBYRPFIUOfpBqrzQe5kmdnbjpEtRXAhcd160tcH5H73AYuaGHFrX_DLWU6wfXPxTTUsLObOPqQlYbY93T7VTs3uuqfd-RmYeEa1yd2/s320/19730012.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238644948254108674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>When: Sunday June 16, 2008<div>Where: Near Kyomizudera temple, Kyoto</div><div>Info: The first time I came to Kyoto with Becky and Elspeth, way back during Obon 2006, we had our photos taken as maiko. We had a good time but only got two photos (and they weren't great photos either). I had been thinking of a way to mark the end of my time in Japan and thought that having my maiko photos re-done would be nice. I found this cool looking <a href="http://www.maiko-henshin.com/english/index.html">studio</a> and convinced Elspeth to join me. <br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoJZPIScBxFrJkBIXaid7_XLkoyUU7Zygq2AHdv7JYuROted0BXhPLz__k6z85egNefWTet2TnmQsX9V73s-dU0YQSreF8VbdRYt9_vyAQcd_leJlAypitk88dPNPtMuDlrUL/s1600-h/IMG_1306.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQoJZPIScBxFrJkBIXaid7_XLkoyUU7Zygq2AHdv7JYuROted0BXhPLz__k6z85egNefWTet2TnmQsX9V73s-dU0YQSreF8VbdRYt9_vyAQcd_leJlAypitk88dPNPtMuDlrUL/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238645941448229650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span>We booked an early appointment, which helped us avoid the crowds and the heat. The studio was located on a tiny traditional looking street but inside it was new and stylish. We were ushered into a change room with a long row of sinks and lockers where we changed into our under kimono things and socks. Next, we headed upstairs to have our make-up done. My hair was pulled securely back (aka almost pulled from the roots) and tied with a headband. Next, the make-up artist smoothed cream on my face, which instantly sealed all of my pores and then proceeded to paint on the snow white make-up. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-4ooz-hhocqpX-hWhnYYHUBzup2F-_mbwRkMivm6Ghoub32X8FUYYTw7fOdi5h_PnzPueUu8T8GQLk8QLHx0vNp4Q2R2jEEGRlqLAx_yN6cNBY-bVF_MpoDF99W_8K-xY88/s1600-h/19730003.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc-4ooz-hhocqpX-hWhnYYHUBzup2F-_mbwRkMivm6Ghoub32X8FUYYTw7fOdi5h_PnzPueUu8T8GQLk8QLHx0vNp4Q2R2jEEGRlqLAx_yN6cNBY-bVF_MpoDF99W_8K-xY88/s320/19730003.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238647287129344434" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Eyebrows, lips and eyeshadow completed our maiko look and we were sent to another room to choose our kimonos. I knew I wanted to wear a dark kimono (last time I was in a bright purple one...just not me) so I was pretty quick in picking. Elspeth went for a pretty blue one which made her crazy blue eyes pop! We were wrapped and tied into those kimonos! Padding and strips of stuff, wrapped in fabric were pushed and pulled into place. The large obi (sash) was secured. Taking a deep breath was no longer an option.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfCefAr3_Ixx43YR7MLk_XzyAvqB6ZCUP6SMaWRDXQMLvmraHz7769ah1Z-Jaz3AzgfRvK6bk3Ecd3lakV1kYDcLNA72CAcdU7cTQdpT0P-yTYzr3tS1w8mZDEdqTcuCjAD4w/s1600-h/ElzKyoto3.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhfCefAr3_Ixx43YR7MLk_XzyAvqB6ZCUP6SMaWRDXQMLvmraHz7769ah1Z-Jaz3AzgfRvK6bk3Ecd3lakV1kYDcLNA72CAcdU7cTQdpT0P-yTYzr3tS1w8mZDEdqTcuCjAD4w/s320/ElzKyoto3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238549035675526562" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>Wigs came next and mine was surprisingly comfortable. It was amazing to see how well it blended with my forehead. The lady dressing me then took a good look at my choice of kimono and obi and pulled some small boxes from a shelf. Inside were fabulous hair ornaments (a silver fan and a bunch of flowers with tiny lanterns and bells!) which she stuck into my wig! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQooCn4bxEl0xHmu38F5_ft8k8I2ParJ_tGyGgvZTGr3NpovuN1OZlH3vyRgUSkS7XQWT0sf81qmkEffqBufOMf7I407LkFvMrjWZJM70kyjN6pINg6Wt93Z-MXtgwf_Ad5DDv/s1600-h/IMG_1312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQooCn4bxEl0xHmu38F5_ft8k8I2ParJ_tGyGgvZTGr3NpovuN1OZlH3vyRgUSkS7XQWT0sf81qmkEffqBufOMf7I407LkFvMrjWZJM70kyjN6pINg6Wt93Z-MXtgwf_Ad5DDv/s320/IMG_1312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238645950846757346" /></a>The transformation was complete! It was so weird to see myself in the mirror! I hardly recognized myself! The package we had chosen included the opportunity to walk around outside with a professional photographer who would take shots of us at various places. We were escorted to the door and helped into the highest wooden platform geta! I somehow got down the stairs without falling and figured out how to take tiny baby steps on the cobblestone-like street.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLHteqem1GbzediyUkbZxQ_yKxvEM7noFR6sC13UGCDHsZLkU1CG0YN0TkOIvXBWHX-fdtTEWdoLD8dmjw1dwYQtBkz2tU2vSWPl44HLj4OS5LFz83nfpc0X_cKCzBZ1CwYzV/s1600-h/IMG_1216.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivLHteqem1GbzediyUkbZxQ_yKxvEM7noFR6sC13UGCDHsZLkU1CG0YN0TkOIvXBWHX-fdtTEWdoLD8dmjw1dwYQtBkz2tU2vSWPl44HLj4OS5LFz83nfpc0X_cKCzBZ1CwYzV/s320/IMG_1216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238550021899195986" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a>We hobbled down the street a bit and then our photographer pointed to a spot and showed us how to hold our kimonos (we had to hold them up or they'd drag on the ground). I tried to be all demure and naive looking and smiling with teeth was not allowed (the white make-up made our teeth look hideously yellow!). It felt weird to have my picture taken professionally.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2wQCCWY34tbpPbBXe9jamWAS8Xyeqchel1mDiCj4PyVepV8L_QpMMstjCR-dn8gbAoBOkZpiCuMFZ64-19usWsK7Jc1R6LVc4qq-8rS2svAEvXc5_BQpXgmB1Wo01t-3sYJI/s1600-h/IMG_6284.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA2wQCCWY34tbpPbBXe9jamWAS8Xyeqchel1mDiCj4PyVepV8L_QpMMstjCR-dn8gbAoBOkZpiCuMFZ64-19usWsK7Jc1R6LVc4qq-8rS2svAEvXc5_BQpXgmB1Wo01t-3sYJI/s320/IMG_6284.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238645960058585938" /></a>We wandered down the small streets and at one point walked onto a street full of tourists. They all turned to look at us and then started taking photos. It was hilarious! Just picture all of these Japanese tourists taking pictures of two foreign girls dressed as maiko. It was a completely bizarre and fabulous situation. I wonder how many photos there are of Elspeth and I dressed as maiko floating around out there?!</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASQBbvozcZX9hmsSsyDjCHUwwUs4zGGL0E3kNTACcfw7lUXRhIdOZfLdhV206p9Eh8Ryp1Q-1SdfYWLOwwDuTGfYdg8BF-J2GcnuKPtpp1hGNPHS0T2gzXFCmtfinmYP8etHO/s1600-h/lauramaiko1.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiASQBbvozcZX9hmsSsyDjCHUwwUs4zGGL0E3kNTACcfw7lUXRhIdOZfLdhV206p9Eh8Ryp1Q-1SdfYWLOwwDuTGfYdg8BF-J2GcnuKPtpp1hGNPHS0T2gzXFCmtfinmYP8etHO/s320/lauramaiko1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238644939727036850" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_OjDII_ywgRBAsvXDtYZTEHybC8UA8uxDMf0rAtSW00Y7__JweYuqSHRWswXdVUgk0eTXaQUDnWs-tzlvJcJfdmErJGKv0_v9-7yttBk6W2_wpowkhqCt19lZF0MNTG5tWjj/s1600-h/lauramaiko2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEib_OjDII_ywgRBAsvXDtYZTEHybC8UA8uxDMf0rAtSW00Y7__JweYuqSHRWswXdVUgk0eTXaQUDnWs-tzlvJcJfdmErJGKv0_v9-7yttBk6W2_wpowkhqCt19lZF0MNTG5tWjj/s320/lauramaiko2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238644942993519186" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">Our photographer took a bunch of photos of us (later we got them on a dvd) and then helped us tie up our kimono so that our hands were free. Then she returned to the studio and we had 30 minutes to roam around Kyoto! We wandered down side streets, posed in doorways and with more tourists, took Aaron shots and then made our way back towards the studio.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME2TNucBGnhTWh9Un-ZKFE70UWN5S_RMSzQRyfc1SsIkXwDUuI5K49sc0lE400mIubhOAAlPD8Zhe42vIxDlczVi7QLmqDLnIaPIl9NYqO0p4HBZjw_tPcKW_BZwPffFm-RiJ/s1600-h/IMG_1259.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiME2TNucBGnhTWh9Un-ZKFE70UWN5S_RMSzQRyfc1SsIkXwDUuI5K49sc0lE400mIubhOAAlPD8Zhe42vIxDlczVi7QLmqDLnIaPIl9NYqO0p4HBZjw_tPcKW_BZwPffFm-RiJ/s320/IMG_1259.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238550031142890658" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh32aOxiisCqXUDfcpdwlH26CdhyphenhyphenlVEBR1CtPAADM8pEbODiYtKdGlBn0-dEdFtgmfNgJR9v7LiMXElov39SjzzFVL8gbJs1RO9Aw0113zuvomlX-LsHcRSdTJ-wSpGvB01FNba/s320/IMG_1204.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238644953666092562" /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkBR3SbbkCcqTdkWqPUG2mw_RaKMxjPPZNpO0rtkNlyv1liaRfuLqr57h1Mc55KqCweBXqJbWkcNOBidg_HK-Vmv5YRZtduf1cbVJu4YQdVw4pjD3T-E3bwA0HjWWLPrFPB5y/s1600-h/IMG_1250.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqkBR3SbbkCcqTdkWqPUG2mw_RaKMxjPPZNpO0rtkNlyv1liaRfuLqr57h1Mc55KqCweBXqJbWkcNOBidg_HK-Vmv5YRZtduf1cbVJu4YQdVw4pjD3T-E3bwA0HjWWLPrFPB5y/s320/IMG_1250.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238644960554257282" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I had such a great time doing this! It was totally cheesy and touristy but SO MUCH FUN! Girls, if you're ever in Kyoto and want to splurge - do this! It's so special and you'll have amazing photos to show off to everyone. My students couldn't believe it was me (again!). </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeWqDLxuhLz-7Z_mcX5hWJlMr4_MgZpEnTmweDm6x1xzbvxSJM2p3i3Gmo0_oJ2As1XQ550L-okAMrMIe7IzR7aDxQXdTHkUIGKhLX71DNT-vGl4dLS4gKOhOxJKOubtdLxZj/s1600-h/IMG_6280.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizeWqDLxuhLz-7Z_mcX5hWJlMr4_MgZpEnTmweDm6x1xzbvxSJM2p3i3Gmo0_oJ2As1XQ550L-okAMrMIe7IzR7aDxQXdTHkUIGKhLX71DNT-vGl4dLS4gKOhOxJKOubtdLxZj/s320/IMG_6280.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238549055617352482" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix6_S143TvjXl4Ldl7acdtQpvCxu7AxS4X_fqJjd220C0-HkCpkAd1MS-2qj4YbYp8PRD_uTUAqlkUx8Uwg4uGZbd84DAGEBBcN1oZnEpLjru3_nE7E8A9Qekh4JFtDQ_syk/s1600-h/IMG_6286.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiix6_S143TvjXl4Ldl7acdtQpvCxu7AxS4X_fqJjd220C0-HkCpkAd1MS-2qj4YbYp8PRD_uTUAqlkUx8Uwg4uGZbd84DAGEBBcN1oZnEpLjru3_nE7E8A9Qekh4JFtDQ_syk/s320/IMG_6286.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5239568369568859186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span><div style="text-align: left;">The make-up had been quick to go on but man, it took forever to get off. I scrubbed and scrubbed with approximately 4 different cleansers and about half a bottle of baby oil. It was messy but when we saw our pictures, we knew it had been worth it. We changed back into our normal clothes (which were super boring after wearing a kimono) and went to find somewhere to eat lunch.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg974B9ChRAYsTBd2V9GRRdoxhasvLTaoiFMp_CQfzaO15wmJnTdxTgTjdR_C3QRKoFFSmWLhcdZWbgifs_85OwqR2yE6ZYTJKIaSTMs8Tc5qYJhqMxXsP2nboS-O2S5ObRJevI/s1600-h/IMG_1288.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg974B9ChRAYsTBd2V9GRRdoxhasvLTaoiFMp_CQfzaO15wmJnTdxTgTjdR_C3QRKoFFSmWLhcdZWbgifs_85OwqR2yE6ZYTJKIaSTMs8Tc5qYJhqMxXsP2nboS-O2S5ObRJevI/s320/IMG_1288.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238547567775261538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CJdQWF-ZlTjtZmyYKsxtU_2C0mlqjo3SNQvVOZKyFqUsShQBaK2QA3924UZHdTNl2VI-t1k60VyxUTB8_bKahAWgmyBFOvWdyxpAaTDtJqNa-CfoAwcWGcnJwkWTRccYMXc9/s1600-h/IMG_1344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3CJdQWF-ZlTjtZmyYKsxtU_2C0mlqjo3SNQvVOZKyFqUsShQBaK2QA3924UZHdTNl2VI-t1k60VyxUTB8_bKahAWgmyBFOvWdyxpAaTDtJqNa-CfoAwcWGcnJwkWTRccYMXc9/s320/IMG_1344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238546675968760978" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTiLeGl7ywQgqITunsCo4MutmKgLi4UHLtVv-GGMZydlP015AjmDe6IhvrlURIX8M0perULaArOEE5BZ2lwH3aPYEZ9jaDelsCCju09x0S9x5M4sE8QrTM3uC1WgPc36hcNa5/s1600-h/IMG_1315.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFTiLeGl7ywQgqITunsCo4MutmKgLi4UHLtVv-GGMZydlP015AjmDe6IhvrlURIX8M0perULaArOEE5BZ2lwH3aPYEZ9jaDelsCCju09x0S9x5M4sE8QrTM3uC1WgPc36hcNa5/s320/IMG_1315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238546660054666434" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">We found a tofu restaurant located above a tiny pottery shop and it turned out to be a relaxing and elegant place. The food was absolutely fabulous. One of the best meals I ate in Japan! And everything had tofu in it....OK well, maybe not the tempura or the rice. The highlight of the meal was having tofu made on a burner right in front of me!</div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTGzgKCg7vXRsvjiqfRymtKErsKDZ_Cg8IjU5LR9Qng6g0rxs4qbx_cGhyphenhyphenxDpVKtTlZvzvQ3fC4YdmRnWa7Yq1sz52xgkW_XlStbzSodKzlOdfodOpSfjnFrOXppbfKwgXjLE/s1600-h/IMG_6330.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTGzgKCg7vXRsvjiqfRymtKErsKDZ_Cg8IjU5LR9Qng6g0rxs4qbx_cGhyphenhyphenxDpVKtTlZvzvQ3fC4YdmRnWa7Yq1sz52xgkW_XlStbzSodKzlOdfodOpSfjnFrOXppbfKwgXjLE/s320/IMG_6330.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238539554678063906" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">See the nabe-ish pot? That contains a liquid the consistency of milk, which eventually turned into the creamiest, most heavenly tofu.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80hsFrmmJGC2T2P92XyDDVp6q2Y4dN5eiSuZUNzdMO4V0QEkLCYHanktb96gSJaxOAtmOT_w_Pnl4c_ivLTYqoRqzPPDATfNWAATXIHfU1lF_AShLt_20TtWKNnnNx16nlR_F/s1600-h/IMG_6331.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj80hsFrmmJGC2T2P92XyDDVp6q2Y4dN5eiSuZUNzdMO4V0QEkLCYHanktb96gSJaxOAtmOT_w_Pnl4c_ivLTYqoRqzPPDATfNWAATXIHfU1lF_AShLt_20TtWKNnnNx16nlR_F/s320/IMG_6331.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238539567758061378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;">Chewy tofu with different flavours of miso </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZQb3ReS2bNCRzEszglQapg3KeUhhvjHyMhY0nM13qx-IwLM6xEli_DzVqF04h3290WSKDsfScAv6nOnekxwTh0oNxHXuigo1GF_VzsUv-g-8rzqYKK-LZukYhvOOS9cs3l5_/s1600-h/IMG_6333.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZQb3ReS2bNCRzEszglQapg3KeUhhvjHyMhY0nM13qx-IwLM6xEli_DzVqF04h3290WSKDsfScAv6nOnekxwTh0oNxHXuigo1GF_VzsUv-g-8rzqYKK-LZukYhvOOS9cs3l5_/s320/IMG_6333.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238539574462036354" /></a>Tofu 'skin' served like sashimi, with wasabi and soy sauce</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VR8SoU3ZcDdfJqFRLTpMSoABISkNSeUuDdcjeusTvmEKnSolJ6gGMitS-1QKBpeUU31ONKoerE-gOjQnNu8RXnNM_5rUUYRCc1pPEql3pHY9xaDM5PNOxugJS1lkfGNE2X6k/s1600-h/IMG_6338.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0VR8SoU3ZcDdfJqFRLTpMSoABISkNSeUuDdcjeusTvmEKnSolJ6gGMitS-1QKBpeUU31ONKoerE-gOjQnNu8RXnNM_5rUUYRCc1pPEql3pHY9xaDM5PNOxugJS1lkfGNE2X6k/s320/IMG_6338.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238538684428420146" /></a>Tempura with matcha green tea salt</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfgr_DkvKh20rlaN8dyGR8K2CX-r3p1Q0LZkVXQ_a23G2YRdp9QeOZXKq-10L2wbZs3UN9YXUSbME2pFsL2CqKut1IdLcKiggWCqId7_zpA8Dpkyos3xC9UxTR9rntL_XJ0Pe/s1600-h/IMG_6344.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQfgr_DkvKh20rlaN8dyGR8K2CX-r3p1Q0LZkVXQ_a23G2YRdp9QeOZXKq-10L2wbZs3UN9YXUSbME2pFsL2CqKut1IdLcKiggWCqId7_zpA8Dpkyos3xC9UxTR9rntL_XJ0Pe/s320/IMG_6344.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238538686324982546" /></a>The silkiest tofu. ever. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g_Z_SyhCGTcr7-rdFOUsleD95h-WWRuToHvvLuuRC_08uClwlolWlSwdE-v0JXGejlMNvuLrKV75b1x90f_HzFvi_dBW4FHT9ICN74yx9maySb-DjTl8gDU1TCkSv4UMcjga/s1600-h/IMG_1393.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_g_Z_SyhCGTcr7-rdFOUsleD95h-WWRuToHvvLuuRC_08uClwlolWlSwdE-v0JXGejlMNvuLrKV75b1x90f_HzFvi_dBW4FHT9ICN74yx9maySb-DjTl8gDU1TCkSv4UMcjga/s320/IMG_1393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238539545042883122" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><div style="text-align: left;">After lunch we went back along the path we'd gone as maiko, did a bit of shopping and then decided that we were tired and hot. It was time to head home. I mean, we'd had a long day and dressing up in kimono and wigs really tired us out. We hopped on the shinkansen and zoomed back home to Nagoya.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-jR7yOZogAhPHtVIWx2xQd3sYl7Ldy8OYMHoIJYqKY9Yyl_4xEib8JLqxZ6-HF3sIs89JlJb49xNgUfO1pp9IYK5y0xjaCg65QAikH_qRqssy0LsFodquj3mbboDzOXvEWf4/s1600-h/IMG_6347.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiX-jR7yOZogAhPHtVIWx2xQd3sYl7Ldy8OYMHoIJYqKY9Yyl_4xEib8JLqxZ6-HF3sIs89JlJb49xNgUfO1pp9IYK5y0xjaCg65QAikH_qRqssy0LsFodquj3mbboDzOXvEWf4/s320/IMG_6347.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238538707582314290" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">I couldn't have asked for a better weekend. It was a perfect way to celebrate my time in Japan and now I have these amazing memories and photos. I love Kyoto. It is truly one of my favourite places in the world. I can't wait to go back already!</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMCkgp3BJLtrtZx8XoqFzndH8Y3c2W-IhvFeuVbGpfPW4TCfNSIeHaCJu3NzaK7qVepYs17PimJQDcIsQ4CnppTFqsgJ_QX7MY5Vh4lxOB1Z9golDKEwQPN-nSY2N9ZztsXy-z/s1600-h/IMG_6363.JPG"></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYon4Kdz_ZAs1IouTgrU-mFhLy9i3q0296ZfhGPxJnm_lMGlz89hPYtqbNWJoPR_4E6wAQeWsrpgTbCTOFbVwegDMUB7d2SFhAzHjDGLiuFFAvKTPHJ8h7th30vXPDwvczkuln/s1600-h/Lauraandmekyoto.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYon4Kdz_ZAs1IouTgrU-mFhLy9i3q0296ZfhGPxJnm_lMGlz89hPYtqbNWJoPR_4E6wAQeWsrpgTbCTOFbVwegDMUB7d2SFhAzHjDGLiuFFAvKTPHJ8h7th30vXPDwvczkuln/s320/Lauraandmekyoto.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5238550009281193826" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL8UkGwnGgGQirxF5OtESZlZa8k3DUuCb1NRXamOu3Ml1DkvR8QKjXiFpmzwviF2HSm-2jCa7ApUECRb4L8-IKy_ehkFd1I4uy4YDu_9U9waV8PqzNQR9_roy4ze3kKpYQuEc/s1600-h/elzlauramaiko.jpg"><br /></a></div></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-80568149421321520942008-08-11T11:47:00.001+09:002008-08-12T00:50:34.784+09:00Nagashi Somen (流しそうめん) in Kibune<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUtbWK7Dz6DQPBVWteqooztkoY1pLz0ojtjqGu-KUJgcZBE7Ks_kUqsp1M3Qz-jFgZ_1oWNrRtZSOrZrozDPi0SpRKCUYxBsK7irYdc4HWVXPnyqdxCdF2VCSOrswPCm89caQ/s1600-h/IMG_1175.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPUtbWK7Dz6DQPBVWteqooztkoY1pLz0ojtjqGu-KUJgcZBE7Ks_kUqsp1M3Qz-jFgZ_1oWNrRtZSOrZrozDPi0SpRKCUYxBsK7irYdc4HWVXPnyqdxCdF2VCSOrswPCm89caQ/s320/IMG_1175.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329858878578002" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>Where: Kibune (north of Kyoto)</div><div>When: Saturday June 15, 2008</div><div>Info: Kibune is a small mountain town located about an hour from Kyoto. In the summer months it is a popular destination for <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">kawadoko</span> dining. This is involves eating your meal while seated on platforms suspended just above or near the flowing waters of the river. Kyoto is crazy hot in the summer and apparently, it can feel up to five degrees cooler when sitting on these platforms in Kibune! Oh, and the view is pretty amazing too!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl2ZRL37q2avyycYGoUm6E-tWMVt-eHMCqAWXBexBIMEgXKJNovIRIN2TK23hbvyn8IM008wlzT5JpsMk8HKAMbUABH_XAr-2HkEBd1MGp5pMKBmTB-FThKfQ3LGMIpSEA_Yd/s1600-h/IMG_6111.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfl2ZRL37q2avyycYGoUm6E-tWMVt-eHMCqAWXBexBIMEgXKJNovIRIN2TK23hbvyn8IM008wlzT5JpsMk8HKAMbUABH_XAr-2HkEBd1MGp5pMKBmTB-FThKfQ3LGMIpSEA_Yd/s320/IMG_6111.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232550059879133618" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>We took a private train line to Kibune and then walked into the town. The road to the town with quite beautiful, lined with cedar forests on one side and the river on the other. The weather turned out to be cool and cloudy but luckily it didn't rain. We were looking for a specific restaurant (Hirobun) located near the beginning of the river restaurants, or in other words, closer to the top of the mountain. It was supposed to have one of the best views of any restaurant in Japan and it didn't disappoint. My jaw almost dropped when I saw where we were going to be eating! Check out the little waterfall!</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRKK_3MMXzhUesAcTHA7O9Vo_ogqiAI8DayjJiOj7o0WrY_61W720UmXtm-2_9oiRTrmsUqkD70FrZ9zfTZXqacdCxirdmVi4yVS-laf_c8Ofgsppurj9rtaYV4YOEyYr_UQ_/s1600-h/IMG_6117.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiRKK_3MMXzhUesAcTHA7O9Vo_ogqiAI8DayjJiOj7o0WrY_61W720UmXtm-2_9oiRTrmsUqkD70FrZ9zfTZXqacdCxirdmVi4yVS-laf_c8Ofgsppurj9rtaYV4YOEyYr_UQ_/s320/IMG_6117.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329524844892978" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>I was a lot cooler on once we were on the platforms (Truthfully, I was freezing...) and I can imagine that in the August/September heat of Japan this would be REALLY nice. We had to wait for a while since they could only seat about 8 people at a time. All of these people were here for the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">nagashi somen</span>.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAMVfrg4IslptKlQCwtKS55A6N7vyU8JfP-uIprJuzDHTgu_TKeqO5uEGj-zth8rtoj_yAyuACAnpUDvYGSqlcbIP7yPqFhHdJyhg_emmnjJrss_E6LEWdzgWpEVsJtBNlCAf/s1600-h/IMG_6143.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzAMVfrg4IslptKlQCwtKS55A6N7vyU8JfP-uIprJuzDHTgu_TKeqO5uEGj-zth8rtoj_yAyuACAnpUDvYGSqlcbIP7yPqFhHdJyhg_emmnjJrss_E6LEWdzgWpEVsJtBNlCAf/s320/IMG_6143.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329546421916258" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBqoUsmm2c80jaLCZrLp3iYwK0Qyz564C7HxL4rwrxPOHyO4Z2_-j0h8zA_Se1p4AUGXSnC0N7iIeY1ImzrXZyf_LCLSWZKYJHf8DZKy1BLrgkyYRvCogAo-1up_av9Gvj9RY/s1600-h/IMG_6151.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Elspeth had heard about </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">nagashi somen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> ('flowing noodles') somewhere and I went on an internet hunt to find a restaurant that served it. </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">Nagashi somen</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(255, 255, 255);"> is a summer food event where they send small bundles of somen noodles down a 'half-pipe' (traditionally made of bamboo) flowing with cold water. Most of the time this takes place at festivals but we managed to find a restaurant which specialized in it in this picturesque town.</span></span></a></span></span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span></span><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBqoUsmm2c80jaLCZrLp3iYwK0Qyz564C7HxL4rwrxPOHyO4Z2_-j0h8zA_Se1p4AUGXSnC0N7iIeY1ImzrXZyf_LCLSWZKYJHf8DZKy1BLrgkyYRvCogAo-1up_av9Gvj9RY/s1600-h/IMG_6151.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); "></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihBqoUsmm2c80jaLCZrLp3iYwK0Qyz564C7HxL4rwrxPOHyO4Z2_-j0h8zA_Se1p4AUGXSnC0N7iIeY1ImzrXZyf_LCLSWZKYJHf8DZKy1BLrgkyYRvCogAo-1up_av9Gvj9RY/s320/IMG_6151.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329555572205778" style="text-align: left; display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span>When our turn finally arrived, we were seated in front of a counter and instructed to use the front 'trough'. Our neighbours had the far one and the pipe coming from above was for the four people farther down the counter. The restaurant worker then disappeared into a little shack and we got ready to catch our lunch.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9bBszSMtxFV374_lZJKqj5ZieFq5UCFuUPDyks5humaKYT8tv2mgfMTi31feZhkOcA_d1u7bG0JqIi6wqG6zsVGo0tyQiHmhEg1QBSinw2eW4SkNA5g6TqTe3QvwfvJKkcHR/s1600-h/IMG_1174.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd9bBszSMtxFV374_lZJKqj5ZieFq5UCFuUPDyks5humaKYT8tv2mgfMTi31feZhkOcA_d1u7bG0JqIi6wqG6zsVGo0tyQiHmhEg1QBSinw2eW4SkNA5g6TqTe3QvwfvJKkcHR/s320/IMG_1174.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329842342999746" /></a><div><div style="text-align: left;">Those little bundles of noodles move quick! I was so busy taking pictures and video that I missed my first bunch. Oh well, not to worry, there was plenty (more somen than I've ever eaten before!). You had to move your chopsticks fast but once you had a grip on the noodles, the little bundle was easy to pick up, dip into your sauce/broth and enjoy. </div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); text-decoration: underline;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIBWRzdQkUu8Zf3aP6A-j3VYRLE_4hPRD8L2B56MS6eMg3T2jYJBhxh-uVhIwcR01owvmQnxk4qW_7SHqAkEs0ymhTWH-Na_cttvl87SD6vhxIw10U9R7KV7QXnDZWdJCuYLf/s1600-h/IMG_1173.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifIBWRzdQkUu8Zf3aP6A-j3VYRLE_4hPRD8L2B56MS6eMg3T2jYJBhxh-uVhIwcR01owvmQnxk4qW_7SHqAkEs0ymhTWH-Na_cttvl87SD6vhxIw10U9R7KV7QXnDZWdJCuYLf/s320/IMG_1173.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329854790788162" /></a>The somen was delicious and the broth was fabulous but I think the real winner here was the view. It was gorgeous! <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITXJ07ANu62myXDOZErCaYABybxfAJcbSJqmDd5bhC-iEX2A8qgamfut4rP9zGh7kyPVj5J5Fycf7ECmIaKCLHDcu9T6_8aNUAOwXibwKbTHHXv-3SOUYU1GwKlP0LUUK-ogi/s1600-h/IMG_1178.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgITXJ07ANu62myXDOZErCaYABybxfAJcbSJqmDd5bhC-iEX2A8qgamfut4rP9zGh7kyPVj5J5Fycf7ECmIaKCLHDcu9T6_8aNUAOwXibwKbTHHXv-3SOUYU1GwKlP0LUUK-ogi/s320/IMG_1178.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232329516891913314" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Blogger is being difficult right now and is refusing to upload my video! So instead here's a link to <a href="http://picasaweb.google.com/Elzkitten/KibuneAndKyoto2008_06_15/photo#5212445820640963826">Elspeth's video</a> (which is better than mine anyways)</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fxte_BOp0SawoK-5ojXiWj530X0KBQU_lFK-XQCqL7Je5v8v0yLEtHExOFvtlHgijHTSaSM8V87FL55O8wO7D4vGaGaBHsy-VSWQG7AqXwczvX-7ICEWjLDhsWp2OkpGHJW1/s1600-h/IMG_6155.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2fxte_BOp0SawoK-5ojXiWj530X0KBQU_lFK-XQCqL7Je5v8v0yLEtHExOFvtlHgijHTSaSM8V87FL55O8wO7D4vGaGaBHsy-VSWQG7AqXwczvX-7ICEWjLDhsWp2OkpGHJW1/s320/IMG_6155.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232328358275847874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDOgP0awSi99LGLhsKFDOLJztkpvFYniwJHFmztQmRHQ9Qy_3VwYS9l0HNpU_Cgiaa5ZZw7xfACTq1GBeFL9fxOcbS_8nqVZNYRyVzQFI3oB9JIV0M9_DZwf4GKJZG_UpUdOx/s1600-h/IMG_6160.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFDOgP0awSi99LGLhsKFDOLJztkpvFYniwJHFmztQmRHQ9Qy_3VwYS9l0HNpU_Cgiaa5ZZw7xfACTq1GBeFL9fxOcbS_8nqVZNYRyVzQFI3oB9JIV0M9_DZwf4GKJZG_UpUdOx/s320/IMG_6160.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232328366401436690" /></a>The end of the meal is signaled by a bundle of pink somen shooting down the pipe. It was flavoured with ume and shiso (not my fav) but a nice way to end an exciting meal. We said goodbye to the view and started our way back down the mountain.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgnvVMNG8PP5vzbOgIa42w-iHGIxMzz8UAsmhj979GmSt-AZWjFX3Gu793W2zVCZ0HyOIIm3aW7BGmVCNAI_Gm58XgfBYfDQCY8TEIPgD6a93gz8wn5o0b0WGw9pI0UvU6BpT/s1600-h/IMG_6165.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAgnvVMNG8PP5vzbOgIa42w-iHGIxMzz8UAsmhj979GmSt-AZWjFX3Gu793W2zVCZ0HyOIIm3aW7BGmVCNAI_Gm58XgfBYfDQCY8TEIPgD6a93gz8wn5o0b0WGw9pI0UvU6BpT/s320/IMG_6165.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232328375356768754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuapZdsKVhR350xXz85Vo02rgpF211DapGIeiCkus0sjyxXbF_rvRjchqM3nlF5Rvevlvgqnaid6wR4PRHa2y7GT5YNc5MlvlF5R7ooPap8GlppalZ9gaSIzfLyTHmVdkDJ3fg/s1600-h/IMG_6185.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuapZdsKVhR350xXz85Vo02rgpF211DapGIeiCkus0sjyxXbF_rvRjchqM3nlF5Rvevlvgqnaid6wR4PRHa2y7GT5YNc5MlvlF5R7ooPap8GlppalZ9gaSIzfLyTHmVdkDJ3fg/s320/IMG_6185.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232328379716162850" /></a>We walked by a famous shrine in Kibune but weren't too enthusiastic about climbing to the top to find out what was there. Instead we decided to walk back to the train station, head back to Kyoto and contact some of Elspeth's friends.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyqhyggs2xI5Blxl5igISnf8ifAKZQKCMQxGu41Jy6XWw22XOx0JdSVZ8JjxMQQC5p7kqAE2Odv2WgEnl21OMZttt_JGGI7uqkz-ILRqPIXbk6ybn84ykORINiXTWaQaov10H/s1600-h/IMG_6197.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYyqhyggs2xI5Blxl5igISnf8ifAKZQKCMQxGu41Jy6XWw22XOx0JdSVZ8JjxMQQC5p7kqAE2Odv2WgEnl21OMZttt_JGGI7uqkz-ILRqPIXbk6ybn84ykORINiXTWaQaov10H/s320/IMG_6197.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232328388119520082" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(We passed some VERY straight cedar forests...and commented on how very Japanese they looked. No leaning trees here...)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9n70gwYmV6IQhvnqn2feYLDPjUi3DyfvbKoVdom1LV2-f1qPRpwwZG9Mj58v6D45HpPk0VPPlsiJozWjfP7f93J-I2QGpyyOgzD3WDGRxEEIrwY4ZXDjNTdxA4lxeIufmIHh/s1600-h/IMG_6201.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgY9n70gwYmV6IQhvnqn2feYLDPjUi3DyfvbKoVdom1LV2-f1qPRpwwZG9Mj58v6D45HpPk0VPPlsiJozWjfP7f93J-I2QGpyyOgzD3WDGRxEEIrwY4ZXDjNTdxA4lxeIufmIHh/s320/IMG_6201.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232327063435868098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Restaurants facing the kamogawa river in Kyoto)</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuCKD0A752mQztuUruUoAAY0r7vNyzz5rTwhGpKNcOwAAtqc_SuIEZt1JbPlxwu2Yeb_YSIKgzLuHTOsTHIPVS3CdfedR2EclCrMkKD5Ul_pdjov5in5CiZpmMoNPURp76PyR/s1600-h/IMG_6215.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwuCKD0A752mQztuUruUoAAY0r7vNyzz5rTwhGpKNcOwAAtqc_SuIEZt1JbPlxwu2Yeb_YSIKgzLuHTOsTHIPVS3CdfedR2EclCrMkKD5Ul_pdjov5in5CiZpmMoNPURp76PyR/s320/IMG_6215.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232327079498437106" /></a>Later that night we caught up with Elysaar, Elspeth's friend from University. We grabbed some sushi for dinner and for dessert we headed to a pretty posh looking cafe. We chose this cafe because of their parfait selection. The menu had 164 different parfaits!!! And for fun (and for my benefit) Elysaar and Elspeth translated ALL OF THEM! We were there for quite a while but it was fun to look at some of the stranger options. We even wrote down potential choices on bits of napkin and then narrowed our choices down. I finally chose a berry/cheesecake parfait. Yum!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ZvdJggwmaQhSXSjRVLlEU9WtyJw4VWlwoU8QKeew09sqZlH8IPX5HsnoqzxPpKj9FjLKgYGF6BgLru8VYf7gIJi5bT6w_lOQoXLQYkMk23fBVRSJ7TCCP0Vu12e939AqPIL/s1600-h/IMG_6216.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh90ZvdJggwmaQhSXSjRVLlEU9WtyJw4VWlwoU8QKeew09sqZlH8IPX5HsnoqzxPpKj9FjLKgYGF6BgLru8VYf7gIJi5bT6w_lOQoXLQYkMk23fBVRSJ7TCCP0Vu12e939AqPIL/s320/IMG_6216.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232327085705030514" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Elysaar and Elspeth enjoying their parfaits!)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nHTRx6EEfaa0fKW0IsOroLm-u6yidi01_VUD1g7_eO-c5Pbndc3f0wC0z9_sxlsz7-P76FPyxt5GXqRsw935TbqpqMDFEbW2oSLCG2z3aMK1sPyps1nMffqLtxhXIbsSHpBb/s1600-h/IMG_6219.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2nHTRx6EEfaa0fKW0IsOroLm-u6yidi01_VUD1g7_eO-c5Pbndc3f0wC0z9_sxlsz7-P76FPyxt5GXqRsw935TbqpqMDFEbW2oSLCG2z3aMK1sPyps1nMffqLtxhXIbsSHpBb/s320/IMG_6219.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232326131667981378" /></a>After eating and talking we headed out to find a game centre. Purikura was a must and we rocked the split screen/3 person shots. Elspeth also hacked the machine's website and got all six of the photos for free instead of the usual three. (She's like Dade Murphy, that one! HA!) </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQC3qdaJCjDYtqx1P9gUHceFWyItyYbFo1AqC_UjyXtZFKECUom7J2-ryY_vsyBnn9uE70yfukk0Vd2MnkuY5rwwPWQZ5ZZqGZRlQnSK22Vmc3fRH34YBsR0ye-bo-2BsOSHc/s1600-h/pict01.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJQC3qdaJCjDYtqx1P9gUHceFWyItyYbFo1AqC_UjyXtZFKECUom7J2-ryY_vsyBnn9uE70yfukk0Vd2MnkuY5rwwPWQZ5ZZqGZRlQnSK22Vmc3fRH34YBsR0ye-bo-2BsOSHc/s320/pict01.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232326136438652866" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZc-GFnvuW0AgQZMCwk9aLgx_XsmUEjjE2DenXUAmrE9JdycmrgDBRP46E9lkAQ18DDf816zWth6wT4hYaRl8aHshrIt6DwpEUFEjFtgt0vPh8fdIMQ2-CJpMLLb6rJ-S3qhy/s1600-h/pict02.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhZc-GFnvuW0AgQZMCwk9aLgx_XsmUEjjE2DenXUAmrE9JdycmrgDBRP46E9lkAQ18DDf816zWth6wT4hYaRl8aHshrIt6DwpEUFEjFtgt0vPh8fdIMQ2-CJpMLLb6rJ-S3qhy/s320/pict02.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232326137945447346" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Dq5daPYl3Yiv4zaOBSp0JqwDgNLBTe36C1bBc_MVuUyxloyM-jxVUXDFBHzRXiCk0gtCXIHnXNnnSZcjGRA68GYJHyd8KRUOJdzftzn7deAglMNc8lovYdMW0cU5SN-usivR/s1600-h/pict06.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_Dq5daPYl3Yiv4zaOBSp0JqwDgNLBTe36C1bBc_MVuUyxloyM-jxVUXDFBHzRXiCk0gtCXIHnXNnnSZcjGRA68GYJHyd8KRUOJdzftzn7deAglMNc8lovYdMW0cU5SN-usivR/s320/pict06.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5232326143247016306" /></a></div><div>Hilarious. A day of catching noodles shooting down a tube, eating on a platform over a river, parfaits, a shirt with my name on it, purikura, sushi and Kyoto?! Sounds pretty darn perfect. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stay tuned for an amazing story about the following day...think kimonos, make-up and the highest platform shoes I've ever worn...bet you're interested now. muhuuhaaahaaa!!</div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-53368044415955085432008-07-28T12:00:00.003+09:002008-07-28T12:03:35.487+09:00keep an eye on this blog.I have a few posts to publish about the last weeks of my life in Japan...so keep checking the blog over the next couple of weeks. There are some really good posts, I promise!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-32581640567821135682008-07-27T22:59:00.000+09:002008-07-28T11:59:17.855+09:00Spectacular Shirakawa-go<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnhMw3B_A7-k1sbzWl6F8CKmUArnor_FX24NVo_BpLboTFdwFXic_qRo5zMAbW8epGBT4lNKA1F7QklTY7KUq80EK6uXiGDfDlzxu7Moy1F2GojEuyyHniHAN5QcQQhZIu2AG/s1600-h/IMG_5685.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPnhMw3B_A7-k1sbzWl6F8CKmUArnor_FX24NVo_BpLboTFdwFXic_qRo5zMAbW8epGBT4lNKA1F7QklTY7KUq80EK6uXiGDfDlzxu7Moy1F2GojEuyyHniHAN5QcQQhZIu2AG/s320/IMG_5685.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226988956218846850" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">Where: Takayama & Shirakawa-go<br /></div><div><div>When: May 18-19, 2008</div><div>Info: Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Gifu Prefecture. It's a collection of <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Gassho-zukuri</span> buildings. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Gassho-zukur</span>i means 'clasped hands' and that's what the roofs of the homes look like. The thatched buildings are designed this way to allow rain and snow to fall off of it. Most are now <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">minshuku</span> (family run inns) and as Justine wanted to see the Japanese countryside on her trip, I decided that a night in a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">gassho-zukuri </span>inn<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"> </span>would be cool.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z6d0u5WivoVvCDtQ3mdPgE1UnOrxRwyhbIbMgAlQ3RT6krOKVg1XXWIiS7qKU0CzVQWd4i0nsBDXEb0f4DVPwv-1DQAomt3YE2xR5GF1PCHmOQ-nGlnahBzIPZfKJyeLPHKw/s1600-h/IMG_5682.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0z6d0u5WivoVvCDtQ3mdPgE1UnOrxRwyhbIbMgAlQ3RT6krOKVg1XXWIiS7qKU0CzVQWd4i0nsBDXEb0f4DVPwv-1DQAomt3YE2xR5GF1PCHmOQ-nGlnahBzIPZfKJyeLPHKw/s320/IMG_5682.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226987064125509410" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">We started our adventure by taking an early morning train to Takayama, which is the closest you can get to Shirakawa-go by train. We walked around the old streets and took lots of pictures. </div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9oet0JAuuKo3tYiSA6C9eEnNDG8m4ZT8x_ytNUYcf1BoABUlJoPajOHcdYoPhpRfQOqN7avEakPCcRk1m8Q_XeRUBpUDbqoXoNqDhwNPrjpSexB6JRYb7No4gwGOI93r8lZW/s1600-h/IMG_5689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV9oet0JAuuKo3tYiSA6C9eEnNDG8m4ZT8x_ytNUYcf1BoABUlJoPajOHcdYoPhpRfQOqN7avEakPCcRk1m8Q_XeRUBpUDbqoXoNqDhwNPrjpSexB6JRYb7No4gwGOI93r8lZW/s320/IMG_5689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226987069053990034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU2S5qt1ihG2OUHWLDlkVwqk2JDYn1YgnzO-UI7yxPNlIh1Lv57zqqdFTYHkjYLnHi1-Hk_ZtNXnaKRo7etpGdjKM6ayRk-kKbD1TDjNRyWiNaaAS_6QQy9ODMhZtN2PSIHsg/s1600-h/IMG_5690.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpU2S5qt1ihG2OUHWLDlkVwqk2JDYn1YgnzO-UI7yxPNlIh1Lv57zqqdFTYHkjYLnHi1-Hk_ZtNXnaKRo7etpGdjKM6ayRk-kKbD1TDjNRyWiNaaAS_6QQy9ODMhZtN2PSIHsg/s320/IMG_5690.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226987078075350946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6jE_fMDvtrU9ccejUyQGtjRcq1GdTYmDYiZHxfPtccXbUYKf_qZYuuo2hGNjwb8M2VOlxiQDXH_Z0sErKJSLI_GHby1IsRmcq4Ls8S0p9CoCqqzKeTEh88aixuIWXKoMkS2o/s1600-h/IMG_5692.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI6jE_fMDvtrU9ccejUyQGtjRcq1GdTYmDYiZHxfPtccXbUYKf_qZYuuo2hGNjwb8M2VOlxiQDXH_Z0sErKJSLI_GHby1IsRmcq4Ls8S0p9CoCqqzKeTEh88aixuIWXKoMkS2o/s320/IMG_5692.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226987084203425586" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAAtc0ggL3URjmZBld9Bc01_hx6M4rtVTum7g2CkHwK5kt7UukWQ12fbNQ6dMqWyeiRukyASXJQkYAAs4LrYJMjMCgLpwxOMH0wM2Lvn1JcyZU12WFRBup2jbhFO4GAs6pJTA/s1600-h/IMG_5694.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQAAtc0ggL3URjmZBld9Bc01_hx6M4rtVTum7g2CkHwK5kt7UukWQ12fbNQ6dMqWyeiRukyASXJQkYAAs4LrYJMjMCgLpwxOMH0wM2Lvn1JcyZU12WFRBup2jbhFO4GAs6pJTA/s320/IMG_5694.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226987091833305186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHf1j8_6TXrEWtJQrgSyRK_6DrSigr9LuHM8YofIG_Jvn_H44MZMkk8k61YxXtSg-bFxYS8UJg8ojRQGfqL8F5qVNmLQ9NIRh3i6JcnCEw1xN4j1tcXj0mNB1kowQfjuz7Z0g/s1600-h/IMG_5698.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimHf1j8_6TXrEWtJQrgSyRK_6DrSigr9LuHM8YofIG_Jvn_H44MZMkk8k61YxXtSg-bFxYS8UJg8ojRQGfqL8F5qVNmLQ9NIRh3i6JcnCEw1xN4j1tcXj0mNB1kowQfjuz7Z0g/s320/IMG_5698.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226984579538310722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(The sake arrived in an overflowing masu and was served with some salt)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div><div>Takayama has a ton of sake breweries and you can identify them by the big balls of twigs hanging out front of the buildings. Every time I had gone to Takayama I'd wanted to try sake in a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">masu</span> (little wooden drinking...box/cup?) but either someone had been sick (Elz) or it had been too hot (mom and dad). I knew this was going to be my last time in Takayama so I dragged Elz and Justine into a brewery.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hJlmQvyJr8YO_LzFpIa_D3-kQkqXJxDZ-hrUSJQGZAzLwsEdvDpzwUgwIN-6BZ37Ha74soO6bmuITutvPBwS04bUdIAf3sClpDHn95SGK0TNVaKTK-ask2bDkIuzdQvJXG0r/s1600-h/IMG_5702.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_hJlmQvyJr8YO_LzFpIa_D3-kQkqXJxDZ-hrUSJQGZAzLwsEdvDpzwUgwIN-6BZ37Ha74soO6bmuITutvPBwS04bUdIAf3sClpDHn95SGK0TNVaKTK-ask2bDkIuzdQvJXG0r/s320/IMG_5702.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226984583775232770" /></a>We tried a sweeter sake and to be honest, those little boxes hold much more sake than they look like they can. I had only eaten a breakfast pastry that morning and it pretty much went straight to my head.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-uolwv09720dRh0qCqrImtUk4II3Pr7mlRmUahr3BbzNqR7En9E8_8OHnkLh7wVbpIRVhRxk48DbbuY2NpLB0m9Yq0wcRwyMP-AO-qZF7NdctonwjhhkLx_kQxx0WGwN2Ib9/s1600-h/IMG_5704.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEji-uolwv09720dRh0qCqrImtUk4II3Pr7mlRmUahr3BbzNqR7En9E8_8OHnkLh7wVbpIRVhRxk48DbbuY2NpLB0m9Yq0wcRwyMP-AO-qZF7NdctonwjhhkLx_kQxx0WGwN2Ib9/s320/IMG_5704.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226984592518973602" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;">(me<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">...soon to be drunk.)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3NjhCKBMQpjYYosQfenYQGUW2DeQb1zjHsXjlihq8S__Jr2K5LXA9RDdyhnM267vC2hCXvLYSUJwh7IaaES0x8M3Gxpre49AIzpcqz3KLgrLHneD3Mvhi4mdavUFfRA_8SF3/s1600-h/IMG_5700.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI3NjhCKBMQpjYYosQfenYQGUW2DeQb1zjHsXjlihq8S__Jr2K5LXA9RDdyhnM267vC2hCXvLYSUJwh7IaaES0x8M3Gxpre49AIzpcqz3KLgrLHneD3Mvhi4mdavUFfRA_8SF3/s320/IMG_5700.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226990908782697154" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqobjdc8-E4vNRYMDyr75ykn6RTU45xGKVUFTd8XRO1v6NipGeY6fMbCoJBpAZ0zJhLvlOFWhC_TW7rXDaKwrhQs5Lp9cWaQszSj9tjv8YxVDcvdVdtgn_-cVoNyceykG0p21W/s1600-h/IMG_5708.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqobjdc8-E4vNRYMDyr75ykn6RTU45xGKVUFTd8XRO1v6NipGeY6fMbCoJBpAZ0zJhLvlOFWhC_TW7rXDaKwrhQs5Lp9cWaQszSj9tjv8YxVDcvdVdtgn_-cVoNyceykG0p21W/s320/IMG_5708.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226984597963166722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDGe2sYKdfd6Bh0vD9soypX47k01AcbeeZs4zRS70YoChALgRlLXxBbExrWSdo4_9cUBjVLUksuvIWrxKteeBSsnS66KHc2peyKShHh2FDGBkpj3r1pVHmI7VsNAGyRdgLpdK/s1600-h/IMG_5716.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiDGe2sYKdfd6Bh0vD9soypX47k01AcbeeZs4zRS70YoChALgRlLXxBbExrWSdo4_9cUBjVLUksuvIWrxKteeBSsnS66KHc2peyKShHh2FDGBkpj3r1pVHmI7VsNAGyRdgLpdK/s320/IMG_5716.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226984606739546994" /></a>All feeling a little tipsy, we decided that finding some lunch would be smart. We chose a famous ramen restaurant where I had eaten with Aaron and Tiffany. I remembered that the ramen had been delicious and they had played awesome rock/taiko music. Elz asked our waiter if they sold a cd of the music and he said yes. Unfortunately, when we asked him after eating, he said no....boo...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0kMuOc18NlnZoQR303JBvQvh0iQbZYq2XKZwGOO9phnXDsxNQcbFZI7_qxpP-0_-wTBi-6VAH2hvEnIDWCIpCbsDLHV5Y8WVDF3ZjBHtZ24p_mDbNMj0WmAVwNzOOm-yIjPn/s1600-h/IMG_5718.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV0kMuOc18NlnZoQR303JBvQvh0iQbZYq2XKZwGOO9phnXDsxNQcbFZI7_qxpP-0_-wTBi-6VAH2hvEnIDWCIpCbsDLHV5Y8WVDF3ZjBHtZ24p_mDbNMj0WmAVwNzOOm-yIjPn/s320/IMG_5718.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226982907895976578" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Super rare beef sushi - OK, but not my favourite</span>)</div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhGAjm_ARjt41s5XqJe74UUBuncPWxJHruQaoz1UU3PX_Mk-m8qUPSQW2FuwCYrWQlt50lah73e22JOFGi1pCHVkwhD4BmnO5fxwYri9mW8otiE-bW26GBR4NNay2nUPMtPLm/s1600-h/IMG_5721.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJhGAjm_ARjt41s5XqJe74UUBuncPWxJHruQaoz1UU3PX_Mk-m8qUPSQW2FuwCYrWQlt50lah73e22JOFGi1pCHVkwhD4BmnO5fxwYri9mW8otiE-bW26GBR4NNay2nUPMtPLm/s320/IMG_5721.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226982910449501010" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Some of the most amazing ramen!</span>)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNii0oUsYe50uLjM1P2NqEhBamgVB9ER84VZMZNwFAXKanPl_6ipbiLYUxpppQqIBmi5vOeQC6-N3QA-1LBL5ijwnxi4YCzv3IEknj9G3LT6285bh5WGEAHE7_C3KwBrSyi7Ps/s1600-h/IMG_5724.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNii0oUsYe50uLjM1P2NqEhBamgVB9ER84VZMZNwFAXKanPl_6ipbiLYUxpppQqIBmi5vOeQC6-N3QA-1LBL5ijwnxi4YCzv3IEknj9G3LT6285bh5WGEAHE7_C3KwBrSyi7Ps/s320/IMG_5724.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226982917837286034" /></a>Our bus to Shirakawa-go didn't leave for a while so we bought some snacks (sembei!) and roamed the stores. Justine got a kick out of the crazy Japanese fashions in one store (I think she could probably pull off that sparkly pink fedora!). When the bus to Shirakawa-go finally left, we found it was almost empty and by about 45 minutes in to the 2 hour ride, we had the bus to ourselves. I wasn't feeling too great (I think I was slightly allergic to the sake) so I slept for a bit and soon we were zooming through the mountains, across rivers and in and out of tunnels. We arrived in Shirakawa-go and discovered that our minshuku for the night, Magoemon was gorgeous.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcaiK0uayxVou0xzm6faJgQu4FmUTs7-vSscD0vtoNxMIegPF4aalCeOMb4WpHZaUGAsMg0ZdJMynSJ3IGhr4sDJ2TtY2HZzXZkPEBgicwc7yisoYYqQQZOf9ftdpO358lZTs/s1600-h/IMG_5729.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvcaiK0uayxVou0xzm6faJgQu4FmUTs7-vSscD0vtoNxMIegPF4aalCeOMb4WpHZaUGAsMg0ZdJMynSJ3IGhr4sDJ2TtY2HZzXZkPEBgicwc7yisoYYqQQZOf9ftdpO358lZTs/s320/IMG_5729.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226982921711972482" /></a>We relaxed with some tea and sweets and then went out to look around before dinner.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MBO7hlakys6FcyJUz2uhwjm4TMO7W-rmoejux7Ew9AMih1tdNaycBSO_26NK4SobR7We6ob0zbqxEDrBtlSzgg_AZqHvJlnl1joXvFO4C_EAppykFoWeQRBVFvq9MSmtwUFh/s1600-h/IMG_5735.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi8MBO7hlakys6FcyJUz2uhwjm4TMO7W-rmoejux7Ew9AMih1tdNaycBSO_26NK4SobR7We6ob0zbqxEDrBtlSzgg_AZqHvJlnl1joXvFO4C_EAppykFoWeQRBVFvq9MSmtwUFh/s320/IMG_5735.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226982933392381906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7cI3XBTMYR_KOaZbs11rtsHweWFojltMDhq25y4jt-wM1hNz2DM7BwWy7UckKWAskV-639rQZZzMZ6XThK1U1JN1VlwuzbPbw2UgB4hzqSJA824G2WcB5DEcRqEte5W4UdyV/s1600-h/IMG_5738.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjY7cI3XBTMYR_KOaZbs11rtsHweWFojltMDhq25y4jt-wM1hNz2DM7BwWy7UckKWAskV-639rQZZzMZ6XThK1U1JN1VlwuzbPbw2UgB4hzqSJA824G2WcB5DEcRqEte5W4UdyV/s320/IMG_5738.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226981570033092722" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(The gassho-zukuri are famous for their <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: normal;">irori</span> (built-in hearth). Part of our dinner was cooked over the fire</span>)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1J5juCPbBZMqPBb48lvuVTYUUxOI7S3B_FJu4j2nhHsv-Qjk4gUc3VnP0RQCnGQiTPIhecye9K9cZBNXPuTkKoEsJtlTI4qMcvQyHnImPNysIw9e0MH-Av_colE_ar7fZPFH/s1600-h/IMG_5746.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX1J5juCPbBZMqPBb48lvuVTYUUxOI7S3B_FJu4j2nhHsv-Qjk4gUc3VnP0RQCnGQiTPIhecye9K9cZBNXPuTkKoEsJtlTI4qMcvQyHnImPNysIw9e0MH-Av_colE_ar7fZPFH/s320/IMG_5746.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226981575918444834" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ZX3MeZNmmu_hsSMe4nrhMUhvBrQIDW5S374hKEffDfk1-quKWMtLGzQWA9EUoeiKldhibx9-xCe6KBrPSATQ5KnjTsZiweCEKFUK5vP629VLlLNzpfjvLvThfEUMHE9lWG0/s1600-h/IMG_5749.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq-ZX3MeZNmmu_hsSMe4nrhMUhvBrQIDW5S374hKEffDfk1-quKWMtLGzQWA9EUoeiKldhibx9-xCe6KBrPSATQ5KnjTsZiweCEKFUK5vP629VLlLNzpfjvLvThfEUMHE9lWG0/s320/IMG_5749.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226981579795890130" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrobqvaCzh0TxUXYgmrpiA2MweGjfP_gtau6G69A-jJuHx0iO0-ONi3evxGHbxYqVoprGDuZHpYOxPvUZIEZ9jjQ55vfvAOHJE26QvJpqSK80A3lzQNU4i-dLxklRFn4Eu3at/s1600-h/IMG_5765.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrrobqvaCzh0TxUXYgmrpiA2MweGjfP_gtau6G69A-jJuHx0iO0-ONi3evxGHbxYqVoprGDuZHpYOxPvUZIEZ9jjQ55vfvAOHJE26QvJpqSK80A3lzQNU4i-dLxklRFn4Eu3at/s320/IMG_5765.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226981582599461058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzfuDPiCg_qQ5esi1F6SJA1WEl9owX6e31IkX4jh8g0hzpfkMync3i8P4MtWh6lBhk7NEIgYylrEZK39hE1i3Vnu9RTun_pjfJ9zO__K2ulgxjHqM49Jm_hOCDrCcJxc_Gf1q/s1600-h/IMG_5766.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZzfuDPiCg_qQ5esi1F6SJA1WEl9owX6e31IkX4jh8g0hzpfkMync3i8P4MtWh6lBhk7NEIgYylrEZK39hE1i3Vnu9RTun_pjfJ9zO__K2ulgxjHqM49Jm_hOCDrCcJxc_Gf1q/s320/IMG_5766.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226981593603835234" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5a3HoOsbUa6CtK5l2-w3IperdoZ36fhVNYgb_FpYEohBzzok6xs3-uAxAiUbqxdFkobjSzb2-wEXR93HWHznbDlr75mw2JzCHcRlLX6FTQtuNT7NMhhcJOHuKeRFZzHE3Cuc/s1600-h/IMG_5769.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_5a3HoOsbUa6CtK5l2-w3IperdoZ36fhVNYgb_FpYEohBzzok6xs3-uAxAiUbqxdFkobjSzb2-wEXR93HWHznbDlr75mw2JzCHcRlLX6FTQtuNT7NMhhcJOHuKeRFZzHE3Cuc/s320/IMG_5769.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226789251812159714" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmxQ-QKfBJwL0rLsTxQU4PmNsF975UE0XwPhQh__gty5gLNHeGHz5k3QkDtq4hMzztbsIVgkONUebA3SQEGGGq0SZsKuarV0AgZ4sk_bJX9dX7L8RcLraVw0HaX8-woJKmz0D/s1600-h/IMG_5781.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglmxQ-QKfBJwL0rLsTxQU4PmNsF975UE0XwPhQh__gty5gLNHeGHz5k3QkDtq4hMzztbsIVgkONUebA3SQEGGGq0SZsKuarV0AgZ4sk_bJX9dX7L8RcLraVw0HaX8-woJKmz0D/s320/IMG_5781.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226789253749381170" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxSoMoSUQ-Y3zBaxIe-5Azn9PxiBw_fVoV1spKqYvvdoWoOSb1v0Yhv_VQSXcEYR9OKAlqyE6zYzJSPs9vokbDqm7DRtP8NsjweBAiCW0CuJML9fMiH2IR_m-_ipxA-8qfPMb/s1600-h/IMG_5783.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBxSoMoSUQ-Y3zBaxIe-5Azn9PxiBw_fVoV1spKqYvvdoWoOSb1v0Yhv_VQSXcEYR9OKAlqyE6zYzJSPs9vokbDqm7DRtP8NsjweBAiCW0CuJML9fMiH2IR_m-_ipxA-8qfPMb/s320/IMG_5783.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226789258817486290" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFMJwP4LTDAyRxKRrZ7Wf1_xOe8psTtgFeZJOPHNhTIctZhJn1CBh0m0sjrM5b4MekJsbqjwYyBDakexyvPOAdOKYHxO7shObxgibuyE6hHrmVhyPD1OBsz5pu1dqAIRaAco1/s1600-h/IMG_5792.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggFMJwP4LTDAyRxKRrZ7Wf1_xOe8psTtgFeZJOPHNhTIctZhJn1CBh0m0sjrM5b4MekJsbqjwYyBDakexyvPOAdOKYHxO7shObxgibuyE6hHrmVhyPD1OBsz5pu1dqAIRaAco1/s320/IMG_5792.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226789266814839138" /></a>We walked all the way up to the lookout point at the top of a small mountain/hill. We might have entered an area that was closed and roped-off....but sneaking in was worth it...check out those views. You could see the entire village surrounded by rice fields and mountains.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dly8CyDGELOZ46R0aIOckDklVQBOlFY2Hz74_zjIiyAem4ZRBPZAauL8RlTsw8lvminGQDJxSs6-nhcnibtP3KMyOwWJ6dhsYXiEhiPXwQ6lmjpCmQzm6VJT7sUdxp1bXZOV/s1600-h/IMG_5798.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3dly8CyDGELOZ46R0aIOckDklVQBOlFY2Hz74_zjIiyAem4ZRBPZAauL8RlTsw8lvminGQDJxSs6-nhcnibtP3KMyOwWJ6dhsYXiEhiPXwQ6lmjpCmQzm6VJT7sUdxp1bXZOV/s320/IMG_5798.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226789270741341090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UnkNCarDOxI0X-jZhSTtK6zGTLmr0lptJdcDmUzBLrsZ-43jfJUYVEAPU-wR8BRCiKh-giXEGiowpVVPoNUiDX5nisG6nJXpHaWWLkBgDXvKbbW2iEImKjr93-Jfxc_Ept4m/s1600-h/IMG_5808.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5UnkNCarDOxI0X-jZhSTtK6zGTLmr0lptJdcDmUzBLrsZ-43jfJUYVEAPU-wR8BRCiKh-giXEGiowpVVPoNUiDX5nisG6nJXpHaWWLkBgDXvKbbW2iEImKjr93-Jfxc_Ept4m/s320/IMG_5808.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226788347458035842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIeVItrZrbi2RSkP6RVB6OKWU9OdxtHWpe5YfrrL-4xTWl-SGlIvGSlsm6xMYWhv1ddDYujeCyCmBcnirksEDO3YRBcnLupyofNxMzkUd2CPSnPEgRryVV_6UQlqN1tHhvBT-/s1600-h/IMG_5818.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqIeVItrZrbi2RSkP6RVB6OKWU9OdxtHWpe5YfrrL-4xTWl-SGlIvGSlsm6xMYWhv1ddDYujeCyCmBcnirksEDO3YRBcnLupyofNxMzkUd2CPSnPEgRryVV_6UQlqN1tHhvBT-/s320/IMG_5818.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226788352627428034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDn2LJir8-8RkCX-i0LDZ4pjlbJbbUHhhyBYOUh-JYFE7HZtNavgIQ0Pagocq37qAxuwvWhPzkeaLBk7JEFFyqqbN-mH3pWW-f5Bn3yNgMHwsFHqhs4viEpOqXTGkCp3hUkWC/s1600-h/IMG_5833.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDn2LJir8-8RkCX-i0LDZ4pjlbJbbUHhhyBYOUh-JYFE7HZtNavgIQ0Pagocq37qAxuwvWhPzkeaLBk7JEFFyqqbN-mH3pWW-f5Bn3yNgMHwsFHqhs4viEpOqXTGkCp3hUkWC/s320/IMG_5833.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226788356971594898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsIIATTMm0ERDyjuc8IlJBRdYEQ4LSdL2FUwUjy7ynE72Myg-5rYpik9j3bFDgyex_-HrlIYBI4m3DDE3kLf9IdcHMc3fmvi8OvqNkrH3mzl_XUsErWcRfKYsU1kIU8BA6RYI/s1600-h/IMG_5847.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihsIIATTMm0ERDyjuc8IlJBRdYEQ4LSdL2FUwUjy7ynE72Myg-5rYpik9j3bFDgyex_-HrlIYBI4m3DDE3kLf9IdcHMc3fmvi8OvqNkrH3mzl_XUsErWcRfKYsU1kIU8BA6RYI/s320/IMG_5847.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226788361454528866" /></a>Dinner was amazing. Of course it included my not-so-favourite mountain veggies but everything else was divine. The river fish cooked in the <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">irori </span>was amazing and this area is known for great beef. We were all stuffed by the end of the meal and after baths we rolled into our futons.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbKxcc7PMYyj1ouAHFOqzq8c8SR-VyxSg4I7Htl9WWaFFwlneI92KrINSbrutxC3yhy6GkbBhyJlAq-u70lGJSftWzu1u0W7SSclr-qQPxboz1XCRDzINOncDT4SRxrfouGYG/s1600-h/IMG_5853.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbKxcc7PMYyj1ouAHFOqzq8c8SR-VyxSg4I7Htl9WWaFFwlneI92KrINSbrutxC3yhy6GkbBhyJlAq-u70lGJSftWzu1u0W7SSclr-qQPxboz1XCRDzINOncDT4SRxrfouGYG/s320/IMG_5853.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226788370025270210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiHMPzZyECSVoGkfCpuEv69V6L2VtWjQ7C6ndoPvcr5-bJ6qXDhZ_HE2DJQzfr8PvxDJydW4rOLCxfoI54WQLBfonvdoz_uwLWkI5xscQZk1pjsha5gp26h6jFmQJPEYdNtIZ/s1600-h/IMG_5860.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyiHMPzZyECSVoGkfCpuEv69V6L2VtWjQ7C6ndoPvcr5-bJ6qXDhZ_HE2DJQzfr8PvxDJydW4rOLCxfoI54WQLBfonvdoz_uwLWkI5xscQZk1pjsha5gp26h6jFmQJPEYdNtIZ/s320/IMG_5860.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785686635304146" /></a>The next morning we got up early (due to the very loud, old men in the room beside us), had a great breakfast in front of the hearth and then wandered a bit more around the village. We caught an earlier bus back to Takayama and then a train to Gero, a famous onsen town.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi2jUzOK_7Zz3ySAOvzYt9BoO7bciGNT4KpLhbbtU4Taj5keVgCznHXbe4e-e9Av1M_Gdghg38Q4UiktIxr59LaI6EJAFo7mH1dleT0CMUjokPpkYUH6M-L1ceGDHC-kYvAwr/s1600-h/IMG_5884.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqi2jUzOK_7Zz3ySAOvzYt9BoO7bciGNT4KpLhbbtU4Taj5keVgCznHXbe4e-e9Av1M_Gdghg38Q4UiktIxr59LaI6EJAFo7mH1dleT0CMUjokPpkYUH6M-L1ceGDHC-kYvAwr/s320/IMG_5884.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785690596442162" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ra0ggLcB98cbommT6TpSH_S-xGcb6aqR55r7pyZKbUqcgWCSu1SzSCBnmX9AI6zHbzwwhzrCYoUXNz1BG40KCOTnexIixyFRO7RxG8EdPkvl9-A70EH_tkpOG0-2VaTh5-S/s1600-h/IMG_5889.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh37ra0ggLcB98cbommT6TpSH_S-xGcb6aqR55r7pyZKbUqcgWCSu1SzSCBnmX9AI6zHbzwwhzrCYoUXNz1BG40KCOTnexIixyFRO7RxG8EdPkvl9-A70EH_tkpOG0-2VaTh5-S/s320/IMG_5889.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785700882036498" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(If you look closely, you can see some old men bathing in the very outside bath...right next to the people playing cricket...uncomfortable)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div><div>Elz and I had been to Gero almost a year and a half before and had really enjoyed the foot onsens. As Justine wasn't so interested in a traditional onsen, we thought this would be a good way to experience the relaxing hot springs without getting completely naked. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9sQ-xhQtUOMMMDCx4rqe8HLzgDm6c1yYQnRDoLb6aXABDlEGh8ASIzTyLlaKL-ZJkK3lqN5op5eF4SDsKkbEUHIh59DDUkB5Ye0rpO_bFGaUkexwEUC6zIthwg2eDqHmsNNv/s1600-h/IMG_5891.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf9sQ-xhQtUOMMMDCx4rqe8HLzgDm6c1yYQnRDoLb6aXABDlEGh8ASIzTyLlaKL-ZJkK3lqN5op5eF4SDsKkbEUHIh59DDUkB5Ye0rpO_bFGaUkexwEUC6zIthwg2eDqHmsNNv/s320/IMG_5891.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785702503668882" /></a>We picked up some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">ramune</span>, a famous summer pop in Japan. The bottle is half the fun. You jam a piece of plastic into the lid and a glass marble shoots down into the liquid. It rolls around in the middle of the bottle and you can spend forever trying to figure out how they make the bottle. Just imagine...it used to be made entirely from glass.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-mqTS6uE_cDIYaQBLVWdzhjdmjUEdrqqD7KNVrPaxiAQ_WUGLT8rJ90DpkGc2_W3Qn0oWVA2k1XZaYio23XKEC2n3Lx41_khhjzccpSf6magKERRJetrnhaDvqgrYnQkjWk1/s1600-h/IMG_5892.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjR-mqTS6uE_cDIYaQBLVWdzhjdmjUEdrqqD7KNVrPaxiAQ_WUGLT8rJ90DpkGc2_W3Qn0oWVA2k1XZaYio23XKEC2n3Lx41_khhjzccpSf6magKERRJetrnhaDvqgrYnQkjWk1/s320/IMG_5892.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226785713830689874" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs25plIeCbGGuS3o5JGL9lXADvM9fWNM1RFVb826gI47aS99ZA1W-d2ojCbVgCo-Pg8a871RAb9Q-5gugmsqqY636nyTfJAlF9CAGv5WTDXw_9pLaOvjjs4yQFBGE0UB2Dy4F/s1600-h/IMG_5893.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBs25plIeCbGGuS3o5JGL9lXADvM9fWNM1RFVb826gI47aS99ZA1W-d2ojCbVgCo-Pg8a871RAb9Q-5gugmsqqY636nyTfJAlF9CAGv5WTDXw_9pLaOvjjs4yQFBGE0UB2Dy4F/s320/IMG_5893.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786964142336802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Corn flakes, soft ice cream and an onsen tamago. Brilliant</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span></div></div><div>One foot onsen is located inside a store. There, you sit soaking your feet while watching a tv which plays a constant series of commercials/interviews with celebrities who are eating an ice cream parfait containing an <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">onsen tamago</span> (an egg slowly cooked in the hot onsen water). When Elspeth and I had been here before we had wanted to try it, but it had been 10AM and neither of us were hungry after our ryokan breakfast. This time we had no excuse. And it turned out to be REALLY GOOD.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmv9LI8suafbJaWHpvly0YeL8RipEkpJmnddhCoutlOG6GzWHWmAqRHXbWya2F_xj69PiRIReIA1MYkgTZMI4ZDt5RE5lYA9vV4GUsjMy4nOWAoJWvK7nDY4vvZWNPmPUMZax/s1600-h/IMG_5897.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmv9LI8suafbJaWHpvly0YeL8RipEkpJmnddhCoutlOG6GzWHWmAqRHXbWya2F_xj69PiRIReIA1MYkgTZMI4ZDt5RE5lYA9vV4GUsjMy4nOWAoJWvK7nDY4vvZWNPmPUMZax/s320/IMG_5897.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786970194388594" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgEtfKT16EposnK6fJlCQcapFJNjpVhjppzmiYzxmJxwtOXxGvutabZGk01VEK4qlJJnX1RsKuZKxgluKavemeG8yPfkp0vOosmImDQSYTPaslOjIXkNqT5079LHpsKUj-Vlt/s1600-h/IMG_5900.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOgEtfKT16EposnK6fJlCQcapFJNjpVhjppzmiYzxmJxwtOXxGvutabZGk01VEK4qlJJnX1RsKuZKxgluKavemeG8yPfkp0vOosmImDQSYTPaslOjIXkNqT5079LHpsKUj-Vlt/s320/IMG_5900.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786977637373234" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(The water in this one was a bit hot....)</span><br /></div></div><div>We walked around the town soaking our feet in the different foot onsens and looking for stamps (there was some stamp rally thing...we ended up finding them all but didn't want to give up our cards to enter some contest...). It was a relaxing afternoon.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ccWkg3pomF71cjZ8KWhbXAJ7zYHJ7SkRiNHNQ65wPCOUOfuGEWQ6_bxn1rHxWmSE65NSV9_2kGfboerbkgHkGhktRCzwL8Zgrk_A6rAjayDKHvfVK7qeRbvcqFcjSfzcEyzp/s1600-h/IMG_5909.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9ccWkg3pomF71cjZ8KWhbXAJ7zYHJ7SkRiNHNQ65wPCOUOfuGEWQ6_bxn1rHxWmSE65NSV9_2kGfboerbkgHkGhktRCzwL8Zgrk_A6rAjayDKHvfVK7qeRbvcqFcjSfzcEyzp/s320/IMG_5909.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786983615037330" /></a>Later we caught a train back to Nagoya station where we ate <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">misokatsu</span> (fried pork with a miso sauce, a Nagoya specialty) and of course, took some purikura!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPOXGM_eJ_L-QmjVrQY8s-BVF0AcPQxlwWrT7pOt0tGWdojGWMMk6HTWlO0jBx8he8k__t9K88epT8xWLVloHMYObQHmWXP2DhQt0LaggRdC1Xr3WANtYiOkba7wUBntoaf40/s1600-h/IMG_5917.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfPOXGM_eJ_L-QmjVrQY8s-BVF0AcPQxlwWrT7pOt0tGWdojGWMMk6HTWlO0jBx8he8k__t9K88epT8xWLVloHMYObQHmWXP2DhQt0LaggRdC1Xr3WANtYiOkba7wUBntoaf40/s320/IMG_5917.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226786988423859842" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIO-Qt73gXXMT9RNAzSO5vPJgEJyQoMZlZVCHpxn6CmdF6yaWG7IlDXRJP3qyhyt7B54OzHcqrKqIjv3soHCxvCqtrr87tWiNIpepkendeIWitSfXunfszj7WsGjBm0raefP/s1600-h/2TXEH7FRWM9FSRQ.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbDIO-Qt73gXXMT9RNAzSO5vPJgEJyQoMZlZVCHpxn6CmdF6yaWG7IlDXRJP3qyhyt7B54OzHcqrKqIjv3soHCxvCqtrr87tWiNIpepkendeIWitSfXunfszj7WsGjBm0raefP/s320/2TXEH7FRWM9FSRQ.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226990906937732466" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcVT2Q6wiPN6Q73HaL8K2Axd_Q_opjTf9JLp9NRVP9bljSth0WKbmBKac2MPdzh5_yjsCLMuE8hjKBofRH0zezbzZZJM6t1NtVVNFiNLMkb41t4ctukQC_VWKc5BO_k0f58cb/s1600-h/UJ3VBQNGPS5BQ.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCcVT2Q6wiPN6Q73HaL8K2Axd_Q_opjTf9JLp9NRVP9bljSth0WKbmBKac2MPdzh5_yjsCLMuE8hjKBofRH0zezbzZZJM6t1NtVVNFiNLMkb41t4ctukQC_VWKc5BO_k0f58cb/s320/UJ3VBQNGPS5BQ.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226990920204473138" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGX4AtEvmc8p8BPV-EyM50PXbUV3ky3hyCe9jxCrb0BcfKD1ILP0GMbtc4rqZ-yszsvDquPbfETbkBOdOStvzJLTEG2AMA3yuIgmUg8wY2PMWfsMdx-MvKNlXkCm31G1va-65/s1600-h/37P1N6GPXUM0MVBYV5IF.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizGX4AtEvmc8p8BPV-EyM50PXbUV3ky3hyCe9jxCrb0BcfKD1ILP0GMbtc4rqZ-yszsvDquPbfETbkBOdOStvzJLTEG2AMA3yuIgmUg8wY2PMWfsMdx-MvKNlXkCm31G1va-65/s320/37P1N6GPXUM0MVBYV5IF.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226990915573988386" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><br /><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LDyWQRHLpXRjpyqxJDYqbBhjmUWA5OFil9dOhOv3yhEI2UjCdpPIWbhVFwjiTHBkfVwKdbXVB5xvlUa1VBgl5edga185U_ytaDNocpCrkFrIJH1yaZjO2Cf0iscl8l0tBf2u/s1600-h/24CAXSK3LAUY86OH.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_LDyWQRHLpXRjpyqxJDYqbBhjmUWA5OFil9dOhOv3yhEI2UjCdpPIWbhVFwjiTHBkfVwKdbXVB5xvlUa1VBgl5edga185U_ytaDNocpCrkFrIJH1yaZjO2Cf0iscl8l0tBf2u/s320/24CAXSK3LAUY86OH.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5226990912032439954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div></div></div></div><div style="text-align: center;">Thanks for coming to Japan, Justine! I had a blast travelling with you! <br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-13754684248084842222008-07-14T09:23:00.005+09:002008-07-14T09:40:03.006+09:00The hardest thing I've ever had to do.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQGc5CENMUHdkN6ZdxztBIr9iuFFSf1a9_YZfFhvl_7kKTcHfNtRluCUVAL_ugVVBHZS7Y_oyJGPFMnop8yMP31TdzUNrpPdgdUUDKEk9l3wfJbvRcqSzys4dFejmCzEdq4k3/s1600-h/sad.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIQGc5CENMUHdkN6ZdxztBIr9iuFFSf1a9_YZfFhvl_7kKTcHfNtRluCUVAL_ugVVBHZS7Y_oyJGPFMnop8yMP31TdzUNrpPdgdUUDKEk9l3wfJbvRcqSzys4dFejmCzEdq4k3/s400/sad.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5222659517282648738" border="0" /></a>I never expected saying goodbye to my friends, co-workers and students would be so hard. All week I've been bursting into tears after teaching last lessons with some of my favourite students. On Saturday night, we had a farewell party for me/welcome party for Joel. I was misty eyed from the beginning so by the time I had to make my speech I was pretty much a mess. I couldn't do it.<br /><br />So Kayo kindly read it for me and I stood beside her and cried. My students laughed and promptly took out their cameras and cell phones to take pictures. Everyone was sweet and said such nice things. I'll really really miss them.<br /><br />Kayo and I had a tearful goodbye with promises to hang out in Ottawa and Toronto soon. Miho and Yuko and I just pretended that we'd see each other Tuesday as at that point I couldn't take saying goodbye to them. Yesterday the Yamamotos took me on a trip around Kyoto and I had to quickly run into the shinkansen area before I started to cry again. With Elspeth we just pretended we'd see each other on the weekend. I can't imagine what a mess I would've been if we'd said goodbye. Luckily, we don't live <span style="font-weight: bold;">that</span> far away from each other (road trip!).<br /><br />Right now I'm off to do some final packing at work, close my bank account, cut off the cell phone and then go to the airport. This is such a strange experience. Japan has really become a second home to me and even though I'm ecstatic to come home, a little bit of my heart is breaking because I'm leaving. These past two years have been AMAZING.<br /><br />Toronto, here I come.Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-38018218903323753812008-07-14T08:20:00.001+09:002008-07-14T08:21:41.863+09:00Justine in Japan!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSx2pT5PK_aP7EhbGvLV0jevQJbR9r9YFAthoytkpFHWfDWmQz44tTDzrZF0rOxG8JWSDPKSrvAxs21KQ4iI6cLHuVp3lmWQ7MdGX3vla4kEJzsd7OWMwWz6QkqC6djUNCOFe/s1600-h/IMG_5440.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeSx2pT5PK_aP7EhbGvLV0jevQJbR9r9YFAthoytkpFHWfDWmQz44tTDzrZF0rOxG8JWSDPKSrvAxs21KQ4iI6cLHuVp3lmWQ7MdGX3vla4kEJzsd7OWMwWz6QkqC6djUNCOFe/s320/IMG_5440.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218957220165194434" border="0" /></a>When: May 11 & 12, 2008<br />Where: Kyoto<br />Who: Me, Elz and JUSTINE!!<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcZoOogOgcIdVjtzHbazSINVfSbDVRgldfVZi1bCg5KPqlLheGQXRgCGwxaFzHCb4bOiRjblMn9bpFKJSScs_v9TxtUjDN7u2U88EiQD9I7WjPYaYxFEtSXvNpuUM0EVuKqB1/s1600-h/IMG_5437.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZcZoOogOgcIdVjtzHbazSINVfSbDVRgldfVZi1bCg5KPqlLheGQXRgCGwxaFzHCb4bOiRjblMn9bpFKJSScs_v9TxtUjDN7u2U88EiQD9I7WjPYaYxFEtSXvNpuUM0EVuKqB1/s320/IMG_5437.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218957200084973554" border="0" /></a>On May 9th, Justine arrived in Japan, bringing with her a suitcases full of vanilla flavoured/scented goodies. We talked long into the night and on Sunday took a trip to Kyoto. Lots and lots of shopping happened. Fabulous food and ice cream were eaten. Aaron photos were taken. Songs were sung at karaoke. In other words, it was a kick-ass weekend.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayfl-tEj8aRl6LW7G7GuXoOaU1kVa_H1D0PwwFuaIMwIDA-iQEXZRyZt9j1CdustBrHu8oSx3VnY3srWErPkz_Eb4Jv-Q8S9h4gLXrv2HFIyQp_iiCT5Nkgf7L7ZDuIV3O8Qf/s1600-h/IMG_5439.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjayfl-tEj8aRl6LW7G7GuXoOaU1kVa_H1D0PwwFuaIMwIDA-iQEXZRyZt9j1CdustBrHu8oSx3VnY3srWErPkz_Eb4Jv-Q8S9h4gLXrv2HFIyQp_iiCT5Nkgf7L7ZDuIV3O8Qf/s320/IMG_5439.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218957209638111986" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54SXQALWW-wK6-DGUPoblBfGbBpEv4zADt2DzRjrBMKPemt4zNY2KuiMXLovtGDa4XUmbAKHrcp8FUCO5y7ql1kZaGAxXqBanlJm4ft_6vHAa6m45E9M7_WXPGIlcSTidMC16/s1600-h/IMG_5444.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj54SXQALWW-wK6-DGUPoblBfGbBpEv4zADt2DzRjrBMKPemt4zNY2KuiMXLovtGDa4XUmbAKHrcp8FUCO5y7ql1kZaGAxXqBanlJm4ft_6vHAa6m45E9M7_WXPGIlcSTidMC16/s320/IMG_5444.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956837305176098" border="0" /></a>Justine is a huge fan of 'Memoirs of a Geisha'. I mean, this girl owns multiple copies of the book so that she can lend them out and still have a copy at home. So of course, we had to visit Fushimi Inari where a pivotal scene in the movie version takes place. After doing a bit of shopping (ok...we got seriously sidetracked by the underground shopping mall near the station) we finally made it to those famous red gates.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZluFAI1vX0-EFgt1elGU3QF5ch-tZYviYJeQhFGhRSQoMrWGGlldA0lmYwBw_XlVDAFKGhWAmrQIZokhN9D1hqpUE50galoaprYsM3DtKNdpqHref6u1M1U4Y_dBAGCucdcUx/s1600-h/IMG_5453.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZluFAI1vX0-EFgt1elGU3QF5ch-tZYviYJeQhFGhRSQoMrWGGlldA0lmYwBw_XlVDAFKGhWAmrQIZokhN9D1hqpUE50galoaprYsM3DtKNdpqHref6u1M1U4Y_dBAGCucdcUx/s320/IMG_5453.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956840254076098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGZXSBAs9mRuYnt3KkJlcCWoonG8jZGek-_2H0HfzIRRClKq3MDUC3Le8Td5_g0lvm7SmEVzm0YLFOBTC24qGUp9__lnFE1siC6zaUjxm0rS4OvNZS2xBEN4J2QgWG6amyxO/s1600-h/IMG_5455.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinVGZXSBAs9mRuYnt3KkJlcCWoonG8jZGek-_2H0HfzIRRClKq3MDUC3Le8Td5_g0lvm7SmEVzm0YLFOBTC24qGUp9__lnFE1siC6zaUjxm0rS4OvNZS2xBEN4J2QgWG6amyxO/s320/IMG_5455.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956848716819282" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAnlD2dcVcRg15DdnPdOrUl065rMB6WOfiNszfU0TBBViAxbm7SKQZW-iCdRb8Ff3kbHVQr_UZtvUee0ohD2ffJ88F0iGL6lJzIFHjc_QAUtcf7c_KbuJkSrISvKEv9HlhXLB/s1600-h/IMG_5459.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZAnlD2dcVcRg15DdnPdOrUl065rMB6WOfiNszfU0TBBViAxbm7SKQZW-iCdRb8Ff3kbHVQr_UZtvUee0ohD2ffJ88F0iGL6lJzIFHjc_QAUtcf7c_KbuJkSrISvKEv9HlhXLB/s320/IMG_5459.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956853476059202" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDUChRLI5SGDS-O5Wi8j6JTNwBw1UuSaYEdffIXvoGP1qzTE96-XzWdG2AZlR1eUbb1uV_XYPv3iYCr7MO0bSjCTTTPdLdhYOC9ThwbNELO8On-mrzmwG0ZojtoySaSHX-o7y/s1600-h/IMG_5468.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQDUChRLI5SGDS-O5Wi8j6JTNwBw1UuSaYEdffIXvoGP1qzTE96-XzWdG2AZlR1eUbb1uV_XYPv3iYCr7MO0bSjCTTTPdLdhYOC9ThwbNELO8On-mrzmwG0ZojtoySaSHX-o7y/s320/IMG_5468.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956864271378978" border="0" /></a>We hiked up and decided that in order to have the ideal 'Memoirs' experience, we needed to stop for some <span style="font-style: italic;">kakigori</span> (shaved ice) with pink syrup. Even though it turned out to be a bit cold in the restaurant, it was nice to look out into the forest while eating our strawberry treats.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKsm18Ubqeiuz0V6fc2s4B9eGaORPUORTqskNMW0VI7TLAL_ZB_Y8pxiyyU5ZHuAd8zoJ56jplbh_Wz_3gH7CmtvL2xPMQ1xpPpvFNLeIra4QQqk6u-4oTdaqzIQBQ6zu6a5H/s1600-h/IMG_5491.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLKsm18Ubqeiuz0V6fc2s4B9eGaORPUORTqskNMW0VI7TLAL_ZB_Y8pxiyyU5ZHuAd8zoJ56jplbh_Wz_3gH7CmtvL2xPMQ1xpPpvFNLeIra4QQqk6u-4oTdaqzIQBQ6zu6a5H/s320/IMG_5491.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956344747849874" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRcqJM2ue6NnGfF3cs01iC7vECL_2eZxs16T7SAqUYGx6tyhpgkwqd3f0Ub5geMiGuwDGiMqE6t8AVyhclcPyMejXd0onGybVPP3eeZhlDKx3yEOJY3cz-4x1IsLAy_VwWK9B/s1600-h/IMG_5506.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcRcqJM2ue6NnGfF3cs01iC7vECL_2eZxs16T7SAqUYGx6tyhpgkwqd3f0Ub5geMiGuwDGiMqE6t8AVyhclcPyMejXd0onGybVPP3eeZhlDKx3yEOJY3cz-4x1IsLAy_VwWK9B/s320/IMG_5506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956347694856578" border="0" /></a>Next stop was Kyomizudera. Good views, lots of people. SO very sunny.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNLysPTpwitTrsEYLoNq0UX6q5DJOcIN_6K-aIR6TtCfR6SxYtxCGF8O3YVaFhBIGpnpI4HzQrWYidglWQRHdnIaYN_HoeXF-qzkwN9N4dBsDsphntIbPHRvuS7_qlheaocTI/s1600-h/IMG_5511.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJNLysPTpwitTrsEYLoNq0UX6q5DJOcIN_6K-aIR6TtCfR6SxYtxCGF8O3YVaFhBIGpnpI4HzQrWYidglWQRHdnIaYN_HoeXF-qzkwN9N4dBsDsphntIbPHRvuS7_qlheaocTI/s320/IMG_5511.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956354901299218" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ13GRLmFP9dh-aMMQl41W-GUtgxbQq-EIFh7V3G11nokZHMM5bXnIi7XtxlsQOqnowhz2NAz9yt52K_EHXB_dCuGeRboCtst4qogXOH0aDqG-XHyidASSuGrcM8ybx3NPzhk/s1600-h/IMG_5515.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPZ13GRLmFP9dh-aMMQl41W-GUtgxbQq-EIFh7V3G11nokZHMM5bXnIi7XtxlsQOqnowhz2NAz9yt52K_EHXB_dCuGeRboCtst4qogXOH0aDqG-XHyidASSuGrcM8ybx3NPzhk/s320/IMG_5515.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218956358746760306" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP_JQWpnYWtlj7lQVcnGnncG0FKcElCIlh3GxiwAtalNzNMtft03T_LhEVczztynF4JIbgjJodDrCDUY9PfuJTXFGD6JhAEPdLF1zyAPHOm_mEgx4crTMErB1lJgnv2iyLMm3/s1600-h/IMG_5516.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxP_JQWpnYWtlj7lQVcnGnncG0FKcElCIlh3GxiwAtalNzNMtft03T_LhEVczztynF4JIbgjJodDrCDUY9PfuJTXFGD6JhAEPdLF1zyAPHOm_mEgx4crTMErB1lJgnv2iyLMm3/s320/IMG_5516.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218955710059449362" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z0OWVAejNkeuHntmmAWO0slVs4TUN7l0JL4OyKGrdOpR-HVmd8R643xgjcIKon_9K_KCxGaReXB-70wTNA2DAi3VcQ4TPgCESLtbWihay4EW4F3LPXpLEq6O7YQ3RDOwv5fi/s1600-h/IMG_5520.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8z0OWVAejNkeuHntmmAWO0slVs4TUN7l0JL4OyKGrdOpR-HVmd8R643xgjcIKon_9K_KCxGaReXB-70wTNA2DAi3VcQ4TPgCESLtbWihay4EW4F3LPXpLEq6O7YQ3RDOwv5fi/s320/IMG_5520.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218955720629167298" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yLLNKTAP6-nlcj0SuQqxKI-6xQOo-D0on-StunzZTnMf5LTfUtd6p1stFK8o0guKiICQs1v3brL0sK7Jp69wvf6THzoOGFRNoHBMnlO8LLJxtRxlHZRKzUYUCoKZoVf-bd6/s1600-h/IMG_5534.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH7yLLNKTAP6-nlcj0SuQqxKI-6xQOo-D0on-StunzZTnMf5LTfUtd6p1stFK8o0guKiICQs1v3brL0sK7Jp69wvf6THzoOGFRNoHBMnlO8LLJxtRxlHZRKzUYUCoKZoVf-bd6/s320/IMG_5534.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218955731135316610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkUBqQgFbewKqM5EKuhZrRhH5CKqkT-_xBpU1vMi0_vyyDRGSWbMAiPDiJdlswo0LrMMRTJFJYUTlBISUgk91xsFftmCq1-TPbc47w1vJ5yn78Rp1Mb2hviKFA-bKhCz2ohfE/s1600-h/IMG_5536.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZkUBqQgFbewKqM5EKuhZrRhH5CKqkT-_xBpU1vMi0_vyyDRGSWbMAiPDiJdlswo0LrMMRTJFJYUTlBISUgk91xsFftmCq1-TPbc47w1vJ5yn78Rp1Mb2hviKFA-bKhCz2ohfE/s320/IMG_5536.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218955736264439186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKk61iLM-0wDUreHL-4Xys8NkOru_KkFgOKRsRQ34loAZhIM1SHpp5oiKmgXqebdCjJZ4eTMaZI04uoRoF8XFRQnPHFbNzngq-C38YsOtzCjPPBMoOqSErddkM8-ABB9IyHjJ/s1600-h/IMG_5537.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlKk61iLM-0wDUreHL-4Xys8NkOru_KkFgOKRsRQ34loAZhIM1SHpp5oiKmgXqebdCjJZ4eTMaZI04uoRoF8XFRQnPHFbNzngq-C38YsOtzCjPPBMoOqSErddkM8-ABB9IyHjJ/s320/IMG_5537.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218955744252080658" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXY6AZXi8xYVSgeLkOYFjHGSSDdNpJXFuUf87uvdqPmyVdhQ57qtN5CpdhscfHcwBt_7Q2JOZr_EcFWfimXZUqx4hYUMUvECs6-xg0ULRz-4zozUvzY5lxhPzkymL7uCxWtmO/s1600-h/IMG_5549.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXY6AZXi8xYVSgeLkOYFjHGSSDdNpJXFuUf87uvdqPmyVdhQ57qtN5CpdhscfHcwBt_7Q2JOZr_EcFWfimXZUqx4hYUMUvECs6-xg0ULRz-4zozUvzY5lxhPzkymL7uCxWtmO/s320/IMG_5549.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218954211260193410" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Elz drinking some good luck shrine water)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXJOi8s7rvLeojO0-ECx5WSbhSBo9Ldz-bwVAOOQsrcGne9rGrtIFgqrEWFrHL85u24T9S2orhctuCBxOiemyXsWoIq6G3BOCkEQ0WYlPXXJfFIq5-qvevJvbnNhU_B53_JMr/s1600-h/IMG_5555.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPXJOi8s7rvLeojO0-ECx5WSbhSBo9Ldz-bwVAOOQsrcGne9rGrtIFgqrEWFrHL85u24T9S2orhctuCBxOiemyXsWoIq6G3BOCkEQ0WYlPXXJfFIq5-qvevJvbnNhU_B53_JMr/s320/IMG_5555.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218954219787116994" border="0" /></a>For dinner we went for tonkatsu (obviously) and then headed for some karaoke. Unfortunately, we couldn't find a purikura machine but a great night nonetheless. We stayed at an awesome new hostel that looked like it was decorated by the ikea design team. The next morning we grabbed a bus to Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhEWw2sej-u9m8fMQZOcIoIXXWcWsGIhH7iOOKKzr-fCLF73YC4gQQeBCf8mU80uKxtdlTraUwCCpO2EThRH6Ykzbv4gYuXzq9t6x04UptDhPHg-J9b6ZPRck_WqDMTiWrEZX/s1600-h/IMG_5558.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqhEWw2sej-u9m8fMQZOcIoIXXWcWsGIhH7iOOKKzr-fCLF73YC4gQQeBCf8mU80uKxtdlTraUwCCpO2EThRH6Ykzbv4gYuXzq9t6x04UptDhPHg-J9b6ZPRck_WqDMTiWrEZX/s320/IMG_5558.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218954224703598530" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6qdkEsvHo7zczWVajQDczPHPc5O8arFWojCAnTk2auslcVZlLjcBQEXOfdVTJq1yLwfvvn-_4J9Nau_qjRDty7dAR6dGV4GOzbqhAl3YjXJaWzdKWmWo8jE6Wct6bBPiMinc/s1600-h/IMG_5563.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq6qdkEsvHo7zczWVajQDczPHPc5O8arFWojCAnTk2auslcVZlLjcBQEXOfdVTJq1yLwfvvn-_4J9Nau_qjRDty7dAR6dGV4GOzbqhAl3YjXJaWzdKWmWo8jE6Wct6bBPiMinc/s320/IMG_5563.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218954274382658290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(The irises must have known we were coming and were in full bloom)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c5sqeWkHnVyTYh7zWbiLveYFuaG1sE21FwkN0nBmX8GfXihc06VYJdy_4QBWvOmEGbAOt1Daw8cQWiqdZmkLK3cRWXud2AKVegUIvc2bNFGjc1huWIc00XHSR7kcvSRasCZw/s1600-h/IMG_5564.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2c5sqeWkHnVyTYh7zWbiLveYFuaG1sE21FwkN0nBmX8GfXihc06VYJdy_4QBWvOmEGbAOt1Daw8cQWiqdZmkLK3cRWXud2AKVegUIvc2bNFGjc1huWIc00XHSR7kcvSRasCZw/s320/IMG_5564.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218954283093838610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNhjiGUVW68sgl-dcZqMtzcN8yNk1Ts_X7y8omCVln4-d-vC-UxHGYEdTpvF6nlXfasXgmcCdic7MIDU17W4rf3rZh2y1WPQbKBn6AFrC1cQph_r62cXStOdtrSI7gDXAHH-V/s1600-h/IMG_5568.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibNhjiGUVW68sgl-dcZqMtzcN8yNk1Ts_X7y8omCVln4-d-vC-UxHGYEdTpvF6nlXfasXgmcCdic7MIDU17W4rf3rZh2y1WPQbKBn6AFrC1cQph_r62cXStOdtrSI7gDXAHH-V/s320/IMG_5568.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953746131857538" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTYS8gVgYv3P_5IkI0g_M6qhTcPZ9qJVgurtl9GpwsulA-_9msdfH49B9xb536CA2NK9uRxvjVpYJs00LQxrUTyw9iHtLTnHsaCBfNZokGKAPKkVbplLR6keasrEQ0_gyL2rp/s1600-h/IMG_5576.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDTYS8gVgYv3P_5IkI0g_M6qhTcPZ9qJVgurtl9GpwsulA-_9msdfH49B9xb536CA2NK9uRxvjVpYJs00LQxrUTyw9iHtLTnHsaCBfNZokGKAPKkVbplLR6keasrEQ0_gyL2rp/s320/IMG_5576.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953748822799074" border="0" /></a>One of the teachers with the many school groups (you'll see in a minute) saw us taking an Aaron photo and instead of trying to explain to him that we were not looking at the camera on purpose, we let him take our photo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSse-pd6F4-iyevpKehiQXj0Z_q2NuUSjtd31fZ9nC2ItjZ72TpNT6Gy5oMSFtsoE4rqwNJHBX6gyRgUem8h8qAGDbkebwmXxhVlbnXYZNVsDxuyfplJInMQStKPQTXhuxRrX/s1600-h/IMG_5578.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfSse-pd6F4-iyevpKehiQXj0Z_q2NuUSjtd31fZ9nC2ItjZ72TpNT6Gy5oMSFtsoE4rqwNJHBX6gyRgUem8h8qAGDbkebwmXxhVlbnXYZNVsDxuyfplJInMQStKPQTXhuxRrX/s320/IMG_5578.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953751307964482" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSuxANMYCj2KHIiIGcfpZ2NKZx68mvzWmE3eyP7fnm5Ko0R0lW9LyFShh66FoqQBb7LSJ_pBMDEfMLdgde6HanYk59f7AKNUWzSx9Om5JGYbW08ukUaWW35bfDn0s3ue5JK-1/s1600-h/IMG_5579.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxSuxANMYCj2KHIiIGcfpZ2NKZx68mvzWmE3eyP7fnm5Ko0R0lW9LyFShh66FoqQBb7LSJ_pBMDEfMLdgde6HanYk59f7AKNUWzSx9Om5JGYbW08ukUaWW35bfDn0s3ue5JK-1/s320/IMG_5579.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953761652346754" border="0" /></a>May is school trip month and that Monday they all must have been at Kinkaku-ji. The place was crawling with navy uniforms, high pitched screaming and laughing, and students buying good luck charms. It gave Kinkaku-ji a completely different feeling than usual. It was loud and bustling yet somehow those teachers kept it very organized.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_EsWHHWD_wQjB0lIINXM86aScypHPM83hokah0dH462nqHqE_RZnDA1NrfHv_st4SXa8XOtQTaJaqRVYqEOXs2p4Ean0RUxU2wXsgN6CzXJ8nqNEAXP6hpS9drGlxJHAIQgn/s1600-h/IMG_5581.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_EsWHHWD_wQjB0lIINXM86aScypHPM83hokah0dH462nqHqE_RZnDA1NrfHv_st4SXa8XOtQTaJaqRVYqEOXs2p4Ean0RUxU2wXsgN6CzXJ8nqNEAXP6hpS9drGlxJHAIQgn/s320/IMG_5581.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953774746361330" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8Un4JO5owaFKLlrVjomrDDYP-gdYQd4uW1vAUuMJnKoLgt5Nlo3wFoOSCDSdMlNM_KNRMVSDEO9AwmHnImkkEm7N9XRnhtpB85SMo8emjCmD8lPAYelUiRn8XIQo2OTAj0Ga/s1600-h/IMG_5589.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-8Un4JO5owaFKLlrVjomrDDYP-gdYQd4uW1vAUuMJnKoLgt5Nlo3wFoOSCDSdMlNM_KNRMVSDEO9AwmHnImkkEm7N9XRnhtpB85SMo8emjCmD8lPAYelUiRn8XIQo2OTAj0Ga/s320/IMG_5589.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953277136724434" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCRTKn8qfXSdApdjixrXdyV7gyjhIq1kGSM1RK6ZQhyphenhyphenBWNDwjlv3cvLO-LKHfQJwZmozxkcOJJ0Ax343oMyh5uA9l62X7vM6eeVMDzxJ5eURCAYG7lzkcHwdOEkp8p0Nr87tY/s1600-h/IMG_5594.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidCRTKn8qfXSdApdjixrXdyV7gyjhIq1kGSM1RK6ZQhyphenhyphenBWNDwjlv3cvLO-LKHfQJwZmozxkcOJJ0Ax343oMyh5uA9l62X7vM6eeVMDzxJ5eURCAYG7lzkcHwdOEkp8p0Nr87tY/s320/IMG_5594.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953282409914498" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Yup. Who is the queen of having her eyes shut in a picture? That would be me.)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnMRg77VjAMC79yfcw5PiQShhXU4UYxXadlM7oq36e7XLQZ4JuT86gHjSqobY9nMkYrwlv908qBcS684raOHIpCHbsvkwtFFf1P94jWXdEl1EY_Zb34jOtNoWnYb10SOysLVz/s1600-h/IMG_5598.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcnMRg77VjAMC79yfcw5PiQShhXU4UYxXadlM7oq36e7XLQZ4JuT86gHjSqobY9nMkYrwlv908qBcS684raOHIpCHbsvkwtFFf1P94jWXdEl1EY_Zb34jOtNoWnYb10SOysLVz/s320/IMG_5598.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953283381322258" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIQ2eCNz9KRaLaOk2jma2b0GN5lmnfmLjW8wIgGVHNYz3jtTxMVDkD__G-jUhmkRlryUNxtkS6ij3nfg0YEm4h2qM_rRsdXTcz9WxHCwXRiE_5uCt9JTVVmhYfrJky3EuEFPV/s1600-h/IMG_5606.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWIQ2eCNz9KRaLaOk2jma2b0GN5lmnfmLjW8wIgGVHNYz3jtTxMVDkD__G-jUhmkRlryUNxtkS6ij3nfg0YEm4h2qM_rRsdXTcz9WxHCwXRiE_5uCt9JTVVmhYfrJky3EuEFPV/s320/IMG_5606.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218953293912842466" border="0" /></a>Lovely, calm Ryoan-ji. Even with high school students sitting along the steps, the garden is still tranquil. I think I've visited this shrine about 7 times and I still enjoy sitting here.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-wt0LkSVoV21AE13Mo0sAMxYuPq1YIrG1uv4jnqUN3zSQ4HlqWGhgBzcNMXQxH5RHBx4IOvtzAVOs33wevukLkXP6gGi0_jwgIGAjlSeK9EiRYdwehJry-U8nY5KOvH9_XFJ/s1600-h/IMG_5622.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgf-wt0LkSVoV21AE13Mo0sAMxYuPq1YIrG1uv4jnqUN3zSQ4HlqWGhgBzcNMXQxH5RHBx4IOvtzAVOs33wevukLkXP6gGi0_jwgIGAjlSeK9EiRYdwehJry-U8nY5KOvH9_XFJ/s320/IMG_5622.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218952157291956450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYE4I2JuUDDJ3M868JoS_qg0u7y9IDLhCTVY8La805ZoxphkdI_AawS4O3EbGpsRYbydxwO8RrmLUHvnrk21ohIsJChqVshWvtSXFJB3Gug7DYJ-FBE65BdI5JCARLa6Ci0PK/s1600-h/IMG_5629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEicYE4I2JuUDDJ3M868JoS_qg0u7y9IDLhCTVY8La805ZoxphkdI_AawS4O3EbGpsRYbydxwO8RrmLUHvnrk21ohIsJChqVshWvtSXFJB3Gug7DYJ-FBE65BdI5JCARLa6Ci0PK/s320/IMG_5629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218952162584489154" border="0" /></a>Interesting fact: shrine food is really good. We stopped for some udon and it was delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndx5myWDsmeadGV6wp-TABniCVoG6js9xWGVStbSLPASmVsHd0mD6uKLonzzyS4y6d2kp0DvnzYzyDq8gvYODkNJLl1HkUjIAtyh9Tz1Ui5GitPUgXAVnS9FeA-ar8HorQGQO/s1600-h/IMG_5644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhndx5myWDsmeadGV6wp-TABniCVoG6js9xWGVStbSLPASmVsHd0mD6uKLonzzyS4y6d2kp0DvnzYzyDq8gvYODkNJLl1HkUjIAtyh9Tz1Ui5GitPUgXAVnS9FeA-ar8HorQGQO/s320/IMG_5644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218952167445874098" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BgoHv0vY7BbiZzbgOQJsSEgzLHy3vLk79QORFMr5QJFDdgqO7aasijdLTPuT-m5H66OLixfgRQbdOlAHLBP-MDdaFEfFfpK-7BAAajqipoE2gYNXyuOqDmPAvT2f_niejtIa/s1600-h/IMG_5645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0BgoHv0vY7BbiZzbgOQJsSEgzLHy3vLk79QORFMr5QJFDdgqO7aasijdLTPuT-m5H66OLixfgRQbdOlAHLBP-MDdaFEfFfpK-7BAAajqipoE2gYNXyuOqDmPAvT2f_niejtIa/s320/IMG_5645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218952180102936498" border="0" /></a>Next we took a series of buses (ended up waiting at a bus stop in the middle to nowhere) to get to Arashiyama, in the west of Kyoto. This area is famous for it's cherry blossoms/maple leaves, a river and a bridge. We checked out the bridge, which I had thought was made of wood but turned out to be concrete with cars zooming over it. We bought some ice cream (yuzu, I am going to miss you!) and did some window/omiyage shopping.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzh7x2Jyn3DMoXcbucmUzsMnFEJPhh3_cNSJwPh3ADR-LVPwOWggRwFRklaGqy6YmdjzKo2EkKmi6IP3fAtKd6ogv7KNsd1Ym4kHV0F4IgM7xRN2IuW1u2lYOslxpADFpB3Yw/s1600-h/IMG_5646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglzh7x2Jyn3DMoXcbucmUzsMnFEJPhh3_cNSJwPh3ADR-LVPwOWggRwFRklaGqy6YmdjzKo2EkKmi6IP3fAtKd6ogv7KNsd1Ym4kHV0F4IgM7xRN2IuW1u2lYOslxpADFpB3Yw/s320/IMG_5646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218952191626816418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIW1JbDRBGcro-zdesKOawwb8efxClbbQ9-zpo1_X-t5uVtk8ETL4zvsJuCVEixQYO8kGkzPJ0jV8gyLrzhZg22HsKTtpLGaKO8llcsnzRauV1a8yQaopSpa_-bXVDUNnKNs7/s1600-h/IMG_5650.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHIW1JbDRBGcro-zdesKOawwb8efxClbbQ9-zpo1_X-t5uVtk8ETL4zvsJuCVEixQYO8kGkzPJ0jV8gyLrzhZg22HsKTtpLGaKO8llcsnzRauV1a8yQaopSpa_-bXVDUNnKNs7/s320/IMG_5650.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218950783898827634" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEZa_QBHNCvpbkW29OiLZhP-yQHUE4uxNbv9LdYwlQTUPnhpIJNfYw1L4QfaRdVxVMVjrG4gdHlx6Rn-BGQDdrrCflXRlsHlkNksqFF45TvmN5qQj68QYofzgos2SPwtZ7xSD/s1600-h/IMG_5653.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDEZa_QBHNCvpbkW29OiLZhP-yQHUE4uxNbv9LdYwlQTUPnhpIJNfYw1L4QfaRdVxVMVjrG4gdHlx6Rn-BGQDdrrCflXRlsHlkNksqFF45TvmN5qQj68QYofzgos2SPwtZ7xSD/s320/IMG_5653.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218950795276084498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rrk4kAq2RXpbCceIw7QWzf9Dw96ZX1gNz3-ruXYWUX7_8J6M6C0b7bEQOofOa1hf8aP2milGquqN2AARE74b50K3SSUhlu1cfZ5oBX5cf5EW89-q2vfB1s1mObE0wKfI_gfJ/s1600-h/IMG_5661.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Rrk4kAq2RXpbCceIw7QWzf9Dw96ZX1gNz3-ruXYWUX7_8J6M6C0b7bEQOofOa1hf8aP2milGquqN2AARE74b50K3SSUhlu1cfZ5oBX5cf5EW89-q2vfB1s1mObE0wKfI_gfJ/s320/IMG_5661.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218950797127297586" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA00UUcGhyphenhyphenJSfZMBIqasLxRzAXWV4i8kJN8CD7glzMb3tJ4eBA_PjDNrQMhK2DwJb32bha_AqnHiyHNDE1rHX-ulvmpBPFRq9QmSXZnQeTiATxWhqLE_4OxhGj6ZovPLVHWu13/s1600-h/IMG_5666.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA00UUcGhyphenhyphenJSfZMBIqasLxRzAXWV4i8kJN8CD7glzMb3tJ4eBA_PjDNrQMhK2DwJb32bha_AqnHiyHNDE1rHX-ulvmpBPFRq9QmSXZnQeTiATxWhqLE_4OxhGj6ZovPLVHWu13/s320/IMG_5666.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218950807351964802" border="0" /></a>After walking around for a while, we decided it was time to catch the bus back to the station. We ate really good sushi for dinner and then Justine headed to her hotel (She was going to Nara the next day) and Elz and I took the shinkansen back to Nagoya. Stay tuned for another adventure with Justine!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJmSnit-Nlxf1fQfzyIGeBeqtlCZz1lXRDD7bqvp9wr1c3xnijCUPbRFLuu05OpcJ0q2VJd0IQE1ks1AT0Me1Kf4l_rijo8jtceQDSb0xpFvrArBCAX34WJYGe1KG7vivPyTy/s1600-h/IMG_5668.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeJmSnit-Nlxf1fQfzyIGeBeqtlCZz1lXRDD7bqvp9wr1c3xnijCUPbRFLuu05OpcJ0q2VJd0IQE1ks1AT0Me1Kf4l_rijo8jtceQDSb0xpFvrArBCAX34WJYGe1KG7vivPyTy/s320/IMG_5668.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5218950812749544626" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Justine, you're so adorable...and don't worry, your shoes aren't coming home with me!)</span><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-31458807300370696142008-07-12T10:36:00.003+09:002008-07-12T10:42:16.416+09:00From Akiha and Mika<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc39ejeAFXX9P8nr7vI-FuhuYnDAKOLoI5KrhgTwztfhd09abRgjYbekhGHbURiz82sHs-jdc-tudtt5H-jRFDNqKmvH4Os0hMlrMrQDPDd97jcOGmkN3hc8nBDmnwDuiZ8gfh/s1600-h/mikaakiha.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgc39ejeAFXX9P8nr7vI-FuhuYnDAKOLoI5KrhgTwztfhd09abRgjYbekhGHbURiz82sHs-jdc-tudtt5H-jRFDNqKmvH4Os0hMlrMrQDPDd97jcOGmkN3hc8nBDmnwDuiZ8gfh/s400/mikaakiha.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221936564077806514" border="0" /></a>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-85208236178088529882008-07-11T10:08:00.002+09:002008-07-11T10:12:47.956+09:00thank you letter from a 13-year old boyDear Laura,<br /><br />It has been a nice time doing lessons with you. It was only a couple of months that we had lessons but I had a very good time. I hope you have a good time in Canada and will be a good teacher to your students (well you are a good teacher). Oh and I hope you make a boyfriend. Say Hi to your parents, even though they don't know me.<br /><br />Well, I will play soccer every day and I will study hard (hopefully my grades will go higher). Well that all I've got to talk about. Thank you. bye. KLaurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-77683562631149191092008-07-10T23:37:00.001+09:002008-07-11T01:09:49.058+09:00nearing the end...<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4pKdBop0uePxZcSW6HIFi3cEbiLUQE-MT9lcYD94OfD88TtYAqZjPsRCN6VhwnuYbEd-H9sf_MLtldieSSrppzUao6mVxNtr8gXjmH3Pvl4QmYwzYlork0dFEzW4xqjSR4tS/s1600-h/IMG_6679.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ4pKdBop0uePxZcSW6HIFi3cEbiLUQE-MT9lcYD94OfD88TtYAqZjPsRCN6VhwnuYbEd-H9sf_MLtldieSSrppzUao6mVxNtr8gXjmH3Pvl4QmYwzYlork0dFEzW4xqjSR4tS/s320/IMG_6679.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221026422795802290" border="0" /></a>Yesterday I moved out of my teeny-tiny apartment and into a business hotel in Obu. It was kind of sad...I have come to love that little room/apartment. It's been the location of takoyaki parties, pre-travel sleepovers and late night talks with friends and family. It looked so bare and empty this morning while I waited for Joel to arrive. It'll be weird to know that he's living in <span style="font-style: italic; font-weight: bold;">my</span> apartment! Speaking of takoyaki parties, two weeks ago I hosted a very successful one with Kayo and Natalie, my kick-ass co-workers.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyh6ovUEgmnWGdyHsY0BWoC4-Y169-TewyjGShnFTKBFUvNA9NQcWACEarcr76gxOsHK3lKg0o0dKQtvoy3MEBReoKwWiDAba8mQ0SObuEm8M-ldmBQbEJpiWlvaBKfkaw1e0/s1600-h/kayo1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRyh6ovUEgmnWGdyHsY0BWoC4-Y169-TewyjGShnFTKBFUvNA9NQcWACEarcr76gxOsHK3lKg0o0dKQtvoy3MEBReoKwWiDAba8mQ0SObuEm8M-ldmBQbEJpiWlvaBKfkaw1e0/s320/kayo1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025914457032434" border="0" /></a>Natalie and I had spent the day shopping around Nagoya and Kayo met us at my apartment after work. We sat around the cooker, chatted, ranted and laughed. It was really fun..and yummy.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHtVaXJKp2Kus4zehROQzFL-3oWfhF38GftDdaDjFdezlH8Dp4KfC4reMwRYGHvKmn5m2dSgux27oWLJ3oc97W8pK8wfM3JI0bIWYy4yxMIX3VKo33k-jbkFKnpMURh3_GmOn/s1600-h/natalie1.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAHtVaXJKp2Kus4zehROQzFL-3oWfhF38GftDdaDjFdezlH8Dp4KfC4reMwRYGHvKmn5m2dSgux27oWLJ3oc97W8pK8wfM3JI0bIWYy4yxMIX3VKo33k-jbkFKnpMURh3_GmOn/s320/natalie1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025926446091666" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Natalie and Kayo perfecting their takoyaki turning technique)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslep4P19p3K0OklVDk1e3T9DX_vcm7sT7NIWQb4MNW15lcVfHoyiS1eD1KNrYCmXbejdGngxD09Ve50kr4qeaPsdgHQkCa9XEjRpfBqNb024N0w0r6svYVpW5djp05W-4XMMW/s1600-h/kayo2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjslep4P19p3K0OklVDk1e3T9DX_vcm7sT7NIWQb4MNW15lcVfHoyiS1eD1KNrYCmXbejdGngxD09Ve50kr4qeaPsdgHQkCa9XEjRpfBqNb024N0w0r6svYVpW5djp05W-4XMMW/s320/kayo2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025921733051314" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOUMvPgUqCKq9QzafnFzRnA-o-YyyZcnCzhUVOihcxcWJpkOrDUQeWkLyO6da2naQEhUc3ds_8EEqAHBsqzf7UQ8aEGRaKR__J7X5QfV0Qcg8yswtCZqaHl9oZDcc2sRsRc-i/s1600-h/kayoandlaura2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfOUMvPgUqCKq9QzafnFzRnA-o-YyyZcnCzhUVOihcxcWJpkOrDUQeWkLyO6da2naQEhUc3ds_8EEqAHBsqzf7UQ8aEGRaKR__J7X5QfV0Qcg8yswtCZqaHl9oZDcc2sRsRc-i/s320/kayoandlaura2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025919929092770" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(posing strangely with the box)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc3wuMkiQ-jd57eQMOHAUF0aMJEHoqnAWbpqajzRJaPnplqajcZoZYVglkxeEY5vLHqri0lssy4lXqY8BXv3AZ-TrRvjqWFJQTOH66qCixsi3y4w1oqqV1nYWxd03tjrQU64d/s1600-h/IMG_6613.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFc3wuMkiQ-jd57eQMOHAUF0aMJEHoqnAWbpqajzRJaPnplqajcZoZYVglkxeEY5vLHqri0lssy4lXqY8BXv3AZ-TrRvjqWFJQTOH66qCixsi3y4w1oqqV1nYWxd03tjrQU64d/s320/IMG_6613.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221026426723302786" border="0" /></a>The next day Kayo and I went shopping in Sakae. We went to the very fancy Lachic building and had cake and coffee. We chatted for hours while savouring our huge pieces of cake. My blueberry fresh cheesecake was the best cake I've had while in Japan (well, beside the cake Elz and I made for my birthday). Kayo is a fantastic person and I'm going to miss her so very much.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2kJV8t04jexZC3SBsCtFg-uGHm8liwuQidV3lAAnO2qNOrL1J8goKcmlxWEBWmcUrh7fZsR7gTWR7EyyTVXvDmgVouPX0LADtWcPr94N6iA1V74P-33_lMgxeAv4SyvO7x_E/s1600-h/IMG_6615.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjb2kJV8t04jexZC3SBsCtFg-uGHm8liwuQidV3lAAnO2qNOrL1J8goKcmlxWEBWmcUrh7fZsR7gTWR7EyyTVXvDmgVouPX0LADtWcPr94N6iA1V74P-33_lMgxeAv4SyvO7x_E/s320/IMG_6615.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221026430999367330" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(I know it looks like I'm blowing out invisible candles but really I'm saying, 'ooooo')</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJSRIpoEot1_zk1aUwkV4rhWFxIQl-praIKaRNrTJB7SCHrT4jj_toQngUzYWW7ljiM-d01BNnzffx_ruYLJbWqgmWgGHa-DtnaMMSsd9TH286-9JWghVwoq8XPeR9-fuKDMJ/s1600-h/IMG_6616.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBJSRIpoEot1_zk1aUwkV4rhWFxIQl-praIKaRNrTJB7SCHrT4jj_toQngUzYWW7ljiM-d01BNnzffx_ruYLJbWqgmWgGHa-DtnaMMSsd9TH286-9JWghVwoq8XPeR9-fuKDMJ/s320/IMG_6616.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025933388370290" border="0" /></a>This past weekend, Elz and I stayed in Nagoya and did some last minutes errands and activities. After making hair appointments we headed to Atsuta Aeon mall. We ate lunch at a really nice (and cheap) Japanese restaurant. They were having a 'specialties of Hokkaido' special which involved potatoes, scallops and udon noodles. It was delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K-lUGShRvU78LxjmjgX4kKPEi8WOhRR9GKRgA0VvJRr6mdTJi6XcyEcgaX5cxxJV6PQKIuforYDdpa1IpWHTu2DacnNd9RHQXBMf6k8Lcnf3iMnnJNaPpmpDOTBa4uJGAruo/s1600-h/IMG_6621.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5K-lUGShRvU78LxjmjgX4kKPEi8WOhRR9GKRgA0VvJRr6mdTJi6XcyEcgaX5cxxJV6PQKIuforYDdpa1IpWHTu2DacnNd9RHQXBMf6k8Lcnf3iMnnJNaPpmpDOTBa4uJGAruo/s320/IMG_6621.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025472042703618" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKJ1t0WMNYMPmj0XsOUvSxisL4QtQYMPVgZBY280mmGj29m1qOLWUuBZGJNaLeYUFvZ4jsJnwYDt6nXEoqPLtPsNRtZxVOz-mFfENVSMSCJ7MV2lBCLg8lGC-OVAsuhx5Q2hD/s1600-h/IMG_6629.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpKJ1t0WMNYMPmj0XsOUvSxisL4QtQYMPVgZBY280mmGj29m1qOLWUuBZGJNaLeYUFvZ4jsJnwYDt6nXEoqPLtPsNRtZxVOz-mFfENVSMSCJ7MV2lBCLg8lGC-OVAsuhx5Q2hD/s320/IMG_6629.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025475941461522" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OeRy59_kbFv1u4pgjs5yqsN1ExvQT_1hyphenhyphenf_05JOOpMrsB4KAUnaIXwyHoms4OK8ZY24cuHovlYjOCwdOwjcnSvUquFGq_TgdLpFjNIE0-J6_HRXjRYxN7s1-qoWxuMG59iTR/s1600-h/IMG_6630.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9OeRy59_kbFv1u4pgjs5yqsN1ExvQT_1hyphenhyphenf_05JOOpMrsB4KAUnaIXwyHoms4OK8ZY24cuHovlYjOCwdOwjcnSvUquFGq_TgdLpFjNIE0-J6_HRXjRYxN7s1-qoWxuMG59iTR/s320/IMG_6630.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025486456488226" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVo545nGkhQ-nv5h07GnJX_MUPhqNblToTbQZ51BnMYaBefdu8qkhOLZBD7MAOhfKm5HJpsUbgAHfbRAAr-lbjJSUIG4vzjJmyF_3VKvIZqmygYxEkWen1uxKRvaIkiO5h-NX/s1600-h/IMG_6634.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKVo545nGkhQ-nv5h07GnJX_MUPhqNblToTbQZ51BnMYaBefdu8qkhOLZBD7MAOhfKm5HJpsUbgAHfbRAAr-lbjJSUIG4vzjJmyF_3VKvIZqmygYxEkWen1uxKRvaIkiO5h-NX/s320/IMG_6634.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025491034624882" border="0" /></a>And of course, we can't go to a mall without doing some purikura and playing some taiko. We ended up trying out all three of the purikura machines. Good times...<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAng3mg7L9afp3gy3K8OjJOEMIF-PffBmqkj9-ecAb0dsYXMYRAzoghHYiJGNvinJplzCgkURWv7gEG-MkmrMKPDxMXS7V5WVFPuy4G9vzzkZNeGNf8WU0pXS86_Rtw91ZRNH/s1600-h/IMG_6644.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNAng3mg7L9afp3gy3K8OjJOEMIF-PffBmqkj9-ecAb0dsYXMYRAzoghHYiJGNvinJplzCgkURWv7gEG-MkmrMKPDxMXS7V5WVFPuy4G9vzzkZNeGNf8WU0pXS86_Rtw91ZRNH/s320/IMG_6644.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221024363653681890" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(I was intrigued by this game...is it some kind of pull the sword from the rock game?)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiXbmI3WC8vT8PYk7ivjNLIvaXL02sZAjVtrcGKOOUhWCaR9ec1idhnFn8-GzA12pEIZ_njctSZHi2wHozA9sJGzgRBc5nIhmq8y0lrEecumknmlfxuf-ZjAqSxQDI5SFB51m/s1600-h/purikurarules.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUiXbmI3WC8vT8PYk7ivjNLIvaXL02sZAjVtrcGKOOUhWCaR9ec1idhnFn8-GzA12pEIZ_njctSZHi2wHozA9sJGzgRBc5nIhmq8y0lrEecumknmlfxuf-ZjAqSxQDI5SFB51m/s320/purikurarules.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221025494604563138" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(We can't figure this sign out...what prompted them to post this???)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPadXrQWyPdmkf4LWVJu8ZF2Kqjr3NrjimTDVQvokz5arf7mHHh63wNULsMIxLDc8qKbr-GJHUwb2NKmopLc0pGFiv1Dbm0L9wA0lr49TMZEPC1I1dr2f4S_6VWO9d3jzMU-6/s1600-h/IMG_6645.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCPadXrQWyPdmkf4LWVJu8ZF2Kqjr3NrjimTDVQvokz5arf7mHHh63wNULsMIxLDc8qKbr-GJHUwb2NKmopLc0pGFiv1Dbm0L9wA0lr49TMZEPC1I1dr2f4S_6VWO9d3jzMU-6/s320/IMG_6645.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221024370579079682" border="0" /></a>Here are a few shots of the machines. Our favourite machine has amazing lighting...it makes your skin and teeth look great. I guess it should - check out those lights!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0pXXTVw1zxay2DVbFknW5lg-R9HE39BvZUUW4_AhuoDDhtb0jol1fQDan3eT_KW5ryvDDdbbqrvOetForM0cgjFDbyIKXH0XSYz0HH5jAixylC6A2XPbtQyTkE8sl1xCKiUB/s1600-h/IMG_6646.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiI0pXXTVw1zxay2DVbFknW5lg-R9HE39BvZUUW4_AhuoDDhtb0jol1fQDan3eT_KW5ryvDDdbbqrvOetForM0cgjFDbyIKXH0XSYz0HH5jAixylC6A2XPbtQyTkE8sl1xCKiUB/s320/IMG_6646.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221024383891155314" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XSSyu-Ltz4ThcybjAA7xIKyIX9I7bUOkH9Ba1ENSMy5QyGHuRoJONTVMfTLLuFcioxn_YB7LvAo2I6wgy8dSIePwCp-OdO06rJcIgliWt8q1xQKXL_tye41cO_L1XlAWdtGV/s1600-h/IMG_6651.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9XSSyu-Ltz4ThcybjAA7xIKyIX9I7bUOkH9Ba1ENSMy5QyGHuRoJONTVMfTLLuFcioxn_YB7LvAo2I6wgy8dSIePwCp-OdO06rJcIgliWt8q1xQKXL_tye41cO_L1XlAWdtGV/s320/IMG_6651.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221024390476434818" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmNnIKcoK_bZegxlseORdrukgK4gUvkj3fy9QN_NrlX6872BiGfHEaTbwGxUoUZ0mFkV6mz4_k1F4kU0J-RTHPXsPFQLDPy8nV7tnrlLnZ6FFvl6BTMT5U2JOFM_gaHqE8gAT/s1600-h/am_photo~00.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBmNnIKcoK_bZegxlseORdrukgK4gUvkj3fy9QN_NrlX6872BiGfHEaTbwGxUoUZ0mFkV6mz4_k1F4kU0J-RTHPXsPFQLDPy8nV7tnrlLnZ6FFvl6BTMT5U2JOFM_gaHqE8gAT/s320/am_photo~00.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221028369452465154" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23ZoV4WBCW06ts7mqdp0Mv8wV8wA7ezfh-CdoLwARdwkGJM2O7qYEzsUCBd2PN_dvW43f9D_QDfIJyeFSseacjSAW7VN0MSQjSkRMjHInx_6lsORgWBVwXOnPvvwaq52s4-X8/s1600-h/imgp2~05.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj23ZoV4WBCW06ts7mqdp0Mv8wV8wA7ezfh-CdoLwARdwkGJM2O7qYEzsUCBd2PN_dvW43f9D_QDfIJyeFSseacjSAW7VN0MSQjSkRMjHInx_6lsORgWBVwXOnPvvwaq52s4-X8/s320/imgp2~05.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221028367862505442" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(gotta love Elspeth's 'direct translation' photo)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzywsu5VMF__qhzdBZ03VCoYkN5yrttlQqO1uQ31l-Yc6CSrayP8JI9B2ci8aAoAeD0cRkns9b582KpYRbev6r9xVxz18qLzUVSBYWp_T6YnMgAML_f0ZxHjordVx5hZn3i6gk/s1600-h/imgp2~06.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzywsu5VMF__qhzdBZ03VCoYkN5yrttlQqO1uQ31l-Yc6CSrayP8JI9B2ci8aAoAeD0cRkns9b582KpYRbev6r9xVxz18qLzUVSBYWp_T6YnMgAML_f0ZxHjordVx5hZn3i6gk/s320/imgp2~06.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221028371646367506" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(My 'we go to shopping' photo)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknMQaH0cyy0JtEPygpaYdhY0J3XezWlDbkQ4aDbfZmj7VWH8Fw16IqRFk1kbZ_c2Pw0ySwIrD8D9jWkXNaRjyS4lkZwMpGfxwnQLfFIEv3TlOIwwZDqnthA1I01raH7kfFRzh/s1600-h/IMG_6667.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhknMQaH0cyy0JtEPygpaYdhY0J3XezWlDbkQ4aDbfZmj7VWH8Fw16IqRFk1kbZ_c2Pw0ySwIrD8D9jWkXNaRjyS4lkZwMpGfxwnQLfFIEv3TlOIwwZDqnthA1I01raH7kfFRzh/s320/IMG_6667.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221414910269718578" border="0" /></a>After getting our haircuts on Sunday we went to visit Elspeth's former head teacher, Shinobu and her son Jinsei. They are both hilarious. We had a great afternoon talking and playing with Jinsei. He's one of the first Japanese babies who didn't look at me and then start to cry.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeA8lJcVA4kXMHgieEpaTH6Yw7hsf-Ux9XtO0uJV-emhq87hh42iIzQuen0E29iFlJv2dEKI8tiB2uAXL6WQzmUJA8_gYGTi68i1jCwuvIR-okgmEu3FO0mNdILKGlCpqmAhQ/s1600-h/IMG_6660.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZeA8lJcVA4kXMHgieEpaTH6Yw7hsf-Ux9XtO0uJV-emhq87hh42iIzQuen0E29iFlJv2dEKI8tiB2uAXL6WQzmUJA8_gYGTi68i1jCwuvIR-okgmEu3FO0mNdILKGlCpqmAhQ/s320/IMG_6660.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5221414919882714290" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Who can't fall in love with that face??!! What a cutie!)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></span>*I'm trying to finish up some posts in the next day or two... but work is hectic and emotional. I will get them done at some point though. Keep an eye out for an update about Justine's visit. Only a few days until I come home!!<br /></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-78598599445722391032008-07-01T10:40:00.001+09:002008-07-01T10:41:48.040+09:00<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsSukHuOqF-3CRHPXRIx8APd5WdSTjHhyRAKiarR5_CWf_pdj0JCeLrAqtlYxwx4mVe-wREgSujk2VlKWOjdeTrBBr-gHgz-bTe9Cr-dRG0aWZsE0MLBrPaZUtVEk-MFyIJLK/s1600-h/canadian-flag-heart.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNsSukHuOqF-3CRHPXRIx8APd5WdSTjHhyRAKiarR5_CWf_pdj0JCeLrAqtlYxwx4mVe-wREgSujk2VlKWOjdeTrBBr-gHgz-bTe9Cr-dRG0aWZsE0MLBrPaZUtVEk-MFyIJLK/s320/canadian-flag-heart.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217701619775967938" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);font-family:georgia;font-size:180%;">Happy</span><span style="font-size:180%;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9_scAp4lKOrl6_vSkSifCM514smxZwOqnh7yYJvMhXCz39bj-S98E6MkaWQymtujyKuu6DJHWXs6Vh_aGTX4NuVFTUN7pXFNC8vMB-alkzRvDkTmvVY6J86PC5v8BfzcbEPd/s1600-h/canada.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj9_scAp4lKOrl6_vSkSifCM514smxZwOqnh7yYJvMhXCz39bj-S98E6MkaWQymtujyKuu6DJHWXs6Vh_aGTX4NuVFTUN7pXFNC8vMB-alkzRvDkTmvVY6J86PC5v8BfzcbEPd/s400/canada.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5217699466504601074" border="0" /></a><span style="font-size:180%;"><span style="color: rgb(51, 204, 0);">Day!!<br /><br /></span>ONLY 2 WEEKS UNTIL I'M HOME!!<br /></span></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-90522088643625437582008-06-30T11:48:00.001+09:002008-07-01T00:32:34.982+09:00The Final Thailand Post: Bangkok!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYmsV-Ywf75fQMSdaw6Q02DohdhMbZieOu0VjGSj2pT5nLafvDIiJyTqdxZ792xu9sMz2eBpWIV7N5DiSUdysxsDVoTu3T_mjw2QZchILYGDggiN1tKsnbQnn_1rsneNok7Y/s1600-h/IMG_5258.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHrYmsV-Ywf75fQMSdaw6Q02DohdhMbZieOu0VjGSj2pT5nLafvDIiJyTqdxZ792xu9sMz2eBpWIV7N5DiSUdysxsDVoTu3T_mjw2QZchILYGDggiN1tKsnbQnn_1rsneNok7Y/s320/IMG_5258.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216348213466421410" border="0" /></a>Date: Monday May 5, 2008<br />Location: All over Bangkok (backstreets, alleyways, markets, boats, temples - you name it, we were there)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016ln9ez_xeEUsgoj5fcwJwQ8LGq2gopyEfyJBGec9JhWNmMvRWqIUqlPZxt8CacnVsKBy3atBkJ3zwxA5MN80RrDA1t35DJokKCT5MDEg5Nrjp0yExR8tEFka3GCrl5QfW0K/s1600-h/IMG_5269.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi016ln9ez_xeEUsgoj5fcwJwQ8LGq2gopyEfyJBGec9JhWNmMvRWqIUqlPZxt8CacnVsKBy3atBkJ3zwxA5MN80RrDA1t35DJokKCT5MDEg5Nrjp0yExR8tEFka3GCrl5QfW0K/s320/IMG_5269.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216348225105471410" border="0" /></a>Not being satisfied with only walking around Bangkok on our last day, I talked Elspeth into signing up for a 1/2 day bike tour of the city. I'd found this Dutch bike tour company that advertised a bike/boat tour of the 'real' Bangkok. It started ridiculously early (7am?) and we found ourselves on bikes with a Dutch couple, who looked super comfortable on their bikes but who looked in not-so-friendly moods.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfirlcUD03t5c5S4axx28xu5rdLdywcctf82m35lc80vapKQ2l7m9AqCny4Qc-6uhLWM2vrpYIm9LfLoDdanwojE8iVUO2dyTDEr0q3nB0b9n5LciyXx3VN9ZM1mQnOC7ujCft/s1600-h/IMG_5271.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfirlcUD03t5c5S4axx28xu5rdLdywcctf82m35lc80vapKQ2l7m9AqCny4Qc-6uhLWM2vrpYIm9LfLoDdanwojE8iVUO2dyTDEr0q3nB0b9n5LciyXx3VN9ZM1mQnOC7ujCft/s320/IMG_5271.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216348228492714834" border="0" /></a>We set off, jetting across a BUSY street in downtown Bangkok and immediately turning into an alleyway where it was little wider than the bikes. Now, the website had said the bike ride was fine for the young and old but I started to wonder if that meant young and old "we ride bikes before we can walk" Dutch tourists. I hadn't ridden a bike properly before coming to Thailand in years (I think since Steph and I practiced before going to Amsterdam...ha!). The previous bike rides on the Intrepid tour had been pretty relaxed - I could even take pictures while riding. So finding myself peddling hard through a market with guys deepfrying meat on one side of me and women chopping fish up on the other side of me was a little overwhelming. We peddled through markets, residential neighbourhoods, temple grounds, over bridges, and across skinny walkways with canals on either side.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbVP-7Y2hDwThyphenhyphenfvxToh7eZdKQTc_gn0Z-KRO-ByzSvy4vVhAMM3q93HVxHCQqPDK9RNjDVb8TuRJKqgLDmJbp61B-fsEGQeANq2c-FlmdbR9bnFxwjdkbwhqfRbfNDjVV3bM/s1600-h/IMG_5283.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTbVP-7Y2hDwThyphenhyphenfvxToh7eZdKQTc_gn0Z-KRO-ByzSvy4vVhAMM3q93HVxHCQqPDK9RNjDVb8TuRJKqgLDmJbp61B-fsEGQeANq2c-FlmdbR9bnFxwjdkbwhqfRbfNDjVV3bM/s320/IMG_5283.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216347703503804386" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(I can't remember what the purpose of this statue was...I think I took the photo because of the tiara!)</span><br /></div>Forget taking ride-by pictures on this tour...it was enough for me not to end up in a canal (I came VERY close to it!). Also, the guide (sorry, I forget her name) rode so fast that I was constantly scared of getting lost.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4kSgc29QuxLaQ2oF2WN4pq8GxVcdvmMzTRTnfkdhZUdJ9ExSYCKNza-kXN1DLK4Pd42Vqz-pMkC81dWz__GeF0sW066UnJSC5j6XkfC3n9l52tFSaohzRboUcoXPuRhiCeNS/s1600-h/IMG_5287.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjj4kSgc29QuxLaQ2oF2WN4pq8GxVcdvmMzTRTnfkdhZUdJ9ExSYCKNza-kXN1DLK4Pd42Vqz-pMkC81dWz__GeF0sW066UnJSC5j6XkfC3n9l52tFSaohzRboUcoXPuRhiCeNS/s320/IMG_5287.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216347726029597506" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi1uZgaVTzb9L3pmWH9kvp1X6ID3bMH9AIr-MuZgPGjGMdCQ0Juwpj7QBmzENIF0Z03nF_UQ5unkkcXsc1RFnDQhfpnxOvbtE5FC3aZx6HGbJTGTvzVZOQH-R-baOWdVH8C9Z/s1600-h/IMG_5291.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRi1uZgaVTzb9L3pmWH9kvp1X6ID3bMH9AIr-MuZgPGjGMdCQ0Juwpj7QBmzENIF0Z03nF_UQ5unkkcXsc1RFnDQhfpnxOvbtE5FC3aZx6HGbJTGTvzVZOQH-R-baOWdVH8C9Z/s320/IMG_5291.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216347736832574658" border="0" /></a>We stopped at a temple to see a big-ish Buddha and take a rest, and then we rode onto a random, non-identified, rickety pier where a boat was waiting for us. Our bikes where packed in the back and we were zooming off down the canals.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvmCoL0dwtVljarwenupcevNLdvR0Au4IhoXbCBI3TuMGWZSHGg3xL9eal164yCTYrZeGPOHa76oLpczHAJZqT1ENEsK1WELYcwCd0Dq0VIHj6OHf9Lqlw5yX9bSQj1NqBAmN/s1600-h/IMG_5293.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLvmCoL0dwtVljarwenupcevNLdvR0Au4IhoXbCBI3TuMGWZSHGg3xL9eal164yCTYrZeGPOHa76oLpczHAJZqT1ENEsK1WELYcwCd0Dq0VIHj6OHf9Lqlw5yX9bSQj1NqBAmN/s320/IMG_5293.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216347741432166338" border="0" /></a>It was really cool to see the houses perched on the canals. I have no idea how some of them are actually standing. We stopped at another pier and got back on the bikes...now we were on the other side of the major river in Bangkok and in areas apparently rarely visited by tourists. We rode down streets lined with stores, restaurants, people selling produce, recycling depots, etc...It was fascinating but I didn't get too close of a look as I was still nervous about falling off my bike (which turned out to have a brake that decided to be difficult).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_bN2HAvM2MsROdRDt5pCs53-E8eZP8BtD_o029mWZEZ0hXjHoIp_-t5ghyphenhyphensQD5Z-QmAlxFkbggm4Re4fqFxBjieiCzKp98_kta6z1vQUW5_-NFOggjDiSLeH1jaxd0pZ4sF0/s1600-h/IMG_5297.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjF_bN2HAvM2MsROdRDt5pCs53-E8eZP8BtD_o029mWZEZ0hXjHoIp_-t5ghyphenhyphensQD5Z-QmAlxFkbggm4Re4fqFxBjieiCzKp98_kta6z1vQUW5_-NFOggjDiSLeH1jaxd0pZ4sF0/s320/IMG_5297.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346885232771298" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(the sign says, 'Long live our beloved King')</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yvQX67idsvKdna8lqrbE2eb54NGZkygCJsSBq6h2HpI9HCzUTTkFr0Qqx8Ml0pJob99qTanDDZQwom1TZv1DkhdSLrG8jfHaJgbQLsHeutAz9SfRNdadi6g-Ai-0ZIp6IIym/s1600-h/IMG_5301.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-yvQX67idsvKdna8lqrbE2eb54NGZkygCJsSBq6h2HpI9HCzUTTkFr0Qqx8Ml0pJob99qTanDDZQwom1TZv1DkhdSLrG8jfHaJgbQLsHeutAz9SfRNdadi6g-Ai-0ZIp6IIym/s320/IMG_5301.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346903799497106" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi-6xtBjNmpYxZQt35hCfJ2o6hHn1KTx7qh9jGsgZNSNjbREZh_ITwHTK4vd42FeEcc0cYZ_K3f1eOFsGgUlV5Bc04k9wzHY70ryEwucybaO-7ll-dgqxk0jGekrr_4_VMqS-/s1600-h/IMG_5305.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCi-6xtBjNmpYxZQt35hCfJ2o6hHn1KTx7qh9jGsgZNSNjbREZh_ITwHTK4vd42FeEcc0cYZ_K3f1eOFsGgUlV5Bc04k9wzHY70ryEwucybaO-7ll-dgqxk0jGekrr_4_VMqS-/s320/IMG_5305.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346920951245218" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Our guide's bike fell into this green sludge when she was talking to us. Yuck)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZQO_h-IM11iROBEYZkHT8EfMo4NSwExlDGDCKZuI9K3zOCXLauc_cLBl3FhrWWspvDN-ypRBoG9O6yAHPdP2Oisma4GwZnDZxkm3GvceADi6SeqmToTovhkTmu36_lWXqPOk/s1600-h/IMG_5313.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrZQO_h-IM11iROBEYZkHT8EfMo4NSwExlDGDCKZuI9K3zOCXLauc_cLBl3FhrWWspvDN-ypRBoG9O6yAHPdP2Oisma4GwZnDZxkm3GvceADi6SeqmToTovhkTmu36_lWXqPOk/s320/IMG_5313.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346928503447234" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUBVx3HLNzCnPim0-1pStz53tiOr5LCFnvPfyoVXdmfNMOsoxID6OCpbmt6KZ7bSoCTjlg4DyH3dD3iyIxJQDVr21ff6N4-7nsrGQisMIxhTYt7TbG7WY_rBtJxwDVBZHoM2m/s1600-h/IMG_5317.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheUBVx3HLNzCnPim0-1pStz53tiOr5LCFnvPfyoVXdmfNMOsoxID6OCpbmt6KZ7bSoCTjlg4DyH3dD3iyIxJQDVr21ff6N4-7nsrGQisMIxhTYt7TbG7WY_rBtJxwDVBZHoM2m/s320/IMG_5317.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346935929489698" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(At temple number 2 or 3 we lit some incense and then gold leafed a bit of a Buddha. Cool)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGkWn84-5VO3TeMq3GybhqNtHLcrwExxleS0bSML6L-jDyYzDt-0bCtEII5FeLZLmTq9xTajFcjWJXTlhirLr6aIKN17O7Ev-kFwqTscT003tT7zuSTn0wOFVs-rFepNhb8DQ/s1600-h/IMG_5319.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMGkWn84-5VO3TeMq3GybhqNtHLcrwExxleS0bSML6L-jDyYzDt-0bCtEII5FeLZLmTq9xTajFcjWJXTlhirLr6aIKN17O7Ev-kFwqTscT003tT7zuSTn0wOFVs-rFepNhb8DQ/s320/IMG_5319.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346403629506082" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO9_6kqcS-22rb_0njMA58yxD4ycnSaK2uglZ4h82a1Y3nM88NP-L8w6g7WNkphBV7n-wkkBhmRoWSA7a-l6ffBWRq2leVdbszIDtSVvx4ddy0flmN6PMFiEU6vWJiM2Xx1CS/s1600-h/IMG_5321.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqO9_6kqcS-22rb_0njMA58yxD4ycnSaK2uglZ4h82a1Y3nM88NP-L8w6g7WNkphBV7n-wkkBhmRoWSA7a-l6ffBWRq2leVdbszIDtSVvx4ddy0flmN6PMFiEU6vWJiM2Xx1CS/s320/IMG_5321.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346406952118626" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4o-PFmRpo2JFTvr4rU44TW82i1PlGwnxrea7dPU3bHJKU3BWtdph80YPH0p-vyWbH6Dh61keg-1WFK-eUGFbeOcVBBzqWx2UDHm9WmoMVvqILuZR4OM4WfpAzVjgCLmxDU1T/s1600-h/IMG_5326.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD4o-PFmRpo2JFTvr4rU44TW82i1PlGwnxrea7dPU3bHJKU3BWtdph80YPH0p-vyWbH6Dh61keg-1WFK-eUGFbeOcVBBzqWx2UDHm9WmoMVvqILuZR4OM4WfpAzVjgCLmxDU1T/s320/IMG_5326.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346413640950850" border="0" /></a>We stopped for lunch at a restaurant right beside a canal. The couple that was with us didn't even try to hide their disgust. I dug in. The food was delicious. That fried rice was flavourful and there was an omelet, soup and various vegetable dishes to add to it. Yum.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFozQgScd9AH3a5JY5FVFnNB3UCQ0tgCEF0tnhkXcbkbfxcmF3CVr3R341YyQXZkY2FsnmHRsk9nfOyUfFkDYhhNTz9C8bBnn3sGw95VEcvaR2fP-4tFSW3AM0_ObGzyJLI-m/s1600-h/IMG_5328.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwFozQgScd9AH3a5JY5FVFnNB3UCQ0tgCEF0tnhkXcbkbfxcmF3CVr3R341YyQXZkY2FsnmHRsk9nfOyUfFkDYhhNTz9C8bBnn3sGw95VEcvaR2fP-4tFSW3AM0_ObGzyJLI-m/s320/IMG_5328.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346426082466610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1AdWDfuMFm-7lb5e2GOUzCMRw7WrKY6XoN2aa7Y5f2N5pWIBFt6aL2FAinJfsAnL6y4yljGNFUvaXKhkgndU7kCFxbnl2PY21tQmHK1zUKAHliaYVayKtI_2vAThPc1gcN1g/s1600-h/IMG_5332.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhg1AdWDfuMFm-7lb5e2GOUzCMRw7WrKY6XoN2aa7Y5f2N5pWIBFt6aL2FAinJfsAnL6y4yljGNFUvaXKhkgndU7kCFxbnl2PY21tQmHK1zUKAHliaYVayKtI_2vAThPc1gcN1g/s320/IMG_5332.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216346429518218770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD260MWGY7SanSNv6WfXMSANfmzpMu5-zMt1Hk1vbjoRXsziolm769JojxD9oybQLpl9g8fwy09E6zPhIxKTOFWlP-IgrClrf7mU1vfjOq8eiZGE7vAin931LEJFPagliDAjI8/s1600-h/IMG_5341.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgD260MWGY7SanSNv6WfXMSANfmzpMu5-zMt1Hk1vbjoRXsziolm769JojxD9oybQLpl9g8fwy09E6zPhIxKTOFWlP-IgrClrf7mU1vfjOq8eiZGE7vAin931LEJFPagliDAjI8/s320/IMG_5341.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345976537789794" border="0" /></a>We took our last boat ride back across the main river and right off the pier we found ourselves in a large room full of women sitting on the floor with huge piles of red chillies surrounding them. I think they were picking off the stems or something and then sorting them and preparing them for sale. It was an amazing sight. I smiled, said hi, took a quick photo and then we were off. It was a little while after this that I had to slow down, to avoid getting hit by a car, only to find myself and the Dutch guy separated from the rest of the group. We looked down streets but we couldn't find the other 3 anywhere. I decided that it was too hot to try to find them so I just stopped and waited. 10 minutes later our guide appeared. I guess someone finally looked back and noticed we weren't there...<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2q2RvYcXZF_XnZHljgIR9ah8eh4nc2dCc6K6inLzYUUWFbjTGa2hGzNE-dwx0GE_1LGB0gIuL98PZ_n0zh07jqR520DRe4yzKs9lpZJlv-y0vsodJjDKnGJXCpJZdtnx03jVf/s1600-h/IMG_5345.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2q2RvYcXZF_XnZHljgIR9ah8eh4nc2dCc6K6inLzYUUWFbjTGa2hGzNE-dwx0GE_1LGB0gIuL98PZ_n0zh07jqR520DRe4yzKs9lpZJlv-y0vsodJjDKnGJXCpJZdtnx03jVf/s320/IMG_5345.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345988057096450" border="0" /></a>Looking back, I can't believe I survived that bike tour. It's amazing to think I rode all over Bangkok and through the back alleys and streets! I recommend it to anyone wanting to do something a little different than the usual temple/street sights. After biking for the morning, I really wanted a shower and a nap but we had more of Bangkok to see. So we said goodbye to our guide and walked back toward the river, where we caught the river 'bus' and headed towards the temple of the reclining Buddha.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTFenr9cB7hMlhentTndfHQ4kfVMPTTa5AiigsVs80_vJ_RleRGF6RPR-pdXAwV_9gsERDADpq8Bve9hmvwHelptIHNNB2YCKjbNe1nA6m04P-u7poiOyB0eMy0hDYz8YMIZS/s1600-h/IMG_5350.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmTFenr9cB7hMlhentTndfHQ4kfVMPTTa5AiigsVs80_vJ_RleRGF6RPR-pdXAwV_9gsERDADpq8Bve9hmvwHelptIHNNB2YCKjbNe1nA6m04P-u7poiOyB0eMy0hDYz8YMIZS/s320/IMG_5350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345990109805346" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuO9vDHIvbpscKUt_WAINFcxfS3cXnGTtS5cr7ttsBMl5jC0d0rspobtSYc9bSf9Z78jTqkjS-42g4AG8ZIp-95vlsc7f8TZK2qQpMw9GGrEv507uPIheA1yTaEdtpH-B6jTw/s1600-h/IMG_5351.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKuO9vDHIvbpscKUt_WAINFcxfS3cXnGTtS5cr7ttsBMl5jC0d0rspobtSYc9bSf9Z78jTqkjS-42g4AG8ZIp-95vlsc7f8TZK2qQpMw9GGrEv507uPIheA1yTaEdtpH-B6jTw/s320/IMG_5351.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345993381271106" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWYI0KhNJJyHfQu2Kc0WDZFa3gSuHDb6Oc1hflPv_5wA2QPvVn0gyOdiz0yvdGOxPdKIvE0U5h5j6AQ3fZUevL7LgJQMbLXeAEhhe5JZLyNAZznsDch5qDdr5pZAnhNtXtOyW/s1600-h/IMG_5355.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyWYI0KhNJJyHfQu2Kc0WDZFa3gSuHDb6Oc1hflPv_5wA2QPvVn0gyOdiz0yvdGOxPdKIvE0U5h5j6AQ3fZUevL7LgJQMbLXeAEhhe5JZLyNAZznsDch5qDdr5pZAnhNtXtOyW/s320/IMG_5355.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345997282743058" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Wat Arun - the Temple of Dawn)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHkpGOsdEiNpWz64Gb56pzwJbWa4VhrjUQ-8HahivHuYE9IQbAmk1Zo5H8_jBw1aqvSaRclpw_5HoxbCuglOme80eBVEhjTxTSIuuPXFIC8YExs5BxFyjwFZqwC2Cauqs1546/s1600-h/IMG_5358.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpHkpGOsdEiNpWz64Gb56pzwJbWa4VhrjUQ-8HahivHuYE9IQbAmk1Zo5H8_jBw1aqvSaRclpw_5HoxbCuglOme80eBVEhjTxTSIuuPXFIC8YExs5BxFyjwFZqwC2Cauqs1546/s320/IMG_5358.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345342801133218" border="0" /></a>Wat Pho's (The Temple of the Reclining Buddha) Buddha was very impressive. He's 46m long and 15m high with gold plating on his body and mother of pearl on his eyes and feet. The feet are the most interesting as they have 108 auspicious scenes decorating them.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkrxzCphyLxftPdXg7ZSNy6bj6n-693el1iBbT4XlSKdOQSxHkdVcrNtFT1Um73v9MkbTaMKyOuS5eLgsO-hKsjtULZNvGQgXWehcqt1tKvnkqwenadwtsAoz8H2YPbQidhOf/s1600-h/IMG_5362.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWkrxzCphyLxftPdXg7ZSNy6bj6n-693el1iBbT4XlSKdOQSxHkdVcrNtFT1Um73v9MkbTaMKyOuS5eLgsO-hKsjtULZNvGQgXWehcqt1tKvnkqwenadwtsAoz8H2YPbQidhOf/s320/IMG_5362.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345355634576882" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR95erUD4DbUqiYmGq9fpG0BfxMainPCNfb4nUTYwUXDihEJAu6fkAnEMgGmmNaqyOjs8SqgLPmD8XSIoSa6r2wgXR06eq0elP5oIKpGuPhKRqRl1Aduf3_WagNv-3LAPKgYU/s1600-h/IMG_5364.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsR95erUD4DbUqiYmGq9fpG0BfxMainPCNfb4nUTYwUXDihEJAu6fkAnEMgGmmNaqyOjs8SqgLPmD8XSIoSa6r2wgXR06eq0elP5oIKpGuPhKRqRl1Aduf3_WagNv-3LAPKgYU/s320/IMG_5364.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345369963400770" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MtpxFZ8W35wm06gctkgE7LZvwMOPP41OOJh3-bUWq2uczH8Jii-9K_ERKW-nwIO5ealkoPAxE-9bKXYUVLxOsdqbHaeN60jFiA8BB84EozwrCCH6DMi78yzB-yEwJ0654rn6/s1600-h/IMG_5369.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_MtpxFZ8W35wm06gctkgE7LZvwMOPP41OOJh3-bUWq2uczH8Jii-9K_ERKW-nwIO5ealkoPAxE-9bKXYUVLxOsdqbHaeN60jFiA8BB84EozwrCCH6DMi78yzB-yEwJ0654rn6/s320/IMG_5369.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345384862295362" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsLv1eRCBrCzGJ4uGDUlLJtC1kEpppSEc5CcFT69EtuGqhOItnwgaHC8bARSRc-0unW7OqJM-2gEpAnHkhpc6WPctflqlF8turWmBldEHDMhhQ-DGEKcMOrdfjjXXb3O0xQ9U/s1600-h/IMG_5382.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsLv1eRCBrCzGJ4uGDUlLJtC1kEpppSEc5CcFT69EtuGqhOItnwgaHC8bARSRc-0unW7OqJM-2gEpAnHkhpc6WPctflqlF8turWmBldEHDMhhQ-DGEKcMOrdfjjXXb3O0xQ9U/s320/IMG_5382.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216345397429466194" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(You have no idea how hard it was to get all three of us in this picture)</span><br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6niauMoQ9WfAEJqdorgslZBThK1wYcMCJU0CWNLCNRLqtapo6auDkGhTQ4R-dfRmbX4rGPO_jRcNUSqh3bxOnpUCZG6t0TciuqdpYXcAZb1p80rRAFkNHbeI-uU9wtC2qb8K4/s1600-h/IMG_5384.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6niauMoQ9WfAEJqdorgslZBThK1wYcMCJU0CWNLCNRLqtapo6auDkGhTQ4R-dfRmbX4rGPO_jRcNUSqh3bxOnpUCZG6t0TciuqdpYXcAZb1p80rRAFkNHbeI-uU9wtC2qb8K4/s320/IMG_5384.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344828128418162" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG659cEukz-zb6BkWoKFrfn-nU4mugkcx9Bme7oPUZzenV8FzaLuF9fE77m2uwHi-P7vzKn5XF8DCc6l4fSj6AaedTJ5cF9FLPFeSoXgaEtdCH8YdhyphenhyphenYJm_zS1Ae9lyUiI_KQx/s1600-h/IMG_5390.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiG659cEukz-zb6BkWoKFrfn-nU4mugkcx9Bme7oPUZzenV8FzaLuF9fE77m2uwHi-P7vzKn5XF8DCc6l4fSj6AaedTJ5cF9FLPFeSoXgaEtdCH8YdhyphenhyphenYJm_zS1Ae9lyUiI_KQx/s320/IMG_5390.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344831429058210" border="0" /></a>After visiting the big guy, we headed next door to the Grand Palace, but not before discovering that we had no idea where the entrance was, and having to walk around 3/4 of the palace in the burning sun to find it.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYQC2wwqkl8bI8b6PTEwzsrwi8YWJqlh9aL88VWzoUw09XIzXJtqdpJLgM3Qy_jEFDstjjsdBKhcEDPu7KbMUS8g_nBn9EdmqeKDID7McbrvhObaQgRHQHEQt_hM0b0w5KthF/s1600-h/IMG_5394.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNYQC2wwqkl8bI8b6PTEwzsrwi8YWJqlh9aL88VWzoUw09XIzXJtqdpJLgM3Qy_jEFDstjjsdBKhcEDPu7KbMUS8g_nBn9EdmqeKDID7McbrvhObaQgRHQHEQt_hM0b0w5KthF/s320/IMG_5394.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344833691800370" border="0" /></a>The Grand Palace's famous emerald Buddha is actually a small statue made out of jade. It is dressed in gold clothes three times a year by the king and...well...was kind of hard to see. We chilled in the main room for a while (by a fan) and people watched.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6pg7UsVSoZUMmlCA0aNCewEl96XU-ogevPXEE5hcwc4IXbt7_2kh5i3obatQpf8jqrFMCo7BfII-1p50eqE_4E9HKdG6MQT9XkzHGILUQ52xX-rkEeuimScqBSMzq1Sgwkq4/s1600-h/IMG_5397.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN6pg7UsVSoZUMmlCA0aNCewEl96XU-ogevPXEE5hcwc4IXbt7_2kh5i3obatQpf8jqrFMCo7BfII-1p50eqE_4E9HKdG6MQT9XkzHGILUQ52xX-rkEeuimScqBSMzq1Sgwkq4/s320/IMG_5397.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344845636222050" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccgCA3MTTn1Ixv9-pBDLJZLVhW8Z6fUQ-Al1Zp0PuW3A4NpxdYjF5uXNnk36rAQOzbGtXmA0ZaYi7SivJaL11kNFqCUh5ew-TkfZK_1vhUcP4mmVCGhHX60qEDPF8E2Rt5nkC/s1600-h/IMG_5404.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiccgCA3MTTn1Ixv9-pBDLJZLVhW8Z6fUQ-Al1Zp0PuW3A4NpxdYjF5uXNnk36rAQOzbGtXmA0ZaYi7SivJaL11kNFqCUh5ew-TkfZK_1vhUcP4mmVCGhHX60qEDPF8E2Rt5nkC/s320/IMG_5404.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344082125896322" border="0" /></a>After walking around the grounds for a bit we decided we'd seen enough gold and that returning to the hotel to write some postcards would be a better idea. We had a quick fight about where the boat pier was and spent the rest of our time in Bangkok eating chips (my body was dying for salt) and writing a ton of postcards in the hotel lobby.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk2j7vLI8ciKzHnTKTCK1QuJk8N1IWqLcSa3hyf4Ic0Wf1YEiRuUB6gGep5bu3kPpVP4y-0qOruzRS7jPrR3XJZ0nkaZrjS3VOBbDk7vM-ZZ9ocusWk7rq2qDdNb0BC8XWRnL/s1600-h/IMG_5411.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNk2j7vLI8ciKzHnTKTCK1QuJk8N1IWqLcSa3hyf4Ic0Wf1YEiRuUB6gGep5bu3kPpVP4y-0qOruzRS7jPrR3XJZ0nkaZrjS3VOBbDk7vM-ZZ9ocusWk7rq2qDdNb0BC8XWRnL/s320/IMG_5411.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344089017482578" border="0" /></a>Our flight was scheduled to leave at 11:30PM so at around 5PM we hailed a taxi and we sped off to the airport. It was not a relaxing ride. I prayed that I had pronounced the name of the airport correctly (there are two airports in Bangkok...and the international one's name isn't pronounced anything like the way it's written). In addition to this stress, we had to deal with our driver's insane driving. I wasn't quite sure we were going to make it with all of the weaving, braking and speeding.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2CsONaHTZSK4ANIO9RNXcjKE1VcHBO0UhKCy9X_zDMLiZ3gjS2UHpEzqeMxIRaLDqCiRYtf_rDcHZiyzxVzB8eQ7LC0OKD-AtYpc0R4j7ERiEcxlR3ZkL43mA7eXRDpLBTdp/s1600-h/IMG_5416.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-2CsONaHTZSK4ANIO9RNXcjKE1VcHBO0UhKCy9X_zDMLiZ3gjS2UHpEzqeMxIRaLDqCiRYtf_rDcHZiyzxVzB8eQ7LC0OKD-AtYpc0R4j7ERiEcxlR3ZkL43mA7eXRDpLBTdp/s320/IMG_5416.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344093569339778" border="0" /></a>A little dazed, we arrived at the correct airport in record time. It was too early to check in so we ate some mango sticky rice (I had to get in one last mango), Elz bought a stuffed elephant, who she christened 'Bu' (short for rambutan, the fruit) and I perused the Boots pharmacy. After checking in we wandered through the duty free and finally ate dinner at a sports bar (yummy burger...).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4n30D9DZUzCD8BXldYeHdllfvEBX7T7Gceoqc25sTYLHmGFcyVwVC4qkUM29bPR7jx2PZRbYRfNmBwwidKU8jVatahHnuZJ_U_CsB0edf1guLi6QxAXMBoW630OHaz_1BE8_O/s1600-h/IMG_5418.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4n30D9DZUzCD8BXldYeHdllfvEBX7T7Gceoqc25sTYLHmGFcyVwVC4qkUM29bPR7jx2PZRbYRfNmBwwidKU8jVatahHnuZJ_U_CsB0edf1guLi6QxAXMBoW630OHaz_1BE8_O/s320/IMG_5418.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344101664051522" border="0" /></a>At about 10:30 we went through security, found our gate and waited in our own private waiting area (the Japanese people on our flight were mysteriously ushered into a different area) until we made it popular and it filled up with people returning to Nagoya. We said goodbye to gorgeous, wonderful Thailand and I promptly fell asleep, only to wake up when the guy in front of me whipped his blind up at 5AM.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhBrpM9V4m39cGR07SdDWrV6lyaJeDMbH1138ChPUV-BvwsmYwUHnhe2S7ElnGN9NFmG3lOBvnH450IRn2aut7CgCU26jpUialKFa7TJqemgSuL4MecH7Qq0xVo6k-JEIg0hu/s1600-h/IMG_5425.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIhBrpM9V4m39cGR07SdDWrV6lyaJeDMbH1138ChPUV-BvwsmYwUHnhe2S7ElnGN9NFmG3lOBvnH450IRn2aut7CgCU26jpUialKFa7TJqemgSuL4MecH7Qq0xVo6k-JEIg0hu/s320/IMG_5425.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216344103688982722" border="0" /></a><br />What an amazing trip. I must return. Next time I'll explore the south. Thailand, I never thought I'd fall in love with you so much!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-56943867568064532242008-06-28T00:22:00.001+09:002008-06-28T00:23:35.899+09:00my tenugui collection<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYdFxiSC_bfgOqBKJTy2g653Sp0aqbUNINBc_lKhLNVOcpj_ldQyiLGrROom2WQ3xFvNQBtRpp7cu_22nCnnhZHEFDb_X7IJbALu7ODw8aRo9jkZ5eC2o7h1fW3uuqLGHUCJh/s1600-h/IMG_6372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbYdFxiSC_bfgOqBKJTy2g653Sp0aqbUNINBc_lKhLNVOcpj_ldQyiLGrROom2WQ3xFvNQBtRpp7cu_22nCnnhZHEFDb_X7IJbALu7ODw8aRo9jkZ5eC2o7h1fW3uuqLGHUCJh/s320/IMG_6372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216353231280260162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Chopsticks and umeboshi)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div>Most of you are probably thinking - what the heck is a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">tenugui</span>? Well my friends, let me explain. A tenugui is a rectangular piece of cotton fabric, which is dyed with a variety of patterns and colours. It is used for everything from headbands to a wall hanging to bags and hand towels. Some have elaborate patterns, others are beautifully simple. Here's a <a href="http://pingmag.jp/2007/05/17/tenugui/">good article</a> I found. I've accumulated quite the collection and plan on hanging them on my walls back home. <div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3ESazEAVAwdKhb62P0Bu-MOXIz5m5gIyhFYU8mMkxOUXxip4_8kT8Nqnk7TiaP4l3yRgkdkHVfBQ8A_Obwph3zv_XkRogArZ94YMwf_9IU7JBlSMsqWrnry1P0nwCqHv6suE/s1600-h/6370-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgN3ESazEAVAwdKhb62P0Bu-MOXIz5m5gIyhFYU8mMkxOUXxip4_8kT8Nqnk7TiaP4l3yRgkdkHVfBQ8A_Obwph3zv_XkRogArZ94YMwf_9IU7JBlSMsqWrnry1P0nwCqHv6suE/s320/6370-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216353239366465538" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(geisha on the shinkansen - this one cracks me up!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA2bzF3jfHADMaSfXgA5vu0cNDW7eI9epahi-I58VlI9aDfFloj3v7GsL05QAA5GYXjzGKEeRMxFLfYZQXZb906t6lrMYlQxIumVa4K3iX-vfG48HBgUh6Tx_XstAcugEk-pw/s1600-h/6371-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAA2bzF3jfHADMaSfXgA5vu0cNDW7eI9epahi-I58VlI9aDfFloj3v7GsL05QAA5GYXjzGKEeRMxFLfYZQXZb906t6lrMYlQxIumVa4K3iX-vfG48HBgUh6Tx_XstAcugEk-pw/s320/6371-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216353238766416946" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8A1w2jUZw73aSbRN4hn7qDPhmZlohYsZYsVkJo1gkiJnalOEoqJd8_3dop7JOm9zbJsyMu_PyC5iQnw3y1ulJ8CX_FYKQrezI0b4aczQLvG3NMBme8gQaLmbtU6YFsyhVpoO/s1600-h/IMG_5967.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8A1w2jUZw73aSbRN4hn7qDPhmZlohYsZYsVkJo1gkiJnalOEoqJd8_3dop7JOm9zbJsyMu_PyC5iQnw3y1ulJ8CX_FYKQrezI0b4aczQLvG3NMBme8gQaLmbtU6YFsyhVpoO/s320/IMG_5967.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216353250453934802" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Mt. Yoshino during sakura season)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlqn_0UKl1VV8NbTZYSO4F6mEBeZu1C5gOr9E7VVJQTsmhMlZNkvIobX0EGQQpRanlJa6H5BUuW5uVdCk7-H7RGTN13ipx-JXXoqWznDpKrdnv4znyS6RCfNyEpyNVBJArwDc/s1600-h/5975-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYlqn_0UKl1VV8NbTZYSO4F6mEBeZu1C5gOr9E7VVJQTsmhMlZNkvIobX0EGQQpRanlJa6H5BUuW5uVdCk7-H7RGTN13ipx-JXXoqWznDpKrdnv4znyS6RCfNyEpyNVBJArwDc/s320/5975-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216352547850920018" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Japanese maples)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mIwZ-fpUkAN9SlGmXgRQ8OQ_ry8maC81QX1cdJ3dzRc41MIWJ0PlfZhlUWbjELhw_inHG5q4jQI3acWuljx8Y0vPDy6KjkqJOo8GEbmoIREu91a1k5CbVAWNwp_FPuVtpmZ_/s1600-h/5994-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0mIwZ-fpUkAN9SlGmXgRQ8OQ_ry8maC81QX1cdJ3dzRc41MIWJ0PlfZhlUWbjELhw_inHG5q4jQI3acWuljx8Y0vPDy6KjkqJOo8GEbmoIREu91a1k5CbVAWNwp_FPuVtpmZ_/s320/5994-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216352553526065522" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(ninjas in the dark. with ninja stars, of course!)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfOmdwQ6Cnve0g264GHxgq4UcnjW-IOU76C2i9WxpnKhViKNJ21e7_rkt9HiyLAH2mihOwtyNtp2eCLbtC0bMXe2COLA5UXXNW-e48gERRY6ataYfRwVVslAztdV8Dr-MA1O8/s1600-h/5995-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXfOmdwQ6Cnve0g264GHxgq4UcnjW-IOU76C2i9WxpnKhViKNJ21e7_rkt9HiyLAH2mihOwtyNtp2eCLbtC0bMXe2COLA5UXXNW-e48gERRY6ataYfRwVVslAztdV8Dr-MA1O8/s320/5995-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216352553450450626" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKUahz0KSBEW5XFfR-Is5I-07vK1DHE4_racYtjHIPAUCu0YgPD-PV6FMEZA1ayiU3iZC84lhk0UgjU2MKSow9m8IKjII7yUL7-vlJcWxoKBE-g15g2WMxCadIQ9ssaCCHvy/s1600-h/IMG_5969.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgquKUahz0KSBEW5XFfR-Is5I-07vK1DHE4_racYtjHIPAUCu0YgPD-PV6FMEZA1ayiU3iZC84lhk0UgjU2MKSow9m8IKjII7yUL7-vlJcWxoKBE-g15g2WMxCadIQ9ssaCCHvy/s320/IMG_5969.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216350313817278146" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Maiko in Kyoto)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrQh1IslgT5UuOrTA0J4mJYchQPDnh-qocauq38Pj-gCQtBeOhwLWJHpWXkDaeEfI7-dnH0867RR0gIXCLntlvmM0AYPGrL0rmOb5ZmcXbPFVzoorCE_7a0WJZgAu9jdNQEaV/s1600-h/IMG_5979.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsrQh1IslgT5UuOrTA0J4mJYchQPDnh-qocauq38Pj-gCQtBeOhwLWJHpWXkDaeEfI7-dnH0867RR0gIXCLntlvmM0AYPGrL0rmOb5ZmcXbPFVzoorCE_7a0WJZgAu9jdNQEaV/s320/IMG_5979.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216350336846971506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Ryoan-ji rock garden - Kyoto)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hIKJ3x5CfGUUSQyn3j76kQ84sWXtrwSmvWWhmGKCWpJsTePv0K5yQO_T_GmJeeLe6iukr0Sw9AJ7zv_tkhIPahmocfEHDSrWt1n-RUgVHNaKk1mQtTRZvxhyphenhyphenp6TyYgHPHjb3/s1600-h/IMG_5982.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0hIKJ3x5CfGUUSQyn3j76kQ84sWXtrwSmvWWhmGKCWpJsTePv0K5yQO_T_GmJeeLe6iukr0Sw9AJ7zv_tkhIPahmocfEHDSrWt1n-RUgVHNaKk1mQtTRZvxhyphenhyphenp6TyYgHPHjb3/s320/IMG_5982.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216350339789541298" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Fushimi Inari - Kyoto)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVAwGWB4Qq17r9pSdRwf3jQ83zr_Ppuvj3UR0XVN-ZB7nTSuc3e-Q8sDsPsbAUtwzbGY9O7UWKEBUSvwSagpR_23XB-kZPYugMv_mSl884LO8o2_Dw-yexfriCV5_QRdpvryI/s1600-h/IMG_5986.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmVAwGWB4Qq17r9pSdRwf3jQ83zr_Ppuvj3UR0XVN-ZB7nTSuc3e-Q8sDsPsbAUtwzbGY9O7UWKEBUSvwSagpR_23XB-kZPYugMv_mSl884LO8o2_Dw-yexfriCV5_QRdpvryI/s320/IMG_5986.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216350351445559506" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Japanese pine tree)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6yU6_4HFfuM0-ACwlTdmNg4Pr1YC7C9QGT-0JzX1KMrP4p6usfL-SPqNGUFGrWJe8DuIeBiEtY-vsbn6kwnwGEMDFKYS9nA0TlpYu3mI76FyGUHs8aQqRibCx57rlRTT75jE/s1600-h/IMG_5991.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjh6yU6_4HFfuM0-ACwlTdmNg4Pr1YC7C9QGT-0JzX1KMrP4p6usfL-SPqNGUFGrWJe8DuIeBiEtY-vsbn6kwnwGEMDFKYS9nA0TlpYu3mI76FyGUHs8aQqRibCx57rlRTT75jE/s320/IMG_5991.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216349572139482658" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(onigiri - rice balls)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayTm9jHzndUALyKR2r1ghUce1Qya6HeC98hhZMNdPJEwTekdZG-L3T4h2TxICVqCOZ9eeoa6x3uGjVrfM9AtLjI1LyfBbtgCm6KGM2FFoB4fUS4SVHTg9uhX3dKH3BtiGAnxI/s1600-h/IMG_5997.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgayTm9jHzndUALyKR2r1ghUce1Qya6HeC98hhZMNdPJEwTekdZG-L3T4h2TxICVqCOZ9eeoa6x3uGjVrfM9AtLjI1LyfBbtgCm6KGM2FFoB4fUS4SVHTg9uhX3dKH3BtiGAnxI/s320/IMG_5997.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216349589821983058" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(grilled mochi)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy1eQdV11k5mWKzu9ACLSZocU8tKvNZpK8jWqKyCGr5EKU00gcgtK5cyDVuIKnpBJU-Rx4_PNpNap_JXV5xKea4CZe7l9Rfv7IfHdkRIsqZlnIwhDdSa0izEvHZ2PI6-gyMVC/s1600-h/6001-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUy1eQdV11k5mWKzu9ACLSZocU8tKvNZpK8jWqKyCGr5EKU00gcgtK5cyDVuIKnpBJU-Rx4_PNpNap_JXV5xKea4CZe7l9Rfv7IfHdkRIsqZlnIwhDdSa0izEvHZ2PI6-gyMVC/s320/6001-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5216352556156751586" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(My birthday present to myself - a large bamboo print tenugui)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-37752274566289704582008-06-23T12:54:00.000+09:002008-06-24T00:54:31.287+09:00Thailand Tour: Karen Hill Tribe Visit & The Night Train<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAJcZAiSuemBwC1uPLPEe77E78DnYrKaWP-jKLwYa3q2WzaTEoAEzftQ_6vV2dldIMMnAaDZNueNP9J3hJTMFWNmpo4bQuRjrWxKbeaF5ZcdSZLMYJONidhV0ky_ERu0G8twe/s1600-h/IMG_5096.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVAJcZAiSuemBwC1uPLPEe77E78DnYrKaWP-jKLwYa3q2WzaTEoAEzftQ_6vV2dldIMMnAaDZNueNP9J3hJTMFWNmpo4bQuRjrWxKbeaF5ZcdSZLMYJONidhV0ky_ERu0G8twe/s320/IMG_5096.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236723763478018" border="0" /></a>Day 7 & 8: May 3 & 4, 2008<br />Karen hill tribe visit, around Chiang Mai<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI0nOQ3pykxWE-654OdQ3W6r2B-YWiY2N1mNx1igvmePg4fu3sWZFgdko31CZeull0H3sTuuwlRjYMHUC9YPfof2DTmrq46AIqcpNf9YlAd0PYTSIJNPxsdTFJ3NJghpaJPmG/s1600-h/IMG_5099.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGI0nOQ3pykxWE-654OdQ3W6r2B-YWiY2N1mNx1igvmePg4fu3sWZFgdko31CZeull0H3sTuuwlRjYMHUC9YPfof2DTmrq46AIqcpNf9YlAd0PYTSIJNPxsdTFJ3NJghpaJPmG/s320/IMG_5099.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236728589338482" border="0" /></a>I really didn't want to go on the Karen hill tribe community tour...I mean, I thought it was going to be kind of like pioneer village but the men and women actually lived here. I had images of it being like a zoo, with tourists walking around, taking pictures of the hilltribe members...and unfortunately, that's exactly what it was like. The karen communities are mainly located in the mountainous areas of the western provinces and over the last 200 years they have moved away from Burma and into Thailand. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlnjFB4ULzOInX9cnDTUBDswrDN2kj7NCJWB-VftK3hkUR5SYCFtp3MlPDAYjtx9Z_8jshn_XOeFkr5VvugZVc-r_Fg_0aX8VT4jLtQQo_jcIti3c_hNq1yiy_Z9NfMEmxz9H/s1600-h/IMG_5107.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYlnjFB4ULzOInX9cnDTUBDswrDN2kj7NCJWB-VftK3hkUR5SYCFtp3MlPDAYjtx9Z_8jshn_XOeFkr5VvugZVc-r_Fg_0aX8VT4jLtQQo_jcIti3c_hNq1yiy_Z9NfMEmxz9H/s320/IMG_5107.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236738508152674" border="0" /></a>The two Dutch girls on the tour persuaded me that it would be okay by showing me a section on the communities in their Lonely Planet guide. Apparently, many of the hilltribes are refugees or migrant workers from Burma and this 'centre' allows them to live and work in Thailand. They are paid for living here and they get all of the money they make from selling their crafts. As everyone was going, and I was starting to trust the Intrepid tour company regarding their decisions, I decided to go.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz4vfcPQGySY58GkQCUS5Kh00g737bgrZtfPDgK29GXuCX8KHtWE3dtgFYnGar1nJQhYdlbsEYIqJ8eClOKvLJ1NOXr1j9nOmnR1XCAz5725FC_kWNJqRNNTNDYRY4UPNcR74/s1600-h/IMG_5112.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEz4vfcPQGySY58GkQCUS5Kh00g737bgrZtfPDgK29GXuCX8KHtWE3dtgFYnGar1nJQhYdlbsEYIqJ8eClOKvLJ1NOXr1j9nOmnR1XCAz5725FC_kWNJqRNNTNDYRY4UPNcR74/s320/IMG_5112.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236748093926834" border="0" /></a>It was a seriously weird and depressing experience and as soon as we arrived, I started to regret it. The men and women were grouped according to their tribe and the women were sitting either sewing, weaving or chatting with each other. We wandered in and our slightly annoying guide-for-the-day started encouraging us to go into the houses. Now, they live in these houses, so I was not feeling comfortable just wandering in.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXs0tqCGckx1rVJWF4DKaJjQMUg1Cv8zuO-ool54h_c98RwPtCs4n6O8aOPeNPiiwjRtDRZ6p51YXLwJjiNNeo7MezGel_6ioWdrmca1xnW89AV9rOU5EPeWOXSh9dXYBLWDa/s1600-h/IMG_5119.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIXs0tqCGckx1rVJWF4DKaJjQMUg1Cv8zuO-ool54h_c98RwPtCs4n6O8aOPeNPiiwjRtDRZ6p51YXLwJjiNNeo7MezGel_6ioWdrmca1xnW89AV9rOU5EPeWOXSh9dXYBLWDa/s320/IMG_5119.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236755069999906" border="0" /></a>Most of the women had handmade crafts to sell and I decided that I would buy some of my souvenirs here so that I could at least make sure the women got some money on this rainy and depressing day. I found a stall slightly off the main walkway where I thought not as many tourists would stop and ended up buying an embroidered quilt/hanging. There was no way I was going to haggle with her....I just paid what she asked, which wasn't much considering the amount of embroidery and the size of the piece.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KyUUmZTi72fuDF_iCPSne1TPfESNoX-yQK1VNIY3ZQF649PO0sm_2rvB3SlHetS01fhDe4W15tEuP6FkDtEDbYtqatu6lYm6kaZ1RLIeM6aKxlcZ_fzp9xRQ4Vt5Av7_EfQZ/s1600-h/IMG_5125.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3KyUUmZTi72fuDF_iCPSne1TPfESNoX-yQK1VNIY3ZQF649PO0sm_2rvB3SlHetS01fhDe4W15tEuP6FkDtEDbYtqatu6lYm6kaZ1RLIeM6aKxlcZ_fzp9xRQ4Vt5Av7_EfQZ/s320/IMG_5125.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236324740514146" border="0" /></a>I also bought a small doll from this woman. Her tribe wears bright, bright colours and on this dreary rainy day, I felt drawn to the colours. My little doll is dressed in the same traditional clothing as she is.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4QjRS0jTWvRh1NHThb4DQaib7JlmThlD-zTy8EeHis7njW27ZSddqsTBFNFc5kgtKlnq2t2bRuAQrKA4uD0aHpkndFh3qY6ZVaYF3MjDiw2kbG2FWaYPmODU5kXIAL81hePn/s1600-h/IMG_5140.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH4QjRS0jTWvRh1NHThb4DQaib7JlmThlD-zTy8EeHis7njW27ZSddqsTBFNFc5kgtKlnq2t2bRuAQrKA4uD0aHpkndFh3qY6ZVaYF3MjDiw2kbG2FWaYPmODU5kXIAL81hePn/s320/IMG_5140.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236337693822978" border="0" /></a>The main 'attraction' here is the subgroup of the Karen hill tribes who wear brass rings on their necks. These women start wearing these neck rings when they are around 5 years old. The rings press down on their collarbones, giving the illusion of a longer neck.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11enaGCb9nXgRNwZQmoaR0FwUTTfF0XGjZwWsqlz4L-rqUXZxPxZV4sRJptsEdTI9dFfY-XeJY2lsDaq9pZYH1iYA4eupW55WzbgkAM1Yl7VlJRxUsHDwxA9owBKSmthUTlhT/s1600-h/IMG_5143.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh11enaGCb9nXgRNwZQmoaR0FwUTTfF0XGjZwWsqlz4L-rqUXZxPxZV4sRJptsEdTI9dFfY-XeJY2lsDaq9pZYH1iYA4eupW55WzbgkAM1Yl7VlJRxUsHDwxA9owBKSmthUTlhT/s320/IMG_5143.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236354040839986" border="0" /></a>By this time it was pouring rain and this was where we saw the kids of the village for the first time. People started to take pictures and get right up in the womens' faces. I decided to stand back and only take a few pictures. After a while I just felt depressed that these women and kids were sitting there and being pressured to pose for tourist photos. I later found out that the kids have to go to school later at night because they need to be available for photos during the day. That was it. I wanted to leave.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CwsSg8E2rvtwBoOM9aKmPw3Tchk2g6Osk1QYbKpeGeNkbOLr-bqdHCfZqeDq9-rf_P_h30w_1vLqzh5khyphenhyphenthD-AbpRwk7WuZ4j-AwIpvl1YXr2y1OzUz0aTevc6ECYAIxJ_Q/s1600-h/IMG_5162.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9CwsSg8E2rvtwBoOM9aKmPw3Tchk2g6Osk1QYbKpeGeNkbOLr-bqdHCfZqeDq9-rf_P_h30w_1vLqzh5khyphenhyphenthD-AbpRwk7WuZ4j-AwIpvl1YXr2y1OzUz0aTevc6ECYAIxJ_Q/s320/IMG_5162.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236361086847794" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pwhiAyGt8AuChrOOsg3vlxX_t_OO6oc7JfRQxplOl8C6KibyJoC_LeOwgD6X8ff_KJWF9Fc56guJRGainGm-TeccQ3Us2mhL0WJaHMGOwxlh6LrMcxkv8JwSzaSHqVwcF-xQ/s1600-h/IMG_5176.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7pwhiAyGt8AuChrOOsg3vlxX_t_OO6oc7JfRQxplOl8C6KibyJoC_LeOwgD6X8ff_KJWF9Fc56guJRGainGm-TeccQ3Us2mhL0WJaHMGOwxlh6LrMcxkv8JwSzaSHqVwcF-xQ/s320/IMG_5176.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213236371304710850" border="0" /></a>All in all, not a great experience. An eye-opening experience, but not a happy one. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eh1el8FA-ISAwbY1Fvn7Upo_JZohRRdQot7L-TNYkTzlakW_0z8DLZBVmGHEb7F86B5YtQw4r0st4zffUb2Un8323AVUzFfh0i1xkISksdRX5Zw3-gV3OaOW9jEeQUd2Df0Z/s1600-h/IMG_5181.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Eh1el8FA-ISAwbY1Fvn7Upo_JZohRRdQot7L-TNYkTzlakW_0z8DLZBVmGHEb7F86B5YtQw4r0st4zffUb2Un8323AVUzFfh0i1xkISksdRX5Zw3-gV3OaOW9jEeQUd2Df0Z/s320/IMG_5181.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235736162836274" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4M0Sf-TxtQrw7fkx27fA-9_q_FkqWgS_Y6dT1mF8W_HjR09ftiaVvuYy09nQANKvWzRMP-8d9N9lZKJ5mKwIZ4ScAuvaovYIjHus0hj7PxEeGcr6xJGKQwOxbXhqkCf6vqhv/s1600-h/IMG_5186.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEie4M0Sf-TxtQrw7fkx27fA-9_q_FkqWgS_Y6dT1mF8W_HjR09ftiaVvuYy09nQANKvWzRMP-8d9N9lZKJ5mKwIZ4ScAuvaovYIjHus0hj7PxEeGcr6xJGKQwOxbXhqkCf6vqhv/s320/IMG_5186.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235739488299938" border="0" /></a>We returned to Chiang Mai and a group of us had lunch at a restaurant near our hotel. There were a lot of locals eating there so we thought it must be good. It was. My noodles with pork and green vegetables were so fantastic I ate them without thinking to take a picture. After lunch a group of us decided to get a Thai massage. We found a beautiful little spa and the manager quickly called for backup to deal with the 6 of us. For the next hour and a half I was in heaven as my masseuse gave me the most wonderful foot, leg, shoulder, head and hand massage (I decided against the traditional Thai massage as I am extremely ticklish). Amazingly, it cost all of $10.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50XapRHpX3lVxprs1OFylrjngbuk2mg73AUX7hxCceLAESOt2L1TN9jU8rJIf-qse1V-Kd0L0yjRw2UF9Nj3zCQ9D2uEgUbCjjXz0k4oxE8PsNJ1FxeOXro3K-YjeIdfhVSFA/s1600-h/IMG_5197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj50XapRHpX3lVxprs1OFylrjngbuk2mg73AUX7hxCceLAESOt2L1TN9jU8rJIf-qse1V-Kd0L0yjRw2UF9Nj3zCQ9D2uEgUbCjjXz0k4oxE8PsNJ1FxeOXro3K-YjeIdfhVSFA/s320/IMG_5197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235745282634802" border="0" /></a>Now that we were relaxed, we headed back to the hotel, packed up our stuff and got into songthaews. We arrived at the train station and found our compartments. I bought lychees and took some pictures. Before we knew it, it was 5PM and the train pulled out of the station, taking us back to Bangkok.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VVYTC2zOGqzN-DWKmzs2I2zewSZwaKhc-n0x_XzGXyF0FQbqdaIL0e3MQY69W5ogRybkJI5Bvx_5fzmZASKwF6hRosnXBY2utTqM5NQtdHPOAA1LUD_LqazxAM4S6Giua-nF/s1600-h/IMG_5194.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VVYTC2zOGqzN-DWKmzs2I2zewSZwaKhc-n0x_XzGXyF0FQbqdaIL0e3MQY69W5ogRybkJI5Bvx_5fzmZASKwF6hRosnXBY2utTqM5NQtdHPOAA1LUD_LqazxAM4S6Giua-nF/s320/IMG_5194.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235755817772418" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIS8cR93Ey5MKJzC9Ey-6piIXuVfuz8-KXjD5cubwBcMGnNBibml22QjmaVpIBqeax38mF1W7Rg_E2hrM_Ab2crmyxXnHwCrn_d7F1PYHRlISLpYs-OW2lwWsP5_IEU3GUGZ-/s1600-h/IMG_5196.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgIS8cR93Ey5MKJzC9Ey-6piIXuVfuz8-KXjD5cubwBcMGnNBibml22QjmaVpIBqeax38mF1W7Rg_E2hrM_Ab2crmyxXnHwCrn_d7F1PYHRlISLpYs-OW2lwWsP5_IEU3GUGZ-/s320/IMG_5196.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235859233579090" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVve267E4Xt7nfzUIwvn2i3s284eIrtUG9YTqztEaG5IEf_SYq9pVeZzZmGxOR0optoSJB_CHX6UE-97C4RPo2sW_qV0wlox-iUUNoP2YuIvbx2fxhL7k0IZtF3XL9mwah2kg9/s1600-h/IMG_5200.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVve267E4Xt7nfzUIwvn2i3s284eIrtUG9YTqztEaG5IEf_SYq9pVeZzZmGxOR0optoSJB_CHX6UE-97C4RPo2sW_qV0wlox-iUUNoP2YuIvbx2fxhL7k0IZtF3XL9mwah2kg9/s320/IMG_5200.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235285572886802" border="0" /></a>By day our compartment had seats and a table, but at around 9PM the train employees came around and transformed the table into a bed and pulled down the upper bunk compartment. The whole car turned into bunks with curtains that you could pull shut.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQyqHTZD-X-ticLdZnzaQMQlqLrMLWFcZIJDjxEYFIgsuh0aUzIEwQomoO6QNsvuSOEzetS-1hCECtceDjzYD3Cwifpx920U8tuXSWqjWNmJPz7EGBTlj3LidPr4IDbW1nqne/s1600-h/IMG_5203.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggQyqHTZD-X-ticLdZnzaQMQlqLrMLWFcZIJDjxEYFIgsuh0aUzIEwQomoO6QNsvuSOEzetS-1hCECtceDjzYD3Cwifpx920U8tuXSWqjWNmJPz7EGBTlj3LidPr4IDbW1nqne/s320/IMG_5203.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235301572157442" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRYZI8uGawVccb5VG-HeRIk5Xny2Jluc6RcSo8CP9QfWpryuC5L9mFjS6Eb7aTi5p_PBaHgR0c2qG92QzjTuRvNmyEszVBYVLwoTQp4ScvPu7DzfVoccalHc4-YQweQq_W2GW/s1600-h/IMG_5204.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRYZI8uGawVccb5VG-HeRIk5Xny2Jluc6RcSo8CP9QfWpryuC5L9mFjS6Eb7aTi5p_PBaHgR0c2qG92QzjTuRvNmyEszVBYVLwoTQp4ScvPu7DzfVoccalHc4-YQweQq_W2GW/s320/IMG_5204.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235307612120322" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Laura and Karen. Karen was on a trip around the world. She was hilarious.)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHE7uVLKzJouLA-pIPQ7b8rNP3taALwx3n65I5PZgSjT2YE8x67vxCo0hHtx5N-BbaSHqHyYpaBaPN3yytoL4SQz8wdAWCLztGtRt-wbbAIRsY3H474Z-ZLoBcB2ZjqlOi7Hr/s1600-h/IMG_5207.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjHE7uVLKzJouLA-pIPQ7b8rNP3taALwx3n65I5PZgSjT2YE8x67vxCo0hHtx5N-BbaSHqHyYpaBaPN3yytoL4SQz8wdAWCLztGtRt-wbbAIRsY3H474Z-ZLoBcB2ZjqlOi7Hr/s320/IMG_5207.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235323651608786" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Alissa, Haylee and Arjan)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLqm3HxGtwDeNdT4arc7fqUTs33ucG5tXAJPHplAgmr0Hdze-yZ1vh5uSjOrJ22WMmT6NBl7OzOzcA4lRcA1i60YiBcEY0HCgxcV7Hip7ufwHjm_W20U6486ykeAP75uYGh-C/s1600-h/IMG_5208.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwLqm3HxGtwDeNdT4arc7fqUTs33ucG5tXAJPHplAgmr0Hdze-yZ1vh5uSjOrJ22WMmT6NBl7OzOzcA4lRcA1i60YiBcEY0HCgxcV7Hip7ufwHjm_W20U6486ykeAP75uYGh-C/s320/IMG_5208.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213235326331836066" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Evan and Alisa - the cute married Australians on the tour)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdUfY5eV85WN3zSdPeQeS8_xWU5Bu8KJW0sbi9RaHJUrJsW2lOj57vtNwmdeusevQwCFJ1p85Wye8RlCHoEt1FFPvrcetBWOy-U0zFl8cjQ2-JSMx-ae4as7Uwf0qzM3DUTPw/s1600-h/IMG_5210.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxdUfY5eV85WN3zSdPeQeS8_xWU5Bu8KJW0sbi9RaHJUrJsW2lOj57vtNwmdeusevQwCFJ1p85Wye8RlCHoEt1FFPvrcetBWOy-U0zFl8cjQ2-JSMx-ae4as7Uwf0qzM3DUTPw/s320/IMG_5210.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213234845562260674" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Yeah, we got a bit bored and decided to take macro pictures of mangosteens and lychees)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVwOpSFN_UZNXuoMoAcWIRjOQA5HUrBkMuyZ4vxOFlBIxapUBVhLTGr71J9YMX0bbb4NfJv-3T76efXm0ZKbxQXDTeOjDXZkBOroG8MecHscKHmaUqf-b0EDu6RyUKl3teSIj/s1600-h/IMG_5218.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAVwOpSFN_UZNXuoMoAcWIRjOQA5HUrBkMuyZ4vxOFlBIxapUBVhLTGr71J9YMX0bbb4NfJv-3T76efXm0ZKbxQXDTeOjDXZkBOroG8MecHscKHmaUqf-b0EDu6RyUKl3teSIj/s320/IMG_5218.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213234876164167138" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0mifFks_sVICFaMlIEHeQ7eKbgXLpTl8EwHINEykOildiWKn6Rr_L5IiMyfTq3Jg1CVSv7dQLcjZldyyJoQ7RKSZgy3bNlhR6P1kzA_TxdlV9R8xjJBy2CGXh13UMiBzdx3k/s1600-h/IMG_5236.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0mifFks_sVICFaMlIEHeQ7eKbgXLpTl8EwHINEykOildiWKn6Rr_L5IiMyfTq3Jg1CVSv7dQLcjZldyyJoQ7RKSZgy3bNlhR6P1kzA_TxdlV9R8xjJBy2CGXh13UMiBzdx3k/s320/IMG_5236.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213234885333996354" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Sorry, the train was rocking back and forth so all of my pictures turned out a bit blurry)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJsMPcYN0-jh8icG-QyhHGnMjtbKXzHkC709E3DPBm0WV96nXZVDoxeUJmTjzfwdPgaIexZ6h40S_Vss7vCdfAU5cQ3sQPsnqNmBVP1PcJC4mPqg4vgFpF95gS2Zoxg2Am8Jx/s1600-h/IMG_5245.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjJsMPcYN0-jh8icG-QyhHGnMjtbKXzHkC709E3DPBm0WV96nXZVDoxeUJmTjzfwdPgaIexZ6h40S_Vss7vCdfAU5cQ3sQPsnqNmBVP1PcJC4mPqg4vgFpF95gS2Zoxg2Am8Jx/s320/IMG_5245.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213234906417341074" border="0" /></a>Sleeping on the train was actually really fun. We talked until the train conductor yelled at us and then went to sleep. I slept really well. I guess the rocking of the train put me right to sleep and I didn't wake up until about an hour before we pulled into the station in Bangkok. After arriving back at the hotel, we said goodbye to some people and the rest of us went out for breakfast. It was sad to say goodbye to this group of really nice people. I really enjoyed my first tour experience (I'm not counting the Japanese tour of Beijing as a real tour...)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb84qgus1quQUyGGFR3Iz9OMUrL33sKoMINNfVPji6RFrKrs9-lFJHQqdlNQG6VCsP0S2PHHv69X2JCQTnYsLkJ2V-JRX3VKiakVec8Et4Yr2KHr-5TNQNKEUFvZCXgPMMTpc/s1600-h/IMG_5248.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJb84qgus1quQUyGGFR3Iz9OMUrL33sKoMINNfVPji6RFrKrs9-lFJHQqdlNQG6VCsP0S2PHHv69X2JCQTnYsLkJ2V-JRX3VKiakVec8Et4Yr2KHr-5TNQNKEUFvZCXgPMMTpc/s320/IMG_5248.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213234907663274930" border="0" /></a>We said our goodbyes and then headed off on our own adventure of the famous Weekend Market in Bangkok, where we met up with Kayo (my adorable co-worker) and her boyfriend. Shopping was done, omiyage was bought and it was so ridiculously hot that we decided an early night was required (I didn't end up taking many pictures at the market...too many people). The next day we got up REALLY early to go on our bike tour...but that's a story for the last Thailand post... Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-16630372781691945482008-06-20T10:40:00.003+09:002008-06-20T10:47:05.081+09:00HAPPY BIRTHDAY AARON!!<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNcOxYR8R_pZqevJhIJePeQ6AfOU6vga7mPffozcFxhAVprXRW7wU5MGcwzepNThkloOrL7H-98uY8QLf5sJDdIVJNPiY7sYIfEr56hRwHbniR1Q-1nnnrA8OV4Q-yZnrY3jt/s1600-h/IMG_1211.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJNcOxYR8R_pZqevJhIJePeQ6AfOU6vga7mPffozcFxhAVprXRW7wU5MGcwzepNThkloOrL7H-98uY8QLf5sJDdIVJNPiY7sYIfEr56hRwHbniR1Q-1nnnrA8OV4Q-yZnrY3jt/s320/IMG_1211.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5213772730077787506" border="0" /></a>Sorry this post is a day late (wait...I guess it's only late in Japan?). I hope you have/had a great birthday! You're present will be mailed on Tuesday (I've caught a summer cold and am stuck at home sick!) and we will celebrate when I get home! Miss you lots!Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-41568638902276812152008-06-18T09:27:00.000+09:002008-06-18T09:27:26.641+09:00Thailand Tour: Cooking School and Muay Thai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQ4-P8PYTgRztIRk-sutsm2TlbXDhO26nKfpa_4GVCHmHNWD0ykjsffi8EJpLyJSfojYtVfqrBZvm-GD9tFYN37BGNe5rJJvHwkoUAWUTFtIyQUiGR6LzB5IM570NU-_4879/s1600-h/IMG_4910.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtNQ4-P8PYTgRztIRk-sutsm2TlbXDhO26nKfpa_4GVCHmHNWD0ykjsffi8EJpLyJSfojYtVfqrBZvm-GD9tFYN37BGNe5rJJvHwkoUAWUTFtIyQUiGR6LzB5IM570NU-_4879/s320/IMG_4910.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735918610597154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-weight: bold;">Day 6: May 2, 2008</span> <span style="font-weight: bold;">In and around Chiang Mai</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfil1J2t0TZe-kCA4IvmmcEJuzKtNcPnhaSDyRpkhEUm2uBobBbQSWdJoYJh6o4hghHS6Ci05HwuRIfB9LM-E8AGF7bgIL2TSYIidA9mNRXtns0rnFNBj37FA_kW7OwBO0YK/s1600-h/IMG_4908.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwhfil1J2t0TZe-kCA4IvmmcEJuzKtNcPnhaSDyRpkhEUm2uBobBbQSWdJoYJh6o4hghHS6Ci05HwuRIfB9LM-E8AGF7bgIL2TSYIidA9mNRXtns0rnFNBj37FA_kW7OwBO0YK/s320/IMG_4908.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735932977783234" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(These are snake fruit. They have the strangest texture and flavour. I haven't decided if I like them or not.)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div>This was a day of optional activities and Elspeth and I chose cooking school for our first one. Everyone one else went bamboo rafting, which didn't really interest us (I'm not a river swimming type of gal). After meeting our guide we picked up people from other hotels and then made our way to our first stop - the market, where we went shopping for the ingredients for our dishes. We got to taste a variety of fruit and Elz and I impressed everyone with our knowledge of Thai fruit (the other tour members were British and appeared to have never heard of any of the fruit).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zmuPsKJ89NG-ugfGNzrRcN5MxTs3RCmHm4wNU3AqQcb75BnZZVH4jdMAYvEniutr8x8tiI91o0FQHQG1QCWShKDCAqbBkF6XYl8Ttc6cKRV-OsoNiJZS6qZCAU4KgCoAe8EE/s1600-h/IMG_4913.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zmuPsKJ89NG-ugfGNzrRcN5MxTs3RCmHm4wNU3AqQcb75BnZZVH4jdMAYvEniutr8x8tiI91o0FQHQG1QCWShKDCAqbBkF6XYl8Ttc6cKRV-OsoNiJZS6qZCAU4KgCoAe8EE/s320/IMG_4913.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735935800580402" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(If I remember correctly, these are longans. They had a slight lemony-lychee flavour)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4O2W0qtpEpC2aWNAmQlIDjyCBDquuOom5wTovYCoyGJuqXyTjtSM1mT-52ORxLdPQYxtC7J4gGyxFbSUzzLASG4apl1wEVi-cZwl_S1hZylRD_yNR0i3YhgUBhc47ly1ifey/s1600-h/IMG_4915.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl4O2W0qtpEpC2aWNAmQlIDjyCBDquuOom5wTovYCoyGJuqXyTjtSM1mT-52ORxLdPQYxtC7J4gGyxFbSUzzLASG4apl1wEVi-cZwl_S1hZylRD_yNR0i3YhgUBhc47ly1ifey/s320/IMG_4915.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735078688630690" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Elspeth with our market basket)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHtXTv9Wg9VGRLZKoojpbqToqYdUjf3cI6_gGoop06-c17HXQN75kmqEcNlFg-Sl5H9wwttgaHPBPMiufQqh8StrHzjNC8DUeUmGcivhyphenhyphenkxFr_g4DAbadteX99qUFU0Xif3EG/s1600-h/IMG_4917.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOHtXTv9Wg9VGRLZKoojpbqToqYdUjf3cI6_gGoop06-c17HXQN75kmqEcNlFg-Sl5H9wwttgaHPBPMiufQqh8StrHzjNC8DUeUmGcivhyphenhyphenkxFr_g4DAbadteX99qUFU0Xif3EG/s320/IMG_4917.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735082924470210" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu92x_VKsgTgf0iJlZ1fxWbu9D7Mmuxk4yaRFE3JeWUbSNjinUAAe4Xwwwzy1HWjmCM2nBELZ2wCUt4-Fuw2-7VL-SSusqURexHTOqCOuDX63wBZ_uy_xIS1yUr1u3EIXgun5_/s1600-h/IMG_4918.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu92x_VKsgTgf0iJlZ1fxWbu9D7Mmuxk4yaRFE3JeWUbSNjinUAAe4Xwwwzy1HWjmCM2nBELZ2wCUt4-Fuw2-7VL-SSusqURexHTOqCOuDX63wBZ_uy_xIS1yUr1u3EIXgun5_/s320/IMG_4918.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735090770832706" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Gorgeous, gorgeous mangosteens. These things rock. We ate so many of them during our trip. I love their shape, colour and taste. They are sweet but also have the right amount of tartness.)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kUAwIhcFEKTV4jKAaeR4bTkIx6F0UUwxjBgClWdDxT487FuVkbDHITSkjnhMUpTjUcZ5Hcfl5YmKtvI2PnKzQ50TJq5iS4dtvaAPKQZCX3Js1y_hCp88Kv2CdfLDlEXhBFAB/s1600-h/IMG_4920.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6kUAwIhcFEKTV4jKAaeR4bTkIx6F0UUwxjBgClWdDxT487FuVkbDHITSkjnhMUpTjUcZ5Hcfl5YmKtvI2PnKzQ50TJq5iS4dtvaAPKQZCX3Js1y_hCp88Kv2CdfLDlEXhBFAB/s320/IMG_4920.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735102195722882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(We bought coconut and brought it to this man's stall, where he pressed it to extract the coconut milk. The smell was heavenly.)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieFjKnCIVBJ2TdwW_pUWT4Lh9xl5FInIKKNb3HYKb_mrJkr4vpvZ-PvWTrmhbUvTEPjopDrdpx4GPtCAJZHH5EhDDne1vGMANMEoaZDDt3uDOcfbDoMQgPJ-jt-8RFSa_q4jM/s1600-h/IMG_4927.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhieFjKnCIVBJ2TdwW_pUWT4Lh9xl5FInIKKNb3HYKb_mrJkr4vpvZ-PvWTrmhbUvTEPjopDrdpx4GPtCAJZHH5EhDDne1vGMANMEoaZDDt3uDOcfbDoMQgPJ-jt-8RFSa_q4jM/s320/IMG_4927.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211735109657862322" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BGsnnyW6bLsYO-6309ZB3g3_G54toRqTuMs2JebC_tYZg47xBRlratGaaWBsBykiGsenlMwQAcehefBVY0o921BkBmo1dwb19opx1LfmpfBj2C2Y-jBN8VYEf04r_uehDeLo/s1600-h/IMG_4932.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1BGsnnyW6bLsYO-6309ZB3g3_G54toRqTuMs2JebC_tYZg47xBRlratGaaWBsBykiGsenlMwQAcehefBVY0o921BkBmo1dwb19opx1LfmpfBj2C2Y-jBN8VYEf04r_uehDeLo/s320/IMG_4932.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211734310452856882" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Above - a scene from Elspeth's nightmares...)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQdFG0adS3tBS7kEAnNDEBJKsvlCeiEwnPOjlHdw1TvielcgmbUH1sQKHaf_UzP1VYaxtuRqvlyJlFRyK29Yf45hfQwTLom9wF7f5ojBBqLNIbr-4o-XbyBvE8WhblvWFIdk2/s1600-h/IMG_4943.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihQdFG0adS3tBS7kEAnNDEBJKsvlCeiEwnPOjlHdw1TvielcgmbUH1sQKHaf_UzP1VYaxtuRqvlyJlFRyK29Yf45hfQwTLom9wF7f5ojBBqLNIbr-4o-XbyBvE8WhblvWFIdk2/s320/IMG_4943.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211734320784955730" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vw0CANH2zsSfD95JWuAZkE5X0a-xn6FmszuU0iL7grsi59s5XAU1cbiNryhdEm-5pDUeyt4e7AUrlMnjWrGvpq1HhfFinpGdVc0LVORkMqPCTxJIrzMUJRfkRMywiifwlN2X/s1600-h/IMG_4986.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Vw0CANH2zsSfD95JWuAZkE5X0a-xn6FmszuU0iL7grsi59s5XAU1cbiNryhdEm-5pDUeyt4e7AUrlMnjWrGvpq1HhfFinpGdVc0LVORkMqPCTxJIrzMUJRfkRMywiifwlN2X/s320/IMG_4986.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211734330113436274" border="0" /></a>We finished our shopping (including a stop at the sketchy fish/meat section) and got back into the van. We drove and drove until I was sure we had left Chiang Mai. We finally turned down a lane and then another lane...until we emerged into a jungle-y area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASax86Pldoq_m25LhlbyhBlz2ebmt8o9v-owxhDLr1L9GV-Hb_uHJPQm3BjQpGOL3yIejnjiiuYGH-R2RN3PhpiWklB953dbuOTqYmbeVe_q2YgDLSMHEcVOELD-dO-D_Xi9X/s1600-h/IMG_4985.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhASax86Pldoq_m25LhlbyhBlz2ebmt8o9v-owxhDLr1L9GV-Hb_uHJPQm3BjQpGOL3yIejnjiiuYGH-R2RN3PhpiWklB953dbuOTqYmbeVe_q2YgDLSMHEcVOELD-dO-D_Xi9X/s320/IMG_4985.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211734343379759298" border="0" /></a>The facilities were awesome. The kitchen was huge with rows of counters with wok stations. The roof was vaulted and a breeze blew through the open ends of the room. We were outfitted with aprons, chef's hats and towels and assigned spots in the prep area.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgqVs_GOT6cGU-fe4qxVUbF5qto3wTCZk-1Ja7sWGlNHKvTc58-Ycc8jcR7582RcEHEbPOqT1fXxtJAiJ6GkthidZU-rqnlbfBvV7S1OyTCEFK0xLfZkCPz2eLwB8eAohUFni/s1600-h/IMG_4945.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNgqVs_GOT6cGU-fe4qxVUbF5qto3wTCZk-1Ja7sWGlNHKvTc58-Ycc8jcR7582RcEHEbPOqT1fXxtJAiJ6GkthidZU-rqnlbfBvV7S1OyTCEFK0xLfZkCPz2eLwB8eAohUFni/s320/IMG_4945.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211734350206303122" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQILV_670zIw1WSUuRF2g4t1xmWJE82T28uYZHwSXe1lfsiYY1BNWAPvL-7Fw2Ny0wJIVmpa9skhL-E2_93CHp_diWEoandeRbxcdOsaJi0wQ4QrZflTUuTt_kpLWHuxI4azU/s1600-h/IMG_4960.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHQILV_670zIw1WSUuRF2g4t1xmWJE82T28uYZHwSXe1lfsiYY1BNWAPvL-7Fw2Ny0wJIVmpa9skhL-E2_93CHp_diWEoandeRbxcdOsaJi0wQ4QrZflTUuTt_kpLWHuxI4azU/s320/IMG_4960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733728320896594" border="0" /></a>We made four dishes - pad thai, spicy soup, green curry and sticky rice with mango. I liked everything except the soup (just not loving the corriander/lime leaf flavour). I was most impressed with the pad thai. It was somehow ridiculously easy! We only used the one wok and it was done in about 6 minutes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAzkm047sYBGLJ2vhrdjuw2JXKEUVBorGDJnwTVU6UjkfSMY-TaO6EE4cN2NGpO7-pcEWrA9QjK6ofaUF_k9wmqwUg4NYscvqutFvD940ExPms74kWfdPxftzK42ThQFsmcHM/s1600-h/IMG_4972.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsAzkm047sYBGLJ2vhrdjuw2JXKEUVBorGDJnwTVU6UjkfSMY-TaO6EE4cN2NGpO7-pcEWrA9QjK6ofaUF_k9wmqwUg4NYscvqutFvD940ExPms74kWfdPxftzK42ThQFsmcHM/s320/IMG_4972.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733737431436274" border="0" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpabotv4NkHicBAsLB3sUZBk-nT9HOwN1dxZyejuOfTs9lxzdC3dymlxtPPY9fTpjaKLlT_gOoaSgvXP4A0IbbzwNp5IoiGxRh2-nBeatO7avtcIJ2fVMODI4oy1cMWqJmKl3/s1600-h/IMG_4964.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzpabotv4NkHicBAsLB3sUZBk-nT9HOwN1dxZyejuOfTs9lxzdC3dymlxtPPY9fTpjaKLlT_gOoaSgvXP4A0IbbzwNp5IoiGxRh2-nBeatO7avtcIJ2fVMODI4oy1cMWqJmKl3/s320/IMG_4964.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733746188659154" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Sorry, I'm currently too lazy to turn the above picture...My pad thai was delicious though)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCyFK20Kbwis0xtgeO55itrENgQ6supBbB9p2hg0uWzlLPobFxU5-Cb6nqoIBKSjDrXfzgjG5xt6LZzfEeMcHJVfVkWCsI_gc42hUevIf73XVyvvQfOLM71-aq_IM3QNoxmQM/s1600-h/IMG_4977.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCyFK20Kbwis0xtgeO55itrENgQ6supBbB9p2hg0uWzlLPobFxU5-Cb6nqoIBKSjDrXfzgjG5xt6LZzfEeMcHJVfVkWCsI_gc42hUevIf73XVyvvQfOLM71-aq_IM3QNoxmQM/s320/IMG_4977.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733754187306434" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(A giant jackfruit - This fruit has a meaty texture and is slightly perfume-y. Not my favourite but interesting...)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i4Ocr3LYLw9-Pue6VgbEJqy4xHKUyv2EXDkLZo0H-dp73OfCfMNj3yaes4XoDfAMgc-IwBAmEsLegsXpHeWr5Q8Iuwcqn_kfM54a4VBarmH0nIQhkhZJNAewVSkF4Xlom6av/s1600-h/IMG_4979.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7i4Ocr3LYLw9-Pue6VgbEJqy4xHKUyv2EXDkLZo0H-dp73OfCfMNj3yaes4XoDfAMgc-IwBAmEsLegsXpHeWr5Q8Iuwcqn_kfM54a4VBarmH0nIQhkhZJNAewVSkF4Xlom6av/s320/IMG_4979.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733762765500370" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(I took this picture because I've never seen a pineapple plant before!)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3El-5uDATSrMLUeDRs5VnJ-knjNVirJq6M1hepPLzfuMqtgKIh0_fpygKTT2FRQgZPyRxO98gD01I9KD_RAxaFXv8tNPDSSY3ZVdkl3Ol7J3C2KBS00QAH7AIS2X0tHlkyg1x/s1600-h/IMG_4997.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3El-5uDATSrMLUeDRs5VnJ-knjNVirJq6M1hepPLzfuMqtgKIh0_fpygKTT2FRQgZPyRxO98gD01I9KD_RAxaFXv8tNPDSSY3ZVdkl3Ol7J3C2KBS00QAH7AIS2X0tHlkyg1x/s320/IMG_4997.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733107542291074" border="0" /></a>By the time we got to the sticky rice with mango I was almost too full to eat it. But somehow, there is always room for the candy-sweet mangoes in Thailand. You only need a little bit of the rice because it is so sweet (that deadly combination of cane sugar and coconut milk!).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe37cMI4pJ8qx632_dBu1Ale6PTR0nkP9W1XL7GYpP48PGhcyg1DozqALdPavmjFODDuuPVMYsvNz1sK8Bt3iP677wo25nKxrmashCbYFfo7pvqHo2DGvvMFtZPYfmwKy738DM/s1600-h/IMG_5002.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhe37cMI4pJ8qx632_dBu1Ale6PTR0nkP9W1XL7GYpP48PGhcyg1DozqALdPavmjFODDuuPVMYsvNz1sK8Bt3iP677wo25nKxrmashCbYFfo7pvqHo2DGvvMFtZPYfmwKy738DM/s320/IMG_5002.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733111277091490" border="0" /></a><span style="font-style: italic;">(Here I am, hot and sweaty after our cooking lesson)<br /></span><div style="text-align: left;"><br /><div style="text-align: left;">After we finished cooking, we travelled back to the city and were dropped off at our hotel. It was really hot out by that time so I took a shower, watched James Bond on TV and had a nap. At 8PM we met our other tour members and headed our for a night of Muay Thai (traditional Thai boxing).<br /></div></div></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Zq6HgmhHUDgGDQR685tGJE6Wcll3dXDIq_fg_SICPT5re18pkEGruGYL9LPw4f4PlAaY7PIVSKoVrzLkKa-aRXM_xuuqCOE_ogIVO1pA0DmVKIfXW5Mxt9stS9cZW4fAi6T/s1600-h/IMG_5027.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9_Zq6HgmhHUDgGDQR685tGJE6Wcll3dXDIq_fg_SICPT5re18pkEGruGYL9LPw4f4PlAaY7PIVSKoVrzLkKa-aRXM_xuuqCOE_ogIVO1pA0DmVKIfXW5Mxt9stS9cZW4fAi6T/s320/IMG_5027.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733116626714450" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97wfoVgQtAEWxEYdWbjiP6lUiApJgAy6ZASMDjbDqwhYI7ziF3yMGOUXZXcaxlGnQ40fGVC6jcX6NVIKpk0XiOqwhNPTluMjTL6hZO7WEcxLbSddIXslJ4-J8Q2L16dnm5_1R/s1600-h/IMG_5036.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh97wfoVgQtAEWxEYdWbjiP6lUiApJgAy6ZASMDjbDqwhYI7ziF3yMGOUXZXcaxlGnQ40fGVC6jcX6NVIKpk0XiOqwhNPTluMjTL6hZO7WEcxLbSddIXslJ4-J8Q2L16dnm5_1R/s320/IMG_5036.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733137411775474" border="0" /></a>The first thing you notice when you enter the arena is the overwhelming smell of blue trident gum. Apparently, they put wintergreen or whatever that is, into the water that they pour over the fighters to loosen their muscles (?). We were told to go up some chairs, where we found a comfy leather couch. We were excited about that...until we found out it was a mistake and the couch was for military members, not us. So, we didn't have a leather couch to sit on but we did have good seats and could see everything.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmxeh6Sbon2souOz3yt02C04Ga79Do8gxHi2j7WfyVF2AL4QvyZSt8AgUCfpCO_sShMQomaoC3DRz5goiz613NGWHO3XKsRUCcqL13n0ziB5FF2uXC6FfVFzCHWLYGwjeKh1u/s1600-h/IMG_5052.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkmxeh6Sbon2souOz3yt02C04Ga79Do8gxHi2j7WfyVF2AL4QvyZSt8AgUCfpCO_sShMQomaoC3DRz5goiz613NGWHO3XKsRUCcqL13n0ziB5FF2uXC6FfVFzCHWLYGwjeKh1u/s320/IMG_5052.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211733145354973858" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8qWZqxPSSbsoBatbhLK0nm4sF4fzng-H6x8_mkdQuSoCBMcamxZOFgXgLP5FRfaDLajGhqHNM58n7bvBPdSlp44L9S2xhXKWFoW72k0G1bdu9yoY0XblrbWUNJRHiu1cww4T/s1600-h/IMG_5064.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv8qWZqxPSSbsoBatbhLK0nm4sF4fzng-H6x8_mkdQuSoCBMcamxZOFgXgLP5FRfaDLajGhqHNM58n7bvBPdSlp44L9S2xhXKWFoW72k0G1bdu9yoY0XblrbWUNJRHiu1cww4T/s320/IMG_5064.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211732431074995794" border="0" /></a>Most of the audience were foreigners, which was strange (I hadn't seen that many foreigners in one place in a long time). They started with the lightest category and the boys looked about 12. Before they started fighting, each fighter did a kind of ceremonial dance/warm-up/prayer in the ring. I don't know anything about boxing but muay Thai seemed more focused on kicking/punching certain body areas and not punching your opponent in the face (thank goodness).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqNk6CHKVMgKjDDmzYrV81xuRAieFaziOvzE6oKLbkRJuwX06I6-dYsGo5jrYqT4fZRRsUflkJZDXgjfEBsjI_MZU_ZGwoIhcaQjjKT6bWmlvz3TsbBT0SjSlD6_EyyWGT_1/s1600-h/IMG_5067.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhakqNk6CHKVMgKjDDmzYrV81xuRAieFaziOvzE6oKLbkRJuwX06I6-dYsGo5jrYqT4fZRRsUflkJZDXgjfEBsjI_MZU_ZGwoIhcaQjjKT6bWmlvz3TsbBT0SjSlD6_EyyWGT_1/s320/IMG_5067.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211732438962700610" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kufY-rCtnn0yv4DRsx1YdCEsRnKyvDIRpOpP-b6gHCVncOsPT6hRwsQMz8yn497jTMsdIPXRQaXr4y-dhSyRyXGaBb8owBur9GnWHieTI9GWpkpzGrpkVWGU061Vg-ak7vLc/s1600-h/IMG_5079.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9kufY-rCtnn0yv4DRsx1YdCEsRnKyvDIRpOpP-b6gHCVncOsPT6hRwsQMz8yn497jTMsdIPXRQaXr4y-dhSyRyXGaBb8owBur9GnWHieTI9GWpkpzGrpkVWGU061Vg-ak7vLc/s320/IMG_5079.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211732446134503522" border="0" /></a>The last match we watched included a foreigner. Right away you could tell he had a different style. It was more North American boxing-like and he tried to punch his opponent's face a lot. Close to the end of the match, they had to stop it so that the medic could wipe up the Thai fighter's bloody face. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgON_v3eNQbi7si5CYeS4n30XCC1r1rT-YZpeFPo5xx_t51Q4T7F3jePt5tX50sjvbYPpG__AfbexJv4s8FxwC4MctNiTo1970CPqBqohfvxuNFRRjWBPLDBs_LAfTWZvIq6A7K/s1600-h/IMG_5080.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgON_v3eNQbi7si5CYeS4n30XCC1r1rT-YZpeFPo5xx_t51Q4T7F3jePt5tX50sjvbYPpG__AfbexJv4s8FxwC4MctNiTo1970CPqBqohfvxuNFRRjWBPLDBs_LAfTWZvIq6A7K/s320/IMG_5080.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211732456881845266" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mz0NIQ38mxD5xYsbqptybo_IpdEKSbVga9ZprKm_VVQpCLXp8FGVP-GLVdytVL65DeWwK11ee_Vi0TKIpA74a8UXvKA38lsYU6dlB4mz6Ne46UvP5KhUuYdJZkeursirnGeS/s1600-h/IMG_5082.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5mz0NIQ38mxD5xYsbqptybo_IpdEKSbVga9ZprKm_VVQpCLXp8FGVP-GLVdytVL65DeWwK11ee_Vi0TKIpA74a8UXvKA38lsYU6dlB4mz6Ne46UvP5KhUuYdJZkeursirnGeS/s320/IMG_5082.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5211732465623661586" border="0" /></a>The whole tour group wanted the Thai fighter to win, but the foreigner ended up the winner. The crowd went a bit crazy and he was so proud of himself that he did a ridiculous dance around and even kicked his mouth guard into the crowd (eeeww... gross!). Here's some video of the fight and the stupid foreigner.<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dynGU_1ijLzOfhzX94OZYoaiqFgqOnu3GMqH6a2qSkYXxhLJiKc5UCM5kyYa-fiLTfGnzq8LkDoriU' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dyWWqfxVnk8hu6YHxTFILwwuVZA4GPDRLI0N9hWn5KWhfE5ZPE3lXN7C5qNUfzXIHPsafOlWl2hBg' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-17564521613120920122008-06-14T01:20:00.000+09:002008-06-14T01:20:29.106+09:00Thailand Tour: Village Homestay to Chiang Mai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnexLH3JnIHZo9txtjh5nuYPIKWeJQsbk1rAUcDOc1dhvhcXBOk5deqYWArDRsdi_Jt3WeD18TLgoXwErIVn4487SZZgQYHk71GDeGMeqrJ_9Fb8GH8hP4wstRZVhQEb-hlfk/s1600-h/IMG_4751.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifnexLH3JnIHZo9txtjh5nuYPIKWeJQsbk1rAUcDOc1dhvhcXBOk5deqYWArDRsdi_Jt3WeD18TLgoXwErIVn4487SZZgQYHk71GDeGMeqrJ_9Fb8GH8hP4wstRZVhQEb-hlfk/s320/IMG_4751.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301479147867634" border="0" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Day 5: May 1, 2008</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Village Homestay Bike Tour & Chiang Mai</span><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq34X3D-iLSCYWUugdTsJtg-NHl_HsNeETS2HvMXj-Z5cHXdKmBDLA3FTDTB27MTklHrtllEE4DxAYag2V2NdhU-qwhkXjgUvF_1HQDyYGvRS1Jw_lkknN3xZL2w64ukuqsKbW/s1600-h/IMG_4749.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjq34X3D-iLSCYWUugdTsJtg-NHl_HsNeETS2HvMXj-Z5cHXdKmBDLA3FTDTB27MTklHrtllEE4DxAYag2V2NdhU-qwhkXjgUvF_1HQDyYGvRS1Jw_lkknN3xZL2w64ukuqsKbW/s320/IMG_4749.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301483442834946" border="0" /></a>I got up at 6:30am and had a cold shower (luckily the bugs had gone on their way). Then we all crossed the road from our homestay house to the local temple. There, we gave alms to three young monks-in-training. Did you know there are rules when giving alms? As monks can't touch women, when you put the food into their bowls you have to be careful not to touch them or the bowl. That makes it a wee bit stressful. Afterwards they prayed for us.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXIi-gs4ra05gMc4A0fA7rIG6ZnchLeH_Dwvvc7XRcYQERPRXJKMXMxcQrOx6MxHLVFn2kc8Piu4mq2c00SFfGtRiarzzU5OiwZbBV2X6BfLN7KXwMT2sTdlw4HS90nYq0yg2/s1600-h/IMG_4756.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIXIi-gs4ra05gMc4A0fA7rIG6ZnchLeH_Dwvvc7XRcYQERPRXJKMXMxcQrOx6MxHLVFn2kc8Piu4mq2c00SFfGtRiarzzU5OiwZbBV2X6BfLN7KXwMT2sTdlw4HS90nYq0yg2/s320/IMG_4756.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301492032769554" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzLJMhGxrbtKsnPNrFQUDAmWvQXdzBo4Od_vaW7XevC7brG9cvm8Bsy0_xkrkJ-BIFR51WwcmsK__s9Yx3UkXwBXGOZ-J2zfJU2bvPmWJMYZQ09QIgmsfKXhhH2oFoE6yzlB-/s1600-h/IMG_4761.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQzLJMhGxrbtKsnPNrFQUDAmWvQXdzBo4Od_vaW7XevC7brG9cvm8Bsy0_xkrkJ-BIFR51WwcmsK__s9Yx3UkXwBXGOZ-J2zfJU2bvPmWJMYZQ09QIgmsfKXhhH2oFoE6yzlB-/s320/IMG_4761.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207301496327736866" border="0" /></a>After a wonderful breakfast that included delicious sticky rice with custard wrapped in big green leaves, we hopped on bikes and started on our bike tour of the village. The village, which has a population of about 300, is surrounded by fields and mountains. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjSG9X05rEw3ZgoyAC0nNwwxDLrsbsuwASIIg6XW2-JDAYKLk5muzqcE00paLYL_dXXP79ZKm76jahFeKU5748wuHBhQ_lHtFF7ZIUwNknFOXeaEqQ9gxF2Fi-LrLwobZxH2g/s1600-h/IMG_4764.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZjSG9X05rEw3ZgoyAC0nNwwxDLrsbsuwASIIg6XW2-JDAYKLk5muzqcE00paLYL_dXXP79ZKm76jahFeKU5748wuHBhQ_lHtFF7ZIUwNknFOXeaEqQ9gxF2Fi-LrLwobZxH2g/s320/IMG_4764.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300736118525346" border="0" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(As we were biking I tried to take a few drive-by shots. Most turned out on wonky angles but a few were surprisingly good)</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXCXx5K4rS4yanlnWVmnSM8eubsBzlYmG3SHjDXSq890d0Xq-1ZxOdKsRaLUAh2IzhyphenhyphenrDyl5lkQOPfU5e6sQlNwcUg3cpo-YfdawWUen-z_cTq7RrhG2rx0Xy3Gv_bPe4IJoD/s1600-h/IMG_4765.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUXCXx5K4rS4yanlnWVmnSM8eubsBzlYmG3SHjDXSq890d0Xq-1ZxOdKsRaLUAh2IzhyphenhyphenrDyl5lkQOPfU5e6sQlNwcUg3cpo-YfdawWUen-z_cTq7RrhG2rx0Xy3Gv_bPe4IJoD/s320/IMG_4765.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300740413492658" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywVJwyvDBRKYgMBD5VKRXiTpw0W0oZLwmJtYRMBpUq11-aES7OPOTGfwELFwwMY1I2cqCfIt3V5gpgYBMLDzhCFuUNpF2znspJh6vF1C6dBahZnyxJFSZHiNubfeg30jXhpM-/s1600-h/IMG_4772.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgywVJwyvDBRKYgMBD5VKRXiTpw0W0oZLwmJtYRMBpUq11-aES7OPOTGfwELFwwMY1I2cqCfIt3V5gpgYBMLDzhCFuUNpF2znspJh6vF1C6dBahZnyxJFSZHiNubfeg30jXhpM-/s320/IMG_4772.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300749003427266" border="0" /></a>We stopped at a local mushroom farm to learn how they are grown. Let's just say there's way more science involved than I expected and most of the explanation went right over my head. Something about taking a tiny piece of the mushroom and then putting it in a jar to let the culture grow...etc, etc. Let's not really worry about that - just looking around was cool.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9rmE3zu2gbverVcHr6h2RF90UQ0Sj-32cATU_AjqOCO01T3yP4BZVJKlEvfcewcWHfauMN-ZOAHjAFJ1IAQKAUfP3Dw9V9y0JzNH76tKG2GRhPnRn5pJIV-xeTwJYcky0BWO/s1600-h/IMG_4779.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9rmE3zu2gbverVcHr6h2RF90UQ0Sj-32cATU_AjqOCO01T3yP4BZVJKlEvfcewcWHfauMN-ZOAHjAFJ1IAQKAUfP3Dw9V9y0JzNH76tKG2GRhPnRn5pJIV-xeTwJYcky0BWO/s320/IMG_4779.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300761888329170" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hJtZj8SGp3M4BoSe43GljbLtToljgvEnO6krslFVpnfXFngsYI2X8Qi378zMdGOQdFzKlqoJRURhzVBqrbWg6KCHUqLHVHRwt7KCpZMeUNEpF2fADOEX7yxBJDhTL59NlqP1/s1600-h/IMG_4780.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8hJtZj8SGp3M4BoSe43GljbLtToljgvEnO6krslFVpnfXFngsYI2X8Qi378zMdGOQdFzKlqoJRURhzVBqrbWg6KCHUqLHVHRwt7KCpZMeUNEpF2fADOEX7yxBJDhTL59NlqP1/s320/IMG_4780.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207300774773231074" border="0" /></a>The mushrooms are planted in the bags of dirt and are stacked on top of each other in a large dark building. The white mushrooms then grow out of the opening and are harvested by grabbing the whole bunch, pulling up and down and presto! Mushrooms for lunch!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzdq6OXrnEzPmJ_xAwiVY3e3ITVWu0Pd2fBJr4gisBxE6xgbMqGLRiYn1kHYnP5dV9O8KrSItLOhBYVibr4ogjlHP_eY7yTl_PNabdcZ8I8TXlEBQx1ScbU0wma8GkRFXYI5Z/s1600-h/IMG_4782.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFzdq6OXrnEzPmJ_xAwiVY3e3ITVWu0Pd2fBJr4gisBxE6xgbMqGLRiYn1kHYnP5dV9O8KrSItLOhBYVibr4ogjlHP_eY7yTl_PNabdcZ8I8TXlEBQx1ScbU0wma8GkRFXYI5Z/s320/IMG_4782.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299816995523922" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVnIqZe6Wu5cr650hr5fvpfew-fJQFP7w9O3Uu30POGIqLTuFfCX9rUjECKRYrYIUvjwzSGEnYg-W_vo-_pyShJ8JCywVxENWCa7XdU9tZSWOZpiRXFrQB2GPmWkiLLBdKshg/s1600-h/IMG_0472.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiVnIqZe6Wu5cr650hr5fvpfew-fJQFP7w9O3Uu30POGIqLTuFfCX9rUjECKRYrYIUvjwzSGEnYg-W_vo-_pyShJ8JCywVxENWCa7XdU9tZSWOZpiRXFrQB2GPmWkiLLBdKshg/s320/IMG_0472.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5208397692240760386" style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Me, all happy among the 'shrooms</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwD7S5-UGYUueIptNnDAAYaaHaHtErUp-cyurCysJfjMGzc1RW9Vh25VY4K-FBVJhTP0TT3PHkL7rL_bkghR-9FQnFokJ6qyqIcEvhhY7sDql62nXzGFt5uoP92xjIrRxNkon/s1600-h/IMG_4785.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpwD7S5-UGYUueIptNnDAAYaaHaHtErUp-cyurCysJfjMGzc1RW9Vh25VY4K-FBVJhTP0TT3PHkL7rL_bkghR-9FQnFokJ6qyqIcEvhhY7sDql62nXzGFt5uoP92xjIrRxNkon/s320/IMG_4785.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299821290491234" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHFyDlxWrVllImRn5VUZu__LAADqEYOrMBYTtWgS6o1JwEutW-1fDO0Y2YXERqiFeEH4TXR6VceI3zgBjwv6WB7oEJScn4r14H3K15DfG75VjeY6v4sLQ3isafVuZqkvm2xTO/s1600-h/IMG_4794.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHHFyDlxWrVllImRn5VUZu__LAADqEYOrMBYTtWgS6o1JwEutW-1fDO0Y2YXERqiFeEH4TXR6VceI3zgBjwv6WB7oEJScn4r14H3K15DfG75VjeY6v4sLQ3isafVuZqkvm2xTO/s320/IMG_4794.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299825585458546" border="0" /></a>Our next stop was the local kindergarten/daycare. The kids were really cute and friendly but man, were they active! There must have been about 60 kids and they were separated into 3 'rooms' by age. There were only two teachers who supervised (they could see all of the kids because the walls were only waist high).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBo0nMNBMsy5NnCCnDB-F_vNfQMXHECuYMb_Wf_3V-zsBIwSXjldmMQzL1xMQxZwHqmO3I27-407iNqFY4T2eglZJiQoiAdxe6BmfkcxWR76yVyRYwXJ8FwFuBX91fuz07Pbo/s1600-h/IMG_4793.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglBo0nMNBMsy5NnCCnDB-F_vNfQMXHECuYMb_Wf_3V-zsBIwSXjldmMQzL1xMQxZwHqmO3I27-407iNqFY4T2eglZJiQoiAdxe6BmfkcxWR76yVyRYwXJ8FwFuBX91fuz07Pbo/s320/IMG_4793.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299834175393154" border="0" /></a>We joined the older of the three groups. We read the alphabet, sang some songs and played some games.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vTOYEEMRU8X26FfcZmF9VuAi7MKPAItheJX-xK0Xl7TdXELPITSvQvuAozlkZzNyycoVkgfFeBz1TTsAHFcUO2SISAvOIxm7DrfxhhoyuQ8wmK39gXCHo3eD5JlNGyZREMRw/s1600-h/IMG_4796.JPG"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8vTOYEEMRU8X26FfcZmF9VuAi7MKPAItheJX-xK0Xl7TdXELPITSvQvuAozlkZzNyycoVkgfFeBz1TTsAHFcUO2SISAvOIxm7DrfxhhoyuQ8wmK39gXCHo3eD5JlNGyZREMRw/s320/IMG_4796.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299838470360466" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(The Australians in the group were asked to sing their national anthem! Laura and I were praying they didn't ask us next.)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKNTh8uWvGA1XpB4ynyCxyVEDHCsXowRRDJl6tPueMZKBygzHyc3mfBaRXbVpJvVm1_mQ-UFxAPPHYd13J7kq-QIRISJGW6gh5SOnJIzfdHTc1bHv3Su-z8qvIT3aFVlPci84/s1600-h/IMG_4803.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuKNTh8uWvGA1XpB4ynyCxyVEDHCsXowRRDJl6tPueMZKBygzHyc3mfBaRXbVpJvVm1_mQ-UFxAPPHYd13J7kq-QIRISJGW6gh5SOnJIzfdHTc1bHv3Su-z8qvIT3aFVlPci84/s320/IMG_4803.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299043901410562" border="0" /></a>Our final stop was a small house/factory where the local women sew and sell handicrafts. I did a bit of shopping because I wanted my money to go to this local community rather than to someone in big Bangkok, etc. The bags I bought were really beautiful (and cheap!) and I didn't see anything like them later in the week. We rode back to the house where we had a great lunch (potato curry, pumpkin, lots of other dishes) and played camp games. My camp game stumped Karen, the girl who started the whole camp game thing and she went crazy trying to figure it out. We played 'I'm going to camp and I'm going to bring a ....' the entire songthaew ride to Chiang Mai (She never did guess...we ended up telling her).<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfG0fqSZgLaTnCijWTh98J8_3yJIM8e0pgSoFJnj1ujccAmM72Ws17XW3POttRX2JfwnkGwUArhcx0yb_pudu2LQ5vjRR0-U92wCr0WHsLSBjl124MVaLR3dLn3K-26KgPsff/s1600-h/IMG_4814.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfG0fqSZgLaTnCijWTh98J8_3yJIM8e0pgSoFJnj1ujccAmM72Ws17XW3POttRX2JfwnkGwUArhcx0yb_pudu2LQ5vjRR0-U92wCr0WHsLSBjl124MVaLR3dLn3K-26KgPsff/s320/IMG_4814.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299052491345170" border="0" /></a>After we had checked into our hotel (not as cute as the previous ones) and relaxed a bit, we caught songthaews to Doi Suthep. Doi Suthep is the most famous temple in Chiang Mai. It's located on the top of a mountain and was founded in 1383. Apparently, the site was chosen by placing a relic of Buddha on en elephant's back and letting it roam until it came upon a place where it trumpeted, circled, laid down and died. Yup. That's quite the way to choose a temple location.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwUzWhdMHEFYWkJUIj0k6KyP6BBjWye0IeUw0hkdk1fwdcbG97t4pMCSow__dMPsDs8Ndf1VSZkOWAGGO-XXx-bRJvCruCV1kHFgPE45cfuCD4N-K1i_Z4Q1HBiriJDpDeLhn/s1600-h/IMG_4820.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKwUzWhdMHEFYWkJUIj0k6KyP6BBjWye0IeUw0hkdk1fwdcbG97t4pMCSow__dMPsDs8Ndf1VSZkOWAGGO-XXx-bRJvCruCV1kHFgPE45cfuCD4N-K1i_Z4Q1HBiriJDpDeLhn/s320/IMG_4820.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299061081279778" border="0" /></a>The ride there was awful. The road was windy, it was hot and it smelled of exhaust. I thought I was going to be sick. We finally arrived and started climbing the approx. 306 steps.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjKSsYX4ej3eGPj9pMvTUnTSluk3wDX6cvOrfLqJk7RpN9X8LmYDk5ChzGTQiXipyyK3PdNg3PUhKcLIVZoDxWwovALv8_2rqJbY_Nma9Kdh0tkiOcD9fPgHKea2QJ4ijW7gH/s1600-h/IMG_4824.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEjKSsYX4ej3eGPj9pMvTUnTSluk3wDX6cvOrfLqJk7RpN9X8LmYDk5ChzGTQiXipyyK3PdNg3PUhKcLIVZoDxWwovALv8_2rqJbY_Nma9Kdh0tkiOcD9fPgHKea2QJ4ijW7gH/s320/IMG_4824.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299073966181682" border="0" /></a>This elephant is located in one of the temple buildings and Arjan explained what we had to do. With your ring finger (or was it your baby finger...) you lift the heavy elephant off the ground, while concentrating on your wish. Then you try to pick it up for a second time. If you are unable to, your wish will come true. If you can, too bad, it won't be coming true. Yeah for having super weak fingers!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNpuAmkXqsr_E79UZXxYLMd-NGKW0lz2CbiFoLhpciKohiYXKCIrAd31aInNDd-sXe0N206c8PTPsECfGzbQn0nAdkQL_ffJTht4OvEPKLpveYub8thRPxs7BMit9KyMM4eEh/s1600-h/IMG_4827.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoNpuAmkXqsr_E79UZXxYLMd-NGKW0lz2CbiFoLhpciKohiYXKCIrAd31aInNDd-sXe0N206c8PTPsECfGzbQn0nAdkQL_ffJTht4OvEPKLpveYub8thRPxs7BMit9KyMM4eEh/s320/IMG_4827.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207299082556116290" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP_ckIu_OKRjOsT7KfS9pJpR4t3tj1lvz1S9_ui5HQJv1O9oJbfjZepXEZrcYZOzkgQzmF9HqVxihG0dW9JuC2A8LZilR9m_ee-6PLfD4O2okqEVdaYz_eG2m-W7feTT72jQy/s1600-h/IMG_4834.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvP_ckIu_OKRjOsT7KfS9pJpR4t3tj1lvz1S9_ui5HQJv1O9oJbfjZepXEZrcYZOzkgQzmF9HqVxihG0dW9JuC2A8LZilR9m_ee-6PLfD4O2okqEVdaYz_eG2m-W7feTT72jQy/s320/IMG_4834.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207297927209913522" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Umm...just a bit flashier than Japanese temples)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXk64Mf_9DF7SrnwK5jGCG5Wf1G1-0NExYNorbZnmw5wsRC_bmihRlCI9oIJVcvSm5ff2olGTxmnB6JfmE2FnLfUcjf3yiRni5ybqX5m6RB0bSRPEOdY8Ito-N0dTz7xcQKNQ/s1600-h/IMG_4841.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSXk64Mf_9DF7SrnwK5jGCG5Wf1G1-0NExYNorbZnmw5wsRC_bmihRlCI9oIJVcvSm5ff2olGTxmnB6JfmE2FnLfUcjf3yiRni5ybqX5m6RB0bSRPEOdY8Ito-N0dTz7xcQKNQ/s320/IMG_4841.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207297940094815426" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdbYMAsdAUJHiELlmEq_C3oBYsqhF6ceIcBbc_lpRnj1FrTGaL5696irTfWJs0tLF5G_1XRAarLBmEFHf_M4dPwcSnOELpqYhfHJyuD8IQxoc1MDW4O3bQN9KTYtmperxXOBb/s1600-h/IMG_4843.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKdbYMAsdAUJHiELlmEq_C3oBYsqhF6ceIcBbc_lpRnj1FrTGaL5696irTfWJs0tLF5G_1XRAarLBmEFHf_M4dPwcSnOELpqYhfHJyuD8IQxoc1MDW4O3bQN9KTYtmperxXOBb/s320/IMG_4843.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207297944389782738" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTs4Z_HIr1_VnAvhzXRQc0ljIE50X57ZIGePliYmCFoX3j_4xgWQ2uPdsPz3zYIQ3-_zMnEeNXwThyEsFMNlTeI1zJQqPinGyaLP0eyufKH9IZG2Cl5Q6ONDjpmvDgMF-TsD9/s1600-h/IMG_4853.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikTs4Z_HIr1_VnAvhzXRQc0ljIE50X57ZIGePliYmCFoX3j_4xgWQ2uPdsPz3zYIQ3-_zMnEeNXwThyEsFMNlTeI1zJQqPinGyaLP0eyufKH9IZG2Cl5Q6ONDjpmvDgMF-TsD9/s320/IMG_4853.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207297957274684642" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEnI54FsGXOMCKnYqdvCdzhiB8u-BXUZK47punONx3w8ME6iIBNxGdNbhaNd18s8-g5vD9StE37fXA2YZSIyRD_LBqmYOwtqh9KbABL1lA3SKP3AGRMWFCrbx6LjyAWHU3KER/s1600-h/IMG_4864.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVEnI54FsGXOMCKnYqdvCdzhiB8u-BXUZK47punONx3w8ME6iIBNxGdNbhaNd18s8-g5vD9StE37fXA2YZSIyRD_LBqmYOwtqh9KbABL1lA3SKP3AGRMWFCrbx6LjyAWHU3KER/s320/IMG_4864.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207297961569651954" border="0" /></a>We walked around taking pictures and decided to wait until 6pm to hear the monks chant. We listened for a bit (pretty cool) and then decided to check out the view of Chiang Mai from the top of the mountain.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ADr30ReeqCXpwTq9WEzOI-laTkyT4auGmd3cuJWm-un6hTkYI0uc17ZXY9jAvm36BGYAGwComECgKCdRQkSQmarGGSBYILz31_8_a13eI4o0JsT-Q6gkMIkPPFoJB25kpfw/s1600-h/IMG_4868.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg02ADr30ReeqCXpwTq9WEzOI-laTkyT4auGmd3cuJWm-un6hTkYI0uc17ZXY9jAvm36BGYAGwComECgKCdRQkSQmarGGSBYILz31_8_a13eI4o0JsT-Q6gkMIkPPFoJB25kpfw/s320/IMG_4868.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207296269352537186" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3gICDNksxsP8Vv22GN28_9sukZTsJNZ9M5GXc0prFFXN4682Hl_KgQzjGvLfYDyedGjvYlIt5X2r_u9i0vny01JCAn7NOpGKDs7M7RW-j95jYit7km3eBpIPj-PBCx-FZZg-/s1600-h/IMG_4877.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB3gICDNksxsP8Vv22GN28_9sukZTsJNZ9M5GXc0prFFXN4682Hl_KgQzjGvLfYDyedGjvYlIt5X2r_u9i0vny01JCAn7NOpGKDs7M7RW-j95jYit7km3eBpIPj-PBCx-FZZg-/s320/IMG_4877.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207296273647504498" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPAJCxxpQqwlOYUXlfNQ9d5MNdC1uXUBtTjLP03OBPW6Ut1nGuNYJ9-IH_slD3-EUp3qyCyTqq3LeprJrosxff8KEXgnJYf0RtujIXL9J21WnGlP1an2obdKpPF557tvh3QDU/s1600-h/IMG_4880.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsPAJCxxpQqwlOYUXlfNQ9d5MNdC1uXUBtTjLP03OBPW6Ut1nGuNYJ9-IH_slD3-EUp3qyCyTqq3LeprJrosxff8KEXgnJYf0RtujIXL9J21WnGlP1an2obdKpPF557tvh3QDU/s320/IMG_4880.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207296282237439106" border="0" /></a>We headed back down the stairs, found our songtheaw and once back in the city, walked to the night market.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisluYI9NJtaJ-ktZibBpTH7hMvabmzODy_EC74YH_a8qqmqu-1crJtO08leXk0v7PBDbhz_fxGMfq68NAsY-DBgIfdwtJLs8p2fkX6kj9-JYDq8eqUXtKrC9YjAuO2-EXI8go1/s1600-h/IMG_4892.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisluYI9NJtaJ-ktZibBpTH7hMvabmzODy_EC74YH_a8qqmqu-1crJtO08leXk0v7PBDbhz_fxGMfq68NAsY-DBgIfdwtJLs8p2fkX6kj9-JYDq8eqUXtKrC9YjAuO2-EXI8go1/s320/IMG_4892.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207296290827373714" border="0" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS417EmJYe9O7_eebzUYOUyp505CdXCJcfeattgXK2Jwssmi3Ysr3AXjNiCG34BUO8lray4f7N_z7xZ6jGV-nQUUor-riCY0AWK4aJLKQA8PbOr4UhTs_AfAP_Q9dDts67zA2/s1600-h/IMG_4894.JPG"><br /><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkS417EmJYe9O7_eebzUYOUyp505CdXCJcfeattgXK2Jwssmi3Ysr3AXjNiCG34BUO8lray4f7N_z7xZ6jGV-nQUUor-riCY0AWK4aJLKQA8PbOr4UhTs_AfAP_Q9dDts67zA2/s320/IMG_4894.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207296299417308322" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">('Tough crab meat sashimi' = fake crab cut up. Found in a sushi menu in the night market. Yum.)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzvgL5KynAakoCL36t2FAFG8BCOEmnGUBY2QOObM4RF2Ufd8UGV3azMjCawtZdzpYxOQdFFnDNWNlgglzRwvWALI9kZIR8HZj_7sqxhZYIya0cLgNwiAXSgCxjStVdMpQ_COz/s1600-h/IMG_4895.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzzvgL5KynAakoCL36t2FAFG8BCOEmnGUBY2QOObM4RF2Ufd8UGV3azMjCawtZdzpYxOQdFFnDNWNlgglzRwvWALI9kZIR8HZj_7sqxhZYIya0cLgNwiAXSgCxjStVdMpQ_COz/s320/IMG_4895.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207295174135876626" border="0" /></a>This pad thai was FANTASTIC. A little spicy and refreshing with the lime, bean sprouts and onion things....so delicious!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0BkB68FUF3mW-Eac6J9MTUI939P_IvLKYEzF81cchcpplCctnKWaDdFpJ9Sk9oLBa1b__R5N8VVpmRtorWE_X4wHAyrjSQsSq0_YThtdrNaydMiqUJgixYamKtBQbLLYK8rU/s1600-h/IMG_4900.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB0BkB68FUF3mW-Eac6J9MTUI939P_IvLKYEzF81cchcpplCctnKWaDdFpJ9Sk9oLBa1b__R5N8VVpmRtorWE_X4wHAyrjSQsSq0_YThtdrNaydMiqUJgixYamKtBQbLLYK8rU/s320/IMG_4900.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207295187020778530" border="0" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQqtcfjG4BaqBXCpyS3bMHXXVqS3bicvX3xk8p_KL5oE3ElEGoAYZ26Y_QDrwdGzmIDfUMgomPSkXH-_0vkaPJLtKRuske0a9UY7XoT3VHkX_VdHhess5GzjQxwAWxCrIpu0-/s1600-h/IMG_4902.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilQqtcfjG4BaqBXCpyS3bMHXXVqS3bicvX3xk8p_KL5oE3ElEGoAYZ26Y_QDrwdGzmIDfUMgomPSkXH-_0vkaPJLtKRuske0a9UY7XoT3VHkX_VdHhess5GzjQxwAWxCrIpu0-/s320/IMG_4902.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207295195610713138" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Arjan and Alissa. Their shirts say, 'Same, same but different.' This is a popular phrase in Thailand meaning that something seems similar but is different in some ways. Example: 'The curry is same, same but different.' This reminds me of what you say about your pork and eggplant dish, mom!)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkPygKd0yTa92Q_AnKgZlrv49BVN_q5wS9fDc6zyl-N2RHBKoBYvl0omcCaortUvoGn5O8pppBFKqvCY5T88-VV3cOlIRfbqgTVhNnZgJr0VTIn2C8Zm-77VdNkbk8Nv4XP6C/s1600-h/IMG_4903.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHkPygKd0yTa92Q_AnKgZlrv49BVN_q5wS9fDc6zyl-N2RHBKoBYvl0omcCaortUvoGn5O8pppBFKqvCY5T88-VV3cOlIRfbqgTVhNnZgJr0VTIn2C8Zm-77VdNkbk8Nv4XP6C/s320/IMG_4903.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207295199905680450" border="0" /></a>The night market was a lot of fun but also kind of stressful for me. I just can't bargain with women, especially women who are the same age as me or who are pregnant and trying to make a living selling salt and pepper shakers in a market. Elz and I wandered around a bit, bought some shakes (yummy mango shakes...) and then turned in early. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOl4AeLLYyYPwi5IoBdr1KyxZjQqGhMUSbxAF0ZM_T_FUFcXzdE3gG74nhyiLFxk6NDGg175PRyf_szI5A8oUMq8e7QM1d1k9Q7nostvXCNf8DhOXRDtemt62TqTF1kWANXv5/s1600-h/IMG_4904.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBOl4AeLLYyYPwi5IoBdr1KyxZjQqGhMUSbxAF0ZM_T_FUFcXzdE3gG74nhyiLFxk6NDGg175PRyf_szI5A8oUMq8e7QM1d1k9Q7nostvXCNf8DhOXRDtemt62TqTF1kWANXv5/s320/IMG_4904.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207295208495615058" border="0" /></a>I'm sorry it's taking me so long to post about my trip...I just don't want to miss anything so each post is taking a long time. I'll try to post another tomorrow!</div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-54463886013942840822008-06-11T09:45:00.000+09:002008-06-11T09:45:09.129+09:00The Cake Battle (aka Laura's Japanese birthday party)<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtrjdAz2ydT_8dOhyphenhyphenGi9YgSVTcR13nO5cOqX2zTYRCV740TMaAOk6zpAaY29vnjbzIBU0sL47StE832S0BOh4l7cafliLcvv66DWw5JnrDKod01ZeS5YL2ArCjToksFRw56hK/s1600-h/IMG_6057.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEtrjdAz2ydT_8dOhyphenhyphenGi9YgSVTcR13nO5cOqX2zTYRCV740TMaAOk6zpAaY29vnjbzIBU0sL47StE832S0BOh4l7cafliLcvv66DWw5JnrDKod01ZeS5YL2ArCjToksFRw56hK/s320/IMG_6057.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210280521920490914" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">This weekend I visited Elspeth in Nisshin. We went to grab some sushi at kappazushi, a cheap, kaitenzushi sushi chain that's near her apartment (ok, well not really near...it's a good 20 minute hike, 25 minutes when it's sweltering like it was on Sunday). When we sat down at our table, the first thing we noticed were the new tv screens they've installed. Now, instead of having Elspeth stressed that the lady in the back can't hear her Japanese through the scratchy intercom, we just ordered on the computer. <br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xZRUIVrSY585dGwSSMmy3xjqOjTHC3Dlxm6Cqf3rFPKzJt0khRy4BMYtTuOI9LHmN4tnimgNjzgvz5g83SbDN_XActZOTS2PfUUOgBJOnRNShWKFEPQKyRSkl1hRim04_tfO/s1600-h/IMG_6055.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6xZRUIVrSY585dGwSSMmy3xjqOjTHC3Dlxm6Cqf3rFPKzJt0khRy4BMYtTuOI9LHmN4tnimgNjzgvz5g83SbDN_XActZOTS2PfUUOgBJOnRNShWKFEPQKyRSkl1hRim04_tfO/s320/IMG_6055.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210280542787371858" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div>Previously, when you ordered something specific (instead of picking it up off the conveyor) it came around on the conveyor belt on a numbered plate holder so that no one accidentally stole your tekka-maki. Now...get this...it comes by shinkansen!! That's right! They load the plates onto the kappazushi shinkansen, press a button and it pulls into the station at your table. The conveyor belt instantly lost it's appeal and we only ordered stuff from the computer. It never got old. Of course, I took video!</div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxkiP-HQQ5tk4CDhQCNEe_ZV_a3JpE58yJoBksnvoxmBqDRsvryUgKRPA0G4k3FfvnRIjFBjLX4N24' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div></div><div>On Monday we headed to Okazaki to visit Elspeth's homestay parents. Our mission was to bake a REAL cake. Let me explain why this was so very important. In Japan you can't really get real cake. Yes, it smells and looks like cake but it's just not quite cake. Japanese chocolate cake especially is not my favourite. As my mom says, 'it tastes like brown'. Elspeth had bought a Betty Crocker cake mix and some icing at the international store and that afternoon we made two perfect chocolate cakes. While we were waiting for the real cakes to cool, we went to visit Teruyo at the fancy cafe where she works. Check out my matcha latte. </div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxa3bn2F0JSp_tWDNF6U-6k1AOVhd2ZgY7x4N02X5_wGYDX5Pir6qn5QGzRFP_Zs7pywQTy0PWv2ZPp3xUIliSR1Gexb2u2ZZqNvQFz6v84AKyAdbx59bgEcnh6sIw3OzBJvj/s1600-h/IMG_6070.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDxa3bn2F0JSp_tWDNF6U-6k1AOVhd2ZgY7x4N02X5_wGYDX5Pir6qn5QGzRFP_Zs7pywQTy0PWv2ZPp3xUIliSR1Gexb2u2ZZqNvQFz6v84AKyAdbx59bgEcnh6sIw3OzBJvj/s320/IMG_6070.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210282221528319858" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(How do they do that?)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dR_d-mZoEzyuQV8kbZpJVIJe8jLg9qIEOQakt5gUVdSqj2zqbefJbV3u1BWBs-we2TA7wQD05Zz0LxQokwiY5-44jzBH1hE1aoGeD_3ROruxExvYyYApPcIO8-QqSnLk3MXG/s1600-h/IMG_6082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1dR_d-mZoEzyuQV8kbZpJVIJe8jLg9qIEOQakt5gUVdSqj2zqbefJbV3u1BWBs-we2TA7wQD05Zz0LxQokwiY5-44jzBH1hE1aoGeD_3ROruxExvYyYApPcIO8-QqSnLk3MXG/s320/IMG_6082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210282228313603042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Masao made this poster and posted it in the living room! The tinsel is supposed to look like Mt. Fuji!)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8k2xKCFwc_87vgh6tk6s9TQ5VEgSZd37lCmSwJ46Vge6qIuXFevJzdzle1RYw0DTS7HC0gGohFwYbr_Qiy5ZKjJGnmQ7v_eePItVlwWEheY_SAtTVPHoVHKZhwNuk3NvXmSv/s1600-h/IMG_6072.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8k2xKCFwc_87vgh6tk6s9TQ5VEgSZd37lCmSwJ46Vge6qIuXFevJzdzle1RYw0DTS7HC0gGohFwYbr_Qiy5ZKjJGnmQ7v_eePItVlwWEheY_SAtTVPHoVHKZhwNuk3NvXmSv/s320/IMG_6072.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210282233552057458" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Not only did we have cake, we had ROAST CHICKEN and mozzarella cheese!! I was in heaven)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0rBYF-Db8anT3L_9M2zICXACyDy-eq-i5VQkDFjlJufN4ftNp8p3ICkFDi3V4SbVPh8V8exEsLi2K7Uq108x-Oh6k8zU_qwqSn2ceNGHMiVINgbKn4xA_51282s-Ni0CdSFu/s1600-h/IMG_6074.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn0rBYF-Db8anT3L_9M2zICXACyDy-eq-i5VQkDFjlJufN4ftNp8p3ICkFDi3V4SbVPh8V8exEsLi2K7Uq108x-Oh6k8zU_qwqSn2ceNGHMiVINgbKn4xA_51282s-Ni0CdSFu/s320/IMG_6074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210282245563266162" /></a>Just before dinner, the lights mysteriously went out and they all surprised me with a different cake! This one had my name and happy birthday in Japanese! The chicken was superb (way to go Teruyo on a successful first roast chicken!) but I was careful to leave enough room in my stomach for the cake battle.<div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1l50DKUnWJbsQukvK8BedyVhjeFmUpVUVDT9stMlozXLgctSfc8UznDoDwVsvETq8Ms6ER-v_5enbQumFiwtKX60PEJwzr4BxNaLB0444tsRFSjWeAgRb_KKD7lli6xLkCDu/s1600-h/IMG_6077.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgn1l50DKUnWJbsQukvK8BedyVhjeFmUpVUVDT9stMlozXLgctSfc8UznDoDwVsvETq8Ms6ER-v_5enbQumFiwtKX60PEJwzr4BxNaLB0444tsRFSjWeAgRb_KKD7lli6xLkCDu/s320/IMG_6077.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210281745344049378" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Our finished masterpiece! Sorry the picture below is so blurry - I was in a hurry to eat it!)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZw6i0wrjSl_Or0phwPy_agrHav9wj6kofmPZ9kE7DrSy7iydA8yCBURWQeGdBSxy78fQDk-JWBlsnJ3_YlZJtJGqmpfNFEBf6_txBswtg9Aniwryz2FeyjeqCMAI1vY87FsP/s1600-h/IMG_6086.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZZw6i0wrjSl_Or0phwPy_agrHav9wj6kofmPZ9kE7DrSy7iydA8yCBURWQeGdBSxy78fQDk-JWBlsnJ3_YlZJtJGqmpfNFEBf6_txBswtg9Aniwryz2FeyjeqCMAI1vY87FsP/s320/IMG_6086.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210281758708853650" /></a>We had to wait until Masao's son and girlfriend arrived to cut the cake. Elspeth was dying, she wanted the cake so much! It was worth it though...the cake turned out divine! Everyone was very intrigued by the non-whipped cream icing (All Japanese cakes have whipped cream as icing). After the 'American' cake as it was called, we turned to the 'Japanese' cake. While still good, it was more like a slice of triffle, rather than 'cake'. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iuF7-0HFUPUEuiOxQuI2Jyuoyt5WLqkh72CONMRcrSrzUL-ok2JLj924sLd_IYf0VpQnaACi1qwvqlNng5Z4zRwbnLqAEfJFuP3ZNRJFOCFG9ytPNynQYnxCQfnFQIlG0g6N/s1600-h/IMG_6087.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4iuF7-0HFUPUEuiOxQuI2Jyuoyt5WLqkh72CONMRcrSrzUL-ok2JLj924sLd_IYf0VpQnaACi1qwvqlNng5Z4zRwbnLqAEfJFuP3ZNRJFOCFG9ytPNynQYnxCQfnFQIlG0g6N/s320/IMG_6087.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210281770409824082" /></a>Final verdict: The American cake was the clear winner of this battle. <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr8u1rKEeTP9K2FTMbXXKh_sVErkPK0ViOK7hfAPMw_U2a3enUggb2C2K-zUZfbeUMcZWCS048axgmjYVNZLrM-TooILx3hiR5C8lYnXFTGrjTjYz5CO_ud2NglE544DT5PLm/s1600-h/12WIE7WWENN8301.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyr8u1rKEeTP9K2FTMbXXKh_sVErkPK0ViOK7hfAPMw_U2a3enUggb2C2K-zUZfbeUMcZWCS048axgmjYVNZLrM-TooILx3hiR5C8lYnXFTGrjTjYz5CO_ud2NglE544DT5PLm/s320/12WIE7WWENN8301.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210281781478841522" /></a>My birthday request: purikura. It was hilarious having this many people in the booth. Good times. I'm going to miss Elspeth's homestay parents. They are amazing people.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFXJE0sKijcQ7TuEGWZ5z0B1x9qu96VzIHM85E2G9ihW2JKn17VYvLDpu3EtL6HeqJ2id3YKSabRDD2FjCssj42xFZfmSxrh4XCNKvYGaMPm5GbvS_P2qbHWV5PH5zNT7sbky/s1600-h/TPNV0OA7V90X8U.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNFXJE0sKijcQ7TuEGWZ5z0B1x9qu96VzIHM85E2G9ihW2JKn17VYvLDpu3EtL6HeqJ2id3YKSabRDD2FjCssj42xFZfmSxrh4XCNKvYGaMPm5GbvS_P2qbHWV5PH5zNT7sbky/s320/TPNV0OA7V90X8U.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5210281820594698802" /></a><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-88856212947854965012008-06-08T10:19:00.004+09:002008-06-08T10:48:29.153+09:00birthday celebrations<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw0uDNccmP8Qru7LhMPix0gW9Xlan7P5Chj86bMhra8wdwsaDn40LAUC96WqCcomQjVPpdoPP99UAShZLJpqBT84sqwPQNXuVM6ShPp3_7GhBTVoeG6sNhtxh_V6XzEazUvXJ/s1600-h/IMG_6036.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKw0uDNccmP8Qru7LhMPix0gW9Xlan7P5Chj86bMhra8wdwsaDn40LAUC96WqCcomQjVPpdoPP99UAShZLJpqBT84sqwPQNXuVM6ShPp3_7GhBTVoeG6sNhtxh_V6XzEazUvXJ/s320/IMG_6036.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209319940765678834" /></a>For my birthday Elspeth wrote the sweetest post on her livejournal. Here's the link so that everyone can see it! Click <a href="http://elzkitten.livejournal.com/103522.html">HERE</a><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIesVN4IuOr5Rg0ew8lrXIvnM0PBSDe6RMfo4OcQzl_FP_xSPNhLQlBgcbch-aeEQZQDmxkQK8VRclivnwT4Z2mu-3Ki4ooP-4vgiz1tMJ1nFlaNsbYgvm4uk5IM9qr6C95bqV/s1600-h/IMG_6030.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIesVN4IuOr5Rg0ew8lrXIvnM0PBSDe6RMfo4OcQzl_FP_xSPNhLQlBgcbch-aeEQZQDmxkQK8VRclivnwT4Z2mu-3Ki4ooP-4vgiz1tMJ1nFlaNsbYgvm4uk5IM9qr6C95bqV/s320/IMG_6030.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5209319925616890098" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Kayo, me, Manager and Miho)</span></div><div>And last night my staff went out for dinner. We were celebrating our results from last year but it turned into a bit of a birthday party. They had the restaurant staff (and the REALLY noisy table beside us) singing happy birthday to 'Rola-san'. It was hilarious. </div><div><br /></div><div>Soon I'm off to Elspeth's. We're going to spend today playing DDR and taiko and tomorrow we're going to Okazaki to use her homestay parents' oven to bake a real cake! </div><div><br /></div><div>Thanks everyone for all of the birthday emails!</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-21512872875102307472008-06-05T10:40:00.002+09:002008-06-05T10:44:13.085+09:00いちご 大福<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcupUqtluCXSbQ8sBMc_R1kOZEC8-dhFL8EXl3xLj-qdZaUyThBZOtMJE9UmTdWho0P1M00A9lawqcM27Tj_LhQuAlcnUYBP8OojsF-JxGmgZUWdRt5XtIx4JkVDbMifxChxe_/s1600-h/5935-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcupUqtluCXSbQ8sBMc_R1kOZEC8-dhFL8EXl3xLj-qdZaUyThBZOtMJE9UmTdWho0P1M00A9lawqcM27Tj_LhQuAlcnUYBP8OojsF-JxGmgZUWdRt5XtIx4JkVDbMifxChxe_/s320/5935-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206355169003539442" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Ichigo daifuku</span> are mochi cakes stuffed with a strawberry and anko (sweetened azuki bean paste). They are a most wonderful invention. Then we (me, Justine and Elspeth) found an ice cream version. Heaven help me...<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZgQQpP3E-HHUKwphQxePEgemypsH9gczLTrhKs_78OI-Bk2toGAYi4IqdzwiZCZKVvaaZoKtaD75h_hIwd_Zt6SxZCKdfDjnpyRRtA9m-tPoDVvFtkdZz-BZy1incqNmAI7N/s1600-h/IMG_5939.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4ZgQQpP3E-HHUKwphQxePEgemypsH9gczLTrhKs_78OI-Bk2toGAYi4IqdzwiZCZKVvaaZoKtaD75h_hIwd_Zt6SxZCKdfDjnpyRRtA9m-tPoDVvFtkdZz-BZy1incqNmAI7N/s320/IMG_5939.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354829701123042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">According to Elspeth, 'it means big happiness in the kanjiness.' (Thanks for the translation of the kanjiness, Elz!)</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-8568022871630368952008-06-04T00:00:00.000+09:002008-06-04T00:03:13.264+09:00Yuuki's Card<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kwvSxehx6koKhXyEhyphenhyphendISKtBJST4b4hPk0hGqpnWqggc5GX51qlD4NuwpbvqOO1spELTEBAolk7r-6Rqs5srGkQN433UmvdvOWubqCzjOvlnpDHll-gd1Aub-6wAajfJ7W9y/s1600-h/Yuukis+Card.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kwvSxehx6koKhXyEhyphenhyphendISKtBJST4b4hPk0hGqpnWqggc5GX51qlD4NuwpbvqOO1spELTEBAolk7r-6Rqs5srGkQN433UmvdvOWubqCzjOvlnpDHll-gd1Aub-6wAajfJ7W9y/s400/Yuukis+Card.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5207664240675622450" /></a><br /><div>I love that she included my piercings. </div><div>And the Japanese says, 'She's cute, don't ya think?'</div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-76557780356550505912008-06-02T20:56:00.006+09:002008-06-07T23:58:54.106+09:00リラックマ (Rilakkuma)<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Rilakkuma = "relax-bear"</span></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR_9QLY1eCO3lkbea32vCBsG282bH9tElE0d97_PdozcyJVghlMFNyJFztZAOeWbdeWIpGsXN6DfhRJNN5DWxkeCrPQrteARhJiUqvaHcoqJU8C5gdYs6BtZqwwT5QU666LHt/s1600-h/5925-2.jpg"></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR_9QLY1eCO3lkbea32vCBsG282bH9tElE0d97_PdozcyJVghlMFNyJFztZAOeWbdeWIpGsXN6DfhRJNN5DWxkeCrPQrteARhJiUqvaHcoqJU8C5gdYs6BtZqwwT5QU666LHt/s1600-h/5925-2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); font-weight: bold;font-family:'times new roman';"><br /></span><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzR_9QLY1eCO3lkbea32vCBsG282bH9tElE0d97_PdozcyJVghlMFNyJFztZAOeWbdeWIpGsXN6DfhRJNN5DWxkeCrPQrteARhJiUqvaHcoqJU8C5gdYs6BtZqwwT5QU666LHt/s320/5925-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354090966748034" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">(</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style=""><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This is a hand-warmer cover - you take a hand-warmer, activate it and stick it inside Rilakkuma's head. Elspeth gave it to me for Christmas)</span></span></span></div><div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_vvce6zzXdW2yRuYQYYA3R-1JsTQm1PmBW-qV-KbiudBxPA2ay_93JYqXv-V6AFa3pV3CTMvUnPezILGz4NYRNKU4lQ_3sQLIQbzNhc3Pxmia_EttY1bXeBVaLvMKC5ZodH7/s1600-h/301.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgP_vvce6zzXdW2yRuYQYYA3R-1JsTQm1PmBW-qV-KbiudBxPA2ay_93JYqXv-V6AFa3pV3CTMvUnPezILGz4NYRNKU4lQ_3sQLIQbzNhc3Pxmia_EttY1bXeBVaLvMKC5ZodH7/s320/301.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354095261715362" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span></div><div><br /></div><div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">According to wikipedia:</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'He is a brown bear who lives in the house of an office lady named Kaoru. True to his name, Rilakkuma greatly enjoys relaxing. He is often accompanied by Korilakkuma, who is a smaller white bear with a mischievous personality, and Kiiroitori, a yellow chick who plays a </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">tsukkomi</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> role (the 'straightman' in the </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">manzai</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"> style of Japanese comedy). Korilakkuma frequently plays pranks on Rilakkuma when he is sleeping</span><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tsukkomi" class="mw-redirect" title="Tsukkomi" style="text-decoration: none; color: rgb(0, 43, 184); background-image: none; background-repeat: initial; background-attachment: initial; -webkit-background-clip: initial; -webkit-background-origin: initial; background-color: initial; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">.</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">'</span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: 19px;font-family:'times new roman';"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" line-height: normal; font-family:Georgia;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4eGm-VxpA4CdRVgEK1e1S0PPTtzBeEI2Rf-ScxGakGSi2-ku6YqaC0CF_3F-OU1oiV08lk9nu4Mk0D5Qgeu9mXr_EMT3VqpifpU9r_8NHwQUltnBW9eR1skRqpFi9MRBZ1_6/s1600-h/5933-2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 19px;"><br /></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0); line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">I just think they're cute. </span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje4eGm-VxpA4CdRVgEK1e1S0PPTtzBeEI2Rf-ScxGakGSi2-ku6YqaC0CF_3F-OU1oiV08lk9nu4Mk0D5Qgeu9mXr_EMT3VqpifpU9r_8NHwQUltnBW9eR1skRqpFi9MRBZ1_6/s320/5933-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354090966748050" style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 19px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(This is a cell phone charm. It's actually shaped like a tiny cell phone and you open it and use the inside to clean the screen of your phone. Elspeth gave this to me too. Yeah, she supports my addiction)</span></span></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwryQSMYUHl10c2fS1bQ8xEwHusDx-0bHldFLxx0RiETPsIWL_uT7t24PliH5TTTnDbxbUTNwlIpK9iN1ADOb38yBKrW9qmNZ5ulvcWys05c1w6KPsp3qs-crzWoWPhIvLAz0w/s1600-h/bear-c.gif"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwryQSMYUHl10c2fS1bQ8xEwHusDx-0bHldFLxx0RiETPsIWL_uT7t24PliH5TTTnDbxbUTNwlIpK9iN1ADOb38yBKrW9qmNZ5ulvcWys05c1w6KPsp3qs-crzWoWPhIvLAz0w/s320/bear-c.gif" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354099556682674" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFX2gf04ra3eMAKbQcDwJMVzfqxTeeotwzPGxJUSYyVydikEt04zqzF2IAISIKumpmptkKUCzj5CDX8G53OEChEOLrGABgBVR1xYxOG9NIGZ3TlG_6BeFiXUIR0rA5SB4_DW-/s1600-h/IMG_5926.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaFX2gf04ra3eMAKbQcDwJMVzfqxTeeotwzPGxJUSYyVydikEt04zqzF2IAISIKumpmptkKUCzj5CDX8G53OEChEOLrGABgBVR1xYxOG9NIGZ3TlG_6BeFiXUIR0rA5SB4_DW-/s320/IMG_5926.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206353012929956674" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzInGU4IxzsVfG2PRx6M3IPXglqKk3R8jUyV_C2My3fVWq6GU-78ECp32K-rMmi_ubzRCcCqUj43UKZt6Em9F3dOAOOwL4r4NXlOXjCaJncHl85iPmLndB-EiCyxozbdlyjck/s1600-h/cl213.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhzInGU4IxzsVfG2PRx6M3IPXglqKk3R8jUyV_C2My3fVWq6GU-78ECp32K-rMmi_ubzRCcCqUj43UKZt6Em9F3dOAOOwL4r4NXlOXjCaJncHl85iPmLndB-EiCyxozbdlyjck/s320/cl213.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206354099556682690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNhPINWewDTEkQL76x6begX0CCcPJARKK1BSR5yuHPqSPbAIxdsqIETMiKaN7nEBtS1XwmlYX0HliVqQkbYL-ZHYCIG6_RdvqB80_SLHryYC93xEEQ8HoZXay1TAZCTJrxh-2/s1600-h/IMG_5931.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMNhPINWewDTEkQL76x6begX0CCcPJARKK1BSR5yuHPqSPbAIxdsqIETMiKaN7nEBtS1XwmlYX0HliVqQkbYL-ZHYCIG6_RdvqB80_SLHryYC93xEEQ8HoZXay1TAZCTJrxh-2/s320/IMG_5931.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206353030109825890" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Also Justine's fault. I teeny-tiny gacha-gacha capsule machine that spits out tiny prizes. Too cute!)</span></div></div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-79367792860889857882008-06-01T09:47:00.000+09:002008-06-01T09:48:30.535+09:00Thailand Tour: the elephant show<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPL7BDByN1dckveSoKrjOK0Hq4rrVyPdwoE1ZbczoigGBgTTnxFNvyfbBIqB7EIcmK4ErIGb8JDJFx6iwVdsQMr355S63PAHZsD68RYy2IYfnSGoKVnJYq6N5uSZmRuVUvC2x/s1600-h/IMG_4527.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGPL7BDByN1dckveSoKrjOK0Hq4rrVyPdwoE1ZbczoigGBgTTnxFNvyfbBIqB7EIcmK4ErIGb8JDJFx6iwVdsQMr355S63PAHZsD68RYy2IYfnSGoKVnJYq6N5uSZmRuVUvC2x/s320/IMG_4527.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206206271077321490" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Day 4: Wednesday, April 30, 2008</span><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold; ">Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, Asian Elephant Hospital, Hotsprings & Homestay</span><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Lampang to Homestay (near Chiang Mai)</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">The day started with a nice breakfast of french toast and fruit salad overlooking the river. The guesthouse was so relaxing and tropical that I didn't really want to leave it yet. The property was simple but so lush with plants and flowers that I truly felt like I was in a Thailand travel show. We packed up our stuff, took some pictures, avoided the annoying Brit and by 8:30am were in the songthaew on our way to see elephants. </span><br /></span><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOG6s_RWjoY7C8tmY3H2DXVzsJyHdVKSTPzCQnIJeFfwGe6nCZUSXjx4UtYMDHrgMFM-H2n7hTAdHdc6wG7jg3IK85RRBcAGxE4G36J8QkfCkiD08Tl_uKDy6QKWRczg6u7OD/s1600-h/IMG_4533.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhOG6s_RWjoY7C8tmY3H2DXVzsJyHdVKSTPzCQnIJeFfwGe6nCZUSXjx4UtYMDHrgMFM-H2n7hTAdHdc6wG7jg3IK85RRBcAGxE4G36J8QkfCkiD08Tl_uKDy6QKWRczg6u7OD/s320/IMG_4533.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206206288257190690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(rambutans - I'd seen these in TO's Chinatown before. They're subtle...with a hint of lychee sweetness</span>)<br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSjYlR_0r6R3LmD9vqwaLnP__3tmhuqtxvlYZFxqSoS37apYeaLfGKIHv4FdyztvPOn2IMJJFjUAhzz-fM5NasnwajVYNAcTTiPsyyw9pXaEKMAYFXIZvR2xFVxgLIYNj0jVX/s1600-h/IMG_4536.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNSjYlR_0r6R3LmD9vqwaLnP__3tmhuqtxvlYZFxqSoS37apYeaLfGKIHv4FdyztvPOn2IMJJFjUAhzz-fM5NasnwajVYNAcTTiPsyyw9pXaEKMAYFXIZvR2xFVxgLIYNj0jVX/s320/IMG_4536.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206204080644000450" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(BRING ON THE FRUIT! After living in Japan for two years, where an apple tastes like crap (but looks perfect) and costs $2, I was in absolute heaven in Thailand!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPkmLwF1qBdyMG-SpVOK4W5FcjRYJHugPRh8GCmnHfQOs6IsiKKf5cYRPyqaWH7qq5CN4WskTShMNRc-rorBwC5CwQp9jhZbVstRqRyPgc-ZZXlDbeN8p2wMHfswapmZoqqMv/s1600-h/IMG_4538.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUPkmLwF1qBdyMG-SpVOK4W5FcjRYJHugPRh8GCmnHfQOs6IsiKKf5cYRPyqaWH7qq5CN4WskTShMNRc-rorBwC5CwQp9jhZbVstRqRyPgc-ZZXlDbeN8p2wMHfswapmZoqqMv/s320/IMG_4538.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206204089233935058" /></a>After a 40 minute highway songthaew ride I was relieved to arrive at the Elephant Conservation Centre. We walked down a small hill and immediately found some elephants! My first encounter with them was when I emerged from the toilet to find one walking straight at me (with it's trainer, of course). I just froze as it passed close enough for me to touch (talk about dry skin...). The trainer thought my expression was hilarious as he laughed the entire time the elephant was walking by. I can't wait to get those pictures from Elspeth.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyAx-tN4qG6rg3CuigyvPp2cMg0x0tlyaViH-DpWheVFFkLkZkOPoXosT1sa4n4OumMIXWClbrQh0FGex2c2NMxf5pjAY-MVVkuU_bMAtvz7HqbxeO-kaMVQpWn0r46WuZFVF/s1600-h/IMG_4544.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivyAx-tN4qG6rg3CuigyvPp2cMg0x0tlyaViH-DpWheVFFkLkZkOPoXosT1sa4n4OumMIXWClbrQh0FGex2c2NMxf5pjAY-MVVkuU_bMAtvz7HqbxeO-kaMVQpWn0r46WuZFVF/s320/IMG_4544.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206204093528902370" /></a>When researching trips in Thailand I had been wary of ones offering anything to do with elephants. I didn't want to participate in or encourage elephant circuses, shows, etc. When reading Intrepid's website I found out that this conservation centre is not one of those. Instead, they take elephants who have been used in logging, circuses or begging on the streets (can you imagine?!) and bring them here where they are cared for, get the proper diet, exercise, etc. An interesting fact about this centre that we heard while there - they let the elephants wander into the forests at night (there are something like 80 of them) and they all come back to the main centre in the morning!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfvBc1OyU9vg8Fav2_bfv1yveC2_HgmmM2p0rT3HolJ9vC8SwzVq-gbEQr6RLQDMSdWMy4ZrfHyHf64LDfxsT0_DmImqB9sibA2CJU1oIHObnbLpYLdAFfUSSTRV_qZVMchR0/s1600-h/IMG_4549.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPfvBc1OyU9vg8Fav2_bfv1yveC2_HgmmM2p0rT3HolJ9vC8SwzVq-gbEQr6RLQDMSdWMy4ZrfHyHf64LDfxsT0_DmImqB9sibA2CJU1oIHObnbLpYLdAFfUSSTRV_qZVMchR0/s320/IMG_4549.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206204110708771570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(bathtime!)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzYtZtjCXf5A5ZXhYtni-7p0--yzLCgbGdcRXp3jU4EKs3Y1vDKMGSxzypKSljtwRcYgeneV1hZLWQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>The first event of the day at the centre is a bath in the river. As we stood by a whole bunch/herd/stampede of elephants and their Mahouts (trainers) ambled past and into the river. It was hilarious - the elephants seemed to really enjoy it. They also seemed to enjoy spraying the onlookers.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOdwvKPbZ6ZVUIV1-n4p7Hfz4lapR2f_xvZHHlfHmOMSQfNbBkDFbS-S6vPbGlROoG7h8voDvuu5zRL3RNj1_PMHF0EGj3B4Qx5gbiml8NQyAyfa3YICbKVjyxJ4YmjcK2ntC/s1600-h/IMG_4556.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaOdwvKPbZ6ZVUIV1-n4p7Hfz4lapR2f_xvZHHlfHmOMSQfNbBkDFbS-S6vPbGlROoG7h8voDvuu5zRL3RNj1_PMHF0EGj3B4Qx5gbiml8NQyAyfa3YICbKVjyxJ4YmjcK2ntC/s320/IMG_4556.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206204115003738882" /></a>After they emerged from the river, all nice and clean, they let us stand by them and take some pictures touching their trunks. They are bizarrely wonderful creatures and I couldn't stop staring at their eyes, skin and all the things they can do with their trunks. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov-UBNY70D6YlitYcx_Irrrd-_gf7yN7eQl_CCDogsZDV9gYisZPaeruVqjmIsGBMEbSpS0sG9y99FGr79xqu2AdZJYywXx-EkDgp9OuR-W171XWoVODHCfXJlYsHbVyONru7/s1600-h/IMG_4564.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiov-UBNY70D6YlitYcx_Irrrd-_gf7yN7eQl_CCDogsZDV9gYisZPaeruVqjmIsGBMEbSpS0sG9y99FGr79xqu2AdZJYywXx-EkDgp9OuR-W171XWoVODHCfXJlYsHbVyONru7/s320/IMG_4564.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206203496528448114" /></a>After the little photo-op they made a train (isn't that adorable?!) and walked up the path towards the ring/show area. One elephant started beating a drum and Elz and I almost freaked out. A taiko playing elephant = fantastic!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLxh_Yosf8G8eC4CjnFvfSWmm3SD-kZMMgEtdL1YgP_VYcuyX4CdoRdv_kzAdAHkISqA9deSl8oSW222Yw_ztOdBQQLhYB8EtZd8nEf9TKdLwPG34-F6SIn-mXCFcMadKkZQ/s1600-h/IMG_4575.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1XLxh_Yosf8G8eC4CjnFvfSWmm3SD-kZMMgEtdL1YgP_VYcuyX4CdoRdv_kzAdAHkISqA9deSl8oSW222Yw_ztOdBQQLhYB8EtZd8nEf9TKdLwPG34-F6SIn-mXCFcMadKkZQ/s320/IMG_4575.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206203505118382722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkCNZDKD6ocX3lhUSlQPyyrOGpGEZcoIz-RhRdh0HksQuxWyQ9HvcTJxMItk68igsIjgU6K_VBGfLVHFeTIABrokxG2cfWr4IsEPE4WDG4paSYh-JrHLreArUx3mnAiktoSP/s1600-h/IMG_4577.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsQkCNZDKD6ocX3lhUSlQPyyrOGpGEZcoIz-RhRdh0HksQuxWyQ9HvcTJxMItk68igsIjgU6K_VBGfLVHFeTIABrokxG2cfWr4IsEPE4WDG4paSYh-JrHLreArUx3mnAiktoSP/s320/IMG_4577.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206203509413350034" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShhJZw3jnDbwSgJhrQygvTt9yndxypS58G2Zbo60q1C7VQpOvZFHOH2qabYqJlZ3XKSgjB11eP0HFWRp7-sAMSnKjNBzGWP4bor6VI-9WnvD8nuNQIxNq_U78wjql7ffTGlHC/s1600-h/IMG_4584.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjShhJZw3jnDbwSgJhrQygvTt9yndxypS58G2Zbo60q1C7VQpOvZFHOH2qabYqJlZ3XKSgjB11eP0HFWRp7-sAMSnKjNBzGWP4bor6VI-9WnvD8nuNQIxNq_U78wjql7ffTGlHC/s320/IMG_4584.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206203518003284642" /></a>The elephant show was a bit circus-y but they also demonstrated us how they use elephants in the Thai logging industry. It's quite amazing how they can pick up logs, and stack, roll and drag them.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwLsSa2e9cbrqr8WStXWZHncROh6pG4oGfgyp6WTNA3h3QPaqKDgPgMcLwrdEoV3UtuVMsiNDD8ZzoQ93ofgV2cmrc0bv1Fjaz70pOcJBJZ7j2PBkCuAiqw06s5PZmo1DduH6/s1600-h/IMG_4588.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWwLsSa2e9cbrqr8WStXWZHncROh6pG4oGfgyp6WTNA3h3QPaqKDgPgMcLwrdEoV3UtuVMsiNDD8ZzoQ93ofgV2cmrc0bv1Fjaz70pOcJBJZ7j2PBkCuAiqw06s5PZmo1DduH6/s320/IMG_4588.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206203526593219250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM28ce4mW5s1iYBI9Py2Fn7KMOBnMVpFWJyNgXSriS7goUdp64nexShqUmQFfzjXiAl1yXlj9ERclMbwnJHBjMVH6miOinvQOK4mSnAjwUSfr52IX4vXgBKoLFzM8CHjqj1SdK/s1600-h/IMG_4593.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM28ce4mW5s1iYBI9Py2Fn7KMOBnMVpFWJyNgXSriS7goUdp64nexShqUmQFfzjXiAl1yXlj9ERclMbwnJHBjMVH6miOinvQOK4mSnAjwUSfr52IX4vXgBKoLFzM8CHjqj1SdK/s320/IMG_4593.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206202843693419042" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(check this one out - who knew that they could tightrope-log walk?)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMFUJiIMB325BfQknHvcUlzLivOqRlfOMz9LfG5DcgBpiWamjYofsyS2r3HAsyRlQnilNP9LihEuwhoptz_FnNInk_YDEiZ8bA_nRaA3teTWvz5xXD7p_obEXDmqrBuU-Ghoj/s1600-h/IMG_4598.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtMFUJiIMB325BfQknHvcUlzLivOqRlfOMz9LfG5DcgBpiWamjYofsyS2r3HAsyRlQnilNP9LihEuwhoptz_FnNInk_YDEiZ8bA_nRaA3teTWvz5xXD7p_obEXDmqrBuU-Ghoj/s320/IMG_4598.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206202852283353650" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q3DmdjNEGvXNk9aiw9gBIRYExAatz5VPuEJPsqTLzF-v90qJf5ikVMx-B18HKEe_HRzw4Y6ce8B0GeYpKu0W-Vi9IvWqZs4p9pPmw5fImZgUNe0VpeoX3-My2txutPQl12Zo/s1600-h/IMG_4601.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_q3DmdjNEGvXNk9aiw9gBIRYExAatz5VPuEJPsqTLzF-v90qJf5ikVMx-B18HKEe_HRzw4Y6ce8B0GeYpKu0W-Vi9IvWqZs4p9pPmw5fImZgUNe0VpeoX3-My2txutPQl12Zo/s320/IMG_4601.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206202860873288258" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG87Ra3KnfaqZgVHZ_jYatE1hvBKjFnVGPdvq_Alg4-iwCEQVmvJWnBoBBb6LeF00st9i62pUgqDmzEZGp65iSQ_euci2MzHTLLzEMNfHAIKFboFz4ai73jjPJRtBsOyXQxMU/s1600-h/IMG_4606.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOG87Ra3KnfaqZgVHZ_jYatE1hvBKjFnVGPdvq_Alg4-iwCEQVmvJWnBoBBb6LeF00st9i62pUgqDmzEZGp65iSQ_euci2MzHTLLzEMNfHAIKFboFz4ai73jjPJRtBsOyXQxMU/s320/IMG_4606.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206202873758190162" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(They also paint. There was a 'gallery' of the elephants' work. I think a few people bought some.)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0XZN0bd4Mlq6O_f_vfcwm9g6j_d0JxzKv_KcSjxyjJWNu7QpsZ51-Ye8mf56LoIjsKO9QW8gEwDzwfC1fiX1MM1rtd90yj5XI2gy6Hy1YrE9K5SasiqtZZbPcQk_0YrNarjb/s1600-h/IMG_4613.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG0XZN0bd4Mlq6O_f_vfcwm9g6j_d0JxzKv_KcSjxyjJWNu7QpsZ51-Ye8mf56LoIjsKO9QW8gEwDzwfC1fiX1MM1rtd90yj5XI2gy6Hy1YrE9K5SasiqtZZbPcQk_0YrNarjb/s320/IMG_4613.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201765656627666" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Show's done? Snack time! People fed the elephants corn. They went nuts for it)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSO7gF-lBj4A0tDLaQEIG8XsljIuCu_zVRls9fJUx8Al-LLifriTxSgQ0D_MGSIve81h7iHcnHYHNcyQzA6aclTJoAZM6s40onYBH473ZfATYnHrCn0z1hMjYkpzplOhYb8DH/s1600-h/IMG_4619.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcSO7gF-lBj4A0tDLaQEIG8XsljIuCu_zVRls9fJUx8Al-LLifriTxSgQ0D_MGSIve81h7iHcnHYHNcyQzA6aclTJoAZM6s40onYBH473ZfATYnHrCn0z1hMjYkpzplOhYb8DH/s320/IMG_4619.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201778541529570" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqvGxQsNLcd1tLDOA75xrI35obgy-ZCby3leROELTw-5BQB6sWpmrgu9cW2macOpJcQCXR_cqZRW5BDwqmfRmN8NdYUngsrTNipJjYy6vllp9reTC_A8TcL38IcOvkwlPMYGs/s1600-h/IMG_4620.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkqvGxQsNLcd1tLDOA75xrI35obgy-ZCby3leROELTw-5BQB6sWpmrgu9cW2macOpJcQCXR_cqZRW5BDwqmfRmN8NdYUngsrTNipJjYy6vllp9reTC_A8TcL38IcOvkwlPMYGs/s320/IMG_4620.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201791426431474" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkwqF_aieDwGPHJ6Do5vzjBYHMGJ6pqR9MYd80a6WZYGeL0KtnG7FSfJawDOci6lqzlbq0kpTa5xA48hsIk4-ou2MBmMcNckhlBcu_p69ZYtRx1EVwepWfHCYYwbPF1hEjXcq/s1600-h/IMG_4630.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPkwqF_aieDwGPHJ6Do5vzjBYHMGJ6pqR9MYd80a6WZYGeL0KtnG7FSfJawDOci6lqzlbq0kpTa5xA48hsIk4-ou2MBmMcNckhlBcu_p69ZYtRx1EVwepWfHCYYwbPF1hEjXcq/s320/IMG_4630.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201800016366082" /></a>Next up was the elephant ride, which everyone was really excited about. Two to an elephant and we were off! Down the centre's streets and into the jungle. Our elephant's Mahout was a bit nutty but awesome. It had been raining earlier so he was decked out in a poncho he'd made of a plaid umbrella (he's removed the frame, and cut it open). He whistled and yelled and laughed hysterically. In other words, our Mahout rocked.</div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dxuV3wwgqa_MnHbnxyvGjuAr4HW8sHBH38-TRJHF_jmxlSy-fgRDRwfFwylAchi0WkK2KWSQagfuAQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw44u_qm2w-xniU9cJNN1Q2-Rd92CjUHwMR7LPy-VGXWHYrtIveCJKNwU_1JK-JHFnhyphenhyphenu3Zrrqf1awO8ANK2XfogQ2aaUGYjHJ2FK3f3OeIP9n4SrGywZWRRsl84Rcv_ILWCC4/s1600-h/IMG_4646.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgw44u_qm2w-xniU9cJNN1Q2-Rd92CjUHwMR7LPy-VGXWHYrtIveCJKNwU_1JK-JHFnhyphenhyphenu3Zrrqf1awO8ANK2XfogQ2aaUGYjHJ2FK3f3OeIP9n4SrGywZWRRsl84Rcv_ILWCC4/s320/IMG_4646.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201804311333394" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(It's really hard to take pictures or video on a rocking, swaying elephant! Sorry!)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT74kXqgo7CQtdBRrQAlR_JbJuJWf7WJ42Yzzq5gunPBulbMbznvnh8P9E2S561AHyLG2qIVm9Ir1i5gJ8T9PudiLRNowU8G9xPO8J0lWqbxn86Amlg2aoqtvib327lupspuRf/s1600-h/IMG_4648.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT74kXqgo7CQtdBRrQAlR_JbJuJWf7WJ42Yzzq5gunPBulbMbznvnh8P9E2S561AHyLG2qIVm9Ir1i5gJ8T9PudiLRNowU8G9xPO8J0lWqbxn86Amlg2aoqtvib327lupspuRf/s320/IMG_4648.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201147181336962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU7WGxT_jwFjntB5A763ujakPY1BJxCUmsh9vxpmmHQOPWVgkde3J29o9kCjhbq5Qca-CuWxZrYtJhGPoy9EX3A7iXxEi3cZJsmJbhY8pHHY8qLVkT2_cd0NaY7H4D5snxG2d/s1600-h/IMG_4649.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyU7WGxT_jwFjntB5A763ujakPY1BJxCUmsh9vxpmmHQOPWVgkde3J29o9kCjhbq5Qca-CuWxZrYtJhGPoy9EX3A7iXxEi3cZJsmJbhY8pHHY8qLVkT2_cd0NaY7H4D5snxG2d/s320/IMG_4649.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201164361206162" /></a>Our elephant decided that he would be a bad-ass. Not happy with just walking across the concrete path, he decided to walk down into the ditch and then across. I thought we were going to fall off for a minute. The elephants behind us decided this looked like fun and followed.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDBz6_832UASyaWqL1LRTqKeS8ndAdaEb7dCltquOoqorKmZdCDi9FBKW7Ojo6Oc25fK2tCV66GEI5LyFUOPCFny2VOZd320YQ2cNzxBf4iNr_hL995KzKjwksQeOcYnIyjfp/s1600-h/IMG_4656.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJDBz6_832UASyaWqL1LRTqKeS8ndAdaEb7dCltquOoqorKmZdCDi9FBKW7Ojo6Oc25fK2tCV66GEI5LyFUOPCFny2VOZd320YQ2cNzxBf4iNr_hL995KzKjwksQeOcYnIyjfp/s320/IMG_4656.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201177246108066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTdJC_uDZDSJrX5GdqkQ_YYj3WVu2yg5lmG9RAB2VmxwGPEeYYvVkPjrZO-uv-cb9VIO94CO4t_sNCWa8f8SbLZc86pUDYnYV0KL4P3CzRNMS81Mox8RQRsZ0OEgoFZ_LXX_F/s1600-h/IMG_4658.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMTdJC_uDZDSJrX5GdqkQ_YYj3WVu2yg5lmG9RAB2VmxwGPEeYYvVkPjrZO-uv-cb9VIO94CO4t_sNCWa8f8SbLZc86pUDYnYV0KL4P3CzRNMS81Mox8RQRsZ0OEgoFZ_LXX_F/s320/IMG_4658.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201185836042674" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkcHhgG2Lvzv4Xs0IvHLc3KzC9bGkktbM6Wpa_7IFhnIkSySkvBvwi_rjVwFv9gk18BzgMVPk8wSKrqxGr6xKcHWM1gAl2E8toGYaA2O2iUqy55xKusB1CJj1U0fvs7JDkzMW/s1600-h/IMG_4659.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvkcHhgG2Lvzv4Xs0IvHLc3KzC9bGkktbM6Wpa_7IFhnIkSySkvBvwi_rjVwFv9gk18BzgMVPk8wSKrqxGr6xKcHWM1gAl2E8toGYaA2O2iUqy55xKusB1CJj1U0fvs7JDkzMW/s320/IMG_4659.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206201207310879170" /></a>After lunch (and a rainstorm) we visited the dung paper factory. Ahhh, yes, the magical place where elephant poop gets transformed into brightly coloured paper products. Unfortunately, they weren't actually making any at the moment but we got to see the materials and final results.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hdZN9hcTCY8KcqvpZybYDN5aCFtgU4BbqPvWtONik38-pt_LlJfJp2CGt_7o5JO5EAe6Ak1udCy93JWzIORSlsqRrNdzCcUCw0D8J3VSm0cW73KJsQe3v3HBZgar8zuqu_82/s1600-h/IMG_4662.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1hdZN9hcTCY8KcqvpZybYDN5aCFtgU4BbqPvWtONik38-pt_LlJfJp2CGt_7o5JO5EAe6Ak1udCy93JWzIORSlsqRrNdzCcUCw0D8J3VSm0cW73KJsQe3v3HBZgar8zuqu_82/s320/IMG_4662.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206200481461406002" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pWBJP1WuLee-EwwuL-lFEbdtVjc8rwCJC1DuoVr-b58fw9ymDmIz3bGNClCwE0Coj6BmpGdOkeQxyCMo7RWUehYBrcLFqrWZl1q0ROQ3iR_Pprdc5Aht0VAOvY133nOqcwxF/s1600-h/IMG_4664.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3pWBJP1WuLee-EwwuL-lFEbdtVjc8rwCJC1DuoVr-b58fw9ymDmIz3bGNClCwE0Coj6BmpGdOkeQxyCMo7RWUehYBrcLFqrWZl1q0ROQ3iR_Pprdc5Aht0VAOvY133nOqcwxF/s320/IMG_4664.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206200490051340610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswDGZCmg6zhbtQKOwItWA_ZzJDRKS8SVciHorha5nm0NJDI_NGJq4xBvcu1QVsRELCFFdbMqMeRMcIDPq3CTw-mPZZ_Rw83hDMGJbLClltCSOD6JrGHa5Uo3bBFA98Az3QnLL/s1600-h/IMG_4666.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgswDGZCmg6zhbtQKOwItWA_ZzJDRKS8SVciHorha5nm0NJDI_NGJq4xBvcu1QVsRELCFFdbMqMeRMcIDPq3CTw-mPZZ_Rw83hDMGJbLClltCSOD6JrGHa5Uo3bBFA98Az3QnLL/s320/IMG_4666.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206200494346307922" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLM0wVPzVWk2a_ZpTKUrO67toUp8XYENInvF4sLAgRTSZC7njBErcgZOAngm9LI9gx8eRY7uk-2rrgi_CCs6ETETY7FidGK6Sxz0J6asCtpfu1u5G_-HUVKA_jerON9iESVCO/s1600-h/IMG_4668.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLLM0wVPzVWk2a_ZpTKUrO67toUp8XYENInvF4sLAgRTSZC7njBErcgZOAngm9LI9gx8eRY7uk-2rrgi_CCs6ETETY7FidGK6Sxz0J6asCtpfu1u5G_-HUVKA_jerON9iESVCO/s320/IMG_4668.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206200502936242530" /></a>After saying goodbye to the elephants at the Thai Elephant Conservation Centre, we headed down the street to the Asian Elephant Hospital. This hospital is not associated with the centre and relies on donations to operate. A woman started it to help an elephant who had been injured by a landmine. Now they help any elephant with severe medical problems or who is pregnant. This place is not very popular with logging people, etc and apparently has been the victim of arson attempts and vandals?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY1NsWc8J4_hF7_WYQcArcysVOqBqPdXFg9VSFGwiyrYNttMuZ9Q4l0CDnROb-wbheigvGdqPGJoTzADCLBcSG0_wUKGWh4R4kpsgSC2TZUFipNpcJtc6iaKho1BV20RIYwC7/s1600-h/IMG_4672.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxY1NsWc8J4_hF7_WYQcArcysVOqBqPdXFg9VSFGwiyrYNttMuZ9Q4l0CDnROb-wbheigvGdqPGJoTzADCLBcSG0_wUKGWh4R4kpsgSC2TZUFipNpcJtc6iaKho1BV20RIYwC7/s320/IMG_4672.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206200507231209842" /></a>Our first stop was to visit the newest and youngest member of the hospital. This little guy stepped on a land mine and couldn't be reunited with his mother. His leg was amputated and eventually he'll be fitted with an artificial leg! It was so sad. He even looked sad... </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2crk4C-xtu4i981urY2IjLm88uYP2eLeko8FiPFqTYSLv1FIRjTVD3V7X3wAPd4ChmoyrCKNnZ5iUL-di1FgiTTv8fRO4A8jbSWGRM7Wk51eQW_F9WmTy5Q8jL_cb-h7W5DE/s1600-h/IMG_4675.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo2crk4C-xtu4i981urY2IjLm88uYP2eLeko8FiPFqTYSLv1FIRjTVD3V7X3wAPd4ChmoyrCKNnZ5iUL-di1FgiTTv8fRO4A8jbSWGRM7Wk51eQW_F9WmTy5Q8jL_cb-h7W5DE/s320/IMG_4675.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206199549453502690" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(This mother elephant was here to give birth to her very energetic and curious baby</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzpBHEQLaLkS7foQP9VctIwGWezaWaiR2DHCYsqN76YOVu4sIwKX55j0f7dnrwldW2awG07Z7-w3NBwe3phkukDuy5HJqkRheBH5uHj7AEgGYKmrxBNNX4bkdBS54AEcsUa1U/s1600-h/IMG_4680.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnzpBHEQLaLkS7foQP9VctIwGWezaWaiR2DHCYsqN76YOVu4sIwKX55j0f7dnrwldW2awG07Z7-w3NBwe3phkukDuy5HJqkRheBH5uHj7AEgGYKmrxBNNX4bkdBS54AEcsUa1U/s320/IMG_4680.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206199558043437298" /></a>This is the elephant that inspired the hospital (I can't remember it's name...darn). It also has a artificial leg (a kind of bag/brace filled with sand/sawdust) but is still experiencing problems and can't wear it until it heals.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMG6IQPc0WWEyYHqiLKwZynzLbryuGdxrNYNrK9HJtDKDb4aZny4pkmbxYtdOgvxr2Ft7mnOx9al4dql-Jn1alsnUwmzRCnex3YhH59qXXggswPQfipz97BwQnMizAufBQ6qI/s1600-h/IMG_4687.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMG6IQPc0WWEyYHqiLKwZynzLbryuGdxrNYNrK9HJtDKDb4aZny4pkmbxYtdOgvxr2Ft7mnOx9al4dql-Jn1alsnUwmzRCnex3YhH59qXXggswPQfipz97BwQnMizAufBQ6qI/s320/IMG_4687.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206199575223306498" /></a>After making some donations and watching a video, we hopped back into the songthaews and we off to a Thai hotsprings. The ride was brutal. It smelled like exhaust and was really dusty. I started getting claustrophobic and really wanted to get there. FINALLY we arrived and I felt better after getting some air. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Tndj4NfeH3d1YafSrf3zKN5gJ48NDq3dlqAngrmgFiP4DEfywZQcm0IPbP173oMCLyhiA8nfuK-2yfNGAKwC_lq-CYKBns0f63fQ9PU0FBlQADVIV2Q331Kt5qXIMaU6PU2N/s1600-h/IMG_4689.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Tndj4NfeH3d1YafSrf3zKN5gJ48NDq3dlqAngrmgFiP4DEfywZQcm0IPbP173oMCLyhiA8nfuK-2yfNGAKwC_lq-CYKBns0f63fQ9PU0FBlQADVIV2Q331Kt5qXIMaU6PU2N/s320/IMG_4689.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206199583813241106" /></a>At the hotsprings we had the option of going swimming or just sticking our feet in the foot hotspring. I'm not a fan of swimming in hot water and since it was so hot already I decided the footspring would suffice. It started to pour as soon as we sat down and we spent the next hour sitting under a snack shack, eating ice cream and talking. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBK5EwqCgdDCLa3o7sPwuZvbua1k4vLMO5DPKG4H2TeNRKG7l2YDUxyDfFbcIXkfVBuAJXzI_v4F7huNjjslR45jrSAeWs7j35TLNzjXpVrZVMFQStfXyF52gPbl4LTuJXcSn/s1600-h/IMG_4691.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSBK5EwqCgdDCLa3o7sPwuZvbua1k4vLMO5DPKG4H2TeNRKG7l2YDUxyDfFbcIXkfVBuAJXzI_v4F7huNjjslR45jrSAeWs7j35TLNzjXpVrZVMFQStfXyF52gPbl4LTuJXcSn/s320/IMG_4691.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206199592403175714" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(The water was hot...but I'll stick to Japanese onsens</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div></div><div>Then it was back into the songthaews for a quick ride to the homestay. I was really looking forward to this part of the tour and I wasn't disappointed. It was something that I could never have arranged on my own. </div><div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHfiRfdUBU_abMVFIBe9vpTZKl2R94eh7jw0i_k3Rpw5s5zOLI4ut647iCf4srr6gLP0cyGIUPfzAWQUqn1qPL7TNXEx9JRx22G87TwXsU_meEnJ4NnqmqnJdkXESx3qWz51EU/s320/IMG_4697.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206197818581682306" /></div>We arrived at our local guide, Aoi's home, where we discovered the girls had the whole top floor of the main building. We unloaded our packs and relaxed after our day of elephants and songthaew rides. Downstairs, the local kids practiced their instruments in preparation for their performance during dinner.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImw4y8-ngJecJik9b89jhM0hD66pZgEl5qpBVCwhgDbbGCSxv2aXDBvEJCG-2JTIS_e8JwSrpJS0iUTy2hlsPhKr93mBSQZOnRr83LqS-NdZunIQK6PVhr3LNO4vBGpRs0KPi/s1600-h/IMG_4707.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhImw4y8-ngJecJik9b89jhM0hD66pZgEl5qpBVCwhgDbbGCSxv2aXDBvEJCG-2JTIS_e8JwSrpJS0iUTy2hlsPhKr93mBSQZOnRr83LqS-NdZunIQK6PVhr3LNO4vBGpRs0KPi/s320/IMG_4707.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206197835761551506" /></a>Before dinner a few of us went for a little walk. We stopped by a field and got some cool pictures of a rain storm passing by. Then it was back to the house for delicious food and music!<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLIaxZEPxcivWFKtQFhFUKM0aOFBhGqFmDXf0KDNtsui5c2e987cq1I9p-yGluHMiMXB55SGIjbKgI_ISt0aIeccdWYHipIFIihUwvHSd4JolczGFVKeii3saJ7ciAvq4-W5D/s1600-h/4717-3.jpg"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLLIaxZEPxcivWFKtQFhFUKM0aOFBhGqFmDXf0KDNtsui5c2e987cq1I9p-yGluHMiMXB55SGIjbKgI_ISt0aIeccdWYHipIFIihUwvHSd4JolczGFVKeii3saJ7ciAvq4-W5D/s320/4717-3.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206573215903222786" /></a><br /><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dz-ydAO3l6nENs9c4B9mFvWyLn3fFYD-c0OboVGhzWI73jn-dsDXsL0PJ4pnuCPyTAIgEDRTRX5ZIc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Here's video of our dinner performance. I loved the little boy sitting behind the teacher. He was so not impressed with us. Later he tried to teach me how to play a guitar-like instrument and seemed bewildered that anyone could be so bad at it)</span><br /><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MQnSfWSY1Fn-Vc7o8BY3T5ENehIRh0rNHurb0VLqboAKY6mSWqqiP8O_mt6PU0PcZg9yFXpiDFt1Xp2JNgbakL_7Oq7wH33KCk0TfCSUvNWnhqd64ww-B3KQ_HtDbCmpqdLF/s1600-h/IMG_4728.JPG" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0MQnSfWSY1Fn-Vc7o8BY3T5ENehIRh0rNHurb0VLqboAKY6mSWqqiP8O_mt6PU0PcZg9yFXpiDFt1Xp2JNgbakL_7Oq7wH33KCk0TfCSUvNWnhqd64ww-B3KQ_HtDbCmpqdLF/s320/IMG_4728.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206197857236388018" /></a><div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic; ">(Elz rocked the xylophone instrument)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dx7HxKYhFpWZ9z6gTED7vRUVdSs7LXdCuJrpatuM6GDYdZSkD-7wSjIEmbgbX_sOCryJs12DTCozGc' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;">After dinner we headed out into the garden, where we got to watch the boys of the family perform a Thai style of dancing that is part dance, part fighting. When they finished they picked people to join them and try to kick their butts (literally). I sucked as this game too and almost broke my toe on a rock that was hiding under the carpets. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;">Some little girls also did a dance with long finger accessories (think of Thai dance photos) and finally two girls did a candle dance. We were all given candles and told to join in. When our candles were lit, they turned off the main building lamps and almost instantly we were attacked by flying ant-bugs. They were attracted by the light of the candles and there were thousands of them. It was hilarious and terrifying at the same time. I wanted to laugh but bugs were trying to crawl into my mouth, nose and eyes. The little girls leading the dance didn't know what to do...they tried to continue but eventually we all just resorted to waving and jumping up and down trying to get rid of the bugs.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuUctqlphsy37ymvRup-m6XSQR0Fx5wM4UjHUN32ZPnEGo1zVR04Z7MRzI-idDdy-IAWjWEsHmML4hUG3LJD0_RaPEDkwlGnVSWiHpvsdLrOO2mfxQSlUozUhucNyaZGjpWF1/s1600-h/4739-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNuUctqlphsy37ymvRup-m6XSQR0Fx5wM4UjHUN32ZPnEGo1zVR04Z7MRzI-idDdy-IAWjWEsHmML4hUG3LJD0_RaPEDkwlGnVSWiHpvsdLrOO2mfxQSlUozUhucNyaZGjpWF1/s320/4739-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5206197857236388034" /></a><br />The last event of the night was sending a paper kite into sky to bring good luck (I think). It's usually done at new years but they wanted to show it to us. It floated higher and higher until I couldn't see it anymore. </div><div><br /></div><div>Some people had a connect4 tournament, others planned day trips in Chiang Mai and eventually we made terrifying trips to the outdoor toilets (the walls were covered in bugs and fire ants attacked your legs) and then got into our mosquito net covered beds. I slept really well but Elz was troubled by phantom fire ants who wouldn't leave her alone... </div><div><br /></div><div>what a day!</div></div></div><br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-22570320328367170302008-05-26T10:30:00.001+09:002008-05-26T10:41:41.559+09:00Thailand Tour: Sukhothai<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSE_v98acoGk9GZFHhZpt2FKuyiM7jRW1G5kGnztnWKXCDrPxbGaxuI4IxnPsvIy65dhXDzTYtvDMFdlEAPT5TsbMIQYVUnfjkmcZVjV0fOSCOotK4BetN9juljnPiZ9Jif4Q/s1600-h/IMG_4243.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilSE_v98acoGk9GZFHhZpt2FKuyiM7jRW1G5kGnztnWKXCDrPxbGaxuI4IxnPsvIy65dhXDzTYtvDMFdlEAPT5TsbMIQYVUnfjkmcZVjV0fOSCOotK4BetN9juljnPiZ9Jif4Q/s320/IMG_4243.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203730024862681154" /></a><br /><div>Originally, I had wanted to go to Bali for my vacation. Unfortunately, I discovered two things; 1) flights to Bali from Japan are still super expensive, 2) I just didn't have the energy to plan a trip while working full-time and taking an AQ course. While surfing the Intrepid Travel site, I found a tour of Norther Thailand that fit my Golden Week dates perfectly! So it was decided that Elz and I would head to Thailand for an adventure!<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe4wKoTQTMBd_fcDrGOlYOJu9qvXF5pwkc0xXz0nnhirvo7NvbacirMX7vb9E4CLRp-k97JKon4srp5caQ96qnb4KhP8WPQzT2QnFlzYnbF0t5GATDBpMRyDXWlHqWxYThRjp/s1600-h/IMG_4241.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioe4wKoTQTMBd_fcDrGOlYOJu9qvXF5pwkc0xXz0nnhirvo7NvbacirMX7vb9E4CLRp-k97JKon4srp5caQ96qnb4KhP8WPQzT2QnFlzYnbF0t5GATDBpMRyDXWlHqWxYThRjp/s320/IMG_4241.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203730033452615762" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Day 1: Sunday, April 27, 2008</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Nagoya to Bangkok</span></div><div>We caught a JAL flight from Chubu Airport and landed in Bangkok at around 6pm. We managed to find the taxi stand (and didn't get ripped off!) and an hour later found ourselves outside of our hotel, which was located near Khao San Rd. (backpacker central). We met our tour leader, Arjan and then found a 7-11 to get some snacks and breakfast (I didn't want to chance street food the day before a 5 hour train ride).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMxYusf01FBajwqsiTFtzXMbjdBl9rRUWkEhYpAms5uK-Q_OA1ZnBRm3B3_V0LGM294ZRUXDULOx_VWrYMcO8k3ypwmk4wogyTp_Oo06IIOduPderbYjYbmjYsnxhBJfgXluf/s1600-h/IMG_4246.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZMxYusf01FBajwqsiTFtzXMbjdBl9rRUWkEhYpAms5uK-Q_OA1ZnBRm3B3_V0LGM294ZRUXDULOx_VWrYMcO8k3ypwmk4wogyTp_Oo06IIOduPderbYjYbmjYsnxhBJfgXluf/s320/IMG_4246.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203730042042550370" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Day 2: Monday April 28, 2008</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Bangkok to Sukhothai</span></div><div>VERY early the next morning we met our fellow tourmates (there were two other Canadians on the tour, one named Laura who went to York...yeah, freaky!) and caught taxis to the train station. While waiting for our train we got to experience standing for the Thai national anthem (played everywhere at 8am and 6pm) and see people wearing yellow (Monday's colour in honour of the King). </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1KISsp7BqPF40JNUb-hk_65uJTc6Oq9aghFWKFo8m1AqAZSw3gIhrsu_9NTN1PhadCLnY2ngXvOtut3x7s55GkaZuxAcWrRQdITMukmLgY9u4DFoNj1IG_sG34pSj3f4YypK/s1600-h/4247-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN1KISsp7BqPF40JNUb-hk_65uJTc6Oq9aghFWKFo8m1AqAZSw3gIhrsu_9NTN1PhadCLnY2ngXvOtut3x7s55GkaZuxAcWrRQdITMukmLgY9u4DFoNj1IG_sG34pSj3f4YypK/s320/4247-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203730042042550386" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">(The train was a bit different from the shinkansen and we were sitting in what would be the green car. We found out that Thai train bathrooms are only used while the train is moving...so that...well, the waste can be disposed of...)<br /></div></span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoKJ4uBf1wGnsi9-gPNYBQb4UY-keShA_TC9D_Pnrnwb9eiMHSZf47PtqdpwBiaQc_GBBdsQhAvthCYILkcV1PXQ2dborWBc-hEktZNKPw4bT9Gx9TwofUm7ZCJdmBZaePSQn/s1600-h/IMG_4255.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkoKJ4uBf1wGnsi9-gPNYBQb4UY-keShA_TC9D_Pnrnwb9eiMHSZf47PtqdpwBiaQc_GBBdsQhAvthCYILkcV1PXQ2dborWBc-hEktZNKPw4bT9Gx9TwofUm7ZCJdmBZaePSQn/s320/IMG_4255.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729676970330098" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(First real meal in Thailand - yeah, not so great</span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>The train took a while to pick up speed but eventually we left the poorer looking areas of Bangkok behind and started whizzing by lush farms and fields. The train's windows were quite disgusting so I couldn't get any good pictures. After a small cake snack, we were served lunch. It wasn't bad but wasn't great. I wasn't a fan of the sausage-type things at the top.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUprsj0t6wAPCRGw1YdWdz7bHKO0fEknn4KzZ8Uc9yUZG0VM342TZJOMGc6FY4F2J52IapN0r9nFjz7JljkEcZ4f1RTaZF9Z5QC6vmfMDykTFzKwbtUN93e-qMakqI2sMT0uqX/s1600-h/IMG_4258.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUprsj0t6wAPCRGw1YdWdz7bHKO0fEknn4KzZ8Uc9yUZG0VM342TZJOMGc6FY4F2J52IapN0r9nFjz7JljkEcZ4f1RTaZF9Z5QC6vmfMDykTFzKwbtUN93e-qMakqI2sMT0uqX/s320/IMG_4258.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729681265297410" /></a>When our train stopped in Phitsanulok, we hopped off and discovered it was sweltering! We met our local guide, Naa and went out to the parking lot. Naa asked for two volunteers to go with her in her jeep and when no one volunteered, a girl named Karen and I did. We got to spend the next hour in an air-conditioned vehicle (I fell asleep almost instantly), while the others piled into a songthaew (picture in a bit).<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLVQQbfp_retskMT_maKTLtE0aHGq7TBUjEXikVdB4Os_8MqiaH00TOryNe2iX056yWC8x39GZANkx4reiZrvKLT8Hu2CObjAynvID-T7f3j2dLfVJwLRhWSrWmMlBOxByx4d/s1600-h/IMG_4271.JPG"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqLVQQbfp_retskMT_maKTLtE0aHGq7TBUjEXikVdB4Os_8MqiaH00TOryNe2iX056yWC8x39GZANkx4reiZrvKLT8Hu2CObjAynvID-T7f3j2dLfVJwLRhWSrWmMlBOxByx4d/s320/IMG_4271.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729277538371538" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">(J&J Guest House - This place was fantastic!! And oh, their mango shakes were to die for!)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42kqTI_HMJoS-lw9zEqmfRHsnxMYwii5pO-UqAajFg3PtDoLhhh9R8de3KEq_atL_RXUMsCWybx6Er8j7YBFTVmdiUCVAzKrbvagTFwU-X649PNVl90-XzWSFFfe0WzAXliao/s1600-h/4259-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh42kqTI_HMJoS-lw9zEqmfRHsnxMYwii5pO-UqAajFg3PtDoLhhh9R8de3KEq_atL_RXUMsCWybx6Er8j7YBFTVmdiUCVAzKrbvagTFwU-X649PNVl90-XzWSFFfe0WzAXliao/s320/4259-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729689855232034" /></a>We arrived at our guesthouse and relaxed a bit. Most people went for a swim in the guesthouse's pool and a Thai massage but Elz and I decided to hang out in the cafe part and get a drink. We went for a walk around the neighbourhood (a little sketchy - there was a mystery squirrel-like animal in a cage and some crumbling buildings). We risked our lives trying to cross the road (it was worse than Rome!) and by the time we returned it was so hot that we went for a swim (we had the whole pool to ourselves!). The guesthouse was located beside some farms and it was so peaceful and tropical. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOxddD-20bk92NU8tyN0Flfd8m2j1ACWYA2vEl-wT62towMHpgf0be4n0-_CmeoOfLpBKed8Tzqhr8-UQm8qCqily7xdr5cB-2aajCkuVvw-rKVnq5CL-F2QjkHUgLwA9JuPn/s1600-h/4260-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAOxddD-20bk92NU8tyN0Flfd8m2j1ACWYA2vEl-wT62towMHpgf0be4n0-_CmeoOfLpBKed8Tzqhr8-UQm8qCqily7xdr5cB-2aajCkuVvw-rKVnq5CL-F2QjkHUgLwA9JuPn/s320/4260-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729689855232050" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Hey, you can't help but take silly photos in front of this crazy plant/tree!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5DSjl4uta5X4qEluPOY_lDNfdcj3aHYV-b8xv6rnyv_dDxMsPEkO_hm8jXsCfKMrZ6d67Xjy2CF98vFkoNsf4eqVKh4VlRCmv3p6Svxcgxwm139w1asZPr7ggneeKgmk9E2u/s1600-h/4261-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_5DSjl4uta5X4qEluPOY_lDNfdcj3aHYV-b8xv6rnyv_dDxMsPEkO_hm8jXsCfKMrZ6d67Xjy2CF98vFkoNsf4eqVKh4VlRCmv3p6Svxcgxwm139w1asZPr7ggneeKgmk9E2u/s320/4261-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729260358502306" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyTvoI4PpmPJWt-oDOFHj0hsLIUE7wXag2gq37as4hcBN5WLLFLfVDE4B7VgUCC5oDunxK-UhCmaYfZI26yRNxFAIVMWK4b6w9k-Q_VhVjmBmfY9d-m0crg-TKhiZCZgYN20i/s1600-h/IMG_4265.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQyTvoI4PpmPJWt-oDOFHj0hsLIUE7wXag2gq37as4hcBN5WLLFLfVDE4B7VgUCC5oDunxK-UhCmaYfZI26yRNxFAIVMWK4b6w9k-Q_VhVjmBmfY9d-m0crg-TKhiZCZgYN20i/s320/IMG_4265.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729268948436914" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEuXomvuV8cLTeuU80Df-wb6WJ5KrEJtZ5Tt5s3MHpbsT70I6POhyphenhyphenWFtotfrYKElHfkYH107osKnsp1EIU6-tVIfHPRd8UGT0TLENdZ-MOXOtgHX3fiD-AyDxhGVf1YV51AxP/s1600-h/IMG_4267.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTEuXomvuV8cLTeuU80Df-wb6WJ5KrEJtZ5Tt5s3MHpbsT70I6POhyphenhyphenWFtotfrYKElHfkYH107osKnsp1EIU6-tVIfHPRd8UGT0TLENdZ-MOXOtgHX3fiD-AyDxhGVf1YV51AxP/s320/IMG_4267.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729273243404226" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(This is the first time I saw actual mango trees! And luckily it was mango season in Northern Thailand while I were there. They tasted like candy - sweet and perfect!</span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPckxTyYDRlIWL_ByqO95hMPzb2Kb5bSRCQweQ68eNt79vdkF3B-_Spqdxc7Kk7V87j3MLqGBy_fNroBVIZpOyVAgiQ9UhNMMX3PTP-PuDGqadKpiAXBu4HIv6zdfiwV2hFBH/s1600-h/4272-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYPckxTyYDRlIWL_ByqO95hMPzb2Kb5bSRCQweQ68eNt79vdkF3B-_Spqdxc7Kk7V87j3MLqGBy_fNroBVIZpOyVAgiQ9UhNMMX3PTP-PuDGqadKpiAXBu4HIv6zdfiwV2hFBH/s320/4272-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203729277538371554" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">("If you can't find Laura, she's in the restaurant drinking mango shakes!"</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetNsbG56JYYTQQL60pVEbQeQvXyZPEesVUSaA5EMomRNtCFtCOn-47LgpbgPbdug7WO7zCIUKTQVdeFSp5oVjt1KHJPJ0YRNm83559ip7pkR-97CITWHXVyB5guPFkO9NlxT4/s1600-h/4278-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjetNsbG56JYYTQQL60pVEbQeQvXyZPEesVUSaA5EMomRNtCFtCOn-47LgpbgPbdug7WO7zCIUKTQVdeFSp5oVjt1KHJPJ0YRNm83559ip7pkR-97CITWHXVyB5guPFkO9NlxT4/s320/4278-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728822271838050" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCyyiPcxqTHRhVIYIFPQmMHELM-9lDCQ489bsPB4Lxdbi9F-IIIc6jpTviw0sTWVD154ka0dLeiKnKZlR8U2tj9-T2TxIPMokOmTsPxfROQfljlsjb75Asih5wKnR42Qj_HQ/s1600-h/IMG_4291.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmjCyyiPcxqTHRhVIYIFPQmMHELM-9lDCQ489bsPB4Lxdbi9F-IIIc6jpTviw0sTWVD154ka0dLeiKnKZlR8U2tj9-T2TxIPMokOmTsPxfROQfljlsjb75Asih5wKnR42Qj_HQ/s320/IMG_4291.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728826566805362" /></a>That afternoon there was a spectacular thunderstorm. The whole group ate dinner together and most of us shared a bunch of dishes. The curry was amazing. It wasn't too hot and so flavourful. Unfortunately, the lighting in the restaurant was bad so no pictures of that fantastic meal. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrdeRkBC5XW89Oil_b_Q7nm4cizF7VQhn86wZpJcPahqmYtHY5OBNTlBd5B3-pBeAQkkMahYw9nfUbMCfSj3dE0kquVxCMC6qKhgHIKoZg81bh8uC-OUklUXkDTX7DMv4k1HY/s1600-h/IMG_4300.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCrdeRkBC5XW89Oil_b_Q7nm4cizF7VQhn86wZpJcPahqmYtHY5OBNTlBd5B3-pBeAQkkMahYw9nfUbMCfSj3dE0kquVxCMC6qKhgHIKoZg81bh8uC-OUklUXkDTX7DMv4k1HY/s320/IMG_4300.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728830861772674" /></a>That night we chilled in our little cabin/room and watched Tim the Gecko run around the walls. In Thailand, when the sun goes down, the geckos come out! They make a cute chirping/squeaking noise. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin13b0fHLR_yJa7YwlsD-R6ddEEIT887ysGv9_Ao3fSpAIdhink7xIldwfvWzzwbuk8F70-CzYcnY8etpHFZiGZbz3EvqfqxsTDmT3ZNEVgUawZ634KanPX-bcOkKnB_FgXCvJ/s1600-h/IMG_4310.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin13b0fHLR_yJa7YwlsD-R6ddEEIT887ysGv9_Ao3fSpAIdhink7xIldwfvWzzwbuk8F70-CzYcnY8etpHFZiGZbz3EvqfqxsTDmT3ZNEVgUawZ634KanPX-bcOkKnB_FgXCvJ/s320/IMG_4310.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728835156739986" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Day 3: Tuesday April 29, 2008</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sukhothai historical ruins</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">Sukhothai to Lampang</span></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0TriByDTMMqHeqAikIDSA2ajQxOILggoMbqWcmAINp4_xvoWyZMenK_u7xkvfzQTGDqCqcq6zsjwjyJZHBoqBoBwRo4Rc76iu39lbhNd3skrvNDjpSPQuSI3jVcVFq_0OJsH/s1600-h/IMG_4311.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH0TriByDTMMqHeqAikIDSA2ajQxOILggoMbqWcmAINp4_xvoWyZMenK_u7xkvfzQTGDqCqcq6zsjwjyJZHBoqBoBwRo4Rc76iu39lbhNd3skrvNDjpSPQuSI3jVcVFq_0OJsH/s320/IMG_4311.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728358415369986" /></a>After a great breakfast at the guesthouse, we paid our bills and got into a <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">songthaew</span>. This popular vehicle in Thailand is kind of like a large pick-up with a roof and bench seating. I'm sure my mom would have been freaking out if she saw me in this...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxaB2sbVkPRV6QxY1zskvvmJnCUffFWOxq0FUpBttp_hB3OnKK59BBWXo2jOHMhV5VvAjEqqEiUoi-QlUAViBALaQzzrJ_p0zjyqS12-GzxrkY21VTvmSlz2MSOC9azAumgwe/s1600-h/IMG_4312.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTxaB2sbVkPRV6QxY1zskvvmJnCUffFWOxq0FUpBttp_hB3OnKK59BBWXo2jOHMhV5VvAjEqqEiUoi-QlUAViBALaQzzrJ_p0zjyqS12-GzxrkY21VTvmSlz2MSOC9azAumgwe/s320/IMG_4312.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728362710337298" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20SoGc1CnOkBpJBmlqhS5yXn5YX4rsOnQlExba2TIu9ahxqpbXII2i1KSR5YIPSCYCMXirmoRPXJMlUsirwbO1aU5cIBfhgX8jKCKtesqM-JNC2hkJHdiNRDlPRHJn1QKm2TX/s1600-h/IMG_4315.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg20SoGc1CnOkBpJBmlqhS5yXn5YX4rsOnQlExba2TIu9ahxqpbXII2i1KSR5YIPSCYCMXirmoRPXJMlUsirwbO1aU5cIBfhgX8jKCKtesqM-JNC2hkJHdiNRDlPRHJn1QKm2TX/s320/IMG_4315.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728367005304610" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_ils-eeZtePsY6GlhP0PhdG8jW34xhD8Dm58diqXT6vo-sDHKwgZ5jLHN4Q2OKgoroSfknoM11fWjqSuwozMbks39wHpgRhcrAL7jDBg2DA3tnLs3ua7N4u5BvgBzyuotFyk/s1600-h/IMG_4324.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn_ils-eeZtePsY6GlhP0PhdG8jW34xhD8Dm58diqXT6vo-sDHKwgZ5jLHN4Q2OKgoroSfknoM11fWjqSuwozMbks39wHpgRhcrAL7jDBg2DA3tnLs3ua7N4u5BvgBzyuotFyk/s320/IMG_4324.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728375595239218" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(At the historical park, we chose bikes, tested them out and then started our bike ride! I did actually remember how to ride a bike...)</span> <br /></div></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK_z2AV4yn8POGmZ_R50dQYrnhYWv17-b-q3wZLRGG4EFgQacKARLVrIEZuxfpQ-kyBre1oynp1bc3X5lKdpzxWzTioSLiMBJc7eUiNvu65EcM_bdPEaL9Jc65xPcfXjUQYUh/s1600-h/IMG_4327.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioK_z2AV4yn8POGmZ_R50dQYrnhYWv17-b-q3wZLRGG4EFgQacKARLVrIEZuxfpQ-kyBre1oynp1bc3X5lKdpzxWzTioSLiMBJc7eUiNvu65EcM_bdPEaL9Jc65xPcfXjUQYUh/s320/IMG_4327.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203728379890206530" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">A little info:</span> Sukhothai is about 450 km north of Bangkok on the Yom river. It was the first capital of Thailand from the mid 13th century to the late 14th century. The old city of Sukhothai comprises approx. 45 square km of ruins, which have been declared a World Heritage Site.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZrdTxJPgYZtfRsSLjjiTAXqcI4vHiVIVHgRgZOQnPdAam-CVsQbelyqPdCn4KM9peE5Obvbgj3gEE9-oRWlw48P568h-i-TBrhe96ZqJazoxi6mzMj-qfSjo5PkW8xsZkcfV/s1600-h/IMG_4329.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaZrdTxJPgYZtfRsSLjjiTAXqcI4vHiVIVHgRgZOQnPdAam-CVsQbelyqPdCn4KM9peE5Obvbgj3gEE9-oRWlw48P568h-i-TBrhe96ZqJazoxi6mzMj-qfSjo5PkW8xsZkcfV/s320/IMG_4329.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727898853869234" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">(These structures are called chedis. Wow...something that I actually remember from my Sacred Places course at Waterloo)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7jna-ev434cZZE8h8UPF0J_q7OCQBs3QG_V-ZThHfF8JgvH_CkyzRZEz-9onvEAz9C8mvRZbdbcQd9Sfmtpy8JF4_Wf1xknAwiR6UawaFFS4Ra4mJA_w-Vn91e_0-1SJv6y8/s1600-h/4333-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy7jna-ev434cZZE8h8UPF0J_q7OCQBs3QG_V-ZThHfF8JgvH_CkyzRZEz-9onvEAz9C8mvRZbdbcQd9Sfmtpy8JF4_Wf1xknAwiR6UawaFFS4Ra4mJA_w-Vn91e_0-1SJv6y8/s320/4333-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727903148836546" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Our tour group. Everyone was lovely....except the British guy in the front...</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICthkRXimS9ISTbLvmis50fWC3j1a1Eh8u5NOz0Px6dRKQ5jVJUPZ0u0dCAznqX9OZo_kwlqk1k2Nu50_K6ssGHUqk-sIkpK8w6qHMW15K5rLrj0Uuf53kVYfyj6G_JGuVwU9/s1600-h/4339-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiICthkRXimS9ISTbLvmis50fWC3j1a1Eh8u5NOz0Px6dRKQ5jVJUPZ0u0dCAznqX9OZo_kwlqk1k2Nu50_K6ssGHUqk-sIkpK8w6qHMW15K5rLrj0Uuf53kVYfyj6G_JGuVwU9/s320/4339-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727907443803858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgUAfym6F4KwoIQ2tNBjhkb-IIiRR24lqUq36E6XEd0gYb0f0qDWhROsudlw2C0OrPW9j-oO_ChXUDH0rsYsaEey0v8g3PL6YgtJcHN9PaFxa2l0r5J-axGF5AJf5FyD6UVXS/s1600-h/4345-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdgUAfym6F4KwoIQ2tNBjhkb-IIiRR24lqUq36E6XEd0gYb0f0qDWhROsudlw2C0OrPW9j-oO_ChXUDH0rsYsaEey0v8g3PL6YgtJcHN9PaFxa2l0r5J-axGF5AJf5FyD6UVXS/s320/4345-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727907443803874" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_edbIrOKiVPW6j03rVhuoZFCw_HSCrnX9eMOgnI6EqgnTn-6WLmlO7qDkqNRE3ddsZiSap7dO-wzWlAXR0OF9Afs9VBHzJUaFd5KwVheib954W1rSa0KBz4zRwjImcrueHiT/s1600-h/4353-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX_edbIrOKiVPW6j03rVhuoZFCw_HSCrnX9eMOgnI6EqgnTn-6WLmlO7qDkqNRE3ddsZiSap7dO-wzWlAXR0OF9Afs9VBHzJUaFd5KwVheib954W1rSa0KBz4zRwjImcrueHiT/s320/4353-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727550961518178" /></a>My memory is like a sieve, but I'm pretty sure this is Wat Mahathat. We learned that Wat means temple in Thai and that Mahathat indicates the main/major temple. According to the booklet, Wat Mahathat's grounds are 206m long and 200m wide and are surrounded by a moat (representing the edge of the universe), which encloses 198 chedis.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDaTWs0nDqurBFcCNjf9H-W4tqKDs5yPuCAVmMO83VkQ2CR__aMHH4hiaMwm-dLKzX7q_XEj06CvNjRJL4qh8Dquy-kB8zxXwpMewlNLV5utUrEN_3WCnbznS7ILDG9Xb7Wz9/s1600-h/4355-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKDaTWs0nDqurBFcCNjf9H-W4tqKDs5yPuCAVmMO83VkQ2CR__aMHH4hiaMwm-dLKzX7q_XEj06CvNjRJL4qh8Dquy-kB8zxXwpMewlNLV5utUrEN_3WCnbznS7ILDG9Xb7Wz9/s320/4355-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727559551452786" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f-5SUeffZP74q5FEyNG2zvwRkEeI7xQ9zp6EZurUu0KsDiNrSLJDWdR47pSUi42s1jkfKFaPj7W5Dyyy5cI_Sj5y4XAlIdrh6Uc0cxpOgBvke5kXP8MgmMbUxjxMJqvRXzF9/s1600-h/IMG_4361.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7f-5SUeffZP74q5FEyNG2zvwRkEeI7xQ9zp6EZurUu0KsDiNrSLJDWdR47pSUi42s1jkfKFaPj7W5Dyyy5cI_Sj5y4XAlIdrh6Uc0cxpOgBvke5kXP8MgmMbUxjxMJqvRXzF9/s320/IMG_4361.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727563846420098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMcvi54NOAiBJMVjSPrwQZk7oSofz84NLI8WZ_JXV1w0RadBQpAnP9lhP4SIYG1oK6BUKzOwuZqIo4W0glVTKRMaKYqXON4Bx8prcrcJb9ltOWC7EmZ8h3ZNOlj7bSuluH1aW/s1600-h/IMG_4362.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcMcvi54NOAiBJMVjSPrwQZk7oSofz84NLI8WZ_JXV1w0RadBQpAnP9lhP4SIYG1oK6BUKzOwuZqIo4W0glVTKRMaKYqXON4Bx8prcrcJb9ltOWC7EmZ8h3ZNOlj7bSuluH1aW/s320/IMG_4362.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727568141387410" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Hailey and Laura</span>)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HxhpXP024rcst8h9O7JMjxNH0YrkHOw5l3kKpCzztEVCKMkHeGNwMh-TXrYG9lTrr1srhi9wFWPHt9WhzmMOqmLRm3c8IIAPjkxxbPtg4-wkb2z7cOOUYPUlw_ErPdTMBk8t/s1600-h/IMG_4372.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9HxhpXP024rcst8h9O7JMjxNH0YrkHOw5l3kKpCzztEVCKMkHeGNwMh-TXrYG9lTrr1srhi9wFWPHt9WhzmMOqmLRm3c8IIAPjkxxbPtg4-wkb2z7cOOUYPUlw_ErPdTMBk8t/s320/IMG_4372.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203727572436354722" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zw4hHoj9Ym2yZWL2aAH4znBb4Niv4Fo4Tt9AvJIqttzHEbayFHhHwGnCpITgkGwpgC2wr3r29e_qXFY2DA9-ZkE6sOqsShG4B2MNDoQvt9RMMYiJVsqYI1rSdUxtdyOA7ZPA/s1600-h/IMG_4391.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_Zw4hHoj9Ym2yZWL2aAH4znBb4Niv4Fo4Tt9AvJIqttzHEbayFHhHwGnCpITgkGwpgC2wr3r29e_qXFY2DA9-ZkE6sOqsShG4B2MNDoQvt9RMMYiJVsqYI1rSdUxtdyOA7ZPA/s320/IMG_4391.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203596734847616530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlaufP6fbQHfciSky2EuRm13icXzP2gd1Q5f0Px6uMlfxLQDJjQXE_wYtVY5zgYvEx3P6oNDw_Qt5USr7rOTzGnbbWFvwS3tpkuq5hkV13Nw2kuZSv-bqCowGPyewHgJDVCdB/s1600-h/IMG_4393.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLlaufP6fbQHfciSky2EuRm13icXzP2gd1Q5f0Px6uMlfxLQDJjQXE_wYtVY5zgYvEx3P6oNDw_Qt5USr7rOTzGnbbWFvwS3tpkuq5hkV13Nw2kuZSv-bqCowGPyewHgJDVCdB/s320/IMG_4393.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203596743437551138" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIXCkHZsVTmK7RqeH0Le4f3RL02zRvZqmcZXfehrg9T2Pwt9Tx-GNHqfAY2k3PogpibWc1BUnCnF70P2etljDkDR4YBd6wZ_dR87p2NS0fjNU2exi7L94Qm23RVJBREWfEmC5/s1600-h/IMG_4394.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihIXCkHZsVTmK7RqeH0Le4f3RL02zRvZqmcZXfehrg9T2Pwt9Tx-GNHqfAY2k3PogpibWc1BUnCnF70P2etljDkDR4YBd6wZ_dR87p2NS0fjNU2exi7L94Qm23RVJBREWfEmC5/s320/IMG_4394.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203596752027485746" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKVuTUTtJDLu674TXuRwvrAUj2Huv35uz7vqXCUWlQGgYV6Yohoyhj4wbbHm83aCaytXFRIi4B1rkArQ_LekIB-EIwrDYaAqS7rLH0K-EdFfP2G691tX2mH_cWXE4dnjiC6xM/s1600-h/IMG_4400.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPKVuTUTtJDLu674TXuRwvrAUj2Huv35uz7vqXCUWlQGgYV6Yohoyhj4wbbHm83aCaytXFRIi4B1rkArQ_LekIB-EIwrDYaAqS7rLH0K-EdFfP2G691tX2mH_cWXE4dnjiC6xM/s320/IMG_4400.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203596756322453058" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmdi6aCXnfT5moRfvjqi8umfeEKXZnJtVgAixh33o_XS90_NyuQs9r1lJUnfmPOVkVeot436jX9er1RBC7s56gF6Yv0eicvP_A2Dwbme_9J0T52dqTixmaZpLGT8fAav759IQ/s1600-h/IMG_4403.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAmdi6aCXnfT5moRfvjqi8umfeEKXZnJtVgAixh33o_XS90_NyuQs9r1lJUnfmPOVkVeot436jX9er1RBC7s56gF6Yv0eicvP_A2Dwbme_9J0T52dqTixmaZpLGT8fAav759IQ/s320/IMG_4403.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203596760617420370" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O1mU573i37MoXbvExfxoRKwWgtKC4oYHvPz5S77cMhzS3Vl28pCGMMtj1Kq-CeHswVtR41DO9AeYSULoiApC5Aj-ISaaYdiLFzk7Perxe0RbIaRZf8dWu_eRfiXfwHO8jzic/s1600-h/IMG_4417.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7O1mU573i37MoXbvExfxoRKwWgtKC4oYHvPz5S77cMhzS3Vl28pCGMMtj1Kq-CeHswVtR41DO9AeYSULoiApC5Aj-ISaaYdiLFzk7Perxe0RbIaRZf8dWu_eRfiXfwHO8jzic/s320/IMG_4417.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203593848629593538" /></a><div style="text-align: left;">This is Wat Si Sawai. It's a sacred pond temple and was built in the Khmer style during the 12th and 13th centuries as a Hindu temple.<br /></div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo2puQGDxUMJqEnQHr8NSOcn8JXyEq7AKnXq7OrCJHwW0dfHX-QASTvwrkYDBZUgGiyljCjS60hNJEmQDeH_uExIEzxVpux9g4v7cYfN8DVuVyvAyyGLNiixr8WHXz74xPWvN/s1600-h/IMG_4425.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyo2puQGDxUMJqEnQHr8NSOcn8JXyEq7AKnXq7OrCJHwW0dfHX-QASTvwrkYDBZUgGiyljCjS60hNJEmQDeH_uExIEzxVpux9g4v7cYfN8DVuVyvAyyGLNiixr8WHXz74xPWvN/s320/IMG_4425.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203593865809462754" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOuOFBKKuhdXxXFtMqhbswpHVlv86YpDgqg7TjU-dZtqWd5Pe2duMQhUgKONmhvBM0jFbzholqD_DLtZTpH24z_n_AiDq4n1WRIX8DQDW279R7S-uRlnJdYE0uvnUq4wS3nSD/s1600-h/IMG_4430.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvOuOFBKKuhdXxXFtMqhbswpHVlv86YpDgqg7TjU-dZtqWd5Pe2duMQhUgKONmhvBM0jFbzholqD_DLtZTpH24z_n_AiDq4n1WRIX8DQDW279R7S-uRlnJdYE0uvnUq4wS3nSD/s320/IMG_4430.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203593874399397362" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZGzSf31gSbQim9tfI4t3zN2ZZzZL9PQe6xuGdCyAKKTyXoceD1HruTQcJ5L5yBNCsQqlGg_NTaNBgAxJR4REZRFR5b7OIBbvQqzbUMHGvD3V0fgO72O-TPuwnKs7NxBz5jki/s1600-h/IMG_4433.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZGzSf31gSbQim9tfI4t3zN2ZZzZL9PQe6xuGdCyAKKTyXoceD1HruTQcJ5L5yBNCsQqlGg_NTaNBgAxJR4REZRFR5b7OIBbvQqzbUMHGvD3V0fgO72O-TPuwnKs7NxBz5jki/s320/IMG_4433.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203593878694364674" /></a></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9f4DhaDowrCp-OuwSoBqh9CuzvLdxsV-4ddAwMK6r6vVKXS0i_XS0BWeS0q4HhoYPyZ8q5hueQQTPoc8PLpOLdSiN91W17FTkppTCEUt23Ida_0lN2btyveJ8qzMuFpyutOQ/s1600-h/4436-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_9f4DhaDowrCp-OuwSoBqh9CuzvLdxsV-4ddAwMK6r6vVKXS0i_XS0BWeS0q4HhoYPyZ8q5hueQQTPoc8PLpOLdSiN91W17FTkppTCEUt23Ida_0lN2btyveJ8qzMuFpyutOQ/s320/4436-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203592259491693938" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(Rare walking Buddha)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU6c141JVFfrQQiDjDf0vadvqbxWhUnDdH_cFcuHef9WsvMKqXg55bWzZ2_MjtwXGQFsfYccOCYaH4hkBQFV_dqNDUQ0dBxa7GlGIv0yow_ijLCAOnOB-j4AyXKbv2GTh7h3I/s1600-h/IMG_4437.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwU6c141JVFfrQQiDjDf0vadvqbxWhUnDdH_cFcuHef9WsvMKqXg55bWzZ2_MjtwXGQFsfYccOCYaH4hkBQFV_dqNDUQ0dBxa7GlGIv0yow_ijLCAOnOB-j4AyXKbv2GTh7h3I/s320/IMG_4437.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203592263786661250" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1kVx7UaYM5GE3aN-GLBebIFv325eZVcyFfwGzVS8mEMfblodybBVPyA47aIYXt2mQPpWNlhHwJj_OTTvCj89vXzfxn9SPNVxMxm8YA7T1WLsqqPz8z6AWfj7hNborhYW32U/s1600-h/IMG_4440.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjk1kVx7UaYM5GE3aN-GLBebIFv325eZVcyFfwGzVS8mEMfblodybBVPyA47aIYXt2mQPpWNlhHwJj_OTTvCj89vXzfxn9SPNVxMxm8YA7T1WLsqqPz8z6AWfj7hNborhYW32U/s320/IMG_4440.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203592272376595858" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2mxNnFJ2SQirpvi6diOWrLgcTXhEWiBU1bD-X_7AoqMkRwEW1Y0QMigRxXgZkR2PdV9o_fPX-yDvTUO6qoAqo4H19nUUO89Q3gL6JPjmTJCsbg4xPfwRFx-ZTwI4LiVQ3Jzx/s1600-h/IMG_4445.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ2mxNnFJ2SQirpvi6diOWrLgcTXhEWiBU1bD-X_7AoqMkRwEW1Y0QMigRxXgZkR2PdV9o_fPX-yDvTUO6qoAqo4H19nUUO89Q3gL6JPjmTJCsbg4xPfwRFx-ZTwI4LiVQ3Jzx/s320/IMG_4445.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203592280966530466" /></a>Lastly we biked to Wat Si Chum, which was my favourite. This temple contains a 15m high sitting statue of Buddha that spoke to the Thai army (I don't remember if Arjan told us what he said). The statue was gorgeous and I love how it peeks out of the opening.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CaJHhtMMh2yxo8_rCpEVtWqKFlOV6PSZGUOOQarwdYHceDZPYEwy_QGPFARM-48X8-vhkBpaice2cP9ncAJdwNGe0X2jHxzr7jgr0p1R74ZtDolDNeA2KOfbwLVyYfV7qCqT/s1600-h/IMG_4446.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6CaJHhtMMh2yxo8_rCpEVtWqKFlOV6PSZGUOOQarwdYHceDZPYEwy_QGPFARM-48X8-vhkBpaice2cP9ncAJdwNGe0X2jHxzr7jgr0p1R74ZtDolDNeA2KOfbwLVyYfV7qCqT/s320/IMG_4446.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203592285261497778" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilriWoPGLvpRclo_0U0_yGnVZoByN0qZHEiK0Q0W24ZONuX3XXscd4mEo1h9vAmbZY11S_gyIo-bhUHIUjO64bmOML8_fg3Vt5C07lgaL1HQXNh8_7rPXxX1ZHRWOsgFpCsIUc/s1600-h/4449-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilriWoPGLvpRclo_0U0_yGnVZoByN0qZHEiK0Q0W24ZONuX3XXscd4mEo1h9vAmbZY11S_gyIo-bhUHIUjO64bmOML8_fg3Vt5C07lgaL1HQXNh8_7rPXxX1ZHRWOsgFpCsIUc/s320/4449-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591731210716450" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30W79Op0Lbe5QZ5MA3SSr70dunkgfqGF30hjmsa0g1KkTxkzaJ7RIE_X7CYfx1_QncgIGW7JT8r_7deFU0QZ5DQtBi6qn3vQEGLv2CCP_PG8a6Z5LSL3_DEE_WCjPtBKXy9o_/s1600-h/IMG_4451.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi30W79Op0Lbe5QZ5MA3SSr70dunkgfqGF30hjmsa0g1KkTxkzaJ7RIE_X7CYfx1_QncgIGW7JT8r_7deFU0QZ5DQtBi6qn3vQEGLv2CCP_PG8a6Z5LSL3_DEE_WCjPtBKXy9o_/s320/IMG_4451.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591744095618354" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoJPHCcgjSs3_D7tdwiGg2UIH57tVuE6PE67jfnQO2PWhF5Df6q9HmwNjrjsnuGe6F_eIAQ9pYvLntSfDPnmX4SVckrDPwSM6EjSeEqPZmFpt49lq6PVRqPh_vG3S68i-QLwH/s1600-h/IMG_4455.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuoJPHCcgjSs3_D7tdwiGg2UIH57tVuE6PE67jfnQO2PWhF5Df6q9HmwNjrjsnuGe6F_eIAQ9pYvLntSfDPnmX4SVckrDPwSM6EjSeEqPZmFpt49lq6PVRqPh_vG3S68i-QLwH/s320/IMG_4455.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591752685552962" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft3Wsu59IDf9zR6uGxk6ssFcGCuG03VsKfmJV2UHQOgGK2RS0bbh0Fn3K3Q4DynHVGIY_0zWo2QF5a-nq4Lsr5VgK7GXvQNo0ltrJih7Ieir2JCsebw4lMqFkBs6jQhTsidZj/s1600-h/4461-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjft3Wsu59IDf9zR6uGxk6ssFcGCuG03VsKfmJV2UHQOgGK2RS0bbh0Fn3K3Q4DynHVGIY_0zWo2QF5a-nq4Lsr5VgK7GXvQNo0ltrJih7Ieir2JCsebw4lMqFkBs6jQhTsidZj/s320/4461-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591761275487570" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(This was one of the hardest Aaron shots EVER!</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ10SMAmfgv_1hJdBNfiBDPg-uevQrgkQ4vDh251CSEYmYROAtrPn5XVVxJOWifbiXSX0s_Tx6x_Tja5xFeQ6075KOKOdzvvVrQI4dqwxrVD2ZO5qTeS0xVrIqAQbrcJStng3/s1600-h/IMG_4464.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWQ10SMAmfgv_1hJdBNfiBDPg-uevQrgkQ4vDh251CSEYmYROAtrPn5XVVxJOWifbiXSX0s_Tx6x_Tja5xFeQ6075KOKOdzvvVrQI4dqwxrVD2ZO5qTeS0xVrIqAQbrcJStng3/s320/IMG_4464.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591765570454882" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ktoRqOet3wfGKFpgI5jwG9-RCPX4JlMdoIJFCV18Xbw9GnIJk0_LvqVM3GPgkOXusxhkZsyssOCGKWSYsZ8YmOMRaDQPh8s-b-ym9FJIXI6P5hG6CCDmMwcPQqRqiLF0s8rt/s1600-h/4466-2.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1ktoRqOet3wfGKFpgI5jwG9-RCPX4JlMdoIJFCV18Xbw9GnIJk0_LvqVM3GPgkOXusxhkZsyssOCGKWSYsZ8YmOMRaDQPh8s-b-ym9FJIXI6P5hG6CCDmMwcPQqRqiLF0s8rt/s320/4466-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591142800196834" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo3ROiA7-f0h5OAyDXMVkap2YJko-RLsJ7c7jm9r69WYYqFNy2F8HPPXxbBoqv3pQwryHifPDuThaIuek-DK7EcT69WBBqF67-kTMvMiPCNlPyCrJFOYar_EBDakYapu4_3cN/s1600-h/4465-2.jpg"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyo3ROiA7-f0h5OAyDXMVkap2YJko-RLsJ7c7jm9r69WYYqFNy2F8HPPXxbBoqv3pQwryHifPDuThaIuek-DK7EcT69WBBqF67-kTMvMiPCNlPyCrJFOYar_EBDakYapu4_3cN/s320/4465-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591138505229522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><div style="text-align: center;">(If there's a broom in the area, Elspeth will find it!)<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div></span><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BeghmHMHsyODxbBpqhUk5K_DIdV1__UxsQydo5NxBLhXKmZ9kUdl5Vgksd-dkPvBUSwh5nmW7F6lrTF9KB5PftbzcSZGtLlmgeyahU7z6WIZuGbP8lukgqi3zYnLIrMMzCC9/s1600-h/IMG_4472.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5BeghmHMHsyODxbBpqhUk5K_DIdV1__UxsQydo5NxBLhXKmZ9kUdl5Vgksd-dkPvBUSwh5nmW7F6lrTF9KB5PftbzcSZGtLlmgeyahU7z6WIZuGbP8lukgqi3zYnLIrMMzCC9/s320/IMG_4472.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591155685098754" /></a>For lunch we went across the road from Wat Si Chum and discovered that our local guide, Naa had cooked up a feast! She had made the most delicious pumpkin yellow curry, pork with corriander (and I actually liked it!), rice, vegetables and fried chicken. There were also mangos for dessert. It was the most magnificent picnic and probably my favourite meal of my trip to Thailand. I would kill for more pumpkin curry...</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvYoS7SZyUGrX4xKbJ6BKPkAIyGdwqirCG2reOKHNgQ5U7y0qliNkNQu6tuGnEdgYEMdZpUzWdpwcNNYNMYVYIxqBbec22W-K7eJzLIkC6Y4j0IfGhSLL2beDzX6KwydORD-M/s1600-h/IMG_4479.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvYoS7SZyUGrX4xKbJ6BKPkAIyGdwqirCG2reOKHNgQ5U7y0qliNkNQu6tuGnEdgYEMdZpUzWdpwcNNYNMYVYIxqBbec22W-K7eJzLIkC6Y4j0IfGhSLL2beDzX6KwydORD-M/s320/IMG_4479.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203591159980066066" /></a>Full of delicious food, we got back into the songthaew and drove to the bus station. We caught a bus to Lampang (4 hours away) and then another songthaew to our guesthouse. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFFNacqt6QfSnr7HxZ26x8F-esRVVdB0VBCA11kAd0HeYqYuqTG74zJxtxT_ynJzMXGLCxL6OZjUZNgGv91X-D0pvRNtmuUXuVSnfpos5TmLn2VPc03cfUNgWrd4T4HCzl1bg/s1600-h/IMG_4486.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXFFNacqt6QfSnr7HxZ26x8F-esRVVdB0VBCA11kAd0HeYqYuqTG74zJxtxT_ynJzMXGLCxL6OZjUZNgGv91X-D0pvRNtmuUXuVSnfpos5TmLn2VPc03cfUNgWrd4T4HCzl1bg/s320/IMG_4486.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203590683238696066" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2wHn8p0x5cssGOfmLtDcBTIgusxaMNgRpJi5Ihc4PxpIMxikdsgE0LL-SUfHjYx6k3mKhIOsqrM3cIoYdDfuXtUR2PNol56EViIp9yRyyAyPI1w1e0Hr0aEKRougtmKkB8tv/s1600-h/IMG_4488.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhn2wHn8p0x5cssGOfmLtDcBTIgusxaMNgRpJi5Ihc4PxpIMxikdsgE0LL-SUfHjYx6k3mKhIOsqrM3cIoYdDfuXtUR2PNol56EViIp9yRyyAyPI1w1e0Hr0aEKRougtmKkB8tv/s320/IMG_4488.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203590696123597970" /></a><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7hMnkt2_Qo5LpUXJ6EXUSMaqCC7tdIm2BG2p0AiWcfW_8ilKkmOD27S937s17Bq2ll5vceZMbwosg-1JsEcFqmcl1bXyjr7pu4apiP-rpBvmS6tefWq4rBAppAZ5nGvqkoRd/s1600-h/4490-2.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 0);"><br /></span></a><img style="text-decoration: underline;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; " src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7hMnkt2_Qo5LpUXJ6EXUSMaqCC7tdIm2BG2p0AiWcfW_8ilKkmOD27S937s17Bq2ll5vceZMbwosg-1JsEcFqmcl1bXyjr7pu4apiP-rpBvmS6tefWq4rBAppAZ5nGvqkoRd/s320/4490-2.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203590700418565282" />The Riverside Guesthouse in Lampang was beautiful. All teak and tropical, it was run by a foreign woman, her Thai husband and their cute son. We spent some time before dinner looking around, smelling the flowers (frangipani!) and of course, relaxing by the river. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BDYpdZda9poL4jf-NyiYLVHVsDRIwu-eMZgY9zdCkZflF8eO9OfR-JP2T66J9ugRmsQ0S6xTLgyFy1CQuAiH9CdWTQ_kFMWUy5segZASYR5mP8H3Ko3U7_ESqUylb3j2-LpO/s1600-h/IMG_4495.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8BDYpdZda9poL4jf-NyiYLVHVsDRIwu-eMZgY9zdCkZflF8eO9OfR-JP2T66J9ugRmsQ0S6xTLgyFy1CQuAiH9CdWTQ_kFMWUy5segZASYR5mP8H3Ko3U7_ESqUylb3j2-LpO/s320/IMG_4495.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203590713303467186" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hOQv8DTv2no70rJXeGj1uEVqzAD8iGPg2hakNRV0GN0-a80S18dLdhdPz9aC50nyyfTxj13jddEB9abSLt9S7mRv63mM3fDp8mgvNZ00B0A_ihlTKvuXCL4hBtTJhAJKmQY0/s1600-h/IMG_4496.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9hOQv8DTv2no70rJXeGj1uEVqzAD8iGPg2hakNRV0GN0-a80S18dLdhdPz9aC50nyyfTxj13jddEB9abSLt9S7mRv63mM3fDp8mgvNZ00B0A_ihlTKvuXCL4hBtTJhAJKmQY0/s320/IMG_4496.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203590726188369090" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbvIBj8utLB-enOCx1_NXxGjPMK_G_jKipZXQQy6LYklOh40b1I3PTdqyrdhbmnpRv9DEikNbsvktw9iOTVGETVoegfVj8PliaB-z_6w7O_192PYOBHPqv7XBm3nkRG-LCXnY/s1600-h/IMG_4505.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQbvIBj8utLB-enOCx1_NXxGjPMK_G_jKipZXQQy6LYklOh40b1I3PTdqyrdhbmnpRv9DEikNbsvktw9iOTVGETVoegfVj8PliaB-z_6w7O_192PYOBHPqv7XBm3nkRG-LCXnY/s320/IMG_4505.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203204260736107586" border="0" /></a><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">(This is the life!)</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwhmcFqVwiWkIHmnn75sm8rsawstgWVpnwQrSAnfxep0AJgeXzeLyHbv_J0sBJ8h7rEBk3ocHg1atmb65s30f70eS-JHBp1qA9BecaENrejVT8uUTnzDMWHC5YEd3Nyn8AMU4/s1600-h/IMG_4506.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQwhmcFqVwiWkIHmnn75sm8rsawstgWVpnwQrSAnfxep0AJgeXzeLyHbv_J0sBJ8h7rEBk3ocHg1atmb65s30f70eS-JHBp1qA9BecaENrejVT8uUTnzDMWHC5YEd3Nyn8AMU4/s320/IMG_4506.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203204277915976786" border="0" /></a>That night for dinner we went to a local restaurant and then to the night market. The two Dutch girls on the tour, Arjan and I bought some fruit and then sat in the cafe part of the guesthouse and chatted (Elz wasn't feeling so well so she went to bed early). We ate the most delicious lychees I've ever tasted and I got to try jackfruit, mangosteens and rambutans. Arjan had also bought some fried crickets and because I was feeling adventurous I tried them too. They weren't bad...after eating four I decided they tasted like less crunchy potato chips. </div><div> <br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh7Y_fdOopKrg77J-btNzjrwfqZtvDSh7rOlJ_PvNfqoXnLPfmSeqmr3glU2gc5rR-R2ZOpigGHL6RrsAWG2FDCS5wDlhaMLKqGNNxnMTNVVuBwVnsFMmSmn6QIOUAGnSPlNE/s1600-h/IMG_4508.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIh7Y_fdOopKrg77J-btNzjrwfqZtvDSh7rOlJ_PvNfqoXnLPfmSeqmr3glU2gc5rR-R2ZOpigGHL6RrsAWG2FDCS5wDlhaMLKqGNNxnMTNVVuBwVnsFMmSmn6QIOUAGnSPlNE/s320/IMG_4508.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5203204290800878690" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div>Stay tuned to hear about the elephant conservation centre, thai hot springs and our village homestay!</div></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-30716946.post-40016688542515940902008-05-20T23:25:00.002+09:002008-05-20T23:28:08.432+09:00July 14th<div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdb7z5T4XHp0RbkPEI8DxhKA5K_hU6BHgzuAKbVqo31NqulSD4s6vm3GJQ3n9RoDE5IXJzwp7MFXa5Nh2UgOyemyxLaut7Hs8_WTZ8Jnm06L6jiVvVGUCtRhiX3Ox4EED0rzP/s1600-h/4234-2.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcdb7z5T4XHp0RbkPEI8DxhKA5K_hU6BHgzuAKbVqo31NqulSD4s6vm3GJQ3n9RoDE5IXJzwp7MFXa5Nh2UgOyemyxLaut7Hs8_WTZ8Jnm06L6jiVvVGUCtRhiX3Ox4EED0rzP/s320/4234-2.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5202466333350124050" border="0" /></a><br />That's when I'll be coming HOME!!!<br /></div>Laurahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13830185611785326909noreply@blogger.com3