Last week I dusted off my passport and hopped on another plane. I flew south to Ecuador for the wedding of an amazing couple. It has been a whirlwind week of new sites, sounds, and experiences. I knew very little of Ecuador before I came. Here are a few of my observations: My Spanish is more than rusty. This was proven when I went to Burger King to indulge my craving for french fries and ended up with 2 #2 combo meals with some sort of fruit punch soda. Quito is on the equator, yet is just as cool as Alaskan summers (surprise, surprise!) I love watching the clouds play at the tops of the Andes mountains that surround the city. The Ecuadorians don't understand Japanese. Their national currency is the US dollar. Juan Valdez has coffee shops here,and I thought he was Colombian.
Today was my "be a tourist" day. I booked a day trip to the rainforest nearby. I was picked up at my hotel at 6:30am and driven 2 hours west to Bellevista lodge where we were treated to breakfast in the jungle treetops. Then we put on rubber boots and hiked into the jungle for 3 hours looking for birds, bugs, and plants with our guide. We splashed up a creek,scaling small waterfalls with ropes before coming to the big waterfall. Then it was quite a climb out of the jungle and back to the lodge for lunch. Humming birds were everywhere. It was such an amazing sound to have them diving around you. I spent most of the day with a family from Surrey, England. And was more than a bit jealous when they headed off to the treetop zip lines and I headed back to Quito. Next time....
Tomorrow is my day for shopping, packing and meeting some new friends.
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Travel. Show all posts
Monday, July 18, 2011
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
There and Back Again: Part 4
One of the most surprising things about this journey is how much World War 2 history I learned. I wasn't expecting that to be a topic or focus. But I enjoyed the learning and discussions of its impact on SE Asia and the Philippines specifically. These photos were taken at the US Cemetery in Manila. There are 17,202 graves of servicemen and a memorial of 36,285 servicemen missing in action. Most of these men died in the Philippines and New Guinea. A beautiful and sobering memorial.
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Sunday, March 20, 2011
There and Back Again
Like Tolkein's lovable Bilbo, I have had an adventure. As I try to talk about my travel I feel a little like Bilbo trying to explain to his hobbit hole-loving people that there is a big, rich world out there that I wish you could see, taste, smell, and experience. How do I share the richness of these things?
There were things on my journey that were planned and happened just as expected. But there were also unplanned, colorful, surprising, and life-enriching experiences. I think that these unexpected things are what make each journey unique.
My goal in this blog is not to give you a play by play of my 3 week adventure. I just want to give you a little visual taste. Maybe you will be inspired to have your own adventure. To leave your hobbit-hole for a few days and embrace the unplanned and unexpected things that make an adventure rich, laugh-worthy, and retell-able.
Today's visual travel journal is the Philippines.
There were things on my journey that were planned and happened just as expected. But there were also unplanned, colorful, surprising, and life-enriching experiences. I think that these unexpected things are what make each journey unique.
My goal in this blog is not to give you a play by play of my 3 week adventure. I just want to give you a little visual taste. Maybe you will be inspired to have your own adventure. To leave your hobbit-hole for a few days and embrace the unplanned and unexpected things that make an adventure rich, laugh-worthy, and retell-able.
Today's visual travel journal is the Philippines.
Tuesday, March 01, 2011
Cambodia
Oh where to begin...
Jenny has been a great tour guide and we were fortunate enough to benefit from her 6 months of knowledge, experience and study. She has definitely jumped in with both feet. I am not sure we would have had such a rich experience with out her language skills.
The first day here we were treated to a traditional Khmer breakfast of rice and pork. It was simple but good. Jenny took us to a local market area where you could buy just about anything in the 3 story warehouse building with tiny isles piled high with foods, clothes, dishes, soap, electronics, and many unknown items. After a snack of fruit, some new some recognizable, we took a ferry across the river to walk around in the country side. We waved at the kids shouting hello to us along the road and explored mango and rice fields. After a shower, we went to a restaurant with a group of Jenny's friends to have tarantula. Yes, deep fried tarantula. I ate a leg. It was hairy and the consistency of a stale potato chip.
The next morning we were up early to catch a bus to Siem Reap... the jewel of the Cambodia. 5 hours later we arrived in the afternoon to a very nice guest house. A guest house is more like a budget hotel/hostel/inn. Our late lunch was an amazing burger and fries. Then we took a Tuk Tuk... a covered, open air carriage that fits 4 people facing one another and pulled by a motorcycle - and one of my favorite things about Cambodia... to a temple ruin that is famous for watching the sunset over the jungle. We climbed up and stood on top with several hundred of our friends from around the world. I LOVED being surrounded by at least a dozen languages being spoken at once. (especially hearing and understanding the Japanese tourists :) We lingered at the top and had to be shooed down by the guards as it got dark. Back to town, which by the way, was very much about the tourists and night life. We had a little Mexican food to round out our meals for the day. Then stopped for a foot and back massage next to our guest house. We slept well that night!
Saturday was our big tourist day. We were up early for breakfast and our Tuk Tuk ride to Angkor Wat. One of the 7 ancient wonders of the world (depending on which list you look at). We saw 4 different temple ruins in different states of jungle invasion and restoration. We climbed impossibly steep stairs to the tops. We did have a guide hired for the day. He told us a lot of the religious influences, superstitions, modern and ancient history, and lifestyles of the kings that built the imposing structures. It was a good day and I have a lot of photos to share once I get home. That evening we decided to do the 'fish massage'. We sat on the edge of a large tank that had 2-4 inch fish in it and let them nibble our feet. They are supposedly eating the dead skin off our feet. I am not sure bout that, but it did tickle like nothing you have ever felt! It was a fun way to end our day.
Sunday we slept late and did a little shopping in the market before our 5 hour bus ride home.
Monday we slept in a little before tackling the silk vendors in the market. We had a specific list of fabrics to get and were on a mission. We spent hours sweating in the market haggling with vendors. It was fun and exhausting. Interesting note, the Cambodians accept US dollars and the Cambodian currency interchangeably. At home we had Indian food ... loving the curries here! Then watched The Killing Fields to have some more context for going to the killings fields the next morning.
Tuesday Jenny went to work and we went out side of Phnom Penh to a famous extermination camp. A sobering morning of viewing the evil man can do to other men. One of the most amazing things is that this is modern... only 30 years ago. We went back to Jenny's office, met her co-workers and sat in on their daily prayer time. Then lunch at a cafe called Daughters that trains and helps girls who have been trafficked in sex trade. There are a lot of amazing NGO's here that are working to train, support and give skills to victims. Jenny went back to work and Nate and I went to the royal palace for the afternoon. Jenny met us at FCC, where journalists used to hang out before the Khmer Rouge in the 70's. There we sat high about the city and watched people and the river with our drinks. Then on to traditional Khmer dinner.
Today we will pack and relax a bit before we catch our flight to Manila tonight.
"No, life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath....We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?" Donald Miller
This morning while catching up with the facebook world I read this quote that my aunt posted. It made me stop and think. Think about how I am sitting in an apartment in Cambodia having walked in ancient temples, eaten strange foods, learned so much about a people and their history, seen the evil that can control men, stood in the middle of a incredibly unfamiliar place, but in it all felt as if I were experiencing, seeing and feeling things God had set out for me. I am so glad that I was brave enough to venture out.
Jenny has been a great tour guide and we were fortunate enough to benefit from her 6 months of knowledge, experience and study. She has definitely jumped in with both feet. I am not sure we would have had such a rich experience with out her language skills.
The first day here we were treated to a traditional Khmer breakfast of rice and pork. It was simple but good. Jenny took us to a local market area where you could buy just about anything in the 3 story warehouse building with tiny isles piled high with foods, clothes, dishes, soap, electronics, and many unknown items. After a snack of fruit, some new some recognizable, we took a ferry across the river to walk around in the country side. We waved at the kids shouting hello to us along the road and explored mango and rice fields. After a shower, we went to a restaurant with a group of Jenny's friends to have tarantula. Yes, deep fried tarantula. I ate a leg. It was hairy and the consistency of a stale potato chip.
The next morning we were up early to catch a bus to Siem Reap... the jewel of the Cambodia. 5 hours later we arrived in the afternoon to a very nice guest house. A guest house is more like a budget hotel/hostel/inn. Our late lunch was an amazing burger and fries. Then we took a Tuk Tuk... a covered, open air carriage that fits 4 people facing one another and pulled by a motorcycle - and one of my favorite things about Cambodia... to a temple ruin that is famous for watching the sunset over the jungle. We climbed up and stood on top with several hundred of our friends from around the world. I LOVED being surrounded by at least a dozen languages being spoken at once. (especially hearing and understanding the Japanese tourists :) We lingered at the top and had to be shooed down by the guards as it got dark. Back to town, which by the way, was very much about the tourists and night life. We had a little Mexican food to round out our meals for the day. Then stopped for a foot and back massage next to our guest house. We slept well that night!
Saturday was our big tourist day. We were up early for breakfast and our Tuk Tuk ride to Angkor Wat. One of the 7 ancient wonders of the world (depending on which list you look at). We saw 4 different temple ruins in different states of jungle invasion and restoration. We climbed impossibly steep stairs to the tops. We did have a guide hired for the day. He told us a lot of the religious influences, superstitions, modern and ancient history, and lifestyles of the kings that built the imposing structures. It was a good day and I have a lot of photos to share once I get home. That evening we decided to do the 'fish massage'. We sat on the edge of a large tank that had 2-4 inch fish in it and let them nibble our feet. They are supposedly eating the dead skin off our feet. I am not sure bout that, but it did tickle like nothing you have ever felt! It was a fun way to end our day.
Sunday we slept late and did a little shopping in the market before our 5 hour bus ride home.
Monday we slept in a little before tackling the silk vendors in the market. We had a specific list of fabrics to get and were on a mission. We spent hours sweating in the market haggling with vendors. It was fun and exhausting. Interesting note, the Cambodians accept US dollars and the Cambodian currency interchangeably. At home we had Indian food ... loving the curries here! Then watched The Killing Fields to have some more context for going to the killings fields the next morning.
Tuesday Jenny went to work and we went out side of Phnom Penh to a famous extermination camp. A sobering morning of viewing the evil man can do to other men. One of the most amazing things is that this is modern... only 30 years ago. We went back to Jenny's office, met her co-workers and sat in on their daily prayer time. Then lunch at a cafe called Daughters that trains and helps girls who have been trafficked in sex trade. There are a lot of amazing NGO's here that are working to train, support and give skills to victims. Jenny went back to work and Nate and I went to the royal palace for the afternoon. Jenny met us at FCC, where journalists used to hang out before the Khmer Rouge in the 70's. There we sat high about the city and watched people and the river with our drinks. Then on to traditional Khmer dinner.
Today we will pack and relax a bit before we catch our flight to Manila tonight.
"No, life cannot be understood flat on a page. It has to be lived; a person has to get of his head, has to fall in love, has to memorize poems, has to jump off bridges into rivers, has to stand in an empty desert and whisper sonnets under his breath....We get one story, you and I, and one story alone. God has established the elements, the setting and the climax and resolution. It would be a crime not to venture out, wouldn't it?" Donald Miller
This morning while catching up with the facebook world I read this quote that my aunt posted. It made me stop and think. Think about how I am sitting in an apartment in Cambodia having walked in ancient temples, eaten strange foods, learned so much about a people and their history, seen the evil that can control men, stood in the middle of a incredibly unfamiliar place, but in it all felt as if I were experiencing, seeing and feeling things God had set out for me. I am so glad that I was brave enough to venture out.
Sunday, February 20, 2011
The Beach
Living in Alaska in the wintertime creates a severe longing for the sun. This can manifest its self in many ways. Most Alaskans wing their way to sunny Hawaii at least once during the winter. It is the closest and warmest place to escape. Many conversations turn to the number of daylight hours we are loosing or gaining, the warmth of the sun, the lack of sunshine, and dreaming of warm places. It really isn't that we don't love living in Alaska, the beautiful mountains, or the snow. We do love a beautiful new snow as much as a sunny warm day. We just feel the need for sun more when we don't have it.
So this winter I began planning my sunny escape. This included some very dear friends across the Pacific. Zach and Jane Keller and their 3 kids have been living in the Philippines for 8 months now. Zach is a pilot who will be flying a helicopter to support missionaries in hard to reach tribal locations. Since they arrived they have been living in Manila and working hard to learn Tagalog.
It has been wonderful to see a little piece of their life here. They have been so generous to spend their time taking us around Manila, talking to us about the people and culture, and doing special things just for us. It is fun to watch them share the things that they have learned to love.
We were the perfect excuse to go exploring. Jane found a Filipino resort on a beach a couple hours away. Armed with a map, the new-to-them van, and our beach gear, we headed south. Winding our way through small villages we arrived at a beautiful beach. It was the perfect place to escape the city... the warm ocean, cool breezes, snorkeling, massages, beaches to comb, and the sun. We felt so spoiled by such an amazing place. The only downside was the sun burn and water-logged iphone. Other than that, it was a perfect vacation.
Check my facebook for a few photos...
On Wednesday we will hop on another plane to fly over to Cambodia to visit another amazing person. But more on that later.
So this winter I began planning my sunny escape. This included some very dear friends across the Pacific. Zach and Jane Keller and their 3 kids have been living in the Philippines for 8 months now. Zach is a pilot who will be flying a helicopter to support missionaries in hard to reach tribal locations. Since they arrived they have been living in Manila and working hard to learn Tagalog.
It has been wonderful to see a little piece of their life here. They have been so generous to spend their time taking us around Manila, talking to us about the people and culture, and doing special things just for us. It is fun to watch them share the things that they have learned to love.
We were the perfect excuse to go exploring. Jane found a Filipino resort on a beach a couple hours away. Armed with a map, the new-to-them van, and our beach gear, we headed south. Winding our way through small villages we arrived at a beautiful beach. It was the perfect place to escape the city... the warm ocean, cool breezes, snorkeling, massages, beaches to comb, and the sun. We felt so spoiled by such an amazing place. The only downside was the sun burn and water-logged iphone. Other than that, it was a perfect vacation.
Check my facebook for a few photos...
On Wednesday we will hop on another plane to fly over to Cambodia to visit another amazing person. But more on that later.
Sunday, February 13, 2011
Valentine's Day
Sunday we went to the Mall of Asia. Think of the Mall of America only bigger and partially open air. It was materialism at it's finest. Just a few miles down the road we passed shocking living conditions clinging to the side of the road. It is hard to reconcile such poverty and wealth living side by side. So many living with so little. I never quite know what to do with sights like these. I know it exists, but how does this change how I live? But aside from these sobering sights, we had a great time walking along Manila bay enjoying the breezes and learning a little more about this culturally complex place.
This morning was more about day to day life. Jane took us to a local market for some fruits, vegetables and shrimp. My favorite thing was watching Jane asking questions, learning new words and enjoying the people she met. Our walk to the market gave a pedestrian view of the crazy traffic. Hundreds of busses, jeepneys, and cars clogging the road. Yesterday's journey was in the family's new van that they are enjoying. The passenger view is just as crazy, by the way.
Happy Valentines Day!
This morning was more about day to day life. Jane took us to a local market for some fruits, vegetables and shrimp. My favorite thing was watching Jane asking questions, learning new words and enjoying the people she met. Our walk to the market gave a pedestrian view of the crazy traffic. Hundreds of busses, jeepneys, and cars clogging the road. Yesterday's journey was in the family's new van that they are enjoying. The passenger view is just as crazy, by the way.
Happy Valentines Day!
Saturday, February 12, 2011
The Journey
One of my favorite things about my life is that I get to travel. Another wondeful thing is the amazing friends I have honor of knowing. This month I get to savor both of these wonderful things. For the next three weeks I will be traveling to the Philipines and Cambodia. Both are new countries for me and I am excited to learn a little more about them and their cultures. Then there are the fantastic people that I get to be with while there. Amazing people called to serve across the Pacific. But I will tell you more about them another day. Today it is about the journey.
21 hours of flight, 11 hours of layover, 4 flights, the international dateline, sleep in a kiddie playground, and many naps sitting in an airplane seat. It seemed as if we saw midnight at least 3 times. It was a long day. The flights were easy and nearly all on time. We left the dark cold arctic on a Wednesday night and walked off the plane near the equator engulfed by the warm moist air on a Friday night. International travel can be a whirlwind and as we often commented, quite surreal. I love it!
Watch my Facebook for photos... Unless I can figure out how to upload from my iPhone.
21 hours of flight, 11 hours of layover, 4 flights, the international dateline, sleep in a kiddie playground, and many naps sitting in an airplane seat. It seemed as if we saw midnight at least 3 times. It was a long day. The flights were easy and nearly all on time. We left the dark cold arctic on a Wednesday night and walked off the plane near the equator engulfed by the warm moist air on a Friday night. International travel can be a whirlwind and as we often commented, quite surreal. I love it!
Watch my Facebook for photos... Unless I can figure out how to upload from my iPhone.
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