tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-90063254434680954512024-03-05T04:59:07.411-08:00singermansatseaSingermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-9843318423142148082008-05-27T18:58:00.000-07:002008-05-27T19:01:44.147-07:00Sticks<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilRWuQ3SjbE-gSFKH5uEMrHC6xry4susamLTxzhxYdqZN-RiX5FX1v_z7VzNMBhnIkkzvDlkBMR27atV5TC_dk33-0KtiVa9_uXSN6NijHohCybht-CA48Ifhf47idAGPKHToRRdPY9Q/s1600-h/sticks.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205243041395365810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhilRWuQ3SjbE-gSFKH5uEMrHC6xry4susamLTxzhxYdqZN-RiX5FX1v_z7VzNMBhnIkkzvDlkBMR27atV5TC_dk33-0KtiVa9_uXSN6NijHohCybht-CA48Ifhf47idAGPKHToRRdPY9Q/s200/sticks.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div><br /><div>This is a life of sticks. Sticks go up and sticks go down. Sticks disappear and reappear through cabin doors. They are suspended from magnetic hooks or door handles. They are the medium of communication between crew and passengers, passengers and officers, officers and crew. They carry homemade movies, music, photos, or just plain text and are the means of e-mail from and to the ship.<br />Oh, yes. They look like sticks of chewing gum. Maybe that’s why they are called sticks.</div><br /><div></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-14591347546941448602008-05-27T18:43:00.001-07:002008-05-27T18:58:37.167-07:00Panama Canal<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGQmlxhlWN5m3H5g3oqGBxKz22oD2L9A-FBg-nnfdfccse6omUVrah9YZxtzwjKTwMn7JZok2Q-Z2FapODBTQ0wY13o1INQgJ1mUp7l3pYqvQUmVTo-D5v42bYlND1eW34mArqd0ttU8/s1600-h/Living+la+vida+loca+on+the+canal.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239425032902498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGQmlxhlWN5m3H5g3oqGBxKz22oD2L9A-FBg-nnfdfccse6omUVrah9YZxtzwjKTwMn7JZok2Q-Z2FapODBTQ0wY13o1INQgJ1mUp7l3pYqvQUmVTo-D5v42bYlND1eW34mArqd0ttU8/s200/Living+la+vida+loca+on+the+canal.JPG" border="0" /></a> Living la vida loca on the canal<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P_5LDrZk3SWtLMsFGabaphRy1mF8u-97YslB0NGCXSFKz1xlki2iSD3oVOiZrT9UvRj2W8TXXndrWuVMUco7JOfXwsz2ZiJ4Q19xr1nYMaICRGR-5fPsHrJVmCSFDcM3Zgkz0Yq02Qw/s1600-h/Locomotive+and+Happy+operator.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239429327869810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6P_5LDrZk3SWtLMsFGabaphRy1mF8u-97YslB0NGCXSFKz1xlki2iSD3oVOiZrT9UvRj2W8TXXndrWuVMUco7JOfXwsz2ZiJ4Q19xr1nYMaICRGR-5fPsHrJVmCSFDcM3Zgkz0Yq02Qw/s200/Locomotive+and+Happy+operator.JPG" border="0" /></a>Locomotive and Happy operator<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmf6eX_4EDXi7oyRdGUrrhobLCRW_On2xXGU-ltkyeLqW8ElawudVaAJVwJ1NXlmfq_2Gux9fZWh6Qxr7DBqk0UwtFCjxUNApxWlc4iOkrYX2FzcsMv77ZipzrVwm-6NjA512mGs2nNk/s1600-h/Locomotive+with+some+line+handlers+hitching+a+ride.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239429327869826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwmf6eX_4EDXi7oyRdGUrrhobLCRW_On2xXGU-ltkyeLqW8ElawudVaAJVwJ1NXlmfq_2Gux9fZWh6Qxr7DBqk0UwtFCjxUNApxWlc4iOkrYX2FzcsMv77ZipzrVwm-6NjA512mGs2nNk/s200/Locomotive+with+some+line+handlers+hitching+a+ride.JPG" border="0" /></a> Locomotive with some line handlers hitching a ride<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcME7m0QDtqbb_wK0jr-MWy0ZBpRdY095G8uCLSUb9Riov6_AYmvKjidgyoXN8jGD5lizJb6jHkv0CqEUYUQEtQLqrEeRrcn7QXB0dTdaA1aLDTO8h5dYxyHfp2hwKu3B-xfrfHKdmgQ/s1600-h/Rowing+out+for+the+lines+for+the+ship.+5-8-2008+12-49-16+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239433622837138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcME7m0QDtqbb_wK0jr-MWy0ZBpRdY095G8uCLSUb9Riov6_AYmvKjidgyoXN8jGD5lizJb6jHkv0CqEUYUQEtQLqrEeRrcn7QXB0dTdaA1aLDTO8h5dYxyHfp2hwKu3B-xfrfHKdmgQ/s200/Rowing+out+for+the+lines+for+the+ship.+5-8-2008+12-49-16+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rowing out for the lines for the ship.<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKr-8xrsWIHHy_9dx5c0EBRU1iZcUY-l61skMLZ9lHT0lH7IQ6r82xmVc9aUKRAEEae9KYIWY-pZBQybabAlP50jGWD2nHxXVsb4KgigQ3rTd_De2N1YnugUYZsFisi_NYwStfIIzQDA/s1600-h/Second+series+of+locks+5-7-2008+2-31-22+PM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239433622837154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKr-8xrsWIHHy_9dx5c0EBRU1iZcUY-l61skMLZ9lHT0lH7IQ6r82xmVc9aUKRAEEae9KYIWY-pZBQybabAlP50jGWD2nHxXVsb4KgigQ3rTd_De2N1YnugUYZsFisi_NYwStfIIzQDA/s200/Second+series+of+locks+5-7-2008+2-31-22+PM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> Second series of locks<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Pgw-KnhDB1xix77Lg-eEGASgTsD6M3AjbcGG_RWDRM57kc4wsfnOUFey8TOuU3jyddNOUj7OJWMOey-so9Q2VQdrMDITbPSRminiu_VT-pVAWWJpwINlk5SwdCOdlynl5NNFUMbK0w/s1600-h/Chamber+gate+closing+5-7-2008+2-33-33+PM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239081435518738" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil7Pgw-KnhDB1xix77Lg-eEGASgTsD6M3AjbcGG_RWDRM57kc4wsfnOUFey8TOuU3jyddNOUj7OJWMOey-so9Q2VQdrMDITbPSRminiu_VT-pVAWWJpwINlk5SwdCOdlynl5NNFUMbK0w/s200/Chamber+gate+closing+5-7-2008+2-33-33+PM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> The locomotives use a cog system to trave forward and back<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_nI4eul3Mv8YY53a47_XlmEzhXQCR5w6L5_L2bv06ARFd9QC61wNkiD0OL3K5YwmInvVT76ApCjZK-dcyW3T8Q-tqcIq3znMuFc7iQorR3wxvgNaHfQbhdlNdY8sde0wUOg6uUIY_h8/s1600-h/Dawn+on+the+Panama+Canal+5-7-2008+12-57-10+PM+3872x2592+5-7-2008+12-57-10+PM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239090025453346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc_nI4eul3Mv8YY53a47_XlmEzhXQCR5w6L5_L2bv06ARFd9QC61wNkiD0OL3K5YwmInvVT76ApCjZK-dcyW3T8Q-tqcIq3znMuFc7iQorR3wxvgNaHfQbhdlNdY8sde0wUOg6uUIY_h8/s200/Dawn+on+the+Panama+Canal+5-7-2008+12-57-10+PM+3872x2592+5-7-2008+12-57-10+PM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> Dawn on the Panama Canal<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkOc7EGbaQwwUQ66aCP68VKMKY558WYgT4EJvYNNQYnlVkNYdXzYQEnw-R1oUFrIA5i_GFJjOLxrvdWSoaJHHaKXJkwhsXWvKfOg5CgzBbUQFNQznIgWfOdJuq2id9-f7SLLoDDScpL0/s1600-h/Filled+to+the+brim+(notice+the+walkway+across+the+top+of+the+lock)+5-7-2008+12-17-20+PM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239090025453362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixkOc7EGbaQwwUQ66aCP68VKMKY558WYgT4EJvYNNQYnlVkNYdXzYQEnw-R1oUFrIA5i_GFJjOLxrvdWSoaJHHaKXJkwhsXWvKfOg5CgzBbUQFNQznIgWfOdJuq2id9-f7SLLoDDScpL0/s200/Filled+to+the+brim+(notice+the+walkway+across+the+top+of+the+lock)+5-7-2008+12-17-20+PM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> Filled to the brim (notice the walkway across the top of the lock) <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRvNNb6gM77-OotppXcPYruf8ghPddVQbeFcRZEA5B3LHBWM04aozBAXgYRiUIB6NQHQHvtT4q-g8P0nQhDy3whq21SUM0_VbRaExa3fjPtbQCbOZkJ0mMR86ftxQEDgt326bsYszFeM/s1600-h/Going+through+a+lock+as+seen+from+the+Pilot+Deck.++Our+cargo+in+the+foreground.++Silver+Lining+being+lifted+in+the+chamber+ahead+of+us.-4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239094320420674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsRvNNb6gM77-OotppXcPYruf8ghPddVQbeFcRZEA5B3LHBWM04aozBAXgYRiUIB6NQHQHvtT4q-g8P0nQhDy3whq21SUM0_VbRaExa3fjPtbQCbOZkJ0mMR86ftxQEDgt326bsYszFeM/s200/Going+through+a+lock+as+seen+from+the+Pilot+Deck.++Our+cargo+in+the+foreground.++Silver+Lining+being+lifted+in+the+chamber+ahead+of+us.-4.JPG" border="0" /></a> Going through a lock as seen from the Pilot Deck. Our cargo in the foreground. Silver Lining being lifted in the chamber ahead of us.<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8ovuZswZPVBH5HoREmZ0xOomR1bhHqFXSpfJYjJReUCYYuXsDCvyWL_Q_fG8Di2-uM_dTiwRztgr7HkF14NtsShUoXX_jRKnDMeimTDWAADSK9GYDWmYOcFIfvy-7emjxiUiu_6BHug/s1600-h/Life+is+tough+here+on+the+Canal.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205239094320420690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgW8ovuZswZPVBH5HoREmZ0xOomR1bhHqFXSpfJYjJReUCYYuXsDCvyWL_Q_fG8Di2-uM_dTiwRztgr7HkF14NtsShUoXX_jRKnDMeimTDWAADSK9GYDWmYOcFIfvy-7emjxiUiu_6BHug/s200/Life+is+tough+here+on+the+Canal.JPG" border="0" /></a> Life is tough here on the Canal<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33ukjaNlNntL6g7KuqdZbeOjHFQ-Kg3Z6EhVG5i-YKl1uYThHdygie0TJBFp_k-fJ2MnQ0rD0lnbRMSx2EYgyhulBz1EdA5kMWhQjJY4T7M2eJm_HmExbe3yPaquPFv_JPL1lEE8LNPk/s1600-h/A+lock+chamber+5-7-2008+12-52-54+PM+3339x2582.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205238793672709826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi33ukjaNlNntL6g7KuqdZbeOjHFQ-Kg3Z6EhVG5i-YKl1uYThHdygie0TJBFp_k-fJ2MnQ0rD0lnbRMSx2EYgyhulBz1EdA5kMWhQjJY4T7M2eJm_HmExbe3yPaquPFv_JPL1lEE8LNPk/s200/A+lock+chamber+5-7-2008+12-52-54+PM+3339x2582.JPG" border="0" /></a> A lock chamber <br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkx3wCLp8AfmV0-rH8papM0AhpXjhGAhtfUjQ_xTnoEpHBYm9oOqhLEihRei2tZviJvyS6oM3-8km6hjJNEVADq7xErF7Oh9-557mDHxSxLOkpJpPX3e-JcUCx9qufU_KY9QlmUinVH0/s1600-h/A+locomotive+at+work+with+two+positioning+cables+5-7-2008+2-35-26+PM+3620x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205238802262644450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivkx3wCLp8AfmV0-rH8papM0AhpXjhGAhtfUjQ_xTnoEpHBYm9oOqhLEihRei2tZviJvyS6oM3-8km6hjJNEVADq7xErF7Oh9-557mDHxSxLOkpJpPX3e-JcUCx9qufU_KY9QlmUinVH0/s200/A+locomotive+at+work+with+two+positioning+cables+5-7-2008+2-35-26+PM+3620x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> A locomotive at work with two positioning cables<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRZ2pmyVdQ3GGkv_fGpEe-fRyEPJjbAhSTcdEftMLiksO1Dq0uHqrUM8iFyRMqPVw43XFQ6ntvgwYnz3vdovp4QmkKZvI3BlFk-ASkjrcilTbm0MLsW4k_dvoCEScVG9f2GVwofCF6YA/s1600-h/An+example+of+how+high+the+lift+is+5-7-2008+1-57-54+PM+2412x2092.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205238810852579058" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSRZ2pmyVdQ3GGkv_fGpEe-fRyEPJjbAhSTcdEftMLiksO1Dq0uHqrUM8iFyRMqPVw43XFQ6ntvgwYnz3vdovp4QmkKZvI3BlFk-ASkjrcilTbm0MLsW4k_dvoCEScVG9f2GVwofCF6YA/s200/An+example+of+how+high+the+lift+is+5-7-2008+1-57-54+PM+2412x2092.JPG" border="0" /></a> An example of how high the lift is <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_qS9O_okqkc3vHyL_fVBgR38ofFMvVdxhPNJwBWrz9BHf9Si8ao7ov4x__8GRJ8_3RxeQ7CTn73q-raWZ7c_j6Bacv6-mL_efIZ7hQJTnG3PTTckIB9quSzdJi4F8C7UIRTSSF3C4cA/s1600-h/Canal+at+night.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205238815147546370" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm_qS9O_okqkc3vHyL_fVBgR38ofFMvVdxhPNJwBWrz9BHf9Si8ao7ov4x__8GRJ8_3RxeQ7CTn73q-raWZ7c_j6Bacv6-mL_efIZ7hQJTnG3PTTckIB9quSzdJi4F8C7UIRTSSF3C4cA/s200/Canal+at+night.JPG" border="0" /></a>Canal at night</div><div> </div><div align="left">The Panama Canal was a little anticlimactic after traveling around the world. A delay in San Diego caused us to lose our time slot, so we had to remain at anchor, outside the canal, from noon on Monday May 5, until 4:30 A.M. on Wednesday May 7. Our pilot, due to arrive at 3:00 A.M. on the Wednesday, was characteristically late. We were further delayed by the late arrival of twenty one (this is not a typographical error, I counted them) line men who came on board to handle the steel cables that attach us to locomotives which help us transit the canal. Mal and I had set our alarm for 3:30 A.M. We had lots of time to read about the history of the canal.<br />The Spanish considered a passageway through the isthmus as early as 1534. <br />However it was not until 1879 that the passage was considered an engineering possibility. A private French company spent10 long years, suffering the loss of many lives caused by disease and labor difficulties, before declaring bankruptcy. In 1894 another attempt was made, again by a French company, only to suffer the same fate.<br />In 1904 a third attempt was made, this time by the U.S. The canal was successfully completed, but the cost was high: 10 years, 75,000 laborers and 400 million dollars. The canal opened to traffic on august 15, 1914.<br />In 1997 the U.S. started to increase the Panamanian participation in the operation of the canal and on December 31, 1999 the Republic of Panama acquired the full responsibility and ownership of the canal.<br />There are three sets of locks in the canal, two on the Pacific side, and one on the Atlantic. Each set of locks has six chambers, arranged in pairs and operating independently. Ships can pass either way in parallel chambers. Each chamber accommodates ships up to 106 feet wide, with drafts no deeper than 39.5 feet. This is small relative to the size of many of today’s super sized freighters and cruise ships. Consequently construction is ongoing to build a bigger and more economical system.<br />Finally, at approximately 5:00 A.M., and still in darkness, we started to inch our way toward the first set of chambers. It is a myth that ships are pulled through the system by locomotives. Not only did I check our wake several times, but I also asked the chief engineer. A humorous fellow at the best of times, he looked at me, cocked one eyebrow and asked, “Do you know how much we weigh?” Ships are actually moved forward by an initial thrust of their own power. The pilots know exactly how much power and when to apply it. The locomotives task is to keep the ships precisely in the middle of the channel. The expertise of the pilots is such that most ships will have coasted to a stop by the time they reach the end of the chamber. However, just in case, the locomotives are also prepared to act as a precautionary brake.<br />Our bow was well into the first chamber when I spied a small rowing boat, with two oarsmen, bobbing precariously between our ship and the starboard dock. This was a line boat. A line was tossed from our stern to the boat. The line was tied to the bights of two steel cables, attached at their other ends to a locomotive. The cables were then pulled on board. A similar operation was taking place to port. Eventually we ended up with four locomotives, each attached to us by two cables, making eight cables in all. Thus we proceeded through the first three chambers, waiting patiently for the water to fill and raise us to each new level. The same procedure was used at each lock. We passed through 6 chambers on the Pacific side of the canal, but only three on the Atlantic side. The elevations and descents were correspondingly greater here. I have no idea why this is. I suspect that the incline up the mountain is gentler on the Pacific side.<br />The transit through the canal system usually takes 8 to 10 hours. Ours took approximately 15 hours. I suspect that we, along with six other ships, were fitted into a small window of opportunity that occurred in the system. We spent an unusually long time anchored in Lake Gatun, a large body of water just west of the Atlantic cut. <br />We started our transit in complete darkness, passed through the day, only to end in complete darkness again. Perhaps it was the length of the passage, along with the prolonged waiting periods, that eroded some of our initial excitement.<br />Not to worry. Soon we were on our way to Galveston.</div><div align="left"><br /><br /><br /> </div><div></div><br /></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-30343904062734041012008-05-13T05:06:00.000-07:002008-05-24T04:09:35.668-07:00The “S.S. Cork”<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FnIfbOKxA9eAV6W3DVakX0BCV7dx_ZszG16yWPX4ZunN4t-2jVJjfosH6Qlx_nIQqf_tEYZjSKXE_beVcv9j-Lt44PKMbEXjSFmiFPCwwEqFoxq2zdyjRgidTiuIW5kWgLKtCCc6Q8/s1600-h/Entering+San+Diego+4-27-2008+3-47-35+PM+1580x949.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199837442453248530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FnIfbOKxA9eAV6W3DVakX0BCV7dx_ZszG16yWPX4ZunN4t-2jVJjfosH6Qlx_nIQqf_tEYZjSKXE_beVcv9j-Lt44PKMbEXjSFmiFPCwwEqFoxq2zdyjRgidTiuIW5kWgLKtCCc6Q8/s200/Entering+San+Diego+4-27-2008+3-47-35+PM+1580x949.JPG" border="0" /></a> Entering San Diego 4-27-2008 3-47-35 PM <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthBXq9F8nBYRdWwTKJ_xGnhagbcVdBdP0E-16lNswiapY8Hrdy0uafqQ6pE2O6B3Tliu20Y4t_8IgBGaFx0XTkxKGbcBj5iJf6puO8F8oOjGv_kKc5WLWhpZu_DJR2pK8GOHibh0vNPk/s1600-h/Preparing+to+launch+with+the+crew+looking+on+5-4-2008+1-22-31+AM+3242x1948.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199837446748215842" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthBXq9F8nBYRdWwTKJ_xGnhagbcVdBdP0E-16lNswiapY8Hrdy0uafqQ6pE2O6B3Tliu20Y4t_8IgBGaFx0XTkxKGbcBj5iJf6puO8F8oOjGv_kKc5WLWhpZu_DJR2pK8GOHibh0vNPk/s200/Preparing+to+launch+with+the+crew+looking+on+5-4-2008+1-22-31+AM+3242x1948.JPG" border="0" /></a> Preparing to launch with the crew looking on 5-4-2008 1-22-31 AM </div><div align="left"><br />So we transited the Pacific Ocean, all 5,618 miles of it, finally arriving at San Diego at midnight. What a sight. The ship, surrounded by the lights of the city, gently coasted through the bay, past the center of the city, to dock at the 10th. Avenue Marine Terminal, a mere 20 minutes walking distance from the down town convention center. We left Nagasaki on the 15th. April at 1:00 A.M. and traveled North East along the coast of Japan until we reached 40 degrees of latitude, 5 degrees lower than is customary. A severe low pressure area in the North Pacific caused us to take this slightly lower and longer course. The weather turned chilly and brisk in spite of our more Southerly route. Eventually we turned South East arriving in sunny California on the April 26. We crossed the International Date Line which provided us with two April 19th’s. This threw Heiner’s well organized diary into some disarray. His PC made an automatic adjustment, but his diary was not prepared to repeat a day! So how did we spend our time for 13 days? For the first three days Mal read and I became obsessed with a 1,000 piece jigsaw. Then the fun began. Among the many gifts that we received during the bon voyage party at Lillian and Ed O’Connors’, was a copy of an abcNEWS article, “River of Dreams: the First Cork Boat”, a tale of a 22 foot boat built out of 166,000 corks. (<a href="http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4103111" target="_blank">http://abcnews.go.com/print?id=4103111</a>) We also received a wooden statuette of a peg legged Captain, complete with pipe, and, to everybody’s amusement, a bird in a bird cage, who responded to loud noises. If you read the blog entry on Genoa you will recall that Paul and Mal brought many bottles of wine on board. As we opened the first bottle, it occurred to me that it would be fun to build the “Second” Cork Boat in the World. We started to collect corks. With one chopstick, easily obtained in Asia, a box of toothpicks, courtesy of the ship, and a bottle of glue, purchased in Nagasaki, we were ready to proceed. Every morning Mal and I were to be found, hard at work, at the Boat Works, aka the passenger lounge. Our industry was interrupted periodically by the cacophonous serenading from the bird cage. Fortunately, for the sanity of all in her presence, the bird came with an on/off switch. Various bits and pieces were donated by the other passengers, including cordage for the rigging, and a set of flags representing the nationalities of the other passengers. A special thanks to Paul who diligently worked at increasing our cork supply. Our progress was monitored, with some smiles and head shaking, by the crew and officers. When we were finished we were very proud of our little Viking cat boat. We continued in the Rickmers tradition of naming their Pearl String line after ports, and named our boat the S.S. Cork. Our captain, Sir Beaufort O. O’Scale, in spite of his somewhat overly abundant proportions, courageously took the helm on launching day. In the presence of the Officers, passengers and crew, all well supplied with beer, wine and soft drinks, (any excuse for a party), we gently, and with great ceremony, eased the S.S.Cork into the swimming pool, by means of a sling and a fishing rod. Heiner supplied an iPod and speakers, along with the appropriate music. In the absence of champagne we formalized the launch with liberal sprinklings of beer. The “VIP’s and spectators” cheered. No sooner was our little craft launched than she caught a puff of wind and sailed magnificently to the other end of the swimming pool. Thank you to Dick and Pat Cooper for supplying this article, and to John Pollock who built the “First” cork boat that inspired this project. We and our fellow passengers had a wonderful time sailing across the Pacific.<br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eBnhaVCR3-ShD_uoKdcRrqjV1UICjhC1CGeR39A3sc_pOH6180spNR08YpJ0ZX81N_BHuRwLXHHaQqDvtxaELJpycJuqdt6s1UBJtZXC8vInksMrKKa4r6RHEZLYiD-w8wwG1mjW7OI/s1600-h/Sunlight+on+the+Deck+Cargo+-+Crossing+the+Pacific+4-26-2008+4-52-28+AM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199835428113586642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_eBnhaVCR3-ShD_uoKdcRrqjV1UICjhC1CGeR39A3sc_pOH6180spNR08YpJ0ZX81N_BHuRwLXHHaQqDvtxaELJpycJuqdt6s1UBJtZXC8vInksMrKKa4r6RHEZLYiD-w8wwG1mjW7OI/s200/Sunlight+on+the+Deck+Cargo+-+Crossing+the+Pacific+4-26-2008+4-52-28+AM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sunlight on the Deck Cargo - Crossing the Pacific 4-26-2008 4-52-28 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybEzYodz2D3bBRo3drYCFbjCKxc2kiVMUCVw9O82_d6dd65Dt9glKcAtUCCNoxXJI4V4XYz0EIDiEXfEJvBatG0BE9yX5zU5ty9F4EBbEZ2I0d4lEVZ5lxX4ZjJ-chhMVDEDKwhFx-oQ/s1600-h/The+Shipyard+with+assembly+of+the+The+SS+Cork+in+an+early+stage+4-18-2008+9-02-55+PM+3648x2736.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199835440998488546" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgybEzYodz2D3bBRo3drYCFbjCKxc2kiVMUCVw9O82_d6dd65Dt9glKcAtUCCNoxXJI4V4XYz0EIDiEXfEJvBatG0BE9yX5zU5ty9F4EBbEZ2I0d4lEVZ5lxX4ZjJ-chhMVDEDKwhFx-oQ/s200/The+Shipyard+with+assembly+of+the+The+SS+Cork+in+an+early+stage+4-18-2008+9-02-55+PM+3648x2736.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Shipyard with assembly of the The SS Cork in an early stage 4-18-2008 9-02-55 PM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuX6oZ8NaFqyu7OXnk4XY9gPLRFJsrkde19KJK8Cca8KBxpLZnKKNFeMSxe9-lXGNjyQTeCi4aena-qY5FnpTpqz_il65ELnGCaGrVDCacSxj25fqAMFatVy-TQ4sNaOyefFfjYsVtRA/s1600-h/Photo+of+Sir+Beaufort+O.+O%27Scale+(the+O+stands+for+Out).jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199835440998488562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijuX6oZ8NaFqyu7OXnk4XY9gPLRFJsrkde19KJK8Cca8KBxpLZnKKNFeMSxe9-lXGNjyQTeCi4aena-qY5FnpTpqz_il65ELnGCaGrVDCacSxj25fqAMFatVy-TQ4sNaOyefFfjYsVtRA/s200/Photo+of+Sir+Beaufort+O.+O%27Scale+(the+O+stands+for+Out).jpg" border="0" /></a> Photo of Sir Beaufort O. O'Scale (the O stands for Out)<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh754UXyGJWOxmuun1b-g8RMMuAGbnfextfPjMwjyaa3uYNU58aVnjAa1q2TRvrSn6NzsTRBsY85fSEFdopWcMFtmv-zUS3w-v6Rq1i9tDP4U5RwaqUHHlfuXg9-8kjOSjZX3IJlq-PmdQ/s1600-h/The+SS+Cork++under+full+sail++flags+flying+4-26-2008+8-36-24+PM+3872x2592.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5199835445293455874" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh754UXyGJWOxmuun1b-g8RMMuAGbnfextfPjMwjyaa3uYNU58aVnjAa1q2TRvrSn6NzsTRBsY85fSEFdopWcMFtmv-zUS3w-v6Rq1i9tDP4U5RwaqUHHlfuXg9-8kjOSjZX3IJlq-PmdQ/s200/The+SS+Cork++under+full+sail++flags+flying+4-26-2008+8-36-24+PM+3872x2592.JPG" border="0" /></a> The SS Cork under full sail flags flying 4-26-2008 8-36-24 PM 3872x2592 </div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FnIfbOKxA9eAV6W3DVakX0BCV7dx_ZszG16yWPX4ZunN4t-2jVJjfosH6Qlx_nIQqf_tEYZjSKXE_beVcv9j-Lt44PKMbEXjSFmiFPCwwEqFoxq2zdyjRgidTiuIW5kWgLKtCCc6Q8/s1600-h/Entering+San+Diego+4-27-2008+3-47-35+PM+1580x949.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthBXq9F8nBYRdWwTKJ_xGnhagbcVdBdP0E-16lNswiapY8Hrdy0uafqQ6pE2O6B3Tliu20Y4t_8IgBGaFx0XTkxKGbcBj5iJf6puO8F8oOjGv_kKc5WLWhpZu_DJR2pK8GOHibh0vNPk/s1600-h/Preparing+to+launch+with+the+crew+looking+on+5-4-2008+1-22-31+AM+3242x1948.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_1FnIfbOKxA9eAV6W3DVakX0BCV7dx_ZszG16yWPX4ZunN4t-2jVJjfosH6Qlx_nIQqf_tEYZjSKXE_beVcv9j-Lt44PKMbEXjSFmiFPCwwEqFoxq2zdyjRgidTiuIW5kWgLKtCCc6Q8/s1600-h/Entering+San+Diego+4-27-2008+3-47-35+PM+1580x949.JPG"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhthBXq9F8nBYRdWwTKJ_xGnhagbcVdBdP0E-16lNswiapY8Hrdy0uafqQ6pE2O6B3Tliu20Y4t_8IgBGaFx0XTkxKGbcBj5iJf6puO8F8oOjGv_kKc5WLWhpZu_DJR2pK8GOHibh0vNPk/s1600-h/Preparing+to+launch+with+the+crew+looking+on+5-4-2008+1-22-31+AM+3242x1948.JPG"></a><br /></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-79478669011991308022008-05-13T05:00:00.000-07:002008-05-27T17:32:21.756-07:00A TALE OF TWO CITIES.<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gN6c4wYHUQn7u4Xs6tcoHtChTEhqx463ilR-gC6XOUZhgbAWZYFZU3dqg-JJjtWq4IN8kWRVpNlUr3kUL0KIVi6F0RFrMMIUS3Tp91sX3KuQqbz25F4uC73Ya3IevFa-qcubG8D97qc/s1600-h/OAt+the+Spring+Festival+in+Nagasaki+with+some+of+the+locals.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218989578507922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0gN6c4wYHUQn7u4Xs6tcoHtChTEhqx463ilR-gC6XOUZhgbAWZYFZU3dqg-JJjtWq4IN8kWRVpNlUr3kUL0KIVi6F0RFrMMIUS3Tp91sX3KuQqbz25F4uC73Ya3IevFa-qcubG8D97qc/s200/OAt+the+Spring+Festival+in+Nagasaki+with+some+of+the+locals.JPG" border="0" /></a> OAt the Spring Festival in Nagasaki with some of the locals</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWFbH1tEUFQ1FsO-7MsVeZ8lJd9k5YvePQ6zSWpKdvPx4WH1EQAiMd5WmFI4F_3hcH_qQxQWU1TnwkUiC2Dcbi4ce10wWHL_5dkU3T5Y5lvwkZkuCS8FkNK5SJxkF8i53wvYg6HsLwh4/s1600-h/Puccini+was+inspired+to+write+Madama+Butterfly+by+events+in+what+is+now+Glover+Garden.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218993873475234" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdWFbH1tEUFQ1FsO-7MsVeZ8lJd9k5YvePQ6zSWpKdvPx4WH1EQAiMd5WmFI4F_3hcH_qQxQWU1TnwkUiC2Dcbi4ce10wWHL_5dkU3T5Y5lvwkZkuCS8FkNK5SJxkF8i53wvYg6HsLwh4/s200/Puccini+was+inspired+to+write+Madama+Butterfly+by+events+in+what+is+now+Glover+Garden.JPG" border="0" /></a>Puccini was inspired to write Madama Butterfly by events in what is now Glover Garden</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelbSa06jHBgSn49PCHE5XgjJiIH8T3LTGQl4dIbsjikSQJOAW8LDYjz0kRePtKC489PIBTOivjEMrbgrq5vEUtyAJZHmHmqA4BdG9__37E4UgMAa1QAjtfZbMOBbGGwmMVoraU0Lwu3Y/s1600-h/Schoolgirls+on+Holiday+in+Nagasaki.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218993873475250" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgelbSa06jHBgSn49PCHE5XgjJiIH8T3LTGQl4dIbsjikSQJOAW8LDYjz0kRePtKC489PIBTOivjEMrbgrq5vEUtyAJZHmHmqA4BdG9__37E4UgMAa1QAjtfZbMOBbGGwmMVoraU0Lwu3Y/s200/Schoolgirls+on+Holiday+in+Nagasaki.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Schoolgirls on Holiday in Nagasaki</p><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjvmn0kyGa-EFIHLHwXAsXcuXsEo2LbvfmAzhnGyA35qY2YcQejTny-UCm73AA6tfgGw_Zx5NYkTUvbI-owvt6TRzHVMr7GTw-rhQw8UHH972oflM4xrDpwlaj4u84eH_gtSV7NlxIwo/s1600-h/Artificial+Food+Display+Outside+A+Restaurant.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218822074783298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMjvmn0kyGa-EFIHLHwXAsXcuXsEo2LbvfmAzhnGyA35qY2YcQejTny-UCm73AA6tfgGw_Zx5NYkTUvbI-owvt6TRzHVMr7GTw-rhQw8UHH972oflM4xrDpwlaj4u84eH_gtSV7NlxIwo/s200/Artificial+Food+Display+Outside+A+Restaurant.JPG" border="0" /></a> Artificial Food Display Outside A Restaurant</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tizkEVnAeg4ydFsAegpuhWDnYhxAK91oGkJ3DNTrrwJ_2jzPXCJgw3m-tkbQ8SakJh7O5fn4HpBNXEd2gPAw22aCBOjmAU975YRnoSHkdUItLVXN4r4-7tMDXS4bLFAElKwE1dHmgTY/s1600-h/Do+I+HAVE+to+do+this.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218826369750610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-tizkEVnAeg4ydFsAegpuhWDnYhxAK91oGkJ3DNTrrwJ_2jzPXCJgw3m-tkbQ8SakJh7O5fn4HpBNXEd2gPAw22aCBOjmAU975YRnoSHkdUItLVXN4r4-7tMDXS4bLFAElKwE1dHmgTY/s200/Do+I+HAVE+to+do+this.JPG" border="0" /></a></p><p align="center"> Do I HAVE to do this</p><p align="center"><br /> </p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ooE0uiPvStAh3O8KSyotTgJlej1CfgmLJxnYSUmh8vIlP0KZa7NGE_juJCMB09Dy-uBxnbx7fcDpL2K57RiewtXSZLRicjKf5QHPgFQ2vPAEZbqR3wrCjNgs0PLUmkSI7P1eBrkIeKA/s1600-h/Getting+ready+to+perform+at+the+Spring+Festival.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218830664717922" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ooE0uiPvStAh3O8KSyotTgJlej1CfgmLJxnYSUmh8vIlP0KZa7NGE_juJCMB09Dy-uBxnbx7fcDpL2K57RiewtXSZLRicjKf5QHPgFQ2vPAEZbqR3wrCjNgs0PLUmkSI7P1eBrkIeKA/s200/Getting+ready+to+perform+at+the+Spring+Festival.JPG" border="0" /></a> Getting ready to perform at the Spring Festival<br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzbHiDZbZbnHuTbSCK9aWblUw43fy1pq2-pVP3TP29RrxJ00_8Z6j1nGjw3VzZtyZPu9yl6I3V7aUOShNp0F-kRouMaSaPcxxkqUZf3JYbacNbAU8sHhN22qRPViRqy3oKyAgin3WNNA/s1600-h/Industrial+Art.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218830664717938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLzbHiDZbZbnHuTbSCK9aWblUw43fy1pq2-pVP3TP29RrxJ00_8Z6j1nGjw3VzZtyZPu9yl6I3V7aUOShNp0F-kRouMaSaPcxxkqUZf3JYbacNbAU8sHhN22qRPViRqy3oKyAgin3WNNA/s200/Industrial+Art.JPG" border="0" /></a> Industrial Art</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_N0j_p0TZv7e0CdeR-35kI6emNCTs8-75LoCGGvQs_pDyQwRnWaGcdYw8t0cjo90dAVaOfggjv0Xjt_RwabEOcb-FrFqVE1mS3Y2VrFxKHvtljTHQfQoEMEa2gJ-IQ65FpgXnFa3iXs/s1600-h/Life+imitating+Art+in+Glover+Garden.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5205218830664717954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6_N0j_p0TZv7e0CdeR-35kI6emNCTs8-75LoCGGvQs_pDyQwRnWaGcdYw8t0cjo90dAVaOfggjv0Xjt_RwabEOcb-FrFqVE1mS3Y2VrFxKHvtljTHQfQoEMEa2gJ-IQ65FpgXnFa3iXs/s200/Life+imitating+Art+in+Glover+Garden.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Life imitating Art in Glover Garden<br /><br /></p>We visited two cities in Japan, Kobe and Nagasaki, each with distinctly different personalities.<br />If Kobe seems to have a familiar ring to it, yes, it is the home of Kobe beef. A very modern and dynamic city, it has had to reinvent itself twice in recent history. It was badly bombed toward the end of world War 11, sustaining extensive physical damage and loss of life. Fully recovered and thriving it was again devastated in 1995 by a severe earthquake; 7 + on the Richter scale. Some of you may remember the earthquake. It made world news because many bridges buckled and collapsed, making recovery efforts difficult.<br />Fully rebuilt, it is a beautiful world class metropolis. The many teenagers bubble with energy and happiness. Children of an affluent society, they have a funky, fashionable, attractive dress code of their own. Lots of short shorts, knee high boots, mini skirts and outrageously wonderful tops, all coordinated with a balance of color and style uniquely Japanese. The center of the city is one large shopping center with every well known retailer present, side by side with local shops and boutiques. It was a joy to get lost there, window shopping and people watching. No purchasing allowed, mind you. The rate of exchange made everything in Japan very expensive!<br />Nagasaki is different. The pace of life is slower, the atmosphere more traditional. There is a quiet elegance. For many years it was the only port of entrance for visitors to Japan. Sadly Nagasaki has also had to reinvent itself because of the atomic bomb. Unlike Kobe, it elected to restore and preserve its inheritance. Some of the temples, originally built by the Chinese merchants and mariners, have been restored to their former splendor. Havens of quiet beauty, they encourage peaceful reflection.<br />Mal and I visited Glover Garden while in Nagasaki. Glover was one of Japans first foreign entrepreneurs. The estate is on a hill overlooking the bay. Supposedly it was the inspiration for Puccini’s opera, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Madama</span> Butterfly. I had difficulty clarifying if Puccini actually visited the garden, but there is a statue of him, and also one of a famous Japanese opera star who is identified with the role of Butterfly.<br />I took the opportunity to persuade Mal to find a Japanese steak house so that I could taste some Kobe beef. It is, indeed, deliciously tender, but not worth the premium price exacted by New York restaurants.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-60538740094613841362008-04-26T17:02:00.001-07:002008-04-26T17:03:45.565-07:00A Cross Cultural Encounter<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNExH1hnUcbor4zi2KTC5FukouhEjCAxHdriqV81Doj_UoZJ_iTI41DY2n6sgssdLrY1aWQzCGv3NSAyV-9RsUbKK7O0NjUi2SV9HMSqTkdOE199BS9z7qGqedrrdcehMkepr7rdH3NA/s1600-h/The+Arm+4-12-2008+6-04-34+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193708881634892034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlNExH1hnUcbor4zi2KTC5FukouhEjCAxHdriqV81Doj_UoZJ_iTI41DY2n6sgssdLrY1aWQzCGv3NSAyV-9RsUbKK7O0NjUi2SV9HMSqTkdOE199BS9z7qGqedrrdcehMkepr7rdH3NA/s200/The+Arm+4-12-2008+6-04-34+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div>After a day of wandering around the city of Chang Wan, we decided to head for the Restaurant district for a light informal supper. We spotted a brightly lit place with all the earmarks of a restaurant in the throes of a grand opening (Balloons, large flower displays with broad ribbons inscribed in Korean, etc). As we studied the picture menu, we were invited inside by smiles and gestures.<br />After we were seated, we asked “Does anyone here speak English?”. An 11 year old girl who was hovering nearby volunteered, “Yes.” She immediately became our interpreter and guide. Her vocabulary was extensive and stretched well beyond the usual, “How are you?” and, “How old are you?” Another sister, possibly two years younger, joined us periodically, undoubtedly to practice her English too. However, every time she opened her mouth to speak she would collapse in giggles. They, in turn, were joined by their baby sister who was dressed in a pretty pink party dress, complete with a pink crown.<br />She wasn’t the least bit shy and babbled happily in Korean, not at all perturbed that no one was responding to her.<br />Eventually their Father joined us, concerned that his children were annoying us. Quite to the contrary, we were thoroughly enjoying his family. Very soon he joined us too, lifting the toddler onto his lap.<br />Suddenly the toddler became unusually quiet and developed a look of deep concentration. She reached out her index finger and tentatively stroked Mal’s forearm. She collapsed into shrieks of toddler delight, looking toward her father for approval. Her Father, embarrassed by this seemingly presumptuous act, started to apologize. He then realized that Mal was charmed by this spontaneous act of exploration and was encouraging her to continue. Soon father and daughter were both lost in their own small universe where the child was learning that there are some men, mostly non-Korean, who have hair on their arms and that it is sometimes considered a sign of great strength and courage.<br />Given that the arm in question belonged to Mal, out of two isn’t bad! </div><br /><p></p><br /><p></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-32186397465974733402008-04-26T16:51:00.000-07:002008-04-26T16:57:39.935-07:00The Masan fish market<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_prtUjBMMxKxTe9CjIvxNQ1ILybAkGP0Eqws8w3967ZG1OlhlAIgHr3RaUPOL_0zZU5P7dOSd_y0Tscc_QB_SzulPNFAQtnNU2DdvP0tWzEjmwPZZWPEvnAMbBHnh8Dwi4YRmdfWWbas/s1600-h/Old+Port+in+Masan+4-6-2008+4-17-00+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706386258893042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_prtUjBMMxKxTe9CjIvxNQ1ILybAkGP0Eqws8w3967ZG1OlhlAIgHr3RaUPOL_0zZU5P7dOSd_y0Tscc_QB_SzulPNFAQtnNU2DdvP0tWzEjmwPZZWPEvnAMbBHnh8Dwi4YRmdfWWbas/s200/Old+Port+in+Masan+4-6-2008+4-17-00+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Old Port in Masan 4-6-2008 4-17-00 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwxqfDynjIwaQbCDjd0BEDhE8RbWs60vzI-9daS4asMauVTijUqyLIEyMbo2cemqjWTvVkh-ODa1WcweLOBmlW0ZxlyKFeXdeWmL8x9fcbZa8gIF_peO0PHAOH5EDH48EbtlyOSj0IcM/s1600-h/A+lesson+in+Korean+4-6-2008+2-58-14+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706218755168418" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnwxqfDynjIwaQbCDjd0BEDhE8RbWs60vzI-9daS4asMauVTijUqyLIEyMbo2cemqjWTvVkh-ODa1WcweLOBmlW0ZxlyKFeXdeWmL8x9fcbZa8gIF_peO0PHAOH5EDH48EbtlyOSj0IcM/s200/A+lesson+in+Korean+4-6-2008+2-58-14+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A lesson in Korean 4-6-2008 2-58-14 AM<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdKQT36CJK5pRbH4DH3fA7z0BfzM7ve8qc8gwBCzay7PCAu4S-qInnEBnBHaNUarZ28IkTI6zd3pbRutHs_eKunh4jgnCcN01Gdj00Rs6Cmf2XLKz15DGLQeidnPkr1JFQJ9Hkm1gZuoA/s1600-h/At+the+Masan+Fish+Market.++All+thise+fish+are+confusing+4-6-2008+2-55-42+AM.JPG"></a><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIAw_c2ubIT2H1bntA36nvoH3uBLHIjJQDQrIig37akEPlz91lNR1XL3R64ssBni35uD_S3a6FonItNU1aSZEa4Hf9RIfb9jjjEFg0D_h2KRdmB5ZquSMY-gl6Y7WxIljJMabhWuKwjY/s1600-h/I'm+watching+you+4-6-2008+2-59-37+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706227345103042" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnIAw_c2ubIT2H1bntA36nvoH3uBLHIjJQDQrIig37akEPlz91lNR1XL3R64ssBni35uD_S3a6FonItNU1aSZEa4Hf9RIfb9jjjEFg0D_h2KRdmB5ZquSMY-gl6Y7WxIljJMabhWuKwjY/s200/I'm+watching+you+4-6-2008+2-59-37+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> I'm watching you 4-6-2008 2-59-37 AM</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhpWHNMB4U_KbM3uvsQ3TVsl6_Kz1PJFTj3skDTuRJ6qc0uEvTbC45KgyW7JnCQXF9v_P3bPoeFkKId1vSjT1OT1TvjxKmjlXd9NHaW_nZ37zeem6YOObpJ9e1h_Z8HuRK56-uk80yMI/s1600-h/Korean+Fish+Mongersette+4-6-2008+3-01-33+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706231640070354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMhpWHNMB4U_KbM3uvsQ3TVsl6_Kz1PJFTj3skDTuRJ6qc0uEvTbC45KgyW7JnCQXF9v_P3bPoeFkKId1vSjT1OT1TvjxKmjlXd9NHaW_nZ37zeem6YOObpJ9e1h_Z8HuRK56-uk80yMI/s200/Korean+Fish+Mongersette+4-6-2008+3-01-33+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Korean Fish Mongersette 4-6-2008 3-01-33 AM</p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn-m8vBciUuW7gQbZuufNUciyI0HlvccAe3wN65X5_lRrdL2xmYfF7c92wwNsDNP3OedJ_TKQSNOS0zh-VlxFMguYs_1K0ZkdB-BJbuJePI-DKNHWx_5T0Dx4ZkKO22JwcoGnJEh0WRc/s1600-h/Live+Prawns+4-6-2008+3-03-48+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193706235935037666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyn-m8vBciUuW7gQbZuufNUciyI0HlvccAe3wN65X5_lRrdL2xmYfF7c92wwNsDNP3OedJ_TKQSNOS0zh-VlxFMguYs_1K0ZkdB-BJbuJePI-DKNHWx_5T0Dx4ZkKO22JwcoGnJEh0WRc/s200/Live+Prawns+4-6-2008+3-03-48+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Live Prawns 4-6-2008 3-03-48 AM<br /></p><p align="left">One of the many advantages of visiting countries by sea is that we always have fresh fish available to us in the most of the restaurants. In Asia, at least in the costal areas, fish are kept alive in aerated fish tanks until they are prepared for consumption. We decided to visit the Masan fish market, in Korea, to learn more about how this is accomplished. Like most markets in the world we found rows of vendors displaying their wares, except that in this case, the wares were very much alive and swimming. Most of the vendors were female and we were greeted with smiles, broken English and much laughter. This is a place where everybody appears to be happy and there is a shared sense of camaraderie. Everywhere was spotlessly clean and the market had a wonderfully sweet smell of fresh fish. Live fish don’t have much of a fishy smell. I say fish, but actually there was an abundance of seafood too; crabs, oysters, shrimp, prawns, mussels, whelks, octopi and squid to name a few. There even was a lonesome frog for sale.<br />Water is piped in from the nearby harbor so that the water tanks can constantly be replenished. Open gutters, covered with grills, return the excess overflow. Open gutters paint a bad image, perhaps, but like the whole market, the water that flowed through these gutters was clean and sweet smelling. I suspect that the vendors have another method of disposal for their fish waste. A hint of one bad fish here could spell doom to the whole market.<br />So how do the fish get from here to their destination alive? I noticed that every vendor had stacks of Styrofoam boxes in every size. The large restaurant cooler sizes are filled with seawater and fish, and are delivered by truck. Smaller individual purchases are put in sealed plastic bags, similar to how a goldfish is transported in the U.S. Other fish are killed and wrapped and taken home for prompt consumption. Octopi and shell fish etc., which don’t need moving sea water to stay alive, are packed in crushed ice, of which there was plenty.<br />The fish market covers approximately five or six city blocks and there are stalls of spices and herbs, fruits and vegetables around the periphery to allow for the convenience of one-stop shopping. We arrived slightly before nine o’clock on a Sunday morning when the market was still quiet. We had no difficulty losing ourselves here for two and a half hours. This early in the morning the vendors had time to spare and enjoyed interacting with us. We were taught the correct Korean pronunciation for many of the fish. These lessons usually involved three or four vendors who insisted on being party to this activity, much to everybody’s enjoyment. <br />By the time we left the market was busy and we realized that we had been there at the best time of the day to allow for these fun filled interactions.<br /></p><div align="center"></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-46467217590886749622008-04-26T16:43:00.000-07:002008-04-26T16:49:04.349-07:00Food in Masan<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4HJQhHGNh8tVZFNEd0ZmosryYOgNNPxgaBQZ9TJ1uUpD5GyYja5ce6VPdfGKeFJ95MYnRdm-lyWcdlYjhtmCmC50mC23T8aQpEjL9xfJZH5NjEddu-RVb6r9MkRxbPWJ68jW-7qPijY/s1600-h/At+the+fish+market+4-6-2008+2-57-35+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193704831480731746" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhX4HJQhHGNh8tVZFNEd0ZmosryYOgNNPxgaBQZ9TJ1uUpD5GyYja5ce6VPdfGKeFJ95MYnRdm-lyWcdlYjhtmCmC50mC23T8aQpEjL9xfJZH5NjEddu-RVb6r9MkRxbPWJ68jW-7qPijY/s200/At+the+fish+market+4-6-2008+2-57-35+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the fish market 4-6-2008 2-57-35 AM</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNArl6863DkSeqJat8SKVlxR2c-c9Gim25AGyECWtXnIRl2sO2bh4ZjJRmXXfU3jtcK1t99YU6RJE1SS6adFGn7fUp4Gxsx_fJtO54Mkvm81W0DUkwrmr2tnYAiOoRTH5JX6jezx_oD10/s1600-h/At+the+fish+restaurant+4-5-2008+5-55-09+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193704840070666354" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNArl6863DkSeqJat8SKVlxR2c-c9Gim25AGyECWtXnIRl2sO2bh4ZjJRmXXfU3jtcK1t99YU6RJE1SS6adFGn7fUp4Gxsx_fJtO54Mkvm81W0DUkwrmr2tnYAiOoRTH5JX6jezx_oD10/s200/At+the+fish+restaurant+4-5-2008+5-55-09+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />At the fish restaurant 4-5-2008 5-55-09 AM</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ljv-C8EwV7CoIGdwHLACKhC2e10poOFJJnCPzkeIDd-rDicQp17tRjH3AzxCwZ4yMR2AR4L6MnOiYb_h4fbB2Hr9lQ3D70st0j4GTywJ5SAhYiN5R0Naj9V8ZyXF7Xb3x8h00kuW2iQ/s1600-h/At+the+Masan+Fish+Market.++All+thise+fish+are+confusing+4-6-2008+2-55-42+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193704844365633666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Ljv-C8EwV7CoIGdwHLACKhC2e10poOFJJnCPzkeIDd-rDicQp17tRjH3AzxCwZ4yMR2AR4L6MnOiYb_h4fbB2Hr9lQ3D70st0j4GTywJ5SAhYiN5R0Naj9V8ZyXF7Xb3x8h00kuW2iQ/s200/At+the+Masan+Fish+Market.++All+thise+fish+are+confusing+4-6-2008+2-55-42+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> At the Masan Fish Market. All thise fish are confusing 4-6-2008 2-55-42 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aZFUSPkwCybPKj1IiGJPF6s4fZlEnhLT4vadeyNzaDI02ZjCVRHdSpbfn-gLsJsURwJxnRpCepUxUf3oB2IlNqXslZBNA2uBVB4h9ye568RzIH6-YrnkloxbUX415dUm4fIGIPI6QpQ/s1600-h/Our+Korean+Meal+4-5-2008+5-55-02+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193704844365633682" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6aZFUSPkwCybPKj1IiGJPF6s4fZlEnhLT4vadeyNzaDI02ZjCVRHdSpbfn-gLsJsURwJxnRpCepUxUf3oB2IlNqXslZBNA2uBVB4h9ye568RzIH6-YrnkloxbUX415dUm4fIGIPI6QpQ/s200/Our+Korean+Meal+4-5-2008+5-55-02+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our Korean Meal 4-5-2008 5-55-02 AM</div><br /><br />Our first adventure with food in Korea was interesting. Mal’s olfactory senses found us a restaurant where we had to remove our shoes and sit cross legged on the floor. Nobody spoke a word of English. We used our picture card, pointed to a fish and indicated that they should choose our meal.<br />We were each given our own dish of chili sauce with a teaspoon of wasabi tucked under the lip and another of sesame sauce. Shared accompaniments were chopped sweet green pepper, chopped garlic, sliced green chili pepper and peeled chestnuts. We had a small serving platter of chicory with a vinaigrette style hot and sweet dressing and a slaw of cabbage and sliced cucumber dressed with a white hot and sweet sauce.<br />The first course consisted of two large prawns, two raw oysters on the half shell, dried cooked baby octopi and a pancake whose main ingredients were eggplant and zucchini.<br />The main course was an elegant platter of thinly slice raw fish that had been happily swimming in a fish tank when we first sat down, steamed mussels in a broth, and the grilled head of the aforementioned fish. These were accompanied by a plate of red leaf lettuce and sesame leaves, which were palm sized , looked like a stinging nettle and has a mild mint flavor. Our waitress showed us how to tear up a leaf, dip the raw fish in the chili sauce and place on the leaf and add any, or all, of the accompaniments folding it into a small edible packet.<br />Our last course was a freshly made egg custard which the waitress spooned into the remaining sesame seed sauce.<br />The entire meal was splendidly delicious. Had I realized that it was going to be a surimi style lunch I might have rejected it. Confronted with a choice of raw fish or hunger, I chose to eat the fish and I’m glad I did. I was even enjoying the fish head until the eye fell out. I generously offered the rest of the head to Mal!<br />All of the restaurants that we saw had fish tanks filled with all manner of live fish and shell fish, guaranteeing that all fish is 100% fresh. Would I go out of my way to eat this in New York? Probably not.<br />We chose beer again as our beverage. Asian restaurants don’t seem to carry a large selection of wines and I would assume from this that it is not well liked, except that Carrefours, a well know French department store that we found in China, carries an international line of fine wines. Even Wal-Mart there has a wine aisle, but I noticed that many of these were labeled “The Great Wall of China” vintage. We had already tasted a bottle of this brand with dire results.<br />Our appetites had not yet recovered by six thirty in the evening and so we chose to eat a simple meal in a modern Korean restaurant with high tables and chairs. We ordered a chicken dish containing sliced carrots, mushrooms, scallions, onions, potatoes and hot red peppers. It was served on a bed of with transparent rice noodles. I thought that the Irish were the only people crazy enough to eat potatoes and noodles together! The dish came with a large, heavy duty pair of kitchen scissors. Was it to further cut up the already pieced chicken? The answer was provided by the waitress. I was trying to serve myself some noodles, hot pot style, when she approached our table, borrowed my chopsticks lifted some noodles and elegantly chopped them off. Mystery solved.<br />This meal, like all our meals in Asia, was interesting, tasty and a complete gastronomic success.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-3628717831217894592008-04-26T16:41:00.000-07:002008-04-26T16:43:11.050-07:00A Farewell to ChinaYesterday we left Qingdao. It was a sad farewell. Contrary to my expectations, I fell in love with China. In all of the ports we visited I found happy, gregarious and caring people. The young children, with their good looks and spontaneity, are especially charming. Heiner, a fellow passenger, who has a salt and pepper beard, and a head of dark brown curls, appears so extraordinary to them that, in Heiner’s words, “their eyes widen with surprise and they cover their mouths and start to giggle. When I smile and wave they giggle even harder. If I imitate them and cover my mouth and giggle too, they burst into peals of laughter that is so infectious that even the accompanying adults laugh.”<br />Mal and I frequently seek the non-tourist areas of the cities we visit. Here the shop assistants speak very little English, and our Chinese is limited to please and thank you. The Chinese naturally use hand gestures, so, with much giggling and laughter we communicate well and shopping is a pleasure.<br />Even the restaurants are fun. In Northern china there is a cuisine called Hot Pot. Raw, thinly sliced food is brought to the table and the diners immerse it in a simmering highly seasoned broth until cooked. The first time we stumbled into a Hot Pot restaurant we had no idea how to order or cook the food. The restaurant was large and filled with many six to eight person tables of dark suited business men, as well as other couples like us. Realizing that we would need assistance, the Hostess allocated two young waitresses to our table. I am not sure who had more fun, our waitresses or Mal and I.<br />We’ve had lots of similar, and equally enjoyable, experiences. In our wildest dreams Mal and I never imagined that this trip would be so much fun. To add to our enjoyment Heiner has a video camera and movie making software. His wit and humor, combined with his highly skilled ability to manipulate his images, and his uncanny ability to find the right music for each occasion, frequently leave us rolling with laughter. <br />As Qingdao started to recede, a handsome sloop came scudding out of the Olympic harbor. It was a perfect day for sailing.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-19588841132195211772008-04-26T16:30:00.001-07:002008-04-26T16:41:52.432-07:00China Pictures<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKU4QdGgZxtsgJgkNy6VqHm6MgZFvRedKGigGjtDFw6pO6ayuIfdmlccJpKC7px4hAUuVf8rENAd9a8l5KWZ8b9DMpzpWeLN7Y-Jy0AUZD9EYw4D23EtE_ElC4_h0zYPhjcSG9FfZJ2o/s1600-h/The+Chinese+loved+to+get+into+our+photographs+3-31-2008+3-55-35+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193703177918322754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVKU4QdGgZxtsgJgkNy6VqHm6MgZFvRedKGigGjtDFw6pO6ayuIfdmlccJpKC7px4hAUuVf8rENAd9a8l5KWZ8b9DMpzpWeLN7Y-Jy0AUZD9EYw4D23EtE_ElC4_h0zYPhjcSG9FfZJ2o/s200/The+Chinese+loved+to+get+into+our+photographs+3-31-2008+3-55-35+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Chinese loved to get into our photographs 3-31-2008 3-55-35 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zAAYrRD6Nle6Iy-pADO0TepEVSkJG-SqSbnqSSb4oe0hRmhdfabL_ep876AZPdHWfHFMP0n-obkgzjYcAv4cjmYz999B6IHPz7rVIpQ3jUdY7ddGcTm9b_LI5nwdPe9PAe7Ky8GE9s8/s1600-h/You+have+been+warned+3-17-2008+7-05-46+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193703190803224658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_zAAYrRD6Nle6Iy-pADO0TepEVSkJG-SqSbnqSSb4oe0hRmhdfabL_ep876AZPdHWfHFMP0n-obkgzjYcAv4cjmYz999B6IHPz7rVIpQ3jUdY7ddGcTm9b_LI5nwdPe9PAe7Ky8GE9s8/s200/You+have+been+warned+3-17-2008+7-05-46+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> You have been warned 3-17-2008 7-05-46 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyGLDZE6mdkHon8EohXhsaPnHOIEFgaQaTCboydMPFWQT_v356xbFCFKJmXNCwWRlh8jq99gOk3J2phxatUIa8cI5g8ZiR2dw7ywdH9Hfp9U5FRn6WZFauLZCEH809GUdTnDRQDslz0Q/s1600-h/Kindergarten+Outing+3-30-2008+3-33-52+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193702507903424498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnyGLDZE6mdkHon8EohXhsaPnHOIEFgaQaTCboydMPFWQT_v356xbFCFKJmXNCwWRlh8jq99gOk3J2phxatUIa8cI5g8ZiR2dw7ywdH9Hfp9U5FRn6WZFauLZCEH809GUdTnDRQDslz0Q/s200/Kindergarten+Outing+3-30-2008+3-33-52+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Kindergarten Outing 3-30-2008 3-33-52 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUfmN8XARQZJFj1mA7XnLCwI5U6MPwSKLFPk3bXyYrILqwziwIfn8Awl6HrCqi8F3mOU8ffQ54bEiv1x6_vN2UYmLRy2TaA8pEMcZjfXksRbNXR5PDEfsTXyMFJDszEtscVmP5_78huw/s1600-h/Mal+and+Friends+in+Qingdao+3-31-2008+3-55-01+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193702512198391810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRUfmN8XARQZJFj1mA7XnLCwI5U6MPwSKLFPk3bXyYrILqwziwIfn8Awl6HrCqi8F3mOU8ffQ54bEiv1x6_vN2UYmLRy2TaA8pEMcZjfXksRbNXR5PDEfsTXyMFJDszEtscVmP5_78huw/s200/Mal+and+Friends+in+Qingdao+3-31-2008+3-55-01+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mal and Friends in Qingdao 3-31-2008 3-55-01 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign3vIcBsLRE0PTVsv3NAlRr-fctvbNhmwX7P71PW0IxTl6NX7KMzlWZHi_AE7o6Hz1WvkdAotacCtWmXyAWyaMr4Nn3-TospYgO4h0LY3PawGZt1PmV6nnaCPXxUrXKzoW0z68GlNYTI/s1600-h/Mei....The+Wind+3-17-2008+6-55-53+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193702512198391826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEign3vIcBsLRE0PTVsv3NAlRr-fctvbNhmwX7P71PW0IxTl6NX7KMzlWZHi_AE7o6Hz1WvkdAotacCtWmXyAWyaMr4Nn3-TospYgO4h0LY3PawGZt1PmV6nnaCPXxUrXKzoW0z68GlNYTI/s200/Mei....The+Wind+3-17-2008+6-55-53+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Mei....The Wind 3-17-2008 6-55-53 AM<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAxkOzdvDysxzD-4Ugi4vjLNwha5QeP4wNLyc3LzMeA6fUE3gS-irAg_d8FAZAqPZNF6MCGvygFp4Mf08-pX6Ub9jj6BQJ-IoanM2DBGYWfg-NAQgPIFSlqS6FLvfceEwr-RWQtHiWjc/s1600-h/Our+next+dinghy.+Now+taking+orders+for+2009+3-30-2008+4-14-48+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193702516493359138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtAxkOzdvDysxzD-4Ugi4vjLNwha5QeP4wNLyc3LzMeA6fUE3gS-irAg_d8FAZAqPZNF6MCGvygFp4Mf08-pX6Ub9jj6BQJ-IoanM2DBGYWfg-NAQgPIFSlqS6FLvfceEwr-RWQtHiWjc/s200/Our+next+dinghy.+Now+taking+orders+for+2009+3-30-2008+4-14-48+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Our next dinghy. Now taking orders for 2009 3-30-2008 4-14-48 AM<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92PbaIDFGesBixs298wjurWNasMtWTnD9e0FpYdVesC_MXV_b0biefBSV_p14_Rm9OP_tT_TW-73qge552PtWiu01ZduQaq3qKFK373dzqY-CWj36rSxy9_fNNIMRDMWJNvCIKMEYpQs/s1600-h/Sailboat+with+Qingdao+and+the+Statue+Mei+in+the+background+4-2-2008+8-51-07+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193702516493359154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg92PbaIDFGesBixs298wjurWNasMtWTnD9e0FpYdVesC_MXV_b0biefBSV_p14_Rm9OP_tT_TW-73qge552PtWiu01ZduQaq3qKFK373dzqY-CWj36rSxy9_fNNIMRDMWJNvCIKMEYpQs/s200/Sailboat+with+Qingdao+and+the+Statue+Mei+in+the+background+4-2-2008+8-51-07+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Sailboat with Qingdao and the Statue Mei in the background 4-2-2008 8-51-07 AM<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNQegp-uIPEELLccUyL2WV8Fgp_uCsfVoGwR48QOBdKLAc04wm7BPe4pu2wMaNRfGlzr-oYGCzm5XNeE-bLamIQcIEZStrvTn75szGOuUWiD7LpoBTg8s5XPM9nqwiBjyIl7EBkobFng/s1600-h/Even+the+Statues+are+smiling.+3-31-2008+7-46-51+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193701807823755170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPNQegp-uIPEELLccUyL2WV8Fgp_uCsfVoGwR48QOBdKLAc04wm7BPe4pu2wMaNRfGlzr-oYGCzm5XNeE-bLamIQcIEZStrvTn75szGOuUWiD7LpoBTg8s5XPM9nqwiBjyIl7EBkobFng/s200/Even+the+Statues+are+smiling.+3-31-2008+7-46-51+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Even the Statues are smiling. 3-31-2008 7-46-51 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrmFaOY1JlYXZ7eeCFB6O5e5uVM7LL86QyJoslzCtIl5fDXajBGV53E8uT5V5AF5sDbxEnN-eBnnikCVDr6z4Va6EEhGMWToXVHP2lNNda2LsfciJ1_r5DXD2zicypHq5aoriI4I-8Ok/s1600-h/Getting+Ready+for+the+2008+Olympics+3-18-2008+2-25-21+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193701807823755186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhrmFaOY1JlYXZ7eeCFB6O5e5uVM7LL86QyJoslzCtIl5fDXajBGV53E8uT5V5AF5sDbxEnN-eBnnikCVDr6z4Va6EEhGMWToXVHP2lNNda2LsfciJ1_r5DXD2zicypHq5aoriI4I-8Ok/s200/Getting+Ready+for+the+2008+Olympics+3-18-2008+2-25-21+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Getting Ready for the 2008 Olympics 3-18-2008 2-25-21 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbasr_V-4paokYuolVmfmNbZXguPSbcLNV6H2pb7f3gc1Ry-536r9DeJND7ZJj60P0hERW6IwL4pgU5oqpqMMT7KgK7RL43znY6OUvgoG7SgvrzeveXaZ3cD4ZZ_bS7NOf0GMHSq4IcG8/s1600-h/Impromtu+Chinese+concert+at+the+new+Olympic+Center+3-30-2008+4-05-03+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193701812118722498" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbasr_V-4paokYuolVmfmNbZXguPSbcLNV6H2pb7f3gc1Ry-536r9DeJND7ZJj60P0hERW6IwL4pgU5oqpqMMT7KgK7RL43znY6OUvgoG7SgvrzeveXaZ3cD4ZZ_bS7NOf0GMHSq4IcG8/s200/Impromtu+Chinese+concert+at+the+new+Olympic+Center+3-30-2008+4-05-03+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Impromtu Chinese concert at the new Olympic Center 3-30-2008 4-05-03 AM<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc6uq21uvISR2LjzWwMGq7sw0yUn5nxHAERSyMU4QZhAvw_unj_QknCbP9Ipg9v45ZjrSpQ3Jc-Vf_5HLTDMIUMrXiqRZqG6nqrNGClDFlUHDbrSoe54VHL7rkqU4Or0hd1UILrVKKdM/s1600-h/Its+all+in+the+technique+3-30-2008+5-52-35+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193701812118722514" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJc6uq21uvISR2LjzWwMGq7sw0yUn5nxHAERSyMU4QZhAvw_unj_QknCbP9Ipg9v45ZjrSpQ3Jc-Vf_5HLTDMIUMrXiqRZqG6nqrNGClDFlUHDbrSoe54VHL7rkqU4Or0hd1UILrVKKdM/s200/Its+all+in+the+technique+3-30-2008+5-52-35+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Its all in the technique 3-30-2008 5-52-35 AM</div><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ARFir4srRXupXWG7bWP2Wgs3_kE3_w7i-KzVbved_r5K5JyKjbDsGTQqcG3xDUEp3hR2-Ylui3gPDs7wJophLovmQzoeofkmsUzzDpWAoCMCsLDfYBAJMRbIei41aDI4XtSdh2DUNo/s1600-h/Jonathan++Lito+and+Mark+having+some+fun+with+Lifeboat+Drill+3-13-2008+5-06-44+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193701816413689826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi39ARFir4srRXupXWG7bWP2Wgs3_kE3_w7i-KzVbved_r5K5JyKjbDsGTQqcG3xDUEp3hR2-Ylui3gPDs7wJophLovmQzoeofkmsUzzDpWAoCMCsLDfYBAJMRbIei41aDI4XtSdh2DUNo/s200/Jonathan++Lito+and+Mark+having+some+fun+with+Lifeboat+Drill+3-13-2008+5-06-44+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Jonathan Lito and Mark having some fun with Lifeboat Drill 3-13-2008 5-06-44 AM</div><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SSIJ4Qi1l6VpzLaFuKz5ur5s0hVA2Da_b2koTMKqVqPveEulHXtyzXk6n00NCl461RWF7A1jKaz81lN0TPcCBPflU6SC06SrnHHr6NRBZmAG3uHvdn1XgVjuQ24O3mGPp8frVOa8Vqc/s1600-h/Are+you+sure+Issac+Walton+started+this+way+3-30-2008+4-18-30+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193700858635982674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3SSIJ4Qi1l6VpzLaFuKz5ur5s0hVA2Da_b2koTMKqVqPveEulHXtyzXk6n00NCl461RWF7A1jKaz81lN0TPcCBPflU6SC06SrnHHr6NRBZmAG3uHvdn1XgVjuQ24O3mGPp8frVOa8Vqc/s200/Are+you+sure+Issac+Walton+started+this+way+3-30-2008+4-18-30+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Are you sure Issac Walton started this way 3-30-2008 4-18-30 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34VTvReiFHVsP5QeqCxcdfVJfGLEKh90sODPTHqmxYAa37gj_v_FgNZVWXWEPvyWd0jIZlGqWXeJcATsHAgYF29xZ6CdT3th-vcFhglEP8laWchEonWU3euVcN3qDeU59La93q8Z1EQc/s1600-h/Bethoven+in+Qingdao+3-30-2008+4-00-21+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193700862930949986" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi34VTvReiFHVsP5QeqCxcdfVJfGLEKh90sODPTHqmxYAa37gj_v_FgNZVWXWEPvyWd0jIZlGqWXeJcATsHAgYF29xZ6CdT3th-vcFhglEP8laWchEonWU3euVcN3qDeU59La93q8Z1EQc/s200/Bethoven+in+Qingdao+3-30-2008+4-00-21+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bethoven in Qingdao 3-30-2008 4-00-21 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIclzQ736pvuI85YaqdFf7SMNNHpv-CjMf7pSLeUtJzjsMVhIX3cH-SN8MiHaz8EjycQaWq1CUezHrhjVuMnei_V0YMcBavNPgDn-_bARGQ_hER-lcrZKqw91pW8s7VoH_dccVmWWhcZU/s1600-h/Breakfast+at+Tiffany%27s+3-30-2008+8-40-24+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193700867225917298" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIclzQ736pvuI85YaqdFf7SMNNHpv-CjMf7pSLeUtJzjsMVhIX3cH-SN8MiHaz8EjycQaWq1CUezHrhjVuMnei_V0YMcBavNPgDn-_bARGQ_hER-lcrZKqw91pW8s7VoH_dccVmWWhcZU/s200/Breakfast+at+Tiffany%27s+3-30-2008+8-40-24+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Breakfast at Tiffany's 3-30-2008 8-40-24 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnYdzca2fraFpPf7d11ap5oI2a69h6DXa9DFbxB5L5qr1O8jRee43P8_JNKtlWg3_YtkHSUF4j_u5BlwQTWC5Rqhu5mxwZFSmW39Sp_aD4k-zKPf0IWW34PdbuGT2DTyFeU9kmw0nS0U/s1600-h/But+i+know+my+new+car+would+look+terrific+with+these+decals+3-30-2008+5-06-22+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193700867225917314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnYdzca2fraFpPf7d11ap5oI2a69h6DXa9DFbxB5L5qr1O8jRee43P8_JNKtlWg3_YtkHSUF4j_u5BlwQTWC5Rqhu5mxwZFSmW39Sp_aD4k-zKPf0IWW34PdbuGT2DTyFeU9kmw0nS0U/s200/But+i+know+my+new+car+would+look+terrific+with+these+decals+3-30-2008+5-06-22+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> But i know my new car would look terrific with these decals 3-30-2008 5-06-22 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTtBmfjSVNgYKR1X2hynxA7GkdP_re81wAZsTpQ-wQRZZSMshcIZO3ia01XNueXUFICTXj7RDvWQqYuTTTqAUthctYKImYYksrkNoP5uZIEd1F1zuzxZZX9XvA9YWd5yP3SuaZnDO4Sg/s1600-h/Even+the+Manhole+Covers+are+ready+for+the+game+3-17-2008+6-54-15+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5193700871520884626" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZTtBmfjSVNgYKR1X2hynxA7GkdP_re81wAZsTpQ-wQRZZSMshcIZO3ia01XNueXUFICTXj7RDvWQqYuTTTqAUthctYKImYYksrkNoP5uZIEd1F1zuzxZZX9XvA9YWd5yP3SuaZnDO4Sg/s200/Even+the+Manhole+Covers+are+ready+for+the+game+3-17-2008+6-54-15+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Even the Manhole Covers are ready for the game 3-17-2008 6-54-15 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div></div></div></div><br /></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-18359720735269966602008-04-05T20:44:00.000-07:002008-04-05T20:46:21.644-07:00BeijingI woke up on the 27<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">th</span> March to a day that could only be described as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">a perfect</span> 10; clear blue sky, low humidity, buildings whose glass sparkled <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">in the</span> reflected sunlight and sidewalks remarkable for how clean they were.Welcome to modern Beijing. Any one booked for the August Olympics is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">going to</span> be pleasantly surprised. Even the public toilets have attendants <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">imbued with</span> a single minded intensity to ensure that these facilities remain clean.I hope that western visitors come forewarned about the standard "floor"model. Our hotel, hoping to avoid this 'sticky' problem, cleverly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">installed toilets</span> whose height is halfway in between!<br />Mal and I spent most of the day walking, hopping a taxi only to take us <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">to one</span> of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Hutong</span> districts. These are areas of old Beijing that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">have survived</span> centuries of crises in the city and now find themselves <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">threatened with</span> extinction in the twenty first century by something <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">mistakenly considered</span> progress. Here we found the last redoubt of the once <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">ubiquitous rickshaw</span>, now used solely to transport tourists. Our guide book <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">recommended these</span> as the best way to explore the area.<br />During the seventh century Beijing was built on a system of grids. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Within each</span> grid there is a labyrinth of small streets and lanes. These <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">are created</span> by small, single story houses which surround a shared courtyard.The back doors open onto the narrow lanes, or <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">hutongs</span>. Most districts <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">still carry</span> the name of the craft or skill that they were formally associated <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">with such</span> as millinery, weaving etc. Normally passed from generation <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">to generation</span>, I saw some evidence that these houses are being purchased <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">and renovated</span> by young ambitious Chinese.<br /><br />Commercial <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Beiling</span> appears very prosperous. All the cars, including taxis,look brand new. Mal suspects that older models are banned because they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">are more</span> likely to contribute to pollution. People are fashionably dressed,especially the young, and there is an energy about the city that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">is infectious</span>.<br />There is little evidence of the rebelliousness that caused the tragedy <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">of Tiananmen</span> Square. I suspect that full employment, because of the Olympics,leaves people either too busy or too tired at the end of the day to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">have time</span> for adverse politics. Not that all is well. The army is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">omnipresent throughout</span> the city and there is still serious censorship. I was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">watching CNN</span> news when my screen went blank. It frustrated me that the stations <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">on either</span> side of this channel were working perfectly. Suddenly CNN returned,thankfully, because I was giving myself a bad case of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Nintendonitis</span> with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">the remote</span> control. Later, when it happened again, I realized that the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">trigger was</span> the mention of Tibet. All the news about Tibet is censored. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">This censorship</span> extends to the newspapers. A story, as reported by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">the International</span> Herald Tribune, is distinctly different to the same story <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">as reported</span> by the state run China News.<br />Please appreciate how wonderful it is to live in a free world - in spite <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">of all</span> the warts - and the National Enquirer!Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-16971135455443203702008-04-05T20:17:00.001-07:002008-04-05T20:44:03.602-07:00Beijing Pics<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam-mR1gnEdzZ_jmIeBkbkrOsqY3EIFrcuWeFhmb0xpS7KuTW9am9llpIt_1E0bCIHkdav-xQz32JAWWPggS1jb4dH6CTDcQb41Xa7doc2Mu5dXgQTmKQOaZL0PFxQIu8MEeXgkrJBNZw/s1600-h/Hutong+Backdoor+3-26-2008+7-25-37+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970929919817346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiam-mR1gnEdzZ_jmIeBkbkrOsqY3EIFrcuWeFhmb0xpS7KuTW9am9llpIt_1E0bCIHkdav-xQz32JAWWPggS1jb4dH6CTDcQb41Xa7doc2Mu5dXgQTmKQOaZL0PFxQIu8MEeXgkrJBNZw/s200/Hutong+Backdoor+3-26-2008+7-25-37+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Hutong Backdoor 3-26-2008 </div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6v0MdRdIQf334UEBfHcwCtE-6KM4Jc_MbxXhNzSWsoS8oF5_24fbXYzr-Pv5qaETz7q38NC4eEHHpIKjtOk-wDyXpHkZ_0jDi40z3nzgBY240G8Rz8NF-hrBy4L8eB3S2SdM0pPcZHI/s1600-h/In+a+gardern+just+outside+the+Forbidden+City+3-26-2008+3-48-57+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970934214784658" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo6v0MdRdIQf334UEBfHcwCtE-6KM4Jc_MbxXhNzSWsoS8oF5_24fbXYzr-Pv5qaETz7q38NC4eEHHpIKjtOk-wDyXpHkZ_0jDi40z3nzgBY240G8Rz8NF-hrBy4L8eB3S2SdM0pPcZHI/s200/In+a+gardern+just+outside+the+Forbidden+City+3-26-2008+3-48-57+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> In a gardern just outside the Forbidden City 3-26-2008 3-48-57 AM</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQlkrAVMeGS4RDSMAbUdsiJC1DpTdNOS4TSAoXWB8iyCp_5CGHsWfdWScUGj_iwX0ZRa8ivjNqIJItHvSxXVazNzDLlBOmX0p8Pf2lqVtkgup-ZVzt8U93b27aiO-sGcYe6UORJKIgAg/s1600-h/Some+Hutong+lanes+were+built+just+wide+enough+for+a+man+on+a+horse+3-26-2008+7-26-32+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970934214784674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMQlkrAVMeGS4RDSMAbUdsiJC1DpTdNOS4TSAoXWB8iyCp_5CGHsWfdWScUGj_iwX0ZRa8ivjNqIJItHvSxXVazNzDLlBOmX0p8Pf2lqVtkgup-ZVzt8U93b27aiO-sGcYe6UORJKIgAg/s200/Some+Hutong+lanes+were+built+just+wide+enough+for+a+man+on+a+horse+3-26-2008+7-26-32+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Some Hutong lanes were built just wide enough for a man on a horse 3-26-2008 7-26-32 AM</p><p align="center"><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOLML_kcEew8vzmCX8W9faOHJ8BhFxThbKxplynmOfC8x3z69M1_RzVtjzqOhCzhd9uLb8M4aT45csblmZhIDnSgMIfZMzfr3b03cegPtl8jLAVoYGEp7Vzbzfuz8av_0bq8s5AsbX34/s1600-h/The+dining+room+in+a+wealthy+Ming+period+courtyard+home+3-26-2008+8-14-24+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970934214784690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyOLML_kcEew8vzmCX8W9faOHJ8BhFxThbKxplynmOfC8x3z69M1_RzVtjzqOhCzhd9uLb8M4aT45csblmZhIDnSgMIfZMzfr3b03cegPtl8jLAVoYGEp7Vzbzfuz8av_0bq8s5AsbX34/s200/The+dining+room+in+a+wealthy+Ming+period+courtyard+home+3-26-2008+8-14-24+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The dining room in a wealthy Ming period courtyard home 3-26-2008 8-14-24 AM</p><p align="center"><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgf2wqxlx4cF3IXx_uk4CvCmgexMzTEtuNWwGjvV26aWiYR-0ZxcA8nQp6y3r9g-TJkeKM4tISEMjV6TmwMjqRTLX_xX_c3vcFaBsQlCOcKEb8uXgJAPeG06kOYBil96CibVsPLFtcZs/s1600-h/Tiananmen+Square.++Did+we+mention+what+a+perfect+day+it+was+3-26-2008+3-17-48+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970938509752002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJgf2wqxlx4cF3IXx_uk4CvCmgexMzTEtuNWwGjvV26aWiYR-0ZxcA8nQp6y3r9g-TJkeKM4tISEMjV6TmwMjqRTLX_xX_c3vcFaBsQlCOcKEb8uXgJAPeG06kOYBil96CibVsPLFtcZs/s200/Tiananmen+Square.++Did+we+mention+what+a+perfect+day+it+was+3-26-2008+3-17-48+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Tiananmen Square. Did we mention what a perfect day it was 3-26-2008 3-17-48 AM</p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqxTPfos-sjX65FbTiZ1SEn0NrnsILuecGLyMdDfbIylL6ZgmdJlx52njWZcUkh45lmH-RK3W-tJuWJEYZLXWxZ7Hmm_WGbV_2AwBTjkALommRTHWeklhaAXslWEETt5m81PYfTjei4/s1600-h/A+feeling+of+peace+pervades+this+temple+courtyard+3-26-2008+7-39-48+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970655041910322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXqxTPfos-sjX65FbTiZ1SEn0NrnsILuecGLyMdDfbIylL6ZgmdJlx52njWZcUkh45lmH-RK3W-tJuWJEYZLXWxZ7Hmm_WGbV_2AwBTjkALommRTHWeklhaAXslWEETt5m81PYfTjei4/s200/A+feeling+of+peace+pervades+this+temple+courtyard+3-26-2008+7-39-48+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div align="center">A feeling of peace pervades this temple courtyard 3-26-2008 7-39-48 AM</div><br /><br /><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tmQm1eCGAvITLGjcLMDUeTqUmfCBwLk05UFKRBbRpfyWlMHo0J9LrKy7UspK6sR944lQa2YpL8bU2Afakfd-1Su6ZLZUlWWaeJaPKYpdJ9jDk8zvdT_Vh2rXrqmaB3CEVBTSRrskPs8/s1600-h/A+group+tour+in+Tiananmen+Square+3-26-2008+3-19-29+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970659336877634" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0tmQm1eCGAvITLGjcLMDUeTqUmfCBwLk05UFKRBbRpfyWlMHo0J9LrKy7UspK6sR944lQa2YpL8bU2Afakfd-1Su6ZLZUlWWaeJaPKYpdJ9jDk8zvdT_Vh2rXrqmaB3CEVBTSRrskPs8/s200/A+group+tour+in+Tiananmen+Square+3-26-2008+3-19-29+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> A group tour in Tiananmen Square 3-26-2008 3-19-29 AM</p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhG4dxUZubYDj3dEZXvgra-wPvOZqeWb2K9qbum7l59Qo4Q-MesnqGdG6LyyUab5y3X5ZG9MxSBwO8Y0jsoQ3_ATaR6vsGhr4yscvfK0NycI1MoabNmTUMHRSlE4czP8pAUiPrHAw9Kc/s1600-h/A+Rickshaw+in+the+hutong+district+3-26-2008+7-17-01+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970659336877650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIhG4dxUZubYDj3dEZXvgra-wPvOZqeWb2K9qbum7l59Qo4Q-MesnqGdG6LyyUab5y3X5ZG9MxSBwO8Y0jsoQ3_ATaR6vsGhr4yscvfK0NycI1MoabNmTUMHRSlE4czP8pAUiPrHAw9Kc/s200/A+Rickshaw+in+the+hutong+district+3-26-2008+7-17-01+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> A Rickshaw in the hutong district 3-26-2008 7-17-01 AM</p><p><br /></p><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGbmJnius6PJAHTVEKPqxX9UPZGk0Jc_3B5RTDQBHluw-JCCqp2xtwRJpwqrfKbDSMuS9b570hRX0KXwVrFJQE3gRlmbXCXPtcrb4lF_kpwm-xrAQPd9GsVzFsucdIepxvj18WusZ9T0/s1600-h/Chairman+Mao+3-26-2008+3-24-57+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970663631844962" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyGbmJnius6PJAHTVEKPqxX9UPZGk0Jc_3B5RTDQBHluw-JCCqp2xtwRJpwqrfKbDSMuS9b570hRX0KXwVrFJQE3gRlmbXCXPtcrb4lF_kpwm-xrAQPd9GsVzFsucdIepxvj18WusZ9T0/s200/Chairman+Mao+3-26-2008+3-24-57+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Chairman Mao 3-26-2008 3-24-57 AM</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lfq7_JKDkx14YM5YPCmOAMr6oaehNI-ETeK16xhl-VcGh9j-DLCq7aIlpFkRB8EfYCdYyuh6InkAiqCoCq5WI1q1riDSWH_FleSha-xVgUQGxn_MNvNnyjIWTV6oIy3nGob7aYPe6Ys/s1600-h/Downtown+Beijing+3-25-2008+10-53-39+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185970667926812274" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2lfq7_JKDkx14YM5YPCmOAMr6oaehNI-ETeK16xhl-VcGh9j-DLCq7aIlpFkRB8EfYCdYyuh6InkAiqCoCq5WI1q1riDSWH_FleSha-xVgUQGxn_MNvNnyjIWTV6oIy3nGob7aYPe6Ys/s200/Downtown+Beijing+3-25-2008+10-53-39+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a><br />Downtown Beijing 3-25-2008 10-53-39 AM<br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-200811324918647642008-04-05T20:09:00.000-07:002008-04-05T20:11:33.933-07:00WHAT ALL MY FEMALE FRIENDS WOULD LIKE TO KNOW BUT HESITATE TO ASK!Most of the cities that we visit have two distinct personalities: old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">towns filled</span> with centuries old Chinese residences, store front retail shops,butchers, green grocers with neighborhood flavors and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">idiosyncrasies peculiar</span> to each area, and new towns, less than twenty-five years old,filled with modern hi-rise buildings, built to meet the demand of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">new industries</span> and the prosperity that these industries have generated.<br />Dalian is different. It is two cities merged into one. In the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">nineteenth century</span>, Russia took a small fishing village and turned it into a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">thriving port</span>, Port Arthur, to house their Pacific fleet. One day in 1904,completely out of the blue, (Oh goodness me!) the Japanese attacked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">the Russian</span> fleet. Next day the Japanese declared war and the Russo-<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">Japanese conflict</span> became official. China eventually regained the port and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">it remained</span> Port Arthur for many years until they decided to merge it with <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">a neighboring</span> city. They named this megalopolis Dalian.<br />There are many beautiful beaches that stretch on either side of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">port leading</span> to a thriving tourist industry. In the summer Chinese and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Russians gravitate</span> here en <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">masse</span>. We don't visualize the Chinese or Russians in swimsuits having fun but if we did we would realize how alike we are.<br />Mal and I hired a driver to take us to the "Old Town", hoping to explore <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">the old</span> city. Imagine our dismay when we found ourselves at the foot of a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">large mall</span>. Unlike its U.S. counterpart this mall extends vertically as <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">opposed to</span> horizontally. The format is similar to some large U.S. hotels. There <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">is an</span> atrium in the middle with upscale retailers filling the peripheral areas.<br />We decided to abandon the mall and seek greener fields in the city streets.Before leaving I suggested we visit the "W.C.", (a term the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">Chinese undoubtedly</span> adopted from the Brits), on the grounds that they would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">be modern</span> and clean. I found beautifully tiled walls, polished stainless <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">steel cubicles</span>, automatic proximity faucets and hot air hand driers. Inside <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">the stainless</span> steel doors were pristine, white porcelain toilet bowls....<span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">set into</span> the floor. Billions of Asians have used this arrangement for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">centuries so</span> I doubt that it is going to change, and, in fact, I've grown <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">accustomed to</span> it. What seems a little odd, although it really shouldn't, given <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">that this</span> is a very modern mall, is that these toilets are self flushing, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">and like</span> their U.S. equivalents, they don't give any warning before they flush!<br />Oh, yes. No toilet paper. There was a vending machine that dispensed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">small packets</span> of tissues for a few cents, but, what every Asian woman, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">at least</span> one westerner, knows -- always carry your own toilet paper.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-32557094589467454032008-04-05T20:07:00.000-07:002008-04-05T20:08:53.282-07:00Food for FoodiesMal and I followed Alex’s advice and ate in the, “Made in China” <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">restaurant in</span> the Hyatt hotel near the Forbidden City. What a delicious meal. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">The cuisine</span> is local to Beijing.<br />The nibbles, which accompanied our aperitif, were pickled <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fava</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">beans smothered</span> in an unfamiliar green herb, and pickled pieces of lotus <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">and turnip</span> served with pieces of dried fish.<br />Our main course consisted of duck livers served with scone-like pancakes,(sorry, don’t know how else to describe them) scallions and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">hoison</span> sauce, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">a pie</span> made with shortcrust pastry, filled with ground lamb, seasoned <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">with cumin</span> and cardamom, and pork in brown sauce (menu description) with <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">cashew and</span> macadamia nuts.<br /> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">sommelier</span>, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">Heiko</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">Roeder</span> from Nuremberg, helped us choose our wine; <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">a superb</span> organic <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Sauvignon</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">Blanc</span> from Argentina. It was a little <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">more fragrant</span> than we are accustomed to, and was a perfect complement to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">the spicy</span> food.<br />We rounded the meal off in the Lobby Bar by sharing a dessert of <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Crème</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">Brule served</span> with a compote of plums, accompanied by cognac and aged port.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-27298611026650081702008-04-05T20:02:00.000-07:002008-04-05T20:06:36.740-07:00Shanghai<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwRyY61vYBxnGl8oYEO3zhDHVOSWbDGTP7dCg00BFWV-JhwkaaK4lZzdykV_xLiOQ8ehpyhbldrWYsNmSlise_MfMQjvXdnOYmC6op4jL1I6ZQGITakBVVnAinzA6o_qSELOhWCpggsM/s1600-h/Getting+a+haircut+in+Shanghai-1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185962640632935954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnwRyY61vYBxnGl8oYEO3zhDHVOSWbDGTP7dCg00BFWV-JhwkaaK4lZzdykV_xLiOQ8ehpyhbldrWYsNmSlise_MfMQjvXdnOYmC6op4jL1I6ZQGITakBVVnAinzA6o_qSELOhWCpggsM/s200/Getting+a+haircut+in+Shanghai-1.JPG" border="0" /></a> Getting a haircut in Shanghai</div><div align="left"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTDVUQc9z4SolBibcPmNgrLGqHmwgRXtooqYXKb1O0Y6Wll2brwWV-fGYw8DsZBuYfUtQsWBTaWV3LYCHafVLHxbJOmy9b4WyKcKn0nwwDwqjeARGS88-i_3JRTfigGIBSeNGf1wwNgE/s1600-h/Getting+a+haircut+in+Shanghai+3-20-2008+5-37-35+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185962649222870562" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUTDVUQc9z4SolBibcPmNgrLGqHmwgRXtooqYXKb1O0Y6Wll2brwWV-fGYw8DsZBuYfUtQsWBTaWV3LYCHafVLHxbJOmy9b4WyKcKn0nwwDwqjeARGS88-i_3JRTfigGIBSeNGf1wwNgE/s200/Getting+a+haircut+in+Shanghai+3-20-2008+5-37-35+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the way to the haircut </p><p><br />Shanghai is like no other city in the world. Home to 17 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">million people</span> it is the largest economic and transportation center in China,and yet it is breathtakingly beautiful. Mal and I stayed overnight <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">in a</span> hotel close to the "Old City" or "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Nanshi</span>", as it is known <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">by locally</span>. The city is so diverse that even a week spent here <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">would hardly</span> be sufficient to do it justice. Perhaps the easiest way <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">to understand</span> the multicultural aspect is to look at its history.<br />1,000 years ago it was a small fishing village.<br />In the 13<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">th</span> century it became a recognized town, frequently attacked <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">by Japanese</span> pirates.<br />In the 16<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">th</span> century a wall was built around the city to ward off <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">the above</span> pirates.<br />In the 1842 the city survived the opium war.<br />In the late 19<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">th</span> century /Early 20<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">th</span> century the city became a glamorous, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">if risqué</span>, international port, home to people from all over the world.<br />In 1916 the city dismantled the wall.<br />In 1921 the Chinese Communist Party was formed in the French Quarter.Mao Zedong was present.<br />From 1937 to 1945 the port was occupied by the Japanese.<br />From 1945 to 1949 it was ruled by the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Guomindang</span> Nationalists.<br />In 1949 it reverted to Communism.<br />In 1965 The City gave birth to the Cultural Revolution.<br />In 1990 the city entered its "skyscraper" period. There are 3,100high-rise buildings. At one time the construction was so intense <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">that it</span> caused a shortage of building cranes throughout Asia.<br />Most of the newest skyscrapers are in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Pudunk</span>, an area along the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">north bank</span> of the river Huang Pu river. They represent, collectively, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">the best</span> designs of the world's top architects. Each building is <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">a strikingly</span> beautiful work of art.<br />Mal and I had arranged for the hotel's car service to drive us back <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">to the</span> port. Unlike our inward journey, our outward journey was in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">a modern</span> minibus, with a driver who spoke English. Even at 7:00 <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">at night</span> we had to struggle with downtown congestion, so it wasn't <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">until we</span> were speeding up a ramp onto an elevated highway that I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">experienced the</span> full impact of the city's beauty. Many of the skyscrapers <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">were lit</span> up against the night sky, some in abstract design, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">others silhouettes</span> of their buildings. The display was dynamic, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">quietly sliding</span> through a rainbow of colors,consisting predominantly of green, purple, red, blue and gold <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">turning the</span> city into a symphony of color and light.<br />As we sped away, I watched this panoply of color and design until <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">it receded</span> into the distance, knowing that I would probably never <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">see this</span> extravagant display again.<br /><br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-58314320180639635982008-04-05T19:54:00.000-07:002008-04-05T19:59:58.340-07:00The tale of the peek-a-boo toe<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZwWVUrBIr0Uj_kwKXXje921FdjTi7wv13FqIUBaTxJ-4u_FXFpZxM8LBtdjElKx_wbevhF6Q7zNGsN3iXR4N4lMvjHMTf9ZN8xSxQLJeLCAkudoCaOfu6Tls7GQ-PwhDeaK-sgAFraI/s1600-h/Envrionmentally+Friendly+clothes+dryers.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185960540393928162" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSZwWVUrBIr0Uj_kwKXXje921FdjTi7wv13FqIUBaTxJ-4u_FXFpZxM8LBtdjElKx_wbevhF6Q7zNGsN3iXR4N4lMvjHMTf9ZN8xSxQLJeLCAkudoCaOfu6Tls7GQ-PwhDeaK-sgAFraI/s200/Envrionmentally+Friendly+clothes+dryers.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Envrionmentally</span> Friendly clothes dryers</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yNAPEaL462j1S174kopPdaeHgsmGFTl-zvZiQ8WN1ifFq35eAY9RAfhvfFbh9COAKeUmyI3PAOB9HBmYWBmZU8fsxYnq8vNrhL-dbkIR2gnrFdwsa_M-OswY3B9Vuvi-CtGgX1tGxrA/s1600-h/Happiness+is+a+new+customer.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185960544688895474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2yNAPEaL462j1S174kopPdaeHgsmGFTl-zvZiQ8WN1ifFq35eAY9RAfhvfFbh9COAKeUmyI3PAOB9HBmYWBmZU8fsxYnq8vNrhL-dbkIR2gnrFdwsa_M-OswY3B9Vuvi-CtGgX1tGxrA/s200/Happiness+is+a+new+customer.JPG" border="0" /></a> Happiness is a new customer</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VaBdVBAVtse-Ue_1sVw9vfIVxMrdj7rO5WQjpWolD1qF2aSmIgV2LvTRyZd_5LQIJZxFk-nDaaJ7WCcRRGj23YjXDCXIR1NBSAdQQDk2CFQLXhdgnW6g_L0fZb4THpxHhXignQGkVaE/s1600-h/Shoe+repair+while+you+wait,+Qingdao+style.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185960548983862786" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2VaBdVBAVtse-Ue_1sVw9vfIVxMrdj7rO5WQjpWolD1qF2aSmIgV2LvTRyZd_5LQIJZxFk-nDaaJ7WCcRRGj23YjXDCXIR1NBSAdQQDk2CFQLXhdgnW6g_L0fZb4THpxHhXignQGkVaE/s200/Shoe+repair+while+you+wait,+Qingdao+style.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Shoe repair while you wait, Qingdao style</p><p align="center"> </p><p align="left">We only had one day to spend in Qingdao, so Mal and I decided to hire <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">a guide</span> and a driver for the day. In his haste to leave the ship Mal <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">caught the</span> toe of his shoe on the underside of the metal gangway. In one of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">those strange</span> occurrences in life the shoe made contact with a sharp piece <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">of metal</span> at exactly the right angle, and with exactly the right force, that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">the stitching</span> joining the top of the shoe to the front and sides got cut <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">leaving a</span> two centimeter hole. These are Mal's, "long distance," walking shoes <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">and their</span> loss would be significant. When our guide asked us how we would <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">like to</span> spend our day, Mal tacked on a request for a shoe repair shop that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">could possible</span> repair his shoe while he waited.<br />A mention of the sad plight of the shoe didn't arise again until late in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">the afternoon</span> when we were returning to the ship. "Ah yes," said our guide, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">and directed</span> our driver to exit the highway. We were immediately plunged into <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">a world</span> of narrow cobbled streets and alleyways awash with overhead laundry.After squirreling around for five or ten minutes we were suddenly treated <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">to a</span> chorus of the Chinese equivalent of, "Eureka". There, on the sidewalk,was a little old shoe repair lady, complete with sewing machine, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">and surrounded</span> by her neighbors and friends. Mal was offered a small stool <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">to sit</span> on and the offending shoe was removed and replaced by a brocade slipper.<br />Twenty minutes and one dollar twenty-five cents later Mal's shoe <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">was returned</span> to him looking like new. There was no evidence that it had <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">ever been</span> damaged.<br />Our guide explained to the group that we were going around the world <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">by ship</span>, so after the shoe was returned to Mal, there was much bowing <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">and nodding</span> of heads. They asked our guide to tell us that they were very <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">happyto</span> be of service to such distinguished guests.<br /> Signed<br /> Your distinguished guest<br /> Anne Marie<br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-32688439040529838192008-04-05T19:47:00.000-07:002008-04-05T19:51:18.720-07:00Shanghaied On the Way to Shanghai<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy-fanCPJYl5qYwR1JMB0xnyad-17xNw6QKs0SYtvXL1yjgKyUFXs_sIRhekYpTfJMrISi_xWJpiUJx26lzuhsvDIebnBgIc8KCvJHbZa7ecpz7efKQcjszoCvZXufD4Ri06x_DZm_Sk/s1600-h/Heiner_-_Who_learnt_what_is_meant_to_be_Shanghaied_2-26-2008_7-13-52_AM%5B1%5D.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5185958590478775762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcy-fanCPJYl5qYwR1JMB0xnyad-17xNw6QKs0SYtvXL1yjgKyUFXs_sIRhekYpTfJMrISi_xWJpiUJx26lzuhsvDIebnBgIc8KCvJHbZa7ecpz7efKQcjszoCvZXufD4Ri06x_DZm_Sk/s200/Heiner_-_Who_learnt_what_is_meant_to_be_Shanghaied_2-26-2008_7-13-52_AM%5B1%5D.JPG" border="0" /></a> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Heiner</span> - Who learnt what is meant to be Shanghaied 2-26-2008 </div><br />Typical of many ports that we visit, the commercial terminal for Shanghai,<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Luojing</span> harbor, is a distance from the city. We were advised that we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">were approximately</span> 20 miles away from the city center, and that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">transportation might</span> be difficult to find.<br />We didn't realize that the miles were "Irish Miles", where "a mile or <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">so down</span> the road" is Irish lingo for a distance measuring anywhere from 1 to 10miles. As for getting there, we had several candidates willing to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">arrange transportation</span> for us. The first person who approached us appeared to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">speak English</span>, always a plus, and seemed nice. He offered to get us a taxi <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">that would</span> take us to the city for a total of $30.<br />The taxi left a little to be desired, especially the clutch. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">taxi driver</span> spoke and understood little English. Mal had carefully written <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">the address</span> and telephone number of our hotel on a piece of paper which <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">he handed</span> to our driver. He immediately became a little distressed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">called his</span> dispatcher. At the same time he kept telling us, "No go Shanghai."After a very animated conversation in Chinese, he handed the phone to Mal.It appeared that the original agent's command of the English wasn't so <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">good afterall</span>. He thought that we wanted to go to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Jaiding</span>, a large town <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">much closer</span> to the port. The dispatcher, who spoke excellent English, told <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Malthat</span> a trip to Shanghai would cost US$70. After much negotiation the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">price was</span> reduced to $60.<br />Problem solved, or so we thought until <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">Heiner's</span> GPS showed that we <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">were actually</span> heading away from Shanghai. Any attempt to learn why this <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">should be</span> was answered with, "No go Shanghai". Mal assured <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">Heiner</span> and me that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">the dispatcher</span> knew that we wanted to go to downtown Shanghai and there <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">was nothing</span> we could do but have faith.<br />An analogy might be arriving at JFK and asking to be driven to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">Greenwich Village</span> only to have the taxi head toward the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">Riverdale</span> section of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">the Bronx</span>. I muttered to myself, "Shanghaied, by golly, in Shanghai."<br />Eventually we arrived literally at the feet of the dispatcher where <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">we changed</span> to another car and driver. Our new driver, needless to say, took <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">us directly</span> to our Hotel.<br />The explanation lies in method that the City of Shanghai uses to cut <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">down traffic</span> congestion in the city. There is a finite number of license <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">plates issued</span>, and these coveted plates are allocated by lottery. Our driver's "<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">Nogo</span> Shanghai" was an effort to tell us, "I don't have a license plate <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">that allows</span> me to drive in Shanghai."<br /><div></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-91839726900373862532008-03-30T19:39:00.000-07:002008-03-30T19:41:24.344-07:00HuangpuIt is 11:00 AM and I am standing on the pilot deck in <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Huangpu</span>, a coal port,surveying the world around me. To get here we spent almost five <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">hours traveling</span> up the Pearl River, a shallow and congested waterway. Beneath <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">my vantage</span> point is a coal black dock. In the distance I can see the city <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">of Huangpu</span>, barely. It is shrouded in smog. The air is damp and the port <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">is bleak</span>. In the near distance are three football-field sized coal bunkers.The two outer bunkers are busy. Front loaders in each bin are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">shoveling coal</span> into dump trucks. There is a miasma of coal dust added to the smog <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">that shrouds</span> the port. With each scoop of coal into the dump truck, a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">third layer</span> of billowing coal dust temporarily rises up in great black clouds.The coal dust hardly settles before the next load is added.<br />Welcome to working China.<br />Next to us is the stern of an Iranian bulk carrier. She is empty and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">they are</span> preparing to leave. Two tugs, fore and aft, sit in readiness to <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">pull her</span> away from the dock. There are two mechanical windlasses, three crewmen,and one officer. Three stern lines and one spring line are released <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">from the</span> dock. At one windlass the extra crewman is tailing and coiling <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">the line</span>. At the other windlass the lone crewman is trying to wind and coil <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">at the</span> same time. An order is given. The crewmen are taking too long. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">They speed</span> up the process letting the lines fall where they may. Another <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">order is</span> given. The men remove lines one and two from the windlasses and wind <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">on lines</span> three and four. But wait! Lines one and two are not completely <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">wound in</span>. Another order is given. Lines three and four are now removed and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">lines one</span> and two returned to the windlasses. The Captain and the Chinese <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">pilot are</span> leaning over a rail on the bridge deck. The pilot is shaking his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">head in</span> disbelief. The stern deck is in complete disarray. It is a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">combination of</span> Laurel and Hardy meet the three stooges. Finally the ship is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">completely cast</span> off and an order is given to the tugboats. The ship slowly moves <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">away from</span> the dock.<br />We are next to leave. I am glad to be underway again. The hypochondriac <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">in me</span> is making me cough. Our next stop is Qingdao, home of the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">famous Tsingtsao</span> beer and site of the 2008 Olympic aquatic events.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-5315902785613625252008-03-30T19:34:00.001-07:002008-03-30T19:39:35.126-07:00Huangpu pics<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNWhRO_ccUuTRO7F9AUUZOKXUhR0bntrZUnBLSzzf5fg3jNAfoLVe_ScmrRGLVWO40_CLphkfdb1bww3PF86nADPUBCZmAMHZ1nu4KdXwVUAkcB0eKZOccmH0kCaHpJ1sl_9dc0cvCxM/s1600-h/Our+next+door+neighbor+3-15-2008+4-22-10+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183729004235945394" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaNWhRO_ccUuTRO7F9AUUZOKXUhR0bntrZUnBLSzzf5fg3jNAfoLVe_ScmrRGLVWO40_CLphkfdb1bww3PF86nADPUBCZmAMHZ1nu4KdXwVUAkcB0eKZOccmH0kCaHpJ1sl_9dc0cvCxM/s200/Our+next+door+neighbor+3-15-2008+4-22-10+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our next door neighbor 3-15-2008 4-22-10 AM</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BL8t7U4L-7XlgtkSZC5BJBJxbSP8qg2j-JWusH8IjCInNGP9nXUUZnnjJjd-9ohsMCjDagfaNYdZk21hdAtWXbisc-6Y0j84ksQVIxom1vpZtyyq8LykDh3H2q7x9oQCp8uj1YqWsT8/s1600-h/Rice+paddies+on+the+Pearl+River+3-14-2008+9-55-27+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183729008530912706" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-BL8t7U4L-7XlgtkSZC5BJBJxbSP8qg2j-JWusH8IjCInNGP9nXUUZnnjJjd-9ohsMCjDagfaNYdZk21hdAtWXbisc-6Y0j84ksQVIxom1vpZtyyq8LykDh3H2q7x9oQCp8uj1YqWsT8/s200/Rice+paddies+on+the+Pearl+River+3-14-2008+9-55-27+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Rice paddies on the Pearl River 3-14-2008 9-55-27 AM</div><div align="right"><br /></div><div align="right"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3atztGEwBkWj40gHRS4Wn7rtQKLptcALAuPcFq0BFG78OifCPvEYYpNTLOS-L5D78jq_apfaIOuj6_SAlHBPPGyz6hh1Ajx3zStjwGxfhzWCfrmQ9tCytFsQy_fSwMpjYH0UvWGr_lg/s1600-h/A+ferry+on+the+Pearl+River+3-14-2008+9-13-24+AM+3-14-2008+9-13-24+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183728832437253474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3atztGEwBkWj40gHRS4Wn7rtQKLptcALAuPcFq0BFG78OifCPvEYYpNTLOS-L5D78jq_apfaIOuj6_SAlHBPPGyz6hh1Ajx3zStjwGxfhzWCfrmQ9tCytFsQy_fSwMpjYH0UvWGr_lg/s200/A+ferry+on+the+Pearl+River+3-14-2008+9-13-24+AM+3-14-2008+9-13-24+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> A ferry on the Pearl River 3-14-2008 9-13-24 AM 3<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBHSCDky7ntgCEgjwgx8WVSzPQ-CYLU6XEeXUFZcz-e0eV0sPaMxoDf5xXXYK44DW6Y6yx5gPhyHc82cdyylammXntl1qDBRWClCvudu9lht7ChzfF3mRlsk_kWfVs1GbwlZvgAnT2vE/s1600-h/Bulk+Storage+in+Huangpu+3-15-2008+5-45-18+AM+3-15-2008+5-45-18+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183728832437253490" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUBHSCDky7ntgCEgjwgx8WVSzPQ-CYLU6XEeXUFZcz-e0eV0sPaMxoDf5xXXYK44DW6Y6yx5gPhyHc82cdyylammXntl1qDBRWClCvudu9lht7ChzfF3mRlsk_kWfVs1GbwlZvgAnT2vE/s200/Bulk+Storage+in+Huangpu+3-15-2008+5-45-18+AM+3-15-2008+5-45-18+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bulk Storage in Huangpu 3-15-2008 5-45-18 AM 3-15-2008 5-45-18 AM</div><div align="right"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNzY6I0fAD2Stq5xZz3vtthqOlHoUiJwM3T2X1ye1rIDSdXyqFySpWdyMeMMuAKKaD__b4rOo8Rc73w3t0tfvtmXDZvl6RWhwf4rWcKHbEeL-noHjIxGhsHL0cD6KjWsudxD4Nu_iODc/s1600-h/Coal+dust+rising+3-15-2008+4-25-34+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183728836732220802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtNzY6I0fAD2Stq5xZz3vtthqOlHoUiJwM3T2X1ye1rIDSdXyqFySpWdyMeMMuAKKaD__b4rOo8Rc73w3t0tfvtmXDZvl6RWhwf4rWcKHbEeL-noHjIxGhsHL0cD6KjWsudxD4Nu_iODc/s200/Coal+dust+rising+3-15-2008+4-25-34+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Coal dust rising 3-15-2008 4-25-34 AM<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOWh1KUJXqOyVN8GNBpv03Wn6Rn7ZVZtCQEtFe0Ey8Cme8tIBOkI3ls7tGwPgUkgEwGqCg1bJ2gnohk_0OcVM5j3Wgb8UwVHF9XJcfOfOKbv73EewP7yAoqiW4s0PdZIdbR6_TtJNeQo/s1600-h/Line+handlers+arriving+at+the+dock+in+Huangpu+3-15-2008+5-06-58+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183728836732220818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjyOWh1KUJXqOyVN8GNBpv03Wn6Rn7ZVZtCQEtFe0Ey8Cme8tIBOkI3ls7tGwPgUkgEwGqCg1bJ2gnohk_0OcVM5j3Wgb8UwVHF9XJcfOfOKbv73EewP7yAoqiW4s0PdZIdbR6_TtJNeQo/s200/Line+handlers+arriving+at+the+dock+in+Huangpu+3-15-2008+5-06-58+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Line handlers arriving at the dock in Huangpu 3-15-2008 5-06-58 AM<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8DnSEwTbl5vY6K8MZnLm0-PSzfn6NlqpDsdyxQSiPyXzdTXmKjphXd69yHkOwTKdi2evZENaLahpXVzIJLZDb4UcK1yiEVR9dcUFa1exPYDJrhusPWmUo18RSoIKtRlbXZGBJI289g/s1600-h/Next+trip+I%27m+packing+dustmasks!+3-15-2008+5-33-33+AM+3-15-2008+5-33-33+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183728841027188130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyH8DnSEwTbl5vY6K8MZnLm0-PSzfn6NlqpDsdyxQSiPyXzdTXmKjphXd69yHkOwTKdi2evZENaLahpXVzIJLZDb4UcK1yiEVR9dcUFa1exPYDJrhusPWmUo18RSoIKtRlbXZGBJI289g/s200/Next+trip+I%27m+packing+dustmasks!+3-15-2008+5-33-33+AM+3-15-2008+5-33-33+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Next trip I'm packing dustmasks! 3-15-2008 5-33-33 AM<br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-75319556244929289502008-03-30T19:27:00.000-07:002008-03-30T19:28:42.345-07:00CALL SEA TOWI'm learning a lot about commercial freighters. We went aground at Ho <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Chi Minh</span> City. It all started off with what is known as, "berth congestion".We were anchored off the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Mecong</span> delta waiting for a combination of high <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">tide and</span> an appropriate berth, knowing that there was congestion in the port.Time is money in this business so knowing this, port authorities make <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">every effort</span> to accommodate their customers. I surmise that it was because <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">of these</span> factors that we ended up in a less than perfect slip. As I <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">mentioned before</span> our stern extended out beyond the dock, and our stern lines were <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">tied to</span> a floating buoy.<span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">Heiner</span>, Mal and I arrived back from Ho Chi <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Minh</span> City at noon on Sunday. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">The Captain</span> likes to have every one on board two hours prior to departure as <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">a precaution</span> against, "lost taxis" or "wayward crew members", so I knew <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">that he</span> must be planning to leave at 2:00 P.M. Imagine my surprise to find that,at noon, the ship was sitting up out of the water - Always safe aground - <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">as they</span> say. I watched the tide come in with some cynicism. Two hours <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">didn't seem</span> like a lot of time to <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">refloat</span> the ship. By 2:20 P.M. the pilot <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">was aboard</span> and the tugs in place to move us off the dock. Every <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">departure requires</span> a different technique so it is always fun to watch the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">preparations from</span> the pilot deck. We were facing up river so we needed to get <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">turned around</span>. One tug had his nose to our starboard bow to hold us to the dock,while the second tug planned to pull our stern out into the channel; <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">enough to</span> allow the first tug to push the bow counter clockwise, and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">therefore point</span> us in the right direction. No problem here except that no matter <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">how hard</span> the little tug tried to pull (she was just a little tug after all)nothing happened. This fruitless effort lasted almost twenty minutes.Finally the forward tug tootled down along the starboard side, passed <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">behind the</span> stern, and lined up with her nose to our port. Once again, but <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">this time</span> with a push as well as a pull, the tow boats tried, with all <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">their might</span> and main, to move the stern away from the dock. Nothing doing, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">we were</span> really stuck in the mud. Finally the tug boats retired and, using <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">our own</span> bow thrusters, we moved the ship forward and out into the channel, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">being careful</span> not to clip the stern of the boat in front of us. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">tugs eventually</span> helped us to turn around further up the channel. The <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">elapsed time</span> - one hour.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-67829733666019853782008-03-30T19:23:00.001-07:002008-03-30T19:26:58.405-07:00Call Sea Tow pics<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrNq4x6dyPcn1yHSp6fsmDo2sM0Q1HXMPI4XyGMP1-_HguBq-hTyxEqRJsfl8Rxzaaf6uEw0ta6kDZ7lBrGwdWjp5ZapHkpS7FeVLoC0qDUjrRbUEbsh7I8SuI_b8st9I8jgdG5bS_Ck/s1600-h/Bargaining+for+fruit+at+the+edge+of+the+dock+just+before+casting+off+3-9-2008+7-46-46+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183726105133020450" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlrNq4x6dyPcn1yHSp6fsmDo2sM0Q1HXMPI4XyGMP1-_HguBq-hTyxEqRJsfl8Rxzaaf6uEw0ta6kDZ7lBrGwdWjp5ZapHkpS7FeVLoC0qDUjrRbUEbsh7I8SuI_b8st9I8jgdG5bS_Ck/s200/Bargaining+for+fruit+at+the+edge+of+the+dock+just+before+casting+off+3-9-2008+7-46-46+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Bargaining for fruit at the edge of the dock just before casting off 3-9-2008 7-46-46 AM</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvC4SbkmCLj9hJB5pASwt0UdDry0x35agGvzlXYujQVRutPIAEyFvxNyFXmhFrfPNxN7vYUwFW3VwZk-nB27-Qvk4WnSlrhdQ5SYlksefQngoNB4LAa4bPtNCIuKtxhbIRPmxwA9GkLc/s1600-h/Call+Sea+Tow+3-8-2008+5-36-40+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183726109427987762" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijvC4SbkmCLj9hJB5pASwt0UdDry0x35agGvzlXYujQVRutPIAEyFvxNyFXmhFrfPNxN7vYUwFW3VwZk-nB27-Qvk4WnSlrhdQ5SYlksefQngoNB4LAa4bPtNCIuKtxhbIRPmxwA9GkLc/s200/Call+Sea+Tow+3-8-2008+5-36-40+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Call Sea Tow 3-8-2008 5-36-40 AM</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGEeYw2ymS1cJ0WmGF1PBNg5DzVm6vJu1yrvPMr2JWruP-5dgjwFmx64KfsDtBcLsHUs7y6BdR3Kz1C9BERQRFT1BZa25gb6QkLUd1-_SKl_-B7G06LqJsxwif-dZMrvlxkCl5I1o6Os/s1600-h/One+of+our+little+tugs+3-9-2008+10-02-29+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183726113722955074" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNGEeYw2ymS1cJ0WmGF1PBNg5DzVm6vJu1yrvPMr2JWruP-5dgjwFmx64KfsDtBcLsHUs7y6BdR3Kz1C9BERQRFT1BZa25gb6QkLUd1-_SKl_-B7G06LqJsxwif-dZMrvlxkCl5I1o6Os/s200/One+of+our+little+tugs+3-9-2008+10-02-29+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> One of our little tugs 3-9-2008 10-02-29 AM<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u3cfQWUC18j0oSKiTqwmJlgVwmj_YHd1eoZUPQ4QwUUFhDWDS9XMVQ4g1vzygoGD-q4kbjWbrh6EaEsBhbv0UfcUJ2Rdu4MPgv9Yb9yZPmJeqA_E0Lf4gU0asvsx5TduvD-hfYCZCFA/s1600-h/Pulling+with+all+her+might+and+main.+3-9-2008+9-51-42+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183726113722955090" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5u3cfQWUC18j0oSKiTqwmJlgVwmj_YHd1eoZUPQ4QwUUFhDWDS9XMVQ4g1vzygoGD-q4kbjWbrh6EaEsBhbv0UfcUJ2Rdu4MPgv9Yb9yZPmJeqA_E0Lf4gU0asvsx5TduvD-hfYCZCFA/s200/Pulling+with+all+her+might+and+main.+3-9-2008+9-51-42+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Pulling with all her might and main. 3-9-2008 9-51-42 AM<br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-82489371063285166192008-03-30T19:18:00.000-07:002008-03-30T19:22:13.146-07:00Up the Mekong for a Bike RideOn Saturday our ship meandered through the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Mecong</span></span> delta along a very <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">narrow channel</span>. We had a pilot <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">on board</span>. In spite of the many buoys and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">ranges there</span> were moments when I held my breath as we circumnavigated some of <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">the hairpin</span> bends, especially if a ship was approaching the other way. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Our slip</span>, when we eventually docked, was unusual in that our stern stuck <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">out beyond</span> the dock. This wasn't a problem because loading and unloading <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">cargo takes</span> place in the forward two thirds of the ship. It was already dark <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">by the</span> time we got settled in so Mal and I decided to go into town <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">the following</span></span> morning.<br /><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">Heiner</span></span>, a fellow passenger, joined us as we left the ship early the <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">next morning</span></span>. The plan was to exit the port before calling a taxi. The guard <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">at the</span></span> gate looked at us a little quizzically, checked our passports, <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">and wished</span></span> us a happy day. As we walked down the narrow street we became <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">aware that</span></span> we were being stared at, not rudely, but with curiosity. Lotus Port <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">isa</span></span> working port and I imagine that there are not a lot of passengers <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">passing through</span></span>. We hadn't gone far before we were accosted by some young motorcyclists who wanted to take us to the city. This is a common mode <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">of transportation</span></span> in South East Asia. They are not regulated or metered and <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">we had</span></span> no intention of using them in spite of their telling us, "TAXI NO <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">COME HERE</span></span>!" To cut a long story short we each ended up riding pillion <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">passenger to</span></span> the nearest taxi stand. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">Heiner</span></span> managed to capture a rear view of Mal <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">and me</span></span> on video. It's titled, "Hell's Angels Visit <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23"><span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">Viet</span></span> Nam!" Our cyclists <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">were very</span></span> charming and promised that they wouldn't go too fast. They kept <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">their word</span></span>, but I think we were all a little relieved to climb into a taxi for <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26"><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">the rest</span></span> of the trip.Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-65390095716383871742008-03-30T19:11:00.000-07:002008-03-30T19:18:29.532-07:00Mekong Pics<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VU8bK60i1YOTkW6Ou9XlamR04e5ghAXEdn0sdTWgWRRaO-xjzoX79gxbkETFlLY4ckTmp4noJBjtfpuiNwNz7Kl6HCDrgmWqu6PIsL5iPAcYuXtI3mSEMglRXsd3y7kTW2euVW1Vzx4/s1600-h/A+river+boat+3-8-2008+11-10-59+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183723820210418898" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4VU8bK60i1YOTkW6Ou9XlamR04e5ghAXEdn0sdTWgWRRaO-xjzoX79gxbkETFlLY4ckTmp4noJBjtfpuiNwNz7Kl6HCDrgmWqu6PIsL5iPAcYuXtI3mSEMglRXsd3y7kTW2euVW1Vzx4/s200/A+river+boat+3-8-2008+11-10-59+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> A river boat 3-8-2008 11-10-59 AM<br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SGfvIAfl5oS_c_JTBZ-svdMU8byGLwLzpl-8sdWzJfVT05jjrIPk4Eit_-SRPHDqZRblmGPjcmfLpIZgJJ0Ki7yT3BqdNy6pKEyxFLu9XqGWNqDVl_tYaRoL4kvXxjjRfUKzOsGh0uw/s1600-h/Coming+at+you...around+a+bend+in+the+Mekong+3-8-2008+11-05-19+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183723824505386210" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0SGfvIAfl5oS_c_JTBZ-svdMU8byGLwLzpl-8sdWzJfVT05jjrIPk4Eit_-SRPHDqZRblmGPjcmfLpIZgJJ0Ki7yT3BqdNy6pKEyxFLu9XqGWNqDVl_tYaRoL4kvXxjjRfUKzOsGh0uw/s200/Coming+at+you...around+a+bend+in+the+Mekong+3-8-2008+11-05-19+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Coming at you...around a bend in the Mekong 3-8-2008 11-05-19 AM</div><div align="center"><br /></div><p align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4iLldbR298rJvUzLyGd2NCVgokfMvtcQa0mpsgdD5PGEKNlmVxenULduisQgyCoZDGgqY8PH09-_lE4nDcX6i_S0btO-TEYRqzVAObbCO5tJkAlmsGk0DPR8Co5J0yFeDc91RH-GUo/s1600-h/Harbor+Traffic+in+Ho+Chi+Minh+City+3-9-2008+10-19-42+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183723828800353522" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGa4iLldbR298rJvUzLyGd2NCVgokfMvtcQa0mpsgdD5PGEKNlmVxenULduisQgyCoZDGgqY8PH09-_lE4nDcX6i_S0btO-TEYRqzVAObbCO5tJkAlmsGk0DPR8Co5J0yFeDc91RH-GUo/s200/Harbor+Traffic+in+Ho+Chi+Minh+City+3-9-2008+10-19-42+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Harbor Traffic in Ho Chi Minh City 3-9-2008 10-19-42 AM</p><p><br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuYXaPa6A2nGCLmJnz7vVnBtnwx2idPGAKHAJDo7ZtZI6snlnAZHUcDPfWBEv9HN7ciGcZY7vGv3TuJcC8k5tc-Hh7K8vXvQYsos9uoKSH7leDJPCOvYrTaI5UKN43tjVR2ysNBRJnbg/s1600-h/Harvesting+Rice+in+the+Mekong+Delta+3-8-2008+10-47-56+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183723833095320834" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuYXaPa6A2nGCLmJnz7vVnBtnwx2idPGAKHAJDo7ZtZI6snlnAZHUcDPfWBEv9HN7ciGcZY7vGv3TuJcC8k5tc-Hh7K8vXvQYsos9uoKSH7leDJPCOvYrTaI5UKN43tjVR2ysNBRJnbg/s200/Harvesting+Rice+in+the+Mekong+Delta+3-8-2008+10-47-56+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> Harvesting Rice in the Mekong Delta 3-8-2008 10-47-56 AM<br /></p><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZe_90saBwTINupJdEe8ohVd0sBrVzQUO63tkWIJ2auvbn_6wpjFYuzbF1Z6gMkXLHO6hiwbWA1serLx_Y9-UeNlsabOI-8P8WjLzJHQQ7Qg_xUKECwvvjAB3lI4_PJJoEq5jJ_HKtIo/s1600-h/How+the+other+half+cruises+around+the+world.++Top+price+staterooms+%24600K+and+all+fully+booked+3-8-2008+11-48-33+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183723837390288146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzZe_90saBwTINupJdEe8ohVd0sBrVzQUO63tkWIJ2auvbn_6wpjFYuzbF1Z6gMkXLHO6hiwbWA1serLx_Y9-UeNlsabOI-8P8WjLzJHQQ7Qg_xUKECwvvjAB3lI4_PJJoEq5jJ_HKtIo/s200/How+the+other+half+cruises+around+the+world.++Top+price+staterooms+%24600K+and+all+fully+booked+3-8-2008+11-48-33+AM.JPG" border="0" /> <p align="center"></a> How the other half cruises around the world. Top price staterooms $600K and all fully booked 3-8-2008 11-48-33 AM<br /></p>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-37429460466319214582008-03-30T19:07:00.001-07:002008-03-30T19:11:06.662-07:00Ho Chi Min<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEIjuBssnBNBas5W2cTFQHpX-yH8CretGZal3Rgi4giyFRujJCXc2du3gJiaONpmzkLSXIK8SzfXPCP-_MvtPynsl4Sx6IKJBN5t4n6c3hdlWvYOhQ4fW9cv-i73X6CR_XXwpFm9BMqY/s1600-h/Family+Transportation-+Face+masks+for+polution+protection.+3-8-2008+2-26-48+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183722252547355810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAEIjuBssnBNBas5W2cTFQHpX-yH8CretGZal3Rgi4giyFRujJCXc2du3gJiaONpmzkLSXIK8SzfXPCP-_MvtPynsl4Sx6IKJBN5t4n6c3hdlWvYOhQ4fW9cv-i73X6CR_XXwpFm9BMqY/s200/Family+Transportation-+Face+masks+for+polution+protection.+3-8-2008+2-26-48+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Family Transportation- Face masks for polution protection. 3-8-2008 2-26-48 AM</div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR7iK-8tW98yBD0W4wz7ZSxeksifJn5J9W2SiUkyzp-0h62Gs9G3hHsjqQGpMYpADguvMrS574_k0USafzslumYOPYNDUCOgkFFKIIgkLgsD4MleNChpUdXjMtx9D9i2dy37kZup7upM/s1600-h/Greeted+by+a+brass+band+playing+La+Paloma+at+8+AM+in+downtown+HCM+City+3-8-2008+2-25-46+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183722252547355826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCR7iK-8tW98yBD0W4wz7ZSxeksifJn5J9W2SiUkyzp-0h62Gs9G3hHsjqQGpMYpADguvMrS574_k0USafzslumYOPYNDUCOgkFFKIIgkLgsD4MleNChpUdXjMtx9D9i2dy37kZup7upM/s200/Greeted+by+a+brass+band+playing+La+Paloma+at+8+AM+in+downtown+HCM+City+3-8-2008+2-25-46+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Greeted by a brass band playing La Paloma at 8 AM in downtown HCM City 3-8-2008 2-25-46 AM</div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8WFp5CdpH4QU7wQ6rmAvYFUtPBxiqCAunVRKKfoob1XNj5dg09iAm-KBTSrK6U2NLdeXEa-zi8vM-HOHtDDTFRwgN8Tz-U3qVbj8bGXcXtDiC3Glp_rD_68JwcMJr-2nFFtXlGUzDu0/s1600-h/It+will+cost+you+two+bucks+3-8-2008+3-33-21+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183722256842323138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgv8WFp5CdpH4QU7wQ6rmAvYFUtPBxiqCAunVRKKfoob1XNj5dg09iAm-KBTSrK6U2NLdeXEa-zi8vM-HOHtDDTFRwgN8Tz-U3qVbj8bGXcXtDiC3Glp_rD_68JwcMJr-2nFFtXlGUzDu0/s200/It+will+cost+you+two+bucks+3-8-2008+3-33-21+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> It will cost you two bucks 3-8-2008 3-33-21 AM<br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwgOFS7Zi1kc98ULvboFOuykI8slqXvRl8yHnAUSdMB1kzorB29-816xNP43s1_uAuni10mAj_vV4dexwQRE_XEtaMn7etFnD8d1r_MvYAedvOpOnj2Q0Xz6PV5UIwl445vOmtfLV6kY/s1600-h/A+swarm+of+motorcycles+3-8-2008+2-52-38+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5183721758626116754" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwwgOFS7Zi1kc98ULvboFOuykI8slqXvRl8yHnAUSdMB1kzorB29-816xNP43s1_uAuni10mAj_vV4dexwQRE_XEtaMn7etFnD8d1r_MvYAedvOpOnj2Q0Xz6PV5UIwl445vOmtfLV6kY/s200/A+swarm+of+motorcycles+3-8-2008+2-52-38+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> A swarm of motorcycles 3-8-2008 2-52-38 AM</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-33142544198826849652008-03-27T19:14:00.000-07:002008-03-27T20:04:08.928-07:00Bangkok<div align="left">My daughter Alex has a very good friend in Bangkok, Eric. When they <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">heard that</span> we would be close by, they organized an overnight trip to the city.Eric arranged for a tour guide, Mr. Rabbit, to pick us up at the ship <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">and take</span> us to Bangkok. Alex very kindly treated us to our hotel. As <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">fate would</span> have it Eric's parents, Adrienne and Howard, were visiting from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">New York</span>. We had met Adrienne and Howard previously and were looking forward <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">to seeing</span> them again. Mal and I requested typical Thai food for dinner so <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">we arranged</span> to meet at a local restaurant in the neighborhood where Eric lives.But we had a lot of sight seeing to do before dinner.<br />Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand, was built in 1782, the same year <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">that Los</span> Angeles was built. The two cities had no knowledge of each other <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">and yet</span> they both named their respective cities, "City of Angels". In <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">Bangkok modern</span> sky scrapers sit comfortably side by side with century old <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">Buddhist Temples</span> and royal Palaces. The temples are still loved and revered by <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">the Thais</span>. In historical times they served as centers of education and <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">places where</span> the sick were treated.<br />As with the rest of the country side, Bangkok is a blaze of color. <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">Taxis come</span> in every color imaginable. My favorite was pale purple with a <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">pink stripe</span>. There are not as many motor cycles in Bangkok. This is because <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">all the</span> people who would own motorcycles elsewhere in Asia drive cars <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">in Bangkok</span>. And yes, as you might imagine, rush hour starts early in <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">the morning</span> and finally ends at midnight.<br />Mr.Rabbit has taken care of Eric's guests before. He was an <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">excellent choice</span>; young, enthusiastic and knowledgeable, and he spoke <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">excellent English</span>. Our first stop was the flower market. The flowers <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">were surprisingly</span> similar to flowers at home, except for the orchids. These <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">were magnificent</span>. They came in every size and color imaginable. The market <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">is open</span> 24/7 so there are lots of food <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">vendors</span> who supply food to shoppers <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">and flower</span> sellers alike. Mal was in his element. He and Rabbit started outwith Thai iced coffee:<br />Take one small tumbler and add: </div><div align="left">2 heaping teaspoons of sugar </div><div align="left">Black coffee </div><div align="left">1 tablespoon of sweetened condensed milk </div><div align="left">2 tablespoons of coconut milk </div><div align="left">Stir well and pour over a large glass of crushed ice.<br />It is actually cool and refreshing.<br />My favorite nibble was sliced papaya with sticky rice. After more <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">nibbles of</span> different foods we were whisked off to the royal palace. Given <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_25">my limited</span> writing skills it is impossible for me to describe the splendor <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_26">of this</span> compound. I hope the photographs tell the story.<br />The next part of our tour took us on a canal ride. My first impression, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_27">on seeing</span> our gondola, Super <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_28">Locky</span>, was that I had stepped into Kevin <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_29">Costner's movie</span>, Water World. The boats are propelled by truck engines which have <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_30">a very</span> long (at least 15 feet) propeller shaft with a small propeller at <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_31">the end</span>. This propels the boat and also acts as a rudder. A lever <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_32">extending from</span> the engine block moves the entire assembly up and down, and back <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_33">and forth</span>, to control boat speed and direction. Our boat moved very fast <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_34">and gave</span> us a fun ride.<br />After a side trip to see the reclining Buddha we checked into our hotel.<br />Dinner with Eric and his parents was a fun filled affair. Eric, the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_35">expert on</span> Thai food, ordered for all of us. Each dish that appeared from <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_36">the kitchen</span> was better than the one before. Even the Pad Thai was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_37">deliciously different</span>. But the "piece <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_38">de</span> resistance" was the fish dish. Our <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_39">waitress brought</span> a small open brazier full of glowing coals to the table. She put <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_40">a metal</span> serving dish, filled with a raw fish covered with herbs and spices.Then she ladled hot stock over the fish until it was covered. We <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_41">watched while</span> the stock came back to a boil, gently poaching our fish. It was <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_42">a case</span> of good food, good company and good wine.<br />Mal and I have fallen in love with Bangkok. We realize that one day is <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_43">only enough</span> to give us a glimpse of what the city has to offer. We are <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_44">already making</span> plans to return.</div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHUwrcdouCrx21BCknDiS6zLtGBKHPLhPLeJmeBaVqUbJvzA6oTLBN2VYxEodJLOuzI2fYz407yeqQ4tUIYJyVOP-9Zz-uPjl9gtBBpbuYGKCcx8eoIDlF0iBwcrl9U4bOFpreZM0lCI/s1600-h/Want+to+drag+for+beers+3-4-2008+8-28-18+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182620417342272642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeHUwrcdouCrx21BCknDiS6zLtGBKHPLhPLeJmeBaVqUbJvzA6oTLBN2VYxEodJLOuzI2fYz407yeqQ4tUIYJyVOP-9Zz-uPjl9gtBBpbuYGKCcx8eoIDlF0iBwcrl9U4bOFpreZM0lCI/s200/Want+to+drag+for+beers+3-4-2008+8-28-18+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Want to drag for beers 3-4-2008 8-28-18 AM</div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHhWCwd6glWhmHdh1rJNIH2l62KpffD6YHD3FxaxR_KDsdUwSjj_TqD4dQVhnLt290u-qV7WiRXadXfH7JW0p3mCxsNyA8VDdLsKhp7fLOEXIMK-om83Gt9_mMLD7CI2iwhm5rk4ejew/s1600-h/Our+helmsman+3-4-2008+8-15-01+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182620219773777010" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHHhWCwd6glWhmHdh1rJNIH2l62KpffD6YHD3FxaxR_KDsdUwSjj_TqD4dQVhnLt290u-qV7WiRXadXfH7JW0p3mCxsNyA8VDdLsKhp7fLOEXIMK-om83Gt9_mMLD7CI2iwhm5rk4ejew/s200/Our+helmsman+3-4-2008+8-15-01+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our helmsman 3-4-2008 8-15-01 AM</div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yBYdqlIDN91hElk1Qaz-1klzf2vWez7qA-Kq1xDxBKRtAuzg9JdS1PEW4PMVjkDEanSwJvUqhpcr4y8VoF_eETm2cpeTRhizXmq3RmXTEROmLilEYyETVNdcmLdBotiD1JRx7dugRs0/s1600-h/Mr.+Rabbit+and+Me+3-4-2008+9-00-11+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182619953485804642" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0yBYdqlIDN91hElk1Qaz-1klzf2vWez7qA-Kq1xDxBKRtAuzg9JdS1PEW4PMVjkDEanSwJvUqhpcr4y8VoF_eETm2cpeTRhizXmq3RmXTEROmLilEYyETVNdcmLdBotiD1JRx7dugRs0/s200/Mr.+Rabbit+and+Me+3-4-2008+9-00-11+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Mr. Rabbit and Me 3-4-2008 9-00-11 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCimCYPugTR_ciULiKwUuE7U7dcnKRi27ie5lZznnuTYumL6p40qMVy4Je676Gfs7AEe9N_i2yllPfp0SQSPAoux4QYSjY0MAN-sLa9up90JLISfsUAAW7W25S9byUiVy2Sn-wg4UPFjQ/s1600-h/Cabs+come+in+every+color+of+the+rainbow,+and+then+some+3-4-2008+10-11-09+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182619725852537938" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCimCYPugTR_ciULiKwUuE7U7dcnKRi27ie5lZznnuTYumL6p40qMVy4Je676Gfs7AEe9N_i2yllPfp0SQSPAoux4QYSjY0MAN-sLa9up90JLISfsUAAW7W25S9byUiVy2Sn-wg4UPFjQ/s200/Cabs+come+in+every+color+of+the+rainbow,+and+then+some+3-4-2008+10-11-09+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Cabs come in every color of the rainbow, and then some 3-4-2008 10-11-09 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKY71zf-GUKxIICGBGHwrrpZ3hi9N-F56bPSAg5XYHHqb_EuNg6WMVYCmvywr-BnW7MbAmpAlW43i4MoKj6BkIuxUHOzR_PQXNX581UG2NhUNnzUPlC9w1i5h075D8h3J-t6U4htwXZU/s1600-h/Who+ARE+these+guys+3-4-2008+6-32-32+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182619296355808322" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoKY71zf-GUKxIICGBGHwrrpZ3hi9N-F56bPSAg5XYHHqb_EuNg6WMVYCmvywr-BnW7MbAmpAlW43i4MoKj6BkIuxUHOzR_PQXNX581UG2NhUNnzUPlC9w1i5h075D8h3J-t6U4htwXZU/s200/Who+ARE+these+guys+3-4-2008+6-32-32+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Who ARE these guys 3-4-2008 6-32-32 AM<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwI1n6rBCZnyY1uwI24oQG-m9MfOz3Ff-5nWrWtKDrRThI1poIB9rUvjOJFSKZXXAbn1d-d9tB81D9yqGdufiDScOo4t6vlJWJ7hCYkvShw_gyg6bASP4XpmsQP5agXzgwtVD8O6ZEH4/s1600-h/The+Start+of+our+Tour+at+the+Royal+Palace+3-4-2008+7-03-28+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182619085902410802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCwI1n6rBCZnyY1uwI24oQG-m9MfOz3Ff-5nWrWtKDrRThI1poIB9rUvjOJFSKZXXAbn1d-d9tB81D9yqGdufiDScOo4t6vlJWJ7hCYkvShw_gyg6bASP4XpmsQP5agXzgwtVD8O6ZEH4/s200/The+Start+of+our+Tour+at+the+Royal+Palace+3-4-2008+7-03-28+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Start of our Tour at the Royal Palace 3-4-2008 7-03-28 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAx0vG048dGXulw81jPk8UEq3KLj2qd4mtvk-P7Ute27sovMPI6Vq6zYTSa-_g3gmILCC30Uo_iEdN51lmbDXDXwTIzMFjYuqb1kDr4naEl6DhISRrdHgLkN-nsHUpYFyYRLuWBQ-Un8/s1600-h/One+of+the+many+Palace+Statues+(on+left)+3-4-2008+7-06-06+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182618888333915170" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXAx0vG048dGXulw81jPk8UEq3KLj2qd4mtvk-P7Ute27sovMPI6Vq6zYTSa-_g3gmILCC30Uo_iEdN51lmbDXDXwTIzMFjYuqb1kDr4naEl6DhISRrdHgLkN-nsHUpYFyYRLuWBQ-Un8/s200/One+of+the+many+Palace+Statues+(on+left)+3-4-2008+7-06-06+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the many Palace Statues (on left) 3-4-2008 7-06-06 AM<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwPyZIywaqC4heBlaL4TTkq0a83HEc_MjRHtq74D2WytxN53K7eso1WMawfZmkWfgFT3KeANlTxL6-i5hpvjXXid0IAEGsyBQ97I95KOz4YnOkmxN-D2VdKbRaGer97VKbvQQo_-puiA/s1600-h/The+levelof+perfection+with+all+the+inlay+is+awesome+3-4-2008+7-11-26+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182616977073468434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSwPyZIywaqC4heBlaL4TTkq0a83HEc_MjRHtq74D2WytxN53K7eso1WMawfZmkWfgFT3KeANlTxL6-i5hpvjXXid0IAEGsyBQ97I95KOz4YnOkmxN-D2VdKbRaGer97VKbvQQo_-puiA/s200/The+levelof+perfection+with+all+the+inlay+is+awesome+3-4-2008+7-11-26+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_45">levelof</span> perfection with all the inlay is awesome 3-4-2008 7-11-26 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkTlJ7iA43HaCzkKVqvpoc3wcNSvFKLVItTIJqLa_n491eQuNfOM_Lp0ME1sFGrSsrswvKmH6_t5GHwMWFd0Pk_9QFr7bTmnbqgJrjDDJ71eT9bbVzOAtJ_v1GJii2nRgCsO-Duntu1s/s1600-h/The+Colors+are+wonderful+3-4-2008+7-12-07+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182616637771052034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJkTlJ7iA43HaCzkKVqvpoc3wcNSvFKLVItTIJqLa_n491eQuNfOM_Lp0ME1sFGrSsrswvKmH6_t5GHwMWFd0Pk_9QFr7bTmnbqgJrjDDJ71eT9bbVzOAtJ_v1GJii2nRgCsO-Duntu1s/s200/The+Colors+are+wonderful+3-4-2008+7-12-07+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Colors are wonderful 3-4-2008 7-12-07 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth00Ygj-O3z3-AjvFVUX4VC4JR_zERTwooyXPgzTeVAuijQk-kt2J0FWEmd7plPDGDjW4e6gTRu-hGCmIBowX0lOChJ4CX1bF-V6gqFh50HmxzTVAqH7pI5Raq6kxRBcCuL827-8O2PI/s1600-h/Our+Canal+Boat+-+The+Super+Locky+3-4-2008+7-50-09+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182612647746434034" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhth00Ygj-O3z3-AjvFVUX4VC4JR_zERTwooyXPgzTeVAuijQk-kt2J0FWEmd7plPDGDjW4e6gTRu-hGCmIBowX0lOChJ4CX1bF-V6gqFh50HmxzTVAqH7pI5Raq6kxRBcCuL827-8O2PI/s200/Our+Canal+Boat+-+The+Super+Locky+3-4-2008+7-50-09+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Our Canal Boat - The Super <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_46">Locky</span> 3-4-2008 7-50-09 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdc5c9yJF-wX4BfeP4r-Y69VCc-O-wzdPqrYmZ03QhCdwLPpTBjgHnhYt4l5tFM5hKbNRhpU3GTn5DpGnEoVeRyS2iJUlRrm-uANUlsbCsmCRvUVE3cHyhYUpa4Mo3iAJ0Bff2xhwyhQ/s1600-h/One+of+the+many+murals+in+the+Royal+Palace+3-4-2008+7-13-58+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182612359983625186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDdc5c9yJF-wX4BfeP4r-Y69VCc-O-wzdPqrYmZ03QhCdwLPpTBjgHnhYt4l5tFM5hKbNRhpU3GTn5DpGnEoVeRyS2iJUlRrm-uANUlsbCsmCRvUVE3cHyhYUpa4Mo3iAJ0Bff2xhwyhQ/s200/One+of+the+many+murals+in+the+Royal+Palace+3-4-2008+7-13-58+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> One of the many murals in the Royal Palace 3-4-2008 7-13-58 AM<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /></div></div></div></div></div></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-9006325443468095451.post-42544002092957730212008-03-27T18:44:00.000-07:002008-03-27T19:12:56.975-07:00Thailand<div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAdnVorIb-FvYCFMYVVddONM9FDh2h3OCTccy47IdJlzLaJGq6Cp98vmqIEU_4OV0mxp3xvxO3O9fY-ICwLAjyz4IxDG0XwXjtetvDAUd48410Q2TOaZVfJK0-ob0lmVUvqlZcLW_Mw/s1600-h/It+was+a+bless+my+soul,+rock+and+roll+pink+and+purple+lifting+crane+3-5-2008.jpg"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182609705693836242" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi3ZAdnVorIb-FvYCFMYVVddONM9FDh2h3OCTccy47IdJlzLaJGq6Cp98vmqIEU_4OV0mxp3xvxO3O9fY-ICwLAjyz4IxDG0XwXjtetvDAUd48410Q2TOaZVfJK0-ob0lmVUvqlZcLW_Mw/s200/It+was+a+bless+my+soul,+rock+and+roll+pink+and+purple+lifting+crane+3-5-2008.jpg" border="0" /></a> It was a bless my soul, rock and roll pink and purple lifting crane 3-5-2008 </div><div align="center"> </div><div align="center"><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17u0WgMEB70FnVVPLBNv7H_IQO51okpylnXWIhwyYBR4GiDSOUCnQBsso73djxlHJcg_BQfEmaTrZdpL0BKzw5DHsZKr0lYkaVh0mw_VgH5RDT58W_nxDyYZ9uxYMUOghRUQe8GfcR5s/s1600-h/Even+the+buildings+are+colorful+3-6-2008+9-36-52+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182609344916583362" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi17u0WgMEB70FnVVPLBNv7H_IQO51okpylnXWIhwyYBR4GiDSOUCnQBsso73djxlHJcg_BQfEmaTrZdpL0BKzw5DHsZKr0lYkaVh0mw_VgH5RDT58W_nxDyYZ9uxYMUOghRUQe8GfcR5s/s200/Even+the+buildings+are+colorful+3-6-2008+9-36-52+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Even the buildings are colorful 3-6-2008 9-36-52 AM.JPG</div><br /><div align="center"></div><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleOsS7ume_ldZSUmRUvPhmlEvdiMpH8_1khcgaT4m2SeQrr21-6Dfapz2gFvtJn5ZNcMdyWdby4rKQ6GqeBCROgp5wvxRAbjPW_8JO-LwiI8zgysWTlBKl3t_LqLx1-DnWkaBLPBAG_w/s1600-h/Not+your+typical+Little+Black+Crane+3-6-2008+9-13-34+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182606102216274866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhleOsS7ume_ldZSUmRUvPhmlEvdiMpH8_1khcgaT4m2SeQrr21-6Dfapz2gFvtJn5ZNcMdyWdby4rKQ6GqeBCROgp5wvxRAbjPW_8JO-LwiI8zgysWTlBKl3t_LqLx1-DnWkaBLPBAG_w/s200/Not+your+typical+Little+Black+Crane+3-6-2008+9-13-34+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Not your typical Little Black Crane 3-6-2008 9-13-34 AM</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rc4rz-ph2qQpSKwpgkWzHRoSX_tH9JVVpUP8Ch-zPUSTq1ZFPS-L5NVn7uGHGTrIu465uQadIPzrAGxGYtE0_kG-Nm9XmRWuiQYiiZwU1PsqLT9-pXjR2gTTNCrZ_uOTWCuUIbq4JPo/s1600-h/Even+the+Concrete+Blocks+are+painted+3-6-2008+9-18-05+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182605792978629538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9Rc4rz-ph2qQpSKwpgkWzHRoSX_tH9JVVpUP8Ch-zPUSTq1ZFPS-L5NVn7uGHGTrIu465uQadIPzrAGxGYtE0_kG-Nm9XmRWuiQYiiZwU1PsqLT9-pXjR2gTTNCrZ_uOTWCuUIbq4JPo/s200/Even+the+Concrete+Blocks+are+painted+3-6-2008+9-18-05+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Even the Concrete Blocks are painted 3-6-2008 9-18-05 AM</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetM6safBAUEFgJiMdXkm0FLHU_ZSryoMc1uOmE8yP9myeEhVx0cxnfUZtn1p1e_lu5Tuw1vbYNj4C72MpJAFqBI1u9I0QIA3WPUQfNqJeK2HOESZx6sERd5lUN9aBVn51FULOjzQLZaM/s1600-h/The+pink+truck+3-6-2008+9-45-29+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182605453676213138" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhetM6safBAUEFgJiMdXkm0FLHU_ZSryoMc1uOmE8yP9myeEhVx0cxnfUZtn1p1e_lu5Tuw1vbYNj4C72MpJAFqBI1u9I0QIA3WPUQfNqJeK2HOESZx6sERd5lUN9aBVn51FULOjzQLZaM/s200/The+pink+truck+3-6-2008+9-45-29+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The pink truck 3-6-2008 9-45-29 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vk1orygHoICQEtN6vaUgnWkEHALBUtweMExLyf5ijrqhsyll96q5A3nbf7KEUgKWP4M0Y85-_pmGg0XLiLMgczx4pyl2DNfJpDUVVbcLu-GcDEJOzXCc3vL1AkmWn9Q5r27aqy_Xedg/s1600-h/On+the+road+to+Laem+Chabang+3-6-2008+9-13-26+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182604620452557698" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vk1orygHoICQEtN6vaUgnWkEHALBUtweMExLyf5ijrqhsyll96q5A3nbf7KEUgKWP4M0Y85-_pmGg0XLiLMgczx4pyl2DNfJpDUVVbcLu-GcDEJOzXCc3vL1AkmWn9Q5r27aqy_Xedg/s200/On+the+road+to+Laem+Chabang+3-6-2008+9-13-26+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> On the road to Laem Chabang 3-6-2008 9-13-26 AM</div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKTFu-6tPq-1kIPYYNAMnaCvcd8CGRubssmvKVFFMSKTHVtWf9wN5iYU6sZHt1YR7909VqmsNNk0BNskqCs7OvMF0b1aOxgIgX1jUZt_b2lK60lo0LobPN9Imu4wdoocQsyYAuGpbSHk/s1600-h/Port+of+Laem+Chebang+in+living+color+3-6-2008+9-10-31+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182604414294127474" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRKTFu-6tPq-1kIPYYNAMnaCvcd8CGRubssmvKVFFMSKTHVtWf9wN5iYU6sZHt1YR7909VqmsNNk0BNskqCs7OvMF0b1aOxgIgX1jUZt_b2lK60lo0LobPN9Imu4wdoocQsyYAuGpbSHk/s200/Port+of+Laem+Chebang+in+living+color+3-6-2008+9-10-31+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> Port of Laem Chebang in living color 3-6-2008 9-10-31 AM</div><br /><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /><br /><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="center"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEO89jRgvqEvq3GK43DDL0QNBvuwfZsNL5Zuezg1RhMzqLZ6PLa-Dt-rApwTXuXq2Caqdua9sLpWXl48Qq26wVkeAktcasrwrc3oYYbhIQk53XIeWAqbseTXYbzOVqM0Lx_ZLsim1xNw/s1600-h/The+Colors+of+Thailand+are+wonderful+3-6-2008+9-50-28+AM.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5182604044926940002" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; CURSOR: hand; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHEO89jRgvqEvq3GK43DDL0QNBvuwfZsNL5Zuezg1RhMzqLZ6PLa-Dt-rApwTXuXq2Caqdua9sLpWXl48Qq26wVkeAktcasrwrc3oYYbhIQk53XIeWAqbseTXYbzOVqM0Lx_ZLsim1xNw/s200/The+Colors+of+Thailand+are+wonderful+3-6-2008+9-50-28+AM.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Colors of Thailand are wonderful </div><br /><br /><div align="center"><br /></div><br /><br /><div align="left"><br /><br /><br />Thailand is a land of color. We docked at <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">Laem</span> <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_1">Chebang</span>, a commercial <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_2">port about</span> two hours driving distance from Bangkok. Everywhere I looked <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_3">there was</span> color. Cranes, trucks and even the buildings are painted every color <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_4">of the</span> rainbow. In some ways the colors are a reflection of the people. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_5">Thaisare</span> charming. They adore their present King, Rama 1X who, during his 60year reign, has shepherded them successfully into the 21st. century. <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_6">The country</span> is a democracy in spite of the recent coup by the army. The <span class="blsp-spelling-error" id="SPELLING_ERROR_7">irony is</span> that, when the army organized new elections, the people voted for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_8">the same</span> party that the army tried to get rid of. Just the Prime Minister <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_9">had changed</span>.<br />There is a cute story about the King. He gives a "state of the Union"address every year on the eve of his birthday. A few years ago he <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_10">was concerned</span> that his subjects were not putting enough money aside for <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_11">their retirement</span> and so he advised them all to start saving. He obviously did <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_12">not discuss</span> this in depth with his economic advisers. The King is greatly <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_13">loved by</span> all, so his subjects did as they were bidden and saved. Goods started <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_14">to pile</span> up on store shelves, inventory started to back up, and factory <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_15">orders dropped</span>. Soon workers had to be laid off. The next year he was <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_16">heard exhorting</span> his subjects to "Spend! Spend!"<br />Thailand, which means freedom, was called Siam until the end of the <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_17">First World</span> War. It has been ruled by the same family for centuries. Rama 1V <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_18">was the</span> first king to be educated at Oxford University, a tradition that <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_19">has been</span> followed since. His son, Rama V abolished slavery, no doubt <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_20">an unpopular</span> decision at the time. He was also responsible for building <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_21">many of</span> the palaces scattered throughout the country. Afraid that his <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_22">concubines might</span> not get along harmoniously he built a palace for each of hem. Then <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_23">he spent</span> most of his time visiting these palaces. Reputedly he was heard <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_24">to mutter</span>, "Does it get much better than this?' </div></div></div></div></div>Singermans at Seahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10608246390311242690noreply@blogger.com0