Day/Tag 37 - Entertaining the Locals at Central Parc

You might ask yourself why this is the 87 or the 88 Day? Well basically I went west on this Tripp, so I had the same day twice. Or did I? I am writing this 3 years and a couple of months after I undertook this trip. Because I needed to get my breath back after this amazing journey.

What can I tell you after some considerable reflection. Well first things first: go west, make enough stops so you don’t feel the Jetlag and bloody hell go ahead and doe it. No matter if you are 20, 40 or 80. Well definitely at 80 because what doe you have to lose? If you have not done it before? Bring your Partner or a Friend along, doe it a little les intense than I did. You don’t have to doe 18 Country’s in 3 Months. Doe them in 6 Months or doe half as many in the same or double the Time. But the important thing is doe it. Chances are you are not getting a better chance in your next life if you believe there is one. And don’t worry the next generation does not mind if you Burn the cash. It is yours after all. And if you worry invite them along. Get a god Camera. Get good gear And read a book before like I did about the country’s of this World and mark the must sees and the maybes’ and then plan and go. Leave your fingers away from around the world Tickets. I Payed less than half as much for twice as many flights but followed their rout in general. Also avid the cheapest tickets with unnecessary stops. Due to taking those we lost half a day of safary because on the first flight to Dubai there was great delays because of an accident a board and another flight was cancelled so we spent actually more than with a normal flight. I would book the flights in advance, because some Country’s like the USA won’t leave you in if you don’t have a ticket out. Wait till after Corona and get a Lounge membership that is Valid in Many Places. Forget about Frequent Flyer miles, they will cost you to Much. Book on Swoodo or Sky Scaner. Have a List of Hotels if you don’t book them ahead of time while your credit card still works for Shure. I Booked al on Booking. Com and am now a Genius level 2 Member which makes every hotel I book now about 10% cheaper

In the interest of full Disclosure I spent 7101 Dollars on Flights because of some Mistakes because I did not book al in advance doe to my ex-wife breaking up 3 months before this amazing trip that we wanted to doe together. 2700 on Hotels 720 on 3 Day on a Liver Dive Boat on the Great Barrier reef, 1381 on rental Cars with which I did 8000km was Invited on a Helicopter Flight over Victoria Falls which was well worth the Money. Spent 1875 for 7 days of Safari with a Private car and a Driver and a cook. 318 in The Amazon for a Trip in the jungle of 4 Days. About 1200 on Vaccinations. About 300 on Visas. 2000 on the Perfect Clothing and Gear and almost 6000 on a great Canon Professional Camera which I made 85 000 Pictures with in those 3 Months And about 3000.- - 4000.- for Food, Busses, Gas, Souvenirs etc. Most of the Gear I still have; I became an Amazing Photographer I believe thanks to the Canon Eos 5D Mark 4 and Sigma and Canon Lenses. So the Trip cost me about 20 000 Deducting the food which I would have to eat anyway it would have been about 18 500.  

Was It worth it. Hell yes. Not just because it let me forget about my mothers Illness and the Break Up with my Wife, but because I gained a completely new Perspective and have become a different Person. And Because I want to go Back to Kyoto, Which was by far the most amazing place of the whole Trip, Followed by Cape town and Safaris and so on.

And after Working was so slow and simple. Enjoy thew picture of my Face after the Trip on the way to the Airport in Bangkok. If you have questions feel free to contact me and if you are afraid or need an experienced planer then invite me along. I have since driven 4000 km through Scandinavia in 6 Days and have done other trips.

Marks the Penultimate day of this great Journey of a Lifetime.

A Day filled with Travel from Bagan via Mandalay to Bangkok.

In The Plane to Mandalay I sat again next to the same Monk in the First row of the little plane.

You might think they all look the same, but no they don’t 😉

In Mandalay I had a driver booked, he brought me to the Old Version of the Worlds largest book the Tripitaka tablets at Kuthadowa Pagoda, Where on 730 Marble Tablets there are 1460 Pages Hewn with the Tripitaka a Buddhist Text. Each Page is 1.53 meters Tall and 1.07 Meters Wide and resides in its own little stupa. The Bizarre thing about it is right next to it there is the same thing at the Sandamuni Pagoda with even more and larger Pages And a Wonderful Pagoda.

After this I visited Mandalay Hill with its 2 Large Lions, the View over The City and an enormous Wooden Buddha as Well as a Monestary. Where I Watched many Dragonflies Fly.

There is a lot to see in Burma as I was told on the Night before over dinner, Myanmar has 80 Million inhabitants and verry mountainous Regions where about 2000 Tourists go a year, of which about ¾ are swiss. It is the area where the woman wear chains from their ears to their noses and where the Mandalas are carved that I sell at my store, that are smuggled out of country by car to Thailand that the Military does not charge its humongous Taxes.

Afterwards my journey went on to its last destination to spend 1 Night in Bangkok the flights with Bangkok Airways where unfortunately the only ones with access to a Lounge, not that I did not try to talk myself into more but here it was included and at a verry cheap price.

And The Plane was verry memorable because on the Cockpit Windows they had these Protectors against the sun made for Cars with comic figures on it. I guess nobody ever thought to make them at a feasible Price for Planes.

After Quite a Trip from the Airport to the Siam Heritage Hotel with Pool and Amenities and a swim I went to Dinner in a street food stall and afterwards had my second night of Dancing after New York and visited the Night Market on Silom Road. But did not Watch any Ping Pong.

 

An E-scoter was the Transport of choice of the day, and as it was the first time for me I was surprised that they manage to get my combined weight together with my Luggage of almost 120kg to 40 KM/h without much problem on the flat and keep doing so for 5 Hours, after which I had to go change to one with fresh batteries.

They are really great, because the Bagan Area consists of NyangU, Old Bagan and New Bagan which are each, about 5-7 KM from each other and there are hundreds of Temples and Pagodas strewn Liberally into them and the land in Between, all about 1200 years Old and all holding one to several Buddhas. They can be nicely decorated and have wall painting. However most of the fresco is not visible anymore. And quite some temples undergo renovation since last year there was a strong earthquake.

But there is still plenty to see and if you get to one that you are still allowed to climb you will have a Breath-taking view onto the sheer amount of this countless Temples.

Again, I would say you can see most of the Bigger ones in 1-2 Days and as Travel agents Told me Over Dinner, there are many other areas of Myanmar that are worth visiting, that have much viewer Tourists and offer as much.

In Mandalay and Bagan Taxi Prices are doubling every year and this year you will pay in Mandalay at least 25 Dollars to get into town. Which is 1 hour and you might not consider as much but since a monthly salary is about 200USD and in December 2016 it was around 12 Dollars this might be seen from another Perspective. Most of the Money goes to the Military in a corrupt system.

Was another early one since it was my Day to get to Bagan in Myanmar, and since I thought the Temples were next to Mandalay I only Booked 2 Days and Nights until I figured out that I had to fly on from there to get to the main attractions on a 30 Minute flight.

So I had a 2.50 hour Layover before I could check in and when I arrived (Myanmar runs 30minutes of of Thai and Cambodia Time) It was 18.00 and Raining like crazy. And to my surprise there was a pick up there for me. With 2 Guys, one holding an Umbrella to Prevent me from getting wet.

Shortly after my arrival the rain had stopped and I walked over the flooded streets to the centre and ate at a local Restaurant, sampling Herbs and Tealeaf Salad and a Fried Pork that are all traditional. The Pork was rather Booring and I was not Shure if there was any Pork in it, but the salads where really good. After this I went to Bed early to catch up on some dire need of sleep.

This is the Ankor Wat day, and I was Picked up by the same driver at 08.00 after Breakfast of Noodles with Rice and some Cornflake’s and Fruit.

 I must mention that the Cambodians are mostly extremely friendly and have the kindest smiles I ever saw but if they want to sell you something they are also verrrry persistent. This is a very poor country so a big part of the adults and kids that you will encounter will try to sell you something. It will usually cost a dollar but you can have it for half that. This might sound bad, but it is a Free market and they chose to sell to you at what price they can get. Tuk Tuks are normally 2 Dollars but they will try to charge you 3USD. You will have noticed I quote Prices in Dollars. That is because they don’t like their own currency. But be aware, like in Myanmar (where Kya, their own Currency is mainly accepted) the Dollar’s have to be spotless, fold less, tearless and in MINT CONDITION, otherwise they wont be accepted, Period.

 

When you arrive at Wat you will cross the 170Meter wide Moat over a new floating Pier, Then you enter the first wall which you can follow inside counter clockwise. Ankor was built by Hindus but later overtaken by Buddhists so on the wall you find Hindu Paintings and Buddha Statues. There are 3-4 Walls, each wal Smaller and some ways from each other, the innermost is around a 66Meter high Tower, that you can get up top. If you want to do so go straight there from the entry because a line of 30-60 Minutes will start Forming sometime before nine without shade. Normally it is around 33 Degree. This year it is 38 and even the Local Police man are complaining and Using fans to stay comfortable.

 Ankor Wat, Ankor Thom, Bayon and the other Temples, are Huge and Impressive. But still you can make the Mayor Central ones easily in 1 Day. I was Done and had seen enough for a day at 14.30 and we headed to the Nearby Lake, which is the Biggest in Southeast Asia and only exists in the Rainy season, when It is Dry it gets really small, at its Deepest point it is 6 Meters and therefore Houses that exist in it are Built on Stilts and you can Charter a Boat which is a Wooden Boat with a Car Engine with Car controls added for 30USD, this will Fit Probably 15 People, but since I was alone and they want to make money I had to get one myself. Which was quite an experience not only due to the fact that for a tech Buff they are interesting.

But we had a 13 Year old Co-pilot who was actually steering the thing, even after we Hocked on a Local Boat with about 30 People on Board that had Engine Problem. The Town was interesting and full of Life and after we had a look at the sunset out on the Open Lake, until the Town there are Mangroves. Then I did the same evening Program but without Massage.

In the Morning I had Stomach cramps and woke up early and then saw Online that the Peak, the House mountain of HK is quite close and that I could probably get up there with the Tram.

I asked reception if I could hoof it, but they said it would take to long and the double Decker Tram would Take long because of Traffic now during Rush-hour to.
I went out and wanted to walk, but then remembered that Cabs are cheap and jumped in Front of the next. It cost 24HKD= 3USD and I was there in 5 Minutes. Took the Tram which was almost empty to the Top and then took the walk around the Peak instead of going all the way to the top because I was told there was no view up. The view was amazing on the 2.8k Morning Trail but after about 2/3 I got Flapping because I had left the Hotel at 08.12 and would fly at 11.55 to Cambodia and it was well past 9 but I had no clue how far I was from the station because my satnav went nuts.

Soon later signs came, informing me that 800meters where left. I arrived just as the Train left, so I got another drink and some Breki and then thought the Train must be down but went to check luckily because it had already come back up. When I was down I grabbed a cab to make Shure I would make it and arrived at the AP 15 minutes before closing of Check in.  The Check in was Tedious and I was not able to get the counter woman to give me an emergency Exit for free which I am usually able to due when turning on my charm. She was dazzled though and Ripped up the Ticket that was Correct instead of the one she made wrong.

And on I went to Cambodia. Just 3 Country’s to go in 6 Days…. And if the Luggage is actually here then probably I will make it Back without major glitches armed with Countless Magnificent experiences that nobody can take away from me. 

The luggage arrived and I made my way out of the Airport looking for my TukTuk that was free with the hotel stay. The guy was really there and was really helpful, and tried to take my bag from me until he felt the weight and then we shared carrying it, each gripping a handle.

After Arrival I went on a Private tour in the Direction of Ankor wat and arrived there at 15.30. My Guide advised me to wait with Buying a Ticket until 16.30, since then I would only have to pay for 1 Day, which is 38USD and 2 Days 62 USD. To spend the Time we walked the Market for the locals that is outside and was just being set up since it is a night market. Besides very Tasty normal fare, I found out there that in Cambodia the following are considered Delicacy’s: Cow Nail soup, Scorpions (not the Band), Snackes, Bugs, Frogs etc. 

After this tour up and down the road we walked by a Display of Beatocellos Show, Dr Beat Richner is a Swiss Doctor that has set up and founded several children’s hospitals in Cambodia that serve Children for free and one source of income is him playing every Saturday night his Cello show at the local arena. My driver was very fond of him and feels him to be a saint.

After some waiting we were sold the Ticket and then went to 1 Temple where we had a look at the Sunset from the Top. After this I let the Driver bring me to Bar street, close to which I had a local Dinner followed by a massage and then went to Bed.

I went to change the Battery of the Bike and wanted to go to the gate Temple, the one on top of the Hill and to the food market but Only managed the 2 Temples with the e-bike in 4 Hours. Since they where at least as astonishing as the ones seen on the first day. The Gate Temple has over a 1000 gates of about 250x300cm Size that are over a Path that leaves on top of a mountain. Which I could not completely ascend because it is quite a high and long one, about 50% of the Zürichberg from the Lake in Comparison and what most people don’t see because the inscriptions are on the Backsides of the gates, all gates have inscriptions, and as I understood they are offerings of the Believers, smaller ones can be bought and offered as well and if you Buy a Large one I think they will erect it once an other one has fallen down. The place being here since close to 1300 years. After I pedalled up the hill to the “most famous” temple of the lot. Unfortunately the main structure is getting renovated but the 4 larger Side structures and all the other things are quite nice as well.

After this visit I made my way to the Hotel to pick up the Backpack and Hopped on the Train to the Osaka Airport after returning the Bike, at the same Time supervising via Whatsapp the Loading of a Furniture container in Bali. I am Writing this on my flight to HongKong, having started the last week of my Trip.

I arrived in HK with less Time on my hands since I went after a story my father once told me that the airport of HK is smack of the middle of the City. Since I am getting older to that might have been true at the Time but is not anymore, so it was a rather short Trip. After I arrived with the Airport Express in Central it was 22.00 and the Delicatessen in the Station just closed its doors. I followed the signs to the pier and it was hot and very humid outside. I walked on the Footbridge to the Pier and went down the stairs as I wanted to walk to the Hotel, which was not to hard since the Airline had checked my Big bag straight through to Cambodia and just as I came out from under the Bridge, about 5 meters out it started raining. So I bought a drink and a Sandwich and went back up to the Amazing Skyline. And when I was halfway to the station again it stopped raining and I went down again. What hit me is, I never felt as small and insignificant as in HK. I Visited Large City’s on this Trip but in New York or Tokyo there are not so many freestanding Skyscrapers and not enough space to see them individually so it was quite an experience. Next followed the double decker Trams. I walked among alleys towards the Hotel and about 150 Meters before my arrival the Humidity spiked and was Probably as High as I ever Felt around 90%+. I entered the Hotel Lobby were the AC was on Full blast and the Windows where fogged and had perspiration running down. Because of this I stayed in and unfortunately the Soundproofing of the Travelodge is very strange.

I went to rent an e-bike and was able to convince them to rent the last one to me which was the Family Version with 2 Child Seats, 1 Ideal for my Camera Back pack. And then Made the 60 minute ride towards the Famous Bamboo Grove. On the way I had an excellent Japanese Burger and then Pedalled on, to get to the Grove you make your way through the Temple which was Incredible and offered a very serene lake and Parc. To get here I already came by 3 memorable Temples. To be upfront. The Problem of Kyoto is Time. This is where the emperors of Japan lived for over 1000 years and they left an incredible Mark. Leaving aside of what you personally think of UNESCO World Heritage sides here are some statistics.

There are a little over 1000 sites globally on all continents. Italy has the Most with 57, Switzerland has 11 and Japan 21, on the List of Country’s in Ranking Kyoto would make up place number 15 having 18 Sites, making up almost 2% of them. All the ones I saw are astonishing and is by far the most amazing place I have ever seen. If you want to go at a Healthy place take at least a week in Kyoto to scratch the surface of what there is to see. As there are about as many Temples in this City as there are Tram Stops in Zürich and it is a large place that has many Other things to offer, like shopping, thousands of Restaurants, the Majority of the Japanese Green Tea Production, which is exquisite in itself. And Much more. The Time-consuming thing besides the distances is that not all destinations are connected by direct Public Transport. Which is no Issue if you have Time.  And of course the fact, that even if you want to go fast, this Places are so diverse and Magnificent and Spectacular and have such great attention to detail that it will take more time to Visit them than you first planed. 3 a day will keep the doctor away. More is a hassle. Temples Close at 17.00 but some are accessible and illuminated after Dark. And I had to leave Out 1 to Make it to the Golden Temple which I reached in the golden hour which made for amazing Pictures.

After I drove by the Imperial Palace, where I realized even behind the closed gates why the 1 in Tokyo is only second rate compared to this, as it is with many transferred capitals. Then I went by the river and a full day of Cycling decided it was Time for a Brew at the River.

Since you have to get to the River Restaurants from a road about 100 Meters away from the River and most of the have only Japanese signs I landed in a small local place without river view. There I had courses of Sashimi and different Japanese Meat Skewers as Well as some Sake. After I road through Gion again and then up the Mountain to the most famous temple which was not accessible and only Partly visible which I came to accept after pedalling up from 3 sides up the steep hills.

Which concluded the 80 est Day or my around the World Trip.

This was the transfer Day to Kyoto. First I placed my bag in a locker at the Market and then went to information. Finding out that there are 2 sections of the Market. The small capacity one for the general Public and the Wholesale part that I wanted to see, where if you arrive at 4.30 am you can see the famous Tuna Auction and then if you got 1 of the 120 spaces available also eat the freshest Sushi available to non Fisherman. Tourist information told me that while the whole market is open on every normal Saturday, this was a national holiday and so only part of the general public outside section would be open. I strolled through the very crowded alleys which were mainly made of fish restaurants, and bought some fresh Raisin Bread and ate it since my stomach was a little queasy.

After I had made two rounds I went down a small alley and saw a Restaurant with a promising Text about Master sushi Makers outside, and went in. They offered my a seat in the Side room, where 4 Masters in Ties were Preparing different kinds of Sushi at light speed. Which other than in Europe has the Wasabi built inside as to your specification. I ordered the 3 Tuna Nigri Sushi and was amazed by the taste, not being a Sushi fan. I liked the Lean Tuna the best, there was 3 Pieces each in lean, medium fat and fat tuna which are very distinctive each. While I ate, Piles of Different Sushi and Sashimi Boards were created in front of my eyes and the one Master was very Outgoing for a local, and we conversed in the limited Language ability we possessed using our vocabulary that consisted of about 7 words of English on his side and 3 in Japanese on my side. The Japanese are extremely reserved and composed during the day and have a wild side after they had a view Glasses which they quite Regularly due, so around sunset you meet the other side of this Country’s population. I made my way to the Train station and bought a Shinkansen Ticket after, in the Hope to see Mount Fuji from the Train. The Bullet Trains depart every 10 Minutes to almost all the large City’s. If your Ticket is unreserved you stand in a cue on the Platform and if it is to full to get on you await the next train. Unfortunately for Fuji it was to Overcast and the top 60% were in the Clouds.

In Kyoto I arrived shortly before 17.00 and checked into the Nihokan Rinkansen close to the Station. A Rinkansen is a Traditional Jap. Hotel with strict Rules, Tatami Mats, Showers in the Cellar and Toilets on the Floor to share and a 23.00-06.00 Curfiew where no one leaves as well as no shoes beyond the front door. Which led to the Funny scene of about 80 slipper of Jap Size and the 2 Dedicated Monster sized  for me at Check in Time just at the entrance.

After settling in I went for the Sunset to the Kyoto Tower which has a Platform at 100 Meters and since there are no real skyscrapers among the Temples here that is enough to see far.

After I had a walk towards Gion, the Geisha area, where I found out where the Red Lights in red-light Districts where invented. On the way there I saw some mazing Temples and then had a Dinner of Traditional Kyoto Cutlet made from Wagyu Beef and was blown away by this Place. Then I hurried back via Metro to make my 23.00 Curfew without having spotted a real Geisha.