tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-49031942956226589762024-03-13T13:02:47.671-07:00Food and Culture MixFOOD. CULTURE. PEOPLE. PLACES.
These are main ingredients that make life more delicious.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.comBlogger39125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-41597636884597242432012-03-26T04:36:00.002-07:002012-04-20T04:41:10.649-07:00No Longer Have To Be Lost In Translation<div style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;">
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img alt="Image Detail" height="320" src="http://us.123rf.com/400wm/400/400/michaeldb/michaeldb1001/michaeldb100100016/6218407-global-people-say-hello-world-as-symbols-of-language-translation.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="320" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">*Courtesy of Google Image</td></tr>
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My last trip to Bangladesh was only for week but, still, I found it helpful to learn few useful Bengali phrases to help make that important connection with the local people. I only need to sit down with my local friend and had her teach me for less than an hour. My little notebook then became handy as I traveled around the country. <br />
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But what about if you've moving long-term to a new country with a different language from your own? That's another story, and I had mine to share as I've moved to live in 3 different countries already and have done formal studies for 3 languages: Mandarin, Bahasa Melayu, and Thai.<br />
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On the first 2 weeks we arrived in China, we stayed in a hotel while we searched for an apartment. My heart would leap each time I hear a knock on the door. I didn't want to answer the door. On the second week everybody sounded like buzzing bees to me! I'm no longer hearing words or even syllables. Nobody spoke English and I felt so lost in translation! Culture shock had started to sink in. Thank God, soon I was able to enroll myself in a formal class where I had to attend daily. Language Learning is not easy but can be a lot of fun, too. Once you get at least the basic of the local language, life overseas becomes more meaningful and less stressful. The more language I study, the less difficult it becomes.<br />
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But then, there are those who don't want to go through the pain of studying another language, or even if they do, they don't have the time to do it. Well, they have the choice really not to because they can get <a href="http://www.rosettatranslation.com/">translations services</a> when necessary. I know of friends who thrive in another country without learning the language and they do as well.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-82943755483385610832012-03-01T08:40:00.003-08:002013-03-10T17:03:03.478-07:00Countryside Holiday<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this photo in July 2011 when we drove to the countryside for a day of rest.</td></tr>
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I live in one of the largest city in the world, and I work very hard. Though love my life in the city and my work, I crave for a <a href="http://www.homeaway.co.uk/">countryside holiday</a> from time to time. This time, I pray for a real long break!<br />
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Life in a big city, though fast and convenient, sucks a lot of my natural energy. It's not just the demand from work but more so the noise and air pollution; not to mention the morally polluted sights you get to see everyday in a fast-growing modern city. Do I need to mention the heavy traffic jam, too? You bet, I'm sounding really needing a break ASAP!<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403280_368475396502153_100000190880523_1619904_1485374491_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403280_368475396502153_100000190880523_1619904_1485374491_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">I took this photo when I thought I lost my daughter and her Dad <br />
until I found them on this boat.</td></tr>
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Now that school holiday is coming up, it would be the best time to plan a family get-away. I know the children are needing it as much as I do. They surely want to forget school for a bit and just had fun out in the sun or spending lazy days indoor with lots of movies to watch and board games to win. My children love school but I think they like <a href="http://www.homeaway.co.uk/">school holidays</a> more :-)<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My littlest girl always finds nature amusing.</td></tr>
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Holiday doesn't have have to be expensive. It only needs careful and creative planning, and if you're resourceful, you'll find inexpensive deals for <a href="http://www.homeaway.co.uk/">holiday cottages</a>. Even if you couldn't find cheaper deals, I'm sure you and your family deserve the most expensive holiday you can afford. And I'm trying to convince myself here.<br />
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>"Rest when you're weary. </i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Refresh and renew yourself, your</i></b></span></span><br />
<b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><i>body, your mind, your spirit. </i></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><i>Then get back to work."</i></b></span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 11px; line-height: 14px; text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">-- Ralph Marston</span></span></div>
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Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-70452666677101872732012-01-28T06:53:00.000-08:002012-01-28T07:02:23.191-08:00Next Destination: Orlando Florida<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpLIGYet0pc/TyQEG_ps5ZI/AAAAAAAAAhc/U4LgVbnkG20/s1600/SAM_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BpLIGYet0pc/TyQEG_ps5ZI/AAAAAAAAAhc/U4LgVbnkG20/s320/SAM_1612.JPG" width="178" /></a></div>I never dreamed of going to Disneyland but my sweet husband surprised me by securing 2 tickets for my 40th birthday. So we went and had fun. I thought it was a good way of saying goodbye to the younger half of my life.<br />
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My daughters were more excited to hear that we were actually in Disneyland when we called them. They thought we were only on a business trip to Hong Kong. I thought so, too. But life is indeed full of surprises!<br />
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Hopefully, we'll be able to take the girls with us so they also get to meet Belle and Aurora, and other Disney characters on our next trip. This time I would not be surprised if I found myself in Disney World in Orlando Florida. Aside from the fact that I have friends and relatives to visit there, I found out via <a href="http://facebook.com/thingstodoinorlando">Facebook</a> that there are lots of things to do in Florida. So that's not an odd thing to start thinking about it now and checking <a href="http://www.orlandoescape.com/">Orlando Hotels</a> for our future accommodation. Dreaming is a good thing!<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSeVjpvgdxs/TyQDwk2fcpI/AAAAAAAAAhM/NiwfoqZlKBY/s1600/SAM_1675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSeVjpvgdxs/TyQDwk2fcpI/AAAAAAAAAhM/NiwfoqZlKBY/s400/SAM_1675.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
While waiting to get to our next destination, let me share some photos from our trip to Disneyland Resort in Hong Kong.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTKGjv-oF_8/TyQDj4MC85I/AAAAAAAAAhE/Nsocx1dnoes/s1600/SAM_1567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fTKGjv-oF_8/TyQDj4MC85I/AAAAAAAAAhE/Nsocx1dnoes/s400/SAM_1567.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPMTEyRGCo8/TyQDaBEvf8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/dPrfMIkl1yE/s1600/SAM_1579.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WPMTEyRGCo8/TyQDaBEvf8I/AAAAAAAAAg8/dPrfMIkl1yE/s400/SAM_1579.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bs9zX7vKaMg/TyQD7encEvI/AAAAAAAAAhU/wiFE6uo5ZsE/s1600/SAM_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-bs9zX7vKaMg/TyQD7encEvI/AAAAAAAAAhU/wiFE6uo5ZsE/s400/SAM_1613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-62060341291296281962012-01-19T07:31:00.000-08:002012-01-21T21:17:44.190-08:00The Yummiest Cheesecake<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzefmGGIJLA/Txgx_wyVeAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/h2tSz07hpKk/s1600/101PHOTO.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wzefmGGIJLA/Txgx_wyVeAI/AAAAAAAAAg0/h2tSz07hpKk/s400/101PHOTO.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
I was glad when I found a place to enjoy a slice of yummy blueberry cheesecake without spending much. Though it's a favorite, I seldom have it because I haven't tried making it by myself, and it is not always affordable. So we ordered a slice the last time our family went out for dinner. A slice was rich enough to satisfy the cravings of four of us. It's not as good as Secret Recipe's in Malaysia but after some time of not having a cheesecake here in Thailand, I thought it was the yummiest :-)<br />
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I wonder how cheesecakes taste in Greece as it is said that the earliest attested mention of a cheesecake is by a Greek physician who wrote a book on the art of making cheesecakes. It's been a popular dessert in Ancient Greece before the Romans adopted it with the conquest of Greece.[Source: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cheesecake">Wikipedia</a>]<br />
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Nowadays, there are many different varieties of cheesecakes around the world. Baked or unbaked. Sweetened by sugar and flavored or topped by fruits. The presentation differs, too. But however it is done or presented, I would enjoy it all the same!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;">Shared for <a href="http://www.atasteofmylife.com/">Yummy Sunday</a>.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-23017936572441197152012-01-05T07:04:00.000-08:002012-01-07T02:58:06.995-08:00One-Stop Shopping Around the World<a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/392196_353022268047466_100000190880523_1572153_2065488632_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/392196_353022268047466_100000190880523_1572153_2065488632_n.jpg" width="240" /></a><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166909_353013141381712_100000190880523_1572062_985299647_n.jpg" imageanchor="1"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/166909_353013141381712_100000190880523_1572062_985299647_n.jpg" width="240" /></a> <br />
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Terminal 21 is the newest tourist destination in Bangkok. It's big. It's modern. And it's a big hit!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/388288_353021544714205_100000190880523_1572144_1625266360_n.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from one of it's glass wall on the 3rd floor.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Terminal 21, an "airport-shopping" themed gigantic mall is conveniently located at the heart of Asoke-Sukhumvit. So if you're in Bangkok and you feel like you want to be in many places with your limited time, come to Terminal 21 and it takes to you the street market of Tokyo, Paris, Rome, San Francisco, London, Istanbul, Hollywood and the Carribean.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399543_358674874148125_100000168452262_1739739_545517872_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/389962_353017471381279_100000190880523_1572115_1278925497_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/403070_358675717481374_100000168452262_1739758_213382809_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/397676_353016098048083_100000190880523_1572094_587513036_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/383860_353016348048058_100000190880523_1572099_24375730_n.jpg" width="240" /> </a><img height="320" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/402132_358679880814291_100000168452262_1739817_1737178237_n.jpg" width="240" /> </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/387409_353013018048391_100000190880523_1572061_613473921_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/387409_353013018048391_100000190880523_1572061_613473921_n.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/376039_353014701381556_100000190880523_1572076_736523842_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/386402_353018381381188_100000190880523_1572122_504682420_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; text-align: center;"><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">T</span><a href="http://www.3travelholics.com/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;">uesday Travel</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;">Our World Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span"><a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; text-decoration: none;">Ruby Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/" style="background-color: white; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">White Wednesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> <a href="http://vanity.gmirage.com/">Thursday Brownies </a> </span></span></b></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div></div></div></div></div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-85490901521853739062011-12-27T07:19:00.000-08:002011-12-27T18:37:30.075-08:00Silverlake Vineyard in Pattaya, Thailand<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/387930_342790155737344_100000190880523_1529356_267803583_n.jpg" style="cursor: move;" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Silverlake Vineyard in Pattaya is just less than 2-hour drive from Bangkok. So, if you happen to be visiting Thailand, it's a good thing to consider this place as part of your itinerary.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: left;">It felt like a little visit to Europe when my family and friends went there. No wonder why local people like to visit this place because it's really like going outside of Thailand in an instant.</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">The gorgeous landscape is a real treat...</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">...and, of course, the beautiful lake!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;">It also has flower gardens that children and adults will truly appreciate.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/399446_338507869496592_100000121444486_1499114_96700155_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">They also have several spots where couples enjoy taking their photos.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-snc7/384471_342799902403036_100000190880523_1529452_150607120_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">My girls find the place fun and exciting!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="https://fbcdn-sphotos-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/385566_342798722403154_100000190880523_1529438_1146956369_n.jpg" width="400" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">The tour to the vineyard was my highlight. We got to taste a sample of their sweet grapes. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">We had so much fun and I couldn't believe this place has no entrance fee! </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"><br />
</span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;">T</span><a href="http://www.3travelholics.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; text-decoration: none;">uesday Travel</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; text-decoration: none;">Our World Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; text-decoration: none;">Ruby Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white;"> </span></span></b><b style="text-align: -webkit-auto;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/" style="background-color: white; color: #6f6f6f; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">White Wednesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; text-align: center;"> </span></span></b></div><br />
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</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-38677525613742406652011-12-14T03:39:00.000-08:002011-12-14T07:14:42.160-08:00Penang, My Favorite Island in Malaysia<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>"<i>Selamat datang ke Pulau Pinang</i>!"<br />
That's the warm welcome one would see on billboards and road signs once arriving in Penang.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxKYz1C3Yxk/Tuh7IsGyf5I/AAAAAAAAAfM/pWzn1yHvfjQ/s1600/100_1470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wxKYz1C3Yxk/Tuh7IsGyf5I/AAAAAAAAAfM/pWzn1yHvfjQ/s400/100_1470.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far view of Penang on a ferry boat from Butterworth</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
Penang (<i>Pulau Pinang</i> translated as Island of Palm) is the second smallest Malaysian state yet it is highly urbanized and industrialized, and is one of the most developed and economically important state of the country. How do I know this? Well, I was blessed to have lived there for almost 3 years.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9XKA2ldcbQ/Tuh7Lj1oTVI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-d8TzXqPwEo/s1600/100_1469.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-L9XKA2ldcbQ/Tuh7Lj1oTVI/AAAAAAAAAfc/-d8TzXqPwEo/s400/100_1469.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view from Butterworth side</td></tr>
</tbody></table>The last time I visited the island with my family, we took the international train (22 hours) from Bangkok to Butterworth where we took a ferry boat to the island for about 15 minutes.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8pkRxQOtFA/Tuh7VV2kGDI/AAAAAAAAAfk/SiiMbGBWnDw/s1600/100_1474.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-i8pkRxQOtFA/Tuh7VV2kGDI/AAAAAAAAAfk/SiiMbGBWnDw/s400/100_1474.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry boat from Butterworth to Penang Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOMM7Gy8A8o/Tuh7drU3ZYI/AAAAAAAAAfs/F7VHtc0Kftk/s1600/100_1501.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dOMM7Gy8A8o/Tuh7drU3ZYI/AAAAAAAAAfs/F7VHtc0Kftk/s400/100_1501.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ferry dock of Penang Island</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Penang, which capital is Georgetown, is a home to 3 major ethnic groups: Malay, Chinese, and Indian. It's such a colorful and beautiful mix of culture!<br />
<br />
Here are some photos I took on our last visit:<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSFf0QYE1JM/Tuh70Aa8IWI/AAAAAAAAAf0/UgCJQQfa2gc/s1600/100_1503.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hSFf0QYE1JM/Tuh70Aa8IWI/AAAAAAAAAf0/UgCJQQfa2gc/s400/100_1503.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the interesting Chinese structure in the island.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbo4so9hcew/Tuh76WNd9-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/wyBzhhRxeaI/s1600/100_1548.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vbo4so9hcew/Tuh76WNd9-I/AAAAAAAAAf8/wyBzhhRxeaI/s400/100_1548.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My daughter standing along Gurney drive.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhxcvEBI3hg/Tuh8BNQJClI/AAAAAAAAAgE/gYmFjIZBicA/s1600/100_1518.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZhxcvEBI3hg/Tuh8BNQJClI/AAAAAAAAAgE/gYmFjIZBicA/s400/100_1518.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Far view (from Bayan Lepas) of the second longest bridge in Asia, about 13.5 km.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>One of the major reasons why I love visiting the island is the FOOD. It's after all the food haven of the country.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UdJaCMCZZE/Tuh8EyNPCnI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Bk-e9CS7xUo/s1600/100_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-2UdJaCMCZZE/Tuh8EyNPCnI/AAAAAAAAAgM/Bk-e9CS7xUo/s400/100_1512.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roti Canai for breakfast from an Indian restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_uwMhGNfCg/Tuh8R21j6qI/AAAAAAAAAgc/oPz542i_INk/s1600/100_1571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_uwMhGNfCg/Tuh8R21j6qI/AAAAAAAAAgc/oPz542i_INk/s400/100_1571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sumptuous Chinese lunch at Chicken Rice restaurant.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNk6oqinJ5g/Tuh8bQynoTI/AAAAAAAAAgk/mn8pVlEGou0/s1600/100_1528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DNk6oqinJ5g/Tuh8bQynoTI/AAAAAAAAAgk/mn8pVlEGou0/s400/100_1528.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying supper with our packs (bungkos) from Nasi Pelita. Best eaten by hand!</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> T</span><a href="http://www.3travelholics.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">uesday Travel</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Our World Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"> </span><a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center; text-decoration: none;">Ruby Tuesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"> </span></span></b></div><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">White Wednesday</a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"> </span><a href="http://www.foodtripfriday.net/" style="background-color: white; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Friday Food Trip</a></span></b><br />
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</b>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-34116870010595230032011-12-06T09:22:00.000-08:002011-12-06T09:27:54.556-08:00Manila Skyline And Davao's Famous Chicken Bar-b-Que<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J73KHCxOI9I/Tt5BgBDg1VI/AAAAAAAAAdc/Z1EqMJH5pVk/s1600/100_9289.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-J73KHCxOI9I/Tt5BgBDg1VI/AAAAAAAAAdc/Z1EqMJH5pVk/s400/100_9289.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">By looking at this picture, I can tell when we last visited the Philippines. </div><div style="text-align: center;">It was in 2009, the time when there was an N1H1 scare. </div><div style="text-align: center;">So we all wore masks from Bangkok to Manila. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYebMw_a7vY/Tt5GAeNvMwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/iY-7F04HCr4/s1600/100_9571.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-xYebMw_a7vY/Tt5GAeNvMwI/AAAAAAAAAe0/iY-7F04HCr4/s400/100_9571.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Top view of Manila from my window.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Nothing beats the feeling of seeing your home country again. </div><div style="text-align: center;">Excitement made me want to jump out from the window.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vDXhJl8xqU/Tt5GX7BqjjI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yxSPyOiHbEk/s1600/100_9570.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7vDXhJl8xqU/Tt5GX7BqjjI/AAAAAAAAAfE/yxSPyOiHbEk/s400/100_9570.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Manila is the capital city of the Philippines </div><div style="text-align: center;">and is the most densely populated city in the world according to Wikipedia. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(Hmmm...that made me think again after <a href="http://foodandculturemix.blogspot.com/2011/10/lets-fly-from-bangkok-to-dhaka.html">I've seen in Dhaka</a>.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNDUDwSPb58/Tt5CEvzn2qI/AAAAAAAAAd0/tK3_rsKwx5I/s1600/100_9576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-zNDUDwSPb58/Tt5CEvzn2qI/AAAAAAAAAd0/tK3_rsKwx5I/s400/100_9576.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"> One thing that made me sad, though, on this homecoming was the gray skyline of Manila.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5YEz9-2imw/Tt5CHLckC6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/pAqAAkazZqA/s1600/100_9578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Q5YEz9-2imw/Tt5CHLckC6I/AAAAAAAAAeE/pAqAAkazZqA/s400/100_9578.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">I think it was good that we arrived wearing masks.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">After few happy days in Manila, we flew to our home city, Davao City.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfBxh60SWKE/Tt5BpzM8xxI/AAAAAAAAAdk/zFqn46U3oc0/s1600/100_9320.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfBxh60SWKE/Tt5BpzM8xxI/AAAAAAAAAdk/zFqn46U3oc0/s400/100_9320.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">One can tell how the excitement was building up, and we were no longer wearing masks.</div><div style="text-align: center;">Davao City, though used to be the largest city in the world by land area, is not as populated as Manila<br />
and so the air is cleaner.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uValDq3_LyI/Tt5EPXE6doI/AAAAAAAAAec/YkDK1ecfZJs/s1600/100_9467.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uValDq3_LyI/Tt5EPXE6doI/AAAAAAAAAec/YkDK1ecfZJs/s400/100_9467.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">The food is fresher and cheaper. </div><div style="text-align: center;">(I hope I do not appear ethnocentric to say that.)</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcXvRialcVE/Tt5EUXgAhRI/AAAAAAAAAek/bqmRuwp_Xek/s1600/100_9448.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KcXvRialcVE/Tt5EUXgAhRI/AAAAAAAAAek/bqmRuwp_Xek/s400/100_9448.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Aside from seafood and tropical fruits like durian, mango and mangosteen, </div><div style="text-align: center;">when visiting the Davao City, one should not miss trying it's famous native chicken bar-b-que.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkWZKZugTsk/Tt5EbfT6tpI/AAAAAAAAAes/c7enYZ9hgWc/s1600/100_9446.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WkWZKZugTsk/Tt5EbfT6tpI/AAAAAAAAAes/c7enYZ9hgWc/s400/100_9446.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">It's a delectable experience that one should come back for more.</div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKRKjPh_9wQ/Tt5CJkij_2I/AAAAAAAAAeU/I8rrVyBb3-s/s1600/100_9586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="205" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lKRKjPh_9wQ/Tt5CJkij_2I/AAAAAAAAAeU/I8rrVyBb3-s/s400/100_9586.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">It was a rather short holiday for the family,<br />
but the kids were happy to have visited the Philippines, </div><div style="text-align: center;">and are now looking forward to our next visit.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
<br />
T<a href="http://www.3travelholics.com/">uesday Travel</a> <a href="http://www.foodtripfriday.net/">Friday Food Trip</a><br />
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</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-71210077870122970142011-12-05T23:06:00.000-08:002011-12-05T23:19:33.512-08:00Fireworks For The King of Thailand<div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The king of Thailand, his majesty King Bhumibol Adulyadej or Rama IX, celebrated his 84th birthday yesterday, December 5th, 2011. His majesty King Bhumibol is the longest serving monarch in the history of Thailand and in the world. He was crowned king of Thailand on May 5, 1950.</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><br />
</div><div style="color: black; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: medium; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;">The king's birthday is an event used by his loyal subjects to express their love and respect to him. It is a big national celebration where public places and structures are lavishly decorated with flags and lights, and his pictures. Parks are also richly adorned with flowers.<br />
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Fireworks is also one of the highlights which people are looking forward to witness during the king's birthday. For this year's celebration, it is obvious that ceremonies and decorations are less grand than before because of the recent flood that troubled the country. Nevertheless, I would say that the fireworks last night at the King's Park (<i>Suan Luang</i>, Bangkok) was far grander than last year. I took a full 8-minute video of the spectacular event so I didn't get any still shots. BUT I have photos of last year to share.</div><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_rSPCgyUO_0E/TQDnBgUTnVI/AAAAAAAAC0Y/FjFMPrxLEi8/s400/SAM_7419.JPG" width="336" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDo5Nn-W9I/AAAAAAAACIQ/zNAuaf4veeQ/s400/SAM_7431.JPG" /> </div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpJcrHpbI/AAAAAAAACIk/zDYCt4HyPQA/s400/SAM_7445.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpNIxqotI/AAAAAAAACIo/nah1MR9L6XA/s400/SAM_7446.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpQWlOvVI/AAAAAAAACIs/1_DUkSbpYeI/s400/SAM_7447.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpTvdRxOI/AAAAAAAACIw/mVxNpeVuul4/s400/SAM_7449.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpDwQu3rI/AAAAAAAACIc/6hGhvx1iXHk/s1600/SAM_7441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TQDpDwQu3rI/AAAAAAAACIc/6hGhvx1iXHk/s400/SAM_7441.JPG" width="400" /></a></div> <br />
<div style="text-align: left;"> </div><a href="http://ourworldtuesdaymeme.blogspot.com/">Our World Tuesday</a> <a href="http://workofthepoet.blogspot.com/">Ruby Tuesday</a> <a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/">White Wednesday</a> <br />
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</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-23858981800874586372011-12-03T10:56:00.000-08:002011-12-04T09:33:17.654-08:00Durian Halo Halo..The Best In Davao City<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSToUOKU3s4/TtpreiwvOxI/AAAAAAAAAcc/fBdbWX1UaS8/s1600/SAM_1806.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xSToUOKU3s4/TtpreiwvOxI/AAAAAAAAAcc/fBdbWX1UaS8/s400/SAM_1806.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
The last time I was in the Philippines, I had the chance to visit Davao city for 3 days. My niece insisted that i should try the best durian halo-halo in town so she took me and my son to Matina Town Square where we bought this yummiest treat.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlq2Y4TpGto/TtprfTiVwfI/AAAAAAAAAck/kJcuS9yzolY/s1600/SAM_1807.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wlq2Y4TpGto/TtprfTiVwfI/AAAAAAAAAck/kJcuS9yzolY/s400/SAM_1807.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><br />
It's a beautiful mix of finely shaved ice, durian jam, nata de coco, pinipig, durian icecream, and evaporated milk for only P100 (approx $2.50)!<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAFgclB-VDQ/TtprdWPP6LI/AAAAAAAAAcU/RIcTsxEq_Xc/s1600/SAM_1808.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XAFgclB-VDQ/TtprdWPP6LI/AAAAAAAAAcU/RIcTsxEq_Xc/s400/SAM_1808.jpg" width="300" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My son and my niece with their take-home midnight dessert.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">We drove home happy. And now, as I'm typing this post, I'm actually drooling, haha!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;">Davao City is known for its durian products such as durian candies and jams. Some people are not fond of durian but if they get to try this special halo-halo, I'm sure they will learn to appreciate the king of fruit.</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Hmmm, I can actually smell it now!</div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.atasteofmylife.com/">Yummy Sunday</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-81848167950732655972011-11-29T18:58:00.000-08:002011-11-29T19:08:57.607-08:00St. Martin Villas – The Perfect Luxury Rentals for Affluent Foodies<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4HywktaLFg/TtWbVMNBS_I/AAAAAAAAAb0/T1PvdEEdMy0/s1600/View+of+Amber%252C+a+luxury+villa+in+St.+Martin%252C+Caribbean.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z4HywktaLFg/TtWbVMNBS_I/AAAAAAAAAb0/T1PvdEEdMy0/s400/View+of+Amber%252C+a+luxury+villa+in+St.+Martin%252C+Caribbean.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(View of Amber, a luxury villa in St. Martin, Caribbean)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">Even among the many distinct and vivid islands of the Caribbean, St. Martin is something of an unusual place. Featuring two distinct cultures on the separate sections of the island, St. Martin has developed a pair of identities that complement, strengthen, and generally support each other… and also some of the best food in the entire Caribbean. Let’s take a look at this unique destination, and why it might just be the very best choice for foodies who care about what they eat when they’re looking for <a href="http://www.lacurevillas.com/"><b>luxury rentals</b></a>.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When the words ‘food’ and ‘Caribbean’ are used together, many people think of Jamaica, with its robust flavors and original recipes. St. Martin, however, has been significantly influenced by two different European cultures at the same time, and one of the most notable effects of this is a major impact on the local cuisine. Taking ideas about food from Europe and mixing them in with Caribbean ingredients has helped to create a number of unique dishes on the island that simply aren’t the same anywhere else. And this, of course, is where the luxury villas come into play.</span></div><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;"> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif; line-height: 115%;">To begin with, <a href="http://www.lacurevillas.com/caribbean/st-martin"><b>St. Martin villas</b></a> often offer the services of a private chef. Luxury villas come standard with a fully functional kitchen, so you can observe meals being prepared by a professional chef, using quality local ingredients, in your very own rented kitchen. This provides a rare opportunity to talk about food with somebody who truly knows what they’re doing with local things. You can hear about where to </span></span> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">find the best ingredients in the area, ways to prepare things you might never have thought of, and even what goes good together and what doesn’t. For a true foodie, however, this is only the beginning.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">When you want to enjoy food to the fullest, there’s nothing like making it yourself. After you’ve watched a professional work their culinary magic, why not try your own hand at it for the second half of your trip? With knowledge newly gleaned from a professional and the freshest ingredients literally in hand, stride boldly forward and discover what tastes await you at a luxury rental in St. Martin.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: Georgia,"Times New Roman",serif;"><br />
</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-84052663084731430862011-11-26T09:04:00.000-08:002011-11-30T21:49:59.346-08:00Thai Ice Cream Ensemble<div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">Where can you find and ice cream mixed with pandan-flavored sticky rice?</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S7i8S6C4S8I/AAAAAAAABF8/fGumzfwVTXc/s400/100_1066.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="300" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Enjoying ice cream con sticky rice.</td></tr>
</tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">...only in Thailand!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><a href="http://www.atasteofmylife.com//">Yummy Sunday</a> <a href="http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/">Mellow Yellow</a></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-58873846983135309872011-11-24T21:40:00.000-08:002011-11-25T17:04:36.292-08:00Birthday Celebration: Filipino Way<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Our family has been away from our own country for 13 years now, and so when my husband had his birthday few days ago, we were so blessed that we were able to celebrate it in a traditional way.<br />
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Early in the morning, friends came to awaken the celebrator with songs of blessings and encouragement.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ArqpW_WEPw/Ts8ls7nY6DI/AAAAAAAAAas/qY2w2GDPmGk/s1600/SAM_4636.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8ArqpW_WEPw/Ts8ls7nY6DI/AAAAAAAAAas/qY2w2GDPmGk/s400/SAM_4636.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Friends and family singing songs by the stairs waiting for the celebrator to come down.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>After the singing, we gathered around and read verses from the Bible for encouragement and guidance.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUB3KJyPQGI/Ts8mHm3q4-I/AAAAAAAAAa8/7a5ldxNZc8s/s1600/SAM_4639.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XUB3KJyPQGI/Ts8mHm3q4-I/AAAAAAAAAa8/7a5ldxNZc8s/s400/SAM_4639.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fresh from bed but still attentive to the reading of verses from the Bible.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>Then, we all had our breakfast together. Friends brought "<i>kakanin</i>" served with hot coffee and hot chocolate.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2jYc3LDx5E/Ts8l5RiYB4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/7uYN7hjrd5A/s1600/SAM_4646.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Z2jYc3LDx5E/Ts8l5RiYB4I/AAAAAAAAAa0/7uYN7hjrd5A/s320/SAM_4646.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />
In the evening, more friends joined us for the celebration. We served dishes that we used to enjoy back home.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0dS3cR86uo/Ts8gV9vH7cI/AAAAAAAAAak/52Vfw7DGOmA/s1600/11-25-2011+Zac%2527sbday.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-N0dS3cR86uo/Ts8gV9vH7cI/AAAAAAAAAak/52Vfw7DGOmA/s400/11-25-2011+Zac%2527sbday.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">L-R, shrimp and mango salad, grilled fish, sauteed shrimp, Goldilocks mocha cake,<br />
friend spring roll, buttered mussels, and pancit (Filipino friend noodles)</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
This is the way we celebrate birthdays back home. How about in your culture?<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"> <a href="http://www.foodtripfriday.net/"><img alt="FTFBadge" height="100" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/fickleminded/FTF.png" width="200" /></a> </div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-10334729381071756872011-11-21T08:46:00.000-08:002011-11-22T02:58:40.521-08:00Bangkok: Architectures Around Queen Sirikit Park<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Benjasiri Park, also known as Queen Sirikit Park is located beside Emporium Shopping Center along Sukhumvit Road in Bangkok, Thailand. It was built in 1992 in celebration for Queen Sirikit's 60th birthday. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ki7kxJ8z-s/Tsp91E8u2HI/AAAAAAAAAZc/b5cdp12lgmE/s1600/SAM_4613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-5ki7kxJ8z-s/Tsp91E8u2HI/AAAAAAAAAZc/b5cdp12lgmE/s400/SAM_4613.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">It is the farthest place I've been to last week, hah! It's just within the city where I live but it seems so far because of slow traffic flow. But I think it was worth the long trip. </div><div style="text-align: left;">Friday is our sports day so we decided to bring the children to a new location to exercises, play, and have some fun. If you clicked on the image, you'll see our 4 homeschoolers who are enjoying the sights of turtles and fishes. While the children are having a blast and after I played badminton, I enjoyed taking photos of different architectural designs around the park. Here are some of them:</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svHeJlUmiTY/Tsp_AbP5GcI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Ysc4EC_NY7Y/s1600/SAM_4623.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-svHeJlUmiTY/Tsp_AbP5GcI/AAAAAAAAAZ0/Ysc4EC_NY7Y/s400/SAM_4623.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtpFk4fxMnw/Tsp_M5RxoPI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/FIOKNn4QHLU/s1600/SAM_4624.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-JtpFk4fxMnw/Tsp_M5RxoPI/AAAAAAAAAZ8/FIOKNn4QHLU/s400/SAM_4624.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M86-r7mpTNY/Tsp9bUQYxSI/AAAAAAAAAZM/0QvCXqCzxTw/s1600/SAM_4618.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M86-r7mpTNY/Tsp9bUQYxSI/AAAAAAAAAZM/0QvCXqCzxTw/s400/SAM_4618.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsBjszmZiH4/Tsp9n7FMlAI/AAAAAAAAAZU/aa42h5UNZXw/s1600/SAM_4619.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rsBjszmZiH4/Tsp9n7FMlAI/AAAAAAAAAZU/aa42h5UNZXw/s400/SAM_4619.JPG" width="300" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ_lzxCNpb4/Tsp-z_HItcI/AAAAAAAAAZs/4KuEN8V-ut8/s1600/SAM_4622.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-wZ_lzxCNpb4/Tsp-z_HItcI/AAAAAAAAAZs/4KuEN8V-ut8/s400/SAM_4622.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br />
One thing I appreciate about this park is that it is a serene and green place to relax and unwind at the the heart of a busy business/shopping area of the city.<br />
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<div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thetraveldiva.info/" style="color: #bb5321; text-decoration: none;">Travel Tuesday</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/" style="color: #bb5321; text-decoration: none;">Wednesday Whites</a></div><div style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial, Tahoma, Helvetica, FreeSans, sans-serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/" style="color: #bb5321; text-decoration: none;">Watery Wednesday</a></div><div><br />
</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-79358587731803981452011-11-17T06:51:00.000-08:002011-11-17T22:54:21.246-08:00Something Good and Familiar<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://a4.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash2/181718_201990033150691_100000190880523_843881_3227816_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><br />
When traveling, I always go for local food and try not to fall for the popular western food chain which I can always enjoy back home. But when in foreign land, there are times when I just want something familiar. So the last cold Spring time I was in Hong kong, I had this big cup of hot moccha and was tempted to order fries, too. I regret ordering the fries but not this yummy foamy brownie thing!<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://vanity.gmirage.com/"><img src="http://gmirage.com/vanity/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/thursday-brownies.jpg" /></a></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-45291064872025634902011-11-14T23:24:00.000-08:002011-11-19T04:35:27.280-08:00Victoria Harbour: Hong Kong<div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://a8.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/184871_202514619764899_100000190880523_849417_692969_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">One of my favorite places to visit when I'm in Hong Kong is the Victoria Harbour. This is the usual last destination for me and my husband after all meetings are done. It's such a good place for me to relax and unwind.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://a2.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/180069_202514766431551_100000190880523_849421_4122195_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I visit Hong Kong almost every year but the sights at this place always fascinate me. There's never a dull moment here. It's always busy yet it is soothing for me. Perhaps it's the salty breeze or the sound of the waves.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/183554_202515776431450_100000190880523_849450_6330718_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">I love the amazing display of lights at night but on this particular trip, I enjoyed the sights of ships, junks and ferry boats. </div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img height="300" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/182091_202516136431414_100000190880523_849465_6364156_n.jpg" width="400" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.thetraveldiva.info/">Travel Tuesday</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.colorsandcontrasts.com/">Wednesday Whites</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://waterywednesday.blogspot.com/">Watery Wednesday</a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com20tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-47802826006975707892011-11-11T00:57:00.000-08:002011-11-11T01:01:39.677-08:00A Tour To A Mangrove Forest in Chantaburi, Thailand<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I visited a friend's ancestral home in Chantaburi, Thailand in August of 2010. One of the highlights of my trip was the tour to </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Pa Chai Len</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> (translates </span><i style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">forest growing between high and low tide</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">) or simply called "mud coast forest". It is actually a mangrove vegetation/</span><b style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">ecosystem</b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> which is a project of the king of Thailand.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmwfLEN1I/AAAAAAAABxQ/Fxr9t4tTy_Q/s1600/100_1441.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmwfLEN1I/AAAAAAAABxQ/Fxr9t4tTy_Q/s400/100_1441.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Some say it was a boring place to be. Mangroves, mangroves, mangroves! There's nothing really to see!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqj7WtINCI/AAAAAAAABv4/ZRyksyhj1vU/s1600/SAM_3664.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqj7WtINCI/AAAAAAAABv4/ZRyksyhj1vU/s400/SAM_3664.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">But for me, it was an exciting </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">place. Nostalgic, actually. Mangroves are part of my childhood.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlBVapYYI/AAAAAAAABwY/T0H4okWeedU/s1600/SAM_3703.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlBVapYYI/AAAAAAAABwY/T0H4okWeedU/s400/SAM_3703.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">When I was a little child, my father would go to the nearest seacoast to look for a perfect mangrove for our Christmas tree. At that time, decades back, I'm sure we were allowed to cut at least one tree a year.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlRModkvI/AAAAAAAABwg/Mn21krvoDN8/s1600/SAM_3709.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlRModkvI/AAAAAAAABwg/Mn21krvoDN8/s400/SAM_3709.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Mangroves are important part of our ecosystem</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> because they protect human lives and property from any oceanic catastrophe.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlg1SlVqI/AAAAAAAABwo/jbZodsdzxKg/s1600/SAM_3718.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlg1SlVqI/AAAAAAAABwo/jbZodsdzxKg/s400/SAM_3718.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">One peculiar characteristic of mangroves is the aerial roots standing upright and crawling on the ground.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkQqFID5I/AAAAAAAABwA/lUxjTYNDR7k/s1600/SAM_3677.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkQqFID5I/AAAAAAAABwA/lUxjTYNDR7k/s400/SAM_3677.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">One economic</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;"> value of mangroves is its hard wood. This tree is the oldest tree in this forest, believed to be more than 100 years old.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlwpXuz-I/AAAAAAAABww/JGw5LKGEIBc/s1600/SAM_3738.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqlwpXuz-I/AAAAAAAABww/JGw5LKGEIBc/s400/SAM_3738.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">One thing I appreciate on how this project was done is the way people adjusted to nature. I believe no tree was cut during the process.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmAfs94OI/AAAAAAAABw4/gLVii2rvdFU/s1600/SAM_3721.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmAfs94OI/AAAAAAAABw4/gLVii2rvdFU/s400/SAM_3721.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">The pathway was very long and winding and was made of quality wood that could withstand the challenge of rain, sunshine, and salt water.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkiXnXI6I/AAAAAAAABwI/VEWTAII_hbo/s1600/SAM_3679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkiXnXI6I/AAAAAAAABwI/VEWTAII_hbo/s400/SAM_3679.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">It was a long walk and humidity was high. No one could go all the way without stopping for some rest.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmVyK66oI/AAAAAAAABxA/CKFhQh7Okig/s1600/SAM_3725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqmVyK66oI/AAAAAAAABxA/CKFhQh7Okig/s400/SAM_3725.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
This structure is built for viewing the coastal area.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkxxrpfKI/AAAAAAAABwQ/1jDBKJuJQso/s1600/SAM_3682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqkxxrpfKI/AAAAAAAABwQ/1jDBKJuJQso/s400/SAM_3682.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">By the time I reached the coast, I was sweaty and my hair was just damp! But the coast was an incredible sight! I was glad to have 2 cameras with me because one has run out of battery after taking tons of shots.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqm59SPefI/AAAAAAAABxY/aQRuORkly_c/s1600/100_1485.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqm59SPefI/AAAAAAAABxY/aQRuORkly_c/s400/100_1485.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
Aside from those on pictures, I saw snakes, crab, birds, fish, and other tiny creatures thriving there.<br />
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On the way to the exit, I saw cultured oysters and .....</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqnNxPza8I/AAAAAAAABxo/CyuppYgiu-s/s1600/100_1497.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/TGqnNxPza8I/AAAAAAAABxo/CyuppYgiu-s/s400/100_1497.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
... a shrimp pond.<br />
Well, you can imagine how refreshing this trip was for a city girl, and how much seafood was enjoyed the whole time!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.mygreenlivingideas.com/monday-green-meme/"><img src="http://www.mygreenlivingideas.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/green-monday1.jpg" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-11418992310777543352011-11-10T07:24:00.000-08:002011-11-10T08:37:04.220-08:00We Love Roti, Curry, and Nasi Beriani<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">One good thing about traveling is the opportunity of enjoying the local food.</span><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">Our family have lived in 4 different countries and 3 of those have spicy local food. So my children have learned not to be picky with food. They eat whatever is served on the table, although they have their own favorites. One of the family favorite is a curry dish, anything with curry. I always serve roti with chicken curry dip for breakfast.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69YItVMmsI/AAAAAAAABEM/JAkf0zzbMEE/s1600/100_1512.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69YItVMmsI/AAAAAAAABEM/JAkf0zzbMEE/s400/100_1512.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This picture was taken during our last trip to Penang. Dear Daughter (DD) enjoyed her "roti telur" or roti with egg, dipped in curry sauce.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69YRREQvCI/AAAAAAAABEU/iXbI5HDMYcc/s1600/100_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69YRREQvCI/AAAAAAAABEU/iXbI5HDMYcc/s400/100_1610.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This one is my favorite; Tandoori Chicken with nan bread and curry sauce. Yum!!!</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69X_SYOdQI/AAAAAAAABEE/ulO0mnXnnVw/s1600/100_1613.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69X_SYOdQI/AAAAAAAABEE/ulO0mnXnnVw/s400/100_1613.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This one is a sweet treat: "roti tissue". It's a crispy, thin roti topped with condensed milk. Perfect desert after a spicy meal. It's called "tissue" because of its thinness.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69W0bFX4ZI/AAAAAAAABDs/YUeKWsHcVBg/s1600/100_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69W0bFX4ZI/AAAAAAAABDs/YUeKWsHcVBg/s400/100_0479.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: -webkit-auto;">This is nasi beriani. We fondly call it yellow rice. I bought packets of beriani mix in Malaysia and my homemade nasi beriani tastes authentic! I served it on banana leaves, topped it with spicy chicken meat floss, and sided it with fresh cucumber and pickled ginger. This dish is best eaten by hand. Yummy! So even at home it feels like we have traveled again.</span><br />
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<div class="separator" style="background-color: white; clear: both; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69W9Kjeb-I/AAAAAAAABD0/_e76uAVDQmQ/s1600/100_0480.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #7f6f3f; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_wCvS4clmWVo/S69W9Kjeb-I/AAAAAAAABD0/_e76uAVDQmQ/s400/100_0480.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative;" width="300" /></a></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;">Come, let's eat!</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.foodtripfriday.net/"><img alt="FTFBadge" height="100" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/fickleminded/FTF.png" width="200" /></a></div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-79512890051561817512011-11-03T07:53:00.000-07:002011-11-03T07:53:59.050-07:00The Scenery... In Thailand<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img height="300" src="http://a7.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/285137_261713663844994_100000190880523_1212824_8091558_n.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;">One pleasant day at Scenery Resort and Farm</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
When in Thailand, try visiting <a href="http://www.sceneryresort.com/">The Scenery Resort and Farm</a>. It's a good place to relax away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy beautiful natural scene and a real farm experience.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img height="300" src="http://a1.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/281919_261706270512400_100000190880523_1212723_5803305_n.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;">The birthday girl @ Scenery Resort</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
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My family's been there to celebrate my daughter's 9th birthday. She requested to have a farm-theme birthday so we thought taking her to a real farm along with her friends would be a more memorable experience. It truly was, and even more than what we expected.<br />
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: white; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td><img height="300" src="http://a5.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc6/224428_261707150512312_100000190880523_1212735_6296597_n.jpg" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: none; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-color: initial; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: none; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: none; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: none; border-top-width: 1px; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px;">The birthday girl with her friends</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #783f04;"><a href="http://vanity.gmirage.com/">Thursday Brownies</a></span></b></div><div style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px; text-align: center;"><a href="http://skyley.blogspot.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #660000;"><b>Friday Skywatch</b></span></a></div><div><b><br />
</b></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-20571174955721244342011-10-30T03:23:00.000-07:002011-11-03T06:58:28.594-07:00Best French Toast At Stanley Market In Hong Kong<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-5Vmi-otLI_Q/TX9_ndRoHvI/AAAAAAAADi8/byy9CUR-xhk/s400/SAM_9067.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">A group of friends and I went for a stroll at Stanley Market one cold Saturday. It was raining and was chilly but that didn't stop us from enjoying the view and taking more photos.<br />
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</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-WYF7eteoNmU/TX-ANjFyYZI/AAAAAAAADjQ/wpnOXg9Fe8Y/s400/SAM_9042.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: left;">Stanley is a dry market in the southeastern part of Hong Kong that is frequented by many tourists. It's not only a good place to buy oriental-theme souvenirs before leaving Hong Kong but it's also a neat destination if you want to enjoy a bit of serenity away from the fast-pace life in the city</div><div><br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-E_XAomCucsg/TX-AV8KG5XI/AAAAAAAADjU/-WXW0dn4-J0/s400/SAM_9050.JPG" /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">This photo was taken while standing outside Murray House, a Victorian-era building (1846) which was built in the now business district in Central but was relocated to Stanley and now serves as an interesting historical display. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-gDhJpJaBWOM/TX-DvlyCxCI/AAAAAAAADjc/1dsvfCjgtIU/s400/SAM_9060.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: left;">Aside from the view of the beach and other interesting sights to see, Stanley has many bars and restaurants along the beach line. But for me, I would prefer going local when I'm visiting a place.My friends also thought that spending our tea time at this local shop would be a great idea. I didn't know why they liked it there when it was packed with people and several were waiting to get a vacant table. It must be a special place for something.</div><div style="text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://lh5.googleusercontent.com/-Ua3ttHoeFK0/TX-AF4GOtFI/AAAAAAAADjM/y4XRQTdBEVU/s400/SAM_9057.JPG" /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;">When I got the taste my french toast, I then said that it's the best I had and I would be back for more! </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atasteofmylife.com//"><img height="100" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/fickleminded/YummySunday-1.jpg" width="200" /></a><br />
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<a href="http://www.thetraveldiva.info/"><img src="http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/janet_bl/tuesdaytravels2.jpg" /></a><br />
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</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-8774704136746829882011-10-29T20:56:00.000-07:002011-10-30T06:28:23.965-07:00Taxi Porsche in Bangkok, Thailand<div style="text-align: left;">I have been thinking of hosting a new meme for this blog and finally I have a title for it: <b>Sightseeing Sunday</b>. It's gonna be fun because here we will be posting videos of places you want to share. It could be a video of your own travel or a video you found published somewhere else. Here's to start the fun; a video clip I found on Youtube. I just enjoyed watching people's faces as they react to what they see. So,as a Sunday treat, let me take you around Bangkok in a taxi Porsche.</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/iYZHjKlk7Go?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
See you next Sunday for the launching of <b>Sightseeing Sunday</b>! For now I would like to link this to one popular meme, <a href="http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/">Mellow Yellow</a>.Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-48710592108589059142011-10-24T22:03:00.000-07:002011-10-25T20:57:50.484-07:00Hot Air Balloon In Hong Kong<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>When My husband and I were in Hong Kong in February 2011, a friend gave us free tickets to the Ocean Park. We've been there a few times already but when we heard that they have new things to see there, so we excitedly went and spent a whole day of fun and excitement.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-XmbMyucKE/TqY_F_46NII/AAAAAAAAAXY/iJqK8DOoAhA/s1600/SAM_9183.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-XmbMyucKE/TqY_F_46NII/AAAAAAAAAXY/iJqK8DOoAhA/s640/SAM_9183.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>One highlight that I really enjoyed was the hot air balloon display. I was already thrilled by just the sighting of it, but much more when we decided to see what it is like to ride in it.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkNUGKO_zuY/TqY-Yx-2nDI/AAAAAAAAAXI/KJN-7J2aTbk/s1600/SAM_9345.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HkNUGKO_zuY/TqY-Yx-2nDI/AAAAAAAAAXI/KJN-7J2aTbk/s400/SAM_9345.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More balloons seen from the top!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>It was breathtaking to be up there! The wind was strong and chilly so the ride was more thrilling.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXTcBilcuDw/TqY-raRbJNI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/_Q31EILuTHE/s1600/SAM_9184.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cXTcBilcuDw/TqY-raRbJNI/AAAAAAAAAXQ/_Q31EILuTHE/s640/SAM_9184.JPG" width="360" /></a></div><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">Well, that's one unforgettable ride I had!</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://mellowyellowmonday.blogspot.com/"><img alt="MellowYellowMondayBadge" src="http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk196/drowseymonkey/MYM.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.shengkaysjournal.info/"><img src="http://i226.photobucket.com/albums/dd107/she_apuhin/125x128-1.jpg" /></a> <a href="http://www.blogger.com/"><span id="goog_1390982437"></span><img height="143" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-IqJcyIKOVBQ/TqR0yrE_iDI/AAAAAAAAQJ4/x7tipDqMsCo/s200/redshoesheaderNEW2+copy.jpg" width="200" /><span id="goog_1390982438"></span></a></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-73537225342613394212011-10-24T21:20:00.000-07:002011-10-24T21:29:44.719-07:00Colorful Festivals In The Philippines<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The Philippines is a beautiful country with very colorful culture. Within the general Filipino culture, there are cultures and traditions that each province carry, maintain, and cultivate. It is easy to keep each tradition unique because of the geographic situation of the country which is comprised of 7,107 islands. Being isolated as an island, it is most likely that a province is able to keep its own originality, and this is evident in many festivities that are celebrated around the country. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">Here are some postcards that feature different festivals in the Philippines:</span><br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kIFOQAzISU/Tb9SYhcWy2I/AAAAAAAACaY/SREfJvGsqG8/s1600/SAM_0844.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9kIFOQAzISU/Tb9SYhcWy2I/AAAAAAAACaY/SREfJvGsqG8/s400/SAM_0844.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Masskara Festival is held in Bacolod City on the weekend nearest to October 19.<br />
Masskara is coined from the word :mass" which means "crowd" and the<br />
Spanish word "cara" which means face.<br />
The two words combined have the local word for "mask".<br />
This festival showcases colorful costumes of masks made of papier mache or molded clay. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Y_I11gosw/Tb9Sp0LvB6I/AAAAAAAACac/ynnVIAMJyiE/s1600/SAM_0845.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-W7Y_I11gosw/Tb9Sp0LvB6I/AAAAAAAACac/ynnVIAMJyiE/s400/SAM_0845.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Sandugo Festival in Tagbilaran city, Bohol, is a month long festival held every July,<br />
in commemoration of the 16th century peace treaty occured on March 16, 1565<br />
through a blood compact or "sandugo" between Datu Sikatuna, a chieftain in Bohol,<br />
and Spanish conquestidor Miguel lopez de :Legaspi.<br />
The festival showcases Miss Bohol Sandugo Beauty Pageant and street dancing competition.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdbXrakwlFg/Tb9SzxVjyyI/AAAAAAAACag/2M6AUC7PU8U/s1600/SAM_0851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="275" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WdbXrakwlFg/Tb9SzxVjyyI/AAAAAAAACag/2M6AUC7PU8U/s400/SAM_0851.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Kadayawan Festival is held every 3rd week of August in Davao City.<br />
It showcases Muslim, Chinese, and tribal influences with parades, performances,<br />
and fruit and flower displays. Davao is known for its Mt. Apo, the monkey-eating eagle,<br />
and famous king of fruit, Durian.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGkLVsvSRE/Tb9TDaPLXRI/AAAAAAAACak/4v_GIuIwVUE/s1600/SAM_0849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="285" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0hGkLVsvSRE/Tb9TDaPLXRI/AAAAAAAACak/4v_GIuIwVUE/s400/SAM_0849.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Tuna Festival is an annual week long festival held every 4th week of September,<br />
in General Santos City, highlighting the significant role of tuna industry.<br />
It showcases Parada sa Dagat (Sea Parade) and street dancing and float parade.</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 1px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 1px; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 1px 1px 5px; color: black; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; padding-bottom: 5px; padding-left: 5px; padding-right: 5px; padding-top: 5px; position: relative; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8khCM473_U/Tb9TQYjx5wI/AAAAAAAACao/nA4K61fTMe0/s1600/SAM_0853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #4c5802; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-T8khCM473_U/Tb9TQYjx5wI/AAAAAAAACao/nA4K61fTMe0/s400/SAM_0853.JPG" style="-webkit-box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-color: transparent; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial initial; background-repeat: initial initial; border-bottom-style: none; border-color: initial; border-color: initial; border-left-style: none; border-right-style: none; border-top-style: none; border-width: initial; border-width: initial; box-shadow: rgba(0, 0, 0, 0.0976563) 0px 0px 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; position: relative;" width="290" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12px; text-align: center;">Moriones Festival is held during Holy Week from Holy Monday to Easter Sunday<br />
Marinduque. Morion means "mask" or "visor", a part of medieval Roman Centurion<br />
which covers the face. This is a religious festival that re-enacts the story of Saint Longinus,<br />
a Roman Centurion who was blind in one eye.<br />
<br />
</td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">The are more festivities other that these that are held every year in the Philippines. Of the 5 featured here, I've been only to 1 which is the Kadayawan Festival in Davao City. Though I remember celebrating many fiestas in Bohol before, I was too young then to understand what they were all about. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;">I don't want to be a foreigner in my own country so it is my hope that the next time I visit the Philippines, I would like to travel some more within the country, get to know the local traditions of each province or city, and of course, observe more festivities.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><a href="http://www.thetraveldiva.info/"><img src="http://i176.photobucket.com/albums/w184/janet_bl/tuesdaytravels2.jpg" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 15px; line-height: 21px;"><br />
<br />
<b>Note</b>: Captions under the postcards are from the texts at the back of each postcard, and is a copyright of National Book Store, Philippines.<br />
</span>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-51001055049067693342011-10-23T08:22:00.000-07:002011-11-11T01:07:24.102-08:00Sunrise In Bangladesh<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><div style="text-align: center;"></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">We drove fast at sunrise from Dinajpur to Khulna and it was then that I saw the most beautiful sunrise above the misty green fields. It looked like a fiery red ball that was within my reach. So the <a href="http://www.google.co.th/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=bangladesh%20flag&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCgQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fen.wikipedia.org%2Fwiki%2FFlag_of_Bangladesh&ei=QC-kTszDIcLViALBwZFH&usg=AFQjCNEln1908_G_UoBpIQ4BS4_RTyLz8g">country's emblem</a> made more sense to me after then.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;">My camera worked hard but it didn't do justice to what my naked eyes have seen.</span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><br />
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<span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNaq-no3_o8/TqO7eEp1CZI/AAAAAAAAEEk/ceF9nkyYEDI/s1600/IMG_4589.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-VNaq-no3_o8/TqO7eEp1CZI/AAAAAAAAEEk/ceF9nkyYEDI/s400/IMG_4589.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNs1xc2Ux70/TqO7z0dWI1I/AAAAAAAAEE8/a-Ie2KGOYAk/s1600/IMG_4599.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #6f3c1b; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: none;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-lNs1xc2Ux70/TqO7z0dWI1I/AAAAAAAAEE8/a-Ie2KGOYAk/s400/IMG_4599.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: #ffffcc; color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif; font-size: 16px;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxp_Bqhbgmo/TqO77BeOxJI/AAAAAAAAEFE/MGt36yO-SlI/s1600/IMG_4600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="color: #262626; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-decoration: underline;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Xxp_Bqhbgmo/TqO77BeOxJI/AAAAAAAAEFE/MGt36yO-SlI/s400/IMG_4600.JPG" style="border-bottom-color: transparent; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 0px; border-left-color: transparent; border-left-style: solid; border-left-width: 0px; border-right-color: transparent; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 0px; border-top-color: transparent; border-top-style: solid; border-top-width: 0px; padding-bottom: 4px; padding-left: 4px; padding-right: 4px; padding-top: 4px;" width="400" /></a></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: #371d0d; font-family: Georgia, Utopia, 'Palatino Linotype', Palatino, serif;"><b><i><br />
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</div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4903194295622658976.post-82125248406927287482011-10-23T07:47:00.000-07:002011-10-23T09:20:51.344-07:00The Best Lamb Meal On-board Thai Airways<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><i>"What do you want ma'am, chicken, shrimp or ram?"</i><br />
The third meal sounded exotic but I had a suspicion that it was just a mispronounced word. So I said, "I'd like to have <u>ram</u>, please." with a smile.<br />
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...and so I got my best lamb meal ever! Coated with spices and herbs, my piece of meat was tender, juicy, and cooked just the way I like it! As I suspected, it's lamb not ram.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2K73oypOHB4/TqQlq0svMSI/AAAAAAAAAXA/fcrsKqNz2F4/s1600/dinajpur.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2K73oypOHB4/TqQlq0svMSI/AAAAAAAAAXA/fcrsKqNz2F4/s400/dinajpur.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
It's a sumptuous meal and would be enough even without the shrimp salad and sweet balls on the side. Flying can be less stressful when you have delicious meal to enjoy.<br />
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<div style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.atasteofmylife.com//"><img height="100" src="http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v358/fickleminded/YummySunday-1.jpg" width="200" /></a></div></div>Ruthhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04394511846365188181noreply@blogger.com4