Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Sunday, October 24, 2010
Japanese Trick Art
We came across an interesting exhibition from some very talented Japanese painters. Their paintings are in 2D but actually look like 3D...
If you want to know more check this website: www.trickart.co.jp
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| Dinner time! |
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| Walking on the board (check out the cute little girl!) |
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| Frankenstein! |
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| A friendly monkey. |
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| Boy under a turtle foot |
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| What do you see? Glasses of wine or bottles? |
If you want to know more check this website: www.trickart.co.jp
Monday, October 18, 2010
Thailand's floating markets
Here are some pics of what you would see if you visit the floating market at Damneon Saduak in Thailand...
How to get there:
The best way is hiring a private tour. It is not expensive and you can make stops in the places you are interested, and ask them to take you almost anywhere.
For more information check: www.changthaitravel.com
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| Thirsty anyone? |
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| Boat- traffic jam |
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| Fruits from paradise: durian, mangoes, mangosteen and rambutan. |
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| Woman selling pineapples and mangoes. |
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| Woman selling flowers. |
How to get there:
The best way is hiring a private tour. It is not expensive and you can make stops in the places you are interested, and ask them to take you almost anywhere.
For more information check: www.changthaitravel.com
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Cruising the Nile
Planning to take a Nile cruise but don't know what to expect?
Here is our own experience so that you can have an idea of the places you will see and the things you will do:
Route: Luxor to Aswan
Ship: St. George I
Nights: 4
Day 1
Embarkation
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Visit: Karnak and Luxor temples
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
21:30 Dancing music
-overnight at Luxor-
About Day 1:
The first day onboard we explored the ship, got acquainted with the other passengers and in the afternoon visited the wonderful Temples of Karnak and Luxor.
Day 2
05:30-06:30 Breakfast
06:30 Visit: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi
of Memnon.
12:30 Sail to Esna
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
19:30 Welcome Reception
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Rababa Show (folkloric show)
-overnight at Esna-
About Day 2:
This morning we started early so that when we visited the temples it wouldn't be so hot and crowded.
In the Valley of the Kings your entrance ticket entitles you to visit 3 tombs of your choice. This doesn't include the tomb of Tutankhamen; if you wish to visit that one you will need to pay an additional fee (about 100 Egyptian pounds, but of course the fee is subject to change). Also keep in mind that some of the tombs may be under maintenance and for this reason you may not be able to see them.
At some point between Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon we made a stop at a Marble shop. There they explained to us how they polish the marble and turn it into beautiful cups, flower vases and ornaments. After the explanation you can see what they have for sale and buy something if you like, but I strongly recommend you not to do it as this place is special for tourists which means everything is overpriced.
Regarding the Rababa Show, it took place on board at the Lounge bar and I liked it very much, this one is worth watching.
Day 3
07:30-09:00 Breakfast
09:30 Visit: Edfu Temple
12:00 Sail to Komombo
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
18:00 Visit: Kom Ombo Temple
20:00-21:30 Egyptian Dinner
21:30 Galabiya Party
-overnight at Kom Ombo-
About Day 3:
Outside the temples you will find shops selling all kinds of souveniers: statues, scarabs, books with pictures of the temples in different languages (english, italian, spanish, french, german, japanese...), traditional clothes, sunglasses, etc.
Don't miss the Egyptian Dinner because it is your chance to experience all sorts of wonderful dishes from soups to desserts. The Galabiya party is also fun, you can buy your Galabiya (traditional dress) at a local shop or on board. If you don't wish to buy one, no problem, you can still join the party! There will be music and games and everybody is invited to participate. In most of this games you have to do something on the stage (like dancing for example), so it is sort of guests entertained by other guests.
Day 4
07:00-08:00 Breakfast
08:00 Visit: High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk.
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Felucca Ride
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Belly Dancing Show
-overnight at Aswan-
About Day 4:
The felucca ride is an interesting experience but just keep in mind that if you don't have wind your felucca won't move. In our case that's what happened, so another boat pulled us so that we could reach our destination, which was Kitchener's Island.
About Kitchener's Island, it is a botanical garden full of palm trees and different kinds of vegetation. Besides that there is nothing else to see in there so don't expect any ruins or monuments, ok? Only trees here.
At night we had the belly dancing show which I felt was not as good as others we had seen before. The dancer performed briefly and then she chose people from the crowd and brought them to the stage to dance (once more, you become the entertainment).
The next morning after breakfast we did the check out and continued with our trip.
About the ship: The rooms were good, the swimming pool was ok, the spa was more like a hair salon, the lounge was very nice and comfortable and the restaurant was also nice. There was a souvenir shop and a jewelry shop. The service was great, everyone willing to help you and trying to make your stay a pleasant one. The food was also good, we didn't get sick (nor any of the other passengers we talked with) and there were plenty of options, also suitable for vegetarians.
What I liked the best about the boat? Waking up in the morning and looking from my bed at the yellow of the sand, the green of the vegetation and the blue of the Nile.
If you want to try cruising the Nile you can book directly with the cruise company or through a travel company. With the travel company they can also arrange other tours and visits before and after your cruise, so this is very convenient.
How to get there:
Cruise company- www.sonesta.com
Travel company- www.industravels.ca
Here is our own experience so that you can have an idea of the places you will see and the things you will do:
Route: Luxor to Aswan
Ship: St. George I
Nights: 4
Day 1
Embarkation
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Visit: Karnak and Luxor temples
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
21:30 Dancing music
-overnight at Luxor-
About Day 1:
The first day onboard we explored the ship, got acquainted with the other passengers and in the afternoon visited the wonderful Temples of Karnak and Luxor.
 |
| A statue of Tutankhamen and his wife |
Day 2
05:30-06:30 Breakfast
06:30 Visit: Valley of the Kings, Hatshepsut's Temple, the Colossi
of Memnon.
12:30 Sail to Esna
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
19:30 Welcome Reception
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Rababa Show (folkloric show)
-overnight at Esna-
About Day 2:
This morning we started early so that when we visited the temples it wouldn't be so hot and crowded.
In the Valley of the Kings your entrance ticket entitles you to visit 3 tombs of your choice. This doesn't include the tomb of Tutankhamen; if you wish to visit that one you will need to pay an additional fee (about 100 Egyptian pounds, but of course the fee is subject to change). Also keep in mind that some of the tombs may be under maintenance and for this reason you may not be able to see them.
At some point between Hatshepsut's Temple and the Colossi of Memnon we made a stop at a Marble shop. There they explained to us how they polish the marble and turn it into beautiful cups, flower vases and ornaments. After the explanation you can see what they have for sale and buy something if you like, but I strongly recommend you not to do it as this place is special for tourists which means everything is overpriced.
Regarding the Rababa Show, it took place on board at the Lounge bar and I liked it very much, this one is worth watching.
 |
| Hatshepsut's Temple |
 |
| Colossi of Memnon |
Day 3
07:30-09:00 Breakfast
09:30 Visit: Edfu Temple
12:00 Sail to Komombo
13:00-14:30 Lunch
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
18:00 Visit: Kom Ombo Temple
20:00-21:30 Egyptian Dinner
21:30 Galabiya Party
-overnight at Kom Ombo-
About Day 3:
Outside the temples you will find shops selling all kinds of souveniers: statues, scarabs, books with pictures of the temples in different languages (english, italian, spanish, french, german, japanese...), traditional clothes, sunglasses, etc.
Don't miss the Egyptian Dinner because it is your chance to experience all sorts of wonderful dishes from soups to desserts. The Galabiya party is also fun, you can buy your Galabiya (traditional dress) at a local shop or on board. If you don't wish to buy one, no problem, you can still join the party! There will be music and games and everybody is invited to participate. In most of this games you have to do something on the stage (like dancing for example), so it is sort of guests entertained by other guests.
 |
| Edfu Temple |
 |
| Cute family of cats in Edfu Temple |
 |
| Kom Ombo Temple |
Day 4
07:00-08:00 Breakfast
08:00 Visit: High Dam, Philae Temple, Unfinished Obelisk.
13:00-14:30 Lunch
15:30 Felucca Ride
17:00-18:00 Tea Time
20:00-21:30 Dinner (smart casual)
22:00 Belly Dancing Show
-overnight at Aswan-
About Day 4:
The felucca ride is an interesting experience but just keep in mind that if you don't have wind your felucca won't move. In our case that's what happened, so another boat pulled us so that we could reach our destination, which was Kitchener's Island.
About Kitchener's Island, it is a botanical garden full of palm trees and different kinds of vegetation. Besides that there is nothing else to see in there so don't expect any ruins or monuments, ok? Only trees here.
At night we had the belly dancing show which I felt was not as good as others we had seen before. The dancer performed briefly and then she chose people from the crowd and brought them to the stage to dance (once more, you become the entertainment).
 |
| Philae Temple |
 |
| Philae Temple |
 |
| Felucca |
The next morning after breakfast we did the check out and continued with our trip.
About the ship: The rooms were good, the swimming pool was ok, the spa was more like a hair salon, the lounge was very nice and comfortable and the restaurant was also nice. There was a souvenir shop and a jewelry shop. The service was great, everyone willing to help you and trying to make your stay a pleasant one. The food was also good, we didn't get sick (nor any of the other passengers we talked with) and there were plenty of options, also suitable for vegetarians.
 |
| Sonesta St. George I |
 |
| Sun Deck |
 |
| Bathroom |
What I liked the best about the boat? Waking up in the morning and looking from my bed at the yellow of the sand, the green of the vegetation and the blue of the Nile.
If you want to try cruising the Nile you can book directly with the cruise company or through a travel company. With the travel company they can also arrange other tours and visits before and after your cruise, so this is very convenient.
How to get there:
Cruise company- www.sonesta.com
Travel company- www.industravels.ca
Monday, September 20, 2010
Calamansi juice
It was in the Philippines where I first experienced this refreshing drink that tastes like lemonade and smells like tangerine.
The Calamansi grows in many parts of Southeast Asia and is particularly popular in the Philippines where you can find 'Calamansi juice' almost everywhere. They prepare it squeezing it into a glass, then adding some sugar, water and ice. In other parts of the world you may find Calamansi under the name of 'acid orange' or 'Chinese orange'.
Try it!
The Calamansi grows in many parts of Southeast Asia and is particularly popular in the Philippines where you can find 'Calamansi juice' almost everywhere. They prepare it squeezing it into a glass, then adding some sugar, water and ice. In other parts of the world you may find Calamansi under the name of 'acid orange' or 'Chinese orange'.
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| Calamansi juice |
Try it!
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Khantoke dinner
If you ever visit Chiang Mai (northern Thailand) you must definitely experience a Khantoke dinner at the Old Chiang Mai Cultural Center.
The name Khantoke comes from the words “khan” which refers to the traditional northern foods served in small bowls, and “toke” which is the name of the low lacquered table in which the foods are served. Northern Thai families traditionally sit in cushions and eat around this low table. The whole atmosphere feels very cozy, you sit on the floor with cushions around and eat dinner with your fingers.
Speaking of dinner, it consisted on sticky rice, different kinds of curries, fried chicken, fresh vegetables, fried vegetables, crispy pork skins and fried bananas, all very tasty! While we were eating an orchestra played traditional instruments on the stage.
After dinner the orchestra moved to the back and the dancers came on stage. One of the dances they performed is called "Fawn Tian" or "The Candle Dance", in which the dancers move their hands and fingers with graceful movements along with their bodies while holding lighted candles. Another dance is called "Fawn Leb" or " The Fingernail Dance” in which the dancers use fingernail extensions made of brass so you can see more clearly the movements of their fingers.
We were impressed by the Sword Dance, were a young boy performs a martial-art-like dance with sharp and quick movements while sorting 12 swords with hands and legs.
You can go by yourself or chose a tour company to arrange it for you. The later is easier because you don’t have to worry about anything, they pick you up from your hotel and ensure a place for you, and when the show is over they can take you back to the hotel or drop you off at the Night Bazaar in case you want to do some shopping.
How to get there:
Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai Rd
telephone: (053) 275097
homepage: www.oldchiangmai.com
The name Khantoke comes from the words “khan” which refers to the traditional northern foods served in small bowls, and “toke” which is the name of the low lacquered table in which the foods are served. Northern Thai families traditionally sit in cushions and eat around this low table. The whole atmosphere feels very cozy, you sit on the floor with cushions around and eat dinner with your fingers.
Speaking of dinner, it consisted on sticky rice, different kinds of curries, fried chicken, fresh vegetables, fried vegetables, crispy pork skins and fried bananas, all very tasty! While we were eating an orchestra played traditional instruments on the stage.
After dinner the orchestra moved to the back and the dancers came on stage. One of the dances they performed is called "Fawn Tian" or "The Candle Dance", in which the dancers move their hands and fingers with graceful movements along with their bodies while holding lighted candles. Another dance is called "Fawn Leb" or " The Fingernail Dance” in which the dancers use fingernail extensions made of brass so you can see more clearly the movements of their fingers.
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| Fingernail Dance |
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| Celebrating Dance |
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| Kinggala Dance |
We were impressed by the Sword Dance, were a young boy performs a martial-art-like dance with sharp and quick movements while sorting 12 swords with hands and legs.
 |
| Sword Dance |
You can go by yourself or chose a tour company to arrange it for you. The later is easier because you don’t have to worry about anything, they pick you up from your hotel and ensure a place for you, and when the show is over they can take you back to the hotel or drop you off at the Night Bazaar in case you want to do some shopping.
How to get there:
Old Chiangmai Cultural Center
185/3 Wualai Rd
telephone: (053) 275097
homepage: www.oldchiangmai.com
Khantoke Dinner and Hill Tribe Shows nightly 7:00pm to 9:30pm
Thursday, September 2, 2010
How to obtain a UAE visa?
To enter in the United Arab Emirates you may need a visa, and this one can be obtained either upon your arrival at the airport or you may need to obtain it prior to your arrival, depending on your nationality. For example, some countries like Great Britain, Japan and Canada can obtain the visa upon arrival but others like Russia, Brazil and Mexico need to arrange it in advance. If your country falls in the second category then there are a few things you need to know:
Who arranges your visa?
-Your 'sponsor', which if you are a tourist means the hotel, or your tour operator or the airline.
What is the process to apply for the visa?
-The hotel will send you via email a visa application form that you need to fill in and return with a color copy of the first four pages of your passport, a recent color photo 4.3cm x 5.5cm size and a copy of the front and back of your credit card.
Why they need a copy of the credit card?
-To pay for the visa which is about 500AED (fee is subject to change)
When should I start the visa application process?
-At least 2 weeks before your arrival in the UAE.
What happens next?
-Once the visa is ready, the hotel will send you a copy. It is important that you print this copy and bring it with you because you will need it. The original will be at the airport, so make sure they know where you will arrive (for example, we were staying in Dubai but arrived at Abu Dhabi airport).
One last note: We contacted several hotels in Dubai regarding our visa arrangements but the one that replied to us the most promptly and accurately was the Raffles Hotel, we obtained our visa following the process mentioned above through this hotel. If you obtain your visa through an airline or tour operator the process may be slightly different, so check with them in advance.
Who arranges your visa?
-Your 'sponsor', which if you are a tourist means the hotel, or your tour operator or the airline.
Not all hotels are ready to help you with your visa arrangements, so I suggest contact them first and make sure they will help you, before you make any reservations with them. In the case of airlines, if you travel by Emirates Airlines they will help you with the arrangements, if you travel by Etihad Airways they won't help you. As with the hotels, check before you buy your ticket.
What is the process to apply for the visa?
-The hotel will send you via email a visa application form that you need to fill in and return with a color copy of the first four pages of your passport, a recent color photo 4.3cm x 5.5cm size and a copy of the front and back of your credit card.
Why they need a copy of the credit card?
-To pay for the visa which is about 500AED (fee is subject to change)
When should I start the visa application process?
-At least 2 weeks before your arrival in the UAE.
What happens next?
-Once the visa is ready, the hotel will send you a copy. It is important that you print this copy and bring it with you because you will need it. The original will be at the airport, so make sure they know where you will arrive (for example, we were staying in Dubai but arrived at Abu Dhabi airport).
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| Abu Dhabi International Airport |
One last note: We contacted several hotels in Dubai regarding our visa arrangements but the one that replied to us the most promptly and accurately was the Raffles Hotel, we obtained our visa following the process mentioned above through this hotel. If you obtain your visa through an airline or tour operator the process may be slightly different, so check with them in advance.
Monday, August 23, 2010
A market in Cairo
Today I will talk about our experience visiting “Khan el Khalili” which is a popular market in Cairo.
We took a taxi from the hotel and barely 2 minutes after our ride had started another car hit us. Both drivers stepped off their vehicles, shouted at each other and then returned to their respective cars to continue their journey. The thing is, in Egypt streets are so crowded that it is almost impossible to move. There are cars and buses running in the highway and at the same time people are trying to cross in all directions. Oh and most of the taxis (not all of them though) drive like crazy! Really you get to see the other vehicles around you in 3D, I'm not kidding! One word of advice: make sure you bring insurance if you come to Egypt.
Anyway we made it safe and sound to the market and it was worth the scary ride because we found all sorts of interesting things like papirus, tradicional Galabiyas, statues of cats and scarabs, gold jewelry, carpets, colorful bags, scarfs, spices, perfumes and essences, etc.
This market is very interesting and you can spend the whole afternoon just looking around, but if you decide to buy something then you need to be aware of the 'process of bargaining'. What happens is:
-The shop owner will tell you he likes you and therefore will give you a good price.
-But before telling you the price he will kindly invite you to a cup of mint tea (this tea is sweet and delicious and it sort of sets you in the mood to say yes to almost anything).
-Then he tells you the price.
Usually the price they will tell you is ten times the real price. Not two times, not four times, but TEN times the price, got it? Which of course means that you have to bargain. And the lower you get they will say things like they will be losing money or their families won't eat...not true.
As you can imagine we learned this the hard way, meaning we bought something from one of these 'friends' and two shops later discovered the exact same thing 10 times cheaper.
We took a taxi from the hotel and barely 2 minutes after our ride had started another car hit us. Both drivers stepped off their vehicles, shouted at each other and then returned to their respective cars to continue their journey. The thing is, in Egypt streets are so crowded that it is almost impossible to move. There are cars and buses running in the highway and at the same time people are trying to cross in all directions. Oh and most of the taxis (not all of them though) drive like crazy! Really you get to see the other vehicles around you in 3D, I'm not kidding! One word of advice: make sure you bring insurance if you come to Egypt.
Anyway we made it safe and sound to the market and it was worth the scary ride because we found all sorts of interesting things like papirus, tradicional Galabiyas, statues of cats and scarabs, gold jewelry, carpets, colorful bags, scarfs, spices, perfumes and essences, etc.
 |
| Bags and cushions |
 |
| Spices and incense |
 |
| Lamps |
This market is very interesting and you can spend the whole afternoon just looking around, but if you decide to buy something then you need to be aware of the 'process of bargaining'. What happens is:
-The shop owner will tell you he likes you and therefore will give you a good price.
-But before telling you the price he will kindly invite you to a cup of mint tea (this tea is sweet and delicious and it sort of sets you in the mood to say yes to almost anything).
-Then he tells you the price.
To bargain you need to be patient and willing to spend 10 or 15 minutes negotiating.
A few tips for bargaining:
- Start at a very low price, because once you have stated the price you are willing to pay, you can't get any lower than that.
- Tell them that even though you would be willing to pay more, you don't have more money with you. In many of these shops they only take cash, and so if you tell them your cash is limited they will have no other choice but to accept your deal. (Although it may not always be the case).
- Sometimes if you walk away they may come after you and chase you saying they will settle for your price (happened to us twice). If they DON'T come after you it means you were probably getting closer to the real price.
- Tell the person you have seen the item in a previous shop at half the price. They will say it's ok and will sell to you for half the price.
As you can imagine we learned this the hard way, meaning we bought something from one of these 'friends' and two shops later discovered the exact same thing 10 times cheaper.
All throughout the market you will be encountering the same things again and again, so if you don't buy it in one shop you can buy it in the next one. However, if you see something that you really like, don't wait for the next shop to see if you can get it cheaper, just buy it. After all, you are not here everyday are you?
How to get there:
The easiest way to get there if you are going from your hotel is to tell the receptionist so that he can tell the taxi driver. The market is a well-known site but if you don't pronounce it correctly, taxi drivers may not understand you, that's why it's easier to get some help from the hotel staff.
How to get there:
The easiest way to get there if you are going from your hotel is to tell the receptionist so that he can tell the taxi driver. The market is a well-known site but if you don't pronounce it correctly, taxi drivers may not understand you, that's why it's easier to get some help from the hotel staff.
Monday, August 9, 2010
Tanabata Matsuri
When summer comes in Japan, there are 2 things you know you will have for sure: heat and festivals! In these festivals you can find lots of interesting things to do and eat, Japanese girls wearing yukatas and beautiful fireworks at the end.
We went to a matsuri (festival) in a place called Mizunami. Let the pictures speak for themselves:
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| The street |
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| Two friendly Japanese selling manju (a japanese sweet) |
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| Bananas! Yummy! |
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| Cucumbers on a stick |
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| All you can fish for 300 yen! |
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| Fried squid anyone? |
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| Japanese girls wearing a yukata (a type of summer kimono) |
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| Meat skewers for 500 yen |
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| Nice guy making yakisoba (fried noodles) |
 |
Akachan buying tornado potatoes! How to get there: Mizunami is located in Gifu ken. You can reach it from Nagoya Station or Gifu Station. For more information on train schedules check: www.hyperdia.com |
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