Oct
24
2007
Up at 4am, our taxi picks us up at 5 as planned to drive us out to Angkor. We arrive just as light hits the sky, and stroll in alongside hundreds of (mostly Japanese) tourists. The temple is immense, and after passing through the outer wall, we can see the lotus bud shaped towers of […]
Oct
23
2007
We have an really early flight for Siem Reap, so we put off some of Gretchen’s late-night party suggestions until our return trip. The twin prop lands at the tiny airport just outside of town, and we make tracks to get a hotel. Our goal is to see the sunset over Angkor Wat, and so […]
Oct
22
2007
I crash early, and Janise arrives (very) early the next morning. We’ve planned for a local guide to take us around town and hit the top 6 or 7 tourist sights. Nui’s our guide, a tiny (ok normal for Thai) 20 something, with excellent English and a warming smile. We jump on a river boat […]
Oct
21
2007
Bangkok sure feels different. Last time I was here I was 12, and I remember clearly the dirty chaotic streets filled with bicycles, motorbikes and tuk-tuks, barely paved, dirty and real. The new Bangkok’s much closer to Kuala Lumpur – roads are paved, traffic is hell and mostly cars, super-malls dot the landscape, clean(er), air-conditioned […]
Jun
24
2007
OK, I don’t feel at all bad about slumbering until 3 after the previous night! News quickly reaches us that several members of our party group won’t be leaving their respective houses today as they are absolutely thrashed. This in light of the infamous Austrian drinking constitution makes it clear that 14 hours of drinking […]
Jun
23
2007
Margit and Tini are kind enough to offer me the spare room (no hotel! hurrah!), and I make good use of it sleeping until noon. We head back into town and do a little touring and grab some coffee. Salzburg is beautiful this time of year, and despite having some tourists, it’s surprisingly uncrowded. On […]
Jun
22
2007
After a cursory review of a few old faithful Vienna tourist spots, I figure it’s time to get off the beaten path and head down to the Gasometer. Four old brick gas tanks that have been used for Bond films and raves, they now house a mall (blech), apartments, and some really interesting modern architecture. […]
Jun
20
2007
As much as I’d like to stay, Paris is full. Totally full. I try a dozen or so websites, and there’s not a room or hostel to be had (short of $700). Hint taken, I try to get a train to Vienna. No luck. “Can’t you leave tomorrow?” *sigh* I may end up on the […]
Jun
19
2007
My sister Victoria has helpfully provided me with a few top choices for museums, and so I start with the Decorative Arts at the Louvre After a quick bite (ok, 90 mins for a coffee, who’s in a rush 😉 I head across the Seine to the Musee d’Orsay. I find myself wandering again looking […]
Jun
18
2007
I’ve picked the perfect day: Monday. Nothing’s open (this is Paris after all, and they only work a few hours on the best of days, when they’re not on strike that is). I pick out a few choice sights that aren’t museums (like Notre Dame) and make a path through the city from the Arc […]