Hammoblog

Kuala Lumpur

Firstly I will be getting back to those that have sent me personal emails soon...

Last update I was in Kuala Lumper about to watch Newcastle in the Asia cup final well we lost on penalties and that was just the start of a very bad season, but I'm sure we will come good...

After the football I headed to Taman Negra in the centre of Malaysia it is the oldest jungle in the world. I spent 4 days trekking in its interior; sleeping in caves, fighting off leaches and mosquito's; shooting rapids... Then on to the west coast of Malaysia to the Perinthian Islands for more diving snorkeling and chilling... from there I headed back to Bangkok for a quick turn round of one day and on to India flying into Calcutta.

India was an experience full of extremes, I am still trying to figure out if it nourished me or made me sick! I went to Bhubaneshwar, Konark and Puri on the East coast; amazing temples, spent 2 days being driven around in a 1950 Wolsey, all the cabs are like this and they still make em this way...

Then on to Varanasi, the world's cultural centre for Hindus and Buddhists. It is fabled to be the oldest city in the world and is recorded in the earliest Hindu myths. It was also the place of the first sermon from Buddha he set out the 4 Noble Truths that are now the cornerstone of Buddhism... It also has some of the most beautiful Ghats in India along the Ganges. These are stone steps and palaces built on the banks covering about 5 Km used for morning and evening worship. But is is also very poor and very dirty I saw and old man die on the streets here but because he was of a low cast was left for hours on the street in the gutter where he died...

Then onto Lucknow, the old British governing strong hold and was witness to the first great mutiny against British rule in 18 57...This place has some great architecture, some built by the great Newabs kings, amazing palaces with hidden labyrinths and underground water gardens, mosques and British Imperial monuments and buildings.

Next up was Agra home to the Taj Mahal and the great Agra Red Fort.

From here I went to Khajerho the site of Erotic Hindu temples the entire Karma Sutra is shown here in life size stone carvings...Next Bhopal the city of the lakes and site of the Carbhide disaster.... from there onto Jadpur and Ajhanta Buddhist temples carved into solid rock in a 250m canyon...

I will be writing more about India's beauty and poverty and death on the streets all seen at close quarters during my visit. My travels in India where via train a great way to see and meet the people of India and experience their hospitality, cultural divides and the void between the sexes...

I returned to Calcutta and Bangkok and another quick turn round 1 day and of to Vietnam....First flew into Phenom Pen then got bus to Saigon now Ho Chi Mim City.... or Uncle Ho Chi Min City..... From there it was of to the Mekong Delta for 3 days then 1 day in the Tunnels of Saigon used by the Viet Cong during the US war.... Bloody small and very hot only the small Vietnamese could have been at home in these things..... We also got a chance to fire big guns, I did not waste my money.... Then I headed of to Dalat in the hills of south Vietnam for some mountain biking through jungle and army firing ranges...I then hired a motor bike and a guide and went of into the jungle to find lost tribes... and smoke and drink god knows what... I finally arrived in Nha Trang in one piece, this place is the Blackpool of Vietnam seaside towns... I spent 1 night there then headed of to Doc Lek this is a remote fishing village on the east coast I stayed at a small family run place right on the beach... Owned by a 76 year old Croatian called Cherie and his Vietnamese wife and his two sons a great story to be told about the old guy more later.... his life should be a book...

From there I headed back to Saigon and onto Bangkok via Phenom Pen. 2 days sorting stuff out, a few purchases, some movies then off to Krabbi for some sports climbing, Sea Kayaking, Kayak surfing and some diving the dolphins payed us a visit. I stayed on Au Nang beach and them moved to Railey Beach only possible by long boat... Had a great time here and the kayaking was aw some caves leading into hidden water grotto's there is a lot more to be told about this place....

Then back to Bangkok and picked up my suites and stuff, sent it all back home...I flew into Perth on the 13/10. NEXT is the RWC Eng V SA in Perth then Eng V Samoa in Melbourne, then onto Sydney and the SEMIS and FINAL.. I will get some of Aus in as well I need to plan this still......Then into New Zealand........

Well that is it for now more STORIES to follow.....

Keep on playing....

Cheers

Steve

Hammoblog
		~ Tuesday, October 14, 2003 Kuala Lumpur Firstly I will be getting back to those that have sent me personal emails soon... Last update I was in Kuala Lumper about to watch Newcastle in the Asia cup final well we lost on penalties and that was just the start of a very bad season, but I'm sure we will come good... After the football I headed to Taman Negra in the centre of Malaysia it is the oldest jungle in the world. I spent 4 days trekking in its interior; sleeping in caves, fighting off leaches and mosquito's; shooting rapids... Then on to the west coast of Malaysia to the Perinthian Islands for more diving snorkeling and chilling... from there I headed back to Bangkok for a quick turn round of one day and on to India flying into Calcutta. India was an experience full of extremes, I am still trying to figure out if it nourished me or made me sick! I went to Bhubaneshwar, Konark and Puri on the East coast; amazing temples, spent 2 days being driven around in a 1950 Wolsey, all the cabs are like this and they still make em this way... Then on to Varanasi, the world's cultural centre for Hindus and Buddhists. It is fabled to be the oldest city in the world and is recorded in the earliest Hindu myths. It was also the place of the first sermon from Buddha he set out the 4 Noble Truths that are now the cornerstone of Buddhism... It also has some of the most beautiful Ghats in India along the Ganges. These are stone steps and palaces built on the banks covering about 5 Km used for morning and evening worship. But is is also very poor and very dirty I saw and old man die on the streets here but because he was of a low cast was left for hours on the street in the gutter where he died... Then onto Lucknow, the old British governing strong hold and was witness to the first great mutiny against British rule in 18 57...This place has some great architecture, some built by the great Newabs kings, amazing palaces with hidden labyrinths and underground water gardens, mosques and British Imperial monuments and buildings. Next up was Agra home to the Taj Mahal and the great Agra Red Fort. From here I went to Khajerho the site of Erotic Hindu temples the entire Karma Sutra is shown here in life size stone carvings...Next Bhopal the city of the lakes and site of the Carbhide disaster.... from there onto Jadpur and Ajhanta Buddhist temples carved into solid rock in a 250m canyon... I will be writing more about India's beauty and poverty and death on the streets all seen at close quarters during my visit. My travels in India where via train a great way to see and meet the people of India and experience their hospitality, cultural divides and the void between the sexes... I returned to Calcutta and Bangkok and another quick turn round 1 day and of to Vietnam....First flew into Phenom Pen then got bus to Saigon now Ho Chi Mim City.... or Uncle Ho Chi Min City..... From there it was of to the Mekong Delta for 3 days then 1 day in the Tunnels of Saigon used by the Viet Cong during the US war.... Bloody small and very hot only the small Vietnamese could have been at home in these things..... We also got a chance to fire big guns, I did not waste my money.... Then I headed of to Dalat in the hills of south Vietnam for some mountain biking through jungle and army firing ranges...I then hired a motor bike and a guide and went of into the jungle to find lost tribes... and smoke and drink god knows what... I finally arrived in Nha Trang in one piece, this place is the Blackpool of Vietnam seaside towns... I spent 1 night there then headed of to Doc Lek this is a remote fishing village on the east coast I stayed at a small family run place right on the beach... Owned by a 76 year old Croatian called Cherie and his Vietnamese wife and his two sons a great story to be told about the old guy more later.... his life should be a book... From there I headed back to Saigon and onto Bangkok via Phenom Pen. 2 days sorting stuff out, a few purchases, some movies then off to Krabbi for some sports climbing, Sea Kayaking, Kayak surfing and some diving the dolphins payed us a visit. I stayed on Au Nang beach and them moved to Railey Beach only possible by long boat... Had a great time here and the kayaking was aw some caves leading into hidden water grotto's there is a lot more to be told about this place.... Then back to Bangkok and picked up my suites and stuff, sent it all back home...I flew into Perth on the 13/10. NEXT is the RWC Eng V SA in Perth then Eng V Samoa in Melbourne, then onto Sydney and the SEMIS and FINAL.. I will get some of Aus in as well I need to plan this still......Then into New Zealand........ Well that is it for now more STORIES to follow..... Keep on playing.... Cheers Steve posted by TheOakBloke at 8:31 am