HONG KONG AREA
I stayed at the Lee Garden Guesthouse from Dec.1-7, 2005 and highly recommend it. Website http://www.starguesthouse.com.hk/ Room prices are from $20 to $40.

I paid $35 USD for a double bed w/private bath. I was on the 8th floor and recommend my room #807 if you dont like confined spaces. I had a 8x8 room but had 2 big corner windows which made me feel like I was sleeping outside.

The location is prime which is Cameron Rd near Nathan rd. Use the subway as a walk way to avoid the traffic. My room was cleaned daily and the staff was very helpful and friendly. Say hi to Mr. Wong who would practice his accupressure on me - Ahhh!

I would also recommend any of the HK youth hostels. I stayed in the Lantau island one next to the big buddha in the town of Ngong Ping. A dorm bed is only $5 but they do have a lockout from 10 am to 4 pm. But I spent all my time hiking there so no problem. Email them at info@yha.org.hk

More on Hong Kong

I spent 2 weeks in Hong Kong recently and cannot rave enough about their free Cultural Kaleidoscope Tours. I am giving you the link to my favorite "The HK story" at the History museum http://www.discoverhongkong.com/eng/heritage/ck/he_ckto_hkst.jhtml
This tour happens every Sat, Sun 2x/day. I had the best tour guide, a young man named Anders. The tour was supposed to be an hour but he asked us if we wanted more. We ended up with him for 3 hours. But then he would not take a tip saying this is how he practices his english.

Every day, I did a free tour. I did the Feng Shui, Tea Appreciation, Architecture Walk, Art, Medicine and History tour. I had to cancel my free Duk Ling boat ride since I decided to head to Macau for a few days.

I found the chinese people to be fascinating and very friendly. I would love to go back to China but I dont think my pure Alaskan lungs can take their air any longer.

If you are spiritual and really on a budget, I recommend staying at the Ascension House
http://www.achouse.com/ I ended up not staying here due to their uni-sex dorm room. At 46 years, it just doesnt have the same thrill. But I corresponded with these wonderful people. They are Danish Zen-Lutherans that run a hostel that is the cheapest you can find at $16USD or $125HKD. This includes 3 meals and free laundry! It turns out that I am Danish, raised Lutheran but mostly Buddhist tendencies. If they only would get a girls/boys dorm! I am not about to start wearing pajamas on my trips...

Bangkok stuff Dec.2005: this was my 2nd trip to Thailand but this time I did Bangkok in-depth at 2 weeks. I had my mom and my cousin Penny with me so this trip was not my usual eat off the streets, live on the edge style.

For hotel, we started out with New Siam II (600bt fan, 750bt a/c) which is across the street from the Banglumphu pier. It has a small pool and a nice breakfast area. It’s a few blocks from Khao San Rd. It was ok but it wasn’t a good deal like the Royal Hotel which is across from Suam Luang or Royal Palace.

The Royal Hotel is a steal if you book it though the tour desk when you first walk in. So Penny and I walked into the Royal and luckily my old friend, Oie, was at the tour desk. I was happy to say she quoted the same price as 5 years ago. We each got a large room with double bed, large bath and free buffet breakfast for 900 bhat. That buffet is so massive, you are guaranteed to be full until after lunch.

The best thing about the Royal is walking across a few streets and you are at the busy boat pier of Ta Chang. We take the boat every where to see BKK. To get to the Sky train, take the boat down to Central Pier and get off. The Sky Train is overhead. I took the train to the weekend market Chatuchak Park (Bus #44), Jim Thompson’s house and the Princess’ Palace. The Royal is walking distance to China Town. I have found that I hate Sukhmvit Rd and anything like it. I like street vendors and avoid the glossy malls. My favorite market is the Amulet market near Maharaj pier. You can get a metal penis with a tiger (on its tail?) for 10 bhat that will make you a sex-magnet!

For quirky stuff, I went to the forensic museum at the hospital across the river near the train station. It was hard to find but this nurse took me there. It had about 50 pickled humans most were babies that were conjoined in utero. Pretty bizarre! No photographs allowed or else I would have shared. I walked over to (or take the ferry across) the big temple Wat Arun. I helped serve some nuns their lunch and was given this amulet bracelet that is beaded and braided. It was blessed by a monk or nun.

Have you ever noticed that the drivers are a bit undisciplined, not following lines and such, but yet nobody succumbs to road rage? Here is my story on how I found road rage in Bangkok -- My last night (Wed) I decided to take a city bus to the end of the line out of town. I chose the next bus which was #6. I went so far that it was way off my big map. I get off the bus and the thais are staring at me. I found this nice woman who owned a pet food/ rice shop. She said nobody had ever seen a tourist come that far! They had the best night market and it was the cheapest prices so far.

But the fun begins -- I get on bus #6 to come back. It was a rickety old thing on its last lung. I get on and wait and notice that several women get off after checking out the driver. Turns out he was rather drunk and smoked like a fiend. I took the seat behind him and was hit by his embers. He drove so fast and erratic and would stop at some of the stops but forgot to open the doors. It was fun to watch the people running after him banging on the door! The girl attendant was yelling at him to open the door and quit smoking and slow down. Then some guy cut him off. He takes after the guy and blocks his way in a traffic circle. Of course, our bus is in the wrong lane facing incoming traffic. Also at every intersection, he shifts (a no-no) and it stalls several times and he tries to restart. All the windows are open and I am starting to cough after breathing in those fumes. What a bus ride and my first taste of road rage in Bangkok!

Qingdao, Shandong Province (P.R.C.):

There is a NEW fantastic web site that will give you all the local information you need to work, live, and play in Qingdao. This non-profit website is kept up to date by locals who truly enjoy Qingdao's beauty and culture. If you plan on traveling to Qingdao visit http://www.thatsqingdao.com – That’s Qingdao.

Yunnan, In South-West China
minority region, Xishuangbanna,Dali,Lijiang, many interesting place you can see.

Yunnan

Russia and China are located near to each other. How do you think, if there is anything in common between Russian and Chinese people? Definitely, Russian and Chinese cultures are interesting: http://www.russian-gifts-home.com - it is about Russian culture and handicrafts. And what about Chinese handicrafts? Can you give me information about Chinese traditions and crafts? What was your experience of visiting both countries (if somebody has been to any of them, as a tourist)? Please, share your opinion? I just would like to know more about China because I’m going to visit it.

China- if you have a day to burn in Beijing- Rai Tan Park. It is the most beautiful little piece of haven. We literally spent almost a whole day there. This was a Beijing by storm rapid 5 day tour. We had a tour guide and driver that took us to all the top spots (I highly recommend this method if you only have a few days but want to see all the essentials). It was 4 days of tours and then the last day we took to do what we wanted. We "rented" two bikes and took to the city like locals. It was so fun. We stopped at Rai Tan Park, in the embassy area, at the beginning, and spent the whole day there. Next we stopped by and practiced the bargaining technique, which has yielded me a wonderful collection of scarves I seldom get to wear.

So I highly recommend procuring (legally of course) a couple of bikes and taking to the streets. When you find something that intrigues you, stop! You never know what might happen.

Korea- You MUST do the hiking thing. My favorite is Dobongson, which is really easy to get to on the #1 line of the subway. Just follow the crowd. They LOVE their hiking and take it very seriously. I highly recommend stopping by the restaurant at the fork with a surf board sticking out of the side. Believe me, it is the only one. They have the ultimate best tap beer!!! Otherwise stick to Cass beer in Korea. The most common OB will make you feel bloated and piss a lot.

China- I like the Tiger beer, and I think we got that in Thailand also. Pretty good.

From Myo -
Water festival in April in Myanmar

Have you ever experienced the water festival in Myanmar? It's crazy to be there.

Thingyan (The Water Festival) is the most interesting and the greatest occasion for merry-making with the largest number of people taking part in it throughout the country. Thingyan is annually celebrated during 13th to 16th April and is the time for harmonious celebration.

During Thingyan Festival, people pour water over one another to the melodious tunes of singing and dancing at the decorated pavilions. This festival is celebrated nation-wide in the traditional ways of the national races.

More significant traditional activities can be seen in Yangon and Mandalay. Huge decorated floats, in the shape of large boats, mythical birds, like the Karaweik and the Swan, carrying singers, dancers and musical troupes would proceed through the main streets stopping and taking part in the competition at the Thingyan Pandals.

As Mandalay is the cultural heart of Myanmar, most of the international visitors and the people from other cities go and joy the Thingyan Festival there in traditional ways, throwing water merrily, singing, dancing and observing the decorated floats.

Thailand's best:

One of the best experiences of my life was volunteering for two weeks at an elephant rescue foundation in Kanchanaburi. Definitely not for those who need the night life. (Though we did see the occasional party boat cruising up and down the River Kwai!) But, if you love nature, peace, making true friends, and spending time with these amazingly intelligent and fun creatures, then this could be for you. I left a part of my heart there and would love to return again and again! I'm happy to tell all about my trip. Just message me with your questions!

Happy and safe travels!

I came across this new site that had some great travel information on travel to Asia. They also offer ways to save on your trip and how to get discount airfare to Asia. The site is www.cfares.com They have some great travel articles.

Japan, Kyushu:

I visited an island called Yakushima a month and a half ago, just off Kyushu, two and a half hours or so by jetcat.

The forests on this island are unbelievable. Dark and ancient are the best words to describe them. They were in fact the inspiration for Miyazakai's film Princess Mononoke (one small area is called Mononoke Forest).

The cedar trees on this island have a high sap content which allows them to live for an incredibly long time. The oldest tree, named Jomon Sugi, is estimated to be up to 7,200 years old, making it the oldest tree in the world.

Other interesting sites are Wilson's Stump, the stump of a giant cedar that was cut down about 400 years ago and has a small shrine underneath it, honouring the spirit of the fallen tree, and Nanahon Sugi, the stump of a fallen cedar that is now home to seven separate trees.

I hiked from the southernmost point to a touristy area near the northern port of Miyanoura. The first leg of the route I took was very difficult but the last day was quite easy, with lots of boardwalks in place for the tourists.

Without a doubt the most beautiful hiking I have ever done.

Palawan, Philippines
Try your hand at Archaeological Exploration. It can be fun and endlessly appealing to both new and perennial visitors to Palawan. Visit the Tabon Caves and be enthralled by the chambers which yield knowledge about life 50,000 years ago.

Go Canoeing in the Subterranean St Paul River and be mesmerized by the crystal stalagmites and stalactites which illuminate the river ripples with their sheen.

Island hop, in Honda Bay. This area is home to several islets with shallow reefs bordering fabulous beaches which are the favourite swimming, snorkelling and diving destination of residents and tourists alike. These islets are the Cannon (Cowrie) Island, Bat Island, Lu-li Island (derived from the word "lulubog-lilitaw", meaning floating and sinking island), that is visible only during low tide, Meara Marina, Starfish Island (known for its fine white sand and clear water that teems with starfish), Snake Island (an island with a long stretch of white sand), Pandan Island and Señorita Island (the breeding site of Lapu-Lapu fish).

Try Sailing The waters of Palawan can be a rewarding experience. This is an activity that all but the youngest family members can enjoy, on any number of small sailing dinghy and catamaran type craft and local boats. If you want to sail on a larger vessel from one island to the other, this too is possible and this time you can take even the littlest family members with you.

An absolute ‘must-do’ while in Palawan is to try Scuba Diving. Colourful shallow reefs abound that are perfect for novices (and snorkellers). Not only this, there are mangrove swamp dives, wreck dives, cave dives and ‘drop-off’ dives that make the waters of Palawn and the rest of the Philippines, one of the favoured dive spots in the world.

Tokyo

Lived there for a year so some general tips:
- Never, ever take cabs anywhere, they're super-expensive and confusing. Trains are the way to go, but be aware they shut down at 12:30am until 5am every night.
- Learn the words nomihodai (all you can drink) and tabehodai (all you can eat) and always ask at izakayas, especially if you have a large group. You can get 2-3 hours of all you can drink/eat for about 2000-4000y per person at many places. Negotiations are always easier with a native speaker, obviously.
- A fun day trip: go to the Meiji Shrine in Harajuku then walk to Shibuya. This is even more interesting on a Sunday, when the more colourful characters arrive in Harajuku.
- See a Yakult Swallows baseball game at Jingu Stadium in Harajuku. The stadium is a great outdoor place, small and fun, and everything is 50% cheaper than the Tokyo Dome where the Giants play.
- If you've got a few days and want to get out of the city, try going to Fujikyu Highland. You can ride (formerly) the tallest and fastest rollercoasters in the world, and walk through the largest haunted house in the world (a terrifying hospital full of actors in full makeup) on the same day.
- I personally liked Roppongi Hills a lot, but many others are turned off by its commercialism. The art gallery on the 54th floor is a must-see though.
- Shimokitazawa is a great area of the city, highly recommended and very close to Shibuya.

I'm currently working my way through north Thailand and Laos via bike, and wanted to recommend several places I have stayed that are off the beaten path for those who happen to find themselves there. You can look up the details in Thailand LP:

Bon Bon Guest house in Phitsonaluke. The owner was a really nice guy and I got a single room with AC and bathroom for 350Baht. Very clean and good deal for AC.

Ban Thai Guest house in Sukhothai. Best deal in Thailand. 150Baht for fan with shared bath; very clean. The best part for me was that Ronnie from Denmark who rents bikes from there had the lowdown on some great country roads to ride.

VangTong2 "Hotel and resort" in Wang Chin. Nice clean rooms with private bath and AC for 450Baht. The Thai proprietress is a really great lady. There is a national park and waterfall near here, so some interesting stuff to do.

I have stayed other places and had good experiences in Thailand, but those are the places that really stand out.

Cheers!
Mark