Robyn's Wanderings

Minh Mang Tomb

Some of us spent Bermuda Day running 13.1 miles. Others spent it walking through Bermuda’s capital following floats. How about spending it in Vietnam?

That’s where our weekly wanderer Emily Ross found herself this May 24! Between tombs and even a bar similar to Bermuda’s Swizzle, our Bermudian found a way to celebrate her home town.

Happy Bermuda Day!

I write from a bus leaving rainy Hue – the thunderstorms plaguing the area have delayed the blog somewhat. Nevertheless, Bermuda Day was not ignored.

We nabbed a cheap boat ride along the river and joined a tour including an old Vietnamese garden house, a pagoda, monastery, temple and the spectacular tombs surrounding Hue. Oh, and lunch. This was all for 3 USD!

I have mixed feelings about tours. I think they’re hit and miss and best to approach them as we are – travel independently but hop on the occasional tour for a day trip, especially in the case of the Hue tombs where it’s pretty ambiguous as to how else you’re supposed to see them.

Flowers at the Garden House

On the weekend we joined a group to see the beautiful Halong Bay just outside of Hanoi and were really lucky. We spent the night on the boat, all our meals were included (and were so, so yummy), we got to kayak, swim, and were lucky to be in good, relaxed company. We got the cheapest one available (50 bucks) and don’t feel we missed out. Tours are also a good way to meet people. However, having chatted with someone who’d travelled through Thailand, Cambodia and Laos with a tour group, my conviction that tours are best appreciated in small doses was reaffirmed.

Your schedule is now controlled – don’t expect free time to loll on the beach whenever you like. You also have no choice in travel buddies. Also, in the case of our Hue tour, the entrance fees for the tombs were not included and lunch was not as generous as our Halong Bay experience. Although we were warned about this beforehand, don’t expect tours to be all inclusive. Despite good experiences thus far, I would strongly suggest avoiding tours – unless they’re unavoidable. Never undervalue your independence, travellers!

River Boat

Ooh, and a word of warning – be wary of getting ripped off, especially in Vietnam. So far we’ve been fine, having long ago settled into a comfortably paranoid mistrust of every price (thank you, Hong Kong!) but we’ve heard a number of backpacker horror stories and from the sound of it Vietnam has been one of the trickiest countries in South East Asia.

My advice: question every price, avoid taxis (walk instead! Oh, and hostels often have free pick-up from airports, train stations and bus stations), don’t assume anything’s free (we once were charged by a restaurant for hand wipes given to us before we even ordered, these are common and usually free in Vietnam but don’t let your guard down!) and ask around. Learn what you ‘should’ pay for things and what to avoid from other people’s mistakes. It’s always useful to chat to other travellers. Don’t be shy!

Celebrating bermuda day

After tombs, we headed back to Hue and began our May 24^th celebrations. After a few potent free potables and a pool match between the Commonwealth and the Paddies, we left our mark on the Swizzle style bar by scrawling our Bermuda Day greetings pon de wall. As one of our acquaintances noted, she never imagined she’d be celebrating Bermuda Day in Vietnam. I suspect similar ‘I never imagined’ experiences are certain to follow.

Now, off to Hoi An! I’m super excited.  Backpacker word of mouth is that I won’t want to leave. I’m certainly looking forward to getting there. We’re trying our luck with the bus having travelled by train from Hanoi to Hue. The bus is cheaper and oddly faster – although everything in Vietnam runs perpetually late. So far, so good. I’ll keep you updated!

Taboo in Thailand

“Good Afternoon”

“Oh, Hi. Could I….”

“Good AFTERNOON”

“Oh, um….Good Afternoon. Could I please find out….”

We certainly have our ways here in Bermuda. One of those ways includes our traditional greetings, which will require a Good followed by the appropriate time of day.

Should this social norm be ignored or brushed aside (“Oh, hi” is not going to cut it) it seems an affront and you are certainly getting nothing done without it.

Other taboos? Sure there might be some turned heads, but walking around our capital, Hamilton, in bathing suits…..it’s just not appropriate. Yes, our businessmen might show a bit of calf in their shorts, but tourists in their swim suits? Wrong.

Another taboo? Questioning the sacred Cup Match! Yes, another taboo. Are you American? Then you understand Thanksgiving….same thing.

And people say Bermuda doesn’t have it’s own culture.

The problem is, other countries have their own traditions and taboos that are completely different from ours. Sure, you could argue when you visit these countries that you’re a tourist and you should be given a pass.

My question to you is: “Good Afternoon, do we, as Bermudians, give our tourists a pass?”

“Uh….”

“I SAID, Good Afternoon!”

So you get my point. Now what travel etiquette should you know before you travel? How about shaking your head? Tip One is that in many countries including Bulgaria, Sri Lanka, Albania, Macedonia and India shaking your head from left to right means “Yes” or an agreement, while up and down means “No” or disagreeing.

Tip two: In Iran raising your head and eyebrows is considered a “no”! Yep, while eyebrows raised here might be surprise or even a form of agreement, it’s not in Iran!

I will let you sit for a minute and think about it. Don’t worry your boss will understand.

Think how tired you are at the end of the day after dealing with that boss! What do you do when you get home? Tip three is: while you might put your feet up on your coffee table or lie-down on your couch with your feet over your head, that’s a massive insult in many Asian countries. Yep, the soles of your feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body.

And so Tip Four is: your feet should never be above the head or be used to point, touch etc… (fair enough, really) in Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, well most Asian countries and even Egypt. Of course on the other end, the head, then, is the container of the soul so you should never touch the head or point to the head of another person in Cambodia and other Asian countries.

You should als be careful how you do call someone over or point-out a direction. Tip Five: in Indonesia, India, Japan and China it is considered vulgar and inappropriate to scroll the index finger up to beckon someone over and you should never use the index finger to point. Instead in China put you palm downwards and make a scratching motion to call someone over and also use the entire palm to point in to particular direction. In India use your chin, whole hand or thumb to point.

Thumbs-up is not always appropriate!

Then there is trying to paying a compliment in another culture. Well Tip Six is our Thumbs-up and “Ok” signs we make with our hands (i.e. a thumb up and our thumb and index finger touching) are fine to use in France (except you will be communicating zero not “Ok”), but in other countries these signs are considered vulgar. In Saudi Arabia, Turkey, Argentina, Peru or Iran you might just start a bar fight not start good international relations.

Now of course, Tip Seven is: if you’re visiting Britain do NOT make the V sign with your index and middle fingers and show the back of your hand. You will have, again, just started a bar fight. Instead turn the palm toward whomever you are speaking to and ask for two beers.

Speaking of hands, Tip Eight is that your left hand is considered unclean (for reasons I cannot go into here. Let’s just say toilet paper is sometimes difficult to find) in India, United Arab Emirates, Saudi Arabia, and Nigeria. So never use your left hand to eat or receive objects.

Countries also managed to differ dramatically on the size of their…gestures! While tip nine is not to get offended in Italy, it is be careful in Japan with how loud and aggressive you are with gestures. When I sailed across the Atlantic on the Italian Naval Ship, Amerigo Vespucci, I thought the crew were always furious. I mean it was close quarters, but nope. Instead it is customary in Italy to speak loudly and make large hand gestures. In Japan, on the other hand, facial expressions are kept in check. A mere frown could be interpreted as a disagreement! So careful!!

Bali is beautiful, but don't try to argue!

Which leads to tip ten and: in many countries raising your voice to disagree with what is happening is disgracing not only yourself, but also the person you are speaking to. i.e. you will not get anywhere! Thailand is one country where this is the case. Another? Bali. No matter how much I tried, arguing was a waste of time. Smile, nod and move-on. They will never change their minds.

Want some more advice on a country you are going to? visit: www.expats-moving-and-relocation-guide.com and visit my blog www.robynswanderings.com and until next week I say as-salaamu ‘alaykum.

get out there before you miss it

Good Morning Thursday, you are an evil one standing between me and the last day of the week. I will forgive you, though since you brought me Emily Ross’ latest blog!

Yes our wanderer has completed here wandering through Hong Kong’s daily life and now has the chance to visit South East Asia. Maybe you thought she would be happy to have finished her studies? Nope.

Instead our wanderer wants to stay or at the very least, convince others to take the chance to – STUDY ABROAD! Here she tells us why:

Hello blogoverse!

Sorry I’m late – it’s been quite the whirlwind of a final week in Hong Kong. I can’t believe my CityU experience has come to a close: it seems like only yesterday that I was sitting on a plane bawling my eyes out ,  numbering the weeks in my planner so that I could count down the days til I could get my butt on a plane back home. Don’t judge me! The first week of settling is always the week I show my true, wimpy colours. Seven days after arrival I’m guaranteed to have a whole new (aka a ‘real’) perspective.

Yes, looking through my planner I see written on Monday, January 3^rd the words ‘Hong Kong’ and a sad face. And now on Wednesday, May 18^th we find the words ‘moving out’ accompanied by a similar sad face. Oh, how times doth change.

Yes, studying abroad can be scary. Yes, there is always ‘something’ to persuade you not to – ‘Google says my uni has a higher ranking!’ ‘My significant other will miss me!’ ‘Who will do my laundry?’ ‘They might not have Kraft Dinner!’ ‘Toilets.’ ‘I’ll get homesick.’ ‘It’s easier just to stay put.’

Oh, be quiet.

If you get the opportunity, go for it. You know those former study abroad/gap year kids who keep telling you how rewarding an experience it is? They’re not being a-holes. They’re telling the truth. And you could be one of them. And own legit backpacker pants. Funky colours and all.

There’s more to studying abroad than backpacker pants , however (we’re talking studying, not being a layabout gap year ne’er do well. Which I most definitely…was. Also a lovely experience. But a tangent. FOCUS, ROSS). SO. Here are five reasons to study abroad which cancel out all the boyfriends and Kraft Dinners you’ll ever have.

oh, the people!

1)      The People

You meet amazing people from all over the world. If they’re in your course, they share your interests – and could teach you something as they’re coming from a whole different context of study. If not, you can hear about where they come from, their culture, their political views, their views on anything - You will make friends. Do not worry. Everyone there is just as panicky as you are. If not out of common interests, you’ll make friends out of desperation.

You can learn so much from listening to a new perspective. And your travel buddies are friends you’ll have for life. You’re all in the same boat – and you’re not just learning about the world through your incredible new surroundings, you’re also learning from each other.  Plus, the more friends in more countries you collect (er. Make.), the more couchsurfing opportunities should you happen to be in their home country! They might have a pool. They might live in a palace. You’ll never know until you meet them.

oh, the places!

2)      The Places

Oh! The places you’ll go. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again – the philosophy of exchange students is to take full advantage of every opportunity thrown at you. That means lots of sightseeing and travelling to places you never thought you’d go. I write this blog from Hanoi in Vietnam. The closest I thought I’d ever get to Vietnam was possibly getting to see Miss Saigon live one day. And today I found myself looking out a bus window at so-green-they-can’t-be-real fields, cows with gorgeous doe-y eyes and countless motorcycles…and had that ’wow’ moment you get when you find yourself somewhere you never imagined you’d be. This will happen to you. Often.

3)      Study

Like I said, this isn’t just a goodfernutthin’ gap yahh (my own was OFF THE CHAIN. But that’s another blog). You actually have to do stuff. Work. Study. Do it well. Pass. This is a whole different experience from just travelling. You’ll get access to great new lecturers, facilities, new perspectives, new course options. This year I studied Social Policy and Social Development in China, International Relations and Governance in Asia. These courses weren’t offered at my home uni. There are a lot of great academic opportunities and the experience will leave you with new angles on your essays, a new academic context and a great addition to the ol’ cv.

oh, the food!

4)      Food

I can’t write a blog without mentioning food. Food is such a huge part of culture and has been such a highlight of my experience here. There are so many flavour combinations you’ll stumble across that you’d never have dreamed up – maybe you’ll be more creative in the kitchen in the future! Or if cooking’s a little too ambitious, maybe you’ll simply be more creative with your everyday food choices. You don’t know if you’ll like it until you’ve tried it – perhaps the same could be said for living abroad?

5)      Yourself

You’ll learn so much about yourself and what you’re capable of. You’ll realise you’re far more adaptable than you think. Many people start an exchange not even considering working or living abroad in their future…and many people leave with whole load of new career opportunities because they’re now willing to consider it. Studying abroad teaches you more than simply about your ability to navigate foreign fields; it teaches you that you can LIVE in such foreign fields. You’ve done it! You’ve already worked and lived abroad. You can do it again. Cue opening of proverbial doors.

Being plunged into such an extreme and unfamiliar environment can be scary – but it also forces you to address your aims, your values and your capabilities. You will know you so much better by the time you’re finished.

So! You have brains in your head, feet in your shoes – stop making excuses and go for it! You won’t regret it. You know why all the former exchange students say that? Because it’s true.

BOM volunteers building a house from scratch in Brazil.

Colombia, El Salvador, Romania, Botswana, Brazil, Guatemala, Bolivia are not places on my next itinerary. Nor is Zambia, for that matter.

But all of these countries feature this week in my Rock Fever column.

Have I lost the plot? Nope. What am I talking about? I am talking about one of Bermuda’s most amazing travel opportunities: Bermuda Overseas Missions (BOM)

BOM started in 2003 when David Thompson, the now BOM President was asked by his Minister at Christ Church, Warwick to create more opportunities for outreach.

Mr. Thompson did some research and found Habitat for Humanity, a charitable organization that builds houses around the world.

He said: “We can walk off the plane, drop our bags and start building. Everything is organized. We can build a house from beginning to end in two weeks.”

The first year Mr. Thompson took about 25 volunteers from the Church to Montana, USA for two weeks. The second year? Bolivia and the charity, which is no longer attached to the church, has managed 11 Habitat for Humanity site visits (including this year) since its inception.

This year? In July a group of 44 will travel to Zambia for a two-week build.

But why can’t I just sign-up with Habitat Humanity independently was my first question for Mr. Thompson and his creative director Adrienne Smatt?

Mr. Thompson said: “Yes, you could do it yourself, but you wouldn’t know the team you are going with. Knowing the team helps because when you have to build a house that is only 300 to 400 feet then only a few people will be able to work on it at a time. The team in Bermuda will work more efficiently because they will have had time to plan out a small group of five or six people with the right strengths to build a house.

“Habitat will still supply the materials they need as well as helping with any customs they might need to understand.”

Volunteers from Bermuda Overseas Missions in Brazil

Why should I volunteer rather than go on my Caribbean cruise? I work hard, I want to enjoy my holiday.
Ms. Smatt said: “Now when I travel I feel like I am almost missing something if I am just there to see the sites. I don’t feel like I have done what I should have done. I know I came to respect things a lot more; the things I have. When we went to Guatemala the people live literally in the garbage dump.

“We were told: ‘Go talk to them. Go talk to them, ‘but I had nothing to say to those people. I have no idea what it is to live in a garbage dump. They have no idea what it means to have five electrical devices on your person. We are so lucky and things we take for granted (ipods, shoes) these people had none of it.

“When we are on a habitat site we actually meet the people. Other tourists just meet the people who are trying to sell you things. “

Mr. Thompson added: “It’s what I call the ‘ah ha’ moment. Sometimes they (volunteers) get it on the trip, sometimes when we finish the trip and sometimes they get it after. It’s that awareness of how lucky they are.”

A third question? Have the locals been inviting?

Mr. Thompson: “Generally, at first they view you with suspicion. They wonder who those rich foreigners are that they can show up in their community, pay their way there and do that work. After the first day they see you have come back to continue working to the point where you hand over the keys and we become part of the community. We are not just a spectator anymore; we are part of the process. We make fantastic friends.”

Local kids help a BOM volunteer

So question four, who volunteers for these types of trips?

Mr. Thompson said: “There’s no demographic. We have people who work in the bank, construction, we have students from public and private schools. We have 14-year-olds up to 83-year-olds.

“Women make up 75 percent of the teams, which is also not unusual.”

Why do you think, question five, so many women volunteer for these types of trips?

Mr. Thompson said: “I think with volunteering, in general, I think there are more women because they are more sympathetic and I am a firm believer they work the hardest.

“It’s also a sort of in between trip; they want to take the chance (of visiting off-the-beaten track countries) and (they think) ‘I have a group with me so I know I will be protected.”

Everyone lends a hand on a BOM build

Question Six: Do you ever worry about security when visiting these building sites that can be far from other amenities?

Safety is key on these trips. Even though the organization has taken volunteers to countries that might be high on a cautionary note, Mr. Thompson said they have never had any problems. He said: “Many times we are the first team there so for habitat so it is also important that we are safe and that we have fun (so that others will return).”

Ms. Smatt added that the travelers are safe because: “The people are grateful for the help and so they are generally relieved to have us there.”

Ok, so question seven: What does a day look like on one of these volunteer trips?

According to Mr. Thompson, he will have everyone up at 6 a.m. for breakfast at 6.30 a.m. and at 8 a.m. (at the latest) they are at the site which can be an hour away. The end of the day will be around 3 or 4 p.m. depending on where they are in the build (i.e. there is cement mixed-up so they have to finish it).

In the evenings there will be a variety of entertainment with everything from Salsa Classes to their hotel pool with a bar service and playing games.

Question eight: how much will volunteering on one of these trips cost?

Mr. Thompson said: “We have some people who pay their full way and others who ask for financial assistance and we can offer as much as 50 percent of the trip if the application is approved. It’s based on the application.”

The price? Colombia was $3,000. Botswana was $3,500 and Zambia will cost volunteers $5,000.

Mr. Thompson, however, explained that the cost covers everything from airfare to housing, ground transportation a $600 donation to Habitat for Humanity for building supplies and even a bit of R&R after the build (i.e. a two-day safari in Botswana).

Planning these trips can’t be easy, can it? (Question nine in case you’re counting)

According to Mr. Thompson, planning for the summer trip begins at Christmas, the destination is decided in March and departs in July.

Ms. Smatt said as soon as they finish one trip they are onto thinking about the next trip. They have to plan and ensure all of the 44 planning to take the trip, visit the travel clinic on Victoria Street, have visas, etc….

Question ten: What are the health requirements? Do I have to be physically fit?

Mr. Thompson said: “We don’t ask that people be physically fit, but we do like to know if people have a physical ailment. And I ask if they have specific allergies and I carry a black book and I have everything on you. We also take a basic medical kit and Habitat offers added insurance for medical evacuation should it be necessary. We have never had a serious problem, though.”

BOM builds a house in Colombia

Any final words? Ms. Smatt said: “I have done the Caribbean cruise of I could go away and be rewarded in another way. I can work for money or work for myself. If you have the option I would say go and work for the rewarding experience.”

Mr. Thompson added: “It’s definitely a life-changing experience; I am positive about that. Once people do it they return.”

And there is your good deed for next year: visit www.bom.bm or www.robynswanderings.com for more information. Au Revoir!

Iconic Matterhorn in Zermatt, Switzerland

Yep, you read the headline correctly: Assisted Suicide Tourism and it’s happening in Switzerland.

The tourism initiative is obviously not something the country was promoting, it’s a side note to a law that Switzerland passed decades ago allowing people to decide when they want to die.

The individual right to make decisions is a big one in Switzerland and the country’s governance structure reflects that: direct democracy. In this system every major political decision must be sent to the public for a referendum.

While assisted suicide may have been legal for decades, those living in Zurich are not happy at how it has transformed into tourism.

So this week they will be taking a vote on whether or not to continue the practice. There are two different motions set down. The first would completely ban the practice.

The second would limit it to residents of Zurich only. Is that discrimination? Not sure.

Anyway, this was a new one to me. Sure from my homeland, Bermuda, we debate medical tourism, gambling tourism, the African diaspora tourism and even the timeshare tourism, but assisted suicide?

Well, Bermuda would never allow it like the Swiss have.

Talk about a touchy subject! Well Zurich will vote on the issue this week and of course the rest of Switzerland will be watching!

What do you think?

Food!!!

It’s a random photo today. Why? Well because it’s Friday the 13th! Why else? Well that and I was sort of struggling for some inspiration and I was starving this morning after a long training run for our May 24th half marathon! Am I going to make it? Watch this blog to find out.

So the photo? Well it’s my recent trip to Toronto and some gluten-free goodness courtesy of a cafe in Kensington Market! I love the ketchup and red South America interplay…..of course next time this post could be all about South America.

Don’t miss any opportunities (as is the headline…huh….you like that?) and make sure you book your tickets to South America.

Yeah, yeah I know I was talking about Turkey yesterday, but today it’s about South America because I’m just like that. Plus it’s the right time of year to head south. It’s turning into their winter so costs will be cut and if you’re into skiing? Well, Chile is all about it.

Of course if you want to head to Toronto and recreate your own random Friday the 13th (the fear of which is strangely called friggatriskaidekaphobia) photo, well be my guest! And read my Rock Fever column last week.

“If one had but a single glance to give the world, one should gaze on Istanbul.”

Alphonse de Lamartine.

A view of the Turkish Coastline

All my friends were doing it. First it was my two girl friends. Then the boy I had met on my Teaching English as a Foreign Language (TEFL) course in Prague.

Of course their migration had to be followed by a war in Iraq, but I was not deterred.

“Please, Robyn. Just think about it. They say Iraq has missiles that could reach Europe and you’re going to be on their border.”

I ignored my father’s pleas, I found two Swedish girls to continue my lease in Prague and I boarded a plane to….Istanbul, Turkey.

It probably was not the best time to move to Turkey (It was 2003 and Iraq War Two had just broken out), but more than one person has called me stubborn, so…..

Luckily Turkey, (Iraq provides the southern border) is a very big place; more than 1,000 miles long and 500 miles wide to be exact. It’s capital is Ankara (no, not Istanbul) and it has seven other neighbours that include Syria, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Iran.

But don’t let those names make you turn that page. Instead, book your ticket (like me) to Turkey in June (I thought you might have been struggling with vacation ideas this summer)! Why? Well here are your ten reasons to visit Turkey in June in your Rock Fever Column this week:

Reason one: unlike Syria, which has broken into one of the many uprisings in  this part of the world, Turkey is a fairly stable and secular democracy. Ok, every country has its issues and Turkey’s government can be heavy handed with the Kurds in the south and denying the Armenian Genocide, but Turkey is level headed and the uprisings that have occurred in neighbours will not happen here.

Taking the boat from Greece (in the background) to Turkey

Neighbours: can’t live with them can’t live without them. Which brings us to Turkey’s more famous neighbour, Greece. Reason two for visiting Turkey is about NOT visiting Greece. Greece is great, but Greece is also more expensive! And though these two countries don’t like each other (and I’m not going to help) it is easy enough to find a ferry between Turkey and various Greek islands if you really want to include both in your itinerary. But back to the price… Turkey has stunning coastline and fascinating fairy houses for a fraction of the cost of Greece. Why pay more? (ok probably never going to be their tourism logo, but heck it’s true!)

So why June? Because reason three is the heat that can engulf this country has not started to rise and yet the weather will be warm enough to dip your toes in the Med or the Aegean seas depending on which one you choose.

There is no one friendlier than a Turk, is my reason four. I know, I know, Bermudian hospitality, but I’m telling you, the Turkish people are above and beyond.

Example? Ok. While in Istanbul last year I was stopped on the street by a random Turk. Oh, boy, I thought, he’s going to ask for money. He didn’t. He just broke into conversation asking about where I was from, etc… and comparing it to Turkey. He then offered suggestions for food.

And food is my reason five for visiting Turkey. Along the coast and in Istanbul you will get fish for days, freshly grilled with a dash of vegetables, yoghurt and spices of which you have never tasted. If you head inland you will be amused by the tajines (meat or vegetable stews) that are served in clay pots that servers break open at your table. Of course everywhere you go breakfast will fill you with cheese, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, eggs, honey and bread! If you’re really lucky watermelon too! Not a bad way to start your day.

Sunset at Butterfly Valley in Turkey

Of course if you’re starting your day in Turkey, I would start in it’s cultural capital (in my opinion) and reason six is to head to Istanbul. A city that stretches over two continents, there is more to do here than could fill a week so pace yourself. Filled from bottom to top with history, the Blue Mosque will dazzle while the Topkapi Palace will fill you with visions of sultans and harems. Visit the Grand Bazaar for your haggling and pottery, then mosey to the Spice Bazaar for your heady experience with figs, dried apricots and all the bedding you will need. Head to Taksim Square and Istiklal Caddesi for the longest pedestrian street runs on energy from the restaurants and shops that line it.

Heck Istanbul alone needs its own column (maybe next week? no kidding. Check here for various postcards from my previous trip).

From Istanbul stretch your legs and take a train or bus (or plane if your budget allows it) to the area in the middle of Turkey called Cappadocia.

Before you get to Cappadocia, however, you’ll have run into reason seven: Turkey’s transportation is beyond easy to use! Buses run around the clock to all destinations, trains are lovely and clean and the Turkish airlines cost nothing to take for internal destinations.

Reason eight? An area that could have been the backdrop for Star Wars (and almost became the set for Episode One), Cappadocia will give you breathtaking sunsets and a desert experience while living in a hollowed-out mushroom-shaped rock. How cool is that?!

The Rose Valley in Cappadocia

Well as cool as heading to the coast line in what has to be number nine. Turquoise waters give the sail boats you can rent yourself or join a group on a backpacker’s boat. Sail by the cliffside burials of former rulers and meander through a butterfly gorge before heading to the town of Ephesus and even Troy (not the story, well, they’re still trying to prove it).

Southern Turkish Coastline

Filled with history, beaches and more olives than you will ever need to see in your life, Turkey is the right place to book this June. Of course it won’t be cheap, which brings us to reason ten to visit Turkey: a flight to Istanbul, Turkey is about $1,600 if you fly between June 21 and June 29, but like I had said previously, once you’re there the prices of housing (a beautiful hotel in the tourist area cost about $75 a night for two) and food will be so affordable, that ticket will fly past you in an instant! Of course if you need more incentive, Amy Winehouse will be performing at the end of June in Istanbul. Need more entertainment? www.istanbul.com will help you.

And next week it will be about helping others! Volunteering vs. traveling…..why do it? Well visit here next week and my travel blog www.robynswanderings.com in between.

Adios.

Hanoi Traffic!

As part of my trip around the world I decided to visit the land of war, tailoring and communism….Vietnam. It was a whirlwind trip after I failed to plan enough time in my visa, but nonetheless it was worth it.

Yes, even the night buses! But why feature it today? Well one of our wanderers, Emily, is heading there soon for her trip around South East Asia (she’s been studying in Hong Kong). So I thought, why not revisit my trip?

Here’s what I wrote about Hanoi (for the full version of the account visit here):

I awoke by being thrown off a bus in what the driver claimed to be Hanoi. If I hadn’t seen pictures of the chaotic traffic I never would have believed him and of course there were the ever-present hustlers trying to get us to their hostels. I caved. With backpack in front of him and me behind we somehow negotiated through the traffic. It was clean enough and the price was right (about $8) so I settled in for the night.

My motorbike lift to the hostel

Chaos does not describe Hanoi. Utter mayhem? Maybe. Gets close. There are more motorbikes here than road space and just forget about trying to use a car. Mmmm exhaust fumes.

Now the capital of Vietnam (which is reclaimed from Hue in 1945), Hanoi was also not spared from the war. Instead massive bombings by the Americans managed to destroy a lot of the city and it even hosted one of the most famous POWs, John McCain. In what was called the Hanoi Hilton, McCain, the former presidential candidate, suffered five years of torture and isolation. This former prison was one of my first stops in Hanoi.

Hanoi Hilton (foreground) overshadowed by current hotel!

The Hoa Lo Prison is now overlooked by an actual hotel (slightly and morosely ironic). Nothing, at least that I could see, is said or documented about the POW’s that were held here. Instead it focuses on the Indochina war and the torture by the French.

Then of course I had to go to the Temple of Literature. This was founded in 1070 as a temple to Confucius and the country’s first university was founded here in 1076. It is now one of the most important historical and architectural sites in Hanoi. There are multiple courtyards leading onto one another and even an ATM in one of the last (love the old and new here in Vietnam).

ATM at the temple of literature

This could only be topped by visiting Ho Chi Minh’s Memorial….(note sarcasm). This monstrosity was built to honour a man who never even wanted to be honoured. He never lived in the presidential palace and chose to live in a small bungalow instead ( I guess trying to live the socialism that he instilled).

Right next to this concrete memorial is the tranquil one-pillared pagoda. All in all Hanoi is an easy city to walk around and after an afternoon of sightseeing and with an early start the next day for Halong Bay I returned dodging motorcycles and eager women selling fruit to sleep.

One Pillar Pagoda

A two hour bus ride delivered me and the 9 others destined for a three day, two-night visit to the UNESCO site. Every tour seems to depart from the same 100 feet of dockside so the chaos along with the heat was almost unbearable. That is until I walked on the five-star junk (which is such a bad name for the beautiful wooden, air-conditioned boat that greeted us) where a cold drink and compress greeted me! I was so glad I had splurged on this trip (by splurge it was about $150 for all three days, three meals, one night on the boat and one on the private island) and after at least three overnight buses I figured I deserved it.

Halong Bay….what is there to say? I have never seen anything like it. Forested-green mountains jut out of the turquoise water while monkeys traipse through the expanse and caves offer luminous green escapes. After stuffing myself with crab, shrimp and every type of seafood they could throw at me for lunch it was time to work that off with kayaking!

That night we moored in a nearby cove and with nothing else to do after gorging ourselves on another seafood-stuffed dinner, we all sat on the upper deck watching for shooting stars well into the evening. The next day we traipsed into the Amazing Cave. Yes it is actually called that it is not my poor use of adjectives. Picture Crystal Caves and multiply it by twenty. Nearly 500 to 600 Viet Cong hid in this cave during the war, which should give you an idea how large this stalactite and stalagmite cave is.

View of Halong Bay from the Amazing Cave

From here we transferred to a faster sail boat destined for the private island. With six bungalows and one main house on the entire island there is no electricity all day and at night the stars absolutely glow. Glancing over at the concrete covered Cat Ba Island, where most backpacking tours end-up, I was pleased I had chosen to pay a little extra.

Lounging on the beach and reading, looking out at the natural beauty of Halong Bay was the perfect way to wind-up my tour of Vietnam before boarding my flight back to Bangkok.

I wish Emily all the best and enjoy the trip!! We can’t wait for her tales! It’s an amazing place. For more photos of Vietnam visit My photos.

Central-Mid-levels_escalator_(photo not taken by Emily)

Whether on a trip or living abroad at some point your time abroad will come to an end. What are you going to do? Resolve to return? Refuse to leave?

Or reminisce? Our Wanderer Emily has one week left in her study abroad experience in Hong Kong. Sad, she decided to take her last blog post to remember her time and encourage all of us to go. What are we missing? Here she tells us why she will return to Hong Kong and why everyone needs to go:

Oh, Hong Kong. I have so few days left with thee. As of Wednesday it’s only one more week! Gah!

Unfortunately the last week has been mainly occupied with manic revision coupled with watching obscene amounts of Sex and the City. In hindsight, I’m not sure if the two activities are highly compatible. Best to omit the latter from the study schedule, methinks.

Last night I was treated to a sneak preview of my imminent backpacking adventure: somehow a binge-eating mosquito found its way into my room. I live on the 8^th floor. I didn’t think they could get up here. I’m not looking forward to tonight….I even have three bites on my second toe! Somebody call Overeaters Anonymous. Urgh. And this is in the city.

Speaking of the lovely city, I did manage to make my way into it this week, despite being nearly fully booked with Governance in Asia, International Relations and Carrie Bradshaw. The wonderful thing about Hong Kong is that every time you go into the city, there’s always something new to try and unexpected to see! I particularly love the Soho district of Hong Kong (named so because it’s located South of Hollywood Road in the Central District). It’s an odd, eclectic mix of modernity and tradition. Go for the restaurants, bars, art galleries and antique shops. Ride the Central to Mid Levels Escalator (the longest outdoor covered escalator in the world) and hop off when you inevitably see something interesting.

Shrimp dumplings and chiu chow glutinous rice

You could begin our evening as we did – with fiery Szechuan food. Or try some trendy tapas one of Hong Kong’s many hip cocktail bars! You can find Vietnamese, Moroccan and Shanghainese dumplings all on the same street – and all authentic and cheap.

If you study in Hong Kong, you’ll soon get used to the fact that it’s cheaper to go out to eat than it is to cook at home. Don’t despair: once you get over the initial shock of the grocery store, you’ll find a wealth of choice – from cheap-eats hole in the walls to trendy bistros, both your wallet and your stomach will be happy.

If you’re wandering downtown, you may fun into this elusive character:

The Soho Foot

Ah, the Soho Foot. How I’ll miss him.

Our Masterpieces

Feeling creative? After getting lost walking from Soho to the neighbouring Sheung Wan district one night, my friend and I ran into this cool after dinner activity: Oscary Wine and Art. Grab a paintbrush, grab a glass and get painting! We returned this week to release all that energy from our spicy dinner onto the canvas. Masterpieces. I’ll be back. Again, little unexpected finds like this are one of the reasons while I’ll miss this city so much. Get lost down an alley…and well, next thing you know, you’re Van Gogh.

When wine meets art

If you’ve completed your masterpiece and you’re still hankering for something to do, never fear.

You could grab some late night hummus and shisha at one of the many Moroccan/Egyptian/Lebanese/Nepalese/Younameitese restaurants, or grab a fancy cocktail…well, anywhere. You could wander into the neighbouring Lan Kwai Fong clubbing district or run into one of a number of karaoke bars Hong Kong has to offer.

I’ll never forget belting out a stirring rendition of Killing Me Softly – having earlier enjoyed beer in a Belgian beer and frites bar and Nepalese momos and yak cheese salad at one of my favourite Soho restaurants. I’m sure the other patrons of the bar will never forget it either.

The hardest part of karaoke is choosing the song

Hong Kong is full of the quirky and unexpected. You can bet that I’ll be taking full advantage of everything the city has to offer during my last week in this wonderful, wonderful town.

Daughter and mom walking through the border between Bolivia and Peru

What does it mean to be a mom? Heck that’s not easy to answer when you live in one culture. What does it mean to be a mom around the world?

Lots of different things. Which is why we celebrate mother’s day (today in Bermuda, hence my post. I know, I know, you celebrate mother’s day on different dates in different places around the world!)

When did it start? Well it actually has it’s calls in feminism and the Women’s Movement in the United States when Julia Ward Howe wrote the “Mother’s Day Proclamation” in 1870.

No, she did not demand chocolates and gift certificates to a spa. No, Julia was reacting to the carnage of the Civil War (in the US) and believed that women could be involved in the political movements of their countries.

We can! Yippeee now some more than 100 years later women are….well women have a long way to go. Sure in Bermuda and the United States we might have “equal rights” under the law (and not entirely…but that’s another post at another time), but what we don’t have is equality in society.

It’s hard to argue with the subtle sexism that still exists when in societies such as Egypt’s there are mass problems of women being disregarded even with the recent upheavals and demands for democratic rights! That’s what Amnesty International is calling for (women being involved), but that’s another vein to this story…..

So off of my soap box and down to the founding of this day. Since Julia the day has been taken by various counties to match it with historical matters or the Church to be dedicated to….who else? Mother Mary.

Mother Mary Statue in Santiago, Chile

Like this statue that overlooks Santiago, Chile! Overlooking the city she is the one who will ensure the world is safe.

And who else could? We call her Mother Earth. We know women are the ones that reproduce! So who else would you think of, but your mother when you see a sight like this one:

Glacier

Mother Earth is an amazing place, which makes moms of all kinds and all places amazing people or….animals?

I couldn’t help but throw this photo (below) into the mix. Especially following the glacier pic! Who else could I have picked for strong moms, but Penguins

These classy chics leave the egg cracking and toddler rearing to their husbands, while they head to sea and fill their bellies! Good women.

Pruning Penguins

Of course they return to their babies! But after months in freezing temps they need a few minutes to themselves to warm up and get their composure before returning to their families.

Unfortunately, motherhood is not always recognized in the happiest of situations and one of the most disturbing was in fact the way it was portrayed in Cambodia.

A country that went through a horrendous genocide left behind photos that would break anyone’s heart, but the worst are the photos of the children before they were to be killed and the mothers who held them.

Where does her strength come from?

This will be their last photo together before the Khmer Rouge disposed of them. How does she sit there? How does she hold on?

I know mother’s day is supposed to be happy, but it is also poignant. It is also a reminder of mothers who have gone through so much for their children.

Gone through so much as women and for those who still struggle with motherhood. Unfortunately in too many places in the world, women will die from child birth.

Healthcare is still not universal and women are probably those who lack the most for it. I hope on this day we can celebrate the women who make it all come true and try and make a difference for those who still try.

Happy Mother’s Day

Traditional Mother in Bolivia