Travel Journals

Celebrate What's Right With The World / Thanks Peter!!!

Mon, 11 Aug 2008 23:26:15 GMT

Thanks Peter for sending me this link!!!

I thouroughly enjoyed the presentation!!! Worth the Watch!!! Cheers!!! Gary

Celebrate What's Right With The World

100 people / 1000 people village

Thu, 6 Mar 2008 02:49:05 GMT

Watch the Movie here http://www.miniature-earth.com/me_english.htm
or review the Stats below... Gary

100 people / 1000 people village
February 29th, 2008
I receive many emails from people asking for the text we use on the Miniature Earth movie, below you’ll find the 100 people text updated by us in 2007 and the original text published by Donella Meadows in 1990.

The Miniature Earth text:
If we could turn the population of the earth into a small community of 100 people, keeping the same proportions we have today, it would be something like this:

61 Asians
12 Europeans
08 North Americans
05 South America and the Caribbean
13 Africans
01 Oceania

50 women
50 men
47 lives in urban area
9 are disable

33 are Christian (Catholics, Protestants, Orthodox, Anglicans and other Christians)
18 are Muslims
14 are Hindus
16 are non-religious
6 are Buddhists
13 practice other religions

43 live without basic sanitation
18 live without an improved water source

6 people own 59% of the entire wealth of the community

13 are hungry or malnourished
14 can’t read
only 7 are educated at a secondary level
only 12 have a computer
only 3 have an internet connection

1 adult, aged 15-49, has HIV/AIDS.

The village spend more than US$1.12 trillion on military expenditures UN
and only US$ 100 billion on development aid
If you keep your food in a refrigerator
And your clothes in a closet
If you have a roof over your head
And have a bed to sleep in
You are richer than 75% of the entire world population.

If you have a bank account
You’re one of the 30 wealthiest people in the world.

18 struggle to live on US$ 1.00 per day or less…
53 struggle to live on US$ 2.00 per day or less.
Appreciate what you have
And do your best for a better world.

——————————————————

Donella Meadows text:
If the world were a village of 1000 people:

584 would be Asians

123 would be Africans

95 would be East and West Europeans

84 Latin Americans

55 Soviets (still including for the moment Lithuanians, Latvians, Estonians, etc.)

52 North Americans

6 Australians and New Zealanders

The people of the village would have considerable difficulty communicating:

165 people would speak Mandarin

86 would speak English

83 Hindi/Urdu

64 Spanish

58 Russian

37 Arabic

That list accounts for the mother-tongues of only half the villagers. The other half speak (in descending order of frequency) Bengali, Portuguese, Indonesian, Japanese, German, French, and 200 other languages.

In the village there would be:

300 Christians (183 Catholics, 84 Protestants, 33 Orthodox)

175 Moslems

128 Hindus

55 Buddhists

47 Animists

210 all other religons (including atheists)

One-third (330) of the people in the village would be children. Half the children would be immunized against the preventable infectious diseases such as measles and polio.

Sixty of the thousand villagers would be over the age of 65.

Just under half of the married women would have access to and be using modern contraceptives.

Each year 28 babies would be born.

Each year 10 people would die, three of them for lack of food, one from cancer. Two of the deaths would be to babies born within the year.

One person in the village would be infected with the HIV virus; that person would most likely not yet have developed a full-blown case of AIDS.

With the 28 births and 10 deaths, the population of the village in the next year would be 1018.

In this thousand-person community, 200 people would receive three-fourths of the income; another 200 would receive only 2% of the income.

Only 70 people would own an automobile (some of them more than one automobile).

About one-third would not have access to clean, safe drinking water.

Of the 670 adults in the village half would be illiterate.

The village would have 6 acres of land per person, 6000 acres in all of which:

700 acres is cropland

1400 acres pasture

1900 acres woodland

2000 acres desert, tundra, pavement, and other wasteland.

The woodland would be declining rapidly; the wasteland increasing; the other land categories would be roughly stable. The village would allocate 83 percent of its fertilizer to 40 percent of its cropland — that owned by the richest and best-fed 270 people. Excess fertilizer running off this land would cause pollution in lakes and wells. The remaining 60 percent of the land, with its 17 percent of the fertilizer, would produce 28 percent of the foodgrain and feed 73 percent of the people. The average grain yield on that land would be one-third the yields gotten by the richer villagers.

If the world were a village of 1000 persons, there would be five soldiers, seven teachers, one doctor. Of the village’s total annual expenditures of just over $3 million per year, $181,000 would go for weapons and warfare, $159,000 for education, $132,000 for health care.

The village would have buried beneath it enough explosive power in nuclear weapons to blow itself to smithereens many times over. These weapons would be under the control of just 100 of the people. The other 900 people would be watching them with deep anxiety, wondering whether the 100 can learn to get along together, and if they do, whether they might set off the weapons anyway through inattention or technical bungling, and if they ever decide to dismantle the weapons, where in the village they will dispose of the dangerous radioactive materials of which the weapons are made.

*This article from The Donella Meadows Archive is available for use in research, teaching, and private study. For other uses, please contact Diana Wright, Sustainability Institute, 3 Linden Road, Hartland, VT 05048, (802) 436-1277.

Posted by Lucca Filed in Miniature Earth

Vaccinations and Health Care for a Thailand Trip.

Thu, 5 Apr 2007 22:11:42 GMT

Vaccinations and Health Care for a Thailand Trip.

Yes!!! You need shots!!! Don't get sick in Thailand or the party is over!!!

The US Centers for Disease Control and the Prevention (CDC) highly recommends the following vaccinations for travelers to rural areas of Thailand:

-Typhoid Vaccine,,, one shot is good for two years
-Hepatitis A Vaccine or immune globulin (IG) one shot is good for 10 years

"CDC also recommends that all travelers be up to date with the normal childhood vaccines"

-Polio
-DTP (Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis)
-MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)

You can call the CDC's International Traveler's hotline tollfree at 1-877-FYI-TRIP
(1-877-394-8747) 24 hours a day.

It is important that your Tetanus is up to date or at a minimum, not expired!!!
If you can't remember the last time you got one,,, then it is time!!!
If you had an injury or some other problem (like stepping on a nail or other wound) where they might have given you a Tetanus shot than check that out buy asking for records...
Most people haven't had one for a long time or since they were a kid.

I found the link for you to study and it supports what I told you here!!! Depending on the region you travel to they also suggest to protect yourself from Malaria. That is done by taking malaria pills that you start before the trip and take even after you come home. I took them, others I know did not and didn't have a problem... That appears optional.

See here ---> http://www.cdc.gov/travel/seasia.htm

Your best bet is to make an appointment with a Virologist, and tell him where you are going and he will give you the shots...Looks like the CDC also recommends a Hep B shot too now, as I was just reviewing the CDC website.

Don't wait until it's time to go!!! The Hep A shot is a two part and the 2nd shot is 6 months after the 1st shot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and you need to be complete before you go!

-Take Immodium and Bismuth Tablets (can buy over the counter) for minor diarrhea problems
-Take (Levaquin) anti-diarrhea pills with you for more serious problems. Your doctor can prescribe those.

Protect your Health foremost!!! Without it nothing else really matters!!!

Gary G. Schempp

PS...I also posted this in my journal just now for future reference.

Happy New Year in Lots of Languages!!!

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 23:10:36 GMT

AFRIKAANS - gelukkige nuwejaar
ALBANIAN - Gëzuar vitin e ri
ALSATIAN - e glëckliches nëies / güets nëies johr
ARABIC - aam saiid / sana saiida
ARMENIAN - shnorhavor nor tari
AZERI - yeni iliniz mubarek
BAMBARA - bonne année
BASQUE - urte berri on
BELARUSIAN - Z novym hodam
BENGALI - subho nababarsho
BERBER - asgwas amegas
BETI - mbembe mbu
BOBO - bonne année
BOSNIAN - sretna nova godina
BRETON - bloavezh mat / bloavez mad
BULGARIAN - chestita nova godina
BURMESE - hnit thit ku mingalar pa
CANTONESE - kung hé fat tsoi
CATALAN - bon any nou
CHINESE - xin nian kuai le / xin nian hao
CORSICAN - pace e salute
CROAT - sretna nova godina
CZECH - štastný nový rok
DANISH - godt nytår
DUTCH - gelukkig Nieuwjaar
ESPERANTO - felicxan novan jaron
ESTONIAN - head uut aastat
FAROESE - gott nýggjár
FINNISH - onnellista uutta vuotta
FLEMISH - gelukkig Nieuwjaar
FRENCH - bonne année
FRIULAN - bon an
GALICIAN - feliz aninovo
GEORGIAN - gilotsavt aral tsels
GERMAN - ein gutes neues Jahr / prost Neujahr
GREEK - kali chronia / kali xronia
GUARANÍ - rogüerohory año nuévo-re
HAITIAN CREOLE - bònn ané
HAWAIIAN - hauoli makahiki hou
HEBREW - shana tova
HINDI - nav varsh ki subhkamna
HMONG - nyob zoo xyoo tshiab
HUNGARIAN - boldog új évet
ICELANDIC - farsælt komandi ár
INDONESIAN - selamat tahun baru
IRISH GAELIC - ath bhliain faoi mhaise
ITALIAN - felice anno nuovo, buon anno
JAPANESE - akemashite omedetô
JIVE- Yo, Biitch, 'sup? Chillin 0-7 homee -- b kewl
KABYLIAN - asseguèsse-ameguèsse
KANNADA - hosa varshada shubhaashayagalu
KHMER - sur sdei chhnam thmei
KIRUNDI - umwaka mwiza
KOREAN - seh heh bok mani bat uh seyo
KURDE - sala we ya nû pîroz be
LAO - sabai di pi mai
LATIN - felix sit annus novus
LATVIAN - laimigu Jauno gadu
LINGALA - bonana / mbula ya sika elamu na tonbeli yo
LITHUANIAN - laimingu Naujuju Metu
LOW SAXON - gelükkig nyjaar
LUXEMBOURGEOIS - e gudd neit Joër
MACEDONIAN - srekna nova godina
MALAGASY - arahaba tratry ny taona
MALAY - selamat tahun baru
MALTESE - sena gdida mimlija risq
MAORI - kia hari te tau hou
MONGOLIAN - shine jiliin bayariin mend hurgeye
MORÉ - wênd na kô-d yuum-songo
NORWEGIAN - godt nytt år
OCCITAN - bon annada
PERSIAN - sâle no mobârak
POLISH - szczesliwego nowego roku
PORTUGUESE - feliz ano novo
ROMANI - bangi vasilica baxt
ROMANIAN - un an nou fericit / la multi ani
RUSSIAN - S novim godom
SAMOAN - ia manuia le tausaga fou
SANGO - nzoni fini ngou
SARDINIAN - bonu annu nou
SCOTTISH GAELIC - bliadhna mhath ur
SERBIAN - srecna nova godina
SHONA - goredzwa rakanaka
SINDHI - nain saal joon wadhayoon
SINHALA - suba aluth avuruddak vewa
SLOVAK - stastlivy novy rok
SLOVENIAN - srecno novo leto
SOBOTA - dobir leto
SPANISH - feliz año nuevo
SRANAN - wan bun nyun yari
SWAHILI - mwaka mzuri
SWEDISH - gott nytt år
SWISS-GERMAN - es guets Nöis
TAGALOG - manigong bagong taon
TAHITIAN - ia orana i te matahiti api
TAMIL - iniya puthandu nalVazhthukkal
TATAR - yana yel belen
TELUGU - nuthana samvathsara subhakankshalu
THAI - sawatdii pimaï
TIBETAN - tashi délek
TURKISH - yeni yiliniz kutlu olsun
UDMURT - Vyl Aren
UKRAINIAN - Z novym rokom
URDU - naya saal mubarik
UZBEK - yangi yilingiz qutlug' bo'lsin
VIETNAMESE - Cung Chúc Tân Niên / Cung Chúc Tân Xuân
WALOON - bone annéye / bone annéye èt bone santéye
WELSH - blwyddyn newydd dda
WEST INDIAN CREOLE - bon lanné
YIDDISH - a gut yohr

Worldwide Tipping Guide

Wed, 21 Mar 2007 17:54:59 GMT

Worldwide Tipping Guide
Did you know that tipping can be insulting in Japan?
Were you aware that many European hotels and restaurants add the tip to your bill?

Tipping can be a puzzling experience for overseas travelers. It’s commonplace in some countries, in others it’s expected only in major cities, and in some it simply isn’t done. The rules are also in a constant state of change, so what was appropriate the last time you visited your favorite foreign destination may be completely inappropriate the next time you go.

Our Worldwide Tipping Guide is designed to advise travelers of common tipping practices in over 70 countries. Please remember, however, that it is only a guide – tipping is a reward for good service, and in the end the value is up to you.

Country Restaurants Porters Taxis
Argentina 10% $1 Round up taxi fare or small tip.
Armenia 10% 50 cents - $1 per bag None
Australia 10% in fine restaurants only $2 per bag Round Up
Austria 5% above service charge $1 - $2 per bag Round Up
Azerbaijan 10% 50 cents - $1 per bag None
Bahamas 10% $1 per bag 10%
Bahrain 10% $1 - $2 per bag 10%
Belgium 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Bolivia 10% 75 cents per bag 10%
Brazil 10 - 15% $1 per bag 10%
Brunei None None None
Bulgaria 10% $1 per bag Round Up
Canada 15% $1 - $2 per bag 10%
Cayman Isles 15% if no service chrg $1 per bag 10%
Chile 10% in addition to service chg $1 per bag None
China 3% in major cities $1 - $2 total None
Colombia 10% 75 cents per bag None
Costa Rica None $1 per bag 10%
Cuba $1 for special service $1 for special service $1 for special service
Czech Rep 5 - 10% $1 per bag Round Up
Denmark None $1 per bag Round Up
Ecuador 10% if no service charge 75 cents per bag None
Egypt 5-10% + service charge $1 per bag Round Up
England 10% if no service charge $1 per bag 15%
Fiji None None Round Up
Finland 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
France 5-10% $1 per bag Round Up
Germany 5-10% $1 per bag Round Up
Greece 5-10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Guatemala 10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag 10%
Holland 5-10% $1 per bag Round Up
Hong Kong 10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Hungary 10% if no service charge None Round Up
Iceland 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
India 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Indonesia 10% 50 cents total Round Up
Ireland 10 - 15% $1 per bag Round Up
Israel 12 - 15% if no service charge $1 per bag 12 - 15%
Italy 10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Japan Tipping is perceived as insulting None None
Kenya 5% if no service charge 50 cents per bag None
Luxembourg 5-10% $1 per bag Round Up
Macao 10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Madagascar 10% 50 cents per bag Round Up
Malaysia None None None
Mexico 10-15% $1 50 cents
Morocco Leave loose change 50 cents per bag Round Up
New Zealand None None None
Nicaragua 10% for special service $1 per bag 10%
Norway 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Oman None None None
Paraguay 10% 75 cents per bag 10%
Peru Up to 10% for special service 75 cents per bag None
Philippines 10% 50 cents - $1 per bag Round Up
Poland 10% $1 per bag Round Up
Portugal 10 - 15% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Romania Round Up $1 per bag Round Up
Russia 10 - 15% $1 per bag Round Up
Samoa None None None
Saudi Arabia 10-15% $1 - $2 per bag 10%
Scotland 10-15% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Singapore None None None
South Africa 10% if no service charge 50 cents total 10%
South Korea None None None
Spain 7 - 10% in addition to service charge $1 per bag 10%
Sweden 10% if no service charge $1 per bag Round Up
Switzerland Round up $1 per bag Round Up
Taiwan 10% if no service charge $1 per bag None
Tanzania 10% None None
Thailand None None None
Turkey Round Up $1 per bag Round Up
Ukraine 10% $1 per bag Round Up
United Arab Emirates None None None
United States 15-20% $1 - $2 per bag 10 - 15%
Venezuela 10% 75 cents per bag 10%
Vietnam None None None
Wales 10% if no service charge $1 per bag 10%

Home Sweet Home!!!

Wed, 1 Mar 2006 03:24:20 GMT

32 hours later and I am home!!! WOW,,, what a trip... my head is delerious from mega imput...and a long trip home.

Bangkok, Thailand plane to Tokyo, Japan 7 hours
Tokyo, Japan to Detroit, USA 13 hours
Flight in Detroit CANCELLED... no flight crew '-)
sleep in airport / 4 hour layover to catch 1.5 hour flight to Philadelphia.
Overnight at Ed and Anita's. Up at 5AM drive home 1.5 hours.

6:45AM Tuesday,,, HOME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 15 minutes to shower / and in office at 7:10 to open the office and start the day!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now Tuesday after work,,, digest it all... check mails... to many to respond for now,,, sorry,, all in time...

My three week adventure in SouthEast Asia took me to Cambodia, Thailand, with brief visits in Myanmar (Burma) and Laos. Thailand is definately the "Land of Smiles" I have never seen anything like it... (When I got home I noticed how many shopkeepers and clerks here are so grumpy) GEEEEEE,,, I like it there,,, Will plan a trip to Vietman next year,,, maybe go solo unless I can talk my son into going with me... That would be great...

Thankyou to those who have joined in and added so much fun to my little adventure... I read every comment and enjoyed each one... Thanks Gary

Back in Bangkok for the Grand Palace and Departure Home...

Sun, 26 Feb 2006 07:17:45 GMT

Firtst of all... thanks to everyone that I see has left a note or message here, or in Guestbook or photo comments,,, That's really fun... It is impossible by now you know,,, to respond to those messages as time is always terribly short when traveling,,, but I do see and read everyones and appreciate your efforts... thanks so much... soooooooo...

SouthEast Asia for about 3 weeks has been awesome... Most of the time was spent touring Thailand but the 3 day visit to Cambodia to see the Temple of Angkor Wat (full complex is 16 square miles) and other temples and sites there as well as one day trips to Myanmar (Burma) and Laos were stunning.

We rode the local overnight train from Chiang Mai to Bangkok last night (700 miles) arived at 6:30 to start our last day in Bangkok... The Grand Palace in Bangkok, Thailand is mind boggling... pix later. Now it's time to wind down, do some postcards, get a massage (a one hour Thai massage can be got for between 4 and 8 dollars / and a 2 hour oil massage can be had for about 12 to 16 USD) have a dinner with the group and get about 2 hours sleep before getting up at 2AM to get started with the departure process. Plane leaves for Japan at 6AM... Full flight and layover time is about 30 hours...

Some highlights were the Elephant trek, the home hosted dinner, the school visit, rafting, massages (so cheap - can do every day) PS,,, one hour foot massage is about 100 Baht or $2.50 USD) Touring factories and seeing the sweatshops for learning experiences, The bridge over the river Kwai,,, Hellfire Pass and Museum and of course all the people that I had the good fortune to pass by...

Ohhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh,,, the river markets with all the local people seling foods, textiles and wares from their little boats was like out of a movie... Dozens of colorfull boats and people all jamming the waterway for your business... What a sight...

Bye for now... going postcard shopping... Thanks for checking in... Gary

Chiang Mai back to Bangkok...

Sat, 25 Feb 2006 05:38:49 GMT

Today we take a train back to Bangkok for a flight home early Monday morning...

Chiang Mai,,, the temples, elephant camp, river rafting, visiting the Hilltribe people of Northern Thailand and enjoying all the Smiles has certainly been some highlights of the trip,,, But I am a little delerious from non-stop exploring...

It's been a powerfull 3 weeks... and I certainly plan on a re-visit taking in Vietnam as well next time.

For those of you that joined in and left comments,,, I just want to say that I really appreciate it... Talk to your soon,,,

Thanks... Gary

PS,,, It's Saturday at 2:30PM. I leave in 1 hour to catch the train back to Bangkok,,, it's a night train,,, will leave at 4:40 PM and arrive at 6 AM Sunday... one day in Bangkok then fly home Monday AM and get home same day 4:49 PM (about 27 hours in the air and with layovers)

Elephant Camp near Chiang Mai and River Raft Trip

Fri, 24 Feb 2006 01:19:23 GMT

Geeeeeeeeeee,,, the adventure continues,,, and I am amazed... I RODE MY FIRST ELEPHANT!!! Wow, was that awesome... wish there were time to post the pictures '-( but there is too much to do... Like ride river rafts and visit the night Bazaar where you can see or buy ANYTHING...

Still up everyday at about 5:55 and crash around 11:00 to 1 or 2 in the morning... Now we are leaving for a trip to a Buddist Temple in the mountains of Chaing Mai and then to have a talk with a buddins monk...

Gotta Go!!! Gary

Chiang Mai, Thailand

Wed, 22 Feb 2006 00:49:35 GMT

Dear Diary!!! Sa wa dee...

The pace is excellerating,,, if that is possible... Two days ago we arrived in Chiang Rai (in Northern Thailand) by bus and am currently residing near the border of Myanmar (Burma) and Laos... Yesterday I visited both,,, Burma by walking across the border in the morning and touring around for 1/2 day and then Laos in the PM by renting a small boat to cross the river... truely amazing...

I bought one of those little birds in a basket for 20 Thai Baht (about 50 cents) and let it free with a wish... When I asked how they catch it again I found out that they fly back on their own only to be sold again '-) So cool,,, we need to do that with termites and fleas '-)

Temp is cooler here in the North... Day temp is down to mid 80's and nights are 70's... really perfect... Sunny, no rain, no wind,,, and smiles,,, lots and lots of smiles...

Today we load up and move on to Chiang Mai where we will visit an elephant camp among other things...

Yes, I will get a pix of me on an elephant... Cheers from the "Land of Smiles" Gary

Phrae, Thailand

Sun, 19 Feb 2006 17:10:14 GMT

Thankyou Erin, Peter, Susi, Steve (your comedy is unmatched-thanks for the humor) John, Cath, Irene, Myra, Viviane, Stein, Anita, Adriana, Peter W and others,,,

I see your comments this Sunday night at midnight (thanks) as Geccos (little lizzards) run around this hotel lobby room ceiling eating mosquitoes and chirping every now and then,,, it's about 90 here at midnight and I love it!!! It's winter here now,,, summer gets to 114 F!!! With even more humidity...

I am having a very difficult time with finding not only time for internet but internet that WORKS!!! Very frustrating...

But here I am in the Middle of Phrae, Thailand working my way North towards Myanmar (Burma)... amazed at what wonderfull people I am having the good fortune to meet... and the sights, smells, tastes, and treasures that I am picking up along the way,,, like irreplaceable memories...

The pace is FAST,,, wow,,, not a minute is wasted,,, I get up at 5:45 to 6 AM,,, go all day till about 1 or 2 in the morning,,, sleep like a log for 4 or 5 hours and go again!!!

Thailand is AWESOME!!! Like Vid said "Land of Smiles" Thanks for checking in... Bye for now,,, Gary

Back in Bangkok!!!

Tue, 14 Feb 2006 01:52:59 GMT

Hi!!! It's Tuesday 8:45 AM... WOW,,, my first full night sleep...after the flight 1 hour flight back to Bangkok. 7 FULL hours of unconsiousness... It was great!!!

Cambodia for 3 days was awesome... very poor but it is amazing how cheerfull all the people seem to be from kids to adults. We could all learn a lesson from that. You will see for yourself when I get a chance to post some more photos,,, (but when- no time'-)

We visited the "Killing Fields" location and the memorial... where the POL POT regime killed 3 million people in the last 20 years. Mostly educated people so as to reduce the threat to the regime... more on that later... Most kids families were wiped out... Unbelievable...

If you give a kid 1 US dollar, its enough to eat for a couple of days. Just about everyone lives in shacks or wherever there is some shelter... Yet they survive and flourish... The human spirit is truely amazing...
You will see.

So now with that part of the adventure behind me in travels (but not forgotten) I will esplore this HUGE cith of Bangoko... Here for 3 days... Stay tuned!!!

Thanks!!! Cheers!!! Gary

Siem Reap, Cambodia (including Angkor Wat!!!)

Mon, 13 Feb 2006 00:53:01 GMT

Well, after all those flights to get here I got a few hours of hotel rest (about 6) and then it was time to get back to the Airport in Bangkok for my flight to Siem Reap, Cambodia for a few days.

Cambodia is quite a place... People are really friendly, the food is great and things are pretty cheap.

The ancient city of Angkor Wat is definately the big attraction and is really quite unbelievable but I also saw amazing sites at Angkor Bo (another Temple) our home hosted lunch with a Cambodian family, a Cultural Dinner Show with traditionl dance and music, local beer (Angkor - what else?)
We even went to a dinner puppet show put on by local kids,,, quite amaxing, especially being able to go backstage and photograph them. Today there is a boat ride and we visit the "Killing Fields" before the 7:30 PM flight back to Bangkok.

Cambodia is really awesome, and hot, but I like it hot!!! I would come back here in a heartbeat,,, Cheers, Gary

My Feet are in Thailand!!! My Head is in Delerium!!! WOW...

Sat, 11 Feb 2006 01:11:54 GMT

Hello Everyone!!! Geeeeeeeee,,, 30 hours to get here!!! But I made it,,, and it's great, and HOT but that's what I wanted!!! Be carefull what you wish for '-) It's gonna be great I can tell...

Thanks to Erin for taking care of things while I am gone and for making all this possible!!! You're the BEST!!!

Thanks to Eddie and Anita for taking me to the Phila. airport at 6:45AM on Thursday!!! We got our traditional farewell pictures!!!

And thanks to all my Family and Friend for your support, interest and enthusiam.

Phila to Detroit 2 hours planeride
3 hour layover.

Detroit to Tokyo 13 hours planeride
2 hour layover.

Toyko to Bangkog 7 hours planeride
2 hours in customs!!!

Time difference is 12 hours later than Eastern Standard Time (6 hours difference than Europe)

30 hours is a LONG TIME!!! Anyway,,, All went smooth and got to the Bangkok airport at Saturday at 12:30 midnight... Customs was 2 hours so I finally got to the hotel at 2:30 AM,,, and met some of the group in the courtesy shuttle...

The bus driver and the tour guide had to push the bus to jump start it!!! But that's another story!!!

WOW,,, that shower at 3 AM felt great!!! Got up at 6:15 for breadfast and to be the first at 7:30 on this hotel internet computer. Now we leave at 9AM for a 1 hour flight to Cambodia where our TOUR BEGINS!!!

So with all of that out of the way,,, it's time to explore!!!

Next stop "Angkor Wat" Cambodia...

Thanks for checking in!!! I will see your comments (and love them) but I may not be able to respond very well,,, sorry!!! Bye Bye for now!!! Gotta go see Monkeys and Temples!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Gary

Leaving for airport!!!

Thu, 9 Feb 2006 11:45:24 GMT

Well,,, it's Thur Feb 9th already!!! 6:40 AM

Time to leave for the Philadelphia Airport... I fly to Detroit,,, wait 2 hours,,, fly to Narita airport in Tokyo, Japan and then fly to Bangkok, Thailand.

Arrive SATURDAY at noon... More later... thanks for checking in!!!

Cheers!!! Gary

SouthEast Asia Trip Feb. 2006 Photo and Journal Page Links

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 17:43:24 GMT

For SouthEast Asia Photo Albums http://public.fotki.com/GaryGS1/travel_albums/southeast_asia/cambodia/";>Click Here

For SouthEast Asia Journal Entries http://journals.fotki.com/GaryGS1/Travel/category/southeastasia/";>Click Here

I look forward to your comments!!! Gary
Ohhhhhhhhhhh,,, the picture is a link too!!! Enjoy '-)

Basic Thai Language

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 16:36:31 GMT

Thai language uses long & short tones, high tones & low tones to
describe a word, a word such as (Ma) has more than 3 meanings,
depending on the tone its spoken with.
eg: Ma = Horse, Dog & Come

Most Thai language books I have read are very confusing and the correct
pronunciation of simple words can still be quite a challenge.
eg: The word "thank you" is spelt "Khurp" in most language books.
For an English speaking person, this word sounds the same as "Cup" .

The words I have listed below have been written as you would pronounce it
in English, I have not used any variations of tones as this will only confuse you.

Just say the word as if it was English language & you will be understood by
most of the Thai locals.

Basic Words & Greetings in Thai language
Hello = Sawa dee
Thank you = Spoken by males = cup / Females = Ka
Thank you very much = Ka poon cup/ ka poon Ka

(Thank you) Cup / Ka, can be said at the end of any sentiance, it is a sign of
respect to whom you are speaking with and is regarded as being polite.

How are you? = Coon Sabbi dee may
I am fine thanks = Pom Sabbi dee cup / Ka
I am good thanks how are you ? = Pom Sabbi dee cup, coon sabbi dee may
Your Welcome = Yin dee cu / ka
Wait = Cooy
Waiting long time = Cooy nun lowel

The wordLowal= past tense - it has happened already.
The word is used at the end of the sentance to say "past tense".

Come = Ma
Come from = Ma Ja
I have come from Australia = Pom Ma Ja Australia
Has come/ Arrived = Ma Lowel

Go = Pie
Gone already = Pie Lowel
Go Where = Pie Nay
Go soon = Pie Dell Nee

Eat = Gin
Drink = Durn
Food = Aharn
Snack food = Ka Nom
Have eaten already = Gin Lowel
Rice = cow
I am Hungry = Pom Hue
Are you Hungry = Coon hue may
Tasty = Aroy
I have eaten already thanks = gin lowel cup / ka
I am full thank you = Imm lowel cup

Understand = Cow J
Don't Understand = May Cow J
I dont Know = May Roo
Want = Owl
Don't Want = May Owl

Now = Don nee
Today = Wan nee
To night = Coon nee
This morning = Chow nee
Tomorrow = Prong nee
Yesterday = More wan
What is the time = Gee mong lowal

Water = Nam
Ice = Nam kang
Hot Water = Nam Ron
Cold Water = Nam Yen
Water Fall = Nam dock
Rain = Fon
Raining = Fon dock
Water Fall = Nam Dock
Shower = Up Narm

May be / Perhaps = Bung T
Play = Len
Speak = Port
Funny = Snook
I know = Pom roo
I don't know = Pom may roo
Every thing = Took Sing
Large = Yaa
Small = leck
Fast = Rewel
Slow= cha

Crazy = Baa
You are Crazy = Coon Baa lowel
You are Very Crazy = Coon Baa Mark
Stupid = Ting Tong
You are stupid = Coon Ting Tong lowel

Have = Me
I have = Pom me
I Don't have = Pom may me
You have = Coon me
You don't have = Coon may me
Can not hear you= May dar yin Coon
I can hear you = Pom dar yin coon
Work = Tam yarn
I want = Pom Don gun
I Think = Pom Kitt waar
Why = Tum mi
I am sick = Pom mezza bi

Happy = Quarm sook or Sabbi dee
I am Happy = Pom me quarm sook or Pom me sabbi
I am not Happy = Pom me may sabbi
I am Sad = Pom me Sour J
I am Sorry = Pom me Sair J
I am Confused = Pom me Sap som
Never mind = May pen rye
A lot / Very = Mark
Hurt / Pain = Jep
I am full = Imm lowals
I forget = Pom leum lowel
Where is = U T Nay
Over their = T non
Here = T nee
When = Mar rye

Friend = Pern
Problem = Parn ha
I have a problem = Pom me parn ha
Afraid = Glue A
Frightend / Scare = Jock J
Smells bad= Men (Hmmm.. . I think the Thai language was written by a female)
Good = Dee
Very Good = Dee mark
Bad = Leeoo or May Dee
Hot Day = Dad lon
Cold wind = Lom yen
Strong wind = Lom lang

Bathroom / Toilet = Hung Nam
Shower = Up nam
Look = Doo
See = Hen
Again = Eek
Tell a Lie = Port Go Hok
Talking Shit/ lies alot = Port Key Mong
Promise= Sanya
Sorry = Car Tort

Boxing = Muay
Thai Boxer = Nuck Muay
Warrior = Nuk Soo
Pratice Muaythai = Som Muay
Elbow = Fun Sock
Punch = Chalk
Kick = Dek
Left Punch = Chalk Sigh Right Kick= Dek Quar
Front Kick = Tep
Grapple= Grum
Win = Chana Win Victorious = Me Chi
Good Luck = Chalk dee

A Few Simple Tips:
When you use the word May @ the end of a sentence, it means you are asking a question. eg: Are you hungry ? = Coon Hue may
Are you happy ? = Coon sabbi dee may
Do you have a boy friend ? = Coon me fan may

To use the word May in front of a word means = no / don't.
eg: I don't understand = May Cow J
No thanks = May cup
I don't know = May roo
I don't like it = Pom may chop

Handy Thai Phrases When Flirting
Eyes = Dar
Pretty = Null ark
Beautiful = Sway
Hansome = Law
Breasts = Nom
Kiss = Joop
Like = Chop
You are very beautiful = Coon sway mark
You are very pretty = Coon null ark mark
What is your name ? = Coon chew alie
You have a beautiful smile = Coon me yim sway
Happy to meet you = Quam sook T die pop coon
See you again = Pop Gun
Do you have a boy friend ? = Coon me fan may
I like you = Pom chop coon
You have big breasts = Coon me nom yaa
You have small breasts = Coon me nom leck
What are you thinking ? = Coon Kitt alie
I am Shy = Pom key eye
You look good = Coon doo dee
I love you long time = Pom Rak coon nun lowel

Numbers Currency: (THB) Thai baht
(1) = Nin
(2) = Song
(3)= Sam
(4) = See
(5) = Ha
(6)= Hok
(7) = Jet
(8) = Pad
(9) = Cow
(10) = Sip
(11) = Sip ett
(12) = Sip song
(13) = Sip sam
(14) = Sip see
(15) = Sip ha
(20) = Yee sip
(21) = Yee sip ett
(22) = Yee sip song
(23) = Yee sip sam
(24) = Yee sip see
(25) = Yee sip ha
(30) = Sam sip
(40) = See sip
(50) = Hok sip
(60) = Jet sip
(100) = Nin roy
(150) = Nin roy ha sip
(500) = Ha roy (
1000) = Nin pun (
1500) = Nin pun ha roy
(2000) = See pun
(5000) = Ha pun

Time in Thai Language
2 am = D song
3 am = D sam
4 am = D see
5 am = D ha
6 am = Hok mong chow
7 am = Jet mong chow
8 am = Pad mong chow
9 am = Cow mong chow
10 am = Sep mong chow
11 am = Sip ett mong
Mid day = Thung

1 pm = Bi nin
2 pm = Bi song
3 pm = Bi Sam
4 pm = See mong yen
5 pm = Ha mong ye
6 pm = Hok mong yen
7 pm = Nin toom
8 pm = Song toom
9 pm = Sam toom
10 pm = See toom
11 pm = Ha toom
Mid night = Thung coon

Thanks to this very resourcefull website ---> http://www.rawaimuaythai.com/";>www.rawaimuaythai.com<;/a>

SouthEast Asia Trip Feb. 2006

Sun, 5 Feb 2006 06:10:45 GMT

Dear Family and Friends!!! Adventure keeps calling me... (Mr. Can't sit still '-)
I leave for Cambodia, Thailand and Myanmar (formerly known as Burma) for three weeks starting on Feb. 9th, 2006.

(All thumbnails are active links / use your back button to return)

I was very happy with, and will be using the same adventure travel company that I used for http://public.fotki.com/GaryGS1/travel_albums/costa_rica_dec_2004/";>Costa Rica last Dec/Jan 2005-6, which was http://oattravel.com/";>Overseas Adventure Travel

My Folders and Starter Albums are all ready set uphttp://public.fotki.com/GaryGS1/travel_albums/southeast_asia/";> Here
I will add "Road Pix" from internet cafe's whenever I can.
As Always '-) I look forward to your comments and support (that's always a highlight- seeing your comments!!!)

PS,,, here is a glance of the http://www.oattravel.com/gcc/general/default.aspx?oid=118206";>TRIP
I will be doing the pre-tour Cambodia gig but not the Vietnam post-tour so it totals out to 19 days.

PS2,,, If you ever want to use this company I have
http://public.fotki.com/GaryGS1/travel_albums/southeast_asia/preparations_for_a-1/overseas_adventure/overseas_adventure-17.html";>Discount Travel Referral Coupons '-)

Diaw joe kan na' (See you soon in Thai) !!! '-)Gary

Montreal, Canada

Wed, 30 Nov 2005 03:03:59 GMT

A wonderfull 4 day get-away to Montreal, Canada. Thankyou Erin!!!

Wandering the streets and relaxing... Gary

Rick Steves Turkey Tour Evaluation 10-05

Sun, 16 Oct 2005 00:03:09 GMT

Rick Steves' 2005 Tours
Your Name: Gary G. Schempp
Your City/State: Cape May Court House, NJ
Date Tour Began: Sep 12, 2005
Name of Tour: Best of Turkey in 13 Days
Name of Lead Guide or Bus Plus Escort: Tan Aran
Name of Assistant Guide: Drew Dickson

1. What were the most important factors in choosing this tour (length, season, price, destination, village aspect, friend's recommendation)?

.........Answer: I had visited much of Europe on my own happily and successfully using Rick Steves guidebooks but had not been to Turkey. The price was right and the itineraries looked interesting. Figured a tour there might be better than travel on my own and this would be a good oportunity to find out about a Rick Steves tour firsthand.

2. Do you have a favorite "wow!" moment or magic memory from your trip? Tell us about it.

.........Answer: I probably was amazed most by our 3 hour hike in Cappadocia. But our accommodations, the sites and the history lessons from our tour leader "Tan" were all excellent...

3. Are there any hotels, meals or other experiences that stand out in your mind as particularly good or bad? Why?

.........Answer: Of course the home hosted lunch was my favorite,,, you can always get "buffet" food... But these events are always special... Good idea to fit it in!!! Bad,,, no nothing bad,,, everyone but me seemed to get sick for a couple of days in the middle of the trip... Perhaps someone should take a closer look at the food sources during this time??? (It followed Cappadocia)

4. Could we have used your tour time more efficiently? If so, how?

.........Answer: In my opinion, all time was used efficiently,,, Tan and Drew did a superb job of educating us while we traveled via bus and during site visits...

5. Could our office have better oriented and prepared you for your tour? If so, how?

.........Answer: It would have been more efficient to have a completely prepared list of all tour members filled out before orientation. We had lots of blank spaces and name guessing for some days but that's not a big deal.
I would have liked to had some formal introduction bewteen all the tour members right from the beginning during the first orientation. Perhaps just a few minutes for parties to tell about themselves briefly.
Overall preparations were more than adequate.

6. If you were misled in any way in the advertisement of your tour, please explain.

.........Answer: No, not misled,,, perhaps understated '-) but thanks for asking!!!

7. Comments on the Tour Leader?

.........Answer: Tan was a true leader,,, under control at every turn. Knowledgable of history and current affairs in all aspects of tour related information,,, You could not tell that his native language was Turkish as he spoke English so well and very clear, which is important on a tour. Thanks to Tan for a very successfull journey thru Turkey...

8. Comments on the performance of your assistant guide?

.........Answer: Drew was great!!! Very knowledgable, knew several languages and history of the region, easy to get along with, and made the perfect assistant!!! Good luck to Drew,,,

9. Comments on the performance of your driver?

.........Answer: Our Driver (Mesut) was excellent) well, except for the one morning he overslept??? He was obviously a very professional driver, polite and helpful. I liked him.

10. Do you have any more comments about your tour?

.........Answer: I would highly recommend a Rick Steves tour if your destination is Europe. Excellent guidebooks, excellent staff, and excellent tours... I have found all aspects of the Rick Steves Travel Company very professional, enthusiastic, responsive, dedicated and committed to excellence in Travel.

Great tour experience,,, Gary G. Schempp

GaryGS1@yahoo.com">GaryGS1@yahoo.com

and http://www.garygs1.com//>;http://www.garygs1.com/<;/a>

PS... due to formatting problems in copying the evaluation form not all comment boxes were copied... and some information was revised here post submission. Gary

The Picture below is a link to our Turkey Tour Group!!! Post a comment!!! Cheers!!! Gary
[photo id=tfksbwwfkkksss link=custom href=http://public.fotki.com/GaryGS1/travel_albums/turkey_-_greece/turkey_sept_2005/our_group/]