Things I learned from my jaunt through Asia:

OVERALL:  THE PEOPLE ARE WONDERFUL!!! (1-12 BELOW)

[Show slideshow]

 
2. Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries with friendly people and an up and coming economy that will flourish for years. The food was probably one of my most favorite in the world.

Vietnamese food

3. The US just didn’t do damage to Vietnam during the war but it spilled out into other countries causing a chain reaction-Cambodia and Pol Pot, Land mines and bombs in Laos. This just touches the surface of things. The effects are still seen today. This was a perfect example of leaders to institute their own twisted ways of thinking on the populations
4. In Cambodia I noticed a strong hint of French Revolution Reign of Terror tactics used…..wiping out traces of Cambodia’s History with the systematic annihilation of people that were educated or religious leaders or even knew a foreign language. Also he tried to start their history over with Year 0, I noticed a strong similarity with what Robespierre did with the new French Revolution Calendar which wiped out traces of Religious and Royalist Influence Interesting to note that Pol Pot was educated in France, although he failed out of school. The killing fields and the Prison was very hard for me to be at. Finally Khmer Rouge=Jacobin Party!!!!! PERFECT EXAMPLE OF HISTORY REPEATING ITSELF!!!!

History repeats itself years later-Louis 16 and Marie Antoinette being executed, Maximillian Robespierre being executed, Directoire giving up power to Napoleon-All had consequence’s eerily similar in Asia.

Killing Fields in Cambodia-the result of a crazy leader with Marxist inspired and French Revolution thought=2-3 million educated dead and the loss of an entire generation

5. Beer Lao is one of my favorite beers on the planets!!!! I never got tired of drinking it and the Beer Lao Gold and Dark are some of my favorites!!!! A friend of mine George Marinkovich who lives in Thailand said “BeerLao is the best beer in THAILAND.”

Beer Lao

6. Laos is probably one of the most beautiful and scenic countries in the world with low clouds and beautiful majestic mountains. The people are friendly, the food is spicy, and the beer is cold. What more could you ask for in life?

Waterfall in Laos

7. After talking to many people in Vietnam. I figured out that the Vietnam War was just another war that shows it is very difficult to defeat guerrilla warfare. It is also a great example of how people fighting for an ideological cause can always trump over a strong power. Shows that ideas are stronger than money. Just ask Napoleon in his march through Spain to take over Portugal, or Britain during the American Revolution. You get invited into a country, you better know the land or you will fail.

Tunnels close to North and South Vietnamese border

8. Many of these countries do not use supermarkets to buy food. They have local markets in each city. Fresh food=no preservatives=no frozen food= a healthy lifestyle and a lot of walking!!!!!

Markets are the way to go

9. I had a blast traveling with my cousins Zach, Kelley, and David for the first part of the trip. We have already started planning another trip in a couple years!!!!! Vietnam Cousins forever!!!!  The people i met along the way both locals and foreigners really made my trip a great one, especially traveling to the villages

The Cousins invade Vietnam

10. I believe that Singapore is a perfected version of the UAE. The food is great yet expensive and it has perfected a blend of food a and cultures that share a common understanding of each other in just 50 short years. Well Done!!!!!

The skyline!!!

11.  I love pork and think that it should be a staple in everyones diets.  I also like pigs too, so I have a conflict of interest!!!

Smoked Ribs

VS.

lovely pigs

12.  Barring a twist of fate by one of the many deities that humanity worships or a natural disaster i am positive I will live here and work here(SE Asia) in a couple of years. Endless opportunities for work and/or to start a small business will arise in the future.  Perhaps I will live and work here for the long haul.  Usually what I say or do happens, because I make it happen.

Thank you to John and his family for putting me up.  We ended just how we met, at a Japanese Izakaya eating a lot of food!!!!  His parents and wife are amazing people and his kids are beautiful!!!

THEN IN AKITA JAPAN 2007

Financial Hub! Expensive! Hot and Humid! But great place and great atmospheres .

I have never liked cities or countries that are financial capitals and lined with concrete buildings, however Singapore is a little different. In just 50 years (Independence was in 1965 from Malaysia, this country has prospered and grown into one of the great cities in the world. Unlike other cities like this I have traveled to, namely Abu Dhabi, and Dubai, this city has its own unique culture and a different feel to it. Its streets are lined with the most pristine and well kept sidewalks and to find a piece of trash on the ground is rare. Everything is quite expensive here, but you have to pay, if you want to play.

Haw Par Villa-this is a theme  park that is probably one of the most tripped out places I have ever been. It was made years ago by the inventor of Tiger Balm and puts all these old Chinese legends, philosophies, and tales into concrete sculptures.   Even now looking back at the pictures I can honestly say that it was a place that I just dropped my mouth out at every turn. Take a look at the pictures and tell me if you think so….Remember the 10 Courts of Hell of Buddhism and Chinese Mythology is awaiting you.  Many of these predate the Western Monotheistic Religions by hundreds of years….hmmmmmm

[Show slideshow]

Jaunts around the city seems to be my favorite thing to do. I like getting dropped off in the middle of town and just meandering and finding my own way to see what I run into.  With so many mixing of cultures here, they have different neighborhoods with a variety of ethnic groups, all bringing their style and taste.  The buildings are awe inspiring and all paint a picture of this country that is soon to celebrate its 50th Anniversary.  The Merlion spitting water into the marina and the new sports complex is something not to be missed!!!!

[Show slideshow]

Museums in this city are very well kept and elaborate with a simple taste. Here is an example of a few of them:

Art Museum:

[Show slideshow]

Singaporean History Museum:

[Show slideshow]

Stamp Museum:

[Show slideshow]

Peranaken Museum (Chinese Immigrants who came to Malay Peninsula during British occupation):

[Show slideshow]

Asian Civilizations Museum:

[Show slideshow]

Another Cooking Class.  Must i say anymore?

The Cookery Magic school is found in a lady named Ruqxana’s house on the East Side of Singapore.  She has her classes very well planned out with menus for each day so people know what they are making.  I was impressed with how well she was organized and enjoyed my 7 and last cooking class of this trip!!!!

[Show slideshow]

The sites of this city make it what it is. From the Merlion, to the walks in the park, to going to different parts of the city…..this place has it all. Take it that it was very hot, but that didn’t stop me from doing anything at all, even if it meant wearing me out!!!!  Well done Singapore and congrats on your 50th Anniversary!!!