The new Hebrew year has come and the best way to celebrate it is with family. So on our way to New York city from Niagra Falls ,Canada, we stop in Itacha in New-York state. Ami , Shiri, Tomer and Aya are living their right now while Ami is Studying in Cornell University. (by the way Ami is Ophir cousin if you don't know)
We had a great dinner together and we had lots of fun.
so SHANA TOVA TO ALL of YOU!!!!
Thursday, September 28, 2006
Saturday, September 16, 2006
10 days of vacation!!!!
Vacation!!! Sounds good! We went and ordered a motel room for 4 nights next to Disney World and ordered 7 nights cruise in the Caribbean after that. All was good, the weather was nice and than hurricane Ernesto came... we were so worried!
In the end the hurricane was just a tropical storm and all we got is rain. By the time we started the 2nd day in Disney world it was sunny and hot again.
The days in Disney world passed so fast we started the day at 7am and finished at 11pm. it was great!! And of course than we went to the cruise and the real vacation started... 3 islands to see and 3 fun days at sea. The cruise went by like it never started. We had so much fun. And no hurricane!!!!
It was so good that we said we had to do it again.
At the moment we are in Virginia and getting close to the day that we go back to Israel. (2 weeks from today and we land in Israel)
We are looking forward to see the family and all of our friends.
See you soon.
P.S. the photo was taken at Disney World.
In the end the hurricane was just a tropical storm and all we got is rain. By the time we started the 2nd day in Disney world it was sunny and hot again.
The days in Disney world passed so fast we started the day at 7am and finished at 11pm. it was great!! And of course than we went to the cruise and the real vacation started... 3 islands to see and 3 fun days at sea. The cruise went by like it never started. We had so much fun. And no hurricane!!!!
It was so good that we said we had to do it again.
At the moment we are in Virginia and getting close to the day that we go back to Israel. (2 weeks from today and we land in Israel)
We are looking forward to see the family and all of our friends.
See you soon.
P.S. the photo was taken at Disney World.
Sunday, August 20, 2006
USA - our last destination in our big trip
It's been a long time since we updated the blog. It looks like we got stuck in NZ but we didn't. We have traveled to AUSTRALIA and FIJI and now in the US.
In short, we spent 3 weeks in Australia. We went from Melbourne to Brisbane. We flew to Fiji and spent a week over there. After that we flew to Los Angeles in California.
There are a lot of stories to tell about the places that we have been in these past few months but we don't have so much internet time so we will just skip it
In the US we bought a car and we are now after 2.5 months travel in the west coast.
We went to a lot of National Parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Seqoia, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Capitol Reef, Escelante, and Crater Lake). In those parks we did a lot of camping and day trips. We have been also to big cities like Vegas, LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and many more.
We have a car so it means that to all of those places we drove and so far we have done..... 9000 miles.
We are now in Chicago starting our way to the east coast. The mid west as the American calls it (there is no mid east.) was really nice. We went to see Mount Rushmore in the middle and it was quite amazing to see the 4 presidents carved into the mountain.
It’s time to sleep... hope you are all well and we hope you will comment our post and our photos so we will know that someone is reading it and looking at our photos.
Bye bye
Irit & Ophir
p.s. In the photo you can see us in the Grand Canyon National Park
In short, we spent 3 weeks in Australia. We went from Melbourne to Brisbane. We flew to Fiji and spent a week over there. After that we flew to Los Angeles in California.
There are a lot of stories to tell about the places that we have been in these past few months but we don't have so much internet time so we will just skip it
In the US we bought a car and we are now after 2.5 months travel in the west coast.
We went to a lot of National Parks (Zion, Bryce Canyon, Arches, Canyonlands, Mesa Verde, Grand Canyon, Seqoia, Yosemite, Yellowstone, Glacier, Capitol Reef, Escelante, and Crater Lake). In those parks we did a lot of camping and day trips. We have been also to big cities like Vegas, LA, San Francisco, San Diego, Seattle and many more.
We have a car so it means that to all of those places we drove and so far we have done..... 9000 miles.
We are now in Chicago starting our way to the east coast. The mid west as the American calls it (there is no mid east.) was really nice. We went to see Mount Rushmore in the middle and it was quite amazing to see the 4 presidents carved into the mountain.
It’s time to sleep... hope you are all well and we hope you will comment our post and our photos so we will know that someone is reading it and looking at our photos.
Bye bye
Irit & Ophir
p.s. In the photo you can see us in the Grand Canyon National Park
Tuesday, May 09, 2006
Living on a sheep farm, Lawrence
Well we just thought that after the milking experience we need also some experience with sheep. So we managed to sleep in a farm that has sheep and cattle. We woke up early in the morning and went to help to gather the sheep and bring them to the centre of the farm. (Well the dogs did the entire job we just joined the ride). After that we helped the farmer Gram to weigh the sheep. That was really nice and it was not as hard and not as messy as working with cows.
The steepest road in the world, Dunedin
After the Rodeo we had time to explore the bug city near by, Dunedin. It's a beautiful city and we have spent there 2 nice days. We went to see a movie, saw the botanic gardens, went to see a Cadbory chocolate factory and explored the beautiful streets. The Otago peninsula is just near Dunedin and we spent there half a day and we managed to see Albatross & more seals.
In The photo you can see Irit climbing on the steepest street in the world, which can be found in Dunedin.
In The photo you can see Irit climbing on the steepest street in the world, which can be found in Dunedin.
Saturday, April 29, 2006
Rodeo in New Zealand
We heard about a Rodeo happening somewhere in Outram, so we decided to check it out. We found out where & when and we also arranged accommodation near by. On the day of the Rodeo we arrived and we saw lots of people carrying chairs and we were so happy to use for the first time our chairs.... We set down on a small hill and wait for the show to start. There were 7 different types of competitions from tying a small cow to riding on bull. In the photo you can see one of the competition that the rider need to hold the bull from it's horn and turn it upside down.
Playing "tofeset" with a Seal
Ophir were almost caught by the seal ...
The photo was taken in Muaraki (west cost of the south island). The seals usually just sitting/laying on the sand waiting for the time to pass ... thinking about who knows ... but if you get too close they might bark on you and start to chase you away ... (maybe that's why in Hebrew they are being called "sea dog" ... barking ... and by the way, they have a bad smell...
The photo was taken in Muaraki (west cost of the south island). The seals usually just sitting/laying on the sand waiting for the time to pass ... thinking about who knows ... but if you get too close they might bark on you and start to chase you away ... (maybe that's why in Hebrew they are being called "sea dog" ... barking ... and by the way, they have a bad smell...
Mt. Cook & Lake Pukaki
Mt. Cook, it's not called after Captain Hook from Piter Pan, and no, he was not actually cook, his full name is Captain James Cook. and he discovered New Zealand.
Awesome place ... what can we add more.
We arrived to Mt. Cook after Timaru, and stayed the night over there, we weren't lucky cause the day after we had rough wind and rain, and we couldn't climb the mountain so much, after 1/2 hour we came down from the mountain.
Awesome place ... what can we add more.
We arrived to Mt. Cook after Timaru, and stayed the night over there, we weren't lucky cause the day after we had rough wind and rain, and we couldn't climb the mountain so much, after 1/2 hour we came down from the mountain.
Juggling at the kindergarden
Who thought Ophir would perform in front of such audience ... well, we stayed in Timaru at a place where the woman was a teacher in a kindergarten, she asked us to come and make some juggling for her children. We thought it would be a nice opportunity to visit a kindergarten in NZ. We also learnt that each child that arrives to age 5 exactly on that day he/she start school, even if it's in the middle of the year (sounds weird...) so in the class every now and then a new child join in!!!
Rugby - popular game in New Zealand
Crusaders (NZ) ver. Sharks (South Africa)
We heard that an international game suppose to be in place called Timaru, so after the Mt. Somers track we arrived to Timaru to watch the game. Rugby is very tough game with a lot of power, and it is very popular in NZ.
In the photo you can see Irit with very tall player of the Crusaders (that won eventually, 22:21)
We heard that an international game suppose to be in place called Timaru, so after the Mt. Somers track we arrived to Timaru to watch the game. Rugby is very tough game with a lot of power, and it is very popular in NZ.
In the photo you can see Irit with very tall player of the Crusaders (that won eventually, 22:21)
Mt. Somer track
Well we thought it would be nice to start tramping in New Zealand with a short track and easy.... Well it was short but not so easy!
The first day was really nice after the couple, we had spent a night in their place, has dropped us in the starting point just after we left our car at the finishing point. We walked up hill for 3 hours but it was really beautiful. On the track there are mining stories so it was nice. We slept in a small old hut that suits 6 people. In the next room there were 3 working man that were building the new hut just next to us. They have put a Possum trap just next to their door and in the photo you can see that they were lucky. On the 2nd day we walked for 3 hours and slept for 1 hour more and than because it was still early (2pm) we finished the track (4 more hours)
At the end we were tired but happy because we had a nice warm place to spend the night in!
The first day was really nice after the couple, we had spent a night in their place, has dropped us in the starting point just after we left our car at the finishing point. We walked up hill for 3 hours but it was really beautiful. On the track there are mining stories so it was nice. We slept in a small old hut that suits 6 people. In the next room there were 3 working man that were building the new hut just next to us. They have put a Possum trap just next to their door and in the photo you can see that they were lucky. On the 2nd day we walked for 3 hours and slept for 1 hour more and than because it was still early (2pm) we finished the track (4 more hours)
At the end we were tired but happy because we had a nice warm place to spend the night in!
Hot air balloon!
This was our first attraction in NZ!
We waited for 3 days for the flight to go on because they do it only on sunrise and if the conditions are not perfect they just don't fly! But at the end it was worth while!
We woke up at 4:30am and we called to see if there is a flight. Than we drove to the meeting point where the bus will pick us up. The bus drove for 30 minutes just outside the city (Christchurch) and we arranged the hot air balloon. No time to take a photo with the whole balloon because it's really big and it goes up really fast when it's ready. We flew for 1 hour and than we landed on a farm. This photo was taken just after we landed and we already started to take the air out.
We waited for 3 days for the flight to go on because they do it only on sunrise and if the conditions are not perfect they just don't fly! But at the end it was worth while!
We woke up at 4:30am and we called to see if there is a flight. Than we drove to the meeting point where the bus will pick us up. The bus drove for 30 minutes just outside the city (Christchurch) and we arranged the hot air balloon. No time to take a photo with the whole balloon because it's really big and it goes up really fast when it's ready. We flew for 1 hour and than we landed on a farm. This photo was taken just after we landed and we already started to take the air out.
Sunday, April 23, 2006
Milking cows
Yesssss, The 2 IT engineers took the gloves off and went to milk cows. We asked a couple we stayed in there place if they know people that needed help in milking cows. They found us a place just across the road.
We learnt how to put the machines on the cow and helped to move them around. There were 400 cows in that farm. Ophir woke up 2 times in 5am to help them and I woke up just once (well it's really hard to get up!!!!!)
In the photo you can see us with Rob the manager of the dairy farm and with some of the milk that we've milked!
We learnt how to put the machines on the cow and helped to move them around. There were 400 cows in that farm. Ophir woke up 2 times in 5am to help them and I woke up just once (well it's really hard to get up!!!!!)
In the photo you can see us with Rob the manager of the dairy farm and with some of the milk that we've milked!
The first good view in New Zealand!
We drove to Akaroa and the Bank's peninsula; it’s an hour away from Christchurch. We had a day walk to the top of a mountain and in the photo you can see what we have seen. Amazing!
Hello New Zealand
We arrived to Christchurch, the biggest city in the south island, after we almost didn't get to be on the flight because we had tickets to Australia only and not a ticket out of Australia as well. We met a lovely family that took us from the airport and spent with them 3 nights and in the meanwhile we bought a car, gear to sleep in the car (pillows, blankets, inflating mattress), sleeping bags, food, plates and a lot more. In the photo you can see Ophir in our first night out after 4 nights in the city just trying to see if we have everything.
Singapore - city/country of malls & Attractions!
Well, we thought it will be nice to stop in this interesting city but everybody we asked who already been there told us that we are crazy that we took 5 nights over there because after 2 nights you get the idea. Eventually we felt like we have no time. We did a lot of attractions: the Night Safari which is the thing to see there, Santosa Island - saw 3D movie, dolphin show & nice beach, Bird Park, Travelled in different areas in town like little India & China town, saw the Thaipusam Indian ceremony.
We enjoyed every minute!
We enjoyed every minute!
Friday, March 17, 2006
Good bye Thailand ...
Our last activities in Kho Samui were Jetski ride ... Fresbe golf and Bunjy.
All the roles of fresbe golf are like a golf, but instead of hiting the golf ball into a hole, you suppose to fly the fresbe to a basket (photos in the photo album site or just click the photo). The last activity was 50 meters bunjy (going down) and something they call a rocketman (in the photo) they tie you to the ground and pull the rope, and then release ... in few seconds you find yourself in the air for 40-50 meters and then going down like bunjy.
With all those activities we finished our splendid time in Thailand and around, heading to Singapore for 5 days and then New Zealand ...
All the roles of fresbe golf are like a golf, but instead of hiting the golf ball into a hole, you suppose to fly the fresbe to a basket (photos in the photo album site or just click the photo). The last activity was 50 meters bunjy (going down) and something they call a rocketman (in the photo) they tie you to the ground and pull the rope, and then release ... in few seconds you find yourself in the air for 40-50 meters and then going down like bunjy.
With all those activities we finished our splendid time in Thailand and around, heading to Singapore for 5 days and then New Zealand ...
Koh Samui - Lady(boy) show
Our jurney continues south to Kho Samui. Despite the fast that a lot of israelis that we spoke to didn't like it, we really enjoied it.
In the photo you can see irit with on of the ladyboys after a show that we have seen ... doesn't he/she look great ...
In the photo you can see irit with on of the ladyboys after a show that we have seen ... doesn't he/she look great ...
Koh Phangan
After Kho Tau, we continued to a southern island called Kho Pangan. Kho Pangan is a bigger island then Kho Tau. we booked hotel with a swimming pool to relax for a few days .... again ...
We also met some friends (a couple from Austalia and UK) and we booked with them a jeep to traval a bit in the island. The cocounuts in the photo is one of the largest export industries of the island. by the way, they buy it from the farmers for 1 bhat a cocounut (it's about 0.1 Shekel/0.02 US$) ...
We also met some friends (a couple from Austalia and UK) and we booked with them a jeep to traval a bit in the island. The cocounuts in the photo is one of the largest export industries of the island. by the way, they buy it from the farmers for 1 bhat a cocounut (it's about 0.1 Shekel/0.02 US$) ...
Koh Tao - Diving course & relaxing
Thailand!!!!!! The Islands
We arrived to a small island called Kho Tau (south east of Thailand) after few days in Bangkok. The way was not that easy due to the night bus and a fast Katamaran boat on a wavey sea ... which causes to some through ups ... but eventually we reached the island and relaxed for few days. Irit started also a diving course first level "Open water course" for 3-4 days. Ophir did some dives himself but with no success to see sharks ... (well just on the menus you could see one) Be ready for the DVD of Irit's course ... 1/2 an hour of the specials including a great jump from the boat!!!!
We arrived to a small island called Kho Tau (south east of Thailand) after few days in Bangkok. The way was not that easy due to the night bus and a fast Katamaran boat on a wavey sea ... which causes to some through ups ... but eventually we reached the island and relaxed for few days. Irit started also a diving course first level "Open water course" for 3-4 days. Ophir did some dives himself but with no success to see sharks ... (well just on the menus you could see one) Be ready for the DVD of Irit's course ... 1/2 an hour of the specials including a great jump from the boat!!!!
Thursday, March 02, 2006
The worst bus trip ever!!!
We booked a bus from Siam Rip to Bangkok. That part was easy. The following day we were told to be ready at 7am. We woke up and waited at our hotel as we were told. After one hour they just showed up with a small tender to take us to the bus. On the way they stopped to take a table from another hotel. That was ok at least we are on our way to the bus.... When we reached to the bus we found up that the first bus was already out and we are going with the second bus which meant waiting 30 minutes more. When the bus came we were really happy at least we are getting into the bus even thought the bus was really old! After 4 hours in the bus with 2 major stops (flat tier and a torn belt) to fix the bus the bus broke down and we could not continue with it. They tried to fix it for 2 hours and after that time they said that there is nothing else they can do and they ordered another transportation to take us to the border. it was already 15:00. After 1 hour a tender came in and they said this is our ride. We were shocked of course because there were 20 people on the bus and 20 big bags! Eventually all of us fitted to the tender with the bags but the one outside had to suffer the dirt on the face as there is no real road there. At 19:00 we crossed the border! Muddy as hell but at least the border was still open. After we crossed the border to Thailand everything went really fast! The bus was new with 2 floors and within 4 hours we got to Bangkok!!!! When we got to Bangkok we couldn't find a place to stay and we had to tell a toktok to take us to a vacant hotel but this is another story!
Angkor Wat, one of the 7 wonders of the world!
Well we heard so many stories about this place so we had to go. And as all people do we woke up at 5 o’clock to see the sunrise at angkor wat and see the sunset at angkor wat and in between we saw many temples that I think the most beautiful one was the bayon (once it was a big city and on every building there is a huge face). We also got to see the temple where they shot tomb rider movie.
At the photo you see the Angkor wat at sunset. It's a really beautiful place. We finished the day tired but happy to seen it all!
At the photo you see the Angkor wat at sunset. It's a really beautiful place. We finished the day tired but happy to seen it all!
The Killing fields, Pnoem penh
Where the killing fields once were active, a little bit more than 20 years ago, there is now a memorial for the 9000 people who died there. The people were tortured to death and found death in different ways. That is just a place that makes you think what cruelty exists in this world.
Pnoem Penh, The capital city of Cambodia
Well at first we didn't think to stop in Cambodia, we wanted to have some rest in Thailand islands but the flight was really expensive from Ho Chi Minh city to Bangkok and we made some calculation and we saw that a week in Cambodia will be even a little bit cheaper than to fly over and we heard all those stories about Angkor Wat that we said OK lets go to Cambodia!
We got to The Capital of Cambodia with a bus and it was quite ok. Got a cheap hotel and went to explore the town. Eventually we had quite good time over there and we stayed 3 nights and not 2 nights as we first thought. We went to a amusement park ground and played some billiard and bought some Karaoke DVDs, we went to the Royal palace and just enjoyed exploring the city. We even had a chance to get on a motorbike the 2 of us with the taxi man (means 3 people on a motorbike!).At the photo you can see a wat at the Royal palace.
We got to The Capital of Cambodia with a bus and it was quite ok. Got a cheap hotel and went to explore the town. Eventually we had quite good time over there and we stayed 3 nights and not 2 nights as we first thought. We went to a amusement park ground and played some billiard and bought some Karaoke DVDs, we went to the Royal palace and just enjoyed exploring the city. We even had a chance to get on a motorbike the 2 of us with the taxi man (means 3 people on a motorbike!).At the photo you can see a wat at the Royal palace.
Mekong Delta, last trip in Vietnam
Just one day before we left Vietnam we thought about traveling in the Mekong river in Vietnam as we been in the Mekong river at Thailand and Laos and it would be nice to see it. The tour was a little bit too touristy but the best part of the trip as you can see in the photo was taking a ride on a small boat at the small jungle river which are all part of the Mekong delta. And of course we got to wear the hats!!!
Monday, February 13, 2006
Cu Chi Tunnels
Getting inside the tunnel in the old fashion way, Cu Chi tunnels
Originally uploaded by Irit & Ophir Maor.
The tunnels are really small and we had to crawl it (90m of crawling but we survived only 30m)
Playing golf for the first time!
We decided to join the rich and famous people at Dalat's golf club and try to mingle with them. We started with a worm up with 50 balls each trying our best practicing long shots. And than the 2 cadies took us through the 18 holes and also giving us tips of how to play. Eventually we made 16 holes and we passed an artificial river 4 times (We lost 4 balls each trying to pass it).
It was a good experience and maybe some day we will play again.
It was a good experience and maybe some day we will play again.
Waterfalls in Dalat Area
Dalat is a really beautiful city. They have a big lake in the middle of town and all people spend their honeymoon over there.
We spend one day visiting 3 waterfalls in the area. We rented a motorbike and went for a ride. The largest is the one in the picture.
We spend one day visiting 3 waterfalls in the area. We rented a motorbike and went for a ride. The largest is the one in the picture.
31 = 27 + 4 (year of experience)
As Ophir always say.....
27 years + 4 years of experience
MAZAL TOV!!!!!
27 years + 4 years of experience
MAZAL TOV!!!!!
Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Kayaking, Nha Trang Area
We went on to the kayaking around Nha Trang. It was like riding the Jordan River and not as they promised something more exciting.
The next day we went to the Spa and it was really good for relaxing from the exercise we did in the kayaking trip.
The next day we went to the Spa and it was really good for relaxing from the exercise we did in the kayaking trip.
Boat Trip, Nha Trang
When we arrived to Nha Trang the sun came out and the weather was really good for this coast city. We went to the sea and just enjoyed the sun.
The next day we decided to take a boat trip to four islands near the coast. It’s a whole day trip and you do snorkeling a long the coast of one of the islands, eat lunch on the boat, drink wine from the floating bar at sea, and enjoy water sports at the beach of another island.
The next day we decided to take a boat trip to four islands near the coast. It’s a whole day trip and you do snorkeling a long the coast of one of the islands, eat lunch on the boat, drink wine from the floating bar at sea, and enjoy water sports at the beach of another island.
Cooking course, Hoi An
We arrived to Hoi-An. The weather was a bit gray and rainy. In Hoi An there are a lot of tailors and everybody is ordering clothes. We didn’t because we don’t know which size we will be when we return back. But what we did instead is a cooking course and a trip to the old temples in My Son. The cooking course was a little bit different from the one in Thailand. We cooked with chop sticks! In the photo you can see the first dish. It’s fried vegetables with see food served in pine apple.
Wednesday, January 18, 2006
DMZ - Vinh-Moc tunnels
The war in Vietnam was not so long ago (1956 - 1975). The US has entered a lot of army to the DMZ area and also a lot of land mines. People today still die from stepping on land mines and we saw one farmer holding a metal detector on one hand and in the other hand a shovel. The Vinh-Moc tunnels are the only tunnels that survived the American bombings. The locals stayed inside the tunnels for 4 years. It was used for living. 17 babies were born inside!
The king and the queen
We arrived to Hue after a long night drive. We found a hotel and organized a tour for the next day to the DMZ and went to see the city. Hue is a large city with not a lot of things to do but there is one place, The Citadel, that most of the people goes to see. Inside the Citadel there is an old palace. Inside the palace you can dress up with traditional royal clothes.
Sunday, January 08, 2006
Ha Long bay
We went by ourselves to Ha Long bay. From Hanoi to Hai Phong we took a local bus than went on the ferry the next day to Cat Ba island. When we arrived we rented a motorbike and went for a drive in the islands. after 4 hours we finished the trip. We saw a family getting ready for a wedding and we helped them with the decoration. We ate lunch in a family house and we also got to see the famouse hospital cave. The hospital cave was very interesting. It was used during the war with the US. It's a really big cave that they have build inside rooms for a hospital. They had there surgery rooms, meeting room which was also the singing room, cinema, Ho Chi minh bedroom. We had there a local guide which taught us a nice song.
Because of the bad weather we returned the next day to Hanoi. but not before we took a boat trip to Ha Long bay to see all the rocks getting outside of the water. It was amazing but it's better when it's not raining!
Because of the bad weather we returned the next day to Hanoi. but not before we took a boat trip to Ha Long bay to see all the rocks getting outside of the water. It was amazing but it's better when it's not raining!
Hanoi circus
We wanted to do something different in Hanoi. We walked to the circus place and asked if they have shows. After doing some pantomima we managed to get good seats. The show was really good. It was more about doing shows than the linking between the performances but it was still very good. They had a bear, dogs, elephants, goats, and a lot of acrobatics.
Any one for a Hot Dog?????
When we explored a non touristic part of Hanoi we encountered a shop that sells Dog meat.
What we were wondering about it is how can they keep dogs and cats as pets and still eat them?
What we were wondering about it is how can they keep dogs and cats as pets and still eat them?
Hanoi , The capital city of Vietnam
We loved the city the minute we arrived. After the lazy vientaine town in Laos, we really enjoyed the crowded city. There are people every where and people riding motorbikes. A lot of small shops, Markets, Lakes, Pagodas, restaurants, pubs...... what can we say a really big city.
Every day we took ourselves by foot to another part of the city and explored it.
Every day we took ourselves by foot to another part of the city and explored it.
Hell bus from Laos to Vietnam
24 hour bus journey... in the lonely planet book they call it the "hell bus".
It was too long and they also turned the bus into a truck!
It was too long and they also turned the bus into a truck!
Loas to Vietnam ...
Laos and vietnam have long border, in the beginning we thought about passing the border in the north of Laos to the north of Vietnam ... easy. After a few days in the north, we understood that the transportation is really bad in this area, and if we want to cross to Vietnam, we have to go all the way south to the capital Vientiane (with a night bus) and then to take a 24 hours bus to the capital of Vietnam, Ha-Noi.
That's what we did and it took us just too much time (on the bus) ... on the way to Vientiane we also had some mechanical problem on the bus ... and the driver and another person fixed it eventually for 4 hours (at night) ... In the photo, one of the atractions of Vientiane ... the golden wat (temple)
That's what we did and it took us just too much time (on the bus) ... on the way to Vientiane we also had some mechanical problem on the bus ... and the driver and another person fixed it eventually for 4 hours (at night) ... In the photo, one of the atractions of Vientiane ... the golden wat (temple)
Saturday, January 07, 2006
Mong Ngoi - village with no real infrastructure!
Mong Ngoi - a village in no-where, you can't reach there, only by boat, there are no cars, no motorbikes, no real electricity (which means cold water ... bad as Irit sais) ... We went there to relax a little bit in the country side. We were there for 3 nights. We read some books, went to a realy huge cave and spent the evenings next to the fire with a very funny old lady (the owner) who spoke to herself and laugh all the time. It was quite cold but also quite relaxing!
Local Holiday - North of Laos
After Laung Prabang we went up north. We arrived to a little village, Pakmong.
We thought we will stay there 1 night and continue the next day. Eventually we were invited to a local party which seems to be a holiday but we were not really sure because none of them spoke english. We ate with them and drank a lot of Laolao (local Whisky). They slaughtered a pig as well.
We thought we will stay there 1 night and continue the next day. Eventually we were invited to a local party which seems to be a holiday but we were not really sure because none of them spoke english. We ate with them and drank a lot of Laolao (local Whisky). They slaughtered a pig as well.
Bug bite ...
Irit after the treatment in the Luang Prabang hospital ...
Originally uploaded by Irit & Ophir Maor.
Laung Prabang, Laos
We arrive to Laung Prabang in a slow boat from the border of Laos. The boat trip took 2 days. Everyday we spent 8 hours in the boat, the view was great, but it was too crowded and too slow!
The first few days in Laung Prabang we did not do anything. Just drinking, eating and sleeping!
We did a site seeing tour by ourselves just to say that we did something!
In the photo you can see Ophir.... can you tell us where is he? (He is really there!)
The first few days in Laung Prabang we did not do anything. Just drinking, eating and sleeping!
We did a site seeing tour by ourselves just to say that we did something!
In the photo you can see Ophir.... can you tell us where is he? (He is really there!)
At Laos border
The next country after Thailand, was Laos, or as they call it LAO.
It seems that their currency is very weak. Around 10,000 Keep (Loas currency) it's 1 US$, and we changed about 200 US$ and the highest bill is 20,000 Keep ... (2US$), but in the exchange office they had just bills of 10,000 Keep (1 US$) so we got, in a simple calculations we got something like .... 2 million Keep... packed (2 packes of 100 bills)... feels like robing a bank ...
It seems that their currency is very weak. Around 10,000 Keep (Loas currency) it's 1 US$, and we changed about 200 US$ and the highest bill is 20,000 Keep ... (2US$), but in the exchange office they had just bills of 10,000 Keep (1 US$) so we got, in a simple calculations we got something like .... 2 million Keep... packed (2 packes of 100 bills)... feels like robing a bank ...
Jungle trek in north Thailand
The trek is a 3 days hiking tour to see a waterfall and a Karen village in the mountains. We have been only 5 people in the trek which was really nice, not too crowded!
The village that we saw has no electricity and no other infrastructure! Our tour guide, Jip, cooked our food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and in the night we did a fire and we warmed out next to it.
We tried taking our photo inside a mosquito net that we slept inside. This is the outcome!
The village that we saw has no electricity and no other infrastructure! Our tour guide, Jip, cooked our food (breakfast, lunch, and dinner) and in the night we did a fire and we warmed out next to it.
We tried taking our photo inside a mosquito net that we slept inside. This is the outcome!
Jeep Tour in North Thailand
As all Israeli, we also did the famous jeep tour in north of Thailand. It's a 3 day tour and you drive by yourself a jeep to different places.
On the way we saw: Snake farm show, Monkey show, Elephant show, Orchid farm. We had 2 field drives which ware really good. We have been to a hot spring hotel. On second day we have visited the Long neck tribe as you can see in the photo. We did also a bamboo rafting and we fell down with the camera! But Ophir saved the camera!
Ophir also tried fried frog, which he says taste like chicken.
On the way we saw: Snake farm show, Monkey show, Elephant show, Orchid farm. We had 2 field drives which ware really good. We have been to a hot spring hotel. On second day we have visited the Long neck tribe as you can see in the photo. We did also a bamboo rafting and we fell down with the camera! But Ophir saved the camera!
Ophir also tried fried frog, which he says taste like chicken.
Rafting in Thailand
We found a travel agency that did white water rafting. We asked if the rapids were good and after a good night sleep we decided to do it.
The rafting started after we saw by our own eyes some of the rapids (they were big) and after 30 minutes at least of practice and lunch!
The rapids level was up to 4+ (in a scale of 1 to 5). It was really great! One time we had to jump to the other side of the boat in order not to flip....
At the end our guide thought us a new trick with the raft called Helicopter! All the people sit at the back of the raft and he starts turning the raft in circles pooling the front of the raft with a rope up. At the end everybody finds them selves at the water!!!
The rafting started after we saw by our own eyes some of the rapids (they were big) and after 30 minutes at least of practice and lunch!
The rapids level was up to 4+ (in a scale of 1 to 5). It was really great! One time we had to jump to the other side of the boat in order not to flip....
At the end our guide thought us a new trick with the raft called Helicopter! All the people sit at the back of the raft and he starts turning the raft in circles pooling the front of the raft with a rope up. At the end everybody finds them selves at the water!!!
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