Photos from HCMC...

Vietnamese artists copying a photo of Obama and painting it in oil= amazing.

My new pal Emily

My computer watch! This thing is the BEST & nerdiest thing I have even owned. 1. I got the price from $10 to $1

2. The Vietnamese Dong is 17.25 to 1$ US

3. It is not waterproof

4. The Vietnamese street vendors are so jealous and I know you are too!

The Street I am living on... Bui Vien (The Dong Hotel is hoppin)

Vietnam on my own...

Vietnam has been a trip! Robin is under the weather and still in Cambodia, hopefully meeting me here tomorrow...

I am staying at this little hotel on Bui Vien the backpackers neighborhood- it is pretty neat. Las night we met some new friends and went to see a Flipino cover band- it was awesome! They played Pearl Jam and my new favorite song " I'm Yours" By Jason Maerz

Been to the market, and today to a "factory" which gives disabled Vientmese jobs, doing various art work, which they sell. Afterwards we went to Cu Chi Tunnels, where the Vietnamese had built tunnels to hide from the Americans bombing their quiet and happy little town near Siagon and the Mekong River. It was a bit akward, and very interesting... We (the group that I went with and my new pal, Emily- ironically from SF) were able to climb through the tunnels (dark and aweful) and learn more about the war, and the Vietnamese people.

Our tour guide "Mr Bean" was in the war, as a US Captain, but is half Vietnamese and half Filipino and decided once the war was over to stay in Vietnam. Interesting.

Heading North for some Beach time in the next few days....

Phnom Phen- Feb 21

Robin has been sick for the past couple of days so I have been riding solo and making friends around Phnom Phen- really interesting women who teach at the Cambodia schools (one american lady who is running from her debt in the states, but is one hell of a dancer!), another guy who is reviving Cambodian music since most musicans were killed and bringing it back to life as well as doing a documentory on this place the Cambodian living arts.

Today, I went to the Lighthouse Orphanage and sang songs, drew, chatted and huged the adorable children who were all smiles and so carefree. They are well fed by donations and are learning english, french, Khmer and Japanese. Playing soccer with them was awesome and they sent me home with drawings and in high spirits- and yes I wanted to bring one home with me, well three in fact.

Explored the city, ate at this great place called Shop and took a walk- past an open square area where 100's of women where following young Cambodian men doing dances. It was awesome...

So the adventure continues. Might be heading for Vietnam, maybe Laos- but definatly going to a children's traditional dance class in the morning.

Southern Cambodia- Sihanoukville

We travelled all day- 10 hours for the beach! A small beach town outside of Sihonoukville, Serendipity and Otres beaches...

We wondered around for dinner, and then hit up the mile spread of beach bars, tree houses, dance parties, kareoke and lounging by the ocean. Which was dirty and dana said smelled like "a sewer". I am pretty sure I got bitten by ants when I was peeing outside, since it was nicer to pee on plastic bags then in the squat style toliet...

I am dipicting Cambodia as this ugly place, but it is not. The colors are fantastic, the people smile and are helpful and kind... despite the horror they and thier ancestors have been through with the Khmer and Pol Pot.

Back in Phnom Phen we visited the killing fields, which is heartbreaking. There are still clothing remnants on the ground from the mass genocide that killed most intellects, artists, musicians and any one who would have bettered the country or was a threat to Pol Pot.

I was able to celebrate Dana's birthday with her out to dinner (cheeseburgers and profiteroles!)

Siem Reap & Angkor Wat with Dana!

Meeting up with Dana, was perfect, Luke her fantastic boyfriend had gotten us a great hotel with a swimming pool for Valentine's day- so kind of him- thank you Luke Man!

So... we all arrived at the same time and went to a great dinner filled with laughs at the Red Piano in Siem Reap...

The following day we took a tuk tuk to Angkor Thom, and saw the amazing temples that were not completely destroyed by the Khmer Rouge. The Bayon was incredible. 15 foot faces made from sandstone and there were almost 200 of them....

The other wats (or temples), that have 1,000's of carved faces (the craftsmen and women were speacialized in either the left or right side of the face, therefore they look different) and three headed elephants, it was unreal. Some of the wats have become ruins and amazing trees grow right inbetween the stones. Angkor Wat is fantastic & uncomfortably hot.

We wanted to wait to see Angkor Wat (the massive temple) so we had a swim the next am and got a "Happy"pizza and headed to watch the sunset at Angkor Wat, it was quite busy with tourists and I had a dance off with a young gal about 100 feet away at the other side of the wat, which gave dana and robin a laugh...

I cannot believe how dirty Cambodia is... it is heartbreaking to see a river's edge completely covered with plastic bags and styrofoam.

Bangkok

Coming from quaint NZ the shock of Bangkok was interesting... we stayed in the red light district, without knowing that there would be 100's of westerners "dating"young thai women and maybe "lady boys"?

Eventually we headed out of that neighborhood and to Ko Samet, which is backpackers heaven in Bangkok- five days, what an experience!

We saw the elmerald buddha, the grand palace, a huge Buddha and met some rediculous people... including an American man, who just returned from Iraq and before that was a stunt double for the bald guy on lost..

Crossing the border on the scam bus was a feat, but we were happy to leave the bustling city.

" NO. I don't want a Tuk Tuk, a suit, a massage, a lady man or a bracelet"

Raglan- North Shore

Raglan is incredible! Wish I didn't have to leave, the Raglan Backpackers was airy, on a fantastic pond and the perfect waves were just a drive away!

Caught a bunch of waves and had a great time...

Off to Thailand tomorrow xo

South Island, NZ Photos...

Japanese Garden in Nelson









Leaving Abel Tasman

Porter's Beach, Abel Tasman

Just sky dived over Lake Taupo!

Lake Taupo from our hostel room...

Incredible experience- we even got the dvd's
At 15,000 feet is was AWESOME

flying through clouds? what?! so cool. and so quick and soooo fun!

Last night was the superbowl- we watched parts of it from the hostel but it was more fun to play cards with people from all around the world and get prepared for our major jump today
wow.

still buzzing from it...
we are heading to raglan a old hippie surf town for three days- finally i can surf! and there is a left break with is sweet for me since i am goofy foot.

More adventures to come! xo J