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День 55
среда, 14 февраля 2024 г.
🌬 18 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Bass Strait -38.083333, 145.03333338°4’60” S 145°1’60” E
Penguin Parade
14 февраля 2024 г., Bass Strait ⋅ 🌬 18 °C
We sailed about 58 miles north from Melbourne to Phillip Island. It is a somewhat predator free island known for its Colony of Little Blue (fairy) Penguins. Viking scheduled us to see the "Penguin Parade," a nocturnal event when the adult Penguins emerge from the sea and travel to their burrows to awaiting chicks. They tendered 700 of us to the island in groups of 100 (capacity of the tender) to watch the Penguins walk from the sea. I imagined the whole group of 800 Penguins running from the waves of the ocean en masse. In reality they come out in groups of about 5 to about 30 between 9 and 11 pm. They advanced haltingly, looking for potential predators. Then they trudged from the beach to the sandy, grassy dunes containing their burrows with hungry chicks. As we walked back from the observation stand to the visitor center on the 1000 foot boardwalk we could see cute little creatures close up walking through the sand beside the boardwalk.

In the morning we walked around the island finding more birds, a brush-tailed possum and wallabies. The Australians are conserving the possum; the New Zealanders are exterminating it because it attacks the birds native only to New Zealand.Читать далее
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День 56
четверг, 15 февраля 2024 г.
☁️ 17 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Indian Ocean -39, 11239°0’0” S 112°0’0” E
On to Eden
15 февраля 2024 г., Indian Ocean ⋅ ☁️ 17 °C
Eden, population 4000, is an old whaling town. There is a statue memoralizing Old Tom, a dolphin that would encircle whales and assist the whalers. Its current economy is based on tourism, fishing and a sawmill. We hired a local guide to show us the best spots for birds and other animals. My bird list is rapidly growing!Читать далее
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День 58
суббота, 17 февраля 2024 г., 10:29
☀️ 27 °C
Высота: 13 м
Австралия Sydney Cove -33.859374, 151.21188333°51’34” S 151°12’43” E
Sydney
17 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ ☀️ 27 °C
At 5.3 million people Sydney is Australians largest city. In fact, 25% of the country's total population lives in Sydney. It is also Australia's the first city. Convicts from England were sent to Botany Bay which turned out to be unsuitable so they moved 25 miles north to present day Sydney. Its economy is based on finance, manufacturing and tourism.

As with Melbourne, its economy started booming with the 1850 gold rush so many buildings are Victorian and Federalist in design. Ships coming from England often used iron grillwork and English bricks as ballast so I saw the grillwork incorporated in the buildings and the bricks on older streets. Ships leaving for England used native sandstone for ballast so you can see buildings in England made of Australian sandstone.

Another feature is the beaches. Most famous is Bondi beach-- endless fine white sand, wonderful surf and clear water.

Tomorrow the jewel--Sydney Opera House.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelFascinating history!
19.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 59
воскресенье, 18 февраля 2024 г.
☁️ 25 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Tasman Sea -33.133333, 15233°7’60” S 152°0’0” E
Sydney Opera House
18 февраля 2024 г., Tasman Sea ⋅ ☁️ 25 °C
I have always wanted to see the Sydney Opera House the masterpiece you see as you enter Sydney Harbor. What a wonderful structure but with a somewhat tortured history. It was first commissioned in 1959 but was not completed until 1973. Cost was one reason. The architect Jorn Utzon estimated it would cost $7 million but it ultimately cost $100 million. Subsequent updating 40 years later cost $300 million. More significant was the fact that engineering techniques to realize the architect's vision did not exist. First stage was the foundation and podium with only a few hiccups. Then came the performance areas. But Utzon and the engineers still had not figured out the roof structure. At this point the government changed. The new PM strangled the flow of money causing Utson to quit and never return. After multiple entreaties Paul reluctantly took over. He and his team completed the performance areas, resolved the roof design and completed the building. Of course it is the symbol of Australia and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The pictures show the Opera house from different angles as we sail through the harbor.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelGreat pics, and such an interesting background!
19.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
ПутешественникThe views are fantastic, inside to our!
11.04.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 60
понедельник, 19 февраля 2024 г.
☁️ 24 °C
Высота: 19 м
Австралия Kentucky -29.766667, 15329°46’0” S 153°0’0” E
A Living Fossil?
19 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ ☁️ 24 °C
Continuing up the east coast to Brisbane. We picked up a botanist in Melbourne and he did a presentation on the Willemi pine tree, one of three known living fossils--a new term to me. It means an organism declared to be extinct that is later found to be alive. Besides the Willemi tree the other two are coelocanths and dawn redwood. A ranger, David Noble, with the Australian forest service in Wollemi National Park ( a remote partially unmapped park) was hiking with friends when he saw a tree he didn't recognize and collected a leaf sample. It was eventually matched with some obscure leaf and pollen fossils. There were only a few trees so the park service kept their location a secret to protect them but of course word got out. Besides developing more stringent protection methods they have also distributed seeds worldwide so people can purchase their own trees and help protect the species from extinction.

Nautical term: Let the cat out of the bag. In the Royal Navy, the punishment prescribed for most serious crimes was flogging. This was administered by the bosun's mate using a whip called "cat o' nine tails." The "cat" was kept in a leather or baize bag and it was considered bad news when the "cat was let out of the bag." Other sources attribute the expression to the old English market scam of selling someone a pig in a poke (or bag) but replacing the pig with a cat instead.Читать далее
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День 61
вторник, 20 февраля 2024 г., 07:56
☀️ 23 °C
Высота: 6 м
Австралия Myrtletown -27.385671, 153.14522527°23’8” S 153°8’43” E
Brisbane
20 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ ☀️ 23 °C
Brisbane with a population of 2.6 million people is Australia's third largest city. As with Melbourne and Sydney it began as Australian's third and last penal colony penal colony. It lies at the mouth of the Brisbane River and is a major port. Its economy is noted for mining, banking and . innovation and research in medicine and biotechnology.

Although gold brought prosperity to Brisbane it came in 1880, a little later than the Melbourne and Sydney. Most of the older buildings are Victorian and Federalist. Growth has been good in the past 50 years.

In the late 19th century Brisbane was the starting point for exploration of the land between it and Darwin farther north. Many an adventurer lost his life crossing the forbidding terrain.

Despite its modern infrastructure it is susceptible to flooding, having sustained 3 major foods in the last 10 years. In fact, the new cruise port facility lies in a low area somewhat distant from the heart of the city. A cruise ship arriving 3 days before us could not unload passengers because the area around the port building had water so deep that vehicles could not get to the building. A challenge for the future.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelGreat pictures! What is causing the flooding?
22.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
ПутешественникHeavy rains associated with cyclones in a few cases. The river runs right through the center of town so that's where the bad flooding starts.
22.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
Martha SleutelGot it. And those sort of storms are dumping more and more rain. Bummer.
22.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 62
среда, 21 февраля 2024 г.
⛅ 28 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Great Barrier Reef -23.016667, 152.28333323°1’0” S 152°16’60” E
Sugarcane in Australia
21 февраля 2024 г., Great Barrier Reef ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C
As we travel north through the Coral Sea toward Whitsunday Island we had a presentation on sugar cane that took me back to the times Mother took us to Belle Helene plantation and showed us the long abandoned sugar cane processing equipment that her father managed. It turns out sugar cane is a major crop in Australia mainly in the northwestern coast where there is a lot of rain. Much like in Louisiana in the late 1920's it was attacked by the cane beetle so a search was on for biological solution. After inadequate research the cane toad was imported from the Caribbean. What a disaster! It did not eat the cane beetle and it multiplied like wildfire. It has a poisonous substance on its back so just touching one makes you sick. It has caused many a pet to sicken or die. Meanwhile the cane beetle has been brought under control by other means and sugar cane remains a major crop. Not only does it supply sugar but also bagasse (fiber used for mulch and energy), molasses and a special Australian rum called Bundaberg.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelI also have a childhood memory (a decade or so after yours) of our mother taking us to a working sugar cane processing plant where we saw the cane turned into various types of sugar and molasses. Louisiana has lots of toads and frogs, but not THAT type!
23.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 63
четверг, 22 февраля 2024 г.
☁️ 28 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Great Barrier Reef -20.05, 149.16666720°3’0” S 149°10’0” E
Whitsunday Islands
22 февраля 2024 г., Great Barrier Reef ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
We are in the Coral Sea in the midst of the Great Barrier Reef. The Whitsunday Islands were named by Captain Cook because he thought it was Whitsunday--actually it was Saturday but no one has renamed them. They have been made into a nature preserve so the economy is almost completely tourism. In June the humpback whales arrive to deliver their calves and stay about 6 months before returning to Antartica.Читать далее
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День 64
пятница, 23 февраля 2024 г., 09:03
🌧 26 °C
Высота: 11 м
Австралия Packer's Camp -17.014857, 145.81291217°0’53” S 145°48’46” E
Cairns
23 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ 🌧 26 °C
Cairns, population 160,000 is a great city. Lovely beachfront, plenty of parks and well landscaped streets. It is the gateway to the Great Barrier Reef and the Baintree Tropical Rainforest. A rainforest in Australia? Yes and a unique one at that. Plants and animals found nowhere else. If I return to Australia this is where I will come. As you might guess a large part of the economy is tourism.

We had just one day and I ended up visiting their awesome aquarium and walking around the beachfront. Had I known about the rainforest I would have booked a tour there.

The climate is hot and humid so winter is the preferred season.Читать далее
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День 65
суббота, 24 февраля 2024 г., 13:03
☀️ 28 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Coral Sea -13, 144.0513°0’0” S 144°3’0” E
New Itinerary.
24 февраля 2024 г., Coral Sea ⋅ ☀️ 28 °C
Well, the cat is finally out of the bag so to speak. We are not going through the Red Sea and into the Suez Canal as originally planned. Instead we will go around the Horn of Africa. The activities in the new ports look great for those of us interested in wildlife. Others may choose to fly home and receive appropriate compensation.

Meanwhile we continue to sail through the Coral Sea toward Thursday Island and Torres Strait. Because the Coral Sea is full of coral reefs (hence the name) we have a reef pilot who has extensive knowledge of the Great Barrier Reef system on board. We are also seeing more dolphins, turtles and gulls. Unfortunately I have not been quick enough to catch them on film.Читать далее
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ПутешественникSounds like a good plan. The Red Sea and Suez are kinda ‘busy’ these days. 👍🏽
27.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
ПутешественникWe strongly suspected there would be a rerouting but didn't know the details. Since I like wildlife the new route is a plus. Bill wanted to see the Mediterranean so it is a minus.
27.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 66
воскресенье, 25 февраля 2024 г., 16:22
☁️ 30 °C
Высота: 15 м
Австралия Port Kennedy -10.583848, 142.2182810°35’2” S 142°13’6” E
Thursday island
25 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Thursday Island, population 2800, area 1.4 square miles, was an unexpected treat. Just in case you are wondering there is also a Tuesday Island, a Wednesday Island and a Friday Island. So why did we stop at Thursday Island? It was a WWII defense setting with a fort and cannons never used, is one of the northern Australian islands and is the center for Australian cusoms and border control for the 29 northern islands. In the past pearling was a major industry. Now fishing and government services are the core of its economy.

After being tendered onto the island and while awaiting a tour to start a local approached and offered to show me around. He was an off duty border control agent married to an on duty officer. He showed me the best birding spots, the best photo spots, the schools, churches and so on. At the end we went to the Customs House and met his wife. She explained that they monitor for illegal trade, immigration and fishing. They are just a few miles from Papua New Guinea which is somewhat corrupt. Also the First People have family units that are split between Austalian and Papua New Guinea. A great time with a local couple.Читать далее
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День 68
вторник, 27 февраля 2024 г.
🌬 41 °C
Высота: 138 м
Австралия Maralinga Tjarutja -30.95, 12930°57’0” S 129°0’0” E
Arafura sea
27 февраля 2024 г., Австралия ⋅ 🌬 41 °C
We are sailing through the Arufula and Timor Seas. About 18,000 BC during the Last Glacial Maximum Ice Age sea levels were much lower and the floor of the waters, known as the Arufula Shelf, formed a dry land bridge linking Australia and New Guinea. Entire populations walked from continent to continent. However, Austalian Aborigines had already arrived in Australia about 50,000 years ago.

I haven't discussed food yet. It is quite good. The seafood is excellent and the chef is creative. I will periodically comment on preparations new to me. For example I had breaded and fried Brussel sprouts yesterday. Tasted pretty good. What surprise does tonight hold?Читать далее
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День 69
среда, 28 февраля 2024 г.
☁️ 30 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Timor Sea -11, 12311°0’0” S 123°0’0” E
Nutmeg and Dragons
28 февраля 2024 г., Timor Sea ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Still sailing through the Timor Sea and into the Indian Ocean. Our botanist discussed the role of spices in the history of Indonesia. (Guess why Indonesia has been called the Spice Islands?) Nutmeg, mace, cloves and pepper were especially valuable (worth more than gold). The Dutch, Spanish, Portuguese and English all vied to control the trade using brutal tactics. Eventually Indonesia achieved independence but has struggled to establish a stable government. A few interesting facts: Nutmeg has hallucinogenic properties but can also kill if you take enough (about 30 nutmegs). However if you are thinking it is the perfect murder poison be aware that it can be detected by gas chromatography.

In the presentation on dragons we learned that the Eastern world depicts dragons as good, water loving creatures without wings whereas the Western world imagines flying, fire breathing, destructive monsters. This is in preparation for our visit to see Komodo lizards tomorrow.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelMore interesting trivia. You guys will win any trivia contest now!
28.02.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 70
четверг, 29 февраля 2024 г., 10:20
⛅ 30 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Индонезия Kecamatan Komodo -8.591556, 119.6609628°35’30” S 119°39’39” E
Komodo Lizards
29 февраля 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C
Onto Rinca Island to see the Komodo Lizards, the largest living Lizards. While they live in scattered communities elsewhere they are concentrated on the Komodo Islands which are a protected nature preserve and a World Heritage Site. They secrete a poison in their saliva that slowly anticoagulants the blood of the victim. Their mouths also contain numerous pathogens so if you don't bleed to death you will die of infection. So the lizards simply bite their prey and wait a few weeks to let them die. They also eat their young so the "little ones" scamper up trees where the adults can't follow them because they are too heavy. They sense with their tongues so you often see them flickering.Читать далее
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День 71
пятница, 1 марта 2024 г.
☁️ 30 °C
Высота: 6 м
Индонезия Pelabuhan Benoa -8.735, 115.2116678°44’6” S 115°12’42” E
Bali and the Monkey Forest
1 марта 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Bali, population 4.5 million, is an island province of Indonesia and a popular vacation destination. In contrast to the rest of Indonesia it is 90% Hindu. (The rest of Indonesia is predominantly Muslim.) Almost every home, every block and every village has a temple modest or extravagant. The economy is 80% tourism since it is well known for its beaches and Hindu culture.

Two things stand out immediately: it is hot and the traffic is awful. One of the drivers said there were 2 traffic rules--don't hit anyone and don't get hit. Dodging the myriad scooters and other cars is a challenge. The drivers seem incredibly calm.

The Hindu culture has a lot of gods and beside them you often see monkeys who are considered soldiers that guard the temples. So it is no surprise that Bali has a monkey forest--sort of a rain forest in the middle of the city complete with families of Macaque monkeys.

There are also meticulously terraced rice fields. Bali produces enough rice to support its population but not enough to export.Читать далее
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День 72
суббота, 2 марта 2024 г.
☁️ 31 °C
Высота: 8 м
Индонезия Pelabuhan Benoa -8.741667, 115.2116678°44’30” S 115°12’42” E
Bali and the Birds
2 марта 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Another birding trip. We hired a local guide and in the middle of the city found trees beside the road with hundreds of Eastern Cattle Egrets raising their chicks. In a large rice field we found a number of other bids including the gorgeous Javan kingfisher. Yes, my photo is a little out of focus but it was tough to catch him still.

We ate lunch at a Balinese restaurant overlooking a rice field. Cost was 1.2 million rupiah for 6 of us. (Exchange rate is 15,700 rupiah per dollar. I keep making factor of 10 errors.)

At night we were treated to Balinese dancers and musicians on the ship.Читать далее
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День 73
воскресенье, 3 марта 2024 г.
☁️ 31 °C
Высота: 4 м
Индонезия Pelabuhan Benoa -8.742147, 115.2120748°44’32” S 115°12’43” E
Last day for Bali
3 марта 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Today was the day for temples. I have always been confused with the plethora of Hindu gods but in truth they have only 3 main gods: Brahma, the creator, Vishnu, the preserver and Shiva, the destroyer. Even though Shiva is the destroyer he recreates so he is not all bad. Nonetheless it is important to keep on good terms with him. There are also manifestations of the gods, eg an elephant for Shiva. Monkeys are viewed as defenders of the God's kingdom. And then there are the ancestors to keep happy.

Temples attract gods into the human world, encourage them not to make trouble and placate the evil spirits. Bali has 50,000 temples. Every home, neighborhood and village has a temple of varied importance. Each temple has a drum tower to summon the community; a split gate to mark the boundary between the spiritual world and the outer world; and a pagoda for a temporary residence for the God. A greater number of roofs reflects more godly importance. The structure of the pagoda reflects the cosmic mountain where the gods live. There are often frequent umbrellas that represent power and protection

The Hindus make food offerings to the gods to appease them. After the gods take the spiritual substance the offerer takes home the rest.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelSo beautiful and fascinating, especially once you understand the meaning/purpose behind the structures.
05.03.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 74
понедельник, 4 марта 2024 г.
☁️ 29 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Java Sea -6.6963, 113.3489866°41’47” S 113°20’56” E
Java sea
4 марта 2024 г., Java Sea ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
We have crossed several lines in this journey--the Equator, the international dateline, the anti-meridian line and the Wallace line. The Wallace Line? What's that?
Alfred Wallace was a self taught naturalist who studied plants and animals in Indonesia, Singapore and Malaysia He found examples of species making physical adaptations to their environments. This was evidence that Darwin needed to support his theory of evolution Since he was a contemporary of Charles Darwin the two communicated frequently by letter and Darwin cited Wallace's findings in publications.
But Wallace also noted major differences in the flora and fauna on a line that runs through Indonesia and between Borneo and Sulawesi. Asian species were on one side and Australian on the other. The reason? When the supercontinent Gondwana separated from other land masses its different soil supported a different environment. Hence the Wallace line.Читать далее
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День 75
вторник, 5 марта 2024 г.
🌧 31 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Индонезия Kali Kalibaru Timur -6.948333, 110.4233336°56’54” S 110°25’24” E
Semarang Indonesia
5 марта 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ 🌧 31 °C
Semarang Indonesia, population 6 million in its metropolitan area, is the capital of Java. I thought traffic was bad in Bali but Semarang is even worse. Viking had to hire a police escort to make sure its coach would reach its destination on time.

The Dutch West India company was here--this time to develop tobacco plantations. The city retains evidence of its Dutch history.

We visited the Blenduc Dutch Reformed Church the oldest church in Central Java built in the Dutch Colonial Style in 1753. It is in a section of Semarang featuring other buildings with Dutch Colonial architecture.

Another interesting area is Kampung Pelangi (Rainbow Village) inspired by a local high school principal. Originally a swampy slum it has been upgraded to a colorful market and improved living area. Doubtless it is light years better than the slum but it is still a work in progress.

Then a trip to Sam Poo Kong, a Chinese Hindu temple, a larger Chinese version of what we saw in Bali. Its history dates back to the 1400s when the Chinese Muslim explorer Admiral Zheng arrived in Semarang and established a small temple in a rocky hillside cave. The temple remained until 1704 when it collapsed under the hillside. It was rebuilt in 1724 and renovated in 1937, 1950, 2005 and 2020.

Then back to the ship to recover from the heat.Читать далее
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День 77
четверг, 7 марта 2024 г.
☁️ 30 °C
Высота: 12 м
Индонезия Kelarik 4, 1084°0’0” N 108°0’0” E
Nine Dash Line
7 марта 2024 г., Индонезия ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
I thought I was done with lines only to hear tonight of the nine dash line in the South China sea. Those familiar with military history know about it, but civilians like me are ignorant. In the 2009 China presented a map of the South zchin Sea containing 9 dashes, saying the dashes enclosed the area of the South China Sea that they and Taiwan claimed. Vietnam Nam, Indonesia, Brunei and Malaysia objected. To substantiate their map China has been laying claim to uninhabited islands in the South China sea. If these claims are recognized China will have territorial rights extending 12 miles from each island and exclusive economic rights extending 200 miles out. In addition China has been constructing artificial islands that also serve military objectives. The Phillipines brought the issue up with the World Court who agreed with the Phillipines but China refuses to recognize the decision. Meanwhile we hear about South sea aerial and marine territorial conflicts with China. Interestingly images of the nine dash line appears in movies such as Barbie and Abominable, textbooks printed in China that are used by other countries, an ESPN sports cast and even the Chinese passport. The movies have been banned; the textbooks removed; the sportscast protested; and the Chinese passport rejected in the Philippines and Vietnam. An interesting issue to follow.Читать далее
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ПутешественникFor sure. I’ve heard about the artificial islands to extend territorial reach. We’re still not quite done with imperialism. 😥
17.03.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 79
суббота, 9 марта 2024 г., 10:32
☁️ 32 °C
Высота: 17 м
Вьетнам Hiep Phuoc Port 10.640626, 106.760410°38’26” N 106°45’37” E
Ho Chi Minh city aka Saigon
9 марта 2024 г., Вьетнам ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Into Ho Chi Minh city, previously known as Saigon. Wow! A thriving community of 9 ti 15 million (depending who you ask) with a standard of living above what I have been seeing in Indonesia. It is clear there has been a lot of American investment with most signs in English as well as Vietnamese. Skyscrapers abound. New luxury apartment complexes are going up. Traffic is pretty dreadful yet roads are better and construction is underway on new highways and bridges.

The guides attribute much of the infrastructure development to American, Australian and British development after a change in leadership in late 1980s and early 1990s.Читать далее
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День 80
воскресенье, 10 марта 2024 г.
🌬 31 °C
Высота: 44 м
Вьетнам Sông Cầu 10.533333, 107.210°31’60” N 107°12’0” E
Night time and puppets
10 марта 2024 г., Вьетнам ⋅ 🌬 31 °C
Into the city for an evening tour, dinner and an underwater puppet show. No, we were not underwater-- the puppeteers were. At least their bodies were as they manipulated the puppets from behind curtains.
Water puppetry is a Vietnamese tradition that dates back as far as the 11th century, when it originated in the villages of the Red River delta. When rice fields would flood, the villagers would entertain each other using this form of puppet play.

The original water puppet festivals were held inside a rice paddy, with a pagoda built on top to hide the puppeteers who stand in the waist-deep water. The water acts as the stage for the puppets and as a symbolic link to the rice harvest.Читать далее
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День 81
понедельник, 11 марта 2024 г.
☀️ 35 °C
Высота: 19 м
Вьетнам Hiep Phuoc Port 10.64, 106.76166710°38’24” N 106°45’42” E
Mekong Delta
11 марта 2024 г., Вьетнам ⋅ ☀️ 35 °C
A long trip to the Mekong Delta area. The problem with the large, modern Ho Chi Minh port facility is its distance to the city and to the other side of the city. It is only about 10 miles but those 10 miles take 1.5 to 2 hours to cover. So the Mekong Delta was 2 hours to get there, 3.5 hours on various boats, 1 hour for lunch, 1 hour looking at riverside markets and 2 hours to get back. I know this only adds up to 9.5 hours but in reality it was 11.

Despite this I was glad I went. The Mekong river looks as big as the Mississippi. Twenty percent of Vietnamese live in the Delta and the river flows through China, Cambodia, Myanmar, Thailand, Laos and Vietnam. Its delta is very fertile, growing rice, corn, melons, cucumbers and numerous fruit. And, of course, there are fish both wild and farmed. As we left the big city for the rural area we saw more evidence of poverty sometimes along side more affluent structures. The Delta featured muddy water, various levels of housing, water hyacinth choking the water way, floating markets and even a resort. It didn't look air conditioned so don't rush to make a reservation!

Lunch featured elephant fish (so called because its shape resembled an elephant ear), various herbs, chicken and rice. Lots of vegetables.

Tomorrow we leave and head toward Thailand.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelWow! The pic of the elephant fish!
12.03.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 83
среда, 13 марта 2024 г., 08:38
☁️ 28 °C
Высота: Уровень моря
Таиланд Ban Bang Makham 9.537911, 99.895269°32’16” N 99°53’43” E
Nathon (Koh Sumui) Thailand
13 марта 2024 г., Таиланд ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Nathon is a Thai resort island. Prior to the 1970s it was a fishing town with no roads, but once tourism was discovered the infrastructure developed rapidly. It is known for its beaches, Buddhist monuments and markets. We are here for one day so I chose to go to one of the several elephant sanctuaries.

Attitudes about the treatment of animals is changing. Using elephants for labor or entertainment is increasingly frowned upon. The ones in this sanctuary of 16 were either used for logging, giving tourist rides, other labor or abandoned. They are Asian elephants, a little smaller than their African relatives and they have smaller ears. The sanctuary has a long boardwalk elevated above the park. Tourists (like me) can feed the elephants from the boardwalk. We were given palm leaves, sugar cane, and bananas. The bananas were the favorites.

And, oh yes, I saw one more life bird, a stripe throated bulbul.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelGreat pics!
15.03.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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День 85
пятница, 15 марта 2024 г.
🌩️ 32 °C
Высота: 35 м
Сингапур Sungai Whampoa 1.316667, 103.8666671°19’0” N 103°52’0” E
Singapore the City
15 марта 2024 г., Сингапур ⋅ 🌩️ 32 °C
Singapore, population 5 million, is a remarkable city, modern, well run and clean. Its total area is 280 square miles. (Houston has 630 square miles and a population of 3 million.) Yet traffic flowed easily even at rush hour. The mass transit is well developed with the ultimate goal of having everyone within 10 minutes of an access point. Cars are discouraged with a heavy tax and expensive licenses. Housing is primarily high
rise and government sponsored. The population is diverse (16% Malay, 72% Chinese, 8% Indian, 4 % European. The government housing must contain mixed demographics. Retirement plans are well funded and generous.

It has an interesting economy--mixed with dirigiste (centrally directed) characteristics. Historically, it made its mark by being a free port and now it is the world's largest container port. Today the maritime industry accounts for 7% of the GDP and 170,000 jobs. It is also adding a large new port to handle the larger container ships. Other components of the economy are technology, petroleum products (it refines oil but has no oil), pharmaceuticals, chemicals, medical and optical devices.

Some of the architecturally interesting modern buildings are in the pics.

The city contains a lot of green space. In addition they are planting 10000 trees in 10 years. My superficial view is that this is a city that works well and we could learn a lot from it.

Now I must admit it has a few rules shown on picture below. It also has the strictest immigration policy.Читать далее
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Martha SleutelLove the signs of restrictions!
18.03.2024ОтветитьПереводить
ПутешественникThat’s a hefty fine for unauthorized WiFi!
01.04.2024ОтветитьПереводить
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