Silvermine Falls and norther Village

This cool running waterfall makes the heat bearable - 90 degrees with 95% humidity. Just imagine chocolate not lasting more than a few minutes without turning into a mushy mess.... oh wait no problems there.

Local picture

The view from the top of Matty's house and the surrounding village.

The 1st Day and Dragon Boat Races

When in Mui Wo what does one do for entertainment? Well if you are lucky enough to come on the June 13 you get to see the Dragon Boat Races!!!

The Story:
It is said that the king accused the local- Mui Wo- government official of stealing. It was false and to prove his innocences he drowned himself in Silvermine Bay. The people, who loved him, now host the traditional dragon boat races in his honor. The boats are raced in order to scare away all the fish, so that they won't eat his body and the villagers throw rice dumplings into the water to give food to any fish that aren't scared away.

Now it is a fun day of sports while teams compete in these races and friends and family watch and enjoy from local boats and from the shore.

Mark~!

A Welcoming Face

When going out of your comfort zone and traveling to a strange new place, different country/continent/hemisphere, it is always nice to see a familiar face... and a couple new faces too.

Matty O and Family:

I think it has been 9 1/2 years since our paths crossed in a Japanese bar in Tempe, AZ. It is good to see that you have stayed true to your love of that food, culture and their woman. Now you are a married man "Chizuko" and have 2 beautiful children "Tage 3 and Kotone 1" and you live in Hong Kong...??? That is a long way from Rock Creek, Montana.

Regardless, it is good to see you and thanks for putting up with me.

Mark~!

oh to soar in the clouds

16 hours is a really long to be flying. Thank goodness for large, untalkative people sitting on either side of you while you are stuck in the middle seat.... Maybe they were scared away by my crazy fantasy novels about dwarfs and wizards with dragons on the cover.

Thankfully I have an amazing ability to sleep anywhere. thank you stewards for the free drinks.

I guess i have an honest face too because the customs man smiled at me and said have fun, after saying something to the other customs officer and laughing.

Now to figure out how to get over jetlag when you have lost a whole day. Someone say bacon and bloodmarys???

Mark~!

It Begins

Asia 2010:

On June 11 I will depart the wonderful city of Chicago bound for Hong Kong... and with a day 1/2 of flying and maybe a view drinks (they are still free on international flights right?) it will all begin.

Throughout this trip I will be visiting Hong Kong; Siem Reap, Cambodia; Ho Chi Minh City and southern Vietnam; Bali and surrounding islands of Indonesia.... Well at least that is the plan.

The Asian portion of this trip will last 40 days and 40 nights. This trip will cross into the Eastern Hemisphere as well as the Southern.

Highlights:

-Hong Kong's friends and local flare

-Temples of Angkor in Cambodia

-City Life and the sprawling beaches of Southern Vietnam

-Diving off the the islands of Indonesia

-Night Life of Bali

I leave in 30 hours and will be updating as much as possible with pictures to paint the images of all the experiences and memories from this trip.

Mark~!