tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-29633646208707478042024-03-18T20:38:36.637-07:00Where Have All the Apsaras Gone?This blog is intended as an outlet for the material - mainly photos and scribblings - produced during my wanderings through Asia. Besides coverage of obscure locations and Quixotic travel initiatives, there will be comments on strange foods; considerations of politics, history, and culture; and also a bit of subjective news and opinion thrown in there.Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.comBlogger103125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-64104855884311516182009-10-21T18:07:00.000-07:002009-10-21T18:22:51.123-07:00Mid-Week Respite at Bukhansan National Park<div>South Korea's most visited national park, Bukhansan in the north of Seoul, hosts far less hikers and picnickers in the middle of the week. Since it's prime hiking season (on account of autumn leaf viewing mania), I took an opportunity to do an afternoon hike on Wednesday, October 21. </div><div> </div><div>No other national or provinical park in the country has so many trails, temples, and hermitages. There are also a considerable number of "workout stations", badminton courts, and vegetable plots sited at the beginning of the trails.</div><div> </div><div>Starting from Dobongsan Station, I stopped to take a look at Dobong Temple. The 1,000-year-old iron Buddha, dating from the Goryeo Period, was not in evidence, though there were some intriguing temple details such as this white elephant.</div><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK1AuUeG0J6TPqcLYf7GfALpHJUcb8RYkpbTPe6a8K4SRwaHNCG17E-v3KVZCx6Xw3kO6VYlCL9JdJKDqIX6nLnjyiBEfPmBjmsD3fnLA_Cm3cYePB3kc7GpTlovGcW9rGLJd8drlwi4/s1600-h/puk1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395225134097709826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiK1AuUeG0J6TPqcLYf7GfALpHJUcb8RYkpbTPe6a8K4SRwaHNCG17E-v3KVZCx6Xw3kO6VYlCL9JdJKDqIX6nLnjyiBEfPmBjmsD3fnLA_Cm3cYePB3kc7GpTlovGcW9rGLJd8drlwi4/s400/puk1.JPG" border="0" /></a></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzZlrzGUEGNKVbus08HbyDbFnlltNxIldMf_UekoXNKptNHJTvm2BxW9P_XWTyhUipZ9dWGKc8w65ysdOQIUWv6fA5y3vIBAo7syPIEtt52wuV_22RK6XbN84MVUvd3Jc0ylJbbu6Eg8/s1600-h/puk2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395225130699186802" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihzZlrzGUEGNKVbus08HbyDbFnlltNxIldMf_UekoXNKptNHJTvm2BxW9P_XWTyhUipZ9dWGKc8w65ysdOQIUWv6fA5y3vIBAo7syPIEtt52wuV_22RK6XbN84MVUvd3Jc0ylJbbu6Eg8/s400/puk2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Before I took a lesser-travelled route down to the Banghak-dong neighborhood I rested at the top of Ui Peak, from which I contemplated the city's smog level. Visibility was decent. </div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0QllqsmW-ZlWlTPW4u1vrliId3Z826aVW78QMwzMYEv_DRxDqgHqfSju-MNtoP-fs46YkOxE7o9Md6ceRLp5MENhGazmlE2VG13NLSIJ-IXSfjsrgunV5lhbc1VT3B8wVN3sxXJZ6js/s1600-h/puk3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395225119046264082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhk0QllqsmW-ZlWlTPW4u1vrliId3Z826aVW78QMwzMYEv_DRxDqgHqfSju-MNtoP-fs46YkOxE7o9Md6ceRLp5MENhGazmlE2VG13NLSIJ-IXSfjsrgunV5lhbc1VT3B8wVN3sxXJZ6js/s400/puk3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395225117399525650" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 266px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNlBGGDLgZIVDhS34a_ieNwsHJ6fYuXRWaN3hmaibyrGqEt4Hp_cde1JPj_RC7tQ5yO-BUp_GOaWngY57Z2c1QOd_5m_vUTmhnaEX2Scz65u5LE6SCNG49oWCg_f5Ho8zx53qhpfB__Bg/s400/puk4.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNDK4qMzQgoVIvX4l4-amoQwnzxlNxoHnl8jpaAnNmnm-vOa_DaLDWPYD84HJXpG6XnR1Lj2xpuFuYXilOxu38-eijmJ9MjGr62nOVCfCTY-Ozp0YWbz5-zsvOXVSk5HEsIZyU3d1gC4/s1600-h/puk5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5395225111981619346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTNDK4qMzQgoVIvX4l4-amoQwnzxlNxoHnl8jpaAnNmnm-vOa_DaLDWPYD84HJXpG6XnR1Lj2xpuFuYXilOxu38-eijmJ9MjGr62nOVCfCTY-Ozp0YWbz5-zsvOXVSk5HEsIZyU3d1gC4/s400/puk5.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-43849729040562568752009-09-15T21:36:00.000-07:002009-09-15T22:29:27.040-07:00An Outing at Bugak-sanAfter Nam-san, Bugak-san is arguably the most conspicuous mountain in or around the downtown Seoul area. Every pedestrian heading north on Sejeong Road, toward Gyeongbok Palace and the presidential Blue House, is facing the bald, streaked crown of Bugak-san.<br /><br />I tried to hike Bugak-san during the last period when I was living in Seoul. Not knowing that the mountain was closed off to the public and patrolled vigrously by heavily armed soldiers, I had to beat a hasty retreat.<br /><br />In 2006, however, the mountain was opened up to hikers, who may now follow a strict course along a rebuilt fortified wall. The gates close at 3 pm and all visitors must bring an identification card (or passport) for signing in.<br /><br />Here is Sukjeongmun (Sukjeong Gate), the most northerly of the gates of Seoul's old wall.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XAFRpXPymA70y16TQ7WdqmVhzIg4hcBPsv0E38tSoQMiIRaaOoGQJzt2a5RTU0uUzN1VWtOqDhA7_oJ7HYnxXkjWKpM6wceGkiObfF9NAqbx6m8Wtu4XIGf_Sg9nhdFzPTS7IQbqTlU/s1600-h/IMG_3351.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381920487793727954" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1XAFRpXPymA70y16TQ7WdqmVhzIg4hcBPsv0E38tSoQMiIRaaOoGQJzt2a5RTU0uUzN1VWtOqDhA7_oJ7HYnxXkjWKpM6wceGkiObfF9NAqbx6m8Wtu4XIGf_Sg9nhdFzPTS7IQbqTlU/s400/IMG_3351.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />There are ten semi-wild deer living on Bugaksan. After years of hiking remoter Korean peaks without spotting a deer, I never would have expected to see three at the same time within the Seoul city limits.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMnM3OAmgr1NDeVTUU4QDxP9tusdhoPxWrbzr3U1_QU8qPZHr8FA3_V0P8fUReYCBmXTBGZC4dPEYf-UROv0be4DO_JOUE8mV4Z28UFa8yPRz5jQniKqHPYwzX23JCSmB2BTHUM9cepc/s1600-h/IMG_3339.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381920479538959346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVMnM3OAmgr1NDeVTUU4QDxP9tusdhoPxWrbzr3U1_QU8qPZHr8FA3_V0P8fUReYCBmXTBGZC4dPEYf-UROv0be4DO_JOUE8mV4Z28UFa8yPRz5jQniKqHPYwzX23JCSmB2BTHUM9cepc/s400/IMG_3339.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />This is the statue marking the reason why Bugaksan was closed off to the public. Police Chief Choi Gyu-sik was the one who led an attack on a band of North Korean guerillas who had made it into the south. They were well on their way to the Blue House to assisinate President Park Chun-hee.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0br6V5zRA93a10PbHcof9xasqe-WXArAtK2UIDprKWApWS5mj8s6CLJ2wjt9Ci_EOEG9amHygkH0xRxWCItpmqOBMeuYPG7VAQB6fL3Nhffd6SBBoKZ9rsTC5zkpR8w6EcxSKV8of7o4/s1600-h/IMG_3331.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381920474951539890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0br6V5zRA93a10PbHcof9xasqe-WXArAtK2UIDprKWApWS5mj8s6CLJ2wjt9Ci_EOEG9amHygkH0xRxWCItpmqOBMeuYPG7VAQB6fL3Nhffd6SBBoKZ9rsTC5zkpR8w6EcxSKV8of7o4/s400/IMG_3331.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The spot where the gunfight showdown took place. Now the Chung-un Silver Center (read: an old folks center).<br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P4EPqkF7LmU3BEc7Sa-UWLNGKjUnkix8_GHxNQTXTyF71o8ujxvbDuMAtMvJVDoOMOlbaIPFeOSAmGTqLq0n_fe-bbzMtrVBTzxMlFai72_Ccp892q-p3kn-I3GpsxU17eyzpyyIEas/s1600-h/IMG_3333.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381920464710103266" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1P4EPqkF7LmU3BEc7Sa-UWLNGKjUnkix8_GHxNQTXTyF71o8ujxvbDuMAtMvJVDoOMOlbaIPFeOSAmGTqLq0n_fe-bbzMtrVBTzxMlFai72_Ccp892q-p3kn-I3GpsxU17eyzpyyIEas/s400/IMG_3333.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />One of the many fine views of Sam-cheong-gak, a former kisaeng (courtesan) mansion for top-level government business. These days it functions as a restaurant-teahouse.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IMPpE3xI4x9BbUlC9-B1PltTS69N1EJ1dDfBP0-KGTnwhbl1qp9EXUf3LhhAOuGTGUpuxDierjlIRxUYGj8ZGmbc7dR7_r0tNtya4w3JuP0H_Xtq-FX2Yhnh_GrBLJAd5v1GabpDpnM/s1600-h/IMG_3364.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5381920455322960130" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_IMPpE3xI4x9BbUlC9-B1PltTS69N1EJ1dDfBP0-KGTnwhbl1qp9EXUf3LhhAOuGTGUpuxDierjlIRxUYGj8ZGmbc7dR7_r0tNtya4w3JuP0H_Xtq-FX2Yhnh_GrBLJAd5v1GabpDpnM/s400/IMG_3364.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-15262251523497436662009-08-01T02:01:00.000-07:002009-08-01T02:21:41.197-07:00First Statue of the First Korean Astronaut<div>Returning briefly to my old stomping ground, in front of Chungnam National University (at the Dae-hang-no and Han-bat-dae-no intersection of Daejeon, South Korea) I was surprised and delighted to see a new statue standing where some prodigiously kitsch seasonal monuments had once graced the dreary edge of cityscape.</div><div><br /></div><div>This was a statue of first Korean astronaut, Yi Soo-yeon, who rode with the Russians into space last year (2008) to conduct various tests. There was controversy at the time over whether Soo-yeon really was an 'astronaut,' or simple a 'space tourist,' as the Republic of Korea paid handsomely for the spot on the flight mission. (The history of space tourism began in 2001, with multimillionaire Dennis Tito's jaunt in space -- see <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Tito">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dennis_Tito</a>). There was also controversy upon her selection for the job. A male candidate named Ko San was actually granted the job, over Soo-yeon, until his disqualification by the Russians for some rather murky business.</div><div><br /></div><div>The weather was drear on the day of the statue sighting. Soo-yeon's likeness was still wrapped in bubble wrap.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTG-790tpLGUM6MVE51VKhfyOFStHBY5B_AhflsbaEyMRj8N6SbqUl58hsn4eBt6tdoIL_GSL-DqK8drH-sQ2EjP3CjQP7rAQcuUb3kTnGS0Pz4YW6GYZg1WBplfY5hBa4LVOPAISH0Y/s1600-h/IMG_3190.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPTG-790tpLGUM6MVE51VKhfyOFStHBY5B_AhflsbaEyMRj8N6SbqUl58hsn4eBt6tdoIL_GSL-DqK8drH-sQ2EjP3CjQP7rAQcuUb3kTnGS0Pz4YW6GYZg1WBplfY5hBa4LVOPAISH0Y/s400/IMG_3190.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364918196011498930" /></a><br /><div>I will have to ask my rocket scientist buddy who works at the Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) in Daejeon just what the hell Soo-yeon is carrying there - a vacuum transformer box? A further question - what is the significance of the missile behind and to her side?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpqchMtrp7ykJQ_J4UEXKCUupdtSTwaotbIih7vchEFrxYl4OKRbUKmT2m01DDybDjGsNLzt9A2XWujVJ-r_lDNLMGkXnP692ndxHK0bKLVuqij-xpgMQxLhzSeZKBZG2TkT-46LbL5U/s1600-h/IMG_3192.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBpqchMtrp7ykJQ_J4UEXKCUupdtSTwaotbIih7vchEFrxYl4OKRbUKmT2m01DDybDjGsNLzt9A2XWujVJ-r_lDNLMGkXnP692ndxHK0bKLVuqij-xpgMQxLhzSeZKBZG2TkT-46LbL5U/s400/IMG_3192.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5364918190390198114" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-8758823602736405692009-07-28T19:29:00.000-07:002009-07-28T19:35:13.855-07:00The Berlin Wall - In SeoulI came across this section ofthe Berlin Wall during my recent ramblings around Seoul. The wall segment was presented as a gift from the mayor of Berlin. The Cold War separation of the Korean peninsual into a North and a South is often compared to the division of Eastern and Western Germany. Though there are a great number of differences between the two cases, guidence for Korea's future is sometimes sought through analysis of the successful reunification of Germany.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeuYY-uKxF95zRUWFcyCFSXWLKItipysnKRJRls8Xdy0Krz9giCqNoc3KjccB25DDrUETCvTJC1mMUvDpIrY4LwuLpOlM6bs42kiFkLHuFGLXso8um_St7Cu1sJKvdXGVYZx40v5poJs/s1600-h/IMG_3182.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363703765590702146" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIeuYY-uKxF95zRUWFcyCFSXWLKItipysnKRJRls8Xdy0Krz9giCqNoc3KjccB25DDrUETCvTJC1mMUvDpIrY4LwuLpOlM6bs42kiFkLHuFGLXso8um_St7Cu1sJKvdXGVYZx40v5poJs/s400/IMG_3182.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgommdB4svco1RVNgCz45mlxMweC9mdgimqTbzgE_r0vb6EA8tA0sVo9BmgE0IVYhSKBL3IsN-8TkYDYcHcCbvUYOcp_HVBltmBODPFDd5-m5mYbF85IlzWqIcP2cUamlWLYwLjVA-_eLQ/s1600-h/IMG_3181.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363703757990112610" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgommdB4svco1RVNgCz45mlxMweC9mdgimqTbzgE_r0vb6EA8tA0sVo9BmgE0IVYhSKBL3IsN-8TkYDYcHcCbvUYOcp_HVBltmBODPFDd5-m5mYbF85IlzWqIcP2cUamlWLYwLjVA-_eLQ/s400/IMG_3181.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Now that you have passed a solemn moment of reflection, I urge you to indulge in some '80s nostaliga by watching this video of David Hasselhoff singing on the Berlin Wall. Check out his lit-up jacket.<br /><div><a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE">http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zXiClnK8oE</a></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-60305245073789557642009-07-28T19:24:00.001-07:002009-07-28T19:28:36.943-07:00Bo-shing-tang --- Korean Dog SoupNot far from Seoul Station is an interesting looking dog meat soup (보<strong>신</strong>탕) restaurant. The middle character, <strong>신</strong>, has been substituted for by a pair of old-time rubber shoes (고무<strong>신</strong>), making a witty play on words.<br /><br />The restaurant also serves hearty chicken soup, 삼계탕.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRS1gf8Dbhtud0rxVx1mt0-K9ZEKsYo26mUar1Ig_dk2_ev8xVGDtc2SQs266wg1GRiWFMvgxC9K6KbpZ3QOr5BCuHpZa6HhHB6vP2QuuQd5ORK3SjHJzp0c4PTZqwpfi51yWCTyJomQ/s1600-h/IMG_3168.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363702322791987154" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrRS1gf8Dbhtud0rxVx1mt0-K9ZEKsYo26mUar1Ig_dk2_ev8xVGDtc2SQs266wg1GRiWFMvgxC9K6KbpZ3QOr5BCuHpZa6HhHB6vP2QuuQd5ORK3SjHJzp0c4PTZqwpfi51yWCTyJomQ/s400/IMG_3168.JPG" border="0" /></a> <div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-37570484759511391252009-07-28T19:05:00.000-07:002009-07-28T19:23:59.277-07:00Seoraksan National Park, Day 3On the morning of my third day in Seoraksan National Park I was awoken at the ungodly hour of 4 AM by a Gangneung University student who had befriended me. He was keen to view the sunrise from Dae-cheong-bong - the highest peak of Seoraksan. The sunrise could be expected at 5:20AM; we were at the peak at around 5.<br /><br />The lowlands were thoroughly veiled by a sea of clouds. The East Sea/Sea of Japan, the city of Sokcho, the North Korean territory nearby - all were there somewhere below the clouds.<br /><br /><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363697756141140946" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNn_N0_A7t99ygsv7IISuWes_13t0O_-_VVcApQFUEm0e6evnwAZVxTLKl06VjCpKQQj1cq3Z5hTRVUZhwntsDAGTBN92i-3jzxPRlV2QS0UIEWID4bNiMpncz9oYrKXKCFmJXDOcAED4/s400/IMG_3148.JPG" border="0" /><br /><br />We had brought a portable boombox with a tape of Strauss's 'Also Spake Zarathustra' and, as the crimson sun pierced the cloud bed, we blasted the opening piece into the heavens, the timpanis blaring. The spirit of Kubrick's <em>2001: A Space Odyssey</em> lives on in South Korea.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJIil0op_l0XErVifyB4iWUQ3PxryG4D27dTCZDxHMC_3w3Fevq2FcB2kifTRGM7qzo41n_AadoisAZ07P-SV_45qPEz8ekaKMWLYUDhRAPhffyHJA2UnlgiTx3f2plZNY5IiV_oLXtU/s1600-h/IMG_3154.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363697782117610690" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfJIil0op_l0XErVifyB4iWUQ3PxryG4D27dTCZDxHMC_3w3Fevq2FcB2kifTRGM7qzo41n_AadoisAZ07P-SV_45qPEz8ekaKMWLYUDhRAPhffyHJA2UnlgiTx3f2plZNY5IiV_oLXtU/s400/IMG_3154.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />On the way to Ma-deung-ryeong (마등령) Pass. This was a tough slog. Not recommeded for the faint of heart, as the course involves at least 6 extreme descents and ascents. 'Ma-deung-ryeong' means 'Dinosaur's Back' - so I was told.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJCaBwyBKUuByLlNiWiaQioy82bWJaIAAGVhdQ3Q0ZAR4sVACfF9B6nC66rNlj3xH021AQKZ9RVbDtCDB9Q0EKic-fksCOUmtYNI_fovVQcNaH9xLK3TAVTfgRnzArBoMsTzx3Jwi1Qg/s1600-h/IMG_3159.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363697777258287538" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxJCaBwyBKUuByLlNiWiaQioy82bWJaIAAGVhdQ3Q0ZAR4sVACfF9B6nC66rNlj3xH021AQKZ9RVbDtCDB9Q0EKic-fksCOUmtYNI_fovVQcNaH9xLK3TAVTfgRnzArBoMsTzx3Jwi1Qg/s400/IMG_3159.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Back in Sokcho. The Sam-ho Park Hotel owner had allowed me to store my baggage in the hotel stairwell. Here is a small glimpse of his rock collection. The lobby is full of interesting finds from the seashore and the slopes.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBG1OFwyEs8s-EFmMcPfmDj8br-kds52JlQXN7v3xnfXSzRNJGuaZC51Ms_qaHMLuC6-KdzuvKsTLDyODcveJ7s5_9XLnX_ZvjCdeF6Qzlt4MDuqbU2xQQqgq3YA-xPRpenJC5adZ9xE/s1600-h/IMG_3160.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5363697760041345826" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMBG1OFwyEs8s-EFmMcPfmDj8br-kds52JlQXN7v3xnfXSzRNJGuaZC51Ms_qaHMLuC6-KdzuvKsTLDyODcveJ7s5_9XLnX_ZvjCdeF6Qzlt4MDuqbU2xQQqgq3YA-xPRpenJC5adZ9xE/s400/IMG_3160.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-23903554881392389872009-07-24T19:55:00.000-07:002009-07-24T20:06:03.107-07:00Seoraksan National Park, Day 2.2<div>The Sari Pagoda, on a rock ledge above Bong-jeong-am. <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Sari</span> is a Korean Buddhist term for the white rocks that are found in the cremated ashes of enlightened monks. The <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">sari</span> are said to form in the brain, and are considered holy relics, to be enshrined within pagodas or stupas. </div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x7TIFWSoxQCqeOcychtQqvaKMEogeSutyJ7kBkuLeqjSNs-nk0pNaV3-016zt_GbjmdlireHqfG7XJ57UG0r27o_jwD-HrMXYMRjsiNUD2jN9-akbCyroyO0ZxyZAyUgBl4suEXFuHc/s1600-h/IMG_3132.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi9x7TIFWSoxQCqeOcychtQqvaKMEogeSutyJ7kBkuLeqjSNs-nk0pNaV3-016zt_GbjmdlireHqfG7XJ57UG0r27o_jwD-HrMXYMRjsiNUD2jN9-akbCyroyO0ZxyZAyUgBl4suEXFuHc/s400/IMG_3132.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362226143404924530" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFa2fb3V27p_Pp79rPj8RPjZNZFQl0EiOfZgfu0vDv0q4asxA2CU6LnmSXG7zrilIMept0PmEm-k86RAWG9nROJ6kTr-grv5wThQ9dQ05HlhRI9ln8u-WXHad6PNVuo7J4RhFgpHCCGU/s1600-h/IMG_3133.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAFa2fb3V27p_Pp79rPj8RPjZNZFQl0EiOfZgfu0vDv0q4asxA2CU6LnmSXG7zrilIMept0PmEm-k86RAWG9nROJ6kTr-grv5wThQ9dQ05HlhRI9ln8u-WXHad6PNVuo7J4RhFgpHCCGU/s400/IMG_3133.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362226140567593154" /></a><br /><div>This primal rock is typical of the Seorak mountains.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQYVYTCJtdndmDbiLkfCOB2QBcAk_Tv8sQudnYDc0PO2aT3nSehDMAlp7H7RebtkfD2g5VJvYZRuUhJ07y-OIEVYyfuLC5m3KL1H4tERe4lfTxm9MIsABlSb4TzesuyXenGApHWypQK4/s1600-h/IMG_3134.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwQYVYTCJtdndmDbiLkfCOB2QBcAk_Tv8sQudnYDc0PO2aT3nSehDMAlp7H7RebtkfD2g5VJvYZRuUhJ07y-OIEVYyfuLC5m3KL1H4tERe4lfTxm9MIsABlSb4TzesuyXenGApHWypQK4/s400/IMG_3134.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362226136325328946" /></a><br /></div><div>A typical vista of the park.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbBwVHQeUuEaETmuoKGlfOx_0S8Tevz-T3wnrGMKIvegH2tNChWa0L3fa9xhSeXXEVy1sWvTfzQ8fLdTG66YAuQNkzcyKOpw_cj_YPJ1Z4WPhD7vwh-1Xt9UPszx8xerCRBkqAb_jd4/s1600-h/IMG_3137.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnCbBwVHQeUuEaETmuoKGlfOx_0S8Tevz-T3wnrGMKIvegH2tNChWa0L3fa9xhSeXXEVy1sWvTfzQ8fLdTG66YAuQNkzcyKOpw_cj_YPJ1Z4WPhD7vwh-1Xt9UPszx8xerCRBkqAb_jd4/s400/IMG_3137.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362226132499986962" /></a><br /></div><div>One of the mountain god (<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">san-shin</span>) shrines. The mountain god can be recognized by the tiger that is always by his side. The worship of mountain gods dates back to the days of Korean shamanism. Tigers are now extinct in South Korea, though rumor has it that a few are still alive in the North!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX3xPrLMgfUzuZdCzqIeNAsGeEMTnmKLNbjvnvVXmoUOrbminZRNJPi-sv3BzSxnScu7_VXc5XFRkiU8dKhZnPSK5mEUdYi1fx02G2DLvh0aoqj18D1ZQvCLWfpuK4Rm3B3JgXY86Va8/s1600-h/IMG_3141.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinX3xPrLMgfUzuZdCzqIeNAsGeEMTnmKLNbjvnvVXmoUOrbminZRNJPi-sv3BzSxnScu7_VXc5XFRkiU8dKhZnPSK5mEUdYi1fx02G2DLvh0aoqj18D1ZQvCLWfpuK4Rm3B3JgXY86Va8/s400/IMG_3141.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362226125891734914" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-22709323493547188092009-07-24T18:48:00.000-07:002009-07-24T19:54:49.247-07:00Seoraksan National Park, Day 2.1<div>This pinkish-orange fungus seemed to be in season.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrwStJrIwmbMH0IServ-ZDBrtZNwyft7mMUN74KdzGpnMKy_rb6MI7bm21FfEfFk_4NZMBbSo_Y5i2Rb9c4z0jdsHtM4pvq84ry7cqVJDbBnh2RLyF1MUoadgkbY_8aS6twZFJXiQYrQ/s1600-h/IMG_3100.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVrwStJrIwmbMH0IServ-ZDBrtZNwyft7mMUN74KdzGpnMKy_rb6MI7bm21FfEfFk_4NZMBbSo_Y5i2Rb9c4z0jdsHtM4pvq84ry7cqVJDbBnh2RLyF1MUoadgkbY_8aS6twZFJXiQYrQ/s400/IMG_3100.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362209138123230834" /></a><br /><div>A view of the eastern approach to <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Bong-jeong-am</span> (Bong-jeong Hermitage), in the central heights of the park. The jutting rise behind the hermitage is Seok-ga-bong - Sakyamuni Peak -, so named because of what looks like a human face in profile on the side of the cliff. The face looked more Apache than Indic, but who knows? Perhaps it really is the Buddha's likeness?</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNUgKNMLtoQoZxuE1SJAGB-ESyWF61KQ8NE1XoHMzXjnjzwvV4onO204o0JXkQE5T1O20ypU8rTQymwEkzjpDjxxsGjR4kvBrhrNJH5o0WoDxALy0EUiKBFNp8aLF9BeXqThdVbZR-PQ/s1600-h/IMG_3102.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLNUgKNMLtoQoZxuE1SJAGB-ESyWF61KQ8NE1XoHMzXjnjzwvV4onO204o0JXkQE5T1O20ypU8rTQymwEkzjpDjxxsGjR4kvBrhrNJH5o0WoDxALy0EUiKBFNp8aLF9BeXqThdVbZR-PQ/s400/IMG_3102.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362209141034263138" /></a><br /></div><div>On the way to Baekdam Temple. </div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjzVf7GKOKZz1oFaGWnP2hqk5jYJkELs09c8Iqea-NYnNn0FOEQ7b4QZOx-zyx3BXlt7TR56UXdQy99Y-aAz0ZuKdEOwNJWsS8Wgjm0UZs7LF1qiMD5-RsscXVaqZ0kFn7agWvijJTlE/s1600-h/IMG_3115.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirjzVf7GKOKZz1oFaGWnP2hqk5jYJkELs09c8Iqea-NYnNn0FOEQ7b4QZOx-zyx3BXlt7TR56UXdQy99Y-aAz0ZuKdEOwNJWsS8Wgjm0UZs7LF1qiMD5-RsscXVaqZ0kFn7agWvijJTlE/s400/IMG_3115.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362209114804098354" /></a><br /></div><div>Wall of a Korean <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">seon</span> [zen] hermitage.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm_KXGkhRxhsCJWOQBiVWJShkGyvCYnOoLfTe3yOgye9SGsZTp4LMN_41XHp46sZPI99WHupBnkx0X7Jg27Rf0EiJJapfz6-R1u_7sK7gDCK0DROcrbxaI_r0YlaBf_x0gsuGhkxLyY8/s1600-h/IMG_3122.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNm_KXGkhRxhsCJWOQBiVWJShkGyvCYnOoLfTe3yOgye9SGsZTp4LMN_41XHp46sZPI99WHupBnkx0X7Jg27Rf0EiJJapfz6-R1u_7sK7gDCK0DROcrbxaI_r0YlaBf_x0gsuGhkxLyY8/s400/IMG_3122.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362209112031914914" /></a><br /></div><div>Encounter with a serpent.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGrshyAUvjKXLzAQ7cunk2RscWnynaumZ7OC7M_Ofrgaas5bu-bish8sJDkJBZfLIB1Zk4niXcwiCHxeUnlxLpAC5xekgBFLQT47rQPE_F7VLFi9DQzqthVTGBPFV4cpYNdhAn6uEi8U/s1600-h/IMG_3130.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfGrshyAUvjKXLzAQ7cunk2RscWnynaumZ7OC7M_Ofrgaas5bu-bish8sJDkJBZfLIB1Zk4niXcwiCHxeUnlxLpAC5xekgBFLQT47rQPE_F7VLFi9DQzqthVTGBPFV4cpYNdhAn6uEi8U/s400/IMG_3130.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362209099788264354" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-29020661914133534552009-07-24T18:34:00.000-07:002009-07-24T18:42:52.408-07:00Seoraksan National Park, Day 1.5<div>Korean hospitality always seems to be at its best on the mountains. The man in the left of the picture - a veteran public school teacher - invited me to join for dinner. Considering that we were near the highest peak of the national park, they did a pretty good job of brewing up some <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">kimchi-ji-gae</span> (kimchi soup), with plenty of side dishes. As always in such situations, flavor was the best sauce.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tEr6rxjtC-BYg8BJFMe8SZ8nleb02NikDekHDVsPK97QbwR6z5p3tIB28UGs8slhuUj_DTzNbRPciHJB9ifVoLA6dlDywT1IlbIoz6OG4HG7MnMVTKryGMnbjNCI78HXwq7jTuhRAvE/s1600-h/IMG_3078.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7tEr6rxjtC-BYg8BJFMe8SZ8nleb02NikDekHDVsPK97QbwR6z5p3tIB28UGs8slhuUj_DTzNbRPciHJB9ifVoLA6dlDywT1IlbIoz6OG4HG7MnMVTKryGMnbjNCI78HXwq7jTuhRAvE/s400/IMG_3078.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362205632206633538" /></a><br /><div>The twilight view of the geoids on the hill.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hGzOVKAKMLDC0J6nYZFrvMVBrVw7HCKRQNjoXuo2f4eBLvKxS81TP_1a2eqdxUbMgaMP3cglB1y8C7AJWIlcOS9u9gQSwQdGrMGL8BpiaXbtQaweZrLvz642U5SrPEq7uff8I7FTDvw/s1600-h/IMG_3082.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4hGzOVKAKMLDC0J6nYZFrvMVBrVw7HCKRQNjoXuo2f4eBLvKxS81TP_1a2eqdxUbMgaMP3cglB1y8C7AJWIlcOS9u9gQSwQdGrMGL8BpiaXbtQaweZrLvz642U5SrPEq7uff8I7FTDvw/s400/IMG_3082.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362205333387805346" /></a><br /></div><div>In the fading light of the ridge, I took a few experimental shots of the grasses blowing in the fierce wind. The inspiration came from a particular scene in Werner Herzog's <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">Grizzly Man</span>.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyB_D0HuMpgrNWuv-rGuymmP1ah8srHJgYvEouEo-kEWF0wqcO0TGGFFXZTYnya0zM4wmg4u5kXI82zmGVld8kFaloqb-UP_Oh6hs2SLz0x9VGaxVlOzfSrN0wsoB4ixs87nIx3KZAxE/s1600-h/IMG_3090.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzyB_D0HuMpgrNWuv-rGuymmP1ah8srHJgYvEouEo-kEWF0wqcO0TGGFFXZTYnya0zM4wmg4u5kXI82zmGVld8kFaloqb-UP_Oh6hs2SLz0x9VGaxVlOzfSrN0wsoB4ixs87nIx3KZAxE/s400/IMG_3090.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362205330664558098" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsAC-d9Qw2-2ae-SP81v9zAOldCl628lkb5H1-rNIPfXFC6S3XStU4TKT_pCEes71omvhYgZY3yVCS_pOnT3Jwxjm08cy7eezDLmmccj9vLFIdcUeAFepYsTlcSiV1VWh7gKnqT-VZIk/s1600-h/IMG_3094.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKsAC-d9Qw2-2ae-SP81v9zAOldCl628lkb5H1-rNIPfXFC6S3XStU4TKT_pCEes71omvhYgZY3yVCS_pOnT3Jwxjm08cy7eezDLmmccj9vLFIdcUeAFepYsTlcSiV1VWh7gKnqT-VZIk/s400/IMG_3094.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5362205323700205666" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-37225619364378944692009-07-22T17:54:00.000-07:002009-07-22T18:53:11.822-07:00Seoraksan National Park, Day ISeoraksan National Park is undoubtedly the most spectacular national park in South Korea, and is only rivaled by the Geumgang Mountains in North Korea, which are part of the same range and are very close to Seoraksan. The two mountain clusters are rather unnaturally separated by the demilitarized zone (DMZ), separating the north and south Koreas, and splitting Gangwon province into a north and south section.<div><br /></div><div>Seoraksan National Park is accessible from the East Sea city of Sokcho. Most people enter Inner Seorak from the west, and pass by a cluster of grave monuments for ancient Buddhist monks. Here is a detail from one of these.<br /><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCjw1XaFTJeOqAwYz6OXLZfTZUHfyHnslEvH6k8aWwD2jggTRdBY91qTgGy4eFSqrKNgrhfUTa3Bm9aLoVgvgNZLoQ9yAv4tMiMyvel_XQs9iIT1azVzNXRcffNYLn1OfLqZyzpMBWGc/s1600-h/IMG_3032.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjCjw1XaFTJeOqAwYz6OXLZfTZUHfyHnslEvH6k8aWwD2jggTRdBY91qTgGy4eFSqrKNgrhfUTa3Bm9aLoVgvgNZLoQ9yAv4tMiMyvel_XQs9iIT1azVzNXRcffNYLn1OfLqZyzpMBWGc/s400/IMG_3032.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361463029230810690" /></a><br /><div>Some classical graffiti. </div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtJvvWcXc-uIxYSdiDZWm3fvVjGYTMe32UxoU93_mtSwXlLqQQ6igxfR_XqdbnlatDmO2tO1gJqnLCruu2jNak-uJaIQ5RC4BZZUWB9aiQoa3Yf1vZKLgq6dNRK_3me75MMK0qYnlXKHU/s400/IMG_3045.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361463036720498738" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:11px;">A protypical Seorak view.</span><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:9px;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhI_P07_rbd9IE5xI2RIcU06jGVJgtxZuwJd2IZCz-eli9zKsfchZASNn_p-wWV_ol0fx9p-YifZgPI2mlDtOoi6kR2hFJvrgJu2ujP340UKTXQP8jNgCrbd_yiAzAV0lj8sUXtuc1QCpg/s400/IMG_3062.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361463044988825714" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><div><br /></div><div>WARNING: DROP/FALL!</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_osfYncV5hVd7020U7JgE4pook8WSyyS4gzGxac724DGIgrO-KXYPwZij9YsP_NH_O2iFODnsGSX1LEixZXX5Qo6fwpp9TnFQ07XsYTbxMZ2KvDDIbN-btcSvttI5SwfeXapatqtiLNE/s400/IMG_3063.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361463052163689730" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div><div><br /></div><div>The summit of Dae-cheong-bong, at around 1700 meters. Dae-cheong-bong translates as 'Wide Blue Peak.' The hiker who reaches this marker stone has braved a brutally steep climb. With luck, there will be a sea-of-clouds view, or (rarely) a view of the East Sea/Sea of Japan; or, perhaps a view of North Korea.</div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); font-size:11px;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJNkeCB9RXRZUEvY60KM1IrN6NLItfKM5QjwrQYjZhNpbtdc_tpbNgIVU1DOBKwnlrW1qKqmwu4sOc6Q3eazV_Wv9E-qS6vNoR5aU777cHs4N7bK1QobUbRAAOhw-5NUsQwdxjI2-N-tk/s400/IMG_3074.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361463056736161634" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span></div></div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-22073876869167933892009-07-22T17:33:00.000-07:002009-07-22T17:53:06.274-07:00The Great Korean Loach<div>My travels having come to an end, and my career pursuits having resumed their course in Seoul, South Korea, I have decided to transform this travel blog somewhat. For the time being, new postings will focus on Korean foods, traditional restaurants, and travel in Korea. </div><div><br /></div><div>As the first of the Korean features, I would like to focus on a subject of great mystification to foreign visitors and residents: THE KOREAN LOACH. Most important in this matter is not to confuse 'loach' with 'roach.' A loach is a small fish-like creature that lives in the muddy waters of rice paddies. It is not a slug. Nor is it an eel, really. I suppose that only a biologist could settle the question of exactly what type of creature a loach is.</div><div><br /></div><div>But the most important consideration in the subject of loaches is that they taste delicious. Loaches are commonly served as <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">chu-ah-tang</span> in Korea. Another - more colloquial - name for this soup is <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: bold;">mi-kuh-ruh-ji-tang</span> ('mi-kuh-ruh-ji' means 'slippery'!). </div><div><br /></div><div>This is one of the excellent chu-ah-tang restaurants in the heart of Seoul: Nam-won Chu-ah-Tang. (Nam-won is a small provincial city.) A bowl of loach soup goes for 7,000 won here, which is typical. (Conversion Rate: around $6 US).</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRsIgoy3cwEZ8PqgDZFT4V2_GqXo9JigMtoTW7GTSseo0CB6eCxbsG2C_saO2u_iH-BiQDf-TOrwlMNl0KfuTszdCgSgsD6zuwkZGupak7spEZrdrdZg0SQm69GPedi3BCvWVuSHObLY/s1600-h/Chuahtang.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiRsIgoy3cwEZ8PqgDZFT4V2_GqXo9JigMtoTW7GTSseo0CB6eCxbsG2C_saO2u_iH-BiQDf-TOrwlMNl0KfuTszdCgSgsD6zuwkZGupak7spEZrdrdZg0SQm69GPedi3BCvWVuSHObLY/s400/Chuahtang.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361447414511068946" /></a><br /><div>In the olden days, the loaches were dished up whole, but the present-day Korean has become a bit more squeemish, and the loaches are now blended and pureed. Loaches are also served deep-fried, or in dumplings.</div><div><br /><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); "><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmkmXErfxV7QFb96vNUut1-2eU10fPIvcB7R_9BJKT35_1A2RW41CIgG-Yw6NjsKgmo_IO_QozaOb0IPKK-_OsUhC3FoWkIWqAaNDN_aXRHyyr9U0uffptt5CfH-tNx76Fpl_bGoXngII/s400/IMG_2899.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361447400495135042" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 400px; height: 266px; " /></span><br /></div><div>The ingredient presentation outside of Namwon Chu-ah-tang.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg-N5kpt_XQvn_YvfbdZ7UYIy3-ZYqKjEI5VkZEJa7pISVMbT_08k1iZHtl6Lc_zkHD8J6XKVAPpL4FSUgkgB4gCY6TtnKpo3KN9-rFBkORkd4nzkj2j1B2m5lXldWIAZXqtr0lhg3bQ/s1600-h/Micuruji.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIg-N5kpt_XQvn_YvfbdZ7UYIy3-ZYqKjEI5VkZEJa7pISVMbT_08k1iZHtl6Lc_zkHD8J6XKVAPpL4FSUgkgB4gCY6TtnKpo3KN9-rFBkORkd4nzkj2j1B2m5lXldWIAZXqtr0lhg3bQ/s400/Micuruji.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361447406555534994" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Loaches in an aquarium.</div><div><br /><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0O5WcMgvjRc8kUeGKaXeiDRe6ZYH04RVzrWFMRqTDfKsqw0462pEOBE1fKP03kL7CkwDFa9dslxOp2lCGyhS6NAsP88R_ujI27LP8zZSEutQZytXB7lHtA99SFrvq61s9VdadFl79dEw/s400/IMG_2905.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361447394263217234" /><br /></div><div>Portrait of a loach. </div><div>Incidentally, I have heard that a village cure for the hiccups used to be to force the hiccuping child to swallow a live loach. YIKES!</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU9p_1AAL1FZybShcr2luSmmh_VbAbPWvmqlQSn9tj-obgg1qYWacJsmqO5G1wnymAZ-iErh7LJYzDYnHk0u4YAYk9dpo5E3WEEUMuk4HIpnHbKmdbf2Kf5_zm8uuknsNcwe0oknS-rI/s1600-h/IMG_2903.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrU9p_1AAL1FZybShcr2luSmmh_VbAbPWvmqlQSn9tj-obgg1qYWacJsmqO5G1wnymAZ-iErh7LJYzDYnHk0u4YAYk9dpo5E3WEEUMuk4HIpnHbKmdbf2Kf5_zm8uuknsNcwe0oknS-rI/s400/IMG_2903.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5361447399686457954" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><br /></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-44307690776411631352009-07-16T02:40:00.000-07:002009-07-16T02:50:29.044-07:00The Last of Nepal<div>My brief stay in Nepal came to an end over a week ago now, but the images remain. (The final five images, that is).<br /></div><div><br /></div><div>The Tibetan community in exile rallies around the Boudhanath stupa. Not far from this site is the Hyatt Hotel.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYPM9R_2lOXEWzPzeQ7ehYNLeEChsRK4FsJJktfI14zbWJ26kB4NTQ5YSLM5EHXgdtcDIgpsAjlFfKEos18AceVIqJa_EFkOhJIO30LFraOvSOYDA6hOG-TKubyOTJ0ZcGcZbnR5bsgg/s1600-h/IMG_2837.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuYPM9R_2lOXEWzPzeQ7ehYNLeEChsRK4FsJJktfI14zbWJ26kB4NTQ5YSLM5EHXgdtcDIgpsAjlFfKEos18AceVIqJa_EFkOhJIO30LFraOvSOYDA6hOG-TKubyOTJ0ZcGcZbnR5bsgg/s400/IMG_2837.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358991445881035698" /></a><br /><div>Viewing the world through prayer-flag tinted glasses.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZNOLQPsVoFwf3Zhycf4RaJJifcUK4vVRAI5mTPIntBUQzwJt27xoiR3uWQIZ5Kykrnge7J3VzVvDJelZB248pEM-Wq4MXskjtw0cYD6Cl0Qbr57bntdN8q_sy3g0lNxBtlZXVGbP4J4/s1600-h/IMG_2839.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSZNOLQPsVoFwf3Zhycf4RaJJifcUK4vVRAI5mTPIntBUQzwJt27xoiR3uWQIZ5Kykrnge7J3VzVvDJelZB248pEM-Wq4MXskjtw0cYD6Cl0Qbr57bntdN8q_sy3g0lNxBtlZXVGbP4J4/s400/IMG_2839.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358991443212001554" /></a>Three details of Boudhanath:</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlTQVuEHBujrNv72Qggde5oWZySTe7OrgOZrSE6pnoNfxt-BUbwnjU30SX4yetWE5ToGrfBJK6jpISzBCgmRZ1ly5RqNHRS8TkhwmQPEgQDNZV68EUTHy64d90QtMZrvMB-_jBJMcqzY/s1600-h/IMG_2841.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXlTQVuEHBujrNv72Qggde5oWZySTe7OrgOZrSE6pnoNfxt-BUbwnjU30SX4yetWE5ToGrfBJK6jpISzBCgmRZ1ly5RqNHRS8TkhwmQPEgQDNZV68EUTHy64d90QtMZrvMB-_jBJMcqzY/s400/IMG_2841.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358991440144260898" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Dcik8m7ry3J3JDWnG_3th94T878Jeshpj7MvFnirG1QIuejaN-38eaO14whpnt6qewIUmqYrNNlLxsUSfUfe7MN56e88x2bSpLnlTOau3eXuCVMcY7BS8cdI8mXbkMBrpoTSFo0B8Lo/s1600-h/IMG_2843.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7Dcik8m7ry3J3JDWnG_3th94T878Jeshpj7MvFnirG1QIuejaN-38eaO14whpnt6qewIUmqYrNNlLxsUSfUfe7MN56e88x2bSpLnlTOau3eXuCVMcY7BS8cdI8mXbkMBrpoTSFo0B8Lo/s400/IMG_2843.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358991432286477538" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKugnhREfLJnAhLT09roH42M_OfSF5zHJHJU_nLrf5x_ksY6rRi9IdbZkOcPCQkbs3Fh7WEiEv0_3DZFonkyfXPlI01rX_g-6NBf_IhnQA9IRc-jTo-ZGhAZuSX3gv6zDMcjjsOUYZU8/s1600-h/IMG_2844.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcKugnhREfLJnAhLT09roH42M_OfSF5zHJHJU_nLrf5x_ksY6rRi9IdbZkOcPCQkbs3Fh7WEiEv0_3DZFonkyfXPlI01rX_g-6NBf_IhnQA9IRc-jTo-ZGhAZuSX3gv6zDMcjjsOUYZU8/s400/IMG_2844.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358991426940367794" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-1268802907813245802009-07-15T06:19:00.000-07:002009-07-15T06:33:25.642-07:00Caterpillar Fungus and Mt. EverestThe Mountain Museum in Pokhara, Nepal, is a bit over-hyped, in my humble opinion, though there were plenty of huge mountain posters on the wall, including this Everest shot.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2PppUKTqhQj_brOBIytwkw-48vob2rKfUwYqUT8YlaSzCB71ohgaBHRe1gaj6DH6rLF6U-AzxuSEPERZmu_CZ8efyE02LeUfeMQNwq7ezcDCmbGnQ540DL3Le2VGMHcPVZ_vQ4PxxsE/s1600-h/IMG_2880.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358677016050358082" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEia2PppUKTqhQj_brOBIytwkw-48vob2rKfUwYqUT8YlaSzCB71ohgaBHRe1gaj6DH6rLF6U-AzxuSEPERZmu_CZ8efyE02LeUfeMQNwq7ezcDCmbGnQ540DL3Le2VGMHcPVZ_vQ4PxxsE/s400/IMG_2880.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /><div></div>For those who have kept up with the caterpillar fungus craze in China, or seen the related pictures in the Golmud posts of this blog, the Pokhara Mountain Museum may be able to shed more light on the mysterious phenomenon.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEevLhrLepgmId16oYsipF-jmIkWvRQtreDB1Go2_ArTX-UZlojm7fb0KJHtzDGZCpKwC_DF78V6OWjTh6aXnjv2jJwqf-MahDVMYwmWEdX1sV57iFQUuipRww_ATQ5buvy_F8nnbspP0/s1600-h/IMG_2881.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358676057900085106" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEevLhrLepgmId16oYsipF-jmIkWvRQtreDB1Go2_ArTX-UZlojm7fb0KJHtzDGZCpKwC_DF78V6OWjTh6aXnjv2jJwqf-MahDVMYwmWEdX1sV57iFQUuipRww_ATQ5buvy_F8nnbspP0/s400/IMG_2881.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Here we find out that caterpillar fungus's scientific name is <strong>Cordyceps sinensis</strong>.</div><div></div><div>The CF is gathered in 4,500 - 5,200 meter alpine meadows in the Himalayas, and in Tibet.</div><div></div><div>Diagnostic Characteristics: "Club shaped parasitic fungus, later becomes saprophytic on insect larva after its death. It comes out of the anterior end of the larva of the caterpillar (swiftmoth) during the monsoon."<br /></div><div>Use: Tonic and aphrodisiac</div><div></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EaEhtNbVaMmyspEcTB4YoxY1QqXyjg-AysMsJnZh9E6e2vbCKNfexHIeZdLvUnRDT4C9JHrbcQR7cMLaXb209kAA54JMlweo9sXIpfHgT8WaMtAOAFQcO1hqAhnEAfanMIhfNOVp8rQ/s1600-h/IMG_2882.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358676061612872066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8EaEhtNbVaMmyspEcTB4YoxY1QqXyjg-AysMsJnZh9E6e2vbCKNfexHIeZdLvUnRDT4C9JHrbcQR7cMLaXb209kAA54JMlweo9sXIpfHgT8WaMtAOAFQcO1hqAhnEAfanMIhfNOVp8rQ/s400/IMG_2882.JPG" border="0" /></a><br /></div><div><div><div></div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-40839932068839042342009-07-15T06:07:00.000-07:002009-07-15T06:33:40.765-07:00Pokhara, NepalA wild half-day bus trip bound west of Kathmandu, Nepal, brings tourists from India and beyond to the lakeside city of Pokhara. This is one of the legendary hiking, trekking, and mountaineering desitinations in Nepal, with the more-than-8,000-meter-tall Annapurna lurking in the town skyline.<br /><br />Here is the only glimpse I got, toward the end of my last day there. The peak is emerging here from the clouds.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39a7PNbteASlnpP-bPewCkh4qE0x-Haf-qPLMbv29WTrDHNOEvSFODZOpXCMGHcI5aPrccax3nkVXxFtnKE9-fgMs-xF8mufXoK1DeuZ0XrR_eHC2-gtxoo4o8h8VO9nfA8tZLCnRRK8/s1600-h/IMG_2886.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358673403031556866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh39a7PNbteASlnpP-bPewCkh4qE0x-Haf-qPLMbv29WTrDHNOEvSFODZOpXCMGHcI5aPrccax3nkVXxFtnKE9-fgMs-xF8mufXoK1DeuZ0XrR_eHC2-gtxoo4o8h8VO9nfA8tZLCnRRK8/s400/IMG_2886.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Being a predominantly Hindu country, cows are sacred in Nepal. Buffalos, like these, can be eaten.<br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJs57HOxlvRl2HPxnPKU5yAzEfrlDKCyHq8FtyQWUYput_FPnPorlVnrVT5wK2dkUKPkYyW18RPIexHh9yyqA_d7JIxZ_frmBwvRU4I3Iq77HJv2N2TrFaXcwPu5EAXOLXRsrZ3zg9J4/s1600-h/IMG_2884.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358673396903663426" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmJs57HOxlvRl2HPxnPKU5yAzEfrlDKCyHq8FtyQWUYput_FPnPorlVnrVT5wK2dkUKPkYyW18RPIexHh9yyqA_d7JIxZ_frmBwvRU4I3Iq77HJv2N2TrFaXcwPu5EAXOLXRsrZ3zg9J4/s400/IMG_2884.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Tourism is in a lull these days. This sign could serve as a the new, desperate slogan of Nepal: Don't Pass Me By!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-y9p98MbkDkrwBqDC6vG3Y5CPJkGpplS2hfUCsN_XU5UBbkhv6f3gffN8JLaw0HmimmfAH3rMUD0vlC7GwURkSXcOImpF7QarhBbEEnxPRszJFYGwX0j-0sUfiETK9Na3fGoT9px7EQ/s1600-h/IMG_2874.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358673169857622434" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0-y9p98MbkDkrwBqDC6vG3Y5CPJkGpplS2hfUCsN_XU5UBbkhv6f3gffN8JLaw0HmimmfAH3rMUD0vlC7GwURkSXcOImpF7QarhBbEEnxPRszJFYGwX0j-0sUfiETK9Na3fGoT9px7EQ/s400/IMG_2874.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Just a fragment of the great lake.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATHqShpo_iQxvYfHNJD8XS1zbhej5w8bgroJ84CxSjIwAm9fCNlwGfFfRY-E8yiWxByv7mb1gQu7o6y2WYy8MLLTtxL2GGiYfIfZDV0sReSZiz1cRnlKJfqtKYejDaToCYv8e3Mi3vYY/s1600-h/IMG_2875.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358673167871302530" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjATHqShpo_iQxvYfHNJD8XS1zbhej5w8bgroJ84CxSjIwAm9fCNlwGfFfRY-E8yiWxByv7mb1gQu7o6y2WYy8MLLTtxL2GGiYfIfZDV0sReSZiz1cRnlKJfqtKYejDaToCYv8e3Mi3vYY/s400/IMG_2875.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>Place of worship.<br /><br /><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DYy8HoBWOXYn0JSi4pcvAagmHVBozlRatlDPUpsUuEihPl50WFAkZfgp-dWe_rE9HQnjIUvrvf6rvLZ41ODscAx96H6SEOllSXM6bxtmyMlMKn8_5QJj2z5fn-QYDyPCfXosY2kkYi4/s1600-h/IMG_2878.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5358673161308178770" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8DYy8HoBWOXYn0JSi4pcvAagmHVBozlRatlDPUpsUuEihPl50WFAkZfgp-dWe_rE9HQnjIUvrvf6rvLZ41ODscAx96H6SEOllSXM6bxtmyMlMKn8_5QJj2z5fn-QYDyPCfXosY2kkYi4/s400/IMG_2878.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-37207398009500160352009-07-12T20:54:00.000-07:002009-07-12T21:01:41.704-07:00Prayer Flags Every Which WayThousands of multi-colored scriptures flap in the breeze below Swayambhunath temple, in Kathmandu. This tangle of Tibetan prayer flags has been draped from the branches of a tree.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU_YGAPw8jnbtnCK5rkwqc5EZu_VHZJqkjwqLtHzdqbDpwm8b3ss7QC0sXl5oVJz0GK389fSe4o60IfWq2JBLseORYvjwoUbjBoYd9sbtAaKC2IPgwDYgFsav-HFD112F4Pyuw3j-388/s1600-h/IMG_2872.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357788483430977506" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnU_YGAPw8jnbtnCK5rkwqc5EZu_VHZJqkjwqLtHzdqbDpwm8b3ss7QC0sXl5oVJz0GK389fSe4o60IfWq2JBLseORYvjwoUbjBoYd9sbtAaKC2IPgwDYgFsav-HFD112F4Pyuw3j-388/s400/IMG_2872.JPG" /></a> View from the hill.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPo1G_zcoTwaLIt47v0eETPCpJznhNJHumW1x_YpHrcdi9KEOeX0KrgmAA4HNxNp81V10GQFESSOGSRMRVuMoPt5lzWirDfO7r4gE28oCNDLltlGAl7hwjVe201ZysfzOjqcEKIZrfvw/s1600-h/IMG_2870.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357788479113482994" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwPo1G_zcoTwaLIt47v0eETPCpJznhNJHumW1x_YpHrcdi9KEOeX0KrgmAA4HNxNp81V10GQFESSOGSRMRVuMoPt5lzWirDfO7r4gE28oCNDLltlGAl7hwjVe201ZysfzOjqcEKIZrfvw/s400/IMG_2870.JPG" /></a><br />Like telephone wires, but different.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-32AQS_avp4UcYMcpuwYceKjlCmw95lTtb0MQMFd58ZuC6-x9j938hSlFOgozTKhOXG7FyjOv_J9CjH7rv7UEQzEcrIPD66QfeO2YYaOYfqo9ofuB-kxM_ZAzEG_-VzrzFxvpTgVGRc/s1600-h/IMG_2865.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357788475902347234" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB-32AQS_avp4UcYMcpuwYceKjlCmw95lTtb0MQMFd58ZuC6-x9j938hSlFOgozTKhOXG7FyjOv_J9CjH7rv7UEQzEcrIPD66QfeO2YYaOYfqo9ofuB-kxM_ZAzEG_-VzrzFxvpTgVGRc/s400/IMG_2865.JPG" /></a> <div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvOqhfJk5oS-TO_FOwEcdaQUDuw4eAZt4pEDgHT9KJ-sEx6zcMG3pRKe-farshdfctH1C7EohTrPDknWs-QIynFiNRcdQlgeUTnSkBReY5V0v46V9enRODcG59kz0_Ap0sl5kOgBIjF0/s1600-h/IMG_2863.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357788477276823970" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizvOqhfJk5oS-TO_FOwEcdaQUDuw4eAZt4pEDgHT9KJ-sEx6zcMG3pRKe-farshdfctH1C7EohTrPDknWs-QIynFiNRcdQlgeUTnSkBReY5V0v46V9enRODcG59kz0_Ap0sl5kOgBIjF0/s400/IMG_2863.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-89491711394029278182009-07-12T20:35:00.000-07:002009-07-12T20:54:01.867-07:00Swayambhunath (Popularly Known as Monkey Temple)One of the great landmarks of Kathmandu is the Monkey Temple (Swayambhunath) in the northwest of the city. The hill is crowned with Buddhist pagodas and a hall of Tibetan monks. There is plenty of Tibetan Buddhist iconography, and plenty of prayer wheels.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvF3cffP_NSwfWPAoa7Eo0S7T1JxBJPI8e8nl_ytGVKOd77Nfdc162cKNUeGaHloflMI6cYpi9oCp7SiAg-NZzwkJ2rTZtHi4XKzeljG2BakuXDi759WiQUoqPJWw1gv0tgepR1J7e2I/s1600-h/IMG_2852.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357787334336475746" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqvF3cffP_NSwfWPAoa7Eo0S7T1JxBJPI8e8nl_ytGVKOd77Nfdc162cKNUeGaHloflMI6cYpi9oCp7SiAg-NZzwkJ2rTZtHi4XKzeljG2BakuXDi759WiQUoqPJWw1gv0tgepR1J7e2I/s400/IMG_2852.JPG" /></a><br /><div>Note the huge golden vajra (Tibetan: dorje) to the right of this scene.<br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYRuBo70G_1aur2gqFB2M5ERUdsREq__pX_-Bk-SJ5aDZ2ZixdQBBOGQUzV5HhQusmJy0zK4moi4uXpckCje4ZSkuBgzfF4y7qHIBq6-LFNd97no354SWGP6n7-q4XP6_pp4wHmclqMo/s1600-h/IMG_2847.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357784456451417650" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHYRuBo70G_1aur2gqFB2M5ERUdsREq__pX_-Bk-SJ5aDZ2ZixdQBBOGQUzV5HhQusmJy0zK4moi4uXpckCje4ZSkuBgzfF4y7qHIBq6-LFNd97no354SWGP6n7-q4XP6_pp4wHmclqMo/s400/IMG_2847.JPG" /></a><br />Secular concerns.<br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKOO0lS0AShHkVMruN3EGsPkPB5edCXj7bwjnTPUY5q9QPHek35RAmnCjyII2rIMO6_ezAqT4TL6rKVBbEEHhoh1avGN0dipknjklvgg3rOuZgqxLZGUUSl37QfoOSponwKJBL_rAo7E/s1600-h/IMG_2861.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 400px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357783821494584178" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqKOO0lS0AShHkVMruN3EGsPkPB5edCXj7bwjnTPUY5q9QPHek35RAmnCjyII2rIMO6_ezAqT4TL6rKVBbEEHhoh1avGN0dipknjklvgg3rOuZgqxLZGUUSl37QfoOSponwKJBL_rAo7E/s400/IMG_2861.JPG" /></a><br />Buddha and Monkey.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2_zgIQ6ehCSDyHYGHVzUeIcq6a1R9g3RZF4V89RPmALftWMFPhNbEyxJxdkArGgTcXce3boZ7Ah0GAoE7YRgR72378Mypyl27eZV8MkLne4yDzMZedN6S89eKgHh-EmZbMEdQNO1C1U/s1600-h/IMG_2855.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357783816843705074" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin2_zgIQ6ehCSDyHYGHVzUeIcq6a1R9g3RZF4V89RPmALftWMFPhNbEyxJxdkArGgTcXce3boZ7Ah0GAoE7YRgR72378Mypyl27eZV8MkLne4yDzMZedN6S89eKgHh-EmZbMEdQNO1C1U/s400/IMG_2855.JPG" /></a><br />I asked whether they serve monkey burgers here at the McMonkey Cafe, but in fact they do not.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9zKpYATnJDfdLgLfPvncw9-0xLWpDLlYC581NlPKoQp1FLZlxVYIEujPGMRyg5prvuY0VIo7nyWtKoad3VsygOOAoc4jF9lbXcp4PsR8rEm8I89xsQxxwbu16A8qLN2BGrWglldqOI0/s1600-h/IMG_2853.JPG"><img style="TEXT-ALIGN: center; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; DISPLAY: block; HEIGHT: 266px; CURSOR: hand" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5357783807762317042" border="0" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih9zKpYATnJDfdLgLfPvncw9-0xLWpDLlYC581NlPKoQp1FLZlxVYIEujPGMRyg5prvuY0VIo7nyWtKoad3VsygOOAoc4jF9lbXcp4PsR8rEm8I89xsQxxwbu16A8qLN2BGrWglldqOI0/s400/IMG_2853.JPG" /></a> </div></div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-68677594719184252882009-07-08T01:43:00.000-07:002009-07-08T01:58:15.326-07:00At One of the Durbar SquaresThere are a few Durbar Squares in and around Kathmandu, Nepal, but here is the one close to the tourist/traveler district of Thamel, and the city's old town section.<br />I should mention that the self-taught guides here are ferocious and wildly persistent.<br /><br />The Bhairava statue - looks like a Hindu version of the Tibetan Buddhist fierce protector deity.<br /><br /><br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnUK6FmjaeSSpxYsFBbliW__rKihyphenhyphenGUBPiqkkBxCmKr252G-G3MtIILJ_Vabv5cuuD9KEIfaPre3Tmf1CN-eJGycvh9Wp0qpmlREd_JOV-DjFtuItrpfd0kz0uiPQ9MwFjyrHPwVPtgc/s1600-h/IMG_2816.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356007434852058306" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXnUK6FmjaeSSpxYsFBbliW__rKihyphenhyphenGUBPiqkkBxCmKr252G-G3MtIILJ_Vabv5cuuD9KEIfaPre3Tmf1CN-eJGycvh9Wp0qpmlREd_JOV-DjFtuItrpfd0kz0uiPQ9MwFjyrHPwVPtgc/s400/IMG_2816.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Some amazing carvings here. Your guide will joyously point out the carven depictions of tantric sex scenes. My lens just didn't have enough zoom, so you'll have to either look for the pornographic details with a magnifying glass, or else do a little exploring.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSdd2E-Yr6DR6i2Z_sZzYaW76NaPEg5_mj4GmrHCRSyjrkZpmRhLu4ZbXpEVgJSxkad-xZ2fX_kfrA7tkDMtVXSb7CmBreZ7kyaZySqVU2qayrN00YyB_F1bwgX7Cn6K2xR8CPT_ZNeI/s1600-h/IMG_2823.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356007432116172258" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwSdd2E-Yr6DR6i2Z_sZzYaW76NaPEg5_mj4GmrHCRSyjrkZpmRhLu4ZbXpEVgJSxkad-xZ2fX_kfrA7tkDMtVXSb7CmBreZ7kyaZySqVU2qayrN00YyB_F1bwgX7Cn6K2xR8CPT_ZNeI/s400/IMG_2823.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The courtyard of the Kumari, a pre-pubescent girl who has been selected as a living godess. She lives in the second story with a number of maids/attendents, who see to it that her feet never touch the ground. There is more on the Kumari at Wikipedia<br /> <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumari">http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumari</a><br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM4mxO7TjyEX95Wd4RvVaYArAzyHb2qvwS63-fCzq8mlxKFfD3OeeNEQheBYbZC2ql8VwUhfrXZGxdlx-mTlhI5050SMbp_WfGh2gnpJUCcOKjA-wf7kWAt-1VGT_1yNYPyFxEl-euDk/s1600-h/IMG_2824.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356007425592463186" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggM4mxO7TjyEX95Wd4RvVaYArAzyHb2qvwS63-fCzq8mlxKFfD3OeeNEQheBYbZC2ql8VwUhfrXZGxdlx-mTlhI5050SMbp_WfGh2gnpJUCcOKjA-wf7kWAt-1VGT_1yNYPyFxEl-euDk/s400/IMG_2824.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A gurkha guard.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwPYg72U8S6O5yjVhwhZEMRuSkeRggsKgyUuXtI67F4vWC8x0kBgsV3uh_kNVntcgaszj3eaR1_aNSpB6NVXTn-DABxh6IvH5QyhH-MYclSU8Mi1yjUBMJqimVt_li05FiuU49tKF300/s1600-h/IMG_2828.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356007420413713314" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDwPYg72U8S6O5yjVhwhZEMRuSkeRggsKgyUuXtI67F4vWC8x0kBgsV3uh_kNVntcgaszj3eaR1_aNSpB6NVXTn-DABxh6IvH5QyhH-MYclSU8Mi1yjUBMJqimVt_li05FiuU49tKF300/s400/IMG_2828.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div><div>The siva-linga (read: phallus) within the Siva Temple.<br /><div> </div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYce_71Cu3Pd9kAGe-HmQ2aVyTsp2z4pEZofGaYu4LXSCm53EnIPKEdLAR7ZMQSh__3R5W-TBvAlVJqSlzUPCKRoStpgFOyss-8e3o01ceGRFqeLL3DlkMhOzdHoWw4X3cPMcFsihcOc/s1600-h/siva-linga.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356007416403938930" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLYce_71Cu3Pd9kAGe-HmQ2aVyTsp2z4pEZofGaYu4LXSCm53EnIPKEdLAR7ZMQSh__3R5W-TBvAlVJqSlzUPCKRoStpgFOyss-8e3o01ceGRFqeLL3DlkMhOzdHoWw4X3cPMcFsihcOc/s400/siva-linga.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-59091775856702735982009-07-08T01:32:00.000-07:002009-07-08T01:41:14.885-07:00EVEREST!Any traveler worth his/her salt these days takes the bus from Lhasa to Kathmandu (or versa-vice), an intrepid, wild journey that takes a few days. Due to my 'budget deal' with the China International Travel Services office in Golmud, I received the ridiculously bare-boned Tibet travel itinerary of 'GOLMUD - LHASA - BEIJING.' My guide found this itinerary quite laughable.<br /><br />Because of the minimalism of my itinerary, it would have been risky or impossible to go overland to Nepal, but totally kosher to fly out. Taking the flight was hardly an intrepid travel maneuver, and yet it offered a view of the world's tallest piece of rock: Mt. Everest (seen here peeking out of the clouds).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9xElm2TL8sgirHxoazvuA0FCRT4571uvGFpbvE6mru5U6kMlDzYZs-PwBfXW5C6Prk9bTLMpIAs0xEUyhyUZkbkrRuD3Ivl2uafx6X2-DmkGJg5YS1PBwxoVe9_KYPcEbZFY0uJHffc/s1600-h/everest.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356004522655085810" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz9xElm2TL8sgirHxoazvuA0FCRT4571uvGFpbvE6mru5U6kMlDzYZs-PwBfXW5C6Prk9bTLMpIAs0xEUyhyUZkbkrRuD3Ivl2uafx6X2-DmkGJg5YS1PBwxoVe9_KYPcEbZFY0uJHffc/s400/everest.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />Incidentally, Nepal has two small tourist airlines, Buddha Air and Yeti Air, which run mountain flights to Everest and back. It sounds dangerous to me, but the price is reasonable (around $150 US).Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-4640499621857081142009-07-08T01:23:00.000-07:002009-07-08T01:32:40.863-07:00The Last DanceI will conclude my photo-documentation of a trip to Lhasa with this evening view of the Potala Palace.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg37GEERSisBv0HbSaxw_PSrDB1-QUUUcGTFIFTSsNQ1xsGbgwfhETSa3WAFlC7Hu0gJ8Lbc5WZtS8Kfbra0NHnz9S2WwM5wZ4G5s3zz-FmPxcsezO0QkK_dBlVzZ9dVFdyyEihmFw4k/s1600-h/Lhasa9.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356004071341604866" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqg37GEERSisBv0HbSaxw_PSrDB1-QUUUcGTFIFTSsNQ1xsGbgwfhETSa3WAFlC7Hu0gJ8Lbc5WZtS8Kfbra0NHnz9S2WwM5wZ4G5s3zz-FmPxcsezO0QkK_dBlVzZ9dVFdyyEihmFw4k/s400/Lhasa9.JPG" border="0" /></a>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-45778123559031269892009-07-08T01:14:00.000-07:002009-07-08T01:21:01.605-07:00Sera MonasteryThe Sera Monastery is one of the big three monasteries in the history of Tibet. Just outside Lhasa, snuggled up against the hill slopes, Sera has only one tenth the number of monks it once had. (This proportion, one tenth, seems to be consistent for all the monasteries around Lhasa).<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczi2WGAXHClxA4DDngIEMmr-w15hqeVyfCCtu7Z09RlRhZkLbLk7jppRCAFghkD2NZ3LQMMrQIEXhavwUpHMeF6ACztvRr92j8VzKFtglHaIvJrtB4qaa304ExNY0lSEvG_FGkpm8LKU/s1600-h/Sera1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000089576934066" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgczi2WGAXHClxA4DDngIEMmr-w15hqeVyfCCtu7Z09RlRhZkLbLk7jppRCAFghkD2NZ3LQMMrQIEXhavwUpHMeF6ACztvRr92j8VzKFtglHaIvJrtB4qaa304ExNY0lSEvG_FGkpm8LKU/s400/Sera1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The wheel of life. Try not to be reborn as a hungry ghost, an animal, or a denizen of the Buddhist hell!<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuipaow0NMrV4PeimJ_QLsPjgE9WMuRI-ioF04XzuUQnMpttDuh9-GiqfNa0exDvvX_GLNjEqvWHvMpjiPBHtc5-MEtJJHvCStfBQOHGb3xdbpjIzYClwjuXw2HLuDvrxIeff0k26iOk/s1600-h/sera2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000086387801666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 267px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 400px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvuipaow0NMrV4PeimJ_QLsPjgE9WMuRI-ioF04XzuUQnMpttDuh9-GiqfNa0exDvvX_GLNjEqvWHvMpjiPBHtc5-MEtJJHvCStfBQOHGb3xdbpjIzYClwjuXw2HLuDvrxIeff0k26iOk/s400/sera2.JPG" border="0" /></a> The Tibetan snow lion!<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLtT-JU095osC_XrhrqEiHnoWLqtouHL73NX25IT9EJwxiRdD1oK-GmUcxtqwDqwPO2rJNmhOM11a6fxs6x_VmudX1xsFL3NKwo69AdyeyJduDrmgDZPX8InAUrcnsaU5_rhYCgKkdVk/s1600-h/sera3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000081567798914" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaLtT-JU095osC_XrhrqEiHnoWLqtouHL73NX25IT9EJwxiRdD1oK-GmUcxtqwDqwPO2rJNmhOM11a6fxs6x_VmudX1xsFL3NKwo69AdyeyJduDrmgDZPX8InAUrcnsaU5_rhYCgKkdVk/s400/sera3.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The young monks of Sera engage in debate sessions in the afternoon.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZE-8LE-e62_v2u7iLON_aTXRADS2g3jKI4sFR3nCAdTZfV0lQx8lE34HsYTwI3XkPBY3kaNWpECGtM3XQEf1Jg36wGhI13wabMtcez5_xuNF8nR5CbBAS7DJ-HmpaihmQxxQ2G5WYng/s1600-h/sera4.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000072213657346" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNZE-8LE-e62_v2u7iLON_aTXRADS2g3jKI4sFR3nCAdTZfV0lQx8lE34HsYTwI3XkPBY3kaNWpECGtM3XQEf1Jg36wGhI13wabMtcez5_xuNF8nR5CbBAS7DJ-HmpaihmQxxQ2G5WYng/s400/sera4.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The tourists engage in monk-watching sessions in the afternoon.</div><div><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8ImOQJtwH5maWqBXAdPcRzEvtZMan2jRQMS8egLlzw0v6tVuVHqyDGNo5IPJ9HTmejSh6sYFaEFqvFabJeELebsx5uO_JSU11_C2zrXq0YK2QiRtTgDKUY2O3gGTZickdflpHqy_xs/s1600-h/sera5.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5356000067513632674" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOj8ImOQJtwH5maWqBXAdPcRzEvtZMan2jRQMS8egLlzw0v6tVuVHqyDGNo5IPJ9HTmejSh6sYFaEFqvFabJeELebsx5uO_JSU11_C2zrXq0YK2QiRtTgDKUY2O3gGTZickdflpHqy_xs/s400/sera5.JPG" border="0" /></a> </div></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-54500849560996565542009-07-08T01:01:00.000-07:002009-07-08T01:22:50.695-07:00The NorbulinkaOn a set tour schedule in Lhasa, your guide will most likely take you to 1.) Potala Palace, 2.) Jokhang Temple, and 3.) Norbulinka - the former summer palace and park grounds of the Dalai Lama. In fact, it was from the Norbulinka that the Dalai Lama and his family fled, after dark, one summer evening in 1959. They left in secrecy, all wearing disguises, so that when the People's Liberation Army began shelling Lhasa a few days later, they still assumed that the 14th Dalai Lama was in residence at the Norbulinka. A shot even landed on his personal quarters - was it a carefully aimed shot or a stray shot? one might ask.<br /><br />Here is the former summer residence of the 14th Dalai Lama.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pq4I0LLrYHuSlc8gBS9sPmyxPSqklw8-gfM6aWr_o9d0t12cMaIvzjvoJZ09A-e39Q9SBrNLYwUS1CWm7eBdz9xBAWji94wqZlf4D7GzQj3QDm96q6t5FW-ITsJUiiD-lvPBVLGlPPY/s1600-h/Norbulinga1.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355997051042748818" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pq4I0LLrYHuSlc8gBS9sPmyxPSqklw8-gfM6aWr_o9d0t12cMaIvzjvoJZ09A-e39Q9SBrNLYwUS1CWm7eBdz9xBAWji94wqZlf4D7GzQj3QDm96q6t5FW-ITsJUiiD-lvPBVLGlPPY/s400/Norbulinga1.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />The elephant, the monkey, the rabbit, and the bird: an allegory of friendship.<br /><br /><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyWnAGJhDtWF53eUsICab-G8lnKEH8SE9lFBwm5Phrlx3k5aBkUlFOb_YmtTCOK7thQhWYaoFGilTj3P81Mi_1eF_Yj1ThsjeeDTW_lL9p2OOY8LobmuQzoSJC6RH4yI2zWJK1ekr7AA/s1600-h/Norbulinga2.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355997044449031666" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCyWnAGJhDtWF53eUsICab-G8lnKEH8SE9lFBwm5Phrlx3k5aBkUlFOb_YmtTCOK7thQhWYaoFGilTj3P81Mi_1eF_Yj1ThsjeeDTW_lL9p2OOY8LobmuQzoSJC6RH4yI2zWJK1ekr7AA/s400/Norbulinga2.JPG" border="0" /></a><br />A hot water apparatus. I saw these all around the city of Golmud, in Qinghai province, and was delighted to see one on in the Norbulinka as well.<br /><br /><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-bSSWyRbxrLXRmOJpohXhZ9bkBsEd2xBvk_QQDrqPzCQVII7SFBiFjTC3S4DDf0LCccl57LcBZ6oRjEWureQmQ0LqhVHCpiEttTPdUwBM31KKN8wM7nyESqnzaSl9S0Xg_WuX7wUnKk/s1600-h/Norbulinga3.JPG"><img id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5355997040919523890" style="DISPLAY: block; MARGIN: 0px auto 10px; WIDTH: 400px; CURSOR: hand; HEIGHT: 266px; TEXT-ALIGN: center" alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM-bSSWyRbxrLXRmOJpohXhZ9bkBsEd2xBvk_QQDrqPzCQVII7SFBiFjTC3S4DDf0LCccl57LcBZ6oRjEWureQmQ0LqhVHCpiEttTPdUwBM31KKN8wM7nyESqnzaSl9S0Xg_WuX7wUnKk/s400/Norbulinga3.JPG" border="0" /></a></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-59902960716243395222009-07-05T07:48:00.000-07:002009-07-05T08:44:44.048-07:00Some Interesting Specimens of Tibetan Cuisine<div>One of the more singular items was raw, spicy yak meat. The raw meat has been pureed: it has a very pink color.</div><div>I also dined on yak tongue, but unfortunately didn't take a picture...</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wFMol-r-h_9Y1r-kyOik1wSE7uxmKPGhf_8vRPc5DkEJm8NOEajSb_28gcy_m8Uc5M3rjXdJEKMBivuyKTThTZ8XhI0AaYeDGKepMXzGiVtIVgy5kL3O7qQEMkX_IQFcZy5AdHBiZyk/s1600-h/food2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9wFMol-r-h_9Y1r-kyOik1wSE7uxmKPGhf_8vRPc5DkEJm8NOEajSb_28gcy_m8Uc5M3rjXdJEKMBivuyKTThTZ8XhI0AaYeDGKepMXzGiVtIVgy5kL3O7qQEMkX_IQFcZy5AdHBiZyk/s400/food2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354991000297169858" /></a><br /><div>This item is deep fried and filled with ground yak meat. It is remarkably similar to the Mongolian <span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-style: italic;">hushur</span> (though this latter snack employees mutton).</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVUqS0SW3xfzEP2RvG4JZhpDaHS2ydOzshbkRukq30JdqQgPr2SYyBptsGi3m-qaZeoqB8CJEba3QxCvVubd8JEVZg4SE_D5hlM4FSJ_hwasCLWwSE68BZKhyqgNOx1bMJ9s9NzZKMQ4/s1600-h/food3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjHVUqS0SW3xfzEP2RvG4JZhpDaHS2ydOzshbkRukq30JdqQgPr2SYyBptsGi3m-qaZeoqB8CJEba3QxCvVubd8JEVZg4SE_D5hlM4FSJ_hwasCLWwSE68BZKhyqgNOx1bMJ9s9NzZKMQ4/s400/food3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354990997853520898" /></a><br /></div><div>Almost every foreign visitor seems to sample Tibetan barley beer. Reactions differ, though I liked it, especially the barley aftertaste.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPKfvNJ4VQ3-9ZRTbalcEFn86_svdssxZBPTCnNibT9jADpVHLfzolBMK-gpJxFMMBt6gfovdopz8SCsPHJ2HXcgVICfuzE0xTUErEfJD0z7fYI7pvGC0TV-ffc-Nq8EAUMcsClvHChs/s1600-h/food1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkPKfvNJ4VQ3-9ZRTbalcEFn86_svdssxZBPTCnNibT9jADpVHLfzolBMK-gpJxFMMBt6gfovdopz8SCsPHJ2HXcgVICfuzE0xTUErEfJD0z7fYI7pvGC0TV-ffc-Nq8EAUMcsClvHChs/s400/food1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354990991917365474" /></a><br /></div><div>Explorations of side streets will be rewarded with views of traditional food stalls. Here, yak butter is for sale.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vicmxG8pWIEwicTqsCoVTQqf5jOYUEonX3UsLE64tQkhedW6dST6GcvyqSaOHNaGQm3YemKFHx3ok-OYPQ_0UeQLkdkd-DDrMYXaeIjgxk6wuliPFzAnY_K96DezK515QxJCrh3A4Hc/s1600-h/butter.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7vicmxG8pWIEwicTqsCoVTQqf5jOYUEonX3UsLE64tQkhedW6dST6GcvyqSaOHNaGQm3YemKFHx3ok-OYPQ_0UeQLkdkd-DDrMYXaeIjgxk6wuliPFzAnY_K96DezK515QxJCrh3A4Hc/s400/butter.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354990989440130082" /></a><br /></div><div>Crystallized honeycomb laid out on the street.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhainSxANHSvuXMz2XhFt_UM-Z1B0z-J3OKX6hcW1k61KTJi_WBL5vj8yR4m_QqEkOjZXSxUuQlaBoN9OJZd6vAeaeoyJib4jJjxjM2JRTijPqvTXvw94fupOg1zwrffKoR2zh-jxdHb7E/s1600-h/honey.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhainSxANHSvuXMz2XhFt_UM-Z1B0z-J3OKX6hcW1k61KTJi_WBL5vj8yR4m_QqEkOjZXSxUuQlaBoN9OJZd6vAeaeoyJib4jJjxjM2JRTijPqvTXvw94fupOg1zwrffKoR2zh-jxdHb7E/s400/honey.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354990984478530354" /></a><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-54457286341599105362009-07-05T07:41:00.000-07:002009-07-05T07:47:47.999-07:00Girl Running in the Water Show<div>Opposite the Potala Palace in Lhasa has been constructed a huge, stately square. At night a massive water show begins (at around 8:30pm, if I remember correctly), with tremendous water jets squirting into the air in time with classical airs, or traditional Chinese and Tibetan tunes. I can't say that it harmonizes perfectly with the Potala and its other surroundings, but the show is certainly entertaining.<div><br /></div><div>Here is an action sequence of one Tibetan girl making a mad dash through the water show. </div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pb5uxkBP-lTKQpMSDgPmi_JBrh1egJp3lhdtpbBo-TNWgwrcrIPVIGlrIERo5DPurw4fCc2m1gjYJ1Esw5dI-5r37F2tPjFbNYmwFwMuoR-B6fGd8WljWl3TFdLgbXvaILpM2S-Bid4/s1600-h/girl1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8Pb5uxkBP-lTKQpMSDgPmi_JBrh1egJp3lhdtpbBo-TNWgwrcrIPVIGlrIERo5DPurw4fCc2m1gjYJ1Esw5dI-5r37F2tPjFbNYmwFwMuoR-B6fGd8WljWl3TFdLgbXvaILpM2S-Bid4/s400/girl1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354987682451367682" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-v3sMbwilRfKqGD0ZklKRudo-ZiDRruX62JPBR-5EJUFl6XF0UfD0doRc38FyK3pWnHNA4aHCLHS3z_WnDSq8tkmxV83W7gtxANlQstzo_3Sw2KQL_42hMkQ-Jq1_KRJeajulYuccd8/s1600-h/girl2.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs-v3sMbwilRfKqGD0ZklKRudo-ZiDRruX62JPBR-5EJUFl6XF0UfD0doRc38FyK3pWnHNA4aHCLHS3z_WnDSq8tkmxV83W7gtxANlQstzo_3Sw2KQL_42hMkQ-Jq1_KRJeajulYuccd8/s400/girl2.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354987678185611458" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8TdCYV1hoKcbjUqZ1zhiCeHZHPJ_F5sRri3bLfVCm40WtdTfUZwdcQfZBeZNG2oY2DyoQoNknnzfofsYt8hmNNbHxTry950zWYduT-fdFYhwlyPDg6lMqw-6pXxR4UnZJnWVkcYiV3I/s1600-h/girl3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiK8TdCYV1hoKcbjUqZ1zhiCeHZHPJ_F5sRri3bLfVCm40WtdTfUZwdcQfZBeZNG2oY2DyoQoNknnzfofsYt8hmNNbHxTry950zWYduT-fdFYhwlyPDg6lMqw-6pXxR4UnZJnWVkcYiV3I/s400/girl3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354987670262310386" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVm5Mb_osRugx0DqFRA9uW9ZB_c-8t14rkqzKgfH_oDd4fvkZwW6l6mZK0SZaAV8XV8NFnHGAkqC0jDjQ9CaVjwpM5ViT-SRoqOFnV_PnLM-lEvvoShC9VI6yucZEPWoq6gk9dtpwRQU/s1600-h/girl4.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEitVm5Mb_osRugx0DqFRA9uW9ZB_c-8t14rkqzKgfH_oDd4fvkZwW6l6mZK0SZaAV8XV8NFnHGAkqC0jDjQ9CaVjwpM5ViT-SRoqOFnV_PnLM-lEvvoShC9VI6yucZEPWoq6gk9dtpwRQU/s400/girl4.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354987671267801906" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljLsaCEYTn_W-anlXu8uAWPA3QzCHKNK_ZtbMaBkGiwSaLqhKk95qcSXPjls5I4FbiNuFdoPZo10do4tNANB5YZstW18mZ78vuUViNq-pEM99I4p0tc2mO_Sf1Jh0RzMENHKgdnGT0i8/s1600-h/girl5.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjljLsaCEYTn_W-anlXu8uAWPA3QzCHKNK_ZtbMaBkGiwSaLqhKk95qcSXPjls5I4FbiNuFdoPZo10do4tNANB5YZstW18mZ78vuUViNq-pEM99I4p0tc2mO_Sf1Jh0RzMENHKgdnGT0i8/s400/girl5.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354987667683180082" /></a>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-34914907979145884582009-07-05T04:57:00.000-07:002009-07-05T05:15:51.682-07:00A Pilgrimage Circuit<div>Jokhang Temple in central Lhasa still draws pilgrims from the three original Tibetan provinces of Amdo, Kham, and U-Tsang. <br /></div><div>I was cautioned by my guide not to take any pictures of the rooftop sentries in this main square.</div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFfjJwg9EBeqYp31eLGbQPSBswf7mlcOAuehgrG_oxCkslUvwcNiTiRJOCxUHqJKAgq79UuMQs8LPlIs8-V7Ug0-m8nrTAtfDxGPrv2yS0nzkGP9QMq9Bhx0JXuDp9jLq3ARQUSTW8II/s1600-h/Jokang1.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbFfjJwg9EBeqYp31eLGbQPSBswf7mlcOAuehgrG_oxCkslUvwcNiTiRJOCxUHqJKAgq79UuMQs8LPlIs8-V7Ug0-m8nrTAtfDxGPrv2yS0nzkGP9QMq9Bhx0JXuDp9jLq3ARQUSTW8II/s400/Jokang1.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354947042911330898" /></a>Full-length prostrations.<div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAYeOJR65MLACRDJxL2BDTtKj8FSpQTPh05XMgpExIP3VId3sMfKXrbHMB5yBHkZDJmLMnn7DJBSjohPtzMgo9asYfGWAy4vMR1qEiMFLZUeFVhtun4d5qm1l9srVHU9dI5lr_dynzz0/s1600-h/Jokang3.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTAYeOJR65MLACRDJxL2BDTtKj8FSpQTPh05XMgpExIP3VId3sMfKXrbHMB5yBHkZDJmLMnn7DJBSjohPtzMgo9asYfGWAy4vMR1qEiMFLZUeFVhtun4d5qm1l9srVHU9dI5lr_dynzz0/s400/Jokang3.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354947036493074210" /></a><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwajNlrh8aZN6UrtDo8yk5pBIJjWNA82oIvNaB986jzCCr6JndVv1pPEF3n_6_R2aCixeAIqd7N2kq-zMdGGVNbIYwRrrkZ8e3IxSXGJjuAL11HHgZIiD5oXvAzqXNeA9J1FrwRbdT8XE/s1600-h/jokang6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 267px; height: 400px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwajNlrh8aZN6UrtDo8yk5pBIJjWNA82oIvNaB986jzCCr6JndVv1pPEF3n_6_R2aCixeAIqd7N2kq-zMdGGVNbIYwRrrkZ8e3IxSXGJjuAL11HHgZIiD5oXvAzqXNeA9J1FrwRbdT8XE/s400/jokang6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354947034862356882" /></a><br /></div><div>The clockwise circuit around the Jokhang.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W8WGPgJrGYFEQlfhuSXGK64X9UEqREQ9GHsMEjL2eLKzj4RQFtdvNpTt1jsQo8NgaKvBF08CqVQQmrkelHvmMgWXnsGDaByN2UNFUx9yqr3-0GmU7r1SY3ah-PmxW8jjPE4V4KhWyac/s1600-h/jokang7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-W8WGPgJrGYFEQlfhuSXGK64X9UEqREQ9GHsMEjL2eLKzj4RQFtdvNpTt1jsQo8NgaKvBF08CqVQQmrkelHvmMgWXnsGDaByN2UNFUx9yqr3-0GmU7r1SY3ah-PmxW8jjPE4V4KhWyac/s400/jokang7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354947030720659922" /></a><br /></div><div>Chinese tourists, spinning prayer wheels for a joke photo.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSEOCNHylGt8pEq2kKoOPVjRsjo_pG8IAjbJGxwnj4e8asNTKRyHNnv34_a1-1hOK7kjts787XT1-Ph4UXRUb-WS6PSK50CAjxJBqsUeb_z3Ltp3rLDVIXjYk1uWqui_7eLBov1YgHSo/s1600-h/jokang8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFSEOCNHylGt8pEq2kKoOPVjRsjo_pG8IAjbJGxwnj4e8asNTKRyHNnv34_a1-1hOK7kjts787XT1-Ph4UXRUb-WS6PSK50CAjxJBqsUeb_z3Ltp3rLDVIXjYk1uWqui_7eLBov1YgHSo/s400/jokang8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354947024200072162" /></a><br /><div><br /></div></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2963364620870747804.post-12904954988419560272009-07-05T04:45:00.000-07:002009-07-05T04:56:55.345-07:00Sore Memories<div>While all travelers to Lhasa must be accompanied by a guide/minder, at least for a couple days, tourists are not completely bared from seeing some of the less positive marks of the Chinese legacy.<div>The 14th Dalai Lama, in a talk in Manhattan, on May 3, 2009, urged people to visit Tibet and see for themselves in order to form their own opinions. Some of his words were: 'The Chinese government never admit [sic], never acknowledged there is a problem. So now I think the world community has a responsibility to show the world there is a problem. If the majority of Tibetan people are happy, then our information becomes wrong, then ... we must apologize to the Chinese government.'</div><div><br /></div><div>Here's one of the shop fronts along a street crammed with Chinese shops. Most of the signs of rioting and violence from last year have been repaired and covered up, though this building is still singed with smoke at its base, with some of its windows gutted.</div></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPGdRoPxGstIh6vz9A2A4ZJdFlrwWMnmUiXlyo-G1Q3G08oU9lzypWyqtRykm0JMdKp0-XfAlUGoexs1sgg40JSexgpwS-SW5md4nWBukmyDO9N5ieK8uKoYxUBvespXxP49IH8Lew1k/s1600-h/Lhasa6.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzPGdRoPxGstIh6vz9A2A4ZJdFlrwWMnmUiXlyo-G1Q3G08oU9lzypWyqtRykm0JMdKp0-XfAlUGoexs1sgg40JSexgpwS-SW5md4nWBukmyDO9N5ieK8uKoYxUBvespXxP49IH8Lew1k/s400/Lhasa6.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354942065068930738" /></a><br /><div>One of smaller temple-monasteries that was looted during the Cultural Revolution. This one stands in the middle of a residential courtyard in Old Lhasa.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fdrZ4xzjWCe8EscBZIhCWt4mursrjfzTeNPBSHntdBvtbSJB5uF0vmjK2O0NBXe0SyrkGrnGT_76DdMriIuEVrlBcNXGsW5MlJbeO0-HX48TPnhKn6PQ022pNnv8i0vf60hOzHZdhb0/s1600-h/Lhasa7.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7fdrZ4xzjWCe8EscBZIhCWt4mursrjfzTeNPBSHntdBvtbSJB5uF0vmjK2O0NBXe0SyrkGrnGT_76DdMriIuEVrlBcNXGsW5MlJbeO0-HX48TPnhKn6PQ022pNnv8i0vf60hOzHZdhb0/s400/Lhasa7.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354942060385532194" /></a><br /></div><div>Opposite the Potala Palace has been erected a monument to honor Chinese soldiers.</div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LIqfAAOqjamnkJiKZwQunTELokckbo0ALYJBJWNuje51LI6R-xqAwLtMvFvnu2xSBlGzLWLokEXGE8mMNdhY13N69cy6AcEUm3-MPVahyr7oXjMNsRqiLCTmOV3fM9K3pdq0wMG8XAo/s1600-h/Lhasa8.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 266px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9LIqfAAOqjamnkJiKZwQunTELokckbo0ALYJBJWNuje51LI6R-xqAwLtMvFvnu2xSBlGzLWLokEXGE8mMNdhY13N69cy6AcEUm3-MPVahyr7oXjMNsRqiLCTmOV3fM9K3pdq0wMG8XAo/s400/Lhasa8.JPG" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5354942054085123522" /></a><br /><br /></div>Almayerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17145120844878161910noreply@blogger.com0