New Hotel = New Internet! GO Villa Champa!

Ok, so lucky us! We picked a hotel that finally has a decent internet connection! In addition to that, the room is actually nicer than most we've had, and it only costs 25 USD a night! Lovely? Yes!

So, now that we have the internet, I'll be going back and updating a few things and adding some blogs from previous days... so the time to catch up is here...

hope you enjoy it, and go back and check for new things. I'll do my best to update you all on what is new, etc...

ok, time for a nap... then more work!

B & L


View from the nap... and yes, its raining, and its soooooooooooooooo nice!

Slower than dial-up

Contrary to what the signs say here in Lao PDR, there is no such thing as High Speed Internet. I can't upload pictures, I have to wait for webpages to load, and even getting to this blog to post, that took a good 4 minutes. I guess that's not much time, but for the amount of photos I like to post, well, I'm just 2 weeks behind already!

So, instead, I will try to summarize a few things, and will do the best to catch up on the photos when we have decent internet, which should be in South Korea or New York.

Today, we are in Luang Prabang, Lao PDR. The previous 5 days, however, have been rather eventful. As many of you may know, Laura and I donated a boat to a village as our 'wedding gift' back to our attendees of our wedding. Instead of the normal sachet of Jordan Almonds, we decided it would be beneficial to our teeth and waistline to donate a boat instead. Now, to get the boat to the village, that is part of the last 5 days.

First we started out and went to this town, then that one, then the other. On the way, we passed several villages. The road was bumpy. It was a spine jarring good time. the end. ok, so maybe it didn't go so short and sweet, but something came up, and I have to go. so, till the next time, thanks for reading...

Update: Yes, we are alive

We are now in Loei, Thailand, at Juu's dormitory. I will update as soon as I can, but in the meantime, its really hot and humid. It feels like you're showering full time. pictures soon... promise!

Singapore, Day 3: Sentosa Island!!!

Yeah... They were as lost as I am trying to figure out what they're doing? Trying to be models, I'm sure...


That's me in the middle... I just love action shots like this...


Linn might be an Olympic hopeful one day, but for now, she just practices in the subway until she's discovered...


Girl Fan Power!


How Art Nouveau! Laura and Toshimi posing under the entrance to the MERLION! (what is a Merlion? you'll find out soon!)


catching water...


blocking water...


The missing heir to the Jackie Chan Throne! I think Chris needs to figure out who his REAL dad is...


Nerd Patrol in full force! What would we do without the mama bird?


I know, I'm a nerd too...


Don't just smell it! REALLY get in there and smell it!


Inland Empire representing at Sentosa Island


Posing...


Chris doing what he does best! Hanging with dragons!


Here is the sign for the entrance to see the MERLION! Its an amazing and mythical creature! Said to be half Lion and half Mermaid! Its scary and delicious! Basically, its the mascot of Sentosa Island so they can sell all kinds of merchandise with a Merlion on it. And something about a myth, but really, who wants to hear that? Maybe Edith remembers... Ask her...


The outside of the Merlion!


Getting ready to go into the belly of the beast where they apparently have a movie projector that explains the entire myth of the Merlion... Like I said, ask Edith... ok, fine! The Merlion was a mythic beast that a prince of someplace bumped into. When the mermaid/dragon tried to stop him from going to Sentosa Island, he threw his crown into the sea and the mermaid/dragon let them pass. Then once the prince had reached Sentosa Island, a lion approached them. The prince and the lion struck a mutual accord, and both lived on the island happily ever after. Due to needing a mascot for the Sentosa Island, the merger of Lion and Mermaid/Dragon occured, and now we have MERCHANDISE of Mythic proportions!!! The End... whew...


Inside the Merlion were scary beasts! And sharks too!


Apparently the Merlion doesn't brush his teeth often and there are some nasty bugs inside... wait, that's us... oops. I'll use my reading glasses next time...


On top of the Merlion's head, there is an observatory, and so in this picture... we are in the observatory of the Merlion's head. redundant? no...


"Edith, can you see the beautiful view? Its to die for! Someone get a phone book!" -Ben


Some people posing and smiling...


Merlions hanging out in their natural environment... what you don't see are the great big tankers behind us about 200m. Lovely, I know...


Merlions sunning themselves...


Wish I was there too...


Sesame Street Moment! This was the sign for one of the beaches on Sentosa Island called Siloso Beach... can ya tell?


Rock climbers do it on fake plastic walls with plastic grabbie-thingies!


Group shot in front of the luge! what great fun! too bad we didn't go 2 more times!!! next time...


Merlion loose on the train! Feed HER!


Mmm... Merlions "heart" strawberry creamy bread things with a million calories! Good thing Merlions don't believe in calories! just strawberries! and cream! and bread!


Night out on the town! Dinner at the riverside...


FLASH! We weren't ready for this shot...


Aww... Aimee and her Fusband, Chris. (Fusband is Fake + Husband. good for photos and the carpool lane! also can be used as a traveling partner!)


...Girl Hug!...


After dinner, we drank ALL this... (not really)


Toasting to a great night with a new friend from Singapore, JAY! Too bad he put his shot in front of his place... Crazy guy...

update part 2!

A rather uneventful day overall... We went out. We came. We ate. We alighted.

Dinner was a water boat dinner cruise. The food was ok, nothing special in terms of food.

We did celebrate Chris Pang-G's B-day thought. That was the highlight of the day...

After that, we planned out the next day at Sentosa Island...

Till tomorrow?

Dsrnit... Interet connection isn't letting me upload pics...
perhaps tomorrow?

sorry all... we'll have a new hotel tomorrow, and hopefully, a better intenet connection.

Singapore, Day 2...

Breakfast at the local eatery. As the food comes out, you pay for it. Similar to a cafeteria, but they walk the food out to you. The nice part about, 'paying as you go', is that you don't have a check to wait on. This is something that can be somewhat of a pain in the Asian countries when you're in a hurry. I'd love to live at such a leisurely pace, but that is something I will have to learn. So until then, I'll just go pay at the cashier instead of waiting the customary 15 minutes we've been experiencing...


The Nelsen Sisters... (only until the name change!)


A giant among Singaporeans... well, height-wise at least!


Happy Asian Family! (from left to right: Laura, Edith, Linn & Toshimi)


Keiji & Hiroe! (Laura, did I spell them correctly?)


It was quite odd to see this Steamboat here in Singapore. A little off course, aren't we?


This is the piece of junk, I mean, this is the junk we had our dinner cruise upon.


The guard rails on the boat were from the ancient Chinese times... Even the stainless steel ones.


Ben(me) & Chris Pang-G hanging out at the top!


Edith, Hiroe, Linn & Keiji eating dinner


The children's table! YAY! Laura, Aimee, Chris, Ben, and Toshimi!


A lovely sunset to bring a nice, long day to a close.... serene...


Dinner entertainment on the ship was traditional Chinese music. Since Toshimi had her back to the performers from where she was sitting, she had no idea that the entertainment was live until half-way through the performance!