Queuing in Vietnam
People queue. British people are famous for queuing. We queue just to get into another queue. We queue to ask about where we should queue. We separate queuing people with ropes and guide them with signs. We spilt queues when they get too big and start them again on somewhere else. We zig-zag queues to accommodate all the queuing people. Personally I had forgotten about this phenomena. However frustrating a queue may be, I prefer it to total and utter disorganization - i.e. Viet Nam. Not to say Vietnamese are disorganized, it is all for a reason...
The Liar Paradox and a Saigon Taxi
The Cretin said, "The Cretans are always liars." - The Liar Paradox
I arrived in Ho Chi Minh City by plane, checked through immigration and customs and walked out of the terminal to the taxi stand to get a cab to my hotel (the Trang Long Hotel on Mac Thi Buoi Street, a tourist hotel in the heart of a tourist district.) I had reservations and know the place well as I have stayed there several times. The taxis in Ho Chi Minh City are equipped with meters, but at the airport the drivers refused to use them, instead demanding a flat rate of US$10 into town. A rip-off price, but so it goes at airports and bus stations the world over where they have you over a barrel. Tired and anxious to get to my hotel, I argued only weakly, then agreed to the $10.
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Soi Cowboy-Worth the Ride?
Many a curious traveller has passed through the crowded alleys of the infamous Soi Cowboy (or Cowboy Road) for a taste of Southeast Asia’s most notorious street. No visit to Bangkok is complete without a tour of the ‘Soi’. So just what makes this particular little road worthy of its bold rep?
Located between Sukhumvit Soi 21 (also called Soi Asoke) and Soi 23, Soi cowboy is a surprisingly small street of about 45 bustling bars, and is located within walking distance from the Sheraton and the Millennium Hilton.
Sabaidee Thai Massage & Spa
Nestled in the garden of Banyan Restaurant and Cafe lies the hidden sanctuary of Sabaidee Thai Massage and Spa. The owners, a unique Thai and Danish fusion, have spent years perfecting just the right masseurs and techniques to ensure for an unforgettable therapeutic experience.
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Axe promotes a sexy campaign to save Boracay
Axe, the iconic male fragrance & deodorant brand just launched a new campaign dubbed as “Axe Anarchy Island: Sexy Saves Boracay.” Many have raved about the wonders of this island located in the Visayas region of the Philippines. I was astonished to see Boracay for the very first time in 2007 for a church retreat. Yes, you heard it right -- we spent a church retreat in Boracay and the experience was breathtaking!
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Thousands of Monks and Mourners Pray for Late King-Father
Thousands of Buddhist monks and mourners gathered here on Saturday evening in front of the Royal Palace at a praying ceremony for Late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk.
Some 5,000 Buddhist monks from different pagodas throughout Phnom Penh capital city chanted and prayed for the soul of the Late King-Father, the father of independence, territorial integrity, and national unity.
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Cambodia Sets Oct. 15 as the Condolence Day for Late King-Father
The Royal Government of Cambodia decided to set Oct. 15 as the condolence day to mourn for the demise of the Late King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, according to a government’s directive issued this morning.
The directive advised all ministries, public and private institutions, overseas Cambodian embassies and consulates, as well as sub-national administrations at all levels and pagodas across the country to hold solemn traditional ceremonies on Oct. 15 with a tribute to the revered former King.
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Cambodia To Cancel This Year’s Water Festival
The Royal Government of Cambodia has announced to cancel this year’s celebration of the Water Festival scheduled to be held from Nov. 27-29 in front of the Royal Palace in Phnom Penh.
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International Day of the Girl Child on 11 October – and the Taliban
When I saw that there is even an international Girl Child Day, after I had written about the World Teachers Day, my first reaction was somewhat dismissive: Why that? What is special? Probably my first negative reaction shows also why this special day is really important – as I learned by now. And international news during the last couple of days confirm this.
There are two different ways to approach this International Day of the Girl Child – looking at documents, and looking at a short video clip.
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Dish: Breakfasts first kingdom
Breakfast: the most important meal of the day. But in the Kingdom of Wonder breakfast can often leave you wondering; when born and bred Phnom Penhites eat their first meal of the day they appear, to expat eyes, to be erroneously chowing down on their evening meal. Rice, noodles, mystery meats – a morning mash-up confusing enough to send even the most adventurous scurrying for the comfortable familiarity of one of the city’s numerous Western coffee shops. A caramel latte, a pain au chocolat, a bit of toast and jam: now that’s breakfast. It will also cost you about $10, thank you very much.
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