[ Ginger ]

我們參加了個整天的tour
We went for a one day tour today.
價錢是美金55
It's USD 55. 
我們使用kip付錢，而代辦內的先生告訴我們，昨晚的價錢有錯誤
We paid 425,000 kip yesterday and the tour guy told me it's not the real price today.
不管怎樣，一大早我們又多付了40,000 kip
Anyway, we paid 40,000 kip each this morning.

在minivan上，我遇到之前一起在Rewards工作的Ryan(NZ)及Lisa(German)
I met Ryan and Lisa who I used to work with in Rewards in our minivan.
這世界還真小
What a small world.

參加slow boat形成的只有我和我的德國朋友
Only two guests stayed on the slow boat.
在緩慢的船上遊覽湄公河景致挺不賴
It's quite nice to travel around the Mekong River by slow boat.
首先，我們去了個叫做Ban Xang Khong Village的村莊，看他們怎樣造紙及織圍巾
First, we went to Ban Xang Khong Village to see how they make papers and scarves.
接著是個漫長的旅程直到抵達騎大象的地點
Then it's a long rest for elephant rading.
我們再次與Ryan和Lisa碰面，接著一起參與這個行程
We met Ryan and Lisa again and then we did riding together.
我很慶幸我們選擇了一小時而非兩個半小時的騎大象行程
I'm glad we chose one hour riding, not 2.5 hours riding.
相當難忘的經驗
The experience is quite unforgetble.
但對我而言，一次就夠了 :)
One time! Enough for me :)
至於接下來的Pak Ou Cave，洞穴裡有超級無敵多的佛像
About Pak Ou Cave, there're so many Buddhas in the cave!
最後，我們去了個村莊Whisky Village，看他們如何釀Lao Lao(一種據說非常烈的酒)
Last, we went to Whisky village where they make Lao Lao, Laos' whisky.
相較於之前我所去過的村莊，這個村莊挺大的
Compared with others, It's a big village.
Joern買了瓶小的Lao Lao當作紀念品，我則買了兩條項鍊給自己
Joern bought a small bottle whisky for souvenir and I bought two necklaces for myself.
70,000 kip兩條，應該不算敗家吧！哈
70,000 kip for two. (1 NTD is about 250 kip)
在回來的途中，由於天色漸晚，我們得到了一個額外的日落遊湄公河行程，耶！
On the way back, we got an extra tour because it's sunset time, yeah!

Joern告訴我他在網路上看到台灣今天有大地震，所以我花錢上網看了一下
I heard the earthquake news from Joern and checked everything in Taiwan.
希望在台灣的大家都很好
Wish everyone in TW is fine.

Bless everyone!

Ginger @ Sivilay Guesthouse, Luang Prabang, Laos

10.03.04 Sisavangvong Road, the mainstreet in Luang Prabang

德國朋友仍然不舒服
Joern's still sick.
我就自己去廣西瀑布玩耍啦
I went to Kuang Si Waterfall by myself.
花了我50,000 kip坐小巴，半天遊，會來我住宿的地方接我
It's 50,000 kip for minivan, pick up from my guesthouse, half day tour.
幫我到達後，還要再花20,000 kip，入園費
When I got there, I paid 20,000 kip for entrance fee.
這瀑布還可以，但不是我看到最好的一個，不過...就ok囉
The waterfall was okay, not the best I saw before, but...okay!

在回龍坡邦的途中，我們去了一個村莊，叫做Hmong
On the way back to Luang Prabang, we went to Hmong Village.
在我到那裏之前，我以為我能看見一些寮國婦女做衣服或者手工藝
Before I went there, I thought we can see some women making cloths or handicraft.
事實上，只有一群小朋友，想要賣些手環之類的手工藝品
Actually there's only kids, who were trying to sell some handicraft.
真的是一大堆小朋友圍繞在我們旁邊
Lots kids stayed around us.

在我回到city後，我去了普西山
I went to Phou Si Stupa when I came back to downtown.
我得到一些資訊，在登上山後，我能瀏覽整個龍坡邦市區
Some people told me I can see whole Luang Prabang city when I go to the top.
但空氣中佈滿了灰塵，不夠清楚得看到所有地方
It's quite dusty, not clear enough to see everything.

再一次的夜市
Night market again in the evening.
我遇到三立冒險王正在夜市拍攝一些場景
I met some Taiwanese who are filming TV programs at night market.
酷
Cool!

Be happy!

Ginger @ Sivilay Guesthouse, Luang Prabang, Laos

10.03.03 Kuang Si Waterfall

德國朋友一整天都覺得不舒服
Joern was feeling sick whole day.
我獨自漫步在龍坡邦
I went sightseeing in Luang Prabang by myself.
我總是喜歡自己一個人走在街上
It's good that I always want to see a city by myself, without others.
總算，我能吃任何我想吃的東西
I ate what I'd love to try.

Be good!

Ginger @ Sivilay, Luang Prabang, Laos

10.03.02 it's sticky rice

從旺陽到龍坡邦大約是超過六小時的車程，如果坐他們VIP bus的話
The transportation from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang took over 6 hrs.
我跟我鄰座的英國男生聊了一下天
On the way I had some conversation with my neighber who's from UK.
他正在讀一本叫做"Marching Powder"的書
He was reading a book, "Marching Powder".
是個發生在南美洲的真實故事
It's a true story in South America.
或許我也能在寮國找到"複製"版本
Maybe I can find the "copy" in Laos.

在找到住宿的地方後，我知道我會愛龍坡邦
After looking for accomodation, I know I love Luang Prabang.
這裡的湄公河就比較像我之前所想像的了
It's the Mekong River I imagined before.
各個餐廳都看起來很不賴並且乾淨
The restaurants here looked good and clean.
我還能每天都去夜市逛逛
I can go to the night market everyday.
多麼美妙的地方
What a lovely place it is.

晚安
Night!

Ginger @ Sivilay Guesthouse, Luang Prabang, Laos

10.03.01 when we just arrived Luang Prabang, many tuk-tuk drivers had already waited for us

我們在今天早上搬到另一個guesthouse
We moved to another guesthouse this morning.
在我來寮國之前，許多朋友告訴我，別在到達當地之前就預訂好房間
Before I came to Laos, many friends told me not to make a reservation first.
你必須先看過房間後再決定
You should ask to look around and decide it.
我完全做了錯誤的決定
I made the mistake.
當我們還在永珍時，我們就預訂了旺陽的住宿
We made a reservation for accomodation in Vang Vieng when we were in Vientiane.
接著，當我們看到我們的房間，並不是很ok
Then when we got into our room, it's not okay for us.
這是我們搬家的原因
That's why we moved.

我的德國朋友不想玩tubing因為東南亞有些水中蟲的問題
Joern didn't want to go for tubing because of the worms problem in South East Asia.
我挺想玩的，但我有點害怕水
I wanted to do but I'm a little afraid of water.
不管怎樣，我們仍然選擇利用tuk-tuk去看附近的石洞
Anyway, we still went for caves by hiring a tuk-tuk.
這花了我們一人150,000 kip(好像大約是1 NTD = 250 kip)，有點小貴
It took us 150,000 kip/ pp, quite expensive.
在回旺陽的途中，我買了一顆10,000 kip的西瓜
On the way back to centre, I bought a waterbelon for 10,000 kip.
還挺便宜的
This one was cheap.

噢！
Oh!
我今天試了他們所謂的pancake
I tried the pancake today.
在這裡，到處都是賣pancake及sandwich的攤販
Pancake and sandwich stalls everythere.
德國朋友說這食物絕對不會讓人變肥，哈(當然意思是相反啦:P)
Joern said it's "fat free", ha~
攤販的婦人把所有料都鋪滿在我的餅皮上，香蕉、巧克力醬、美祿的粉、椰子粉、奶油等等
The lady put everything on my pancake and it's a lot, with bananas, chocolate sauce, Milo powder, coconet powder, butter...etc.
只吃一點時覺得還不錯，但吃到後來覺得有點太甜
It tasted great but too sweet for me.

晚安！
Night!
今天是元宵節
Today's Full moon festival.
希望大家都有開心
Wish you all happy.

Ginger @ Grand View Guesthouse, Vang Vieng, Laos

10.02.28 on the way back to city

我今天終於體會到寮國生活步調到底有多慢
I realized how slow it is in Laos today.
原本應該要有人在早上十點鐘時把我們載去坐公車到旺陽
They should pick us up from our guesthouse at 10:00 AM.
我們從09:40一直等到約10:45
We waited from 09:40 to around 10:45.
在11:00左右，終於開始前進旺陽
Around 11:00, we finally were on the way to Vang Vieng.
車上有很多寮國人
There're many locals on the bus.
坐在我前座的一位寮國婦人讓我有點害怕
I was scared by the woman sat in front of me.
她在車上連吐了兩次
She was sick in the bus, twice.

旺陽在我們到達時是很安靜的
When we arrived, the town was a little quiet.
每個人都在玩tubing、kayaking或者去看cave
Everyone was doing tubing, kayaking or caving at that moment.
許多餐廳都在播"六人行"
The restaurants here broadcast Friends, the American famous drama.
在這裡你甚至可以躺下來，就只是輕鬆的享受你的餐點你的時間
You can lie down, relax to enjoy the time for your meal.
感覺相當酷
It's quite cool.
我們在餐廳遇到了一些背包客並在晚餐後一道去了橋另一頭的bar
we met some backpackers in the restaurant and went for party in the evening.
晚上的旺陽和白天完全不一樣，晚上到處都是旅客
It's completely different between day time and night time in Vang Vieng, full of tourists.
你會忘記其實你現在是在寮國
You will forget that actually you are in Laos right now.

在bar內讓我著實感到可怕
It's horrible when we stayed in a bar.
他們的餐點內有"蘑菇"
They serviced mushroom!!
你們懂我的意思嗎？毒品的一種
Everyone knows what I mean? The drugs!
我不喜歡這裡 :(
I don't like here.
除此，還有一個來自美國的醉漢說想跟我結婚
By the way, there's a drunk man from USA wanted to marry me. = =
他說，"我希望我能娶妳"
He said, "I wish I could marry you..."
恩...對我來說並不是個好地方
Hmm... not a good place for me to stay.

晚安
Night!

Ginger @ Malany Guesthouse, Vang Vieng, Laos

10.02.27 bought what you wanted on the vip bus

早餐之後，為了找Information Centre，我們開始亂走
We walked around the street for the information after breakfast.
Jörn對我而言是個好旅伴，因為他也是個猛照相人
Jörn is a great person for travelling because he also takes photos all the time.
差不多20分鐘後，我們發現完全走錯路
After about 20 minutes, we found that we went to the wrong direction.
接著，再次搭了tuk tuk
Then we took a tuk tuk.
今天的司機仍然像昨天那位一樣，迷路！
The driver also lost his way, like the one yesterday.
不管怎樣，我們仍然到了
Anyway, We arrived there.
但完全對我們沒有任何幫助
It's helpless for us.
咱們需要另一個計畫，去找旅行社
We needed plan B, to go for travel agency.
但接著發現套裝行程都貴得嚇人
Tour packages here are so expensive.
後來決定先搭車到旺陽
Then we decided to take a bus to Vang Vieng first.

路上都是澳洲人和德國人
There're lots of Australian, German here.
當我們碰到旅客，Jörn總是能用德文溝通，很妙！
When we met people, Jörn can spoke German all the time, cool!

我們去湄公河看夕陽
We went to Mekong Rive for sunset.
完全非我預期，唉！
It's not what I expected, sigh!
對了，Jörn發現很弔詭的事情
Oh right, Jörn found a weird thing.
有不少車沒有車牌
Some cars here they don't have number plates.
他們也不撕掉包著座椅的塑膠套
They didn't take off their plastic cover for the seats.

晚安
Good night!
明天要去所謂探險的首都
I'm going to the capital of adventure tomorrow. 
明天見，旺陽！
See u tomorrow, Vang Vieng!

Ginger @ Hotel Vanhuong, Vientiane, Laos

 

10.02.26 on the street of Vientiane

10.02.26 she's a cute old lady

在渡過一個超難熬的晚上後，我搭了AirAsia的飛機從吉隆坡到永珍
After the long night, I took the flight (AirAsia) from Kuala Lumpur to Vientiane.
感謝我的小學同學雷智翔及他的父母
Thanks my primary school's classmate, James Lei and his parents.
當我到了機場，他們安排了人來接我到他們的餐廳
When I arrived the airport, they arranged to pick me up to their place.
我在那裡吃了寮式米粉，挺不賴的
I ate the Laos' style rice noodle soup. It's so nice.
在來寮國之前，我就聽說寮國啤酒非常有名
Before I came here, I heard "Beer Lao" is very famous here.
所以我一定要試試看啦:P
Of course I tried it.
基本上我不是個愛喝啤酒的人
Nomally, I'm not a beer person. I don't like to drink a beer.
但在我喝了以後，發現它真的很好喝，不會苦，很順口，給個推字！
But after I drank it, OMG, it tasted so good.
雷爸爸雷媽媽也告訴我一些旅遊資訊
They also tell me some travel information.
現在或許不是個好時機去南部玩耍，因為目前算是乾季
Because of the dry season, maybe it's not the perfect time to explore south.
(南部是看瀑布及據說很美的島們)
(We can see the waterfall and beautiful islands there.)
這句應該不用翻譯，Marc是我的加拿大法語區朋友，曾經去過南部的四千美島Si Phan Don，他告訴我，如果可以，他想在那裏待上至少三個月
Marc! I'll come back again because you said it's the best place you have ever been.

在差不多五點左右，我跟當初在Fraser Island的tour遇到的德國朋友碰面
About 17:00 local time, I met Jörn, the German guy I met at Fraser Island's tour.
接下來這個月我們會一起旅行
We'll travel togother for the rest of the month.
這對我是好事，哈！因為又可以開始練習英文了
It's good that I can practice english speaking again, haha~

我們試著找地方換錢
We tried to find out the place with ATM for exchange.
要找到可以用其他國家的卡提領當地貨幣的ATM實在不是件容易事
It's not easy to find an ATM for foreign card.
我在此有了第一次的Tuk Tuk經驗
I had the first time of Tuk Tuk.
還挺有趣的
It's cool and interesting.
但事實上，載我們的司機一直迷路
Actually, the person who drove lost the way all the time.
但隨意啦！在寮國，任何事情都可以"慢！慢！慢！"
But I don't care. Everything in Laos is "Slow! Slow! Slow!"
我能放鬆的渡過時間
I can relax for nothing.

要知道寮國錢幣(kip)的價值到底怎樣有夠難的，一大堆0
It's difficult to figure out the currency here, so many 0.
再換完錢後，我們在噴水池附近吃晚餐
After exchanged, we went to the fountain court for dinner.
服務員的英文還不賴，比我預期要好
The waiter spoke good English. I mean better than I expected.
這裡的食物我覺得還好而已，但氣氛很不錯
Food here was just okay for me but the place was nice.

由於我們明天想看看整個市區，我開始讀朋友的Lonely Planet(旅遊時大家的好夥伴)
We wanted to do sightseeing tomorrow, so I read Jörn's Lonely Planet.
但因為我實在太久沒躺下來睡覺，看沒兩下子就想躺平了
It's the best way to tell me that I must sleep right now because I haven't slept for long.
晚安！
Night!

Ginger @ Hotel Vanhuong, Vientiane, Laos

10.02.25 I was trying to make a new plan for Laos

中午謝謝爸載我到機場
Thanks dad taking me to the airport
謝謝所有人的祝福
Thanks everyone who left messages

由於前陣子才去過吉隆坡
Not only I went to Kuala Lumpur just one and half months ago
且這次轉機就在隔一天大早
but I also must transit in the early morning on next day
就待在機場過夜
I chose to stay in the airport
問了Tune Hostel過境旅館，客滿
I asked the transit hostel, Tune Hostel. They told me "full booking"
在二號站牌想等去吉隆坡另一機場的接駁車
Then I stayed at gate no.2 for the shuttle bus to KLIA
後來想了想，仍然回KLCC窩著
Finally, I went back to KLCC
先是在Starbucks搞了很久的無線網路
First, I tried to figure out the wireless for long time in Starbucks
一過12點，網路突然斷掉
And then the internet was disconnect after 12:00
(原本正在跟Joyce講msn的，真對不住，Joyce)
(I was talking with Joyce via msn at that moment. So sorry, Joyce)
又沒多久，服務人員走過來說他們要打烊，請所有人離開
After about ten minutes, the waiter told us they were going to close right now. We have to leave
心想，之前我上網查，Starbucks或者麥當勞都開24小時的啊
Before I arrived KLCC, I checked on internet that Starbucks or McDonald's open 24 hrs a day
走到麥當勞，發現他們也關著門
I walked to McDonald's and it closed as well.
甚至出境大廳也把人趕出來
Even the departure hall, they asked people out
後來看到公告
I read a "notice" then
原來今天有一個月一度的大掃除
KLCC have to clean it once a month and tonight was the date!
有沒有這麼幸運啊我
How lucky are you, Ginger?!

所有轉機的旅客都在機場門外
every tourists who were going to transit stayed outside the airport
各種睡姿都能出現
You know how to sleep? Everyone was different, trying to get the best way to take a rest
我也是換了好幾次睡法
So did I. I changed many times
甚至把衣物壓縮袋當作睡墊躺下來
I even put my clothes at the bottom as a pad for me to sleep well
再用手護著我的相機們和錢包護照
used my hands to hold my DSLR, DC, wallet and passport 
約莫兩點半後
After 02:30 AM
出境大廳打開
The door of departure hall opened
總算可以坐在椅子上
We can sit on the chair
不用睡在路邊
Not slept near by the road

好一個難過的夜
What a long night it was
請大家別在KLCC過夜
Don't stay at KLCC for overnight, please!
真的不舒服
It's really uncomfortable
我整個人好累
I'm so tired

Ginger @ Hotel Vanhuong, Vientiane, Laos 15:28 25.Feb.2010
   

10.02.24 it's so uncomfrotable to sleep here

it's a note i typed for Irene few minutes ago. maybe someone wants it as well. it's Melbourne in my eyes. if u have some opinion, plz tell me!

why do i love Melbourne? cuz the buildings, the people, the air, everything. even the same places, with different people, it's another face for me. sometimes u can see the street performers. some are powerful, some are weird, some are funny, some are... 

======================================================

some information about Melbourne

first, go to information centre on Federation Square. take a paper called "Inner City Map and Transport Guide" with u. this map is useful. then u must know two "free" public transportaion. one is circle tram and the other is "Melbourne City Tourist Shuttle".
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/photo.php?pid=251271&id=1318614455

in CBD, u can go to Queen Victoria Market. on Wednesday, there's a night market only in summer. if u like to drink coffee, u can try some on a small street between Swanston Street and Victoria Street. don't forget to go "into" VIC State Library. go for the roof. when u travel by the free shuttle, u can go to Lygon Street. it's an Italian Street. i didn't have enough money to try the food there, only tried some ice-creams. do u like museums or gallaries? lots there! go for it! at night, u can walk on Yarra River and go to Crown Casino. it's the biggest one on the Southern Hemisphere.

on Sunday, u can take the train to Camberwell Station. there's a secondhand market. after this market, u can go to the Italian Restaurant, Sofia, for lunch. then u can take a tram to Chapel St.. it's between South Yarra Station and Windsor(maybe i typed wrong word) Station. u can see many wonderful stuff made by local designers or u can find some secondhand stuff with lovely price. if u think u finish window shopping, u can take a tram again to St. Kilda Beach. u can see penguins there. sunset as well. BTW, near St. Kilda Beach, there's a Sunday Market as well (maybe until afternoon)

if u want some different cloths or u want to see something different, u can go to Brunswick Street and Smith Street. on the streets, there're many designers' stores and cafe.

take a train to Brighten Beach and u can see so many colorful houses. the beach is not beautiful but the houses are cute.

of course u should go to Phillips Island for Little Penguins and go to Great Ocean Road for Twleve Apostles. if u can find a lift or go with some backpackers, it's cheap. u also can go by day tour. there're many tour agencies in CBD.

if u find some great places, plz tell me cuz i'd love to go there again and again! :) enjoy!

it's my photo album about [Victoria]_Melbourne and around
http://www.facebook.com/editnote.php?draft&note_id=276746424596&id=1318614455#/album.php?aid=14804&id=1318614455

http://a3.sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/6015_1189958631974_1318614455_520619_6262772_n.jpg
09.02.14colorful chairs and the store