Despite the date stamp on this photo you certainly can’t deny how raw the photo appears. Okay, maybe raw wasn’t the word I really wanted to use let’s go with dope. This shot taken in Halong Bay by LadyExpat is just that. She titles it the “Halong Bay Corner Store” which I imagine there might be some house boats around awaiting the Oreo cookies, fresh fruit, Merlot and Pringles order they put in an hour ago. I don’t know, but the point is this photo is simply fresh! Great work!
Two Years Post Tsunami
This morning when I watched the news it was called to my attention that today marks the two-year anniversary of one the biggest natural disasters to occur in Southeast Asia. Footage of massive waves, bulldozing tiny tropical beach resorts in Thailand and water carrying the remnants of homes, vehicles, and those trying desperately to escape; glowed on my television screen. I cut the news off and retreated to my room. I wasn’t in much of a mood to see the sorrow mounted in the eyes of an orphan whose parents had been washed away in the ocean. I just couldn’t bear it so early.
Now as I sit hanging out on the web I see several stories remembering those who lost a great deal and how much progress still needs to be made. The International Herald Tribune has an excellent photo gallery displaying images of smiles from young girls like the two above whirling around in a playground (a donation by a relief agency), people playing volleyball on Thailand’s Patong beach, and then sad images as well. Most of Thailand’s beaches have been able to rebuild quickly, but other areas in Sri Lanka & Indonesia have been left to slowly pick up the pieces due to misuse of money (millions) and government corruption.
A drill system is being practiced across to Southeast Asia for future disasters and to commemorate the 9.3 earthquake two years back.
Photo of the Day (10/21/06)
Seeing amazing pictures from Thailand often gets me a little heated and tells me it is time to start planning again for a great Thai adventure of my own. (The tsunamis stopped me from going three days before my flight out. I know I’ve mentioned it a million times.) Sorry. Anyhow, this awesome sunset with water skier shot comes from weegolo who spent time in the Koh Samui area back in 98′. Great shot and thanks for the added inspiration! Hope to see more from this set.
Word for the Travel Wise (05/09/06)
Over the last few days I’ve been a bit off on my word postings, but I’ve got a grand excuse for why that is or was shall I say. For starters I’m walking across the country at the moment and secondly I’ve been thinking about the languages I’ve been covering and thinking which langs aren’t getting covered enough. Sure French and Spanish are all swell and dandy, but it’s really time to step up our game and tune into other lesser known languages. Wouldn’t you agree? Are you up for the challenge? Then let’s proceed…
Today’s word is a Sinhala word used in Sri Lanka:
a da – today
English is spoken by ten percent of the population and Sinhala is the official and national language of the country. I’ve actually never tried to learn this one much, but judging from the alphabet it looks like a challenge. Omniglot has a great starter page on learning all the characters and use of this English to Sinhala dictionary could slowly help in distinguishing common travel words. Let’s Speak Sinhala offers lessons at a very small and reasonable fee. They appear to be one of the better Sinhala language learning websites.
Past Sinhala words: hari shook