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You can lose everything, but nobody will take away what you saw and what you experienced...
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Oct 15, 2024 12:00 AM Going to Philippines? Register 3 days in advance!
We have today the day at see. Andy - our British-born cruise director just informed that before landing in Manila every passenger must register in the website of Philippine Immigrations. I tried. As many other passengers I did not buy expensive internet package to be connected from the ship. So no chance to register unless you will pay them 35 USD for one day internet allowance. It is scandalous!
To be registered you fill online the form including your e-mail and your photo. Then they send to your email box 6-digit code to be placed in the form. Then you continue giving passport data, arrival and departure date and more. If they are happy they send you QR code required at arrival.
OK, but why the cruise line pushed me to pay 35 USD Mr Andy (left side on the picture)? It is shame!
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Oct 14, 2024 12:00 AM Hot and humid Saigon
Today we are docking in Phu My - the closest port to Ho Chi
Minh. Now I know, that it is almost 2 hours drive each way to get from this port to the former Saigon. It is very hot and humid here. We were visiting the Palace of Independence (or Reinification). The skyscrapers around the Saigon River are also imposing. I got internet connection only from History Museum... The Vietnamese hat lik the one on the photo costs 7 USD!! Greetings from Vietnam!
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Oct 12, 2024 12:00 AM Hot and humid Singapore
Morning in Singapore. It was raining in the night. During my first visit here in the 80-ties I was enchanted by the old queater on the bank of Singapore river. Now in this place you can see skyscrapers nicer than on the Manhattan! Only on the river bank a chain of old houses remained, housing restaurants, cafes and shops - all for tourists! There is a lot of modern, sometimes controversial architecture including this ever- visible Marina Bay building, where you can see Singapore from the air for 40 singapore dollars. In the early afternoon I will be boarding to sail in the evening to Vietnam...
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Oct 11, 2024 12:00 AM Singa-pura, City of Lion
To get from Singapore Chiangi Airport it is better to use metro. At the airport metro station they offer you only day or two- days ticket. If you need a single ride only you can use your credit card at the reader entering the platform.
I booked in advance the modest room ln IBIS budget hotel on Hongkong St. From here is only 5 min walk to Singapore River and attracttions of the old quarter. It was high humidity, 30 deg Celsius but no rain when I was walking to the places I remember well from previous visits. The Merlion monument is even brighter than before. I registeted many new skyscrapers, but I loved more old Chinese buildings. They converted historic Raffles Hotel into museum?! Nice, clean and modern city! Singapore located on the island is still most interesting metropole in Southeast Asia!
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Oct 10, 2024 12:00 AM Singapore online arrival card?
I have been to Singapore already three times but they never asked to fill online any forms... It changed! At least one day before your arrival you need to upload photo of your passport, declare flights in and off, phone and accommodation adress in Singapore. It takes a time until they will send you approval... Fortunately they do not require any fees. I was lucky to make it on time before boarding the plane to Singapore. In Chiangi Airport they have automated passport control (based on passport scanning and analysis of your arrival card. But it is not always compliant - in my case it doesn't work so they sent me to the officer anyway! Welcome to legendary Singapore!
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Oct 07, 2024 12:00 AM Heading to Singapore....
From Lhasa i was flying back to Beijing.... After the high-altitude challenge of the Tibet it was necessary to have a few-days rest. I enjoyed the frendliness and hospitality of my Chinese friends. Now I am getting ready for the jump to Singapore, where the next stage of my round-the -world voyage will begin... Please keep your fingers crossed! :)
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Sep 26, 2024 12:00 AM Back in Lhasa
After driving a big loop of 3700 kms I am back in Lhasa. It is cloudy, with occasional light showers. Since the morrning I hear many car trumpets and I appreciate the free public toilets - they are plentiful and well marked. The other thing os what you will find inside: European- style sitting closets are rare, so take your ski- training in advance!
When it cleared-up in the middle of the day I took a long walk to Bakhor Bazaar where street vendors offer a lot of souvenirs and handicrafts - see pictures!
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Sep 25, 2024 12:00 AM In the darkness of monasteries
In the morning I went to Sakya monastery. All those fantastic monasteries they normally work, receiving local pilgrims and prayers, but... Nowadays foreigners must buy the tickets. The price is around 100 yuan...
Lucky me! It was the praying time and about 100 monks were sitting in the main hall conducting ceremonies and I recognized that the assembly hall in Sakya is probably the biggest I saw in my life. Unforgettable! They do not allow to take the pictures inside, but if you are discret... Everyone keeps smartphone in the hand including monks!...
In the afternoon we visited another famous monastery - Tashi Lumpo in Shigatse. This one is the settlement of Panchen Lama and is well restored. But the atmosphere here is rather like in the museum. So if you have a choice - go rather to Sakya!
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Sep 24, 2024 12:00 AM To ancient city of Sakya
I have been already twice in Tibet, but Sakya always was out of my route. So I was excited when we departed from the level 2500 m at 8 am. It was heavy climb to the pass 5200 m in the cloudy weather. But the real nightmare of travel in Tibet are police controls where, where you wait. Your passport and permit are checked, photographed and nobody says "thank you". We had 3 such controls today plus some minor ones. The real tragedy was today when in a small town on the way the police totally blocked entry and city exit creating kilometers- long traffic jam. Reason: meeting on the stadium... Ufff....
We reached Sakya just before the dusk. The city is famous for its walled monastery reminding me a castle with solid towers. Opposite - on the other side of the river there is an old town with other temples, Buddhist College and cobbled streets. I like it. But the monastery will be open only tomorrow! Today I'll sleep on the level 4400 m!
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Sep 23, 2024 12:00 AM From 5000 m to 2500 m above sea
It is hard to believe that huge Tibet have only one border crossing point with the neighbors. In 1987 I crossed here the border to Nepal in Zhangmu. Later this route was destroyed by earthquake and new crossing was built in Gyirong. That's where I am today. In our small expedition there were 3 persons heading to Nepal - we delivered them to the border point. It was also great occasion to enjoy the landscape: The road from Saga is dropping about 2500 m from the semi-desert zone to the forest level. Gyirong is a small town with one Tibetan monastery and strong Nepalese influence. There are Nepalese shops and restaurants. After a night in the inexpensive hotel tomorrow we are planning to climb back to the Tibetan Plateau!
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