PAVEL FABOK 02/02

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PAVEL FABOK 01/02

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Vietnam - The Hidden Charm

Vietnam is one of the most beautiful countries in the heart of South East Asia. It lies on Indochina Peninsula. It stretches south from the Chinese border along the east coast of the Indochina Peninsula. It is bordered by China to the north, Laos and Cambodia to the west, and the East Sea, to the east and the south. With a population of over 86 million and an area of 330,000 square km, our country is developing rapidly. People say that our country is a hidden small dragon. It is now awake and ready to soar to greater new heights. And now you're discovering that small dragon. The topography of Vietnam consists of a complex geography with three quarter mountains and ancient forest, a quarter delta plains. It's filled with exotic fauna, winding rivers and sandy tropical beaches.

Although entirely within the tropics, the Vietnam's climate is different from region to region. The annual average temperature is from 22ºC to 27ºC. The north of our country has cold, humid winters and warm, wet summers, while the south is warm all year with a monsoon season from May to November. Back to our history, 35 years passed since the American War in Vietnam ended. Many foreigners still don't know much knowledge about our small country. In reality, our country has outstanding natural beauty with many small peaceful villages and easygoing people. According to history's relics, our ancestors are Hung Kings. They lived 4000 years ago. Vietnamese believe that they belong to "the children of the Dragon and the Fairy".

Our official language is Vietnamese. Beside the official language, each ethnic minority group has its own dialect that has been used and preserved in daily life. For population and people, although it is a small country with the area of 330,000 square kilometers, there are up to 54 different ethnic groups in Vietnam. Kinh people accounts for nearly 86% of the whole population, and the others are ethnic minority groups about 14%. Nowadays, Kinh people mostly base in plains, especially in the Red River Delta and the Mekong Delta. The ethnic minority groups locate in the mountainous areas. Each group has their own custom and tradition. However, they are all friendly and love peace. Vietnamese are gentle, friendly to visitors. I'm sure you will find that after your excursion.

Spiritual life in Vietnam is a mixture of belief from Confucianism to Buddhism, Taoism and Animism. It's called Tam Giao Dong Nguyen. This means triple religion exist together. Besides, Christianity also play important role in many Vietnamese's spiritual. For the festival, Tet Nguyen Dan is our most important festival. The name Tet Nguyen Dan is Sino-Vietnamese for "Feast of the First Morning". It often celebrates in late January or early February and long in two weeks. This festival welcomes the Lunar New Year and to worship our ancestors. In festival, the children are got new clothes and get lucky money from their parents, grandparents and relation. For adult, they gather and give the best wishes each other. Tet Holiday is also an occasion for pilgrims and family reunions. During Tet, we visit temples and pagodas to make a wish for a luckiness, happiness and success year.

Beside Tet Holiday, we also have many other festivals include traditional and modern festivals. The best time you can part in traditional festival is spring and autumn.

For Vietnamese food, it can't be denied that food in Vietnam is extremely delicious and reflect Vietnamese culture; however, to find exact place to eat is not easy for travelers. Thus, I would like to share some of my experience. I hope it can help some of you. You can try in your free time.

Firstly, Beef Pho, Chicken Pho or some other types of noodle like cold shellfish noodle is good for you. It's similar to Western's soup but it's very special cuisine and taste.

Secondly, some traditional cakes shouldn't be missed, such as shrimp cake. This food is famous for West lake in Hanoi.

Thirdly, spring roll is also a fantastic food; the most famous is crab spring roll. "Pho cuon" another kind of spring roll, it made of "Pho" and you can find this food easily everywhere in our country, but the most special Pho is in Hanoi. Please visit Hanoi to experience an amazing place of food.

About drink, if you're interested in our local beer, don't miss out the draught beer. We call "bia hơi" in Vietnamese. Besides, you can try this drink in other areas, such as Hanoi beer in Hanoi, Saigon beer in HCM city, so on.

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Lonny loves Palm Beach

The new Lonny is here (Jan/Feb 2011), and I couldn't help but notice how many times Palm Beach/West Palm Beach showed up in its features.  Maybe my radar is on high alert having just traveled there a couple of weeks ago as seen here.  But I couldn't help but think that between the homes filled with vintage treasures discovered in West Palm Beach and its Dixie Highway, along with the recent article in Elle Decor about Palm Beach's hotspots, it is quite the coincidence!

There is a whole spread on Lilly Pulitzer and the Fashion Director of the company said it best:

As far as shopping on Dixie Highway and West Palm Beach, more than one feature highlighted their finds from various antique shops:

 This chair.

The chandelier.

The etagere.

This armoire.

The lucite drawers installed in the closet.

The vintage Gracie wall panels.

Headboard, bench, and tables.

Check out the magazine and see if you can spot some of the other South Florida finds.


*Images via Lonny

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Blocked! and other China randoms

- Not only is Blogger blocked in China, but also these sites as well: Facebook, Goodreads, Wordpress. I am sure there are many more; I won't find out until I try to use them. At least Flickr works.

- The number one MUST HAVE item in China -- a shiny poofy jacket with a fur lined hood. Everyone, and I mean EVERYONE has one. Old, young, boys, girls and everything in between. EVERYONE has one. Except me. THIS is a good example of what I am talking about. Are people wearing these at home? I am so behind in the fashion world.

- I am happy to report that ALL BOOTS are now in style. I have seen short ones, tall ones, brown, black, slipper style, high heel, low heel, no heel, furry, pointed, round, square....etc. No matter your boot style, all is good!! Now would be a good time to stock up on all of your favorites. Maybe I need a bigger backpack. Or a Chinese Lady Bag. I guess I am in the right place for that.

- Best thing about China? Meat on sticks. Pork buns on the street. Dumplings on the street. So I guess what I mean to say is...street food. For about a dollar, you can get 2 chicken on a stick, 6 pork bun or 6 dumpling. I have eaten about 100 of each already.

- NOT cheap? Coffee!!!! Darn it. I tried to live without it for a few days and had a huge headache. So, I am living on Nescafe instant coffee for now (and supplementing with a treat of a mocha from time to time)

- A couple of Chinese words (and totally butchered spelling I am sure) I have learned: Thank you = Xiexie (pronounced shay-shay), Hello = ni how

- Price of a beer = .50 cents
- Price of a Starbucks coffee = $4.50
- Price of a clean room, with heat and a hot shower = $12
- Price of a clean room, without heat and who knows if the shower was hot because I wasn't about to try it = $7
- Price of a sleeper bed on a train from Shanghai to Beijing (~650 miles) = $50

That's it for now! I am still emailing posts in and am going to try to hopefully have a couple pictures included here! Please let me know if they don't show up! The round door is in Little Likeng, Wuyuan Province. The tower is the Oriental Pearl in Shanghai.

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Fun & Merriment at Amana Waterpark

What is Amana Waterpark?

Tagged as the second fast-rising summer destination in the Philippines, the Amana Waterpark is a 6.4 hectares beach resort that primarily caters to the customers’ overall enjoyment. The owner first visualized the concept of waterpark upon the inauguration of Tampisaw Beach Resort on March 28, 2008. The Amana Waterpark has thirteen types of waves and the Diamond Wave is the biggest of them all. It has 3500 square meter wave-pool. Apart from getting wet, the resort also offers breezy cottages, horseback riding, souvenir shop, and picnic orchard.

Activities & Accommodation

The Amana Waterpark has everything anyone craves for. Like I said earlier, it boasts their 3500-square meter wave pool (Diamond Wave), the 40-foot Man-Made Waterfall, the other thirteen waves, the 500 square meter kiddie pool filled with Dragon Ball Character and the Avatar-inspired pool.

There is also a number of lodging to hop in. There are several cottages with different designs and the VIP rooms which can house two persons only (P2800).

Rates & Fees

For Day Time Swimming (8:30-6:00 PM), adults need to pay P250, children’s rate are P200 while senior citizens are advised to bring their ID and pay P200 only. For Night Swimming (6:30-12 MN), adults, children and senior citizens only need to pay P180, P120 and P120 respectively.

For questions and other concerns, just contact Maricris De Leon at amanawaterpark@yahoo.com or call (044) 661-23-83 and (044) 661-23-84

How to Arrive at Amana Waterpark?

There are three ways to get to Amana Waterpark:

• By Bus from Manila: If you’re from Divisoria Terminal, take a bus at Aguila Transit and go directly to Waltermart, Sta Clara. From Waltermart, you need to ride a tricycle to Amana Waterpark.

• By Bus from Ayala/Baclaran: If you are from Baclaran Terminal, find your way to Del Carmen/ Corinthian/Bovjen Bus until you reach Waltermart. From Waltermart, you need to ride a tricycle (P120) to Amana Waterpark.

• By Taxi: You need to pass the Bocaue exit and take Sta Maria-Pandi–Angat National Road. Just follow the Amana Banners with arrow signs along the National road.

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