ferry Archives - Wandering North

Asia China Hong Kong

Hong Kong Layover (I didn’t like it, but it’s not Hong Kong’s fault)

I was excited when I found that I could schedule a day layover in Hong Kong on my flight back from Myanmar. I had never been to Hong Kong and never really had much desire, so it seemed like a great opportunity to get a taste and decide if I want to go back for more in the future. Now that I have been…I think I’m good. I would be happy to go back for another layover, but I won’t be planning to travel there as an endpoint. But let me be clear, there is nothing wrong with Hong Kong; it’s all me. And weather. (But mostly me.)

What was wrong with Hong Kong? Nothing really, it just didn’t impress, excite or intrigue me. I have traveled enough for this to not be a surprise. I was also failed to be excited by Shanghai, Taipei, and Seoul. All nice cities, but I prefer New Delhi, Istanbul, Bogota, and Tbilisi. Plus, and this is in no way Hong Kong’s fault, the weather was awful. It poured rain biblically. I was caught in it for a good hour before I found a shop selling umbrellas and I don’t think I recovered. The skies were grey and although the rain did not put a stop to my planned wandering, it did make it less pleasant. The final thing that was wrong – and is all my fault – is that I was tired. It was the final day of my travels and I had slept for maybe 2 hours. So factor all of that in.

It was cool to arrive in Hong Kong. This place that in my lifetime was a sovereign country, and then wasn’t. It is the namesake of one of my favourite Siouxsie and the Banshees songs. It seems like it could be opulent and seedy. I was excited to check it out.

The train from the airport was quick and serviceable and from there I transferred to a subway and began my planned strolls in what is the financial / business district. Cuff-links and suits. Tall buildings. Orderly streets. Dull looking cafes. (I already mentioned the rain.) I walked around around a bit. It was nice, but nothing really captured my attention.

I walked into a hilly, green park, which was objectively lovely and it was pleasant that it was so close to the financial hub, but the rain made anything other than a brief pass through unappealing.

I decided it was time to check out the other side of Victoria Harbour. I took the Star Ferry across. That I liked. Buying a thick, well worn, plastic token and riding the vintage boat to the other side of the harbour. The goal was in part to get a view of that classic Hong Kong skyline, which I did, obscured though it was by cloud and rain.

I walked for a while on the other side, on the boardwalk, which must be lovely on a sunny day, but I was deterred after an hour and took the boat back across, catching the first glimpses of blue sky.

I really liked the boat and the boardwalk. I have to say though that reminded me a lot of Vancouver on a larger scale.

From there I walked through other parts of the city. The rain eased up. I walked through very fancy shopping districts that, honestly, could have been in any major metropolis. I was on the hunt for an interesting neighbourhood. Something with character; maybe a market or some murals.

Maybe I just didn’t pick my route well, but I ended up walking through areas that were more interesting, with big ugly/appealing high rises and older streets that felt more seedy, but they also felt a bit like Chinatown districts in other cities. They were fine, but not captivating.

One bonus though was stumbling across a street presentation of Chinese dragons and drums.

I hunkered down in an appealing dive that advertised vegetarian noodle soup. I pointed at the sign with a smile and enjoyed a steaming bowl of tasty broth, veggies, tofu, and noodles. I was half way through my bowl when the waitress brought a side plate of 4 chicken wings. Had i been able to speak more words in Cantonese than thank you and hello (as I was only going to be there for a day I made no effort to learn more) I might have said, “Oh, i’m sorry, I didn’t order these.” But I couldn’t say that so I just ignored the plate of meat. When I paid for my meal and got up to leave, the server yelled at me, gesturing towards the wings. I have no idea why. I said “I’m sorry” and held my hands out, palms up, in that way that universally is supposed to suggest ‘I have nothing else to offer’ or something and left. Not a great interaction, but the soup was good.

After that I walked around more, but I didn’t see much of interest and eventually I just accepted that I was tired and wet and went back to the airport.

So my day in Hong Kong wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t that interesting. I know I could have planned an activity or gone to a major attraction like Tian Tan Buddha or gone to a museum or gallery, but I usually prefer to explore a city the first day by just walking the streets. I read up on the city ahead of time and planned a route, but maybe it just wasn’t the right one for me. I would definitely like to to back for another layover and see another area (ideally on more sleep and a sunny day), but for now, my takeaway is that Hong Kong seems like it would be a great place to live, but, for me, was not an exciting place to visit.
(Sorry.)

Asia Myanmar (Burma)

Across the River to Dalla

Day two in Yangon was to be a day without an evening, as I was scheduled to take the 5:00 train to Mandalay, but I was determined to pack as much in as possible before then.

I skipped the free breakfast at my guest house and opted to spend about 75c for a bowl of excellent soup at a stall at a street market. A far superior option. I walked around the market taking in the scenes I never tire of: people selling fruits and vegetables (familiar and exotic), fish, meat, flowers. I then spent the next few hours doing more aimless market wandering.

I also walked through this huge indoor market, which had 3 or 4 levels of shops selling clothes, housewares, spices, jade…everything really. I also scoped out the train station for later.

I my plan was to take the short ferry to the other side of the river to Dala or Dalla, a more rural area with villages and more temples. The ferry ride was fun. I found the terminal and the huge crowd of people waiting for tickets (a little less that $4 round trip), but I was ushered to a desk just for foreigners, which was a nice gesture, though it seemed unnecessary, particularly as I was the only apparent non-local on the boat.

The ride was only about 10 minutes but was pleasant and I chatted with a fellow who was on his way home. At the other end I declined the offers for taxis and set out walking, which was very pleasant for a while. I stumbled upon cute houses and picturesque scenes, but after a bit I realized I had no idea where to go, so I flagged down a tuk tuk and hired him to just drive me around.

That was nice:the breeze and just taking in sites that were pleasant to drive by but nothing that was amazing, though I could ask him to stop when I wanted to take some pictures.

I ferried back and had a cigar at the same cigar-friendly bar as the previous day before, which I figured would be my final moment of comfort before my overnight train journey to Mandalay.

Two days in Yangon was enough to see what I wanted to see, though there is certainly more. I am, though, happy to return there before I leave Myanmar. It is a city that I am quite content to hang out in.

Central America / Caribbean Cuba

Casablanca, Havana

Saturday morning in Havana started a bit late, due to the late night spent smoking in the park the night before. With Stripes and Noodles en route back to Canada, i was on my own. After my late breakfast i walked down to the water and caught a ferry across the water to Casablanca. By “ferry” i mean a simple, standing room only open sided boat that takes people across for a fee (half a peso). The ride was pleasant and gave nice views of the old city across the water. It was all locals on the boat, except for me and one guy from Chicago, with whom i chatted on the way.

On the other side, for being so close, Casablanca had a slightly different feel, a little less precious, quieter. I walked up a hill toward the giant statue of (surprisingly) Jesus on the hill.

And from there down a pleasant road bordered by attractive army buildings and rockets, missiles, and planes on display. I paid to go into the fort – the one that is always visible across the water from Havana.

The fort wasn’t very interesting really, but the views and breeze were nice. After a bit though i was satisfied that no sight was left unseen and i boated back across. This time the fare was twice as much but i didn’t care enough to complain.

After a great nap, i decided to visit the bars on my street (Calle Brasil) that i had not yet visited. I went to a couple of cool ones that played rock music and featured abstract black and white photography or showed awesome adult cartoons on TVs. I had a mojito (i don’t actually like mojitos, but i don’t drink beer and mojitos are cheap and seem Cuba appropriate) and a plate of yummy olives, cheese, bread. These bars were cool and not just Havana cool; they would be awesome haunts anywhere.

I also stopped on a block unlit by street lamps and filled with off duty bicycle taxi drivers and avocado sellers and watched people in a small store, leaning on a counter and shooting bebe guns at rows of empty soda cans on the back wall. There didn’t appear to be any prizes, just the fun of shooting things. I waited around for a turn, but the men shooting had no interest in giving up their guns, so i wandered down to the Plaza De San Francisco for a virgin Piña Colada and cigar on the square and watched the throngs hanging out in the cooling air.
(You would think i might be tired of cigars in plazas by now, but I’m not even close.)

Asia Cambodia South East Asia 2013 Vietnam

Holiday in Cambodia

Yesterday morning (whatever day that was) we stepped out the back of our hotel in Chau Doc and onto a speed boat bound for Phnom Penh. It was a comfortable boat, covered except at the back and the front and with wonderful breezes blowing through. The entire journey, including the stop at the border was about 6 hours, but it was pleasant. Alongside the shores we saw more jungly trees and fields with people tilling the soil by hand, houses on stilts or just corrugated metal shacks built right along the shore, people fishing with poles or giant butterfly nets which the scooped into the water while balancing on the edge on small wooden boats, and, once we crossed into Cambodia, small herds of skinny white cows.

We stopped at the border leaving Vietnam, then reboarded and stopped again at the border entering Cambodia where we got our new visas.

Finally we saw the skyline of Phnom Penh and we pulled up to Sisowath Quay. We both immediately loved it. The buildings were an interesting mix of French inspired architecture, dilapidated low rises, and stunning temple peaks. We boarded a tuk tuk (our first) and we snaked through the traffic, which was similar to that of Ho Chi Minh in terms of its style and composition but was slightly less frenetic.

Our hotel, the Blue Lime, is pretty great. It has a South Beach feel to it, with its beautiful pool surrounded by Palm trees and lazy cabanas. Our room is perfect and has a modern design and there is an outdoor bar and restaurant by the pool, perfect for relaxing with a passion fruit juice (as I am doing now). All this (and breakfast) for about $45 night.

After getting settled we went for a walk in search of food. The streets are very pleasant for walking (despite having to walk in traffic much of the time), as there are so many appealing and interesting street side eateries, shops, vendors, and whatnot to look at. The poverty though is evident, as steps away from the main temples and restaurants catering to tourists are people living on the street or naked kids picking through garbage.

We found a restaurant and had our first Cambodian meal – the de facto national dish ‘amok’, a mild, steamed curry. Betty Lou had fish and I had I had a vegetarian version. It was delicious and for two of us it was about $6. A few small kids came up to sell us things, but I didn’t feel bothered. The place is crawling with tourists, but that didn’t bother me either. It is all a pleasant atmosphere.

After lunch we visited the Royal Palace, which is really a serene complex of stunning temples and pagodas decorated in intricate and ornate design; the peaked roofs glitter like dragon scales and Buddhas sat amongst the greenery. Walking among the trees and the buildings were many monks, dressed in their beautiful saffron robes. It was all lovely.

We retired to the room for a bit and then I decided to go for a walk to see what the nightlife was like. It was all really the same, but it felt even livelier (and that is certainly true of the bars and restaurants). I was having a fine time wandering until the skies opened up and it began to pour. I tried to wait it out in a bookshop but became restless and decided to head back to the hotel which was 3-4 blocks away only. In those few blocks however I got drenched; my eyes blinded by the torrential rain and my shoes transformed into pools. I returned though in one piece and enjoyed a wonderful sleep.

Asia South East Asia 2013 Vietnam

Journey up the Mekong

We left Ho Chi Minh in the morning on a minibus bound for a town on the Mekong river, where we joined about two dozen others on a small boat which took us out further onto the river where we boarded our proper boat – the “Mekong Eyes”, a lovely wooden converted rice barge turned into a fairly posh cruising boat. It was simply lovely. We had a well appointed room and the boat had a dining room and a wonderful top deck with places to sit and take in the view. It almost felt too fancy for me, but I guess sometimes it’s nice to travel in style.

We began sailing and we relaxed on the top deck watching the lush, green jungly landscape pass by, with its occasional small, ramshackle houses on the shore. Various other boats passed by – mostly fishing boats and small sampans rowed by women and men standing atop them and rowing with long oars. It was very peaceful and pleasant (and perfect for cigar smoking).

After a delicious lunch, we took small boats to a village along the river where we were able to wander past rice paddy fields dotted with above ground graves, tiny houses with open air rooms and families resting in hammocks, chopping wood for the stove, and cooking and eating meals, and past trees growing papayas, jack fruit, coconuts and bananas. After returning to the big boat we spent the rest of the day watching the shore slip past until it was dark and the sky was dotted with migrating bats.

We had a wonderful sleep on board, delayed only slightly by a fantastic lightening storm, which lit up the night sky.

This morning after breakfast we again took a small boat to the floating market, where countless boats crowded together on a wide part of the river to sell all manner of produce and hot coffee and tea. The boats, which ranged from small canoe-like contraptions to larger boats displayed their wares by way of tying them to masts on their boats – the pineapple vendor, for example, had a pineapple hanging from a stick, high above the boat so that others would know what was for sale. The market was so lively and colourful as the boats all paddled and motored their way amongst each other to connect vendors with buyers. Along the shores we had excellent views of people’s houses and could see people going about their daily lives on the water.

After the market we took in some other sights on foot and then after a meal of delicious fruits, we left our boat and travelled by bus about three hours to Chau Doc; a small but busy city near the border with Cambodia.

Our hotel in Chau Doc is ridiculously fancy. It is the Victoria hotel and is this posh establishment on the water with a beautiful outdoor pool, restaurant, and beautiful rooms. We went for a walk though the city, which was buzzing with motor scooters and has a bustling, colourful market. We walked though the market, looking with wonder at the many unidentifiable fruits and vegetables and taking in the sights and (pungent) smells. The evening has wound up with a cigar on the hotel grounds, looking out over the water.

In the morning we are catching a speed boat to Phnom Pehn, where the second leg of out trip shall begin.

Europe Italy

Venice

Venice. We arrived yesterday morning on the train from Bologna (about a 1.5 hour journey). The first glimpse from the train station was amazing and it has continued to be so. It has water for streets! I know, everyone knows that, but to actually see it is amazing. There are the gondolas, of course, shuttling tourists lazily up and down the waterways, but more amazing are the other boats: the water taxis, individual motor boat, boat delivering office supplies, produce, hauling away recycling, etc. It is quite remarkable how the whole city operates on the water.

Water aside, there are streets. There are however no cars or motorcycles and very few bicycles, just pedestrians making their way down the streets, both normal sized, and those barely big enough to pass single file, between buildings and over foot bridges, past the glittering canals. It is phenomenal. Walking through the city is like walking through a beautiful maze. Walking down each street one is not sure whether it will end in a brick wall, courtyard, body of water, or connect to another street or piazza. It is possible to use maps, but it much more fun to just follow one’s whims.

We took a vaporetto (a type of transit boat) from the train station to our hotel, which is charming, with a front door on the street and a back door that opens right up onto the canal. Our tiny room is on the third floor and looks down onto the canal.

We walked yesterday around the San Marco district, down to the Piazza San Marco, where we stood in the magnificent square and took in the sites, including a hitchcockian mass of pigeons circling overhead, and visited the stunning basilica.

We then walked to the Rialto Bridge and aimlessly through the streets and squares. The evening was beautiful. Quiteish (compared to the day) and the streets were dark and decidedly less crowded. I enjoyed a cigar by the canal and watched the boats.

Today we walked back to the Rialto Bridge and through the market where they were selling produce and an array of seafood. After that we walked up through the Santa Croce and Cannaregio areas, and through the Jewish district before catching a vaporetto to the island of Burano.

We picked Burano because it was supposed to be a colorful, quaint fishing island and it did not disappoint. The streets on the tiny island were lined with small houses, each painted in a vivid color, different from and in contrast to the houses on either side of it. I don’t think there was a single brown, beige, or grey anywhere. It was all bright chartreuses, fushias, yellows, blues… running through it were canals and along side were cute little shops and eateries. Betty-Lou was in heaven. We ate a delicious lunch after our walk and then caught a boat back to the mainland.

Tonight is our second and final night in Venice and tomorrow we head back to Rome for one more night before returning to Canada.

Asia Europe Turkey

Europe to Asia and Back Again

Yesterday was a wonderful day. I took to the sea and rode a ferry up the Bosphorus Rıver to the mouth of the Black Sea. The whole rıde took about 1.5 hours one way. The boat passed sea sıde menıons and palaces, mosques and small vıllages. On the West sıde of the rıver ıs Europe and on the East sıde ıs Asıa. The breeze was heavenly and ıt was the fırst tıme all week that ı haven’t been stıcky.

The last stop was ın Anadolu Kavaği, a lıttle fıshıng vıllage on the Asıan shore where the Bosphorous meets the Black Sea. At the dock ıs a numbers of restaurants and ıce cream shops all preyıng on/caterıng to tourısts, but ı dıd not stay there. I decıded to hıke up a hıll to a ruıned medıeval castle from whıch the vıew was supposed to be ıncredıble.

I wasn’t quıte sure whıch dırectıon to go, except that i knew i had to go up. Now, when ı got off the boat ı was greeted by three dogs, whıch was a surprıse, as ın Istanbul ı have seen only cats. These three dogs were quıte frındly and ı pet them and saıd hello. They started to follow me. When ı was unsure about whıch road to take to go to the castle, the dogs went ahead of me and ı followed them. When they got too far ahead, they looked back and waıted for me to catch up. These three dogs led me rıght to the castle – obvıously a journey they have made many tımes. The hıke was short and very steep, whıch wouldn’t have been a bıg deal except that ıs was about 35 degrees and blazıng sunshıne. When we fınally reached the top ı was exhıllerated. The vıews were magnıfıcent. There wasn’t much left of the castle except for a few walls and one turret.

On top of the mountaın were four lıttle boys (4 or 5 years old) sellıng water. I happıly bought one, but then they all wanted to sell me water; of course ı couldn’t,t say no, so ı bought 3 more bottles of water. I dıd not want to carry the water back down and ı could not drınk ıt all myself, so ı decıded to gıve ıt to my dog tour guıdes. The problem was that there was nothıng to pour the water ınto, but ı was now determıned to water the thırsty pups. Ever resourceful, ıf short shıghted, ı emptıed my Estee Lauder makeup case and fılled ıt wıth water three tımes, gıvıng each dog a drınk. Of course, ı realızed quıckly that ı dıdn,t the makeup bag – now wet and slobbery – back. I was goıng to throw ıt away, when one of the water boys ran up and saıd repeatedly saıd ‘please’ untıl ı handed over the germ ınfested bag. He snatched ıt and ran off wıth glee.

Of course, now my make up ıs dısorganızed, but the dogs are quenched and the metrosexual Turkısh water boy had hıs Estee Lauder cosmetıcs case, so all ıs well.

Back on the ferry, ı looked down ınto the turquoıse waters and watched fısh dartıng beneath the waves when a group of whıte plastıc bags floated ınto my vısıon. ‘What a shame!’ ı thought, ‘Why would people throw plastıc bags ınto the sea!’ Just when ı was shakıng my head wıth dısapproval, someone near me saıd ‘Jellyfısh!’ I looked agaın and realızed that what ı had thought was trash floatıng ın the sea was actually a school of ghostly whıte jellyfısh. They look much lıke lıtter, but once ı realızed they were jellyfısh ı thought they were quıte beautıful.

In the evenıng, ı sat beneath a shady tree and enjoyed a fıne dınner and then smoked nargıle untıl nearly mıdnıght, chattıng wıth varıous travelers whom passed by.

Today ı took the tram, whıch ıs quıck, cheap and effcıcıent, to Dolmabahçe Palaceş just north on the European sıde of the Bosphorus. It was a lovely palace and whıle there were groups, they were shuffled through by effııent tour gıdes, so ıt was organızed.

I am faırly tıred now, so ı wıll eıther have a nap now or make ıt an early nıght. Tomorrow ı plan to vısıt the Prınces’ Islands.

This week is passing at a delightfuly slow pace. I feel like ı have been gone for a month.
Thanks for checking in.

Europe Finland Russia Trip 2007

Wandering (Farther) North

Good morning from beautiful Helsinki.

We arrived at the ferry terminal in Tallinn one hour before our supposed departure only to find…our ship had sailed. I pride myself on being a bright girl- i’m in law school for crying out loud – and yet, I cannot tell time. I’ve never been particularly good at reading clocks, but I get by. One thing I have never been able to sort out is the bloody 24 hour clock. I had our confirmation which said we were leaving at 13:30, but somehow it had registered in my brain as being 3:30, not 1:30. I am retarded. Fortunately there was another ship leaving at 4:15 (sadly though this one did not have a cigar lounge). The ship was large and well-appointed and quite comfortable. The ride took 2.5 hours.

We arrived and a taxi driver with a penchant for “Cosby Show” analogies whisked us to our new abode: Gasthaus Omapoja, which is terribly charming and as our taxi driver noted, when I asked if it was a good location, “It is in the heart of the centre of Helsinki”. This may be our nicest lodging yet (with the possible exception of Amsterdam).

Due to the ferry mishap, we arrived a bit later than anticipated, so we simply went out for dinner and walked around the city a bit. Our location is truly excellent and both Betty Lou and I are quite excited to see what a beautiful city Helsinki is. There is much to see, so i’ll sign off here and get to seeing things.

Näkemiin (goodbye)

d/b

Tag: ferry