TIANANMEN SQUARE. PLEASE DONT POINT THAT AT ME.

Posted by on May 24, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Please dont point that thing at me! (see guy on right… he seems upset)? These guys are right outside of Chairman Mao’s Mausoleum. Wait till you hear my story about visiting Mao in the show (under construction). * Make sure you are on my email list for show announcements.You get used to being a moving photo op for chinese tourists who all want photos with the random foreigner (it will...
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I ATE A SCORPION, A CATERPILLAR and A SILK WORM.

Posted by on May 23, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments And I dont think I would order them again. Eee-yuk. *The scorpion was the least iccky.This centipede might be way smaller than the scorpion, but it packs a quite a punch of “flavour.” I will likely never be found in a line up to order another.
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GREAT WALL MARATHON!

Posted by on May 21, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments What a cool event. Capacity crowds and a really great day. I did the half marathon distance but now wish I did the full just for the pleasure of covering that section of the wall again. People from 52 countries came to partake and everyone seemed to have had a good time. Not a fast time though since those walls are steep!)This South American fellow raced it pretty much barefoot!
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TRYING TO GET TO REMOTE HUANG HUA… FIASCO EXTRAORDINAIRE

Posted by on May 21, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments It might seem easy enough, but getting basic transport to the small town where the marathon was taking place was just a crazy adventure… an array of subways, trains, buses, cabs, hitchiking, etc. A 3 hour trip took me SEVEN HOURS!Little did i know the village I was asking for was SO tiny that no one really knew where it was and how to help me.Fastest train in China. 339 km per hour…...
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TREACHEROUS CLIFF CLIMB AND GREAT VIEWS

Posted by on May 16, 2011 in BLOG | 1 comment This is one of the main reasons I went to China… There are two really challenging pathways in mountains that I heard of about 6 years ago. One in Spain called Camino Del Rey, and this one in Hua Shan in China. I had such a grand adventure here and will have quite a story to tell in the show… meanwhile here are images of this amazing mountain.West Peak. The most high traffic area of...
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KANGDING – YOU COULD WHITEWATER KAYAK IN THE CITY.

Posted by on May 13, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments This might be the only city where you could actually whitewater kayak right through town. The water is really moving and there are some white caps for sure
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BYPASSING THE CENSORS

Posted by on May 12, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Thanks so much to Mariska in Vancouver for posting some of my bl og stuffs from China. Cen sorship here means that FB, T wit, Yo utube and all Bl ogs are inacc essible in Ch ina. Intentional mispellings. I am sure you will figure it out.(Location: William is in Kangding, Kham province, China – – pretty much Tibet really)
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AMAZING CATARACT SURGERY RESTORES VISION (IN 10 MINUTES)

Posted by on May 12, 2011 in BLOG | 2 comments Ok, maybe 12 minutes. but totally amazing. These sisters had cataracts in both eyes and this is what they travelled 3 days (1200 km) for. Surgery on the first eye. Fascinating procedure and I was lucky to be witness to it all while in Kangding. A weight is placed on the eye before surgery – I think to help freezing work best. Me in surgery. Moving delicately. This is precise work. Recovery...
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BEST MONEY I HAVE EVER SPENT! I BOUGHT VISION FOR THREE TIBETANS

Posted by on May 11, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Seva (based in Vancouver) is a wonderful group that helps subsidize Cataract Surgeries for countless Tibetans (and people all over the world). I was lucky to get to Kangding to see this great hospital in action. I had planned to cover the cost of one person’s surgery, but after meeting these three sisters who travelled THREE DAYS to cover the 1200 KMS to get here, I felt compelled to pay...
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CHALLENGING CHINESE ROADS?

Posted by on May 10, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments On the way to Kangding, I saw this truck that went over the edge. Nasty accident.You can see in the other photo that people pass like crazy too where there is not really too much room.
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MONKEYS ALWAYS WIN

Posted by on May 9, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Monkeys on the trail up Emei Shan are infamous for taking exactly what they want. Very Aggressive. Bringing up a plastic bag here!? Not a good idea at all. Great to watch the mayhem from silly tourists who ignored all warnings. (Location: Emei Shan, Sichuan, China)
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HEY BIG EARS! (GIANT BUDDHA IN LESHAN)

Posted by on May 8, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments The Giant Buddha in Leshan, Sichuan, China. At over 71 M tall this guy is the biggest standing buddha. Each toe is 8.5 Meters. His ears are 7 m tall. He is a big fella! I got a nice photo of the little sprig growing in his left ear that maybe you can see in this photo. People are WARNED NOT to go on Sundays due to massive crowds, but as you can see that made it lucky for me since the packed...
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20 HOURS IN BED. SICK SUCKS

Posted by on May 8, 2011 in BLOG | 1 comment I dont know what I got, but it was rough. Didn’t really leave bed for 20 hours. Totally listless and in pain. Harsh yucckiness for days.(Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China)
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THIS DVD PLAYER DOES NOT PLAY ACTION FILMS

Posted by on May 6, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments The first DVD player made that clearly prefers films to be less violent.(Location: ZHAOXING, Guanxi, China)
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ENJOY YOUR FREEDOM

Posted by on May 2, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Censorship in China… William asked me to post this for him: “Hello from China where the authorities are not so keen on you being able to access blogs, Facebook or Youtube. None of those are accessible online. I am trying to find a workaround (and there are some), so stay tuned. I have lots more cool stuff to share. *Apparently looking for Tianamen Square in Wikipedia can either...
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MUD PIT! THE COOLEST (AND DIRTIEST) CAVE IN ASIA

Posted by on May 1, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments One of the more intriguing caves you can visit in Asia. Funny we spent 6 hours in there (including 5 power outages – *with no backup lighting of course) and had a great time. Even better when we finally exited to find out we missed a massive downpour. Some worried cave water was rising though! Boating into the cave This will do wonders for my complexion. Freaking out the...
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RICHARD DREYFUSS’ FAVORITE GAS STATION?

Posted by on Apr 30, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments OK, this is a bit of a test of your pop culture savviness? Do you get it? Ba ha.
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SALUTE TO MANNERS…

Posted by on Apr 27, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments This is self explanatory I think :-). This was within 20 meters of a toilet.(Location: Dragon Backbone Terraces, Guilin, Guanxi, China)
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HIDE AND SEEK IS FUN NO MATTER YOUR AGE

Posted by on Apr 27, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments April 27, 2011 – This was taken at the start of the trek of the “Dragon’s Backbone Terrace” near Guilin China.Not often you get ancient stone carvings to hide behind.
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KFC DELIVERS!

Posted by on Apr 27, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments What more do you need in life?(Location: Guilin, Guanxi, China)
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WELCOME TO CHINA. WOULD YOU LIKE YOUR NEON BRIGHT, EXTRA BRIGHT, OR INSANE-TACULAR!?

Posted by on Apr 26, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments This is low key traffic toll both on the way to Chengdu after flying in from Shenzhen.(Location: Chengdu, Sichuan, China)
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MATH IN AN ELEVATOR

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Not every elevator goes to every floor, so you better pay attention (there will be a test)(Location: Mirador Mansions, Hong Kong, China)
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HONG KONG HOTEL ROOM

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 1 comment 50 US per night and the room is as big as the bed. What a hoot!
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SUMPTUOUS BREAKFAST! (JUST FOR ME?)

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Six delicately arranged pure white bread toast-ettes, one “orange” beverage, a plop of jam and lump of margarine… A complete breakfast!
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HONG KONG HEADACHE… MSG is bad!

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments I think that won ton soup I had for breakfast might have had its share of Mono Sodium Glutamate. Used for flavour, but famous for giving whopping headaches. I have a one now… no fun. I hope I can avoid MSG for the rest of the China trip. If you dont want MSG you can always order the “RANCID”! See photo below.
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BANAUE RICE TERRACES

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Trekking the Banaue Rice Terraces” is a great addition to any bucket list.
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BROCCOLI BATHROOM

Posted by on Apr 25, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments I am in Hong Kong in a room so small that you have to get on the bed to close the door. It is as big as the bed! Toilet here too but it reeks like old Broccoli! Gross. If you are unfamiliar with this smell I encourage you to find some so you too can relive this classy hotel experience.
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WHY DID THE CHICKEN CROSS THE ROAD?

Posted by on Apr 24, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments To become dinner! This was is a creative way to cook chicken…. Hey is that your van by the way?(Location: Manila, Philippines)
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SPELUNKING!

Posted by on Apr 24, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments This cave in Sagada was just amazing! Just like any other at first, but once it got to the wet part (where you remove your shoes to squirm through well tunnels, it got really amazing! I just loved it!
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CRUCIFIXION ANYONE?

Posted by on Apr 23, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Just back from the “Crucifiction Festival” north of Manila. Great fun for the whole family. Watch people get nailed to crosses while eating your ice cream and buying “Sponge Bob” balloons. Really.
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WANT TO VOLUNTEER TO BE CRUCIFIED? YOU’LL HAVE TO LINE UP!

Posted by on Apr 22, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Yep, they really nail them to crosses on Good Friday in San Fernando Pampagna just north of Manila. All volunteers too. THey must really have some serious sins to atone for to warrant this kind of punishment. There is also a parade of men doing some self flagellation till they bleed (self whipping). Some devotees stop at various locations where volunteers (from moms to kids) will take a try at...
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LIKE EGGS? MAYBE NOT AFTER THIS

Posted by on Apr 21, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Most everyone LOVES BALUT in the Philippines. They are eggs that have been boiled just 5 days before hatching. That means you get to eat feathers, claws, eyes, beak and all the other exciting bits. Seriously everyone loves them. Wait till you hear in the show what happened when I ate one.(Location: Road back to Manila from Sagada, Philippines)
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SUPER SPELUNKING!

Posted by on Apr 20, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments I have been in lots of caves, but this one was really amazing! Wait till you see the video of us navigating through tiny openings in the water filled cave. Just trippy. I loved it and am darn lucky I didn’t wreck all my gear!(Location: Sagada, Mountain Region, Philippines)
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WOULD I LIKE A WOOD BIKE? WOULD I EVER!

Posted by on Apr 20, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Shot from the roof of a Jeepney, but I met these boys one day earlier and was impressed by their bikes. They use these scooters (with brake) to bring wood down the hill.< (Location: Sagada, Mountain Region, Philippines)
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2 DAY WALK IN RICE PATTIES IN BANAUE PHILIPPINES

Posted by on Apr 19, 2011 in BLOG | 1 comment This should go on your bucket list. GREAT place to walk. Spectacular, but you need a good sense of balance…
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28 HOUR BUS RIDE WHEN YOU ARE SICK SUCKS…

Posted by on Apr 17, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Left Legaspi yesterday at 6:30 pm and arrived in Banaue at 8:30 pm. I am not only exhausted, I am really sick. on the mend a bit now, but the first 16 hours were horrendous. I ate a BALUT (because I had to for the show) and didnt expect it would almost kill me ;-). What is a BALUT… well that is a 25 day old egg… only 4 days from hatching and then the cook it and eat it. Little beak,...
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DIVING WITH WHALE SHARKS

Posted by on Apr 16, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments This 18 M long Whale Shark is a smaller one. Largest one I heard of here was 36 M. They are harmless and feed on plankton that cloud the sea here. This taken from video.(Location: Donsol, Bicol, Philippines)
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VOLCANO CLIMBING!

Posted by on Apr 13, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments It might not look too tough and it is only 2400 m, but… one person went to hospital, one person got sunstroke, one girl ripped arms and hands up quite a bit (see photo below) and we were all totally exhausted. *there were two pairs of pants that didnt survive the trip as well!
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A WAITER NAMED DONG DONG

Posted by on Apr 11, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments You know it is going to be great food when someone named DONG DONG is serving it. The restaurant was called “Fort Wally” which is equally amusing!! (On way back to Puerto Princessa from El Nido.. 7 hour mini bus trip) .
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THANK GOODNESS FOR AIR CON!

Posted by on Apr 11, 2011 in BLOG | 0 comments Fans are fine, but it is hot and sticky here, so the a/c in this room is welcome! Now have to foray out into the hot wet air for dinner. Will I lose more weight than I consume on the 30 min walk there? Stay tuned 😉
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