I was in Vancouver, BC last week and came across this alley in skid row that caught my eye.  Incredible art!

Clipped this out of a Delhi, India newspaper during my visit in 2001.  I would really like to go but it’s a very LARGE pilgramige and in 2001 it was the largest recorded religious gathering in history.  70 million!!  A little intimidating considering it’s 99% men and how the hell would a blond woman fit in?  The next one is 2013 and I would consider going now that I am a bit more….ahem….mature.   The whole experience would be amazing!  Hindus from all over the world come for this alignment of the planets and to bathe in the sacred Ganges River every 12 years.  I love to photograph Sadhus, only with their permission of course.  They are some of the most fascinating people in the world to me!   

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kumbh_Mela

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sadhu

http://www.postsecret.com/

An amazing city but communist none the less.  Hard to get a smile from people and the pollution was memorable but nothing like other places I have visited….. Hanoi has changed immensely since I last visited so I will post old and new pictures…..A familiar place but yet unknown.  I think you could travel in Vietnam many, many times and still not truly be familiar with it!

An economical way to cut the grass?

Bye, bye Bali….Good morning Vietnam.  I have to admit it felt really great to be back in Vietnam and the first thing I wanted to do was have a bowl of pho’.  This is the best soup in the entire world!   Alright, I’ll admit that I also needed a side of Vietnamese spring rolls pronto!

We decided to treat ourselves so we checked into the most fantastic hotel in all of Hanoi, the Sofitel Legend Metropole. Built in 1901 it’s a legendary place for the luxurious world class traveler.  Of course the French architecture, food and history all come along with it.  It truly was one of the biggest treats in all my travel days but I have to admit it was a bit up tight for me.  I honestly would have rather stayed in a 1/2 assed place and had more fun with the other guests and staff.   The Sofitel is situated in one of the best locations for discovering all Hanoi has to offer within walking distance.  What a beautiful city!

For over 1000 years the Balinese have considered Pura Titra one of the most sacred temples.  The water springs are very beautiful and believed to have healing and cleansing merit.  If you need to cleanse your soul this is the place to go.

A very old and sacred Hindu shrine in Bali with 1000’s of bats.  The stench of the bats is actually all I remember as it’s overwhelming!  

A bird sanctuary in Ubud, Bali.  First time I have ever seen a bird of paradise!

Komodo Dragon

Asia has some of the best food in the world!  The range of spices and flavors is mmmmm.  Makes my mouth water just thinking about it!  I love Thai food but it has to be some of the spiciest food in the world!  Don’t get me wrong, I love spicy but some Thai dishes can really take your breath away.  Some of the food is very unusual including the roasted bugs which I have tried and they just taste like spicy crispy things.  Watching them prepare it and how they store it can sometimes make one feel slightly uneasy before it’s even eaten. 

Making Curry

Making Chapatis in a round oven