Category: travel

not Kiteboarding …

On By Rick McIn health & fitness, travelLeave a comment

After our week long gymnastics coaching clinic in Manila, I flew down to Boracay for some R&R.

Bulabog Beach is the main windsurfing and kiteboarding area, one of the best in the world.

kiteboarding superstar Susi Mai

Kiteboarding (or kitesurfing) has been described as combining wakeboarding, windsurfing, surfing, paragliding, and gymnastics into one extreme sport. …

There were 50 kites out for every Windsurfer today.

Click PLAY or see how it looks from above on YouTube.

A one day introductory course costs about a hundred dollars in Boracay. Know that you can easily drown, tangle, collide or be blown into palm trees in one of those flimsy rigs.

I’ll jog the beach instead. 🙂

arrived Boracay …

On By Rick McIn gymnastics, travel2 Comments

My week long Gymnastics Coaching course in Manila ended, I planned to bus to the rugged mountains of the northern Philippines for hiking.

… yet somehow I ended up here.

Boracay seems to be a Russian resort, judging by the most spoken language on the beach.

It’s a second rater:

… “Travelers’ Choice 2011” by TripAdvisor as the second best beach (out of 25) in the world. Boracay made a debut appearance on the Top 10 Islands list in the Travel + Leisure travel magazine World’s Best Awards 2011, ranking fourth. …

allergic to cigarette smokers

On By Rick McIn anti-smoking, travel1 Comment

“If you love your family, celebrate it by contributing to your own early death.”

From the July 1962 Popular Science magazine.

Boing Boing

I was impressed with how much Japan has changed in 20yrs. Smoking areas are very restricted. And everyone complies.

China — on the other hand — is much worse than 20yrs ago. More affluence means more chain smoking anywhere, anytime. It’s bloody awful. A good reason to avoid travel in China altogether.

Tian Hou Temple, Macao

On By Rick McIn photos, travelLeave a comment

I took the short, crowded ferry from Hong Kong to Macao to visit a friend. And see two circus shows. (Both excellent.)

My one morning free I squeezed in a day hike starting at Tian Hou Temple, a religious complex with a museum, retreat and medical centre.

The impressive white jade A-Ma statue was added in 1998, part of the celebration of Chinese takeover from Portugal.

More photos of the statue by Omar. Or check my own photos of the temple site.

Life in Japan – the books

On By Rick McIn books, travel1 Comment

Shiro Tanaka gave me this book, insisting it’s the best available for the Gaijin tourist. Trying to get by in the Japanese language.

source

Dana lived in Japan. And recommends this hilarious primer for anyone going.

… Not since George Bush’s memorable dinner with the Japanese prime minister has the Land of the Rising Sun seen the likes of a goodwill ambassador like Dave Barry. Join him as he belts out oldies in a karaoke bar, marries a geriatric geisha girl, takes his first bath in public, bows to just about everyone, and explores culture shock in all its numerous humorous forms …

Dave Barry Does Japan

An Idiot Abroad

On By Rick McIn humour, travel, TV1 Comment

Warren recommended this British reality TV comedy — An Idiot Abroad …

It’s another in the series where Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant make fun of their friend Karl Pilkington. In general, I don’t like their mean humour.

But in this program, Karl is the star. One of those genuinely hilarious characters that don’t even know they are funny.

…An Idiot Abroad charts Pilkington’s reactions when visiting the New Seven Wonders of the World, as well as the situations he’s placed in and cultural differences and idiosyncrasies in the countries he visits. …

Click PLAY or watch the series preview on YouTube.

First stop for Karl was chaotic China. His befuddlement was somewhat familiar to me, too, having come directly from polite, strict and orderly Japan.

Click PLAY or watch a China preview on YouTube.

A second year (the show renewed) has Karl doing his “Bucket List” (things to do before he dies).

Christmas in Asia

On By Rick McIn humour, travelLeave a comment

It’s amazing how enthusiastically retailers in the heathen 🙂 far East have embraced the birth of Christ, our Lord and Savior.

All born again Christmassivesaleians.

See more photos from Japan, Hong Kong and Macao.

essential reading for Japan

On By Rick McIn books, travel3 Comments

Any gaijin traveling to Japan MUST read these two historical fictions first.

In fact, I recommend everyone read the entire Asian Saga (6 novels).

After that … get The Lady and the Monk: Four Seasons in Kyoto.