Laos is a communist country, but like most communist countries today, capitalism is alive and well. Communist flags fly from the front of many buildings. The major tourist locations are quite developed, providing most of the services of Thailand. There are far more tourists in the northern part of Laos Continue Reading
Observations
First Impressions of Bangkok
Bangkok is a very different place than when Patrick traveled here twenty years ago, and very different than the other large cities we’ve been to on our travels. The city is very modern looking. There are a lot of sky scrapers. The shopping area looks like a futuristic version of Continue Reading
Observations about Nepal
The majority of people in Nepal are Hindu rather than Buddhist as we had expected. In the mountains, the majority are Buddhist. Prayer flags and prayer wheels are common. Almost the entire Nepali royal family was killed in a murder suicide by one of the crown princes in 2001, leading Continue Reading
Observations about India
Men where pants here, regardless of the temperature. Usually only boys (and tourists) wear shorts. Indian women typically wear a sari (a single piece of cloth that is wrapped without pins or buttons) or a salwar kameez (a long shirt and trouser combination). Younger people prefer jeans, despite the fact Continue Reading
Observations about East and Southern Africa
People have a vague understanding of Canada, and a generally positive impression. Some think it is part of the US. Many know that it is cold there, and can quote the city names of ‘Toronto’ and ‘Vancouver’, even though they have no idea where these are. The majority of the Continue Reading
Observations about Malawi
Malawi is a beautiful country extending in a narrow strip along the western shore of Lake Malawi. The lake covers one-fifth of the country’s total area. People are very friendly. Most speak English. The first Europeans to reach Malawi were the Portuguese in 1616, but the most famous explorer to Continue Reading
Observations about Burundi
Burundi has experienced a similar history to Rwanda. They were both German then Belgian colonies, and both have experienced civil wars and ethnic violence along Hutu-Tutsi lines. The violence in Burundi continued until very recently, with the last rebel group laying down its arms in 2008. Burundi is the most Continue Reading
Observations about Rwanda
Rwanda is known at the ‘Land of 1000 Hills’. It is a lush green country, with many mountains, almost all of which are cultivated by hand in a beautiful patchwork. It is expensive. Prices in the capital, Kigale, are about the same as Vancouver. Imported goods are a lot more Continue Reading
Observations about Uganda
It is lush and green, even now at the end of the dry season. It is one of the safest countries in Africa. It is known as “The Pearl of Africa”. The staple dish is ‘matoke’, a mash of cooked plantains. It tastes like very gluey potatoes, but lumpier and Continue Reading
Observations about Kenya
Some of our observations about Kenya: The temperature and humidity varies greatly based on elevation and proximity to the ocean. Very few people smoke. Far fewer than in Canada. The ‘matatu’, a shared mini-bus holding 16 people, is the most common form of transport. Accidents are common despite safety improvements. Continue Reading