Adventures with Julia

Friday, October 5, 2012

Over the Pacific Ocean

Dear Friends and Family,

We are finally on our way west to the Far East in a Cathay Pacific tube pointed toward Hong Kong, where we will have a short layover and then press on to Bangkok.   Tom Lastick, our Asia Transpacific Journeys (ATJ) agent, has thankfully booked us a room at the airport hotel there so we can get some sleep before the next leg to Luang Prabang, Laos.

This adventure has already been different from any trip we have done and has given me more angst than North Korea, which was a cakewalk.  (I am more and more convinced that if you want to travel safely, visit communist countries.  Everyone behaves as they are told.  They want $$ so badly that tourists are treated with kid gloves.)

Anyway, Tom called 10 days ago to say that there was some unrest in an area we planned to visit so he wanted to send us to a beach resort for three days to use up the time we were scheduled to spend in a little visited but fascinating area in the far west, called Mrauk U (Mraw Oo).   As there seemed no other alternative, we agreed.  A new itinerary arrived and I packed some beach ware.  Four days ago, he called and said that the problems in Mrauk U, which consisted of clashes between Muslims and Buddhists, had passed and we were OK to go there after all.  I repacked.  Yesterday, he called again to say that another area in the far North of the country where we were to spend several days had issued a warning and our request to visit was denied.   We told Tom to do whatever he needed to give us an interesting and safe experience, even if we had to stay in less desirable facilities.    We agreed to leave home as planned and he agreed to be in touch when he had revisions for us to approve.   Fortunately, all these changes were to occur in the latter part of our itinerary.

At the airport this afternoon, I decided to call ATJ to see if anything had yet been arranged.  Tom’s assistant told us our permit had been issued today after all, they had it in hand and our original plan is back in action.   Sure hope it stays that way.  It is already an interesting adventure and we have barely left home.   Sounds rather strange to need a permit to visit a specific place within the country.  I have read that very few tourists visit the north and permits, which can take 2 weeks to get, are required.  That could explain why there are so few tourists.   Tom persisted with these arrangements as he knows we like to go off the beaten path.  We may be learning lots of strange things soon.

Now I will settle in for the long flight and hope to get some sleep.   Wishing us all sweet dreams.

Saturday, October 6,  Hong Kong Airport

Well, Cathay Pacific does a nice job.  Gave us good food, a dark cabin and quiet.  We actually got a few hours of sleep.  The seats are set at a 45 degree angle to the front of the plane with room for only one on each side of the aisle.  They slide to a flat position and provide lots of privacy with cubbies for all your stuff.  In fact, they do not allow for any conviviality as there are 2 foot dividers between each seat and we were across the aisle from one another.

Having brushed my teeth, I am now feeling pretty good.  Also have a hook up here so will send this piece while I can.

Have a blessed day, Julia