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<title>
TravBuddy.com: cmgervais's Around the world in 6 months or so.  travel blog</title>
<copyright>Copyright 2005 TravBuddy LLC</copyright>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/blogs/26844</link>
<description>FOUR months down and just over two to go! It&apos;s been a fantastic adventure so far. Thanks for your smiles, comments and messages -- keep them coming!                         </description>
<language>en-us</language>
<lastBuildDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:12:45 PST</lastBuildDate>
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<title>D-d-d-diving the Adriatic. (Brrrrrrrrr!)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/D-d-d-diving-the-Adriatic-Brrrrrrrrr-Dubrovnik-202</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 18 Aug 2008 01:12:45 PST</pubDate>
<description>D-d-d-diving the Adriatic. (Brrrrrrrrr!)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubrovnik-travel-guide-999507">Dubrovnik, Croatia</a>, Aug 18, 2008</p>
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When the dive master handed me a thick (5 mil) full-length wetsuit, it didn’t cause me too much concern. I asked, “Is it cold here?” and he...</p>
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<title>Dubrovnik by sea. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dubrovnik-by-sea-Dubrovnik-201</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 17 Aug 2008 23:58:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dubrovnik by sea. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubrovnik-travel-guide-999507">Dubrovnik, Croatia</a>, Aug 17, 2008</p>
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Steve and I were warned that parking in Dubrovnik would be challenging at best, and that it would be best to take a ferry. So we shelled out $50 ...</p>
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<title>Taking the high road from Split to Dubrovnik. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Taking-the-high-road-from-Split-to-Dubrovnik-Cavtat-200</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 16 Aug 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Taking the high road from Split to Dubrovnik. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Cavtat-travel-guide-998815">Cavtat, Croatia</a>, Aug 16, 2008</p>
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    The coastal road from Split to Dubrovnik was slow going, high up on the cliff side, with all sorts of twists, turns and many exasperatingly s...</p>
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<title>Splitsville. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Splitsville-Dalmatia-198</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:34:38 PST</pubDate>
<description>Splitsville. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dalmatia-travel-guide-1314979">Dalmatia, Croatia</a>, Aug 15, 2008</p>
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          Today was a special “bank holiday” in Croatia, which means that everything -- even the grocery stores (!) -- was closed. We and doz...</p>
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<title>On the road again -- Opatija to Split</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/On-the-road-again-Opatija-to-Split-Dalmatia-197</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 14 Aug 2008 22:35:51 PST</pubDate>
<description>On the road again -- Opatija to Split</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dalmatia-travel-guide-1314979">Dalmatia, Croatia</a>, Aug 14, 2008</p>
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  We left Opatija fairly early for our long drive, anticipating Romanian-like conditions. But there were no construction delays, no stop-and-go t...</p>
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<title>The Italian side of Croatia. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-Italian-side-of-Croatia-Motovun-196</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 13 Aug 2008 08:00:06 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Italian side of Croatia. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Motovun-travel-guide-1001868">Motovun, Croatia</a>, Aug 13, 2008</p>
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In the northernmost corner of Croatia there is a peninsula called Istria. This small triangle of land borders Slovenia in the north, and just a s...</p>
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<title>Walking the walk, and smoking other people’s cigarettes. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Walking-the-walk-and-smoking-other-peoples-cigarettes-Opatija-195</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:53:38 PST</pubDate>
<description>Walking the walk, and smoking other people’s cigarettes. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Opatija-travel-guide-1002148">Opatija, Croatia</a>, Aug 12, 2008</p>
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    Opatija is a long, narrow city, snaked out along the coast of the Adriaic Sea. It is fronted by a stone promenade, which my guidebook says ex...</p>
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<title>Three meals in three countries: LUNCH.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Three-meals-in-three-countries-LUNCH-Trieste-193</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:05:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Three meals in three countries: LUNCH.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Trieste-travel-guide-278978">Trieste, Italy</a>, Aug 11, 2008</p>
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      Lunch in ItalyThe entry into Italy was pretty anti-climatic. No passport stamp, no immigration, we just drove right in. But still...it&apos;s ni...</p>
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<title>Three meals in three countries: DINNER.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Three-meals-in-three-countries-DINNER-Opatija-194</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 01:37:32 PST</pubDate>
<description>Three meals in three countries: DINNER.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Opatija-travel-guide-1002148">Opatija, Croatia</a>, Aug 11, 2008</p>
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    Dinner in CroatiaYou would think that driving from Slovenia to Italy and back through Slovenia to Croatia would take a long time. Days, perha...</p>
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<title>Three meals in three countries: BREAKFAST.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Three-meals-in-three-countries-BREAKFAST-Ljubljana-192</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 11 Aug 2008 00:37:17 PST</pubDate>
<description>Three meals in three countries: BREAKFAST.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Ljubljana-travel-guide-1168869">Ljubljana, Slovenia</a>, Aug 11, 2008</p>
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    Breakfast in SloveniaThe breakfast buffet at Grand Union Hotel is very nice -- we will miss it, and lovely Ljubljana, too. We checked out of ...</p>
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<title>A Sunday drive in Slovenia. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-Sunday-drive-in-Slovenia-travel-blogs-and-reviews-191</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 10 Aug 2008 08:40:10 PST</pubDate>
<description>A Sunday drive in Slovenia. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Slovenia-travel-guide-c242">Slovenia</a>, Aug 10, 2008</p>
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Lovely Ljubljana was pretty well closed for business again this Sunday morning, but there was a street market of sorts, with vendors selling anti...</p>
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<title>Sweet Slovenia.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sweet-Slovenia-Ljubljana-190</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 09 Aug 2008 00:00:02 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sweet Slovenia.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Ljubljana-travel-guide-1168869">Ljubljana, Slovenia</a>, Aug 09, 2008</p>
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Today we had breakfast in Budapest, flew to Zagreb and picked up a rental car, then arrived in Ljubljana well in time for dinner. Three European ca...</p>
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<title>Budapest sightseeing, round three. (My feet cry Uncle!)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Budapest-sightseeing-round-three-My-feet-cry-Uncle-Budapest-187</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 08 Aug 2008 23:24:19 PST</pubDate>
<description>Budapest sightseeing, round three. (My feet cry Uncle!)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Budapest-travel-guide-994847">Budapest, Hungary</a>, Aug 08, 2008</p>
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(A quick blog again today, as all this writing is interrupting my Olympic game viewing and my time in Slovenia!)Budapest is huge, with sooo many ...</p>
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<title>Giving the Budapest Cards a workout.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Giving-the-Budapest-Cards-a-workout-Budapest-186</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 07 Aug 2008 22:03:18 PST</pubDate>
<description>Giving the Budapest Cards a workout.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Budapest-travel-guide-994847">Budapest, Hungary</a>, Aug 07, 2008</p>
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  When Steve and I arrived in Budapest, we purchased two Budapest Cards. These cards cost $53 each and allow us into various museums for free. Po...</p>
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<title>Budapest sightseeing: taking it from the top. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Budapest-sightseeing-taking-it-from-the-top-Budapest-185</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 06 Aug 2008 23:29:20 PST</pubDate>
<description>Budapest sightseeing: taking it from the top. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Budapest-travel-guide-994847">Budapest, Hungary</a>, Aug 06, 2008</p>
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    The city of Budapest is split in half by the Danube River. On the west side, you have the area called Buda; on the east side, there is Pest. ...</p>
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<title>You want HOW MUCH for that Chupa Chups???! </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/You-want-HOW-MUCH-for-that-Chupa-Chups-Bucharest-183</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:01:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>You want HOW MUCH for that Chupa Chups???! </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bucharest-travel-guide-1160055">Bucharest, Romania</a>, Aug 05, 2008</p>
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  We drove from Brasov to Bucharest to catch our flight today and it was pretty much like every drive has been in Romania : slow and frustrating!...</p>
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<title>Saying hello to Hungary. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Saying-hello-to-Hungary-Budapest-184</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Aug 2008 09:19:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>Saying hello to Hungary. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Budapest-travel-guide-994847">Budapest, Hungary</a>, Aug 05, 2008</p>
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      We are making our way across Eastern Europe, and now here we are in Budapest. Amazing, to finally see these countries that were so dark and...</p>
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<title>I got the Two-Lane-Highway Blues. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/I-got-the-Two-Lane-Highway-Blues-Transylvania-182</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 04 Aug 2008 21:48:58 PST</pubDate>
<description>I got the Two-Lane-Highway Blues. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Transylvania-travel-guide-1321732">Transylvania, Romania</a>, Aug 04, 2008</p>
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Another day, another drive to a small Transylvanian town. Driving in Romania has been more of a chore than a fun road-trip adventure. Even the majo...</p>
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<title>Dracula found! Alive and well, living in Bran. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dracula-found-Alive-and-well-living-in-Bran-Transylvania-181</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 03 Aug 2008 07:05:08 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dracula found! Alive and well, living in Bran. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Transylvania-travel-guide-1321732">Transylvania, Romania</a>, Aug 03, 2008</p>
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Yesterday I commented on how the Transylvania I have seen has been surprisingly Dracula-free. Well today Steve and I found him alive and well in ...</p>
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<title>Dracula, where are you?</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dracula-where-are-you-Transylvania-180</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 02 Aug 2008 07:05:30 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dracula, where are you?</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Transylvania-travel-guide-1321732">Transylvania, Romania</a>, Aug 02, 2008</p>
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  Everyone knows of “Transylvania” from Bram Stoker’s horror novel Dracula. In reality, Bram Stoker was an Irishman who never visited Roman...</p>
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<title>History is right outside our door. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/History-is-right-outside-our-door-Transylvania-179</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 01 Aug 2008 22:24:34 PST</pubDate>
<description>History is right outside our door. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Transylvania-travel-guide-1321732">Transylvania, Romania</a>, Aug 01, 2008</p>
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We learned belatedly of a gargantuan construction project between Sibiu and Brasov and spent FOUR HOURS driving the 140 kilometers (85 miles) bet...</p>
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<title>Have we wandered into Germany? (First impressions of Transylvania.)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Have-we-wandered-into-Germany-First-impressions-of-Transylvania-Transylvania-178</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 31 Jul 2008 23:17:33 PST</pubDate>
<description>Have we wandered into Germany? (First impressions of Transylvania.)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Transylvania-travel-guide-1321732">Transylvania, Romania</a>, Jul 31, 2008</p>
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We are in Transylvania now, after an arduous 5-hour drive from Bucharest. We decided to depart at the height of rush hour (doh!) so it took forev...</p>
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<title>Hello again. Goodbye. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Hello-again-Goodbye-Istanbul-176</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:42:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Hello again. Goodbye. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 30, 2008</p>
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We have had a great month in Turkey, but definitely feel the urge to move on to something new.&amp;nbsp; Next stop: Romania!  We passed through Istan...</p>
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<title>The other side of Europe.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-other-side-of-Europe-Bucharest-177</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Jul 2008 20:53:53 PST</pubDate>
<description>The other side of Europe.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bucharest-travel-guide-1160055">Bucharest, Romania</a>, Jul 30, 2008</p>
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We are in Romania! I have done Western Europe to death, but this side of Europe is new territory for me. I am very excited to be here.I don&apos;t hav...</p>
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<title>It’s too hot for culture. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Its-too-hot-for-culture-Antalya-175</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Jul 2008 20:22:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>It’s too hot for culture. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Antalya-travel-guide-602439">Antalya, Turkey</a>, Jul 29, 2008</p>
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We really haven’t strayed far from the hotel since we arrived in Antalya, so today we decided to visit the Old Town and hit a museum or two. Ge...</p>
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<title>Swimming with the calamari. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Swimming-with-the-calamari-Antalya-174</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Jul 2008 22:40:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>Swimming with the calamari. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Antalya-travel-guide-602439">Antalya, Turkey</a>, Jul 28, 2008</p>
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  Diving the Mediterranean is nothing at all like diving the Caribbean, or the Red Sea, or anywhere I’ve been for that matter. There is no pesk...</p>
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<title>One hundred thousand words. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/One-hundred-thousand-words-Antalya-173</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Jul 2008 22:35:56 PST</pubDate>
<description>One hundred thousand words. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Antalya-travel-guide-602439">Antalya, Turkey</a>, Jul 27, 2008</p>
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    I am sure happy that I found the TB website. I have used it every day, and now I see I have logged over one hundred thousand words  for this ...</p>
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<title>Getting the most for our money.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Getting-the-most-for-our-money-Antalya-172</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:00:11 PST</pubDate>
<description>Getting the most for our money.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Antalya-travel-guide-602439">Antalya, Turkey</a>, Jul 26, 2008</p>
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DAY EIGHT of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: ANTALYA and TERMESSOS. Since our rooms were so expensive and we arrived late last night, we decid...</p>
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<title>Leaving Kas.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Leaving-Kas-Kas-168</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Leaving Kas.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kas-travel-guide-1311188">Kas, Turkey</a>, Jul 25, 2008</p>
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    Just posting a couple shots from our last morning at Hadrian&apos;s Hotel in Kas. We fell in love with the owner&apos;s dog, Willie. I wanted pack him ...</p>
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<title>Entrepreneurialism -- and altruism -- in Uçagiz.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Entrepreneurialism-and-altruism-in-Uagiz-Kekova-169</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Entrepreneurialism -- and altruism -- in Uçagiz.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kekova-travel-guide-1321495">Kekova, Turkey</a>, Jul 25, 2008</p>
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DAY SEVEN of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: KEKOVA SOUND. I thought we’d never get out of Uçagiz. We traveled by car to this small fishing...</p>
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<title>Olympos: the very best of the Turkish Mediterranean.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Olympos-the-very-best-of-the-Turkish-Mediterranean-Olympos-170</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:02 PST</pubDate>
<description>Olympos: the very best of the Turkish Mediterranean.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Olympos-travel-guide-1311187">Olympos, Turkey</a>, Jul 25, 2008</p>
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    STILL DAY SEVEN of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: OLYMPOS. Because of the small “temporary” spare tire on the car, I drove sloooowly ...</p>
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<title>Looking for a place to sleep. Any bed will do. Please?  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Looking-for-a-place-to-sleep-Any-bed-will-do-Please-Antalya-171</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Jul 2008 00:00:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>Looking for a place to sleep. Any bed will do. Please?  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Antalya-travel-guide-602439">Antalya, Turkey</a>, Jul 25, 2008</p>
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And it&apos;s STILL DAY SEVEN of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: ANTALYA. After our long day that included two ruined cities, a boat ride, a marath...</p>
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<title>How to beat the heat in the Mediterranean. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/How-to-beat-the-heat-in-the-Mediterranean-Kas-167</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Jul 2008 01:45:14 PST</pubDate>
<description>How to beat the heat in the Mediterranean. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kas-travel-guide-1311188">Kas, Turkey</a>, Jul 24, 2008</p>
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        DAY SIX of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: KAS. Our first mission of the morning (after breakfast, that is) was to find a boat trip fo...</p>
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<title>Here&apos;s one we could have skipped. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Heres-one-we-could-have-skipped-Kalkan-164</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Here&apos;s one we could have skipped. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kalkan-travel-guide-608946">Kalkan, Turkey</a>, Jul 23, 2008</p>
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      DAY FIVE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: LETOON. There are three pricing categories that we have found while visiting the ruins in Tu...</p>
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<title>Surrounded by blue. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Surrounded-by-blue-Kas-166</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 01:41:30 PST</pubDate>
<description>Surrounded by blue. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kas-travel-guide-1311188">Kas, Turkey</a>, Jul 23, 2008</p>
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      STILL DAY FIVE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: KAS. The last 40km on the road to Kas was by far the most picturesque of the trip so f...</p>
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<title>The ruins with a beach.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-ruins-with-a-beach-Patara-165</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>The ruins with a beach.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Patara-travel-guide-1325438">Patara, Turkey</a>, Jul 23, 2008</p>
<p>

  STILL DAY FIVE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: PATARA. Our next stop of the day was Patara...this site combines ancient ruins with a beac...</p>
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<title>Sunrise boat ride + turtles = a perfect day in Dalyan. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sunrise-boat-ride-turtles-a-perfect-day-in-Dalyan-Dalyan-163</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Jul 2008 09:30:32 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sunrise boat ride + turtles = a perfect day in Dalyan. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dalyan-travel-guide-605544">Dalyan, Turkey</a>, Jul 22, 2008</p>
<p>

    DAY FOUR of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip:DALYANWe stumbled sleepily down to the hotel’s pier at 5:45am and found our boat waiting at t...</p>
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<title>Pide perfection.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Pide-perfection-Tavas-160</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:32:06 PST</pubDate>
<description>Pide perfection.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Tavas-travel-guide-613874">Tavas, Turkey</a>, Jul 21, 2008</p>
<p>

  DAY THREE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: TAVAS.We were searching the roadside for a pide restaurant, and stumbled upon the BEST pide res...</p>
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<title>Pamukkale: the sight that was nearly loved to death. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Pamukkale-the-sight-that-was-nearly-loved-to-death-Pamukkale-159</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 01:07:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Pamukkale: the sight that was nearly loved to death. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Pamukkale-travel-guide-612259">Pamukkale, Turkey</a>, Jul 21, 2008</p>
<p>

DAY THREE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: PAMUKKALE. &amp;nbsp;Hallelujah, we managed to beat most of the tour buses to Pamukkale! We arrived a...</p>
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<title>Life&apos;s a peach.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Lifes-a-peach-Koycegiz-161</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:55:47 PST</pubDate>
<description>Life&apos;s a peach.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Koycegiz-travel-guide-610673">Koycegiz, Turkey</a>, Jul 21, 2008</p>
<p>

DAY THREE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: A fruit stand with a pile of huge peaches caught my eye as we drove through this small town and I...</p>
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<title>A more eco-friendly holiday spot, we hope. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-more-eco-friendly-holiday-spot-we-hope-Dalyan-162</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:10:17 PST</pubDate>
<description>A more eco-friendly holiday spot, we hope. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dalyan-travel-guide-605544">Dalyan, Turkey</a>, Jul 21, 2008</p>
<p>

  DAY THREE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: DALYAN.I am going to cheat here and recount what FODOR’S say about Dalyan, because it is what...</p>
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<title>Pine trees and pieces of an ancient civilization.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Pine-trees-and-pieces-of-an-ancient-civilization-Priene-154</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:57:43 PST</pubDate>
<description>Pine trees and pieces of an ancient civilization.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Priene-travel-guide-1312344">Priene, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip : PRIENE Our first stop of the day was Priene, ruins of an ancient Greek city that date back to 350 ...</p>
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<title>Hot bread and tomatoes. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Hot-bread-and-tomatoes-Pamukkale-158</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:54:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Hot bread and tomatoes. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Pamukkale-travel-guide-612259">Pamukkale, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

                   DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: PAMUKKALE.Our route had us drive back up north, and then east to Pamukkale. The ...</p>
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<title>We’re outta here. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Were-outta-here-Selcuk-153</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 04:54:50 PST</pubDate>
<description>We’re outta here. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Selcuk-travel-guide-1309233">Selcuk, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

  DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip. I woke up early and used the wi-fi in the lobby to work on my computer. After awhile, the recepti...</p>
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<title>Busy, busy beach town. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Busy-busy-beach-town-Altinkum-157</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:53:48 PST</pubDate>
<description>Busy, busy beach town. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Altinkum-travel-guide-602361">Altinkum, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

  DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: ALTINKUM.Next we stopped in Altinkum, hoping to find a cool beachside café for lunch. Things wer...</p>
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<title>Driving by Didyma. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Driving-by-Didyma-Didyma-156</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 06:53:15 PST</pubDate>
<description>Driving by Didyma. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Didyma-travel-guide-1312209">Didyma, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

  DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: DIDYMA.Our drive didn’t follow the coast, but offered us glimpses of the water here and there. ...</p>
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<title>Melting at Miletus. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Melting-at-Miletus-Miletos-155</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Jul 2008 05:14:08 PST</pubDate>
<description>Melting at Miletus. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Miletos-travel-guide-1323929">Miletos, Turkey</a>, Jul 20, 2008</p>
<p>

DAY TWO of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip: MILETUSOur second stop of the day was another ancient Greek city called Miletus. The first settlers...</p>
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<title>Big crowds at Ephesus. And some ruins, too. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Big-crowds-at-Ephesus-And-some-ruins-too-Selcuk-151</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:11:59 PST</pubDate>
<description>Big crowds at Ephesus. And some ruins, too. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Selcuk-travel-guide-1309233">Selcuk, Turkey</a>, Jul 19, 2008</p>
<p>

Still DAY ONE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip, SELÇUK and EPHESUS.  The drive from Izmir to Selcuk was only 80km (50 miles), and well marke...</p>
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<title>Kicking off the Beaches &amp; Ruins Road Trip!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Kicking-off-the-Beaches-Ruins-Road-Trip-Istanbul-149</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:43:02 PST</pubDate>
<description>Kicking off the Beaches &amp; Ruins Road Trip!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 19, 2008</p>
<p>

It may seem like we have really seen a lot of Turkey, but we are not done yet! Today was just the beginning of our Grand Finale…a road trip fro...</p>
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<title>Getting Ford Focused.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Getting-Ford-Focused-Izmir-150</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 03:51:13 PST</pubDate>
<description>Getting Ford Focused.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Izmir-travel-guide-608781">Izmir, Turkey</a>, Jul 19, 2008</p>
<p>

DAY ONE of the Beaches &amp;amp; Ruins Road Trip, IZMIR. Our flight to Izmir was short and sweet, but it took awhile to straighten out our car reserv...</p>
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<title>Dinner on the mountain. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dinner-on-the-mountain-Sirince-152</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Jul 2008 04:42:52 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dinner on the mountain. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sirince-travel-guide-1319540">Sirince, Turkey</a>, Jul 19, 2008</p>
<p>

We made the drive from Selcuk to Sirinçe in about 20 minutes, almost all up hill. Sirinçe is a cute little village full of small shops and frui...</p>
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<title>How much money can one Sultan spend? (Answer: ALL of it!)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/How-much-money-can-one-Sultan-spend-Answer-ALL-of-it-Istanbul-148</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Jul 2008 22:21:20 PST</pubDate>
<description>How much money can one Sultan spend? (Answer: ALL of it!)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 18, 2008</p>
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In 1853, Sultan Abdul Mecit (later credited with bankrupting the Empire) gave his architect free reign and an unlimited budget to build a structu...</p>
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<title>Just west of Tourist Central.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Just-west-of-Tourist-Central-Istanbul-147</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Jul 2008 07:21:06 PST</pubDate>
<description>Just west of Tourist Central.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 17, 2008</p>
<p>

  I have wanted to check out Kariye Museum since we arrived in Istanbul, but we’ve put it off because it’s on the Western side of the city an...</p>
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<title>Rained in.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Rained-in-Istanbul-146</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Jul 2008 12:02:50 PST</pubDate>
<description>Rained in.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 16, 2008</p>
<p>
When I got up the sky looked big, gray and epic ... soon the rain came, and it decided to stay all day. It zapped our motivation and created the pe...</p>
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<title>A little old, a little new. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-little-old-a-little-new-Istanbul-145</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Jul 2008 01:59:58 PST</pubDate>
<description>A little old, a little new. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 15, 2008</p>
<p>

    There is seemingly no end to the number of things to see and do and Istanbul. For the past few days we have explored (and been amazed in) the...</p>
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<title>A very Grand Bazaar.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-very-Grand-Bazaar-Istanbul-144</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Jul 2008 01:57:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>A very Grand Bazaar.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 14, 2008</p>
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      Mindful of yesterday’s crowds, we determined to get a head start over them and leave earlier today. We exited the apartment at a respecta...</p>
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<title>Tourists take over Topkapi Palace! Details here!  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Tourists-take-over-Topkapi-Palace-Details-here-Istanbul-143</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 13 Jul 2008 07:40:28 PST</pubDate>
<description>Tourists take over Topkapi Palace! Details here!  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 13, 2008</p>
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    Yesterday we ran into large numbers of tourists while visiting a variety of Old City sights. I said in my blog that Istanbul was “big enoug...</p>
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<title>Burning up the tourist track in Istanbul. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Burning-up-the-tourist-track-in-Istanbul-Istanbul-142</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:49:16 PST</pubDate>
<description>Burning up the tourist track in Istanbul. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 12, 2008</p>
<p>

  Several days ago I commented on the absence of tourists in Eastern Turkey. Well, we found them. They are all here in Istanbul. Today we (and ab...</p>
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<title>Un-tourists. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Un-tourists-Istanbul-141</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Jul 2008 23:00:56 PST</pubDate>
<description>Un-tourists. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 11, 2008</p>
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  Maybe most people race to the Blue Mosque and Topkapi on their first day in Istanbul. Not us. We stay in and do laundry. I woke up in the morni...</p>
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<title>People who live in glass houses.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/People-who-live-in-glass-houses-Istanbul-140</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Jul 2008 22:04:26 PST</pubDate>
<description>People who live in glass houses.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Istanbul-travel-guide-608771">Istanbul, Turkey</a>, Jul 10, 2008</p>
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  We landed in Istanbul at 4:30pm after another flight on dreaded Turkish Air. TA has earned the status of being our least favorite airline thus ...</p>
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<title>The town that tourism forgot. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-town-that-tourism-forgot-Gaziantep-139</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Jul 2008 00:10:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>The town that tourism forgot. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Gaziantep-travel-guide-606977">Gaziantep, Turkey</a>, Jul 09, 2008</p>
<p>

  We are clearly off the tourist track here in Gaziantep. Our first visit today was to the town’s top attraction, the Gaziantep Museum, and the...</p>
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<title>Pistachio Land. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Pistachio-Land-Gaziantep-138</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Pistachio Land. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Gaziantep-travel-guide-606977">Gaziantep, Turkey</a>, Jul 08, 2008</p>
<p>

  We drove from Urfa to Gaziantep in good time -- no one else was using the brand new super-duper mega tollway, so we had it almost all to oursel...</p>
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<title>Blown away.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Blown-away-Adiyaman-135</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Blown away.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Adiyaman-travel-guide-601728">Adiyaman, Turkey</a>, Jul 07, 2008</p>
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I woke up many times during the night and felt happy to be in a stone structure. Anything lighter could well have blown away! The wind howled ove...</p>
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<title>The pampered carp of Urfa. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-pampered-carp-of-Urfa-Sanliurfa-136</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>The pampered carp of Urfa. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sanliurfa-travel-guide-612729">Sanliurfa, Turkey</a>, Jul 07, 2008</p>
<p>

      Our drive from Mt. Nemrut to Sanliurfa (which also goes by its old name, Urfa, which is also faster to type) was quick and uneventful.  And...</p>
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<title>The art of doing nothing. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-art-of-doing-nothing-Adiyaman-134</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Jul 2008 06:24:20 PST</pubDate>
<description>The art of doing nothing. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Adiyaman-travel-guide-601728">Adiyaman, Turkey</a>, Jul 06, 2008</p>
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I woke up on my extra-firm twin bed and looked around our baby blue and purple room. It hadn’t improved overnight. I was determined to leave qu...</p>
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<title>Otel Kervansaray </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Nine-hours-to-the-summit-of-Mt-Nemrut-Adiyaman-133</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 07:17:28 PST</pubDate>
<description>Otel Kervansaray </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Adiyaman-travel-guide-601728">Adiyaman, Turkey</a>, Jul 05, 2008</p>
<p>
Otel Kervansaray will not win any design competitions with its baby blue and purple rooms, but despite the fact that I didn&apos;t like my ROOM very muc...</p>
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<title>Nine hours to the summit of Mt. Nemrut. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Nine-hours-to-the-summit-of-Mt-Nemrut-Adiyaman-133</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Jul 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Nine hours to the summit of Mt. Nemrut. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Adiyaman-travel-guide-601728">Adiyaman, Turkey</a>, Jul 05, 2008</p>
<p>

  At 9:30am we reluctantly left the Museum Hotel and headed out of the fairyland&amp;nbsp; Cappadocia. It was time to go east, to Mt. Nemrut. Good th...</p>
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<title>The deepest hobbit hole and the highest fairy chimney in all the land.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-deepest-hobbit-hole-and-the-highest-fairy-chimney-in-all-the-land-Cappadocia-131</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Jul 2008 22:43:46 PST</pubDate>
<description>The deepest hobbit hole and the highest fairy chimney in all the land.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Cappadocia-travel-guide-1315376">Cappadocia, Turkey</a>, Jul 04, 2008</p>
<p>

Happy Independence Day! Derinkuyu is Cappadocia’s largest excavated underground city, and a portion (about 10%) of it is open to tourists. Toda...</p>
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<title>Further wanderings in the Land of the Weird. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Further-wanderings-in-the-Land-of-the-Weird-Cappadocia-130</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Jul 2008 06:48:27 PST</pubDate>
<description>Further wanderings in the Land of the Weird. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Cappadocia-travel-guide-1315376">Cappadocia, Turkey</a>, Jul 03, 2008</p>
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Between all the great sights here in Cappadocia, the plentiful hiking trails through these bizarre valleys, and our wonderful hotel… I don’t ...</p>
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<title>Reporting live, from the moon. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Reporting-live-from-the-moon-Cappadocia-129</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Jul 2008 10:54:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Reporting live, from the moon. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Cappadocia-travel-guide-1315376">Cappadocia, Turkey</a>, Jul 02, 2008</p>
<p>

  Today we explored a bit of Turkey’s otherworldly Cappadocia region, and at times I felt I was a visitor on another planet. It was a completel...</p>
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<title>Turkish tea and hospitality. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Turkish-tea-and-hospitality-Konya-126</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2008 04:34:09 PST</pubDate>
<description>Turkish tea and hospitality. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Konya-travel-guide-610511">Konya, Turkey</a>, Jul 01, 2008</p>
<p>

Today was Day One of a ten-day visit to Central Anatolia, Turkey. We spent the first half of the day in the city of Konya. We didn’t have high ...</p>
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<title>Museum Hotel</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Uchisar-Turkey-127</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2008 07:58:38 PST</pubDate>
<description>Museum Hotel</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Uchisar-travel-guide-614380">Uchisar, Turkey</a>, Jul 01, 2008</p>
<p>
My husband and I loved pretty much everything about the Museum Hotel! Cut into the side of a cliff, the hotel and its vistas are absolutely stunnin...</p>
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<title>Cave dwelling is not for me. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Cave-dwelling-is-not-for-me-Cappadocia-128</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Jul 2008 20:45:07 PST</pubDate>
<description>Cave dwelling is not for me. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Cappadocia-travel-guide-1315376">Cappadocia, Turkey</a>, Jul 01, 2008</p>
<p>

    In the afternoon, we drove from Konya to the Cappadocio region of Turkey, an area famous for its crazy (and completely indescribable) rock fo...</p>
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<title>On to Turkey! </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/On-to-Turkey-Konya-125</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 30 Jun 2008 21:43:32 PST</pubDate>
<description>On to Turkey! </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Konya-travel-guide-610511">Konya, Turkey</a>, Jun 30, 2008</p>
<p>

    This long day was spent pretty uneventfully, just getting from Point A  (Tel Aviv) to Point B (Konya, Turkey), with a layover in Istanbul. It...</p>
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<title>Tel Aviv, Take 2</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Tel-Aviv-Take-2-Tel-Aviv-124</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 29 Jun 2008 21:47:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Tel Aviv, Take 2</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Tel-Aviv-travel-guide-1314288">Tel Aviv, Israel</a>, Jun 29, 2008</p>
<p>

Tel Aviv is a completely different city when it’s not resting for the Shabat. We should have retraced our entire route from yesterday, but we w...</p>
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<title>Bam! Pow! Shabat!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Bam-Pow-Shabat-Tel-Aviv-123</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:47:07 PST</pubDate>
<description>Bam! Pow! Shabat!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Tel-Aviv-travel-guide-1314288">Tel Aviv, Israel</a>, Jun 28, 2008</p>
<p>

    Anyone planning a three-day trip to Israel would do well to ensure none of those days fall over the Shabat. Unfortunately for us, our travels...</p>
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<title>Got a pocketful of shekels. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Got-a-pocketful-of-shekels-Tel-Aviv-122</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 27 Jun 2008 21:19:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>Got a pocketful of shekels. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Tel-Aviv-travel-guide-1314288">Tel Aviv, Israel</a>, Jun 27, 2008</p>
<p>

The day was spent getting to Israel. The first requirement was to drive through Jordan from Aqaba to Amman. We took the Desert Highway, considere...</p>
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<title>Diving the clear blue of the Red Sea.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Diving-the-clear-blue-of-the-Red-Sea-Aqaba-121</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 26 Jun 2008 05:00:29 PST</pubDate>
<description>Diving the clear blue of the Red Sea.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Aqaba-travel-guide-1308345">Aqaba, Jordan</a>, Jun 26, 2008</p>
<p>

  This morning we ate breakfast at the Movenpick’s fantastic buffet, then headed over to Dive Aqaba, just down the street. We had booked oursel...</p>
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<title>Video conference with Berkley and Cosmo.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Video-conference-with-Berkley-and-Cosmo-Aqaba-120</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 11:09:51 PST</pubDate>
<description>Video conference with Berkley and Cosmo.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Aqaba-travel-guide-1308345">Aqaba, Jordan</a>, Jun 25, 2008</p>
<p>

  In the afternoon we drove from Petra to Aqaba and experienced none of our usual directional difficulties. We even found our hotel, The Golden T...</p>
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<title>Petra: finding out what all the fuss is about. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Petra-finding-out-what-all-the-fuss-is-about-Petra-119</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 25 Jun 2008 21:08:45 PST</pubDate>
<description>Petra: finding out what all the fuss is about. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Petra-travel-guide-1309147">Petra, Jordan</a>, Jun 25, 2008</p>
<p>

  Guidebooks, magazine articles, and other tourists wax on and on about Petra. “If you only go to one place in Jordan, it had better be Petra...</p>
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<title>Crossing Jordan. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Crossing-Jordan-travel-blogs-and-reviews-118</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:51:10 PST</pubDate>
<description>Crossing Jordan. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Jordan-travel-guide-c171">Jordan</a>, Jun 24, 2008</p>
<p>

We bid a fond farewell to the Amman Intercontinental today and set off on the “scenic route” to Petra. There are several routes we could have...</p>
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<title>Mother of all sightseeing failures.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Mother-of-all-sightseeing-failures-Amman-117</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 23 Jun 2008 08:29:39 PST</pubDate>
<description>Mother of all sightseeing failures.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Amman-travel-guide-1311216">Amman, Jordan</a>, Jun 23, 2008</p>
<p>

  We have had some problems navigating this city, but we’ve had some success as well (we found the Dead Sea, after all). Today we had pretty hi...</p>
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<title>Around and around in circles we go. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Around-and-around-in-circles-we-go-Amman-116</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 22 Jun 2008 12:02:42 PST</pubDate>
<description>Around and around in circles we go. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Amman-travel-guide-1311216">Amman, Jordan</a>, Jun 22, 2008</p>
<p>

Most of today was spent in the car, staring out the window and wondering where the hell we were. We never quite figured it out, either! There is ...</p>
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<title>Following the footprints of the ancient Romans. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Following-the-footprints-of-the-ancient-Romans-Jerash-115</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 21 Jun 2008 06:23:48 PST</pubDate>
<description>Following the footprints of the ancient Romans. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Jerash-travel-guide-1312655">Jerash, Jordan</a>, Jun 21, 2008</p>
<p>

  Today we pointed our rental car North, to the ancient Roman city of Jerash. Jerash is so incredibly well preserved, and so expansive, that if y...</p>
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<title>The lowest possible point on earth.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-lowest-possible-point-on-earth-travel-blogs-and-reviews-114</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 20 Jun 2008 22:48:30 PST</pubDate>
<description>The lowest possible point on earth.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Jordan-travel-guide-c171">Jordan</a>, Jun 20, 2008</p>
<p>

              A person standing on the shore of the Dead Sea could say he had hit a new low. The shore is 400m (1310ft) below sea level -- the lo...</p>
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<title>Dead to the world. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dead-to-the-world-Amman-113</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 19 Jun 2008 22:36:36 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dead to the world. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Amman-travel-guide-1311216">Amman, Jordan</a>, Jun 19, 2008</p>
<p>
I got up at 2am after three hours of uncomfortable tossing and turning. General muscle soreness and a stiff neck had joined my stomach pains to cre...</p>
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<title>Losing ourselves in Amman.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Losing-ourselves-in-Amman-Amman-112</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 18 Jun 2008 22:03:13 PST</pubDate>
<description>Losing ourselves in Amman.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Amman-travel-guide-1311216">Amman, Jordan</a>, Jun 18, 2008</p>
<p>

  Amman is a city built on 19 hills. Today, it seems we climbed each and every one of them. And at no point did we have any idea where we were! B...</p>
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<title>Amman arrival.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Amman-arrival-Amman-111</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 04:12:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>Amman arrival.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Amman-travel-guide-1311216">Amman, Jordan</a>, Jun 17, 2008</p>
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The Amman airport was far less glitzy than where we had just come from (Dubai). I expected to see hotel shuttle buses, but it seemed that taxi wa...</p>
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<title>Dubai bids a warm goodbye.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Dubai-bids-a-warm-goodbye-Dubai-109</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Dubai bids a warm goodbye.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubai-travel-guide-565786">Dubai, United Arab Emirates</a>, Jun 17, 2008</p>
<p>

During our early morning cab-ride to the airport, the lady on the radio reported the the temperature would be around 41ºC (106ºF) today. Whoa! ...</p>
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<title>Manama, who?</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Manama-who-manama-110</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 17 Jun 2008 03:48:20 PST</pubDate>
<description>Manama, who?</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/manama-travel-guide-1315843">manama, Bahrain</a>, Jun 17, 2008</p>
<p>
On our way to Amman, Jordan, we had a 3-hour layover in Manama, Bahrain. Before this trip I had never even heard of this country! In their English-...</p>
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<title>Up a creek. Without a toaster.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Up-a-creek-Without-a-toaster-Dubai-108</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 16 Jun 2008 21:36:07 PST</pubDate>
<description>Up a creek. Without a toaster.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubai-travel-guide-565786">Dubai, United Arab Emirates</a>, Jun 16, 2008</p>
<p>

    Our Dubai adventure for the day was to cross the Dubai Creek and explore the Deira neighborhood, where Dubai’s large Gold Souk (shopping ar...</p>
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<title>From beach to ski slopes in 20 minutes. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/From-beach-to-ski-slopes-in-20-minutes-Dubai-107</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 15 Jun 2008 10:49:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>From beach to ski slopes in 20 minutes. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubai-travel-guide-565786">Dubai, United Arab Emirates</a>, Jun 15, 2008</p>
<p>

      Over the course of last evening, I do believe that aliens attempted to invade my body. I have no other explanation for the goings-on in the...</p>
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<title>TravBuddy website censored in Dubai.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/TravBuddy-website-censored-in-Dubai-Dubai-106</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 14 Jun 2008 06:59:18 PST</pubDate>
<description>TravBuddy website censored in Dubai.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubai-travel-guide-565786">Dubai, United Arab Emirates</a>, Jun 14, 2008</p>
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  Despite an early morning arrival in Dubai, I woke up early and just couldn’t get back to sleep. It seemed TravBuddy was calling out to me, so...</p>
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<title>A TravBuddy anniversary. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-TravBuddy-anniversary-Dubai-105</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>A TravBuddy anniversary. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Dubai-travel-guide-565786">Dubai, United Arab Emirates</a>, Jun 13, 2008</p>
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      It was exactly 20 years ago today that my best friend Lisa and I set off on a PanAm jet that would take us to the bright lights of New York...</p>
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<title>Out of India.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Out-of-India-Agra-104</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 13 Jun 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Out of India.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Agra-travel-guide-474343">Agra, India</a>, Jun 13, 2008</p>
<p>
It was our last day in India,
but our flight wasn’t until 6pm, so we decided to visit&amp;nbsp; another sight here in Agra. The official name is Itm...</p>
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<title>Morning at the Taj Mahal. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Morning-at-the-Taj-Mahal-Agra-103</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 12 Jun 2008 20:29:54 PST</pubDate>
<description>Morning at the Taj Mahal. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Agra-travel-guide-474343">Agra, India</a>, Jun 12, 2008</p>
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I got up at 5:30am and was dismayed to see it was already light out. We had hoped to see the Taj Mahal at sunrise! Turns out there really isn’t...</p>
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<title>What a difference a day makes. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/What-a-difference-a-day-makes-Agra-102</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 11 Jun 2008 02:29:22 PST</pubDate>
<description>What a difference a day makes. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Agra-travel-guide-474343">Agra, India</a>, Jun 11, 2008</p>
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  We arrived at our hotel, Oberoi Amarvilas, well after midnight. Though we were tired and disgruntled after 14 hours on buses and airplanes, and...</p>
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<title>Delhi: happy to be just passing through. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Delhi-happy-to-be-just-passing-through-Delhi-101</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:40:29 PST</pubDate>
<description>Delhi: happy to be just passing through. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Delhi-travel-guide-479682">Delhi, India</a>, Jun 10, 2008</p>
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        Our flight from Bagdogra to Delhi wasn&apos;t too pleasant, but at least it was quick (2 hours).&amp;nbsp; I read my book and chatted with my Cana...</p>
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<title>An exciting ride, then a long boring wait. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/An-exciting-ride-then-a-long-boring-wait-Siliguri-100</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 10 Jun 2008 09:02:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>An exciting ride, then a long boring wait. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siliguri-travel-guide-1320650">Siliguri, India</a>, Jun 10, 2008</p>
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Our main mission for the morning was simply to get from the Cindrella Hotel in Siliguri to the airport in Bagdogra, about 10 miles away. This was...</p>
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<title>And on the eighth day there were mountains. And Tibetan refugees. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/And-on-the-eighth-day-there-were-mountains-And-Tibetan-refugees-Darjeeling-98</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 06:19:40 PST</pubDate>
<description>And on the eighth day there were mountains. And Tibetan refugees. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Darjeeling-travel-guide-1310588">Darjeeling, India</a>, Jun 09, 2008</p>
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This morning was supposed to be a sunrise viewing of the mountains from Tiger Hill. But the man who arranges these things at the hotel said to no...</p>
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<title>Welcome to Darjeeling. Now please get out of here! </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Welcome-to-Darjeeling-Now-please-get-out-of-here-Siliguri-99</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 09 Jun 2008 09:38:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Welcome to Darjeeling. Now please get out of here! </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siliguri-travel-guide-1320650">Siliguri, India</a>, Jun 09, 2008</p>
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    We find ourselves in Siliguri after an impromptu drive from Darjeeling. Due to a hastily called strike and very little notice, there was a MA...</p>
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<title>Tiptoeing into Nepal. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Tiptoeing-into-Nepal-Darjeeling-97</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:22:40 PST</pubDate>
<description>Tiptoeing into Nepal. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Darjeeling-travel-guide-1310588">Darjeeling, India</a>, Jun 08, 2008</p>
<p>

  The adventure du jour was a trip to Mirik Lake. We met our driver (another Nepalese guy with good English and good sense of humor) at 9am and o...</p>
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<title>Tea gardens and trash piles. (photos added)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Tea-gardens-and-trash-piles-photos-added-Darjeeling-96</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 07 Jun 2008 05:30:23 PST</pubDate>
<description>Tea gardens and trash piles. (photos added)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Darjeeling-travel-guide-1310588">Darjeeling, India</a>, Jun 07, 2008</p>
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  We departed Nor-Khill hotel in Gangtok at 8am for the reportedly 5-hour drive to Darjeeling (I guess we made good time because it really took u...</p>
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<title>Gangtok attractions we could have done without. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Gangtok-attractions-we-could-have-done-without-Gangtok-95</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 06 Jun 2008 05:12:13 PST</pubDate>
<description>Gangtok attractions we could have done without. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Gangtok-travel-guide-481162">Gangtok, India</a>, Jun 06, 2008</p>
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I normally prefer the DIY version of travel, but Sikkim, India seemed like one big difficult mystery, with special permit requirements, long driv...</p>
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<title>Really high. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Really-high-travel-blogs-and-reviews-94</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 05 Jun 2008 04:37:07 PST</pubDate>
<description>Really high. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sikkim-travel-guide-p768">Sikkim, India</a>, Jun 05, 2008</p>
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Things really started looking up today. First off, when we woke up there was some sun and a bit of a small mountain visible out our window! OK, i...</p>
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<title>Leaving Pelling without a peek at the peak. (photos added)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Leaving-Pelling-without-a-peek-at-the-peak-photos-added-travel-blogs-and-reviews-93</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:17:50 PST</pubDate>
<description>Leaving Pelling without a peek at the peak. (photos added)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sikkim-travel-guide-p768">Sikkim, India</a>, Jun 04, 2008</p>
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Fodor’s travel guide says, “Pelling is a tiny provincial town with just one sight -- Mt. Kanchenjunga. People flock here to view the grand pe...</p>
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<title>Got my head in the clouds here in the Himalayas.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Got-my-head-in-the-clouds-here-in-the-Himalayas-travel-blogs-and-reviews-92</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 03 Jun 2008 03:39:53 PST</pubDate>
<description>Got my head in the clouds here in the Himalayas.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sikkim-travel-guide-p768">Sikkim, India</a>, Jun 03, 2008</p>
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        We were rudely awakened at 4:00am by four men having a very loud conversation in the hall outside our door. It went on and on. I finally ...</p>
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<title>The nine-point tour of Kalimpong. (photos added)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-nine-point-tour-of-Kalimpong-photos-added-travel-blogs-and-reviews-90</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:54:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>The nine-point tour of Kalimpong. (photos added)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/West-Bengal-travel-guide-p772">West Bengal, India</a>, Jun 02, 2008</p>
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It was a rainy, foggy morning, but we held out hope that the day would clear so we could do some proper sightseeing. After a tasty breakfast serv...</p>
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<title>The Himalayas are out there somewhere, I know it. (photos added)</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-Himalayas-are-out-there-somewhere-I-know-it-photos-added-travel-blogs-and-reviews-91</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 02 Jun 2008 06:56:02 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Himalayas are out there somewhere, I know it. (photos added)</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Sikkim-travel-guide-p768">Sikkim, India</a>, Jun 02, 2008</p>
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We were welcomed to Sikkim by a large gate and several military personnel. Sikkim is a border state (bordering Nepal, China, Tibet, and Bhutan) and...</p>
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<title>Calcutta: just passing through.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Calcutta-just-passing-through-Calcutta-88</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:56:29 PST</pubDate>
<description>Calcutta: just passing through.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Calcutta-travel-guide-486009">Calcutta, India</a>, Jun 01, 2008</p>
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We landed in Calcutta and had to gather our bags and pass through customs. It took forever for the bags to come out (we should have carried them on...</p>
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<title>Curves and swerves that test one’s nerves! </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Curves-and-swerves-that-test-ones-nerves-travel-blogs-and-reviews-89</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 05:43:42 PST</pubDate>
<description>Curves and swerves that test one’s nerves! </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/West-Bengal-travel-guide-p772">West Bengal, India</a>, Jun 01, 2008</p>
<p>
We choose to visit the Indian state of Sikkim for a couple reasons: 1) moderate temperatures…it’s broiling hot elsewhere in India, and I read t...</p>
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<title>Bye-bye, Bangkok</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Bye-bye-Bangkok-Bangkok-87</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:55:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Bye-bye, Bangkok</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, Jun 01, 2008</p>
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<title>Hiding from Bangkok.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Hiding-from-Bangkok-Bangkok-86</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 31 May 2008 23:55:14 PST</pubDate>
<description>Hiding from Bangkok.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, May 31, 2008</p>
<p>
Today’s mission was to visit the Chatuchak Weekend Market, a place where 8,000 or 15,000 vendors (depending on if you believe Fodor’s or Lonely...</p>
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<title>Exploring the great indoors.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Exploring-the-great-indoors-Bangkok-85</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 30 May 2008 03:55:44 PST</pubDate>
<description>Exploring the great indoors.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, May 30, 2008</p>
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Steve let it be known today that he wouldn’t be too disappointed if he never saw another temple again. Since I visited Bangkok’s ancient sigh...</p>
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<title>Surprised by Bangkok. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Surprised-by-Bangkok-Bangkok-84</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 18:38:52 PST</pubDate>
<description>Surprised by Bangkok. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Bangkok-travel-guide-632148">Bangkok, Thailand</a>, May 29, 2008</p>
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I have been studiously avoiding Bangkok on this trip. We managed to avoid it even as we were traveling to Phuket and to Chiang Mai. The reason is...</p>
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<title>Bye bye, Cambodia. See ya again some day. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Bye-bye-Cambodia-See-ya-again-some-day-Siem-Reap-83</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 29 May 2008 18:10:23 PST</pubDate>
<description>Bye bye, Cambodia. See ya again some day. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siem-Reap-travel-guide-1308824">Siem Reap, Cambodia</a>, May 29, 2008</p>
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For the first time in three days, the students in the restaurant got our breakfast order right, and the food was actually hot. And now that they ...</p>
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<title>Danger!! Mines!!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Danger-Mines-Siem-Reap-82</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 28 May 2008 01:55:56 PST</pubDate>
<description>Danger!! Mines!!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siem-Reap-travel-guide-1308824">Siem Reap, Cambodia</a>, May 28, 2008</p>
<p>

On our first night in Cambodia, Steve and I were out shopping for t-shirts, and found some printed with a skull and crossbones design that read, ...</p>
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<title>There&apos;s a Wat to see in Siem Reap. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Theres-a-Wat-to-see-in-Siem-Reap-Siem-Reap-81</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 27 May 2008 16:36:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>There&apos;s a Wat to see in Siem Reap. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siem-Reap-travel-guide-1308824">Siem Reap, Cambodia</a>, May 27, 2008</p>
<p>

      Of course, the reason we came to Siem Reap is to see Angkor Wat. Not just one temple, it’s an entire complex of structures (about 300 mon...</p>
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<title>That&apos;s a pretty weird way to say goodbye!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Thats-a-pretty-weird-way-to-say-goodbye-Luang-Prabang-79</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>That&apos;s a pretty weird way to say goodbye!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Luang-Prabang-travel-guide-1040502">Luang Prabang, Laos</a>, May 26, 2008</p>
<p>

  This morning when we were checking out of the Grand Luang Prabang, the clerk informed me that we owed $4 for the glass we broke on our first da...</p>
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<title>First impressions of Siem Reap, Cambodia. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/First-impressions-of-Siem-Reap-Cambodia-Siem-Reap-80</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>First impressions of Siem Reap, Cambodia. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siem-Reap-travel-guide-1308824">Siem Reap, Cambodia</a>, May 26, 2008</p>
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  1) It&apos;s damn hot here. 2) Siem Reap is built up with fancy (and not-so-fancy) hotels and restaurants. I doubt it is representative of Cambodia ...</p>
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<title>Shinta Mani Hotel Siem Reap</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/First-impressions-of-Siem-Reap-Cambodia-Siem-Reap-80</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 26 May 2008 07:18:36 PST</pubDate>
<description>Shinta Mani Hotel Siem Reap</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Siem-Reap-travel-guide-1308824">Siem Reap, Cambodia</a>, May 26, 2008</p>
<p>
The Shinta Mani is a hotel and an institute that trains &quot;at risk youth&quot; for work in the hospitality industry. So your dollars are going to a good c...</p>
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<title>Luang Prabang: Not the least bit crappy.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Luang-Prabang-Not-the-least-bit-crappy-Luang-Prabang-78</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 25 May 2008 03:01:29 PST</pubDate>
<description>Luang Prabang: Not the least bit crappy.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Luang-Prabang-travel-guide-1040502">Luang Prabang, Laos</a>, May 25, 2008</p>
<p>

  Here it is already: our last day. Too soon! If we didn’t have paper tickets for a flight tomorrow morning, I would arrange to stay longer. St...</p>
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<title>The Monk Who Stole My Photo, and other tales from Luang Prabang.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-Monk-Who-Stole-My-Photo-and-other-tales-from-Luang-Prabang-Luang-Prabang-77</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 24 May 2008 01:11:17 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Monk Who Stole My Photo, and other tales from Luang Prabang.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Luang-Prabang-travel-guide-1040502">Luang Prabang, Laos</a>, May 24, 2008</p>
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It seems to me the monks in LP are a bit more open and modern than the ones I have seen elsewhere. Although most of the monks are shy and reticen...</p>
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<title>Paddling (and paddling, and paddling some more) the Nam Kahn River. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Paddling-and-paddling-and-paddling-some-more-the-Nam-Kahn-River-Luang-Prabang-76</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 23 May 2008 18:29:15 PST</pubDate>
<description>Paddling (and paddling, and paddling some more) the Nam Kahn River. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Luang-Prabang-travel-guide-1040502">Luang Prabang, Laos</a>, May 23, 2008</p>
<p>

Today we kayaked down the Nam Kahn River. Banish any thoughts of white water thrills -- it was a slow day for the Nam Kahn, similar to paddling o...</p>
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<title>Headed out. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Headed-out-Chiang-Mai-74</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 16:57:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Headed out. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 22, 2008</p>
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<title>First impressions of Laos. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/First-impressions-of-Laos-Luang-Prabang-75</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 22 May 2008 17:07:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>First impressions of Laos. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Luang-Prabang-travel-guide-1040502">Luang Prabang, Laos</a>, May 22, 2008</p>
<p>

Green! Judging by our flight over northern Laos today, the country is populated by: trees. And: more trees. Beautiful! We landed at Luang Prabang...</p>
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<title>Our best day in Thailand. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Our-best-day-in-Thailand-Chiang-Mai-73</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 21 May 2008 18:50:27 PST</pubDate>
<description>Our best day in Thailand. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 21, 2008</p>
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Doi Inthanon National Park, 90 km southwest of Chiang Mai, is home to numerous waterfalls, hiking trails, and the highest point in Thailand. Our ...</p>
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<title>Errands and admin in the Rose of the North*.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Errands-and-admin-in-the-Rose-of-the-North-Chiang-Mai-72</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 20 May 2008 19:11:38 PST</pubDate>
<description>Errands and admin in the Rose of the North*.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 20, 2008</p>
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  The lazy blog: bullet points. 1) Spent the morning researching accommodations since I have nothing planned beyond Chiang Mai and we were suppos...</p>
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<title>Chiang Mai environs: nothing was as we expected. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Chiang-Mai-environs-nothing-was-as-we-expected-Chiang-Mai-71</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 19 May 2008 07:13:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>Chiang Mai environs: nothing was as we expected. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 19, 2008</p>
<p>

  Today we hired a car and a very nice driver to take us to a few sights around the outskirts of Chiang Mai. (We considered renting a car on our ...</p>
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<title>Elephant heaven. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Elephant-heaven-Mae-Taeng-70</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 18 May 2008 07:41:27 PST</pubDate>
<description>Elephant heaven. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Mae-Taeng-travel-guide-631743">Mae Taeng, Thailand</a>, May 18, 2008</p>
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        In 1988, the Thai government, in a belated move to save what forests remained in the country, banned all logging in Thailand. While this ...</p>
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<title>Tortured at the Chiang Mai Women&apos;s Prison. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Tortured-at-the-Chiang-Mai-Womens-Prison-Chiang-Mai-69</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 17 May 2008 07:15:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Tortured at the Chiang Mai Women&apos;s Prison. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 17, 2008</p>
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Traditional Thai Massage is more than just a good rub. It involves poking, prodding, twisting, and stretching, too. Steve and I finally experienc...</p>
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<title>Good things happen to those who leave Phuket. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Good-things-happen-to-those-who-leave-Phuket-Chiang-Mai-68</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 16 May 2008 19:46:26 PST</pubDate>
<description>Good things happen to those who leave Phuket. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chiang-Mai-travel-guide-631369">Chiang Mai, Thailand</a>, May 16, 2008</p>
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We departed our lovely, wonderful, gorgeous apartment today at 5am, to catch a plane to Bangkok and then on to Chiang Mai. I think our home is on...</p>
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<title>The Tailor&apos;s Guide to Success in Phuket. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-Tailors-Guide-to-Success-in-Phuket-Phuket-65</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 15 May 2008 21:10:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Tailor&apos;s Guide to Success in Phuket. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 15, 2008</p>
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            Bear with me as I poke fun at the overtly aggressive selling efforts of the tailors on Phuket. No matter we went in Phuket, someone t...</p>
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<title>James Bond Island: we expected worse. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/James-Bond-Island-we-expected-worse-Phang-Nga-64</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 21:22:28 PST</pubDate>
<description>James Bond Island: we expected worse. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phang-Nga-travel-guide-1318297">Phang Nga, Thailand</a>, May 14, 2008</p>
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  Today we took one of those huge group tours to “James Bond Island,” so named because it was a 1974 filming sight in the Bond movie, The Man...</p>
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<title>Thai Food Restaurant</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Phuket-Thailand-63</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 14 May 2008 03:41:29 PST</pubDate>
<description>Thai Food Restaurant</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 14, 2008</p>
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Is it possible to actually DIE from eating really spicy food?! There was a moment, while eating my Spicy Green Papaya Salad at Thai Food Restaurant...</p>
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<title>Aquarium, Take 3. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Aquarium-Take-3-Phuket-62</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 13 May 2008 17:39:38 PST</pubDate>
<description>Aquarium, Take 3. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 13, 2008</p>
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We seem to be hitting a lot of aquariums on this trip. In Osaka, we went because we really wanted to see a whale shark. In Kuala Lumpur, we went ...</p>
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<title>Chalong Police Dept, Report #021: a Monkey Stole My Purse (and other implausible speculations).</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Chalong-Police-Dept-Report-021-a-Monkey-Stole-My-Purse-and-other-implausible-speculations-Phuket-61</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 12 May 2008 19:20:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Chalong Police Dept, Report #021: a Monkey Stole My Purse (and other implausible speculations).</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 12, 2008</p>
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    I moped around the apartment this morning, still feeling sorry for myself for having been robbed yesterday. Here’s the deal: it just doesn...</p>
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<title>We were out enjoying nature while our apartment was being robbed. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/We-were-out-enjoying-nature-while-our-apartment-was-being-robbed-Phuket-60</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 11 May 2008 16:39:40 PST</pubDate>
<description>We were out enjoying nature while our apartment was being robbed. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 11, 2008</p>
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The day seemed to be going so well. We had driven down to the southernmost point of Phuket -- Promthrep Cape -- to have a look around. The scener...</p>
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<title>A moment of sun! Then more rain, and more diving. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-moment-of-sun-Then-more-rain-and-more-diving-phi-phi-59</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 10 May 2008 03:27:46 PST</pubDate>
<description>A moment of sun! Then more rain, and more diving. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/phi-phi-travel-guide-1313677">phi phi, Thailand</a>, May 10, 2008</p>
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            Morning (and sunshine!) came to Phi Phi island at 6:30, and Steve and I met the group for the buffet breakfast served at the Bay View...</p>
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<title>The route to Phi Phi: gray skies, gray waters...and sharks! PHOTOS ADDED!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-route-to-Phi-Phi-gray-skies-gray-watersand-sharks-PHOTOS-ADDED-phi-phi-58</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 09 May 2008 19:51:20 PST</pubDate>
<description>The route to Phi Phi: gray skies, gray waters...and sharks! PHOTOS ADDED!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/phi-phi-travel-guide-1313677">phi phi, Thailand</a>, May 09, 2008</p>
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    Today Steve and I traveled by boat from Phuket to the Phi Phi islands, stopping along the way for diving. Everything was bleak and gray both ...</p>
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<title>My $6.50 haircut. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/My-650-haircut-Phuket-57</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 08 May 2008 06:42:41 PST</pubDate>
<description>My $6.50 haircut. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 08, 2008</p>
<p>

  So many errands today.&amp;nbsp; &amp;nbsp;Swapped the Vomit Car for a less odiferous Honda Jazz. The car guy wasn’t wearing his gun or uniform today...</p>
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<title>Escape the island: road trip!  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Escape-the-island-road-trip-Phang-Nga-55</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 07 May 2008 00:00:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>Escape the island: road trip!  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phang-Nga-travel-guide-1318297">Phang Nga, Thailand</a>, May 07, 2008</p>
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    I’d make a lousy photojournalist. If I were cut out for it, I’d certainly have more photos of our spectacular day. We drove through tiny ...</p>
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<title>Escaping the tourism in Phuket. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Escaping-the-tourism-in-Phuket-Phuket-54</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 06 May 2008 19:15:03 PST</pubDate>
<description>Escaping the tourism in Phuket. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 06, 2008</p>
<p>

    Today we planned a mini-road trip here on Phuket to see if we can escape the rampant tourism. What a nice surprise we had … who would have ...</p>
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<title>Diving in the rain. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Diving-in-the-rain-Phuket-53</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 05 May 2008 05:13:14 PST</pubDate>
<description>Diving in the rain. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 05, 2008</p>
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        Happy birthday, Mom!Happy to report the van didn’t forget us today, and at 8:00 am we were on the road to Chalong Bay, where the dive b...</p>
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<title>A little business with the Phuket police. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-little-business-with-the-Phuket-police-Phuket-52</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 04 May 2008 04:58:57 PST</pubDate>
<description>A little business with the Phuket police. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 04, 2008</p>
<p>

We were finally able to rent a car today… freedom! Well, a kind of freedom anyway. The car can’t be taken off the island, so we are still tra...</p>
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<title>Left behind. Sigh. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Left-behind-Sigh-Phuket-51</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 03 May 2008 07:41:30 PST</pubDate>
<description>Left behind. Sigh. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 03, 2008</p>
<p>

I was excited to start my day since DIVING was on the day’s docket. Yippee! Today will be the first dive of this RTW trip. At 7:55, we were rea...</p>
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<title>Mourning the loss of my Elph. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Mourning-the-loss-of-my-Elph-Phuket-50</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 02 May 2008 06:02:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Mourning the loss of my Elph. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 02, 2008</p>
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Woke early this morning to the sounds of a tropical bird feud. I was disoriented and thought I was hearing was the TV or a radio… Ooooo, yeah. ...</p>
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<title>Sunshine! Ouch. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sunshine-Ouch-Phuket-49</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 01 May 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sunshine! Ouch. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Phuket-travel-guide-631910">Phuket, Thailand</a>, May 01, 2008</p>
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  We woke up at 5am to get packed up and put our gear in order for the flight to Thailand. It&apos;s not like we have been buying lots of stuff along ...</p>
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<title>Trying to be good little tourists.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Trying-to-be-good-little-tourists-Kuala-Lumpur-47</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 30 Apr 2008 05:20:48 PST</pubDate>
<description>Trying to be good little tourists.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kuala-Lumpur-travel-guide-1096867">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</a>, Apr 30, 2008</p>
<p>

I had a few touristy things on the list for today, but once again, we had trouble leaving the hotel (we had breakfast, lunch, and dinner there, d...</p>
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<title>Today we paid to have fish to nibble on our feet. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Today-we-paid-to-have-fish-to-nibble-on-our-feet-Kuala-Lumpur-46</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 29 Apr 2008 19:13:09 PST</pubDate>
<description>Today we paid to have fish to nibble on our feet. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kuala-Lumpur-travel-guide-1096867">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</a>, Apr 29, 2008</p>
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      Our hotel bathroom is outfitted with a scale (now why would they do that?). I got on it for a status check (now why would I do that?), and ...</p>
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<title>Malaysia seems real nice, but we might not leave the hotel. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Malaysia-seems-real-nice-but-we-might-not-leave-the-hotel-Kuala-Lumpur-45</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 28 Apr 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Malaysia seems real nice, but we might not leave the hotel. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kuala-Lumpur-travel-guide-1096867">Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia</a>, Apr 28, 2008</p>
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All along I have been complaining about how the Beijing cabbies never bring us exactly where we want to go. Especially at the tourist sights, they ...</p>
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<title>Our last meal in China: mother of beancurd and a noodle. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Our-last-meal-in-China-mother-of-beancurd-and-a-noodle-Beijing-43</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 27 Apr 2008 06:03:09 PST</pubDate>
<description>Our last meal in China: mother of beancurd and a noodle. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 27, 2008</p>
<p>

    It&apos;s our last day in China. I spent the morning acting as travel agent, researching future accommodation options, checking flights, and day-d...</p>
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<title>Miscellaneous touristy tidbits.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Miscellaneous-touristy-tidbits-Beijing-42</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 26 Apr 2008 17:53:52 PST</pubDate>
<description>Miscellaneous touristy tidbits.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 26, 2008</p>
<p>

    Lisa had intended to leave today, but when she called to confirm she found her seat hadn&apos;t been upgraded as expected. Excellent! She was able...</p>
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<title>Jingsi Su Shifang </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Miscellaneous-touristy-tidbits-Beijing-42</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 26 Apr 2008 20:20:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Jingsi Su Shifang </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 26, 2008</p>
<p>
Jingsi Su Shifang vegetarian restaurant is well off the beaten path in Beijing. Located in the Dongcheng district, it is in a quiet neighborhood wi...</p>
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<title>Snacking on seahorses and scorpions in Beijing. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Snacking-on-seahorses-and-scorpions-in-Beijing-Beijing-41</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 25 Apr 2008 06:49:58 PST</pubDate>
<description>Snacking on seahorses and scorpions in Beijing. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 25, 2008</p>
<p>

        I woke up today in my cramped little sleeper car bed feeling like I had just spent the night at a Sofitel. I was completely out for a ful...</p>
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<title>A fantastic day in Xian with my favorite Chinese warriors. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-fantastic-day-in-Xian-with-my-favorite-Chinese-warriors-Xian-40</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:06:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>A fantastic day in Xian with my favorite Chinese warriors. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Xian-travel-guide-1309273">Xian, China</a>, Apr 24, 2008</p>
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                      Woke up in my sleeper cabin this morning feeling less than refreshed. During the night my three room mates were snoring inh...</p>
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<title>The Great Wall, pretty much all to ourselves. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-Great-Wall-pretty-much-all-to-ourselves-Huang-Hua-Great-Wall-38</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 23 Apr 2008 03:51:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Great Wall, pretty much all to ourselves. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Huang-Hua-Great-Wall-travel-guide-1322628">Huang Hua Great Wall, China</a>, Apr 23, 2008</p>
<p>

        Today&apos;s plan was to meet Phil (TB: Deats) and Julia (TB: Mybu84) for a trip to the Great Wall. Finally I get to see it live and in person...</p>
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<title>The fast track through the Forbidden City.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-fast-track-through-the-Forbidden-City-Beijing-37</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 22 Apr 2008 15:49:46 PST</pubDate>
<description>The fast track through the Forbidden City.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 22, 2008</p>
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        Steve had work to do, so Lisa and I decided to go out and check some sights off our list. Together, we can cover serious ground...Look ou...</p>
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<title>Blue skies over Beijing. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Blue-skies-over-Beijing-Beijing-36</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Apr 2008 15:40:08 PST</pubDate>
<description>Blue skies over Beijing. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 21, 2008</p>
<p>

              News flash: Today at approximately 11:00am -- mere minutes after Steve  had purchased a new rain jacket at Columbia, and Charlene a...</p>
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<title>Sick day.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sick-day-Beijing-35</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 20 Apr 2008 02:43:26 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sick day.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 20, 2008</p>
<p>
Sunday. It&apos;s raining. Good. This city needs a good washing.  Still feeling sick (although my swollen eyelid seems better, TG), so I decided to take...</p>
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<title>Escape from Beijing on the road trip from hell. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Escape-from-Beijing-on-the-road-trip-from-hell-Malanguan-34</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 19 Apr 2008 21:47:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>Escape from Beijing on the road trip from hell. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Malanguan-travel-guide-231918">Malanguan, China</a>, Apr 19, 2008</p>
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                  Woke up this morning feeling more congested than usual. I have felt worse each day here -- I think my body is losing the fight ...</p>
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<title>Remember back when China was cheap?</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Remember-back-when-China-was-cheap-Beijing-33</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 18 Apr 2008 05:50:57 PST</pubDate>
<description>Remember back when China was cheap?</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 18, 2008</p>
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                    This morning, Lisa fit right into our typical routine of caffeine and computing. She read up on our intended site for the day...</p>
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<title>Turns out no one wants to go to the police station. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Turns-out-no-one-wants-to-go-to-the-police-station-Beijing-32</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:15:43 PST</pubDate>
<description>Turns out no one wants to go to the police station. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 17, 2008</p>
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                I&apos;m now becoming quite an expert at Chinese cab usage. There&apos;s a trick to it, considering the language barrier. The driver&apos;s pers...</p>
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<title>Through the Celestial Gate and back again.  </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Through-the-Celestial-Gate-and-back-again-Beijing-31</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 16 Apr 2008 04:30:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Through the Celestial Gate and back again.  </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 16, 2008</p>
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          Today we went to the Temple of Heaven. Now, doesn&apos;t that sound nice? But first in the morning we tried to use our Bally&apos;s Fitness membe...</p>
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<title>Beijing: Not for asthmatics. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Beijing-Not-for-asthmatics-Beijing-30</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 15 Apr 2008 16:43:27 PST</pubDate>
<description>Beijing: Not for asthmatics. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 15, 2008</p>
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      The goal for the day was not too lofty: we just want to get a feel for our neighborhood. Hopefully it&apos;s not as bleak as it seems from our r...</p>
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<title>First impressions of China.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/First-impressions-of-China-Beijing-29</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 14 Apr 2008 16:51:40 PST</pubDate>
<description>First impressions of China.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Beijing-travel-guide-208144">Beijing, China</a>, Apr 14, 2008</p>
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    Today we traveled from Seoul to Beijing on Asiana Airlines. The flight itself was about 1:40, but we spent so much time waiting for clearance...</p>
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<title>A pleasant stroll along the world&apos;s most heavily fortified border.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-pleasant-stroll-along-the-worlds-most-heavily-fortified-border-Seoul-28</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 13 Apr 2008 02:28:48 PST</pubDate>
<description>A pleasant stroll along the world&apos;s most heavily fortified border.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Seoul-travel-guide-293861">Seoul, South Korea</a>, Apr 13, 2008</p>
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                  The Korean Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) is a 2-1/2 mile wide strip of land, barren of humans and machines, that serves as a buffer ...</p>
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<title>Sanchon</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-whole-lot-of-Seoul-Seoul-27</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Apr 2008 05:14:46 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sanchon</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Seoul-travel-guide-293861">Seoul, South Korea</a>, Apr 12, 2008</p>
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I found a listing for Sanchon in our Seoul pocket guide, and some online research turned up several positive reviews, so Steve and I thought we&apos;d g...</p>
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<title>A whole lot of Seoul.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/A-whole-lot-of-Seoul-Seoul-27</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 12 Apr 2008 14:30:13 PST</pubDate>
<description>A whole lot of Seoul.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Seoul-travel-guide-293861">Seoul, South Korea</a>, Apr 12, 2008</p>
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            Steve and I had a huge day in Seoul today. Enormous! We both woke early and enjoyed a gourmet breakfast of French bread and peanut bu...</p>
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<title>Beef, it&apos;s what&apos;s for dinner. Like it or not! </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Beef-its-whats-for-dinner-Like-it-or-not-Seoul-26</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 11 Apr 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Beef, it&apos;s what&apos;s for dinner. Like it or not! </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Seoul-travel-guide-293861">Seoul, South Korea</a>, Apr 11, 2008</p>
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                Yesterday we traveled from Osaka to Seoul. Transit days are generally not all that much fun, with a lot of sitting and waiting ar...</p>
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<title>Saying Sayonara* to Japan.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Saying-Sayonara-to-Japan-Osaka-24</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 10 Apr 2008 15:00:45 PST</pubDate>
<description>Saying Sayonara* to Japan.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 10, 2008</p>
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      Kind of early in the trip for this, but I am experiencing a little &quot;blog burnout.&quot; Today I vow not to ramble. This will be a short one. Rea...</p>
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<title>Maman Terrace</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Osaka-Japan-23</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2008 15:38:32 PST</pubDate>
<description>Maman Terrace</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 09, 2008</p>
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I found Maman Terrace on the Happycow.net website. It had some good reviews so I thought I&apos;d check it out. 

The lower level is a store selling n...</p>
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<title>Hanabishi</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/My-best-day-in-Japan-Koyasan-22</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2008 04:56:36 PST</pubDate>
<description>Hanabishi</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Koyasan-travel-guide-282229">Koyasan, Japan</a>, Apr 09, 2008</p>
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Hanabishi was recommended to me at the tourist information office as a good place to get Shojin Ryori, which is a multi-course vegetarian meal that...</p>
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<title>My best day in Japan.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/My-best-day-in-Japan-Koyasan-22</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:42:56 PST</pubDate>
<description>My best day in Japan.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Koyasan-travel-guide-282229">Koyasan, Japan</a>, Apr 09, 2008</p>
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                Oh, happy, happy day. OK, I will tell you all about it. Woke up early -- before 6 -- in anticipation of an early departure to tod...</p>
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<title>Hey, where&apos;d everyone go?!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Hey-whered-everyone-go-Kobe-20</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2008 15:04:07 PST</pubDate>
<description>Hey, where&apos;d everyone go?!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kobe-travel-guide-282010">Kobe, Japan</a>, Apr 08, 2008</p>
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                Today was the last day on my Do! fitness membership, so I had a good final workout. Then, a rush back to the room to get ready fo...</p>
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<title>The Pig and Whistle　English Pub</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Osaka-Japan-21</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 08 Apr 2008 19:07:24 PST</pubDate>
<description>The Pig and Whistle　English Pub</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 08, 2008</p>
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The Pig and Whistle is on the second floor, and we climbed the stairs to find a &quot;no smoking sign&quot; prominently displayed. Excellent! How rare for Ja...</p>
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<title>Closed on Monday.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Closed-on-Monday-Nara-19</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:00:01 PST</pubDate>
<description>Closed on Monday.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Nara-travel-guide-1308975">Nara, Japan</a>, Apr 07, 2008</p>
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          Dang, the forecast was correct. Woke up to leaden skies and rain, rain, rain. In no rush to get wet, we killed time in the room until h...</p>
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<title>Oh, deer!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Oh-deer-Nara-17</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 06 Apr 2008 16:40:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Oh, deer!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Nara-travel-guide-1308975">Nara, Japan</a>, Apr 06, 2008</p>
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  Today&apos;s daytrip destination was Nara. Nara has several things to recommend it, but foremost for us: it&apos;s not Kyoto!Nara is another of Japan&apos;s h...</p>
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<title>Please pass the vegetables. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Please-pass-the-vegetables-Osaka-15</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Apr 2008 16:53:31 PST</pubDate>
<description>Please pass the vegetables. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 05, 2008</p>
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Sampling the delicious Japanese food has been fun and all, but there has been a decided lack of fresh vegetables, fruit, and whole grains on our ...</p>
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<title>We&apos;re sorry to inform you that Japan is full.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Were-sorry-to-inform-you-that-Japan-is-full-Kyoto-16</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 05 Apr 2008 17:27:37 PST</pubDate>
<description>We&apos;re sorry to inform you that Japan is full.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kyoto-travel-guide-282460">Kyoto, Japan</a>, Apr 05, 2008</p>
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  A few days ago we went to Kyoto and reported on the crowds and traffic. It was crazy busy. Well, turns out that was nothing. That was a weekday...</p>
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<title>Sunshine! Temples! Visa applications!</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sunshine-Temples-Visa-applications-Osaka-14</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 04 Apr 2008 16:03:11 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sunshine! Temples! Visa applications!</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 04, 2008</p>
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         Finally, some warmth and sunshine - WONDERFUL! I was happy to shed that fleece for once.Today&apos;s first mission: secure our visas for Indi...</p>
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<title>An American village and the accidental massage.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/An-American-village-and-the-accidental-massage-Osaka-13</link>
<pubDate>Thu, 03 Apr 2008 15:15:42 PST</pubDate>
<description>An American village and the accidental massage.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 03, 2008</p>
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    Today&apos;s plan was to do some leisurely strolls in Osaka and to reel in a bit on the sight seeing (which Steve now refers to as &quot;forced marches...</p>
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<title>The day everyone decided to visit Kyoto.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-day-everyone-decided-to-visit-Kyoto-Kyoto-12</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2008 18:31:00 PST</pubDate>
<description>The day everyone decided to visit Kyoto.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kyoto-travel-guide-282460">Kyoto, Japan</a>, Apr 02, 2008</p>
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  This morning Steve had a good time using his Japanese at the bake shop across the street (&quot;Excuse me, this one please, thank you.&quot; Sounds easy,...</p>
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<title>Cafe Proverbs</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-day-everyone-decided-to-visit-Kyoto-Kyoto-12</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 02 Apr 2008 01:19:33 PST</pubDate>
<description>Cafe Proverbs</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Kyoto-travel-guide-282460">Kyoto, Japan</a>, Apr 02, 2008</p>
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Cafe Proverbs is a sunny all-vegan cafe in East Kyoto, within walking distance (about 10 minutes) of Ginkaku-ji temple.  

I started with a small...</p>
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<title>Fugetsu</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/I-am-workin-on-my-fitness-but-Steve-is-banned-from-the-club-Osaka-11</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 17:32:12 PST</pubDate>
<description>Fugetsu</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 01, 2008</p>
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Okonomiyaki is an Osakan specialty, and I do believe we would be committing some sort of crime if we were to leave without sampling it at least onc...</p>
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<title>I am workin&apos; on my fitness, but Steve is banned from the club. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/I-am-workin-on-my-fitness-but-Steve-is-banned-from-the-club-Osaka-11</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 01 Apr 2008 15:07:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>I am workin&apos; on my fitness, but Steve is banned from the club. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Apr 01, 2008</p>
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            Yesterday I mentioned that Steve and I had decided to join a health club. More on that now. We learned that Do! (Fitness club) was ru...</p>
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<title>Me, Steve, a whale shark, and several thousand of our closest friends. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Me-Steve-a-whale-shark-and-several-thousand-of-our-closest-friends-Osaka-10</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 31 Mar 2008 04:31:44 PST</pubDate>
<description>Me, Steve, a whale shark, and several thousand of our closest friends. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 31, 2008</p>
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                    It is every diver&apos;s dream to meet up with a whale shark out in the deep blue. That hasn&apos;t happened for me (yet), but at least...</p>
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<title>Spring showers and cherry blossoms. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Spring-showers-and-cherry-blossoms-Osaka-9</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Mar 2008 02:29:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Spring showers and cherry blossoms. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 30, 2008</p>
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    This morning on CNN it was mentioned that the cherry blossoms are in full glory in Washington D.C.&amp;nbsp; A little more research taught me tha...</p>
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<title>Gen Roku Sushi</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Spring-showers-and-cherry-blossoms-Osaka-9</link>
<pubDate>Sun, 30 Mar 2008 14:36:33 PST</pubDate>
<description>Gen Roku Sushi</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 30, 2008</p>
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Steve and I were walking along Dotombori-dori on Sunday night, stomaches empty, desperate for food. We noticed some places were closing up so we ju...</p>
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<title>Osaka on foot : shopping malls and more shopping malls.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Osaka-on-foot-shopping-malls-and-more-shopping-malls-Osaka-8</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 29 Mar 2008 14:15:22 PST</pubDate>
<description>Osaka on foot : shopping malls and more shopping malls.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 29, 2008</p>
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        This morning we had the breakfast buffet at our hotel (Namba Oriental), which seemed like a pretty good value for about $10. I love the J...</p>
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<title>Namba Oriental Hotel Osaka</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/We-lost-Thursday-somewhere-over-the-Pacific-Osaka-7</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2008 10:18:54 PST</pubDate>
<description>Namba Oriental Hotel Osaka</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 28, 2008</p>
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Namba Oriental has a fantastic location in the heart of the shopping/food/nightlife of the south side of town, or Minami area. Reading about this i...</p>
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<title>We lost Thursday somewhere over the Pacific.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/We-lost-Thursday-somewhere-over-the-Pacific-Osaka-7</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 28 Mar 2008 03:57:44 PST</pubDate>
<description>We lost Thursday somewhere over the Pacific.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Osaka-travel-guide-1308577">Osaka, Japan</a>, Mar 28, 2008</p>
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                  We left Chicago on Wednesday night and reappeared here in Osaka on Friday morning, bleary eyed and jet lagged. Whoever said &quot;it...</p>
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<title>Last minute frenzy of trip preparation ... or not.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Last-minute-frenzy-of-trip-preparation-or-not-Chicago-6</link>
<pubDate>Wed, 26 Mar 2008 10:12:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>Last minute frenzy of trip preparation ... or not.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Mar 26, 2008</p>
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The departure day has finally arrived!&amp;nbsp; And we are ... ready.&amp;nbsp; Really. Amazing, but true. Passports have been updated, extra photos sto...</p>
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<title>The high cost of malaria prevention.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-high-cost-of-malaria-prevention-Chicago-5</link>
<pubDate>Sat, 22 Mar 2008 11:41:39 PST</pubDate>
<description>The high cost of malaria prevention.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Mar 22, 2008</p>
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Today Steve and I picked up Malarone for our RTW trip. $1240! What the ... !!!&amp;nbsp;I mistakenly believed that Malarone costs $1 per day ... it&apos;s w...</p>
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<title>In praise of the compression sack. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/In-praise-of-the-compression-sack-Chicago-4</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 17 Mar 2008 04:12:34 PST</pubDate>
<description>In praise of the compression sack. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Mar 17, 2008</p>
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    Something of a small miracle today. I had carefully selected all of the items I wish to carry with me on my trip around the world. It had req...</p>
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<title>My refrigerator has typhoid fever.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/My-refrigerator-has-typhoid-fever-Chicago-3</link>
<pubDate>Fri, 22 Feb 2008 05:31:49 PST</pubDate>
<description>My refrigerator has typhoid fever.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Feb 22, 2008</p>
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  Today Steve and I went to the travel clinic at Northwest Memorial hospital (here in Chicago) for the immunizations needed on our trip around th...</p>
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<title>The &apos;round the world ticketing dilemma.</title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/The-round-the-world-ticketing-dilemma-Chicago-2</link>
<pubDate>Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:51:04 PST</pubDate>
<description>The &apos;round the world ticketing dilemma.</description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Feb 05, 2008</p>
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      Having a good idea of where we want to go on our round the world trip, we must now answer the question of how to get there. Yes, of course,...</p>
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<title>Sometimes the biggest decisions take no time to make. </title>
<link>http://www.travbuddy.com/travel-blogs/26844/Sometimes-the-biggest-decisions-take-no-time-to-make-Chicago-1</link>
<pubDate>Mon, 21 Jan 2008 07:00:25 PST</pubDate>
<description>Sometimes the biggest decisions take no time to make. </description>
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<p><a href="http://www.travbuddy.com/Chicago-travel-guide-30467">Chicago, Illinois</a>, Jan 21, 2008</p>
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                    My husband Steve and I have decided to do this crazy thing, this trip around the world. I brought up the idea one day (becaus...</p>
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