..in their won way, IMO... Even Pyongyang has something that makes it uniquely memorable (dunno what it is, not having been there, but I know there's *something*).

Out of curiousity, Did you have any capability of registering your vote? I can't help but wonder, since some day I'll be an ex-pat, and 'forwarned is fore-armed'.....

-5.75,-4.05
"God gives men a brain and a penis, and only enough blood to run one at a time." -- Robin Williams

my wife and I have been there many times. There is a Vietnamese noodle shop in the very large market that serves delicious noodles. Worth a venture. The woman running the shop is a survivor of the Vietnamese/American war. Very interesting for a perspective regarding history. We also got a tour from a taxi driver who was very proud of his countries breaking free of western imperialism. He was 63 years old and gave us a grand tour with his historic perspective. Wow, mind blowing, at least!! I hope you are as lucky as we were in our quest for knowledge.

Did you say you were going to Myanmar? Not long ago, I read The Piano Tuner, set in Burma. The author placed his story in the middle of actual history that occurred there. It was a fascinating time to learn of the Shan people, and that country. Most of the book was set in various places on the Salween. Lots of pictures please, if you visit there. I don't know that I will get the opportunity to visit there.

Another question. I know one of the rules is to see penguins. Have you thought of going to the south island of New Zealand for that rather than going to Antarctica? They have many varieties of penguins there. The Otago Peninsula, (I think that's its name, is a peninsula just out of Dunedin) has a blue penguin colony that is quite the sight, I am told. Was too cold & rainy when we were there to see them. Also, getting to Antarctica may be a little easier from NZ than other places. Every country in the world that has an Antarctic program, has their main base in Christchurch, NZ. There may be ships heading to Antarctica regularly from there.

Happy travels!

It's already past midnight here in DK but I'm up for an all-nighter so I'll be looking out for you in an hour. I'm still supposed to be in my bubble until next week but I just had to come out and play. You know, it's not the suspense of the election at this point. Just don't want to miss out on all the energy here online.