tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22936916475005756352024-02-21T08:34:32.585+01:00Piovono RunnersLa corsa è come la vita, ma nelle parti noiose puoi accelerare.Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14022309878241109060noreply@blogger.comBlogger245125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-23900025827753891242014-03-23T19:52:00.001+01:002014-03-23T20:35:06.961+01:00La mia Stramilano<div dir="ltr">
<i>"Sudato, bagnato, affaticato, in mezzo alle moltitudini"</i><br />
<i><br /></i></div>
<div dir="ltr">
Sì, ero a Milano. Chiedo scusa a tutti gli amici, amiche e conoscenti milanesi che non ho avvertito per far festa. Ma soprattutto, chiedo scusa a quelli che ho avvertito e incontrato. È tutta colpa del sakè.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Nell'anno del Signore 2014, 23 marzo, ero a Milano per correre la Stramilano. Una gara bellissima in quanto si svolge a Milano ed è corsa da podisti improbabili. La prima gara della mia carriera improbabile di amante improbabile delle gare podistiche.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Mi ero iscritto alla mezza maratona (21km) con l'intento di correre anche i 10km della Stramilano dei 50mila.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
E invece.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
E invece stocazzo di ginocchio non mi dà tregua. Siamo alla seconda settimana senza corsa.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Direte, esticazzi. Esticazzi una sega!! (Perdonate il francesismo di una).</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
L'obbiettivo sbandierato della stagione era di correre la maratona di Rotterdam il 13 aprile sotto le 3 ore. Sotto le 3 ore sotto i 30 anni. Sì, compio 30anni quest'anno.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Stavo andando benissimo, con finanche il nuovo miglior tempo sulla mezza maratona a Verona, davanti all'esultante Zia Carmela il 16 febbraio scorso.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Di lì in poi il disastro. Coscia posteriore fastidiosa, quattro giorni di stop. Settimana lavorativa h 8-24, si corre solo per andare dal mio ufficio all'ufficio del capo e ritorno.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
20km com salite e dolore al ginocchio: non si corre più a tempo indeterminato.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Allora perché ero a Milano, vi chiederete? A parte il sakè che, vi garantisco, si trova anche qui.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Perché dovevo correre la Stramilano. Il biglietto era fatto, l'alloggio pagato, andiamo a correre la Stramilano.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
La sveglia è più clemente. Non alle 7 come per il 10+21km programmato, ma alle 9.30.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
La colazione è più saporita. Non il malto pregermogliato prima della gara, ma caffellatte e biscotti.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
La doccia si fa prima e non dopo la gara.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
E via a correre la Stramilano con gli altri.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Partenza alle 11 al Castello Sforzesco. Mi piazzo alle 11.20 al km 5.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Arrivano i primi e qualche flebile applauso glielo concedo. Ma non di più. Questi sono alieni, superuomini e superdonne per i quali non serve sprecare fiato.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Arrivano quelli che finiscono in 1h30m e le cose si fanno più interessanti. Ma è con quelli che finiranno in 2 ore che inizio a darci dentro. Sono già stanchi al km 5 su 21. Li vedi e non te li immagini neanche a prendere le scale anziché l'ascensore per salire un piano di scale. E invece sono lì.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Passa il nostro Cristiano, intorno agli 1h40m. Urlo ma è troppo concentrato e non sente.<br />
<br />
Aspetto il passaggio degli ultimi e mi muovo verso il 20esimo chilometro, a poco dal traguardo.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Trovo Claudia col pupone Vito, Anna, il Compa e Renato con la bandiera marziana.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Il canovaccio è lo stesso, ma le voci sono di più.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
I primi che arrivano chisselincula (no, sul serio, chisselincula veloci come sono?).</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Dopo il gruppo che finirà in 1h30m si fa sul serio.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Applausi. Fischi d'approvazione. Qualche vai e qualche dai.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi si fa un paio di salti, ginocchio permettendo. Poi si urla qualche nome che alcuni hanno stampato sulla maglietta. Poi il nome del gruppo per cui alcuni corrono. Poi nomi a caso.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi si urla e basta.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi si incita.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi passa Fabrizio con la bandiera dei Podisti da Marte, per lui era il 30esimo km, e vien giù lo stadio. Poi passano Valterone. Poi Ivan, Geogiana, Simona, Antonella, Alfredo, Pino, altri che in questo momento non ricordo che mi sto pure emozionando.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi passano altre centinaia di sconosciuti ai quali si urla ugualmente di non mollare dai cazzo che siete bravissimi siete quasi arrivati dai grandi è l'ultimo chilometro siete grandi bravi forza con quelle gambe daaaaiiiii.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi si va a bloccare Claudia che con Vito in braccio a momenti salta addosso a quelli di 2 ore e 30 perché cazzo non è questo il momento di mollare dai cazzo.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
La più bella Stramilano che non abbia mai corso.</div>
<div dir="ltr">
<br />
Poi Giogiò però non la si aspetta più ché, figa, mi parte l'aereo.<br />
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ04-afytbmpC1RML8m4m-IRNADLeT_LBQKk27GmW9FtD1kOlYChgJnQ_iCsV51wq4YuwJwE65BtM441J_r8nmRmb6srLsJ3sFWvEQz9ljig1UgZO2-5vkXSVSREmwZmjUs-NyulEaU4lu/s1600/20140323_112915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ04-afytbmpC1RML8m4m-IRNADLeT_LBQKk27GmW9FtD1kOlYChgJnQ_iCsV51wq4YuwJwE65BtM441J_r8nmRmb6srLsJ3sFWvEQz9ljig1UgZO2-5vkXSVSREmwZmjUs-NyulEaU4lu/s640/20140323_112915.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fX6MEbkld1mQUWSRCNzUqk7BjQYQjFI-ZBlTTpdybbN65TxJirLZRVOYbRi7jFmZgSRwzKrvFvXqMT3hFtEpOcP-MENDPYueKJzHJU3D9Py0_TPdrcKoPeBFr1JybIvOWO_VGRsFq6W2/s1600/20140323_113109.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0fX6MEbkld1mQUWSRCNzUqk7BjQYQjFI-ZBlTTpdybbN65TxJirLZRVOYbRi7jFmZgSRwzKrvFvXqMT3hFtEpOcP-MENDPYueKJzHJU3D9Py0_TPdrcKoPeBFr1JybIvOWO_VGRsFq6W2/s640/20140323_113109.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1yCRkjkIPjwqsHkGz0htEkMXLaVJziNavH2t1BQQeXc4k5PCjRrYD08tW6oycHTRqIa5BUqmYYR4AB22UgORP1C0DabF7dTllCcVxOJgojS0xtaESP7Dkn7-Ky3FNnPaWAQY6x3IUkhS/s1600/20140323_130157.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhK1yCRkjkIPjwqsHkGz0htEkMXLaVJziNavH2t1BQQeXc4k5PCjRrYD08tW6oycHTRqIa5BUqmYYR4AB22UgORP1C0DabF7dTllCcVxOJgojS0xtaESP7Dkn7-Ky3FNnPaWAQY6x3IUkhS/s640/20140323_130157.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqwKd-ynaZisZYYJymhEhTH2BFyMmKccN9eavqvDNtNw8iwQIiQoPiuG9ad_4hHCu2ZNczdx801JGJLx3oPN8linfE2LMi1IprU-DiiExmO_wI3pfdG-iugUAHWuf6GCSCrTv2TgUJUrs/s1600/20140323_130103.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtqwKd-ynaZisZYYJymhEhTH2BFyMmKccN9eavqvDNtNw8iwQIiQoPiuG9ad_4hHCu2ZNczdx801JGJLx3oPN8linfE2LMi1IprU-DiiExmO_wI3pfdG-iugUAHWuf6GCSCrTv2TgUJUrs/s640/20140323_130103.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURED74CZgbgGurjIZl-tOTI99n64TNx1F-E-i6mPXJwLWTcJvcu_QZGn6_QfXQdoBBjZF0YgBUWxh1uB7cPLt_a7ixxC-KeKZvGwvj4ZGcXp6ntgt8OttPp82RE0sT-IFVCGZuaDXNBBC/s1600/Ma+dove+sei+Giovanna+Cardella.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhURED74CZgbgGurjIZl-tOTI99n64TNx1F-E-i6mPXJwLWTcJvcu_QZGn6_QfXQdoBBjZF0YgBUWxh1uB7cPLt_a7ixxC-KeKZvGwvj4ZGcXp6ntgt8OttPp82RE0sT-IFVCGZuaDXNBBC/s1600/Ma+dove+sei+Giovanna+Cardella.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>Ma dove spacchio sei Giogiò?</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-59384097247252810522013-12-26T00:41:00.001+01:002013-12-26T00:46:22.778+01:00Coming Back<div dir="ltr">
Coming soon...</div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dxrao2BCl1AzA1-obXfoVCnBpz0GaSDcEuAVb_AvV_lzC6eq9qSe0WIeV1BWVXS7M8Hp9HxAjbUgUoKvs3OSxDlCS1IjeMWWuLH9ZxXeFtXIUgD6v9ttNq0luqycQ6DonqhIvA49fhix/s400/20131225_132535.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="225" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">(In the picture: Merry Christmas)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-dxrao2BCl1AzA1-obXfoVCnBpz0GaSDcEuAVb_AvV_lzC6eq9qSe0WIeV1BWVXS7M8Hp9HxAjbUgUoKvs3OSxDlCS1IjeMWWuLH9ZxXeFtXIUgD6v9ttNq0luqycQ6DonqhIvA49fhix/s1600/20131225_132535.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> </a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Milazzo, Milazzo38.22071 15.241933tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-60700436307259359852013-05-18T17:09:00.001+02:002013-05-18T17:09:58.097+02:00Road to Boston<p>I'm shipping up to Boston. To find my wooden leg. </p>
<p>One month ago I was in Singapore. It was 3 in the morning and couldn't sleep. I opened randomly an Italian news website, and got the news. </p>
<p>A bomb at the Boston Marathon. At the arrival. </p>
<p>Who hasn't seen or run a marathon cannot understand. The arrival of a marathon is a sacred moment. </p>
<p>The father of Martin, one of the victims, probably had waken up at 5 am, four times a week, for the previous 6 months. Or maybe had sacrificed moments with his family. Everything to run for 42k 195m. To finish a 4h and something run. To see his son and his wife, proud of him. </p>
<p>The bombing did not just kill people. It was a terrorist attack. They attacked our world, the runners' world.</p>
<p>They told every Martin's father "do not run a marathon, do not bring your beloved ones with you".</p>
<p>My first thought was "we shall overcome". We shall overcome because we are soldiers.</p>
<p>The first marathon man was a soldier, announcing the defeat of the enemies. The war is over.</p>
<p>We, now, we are soldiers of peace. We announce our joy to the world. The relief of struggling, fighting, and reaching our goal.</p>
<p>Our joy is in the overcome of the pain. In the arrival which closes our journey. Our joy is in those who came to see us. Those who are just there and look at us like aliens. </p>
<p>I decided to run a marathon the day of the bombing. I'm going to Buffalo next weekend. </p>
<p>Today I'm in Boston. I had to come here and leave a flower. It's May 18, 2013, and I am visiting Boston to talk about my future. </p>
<p>My next future is the Buffalo marathon. Because we shall overcome.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZvTVipZ60QbKa1rT8wR4a37e_0ABqBcuxSdAebzhEX1yTtaPYUDmZBAPNP3hDi_9o_Vh-wZEItmO1EOQO0jp5BVYWo5-eDnBzHbJyT_AjY_2zVaxNFembPRPVuWT6vLW321big3vNJ5N/s1600/IMG_20130518_104730.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyZvTVipZ60QbKa1rT8wR4a37e_0ABqBcuxSdAebzhEX1yTtaPYUDmZBAPNP3hDi_9o_Vh-wZEItmO1EOQO0jp5BVYWo5-eDnBzHbJyT_AjY_2zVaxNFembPRPVuWT6vLW321big3vNJ5N/s640/IMG_20130518_104730.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-25882715830171744982013-05-01T15:09:00.001+02:002013-05-01T15:09:20.059+02:00Lombok-Gili: Finding Nemo<p>It is so hard to fish in Gili Trawangan. </p>
<p>I spent two days bargaining for a decent price.</p>
<p>The first day I got prices and conditions I wanted. It turned out to be a scam. The guy took my money and went back to Lombok mainland. </p>
<p>I got my money back from the thief's friends, those who introduced the thief to me. Money and complimentary mask and fin for a day (you do not mess with Sicilians). But I was back to square one. </p>
<p>The second day, I found again price and conditions I wanted. And no upfront payment this time. Dealt straight with the owner of the boat, no agencies. The day after the fisherman chickened out. Someone told him he was mad to accept that price, tourists usually pay much more. He got nothing. </p>
<p>That was so sad, because I really wanted to fish Nemo. </p>
<p>Gili Trawangan is the biggest of the Gili Islands, three small rounded pieces of land lying in the sea at northwest of Lombok. They are surrounded by coral reefs, which make them perfect for surfing, diving and snorkeling. And fishing of course. </p>
<p>They were the flattest piece of land my friend and I could find in Indonesia. Perfect to recover after Mount Rinjani (see previous post).</p>
<p>Five days four nights of tough relax. The first day we lied on the beach all day and celebrated fullmoon at night: our homestay offered free flow of fried and grilled fish, with palm wine as drink. </p>
<p>The second day we lied on the beach all day. No fullmoon to celebrate. </p>
<p>The third day we went snorkeling around the three islands. We found Nemo, but I could not eat him. So sad.</p>
<p>The fourth day we lied on the beach all day. </p>
<p>Someone may find strange that we lied on the beach all day. But that is what you usually do in Gili. You lie on the beach all day. </p>
<p>The fourth day was special, though. A horse landed on our beach from the sea. Such a special day.</p>
<p>I decided to add some spice to all this lying on the beach all day. </p>
<p>52k run in three days. 7k fast, 30k slow split between sunrise and sunset, 15k interval training. Everything thanks to the proteins of the friends of our friend Nemo. I could not fish him but at least I could have other kinds of fish for lunch and dinner. Barracuda included.</p>
<p>The fifth day I left to Kuta, Bali. A journey called nightmare. A nightmare called Indonesia. Traffic jam, scams, stoned backpackers, greedy car drivers. Everything awful of this beautiful country squeezed in 11 hours of cars and boats. </p>
<p>Lucky them, I was so relaxed.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96yWUGch8U4wxtfDJIQHKxkLNQsR7H4MExFgerbKa68uHdxD4F21WK1ssmXwjr49qsqU5XqSeKmv9ajNEAgu5J_J-mZtXp99W2Et0VTUQ-ptbhp2igj_pa-zTLzleZtYsJM8cYKb5bmo0/s1600/IMAG1054.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh96yWUGch8U4wxtfDJIQHKxkLNQsR7H4MExFgerbKa68uHdxD4F21WK1ssmXwjr49qsqU5XqSeKmv9ajNEAgu5J_J-mZtXp99W2Et0VTUQ-ptbhp2igj_pa-zTLzleZtYsJM8cYKb5bmo0/s640/IMAG1054.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWS5QBPjtmVIRAnTiQGIjGnW_uxZFBkGTPhIPy7CDA05IQ9xvVP2AHEdtP3a1eXZiNqBtBYh3d87589JIwCdBqA8mLLP5VibpGnmmARJm4tiaJJwPAkr6LaSUx36-GcFfRZmp_PO1-Y8F/s1600/IMAG1076.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjzWS5QBPjtmVIRAnTiQGIjGnW_uxZFBkGTPhIPy7CDA05IQ9xvVP2AHEdtP3a1eXZiNqBtBYh3d87589JIwCdBqA8mLLP5VibpGnmmARJm4tiaJJwPAkr6LaSUx36-GcFfRZmp_PO1-Y8F/s640/IMAG1076.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FJoML9xFxM0JCNIk6Xk2KZpiaoJIsUZJmSatYinbLgByHg57CXEEmvc-swJnarzUM_iaIdssHue-JZbTSR4n7llfCSsXGc5GeOp90RUFjVRjpIJx6Poan-ECr-ENa7qX3TZBuJoBPuIT/s1600/IMAG1075.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2FJoML9xFxM0JCNIk6Xk2KZpiaoJIsUZJmSatYinbLgByHg57CXEEmvc-swJnarzUM_iaIdssHue-JZbTSR4n7llfCSsXGc5GeOp90RUFjVRjpIJx6Poan-ECr-ENa7qX3TZBuJoBPuIT/s640/IMAG1075.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoox71upV8bZAidxgmBxRZ62-PDkjs8-n9ed1InCbS469BHv7xfItMB9HPFZzSEOF5GhEfCZ0xPZEkLlpSJZQzUnRTOae5aN-fF8Zk5Ql33XRZ3kw1A09pYIXDwUsUfQxEehKqH6ivJD0/s1600/IMAG1055.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnoox71upV8bZAidxgmBxRZ62-PDkjs8-n9ed1InCbS469BHv7xfItMB9HPFZzSEOF5GhEfCZ0xPZEkLlpSJZQzUnRTOae5aN-fF8Zk5Ql33XRZ3kw1A09pYIXDwUsUfQxEehKqH6ivJD0/s640/IMAG1055.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOahkga-jMe1bLTErpWm1n-Nyz_VPL6U3qLHkUVYQrQR6s2HhstLAvTx60nNsbR0P-C9qZTnSQGOqaFuWnrUZvqZxjr80a4Pk4yChNcvasp16466VfKCrAKZ8lq7xc8YQAbCEDzCdnaL_N/s1600/IMAG1051.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOahkga-jMe1bLTErpWm1n-Nyz_VPL6U3qLHkUVYQrQR6s2HhstLAvTx60nNsbR0P-C9qZTnSQGOqaFuWnrUZvqZxjr80a4Pk4yChNcvasp16466VfKCrAKZ8lq7xc8YQAbCEDzCdnaL_N/s640/IMAG1051.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn4GuSgAG0Cc3_IPd1Nu4Jff9kovGsSyMVQSsXdeGlY3rtY_EIkFOafnaOXzJeJveJAoIASa7JDqQkElGYVXlVuOI4l7AUMN88LKnvG7bn6I-FhnVk3zciawCTUGMY6olupyWlTOLr6TZ/s1600/IMAG1073.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkn4GuSgAG0Cc3_IPd1Nu4Jff9kovGsSyMVQSsXdeGlY3rtY_EIkFOafnaOXzJeJveJAoIASa7JDqQkElGYVXlVuOI4l7AUMN88LKnvG7bn6I-FhnVk3zciawCTUGMY6olupyWlTOLr6TZ/s640/IMAG1073.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGTru8mTw0oqP48tESjy5kq9_jimlNvhE2ybdpiL09blrqwFLwwhGpTO4K_rWbjzcW8DLqosN-wMy7pLrdsu3bKVYsGSggOt8f3B2IQpajAvjU_uKLs8JIcYT2ZlfxvQF_MqwhZHke7NJ/s1600/IMAG1058.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLGTru8mTw0oqP48tESjy5kq9_jimlNvhE2ybdpiL09blrqwFLwwhGpTO4K_rWbjzcW8DLqosN-wMy7pLrdsu3bKVYsGSggOt8f3B2IQpajAvjU_uKLs8JIcYT2ZlfxvQF_MqwhZHke7NJ/s640/IMAG1058.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-7261299180579181872013-04-26T14:11:00.001+02:002013-04-26T14:11:40.741+02:00Lombok-Rinjani: Fighting my Volcano<p>"Why are you climb<i>ing</i><i> </i><i>Rinjani?</i>" <br>
"<i>To see the real Bali</i>"<br>
(A guy we met on the way up)</p>
<p>[First Part: Reaching the Summit] </p>
<p>You do not want to wake up at 5.50 am while you are on holiday. Unless you know that your base camp is 9 hour far from your hotel. </p>
<p>We had an energetic breakfast. Banana pancake, banana and pineapple. </p>
<p>At 7, after the last briefing we sit in the pickup, thrilled about our new adventure. I slept for the following hour.</p>
<p>A very last briefing about how not to fall in the crater and we are ready to go. </p>
<p>We had one guide and two porters. Straight from colonialism to the XXI century. We had to carry only our personal things. Everything else, from stoves to camping chairs, was on the porters' shoulders. </p>
<p>Yes, we had chairs. </p>
<p>We left at 1000m above the sea. By the end of the day we were at 2700m above the sea. One long way up. </p>
<p>Now, those who have read "The Freaking Volcano" here on Piovono Runners already know that height scares my ass off. </p>
<p>I love mountaineering, just it would be better if mountains were flat. </p>
<p>So why do you climb volcanos? Someone may ask. Well, first for the fatigue. The work out. The sense of completeness you experience when every little part of your body hurts. </p>
<p>Second, the challenge. We will see who wins the fight, if the scared man or the scaring volcano! </p>
<p>When my friend and I decided to climb Mount Rinjani, we knew what we were going to face. She is not super fit for climbing. As for me, my body is fit. Just the mind does not follow (or lead). </p>
<p>To challenge ourselves, and to see paradise (see pictures below) we agreed to went through hell. Four days, three nights of climbing and camping. At least we had de luxe service. Which means we had chairs.</p>
<p>When we reached the top, the very first day at 6 pm, paradise was there, before our eyes.</p>
<p>Segara Anak Lake, 2000m above the sea, the huge crater of Mount Rinjani.  Astonishing it's view from 2700m above the sea, where we were. You just pass the rim of the volcano and the crater with the lake is there.</p>
<p>We just passed the rim and I started freaking  out. We camped on the rim, our chairs facing the lake. Dinner and quickly to sleep at 8 pm. At 2 am we had to wake up and start the further climbing up to 3726m: the summit. </p>
<p>When the alarm rang I was awake. Smoked two cigarettes to relax. Had breakfast. Started the climbing. </p>
<p>The moon was almost full and enlightened everything: our trail, the summit above, the crater below. 5 minutes of walking and the trail has a hole. I needed to do just one long step to overcome it. Easy for everyone. If it weren't for the 800m jump on the right.</p>
<p>I had to take a quick decision. Seven hours of that mental pain to reach a summit from where I will not be able to see anything? Or I go back to sleep? </p>
<p>Under my request our guide shouted at one of the porters. And the porter came to pick me up. </p>
<p>I was shaking when we reached the tent. But sure about one thing: I quit, I will not move forward. I take a porter and go back to the hotel. </p>
<p>[Second Part: Decisions] </p>
<p>My friend showed up at 4am. She also could not make it. What the guide did not tell us was that 2/3 of the climbing was on the sand. Two steps forward, one step backward.</p>
<p>She had to take a quick decision. Seven hours of that physical pain to reach the summit? Or go back to sleep? </p>
<p>We skipped the sunrise and slept until 8. We had our second breakfast and I explained the guide my decision. </p>
<p>The second day we were supposed to camp by the lake. To go down from 2700 to 2000m above the sea, along the steep wall of the crater. The third day all the way up to the other side. Two days of hiking facing the void. I could not make it. I had to go back. </p>
<p>He understood. But immediately clarified it was my decision, my fault, and I had to pay for that decision.</p>
<p>A car had to pick me and the porter up at Sembalung, and I had to pay the accommodation for the extra days in Senaru. He mentioned some figures. With the bargaining I could get to 50USD.</p>
<p>Should I risk my life going down and up from the crater? Or should I just pay 50USD and sleep in Senaru until my friend comes back?</p>
<p>At 10 am we took the way down to the lake.</p>
<p>Three hours of pain before me. I kept praying "Padre Nostro" (christian prayer from the gospel) and figuring positive thoughts. All the way down. </p>
<p>Half way the enlightening moment. I looked at my right and felt no fear. It's gone, it's over. I can do it, I will not jump in the void this time. </p>
<p>I asked the guide if there was only one trail. Yes, he said. I ran down happy as ever, jumping on rocks and avoiding last second turns. </p>
<p>The lake was just amazing. We fished, read, took a nap. Just relaxed and watched that magnificent view.</p>
<p>The third day, when the sun was already up, we visited the hot spring. Had a quick swim and got ready to climb up. </p>
<p>It was worse than expected. The trail was slippery. Some parts were walls of rock that required basic climbing skills. Easy for everyone, if it weren't for the 600m jump on the back. All the way up had the left side straight to the crater.</p>
<p>My fear was just equal to the patience of my companions. Three hours of that hiking, but I never stopped. I paused, but did not stop. </p>
<p>Passed the rim everything was easy. A steep trail down from 2700m to 1000m. But the first part was in the cloud. And the second part in the forest. </p>
<p>We stopped for the night at the beginning of the forest, at 2000m above the sea. </p>
<p>I could not sleep for the excitement. And when I did, my friend could not sleep for my snorting. </p>
<p>The final day was pure poetry. The sounds of the forest, grey and black monkeys, jungle trees the blocked the view of the mountain.</p>
<p>Half way I asked the guide how long we had to walk for. Two hours, he said. One trail? One trail. See you at the arrival. </p>
<p>Forty minutes of run and the journey was over for me. </p>
<p>Time to wait for the others. Time to think about life and death. Time to take important decisions: should I order a beer now, or wait to be in Sengigi to celebrate? </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1RK55WzjAUbukqFo3Ub6MHOc7CJ8DtMdoQ50419VCXTC-anPkZ4AxY_xm2P6Vah14Q_3avE0-IvOjSUO7BQrJvyLr89qdz14SBOa0dE9JFvAj5PMffuopZ-jhI9-nrVzHJebLC5rapWY/s1600/IMAG1005.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgd1RK55WzjAUbukqFo3Ub6MHOc7CJ8DtMdoQ50419VCXTC-anPkZ4AxY_xm2P6Vah14Q_3avE0-IvOjSUO7BQrJvyLr89qdz14SBOa0dE9JFvAj5PMffuopZ-jhI9-nrVzHJebLC5rapWY/s640/IMAG1005.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX3FT6t6ShnXpSVb8pnRJiisvv_OB24YNpI_ROF2CqqCzh1rsuRjnJXzxEOxAUTOiIMCG57aqyfjdXf0yZ0SiyyAb72JNlTPnLZHzl0BGc_P86ms5FEw9P3-oVhCvYrqVSYxcOoRb4s41/s1600/IMAG1037.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzX3FT6t6ShnXpSVb8pnRJiisvv_OB24YNpI_ROF2CqqCzh1rsuRjnJXzxEOxAUTOiIMCG57aqyfjdXf0yZ0SiyyAb72JNlTPnLZHzl0BGc_P86ms5FEw9P3-oVhCvYrqVSYxcOoRb4s41/s640/IMAG1037.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtPyZ9YksQ5dzvc6kocYLnUZpqTbtkRkH1WWa2VJzNxN7_tKeDdibnmOXhp72gD_y3musziKekXimJxhu4qb0xpbGxnhgOC31J3kAQb_XeGV_fPqWSizag2zv6gxHtWa1H6CAC9-1K2Hc/s1600/IMAG1011.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiqtPyZ9YksQ5dzvc6kocYLnUZpqTbtkRkH1WWa2VJzNxN7_tKeDdibnmOXhp72gD_y3musziKekXimJxhu4qb0xpbGxnhgOC31J3kAQb_XeGV_fPqWSizag2zv6gxHtWa1H6CAC9-1K2Hc/s640/IMAG1011.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEf2iH1iJAVxohdaAek1mBo4xQ5G4OdqllkpWHZzpqNsNAdsw2jmFi2Cn3gWidAsqZ8v44Jdp2p4eSyy6G5OzzQM0wyB5neD3p_-Tq1UcwpQVAW8yuFLm8rvpM_dHcVqaer90CKAvar1e/s1600/IMAG1013.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixEf2iH1iJAVxohdaAek1mBo4xQ5G4OdqllkpWHZzpqNsNAdsw2jmFi2Cn3gWidAsqZ8v44Jdp2p4eSyy6G5OzzQM0wyB5neD3p_-Tq1UcwpQVAW8yuFLm8rvpM_dHcVqaer90CKAvar1e/s640/IMAG1013.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1w-Tx5AY79eqwx2y-mPX0-6ac1ls5gr6Q6CRxJQ_ofqG73-OcGrdh4UTlpkV1ucKWvcBE3LZ5WayQHtxCAEIhzz5BwZVFPWjYTwEO6ss0-i7rpfmQG4DBMF2W9YnB10TgL1KqAcOOZVx/s1600/IMAG1047.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhV1w-Tx5AY79eqwx2y-mPX0-6ac1ls5gr6Q6CRxJQ_ofqG73-OcGrdh4UTlpkV1ucKWvcBE3LZ5WayQHtxCAEIhzz5BwZVFPWjYTwEO6ss0-i7rpfmQG4DBMF2W9YnB10TgL1KqAcOOZVx/s640/IMAG1047.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHHaxGe3JyAj6R2-1YV90Cvif2TQzQZ3yy_SSJpSk4lsamq_zEoyFSUHVylFXbnKoPAas_RXTrRsolukSepmALadqPdCL8i-FcWsZgf9QftSlL3UESyVqz03g9C6V-JWrAkInRMYZf3n/s1600/IMAG1002.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHRHHaxGe3JyAj6R2-1YV90Cvif2TQzQZ3yy_SSJpSk4lsamq_zEoyFSUHVylFXbnKoPAas_RXTrRsolukSepmALadqPdCL8i-FcWsZgf9QftSlL3UESyVqz03g9C6V-JWrAkInRMYZf3n/s640/IMAG1002.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7AqQy3x2vbbLkiNRgWq4gOQmJco9gA1vgaes6VikWw2UgT2glV_VtaDrJ0gk7gxLXxsUoSjWeQQcNzmKDIM6NUArcVpJ_BMZ47hueMVrTb_fTBMLlYu-2tpUdu9opFrjuy__xcqBgn1R/s1600/IMAG1024.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM7AqQy3x2vbbLkiNRgWq4gOQmJco9gA1vgaes6VikWw2UgT2glV_VtaDrJ0gk7gxLXxsUoSjWeQQcNzmKDIM6NUArcVpJ_BMZ47hueMVrTb_fTBMLlYu-2tpUdu9opFrjuy__xcqBgn1R/s640/IMAG1024.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tx-AyTsC4cYe2QrsC4xTcvo6tl21Tv7jIHs1LQKrqQuS6Yv6OhP7Lq5b5Uv27QCkaVODi-sV0t4cfhekSZRi7CLBJ3VdO8cf66y_tLB4Aim6WIoY6k-7AlOISSGPzXkXsk0xCwaqlV5w/s1600/IMAG1016.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6Tx-AyTsC4cYe2QrsC4xTcvo6tl21Tv7jIHs1LQKrqQuS6Yv6OhP7Lq5b5Uv27QCkaVODi-sV0t4cfhekSZRi7CLBJ3VdO8cf66y_tLB4Aim6WIoY6k-7AlOISSGPzXkXsk0xCwaqlV5w/s640/IMAG1016.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSfelPCnmKgnw3VBOJ7hUWExt9d8n0MbKgSeBqG7s2SZhrYK9oWm7sdvorWouXZtxqTlo8hx81udsU9jfMvtVY1aSR35Oc6PHw_v72qH8Vmm9GeTOF8j-N5gi3EdQJlvygFgXPOOQG67D/s1600/IMAG1001.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXSfelPCnmKgnw3VBOJ7hUWExt9d8n0MbKgSeBqG7s2SZhrYK9oWm7sdvorWouXZtxqTlo8hx81udsU9jfMvtVY1aSR35Oc6PHw_v72qH8Vmm9GeTOF8j-N5gi3EdQJlvygFgXPOOQG67D/s640/IMAG1001.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoIdvsXiC4yZ7Ftx74DlGvivT9IWBYGjpwUkvpriTsBcaFcH0dwYZoYAJSejgKE7oS06L9aZ6YTDzL3u8Pw6x5qF2n-KVM4bAIHDPOvcjfvD6OQ58Am55aKObr0rW9AbuDTg7Zfx5e9W8/s1600/IMAG1006.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZoIdvsXiC4yZ7Ftx74DlGvivT9IWBYGjpwUkvpriTsBcaFcH0dwYZoYAJSejgKE7oS06L9aZ6YTDzL3u8Pw6x5qF2n-KVM4bAIHDPOvcjfvD6OQ58Am55aKObr0rW9AbuDTg7Zfx5e9W8/s640/IMAG1006.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMtBAWGhM6oya19dysmUPJwViUYHFdm0UPC4LEeCAufF0zj65uxNRUsh7oVX8bfyc-QjH9L5lWPNut7hICXmZZjxn33ZQBo2SRKnPR5yURCjuGIOxjRs0LWIBBnSuit1WIN4ujQIjXH48/s1600/IMAG1045.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgMtBAWGhM6oya19dysmUPJwViUYHFdm0UPC4LEeCAufF0zj65uxNRUsh7oVX8bfyc-QjH9L5lWPNut7hICXmZZjxn33ZQBo2SRKnPR5yURCjuGIOxjRs0LWIBBnSuit1WIN4ujQIjXH48/s640/IMAG1045.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtzGHAwtY60Nb5f7nw9kTEruPprVVP2SJG_e3rZgb2MOSs9wNVddR4KDe-HhxoJOOH5qd2SIdxVRLbqcQpu9g5BeV_lZSuoKrqVf3HeS_O7bIyqY3bHEvHP-MsdeFlIbPsjUCmBtSfXWE/s1600/IMAG1040.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxtzGHAwtY60Nb5f7nw9kTEruPprVVP2SJG_e3rZgb2MOSs9wNVddR4KDe-HhxoJOOH5qd2SIdxVRLbqcQpu9g5BeV_lZSuoKrqVf3HeS_O7bIyqY3bHEvHP-MsdeFlIbPsjUCmBtSfXWE/s640/IMAG1040.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTIf20ri_MhGgGljG9kUP_9xiw7RFFvSOO3NldbfKkmTZ2kghbiZIlwnti5WrDuKdRdjAhm024kGKxQSRYGTsy7PmkKtwlCRjwKbORoDqZMzl8vNwBlmA37BP99zM4MgHfW1CFbSb8hVV/s1600/IMAG0994.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxTIf20ri_MhGgGljG9kUP_9xiw7RFFvSOO3NldbfKkmTZ2kghbiZIlwnti5WrDuKdRdjAhm024kGKxQSRYGTsy7PmkKtwlCRjwKbORoDqZMzl8vNwBlmA37BP99zM4MgHfW1CFbSb8hVV/s640/IMAG0994.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2pl5DjwJq2Q/UXptzxQd8xI/AAAAAAAAD8w/s1600/IMAG0998.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-2pl5DjwJq2Q/UXptzxQd8xI/AAAAAAAAD8w/s640/IMAG0998.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-10390189046201489772013-04-22T14:59:00.001+02:002013-04-22T15:27:21.893+02:00Lombok - Senaru<p>First day: flying to Lombok.</p>
<p>A whole day to fly to Lombok? Yes, the whole day. </p>
<p>I left at 10.40 from Singapore. We arrived in Senaru at 21. We is Marie-Lea and I. Marie-Lea is a friend from university. She's French. (Yeah, French. Don't tell me about it)</p>
<p>Senaru is the starting point if you want to climb Rinjani, Lombok's 3700m high volcano. </p>
<p>So, yesterday was a whole day of just travel. An airplane, then waiting in Bali, then another airplane to Lombok (Payar), then a 3 hour drive from Payar to Senaru, shared with a Dutch couple. </p>
<p>No running, no climbing, no snorkeling.</p>
<p>So what's remarkable about the day? </p>
<p>The plane. Pictures below.</p>
<p>The company. We shared some stories and pretended to laugh at the Dutch guy annoying jokes. </p>
<p>Senaru. This tiny village is a steep street with houses on both sides. Kids, dogs, workers. All of them are nice and welcoming. Of course there are swindlers, like the guy who rented us the room for the night. But the impression of Senaru is very positive. </p>
<p>This morning, the second day, I woke up at 6 and had a pleasant 7.5k run.  Tried to reach the waterfalls. But my run was stopped by bunch of dogs first. Then by a bunch of monkeys.</p>
<p>Persuaded by the wild animals of Senaru, I went up and down the village. I saw the school, the most romantic football pitch, and some land for sale.</p>
<p>After a cold shower (thanks jerk swindler) we booked the trek of the next four days. And we moved to a much better room. </p>
<p>We spent the afternoon hiking to two gorgeous waterfalls (I finally reached them). An amuse bouche of what we will be doing for the next four days. </p>
<p>Everything we did, of course, was under the gaze of the wise Mount Rinjani. Our next destination.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNYzxdt-lUPpTl7iGo07L97zDDzK-3QAJIeyHODPAHNoVmzwqyTUNtqeMls6n35OxwIpQU3g91Ekcr_XnM-3iyTL-WN1PR8FHQ-q7m5IHYEglsbJitKKDbIN4xka7XeEmEWYfcYKakSJt/s1600/IMAG0970.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNYzxdt-lUPpTl7iGo07L97zDDzK-3QAJIeyHODPAHNoVmzwqyTUNtqeMls6n35OxwIpQU3g91Ekcr_XnM-3iyTL-WN1PR8FHQ-q7m5IHYEglsbJitKKDbIN4xka7XeEmEWYfcYKakSJt/s640/IMAG0970.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5oSSYg-Xi-HSigldpWlvo_htJXUnQxTAZjk-rSk6wd4aBuEWgIN2f5GkeCKDdtq2G6OMBwS95OHkFVOqtqGHa-PsoIXLLCkiV0iEuQOoeJYatrV3usosHdWDWXlAgU3ScGgR9w0C83bI/s1600/IMAG0957.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5oSSYg-Xi-HSigldpWlvo_htJXUnQxTAZjk-rSk6wd4aBuEWgIN2f5GkeCKDdtq2G6OMBwS95OHkFVOqtqGHa-PsoIXLLCkiV0iEuQOoeJYatrV3usosHdWDWXlAgU3ScGgR9w0C83bI/s640/IMAG0957.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sR3FNUo35Ty1CTNTE8aciiyt_koH-cOb8g30XTdBwlI0-B3eG1RzkCPuhv7Bi5svLChci4L1_akd0iZ2Zju-fwJdGif59NKTO2C2WFoYa7bXkUOsdIj8f4tf_Gn1NVZEemxEQCUlJ80k/s1600/IMAG0955.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sR3FNUo35Ty1CTNTE8aciiyt_koH-cOb8g30XTdBwlI0-B3eG1RzkCPuhv7Bi5svLChci4L1_akd0iZ2Zju-fwJdGif59NKTO2C2WFoYa7bXkUOsdIj8f4tf_Gn1NVZEemxEQCUlJ80k/s640/IMAG0955.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTSiXYkywnYWTWW8n6Jojl0erOIglHAbYCY0zimyRabCUsWbHkU9COvsizA2bkKg74bvqUefk_Ao50kJm0gIN_M258gbJ50IXmhDWzetm_J1Uhsp8H4bAnu0P8a33h9urFwO6qlaLoHa/s1600/IMAG0986.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTSiXYkywnYWTWW8n6Jojl0erOIglHAbYCY0zimyRabCUsWbHkU9COvsizA2bkKg74bvqUefk_Ao50kJm0gIN_M258gbJ50IXmhDWzetm_J1Uhsp8H4bAnu0P8a33h9urFwO6qlaLoHa/s640/IMAG0986.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_NqauyqdTE3brVost6WHktGupiY0qcfLO6F7bqOE5TvJz1GXPLmmf1-IMvwMBWJYGBLQLnwk1HlsVvTJ1ygU7GGv-jbFqSDU7QqNBFM9l7J45PyRftjjfUY6Ds-nw7CJAutecVZyVqb-/s1600/IMAG0964.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_NqauyqdTE3brVost6WHktGupiY0qcfLO6F7bqOE5TvJz1GXPLmmf1-IMvwMBWJYGBLQLnwk1HlsVvTJ1ygU7GGv-jbFqSDU7QqNBFM9l7J45PyRftjjfUY6Ds-nw7CJAutecVZyVqb-/s640/IMAG0964.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq2rHn4M-FQpVtig2j0k4xzhuzT7j-UHIltJbc1wSsHLScfZItm1ArMX5H7SmhjvsoerjSo3BLtDTWSzQyCHxI9D_nCikCOpX8scjBS2uO0VNqYIxkEv15mbQiEJ_P-d2fCSrDyeRylwB/s1600/IMAG0983.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq2rHn4M-FQpVtig2j0k4xzhuzT7j-UHIltJbc1wSsHLScfZItm1ArMX5H7SmhjvsoerjSo3BLtDTWSzQyCHxI9D_nCikCOpX8scjBS2uO0VNqYIxkEv15mbQiEJ_P-d2fCSrDyeRylwB/s640/IMAG0983.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvWpiAb2nvmWAIeH3DUjj5RcMHiD-M_cPYng01e-YauJ6Q2tVptTL3tq2Jt9CZn5s6dH12vMhmxp-4W44F3jyIW5YdARAoq7emWvozHqPhLHHAPgAP7_6PCGbZHcVgDtLE7as1sNt-VOo/s1600/IMAG0973.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvWpiAb2nvmWAIeH3DUjj5RcMHiD-M_cPYng01e-YauJ6Q2tVptTL3tq2Jt9CZn5s6dH12vMhmxp-4W44F3jyIW5YdARAoq7emWvozHqPhLHHAPgAP7_6PCGbZHcVgDtLE7as1sNt-VOo/s640/IMAG0973.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Bx6hhuccDsxrl42NzSe3mKFdyFBpzK16R82AjIckYMhXdX0MN9HaoF7XACheG7a3gqCdO-wk0SPRcLpfqTwk-85N4P1NKB-K2n7GAvhD0R4br2N8jY-vdf3PkPtZ3pSB1PPCbDKTkQe/s1600/IMAG0974.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Bx6hhuccDsxrl42NzSe3mKFdyFBpzK16R82AjIckYMhXdX0MN9HaoF7XACheG7a3gqCdO-wk0SPRcLpfqTwk-85N4P1NKB-K2n7GAvhD0R4br2N8jY-vdf3PkPtZ3pSB1PPCbDKTkQe/s640/IMAG0974.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD3lHjN-CkAqGGYCQewK4lrpsRCE4Ap0YdoTu_F1g3UATe1OUGXkamn47_v171LN1F8A6VRAxuJTZByU6KroEZYslbquIm-fQatj_5tKrQMQXzQrRkb1L4UEuVHO1W1MatHAToixb2K4h/s1600/IMAG0967.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD3lHjN-CkAqGGYCQewK4lrpsRCE4Ap0YdoTu_F1g3UATe1OUGXkamn47_v171LN1F8A6VRAxuJTZByU6KroEZYslbquIm-fQatj_5tKrQMQXzQrRkb1L4UEuVHO1W1MatHAToixb2K4h/s640/IMAG0967.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXVQIn_foE74Un4ioRb0Pszmj4GUSLC7H7LHZromP6JFsVQw7S9CF0mhDTCQ7HjbzdrkKXf6TSlcs3fPC4heZkr2oRShQAJFMJn7BZ2KkkW4vkGdwEh1IlQmmtl48ydRSaYLcVBTwuGua/s1600/IMAG0987.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXVQIn_foE74Un4ioRb0Pszmj4GUSLC7H7LHZromP6JFsVQw7S9CF0mhDTCQ7HjbzdrkKXf6TSlcs3fPC4heZkr2oRShQAJFMJn7BZ2KkkW4vkGdwEh1IlQmmtl48ydRSaYLcVBTwuGua/s640/IMAG0987.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucSqAXEfX_r11dYjm8tuceq0ChKehVfpKyUWhRZENVKGrxutFaCZImwg6x3Xk7puGp5uFZRP3kSJprv2jSj_u3kbCFI1jst1QxRYcWk2oiWV2zRKXhmDq1CUPTP6HHfN44N6DQNYIra8l/s1600/IMAG0968.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucSqAXEfX_r11dYjm8tuceq0ChKehVfpKyUWhRZENVKGrxutFaCZImwg6x3Xk7puGp5uFZRP3kSJprv2jSj_u3kbCFI1jst1QxRYcWk2oiWV2zRKXhmDq1CUPTP6HHfN44N6DQNYIra8l/s640/IMAG0968.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zzVp4z1ioQq7Yf_UaB_k8AtiyRsbtQOB-ZYDP0r5D7452DVdmJzxVEnBdgUKqsiT-FMyuBx_XeVaGETvwWlzKkySY0rkupSRpABE5aBQ5TB30AXSo92hzw05KTAvldS5sP7kCUgQ42f4/s1600/IMAG0959.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zzVp4z1ioQq7Yf_UaB_k8AtiyRsbtQOB-ZYDP0r5D7452DVdmJzxVEnBdgUKqsiT-FMyuBx_XeVaGETvwWlzKkySY0rkupSRpABE5aBQ5TB30AXSo92hzw05KTAvldS5sP7kCUgQ42f4/s640/IMAG0959.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-20399175794643095712013-04-22T14:58:00.001+02:002013-04-22T14:58:19.667+02:00Lombok - Senaru<p>First day: flying to Lombok.</p>
<p>A whole day to fly to Lombok? Yes, the whole day. </p>
<p>I left at 10.40 from Singapore. We arrived in Senaru at 21. We is Marie-Lea and I. Marie-Lea is a friend from university. She's French. (Yeah, French. Don't tell me about it)</p>
<p>Senaru is the starting point if you want to climb Rinjani, Lombok's 3700m high volcano. </p>
<p>So, yesterday was a whole day of just travel. An airplane, then waiting in Bali, then another airplane to Lombok (Payar), then a 3 hour drive from Payar to Senaru, shared with a Dutch couple. </p>
<p>No running, no climbing, no snorkeling.</p>
<p>So what's remarkable about the day? </p>
<p>The plane. Pictures below.</p>
<p>The company. We shared some stories and pretended to laugh at the Dutch guy annoying jokes. </p>
<p>Senaru. This tiny village is a steep street with houses on both sides. Kids, dogs, workers. All of them are nice and welcoming. Of course there are swindlers, like the guy who rented us the room for the night. But the impression of Senaru is very positive. </p>
<p>This morning I woke up at 6 and had a pleasant 7.5k run.  Tried to reach the waterfalls, but a bunch of dogs first, and of monkeys then, persuaded me not to.</p>
<p>Instead, I went up and down the village. I saw the school, the most romantic football pitch, and some land for sale.</p>
<p>We spent the afternoon trekking  to two gorgeous waterfalls. An amuse bouche of what we will be doing for the next four days. </p>
<p>Everything we did, of course, was under the gaze of the wise Mount Rinjani. Our next destination.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNYzxdt-lUPpTl7iGo07L97zDDzK-3QAJIeyHODPAHNoVmzwqyTUNtqeMls6n35OxwIpQU3g91Ekcr_XnM-3iyTL-WN1PR8FHQ-q7m5IHYEglsbJitKKDbIN4xka7XeEmEWYfcYKakSJt/s1600/IMAG0970.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSNYzxdt-lUPpTl7iGo07L97zDDzK-3QAJIeyHODPAHNoVmzwqyTUNtqeMls6n35OxwIpQU3g91Ekcr_XnM-3iyTL-WN1PR8FHQ-q7m5IHYEglsbJitKKDbIN4xka7XeEmEWYfcYKakSJt/s640/IMAG0970.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5oSSYg-Xi-HSigldpWlvo_htJXUnQxTAZjk-rSk6wd4aBuEWgIN2f5GkeCKDdtq2G6OMBwS95OHkFVOqtqGHa-PsoIXLLCkiV0iEuQOoeJYatrV3usosHdWDWXlAgU3ScGgR9w0C83bI/s1600/IMAG0957.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjN5oSSYg-Xi-HSigldpWlvo_htJXUnQxTAZjk-rSk6wd4aBuEWgIN2f5GkeCKDdtq2G6OMBwS95OHkFVOqtqGHa-PsoIXLLCkiV0iEuQOoeJYatrV3usosHdWDWXlAgU3ScGgR9w0C83bI/s640/IMAG0957.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sR3FNUo35Ty1CTNTE8aciiyt_koH-cOb8g30XTdBwlI0-B3eG1RzkCPuhv7Bi5svLChci4L1_akd0iZ2Zju-fwJdGif59NKTO2C2WFoYa7bXkUOsdIj8f4tf_Gn1NVZEemxEQCUlJ80k/s1600/IMAG0955.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4sR3FNUo35Ty1CTNTE8aciiyt_koH-cOb8g30XTdBwlI0-B3eG1RzkCPuhv7Bi5svLChci4L1_akd0iZ2Zju-fwJdGif59NKTO2C2WFoYa7bXkUOsdIj8f4tf_Gn1NVZEemxEQCUlJ80k/s640/IMAG0955.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTSiXYkywnYWTWW8n6Jojl0erOIglHAbYCY0zimyRabCUsWbHkU9COvsizA2bkKg74bvqUefk_Ao50kJm0gIN_M258gbJ50IXmhDWzetm_J1Uhsp8H4bAnu0P8a33h9urFwO6qlaLoHa/s1600/IMAG0986.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDGTSiXYkywnYWTWW8n6Jojl0erOIglHAbYCY0zimyRabCUsWbHkU9COvsizA2bkKg74bvqUefk_Ao50kJm0gIN_M258gbJ50IXmhDWzetm_J1Uhsp8H4bAnu0P8a33h9urFwO6qlaLoHa/s640/IMAG0986.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_NqauyqdTE3brVost6WHktGupiY0qcfLO6F7bqOE5TvJz1GXPLmmf1-IMvwMBWJYGBLQLnwk1HlsVvTJ1ygU7GGv-jbFqSDU7QqNBFM9l7J45PyRftjjfUY6Ds-nw7CJAutecVZyVqb-/s1600/IMAG0964.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgM_NqauyqdTE3brVost6WHktGupiY0qcfLO6F7bqOE5TvJz1GXPLmmf1-IMvwMBWJYGBLQLnwk1HlsVvTJ1ygU7GGv-jbFqSDU7QqNBFM9l7J45PyRftjjfUY6Ds-nw7CJAutecVZyVqb-/s640/IMAG0964.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq2rHn4M-FQpVtig2j0k4xzhuzT7j-UHIltJbc1wSsHLScfZItm1ArMX5H7SmhjvsoerjSo3BLtDTWSzQyCHxI9D_nCikCOpX8scjBS2uO0VNqYIxkEv15mbQiEJ_P-d2fCSrDyeRylwB/s1600/IMAG0983.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyq2rHn4M-FQpVtig2j0k4xzhuzT7j-UHIltJbc1wSsHLScfZItm1ArMX5H7SmhjvsoerjSo3BLtDTWSzQyCHxI9D_nCikCOpX8scjBS2uO0VNqYIxkEv15mbQiEJ_P-d2fCSrDyeRylwB/s640/IMAG0983.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvWpiAb2nvmWAIeH3DUjj5RcMHiD-M_cPYng01e-YauJ6Q2tVptTL3tq2Jt9CZn5s6dH12vMhmxp-4W44F3jyIW5YdARAoq7emWvozHqPhLHHAPgAP7_6PCGbZHcVgDtLE7as1sNt-VOo/s1600/IMAG0973.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAvWpiAb2nvmWAIeH3DUjj5RcMHiD-M_cPYng01e-YauJ6Q2tVptTL3tq2Jt9CZn5s6dH12vMhmxp-4W44F3jyIW5YdARAoq7emWvozHqPhLHHAPgAP7_6PCGbZHcVgDtLE7as1sNt-VOo/s640/IMAG0973.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Bx6hhuccDsxrl42NzSe3mKFdyFBpzK16R82AjIckYMhXdX0MN9HaoF7XACheG7a3gqCdO-wk0SPRcLpfqTwk-85N4P1NKB-K2n7GAvhD0R4br2N8jY-vdf3PkPtZ3pSB1PPCbDKTkQe/s1600/IMAG0974.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg67Bx6hhuccDsxrl42NzSe3mKFdyFBpzK16R82AjIckYMhXdX0MN9HaoF7XACheG7a3gqCdO-wk0SPRcLpfqTwk-85N4P1NKB-K2n7GAvhD0R4br2N8jY-vdf3PkPtZ3pSB1PPCbDKTkQe/s640/IMAG0974.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD3lHjN-CkAqGGYCQewK4lrpsRCE4Ap0YdoTu_F1g3UATe1OUGXkamn47_v171LN1F8A6VRAxuJTZByU6KroEZYslbquIm-fQatj_5tKrQMQXzQrRkb1L4UEuVHO1W1MatHAToixb2K4h/s1600/IMAG0967.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD3lHjN-CkAqGGYCQewK4lrpsRCE4Ap0YdoTu_F1g3UATe1OUGXkamn47_v171LN1F8A6VRAxuJTZByU6KroEZYslbquIm-fQatj_5tKrQMQXzQrRkb1L4UEuVHO1W1MatHAToixb2K4h/s640/IMAG0967.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXVQIn_foE74Un4ioRb0Pszmj4GUSLC7H7LHZromP6JFsVQw7S9CF0mhDTCQ7HjbzdrkKXf6TSlcs3fPC4heZkr2oRShQAJFMJn7BZ2KkkW4vkGdwEh1IlQmmtl48ydRSaYLcVBTwuGua/s1600/IMAG0987.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxXVQIn_foE74Un4ioRb0Pszmj4GUSLC7H7LHZromP6JFsVQw7S9CF0mhDTCQ7HjbzdrkKXf6TSlcs3fPC4heZkr2oRShQAJFMJn7BZ2KkkW4vkGdwEh1IlQmmtl48ydRSaYLcVBTwuGua/s640/IMAG0987.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucSqAXEfX_r11dYjm8tuceq0ChKehVfpKyUWhRZENVKGrxutFaCZImwg6x3Xk7puGp5uFZRP3kSJprv2jSj_u3kbCFI1jst1QxRYcWk2oiWV2zRKXhmDq1CUPTP6HHfN44N6DQNYIra8l/s1600/IMAG0968.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhucSqAXEfX_r11dYjm8tuceq0ChKehVfpKyUWhRZENVKGrxutFaCZImwg6x3Xk7puGp5uFZRP3kSJprv2jSj_u3kbCFI1jst1QxRYcWk2oiWV2zRKXhmDq1CUPTP6HHfN44N6DQNYIra8l/s640/IMAG0968.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zzVp4z1ioQq7Yf_UaB_k8AtiyRsbtQOB-ZYDP0r5D7452DVdmJzxVEnBdgUKqsiT-FMyuBx_XeVaGETvwWlzKkySY0rkupSRpABE5aBQ5TB30AXSo92hzw05KTAvldS5sP7kCUgQ42f4/s1600/IMAG0959.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zzVp4z1ioQq7Yf_UaB_k8AtiyRsbtQOB-ZYDP0r5D7452DVdmJzxVEnBdgUKqsiT-FMyuBx_XeVaGETvwWlzKkySY0rkupSRpABE5aBQ5TB30AXSo92hzw05KTAvldS5sP7kCUgQ42f4/s640/IMAG0959.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-23198734644201097552013-04-14T20:59:00.000+02:002013-04-20T15:35:08.832+02:00Singapore-LombokI did not know how to introduce the new <b><a href="http://piovonorunners.blogspot.sg/search/label/Piovonontheroad">#piovonontheroad</a></b> series.<br />
<br />
Then <b><a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2013/04/14/world/asia/plane-skids-into-water-at-airport-in-bali.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes">this</a></b> happened.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcsiMKNhrlVzF3zvZiK0DPDtynF2TelTH0m-71rzMJYcJDvLTu_ZpjUuikobdQoBKW2mB4yx8n7qlTKjpHw1af5PG7cf4wM37o3poTQVIYXvOO_kq85BG4cNZZWmBjExKTvAubxEx7aDs/s1600/lion-air-crash--1-.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXcsiMKNhrlVzF3zvZiK0DPDtynF2TelTH0m-71rzMJYcJDvLTu_ZpjUuikobdQoBKW2mB4yx8n7qlTKjpHw1af5PG7cf4wM37o3poTQVIYXvOO_kq85BG4cNZZWmBjExKTvAubxEx7aDs/s1600/lion-air-crash--1-.jpg" height="225" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I am flying from Bali to Lombok by Lion Air. Next Sunday 21 April. The plan is to run in Lombok and in Gili Islands. And to climb up to the 3700m high top of <b><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mount_Rinjani">Mount Rinjani</a></b>.<br />
<br />
Fool me that I thought climbing the volcano was the riskiest part.<br />
<br />
<b></b> <br />Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-6651796346474107652013-04-13T18:53:00.002+02:002013-04-13T18:59:21.223+02:00GentlemenHere we go, again. It's raining gentlemen.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/ASO_zypdnsQ/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ASO_zypdnsQ&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/ASO_zypdnsQ&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<br />
(Just to remember that Piovono Runners was the first Italian blog to go Gangnam) with<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
"<b><a href="http://piovonorunners.blogspot.sg/2012/08/need-for-speed.html">Need for Speed</a></b>"</div>
<b></b>
Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-17650529084525178902013-03-22T18:36:00.002+01:002013-03-23T18:18:35.421+01:00La gestione del caso Maro, Mennea, e “l’orgoglio di essere italiani”A Singapore gioco anche a calcio. Sempre meno, da quando ho iniziato a lavorare. Durante la settimana, quando posso, prendo parte a un torneo di calcio a 5 con la squadra "Italians in Singapore". Un torneo serissimo, con classifiche marcatori e tabellini di ogni partita. Ogni squadra invia un report con un giudizio personale sulla partita.<br />
<br />
Il report di una squadra che battemmo 4-2 cominciava con “bene, da dove cominciamo...? 8 settembre 1943”. Erano <a href="http://www.futsal.espzen.com/matchreport_frame.asp?matchno=9137">inglesi</a>. Avevano giocato una partita scorrettissima, commettendo ogni fallo possibile, solo metà dei quali fischiati, e rompendo un dito al nostro migliore giocatore. Erano molto più grossi di noi, le avevano prese e non sapevano darsene una ragione. Reagirono con la stizza di chi sa di avere torto. Derisero il nostro paese per farci inalberare (ovviamente nel report c’erano anche riferimenti a Berlusconi).<br />
<br />
Ci riuscirono, ci inalberammo, ma la cosa finì lì, perché alla fine siamo signori (io avrei voluto spaccare loro la faccia, i signori erano altri nella squadra).<br />
<br />
Bene. Premesso che quei tizi sono dei cafoni, per usare parole leggere. Perché il governo del nostro paese, qualunque esso sia, riesce sempre a trovare un motivo per farci vergognare in contesti internazionali?<br />
<br />
Avevamo i tecnici, porca paletta, persone che avrebbero dovuto rappresentare l'Italia migliore. E hanno fatto la porcheria che hanno fatto. Qui la porcheria che hanno fatto, se non fosse chiara a tutti:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2013/03/22/news/l_onore_perduto_della_democrazia-55094155/">http://www.repubblica.it/esteri/2013/03/22/news/l_onore_perduto_della_democrazia-55094155/</a><br />
<a href="http://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/20/cultura/opinioni/editoriali/italia-e-india-non-saranno-mai-nemici-QtRG3qK1UgHqBBdk8WJBBO/pagina.html">http://www.lastampa.it/2013/03/20/cultura/opinioni/editoriali/italia-e-india-non-saranno-mai-nemici-QtRG3qK1UgHqBBdk8WJBBO/pagina.html</a><br />
<a href="http://www.linkiesta.it/terzi-maro-il-peggiore-di-sempre">http://www.linkiesta.it/terzi-maro-il-peggiore-di-sempre</a><br />
<br />
I danni collaterali di questi sciagurati alla guida di Esteri e Difesa sono enormi. Non oso immaginare il prossimo report del torneo.<br />
<br />
E allora che fare?<br />
<br />
Appellarsi all'Italia migliore. Trovare altri modelli. Il nostro destino è segnato dai pregiudizi creati (e ostinatamente sostenuti) da chi ci governa. Ma niente paura. Mennea e Baldini due uomini straordinariamente normali, ce l’hanno fatta. Con determinazione e lavoro. A loro dobbiamo ispirarci.<br />
<br />
E nel mio piccolo, alla prossima partita del torneo contro quella squadra, quando supererò in corsa il colosso inglese per insaccarla nella sua porta, penserò a Mennea che supera l’inglese a Mosca e vince l’oro olimpico. E in onore alla Freccia del Sud, dopo aver segnato, mi volterò, guarderò l’inglese negli occhi e gli dirò, con accento di Barletta: pigghia chist’ figghiebucchin’.<br />
<br />Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-42448144003990798242013-02-23T12:15:00.001+01:002013-02-23T12:17:36.342+01:00Non scriviamo minchiate<br />
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Un avvertimento importante. Questa minchiata l’ho scritta io da solo ed esprime solo il mio punto di vista. È così per tutte le minchiate che scrivo su Piovono Runners. Questa volta, però, ci tenevo a precisarlo.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
Ecco, per l'appunto.<br />
<br />
Vi parlo di corsa. Sì perché questa domenica corro. Domenica 24 febbraio 2013, c’è una corsa importante a Singapore. Sono 15 km + 30 piani di un grattacielo. Non mi sono allenato tantissimo ultimamente. Il mio obbiettivo sarà arrivare senza un infarto quantomeno al 20esimo piano. Per dire, se l’infarto ce l’ho al 21esimo piano sono comunque contento. Come sempre porterò con me la bandiera dei Podisti da Marte, da sventolare in cima al grattacielo.<br />
<br />
Sarà un momento particolare. Un anno fa, in questo periodo, sventolavo la bandiera marziana a Vigevano, per celebrare l’arrivo di Andrea “Biscottino” al traguardo della sua prima e faticosa mezza maratona. Quest’anno Biscottino non c’è più e molti marziani correranno domenica a Vigevano per ricordarlo. Ecco, quindi speriamo proprio di arrivarci al 30esimo piano a sventolare la bandiera.<br />
<br />
Ma non è di me che voglio parlare. O dei Podisti da Marte. Domenica correranno altre persone. Meglio, altre squadre, in una gara particolare.<br />
<br />
C’è una squadra guidata da un tipo di una certa età. Gente tendenzialmente mediocre, che corre solo perché lui glielo consente.
Lui è un tipo strano. Dicono c’abbia parecchi vizietti, il che non è il massimo per il leader di una squadra. Ma soprattutto è uno che vede la corsa solo in quanto finalizzata a vincere la gara. Una competizione fine a se stessa. Onanistica. Per mesi sonnecchia,vivacchia, si dedica ai suoi vizietti. Nel periodo subito prima della corsa si dopa, pesantemente, chiama alle armi tutti i suoi scagnozzi, e inizia ad abusare psicologicamente di chi sosterrebbe anche i suoi avversari. Non c’è niente di male per se, solo che finita la gara scompare. Si dedica ai suoi vizietti e manda in malora il mondo della corsa. E il mondo ha bisogno della corsa. Quelli che corrono con lui sono contenti di stargli dietro. Grazie alla sua guida spericolata arrivano per primi e possono mangiare tutto il cibo del rinfresco.<br />
<br />
C’è un’altra squadra, guidata da un anziano signore. Non anziano come il primo. Lui si è spesso dedicato alla corsa, ma come attività secondaria, finalizzata ad altri sport. Faceva il Professore di educazione fisica. Di recente fu chiamato a occuparsi di corsa perché la squadra di prima, che aveva vinto la gara, aveva poi mandato tutto in vacca rischiando di far fallire gli organizzatori della gara. Nella sua squadra c’è gente molto brava, ma un po’ altezzosa. C’è anche gente parecchio discutibile, che prima correva col vecchio malvissuto di cui sopra. Questa squadra probabilmente non vincerà. Ha avuto poco tempo per allenarsi, ed è stata pesantemente attaccata dalla squadra del vecchio malvissuto.<br />
<br />
C’è una squadra che non è proprio una squadra. Il tipo che la guida non corre, guarda soltanto. Ha detto a tutti come dovevano allenarsi, ha stabilito le modalità, i tempi. È una squadra che fa tanto rumore, perché il tipo che la guida fa tanto rumore. La gente che la compone è molto variegata. C’è chi corre da tempo e chi ha mosso i primi passi qualche mese fa. Tutti con una gran voglia di vincere la gara per il bene della corsa. Il problema è che non si sa che farà questa squadra una volta finita la gara. Alcuni andranno a destra, altri a sinistra. Qualcuno resterà fedele al capo qualcun altro no. Qualcun altro dopo un po’ si stancherà di correre e si dedicherà ad altro, con i soldi degli organizzatori della gara.<br />
<br />
Di due squadre non so se sia il caso di parlare. Accenno brevemente ai capifila delle due squadre. Uno corre da tanto tempo, con vestiti sgargianti, ma non ha mai partecipato a una gara. È un eccentrico corridore che si diverte a menare il can per l’aia. Di recente ha perso credibilità perché han scoperto che millantava di certificati di merito conseguiti in Italia e all’estero. E di capacità canore riconosciutegli sin da piccolo. L’altro capofila avrebbe sempre voluto correre, ma è finito a fare lo schermidore. È stato allievo di un grande schermidore prematuramente scomparso. Sulle sue capacità di schermidore molti nutrono qualche dubbio. Dicono fosse piuttosto scorretto, non seguisse le regole del gioco pur di colpire gli avversari. Ed era un appassionato di storia della scherma, alla quale dedicava tante risorse della federazione della scherma. Adesso guida una squadra
composta da gente che sarebbe meglio si guardasse la corsa da casa.<br />
<br />
Infine, ma non per importanza, c’è una squadra alla quale sono molto affezionato. E’ una squadra nata qualche anno fa da due squadre con una grande storia, ma con poco successo. Al suo interno correvano tante persone che forse avrebbero potuto lasciare spazio a qualcuno con energie più fresche. E alla fine l’hanno fatto, hanno mollato l'osso. Non tanto per merito loro, quanto per merito di chi queste energie più fresche ce le aveva. È una squadra guidata da un tipo istintivamente simpatico, apparentemente bonario. Ma uno che da giovanissimo faceva certe corse che neanche ce le immaginiamo. Tipo guidare la "regione con i migliori asili nido d'Europa". Da qualche tempo ha deciso di guidare questa squadra. Per un po’ si era fidato di un professore (di liceo) che correva da tempo e aveva vinto una gara provinciale. Sembrava una brava persona, ma lo accusarono di doparsi e
fu umanamente lasciato a casa. Come lui altri sono stati lasciati a casa, perché’ la squadra non fosse coinvolta dai loro scandali (altre squadre se ne sono infischiate altamente, per dire). Il leader di questa squadra non è un leader come ce lo immaginiamo. Non urla, non si agita. Parla pane al pane e vino al vino. Cerca di convincere con la ragionevolezza, a volte con il tempo. A volte con troppo tempo. Gli altri che corrono in questa squadra sono, per lo più, gente per bene. Gente che crede nella corsa. A volte anche troppo. Non è detto che conti per vincere le gare, ma può contare per fare apprezzare la corsa. Molti sostenitori di questa squadra volevano correre la gara, ma non c’era spazio per tutti. I sostenitori, tutti, hanno dedicato molto tempo a scegliere chi mandare a correre la gara. Anche il leader è stato scelto da tutti, al contrario che nelle altre squadre. È una cosa che, credo andrebbe apprezzata. Forse la squadra è un po’ ingenua, al suo interno ci sono delle teste matte, andrebbe aiutata dal Professore. Ma forse ce la fa da sola. Ha tanta voglia di vincere, e dice, speriamo sia vero, che lo fa per migliorare il mondo della corsa dopo anni di barbarie. Sicuramente ha migliorato se stessa negli ultimi anni, gliene si deve dare atto.<br />
<br />
Ecco, se potessi assistere a questa gara, tiferei questa squadra. A gran voce. Se lo merita. Me la sento vicina.<br />
<br />
Ma sono a Singapore, a correre 15km + 30 piani di un grattacielo. Quindi chiedo a te che leggi, se avevi intenzione di non andare a vedere la gara, o di andare per tifare per un’altra squadra, se, per favore, puoi andare e tifare per questa squadra a nome mio. Li riconoscerai perché indossano i colori della bandiera italiana.<br />
<br />
Grazie.<br />
<br />
Valerio<br />
<br />
P.s.
Che poi 30 piani, dopo 15k, ma sono scemi?!? Io mi ero iscritto che dicevano 15k+climb. Senza precisare. Poi vado a ritirare il pettorale: <i>"Scusi, how much climb?"</i> "thirty stories" <i>"thirty steps?"</i> "thirty stories" <i>"30 steps?"</i> "30 piani" <i>"XXX pioli?"</i> "XXX piani" <i>"no, mi scusi, forse non ho capito bene. Trenta scale tipo 1 rampa con XXX scalini?"</i> "no, tipo trenta piani con 30 rampe con XXX scalini"<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnMVuYZHinU0C-66pDMsMp40OUfb8umQobR3GDJa4Ut37l9CyCmhNHZXBvsPpTgVaF62TJWEfq8eJ2qfhMdj7gOYbMonRnD7sdYcJnzDbK6DDj6ZrfbAQq1GQDPDjs9wahJP6ALgHJ7NA/s1600/472925_10150845265712300_754896288_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDnMVuYZHinU0C-66pDMsMp40OUfb8umQobR3GDJa4Ut37l9CyCmhNHZXBvsPpTgVaF62TJWEfq8eJ2qfhMdj7gOYbMonRnD7sdYcJnzDbK6DDj6ZrfbAQq1GQDPDjs9wahJP6ALgHJ7NA/s400/472925_10150845265712300_754896288_o.jpg" height="267" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><i>"Mmm secondo me intendeva 30 scalini"</i></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<br />Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-1162691419226403712013-02-20T16:36:00.001+01:002013-02-20T16:36:14.120+01:00Zerg Rush I ran 10k this evening, in Singapore. After 10 days without running. Starting at 10 pm.<br />
<br />
Before running I was thinking about writing a post about the next race, next Sunday.<br />
<br />
Then, while running, I thought about a serious post to write. Something about disability and running. It was all in my mind at the end of the 10k. Something deep.<br />
<br />
Then I had dinner at Adam's Food Court. Noodles with prawns and pork meat, followed by the "Special Italian" fruit juice.<br />
<br />
Here's a good advice. It's an old feature, but I found it out only today. (Thanks Mix!)<br />
<br />
Google => Zerg Rush => Search<br />
<br />
Ruuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuunnnnnnnnnnnnnnnn!!!!!!!!!!Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-54086674751580267892013-01-12T14:19:00.001+01:002013-01-17T09:22:06.990+01:00Fourteenth and Fifteenth Days, Dulcis in FundoThe sweet is at the end. Or also, take the dessert at the end. Dulcis in fundo. This ancient saying applies also to sticky rice cooked in the bamboo on the fire at night in an elephant camp in the middle of the jungle. The sweeter part is at the end. <br />
<br />
Let's go in order.<br />
<br />
The last two days of of the #piovonontheroad trip were mainly spent in the jungle. <br />
We were a group of eleven people plus two guides: six girls from Ireland, a couple from Germany, a Belgium, a French, and an awesome Sicilian.<br />
<br />
We were picked up at the hostel and carried far far away. First stop at a waterfall, where we had a short glacial bath. Then to some pools of thermal water, where we had a long warm bath.<br />
<br />
From the thermal poos we left for a 9k trek in the middle of the jungle. Up and Down three gorgeous steep hills. The first slope left me with a tremendous will to run. The second slope I didn't resist and started. Adrien (Belgium), Guillaume (France) and Nu (one of the guides) followed straight away. Somewhere on Facebook there must be videos of these fast downhill runs. Guillaume is on a 8 months journey around the world, has uploaded over 5000 pictures and videos so far.<br />
<br />
On the way we stopped at two villages. We were supposed cross villages of the Karen Tribe. If you check on Google, Karen Tribe is the hills tribe where women have long necks after the rings which were applied since the were kids.<br />
<br />
No trace of long necks. Better for them, I must say. The reason was, as always, religion. Karen tribes used to be all animist. As it was explained to me by Loso (the other guide), who is from the Karen tribe, when people got sick they sacrified a chicken to nature. Then a missionary came from France, 50 years ago, and he brought medicines. Now the six villages of the Karen Tribe of that area are catholic. No more long necks.<br />
Villages were quite amazing anyway, for us people from the cities. No electricity, terrace rice fields, and animals hanging around undisturbed. What do you think when you see a big black pig lying peacefully on the ground? I got hungry.<br />
<br />
We reached the base camp. Five buildings where two men, one woman and a baby waited for trekkers. Our dorm, like all the buildings we had seen on the way, was in a palafitte.<br />
<br />
It was already a little bit cold. The bravest (or the dirtiest) took a cold shower with the water pumped from the river nearby. A piece of fabric avoided debris to fall with the water.<br />
<br />
Our dinner was luxurious. Three main meals with steam rice. For the joy of the Irish girls, there were also some potatoes, floating in the chicken curry.<br />
<br />
We warmed up at the fire with Adrien playing any kind of unknown song (including Tryo "Hymne de mon Compaignes" and the main theme of 1970s Italian tv show Pinocchio). A good help for warming up came from the "happy water", a home made methanol rich rice liqueur. And of course the sticky rice: rice coconut milk and sugar stuffed in a bamboo, closed on top with a banana leaf, and cooked on the fire.<br />
<br />
We went to bed at 22. At midnight I woke up. The cold night was barely stopped by the thin cover we had been provided with. The humidity had wetted the mattress. I woke up again at 1. At 2. At. 3. At 4. At 5... At 6.30 I thought it was enough. There was enough light to understand where my frozen feet where. Went out of the dorm and walked around the camp. Everything was under a thick fog. Surely thicker than our cover. The river streamed placid. Everyone and everything was asleep. I missed my running shoes. <br />
<br />
At 7 the first human beings showed up. At 8.30 we were all awake, having a massive breakfast around the fire with eggs, toasts, tea and coffee. And sticky rice, of course.<br />
<br />
Then came the elephants. Two, big, calm. Guided by two skinny and skilled locals.<br />
<br />
We collected our stuff and divided in two groups: the girls left with the elephants. The other five and the guides left with a long bamboo raft, and the will to ride the elephants.<br />
<br />
After 45 minutes we changed means of transportation. Me and Adrien went on an elephant, Guillaume, Nikol and Antja went on the other.<br />
<br />
I was against riding elephants. But they're treated with a lot of care in Thailand. There are governmental programs to protect them, and when they get too old to carry people they are brought to specific camps.<br />
Riding an elephant in an organized trip is like when you were a kid and they made you ride a pony. With the difference that an elephant can squeeze you.<br />
<br />
There are two places when you can stay, on an elephant. On the comfortable chair safely tied to its back, or directly on the elephant's neck, keeping your knees behind its ears. <br />
I stood on the neck. And found out muscles of my legs I didn't know to exist (I would have been happy also if I remained ignorant).<br />
<br />
The elephants carried us along the river. Often crossing the river and sometimes climbing up and down of scary hills.<br />
<br />
After 45 minutes of childhood I had to leave the elephant's neck. It was extremely painful. Emotionally: to come back to a life without an elephant. Phisically: to have my inner legs devastated John Wayne style.<br />
We took another raft and all together navigated the river for another 2 hours. It was very funny, with some rafting and some race. Everything in the quiet and placid streaming of the river in the forest. Some poop of elephant floating from time to time (they are huge).<br />
<br />
After two hours we reached the final camp, had lunch and headed back to the hostel.<br />
<br />
I was full of energy for the days spent in such a great atmosphere. There was only one thing I could do: run.<br />
Old Chiang Mai is surrounded by a squared canal and some remainings of the walls which protected the city. The whole perimeter is 6,4k, I found out. Started and never stopped. The elephants, the rafting, the new friends. The humid and cold night. Altogether there with me and my legs. I climbed the walls, where it was possible. And came back at the hostel tired and fully satisfied.<br />
<br />
The evening went on with a solitary dinner in a restaurant which served typical northern Thai food. It was advised by the guide. The first meal was a raw sausage with fresh salad. Very good. And I'm still alive, chances are I won't die even this time. <br />
<br />
After the dinner, a goodbye drink with the adventurous mates of the jungle trip. <br />
<br />
Piovonontheroad is at the end. <br />
<br />
Pictures of these two days will be posted later, on a Picasa album attached to this post. <span style="color: red;">[Done on 17 January 2013]</span><br />
<br />
The very last day, the sixteenth one, was spent in four airports. Chiang Mai International, Kuala Lumpur Budget Terminal, Kuala Lumpur International Airport, and Changi Airport Singapore.<br />
<br />
Not much to say about it, apart that it left me with a great desire of home. And of running. Well, for the second thing it's easy. Just need to upload this post, share it, and I'm ready to hit the road of Botanic Garden, Singapore.<br />
<br />
See you soon on Piovono Runners.<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><embed flashvars="host=picasaweb.google.com&hl=it&feat=flashalbum&RGB=0x000000&feed=https%3A%2F%2Fpicasaweb.google.com%2Fdata%2Ffeed%2Fapi%2Fuser%2F102123492805221458795%2Falbumid%2F5834328354129179953%3Falt%3Drss%26kind%3Dphoto%26authkey%3DGv1sRgCKTm6Lq3qvv_PQ%26hl%3Dit" height="192" pluginspage="http://www.macromedia.com/go/getflashplayer" src="https://picasaweb.google.com/s/c/bin/slideshow.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="288"></embed></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx8kKa2JrXF2Tn3ElQzuezN-3BaRXDwE3d1l44jlADvagsCd4Q-dugnvVskczOr1w5IjuTZlduPMxVug-54lcMJCLgRBFkRzQ2F7BkYP3dODX0hFTyx133F0MpBzmuhX5bAfDRCXDcL8f/s1600/IMAG0725.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixx8kKa2JrXF2Tn3ElQzuezN-3BaRXDwE3d1l44jlADvagsCd4Q-dugnvVskczOr1w5IjuTZlduPMxVug-54lcMJCLgRBFkRzQ2F7BkYP3dODX0hFTyx133F0MpBzmuhX5bAfDRCXDcL8f/s640/IMAG0725.jpg" /> </a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-74628926607232898062013-01-09T15:28:00.001+01:002013-01-09T15:28:07.090+01:00Thirteenth Day, Chiang Mai Vice<p>There are days when you feel a little bit tired. Yesterday was one of these days. <br>
I'm close to the end of this trip. The many things done plus the idea that everything is going to finish. Our life, I mean... </p>
<p>I'm depressed because I was sexually harassed.</p>
<p>Let's go in order. </p>
<p>This morning I woke up at 7. Very slowly. I had a big breakfast and organized the next two days. I haven't done much to organize them, to be honest. Just booked one of the adventurous travels set up by the guest house where I'm staying. I'll get to this point at the end. </p>
<p>Lazy day. Hanging around the old city of Chiang Mai. Temples, temples, temples. Still don't know if there are more temples or 7eleven in Thailand. </p>
<p>I simply walked around, getting lost in the tiny lanes of the old city and finding the way out with the GPS. </p>
<p>After the third beautiful temple (skipped the fourth that three was already a good number) I stopped for lunch. The place was very nice, but it was infested of mosquitos. When I went to the toilet I found out why.</p>
<p>The ceiling was completely covered by a thick web, with a big white spider supervising the works. On the door a note with the name of the spider. "harmless for humans, maybe it can catch some mosquitos from time to time". Let nature take its course! One day the spiders will spread to the dining area and we will get rid of the mosquitos. This must have been the idea of the restaurant guy. </p>
<p>Sexual harassment. </p>
<p>I wanted to try the famous Thai massage. Chiang Mai is famous for that, even more than Bangkok. The guide says that. </p>
<p>The guide says also where is the best place to take a massage. It's an international school of massage, right outside the clearly defined perimeter of the old city.</p>
<p>The guide doesn't tell where it is. It reports the name of the street (a long street), and then that the school is in front of a certain building. No reference of the school or the other building on the map of he guide. It's Rough Guide, by the way. </p>
<p>After a lot of wandering around I finally found it. And I was sexually harassed.</p>
<p>Have you ever tried a Thai massage? It's not the massage I had in mind. They stretch twist and punch you until your body surrenders and decides to relax. The body pretends to be dead, so that maybe they will stop the torture. Opossum strategy.</p>
<p>The lady didn't speak a word of English.</p>
<p>She gave me a shirt and some loosened trousers to wear. Should I keep or not the underwear? I opted for no underwear. </p>
<p>She started with the leg. The left leg. I love my legs, they make me run. I'm left foot, I need it to kick at football. You can imagine how much I was concerned about my running and football career, when she started punching the left triceps.</p>
<p>"They are muscles, no cramps, no cramps" I wanted to say. But to whom?</p>
<p>She indulged a couple of time on the groin area. Apparently she had to. But still, I didn't like her "accidentally" touching my weenie.</p>
<p>It was as uncomfortable as when she touched her boobs with my feet. </p>
<p>Then I had the proof. When she finished the lower area she slapped my bottom. Yes she did. And no guru of massage can convince me that that was a step of the ritual.</p>
<p>I must say though, that slap boosted my self-esteem. Even a 40-50 year old Thai masseuse can appreciate the bottom of a runner. </p>
<p>The upper part of the body had less critical points. </p>
<p>After an hour and a half my body was conquered. She mumbled something in Thai, and I thanked for the slap.</p>
<p>If there's time after the jungle I may take another massage there. Next time oil massage, maybe.</p>
<p>Right, the jungle. Tomorrow I'm leaving for some trekking and other activities in the jungle. It's a two day trip, we will sleep in some place far from Chiang Mai, where the Hills Tribes live.</p>
<p>It is foreseeable that tomorrow, 10 January 2013, I will be without wifi for the whole day.</p>
<p>If you don't see any new post on 11 January it may be that I'm dead. Either the Hills Tribes turned out to be cannibals, or I was squeezed by an elephant. Or simply my mobile fell into the river during the bamboo rafting. </p>
<p>I really hope it's not the last case, I can't live without my smartphone. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15h-GswCZ7DOGR3ov2cqfRR5TTdtL0uX7uvNXcK34kg_qFa_eJnvQdDXoaduMBUnczT8Qn1wzeltLpxGS1NFC7zMZ2ySwX8eMHwtffi6fmiDZSL-43PPfSTn_5aBMTyQQ_e6aM5sivn2b/s1600/IMAG0688.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi15h-GswCZ7DOGR3ov2cqfRR5TTdtL0uX7uvNXcK34kg_qFa_eJnvQdDXoaduMBUnczT8Qn1wzeltLpxGS1NFC7zMZ2ySwX8eMHwtffi6fmiDZSL-43PPfSTn_5aBMTyQQ_e6aM5sivn2b/s640/IMAG0688.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VTHSqE-o02Ow0zwHkSDUa4PXBZJoqHml5k2A9LXUufUGz-IrXujltfdE-Odcbf53NVrNSe9HuZ0oHoYJidzKJe-BTMk94sI0Y3lGR2v3fxS9Y0Qn8yfjhq1_18ADjCKB9djF_M0oggnX/s1600/IMAG0686.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7VTHSqE-o02Ow0zwHkSDUa4PXBZJoqHml5k2A9LXUufUGz-IrXujltfdE-Odcbf53NVrNSe9HuZ0oHoYJidzKJe-BTMk94sI0Y3lGR2v3fxS9Y0Qn8yfjhq1_18ADjCKB9djF_M0oggnX/s640/IMAG0686.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvoh3SQ_ZdnrsWCEml0C3Pk2ffxt3LOWDtMUbByDErnZX-_8WEncJB8HTVx2ZJlr7nVKk-AG1ngbR6Y2sYQO4c9fw8YuAYh2aocRROuiXrEqozxjBQ_hosc4PuK5hwYMRXJliHgUATCOG/s1600/IMAG0687.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxvoh3SQ_ZdnrsWCEml0C3Pk2ffxt3LOWDtMUbByDErnZX-_8WEncJB8HTVx2ZJlr7nVKk-AG1ngbR6Y2sYQO4c9fw8YuAYh2aocRROuiXrEqozxjBQ_hosc4PuK5hwYMRXJliHgUATCOG/s640/IMAG0687.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGDUO8QC4n6YHUZF2dNwwQdO26r-oui2BBBI2XW4CS2cLwIN19TzeDvZbHqvsxpcPiys2dZ4vpZdlZmeUerAjpSsG_VY5omZ31HUHuIvE5jkfxe2gEZylL-Ab7oyzgDw8a1w459wlLL9f/s1600/IMAG0684.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnGDUO8QC4n6YHUZF2dNwwQdO26r-oui2BBBI2XW4CS2cLwIN19TzeDvZbHqvsxpcPiys2dZ4vpZdlZmeUerAjpSsG_VY5omZ31HUHuIvE5jkfxe2gEZylL-Ab7oyzgDw8a1w459wlLL9f/s640/IMAG0684.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4WwYN0cuakFRyi9wYqFPI5AHN3Hkz3vv94Tn-6AgO4TLnikmWRLMCE_hpHYkZXaJ6oTa9Mooj2zFhUs2fwAtbmpzpb6wKtmlKSVfuXvJKdbv7v3mG21wd-hy_IvJ4KG1V6-63oisZ6N7/s1600/IMAG0683.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii4WwYN0cuakFRyi9wYqFPI5AHN3Hkz3vv94Tn-6AgO4TLnikmWRLMCE_hpHYkZXaJ6oTa9Mooj2zFhUs2fwAtbmpzpb6wKtmlKSVfuXvJKdbv7v3mG21wd-hy_IvJ4KG1V6-63oisZ6N7/s640/IMAG0683.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT6ZfJxYHVpQFPkzHVJqGgBWbMtUAwPypDJ_CyaDOZ_p_Il60feuClCx8iul5LeNKrt4HxmlFIuPicirtUOOFQrwfs5KNcr9eEuy7OS1aCebHR-kKSlvXhE2KmsziBUoHkQwNACuqts7X/s1600/IMAG0692.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtT6ZfJxYHVpQFPkzHVJqGgBWbMtUAwPypDJ_CyaDOZ_p_Il60feuClCx8iul5LeNKrt4HxmlFIuPicirtUOOFQrwfs5KNcr9eEuy7OS1aCebHR-kKSlvXhE2KmsziBUoHkQwNACuqts7X/s640/IMAG0692.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1zC4uFYfxYbYxcrSAZFXgJvfOTlb9IH9J0NenAtDOu3nwTm7Y71Slrpr-I0ourlwTPQfU6TfcUmEcz13yHIIyZyEk2onaC2rKckvvShJVkk7ie_u8cd-l7FhBH24GWZZ7bchaSNhyphenhyphenRFE/s1600/IMAG0691.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy1zC4uFYfxYbYxcrSAZFXgJvfOTlb9IH9J0NenAtDOu3nwTm7Y71Slrpr-I0ourlwTPQfU6TfcUmEcz13yHIIyZyEk2onaC2rKckvvShJVkk7ie_u8cd-l7FhBH24GWZZ7bchaSNhyphenhyphenRFE/s640/IMAG0691.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice5Q28aILikQzh-uQr23pJ1i-zV8gmC5lRVBQ4klEUXQJ0n_Hx1RmpAtO-GcacMIMSmG2dr3X1pEK7rzufBJVwcD1oeoT_HL8jqYReMr8WkDUCeyRNqKDYhJJI6mr4-fyAaoXDvM_st1I/s1600/IMAG0693.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEice5Q28aILikQzh-uQr23pJ1i-zV8gmC5lRVBQ4klEUXQJ0n_Hx1RmpAtO-GcacMIMSmG2dr3X1pEK7rzufBJVwcD1oeoT_HL8jqYReMr8WkDUCeyRNqKDYhJJI6mr4-fyAaoXDvM_st1I/s640/IMAG0693.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Libra Guest House, 28 Moon Muang Rd Soi 9 Chiang Mai 50200 Thailand18.7941 98.992615tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-80217862638742930362013-01-08T10:29:00.001+01:002013-01-08T17:24:20.532+01:00Twelfth Day, Sukhothai Quanto T'Amai<p>Which means: Sukhothai how much I loved you. In Italian, not in Thai.</p>
<p>A very good day spent in Sukhothai.</p>
<p>Like all good days, it started with a run. 7k, apparently a man can't run more when he eats spicy Thai food.</p>
<p>First I ran along Yom river, where rice fields were enlightened by a clean rising sun. After the tenth strayed dog who followed me, and the fifth fighting cock, I decided to move back to the city. Rabid is one of the scary diseases the guide suggests to avoid.</p>
<p>On the way back I made a stop at the bus station, where I bought the ticket to Chiang Mai.</p>
<p>Big surprise of the day, between the bus station and the hostel there was a local market. Fresh meat, live catfish, fruit and vegetable shown to anyone who wasn't a farang (a foreigner). There is no mention of this market on the guide, of course.</p>
<p>I bought a dragon fruit and a big pineapple for 40 baht (1 euro). Didn't even bargain, usually I can't have them together for less than 2 euro.</p>
<p>At the hostel I asked for a breakfast set (yoghurt and coffee), a dish and a knife. They brought me a big one. Peeling the fruit was even more enjoyable than eating it.</p>
<p>This amazing breakfast had an undesired effect: when I left the hostel was already 9.30.</p>
<p>The plan for the day was to visit the archaeological site. Sukhothai was the first capital of the unified kingdom of Thailand. It didn't last long, but it was a powerful and wealthy city. Its power declined in the XIV century, when its last king was more interested in Theravada Buddhism than in maintaining law and order. Which means also that during his reign several temples were built. All in Sukhothai.</p>
<p>I arrived at the historical park at 10.30, after a ride in the slowest and strangest bus I've ever seen: a sort of big tuk tuk, with engines slighter more powerful and room for twenty people. </p>
<p>The sun was already strong when I rented the bicycle. But it didn't matter much. Most of the streets around the temples had leafy trees and the many canals and lakes helped refreshing the area.</p>
<p>The site was very well kept and the audio guide extremely useful. Nothing compared to Angkor, Cambodia, for magnificence, but still worth visiting.</p>
<p>I was back to the new town already at 2 p.m.. I tried to eat in two places highly recommended by the guide. Both closed, though they weren't supposed to be.</p>
<p>I stopped at a local cafè; ran by nice young girls. The coconut curry spicy soup was Thai spice, definitely not western spice. Never sweated so much for some food.</p>
<p>The atmosphere was very easy and pleasant. Bossa nova music as back ground, a local guy watching The Big Bang Theory on his iPad, and no one who bothered you. A place where the young middle class of Sukhothai can relax in a mild western atmosphere.</p>
<p>Another great place of Sukhothai was the guesthouse where I was staying. It is worth mentioning it. Ban Thai Guesthouse. All in teak, nice clean and quiet rooms, good breakfast, very friendly hosts. I stayed there for one night and they let me keep the bag in a safe place for the whole day. I spent another hour there, before leaving by bus, charging my mobile and having some rest. They didn't ask for anything and greeted me nicely. I tried to leave a tip at breakfast, for the big knife, and the host declined it. Definitely a friendly place.</p>
<p>The bus to Chiang Mai was an ordinary one. Less fancy than the bus from Bangkok to Sukhothai, but still decent.</p>
<p>I fall asleep right after sitting there. Unfortunately my sleep didn't last long. The same can't be said about the travel. 6 long hours on safe but noisy roads.</p>
<p>I was so looking forward for having a hot shower in Chiang Mai.</p>
<p>And finally I had it. Right after a warm pad thai at a hawker next to the guest house.</p>
<p>Chiang Mai is much colder than Bangkok, or even Sukhothai. At night temperature can go down to 15 degrees. Wait a second, what's the weather like in Italy right now?</p>
<p>Enough for the day. See you tomorrow in Chiang Mai.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NHG7byY7SMuM9ni_8sm47nH7SoWhLATP9IuGlxIV_xvUFbyfyqqBAYmMg0LpZ8KluPGQW8F0R1mRSPclBZivRKZB_EWj8T7cB53No1xKnkWXHdqQKNMLTiTxwDlyrWpg9CPsml_A-t7a/s1600/IMAG0657.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2NHG7byY7SMuM9ni_8sm47nH7SoWhLATP9IuGlxIV_xvUFbyfyqqBAYmMg0LpZ8KluPGQW8F0R1mRSPclBZivRKZB_EWj8T7cB53No1xKnkWXHdqQKNMLTiTxwDlyrWpg9CPsml_A-t7a/s640/IMAG0657.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3vmAGPa5n2_FH-HkfImEwLcpzNb4KxGVurjCdMIVbZDAwjZ5hcK8Z0D1WAr0RQioaotr22sYcWIZoaKsp7eOqoLxfnuLGyoG9u6qwTt5skoIwSdG5En_p7KCJ4E2isvR0c852iwY0DLy/s1600/IMAG0658.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk3vmAGPa5n2_FH-HkfImEwLcpzNb4KxGVurjCdMIVbZDAwjZ5hcK8Z0D1WAr0RQioaotr22sYcWIZoaKsp7eOqoLxfnuLGyoG9u6qwTt5skoIwSdG5En_p7KCJ4E2isvR0c852iwY0DLy/s640/IMAG0658.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWxPQeB8gS0dHEhbZUbWqpWpR9XdbFbNOo3b5eF4WzQURUWKuJ7anz-jckCwRW-uHqWOOqTwSrQBY50JLhQaSL2iTGz3rPpO8kBM4sQvlOhT2WcfieGG-_c6g0BVmOpBhXOvXntz16x_G/s1600/IMAG0666.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijWxPQeB8gS0dHEhbZUbWqpWpR9XdbFbNOo3b5eF4WzQURUWKuJ7anz-jckCwRW-uHqWOOqTwSrQBY50JLhQaSL2iTGz3rPpO8kBM4sQvlOhT2WcfieGG-_c6g0BVmOpBhXOvXntz16x_G/s640/IMAG0666.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEldJ1C0QWMjRCcNw9x-Fgp_qY6LB1mIirqRlR5mUiahOTljyeb2oaxzHi5lVNYCPtyZNZ6f9OPHDemEk1qNrE0bcYDM70tt1lITHt7tIw8natdns88nHhccsYHO-l6l20FitnHzGduiH6/s1600/IMAG0659.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEldJ1C0QWMjRCcNw9x-Fgp_qY6LB1mIirqRlR5mUiahOTljyeb2oaxzHi5lVNYCPtyZNZ6f9OPHDemEk1qNrE0bcYDM70tt1lITHt7tIw8natdns88nHhccsYHO-l6l20FitnHzGduiH6/s640/IMAG0659.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cHAO58GVB1P-Ov0Qy4yDKiZV62E22HQ0miaMolqy8wESSvumL2heA6M5yfeq58mzdVvmb573lNAA9LVrdrlxIlhv50LazyNCDD8LQ85zLcNlGOp5F065Ue8aD4kxxEDUfiC8DRksMnzS/s1600/IMAG0682.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3cHAO58GVB1P-Ov0Qy4yDKiZV62E22HQ0miaMolqy8wESSvumL2heA6M5yfeq58mzdVvmb573lNAA9LVrdrlxIlhv50LazyNCDD8LQ85zLcNlGOp5F065Ue8aD4kxxEDUfiC8DRksMnzS/s640/IMAG0682.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz1Txfay4fZgsGr0-wwbYQ_LrglA_T9xhRGPim5QG_VNQHP1cavuWiINhW6mN5BFb3DOzv5Krva_KlJb276D-6ncVtJncybaH0oJbEJTexiwETFMxodQXXkJNOIHh8w-f_zqrW2VOH0_D/s1600/IMAG0677.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaz1Txfay4fZgsGr0-wwbYQ_LrglA_T9xhRGPim5QG_VNQHP1cavuWiINhW6mN5BFb3DOzv5Krva_KlJb276D-6ncVtJncybaH0oJbEJTexiwETFMxodQXXkJNOIHh8w-f_zqrW2VOH0_D/s640/IMAG0677.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2XWgPUcJ1A3ZZ8puhTARQ8Sg5hCIYPsHYRK-9qQysnWTul-2JEKT2YRhQViY-Ahi8viG83UVNB5NdwcQPof5rhPiYdwnMYy0iRvTcf5BPJOhTGRCPNqBe6-U8PIHY-44IZRi03nfDaRI/s1600/IMAG0665.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk2XWgPUcJ1A3ZZ8puhTARQ8Sg5hCIYPsHYRK-9qQysnWTul-2JEKT2YRhQViY-Ahi8viG83UVNB5NdwcQPof5rhPiYdwnMYy0iRvTcf5BPJOhTGRCPNqBe6-U8PIHY-44IZRi03nfDaRI/s640/IMAG0665.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kw60E5nWHYbYk4Ws5v-6arjuATD-I8OatfyFBFzbljHcio2yqziwpHFU8FJ5tZ_OvTBZ-bm9KD83U0UsN3v0eOLSQsep1crzaG_jl9C69iZbIZbR6b0cxx9Vz96KDArxs47UYTkuiAOQ/s1600/IMAG0654.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2kw60E5nWHYbYk4Ws5v-6arjuATD-I8OatfyFBFzbljHcio2yqziwpHFU8FJ5tZ_OvTBZ-bm9KD83U0UsN3v0eOLSQsep1crzaG_jl9C69iZbIZbR6b0cxx9Vz96KDArxs47UYTkuiAOQ/s640/IMAG0654.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYM9E3pejLGEEP_6QkdAOB4K9_K6rHLDs_CqOMs9m4kjxwDYHmZFYJ2AZ1ttXLZnU_HzXa-JsSHO7CuyBufS1F7Wu1DD_UMdbdwpdIM_e68-vy7giKFc16Gwucs6cyyWkcnckONTAgk18/s1600/IMAG0674.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYM9E3pejLGEEP_6QkdAOB4K9_K6rHLDs_CqOMs9m4kjxwDYHmZFYJ2AZ1ttXLZnU_HzXa-JsSHO7CuyBufS1F7Wu1DD_UMdbdwpdIM_e68-vy7giKFc16Gwucs6cyyWkcnckONTAgk18/s640/IMAG0674.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zXvwQr0J9ziK6KUaUkZ9k00eNiJ8qE5bFzX0SghrDMVbWb1t04LaOrQCGV3Pp_IB9hhqvvs-QkMMUKUOqZ1moKFoUmkbntBKzKtHrDGlJO5P_q_ZzNWQnMfR33-F5OeQ2M74mlGyQV4E/s1600/IMAG0679.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg3zXvwQr0J9ziK6KUaUkZ9k00eNiJ8qE5bFzX0SghrDMVbWb1t04LaOrQCGV3Pp_IB9hhqvvs-QkMMUKUOqZ1moKFoUmkbntBKzKtHrDGlJO5P_q_ZzNWQnMfR33-F5OeQ2M74mlGyQV4E/s640/IMAG0679.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n4_gqWdJHc4RomUGkrX84eS_T7pQ7E_pfTSnbVOle4DHGh3Z06sN5H8VKHyoSsdUT-oMku1sCA1zFe4UD9pY5eAh6M_tw7PJE8PToHfkHaxy5aiFXahTcgnZU6ma_Kg9v-2Gd2TqS1c4/s1600/IMAG0661.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4n4_gqWdJHc4RomUGkrX84eS_T7pQ7E_pfTSnbVOle4DHGh3Z06sN5H8VKHyoSsdUT-oMku1sCA1zFe4UD9pY5eAh6M_tw7PJE8PToHfkHaxy5aiFXahTcgnZU6ma_Kg9v-2Gd2TqS1c4/s640/IMAG0661.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpRisNFxR4pZianliela2mF6RD3LXDHOtHUEAP0RFAjWYF-bDNH10pp2Z_lxPqtlDAd7rEcwr5HDXB77t8r22mfwar0SJ2KGD1UNCN3lRwjkQJto7BNpP6Ce2iaj6pfFikiiaKYlHm8OZ/s1600/IMAG0671.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxpRisNFxR4pZianliela2mF6RD3LXDHOtHUEAP0RFAjWYF-bDNH10pp2Z_lxPqtlDAd7rEcwr5HDXB77t8r22mfwar0SJ2KGD1UNCN3lRwjkQJto7BNpP6Ce2iaj6pfFikiiaKYlHm8OZ/s640/IMAG0671.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-73186689771592816022013-01-07T16:18:00.001+01:002013-01-07T16:19:30.690+01:00Eleventh Day, Road to Sukhothai<p>You define life by its end. This is one of the things that ancient Greeks taught to humanity. </p>
<p>The end of Bangkok was a taxi driver singing songs from the radio and checking Facebook, while driving.</p>
<p>Taxi drivers in Bangkok are supposed to go by meter. The price is cheap for an European, but it's more than enough for a Thai.</p>
<p>But taxi drivers want to profit more with tourists. They propose you a fixed price, and you need to bargain. Sometimes it's funny, sometimes annoying. It depends on your mood and the attitude of the taxi driver.</p>
<p>Usually I don't like to bargain with taxi drivers. They have to go by meter, by law. It is as if a taxi driver of Milan had different prices for Italians and for people from Germany, or from Bahrein. Usually they are richer, they can afford a higher price. Discrimination of prices, it's more efficient. But isn't this also racist?</p>
<p>I needed to take a taxi to the bus station. It is quite far from the hotel. Every taxi driver next to the hotel asks a high fixed rate. 20m far from that street you can find honest taxi drivers. </p>
<p>The third one accepted to carry me using the meter. I had to pay extra for the highway, fair enough. </p>
<p>He was a great guy. He showed me the pictures of his friends on Facebook. They were on their honey moon in Italy.</p>
<p>And he sang (or pretended to sing) every song from the radio.</p>
<p>We arrived smoothly at the bus station and I gave him a good tip (for Thai standards).</p>
<p>Best way to leave Bangkok.</p>
<p>The bus to Sukhotai took way longer than expected. We left at 12 and arrived at 20, with half an hour break to eat. Padang food: rice with one choice of meat or vegetables. I chose the wrong meat: minced meat and bones super spicy. I don't care about the super spicy, but the bones weren't supposed to be minced, I think.</p>
<p>The countryside of northern Thailand seems wealthier than the south one. Villages had all free wifi, and we could spot some beautiful villas. Outside the villages it was all rice fields and temples. Perfect for sleeping. </p>
<p>Sukhothai is a nice village. A modern one, developed next to the old capital. It's touristic but pleasant and quiet. </p>
<p>My guesthouse is built in teak, and it is next to the Yom river.</p>
<p>I went to the night market to eat. I didn't find the place advised by the guide. Instead, I stopped at an open restaurant ran by two chubby nice Thai ladies. </p>
<p>The noodle soup was delicious. But the best part was the company. A German 70 years old guy speaking only Thai and German. At the beginning only Thai. He knew English, just didn't want to speak it.</p>
<p>He was wearing a jersey of Juventus F.C., which made him look very foolish. Apart from that he was a nice guy. </p>
<p>We had some talks and he praised Sicily's beauty. Ich habe auch ein bisschen Deutch gesprochen, aber es war kein gut. </p>
<p>Enough for the night. Tomorrow running, sightseeing and travelling to Chiang Mai.</p>
<p>Auf wiedersehen. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGeLI-3byHQGJLmF7Ew4ScsmkOofPZJJ4n_A7evpCcc0v1K3j0WAPRzSYfVyiZ_cEIqx3H3sARQmfsa68RfATz4Ce-G8mYQNyMnlb88O5JyyWO5uHOigBFqI0yb5LL37eVHUA-fZhiL4l/s1600/IMAG0649.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkGeLI-3byHQGJLmF7Ew4ScsmkOofPZJJ4n_A7evpCcc0v1K3j0WAPRzSYfVyiZ_cEIqx3H3sARQmfsa68RfATz4Ce-G8mYQNyMnlb88O5JyyWO5uHOigBFqI0yb5LL37eVHUA-fZhiL4l/s640/IMAG0649.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com1Ban Thai Guest House, Prawet Nakhon Road, Thani, Mueang Sukhothai17.007708 99.81795tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-71217570247470198832013-01-05T22:00:00.001+01:002013-01-06T11:40:20.987+01:00Tenth Day, an Unexpected Journey<p>I closed last post saying that it wasn't possible to run in Bangkok. The statement implied a consideration about Bangkok pollution and terrible traffic jam. </p>
<p>Then something happened. </p>
<p>I'm staying in the wrong hotel. It's called Khao San Palace Inn. A friend of mine had booked a room here, and I decided to join her (and her other friend) in their exploration of Bangkok. </p>
<p>The hotel sucks. Rooms stink and the air con/fan makes a terrible noise. </p>
<p>What's worse is that it's more expensive than other hotels and guest houses I was checking on the guide. </p>
<p>Why? Because it's located in Thanon Khao San, the fancy backpackers area of Bangkok. It's close to the Old Town (which is good), but it's also where every American/Australian/European comes to see the "trasgry" Bangkok.</p>
<p>You walk along the street in the afternoon, until night, and see hawkers showing any kind of disgusting animal fried (scorpions, bugs, spiders, crickets, and so on): 10 baht and you can take a picture of them. Shops selling fancy stretched t-shirts. Any kind of seller you can find in any touristic place, including McDonald's and Starbucks.</p>
<p>Plus bars and open air clubs. That means loud music until 3.30.</p>
<p>Definitely the wrong hotel for relaxing before sightseeing and travelling to Sukhotai. </p>
<p>Why am I writing this? Because all this noise and waste of taste made me want to run.</p>
<p>People come to Bangkok to enjoy its transgressive nightlife. They pretend to be in The Hangover II, without having the charme of Galifianakis. I know there is a better Bangkok to see. And I know that because I am a runner. </p>
<p>I woke up at 6.30, not too early that the sun shows up at 7. And I started my unexpected journey. </p>
<p>Pollution is annoying but traffic is less chaotic. </p>
<p>Out of the hotel I found people still celebrating their ability to stand alcohol. That didn't last long. After a few hundred meters I jumped in the tiny lanes of the old city. Some of them brought me nowhere, but it didn't matter, I had km to run. </p>
<p>After crossing bridges and getting lost on the small canals, I reached the Chao Phraya River. There I could see, and take pictures, of local markets, temples, and the sunrise, reflected on the buildings of the West Coast.</p>
<p>The journey went on through the Thammasat University (unaccessible to tourists through the main entrance, accessible to runners through the side one), the Royal Palace and the Wat Pho. A picture to Wat Arun, on the West Coast, enlightened by a full shining sun, and I headed back to the hotel. </p>
<p>A total of 7km, with a lot of stop and go to take pictures. </p>
<p>Some rest, a good breakfast, and the day could go on. Visits to touristic areas, such as the Weekend Market and the Golden Mountain.</p>
<p>Nothing compared to the old city when it wakes up.</p>
<p>Tomorrow I'm going to Sukhotai, the first capital. The plan is to run also there. I'll tell you which is better. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9CMg6watGNlrJe5N7z2LSu75A0uVyUwQ2bL08NdAbvDehn7RjJGXAMIGcwtVJXDJ9OlIN6aYkVeIjLJfvRaZw85XVGFAiU7xnqsyhQO8GnxfklmpUa1TIxBa6zHy5N7jU8QrFUdalGH/s1600/IMAG0605.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDU9CMg6watGNlrJe5N7z2LSu75A0uVyUwQ2bL08NdAbvDehn7RjJGXAMIGcwtVJXDJ9OlIN6aYkVeIjLJfvRaZw85XVGFAiU7xnqsyhQO8GnxfklmpUa1TIxBa6zHy5N7jU8QrFUdalGH/s640/IMAG0605.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc4nsr-zYD-Uisf4qXJznZQXYrjWe5BZDEyUEKXvUhL4SnBV3QNFqnqrd1yYcObsg0KJlLiyKrw8SucuY0ukofsytkZYQlMpZ7EAuKgd_lrT7TZmtWisJREDZHxunvhdvr-LgEslwO8Vx/s1600/IMAG0616.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPc4nsr-zYD-Uisf4qXJznZQXYrjWe5BZDEyUEKXvUhL4SnBV3QNFqnqrd1yYcObsg0KJlLiyKrw8SucuY0ukofsytkZYQlMpZ7EAuKgd_lrT7TZmtWisJREDZHxunvhdvr-LgEslwO8Vx/s640/IMAG0616.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABajzjdIkwB6jAKaqCjlyJKYVMVfqiBrUwyobKUBkZ70llkeOYGpeHFo9YazpSBO_HayEns4wILiMqapta1iW_kGRI35qu69uD0dOUIydtI2U-20wWKI0SWG_T1a_7VHCjnfxeYQ61tlS/s1600/IMAG0628.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjABajzjdIkwB6jAKaqCjlyJKYVMVfqiBrUwyobKUBkZ70llkeOYGpeHFo9YazpSBO_HayEns4wILiMqapta1iW_kGRI35qu69uD0dOUIydtI2U-20wWKI0SWG_T1a_7VHCjnfxeYQ61tlS/s640/IMAG0628.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrrKov88NyTorr__MGTJqboceM55n0c9dWlUraN0VipFxJoYYW8dgONtZDca_AQEddsr0NxWBw7YOTIenMbOOGLFCag_Cl-DU_5zTFHm7IeA2dCZI5h5LJq5gTZ8T4tizy-lTcVCbDIHh/s1600/IMAG0625.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwrrKov88NyTorr__MGTJqboceM55n0c9dWlUraN0VipFxJoYYW8dgONtZDca_AQEddsr0NxWBw7YOTIenMbOOGLFCag_Cl-DU_5zTFHm7IeA2dCZI5h5LJq5gTZ8T4tizy-lTcVCbDIHh/s640/IMAG0625.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxd924sgCwOTuqrkCMgpSN2b-Cq82zad8-yl-MMW5F0DJiW9_JIiJi5QRM3O2SMZyts5EGG3-sF3pCp0QHPxtjEudk48gPQT2lq3dRJNNhGFKlHG-uqIhH5vA7fxt74a5Emxh_Z4TOGS3/s1600/IMAG0607.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyxd924sgCwOTuqrkCMgpSN2b-Cq82zad8-yl-MMW5F0DJiW9_JIiJi5QRM3O2SMZyts5EGG3-sF3pCp0QHPxtjEudk48gPQT2lq3dRJNNhGFKlHG-uqIhH5vA7fxt74a5Emxh_Z4TOGS3/s640/IMAG0607.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuLKSZIKdmjCbKGqy1tu4MF0KZC6gwpxdRnxfzGB3cTiBMLEywQGnqfv1VCvfilE_3VedMqoqOhTaofrA1F3jr-qRoUxucdipewirMZPdESh60c1AoHbIN4ErYQKQBRoZC4oTCHNvUGOw/s1600/IMAG0624.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgUuLKSZIKdmjCbKGqy1tu4MF0KZC6gwpxdRnxfzGB3cTiBMLEywQGnqfv1VCvfilE_3VedMqoqOhTaofrA1F3jr-qRoUxucdipewirMZPdESh60c1AoHbIN4ErYQKQBRoZC4oTCHNvUGOw/s640/IMAG0624.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDPJYBFKKeufDlUkgU8fz3U0eaiVQc9zeUNYLoFILmgvWaxQ25IjNVYNvOBoUvego4-OziPixCrawlX_HzPcVZHbYKgwx4IqqDBk9ZRWTYxQ_b3vgK7pkqOLtTJcy_yqwzIrzQbxV9swG/s1600/IMAG0619.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjRDPJYBFKKeufDlUkgU8fz3U0eaiVQc9zeUNYLoFILmgvWaxQ25IjNVYNvOBoUvego4-OziPixCrawlX_HzPcVZHbYKgwx4IqqDBk9ZRWTYxQ_b3vgK7pkqOLtTJcy_yqwzIrzQbxV9swG/s640/IMAG0619.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowTrY9S8ZG79GAj8p2UaoOkwnASKDcgKOXCfJMwu1qFDrA1E2xL3ZKBbt0claE6VChlFOzSjsROP7qV-WA-D91mPEDeR1N-SIk7A8IOrC-DglN1uU4z12xUiSUzkAltFfuvbJChel0DSc/s1600/IMAG0631.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjowTrY9S8ZG79GAj8p2UaoOkwnASKDcgKOXCfJMwu1qFDrA1E2xL3ZKBbt0claE6VChlFOzSjsROP7qV-WA-D91mPEDeR1N-SIk7A8IOrC-DglN1uU4z12xUiSUzkAltFfuvbJChel0DSc/s640/IMAG0631.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bGh9iQOX0jrXtKLbh0YQY3LLDIY115JwrK6cdFRSlUCTbPXle2OYxIjBmH9Y1dQvHyQUS_sQ1PZPcg_FCpjw3tdZCSGNyxea4HCFnfa1kDcaf8KGFA7mVA7b-unUjcMtK4pNu3ArLbSQ/s1600/IMAG0610.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2bGh9iQOX0jrXtKLbh0YQY3LLDIY115JwrK6cdFRSlUCTbPXle2OYxIjBmH9Y1dQvHyQUS_sQ1PZPcg_FCpjw3tdZCSGNyxea4HCFnfa1kDcaf8KGFA7mVA7b-unUjcMtK4pNu3ArLbSQ/s640/IMAG0610.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHuiQzqy8BIRfMbeEb92TdpB5I15jCZIJhKyEQyF0z2uq11GW0OWUXVD7YOELYZelDaANf3GmX12WPV3tVGXocwCiPvSVjmKOBJGNT6L4vhv-Jl56f0urH1FfMaNvHGqwoqPc4cO17jPJ/s1600/IMAG0611.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWHuiQzqy8BIRfMbeEb92TdpB5I15jCZIJhKyEQyF0z2uq11GW0OWUXVD7YOELYZelDaANf3GmX12WPV3tVGXocwCiPvSVjmKOBJGNT6L4vhv-Jl56f0urH1FfMaNvHGqwoqPc4cO17jPJ/s640/IMAG0611.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-52270010354877420582013-01-05T10:33:00.001+01:002013-01-05T10:33:42.128+01:00Eigth and Ninth Day, Road to Bangkok<p>Strange two days.</p>
<p>After the amazing ride in Penang (see previous post) I got sick. </p>
<p>I was sick before going to Bali. Then the Island healed me. Then 80k of riding under the rain got me a cough. </p>
<p>No big problem for me. More for the people I travelled with. On 4 January I took a train from Butterworth (mainland Penang) at 14.20. After 21 hours I got to Bangkok.</p>
<p>The train was gorgeous. Seriously, way better than the night trains in Italy. Clean, comfortable, silent. </p>
<p>I met a 51 years old Caribbean from Manchester, with 5 kids, who was going for holidays to Bangkok. A couple of a girl from Manchester and a Chinese from Penang grew up in Montreal. Both of them are now living in Paris.</p>
<p>We saw the countryside of Thailand (rice fields rice fields rice fields rice fields) and the ring belt of Bangkok. </p>
<p>Bangkok is less dirty then expected. And more expensive, for the standards of South East Asia. All museums and tourists places close at 16. After a walk under the sun I went back to the hotel to rest and do my laundry.</p>
<p>I am afraid that there won't be running in Bangkok. Bearable, I'm leaving on 7 to less fancy and less chaotic places. </p>
<p>Tonight ping pong show and sightseeing. Sorry but no pictures about this part on Piovono Runners. <br></p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho7McMRXppmU5YnoTFwty2Ks2sECOSj0anM9o_8lH6H_QMIassk8kJoJvUY7iNZM0UmshDtyuIlUtuZA5i4aKoJ2IAIsnlUCooYiZk8pJXcvtDdO7LxNEEn_cYENbjTkhg4aJUVNpSHZf/s1600/IMAG0591.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhho7McMRXppmU5YnoTFwty2Ks2sECOSj0anM9o_8lH6H_QMIassk8kJoJvUY7iNZM0UmshDtyuIlUtuZA5i4aKoJ2IAIsnlUCooYiZk8pJXcvtDdO7LxNEEn_cYENbjTkhg4aJUVNpSHZf/s640/IMAG0591.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbP1mosLcsFeHtH-4m9cPu28tdSN_phuqD0Maf8KEXt_mVnOiyrEaIqQyXyYzlTR-UPpJURw8mwBKMRtNd9Y4NmRnnBusQsiOI_p2-uFALVOsuSisHp68NW5Z76M2r0MKWeTsgxV_8HgZ/s1600/IMAG0602.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQbP1mosLcsFeHtH-4m9cPu28tdSN_phuqD0Maf8KEXt_mVnOiyrEaIqQyXyYzlTR-UPpJURw8mwBKMRtNd9Y4NmRnnBusQsiOI_p2-uFALVOsuSisHp68NW5Z76M2r0MKWeTsgxV_8HgZ/s640/IMAG0602.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJr0GQpAoMQJ0mTox-34xLJRBTiyx0sRM__qKrFIHwlllphKpogjwzIX8Fq1DuN9c45n_QzIeSJA_6dpcth7stPLpwan9XUkrofVGtre8oh3e0swSDMQz4W0Yd6GhPEAf335pJY_YQOn4/s1600/IMAG0604.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSJr0GQpAoMQJ0mTox-34xLJRBTiyx0sRM__qKrFIHwlllphKpogjwzIX8Fq1DuN9c45n_QzIeSJA_6dpcth7stPLpwan9XUkrofVGtre8oh3e0swSDMQz4W0Yd6GhPEAf335pJY_YQOn4/s640/IMAG0604.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eC1Ty4rdVJY/UOfzbOaDocI/AAAAAAAABFg/s1600/IMAG0598.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-eC1Ty4rdVJY/UOfzbOaDocI/AAAAAAAABFg/s640/IMAG0598.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaDQYjTwTYgo3iJMKabBPqE3G0ixEpLIw0U1AYCfq_mwGNKTfI-S0iQE1RkcIwdg9gntbKslXpFp0g8Gt0yxDH6KBt3KQ_rl8e7ANSoCLKJDNBM10mgpGEA585JtrROdEq_aRHHlFXqCX/s1600/IMAG0599.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBaDQYjTwTYgo3iJMKabBPqE3G0ixEpLIw0U1AYCfq_mwGNKTfI-S0iQE1RkcIwdg9gntbKslXpFp0g8Gt0yxDH6KBt3KQ_rl8e7ANSoCLKJDNBM10mgpGEA585JtrROdEq_aRHHlFXqCX/s640/IMAG0599.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Khaosan Palace Bangkok Hotel, 139 Khao San Road, Phranakorn, Bangkok13.759289 100.49694tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-48522304575811092432013-01-03T15:07:00.001+01:002013-01-03T15:07:35.490+01:00Seventh Day, King of Jungle<p>What a crazily intense day! Last full one in Penang, Malaysia. Tomorrow (4 December 2013) I'm catching a train to Bangkok at 14.20.</p>
<p>The day was so stuffed and so scarily terrific that I don't know how to explain it. I'll go by bullet points. </p>
<p>TRIP AROUND PULAU PENANG BY MOTORBIKE (80K)<br>
- left for the trip at 7;<br>
- realized that first 24k were in a 4 line highway next to the industrial area of Penang (including Magneti Marelli factory), thought about dying crashed by crazy drivers a thousand times;<br>
- missed the freaking fishmen village (Kampung Batu Maung);<br>
- missed the typical Malay village (Kampung Seronok);<br>
- stopped because of the heavy rain and started checking carefully about the rest of the trip, I couldn't keep skipping places;<br>
- had some coffee and roti canai for 1,50 ringgit (40 euro cent) served by nice non-English speaking Che Guevara fan;<br>
- started the hilly part of the trip: jungle, amazing views, terrific riding;<br>
- stopped at Balik Pulau (second biggest city of Penang) for money withdrawal, resting and chatting with locals (very very friendly);<br>
- back on the hills, stopped at the stall of a Chinese old farmer and street seller of durian, passionate for the study of law;<br>
- ate very good Ganja durian (durian, the king of fruits, see description on Wikipedia, I can only say that it is pollinated by bats, and that you can smell it a hundred metres away), while talking about statute of limitation and bankruptcy law under Italian and Malaysian law;<br>
- visited (alone) the nearby farm of the old pal, to be reached by walking in the jungle, with view on amazing waterfall and gigantic spiders;<br>
- stopped at the Tropical Fruit Farm for a guided tour and an all you can eat tropical fruit buffet;<br>
- finished the ride with some stop to take pictures of Batu Ferringhi Beach;<br>
- filled the motorbike with 1,73 litres of gasoline paid 3,30 ringgit (80 euro cent). </p>
<p>BACK IN GEORGETOWN<br>
- ate a big bowl of very good assam laksa (typical Penang fish soup with tamarin and a lot of indefinite stuff) in a renowned stall, with mice crawling around;<br>
- after two hours ate two main courses and some dim sum in a packed open air Chinese restaurant;<br>
- had some dessert from a street seller;<br>
- shaved. </p>
<p>I don't know how a day can be better than this one.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa8mnJ5MssmYN4IlmNcI64r35l9ufxS9Ukx2UG9GZ9X6EpRUn_5L6kSnEPYXPNqvBOMBat_71Q56-gj6Hw9x0MdZsAojY8XAzwd00zJgY8_SdB5vOWVAX1VFkAuBGCl8C3QSik1pA5s0y/s1600/IMAG0582.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJa8mnJ5MssmYN4IlmNcI64r35l9ufxS9Ukx2UG9GZ9X6EpRUn_5L6kSnEPYXPNqvBOMBat_71Q56-gj6Hw9x0MdZsAojY8XAzwd00zJgY8_SdB5vOWVAX1VFkAuBGCl8C3QSik1pA5s0y/s640/IMAG0582.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAR42KDy311W6qzQSH9B82csrRwGTDyqy-8WdV3rPvaxXq0nLLquKhGrynOJLapxYPJK44o76EZ3qkroOrQquL7geVTBl8Awd-JWHoKPuWjg1XIXEbQmYb6rYjdb-3-iruzUVlNRXQUYv/s1600/IMAG0570.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidAR42KDy311W6qzQSH9B82csrRwGTDyqy-8WdV3rPvaxXq0nLLquKhGrynOJLapxYPJK44o76EZ3qkroOrQquL7geVTBl8Awd-JWHoKPuWjg1XIXEbQmYb6rYjdb-3-iruzUVlNRXQUYv/s640/IMAG0570.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSF-4nIxKilgFXuQLEB86e1ukrFjNooNTk-QowT3jMWUUwgEUYXl_mtBJCEybnmOAfDVWFAbJaoYhrx6684B_GUd8F4a6Ozdle_r-LxpDQFG6nhnL8D-RrjeJn0WakAjHr4foxuQk9syqc/s1600/IMAG0571.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSF-4nIxKilgFXuQLEB86e1ukrFjNooNTk-QowT3jMWUUwgEUYXl_mtBJCEybnmOAfDVWFAbJaoYhrx6684B_GUd8F4a6Ozdle_r-LxpDQFG6nhnL8D-RrjeJn0WakAjHr4foxuQk9syqc/s640/IMAG0571.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoXoNgUsMQuerYBXNgTOUGXBr7u4tJcyqyYc45GUfaz8pALcVplnjnP54Eu2BKpui4-qFqjKiUU0FfP043y4aOH-Gn7oOtxHxZN6Wc67vOm88KN5mXhZgJOskHzyA1hGq_M9uYMEctaPd/s1600/IMAG0557.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEoXoNgUsMQuerYBXNgTOUGXBr7u4tJcyqyYc45GUfaz8pALcVplnjnP54Eu2BKpui4-qFqjKiUU0FfP043y4aOH-Gn7oOtxHxZN6Wc67vOm88KN5mXhZgJOskHzyA1hGq_M9uYMEctaPd/s640/IMAG0557.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tygV9GpdJghQXnkmAL0OUuxswFGPDL83AJueDCQUct1g39j5eHEeEcEM3F9HRGhcumNt0He-njyL_lNmxYYFvLqkXSHyzlEb6RKZ8aPvb2-64DodCqXmVNDAHZjAfdxiVOiXsDwAWbtH/s1600/IMAG0556.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0tygV9GpdJghQXnkmAL0OUuxswFGPDL83AJueDCQUct1g39j5eHEeEcEM3F9HRGhcumNt0He-njyL_lNmxYYFvLqkXSHyzlEb6RKZ8aPvb2-64DodCqXmVNDAHZjAfdxiVOiXsDwAWbtH/s640/IMAG0556.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMZh_TS9XhW0QH4qmT2OCSMknaCIe67KXyblv2JU8IDdymigUWj6WmDQaM1hCAKR0TgfZGGmLFFm-hUg3UV6gfWJz8c2Z0M3eKN8v3Ns6eQKCpdDUkOUvafwODrig1jClG8G6W-DSBPzm/s1600/IMAG0572.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjXMZh_TS9XhW0QH4qmT2OCSMknaCIe67KXyblv2JU8IDdymigUWj6WmDQaM1hCAKR0TgfZGGmLFFm-hUg3UV6gfWJz8c2Z0M3eKN8v3Ns6eQKCpdDUkOUvafwODrig1jClG8G6W-DSBPzm/s640/IMAG0572.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7uA6ANwpo-8/UOWPv0IHUvI/AAAAAAAABDY/L5t_uvTjfXQ/s1600/IMAG0574.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh4.ggpht.com/-7uA6ANwpo-8/UOWPv0IHUvI/AAAAAAAABDY/L5t_uvTjfXQ/s640/IMAG0574.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lp2KiZFdKuA/UOWP1wehn6I/AAAAAAAABDg/2WCryVJc58w/s1600/IMAG0575.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-lp2KiZFdKuA/UOWP1wehn6I/AAAAAAAABDg/2WCryVJc58w/s640/IMAG0575.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RhDyq6Dan70/UOWP9eIa7uI/AAAAAAAABDo/ah84_XiYStg/s1600/IMAG0566.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-RhDyq6Dan70/UOWP9eIa7uI/AAAAAAAABDo/ah84_XiYStg/s640/IMAG0566.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ik5qt1oeJgg/UOWQBixNjHI/AAAAAAAABDw/Dl9wzb1MdOE/s1600/IMAG0568.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-Ik5qt1oeJgg/UOWQBixNjHI/AAAAAAAABDw/Dl9wzb1MdOE/s640/IMAG0568.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cn1fwwRIrrY/UOWQHw_KmkI/AAAAAAAABD4/c7uWM9-H9NM/s1600/IMAG0543.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-cn1fwwRIrrY/UOWQHw_KmkI/AAAAAAAABD4/c7uWM9-H9NM/s640/IMAG0543.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y02Ow_xhJR0/UOWQMpA93nI/AAAAAAAABEA/o2ZyQZ3CYaY/s1600/IMAG0553.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-y02Ow_xhJR0/UOWQMpA93nI/AAAAAAAABEA/o2ZyQZ3CYaY/s640/IMAG0553.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pKRjybpGl6g/UOWQR-Ewz7I/AAAAAAAABEI/o264OqCyf2s/s1600/IMAG0536.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-pKRjybpGl6g/UOWQR-Ewz7I/AAAAAAAABEI/o264OqCyf2s/s640/IMAG0536.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuUNDxO_iziHxHkuI7kbJcYUV6IGi62NXvcnEMo3OnTVJLlB4gxiRC6tHsJiK340QzTT2Xur3pW3jiHP9QmeyMT52OWdcP0qVBOSYW9BVUNzbF0sIYLWCOuH_yO5W1yGAybU7TohcPbJ/s1600/IMAG0539.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHAuUNDxO_iziHxHkuI7kbJcYUV6IGi62NXvcnEMo3OnTVJLlB4gxiRC6tHsJiK340QzTT2Xur3pW3jiHP9QmeyMT52OWdcP0qVBOSYW9BVUNzbF0sIYLWCOuH_yO5W1yGAybU7TohcPbJ/s640/IMAG0539.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh039VeNMI5ca4K5uqSGj9SFyu4JxU9lc8xgfaCtmcNBOawDjKxhy8u3YuaJdUMWgYw7NP7aWm4pqphjY96si6_2ZfudoD2jDC4K6ml3PohpplR5FMOmee6t-SGQd287NEwdRGDxSdu0ewN/s1600/IMAG0540.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh039VeNMI5ca4K5uqSGj9SFyu4JxU9lc8xgfaCtmcNBOawDjKxhy8u3YuaJdUMWgYw7NP7aWm4pqphjY96si6_2ZfudoD2jDC4K6ml3PohpplR5FMOmee6t-SGQd287NEwdRGDxSdu0ewN/s640/IMAG0540.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-12960647581387847062013-01-02T07:18:00.001+01:002013-01-02T16:18:30.422+01:00Sixth Day, Relaxing in Penang (with 16k run)<p>Finally a relaxing day.</p>
<p>I wanted to run this morning, hadn't done it for 2 days. Then I realised that I hadn't slept for 3 days. </p>
<p>For the first time in five days I stood up at 8. Still, Penang wakes up later than me. Shops start opening at 9. Some of them at 10.</p>
<p>I bought the ticket to Bangkok, and tried to book a guided tour of the historical center and of the island. </p>
<p>The local tourist office is headed by a chubby nice but volitional Malay woman.</p>
<p>"Why should you book a guided tour, can't you walk on your own?" "Well, I don't want to get lost, and I'd like to learn something" "Impossible to get lost, here's the information you need" and she handed me a brochure. </p>
<p>"What about the tour of the island? Do you know anyone organising a guided tour with motorbikes?" "Can you ride a motorbike? Then you don't need any guide. It's very simple!" </p>
<p>So I rented Sam, a 125 scooter with gears. Tomorrow I'm riding for 72k alone along the island. Because that's what she wants. Seriously, it was a mix of Man Pride and fear.</p>
<p>Together with Sam came a helmet. Because, as the guy of the shop said, "helmets are USEFUL in Penang". </p>
<p>The morning went over with some lazy walking and eating.</p>
<p>In the afternoon I organized a couple of things to do in Thailand and checked for accommodation in Sukhotai and Chiang Mai. </p>
<p>Late afternoon I decided to run.</p>
<p>Tomorrow I'm riding all day, starting at 6. I can't stay 4 days without running. I would miss so much of this vacation. </p>
<p>So I went for an easy 10k up to see some temples and to see the botanic gardens.</p>
<p>When I got to botanic gardens the temptation was too strong. Ok, let's have an easy run here. </p>
<p>They're not like in Singapore. Jungle still prevails on what men have planted. It is actually difficult to distinguish botanic garden from jungle. There are also monkeys, a lot. And signs that warn about risks of tropical diseases. Definitely not like in Singapore. </p>
<p>While running, I saw an old Indian man starting to climb some hidden stairs. Where do they go? I thought. And followed the man on his path. </p>
<p>After a few minutes of running, the stairs became steeper, and it was impossible to see the end. The jungle surrounded them. Sometime trees were eating portions of the steps.</p>
<p>I reached the top exhausted, and met some Chinese guys. I asked where we were. They looked surprised and stood still. "Are we in Penang hill?" (the high peak which overcomes Georgetown). They finally replied "yes, but we are half way to the top". </p>
<p>Half way. Not too bad.</p>
<p>They were optimistic. After another kilometer, a couple told me that the top was 4k far away.</p>
<p>My GPS marked 9k. I was discouraged, but they added that a pick up was going to carry back everyone to botanic gardens in half an hour. Half an hour to reach the top. I can do it.</p>
<p>I couldn't. Signs indicated a 30% slope. And the view on the way was so fantastic, I needed to take pictures. Good excuses, isn't it? </p>
<p>Anyway, after 3k of running and walking I took the pick up to the botanic gardens and ran back to the hostel.</p>
<p>A lot of food to close the day. And quickly to bed. Tomorrow's going to be a long day on the road. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qz1oShcFHfw/UORHzORyiyI/AAAAAAAAA_4/s1600/IMAG0516.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-Qz1oShcFHfw/UORHzORyiyI/AAAAAAAAA_4/s640/IMAG0516.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y8GXZvONcjU/UORL4RCdBnI/AAAAAAAABAY/jNBB1PsPMWY/s1600/IMAG0526.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-y8GXZvONcjU/UORL4RCdBnI/AAAAAAAABAY/jNBB1PsPMWY/s640/IMAG0526.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pF_zvQsizts/UORL7haH4JI/AAAAAAAABAg/6XLGjvTnUWA/s1600/IMAG0525.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-pF_zvQsizts/UORL7haH4JI/AAAAAAAABAg/6XLGjvTnUWA/s640/IMAG0525.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-laSWCkn5XV0/UORMWACi-KI/AAAAAAAABAo/xWFKwdZ6-j4/s1600/IMAG0527.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-laSWCkn5XV0/UORMWACi-KI/AAAAAAAABAo/xWFKwdZ6-j4/s640/IMAG0527.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wsV8KiGJtUk/UORMZYDU2VI/AAAAAAAABAw/1av5d9yd29M/s1600/IMAG0518.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-wsV8KiGJtUk/UORMZYDU2VI/AAAAAAAABAw/1av5d9yd29M/s640/IMAG0518.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G01bmg272Zg/UORMcTGhXvI/AAAAAAAABA4/WzKgkA_thyk/s1600/IMAG0531.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-G01bmg272Zg/UORMcTGhXvI/AAAAAAAABA4/WzKgkA_thyk/s640/IMAG0531.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7jqbnccJBls/UORMgKSQrNI/AAAAAAAABBA/YGptdkH4w78/s1600/IMAG0532.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh5.ggpht.com/-7jqbnccJBls/UORMgKSQrNI/AAAAAAAABBA/YGptdkH4w78/s640/IMAG0532.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TmSmJaF9FlM/UORO6URAvpI/AAAAAAAABBQ/WJ3sh8v041M/s1600/IMAG0514.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh6.ggpht.com/-TmSmJaF9FlM/UORO6URAvpI/AAAAAAAABBQ/WJ3sh8v041M/s640/IMAG0514.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-31745074132452073732013-01-01T13:35:00.001+01:002013-01-01T13:35:49.494+01:00Fifth Day, Transit Mode<p>Fifth day of travelling. No romantic sunrises to show. No volcanoes to climb. For those you can read the previous posts of #piovonontheroad.</p>
<p>Last night, new year's eve, we hanged around the beach of Sanur until 1. The whole East coast of Bali was enlightened by fireworks. Never seen so many of them in my life. And part of my family comes from Gualtieri Sicaminò, the capital of fireworks in North East Sicily.</p>
<p>I left the hotel at 3 am. Greeted Federico (who luckily woke him and me up at 2.55) and took a taxi to the airport. If we can call taxi the car driven by the concierge of our hotel in Bali. (This is multitasking!!)</p>
<p>Left Bali at 6 and landed in Kuala Lumpur at 9. Last time I went to KL I was with four beautiful girls from my master. We had breakfast at Starbucks and took a taxi to the hotel. This time I had breakfast at the airport food court and caught a bus to... catch another bus.</p>
<p>KL was just on the way to Penang, an island in North West Malaysia. It is a five hours bus. I could take a flight to Penang, but I would have missed the Malaysian countryside. And one hundred euro. But mainly the countryside.</p>
<p>On the way from KL to Penang I slept most of the time. But when I opened my eyes I could see amazing peaks covered by jungle, arising from the jungle. Totally worth the saving of money. Buses are not like in Italy. Seats are like airplane business class. </p>
<p>Got in Butterworth (mainland Penang) at 19. Right after sunset, still with light. The coast of the island is ruined by high buildings. Something I'm familiar with, as the skyline resembles the first thing a traveler sees on the ferry from Italy to Sicily. </p>
<p>My hostel is in Georgetown, the main city of Penang, next to the historical center (a World Heritage Site).</p>
<p>I was a bit scared, as I'm staying in a dorm. But, surprise surprise, the room is just for me!! </p>
<p>You'll read again about the city on the Straits in the next two days.</p>
<p>For me it's time to eat, plan my runs, and finally sleep.</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J6DvtO0XDUjfboAcDC5YTi8ddy2AFE5v-VEw2B4qpGxBYLoUsf8KDNIJZJvptUTmOh9qqlDZfHNVXURVlGGx_s6DRdH5VkQT06Yi7dLj4zsTV49p2J3t8vQAvEdozAtyj8lfNfAeAbzs/s1600/IMAG0495.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5J6DvtO0XDUjfboAcDC5YTi8ddy2AFE5v-VEw2B4qpGxBYLoUsf8KDNIJZJvptUTmOh9qqlDZfHNVXURVlGGx_s6DRdH5VkQT06Yi7dLj4zsTV49p2J3t8vQAvEdozAtyj8lfNfAeAbzs/s640/IMAG0495.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrU803TvZ8O7Muy7SPA8oE0AVdOvr19dEiHcHWaYiooDfC7xDlEeGwXWNRxXTluB6XF6BhsOOojq-bqT3NK87R84MsXxXk6dwLkUu49dT3fHFMlWjM41rh35DbswW2hys-ZbeXrcRGEtv/s1600/IMAG0497.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMrU803TvZ8O7Muy7SPA8oE0AVdOvr19dEiHcHWaYiooDfC7xDlEeGwXWNRxXTluB6XF6BhsOOojq-bqT3NK87R84MsXxXk6dwLkUu49dT3fHFMlWjM41rh35DbswW2hys-ZbeXrcRGEtv/s640/IMAG0497.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTMHulB7ZaHWpDLUW-5quaeKiffXjP-m7uGyDLJh_A2FJoVjLNI9F0ElGpavLmsPjJeStZBLZs2HTLz36LIsrha_aD4D8tuibN24ji0ny9xvHVgqRTWHaoYYPGLEvk-NvMglIi3pfmPCt/s1600/IMAG0490.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYTMHulB7ZaHWpDLUW-5quaeKiffXjP-m7uGyDLJh_A2FJoVjLNI9F0ElGpavLmsPjJeStZBLZs2HTLz36LIsrha_aD4D8tuibN24ji0ny9xvHVgqRTWHaoYYPGLEvk-NvMglIi3pfmPCt/s640/IMAG0490.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUn_5trbPcL5bIPQAokqiJ89p1TF2fsahTx4MDbOvAfWN8vO9BQVh-2K0MwjPjCd-uGvomU9uNlzWSLMFkSpm3sFyIzM994Jpm0FctTIbjTlgqhG3h_p7duJlQCe76eHLKHotkJYml2D_b/s1600/IMAG0491.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUn_5trbPcL5bIPQAokqiJ89p1TF2fsahTx4MDbOvAfWN8vO9BQVh-2K0MwjPjCd-uGvomU9uNlzWSLMFkSpm3sFyIzM994Jpm0FctTIbjTlgqhG3h_p7duJlQCe76eHLKHotkJYml2D_b/s640/IMAG0491.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vBkcuZIvXBniFBsnP-4ZR2QfUb9tedtLi274WR-n3_a7JhETv4ThpZq9jR5chWf1cB1QXsIlS3Cs_on07LsRJA8jpT4498KVIgWG_5e60sMWt3OFJeKX1lRoI9fUA15DBujI6a56VNTb/s1600/IMAG0489.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3vBkcuZIvXBniFBsnP-4ZR2QfUb9tedtLi274WR-n3_a7JhETv4ThpZq9jR5chWf1cB1QXsIlS3Cs_on07LsRJA8jpT4498KVIgWG_5e60sMWt3OFJeKX1lRoI9fUA15DBujI6a56VNTb/s640/IMAG0489.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGNLIYriq0kDmsm4y923gHMbJbfKrGfkLmyq3_AZmPXr6q4h8EN6iF0M_EkwQVBMdQjkDF0wFgTWgpXR0OoM0xYQsGWLOBh5s8f4vCyrFVWJS5cyDdqFbtMqo1oxZvktyXZLzQAsERYni/s1600/IMAG0505.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsGNLIYriq0kDmsm4y923gHMbJbfKrGfkLmyq3_AZmPXr6q4h8EN6iF0M_EkwQVBMdQjkDF0wFgTWgpXR0OoM0xYQsGWLOBh5s8f4vCyrFVWJS5cyDdqFbtMqo1oxZvktyXZLzQAsERYni/s640/IMAG0505.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgHVbSnN0y758VTMzjfoHVT_90XM6HabC2PeKmkvVyjoI9n4pRfHdHZNvvNg8UFIbVPKRo7_ovaltoXDvisSqF0JM_QAiBKRqFhgXovG__YArXn4lWnGJ9RXoa4ksJdTCUZBzKUM6R2JY/s1600/IMAG0510.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUgHVbSnN0y758VTMzjfoHVT_90XM6HabC2PeKmkvVyjoI9n4pRfHdHZNvvNg8UFIbVPKRo7_ovaltoXDvisSqF0JM_QAiBKRqFhgXovG__YArXn4lWnGJ9RXoa4ksJdTCUZBzKUM6R2JY/s640/IMAG0510.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13WrUQGGcfe4c4Zd8-hP3Syrw1FixFWpzvFkJM_lwbBaWfQtfMTb4pT_fIjR0yQ45_qN19IYAO7PJDiXmLM0voCIIhWcHKG8OnZPhDc8af1Ftf9-Qk1hwFNxXDQBz1tUllIDz5nLXnLUZ/s1600/IMAG0499.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg13WrUQGGcfe4c4Zd8-hP3Syrw1FixFWpzvFkJM_lwbBaWfQtfMTb4pT_fIjR0yQ45_qN19IYAO7PJDiXmLM0voCIIhWcHKG8OnZPhDc8af1Ftf9-Qk1hwFNxXDQBz1tUllIDz5nLXnLUZ/s640/IMAG0499.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Pulau Pinang, Pulau Pinang5.4232564 100.31892tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-12019325178601714072012-12-31T09:18:00.001+01:002012-12-31T09:26:09.024+01:00Fourth Day, the Freaking Volcano<p>Fourth day in Bali. The last one. The last day of 2012. The last day of my life, I believed for a while.</p>
<p>My name is Valerio, I'm a runner. And I suffer from vertigo. Heights freak me out. No idea why. Just happens.</p>
<p>I can remember the day it all started. I was 8 years old, in Stromboli, Eolian islands. On the volcano.</p>
<p>Since then I have been looking for volcanoes and mountains to climb. To heal.</p>
<p>You'll be surprised, but it never works. Keep freaking out, no matter what.</p>
<p>I wanted to climb Bali's volcano. To see the sunrise from the top. Most of all, to prove I can do it anyway.</p>
<p>My friends didn't come. I tried to convince them: "let's wake up at 2, start climbing at 4, to see the sunrise at 6". Crazy people, why they decided to sleep until 10 instead?</p>
<p>The guide, Waiyan, is a very nice guy. Very patient. He'll need to be with me.</p>
<p>The trekking starts at 3.45. Easy path but no moon or stars. You can see below a picture of the view at 4.30. It's the black one.</p>
<p>We need to use a torch, nothing's enlightened but the ground before our feet. </p>
<p>To climb is easy. I feel comfortable. No idea what's going on around. I don't bother even the dog climbing with us, uninvited. </p>
<p>Suddenly we're up. At the top. 1700m above the sea, 800m above the starting point. It's 4.45 am. Still hard to see around for the darkness. But it's possible to understand that we are facing the most amazing show of Bali's nature. A view like no one else. Cold lava, a huge lake surrounded by volcanoes, villages, plantations. All before us. We're freaking high. And I am freaking out. </p>
<p>I tell Waiyan for the first time that I suffer from vertigo. He lights his fifth sigarette of the day and offers me one. "No, thanks", I reply. </p>
<p>We arrive at the camp where his friends are cooking food for all of us. They've been there since 3. We are the first group, other 30 people are coming. But I don't want to see the view.</p>
<p>Instead, I stay with Waiyan and his friends in the kitchen. We have a lot in common: they saw the volcano so many times. I saw myself acting like a frightened child so many times.</p>
<p>I eat and light my first sigarette after ages. It's 5.30 when I go out of the kitchen. The sun is coming out, slightly. Sunrise is expected at 6, dawn is upon us. </p>
<p>We now can see better the lake, the villages, the other volcanoes. Even Lombok, an island as big as Bali, far far away. Better go inside. </p>
<p>We talk and laugh. It starts raining. Good, the path back will also be slippery. </p>
<p>6, the sunrise. The view is spectacular. I ask Waiyan to see the crater, the smokes of the volcanoes, and to go the hell out of there. </p>
<p>Waiyan never makes a move. Always calm, always easy. I see the crater, going down for 300 meter.</p>
<p>Everything around is pure nature's power.</p>
<p>He pours me a second sigarette. We smoke together. Then we start going back down. </p>
<p>I can clearly see the 800m we climbed.</p>
<p>Surprisingly I feel better than usual. Who knows what they put in those cigarettes.</p>
<p>First 100m down I'm still frightened, holding Waiyan's hand most of the time. </p>
<p>But the more we walk, the more I get confident. Suddenly I can walk alone. Easy. Fast. No more fear, like a normal person. </p>
<p>We reach another group and a girl is still holding the hand of her guide. Pff, what a pussy. </p>
<p>Waiyan does never make a move. He asks me to take pictures of me. And I can easily stand with the void on my back. I can also take pictures. </p>
<p>We reach the ground and I'm willing to go up again. Already looking forward to the next volcano to climb. I will probably freak out again. But it will be less. </p>
<p>Like the philosopher Rocky Balboa once said: "If I can change, and you can change, then all the world can change". </p>
<p>Happy new year. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gMWC_fas28Yahirr2_k_a_RxTDAslPI3kfUsa54-6IzSF-lcEd23ppfOzMu7xNhtaOxMK8ZOZGitmI9V-cFIAe9hyZFTXuKItOvY1YRKMwZaufC7bvs9ISjd8w0iyz-9UPcixrHpcaMa/s1600/IMAG0471.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6gMWC_fas28Yahirr2_k_a_RxTDAslPI3kfUsa54-6IzSF-lcEd23ppfOzMu7xNhtaOxMK8ZOZGitmI9V-cFIAe9hyZFTXuKItOvY1YRKMwZaufC7bvs9ISjd8w0iyz-9UPcixrHpcaMa/s640/IMAG0471.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZtMNunnQhl-MSXBTuu-YMXz5DIPBwknhv1NImdNAj9W5uT3E5tGpgKBdWUZL8TTKHVWNTtu7BxrNwNhyphenhyphenBXgDsblMblHcOjiYCsCOPhfVAGsMKzwFiQwqabBykOdW8aGz_h6Ig05p5cRX/s1600/IMAG0476.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjDZtMNunnQhl-MSXBTuu-YMXz5DIPBwknhv1NImdNAj9W5uT3E5tGpgKBdWUZL8TTKHVWNTtu7BxrNwNhyphenhyphenBXgDsblMblHcOjiYCsCOPhfVAGsMKzwFiQwqabBykOdW8aGz_h6Ig05p5cRX/s640/IMAG0476.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbsKc904JELxwVzmSsyrawfRNfGPfWq4-C0e1vOsNJb9HnhIKiGOwksM5K4qwrMNi0qdgjMHQdGa2zpytC64hdjrCs0Bbf0R8vgAKt2n2E66Vc8RacPQVSXgWe8K1vtP2xTA4nMyLRvf/s1600/IMAG0477.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4cbsKc904JELxwVzmSsyrawfRNfGPfWq4-C0e1vOsNJb9HnhIKiGOwksM5K4qwrMNi0qdgjMHQdGa2zpytC64hdjrCs0Bbf0R8vgAKt2n2E66Vc8RacPQVSXgWe8K1vtP2xTA4nMyLRvf/s640/IMAG0477.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4MecUFAPn4T7kk6mc7lAjCep9wY9DYpUZKQQU5COG8ReUJC5W3cOODSYB5QY6fYJalzce6G7WLtV2pa05X3fkKb_FJZAtUU5oE09kAbeKfzFzvR9UFyfS4dRn3eX9ogJqQXExv-FkKCb/s1600/IMAG0478.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS4MecUFAPn4T7kk6mc7lAjCep9wY9DYpUZKQQU5COG8ReUJC5W3cOODSYB5QY6fYJalzce6G7WLtV2pa05X3fkKb_FJZAtUU5oE09kAbeKfzFzvR9UFyfS4dRn3eX9ogJqQXExv-FkKCb/s640/IMAG0478.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDPoSoqFL56HDHMYNhApwx3DlcVh8uhnv0m2X1ENxc0bz1JpmusdycF4h90HnAf7NT8LM-xkS-DEsdbWxv5XiMTTQctYukkxMZ8FNTNA9Ri62mlgsP0LWzawNwieCVlJLYjU7xRctOgOM/s1600/IMAG0488.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjsDPoSoqFL56HDHMYNhApwx3DlcVh8uhnv0m2X1ENxc0bz1JpmusdycF4h90HnAf7NT8LM-xkS-DEsdbWxv5XiMTTQctYukkxMZ8FNTNA9Ri62mlgsP0LWzawNwieCVlJLYjU7xRctOgOM/s640/IMAG0488.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5PjGpLzlZxSp86e2ZpOIJtOFyW01AekwBUXnxDOjKsJ8bo1-E0bnfQduyW_bAKfTA4emTOjg44leeP93PKHSZiLkhhwFcLkTt8YmA9lzkAklmSmX6sghhOKX7e9nPClkncjUwPGYuQd0/s1600/IMAG0459.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT5PjGpLzlZxSp86e2ZpOIJtOFyW01AekwBUXnxDOjKsJ8bo1-E0bnfQduyW_bAKfTA4emTOjg44leeP93PKHSZiLkhhwFcLkTt8YmA9lzkAklmSmX6sghhOKX7e9nPClkncjUwPGYuQd0/s640/IMAG0459.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso_1ukmuaiGOcBa4trt_IaFk8uXjbppaTDJb5Lbxgo6nijzguwRljfxFehwXzRSkQUF1ZGYTLYBC75p2TZRc-Wp6P5PLEfcg6fyw3pTexOBwqWj7c_JFumNqrOEoVfOYiO47wz1x8xS6s/s1600/IMAG0480.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhso_1ukmuaiGOcBa4trt_IaFk8uXjbppaTDJb5Lbxgo6nijzguwRljfxFehwXzRSkQUF1ZGYTLYBC75p2TZRc-Wp6P5PLEfcg6fyw3pTexOBwqWj7c_JFumNqrOEoVfOYiO47wz1x8xS6s/s640/IMAG0480.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatZ-f0I-ZjXuVEZyh5p-CPH3mMm1LyfyhaDyoHu4r6WkhLMePApQ7yET_kb39v0Y5sRsUD6X1Unn8jm79q9cbsDxPLBVZ7oFb91qVHUTlEiK2kGOGzyPQyyOr8jVVO38XhRNfchaLL3jk/s1600/IMAG0465.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjatZ-f0I-ZjXuVEZyh5p-CPH3mMm1LyfyhaDyoHu4r6WkhLMePApQ7yET_kb39v0Y5sRsUD6X1Unn8jm79q9cbsDxPLBVZ7oFb91qVHUTlEiK2kGOGzyPQyyOr8jVVO38XhRNfchaLL3jk/s640/IMAG0465.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMi5Le5ONO_o_3bYxwnaf-UUzJA5rdLzmUxCRA5rjyIsxuE75jgxFmsnpJ29mmE-gvxeEEIj0wVbDfjR6nLIioL2o7BUGtH4Dw9spbW7iHxUzX5iWUMOKCyAOuaL9DR1kXAX2Fa2kcCz/s1600/IMAG0484.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLuMi5Le5ONO_o_3bYxwnaf-UUzJA5rdLzmUxCRA5rjyIsxuE75jgxFmsnpJ29mmE-gvxeEEIj0wVbDfjR6nLIioL2o7BUGtH4Dw9spbW7iHxUzX5iWUMOKCyAOuaL9DR1kXAX2Fa2kcCz/s640/IMAG0484.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHCNfJ9AhD_0Wz4QRMXZ7oJCrOTsXA-ow_w8GpbSC7RNhcdW3bYqLGu-BMgrMO3FYajrsXwgTfRPiG0FumDRXosFEdWEWq4hAPWqJJ7PE57byihynFGfHGMwqq2LPC9jCzZABVRBHHD7T/s1600/IMAG0463.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHCNfJ9AhD_0Wz4QRMXZ7oJCrOTsXA-ow_w8GpbSC7RNhcdW3bYqLGu-BMgrMO3FYajrsXwgTfRPiG0FumDRXosFEdWEWq4hAPWqJJ7PE57byihynFGfHGMwqq2LPC9jCzZABVRBHHD7T/s640/IMAG0463.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Sanur, Sanur-8.695061 115.259636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-30713424645700324042012-12-30T14:50:00.001+01:002012-12-31T09:25:37.628+01:00Third Day, Sunrise Kingdom<p>Slight reference to Moonrise Kingdom, the best movie you can see in 2012. Hurry up, no much time left to watch it in 2012. </p>
<p>Third day in Bali. </p>
<p>The alarm clock rang at 5.30 this morning. Nothing compared to tomorrow, but we will see that tomorrow. </p>
<p>Busy busy day. </p>
<p>7k run along the coast. Federico and I amazed by the sunrise. Our sight went through the beach uncovered by the low tide, fishermen, reef, open sea, and, finally, the horizon waiting for its king. </p>
<p>After a deserved breakfast we moved to Kuta, the famous beach for surf beginners and drunks. We opted for being surf beginners. </p>
<p>One hour with instructor (two instructions: paddle, up) and boards so big that we could eat there in ten. Nobody could fall from such big boards. Nobody but me and Seba, Federico's brother. </p>
<p>I tell you, I'm not a surfer. </p>
<p>After provoking the laughs of everyone around, we managed to boost our self confidence with a couple of good waves. So boosted, I opted for using the small board, for trained surfers. I think the waves weren't big enough. That or I can't surf. The waves, for sure. <br>
Excited like never for our two good waves, we later showed the beach what Italians do better. Ok, second thing Italians do better: playing football. </p>
<p>Federico, Seba and I against Indonesia in the toughest football match on the beach that Bali remembers. </p>
<p>From lame surfers we became professional football players of Serie A (that's what we told to the kids asking for autographs). And to the fifteen years old guys we beated hard. </p>
<p>Day's almost over, time to have dinner and go to sleep early. </p>
<p>Tomorrow, 31 December 2012, I'm waking up at 1.45 a.m.. </p>
<p>Tomorrow's the big day. We'll get there tomorrow. </p>
<p>Aloha. </p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWmvlSj2BdX66X25SqU1sJ8CJ_g9xqHN41WwnAgSHj_tuhh4eE6acITyzUw9jO4naX98HBzO-GP1FbACTM1NpirvlWmZs0M-2g0T4N9fbLA4A5UDYJCKTFDw33rwxfG2f32UcdUjJyyA/s1600/IMAG0427.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgazWmvlSj2BdX66X25SqU1sJ8CJ_g9xqHN41WwnAgSHj_tuhh4eE6acITyzUw9jO4naX98HBzO-GP1FbACTM1NpirvlWmZs0M-2g0T4N9fbLA4A5UDYJCKTFDw33rwxfG2f32UcdUjJyyA/s640/IMAG0427.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1htymesnKqcrpNVlN4Jn5C3VPvtdcXnMhlhCFjSzJrjGraTVp5uqpOxSnBX0aZdeg_wGe89sZc2uvIkdL4d4ITMU5W8iCCRoukvlEn42spHsHoAG4NSswp8XTqj5X2QTItWHh3EsoIih/s1600/IMAG0431.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ1htymesnKqcrpNVlN4Jn5C3VPvtdcXnMhlhCFjSzJrjGraTVp5uqpOxSnBX0aZdeg_wGe89sZc2uvIkdL4d4ITMU5W8iCCRoukvlEn42spHsHoAG4NSswp8XTqj5X2QTItWHh3EsoIih/s640/IMAG0431.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejh_vgKhcwrMgNZpSZC1nuA02f61kgVJCbjPp_Ji2DgSWF2torNVUJDQnItYimpBpwRG8exJg1LkF8Yv-ik7JqxcfDeQrQkI_qRks9X83dOpO5H2Qv_BlvAJZyqni08S8fe_ByAATAIDv/s1600/IMAG0447.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhejh_vgKhcwrMgNZpSZC1nuA02f61kgVJCbjPp_Ji2DgSWF2torNVUJDQnItYimpBpwRG8exJg1LkF8Yv-ik7JqxcfDeQrQkI_qRks9X83dOpO5H2Qv_BlvAJZyqni08S8fe_ByAATAIDv/s640/IMAG0447.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9N9YCEuWieoL_EFgoidoKQYi9PcjcqefbsHdhOaM-_YYdhIRmGb-2hpsSSwJ4zB7IU7O4JfT0jU_ZWG7FPuZQRF2M9gByrtXFRYwwQlHU3lQBe6Nn5IR8azHkVpribNOBWpdthnd0TyX/s1600/IMAG0454.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEix9N9YCEuWieoL_EFgoidoKQYi9PcjcqefbsHdhOaM-_YYdhIRmGb-2hpsSSwJ4zB7IU7O4JfT0jU_ZWG7FPuZQRF2M9gByrtXFRYwwQlHU3lQBe6Nn5IR8azHkVpribNOBWpdthnd0TyX/s640/IMAG0454.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUpsy8SyOKIuyCHvPP_M_TOfWZgVlcLT-fTSvp-Iq7URlicnxeaxyWBUzAYsP82SKkffANomg61iMmkbWgak4nNoA1jIAGQjfbkG0TXVBclR6_KJ5QH5OMGOvO1lFL0KC0wDycz8jCyHh/s1600/IMAG0435.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMUpsy8SyOKIuyCHvPP_M_TOfWZgVlcLT-fTSvp-Iq7URlicnxeaxyWBUzAYsP82SKkffANomg61iMmkbWgak4nNoA1jIAGQjfbkG0TXVBclR6_KJ5QH5OMGOvO1lFL0KC0wDycz8jCyHh/s640/IMAG0435.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHuezcdML_5q4at40b4l9eASUfaYyBu7NKZlInS_qapTqNklx091F0Zzu7D06OjXxW7MJ-ocJAssDq_zZXJlWi2qeKVXDEDq52lLw-tzYsdtfgET-yH5bd8yk3ogDoE3GgyHRhl1i9SqO/s1600/IMAG0433.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXHuezcdML_5q4at40b4l9eASUfaYyBu7NKZlInS_qapTqNklx091F0Zzu7D06OjXxW7MJ-ocJAssDq_zZXJlWi2qeKVXDEDq52lLw-tzYsdtfgET-yH5bd8yk3ogDoE3GgyHRhl1i9SqO/s640/IMAG0433.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOasFYk3FJUj7EsQII9_eDgbdAulqluMBRHTDstSb4kWKI1F82VkRVPjrRSDD0xA6YITHPyeZrXX9sRw-JPiQ62tqIIbs74XPoIon2oT8T3gfRTn0fZJz-BiV6gAafi2Ex-g5Wn-l5MztF/s1600/IMAG0452.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOasFYk3FJUj7EsQII9_eDgbdAulqluMBRHTDstSb4kWKI1F82VkRVPjrRSDD0xA6YITHPyeZrXX9sRw-JPiQ62tqIIbs74XPoIon2oT8T3gfRTn0fZJz-BiV6gAafi2Ex-g5Wn-l5MztF/s640/IMAG0452.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQviAB6grw-YXZzNLOJWuSU1UOwZkaDNAj1vFzetoJKu87rrErlatjhNVuw5GLx_be9oFGsQSJqO269Y06sX42DDNzJ760xmamcXX9fOcnrCKR92U3hqcN16v4VMPaHlvB91f9uaNE2pHc/s1600/IMAG0439.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQviAB6grw-YXZzNLOJWuSU1UOwZkaDNAj1vFzetoJKu87rrErlatjhNVuw5GLx_be9oFGsQSJqO269Y06sX42DDNzJ760xmamcXX9fOcnrCKR92U3hqcN16v4VMPaHlvB91f9uaNE2pHc/s640/IMAG0439.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g2lHNN2sl1XMeWkvFPTQFBZNOCsZiBuCMA4Ve6MC3n627aV3lmMa_l_uvDQ7ktIw7-53Orprq7aG-5oXUMbeO98iCcKeEdQRUgKUiyK87vRk6d_kPEmuwSElD99RNl9TcvtXJptQvpq5/s1600/IMAG0440.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6g2lHNN2sl1XMeWkvFPTQFBZNOCsZiBuCMA4Ve6MC3n627aV3lmMa_l_uvDQ7ktIw7-53Orprq7aG-5oXUMbeO98iCcKeEdQRUgKUiyK87vRk6d_kPEmuwSElD99RNl9TcvtXJptQvpq5/s640/IMAG0440.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Sanur, Sanur-8.695061 115.259636tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-14033772769716608362012-12-29T15:41:00.001+01:002012-12-29T15:41:36.631+01:00Second Day, the Day of the Shit<p>It can be a shitty day without running.</p>
<p>Our tour of Bali started at 8.30 in the morning. We went to Ubud a city in Central Bali.</p>
<p>Tours in South East Asia are ran by drivers. You rent a car, or a tuk tuk. And they come with the driver. Either this or you die in a car accident at the first turn of these crazy roads.</p>
<p>Drivers earn money from you, and from the places where you spend money (food, souvenir shops, museums). </p>
<p>Induced places are usually nice, especially for you that come from far far away. But if you want to do something you want to do, you need to avoid drivers' tricks.</p>
<p>For example, we wanted to trek around Ubud, at least for a bit. We managed to do our first trekking. </p>
<p>Light trekking for an hour and a half, visiting temples on the way and taking pictures of the shining rice terraces.</p>
<p>The second one became a walk in the shopping streets of Ubud. </p>
<p>The third one was a pleasant walk in the Monkey Forrest. Impressive mangroves, a couple of temples and myriads of crazy monkeys. </p>
<p>In between there was the Neka museum of contemporary Balinese art. (you can see below the "Where's Wally" style painting). </p>
<p>We managed to avoid the Balinese paintings shop. But not the wooden craftsmanship. </p>
<p>Our happy ending is called Luwak Coffee. We visited a typical Balinese coffee plantation (with annexed shop, of course). Luwak Coffee shows how far mankind can go. Some lunatic-drug-user-visionary man thought to feed weasels with coffee beans. He then took the shit, cleaned it, toasted the beans and created an expensive blend of coffee: Luwak Coffee. </p>
<p>We drunk Luwak Coffee. Shitty coffee. That marked my day as the shitty day.</p>
<p>Surprise surprise, the coffee was good. As it was the day. Sometimes who puts you in the shit makes you a favour. That was the case. Thanks for the shit, man!!</p>
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQQBTqSW0qPzR2L1nNT1RhdNKWrUkaNswPzAiDVmZw0E62Wzpp1duPqeVNiNNTrnANHGmsQSvxV56VwiG1kavJLTZsmoFOHaVhy2Ja-7fEiWI6aOsRcdQ0K3gTM7GK5L1NqVkcOmzyfs2/s1600/IMAG0409.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAQQBTqSW0qPzR2L1nNT1RhdNKWrUkaNswPzAiDVmZw0E62Wzpp1duPqeVNiNNTrnANHGmsQSvxV56VwiG1kavJLTZsmoFOHaVhy2Ja-7fEiWI6aOsRcdQ0K3gTM7GK5L1NqVkcOmzyfs2/s640/IMAG0409.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ssYRDUukCjmhurviagB8vvgywgjI46jWimfcULr4X7HmDpwxLjVvjVucHFTQM6L2gsTad8kRNhSrzjag6acJ09smkO6cAWtL_mgh1vyB_kBbvCWdYHXdau72HcqUj0Yyy8lSA-GK7FBZ/s1600/IMAG0398.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ssYRDUukCjmhurviagB8vvgywgjI46jWimfcULr4X7HmDpwxLjVvjVucHFTQM6L2gsTad8kRNhSrzjag6acJ09smkO6cAWtL_mgh1vyB_kBbvCWdYHXdau72HcqUj0Yyy8lSA-GK7FBZ/s640/IMAG0398.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUwMxnFJcBfv5DSr6T-IlsI2-jzn6m5ou30s0k2cOlkMGXxeYSFtSUkSn7no93eo8Oi3Hcv3Wj1QpWaJbQgYAuItX61wcTeQD2pVb2B7CqUgau2A_Z-ZgP9ibif9WXVD85_4hiu4bWsXv/s1600/IMAG0419.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglUwMxnFJcBfv5DSr6T-IlsI2-jzn6m5ou30s0k2cOlkMGXxeYSFtSUkSn7no93eo8Oi3Hcv3Wj1QpWaJbQgYAuItX61wcTeQD2pVb2B7CqUgau2A_Z-ZgP9ibif9WXVD85_4hiu4bWsXv/s640/IMAG0419.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9007ShUOH9KAgwSgQ_vcKxRBzPE7DGB8gyHGKHEEFefJKwhlmk4RO_B4XVKo9LxVejOAZyHy2pKwhXjdpbj5s0j-zf81g3efkD8yuwPy4TwgpoXKRUx9vsbUlfxU9rFuKHBdNdppJ4haz/s1600/IMAG0418.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9007ShUOH9KAgwSgQ_vcKxRBzPE7DGB8gyHGKHEEFefJKwhlmk4RO_B4XVKo9LxVejOAZyHy2pKwhXjdpbj5s0j-zf81g3efkD8yuwPy4TwgpoXKRUx9vsbUlfxU9rFuKHBdNdppJ4haz/s640/IMAG0418.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2rOE8jn8A32SaKjZC1UBQSZRT0XAbQ9ObQW0nnq7HNZcCqc-6etPaAAJsmDwkbm1FEQHUbpTc0bCpVhecK_aCGbieSdbxAwVZgOuclDsd8HXkXAw2Ogy_aSY-3PeadSxr-ytkAAwbawu/s1600/IMAG0410.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhq2rOE8jn8A32SaKjZC1UBQSZRT0XAbQ9ObQW0nnq7HNZcCqc-6etPaAAJsmDwkbm1FEQHUbpTc0bCpVhecK_aCGbieSdbxAwVZgOuclDsd8HXkXAw2Ogy_aSY-3PeadSxr-ytkAAwbawu/s640/IMAG0410.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAtdXLDolTUAWlMOoGIPDG7QNPDm0x5hVxKXulceKrDhyphenhyphenmcnu6p8Q_kClicQSYTCexiisZ7t7cA0fznu3Qmr7pUL8dCePLQaGh-JwTxWts6mFw1LXRm1UwXEjSIZMAUzryLO01tCQp-HX/s1600/IMAG0417.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNAtdXLDolTUAWlMOoGIPDG7QNPDm0x5hVxKXulceKrDhyphenhyphenmcnu6p8Q_kClicQSYTCexiisZ7t7cA0fznu3Qmr7pUL8dCePLQaGh-JwTxWts6mFw1LXRm1UwXEjSIZMAUzryLO01tCQp-HX/s640/IMAG0417.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-INN33nZNBnw/UN8BGX663NI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/O7t7qnCotTc/s1600/IMAG0406.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-INN33nZNBnw/UN8BGX663NI/AAAAAAAAA7Q/O7t7qnCotTc/s640/IMAG0406.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2293691647500575635.post-15707897629676921392012-12-28T15:33:00.001+01:002012-12-28T15:40:03.300+01:00First Day, First Run<p>So, 28 December 2012, the first day of this trip around South East Asia (Singapore-Bali-Kuala Lumpur-Penang-Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Singapore). The second day actually, as we arrived on 27.</p>
<p>We are staying in Bali, Senur, the quiet area for families. Not many chicks, unfortunately. WE is me, Federico (my old friend from Trento) his brother and their parents. </p>
<p>The beach is so close we can feel the sea breeze. Along the beach there is a path, looking on luxurious villas, Hindu temples and the beautiful traditional Bali boats. Do you see what I see? Of course not, you're not in Bali (UAH UAH UAH). Yes, we gotta run here. </p>
<p>Federico and I woke up at 6.20, willing to see the sunrise. Senur is in the eastern coast of Bali. Unfortunately the sun was already up and shining at 6.30. We came back from our 7k red like lobsters. </p>
<p>The late morning is for some swimming. Beautiful beach, nothing to say. But I still haven't found a better place than Milazzo, my home town in Sicily. And we do not have sea snakes like in Bali. </p>
<p>Easy hiking in the afternoon. Hindu temple on a cliff, full of monkeys and tourists. Guess who's more annoying? Yeah, right, it's me: a tourist jumping around like a monkey. </p>
<p>Sunset from the temple, grilled fresh fish dinner and sleep. Tomorrow trekking around rice terraces. Life can be harsh in <u>Bali</u>, I know. </p>
P.s. I'm using an app for Android. Pictures are uploaded "ad minchiam" (trans. not in order). Sorry for the inconvenience.
<div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURUP3KF6kJtD_vRSvVde9hyphenhypheng0O1mP0YHhcdV1yebC0R7VVe7vGak8AQZjTEJhmpCEGdM7OKg-amhojcNZDgetSqH7F1D7sUf8NUmn_Lfgh4Ug7QVLxfV2MA0bxW0Q-uHYRMIvSIEV1ZiZ/s1600/IMAG0382.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgURUP3KF6kJtD_vRSvVde9hyphenhypheng0O1mP0YHhcdV1yebC0R7VVe7vGak8AQZjTEJhmpCEGdM7OKg-amhojcNZDgetSqH7F1D7sUf8NUmn_Lfgh4Ug7QVLxfV2MA0bxW0Q-uHYRMIvSIEV1ZiZ/s640/IMAG0382.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_erjq47uzsU/UN2tpe_UrkI/AAAAAAAAA40/s1600/IMAG0388.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='http://lh3.ggpht.com/-_erjq47uzsU/UN2tpe_UrkI/AAAAAAAAA40/s640/IMAG0388.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcwkO6_TkWFKmdad6X6rxj51QAxPoAGNPSF4-8hFZIjXrtFJjt0tnC7QftpTvwOFKMDmqz94eYNXxk_X-yeEu0jYFXN3y56PsvALfrUGBPYcmKzRa9c_fq7B-aTHyEc0SEh2HHgBNZlq8/s1600/IMAG0391.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUcwkO6_TkWFKmdad6X6rxj51QAxPoAGNPSF4-8hFZIjXrtFJjt0tnC7QftpTvwOFKMDmqz94eYNXxk_X-yeEu0jYFXN3y56PsvALfrUGBPYcmKzRa9c_fq7B-aTHyEc0SEh2HHgBNZlq8/s640/IMAG0391.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2NHLQI9BV44CdEYits3pindCuhvOxamwAUQj2Ce25gAjdfDHXO10Qk1uiOjOEWA3eef5HM38ESGcNPAHLG2ojDil6GKa-ELCl5L4h8iqG_H6slfAgfOBtNzF96HvsrbB_vxUkGfoo-iL/s1600/IMAG0375.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG2NHLQI9BV44CdEYits3pindCuhvOxamwAUQj2Ce25gAjdfDHXO10Qk1uiOjOEWA3eef5HM38ESGcNPAHLG2ojDil6GKa-ELCl5L4h8iqG_H6slfAgfOBtNzF96HvsrbB_vxUkGfoo-iL/s640/IMAG0375.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQGssk2tzeiNAlmv9-pybBMyixHNAi6MUHeO1lF-DZo_wFEvqZAV2Tt5TXkdQckTV-dZRQL54rRe0lFXY3XnQYBD_A6Uj65pBEL6e8E8uyy-4TWoD2tMuKezcbNGwOxxAwSTQfF_A6ZWg/s1600/IMAG0394.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGQGssk2tzeiNAlmv9-pybBMyixHNAi6MUHeO1lF-DZo_wFEvqZAV2Tt5TXkdQckTV-dZRQL54rRe0lFXY3XnQYBD_A6Uj65pBEL6e8E8uyy-4TWoD2tMuKezcbNGwOxxAwSTQfF_A6ZWg/s640/IMAG0394.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqmWOw5DP-Kvv9LdYxZOaUMIHwzs4HOc_5SSza3vSyg68xMHRMb6elSEDTj1H8FpM3-_ZC5aXodzZcK0kLDfvjEQQ3O7hua0CUVHZGkWNvUL_pQaXkNzwuzO14oMhockSxs6MB5dPQF2f/s1600/IMAG0383.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDqmWOw5DP-Kvv9LdYxZOaUMIHwzs4HOc_5SSza3vSyg68xMHRMb6elSEDTj1H8FpM3-_ZC5aXodzZcK0kLDfvjEQQ3O7hua0CUVHZGkWNvUL_pQaXkNzwuzO14oMhockSxs6MB5dPQF2f/s640/IMAG0383.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN-ifuhD62v0j4_GHB2bHrwc6Yrodiq3W-m8cmpIPRF_ov373Gg00R95vo12GXre-ws5TRUL0xL6fsUCvt677iTjlXo0-cLmMIOan8xY9ryfOxEYjdCV2fT1m4bje7_7UYExTl7JGWP57/s1600/IMAG0378.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRN-ifuhD62v0j4_GHB2bHrwc6Yrodiq3W-m8cmpIPRF_ov373Gg00R95vo12GXre-ws5TRUL0xL6fsUCvt677iTjlXo0-cLmMIOan8xY9ryfOxEYjdCV2fT1m4bje7_7UYExTl7JGWP57/s640/IMAG0378.jpg' /> </a> </div><div class='separator' style='clear: both; text-align: center;'> <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdmJKqqoZgcSaGZbyiYkOogyDHri38xfxB9L1zNKPWcjjTEknf8o3mCm73Cr6bv2TjGB8WhUYVCaiUpXZapWJB6awCH5q4nqCzGnKTG4lzeOVXGLqJ2HWn89sCMEX56pkDe9LaO1DElMC/s1600/IMAG0376.jpg' imageanchor='1' style='margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;'> <img border='0' src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwdmJKqqoZgcSaGZbyiYkOogyDHri38xfxB9L1zNKPWcjjTEknf8o3mCm73Cr6bv2TjGB8WhUYVCaiUpXZapWJB6awCH5q4nqCzGnKTG4lzeOVXGLqJ2HWn89sCMEX56pkDe9LaO1DElMC/s640/IMAG0376.jpg' /> </a> </div>Valeriohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13675777192497740727noreply@blogger.com0Sanur, Sanur-8.695061 115.259636