Last weekend, Laura and Barry went Christmas shopping in Bangkok. We found some very good gift ideas:
And then Barry burnt his face out by trying to out-macho a minuscule hot pepper.
This Laura's first "failed state" visit, to Myanmar (Burma). Along with Utah and Long Island, this falls into the category of "Places I may not have seen if work hadn't sent me". Anyway, this is the Shwedagon Pagoda, where all things glitter.
This is the hundred meter stupa, surrounded by all kinds of Buddhas. Below, some examples sporting the latest fashions.
This is the shiniest Buddha.
This picture shows some of Buddha's lesser known deity friends, who provide support.
Families, couples, everyone hangs out here.
This child demonstrates the proper praying position.
These people sport the recommended outfit.
So, next time you're in Yangon, don't miss the Shwedagon.
Last weekend, Singapore's downtown streets were replaced with a glowing race track.
Inside the track, flat pointy cars drive around really fast a lot of times. They are kept inside a cage so they don't escape. For entertainment, I became a moderate fan of Timo Glock, who surprisingly came in third (this may be him):
When the cars go rogue and crash, the disciplinary car comes out to shame them. Below is what the spectator sees.
Here I am demonstrating my moderate enjoyment, as well as the view that $100 tickets get you.
You can get a better view by wearing a special uniform and keeping your hands above your head, but we did not know this in advance.
And here is Barbican, non-alcoholic malt beverage, for those who were looking for carb calories emptier than beer's. Available in a mini-bar in your favourite middle eastern hotel.
Now that you believe me, I'll tell you about some other features of Dubai, Middle East for beginners. First, it has all the stores in the world in it, in huge malls to shelter you from reality:
And many tall shiny buildings, which are unfortunately not all completed.
Here are some Canadian things you can find in Dubai: 4 different Canadian coffee chains, maple syrup by the litre, and even the lesser known desert Zamboni:
Like us, if you were in Japan, you were probably worried and confused about the origins of the above creature. Do not fret, as we have solved the badger mystery! The creature behind those cute, yet creepy statues is called Tanuki (Japanese "raccoon-dog").
Tanuki is a dog, eats a similar diet to a raccoon (Japanese garbage, I guess), climbs trees, doesn't bark, and is the only dog that hibernates. Secretive and non-aggressive it prefers to scream or play dead rather than fight. The Tanuki is reputed to be a master of disguise and “shapeshifting", according to the Japanese. And he also supports ear cleaning, in our newly-acquired bathroom version.
Often found greeting guests to Japanese restaurants,,Tanuki statues have a number of important features as shown below:
So next time you go to your favourite Japanese noodle restaurant, keep your eye out for a Tanuki.
It is the Taoist Hungry Ghost festival again, a month when the gates of the netherworld open to release upon us all sorts of spirits. Loud street performances please the ghosts, and food is offered and prayers, money and other things are burned all over the place to appease them, like so:
Incense sticks are supposed to ward off evil spirits, and also bring prosperity. So it's silly not to burn them! All building entrances look like this.
I find, that the more I learn about this festival, the less I understand. For example, how do you differentiate between food to feed the hungry neglected ghosts versus the money directed at your own ancestors?
The hungriest ghosts are those whose families have forgotten to pay posthumous tribute to them. This results in them having long thin necks because they have not been fed (a common symptom of post-mortem famine). Thus, another mystery is why these dry puff cakes are left for the dead to try to get down said long throats. The living, even the stray dogs, don't like these.
Next, a scatterbrained notebook. 
Sometimes Engrish states the obvious. And yet it's deep, man.
2009's Greeting cards: "A four leaf clover, becomes happy when finding it, happiness is carried". The ominous "I have something to talk to you" hearts card, and the generic "Happy Birthday, very wonderful and more pleasant" greeting.
I love cat too, but I'm not sure about all the flowing.
The bag below was thought to be the lesser-known Engrish from India, featuring Fizzy Moon. Turns out Fizzy is real, and not simply a linguistic adventure.
Finally, let me introduce to you, for the first time: Flench!
The year's best Flench is below. My camera is away, and my phone troubled, but it says: "Le Miroir: Meme dans le miroir, j'ai des oreilles" sic. So true. So brilliant.
Above is what Western Australia's animals used to look like. Below is what they look like today. We are big fans of the modern version, and enjoyed hanging out in their gaggle of 25.
However, we did not go to Perth for the birds. We went to stock up on feeling like home. And, mostly, we went for the wine. The tasting, the touring, and the bringing some home.
Drinking it seaside was nice too, though it is "winter" now. That means its like rainy summer weather in Canada.
I know, my photography. Its artistic nature takes your breath away. I call this one "arry". Moving, no?
Finally, here is the Aussie coat of arms, which allegedly features 2 animals which can't move backwards. This doesn't seem to be a key animal skill, if you ask me, whereas that pouch is handy! I can't diss it, as the Canadian coat of arms features 2 bedazzled lions and a unicorn, none of which are native to the country, to my knowledge. 