s&c-news

XIAN - on my own.

2008-04-08T03:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm in Xian now. I took the night train from Beijing. I slept in a tiny bed, without any space. I couldn't even sit up. But there was a nice boy sleeping next to me, and he spoke a little english. So he helped me with telling me where to go off, and so on... He was also going to Xian. But it wasn't the same as with Camilla right next to me.

The first day here, I was very tired, so I just walked around nearby the hostel. I live right in the center of the city. When I arrived, there were three other girls in my room. But they all left that day. So I got the room for my self.

The second day, I went to see the Terakott worriors. That's why I'm here, actually. To see the Terakotta army. I went on a group tour that I booked on the hostel. I really loved it. There were more than 6000 worriors there! Amazing... Worth seeing:) I took a lot of pictures.

Today, I rented a bike at my hostel, and went to the pagoda here in Xian. It was a beautiful park there as well. And a nice street with lots of restaurantes. So I walked around there for a long time. When I sat at one restaurante, it started raining really bad. So I figured I'd just wait for it to stop. And it did. But when I was on the bike, on my way home, it started raining again - really bad! When I got to the hostel, I was soaking wet! When I walked in the door at the hostel, everyone in the room all started laughing at me:) I was dripping. But at least I made some people smile for a while:)

After I changed my clothes, I went out again, this time with my jacket on... I went to see a couple of towers here in the city, and a mosque. I also ended up in a little street where people were selling all kinds of things. Lots of lots of food, fruit and much more. It was very interesting. So today has been great:)

Tomorrow, I think I will rent a bike one more time, and maybe go to the place where the silk road started in the old days. A road where China traded silk and other things with other countries. I guess that would be fun to see, and then I also get to see more of the city, on the bike. And maybe I'm going to a park I've seen on the map.

And the day after that, I'm going back home to Norway! I'm looking forward to that now. I'm kind of homesick...

bummer...

2008-04-04T06:54:00.000-07:00

when we went to the kung fu show today, we were told that kung fu was over. they did not do that anymore, anywhere in beijing... so the tickets we had bought were old tickets, without any date on it. but we used them for an acrobatic show instead. it was fun, but i wanted to see kung fu... acrobatics is not the same...

BEIJING

2008-04-03T08:42:00.000-07:00

Yes... We are in Beijing now. This city reminds me of New York. There are many new, tall buildings. And there are many parks here, where all the old people work out in the morning. But this city is much more spread out than NY. The traffic is bad, not because they drive badly ( even though they do, but we are very used with that kind of driving now. and they do not hunk as much here...), but there are sooo many cars everywhere.
we are staying at a very cosy hostel, in the center of the city. right next to the forbidden city. but we still have to take taxis everywhere we want to go, because it is so spread out.

we have been to a lot of markeds. the pearl marked, the silk marked and yashow marked. i have shopped... and shopped... i am very good at bargin now! today a girl told me that i was stupid. and she wanted to kill me, and then she hit me, and said it was no wonder i had no boyfriend, because nobody liked me. because i was so mean. only because i wanted a sweater a bit cheaper. she was crazy! and i had to just walk away, so i would not hit her too. i got really angry. but most of the time it is just fun. and we have met a lot of great people:)

we also went to the forbidden city today. that was fun, or it was ok. i have seen a lot of palaces now on our trip, so i am a bit tired of it. but i liked it, and i could not have been in beijing for so long, and not visit the forbidden city. we have also been to the summer palace. that was beautiful:)

yesterday, we went to the great wall. eirin and marie came a few days ago, so we are travelling with them now. they are friends of camillas. we walked for about 10 km. up, and down. it felt a lot longer. we did a lot of climbing. we went on the oldest part of the wall, and it was kind of ruined some places, so the path was not very good. but that was actually kind of fun:) i had a great time!!! it goes in the memory book for ever...

tomorrow we are going to a kung fu show in the evening. that will be fun:) and i think i want to see the mao museum tomorrow too. and maybe see the olympic stadium...

and on saturday i am leaving. i am going on my own to xian. i am going on a train for 12 hours or something... hardsleeper, so that can be interesting... so that is how i am going to celebrate my mothers birthday. she is 50!

siss

Hue

2008-03-27T05:18:00.000-07:00

We stayed in Hue for two days. We went on a day trip, divided in two, so we did one part the first day, and the last part the second day. It was mostly temples, tombs and other big buildings were the kings used to live. It was not the most fun I ever had. And we were very tired. Because we had travelled in night time the day we arrived. It is not very much to say about Hue...
After the two days, we first had to fly to Han Oi, and then to Kuala Lumpur, and from Kuala Lumpur we flew to Beijing. And that is where we are now!

Hoi An in my heart<3

2008-03-27T05:02:00.000-07:00

Hoi An was the next city we visited in Vietnam. It was just lovely:) The beach was nice, and we rented bikes every day, so that we could ride them to the beach. It was only 2.5 km from our hotel. It was so beautiful there. We had sun everyday:) And the people were so nice. We also got to know two girls from Sweeden, that we spent a couple of days with. One of them talked a lot! But they were nice, and it was fun to spend some time with someone else.

One thing that I liked about Hoi An, was that it was so cheap to make clothes there. It was lots of tailors there. And I got a little crazy... I bought two silk dresses, one jacket, one coat, one suit, and two shirts:) And all for about 1300 kr, that is like 250 USD. Very cheap:) I hope it gets home with the mail, and do not get lost overseas!

One evening when we got out to the usual place, by the river, where all the restaurants were, it was very crowded. It turned out that it was some kind of celebration, because of the full moon. It was music, singing and dancing everywhere. And on the river, they sendt down candle lights. Very beautiful. We bought a candle and put it on our restaurante table, so we could be a part of the event. It was a great day:)

We stayed in Hoi An for about one week. But we both wanted to stay longer. We had such a great time there! It was absolutly one of the best places on our trip so far. Actually I think it was the very best. Even though I liked LA very much, Hoi An was a bit better. If there is one place I want to visit again, it must be this little town.

HANOI - Vietnam

2008-03-22T03:26:00.000-07:00

I loved Hanoi! It was a mess, a lovely mess! There were motorbikes, and bicykles everywhere! It was just a charming city, and I liked it much more than I liked Bangkok. We stayed in the heart of the city, in the middle of old-town. We had one daytrip to the coast, but it wasn't that great. We saw many beautiful islands, and a really pretty cave, though. But Han Oi was just a funny, funny place! We rentet a boy for 45 minuits, so he could take us around in his bike-taxi. Wery fun:) And i bought a beautiful silk dress:)

IN THE JUNGEL...

2008-03-11T06:33:00.000-07:00

In the jungel, the mighty jungel... Camilla nad I are now back in Shiang Mai after three days and two nights in the jungel. I had such a great time! We got to know two other girls from Danmark, who were in our group of nine. One of the other guys from our group was from Japan, and he didn't know any english. The rest of the group, all came from Tjekkia. And they were really, really loud! One of the guys talked all the time, and only inhis own language. Camilla and I both thought it was very irritating... But the two girls from Denmark, were nice:)

The first day, we had to drive for a while, to get to the jungel. When we first started walking, it was just uphill! And for a very long time. But on the other side of the mountain, it was downhill. Kind of logic, maybe... Anyway, we walked for about an hour that day. And by the end of the day, we came to a small village, where we spent the night. It looked like we had walked a thousand years back in time! Buffalos were pooing in the water we were bading in, and it was cows, dogs and chicken everywhere... But the people there were nice, even though they didn't understand any english. We slept on a little blanket, with a moskitonet, and it was freezing in the night.

The next day, we walked for a long time. This day was also curvy, like the first one. Poor guys from Tjekkia, they were so tired... But after a while we got to an elefant farm, where we ate lunch, and started elefant riding. I was so scared! I was sure I would fall off anytime. But ofcourse I didn't:) Camilla on the other hand, was very brave. After the elefant riding, we walked again for a few minuits, before we came to the village where we were going to sleep that night. It was a bit bigger than the first one, with a school and everything.

The third day started with bamboo rafting on the river! It sounds very fun, but the water was so low, that we didn't go very fast. The people from the village, had made the bamboo raft the day before.

So, now we're back in Shiang Mai. And tomorrow we're going to Bangkok again. And on the day after that, we're going to Vietnam! Yes...

Siss

BANGKOK

2008-03-06T01:51:00.000-08:00

we have been three days in bangkok now. the first day, we went to bed and slept for a while, because we were so tired after a very long night at the airport in kuala lumpur. but it was a very nice airport, it was the worlds best airport in 2006/2007.
anyway, the first day we slept for a while, and then we went out, and ate at mc donalds. camilla had a fanta that tasted like sugar, and nothing else. but the big mac was good. after that I got a bit tired again, and I did not feel well (in my stomack...), so I could not eat anything that night, and just went to bed.

But yesterday was so much better! a good sleep really works. we woke up at 6, and went with a private guide for a daytrip. the first stop was at a train marked. people everywhere! the marked was on the train markes (togskinne), I do not know the word, where the train goes... and maybe 10 sek before the train comes, they ring a bell, and everyone runs to the sides, and the part of the market that is in the way of the train, has to bee moved away. it was very fun to watch!

after the train marked, we went to a place where they make brown sugar from coconut.

after that we went on a boat trip on canal, it was like a boat taxi. and on the canal, we got to see many houses where people actually lived. and they also had a market on the canal, so people did not have to get of the boat to by stuff. it was so fun to see. and it also was a bigger marked, that we had to get out of the boat to go into.

after that, we went to a place where they made furniture out of trees, and we got to see how they worked.

and after that we went to rosegarden, whwew we had lunch, and saw a show. I held a snake aroud my neck. it was very scary, and I only did it to look very brave and cool...

after the show, we went to the worlds largest jewlary store. and I bought myself a ring for my birthday money from my father. it is very pretty!

today we went to see the kingpalace, and the tempel here in bangkok. and tomorrow we are leaving to shang mai... I am very exited! er are going into the jungel for a few nights. so good luck to us!

Siss

SYDNEY

2008-03-02T15:50:00.000-08:00

We have been ten days in Sydney now. And today we are going to Thailand.

We have seen the opera house, harbor bridge, the zoo, the aquarium, bondi beach, mandy beach, hillsong, the worlds largest gay parade, a very charming guy, chinatown, and much more. It has been reigning for many days, but we have seen the sun too.

But the taxi is coming now, so I have to leave! I will write more as soon as possible... Because I know you all want to hear from me, because you all love me so much... Tihi!

Siss

BRISBANE <3

2008-02-21T22:54:00.000-08:00

We came to Brisbane three or four days ago, I don't remember. The first night, we stayed at a hotel near the airport, we arrived in Brisbane late in the evening. The next day, we went back to the airport to catch the train that would take us to Alexandra and Peter's house. Peter picked us up at the train station. They have a really big and nice house. We stayed in all that day, just watching a movie and had a delicios barbeque-dinner. It was my birthday, but Camilla forgot to tell them. But later in the evening, during dinner, she told them. So Peter went out, and bought me a birthdaycake! It was really good! And they all saang happy birthday to me:)

The last three days, we have walked around in Brisbane city. I like this city. It has a lot of beautiful buildings. And there are many parks in the city. The first day we went to the south part of Brisbane, on the south part of the river. I think this is the erea I liked the most. We went to the art museum, to a lovely park with a false beach in it, and had lunch and ice-cream at a restaurante.

The next day, we went to the northern part. That's were the shopping area is. It had a lot of great shops, and a very good smoothie-bar. We also went to see the mill, that no one in Brisbane know of, but there is much history to it.

To day, we walked around on bouth sides of the river. And we went to the street where all the expencive restaurantes are. It was very pretty there, a lot of beautiful buildings. And we walked through the boutenic garden. The sun has been out all day, so it has been very hot.

Now, we are going out for dinner with the family we are staying with. I think we're going to eat fish'n chips... I have never tasted that before.

And tomorrow, we're going to Sydney. I look forward to that, everybody sais it's a very pretty city:) But Brisbane was better then I expected!

Siss

FIJI, BABY!

2008-02-21T02:08:00.001-08:00

As some of you know, Camilla and I spent a week on Fiji. And we really liked it. Or, we liked all the small islands, but the main island, Nadi, wasn't very nice. It was very poor, and filthy... So, I'm very glad that we had already booked the boatpass, so we could choose which islands to go to.

We stayed at five different resorts on five different islands. The first resort was called Coral Wiew, and was really beautiful! The cabins were nice, and the beach was small and private. The next resort wasn't as nice as the first... All we got, was a bed with a moskito net. So we shared room with big spiders and all kinds of creepy little things. So, of course I had a nightmare, and scared Camilla to death (almost)... But the next resorts were ok.

The thing I loved the most about Fiji, was the beaches. They were soooo beautiful! One day we visited the 'blue lagoon', and that's supposed to be the prettiest beach on Fiji. And it really was pretty! They shot a movie there once, called 'the blue lagoon'.

We spent a lot of time in the hammoks, Camilla loved them. It was so nice to step away from the sun for a couple of minuits, and I loved to lay in them while I was reading:) I have read a lot the last couple of weeks, it has been really nice. But I guess it will be less time for that when we go into the jungel in Thailand...

An other thing that I liked about Fiji, was that we got to know a lot of people. We met two couples that were traveling together from England, and got to know them very well. They were in their 60s and their 30-40s... So we were a bit younger then them, but that didn't seem to make a difference... We also met a sweedish couple many times. And some girls that were travelling by them selves.

So, I can really say that Fiji was a nice place to be. But it was nice to come to Brisbane after that one week. I thing it's enough with one week sharing beds with spiders...

Siss

LA

2008-02-08T10:48:00.000-08:00

Ok, now we're almost ready for fiji. The last couple of days we've been to many great places! we've been to hollywood, santa monica, warnerbrothers studios, universal studios citywalk, beverly hills, rodeo drive, downtown disney, hooters (haha, tone!), we've watched superbowl, we've been to chirch, and we've seen bryce, brian and brian skate, and we've driven around in LA...

tomorrow, we're going to six flags with bryce and brian. thats a park with lots of lots of rollercoasters. and in the evening, we're leaving LA.

today, we're going to a beach with debi. it's so warm and nice here. camilla is out in the sun now, trying to get a tan. but she gets more red than tan. hihi;)

hugs and kisses<3

Englenes by

2008-02-04T19:47:00.000-08:00

Los Angeles

2008-01-31T09:57:00.000-08:00

we arrived in LA on Tuesday. Debi came to pick us up:)
Yesterday we drove around in the neighborhood, and went to oldtown.
to day we're going to santa monica beach with brian. he was going to pick us up around nine, but I think he's still in bed... haha.
i'm looking forward to see the beach, even though it's winter here now.

NEW YORK

2008-01-26T08:33:00.000-08:00

We went to NY from Monday to Friday!
On monday we just walked around for a bit, and went early to bed.
On Tuesday, we went to Rockefeller Center, and Central Park:)
On Wedensday we went to a morningshow, called "The morningshow with Mike and Juliet". After that we went to the musical Grease! That was fun:) In the evening we went to the Empire State Building. We could see the entire city in the dark with all the lights and everything. It was so beautiful.... Just a bit scary because of the hight.
Thursday we bought a busticket to downtown, so we went to ground zero, and chinatown. At four o'clock, we went on a boat, to see the Statue of Liberty. She was pretty, but a bit green;)
Friday we went on a bus to uptown, around Central Park. We could see Harlem, and Colombia University... And later on, we went bvack home to John and Anne. Ron and Denise picked us up at the station in New London.

NY was a biiig city, with lots of tall buildings! Our apartment was on 38. street, and almost on fifth avenue. So that was in the center of Manhattan. We could walk to most of the things we wanted to see. We had a great time:) But it's good to be back here in Voluntown again. Five days was perfect in the city.

okei

2008-01-25T19:33:00.000-08:00

ville bare si at det var camilla som skrev den siste der, jeg hadde aldri skrevet viss sann. camilla er bare veldig glad i nynorsk...

okei

2008-01-20T19:18:00.000-08:00

Viss noen der ute vet hvordan vi lager et bildealbum pa denne bloggen er det bare a si ifra,for vi skjonner ingenting! So,pleas help :)

camillas birthday:)

2008-01-20T18:13:00.001-08:00

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU!!

I have to write in english now, because of all of our new friends! I haven't written english in 3 years, so I'm sorry for all the mistakes I'm going to make...

Well, today was Camillas birthday. Of course I forgot... But when Rons parents congratulated her, it came to me. The day started with an early service at chirch, 9 o'clock! Then we went to Gailes house for brunch, which was very good. They had bought a cake for Camilla, and sang happy birthday for her! Gail has some funny pats, alpacas! they look like small lamas!

After that we went to Denise's house for an american footballgame. we began eating at Gail's, and at Denise's we continued eating-cookies, ice cream, more birthdayscake, pizza, and some american stuff(which we can't remember what's called). we also got to meet kristin, her son, and her boyfriend.

The Pats won their game, so go pats!

casino!!

2008-01-18T06:31:00.000-08:00

Her staar vi altsaa utenfor et av verdens stoerste casinoer. det var mye lys og farger og spillemaskiner. camilaa sa at hans martin skulle ha vart der, hehe:) det var goy! her er dattera til kjaresten til ron, sammen med kjaresten hennes.

2008-01-18T06:29:00.000-08:00

her er det bilde av den kule dama med sangen som camilla snakket om!!

Yesterday

2008-01-18T05:42:00.000-08:00

Sa er vi i USA!! vi bor i Voluntown,en village i conneticut. her bor vi hos en fjern slekting til meg(camilla) og kona hans. John og anne er begge 80 ar,men herligland a skjonne! igar var vi a traff sostra til john,hun er 89 ar og kunne til og med snakke litt norsk. hun var skikkelig selskapsyk og snakket og vimset hele tida. en skikkelig amerikans dame med permanent fargede oyenbryn og lilla leppestift. plutselig begynner hun a snakke pa norsk; hvordan har du det? skal du ut? etter det satte hun i med en norsk sang med litt skittent innhold. meg og sissel var de eneste som forsto hva hun sang,sa vi lo og lo:)

fremme i boston

2008-01-17T06:51:00.000-08:00

da er vi kommet til boston, og har fatt sove godt ut etter en ganske laaaang tur...
men turen gikk veldig greit , og paa usa-flyet kunne camilla og jeg dele paa tre seter, saa det var digg:)

i dag skal vi hilse paa mange i camillas familie. det er morro a snakke engelsk:)

naa venter jeg paa at litt forfengelige camilla skal bli klar etter sin noe lange morgenstell, hehe:)
jeg har bestilt egg&bacon til frokost. nice:)

we'll be in touch!

I natt reiser vi!

2008-01-15T01:01:00.000-08:00

I natt reiser vi!!
Vi reiser fra kjevik kl 06.20. og det betyr opp kl 04.30, inn på camilla sin jobb, og ta med masse god mat:) fikk nesten ikke sove i natt. jeg er så spent.

NEW YORK

2008-01-08T06:38:00.001-08:00

Først går turen til new york...