Travelog for: SaruMaru

Then of course Holiday Harry had to show off with their friend Brian.  Harry said that he can even stand on his head on Brian's bum and not fall off.

Oh well.  SaruMaru knew that he was just too round to try it anyway.

The tumble and balance games were over and now SaruMaru's host mentioned they were going to take a short drive around town before SaruMaru had to pack his things and get ready to leave.

He went with his mentor and Palmito his friend to view the city.
It was still very foggy around the city of Eugene so it was difficult to see the pretty trees in fall colors and the mountains in the distance. 

Then Sarumaru and his friend Palmito enjoyed the view the Willamette river that runs through the city of Eugene.

Friends enjoying the view together is always nice.

It was nice to remember all the fun that they had here in Oregon.

When SaruMaru got back to the house he had Palmito help him with the packing.  Palmito is much better at this than SaruMaru is and he knows how things should fit into the traveling container.

SaruMaru was not certain there was going to be enough room for both of them but Palmito assured him that if they hugged real tight they would both fit together in the container.

There were a lot of things that they were taking back home and they didn't want to forget any of it.  Palmito made sure that it was all going to fit.

Everyone had such a great time and now it was time to say goodbye.  Everyone gathered around and gave each other a big group hug. 

This is what monkey friendship is all about. 

Well, after I said farewell to my monkey friends, I went back with Palmito to Marina's home.  I had a nice rest over there, until the travel bug bites again...

When I heard Marina mentioned that Mocha and others are traveling to Hong Kong, I just got a bit jealous.  So, Trapito, Budd and I found a nice box and we all squeezed in for a trip half way around the world.

However, even though we arrived in Hong Kong, the box was not opened.  Budd was so antsy she almost clawed her way out.  When finally the lid was opened, she snarled "What took you guys so long?" at a very surprised  Mara-Joy.  And when they tried to explain that they were gone to Macau for a few days... that sure didn't improve her mood a bit...



But anyway, while a bit disappointed about missing Macau, I was really happy to see Mocha again.  I showed Mocha the birthday present I brought along from Marina and the silly little moose cried.



Mocha tried to find some alcohol for the party (no, it wasn't me!!!) but couldn't, but we all gathered around and chatted and had a very good time.  Look what a big party we had - Mocha, Mister_Right, Romeo, Budd, Mara-Joy, Trapito, and a Koala bear they met in Macau.

Today I am so excited that I get to see Hong Kong. 

We enjoy a dim sum lunch.  Budd is in charge of ordering food.  She checks off her order on the list and submit it to the waiter, while I pour some tea for everybody.



Yummy!  Food is here!


This is in front of the restaurant.  They have big posters showing the abalone, lobsters, dumplings and other delicacies they offer.



We walk along the promenade by the harbour.  We can see the buildings on Hong Kong island.



Look there is even a Chinese junk!



We are now on Avenue of Stars.



There is a statue of Bruce Lee.  I try to pose like Budd did, but unforutnately my legs aren't long enough.



We find the handprint for John Woo, the movie director.



Let's take a group picture!!

Today we visited a Buddhist nunnery with Tarepanda and her mom.  Her mom was worried that the nunnery may be closed for the holiday but Tarepanda replied that she can't imagine a Buddhist temple closing for a Christian holiday.  Indeed it was not. 

While the Chilan Nunnery is a relatively new building, it used architectural technique from the Tang Dynasty, around 7th century.  It is an all wooden structure built without using one nail.  As Tang Dynasty is the period with heavy cultural exchange between China and Japan, this style of architecture is commonly found in Japanese Zen Buddhism temples.

Anyway, here's the entrance.



A fierce lion guarding the gate!


The front hall is behind me.




The corridor.


A watermill useful for grinding flour, though they are not really using it now.

Hello again!! I am in Athens!! I am too tired to take photos now so I'll be back in a few days!!

My first photo in Greece with my new friend Mumble, who left yesterday!

My first bookcrossing meetup in Athens!!

Well in the meetup of March there were a lot of books

and of course a lot of food, coffees, cigarettes and sweets as greek bookcrossers used to






In this bookcrossing meetup I met 50 persons and I stayed here for 5 hours!! Am I a boocrosser now???

Hi again!

I've just arrived at Szeri's home in Budapest. I have already spent some days in the city, to be more exact, in a post office in the city, because she was on vacation for a few days. I met a guy there, and what a surprise, he is hosted by Szeri, too. We will have plenty of time to get to know each other as we will travel together to Lake Balaton next week.
Now I've got to go, we will help our host choose her dress for her 10-year-graduation meeting that will be held tonight. Probably I will  go there also with Szeri.
Bye for now,

SaruMaru

Hi,

We managed to choose a nice dress for Szeri, so she could go to the meeting. After that, we came to Lake Balaton, where Szeri's family has a small flat. It has a great view from the balcony, I hope you will be able to see the photo.
Lake Balaton is a popular holiday place in Hungary, and many tourists come here from Germany and Poland, too. We are now in Balatonfüred, which is on the Northern bank of the lake.

Today was very hot here, so we went to the local beach. It is about 500 meters from our flat, you can imagine what a long distance it is for a little monkey like me. By the end of the walk I was so tired that I could not do anything but lay on the beach and sunbathe. Fortunately, I bought a bottle of suncream yesterday. Good, Hungarian type... Never forget about protection against UV rays, it's important, really.