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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 33 of 109 (542052)
01-07-2010 11:33 AM
Reply to: Message 18 by Straggler
01-07-2010 7:36 AM


In Vanuatu, you are who you eat!
Hey Straggler,
I have purposefully eaten dog (in Vietnam)
Yikes! (or is that yipes?). What did that taste like?
When in China, I saw "dog" on the menu, and considered it for a moment. But I have a bad history of throwing up strange tasting meats, and ultimately declined. From up-chucking fried-chicken in Malaysia, to barfing yak in Nepal, it has almost become MY custom I bring to other countries. I've since learned to eat mystery meats in small quantities, as in Uganda when I feared it was really monkey. Or in Peru when I got to pick out my own guinea pig from the kitchen floor like one picks a lobster in a seafood restuarant (the rodent was dark and oily but it sat OK). I also took a trip to Vanuatu. This Pacific Island is/was famously known for its fearsome cannibals. Every meal served to me was looked over carefully for TOO-FAMILIAR looking "meat".
ciao/chow

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 35 by Straggler, posted 01-07-2010 12:25 PM dronestar has replied

  
dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 36 of 109 (542063)
01-07-2010 12:53 PM
Reply to: Message 35 by Straggler
01-07-2010 12:25 PM


Re: In Vanuatu, you are who you eat!
I have been to Vanuatu. Got absolutely stoned out of my head on kava.
Wow, Vanuatu is not exactly a crowded tourist destination. Kava!!! Yep dirty dishwater. VERY dirty dishwater. I remember the man who ground the roots using his filthy fingers and grubby hands. If anything should have given me violent diahrea and open sores on my lips, I thought this should be it. It was a little unnerving when I finally got up the nerve to drink it. The rest of the cannibals, er, I mean villagers, leaned forward, with eyes opening wide, . . . waiting, waiting, waiting for something to happen (me to drop over?). Although I chugged it all, I remember I only got a slight buzz, but mostly just an antiseptic dulling in my mouth (perhaps to the disappointment of the surrounding men. Eeek).
Straggler, I didn't realize you have traveled extensively. If you have been to a place like Vanuatu, do I correctly presume you travel mostly for pleasure? Any place still on your travel list?
I still want to do a desert adventure. I've been to the Taklimaken desert, but I really want to do a Sahara desert adventure. As an American, I cannot get a Libyan VISA. But Algeria might be an acceptable option. Have you been to either?
I love travel talk. It best be I make a new thread or I will de-rail this one.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 37 by Straggler, posted 01-07-2010 2:03 PM dronestar has replied

  
dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 41 of 109 (542093)
01-07-2010 3:46 PM
Reply to: Message 37 by Straggler
01-07-2010 2:03 PM


Re: Around the Wordl in 80 Meals
Kiribati and Tuvalu? Never heard of it, you stumped me. I had to google. The people look Melanesian and the British have pre-independence history there. Somewhat similar to Vanuatu? Thanks, that was my "learn one new thing everyday" item.
I used to work for an international aid charity
I think you were lucky. I believe I would be much more happy in life if I worked for an international company. Perhaps it's not too late for me to apply at UNESCO World Heritage office in NYC.
Would love to do both poles.
I live in Buffalo, New York. For me, visiting those two frigid and snowy places would be redundant. Though I would find their animal behavior fascinating. Patagonia is on my hiking list. But the older my soccer knees get, the less I feel I can do vigorous hiking. I climbed Kilimanjaro 5 years ago, and would love to climb S America's tallest peak Aconcagua someday, but lately I find myself thinking, maybe not in this lifetime.
Nepal
Probably my most favorite trip. With only an english speaking guide and two sherpas, I hiked in the Himilayas in the remote Dolpa area. I was the only foreigner I saw for two weeks.
Eritrea
I think Nat Geo had an article recently about it. One of the few economically fortunate areas in Africa? Yet I assume you were in Eritrea for charity work? How much site-seeing did you do when you were working? What were your job tasks?
Just to keep this post on food-topic . . . in Vanuatu did you try Lap-lap? Chicken served over manoi (spelling is wrong, a type of root, tastes like potato) with coconut cream sauce? D-LISH-S!
Well in an ill considered display of macho nonsense . . .
I really can't remember if I ever bested or matched a local at anything. Sometimes I was smart enough not to even try. Sometimes.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 45 of 109 (542099)
01-07-2010 4:12 PM
Reply to: Message 42 by hooah212002
01-07-2010 3:53 PM


Re: Around the Wordl in 80 Meals
I believe, sometimes, the locals goad you into a challenge. For example, no one has brought up the "food", Haggis. I really believe the locals made up this "dish" to mess with tourists.

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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 54 of 109 (542201)
01-08-2010 9:44 AM
Reply to: Message 46 by Straggler
01-07-2010 7:30 PM


You aint gonna swallow that tripe are you?
I have had haggis which includes tripe but it is all minced up and spiced and is actually quite nice.
Ewww, gross. I certainly would be eating that TWICE. I would have to pass on that.
Never had {lap-lap} but love coconut based curries. Was it like Thai curries at all?
No. From my ancient memory lap-lap is sorta bland and maybe partly sweet because of the coconut cream.
If ever in India or Nepal or thereabouts: There is this concoction of areca nut with spicy paste wrapped in betel leaf leaves. Its a stimulant, so gives a SLIGHT buzz or rush. Because it was assembled under less than hygienic conditions on the street, it should have given me stomach problems, but I tried it anyway and liked it. When chewed often, it turns the teeth permanently red or black which they think is attractive. Beware, it is thought to be addictive and cancer causing.
http://www.travelpod.com/...leaf-packs-of-chew.jpg/tpod.html
Areca nut - Wikipedia
Also, quite gross is Nepalese tea (SUtcha, bad spelling). Comprises black tea, yak butter and salt. It was really difficult to drink with a smile while in front of my Nepalese hosts.
On the other hand I love trying pizzas of the world. Nepalese pizza with yak cheese is delicious. Also I tried Romanian pizza with goat cheese, which was very nice. Never been to Italy, but maybe their pizza is OK too.

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
 Message 55 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 10:27 AM dronestar has replied

  
dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 56 of 109 (542214)
01-08-2010 10:38 AM
Reply to: Message 55 by Straggler
01-08-2010 10:27 AM


Re: You aint gonna swallow that tripe are you?
Funny, Scotland for you, . . . Guatamala, just in my back yard, I haven't been to. (Would love to see the Mayan temples).
Regarding Haggis, I think my mind wouldn't allow my stomach the adventure. At least not permanently.

This message is a reply to:
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 Message 57 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 12:36 PM dronestar has replied

  
dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 58 of 109 (542254)
01-08-2010 1:04 PM
Reply to: Message 57 by Straggler
01-08-2010 12:36 PM


Re: You aint gonna swallow that tripe are you?
Have been to Guatamala
Really? That's awesome, you rock. It seems archaeologists keep finding ruins buried in the jungle. Love that stuff. I really need to go. A few years ago I tried to go with a study group from University of California, but it was ridiculously overpriced. Any must sees you could recommend?
Don't tell me you have been to Scotland!?
No. It's not very high on my list, but would like to go for the castles. I am nuts about medieval history. I am planning a very short minor Slovokia/Hungary/Romania trip now, mostly for its history.
I'll keep your encouraging words about Haggis in mind. But I remember when I was served pigeon in Egypt. When the waiter brought it over, and its fully intact body with head was smiling at me, I lost my apetite, and returned it for a veggie platter.

This message is a reply to:
 Message 57 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 12:36 PM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 59 by Coragyps, posted 01-08-2010 1:15 PM dronestar has replied
 Message 60 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 1:19 PM dronestar has replied

  
dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 61 of 109 (542264)
01-08-2010 1:46 PM
Reply to: Message 60 by Straggler
01-08-2010 1:19 PM


Food and Women?
The fruit I had [in Guatemala] tasted like nowhere else on Earth.
Sheesh, I really think you need to expand on that thought.
I am wondering if your experience with food in Guatemala was like mine in Peru. I never tasted such extraordinary fresh, delicious food. Pineapples? OMG. Living in the northern hemisphere in Buffalo, I certainly never tasted a fresh pineapple, so I was ignorant of the taste explosion when sampling one of those. Also, freaking beans! BEANS! Not sure what type, kinda looked like enlarged pale, lima beans. But brother, THEY WEREN'T LIMA BEANS!!! D-LISH-US
Eastern European women are the most amazingly good looking I have ever encountered.
Yeah, I too thought Romanian women very pretty.
You know, I've always wanted to do a "most beautiful women in the world" thread. But thought it might be sexist and crass. (Perhaps we can tie it into this food thread somehow? Eeek). Anyways, my vote is for Spanish (Catalonian) and Thais women. With one exception, I saw the most beautiful girl in the world in Myanmar. So stone cold beautiful, she struck me absolutely speechless. Very pretty girls around Myanmar, I very much like the asian and indian mix.
(My apologies to women (and men) who find this women and food talk disTASTEful.)

This message is a reply to:
 Message 60 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 1:19 PM Straggler has replied

Replies to this message:
 Message 62 by Straggler, posted 01-08-2010 3:04 PM dronestar has replied
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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 63 of 109 (542288)
01-08-2010 4:23 PM
Reply to: Message 62 by Straggler
01-08-2010 3:04 PM


Re: Food and Women?
OK, one last food item before I leave work.
Fresh cocoa pod! I really, really wish I live long enough to try another one of these. This was another Vanuatu sampler. My guide cut down one of these pods for me. Inside were the dark nuts, not edible in its raw state. But swimming around them was the WHITE-chocolate cream. Normally, I am not crazy about white-chocolate, but this was EXCELLENT. I wonder if I can buy these cocoa pods in the US, but they should probably be fresh for best results.
(Brazil girls huh? Ok, I'll put that on my travel list too. Thanks)

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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 65 of 109 (542292)
01-08-2010 4:43 PM
Reply to: Message 64 by onifre
01-08-2010 4:31 PM


Re: Food and Women?
Hey "Oni-did-I-hear-someone-mention-girls?",
Eastern Euro women are not shy at all.
Damn, I just started pre-planning a eastern euro trip with a female friend hopefully for Fall 2010. After your comments, I am thinking, maybe I should have solo'd on this one. Damn!!!
OK, for a truly crass and sexist thread, "what are the worlds least beautiful girls?" I don't want to offend anyone, so can we do this in code, using baseball metaphors?
BTW Oni, don't go stealing my great jokes fior your comedy act in the "Smelling The Coffee: 2010" thread. They're gold Oni, GOLD!

This message is a reply to:
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Replies to this message:
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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 70 of 109 (542615)
01-11-2010 9:08 AM
Reply to: Message 59 by Coragyps
01-08-2010 1:15 PM


Prague’s Kutna Hora Bone Church
Hi Coragyps,
I just got a chance to research this church now. From your description I believe you are talking about Prague’s Kutna Hora Bone Church. From the pictures its is utterly beautiful and repugnant. Check out the chandelier photo link below. Makes me both queasy and fascinated. Thanks for the travel tip.
A Late Night Visit to Prague's Kutna Hora Bone Church — Vagabondish
http://micahandheather.files.wordpress.com/...1/img_1839.jpg
I am reminded of my trip to Egypt. I went to one of the workers tomb in Luxor. As often happens in Egypt, some psuedo-guide looking for a quick buck (egyptian pound) goes "psssss" and motions with hands to see what he has. It's a mummy!!! From the roadworn looks of it, I am not the only tourist it has been trotted out to exhibit. I take a photo, and he motions if I would like a photo of me holding it. Errr, that was past my morbid tolerance, said no thanks, and left him with some baksheesh (tip).

This message is a reply to:
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dronestar
Member
Posts: 1407
From: usa
Joined: 11-19-2008


Message 103 of 109 (656575)
03-20-2012 9:06 AM


Drone writes:
My avatar shows me in a desolate temple in Mrauk U, Myanmar (near the Bangladesh border).
Le-myet-hna Temple - Wikipedia
TAZ writes:
Did you try eating tarantulas?
I saw a documentary where it's a delicacy in those parts of the world.
I didn't see ANY tarantulas on ANY menu while in Burma. However, at the outdoor market, people were picking out the largest, choicest, freshest dried cockroaches. Not kidding. But, even if I tried tarantula, my mind would have surely made my body retch, sounds way disgusting. When traveling, I try to be just a vegetarian. A pity, because eating can be an adventure too.
Reading through the posts in the thread, Straggler sounds like he would have tried it though. Strag, any insects or arthropods?

Replies to this message:
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