Living a dream

I have embarked on a new way of life. Travel and teach. After traveling to24 countries, just visiting a place was getting boring. I lived in turkey for2 months,  Norway for3 as a holiday trip and now I have accepted employment for a year in Thailand.  I just recently did my TEFL certification. I am From South Africa,  Cape Town. But will be living in the world for a while following my dream :))) . What about you?

Singing Bird competition in Thailand

The Thai take pride in their birds.

I was walking down to the local market when I noticed men on scooters holding a strange looking box in their hands. It looked like a cloth covering a cage. I was even further intrigued when more and more of these scooters shot past. It was then I decided to investigate.

When I arrived I found a crowd gathering around what seems to be a competition.

This is a very serious competition.  Birds are judged on their tone, melody and volume. They are hung on three to six meter tall poles or rails.

The whistle blows and owners start to edge the birds on to whistle the loudest. The judges listen to the bird that performs the best.

Once the session is over, the judges move in and give the best bird a mark. After a few rounds of elimination, the winner receives a trophy.

I enjoyed my day discovering different things and see the local culture.

Shopping in Beijing

To do some shopping in Beijing, I am told to head down to:

Wangfujing Street

This shopping street hosts all the modern shops. The Oriental Plaza at the south end is a must visit. You will also find Beijing's largest supermarket ( Dong'an Market ) here as well.

Qianmen Street

This street is more than 500 hundred years old and one will find lots of food and clothing markets here.

Silver Street

This street sports some of the most elaborate shopping centres and franchise stores. Head on over to the Guiyou Department Store and the China World shopping Mall. 

The Silk Market

It is here where the taller and larger person will find clothes. This market is very popular as it is here where merchants offer very reasonably priced clothing and brands. Keep a close eye on your wallet when shopping here. 

Salintun Market

This street is known as the bar street. During the day they sell clothes and bargain goods.

Historic streets and squares

Embracing the history of China and Beijing, alleys in Hutong and courtyards in Siheyuan is a must visit for any tourist. This area offers unique

The Nobel prize winners of peace

Are you able to identify these hero's from the struggle during the Apartheid era? :-)

Norwegian Foods - Brunost Cheese

Brunost is made by boiling a mixture of goat's milk, cream and whey carefully for several hours so that the water evaporates. The heat turns the milk sugar into caramel which gives the cheese its characteristic colour and taste.

It has a slightly salty and surprisingly sweet flavour with a hint of goat about it. 

A sort of salty goat fudge (mmm, sounds good doesn’t it).

Norwegain foods - Cheese