tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-69285652024-03-13T14:21:09.302+08:00Nomadic RepublicTan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.comBlogger1634125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-57309351759648853352022-07-23T23:12:00.006+08:002022-07-23T23:15:29.146+08:00Wee Cheng in South Asia<html>
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<p align="center"><i><b><font size="6" color="#FFFF00">Wee Cheng </font><font size="6">in<font color="#FF8000"> </font></font></b></i></p>
<p align="center"><i><b><font size="7" color="#FF8000">South Asia</font></b></i></p>
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<td align="center" width="352" bordercolor="#808000" bordercolorlight="#808000" bordercolordark="#808000"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/India"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ9etRDuQquoXQhc3g4XYVlLFrvhNXXS2SWJPlwI1QlzHGiE8fFEHWOz99hag9znJUlGYwZr29hdbFCGuPTWkof9R33fPVuV1vLUc6-DklE3slq0AN13hFTYLOa4evCUvI9qnT/s320/=?utf-8?q?IMG=5F3853-788980.JPG?%3D" / width="258" height="193" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="326" bordercolor="#808000" bordercolorlight="#808000" bordercolordark="#808000"><a href="http://weech.com/search/label/Sri%20Lanka">Sri
Lanka</a>: Pearl of the Indian Ocean (2009)</b>
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<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Nagaland"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF29uRTxZYCjgMzzF-GvR7RFplyPaJIyJ05BOg4HogoxH8orjIeCDCMLEvpMITfJTMc71qwNtMrxIFsEOuyHShm9te0a7wgZl40SZU9MNuwpPK3yeWZ-IX-imMmsT7MToqUTv/s320/IMG_5551-773159.JPG" / width="265" height="198" border="2"></a></td>
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<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/2007/10/wee-cheng-visits-little-known-buddhist.html"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9Ez5tlXGsu522IFToI3fbbBJJsPa4h68CoXLCWr8rDLi4J31Sgy0eG8cVPPacjjJs_trmM6E3GxlLa14YduUOmjMd3wCEt-9wSXGxN2ywHo7yAS1pcIy3eUWgqmhAQWNrm4Ji/s320/IMG_1952-786187.JPG" / width="274" height="206" border="2"></a></td>
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<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Nagaland">India's
Nagaland</a>: Naked Warriors</b><b>(2007)</b>
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<td align="center" width="326" bgcolor="#808000"><b><font color="#FFCC00" size="3"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Bangladesh" class="roll">Bangladesh</a></font><font size="3"><font color="#FFCC00">:</font><font color="#FFFFFF">
Delta Land</font> </font><font size="2">(2007)</font></b>
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<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/2007/10/wee-cheng-visits-little-known-buddhist.html">Bangladesh's
Chittagong Hill Tracts:</a> Long Forgotten Buddhist Kingdom in a Muslim
State (2007) ; <a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/2007/10/images-from-chittagong-hill-tracts.html">Gallery</a></b></td>
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(2007)</b></td>
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</body>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-56223378860075996372022-07-20T23:20:00.004+08:002022-07-23T23:04:04.354+08:00Wee Cheng in Asia<html>
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<p align="center"><i><b><font size="6" color="#FFFF00">Wee Cheng </font><font size="6">in<font color="#FF8000"> </font></font></b></i></p>
<p align="center"><i><b><font size="7" color="#FF8000">Asia</font></b></i></p>
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<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/dprk/index.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/asia/dprk/images/P1010084.JPG" / width="164" height="124" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="326"><a href="http://weecheng.com/singapore/index.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/singapore/images/dwntwn.jpg" / width="170" height="129" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/thai/muaythai/index.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/asia/thai/muaythai/thm_f.jpg" alt="thm_f.jpg" / border="2" width="171" height="131"></a></td>
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<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/dprk/index.htm">North Korea - Kingdom of
the Absurd</a> (2006)</b>
</td>
<td align="center" width="326" bgcolor="#808000"><a href="http://weecheng.com/singapore/index.htm"><b>Singapore
& its Unique Cultural & Natural Heritage</b></a></td>
<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/thai/muaythai/index.htm">Thailand -
Images of Muay Thai</a> (2004)</b>
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<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/timor/index.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/asia/timor/images/P3290073.JPG" / width="127" height="146" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="326"><a href="http://weecheng.com/indonesia/candisukuh.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/indonesia/ero5b.gif" / loop="0" border="2" width="89" height="150"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Thailand"><img src="http://weecheng.com/2002/eurasia/thailand1/DSCF0218.JPG" alt="DSCF0218.JPG" / width="199" height="149" border="2"></a></td>
</tr>
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<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/timor/index.htm">Timor Leste - Land of
Pristine White Beaches, Untouched Reefs & A Most Friendly People</a>
(2005)</b>
</td>
<td align="center" width="326" bgcolor="#808000"><font size="3"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/indonesia/candisukuh.htm" class="roll"><font color="#FFCC00">Candi
Sukuh - Erotic Temple on Mt Lawu</font></a></b>
<span style="background-color: #FFCC00">
<br></span></font><b><i><font size="2">Java, Indonesia (1997)</font></i></b>
</td>
<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Thailand">Thailand:</a>
</b><b>Dispatches over the years</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Myanmar"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpLkKrCIO2-AQ-D7EO4eRwWees1vTJqOe6Mjfgyrs3D55-er9b872_SYRrzwItDEb7T555uzYOM0ocIh0D8wTubNuOwnWPFirKRfgR-YtiIhjb0_QbLX7IGvmrlNRaXZYjVjg-GQ/s320/tn_P1010630-782004.JPG" / width="196" height="145" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="326"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Indonesia"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVSoUUSpj-C6NvIv-6YPN1vnEF25rnh-lV_-loHQsoPefVXNkeBeV19wSvIwTm7pgaPy4SC1EmUt8jz4WTrEJNaCmhrnsXfxSMBCpfu5M8SHLTIAeO7m989n-h304kIxDY6DyitQ/s320/IMG_1615-732222.JPG" / width="113" height="145" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/ph/"><img src="http://weecheng.com/asia/ph/thm_PB110117.jpg" alt="thm_PB110117.jpg" / border="2" width="188" height="138"></a></td>
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<tr>
<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Myanmar">Myanmar - A Forbidding Land</a></b> (2008)</td>
<td align="center" width="326" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Indonesia">Indonesia:</a>
Dispatches over the years</b></td>
<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/ph/"><b>Philippines - Rice
Terraces & Traffic Woes</b></a>
<b> (2004)</b></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/China"><img src="http://posterous.com/getfile/files.posterous.com/twcnomad/6CK6XOB0GPJmzgshSWFNBdXq3YRrpceg14ciW2fMZgFEVBKYo0cD13facAZP/tn_IMG_6238.jpg.scaled.500.jpg" / width="209" height="161" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" rowspan="2" width="326"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNlzkOu2vrTVyaXKkcjcf02u4f22UuXHYv7oVJycbeBC7S0qfLL9z2VDpxVOVt7wJUU1eCPjN4CM0OLDxCOyW1Di9eFXbxk5HIPUUZLtWZTW7r0gvUp52xK0irfkgdS3hL0bDa/s320/tn_IMG_5835-774856.JPG" / border="2" width="311" height="232"></td>
<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Malaysia"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhdV4fffn0XWwiVix-TFXLxaLEmC12EqMYr-qoFozvPGy_K3SxY1XB70IVJwgCdZ1s2ew1d49vbcB-b53INI8nUYr-TbuvXxP9d0dxAeWiVQihS2PA160Y2YcZhjFTG5vKBlqSZ/s320/tn_IMG_0698-728410.jpg" / width="202" height="152" border="2"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/China"><b>China
</b></a> - Dispatches over the years</td>
<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Malaysia">Malaysia</a></b><br>
Dispatches over the years</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="352"><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/sichuan2/index.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/asia/sichuan2/sm-cloud.gif" / border="2" width="200" height="128"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="326"><br>
<a href="http://weecheng.com/tanwc2/dunhuang.htm"><img src="http://weecheng.com/tanwc2/dunhuang-thumb.jpg" / width="102" height="158" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Taiwan"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhU8kQTvI6meCMceDDwvGSHQky_HrZUEaqh4AUAuWPzf85Ci_AYmDtKHVnjvML_rs47ZY-1USBKQaFgkR5fPxz6CBazuwdEzyrcYS1JICOHQYoQ7w9ErlGo9-mVpowqp4JPOtep/s320/tn_IMG_3128-720970.JPG" / width="207" height="157" border="2"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><font size="3"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/asia/sichuan2/index.htm" class="roll">In
the Land of Heaven on Earth with a Laptop - China's Sichuan Province (1995)</a></b>
</font></td>
<td align="center" width="326" bgcolor="#808000"><font size="3">
<br></font><font color="#FFCC00"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/tanwc2/dunhuang.htm" class="roll"><font size="3">Silk
Road - Manuscripts of Dunhuang</font></a></b>
</font>
</td>
<td align="center" width="319" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Taiwan">Taiwan: A second visit to this very hospitable land</a></b> (2007)</td>
</tr>
<tr>
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<td align="center" width="319"><a href="http://weecheng.com/2002/eurasia/"><img src="http://weecheng.com/2002/images2/southeastasiamap.jpg" / width="147" height="127"></a></td>
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<td align="center" width="352" bgcolor="#808000"><font size="3"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/China%20-%20Northeast-Dongbei"><b>Northeast
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</body>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-27985374437023806792022-07-19T11:42:00.006+08:002022-07-20T18:38:16.966+08:00Nagaland: Naked Warriors & Beauty Contest on the India-Myanmar Border2007 post
<div style="font-family:arial, helvetica, sans-serif;font-size:12pt"><DIV> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Dear All,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I am now in Goa on the western coast of India.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Over the last 2 weeks, I have gotten from exotic Assam to colourful Nagaland, and then pass through messy, dirty Kolkata (no wonder Mother Theresa was there).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I have uploaded over 60 photos of my Nagaland trip including the most amazing and colourful Hornbill Festival (simply very National Geographic!).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Do check them out at <A href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/"><FONT color=#0000ff>http://twcnomad.blogspot.com</FONT></A><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>OK, here is my Naga story:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Nagaland: Naked Warriors & Beauty Contest on the India-Myanmar Border<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWShH1vnSUxxPRw9f2KVdqkLV89FL8PSLeqvVaQ9oTWQ40fpUY-OAgwhyNfzwMGKk6nslWmOq5nNmEcde6rDFvRbmxye8jtF7-XzzzsD8wBgLOvhWO9If3ICWy93RdwWh6TbJ/s1600-h/INDIA_NA-727252.jpg"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5141249921887482226 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpWShH1vnSUxxPRw9f2KVdqkLV89FL8PSLeqvVaQ9oTWQ40fpUY-OAgwhyNfzwMGKk6nslWmOq5nNmEcde6rDFvRbmxye8jtF7-XzzzsD8wBgLOvhWO9If3ICWy93RdwWh6TbJ/s320/INDIA_NA-727252.jpg" border=0></A></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">"Uuu Om Uuu Om Uuu Om," the Naga warriors of the Chang tribe flashed their dark elephant hide shields, waved their spears while stamping their feet.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Facing them were warriors of a rival clan, looking every bit as menacing as them, especially with the wild boar tasks perched on their headdress, which was topped by a hornbill feather.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hung around the neck of some of these warriors were necklaces with metal carvings of the human head.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Some had one, others two or more.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The metal carving might look a bit cartoonish, but it represented the number of human heads that warrior had taken in his life.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It was only with the taking of a head that one completely removed the soul of the enemy and more importantly, the way a Naga warrior could prove his worth.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> </P> <P class=mobile-photo><A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk3zrDgWCQKJeLt4S1UgQjLZVaLpy6gXyCQswyb7gcbzlb-nb7x4ZR8RC8kn_t2pZ_jj7yzgxLW2RGvCMa7Am40iqTaklLe2c4FK-wkl1R5p7tvII2gE1ioeJLZcJ0a3WaY5N/s1600-h/IMG_5747-729515.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491434957975538 height=187 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifk3zrDgWCQKJeLt4S1UgQjLZVaLpy6gXyCQswyb7gcbzlb-nb7x4ZR8RC8kn_t2pZ_jj7yzgxLW2RGvCMa7Am40iqTaklLe2c4FK-wkl1R5p7tvII2gE1ioeJLZcJ0a3WaY5N/s320/IMG_5747-729515.JPG" width=223 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd9OguYLG8hOVMV7Zw-pC5aZ6JZGhBm1tc5BJsDoTIApa1B8FbLCCnsR2KvulkMFsPnGR8dm5YMwOAL5x-q-T9WX0mCM2Wp7hf0lBvW7f6G6JMqXglrO-H__sUwCsIioyWvxR/s1600-h/IMG_5755-729860.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491439252942850 height=182 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXd9OguYLG8hOVMV7Zw-pC5aZ6JZGhBm1tc5BJsDoTIApa1B8FbLCCnsR2KvulkMFsPnGR8dm5YMwOAL5x-q-T9WX0mCM2Wp7hf0lBvW7f6G6JMqXglrO-H__sUwCsIioyWvxR/s320/IMG_5755-729860.JPG" width=231 border=0></A></P> <P class=mobile-photo> </P> <P class=mobile-photo></SPAN><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Welcome to Nagaland, which Ptolemy in the 3<SUP>rd</SUP> century called Land of the Naked, for their half or near-nakedness apart from colourful headdress and other ornamental finery.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Over the centuries, the Nagas had been known for their fighting prowess and hardiness, and most of all, their notorious headhunting raids on neighbouring peoples as well as among rival Naga tribes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Nagas of today, however, are largely a Christian people who sing the gospel on Sundays and put on their tribal costumes only at cultural festivals.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Many are highly educated – Nagaland is among the most literate of the Indian states –and many Nagas now work in the IT hubs of Bangalore and Hyderabad.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"></SPAN> </P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPkzUm7uNnJOx8xDLASyungbAbcwMvWnyeHxhWR5td2hE0ouXwqVN3JuNNRxnPGI_7cedjLxV2lprMrjatZjQZpFL4oRAIWv3jFwtXg6Rjcv2xsdspEnVjQ2ize12Z-DZQmS2/s1600-h/IMG_6045-748509.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491946059083938 height=177 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNPkzUm7uNnJOx8xDLASyungbAbcwMvWnyeHxhWR5td2hE0ouXwqVN3JuNNRxnPGI_7cedjLxV2lprMrjatZjQZpFL4oRAIWv3jFwtXg6Rjcv2xsdspEnVjQ2ize12Z-DZQmS2/s320/IMG_6045-748509.JPG" width=240 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF29uRTxZYCjgMzzF-GvR7RFplyPaJIyJ05BOg4HogoxH8orjIeCDCMLEvpMITfJTMc71qwNtMrxIFsEOuyHShm9te0a7wgZl40SZU9MNuwpPK3yeWZ-IX-imMmsT7MToqUTv/s1600-h/IMG_5551-773159.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140489476452888386 height=222 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibF29uRTxZYCjgMzzF-GvR7RFplyPaJIyJ05BOg4HogoxH8orjIeCDCMLEvpMITfJTMc71qwNtMrxIFsEOuyHShm9te0a7wgZl40SZU9MNuwpPK3yeWZ-IX-imMmsT7MToqUTv/s320/IMG_5551-773159.JPG" width=264 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I spent five days in Nagaland, attending the spectacular Hornbill Festival held annually between 1-7 December.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The festival was initiated seven years ago to bring together the 16 tribes of Nagaland (including 14 of Naga ethnic origin), most of whom spoke languages mutually unintelligible and had totally different festivals and customs due to the isolation of the valleys they inhabited, to celebrate their traditional heritage much of which was characterized by exuberant dances and singings, as well as rituals that used to be associated with headhunting raids and war party.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It is also a means to unite the Nagas and help shape a common identity among them.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I had also attended a beauty pageant (Miss Nagaland 2007) and a heavy metal rock festival, both of which I had never attended or even thought about attending before. More importantly, I had made some great friends and had a good time in this little known region.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The Nagas had long been an independent people who had bowed to no one in much of their history, and the Naga tribes as a whole never had any united ruler. Every Naga village is a republic where the headman was elected from among the brave and able.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Only the Konyaks have a system of localized kingship which persists till today.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For the other 13 Naga tribes living within the borders of the Indian State of Nagaland (and another dozen Naga tribes living across the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, and Myanmar's Chin State), each village decided its own destiny. It was once said that when asked who his ruler was, a Naga would thrust his spear into the ground and say, "that is my ruler." <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yh7iSum5b1XFFzUCIzGz-dig4YCrknLfRxQ1ueYD40M3wFqr79mwRtoNXvLrbM2CA63A0PFDNMAJ-OjpbHY60XZfSL2q8iQy2NA1fV_gFUww2uJnnqh_zcWYwAuQskzHSEkV/s1600-h/IMG_5540b-790775.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140488260977143586 height=183 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3yh7iSum5b1XFFzUCIzGz-dig4YCrknLfRxQ1ueYD40M3wFqr79mwRtoNXvLrbM2CA63A0PFDNMAJ-OjpbHY60XZfSL2q8iQy2NA1fV_gFUww2uJnnqh_zcWYwAuQskzHSEkV/s320/IMG_5540b-790775.JPG" width=245 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0V_rLDZQQGXIiXvtSo3WFYsqDvQAeHTRv5Bj4_oQhEq8NT76o_kPzhp8N-qauk3UmMTfr-3jmt1-RLjdXoMWnGnfI2B0PjMWMHsSlVjQzP1Y_woLN34DJxZ7dEjbM00t2Ubrz/s1600-h/IMG_5358-742500.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140049538657791538 height=275 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0V_rLDZQQGXIiXvtSo3WFYsqDvQAeHTRv5Bj4_oQhEq8NT76o_kPzhp8N-qauk3UmMTfr-3jmt1-RLjdXoMWnGnfI2B0PjMWMHsSlVjQzP1Y_woLN34DJxZ7dEjbM00t2Ubrz/s320/IMG_5358-742500.JPG" width=183 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">When the British took over the plains of Assam in Northeast India and set up tea plantations to provide good afternoon tea for the Empire, they were upset by the occasional raids conducted by the wild Naga tribes down the hills.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>So they sent in the tommies, stormed the Naga fortresses and got the chiefs to sign treaties recognizing British sovereignty and agreements to behave themselves. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Then the British sent in the missionaries who converted all the Nagas and made them good god fearing Christians who rather spend evenings singing gospel songs and examining the finer points of theology.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">After the Japanese marched across British Burma during WWII, they found themselves at the gates of India<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>- the green, foggy rolling hills of what is today Nagaland and Manipur. The British Empire forces were besieged in Imphal, Manipur, while pitch battles took place in Kohima, Nagaland.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>If Kohima fell, the way was wide open for the Japanese to march down onto the plains of Northern India. It was in Kohima that the British Empire forces defeated the overstretched Japanese after months of battle and began the reconquest of Burma.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During the months of battle, tales of courage of the Naga stretchers, supply carriers and helpers spread across the UK.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Kohima and the surrounding villages were wiped to the dust.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Uncounted numbers of Nagas perished. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf26FV3SvAfWRTfi0XvOqOpt-9whyphenhyphenoYUAiKTrD7XZg9qQOKhfLw8uehFeehaKszrR5f2AVAdB7DVFXx_96LVg5OVdkSss7sxSMfYqL9F5-aELAW5Xwq4VqWbxkJCsfuACqX5O/s1600-h/IMG_5315+war+cemetery-747267.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140048271642439074 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMf26FV3SvAfWRTfi0XvOqOpt-9whyphenhyphenoYUAiKTrD7XZg9qQOKhfLw8uehFeehaKszrR5f2AVAdB7DVFXx_96LVg5OVdkSss7sxSMfYqL9F5-aELAW5Xwq4VqWbxkJCsfuACqX5O/s320/IMG_5315+war+cemetery-747267.JPG" border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">After the war, the British decided that they could no longer keep their Empire. As the British prepared for the independence of India, the Nagas suddenly realized they would end up part of India, a country they were never part of. The Nagas were conquered by the British, not the Indians. The Naga Club, an organization set up by eminent Nagas, told the British Government's Simon Commission that their people had "no social affinities with the Hindus or Mussalmans", and if the British were to withdrew, "they should be left alone" like in the ancient days.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Nagas also appealed to the British on account of their war efforts and loyalty to the British, but real politik has always prevailed. The British had their hands full with the chaos and confusion of the Partition of India with Pakistan, not to mention the reconstruction of Britain following the war. Who would be bothered with a few naked tribesmen in a mountainous land faraway?<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">On 14 August 1947, the same day India became independent, the Nagas declared the independence of the Republic of Nagaland. Initially, the Nagas showed their unhappiness with the new Indian masters through non-cooperation and boycott of elections.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, by 1954, the campaign went violent with full blown insurgency, with arms supplied by Pakistan, China and Burma.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Indian Army entered Nagaland, forced the regrouping of villages in a strategy found successfully in Malaya, i.e., abandonment of villages in more remote areas so as to deny guerrillas of material, food and manpower support, and grouping the population in fewer, easily defended and monitored locations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The strategy had proved successfully to a certain extent but it created enormous suffering and bitterness among Nagas that last till today.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh9wWioT7ImMGsIxhTMAktgLFjF_vhU964XSaNtOVYVKzSrusW5VdH8tMc9HMC5dI7be-9K9SFxSbNaQbhniAgF1GFPS-uULxvYMKeipd0Fui6174lNx-Hva74lJiTgcR90jm/s1600-h/IMG_5374-744364.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140049547247726178 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCh9wWioT7ImMGsIxhTMAktgLFjF_vhU964XSaNtOVYVKzSrusW5VdH8tMc9HMC5dI7be-9K9SFxSbNaQbhniAgF1GFPS-uULxvYMKeipd0Fui6174lNx-Hva74lJiTgcR90jm/s320/IMG_5374-744364.JPG" border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Resistance continued for 50 years till ceasefire in 1997 whereby all Naga factions and the Indians agreed to stop fighting and work for a political solution. Peace has lasted for ten years now and everybody has enjoyed the dividends of peace. Although no solution had been found, as both sides has mutually exclusive goals (Nagas wanted nothing less than independence and Indians would not give up a single inch of Naga soil), nobody wanted the war to resume.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Peace is too attractive and seductive.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Kohima is a small city built on a mountain ridge, with deep ravines below. To those who have been to Nepal's Everest region, Kohima looked somewhat like Namche Bazar, but much larger and fairly ramshackle in appearance.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Perched on the rolling hills of Nagaland, it becomes shrouded with fog almost every afternoon I was there.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Kohima has narrow winding roads and its houses are perched between these roads and the naked cliff.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>An earthquake could be disastrous and most of Kohima's buildings could just crumble and collapse into the abyss beyond. The changes of temperature could be quite drastic, from 10'C at night to 28'C at noon.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">What was attractive was not Kohima itself but the friendly, charming Naga people. Mongoloid/Sino-Tibetan in appearance, the Nagas I have met were polite and honest. Unlike in many parts of India spoilt by tourism, the Nagas do not generally try to cheat or over-charge tourists. I did not need to feel guarded all the time against cheats, nor analyse what could be the catch in every seemingly fair transaction. The Nagas are outspoken and transparent, though not without the typical initial reserve one finds among East Asians. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>During my short stay, I had a good time interacting with them and made a few new friends.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">As a Singaporean of Chinese descent, I found many similarities with the Nagas (which they have agreed as well). We are all rice-eaters, unlike the North Indians who prefer roti or pancakes- or bread-like staples.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Nagas would feel unsatisfied not having any rice in a meal. (And yes, the Nagas never call themselves Indians.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It's always "we, the Nagas" and "they, the Indians".) Pork is an essential ingredient in both Naga and East Asian cuisines. Like the Cantonese, the Nagas would use anything as ingredients.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, one could also find fresh dog meat (an expensive delicacy for special occasions here), silkworms, water beetles, frogs (20 small ones in a plastic bag for Rs 20, about US$0.50) and all sorts of edible insects in the food market.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxFaOKKwHoO2DedFCrdcTAUk_6MlwdG5jsAlKQvIovC25RFhhyphenhyphen6UUGeGwB3QszOuf5MU8z-mILGtMm4dQyJvYGPLSJqnM2u8e-P7HNm50mkq1y1AnIDoCwoaR4eh5l8omE3zF/s1600-h/IMG_5270-764176.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140047485663423842 height=172 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgcxFaOKKwHoO2DedFCrdcTAUk_6MlwdG5jsAlKQvIovC25RFhhyphenhyphen6UUGeGwB3QszOuf5MU8z-mILGtMm4dQyJvYGPLSJqnM2u8e-P7HNm50mkq1y1AnIDoCwoaR4eh5l8omE3zF/s320/IMG_5270-764176.JPG" width=217 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxNyoO6oZZNkYmtehDII_c43Mp9lu4S9-H-J7l8znahQvXcriWfSp3VBLOusj3Fg16dRiOPoJ34y_jnU1YEUkA1AefQRWrhKg7-xpRm04JXG_Wk_fRE77KMfecehH9Pk_wM89/s1600-h/IMG_5289-765741.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140047489958391170 height=214 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDxNyoO6oZZNkYmtehDII_c43Mp9lu4S9-H-J7l8znahQvXcriWfSp3VBLOusj3Fg16dRiOPoJ34y_jnU1YEUkA1AefQRWrhKg7-xpRm04JXG_Wk_fRE77KMfecehH9Pk_wM89/s320/IMG_5289-765741.JPG" width=225 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">In Nagaland, everyone thought I was one of them though there were some very minor differences.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They tend to be medium to tall, have sharper features than Chinese, and a fairly large proportion of the people I saw on the streets were lean-built.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I saw few fat people.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Maybe that has something to do with the DNA of a mountain tribal people.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Definitely, all the tribal warrior performers I saw at the Festival looked hunky and fit, with tight muscular build. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The Nagas aren't interested in Hindi movies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Korean dramas and movies are a rage in Nagaland today, as in East and Southeast Asia. Korea was the only foreign country to have a booth at the Hornbill Festival site, and a very huge one too, promoting Korean food and pop.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>My Naga friends told me they could not relate to Indian movies at all – the people look so different and culture totally alien. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Interestingly, the Naga English accent appeared to me to be close to that spoken in Singapore and Malaysia.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No Indian accent at all. Must be the Mongoloid tongue that causes that, my Naga friends said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They were very happy to know another person of a similar culture and appearance, and someone who could appreciate their history and current circumstances.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The Hornbill Festival was so-named because the hornbill is a bird of common spiritual significance to most Naga tribes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In some tribes, only warriors who had succeeded in bringing back a human head in tribal wars or raids could have a hornbill feather in his headdress.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the Christian Nagaland today, the hornbill feather has become a cultural symbol of the Naga people and is worn on any display that involves the traditional costume.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6_KDmFAjsNGZmr-nYWQk-vnq6-oIkFqPNAVVNhoLiVQUNdV7MQLVMFq9PVjJ3K5KqQMvcjeQH8RvpXItuKOWUvKFG8cZHjPGD3dmvH9xFZwKkUyt6s6pcG6X2bh6vGt95aa-/s1600-h/IMG_5384-745391.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140049551542693490 height=272 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6_KDmFAjsNGZmr-nYWQk-vnq6-oIkFqPNAVVNhoLiVQUNdV7MQLVMFq9PVjJ3K5KqQMvcjeQH8RvpXItuKOWUvKFG8cZHjPGD3dmvH9xFZwKkUyt6s6pcG6X2bh6vGt95aa-/s320/IMG_5384-745391.JPG" width=180 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0w3Kg4YAw-_cJTcwRI-iLsFboXTIeHRT8zyxmVLFviHUhQyPslRnigwTi7omVFP_18BaH2NJpN3rHEv26rAyEl1wiFDIM-0L1D3p3dEeOn501Eqs22CuYZ5WF4M3bkfgfOZl/s1600-h/IMG_5462-788039.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140488252387208946 style="WIDTH: 239px; HEIGHT: 222px" height=223 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgK0w3Kg4YAw-_cJTcwRI-iLsFboXTIeHRT8zyxmVLFviHUhQyPslRnigwTi7omVFP_18BaH2NJpN3rHEv26rAyEl1wiFDIM-0L1D3p3dEeOn501Eqs22CuYZ5WF4M3bkfgfOZl/s320/IMG_5462-788039.JPG" width=212 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">What impressed me was that most of the performers were young people who took time off work or study to rehearse and perform during this festival.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Performers tend to be members of individual tribes' cultural society or student unions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, many of the performers live and work in Kohima but remain in touch with their ancestral tribal roots.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Although outwardly the Nagas carry on a modern lifestyle, many are conscious of their unique cultural identity and actively support cultural activities.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In contrast, many traditional art forms in Singapore are fast disappearing. Young people in Singapore find traditional opera and dance "uncool" and would rather pursue US/Hollywood cultural norms. My Naga friends agreed with me that their support for traditional pursuits could be linked with their desire to preserve their culture and distinguish themselves from the "Indians".<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">This year, the festival was officially opened by the British Deputy High Commissioner for Eastern India, and many diplomats and other dignitaries also graced the occasion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I witnessed an interesting exchange between the British defence attaché and a Naga man at my hotel.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Naga, when realizing that the British was a diplomat, welcomed him to Nagaland and thanked him for the many good things the British Empire had introduced to Nagaland, the most important of which was Christianity and English education.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Nagas of today, are more literate than people in many parts of India and speak good English, which allows them to compete internationally.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">There is one big bad thing, he said, was that the British did not return sovereignty to the Nagas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Instead, the Nagas, who had fought bravely for the British Empire, were betrayed and had their country abandoned to the alien Indians.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Embarrassed, the attaché argued that Britain was in no position to dictate to the Indians or decide on which parts of India should be left out. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QvApK67Me_GoI5J1DDQYAKtBQ-_3boDbMl-eXBjv8C4JV2yNgffzUSJiZ1G0JIijZU-M5VdR3abiI3KEvHE_zRbsi39m89vHTx6ZGjUMonKDZwy8JL3ce-A2691hjMMopQOE/s1600-h/IMG_5437-787034.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140488248092241618 height=266 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QvApK67Me_GoI5J1DDQYAKtBQ-_3boDbMl-eXBjv8C4JV2yNgffzUSJiZ1G0JIijZU-M5VdR3abiI3KEvHE_zRbsi39m89vHTx6ZGjUMonKDZwy8JL3ce-A2691hjMMopQOE/s320/IMG_5437-787034.JPG" width=207 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The clearly <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7QvApK67Me_GoI5J1DDQYAKtBQ-_3boDbMl-eXBjv8C4JV2yNgffzUSJiZ1G0JIijZU-M5VdR3abiI3KEvHE_zRbsi39m89vHTx6ZGjUMonKDZwy8JL3ce-A2691hjMMopQOE/s1600-h/IMG_5437-787034.JPG"></A>agitated and excited Naga man went on to say that, as a result of British administrative arrangements and abandonment, the Nagas were now left inside different countries and states, such as those living in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam and Manipur in India, and Chin State of Myanmar.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How were the Nagas going to reunite again?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Hence, he said that every Naga would educate their children about this and tell them not to forget their aggrieved history and divided lands, and maybe freedom would come one day.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">This reminded me of an incident another Naga told me about. When she accompanied a British tourist to a village, an elderly Naga village chief who once served the British soldiers during WWII produced a letter written by a British army officer during the war.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The letter acknowledged the destruction of the Naga's village and the contributions of the Naga chief and his villagers, and said that the British Government and Army would certainly compensate and reward them in due course. Nothing had followed ever since and the Nagas now felt totally alienated in a country that they did not consider their own, the village chief informed the British tourist.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I visited the Angami village of Khonoma outside Kohima, where huge ancient stone slabs commemorating past local rich who held "feasts of merit" to entertain entire villages, or peace treaties concluded between clans and tribes.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Beautiful red and yellow flowers line the village path leading to the dhahus, or meeting places where clan elders discussed important matters such as building of water channels or which enemy village to raid.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Beneath the path were spectacular rice terraces stretching beyond the hills.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Khonoma was the last Naga tribal village to surrender to the British and it fell only after a fierce battle.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Next to the Baptist church, a memorial commemorated the villagers who died fighting for "Free Nagaland" in reference to the war against the Indians.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Forty odd children and perhaps twenty plus adults were singing gospel songs as I past an open air chapel nearby, and they served me tea and cookies. A sense of peacefulness in a village that had seen the many episodes of Naga history.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Not far from Khonoma village was a huge monument perched on a cliffside viewpoint overlooking the rolling hills and deep valleys.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This monument, too, commemorated the India-Naga War, as the Nagas called it. On it, a plaque read "Nagas are not Indians. Their territory is not a part of the Indian Union.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>We shall uphold and defend this unique truth at all costs and always. Khrisanisa Seyie, First President, Federal Republic of Nagaland. 12th July 1956 to 18 February 1959."<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3uYFedpKCYzKscpoB-iESg4EKV7aO3_MJ9bTM1f1VuE9mGwtzp1gzc00tM8DD4Fb88_Jw3kbSQ8PRLfItUfztEpGOlBCyafkfEaWQv2JUAV4Y08npflm5uvT34mO1uE4fZG6/s1600-h/IMG_5323b-5868-749172.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140048280232373714 height=195 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhD3uYFedpKCYzKscpoB-iESg4EKV7aO3_MJ9bTM1f1VuE9mGwtzp1gzc00tM8DD4Fb88_Jw3kbSQ8PRLfItUfztEpGOlBCyafkfEaWQv2JUAV4Y08npflm5uvT34mO1uE4fZG6/s320/IMG_5323b-5868-749172.JPG" width=256 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholLdJXVrMjseT0_68v7hyteckCZf3SBHytz8Mb84lxrY9zqmpdlfXWI7Nj1cijSEubwPLozfcN4o__DuED9vh7mWIk4V_CbFhCz2Rt3vAtuy79d6iK9KgTJWTn9dZjQsVZ_EV/s1600-h/IMG_5323b-5866-748655.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140048275937406402 height=179 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEholLdJXVrMjseT0_68v7hyteckCZf3SBHytz8Mb84lxrY9zqmpdlfXWI7Nj1cijSEubwPLozfcN4o__DuED9vh7mWIk4V_CbFhCz2Rt3vAtuy79d6iK9KgTJWTn9dZjQsVZ_EV/s320/IMG_5323b-5866-748655.JPG" width=276 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">These monuments are the very indications of Naga aspirations and desires, no matter how hopeless their cause may be – 2 million Nagas in a emerging superpower India of more than 1 billion.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>To me, the existence of such monuments, especially the huge one in such a prominent tourist attraction, is also a tribute to India's democracy, which for all its contradictions could accept a monument which advocates for separation from the Indian state.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I asked a few Nagas what they thought of independence or its likelihood.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One said independence is impossible for a landlocked land like Nagaland.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They would have only two neighbours – a democratic but imperfect India with a totally different culture and race, and a totalitarian, pathetically poor Myanmar inhabited by fellow Mongoloids. He said he would rather be an Indian citizen and take advantage of its growing prosperity.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Another Naga, however, said that the Nagas had always been free and nothing was more precious. Independence is not impossible if all the nationalists could unite and put aside self interest and tribal rivalries. Whatever stand one takes, virtually all the Nagas I met are proud of their cultural heritage and conscious of the difference between them and the "Indians" – the latter always spoken as though the Nagas are not Indians.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Life is always tough for civilians in any insurgency, as they face the wrath of all sides to the conflict. The Naga conflict of 1947-1997 was no different.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was told that some insurgents behaved like gangsters and demanded for material and monetary support failing which there would be consequences.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Apart from bombing raids and human rights abuses, Indian soldiers had behaved like an occupation army, enforcing curfews and treated Nagas in nasty, racist manner. I was told that they often bullied Nagas who passed army checkpoints, sometimes even forcing elderly men to do push-ups on the road.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Such actions generated tremendous illwill and hatred for the Indians, and one of my Naga friends told me how angry he was whenever he encountered such injustice.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>He had to suppress his anger in case he did anything stupid in public.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozduPkgQec16WFDpYgwQygo39tlzG-hNfumRwKpBmllaz180G3ex4TlUgKkyphRBaU1XT2Vra4WTIXyF6eUohT3B1XQtjdGweMsbD9HyX9bz0G4hBN8jl8K659WwlayD6u7Yy/s1600-h/IMG_6052-751477.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491958943985858 height=203 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiozduPkgQec16WFDpYgwQygo39tlzG-hNfumRwKpBmllaz180G3ex4TlUgKkyphRBaU1XT2Vra4WTIXyF6eUohT3B1XQtjdGweMsbD9HyX9bz0G4hBN8jl8K659WwlayD6u7Yy/s320/IMG_6052-751477.JPG" width=223 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G0iFJpnsZ2X4Ux5cjNJAyR5A1EXdMVKeNPSqMUGn-M1LCVtJA4iSWPSjIU0JqOOkXr_41ounI9mCFN4Hx4_w8cWtQu5tFn9vqkCKZ0bEfNU0Ay8aQiE0LMHxnulU2MCC81x4/s1600-h/IMG_6075-751911.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491984713789650 height=228 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1G0iFJpnsZ2X4Ux5cjNJAyR5A1EXdMVKeNPSqMUGn-M1LCVtJA4iSWPSjIU0JqOOkXr_41ounI9mCFN4Hx4_w8cWtQu5tFn9vqkCKZ0bEfNU0Ay8aQiE0LMHxnulU2MCC81x4/s320/IMG_6075-751911.JPG" width=214 border=0></A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Since the ceasefire in 1997, Indian soldiers no longer misbehaved. Huge signboards outside the prominent downtown barracks of the Assam Rifles proclaimed themselves as "Friends of the Hill People".<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, many of the soldiers I saw patrolling the streets and guarding the main roads and festival grounds are young, smartly dressed Nagas, who have joined the elite Indian Reserve Force.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>How things have changed! <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">No longer are there conflicts between the Indian Army and the Naga guerrillas.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are, however, skirmishes between the Naga factions, and occasionally between the Nagas and a rival ethnic group called the Kukis who are also found in Manipur and Assam states.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The first Naga guerrilla group was the Federal Government of Nagaland (FGN) which launched its insurgency in 1956.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>It later split and another rival FGN army was formed.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Since the 1960s, the key forces fighting the Indians have been the Nationalist Socialist Council of Nagaland (NSCN), a group whose original aim was the setting up of a Marxist Nagaland run on "original" Christian and socialist principles.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The NSCN later split into rival factions named after its rival leaders, NSCN (Isak-Mulivah) and NSCN (Khaplang), named after Isak, Mulivah and Khaplang respectively.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The split occurred in the 1960s and both NSCN groups have fought each other as vigorously as they fought the Indians.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>There are no major differences in ideology between them, just personality of the leaders. NSCN (I-M) is the stronger one at the moment.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6_KDmFAjsNGZmr-nYWQk-vnq6-oIkFqPNAVVNhoLiVQUNdV7MQLVMFq9PVjJ3K5KqQMvcjeQH8RvpXItuKOWUvKFG8cZHjPGD3dmvH9xFZwKkUyt6s6pcG6X2bh6vGt95aa-/s1600-h/IMG_5384-745391.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140049551542693490 height=267 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_6_KDmFAjsNGZmr-nYWQk-vnq6-oIkFqPNAVVNhoLiVQUNdV7MQLVMFq9PVjJ3K5KqQMvcjeQH8RvpXItuKOWUvKFG8cZHjPGD3dmvH9xFZwKkUyt6s6pcG6X2bh6vGt95aa-/s320/IMG_5384-745391.JPG" width=186 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Despite officially being illegal organizations, since 1997, both NSCN factions have operated rather openly. Their camps have been established at open, prominent sites, and their key commanders are known to all.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In fact, their telephone numbers were published in the papers so that Nagas could call in to report criminals and NSCN would dispense revolutionary justice, i.e., a bullet to be lodged in the criminal's head. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The NSCN were mentioned in the papers everyday, in terms which to an outsider like me seemed bizarre.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>On one hand, it was obvious that they were illegal underground organizations and they operated largely in semi-secret basis even from the tone of the reports, with references to "according to underground sources". On the other hand, they were regularly consulted by mainstream politicians and bureaucrats for their views.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>An example was a report about "local functionaries" of NSCN being consulted by police over the movements of certain persons.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When I was there, public organizations made statements appealing to the two NSCN factions to make peace for national interest and so as to unite all Nagaland within the same entity.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I asked a Naga where NSCN members are these days.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the deep jungles where they fight the guerrilla war?<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No, the freedom fighters are everywhere, he said.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>In the towns, villages and jungle, and they include professionals, bureaucrats, workers, farmers and even in the police and army as well.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>And you never knew who is a NSCN member…I wondered if he is one. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Indeed they sounded like the secret cell groups that Viet Cong had across South Vietnam during the Vietnam War, and the similar prevalence of Shiite insurgents among Iraqi society and government today.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The NSCN factions function like a parallel state within a state.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They collect taxes (yes, called "donations") from local businesses and as mentioned earlier, dispense justice, albeit rough and sometimes unfair ones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This reminded me of the Maoists in Nepal now.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The difference is that, the Maoists are on the threshold of total victory.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I am not sure about the Naga rebels, or freedom fighters as many Nagas call them.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Naga society is a highly politicized one.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The newspapers are full of press release and statements about political events by organizations whose names don't sound political at all. For instance, issues such as unity between the NSCN factions and attempted assassination on a former chief minister had elicited statements from organizations ranging from all kinds of tribal and district student unions, women's associations of individual tribes or districts to professional associations.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I wonder if these organizations have any time for the purposes they were set up for.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">In addition, I also realized that Nagas like to form organizations or societies.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>A typical Naga organization is formed from any permutation of three words: The first is either the name of a district, village or tribe; the second is the organization type, be it professional or social (e.g., lawyers, accountants, welfare, sports, cultural, student or women); and third, society, union, association and the like.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Given that Nagaland has 16 tribes and 11 districts, imagine the number of organizations you can form even without counting the number of villages.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: 90.4pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"><SPAN style="mso-tab-count: 1"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify; tab-stops: 90.4pt"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">A major local newspaper theme is that of Nagalim, a proposed Greater Nagaland which also includes territories where other Nagas live, such as those in the Indian states of Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur, and Myanmar's Chin State.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Nagaland State Assembly actually passed a resolution a few years ago calling for the unification of all Naga lands.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Local papers seemed to suggest such a goal was entirely feasible.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I cannot imagine what would be the reaction of non-Nagas living in the extended territory Nagas claim as their own, or of the Myanmar Government on demands for the incorporation of Chin State into Nagalim.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The whole thing seemed to me an exercise of the impossible.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj7zoIkuAqWQkPmuv-C8zCL02YugNWQeF6giralsppOgKfIPXVHudUwoRgiaxokQ_b2zotTvNDCj3wosnQ4wCDjD-F43XkW-0jFsQteNhdqRSyQ9LylGi-EaHOXYnz_argAc8/s1600-h/V+IMG_5678-711711.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140493075635482866 height=168 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRj7zoIkuAqWQkPmuv-C8zCL02YugNWQeF6giralsppOgKfIPXVHudUwoRgiaxokQ_b2zotTvNDCj3wosnQ4wCDjD-F43XkW-0jFsQteNhdqRSyQ9LylGi-EaHOXYnz_argAc8/s320/V+IMG_5678-711711.JPG" width=239 border=0></A> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAieyc2Siexh6V5JkUsjsTv76Rtx_QwlW_Brqo7-Qj8I1kcT6yKt8_nevRighPVCjjsCUhRq3j2DdX_B-RSR7TLhbSKghKt6qG0SL_vJtNr2vhcZig5Z_oavcAb887G0Jo_fq8/s1600-h/IMG_5979-742353.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140491920289280130 height=285 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAieyc2Siexh6V5JkUsjsTv76Rtx_QwlW_Brqo7-Qj8I1kcT6yKt8_nevRighPVCjjsCUhRq3j2DdX_B-RSR7TLhbSKghKt6qG0SL_vJtNr2vhcZig5Z_oavcAb887G0Jo_fq8/s320/IMG_5979-742353.JPG" width=178 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Nagaland produces excellent mandarin oranges.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>They tasted so good that I bought more at the Nagaland Orange Festival which was held in conjunction with the Hornbill Festival.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>These oranges were supposedly organic and hence their skin was somewhat rough and unappealing. But they tasted wonderful. Potentially Nagaland could sell the oranges outside the state or even export.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>However, roads within the state and out of the state are horrendous and the oranges would not reach the markets in time. <SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The most important road in the state is the one linking Dimapur, Nagaland's largest city located on the border with Assam, and Kohima, the state capital. Yet this narrow winding road, hugging treacherous cliff sides at a large portion of the journey, disintegrates into mud and dirt at many stretches.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I was told there were even occasional landslides.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The other intra-state roads are worse, such that in order to travel from Kohima to Mon at the northern end of Nagaland, it is better to travel out to the neighbouring state of Assam (which has better roads) and then re-enter Nagaland at the north (instead of travelling direct on the Kohima-Mon road which lies within Nagaland territory).<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The problem with the Nagaland economy is that it has some potential in areas such as commercial agriculture/horticulture and hydroelectric power, but not enough to power a tiger economy.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Furthermore, agriculture is not an attractive sector for the many young highly educated Nagas produced by a culture that places emphasis on education, yet another legacy of the Christian missionaries that converted the Nagas in the 19<SUP>th</SUP> century.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Naga government, highly subsidized by the Indian central government, is the main employer in the state.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>One of its challenges would be to find employment for young Nagas so that they would not channel their energies into more political activity that would aggravate the already unstable political environment. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Tourism is potentially a growth area for Nagaland.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yet, existing rules that require permits from both foreigners and Indians are complicated and time-consuming, thus deterring more visitors.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>For instance, for a permit to be issued, foreigners need to be in a guided tour in groups with minimum four members, or a married couple (certificates to be produced as evidence).<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Failing that, such as in my case as a solo visitor, no-objection certificates would need to be obtained from the Nagaland State Department of Home Affairs, Indian Union Department of Home Affairs and the Nagaland Resident Commissioner in New Delhi.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The whole process takes weeks if not a month or more.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">The lack of hotel infrastructure presents another major problem for tourism development here. There aren't enough hotels not to mention good standard ones.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Hornbill Festival is the peak tourism season here and all rooms in Kohima were booked.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Yet, only 400 visitor permits were issued for the festival duration of 7 days.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>No matter how attractive the festival may be, Kohima cannot accommodate more than a few hundred visitors at the moment. <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">---<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">I dropped by the Miss Nagaland 2007 competition held in an assembly hall next to my hotel.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>When asked what they most hope for in the new year, the newly crowned Miss Nagaland said it was peace, for without peace you could have anything else.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>This was also the constant theme in the local papers as well as in the speech of the Indian minister who attended the second day of the Hornbill Festival.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>Negotiations between the Naga groups and the Indian government have gone nowhere because of their drastically different positions.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>The Naga factions remain deeply divided among themselves. Naga activists are also obsessed with the theme of unification of all Nagas, which implies annexation of lands belonging to other states and tribes, something those states and tribes bitterly oppose.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>But let's hope that all these parties would continue talking and never take up arms, for armed conflict would be disastrous and miserable for ordinary people.<SPAN style="mso-spacerun: yes"> </SPAN>I had a wonderful time in Nagaland and certainly hope to return some day.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <A href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0uIjV0lfcuvDZ2Kn_UcRpgrR57zW7Z3IjBiYHrS_Yebl1F1g8dtkaMgiBgthxutLVkeQndG1maZWojzPWxi2SGz89ExY9ysn_Hy4qqcm1I9LkWApWM9vd_dpmP8B9xRfpHLl/s1600-h/IMG_5322+miss+nl-747671.JPG"><IMG id=BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5140048275937406386 height=191 alt="" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgy0uIjV0lfcuvDZ2Kn_UcRpgrR57zW7Z3IjBiYHrS_Yebl1F1g8dtkaMgiBgthxutLVkeQndG1maZWojzPWxi2SGz89ExY9ysn_Hy4qqcm1I9LkWApWM9vd_dpmP8B9xRfpHLl/s320/IMG_5322+miss+nl-747671.JPG" width=272 border=0></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">For those who are interested in visiting Nagaland and other parts of Northeast India, you may wish to get in touch with these agencies (and mention my name if you wish):<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Liza World Travel: <A href="http://www.lizaworldtravels.com/"><FONT color=#0000ff>www.lizaworldtravels.com</FONT></A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Tribal Disovery: <A href="http://www.tribaldiscovery.com/"><FONT color=#0000ff>www.tribaldiscovery.com</FONT></A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Yes, don't forget to check out my amazing Hornbill Festival photos at <A href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/"><FONT color=#0000ff>http://twcnomad.blogspot.com</FONT></A><o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Have a good weekend!<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Wee Cheng<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'">Goa, western India<o:p></o:p></SPAN></P> <P class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 10pt; TEXT-ALIGN: justify"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Times New Roman'"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></P></DIV></div>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-20106735176135048642019-08-04T14:04:00.004+08:002022-07-20T22:23:18.215+08:00FROM BALTIC TO THE BLACK SEA<html>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-54972094536648007892019-07-29T23:17:00.005+08:002022-07-20T22:39:27.652+08:00Wee Cheng in Middle East & North Africa<!doctype html public "-//w3c//dtd html 4.0 transitional//en">
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<td bgcolor="#808000"><i><b><font size="6" color="#FFFF00">Wee Cheng </font><font size="6">in<font color="#FF8000">
Middle East & North Africa</font></font></b></i></td>
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<td align="center"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Iran"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdEH7gi1AblI2H2yb3h8KRo4oIIYRyer7on_HhR94wmT438aRHjN3fieWL-tGR-KcdE7aW5lsZ11zCicrx_AiY66svilwQ5w29bqdxYmLlKdBq2LD67Dj262MXeSNwgSYXrQ7aqQ/s320/IMG_8850-777659.JPG" / width="111" height="143" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Yemen"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrfXnkNqsRmpwwoNhYsUtkQX5dj9znyTXRDnKzs_P5gTXMgW4L7XOxBg0IjZNZkruJQm0z61L-6RIlF7J5U1NcX_MtJH8zUE_Fo0wgWTEQRlaXFiahyEAlZ8nK9W0_qt3xn-sJVg/s320/=?utf-8?q?me-Yemen=5F21-12-07%3D5F078-786860.jpg?%3D" / width="164" height="112" border="1"></a></td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Lebanon"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6sveXD4TxvXRsx4-y2ey81IUhuZRU0JHkY6KehTn61oiR0I4nF04JhsXezv_Roi4Dcq021YztbtcZFiNCGZ4V1jyr2wTQxEZVsCDh0ATHozIpFVPx1Juj10od6fFnGRcmHwXB/s320/IMG_0612-772603.JPG" / width="111" height="149" border="2"></a></td>
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<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Iran">Iran</a>:</b>
<i><font size="2"> The Iran's of Ancient Empires, Poets & Wines, and of Ayatollahs and Mourners (2008) </font></i></td>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Yemen">Yemen</a>:
</b><i><font size="2"> Manhattan Meets Grand Canyon in Dagger Land (2007) </font></i></td>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Lebanon">Lebanon</a></b>:
<font size="2"><i>The Eternal Battleground That is Paradise (2008)</i></font></td>
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<td align="center"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Sudan"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYyFu-LQp0b7WNdGu_jsFo4ExTzZaImDnMnVYDDped0r0axw6ICT6SpMOvuUaXszqy1b_02rpHP9EaTDeh3wWaPVdT2Eaj98Am_-8FgXnSbCMXwYMgh_gNgaN9AgmSPWc6KEgP/s320/IMG_7808-766516.JPG" / width="183" height="140" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Libya"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaP0WutydH0O72FHJRaVNkgnTPjAdD2F9rX1PeEMaKLahUvZLpKZIRbe6zpoX3pxWKWu80nlT7unSjThyyCl0-1PdiwZScJdp0Lygi6jSisNEdO57FmefwUNpQpLQPQ1PbXK64Vw/s320/IMG_5765-763313.JPG" / width="200" height="154" border="2"></a></td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/morocco/"><img src="http://weecheng.com/morocco/dades/ait-benhaddou2-thumb.jpg" / width="198" height="129" border="2"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Sudan">Sudan</a>:
</b><i><font size="2">Looking for Pyramids in War Zone (2008)</font></i></td>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://twcnomad.blogspot.com/search/label/Libya">Libya:
</a></b><i><font size="2"> The Devil's Mountain in the Golden Sahara (2008)</font></i></td>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/morocco/" class="roll"><font color="#FFCC33">Al
Magreb - Morocco:</font></a></b><font size="3">
<br>
</font>
<i><font size="2">The Farthest West (1999)</font></i></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" colspan="2" rowspan="2">
<p align="center"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/images/dades-sky-title.gif" width="271" height="165">
<div align="center">
<table border="0">
<tr>
<td bgcolor="#808000">
<p align="center"><b><i>Todra Gorge, Atlas Mountains, Morocco</i></b></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td>
<td align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/mideast/index.html"><img src="http://weecheng.com/mideast/syria/palm1-top.gif" / width="278" height="90"></a></td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td align="center" bgcolor="#808000"><font size="-1"><b><a href="http://weecheng.com/mideast/index.html" class="roll">Syria</a>:
</b></font><i><font size="2">Half the Crescent (1996)</font></i></td>
</tr>
</table>
</center>
</div>
<table>
<center> <table BORDER=0 COLS=2 WIDTH="911" >
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<td width="543">
<center><!--------------- BEGIN BRAVENET CODE ------------->
</center>
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<p><font size="2"><b>Map background from: <a href="http://facultyfiles.deanza.edu/">http://facultyfiles.deanza.edu</a></b></font>
<p><b><font size="2">you are the <img SRC="http://counter.digits.com/wc/-d/4/weecheng" HSPACE=4 BORDER=1 height=20 width=60 align=CENTER>th
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</body>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-73933855104992634452019-07-29T23:10:00.004+08:002022-07-20T22:41:28.378+08:00Wee Cheng in Central Europe & Ex-USSR<html>
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<i><b><font size="6" color="#FFFF00">Wee Cheng </font><font size="6">in<font color="#FF8000">
</font></font><font color="#FF8000" size="6">Central </font><font size="7" color="#FF8000">
Europe & ex-USSR</font></b></i>
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<p align="center"><i><b>On the Georgian Military Highway, near the
Russian/Chechen border</b></i></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="53%" height="26" align="center">
<a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/1995/east-eu1.htm"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/europe/1995/bulgaria/patriar2.jpg" width="188" height="128"></a>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="26" align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/bbs/index.htm"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/europe/bbs/lithuania/bank1a.jpg" width="267" height="128"></a>
</td>
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<tr>
<td width="53%" height="26" align="center" bgcolor="#000000">
<b><font size=-1><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/1995/east-eu1.htm" class="roll">Mad
Rush Thru' Eastern Europe & Turkey</a> (1995)</font></b>
<br><b><i><font size=-1>Austia - Slovenia - Croatia - Hungary - Romania
- Bulgaria - Turkey </font></i></b>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="26" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><b><font size=-1><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/bbs/index.htm" class="roll">From
Baltic to the Black Sea</a> (1998)</font></b>
<br><b><i><font size="-1">A Journey through the Frontier Lands of Europe</font></i></b>
<br><b><i><font size=-1> Latvia - Lithuania
- Belarus - Ukraine - Moldova - Transdnestria </font></i></b>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="53%" height="26" align="center">
<a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/caucasus/"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/europe/caucasus/ge/hwy/jvari.jpg" width="191" height="148"></a>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="26" align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/silk/index.htm"><img border="2" src="http://weecheng.com/silk/Uz-Sam/Registan.gif" width="319" height="144"></a>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="53%" height="26" align="center" bgcolor="#000000">
<b><font size=-1><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/caucasus/">Crosses
& Mountains</a> (2000)</font></b>
<br><b><i><font size="-1">Adventures in the Western Caucasus </font></i></b>
<br><b><i><font size="-1">Armenia, Karabakh & Georgia </font></i></b>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="26" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><b><font size=-1><a href="http://weecheng.com/silk/index.htm" class="roll">Heart
of the Silk Road</a> (1998)</font></b>
<br><b><i><font size=-1>Ex-Soviet Central Asia:</font></i></b>
<br><b><i><font size=-1>Kazakstan - Kyrgyzstan - Tajikistan - Uzbekistan</font></i></b>
</td>
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<td width="100%" height="26" align="center" colspan="2">
<div align="center">
<table border="0">
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<td bgcolor="#000000">
<p align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/poland/index.htm"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/europe/poland/w-solid-th.jpg" width="190" height="107"></a></p>
<p align="center"><b><font size="-1"><a href="http://weecheng.com/europe/poland/index.htm">Poland: Salt
Mines, Holocaust & Phoenix Rising Fr Ashes</a> (2001)</font></b>
<br><b><i><font size="-1">A Short Trip to Krak�w, Auschwitz and Warsaw</font></i></b></td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td width="53%" height="25" align="center">
<a href="http://weecheng.com/2002/balkan/index.htm"><img border="0" src="http://weecheng.com/2002/balkan/croatia/DSCF0490.JPG" width="181" height="138"></a>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="25" align="center"><a href="http://weecheng.com/2002/eurasia/siberia.htm"><img border="2" src="http://weecheng.com/2002/eurasia/russia3b/DSCF0442.JPG" width="132" height="175"></a>
</td>
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<tr>
<td width="53%" height="25" align="center" bgcolor="#000000">
<b><font size="-1" color="#FF8000">Wee Cheng's 2002 Round
The World Journey</font><i><font size="-1">- <a href="http://www.weecheng.com/2002/balkan/index.htm">Balkans
including Greece, Macedonia, Serbia, Bosnia-Herzegovina,
Republika Srpska, Croatia, Montenegro, Kosovo & Albania</a></font></i></b>
</td>
<td width="47%" height="25" align="center" bgcolor="#000000"><b><font size="-1" color="#FF8000">Wee Cheng's 2002 Round
The World Journey</font><i><font size="-1">- <a href="http://weecheng.com/2002/eurasia/siberia.htm">Russia/Siberia/Azerbaijan/Turkmenistan</a></font></i></b>
</td>
</tr>
</table>
</div>
</td>
<td width="3%">
<p align="center">
<p align="center"> </td>
</tr>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-86818058429892444722017-04-25T15:13:00.001+08:002017-04-25T15:13:20.972+08:00WWII at the National Museum. #singapore🇸🇬 #museum #wwiii. #globetrotter #nomad #wanderlust https://t.co/xKNF5Wl6C3 https://t.co/sHDHS3HlB3 http://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856767697085976576<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">WWII at the National Museum. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singapore?src=hash">#singapore</a>🇸🇬 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/museum?src=hash">#museum</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wwiii?src=hash">#wwiii</a>. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/globetrotter?src=hash">#globetrotter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/nomad?src=hash">#nomad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/wanderlust?src=hash">#wanderlust</a> <a href="https://t.co/xKNF5Wl6C3">https://t.co/xKNF5Wl6C3</a> <a href="https://t.co/sHDHS3HlB3">http://pic.twitter.com/sHDHS3HlB3</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856767697085976576">April 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-90338187365998711182017-04-25T08:28:00.001+08:002017-04-25T08:28:36.839+08:00https://t.co/nJCpJ7Y3w0<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="und" dir="ltr" xml:lang="und"><a href="https://t.co/nJCpJ7Y3w0">https://t.co/nJCpJ7Y3w0</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856663055010336768">April 25, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-58339378292992765522017-04-25T00:28:00.001+08:002017-04-25T00:28:12.513+08:00Joeson Korea exhibition https://t.co/3NTVFHJQSb<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Joeson Korea exhibition <a href="https://t.co/3NTVFHJQSb">https://t.co/3NTVFHJQSb</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856542382149521411">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-67042951885044698202017-04-25T00:13:00.005+08:002017-04-25T00:13:34.546+08:00Joeson Korea exhibition: a scroll painting depicting King Jeongjo's 1795 procession to his father's tomb. His father was the tragic Prince …<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Joeson Korea exhibition: a scroll painting depicting King Jeongjo's 1795 procession to his father's tomb. His father was the tragic Prince …</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856539455888424960">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-8038272927777793322017-04-25T00:13:00.003+08:002017-04-25T00:13:34.062+08:00Joeson Korea exhibition: Visit of the Japanese diplomatic mission.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Joeson Korea exhibition: Visit of the Japanese diplomatic mission.</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856539453665546241">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-37641603098995462442017-04-25T00:13:00.001+08:002017-04-25T00:13:33.165+08:00More of the Joeson Korea exhibition<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">More of the Joeson Korea exhibition</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856539451476107264">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-62002204086846186102017-04-24T23:13:00.005+08:002017-04-24T23:13:08.518+08:00Examination passing certificate. 19th century, Korea.<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Examination passing certificate. 19th century, Korea.</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856524330473279488">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-71494877073780319762017-04-24T23:13:00.003+08:002017-04-24T23:13:07.873+08:00A 19th century answer sheet for the civil service classics examination. I've to say that the handwriting is neat and legible, unlike those …<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">A 19th century answer sheet for the civil service classics examination. I've to say that the handwriting is neat and legible, unlike those …</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856524328833355776">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-45980291906317357442017-04-24T23:13:00.001+08:002017-04-24T23:13:07.083+08:00Joeson Korea exhibition<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Joeson Korea exhibition</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856524326056714240">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-81959696010992878182017-04-24T22:28:00.001+08:002017-04-24T22:28:02.948+08:00The multimedia experience https://t.co/DZW7d7vyOO<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">The multimedia experience <a href="https://t.co/DZW7d7vyOO">https://t.co/DZW7d7vyOO</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856512249577582593">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-57943557650733948392017-04-24T21:13:00.001+08:002017-04-24T21:13:16.858+08:00The multimedia experience<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">The multimedia experience</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856494158512607232">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-48124682970243431372017-04-24T17:13:00.001+08:002017-04-24T17:13:24.234+08:00Impressive...Great to have a look afterthe revamp. But I can't find remnants of the Singapore Stone and a few other previous treasures of t…<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Impressive...Great to have a look afterthe revamp. But I can't find remnants of the Singapore Stone and a few other previous treasures of t…</p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856433692599832577">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-51829528390776430682017-04-24T15:28:00.001+08:002017-04-24T15:28:25.995+08:00What is wrongin Africa in general. https://t.co/cv8PVySTOq<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">What is wrongin Africa in general. <a href="https://t.co/cv8PVySTOq">https://t.co/cv8PVySTOq</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856406669001203712">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-70501960193022847032017-04-24T15:13:00.001+08:002017-04-24T15:13:24.268+08:00Chilli, always glorious. #singaporefood #singapore🇸🇬 #asianfood #asia #spices #foodnomad #food #globetrotter #noma…… https://t.co/vnadcVtEgZ<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr" xml:lang="en">Chilli, always glorious. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singaporefood?src=hash">#singaporefood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/singapore?src=hash">#singapore</a>🇸🇬 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/asianfood?src=hash">#asianfood</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/asia?src=hash">#asia</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/spices?src=hash">#spices</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/foodnomad?src=hash">#foodnomad</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/food?src=hash">#food</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/globetrotter?src=hash">#globetrotter</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/noma?src=hash">#noma</a>… <a href="https://t.co/dX6mMiFzDE">https://t.co/dX6mMiFzDE</a> <a href="https://t.co/iTcLDqEr7B">http://pic.twitter.com/iTcLDqEr7B</a></p>
— Tan Wee Cheng (@twcnomad) <a href="https://twitter.com/twcnomad/status/856404590832611328">April 24, 2017</a></blockquote>
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from Twitter https://twitter.com/twcnomad
Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-38776347528751135132017-04-24T15:08:00.001+08:002017-04-24T15:08:59.399+08:00Chilli, always glorious. #singaporefood #singapore🇸🇬 #asianfood #asia #spices #foodnomad #food #globetrotter #nomad #wanderlust<img src='https://scontent.cdninstagram.com/t51.2885-15/sh0.08/e35/18094493_1481359298564909_8673292829109256192_n.jpg' style='max-width:586px;' /><br />
<div><a href="http://ift.tt/2pVNhn0">via Instagram</a></div>
Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-41114831415302916222017-03-26T16:35:00.000+08:002017-03-26T16:35:44.261+08:00Northern Italy (Lombardia, Piedmonte , Genoa and Verona/Vicenza) Trip Feb 2017: Itinerary, attractions and restaurantsDetails on a pdf file. Download here:<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByTXVeEYv-esVXpSdnpFd2o4SjQ">https://drive.google.com/open?id=0ByTXVeEYv-esVXpSdnpFd2o4SjQ</a>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-37054694467517550012017-03-09T16:27:00.003+08:002017-03-09T16:27:40.723+08:00<table border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlock" style="background-color: white; border-collapse: collapse; color: black; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockOuter">
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<span style="color: dimgrey;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, verdana, segoe, sans-serif;">Wee Cheng as reported on issue Nr. 108 of the<span style="font-size: 40px;"> </span></span></span><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEjOtLgiarNqh0mGy5AR0LBmLAXa6_s34sMW3ax9VtfvCjGpgGVGNMRCykinrHGFJfXRPwV3m_RCkj2WWBmacQtGlU3SH5EKcTiCleSckmLcKnu0gmxXc684ml7JpF_Dh6QGoPFA_rHFAvRGzCt59fZK8JsS22R988MKLOyTazWp1sitnl6oa0xv4tBLCfJnL6kG0gMODByH-8uIjQV7huWSEWs=s0-d-e1-ft" style="font-size: 15px;" /></div>
<h1 class="m_-2862365222209591489null" style="letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 50px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">
<span style="color: dimgrey;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, verdana, segoe, sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;">4 Dec 2016</span></span></span></h1>
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<span style="color: dimgrey;"><span style="font-family: tahoma, verdana, segoe, sans-serif;">TBT Suggests - <a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://thebesttravelled.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u%3Df456c55c6c6e7ea4bdc9fa634%26id%3D29ced367e4%26e%3Ded0abdf977&source=gmail&ust=1489134122954000&usg=AFQjCNHA1adO8HRn-Bv5etp8pBgbcHYXRQ" href="http://thebesttravelled.us6.list-manage.com/track/click?u=f456c55c6c6e7ea4bdc9fa634&id=29ced367e4&e=ed0abdf977" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">W</a><a data-saferedirecturl="https://www.google.com/url?hl=en&q=http://thebesttravelled.us6.list-manage1.com/track/click?u%3Df456c55c6c6e7ea4bdc9fa634%26id%3Dbd43a118da%26e%3Ded0abdf977&source=gmail&ust=1489134122954000&usg=AFQjCNEGx0ZOBMqAQCRr2wYgjynaT5A_9A" href="http://thebesttravelled.us6.list-manage1.com/track/click?u=f456c55c6c6e7ea4bdc9fa634&id=bd43a118da&e=ed0abdf977" style="color: #6dc6dd; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-weight: normal; word-wrap: break-word;" target="_blank">ee Cheng</a></span></span></h1>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>Wee Cheng, you are probably Singapore's biggest traveller. Does that mean you are famous in your home country? </em></strong></td></tr>
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I was interviewed by Singapore’s main English newspaper in 2009, as the “most travelled Singaporean”, after being proclaimed as such by a publication known as the Singapore Book of Records. And I also briefly championed the inscription of Singapore’s first World Heritage Site and was widely interviewed for a few years. I also co-founded a travellers networking group that continue to meet monthly – we are going to celebrate 10 years’ anniversary next year. Am I famous? I don’t think so. That’s merely 5 minutes of fame. In the last few years, there has been a number of emerging young travel bloggers who have received wide following through their travels and imaginative marketing. They are much more prominent and are doing a great job in promoting off the beaten track travels.</div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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I was born in a middle class family in Singapore. Travel was never a big thing in developing Singapore when I was growing up. It was simply too costly and considered the pursuits of the rich. I have always been fascinated with faraway places and exotic lands. Mum worked in a firm that had clients from around the world, and she would pass me stamps stuck on the envelopes sent to her office from various countries. I was intrigued by these tiny treasures from the most exotic countries, and even more so by the legends behind the colourful images on these stamps.<br /><br />My first holidays were with my parents and sister to Malaysia and China on guided package tours. I enjoyed myself and thought that I could try be more adventurous and backpack later on, just like the young many white backpackers that pass through Singapore on their way around Asia.<br /><br />When I was about to complete university, I wanted to do Western Europe before starting work, just like the typical undergraduate of the day. My parents offered to pay for the trip as a reward for completing school. So, that was my first backpacking adventure, and I was hooked on the travel bug. In the years to follow, I would use all my annual vacation entitlement to travel. Eastern Europe followed, then Turkey, the Middle East and Indonesia. Even then, I thought I would only go to the most touristy destinations. There were more than enough such places to do in my lifetime, I reckoned then.<br /><br />In 1997, I went to graduate school in London and joined an investment bank in the UK thereafter. With a constantly concerned family faraway, the floodgates of frequent travel were opened. Before long, I found myself in the Baltics, Patagonia, Central America, Central Asia and the Caucasus. Every new trip lifted my threshold for discomfort, uncertainty and even danger. It was in a Vilnius hotel lobby when I bumped into an elderly Spanish man who exclaimed that he had just done his 100<sup>th</sup> country. At that point, I was 30-odd countries away, and I thought why couldn’t I do the same. Perhaps I could even aim to complete all the countries in the world.<br /><br />By 2002, when I decided to head home for good, I hit on spending a year on the road. That was something I used to think only mad Englishmen would do. I spent half a year in Latin America, and the other half year overland from London to Singapore via Trans-Siberia – after all, I have told friends I would go home by land one day. And so it all took off. Before I knew it, I quickly aspired to do all the countries and unusual non-country regions around the world.<br /> </div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Timbuktu, Mali.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>You have a travel blog - tell us something about it and what are your aims with it?</em></strong></td></tr>
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I set up that website in 1995 as a way to share my travel stories with friends. That was before they called it blog. I even established a yahoo group to circulate emails on the road. It was only a few years ago that I converted the website into the format of a blog as that seemed to be the fashion of the day. I have no grand aims for it – it is merely a way to share stories. Over the past few years, however, I have been spending time on Facebook and have practically stopped updating my blog/website. I am contemplating switching entirely to Facebook as I use it for many more purposes other than just updating friends on my travels.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Northern Peru.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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My travelling style has changed over the years. I used to travel alone and really enjoyed the freedom of making changes to my plans according to my whims and fancies. Over the past decade, however, I have gotten to know many people in Singapore who share a similar interest in travelling to unusual off-beaten-track places. And I have also learnt to appreciate the joys of sharing my observations with friends. Maybe this is also an age issue. Increasingly, as I become older, I begin to appreciate some comfort even when venturing to remote places. Travelling with like-minded friends allows the sharing of costs.<br /><br />Whilst I used to travel extended distances on public transport, I now prefer to spend more for customized arrangements that would bring me to places faster and with more comfort. I also enjoy road trips and food trips as well. In fact, both street food and gastronomical fine dining have become dedicated pursuits on my travels.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Machu Picchu.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>How do locals in far away places react when you tell them you are from Singapore? Any memorable stories about this?</em></strong></td></tr>
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Singapore is a small country and outside of mainstream US, EU and Asian destinations, I am often the first Singaporean people have met. In fact, they sometimes think I am from China, Japan or Korea even after I tell them where I am from.</div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top">Mexico – popular impression is that it is a country with high crime rates, drug lords and tricksters at every corner. When I visited Mexico, however, I found a great nation with a colourful culture, great history and architecture, and a wonderful cuisine that is so different from the tex-mex fast food variety I was used to.<br /><br />Another example is Iran – an ancient civilization with much diversity and impressive sites. The people are amongst the friendliest I have met, and the hospitality not only heart-warming but even slightly oppressive as you wonder how you can ever reciprocate such hospitality. This is so different from the religious extremist mass media love to portray.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImageContent" style="font-size: 13px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEgndqb-MV5BLdkbVZXQq-85WOdjWSdIUsjNl7LHHKgFBMfJh5SfKYiTKak5EJgadpU-QieCVJpItacpH-PRCnrMmHvcwGEwIOp-15i0HYGezH8fGBUI4EtTG4N4DniIIvNZ4dzF0WlM_OMxPoCuhkYvN-dm-8ptEsNRIeXVRVw3qw-48iDQ258lDQY78p_aIFqB3_913KGLOpHTvQBgYbu7hb0=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 1024px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Somaliland</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>Tell us a travel story that is especially memorable.</em></strong></td></tr>
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In 2008, with a friend, I took a cab to the city centre of Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, and suddenly we found ourselves driving in a junction guarded by a young man with a black hood and mask over his mouth. He shouted loudly, then set fire to a pile of tyres with the huge burning torch he was holding. To the left – fifty meters away - were tense crowds, clearly agitated, waving clenched fists, gesticulating wildly or swaying red flags. Our driver, his dark face now pale with horror, turned the steering wheel sharply to the right.<br /><br />But it was difficult to find a sanctuary. Ahead of us were a squadron of riot police with helmets and high shields heading for the crowds. We were half expecting the smell of tear gas and the sound of bullets to whistle past. Our driver held his cool, drove slowly but steadily towards the police, then another right turn down a narrow alley.<br /><br />That half minute felt like eternity and a day. A few dozen, possibly fifty, or even a hundred metres down the road, we heard the sharp blow of police whistles from where we left; and loud bursts that sounded like cannon shots, to be followed by another burst, then a series of restrained explosions. White smoke rose above the neighbourhood of tin roofs; the sound of ambulance sirens; more explosions and quite possibly the rattle of a few gun shots rang through the air; followed by the screech of braking heavy trucks and a sudden loud bang probably caused by a collision.<br /><br />The driver made a few turns and dashed across the neighbourhood. We spied a few vegetable stalls and the odd hardware shop, all open for business. We knew we were safe. The driver breathed a sigh of relief, then sent a bubble of air out of his mouth, and then gave us a mocking smile. What a narrow escape! I wouldn’t want to get caught in a riot again.</div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImageContent" style="font-size: 13px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEhFuRfMq0c8XG4KRU6awTo35UA0eMEXo9BTqiArh3ZxlpvFwC65AF9yz3FLnmYaR2n5FjTqGwmsweaS9diGwK6Dv3UYSEaXe_sNNtzYlWCBGvr3Js1SeNJgFB0aWPtUDeRh7dLqaCfu1EWRgIwaXbLGc97Vu_XFShJjDRATPAECPWFt9vxnQDzxdoifQfRmMmiy3VUBQrmic2-9vNsvJ-rjoZU=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 691px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Libyan Sahara.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>You are close to completing all 193 UN countries. Which countries do you have left which are challenging you to reach this goal? Do you have a timeline in mind?</em></strong></td></tr>
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I’m left with Marshall Islands, Micronesia and Palau in the North Pacific; Sao Tome and Principe, DR Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Angola and Nigeria in Africa; Saudi Arabia, Iraq, Afghanistan and Pakistan in West and South Asia. No definite timeline. Apart from these countries, there are also many places I have yet to visit within countries I have been. I would like to do these as well. Ultimately I would take my time to travel to these places, perhaps opportunistically wherever I go to.</div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImageContent" style="font-size: 13px; padding: 0px 9px; text-align: center;" valign="top"><img align="center" alt="" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnImage" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/proxy/AVvXsEinaTlkzb6KIUYWTQTWi6N2WV1k8ZDGd0zkHEIIBsrZ476aAyRVk1g-kyMFtWdIwxvDz_dwlMbqUf0D8LqttOaNoZmMP01nIOMXMRN_efQ7MrrvTBKD1mIggSNxuunKzygV2v_hfndZIljbpM4idPieXuYvEq2PMUa0rkZiDh2p97i0cSAC682QlPKDo1GJtClY9QhVeAm7uCXWeA6FLjSLNaU=s0-d-e1-ft" style="border: 0px; display: inline !important; max-width: 768px; outline: none; padding-bottom: 0px; vertical-align: bottom;" width="564" /></td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Nepal.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>Asia is becoming a great 'exporter' of tourists but frequently people travel in groups or to major highlights. Do you think Asians will also become independent travellers or not, and why?</em></strong></td></tr>
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Asian backpackers and independent travellers are already appearing. In countries such as Singapore, Taiwan, Japan and Korea which became prosperous and where people began travelling much earlier, independent travelling is already common or even the norm. People from China started overseas holidays about a decade or so ago, and like everywhere else, joining package tours is the initial trend. But like everywhere else, they begin to realise that package holidays do not necessarily give them the excitement and freedom. Over the last few years, I have gotten to know many young adventurous Chinese who have made their way across the world, including some pretty off-beaten-track places. Given the size of the Chinese population, it is a matter of time before Chinese independent travellers hit your neighbourhood.</div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>Give us 3 gems of Singapore that are not all that well-known!</em></strong></td></tr>
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1) Bukit Brown Cemetery: The largest Chinese cemetery outside China. Established in the 19<sup>th</sup> century and shut down in the early 1970s, this is an amazing oasis of green space and wildlife within a metropolis. In addition, it is an interesting kaleidoscope of the different cultural mix that is Singapore: Chinese tomb architecture with Peranakan tiles and brightly coloured statues of Sikh guards. Visit soon before the government bulldoze this place for development.<br /><br />2) Ubin Island: A sleepy island off the coast of northeast Singapore. This was the old rural Singapore before malls and condo projects. One can visit a sleepy village, deserted temples and cycle through country lanes to visit abandoned quarry cliffs and a wetland reserve.<br /><br />3) Tiong Bahru: A cool residential area with art deco buildings, traditional eateries, hipster cafes and odd shops. The district has attracted a fair bit of attention in recent years, but remains relatively serene and hidden gems still lie at its many hidden corners.</div>
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<span style="font-size: 12px;"><em>Yemen.</em></span></div>
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<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextBlockInner" style="padding-top: 9px;" valign="top"><table align="left" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContentContainer" style="border-collapse: collapse; max-width: 100%; min-width: 100%; width: 100%px;"><tbody>
<tr><td class="m_-2862365222209591489mcnTextContent" style="color: #606060; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: 15px; line-height: 22.5px; padding: 0px 18px 9px; text-align: justify;" valign="top"><strong><em>Finally, if you could have one super-power, what would it be and why?</em></strong></td></tr>
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I would love to travel back in time. Maybe to accompany Christopher Columbus or the great Chinese admiral, Zheng He, on their voyages of discovery. Or to have a conversation with Marco Polo about the splendor of the court of Kublai Khan. Or to visit the courts of Charlemagne and the Medicis, and indulge in the wonders and flamboyant treasures of that era.</div>
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<em>The photographs accompanying this interview and from WeeCheng's private collection.</em></div>
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Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-49278009568070893892015-06-08T14:06:00.002+08:002015-06-08T14:06:49.086+08:00Chasing 193 - The Quest to Visit Every Country in the World <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIVWFZinfu3BvskGo0sTv2dvmxXhF063l5WaEkGiVaEQiAsy49uWei06xMfXLrcgJj5WUm2SEyau2zuyETOVfgsa1OUPNkav2J7s_Lbh5MdtSBAtd6OqK9Rhj-2d0GbqwOIyW/s1600/Chasing193Cover.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwIVWFZinfu3BvskGo0sTv2dvmxXhF063l5WaEkGiVaEQiAsy49uWei06xMfXLrcgJj5WUm2SEyau2zuyETOVfgsa1OUPNkav2J7s_Lbh5MdtSBAtd6OqK9Rhj-2d0GbqwOIyW/s320/Chasing193Cover.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;">I am one of the 34 persons interviewed in this book.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;"><span style="color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif;">http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00UCFY8J2/ref=cm_sw_r_fa_dp_FLLpvb1F6YXSJ</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;">There are 193 official countries on Earth. Fewer than 100 people have seen them all. The 34 people interviewed for this book have made it their life mission to visit every last one of them. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;">Jam-packed with nearly 500 pages, these revealing Q&A interviews examine the lives of ordinary people who have undertaken extraordinary travels in their quest to visit every country in the world. Learn about their adventures and explore the highs and lows of what it means to be an extreme traveler, from near-death experiences to moments that have left even the most jaded traveler speechless. </span><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;" /></div>
<li style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">How did they do this?</li>
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<li style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">What have they sacrificed?</li>
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<li style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">What compelled these people to go beyond the realm of the ordinary tourist to see the entire world?</li>
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<br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;" /><br style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;" /><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: start;">The answers to these questions and more are contained in this rare look inside the minds of some of the world's most-traveled people. Their stories, ranging from being questioned by U.S. Special Forces while doing a solo tour of war torn Iraq, to showing a Costco ID card in order to tour a restricted launching place for space satellites in French Guiana, to entering Libya during Arab Spring and getting caught in the cross fire of cigarette smugglers, and many more, are guaranteed to fascinate and entertain every travel fan.</span></div>
<br />Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6928565.post-32107320986576172532015-06-07T22:39:00.001+08:002015-06-07T22:42:02.272+08:00Sarawak 2015<p dir="ltr">This is what I'm looking forward to - a 4 day family trip to Kuching, Sarawak. A nice revisit after a decade. I'm also looking forward to the gastronomical delights there.</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"> <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGCxhNXLLPnFexlg4tDhAwkTMfNaHPEv4TuLFE2EmrZsWHBbSdU211wJzHmLTIeCatFW4mqcS7xRgn46154DkLexX2w9IPIHIYeV8-WLE4wGxl4vTYpKF2G1oTXme9r5PHxFJ/s1600/sarawak.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"> <img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXGCxhNXLLPnFexlg4tDhAwkTMfNaHPEv4TuLFE2EmrZsWHBbSdU211wJzHmLTIeCatFW4mqcS7xRgn46154DkLexX2w9IPIHIYeV8-WLE4wGxl4vTYpKF2G1oTXme9r5PHxFJ/s640/sarawak.jpeg"> </a> </div>Tan Wee Chenghttp://www.blogger.com/profile/00280853081617335963noreply@blogger.com0