All Good Trips Must Come To An End

Hey All,

 

My shout out is a Happy 10th Anniversary to my niece Rachael and Mark. I love you guys, even if you wear Seahawks colors.

 

I also want to thank all of you who read all these post and give me encouragement. Its time consuming and not easy to do, but when I get great feedback it makes it worthwhile. In some ways, I always feel things are boring and lets face it, I am not a writer. Someone sent me an email about my  occasional soap box, and I replied back that when you travel alone, you don't have anyone to share all these amazing places with and I guess in my own lame way, its my way of sharing, getting it all out. I thank each and every one of you and the kind words mean so much.

 

My flight to Bangkok was only 50 minutes and I was entertained by 2 Ladyboys who sat in the row in front of me. OMG, if only I could have recorded that conversation. On arrival I made my way to the public taxi stand for the trip to the hotel. I must say, BKK, as it is known, moves lots of people very efficiently in my book. Kudos to them. That place is a madhouse, even in low season.

 

OK, one last fact that is bugging me and I promise its the last. Bangkok is just the English name for the capital city, its proper name in Thai is the longest city name anywhere. Per below:

 

Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the largest city in the country. But it is typically only called Bangkok in English. In Thai, it is often called Krung Thep Maka Nakhon, or just Krung Thep. Its full name is

 

 "Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahinthara Ayuthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom Udomratchaniwet Mahasathan Amon Piman Awatan Sathit Sakkathattiya Witsanukam Prasit."

 

What it means is “The city of angels, the great city, the residence of the Emerald Buddha, the impregnable city (unlike Ayutthaya) of God Indra, the grand capital of the world endowed with nine precious gems, the happy city, abounding in an enormous Royal Palace that resembles the heavenly abode where reigns the reincarnated god, a city given by Indra and built by Vishnukarn.”

 

When I decided to come to Bangkok (Krung Thep) a day early and meet Tony and Lia, I booked the same hotel they were in to make things easy. Its a good spot, just right out the door is the BTS Sky Train which makes getting around easy. After arrival to the hotel, I had a note at the desk that Lia's mom had gotten really sick overnight and they had to fly back to Kuala Lumpur, Evidently there were at the airport the same time as me heading out. I also had an email explaining more. My prayers go out to your mom and family Lia. 

 

Night Scene outside Hotel

 

 I decided to entertain myself today by going to MBK Mall. I don't think I have ever been there and its supposed to be huge, and best part its right on the Skytrain line.

 

I have to mention the 2 Bangkok's, the day one and the night one. Last night I did a little walking about and the streets are lined with food stands, row after row of people selling all kinds of stuff So, during the day the sidewalks are wide, while at night its a narrow corridor barely wide enough for 2 people. Its like you are in 2 different cities.

 

This area of town is a bit older and while walking to the BTS its a minefield for my knees as the sidewalks are in such bad shape, so uneven and loose tiles, I had a couple of wencing moments on the short walk when my leg would turn funny and twist my knee. Its the part of Bangkok I hate. Made it to the MBK mall with a simple switch in the BTS lines and you just follow the map.

 

MBK Mall

 

 That mall is something else, its about 8 floors of pure entertainment. Food courts, bowling alley, small little shopping booths that just go for ever and easy to get lost (and I did), 2 movie theatres,  so many of these gaming centers I lost track, but that make so much noise its deafening, just floor after floor of anything you could possibly want to buy and more. They also have something I have never seen which is an Escape Game where you spend 45 minutes trying to solve clues and figure out how to escape. It seems pretty amazing. Getting in this place was easy, figuring how to get out was an escape game of my own. I managed to find a few nick naks that I needed for people. I always seem to wait to the last day for this. I think I was there a good 3 hours meandering about.

 

Inside Mall

 

 I did some walking around the mall area, and there are a few other malls close by, but they are the high end type places that are no appeal to me.

 

Got back to the hotel around 5 and had to cool off as its very hot and muggy as usual for Bangkok. I am going to try to get this last blog entry out tonight as tomorrow starts the long trip home. It will probably be close to midnight Saturday night before I get home.

 

Had a great trip as usual, wish I could have had more time. I am still very exhausted as this constant heat and humidity really drag me down. I really do love Laos, as its the kind of place I love to go to, not many tourist and off the beaten path. I hope I have to opportunity to return some day as I have unfinished business.

 

Before I go, just a couple more shoutouts, Deann and Christine, they always read my blogs and are great friends. To my sister Donna and Wally for always letting me know how much they enjoy the trips. To my brother, Scott, Angie and Andie. Lastly to a my nephew Greg, Mindy, Parker and Cooper, who follow my blogs the past few years.

 

Thanks again everyone and I will send out an email to all when I get home so you know I made it safely.

 

Happy Travels,

Don

 

BTS Map

Waiting for Train

Train

2 Train Lines intersect at Siam Station

Tuk Tuk's lined up

Escape Room advertisement

Bowling Center

Smallest McDonalds I have ever seen

 

My Last Day in Ubon Ratchathani and Some Video Experiments

 

Hey All,

 

Yesterday was kind of a catch up day, got laundry done, took a nap, did a little walking about the area of the guesthouse. One of those days you need every now and then. It felt good as I was worn down a bit and my knee has been bothering me since that fall in the Bolaven Plateau. After breakfast I did a little video editing and thought you might enjoy some of my hard work.

 

I did have a little issue called getting low on local currency. Went to an ATM the previous night but I was having issues as there was no English on the screen. Seems I made things worse by guessing and next thing you know it spit my card out with no cash. I decided after lunch yesterday I would go to the Central Plaza, which is the big Mall chain in Thailand. They usually have a whole area with many banks and ATM's. Took the cab over for 60 baht and its a really nice place, with movie theatres, restaurants, shops, and a western style grocery store that the expats use for things not sold in Thai stores. I went to another ATM and my card is now blocked thanks to my screw up last night. I was prepared and brought $200 to change into baht, which should last me the rest of the trip. I went into one of the banks and they asked for my passport....... crap, I left my passport at the hotel and absolutely knew I would need it to exchange cash. I had just enough money to get a quick bite to eat and pay for a cab back to the hotel. The owner told me how to walk to another bank not too far from the hotel. Passport in hand, made the trip. Went in and got in line, and when I was at the counter I handed the two hundred dollar bills and my passport to the lady. She photocopied the passport, made photocopies of the 2 bills and made me sign and date each. Had to give my phone number (even though its not with me, but did not tell them that), and write down where I was staying with their address and phone, thank goodness I had a business cared with me, I pretty much had to do everything but pee in a cup to get my money changed to baht. Finally, cash in hand, I left. Hopefully I will not need to use an ATM before I get home, but don't think I will, as I usually take enough cash to last me the trip.

 

While I was walking to the bank, I made a few mental notes to talk about. One interesting thing is that Buddhist countries follow the Buddhist calendar, so the year in Thailand is 2558. I have seen that date on several things and was going to mention it. Anything official, govt wise they use the normal western calendar to keep any issues at bay, but in day to day life and birth certificates and such, they follow the Buddhist Calendar.

 

The other thing I noticed was there were no Western companies in Laos, except one, I saw a Swensons Ice Cream Shop in Vientiane, but that was it. No McD's, no Starbucks at all. Now, Thailand is a different story as in the mall alone there was Starbucks, Dairy Queen, Mc D's, Aunt Annies Pretzels and many more. One interesting thing about Thailand is that there are companies here that you no longer see in the US, like 7-11, they are on every corner here. I also saw a Sizzler in the mall and they are HUGE in Asia, but rarely see them any more in the US.

 

This morning after breakfast I took a walk to this beautiful temple near the hotel, as I wandered the grounds I came to a pavilion where there was the usual statue of Buddha and some locals kneeling, praying, and the air was filled with the smoke of hundreds of burning incense. I entered but stayed back as to not disturb those praying. This older monk entered and set a mat down in front of the Buddha, and a microphone was brought to him. Soon more monks arrived the they sat down on mats to the side. I eased back to the corner, and 2 monks came over and pointed for me to sit down next to them. I did but it was not pretty as I was afraid I would not be able to get back up. A minute later the older monk started chanting into the microphone and you could here it echo across the temple grounds. The other monks started chanting too and it was quite peaceful and beautiful. I closed my eyes and just went with it. I don't know why but I started thinking about what the world would be like if we all had religious tolerance, where we did not kill because someone does not worship the same God we do. A world where Mosks, Temples, Synigogs, Churches were all in the same town, and no one judged you on which one you attended. Where did we go wrong?

After about 20 minutes my feet were starting to go to sleep. I managed to get to my feet and quietly exited. I understand this can last for 3 hours with some of it quiet meditation. It was quite an incredible  experience. Before I left I said a prayer for these people, that they can live and worship in peace, as everyone should. Sorry, had to get the soap box out again.

 

Next time we chat I will be in Bangkok, the city I love to hate. Hope you enjoy the videos.

 

Happy Travels,

Don

 

#1 Almsgiving video from Pakse.

 

 

#2 The Lao party boat in Nong Khai. You have to admit its the worst Karaoke ever, and does not seem that loud, but it was.

 

#3 Waterfalls in Bolaven Plateau with Bamboo Bridge

 

#4 Waterfall in 4000 Islands

 

 

Just a few other pics:

 

Central Plaza Mall

 

Outside of gueshouse

Buddha Statue where monks chanted

 

 

 



Border Crossing and a day in Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand

Hey All,

Well, back in Thailand once again. Once again Laos did not disappoint, its just a really beautiful, amazing place. I promise myself I will return again to finish my unfinished business there. That always seems to be the recurring theme wherever I go doesn't it?

After getting the blog out yesterday, I had one last lunch at that really good Vietnamese Restaurant, then took a stroll down to the market area killing time until my 2:30 pickup for the bus. While talking to the hotel at checkout, they informed me that the bus ticket I bought from the agent includes a tuk tuk ride to the bus station. They called and the man informed them it would be at 2:30. The $10 ticket gets even better. At the appointed time I am sitting in front of the hotel and waiting, finally at 2:45 the tuk tuk pulls up. Now my bus leaves at 3 and once again the ANAL part of me wants to be there early, and I have to keep constantly reminding myself that you are on Asia time and they go at their own pace. I load in the tuk tuk and take a deep breath reminding myself things always work out. We arrived at the station at 3:10, after he picked up a couple of fares and dropped them off, much to my anxiety, (deep breath - it will all work out). He walks me to the ticket counter where I hand my ticket and issued a new one, then he walks me to the bus. See, worry for nothing. I give him a tip for walking me through the process.

VIP Bus

The bus is nice, the VIP variety and its my 2nd best bus experience ever. No loud Thai dramas or Karaoke (sorry Beth) on the TV at deafening levels. The seats are comfy and the air plentiful. It leaves at 3:25, only half full, and that usually means 20 stops along the way and putting people in the aisle, but not this VIP bus, it was no stops, and 2 seats to myself. SWEET!

Grilling Chickens at the Bus Station, notice the chickens feet at the top left

We rode for about an hour, and there were 2 20ish something girls on the bus by me, one from Wisconsin and the other Australian. They were catching up on travels and future destinations. Both seem to be on a multi month trip alone. Soon we arrive at the Border and we unload the bus and head to the sign marked immigration. There are several windows as usual. When you enter the country you fill out an entry form and its attached to an exit form. When you enter they tear that part off and leave the exit part for this time. Only I never filled it out, so I had to sit there as everyone moved on and filled it out (lesson learned). I handed it and my passport and was given a pink piece of paper. I had not clue what to do, and someone pointed at another window and I handed them the pink form, they asked for 10000 kip and then you are given a blue form. I guess this is an exit fee. I hand the blue form to the first window again and get my passport back all stamped out. Now I ask the obvious, why not just give the 10000 kip with your passport and save the pink and blue receipt?

I remember seeing everyone else heading down the road on foot and I followed. Its like a no mans land with people selling crap and an actually duty free shop. I am sure a bus load of people would love to wait while I shop at the duty free. After a bit of a walk, I see a small sign up a dirt path that says "Enter Thailand", wow they don't make that very obvious. I follow the sign and you walk this narrow path and then the concrete steps to a long tunnel. There are bars down the middle and people are walking on the other side I guess leaving Thailand. Its fairly long and finally you walk up another flight of steps into a building. You are given the Thai Entry and Exit form to fill out. (I filled the exit out while I was doing this to save time later - lesson learned). From there you are pointed to several booths where you give them the forms with your Passport. They want to know your destination and take your picture. She goes to stamping everything 90 miles per hour and soon given my passport back and I am officially in Thailand.

I walk out and see the bus, and thank goodness not the last one on. I guess some of the locals on the bus went over to the food area to grab some snacks. I think from off the bus, to back on the bus was about 25 minutes, not too bad.

I think from here to Ubon Ratchathani is about 1 1/2 hours from what someone said. The road was very good, which helps. The girl from Wisconsin (cant remember her name) started asking me about my trip to Laos, and she telling me about hers. She had done the slow boat down the Mekong from the upper part of Thailand, near Chiang Rai, to Luang Prabang. Then she went to Vang Vieng and Vientiane before taking the sleeper bus to Pakse. Then she had spent about 5 days in 4000 Islands. All in all she had been in Laos for 28 days. She is on a 10 month, SE Asia backpack trip. I expressed my jealousy of her trip and she smiled and said, "Well, why don't you look at it this way, you are also doing a 12 month trip to SE Asia, 3 weeks at a time." She told me to keep a log and map of what I had done and pick up different trips at points you left off and when your time gets to 12 months, you should have done the trip. Come to think of it, I have picked up at different points, like doing North Cambodia, then coming back for the South, and this trip doing central and southern Laos, after visiting Luang Prabang 7 years ago. I think I have a project now.

Room 4 is mine

Arrived in Ubon around 7:30 and got a meter taxi to the guesthouse. I am staying at the Outside Inn, such a cool little place. It only has 10 rooms and has this nice garden area for relaxing. Its down this little side street and very nice place to stay. After being here for 24 hours, there are only a couple of guest here thanks to slow season.

I was up this am and after taking my time, I inquired about seeing a few of the really cool temples they have here in town. The owner, a guy from Indianapolis and his Thai wife, told me the best way is to just pay a taxi by the hour. They called and set me up with one and gave the guy instructions on where to take me.

Wat Thung Si Muang

First stop was Wat Thung Si Muang. This was a very old temple, and was under renovation. I meandered and took a few pictures, then noticed they were selling tiles for the roof at 99 bath each. You can write a message on it and that sounded cool. I wrote my name with Arizona, USA, and the names of my grandkids. They are now on a temple in Thailand.

Still unfinished new part of Wat Sa Prasansuk

Existing part of the temple with the Ceramic Men Paddling the Boat. Notice the large Rooster at the front.

Next stop was really cool, Wat Sa Prasansuk. It has a temple built like a large boat with these huge ceramic guys with paddles. They are also building another boat like temple on the grounds in actual water, but its not finished yet. There is also a large Buddha statue that they are also working on. It will be amazing when finished.

Wat Nong Bua

Last temple of another just incredible place called Wat Nong Bua. This place is amazing, and had the most beautiful Buddha statues in the main temple. It was here a monk, motioned me over and gave me a blessing by chanting and flinging water at me with a small brush. It was kinds cool. Spent a while here meandering through all the different buildings.

From here the driver took me to the Moon River area that is popular with locals for eating. He dropped me at a place where there is no english menu and nobody spoke English. I got them to understand fish and Tom Yum Soup. She smiled and nodded and soon this large tray of food arrived. There was a huge whole fish, this pot of bubbling liquid with a fire underneath and this green papaya salad I have seen before. It was quite a spread to say the least. The Ton Yum soup was to DIE FOR, even though it was loaded with peppers and before the meal was over my lips were numb from the heat but it was a good heat. The fish had been baked or broiled with Soy Sauce and Ginger from what I could taste and it to was so amazingly good. You just peeled the flesh off and leave to bone, then when you finished one side, you pulled the middle skeleton out and worked on the other side. It was good with rice and then dipped in the soup was good too. It was one of the best, truly authentic Thai meals I have ever had. When done the only thing left of the fish was a head and bones.

Broiled Fish

Tom Yum Soup

Went back to the guesthouse about 2 and laid down for a bit as the heat was killer again today. Tonight I am going to a restaurant that was recommended some time back and see what that is like. Last night on arrival, they have fantastic Mexican food here at the guesthouse. I guess  its noted for that as people not even staying here were eating the Mexican food. I must admit it was really good and the owner took that as a compliment from someone from Arizona.

I think tomorrow will be a chill day, have a few plans but nothing of note. I have to say I am really exhausted from all the travel and go go go. I need a chill day. I will see how it goes.

Happy Travels,
Don

Wax Monk

This is the Temple where I bought the roof tile

Monk taking a nap

New Buddha Statue



One of the many colorful murals in the temple

After blessing these children the monk called me over and blessed me, and I need it

The carcass of my meal

Scene from my table of the Moon River

Thai Tuk Tuk

My Day Trip to the 4,000 Islands in Southern Laos

Hey All,

 

Well, pretty much had another WOW day yesterday. This area of Laos is just blowing me away with the incredible scenery and daily life. I could easily come back and spend another week in this area. I am regretting not asking for another 5 days of vacation.

 

I tried to get the blog out last night, but was so exhausted after a long day. The past few days the heat and humidity have been BRUTAL. I think I have lost 10 lbs in sweat. You really do have to pace yourself and allow for a sit down in a shady spot or you will not make it. I travel with these tablets that you add to a bottle of water, the are full of electrolytes and turns your water into gatoraide. Those have been a life saver I think, as they really do make a difference.

Highway to Southern Laos

 

 Yesterday I went to an area in the very southern part of Laos known as Si Phan Don, or the 4,000 Islands. Its just north of the Cambodian Borders by a few Km's. Saturday afternoon after returning from the Bolaven Plateau, I talked to the nice people at the desk and inquired about a car to drive me down there Sunday. Its a good 2 hour drive in a car, and since I had already gone an extra day to the Plateau, I decided to try to do this in 1 day. It would have been brutal on a bike, and throw in the heat. They easily set me up with a car and English speaking driver and he was set to pick me up at 8 am.

 

The drive down was once again very scenic, with little villages, lots of rice fields. They are just starting to harvest the rice now that the rainy season seems to be over. Speaking of that, this is my 4th trip during this time of year and every time the rainy season stops while I am here. Its so funny how its like the skies just turns the handle and it stops. All that rain I was experiencing early in the trip is gone and they say it will not rain again for many months. It will be interesting to see if that holds up as I move back into Thailand.

Rice fields about ready for harvest - excuse my finger in the picture again

 

Back to the trip, the driver was great and would stop for me when I asked, a couple of times to inquire about things they were selling on the side of the road. At one place they were selling lotus fruit which I have never seen before. It was interesting as you peeled these little round seeds out of the plant, then had to peel the skin off the seed, it had a sweet flavor, very nice. Also stopped to get a bamboo stick filled with sticky rice and coconut milk. Its filled, then put next to a fire to cook, then you peel the bamboo back and eat the cooked rice in the middle. Its very delicious, lightly sweet and you may remember me getting this in Cambodia. Along the way I was getting a chuckle with some houses and businesses that had these wild paint colors. One was very lime green, another was neon orange and my fave was a couple of buildings in Pepto Pink, one being a hotel. I guess someone was running a sale on outrageous paint colors they could not sell.

Lotus Fruit

Boat Trip Down the Mekong through 4000 Islands

 

 After a bit over 2 hours we arrived in a small village and drove to a boat dock. From here we took a long tail boat for about 40 minutes down the Mekong River. This is where I was glad to have to driver go with me, as I would have been lost by this point. I can see why they call it the 4000 Islands now, as they are everywhere, mostly very small, but there none the less. We got to an area where the shore was lined with small bungalows, restaurants and such on the waters edge, and even over hanging the water. I asked and he stated it was Don Det island, one of the few larger ones. This was for many years a hidden backpacker paradise where people would spend weeks on end drinking at night and sleeping in a hammock by day. Our stop was at Don Khone which is the next island over. We stopped at a dock, where I almost fell in the water getting out of the boat, I am such a dufus. When we got off, we walked to the dirt path they use for a street and here you could get a bicycle, but not in this heat for me, so we got a sidecar tuk tuk. He transported us to an area on the far side of the island and I could hear a waterfall as we got out of the sidecar. You had to pay 35000 Kip as a foreigner to enter and the ticket stated it was the Don Khone Somphamit Waterfall Park. You walked over a few wooden bridges and down this bamboo covered path to this real rocky area where the falls were. WOW, they were impressive, much more than any from the other day in my book. I meandered about, climbing on the sharp rocks as best I could to get a nice view. They ought to build some kind of wooden platform to make it easier. At one point I slipped and fell on the rocks, and got a nice raspberry just below my knee. Thank goodness I did not break anything, and thank you nobody else was there to witness it - lol. After viewing a bit we walked back to the tuk tuk and made our way back to the village area. It was full of guesthouses and small restaurants. What a cool place to spend a few days relaxing. It was about noon by this time so we decided to eat at one of the places along the river.

Don Khone Somphamit Waterfall

 

 Right next to us was the old Rail Bridge I had read about. It was built in 1905 by the French who also built a 6 km rail line across 2 islands. The bridge actually connects the islands of Don Det with Don Khone. At the turn of the century the French were taking lumber and other supplies out of Laos and shipping it down the Mekong, but the falls was impassable by boat, so they would unload the goods at a dock, load them onto a train for the 6 km trip to bypass the falls to another boat at the other end. Seems like a lot of work to me - lol. But today, the bridge is still here and used to get from island to island.

French Rail Bridge

Don Det is considered the low cost island area to stay, with really cheap guesthouses and bungalows, while Don Khone has some nicer bungalows with a/c and such. Either was its still all very cheap. Close by was a really old run down building the driver told me was the old French Customs House. I had Chicken with ginger and rice for lunch and it was really good. I managed to find a fan to sit under and it made it all the better.

Chicken with Ginger and Rice

 

 After lunch we went back to the boat, rode along the river some more, then went back to the car. We drove a bit further and made another cutoff to another small village area. At the end was this building with road blocks and you had to pay again to enter. The ticket here was 55000 kip and the ticket said it was for the Khonephapheng Waterfall Park. You walked up to a lady to buy the ticket, then walked 4 feet to another lady who looked at it, punched a hole in it and then tore a stub off. Why they could  not do this 4 feet away with the same person is beyond me, as I was the only person in sight. You walked by a Temple and I took off my shoes to see what it was about, and inside this huge glass case was a tree with stump. People were leaving offerings and such to this so I had to find out what this was about. My driver said it was considered a sacred tree that was in the river but died, so they removed it and built a temple so people could worship the tree. Interesting.

Tree in Glass at Temple

 

 After passing the temple you board an electric cart for the drive to the waterfall. The driver said it was the Niagara of Asia, and while impressive it was no Niagara. Spent a while here and walked around the park for a nice stroll in the shade.

Khonephapheng Waterfall

 

 By this time it was past 3 so we started to head back to Pakse. It was a great trip and like I said the waterfalls, the islands, the scenery, the boat trip was all so amazing. I would like to come back here some day and spend a few days on the islands as there is a lot to see I did not have time for.

 

When we got back to the hotel, I walked down to the main street to a travel agent and bought a VIP bus ticket for Ubon Ratchathani, Thailand for the next day. They had an 8 am and 3 pm, so I chose the 3 pm to give me some free time this AM. Using most of it to for the blog as I was much to exhausted to do last night. Its about a 3 hour trip I think with about a half hour stop at the border to go through the immigration process again in reverse. I splurged and got the $10 VIP bus for the nice comfy seats.

 

I would not have minded spending another day here in Pakse, but I also got an email from a couple of friends who will be in Bangkok at the end of the week. About 7 years ago, when I was in Siem Reap, Cambodia, visiting Angkor, I was met a couple from Kuala Lumpur. He is Australian and she is Malaysian, and we had dinner a few times and discussed travels. They convince me to make a future trip to Southern Cambodia which I did a few years later. We have been email friends since then and they follow my blog. Turns out they are in Bangkok for a week and wanted me to spend Friday with them seeing a few hidden non-touristy places I have not seen. I had originally planed on flying to Bangkok on Friday night for my Saturday flight home, but I guess I will go Thursday night now. I want 2 full days in Ubon Ratchathani so needed to leave today to make that happen. Its good to keep your schedule flexible.

 

Well, I have to get packed and check out by noon, so need to get busy.

 

Happy Travels,

Don

Water Buffalo Crossing Road

Boat Dock

Bungalows lining river bank

Road in Don Khone

Wooden Bridge to Falls

Another bad selfie

Tuk Tuk with side car

Water Buffalo swimming in the Mekong

Snack of Ice Coffee and Fried Bananas with coconut

Another shot of the Falls

 

One of the colorful houses on the trip

Cooking the Bamboo with Sticky Rice