World Travel: Every Step on Earth

Uyuni Salt Flats Sunrise

uyenangel — Sat, 27 Sep 2014 22:00:00 GMT

It's early morning in Uyuni Salt Flats, Bolivia. In the area, the salt water is still not dry, this is where we came to catch the sunrise. We rented a truck and started at 4am from Uyuni town to the Salt Flats to catch the sunrise on time. It's was minus 10 degree when we got there. But it's worth! The color of the sunrise was too beautiful and unforgettable.

Vote for my photo here on National Geo. Contest:

http://photography.nationalgeographic.com/photography/photo-contest/2014/entries/285496/view/

Thank you so much!

CHILDHOOD: PRICELESS

uyenangel — Fri, 9 May 2014 12:53:00 GMT

On street market in Lima, Peru, you can see the kids are playing those (i called it’s a worldwide tradition game) games; I was just standing there to watch them. Happily. I can see my childhood in them. I used to play this game so well and forgot my lunch time :)
Whoever has a beautiful childhood, that’s priceless!

SNAIL CREAM SELL ON LIMA STREET

uyenangel — Fri, 9 May 2014 09:45:00 GMT

On the busy street market in Lima, Peru, the man is selling his snail cream product by setting up the real snails and fresh salad around to prove that this product is made from real snail extract. But look, how big the snail is :)

Shoe Polish Booth in LIMA, PERU (EN-VIETNAMESE)

uyenangel — Wed, 7 May 2014 16:04:00 GMT

(Please scroll down for Vietnamese version)

The image of a man who is dimly shining shoes for customers in the booth is a popular image on the extremely crowded streets in Lima, Peru. The customers will always wear a nice suit and silently sitting on a chair waiting for their shoes going to be shine. Sometimes they read newspapers, sometimes they text messages on phone while the “shoe man” is polishing their shoes.

The Peruvian always has a happy smile even though their life is still difficult. You always see the couples affectionately kissing each others on the street , a couple selling bonsai, siting next to each other, exchange a kiss; another couple hug each other in a restaurant while waiting for food, the family playing in the park, …

Lima is the largest city with a population of over 11 million people , their daily transportation is mainly buses , taxis and private cars; and walking; so you can see a huge amount of people walking on the street at the same time. The sidewalks are very large in Lima , you always have to pay attention other wise people will jump on you. Walking speed of Peru poeple is really admirable , they walk so fast so that you cannot follow. They just wait for the red light , even there is no red light yet, they already jump into the street. Cars, also, so rushing and sometimes they run when the green lights are still on. That’s why everyone in the hostel will tell you that you need to walk carefully. Lima is also the city of young generation, young people are out on the streets and extremely dynamic.

Another point, I am surprised about the high cost of living in Lima. Food prices here can compare with the U.S. price . 1USD equals to 2.6 Soles and 1 medium cup of Starbucks coffee cost 13 Soles, equivalent to $5 . This price was slightly higher than in the United States. A casual cafe, a glass of Capuchino is 6 Soles , equivalent to $ 2.5 . A temporary meal is $ 7 Soles , equivalent to $ 3, almost the same prices in the United States. A Peking Duck in China Town cost $36, the tour guide explained Ducks here are expensive! It’s incredible.

PS: The price to get your shoe shinned is not less than 4.5 Soles).

—–

Đánh giày trong dòng người tấp nập ở Lima, Peru.

Hình ảnh người đàn ông lọ mọ đánh giày cho khách trong một cái booth là hình ảnh phổ biến trên những con phố cực kỳ đông đúc ở Lima, Peru. Những vị khách sẽ luôn mặc vét cẩn thận và ngồi trên ghế đánh giày một cách nghiêm túc. Có khi họ đọc báo, có khi họ lấy điện thoại nhắn tin trong khi người đánh giày làm công việc của mình. Người Peru luôn hạnh phúc cười nói cho dù cuộc sống còn nhiều khó khăn. bạn luôn thấy những cặp trai gái âu yếu nhau trên phố, một đôi bán hàng bonsai dạo trên phố vừa ngồi bán vừa ôm nhau, một đôi ôm hôn nhau trong nhà hàng trong lúc chờ món ăn, những gia đình chơi ở công viên,…

Lima là thành phố lớn với dân số hơn 11 triệu người, phương tiện đi lại chủ yếu là xe bus, taxi và xe cá nhân nên lượng người đi bộ trên hè phố là rất lớn. Hè phố ở Lima rất rộng, bạn luôn phải để ý để không bị người khác va vào người. Tốc độ đi bộ của người Peru cũng thật đáng nể, họ đi nhanh như con thoi, chỉ chờ cho đèn đỏ, thậm chí là chưa có đèn đỏ họ đã trực lao ra đường. Xe cũng vậy, phóng nhanh như vũ bão và nhiều khi phóng luôn khi còn đèn xanh. Thế cho nên ai cũng dặn bạn phải đi đường thật cẩn thận. Lima cũng là thành phố có dân số trẻ, thanh niên tràn ngập đường phố và vô cùng năng động.

Một điểm khác, tôi rất ngạc nhiên khi chi phí ở Lima quá cao so với thu nhập. Giá thực phẩm gần ngang ngửa với giá ở Mỹ. 1usd đổi chỉ được 2.6 Soles và 1 ly cà phê Starbucks loại Medium giá 13 Soles, tương đương 5$. Giá này còn cao hơn ở Mỹ chút đỉnh. Một quán cafe bình thường, giá một ly Capuchino là 6 Soles, tương đương 2.5$. Một bữa ăn tạm được giá 7 Soles, tương đương 3$, ngấp nghé giá ở Mỹ. Một con vịt quay Bắc Kinh ở phố China Town có giá 36$ Mỹ, anh tour guide giải thích Vịt ở đây rất mắc! Thật đáng kinh ngạc.

PS: Một đôi giày được đánh bóng giá không dưới 4.5 Soles

Photos: Lima, Peru

uyenangel — Wed, 7 May 2014 15:55:00 GMT

Visa to Bolivia

uyenangel — Fri, 2 May 2014 16:45:00 GMT

HOW TO GET BOLIVIA VISA WHEN YOU ARE ABOARD

It’s not hard to get Bolivia visa even though you are not applying for Bolivian visa in your country.
I applied the visa when I’m here in Los Angeles. If you plan to travel to South America, Los Angeles is the best place for visas, because you can finds all of South America consulates in Wilshire blvd and they are pretty much closed to each other.
For Bolivia visa, here is what you need:

1. Passport (valid at least 6 months)
2. One photo (2×2)
3. Hotel and ticket bookings (just a confirmation of booking is ok); if you enter Bolivia from other country, show them ticket you leave the US
4. Your bank statement
5. No fee (check if u have to pay depending what passport u r holding, but as I checked, mostly you don’t have to pay)
Notes:
6. 5 working days processing, but you can have the visa earlier, just call them and check before 1 day. I applied on Monday afternoon and got it on Thursday morning.
7. They will give you 30 days for traveling purpose.

Cheers.

Tips before you visit Bagan, Myanmar

uyenangel — Tue, 29 Apr 2014 13:35:00 GMT

TIPS BEFORE YOU VISIT BAGAN, MYANMAR

Tips before you visit Bagan, Myanmar.
I had 4 days and 3 nights in Bagan and here are some tips for you.

1. From Yangon to Bagan, take JJ Express bus (18$, 10 hour drive); starts at 8pm and arrives around 6am. Taxi to the bus station around 8$ (pick up van from JJ express comes too early and if u don’t mind about waiting time in bus station which is a lot of dust, just ask for the pick up, van comes around 4pm).
2. If u have a tight schedule, takes Air bagan.
3. Bagan has 2 areas: old bagan and new bagan. New bagan has lot of resorts, but we choose old bagan because it’s close to the local restaurants, and it’s cheaper
4. Prepare a long pant or skirt to go inside the temples.
5. Ask for a map in the hotel
6. Rent a electric bike around 7$/day (outside the hotels please because the rent fee in the hotel is double)

7. Experience a horse cart, costs around 18$/day/2 persons

8. Try local food near the river sides
9. Climb to some tall temples to watch the sunset (around 5pm)

10. Choose a restaurant with traditional music and dances.
Have fun!

APA Los Angeles Photography Night

uyenangel — Mon, 28 Apr 2014 19:40:00 GMT

APA LOS ANGELES PHOTOGRAPHY NIGHT

I had a good time with friends attending the APA collection of photography from Los Angeles photographers.
The chosen photographers will get to book with their photo and other APA members’ photos.
If you are a freelance or new photographer and want to have a great profile for your career. You should apply for APA membership and upload your photos. You have to pay at least 40$/year for membership.
I have just learned that and I will start my membership soon.
Let check it out.

Amazing exhibition: 125 Years of National Geographic

uyenangel — Sun, 27 Apr 2014 09:19:00 GMT

I had a chance to attended the great exhibition of National Geographic ‘The Power of Photography’ to celebrate 125 years of their magazine in Los Angeles.

I came to the exhibition on the day that they showed a documentary film about the chosen photographers, the greatest among their amazing photographers around the world.
The exhibition presented their wonderful and touching prints from early 1900s to now. The stories behinds the photos are breathless and incredible. I was almost cried while watching the film about their photographers with great passion and I appreciated their responsibility for works.

I hope I can join some more National Geographic shows in the future! I am so grateful.

Visa to Brazil for World Cup

uyenangel — Sat, 26 Apr 2014 18:45:00 GMT

I got Brazil visa today. I’m holding Vietnam passport and apply Brazil travel visa in Los Angeles. Here is what you need if you hold other country passport and apply Brazil visa in the US:

1. Passport (valid at least 6 months)
2. One (1) 2*2 photo
3. Valid US visa (legal status in US)
4. Hotel booking in Brazil
5. Flight Ticket to Brazil (if you enter Brazil from other country outside US, you have to show the ticket you leave US, in my case, I will enter Brazil from Peru, I have to show them my ticket from US to Peru and ticket from Peru to Brazil, and ticket booking to leave Brazil)
6. Fulfill the application online, do Appointment and Print the barcode
7. Payment: only accept money order (check how much you have to pay online due to which passport you are holding)

Notes:
1. You don’t need to show bank statement since you’re in US.
2. You cannot walk in the consulate without doing application and appointment online
3. For travel visa, You will have 90 days visa and in one year, you only can stay 180 days.

UNDERWEAR FOR LONG TRAVEL

uyenangel — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:34:00 GMT

My tips to choose underwear for a long backpack trip:
1. No push-up bra
2. Comfortable and easy to hand-wash material
3. No frame for bra
4. Soft and easy to dry
5. Bikini style underwear makes you feel comfy and fresh
6. Soft and body fit lingerie-style bras are the good choice, that way you can have all ‘action’ and No need to worry about ‘controlling it’
7. Colorful underwear! It will brighten your backpack and how much ‘feminist’ you feel you are
8. Standard shapes (never bring thongs)
9. At least 3 bras and 5 underwear items so u can do hand wash
10. All are different colors and easy to mix – match items :)

Cheers.

WORLD TRAVEL: MUCH LEFT TO DO

uyenangel — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 05:23:00 GMT

Today I started to pack for my world trip. Too many thoughts came out my mind.

1. Such a long time to wait for Brazilian visa (20 business days of processing due to world cup 2014); I have to wait 15 days more.

2. My first flight will be LAX-Lima, Peru; from the Lima airport, I asked around, they said only convenient way to go from Airport to hostel is by taxi, cost around 20$. It will be a long flight, but it’s ok, I’m familar with that kind of long hour flights.

3. I got some acceptances of couch-surf hosting in Lima, Peru. I have to take a look of all that by tonight.

4. I have some videos left to edit before I go. That’s kind of headache.

5. I need to buy more lenses but still looking into it. Budget is the matter.

6. Have to buy Go Pro Hero +3 within this weekend.

7. Still considering which Insurance company will I go with. That’s hard. Budget and safety.

8. I need to buy some more stuffs: Most important thing: a eye-sprayer to keep me safe

9. I have to think of skin protection. I noticed my skin was dead dry after Hawaii trip.

10. Need a farewell party before I go.

Wish my luck.

Photos: US

uyenangel — Thu, 24 Apr 2014 04:57:00 GMT

Photos: Bagan

uyenangel — Thu, 5 Dec 2013 19:00:00 GMT