Lance,

<< lol..   Remind me to send you some "Da Bomb, nuclear fission"...    That
will wake up your taste buds. >>

Is this something like Frank's Red Hot ?

<< I'm not a hot head, but enjoy heat when it makes the dish and I can still
taste everything. >>

Exactly.

<< On a different note....  Have you read Bordain's newest book?  It's a
bunch of excerpts from other stories and such.  Really interesting and
funny.   He mentioned in the end of the book with "notes" on those stories
from today's perspective, looking back and he mentioned, lol, not picking on
the "ewok" so much anymore, since he's paid his dues....    But love his
ranting on the "raw" movement spearheaded by Woody Harrelson.  Funny stuff.
>>

Cool, I'll have to see if they have it at the library.  We usually prefer to
get stuff from the library since buying books resulted in too many boxes in
the attic.

--
Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com

Hi Lance,

> Another Bourdain junkie???  woo hoo.

Make that 3

And I have tried baby diaper fruit too .. actually if you can get past the
dead carcas smell, the taste isn't too bad. Note to others .. throughout
South East Asia, there are "Ghost Buster" signs containing an image of the
durian fruit .. this stuff smell so bad that it is not allowed to be taken
into hotel rooms and other public places!

--
Best regards

Steve

"Lance Rasmussen" <lance at lance.ws> wrote in message
news:E2877AB6-EC6E-4E94-834F-4BD2E84AC8DD@news.elevatesoft.com...
> Another Bourdain junkie???  woo hoo.
>
> I completely agree, although my experimentation level of food is not quite
> as
> brave as his...  and I've tried durian ( The fruit formerly known as baby
> diapers)
>
> Lance
>
>
> "Tim Young [Elevate Software]" <timyoung@elevatesoft.com> wrote in message
> news:1141B4BA-9E75-48A6-800D-D287ACDEC9F6@news.elevatesoft.com...
>> Steve,
>>
>> << I have been noticeably absent from the NG for a while. Work has been
>> hectic after a company takeover, and I have been frantically preparing
>> for a long-planned holiday in Vietnam. Anyway the day has finally arrived
>> and I set of tonight. I have 5 weeks of sightseeing, trekking, eating and
>> drinking to look forward to. I'll check-in on my return. >>
>>
>> Wow, I'm jealous.  Ever since I saw an Anthony Bourdain (chef) show
>> where he sampled the cuisine of Vietnam, I've wanted to go there.
>> Singapore is another place that I'd love to visit.
>>
>> Have a good time !
>>
>> --
>> Tim Young
>> Elevate Software
>> www.elevatesoft.com
>>
>

Hi Jan,

>5 WEEKS! Must be nice!
>
> I hope you have a great time.

First holiday for a couple of years .. and thanks, I had an awesome
time!

--
Best regards

Steve

"J. B. Ferguson" <jbNOSPAMfergusonATgmailDOTcom> wrote in message
news:C8CFC304-D91E-4091-B627-D6B911121866@news.elevatesoft.com...
>5 WEEKS! Must be nice!
>
> I hope you have a great time.
>
> --
> Regards,
> Jan Ferguson

Hi Adam,

> Well - sounds like this holiday is well deserved! Hope you have a great
> time Steve, take it easy, and try to stay out of trouble.

Returned on Wednesday, and am still trying to settle into real life again. I
have never packed so much adventure into such a short time. Holiday was
unbelievable.

--
Best regards

Steve

"Adam H." <ahairsub4@rREMOVEMEspamSTOPPER.jvxp.com> wrote in message
news:4F069562-9368-4019-8B21-E91071A6484D@news.elevatesoft.com...
> Hi Steve,
>
>> I have been noticeably absent from the NG for a while.
>
> Yes - I've noticed that... I hope you have a good reason!  
>
>> Work has been hectic after a company takeover, and I have been
>> frantically preparing for a long-planned holiday in Vietnam. Anyway the
>> day has finally arrived and I set of tonight. I have 5 weeks of
>> sightseeing, trekking, eating and drinking to look forward to. I'll
>> check-in on my return.
>
> Well - sounds like this holiday is well deserved! Hope you have a great
> time Steve, take it easy, and try to stay out of trouble.
>
> Cheers
>
> Adam.
>
>

Hi Tim,

> Wow, I'm jealous.  Ever since I saw an Anthony Bourdain (chef) show
> where he sampled the cuisine of Vietnam, I've wanted to go there.
> Singapore is another place that I'd love to visit.

We never miss an episode ... Bourdain helps us decide where to go to next.
Another show we watch is is Bobby Chin's Cafe Asia (a similar Asian
based travel/food show on cable). Bobby has a restaurant in Hanoi, so of
course we had to go there .. the food was amongst the best I have ever
eaten, and Bobby sat with us talking for about 15 minutes. Same as on TV,
but a *really* nice guy. Gave us a signed menu and his/hers aprons The cost
of that one meal would have fed a small army at the Hanoi street stalls, but
it was worth every cent.

Vietnam was an amazing experience. The people are the friendliest I have
encountered on my travels, .. I felt totally safe at all times regardless of
where we were and the time of day. I wasn't really prepared for the number
of people who spoke English, it was generally possible to make yourself
understood (resorting to hand signals on occasions)

We travelled from the very south (Mekong Delta) to the far north (Sapa ..
40km from China), using public transport, trains, buses, and on the back of
motor bikes. We dodged the typhoon that hit the country by swapping two legs
of our trip, and returned to Ha Long Bay to glass flat water and beautiful
sunshine. This place is World Heritage listed and has to be see to be
believed, the travel brochure don't do it justice. Also did a 3 day trek in
Sapa (3000 meters above sea level) in pouring rain, and spent a night in a
minority tribe homestay which was perhaps the highlight of the trip
(included getting drunk with the husband and wife on home made rice wine).

Food was great and very cheap (about $US8 for two including a couple of
bottles of beer each) .. and the beer was good too (and about $US0.80 /
bottle)

Another highlight was the Vietnamese coffee, .. get your hands on the Moca
style if you can. It has a chocolatey smell and after-taste, and is not
bitter regardless of how strong you make it (and they like it *strong*) A
cup of coffee was about $US0.40 / cup.

I'll chuck a few small photos up into binaries when I have a chance to sort
them out.

> Singapore is another place that I'd love to visit.

The food is great there, but is is just another big city .. immaculately
clean, .. but not my favourite place in SE Asia. I'd go to Kuala Lumpur or
Penang in Malaysia in preference.

--
Best regards

Steve

"Tim Young [Elevate Software]" <timyoung@elevatesoft.com> wrote in message
news:1141B4BA-9E75-48A6-800D-D287ACDEC9F6@news.elevatesoft.com...
> Steve,
>
> << I have been noticeably absent from the NG for a while. Work has been
> hectic after a company takeover, and I have been frantically preparing for
> a long-planned holiday in Vietnam. Anyway the day has finally arrived and
> I set of tonight. I have 5 weeks of sightseeing, trekking, eating and
> drinking to look forward to. I'll check-in on my return. >>
>
> Wow, I'm jealous.  Ever since I saw an Anthony Bourdain (chef) show
> where he sampled the cuisine of Vietnam, I've wanted to go there.
> Singapore is another place that I'd love to visit.
>
> Have a good time !
>
> --
> Tim Young
> Elevate Software
> www.elevatesoft.com
>

Steve,

<< We never miss an episode ... Bourdain helps us decide where to go to
next. >>

I can imagine - he makes every place he visits seem pretty cool.

<< Another show we watch is is Bobby Chin's Cafe Asia (a similar Asian based
travel/food show on cable). Bobby has a restaurant in Hanoi, so of  course
we had to go there .. the food was amongst the best I have ever eaten, and
Bobby sat with us talking for about 15 minutes. Same as on TV, but a
*really* nice guy. Gave us a signed menu and his/hers aprons The cost of
that one meal would have fed a small army at the Hanoi street stalls, but it
was worth every cent. >>

Sometimes you have to splurge a little when it comes to a nice meal.  It's
one of the great joys in life, at least to me.

<< Vietnam was an amazing experience. The people are the friendliest I have
encountered on my travels, .. I felt totally safe at all times regardless of
where we were and the time of day. I wasn't really prepared for the number
of people who spoke English, it was generally possible to make yourself
understood (resorting to hand signals on occasions) >>

Yes, we English-speaking residents of this world got off easy with everyone
knowing how to speak at least a little English.

<< We travelled from the very south (Mekong Delta) to the far north (Sapa ..
40km from China), using public transport, trains, buses, and on the back of
motor bikes. We dodged the typhoon that hit the country by swapping two legs
of our trip, and returned to Ha Long Bay to glass flat water and beautiful
sunshine. This place is World Heritage listed and has to be see to be
believed, the travel brochure don't do it justice. Also did a 3 day trek in
Sapa (3000 meters above sea level) in pouring rain, and spent a night in a
minority tribe homestay which was perhaps the highlight of the trip
(included getting drunk with the husband and wife on home made rice wine).
>>

Wow, I'm really jealous.  I've been doing home improvements, which really
doesn't seem to stack up to that description.

<< Food was great and very cheap (about $US8 for two including a couple of
bottles of beer each) .. and the beer was good too (and about $US0.80 /
bottle) >>

Damn, I might drink nothing but beer if it were 80 cents a bottle.

<< Another highlight was the Vietnamese coffee, .. get your hands on the
Moca style if you can. It has a chocolatey smell and after-taste, and is not
bitter regardless of how strong you make it (and they like it *strong*) A
cup of coffee was about $US0.40 / cup. >>

That's some accomplishment  - strong coffee with no bitterness.

<<  I'll chuck a few small photos up into binaries when I have a chance to
sort them out. >>

Please do, from what I've seen on TV they should be pretty fantastic.

BTW, if anyone hasn't had a chance to see Jeff Cook's beautiful place yet,
please check it out:

http://www.cookislandsoasis.com/index.html

Sam and I have it on our list of destinations after the kids are out of the
house.

--
Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com

Hi Tim,

> Wow, I'm really jealous.  I've been doing home improvements, which really
> doesn't seem to stack up to that description.

Yeah, but you'll get a better return on dollars spent though

> Damn, I might drink nothing but beer if it were 80 cents a bottle.

It was actually cheaper than water in some places!!

> BTW, if anyone hasn't had a chance to see Jeff Cook's beautiful place yet,
> please check it out:
>
> http://www.cookislandsoasis.com/index.html
>
> Sam and I have it on our list of destinations after the kids are out of
> the house.

I didn't know Jeff had done the "sea change" thing. Good on him! It looks
like a nice place. The Cook Islands are wonderful, we have clients there but
I never get to go .. just the sales and implementation people

--
Best regards

Steve
"Tim Young [Elevate Software]" <timyoung@elevatesoft.com> wrote in message
news:2BDE3B20-A3A4-4719-B3D0-9847A7F72252@news.elevatesoft.com...
> Steve,
>
> << We never miss an episode ... Bourdain helps us decide where to go to
> next. >>
>
> I can imagine - he makes every place he visits seem pretty cool.
>
> << Another show we watch is is Bobby Chin's Cafe Asia (a similar Asian
> based travel/food show on cable). Bobby has a restaurant in Hanoi, so of
> course we had to go there .. the food was amongst the best I have ever
> eaten, and Bobby sat with us talking for about 15 minutes. Same as on TV,
> but a *really* nice guy. Gave us a signed menu and his/hers aprons The
> cost of that one meal would have fed a small army at the Hanoi street
> stalls, but it was worth every cent. >>
>
> Sometimes you have to splurge a little when it comes to a nice meal.  It's
> one of the great joys in life, at least to me.
>
> << Vietnam was an amazing experience. The people are the friendliest I
> have encountered on my travels, .. I felt totally safe at all times
> regardless of where we were and the time of day. I wasn't really prepared
> for the number
> of people who spoke English, it was generally possible to make yourself
> understood (resorting to hand signals on occasions) >>
>
> Yes, we English-speaking residents of this world got off easy with
> everyone knowing how to speak at least a little English.
>
> << We travelled from the very south (Mekong Delta) to the far north (Sapa
> .. 40km from China), using public transport, trains, buses, and on the
> back of motor bikes. We dodged the typhoon that hit the country by
> swapping two legs of our trip, and returned to Ha Long Bay to glass flat
> water and beautiful sunshine. This place is World Heritage listed and has
> to be see to be believed, the travel brochure don't do it justice. Also
> did a 3 day trek in
> Sapa (3000 meters above sea level) in pouring rain, and spent a night in a
> minority tribe homestay which was perhaps the highlight of the trip
> (included getting drunk with the husband and wife on home made rice wine).
> >>
>
> Wow, I'm really jealous.  I've been doing home improvements, which really
> doesn't seem to stack up to that description.
>
> << Food was great and very cheap (about $US8 for two including a couple of
> bottles of beer each) .. and the beer was good too (and about $US0.80 /
> bottle) >>
>
> Damn, I might drink nothing but beer if it were 80 cents a bottle.
>
> << Another highlight was the Vietnamese coffee, .. get your hands on the
> Moca style if you can. It has a chocolatey smell and after-taste, and is
> not bitter regardless of how strong you make it (and they like it
> *strong*) A cup of coffee was about $US0.40 / cup. >>
>
> That's some accomplishment  - strong coffee with no bitterness.
>
> <<  I'll chuck a few small photos up into binaries when I have a chance to
> sort them out. >>
>
> Please do, from what I've seen on TV they should be pretty fantastic.
>
> BTW, if anyone hasn't had a chance to see Jeff Cook's beautiful place yet,
> please check it out:
>
> http://www.cookislandsoasis.com/index.html
>
> Sam and I have it on our list of destinations after the kids are out of
> the house.
>
> --
> Tim Young
> Elevate Software
> www.elevatesoft.com
>

Steve Forbes wrote:

> Hi Tim,

<snip>
>
> > BTW, if anyone hasn't had a chance to see Jeff Cook's beautiful
> > place yet,  please check it out:
> >
> > http://www.cookislandsoasis.com/index.html
> >
> > Sam and I have it on our list of destinations after the kids are
> > out of  the house.
>
> I didn't know Jeff had done the "sea change" thing. Good on him! It
> looks like a nice place. The Cook Islands are wonderful, we have
> clients there but I never get to go .. just the sales and
> implementation people

Kia Orana

Yes, its a great place to live and to holiday.  We are very lucky to be
here.  I'm still tied to the computer 4.5 days a week doing my old job
in New Zealand ... but just 6-8 hour days and I'm sneakily weaning it
down!  The hotel business keeps us busy too, but not too busy.  We
getting used to the "Island Time" concept ... Plenty of time for
swimming, biking, running, snorkelling, walking and just enjoying the
place.

We'd really welcome anyone from the Elevate community and promise not
to speak about computers unless spoken too!

Kia Manuia

Jeff

--
Jeff Cook
Aspect Systems Ltd
www.aspect.co.nz
+
Joan and Jeff Cook
The Cooks Oasis
www.cookislandsoasis.com

Hi Jeff,

I hope your new venture is a great success, it will certainly be a very
pleasant workplace

If I ever get over that way, I will make sure I stay at The Cooks Oasis

--
Best regards

Steve

"Jeff Cook" <jeffc@aspect.co.nz> wrote in message
news:6EBFB159-D39A-446D-BAA2-E70FADBC8CD2@news.elevatesoft.com...

Steve,

<< I hope your new venture is a great success, it will certainly be a very
pleasant workplace >>

I'm waiting until the right time when I can convice Jeff that Elevate
Software needs to move to a more scenic location.  

--
Tim Young
Elevate Software
www.elevatesoft.com