Hello to all my valued clients!

My daughter Jodie has been in Japan almost 5 years and is coming home next year so we decided to take a trip now or would probably never go to that part of the world. She and her husband went there initially to teach English but since then she has written text books for teaching English as a second language, worked for an international company that supplies springs for ABS brakes etc. as the Assistant to the CEO and also travelled to Vietnam and China with him. She is currently working for the University Of Tokyo training the Japanese how to study for SAT’s and how to write entrance essays. She should be done there in April and then they hope to volunteer as English teachers on a Peace Boat Cruise for 4 months before heading home. Jodie has done her first year MBA and is taking some courses towards the 2nd year but plans to take the final year at McGill in Montreal. Not exactly next door but at least they will be back in Canada.

We spent a week in Tokyo – what a ZOO – over 40 million people! Traffic everywhere with bicycles, trains and sub ways as the main transportation mode. They actually have bicycle garages at the sub way stations - THOUSANDS of parked bikes! We had an authentic welcome dinner prepared by one of Jodie’s Japanese friends who had visited us in Canada – EEL, Tofu, etc. tasted a lot better than it sounds. The next day we were off to watch our daughter practise IKEDO – a type of judo, and then to see the Temples. They are quite lavish and you have to wash your hands before you go in. If you want to pray they will sell you prayers as well.

Then out to a neat Japanese restaurant for more “different” foods. Fish cooked at our table with a blow torch, and more eel, again better than it sounds. After dinner we went to an authentic Karaoke Bar to make complete fools of ourselves. The good thing is that in Japan you have private rooms so you only look dumb to those in your group. Next day off on another temple tour and then a boat ride to a Japanese park where the Shogun warriors used to hunt with falcons - and to a Japanese teahouse. We had a cup of very GREEEEEEN tea – thick as soup and a pastry that was branded (yes like the cows) with a picture of a flower on it. Both for $10.00. Did I mention Japan is expensive? The next day Jodi took us to the world’s biggest Fish Market – all the boats come to one dock with their fish and it looked like all of Japan came to buy – they came by bike, motorcycles, cars, trucks, rickshaws and shoe leather (or better said Rubber Boots). It was unbelievable. We also went to the tallest building in Tokyo to see the views. It was then that we realized how large Tokyo really is. The city didn’t end. It was built up as far as the eye could see. One interesting fact, the government has an unusual way of looking at their homeless population. They say none are homeless as they all have tarps or cardboard boxes to live in and they infiltrate their parks and their water ways – not just a few under a bridge - MASSES of them.

The next day we flew to Bangkok, again population overload. It looked like everyone owned a Cab or Tuk Tuk (Motorcycle cab). Actually I think 60% of the traffic is one of these vehicles. Found it a dirty city compared to home and there seems to be 2 classes – rich and poor. As we looked out our 4 Star Hotel that cost $25.00 Canadian including full breakfast for two, we see blocks of tin shacks that the Thai people live in. Not all bad I guess as it looks like most have a TV as there were aerials everywhere. Did the trip to a tailor where I was measured for new suits and shirts - it is very inexpensive. Then off to the Temples and Buddhas – they are everywhere in Thailand and very lavish – upsetting a bit to see the lavish temples with run down shacks beside them. Went on a boat ride – if you could call it a boat and saw some interesting sites. Then back to the hotel to change and see some nightlife. I don’t think Bangkok ever closes – sort of like a poor Las Vegas. Roadside stands everywhere selling everything from soup to nuts to deep fried grasshoppers to watches. Decided not to eat from a roadside stand but we did shop some. Did I mention Joan (my wife) was with me?

We flew to Phuket for two days and then to Phi Phi Island for 4 days of total relaxation. Finally a spot that was clean and unpopulated. This little island had no cars or vehicles – only bikes and a couple of motorcycles to bring supplies from the ferry. The island is about 2 miles long so we saw it all in about a 20 minute walk. When we took the ferry back to Phuket it was very wavy and many on board got rather green – including my wife. We found out that several months earlier a ferry sank due to the weather – that was re-assuring!

Spent another day in Phuket and that is where we rode the elephants. It was kind of scary especially going down embankments. Joan said to lean backwards – thought she was riding a horse not a two- ton elephant I guess. In any event we made it back in one piece. Once off the elephant we headed for the massage parlour for a great 1 hour treatment – about $7.00 Canadian – did that a few times more before we came home. From there we flew back to Bangkok and went to their weekend market. Probably 10-15 square blocks of vendors – Joan loved it – a shoppers paradise and they like to barter and so does Joan. We got lost a few times and thought we would probably only find Dave and Jodie back at the hotel but miracle of miracles we found a road and found them on it!! Stopped for a Singha Beer and a cab ride home.

Next day we rented a driver and car and went out looking for Elephants that paint—Jodi had her heart set on seeing them. Our driver found one spot but the elephants were at painting school – yes painting school. So off we went looking for another elephant corral and he found it. There we were informed the elephants were not painting that day—did not know there was an elephant union but I guess there is. Jodi was not impressed and our driver could see his tip going down the drain so he went and talked to the trainers and they had two baby ( well young) elephants come out and paint for us. The deal was we were to support the “Save The Elephant” fund so we ended up buying 8 paintings and feeding the two painter elephants about five gallons of milk each – probably dropped about $200 Canadian so they were satisfied. I guess the two elephants were as well, as their trainer had them give us all a big kiss. Quite a different kiss and brought a whole new meaning to the expression “Suck Face”. Then back home for a swim and out again for the night. Next day our 20 plus hour trip back to Seattle arriving EXHAUSTED!! This was a trip of a lifetime and we are glad we did it!

Have a great fall and REMEMBER - I need your help! In November, please send me 3 great referrals just like you.

Neil "Mortgage Man" McJannet

The Mortgage Centre Approved Mortgages Ltd. 109-2626 Countess Street Abbotsford BC V2T 5P3 ph:(604)755-7974 Fax:(604) 556-8474 Bus. (250) 861-8758 Fax. (250) 861-8760 Toll Free Fax: 1-877-692-7693 Toll Free Anytime: 1-888-703-7481
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