I will be gone for the entire month of July.  Hubby will be traveling to Asia this summer on business and Harrison, my mother, and I are tagging along.  I'm very excited.  We will be traveling to Singapore, Malaysia, and Hong Kong.  I'm most excited to see my mother's family who all live in Malaysia and I haven't seen them in over 10 years.  It will be wonderful to introduce my husband and son to them.  I will be sure to try to log on with the computer at the business centers of each hotel as much as I can.

I'm doing all my research now to find any puppet related shows in each country.  If you happen to stumble upon any while online, please let me know.  I think my mother knows of a traditional wayang kulit show that she said she would take me to.  The only other things we have planned are to visit the night safari in Singapore and an elephant sactuary in Malaysia.  I'm most excited about this as I have been looking for an elephant sanctuary organization to donate to on a regular basis from the proceeds of my business.

If anyone needs anything...let me know.  I will definitely be going fishing for puppets!!!  The last time I was there, I was able to find a lot of marionettes and shadow puppets.  I hope I can still find some.  I will have my camera with me at all times and will be sure to take any pictures of interest relating to puppetry.

Wish me luck!  I leave on the third of July but will keep you posted.

Aloha,
Nikole

Oh and of course we will be visiting Hong Kong Disneyland.  What kind of ex-cast member would I be if I didn't go? 

Aloha,
Nikole

If anyone needs anything...let me know. 

Hi Nikole, well first of all, WOOHOO lucky you!!!

Second of all, well to answer your call, maybe (and hopefully its not too much to ask) could you gather a few documentation about what is available in puppetry over there. Panphlets, any type of free publication related to puppetry you can find. I would love to see what kind of puppetry there is over there. Maybe a few prints about upcomming shows with nice pictures and all, anything you can find that dont cost a dime.

When you will be back, just let me know and i will send you my addy so that you can send me what you have found. Oh and maybe do a copy for the rest to see as well online.

If you are not sure you can, its ok. I am just asking just in case i can have a little treat from the oh-so-fascinating-asian-continent! I guess it will be my little way of being there too :D

Thanks!
Puppet Hug,
SHould

Bring me a prize back but not from disney............ I have always wanted to visit that area. Have fun and be safe!

Billy D.

Ooh - if you find any shadow puppets let me know! I'd love a traditional one.

(Silly really - I'm closer to Asia than you, but no one sells Asian shadow puppets locally to me)

Have a delightful trip!! We will look forward to hearing ALL about it.  Please take pictures to share too!!

Have fun

I am GREEN with envy, Nikole. One of the best places in Asia for puppetry these days is Taiwan, but that's not on your itinerary this trip. I can't remember any puppet theaters or shows from the weekends we spent in Hong Kong twenty years ago, but I'm sure that you'll find something interesting there.

I guess that a trip To Disneyland Hong Kong (香港迪士尼樂園) will fit in well with your husband's career, and maybe someone you meet there will be able to clue you in on some puppet shows or museums in the area. There's enough fun stuff to see and do in Hong Kong that even if you don't see any puppets you'll have a great time. I guess that the best part of the trip though will be visiting your mom's family in Mayalsia.

I used to follow one Malaysian guy's blog religiously, until he shut it down and went into rehab. He wrote about all of the different places to eat there, as well as places that he traveled to on business. Unfortunately he wasn't just a foody, but a hedonist in general, and he also wrote about all of the liquor and tobacco products that he tried, as well as illegal drugs. I loved his humor and curiosity, especially when it came to all of the fun and unusual foods that he sampled, but all of the drug stuff was lost on me - though apparently that is what drew his largest readership. I hope that he's been able to turn his life around, he made Malaysia sound like a really cool place.

OK... enough dreary digressions...

Have fun, don't forget to write - and eat some great food while you're there!

 

Ron G.

SHould:  I will DEFINITELY do my best to scrounge up all I can with printed information and will be taking a lot of photos as well.  If I can get my paws on printed puppet material, then I will gather enough for everyone.  We are bringing four large empty suitcases with us to stuff with goodies.

Na:  Yes, shadow puppets are easy to come by there as I have many from the many trips my mother goes on since she is a travel guide and goes twice a year.  They are not expensive at all. 

I'll miss you guys!
Nikole

P.S.  I'll be back on the 25th of July.  I even have a party that I have to attend to the day that I arrive.  Man, I am going to be jet-lagged for sure that day....YUCK! 

Wow all the adventure......lucky you I hope that you get lots of visits and time to relax. 

I can't wait to find out what you will find concerning puppetry.  It might take some digging but I am sure things will come up the more you ask around.  Is any of the family able to help direct you to puppet related stuff when you get there?  This would save lot's of time and you might get to see more shows or other special treats. 

I will be thinking of you for the month of July. 

Daryl H