A place in Hell

There's a special place in hell where you get really, really close to an internet connection, and it just won't happen. Even when you're willng to pay. We've been out of contact for days, and the Jaipur airport site just teased us. The Bawa International hotel is also a part of the plot. My first internet access card worked tickety boo, but then I have been fighting with it ever since. I finally got mad and went down to the lobby machines at midnight, logged on, then, the server crashed. EEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEK !

I'm on now, on someone else's machine, in someone else's room.
It could be worse.

Scary hotel, scary neighbourhood

Our hotel in Mumbai was disappointing… we’ll be going somewhere else… of course, it’s prepaid, so we have to try their other property first,. Rumour has it that they have internet AND a cafeteria. Weho-hoo !! Part of the problem is that we’ve been spoiled. Between the Hilton Waikoloa, and the Umaid, we’ve stayed in some pretty great places. If it was just me, I could stay at the Y, but we are traveling with kids and sensitive girl-types. Apparently, we’d be happier if we slept in the van.

UPDATE: the other hotel is a HUGE step up. Yay !!

Travelling to Mumbai

It’s another travel day for the feisty SRWT crew, and just to throw a wrinkle into the deal, the flight has been moved UP a couple of hours. We’re looking forward to flying Kingfisher airways. Same company makes my fave Indian beer. Mumbai here we come.
I wonder if the pilots get all the free beer they want….

Cameras ? We don't need no steeenking cameras

We went out to another cultural show tonight- everyone got a bindy. We couldn’t shoot too much, so we just chilled with Mr. Sharma, and his lovely wife, daughter and a buddy from Holland, Birgit, Didn’t WE have a lot in common, beginning with a love of Amsterdam.

Great surprise segment

It’s a funny thing. We often find that the “should we do this, what is is, I dunno” scenarios turn into the best SRWT bits. We were within inches of skipping a visit to a textile factory, but dropped in anyway. They let Shea try block printing, and hand knotting a rug, PLUS Raja was a sweetie pie with flawless English and a very compelling script. His family’s factories make wall hangings, bed linens, sarees, pyjamas, clothing, and 540 Knots-per-inch rugs, while employing 1700 families. Everything is done by hand from all-natural materials. Just about the most toxic chemical they use is vinegar.
Everyone went nutty in the sales room, the stock is eye poppingly gorgeous.
PLUS he gave us beer.
Have I mentioned how pleased I am that Hindus love beer ?
No wonder I’m bonding with these beautiful people.

Tuk Tuk Tuk Tuk

A quick sojourn by the pool for the crew, and Laura blasted off in a TukTuk to get her rabies shot and I went TukTuking in search of refreshments. My driver re-negotiated the beer sale price after I was committed, making the TukTuk ride effectively free.

Horses scare Carrie...

We went out today to ride elephants up to the palace on the hill. The best moment of all- and the whole event was pretty magical anyway- didn’t make it to tape. Carrie was having a bit of a panic attack due to the rolling ride on the elephant’s back… then Marnie lost her shoe.
The elephant behind, picked up her shoe with her trunk, and returned it to owner. Carrie immediately fell in love with elephants and calmed right down. Now I think Carrie wants a pachyderm for a pet.

Offline

We all lined up for the one internet node available in our hotel. Then, it stopped working.
(Just in case anyone wondered why there was not much in the way of posts recently)

Umaid

Then we checked into the fabulous Umaid Mahal, in Jaipur. If this place wasn’t a palace in its past life, it’s an amazing replica. We got in late last night, nobody spoke English, so I can’t be sure. We have 3 suites for the crew and a single for lonely ole Unky Duck. I can see an open wireless router, but can’t get a connection…ack.

Indiana Jonesing

Took in a cultural show at the Indiana Restaurant, Jaipur. Great live music, and fascinating dancing representing Rajistan State. The SRWT crew got drawn up on stage at one point, but all I have is video. Spectacular food.

Ezi is still with us

Ezi is having a ball. He dreamt the other night that it was the last day and woke up SO HAPPY when he realized that it was ONLY THE BEGINNING !!

Zoom Zoom Zoom

I have to tell you, that the drivers we are working with are awesome. You know Robin’s old saying “Alive, Alive, alive, alive-Dead”?
The traffic here is insane, the fact that it’s mandatory to blast your horn as you overtake somebody, just adds to the craziness. Sacred cows, giant busses, donkey carts pulling 15 foot cubes of cattle fodder, bikes, scooters, and enormous trucks painted like Babylon streetwalkers, dogs, pedestrians, and camels. Our drivers slalom through amazing tiny holes at breakneck speed. I have never felt safer. Plus, our part of the bus has AC, and their bit, has none.
Did I mention that it’s at least 28 Degreees here an hour after sundown ?

Keoladeo National Park

We visited the Keoladeo National Park on our way to Jaipur. My second rickshaw trip of the day. Sadly we were there in the heat of the day, so there was little wildlife evident. Enough so that it will look like lots on TV, though. TV lies a lot.
Thanks to Dhani Ram for pedaling my big fat north American butt around in the 40 degree heat. Ask for Rickshaw 30 if you get the chance…

On the road...

We’re in our bus on our way to Jaipur, with a stop planned at a bird sanctuary, and I’m filling this space offline, with a view to uploading at the other end. Thanks to Mr. Sharma of The Heritage company for being our fixer/minder and friend. His deep knowledge and love of the country is extraordinary.
Wish you were here.
Check out www.vacationstoindia.com for your India travel needs.

Reality sets in slowly, here

The city of Agra could be a movie set for any exotic film you could dream of. Wildly populated, full of energy, the streets are a kaleidoscope of colour and action. TukTuks everywhere, sacred cows, and the constant blare of horns. MAN ! We’re in INDIA !!

Agra in the Daytime

When we were KL, I got up early to catch the sunrise on video. Because it’s so close to the equator, the sun doesn’t rise until nearly 8AM.
In Agra, I woke up at 6:30 and the sun was already up !
AAARGH.
I grabbed a cab over to the Taj, then continued by rickshaw and scored heavily on footage. The crew got organized a little later, and we went back, and had a look inside. No photos permitted. Sigh. Our permits, still not in-hand, wouldn’t have gotten us much closer.
We went back to my nice spot by the river and picked up a ton of great stuff.
Shea did an Opening, a tease, a promo, and a bunch of promo elements for Family Channel, SCN and Discovery Kids. Delivery elements. Who woulda thunk ?
The local kids loved Shea, and once the kidlet overcame her fear of ferocious goats, a grand time was had by all. Thanks a bunch to Gopal Singh for showing us around the Taj and environs..

Tuesday AM in Agra

We're staying at "Clark's Shiraz" in Agra, and everyone is wide awake at 4AM local time. We slept on the plane, then we slept on the bus, and now ?

Stress for Success

Laura often comments that our project seems like "The Amazing Race" a lot of the time while we're in the field. Later on, today morphed into "Survivor"
Between lining up at the wrong gate twice, and the tix being hand written...slowly...rendezvouz-ing with our luggage, and producer... it was WILD !
We caught the plane, though.

Oooh the suspense !

After much hoop-jumping, we have our visas and film permits for India. It's just after 4 on Monday, Laura and a few little ones (Shea, Ezi, Carrie, and D) and they are waiting for the actual paperwork. Hopefully this all works out... right now we're standing in the ticket line, but our passports and stuff haven't gotten here yet. Eeek. If we DO get away, we're going straight to Agra from Delhi.
Stay tuned !!

Pretty festive

This is the entrance to the Sunway Lagoon complex. It's 10PM, and everyone on the crew, but me, is sleeping. At midnight the street was still jumping.

The crew that plays together...

It has been a busy day. We shot at a skating rink, a luxury hotel room, and an amusement/waterpark. With time to splash around NOT on video. We fell for a couple of US$12 beers, though.
Anyhoo... this is a GREAT crew. We seem to be in the wrong country, and it hasn't phased anyone.

All about the working conditions

Denise and I got talking about the first jobs some of her fellow grads of RRC must be enjoying...

Playing hard to get

It's about time we revealed how Ezi is spending his time here in Malaysia. Marnie also.

The only ice rink in Malaysia

Sheazie tore up the ice this AM at the only skating rink in all of Malaysia. The temperature is so nice and comfortable at ice level- even in shorts- that I don't want to shoot ANYWHERE else.
Thanks to Brian Law and staff for the great interview and the unexpected opportunity. Posted at 11Am Sunday. (i think)

Sunway Pyramid Hotel Complex at Night

Sometimes, you just have to post a pretty picture.

The Sunway complex has 4 hotels and is undergoing a huge expansion. It's just about 7AM now, no hint of sunlight yet, I may have to reexamine the timetable.

Doing new stuff

It's vital when you travel, to do stuff that you've never done before. SRWT crew goes 10 pin bowling, only to be humiliated at the hands of the producer. Super fun, though.

Negligence

In case you couldn't tell from previous posts,
Hef's Girls are in Malaysia !!
We had a fab meal at a place called "The Joint", served by the wildly capable Ren.

Good thing D doesn't like beer

Denise was so hot* today after shooting, that she was tempted to drink beer. What other wonders await ? Lucky we shot in AC all day... apparently it's not the heat, it's the humidity.
*thermally

It always starts slowly...

Principal photography began today on SRWT "where the &**^% are we ?"
Sheazie tried out the fabulous ice rink in the middle of the mall...she's a ringette player and a skilled skater, but the figure skates were a problem and she augered-in on the first go. We'll ice her knee, (and ego) and try again tomorrow AM. Thanks BIG TIME to Teoh See Wei for clearing the decks for us at every turn.

Secondary Com channel

I would email a reply to Lori's personal note... but I can't seem to get MTS webmail to cooperate.
Text as follows:
Waste ?

Sunway Pyramid Hotel Complex

We've moved across town (KL)to a hotel with an amazing amusement complex. The rooms are FABULOUS. We even have kitchenettes. Plus BBC World on the tube. Life is good.
NOTE: as to the date stamp... It's still Friday in North America, however, it's Saturday here in Malaysia. Maybe I'll try resetting my computer's clock and see if it gets more accurate....The mall here is 300 shops, presently under construction to bring the number to 800 !

Improved morale

Laura was up most of the night trying to get us reorganized...the fact that it's the weekend isn't helping much but we have a new hotel in mind, and there's a wet/dry amusement park onsite. We should be able to at least roll off some footage today.

Lower left of this pic is the Petronas Towers (seen below) , the circle is the Corus Hotel, our headquarters for the next few minutes, 'til we move.

Crew wanted-must be FLEXIBLE !

We'll be in Kuala Lumpur for a bit... better shoot some stuff. Everybody is in bed and I'm wandering the streets looking for a meal. I was the only pale guy in this sidewalk restaurant, and paid $3 for more shrimp and chicken rice than I could handle. Really great staff, wildly amused by the nervous foreigner.

Kuala Lumpur

KL is beautiful. Populous. It's 29 Celsius at noonish. Everyone has silly fatigue from the flights. We checked out the Indian High Commission to see about the visas...we ran around getting more passport shots made, but the mission was a bust. No visas til at least Monday, possibly as many as 5 working days later.

Flying all night..all day...all night

We blew into Taipei this AM to refuel. The airport announcer kept droning on and on about smuggling into the People's Republic being a capital offence.
One hour on the ground... struggled for internet access, no dice. Laura is trying to get India's High Commission in Kuala Lumpur to expedite our visas.

Denise was somewhat freaked out when she got carded for a glass of wine. You have to be 16 to drink.
She got her revenge, though. She "accidentally" ripped the media player's remote out by the roots.

.

Allan could LIVE in L.A.

Our trusty pilot squired us all over Los Angeles, killing time waiting for our flight to Taipei. There seems to be a visa issue. EEK. It looks like the info that we got for India, was incorrect. Good thing we're flexible.

Out of Winnipeg ON-TIME !

We were delighted when out flight for Salt Lake City Utah took off on-schedule.

The SRWT Orient Excess

Laura challenged me to name the theme of this leg of the SRWT experience.