Dec 2, 2011 - Back in 'Nam

Just a warning, I've got ten days of journal to catch up, so get yourselves comfortable :) My third official day in Vietnam, and I was leaving the city of Ho Chi Minh City (or Saigon) that morning. I awoke early to catch a bus to take me to my next southern Vietnam destination, Nha Trang. The bus was quite cozy as it was filled with beds! About nine hours later, falling in and out of sleep, we made a stop in Mui Ne where we picked up and dropped off some fellow bus riders while the rest of us grabbed a bite to eat before continuing on our...

Oct 24, 2011 - Vangvieng - Laos

I got my Viens mixed up - I am not at the capital yet but am in Vangvieng. This is a tourist mecca and has some areas which are probably mirrored on Ibiza or Magaluf ! The bus journey was brutal - between the potholes and the turns in the road. I had to take a travel tablet to survive (first time in years). I had a brilliant day today as I went kayaking and tubing in a cave. Tubing in a cave was amazing. You basically sit on a tube and then by moving a rope through your hands navigate the under water caves. We spent about an hour there and...

Oct 21, 2011 - Thailand and Start of Laos Trip

My trail of natural and other disasters continue. Thailand is experiencing the worst floods it has had in 50 years. The rain pours from the heavens when it starts and the destruction in the city and country side is very evident. I don't feel I had enough time to really comment on the country but I have enjoyed what I have seen. I spent 2 days exploring Bangkok and saw all the tourist attractions. The Grand Place is the most opulent place I have ever seen. I saw the reclining Buddha, the Gold Buddha, the Emerald Buddha, the White Buddha and...

Jul 30, 2011 - Cave of the Buddha, Heinz Ketchup, and a eh...date???

Yesterday we went to the cave of the Buddha. It was originally a place of meditation for monks in the area. The caves are only accessible by boat, we had a huge narrow boat all to ourselves. It would have been nice to go with a group of people but it was nice that the boat wasn’t crowded at all. We ended up walking up 200 more steps to get to the upper caves (add those to the list). In the Buddha caves there are thousands of statues in the caves (about 5,700). After visiting the caves we went to the Whiskey Village. The village is also only...

Jul 28, 2011 - Day two in Laos: Teaching the kids the art of the crossover.

The second day in Luang Prabang we met our guide at about 9AM, we were tired and not exactly feeling 100%. We first walked through the day market, where they sell food. Bat, eel, and water buffalo skin were among the most unique items. Today was basically dedicated to visiting buddhist temples, and the royal family quarters. I love history and all but it wasn't exactly the most riveting, exciting day. Maybe it was the hangover and lack of sleep, who knows. We did learn a lot about Buddhism though, don't go quizzing me on it though. There...

Jul 27, 2011 - Going Giraffe Hunting in Laos.

The first day in Laos may have been the most eventful day so far. When we landed at the Luang Prabang airport which was about the size of a KFC, we had to fill out a form to get our visa's. After we got our visa's and our bags we were off to meet our driver/guide. One of the first things he says to us is "you are in a very nice hotel, on a main street. Nobody will take you. Oh thanks driver man, real comforting. We had the whole day to ourselves so When we got to the hotel I napped like a crazy person. After my three hour nap I went outside...

Jul 10, 2011 - Luang Prabang

Wow!!! We had an eventful trip from Vang Vieng to Luang Prabang! Up into the mountains and we saw an overturned loory that was carrying mopeds. It looked like carnage with all the mopeds spilled onto the road, but luckily no one was hurt. We had to wait for the police to come, and the road to be cleared. But there are worse places than up in the mountains to wait! We treatede to ourselves to a nice hotel that eveinig, and seens as it was a third cheaper than we thought it would be, decided to stay for our whole trip in Luang Prabang. We had...

May 28, 2011 - Luang Prabang

After finding a hostel, I went for a walk in the city centre. There was a temple on top of a hill. I decided to climb it. On my way up I bought some offerings, flowers, candles, insent sticks and a bird. Further up he way I met a monk, how showed me what to do with the offerings I did as I was told and in the end let the bird fly. After doing something for my karma, I enjoyed the view for a while and than made my way down. Back in the centre I rented a bicycle and drove around town, looking at temples, monuments and the river. When I took...

Apr 25, 2011 - Luang Prabang

I'm allowed to go back in time on this website...so you're getting some late posts. :) After a horrendous bus ride (14 hours I think) we arrived in sleepy Luang Prabang around six or seven am. We found one of the guesthouses along the riverside and checked in. Caleb took a little snooze while I went out and promptly got myself lost while wandering the hazy morning streets. It was a quiet morning, a few other tourists strolling along but mainly just a few monks collecting alms and the coffee shops setting up for the days business. Went back...

Apr 2, 2011 - Laos - Luang Prabang

Hi again, And so, feeling a touch queasy and glad to have our last long bus journey of the whole trip behind us (yay!) we arrived in Luang Prabang. Luang Prabang is a former Lao Royal capital and is now a Unesco world heritage site (we’ve been lucky enough to visit a few of these during our time away). It’s a beautiful and totally charming place which grows on you even more the longer you’re there. We got there in the evening and our first impressions were good as it was all prettily lit up with fairy lights, and it’s even better by...

Mar 18, 2011 - Splendid Luang Prabang and the Monks

We are staying in a beautiful hotel and have our own little shack/bungalow with a veranda, it is wonderful. Our breakfast is served on our veranda and we eat breakfast looking out over the lovely lush green gardens with vivid red and purple flowers which grow on the bushes and from hanging coconuts. The Garden has ornate fish ponds and is on the banks of the Mekong River. We then spend the day in Luang Prabang - the splendid old capital of Lao. We visit a cluster of shimmering royal temples and remnants of the faded grandeur of the Lao...

Mar 3, 2011 - Luang Prabang

March 2; Another awesome day in Luang Prabang started with a visit to a museum where we learned about the various ethnic groups that make up the country of Laos. It was raining and not as hot as yesterday for our visit to the waterfall but some of us went swimming anyway. It was refreshing! Mike and I spent the free afternoon wandering the streets and found a spa where Mike got an hour long foot massage and I got a pedicure and manicure. Total bill 110,000 kip or about $13.50. Next we shopped the night market where villagers bring their...