Feb 18, 2008 - Laos - Pak Lai - Elephant Festival

We got up really early (5:30am!!!) to get a speedboat to Pak Lai for the annual Laos Elephant Festival. ... The unlucky people who arrived after us had to squeeze into the standing space, which in these parts of town means balancing on one foot between the plastic stools, standing on the arm rests, sitting on the back rests … we even ended up with a few people sitting on the roof (for 7 hours! Which actually ended up 10 hours! That’d be 10 long hours of kicking myself for being such a tight-arse about the speedboat!) And so the bus departed for Pak Lai, a small town well off the usual tourist trail in the far western corner of Laos. ... Ha ha! Good not to be Kial this day… actually, good not to be Kial this whole month! Anyhow, we got to Pak Lai eventually. ...

Sep 18, 2007 - The White Wat Floating to Chiang Mai

Work up this morning at 4am to thunder and rain.Work up this morning at 4am to thunder and rain....

Mar 7, 2007 - Bus Trip To Luang Prabang

The bus to Luang Prabang left around 8:00 am for what should have been about an eight hour journey.The bus to Luang Prabang left around 8:00 am for what should have been about an eight hour journey....

Feb 9, 2006 - Luang Prabang to Kasi

Well I thought I was cruising along quite well on the belly front, but Mariam started vomiting early in the morning, and a couple of hours later, after feeling sick all day, so did I.Well I thought I was cruising along quite well on the belly front, but Mariam started vomiting early in the morning, and a couple of hours later, after feeling sick all day, so did I....

Dec 14, 2005 - Pak Lai

14 December - To Pak Lai The next main stop I want to make is Vientiane, the capital.14 December - To Pak Lai The next main stop I want to make is Vientiane, the capital....

Nov 23, 2005 - To Soppong and Cave Lodge

23 November - To Soppong and Cave Lodge Took the 0830 bus to Soppong.23 November - To Soppong and Cave Lodge Took the 0830 bus to Soppong....

Mar 5, 2005 - Thailand & Laos

When arriving in Bangkok I headed to the Koa San Road (madness), taking in the atmosphere and making a plan of where to go for Xmas.When arriving in Bangkok I headed to the Koa San Road (madness), taking in the atmosphere and making a plan of where to go for Xmas....

Jan 23, 2005 - Doi Phu Kha, Thailand

From Nan we travelled north to the edge of Doi Phu Kha National Park, way up in the mountains near Laos.From Nan we travelled north to the edge of Doi Phu Kha National Park, way up in the mountains near Laos....