Well I'm still relaxing on the beaches of southern Thailand and there isn't much for me to write other than I'm enjoying the downtime. So far I've been to Krabi, Phi Phi and Ko Lanta, I'll be checking out Phuket in a couple of days and before I know it i'll be home again.
Also I'm taking a diving course which is fun and I'm excited for tomorrow because I'll be doing my first real dive.
cheers
Sunday, April 8, 2007
Friday, March 30, 2007
Finally relaxing on the beach
Well I'm done with all my crazy running around and now I'm in Krabi, Thailand relaxing and enjoying some sun. I'm staying on a beach called Tonsai and it costs about $7 for a double bed and an en suite bathroom. Strangely enough I ran into somebody that I went to elementary school with... such a small world.
I can't remember where I left off on my last blog but all the better cause that means I'll keep it even shorter than usual... if that's possible.
Cambodia was awesome I went to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. I learned a lot about there awful recent history during the Kmer Rouges reign of terror. Millions were killed for no reasons, all educated people were killed, children were brainwashed into thinking their parents were evil and taught to murder them - masses and masses of people were tortured and killed every day. Also went to the landmine museum which shows the story of the thousands of people affected, killed or seriously injured by landmines left from over 30 years ago.
Cambodia wasn't all about the tragic past and there was lots of time for tons of fun. I went to a bar called the FCC for happy hour ... 2 for 1 drink specials. That bar was where all the journalist would go during the 90's when reporting on the turmoil in the area. Also saw the second wonder of the world: the Temples of Angkor... simply amazing.
My camera is half broken and can't take anymore photos. I think i can still upload some of the ones I've already taken so I'll try next time I'm at a computer.
"You stay classy Vancouver"
I can't remember where I left off on my last blog but all the better cause that means I'll keep it even shorter than usual... if that's possible.
Cambodia was awesome I went to Phnom Penh and Siem Reap. I learned a lot about there awful recent history during the Kmer Rouges reign of terror. Millions were killed for no reasons, all educated people were killed, children were brainwashed into thinking their parents were evil and taught to murder them - masses and masses of people were tortured and killed every day. Also went to the landmine museum which shows the story of the thousands of people affected, killed or seriously injured by landmines left from over 30 years ago.
Cambodia wasn't all about the tragic past and there was lots of time for tons of fun. I went to a bar called the FCC for happy hour ... 2 for 1 drink specials. That bar was where all the journalist would go during the 90's when reporting on the turmoil in the area. Also saw the second wonder of the world: the Temples of Angkor... simply amazing.
My camera is half broken and can't take anymore photos. I think i can still upload some of the ones I've already taken so I'll try next time I'm at a computer.
"You stay classy Vancouver"
Sunday, March 25, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Good Morning Vietnam
Another quick and dirty recap - (after the fact: or maybe not so much this time)
Vientiane: Capital city of Laos
Duration: 2 days
Kinda dull city but it had some memorable moments.
specifically:
1. Their version of Paris' Arc de Triomph: In the 60's America gave them concrete to build an airport runway and they decided to use that gift to build the arc... construction was halted some time ago and to this day it is left unfinished. It is nicknamed: The vertical Runway
2. Buddha park
3. Beer Laos factory. Free beer .. free tour .. free stickers.. Did I mention free beer?
4. Finding a veggie burger
From the capital I did a home stay with in a small village that I can't remember the name of but if I wrote it it wouldn't really make that much of a difference. I can say though that it was near the Vietnamese border. Wasn't much to do there but relax.
I am told that during the Vietnam war more bombs were dropped in Laos then all the bombs used in WWII. All the empty fuel tanks from planes were dropped over their mountains and the Laos people converted them into boats, planting pots and other things. Pretty intuitive. I took a boat ride in one of them and watched a pretty crappy sunset.
Later I moved onto Ha long Bay in Vietnam. It was foggy but I still managed to see hundreds of small islands scattered everywhere. Did some night swimming and slept aboard roach infested quarters.
Hanoi
Awesome city and very fast paced. 8 million people, 5 million motor bikes. Almost got run over several times. In this city when you happen to come across a traffic light, green doesn't mean go but proceed with extreme caution. I spent 3 days here and the city really grows on you after a while. The people are shocked even if you know hello in their language. It is amazing how far Hello, That's Expensive, No Thanks and Thanks can take you in a foreign country. Checked out the old city, a water puppet show, 15 cent beer and the Hilton prison.
Side note: They have a bridge here designed by the guy that did the Eiffel tour.
Highlight:
Speed of city
Hilton prison. A great museum full of propaganda. It displays the rough and grueling conditions the french had for the Vietnamese prisoners which was probably true. My favorite part was how the American POWs where treated. They where put into a high class resort where they received gifts from family, exercised regularly, given good food, playing cards and much more.. Always a smile on their faces. Surprised to find out that Senator John Cain was held in that prison.
Over night trained it from that capital and arrived in Hue this morning.
Spent the day on a motor bike and saw a bunch of their attractions.
Vientiane: Capital city of Laos
Duration: 2 days
Kinda dull city but it had some memorable moments.
specifically:
1. Their version of Paris' Arc de Triomph: In the 60's America gave them concrete to build an airport runway and they decided to use that gift to build the arc... construction was halted some time ago and to this day it is left unfinished. It is nicknamed: The vertical Runway
2. Buddha park
3. Beer Laos factory. Free beer .. free tour .. free stickers.. Did I mention free beer?
4. Finding a veggie burger
From the capital I did a home stay with in a small village that I can't remember the name of but if I wrote it it wouldn't really make that much of a difference. I can say though that it was near the Vietnamese border. Wasn't much to do there but relax.
I am told that during the Vietnam war more bombs were dropped in Laos then all the bombs used in WWII. All the empty fuel tanks from planes were dropped over their mountains and the Laos people converted them into boats, planting pots and other things. Pretty intuitive. I took a boat ride in one of them and watched a pretty crappy sunset.
Later I moved onto Ha long Bay in Vietnam. It was foggy but I still managed to see hundreds of small islands scattered everywhere. Did some night swimming and slept aboard roach infested quarters.
Hanoi
Awesome city and very fast paced. 8 million people, 5 million motor bikes. Almost got run over several times. In this city when you happen to come across a traffic light, green doesn't mean go but proceed with extreme caution. I spent 3 days here and the city really grows on you after a while. The people are shocked even if you know hello in their language. It is amazing how far Hello, That's Expensive, No Thanks and Thanks can take you in a foreign country. Checked out the old city, a water puppet show, 15 cent beer and the Hilton prison.
Side note: They have a bridge here designed by the guy that did the Eiffel tour.
Highlight:
Speed of city
Hilton prison. A great museum full of propaganda. It displays the rough and grueling conditions the french had for the Vietnamese prisoners which was probably true. My favorite part was how the American POWs where treated. They where put into a high class resort where they received gifts from family, exercised regularly, given good food, playing cards and much more.. Always a smile on their faces. Surprised to find out that Senator John Cain was held in that prison.
Over night trained it from that capital and arrived in Hue this morning.
Spent the day on a motor bike and saw a bunch of their attractions.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Tuesday, March 6, 2007
QUICK RECAP
Bus journey through Northern Thailand - 1 day since my last post
Departure city: Chang Mai
Trip time: 5 hrs
Arrival city: Cha ng Kong
Nearly 5 hours of continual thought ended in no new ideas for my next blog. it is becoming more and more tempting to resort to a traditional, lenghty and detailed blog.
Mekong River Day 1 - 2 days since my last post
Background info: River runs throught Tibet, China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its a really neat river with losts of whirlpools, back and undercurrents so at times it is actually difficult to tell which way it is running.
An entire day in a boat and once again I have no thoughts for my next post.
Mekong River Day 2 - 3 days since my last post
I saw an elephant today which is suppose to bring good luck. Maybe i'll have more luck writing an interesting post.
Today - many days since my last post
Ok I haven't written in a while so I'll just dive into it.
Overnight train ride from Bangkok to northern Thailand resulted in the bar closing at 10 and being sent to bed. at 10.30 we were told that if we weren't quiet and if we never went to bed the train workers would call the on board police.
In the north I checked out Thai Boxing, rode and elephant (after the fact it seems really cruel), some cliff jumping and rafting down a river on a bamboo raft. The raft was cool as u could crash into other rafts and splash everyone with water.
Boat ride down the Mekong river - travel from Thailand into Laos - Trip duration 2 days.
It was nice to relax and rest for two days. We stopped and spent the night at a small village called Pakbeng. This is the most corrupt and seedy place ive been to. My short trip in to "town" (used loosely, as the town in one strip of road that goes on for less than a km) ended with more than 5 offers to purchase drugs.
Random piece of info: they don't sell oreos in England... I find this extremely strange.
Currently in Luang Prabang, Laos
Great city colonized by the french. Went to this awesome waterfall called Tad Kuang and even though u weren't suppose to, I sawm under it and it was really cool. Followed by some mini-cliff jumping in the swimming area.
Next stop is the capital, Vientiane but before that I'm gonna get a massage - its clean and only 5 USD for 1 hour.
Cheers
Departure city: Chang Mai
Trip time: 5 hrs
Arrival city: Cha ng Kong
Nearly 5 hours of continual thought ended in no new ideas for my next blog. it is becoming more and more tempting to resort to a traditional, lenghty and detailed blog.
Mekong River Day 1 - 2 days since my last post
Background info: River runs throught Tibet, China, Burma, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. Its a really neat river with losts of whirlpools, back and undercurrents so at times it is actually difficult to tell which way it is running.
An entire day in a boat and once again I have no thoughts for my next post.
Mekong River Day 2 - 3 days since my last post
I saw an elephant today which is suppose to bring good luck. Maybe i'll have more luck writing an interesting post.
Today - many days since my last post
Ok I haven't written in a while so I'll just dive into it.
Overnight train ride from Bangkok to northern Thailand resulted in the bar closing at 10 and being sent to bed. at 10.30 we were told that if we weren't quiet and if we never went to bed the train workers would call the on board police.
In the north I checked out Thai Boxing, rode and elephant (after the fact it seems really cruel), some cliff jumping and rafting down a river on a bamboo raft. The raft was cool as u could crash into other rafts and splash everyone with water.
Boat ride down the Mekong river - travel from Thailand into Laos - Trip duration 2 days.
It was nice to relax and rest for two days. We stopped and spent the night at a small village called Pakbeng. This is the most corrupt and seedy place ive been to. My short trip in to "town" (used loosely, as the town in one strip of road that goes on for less than a km) ended with more than 5 offers to purchase drugs.
Random piece of info: they don't sell oreos in England... I find this extremely strange.
Currently in Luang Prabang, Laos
Great city colonized by the french. Went to this awesome waterfall called Tad Kuang and even though u weren't suppose to, I sawm under it and it was really cool. Followed by some mini-cliff jumping in the swimming area.
Next stop is the capital, Vientiane but before that I'm gonna get a massage - its clean and only 5 USD for 1 hour.
Cheers
Friday, March 2, 2007
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