Arriving in Luang Prabang was like a breath of fresh air. After three weeks of craziness the town has a really relaxed atmosphere, despite the other tourists. The people here don't seem to want to bother you - unlike everywhere else I have been so far! The town is surrounded by beautiful mountains and rivers. Time to relax for a few days!
I took a Tuk Tuk with some people I met to some local waterfalls for a swim. There were rope swings into the water and loads of rock pools to play in. I also bumped into the Polish couple from Sri Lanka here who flew to Hong Kong when I flew to Bangkok! Continue reading →
The weather in Sa Pa was even colder and white! I had arranged for a day hike around local tribal villages which I am told goes through amazing rice paddies. Unfortunately I could not see much of anything! On my second day there were some gaps in the weather and I did manage to sneak a peek. During the hike we were followed by a pack (there is no other word to describe them) of local women who befriended us along the way. When we stopped for lunch they immediately unpacked their baskets which they had been carrying the whole way and were very keen for us to buy bags, pillow cases, jewelry etc Continue reading →
It was nice arriving in Vietnam to find that it is alot cooler here. The traffic in Hanoi is CRAZY with motorbikes everywhere the best way to cross the street it to just keep moving and trust that the hundreds of bikes will avoid you. I took a trip to Halong Bay and after a tour of the area and a look at some pretty impressive caves I stayed the first night on a boat.
I also did some kayaking around the bay. The weather was not the best but it did not spoil the trip at all. Actually it was a nice break from constantly consuming water and applying sun cream! I am back in Hanoi now - tonight Continue reading →
I was staying right in the centre of KL in the old town. This is the Twin Towers at night. You can't help but say "wow".
Batu Caves north of KL. There was rubbish everywhere and monkeys all the way up the stairs (just under 300 of them) trying to steal people's bags.
From KL I flew to Hanoi in Vietnam. Continue reading →
During my train ride to Malaysia I changed my mind and decided to get off early at Hat Yai and head for the West coast of Malaysia (sitting on a solid wood bench for 8 hours may have also had something to do with it) I eventually arrived at Georgetown, which is just off the coast on the island of Penang.
Georgetown is busy but still has a relaxed atmosphere. On my second day I ventured to the North West corner of the island to walk in the national park. At one point I heard something above my head and looked up to discover wild monkeys right above me head! The fact that I was walking towards Continue reading →
I didn't get any sleep at all during my overnight train journey from Bangkok down to Surat Thani - I am only 5'10" but was still to tall for the bed. So by the time I got to Koh Phangan I was a little tired. Unbeknown to me when I booked the train/ferry I was arriving just before the famous full moon party so finding accommodation was a little tricky. Though I eventually found a nice set of bungalows overlooking the water in Haad Rin (the area where the party takes place) but hidden away around the corner from the madness. Mine was the one on the far right - where I made good use of the hammock Continue reading →
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