What does today have in store for us? Well, we’ll be spending most of it on the minibus, travelling from Luang Prabang to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng used to be known as a real party town, overrun by hoardes of tourists tubing, drugging and drinking their way along Vang Vieng’s waterways. There were the inevitable…
Local in Luang
This morning Sar is taking us to see the alms giving. Several of us are concerned about this because we’ve heard it’s not really the thing to do and that preferably tourists should really remain out of the way of such ceremonies. He assures us we are going somewhere quieter on the trail, however when…
Tuk Tuk me to Kuang Si
The weather isn’t at its best for exploring today. Light sprinkles of rain interrupt throughout the day and annoyingly the wet sand on the footpaths flicks up the back of my legs while walking. These jeans will need a wash – and not the kind provided by rain. Luang Prabang is a pretty little place….
Day 2 on the Mekong
About the only places open this morningare the bakeries lining the main road of Pakbeng. Each counter is attended by small groups of tourists stocking up on breakfast and snacks for the next part of their journey down the Mekong. The smell of breads and pastries mixes with the smell of meat roasting along the…
Day 1 on the Mekong
Hannah and I rise early to catch the sunrise. There are too many clouds for it to be spectacular but the serene calmness of the town before its inhabitants awake is priceless. The air is still apart from the crowing of roosters. The mountains on the Lao side of the Khong River are shrouded…
Sar’s Surprise
Today we leave Chiang Mai early for a long day on the road to Chiang Khong. Chiang Khong is a border town between Thailand and Laos and is where we will begin our two day cruise down the Mekong River. I’m a little nervous about what to expect, not being a fan of boats, but…
Because it’s Ladies Night…
Breakfast! I’m starving because, as I knew I would, I was dreaming about that Khao Soi Chicken all night! Luckily, not far from the hotel is a cute little bakery with a breakfast to satisfy even the hungriest of people. In fact, the breakfast consisted of so much food, that Erin and I needed two…
My First Muoy Thai Match
I awake as we pull into a small station about a half hour from Chiang Mai. Dogs, cats, chicken and geese roam along the tracks and platform. Tropical plantlife surrounds the station. It’s peaceful and quaint. Chiang Mai station is possibly the loveliest station I’ve ever disembarked at with its spotless platform and it’s lovely…
Reclining Buddha and the Golden Showers
Erin recalls a little cart down near Rambuttri where she had a breakfast of dumplings for the bargain price of 20 baht yesterday. Sounds like a good idea, so off we head. All along the main road there are food stalls setting up for the day’s trade. We find the dumpling lady and order a…
Why Am I Doing This NOW?
I’m out of work at the moment. For two months now, there’s not been a single day of work available. I wish I was back in Melbourne. My dollars are dwindling – I just didn’t see the absolute lack of work coming and then my beloved kitty Lili died unexpectedly (cue $$$ vet bill). So…
Going Back
In just three weeks I’ll be off again – and though that seems the story of my life, it will be the last trip on the cards for at least a year. Money making beckons. So where am I off to? Somewhere I feel most alive – Asia. After my mega, sight-seeing laden trip to…