Mandalay, despite it's romantic connotations, provided little inducement to linger for which I lay the blame solely at the feet of the taxi drivers I encountered who changed their fare (quite significantly) between departure and arrival. Initially I put it down to a misunderstanding on my part however, by the 3rd time (in a row - grrrr) I was distinctly annoyed and refused to pay a penny more than initially agreed upon (a reasonable fare in my opinion). I fear this coloured my view of Mandalay slightly and the rest of the city suffered as a result, on a different day [View Full Entry]

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Myanmar transport authorities have been taking lessons in providing customer comforts - from the Spanish Inquisition (or some other torture specialists of similar ilk), I am convinced of it. Thankfully, it was but a short ride to Bagan. 12 hours squeezed into a mini bus, knees around my ears (due to a design fault in the engine positioning that only a man could have thought a wise idea) and no cushioning in the seat, was quite sufficient to ensure a certain empathy on my part for your average tinned sardine. As ever however, I was made incredibly welcome and baby sat [View Full Entry]

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T'was a bum numbingly long 19.5 hours on a very (very, very!) busy bus to Inle, but worth every bone jarring jolt involved. To think I very nearly missed this place entirely! Thank heavens for the Taungyi Fire Balloon Festival which induced me to come. Having a few days to play with before the festival began I decided to explore the lake. Electing to forgo the cheaper North Lake, I headed straight to the South lake. This option requires a special permit and guide and costs a staggering $55, this being more than my daily budget alone I did toy with [View Full Entry]

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*Disclaimer: Have lost all photo's up to Inle Lake, sorry* Only spent one full day in Yangon, possibly I have not given the city it's due in leaving so fast but although it has it's charms, it's a city. I got very lost everywhere I went and just needed to be somewhere smaller. On arriving at Yangon airport an exceedingly nice taxi organising lady decided she liked my face and gave me a cheap price for one of her taxis, alas though, none of her taxi drivers appeared to like my face as (to a man) they were steadfast in their [View Full Entry]

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Having run out of time in Koh Tao I hightailed it to Bangkok for a few days to organise things for Myanmar. Leaving everything to the last minute meant there were only 1st class berths on the train and, not keen on freezing to death on the journey, I opted instead to take the 2nd class seated option. With hindsight perhaps not the best move. My seat was only just attached to the floor and the cushion part (can I call a lump of wood covered in thin leather a cushion?) for my behookie to rest upon was not attached to [View Full Entry]

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Yes indeedilly, no word of a lie, a swimming with sharks I have been! Bull nosed sharks (for those techies amongst you) about 2.5-3m in length. Words simply cannot do justice to the feeling (well, not when I am the composer of said words alas), breathtaking about sums it up. No photo's to prove it so I've pinched one of a very similar shark for you all to marvel at. I could, almost, boast of having swum with a turtle as well (he was swimming round white rock same time I was) but, it being my naturalist dive, I was too [View Full Entry]

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As mentioned previously I retreated from Siem Reap and spent a few lazy days in Phnom Penh with Jo. There I merely idled my days away doing nothing much other than eat good (no, make that great) food and drink cold beer. Heaven! We did however exert ourselves to make one abortive trip to the local silk island where we were promised a hive of silk making activity beneath each house. We found, alas, one empty loom and a family eating their lunch. Uncomfortable walking round their home whilst they ate (especially as there was sod all to see) we decided [View Full Entry]

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Typhoon Ketsana has a lot to answer for, curses to all weather Gods! I have been rained out of Siem Reap and am most disappointed. Oh woe is me. Arrived Thursday evening to find the whole city calf deep in murky brown water, hurrah for my omnipresent good luck! My moto driver (curses to him too) delivered me to a hotel which was most certainly not the one I had asked for, however the thought of jetting back off through the floods did not appeal so I bit the bullet and took an overpriced (and distinctly grotty) room. Quietly sipping a [View Full Entry]

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Leaving Phnom Penh I arrived at the bus station with 40 minutes to spare. Thinking I would grab a coffee or something I made to leave and was instantly admonished and told to "stay in your seat, bus come very soon." The bus didn't some very soon, it came at 11:20 (due at 10) and every time I made to move I was firmly told to stay put. Not quite sure why as other people came and went and then returned from whence they'd been, but not I. Maybe word of my navigational prowess had reached them and they were loath [View Full Entry]

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Sunday arrived, my first full day in Phnom Penh to do with as I wished. The sense of freedom was incredible. After much humming and hawing I decided to make Tuol Sleng my first stop as it was a walkable distance from the hotel, not such a wise move as it happens but we all live and learn I suppose. Tuol Sleng Genocide Museum comemorates the crimes committed within it's walls during Pol Pot's reign, were Toul Sleng was converted from an innocuous School into Security Prison 21. A place of interment, interrogation, torture and (eventually) death. The classrooms were converted [View Full Entry]

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