some tips? Hey guys. You're having an amazing trip. If you're off to Chiang Mai, three tips for you, but expect you already know about them.
Try a elephant mahout training course - a friend and I did a 3 day course and it was fab. http://www.changthai.com/mahout/three-day-mahout-training-course-most-popular/
Do a 1 or 2 day thai cookery course. Plenty to choose from and we did ours with Pad Thai Cookery School - it was brilliant. Mmmm, brings back memories of really good sticky mango rice and amazing pad thai.
Also Pai north of Chiang Mai was lovely and laid back village for a bit of a chillax, and you can get amazing villas next to the river.... and do a trip to the hills and visit the local schools etc.
Keep having fun! Jo x
Cheaper than Oz/NZ!!! Sorry, haven't been to Vietnam and China so have been reading your blogs with interest and not really able to comment on them. You're sure having a brilliant time and seeing loads. But Laos and Cambodia is another story. Same same but different - god that brings back such good memories, all these kids trying to sell the same things "same same but different!". The Islands are amazing and I completely understand why you were going to spend a couple of days there and ended up spending 5 - very easily done. The way of life there is so laid back it's horizontal! Accommodation's a lot cheaper than Oz and New Zealand hey?!!
Guillin Hi Raymond
I expect the Li river will be even more beautiful then as the waters may be higher. Getting the train is easy, go to the station of the town you are in and the ticket office 'should' sell you a ticket. You can always ask your hotel or hostel to get it for you at a small fee.
We hope you enjoy it and yes we loved Sapa.
Chris and Lisa,
It is nice to see your blog. My family is going to visit Guilin on private tour. Know that you only eat bone for duck meal, that is terrible. I love China, beautiful country, but the customer service and the attitude of desire to earn money fast, worry me. Even before I start my trip, airfare seems like share market, it changes each day. I do not know can get train ticket.
Do u think Li River is nice at late Nov and early Dec
Anyhow, do not know you have been to Halong Bay, a nice place, we enjoy the trip there; try Sappa ; these are another place like Guilin, if you miss it...
Hot, hot, hot! Wow, you are so lucky to be off again, especially when we woke up to frost this morning!
We have just got the flat back and have discovered that they got busted for growing and dealing drugs from here, oh joy!
We are half way through cleaning and re-painting the whole flat, hey ho, at least it is clean and fresh for us now.
We are on the hunt for jobs for which i have a few leads, so fingres crossed, but Liam lost his London Underground job (was not allowed to go back after the career break) due to all of the cuts going on, so is having a tough time of it!
But on to some good news, we got Engaged and are due to marry next October down in Devon (as long as we get decent jobs!).
Loving your blog still, carry on enjoying yourselves and thank you for allowing us to live our dreams through you. xx
That actually made me laugh out loud. This has to be one of the best quotes - "This is a country remember where the people eat with sticks, and write in pictures."
Glad your both having fun :)
sharky Wow , looooks like an amazing place, Strange to see you guys only in pics so far away again..........could you pick up one of those dessicated sharks for us/ thought we could hang it up in the bathroom to create that seasise ambiance :-) p.s Chris , please be carefull with your internet usage ( you could have " big trouble in Little China ) let us know if Lisa finds Wun Hung Lo over there;-)
sharky Wow , looooks like an amazing place, Strange to see you guys only in pics so far away again..........could you pick up one of those dessicated sharks for us/ thought we could hang it up in the bathroom to create that seasise ambiance :-) p.s Chris , please be carefull with your internet usage ( you could have " big trouble in Little China ) let us know if Lisa finds Wun Hung Lo over there;-)
sharky Wow , looooks like an amazing place, Strange to see you guys only in pics so far away again..........could you pick up one of those dessicated sharks for us/ thought we could hang it up in the bathroom to create that seasise ambiance :-) p.s Chris , please be carefull with your internet usage ( you could have " big trouble in Little China ) let us know if Lisa finds Wun Hung Lo over there;-)
Nice photos of lights! Sounds fabulous and yet again you have added another place on my list of places to visit. And how ace are your pics- especially impressed with the fireworks one. I'm impressed with that kind of thing now I am a camera geek!!! Still a complete novice but now at least I know how difficult it is!
Good Luck! Good luck! How lovely to be escaping a) the winter b) the gloom about the economy and c) the need to be responsible for a while at least.
Enjoy it all.
Sheila
How jealous am I? Guys, you blow me away and I am sooooooo jealous. Can't really complain though as five years' ago that was our gap year (again!). I think it's going to be a fab trip and not knowing where you're going just makes it all the more fun. Use other traveller's recommendations because they'll be the most up-to-date and usually spot on (but you'll already have done that on your last trip most probably). Have an amazing time and I look forward to reading your blogs.
I found your blog by accident. Anyway, thank you for highlighting the foul smell at Tanjung Aru Beach. I am residing in Kota Kinabalu and often heard the locals here complaining about the foul smell at the Beach. But as far as i am concern, nothing much has been done by the authority to rectify the problem. The locals here keep on complaining but it seems like their voice has fallen to a deaf ear. So, it is good to have a tourist like you to highlight it. Shame on the country? Indeed it is true..let me add more to it..Shame on the government.....i hope you at least have a memorable time here in Sabah. Thanks and visit us again....
surprise it me i just realised i can write to you.thank u for helping me to switch on a computor by myself.got so much to ask u .from lisa what was the name of the building back inamerica?where do u put all your gifts?i cant wait to see the handbag.i feel like i been everywhere with u .not sure about tigers but loved the beach hut holiday in oz or was it new zealand? i feel i should update u here but not so much info how about weather lovely,weymouth coming to a standstill roundabouts being replaced by traffic lights,spellbound wins britain got talent.think that it cu
Hi All.
Fed up with working all the hours only for the taxman to take most of it away so we have decided to do what we have always dreamed about and take off round the world. We are currently planning our trip and have been inspired by all the great bloggs on here, thanks.
We are looking to leave in Sept 2009 and travel first to the USA. I have visited many times but mainly for work, now is the time to see it for real.
Then onto New Zealand to meet family, some for the first time, and see that beautiful country. Next Australia to catch up with some 'old' friends - Diane and Richard ... full info
Jo
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some tips?
Hey guys. You're having an amazing trip. If you're off to Chiang Mai, three tips for you, but expect you already know about them. Try a elephant mahout training course - a friend and I did a 3 day course and it was fab. http://www.changthai.com/mahout/three-day-mahout-training-course-most-popular/ Do a 1 or 2 day thai cookery course. Plenty to choose from and we did ours with Pad Thai Cookery School - it was brilliant. Mmmm, brings back memories of really good sticky mango rice and amazing pad thai. Also Pai north of Chiang Mai was lovely and laid back village for a bit of a chillax, and you can get amazing villas next to the river.... and do a trip to the hills and visit the local schools etc. Keep having fun! Jo x