Okay okay okay, here it is. I´ll always eventually catch up to the present! (it´ll be at the end of the trip of course!) The start of each new week here makes it very difficult to think of living anywhere else. This may be partly because I'm aiming to move back home to Vancouver, and everything I see here has such similarities to life on the West Coast of Canada. Everything. Glaciers, stunning beaches, ancient forests, and a combination of 2 cultures. The native presence can be felt everywhere, most notably in the tourist shops, but the legends themselves are still [View Full Entry]

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Christchurch airport had a poster that caught my eye as I walked past immigration; 'The All Blacks' in action. There are a lot of attractions New Zealand has tempted me with over the last few years, but their national rugby team has topped my list most recently. Not having been to a game since the days I watched my dad coach the highschool boys, I thought I could make a feature of my 5 weeks here. Noooo, I'm not 'gonna be a rugby groupie, just checking out the field as often as I can. When I saw Wales, Ireland, Scotland and [View Full Entry]

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Most people want to hit me over the head when I tell them I only allotted 6 days to Australia, but can I just say- I agree! One day when I have more time and money, I will dedicate at least 6 months or a year to this big island, but for this trip it must remain as a stopover to New Zealand. Luckily I managed to cram in a few irreplacable events in my Ozzy days, starting in Brisbane. Some of the travellers that I've met along the way have offered me their couch for my journey, but more often [View Full Entry]

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I know I have a few entries that start with an excuse for the delay in 'publishing' it, and this time it's really down to my technophobe ways. Then dreading the catch up! Finally I've learned a few tricks so you'll have my last 5 weeks all at once- SORRY! I must have hardened from numerous travelling situations over the last few months, as I feel as though I've floated into this interesting city with such ease. I suppose being able to read a map, and ask just about anyone a question and get a smile and an english response helps [View Full Entry]

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What a pleasure it was to cover so much territory in just a few hours! I caught my first flight in Asia from Luang Prabang to Phuket and although I had a few arguments with immigration, I had made it back to the land of Thailand. Whilst on the minibus into town I met a couple of girls that were also avoiding the tourist trap of pre-arranged hotels. It's so annoying when bus drivers/companies do this. I understand that everybody needs to make a business of sorts, but I still have a bit of a brain and would like to do [View Full Entry]

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Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaagggggggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh! I've finally made it over to the country on the top of my Asia list. My time is shorter, but I'm here regardless. I boarded a minibus in Hanoi which then proceeded to drive me out to the middle of the sticks which was slightly concerning. Luckily the shadow of a long bus poked out from behind a petrol station and I boarded with all of the locals. It was going to be a long journey ahead and the fact that my chair was stuck in the upright postiion was a hinderence , but not a stopper. Four hours later [View Full Entry]

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I boarded the night train with much anticipation of the 12 hours ahead. I had bought a hard bed ticket, but didn't get the requested bottom bunk in order to guard my bag more closely. No worries, I could read my book with my feet resting on my pack until the train stopped. There didn't seem to be any communal areas, and if it makes me feel better to guard my stuff, than why not? When I finally settled and introduced myself to my new room mates I felt a bit silly and a bit overprecautious of my belongings. The three [View Full Entry]

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The minibus to the border wasn't quite what I or the others has been expecting. Unlike the big organized buses I'd previously taken across Cambodia, we were squished into a minibus that spat exhaust back at us. But rather than deal with another delay into Vietnam, we grumbled and accepted. Should have grumbled a little louder once at the border, as I was duped out of $1 which I later found out was a custom official pocket liner. At least it was a small amount! We had a chance to leave our luggage at the tour company in Saigon in order [View Full Entry]

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Whilst travelling, I've often sat in awe of travellers that have changed their itineries in order to be lazy, see more, or be with new friends. I usually find it quite difficult to change the plans I've made in my head as the domino effect is too much for my brain. HOWEVER, my time in Cambodia and with the gang I've met in Siem Reap has changed that. What's a weeks' difference within a year of travelling? I'm still learning the ins and outs of maximising the joys of life on the road. Soooooooo, I've not quite spead off to Vietnam [View Full Entry]

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When the bus finally pulled out of Phenom Penh I was lulled back to sleep with the itunes blaring. 6 hours later we opened our doors within the French stylized streets and moto drivers with hotel pamphlets shoved in our faces. Battambang! It sounds best if you yell it out loudly, I promise!! Having chosen the hotel just a few moments earlier made the transport choice so much easier. Within moments we were whisked away and settled in our rooms. I joined fellow Brits Oz and Emma for a bite to eat before beginning the tour of the town. Why I [View Full Entry]

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