Amazing that I managed to get up in time to cross the border. It's not like it had been a late night, but getting organized for a 5am bus is never easy! And then, I somehow managed. I met up with Maria along the way, a girl I had first met on the beach in Ko Chang. She was planning on catching the same speedboat down to Sihanoukville, so a mini adventure was born. Having organized my visa in Bankok, I was slightly annoyed when I had to go back to the border to get another stamp. Officials trying to get [View Full Entry]

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I know some of you might think that I don't deserve a holiday considering I've been to 10 countries in the last 3 1/2 months, but that's where you're wrong. The amount of brain power required in daily planning and watching my back, and being a tourist is bloody exhausting. Every book will tell you that you need a break every 3 months...so I've taken their advise, and I feel like a million bucks. I took a bus from Bankok, to the ferry terminal heading towards Ko Chang Island. I chose Ko Chang as it's in the right direction for Cambodia, [View Full Entry]

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I was quite fortunate to meet Michael from Germany in the bus line up from Bankok airport. Sometimes arriving in a new city can be a confusing start, so it was a relief to traipse the areas near KoSan Road looking for accomodation with somebody elses' input as well. The last thing I expected was to share a room with him, but when a twin works out cheaper than a single-why not? We started the next day jumping on board a ferry up the Chao Phraya River towards ChinaTown. Walking into the maze of market traders was a loud and smelly [View Full Entry]

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Run run run! Go go go! Why can't I just settle down for awhile? Perhaps this is the problem with my whole life, but at least I get to see a lot! I've really struggled with which photos to add to this entry as I have taken so many. I hope I can give the Kansai area of Japan justice! I've taken the night bus from Tokyo, arriving in Kyoto at 5am. The bus ride wasn't too bad. Apart from the fact that the guy sitting next to me snored his way onto my shoulder, and then both of the reading [View Full Entry]

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Leaving the airport was more of a challenge than I had expected. I covered the basics with my visit to Starbucks (to get some change for the phone really!) and booking my accomodation and transport but English was far less common than I expected in such a big city. But I suppose that's just an ignorant westerners' viewpoint. Must practise some more Japanese!!! The train journey into town was an eye opener as we passed houses with ornate tiled rooftops surrounded by rice fields. Perhaps I really will see everything that is the stereotypical view of Japan in the 2 weeks [View Full Entry]

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I know I know, this has taken me awhile to post, but that's just the way it goes okay?!!? Having survived the miserable (with a cold) flight from Johannesburg I was blown away by the sight of Hong Kong-even from the plane!! I was expecting a culture shock and it certainly hit me! I made my way from the airport to the YWCA in the Kowloon area. As I paused to check on the map if I was walking in the right direction, a local decided to look over my shoulder. He figured it would be best if he walked me [View Full Entry]

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The anticipation that I felt as I stepped off the bus in Capetown had been building up for the entire 22 hour journey. I was not planning for the same adventures of Zambia or Namibia, but rather some quality time with a dear friend that had returned to her home in South Africa. When Claudia hollered my name from her car opposite the bus depot, I skipped across the road-even with my 20 kilo pack on! Isn't it crazy how some situations can make you feel like a kid again? We took the scenic drive to the house and I couldn't [View Full Entry]

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Having crossed the border from Zambia, the road that stretched out ahead was long and straight. It welcomed my feet hanging out of the window in addition to catching up in my diary. (I'm always having to catch up in my diary and in the blog entries if you haven't noticed!!) This drive along the Caprivi strip couldn't be this perfect for too long, could it? Nnnnnoooooooo, of course not!! Hearing a loud bang in a country you are not familiar with can always give you a fright. The image of bandits jumping out of the bushes as I fought them [View Full Entry]

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As you may recall from my last blog, I was beginning to experience an unusual entry into the land of Zambia. I had collected my Tanzanian exit stamp in the early hours of the morning and joined my mate Anita in order to get our visas from the on board customs officials. Having explained to the officials just what they needed to know, the officers felt the situation might best be dealt with in the privacy of their onboard office. The slight hitch to our situation was that Anita had slept through her Tanzanian exit stamp, and I had mine in [View Full Entry]

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As I boarded the bus early in the morning in Nairobi I prepared myself for the scheduled 12 hour journey to Tanzania. Interesting sights along the way, but nothing to keep me awake for more than 20 minutes straight! Luckily I woke up in time for the border, for what should be a simple procedure of getting my visa. Should be! When I handed over the $50 U.S., the customs officer quickly smiled and stated he didn't have any change. I pointed out that I had seen the Kenyan in front of me receive his change. Amazing how the officer then [View Full Entry]

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