Escaping Vang Vieng proved no easy task. Within minutes I noticed that the aircon was non functional, we didn't even have any fans and the windows would not open. I believe it was around 35C or so. Sweat began to pour like a waterfall, everyone peeled away clothing, and we literally were all baking within the confines of that bus. A buddy of mine lamented, while gazing at his nearly empty water bottle, how he most likely would not be surviving the trip. Luckily the driver pulled over a few moments later and then toiled away at something before the fans kicked in and at least created some airflow. The fun didn't end there however as the road to the capital city, Ventiane, consisted of zig-zags and ups and downs. I was just passing through Ventiane ... read more

The slow boat arrived here in the evening. I could tell immediately that Luang Prabang was a really nice city, extremely clean and infused with French influence. It's actually a UNESCO world heritage city and is filled with tons of temples and European like architecture. I left the boat and headed onto the main strip to get a sense of the area. I headed to the SpicyLaos Hostel, where I originally wanted to stay but found out that they were all full so I had to get another room nearby which was more expensive. Speaking of expensive, this whole town was outrageously so! Kind of surprised because of the fact that it's Laos but I noticed there were quite a few older tourists here and not too many budget backpackers like myself. On the main road ... read more

I had heard many good things about Pai since I was passing through Malaysia, so I guess it's fair to say I had certain expectations about this small town in northern Thailand, very close to the Burmese border. My new British buddies Henry, Sam and Dave came along with me to check it out. Our minibus traveled through long, windy roads as we made our way through the mountains. We arrived after the sun had gone down and were let off at the main street of the town. Pleasantly surprised, or at least relieved, my initial impressions were good. We strolled down the street with all our gear, and slowly examined the extremely peaceful and laid back town and people. Vendors quietly went about their business, people walked about without a care in the world, and ... read more

I arrived in Chiang Mai at about seven in the morning. The bus driver had decided that it would be a brilliant idea to play Thai music for the entire night on the way up, and needless to say I didn't get any quality sleep. I had signed up to go Jungle Trekking up here and despite my lack of sleep I was excited to begin the adventure. I took a quick shower and headed downstairs to get some breakfast in me and multiple coffees for a good kick in the ass. Immediately I met another fellow trekker named Sam, who was also sitting down for some food, and then shortly after his friends Dave and Henry who joined us as well. These guys were from England and traveling through south east Asia before going to ... read more

Left for Kanchanaburi in the early morning and was picked up by the shuttle from my room. We went around Khao San picking up others and low and behold, I see Manne and the two girls (Annie and Holly) I met previously, piling in. Funny how we always run into each other. After a three hour ride we arrived in the area and immediately were let out at the war cemetery, where the remains of hundreds of allied prisoners of war from World War Two rested. From there we went to the nearby war museum and the bridge on the river Kwai, made famous from the 1957 movie. I really enjoyed that movie and it was cool to see the actual bridge where so many died building it along with the whole Burmese-Thai death railway, in ... read more