DeepBlue

The night train from Bangkok to Nong Kai took 13 hours and with the help of Benadryl we were actually able to get some sleep. We walked from the train station to the Thai/Laos boarder, purchased a 30-day visa, and jumped into a Sangthew (a flatbed trailer pulled by a motorbike) bound for Vientiane, Laos (22km away). The little sanghtew topped out at about 30mph and died about 1/4 way there. Our driver got out and it looked like he poured some fuel on the carburetor and off we went. We only stopped one other time to pick up two 20lb. bags of manure, which sat right below our feet. The driver gave an apologetic grin and we continued toward Vientiane. The ride was stinky, yet charming…a good way to start out Laos travel. Vientiane - ... read more

Khao Sok National Park required a few bus connections from Krabi town. So for about 100 baht ($2.75) we hired a 'minibus' that took us strait to the park (kind of). Thai timetables seem much more flexible than out west. "Five minutes" is the standard response to questions of time and usually means more like a half an hour. "Mai Pen Li", basic Thai for "no worries", is the most appropriate expression when traveling through Thailand. Even if things don't work out like you thought, they always seem to work out somehow..."Same-same but different" is also popular English. After some organized chaos and last minute changes we were off to the park. Upon arrival we were dropped off at Khao Sok Jungle Huts and settled into the jungle. The sound of motorbikes and honking horns that ... read more

They call it a "sleeper" train and I suppose it's true to an extent. We did sleep a little bit on our way from Hua Hin to Trang. Upon arrival in Trang Chris started to feel the onset of chills and feverish symptoms which would linger under the surface for a few days and emerge in it's full glory days later. A dodgy little meal and continuous rainfall in Trang prompted us to set out for the island of Koh lanta, a noble, relatively unspoiled island reminiscent of the Koh Pangan/Koh Samui days of old. The locals of the island don't want to see it go the way of Phuket/Pataya so we're told. We arrived at the Miami Bungalows and were greeted by the front dest woman who actually recognized Chris (he stayed here 5 years ... read more

Over 30 hours of travel and awkward sleeps, we made it to Bangkok with few annoyances. This city is spectacular in its movement and sights...bustling with 12 million +/- people, we made it to a small guesthouse just outside of the backpacker crazed Khao San Road...Staying at the Wild Orchid for 280 baht a night (about $7) we have the last room in the house...With New Years celebrations and holiday breaks, this spot has been hammered by international tourists. As crazy as it may sound, we have managed to have a few good sleeps and have been able to explore much of our area already. Yesterday we cruised down to Siam Square, one of the few public area markets that was open during the New Year holiday break (See photos)...Extremely modern and westernized, this area boosts ... read more