http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Emmy-Rose/ Travel adventures in journals and photos from Emmy Rose en-us Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:07:41 +0000 Sat, 02 Jan 2010 17:07:41 +0000 My journey into Laos was definitely an experience Duncan and I crossed the border into Laos by taking a small long tail boat across the Mekong. We stocked up on supplies water beer sweets and of course a comfy pillow to sit on and boarded our Slow Boat that would take 2 days to arrive in Luang Prabang. Word of advise definitely spend the money on the pillow. Sitting on a hard wooden seat http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Laos/West/Vientiane/blog-144667.html I arrived in Chiang Mai and was delightfully greeted by a Thai family that was kind enough to take me in for about 10 days. Nice to get off the backpacker circuit and learn a true lesson in Thai culture Sunday morning I was ready for my first shot at Thai cooking. I booked a course through Ban Tahi Cookery School and they were fabulous Dressed in a cute little apron and a matching headscarf http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/North-West-Thailand/Chiang-Mai/blog-141446.html Linds and I arrived in Bangkok early in the morning after a long day of travelling. We took a night train from Surat Thani which was super comfortable. I would completely recommend it We boarded the train at 10pm our beds were ready and I was soon sound asleep to the rhythm of the train. Woke up quite refreshed actually. Linds and I walked along the sticky Bangkok streets eating cheap Thai f http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/Central-Thailand/Bangkok/blog-140502.html Our stay on Ko Pha Ngan has been absolutely glorious...maybe thats why we've stayed almost 2 weeks. There isn't too much adventure to talk about as my time has consisted of lying on the beach swimming in the ocean drinking banana shakes and making a decent attempt at a tan. Seriously heaven Linds and I arrived on Bottle Beach after taking the night ferry a taxi and then a long tail boat. B http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South-West-Thailand/Ko-Pha-Ngan/blog-140095.html Arrival into Thailand on Valentine's Day...another long day taking about 10 hours to complete a 5 hour journey. At least I'm still laughing. We left Malaysia via ferry into Satun Thailand. Upon arrival at the pier we were bombarded with tour operators vying for our attention and our Baht to take us to our destination. Its quite a funny scam to engage in as all the guys who want to sell tic http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Thailand/South-West-Thailand/Ko-Phi-Phi/blog-133658.html Lindsay and I left the Cameron Highlands on route to the island of Penang this time we SPLURGED on a VIP bus. Yeah for an extra 3RM 1 CAD the VIP bus was a definite worthwhile investment. Completely recommended express transit no highway stops comfy seats that recline adjustable air con. Nice work. We arrived on Penang via the Penang bridge in case you're wondering how the bus tra http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Kedah-and-Perlis/Pulau-Langkawi/blog-128280.html The Cameron Highlands high in the mountains covered in lushous jungle green. THIS is my new paradiseWe left Pulau Pangkor and enjoyed another nonexpress bus adventure. Riding with the locals on a bus that appeared to be falling apart people jumping on and off everywhere and anywhere along the highway and of course a lovely stop at a road stop cafe to use the toilet.Let me take this opport http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Pahang/Tanah-Rata/blog-127337.html Monday January 29 was the bus ride from hell but it all had a Happy Ending I left Melaka early in the morning prepared for a 5 hour bus ride to the city of Lumut where I planned to take a ferry across to Pulau Pangkor. Easy enough by 2 or 3pm I'd be lying on the beachWell somehow I ended up on a bus that made a million stops along the way. Four hours later we arrived in KL less than http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Perak/Pulau-Pangkor/blog-126832.html We left Singapore and took the EXPRESS bus bound for Melaka Malaysia. Apparently it's only a 3 hour journey... But again it turned out to be another long travel day. We showed up to catch the hourly bus...only to find that hourly in Singapore doesn't mean every hour. It actually means when we choose to leave. So we chilled out for a few hours dodging another massive rainstorm and then http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Malaysia/Melaka/Melaka-City/blog-126847.html 1130pm January 23 we hopped on the plane for the LONG journey around the world. After 21 hours 3 meals 2 vain attempts at a comfortable sleep and a brief stop in Taipei Taiwan we FINALLY landed at our destination Singapore. After 36 hours of travel let me tell you we looked BEAUTIFUL and FRESHOur first day in Singapore we braved public transport with our backpacks and managed our http://www.travelblog.org/Asia/Singapore/blog-123281.html After 3 hours of sleep Tuesday morning I was up and heading off to the airport. Geez last minute things sure take a LONG time to packLinds and I flew to LA and slept pretty much the whole way and had over 12 hours to kill before our flight took off to Singapore. We certainly were not staying in the airport. As luck would have it we were getting off the plane and heard this girl we late http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/United-States/California/Los-Angeles/Santa-Monica/blog-122691.html I've been waiting for 2 years now to do this trip and it finally appears to be taking flight. I leave for South East Asia in just over 2 weeks with my friend Lindsay.Here's how it all startedhellipWhy Asia Lots of people ask me that I spent 5 months backpacking in Australia after I finished university. People thought I was crazy for doing it on my own but it was one of the greatest things http://www.travelblog.org/North-America/Canada/Alberta/Edmonton/blog-116852.html