This part of the trip was so jam-packed with interesting sights and sounds. Hopefully these few words, the photos and captions give a hint of this brilliant leg of the journey. Basically we finished our trek at Bun Namly and were picked up in a minibus. From there back to Boun Tai to collect our extra luggage, and on to Phongsaly. The roads were good in places, because the Chinese are providing extra funding to help keep agricultural produce flowing, but in other places the roads were clearly suffering from repeated landslides and washouts. We stopped several times for heavy equipment to clear a path. Phongsaly is very high, perhaps 1800m, and a quaint outpost of Chinese culture within Lao. Unfortunately the weather was a bit smokey or misty otherwise I could imagine the views would ... read more

The "biggest party" related to the Lai Hua Fai festival of the boats of light. In Luangprabang this means a street parade of lovingly prepared floats which are subsequently launched into the Mekong, along with all manner of other lit, floating items and allowed to float down the river in hope of better luck next year, and to give thanks to the river. From the riverside restaurant we were within a block of the main street and we were right in the thick of the parade. There were many different themes to the floats including the punishments for adultery. Each was accompanied by dancers and chanters from a village or community group. There was even a fire breather who seemed to be practicing his craft with a mouthful of kerosene! Tourists were following along. Skyrockets and ... read more

Hello there Over Easter 2010 we finally accepted David and Isabel's invitation to join them at the property Combabula, north of Yuleba, Queensland. Of course this property has great significance to our family, which is a whole different story, but this year it was spectacular on account of the water! Good rains over the last six months have the property looking spectacular: tall green grass; filled water holes; water birds; and wildflowers. Here are some photos from the trip. Thanks again Iris and Vince for letting us visit their property on the top of the Great Dividing Range in South Western Queensland.... read more

We visited two Indian national parks in Rajasthan as part of the Intrepid trips, and Catherine had the excitement of seeing a tiger! The photo doesn't have much detail but it certainly captures Catherine's excitement! The first visit was to Keoladeo Bird Sanctuary in Bharatpur Rajasthan. We entered the sanctuary in rickshaws and luckily for the rickshaw-guy, the terrain was flat, and the weather surprisingly cool. Almost immediately after leaving the main road, the cacophony that is Indian highways fades, and one starts to appreciate this little oasis. Our rickshaw-guy had sharp eyes and good ornithological knowledge, so we were right into the experience within the first 100 metres. The first and frequent sighting was a Common Hoopoee which put on a fine display as he left us. We also saw several Rufus Treepie which were ... read more

As we travelled through the Med, Egypt and India we couldn't resist snapping more shots of the working machines. However, the "Balkan Beasts of Burden" just seemed too limited. So here are a few more photos we collected, recognising hard working humans and animals as well.... read more