Please click on the first pick to enlarge and browse through all pix. If you are interested in more (f.e. find out why we were not so impressed by Australia) then please go on reading below in the summary. The itinerary contains more detailed information about certain destinations Australia, east coast & central Coming from Asia, despite of all the warnings we already received about Australia, we still are quite shocked: everything is really expensive (even when compared to European standards) and if, as a consequence, you need to stick to a budget, you have to be prepared to stay in hostels and sleep in dorms with hoards of 18 year old backpackers. That is probably why so many youngsters first work there. Overall we also were not so impressed by the scenery/ landscapes on the ... read more

(click on the first pic to enlarge and browse through and let the pix do the talk. if you are interested in more, well be my guest and read all about it below....) (always) good to be back again After traveling in the Philippines with only a few tourists, I was wondering if we still would like Thailand, especially in the high season. However also at my 6th time in Thailand I didn't get disappointed: if you try to avoid the main touristic spots (especially Phuket, Koh Samui, Koh Phi Phi and Koh Phangan) you still can enjoy nice beaches, great food and very relaxed people at very reasonable prices. Due to rapid tourist development in Thailand don't expect places to look the same, if you come to visit them again after a couple of years. ... read more

Japan - we are loving it! Crazy as expected Whereas in China we had to register with our passport in order to be able to check our mail in an internet cafe, in Japan you get a whole room including a shower if you want to use the internet. Why do you need a shower?, I want to know. 'Because people, especially students, live in internet cafes.' I ve been told. Aha, I see. A street further down the road I see signs with cats. I wonder what this is for. 'It's advertisements for cat cafes'. Cat cafes? Yes, cafes where you can enjoy a drink and pet cats. Why would you want to do so I ask. 'Because it's very relaxing.' Aha, that's how it works here. .... We also visit a maid cafe, a ... read more

WARNING: the following update contains a lot of text. The country and our experiences here were so great, I couldn't do it in less words. So if you don't have the time just click through the pix and scroll down to the final conclusion and summary, that captures the essence of our trip to China. China - Land of the Chinese Chinese restaurants are everywhere and it's full of Chinese,..and so many. People here move fast forward - it feels like someone pushed fast forward on the remote control, and crowds push us around, but we push back. Spitting on the streets and in buses is the norm, so I adjust. From the least crowded place on earth to the most crowded one, from blue skies to grey skies: Although we have a great time, people, ... read more

the last days before the trip Our itinerary: Els & Peter: Mongolia (Sept), China (Oct), Japan (Nov), Philippines (Nov/Dec), Australia (dec/jan), NZ (jan/feb), cook islands (feb); Peter: Mexico (march/april) & maybe parts of S-America if money is left (april-?); Els Canada (march). The Facts: 8 countries, approx. 20 flights, from Asia to Central America, the trip is planned, tickets booked, both now unemployed, and I am excited to go. Els is already in Mongolia, she did voluntary work there for 2 weeks with kids, now heading to Gobi desert. 15 september, that's my departure date: amsterdam-london-bejing-Ulan Bator. saying good bye to friends first to wacken festival in germany to see marcus my dear old friend from berlin and his crew, then I went to vienna to see my family and good old friends once more before ... read more