After Byron Bay and Sydney, I wasn't looking forward to Queensland that much - everybody had said that Brisbane was duller than dull. However, I was literally skipping with excitement at the prospect of seeing Oscar again - we'd all become very close travelling around Thailand together, and we'd really missed each other. Han was very happy she'd get to see him on her birthday! The bus journey was a 3 hour hop up the East Coast, and most of it was spent chatting to Dave, the friend Han had bumped into who she'd been to Peru with. As they [View Full Entry]

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The bus to Byron Bay was uneventful, except for being unable to sleep because of very upright seats that literally reclined about 2cm only. I'd been told great things about Byron Bay by the people we'd met in Sydney, and had been particularly recommended a hostel called the Arts Factory. We got off the bus in sweltering heat but warmish clothes, which we'd needed for the AC on the bus. Using my guidebook as a map, we walked for 10 minutes or so until arriving at a HUGE complex which was the Arts Factory. It was a popular place - we [View Full Entry]

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I had been massively, massively excited about going to Australia - particularly Sydney. For years I have lusted after the Opera House, Harbour Bridge and beaches of Manly and Bondi. Unfortunately, upon arrival, my expectations and experiences didn't quite match up. Hannah and I were seriously knackered after our flights and food poisoning, so when we staggered into our hostel around 8am and were told our beds wouldn't be ready until 10 when some others had checked out, we looked so disappointed that the lovely receptionist, an Israeli girl named Netta, suggested we collapse in the TV room o [View Full Entry]

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After the experiences of Phnom Penh, Hannah and I debated whether we should go to Laos for 10 days, which we'd heard great things about, or whether to head down to the southern coast of Cambodia. We decided on the latter, for a few days of relaxation on the beach. After all, it only meant we'd have to return to do Laos and Vietnam another trip! On the bus we were sitting across from an English guy who had two adorable little dogs with him, which cheered Hannah up no end and they spent the first half hour or so discussing [View Full Entry]

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We've spent the last few days exploring the recent Cambodian history in Phnom Penh with Andreas and Simon. After an uneventful bus journey spent listening to the wailing of the Khmer ballads that are so infuriatingly popular, we arrived in Phnom Penh to the rugby match of the bus stop - as soon as the vehicle nears the stand, Khmers are hammering on the windows, thrusting brochures of guesthouses and attractions at you, in the hope of securing a commission. Then once you get your bag from the hold, you cling on to it for dear life as people try to [View Full Entry]

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The journey to Cambodia is a novella in itself, and what we've done since probably another one! I was glad to leave Thailand although I had loved every second. Our first bus of a 29 hour journey was late, no surprises, and we ended up chatting to a slightly dull Aussie called Rachel...well, at first I thought that was all, but then she told me that the Killing Fields weren't as impressive as she'd expected and had been disappointed by them, and I nearly walked off there and then! I've recently read 'Survival in the Killing Fields' by Haing S. Ngor [View Full Entry]

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Han, Oscar and I have had an absolutely awesome time in Krabi...we arrived tired, but had a gorgeous meal at about 11.30pm which cheered us up no end! We are staying at Mr Banana's, which are bungalows in the middle of a jungle, a short way from Ao Nang beach. At first we were frustrated to be out of the town (it was pre-booked), but we really appreciate the gorgeous setting, the food's great, the staff are really good fun, and they provide a free taxi into town, so we're happy! Our first day was spent 'on the beach' but it's [View Full Entry]

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So, today we have arrived in Krabi, for the last leg of Thailand, but I thought first I would fill you in on our adventures on the islands... After island hopping to Phangan to see Alex and Newt, going back to Samui seemed a bit of a let down and we were glad to get to return to the island of the Full Moon Party! The ferry ride was easy, and then a short taxi trip to our resort, on the beach closest to the capital, Thong Sala. It was much nicer than the hole we had been in on Samui, [View Full Entry]

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After the fun of Chaing Mai, we arrived in BKK at 5.30am and spent the early morning feeling really tired. Hannah (lucky girl!) is somehow able to fall asleep at the click of her fingers, so she got a little shuteye on top of a keyboard in a 24 hour internet cafe. In the morning, we headed to the Grand Palace - we had deliberately waited until now so that we could go early before mammoth crowds hit. Well, that was the plan. However, we didn't realise that there would be the world's largest traffic network of roundabouts and intersections to [View Full Entry]

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My expectations for Chaing Mai were good but not amazing - I couldn't have been more wrong. It's been an incredible few days, and a real contrast to our time in Bangkok (BKK). So this entry will be a long one! We spent our last day in the city doing literally nothing, lazing about a lovely open-air restaurant with comfy chairs that let you sit as long as you wanted. We read, chatted to other backpackers, and laughed at the poor sods that were losing thousands of baht to a vaguely organised poker ring. In the evening, we eventually found our [View Full Entry]

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