But first…an evening in Ninh Binh That night in Ninh Binh the Dutch girls and I went out for some dinner. We struggled to find any restaurants and the Lonely Planet didn’t have any listed, although it did say that the local specialty was goat. Anyway, we stopped off in a street at a “café” but it didn’t serve any food, just nacks, beer and hot beverages. We were ostensibly looking for “bia hoi” or “fresh beer,” the cheapest beer on the planet, but they didn’t have it. We ended up getting served with a weird concoction of fruit salad, yoghurt and nuts and a whole bunch of other stuff in a glass which we had to blend ourselves. It was edible but looked strange and unappetizing. Then the local proprietor took a seat next to ... read more

I thought I’d provide a few details as to my travelling so far and show you what I’ve been carrying and using since I got here. Wallet First off is the new wallet, a small hand-made thing I bought in Chiang Mai, Thailand and I tie up to my belt lapels and slip down my trousers. Worked a dream so far and since I keep my malarial pills, bank card, money and USB pen there, it’s very useful. I’m sure you’re all interested in what I do with my passport, well I keep it in a wallet inside my large backpack, it forms part of the backpack so can’t fall out. Footloose I bought this pair of Tevas’ a few years ago when I went to the Greek Islands. I bought my first pair of flip ... read more

Currently reading, The Sorrow of War by Bao Ninh “Xing Chian” everybody, or to you and I, hello! I’m in the land they call Vietnam, or sometimes in the American jargon as ‘Nam, and it’s really rather strange being in a country that we’ve all grown up with as a war shown on our TV screens through American shows and movies. However, despite picking up a few illegal counterfeit books about Vietnam, (including a 9 pounds photocopy of Lonely Planet’s Vietnam). I am of course, I am still finishing a book incongruously enough about the American Civil War! Regardless, of more interest to me is the fact that I had two semesters studying the Vietnam War whilst at university and it was fascinating if a touch depressing. Anyway, I wonder what it’s really like? Well, first ... read more

Bangkok again! Hey everyone, how’s it going? It’s going real fine this end, as you might have noticed I’m in higher spirits of late. I’m currently in Laos, Luang Prabang, another former capital of Laos (pronounced Lowe - now louse like some stupid ignorant motherfuckers I’ve heard in this part of the world; easy assumption to make I guess, but for fuck’s sake read up…!) Anyway, a quick rewind and reminder of where I’ve been so far. I left Kanchangaburi to get my arse to Bangkok in order to pick up my British passport and from when I handed in my application on the 16th of April I was told a new one would be provided by May 5th at the earliest (!!!). You can perhaps imagine Johnny’s reaction to that one. They very kindly put ... read more

First off, thanks for all the emails and comments I've received so far. You know who you are and it pleaseth my greatly. Okay people so I’m leaving Bangkok today (for Laos) and that includes Thailand too, I’ve been here for an incredible seven weeks already. But I’ve mixed feelings about this fact, mainly because it was “unplanned” - the bad luck I had had an extended duration forced upon me’ I also was spending money when I didn’t want to. The other side of it, however, is the fact I’ve gotten to travel solo after such a long time and regain my independence. I’ve also gotten to visit places that I had dismissed as not possible but would not have done if I hadn’t lost my passport. Overall, I’m glad to be moving on again ... read more