well done Jonathan - I love the geckos - there were so many in Australia too! Did you keep it as a pet or did you let it go again? Hope all is well with you! God bless!
Elephant riding Wow, the elephant riding looked a little steep and scary, but lots of fun. You must have had to hold on tight! Have a lovely time in Vietnam. Julia xx
Elephants and more Hi Bryan, yes the elephant riding was a memorable experience. They really were well cared for. As for the seat, yes I did feel like I was going to slip through and on the way down the slope it felt like the elephant was going to fall off the edge. As for the $1.00 haircut, Libby cuts the bits I miss and really there isn't much to miss anymore :-)
Sabei dee Sophie and Jonathon! Well I am impressed you are learning the language as well as seeing all the sights! Going down rapids sounds amazing fun and is perhaps a teeny weeny dangerous!? I am glad you all got back in one piece!
I was talking to a guy in our international group about you being in Laos - and he had been there as well - so he was talking about the bombing of the country too. It must have been horrendous for the people there. I loved the sunset picture - you must have seen so many sunsets by now. How do you always find hotels to stay in, in these remote areas. There can't be many tourists there hey? Have you met any other British or American people yet? Take care!
Getting around Laos There is a defined backpacker route in Laos, which goes from the capital Vientiane in the South right through to the border with China in the north, all the sights we visited are on this route. There is accommodation of various standards from budget to luxury at many locations. We met people from everywhere, and there are many visitors from SE Asian countries. You might need a thicker skin that most as an American visitor though. The infrastructure is improving in remote areas as the Laos and Chinese governments work together on many road and infrastructure projects.
Hi All Cambodia - how did you get there from Laos - I really have to get my map out and follow your trail! Jonathon I love the picture with the stick insect crawling all over you - so brave - I think I would have run a mile!
Visiting a landmine museum - mm interesting!
I love your bloggs - I suggest you become travel writers when you grow up or journalists - you are doing great! miss you - I am going to Jersey to see Christina - what a tame little trip compared to your travels!!! LOL
snap snap wow, pleased you guys didn't smile at the crocodile. I'm sure he's imagining how well you'd fit within his grin! What an amazing photo- I'd definitely be looking for some sedation.
pleased you're having a great time. keep up the good work.
Temples wow Those temples are amazing! you are looking so well - I like the picture of Sophie and Libby and the tuk tuk too! What an adventure this turned out to be! I can't wait until you come home and tell me all about it! I wonder what you will say you liked best???
It's freezing again here! Though we had no snow!
lots of love
Christa
Elephant-transportation Is Richard going to bring one of those elephants back to England with you, to make his daily commute along the M4 more interesting and environmentally friendly? :-)
Driving! Just a quick line to say we are all missing you in the class and have been looking at the blog. Canyoning looked fun if scary, and cold! And you have both been driving! Here it has gone back to being cold - 1 degree C today. Looking forward to reading about all your adventures.
Love your blog! Do those hopper things taste nice?! If I were you I'd just be wishing for a bowl of Cheerios. How are you able to put up with rice and curry for breakfast, lunch, and tea? You're obviously very tolerant. It looks warm there from your photos. I'd give anything to be out in 35 degree temperatures. Her you just have to stand outside for 2 seconds to get a bad case of hypothermia. Ellie
I would love to be able to be there right now but eat croissants and Cheerios! I hope I get to jump off a piece of rock just like it showed in one of your pictures one day. Alex
We are Jonathan and Sophie aged 8 and 10. This is the story of our travels through Sri Lanka, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam and Western Australia as we search for elegant elephants and mischievous monkeys.
We are only young travellers but are open to new experiences and sights
"I would like to eat something disgusting, like a spider" - Jonathan
"I would like to see lots of animals, besides the elephants and monkeys I hope
to see koalas, kangaroos, and whales in Australia" - Sophie
... full info
Penny Locke
non-member comment
I think Sophie will be a few inches taller when she gets back...