UK to Umina

Time to teach means remembering the basics of English grammer (or relearning them!) It's been difficult to get access to my blog, for some reason it says I am an unknown administrator (surely there is no one else wanting to second guess what I am doing and write my blog on my behalf?) so as a result I'm a good week behind where I should be. I came to Laos for a month to spend as part of the GVI program, teaching English to children and novice monks in Luang Prabang. Not knowing much more (well anything more) than that, I arrived at 9am on my first Saturday and met the other 10 volunteers who were starting the same time as me. Ranging from a stay of 2-8 weeks, we are a mixed bunch of ages ... read more

Life in Luang Prabang is dreamlike I've been in Luang Prabang, Laos, for 5 days now. It's incredible this place. I now understand why everyone who has been here before me has fallen in love with the town. Life here is calm. Life here is peaceful. Life here is simple. Life here is happy. And somehow this is for both locals and tourists alike. It's almost as though the UNESCO Heritage town has a bewitching spell on all that arrive. No where in Asia do you have motorbikes and tuk tuks but not horns. No where in Asia do you have westerners in the cafes and street stalls not yelling, or running to catch up with their friends. It is bliss. The flight from Vietnam was 60 minutes. Flying Laos Airlines (who thankfully have not had ... read more

After just losing a whole update of my first few days in Luang Prabang I'm having trouble saving or even logging into my blog - so I'll have another go tomorrow when I have more time to update you all on the Asian adventure as it moves from Vientam to Laos.... read more

"It's by educating a child that we understand the sacrifices of parents" If you're in Hanoi, and particularly if you're female, a visit to the Vietnamese Women's Museum is a must. You can easily spend a few hours here if you take the time to read all the stories and antidotes that explain the role of women in shaping the Vietnam that is today. I was stunned to learn about the lead some females took in the Vietnam War, however when I took the time to think about it, I also believe that if I ever found myself in the situation where I truly believed my home was being taken from me, then I too would fight for my land. There is also a brilliant short film on the women hawkers (that image of Vietnam that ... read more

Another country ticked....I've arrived in Vietnam I'd forgotten how much I love about Asia and how this continent can wow your senses like none other. Flying into Hanoi I couldn't see the city due to the low lying cloud, however upon arrival my glasses steamed up the minute I disembarked, the watch tower looked as though it had been built over 100 years ago, there were no advertising signs or slogans in the terminal, and the necessary amount of foreign tourists in different degrees of panic upon realisation they did not have a visa to enter Vietnam. Luckily I was not one of those. Not wanting to have a potential mafia experience upon arrival i had arranged for a car pick up to take me the 45 minute drive to hotel (for £10 why wouldn't you?). ... read more

Their airline rocks and so does their chili crab Not brand loyal to many things depsite being a brand manager, Singapore Airlines is my one exception. Confident that one of their planes will never fall from the sky, attendants that actually attend, an airport that is better than any luxury hotel, and an entertainment system that means I catch up on all movies released since I last flew, Singapore Airlines are actually the reason I am on my way to Laos (as they fly to Vietnam where I need to be to fly into Laos). Therefore it's a big thank you to them that tonight I got to try the wonderful chilli crab at East Coast Park Seafood Centre where I had dinner catching up with Paula and the very cute Elouise, one of the many ... read more