happy birthday Hi Matt and Catherine really enjoying your blog we're finding it very amuseing and informative ,just wanted to say'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' Matt for the 16 th .Don't go and add looseing your way home to your list of lost items as we are all looking forward to seeing you again at the end of your adventures,take care of each other love Auntie Lynne and Mick xx
Lost items hi Matt, "lost iitems" er, why are we not suprised, we won't mention missing wallets,wedding rings etc.etc., we only hope you've still got Catherine with you.Still we're enjoying your blogs, emails and photos,apart from the digusting toilets,lets see them on the site! Keep up the good work,C&G
Crazy crazy house Oh my god I can't believe you stayed in the crazy house. We visited there and I loved it and wanted to stay there (instead we were in an identikit Viet hotel). And I never knew about the crazy bar either. The neon ice sculptures look cool too.
The Viet-Con Was very amused by your entry (don't say we didn't warn you). I have never known a country that even sets up fake travel agencies and fake hotels that pretend to be the ones with a good reputation. As you say it is a very beautiful country with interesting things to see but you can't help but leave with a sour taste in your mouth after the sixth taxi driver who has a fake meter that tells you your journey is $15 when you know it should be $2!
Laos Laos is fab. BeerLao is the best in SEAsia IMHO. It took me a year to find it in London, but went to a bar at Christmas that served it up. Everyone looked at me strangely for ordering it though and getting so excited. Somehow it tasted better kicking back in Luang Prabang next to the Mekong though.
Well done for heading off on your own terms there - that's a bit more difficult east over the border.
You both seem to be doing well, no horrible bites or illnesses. Just watch out for the crazy moto drivers in Nam.
Photos are top - like the Parasols.
Aha Akha I think wherever you go the tribes people put on a bit of a false show. We saw Akha tribes in Northern Laos and even though we were the only people there and it wasn't a very touristy trip it still felt a bit fake, we had to wait in each village for a girl to get dressed up and show a skill like rice pounding. I guess you just have to think that if they didn't do it for the tourists then maybe the traditions would totally disappear. Long neck just not right though - don't they do that somewhere in Africa too? Strange.
long necks Did you feel like you were intruding or are they so geared up to tourism it's now a way of life? It's a toughie this, no wonder the old lady was laughing, she was probably thinking she'd just earned enough for a pie and a pint by banging a drum at these daft tourists!
Also, bit macabre but when the ladies 'pass on' do you think they leave the rings on for cremation or take them off? I need to find a book, it intrugues me!
Did Matt really eat all the bugs?
looking forward to the next installment x
Hong Kong Hi both,
Your blogs are being followed avidly by friends and family here in the UK.
It's exciting waiting for the next episode.Hong Kong looks brilliant and it was nice you were able to meet up with one of Catherines old friends.
Remember...if you drink too much and get hungover,just call into a restaurant and ask for the"Hair of the Dog"I am sure the will be able to oblige... lol. Take care
Bats A vampire bat came flapping in from the night; face all covered in fresh blood and parked himself on the ceiling of the cave to get some sleep.
Pretty soon all the other bats could smell the blood and began hassling him about where he got it.
He told them to p*ss off and let him get some sleep, but they persisted until he finally gave in.
"OK, follow me", he said and flew out of the cave with hundreds of bats behind him.
Down through a valley they went, across a river and into a huge forest.
Finally he slowed down and all the other bats excitedly milled around him, tongues hanging out for blood.
"Do you see that large oak tree over there?" he asked.
"Yes, yes!!" the bats all screamed in frenzy.
"Good" said the first bat, "because I f**king didn't !"
Bungy Jump Hiya big matt n catherine! That bat cave looks kinda scary...weren't you scared that they were just going to fall down on you?? We would of been!! Hey guess what big matt...the word has gone around my school that you are on youtube doing one of the biggest bungy jumps in the world!! Heh Heh Heh... I started it!! (Amy) Anyway, sounds as though you are having a good time!! We are looking forward to your next blog! Kayaking looks so hard... it is so low down to the water!! Luv from Amy n Little Matt xx
Super-Matt! He carries bales of hay on his back, helps in the kitchen and lifts heavy luggage for families! You should start charging for your services Matt!
Coming Up... Love the bat cave, would have spooked me out. Hope you've found a good place to stay in HK, better than where we stayed at any rate. The Hong Kong Story museum is pretty interesting, but you won't probably read this before you leave anyway because HK doesn't have a single internet cafe! I'm very impressed by the amount Matt seems to help out the locals in any given situation. What a gent.
Enjoy listening to the jewel scammers in Bangkok - just hang out at a Wat - they'll find you....
fantastic I am genuinely loving your blog and the fantastic photos. You need to make it into a book when you get back.
ps were they charging more for number twos or was it the style of toilet??!!
Bungee bargain Nice to see Matt working hard and looking Robert Smith with peroxide in the photo.
Not sure that "negotiating" with a bungee company is very wise..."yeah, we just went with the lowest bidder"....why would they be cheaper...thinner rope? they charge for two seats on the bus there, but only one back?...
Better to pay extra for second rope and bupa!
Good round-up! Well I hope you have as many adventures in your next country as you did in India. Loved the top 10 idea- might nick that for my blog if you don't mind!!! xx
fri night in reading your blog screeeam! just read all your blog it made me laugh and it also made me a little envious! dan thinks matt will grow a big beard and i was a little grossed out with the men clearing their throats in china too! why can't they use hankys? pictures are wonderful very impressed. you look so tall catherine!xxx
One Down..Loads to Go ! Hi Both.... So now you have left the sub continent of India.. the first leg completed.
Your blogs have been a real joy to us and we both look forward to the "Adventures in Nepal"
Have a great time in the mountains at the top of the World.
love from Mom & Dad.
Snap! Your Christmas tree looks almost identical to the one at the cottage!! I'll have to send you the photo of it, with Mum posing. It's very funny!
Lots of love xxx
Hello Oh my god this blog thing is very clever isn't it!! Well done on looking so preened! Have you got your face powder and lip salve? It looks hot and stuff! Love Kelly xxx
Getting your priorities right! I love the way that look just as excited about finding a place that sells alcohol as you are about seeing all the fab places and sights!!!! Brilliant!
Ministry of funny walks. Hi, we remember seeing the border closing ceremony on Michael Palin, its hillarious.Its on YouTube, so we watched it again! Another drinking opportunity, this time in a pub.Its good to see somethings never change no matter where you are in the world!Ha Ha;) Great pics.
auntie lynne and mick
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happy birthday
Hi Matt and Catherine really enjoying your blog we're finding it very amuseing and informative ,just wanted to say'HAPPY BIRTHDAY' Matt for the 16 th .Don't go and add looseing your way home to your list of lost items as we are all looking forward to seeing you again at the end of your adventures,take care of each other love Auntie Lynne and Mick xx