auroracamel

I was a bit nervous about Ko Pha Ngan, I honestly thought that it was going to be a hovel, similar to the costa del sol in Spain, dirty, trashy, full of Irish and English louts. I was pleasantly surprised. We decided to stay in a place that was a bit more up market because we were worried about our stuff getting robbed, as we had heard that was a problem on the island. We booked into the Milky Bay Resort which was located on Ban Tai Beach. Our hotel room was absolutely amazing! We had air con, tv, dvd player, mini-bar and a shower room! It seems like everyone who is in Asia for a full moon heads to Haad Rin, Ko Pha Ngan. We met people that we knew from back home as well ... read more

All roads lead to Bangkok, the big Thai Capital... It was still dark and early when we arrived, it was cold and the touts were out in force. After no sleep and having to sleep upright and cramped in our "supposed" sleeper bus we were in no mood for the melee outside. Well accustomed to the business peddlers at this stage I was able to ignore their frantic pleas and shouts. We arrived on the infamous Ko San Road after some seasoned bargaining with the tuctuc driver...we still managed to get a little ripped off...but sure you try your best. We knew we were there when we suddenly smelt this unique stench that was the aftermath of a good night on the Ko San Road. It was a headening bouquet of Piss, Puke and Pad Thai. ... read more

The journey to Pai was reminiscent of Laos, winding steep roads with gorgeous green vegetation surrounding us. I read somewhere that it was one of the top motorcycling roads in the world and I could see why, it would certainly be challenging. I thought that we were heading to a secluded gem, off the beaten track, where loads of hippies had settled and decided to call home. Granted there were alot of hippies, but they were of the smelly, smoking weed, fire twirling variety, not the kind of people I want to get to know. There was this one guy that we would see nearly every day that wore his fisherman pants so low his bum would actually hang out! When we got to Pai the weather was really crap! It was pretty much raining cats ... read more

I have heard many tails of nightmare journeys in Laos where people end up over the side of mountains or with armed gun men on their bus. Thankfully our journey to Luang Prabang was pretty uneventful in that sense. However it was one of my favourite journeys on the trip scenery-wise. We had a roller coaster like ride curving round and up the stunning green mountains. Luang Prabang is a stunningly pretty town, it had a real French Colonial/New Orleans feel, with shutters on the windows and really pretty balconies. It is also UNESCO World Heritage Site...which means thankfully it has been lovingly preserved with strict building regulations, making it a really understated touristy place, rather than the garish places that I have seen before. There is a Watt on a hill in the centre of ... read more

I had a few hour lay over in Pakse on our journey from the Four Thousand Islands to Vientienne. I was disappointed to read in the Lonely Planet that there was not much going on in Pakse, that it was a sleepy town and quite boring. They couldn't have got it more wrong, or perhaps they haven't been there for the New Years celebrations. There were a few interesting Watts and a river to check out, so off I went on my merry way. Within minutes I was soaked to the bone. I didn't mind, it was a sweltering hot day and the cool water was a welcome refreshment. I managed to get most of the sites in and even saw some monkies before the real party swung into action. I was just walking along the ... read more