llashley

After Hanoi we thought we'd make our way south to Hue, the old Imperial capitol, on an overnight bus. All of the sleeper buses were booked so we ended up on a seater for the eleven hour ride. Being the first picked up we counted our blessings and claimed the very back with the extra leg room. Turns out we were sitting over the engine. They didn't charge extra for the 8 and a half hour sauna. The Citadel and Imperial ruins in Hue are beautiful...mostly destroyed by bombs during various wars but the remains are impressive. From there we took an amazing coastal train trip to Da Nang in search of a tiny guesthouse on China Beach called Hoa's Place. It was recommended by two slightly intoxicated Australians we met in Cambodia....so we took their ... read more

Things you get in Bangkok for $3: 1. A high speed life- threatening ride through rush hour traffic on the back of a motorbike taxi (don't worry mom, he gave me a helmet) 2. A bucket of "Kiwi Suprise" (When I asked what was in it the answer was....."kiwi, and many kind of thai alcohol. Dont worry, good good!") 3. A glimpse of a buddha with toenails bigger than my entire body. 4. A free drink admission to watch drag queens lip sync ballads, complete with underwear-clad back up go-go boys. (The part where they made fun of us in Thai for 15 minutes was free, I think) 5. Three bowls of the best noodles I've ever tasted. 6. 1 knock-off tshirt ("What kind you like? Have Lacoste, D&G, many many kind here- all real!) 7. ... read more

I'll let the pictures do the talking. *But let it be written down that I got up WILLINGLY at 4am to see this sunrise.* :)... read more

There were no fireworks, no burgers, (no city park), and no potato salad, so.............. We played the part of good American tourists and ate "happy" pizza and laid by the pool. When it poured rain we sat and watched the rain drip off the roof......happily. Then Lee, our friendly Cambodian bartender at the Golden Banana (the only offically gay-friendly resort in Siem Reap, I'll have you know) made us drinks that looked like anti-freeze. And we drank them, happily. Then we rode our bikes home and I happily passed out, fully clothed, wrapped in my mosquito net. Happy 4th of July! America, you may have sparklers and baked beans but Cambodia has happy pizza and the happiness doesn't even cost extra! HAPPY 4th of July ... read more

A word of warning about a bus ride in Cambodia: CAUTION! Karaoke songs in the television may be MORE ANNOYING after 6 hours than they appear. Precautionary ipod charging should be exercised. ALSO: To all you Cambodian cows out there who may want to wander in front of our bus- WE WILL NOT STOP FOR YOU!!! We will blast our horn repeatedly and continue full speed ahead. At the last possible second we MAY slam on the brakes......but no promises. ...but it only costs $4 so how much can you really complain anyway? :) Upon safe arrival (miraculously) without much road kill in our wake we arrived in Phom Penh and were promptly swarmed by what seemed like THOUSANDS of tuk tuk drivers. One even proceeded to follow us about 3 blocks and become very hostile ... read more

Photos so far...... read more