Aaron Lowry

So we are now out of the gutters of Bangkok and into the streets of Hong Kong. We arrived in the early evening and flew through customs before catching the MTR train into the city itself. It was unbelievably easy to do and everything is so clean. I don't know where Singapore gets its reputation from, but I think you get a $10,000 fine plus jail time here for even having any rubbish! That first night after marvelling at so many huge buildings, we headed out for tea. Unsure of the area we ended up being slightly overcharged for a pizza in an underground restaurant, but it was good so we've let it slide. The next morning we were up and out and treated ourselves to a proper Asian Starbucks breakfast before heading up to 'The ... read more

So aftyer the trecking we arrived back in Bangkok at 7am on the night train and bid a semi-goodbye to part of our group (we were going out again with them that evening). We spent the afternoon in the MBK shopping centre which was a confusing version of one of those shopping malls at home. Vicky went off with a couple of the girls and I went for a wander with one of only two other guys on the trip looking at all the electrical stuff I can't afford! That evening we went for a meal in a bar called Gullivers and then went on for a drink at a bar on the side of the road which is a converted VW Campervan, its very cool and reminds me I must get a picture! We had ... read more

So we landed in Bangkok for our tour thing and it was certainly a culture shock after Laos!!! Our room was dearer and consisted of four walls and the hardest bed ever, plus it was more expensive than the last place (at least it was only one night). We then hit Khao San Road. Now people saty things about Vegas and Blackpool, but this place makes them look like the perfect nunnery! Greeted by a swarm of greasy tuk-tuk drivers and masses of underdressed westerners everywhere it was quite overwhelming. There is even a guy who stands in the road with a sigh that says "Cheap Bar, We don't ask for ID"!!! It has to be seen to be believed. Needless to say its not my favourite place ever. The next day we had a wonder ... read more

So first blog entry from this city I think? You can probably tell from that that Laos is a pretty laid back place! Not that we havent been busy but they definately have a very laid back lifestyle. Plus as you know we paid a visit to the plain of jars for a couple of days in the middle. The first day here we went on a walking tour which is in the Loas travel book we bought. It took us all around the city and past all of the important monuments/temples though we did get a little off track towards the end. Not our fault though - you try navigating when they dont put up signs with road names and the ones they do, the roads change name every 40ft!!! NMo harm done though, its ... read more

Well, it took some getting here, but we made it! Several days after setting off from Kota Bharu, we are finally in Luang Prabang in Laos. As I previously metioned, we couldn't take the overland route into Thailand so we decided to fly (much easier than it sounds!) This involved getting to the bus station in Kota Bharu via a lift from our hostel owners, then an 8hr bus journey to KL (we set off at 9pm and arrived at 5am the next day). Being in KL now, we thought great, this is easy from here, but not so the airport is 70km outside the city! We then had a walk to the nearest train station where we had to wait for the first train of the morning to take us to yet another station to ... read more