Carolyn

carolyns220

Carolyn

I am a social worker who is taking a two month break to do a dream trip through SE Asia.



Asia » China » Beijing April 17th 2011

So here I am, one more day to go. I really can't believe it. I mean, I knew that it would go quickly, and I knew that I would be annoyed by how quickly it went, but I guess I didn't really BELIEVE it, you know? Maybe I figured that I could somehow slow the time by sheer will alone. And if it were possible I think I could have done it. Believe me, my willpower is damn strong! But, alas, it cannot be! So, I am begrudgingly admitting to myself that this is the end of my amazing Southeast Asia journey. Not the last of my amazing journeys, that is for sure. I already have a billion ideas for the next trip. That has been a theme of this trip, thinking about all the ... read more
Taking a break on the Great Wall
Cherry Blossoms in Bloom

Asia » Thailand » South-West Thailand » Krabi April 11th 2011

So, I have left Koh Tao and am now in Krabi, which is on the southeastern part of Thailand, on the Andaman Coast. I am taking a tour to the famous Koh Phi Phi Islands, which are absolutely gorgeous (go google it to see pictures), tomorrow. I am feeling a bit crabby in Krabi for three reasons: 1. I really miss Koh Tao, 2. It is raining (and it better not rain tomorrow!) and 3. I just realized that I somehow lost my only jacket on the minibus today, which is really stupid, because it was RIGHT WITH ME. Argh! By the way, this entry is not gonna be my best, because at the hostel where I am, they are playing this really loud sitcom, and it is quite distracting (although not in a good ... read more
My wonderful instructors!
Sunset on Koh Tao
Ready to Dive!

Asia » Cambodia » North » Siem Reap April 6th 2011

I am no longer in Cambodia. Unfortunately, due to time limitations, I was only able to be there for about 4-5 days. I would have stayed longer if I hadn't wanted so much to go back to Koh Tao to go scuba diving again. Cambodia was lovely. Of course, I only really experienced one city, Siem Reap, but I have heard lots of positives about other parts of Cambodia from other people. I don't know what it is about Cambodia, it was just a good place to be. It felt comfortable. Although I didn't see as much as I wish I had and did more sleeping in than I should have! But, sometimes you just need some sleep, right? Okay, let me give a general update of my journey to and throughout Siem Reap. The ... read more
Gorgeous temples in Angkor Wat
Angkor Wat at Sunrise
Me in front of one of the temple structures

Asia » Vietnam » Southeast » Ho Chi Minh City March 31st 2011

So, I only have a couple of hours left in Vietnam. Well, technically, six. We are going to arrive at the border at three, and then wait three hours for the border to open before crossing into Cambodia. Because that makes so much sense, doesn't it? Oh, I have learned, ever since my first experiences in Costa Rica when I was but an innocent teenager, not to question these ways of doing things. If I did, I think I would go crazy. :) So, I am just gonna accept it. I don't want to think about the fact that I only have a little over two weeks to go before I have to return home. I have nothing against home of course - obviously, I love my home. I miss my family and friends and, of ... read more
Cheese cake!

Asia March 26th 2011

So here I am in Hoi An, where I have been staying at a fabulously luxurious hotel...well, luxurious for me! I have my own room, with a double bed, and the place has free breakfast and a pool - not that I have even jumped into it, although I really want to, because it is quite cold and it isn't really hot outside. Not cold like Hanoi was, but definitely not hot. I figure that after crazy cheap places in most of the other cities I have been, I deserve some luxury. If only for four nights! I really like Hoi An. I don't know what it is about Hoi An, but I think that most people end up really liking it. It is this tiny town that is basically all about tourism and preservation of ... read more
Cultural Show in Hoi An
Hoi An Shop
Me on the beach :)

Asia » Vietnam » Red River Delta » Hanoi March 20th 2011

Ooh, this entry is not gonna be easy because I am at an internet cafe, amongst a bunch of teens playing video games (nerd alert!) and the keyboard keeps wanting to make my letters into Vietnamese. I will do my best! I had to leave my hostel to use the internet because I was distracted by all the sociopathic movies that the people were chosing to watch - first Natural Borne Killers and right after American Psycho. I tried to look at each of them so I know to stay far away if I see them later. I mean, maybe watching them one at a time but right after each other makes me worried about those people and their hobbies. Because there is a huge selection of movies to choose from! Oh well. Anyway, on ... read more
Here we go!
Having fun on the boat!
Cave

Asia » Laos » West » Luang Prabang March 13th 2011

Sabai dee from Laos! I am currently in Luang Prabang, Laos. When I read over my last entry, I realized that it sounded like I hadn't taken my Ritalin - as in, a bit all over the place and not the most eloquent vocabulary. So, I will do my best to amend that in this entry. However, don't expect Shakespeare either. :) Laos feels quite different from Thailand. As the Southeast Asians are famous for saying, "Same Same, But Different." And my experience in Laos has been quite different from that of Thailand. First of all, the Thais are quite better organized. However, this is understandable, as they have been working with tourists for a significantly longer time than Laos. It did add some significant discomfort to my travel, however. Although I have to say ... read more
Sunset on the Mekong
On the Slow Boat

Asia » Thailand » North-West Thailand » Chiang Mai March 9th 2011

So, I am in an internet cafe right now, getting ready to head out for Laos. I am excited about Laos but a bit bummed about leaving Thailand because it has been so amazing to me. And I am used to it, such as the currency, the expressions, etc. But that is okay, I am sure that I will really like Laos as well. So, I will give you a quick little explanation of how I am getting to Laos so that you have an idea. So, tonight, I am taking a bus to the border between Thailand and Laos - will arrive at about 3 or 4 in the morning. Then, I will check into some place to stay, and the next morning cross to Laos. I will then take the slow boat down the ... read more
Bathing with the elephants!
Cooking with Fire!
Yummy!

Asia » Thailand » South-West Thailand » Ko Tao March 2nd 2011

Oh Koh Tao, how can I count the ways that I love you? It is so incredibly AMAZING in this small, underrated island! But shh! Don't tell anyone about it, because we want it to stay the way it is! Okay, so I am going to try to cover lots and not write too much because 1) I don't want to lose my audience :) and 2) I want to go out and enjoy the gorgeous Koh Tao while I can! I took the SSI open water diving course at Scuba Junction, which I HIGHLY recommend to anyone, but the way - and a whole new world opened up to me. Diving is AWESOME! I would absolutely encourage everyone to dive at some point in your lives - it is a completely unique experience and ... read more
Cooling off in the water
Gorgeous Sunset
Out and about in Koh Tao

Asia » Thailand » Central Thailand » Bangkok February 25th 2011

So, I would like to give a quick update about my Bangkok experience thus far. Well, quick depends on what mood I get into once I start writing. I can never tell, to be honest. :) Plus I am going to try to post a few photos in this entry if I can figure it out. A bit bummed because I took some AMAZING photos with my hipstamic program from my iPhone, and the computer does not recognize my iPhone, so I will have to wait to post them. Oh well! Lets see, today is early afternoon Friday and I have been here since Tuesday evening. I am really hoping that my whole trip doesn't just fly by like the last few days, but knowing how my life tends to work, of course it is going ... read more
Imperial Palace
Me on the River




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