2 Days on the Mekong

The trip to Laos was super awesome. 2 day boat ride down the mekong river with an evening stop mid way through. Lots of beer/laos whiskey. These english boys can drink! and somehow do it all over the next evening!

Headed towards, Vieng Vang tomorrow morning for some tubing and then its the home stretch. 10 days left and about 1000km to cover.

Wont let me upload pictures for some reason and its waterfall jumping time.

later

Pai, Pronounced like 'Bye'

Got here 4-5 days ago. I've done nothing, I've done loads. To be honest it doesn't really matter! You are busy doing whatever it is you are doing in Pai. Postcards read DO NOTHING IN PAI! Got ham showed a few nights ago, spent another day recovering. Met these British guys last night who look to have become my partners in Crime in going to Laos! We plan on heading out tomorrow morning and spending another day in Chiang Mai figuring out our transfer to the little country to the North east.

I will be made to pay more than everyone at the boarder in order to receive my travel visa. Apparently some Canadian person or government did something really stupid in the past which upset the Lao people. My visa will be about 25% more expensive! BASTARDS!

The plan is to have beverages tonight, but rest assured, or probably disapointed that I will NOT be getting overly intoxicated!

But Stay tuned lol! Not sure of the internet situation in Laos, I don't even know the plan although tubing down the river in Vien Viang (Sp) is more than certain!

Talk soon

Pai: Going to be tough to leave

So I've already booked 1 weeks worth of accomodations in my little bungallow by this sweet lazy river. The place is awesome. Laid back, great food, friendly people and best of all its in a relatively remote part of the north, with the Bermese and Lao boarders within a few hours drive. Prob less than 100km but the crazy hills make the driving quite difficult and slow.

My last day in Chiang mai was pretty good. Rented this shitty 125 and went exploring. Checked out Doi Suthep and its temple, and then took the bike further to Doi Pui, the summit @ about 1650 meters. The climb on a bicycle would have been perfect. Easy climbing for the better part of 10kms and then the road kicks HARD right before the temple all the way up to the summit. I would consider it an Cat 1 or even HC. I ended up walking around the Pui where some locals said to walk in that direction for an hour! Sketchy trails at best. The views when I got to my destination where alright I guess. There is a pretty bad smog surrounding the region. I was also in the presence of a dozen or so Thai dudes in Military digs drinking Thai Whisky on their dirt bikes. The lonely planet states there are still several paramilitary groups working in the emphetamine/heroin trade in the region so I didn't stick around too long!

On my way back down I also checked out these waterfalls which consists of 9 steps. I got up to step 4 about 5-600 meters before I could no longer find a trail up. Pathetic, but I was tired from the 2 hours walking before and the sun was beginning to set. Didn't want to get up the 2km vertical trail and have the sun set on me! The bugs were bad enough durring the day!

I ended up meeting this German dude back in town. We proceeded to getting rediculousy drunk. I did anyways, and I made the amature mistake of doing so on an empty stomach. Several Long Neck beers later, a couple Chang towers and I was off! Headed back to my hotel room to get eaten alive by the mozzies!

The next morning I figured leaving for Pai would be a good idea! 140km of the wyndiest bumpiest roads I've ever been on and I was sweating like a Heroin addict in need of a fix. About 2 minutes before the piss break. I pewked. Managed to keep it in my mouth as so avoid embarassing my self infront of the 14 others. I dont think anyone noticed! Yes! Went to the pisser, pewked it out and tried to fall asleep before we left again. 10 minutes before Pai. I pewk again, however this time, some escaped! PHUCK! Sweating, pewking, shivering. A horrible day!

I laid in bed most of the day shivering in the heat as I had not had anything to eat all day or anything the day before really either. But I was in Pai and thats all that mattered! I managed to get out of bed later in the evening. Grabbed some strawberries and felt instantly better! Saw this British girl that was on the bus with me who has been here for over a month. She prob couldn't help but to laugh at my sorry ass! We grabbed prob the best bite to eat I've had since being in Thailand. For the expensive price of 30B! I walked around some but pretty much went straight back to bed!

Today I feel fantastic! Going to buy another few books as I finished the one I bought in Chiang Mai. Hanging out in my 2nd home away from my 2nd home! I like it here!

STRESS FREEEEEEEEEEEEEE

Mortgage is renewed. As easy as a few online questions actually! Man I can't describe the sense of relief passing through me! I phoned my bank man yesturday only to find out he left. WHAT?! SHIT! I didn't get the interest rate he had mentioned I could have received last September, but then again, I'm sure he wasn't anticipating on the Financial World crashing like a shitty PC. 4% which is currently better than my 4.65% BOO YAH!

At the end of the day I didn't really care! I just didn't want to go through any head aches from Thailand and have to beg for mercy or my Fahjah for a flight back to Canada to deal with it in person. To be honest I don't think he would have been very surprised. I've been known to be last minute in a thing or two most of my life! But C'Mon! What are your eldest sons for ?! If I dont make the mistake, Alex, MP or Gabi wouldn't get the lessons and might fall into that same trap! In a way, I make sure the little ones don't make the same mistakes I do!

The pictures are just random ones from the last 3 weeks.

I'm off to drink beer in celebration! Enjoy the shots!

Chiang Mai Rocks!

Killing time in Chiang Mai rocks! Although I admit beaching it would probably be the best option for time killing, this city is a close 2nd. Last night's Sunday Walking street was the coolest thing. Not like in Phuket where there are 500 stalls trying to sell you the same shirt/sarrong/suit. Although there were many of the same things being sold, you didn't get that impression. The best part was, NO ONE saying:

"Hey my friend! Where are you from?! You need a suit!"

For the first time since arriving in Thailand, I spent some Bahts! Got my self a Man Purse. You know the hippie type bags! Linds left me a nylon type bag but funny enough it ripped as soon as she left! Did us well for 3 weeks but thats all she wrote! Nearly lost my Ipod because of the rip!

The pictures above are from Krabi and Railay. My new buddy, Rich, was quite thirsty after that long climb! 1237 steps. Some sections resembled walls more than anything. The reward was well worth it, with fantastic views over Krabi.

Railay was a beautiful beach. With the east side of the 'Island' showcasing mangroves regrowing post-tsunami, it had a more relaxed vibe. Cool bars over hanging the high tide with axe pillows? Serving up mojitos and many other 'stimulants' you wouldn't normally find on your regular North American 'specials lists'! Checking out the stars and laying out at these cool bars was pretty awesome! The west was more resort driven, but the beach was also much nicer. We also used this as our dive location. 2 dives, lunch and drinks and 2 different islands for under $AUS100. Now thats value baby! The dive sites weren't the best. Visibility was Mediocre/OK at best but we did get to see some pretty cool stuff. Including a wall of several thousand baby Baracudas. We literally couldn't see our dive guide infront of us swimming around them!

Banged out a Phi Phi Island snorkeling tour which took us through many of the sights made famous by movie, The Beach. Not exactly my cup of tea. Millions of tourists everywhere and shitty snorkeling! Total opposite from we were used to in Bulone and Lipeh. Can't tell you how much I want to go back there! I'll deal with the sand and salt on those islands!

Anywho, off to my next time killing activity. Hunting for post cards and then maybe a quiet spot for reading. I might end up staying another night and then head towards Pai. Might make the trip in a few days and do a Climb up one of the Doi's (Mountains) near here. White water rafting might have to wait until Pai, but I'm not sure I'm in the right season anywho. I can picture doing more portaging than anything else!

JN

North to South

24 hours on a bus and I find my self away from anything that remotely looks like a beach. I've had enough salt and sand to last me a while.

I find my self in Chiang Mai, Thailands second largest city. Haven't done much exploring yet but there is a 'walking street' today so I'll be sure to check that out. Getting food is also on the agenda as I haven't had something decent to eat since Lindsay and I's Tiger Prawn Feast in Phuket. Closing in on 48 hours ago. I could have eaten a little at stops but my stomach has been iffy for the better part of a week. The last thing I wanted was to HAVE to use the bus facilities!

I plan on laying low for a little while. Let the old finances bounce back a little. Found my self a decent room for less than 10 bones aussie a day. It's nothing great but it will definately do the trick for 2 nights. I'll decide the plan from there. I have 3 weeks to kill! I've been told Pai is a mini swizerland with streams, hills and more bungallows 3-4 hours away from here.

There are also several 'Treks' that can be done from this city which take through many of the national parks here. I've been eyeing up a few which included white water rafting and motorcycle touring but they will blow my funds quick. It's tempting considering I could just go do nothing in Pai for a week and let the funds bounce back again. Chow some raclette and learn Thai or something !

Part of me wishes I headed back to Australia with Lindsay Yesturday. Not that I 'm not having a good time, it's just hard work. Avoiding scams and putting up with the constant hastling from the venders takes a lot out of you! There was a cool shirt in Phuket that read:

No I don't want a
*(&#$#
Tuk Tuk
Suit

I forget the whole shirt! But I'm sure you catch my drift!

I've already finished my two books. Marching Powder was a great read.

Anywho, time to find something to eat! I'll post pictures tomorrow

"Let's get as far away from Bangkok as possible"

Alright folks! Bangkok was a jungle show where I can only describe my self as 'Bambi'. Hated the place and not stowked about having to go back to fly out and probably to connect through to head to Chang Mai next week.

As for now, hanging out in the awesome province of Krabi, a connection hub to many world reknown islands including Phi Phi. Some of you may recognize this as the island used for the movie 'The Beach'. Can't wait to find those massive fields of that stuff the locals refer to as GUNJAH!

Tomorrow we are heading to Emerald Tiger Cave. According to our bible, the Lonely planet, it is a very unique 'Wat' in Thailand. Just inland from where we are, it is considered to be in the jungle and has a Buddha 1200 steps up from the main part. Climbing legs and running shoes here we come!!

Off to Railay afterwards. Arguably, Thailand's most beautiful beach and area. It supposed to be a spot where some princess' boat had to be ditched and where she lived for a while. She lived in the caves. We'll see! I don't want to butcher the story too much!

As for us. We are returning from some of the farthest Islands off of Thailands Coast line, sharing the boarder with Malaysia. Ko Lipeh, where the sunset shots were taken is a healthy hour and a bit away from Pak Bara, its coastal dock, by high speed boat. We lived in a hut on the beach and ate fresh fish which arrived daily. The beach was lined with more huts and awesome rasta bars. Instead of chair and table patios, the bars had beach rugs?? with those Triangular pillows. All while drinking down your beer and enjoying the sunset. Repeat each day!

The following 3 days were spent on Bulone, similar island, only lest developed. The power was only in place between 6-12 in the evening. Lots of beach time, and swimming in crystal clear waters. Some much needed relaxing after that Bangkok experience.

Enjoy the shots, and there are many more from where they come from.