Day 61 10/27
After having a great breakfast at True Coffee, we boarded our bus to Vang Vieng. It was four hours north. We found a cute hostel and decided to look around. All of the cafe's here have tables where you can sit on raised seating and watch Friends or Family Guy. They are playing in literally every cafe and restaurant. We enjoyed an afternoon of friends and then met some people at the local bar.
Sunday, October 28, 2012
Laos- day 60
Day 60 10/26
We woke up, got some breakfast, read and decided to go back to the club. We exercised and got some sun in. We decided to get sushi for the third night in a row. We really got our "western food" fix in this week.
We woke up, got some breakfast, read and decided to go back to the club. We exercised and got some sun in. We decided to get sushi for the third night in a row. We really got our "western food" fix in this week.
Laos- day 59
Day 59 10/25
There was a fair going on in Vientiane due to the boat races so I introduced Emily to Ice Bubble Tea. We walked around and cafe hopped the whole day. We ended up splitting a barbecue sandwich and sushi for dinner then went to a bar with someone we had met at the pool the day before. We talked politics for a while and it is interesting hearing about people from outside the United States political view on our country.
There was a fair going on in Vientiane due to the boat races so I introduced Emily to Ice Bubble Tea. We walked around and cafe hopped the whole day. We ended up splitting a barbecue sandwich and sushi for dinner then went to a bar with someone we had met at the pool the day before. We talked politics for a while and it is interesting hearing about people from outside the United States political view on our country.
Laos- day 58
Day 58 10/24
We arrived in Vientiane,the capital, at 6 in the morning, found a place to stay, and got some food. I took a short nap and Maggie walked around for a while. We decided to go in search of the local fitness club. After walking more than 2 hours, we found it and got day passes. I worked out for a while while Maggie was at the pool. We walked home and really got to see the city and the fair happening.
We arrived in Vientiane,the capital, at 6 in the morning, found a place to stay, and got some food. I took a short nap and Maggie walked around for a while. We decided to go in search of the local fitness club. After walking more than 2 hours, we found it and got day passes. I worked out for a while while Maggie was at the pool. We walked home and really got to see the city and the fair happening.
Wednesday, October 24, 2012
Laos- day 57
Day 57 10/23
Today was another travel day. We took the long tail boat to the mainland, a three hour bus ride to Pakse and got there around 3. Our sleeper bus was leaving at 8 so we had a few hours to kill. We got some lunch, looked all around the town and found ourselves sitting in a coffee shop. They had the best blueberry cheesecake. The sleeper bus was funny. There are two people to every bed and the beds were not very big. Maggie was on the window and I am surprised I didn't fall off the bed throughout the night.
Today was another travel day. We took the long tail boat to the mainland, a three hour bus ride to Pakse and got there around 3. Our sleeper bus was leaving at 8 so we had a few hours to kill. We got some lunch, looked all around the town and found ourselves sitting in a coffee shop. They had the best blueberry cheesecake. The sleeper bus was funny. There are two people to every bed and the beds were not very big. Maggie was on the window and I am surprised I didn't fall off the bed throughout the night.
Laos- day 56
Day 56 10/22
Happy Birthday Caroline! The sun sets early, so that means it rises early as well. Our bungalow is on the sunrise side, so we woke pretty early and had a great breakfast on the river. We decided to rent bikes and explored the island a little. It was pretty much the same as the other Mekong River Island, just a little bigger. Maggie got a delicious chocolate peanut shake. We spent the afternoon reading books and relaxing in our hammocks at our bungalow. We talked to our new neighbor for a while and heard all about his motorcycling through Asia trip.
Happy Birthday Caroline! The sun sets early, so that means it rises early as well. Our bungalow is on the sunrise side, so we woke pretty early and had a great breakfast on the river. We decided to rent bikes and explored the island a little. It was pretty much the same as the other Mekong River Island, just a little bigger. Maggie got a delicious chocolate peanut shake. We spent the afternoon reading books and relaxing in our hammocks at our bungalow. We talked to our new neighbor for a while and heard all about his motorcycling through Asia trip.
Laos- day 55
Day 55 Sun 10/21
Travel day. When we woke up, we tried some local Kratian food that consisted of bamboo sticks filled with sticky rice. We thought the last travel day was crowded, but who knew you could squeeze twenty four people in a nine seat mini van. We transferred onto a bus to the border and just walked into Laos, no big deal. We got another taxi and small bus and made it to Don Det, Laos and found a cute red bungalow along the river. The attitude of the island is relax all day, every day. We had dinner and watched the sunset. The sun sets early here (530ish) so it gets dark quick. We sat on the porch and talked to our neighbors for a while and called it an early night.
Travel day. When we woke up, we tried some local Kratian food that consisted of bamboo sticks filled with sticky rice. We thought the last travel day was crowded, but who knew you could squeeze twenty four people in a nine seat mini van. We transferred onto a bus to the border and just walked into Laos, no big deal. We got another taxi and small bus and made it to Don Det, Laos and found a cute red bungalow along the river. The attitude of the island is relax all day, every day. We had dinner and watched the sunset. The sun sets early here (530ish) so it gets dark quick. We sat on the porch and talked to our neighbors for a while and called it an early night.
Cambodia- day 54
Day 54 Sat 10/20
Slept in. Grabbed some food and read for a while. In the afternoon we took a long-tail ferry to the island across the Mekong river and rented bikes for the day. We set off on the 9km loop around the island and quickly realized it was going to be a bumpy ride. The island was beautiful and we passed children flying homemade kites, family's listening to the radio, and farmers ploughing fields with oxen, stuff you only see in history books. We upgraded to an air conditioned room and were very thankful for the nice showers and Tv. We had a great dinner and tried some local Kratie Ice cream and caught up on a little bit of Jimmy Kimmel and the 90s theme songs we've missed.
Slept in. Grabbed some food and read for a while. In the afternoon we took a long-tail ferry to the island across the Mekong river and rented bikes for the day. We set off on the 9km loop around the island and quickly realized it was going to be a bumpy ride. The island was beautiful and we passed children flying homemade kites, family's listening to the radio, and farmers ploughing fields with oxen, stuff you only see in history books. We upgraded to an air conditioned room and were very thankful for the nice showers and Tv. We had a great dinner and tried some local Kratie Ice cream and caught up on a little bit of Jimmy Kimmel and the 90s theme songs we've missed.
Friday, October 19, 2012
Cambodia- day 53
Day 53 Thurs 10/18
Lazy day. Our last day with Stephanie and the last day in Siem Reap. We went to a cute coffee/ice cream shop and hung out and read on the white couches. Stephanie left at 4:30. Maggie and I went through the market for the last time, but ended up with Mexican margs and tacos for dinner. A guy from Tennessee joined us and told us his life story. He is 27, was homeschooled, went to Lipscomb, has been backpacking for a year, and is going home on Thanksgiving to surprise his family. Sometimes its cool to hear about life from a different angle . After dinner, Maggie and I got fish massages, where you put your feet in a fishbowl and all the fish come nibble off your dead skin. Funny. when we walked home, we heard an English school in progress so we went in and they were thrilled to have two American guest appearances. We introduced ourselves and Maggie taught a little bit about the states while I sat and talked to three girls in the front of the classroom, mainly a girl named Ceena who was 13 and had dreams to be a doctor and a lawyer. It was a lot of fun and the class was welcoming.
Lazy day. Our last day with Stephanie and the last day in Siem Reap. We went to a cute coffee/ice cream shop and hung out and read on the white couches. Stephanie left at 4:30. Maggie and I went through the market for the last time, but ended up with Mexican margs and tacos for dinner. A guy from Tennessee joined us and told us his life story. He is 27, was homeschooled, went to Lipscomb, has been backpacking for a year, and is going home on Thanksgiving to surprise his family. Sometimes its cool to hear about life from a different angle . After dinner, Maggie and I got fish massages, where you put your feet in a fishbowl and all the fish come nibble off your dead skin. Funny. when we walked home, we heard an English school in progress so we went in and they were thrilled to have two American guest appearances. We introduced ourselves and Maggie taught a little bit about the states while I sat and talked to three girls in the front of the classroom, mainly a girl named Ceena who was 13 and had dreams to be a doctor and a lawyer. It was a lot of fun and the class was welcoming.
Cambodia- day 52
Day 52 Wed 10/17
We caught up on our lost sleep from the night before and met Stephanie around noon. For a dollar, we rented push bikes and were able to ride around the town and the outskirts and get a better feel of living in Siem Reap. The flow of traffic is "go when you feel good" and there is no problem with two motorcycles, tuktuks, and bikes cramming into a street as long as you squeeze a little to let everyone fit. Our butts hurt after biking, so we enjoyed a $4 massage and as we were walking there through the street, a Korean girl comes up yelling Maggie. Of course, leave it to Maggie to run into someone she knows while in Cambodia. We got dinner with her, Soo Hyun and another Korean girl and two Dutch guys. We taught them the card game Bullshit. We went to another bar to get more drinks and found it weird that there was no music playing on all of Pub St. We later learned that there will be seven days without festivities, due to the former kings death. In the last bar we met some guys from Argentina and played the states/capitals/countries games where I shocked Maggie with how many countries and capitals I knew of central and South America.
We caught up on our lost sleep from the night before and met Stephanie around noon. For a dollar, we rented push bikes and were able to ride around the town and the outskirts and get a better feel of living in Siem Reap. The flow of traffic is "go when you feel good" and there is no problem with two motorcycles, tuktuks, and bikes cramming into a street as long as you squeeze a little to let everyone fit. Our butts hurt after biking, so we enjoyed a $4 massage and as we were walking there through the street, a Korean girl comes up yelling Maggie. Of course, leave it to Maggie to run into someone she knows while in Cambodia. We got dinner with her, Soo Hyun and another Korean girl and two Dutch guys. We taught them the card game Bullshit. We went to another bar to get more drinks and found it weird that there was no music playing on all of Pub St. We later learned that there will be seven days without festivities, due to the former kings death. In the last bar we met some guys from Argentina and played the states/capitals/countries games where I shocked Maggie with how many countries and capitals I knew of central and South America.
Cambodia- day 51
Day 51 Tues 10/16
To catch the sunset at Angkor Wat (one of the eighth wonders of the world), we woke up at 4:30 and took a tuktuk a short ten minutes away to the entrance to buy our passes for Angkor Wat for the day (which were printed with our pictures on them). One of Maggie's friends from Korea, Stephanie, joined us for the day. There were many temples made of rock that made up the famous temples. The rocks were all different sizes and were shipped in down a river from 50 km away. Many of them had carvings and faces in the stone. Throughout Angkor Wat there were a lot of locals selling postcards, scarves, etc. We met a school of Khmer students from Phnom Phen (the capital of Cambodia) at one of the sites and talked to them for a while. Cambodia used to be a French country. By noon, we were templed out and headed back to Siem Reap. There are many beggars in Siem Reap and In the afternoon, Stephanie and I got talked into buying formula for the locals and got our good deed in for the day. At night we went to Pub Street to hang out for a bit.
To catch the sunset at Angkor Wat (one of the eighth wonders of the world), we woke up at 4:30 and took a tuktuk a short ten minutes away to the entrance to buy our passes for Angkor Wat for the day (which were printed with our pictures on them). One of Maggie's friends from Korea, Stephanie, joined us for the day. There were many temples made of rock that made up the famous temples. The rocks were all different sizes and were shipped in down a river from 50 km away. Many of them had carvings and faces in the stone. Throughout Angkor Wat there were a lot of locals selling postcards, scarves, etc. We met a school of Khmer students from Phnom Phen (the capital of Cambodia) at one of the sites and talked to them for a while. Cambodia used to be a French country. By noon, we were templed out and headed back to Siem Reap. There are many beggars in Siem Reap and In the afternoon, Stephanie and I got talked into buying formula for the locals and got our good deed in for the day. At night we went to Pub Street to hang out for a bit.
Cambodia- day 50
Day 50 Mon 10/15
We arrived at Bangkok around 7:30, got some breakfast, and caught the 8:30 taxi bus to the border of Cambodia. We got visas and crossed the border into Poipet. From there we got a two hour taxi to Siem Reap. Cambodia is super flat and has lots of swamp areas surrounding the two major rivers of Tonle Sap and the Mekong.
We arrived at Bangkok around 7:30, got some breakfast, and caught the 8:30 taxi bus to the border of Cambodia. We got visas and crossed the border into Poipet. From there we got a two hour taxi to Siem Reap. Cambodia is super flat and has lots of swamp areas surrounding the two major rivers of Tonle Sap and the Mekong.
Thailand- day 49
Day 49 Sun 10/14
Travel day. We journeyed from Railay island to Bangkok through boat, taxi, bus, and train. My favorite part of the travel was the train station in Bangkok, playing with two little Thai boys. I taught them how to play temple run on my iPad and they absolutely loved it.
Travel day. We journeyed from Railay island to Bangkok through boat, taxi, bus, and train. My favorite part of the travel was the train station in Bangkok, playing with two little Thai boys. I taught them how to play temple run on my iPad and they absolutely loved it.
Sunday, October 14, 2012
Thailand- day 48
Day 48 Sat 10/13
Maggie got the virus, and our departure got pushed back again. Still on Railay, I spent the morning laying out and took it easy for the day. Maggie and I made it to west beach to watch the sunset one last time. We loved our time at Railay!
Maggie got the virus, and our departure got pushed back again. Still on Railay, I spent the morning laying out and took it easy for the day. Maggie and I made it to west beach to watch the sunset one last time. We loved our time at Railay!
Thailand- day 47
Day 47 Fri 10/12
There is a virus going around the island, and I got it. Stayed in all day. Lucky to have AC, but our departure for Cambodia got pushed back. Maggie spent the morning at the beach and climbed the mountain again in the afternoon. She made it closer to the lagoon and actually "saw" it.
There is a virus going around the island, and I got it. Stayed in all day. Lucky to have AC, but our departure for Cambodia got pushed back. Maggie spent the morning at the beach and climbed the mountain again in the afternoon. She made it closer to the lagoon and actually "saw" it.
Thailand- day 46
Day 46 Thurs 10/11
In the morning, we went rock climbing, a lot of travelers main reason for their trip to Railay. It was cool rock climbing straight off the beach and I'd never been outdoor climbing before. There was a gorgeous view from the top of the rocks. The beach was crowded when with climbers when we arrived, and Maggie belayed our instructor up first to set up our climb. In the afternoon, we went to the beach and I went on a run as the sun set. At night, we went to the batman bar and listened to live music and played cards with some guys from England and one from America.
In the morning, we went rock climbing, a lot of travelers main reason for their trip to Railay. It was cool rock climbing straight off the beach and I'd never been outdoor climbing before. There was a gorgeous view from the top of the rocks. The beach was crowded when with climbers when we arrived, and Maggie belayed our instructor up first to set up our climb. In the afternoon, we went to the beach and I went on a run as the sun set. At night, we went to the batman bar and listened to live music and played cards with some guys from England and one from America.
Wednesday, October 10, 2012
Thailand- day 45
Day 45 Wed 10/10
We slept in, woke up, and got some breakfast. Around noon, climbed to the view point at the top of the mountain and the lagoon. It was really great scenery and a good workout climbing. There were ropes laid over the steep rocks to use to pull up and the land was a mix of mostly rock and mud. We met a lot of people on the climb up and down. In the afternoon we relaxed and I took advantage of out A/C in the room, while Maggie enjoyed watching the locals play volleyball for the resorts they work at in the Railay Games 2012. We watched the sunset from the West Railay beach which we a gorgeous mix of blues and oranges. For dinner we ate at a restaurant that served Thai food and you sat on mats. Some French guys and a Canadian girl joined us.
We slept in, woke up, and got some breakfast. Around noon, climbed to the view point at the top of the mountain and the lagoon. It was really great scenery and a good workout climbing. There were ropes laid over the steep rocks to use to pull up and the land was a mix of mostly rock and mud. We met a lot of people on the climb up and down. In the afternoon we relaxed and I took advantage of out A/C in the room, while Maggie enjoyed watching the locals play volleyball for the resorts they work at in the Railay Games 2012. We watched the sunset from the West Railay beach which we a gorgeous mix of blues and oranges. For dinner we ate at a restaurant that served Thai food and you sat on mats. Some French guys and a Canadian girl joined us.
Thailand- day 44
Day 44 Tues 10/9
In the morning, we made the decision to head to Railay island, a little island just a short boat ride from AoNang beach. It is gorgeous and we think its the prettiest island thus far. The island has three beaches on it, East, West, and Phranang. The East is where most of the bungalows are located, the west has most of the food on the beach and the popular area to lay out, and Phranang is a peaceful beach surrounded by a cave, without restaurants and has white sands. The island is home to a plentiful amount of rocks and is a very popular island among rock climbers. We laid out for the day, relaxed, and took in the island's car free environment. At night we went on a run, and I made it all around the island during a gorgeous sunset.
In the morning, we made the decision to head to Railay island, a little island just a short boat ride from AoNang beach. It is gorgeous and we think its the prettiest island thus far. The island has three beaches on it, East, West, and Phranang. The East is where most of the bungalows are located, the west has most of the food on the beach and the popular area to lay out, and Phranang is a peaceful beach surrounded by a cave, without restaurants and has white sands. The island is home to a plentiful amount of rocks and is a very popular island among rock climbers. We laid out for the day, relaxed, and took in the island's car free environment. At night we went on a run, and I made it all around the island during a gorgeous sunset.
Thailand- day 43
Day 43 Mon 10/8
We decided to move on to the next beach in the city of Krabi, AoNaung Beach. It was really pretty and reminded me a little bit of Cozumel. It is not high season, but we could imagine how crazy it would get with a crowd. We stayed in a fan room in a back alley parallel to the beach. For dinner, we ate street food off the main road and had drinks at a crowded bar with live music.
We decided to move on to the next beach in the city of Krabi, AoNaung Beach. It was really pretty and reminded me a little bit of Cozumel. It is not high season, but we could imagine how crazy it would get with a crowd. We stayed in a fan room in a back alley parallel to the beach. For dinner, we ate street food off the main road and had drinks at a crowded bar with live music.
Thailand- day 42
Day 42 Sun 10/7
We went down the island of Koh Lanta to another one of its gorgeous beaches, Kaitang beach. For lunch we went to a cute coffee shop/ restaurant called Drunken Sailors that we had read a lot about in books and the food was absolutely delicious. We hung on Kaitang beach and the weather was a little less hot than the day before. We stayed on the beach all the way through dinner time, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed back to Klong Rin beach to sleep.
We went down the island of Koh Lanta to another one of its gorgeous beaches, Kaitang beach. For lunch we went to a cute coffee shop/ restaurant called Drunken Sailors that we had read a lot about in books and the food was absolutely delicious. We hung on Kaitang beach and the weather was a little less hot than the day before. We stayed on the beach all the way through dinner time, grabbed a bite to eat, and headed back to Klong Rin beach to sleep.
Thailand- day 41
Day 41 Sat 10/6
I went back to the doctor in the morning and got more antibiotics for my ear, before leaving Koh Phi Phi. We got on the ferry around 11:30 and took a boat about an hour to Koh Lanta, one of the surrounding islands. Koh Lanta is totally empty, like a ghost town. A lot of the restaurants are shut down because this is one of their slowest months, but we do have a few other travelers staying at our resort: a group of six from Argentina and two guys from England and Germany. The beach is pretty and there is a nice beach, but I think two nights here will be plenty. Laying out on the beach here comes with wind, which I really enjoy. At night, we tried to find more people down the island at another beach, but found little.
I went back to the doctor in the morning and got more antibiotics for my ear, before leaving Koh Phi Phi. We got on the ferry around 11:30 and took a boat about an hour to Koh Lanta, one of the surrounding islands. Koh Lanta is totally empty, like a ghost town. A lot of the restaurants are shut down because this is one of their slowest months, but we do have a few other travelers staying at our resort: a group of six from Argentina and two guys from England and Germany. The beach is pretty and there is a nice beach, but I think two nights here will be plenty. Laying out on the beach here comes with wind, which I really enjoy. At night, we tried to find more people down the island at another beach, but found little.
Saturday, October 6, 2012
Thailand- day 40
Day 40 Fri 10/5
In the morning, we trekked through the fifteen minute stair climb to the viewpoint on the top of the island, that gave a gorgeous view of the two bodies of water and the land formed around with the small strip. The day wasn't quite as hot and was great for laying out. It's weird laying out on a beach on the island, because there is no wind on the beach causing it to get extremely hot quickly. Another great day at the beach.
In the morning, we trekked through the fifteen minute stair climb to the viewpoint on the top of the island, that gave a gorgeous view of the two bodies of water and the land formed around with the small strip. The day wasn't quite as hot and was great for laying out. It's weird laying out on a beach on the island, because there is no wind on the beach causing it to get extremely hot quickly. Another great day at the beach.
Thailand- day 39
Day 39 Thurs 10/4
I finally gave in that my ear infection would not heal itself, and went to the doctor. We moved into a room with a tv and an air conditioning and I spent the day recovering. Maggie read all day, faster than you would imagine, and we spent some of the day at the beach. At night, we went to the Irish pub and beach party, taking in the environment of the island. The island is two big mountainous pieces of land connected by a small strip of land, where all the resorts and restaurants are, with two bodies of water on either side of the strip of land.
I finally gave in that my ear infection would not heal itself, and went to the doctor. We moved into a room with a tv and an air conditioning and I spent the day recovering. Maggie read all day, faster than you would imagine, and we spent some of the day at the beach. At night, we went to the Irish pub and beach party, taking in the environment of the island. The island is two big mountainous pieces of land connected by a small strip of land, where all the resorts and restaurants are, with two bodies of water on either side of the strip of land.
Thailand- day 38
Day 38 Wed 10/3
The first full day in Koh Phi Phi was spent relaxing, laying out, and taking in the new island. Maggie says it is way less crowded compared to when she came in January, but I still think there are a pretty good amount of people here. It is not high season. We spent the day hanging on the beach.
The first full day in Koh Phi Phi was spent relaxing, laying out, and taking in the new island. Maggie says it is way less crowded compared to when she came in January, but I still think there are a pretty good amount of people here. It is not high season. We spent the day hanging on the beach.
Thailand- day 37
Day 37 Tues 10/2
Travel day. We got on the 6:30 ferry at Koh Phangan to the mainland. On the mainland, it took a few hours on a bus to get across Thailand, including the bus transfers, so every small company in Thailand could make a little money. We got back on a ferry and got to Koh Phi Phi island around 4:30. There were cute restaurants on the beach, so we grabbed a bite to eat, and called home while we still had "wifi" hours. At night, the restaurants on the beach all perform fire baton acts and have chairs set up around the stages. It was cool to see. We also got to jump a rope that was on fire that was fun (video on facebook)! Koh Phi Phi has one main difference from the other islands, that is that it has a lot of foreigners working on the island full time. Interesting, but I don't think I could ever do it.
Travel day. We got on the 6:30 ferry at Koh Phangan to the mainland. On the mainland, it took a few hours on a bus to get across Thailand, including the bus transfers, so every small company in Thailand could make a little money. We got back on a ferry and got to Koh Phi Phi island around 4:30. There were cute restaurants on the beach, so we grabbed a bite to eat, and called home while we still had "wifi" hours. At night, the restaurants on the beach all perform fire baton acts and have chairs set up around the stages. It was cool to see. We also got to jump a rope that was on fire that was fun (video on facebook)! Koh Phi Phi has one main difference from the other islands, that is that it has a lot of foreigners working on the island full time. Interesting, but I don't think I could ever do it.
Thailand- day 36
Day 36 Mon 10/1
We woke up and took a walk on the empty beach, because the full moon party had done everyone in the night before. We spent the day relaxing on the beach. At night, we played cards with Tom, Adam, and Gus, ate a late dinner, and packed our bags for our next destination.
We woke up and took a walk on the empty beach, because the full moon party had done everyone in the night before. We spent the day relaxing on the beach. At night, we played cards with Tom, Adam, and Gus, ate a late dinner, and packed our bags for our next destination.
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