Luang Prabang, Laos.

We travelled again by bus to a town in the north of Laos. It took us about six hours on the bus at times like this I wish I was flushed with cash so I wouldn't have to do another bus journey. When we finally reached Luang Prabang we where all pretty exausted. Well we arrived in the evening and it always seems harder to get somewhere to stay in the evening time. It's getting dark and we are always hungry on travelling days as we never get a chance to eat properly so needless to say our patients aren't the best . We finally got a place to stay with air-con and there was a huge quilt on the bed which was beautiful as we have been sleeping on hard beds with blankets we borrowed from air-lines along the way.

That evening we booked our flights to vietnam which cost us $120 which is about 95 euro's we couldn't fly diretly from Luang Prabang as the international airport was not opening for another few weeks so we have to travel back to the capital again to fly out.
There is a very big french influence here. We where eating baguttes until they were coming out of our ears.

We rented bikes to see around the town. I definatly think that this is the best way to see the town. Lonely planet have a walking tour maped out so we followed it loosely. The views in this town are amazing we just cycled and every turn there was something to photograph. Alan was in heaven.

We cycled accross this old bridge which is only in use now for cyclist and motorcycles. Which led us out of the city into the country side. It was very hot but lots of fun as we got to see a few local villages on the outskirts of the city. We stopped at a local market and bought water. Alot of the locals where staring at us as if we where mad cycling out into the country side in the heat just to look at nothing. I really enjoyed the freedom out there, even though the traffic in the city is nothing compaired to a city at home, it still felt great to get away from the noise.


The next day we got up at 7am to go on a baot trip. It was very early for us but it look interesting anyway. We set off with our tuna baguettes for breakfast and sailded down the river. We sailed for about one hour in which we took in alot of beautiful sites and then finally stopped at our first destinations. This area was home to, two very large caves"Pak Ou Caves". The first cave was very open, it had a great view of the mekong river and was full of statues of buddah all shapes and sizes. The second of the caves was about 200 meters up behind the first. This cave was much darker you need head lamp or tourch to go inside. When we got in there it was quite difficult to see anything you could only see the patch in which your tourch was shining at. Although when Alan took a photo with his camera the whole cave light up and you could actually see the scale of it. It was huge and it housed bats i'm not sure what kind but I did here other travellers mentioning fruit bats.

On our way back now from the cave we came across all sorts of insects there was this weird spider that was sitting at the edge of it's web waiting patiently for a fly or something to get caught so he could have dinner. Futher down the path we saw an army of Ants attack a worm and carrie him away it was quite nasty. When they get together there is no stopping them.

Back on the Mekong again travelling back up the same way we came beautiful views of the river banks. We stopped at 2villages on the way back first one being a weaving village Kelly you would have loved it, the second was a paper making village. They where very interesting though as usual we where just walking Dollar signs to them, which does get a little tiring.

That evening we went to the local ballet show it was local folk tales being played out in Dance. There was a nice atmosphere and the music for the show was played live by local musicans on traditional instruments.

The next afternoon we went to a local waterfall for a swim when we got there it was amazing the water was very cold at first but nice and refreshing. People where jumping from the rocks above the waterfall. We were there for about thirty mins when a few local Novice Monks came along and started jumping into the water with the encouragement from western lads. It was a really cool sight. There bright orange robes glowing amidst the mist of the spray from the waterfall.

We wher supposed to travel the next day but I was violently Ill that night and most of the next day, it was nasty. We weren't sure what I had but I passed it on to Donna and then Alan. Somehow steven managed to escape it. We travelled the following day I was feeling a bit better but on the journey donna started feeling sick and we stopped a few times to let her get sick. We arrived back in Vang Veng where alan fell Ill and just sat and watched t.v. for few days while we recovered. We had hoped to go tubing but it wasn't to be. Finally we where all feeling slightly better made our way the Vietiane and it was time to fly to Vietnam.

Vang Veng, Laos

We travelled by bus to Vang Veng, the bus dropped us off at the thavisok guest house. Normally when buses do this we pick up our bags and walk to find somewhere cheaper but it all seemed very reasonable and the view was just amazing so we decided to stay. For an air-con room it was only $10 or one closer to the river with a nicer view was $12 so of course cus we're so flushed with cash we choose the latter. We dropped our bags in room and went to the restaruant which over looks the river and ordered lunch and a beer next thing we know the sun is setting and we're still drinking. Needless to say we spent the evening drinking and taking in the view.
The view from the restaurant in Thaivsok.
Next day we went into town to find somewhere more central to stay well when I mean central beside the 3 of 4 restaurants in the town. We finally settled in a very cheap place "The Babylon bar"which was only $4.50 a night and the reason why was not because it was dirty,it was really clean actually, it was because the bed was like a rock and the room was like a wardrope very small indeed. All about counting the pennies. This place was really cool as there was a common area with t.v. and Dvd player with a really good selection of DVDs so we just relaxed and watched a few films.


Next day we rented a tuc tuc to take us to the local caves. The Tuc Tuc left us off at the end of a lane we walked a little and there was nothing but a river there so we just stood there laughing and wondering weather we walked across the river or what. Then a baot from accross the river came to pick us up but of course for a fee. We got into the boat, the river was so low in parts that the boat was rubbing along the river bed. The boat wouldn't start so we started drifting down the river it was quite funny, eventually the boat started so then we where going against the river and we had to stop the boat down the river a little get out and walk up the bank. We proceeded to the caves the 1st one was called the Elephant cave so we expected it to be huge but no it consisted of one buddist statue and us, it was more a whole in a wall than a cave, funny all the same.

Next cave was much more fun we tubed into this cave and pulled ourselfs around by a rope connected inside the cave. Then we just swam for a little while outside the cave. Alot of fun. Steven playing in the water having the time of his life.

Lovely Laos.

It's Saturday the 7th of October. We left Bangkok about 7pm, to get an over night train to Nong Kai which is the town closest to the Laos border, when heading for Vientaine. The overnight train was fine we arrived next morning quite early with only noodles in our tummies.

After a short taxi ride to the border we walk through Thai emigration with very little hassel. Then we had to get a short bus journey to the Laos immiagration where we filled in out nessary froms and procedded to the desk and we found out that the price had gone up by 5 dollars, so we had to pay $36. Then the waiting game began it took ages to get them processed and when finally all four of us got or passports and visas back we had to actually go through immiagrations which also took very long so even though we arrived at about 9am it was about 12.40 by the time all four of us finally got through. So from here we hired a tuc tuc to the captial city vientaine. Found a place to stay dropped our bags and headed for city centre.

To our delight there was a local boat racing festival it is the biggest festival of the year and there was such a terrific buzz about the city people everywhere. We went towards the river where we saw people drinking, dancing, laughing and cheering the boat teams on. The buzz and excitment reminded me of St. Patricks Day back home, everyone is happy and the majority of them drunk too.


Next day we decided to look for somewhere more central as our previous place was out of town. It is monsoon season here which mean alot of very heavy rain. So we decided to walk with our heavy bags 10 -15 mins into town. By the time we got to the city centre one of the raods we where walking down was just like a river so what else can you do but wade though it. We had such a laugh at ourselves up to our knees in water, well it was probably up to Alan's ankles. We settled in a nice hotel and decided not to leave for a while.
The Mr. Bean roundabout.
"The Biker Gang"
Next day we rented bikes to wander the city. Lonely Planet have a suggested walking tour of the city but we choose to do it on the bikes. It was such a good days fun we where like something out of a disney movie "The Biker Gang" roaming the very small city. We checked out most of the sites and took alot of photo's. We had a great time just following the route which from time to time we added a few extra times around the roundabout just to do a Mr. Bean.
There is a plaque on the wall which is quite hilarious. It reads: "At the northeastern end of the LaneXang Ave. arises a huge structure resembling the Arc de Triomphe. It is the Patuxay or victory gate of Vientaine, built in 1962 (Buddist Era 2505), but never complete due to the country's turbulent history. From a closer distance, it appears even less impressive, like a monster of concrete. Nowadays this placeis used as leisure ground for the people of Vientaine and the seventh floor on top of the building serves as excellent view point over the city".

As if one day on a no gear bike wasn't enough we rented the bikes for the second day. All with rather tender bums from the preivous days cycling. We cycled six kilometers to the national monument "Phra that Luang"up hill might I add and it was very hard, I never realised how important gears where on a bike until I didn't have any. Of course when we get there it is closed but we took the chance to have a drink with the loacal vendor under her big sun umbrella. There was this building beside the "That" so we decided to venture a little to check it out when we got closer i realised that it was some kind of military building, I remebered reading that if you are close to Military bases or buildings they will escort you away, so I shouted after Donna but it was to late there was a soldier hot on our tail on a motorbike telling us to move away.
On the way back to the city again we where going down hill which was much better. We stopped at the bottom of the hill at a crossroads/intersection then the lights changed and as it is quite hard to cycle these bike you have to work hard to get moving. What do you know my chain came off as i was in the middle of the intersection and traffic. AAAAAAAHHHHHHHH very scary but all turned out well I made it safe and sound to the side of the road to fix it. It's very funny now.

Next day we left bikes back and decided to give our bums a rest and walk to the national museum. It was really interesting so much I didn't know about this country and still don't. I really know so little of the history of these south eastern countries. I just love learning.

Cambodia!

Wonderful Cambodia. We arrived in Cambodia on the 25th of September from the Aranya Prathet in Thailand it bordered with Poi Pet on the Cambodian side. We went through customs with very little hassel which was a huge surprise. Except the fact that the guy who was supposedly working there said to me if I pay an extra 100 Baht that I could get my visa quicker. Of course I ignored this and waited.

The government have organised a bus service from the border to the local bus stations in an attempt to combat scams that are very popular in Cambodia espically at this border.

At the bus station we organised a taxi to Siem Reap which cost us about $50US. We then started a journey I don't think I'll ever forget. We spent about 4 very bouncy hours in the back of a small taxi with cracked window screen. The road was just a dirt track with the biggest potholes I've ever experienced in my life. You would think that in order not to keep your car the way it is, you would have to drive slow. Not our driver he raced another driver most of the was from the border to Siem Reap. I was a little frighted at first but it was just funny then.

After 4 hours of that crazy journey we where all starving as we hadn't eat since 7 that morning and by the time we reach the guesthouse it was dark. The driver took us to the guesthouse he had advertised on his car we checked it out liked it and it was cheap cheap so we stayed. It cost us $11 a night between the 4of us, the offical currency in Cambodia is Reil but to my disappiontment and a bit of anger most people dealt in US$ which I feel is a real shame.

Next day we got up late and just walk around the city. It is so cute the city is very small and you can walk around it in about 20 mins. So it really the size of a small town. We ate in an Irish pub for the 1st time since we arrived in Asia.

That evening we had organised a driver to take us to Angkor. If you buy a 3day ticket after 5 o' Clock you can get in that evening for the sunset free and still have your 3days starting the next day. It cost $4o for a 3day pass. There is the options of 1,3and week passes.$20,$40 and $60 respectively. Of course the day we go there was no bloody sun but I'm sure it would have been cool as the view was brilliant anyway.















The next 3 days we spent seeing everything Angkor had to offer there are to many to even begin mentioning names. Of course Angkor Wat and Angkor tomb are the most famous. I really enjoyed it but I have to admit that after the second day I was all templed out. I think it was a case of to much of the same thing at the same time. But individually there where some great temples.

On the third day we only had to temples to see so we went to the flooded village and flooded forest. This was amazing we drove for a while to a small village outside siem reap. Then we got a boat which cost $10 but we bargind for $8 each, and this took us all the way out to the flooded village it was class. There are about 500 families that live in the village but they only live there in the wet season as the village dry's up in the hot months. This seemed very hard to Imagin as it just was a huge area covered in water with houses built on stilts.


Our driver came with us as his family live there and invited us to visit his home and have lunch. On our way there was 2women in the back of our boat with a new born baby. As we entered the village you could see everyone coming to the doors of there houses looking at the newest member of the village. It was a real treat just watching them welcoming the mother home and giving best wishes to both mother and child.

We had lunch with our drivers family. It was a traditional Cambodian meal. One of the highlights for me was when I asked to use the toilet, to my shock I found myself in a 3walled room so no door hovering over a whole in the floor and looking at the fish below the house. It was of course the only option but I really got a big shock.

The village is on Tonle Sap Lake and the Lake is connected to the Mekong river (which rises in China and flows through Laos, along the Thai border, through Cambodia and into the sea in Vietnam) by the Tonle Sap river.

This little cutie pie was sneaking into the bar next to the bar we where drinking in. We had been givin free pop corn so, we gave one of the plates to this little chap he was delighted to get something to eat he polished the plate I really felt sorry for him. It's very common for parents to send their little kids out begging for money. But, i don't like encourging begging so i would prefer to give food or water something i know that the kid will see and benifit from as the money goes back to the parents to pay bill s and then the kid is still starving. After he had finished the popcorn i gave him some 7up which i don't know if it was a good idea. He got so hyper after it. He stayed with us for about an hour just playing like a normal kid and he was really enjoying himself. It's really sad the amount of children and families suffering from starvations and poverty. Espically when the government is selling anything that has any value to line their own pockets.

An example of this is as our driver was telling us that the local football ground and the local school had both been sold to foreigners so they could build huge posh hotels there and make profit not for the country but for the foreigeners themselves. there is so much the government could do with the resourse they have to benifit the country but they choose their own pockets instead.

This post is dedicated to Action shots of Alan Baynes in India.

India Take Two
Sorry but my time ran out as I was loading up some photo's, so I couldn't finish my photo diary.


The last photo you saw was a few Indian womenand a man walking out from the Red Fort.

The traditional dress is still customary here. "The sari" as you will see women wear, is composed of Top which is about belly top length and then the rest is made up of a roll of material about 8- 10 meters which is wrapped arounbd the waist first then across the front of the body and lastly wrapped around the head like a scarf. When we arrived first it seemed that most of the sari's where materials with simple but elegant designs but soon we looked closer and some of the women had crazy designs on them such as Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck or even Goofy on the material at a first glance you wouldn't really notice.

oh and that is the taj behind them!








This next photo is from the inside the red fort! We spent a few couple of hours here there where lots of things to photograph it very hard to choose just one but one of the things I really loved about my trip to India was the Architechture this is a prime example of it. This building was undergoing renovations while we where here most of it is made in Marble the Indian's love their Marble.









Next on the list of day one was our trip to one of the biggest Mosque's in Delhi. As you enter a Mosque you must remove your shoe's and dress respectfully so that means no shorts and as you can see in this photo Steve was wearing shorts and he had to cover up using a skirt and surpisingly Steven liked wearing a skirt even though he won't admit it. As you can see in this photo Donna and Steven are standing on a carpet this is so you don't burn your feet well that what we used it for the ground was so hot we could only step on the stone for a few seconds.









This is the Gate of India which very similar to l'Arc de Triomphe. This was erected in honour of soldiers who died when trying to defend India from the English invaders. This area is very resonant of Paris it remindined me of our trip there last year.








Humayun tomb's this was our last stop for day one and it was just amazing we got there in the evening as the sun was begining to set my battery died just after a few photo's from here but again if you check alan's site he has a fab photo of the actual tomb it was designed by the same guy who built the Taj Mahal. This photo was taken at the entrance of the tomb grounds.







Last photo's of day One in India the sun was setting above the Humayans Tomb.

India

This entry is going to be a photo diary entry!! Reason: i'm too lazy and tired to write all the facts but if you want you can get them off alan's as he has them all his blog address is www.alanbaynes101.blogspot.com
Photo No.1. Raj Ghat
This is the place of Mahatma Gandhi cremation.
Hundreds of people flock each day to pay homage to him.

Chiang Rai

hey all,

It has been a while since I updated you all sorry bout that. I have been and came back from India since I was talking to you last but i'll start when we travelled from chiang mai to chiang rai which is about 4 hours bus journey we stayed here for 3days and did alot within that time.

We arrived in late afternoon and stayed in a nice hotel but reasonable priced with a huge swimming pool which is a good bonous. That afternoon we walked to the centre of the town and on our way we saw the local school teams playing basketball and lots of teenagers hangin out doin stunts on bmx bikes which was pretty cool too. We crossed the road to another park area and here was the older people hangin out doin exercises, dance and all sorts. It was really good to see the real people of thailand in there own enviornment and not the usual tourist thing that we normal see.




















That evening we went to the loacal market area where we had dinner from the food stalls saw traditional Thai dancing and they also have a really cool area where you can get food and drink and sit watching a live performer on acoustic guitar playing both Thai and western songs.














Next day we went to hot springs and when we got there all we could see was a swimming pool, which you can imagin was to our disappiontment of course us being Irish and us being us we slagged it off and laughed for about 10 mins when we realised after asking them, it was water pumped into a pool from the hot spring as if we had of went straight into the hot spring we would have made ALAN,SHEENA,DONNA and STEVEN SOUP. It was about87 but the pool we got into was about 25 - 30 so as you can imagin that is warm enough. Consistancy of the water was so much denser than ordinary water it really made us feel tired and a little woozy! It was a very weird sensation.

We also vistited another hot spring a few hundered meters away but did not enter this one. The views where amazing on the trip and at the second hot spring.
Here are a few photo's of that day.