Sihanoukville - Koh Rong or maybe not?

We again went with Giant Ibis for our bus journey and again had a good trip. We arrived in Sihanoukville early afternoon, checked into our accommodation. This time a hotel called the Coolabah Hotel. We got a free room upgrade because someone wanted to stay longer :)  Next stop was a place just round the corner called Monkey Republic to organise our trip to Koh Rong. The girl we dealt with was lovely and we got the feeling that anything we wanted would be "no problem, no problem". So we booked ourselves on the boat the next day and a beach bungalow for when we arrived on the island. Next stop sort out some washing and then lunch. 

We asked at a few places about visas for Vietnam too.  Then headed back to have a swim. Before dinner we went for a wander down to the beach, there weren't many people around except a whole lot of hawkers so we headed back and ate at the hotel.  That night the troubles started. I was up a lot of the night with an upset stomach.  In the morning I ate a very light breakfast of some fruit befor we headed off to wait for our pickup for the boat. While waiting for the boat in a very hot and stuff shipping container I had to make a sudden dash for a toilet. That was when we decided maybe going to the island needed to be put off for the next day, of course it was no problem for our friend at monkey republic to sort out for us. 

We went back to the Coolabah and they were able to check us back in straight away.  The rest of the day was spent sleeping and in the bathroom. By evening I was feeling a little better so went to dinner with Shaun. The restaurant staff were very kind and attentive offering all sorts of advice. 

In the morning we got up and had breakfast. I was still feeling pretty rough so we decided to cancel our trip out to the island which was disappointing but I didn't think I could cope with 3 hrs on a boat. One upside to not going to the island was Shaun got to have a Sunday roast, well technically he had 2. I ordered one and just ate the steamed veggies. 

We decided to leave Sihanoukville the next day as we had already spent a long time there. So we booked ourselves on a bus back to Phenom Penh. We couldn't book with Giant Ibis for some reason so ended up on a Sorya bus. My advice to anyone contemplating traveling with this company is ... DON'T! The bus itself it fine, it's older, but the aircon works and the seats are comfy enough. It the fact that we have been listening to Cambodian comedy from woman with the worlds whine-est voice on full blast for 4 and a half hours and we still have a long way to go! Her voice is so piercing it went straight through the music I was trying to listen to on my iPod (which has now gone flat!) 

The bus just got better as we came into Phenom Penh just on 5pm so lots of traffic they turned the aircon off for the last hour it took us to get through the city. The bus just got warmer and smellier the further into the city we went. 

I can't wait to get off the bus! We have got tonight in Phenom Penh and then tomorrow another bus into Vietnam. We are both looking forward to that. Whilst Cambodia has had it's ups and downs we are both ready to move on and hopefully leave this weather behind us. 

Phenom Penh - the killing fields and S21

Take two - some how the first post I wrote for this this morning deleted itself.

We travelled from Siem Reap to Phenom Penh by bus with a company called Giant Ibis, they were great. Picked us up from our hotel (a few mins late but not too bad) then took us to the bus station, when we got on the big bus we were given a bottle of water each and a croissant. They had wifi on the bus, but it was too slow to do much other than send emails. Our trip to Phenom Penh was in eventful, a nice drive through some nice scenery. Lots of water lilies in bloom. 

We arrived in Phenom Penh and got a tuk tuk to our hostel. We decided to stay in a backpackers as we tended to meet more people doing this. We checked into eighty 8 and headed up to our room.  We were on the top floor, and that's a lot of stairs when your carrying a pack! It didn't help that the girlwho was showing us our room practically ran up the stairs! The room was basic and had everything we needed, except a door to the bathroom. There was just a curtain, which proved pretty useless when the fan was on! 

Once we were all settled we went down stairs to use the pool and wifi that was only available in common areas. We went for a swim, the pool was great! Then we met a Dutch brother and sister and a couple of other people, had dinner with them and then decided to share a tuk tuk for the following day with the Dutch.  

The next morning we got up fairly early to head out to the killing fields.  A very emotive site.  When you arrive you are given a headset to listen to as you walk around the grounds. Some horrific things took place at the hands of the Khmer Rouge.  It was hard to listen to and look at, but I am glad we went to understand more about Cambodias history.  

It was also good to have company in the tuk tuk. After the killing fields we went to S21 which is an old school that was used by the Khmer Rouge. They used it as a prison and to torture their prisoners. One part I found particularly difficult were the hundreds of photos. Every person who was arrested by the Khmer Rouge was photographed, so there were boards and boards of victims all who lost their lives at the hands of these people. It was horrific. 

Shaun and I decided not to take photos of either the killing fields or S21.

We decided that after that morning we needed see something that was a bit more positive, so headed to the royal palace. When we go there though we were all a bit hot and bothered and hungry so decided to head back to the hostel for a swim and some lunch.

We ended the day chilling out in the hostel which was good. Really nice food, and decently priced beers. The next morning we were headed for Sihanoukville so headed to bed fairly early. 

Siem Reap and Angkor Wat

We arrived in Cambodia and had the easiest visa and customs experience ever. It was all so quick. We headed outside and found the tuk tuk the hotel had sent for us.  We had spent a little more on this hotel and man was it worth it. The service was amazing. All the staff from the front desk to the gardener and chef were so friendly and helpful.  

We took a tuk tuk into town and had Cambodian BBQ for dinner, man it was soo good! We then wandered the markets before heading back to the hotel.  Because the hotel was a wee way from the centre of the city they had free tuk tuks into and out of the city.  

The next morning we got up and headed out to Angkor Wat. Wow! That place is amazing! We spent about three hours wandering around different parts, (I'll have to look in the guide book to tell you exactly what we saw, but it was just amazing. One thing that struck both Shaun and I was the squareness on the buildings, the way the doors and windows line up, from right in the centre you can see all the way out through the doors and windows.  We saw monkeys on the side of the road and an elephant procession past one of the temple, it was such a cool experience.  After three hours of going up and down stairs and looking at such amazing sights we were starting to get a bit tired and then down came the rain. Man did it pour! We got back to the tuk tuk without getting too wet. We were ok sitting in the back but if we had tried to go anywhere our poor driver would have been soaked! So we sat for about 15mins then once the rain had eased we headed off to the hot air balloon that rises up over Angkor Wat.  Unfortunately when we got there a lady came out and told it was closed, they were having some problems with it and it wouldn't be fixed for at least a week.  We were both a bit gutted as it was something we were really wanting to do.  In the end we decided to go back to the hotel.we spent the afternoon swimming, having lunch and generally just chilling out. I managed to chat to mum and dad which was really nice.  

We went into town again for dinner and ate at pub street.  Which as the name suggests was full of pubs. We packed up most of our stuff when we got back as the next morning we were being picked up for our bus to Phenom Penh at 7.45

Another good night sleep on the softest mattress we have had on our trip! 

Next stop Phenom Penh. 

Luang Prabang

We got off the slow boat at Luang Prabang and had the hardest climb to get off the boat and up to the road. First there was a small plank to walk across which kept slipping and moving in the sand, then a climb up a sandy bank, pretty much like climbing a sand dune with a whole lot of people standing on the sand dune making the climb even harder as you have to navigate your way around them. And then there was a really steep set of stairs that were also quite rickety and you had to dodge the locals coming down! We got to the top and were so hot and tired and grumpy it wasn't the best welcome into Laos. We got ourselves sorted and into a tuk tuk to take us to our hotel. It was a lovely spot over looking the river. After a shower and a cool down we were feeling much more human. So went for a wonder to the night market and dinner. I was very tired and when what I ordered to drink didn't come and they bought us something else instead it was a bit much. Poor Shaun had to cope with me getting upset.  

The next day after a really good sleep i was feeling much better.  After breakfast we went to an organisation called big brother mouse which is all about building literacy in Laos, a bit part of their program is getting books out to children in villages who otherwise have no access to books. They also have an informal session a couple of times a day at 9am and 5pm where locals come in and English speaking tourist can go along and chat, to help them practice their English. We both really enjoyed it, Shaun helped a monk with his English homework and I spoke to a young man who had just finished high school and was waiting on his exam results to decide what he would do next. 

Later that afternoon we went for a walk to the royal palace, it was soo hot! I didn't overly enjoy it, the main exhibit was the palace with artefacts from the last royals who lived there then the was a smaller exhibit of cars the family had owned. Shaun found it interesting that most of the cars were gifts from the American government. 

That evening we want to find a bar called utopia. It supposed to be really amazing. After a lot of walking (it wasn't that far, just hard to find!) we found it and ordered dinner.  The food was nice and the atmosphere very chilled out, but it was far from the raging party we had been told it would be. After dinner we headed back to our hotel, it was a lovely moonlit walk back.  

We got up at 5.30 the next day to go and watch the alms giving ceremony. I had read quite a bit online about it and was really keen to go and watch but as it held no personal significance for me I didn't want to participate.  It was about 2 mins walk from where we were staying which was nice at 5.45am! We got our selves a spot across the road where we could watch in silence and not disturb the monks. Unfortunately not all tourists were as respectful. We had been told we needed to have our shoulders and knees covered and that the ceremony takes place in silence. I found on tourist in particulars behaviour difficult to stand and watch as in her short shorts, singlet and high heels whilst yabbering away to her friend down the street she was using her flash and taking photos right up in the monks faces.  If you want to go and observe religious ceremonies you need to be respectful. 

After the ceremony ended we went back to the hotel and went back to bed, while Shaun slept I had a Skype conversation with my class back home which was really cool. I really liked seeing them :)

A bit later we got up and packed up, our next stop was Siem Reap in Cambodia. We decided to fly this bit after the trials of our boat trip. 

See you in Cambodia! 

Day one on the Mekong River

After going out in Chiang Kong and having one too many beers getting up this morning was easier said than done. But we managed to get ourselves up and moving. After cold showers we were ready to head over to Laos. First stop was the Thai immigration, (our guest house had organised our Visas for Laos) then into a tiny wee boat and across the river into Laos. All went very smoothly, we then waited round for a bit before our boat left at 11.30. We got talked into booking our accommodation in Pak Beng. For the princely sum of 400 baht (around $16NZD) we have got ourselves a pick up from the boat, accommodation for the night with a private bathroom, fan and free wifi! 

It's pretty hot today, which isn't too bad when the boat is moving and there is a bit of a breeze, but as soon as we stop it becomes sweltering.  There aren't too many people on our boat today which is nice, it means we can all spread out a bit. The seats are old van seats in sets of 2 or 3 so no need for the cushions we bought. Food and drinks are available to buy, but its much more expensive than on land, Shaun bought a coke for 50baht, yesterday he bought a one for just 15! 

The scenery is beautiful, I've taken hundreds of photos on the camera. 

This is a small settlement on the side of the river. We have seen a few of the fast boats going past, it's a bit scary when the drivers and half of the passengers have motor bike helmets on! I'm glad we decided to take the slow boat.  We have spent the day sleeping, reading and playing cards with other travellers on the boat. Upon arrival in Pak Beng we found our guesthouse showered and headed out for dinner, we ate at a local resturant with an American couple we met at the resturant and 2 German guys we have travelled with since Chiang Mai.  

Day 2- another day on the river

We were up quite early as neither of us slept very well. Had breakfast then down and onto the boat. A different boat today, this one is much more packed so far less room to spread out and nap.  We have spent all of today doing very much the same as yesterday, reading, napping and watching the world go by. We are both looking forward to getting to Luang Prabang and having a shower and getting some washing done, we are both feeling very grimy and are running out of clean clothes! 

Our bargain accommodation wasn't all it was cracked up to be there was no transport from the boat to the guesthouse, no mosquito net and they turned the wifi off during the night so we couldn't use it this morning. Oh and a guy on our boat who didn't book just sorted it out when he got there only paid 250baht!

So far on our trip downstream today we have picked up a whole lot of Laoation people, and 5 motorbikes. I was sure they wouldn't fit in but here they are. 

Flying squrriels

I went zip lining! It was so much fun. I was a bit nervous about going on my own but our guides were great. I was picked up from our hotel and we drove up into the mountains. It took about an hour to get to the office, through some beautiful scenery. Once there we were given a t'shirt and then taken to gear up with a full harness and helmet. A quick group photo then we were off to the start of the course. We began with a relatively short zip line, which was enough to start with. We were all relatively nervous. But a few more lines in and we all felt like pros. Some of the really long lines seemed to go on forever, 600m is a long way when your flying above the trees! Just when we were staring to feel really comfortable there were some high ropes aspects, a cargo net to climb up, a swing bridge to walk across and then there was the bike and skateboard to be ridden across a zip line! We ended our trip with a tandem line and then the biggest fastest slide I've been on in years! It was so much fun. I loved the whole exercise. Then it was back to the office for lunch before the van took us back to our hotels. Such a cool experience. Would recommend it to anyone not too scared of heights :) 

Chaing Mai - day 2

I went off zip lining leaving Shaun to sort out our onward travel to Laos and accommodation in Luang Prabang. He had a nice day chilling by the pool once he had sorted things out then when I got back we had yet another swim (I'm not sure how I'm going to cope in Laos where pools don't seem so prevalent!) then another trip to the night bazaar for dinner and the first real shopping of the trip (I've been very restrained!) some Thai tie pants and a scarf later my need for retail therapy has somewhat lessened! We also bought a whole lot of snacks for our next few days on the move. We are currently on route to Chiang Khong where we will spend the night before crossing the border into Laos tomorrow and then heading down the Mekong on a slow boat for two days. I'm really looking forward to the boat trip. 

So far we seem to have done pretty well in terms of brining suitable clothing, there a few things which were chucked in our packs last minute that we don't seem  to need like a charger for a phone we didn't bring! But other than that we seem to be going quite well.  We were on the look out for sleeping bag liners but haven't been able to find them unfortunately so will just have to cope without them. 

I've been really impressed with the abundance of free wifi, so far we haven't needed to pay for Internet usage at all.  Not sure what will happen over the next few days so will post this when I can but not sure when that will be! 

From the mountains in northern Thailand 

Xxx

Chiang Mai - day 1

We arrived in Chiang mai yesterday, and both really like it here. The day we arrived we checked into our hotel and jumped straight into the pool. Then found out there is a free shuttle to the night markets at 8 each night. That sounded like a good place to get dinner but we both were a little hungry so set off to look for a 7eleven. It wasn't where I thought it would be but on our walk we found a little local shop selling drinks and snacks, 55BTH later( around $1.10NZD) we had 2 large bottles of water and a bag of chips :) 

On our way to the night market our driver Lucky showed us a video clip of a tiger park he could take us to the next day. It was horrific, the animals were being hugged all over by tourists, the only way it could have been safe to do that was if the animals were drugged. It made me feel so yuck. 

After wandering round the markets for a bit (in the rain) we got a tuktuk back to our hotel. 

The first full day in Asia

Woke up ridiculously early this morning. Went out for a wonder to explore the surrounds as last night we didn't end up going for dinner, we were too tired so just crashed out. Found a nice breakfast spot just down the road from our hotel. 

Then continued to wonder, found a boat tour that went up and down the river so took it upstream to Chinatown. We wandered through the Sampheng market, so many soft toys! I want to come back here when we come back to Bangkok before we go home. I really enjoyed these markets as the stall holders weren't at all pushy which was nice to just wander through. By this stage we were both hot and thirsty so found a Chinese restaurant and went in and had a cold drink. Then took a tuktuk to what we hoped was the pier we had got off the boat. I thought it should have been pretty straight forward to get back to the pier, we took off on a rather long trip down some very dicey ally ways, we were both a bit concerned we would end up somewhere we didn't want too be. However all turned out well, we stopped outside a macca's! It wasn't the pier we wanted to get to but was the next one down the river, a quick walk down to the river and we were back on the boat. 

We headed back to our hotel to have a swim to cool down. Then took off to find somewhere for lunch.  Found a great little spot not far from the hotel that had great food, cold beer and free wifi :)  at the moment I'm posting a day after it all happens, our hotel doesn't have free wifi so I type up what's going on then the next day when we head out I'll update the world on our travels :) 

Bangkok - we have arrived

We made it to Bangkok and have checked into our hotel I'm sure it's the worlds smallest hotel room. The bathroom is the size of a wardrobe and has a glass door so you need to remember to shut the shower curtain when you go to the loo! 

Have been and had a swim in the rooftop pool which was really nice.  It's hot and sticky, but not too bad at the moment.  We will go out and do some exploring before dinner a bit later tonight. Just having  some quiet time as we are both struggling with not having had enough sleep over the last week.

On our way

We are at the airport, waiting to board our flight. Dam delayed flights.  Can't wait for the trip to begin, don't want to be sitting round here all night.