We have arrived in Phuket and are staying at Thavron Village and Spa, Patong.
Prob wont blog as prob wont have a lot to say.
5 days of chillaxing ahead.
Love you, miss you, see you soon xoxo
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
Chiang Mia Treking!!!!!
Yep it's treking time!!!
Picked up from our guest house 8:30am for our two day adventure of the jungles of Chiang Mai.
First up we drove out to the markets to get the food for the next few days and then it was into the jungle for an elephant ride. Yep i know we didn't want to do this after we experienced one of the worst things ever in Vietnam, but everyone was reasuuring us that the elephants are well looked after and it isn't cruel.
So boarded the elephant we did (we also brought some bannans to feed the elephant, so we didn't feel bad about it). and it was pretty cool! The elephant driver didn't have some big metal spike to jab the elephant with. Instead he would give instructions to the elephant and the elephant would happily go along (as long as he got some bannans for it) After a brief ride through the jungle it was down to a river and this was when the ride got AWESOME! I got to sit up front and drive the elephant!!! I was a pro directing the elephant this way and that and it happily walked along the river bed........( or maybe the elephant had done this so many times and you know what they say... an elephant never forgets).
After the elephant ride it was lunch. Stopped at a local house and they cooked us up.......yep you guessed it rice and chicken.
After lunch it was trekking time. We set off with our bamboo walking sticks into the jungle and treked for about 2 hours before we stopped at a waterfall for a dip. This waterfall wasn't as massive as the one in Vietnam, but was more peacefull and secluded. Jumped in for a swim and tried to stand under opportunity. Bec got some great photos.
After our swim it was back on to the trekking trail for another 2 hours to our overnight stay in one of the hill top tribe villages. Talk about a simple life, no traffic, no pollution (no electricity, no hot water!) just perfect......Except for the bloody rooster who woke us up at 5am!!!!
Dinner was cooked by our guide and it was amazing, green curry and yep chicken and rice, but this time we also had mixed veggies, so all good.
After dinner we sat around the candle light (did you expect electricty all the way up here) and had a few drinks with our guide and a local guy. They had heaps of match stick (bamboo sticks) tricks and problem solving games. I managed to solve one, but theres was no hope with others. I think they got a kick out of tricking the westerner with their party trick, so i didn't mind them getting the better of me.
Retired to bed which was a bungleow in the mountains (1,300 feet above sea level) with a mosquito net (AWESOME) and belive it or not, but it was a pretty good nights sleep.
Next day it was breakfast around the camp fire. Bec and I even got to help cook, which was cool. Then back on the treking trail for our decent down the mountain.
After a few hours we arrived at another waterfall and once again Bec and I jumped in for a refreshing swim. After the swim it was lunch back at the house we stopped at yesterday for a noodle dish with chicken, so relief there it wasn't rice.....
Next up was bamboo rafting time down the river. Bec jumped on to the middle of the raft and i was given a big bamboo stick and told "stand at back and paddle".........first up i was a bit wobbly on my feet, but then focused my mind and tuned myself into the teaching of the karate kid and performed a bit of Daniel Son at the back of the raft.
The ride down was pretty cool , we cruised through the rapids like they weren't even there and directed the raft safely to our final stop. Where we jumped back into our jeep and headed back to our guest house in Chiang Mai.
Next up is Phuket for 5 days of total relaxation can't wait!!!
Picked up from our guest house 8:30am for our two day adventure of the jungles of Chiang Mai.
First up we drove out to the markets to get the food for the next few days and then it was into the jungle for an elephant ride. Yep i know we didn't want to do this after we experienced one of the worst things ever in Vietnam, but everyone was reasuuring us that the elephants are well looked after and it isn't cruel.
So boarded the elephant we did (we also brought some bannans to feed the elephant, so we didn't feel bad about it). and it was pretty cool! The elephant driver didn't have some big metal spike to jab the elephant with. Instead he would give instructions to the elephant and the elephant would happily go along (as long as he got some bannans for it) After a brief ride through the jungle it was down to a river and this was when the ride got AWESOME! I got to sit up front and drive the elephant!!! I was a pro directing the elephant this way and that and it happily walked along the river bed........( or maybe the elephant had done this so many times and you know what they say... an elephant never forgets).
After the elephant ride it was lunch. Stopped at a local house and they cooked us up.......yep you guessed it rice and chicken.
After lunch it was trekking time. We set off with our bamboo walking sticks into the jungle and treked for about 2 hours before we stopped at a waterfall for a dip. This waterfall wasn't as massive as the one in Vietnam, but was more peacefull and secluded. Jumped in for a swim and tried to stand under opportunity. Bec got some great photos.
After our swim it was back on to the trekking trail for another 2 hours to our overnight stay in one of the hill top tribe villages. Talk about a simple life, no traffic, no pollution (no electricity, no hot water!) just perfect......Except for the bloody rooster who woke us up at 5am!!!!
Dinner was cooked by our guide and it was amazing, green curry and yep chicken and rice, but this time we also had mixed veggies, so all good.
After dinner we sat around the candle light (did you expect electricty all the way up here) and had a few drinks with our guide and a local guy. They had heaps of match stick (bamboo sticks) tricks and problem solving games. I managed to solve one, but theres was no hope with others. I think they got a kick out of tricking the westerner with their party trick, so i didn't mind them getting the better of me.
Retired to bed which was a bungleow in the mountains (1,300 feet above sea level) with a mosquito net (AWESOME) and belive it or not, but it was a pretty good nights sleep.
Next day it was breakfast around the camp fire. Bec and I even got to help cook, which was cool. Then back on the treking trail for our decent down the mountain.
After a few hours we arrived at another waterfall and once again Bec and I jumped in for a refreshing swim. After the swim it was lunch back at the house we stopped at yesterday for a noodle dish with chicken, so relief there it wasn't rice.....
Next up was bamboo rafting time down the river. Bec jumped on to the middle of the raft and i was given a big bamboo stick and told "stand at back and paddle".........first up i was a bit wobbly on my feet, but then focused my mind and tuned myself into the teaching of the karate kid and performed a bit of Daniel Son at the back of the raft.
The ride down was pretty cool , we cruised through the rapids like they weren't even there and directed the raft safely to our final stop. Where we jumped back into our jeep and headed back to our guest house in Chiang Mai.
Next up is Phuket for 5 days of total relaxation can't wait!!!
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Have arrived in Chiang Mai
Are staying here tonight then its off trekking tomorrow (overnight) will return the following night.
Staying at Smile Hotel :)
Staying at Smile Hotel :)
Saturday, November 6, 2010
at bangkok airport waiting for flight to chiang mai
not long now until we are home now boys and girls xoxoo
Friday, November 5, 2010
Day 19 - Siem Reap
It was an early start this morning to head out to Angkor Wat Temples. We decided it would be a good idea to watch the sunrise there and it was pretty spectacular. Would have been better if no clouds but still pretty impressive. And at that hour there were less people.
The age and history behind the temples is quite extraordinary. Really impresive as they didnt use cement. All the stones just hold together.
We looked at about 6 temples today with our guide Mr On. He is 29 and was a champ. Knew so much information (at times we werent sure what he said due to his accent, but Im sure it was something good.
We got there at about 5:30am and left around 5 so were there for a good 12 hours.
The history behind the construction was very interesting and the stories that go into the 'galleries' which are entire walls chiseled out showing Hindu and Buddist stories. Most temples had 'proection' on all 4 durections to stop bad spirits entering the massive buildings.
There is a lot of sexual meaning behind alot of the temples. They are really big on the male and female symbolic reference. Its not rude its all spiritual so very tasteful.
When entering or exiting the temples the local children are very full on and aggressive with their selling tactics. They literally follow you and walk in front of you until you buy. Lets just say I now have quite a few bracelets that were "10 only for $1..." It was really hard to say no and in the end our guide (bless his cottom socks) told them we weren interested and we already said no. After that it was a little less confronting. We wont miss this as we both find it really overwhelming.
Once again our tuk tuk driver was a champion. He basically waited on us all day then came back tonight to pick us up and take us to a restaurant with traditional dancers. After the buffet (delish) and dancing he came back and picked us up and took us home.
We are enjoying Cambodia and really sad we can only spend 3 nights here. Unfortunately we spent too much time in Vietnam so are running out of time.
We are going to head back to the temples again tomorrow to visit the outter circle of temples and hopefully catch the sunset.
Night night xoxo
The age and history behind the temples is quite extraordinary. Really impresive as they didnt use cement. All the stones just hold together.
We looked at about 6 temples today with our guide Mr On. He is 29 and was a champ. Knew so much information (at times we werent sure what he said due to his accent, but Im sure it was something good.
We got there at about 5:30am and left around 5 so were there for a good 12 hours.
The history behind the construction was very interesting and the stories that go into the 'galleries' which are entire walls chiseled out showing Hindu and Buddist stories. Most temples had 'proection' on all 4 durections to stop bad spirits entering the massive buildings.
There is a lot of sexual meaning behind alot of the temples. They are really big on the male and female symbolic reference. Its not rude its all spiritual so very tasteful.
When entering or exiting the temples the local children are very full on and aggressive with their selling tactics. They literally follow you and walk in front of you until you buy. Lets just say I now have quite a few bracelets that were "10 only for $1..." It was really hard to say no and in the end our guide (bless his cottom socks) told them we weren interested and we already said no. After that it was a little less confronting. We wont miss this as we both find it really overwhelming.
Once again our tuk tuk driver was a champion. He basically waited on us all day then came back tonight to pick us up and take us to a restaurant with traditional dancers. After the buffet (delish) and dancing he came back and picked us up and took us home.
We are enjoying Cambodia and really sad we can only spend 3 nights here. Unfortunately we spent too much time in Vietnam so are running out of time.
We are going to head back to the temples again tomorrow to visit the outter circle of temples and hopefully catch the sunset.
Night night xoxo
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Day 18 - Ho Chi Minh to Siem Reap, Cambodia
Well its official. We have lost most of our photos from the trip. Bloody computers!!
Some where along the way they have dropped off our USB.
We woke up this morning and headed back to our favourite breakfast place and had a BIG breakfast. Then we wandered around and did a bit of shopping.
We were sad to leave Vietnam but excited for the adventure ahead.
New country new experiences.
We visited the Opera House, Cathedral and People's Committee Hall.
Then we made our way to the airport to fly to Cambodia.
Flight went well and it was exciting to arrive in a new country. Visa and check in went smoothly so now we are looking forward to seeing Angkor Wat sunrise tomorrow morning with our guide/tuk tuk driver.
Some where along the way they have dropped off our USB.
We woke up this morning and headed back to our favourite breakfast place and had a BIG breakfast. Then we wandered around and did a bit of shopping.
We were sad to leave Vietnam but excited for the adventure ahead.
New country new experiences.
We visited the Opera House, Cathedral and People's Committee Hall.
Then we made our way to the airport to fly to Cambodia.
Flight went well and it was exciting to arrive in a new country. Visa and check in went smoothly so now we are looking forward to seeing Angkor Wat sunrise tomorrow morning with our guide/tuk tuk driver.
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Day 17 - Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon)
Wow we actually slept quite well last night (very unexpectedly seeing as though it is SO noisy in HCM City).
Went out to get breakfast and found an awesome little place where we ate heaps of food and drinks for only $7.50. The unlimited complimentary iced tea was so refreshing and the food filled us to the brim. We both had omlettes which came with french fries, fruit salad (watermelon), tomato (I had Tony's), baguette.
Then we headed out for a Tony's Amazing Adventure (he was the tour guide).
First we went to the President's Independence Palace, which had a lot of history including the Saigon Government bombing it and its reconstruction to what it is now. We watched a doco on it and braced ourselves for the War Museum to come.
We thought we would have lunch before the War Museum as we were anticipating it to be pretty brutal.
We went to an 'expensive' sushi restaurant and stuffed ourselves for only $US20. Keeping in mind it is quite difficult to stuff yourself on sushi and sashimi - but we managed to do so.
After lunch we headed to the Museum and yes it lived up to our expectations. I ended up in tears and we both had to sit outside to 'have a moment' before we continued. It was heart breaking in every sense of the word. One part in particular was seeing photos of the effects of 'agent orange' and that even recently this has devastated lives through deformities, skins disease and congenital disease. One photo that effected me was the remains of a man who stepped on a land mine in 2003. Too recent to comprehend.
When we walked out it started pouring down so we headed to the Notre Dame Church. It was kind of ironic to get shelter from the church but a lot of people had the same thought. As it was raining we thought we should do what anyone in our situation would do - we went to have cocktails. After a very emotional day we thought we deserved it. They went down a treat!
Walking along the footpaths now has become even more of an obstacle than before (in previous towns). Not only do we have to dodge parked motorbikes, pedestrians, gutters that disappear, people trying to sell us everything but we now need to dodge motorbikes that simply dont want to wait for the incredible traffic. Why sit in a traffic jam with 200 other bikes when you can drive up onto the footpath and push in? :)
We should also report on the 'hairdresser' next door to our hotel. Lets just say they are dressed quite scantily and may offer more than just a hair cut. On closer looking there doesn't appear to be many hairdressing chairs in the shop and Tony has been looked up and down (and flirtatiously giggled at) on many occasions.
Tomorrow its onto Siem Reap where we fly Vietnam Airlines to check out the town and Angkor Wat. We are really looking forward to this as we have been in Vietnam for quite awhile now so excited to explore a new country.
Sleep tight xoxo
Went out to get breakfast and found an awesome little place where we ate heaps of food and drinks for only $7.50. The unlimited complimentary iced tea was so refreshing and the food filled us to the brim. We both had omlettes which came with french fries, fruit salad (watermelon), tomato (I had Tony's), baguette.
Then we headed out for a Tony's Amazing Adventure (he was the tour guide).
First we went to the President's Independence Palace, which had a lot of history including the Saigon Government bombing it and its reconstruction to what it is now. We watched a doco on it and braced ourselves for the War Museum to come.
We thought we would have lunch before the War Museum as we were anticipating it to be pretty brutal.
We went to an 'expensive' sushi restaurant and stuffed ourselves for only $US20. Keeping in mind it is quite difficult to stuff yourself on sushi and sashimi - but we managed to do so.
After lunch we headed to the Museum and yes it lived up to our expectations. I ended up in tears and we both had to sit outside to 'have a moment' before we continued. It was heart breaking in every sense of the word. One part in particular was seeing photos of the effects of 'agent orange' and that even recently this has devastated lives through deformities, skins disease and congenital disease. One photo that effected me was the remains of a man who stepped on a land mine in 2003. Too recent to comprehend.
When we walked out it started pouring down so we headed to the Notre Dame Church. It was kind of ironic to get shelter from the church but a lot of people had the same thought. As it was raining we thought we should do what anyone in our situation would do - we went to have cocktails. After a very emotional day we thought we deserved it. They went down a treat!
Walking along the footpaths now has become even more of an obstacle than before (in previous towns). Not only do we have to dodge parked motorbikes, pedestrians, gutters that disappear, people trying to sell us everything but we now need to dodge motorbikes that simply dont want to wait for the incredible traffic. Why sit in a traffic jam with 200 other bikes when you can drive up onto the footpath and push in? :)
We should also report on the 'hairdresser' next door to our hotel. Lets just say they are dressed quite scantily and may offer more than just a hair cut. On closer looking there doesn't appear to be many hairdressing chairs in the shop and Tony has been looked up and down (and flirtatiously giggled at) on many occasions.
Tomorrow its onto Siem Reap where we fly Vietnam Airlines to check out the town and Angkor Wat. We are really looking forward to this as we have been in Vietnam for quite awhile now so excited to explore a new country.
Sleep tight xoxo
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