2013 – Page 3 – Powered By Fondant Fancy

Leaving Koh Tao

After a gorgeous few days here in Koh Tao, it is unfortunately time to leave. I have really enjoyed spending time here, despite a few days of illness and the long winded way of getting here, it’s been bliss to just relax after all of the action! I do think, however, that I have somewhatContinueContinue reading “Leaving Koh Tao”

Bangkok to Koh Tao

After a very long night of travelling, first by Train from Bangkok to Chumphon, then by bus from Chumphon to the coast and finally by boat to the island, I arrived in Koh Tao. The journey really tired me out and I wasn’t feeling too bright, so the first thing that I did upon arrivingContinueContinue reading “Bangkok to Koh Tao”

Bangkok – Take three

Another short Bangkok trip. In order to prepare myself for Wellington (New Zealand) and the work that I will be doing, I thought it would be a great idea to go shopping. There are three main shopping centers in Bangkok: Siam Paragon, Siam Centre and Central World, all of which are brilliant, huge and full of gorgeous shopsContinueContinue reading “Bangkok – Take three”

Laos Summary

Laos has been lovely. Lovely Laos! I could quite easily spend the rest of my life here, pottering around in this sleepy country. I fully intend to retire here. I have enjoyed everything, but my highlights are as follows: Cycling around Luang PrabangThe Royal Palace Museum, Luang Prabang (especially the royal car collection)Slowly tubing alongContinueContinue reading “Laos Summary”

Laos: Vientiane

Vientiane is a small and lovely city seated on the edge of the Mekong River, right next to the Thai border. The French originally settled the city and you can still see the elements of their time spent here; bakeries, shuttered villas and even the locals speaking in French occasionally. I spent a few lovelyContinueContinue reading “Laos: Vientiane”

Laos: Vang Vieng

I spent a few days in the Tubing capital of Laos…and it’s not really that hectic any more. In November the government shut down a lot of the riverside bars and clubs because a lot of tourists were getting very drunk and actually killing themselves doing stupid things. What is left is only a mereContinueContinue reading “Laos: Vang Vieng”

Laos: Ailments

As it turns out, you are more likely than usual to get some sort of ailment if you celebrate Songkran in Chiang Mai. This is due to quite a few reasons: least of all alcohol consumption, over-excitement and sheer flow of traffic in and around the ‘moat’ area of the town…of course my ailment had nothingContinueContinue reading “Laos: Ailments”

Laos: Luang Prabang

According to the Lonely Planet Guide: Luang Prabang is arguably one of the most sophisticated places in South East Asia. Nowhere else can lay claim to the city’s old-world romance of 33 gilded wats, colourful monks, faded Indochinese villas and exquisite Gallic cuisine.Lonely Planet. (2012). Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos & Northern Thailand. (pp.298) I totally agree with theContinueContinue reading “Laos: Luang Prabang”

Thailand: Chiang Mai – Laos: Luang Prabang

After all the excitement of Songkran I for one was quite happy to get away for a little bit of rest and relaxation. But this didn’t happen straight away. Thai New Year is usually celebrated from the 12th-15th in Chiang Mai, but other parts of the country (and apparently the continent) celebrate at slightly different times. IContinueContinue reading “Thailand: Chiang Mai – Laos: Luang Prabang”

Thailand: Songkran (Thai New Year)

The Songkran festival is celebrated in Thailand as the traditional New Year’s celebration (their New Year doesn’t start at Songkran, just the traditional celebration of what used to be the new year). However this is a New Years celebration with a massive twist…everyone – and I really do mean EVERYONE – absolutely soaks each other all day! It doesn’t reallyContinueContinue reading “Thailand: Songkran (Thai New Year)”