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Adventures in south-east Asia 2010

Trip: SEA 2010

There are [20] stories from my trip: SEA 2010


Days 56-70 – The Last Chapter

THAILAND | Saturday, 8 Jan 2011 | Views [361]

Well, we did say things would be minimal J   The last couple of weeks have been pretty relaxed (for the most part) and have been all about quality time with family.   We got back to Pattaya on Christmas eve, and it felt like we’d been away ... Read more >


Days 53-55 – The Last Real Part of the Adventure

THAILAND | Friday, 24 Dec 2010 | Views [418] | Comments [3]

A reasonable start for once – our flight isn’t until 12.50 and given we’re 5 minutes from the airport we don’t have to leave until after 11.00.   Our flight’s slightly delayed but we’re back in Bangkok at 14.15 or so – this is the fourth time we’ve ... Read more >


Days 47-52 – Deep Blue

THAILAND | Tuesday, 21 Dec 2010 | Views [398] | Comments [1]

It’s a very early start today – up at 05.30 for pickup around 06.00 or so.   We have to wake the duty manager to check out!   We’re collected and on our way up to Tap Lamau pier in Phang Nga – this is due east of the Similans, but is a good two ... Read more >


Days 40-46 – From the Sublime to the Ridiculous

THAILAND | Wednesday, 15 Dec 2010 | Views [392]

We’re flying from Sukothai airport to Phuket, so Kat drops us off at the airport, hugs us all and heads back to the elephants.   We’d got the train down here so this is our first view of the airport and it’s amazing – absolutely tiny (there are probably ... Read more >


Days 37-40 – Bliss at BLES

THAILAND | Thursday, 9 Dec 2010 | Views [512] | Comments [3]

(Written by Linda) So our earliest start yet – up at 5.30am to get to the train station to catch the train to Uttradit, the nearest station to BLES (Boon Lott’s Elephant Sanctuary).   We should have remembered we are on Thai time as we actually ... Read more >


Days 32-36 – Further Exploration of Chiang Mai and Surrounds

THAILAND | Tuesday, 7 Dec 2010 | Views [396] | Comments [1]

Tuesday is an early start, as we’re heading out to the Elephant Nature Park.   The elephant is the Thai national symbol and has been an ingrained part of the national culture for a very long time.   As a consequence, many elephants are used domestically, ... Read more >


Days 27-31 – Into Northern Thailand (aka Thailand’s Hippy Hangout)

THAILAND | Wednesday, 1 Dec 2010 | Views [669] | Comments [1]

We’re up early and off to the airport for our return to Thailand.   We’re both pretty sad to be leaving – Vietnam and Cambodia have had that effect on us.   Still, more adventures await.   Our plane is delayed slightly (and more disconcertingly ... Read more >


Days 24-26 – Exit Vietnam

VIETNAM | Friday, 26 Nov 2010 | Views [458] | Comments [1]

So we’ve had a great time so far in Phu Quoc, and don’t really want to leave.   We pack up at Beach Club and move next door, and within an hour we both REALLY want to leave!   We realise pretty quickly we’ve made a mistake – you know when you get ... Read more >


Days 18-23 – A Little Downtime in Phu Quoc

VIETNAM | Monday, 22 Nov 2010 | Views [370]

Firstly, apologies for the delay in posting the next instalment – we’ve been busy doing nothing!   Actually, a few days by the beach doesn’t really hold much of interest so we decided to roll-up the whole chunk into one journal. We have a ... Read more >


Days 16-17 – A Long Weekend in Saigon (Part 2)

VIETNAM | Wednesday, 17 Nov 2010 | Views [504] | Comments [1]

A very early start today, as we’re off on a bike ride down through the Mekong Delta.   There’s five of us on the ride, plus our guide Thai.   We drive down out of Saigon and head down into the delta itself, through to Long An province.   It turns ... Read more >


Days 14-15 – A Long Weekend in Saigon (Part 1)

VIETNAM | Sunday, 14 Nov 2010 | Views [431] | Comments [2]

We’re up early for the bus.   Not sure why, we know almost for sure our transfer will be late – which, of course, he is.   We head out into the Phnom Penh rush hour, then realise that it’s no different from the regular traffic – do they ever actually ... Read more >


Day 13 – Something a Little Easier

CAMBODIA | Saturday, 13 Nov 2010 | Views [400]

Right, this should be somewhat lighter than the last journal.   No apologies for that, certain things have to be said. Today we’re learning to cook Khmer food.   Being honest, Khmer is not a culinary style that is world renowned – many people ... Read more >


Day 12 – Phnom Penh Proper (and then some)

CAMBODIA | Thursday, 11 Nov 2010 | Views [473] | Comments [1]

Our first full day in PP, and the first morning in almost a week where we haven’t had to set the alarm to get up for something specific.   Ironic then that we both wake up fairly early (around 06.00) and struggle to get back to sleep, then are awoken ... Read more >


Day 11 – Bye Bye Siem Reap, Hello Phnom Penh

CAMBODIA | Wednesday, 10 Nov 2010 | Views [418] | Comments [1]

Another fairly early start, up at 06.30 ready to get the 08.30 bus down to Phnom Penh.   Bit knackered, and slightly annoyed when the transport to the bus station turns up late but hey ho – it could be worse, we could be at work!   Traffic seems ... Read more >


Day 10 – Sunrise at Angkor Wat

CAMBODIA | Wednesday, 10 Nov 2010 | Views [379]

An early start, up at 04.00 ready to see the sunrise at Angkor Wat.   Sip has turned up in a jacket – apparently it’s ‘cold’ this time in the morning, despite being well over 20 degrees C!   We head over to the temple and even beat most of the security ... Read more >


Day 9 – The Big Ones: Angkor Wat and Angkor Thom

CAMBODIA | Tuesday, 9 Nov 2010 | Views [455]

Today we cover the classics at Siem Reap.   Even driving up the road to Angkor Wat raises the hairs on the back of your neck: it’s iconic and it doesn’t disappoint.   Unfortunately, it’s also a mecca for everyone else in Siem Reap (1m visitors per ... Read more >


Day 8 – An Introduction to Siem Reap and its Temples

CAMBODIA | Monday, 8 Nov 2010 | Views [411]

Be prepared, this is going to be a LONG one... Not such an early start today, we’re collected from the hotel by our guide and driver at 09.00.  Our guide is called Sip (pronounced sepp) and a car with AC is very welcome – even this early the humidity ... Read more >


Day 7 - Holiday in Cambodia

CAMBODIA | Saturday, 6 Nov 2010 | Views [410]

Early start today, up before 06.00 for final packing before a little breakfast and pick-up by the visa run minibus.  By way of background, visas are very important in Thailand, and for most visitors this is gained on arrival.  However, given the pretty ... Read more >


Days 4-6 - Bye Bye Pattaya (For now...)

THAILAND | Saturday, 6 Nov 2010 | Views [318]

This will be a short one, because days 4-6 mostly seem to involve sleeping ;-)  We're definitely still playing catch-up, but it's nice that we've got this downtime at the start to make sure we're ready for the rest of the trip.  It's fair to say though ... Read more >


Days 1-3

THAILAND | Tuesday, 2 Nov 2010 | Views [380] | Comments [2]

Finally arrived in Thailand after many months of preparation.  Eva air contrived to make us miss our bus down to see Wayne, but fortunately that too was late running so we made it after a slightly mad dash through the (nice new) BKK airport! Our first ... Read more >