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John (& Sarah's) journeys.

Peace and quiet for new year?

THAILAND | Tuesday, 3 Jan 2012 | Views [582]

We had already decided that we didn't want to spend new year in Bangkok as we thought it would be even more chaotic than its normal crazy state so we headed to Khao Yai national park. We got a bus to the gate of the park but it was still 14km to the ... Read more >


Ayuthaya & the whiskey train

THAILAND | Thursday, 29 Dec 2011 | Views [866]

As usual we knew little about what to expect at Ayuthaya except that there were a number of ruined temples there. Ayuthaya was the capital of Thailand from 1350 until 1767 when the Burmese invaded. It turned out that the ruined temples were much more ... Read more >


A beach for xmas

CAMBODIA | Tuesday, 27 Dec 2011 | Views [960]

After the crazy bustle of Phnom Penh, and wanting to go somewhere with a beach for Christmas, we headed down to the Cambodian coast. Our first stop was Sihanoukville, a very touristy town surrounded by several beaches. We had heard that several of ... Read more >


The madness of Phnom Penh & the Khmer Rouge

CAMBODIA | Monday, 19 Dec 2011 | Views [486]

Arriving in the Cambodian capital Phnom Penh, late as ever, we jumped in a tuk-tuk to a cheap hotel. Whilst a little strange, the hotel room was clean and quiet, with a balcony overlooking the street and a granny perpetually sat at the bottom of ... Read more >


A lunar eclipse and a Cambodian gem

CAMBODIA | Friday, 16 Dec 2011 | Views [425]

Whilst having dinner outside at a restaurant in Kratie, we noticed many people pointing and looking up at the night sky. One man then began "drumming" on a street sign. Thinking that we were in the middle of yet another strange festival, ... Read more >


Island life and a brand new country

CAMBODIA | Saturday, 10 Dec 2011 | Views [490] | Comments [1]

We arrived at the vehicle ferry for Don Khong, one of the largest Mekong river islands, after an unusually acceptable bus journey. The"ferry was not the most technologically advanced we have ever seen, however it managed to get our minibus accross ... Read more >


Sleeper buses: the new luxury form of transport

LAOS | Saturday, 3 Dec 2011 | Views [1987]

Much to our delight, the sleeper bus from Vientiane to Pakse DID have actual beds, and even allowed a modicum of sleep! We did however feel sorry for those travelling on their own, who had to share the narrow double beds with complete strangers! The ... Read more >


Bus trauma & massage masochism

LAOS | Wednesday, 30 Nov 2011 | Views [680]

Thankful to be leaving Phonsavan, we headed to the bus station (once again, out of town). Despite being told that the 10.30am bus often doesn't run, it was there waiting and we got tickets to Vientiane, the capital of Laos, an 11 hour journey away. ... Read more >


Beautiful Luang Prabang & Ugly Phonsavan

LAOS | Sunday, 27 Nov 2011 | Views [2688]

We arrived in Luang Prabang in early evening, after being dropped off at the bus terminal well outside the city, as usual. We think the bus terminals are positioned thus to provide business for the many tuk-tuk drivers who swarm on you as soon as you ... Read more >


Vertiginous bus journeys & spectacular scenery (and much sticky rice)

LAOS | Thursday, 24 Nov 2011 | Views [615]

Although not the prettiest of towns, we came to Luang Nam Tha to do a trek into the surrounding Nam Ha protected area, a vast area of pristine forest, rivers and mountains. We finally booked a 2 day trip, kayaking on the first day, a camp in the jungle ... Read more >


Across the Mighty Mekong & into Laos!

LAOS | Wednesday, 23 Nov 2011 | Views [655]

We left Chiang Rai, heading for the Laos border, with a slight feeling of intrepidation for a country which we knew very little about. A few hours later we arrived at the Thai border town of Chiang Khong, our first local bus journey being bumpy but effective ... Read more >


Bit chilly in them thar hills!

THAILAND | Monday, 14 Nov 2011 | Views [536]

We were lucky enough to be in Chiang Mai for the Loi Krathong festival (we were mistaken about it being the Thai new year in the last post, due to crossed wires with our guesthouse owner!) During the festival people honour the Buddha with light (consisting ... Read more >


White water deliverance

THAILAND | Thursday, 10 Nov 2011 | Views [693]

We were a bit apprehensive about getting the bus from Hua Hin to Bangkok as the foreign office had advised again "all but essential travel to the city of Bangkok" owing to the flooding. However, with our Thai visas running out in a week, we ... Read more >


Elephants with chicken's feet!

THAILAND | Sunday, 6 Nov 2011 | Views [646]

After a wonderful 6 days in the tropical gardens of Ban Kruit YHA (thoroughly recommended!), we decided to indulge ourselves with a bit of luxury for a few days. That's not to say we hadn't experienced luxury......if a mosquito net and cold monsoon outside ... Read more >


Freedom for the Fa rang

THAILAND | Tuesday, 25 Oct 2011 | Views [535]

We left Bangkok,probably just in time..not only did we see flooding on both sides of the tracks, but the train tracks themselves were flooded in several places. The ticket computer at Bangkok saion said no when we asked for a second class ticket,so we ... Read more >


Cricket Connoisseurs

THAILAND | Saturday, 22 Oct 2011 | Views [458]

Well we made it in one (dry) piece to Bangkok! Whilst the flight is lengthy, Qantas is now Sarah's favourite new airline. As we flew into Bangkok we could see flooding north of the city, however we landed in a very modern, dry air-conditioned airport.... Read more >


24 hours to go!

UNITED KINGDOM | Tuesday, 18 Oct 2011 | Views [563]

We are both now unemployed, the car has been sold, the flat has been totally redecorated and subsequently let out, we have got married,tomorrow we start the mother of all honeymoons and our bags are.......not yet packed! It even looks like there might ... Read more >


Testing! (preparing to chase rabid raccoons!).

UNITED KINGDOM | Thursday, 18 Aug 2011 | Views [278]

Well here is a quick tester to see if I can still remember how to add stories to these World Nomad on-line Journals. It is now nearly three years since the Appalachian Trail Trip and I am now preparing for the next one! This trip is going to be ... Read more >


Home sweet home!

UNITED KINGDOM | Thursday, 23 Oct 2008 | Views [348] | Comments [1]

Well I am settling back into life in the UK and I am currently in the process of learning normal socialisation skills after 5 months living in the woods (it seems that you are supposed to wash cutlery after use rather than just licking it ... Read more >


The Main Event!

UNITED KINGDOM | Sunday, 5 Oct 2008 | Views [307]

Well I did it...I climbed Mount Katahdin!


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