FNG

Oh man all mighty... where to begin!

On the overnight flight from Dubai to Bangkok I meet a local named Bird and he offers to share a cab from the airport to the city. Now, I know your thinking I am crazy to agree to this offer, but he is not the freak type and we agree to share the price of the cab... so I am in.

That all goes smoothly and once I get to Siam square I am already on to my next mission... finding my way to Krabi so I can meet up with Thorin and Erik. If you want to travel spontaniously Asia is the place to be! In no time I have everything set up and I was even able to get to know the area around the place I was originally going to stay. I am still very greatful I had the hostel booked, it gave me the opportunity to shower and rest before my night bus.
On the night bus I met three people (one form austria, one from switzerland and one from London), learned a few new card games and was entertained by a few movies.

I get off the bus and set out to find a hostel called "the corner." I spend around an hour and a half searching for it before I check the internet and find out the boys will be at the "Dream" hostel for lunch. In the end it turns out there is no hostel called "the corner," go figure. =P Haha
After hello's and hugs we decide to head to Railay straight away.
Railay is a place full of stairs, bars, resteraunts, beaches, rocks, and hotels... it is a great place to get into the mood of Asia.

Note: In this part of the world come prepared with capable hiking shoes.

I have a ton of fun with the guys and before I know it I am headed back to Bangkok to get ready for my tour.

A funny note: A rule for all Thai people living in Bangkok.. you must never be out of sight of a 7-11.

Now... get ready for the next part... I will try to summerize it as much as possible, I promise.

Day 1-2
I meet the group and am surprised to find out I am the only canadian there.
We tour the Khlong river by boat and visit the Wat Pho.
Day 3-4
I see Chang Mai first by bike and get to know the group a little more. Visit Doi Suthep and climb to heaven. The next day I ride an elephant for 1 1/2 hours (aparently I rode an elephant in Chang Mai when I was a toddler)!!! How amazing is that! =P
Day 5-6
Looking back I realise how fast this group began to get to know eachother... even if it has something to do with the fact on day 5 and 6 we are all stuck on a boat making our way slowly down the Meh Khong river through the first bit of Laos to Luang Prabang.

Note: This is where books, journals and playing cards come in handy.

We are told we will be spending the night in a remote jungle village and I get really excited expecting a bit of trecking and some real local experiances!
It turns out the only real unique part about our night is the village only has generated power from 6 a.m. to 10 a.m. and 6 p.m. to 10 p.m.... otherwise we sleep in a resort basically situated on the river bank.
Go figure =P
Day 6-8 - Luang Prabang
We visit a palace and I take some illegal photos.
With three days we get to spend some real nice time getting to know the place.
Luang Prabang has one of the best night markets!
Day 8
Our group goes to the best waterfalls you will ever see in your life. Of course my camera battery runs out halfway through... so now it will stay a paradise in my mind forever.
Day 9-10
Eveline and I go for a real treck in Vang Vieng and see the beautiful land of Laos.
Day 11-13
Hanoi is a crazy city!
Saw a water puppet show, ran countless of times straight into traffic and saw Ho Chi Minhs body. Not one of my favorite places I would have to say.
Day 14
Stayed on a boat hotel... loved it.
Day 15-19 - Hoi An
-got a pair of pants made =)
- ran around like a chicken with my head cut off
-biked to the beach and relaxed
-loved it!
Day 20-22 - Ho Chi Mihn City (Saigon)
-Cu Chi war tunnels = war is cruel
-cool day market
-good night scene
Day 23-24
-Rode in a Cyclo and saw a good part of the city.
-Saw Tuol Sleng (S21 prison) and the kelling fields = war is cruel =P
Something I did notice about the war tunnels and killing fields was the amount of butterflies around... I thought that was kind of cool.
Day 25-27 Siem Reap
For two of the days we were there we toured Angkow Wat.. an experiance I will never forget.
It was amazing!
In Siem Reap I went into a bar called Angkor What and saw a note somebody from high school had left! I love the little things that connect the world! =)

Finally we are back to the present and I am glad to say I am enjoying Bangkok to the max!
Christmas went really well and I am excited to spend the new year in malaysia!

It is time to say toodle doo and be on my merry way!
Cheerios and Frootloops!