Beach days

26/09/11
Another early start today as we made our way down to the coast. Our destination is Sihanoukville, a quiet little town that hugs onto the hills around here. The landscape has completely changed from the flat rice paddies we have constantly seen since entering Cambodia. Now hills rise up all around us and the flood water that has blighted our trip so far is no longer an issue. On arrival we head straight down to the beach were we are immediately swarmed by kids who want to be our new best friends so we will buy handmade bracelets directly from them. We dive into a bar to try and get rid of them but of course we are followed so in the end I ended buying some just so I wouldn’t be hassled again. After quick bites to eat we hurriedly dive in to the sea and enjoy the waves, it's a bit of a shock to discover just how warm the sea is here. In the evening we head but down to the beach to try some BBQ food, and then the madness begin as bucket drinks are passed around. Some end up skinny dipping in the sea while I’m left at the bar to DJ.

27/09/11
The next day we have a boat trip planned for the morning but the weather has other ideas. Early that morning we are hit by heavy topical showers which are to last the whole day. Watching the news it becomes clear we are on the outskirts of a typhoon that is about to hit North Vietnam over the coming days, not a good sign when we are due to leave Cambodia tomorrow morning to head to Nam. With the boat trip cancelled the day is spent bumming round.

28/09/11
This morning we jumped into Minibuses to make our way to the Vietnam border. It seems a shame to leave Cambodia after only spending six days there. It is a lovely little country full of friendly and polite people. We eventually arrived at the border-crossing which is just a series of shacks on a causeway, not as vast as the one we used to cross into Cambodia. We quickly pass through to enter Vietnam; once again it immediately looks and feels different to where we have been. After a quick bus journey we arrive at our hotel in Chau Doc, a quiet little town located in the Mekong Delta. We have two trips planned for today. First a boat trip through the floating houses that belong to the fishermen here before we jump on the back of some scooters to be transport up the top of Sam Mountain to watch the sunset over the Delta. Tomorrow we make our way to Saigon.

Phrom Penh

Saturday was assigned as a long travel day so we had a free morning as our coach wasn’t leaving until the afternoon. With some free time to kill a few of us decided to pop in to town to have a fish foot massage done. After asking a local we eventually found a place next to the night market, where for two dollars you could have a half hour fish massage and to our surprise a free beer as well. After a three count we plunged our feet into the tank and instantly burst out laughing at the tickling sensation we felt from the fish rushing to attack our feet. It wasn’t until about after 10 minutes that you could keep your feet still so the fish could do their work. I’m happy to report that our feet were indeed smoother at the end of the half hour. From flooded Siem Reap we made our way east to Phrom Penh, the Capital of Cambodia. During the journey there we could see further evidence of the damage the flood water is causing at the moment. The green rice paddies you see everywhere next to all the main roads are now under a sea of water. A lot of this current crop is now ruined meaning prices are going to have to rise.

On arriving in Phrom Penh you can instantly see how more tourist influence the Capital is, the main stretch next to the river is lined with bars and restaurants, it almost feels like a Spanish holiday resort until you dive down the back streets where familiar life returns. That night after visiting a restaurant that supports orphans a group decide to go for a night out, although at the time none of us know how mess it is going to get. After several visits to different bars and clubs we eventually head to bed at quarter to 4.

The next morning we make our way to a place labelled S 21, a former detention centre which was used during the genocides under Pol Pot only 30 years ago. Here those from an educated background were tortured and detained before being sent on to be killed. The buildings have mainly been left as they were discovered, a variety of rooms and cells to hold prisoners and some of the devices used to torture them. After a guided visit we travel to the Killing Fields were men, women and children were killed; their bodies simply chucked in pits and then covered over. Even now bodies still lay underground here; only around half of the graves have been dig up. As we walk round we have to be careful were we tread, the recent rain has pushed bones and clothes up through the ground so they are now visible on the surface. It was a sombre morning for the whole group.

We have the afternoon free so a few of us decided to go explore the city. At one point we have a tuk tuk find us a place which services local food but on arrival we wish we hadn’t bothered, it is filthy but we decide to have some food as to not offend our driver. We made a quick escape.

Angkor Wat

After a very early start (4.45 meet) we were on our way to see the sun rise over Angkor Wat. It was lightly drizzling when we took our seat on the left hand side of the ancient complex and begun our wait. But with the heavy rains atm, cloud unfortunately blocked any view of the sun as it made its ascent in the sky. Today it was meant to rise right over the centre tower, but watching as the light slowly grew behind the clouds still turned out to be a silent, peaceful moment. Our tour guide then took us for a walk around the complex before we climb up to the highest level. Despite his best attempts to make us interact with him, the early start was against his favour.

Of course this all changed after we went back to our hotel to have a quick rest and to grab breakfast, the afternoon tour prove to be a lot more successfully as people had some more energy in them. For the second part we first visited the Bayon temple before visiting others in the same complex. Here we saw monkeys for the first time as well as elephants. After 2 hours of walking round we went to grab some lunch which turned out to be the right time as heavy rain started to pour down after we sat down. Here our guide brought as a plate of beef and ants to try which didn't turn out to be too bad - apart from the bits of ants that got stuck in the back of your throat!

After lunch when the rain had slowed down we went to visit the famous Tomb Raider complex which has mostly been left as it was found, with massive trees growing through and around the ruins. For me this was the best one as it felt like we were doing some proper exploration, wondering around the ruins and coming across stunning views of nature claiming back what was once its own. All the while though the rain had still been falling, driving back to our hotel we come across a bus which has fallen in a ditch at a 45 degree angle. With more and more rain you can visibly see the flooding getting worst in town. Roads which were dry on our way out are now under water, if it continues tonight it will soon hit our hotel. Of course though life goes on here even though people are being severely effected.

Indo-China Discovery

I am currently writing this post from a wet Siem Reap in Cambodia. Due to recent heavy rain parts of the country have experienced high levels of flooding and this is what greets us as we arrive in town.

Anyway yesterday I joined my Gap Adventure tour group at the Bangkok Centre Hotel. After a quick briefing we went across the road to have our first meal with each other. After coming back a few of us decided to have a few drinks in the hotel bar. Whilst sitting there we were approached by a member of staff who ask if a Japanese tourist could come and take our picture, he apparently thought two of our number where the footballers Wayne Rooney and Messi! Not to disappoint him we happy had our picture taken with him.

After an early start today we made our way to the border where we crossed with almost no problems. As soon as you step into Cambodia the difference in wealth compared to Thailand is noticeable, conditions here are a lot poorer. After a stop off for lunch (where I discover I am likely to have my own room for the whole trip) we continue our journey to Siem Reap. On the road there the only view is of the rice paddies which stretch miles across the countryside, there are only a few hills ever now and then, otherwise the land is completely flat.

As said before when entering Siem Reap we get to see signs of the recent flooding that has hit this part of the world. The river has burst its banks with water flowing across most streets and into people’s houses and shops. With more rain to come tomorrow the level will only rise, but despite this people continue to go about their usual business.

In the evening we have dinner at a local home, one with looks after local child. Tuks tuks were arranged to take us there but because of the flooding pickups are sent instead, so in local fashion several of us climbed into the back of one of the pickups before being driven through the floods. After a fantastic meal we get to meet some of the children they look after, were we are encouraged to test out there English which is very good before leaving with high fives all round. One thing you notice in this part of the world is how friendly all the people are, you can never guess there ages either, they all look miles younger than they actually are.

Hostel life - Bangkok

Woke up this morning to the sight of falling rain - have to remember that it is currently monsoon season here in SE Asia so I am expecting to get wet at some points.

Last night I went and visited the MBK shopping centre which is just across the road from the hostel. The outside appearance gives no clue as to what is actually inside or does it reveal its true size. This place is no Lakeside/Bluewater - it is massive inside! On first entering you immediately have some clue to the size of the place as the corridor in front of you stretches on for what seem miles. It's not until you get to a set of stairs that you realise there is six floors in here all equal in size - I think I even saw a sign advertising sumo wrestling in here! But despite the size of the place there is no real variety to the shops; most sell the same types of products and goods.

I am quickly adjusting to hostel life, though Lub d seems to be of quite a high standard so I am yet to experience poor conditions yet. At the moment it seems very quiet here, last night there was only around 10 people hanging around in the lobby/patio area. I quickly made friends with one guy in my dorm - Tom. He has swiftly brought me up to date with the card game Shitface, which he ensures me is the one most travellers play so I'm now in good standing to play later on when I met others.

One thing I have learnt is not to select a bunk in front of the A/C, I thought I was wise picking the lower bunk at the far end of the dorm but found myself that night directly in the path of a cold drift from the machine which resulted in me having to wrap myself up to keep warm - lesson learnt. I managed to grab some sleep last night but it's going to take me a while to get use to sleeping in a strange place every time I move.

Anyway today I am just going to rest, grab some lunch and then head to the meeting point of my Indo-China Discovery Tour which begins properly tomorrow.

Arrival in Bangkok

Well I have finally arrived at my first stop - Bangkok. First impressions are good; have to say that the city reminds me of a few sci-fi films (Blade Runner etc.) in the way that it has been built on several levels. Railway tracks and car lanes rise above your head, were as the ground is home to masses of traffic rushing around, I wouldn't like to risk crossing the road with using a bridge!

Anyway the dreaded 12 hour flight turned out to be good. I was sat in the middle row of the aircraft next to a British couple who have holidayed several times in this region, so I at least had someone to talk to. Have to say that the flight was very mixed in terms of the people on board; Westerns seem to be the majority. Ended up watching X-men: First Class (recommend it) and try to catch some sleep, although this is impossible when sited upright on an aircraft. Dinner and breakfast was dished out along with drinks, overall fantastic service and I would recommend travelling with EVA air (nope I had never heard of them before either).

For tonight I am staying at Lub d Siam Square hostel located near the National Stadium before joining up with my tour group tomorrow across town, I'm just going to do a bit of exploring tonight and eat some food before turning in early to get some sleep.

My adventure has finally started!

Final countdown!

Right have just booked my seat online so that can only mean one thing - it's less than 24 hours till my flight departures!

Currently I have hundreds of thoughts flying through my head; I know I am going to struggle to sleep tonight. After waiting so long for this day I can't believe it has finally come around. Been dreaming about doing this trip for so long, I think the idea first appealed to me when I was back at secondary school, especially after a school trip to Russia. It was the first time I think I had ever experienced culture shock, the freezing conditions (-22 at the lowest!) and the backwards nature of Russia, it felt like you were stepping back in time. This whole experience spurred on my want to travel, to discover new places and to challenge my senses. Now I am less than 24 hours away from beginning my round the world journey.


Anyway I better try to relax and get some sleep; tomorrow the next chapter in my life begins. I'll leave you with this quote which really rings true to me - “The tragedy of life is not that it ends so soon, but that we wait so long to begin it.”

5 days till D-day

Wow I have neglected this blog!

Since I last posted a lot has happened over the past few months. At about the end of June I went ahead and booked my RTW tickets. I had finally made my mind up on where I wanted to go. The destinations I choose in the end where South East Asia, Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and the States, traveling for around six months. After checking out RTW ticket prices I arranged a meeting with a STA (travel agency who specialize in travel for people under the age of 36) rep at there Convert Garden store. After a quick chat about where I wanted to go and rough dates a basic flight itinerary was drawn up. The thing that most impressed was the price, nearly £1.600 cheaper than what I had been quoted elsewhere. Later that week and after a few dates had been changed I happily purchase my flight tickets and travel insurance - D-day was set as 19th September!

My trip is as follows:
Start: LHR - Bangkok (Asia - 6 weeks)
Bangkok - Perth (Oz - 2 months)
Sydney - Christchurch (NZ - 2 months)
Auckland - Nadi (Fiji - 1 week)
Nadi - Los Angeles (USA - 5 weeks)
Finish: New York - LHR

As you can see I will be doing a lot of overland travel.

In the end I decided that my adventure would begin doing a tour around South East Asia. Through STA I arranged a tour that would spend 30 days taking a circuit route starting/ending in Bangkok through Cambodia, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand. This was booked with Gap Adventure tours, there Indo-China Discovery tour. The reason I choose to do this was because I knew it would take me a couple of days or weeks to get into the backpacking mindset, being on the move getting use to a new lifestyle. Being on the tour meant I would only have to worry about be food and drinks. Apart from this, this is the only tour I have booked so far. Overall I have a number of things I want to see in each country and will be making up my plans as I go along.

Of course since I booked the flight tickets I have been getting prepared for my trip. Vaccinations have been injected; contacts lenses ordered, teeth checked and career break at work taken. My career break started two weeks ago so I have mainly spent the time since shopping and sorting out Visas. The main thing to buy was my backpack, after reading various sources I had decided on aiming for a 45-50 ltr one, but true to form I ended up buying a bigger one - the Berghaus Verden 65+10 Mens Rucksack. The reason why I went big was for the added space, I'm going to be doing a lot of hiking at some points on my trip so the extra space will come in handy I'm sure, especially if I end up buying loads of gifts!

Anyway as I write this I currently am counting down the 5 days till I leave, the next chapter in my life is about to begin. Have I planned enough, probably not, but in the words of one of my heroes Roald Amundsen - ‎'Adventure is just bad planning'. I'll soon find out!