Bus Ride from Hell goes through Vang Vieng

The most stomach churning bus ride I have ever been part of, took seven hours from Luang Prabang through the mountains to Vang Vieng. Everyone on board had nausea and most lay down the better part of the way on what turned out to be an experience none of us ever want to partake in again.  More switchbacks than a rattler in the Mojave Desert. Dirt roads, rattling, banging, up and down for what seemed an eternity. However, for our reward we ended up in Vang Vieng which turned out to be a beautiful and picturesque setting in the mountains by the clear and calm Song River.  Unfortunately it also turned out to be a backpackers haven for a most unsavoury group of young drunkards and half clothed young men and women with absolutely no respect for the local culture or customs. What was even more surprising was that the local communist authorities were nowhere to be seen and turned a blind eye to open drugs and promiscuity. Their mothers would not have been pleased.

However, the next day we managed to have a wonderful and most enjoyable outing. After renting mountain bikes for about $4 for the day, we set out to discover some of the local caves and in our travels came across a wonderful swimming hole by the name of Blue Lagoon. A welcome dip after a very warm and rough ride on our bikes was just the ticket. This was followed by a lovely lunch in a restaurant, built on stilts over a pond and operated by a community outreach group. The vegetable soup I had and the Tom Yam which Jennifer chose were extremely tasty and a feast to the eyes upon presentation. The ride back along the river with the mountains in the distance was magical.  Grilled fish in a local eatery, washed down with a large Laobeer and followed by a banana pancake with Nutello on the street was a fitting ending to an active and rewarding day.

Today we were back on the bus for another four hour journey to Vientiane. Not quite as bad as yesterday, but we should never complain about Quebec roads again. If this country wants to grow it’s tourism industry then they better put some money into infrastructure. A few hours walking around the city was interesting. Being back in civilization and regardless of the bus trip, we were extremely glad to have seen the countryside, it’s people and the hardships they have to endure to realize how lucky we really  are.

Tarzan, Jane and Rajh Treking in Laos

Me Tarzan....You Jane

We have just spent two wonderful days floating down the Mekong River. Our mid way overnight stop was a small town on the river which only got electricity two years ago and internet, two months ago. We arrived in Luang Prabang late afternoon the following day. This UNESCO Heritage City is certainly very charming and a welcome back to civilization. After a Laos BBQ at a local eatery it was a little after dark entertainment. Bad mistake. Should have gone to the hotel and to bed. Sometimes I never learn. How do you say karaoke in Laotian?

The following day and a harrowing ride (the guide never advised to take Gravol especially after a raucous previous evening) in a minivan; we went to see the beautiful waterfalls. True to their reputation they were absolutely lovely and a welcome sight to a battered body and bruised mind. Of course the invitation to go swimming was not to be ignored and true to form, I made my debut as Tarzan swinging from the tree tops. (See photo which Jennifer captured in a rare moment of photo genius) The water was invigorating and I started to feel like I was about to make a comeback. That evening was an invitation to a local family’s home and a traditional Laotian meal. The girls all seemed to really enjoy the meal. I enjoyed the experience, the food....not so much.

Today our Tarzan and Cheetah road show took us to visit the elephants and a visit of a rehab sanctionary for these giants who are no longer required for hard labour. The Japanese tractors took away their livelihood and this is how they still manage to sustain themselves. Off to another temple tonight and who knows, dinner probably down by the Mekong overlooking the boats ferrying rice and tourists back and forth.

 

       

Don't Pay the Ferryman 'Till You Get to the Otherside

After arriving in Chaing Mai where we were booked into a charming guest house with a lovely terrace and garden, the afternoon was spent bicycling in the countryside. That was followed with an evening tour, up the mountain to visit the local renowned temple where the Buddhist Monks were chanting evening prayers. It was an extremely mesmerising experience.

The following day we left for a five hour van ride to the Laos border, where we were to cross the Mekong River by ferry the following day. My first view of the Mekong brought across a strange and mysterious feeling as I stood on the Thai side, gazing across at a communist country, wondering what adventure lay before us.

The next morning, after getting a ride in a tuck tuck to the Thai customs and immigration office,  we boarded the 8 passenger ferry boat to hitch up with our 15 passenger boat which would ferry us down the Mekong for the next two days, This boat has all the charm only one can experience personally. It is owned and operated by a father, mother and their 15 year old son. The mystery and mystique are around every corner as we navigate the Mekong. It is the 10^th longest river in the world which starts in the Himalayas and empties into the China Sea after having flowed through six countries. I can’t get enough of this stuff!!

My biological clock has finally started to kick in after a week and I got my first of two, good night’s sleep. Thank God!! Others in the group are still having difficulty with jet lag.

All Aboard for Chiang Mai

We have just spent the night on the night train to Chiang Mai from Bangkok after having spent three days exploring the Venice of the Far East. Bangkok has much to offer but I am glad to see it through my rear view mirror. 10 million people whose wealth or lack thereof can be extreme poverty to an overabundance of wealth. We enjoyed spending as much time as possible down by the river watching all the activity and riding the water bus. Yesterday was spent doing a canal tour on a long boat then the tour of the Royal Palace and the Emerald Buddha. WOW!! I thought the Forbidden City in Beijing was something to behold but I think I was more impressed with this palace as all it’s grandeur. They should be able to service the National debt just with the entry fee and the thousands of tourists. I had to wear  a sarong before being allowed entry. The day before was spent at the Temple of the Sleeping Buddha. Again, very impressive. The weather is extremely hot and dry. We met up with our group on Saturday. A female Thai leader and four other very attractive females form the group. An American, Austrian, Australian, Canadian and of course Jennifer. I am the only male. I’m sure it will prove to be an interesting two weeks before we meet up with the rest of our group.

Made It!!

We made it!! By the numbers, 3 flights, 3 flight delays, 2 hours sitting on the plane before takeoff due to lavatory problems, for a total of 15 hours on the plane from Toronto to Tokyo, 26 hours travel time, 30 hours between rack sessions, and two lost backpacks to arrive later Thursday evening. The time difference between here and Montreal time is 12 hours so I didn’t have to change my watch. Except now we are ahead of everyone back home. All you have to consider is if it is 10 in the morning at home it is 10 in the evening here or if it is 10 in the evening at home it is 10 in the morning on the following day. We left Montreal 9:00 am Tuesday morning and arrived in Bangkok 11:00 pm on Wednesday. Are we having fun yet? After a full American breakfast we hit the streets for our first walkabout. Very humid especially in long pants (shorts and sandals still in backpack). Walked to Chinatown, street food en masse as are the throngs of people. Tuk tuks, scooters and taxis everywhere. Saw our first monks dressed in orange garb. Birds in bamboo cages, fruit to nuts including toilet plungers side by side with Budda trinkets. Had Singha beers in a market bar by the river. 50 bahdt each or about $1.50. Water 25 cents, large Sprite 50 cents and 30 cents for Jennifer’s Indian orange and $1 for a medium bag of chips. Temples, temples and more temples. Didn’t go in any today as I’m sure we will have had our fill before all of this trip is complete. Took the water bus back to the hotel for 50 cents each where the girls at reception were all excited because our backpacks had been located and should be delivered by 8 pm. Sitting in this internet cafe making my first blog entry. $1.25 for an hour. On my second litre bottle Singha and feeling great! Until my next entry.....cheers!!!