In some country we drive on the right in others the left but in Vietnam ….

Auf Englisch bitte…

He was sitting on the floor right next to me on the slow boat to Laos. His long skinny legs tried to find their place between all the backpacks. He seemed to be a quiet one. He pulled a little book out of his bag and started writing. Where might he be from, I asked myself. He wrote in English. I tried to read, but all I could see is one line that says “Little story… If you can’t hear, you have to feel… But book I forgot…” Wow, maybe he is a writer.

My friend who was lying on the floor said I should speak to him. I was not in the mood. Later on she did.  The next day, we were on the same boat again. It was a quick journey for me, because all I did was sleeping. All I remember was, Alev and him sitting on a bench talking for hours. I woke up several times, they were still talking. In Alevs’ eyes I could see her excitement and for a few seconds I thought “maybe I should have talked to him the day before.” He must have seen my look at them as he suddenly said “Are you sick?” What? No! Why should I? Tsss… I am just tired, I thought. The last hour on the boat I was awake sitting right next to Viola as Alev and he came over to join our conversation. Viola talked a lot, Alev smiled and he seemed to enjoy the conversation with the girls.

I met him again at the bowling place at Luang Prabang / LAOS. We were standing all together as my friends went to the bar and I ended up in being the only one standing next to him. After a few second of uncomfortable silence he looked at me saying “You are always so quiet” and all I could respond was “Ja, I know. But see, now I don’t know what to say.” We both laughed.

At Vang Vieng (still Laos) we met again. We met each other accidentally at the same restaurant, went tubing together the next day. Went tubing together the other day again, when the “No. 1 Black Man – non-swimmer” almost died.

The English black man (or better The Londoner) and the three German girls. We had fun at the Bucket Bar, we woke up together in the same room with the other German girls and their one-night lovers. He waited for us for hours until we got ready to go out. We bonded and wanted to travel together. And so we did.

We went on to CAMBODIA. Were we had lots of fun. Happy family!

The girls left and here we go. This is me and the tall black man travelling together.

Ladies and gentleman, this is DANIEL CHARLES.    

And here is a diary of our days in VIETMAN.

Day 1: Am I special?

I woke up at 6.20 while he was already brushing his teeth. At 7.30 we entered the bus which brought us to the capital of Cambodia from which we’ll go on to Ho Chi Minh / VIETNAM.

So we stopped to change the bus. Still sleepy I asked…

“Daniel, where are we?” – “Siem Reap.” – “OK.”

Wait. Where are we? Right answer would have been Phnom Pheng. However, he seemed to be quite convincing… as he never knows where we are.

After some hours which we spent sleeping on the bus we stopped again, this time to cross the boarder. Passport check. They took a picture of every tourist, but taking a picture of the tall black guy is not that easy as all you could see on the camera was his white chest. White chest? What a lie ;-)                Of course, it was just his shirt being white.

Another stop 100 meters further. Luggage check. “Quick, quick, I want to be first walking with my backpack through that gate ‘cause nothing else will happen. We just have to walk through,” he said.  So we went off the bus quickly, took our backpack and walked through that gate. – “I told you so!”

Vietnam, here we are.

Here we are and there are the all these motorbikes around us. Where? Everywhere. And I mean it.

We celebrated Chinese Happy New Year with thousands of Vietnamese people and their motorbikes. (No, no drums!)

Later on we walked around for a bit. But what happened was different to how we walked around in Lao or Cambodia. For the first time people where staring at me more than they stared at him, waving their hands wishing me a happy new year. Even worse was the fact that we saw some other black men. You might wonder why, because he seemed to be the only tall black guy in whole Asia. We were wondering as well and are still surprised by the fact that he is not.

However, instead of going to bed early we entered a bar to get a drink. The nice Vietnamese waiter at the bar close to our place offered us a table upstairs. “Second floor, second floor,” he said. By looking forward to just have a seat, no matter where, we followed him and ended up in a night club which played 50CENT by the time we entered. We looked at each other, at the waiter, at each other again, the waiter again, and then decided to stay. “Ya, ya, dancing, dancing,” he said and left us there.

Having a quick look around it seemed as if we have joined the black community of Ho Chi Minh.     And here we go again, people were staring at me. Also at him but afterwards at me again. Haha.         A kiss on the dance floor and everyone around us must have thought he succeeded in getting a blonde western girl that night. And me (please don’t get me wrong), I was standing there with MY black guy, now, a black guy out of lots of black guys around me. So is he still special? Special for being black. Special for being tall. Special for being black and tall. Tall and black.

Maybe. Maybe not for this reason. Maybe not for this reason only, but for lots of other reasons          (I know).

Day 2: Happy – everything is closed – New Year

We woke up at 9.30 p.m. but got up at 12 until we finally had breakfast at 3 p.m. It was a sunny day, so we went back to our room to get the sunglasses. Don’t ask why, but we left the room at 6 p.m. and started our day before it was fully over. Of course without sunglasses.

After Daniel had read the faked Lonely Planet the day before (the “high” quality of its maps must be mentioned here), we had a big plan for today. So we went to the market place, the market was closed – holiday, happy new year. So we took a mototaxi, which drove us to the Highlands Coffee Place where there was nothing to do, neither to see. What to do next? Cinema? Ja, cinema. The cinema was opened, but unfortunately showed no English movie, although the Lonely Planet says it is an international cinema. Liar! However, Vietnamese people know about sweet popcorn and also know how to make it. So we had sweet popcorn, without any movie.

On our way back, we had a great tiger head photo shooting in the middle of lots of people and motos of course. People are not only staring at us any more, now they start to take pictures. And so they did. Happy New Year!

Day 3: In some countries they drive on the right side of the street, in some on the left, but in Vietnam…

My head is hot, my bum is hurting. The sun is burning. I breath in. Dust. All I hear is the sound of engines and breaks. One after another blows the horn. On my right, a family. Kids held in between the tiny narrow space between mum and dad. On my left teenager waving their hands. 5,4,3… peeping and within seconds I can feel a breeze in my face. Peeping again. We already passed this big junction.

It’s crazy to ride a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh the so called Moto-City. Especially when you were not born in this city. It’s crazy and so are we. There are no rules on the road and the most important thing on your bike seems to be your horn. No, the most important thing is the horn.

It’s gone dark now. All I can see are lights. Lights everywhere. Lights in every colour. Advertisement, decoration, streetlights, traffic lights,… lights everywhere. I breath in. Dust. All I hear is the sound of engines and breaks. One after another blows the horn.

It’s crazy to ride a motorbike in Ho Chi Minh and so are we. But no one who never did it can ever imagine how much fun it is.

In some countries they drive on the right side of the street, in some on the left,                                       but in Vietnam…                                                                                                                                                        … and this is why we can proudly say today: We survived Saigon traffic!

Day 4+5: Hello my friend... (Trip to Mekong Delta)

It’s hard to find words for our trip to the Mekong Delta. All I remember is “hello my friends”, holiday, happy new year and “you can leave your big luggage here”.

But remember, there were some moments when we almost cried because of laughing. Just think of...

... the singing lady  (singing? I still keep asking myself what she did.)

... the old man on the bus who almost died because of coughing

... the waiter offering “sharped” noodles

... the old man on the bus who did not know how to finish his ice cream because his corn looked different than that one of the guy sitting next to him. This confused him a bit. Only a bit ;-)

Day 6: I don’t like sick Germany!

Neither do I. But the girl who never gets sick got sick as never before. So after a night of becoming best friend with the bin (I don’t want to give any details), we went to hospital this morning. By Moto of course! Entering the emergency room we both weren’t sure whether we can find help here or not. More than 20 beds in one room, sometimes two persons in one bed. Strange old equipment was used but at least we did find help. Trip, cold belly time and medicine and Germany finally found some sleep.

Back home, bed time. “You’re hot”, “you’re boiling”, “I’m sure you’ve got a fever,” he said. He was right which means more bed time for sick Germany. The Paracetamol of Dr. Daniel Charles finally caused that I felt better in the evening.

Thank you so much for everything!

Day 7: Nothing, I just hit the pavement!

Daniel, what did we do today? – Well, we tried to do some shopping. Did we? Oh yes, we did. But let me start from the beginning. Today we booked our flight to Bangkok from where your flight goes back to Melbourne. After we had toasted air-bread for breakfast we rent a scooter and visited all the famous shopping places the Lonely Liar Planet recommended. Liar, I told you!

Anyways, who needs a market or a shopping centre? All we wanted to buy was finally found in our road or at the street around. So we spent our last million on buying T-shirts and bracelets.

However, we had our Moto Moto and joined the crazy traffic of Saigon for one more time. We made our way to a Park/Zoo. “They should have put us in a cage,” he said and he was so right. Everyone was amused by this tall black man.

We made our way back to the centre. The more traffic, the more fun! And we had lots of fun.

So what’s today? I think our last day. I already started crying days before. I’m sorry! It’s just because I am going to miss Daniel (my Mister, Mister) and everything around us. But now it’s time to go back to real life. To the same life as before, although we’re not the same. We’ve changed. Changed in thinking by making experiences. Experiences which make us rich. Rich in countries we have seen, rich in friendships we have made, rich in understanding who we are. In this case, we can never get poor again.

For me,I will always remember this tall black man called Daniel Charles who loved to asked me what I am thinking, with who I could talk about sports for hours (its training, its advantage and its passion – and the fact  that black people are not made for swimming J), who liked to say “oh my Hulia” when we were sitting on the scooter crossing a junction and who kept on saying “I told you so” or “I knew it”, with who I could laugh until we cry and with who I could be quiet. With who I could be quiet with, when there were no words needed.

Written by Hulia my last German girl a true friend, partner and travel   

Hot sun, Australia and Germans Cambodia

Hot sun, Australia and Germans Cambodia


So as we set off fro Cambodia it was clear we was going to be in for a crazy couple of days of travel. Firstly we had no money which was proving a problem, as it does. The driving was asking for money to pay for our travel to Cambodia but we was still unable to get it once there as the ATM still didn’t want to take any of our cards. So anyway we managed to get to the first town which was different to put it nicely.

Cambodia had strange tendency which got on my nerves for the whole time there it was the fact that they use the US dollar all the time apart from when it less than $1 where they use there own money (very annoying when getting change).

Anyway the next day we descended to go one to one of the biggest temps in the world with over 2 million visitors a day you could do a 3day tour which was crazy and involved to much walking even for me. But we opted for the 1 day and all in all had a was a good day with my German girls with some very cool pictures.


The only other interesting things that happen was that I bump into guy that I studied with at Deakin on one mountain top (crazy I know) and secondly the way that you had to get up this mountain you had to go up steps that were near right impossible you were almost, firstly they had not made it for anyone that had any feet and secondly it was almost impossible not to get up to the top on all fours.

As I have spent more and more time in Asia it has become more clear that Asia life can be hard for some and people are always trying to see you stuff especially children but over time you become less phased by them. But every once in a while there that one that wins you over with myself it was a 9 year old little girl named NOI the prettiest little thing and so smart it was unbelievable.

The next couple of day all we really did was go to the beach (and I mean everyday) were we was attacked by people trying sell us goods and services. Another thing that I for got to metion is that we all were in one room now so there was now four people that was ment for two really, it was good and lot of fun, but after the frist night it became clear how much stuff the girls did have and that the room was so dam hot because of there being so many people… (Cheese and bread)

So anyway the time soon came when my German family started to get ready to leave (well really it was just that morning at like 6). First was “man eater” which was a very sad time as she had been such a large part of our group, and then “broken toe” which left only the two of us. Although we did have some wicked nights before that, one where I was able to show “man eater” my good taste in men (no I am not gay).

But before “broken toe” did leave we did go on a pretty cool boat ride on this very nice three storey boat were we visited one of the only protected beaches in south east Asia.


The next day we got our Vietnam visa which cost $55 rip off but that was my Cambodia experience all in all a lot of fun and quite interesting.

Same Same But Different

Same Same But Different

After Thailand we decided to go to Laos, so we asked if we could be dropped at the bus station later that day. So anyway later we came back to take our stuff to be loaded onto a truck, which in this case seemed to be a mini bus - which is strange as everyone seems to travel in a pickup in Asia (other than on Mopeds) but we were like OK. So on the bus we went to pick up more people but were then given those vouchers that had a whole heap of stuff on it such as free meals, hotel, and boat travel to Laos (which would take three day in total, one by bus and two by boat). But anyway what was really strange was that on this ticket it said paid which was crazy as we had not paid a penny. So then I start asking questions about it I.E have everyone else paid, and everyone was telling me Yes. So there we were trying to get to the bus station and ended up getting a free ride to another country.

So after travelling on a boat for 2 days, you do tend to get close to people. My group consisted of a German lady travelling with two French guys, the girls had commented on me wearing Tuesday socks on Wednesday (like to say I checked what socks I am wearing). Anyway we kept bumping into each other, which is very random, but later went bowling which was wicked and very crazy because all the people from the boat were there. Anyway the same thing happened the next night so we decided to go out together. Which proved to be my best decision yet as we had a wicked time, absolutely crazy even on the way home, was fun with half of us hanging off the Tuk Tuk and one crazy Brazilian using the roof as a surf board as we drove at like 35 mph, an absolutely unbelievable and unforgettable night.

There also was another right pair of ladies that we met from North England who were absolutely legendary - so funny, fresh out the UK. It was nice to be able to hang out with some very cool people (don’t ask me any of their name for the life of me can’t remember any, so bad I know) Four days with people all day and still can’t remember their names. Lol.

We’re now moving onto the city where tubing would happen (very crazy). The ride there was unforgettable - not just because of the view and the fact we traveled up there with our friend, the English girl, and the Spanish guy that we had also been travelling with the last 4 days. So all in all quite an eventful couple of days with some very cool people

Tubing – this is where you have a car tube that you ride down a river between bars, there are 100s of people and different activities to do at each bar (with different platforms that you jump or swing off). Anyway we did this and it was absolutely crazy instead of giving people cups you get a bucket, in my eyes the worst mix ever - water and drink. But anyway the day was crazy and met some very cool people.

The next day I decided that I wanted to go again but Ms Hazelwood had her mind set on leaving so for the first time in our trip we split up, as I stayed to go tubing once more. Completely random but that morning while eating breakfast my good German friend Simon who I had met on exchange just happen to be in the same place at the same time. Very crazy as we had gone completely different ways and had no idea where each other were.

Well anyway the next day I made a big decision which was to do a bit of travelling with the Germans which meant that I was not going to meet up with Hazelwood, for now anyway. So that now means I am travelling with Julia Maucher aka “Germany”, Lena Nothelfer aka “broken toe” and Alev Seker “man eater”. It was clear that it was going to be an eventful couple of days. Our first full day together we decided that we were going to go tubing for one last time (which meant 3 days in a row tubing) which proved to be an interesting day as I did not take a tube which you use to float down the river, and the two girls were very persistent and thought they could teach me or that I would be able to walk down most of the river – well, that was not the case. That’s right - I almost drown again after being in the water for two seconds. They realized that I hated water for a reason as they swam straight to get me a tube. I didn’t think it was that bad compared to oz but looking at their faces it was clear they were so scared. Lol.

Day 2 with my German girls and we had to go and find “broken toe” in order not to miss the bus, after she had gone missing the night before. After finding her we set off to the capital Vientiane we set there on a bus called VIP, but it was clear it was not after they came to pick us up 30 minutes late. This coach was not the best but it was clear that the problem was going to be the road, it was the worst ever (making the bus look good). But it was all good because “Germany” had a laptop (wicked I know) which meant I could catch up on all my PC work.

The next day we all decided to go to the temples despite being all templed out (because we had been to so many). Anyway later that day we set off to the 4000’s Islands, which proved to be a very interesting trip.

At first they picked us up in a Tuk Tuk truck which was way over packed - in fact it was so over packed that peoples bags were falling out as we drove down the road.

Secondly, the overnight bus had beds instead of chairs - that’s right beds (a bit small but what’s new there) and also the first time that I have ever seen “Germany” so happy over such a simple thing. Lol.

But back to the complaining - after getting there we loaded up a coach (which took forever) only to find that we had to unload it 15 minutes later, to load onto another, which we later found out had no space so myself and one of the German three had to get onto a van but this time it was quite wise, apart from one thing - it was meant to seat 7 and there were 8 (does not sound that bad but trust me when it is over 30 degree you don’t want any more unnecessary body heat).

So then we went onto our last bit of transport for the day (remember we had already changed 4 times). Well this was over packed once again (no shock there) but as we started moving people started noticing that we were taking on water. But this was not little amount of water, it was coming in fast and after 3 minutes it was clear that our feet and bags were going to get wet, but the question was, were we going to make it?

Well we did, just about. If we had gone for any longer we would have had serious problems.

So after getting to one of these islands we found a place in Live (quite a nice place I must add) but what really made the place was this very cool lady that worked there. She spoke good English, seems to have been everywhere and she also spoke a couple of languages which was very cool (as most people had no idea she could).

Day 2 on 4000’s islands and we rented some bikes and headed to the waterfall which was one of the most spectacular site I have seen since I started traveling (absolutely breath taking).

As we stayed on this island for longer it was clear that everyone was starting to have the same problem, which was - money was running out. Only because there were no ATM’s and most of the ATM’s in Laos don’t like any of the EU Bank cards. So at this time there are over 10 people trying to get money sent to them, which was also a problem as you need a boat to get anywhere, but we have been lucky as we have spoken to the guy and he said that he would allow us to pay over the border.

So as you might have guessed, me and Ms Hazelwood are no longer travelling together, sad I know but life must go on. My German girls and I have had a wicked time, and they are all amazing - each adding that little bit of difference to the group. Whether its Lena with her broken toe that she got just from standing up, or Alev who persists on talking to everyone (especially guys) with good intentions of course or it’s Julia with her quiet self sitting there looking upset (although she says she is not :) they have made this bit of my trip amazing - whether teaching me to swim, trying to stay alive when they think I am trying to drown (that right in the water) them or just the times when we lay around doing stupidness. These will be the times that Laos is remembered for.

London

the land of the tuk tuk

Today i set out for Thailand, (going to see what all the hype is all about). So we set off with air Asia and as you know i have to complain about something on all airlines. Well we have a new all time winner (thank the lord it was a quick flight) with seats booked together ending up separate rows and when getting there we found out the air port is like 8 minutes away. next day we managed to get a driver that would drive use around for the whole day. That night we went to the city as it was new years eve and it was crazy so many people!!
friday the 1st jan this was the day that i realise that i had not money and was in fact 45 pound over drawed with no back up plan or money, with no idea what to do crazy i know.

Anyway after make a couple texts and asking people to put money into my phone, someone finally put money into my account, too of whom I have no idea is but thank you. Later that day we went to a market that had some crazy reviews with over 200 000 visitors everyday covering over 28 arcres (the place was crazy) there are over 50 000 stores which sold everything, it was said to be impossible not to get lost (which we later found to be true).

So on the way to this market we were kicked out of our Tuk Tuk by the driver in the middle of the were, this was because the deals is normally was to look around the tailor and act interested so that they can get voucher (which seem to be far more important than the fair). We did this but when he brought us to the second tailor we decided that we will just hang around in the reception, well anyway somehow he saw us just hanging around and when we got back in the Tuk Tuk he drove us around the corner and kicked us out. So there it was two days in Thailand and we had already been kicked out.

The next day while at dinner we were introduced to a group of ladies that we later named the frog ladies they were infirmness for persist in trying to sell you these frogs that had no purpose apart from making noise.

Back to the subject so we went back to the city a couple of days later and you would not believe it but once again were ditched by another Tuk Tuk driver as after we come out of the tailor we found that the driver had left (not impressed). Completely irrelevant  but Bangkok has the most moped taxis which are is the best things ever although Ms Hazelwood will never  get on one which means I’m unliked to ever get a ride.

Today I met with a mate that I know from England who showed me around Bangkok, which was cool to go out with a local and see how things are really done,  anyway anyone that knows me, knows I love Badminton so Bank agreed to take me to a club where one of his mates trains. But anyway we got there and knew I was going to be a bit off the ball as I have not played in six month, but anyway after getting there and on the court it was clear that this was going to be a lot worse than first anticipated. First of all I will be playing girls 14 and younger and secondly they where the top three of whole Thailand. So after getting my ass wopped by the 13 year old they decided to make me play the 12 and 11 year old who also killed me on the court. After playing 10 minutes the second girl I just wanted to give up it seem that I have travelled half way around the world to play in Asia and get my ass serve on a plate and with everyone watching I had no choice but to keep playing. But at last the pain ended after a couple of hours the young girls seemed to have enjoying it and you could see the ones watching wanted to come and beat my ass as well.

I have not talked about this that much but since coming to Asia the countless amounts of stairs and gasps’ and grown. After visiting three countries I can now say that it is as at a all time high as the people I walk pass shout to their friends relatives look at that tall black man I have heard it in five languages and have had almost caused motorbikes to crash as their stair in amazement.

I would like to call the little story “If You Can’t Hear You Must Feel!!!”

Well anyone that knows me know that I like to say I told you so. Well since I started travelling with Ms Hazelwood she persisted on eating every strange food on the plant (if she has not heard of it or it has a crazy colour she will eat it) will I am always telling her that her body won’t be able to cope with all the Constance change anyway today it gave up today as she lies there dieing of pain. All I can say is that I told you so, and as Auntie Vrok would say “If you can’t hear you must feel!!!” People look at me as if I don’t care as I don’t go running after her when she is sick but oh well that’s how it is. “In your skin” Auntie Anner.

So anyway we moved on to our last city Chiang Mai, Couple of days later, where we would trek through Thailand Rainforest. We started our hikes with our group made up of 11 in total. As we drove for a couple of hours it was clear that we were reaching real Thailand. As we saw more and more rice fields and less and less people. Our group consists of four Danish girls, a Canadian couple and one German making up quite a team with the German that loved to talk about weed, the Canadians that could drink a roof of a house and cool Danishes that consist of two baby swimming instructors a photographer and a sporting star not to mention the crazy tour guy.

Anyway we rode elephant that day and as I sat on the neck of the elephant I was dum enough to buy bananas which was a big mistake as after giving it the first one not only did I not forget that I had given food but the whole pack had also noted. So I had trunk coming from all directions grabbing EVERYTHING and I mean everything as we as breathing (or should I say blowing nose) all over me, not to mention the fact that I constantly through I was going to fall off as my leg dangled and I struggled not to get hit by the trees that it decided it wanted to pull down after I stopped giving it food, but all in all it was still a wicked experience and I would not have changing it for the world. The rest of the hike was amazing as we saw local villagers not to talk about the views and the people.

So a couple of days before that I had made friends with a Tuk Tuk man that lived at or at least seem to live at our hotel. Anyway for a day or so I went out with him (for free) as he drove people around Thailand. I even got to drive the Tuk Tuk which was very cool as well.

So before I forget when we got to Chiang Mai, or should I say attempted to get to Chiang Mai, we had a little incident. So I was sleeping as you do when you are on a coach and suddenly I caught a glimpse of a very bright light flash a first I thought we had been pulled over by the police but then I turn around to see the whole back of the bus smoking and people rush to get off (it was crazy) the back of the bus had exploded.

So there we were in the middle of Thailand 10 o’clock at night in the middle of nowhere trying to hitch a ride (which in the end took over an hour).

So that was Thailand a bit different but very interesting.

London

Mo PED cental

Today we set off for Malaysia, which was needed as i had spent to much money. as we cross the massive bridge it was clear that Malaysia was going to be a lot like the Caribbean if not the same, this was in terms of the roads, drains and the way everyone drives crazy even the house were similar.

After arriving at the hostel realize that it was not really a hostel but a but was really nice apart from the the hole in the ground but they did have cable TV wooo!!

Shopping the next was wicked as everything was the same price but because of the exchange rate was only like 5-10 pounds and food only cost like a pound a meal.

The only other interesting think that happen was as we moved to the next city we found that Malaysia coach were all luxury instead of having 4 seats there was three which meant that they were more like arm chairs (better than the chairs in my house).

Day 4 in Malaysia it was clear that it was going to be harder then we 1st through to get out of KL we had been there for 4 day and was still trying to booked our ticket for Christmas with no luck, which meant that we had to stay for another couple of days, which was no good as we found our self spending more money...

We manage to find the biggest shopping center in the whole of south easy Asia it even had it own roller coaster two tower of 16 floor of shopping and it own hotel.

24th December today we checked into the grand seasons which was quite cool with our 30th floor room (it was nice to just leave our stuff just lieing around for once) i realize that i had been traveling for 10 weeks and still had 3 months to go. December the 25th just manage to book a flight out after trying for days. ugh i am currently very sick which is pants because the countyry like the whole in the ground more to the toilet. anyway had my feet eaten by fish today, as i put my feet in the fish flock to my feet. (they seem the be have a field day with my feet).

so after reaching penang our last town in in Malaysia a quite little island which was good as we needed a break from the city life. anyway the next day ms hazlewood friend offer to take us out which was quite nice. in fact the whole day was wicked she picked us up in her Lexus jeep to drive us around later that day we went to house. (which was a mansion i have never been in a house so big) and met some of her mates who showed us our best time so far of out travels in south east Asia penany a must visit place if you every come to Malaysia

london

Shopping capital of the world

I will use this blog slightly different to my last as this will be my online dairy read on if you wish other wise buger off….

Shopping capital of the world

Today I left for Singapore after long last. My flight was how you would say unforgettable, after being upgraded into business class. Flat bed, proper 3 course meal, good port wine, massive TV, and wicked toiletries bag among many other reasons why you should fly business class at least once in your life time.

The next day me and Ms Hazelwood a lovely girl from Wiltshire, showed me round the city, which by the way was amazing I am telling you that you have never see so many shops in your life (with there 65 star bucks stores), as I am sure all of you know that I think London is the best city in the world, but it does no were compare to Singapore, there malls are on different levels lol… to put this into prospective Singapore is the 4 largest trading port in the world after London New York and Tokyo despite being the one of the smallest countries in the world… JEZZZZ

The second amazing think that happen was in our room of 12 beds with no plugs (or locks on any of the doors), there was this one guy that I would like to BEAST that managed to shock, scare, wake and amazes everyone time after time with his snoring (I have no, No one has even seen anything like it in there life.

Day 2 we descended onto Singapore zoo which was quite amazing as we saw a large array of animals that didn’t consist of koalas or kangaroo, I also got to ride a elephant which was quite cool.  We then departed back to the city which was packed with people that seem to have no manners, although on the other hand the service in Singapore are faultless, the people, service and presentation of everywhere is spotless and with 4.6 million people this is a amazing feat. 

Day 3 to day has been a day of shopping (which was not needed) and reflecting on the past 6 months. As usual it seemed that I brought the English weather with me.  so anyway ms Hazelwood brought camera and I phone which racked up at a amazing $1700 (crazy I know) and I realise that I had nearly spent $400 and had no idea on what (remember that I had only been there for 3 days) so be warn you will spend money if you come Singapore!!!

My reflection came this morning as I found myself thing about the people that I had met over the last six months after leaving England (seeing that almost everyone had left to go back home). Then after reading a mates blog and seeing that someone else was feeling the same way it put it all into perspective as he explain perfectly what travelling is all about.

“Travelling is hard. Travelling itself is easy, but meeting people is difficult. You see, when you travel you bond with people immediately. You have something in common the moment you meet, you talk, you drink, you stay up late, you may even go other places with some people, but at the end of the day you're all just strangers. yeah, sure you meet friends you'll know for the rest of your life that you can re-live certain moments with you but that's not the point. When you travel, you're alone. You are alone ALL the time. It's hard for me to deal with the fact that I wont see some of the people I met along the way ever again. There are people that have gotten to me in certain ways that all i've wanted to do is pause time and re-live each day like the last.
I wouldn't change it for the world, but it still makes me upset. The only way that makes it better, it by doing it all over again. You simply go out and travel a new area, you meet people, you tell stories, you say goodbye, you don't see them ever again… in ways it's fucking miserable, and in others it's the best thing you'll ever do. To me, travelling has made me feel more alive than I have ever felt. I don't know..” Phil Hewitt.

That is it really in a nut shell and it causes you to treasure the moment that you have with everyone. For this reason I would like to dedicate my Asia blog to you all who have been my inspiration and drive (not forgetting my family and love ones from home). And it the word of Phil Hewitt “you wont get this much love all the time so bathe in it soak it up!!!!”

Day 4 Singapore is officially the city of the fine police, as after staying here for a couple of days it is clear why the city is so clean and people are so perlite because they get fined for everything. 

wicked city 

london 

700 4 10

So after my wicked travels with Kim I ran out of Money, but did manage to get a bit off my father (thanks father). So I am not going to Asia hopefully till mid February or at least till my money runs out.

I Leave today  Wednesday 16^th with only  700 for 10 weeks, Singapore, then travel overland up the west coast of Malaysia, up through Thailand then Laos, Cambodia, Vietnam then Hong Kong for Chinese new year.

Wish me luck

London