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