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Hello. Here's the long awaited second installment to Kenzie and Toby's epic adventure around the world. Last time we ended fighting off hippies in Pai, and were heading back to Chiang Mai. Well we got back to Chiang Mai and being organised, actually rang up a hotel to stay at. However, i booked the wrong place but it turned out to be pretty sound. Exciting stuff. Went back to our 'local' watering hole, the 'Chiang Mai Saloon' and chilled out at a rooftop bar. It was nice.
Next day we visited some tigers at Tiger Kingdom and had a lay down on them. They were sleepy but clearly loved us and we fought one. That last bit didn't really happen but imagine if it did. Get all Steve Irwin on it. Anyway, found a Spurs bar which was good to see and ate some authentic thai cuisine. A little know dish called Southern Fried Chicken and Fries. You've got to try it. Made it to Roots Rock Reggae, a small venue with live ska band which was quality. Wish we'd been there more.
We left for Laos the following day feeling a little worse for wear. Stopped at this amazing white temple. Amongst the buddhas there were paintings of spiderman, batman, the twin towers with serpents coming out of them. Totally surreal but I doubt we'll see a better temple. We arrived at Chiang Kong on the Thai border. Terrible place. You only go there to leave. Don't spend a week there because you'll go mental.
Crossed the border by boat and faffed about at Laos Immigration. They need some sort of queing scenario. Then, onto the slow boat which is pretty slow. 6 hours to Pak Beng was made slightly bearable by a bottle of whiskey, and slightly more unbearable by this guy called Rik. Hopefully he won't read this. Pak Beng is peculiar. Everyone wants to sell you a guesthouse and some weed. Beware of everyone. The only bar in town provided some kind of enjoyment. The next day, we were back on the SLOW boat. This time for seven hours. Tried to sleep but to no avail. Did I mention it was slow. Nice scenry though.
So, arrived in Luang Phabang and went to a real nice restaurant on an island, but a quiet night was called for after the slow boat. Luang is smaller than expected so decided to move on down to Vang Vieng for some tubing! The journey was great. Great if you like cramped minivans, ridiculously bumpy roads and 6 hour journeys. Got there eventually and had a nice meal with some awesome aussies, Josh and Amy. Amy's sister is actually Gold medal winning Triathlete Emma Snowsill - look her up on Google. We did. And Josh worked as a bellboy at a hotel in Aspen. There you go fact fans. Hopefully catch up with them in Australia.
The next day brought with it tubing! It's basically a giant river with loads of bars giving away free whiskey and cheap cocktails. Let's just say we had a few beers and were both in bed by 9pm. How i got home is beyond me and is quite miraculous. Woke up in our new gaff, which was an awesome giant treehouse/dorm. Best place we've stayed despite being a little uncomfortable. 2 days followed in much the same way but we were careful not to overcook it again. Beer pong, glorious sunshine and ziplines into the river made for a couple of awesome days, especially with a couple of Manc boys, Gaz and Sam, and many a beer was shared. However, after 3 days, i realised i never actually got in a tube. Funny that. Paid a guy 10,000 kip (80p) to lick an old man's nipple too. Money well spent.
We left Vang Vieng battered and bruised and got a night train. Horrendous. How i slept at all is suprising. Between the door that didn't close and crazy rocking it was just horrendous. Arrived in Bangkok at 6.30am and tuk-tuked to Khao San Road. Eventually found a room/sauna to sleep in. Have got massive visa issues to deal with that have resulted in two terrible trips to Government buildings but still a happy man. Despite my constant complaining, i'm having the time of my life. Khao San road is a neon lit street with loads of bars, and every other person wants to sell you a suit. Spent the last couple of nights in some cool clubs, albeit with a couple of uncomfortable situations with 'friendly' thai women. We hid from them in a toilet eventually.
Yesterday was designated culture day. We saw the giant standing buddha, the lesser know sitting buddha (which came with a really knowledgeable thai man who gave us some interesting history and introduced us to the thai Michael Jackson - Mit Chi Ban Cha. They love him. He's dead though) and the popular giant reclining buddha. Its huge. 46m long and 15m high. Very impressive. We also visited the giant swing, which turned out to be pretty average, and the Golden Mountain, which turned out to be pretty awesome. Panaramic views of Bangkok. And the tuk-tuk cost 40p... all day! We were warned against them because they take you to suit shops along the way, but it's quite funny chatting with suit guys and telling them you don't really want a suit. It's like a tourist attraction in itself.
Then... ping pong show. Everything you've heard is probably true. Leave it at that. Really touristy though and not as seedy as you'd think. Few more beers and now its today. And i'm sat here on a computer. One more night here then bus and boat to Ko Phangan. Thanks for reading, it's a long blog entry. Hopefully we can do this more frequently. That would be nice.
Peace
Toby and Kenzie
- comments
Dawnie Hilarious! Great to hear from you again ................ brings back so many fond memories! Take care and look forward to the next update. Dawnie & Co xxxx PS. Ed and Sal came for lunch last wkend - Whiz not happy neither you or Kathryn coming!!!!
Sudge & Disco Dave! Hey kids nice to hear your keeping your beer muscles flexed! Pleased your having fun but I'm sat here at 5.00pm in my PJ's watching......... wait for it, Star Wars V who's life rocks out man!!!! Love ya longtime pretty english boys xxxxxxxxx