Vang Vieng to Koh Chang and everything in between

Okay, so I have to say that when I said I was going to keep everyone updated via my blog over my travels I really had planned on it. It's just lying on the beach seemed to be slightly more enticing than frustratingly slow internet connections.

I have been writing everything down though, but since I do not plan on sharing my private diary with everyone (as exciting as it is) I'll give you the quick run down on what I've been up to.

I spent a week with Michelle in Laos, we did the tubing in Vang Vieng and lounged at various eateries that each showed different seasons of Friends, Family Guy and Simpsons. We went to Vientianne and spent the day pretending we were rich at a fancy hotel, while lying poolside and sitting in their air conditioned gym watching Todd Sweney and eating expensive cakes from their bakery that we really couldn't afford. From there we parted ways, Michelle back to the beach and me to Vietnam.



I took the 24 hour bus ride from Vientianne to Hanoi and we're not talking luxury bus here - it's more akin to foreigners go to the back - why? Your guess is as good as mine. Luckily while stuffed in the back seats with piles of luggage and rice bags, stools and a plethora of other items that I'm not entirely sure belonged on a bus, I met three British girls who I ended up traveling with through all of Vietnam and Cambodia.

We did an open bus tour that had 5 different stops through Vietnam. Halong Bay - Hue - Hoi An - Nha Thrang - Ho Chi Minh, in 2 weeks flat. It was a whirlwind of Vietnam and I fell in love with it. Especially Hoi An where any shopaholic would be in heaven. I had to stop myself from getting an entirely new wardrobe made, but am the proud owner of a lovely black satin dress and some other odds and ends - so I've decided to have a fancy dinner party so the dress can make it's debut and I can say "Oh this old thing, I got it custom made when I was in Vietnam" - yes I am going to be that girl.

Nha Thrang is a beach town and it rained for the entirety of the time we were there but was a great excuse to meander from coffee shop to coffee shop and we did manage to get to the mud bath and spa to rejuvenate after a lot of walking in the rain.

Saigon was amazing and we spent a good 4 days getting around to all the sights and to a waterpark that rivals my favourite - Ontario Place (yeah I don't know why it is either - childhood memories I think). We went to the war museum which was really interesting to see but so upsetting at the same time. The history of Vietnam seems so recent which makes the realities and effects of war seem much closer to home.

From Saigon we headed to Cambodia. Cambodia was beautiful and tragic at the same time. Like Vietnam it has a very recent history and although the people were incredibly kind I didn't feel as safe as I had throughout the rest of my trip. Phnom Penh was a wonderful city to visit and the S-21 museum and Killing Fields while hard to see, were fascinating. From there we headed to Siem Reap which is a temple hopper's dream. Angkor Thom was my favourite because it was slightly less touristy and seemed to have a bit more flavour than Angkor Wat, but you know that's my personal opinion based on no rhyme or reason other than the fact that it seemed more ruiny-ish.

From Cambodia I headed to Koh Chang to meet up with Michelle again. We had grand plans of island hopping and taking a diving course, but the lure of lazing about on the beach was just too tempting. So for 12 days I divided my time between eating, sunning and swimming. Met some more amazing people and a couple of days ago bade good-bye to the beach and headed back to Bangkok.

Tonight I fly back to Korea. Not to sound cliched (even though I totally will) but the trip has been amazing and 2 months has flown by. There have been times where I've cursed being the dirtiest person in the world (5 pairs of underwear, didn't do washing in over 2 weeks - you do the math) or when I've been cramped on a sweaty bus and just wanted a cold shower. When I've just wanted my own bed after a cockroach has woken me up in the middle of the night after violating my leg. But with that said I've learned important lessons (always put the mosquito netting down) and I like to think that I come back a little bit humbler and hopefully after a long shower, a lot cleaner.

Next stop, CANADA. Very excited to see Uncle Steve and check out Vancouver. I'll try and keep you updated on how many trees I hug, but I make no promises. Can't wait to see everyone!! xxx

From Baht to Kip

Budgeting has never been my forte. In fact, I would go as far to say that I am hopeless when it comes to sticking to a budget. Add in the fact that I keep converting currencies and it pretty much feels like I'm spending monopoly money. I was always really good at monopoly, not so much in real life.

I arrived in Laos on Thursday morning. I had been warned that the border is sketchy in that sometimes they make you pay more than you should and ended up paying $42 American when the guy in front of me paid $30. The immigration guy told me it was because I was Canadian as he slipped a fiver in his pocket. Well the last part of that didn't happen but it makes for a much more scandalous story.

I took the 2 day slow boat to Luang Prabang - over the course of the journey my foot ballooned to twice its size, not from some cool sort of injury but because I got a blister from my new trekking shoes, "an absolute must" the guy at the Columbia store told me when I bought my backpack, he combined this with the mention of leeches, so naturally I was sold.

My first night in Luang Prabang was spent at the hospital, having some witty banter with the nurses (when I say witter banter I really mean they laughed at me as I tried to say things in Lao, but they were really nice nonetheless) and begging the tuk tuk driver to actually take me to the hospital. The foot is fine now though, so I'll be back to fighting tigers in no time.

There are a lot of French influences here so the buildings are fabulous and I've spent the last couple of days wandering around, reading, eating crepes, reading, sipping cappuccinos and trying to eavesdrop on the French speaking tourists conversations.

I took a tuk tuk with these Australian guys I met on the boat to the Kuang Si waterfalls which were stunning. We hiked for awhile and it was totally worth the view. We swam in a secluded bit of waterfall and took the requisite "I'm playing in a waterfall" pictures. I also rented a bike yesterday afternoon and visited some of the temples and villages on the outskirts of town, which was a good way to see the more rural side of things.

Tonight I'm going to check out the Royal Theatre which has some traditional Lao music and dancing, then wander the night market and try not to buy things/work on my bartering skills.

Tomorrow I say good-bye to my German travel buddy and I'm heading off to Vang Vieng for a few days to hang with Michelle (yay!), then onto Vientianne to get my Vietnam visa.

Seeing all these places is making me really excited for Canada! Can't wait to see everyone xoxox

Chiang to the Mai

I arrived in Chiang Mai early Saturday morning via the night train. I was hoping it would be somewhat like the night bus in Harry Potter (stop scoffing Ames) but it was more akin to being smashed around on a trampoline - so clearly it was fun!

I did meet a nice English chap to chat with though and some Chinese guys who offered me a job in China.

Got checked into the guest house and wandered around the Old City for the afternoon. The Old City has a river running in a square around it, so after you get your bearings it's pretty easy to find your way around.

Met some English girls who were staying at my guest house and a Swiss girl so we all met up for dinner. Chatted with a monk, some cool Thai guys and was ready to cuddle up to pig pillow for the night.

Today I did a cooking course through the hostel. It was fabulous! We got to pick out five things we wanted to make and then went to buy the ingredients at the market. Bananas and coconut milk, the amazing things you do. The instructor was this hilarious old Thai man who said things like, "If you chop like that, your food will be bad," and "you are not good at that." He also never stopped for breaths during his sentences so naturally I creepily video taped him talking, in the event that I need a good laugh.

Met a couple more British girls in the cooking class and have booked a 2 day trek with them starting tomorrow. Wednesday I think I'll head to Pai for a couple days and then to Laos, where I will meet up with the lovely Michelle in Vang Vieng so we can tube, and swing and hug each other.

Now I am going to nap, shower and go out with my new friends, and try and hide the fact that I bought a really tacky wallet in Bangkok, so I can remain sort of cool.

xox

Food glorious food

I have arrived in Bangkok! After minor immigration issues at the airport and a stopover in Beijing, I made it to Bangkok last night. I met two Canadian girls on my flight that were heading to Khosan Road, so we shared a taxi and I managed to get a room at the place they were staying.

Had an awesome night wandering the streets and sampling the food before sprawling out in the lapse of luxury in my double bed. I cuddled with pig pillow (my new extremely tacky neck pillow) - who will be my constant companion over the next little bit - and had the best sleep in months.

Today I've been wandering around Chinatown, ate some questionable yet delicious food, possibly got ripped off by a taxi driver, saw a temple and booked the train for Chiang Mai tonight. Had my first experience with a tuk-tuk driver who saw me in all my touristy glory searching my lonely planet book and very kindly showed me the way without trying to give me a ride. All the Thai people I've chatted with so far seem very eager to help.

Now I'm killing some time before my train, so I'm going to get a massage and fruit shake and wander a bit more. Life is good!

Good-bye Korea!

Blog...it's been on my to do list for the past, oh...12 months. Exactly the amount of time I've been in Korea. Now faced with the tasks of packing, banking and Hepatitis A shots - starting a blog seems to be the most enticing of to-do's on the list.

This year has been full of ups and downs. When I came to Korea I was a little bit lost, a little bit homesick (okay - a lot - I cried like a baby) and thought that anyone who wanted to teach a room full of screaming, nose picking children must have something seriously wrong with them. I would come home from school some days and punch my pillow until I felt better. Slowly, my kindy kids grew on me and I fell in love with them.

I've come a long way from the girl who broke down in tears because my sheets wouldn't fit on my bed. I've made fabulous meals in my one frying pan, waged war against the dreaded drain flies that just don't go away and managed to keep my room clean all year (haha yeah right).

The time has flown by and now I break down in tears for different reasons. My year in Korea has come to an end and I have to say good-bye. Good-bye to the kids, to my wonderful friends and coworkers who have made this year absolutely amazing and to Korea - which at first seemed foreign and scary and now just seems like home.

But I'm setting off on a new adventure and that's what this is about. Flying to Bangkok bright and early tomorrow morning. I would be lying if I said I wasn't a wee bit nervous - but after a year of similtaneously serving lunch to 9 hungry Korean kids and an angry Russian boy, wiping noses, playing mediator, giving hugs and catering to their every whim (they are cute afterall) - I'm hoping I'm well prepared to travel. I'll keep you posted!