Arrival in Hanoi

Having got up at 5.00am to catch the 7am this plane from Vientianne this morning.

I moved from a warm Vientianne to a cooler, misty, drizzly Hanoi. I arrived in Hanoi safely if a bit chaotically. Firstly I was dropped off at the wrong hotel, but managed to find my way to the right one, where they asked me to go their sister's hotel (which had I nearly booked anyway). But its fine (unless of course you like windows into the open air to your room, but thinking of the pollution outside, air conditioning may actually be better not having windows) and the internet is free.

Vietnam is slightly easier than Laos or Thailand in one respect. They always use our western alphabet its easier to recognise street names.

The intial impresssion of Hanoi was madness, narrow streets and millions of people mostly on motor bikes. The bikes that aren't on the road are parked on the pavement so you have to walk on the road. I hope all the Vietnamese never want cars to replace their motor bikes because they'll fill the entire country. Crossing the road is an act of faith as the motor bikes and the few cars and buses weave around you. To be honest I don't know if I'm going to like this bit of the trip.

I had an exploratory walk around the centre this afternoon which gave me a slightly better impression. There is a lake in the centre with one way traffic around it but it is relatively calm. Also there are some wider boulevards, with impressive colonial buildings.

Time for a shower (lets hope its hot- yes it was) and then find a suitable restaurant. Fried rice again!

One day in Vientiane

Vientiane isn't the largest capital in the world. About 200,000 people. Laos only has a poulation of 6 million compared to 65 million in Thailand and 82 million in Vietnam.

Today I went to the bank to replenish the wallet and then had a hearty breakfast thinking about all my old work colleagues at Servite and reading the local English language newspaper. Top news was steps being taken on bird flu. Back page had the English premiership table and picture from Arsenal vs Tottenham in the league cup.

After that I hired a bike (65p for the day). Its so much less hassle than taking tuktuks (little three wheeler taxis) and I need the exercise too. Although its pretty flat around the city.









I duly peddalled off to see the main sites. Mainly temples but seeing the french colonial architecture dotted around was also interesting

The city lies on the Mekong River and that look pretty empty as its the dry season (Rhyl beach when the tide is out). Across the river lies Thailand.

After a few of hours I returned to the Mekong riverside, near to the guest house I'm staying in, and had a cool beer as the sun started to wane.

Tomorrow I get an early morning flight to Hanoi. Another day another city.

Luang prabang to Vientianne, Laos

Luang Prabang is the nicest place I've been so far and relatively quiet. I hired a bike for the two days and tootled around visitng the temples, a palace built at about 1905 and generally looking around.

One afternoon I went with a gang of people I'd met on the boat fromThailand, to a waterfall about an hours tuktuk away. It was a beautiful spot and I had a cooling swim in a natual pool with waterfall.

After those two very enjoyable and relaxing days in Luang Prabag I'm now in Vientainne after an 8 hour bus journey today.

Haven't seen much yet, it went dark soon afterI go here . More next time

Luang Prabang, Laos

I've just arrived in Luang Prabang, an ancient captial of Laos, after a three day journey from Changmai, Thailand. One day in a mini bus and 2 on a boat sailing on a sampan style boat, with two nights in riverside guest houses. The boats have far too many passengers (mainly tourists) and sacks of rice. The boats go down in pairs and the other boat, I was not on and did not see happen, hit a rock and sent a couple of passengers overboard. No one was hurt but I think there is probably a more serious accident waiting to happen.

There is an even more dangerous option of a fast boat which takes does slow boat's 2 days in six hours, and if they hit rock you may never know it!

I've only seen the LP riverside in daylight but all acocunts its a good place to spend a few days before I go to Vientiane, the current Laos capital.

Chang Mai

When I arrived in Changmai on Monday evening I was presented with the option of going on three day trek the next day or waitng three days to go on a four day trek. As I didn't fancy hanging around for three days ( I haven't fallen in love with Thai cities) I took the first option and only got back this evening .

January is a very dry month in this area. The trekking was good but physically challenging up and down hill through jungle/ forest and through rice fields. The nights were very cold too despite being boiling hot during the day.

The first night we slept in a Karen tribe village and went to a family house where we had a very interesting discussion with the parents about their lives and hopes for their family.

The people on the trek were good company. Three irish, two dutch, a german and me. Of course I was the daddy of the group by about 20+ years, but not the least fit. We slept in large Thai huts (sheds on legs) and my snoring didn't seem to be too problematic. I actually slept quite well , in a sleeping bag and five blankets, all my clothes and a new wooly hat.

Today we rafted down a river on a disposable bamboo raft made the day before which was a bit hairy. We kept hitting rocks and flying all over the place. We weren't going very fast but there were some cuts and bruises. We then went to the highest maontian in Thailand ( by car) where there are two modern temples in honour of the King and Queen set in gardens. It was very beautiful.

I've now two nights (including this evening) back in Chang Mai to regroup before I head for the Laos border on Saturday and take a boat down mekong to Luang prabang, the old Laos capital, if all goes to plan.

Moving North

I from travelled from Bangkok up to Sokhothai yesterday, which took seven hours by first class coach service. This means there was air-condtioning and stewrdess serving drinks and snacks and a free meal at a scheduled stop. I am suprised how flat Thailand is despite the distance I've come north.

I arrived at Sukhotai and am pleased again with the standard of the accommodation. Today I went to see the ancient ruins of Sokhothai. The area is so large you hire bike to get around. I then went to an extaordinary site called Wat Thewet, where a man has built over 22 years a tribute to Buddha based on a dream he had. He has since died but his son continues to maiantin the site. Sorry no camera cable with me this everning to upload a picture.

Tomorrow I move on to Chaing Mai.

At last I've started

After a hectic last day, Monday 8th, getting packed with a bit of help from Owen I managed to get to the airport with most of what I need in a manageable weight bag. After an uneventful flight, with a few hours sleep included, I was feeling confident to get used to doing things cheaply and catch the bus into Bangkok instead of taking the easier option of a taxi which would deliver me to the door of the guest house.

Well I don't suppose it happens often but the bus broke down on the edge of an eight lane highway on the out skirts of Bangkok. I waited 45 mins for a replacement bus which then took another 1hr 30 to do the last 10kms. I can safely say Bangkok traffic is the worst I've ever seen. London's a doddle by comparison. The lights take an age to change and then they're blocked.

It then took two hours to get to Khao San Rd the back packers area near where I'd booked into a guest house by email. From the stop i took a tuktuk, three wheek taxi thing, having shown the driver the address for Taewez Guest House. It only looked a short way on the map but it took longer than expected, (i'd negotiated the price) and he eventually arrive at the Tavee Guest House. Mild moment of panic, stay calm, "thats not the guest house". "Oh Ok" he replies, does a quick u turn and goes about 100 metres to the right one. Panic over.

The guest house turns out to be better than expected. Nice, clean but plain room with fan. Shared toilet and showers (squat but lovely and clean and supplied with paper). After a shower go down for food and try the beer which also good and very cheap. Then start chatting to other travellers, pumping for information then astroll and another drink before quitting to bed at midnight.

I had a good nights sleep but my clock's a bit mixed up so woke up early, read did some washing then had break fast a 7am , midnight to you in UK. 8am started site seeing. I walked about two miles via Khao San Rd, to see what the fuss is about, and then hit the temples and palaces. Amazing overload of gold buddhas and ceramics.

Then some markets and curry in an indian restaurant recoomended by Lonely planet. About 3pm feeling jaded and walk to river to take aboat for about 15p 2 miles back to landing stage few hundred metres from guest house. After a rest I'm now here, thinking about dinner and planning the next stage north, to Chang Mai with may be stop off at Sukhothai on the way.

Only 5 days to Departure day

Christmas and New year have been and gone.

Seemed to be cooking a lot on Christmas day and Boxing day but actually enjoyed this and the food seemed to go down well.

Then a 3 day trip to Rhyl with Owen to see Mum (in picture on left) and sister, Heather and family. Interesting changes to the some old Rhyl landmarks i.e. the flats that have replaced the Point Hotel and the Marina Hotel and Palace Hotel now converted to flats with accompanying new flats built in the Marina Hotel car park.

Then back to Ruislip for the new year with Jackie. We went to the Barnes Wetlands. The most interesting sighting was a green parrot.

We spent new years eve with dear friends Diana and John (on right) in Reading and old acquaintances were renewed with Julian and Penny and Maggie.

On New Years day I went to watch Quins beat Newcastle. After a dodgy first half Quins were convincing winners in the second half and are probably now out of the relegation zone for this season.

The news of 6 bombs killing two people in Bangkok is now a rather worrying development for the start of the trip.

Today (Tuesday) has been sorting things for the trip, buying travellers cheques online; ensuring I can access all my credit card statements online, getting my mobile phone unlocked for a new SIM card. I've checked the Foreign Office website for Thailand which advised not to go out in crowded places in Bangkok.

This evening went to see Jackie to try, unsuccessfully, to sort out the MP3 player I gave her for Chistmas. We can't load the software onto her lap top. Another technological frustration.