Shanghai

It is a very large city and quite different from all other city in China.It is quite clean, people are kind and not to noisy. The city is divided into two part by the river; the old city and new town. One side with old building which are banks mostly and other side is technological buildings are towering by the river, its a quite a view.

First day, I went out to shopping. It was freezing after Philippine. I only had a pair of thongs and half pants. Got myself a bit of cold. And at the night, I went to the World Expo 2010. All the expo from all around the world gathering up in Shanghai this year. First I thought, too many people. Its just too much. Just to see any of expo, like Japanese, Chinese, Korean and most of Europe's, you had to wait in the line for up to 3 to 5 hours. I just walked around the crowd of people and saw the amazing buildings from the outside.

Next day, I went out to people's squire and art museum. They were alright.

And because of the expo season, the accommodation fee was tripled in Shanghai. So I decided to leave as soon as possible but also wondered to go back to Japan. Then I met a girl from California working in Shanghai. We had a couple drink and I asked her whether I can stay her place for couple of days or not. She accepted me.

Next day, two other friends and she and I went to place called french concession and walked around Funxing park together. The park is my favorite place in Shanghai; where people are hanging around, give me a breathe and atmosphere of lives. Some were doing kind of Chinese juggling, some are reading books, some are doing Chinese card games and most interestingly, there was a music playing and lots of people were doing social dancing. They were laughing and dancing so happily. Then, we went out to drink that night together. We went to a place called Logo which will be shut in two days due to the complains of noise from neighbors. The live band was great. I can not believe the Chinese musicians can make such a rock and the crowd can be wild as animals but the music was great. We jumped high in the crowd and danced till the legs fall. I needed the party then I can go back home. I don't remember much of the night but it was fun night.

From next day, I stayed her place and got myself a ticket to Japan. That night, we had couple of drinks at her place and shared some love. I am glad that she felt the same.

Next day, she went to work and I visited Yu's garden. Touristy but I liked there. Lots of souvenir shops down in the traditional looking buildings, small streets with Chinese lifestyle and all those small Chinese street food, there are all great to me. I stayed her place one more day. And took the flight to Japan.

When I got back to Japan, my bank card didn't work and I was stuck in the train station for hours. I called my family with 10years old telephone card and dad called me his sister to pick me up and she gave me some money for the train and my dad picked me up from the station. I felt that is home. This is my end of around the world part Asia. Loved it.

Philippine

Philippine is a beautiful country with kind people and beautiful islands. There are more than 7000 islands consist the country. Traveling around Philippine isa little bid hard because of islands; there is not much transport options. Flight is the cheapest and fastest but mostly it has to via Manila.

Boracay

Shit shit shit, I was totally frustrated on the bus from Yangshuo to HK. I was supposed to arrive in the airport six hours before the flight. So I was relaxed. But it was the Chinese long holiday, there were massive traffic jam and my bus was stuck in it. I was hoping something miracle like shit weather or even terrorism to stop the flight but nothing happened. Bus was late about six hours and flight has gone. I went to the airline office, fortunately paid only extra fee but they found I didn't have return ticket. They forced me to buy return ticket otherwise they don't let me go, but I didn't want to. I had six more hours for the next flight so I was running around the airport finding Internet to book a return flight then I had problem with my credit card via internet so went back office without it. Well, the way I took was I bought an expensive return ticket with insurance and refund in Philippine. I got back the refund three month later though all of it. Anyway, I managed to take the flight but of course I missed the connect flight to go to Kalibo, then I had to wait six more hours in the Manila airport. I was hanging out with the airport security and played guitar together. And I slept at the airport till dawn and flight to Kalibo. I took a mini van and boat to go to Boracay. Boracay is expensive. It is a massive tourist destination. Beautiful white sandy beach, well organized diving shops and five star hotels and amazing restaurants with seafood buffet. Took me more than 30 hours to get there and decided to leave next day.

Manila – Kalibo - Boracay – Ilo ilo – Cuyo – Puerto princessa – Sabang – Roxan – El Nedo - Coron

Thats the way I took and I just kept on moving. That was stupid. Travel with no plans often fail badly but this was just ridiculous . I kept on going for seven nights. This was the biggest traveling (?) shit I ever did. Well, I had an experience also it was not only bad but also I had some fun sometime as well.

Boracay to Ilo ilo

Mini van, 8 hours about

Ilo ilo to Puerto Princessa via Cuyo island

Night boat, two days on boat. Four hours break in Cuyo island. Lovely little town with lovely people. The beach was nice and cozy.

Puerto Princessa to Sabang

Jeepney, 8 hours about. Riding on the top of the Jeepney. Met English couple. Stayed in Sabang for the night. Visit the under ground river with them. Lunch on their yacht.

Sabang to Roxan

Jeepney 6 hours about. Missed the jeepney to go to El Nido. Attempted to hitch hike, there were no traffic. Waited for hours and found a jeepney to go to Roxan. Stayed in the Roxan city due to there were no more traffic.

Roxan to El Nido

Jeepney 6 hours about. Met a Spanish guy that I have met in Lao. Surprised. I wanted to stay in El Nido but there is only one boat go to Coron once a week. Of course there are more but the price was three times more. So, I took the night boat straight. El Nido is lovely town reasonably everything is cheap. I should have done the island hopping tour that I regret.

El Nido to Coron

Night boat. 9 hours. Many travelers on that boat. Found that quite lot of them did the same thing that I did and caught up in that boat.

Coron

Me and the spanish guy (sorry but I don't remember his name) decided to share the room and headed to city together. We went to market and bought some massive prawns and asked a shop to cook it. That lunch was great. And booked diving for next day. We went up to hill looked down the town. I met a French girl that I met on the night boat and asked her to go to Hot spring in the mountain. That hot spring was huge and nice and warm. We were swimming around in the dark hot spring, there weren't much people around. In the moment of breathe, we started kissing in the steamy bath with reflection of moonlight.

Next day, I had diving. Coron is famous about the wreck diving of Japanese wreck ship from the WW2. There are so many to choose. I really wanted to do more but it was bit out of my budget. But the wreck diving was awesome. I did twice that day and we went to place called twin gate for snorkeling. In that place we could see the layer of the sea water and fresh water in the sea. The phenomenon is that; when you are swimming there will be another layer which appears to be like a another surface. When you go down the layer, it feels like a different level of something. It is hard to explain. And you can feel the temperature difference; cool and warm. Nice.

The Spanish guy left next day, and the french girl moved in to his spot, we booked the flight to Manila together and chilled out in the bed for next couple days till the flight.

We flow to Manila together. There was a free wine night in the guest house where she staying so I joined in. I got drunk but I had a flight to go to Naga so I had to leave that night. Said good bye to her and I went to air port. The traffic was crazy but I had five hours before the flight.

Naga

The days with typhoon. The reason that I went there is to go to a place called Donsol. That place is famous about snorkeling with whale sharks. Around from November till March, it is pretty sure that you can catch up with whale sharks while you are snorkeling. Some of my friends told me that they swam with whale sharks within a meter. Unfortunately, a massive typhoon hits the island while I was staying there. Some were dead, some lost their houses and I lost my days in hotel because of the typhoon. Natural disasters is just inexpectable and also irresistible. I did wake boarding, it was harder than I thought. It was fun but I was just slummed my face in the water so many times. And I went to a beach, which is filled with rubbish but I met a lovely Philippino family. They treat me well and welcomes me into Philippine culture. Gave me some traditional food and some beer. They even gave me the lift back to the town. I appreciate that so much. I watched so much TVs while I was there. National geographic, madventure and like all those traveling documentaries. I ate chicken head on BBQ. It was quite nice. I went to hot spring in Naga which is shit. And a week has past so fast.

Huge country China

China is huge. It takes days from one city to other. Amazing place, everything is huge and beautiful. Culture difference and nature creation is also breath taking but then there is not many tourist. Population is just over the limit, history is too long to describe and it's complicated, and people are so different from town to town; small villages with no electricity, futuristic metropolis with massive buildings. There is no word to capture with miraculous country but it's China.

Yangshuo

The nightmare. It was the way to go to Yangshuo. I had no idea about the place and also I didn't know how to spell the name in Chinese. I just heard from some people in Vietnam that I should go and there is the way from Sapa where I was before and through Nanning to Yangshuo. Alright, here it was started. The bus ride from Sapa to the Vietnm border was two hours of ride. People there was nice and I was quite excited about crossing the country. Had a last Vietnamese food for lunch. I cross the border and got in to immigration. I was in a queue to through the gate. There were the people pushed me away from the queue. I'm like, that's ok if you in hurry. Then again, they just don't know how to line up. Or maybe I just didn't know the China way. I was pushed back by so many people and finally I got upset and I tried to stayed on a queue for once, there she came and pushed me harder and gave me a mid finger. I was really surprised and confused. Then I tapped her shoulder then she turned around gave me the clear sign of mid finger pointed at me. Ah... China. After that I didn't give a damn about old or woman I was just widen out my arm and care about my back stared at people behind, tried not let them take over me. Succeed but there was the troubles line up. I didn't have any Chinese cash, and don't know where to go. There is no English sign or speakers and worst is the people. No one wanted to help me at all. I mean not at all. After an hour of searching, I give up and took a mini bus; it was kind a cute like a bus with 6 passenger max with no side wall and doors run by electricity. The driver she took me to an ATM about 500m away from where I was and bus stop just around the corner. I been shocked. I asked so many people but everyone ignored me. I could have walked if anyone could tell me. For this one minute ride, the driver took 30 yuan. It's about $5 but. I had only 100yuan note from bank and she gave me the change like that. I stood in front of the bus and tried to argue but she was screaming like a bitch. Well, I always ripped off on the first day of new entry anyway. To know the how much is 1yuan worth in China, I bought a packet of cigarette; thats how I calculate the worth of money. It was 2.5 yuan. Anyway, at least she took me to a bus stop. I just said to stuff, “Nanning”. She gave me a ticket to go to Nanning. and I asked how long will it take using drawing of bus and time and watch but she couldn't understand or maybe she is not even listening to me. I worried that is it even right ticket or not. There is no English sign or anything on the ticket, and also there were so many similar name of towns around. After an hour of wait, the bus has came. It was also full and but a sleeping bus. It has three beds in side and up size about half meter in side and one and half about in length. The narrowest bus I've ever ridden on. And I had a TV within a meter in front of me. Bus was going with Chinese movie's on and went through the winding mountain; there was amazing rice field view but I was in middle so I couldn't enjoy well. Again, I was stuck in middle of all chinese for hours and hours. Stopped for toilet break for some times and the toilet... There is just a small gutter filled up with shit and there is no walls between people. But I had to go. I took a leak a guy sitting in front and facing me. It was weird experience. I quite enjoyed the Chinese movie. That was one thing I surprised. After watched 7 to 8 movies, I felt like I could understand what they were saying. Well, it ended 34 hours of bus ride in total. Then I arrived in Nanning. Ugly city. Boring. I couldn't stay there so I started to looking for a bus to go to Yangshuo. Fortunately or unfortunately, there were people who speaks English a bit. Most of the stuff told me that “yeah, yangshuo, come with me”. Then I followed couple of Chinese and almost buying the ticket. But instinctually, I asked is it right place. I wanted make sure with a map this time how far and how much. Then, they took me to a news agency and checked the map. It said Koushou or something like that. Fuck it. I had to find by myself. But thank God, I met a kind English speaking chinese woman there and she explain me that I have to go to other bus stop and showed me how to get there as well. I took a bus according to her explanation. I made it. I managed to buy the ticket to Yangshuo. But I had to wait for the bus for 8 hours in the bus stop. There was nothing around but so crowded. People hustled me and nowhere to hide out. Then I was smoking outside. There she was. A chinese woman was sitting and crying with holding a baby, and when I saw the baby I just hold my breath. I guess the baby was dead. Pale and his face was bit covered in rash. I couldn't do anything but soon some people around her noticed them and called up some security and when the security came and talked her she started to scream like a mad and cried down without vitality. They were there for about hour and polices took them away. Wonder what happened to them. Well, six hours was passed like that. Finally, I have met a foreigner a chick from France. I was just filthy but happy. We took the same bus but she was not a traveller. She works in Yangshuo as a travel agent. She explained me Yangshuo and we talked on the bus ride. I never forget the moment when we arrived in Yangshuo. It began with the beautiful mountains were light up nicely, the illumination of Chinese street and the warmth of people in that area, they were just too nice for my downer mood. She was really nice. When we arrived the town it was about 9pm and she showed me the town and her recommended hostel which is Showbitz; awesome place. Finally, I found the place to chill. It took 54hours in total. I was exhausted.

Life in showbitz

I like to call that place is my second house. They are like my family. Anyway. First night, I had to stay with a stuff, because there is no other room available. And there was a dog. I never seen the dog so shy. She was a collie dog, and when she sees people she just scared and run away like a cat. Cute and funny.

I walked around the town for the next day. It is bit touristy but a very cute small town along to a river. I booked a tour of rock climbing. It was nice. I did cycling on the other day to place called dragon bridge. It is also recommended by the French chick that I met on bus. A dollar to hire a bike for a day. I couldn't find anybody to find my company but I did it anyway. The ride was one of the best. I had a map. But I didn't follow that kind of shit. I found some local road and also lost so many times. Asked some farmers and people in a village. Rough road some were width 10cm about in between rice fields. The astonishing mountain view around, exotic old village with massive water buffalos and kind people then the dragon bridge. I didn't know that I could jump off (9m high) from the bridge to the river at that time so I missed it but I did this cycling with some friend later again and of course that time I jumped like some kids.

HongKong

HK is a huge city with high technology and a part very important history of China in such a small area. I don't call there “China” personally but technically it is a part of China with different situations. Economics and politics are completely different. Need a visa to cross HK and China as well. There are many skinny but high buildings. The trams are also skinny and has two floors. The safe standards are overrated and public consciousness are different from any other south east Asia. Clean and organized street, accurate and precise public service then fixed and exceeded prices for everything. Yep, it was a proper city.

I went to HongKong just to meet my love of my life. She was traveling through China for a month and she was in HK. I caught up her during the day time and also went out to drink. She was beautiful. She had to go back to AU next day so I couldn't hang out with her no more. Well. I can't expect anything more anyway. It was one of the happiest but sad moment of my journey.

Next day,I met one of my friend who studied in Sydney together. Sarah is a HongKong-nese girl and she took me to Stanley beach. It was quite nice place to hang out and enjoy the sunset. Next day, she showed me history museum of HK. The history of the HK amazed me a lot. Opium war, Japanese occupation days and returning to be part of China. Then I went to see a movie with my roomy that night and saw “Inception”. Awesome film.

Yangshuo 2

I went back to Yangshuo. All the stuff welcomed me nicely. There weren't any rooms available but they let me sleep on a couch on the first night. I didn't do anything that week but just chilled out. I guess I was bit tired and bored about keep on moving. I was watching movies, walking around the town, playing a guitar at roof top and sometimes next at the river. My friends and I had quite routined life like drinking at roof top playing a pool game and later hanging out at the Monkey Jane. Then I have met a Polish girl, she was in the group and drinking on the street. I joined, got drunk, went back to hostel, got out to near the river with her. We were flirting in the river and suddenly she felt pain. We got out the river and she must have stepped on some glasses or something her feet was bleeding like a hell. She was drunk and said thats ok~ I was drunk and said thats fucked. I brought her back in to the hostel and did bit of care but the cut was massive. But we went back to the river hanged out around till the light got bright enough to shows us whats going on there clear. Anyway, and we saw the sunrise together. On the way back, we were just surprised that how much she bleed on the street. Again, I had to learn how scary thing is to get drunk. Then I had to go to Guilin to extend my Chinese visa.

Guilin

Guilin is couple of hours away from Yangshuo. As soon as I arrived, I did visa extend. It took me 8days so I went back to Yangshuo in between. It was a big city. There are some site scene but they were like Yangshuo but its more touristy. Bigger temples, river and market.

I had some roomy then we went out to drink together with them for the night. Went to a bar, played some drinking game and we bought a bottle of Chinese whisky. Then, we took a cab to go back our hostel. We were quite drunk and we opened the bottle in the cab. Then my memory had swiped away. I woke up about 4 in the morning, sitting on the top of our bunk bed and I felt pain in my eyes. So I went down and tried to take off my contact lenses. But they were already off. I was rubbing my naked eyes for a while till I notice. Ow, that was pain. Next day, two of my roomy, Charlotte; they have same name, from Belgian they woke me up. And told me that we are going to the rice terrace tour. I didn't remember but apparently we booked it together. Also they told me that I was trying to hook up with them last night. I found it was quite funny but of course they were very beautiful girls. Glad that they didn't take it too serious as well but fun conversation. Anyway, we went up to the mountain village together. We took a van till the mountain and we had a nice hiking till the top. Awesome view. We chilled out at the top for hour, just to feel the breathe and rest.

We had some drink at our guest house that night and we have met more people. Pat from German, he got a guitar and we played some tune and we talked about our disgusting past; like puke stories and we say “when I was drunk” kinds of talk. That night was fun conversation night. Charlottes went up the China and Pat and I headed to Yangshuo.

Yangshuo 3

The first day, we went to mad cave and hot spring cave. I have met a Japanese guy, two Dutch men and one Greman girl. We cycled all the way to the Dragon bridge together. Took us about couple hours to get there but this time, we jumped from the bridge. The hight was just 9m but it doesn't look like that from the top and it's fuckin scary. Fabian the Dutch man, he was holding his water proved camera as a video camera in the water and shooting our jump. Even Manabu, he took almost four minutes to jump off, we were yelling in Japanese and Dutch words. That was a funny footage. We cycled back middle of the rice field and between the mountains, headed to mad cave. Then we saw the Moon hill from a distance. That hill with a big hole, it's hard to describe. Then we found the bus stop to go to the mud cave. To go inside the cave, we had to take a boat. The cave is low from the water that we had to bend down and the breathe from the inside was just chilled. 5 minutes later we had to walk from there to the mad pool; beautiful lime stones were all around. It was quite cold when we get to the mad pool, but when we started to mudding each other we become like kids. One amazing phenomenon was the floating in the mad water. When I sit or lay down in the water, my body was floated unnaturally, like in the feather except I was feeling the cold and slimy mud. It was hard to swim because of buoyancy. It was freaking cold after we took shower. So we headed to hot spring, they were in the same cave. About five minutes walk in the cave, we saw the fog and steam coming out of the top. They were not like a Japanese hot spring; small and not that hot, but comfortable and cozy also it was in the cave so was exotic. Then we headed back to the town. When we having dinner together, an English chick in the crowd recognized me and joined them for a little chat. And I saw a pair of climbing shoes along them. Then I asked are you a climber? I have met rock climbers in the restaurant. Awesome encounter, I asked them about climbing in Yangshuo. As most of the climbers, they are also awesome people. I asked for joining them. And we planned to meet up next morning for climbing. Thats the beginning of my climbing carrier in Yangahuo. It was such a short meeting for beginning of amazing days with all.

Day 2

They were freaking hard core climbers compared to me. Some are working in the climbers shop in Yangshuo and bolting the new area in Yangshuo. The first day, they took me to a place where an hour of hard core bike ride away. it was a beautiful location with no name. Duncan from AU, he finished bolting last month and it was the trying. And there is the camp site they made with their project, some bungalows and some huts. It was fucking hot day with no cloud. When all of us got there, everyone was pretty much done by the sun. Most of us were just hanging out at the hut and Pat brought his guitar, played some tunes and we chilled out for a while there as well. It was nice place. I did one climb and that was it. That night we had a beach party along to the river organized by Showbitz and 6 Irish guests who stayed in Showbitz. Those bastards were young and fun. Loves the music, loves the drink. We had a DJ plays funk, hip hop and drum and bass, and finished with oldies. That made my night in China. Fun night.

Day three, I went to climbing with the crew to the place called “White Mountain”. One of the hardest location in Yangshuo. There is nothing less than 6B which killed me with big fail. My body was filled with shit.

Day four

I met couple of more people who interested in climbing in my guest house. We hired some shoes and harness. Then we hit the rain. We brought back the gear to the shop, and the stuff was so kind that told us to go to gym and there is bouldering. It was old but quite wide bouldering and volleyball court. I did bouldering for hours and got pains in muscle. We borrowed a rubber ball from some people around and played volleyball.

Day five

I had to go back to Guilin and pick up my passport. I didn't stay there that time. When I went back I saw the ads of climbing festival in two days. Free transport, free food, free accommodation and free alcohol, no way, this can not be happening. Its in China, it will be fraud again. But I was signed in when I suspected.

Day six

I went to swimming at the river. And practiced guitar at the roof top. Said good bye to those Irish. Prepared for the festival thing, got myself a pair of climbing shoes which cost me 500yuan.

Lou Chang the climbing festival

Day one

About 30 people from foreigners in Yangshuo and 20 Chinese rock climbers gathered up for this events in the morning. There comes the actual free transport; big bus and clean. It was about 6 hours of ride, and they bought us some beer on the way. Oh, nice treat I thought. When we got to the town, it was a quite big city and our hotel “the hotel” was wow. It was a proper hotel with card key, big shower room, internet in the room (of course facebook is not available though), and huge room with king size bed. I have never stayed that kind of hotel in my life. Wow, is it all for free?? I wonder. Then we had to gather up for lunch. We all got excited about our room, none of us couldn't expected that. Then the lunch. Wooooooowow. The chinese traditional meal but not on the street. The table was big Chinese round table and the food; roosted pork, steamed chicken, rice balls and stir fried veges and blah blah blah. I never ever able to afford that kind of meal by myself. None of us could hide their surprises. Of course the alcohol was free. Then we had to move our place for the ceremony. Ceremony?? There was a pick up bus, give us a lift for 5 minutes and we arrived in the square. I heard more than 5000 people but there were humongous of people were waiting for something. It was for us. We had reserved seats and massive stage with monstrous screen. Then, it says welcome to Lou Chang rock climbing festival. Most of the people were holding their cameras and flashing, hundreds of hundreds cameras were taking photo of us. Thats also my first time me being taken photos like a celeb. Again, wow. We all just laughing and wondering. It turned out that the city has no name in tourist history so the government has put up billions of yuan into commercialize that city for all tourist. Yes, it is an ugly town but the nature around was great. The moonhill, mountains, river and the villages, they are absolutely greater than Yangshuo. I like Yangshuo more than Luo Cheng because of the backpacking atmosphere though. So they made that events. The welcoming events was three hours about with all kind of performance; I have to admit that some of the modern art was brilliant but mostly were boring traditional sing and dance. Liana and Jen got selected to go up to the stage and did bit of dance. It was quite a joke. And then the dinner, I had to stop praise about them because, during this tour, the food was brilliant.

Day two

The 1000 march. That's what we called, at least I do but when we got out after the wonderful break fast. We had mini bus waiting escorted by police to go to a “planting”. Apparently we have to do some planting for foreigners relationships. We got voucher which describe our minutes by minutes schedules. It introduced me as a professional rock climber. Made me laugh. When we get off the bus, we had to walk about 10min till the hill. There they were. Thousands of students from 7 to 17; I guess, lined up at the side of the road we had to walk. I wonder how many hours they had to wait for us there in the sunny hot day just to let us though. Again, they just take photo of us, then I did a hundreds of high five. That was quite fun. Then, when we get to the plantation hill. It was actually done but we all had to do just one shovel of soil on to the tree in front of the press. Yep, there are also hundreds of camera mans and TV cameras. So we just pretend digging the soil and took some photos and I put my name for the tree. He he he. That was tough job. Then we did marching around the lake. The lake was disgusting. The most polluted water I ever seen. Green like a mold, sky was foggy and plants around there were dying. I wonder when my plants going to die. I expected that there must be three eyed fish in the lake but I saw a plantation that I never seen which has spikes out of leaves and weird flower. I met the tallest man in the world (2m72cm, he was the guest for this event as well) and took photo together. He was huge. One girl from our group Wain from AU, she was claimed that she hit her face on to his butt when she was walking near him even though she was not that short. After the march, we headed to a site spot, I forgot the name but there is a massive kind of moon hill but on the river. We just took a bamboo boat and went through under. And saw another moon hill where will be the climbing for next day. We had lunch outside by a river. There were another ceremony as well. Lots of people were waiting for us and lot of camera men taking photos of us and people with traditional clothe singing for us while we having the lunch. We had some beers and went down to swim at the river after. We went to museum of Chinese traditions, and of course the press was following around. We got used to be in front of the massive camera lenses by the time. We gather up in Duncan's room at the night and drunk. He got scolded by the government that we should be stick to the schedule that we were not supposed to swim after the lunch and not to go out at the night. The governors were worried that we might be kidnaped.

Day three

Finally, we got chance to do some climbing. But there were only two route and one chances each. At the moon hill, 38m about, top rope but the grade was 8 fucking B. Both I climbed about 5m and stuck for ages in one place and fell like shit.　Liana is the one of the best female climber I ever met. She completed one of the route. And Gary from state, he did the best out of all foreigners. There were some accident like big chunk of rock fallen from the top and so on but the event was finished nicely. We had couple of drinks at my room and another has passed.

Day four

It was the competition, there were second round of the moon hill challenge for the selected climbers. Some were selected for the final and some including me were cheering them from the distance. The lunch time, I was surprised that the power of the old Chinese women. They brought us lunch with bamboo backpack. There is about half hours of slope hiking till the hill. They came with our lunch. About ten women, they got food for hundreds. I don't think I can do that. At the night, we had bordering competition as well. Ed, Andrew,Dag and Duncan were setting up the bordering. We were at the back preparing the comp. Duncan was doing host and keep on talking and drinking that was fun. We cheered up each other but the route was just too hard. Everyone did well. There were three route to try and I was just stuck in the first rock for all of them. Shit... Liana took most of the award and Gary took I guess. Then Mitch and surprisingly I won something as well. First I thought it was sort of miss because I couldn't do anything then I thought it was the booby prize. Funny thing is I won the beauty contest. Then I won 500 yuan for that which same cost that I used for my shoes. I was quite happy that I made it to be in this freaking event. That night was mess. We just kept on drinking. At my room, some were doing pillow fight and we got some chinese wine shots. Andrew was giving me the painful massage. I don't remember how but in the end there were three girls giving me massage. Turned me on so much. One of the girl was telling me that she lost her room key into the toilet. I was in the heaven for a while then the morning came. Whats happened? I don't know... Apparently nothing happened. Well, I'm bit shocked but it was a fun night.

Day five

Everyone was hang over. I heard that one of us shit in the hotel room by mistake. He couldn't make it from his bed to toilet, so did it on the floor and now is covered in the package of instant noodle. We were just abused the great Chinese welcome and returned it to shit. I felt bad but funny. The bus ride was horrible. We went back to Yanghuo and separated into own plases.

Yangshuo 4

Next couple of weeks, I was quite into the rock climbing. Everyday, I was looking for opportunities. Find some partners, discuss about where to go. Hire the gear and bike. Lost on the way, climbing as much as I could. Drinking at the showbitz roof top at the night. Mostly I was hanging out with Irena from Spain met in the festival, Karel from Belgian and Mitch from State also festival, Frank and Gabi from German they joined and Juri also German caught up later. Awesome people to climb with. They taught me leading and support me well. And some times, we some travelers joined together. These days were pure fun time of my life.

Day 1

Just being hang over. Watched some movies

Day 2

Climbing. Egg hill. My first leading experience.

Great wall, it was hard to find the way. We could see it in front of us but lost in the rice field for hours. We stayed out too late as well. It was getting dark and Karel was still leading one of the route during the sunset. He struggling finding bolts but he couldn't see them well, but we couldn't stop. Because we had to clean the quick draw hanging on the wall. By the time he got them all, it was totally dark and the way back was like a cliff with no safe. Besides, we were carrying the gears like ropes and quickdraw. We couldn't count them but everyone was waiting for us. On the road there is no light we either have any lights. Gabi had one light but that is it. The street was full of cars but the light was just too bright and made us blind. But we made back with no accident.

Day 3

Climbing. Space buttress

Day 4

Climbing. Space buttress

Day 5

Climbing. Twin gate.

I have met a lovely Dutch girl and did climbing together. When we were drinking at the roof top at the night, something must have happen. Two of us were kissing in the bar suddenly and has disappeared into the dark river.

Day 6

Chilling, I was hang over and filled with dazed happiness. Practiced guitar for a while and watched some movie.

Day 7

My friend Noortje from Holland she fixed my loosen dread hair. And we watched movies together.

Day 8

Climbing Low mountain

Prob, it is my favorite place. Nice chilling place, with caves from war. I like to do climbing camp in there. But I couldn't organize that...

Day 9

Climbing Baby frog

Day 10

It was the chinese long holiday for four days. Because of that big number of Chinese tourist flooded into Yangshuo for holiday. And the price of the guest house has jumped up more than three times. I asked Duncan to stay at his flat and he let me stay there for the holiday.

Day 11

I went to gym myself and did bordering and practice juggling. Duncan is a good juggler he taught me some skills.

Day 12

Climbing Space buttress

Day 13

Climbing Egg hill

I did some leading for 6a and top rope 6c. I was quite happy at last.

Day 14

Finally I went to moon hill of Yangshuo. First I was alone, but on the way, I met my friends and we climbed up the top of the hill together. That place was awesome. Just standing in the middle of the mountains. Beautiful breathe and significant view, I possessed both of them there. I said good bye and thanks to all those people who hang out with and took care of me in Yangshuo. And I left to HK for flight to Philippine.

Vietnam

Vietnam

An hour about from Bun Lung to Vietnam border, crossed on foot and suddenly I felt the difference of people. Some buses were there to get to town near by, but they don't tell us about where they taking us or how long and how much. They pushed us in to their van and hustled, well I guess I was being bit harsh about money as well. There were two German in the same van, one having stomachache for a week. They wanted to go to a hospital. I heard this story after but I met them randomly in other town and they said about the hospital they have been. Apparently, he had to sleep on the shittiest hospital that you can imagine. Rats, bags and mold, of course there is no English speaking doctor, bed has mold and the steeling was rusted. He said he had worst two nights in that hospital but the treatment has worked. At least he was a doctor.

Arrived in a Pleik and found a bus to go to Saigon. There comes the one of the worst bus ride. I had to wait for it for eight hours, I walked around the town to kill some time and I was tired. Bus was packed as usual. And this old woman came behind me. She was maybe about 80 or so and paralyzed. I had to carry her just to let her sit there. That's ok. Three hours later, when a night fall, she starts to cough just behind me. She was quite suffered from coughing but no one did care. Her seats was bit higher than mine so I could feel her cough on back of my head sometimes. Aw, then she started to vomit. Not on my head but I could hear the sound of puke so clearly. Then the smell came and filled the bus. There was no window that can open. The smell was awful. The road was awfully rough and driving was terrible as usual but this time was unacceptable. The smell filled the bus and everyone started to sick. I felt shit. And a local girl next me got puke. Then, a man next her. Then a old men in front of him. There was a puke bag but I can smell shit, SHIT. I was trying to breathe as less as I can but the suffer was irresistible. In my memory, everyone was puking. It was the puke party bus. Hours later, the old woman, she suddenly moan, something must have stuck in her throat, she made some noise and passed out. I thought she is dead. But no one didn't do anything and bus kept on going. Then the bus drove five more hours to Saigon. Of course, she was paralyzed so she puked not in the puke bag but all over her body. She survived the bus trip though.

Ho Chi Minh (Saigon)

Checked in the pretty much first place I found, I was tired. Slept four hours about and head to the city center. I just wanted to visit war museum in Saigon. I met a Japanese guy on the way, we visited the war museum together. The Vietnamese war is a horrible history. The images in the museum was still framed in my mind.

The other impression of the town is the amounts of traffic jam with motor. There were about 8 to 10 on the side way, lined up about couple of hundred meters with no gaps. And people are crossing the streets and the drivers are passing the pedestrians like a snakes. It was not my favorite city. It was big and ugly. Visited the market, the most aggressive stuff ever. Even a restaurant, they grabbed me and forced me to eat. I decided to leave the town next day.

Nha Trang

The town is next to a nice beach but it is bit too touristy. I didn't do anything much. Drunk at a bar, swam at the night and cycled around a market.

Hue

Meet Mal. She is from States and we have met in Koh Tao. She was working in Hue and she let me stay her place for couple of days. And she was with her dad and her brother, we hanged out together. First day we walked around the town and a market and ate some food which we have no idea. Her dad and brother were not travelers so they were surprised about her daughter's life style. And we went to karaoke at the night. That was funny. We all love singing songs and got heated. Next day, we hired some bikes visited some temples. In the night we went some clubs. It was so funny to see American tourist visiting Asia.

Hanoi

On the way to Hanoi, I took a night train. There were five Vietnamese passenger in my cabin, we chat a bit and played some tune. That was the first and last time that I met Vietnamese local people who has good impression. They gave me some food, chicken was good but they gave a boiled egg, the EGG with half grown chicken in it. I have been eating so many weird shit but that was just unacceptable. When I saw it, I could see face and blood, when I ate it, I could feel bones and heads, then some feather scratched my throat. Oww...

I went to a museum during the day. I didn't like much of Vietnam but this Halong bay tour was awesome. I met Cam in a hostel that I was staying. It was funny coincidence and we booked the same tour together. We went to water puppet show in the afternoon. It was quite freaky and funny, music and lighting and the reflection of the puppets on the water give the audience kind of tripping out.

Halong bay tour is one of the best tour I have joined. Cruising around the unique Halong bay with big old wooden ship, with some young backpackers. Feeling like a pirate, sailing through other tour ships and mountains standing though from the ocean. There are hundreds of massive ships cruising around the bay, gave me the idea of living on a ship as a pirates. Relaxation of calm ocean and comfort of the warm breathe they are the true luxury for my life. The crew of the battle ship were from all around the world. Tikta, Sam, Julie, Paul, Ken, Cheney and Me and some more.

First day, we visited a massive cave, and did kayaking. Ken and I shared one thinking about taking our camera with us or not. Glad that we decided not to bring with us. As soon as we left a port, we had an accident with a boat, crushed down into the water. Jumping off from our ship and swimming around. As the sunset goes down we sat down on the deck, had some chilled beer together. And the dinner was great. Actually all the meal we had on the ship were great. At the night time we had lots of beer and made some tune together. Some were hocked up back of the ship. We stayed over night on the ship. I have slept on the deck for a while and enjoyed the dark sky.

Next day, we steered to an island. We had cycling to a cave where used to be a hospital during the Vietnamese war. The size was huge and I am amazed by the how they fight against enemies. Then we headed to an island to stay over night. It was a pretty island with a luxury guest houses. Monkey beach was disappointing because of wild monkeys around the restaurant eating junks from rubbish. After the dinner we were hanging around the beach and swimming around. Paul wear a life jacket like a pants and told us its the fashion. Actually that was much more comfortable and fun. We looked like big babies. And as the company promised the floating bar has came. We were told that the bar was on water and free. BUT, a guy came up with cooler box and a float on the beach called us up “let's do floating bar”. I just laughed but some got upset. The drink was weak cocktail with cheap vodka it's ok but we were disappointed. I borrow the box after the argue and filled up with beer and we did our own floating bar. That was great. Got drunk and swimming around. Then I realized that we could see phosphorescence but no one believed me for ages and they said they were nothing but reflection from restaurant. I was just so excited and persuade them to look carefully the water. I found a scuba mask that proved I was right. None of them have seen anything like that. After that, everyone got high with the color of the nature and passing around the only one mask. We chilled out on the beach and looked upon the sky with thousands of stars and absorbed in counting shooting stars.

Next day, we went back to Hanoi and chilled for a night together.

Sapa

It was a pretty little town of French influences and huge rice field spread over the sloped mountain. Walked around the town and I liked the garden on top of the mountain. Next day, we had a hiking down to the rice field. Then some local woman were just followed around me. I walked down about four hours the slope rice field and some times were slippery and had big up and down. But they followed me from begin till the end and showed me the way. Of cause they asked money later and I pain couple of dollars reluctantly. I had beautiful photo opportunity in the town after the sunsets. The town was swallowed by thick cloud and the colored by all streets light in red and yellow.

Fun fun fun!!! Cambodia

I was on the bus from Don Det to the border of Cambodia. There were too many people on the but so Cam and I went down to stay in the cargo. There were so many backpacks and card boxes and even a motor bike. But we arranged those backpack to made pillows so it was more comfortable to stay in the cargo. But in Cambodia, it was just a beginning of the shitty bus trip like rough driving, long distance,over passengers and shit in bus.



SiemReap
Since,we crossing the border, Monique she had troubles. She had some fake money on border when she paying for the visa. She was argued with securities but she didn't have enough money to pay. Most of us has no extra money to borrow her either. The reason was we were in Don Det where there is no ATM. Plus, Lao currency is not useable out side of the country. So we had just we need. Although, the bus driver paid for her. But she was not going with us to the same direction so she had to get off somewhere and find ATM look for other bus to take her where she intended to go. After hour of trouble on the border, they had another hour of fight in the bus so she decided to come with us to Siem Reap. But it was bit too far or maybe just. She was a Dutch. She wanted to see the final game of Holland vs Spain on time. But we convinced her that we can watch the game in Siem Reap on time. So here we go, heading to Siem Reap. Bus was alright. We had a half hour before the game when we get off the bus. But we have to check in to some guest house to stay but also we haven't find any of it. So as soon as we get off the bus, we jumped into tuktuk. Cam and Lars has their tuktuk. Monique and I shared one. Then the tuktuk has brokendown. She goes “why is this shit happening to me today? Why~~~??”.The driver pushed our tuktuk trying to start the engine but never works. Time has been ticking for the game but the bike was failing for hours. The driver was calling for some help, there was no other transport and she had gone crazy. Started laughing. There came a replacement for the tuktuk took us to a guest house which Cam and Lars found. Checked in, run to the main street and there is the sound of game. People are yelling and cheering, whistle and horn followed by the crowd. We saw two big screens in front of the people. Awesome!!! It was already started but just 10 minutes about. Grabbed some beers and found some place to watch. And Spain won the game. Ha~ha~. She got shock but we got nothing to lose. Grabbed more beer and night has fell. There is a lot of gays in Cambodia. And they are very aggressive, they grab you, chase you and force you to be your lover. While I was walk myself, they just pulled me and told me “You are lonely!” “Come with me!”. Wow scary. Monique was struggling in the crowd of poor kids begging for charity, she went into a convenient store to get a snack for some kids, then the crowd of kids came after her grabbed some artificial milk said that is for baby, they just brought it to the casher looked at her like she is their mum. I guess they need those attitudes to survive.


Next morning, I got waken up by this heat. $1 a night, this is the price for the dorm. It was like a dorm for factory. There was wall to separate the space but no doors just covered by sheets. No fan but with mosquito net. That was helpful. Every time when I got out the net, there were hundreds of blood suckers were waiting for me. Anyway, it was cheap and fun place.


First day, I walked around the town and found some good cheap food and how to get to Angkor Wat. Cycling! Always good way to travel with bicycle when its possible. Hours of ride, rough streets and lost are great fun when you are in a good mood and group.
Monique,Cam and Lars, we went to visit Angkor Wat by bicycle. It was about bit more than an hour ride with good condition road.
Cam was clever than he looks. He told me the story of Khmer Rouge and bit history of Cambodia for us. My favorite places are not Angkor Wat but all other temples around. They are also huge and less touristic. We could go inside as we want. Quite few places has been torn down badly but you can feel the mystic atmosphere and difficulty of building those structures.


Nextday, we booked this tuktuk driver from last night to see sunrise andother temples where far than we could possibly go by ourselves. The rock'n roll tuk tuk. Apparently, there is only one tuktuk has the sound system and able to connect I pod while driving. Woke up about 5 in the morning, we headed to the Angkor Wat. We were all so sleepy but the sunrise was nice. Driving with my favorite music playing loudly, we are head to far for more temples tour. In the end, we saw too many temples so we got bored of them but still it was nice tour. I met this Canadian and half Romanian girl in the guest house. We went out to meet her friends. After drinking a couple of jags, we went out to Buddha bar for some tunes and jumping around. She was beautiful in the razor light colored in red and blue, we were dancing together in the crowd of sound and booze. A sweet kiss was the begging of nightfall, aw I like her a lot.


Nextday, we were just hanging around on the bed, chilling out before the departure for tomorrow. Sweet day. She went up to Lao, I went down to Phnom Penh.



Phnom Penh
As soon as we checked in this guest house, so many people has came to us and tried to sell joint. Cam and I shared a room and joint. It was nice place by the lake with a back porch floating. You can smoke anywhere in the guest house. Awesome stuff and food, pool table and hanmocks around, big couches with a big TV, like another destination for stoners. But apparently the guest house is illegally built on the lake and will be shut down the beautiful part where the cozy back porch soon in a future. What a shame.


First day, we just got so stoned and passed out.

Nextday, we hired bicycle, Cam was complaining but its the fun way to travel. Then, we met French girl in front of the guest house and we went to Toul Sleng prison museum together. Cambodia has dark history of dictatorship by Khmer Rouge. A massacre, there is the sad fact of human history in Siem Reap. It will make you think what is government there for and human being.
Afterwe went back in the guest house, we had some happy shake its like just to forget about the fact of inhumanity and find out the otherside of humanity. We got fucked over and watched some movies and just chilled out.


Nextday, we went to killing field, it was more like monument for dead and holes for corpse. We walked around the town visit markets. Had some happy pizzas for dinner, drunk with stuff from guest house.


Nextday, the french girl woke me up in the early morning. Apparently we booked the ticket to go to Sihanouk villa last night when we were fucked up. Nice. I said goodbye to Cam there.



Sihanoukvilla
Its the town near a beach. But it wasn't great after all. So many bars are on the beach but they are also bit lame. The reason that I went there was maybe just follow the French chick. We drove around the town by a bike. We booked a tour of snorkeling for next day. Then I got Vietnam visa. We had big prawns on the beach, swim a bit and chilled on the beach. Went to the beach, had some drink and we hookedup.



Nextday, we had a snorkeling tour from the morning. We went to a nice islands, swim around and had some nice lunch. We suppose to have three other location to visit, but on the way to the last one, the storm hit us. Strong wind and huge wave, our boat was up and down like in a movie. We got so cold and wet. Almost fly out of the boat. I was holding my camera to be not wet as well. Up and down, up and down. Wewere all relaxed when we made it to our beach.



Kratie
We went back in Phnom Penh for a night, I headed to Kratie and another good bye to the French girl. She was really nice and I hated to say good bye. Its just too often to meet and farewell during the journey. It was rough road for hours and hours. When I get there, it was heavy rain. I talked some of the foreigners, and found some guest house but they were full. Me and one dutch woman had to find other place so we left but the rain got so heavy and the road was flooded like a river. A lighting hit near by. We had massive backpack and exhausted from the bus ride. We got quite wet but found a place to stay.


Next day was beautiful. I found another place stay and walked around the town. Went to Koh Trong island and met local family. They just gave me so many amounts of Cambo local rice wine. Awesome drink. I had green banana with skins on and with fish sauce. Quite interesting. Soup with fish and spent hours with the family. We can not communicate with words but smiles. I like to meet people who open mind that much.
I got so drunk but managed to go back to hostel in the afternoon. Then I met this French group. I guess Cambodia used to be French colony so there are so many French travelers. They were on their way to find Irrawaddy the freshwater dolphins. I joined them and took tuk tuk together and went to the river. We saw quite a few of them but I am glad that I could meet with this group otherwise this tour wouldn't be that fun. Again, when you are traveling, its so fun to meet people and do stuff together. When we got back to hostel we had some dinner together and some drink and talked about our journey.
Next day, we visited Koh Trong. They wanted to cycle around, and I wanted visit floating village, I missed it because I was drunk the day before. When I got to the village, there was a little kid about 7~8 year old waving hand to me from one of a house from the village. I asked that I wanted to go inside his house (of course he wouldn't understand English at all but), then he rowed a boat to the bank, beckoned me into his boat. He took me into his house. There is a family with five kids and father,mother and grandma in. The house was quite small for all those people, but there is kitchen and an alter for buddha and porch. They sleeps on the wooden floor with piece of cloth. Father was fixing a boat mother was taking care of a baby. Kids were playing around and now looking at me like a monster. I took some photo of them and communicate a bit. It seems to be rain soon so I decided to go back and the boy he gave me a lift back to the island. Then the storm came down. I was under a tree to avoiding the rain and the group of French came after. We were under the banana leafs. Found a farm houseshared with local Cambodians till the rain stop. On the way back, the road was wet and their bikes were slipping around like ice skating. Was fun. At the guest house, we all got tired after dinner, we been quiet for a while. Then I realized that I had scorpion whisky. Wow, after one shot each, we got pumped up We had two to three shots each and got high and talked through the night.



BunLung
Another bad trip of a bus (actually it was a mini van). Coincidence is curious, I met Anna from France on the bus by accident. I hanged out with her in Phnom Penh, I was quite happy to have friend on a way and we talked about where have we been. Anyway, she was with a French couple and there is a Canadian guy on the bus. All foreigner passenger was this five of us. That was a mini van with seat for 11 people. Here comes the local passengers. I count many times, but, there were 27 passengers on the mini van including three kids and two baby though. Packed... Can not move at all with 10 hours of bus ride. Most of the local people were sit on each others rap and kids and babies were on top of them. Bus ride was rough, up and down by the bump of dirt road, we started to feel sick. And couple of hours of ride that was happened. The smell of stinky shit filled the van, a baby had the business. Aw, the van wouldn't stop, we had only one window to open at the back. We had an hour of torture in the space of chained. It went to the lunch time till we got saved. At the bus stop, I met an English chick that I saw at the Koh Trong and she said that her bus was empty and comfortable trip, as it was not fair.



Its a really small town and I liked it. First day, according to the recommendation from French group in Kratie, we were finding theJungle trek tour. They said to us it was awesome. We walked around the town, booked the tour and talked about what we do tomorrow. Anna, Meghan, Justin and I hired bikes and pushed to the waterfalls and crater lake. It was fun ride with all the kids were cheering and dirt road was sometimes slippery and steep slope. We got lost couple times in jungles but when we got to the destination especially like a waterfall, its the moment of discovery and achievement then jump into the water for refreshment. Awesome.

Jungletrek. The member of this adventure was unique combination of travelers. We were Anna from France, Cryil from Swiss, Darko from Croatia, Vivy and Damian the French couple, Juha from Finland and me.The course was unknown, trip was two nights and three days and I was wearing a pair of thongs. There were three guides to take us this journey but only one guy can speak English. It was bit silly of me to cross the mountain with thongs but it was fun. We were literary straight cross the mountain. Quite often, there was no way, or even flat ground. The guide was cutting the trees and plants make our way but bit useless. After couple of hours, my legs were bleeding a lot. Fighting with many mosquitos and plants with sharp spikes, but the worst things was the massive march of giant ants on the way. I couldn't just get away of thousands of thousands of ants and when I stepped them on, they bites instantly to my bear foot. They have huge mandibles which I never seen and they are strong enough to bite till you bleed.

First day, we stayed over night near a pond. Swimming after hours of trekking was awesome. The guide made for us a swing and we jumped into waters again and again. Made a camp fire and had some great dinner. Then the rice wine. We caught some shrimps from the river and ate when they still arrive. Talked about journey and life. Then we slept on hammock.

Nextday, we caught some fish from the pond and made a little bit of BBQ fish for breakfast. Lunch was near a river on the way. Again the amazing way to cross the mountain, found some waterfalls to have some break and chilled out in the forest sometimes. We stayed in a village, they supply a big wooden place to sleep bought many rice wine. That was a heavy rainy night that worried us for tomorrow but because of the sound of rain we didn't have to worry about people in the village of making too much noise at the night.
It was terrible to wake up in the morning with hangover but also we had to go back all the way back to the town. Took us about 7 hours of walk, no one did retired. This journey was the end of Cambodian adventure.

Days of travel without conscious – Lao

Its easy to travel Laos nowadays and its becoming more popular for some backpackers and some adventurous lovers. Vang Vieng for idiots like me, north and east for travelers to see beautiful culture and nature. Unfortunately I missed the north, maybe next time... Lao is a very poor country but they have beautiful people and wonderful places to visit everywhere. Tourism is really big in here so its bit expensive and dozzy but quiet efficient transport to travel through the country. Especially the going down Mekong river on the slow boat,meeting people, having beer and just chill with fun coversations.
Stayed a night in a town of Thailand next to the boarder, met some people, had drink. Woke up next morning, it was really close to be late for the boat but crossed the board by a boat, get the visa stumped, run into the tuktuk, jumped on the slow boat, it was full though pushed us in nicely. The boat was fun, met some people that I have met during the travel of Thailand and Malaysia. Yep, quite lot of backpackers takes the similar route in south east Asia. We also surprised and shared some beer for it. Become friend in the boat with most of the passengers. Took us maybe, 6 hours about to some place to stayed over night. In the village, we saw the game of the world cup(don't remember which game), left to Luang Prabang. One of Irish man from a group fell off from the boat, played rubic's cube and played some tunes with my little guitar that I bought in Chang Mai. Fun trip.



LuangPrabang
This is my favorite chilled out town as well. Luang Prabang before the Vang Vieng like silence before the storm. That much there is a difference. It is a world heritage town because of French influence housing and traditional temples all around the town. My main site scene of this place is the waterfall. Its my top five best waterfall I ever seen. It shines with light emerald green, fall down like stairs for some creatures from mythical dream and flow of thewater fall makes and gives us the magical breeze. There is a littleTarzan rope hanged from a tree that we could practice before theTubing. The fishes in the water gives you the foot massage. And so many spot to swim around. Nice.
Night market is also fun to hang out, we bought some scorpion whisky.
Hanging out and drink in the food street. I had a little speaker to play some tune. Those were the days.



First day I cycled around the town. There are so many beautiful temples that you can enter without entrance fee. Also, so many French influenced housing and architectures.
There is a bit of walk but nice view point to see sunset.
I went to a museum of Luang Prabang.
We saw a game of German vs England. Fun game, I was hanging out with German
and English so it was even more fun. I saw the energy of supporters for their home. The game was awesome, each close shoot, we all got excited and scream like a freak and have more beers talking about the shoots and their passes. Even some local neighbors came to complain the noise but we just kept on going. In the end, my German friends were being down and right next to them my English friends were singing songs but also we all cheering each other and there is no problems in between but passion towards to the game. I love world cup.



VangVieng
The paradise destination for idiot backpackers who purely love stupid party and ridiculous actions. This town is fully run with tourism business but pretty much nothing. Most of them just drink day and night and when they tired they go to restaurant to chill and watchTVs like The Simpson, Family guy and Friends. There are hundreds of backpackers coming here to get wasted. Mostly they are young English and Irish. They are idiots. Love the youth energy for whole days of partying and inconsideration of get fucked up in anywhere. It was really hard journey from Luang prabang to Vang Vieng with lots of mountain ride. Beautiful view thought, packed up in small van and that many slopes and curbs for 10 hours were tough for all of us.



Day one.
I have met this English boy Cameron on the boat and we shared the room. Me, Cam and Caroline went out as soon as we got in this town to find out what is the tubing like. In fact, I found out about tubing just before enter Lao. We have met the pink eyed people. Apparently, the water of the Mekong is dirty so that gives some people an eye infection. It looks awful and I heard its painful. There was the game, Japan vs Paraguay. I went to bar called bucket bar to see the game but I was the only Japanese person. I was sitting down right in front of the TV screaming and yelling at it. At first, there was nobody watching the game but when the game got to 0-0 everyone in the bar was cheer for Japan, and during the extension we all cheering then the PK... agh...people gave me some bucket of comfort vodka. Don't remember single thing of after.



Day two.
We are searching for what to do and then decided to do rock climbing for next day and cycling for the day. Cam, Monique and I hired push bikes and got myself a hand written map. There is a couple of caves to visit. On the way to the first cave, there was a dirt road, becoming more like pond or more like swampy road. Minique had a confident that the road will not be that deep and runs and runs in front and suddenly got into the swamp with her bike. We just loughed watching her struggling in the water asking for some help. She just looked funny. We give up on first one. For the other one, according to the map we were heading to the cave smoothly but we didn't know the exact distance. Fuckin far away. Also, the road became to bumpy and rocky road. We had a basic shopping bike so called granny's bike with no gear. After three hours of bike ride, we were all got exhausted. But we made it. There was a massive cave with Buddha in it. Chilled out for half hour then sunset was coming. There is no light on the way, we were in hurry to get back but it was too late. Completely darkness with little moon light on the rocky road, we struggled but made to guest house, I guess we just made our friendshit stronger. There is a kayaking down tour to go to other city takes one day. We wanted to do it but there is not many people to join in and that was just too early the leaving hour was like 7am so its never happened. And we went to a bar and started to drink. We met some girls and decided to change the place. Thats the begging of legendary nightmares for the room VangVieng. We were drinking some beer Lao to begin with, having chats and flirts. Shots and spots came after. Then the taste of wet dream, the opium smoke has arrived. Don't know whose idea but best and worst time of my life. First, we have been smoke and got so high, Cam's got sick so he was out and me and American, English and dutch girls were having together. We don't want to waste any smoke come out from our mouth so we inhale others exhale. Our lips got closer and our conscious got farther, felt like we are feather and they become my lover. Best flirting ever, but when we left the place, I puked, they puked and I puked. My memory skip into the moment that I was standing on my guest house knocking on the door to wake up Cam to open up, he opened the door for me, then I was holding a big jar filled with my puke in my hand, brought into our room and sank into the toilet. I still remember of the sickness but this is also experience. Now there is no wonder of the opium war. I hear from Cam in the morning but apparently I was screaming all the night about the girls that “I was that close, oh no~~, foursome dream”. Blah blah blah like drunken loser. Ha ha, Idon't remember so I can not write about it...



Day three
Awful morning as usual but this time was more than a usual. But we booked the rock climbing thing. Those chicks joined up as well. So we had to move our messed head in a morning and go for hard core excise. Two of us couldn't make it. Just me, Cam, Jane and Caroline made it to the climbing. It was nice hang over killer. Went back to the bar in the night. I brought back the English chick to the cursed room but we just talked about things and nothing happened. She was just too nice just to fuck around.



Day four.
Finally,the day for the Tubing.
We hire some tubes from a shop and head to the river around two o'clock.When we arrived the river, there are already so many people hanging around and being wasted. There is the Tarzan rope hanged on a tree,hight about more than 10m. We had to climb up the dozzy ladder to get to the top, shaky and slippery, I have no idea when will it be collapsed. When you get to the top, you will see how high it is. And there is bunch of drunkers go up there and show their braves. No wonder about couple people has died in here each year. There are several bar along the river, as far as we go, people are more wasted. At the first bar, mostly people are doing swing jump. Second ones got beer pong. Third ones got dance floor with waterfall (just from a hose though, its nice to have one to clean up yourself). Fourth bar, my favorite has creaky dance floor, swing jump, water slide and mad volleyball. We did volleyball in the mad, even though people suggest that we should not do that because of potential of getting eye infection but why not?? We are in Vang Vieng and drunk. Do whatever I can get. Fifth is opposite to the fourth bar. Couldn't cross that way. And maybe couple more. Most of the people end up in fourth. Almost sunset, we decided to go back. But that was too late but I guess it was inevitable that we had to go back with sunset at least once.The soft color of sunset reflected into my fucked up brain. Flow of the Mekong was washing my head off the moment of the bass sound flashing through me. But its got too dark to see anything in the river. We were about 10 people in our group and went down with holding others tubes trying not to separate each other. Nobody knew where is the end. It was fun ride because we were all drunk and flirting on the tubes. But got hungry and cold. About an hour and half of flowing down of the tube, here comes the END. The current is strong, some were washed off, some got injured and we all had to pay for late fee for tube. Agh... Then we head to bucket bar. It was a long night, here comes the Cam's story. When we were drinking and dancing, he came to me and asked that “can you please give me the room for a while?” I replyed “aye? I guess you just need couple minutes do you?” He smiles and I said “Just tell me lucky bouy, don't come back for couple hours”. Then he disappeared into the crowd. I was hanging out with my friends and nothing happened. After about an hour, I met Cam's German chick so I thought that was quick, it was quite late so I went back to guest house as well. When I went back to the room he was sleeping already himself. I was envy but very excited about what was happened.
So I asked “Whats happened lucky bouy?”.
He said “I don't wanna talk about it”.
“What? Whats happened? You got to tell me my roomy”.
“Tomorrow,I promise”.
“No wwwaye, I can't sleep like that, it will be nightmare. Because I worry about you... you got small balls? Ha ha”.
Actually,I just wanted to hear a funny story. Its always fun to hear story like this situations.
So, of course they came back here together once, and they were smooching each other on his bed, naked but here the thing. She found out he was19 and she was 30. Still, they are in the bed, naked. I hocked up with 30 when I was 19. Anyway, so she said that he is too young for her. He just insisted. But she got turned off. She stood up and took all her clothe on, said bye. But in front of the door, she changed her mind.Came back to the bed, smooched around. He said another 10minutes about. She got naked, again. Then, she got upset. She stood up and said, “ No I can't, sorry its so wrong”. She took all her clothe on and almost leaving the room, she turned around. “She said let's do it”. He was like ok yeah~! Then, she went back in to bed he took all her clothe off. Smooched around for another 10 minutes he said. Then, she changed her mind, stood up and took all her clothe on, he just shocked what just happened. Then, this time she finally left him without any action. He was completely frustrated. He complains that she was bitch, just turned him on and left. But I said that you are young man, you just turned a girl off three times. Three fuckin times ha ha ha. This story become our friendship chat for people we met on further journey. She is also my good friend now but I can not mention about this.



Day five
We all got fucked up in the morning so just rested in a restaurant watched The Simpson for hours and hours in the day. Then the after the sunset, backed into those bars for more buckets. There was a game of German vs Argentina. And here she comes with the rainbow. Wow, amazingly beautiful German girl. Even I noticed her during the tubing two days ago. I hoping to meat her and I don't know how did it happened but she talked to me and watched the game togetherJust me and her. I got so excited about it. Then here he comes with just a rain. Storm hit the town and he was just trying to protect her from me. We were dancingin the rainy dance floor. I was frustrated. Then, Cam came up, he isa good wingman. Disturbed him for a while, but I couldn't make it. Aw, she was beautiful. Later I heard nothing happen between them so I am glad but I wanted her. Then, we left them for a while, I didn't see it but Cam was dancing around the speaker and touched it. Because it was heavy rain, the water was coming out from the speakers came on to him Zzzzzzz Zzzzzzz. He got electrocuted. He is a nice guy made lough till the end.



Day six
Had to do the tubing more than once. We headed back to tubing again.
So many swing jump. Water slide. Dancing and jumping. Mad volleyballwas really fun. On the way back there was a girl, completely wasted, lost her tube, trying to cross the river but she got upset and totally lost her mind and scream ing shit. Ah, Vang Vieng. What a place.
Bucket bar and Q bar to finish the night.
This is the curse of Vang Vieng. Its the alternate drunkers paradise but there was not any action for us.



Vientian
Its the capital of Lao.
There is a swimming pool. Lovely day.
Beer garden with big screen. It was during the world cup.
Buddha park, I didn't go though...
I was there for visa run. Took motor bike to the border and took bus to cross to Thailand and come back with the same bus.
Nothing much but a game of Holland vs Uruguay in the beer garden. Awsome game, we dress in orange and gone mad. Next day, German vs Spain.That was also fun.
Watched couple of movies in our hostel



Superchilled in 4000 islands (Don Det)
Its the islands on Mekong river. I don't remember exactly but I liked the description of Don det on lonely planet. Something like this “The life of Lao people is relaxed and loosed so time will pass slowly, although in Don Det, it is much slower like flow of the calm current of Mekong river. You can just spend the day with happy shake and smokes”.
Firstday, I had a bit of stomachache but I walked around the main land. We smoked whole afternoon and just hanging around our bungalow. Next day, we hired push bikes, went to see the waterfall. It was huuuuuge but prohibited to swim in there. Boring... There was a beach? Kind of... but yep we just lay down there for an hour. On the way we went through the exotic way with bamboo tunnel like. Was cool cycling day.I wanted stay there bit longer but it was just too quiet to see the final of the world cup. Yep, next day was the final of world cut game, Holland vs Spain. Didn't even have a big screen, so we left in a morning.

Perfect chilled time – North Thailand

Bangkok

Its the center and capital of the Thailand, huge, dirty and noisy place. The main tourist area is the Khau San Rd, the paradise street for all tourist, its called disney land for adults. And you will see lots of foreigners from everywhere and all different ages. If you walk this street you always will be asked that “Suits, tuktuk or pingpong show with your language before you tell them where you from. I wouldn't recommend but its worth to go pingpong show at least once. Its unbelievable.The main street is bit shit but around the city is quite nice. Lots of museums, site scene, awsome food and cheap massages are everywhere. The weekend market is also huge and cheap.

I did shopping. Went to some museum of history. Massage. Found so many awsome food. Drinking every night. It was alright.

ChangMai

This is a beautiful town surrounded by old squared fortification with river around. Everything was cheaper than everywhere in Thailand.There are fashionable clothing and arts like catering and accessories and people are very kind. Bit too quiet but nice little ally with some bars go crazy till dawn. Many temples are spread around the town.

I caught up with some friends from Tonsai beach and some people that I met on a bus to Chang Mai. Brian, Pat, Efan and Mal I met her in KhoTao, Ralph and Alex from Germany met on the bus. We been to a night market together. Drunk at the nights. Drove bikes around the town. And the world cup has started around this time, we watched some games in the food market sometimes.

Waterfalls were magnificent. One has restaurant near by, looks like a slum covered by plastic kind of seats made on river with old bamboo. It seemed is going to broke soon. Have to across with bamboo bridge but food and atmosphere was great. It was unique experience.

One of a night, I was sitting in front of a convenience store having a drink with my friend Ralph, then I found a girl that I met in Tonsai beach.We are like “ooOoohh”. She had 4 more girls in her group and we started drink on the road together. 5 minutes about later, three girls came up to me and they said they recognized me from Tonsai. I'm like, fuckin aye~, they got more people in their group and we are talking about how good is Tonsai beach is. And soon after more girls came up from nowhere. They asked me, whether I have been to Tonsai or not. I answered we all here have been to Tonsai. And they said, yeah, we know you because you are on a poster of a climbers shop. I'm like a fuckin aye!!! Suddenly, we got more than 20 people about having a drink on street for hours. Then we all went to a bar in the little ally. I was treated so nice by everyone. Dancing and jumping with lots of girls. Ralph was like wow how u do that?? I don't know, but I got greed. Kissed many girls and flirted with everyone, I missed out to be a gentle man and I wasn't good enough. Well, I was drunk.

Sunday market in this town is my best shopping day during my journey. Chiang Mai's art is awsome and everything is reasonably cheap. Bought a pair of Thai pants with unique design, a hut, a scarf, couple of shirts. And the food, best and cheapest fruit shakes. Ah~, at the night food market, couldn't stop eating. And I bought a little white acoustic guitar to travel with, I called her white bitch cause she can never be tuned. Its a bit of cunt but I lovin it.

Pai

Life of Pai is the one of my favorite time. Pai is a very small town with special atmosphere that can suck up your modern life style. Couple of bars and street food, awsome food market and cozy swimming pool.There is a river near and surrounded by the mountains with beautiful waterfalls.

I spread from the group and went up myself but I met a French girl. We started drink from the day time. In a bar people are just chill, as we walked in, they welcomed us. Most of people here actually do nothing but hanging around the bar. I just drunk and made some love. Next day, we went to swimming pool and just chilled in the bar. Another day, we just walked around and chilled. We went out to reggae bar. The little bar was really nice. Just about 10 people dancing in the small floor.

Dayfour, Efan and Alex came up then French girl left. I was too chilled so changed my mind and start to explore the village. We went up to waterfalls everyday and hot springs. All of the waterfalls are awsome. Huge, beautiful and chilled. We swam like kids. There were some locals came up, they were so cute. One of the waterfall was really far but it was worth to get there. Two and half hours about through the forest, some times there is no path at all so we have to walk on the river. Then the the waterfall. Amazing one. I had three more amazing adventure days in Pai.

With Efan, we went back to Chiang Mai for a day, head to Chiang Rai for a day and Chang Khong for a day. That was our way to cross the border to Lao.