Back to Thailand to find Larisa

Larisa and I had taken 10 days travelling solo, as we both wanted to see some different places. She had to see Ankor Wat, and I had already been there. I had heard so many great things about the south of Laos. It was nice to take some time away, and reuniting is great. Laos has no pulse, but I can only handle that for no more then 10 days.

Yesterday I took the 20hr. bus/train/bus journey back into Thailand to one of my favorite places. Kanchanaburi, is only 2 hours from crazy Bangkok on the River Kwai. Yes from the movie. A river side room is $2.25 split between us. Today we visited the Erawen National Park for a hike to the seven waterfalls. Swimming all day, waiding in the pools, and jumping into the falls. Anyone coming to Thailand has to check this place out.

I also had a chance to play with a leapord for $3 as you can see it's pretty big, and a little scary, but still a baby only 7 months old.

Tommorrow the tiger temple. I will update you on that later. Yes we do get to play with the big ass tigers as well.

Laos, 4000 Islands

Who knew that a country with out any ocean surrounding it would have so many islands. The Mekong river is so big that there are tons of islands in the south. So chilled out, primative, They just got electricity in Nov. 09

Five relaxing days to take it easy before we come back home and get back to work on Mar. 1
Day 1 Boat tour down the Mekong to the waterfalls and see the dolphines.
Day 2 Pedal biking throught the countryside experiencing the life of the locals. In most places most still have to go to the well everyday for there water, and still using fires and candles to see at night.
Day 3 5 hours of Whitewater Kayaking through the rapids and along the river through Laos and into Cambodia. Close up and personal with the dolphines, and a trip to the biggest waterfalls in Asia.
Other then that we were lying in a hammock reading a good book, or sitting on the beach by the fire drinking the local whiskey. 1 big 26 oz. bottle for $1.15 Canadian.

Ho Chi Mhin City, Vietnam War

This city is crazy. There are over 3 million motorbikes weaving through the city completly random. Even the sidewalks are full of people weaving around those walking. Crossing the streets here is a true death wish. You just have to walk slowly with confidence (no hesitation) and they will move around you.

I also had a chance to fire 10 rounds of a M16 semi-automatic machine gun during our trip to the Chu Chi tunnels. These were small tunnels that the Vietkong used to hide from the US troops and because of there 10 meter depth also away from the random bombs dropped thoughout the country. They were made very small so only the Vietnamese could fit. We had a chance to dog walk on hands and knees through one of the 100 meter tunnels. I am small and I still had a real hard time.

Sand Dunes, Mui Nei

Wow this desert was quit amazing, but very very hot. Larisa wanted to turn around once we got out onto the hot sand, but I convinced here that we came all this way and couldn't turn around. It's really just tons of sand but we feel compelled to go check it out as we don't have anything like that at home.

Mui Ne, The Desert by the South China Sea

Today we decided to head to the small resort town Mui Ne. Yes it's all desert. The yellow sand, the white sand, the copper sand everywhere. Vietnam has been a surprise. Many travellers have talked about how mean the people are here, but we have really enjoyed most people, and the country and culture is so diverse from place to place. Tommorrow we will be heading for Saigon (Ho Chi Min) It looks like we will be able to watch the Olympics here. Unlike Thailand and many of the other SE Asia countries, Vietnam has alot of American TV.

Another week here in Vietnam and then I will be heading to the south of Laos and Larisa will be heading through Cambodia, up through Penong Pehn and up to Anchor Wat as we both make our way back to Bangkok for our flight home. See you all on March 1.

Dalat in the Mountains

We have found our way into wine and coffee country. Dalat has the most fertile growing conditions for everything, fruit, vegetables, coffee, grapes for wine, lush green grass. We had to try the local Dalat wine, although a tour of the local vinyards were not possible. $2.75 per bottle, or .75 per glass in the restaurants.

The coffee here is so strong, it actually has the density of surup. Two sips and you are wired for sound. So you will never guess what everyone drinks here? Weasel Shit Coffee. You guessed it the Weasels eat the coffee beans and.............. but it tastes very good.

Vancouver Steve and myself decided to try out Vietnam's No. 1 ranked golf course. "Dalat Palace", was in great shape but by no means competes with the best courses in North America.

We also had to check out the Crazy House, a local hotel designed by the Emperor's daughter.

Na Trang, Beachside Resort

Yes now it feels like we are back in the year 2010. Nice beaches, hot weather, but nothing with any cultural feel. We did enjoy a day at Vietnam's idea of Disneyland, "Vinepearland." The waterpark was great and we did also take a ride on the worlds longest over the ocean gondola over 7km.

200 Year Old Hoi An, Vietnam

Here we are in one of the only places that was not demolished in the Vietnam War. Hoi An is a small town on the river that still has all the old style buildings from over 200 years ago. This place feels like it has much of it's culture still in tack from 50-100 years ago. We did get stuck here however as they have hundreds of great cheap taylor's. I picked up 5 pairs of fitted dress pants for $65 and a fitted suit for $48.