Having set up this great blog, you may have reflected that the level of writing is high. It's been engaging, entertaining, informative, and regularly amusing. The reason for this is obvious, Christie does all the writing. So, I thought it was about time I gave you a couple words.
We've been lucky enough to enjoy a number of breaks around Vietnam since we've been here, but on a recent holiday we took the chance to explore the neighbouring countries a little. We are very grateful to have found this little working niche in the world, where we're able to take a 5 week break. It is appreciated, even more so having been caught in the 9 to 5 world back along.
So our trip took us to some of the major sites in Cambodia, and with time and distance being a factor, we opted just to lightly touch the southern part of Laos. I'll try to sum this up in chronological order without going on too much.
Arriving in Phnom Penh for Saigon folk like us was great. A pretty enough clean city with the looming excitement of a Devon contingent arriving. And so they did, full with jet lag and happy smiles. The doctors (namely me and Andy James) prescribed the only sensible jet lag cure, all day drinking in an unfamiliar climate. This set us off nicely for a holiday of culture, adventure, countryside, and beer.
The Khmer history was sour to our tastes, but undoubtedly an important message. We skipped away from this down to some seaside relaxation which was only tainted slightly by those blasted spiders camping out in bathrooms ready to sit there looking nasty and threatening. The sun was only slightly more friendly, but a few clouds was probably best for every ones Lilly white english skin.
Stepping in land just a bit we set up on the sides of a river in a rustic looking Cambodian town. Our host ran the hippest guest house maybe in all of Asia, and although it was excellent, maybe I'm too old for hip now.
Having raced motorbikes and paddled in sparkling nighttime river water, we made our way to the celebrated kings of the past, to the majestic complex of glorious Angkor. With some staged classical dancing and an attack of evil food bugs, the final reflection has to be a must for all people, everywhere. I love those temples and the locals have laid on real comfort for us spoilt westerners.
"Bye bye English friends" was our next step as Christie and I took our travel toward Laos. We saw some dolphins, enjoyed the hospitality of a gem of a local family and managed to get ripped off by the nicest horrible person I may have ever met. Having a cramped minibus boasting a population of village proportions, we set off east on hellish roads to find a trek in a jungle. And trek we did, plus much more. A beautiful volcanic lake framing paradise for us as we found stunning tree top accommodation to off set a hard night swinging in hammocks in a wet rain forest. Maybe the best so far.
Time, much like ambition, has a way to push you on, so that's what we did heading into Laos, and finding a tranquil beauty on some islands neatly sat in the Mekong starring back down to Cambodia. Once settled, there was a feeling that nothing should be done, and we should never leave. I only set foot on two, but those 1000 islands (or is it 4000? Maybe 100, I don't know, it was too special to remember names) are just about perfect.
Leaving perfection, with a quick town stop we headed a little north to pick up motorbikes and go off the beat and track into the unknown. Luckily, much like many an adventure, the route had been heavily tread and there was ample sustenance and support along our mammoth bike journey. It included everything I want in a good bike trip - mountains, caves, off road, mud traps, forests, corners, breaks, and rest stops, monks, home stays, nice food, odd food, life jackets and head lamps, views, friends, an end. Travelling out from Thakheak, Laos, anyone could manage this trip, and it would reward everyone.
So a night bus with some cowboy Vietnamese across the border to Hue marked the last stop. A lovely Vietnamese town it was too, and quiet enough to lull us slowly back into the Saigon madhouse before our 20 hour train journey back to home, and you'll be glad to know, work - yes, even us blessed couple have to don the cap of society and at least partially pay our way!
(this journey was completed with persistant positive vibes and thanks sent out to Dan and Matt Sim, and of course the parents of us humble explorers. Without you guys, we'd be sat in a call centre somewhere dreaming of 2 weeks in Spain. THANKS)
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