Days 22 in SE Asia – How Quickly Beauty Can Turn to Squalor

Somewhere in the ghetto, skid row, downtown dumpsville, aka Vang Vieng, Laos: I left Luang Prabang on Thursday afternoon, headed for Vang Vieng. I now wished I hadn’t. I’d fallen in love with LP at first glance; a peaceful little gem nestled perfectly at the side of the Mekong, mountains protecting it on either side. … More Days 22 in SE Asia – How Quickly Beauty Can Turn to Squalor

Day 20 in South East Asia – Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls … ?

Luang Prabang, Laos: As with the lax attitudes of the Vietnamese people towards organisation, it became apparent that they probably operate in the same kind of way in Laos too. And sure enough, like clockwork, the complacent tuk-tuk driver we collared last night collected us from our respective hostels at 8am sharp and ferried us … More Day 20 in South East Asia – Don’t Go Chasing Waterfalls … ?

Days 16 and 17 – Dazed and Confused: Trekking in Spectacular Sapa

Sapa, Vietnam: On booking my two day-one night tour to Sapa, I had been told by my agent that the night bus would leave at 7:30pm, getting me in to Sapa at 6am ready to begin the trek at 8:30. It actually left Hanoi at 9:30pm. And it’s a good job too, as the driver … More Days 16 and 17 – Dazed and Confused: Trekking in Spectacular Sapa

Day 12 in SE Asia – For the Love of Air Conditioning!

Somewhere between heaven and a puddle of my own sweat, Vietnam: I spent most of today trying not to sweat. And failed miserably. With an overnight bus journey to Hanoi to board later that afternoon and with checkout from my homestay being at midday, I had roughly around five hours left to kill in Hue. … More Day 12 in SE Asia – For the Love of Air Conditioning!