Lynette and I in front of the famous towers of the Bayon Temple.17-Dec-2009 04:41, Panasonic DMC-TZ6, 4.5, 4.1mm, 0.002 sec, ISO 80
We’d arrived back in Roof View Place, Bangkok, after our whistle stop tour of North Thailand to happily find our Vietnam and China visas nestled inside our waiting Passports, the ink still slightly damp. Excitingly, our next stop was the ruins of Angkor; more than one thousand temples spread over 3,000 square kilometres including the largest religious temple in the world, Angkor Wat itself. Interestingly, we’d decided to devote just a day to these magnificent ruins, and that to make life extra difficult we’d cycle the entire thing. Was this an exercise in sheer madness? Would the ancient ruins live up to their impossible fame? Would we even be allowed to cross the border? Continue reading Gallery: What? A Wat? In Angkor! Angkor Wat?!…
A friendly chap who spoke excellent English, not sure what his favourite colour was.03-Dec-2009 11:45, Panasonic DMC-TZ6, 3.8, 7.9mm, 0.04 sec, ISO 400
Our continuing route North (saving the sun and beaches for our return in a few months time) took us through Ayutthaya for a bit of ruined Wat exploration by bicycle, before a pit pause in the inevitable city stop of Chiang Mai, a place where experiencing almost any element of Thailand is possible. Back in the stride of things, and ready for our traditional first night bus of the country, we set off for the next two stops. Could we spend another day among ruins without falling asleep at the wheel? Would a Thai cookery course unlock great mysteries in the art of making a green curry? And where in Thailand can you find the best fish and chips around? Continue reading Gallery: Cycling Wat Ruins in Ayutthaya and Bashing in Chiang Mai!…
Lynette and I in front of Chakri Maha Prasat Hall.26-Nov-2009 09:23, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 20.0, 28.0mm, 0.02 sec, ISO 200
After the rib tickling gut punch from India and a growing rose tinted fondness for South America, we were looking immensely forward to Thailand. It heralded the start of our South East Asia journey, and we arrived with high hopes propped up by more recommendations that any other to date. Plus, we had timed our arrival to overlap with Dave and Emma’s departure, so with a bit of knowledge transfer, and beer, our arrival in Bangkok had the potential to be quite wonderful. Was the capital of Thailand just another big stinky city? Would the locals be pleased to see us? Just what do cockroaches taste like?
The awesome Virupaksha temple rearing up from the centre of Hampi town.11-Nov-2009 06:04, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 5.0, 38.0mm, ISO 800
Having escaped the threat of a torrential ten days in Goa, we arrived late afternoon in Hampi, a famed area chockablock with ruins and history, as well as being a chilled out spot that allegedly some find very difficult to leave. I expected swathes of dry desert liberally sprinkled with boulders; we actually found grass, palm trees, great bushes of flowers, and of course rocks and sand although this wasn’t immediately obvious as we arrived to blackened clouds, torrential downpour and no power to the whole town. From the relative safety of a candle lit roof top restaurant, only the occasional fit of lightning reminded us that if the world was coming to an end, it still existed for now. Did the deluge of water stop? Would our successful run of no Delhi belly continue? Would I eat something that didn’t involve a curry?
Lynette and I going for a Brucie Bonus.06-Nov-2009 13:58, Panasonic DMC-TZ6, 3.3, 4.1mm, 0.25 sec, ISO 400
After our first overnight bus in India, we arrived in Goa. Heading first for our chosen section of Goa in the South, Agonda, which the guidebook reliably told us had a hostel with Wifi, we found the hostel was undergoing renovation and there was absolutely nothing to see or do, including no other people. We quickly revised plans to go to Palolem, a slightly bigger area of Goa beside Agonda and hitched a taxi there. Would we find a hostel with wifi? Which film does Palolem beach appear in? Who is Polish nappy man? And NO MONUMENTS TO TALK ABOUT – YAY!
Another family who wanted a group photo with us involved, the situation completely spun on its head from other countries we have visited.31-Oct-2009 07:42, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 6.3, 28.0mm, 0.01 sec, ISO 800
After our marathon first twenty four hours in India, we pulled up in Jalgaon train station – our launch pad for the famous Ajanta caves, Buddhist monasteries carved out of the vertical rock face of a horse shoe shaped gorge. Thirsty for more, our next stop would be Aurangabad and the renowned Ellora caves, a fusion of over thirty Hindi, Buddhist and Jain caves signifying the religious harmony that has sporadically yet rarely in India’s history. They are both beautiful for different reasons, and represent something we hope to find more on the second leg of our travels; a completely different approach. Did we avoid getting fleeced by local touts? Were we victim to the notorious Delhi belly after our first Thali? Would the locals go as far as actually asking for our autograph?
On the basis that every time we ventured a bit further away we made the wrong fork decision, Señora Wayne was a worthwhile investment.11-Jul-2009 18:55, Canon Canon EOS 400D DIGIT, 11.0, 28.0mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 400
Introduction: Ecuador is one of only two countries in South America that doesn’t border Brazil, and thankfully is fairly easy to traverse due to its small size (80th in the world) – a welcome break after the marathon bus journeys of Columbia! Ecuador is famous for its geographical diversity with a huge variety of flora and fauna. We were on catch up after enjoying ourselves far too much in the previous countries and becoming a little behind schedule. Doesn’t sound like us. In total we spent sixteen days here, and it was yet another whirlwind tour with some amazing moments.
Also available for private parties and evening functions, but we’re booked up for a while.23-Jun-2009 04:51, Panasonic DMC-FX3, 2.8, 5.8mm, 0.033 sec, ISO 200
Introduction: Colombia is the 26th largest country in the world and bigger than France and Spain put together. Its history of drugs and violence has also put off many travellers (and nearly us), but on travelling through this amazing country it has become our favourite so far in South America. Named after Christopher Colombus, even though he’s never set a foot there, in the last few years it has increasingly opened to tourism and allowed backpackers to fully appreciate this great country.
Underwater there are only so many funny faces you can make!24-Jun-2009 02:29, SONY DSC-P8, 2.8, 6.0mm, 0.008 sec, ISO 100
We’ve spent the last week in Taganga, Colombia a small fishing village north of Santa Marta. We only meant to be here a couple of days but thankfully can sum up the whole week in one post – one of the main benefits here is that it is so chilled we could have stayed even longer! Plus… miracles happen… I can walk again! Its also one of the cheapest places in the world to try for your PADI Open Water, so we decided to give it a bash…
They are used to being fed – they’d never be this tame otherwise!25-May-2009 14:21, Panasonic DMC-FX3, 2.8, 5.8mm, 0.003 sec, ISO 100
Introduction: Brazil is the 5th largest country in both geographical and population size in the world. Its also the only one in the whole of South America that has to be that little different and speak Portuguese as opposed to Spanish. As its also the most expensive, we’d planned to use it almost purely as a landing stop and speed on up to check out the Amazon. As it turned out, neither of these things happened and we still managed to have a great time!
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