So, this is it! Tomorrow I say goodbye, aurevoir, adios to South East Asia. And what an 8 weeks it has been! I have travelled far and wide, to 4 different and fascinating countries.
The last 2 weeks I have spent at Elephant Nature Park... this was set up by a woman called Lek. She believes (and anyone with any sense of morality will do too) that they way they train elephants for domestic and tourism use is wrong. She showed us a film of the training process.. even if you're not an animal lover, it will bring tears to your eyes...it was simply shocking. I cannot describe it, just its inhumane torture to animal that is supposed to be a worshipped figure in Thailand. They train the elephants this way for all the tourism trekking, and so the park had no riding of elephants because obviously they come here for safety and no abuse etc.
So the people that were volunteering for two weeks got the oppurtunity for the first week to go and spend time with 3 different hill tribe villages. That week was amazing, really really amazing. It was full of jungle treks with free roaming elephants and their babies (one of the 3 sets of twins in the world, so we were very lucky)... spending time with the villagers, helping around the village, playing footy (I represented England very well!) chopping banana tree downs for the elephants... and eaitng yummy food! And also tackling the spiders...
We were on our first jungle trek, and there had been more than enoguh spiders running around for the last 3 hours. We got to one part where they were literally all around you, top, side to side, floor... everywhere. I turned around and said, no gotta find another way through. But obviously, there was no other way. At that point, I turned around to a french guy who i had known barely 24 hours, and said 'Either you give me a piggy-back through this section or i aint going anywhere.'... So bless him, he did... but not before I put on my sunglasses, and someone tied my Indiana Jones shirt around my head to act as a blindfold (they clicked that i actually was terrified!) I hopped onto this poor frenchmans back, and as he tookthe first step through the spider-land, i instantly just broke down and was hysterically crying for the 15 seconds it took to pass this area. (iwas wearing shorts and flipflops i was not spider-proof!) It was at this point where people were like 'oh, you actually have a phobia of spiders do you?' No, i just scream and cry for attention... cor!
the next week was spent at the park doing chores such as mucking out, sorting feed etc for elephants! Was another, though slightly slower, week. In it was my 19th birthday! I was sneaked out to Chiang Mai city and celebrated... iot was also Songkran, which is thai new year... just a massive 3 day water fight! So had to be careful! Got a cake from the park. was.. interesting...!
It was jut amazing at the park... you went to bed in these robinson crusoe style huts, and could hear the elephants right next to you (their shelter was next door!) ... they woke me up at5.30am everyday though..!
They are amazing animals, getting so close to them was an adrenaline rush everytime because they could so easily kill you, you have no chance whatsoever. the mahouts didnt even have any guns or controlling instruments! felt very lucky to spend thoes two weeks in such a way.
So now just sheltering from a very sudden end-of-the-world thunderstorm... when it rains here, it RAINS! you cant do anything, you have to just wait till it passes. I am doing my last bit of cheapo buying things here before new zealand... cant find any jeans though! grrrr.
Really cannot wait for NZ... as much as I have loved my time here, and will miss the cultural differences.. I just need a change of scenery and doing some sport. I miss horse riding and running so much, you have no idea. And cannot wait to skydive... get me in the plane NOW!!
Thats the hard part done though. New Zealand should be a doddle.... they speak ENGLISH!! hurrah!
Just over 24 hours left here... the rain is ceasing slightly... gonna get myself a SUBWAY! hhaha!!
Lots of McLovin'
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Monday, 18 April 2011
Saturday, 12 March 2011
Admitting defeat...
So I just spent a long while typing out a blog post for the internet only to go down so you're only gettting a short one!
Basically, Vietnam so far to me is very like the rest of what I have seen for the cities. Maybe I just dont appreciate cities? But outside the city is where I much prefer and much more enjoy.
Nha Trang in Vietnam was a lovely 2 days, chilling out on a lovely beach, boarding a very lively boat full of backpackers and a crazy Vietnamese guy!
But the last two days I have been struck down with you-know-what... and after having attempeted to walk around the old town in Hoi An this morning, I had to admit defeat and take another days rest in preperation for tomorrow (5 hour bus joruney and motorcyling) . I usuallyhate sitting still and doing nothing all day, but in this situation you gotta do what your body is telling you to, and its telling me to relax for a bit longer.
What is on my mind atm is the Olympic 2012 tickets!! I will have to be trying to get them on a Vietnamese internet connection! Wish me luck!! xx
Basically, Vietnam so far to me is very like the rest of what I have seen for the cities. Maybe I just dont appreciate cities? But outside the city is where I much prefer and much more enjoy.
Nha Trang in Vietnam was a lovely 2 days, chilling out on a lovely beach, boarding a very lively boat full of backpackers and a crazy Vietnamese guy!
But the last two days I have been struck down with you-know-what... and after having attempeted to walk around the old town in Hoi An this morning, I had to admit defeat and take another days rest in preperation for tomorrow (5 hour bus joruney and motorcyling) . I usuallyhate sitting still and doing nothing all day, but in this situation you gotta do what your body is telling you to, and its telling me to relax for a bit longer.
What is on my mind atm is the Olympic 2012 tickets!! I will have to be trying to get them on a Vietnamese internet connection! Wish me luck!! xx
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Beeping Bus
Yesterday had a 7 hour bus journey to Phon Phem... thank the LORD I had my iPod because the way that veichles let each other know if they want the person in front to move other so they can get past, is a beep from the horn. However, being in a bus, this happens EVERY 20 SECONDS. Can you imagine 7 hours of that?! but thankfully my ipod was loud enough!!
Had a nice meal when we arrived... though i am very surprised at how exspensive it is! am not doing too badly for vegetarian food, only one option for the whle thing... tryiing to avoid the fried foods atm because its just too much for my british stomach!
today when to russian market, grand palace and then the Genocide centres. Was amazing to onlty think that was 30 years ago.
gonig to the beach tomorrow for two days, gonna do a remote island trip so im exxcciittttttedddddd
xxxx
Had a nice meal when we arrived... though i am very surprised at how exspensive it is! am not doing too badly for vegetarian food, only one option for the whle thing... tryiing to avoid the fried foods atm because its just too much for my british stomach!
today when to russian market, grand palace and then the Genocide centres. Was amazing to onlty think that was 30 years ago.
gonig to the beach tomorrow for two days, gonna do a remote island trip so im exxcciittttttedddddd
xxxx
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Cam-BO-Dia
Ok for the 3rd and final time of attempting to post on this flipping connection.
In Cambodia now with my group of people... about 12 of us and lovely people. After a hot day of travelling arrived at our nice hotel and went out to the night market. much more able to cope with after bangkok.
today did Angor Wat, so so beautiful but thought i was gonna pass out with the heat... many of us were struggling.
tomorrow we move on, but all going so well so far, much happier than i was in bangkok!!
In Cambodia now with my group of people... about 12 of us and lovely people. After a hot day of travelling arrived at our nice hotel and went out to the night market. much more able to cope with after bangkok.
today did Angor Wat, so so beautiful but thought i was gonna pass out with the heat... many of us were struggling.
tomorrow we move on, but all going so well so far, much happier than i was in bangkok!!
Saturday, 26 February 2011
Sitting, Waiting, Wishing ....
....I was anywhere else but Bangkok.
Quite a negative way to start, ( but Hey, everyone loves a bit of drama!)
But putting it simply... it is not for the faint-hearted. I was excited to go exploring by myself yesterday, but by the evening I had had enough. The thought of spending another whole day in Bangkok possibly by myself the next day was really hard. I just had no interest in the city what-so-ever.
Woke up early (again) and after a psyching up session with the Ipod, I went down and had my first lot of Marmite on toast (yes, i brought my own pot!).
Thankfully though, a friend has missed his bus, so had to stay for another day. So we went out for some lunch... turned out to be a sight-seeing tour around but saw the backstreets of Bangkok, which actually was brilliant! It took us away from the intenseness of the city centre and just saw how people actually live.
So thankful I didnt have the spend the day alone. Woulda been a very, very, very low day if so.
The locals in Thailand are friendly as well. Forgot to mention that yesterday whilst just double checking where I was heading on my map, that an elderly man came over who spoke just about enough English, and helped me. He also helped me cross the roads to where I needed to go, and showed me a underground supermarket.. which i couldnt resist!
Anyone that has been on holiday with me knows I love nosing around foreign Supermarkets! They usually have such interesting looking food. But wasn't at all hungry so just stocked up on water (and chocolate milk heh heh!).
As far as Im concerned, this is just a stop-over place. Yeah, go out for a walk about and have a look at the temples if you want for a day or two (maximum!!) but it just is... not my cup of tea.
I just can't wait to get started on this tour tomorrow and really start seeing what South East Asia is about. Rather then being harassed every 5 steps...NO I DO NOT WANT A FRIGGING TUK TUK!!!
Getting a sweet tan though already! Hurrah!
Till next time...
Quite a negative way to start, ( but Hey, everyone loves a bit of drama!)
But putting it simply... it is not for the faint-hearted. I was excited to go exploring by myself yesterday, but by the evening I had had enough. The thought of spending another whole day in Bangkok possibly by myself the next day was really hard. I just had no interest in the city what-so-ever.
Woke up early (again) and after a psyching up session with the Ipod, I went down and had my first lot of Marmite on toast (yes, i brought my own pot!).
Thankfully though, a friend has missed his bus, so had to stay for another day. So we went out for some lunch... turned out to be a sight-seeing tour around but saw the backstreets of Bangkok, which actually was brilliant! It took us away from the intenseness of the city centre and just saw how people actually live.
So thankful I didnt have the spend the day alone. Woulda been a very, very, very low day if so.
The locals in Thailand are friendly as well. Forgot to mention that yesterday whilst just double checking where I was heading on my map, that an elderly man came over who spoke just about enough English, and helped me. He also helped me cross the roads to where I needed to go, and showed me a underground supermarket.. which i couldnt resist!
Anyone that has been on holiday with me knows I love nosing around foreign Supermarkets! They usually have such interesting looking food. But wasn't at all hungry so just stocked up on water (and chocolate milk heh heh!).
As far as Im concerned, this is just a stop-over place. Yeah, go out for a walk about and have a look at the temples if you want for a day or two (maximum!!) but it just is... not my cup of tea.
I just can't wait to get started on this tour tomorrow and really start seeing what South East Asia is about. Rather then being harassed every 5 steps...NO I DO NOT WANT A FRIGGING TUK TUK!!!
Getting a sweet tan though already! Hurrah!
Till next time...
Friday, 25 February 2011
Welcome to the Jungle
Feeling the need to acclmatise and get my bearings a little, I opted for a fairly relaxed day, aiming for a big park in the center of Bangkok called Lumpini. It was about a 15- 20 minute walk down a main road directly through the city centre. Simple I thought. Well yes, except the crossing the road part is actually suicidal. But I figured if I just wait until someone that looks like they know what they're doing comes along, Ill stick with them.
Anyway .
Woke up at 6.35am this morning even though we got into bed about 2.30am? But couldnt get back to sleep, so went down for my contiental breakfast for 2 english pounds. Boiled egg, banana, 2 toast, tea, juice and croissant. Not too bad really.
Then just gathered my maps, tour books and decided what to do. Someone we met in the foyer last night came over and sat down with his breakfast, helping me decide what to do.
Thats what I love about this whole thing so far. Travellers are instantly friends.. especially solo travellers. Me and the two other women (lily + carolyn) I went out for drinks last night are all solo, and so is Steven. I really think you miss out on something if you go with someone or a group of people. All they wanna do is share their experiences with everyone else. Another thing I have noticed is that they are so open and honest and incredibly easy to get on with. It deifnelty is going foot perfect as far as meeting people goes!
Theres a group of Americans and they just aren't social at all. Silly people.
It's such an incredibly relaxed atmosphere as well. I think the general jist of things is that everyone their own thing during the day, and the more social side of things is in the evening. For example we've all been individually wandering around various places in the city, but I said earlier that I wouldnt mind checking out the Sky Bar ( a bar on top of a sky scraper) at some point and so thats the plan for tonight! But it works so well like that. We've all gone travelling solo for our own reason, so I wouldnt really wanna attach myself to someone for a whole day anyway and im sure they wouldnt either!!
The city centre is just... surreal. It is a completely different world. From every direction there are sights and smells you have never experienced before... the food stalls are fasincating... the drinks are interesting. There is so so much to look at. It would take a huge effort to get bored in this city.
Anyway to sum it all up so far, I am having a better-than-possibly-expected first few days in this city.
Sawat-Dee
Anyway .
Woke up at 6.35am this morning even though we got into bed about 2.30am? But couldnt get back to sleep, so went down for my contiental breakfast for 2 english pounds. Boiled egg, banana, 2 toast, tea, juice and croissant. Not too bad really.
Then just gathered my maps, tour books and decided what to do. Someone we met in the foyer last night came over and sat down with his breakfast, helping me decide what to do.
Thats what I love about this whole thing so far. Travellers are instantly friends.. especially solo travellers. Me and the two other women (lily + carolyn) I went out for drinks last night are all solo, and so is Steven. I really think you miss out on something if you go with someone or a group of people. All they wanna do is share their experiences with everyone else. Another thing I have noticed is that they are so open and honest and incredibly easy to get on with. It deifnelty is going foot perfect as far as meeting people goes!
Theres a group of Americans and they just aren't social at all. Silly people.
It's such an incredibly relaxed atmosphere as well. I think the general jist of things is that everyone their own thing during the day, and the more social side of things is in the evening. For example we've all been individually wandering around various places in the city, but I said earlier that I wouldnt mind checking out the Sky Bar ( a bar on top of a sky scraper) at some point and so thats the plan for tonight! But it works so well like that. We've all gone travelling solo for our own reason, so I wouldnt really wanna attach myself to someone for a whole day anyway and im sure they wouldnt either!!
The city centre is just... surreal. It is a completely different world. From every direction there are sights and smells you have never experienced before... the food stalls are fasincating... the drinks are interesting. There is so so much to look at. It would take a huge effort to get bored in this city.
Anyway to sum it all up so far, I am having a better-than-possibly-expected first few days in this city.
Sawat-Dee
Monday, 21 February 2011
2 more sleeps to go...
means I have to make sure all the important stuff is done....
but the Marmite is already packed so I can relax now.
but the Marmite is already packed so I can relax now.
Tuesday, 15 February 2011
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