The Joy of Travel

3963015665_4e7bdd1473_o.jpgReminiscences from another continent

11. Trang

12. Krabi

30/12/02: Bus to Krabi Town; book into Chao Fah; eat at Pizza Firenze; drink at Old Western Bar with a guy called Egg; nightcap at O’Malleys Bar. 31/...

1. Bangkok

Bangkok is a beast of a city.

2. Still in Bangkok

Never get in the Tuk Tuk – too goddam right.

3. Hua Hin: the King's Retreat

Hua Hin - or should that be 'Berlin-on-Sea'.
Cherry

4. Prachuap Khiri Khan & Chumphon

There is nothing to do in the town of Prachuap Khiri Khan except get drunk
Cherry

5. Surat Thani

Surat Thani is a return to the polluted, ravaged mindset that was Bangkok, but without the sense of fun

7. Haad Yao

Down-time in Had Yao.

6. Haad Rin

I liked the port at Koh Phangan – Thong Sala. I don’t know why but I did. It isn’t indicative of life anywhere else on the island, or even what you...

8. Samui

14/12/02: Get boat to Koh Samui; get pick-up truck to Lamai, in the rain, to find accommodation; go to town, back for food; return to town and make...

9. Mae Nam

13. Ao Nang

Our songthaew must have come from somewhere else, possibly Krabi’s coach station where we were dropped off a few days earlier. Once again, my...

14. Back to Bangkok

06/01/03: Hungover – arise late; check out; kill the day carting our impedimenta around town and occupying cafés, drinking coffee and pop, and eating...

14. Back to Bangkok (continued)

I am glad when our cab deposits us at the end of the Khao San Road. I’m not used to this level of activity in this sort of weather and in this kind...

15. Vientiane

11/01/03: Wally’s; check out of hotel; walk down by the river; write postcards over a cup of tea and a can of Mirinda; inspect emails; Wally’s for...

16. Vang Vieng

15/01/03: Scandinavian Bakery; go to catch bus but end up getting a songthaew with Al, L, a well-off Israeli and two girls from Halifax; book into...

17. Luang Prabang

21/01/03: Colleague still ill; miss early bus to Vang Vieng; get later bus to Vang Vieng, which takes seven hours; book into French place; try yellow...

17. Luang Prabang (Continued)

Later that evening a large group of us (the same who I had spent the day with, plus Yam and Samya – a double act who were slowly creepy up the bill)...

18. Nong Kai

29/01/03: Catch the midday bus to Vientiane and pick up passports; cross the border into Nong Kai and book into Mut Mee Guesthouse; to a bar with L...

19. And Bangkok Again

01/02/03: Arrive and scramble off to the Khao San Palace; check emails; Wally’s for breakfast; coffee at random café with colleague, L, O and the...

20. Koh Chang

03/02/03: Minibus to Koh Chang, with a stop-off at motorway services on the way, with colleague, L, ‘A’ and F – Welsh L & K to follow; book into...

20. Koh Chang (Continued)

I have found an establishment that can cater for my hangovers. Up until now I have been ignoring L when she knocks on our door at 10.00, pausing for...

21. Koh Kong and Sihanoukville

The tragedy of Cambodia's infamous past is that it was a result of outside forces, compounded by weak leadership, which permitted the atrocities of...

22. Kampot

13/02/03: Breakfast at Sunset Restaurant; minibus to Kampot; book into Mealy Chenda Guesthouse; O is there! 14/02/03: O leaves; Bokor National Park...

23. Phnom Penh

15/02/03: Taxi to Phnom Penh; book into Last Home; go for a drink at the Foreign Correspondent’s Club with O and colleague; eat and drink with all...

23. Phnom Penh (Continued)

How much time has to pass before the testament of horror can be reclassified as entertainment? When does viewing the detritus of internment, torture...

24. Siem Reap

20/02/03: Boat to Siem Reap; book into Victory Guesthouse; go for walk with O and colleague – stop for drinks at Red Piano and Green Garden; find the...

24. Siem Reap (Continued)

The next day is far more productive. My colleague, O and I take another trip into the town, but find the local market this time, where I finally find...