It's been a most excellent trip and thanks very much for joining me.
Until the next time, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu....
I'll leave you with a few images that didn't make the blog...
(Although, clearly they have now....)
Thursday 5 March 2015
Journey's end
Well, blog mates, it's time to drop anchor and say goodbye.
It's been a most excellent trip and thanks very much for joining me.
Until the next time, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu....
I'll leave you with a few images that didn't make the blog...
(Although, clearly they have now....)
It's been a most excellent trip and thanks very much for joining me.
Until the next time, so long, farewell, auf wiedersehn, adieu....
I'll leave you with a few images that didn't make the blog...
(Although, clearly they have now....)
Singa-not-so-porn
I feel that I may have misled you somewhat with regards to Singapore, mates.
Whilst it's true that we are currently living on Knocking Shop Lane, the rest of the city has lots of interesting things to offer. Here's a selection:
WARNING: may contain temple images..
Whilst it's true that we are currently living on Knocking Shop Lane, the rest of the city has lots of interesting things to offer. Here's a selection:
WARNING: may contain temple images..
Monday 2 March 2015
The wanderer returns...
Well, JB's back safely, (although he has a strangely haunted look ).
The reason for his long absence was obvious, once he'd explained. It seems that he took a wrong turn and got locked in a lavatory for several hours....
Given the state of his gammy knee and dodgy back, and the fact that I know for certain that he only had three dollars on him when he left, I'm inclined to believe him.
The reason for his long absence was obvious, once he'd explained. It seems that he took a wrong turn and got locked in a lavatory for several hours....
Given the state of his gammy knee and dodgy back, and the fact that I know for certain that he only had three dollars on him when he left, I'm inclined to believe him.
Sunday 1 March 2015
Foreign pie news
Unknown green vegetable & possibly scrambled egg pasty. (Singapore)
Pastry quite good. Not too flaky. Pleasantly low on lard content.
Filling was some type of green vegetable, possibly cabbage, possibly river weeds, combined with a substance that may or may not have been scrambled egg.
An unholy coupling, you may think (and you'd be right) but nevertheless it worked.
A tasty treat, and full marks to the opium raddled chef that dreamt it up.
Pastry quite good. Not too flaky. Pleasantly low on lard content.
Filling was some type of green vegetable, possibly cabbage, possibly river weeds, combined with a substance that may or may not have been scrambled egg.
An unholy coupling, you may think (and you'd be right) but nevertheless it worked.
A tasty treat, and full marks to the opium raddled chef that dreamt it up.
Singa-porn
And so we've arrived in Singapore.A place much vaunted for its cleanliness. ( chewing gum is prohibited, and rightly so).
And it is indeed very clean and well ordered. The Switzerland of the East, you might say. Only without the Alps etc. Obviously.
But wait:
There's a tradition in South East Asia to lump all the shops selling one type of product in the same street, thus you might get pet shop street, or shoe shop street. I've even seen coffin makers street...
It appears that our hotel here in Singapore (lovely interior, comfy bed) is, in fact, situated in (and there's no way to be delicate about this) brothel street.
Our hotel apart, every other building has the legendary red lighting and cast of semi-clad nymphettes outside. Some of them even have queues of customers....
Even the roadside hawkers ( usually selling nothing more offensive than a souvenir t-shirt ) are flogging Viagra and all manner of battery operated gizmos.
Plucky JB volunteered to go and investigate what was going on.
That was several hours ago now mates, and I'm afraid we must consider him lost, but hopefully not in action.....
And it is indeed very clean and well ordered. The Switzerland of the East, you might say. Only without the Alps etc. Obviously.
But wait:
There's a tradition in South East Asia to lump all the shops selling one type of product in the same street, thus you might get pet shop street, or shoe shop street. I've even seen coffin makers street...
It appears that our hotel here in Singapore (lovely interior, comfy bed) is, in fact, situated in (and there's no way to be delicate about this) brothel street.
Our hotel apart, every other building has the legendary red lighting and cast of semi-clad nymphettes outside. Some of them even have queues of customers....
Even the roadside hawkers ( usually selling nothing more offensive than a souvenir t-shirt ) are flogging Viagra and all manner of battery operated gizmos.
Plucky JB volunteered to go and investigate what was going on.
That was several hours ago now mates, and I'm afraid we must consider him lost, but hopefully not in action.....
Friday 27 February 2015
Bako foiled
We keep seeing advertisements for Bako National Park. A tropical paradise of a place where you can get close to nature, enjoy a swim in the sea and relax on the pleasant beaches. Here's the poster.
Now, as you know, we have unfinished business with the big nosed monkeys, and the chance to get up close and personal seemed too good to miss.
And so we set off this morning, via a school bus and a buttock-punishing speedboat, keeping a close watch for any love struck warrior intent on bagging my bonce.
On arrival, we were informed that it was too dangerous to swim in the sea due to "marine stingers", and the best beach was closed owing to a sighting of a crocodile.....
Undeterred, (well a bit deterred), we struck out along the jungle trail, waiting to bump into some wildlife.
I saw some crabs, and a monitor lizard (small), but no sign of the big conks, or anything else on the poster come to that.
The trail ended at a crocodile free beach, which was actually very nice.
JB tried climbing some rocks in order to entice the monkeys out of hiding. World this entice you??
Now, as you know, we have unfinished business with the big nosed monkeys, and the chance to get up close and personal seemed too good to miss.
And so we set off this morning, via a school bus and a buttock-punishing speedboat, keeping a close watch for any love struck warrior intent on bagging my bonce.
On arrival, we were informed that it was too dangerous to swim in the sea due to "marine stingers", and the best beach was closed owing to a sighting of a crocodile.....
Undeterred, (well a bit deterred), we struck out along the jungle trail, waiting to bump into some wildlife.
I saw some crabs, and a monitor lizard (small), but no sign of the big conks, or anything else on the poster come to that.
The trail ended at a crocodile free beach, which was actually very nice.
JB tried climbing some rocks in order to entice the monkeys out of hiding. World this entice you??
Well, whether it would entice you or not, the fact is, it worked!! On the way back to the boat we saw a troop of about 5 of the beasts, but in a manner that is becoming depressingly familiar to me, as soon as I got my camera out, they turned round and presented me with their rear ends. I'm not going to dignify it with a picture.
I don't know how David Attenborough puts up with it......
JB's Secret Shame
It's widely accepted across the globe that bon viveur, JB is something of a liver abuser.
I personally have never met anyone with a finer tuned ability to seek out beer.
However, brace yourselves. It would appear that he has been leading a double life.
I found this bottle on open sale today in the local grocers.....
Oh how the mighty are fallen.....
I personally have never met anyone with a finer tuned ability to seek out beer.
However, brace yourselves. It would appear that he has been leading a double life.
I found this bottle on open sale today in the local grocers.....
Oh how the mighty are fallen.....
Thursday 26 February 2015
Keep your head
We've had time to settle in to Kuching and to do a bit of exploring.
And I've discovered some pretty shocking stuff, blogmates.
It seems that this area was once (and possibly still is ) inhabited by headhunters.
In times gone by, when your average Iban warrior wanted to propose to the young lady of his choice, there was none of this nipping down to H.Samuels for a ring.
No mates, the accepted form of prenuptial love token was a severed head. (Oh the romance of it all....)
After the wedding, the skull was hung up in the house for good luck (although it hadn't been very lucky for the victim.....)
All of which may go some way to explaining why JB is still unmarried, decapitation being illegal in the UK.
And I've discovered some pretty shocking stuff, blogmates.
It seems that this area was once (and possibly still is ) inhabited by headhunters.
In times gone by, when your average Iban warrior wanted to propose to the young lady of his choice, there was none of this nipping down to H.Samuels for a ring.
No mates, the accepted form of prenuptial love token was a severed head. (Oh the romance of it all....)
After the wedding, the skull was hung up in the house for good luck (although it hadn't been very lucky for the victim.....)
All of which may go some way to explaining why JB is still unmarried, decapitation being illegal in the UK.
Wednesday 25 February 2015
Ker-ching! We've hit the jackpot!!
Still in Borneo, (3rd largest island In the world, don't you know), but we've waved goodbye to Sabah and are now in Sarawak.
Kuching, to be precise.
It's a delightful place. We're staying in a hotel on the waterfront (no sign of Marlon Brando.....), with views out over the river. It's a bit like Chester, but foreign....
And the best thing about it, blog mates, is that is stuffed full of temples! Let the good times roll!!
Here's a couple of pics to whet your appetite. (More to follow, unless you can raise the necessary cash....)
Remember, your donation could make the difference.....
Tuesday 24 February 2015
Spot the monkey
Today we signed up for a trip that promised unrivalled views of proboscis monkeys ( that's big nosed to you and me), and fireflies.
We set out in our sturdy boat.
The monkeys were somewhat shyer than we'd been led to believe....
Here's a picture with a monkey in it. If you can correctly spot the monkey, you will be entered into a draw. The winner will receive some bananas each month, until we lose interest.
Good luck.
Once we'd completed the exciting monkey challenge, we were forced to visit a derelict strip of beach to watch yet another sunset, this time over the South China Sea.
I'm only including this pic because we had to endure it and I see no reason why you shouldn't, too.
Sunset over, ( ho hum), It was back into the boat to view the fireflies. I have to say it was breathtaking. They pulsed on and off in the trees in a quite lovely fashion.
We set out in our sturdy boat.
The monkeys were somewhat shyer than we'd been led to believe....
Here's a picture with a monkey in it. If you can correctly spot the monkey, you will be entered into a draw. The winner will receive some bananas each month, until we lose interest.
Good luck.
Once we'd completed the exciting monkey challenge, we were forced to visit a derelict strip of beach to watch yet another sunset, this time over the South China Sea.
I'm only including this pic because we had to endure it and I see no reason why you shouldn't, too.
Sunset over, ( ho hum), It was back into the boat to view the fireflies. I have to say it was breathtaking. They pulsed on and off in the trees in a quite lovely fashion.
This picture appears to have been taken in the "off" phase. ....
Monday 23 February 2015
Temples: an apology
Those of you who are especially keen on viewing foreign temples (and I know you are many ) may be asking yourselves when will we see some of Borneo's finest?
The answer is simple, mates. Kinabalu was almost completely destroyed following 2 bombing raids in WW 2, intended to repel the Japanese ( that's right. So good they bombed it twice.....)
The result is that almost no building is now more than 65 years old, and certainly no temples worth reporting on......
sorry.....
The answer is simple, mates. Kinabalu was almost completely destroyed following 2 bombing raids in WW 2, intended to repel the Japanese ( that's right. So good they bombed it twice.....)
The result is that almost no building is now more than 65 years old, and certainly no temples worth reporting on......
sorry.....
Sunday 22 February 2015
Two go wild in Borneo
Welcome to Borneo mates. We're in Sabah, more specifically, we're in Kota Kinabalu, home to the mountain of the same name. Standing at over 4100m, it can be seen from anywhere in town.
Luckily, JB has already climbed it, so I don't have to.
Instead we chose to visit a wetlands Park (mangrove swamp) which promised sightings of birds too numerous to count.
I forked out for some binoculars and set off. I only saw two birds, mates. One that looked like a robin with a fake beak tied on, and a heron. And I didn't need the binos to see either one. ....
On the plus side, I did see some crabs, mud skippers, and best of all, two skinks (think lizard., but blacker), who were having a titanic scrap down in the mud.
Isn't nature wonderful........
Luckily, JB has already climbed it, so I don't have to.
Instead we chose to visit a wetlands Park (mangrove swamp) which promised sightings of birds too numerous to count.
I forked out for some binoculars and set off. I only saw two birds, mates. One that looked like a robin with a fake beak tied on, and a heron. And I didn't need the binos to see either one. ....
On the plus side, I did see some crabs, mud skippers, and best of all, two skinks (think lizard., but blacker), who were having a titanic scrap down in the mud.
Isn't nature wonderful........
Thursday 19 February 2015
Foreign pie news
Chicken Pie. (Kuala Lumpur airport)
Not a bad effort. Could be improved by the addition of some chicken.
JB claims to have had some carrot and what the hopes was a pea in his.
Blueberry pie. (Kuala Lumpur airport)
Showed promise initially, shortcrust pastry and lattice work on top. However, the complete absence of anything resembling a blueberry In the filling let it down somewhat.
The Baker had also caught on to the idea of pie and custard. Unfortunately he chose to put the custard INSIDE the pie. And it wasn't strictly custard....
Still, two pies in an afternoon. We're on a roll......
Not a bad effort. Could be improved by the addition of some chicken.
JB claims to have had some carrot and what the hopes was a pea in his.
Blueberry pie. (Kuala Lumpur airport)
Showed promise initially, shortcrust pastry and lattice work on top. However, the complete absence of anything resembling a blueberry In the filling let it down somewhat.
The Baker had also caught on to the idea of pie and custard. Unfortunately he chose to put the custard INSIDE the pie. And it wasn't strictly custard....
Still, two pies in an afternoon. We're on a roll......
Wednesday 18 February 2015
Cave Rave
Today we caught the train to Batu Caves. A complex of, as the name suggests, caves.
But not any old caves, blog mates. No, these are a series of enormous caves that have been taken over by Hindus and turned into temples.
How to describe the scene?
It was a bit like the River Cave Ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, only much,much bigger and of huge religious significance to Hindus.
So not like the River Caves at all then.....
At one point, I began to seriously wonder about that mushroom omelette I had last night.....
View the evidence and make up your own minds....
But not any old caves, blog mates. No, these are a series of enormous caves that have been taken over by Hindus and turned into temples.
How to describe the scene?
It was a bit like the River Cave Ride at Blackpool Pleasure Beach, only much,much bigger and of huge religious significance to Hindus.
So not like the River Caves at all then.....
At one point, I began to seriously wonder about that mushroom omelette I had last night.....
View the evidence and make up your own minds....
Tuesday 17 February 2015
City Break
Good evening, blog mates, from steamy Kuala Lumpur, where JB and I have sneaked off for a short city break.
It's very,very busy. Lots of traffic and drynoise. ( I'd probably go as far as to say it's busier than Bury on market day....)
We've spent the day sightseeing. Temples of all denominations ( and yes, I'm afraid that there are pics coming up), riding the monorail, dodging the traffic, and generally soaking up the atmosphere.
The highlight of the day for me was a visit to a Hindu Temple where a service was in full swing, with a heavy emphasis on the swing.
The resident temple band were out in full force, belting out a jazz based number that wouldn't have been out of place at Ronnie Scott's club....
Anyway, here's a selection of the best of the day.
And here's one that probably isn't endorsed by the Malaysian tourist board.....
It's very,very busy. Lots of traffic and drynoise. ( I'd probably go as far as to say it's busier than Bury on market day....)
We've spent the day sightseeing. Temples of all denominations ( and yes, I'm afraid that there are pics coming up), riding the monorail, dodging the traffic, and generally soaking up the atmosphere.
The highlight of the day for me was a visit to a Hindu Temple where a service was in full swing, with a heavy emphasis on the swing.
The resident temple band were out in full force, belting out a jazz based number that wouldn't have been out of place at Ronnie Scott's club....
Anyway, here's a selection of the best of the day.
And here's one that probably isn't endorsed by the Malaysian tourist board.....
foreign pie news
Mini mushroom pie (Kuala Lumpur)
Coming as it does after the enforced pie famine of this trip, this was a most welcome find.
Filling quite good, (though a bit sparse on the mushroom front really) .
Pastry disappointing. Too thick, and a bit heavy handed on the butter/lard component.
Still, it was a pie......... (sort of )
Coming as it does after the enforced pie famine of this trip, this was a most welcome find.
Filling quite good, (though a bit sparse on the mushroom front really) .
Pastry disappointing. Too thick, and a bit heavy handed on the butter/lard component.
Still, it was a pie......... (sort of )
Sunday 15 February 2015
Daylight robbery
Today, JB and I became yet another statistic in Thailand's roll call of crime....
We were minding our own business, enjoying an afternoon's climbing, when we were mugged by a monkey.
The kleptomaniac beast made off with a bag containing our day's ration of pineapple and also, more upsettingly, a box of green curry flavoured cookies, which had formed part of JB's valentine's day gift. ( And before you judge me too harshly, there weren't that many options and the petrol stations were all shut.....)
JB gamely gave chase and managed to retrieve the cookies, but the pineapple was gone....
I won't pretend that we haven't been affected by this crime. Some of you will know that we suffered similarly at the paws of a badger last Summer.
Enough is enough. Tomorrow we leave for Kuala Lumpur, where (we hope) people can enjoy pineapples unmolested.....
We were minding our own business, enjoying an afternoon's climbing, when we were mugged by a monkey.
The kleptomaniac beast made off with a bag containing our day's ration of pineapple and also, more upsettingly, a box of green curry flavoured cookies, which had formed part of JB's valentine's day gift. ( And before you judge me too harshly, there weren't that many options and the petrol stations were all shut.....)
JB gamely gave chase and managed to retrieve the cookies, but the pineapple was gone....
I won't pretend that we haven't been affected by this crime. Some of you will know that we suffered similarly at the paws of a badger last Summer.
Enough is enough. Tomorrow we leave for Kuala Lumpur, where (we hope) people can enjoy pineapples unmolested.....
Wednesday 11 February 2015
Jaundice update
I just want to clarify that when I mentioned JB's jaundiced eye in the previous post, it was, of course just a turn of phrase. Worried readers can rest assured that JB's liver is still in top top condition.
Despite his best efforts......
Despite his best efforts......
Tuesday 10 February 2015
Purple Phi Phi
Listen up, blog mates. The Red Cross DO NOT make emergency pie drops. Nor do they take kindly to you phoning them to ask where your meat pie is.........
Lesson learned there, I think.....
No matter, I hit upon the idea substituting the humble samosa for the pie, (a poor substitute at best, I agree) with the result that we regained enough strength to move on to our next location.
And so we set sail from Ao Nang for Phi Phi. (Unfortunately, we hit rush hour, as you can see. ....)
Eventually, we managed to ease our way out, and after an uneventful couple of hours at sea ( no pirates, no kraken) we arrived at the delightful Island of Phi Phi.
We're currently holed up in a fairly ritzy resort (swimming pool, private beach...), although the effect was somewhat ruined by JB, who, casting a world weary and jaundiced eye around declared that " it's like a technicolour Butlins"....
Butlins or Prince's purple hideaway?
You decide.
Wednesday 4 February 2015
Down and out in Ao Nang
And it can't be Weils disease, Lord knows we've seen very few rats...
I suspect that we are suffering from severe pie deficiency. This scourge of the Tropics has felled many an intrepid traveller.
There is no cure (other than a well crafted pie, obviously).
We've resigned ourselves to resting on the beach and keeping hydrated. However, as we don't trust the water supply,we're having to make do with gin while we wait for the Red Cross to drop a Ginsters pasty or two....
Here's the view from our sick room.
The sun also sets.....
Welcome back to Thailand, fellow adventurers. We find ourselves in the lovely beachside setting of Ao Nang.
Having left the Mighty Mekong behind us, I was somewhat concerned about how the sun would be able to set.
I needn't have worried. The sun also sets over the Andaman Sea....
Having left the Mighty Mekong behind us, I was somewhat concerned about how the sun would be able to set.
I needn't have worried. The sun also sets over the Andaman Sea....
danger UXB
Well mates, we've shaken the not inconsiderable dust of Laos from our trotters (and believe me, there was a whole lot of shaking going on....)
But before we move on to our next adventure, I want to share something that I've discovered about Laos.
Between 1964 & 1973, the Americans,in order to aid their efforts in Vietnam, launched a "secret war" against Laos. They dropped an estimated 2 million tons of bombs on the country,one payload every 8 minutes, apparently. Quite how this was a secret war is beyond me. You'd think someone would have complained about the noise.....
Worse still, only about 30% of the bombs actually went off, meaning that there's still an awful lot of unexploded stuff out there ...
Subsequently, the US government made a payment to Laos to help them rebuild their runway which was inexplicably full of craters.
The Laos government took the money zand used it to build a replica of the Arc De Triomphe, known locally as the Victory arch or the vertical runway, depending on which side of the fence you're on.
No wonder is so dusty........
But before we move on to our next adventure, I want to share something that I've discovered about Laos.
Between 1964 & 1973, the Americans,in order to aid their efforts in Vietnam, launched a "secret war" against Laos. They dropped an estimated 2 million tons of bombs on the country,one payload every 8 minutes, apparently. Quite how this was a secret war is beyond me. You'd think someone would have complained about the noise.....
Worse still, only about 30% of the bombs actually went off, meaning that there's still an awful lot of unexploded stuff out there ...
Subsequently, the US government made a payment to Laos to help them rebuild their runway which was inexplicably full of craters.
The Laos government took the money zand used it to build a replica of the Arc De Triomphe, known locally as the Victory arch or the vertical runway, depending on which side of the fence you're on.
No wonder is so dusty........
Thursday 29 January 2015
caves'n'images
Come back in time with me blog mates. Back some 300 years or so, to when an itinerant Laos farmer, fancying bat fricassee for tea, followed the creatures into a cave.
Imagine his surprise on entering to discover it was stuffed full, not with bats, but with Buddhas! And so the wonder that is Buddha Cave was created.
Imagine OUR surprise, then, having stumped up the cash to view this marvel , to discover a family of three sitting in there having their lunch! I'm not sure why they were there, my grasp of the Laos language is shaky at best, and I don't know what they were eating, but it didn't look like bat fricassee.
You're probably wondering about those 300 Buddhas. Well, photography wasn't allowed inside the cave. (I'm not surprised, given the quality of Buddhas on offer, not to mention the picnickers.)
However, by way of compensation, here's a pic of JB whacking a ceremonial gong.
Appetites whetted by the Buddha Cave experience, we went on to visit Elephant Cave in the afternoon.
This cave WAS stuffed with bats (if only that farmer had known....) and also contained a strange selection of statues that defy even my powers of description.
So here are some pics. ..
While we're talking about shrines, I've seen quite a few around and about that appear to be in honour of Nannas. I wholeheartedly approve of this, and am currently seeking an import license for Werthers Originals....
Wednesday 28 January 2015
A question of balance
In order to redress the balance, I offer the following pics of local scenery.
(This is the sort of thing you have to climb on)
Here's one of the Tha Khaek shopping mall....
And finally, in a break with tradition, here's a picture of the mighty Mekong AFTER the sun has set.......
.. ( with a shiny boat thrown in for good measure.)
Tuesday 27 January 2015
ooh heck it's Tha Khaek. .....
After a brief overnight stay in the capital, Vientiane, ( a cultured and somewhat sophisticated city: Needless to say, JB and I fitted in perfectly) where we watched the sun set over the mighty Mekong, again(!!), (apparently, it's a nightly phenomenon....) We set out on the 6 hour bus journey to Tha Khaek.
Some people might describe Tha Khaek as a one horse town. Those people would would probably be:
a) overly generous, and
b) have a strong grudge against horses.
So, why are we here?
Well, about 13k outside town is the most spectacular scenery. Lots of big limestone karsts, semi hidden in jungle ( some of which I'm told can be climbed.....), deep mysterious caves and underground rivers. ( It's Gollum country and no mistake.....)
Also, our hotel supplies free nightly cocktails.....
Oh, and it's on the Mekong, so we can watch the sun set over the.......(yawn,yawn.....)
Some people might describe Tha Khaek as a one horse town. Those people would would probably be:
a) overly generous, and
b) have a strong grudge against horses.
So, why are we here?
Well, about 13k outside town is the most spectacular scenery. Lots of big limestone karsts, semi hidden in jungle ( some of which I'm told can be climbed.....), deep mysterious caves and underground rivers. ( It's Gollum country and no mistake.....)
Also, our hotel supplies free nightly cocktails.....
Oh, and it's on the Mekong, so we can watch the sun set over the.......(yawn,yawn.....)
Saturday 24 January 2015
Pest watch
Cockroaches 14
Rats (still) 3
Who knows where the pests are in Laos?
Maybe the dust keeps them down.....
Rats (still) 3
Who knows where the pests are in Laos?
Maybe the dust keeps them down.....
Dust and heat
A very warm welcome to Veng Viang, blog mates. It's a lovely place, if a little dusty. It's the kind of place that ambitious dust comes to in order to really learn its trade.
However, it has got some stunning scenery. Here's the view from our hotel room.
The place is full of bright young things (and quite a few not so bright, if I'm honest) jamming their rear ends into dusty inner tubes and floating down the river. It's a shortcut to haemorrhoids and no mistake....
Here's a picture of the river ( mercifully free of tubular youth)
What with all this partying going on, it was inevitable that at some point, even we would be offered drugs for sale. Regular readers will be well aware that I always keep a couple of medicated corn plasters about my person, so I reckoned I had the drugs scene covered, and politely declined.
Did I mention the dust????
However, it has got some stunning scenery. Here's the view from our hotel room.
The place is full of bright young things (and quite a few not so bright, if I'm honest) jamming their rear ends into dusty inner tubes and floating down the river. It's a shortcut to haemorrhoids and no mistake....
Here's a picture of the river ( mercifully free of tubular youth)
What with all this partying going on, it was inevitable that at some point, even we would be offered drugs for sale. Regular readers will be well aware that I always keep a couple of medicated corn plasters about my person, so I reckoned I had the drugs scene covered, and politely declined.
Did I mention the dust????
Thursday 22 January 2015
Roadside carnage!!
We set off on a minibus over the steep mountain roads to the aforementioned Vang Vieng. Halfway up one of the steepest sections, we came upon a BeerLao delivery truck that had shed its load!
(BeerLao, for the uninitiated, is Laos finest, well only, if I'm honest, beer....)
There must have been at least thirty crates strewn across the road, their precious cargo lost.
I would have supplied a photo, but JB collapsed when confronted with such senseless waste, and I had to revive him.
A black day indeed....
Onward and Upward
We've decided to move on to Vang Vieng , a place slightly further south, famed for its tubing and allegedly Party Central.(Although I think my invite must still be in the post.....)
I wasn't all that sad to leave Luang Prabang. It's a nice enough place, slightly faded glamour, lots of Buddhist monks, and the Mekong running through it.
A bit like Ulverston, really. But without the Mekong....
I wasn't all that sad to leave Luang Prabang. It's a nice enough place, slightly faded glamour, lots of Buddhist monks, and the Mekong running through it.
A bit like Ulverston, really. But without the Mekong....
Tuesday 20 January 2015
Lao'd and clear
Welcome to Laos, blog mates. Specifically, Luang Prabang, a town in the North of the country. It's a UNESCO world heritage site, if that means anything to you, (and to be honest, it doesn't mean much to me..........)
It's an exceptionally laid back place, bordered by the Mekong River, with a fair few temples and examples of French architecture that have seen better days.
The currency in Laos is the kip. ( which rather puts a different slant on saying you're going upstairs for a kip, I can tell you..... )
Anyway, here's a picture of the sun seeing over the mighty Mekong....
I know that you're probably fed up with temple stuff, but hear me out, mates, this is interesting.
Every day at around 4pm, 2 or 3 of the more musical monks gather together to wallop seven shades out of a ceremonial drum like this one...
I've witnessed it, mates, and I must admit, the lads in saffron have rhythm. ....
That's about it for now, blog mates , my water buffalo burger has just arrived and requires my full attention....
Until next time...
It's an exceptionally laid back place, bordered by the Mekong River, with a fair few temples and examples of French architecture that have seen better days.
The currency in Laos is the kip. ( which rather puts a different slant on saying you're going upstairs for a kip, I can tell you..... )
Anyway, here's a picture of the sun seeing over the mighty Mekong....
I know that you're probably fed up with temple stuff, but hear me out, mates, this is interesting.
Every day at around 4pm, 2 or 3 of the more musical monks gather together to wallop seven shades out of a ceremonial drum like this one...
I've witnessed it, mates, and I must admit, the lads in saffron have rhythm. ....
That's about it for now, blog mates , my water buffalo burger has just arrived and requires my full attention....
Until next time...
Sunday 18 January 2015
Foreign pie news
I bring tidings of great joy!!! There has been a breakthrough in the Thai pie deadlock . Discovered at Chaing Mai airport, moments before our departure, I found the following:
Chicken pie: quite substantial filling, curry oriented, not a bad effort, although let down by greasy pastry.
Spinach pie: A treat that would certainly please Popeye. Lots of filling, a reasonable effort, although again, pastry not quite up to scratch.
NB. Both of the above were basically flavoured sausage rolls. But they are a starting point for what was until now bthought to be a pie free zone.
Stand down, Greggs pie missionaries..
Chicken pie: quite substantial filling, curry oriented, not a bad effort, although let down by greasy pastry.
Spinach pie: A treat that would certainly please Popeye. Lots of filling, a reasonable effort, although again, pastry not quite up to scratch.
NB. Both of the above were basically flavoured sausage rolls. But they are a starting point for what was until now bthought to be a pie free zone.
Stand down, Greggs pie missionaries..
Saturday 17 January 2015
Pestwatch update
Cockroaches 13
Rats 3
There have been two sightings of a strange squirrel/rat hybrid creature (imagine a small possum with a dilapidated bog brush for a tail).
As to what it is and where it comes from, even the scientist is baffled.....
I'd like to thank JB for his untiring assistance in compiling pest watch Every night, without consideration for his own safety , he valiantly boots bags of rubbish in the hope of dislodging a rat or two.
Never has so much been owed by so many to so few......
Rats 3
There have been two sightings of a strange squirrel/rat hybrid creature (imagine a small possum with a dilapidated bog brush for a tail).
As to what it is and where it comes from, even the scientist is baffled.....
I'd like to thank JB for his untiring assistance in compiling pest watch Every night, without consideration for his own safety , he valiantly boots bags of rubbish in the hope of dislodging a rat or two.
Never has so much been owed by so many to so few......
Thursday 15 January 2015
Jungle capers
Today we went trekking in the jungle.(We're not celebrities, so we had to get ourselves out).
The day started with a visit to a market in the enchantingly named town of Mae Rim.....
Here's a picture of some really hot chillis on sale at the market, I'll leave you to supply the punchline.....
And while we're mining this rich seam of sophisticated humour, here's a bucket of crabs from the same market.....
Anyway, returning to the trek. It was quite good, all told. Plenty of banana trees, bamboo fronds, waterfalls and the odd bit of shed snakeskin. Oh, and a few random dogs that felt compelled to join us.
As I say, it was a good day out,and, more importantly there was beer at the end of it.
Here's a couple of jungle type pics, including one of JB , casually swinging on a liana, whilst looking out for a beer.
The day started with a visit to a market in the enchantingly named town of Mae Rim.....
Here's a picture of some really hot chillis on sale at the market, I'll leave you to supply the punchline.....
And while we're mining this rich seam of sophisticated humour, here's a bucket of crabs from the same market.....
Anyway, returning to the trek. It was quite good, all told. Plenty of banana trees, bamboo fronds, waterfalls and the odd bit of shed snakeskin. Oh, and a few random dogs that felt compelled to join us.
As I say, it was a good day out,and, more importantly there was beer at the end of it.
Here's a couple of jungle type pics, including one of JB , casually swinging on a liana, whilst looking out for a beer.
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