S.E. Asia

OK, So, Oz is cool, but Thailand and Laos are totally bizarre! Decided to come here to save some money in the long run and to get back to the basics of lightweight travel. Arrived in Bangkok in a hazy daze and followed a bunch of other green folks to the famed backpacker haven of Khosan Rd. A total shithole of a place, but cheap and fun. Unknowingly decided to follow the well worn tourist path up to Chaing Mai>Chaing Rai on a sleeper night train. Stayed on the move and crossed the border intom Laos and then took the slow boat down the Mekong River to Luang Prabang. A long and torturous trip that left me with a well bruised back side, however, some amazing sights along the way made it worth the trip. Finally slowed it down a bit around Luang Probang and got to check out some Buddist Wats and some great time with elephants. Down to Vang Vieng for the token Laos version of MTV's spring break tube-a-thon, some biking, some caving, and some hilariously drunken people. Then, Kayaked part of the way down to Vientiane for a few nights in the capitol city. And here I am.....taking a night train tomorrow back to Bangkok and going to stay in a luxury hotel for a couple nights to celebrate my 35th Birthday. Hard to believe it, but it's true. I'm loking forward to passing back thru Australia and New Zealand en route to see the Fam back in GA. No matter where you go in this world, it's always nice to head back home!