Images of strange, dangerous, exotic and undiscovered animals, birds and insects. Thats always beenhow I imagined Borneo to be. Throw in the odd headhunter, shaman ritual and an imposing rainforest canopy and that about raps up the image. The reality, alas, is somewhat different.The sleepy tribal villages are in fact now shabby little towns. Far from quaint, having had any charm blown out of them by the allies during the Japanese occupation in double-ya double-ya...

So, here it is at last. The Thailand that everyone talks about. Not the swindling, grimy, cesspool of Bangkok, but the true SE Asian gem. The environment wreaks of cleanliness, you'll have a green, red, yellow or Massaman curry whipped up for your taste buds pleasure in a flash and here is some of the most accessible traveling you could do. The 7-Elevens even sell milk. MILK! How good it tastes after all this time. Yes, Thailand is cheap, but that doesn't mean yo...

Fancy floating down the river in the pouring rain supported by nothing but an inner tube? Like the idea of visiting a capital city and not seeing a soul? How about meeting a people for whom the concept of time seems as alien as eating deep friend tarantella does to many a traveler? Then Laos is definitely the place for you.This country is definitely behind Vietnam, Cambodia and most certainly Thailand in the 'squeeze every penny' steaks. A green and pleas...

Cambodia. Considering the horrors this country has experienced over the past few decades it is any wonder people smile at all. Yet, from the moment you cross the boarder and travel along the roads and waterways of this fine, green, open plain of a country, that is all you see; ear to ear grins of children just waiting for their piece of the white man. Wave, children, and the freak show may just wave back. But don't get too close, rumour has it they are white ...

Well, the time has come to finally take a break from all the lugging around of the increasingly dirty backpack, twelve hour bus journeys and stating in no uncertain terms every five steps to blokes on motos that "I DO NOT want a ride". Thanks. What is it they just can't understand - we travellers like to walk! Because walking is free.So, this is Vietnam. A mixture of hot, smoggy cities, sublime natural landscapes and mile upon mile of small people i...