Ok then, seems a while since I sat done to note my thoughts, last time was after the full moon party, and feels like I have only just recovered. One party is always followed by another out here and it's hard not to be having fun. But I have restrained myself, spending the last couple of days shopping in Hoi An, Tailor capitol of the world, buying too many suits and shoes for anyone, let alone an unemployed cheese boy like myself. Still, off to New Zealand in a week and a least one may come in handy when I bite the bullet and start applying for a job. I am actually quite looking forward to the prospect of stopping a while. Life on the road has been good to me, perhapsa little too good and a little graft will give me a chance to reflect on the past six months, and plan the next steps....... After going wild on Koh Pan Gang and Koh Samui, I spent a week on Koh Tao (Koh means Island in Thai, in case you wondered) learning how to scuba dive and ended up staying on a few extra days, getting the advanced certificate and doing some night dives. Those who know me well will be aware of my aversion to risk, and I was quite willing to find that diving wasn't for me, but in the end I loved it and can't wait to get to Fiji for a bit more. The course cost a fortune (relatively) but worth every penny and kick started a spending spree that continues to this day. No more one dollar a night rooms for me, Its all TV's, western food and hot showers when i can get them. Knowing that I'm one the way out of here means i want to enjoy myself to the full and not worry about the little things. When I'm broke and begging on the streets of Auckland, I may regret these frivolous times, but what you gonna do. Koh Tao to Bangkok, 10 hours, arrived at midnight, went out for a beer and woke up in Cambodia. That's good, I planed to go there next anyway. Time was now running out-The loose plans I made before my departure to meet the Boys in New Zealand was now a reality and I also had Vietnam to see before i left. So a day at Angkor Wat, stunning, massive and completely exhausting, then on the road to the capitol Phnom Penh for a more sobering experience. Cambodia was griped by war through out the late 70's and early 80's, during which time the Khmer Rouge massacred over two million people. The atrocities are now made very public, in order to bring to light the true horrors of what man is capable off. Visiting mass graves and prisons that still have bullet holes in the walls and blood on the floor may not be my idea of fun, but the impact that it has had on me is immense and I will not ever forget it. One other thing that will stand out for me from Cambodia is the peoples ability to smile, make the best of things and enjoy themselves-street party's ever night, lubricated with vats of tonic wine and milk. Sorry, i sound like a patronizing tourist again, but the people really were terrific. I also spent a few lazy days just hanging out by the lake, met some really wonderful people and won a pub quiz-sweet! Moving swiftly on to Vietnam, more war museums, smiling locals and some really good food. Spent the first day in Saigon doing by the book, walking around following a map and catching all the must see attractions, then a trip to the Viet-chong underground tunnel network. More very graphic, thought provoking images of the crimes people are capable of, and the nights spend in good company playing pool and enjoying a couple of cold ones. Plus, after working my way through asia's vast variety of cheap local cigarettes I have finally kicked them to the curb, knowing for one that Barney would not tolerate hanging with a smoker in NZ, oh, and its good for my health. So now in Hoi An, where good deals can be found on every corner, but if it seems to good to be true, it is-a Rolex for 20 bucks, broke within 3 hours, big problem, for you, as I was told by the surly shop keeper. 6 days to go, 2 days on a bus. Going to miss Asia, sorry I spent so much time in Thailand and had to rush at the end, but loving it all and will be back for more. Bring on the Surf, Big Dog. Teva