19th - 23rd Oct: Bangkok to Chaing Mai
Enter Mr Mark Darken...Lets just say whenever we get together there is always a bit of a party!! I won't say much about Bangkok as I will be back again later, but we saw a few ladyboys around and hit the famous traveller destination of Khao San Road to celebrate his arrival, before seeing the Grand Palace on the weirdest hangover we have ever experienced.

Next day we caught an overnight train to Chaing Mai for a bit of jungle trekking. It was superb with a 3hr trek on both days with waterfalls and elephant rides sandwiched in the middle. Mine didn’t like to cross water which was unfortunate, while Darks' elephant had a thing for going off into trees, which Darks wasn’t too happy about! Chin up mate!! We swam in the river and went bamboo rafting, trying to stand up whilst poling along on 12 bamboo sticks tied together was easier said than done and I got taken out by a tree on 2 occasions!! In the evening we ate soup cooked on the fire in Bamboo by our tour guide Lek (meaning little man!) around a campfire. Splendid fun!

24th - 27th Oct: Slow Boat and Luang Prabang, Laos
Border crossing involved getting stamps at two small buildings on either side of the Mekong River! $35 please, oh and $1 more as a stamping commission! The slow boat was filled with about 100 party animals from all over the world. We found a spot on the deck, armed with a bottle of Thai Whisky, beers and a duck patterned cushion to guard our backsides. Within 1hr the boat was rocking, signing songs and exchanging stories about where you have been, where you’re from and where you’re going. And all that along a gorgeous river - I managed to remember to poke my head out of the boat and get a few pics! A stop in the weird looking Pak Beng for the night, where the electricity generators get switched off at 11.30pm made the trip all the more enjoyable. We restocked our supplies and we did the whole thing all over again!!!

Luang Prabang was a chilled out town sandwiched between two rivers, with a massive market, lots of bars and a bowling alley – the only thing open past 11.30pm when the curfew kicks in. The last thing I expected was to be bowling in Laos!! We fond a place to stay called Phousi No.3 for 23,000KIP each (about 2quid) – we found this hilarious and if your banter is on our level then maybe you will too?!! The rest of the time we ate, went for massages, ate some more and then went bowling…great times!

28th Oct – 2nd Nov: Vang Vieng, Laos
I’m not sure I should tell you all about this place because you might all you’re your jobs and come out here!! Travellers all head to Vang Vieng for Tubing and we were no different. I planned 2 days there – in the end I left after 6!!
Recipe:
Take 1 River (Mekong if possible)
Add 15-20 bars and stir thoroughly.
Mix in a few zip lines, rope swings, slides and high platforms.
Sprinkle in free shots all day
Top with a few hundred foreigners
Bake in the glorious sun for 6hours.
Voiler!! You should end up with a chaotic party and a few cuts and bruises!!

As I said, I PLANNED to stay for 2 days…

I’ll try to update more regularly in future….I hope your all well and this made you smile. 

Will
x