Luang Prabang, Laos

So after leaving our rural days in Chang Mai we embarked on our two day trip to Laos. This trip was an experience in itself. Lasting two days and using three different modes of transport we took to the mountainous landscape that seperates the Thai and Laos borders. Our first day was in the mini bus as we took on the long winding roads that delivered us through some breath taking views of the rocky landscape and rice fields. We spent most of the day riding through the clouds at altitude with our driver speedily taking the corners of these shear drop cliff edges.

After 8 hours in the bus we finally make it to a sleepy border village. Here we are granted our visas for Laos and check into our old school accommodation on the Laos border. Here I got eaten alive by bed bugs and still have the hideous scars on my leg as I write this, almost a week later.

The second day we start off early again and head to the port. Here we jump on a long boat and head down the Mekong river to Luang Probang. The journey is amazing as we cut through the mountainous landscape passing small rural villages and fishing communities. The ride is very slow and takes well over 8hours. But the views keep you entertained, for a bit...

Finally we arrive at our first destinantion in Laos. The riverside city of Luang Probang is a world heritage town. Its architecture and charm suit the French influence and laid back vibe that Laos is famous for.

On our first day we explore our new home. We take in all the sites this small city has to offer. Here we took on the museum, local temples (all five of them) markets and views. We spoke to local buddahs and chilled at bars overlooking the Mekong river. We also took full advantage of the all you can eat night market and local delicacies, such as goats hoof!

Once we had exhaused the city we headed for the renowned countryside. The city is locked in by two rivers and a mountainous landscape littered with waterfalls, local villages and tribes. On our second day we rented a motorbike and headed to the mountains. Our first search was of some local villages.  We did find a few, however did mange to get lost on the dirt roads up in the hills. The views here were stunning as we went deeper in to rural Laos life, where English was less and less spoken.

Our next stop was one of the many local waterfalls nestled in the hilly backdrop. Here we climbed the waterfall, swimming in the lakes and soaking up the sun. I lost a flip flop straigh away, and now find myself on my third pair, in as many months.

The final part of our day trip saw us explore the edges of the city on the bike, taking in the sunset over the Mekong river and city backdrop.

As our time is short in Loas we are moving every 2 to 3 days. Our third day will be on a bus to Vang Vieng. We did however get up early to to watch the morning alms take place. Here monks will walk through the town blessing the local people in exchange for food.

Next stop is the renound tubing town of Vang Vieng.

Coastal life in Cambodia

After leaving the capital early this morning we have arrived at the southern coastal town of Sihanoukville  bus only took 5 hours with only a few hair raising moments with local traffic. All part of the experience I guess.

Unfortunately we seemed to have hit a monsoon today, as it has not stopped raining since we awoke in the capital. As you can imagen the beach isn't the best place to be in the rain. The waves were choppy but we still ventured in to take a wave battering from the sea.

Along with the rain, our journey from the bus station to our beach resulted in us being dropped off at the wrong place. With no hostel and reluctant to get another tuk tuk we picked a local dorm near to where we dropped off. It's a shame as we had decided to stay on Otres beach, which is the nicer of those on offer. Still our accommodation was cheap and only a short walk to the bars and restaurants on the beach front.

In the evening the rain stopped so we had dinner and drinks on the beach as we watched locals and tourists set off fireworks and lanterns into the sea and nights sky.

The next day, not being deterred by yesterday's failure to get to the beach, we rented bikes and cycled a few miles down the road to Otres beach. After getting lost and doing a complete circle in the mangrove swamps we managed to find the beach. Here it is less crowded with no fireworks and hardly any people trying to flog sun glasses and braclets. The sun showed it's face in between showers so it made the day worthwhile as we enjoyed a few beers in the sun.

The evening consisted of dinner and drinks on the beach as we packed to head off to our third destination in 5 days.

Help I'm a tourist, get me out of here: Kyoto Edition

Evening all Cj here, with my round up of Kyoto so far...

So we finally arrived in Kyoto city after 8 hours on our glamorous night bus from Tokyo. Fully rested, on what felt like a few hours sleep, we headed to our hostel.

A cracking location in the heart of the city was our first stop in 'Ayado Inn'. A fully stocked fridge of beer at only 100yen a can is right up my street! Hostel is strange as each bunkbed has a hospital curtain around it, very secluded. My bunk is opposite a geisha house and I can see them eating as they witness me putting on my shorts every morning! Lovely.

So I've heard a lot of good things about Kyoto and I wasn't dissapointed. Culture staring you in the face around every corner. Our first stop was in Arashiyama where we hit up the Tenryui Temple; set in the mountains and along a river this small part of town looked like something out of "crouching tiger hidden dragon" especially on the bamboo walk, with bamboo shoots in every direction creating an arch of parellel lines as far as the eye could see. To finish the day off we swung by a monkey temple up in the hills to take in the view of Kyoto. A cracking view across the summer haze. Today had been the hottest on the trip so far, so i was looking suitably Western with my sweat patches and trusty Japenese fan!

Next on the list was Nijojo Castle and Imperial Palace, hugely impressive buildings built from wood and stone to house and protect  royalty and visitors. The Nijojo castle had an impressive moat the colour of lime green. Both these sites and almost every temple has a cracking garden. Titmarsh eat you heart out, these gardens were hand groomed with the ultimate presicion. From the trees being cut and trimmed to the waterfalls and ponds being crisp and clear with huge Carp swimming amongst the surfacing turtles.

Not one to do on a hangover is the Nishik food markets. Set in several  industrial sized alleys is a host of local food stalls selling everything from your local tuna to a mini octopus on a stick. Not being one to turn down free food means the tasters are a gamble. I generally don't have a clue if I'm eating meat or veg, cooked or raw. What I have mastered is the poker face of "mmmm thanks, gag, smile" One thing I am proud of is the size of the fruit here. Oranges and apples the size of small melons definately a bargin.

One of the huge attractions here, and I'm sure you've all seen the pics, is the Fushimi-inari taisha Shrine which is home to the Tunnel of Torii Gates. The large red wooden arches paint a red brick road past 15 shrines up a hill encompassed in a dense forest. Quite a trek in the humidity and flip flops.  Safe to say I looked a right state once I got to the top! Watch out for the monkeys a rare sight!

Right that's the culture done, now onto the important bit...
The food and drink is pretty good here. I've found the prices cheaper and the local brew of beers impressive, more importantly it is served at breakfast. Great way to start the day, when a lot of walking is involved.  I can also safely say I've had the best Yakisoba of my life in this town, so good I've gone back again, twice.

In the evenings a beer down by the river is pretty chilled, people set off sparklers and a random dj brings his decks down, as you do.

Only a few more days in Kyoto before we head back up to Tokyo for a flight to China. Need to get planning the next part of our trip, any recommendations for Beijing do let me know!

The good, the bad and the ugly pics are too follow of Japan in the next few days. I will send out a dropbox link.

Cheers
Cj