Jon the Traveller

Well folks, its getting closer to my jump off date!

In the past few weeks I have dithered about things, and spent a touch to much money, but not enough to prevent this trip from happening.

However, that has all changed recently and with renwed vigour I am back on planning this excursion!  I have bought my insurance from Insureandgo.com at an awesome price; My parents have arranged a trip out to Thailand for Easter 2010 to visit me and feed me for two weeks and I finally got my hair cut so I’ll look respectable on the numerous photo’s I need for all the visa’s.

I had doubts about the trip, but I have been wanting this for so long that to not go would be a disservice to myself.

Travelfish.org describes Laos as “one of the Asia’s most enchanting destinations. Stunning natural beauty — think mist-shrouded mountain peaks flanked by jungle-clad valleys teeming with wildlife — combine with a fascinating Buddhist culture to make Laos a superb destination for backpackers and independent travellers” and they are pretty much spot on.

The country is amazing, run the gauntlet of the typical South-East Asian terrain, but with the added bonus of the Mekong River running for its entire length, giving the country a feel like no other in the region.

As for highlights, I certainly intend to visit the following and find some activities to do when at each one, although the promise of the long bus rides across mountains and valleys is driving me towards this country:

• Luang Prabang: A UNESCO World Heritage site and home to a huge population of Buddhist monks, who daily walk the towns myriad ways for alms from those willing to give;
• Vientiane: Current capital of the country with a great line in Colonial-era French buildings and the place to sort many adventures around the country;
• Phong-Sali and other points north: the best places to trek in the country, if not the region due to being relatively unspoilt and pretty hard to get to by the vast majority of the backpacker crowd;
• Mekong River: Hopefully the river is high when I am in country and I can spend a bit of time cruising slowly down this most enduring of rivers;

There obviously is alot to more to Laos and I really hope to do the country justice in the 4 weeks – very short I know – my visa (on arrival) will give me, although the option to extend it by visiting the Immigration people in Vientiane is one that appeals to me, as I am sure this country could eat up alot of my time.

On the 6-8 month trip that this site is all about, my first port of call is the Kingdom of Siam, otherwise known to the world as Thailand.

The country itself is a melting pot of culture and cuisine, beaches and ruins and all the things in between.  From the islands in the Gulf of Thailand to the hills of the North I am planning to spend at least 10 weeks in country spread over two 60 day Tourist visa’s. From when I first land in Bangkok to when I leave for Laos weeks later, I know I’ll never be short of places to go and sights to see.

Obviously I’ll be spending time in Bangkok – hey I need to re-arrange my return flight for a later date than it is currently booked for – however, having experienced alot of what that city has to offer, I’ll be getting away from there as soon as I can.

On my list of places to see during all the time I spend in Thailand are:

• Chiang Mai / Pai / Mae Hong Son:  Trekking, cooking classes and generally a laid back life in the mountainous north;
• Kanchanburi: Visiting the death railway and WWII cemetary – under order’s from my mother. As well as the Erawan falls and going up to Sangkhlaburi near the Burmese (not Myanmar!) border;
• Gulf islands: from Ko Chang in the north down to Ko Pha Ngan – home of the world (in)famous Full Moon Party;
• Andaman islands: The famous Phi Phi Leh – where The Beach was filmed – is one of several destinations I have over this side of the Thai penisula.  Others include Ko Lanta & The Similian Islands;
• North-Eastern Thailand: Thanks to articles over on Travelfish, I certainly shall be spending time in this area of Thailand, its little visited, has some great trekking and is close to Laos, all in all has a good set of reasons to take some time going through the region.

So as you can see quite a range of places I’d like to visit – obviously despite not mentioning it, I will be going to Sukhothai to see the ruins of former Siamese glory found there.

Other posts will come on the other countries within South-East Asia that I am aiming to visit, so keep on reading!!!

I have recently purchased my flight out to South East Asia.  I am flying with Emirates and shall be leaving in 253 days on the 25th January 2010!

Finally, this is beginning to feel considerably more real.

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.
– Mark Twain

What an amazing quote, really strikes a chord with me this evening while I plan flight options and mull over adding in a month in India to my trip too!