BKK X 2

So, I'm currently hanging out in Bangkok. Ellie (she's so cool) is flying in today and I plan to help her apartment search. By the end of the week I should sort myself out and head to an island for some snorkelling, but for now I'm happy peering into the absolutely insane world of Kao San Road. I may do some crazies-profiles at some point, but I'm not sure I could completely communicate how far these guys are off their rockers via text. I'd like to photograph them, but they'd probably stab me to death in my sleep. Peace.

Visiting Waterfalls during a National Flood:

The sign says: Do Not Swimming Area.

Waterfalls don't listen to fences! They do just what they please.

At a different waterfall, a young boy having one of the best days of his life:

World Heritage Flood

The Royal + Some not-so-Buddhist Dogs:

The Royal 'Guest House' in Chiang Mai. I paid $15/ night for a room with hot shower and towel. I wouldn't usually spend that much, but $15 is a small price to pay to feature in your very own late 1950s Italian Coast Film Noir.

At Wats (temples) there are always hordes of dogs bludging off the Monks' general kindness. The monks seem to find the dogs' violence fairly amusing, and react by shaking their heads slowly and laughing, tut-tutting at the dogs.






P.s. This is truly my last 'retrospective' about Chiang Mai. But I do ADORE the city. Next post: my long and glorious week in Luang Prabang, the flood (seriously!) and TWO waterfalls.

Mekonging

I am now in the small, communist nation of Laos - in the town of Luang Prabang which is UNESCO World Heritage listed because it is so beautiful. Shortly you will be inundated with images of Luang Prabang, don't worry! Especially since I am fairly broke (I have about 20 cents left over after my bed and three cheapo meals a day) and photography will become my sole pursuit.

It's funny being broke in Laos, because everyone thinks I'm rich, which of course - I am (having the time and money to 'find myself' in South East Asia is more than these people could imagine), but I still can't afford the 10,000 kip to buy that bracelet sorry. 10,000 kip = $1.80

Anyway, first things first: how did I get here from Thailand? Usually not a particularly interesting question, as usually I travel by bus and buses are much the same the world over. However, on this occasion I travelled for two days on a slow boat down the Mekong river and that certainly was something memorable.

My first view over the Mekong to Laos from my room in Chiang Khong, Thailand:

A Tribute to Chiang Mai

Well, for those who don't know, I spent roughly the last five to six weeks in, or around, the wonderful city of Chiang Mai. Although I feel like I know the streets backwards and forwards, I took very few photos. Here are a couple:

Cats, Dogs and Pachyderms. And Tiny Thais.

So, I am back in civilization after a week in the infamous Elephant Nature Park. Well, what can I say? I spent the greater part of last week play-fighting and bathing with elephants, including one particularly cute, curious and boisterous baby. As my Mom said: "What are you going to do for thrills for the rest of your life?!"

Me receiving an 'elephant kiss' from Hope, a complete rascal young teenage elephant. He invented elephant kisses at the park himself. It's like a suction cap on your face, hence my facial expression. Also, if you're wondering about the dozens of tourists standing around - those are mostly day-trippers who come in for a day and get to see the elephants and then leave. The park needs them for financial reasons. Luckily, in the evenings and mornings it's just the volunteers.

We also got to 'teach' (more like play really) at a local school. As you can see, we were a roaring success. Haha. She has a Dr Seuss sticker on her forehead, courtesy of UBS.

After morning chores and projects... (this was pretty much a daily scene).

Getting up in the morning, at 7am, after inevitably drinking the night before and doing manual work all day was a challenge... but on the way to the meeting spot I got to walk past this guy and let me tell you - everyone should buy a baby elephant as a morning motivator.

The day I nearly died. Just kidding, but seriously - we went up the Elephant Haven for a night (a hut in the jungle) and had to come back super early the next morning because it had been monsooning so hard they were scared the bridge was going to be swept away, and the nearest other bridge is five hours away.

I am thinking of going back next year before I leave Asia, for obvious reasons. So is pretty much everyone who went!