Koh Tao!

As it turns out, it would be a tedious day of travel to get to the full moon part,y as contrary to our travel advisor's advice, the ferries did not go every hour... So with a quick change of plans and tips from some new friends we were off to Koh Tao the following morning. Upside of missing the party you ask? Not having to hurl remnents of the previous evening over the rails, as our boat carried on to Koh Tao, as we witnessed so many times that morning.

Koh Tao, what an incredible place to renew our energy after many days of travelling. It is amazing the little things we have come to appreciate while on the road; T-shirts that actually fit after splurging for a laundry service instead of the ring and wear, food that doesen't come in a package and our own bathroom complete with toilet paper. There is still however, the staple hose beddae strapped to the toliet (we have yet to work up the courage to try it).

Aside from the little comforts we are finding here, there is also the magic of this place. Crystal clear waters at temperatures of a warm bath and gorgeous sunsets in view from our hotel hangout (complete with games and friends by the handful). In short, we love this place and our four days here may just not be enough.


LTH & NR

Thailand!

Hi there!
So Nick and I have safetly made to it to Thailand in what has been a travel heavy portion of our journey. Today is the Full Moon party in Koh Phangan and we are currently bumping and winding along the long road from Phuket to Surat Thani to Koh Samui and ending this evening by joining in the festivities of The Full Moon Party on Koh Phangan! What was shaping up to be just a long tedious day of transportation has actually served to give a great base for what this part of Thailand is like, specifically areas that are off the tourist trail. We have passed small villages with palm thacthed roofs, kids playing soccer, stray dogs, roosters, women cooking and whole families flicking past on scooters as they carry out their days. We are definitely endevouring to enjoy the ride just as much as each destination. Especially of note is the intense greens of the vegetation that surrounds us and is continually unfolding with each corner. To say the least Nick and I are very excited to embrace a slowed down phase of island living while we remain in Thailand for our last two weeks in South East Asia.
Photos and more to come when we have access to a proper computer

LTH

Bali - Kuta and Padang Padang

Padang Padang Beach

So after a very fun-filled night of extremely cheap drinking and friend making in Kuta, Bali, we cabbed down to Padang Padang on a whim for a two night stay at Rapture Surf Camp. Think of paradise, a very communal way of living and foreigners from all over the world. There's a Russian Olympic snowboarder and a guitarist from a big band in Berlin!

Small Waves at Kuta Beach

We went surfing back at Kuta beach but that doesn't compare to the waves in Padang Padang . Sure, we stood up a couple of times but the water here is above our heads and if you miss your wave and bail, the next 4 waves will keep crashing down on you. It's definitely a great way to sample the taste of ocean water.

Padang Padang (waves are larger than they appear)

We have one more night at Rapture and then we're back off to Kuta for a few nights before leaving to Thailand. We just didn't get enough time in at that insanely fun city known as Kuta.... More fun stories to come!

-NR

Bali

In Bali! It's awesome photos and stories to come :-) hopefully some good surfing ones!!

Vung Tau to Yogyakarta

Borobudur - The largest Buddist temple in the world!



So lots has happened since our last update that's for sure! We have had a miriade of different experence through numerous places! From doing as the locals do to one night in Jakarta, almost countless modes of transport and even a stint as Hollywood A listers... I shall explain :-)

Our last day in Vung Tau had us dawning local trends as we played cards in the park with dozens of other Vung Tau natives Our game was a revolving door for onlookers and giggling children wanting to see what the 'white' people were up too. This would be the start of numerous card games to come as we passed our time in transit. Along the road to Jakarta (at the airport more specifically) we meet a very friendly couple with a wealth of knowledge on Indonesa and Asia in general. Their incites tips and ideas have done nothing but increase my already hightened excitement for Bali! Even as I write this before heading to yet another airport Nick has told me aproximatly three times how excited he is for Bali as we are feshly armed with some great places to check out and the must see and do's of the island! Not wanting to get too far ahead of myself I should also fill everyone in on Jakarta.. Been there never going back. In short it is the kind of place that puts you on constant alert while simultaniously making your skin crawl with dirt sweat and polition. If there was going to be a test for how Nick and I work as a travelling duo this was it and I am happy to report we work quite well together (As far as I can tell) always communicating and keeping the mood light. It was especially comforting to have Melisa and Colin there too as we used Jakarta as our stepping stone to catch a night train to the well worth it Yogakarta!
Yogakarta is home to the Borobudur temple, a great hotel swimming pool and one more breakfast buffet to add to the list! The temple was the highlight for sure and seeing it as the sun was still on its way up only empasized its beauty! Taking our time climbing each level one at a time the view and vastness of the temple unfolded around us. With intricate stone carvings and numerous buddah all the way to the top. At the top we were met with not only a view but movie star status (I thought it a bit strange at first that I caught some people fillming us and trying to steal photos) then I realised we were one of very few caucasions there and in the area as well. All it took was one brave girl to ask for a photo with us and the flood gates opened and it wasn't just the kids, we were introduced to parents, trachers and family members all wanting their own photo. It actually proved tricky to finaly leave the temple having to commit to walking and not being bombarded with photos. After our taste in the lime light it is now time to head off to our next destination and time to say good by to Colin and Melisa. It was so great to partake in this portion of their adventures!! Thanks so much to you both for your always fun attitudes and extensive organizing, what a great experience!!




LTH

Vung Tau

Good Morning from Vietnam!
The past two nights we have been in an area called Vung Tau. I'm told it's where locals take their vacations, which for our growing group equals sandy beaches and less traffic when comparied to Ho Chi Minh. To get here, we took a boat down the Siagon river to the ocean (first time Nick has seen the ocean so that was pretty exciting)! Vung Tau is sleepy druing the day with many of the Vietnamese only venturing out into the heat after 4pm, and rightfully so as even the ocean is like wading into an over-sized bath. Some highlights of this area include our beach visit and hike to the top of "Big Hill" atop which sits a 10-story Jesus monument. Quite the view from the shoulders of Jesus to the surrounding area! All in all Vung Tao has been a very relaxing vist full of time for swimming and even our own private bar atop the roof of our hotel with views of the entire bay!! It is really quite astounding at the numbers of people who flock to the boardwalk from dusk onward. Our group got a greater understaning of Vung Tau's night life as we discovered the seemingly harmless establishment we were dining at also doubled as a lady bar for gentelmen callers inside... Aparently that is somewhat of a common occurence in Asia.



LTH

In the Mekong

May 16th


Today we woke up bright and early to catch the bus to go on a tour of the Mekong delta. We went to a few islands and toured the canals and the huts that the locals live in with many samples along the way of candies and fruits and tea. Lauren even "tried on" a 45lb python.
The coolest part was definitely canoeing through the canals. The reeds were crazy tall and there was still the traffic of boats one would expect in Vietnam. Despite that it was very calming once we tuned out the boat drivers consistently reminding us to tip.
We finally met up with Colin and Melisa when we got back and the front desk worker of the hotel even gave them the room next to us which was cool. We went to a restaurant just down the street and had many Green Saigon beers and the best food thus far. We stopped at a few other bars all with equally cheap beer then called it a night.
The heat is definitely the toughest thing to deal with but we've pretty much accepted that we're always going to be covered in sweat. Who cares, though? We're millionaires here! (more like 1 million Dong is $55..)



Until Next Time!
NR

Ho Chi Minh

Our first real day in Vietnam! Our first imperssions besides the obvious heat and vast numbers of people are that it's a pretty neat place and everyone is very friendly especially those wanting to sell you sunglasses and what ever other trinkets they may have. There is always a lot going on and even walking a few blocks can be a challenge as crossing the street is more like a game of frogger than anything else. I find if you try and go with someone who looks like they know what they're doing your chances are better.. Plus they can act as a buffer between you and the numerous mopeders. Today we explored the area surrounding our hotel with a visit to the Ben Than market and a boat ride through some off shoots of the Siagon river! Very wild to go from the hustle of the city out into the twisting cannals full of vegetation and the odd shanty village.





Siagon river





Driving!






LTH

Off to Asia

Asia Bound


So Nick and I decided that we would attempt a travel blog for all of our fans who want to know what we are up to, where we are and also that we are safe! Here you should be able to find our latest destination some photos and whatever wisdom and anecdotes we feel like passing on. We will try and post as often as we can so keep checking back :-)

Ho Chi Minh
Since leaving Toronto for Ho Chi
Minh two days ago we have had 3 plane rides, 12 hours in layovers, 3 air plane meals, 3 continents, 14 hours of combined sleep 12 flight attendants tend to us and one wild taxi ride from the airport through the hundreds of mopeds to our hotel. Needless to say we are ready for our beds and a good nights sleep! Within all the expected travel drains Nick and I have felt like our trip is off to a great start and are very excited to explore our new surroundings tomorrow.




LTH