Tad Lo , Bolvean Plateau, Pic-the bus from hell

This is going to be a short post but as it is I am probably a week behind in posting I thought I better get this one in. From Pakse I thought it best to hit the road so I wouldn't have to spend another second being a 3rd wheel to the Parisians whom I was sharing a room with. So at 8 am I checked out of Sabyedee2 Guesthouse and headed to the bus station. Luckily I met a group of young Austrians headed the same way so we could share the cost of the tuk tuk. They said they were going to get a "local"bus to Tad Lo so I figured hey its cheaper what the hey I ll go with them.... Famous last words. WHen we pilled up to the "bus station" which consisted of a huge red dirt lot in the middle of the jungle with loads of food stalls,people,busses, and tuk tuks scattered everywhere in no particular order...I had my first look at a bus that lloked as though it had come straight from hell (I am going to ask the Austrians if they have picts of the outside of the bus I was too dumbfounded to even lift my camera). The bus was covered with red mud and all the windows were opened and a 30 year old brown rag was blowing in the wind then it started to rain.... I didn't know whether to go back to the hostel, cry, or get on but then one of the Austrians looked back and with a colgate smile said, "Come on this will be an adventure!" Ugh so I found a spot near the back and sat down. It was wet I was sitting in a leak so I moved back one more spot infront of a monk. Oh cool I thought to myself I will be able to ask him a bunch of questions ( most of the monks have a pretty good handle of English). So I pull out all the English/Laos books I had just bought including a Hmong Daily Life Coloring Book, (whom I had met the Illustrator and gotten a signed copy to bring home) to share with the kid. Most of the kids in the southern part of Laos have never seen a book before so I wanted to share some with him. Then as people came on the bus they grabbed a book and started looking through the pages even really old people reading these children's stories it was really a sight to behold. Then we started trying to converse a little bit and then the monk shows me his notebook where he had written, Ëverytime I look at you I fall more in love with you!" AH! That gave me a good laugh. Then when it was my stop I gathered all my stuff and forgot all my books! I was really pissed especially about the coloring book ; (
Then the four Austrians and I went walking about 4km to get to Tad Lo which is a small village on the Bolvean Plateau. I found a small guesthouse overlooking the falls with a balcony and my own restroom for about 8 USD. It was pretty basic don't get me wrong this place was far from luxe. There were many creatures who were the permanent residents I was just passing through. During my stay I saw two geckos, four water beetles, several spiders and a daddy long legs (in my room). We decided to go check out the falls after the grueling 2 and a half hour bus ride. They were incredible and it was totally worth it. We went on a short trek to find a spot where we could jump in and it was really refreshing.

Sabi DEEEE Pakse,Laos

Pakse is a little rough around the edges for my liking but had good luck in meeting cool people! When landing in Pakse I saw a HUGE golden Budha from my window and I though that would be a cool thnig to see but was unable to find any information about it in my guide so when I landed I decided to go to the local tourist information center to dig up what I could. When I arrived they suggested things lke going to the local temple or the Museum. I looked over some brouchures and wasn't interested. Pakse was looking like a dead end no wonder why no travels I met had ever been there! But then I remembered the golden Budha and I decided to ask about it. The guy working said it was about 25km away and I could get a tuk tuk driver to take me there so I got him to write the name of the place on a scratch sheet of paper and I was off back to the hotel to get my camera and find a tuk tuk. It couldnt have been more than five minutes of walking till a tuk tuk-like vehicle approached me. Perfect I thought so we agreed on a price and I got in. Rember this is a "tuk-tuk -like vehicle it was more like a motorcycle with a side cart connected. The motorcycle was pertty old grungy and loud, those words could also be used to describe my driveras well. So we stopped to put some gas in the tank (which was a plastic container 6 inches away from my head onm the sidecar). The paved road turned into a red dirt road and I was a little worried but then we arrived to a small village where everyone was carving stone Buddha's just like the one I had seenfrom the air so we must be getting close. Once we got there (I was relieved) I started explornig and taking photos of the impressive monument. I then relaized that you could actually step inside so I went. I was promptly greated by a matronly woman would motioned for me to make a donation and then she gave me a bowl of coins and through sign language showed me to put one coin in each bowl lining the inside of the temple.... there must have been atleast 300 bowls in this place but I thought what the hey I drove 25km to get here might as well pay homage to Budha. When a got about halfway through a spirited young girl popped out of no where and smiled really huge at me and said'"SABYE DEEE!" then she got a bowl and started following me putting a coin in each bowl around the temple. She then showed me how to make the giant gong ring really loudly by rubbing my hand on it diagonally. pretty cool. We said bye and parte ways. Back to Pakse!! My driver turned out to be cooll and would stop for me to get out and take my photographs of cows in the middle of the road and then he showed me around town and to a Taoist temple where I me two Aussies working in Phenom Pehn. SO of course we found a spot to get some beers and have a chat. Moer about Tad Lo, the Austrians, and 4,000 Islands. Miss you!
love,
m

SABI DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE Luang Prabang, Laos

Sabi dee is hello in Laotian. So much has happend I don't even know where to begin actually. I arrived in Luang Prabang the 16th and stayed until the 22nd. It was really cool because I met so many fun people staying at the SpicyLaos Hostel. The first day we woke up at 5 in the morning to go see the monks recieve their daily alms or offering from the townspeople. I learned later that the people that give the alms (sticky rice) are actually our equivalent to the "sinners" or people who want to kind of clear their name because they have done bad according to Budhism. Some friends (who were once monks so they are good sources of info) told me that there was a woman who would give alms a couple years ago beacuse she actually turned ïnto"a waterbuffalo because she was killing and selling too many water buffalos at the night market. She died a couple of years ago but many people from the village remeber when this happend. Weird story but that is just one of the many that I heard about when I was weaving at Ock Pop Tok weavnig center. I took a three day course and got to actually dye and weave my own Ikat scarf! The best part was haning out with Laotions all day and picking their brains about the culture. I also got to eat lunches there with all the workers and try authentic Laotion food which is a lot more than sticky rice (though that is a really big component). It was cool getting up each morning and working in the studio because it gave me a feeling of what it might be like to live in a place like Luang Prabang. Dealing with the heat/24hour rain/walking palces. It was great fun and can't wait to go back! My friends Doua and Khun showed me the ropes of the weaving center and would tell me stories to pass the time while I wove. They were both monks for a combined total of 12 years so I got to pick their brains about that fascinating religion.
I also got to climb Kuang Si Falls with some British, Candaians,Lao, and a fellow badass chick from LA. Vistied some temples,took lots of photos, got a massage (90 minutes for 9 dollars US you can't go wrong ;)) ate good food for under 1 US dollar and did some shopping. Sure Luang Prabang is the most tuoristy of the cities I visited but also the most beautiful! I had a great time there; )

Good Morning VietNAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

1am: Flight lands and myself and two other travelers decide to share a cab ride into Hanoi. On the ride in there was an oil fire in the middle of the road. The city began to have this "Day after tomorrow" post apocalyptic feel. There re all these people sitting out in the streets on what looked like children's furniture. For a first timer it was very strange. There were all kinds young people on motos weaving in and out of traffic in 3 inch heels and knock off designer jeans. I couldn't help to think, "these kids are sooo cool"! haha

The traffic is insane in Hanoi (and from what I gather that goes for the rest of Asia as well) there no lanes and no rules. My kind of place hahaha. So far I have seen all of the following take place on a moto: a family of four, a woman on the back of a bike eating pho (Vietnamese soup dish), a woman breastfeeding on the back while her husband drives, and a partridge in a pear tree hahaha jk about the last one. As a pedestrian I was intimidated at first about crossing since there aren't crosswalks or street lights for that mater. After about a day of not crossing any streets I began to feel limited and just decided to go for it. Like anything the first time was rather scary but the second you start to second guess yourself YOU FAIL o in my case die so I didn't look back I just went for it!

Vietnam is a beautiful country, with great architecture, and friendly energetic people. I have been wandering around the steets of Hanoi, Perfume Pagoda, and Halong Bay for the past few days and have gotten a chance to eat many interesting things (most of them I do not (nor do I want to) know what they are! I will try to post some food picts tomorrow. Peace and Love
-m

IN and Around HK

Hong Kong

The second I arrived in Hong Kong I knew that I loved it! Driving into the city is a joy in itself I was furiously snapping pictures of the skyline and the bay. I was struck by the tall futuristic buildings and bridges leading into the city (about and hour away via airport shuttle). I arrived to my hostel around 10 am too early to check in so I left my stuff and went out on the search for foood! Luckily that is when I bumped into my first traveling campanions Helena aka 80 pound girl who eats her weight in rice per day and Russ one easy going duuude. They were on the elevator also going out to look for food so we went together ; ) Two super cool peeps from the Philipines after eating and checking in to the hostel we decided to check out the city so we hopped on a tram towards "Hollywood Road". I know how ironic right? I avoid Hollywood like the plague back in LA and now 13 million miles away I end up on Hollywood Road! Well this Hollywood actually has tons of art galleries and antique shops not to mention its near some bars where all the expats congrigate. We walked around there for awile checking out the shops and bakeries yuuuuuuuuuum! Then we stumbled upon the world's longest escalator... the TRAVELator to the mid-levels, which are really nice luxury high -rise apartments. There are some sweet bars on the way so we sampled the inventory. Day 2 in HK My Filipino buds were joined by two more so I tagged along on their Macua trip. Macua is pretty much like China's version of Vegas minus the pools,clubs, and drinking outdoors(all the good things about Vegas). That only leaves shopping and gambling left and most of you already know I don't do either so some migh say ummm why did you go there? Well, luckily there are a ton of other things to do, see, and snap pitures of. Haha The coolest thing about Macua is that is was colonized by Portugual so I saw a lot of the same kinds of architecture that was in Brazil and Portugual. The juztaposition between old world/modern/tropical was a really interesting mix and again I had a blast taking TONS of photographs (that I will upload later). The weather was insanely hot and muggy which I think is going to be a recurring theme on this trip unfortunately :( We left Macau around 6:30 pm and boarded a ship towards Kowloon which is the island across the water from HK Island to see the Skyline at night. Again ANOTHER gorgeous view of the city. Day 3 I went to Victoria Peak and spent several hours walking around chatting with other travelers,drawing and taking pictures.

I left Hk with a tear in my eye that place is really freaking cool everyone was so nice and helpful, transit was easy and efficient, streets were clean, food was good and cheap. Now on to Vietnam!

The second I started queueing up in line to board the plane I could feel the difference in the two cultures. The people in line were coughing, snorting and making gutteral sounds TWO INCHES BEHIND ME! This guy was about to get some LA fury when I thought, "hey this isn't my country who am I to say what is 'normal'" I mean yeah its pretty gross but how would I feel if a foriegner came up to me in America and said my manners were disgusting? More on Vietnam and the CRAZY cab ride to the city at 1 am....

Ａｄｅｖｅｎｔｕｒｅ ＃１：Ｈｏｎｇ Ｋｏｎｇ

Ｗｅｌｌ　ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　ｊｕｓｔ　ｇｅｔｔｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　ｔｗｏ　ｄａｙｓ　ａｇｏ　ｗａｓ　ａｎ　ａｄｖｅｎｔｕｒｅ　ｂｅｃａｕａｓｅ　ｗｅ　ｇｏｔ　ｐｕｌｌｅｄ　ｏｖｅｒ　ｆｏｒ　ｍａｋｉｎｇ　ａｎ　ｉｌｌｅｇａｌ　ｒｉｇｈｔ　ｏｎ　ｒｅｄ！Ｎｅｉｔｈｅｒ　ｕｏｆ　ｕｓ　ｓａｗ　ａｎｙ　ｓｉｇｎｓ　ａｎｄ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｓｈｏｃｋｅｄ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ｐｕｌｌｅｄ　ｏｖｅｒ　ａｔ　ａｌｌ．　Ｈａｈａｈａ　Ｈｉｌａｒｙ　ｐｕｌｌｅｄ　ｉｔ　ｏｆｆ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｅａｓｅ　ａ　ｃａｌｍ，ｓｅｎｃｅｒｅ　ｒｅｓｐｏｎｓｅ　ｉｓ　ａｌｗａｙｓ　ｔｈｅ　ｂｅｓｔ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｄｅａｌ　ｗｉｔｈ　ｃｏｐｓ　（ｉｔ　ｄｏｅｓｎｔ　ｈｕｒｔ　ｂｅｉｎｇ　ａ　ｈｏｔ　ｃｈｉｃｋ　ｅｉｔｈｅｒ）ｓｏ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｌｅｔ　ｕｓ　ｏｆｆ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａ　ｗａｒｎｉｎｇ，ｌｕｃｋｉｌｙ．　ＷＨｅｎ　Ｉ　ａｒｒｉｖｅｄ　ａｔ　ｔｈｅ　ａｉｒｐｏｒｔ　Ｉ　ｐｒｏｍｐｔｌｙ　ｃｈｅｃｋｅｄ　ｉｎ　ａｎｄ　ｇｏｔ　ｕｐｇｒａｄｅｄ　ｔｏ　ａ　ｂｕｌｋｈｅａｄ　ｓｅａｔ　ＳＷＥＥＴ！　Ｍｙ　ｒｏｗ　ｍａｔｅｓ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｔｗｏ　ｌｏｖｅｌｙ　ｇｅｎｔｓ　ａｌｓｏ　ｌｉｖｉｎｇ　ｉｎ　ＬＡ，　Ｏｎ　ａｎｄ　Ｊｉｎｇ．　Ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｐａｔｉｅｎｔｌｙ　ｈｅｌｐｉｎｇ　ｍｅ　ｗｉｔｈ　ａ　ｃｏｕｐｌｅ　ｏｆ　ｐｈｒａｓｅｓ　ｉｎ　Ｃｈｉｎｅｓｅ　（Ｃａｎｔｏｎｅｓｅ）　ａｎｄ　ｖｉｅｔｎａｍｅｓｅ．Ｉ　ｃｏｎｋｅｄ　ｏｕｔ　ｉｎ　ｔｈｅ　ｆｉｒｓｔ　１５　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ　ａｆｔｅｒ　ｌｉｆｔ　ｏｆｆ．

Ｍｙ　ｆｌｉｇｈｔ　ｉｎｔｏ　Ｈｏｎｇ　Ｋｏｎｇ　ｗａｓ　ｎｏｔ　ａｓ　ｓｍｏｏｔｈ　ｗｈｅｎ　ｗｅ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｄｅｃｅｎｄｉｎｇ　（Ｉ　ｗａｓ　ｃｏｎｋｅｄ　ｏｕｔ　ａｇａｉｎ）Ｉ　ｗｏｋｅ　ｕｐ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｆｒｅｎｚｙ　ｍｙ　ｈｅａｒｔ　ｗａｓ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ｔｏ　ｊｕｍｐ　ｏｕｔ　ｏｆ　ｍｙ　ｃｈｅｓｔ　ｉｔ　ｗａｓ　ｂｅａｔｉｎｇ　ｓｏ　ｈａｒｄ．　Ｉ　ａｓｋｅｄ　ｍｙ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄ　ｌａｔｅｒ　ｗｈａｔ　ｈａｄ　ｈａｐｐｅｎｅｄ　ａｎｄ　ｈｅ　ｓａｉｄ　ｔｈｅ　ｐｌａｎｅ　ｄｒｏｐｅｄ　ａｂｏｕｔ　５０　ｆｅｅｔ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｍａｔｅｒ　ｏｆ　ｓｅｃｏｎｄｓ．　Ｙｏｕ　ｗｏｕｌｄｎ’ｔ　ｈａｖｅ　ｋｎｏｗｎ　ｉｔ　ｂｙ　ｔｈｅ　ｌｏｏｋｓ　ｏｎ　ｅｖｅｒｙｏｎｅｓ　ｆａｃｅｓ　ｔｈｅｙ　ｗｅｒｅ　ｒｅｌａｔｉｖｅｌｙ　ｃａｌｍ．

Ａｎｄ　ｆｉｎａｌｌｙ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｔｏ　ｔｅｌｌ　ｙｏｕ　ａｂｏｕｔ　ＨＫ．．．　Ａｃｔｕａｌｌｙ　Ｉ　ａｍ　ｇｏｉｎｇ　ｔｏ　ｓａｖｅ　ｔｈａｔ　ｆｏｒ　ｌａｔｅｒ　ｃａｕｓｅ　Ｉ　ｈａｖｅ　ｔｏ　ｇｅｔ　ｒｅａｄｙ　ｔｏ　ｇｏ　ｎｏｗ　ｍｙ　ｎｅｗ　Ｆｉｌｉｐｐｉｎｏ　ｆｒｉｅｎｄｓ　ａｒｅ　ｏｎ　ｔｈｅｉｒ　ｗａｙ　ｔｏ　ｐｉｃｋ　ｍｅ　ｕｐ　ｉｎ　ａ　ｆｅｗ　ｍｉｎｕｔｅｓ　；　）

ｍｕｃｈ　ｌｏｖｅ，
ｍ

My Last AMERican hamburger for a while ; )