Back in Lao, Vang Vieng to be precise

After a long and tiring, but well going bus trip i arrived in Vang Vieng yesterday. Found a nice place to stay (the place is full of cheap guesthouses). Caught on some sleep, did my first explorations in town and to my pleasant suprise saw that almost all the restaurants and bars play episodes of both the Simpsons and Family Guy all night long. It's tempting to spend hour after hour there, but i didn't, although i'm a big fan of both cartoons.
Today (after a very solid night of sleep) i rented a bike and biked in the scenery here. Stunning: mountains, beautiful river (where you can "tube" (let yourself float down the river for hours (not done yet, but will)), ricefields, etc. Great day! Not met any new people here, which is a bit peculiar. Perhaps because the place is actually for youngsters. Feel OK here though.

Laterz,
Jan.

Back in Holland... sob, sob, sob

Apart from meting all my friends and family here i'm still sad my traveling ended. Had a great time, despite the strange way it started off. So, this is the last message of this blog, since i'm back in my hometown, Meppel that is.
The way home went well: extra police on the way to the airport (so no red protesters), no delay, and back home now. Still unpacking, filled out my tax forms, getting used to this climate again, reorganizing my life, repairing my car (having that done that is), catching up with friends and family.
Well thank you all for reading this blog and hopefully see each other again one day, where ever and when ever.

Goodbye and do well,
Jan.

Last day in BKK (that is if....)

Last day of this trip. Tonight the long flight back to Amsterdam, with a stopover in Cairo. Hopefully all goes smoothly, since the reds are still protesting.

Right now it rains heavily here. Beyond belief really. Poring is the right English expression i believe. Some lightning now as well. Poor protesters!!

Ran into Neil last night. Had a couple of goodbye beers. Really nice to have seen him again. We met in the very beginning of my trip and at the very end. Funny isn't it?
Well, if all goes well the last message will be from Holland, so.... see you all there.

Laterz,
Jan.

Turmoil in BKK

Last few days: hot, hotter, hottest. Not only temperature (40 degrees) and humidity (98%) (the cool season has come to an end), but also political tensions here in BKK. The so called reds (socialist-ish) people (the poor ones) protest against the government and want them to resign. Just took a look at the two places where most protesters are, but right now it's quiet. Hopefully it won't give me any trouble when i fly back to Amsterdam (like what happened (about) 2 years ago (but that were the yellows (the rich and powerful elite))).
The rest of the time i explore the city, i ran into Kerem (from Turkey) again. Nice to see him again. I watch Premier League football (with Martin, from Sweden), doing the last shopping, make long strolls through town, read books in the park, watch the protests, etc. Quite amusing i must say.

Okay, see you all later, and hopefully my fellow countrymen soon again,

Jan.

Back in BKK

Last day in Vientiane: Marcus and I strolled town, had a good conversation (ran into the NZ a.h. again, who was totally ignored) and.... ended in a big party: We ran into 2 Germans, a Norwegian girl (sorry Nina: Woman) and an English bloke. Beerslao, nightclub, lots of laughter and a man with a hammer the next day. Still: great time and a worthy way of saying goodbye to all of them. They went off to Vang Vieng and Marcus to Noi Khong and i left to BKK, where i arrived this morning early. Had to wait for a room in my favorite guesthome here. Round 11 am got it. Took a long shower and tried to catch up some sleep. Updating weblog now.

Laterz,
an.

Vientiane, Lao

From the capital of Lao, i salute you. Last days in Vang Vieng were relaxed and ok. Visited some caves, played some music, daily running, lots of biking, etc. Good times.
The day before yesterday i went to Vientiane. I met Marcus here. He's from Switzerland and we spend some time here together. Nice bloke. When we arrived there were hardly any rooms available, so we ended up in a shared room in a very crappy hotel (the one you see in the movie "the beach" as the lonely planet says). Celebrated the arrival over a few beerlao's (even went to a nightclub) and next day found a decent (but expensive) hotel. Marcus and i went biking all day. Along the banks of the Mekong river, which was really nice. Found a park to run and at night had a good dinner and some live music. Also ran into one obnoxious Newzealand guy, who chased everybody away, with his aggressive attitude. Then a long and solid sleep, badly being stung by muscitos btw.
Today.... preparing to go back to Thailand (hopefully without any problems, since it's the fourth time i cross the border in a short period..) and visiting the Lao national Museum. Yeah!!

Laterz,
Jan.

Chiang Mai - 2

Spending my days with exploring the city and watching football with english blokes. Good time. During the day i run and bike a lot.
Today i visited Chiang Mai's zoo. It is Huge. Took me al day to see it all. Great day though.
Tomorrow a 24 hrs trip to Vien Vang (Lao again), since my visa expires. Let you know when i'm there.

Laterz,
Jan.