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.

Chiang Mai, North of Thailand

Last days with Parina were pretty OK, despite the attitude of her husband, which is to be called Hula hula, for reasons only insiders understand. Did a lot of biking and running. Payed my Income taxes for 2010 (thanks for the messages Wen!!). Stayed in the most beautiful house (better: castle) you can imagine (see video's (still to be published)). Parina's family was so hospitable! I felt home right away and at some ceremonial church-like service they even did a prayer for me, which was appreciated. Mean that!!
This morning Marina (good (and very good looking)) friend of Parina brought me to the bus station, from where the trip to Chiang Mai started. Arrived here at 1 PM, found a nice room, strolled around city and orientated about how and when to cross the border. There are visa running trips (with only as a goal to extend your visa), so that's a good option. Anyway, we'll see.
Now: some food and there's Chelsea - Man C on a big screen in a few bars here, so... Hup Man C!!

Laterz,
Jan.

Fairytale in Northern thailand

Yesterday: long, long trip to mom and dad of Parina. Very hospitable people and i felt home right away. Then came the big suprise: we stay in the house of a friend of Parina. Well, house... it's a castle. Literally. I did not belive my eyes. I made some movies, to be published later. Really amazing time here (except for Ulf who is spoiling a lot of fun by drinking too much, as was to be expected).
So today: shopping (bought a dictionary for Parina's dad, since he tries so hard to communicate with me), then back to town by bike (yep, bike, 20 KM's) where i'm updating this weblog (among other things).
Soon to Cang mai, from where i will cross the border to Lao again (and see Vientien and perhaps Vien Vang), before going back to BKK.

Laterz,
Jan.

Mountains in North Thailand.

2 days of tripping in the mountains: the views are stunning (thanks Paul for teaching me that word), the way of traveling very comfortable (big USV (yeah, yeah, i know... not exactly in line with my opinion about how to handle the environmentproblems, but... complaining would be too unpolite)), the people i stay with (Parina's sister (very kind woman, who makes me feel at home) and Ulf (hmmmm, never mind)) are basically OK.
I made a lot of pictures and movies (finally, after not having touched the camera for a month (don't know why not)(,which i will publish when i'm home). I link to them will be on this blog.
Food is great and err.... going 'home' now and take a shower.

Laterz,
Jan.

Oh yeah: Thai people can't drive cars. Taking risks when passing over, drive too slow when not necessary and too fast when not smart, don't keep left, etc. And they really don't grasp the concept of shifting gears (climbing a mountain in 5th gear will not work guys).
So, no wonder: 15.000 killed (2004) and how many injured? And it's not just the worse conditions of the road. Government has to do something here.

One exception: Juan (college of Parina) knows how to drive.

Up in the mountains (North of Thailand)

Yesterday: spend a relaxing day in Kalasin. Preparing for the trip, running, reading, meeting some old friends for the last time (for the next few years anyway), going for a nice diner with Ulf and Parina. Some chatting afterwards and an early night.
Today: went to the north to the house of Kasin, the sister of Parina. Great place to be: rural area, mountainns in the background (where we will go tomorrow). To go short: although the end of the trip is nearing, i'm still having a great time.

Laterz,
Jan.

Back in Kalasin...

Yesterday last day in Lao. Spend it with Adi from Israel. Nice bloke, great time. Some bicycle trips in the environment, the dinosaur museum (very tiny), then Adi took the nightbus to Vientiane.
This morning i left Lao by bus. Crossed the border to Mukdahan and from there to Kalasin. All went well, so i arrived here round noon. Good to see my friends here again. Too bad i only got a 15 days visa. It forces me to visit Malaysia before i fly back to Holland. What a shame isn't it?

Laterz,
Jan.

Back in Savannakhet

The trip to the Bolaven plateau with Dean and 4 others was fantastic. Take a look for yourself if you like:

www.molon.de/galleries/Laos/Bolaven/

Again, visiting these poor rural area's i realize how incredibly rich the west is. It's an open door (dutchism?), but still.

Today back to Savanahketh, which went very quick, since we were dropped of at the bus it self in stead of the northern busstation. I came here with Adi from Israel. Over here, booked a room in my old (3 days ago, haha) hotel, had a bite, a siesta and some winterolympics on the television (yeah, luxury room). Now about to have dinner with Adi, in a restarant on the Mekong river (were i ate before).

Plans: tomorrow cycling in this environment en the Dinosaur museum.The day after: crossing the border to Thailand, and bus to Kalasin. You'll here from me again from there if all goes well.

See ya,
Jan.

Pakse, also Lao

Pakse here and now. Nice city, but not that much to do. So, one day of arranging things and cycling in the area and a one day trip to the bolovan(?) plateau, which is supposed to be great.
I arrived here yesterday with Thomas after a long long and slow busride by a local bus. Being dropped of 8 km's before we arrived town (which turned out to be a scam, coz later on it seemed that the bus did go to the center of town, but ok). Found a expensive hotel here, got some indian food (yummy) and Thomas hit the sack then. I stayed for a stroll through town and a last beer. During that last beer i could just prevent that this English guy (Dean) started a fight with a German, although he had good reasons for it to do so. (Can't go into details about that.)
This moring i wanted to arrange al kinds of things, but that was done in like 10 minutes. After that went to town to get some breakfast and guess who i met again? Yep, Sebastian, Pieter and Brian! So nice to see them again. Finally a chance to say a proper goodbye and to exchange email-addresses. After that switched to a cheaper room and here i am now updating my blog in an internet cafe down the road in Pakse.

See you all later,
Jan.

Savanahket, Lao that is...

Here i am, Savanahket, Lao, suffering from a huge hangover due to beerlao, which is strong beer i can tell by now. Ouch! The trip to here was a nice, but uncomfortable one: Picked up early (6 am), by minibus (13 people in a 8 persons minibus), from there to the border (met Pieter and Sebastian from Holland, nice blokes), spend about an hour crossing the border (lend 40 $ to Lisa (Holland too), get her cross the border), busride to Savanahket, through a beautifull countrysite. Lao is so quit and relaxing compared to Vietnam!! Love it here!
Arriving here, trying to find a hotel with 5 other people (Pieter, Sebastiaan, Lisa and then there is Thomas (Germany), and Brian (USA)), ending up at the hotel where the bus dropped us off initially. Then: food and beer with the six of us, which was so incredibly nice! Good converations... and then... the beer struck!
So, now i'm miserable, but that's my own fault i guess. Still had a great evening.

Later more,
Jan.

Hue, part 2

Spend 6 days here (including tomorrow) and that was OK, but enough. Trips in the rural environment are really nice. The Vietnamese rural site is really like you expect Vietnam to be. Big terraces with rice fields, where you can ride your bicycle endlessly. There is a daily routine again: breakfast with banana pancakes and coffee (i think Vietnamese coffee is the best in the world!), long walks or a trip (either organized or on my own, by bicycle), running in the park, food, some drinks in a (cheap) local restaurant. On the 11th of February i plan to go to Lao, though i got only 7 days to spend there since i have to be in Kalasin again on the 18th for a trip with Parina and Ulf to the North of Thailand (where no tourists go). Looking forward to that. Too bad i have to miss Hanoi though. 4 months and still running out of time...hmm, bad planning perhaps?

See ya all laterz,
Jan.

Hue...

Last day in Nha Thrang was spend with.... Ed, from Alaska. Met him before in both Phnom Penh and Saigon. Funny how the same people show up all the time. Of course we had dinner and a good conversation again and also the next day (last one in Nha Trang) was shared with him. He is an experienced traveler and has lots of stories about it as well.

Too bad i did not get the chance to say a proper goodbye to Paul and Heyley. Have 10 more fine traveling months guys. I'm not jealous about you at all. (Grrr....) (Still have a little less than 6 weeks left for myself, so... no complaining.)

The sleeperbus (nightbus with some bed(ish) kind of chairs) to Hue was a long and tiring one, but OK, here i am. Did a little nap when i arrived here, then the first explorations in town. I think i can have a few good days here. And no old travelers to meet up here (probably), so... on my own again. Instead of Hanoi i plan to visit Lao before i go back to Kalasin. I's so easy to cross the border from here...
Well i'll let you know how it all ends... Now, some running (found a nice park to run in).

Greetz, Jan.

Nha Trang (that's how i should have written it)..

After a stunning busride through the highland of vietnam i entered a beachresort again, this time with a big city connected to it. Nha Trang is good for a couple of days but... i must go on soon otherwise i won't make it up to Hanoi. So... days on the beach again, did a nice boattrip along the islands today, met Paul and Heyley again (just shortly, since they were exhausted) and also Nicolai (from Russia) and Jerson (from Brazil). Last two are foreign exchange students in Seoul (Corea), visiting Vietnam now. Oh yeah, and Florian from Germany.
Well, no really much to tell, since the days here are touristic (in stead of travelic) and so my activities are predictable (sunbathing, swimming, good food, nice conversations, nice people). One more day here and then to Hue, by nightbus. Hear from me again when im there probably.

Laterz, Jan.

Two days in Dalat

Yesterday: did the country trip around Dalat. Saw a lot: Silk factories, beehives, great waterfalls (the elephant falls), the crazy house, coffee growing fields (don't know the correct English way to describe that), some incredible embroidery (yes, you read that right; Google it!!), greenhouses with about a billion flowers, enormous Buddha statues, temples, and some more... Nice group of people too. Especially Nicolai from Russia and from Brazil. I will see them again in Na Thrang. At night i met Paul and Heyley again. Great conversations as usual and a night that passes in a blink of an eye. See them in Na Thrang again as well i guess, since they left today.
Today: had a bicycle day again. Great views of the mountains that surround this town. Back in my hotel: saw the women final of the Aussie Open, did a stroll and updating my blog right now. Tomorrow it's off to Na Thrang, where I'm supposed to meet lots of friends. Even Vanni may be among them. Tell you more about it later.

Jan.

Dalat, up in the mountains

Yesterday: left Mui Ne. Had a good week there, but one week between russian tourists is enough. Forgot to mention the beautifull biketrips i did to the fishermansvillages close to Mui Ne. Great to be away from the tourist area.
Anyway, the bus trip to Dalat went all right. Found a very luxurious hotel for 8$. Paul and Heyley were on the same bus, so they're here too. Haven't met them yet though.
Datal is a small town, in the highlands of Vietnam, meaning temperatures are like 20+ degrees during the day and only a few degrees above freezing during night time, so... sleeping under blankets, wearing my jumper and jacket... feels homish...
In the eveing found "peace cafe" (famous cafe (according to the lonely planet)) where i had a nice conversation with John, from Holland, who's biking here for a couple of months. Went to sleep early.
Today: orientated in the town and near surroundings, planing to do a countryside trip tomorrow and some biking the day after. Tell you all about it later. All in all: i quit like this place.

See ya,
Jan.

Last days in Mui Ne

Tomorrow: off to Dalat, to see the country side (site?).
As far as Mui Ne is concerned: met this really nice couple from London (Paul and Hayley), still play guitar at Joe's (tonight for the last time) and eh... well had a great week here.
One strange thing about this place: 80% of the tourists are Russian and they're loaded with money (the nouveau rich from Russia so to speak). And there are some really expensive luxurious hotels here, all owned by Russians, where you never see a guest. Russian mafia, covering up some illegal money? I really start thinking so. Well just a thought.

Catch you laterz,
Jan.

Still in Mui Ne

Days pass by. Cam and Tara left. What's left: sunshine, beaches, books, good food, Joe's (where i play live on a regular basis now (i.e. every night)), lots of good conversations with interesting people (there's Rene from Canada, Paul from London, Jayem from the Philippines (the guy who introduced me on stage to play (his) guitar)).
To go short: gonna spend a week here and then (reluctantly) off to Dalat (on the 27th that is). Travel with Parina has changed as well, so i can stay a little longer in Vietnam. Good!!

Later more,
Jan.

PS: Am i brown skinned? I guess so!

Sunny Mui Ne

Been here for two days now. History repeats his self, since the same daily routine occurs as in Sihanoukville: getting up at 9 (ish), breakfast, doing the household things (laundry, internet, shower, shopping), lunch (like rise, curry & chicken for 1.5 us$), long walks along the beach, swimming, sunbathing, reading books, listening to music, etc), run, shower, food (really good food), talks, beers, etc. Yesterday night i even played live in "Joe's" (a very nice bar or better: cultural center), where most nights is live music; i spoke to one of the guitar-players and he invited me on stage. Great experience after all those years of not having played and it was really appreciated (Harry Sacksioni in Vietnam, Lol). Well, i go on living this life for a couple of days more and then... Dalat i think, after that: Hue (or return to this little paradise.. don't konw for sure yet). I
I"ll let you all know.

Laterz,
Jan.

Rain, lots of it...

Last day in Saigon: rain. It's exceptional, considering that this is the dry season. But since i wanted to visit the war-museum it wasn't much of a problem. The war-museum itself was depressing as to be expected. Man, how can things like that happen? Can anybody tell me? After the museum: my daily running (which went quit all right in the rain) and that evening i was sitting on a small terrace and guess who came walking by? Vanni! That was so nice. Of course we chatted the evening away over some drinks. Too bad he arrived while i was about to go away. Still...
Today: bustrip to Mui Ne. 5 hours and there he was: Cameron Steele, the guy i met in 2003 in India and who happens to travel here as well. I booked in the same guesthouse where he (and Tara, his gf) are and we got some food (really good food and even cheaper than in Saigon). Unpacked, took a nap, ran, update this weblog. Later: a burger and some chatting with Cam & Tara. PS: I am here in this great beach resort but, it still rains! Bummer! Let's see how it is tomorrow. I'll let you know.

Laterz,
Jan.

Days in Saigon

First full day: exploring the city (it's huge and extremely busy), nice food, found a nice park to do my daily jogging, and met Ed from Alaska. First night: Ed & I discussed politics meaning: too many beers and too little sleep. Great night tough. Next day: Coffee with Ed, brought him to the river (from where his boat left for some beach place, i forgot the name of), recovering from last night, running and a long night sleep to catch up for today:
Trip to the Mekong delta: fantastic! Great bus ride (good rural scenery), met Raman (great bloke from Vladiwostoc), nice boat trips on the Mekong, visited two islands (where we saw: all kind of coconuts being made, a big python (brr), boat trip through the canals of the islands). All in all a great day. 7 PM back in Saigon, a shower an a quick bite, updating this weblog and now... find a nice restaurant for a relaxing drink.

See ya all later,
Jan.

Saigon (as they stil call it here...)

Goodbye Cambodia. Had a good time there and i think i will be back one day. Some last summarizing (good english?) conclusions:
Very friendley people, trying very hard to earn a dollar, which sometimes is annoying, but hey... they try to make a living.
Police has no authority what so ever. If they ask you to put your car or motor to the side just ignore them. You get away with it.
Pyama's are normal clothes to wear, during the day. At least the women and children do.
The streets in Phnom Penh are numbered (in stead of named), which should be done every where. It's so convenient. Never have to search and you always know (about) how far you have to go.
Cambodian kids are sooo cute. They don't cry, they always smile, they always (seem to be) happy, they're NOT spoiled and they are beautiful to see. I got fatherly (good english?) feelings. Seriously.

And then... a long, long bustrip, which went all right though, but it was tiring. Good thing i made a reservation here (yellow guesthouse, 2 luxury days (airco, fridge, tv, breakfast, 9 euro/night)). Just came back from a first stroll through town. Yesterday late i went out for a short while: it's hectic, extremely hectic. About a billion mopeds, loud music, loads of people, bars, nightclubs, etc.
Had a good night sleep after that (despite diarrhea).

Catch you all later,
Jan.

Last day in Sihanoukville

Loved it here. Had some very relaxing days. Vanni has gone to Kampot yesterday, so... on my own again. Preparing for Ho Chi Min City, were i will go tomorrow. It will be a long, long bustrip: first (back) to Phnom Penh and from there to Ho Chi Min City (Saigon).

See you there, Jan.

Stung and Sunburned

As the days pass, doing my daily routines... a couple of noticable things happened:
Did a great ride on a rented bike. Far away from the tourist area, which is kind of relief every now and then. Saw the harbour, had coffee inside an a russian hotel, with a aeroplane (big one) inside; all in all a great day.
Vanni and I (and a few scandinavians) did a boattrip yesterday. Very nice although: bad snorkeling (bad views), i got sting by a seaurchin (for the dutch: zeeegel; ik moest het zelf ook opzoeken). Didn't bother me too much and by now the pain has almost gone. The stung was not deep and unpoissened. And i got a terrible sunburn. Man, am i reddish brown. Had a good night sleep though, only to be awakened by a rainshower, although it's not the time of the year. Anyway, im still doing fine. Got my visa and ticket for Vietnam, where i will go on friday (long, long bustrip). Untill that time: some more relaxing days at the beach and recovering from stings and burns.

See ya, Jan.

Days at the beach in Sihanoukville

Found a more or less daily routine here: Wake up around 8.30, have a coffee and do the internet, get breakfast at the beach, read the Cambodia Daily or the Phom Penh Post, get the swimming gear and a few dolars (the most used currency here, although "riels" (actual Cambodian money) is accepted as well), a good book and spend the afternoon, swimming, sipping fruitshakes, reading and talking with Vanni (Italian bloke i met on the bus to here). Go to my room at 5 PM, run for 20-30 minutes, have a cold bottle of water, see the sunset, shower and have dinner (mostly with Vanni), to be ended with a couple of beers at the beach. Sounds terrible dosn't it? Well, i'll try to hold on for a week more or so. Wish me luck. Lol.

Laterz, Jan.

Sihanukville, south coast of Cambodia

And it's beautiful. Man, what a suprise, what a beaches, clean air, well... let me tell you...
Yesterday (3-1, computer mixed up all dates due to being at a different place in the world i guess) i left Phnom Penh, met this italian guy (Vanni), who was also heading for the south coast, long bustrip to here and 2 nice motorbike blokes brought us to this really cheap, but clean and comfortable guesthouse. First impression of this area: Wow, wow and wow. Nice beaches, great sunsets, excellent seagood, really cheap prices, nice people and clean air (after all the big cities i have been so far this is paradise). So, i think i might stick here for 10 days or so. If you never see me again in Holland.. you know where i am. Lol. This is the beginning of the first full day. Gonna pack my stuff (money, swimming gear and a good book) and beach, here i come. How about you there in Holland? Freezing your asses off? (Gni...)

Laterz, Jan.

Floating villages on the mekong river.

Yesterday went as planned. Long walk (found the royal palace closed), got the ticket for Sihanoukville (that's how you spell that), did a very nice boattrip on the Mekong river (floating villages (literally!, people build their house on floaters), beautiful sunset), and a movie about the outrageous acts of Pol Pot. Said goodbye to banking Peter, who is off to Ho Chi Min City now. For today: no plans, so... long walks and some shopping for the trip tomorrow to Sihanoukville.
Now, a look at the news in Holland, Breakfast and the Phnom Penh Post to read.

Laterz, Jan.