Laos

Hello folks.

Just wanted to share some photos with you from beautiful Laos

Here is the guest-house we stayed at in Don Khong Island

This buddha, which is the main attraction of the island, was built to scare away evil spirits.

Jimmy outside the Buddhist temple.

Untouched nature, Don Khong Island.

We saw numerous rice fields as well.

Jimmy and Lene cruising.

Jimmy struggling to get into a hammock for the first time

Chilling at the hotel.

Well where do I start?

One of the aspects that I was looking forward to coming to Asia was the thought I could lose a little weight. For the past two weeks I have been eating really healthy...rice and veg most of the time.

However one of the after effects of being in Asia is all the bacteria that is around. We were warned only to peal our own fruit (we ignored that after a few days) we were warned not to have any ice-cream (you know that one was ignorned...I'm a big lad who just loves a bit of ice cream)

Now for the past two weeks everything has been ok (except the odd runny one). Now we arrived in Don Khong Island in Southern Laos, which is one of the most laid back places that I have ever encountered (will talk about that later)

We arrived at a really nice guest house and all of a sudden I thought I was gonna have a baby (I know some of you thought with my belly I was carrying) I was in the toilet and a mixture of black water, runny rabbit like poo and a toxic smell that would kill an elephant came out. (Let me inform you this was not pleasent)

After a while I managed to finish (most of you know that when you think your finished there is more to come). I had just managed to shower (yeah it was that bad, I sweated like there was no tomorrow), I had put on the anti-bacterial hand wash that we managed to buy from Tesco (why is it you can get everything from Tesco for so cheap?!). Then all of a sudden my arsehole (sorry for the crude language) exploded and it felt like my intestine was hanging out (I did warn you this was nasty). Again after a while it was over...to my surprise it was over...for now!

We were sat at the guesthouse and met an Irishe fella who had been traveling for 4 years! He gave me a charchol tablet and that flushed everything out (I'm not gonna bore you with details but imigane what I just wrote about and times that by 10)

Later that evening we decided to go for some dinner and it was so nice, we had chicken curry with coconut milk, stir fried vegetables, spring rolls, steamed rice and sticky rice! It was fantastic, seriously amazing food!

We then decided to go online (about 5 minutes away from our guesthouse). All of a sudden I felt my tummy go a little pear shaped...After looking at the princess I threw her the wallet and off I scampered...this was going to be the most important journey of my life becaue if I didn't time it right it would all end in a mess (if you get my drift?!)

I was sort of running but at the same time holding my bum tight and grasping my belly (I must have looked a right state) I went past a guest house and all the locals were laughing at the state of me...I thought these people were supposed to be peaceful?! (In all fairness I would have done the same). At last the guesthouse was in sight, however I felt everything falling out!

I picked the pace up to almost full canter (ever seen the discovery channel and when a buffolo charges? Well that was me) I arrived at the guesthouse almost ready to explode, smiled at the lady and took my shoes off (I'm always full of good manners...thanks mum!).

I could see the door, I got my key out...and dropped it (the key not my load), I was like a drunken old man trying to get that key in the door. In the room I got...in the bathroom (at this point I had turtle heads popping out) the only problem was my button, all stuck and stiff (so with all my strength I just ripped it off). No sooner had my boxers came down, it was like god opening up and letting the heavens fall (now sit back, close your eyes and take all this in...thats how good it was?!)

I can honestly say that I feel for these super models now, as soon as I eat it comes straight out, the good news is I'm getting a smaller belly

Enjoy

Jimmy xx

Where do I start?!

We decided to go to a place called Paksong, about 45k from Tadlo. We got a local bus (nicer than the first local bus). We got dropped off at a T junction and we waited in the middle of nowhere for a bus that might come or a tuk tuk that might pass (seriously even for Laos we were nowhere!)

After about 30 min (in that time we had blistering heat from the sun followed by clouds and rain?!). Then the bus came, there was only one free seat and sleeping beauty had that (even though I hardly slept last night, but as you all know I'm too much of a gentleman to make the Princess stand! haha). Well as everyone slept, I was lucky enough to watch the fuzzy almost dead TV that was playing a Laos pop star music (it is as bad as you could imagine).

On the way there a poor baby was coughing, people were snoring, the bus was soooooooo slow (even a push bike overtook us at one point), sleeping beauty was in the land of nod and i was standing up with a bad back (I hope your all feeling sorry for me?!)

Anyway after about an hour we arrived in Paksong...and then we drove through Paksong?! Then all of a sudden we were told that it was our stop...in the middle of NOWHERE!!! Seriously it was more remote that the last place!

We decided to walk down a road and the to our joy (mine especially, considering I was carrying both the BIG bag packs...gentleman again?!) We saw a guest house...JOY

Well as soon as we started to walk up to it I started to have my doubts...It was like something out of a horror movie...PSYCHO or something like that!

We walk in and there is music coming from what looks like a cannibals lounge (my imagination has a great sense of humor) , we then start shouting "Sab a dee" (Hello in Laos)...no response.

We decided to look around (this is where it gets worse) all the rooms and windows were open (very creepy), still shouting out for some kind of response (I was expecting leatherface from the texas chainsaw film to come out of nowhere and hit me with a huge hammer) Lene then decides she wants to go toilet, I decide then to look out the back...to my surprise...no people! However there were 2 wild monkeys swinging on the tree (wish I wasn't too scared and got the camera out)

Well Lene is finished and this is when my brain and imagination goes into overtime (being a film student and watching too many horror films is not good at times) We decide to get the hell out of there before we were stabbed followed by being skinned alive and the put on a BBQ and spit roasted like a pig and eaten by the locals!!!!!!

Later we saw some people and they told us that was the best guest house in the area?!

I'm glad we didn't go to the worse or I would hate to think what would have happened to us!

(Just a little bit of my brain to keep you interested...I hope you laughed and found it as stupid as Lene did?!)

I know we had a lucky ESCAPE!

Jimmy xx

We are finally back in Pakse, after spending few days in a little village called Tadlo. Jimmy and I ended up at a guest- house called Mama Pap's. The first impressions were alright, we were quite excited (especially Jimmy) to sleep in a very basic bamboo hut, containing a bed, mosquito net and a tiny fan only! Eventually though, Jimmy had second thoughts and wanted to check in a nicer hotel. We checked out at 6Am the next day.

Our room was tiny, a shared toilet was also provided...

We started trekking at 8.30 AM. Pet (and his dog Mukk), who was our guide that spoke a little English, guided the way through the forest. If you love nature, Laos is the perfect place to explore. We saw butterflies and dragonflies in different colors, Pet also showed us cucumber, chili, pumpkins and tobacco plants. He even showed us a certain plant that is used as a drug... Pet collected some leafs, rolled them in a banana leaf and smoked it, hehe...

Beautiful Laos!!

We got to visit four villages as well. They do not have much money, but they still seem happy and content. As I am used to live in a capitalist society, it was fairly strange to see these people live a life that is not focused on consumption. They basically work in the fields and help their families. It is a very family orientated society. Interestingly, the woman does most of the hard work. Similarly, in the cities the men usually perform 'nicer' jobs, such as being a tuk tuk driver, rather than working in the rice fields or cleaning the streets (which also occurs in Vietnam). Moreover, women are also expected to take care of the home and raising the children. It is also strange to see that the men help Jimmy carry our backpacks into the local buses, whilst they just show me whereabouts I should place my bags hehe.. Here, men help other men, women have to help themselves. I don't mind though, it's fascinating to experience a new culture where the gender roles are different than in Western societies.

One of our highlights so far, is the elephant trekking. Elephants are magnificent creatures, the one we saw was quite big and old. Its skin was so thick and had a lot of wrinkles but still cute!!! The elephant's name was Mon. According to Solideth (a guy that owns a restaurant and guest house in Tadlo), elephants are emotional animals. He was a mahood (a guy that rides elephants), he said that elephants are incredibly jealous. He could not flirt with his girlfriend, or else the elephant would refuse to eat and simply run away. It's quite fascinating to talk to the locals, I am glad we met Solideth as many Lao people do not speak English.

Elephant trekking was fun! It lasted about two hours and we even went through a river!

Solideth's contribution to the Tadlo community is very inspiring. He founded a computer school for kids (teaching them basic computer skills in English, Thai and Lao). He showed us the school and we were impressed. He teaches up to 80 students, sharing 15 computers. Hopefully, Jimmy and I will raise enough money (2000 Pounds) to build a library, next to the computer school.

There are also several monks who study at the computer school. They are friendly, but apparently women are not allowed to touch them or their robes...

Tomorrow morning, we are going to Four Thousand Islands, which is located nearby the Cambodian boarder. I don't know what to expect, but I am looking forward to it!

Hanne, koselig at du leser bloggene vare. Vi har det fint her, deilig og varmt glad i deg!!!

P.S: Jimmy and I spell 'Solideth's' name differently

Well were back and safe! (ALMOST...will tell that story next!)

We went to Tadlo and and what an amazing journey (I know I'm saying everything is amazing but it all is!)

We decided to get the local bus from Pakse to Tadlo and let me inform you that was an adventure itself! In Asia there are different kinds of buses, with different kinds of prices (Local = Cheap all the way to VIP = Expensive). On this bus there were doors that didn't work, fans that have not worked for about 20 years, bags of rice and fruit everywhere, farmers, Buddhist monks, insects...I could go on! Now let me tell you we LOVED IT!!!!!! Where is the point in going to Asia if all your gonna do is travel in nice buses and stay in luxurious hotels?!

The locals are so friendly here in Laos that it is scary to think how rude, obnoxious, arrogant, angry and downright depressed everyone is back home. These people here are so poor that its sad, I mean really poor! There is no free schooling out here so if the parents can't afford to pay then the kids are either working in the fields or begging! The main difference here with the children is the genuine warmth that the children have and also the fact they have this innocence that the kids back home have long lost. These kids have nothing...I MEAN NOTHING, yet they are very friendly, respectful to elders and have this infectious desire to LEARN!

I was fortunate enough whilst trekking in Laos to meet some local village children. We decided to go trekking through the jungle of Laos, we saw waterfalls, mountains, trees (about a million kind of plants), ants the size of stones! the most amazing butterflies (pink, yellow, red and a combination of colours that never stop amazing us), however the most amazing aspect were the villages.

CAN YOU SEE ME?

We were with our guide 'Pet' and his amazing dog 'Mukk'. He told us in his broken English about the animals, plants (some that he rolled up and smoked...seriously) and also about the villages. We went through 5 villages and each one different from the each other. These were villages with houses on stilts, wooden, bamboo, anything to keep the sun out. At times, especially for me because Lene has seen this in the Philippines before, I found this very upsetting.

I have realized since being in Asia, how spoilt we are in the West. We moan if we don't have a new pair of Nike, or a new flat screen tv, or if the shop has sold out of our favorite chocolate. If you could see how these people live you would realize how LUCKY we are! These people cant even afford NEW clothes. In terms of food most of the people have to grow there own, imagine if you had to go with your 5 year old son or daughter, along with you 80 year old gran and go an farm for 15 hours a day in the roaring heat?! Well thats what these people do every day...7 days a week!

In Asia if you don't work...you don't earn! We have seen many people with crippled backs still carrying...men and women!

I know it sounds like I'm ranting and raving, but these people and their situations have really touched me in a way I have never been touched before.

Take for example our guide 'Pet'. He took us on a 15k trekk, through forests, over streams and up mountains...always fitter and faster than us...the embarrassing thing was he is 65 years old?! It put me to shame! A 25 year old lad who was sweating from every hole, out of breath and dreaming of some food. Here was this GRANDFATHER who would put 99% of westerners to shame!

ME, LENE, PET AND MUKK

Another aspect that touched me was, when we arrived back I asked if he would have lunch with us, he was too proud to accept this. You have to realize that what these people lack in money they surely make up for in pride and self happiness.

Getting back to the children in the villages. It was amazing for me to have the chance to converse with them. There was about 10 locals kids who were 'fascinated' by the BIG WHITE MONSTER. I was making chicking noises and chasing them around. The laughter was amazing...the more chick noises I made, the more they laughed! Can you imagine a big lad with tattoos, a metal ball through his lip chasing you?!

ME AND THE KIDS

I must also mention here the amazing work that one individual has put into the village of Tadlo that we visited. Basically in the lonely planet book (our bible) it tells of a place called Tims Guesthouse that is the number 1 place in Tadlo. It is run by a man called Soulidet, who is from Laos but moved to Australia for 25 years. He came back 10 years ago and set up his guesthouse. Well he has built a computer school for the local kids and also helps them with English. This guy is up at 6am every day running his guest house, looking after the kids and allowing the local Monks to use the school. He does all of this by himself and out of the kindness of his heart. We had the privilege to see the students working (in their own free time). All I can say is this guy is an inspiration to the rest of the world...oh he also speaks 5 languages, looks after all the local guides, is a spiritual individual who looks after the elephants, funded and built the local Buddhist prayer building and also trains the kids in his kitchen!

THE AMAZING SOULIDET AND ME

Along our travels so far we have met some humble people who will always have a place in our hearts, but for me it is the children who inspire me. As I write this I have to wipe away tears running down my face!

ME ENJOYING THE RAIN

Jimmy xx