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Hi, it's all about the adventure... ((*_*)) 
Mar 31, 2010 06:00 PM The dawning of a new day
First completed day in Saigon, was meant to head for the dealt but have chosen to to hang around town and do a little sight seeing and just chill. Tomorow is another day.
I think I going to immerse myself in a little bit of culture and visit a few museums but that is it.
It was really amazing walking around the town last night - the sights and sounds were really amazing. I love the crazy moped riders and the crossing systems - it was like seeing a perfectly choregraphed dance production. with bikes weaving their way through oncoming traffic. It was truly magical to see.
I have ended up staying in the backpack area but found a really nice 2* hotel (which is a first) but there is a really great feel about this area with a lot of tourists around. A couple of the guys that I meet on the plane were also staying here, in fact in the hotel next door. In the enening my road converts in to restaurants, with alfresco dining. The evenings are so warm, no strike that hot! that you have to be either in an airconditioned building or on the streets.
The only worrying thing is the air quality. Most people wear masks and I beginning to cough so I wish I had one myself to use, as you can almost taste the polluiton in the air. But they promised me that in the delta every will be fine. But you know what, I just won't hold my breath on that happening....
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Mar 30, 2010 06:00 PM The end of March
What a great month this has turned out to be. I have thoroughly enjoyed it. Now for Vietnam. This was on my list as a maybe; so while I was in Siem Reap I decided to make it happy and booked a flight for $100 on Angkor Airways - or some thing like that - it was run by Vietnam airways and the flight and service was great. I was a little afraid becuase I hadn't heard of this airline before, but I glad to report positive impressions.
I was surprised that in cambodia all prices are quoted in dollars. so much so that they give you the dollar price without even thinking which I find a little strange. So I'm not sure it things are cheap as I was always thinking in dollars. But the cheapest thing was the food. And you get really good quality food for the price.
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Mar 29, 2010 06:00 PM Hot as hell in Angkor
OMG it is really hot in Siem Reap. I was listen to the news and they said it was about 38 degrees. But I swear it was so much hotter.
I started the day really early and went to Angkor Wat. It should have been for sunrise, but with all the smog that is around, I really just couldn't bothered to wake up that early. The sunset the night before was so hazy, that I made a decision that it wasn't worth it.
But even at 8am the sun still had some nice colour so I hope my pictures came out ok - hey you just never know.
I could believe that the jungle could be so hot and climbing to the top of the temples was a real challenge. But you just have to do that sort of thing, because chances are I will never do this again.
They were doing some repairs so this is the first time I have seen scafolding on the site. It is being done in conjection Indian government, which really makes sense as it started off as an Hindu temple.
I really enjoyed Ta Phrom (I think that is the correct spelling); this is where they filmed the Tomb Raider film and it was really funny tho hear how since the release of the file, the country has seen a rise in tourism. Especailly after it was first released. It didn't quite understand the power of the media until then. But they say it is just amazing. I'm sure their government has some to say about that but it really is nice story.
The beauty of the Ta Phrom Temples complex is that it hasn't been cut out of the jungle and the trees are still displacing the stong/brickwork. It is really amazing to see. I am so happy that I came, even though it was for a flying visit!
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Mar 28, 2010 06:00 PM Sunrise - sunset
I was embroiled in a great debate of whether to see Angkor at Sunrise or Sunset. I know they are equally beautiful but I in certain situations sunset is better. But the decision was made that we were going to do both.
So instead of renting a tuk tuk for around $10 (well that was his starting price and bearing in mind that everything is negotiable!) or contacting my driver at a cost of $30 we decided to rent some bikes at a cost of $1.
I think it too us 45 minutes hour to cycle the 10km as the bikes weren't exactly new, But we chose the wrong road and ended up cycling all the way to the wat before being told that we had to go back down the road (3km) to the ticket office to purchase the tickets. This turned out to be a blessing in disguise as we have gotten there too early. The monument is free entry after 4.30pm if you have a valid ticket for the following day. so we had 30 minutes or so to wait.
I really enjoyed seeing the Wat but the sunset colours weren't that excitng. But I still managed to be one of the last people to leave the site. So much so I was cycling back down the road and it was pitch black in some area. It really felt like I was cycling with a blind fold on.
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Mar 27, 2010 09:00 PM Talk about a flying visit...
I should really try to less on my holidays and actually spend more time enjoying the country. I need to make better decisions.
But to day was about exploring Bangkok. I took a boat down the river and really enjoy it. It cost 25 baht for the express boat or 13 baht for the local bite. We could have also gotten a day pass for 125 - that allowed up to explore the floating market.
From the boat we walked to the Royal Grand palace and it was really grand. I was amazed at the beauty. I think it cost $20 as an entrance fee and was told that for local they pay probabaly a fifty of that. But the good think is that for that money you get to see two other museums
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Mar 26, 2010 09:00 PM I missed the sunrise
I missed the sunrise this morning as I was sitting on the middle aisle - my flight was jam packed. And no one really cared what was out there. We landed really early, and made our way to the hotel.
Bangkok is a bit of daunting city, and for some reason it reminded me of Jakarta. We were staying in an area that popular with expats, but I really didn't see too many. there wasn't much to do here. But I was able to secure some flights onwards. I think I will try to see as much as possible on this trip. But already I am yearning to go to Burma and Loas..... Oh what am I to do. I seem to be falling in love with Asia.
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Mar 25, 2010 09:00 PM Up up and away!
The day has finally arrived and I head for Bangkok. But first I spend a few hours in Dubai. We land at the new terminal and it if fun exploring it. It looks the same as the old airport yet different.
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Mar 24, 2010 09:00 PM Extensions
I've just gotten an extension to my leave, so there is a huge possibility of spending a few extra days away before coming home. I really like the idea of that and I will be interesting to make it happen. Especially if I can fit in another country. Now that would be awesome.
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Mar 20, 2010 09:00 PM Four days and counting
Ohhhhhhhh, it is getting closer, however I still haven't sorted out my itinerary. I still have no way of getting from Thailand to Singapore - what to do.
I must get on line tomorrow and see I can secure a flight. At least that way I will be able to make my connection through Dubai.
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Mar 14, 2010 09:00 PM Constantly changing....
It seems I can't pin down what I will be doing over the next two weeks. I have limited time with lots to see so I'm going to have to cut a few things out. Like Phnom Penh - I'm really upset about that because I really wanted to go to the main museum etc. but maybe on a return journey.
I wonder what Dubia is like this time of year??????
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