And we thought the buses were rammed! The boat up the river from Nong Khiaw to Muang Ngoi was so packed that its edges were barely six inches above the water level. We all piled in long after we thought the boat was full, people half sat on top of one another like a massive, … Continue reading Muang Ngoi – Resting Lady
Through the misted rain smeared windows of the bus I saw an old woman and a little girl struggling up hill. Like many of the walkers we had seen (mainly young children) they were barefoot and carried vast loads from straps slung around their foreheads. The Road to Nowhere The bus crawled along, scarcely topping … Continue reading Udomxai – On the Road to Nowhere
The bus wound its way through grand hillsides before climbing through the most amazing scenery I have ever seen. The mountains were sheer and jagged and covered in dense foliage. Staring out the bus window it took my breath away. I couldn't believe that I was actually looking at that place where all adventures start, … Continue reading Luang Namtha – Raining Cats and Dogs and Giant Spiders
Border crossings. You never know how they're going to go. One day one official might decide to charge you a little but extra might decide that they actually don't want to let you into the country unless you pay a separate fee. You can queue for hours or for minutes, and so it was with … Continue reading Chiang Khong & Huay Xai – For Crying Out Lao-d
"Are you sure this is right Emma?" Theo asked for the fourth time as we marched out of the tiny bus terminal. "This is definitely the place" "Of course I'm sure Theo, why don't you trust me? The sign said Chiang Rai, the ticket office said Chiang Rai, the driver said Chiang Rai." "Ok fine, … Continue reading Chiang Rai – Brits on Tour
Theo was overjoyed on the train to Chiang Mai, as we bounced along in third class he joyfully worked out that the amount we had paid for the eight hour journey was equal to a single young persons ticket from Cardiff Central to Penarth. We watched as the paddy fields turned to dense foliage and … Continue reading Chiang Mai – Lanna, Ladies and Lizards
Now I've thought long and hard about this and I am sorry to say, oh patient reader, that I really can't find a way around it. Therefore, it is with much trepidation that I begin this post with a brief history lesson. Now don't immediately skip the next couple of paragraphs, this stuff is important … Continue reading Sukhothai – Religious Enlightenment
As my narrative reaches the first part of our overland journey let me tell you a little bit about Thai transport. For us wealthy westerners second class train journeys are very pleasant. The carriages have air-con, the seats are padded and fold back and have convenient tables and a smartly dressed lady marches up and … Continue reading Phitsanulok – Just Passing Through
No matter how my travel blog turned out I always promised myself one thing, that I would never write it retrospectively. I don't want to write my impressions of these countries tempered with hindsight, and so with the memories of our first week already fading and losing focus it's high time I started to document them. … Continue reading Bangkok – I’m a real backpacker!
Emma Pocklington 