TravelStream™ news feed for member markandrebecca on TravelPod's free travel blogs service http://www.travelpod.com/syndication/rss/markandrebecca en-us Copyright ©2009 TravelPod.com Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:57:05 -0400 http://www.travelpod.com http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1174977900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1174977900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1174977900/tpod.html Fri, 27 Jul 2007 08:57:05 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Dom Kralor, Cambodia

We crossed over the boarder into Cambodia at a very remote boarder crossing which has only recently become an official crossing point. It was down a dirt road in the middle of some woods and it was like something out of a film. I did think we were going to be mugged at gun point and left to walk out - and that was the best outcome. In the end we got stamped out of Laos and then walked 500m through woods to Cambodia where we bought our visas from the nice men sitting around a large mahogony dining table! All very civilised if bizzare!

This is where the fun ended. We spent the next 12 hours with 20 other westeners and some free loading locals on a mimi bus with no airconditioning and no opening windows. It must have been over 100 degrees inside - incrediably dangerous. Mark tried to gather support for a new mini bus but everyone seemed to be content to be scammed so completely (it had cost $25 - the most expensive bus ticket we have bought on our entire year). We were amazed at the apathy of our fellow travellers. To cut a long, hot and uncomfortable story short we arrived at 11.30pm in Phnom Pheng and were dumped on a main road. People NOW began protesting so were taken to a back packer area where we grabbed our bags and found a bed and shower in a basic hotel. We were tempted to get the hell out of Cambodia but decided to give it a chance in the morning.

Ps. Never travel by Stung Treng B.U.T Tours (were were definitely stung in the but!).

If youa re using this for research - most people had bought their tickets from travel companies on Don Det or Don Khon. This means that you have already parted with your money and there is little you can do. Best to not buy a ticket in advance, get a share jumbo to the border and then arrange onward transport from there. If necessary just go as far as Kratie and get a local bus from there. The problem is that the road is not finished so the journey involves lots of travel along dirt roads - so you can not expect a particularly nice vehicle. But you can demand one that is not overcrowded and has opening windows.

However, the road to the boarder will soon be completed meaning that local and more private operations will be in service. This should get rid of the monopoly of this awful outfit.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177999620/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177999620/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177999620/tpod.html Tue, 01 May 2007 01:10:15 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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London, United Kingdom

After a flight delayed by 3 hours we touched down at Heathrow where we were met by Mark's parents and my Dad. The sun was shining and everything looked so green after Thailand.

So we are back home and looking forwards to getting back to London and real life again. Can't believe the year has gone so quickly!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177908900/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177908900/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177908900/tpod.html Tue, 01 May 2007 01:06:59 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Bangkok, Thailand

Back in Bangkok for a day and my ruck sack decided it was time to go home too, falling apart on the Kho San Road. Still it was 14 years old so I can't complain and it seemed rather appropriate for it to give up the ghost on arguably the world's most famous back packer street!

By chance we bumped into Phil and Haley (Laos scooter pals) as they were passing through too on there way south. It was great to see them and we caught up over a drink before we had to leave. It was really lovely to have someone to wave us off to the airport - see you for a drink in London guys!
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177396740/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177396740/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177396740/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:05:09 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Ao Leuk, Thailand

We headed east to a small beach called Ao Leuk. It was more by luck than judgment that we arrived in one piece as the "road" down into the bay was an incredibly steep rutted track which we probably wouldn't have attempted on mountain bikes and in the back of a pick up was pretty scary -we decided we'd get a boat out when we left!

Ao Leuk is really quiet with just a couple of bungalow operations and some fantastic snorkeling over coral. One blight on the landscape was the most hideous restaurant (not surprisingly always empty) which had been built and which resembled the ground floor of a
multi storey carpark - luckily it wasn't visible from our accommodation.

We found a lovely bungalow up on the hillside and spent the next 4 days doing a lot of swimming and reading. The corals and fishes were stunning - we saw so many varieties, many of which would swim right up to you (the fish, not the coral).

On Friday, the wind had got up and so had the waves so we spent the morning in the restaurant. We were kept entertained watching a longtail boat, which had come in to drop a couple of day trippers off, get washed onto the rocks at the side of the beach. It was at this point that we revised our plans to get a boat out! So we headed (on foot) back over to Sai Re beach and spent a last evening celebrating with Kate and Dan who had passed their dive course.

On Saturday 28th we parted company with Kate and Dan heading to Ko Pha Ngan to
go to the Full Moon party whilst we started our journey back to London. We
caught a boat, to catch a bus, to catch a train to catch a plane.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177223700/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177223700/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1177223700/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 02:02:11 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Ko Tao, Thailand

On 22nd April we caught the boat to island number 3, Koh Tao where we
had made vague plans to rendez-vous with Kate and Dan to celebrate her 30th
birthday. By mid afternon we had found a new home at SB Bungalows and
started wandering along the beach keeping our eyes peeled for K&D.
Right at the end of the beach we spotted what looked like a ghost - it was
infact Dan lubing himelf up with factor 50. Dan in turn had spotted some hippy
with long blond locks blowing in the breeze which was Mark! Much excitement,
hugs and kisses followed by lots of catching up chat from our respective
travels. As the sun set we went up to Kate and Dan's fantastic bungalow and Dan
produced a bottle of champage he had brought out from England which we
drank on one of their two terraces!

We met up later for a birthday supper and then wandered on to the beach
for drinks. Kate was shocked that we hadn't had a whiskey bucket so far on
the islands so we ordered one which went down rather quickly. We sat in the
sand and watched fire dancers as the tide lapped at our feet. It was after
bucket number two that I managed to get my foot tangled in my new traveller
fishermen's pants whilst on the way back from the bar and face planted
in the sand. Spitting out sand and trying to regain some dignity I hobbled
back to our table - one toe swollen up and quickly turning purple.

We spent most of the following day chilling out in beach side cafes
chatting. Kate and Dan had booked to do their Advanced Dive Course so
on the 24th we checked out of Sai Re Beach and headed across the island.

Thanks to Dan for the champagne and for supper and to you both for a
great couple of days.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176617460/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176617460/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176617460/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:58:51 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Ko Pha-Ngan, Thailand

Ko Pha-Ngan, famous for its beach parties, culminating monthly in the legendary full moon parties at Hat Rin. Unfortunately our timing was bad and we were not going to be there for a full moon party. However, we had heard that there are some gorgeous remote beaches on the east coast so we thought we would head there.

First stop was Ao Thong Nai Pan on the north east coast. There are actually two beaches separated by a rocky promentary. We stayed at the Southern one and it was beautiful. The road there was not paved and when we jumped out of the back of the jeep with sore bums and walked onto the beach it was like we had walked into paradise. We wandered along the beach and found a bungalow operation on the beach and dumped our stuff and immediately went for a swim. The next few days were spent very lazily on the beach or in the sea or in a beach restaurant sipping fruit shakes. In the evenings, we ate at the beach restaurants where we sat on cushions in the sand at low tables with oil lamps. One place also had a fire show. All in all, a great and super relaxing few days.

Despite how nice Thong Nai Pan was, we had read about a more remote beach south of here and falling into the traveler trap of always wanting to find the most remote place, we arranged for a long tail boat to take us there. It certainly was remote and what a great way to arrive - jumping off the long tail into the sea and wading ashore. There were a few bungalow operations, and we got one up on the cliffs. It has a large terrace with massive folding doors which opened the whole room to the terrace - not bad considering we were expecting a bamboo thatch hut. They only had electricity from 6pm to 10pm but there was a nice cooling breeze through the doors so we slept well (despite the foot long Gecko who shared our room!)

This beach was smaller than Nai Pan but better for swimming as it shelved more steeply. After three days on the cliffs, we decided to move to a bungalow right on the beach where we spent the next two nights. All in all, a great place. Very quiet and super chilled out.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176440160/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176440160/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176440160/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 01:49:52 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Ko Samui, Thailand

After a short ferry crossing we arrived in Ko Samui and jumped in a Sawngthaew to take us to our beach of choice - Hat Choeng Mon. This was a relatively quiet beach on the north coast. Very pretty but also quite developed, it was strange to be sharing the beach with package tourists rather than other backpackers - felt like we were there on a two week holiday. Luckly we managed to find a small bungalow operation among the resorts and got a hut right on the beach. It was a nice spt and we spent three days swimming, lazing onthe beach or reading on our deck.

While we were on Samui it was the Thai new year, called Songkran. Its basically an excuse for a big water fight and everyone arms themselves with water guns and buckets and spend the day getting wet. It was good fun on our beach, everyone entering into the spirit of it.

That afternoon we took a trip to Hat Chaweng, the largest and most famous beach on Ko Samui. We had decided against staying here as we had heard that it is a bit spoilt now. We were very glad we had because it was a really grim place. The beach has been colonised by resorts and the road behind is a hideous strip of tacky bars and souvenir shops full of "Costa Del Sol types" drinking beer and eating chips. We left pretty quickly.

The next day we took the ferry to Ko Pha-Ngan leaving the English and German package tourists behind....
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176353520/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176353520/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176353520/tpod.html Sun, 29 Apr 2007 00:54:39 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Surat Thani, Thailand

Very comfortable overnight sleepar train to Surat Thani where we took a bus to the ferry terminal to catch our boat to Koh Samui...
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176186060/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176186060/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1176186060/tpod.html Tue, 10 Apr 2007 04:00:44 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Bangkok, Thailand

After getting off the train, we got in a tuk tuk and went straight for the Khao San road - backpacker central in Bangkok. After a couple of false starts we secured a room and then ventured out for a look at this most famous of sights in Bangkok - and to get some food. Maybe we have got used to third world cities but it didn't really seem as overwhelming as you imagine.

We stayed in a great guesthouse. Our room had a balcony looking over a large Wat at the end of the Khao san road.

Over the next ew days we spent in bangkok we made up for lost shopping time - we have shopped like mad people and as you know, we don't even like shopping that much! On Saturday we spent 6 hours at the Chatuchak Market which was just massive. It sold everything from fine art to puppies and everything in between. All the clothes though were designed for tiny thai girls and as a result I couldn't get the dresses and skirts past my knees - not good for your confidence when you are about to hit the beach. In between our retail therapy we have cruised the river and visited the Royal palace and the famous Patpong night market. This was one crazy place and for some reason everyone who lives there seems to be obsessed with table tennis - we could not figure out why...I nearly lost Mark to an old lady who was determined to sell him some whicker table mats. She had him in a head lock so we had to buy them or I would have been coming home alone leaving Mark to a life selling tickets to all these ping pong matches going on......

So tonight we catch the overnight train (we love trains) south to spend our last few weeks on the beaches. We are meeting up with Kate for her 30th birthday and may take a diving course.
]]> http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1175753580/tpod.html http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1175753580/tpod.html#comments Travel Blogs http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog-entries/markandrebecca/mark_becky2006/1175753580/tpod.html Tue, 10 Apr 2007 01:20:40 -0400 Mark and Rebecca ditch their jobs to find out what's round the next corner in 2006.

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Aranya Prathet, Cambodia

Today all our transport worked like clockwork... hurrah! We got a shared taxi with a couple of Monks (at least we knew we wouldn't crash) to the Thai boarder which only took a couple of hours. The last 80km was pretty slow because the road has not been updraged and is in a pityful state. this is because some chap who runs the airline out of Siem Reap is bribing someone in the government to delay any repair! This is the main road from Thailand to Cambodia and it seems terrible that greedy individuals can control the country like this.

After negotiating the boarder successfully we went to the train station and after a few hours wait caught the daily train to Bangkok. 6 hours in third class - our bottoms could certainly feel it!

We arrived in Bangkok at 8.30pm with no where booked to stay. 12 months ago that would have been my worst nightmare but somehow, now, it wasn't such a big deal.....
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