Sink or Swim

Regardless of how excited/anxious/eager I was about coming to Europe, I don't think I could have prepared myself for this. Everything feels surreal; I've been looking forward to this moment for so long that it doesn't really feel like I'm here now. This past week has been a wave of emotions, and it's only just starting to dawn on me the extremity of what I've done.

So far my time in Germany has been fantastic, however I arrived incredibly sleep deprived and had to navigate the S-Bahn train system. It did not help the train driver was an egotistical wanker. He yelled at me in German for hopping on the wrong train (which it wasn't), and then when I tried to explain I didn't understand he told me to sit down and shut up. Didn't explain anything, and then the train starting heading backwards. It was the last thing I wanted to deal with after travelling for 30 hours.

I stayed for a few days in Mainz with a mate I had made from my time at university. The city is a little smaller than Wellington, but it was simply so cool. There are little cobbled streets everywhere with old 16th-Century styled buildings lining them, with a giant Cathedral in the centre of the city. It also borders the Rhine River, which apart from beingincredibly scenic has only ever been the myth of history textbooks to me.

After departing from Mainz on Monday I boarded the ultra modern Deutsche-Bahn trains to Berlin. The train itself was fine, and I got to see a lot of the countryside as I travelled. After being drowned in Serbian beggars at Berlin station, I eventually navigated my way around the main station, found my train into the city and after a lot of umming and ahhing I found the hostel I had booked.

Berlin itself is amazing! I have only explored such a small part of the city but there is so much to see and do it's not funny. My hostel is literally 2 minutes from Museum Island, 10 minutes from the Brandenburg gate and the Reichstag (German Parliament) and is a very cool place to be based. There are also plenty of other attractions, including Museums galore (such as the Jewish, Berlin Wall, Pergamon and Bode Museums), the Berlin wall itself (Wow! This was so cool), Cathedrals, Castles, memorials, monuments, the TV Tower, Restaurants/Cafes and the list goes on endlessly. Next on my list of things to do is the Unsicht Restaurant (Invisible Restaurant). Its pitch black, all the waiters and waitresses are blindand the menu is said aloud to you, in riddles. This is to have an idea of what it's like to be blind, believe it or not. I can't wait to check it out.

I have however, struggled slightly in my time here so far. English is common, but not with older people. I have had problems trying to get across what I need to shop employees that are a bit older, and have also been misunderstood completely by others. This is a huge jump from my old, comfortable life back in Wellington, and this entire week has just been a wave of emotions. Sometimes I feel like I have to learn to run before I can walk, and others it just feels like I've hit a brick wall. I also panic on the odd occasion about how I'm going to find a job when I understand so little. Oh well, I guess this is what I signed up for.

I start my school on Monday, so hopefully that'll start to help connect the dots. Until then, there is plenty to see, do and drink, so I'll write again later.

Time to say goodbye

Unfortunately, due to the situation in Bangkok I'm leaving Thailand earlier than planned. In fact, I'm leaving tomorrow.

I have thoroughly enjoyed my time in Asia, and although I'm looking forward to Europe I'm sad to be leaving here earlier than planned. The violence in Bangkok has marred the experience slightly and its a shame that the people that will suffer the most here are those that survive off tourists.

I spent the past two nights over on the Phi Phi islands. They are fantastic - little cobbled streets with just bars, restaurants, stalls and hotels. No bikes, no cars, no constant tooting. And a huge party scene. Having returned from the islands today, Keryn and I spent our last day at the beach playing in the waves and sunbathing and a final dinner at this flash beachside restaurant. I ordered a Thai Green Curry (mild this time, as last time I got medium and it was so hot it made me dizzy) as I don't know the next time I'll be back here. I only hope the violence stops shortly and it does not drive too many people away from here.

Asia is an awesome place. There have been times which I've found quite hard being here, but I'm glad that I did. I find I take more out of situations like that. Life isn't easy for many over here, which still live in third world conditions. Hygiene is a thing of myth, and communities have a sense of belonging when governments refuse to help their own people. Despite all this, people are always smiling and willing to help you to no end. Even today when I went to do washing - they couldn't as the power was out to the whole neighbourhood. The lady at reception offered to hand scrub it for me - and for NZ$2 a kilo I just could not justify it. I have also met some awesome people along the way, and feel my experience has been all the richer for it.

I am so excited about Europe! However, leaving earlier brings up a whole lot of other complications. My visa isn't valid until the day I was meant to arrive in Germany, and I could not get hold of the embassy in Thailand to ask as it was closed. The embassy back home said it should be fine and to speak to immigration when I arrive, but they weren't confident and it did not fill me with confidence either. I'm hoping this doesn't end in deportation..

It also means saying goodbye to my travelling companion, Keryn. Having studied with her, lived with her for 3 years and now to have spent 6 weeks non stop with her, it will be sad to see her leave and to know that she won't continue with me. When you read this when you get back home Keryn, I want you to know I'm already missing you. It won't be too long before we meet again though, I am sure.

There is so much to be said for what I've seen and done, but not that could fit in one blog. My one piece of advice is to simply visit Asia. It has been great and I can't wait to come back and do more of it. Oh and while we're talking about advice, my second piece would be to always have toilet paper on you. Unless you want to go local, which I do not recommend.

Well, as they say here in Asia, au revoir. I will write again in Europe, everything going to plan.

P.S: Thank you for the closing line Keryn. It's definitely a winner.

Beaches, fruit and icecream

The group tour ended just over a week ago so we all said our goodbyes in Bangkok and then went our separate ways. Keryn and I made our way down to Phuket where we have been unwinding on the beaches all day, which makes for a nice contrast to the comparative hecticness of our trip.

Phuket is awesome. It's hot, fresh fruit is available everywhere and it's still very cheap by western standards. It is however, not without fault. The prostitution industry here is huge, and there are filthy old men everywhere with their hired girlfriends. I can't walk the streets at night without Keryn otherwise I'm practically forced into a bar. The gogo girls come and start dancing next to you and try to sollicit you in any way possible.

We went and saw the Simon Cabaret a few nights ago - it was awesome for the costumes and set design, but not something you'd go see for the lip-syncing or the dance routines. All the performers are ladyboys, and we had quite a tough time trying to pick some of them. All in all it was a good night, marred only by the fact they entice you to take photos with them after the show and then make you pay through the nose for it. Not the sorta girls you'd want to mess with either. Also, driving over the hill from Patong back to our beach in Karon that night there were bats out everywhere, which decided to fly directly at my scooter. Nothing like that to rattle the nerves a bit.

I'm feeling very disconnected from the world at present. I hear through facebook that the New Zealand embassy in Bangkok has closed due to a resurgence in violence. Apparently last time the violence got this bad (a year or so ago apparently) they actually had to close the airport. As I depart in 12 days I've got my fingers crossed that things will sort themselves out.

Speaking of which, I'll be in Germany in 12 days! While I've been down here I've had a lot of time to think to myself, and I simply can't wait to immerse myself in a new culture and language. In my humble opinion (and in my very limited experience), travelling is addictive. The more you travel, the more you want to travel. I am starting to have moments where I really miss home, but I also can't wait to get out and explore more.

While we have this free time to ourselves, we figured we'd go lose ourselves for a few days so Keryn and I are heading to the Phi Phi islands to fall off the map for a bit. However, I am quite enjoying the routine we've fallen into down here. We get up around midday, get fruit from the fruit cart outside, go swimming, eat icecream, shop, swim some more and then dinner. And if we're really in the mood for it, we might swim after dinner too.

Other than that, there's not a lot more to report. Just using this time to refresh and prepare myself for the big trip to Europe.

I have now posted all my photos on Facebook, as this blog site will only allow me to upload 5 per blog. If you're not on facebook either, let me know and I can email them through.

Will write again soon.

Back to where it all began

So it's been a fairly hectic week - far too much to explain by blog. I went tubing back in Vang Vieng and absolutely loved it. You float down a river on a tube and bars reel you in and you go drink for a bit, then hop back on your donut and continue floating down the river. There are all sorts of activites, like swings and giant slides, mud wrestling, volleyball etc at different bars and by the end of it we were all pretty wasted.

The problem arose though when we got to the last bar. We ordered a drink and it didn't taste anything like alcohol. I then asked for my money back or a real drink and the guy refused. He then told the four of us there that the river would be our cemetry. Feeling a bit uncomfortable around this guy, everyone hopped back on their tubes and we started floating down the river, looking to finish. However, it was pitch black and we didn't know where we were going.

Out of nowhere, a local came and started to point us in the right direction. He hopped on my tube with me and started paddling us ashore, however all of a sudden he disappeared and pushed us back out into the current. As soon as he did that, I checked my pockets and he'd taken my money. Luckily, I had left my wallet and everything else back home.

20 minutes later, we managed to stumble ashore and walk up some path into a paddock in the middle of nowhere. A tuktuk driver picked us up and started driving until he ran into another tuktuk. They stopped down some road with no landmarks or street lamps and started arguing. The other tuktuk driver took off and our driver 'broke down'. I hopped out of the tuktuk, and realised there were people everywhere watching us. About half an hour later he came back and we managed to make it back to our hotel. I couldn't sleep for three days - I feel that it may have had something to do with what he put in our drinks. Unfortunately, that incident kinda spoiled the day for me.

Other than that, we moved on to Luang Prabang which was an awesome little city with great night markets. After that, we spent two days travelling up the Mekong by boat (very scenic) and crossed back into Thailand. Visited the white Temple in Chiang Rai, which the artwork inside depicts the failings of the West and the rise of the East. There was the two towers falling, and demonic looking humans drinking from petrol pumps, while on the East there were families praying and floating up into the sky on clouds. Then headed to Chiang Mai and went to Tiger Kingdom!!! Was probably the most fun I've had thus far. I got photos with 3 month olds, 8 month olds and 20 month olds. I will also be able to post pics shortly, as I've now worked out how to take photos off my camera.

Caught an overnight train last night and arrived here in Bangkok today. The protests have finished, and I feel a sense of ease being back here. English is a lot more widely spoken, and it's the most developed of the four countries. I've been hear nearly 5 weeks now and I just don't feel ready to leave.

Next off, I'm heading down South for some R&R on tropical islands and beaches before making the jump until Germany! Can't wait.

A love affair with Laos

After leaving the hectic traffic that is the Capital of Vietnam, we boarded a 10 hour bus ride to the border. Before we left though, we got to see some amazing sights. We headed to a monks pagoda where they were praying/chanting. It was one of those surreal moments - I could have sat there and listened to them for hours.

The border between Laos and Vietnam is situated in the mountains. It would have been a really awesome border crossing too, as they were so laid back and it was very picturesque. It was ruined however by these Vietnamese bastards. They had trucks and trucks of dogs stacked in cages barely bigger than themselves - there would have been several hundred in each truck alone. Our guide (who is also buddhist) said to look away and that it would be alright for them as they will come back as something better in the next life. I, being as clueless as I am continued to watch. I regret every moment of it.

The dogs were being taken to be killed and used as meat. One dog was being used as a bribe to the officials there so they could pass into Laos. They climbed on top of the cages and took a dog out and then broke its hind legs. The dog starting pissing everywhere it was so scared. The yelping was horrible - all the dogs were panicked. Then they took out a giant log, and you can imagine what happened next. Maybe I am just being a precious westerner unable to accept that is just the way it is over here, but I've never missed home more since I left.

Laos itself is trying quite hard to make up for the atrocities that occured at the border. The towns are very small and the people are so friendly here. There's none of this pushing to buy, and its simply beautiful. In Lak Sao, which was the first town we stopped in, there was only one restaurant aptly named 'the only one'. English is barely spoken here, so it was good fun trying to tell the waitress I wanted fried rice with eggs. Bit like Charades really.

Since then, I went to a buddha statue ground in Vientiane (the Capital) and got to explore these tombs which were only accessible from the roof. Visited the victory gates and a few other sites before heading to Vang Vieng. Vang Vieng has been my favourite city on the tour thus far. Its small, situated between massive mountains and has an awesome feel to it. Went to a restaurant last night situated by the riverside. It was simply stunning - photos don't do it justice.

Went swimming in the blue lagoon this morning and mashed my feet on these rocks when i was swinging in - needless to say I'm in a fair bit of pain. Nonetheless, I'm off to go tubing this afternoon so I can't wait! Will write again soon.