Vietnam and Hanoi

Vietnam is just what I imagined and sooo much more! When my flight arrived at the airport there were like ten fancy black cars there waiting, the police was all over the place and they rolled out the red carpet. Obviously there was someone really important on my plane. Anyways, after the police and all the black cars were gone, I got to walk on the red carpet, felt like a movie star haha! And like that wasn't enough the hostel had sent a car to pick me up. Absolutely the most comfortable trip ever. Staying at The Drift Backpackers Hostel which is really nice.

The first thing I noticed about Vietnam was all the cows, they are everywhere. Other things about Hanoi are the french colonial architecture, beautiful flowers, lots and lots of scooters, and everyone wears helmets, that's something new! And the helmets are all matching their scooters or their outfits. :P The traffic in this city is craaazy, the first time I had to cross the street was terrifying but you get used to it pretty quickly. Today I just took a walk around the city and the old quarter, got a haircut and my nails done. Had some Vietnamese teenagers coming up to me and really wanted a picture with me, that was fun. :P Tomorrow I'm going for a three-day trip to Halong Bay. I think it's gonna be great!

last few days of Laos

Vientiane is such a nice city and my room here is so cute. I could easily have stayed here for a month. But I'm already behind my schedule so I have to leave tomorrow or the next day. The bus to Hanoi is not very tempting with its 24 hours on a crappy road so I'm taking a flight instead. :)

And now.. LOTS of photos from Laos, in chronological order off course.

done with Vang Vieng

Five days in Vang Vieng, have to get out of this place. Lao is nice, totally different from Thailand in some kind of way. The busride we took from the border was absolutely horrible, but we made it and arrived in Luang Prabang early in the morning. Stayed there for only one night since we were too excited about Vang Vieng. But five days is totally enough, way too much partying and tubing so today Miri and I decided to leave for Vientiane. Yesterday we rented motorbikes and went to see a cave and the blue lagoon here, that was great. Got lost in the cave though. :P

And, something is wrong with my camera, gotta figure it out so will post photos later. :)

crossed the Mekong

Just arrived in Laos, the internet here sucks. Going for a 13 hour busdrive heading for Luang Prabang. Not really looking forward to it, but I think Luang Prabang is nice, maybe we'll go for some trekking too. Now the most important thing for me is charging my ipod. While waiting I have the joy of listening to some real Lao karaoke.

looking back at Chiang Mai

Just because the internet-connections here are so good, I'm gonna upload some photos from Chiang Mai as well. Basically, the beach, the thai barbeque and the temple on the mountain. ^^

Pai day 2

Today I didn't really do much. Learned how to ride a scooter, not really that difficult, and then I went to a little Chinese "village" and a waterfall. Kind of nice to just take it easy sometimes too. :)

Pai

Arrived in Pai this afternoon after a busride through this fantastic scenery in the mountains. Felt sad about leaving Chiang Mai and all my friends though. The five days I spent there was absolutely great, but the rest of my journey will probably be just as good. Here in Pai I've got my own bamboo-hut which is really nice. It's a small town in the middle of nowhere with misty mountains all around and a relaxed atmosphere. I think I'm going to a stand-up show tonight, and then return to my fabulous bamboo-hut.

finally some photos

Yesterday we went to the temple on the top of the mountain. Lots of stairs and lots of Buddha-statues. Then we went to the lake and it was so nice! Finally some beachlife. Last night was barbeque thai-style (very interesting). Today I didn't do very much besides coffeeshops and walking around. Bought the most expensive bikini in my life, but it was nice though. Going out tonight since its my last day here, leaving for Pai tomorrow. :)

Finally, big photo-update!

Chiang Mai :)

Been a little busy having fun the last couple of days. Arrived in Chiang Mai Wednesday afternoon.On the train I met two Canadian girls, Steph and Lisa, and went with them to a backpackers hostel. Chiang Mai is fantastic, it almost feels like Europe. The traffic is slower, the city is very well organized, lots of coffeeshops and fancy boutiques. I could totally have lived here. Our hostel is located 1,5 km outside the citycentre, in a very nice neighbourhood and I'm staying here til Sunday.

The first night we went to a thai-boxing match witch was kind of violent and stuff, but still so much fun and yesterday we attended a cooking-course and made (and ate) crazy amounts of food and it was all sooo delicious. I've taken a lot of photos so I'll upload them tonight.

leaving Bangkok

Feeling a little better today, woke up early and had a long breakfast, then I went and bought a ticket for the night-train to Chiang Mai. Will be leaving Bangkok at 19.35, looking forward too maybe see some nature tomorrow. Hopefully its a little cooler up there, getting really tired of this constant heat. Just had a manicure and pedicure basically cause of the aircon there. :P But off course it was really good and my hands and feet look soo pretty now. ^^
I actually got a friend yesterday and it was great to have someone to hang out with, so last night was fun just having some beers and looking at all the weird stuff at the market. :)

too hot

the flight was alright, long, but quite comfortable. couldn't sleep though so i'm feeling pretty out of it right now. found a guesthouse and was so tired I just wanted a room. and I got one, without windows, without anything. I have a bed and a fan, that's it. i feel the need to get out of Bangkok, maybe tomorrow. feeling a little lonely right now too, but hopefully it will get better. :) Bought a new camera btw, but I need to charge the battery before I can use it. will try to find a way to do that.

the last day of winter

and here it goes.. leaving for Bangkok tomorrow morning, can´t really believe its true. a little nervous yes, but i´m really looking forward to get away from the cold. :) this is a little weird, but hopefully i will feel a little more comfortable about this writing-a-blog-thing after a while. will be continued...