May 10-13 (Bamboo Island and Koh Ru, Cambodia)

After spending a few days in the crazy town of Sihanoukville, we decided to avoid the hawkers and tuk-tuk drivers by taking a boat to Bamboo Island, approximately one hour away. On the way out there the boat stopped for a brief snorkeling trip for what could’ve been a nice view except for the cheap, scratched masks they let you borrow. Upon arriving at Bamboo Island we decided to stay at the guest house on the boat landing side of the island so we didn’t have to walk with our bags to the other side. We had great bbq sandwiches for lunch, prepared by the boat drivers, and headed to the other side of the island known as Koh Ru. Koh Ru is a great relaxation spot as there are no boats and only about 10 people there. The water is much cleaner on this side and is actually refreshing compared to most places we’ve swam in Cambodia – the water is usually really warm. The only establishment on Koh Ru is a small restaurant/bar that has floor seating (with spray painted backgammon and chess games on the table) and a bunch of hammocks. After spending the afternoon swimming, reading and playing cards we went back to our guesthouse for showers and dinner. It’s also nice b/c electricity is only available from 6-11pm so after that you’re out of luck. As a continuing trend throughout our SE Asia travels, we watched a lightning storm do its thing for a few hours.

Although we were both really tired, unfortunately it was impossible to sleep because it was so hot and with no power, there’s no fan. Because of this though, we both were awake for a nice sunrise.

Our remaining days in Bamboo Island/Koh Ru were much the same as the first: full of games, reading and swimming in the ocean. The second night we decided to stay on the Koh Ru side, but instead of switching guesthouses we slept in the hammock and on a mock mattress in the bar/restaurant of Koh Ru for free. It was much better then our guesthouse as it was cooler and you could hear the waves breaking. Because of the early light, we were awake for sunrise again and went for a swim at 8am, which was amazing. The water was cool and completely still without waves. Just the way I’d love to start everyday. On Thursday we took the boat back to Sihanoukville to catch our evening bus to Phnom Penh.

The perfect paradise...Koh Ru

Sunrise on Bamboo Island

Sunset

Our bed at the restaurant/bar

May 9 (Sihanoukville, CAMBODIA)

Following a good recommendation from someone in Phnom Penh, we went to Otres Beach, about 20 minutes via motorbike from where we are staying. Otres beach is a nice get away from the tourists and the hundreds of locals trying to sell you everything. Although it’s not the nicest beach in the world it was a great place to spend the entire day. Pete also got a massage on the beach, the work of two women for only $3. After watching the nice sunset we hit Cantina for some good Mexican food (shocking) and then back to our guesthouse for some drinks on the beach.

Pete getting his massage

May 8 (Sihanoukville, CAMBODIA)

Today we made a dash for the border into Cambodia. We reached the border only 20 minutes after leaving 4,000 islands. The crossing was pretty flawless, except for numerous stops to pay $1 at least 4 different times (we also had to walk from Laos to Cambodia, 100 yards, between two fences in which we were unsure where we technically were).

Sihanoukville is a little beach town without too many tourists, but doesn’t compare to the beauty of the beaches in Thailand. However, it’s a great break from the long travel and the craziness of Phnom Penh. We found a great guesthouse, G.S.T., that is right on the beach and is $10/night. After arriving in the morning of the 8^th we immediately went down to the beach and went for a swim to cool off. Unfortunately, the water is extremely hot, probably more so than the air temperature, so it wasn’t too refreshing. That night we had a great BBQ dinner on the beach, which is covered with BBQ restaurants and comfy chairs with candlelight.

A day on the beach

Serendipity Beach

May 5-7 (4,000 Islands - Si Phan Don)

Again we took a bus in Laos, this time going to the southern part of the country, 4,000 Islands (Si Phan Don). The ride consisted of an 11 hour overnight ride (where we shared a “bed” on the sleeper bus) and then another two hour drive. After long days of traveling, 4,000 islands is the perfect place to land. Unlike some of the other places we’ve been to, 4,000 islands is remote, quiet and relaxing. There’s not much to do except kick back and read a book or sit on a tube in the river. The first day here we walked around to check the island out and relax after a long trip. At night we played a few games of celebrities with our travel partners William and Suzy (USA and Australia) and then went to the beach where people were hanging out around a bonfire.

The next day we decided to rent tubes for $1 all day. I’m pretty sure we spent the entire day sitting in our tube going down the river, jumping off trees and meandering down river. At night we went to Mama Rasta for a fabulous dinner with some of the best spring rolls ever!

Sleeper bus. New to me.

Sunset from the balcony

Tubin down the river

May 3-4 (Vientiane)

We took the 4.5 hr VIP Bus to Vientiane in the afternoon with a few other travelers we had met along the way. We quickly found a place to stay and then all of us headed to the extremely popular bowling alley. Before heading further south the following day, we rented bikes and rode around the city for a bit.

Nice shoes

Finest bowling alley in Laos-probably

the only one.

May 1-3 (Vang Vieng)

May 1-3 (Vang Vieng)

We took a minibus from Luang Prabang, after recovering from a bit of food poisoning…and arrived late at night to the tubing capital of the world. The next day we explored some nearby caves, including the water cave which we tubed through.

The following day we decided to tackle the infamous tubing river, which is basically a collection of bars and enormous rope swings along the Nam Song River. Although mostly a party town, Vang Vieng is surrounded by the river and gigantic, lush cliffs.

Tubing through the water cave

Headlamps and all (with wires hanging out in

the water - ahh safety in Laos)

CLIFF!!!!!!

Adam swinging over the river

Jungle hike

Local barber shop

April 27-30, Luang Prabang, LAOS

April 27-30, Luang Prabang, LAOS

We took a bus to the border…which wasn’t so bad considering what was to come. We were pretty excited because instead of buying a package deal through some travel agency, we bought all our tickets and made our way to Laos on our own, saving about 600B. Once we got to the border we hopped on a boat across the (not so mighty right now) Mekong River. The ride from the border to Luang Prabang was not so great, to say the least. What we expected to be a 10 hour bus ride through the night, turned out to be 17.5 hrs through the mountains and jungles ofLaos. Aside from the terrain that made the trip longer than expected, the driver had to continuously stop the bus and water down the breaks that were overheating. The roads were also in pretty poor condition, turning from pavement to dirt/gravel the entire time. It was pretty miserable, and to top it off, the driver blasted his Laos pop music the entire trip.

Luang Prabang was definitely one of the best destinations at the end of a busride from hell. The town is beautiful, with brick side walks, quaint little villas along the river, and a huge hilltop wat in the center (that has a large footprint of Buddah). Because of the French influence, there is also some great food including roadside crepe stands and fresh baguette sandwiches.

The second day here we took a Tuk-Tuk out to the Kuang Si waterfalls, approximately 35km from Luang Prabang. We both agree that Kuang Si is one of the most beautiful places either of us has been to in the world. The water is a spectacular turquoise with about a 100 ft. main water fall and numerous natural pools that we swam in, each surrounded by countless bamboo trees. One pool had a rope swing that we went on a few times. It’s not easy to describe a place as amazing as this in words, so check out the photos. But hands down, this was one of the best places we’ve been to during our SE Asia travels.

Unfortunately, the night took a turn for the worst as both of us caught a horrible case of Buddha’s revenge.

The Mekong River

Monks throughout Luang Prabang

Our street in Luang Prabang

Delicious Baguette

Delicious Crepe

Kuang Si Waterfalls

Steph on the rope swing

Pete aka Tarzan

Dog going for a ride