Anna & Christian Hit The Road

Melaka – A looonnng time ago now…

Photo Gallery – Melaka – Malaysia Tea Rooms

‘You like teaaa?’ the womans voice immediatly cut through the barage of sales pitches that become an everyday part of travelling through south east asia.  From the ‘Hello Misters!’ in Sumatra, to the ‘You need transport?’s in Bali, I was immediately bemused by this old woman standing at the entrance of dark narrow laneway entrance, in this historic part of Malaysia.

‘I show you my tea house.  Yes, you come in relax, I show you special chinese tea!’

It was about six in the evening, and we hadnt had a drink in 2 hours.  The heat of the day although starting to die off, still left small sweat patches soaking through our t-shirts.  I like tea, and my british companion certainly did.  Her small figure, and friendly nature enchanted us, and so when the offer of a chance to re-hydrate presented itself, we didnt take much more convincing than that.

Pak Tha – Tech Issues

Pak Tha – Photo Gallery

Hi peeps, cant remember if i posted on this – a tiny little village at the junction of the Mekong and Nam Tha river where we got stranded for anight in Laos.  Was great, Everyone hated us at first but then they loved us by the time we left.  Anyway feels like a long time ago in a land far away now……………

Peace.

Luang Prabang – Laos

Luang Prabang – Photo Gallery
Getting right to the end of South East Asia blogs – finally.  Here are some pictures of Luang Prabang, a town in Northern Laos voted best travel friendly city in South East Asia last year.  Lots to do, and plenty of colourful monks and people.

S-21 Attrocities.

S-21 Prison – Photo Gallery

We met a guy the day after going to the killing fields and S-21 the Khymer Rouge prison where atrocities too horrific to mention were carried out in the mid 70’s who said that S-21 in particular should be simply torn down.  Demolished so that no one can ever see the place again.  He had no problem with a museum in its place, but simply felt that the feeling that S-21 gave him as he walked through the empty buildings and corridors is one too terrible for people to experience.  I disagreed with him, and hence why I am putting this blog up.  I think that the only real way to even get remotely close to understanding the events is to see this place for yourself.  It truly is haunting, and leaves you feeling empty to the core.  But it happened, and sometimes no book or museum or movie can ever express that.

‘Authentic’ – Anna’s new definition.

Nam Tha River – Photo Gallery

Authentic.  A new definition from us regarding something that costs a hell of a lot, and borderlines being worth its while.  Such was the two day trip down the Nam Tha River, a major tributary off the mighty Mekong, in Northern Laos.  After disregarding the ‘eco’ treks in Luang Nam Tha as being too ‘authentic’, we decided that we should try to do something that would allow us to experience the natural beauty of this area.  Bordering Thailand, Burma and China, this region is pretty awe inspiring to look at, even when you have about 1 square foot of space around you to appreciate it.  We arrived at the boat house landing point early, as we heard this is the best chance you have to jump on a boat.  Two Italian girls were sitting having breakfast, and as we talked to them we realised they had chartered the only boat heading down the river for the next few days.  At $200 US for the two days, it was time to find a term that would allow us to justify such an expense.  Authentic.  We did it because it was Authentic.  In actual fact is was pretty special, and on the whole two day trip we didn’t see one other foreigner, I think a first for the entire duration of our trip so far.

We navigated rapids that got us soaking wet, as the family who owned the boat (all 6 of them) sat at the front with the cargo, dry as a bone.  We stopped for lunch which consisted of a large banana leaf as a table, with huge clumps of sticky rice.  Using our hands as eating implements, we went on to dip rice clumps in a chilly fish dish, scooping bones and tiny pieces of fish flesh as we went, being careful not to use the left hand.  The left hand is considered dirty in most of asia, as it is the hand used for the toilet.   As a side, and we soon found out to be quite a Laos staple was Bamboo shoots.  Delicious.  So simple and yet so yummy.  In fact I really can’t sing the praises of Bamboo enough.  I’m sure it’s taken for granted by most of the South East Asians who use it every day, but this stuff is incredible.  It’s used for building, eating, tools, utensils, carving, cups, boats, the list goes on.  Seriously it goes on and on.

That evening we stayed in the boat owner’s village home.  As if by smell we quickly migrated to where the lads were refurbishing a cargo boat used for transporting cattle up and down the river.  For the first 10 minutes they had us fooled that they were doing hard labour, and I’m sure this was their aim too, as it seems that while the women of the village put hard slog into house chores like some serious elbow greasing in the clothes washing by the river, the guys have about 6 people doing one task.  All the while, on the sly, a bottle of clear spirit is being passed around, even poured out, for everyone.  Taking it in turns, in quite quick rotation, each bloke takes a shot of the ‘Laos Laos’ a locally distilled spirit that tastes a little like whisky, and burns like it well and truly should.  I did my best in continuing the act to look busy doing very boring man things, but Anna was having none of it, and soon enough she too was engaging in circular motion of passing the shot glass around.  Before long we were all pissed, and the women back at the house didn’t look at all pleased when we arrived late back for dinner absolutely hammered, to a meal that was already on the table (banana leaf).  The Italian girls were pacing the room in true drunken European form, a sight that they should be proud of.  Nursing a considerable hangover the next day, we waved sheepishly to the guys who hadn’t yet made it back to the river to continue work, as we headed off for the second day of our Authentic boat trip.