Journey of the Buses

After visiting so many magical places, I can no longer pick a favorite.

It took 38 hours on 4 buses and 2 iPods but I've made it to Cambodia. Thankfully, it wasn't nearly as bad as it sounds or as bad as people made it sound.

Bus One: Packed. Just the standard Asian bus. I prompt myself down beside a Malaysian Reggae man who plays the uke in a band and has dreads to his bum. He was rad.
Bus Two: We had a short hour in Vientienne. After driving through the city, I wished that I had planned to stay for a night or two. Visually, it was hustling. People were loitering the night streets, they situated themselves in pubs, shops were birghtly lit. Ruins were perfectly placed in the centre of streets. It reminded me of the perfect blend between Beijing and Guonghouz. Mmmm, this is making me want Chinese food! I know my dad will hold me to this statement since I never crave Chinese food ;) The infamous night bus. Dun dun dun! I must say I'va had a horse shoe with me on this trip. I lucked out and got my very own bed on the sleeper bus. Good thing too. These 'beds' were maybe 3' wide and maybe 5'5" long. I certainly slept diagonally just so I could stretch out. I can't imagine what it would have been like with a partner, let alone a stranger! Nightmare. It was quite loud, and very bumpy. My best friend was my iPod 'soothe me' playlist. We kept each other sane the entire night.


Bus Three: Arriving in Pakse, I had no idea I was on the VIP bus, and I wasn't about to say anything after the 'sleep' I just had. They say there is no difference between the regular and the VIP bus. Oh my friends, there is a difference, a lazy boy difference! And for the first time in Asia, the bus wasn't full. Heavenly.

The Cambodian border was strange. Small huts were speckled over one city block on either side. We slowly zig zagged our way to each hut where we paid $1 to $23 for random papers, health checks and visas. I wasn't about to argue with the Cambodian official walking around in his socks. Back on the bus I was ready to settle back into the 9 hour drive in my big comfy red leather when a small man runs down the bus calling 'Siem Reap.' We can't be here already? Of course not. We are moved to...

Bus Four: A small, rickety bus where the driver honked his horn every 20 seconds. Oh Asia, you're back!

VV

We went on the most beautiful 6 hour drive, I have ever been on! Taking a mini buss cramped beside two Laosian men was the best thing so far. I hung out the passenger side window to take in the untouched mountains with snake like vines, King Kong forests, sheets of rock. Laos is stunning. It's just that.

The children run amongst the street taking care of one another. The mothers sit on the stoops of their straw huts just content to sit all day long. The little girls are perfect in their tiny collared button shirts and their baby sarong like wrap skirts. The men are a beautiful caramel colour and very good looking.

We are in Vang Vieng now. I was hesitant to come here for the tubing. 90% of the people I meet tell me to stay away but I came anyways. One of the first girls I saw her had her head bandaged and bloody. Another man limped with a wrapped foot. And then we found out later that a girl died last week, drown. Deterring? Not quite. I'm a good swimmer I tell myself. And I watch my liquor intake...

River tubing was better than the full moon. Unreal party! So many bars, so many buckets going around, rope swings, zip lines, slides. No wonder people are injured or at worse drown. The river was raging too. If we stayed on the river with no stops we'd be down in no time. It's certainly no Pembina that we're used too. This was great! Towards the end our group of tubes were separated. I didn't make it to the last bar, only because I couldn't hold on to the rope the Lao man threw to me to pull me and my new South African friend in... the current was far too strong. So we floated. We watched the sun slip behind the jungled mountains... and we floated some more. He hung on to my leg so we wouldn't separate and I kept spinning to see if the rest were coming... nope. They clearly made it to the last bar. Eventually we made it to the side of the river where I slipped off my tube, not so gracefully, and made it back to the main street. River tubing. Highly recommended. YouTube it, it's a wild time.

sights

I started my day on a tour along the not so sweet chocolatey river, the Mekong. Lush mountains with low clouds kissing the tops. It was like a movie.


We eventually made it to a cave with over 400 Buddhas placed over the years from pilgrims. But the best part of the day was the waterfall. Like the elvin forest, I just expected to see hobbits jump out from behind the misty curtain.

Midway up the tiered mountain, Sean was daring enough to climb a small tree and swing like a monkey into the icy blue pool. Having far too much fun, he convinced me to try it. I haven't jumped off anything since breaking my tailbone in Corfu from cliff jumping, so naturally my legs are shaking as I take on the mini climb. It would have been far more troubling to turn back... so jump it was.



Exhilarating!
On the way too and from these destinations we stopped at small villages. I came on this journey looking for an eye opening experience, and Laos has given it to me tenfold. Living simply is an understatement for these people. It was enlightening and heartbreaking at the same time. Laos is a true beauty and I'm so happy that I made it here. THIS is the experience I was hoping to have; being taken aback by landscape, playing with smiling village children, watching young monks venture with their book bags and the food. My goodness, those backpackers that lost weight trekking clearly skipped Laos, because the food is unreal! Sweet breads are as tasty as China's, their pastries are as delicate as Paris'.

Laos, you are a sight for sore souls!

Luang Prabang

Reunited with the boys, we set off on a plane with two propellers. While shaking in the sky over the Mekong, I can tell Laos is an untouched gemstone. I wander the city and come across a local festival with boats racing on what looks like Willy Wonka's chocolate river, the Mekong.

Lost. I eventually turn on the navi skills and wiggle my way back through the crowded streets. The city is very small and there are few tourists, likely from the midnight curfew (loved it).

LP, you most certainly are going to be a new adventure.

mission accomplished

As my goal of visiting Thailand in 2010 comes to an end, I find myself very awake. Miss Thailand, you weren't at all what I expected to find and I look forward to coming back to you to see what other amazing things you have to offer. Your country melts my heart with your scenery and smiling faces.

Being here has made me feel so much more passion for my country, my family and my dear friends. Now that I've had the opportunity to be completely and openly free, I can realize the gems in my life. I know what makes me happy and how to live simply (simple enough for my Canadian being).

Thank you Thailand for the freedom you've donned on me. I will never forget your aromatic streets, lady boys and beautiful beaches. I can assure you that I will be back to see more untouched lands and rice fields. xo.

Confucious

I ate breakfast today at an ultra hippy die. A man sat at the table next to me flipping through his sketchbook at what looked to be perfectly vectorized black markings. He looks like Confucious. He turned to me as I garcefully mixed my museli and asked if I was Japanese. I smiled and said I was Chinese. Intrigued. He said, him too. Halfers. Reunited. He was cute.

I quite liked this place so I went back in the afternoon for a shake and some internet time. I inquired if he taught art, he told me he could do whatever I wanted for 1000 BAH. Unfortunately I'm backpacking and pretty much too cheap for even a 30 BAH tuk tuk ride (PS 30 BAH is approximately $1 CAN, yes, I'm pinching my pennies).

On my way home from the Night Bazaar I again stopped by for some food and some fresh carrot juice. He told me to sit down, it'll taste like home. Cute.

After I paid he gave me a little pep talk. As if he knew my woes in life. Mind reader? He told me I had hands. I should use them. Using our hands will make us happ. It is our own accomplishments. We wash ourselves with our own hands. We clothe ourselvs with our own hands. We cook for ourselves with our own hands. We can't just be happy for one or two days. We must be happy all the time, he says. He told me that when I eventually go back home, I will do this. I will do it because everyday we learn. Everyday there is a problem, but no problem because we, with our hands, will fix it. We learn to deal with problems and we be happy.

Now this inspiring broken english conversation would have continued, but we were rudely interupted by a one legged, drunken, German man who wouldn't stop calling until Mr. Wise went over to him. I quietly snuck passed the drunken mess while the halfer was tending to his situation, grabbed my shoes and told myself I would be back for breaky. They are afterall, the only place that I've seen to offer brown bread. Hallelujah!

Photo: this is the man punching rice paper creating delicate designs. Ever so pretty.

Chang Mai

You are pretty lax Chang Mai, and I totally dig it.

I have seen more Thai people than Caucasian people... this is a good sign.

Unfortunately I've come down with something... I'm not sure what... but it's not allowing my body to really move (I hope it's not the green bubbles... scuba joke). Advil and aspirin have been my buddies for the last two days. And I love them for it. I'm flying solo now, so I have to heal myself; unfortunately that means no cool adventures that I was so hoping to do. Trekking in the jungle is the thing to do here... but the last thing I want is to be sick in Laos, or worse, pass out in the jungle!

So a new book was bought, I've already seen a large amount of the city thanks to my little tuk tuk driver. I've bought two pair of pants that I'm really not sure how to rock and some incense.

Relax.

It would be a lot easier to relax if I wasn't dripping wet. It's so hot here and there is no turquoise ocean to jump into, only dirty rivers. I even have a hot shower which I was giddy about this morning... now I miss those cold showers on the islands... what is my world coming to? Ha! I'd say my world is going pretty well considering the only thing I have to complain about (minorly) is my shower.

Yep. I'm going to get a massage.

Practice what you Preach

Lightbulb.

I've been saying it to people for months and now realize that I am the one that needs to follow it: you must love yourself before you are able to love anyone else. Yes. This is true.

2010 you have been rough. I realize that I, myself have been vacant, empty, heartless, blank. To my friends and family, I do apologize. It's now my mission to fill my heart with compassion and love. To simply live and love. Two different psychics told me that I was emotionally unstable... perhaps this was the first sign of my retreat.

Challenge accepted.

Missing Koh Tao

We arrived in Koh Phi Phi finally after a hilarious night ferry. Snuggled close with 100 other passengers. It's visually stunning here (aside from the heaps of garbage laying around). But I already miss Koh Tao. My daily routine in Koh Tao could have been my new life. During my last days on my favorite island, I said some sad goodbyes to the beautiful Dries and Vanessa, my irreplaceable dive buddies; and celebrated my new friend Sarah's 20th birthday!! Four British lovelies, me, too many vodka chocolate shakes and 3 too many buckets. It turned out to be an unforgettable evening, the perfect end to my friend Koh Tao.

Now I've thought about diving in Phi Phi but it's just so expensive and I'm becoming responsible after a mere 19 days!

I'm realizing now that I've almost completed my goal of seeing Thailand in 2010, the other countries are just bonuses. I think I will cut a few places out. I can rip through Laos, meditate through Cambodia and go home to New Zealand. I use the word home here because 1. Poom is there and 2. I feel like I will fall in love with that picturesque chunk of land and never want to come home. Plus, life will just be so different when I don't have to conserve shampoo or toilet paper, and be able to do laundry in a machine, rather than my sink. I'm anxious to wear normal clothes and actually be able to shop and not worry about trekking countries with my splurges on my back. I'm certainly anxious to see NZ and Poomeroy. I'll be there soon Pooey.

I miss Mike. Sigh.

I spoke with my workmate, Mike on FB chat, I know he hates FB chat, so I know he misses me too. I find myself still asking the question "should I have just taken a 3 week holiday? get this fit over with and head back to real life?" I don't have the answers to all the questions, not even my pendulem does ;) but I do refuse to have regrets.

What 18 days into this adventure has taught me so far about my 'real life' is:
1. I do actually really enjoy designing (maybe Vince was right, maybe I should have brought my laptop with me... but we won't give him that satisfaction, after all, he'll have to deal with my drunken mess when he losed this bet and takes me to the ACE Awards, free drinks all night, what a date!).
2. I really do miss Mike. AND my other workmates. No matter how frustrating work and colleagues can be, I just love those cool cats. My pa always described his staff as his second family and always needed to treat them really special. Now that I know, I'm not coming back, I'm constantly reminded of my MO family whilst I wander down streets, knowing exactly what he means.

Chris: there is always some hardcore jogger taking down the beach in shorty short shorts. PS I heard you made the office do a mandatory run at lunch, good job! haha I'm just glad I wasn't there!

Valery: you really need to go scuba diving and master illustrate the underwater life. It's the most amazing thing I've ever seen. Simply stunning.

Vince: every ginger I see, I cringe and get a little angry inside ;) jk. I just laugh beacause they are lathering up in sunscreen trying helplessly not to burn.

Lorianne: YOU should really be here with me so we can wear Thai pants and get messy. I know you would love this place and likely never leave.

Drew: no one hugs like you do. When I feel homesick I think of you picking me up and cracking my back with your hugs. I need to find someone on these islands that hugs like you... sigh.

Jeff: I didn't think I would, but I miss your grumpy face in the morning! Our sarcastic chats, you even poking me in my easily bruising legs. I miss you, because I know you're like me, tough on the outside and super soft on the inside.

Steffen: I didn't get to work with you long but what I did take away from you was your ambition and initiation. Something that I lack as I laize on these sandy beaches pondering life.

Caitlin: I miss your albino latina ass sending me bass ass Spanish pop songs and pictures of our soccer player.

Jon: oh Jon. No one makes me laugh like you did. And that is quite important. Laughter is the best medicine. It's the best start and end to each day. I need to find someone who can make me laugh like that!

And my Mike: my pal. My bestie. I knew I would miss you because we got so close after K left. Our awkward walks to Safeway. You cringing when I sat too close. You reaching over my shoulder to grab my mouse. Our histarical iChats between 3-4PM to get us through the remainder of the day. Late night handwriting. Chocolate breaks at 2.

We've all had some good times and I miss you little MO family.
Take care of one another, otherwise you'll turn into a hot mess like me, a flubbering baby. And that will just be embarassing.

xo.

PS save me some samples of Stollery!!

The Perfect Day?

It started at 6:45 AM, I ate my granola bar on the way to the classroom. (classroom on vacation, I know!) Shortly after arriving we hop into a taxi (and by taxi, I mean we hop into the back of a truck and hold on for dear life with tanks, BCs and regulators). Arriving at the docks, I realize that it's the exact same place where someone tried to sell me a scuba package at a brand new resort, not a big deal though, I'd rather have been on SaiRee Beach where all the action was happening and at my little cottage.

We actually had to crawl through another boat to get to ours. Our boat was a large, wooden, camel coloured beast. I had forgotten my motion sickness bracelets but luckily my hands were free to apply constant pressure to my wrist points.

First Dive: For the life of my, I could not sink. Mee (my instructor) actually had given me his weight, plus shoved some more weights into the pockets of my BC. What the hell!? After 10 minutes of exhaling my lungs out, I made it down to the most peaceful place on earth. Gliding through the deep blue sea was exaclty what I needed. It was perfect. Quiet, other than the exhaling bubbles from your regulator, the sealife, went about their life crossing their busy streets. Why hadn't I done this sooner?! I knew that I had to master the 'relax button' before heading to another non-air breathing world. This year was perfect for that. While intentionally losing our regulator hose and masks at 30' below surface, there isn't much you can do but be calm, find your regulator and put your mask back on.

I'm officially an SSI scuba diver. BOOYA! This day continued with me celebrating on the silica sand, wading in the salty ocean with my fish friends. Another epic stormed rolled in and I watched it until the monsoon rain started.

This place has the most addictive storms I have ever seen. I locked myself in my little bungalo and it was only 6. I wanted to stay in and be anti-social. It's not easy making friends here. People tend to travel in packs or couples. Luckily for me, my dive buddy was there with his girlfriend, from Brussels. One of the coolest couples ever. SO welcoming. Just all around lovely people who seemed to be of a similar mind set. They were really the only ones I wanted to relax with. I do actually love this place. I will stay another night to enjoy it more and see more of the island and really learn to enjoy my own company. Be lost in your thoughts.

I ended the day with reading on my porch then meeting the boys for a delicious lobster/crab feast on the beach.

Perfect day: yes.

risky business

"You can trudge wearily along the well-worn path, or become gloriously lost in the woods that lie either side."

After reading quite an inspiring email from a friend, I realize that I do need to take some more risks. Not jump out of a plane, wait, I'll be doing that in NZ... bad example; hang out in alley ways after dark but life experience. I'm sure I'll find that while doing the Gibbons Experience in Laos but until then... let's make the best of these beautiful islands.

I know I'm lucky to be in such a picturesque place and blah blee blah bee baaaa but fuck it. I did not come here to hang out in 'irish' pubs and drink my face off. I'm here for the ultimate challenge, the Justine Challenge. Enough princessy priss, toilet paper has become my comodity and I 'shower' in the ocean to save my shampoo. This is what it's come to and it's fabulous!

On the boat to Koh Tao, just 20 minutes to dock we hit the most beautiful storm I've ever seen. It kicked the life back into me. As people were losing their hats and we were pelted with what felt like hail, I felt... I felt serene and happy. This is what's it's about. Adventure. Adventure in it's angriest form.

Koh Tao is beautiful. As soon as we docked, I quickly found my pack in a pile of 150 bags and ran out to find a taxi. I had no booking, I left my 2 mates, and I took a risk. I'm now staying at a really cool little cottage, thanks to the recommendation of Maxine. And I'm on my 3rd day of getting scuba certified. I'm already scared shitless of going 18m deep and equalizing my ever so troubled ears, but the pool lesson was mint. It's pretty scary, but it's something that just needs to be done. If I wasn't doing it, I'd be stuck on this beautiful spit of land having the same feelings I had about Koh Phangan... I assure you, I will try and not make that happen again. Just a little planning and a little leap goes a long way.

Now... I just need to get the confidence to rent a scooter (after Jonny's accident... it's not looking promising) and hit this snorkel site on the other side of the island that I've heard is breathtaking. And I love being a mermaid snorkeler! Hopefully I'll be able to stay another day and get that done, just another step right?

(I do apologize for the lack of photos: 1. I can't plug my camera into these public computers and 2. you guys should know me by now... I don't take photos... sorry)

the moon

Paradise island?

On an island dedicated to the moon, I find myself strangely emotionless. The breathtaking beaches, the bountiful beaches, the smiling backpackers... could it be sensory overload? Am I numb? Or perhaps it's the wrong kind of senses that I planned for this adventure?

It took a matter of minutes to decide whether or not I'd come all this way and go to the famous Full Moon Party. Of course I'd have to go! In my mind a yoga retreat in the north would have been fitting for this quarter life crisis. A break. A break from life.

But the moon! The moon is female, it's where we come from, it's what we track at home. We all know things teater during the full moon. And what better time to be here on this island to celebrate such a beautiful thing.

Two things:
1. Whislt wandering with my fellow ten thousand moon worshipers, I found we were all more focused down on our buckets rather than up to the robust moon.
2. During the 4 to 6 hours I graced Haad Rin beach, I did not see the moon! Really? Did that really happen? yes.

Was this a sign? Is that why I don't feel right now? (I assure you it's not the affect of alcohol. I didn't even finish my one bucket).

Other than those two very important points, I had a great time.

Apart from being overcharged for our hotel and Jonny's epic scooter scar, we are meeting amazing people (I swear half of the UK is here, but that is rad, because I love these brits) abd soaking up the most rich sunrays.

Tomorrow we head to Koh Tao, where I've been giddy to get certified for diving. Unfortunately Shark Week on my iPod will not help this journey, but at least it's teaching me to keep calm in open water. We'll see.

taste of home

From working as a full time designer, part time MAC artist, and freelancer, I find myself oddly tiring of the beach life... alreay?

I know, weird.

It's just unproductive and silly to lay on a beach for 2 days.

Or is it?

I'm either missing my work or my workmates, or both. Both. I didn't think that I would miss work, not after working so much.

It's been 10 days and I'm ready to come home? What kind of adventure would that be? Pathetic. 10 days is a prissy vacation which is not what I've been looking for!

This homesickness will pass. I have a tendency to hide photos inbetween the pages in books and I have a rule to not look at my iPhone albums for at least 2 weeks... I've now found most of my pictures and flipped through those albums twice.

Crap.

This will pass and most importantly, I will not lose the bet I have going against my Vringer. Nothing than I hate more than to lose against a ginger.

At least I know a little piece of home is in the South Pacific. Poom! I might be coming early so you can cure my disease.

to be free

I now realize what a trip this is really becoming. Have I gone completely off the edge? I understand now why my parents, grandparents, even boss freaked out about. This could have been a 3 week holiday but Year of the Tiger, you have actually kicked my ass! What better thing to do after a good ass kicking than to go on a life journey (or breakdown and have a full blown quarter life crisis). Experience is priceless. Culture is educating. And really, I need to get grounded. I need to know what this life can offer besides post secondary and marketing agencies. No more spoiled Ting... it's time to get gritty, appreciate it and share these lessons with the people I meet in life.

It wasn't until 10 minutes before I landed in Bangkok that I knew what 'to be free'* really meant. Sitting there engaged by the clouds and the Mekong out the window with a huge open smile on my face. I was oddly happy. A feeling that I haven't felt in quite some time. Sure I'm filled with giggles and have fun with my mates, but this was for me and only me. Euphoric. It was strange. I bet the two Chinese ladies thought I was crazy as I would glance at them then back out the window. They must have thought it was my first plane ride. Ha.

After trekking with our packs through the Bangkok airport, I felt like a seasoned traveler. Knowing what to accept and not to accept. Bang on Bangkok! I love it here. Visually the city reminded me so much like Southern China, so naturally, I was comfortable.

Our hotel is great, it's quaint with lots of bugs, nothing that I'm not used to. We are super close to Ko San Road which is like a backpackers hot spot. It's great to sit and people watch and feel very thankful that I wasn't the one walking down that road with my 25 pound pack in the rain!

We are heading to Koh Pangan tomorrow night on a sleeper train... well hopefully it's a sleeper train. One day in and Bangkok already has me by the balls (excuse my language mum)! But really there is nothing this girl can do but just blush, giggle and be mega thankful that I have a little money left in my savings account. Laughter is the best medicine right? But does it make you money? This is the question... might have to head to NZ early and beg someone for a job. But we won't worry about that just now... but just in case... I'll be accepting donations for the 'Get Justine Back to Canada Fund.' I assure you friends and family, it's for a legitimate cause, the money will actually get me back home... for now.

(J2 get a tuk tuk ride from a super friendly driver. After our first destination, we tried to get him a gas coupon from a tailor shop... ya... I was in that tailor shop the day before and it was stuffed with fabrics and Indian men, and they over quoted me on a silk sleep sheet x2!... if anyone has any idea where to get a silk sheet for pennies, you let me know!)


(Singha beer for my big lipped, twin toed mate, thank you for introducing me to such a tasty and refreshing delight!)

Special SHOUT OUT to my knowledgeable friends who have made me feel super comfortable with traveling to SE Asia and not getting ripped off by taxis or tuk tuks: Larry, Chelsey, Serene, Maxine, all you cool cats, THANK YOU!

xo.
ting

*to be free: next tattoo?

I heart HK

It's true. I've rekindled the relationship that I once had. I now remember why I love the bustling, aromatic streets of Hong Kong.

The people still stare. They don't tend to smile until you buy something from them. And the markets are abundent with goods.

It's likely a good thing that I'm here with "Jonny" (in quotes for my MO peeps) as I don't think he likes to shop... so it's kind of keeping me away from the incredible, cheap, colourful marketplaces. Although... I did have to go to Jade Market and see this little Chinese lady that I've seen on my past trips to Hong Kong. Silly me, I've forgotten earrings?! I know, of all things... so instead of risking my ears closing, I opted to splurge a tiny on a pair of minty jade studs. They probably weren't worth the money, and I probably could have gotten more of a discount... but hey, this lady and I have a history and let's be honest, when you make this girl blush, I'll get played over like a fat kid and a plate of cupcakes.

suitcake?

I have the best mom ever. I roll into the office and she's sitting outside in her car... making me nervous, I hop out of my car and she's waiting with a surprise cake for my bon voyage. so sweet! literally, it was so sweet. 5 lbs of chocolate put the MO office peeps in a coma. well done Mama Ma. xo.

minis

so I have my mini bottle of white flower oil, I'd say I'm ready to go! this potent vile cures so many things, what more would I need ;)

everything is cuter when it's tiny... no?

this time in 7 days, I'll be halfway to Beijing. yep. less than 7 days now. wow.

in 12 days...

I'll be prancing on Nathan Road... where my pa grew up.
Yep, that's his old place (above)... right across the street from some super fancy mall.
Oh Hong Kong, I've missed you.

countdown

aiyeeeee.
33 days.
the countdown begins.
I need to start preparing... now.