David was a happy volunteer in cambodia
This postcard is sent by my friend David a softspoken Irish, but who knows when it’s time to have some fun. I met him during my last visit to Laos when he made a brief stop on his journey across South East Asia. Here is a small part of what happened to him during his great adventure ….
This picture was taken at a sports day at Support Self Help Community Center(SHCC) Kro bei Cambodia riel.The Sports Day turned into a giant water fight, where we drained the well dry! and was probably the best day I’ve had in Asia. I voluntereed in this school for a few weeks as an English teacher. The kids and the local villagers are the most amazing ,creative and genuine people I have met on my travels. It was a sad day when I had to leave.
Editor’s note: It reminds me of my adventure in koh chang and Children’s Day Kids School
Location: Siem Reap, Cambodia
Siem Reap is the capital of Cambodia, near the mystical Angkor Khmer temple located about 314 km north-northwest of the capital Phnom Penh. Siem Reap has colonial-style architecture with Chinese influences due to its important role during Indochina French colonial campaign. The city offers many cultural events: Aspara dance festival, craft shops, silkworm farm, ricefields, fishing villages and bird sanctuary near the Tonle Sap lake.
The boom of the city economy is powered by its new international tourism industry. Most tourists want to immerse themselves in the temples of Angkor since the end of many wars have stopped the isolation of the country from the rest of the world. Tourism has sharply increased since the 2000s. Many vacation spots have been built and others are under construction due to the contribution of foreign capital. Many establishments are concentrated around the Old Market, while the most expensive hotels are located between the airport and the city of Siem Reap along National Highway 6.
It’s a fun place, but it’s sill a city ; with heavy traffic, multiple motorcycle taxis, scooters, traffic lights and the omnipresence of advertising. Just a few miles away the RICE still grow.
References and other interesting links
Self Help Community Centre (SHCC) Is a registered Non Government Organization That Provides Educational and Vocational Opportunities “as well as activities to over 400 récréatif Disadvantaged Rural Children and young adults in Puok District, Siem Reap, Cambodia.
http://www.shcccambodia.org/
facebook group of school SHCC
Postcard from Kunming China zoo
Here’s the second postcard which is sent by a Polish retired couple that I met in Luang Prabang backpacker hostel. This extraordinary and friendly pair quickly shared their joy with me. Together since primary school, this lovely duo of perpetual travellers discover the world like children in a candy store.
I sat at their table enjoying a beer while chatting. I said with satisfaction that I had been travelling for 6 months in this region of Asia ..” Ha! You have been travelling for six months?!” he said, laughing heartily. We have had 28 months of travelling around the world and we do not yet intend to return home. Wow 28 months! I feel inferior now with my short six months … hehehe!
We continued our discussion and he taught me lots of little tricks to save and extend the trip on the same budget. They are as passionate about travelling as I do.
They sent us pictures of the Kunming Zoo, China which was one of their many destinations. They promised to send more comments and observations in the future … No problem my friends, your news reports are always welcomed.
Location: Kunming, China
Getting to Kunming from Luang Prabang in Laos, buses are a popular mode of transport. For about $ 43 U.S., you can buy a ticket to go there directly. Ask your local hôtels and agencies for the right departure station which offers long distance transport to China or Laos. Expect a long journey of 28 hours ride on bumpy roads. Be careful with your valuables because robberies of bags ,which were placed right next to the passengers, have been reported.
Kunming is located on a plateau of eastern Yunnan. The altitude of the center city is 1894 m. Surrounded by mountains on three sides and overlooking Lake Dian from the south, the city enjoys a temperate climate all year long.
Emerald Lake garden in the heart of the city and the park overlooking the lake Daguanlou Dian southwest of the city are the most popular attractions.
Other attractions are:
- The Provincial Museum of Yunnan and Kunming Municipal Museum for its collection of bronzes, Buddhist sculptures, etc..
- Temple of Yuantong, Temple Hills West, the Golden Temple, the Temple of Bamboo
- Museum and Park of Yunnan minorities
- City Zoo
- Bird market (old quarter still preserved)
Article unusual link:
A park where visitors can see coming widget people. They live in houses in mushrooms shape
Postcard from amazing koh Phi Phi
Kho Phi Phi
When I was thinking about improving our website, I was thinking about adding something colourful, noisy and with more bells and whistle than content. Visiting my website like a perfect stranger reminds me why I started this project. Share my love of travelling Asia and all this great discoveries that was to change my mind forever. Let’s share together….
The first postcard his from Pearlyn i met in Luang Prabang hostel in Laos. She was travelling alone in South East Asia for one month of holiday. She comes from Singapore and she sent me the first postcard of our new website section.
Location: Phi Phi Island, between Phuket Island and mainland Thailand. Lots of people visit this place to scuba diving in its natural beauty.
This idyllic island is a perfect getaway from the noise and clutter of the city.
The emerald green waters and soft powdery sand simple takes your breath away.
Peace and tranquillity are epitomized by the fact that there are no roads!! So no cars blaring their horns at you all day long, no touting of taxis and no scooters coming at you at every direction. The only form of transportation is by long tail boats which bring you from coast to coast.
Return for the future!- 3/3
- Around 9:00 pm, I took a taxi to fetch me to get my luggage at the train station and then to the airport.
- to add to my adventure I lost my luggage ticket, I came up with the good idea to tell him that my flight tickets were in my bag so he could compare the name on it with the name on my passport. Everything worked out fine.
- On the way to the airport, the taxi driver tried to bring me to erotic massage. “It does not take long, I’ll wait. It’s along the way, just pay me a little something to eat. I will arrange a deal for you, 2500 baht ($ 80) with the room and everything. Not really, I have a girlfriend, and I didn’t have time and money to go there. A usual offer in a Bangkok taxi with the support of quality color printed advertising.
- It’s 9:30 pm, my flight is at 5:40 am the next day. 8 hours of waiting at the airport. Luckily, the prices of things here are considered low. I bought a few beers at 1.50 each so that i can drink anywhere around.
- I met some lovely people from everywhere ;from Kuwait, Iran, China, Israel and many more. All folks smiles, happy under the charm of the smiling and exotic beauty of Thailand.
- Well it’s time. I fell asleep on a metal seat with my backpack as pillow.
- I woke up just in time for the boarding time
- This is the first time of my three visits that the security conducted a hand baggage and body search control in Thailand before moving through to the boarding dock.
- I didn’t have the choice of airline, Delta Arline is fine, but no extra, no freebies.
- We were flying to Tokyo in a 747, I woke up with my meal in front of me, egg, sausage and fruit nothing extra, but right.
- Forget the beer and wine at $ 7 each, I will drink coffee, Pepsi, water and tea
- Finally, Narita Japan and his campaign who has nothing of the idea that we have of megalopolis like Tokyo.
- The Japanese Customs inspection was very fast and courteous, far from the redneck Uncle Sam redneck .
- I smoked in a smoking room, one of the last airports where you can even drink a beer at the same time. Too bad no yen (money) no beer.
- On the plane, there was no personal TV screen and the audio-video system was not working properly.
- I slept and woke up just in time to order coffee and eat my meals.
- This trip was never ending. You tell yourself we are almost there but no we still have seven hours of flight to go. I simply went back to sleep.
- We finally landed in Detroit (Rock City) United States of America.
- U.S. Customs always like being in “purgatory”. I don’t expect a lot of fun.
- The customs officer looked at my passport and do not understand, Laos, Thailand, Laos, what was the reason for your trip? What is your profession? Webmaster what kind of website? Mostly corporate websites. He was asking me a thousand questions in a minute …
- He’s tapping a series of text into the computer while consulting my passport! It started to smell shit … Do you have a return ticket. I showed him my ticket to Quebec City.
- He took my fingerprints, took my picture as with all travelers and stamped my documents with hesitation.
- He told me to wait, stress of tightened border controls still pressurized me nonstop.
- Stay here! A huge American customs officer came to take me across a barrier near the x-ray machines and told me to stand on a rubber mat.
- They decided to bring my luggage out of the plane, he escorted me to identify my bag and brought it back to the check point.
- I didn’t panic. It’s just stressful to be considered a potential risk for Mother America.
- They searched my bag and asked me many questions while i remained polite. I told them you can look as much as you want, but there is absolutely nothing exciting in there .
- I went through the huge Detroit airport to reach my departure platform to Quebec about 1 km away.
- I was checking if I could get a flight before my 20 h. one, it’s a little bit past two o’clock in the afternoon. Unfortunately that was the only flight to Quebec City!
- I turned back to smoke a cigarette outside the airport. I’ll smoke just one because I must pass through 2 airport controls before going outside. Just for this bad habit.
- I walked in front of a Macdonald’s. humm! Burgers! I ate 3 cheeseburgers in a record time. 6 months without burgers, difficult to resist even if it’s shit … for now it’s good shit
- I wanted an internet connection, but it looked like it’s impossible to find one here. Everyone had got his laptop, his iPad or iPhone in their hands. There’s just me too poor to having an access.
- I apologize to everyone, especially you Pearlyn, but you will hear from me in Quebec.
- I slept on the floor until my last flight departure.
- Finally, I’m on board a small plane for nearly 100 passengers to my final destination Quebec city.
- We finally landed at Quebec, the Canadian customs are probably the worst in the world.
- I got asked a few questions without too much pressure, can I enter my country without going through the control room this time!
- It was just a dream. The police officer looked at my declaration card and told me to wait, a damn control again.
- He brought me into the searches room. I told them do that quickly as the U.S. customs already searched me 2 times.
- Passed your drug test ,for the rest there’s nothing to find. I do not travel to bring drugs and end up in jail.
- they had a hard time believing that I reported just $ 70 of product buying in 6 months. I travel to enrich my culture, my souvenirs and some pictures.
- Control went fast the customs were nice. They were interested in my story and let me go with a welcome back home ….
- It’s 21:30, once I got out. I hear ‘Bobby!’. My partner was there to pick me up. Yes everything went smoothly, a hug and we were on our way to my city.
-Did you say that Customs hunger cut my appetite, but poutine (junk food of my corn) that Ashton does not refuse!
Thanks to all the great people who made this trip an unforgettable experience!
New section – Send us your news
Even more quality content, thanks to you!
Getlostinasia.com is proud to create a new interactive section that will keep readers informed and involved personally in the development of unique content. This concept will add stories of adventures in Southeast Asia experienced by real travellers for real travellers. We are looking for original perspectives on subjects that have not been published elsewhere before. Be creative, be out of the ordinary, let’s talk about your guts and leave your Lonely Planet at home.
This also means sharing your experiences! Your grilled scorpions in the jungles of Cambodia, the time when you’re lost in the dark alleys of Bangkok or a restaurant that has surprised you. Tell your tales with passion and personality like you would to a trusted old friend!
Send us your travel stories, your advice, suggestions, impressions, your testimonies … they will be published on our website with a selection of your best photos! This is your only commitment!
It will also be a great opportunity for you to keep in touch with your loved ones, be read by our many readers, send traffic, add a link to your personal blog and enjoy some privilege for your next travel. Visit our postcard section for more details and enjoy texts and photos sent in by our new contributors.
Thank you in advance for participating and following his adventures on Getlostinasia.com
Send all to this address: info@getlostinasia.com
Return for the future! – 2/3
Bangkok train station
- I finally arrived at the station Hua Lamphong Bangkok. I kept my luggage in secured area for $ 3 and I was going to rediscover crazy Bangkok.
- I ate my first bacon sausage in a booth just clean enough for my taste.
- I was near the metro station. I looked ahead and went inside imitating the gestures of people around me like a child’s first day of school.
- I bought points to sukumwit, modern subway with the same general rule of all metros of the world. Nobody spoke, only the sounds of the next station announcements in Thai and English resonating.
- I went out walking the streets. It was about 7:00 am and everything was closed . Bangkok for once looked like it was under the influence of a powerful sedative.
- Thirty minutes passed and the streets were jam packed with motorcycles, taxis and bicycles all fighting for their places on the asphalt.
- I got lost in the endless streets of Bangkok even the tiniest alleys contained surprises.
- Patpong looks like a street without history apart from its funny signs like Super Pussy Club.
- I tried to take a motorbike taxi, but they were asking for too much baht; 200 baht to Khao San Road the backpacker’s headquater.
- I took a taxi and asked him to put the meter on to Khao San Road. I will not be swindled! We advanced into the city and the meter increased quietly, everything was under control. We passed a toll station. I had to pay 30 baht ($ 1), we drove and we drove. I never thought it was that far. Another toll at 30 baht ($ 1) and there was a traffic jam. Are we near yet? I lost all enthusiasm. After more than 30 minutes by taxi, we finally arrived at the vagabond travelers neighborhood. Yes, but I did not fare well with economics ; if we count the toll it cost me more than 200 baht ($ 6.60)
- I viewed some of my pictures of my arrival here in Khao San Road six months of ago. A real clash of the evil city as we could see in my film “Bangkok the big pineapple“.
“I will go visit the hotel where I was born this year in Asia on 1 January 2010. The welcoming wild orchid,, still had the same incredible staff and they recognized me six months later after spending only four days in this hotel. They seemed happy to see and hear from me. This is probably due to my irresistible charm they could not forget. lol
- I logged onto the Internet for 10 baht (33cents) 15 minutes to send updates to my family.
- My girlfriend made me go buy some new clothes. Mine were half clean and overheated during my trip so far. “You will look like a homeless person,” she said. Yes … she is right as well to pass customs “chick and swell”
- Shopping is not really my specialty, it’s a bit difficult for me. I’m not a great dealer. I walked along the many booths of gadgets and clothes in Khao San Road. No way! I don’t buy t-shirts with the logo of the local beer or ‘I Love Bangkok’ printed on it like 75% of the backpackers do. I visited several stores along the street and some shops around the vicinity. They often offer the same merchandise in a different order. Prices are never displayed and you should always bargain to get a better deal. Haggle further and they will ask you how much you are willing to pay. After settling on what seems like a good deal, you find some other shop with the same item that is 2 times cheaper. Don’t worry the prices are still much lower than in your country. A t-shirt of good quality for 150 baht ($ 5) or Volcom shorts for 250-300 baht ($ 8-10) is still a pretty good deal. Everything is about perception and interpretation, set a price in your mind that you want to pay for an item and stand your ground.
- I changed into my new clothes and refreshed myself a little bit in the toilet (well in the sink!) of the hotel. I was almost new man now. My girlfriend would be proud of me if she were here lol
- Something bugged me suddenly. I hadn’t had a massage here in six months. My back had been suffering for a long time. Sky’s is the limit ,let’s spend the money. I usually drank beer to cure my body. It would take an hour off my waiting time and ease the pressure of my adventure home, yeah let’s go! I walked the streets looking for the right place to relieve my backache. There, massage parlours are at every corner. Finally I chose a studio which seemed more professional with some pretty girls for sure. What kind of massage would you like to have? I’ll go for a back and head one. Good, it is 200 baht ($ 7) for one hour a real bargain. OK, give me 200 baht immediately, I joked and said that I got no money. The lady was not happy . No no I’m kidding, here is the money. OK, take off your shoes and follow me. She washed my feet with a brush and soap in a small bowl. What happiness!
We entered the massage room ;a Zen atmosphere with candles as lighting coupled with air conditioning . She told me to put on a pair of large cotton kimono pants and give her a shout when I’m ready. She returned and started the massage. What bliss. Why do I profit of that service in the last hours here? Too late next time I will do more often. The oils are magic, we always hope that as a male in this situation to have no physical reaction and appear unprofessional (you know what I mean!). The massage was completed and I felt very well. I was expecting a little more, but for $ 7 it was much appreciated. I am talking about healing, intensity of execution and not ‘a little extra’ as many of you would imagine. pervert! To be continued …
