Brazil
Argentina
Chile
Bolivia
Peru
Ecuador
Uruguay 

Indonesia
Singapore
Malaysia
Thailand

Cambodia
Vietnam
Laos
China  

 

BRAZIL

February 18th - March 7th 2003

Highlights:

• The weather. 

• The  Women. Yes, they are very beautiful especially down South. Wow. They know it too. Speaking to some of them, they say they hate all the comments from the all the men as they walk down the street. They also say they hate it more when no comments are made. It makes them feel bad!!! Still the comments made by men was worse in Iquitos in Peru.

• Yeah, they have rhythm and yes, Salsa is sexy.

• Football is god here and they are god like playing it. Pity about the hooligans. There was a big fist fight involving about 50 youth yards behind me on the stands while watching Botafog VS Fluminense.

• Damn good Beef. It may be just chicken hears but good especially all those you can eat meat restaurants for 4 Euro. 

Lowlights:

• Nobody, but nobody speaks English. Not in the tourist office, not the tourist police. No one. They are a proud people and expect people to learn there language. Fair Play but hellish for independent tourists.

• Its never nice to see old age pensioners wearing flip-flops, leopard skinned tongs and having grey chest hair on main streets. Its just bad.

• Breakfast in Brazil is terrible. Sweet cakes and sticky buns and maybe bananas. Musili, people - ever heard of it.

• I got very sun burned. It was my own fault. Do they Caramile lotion in this Country.

• Crime in Rio. Yes it exists. I met lots of sorry tourists who got robbed (no violence involved) and I saw a guy try hold up a bus in the main street with a hand gun. Small thing's, like walking down the street with a baseball hat and some kid on a bike cycling past and pinching it. Small thing but it annoys. Never bring anything of value to the beach.

• The rich / poor divide. Incredible.

The rest:

Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (Beach, Christ Statue) , Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (Sugarloaf) , Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (City Centre) , Rio De Janeiro - Brazil (Salsa, Carnival) , Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (Maracana stadium, Favela Tour) , Rio de Janeiro - Brazil (Violence in Rio) , Curitiba - Brazil (City Tour) . Curitiba to Paranagua Jungle Train , Curitiba Market Iguassu Falls - Brazil .

My favorite Pictures from Brazil can be found here

March 8th - April 4th 2003, April 14th-April 22nd

• Boca Juniors and Football in Argentina. I had a great day at the River Plate stadium. A lot of players have had to move abroad due to the Economic crises as clubs were unable to afford their best players. Still its National passion.
• Saint Patrick's Day in Buenos Aires. What a great night. I was on the beer for about 6 days straight. Its well known fact that Saint Patrick's day celebrations are always far better abroad than at home in Ireland. The craic was mighty. Thanks to the Dublin (Rory) and Leitrim (Ronan) lads who made it happen.
• Patagonia and the Glaciers . I need say no more. Its one of the most beautiful places on this green earth and you could spend the summer months camping here. The walks and scenery are out of this world.
• The Buenos Aires Herald newspaper. I have read newspapers from around the World, and the BA Herald is excellent in picking out Editorial from papers around the world and putting it together for my amusement. Cheers guys.
• Steak. Argentina is famous for its steaks and s it should be. I ate them every night in Buenos Aires. They came grilled on big plates, maybe 10 inches across and 4 inches tick. Hmmm. 

• the Iislas the Argentine Falklands or as the British call it - The Falklands. Those f^%^&& British should give it back.

• Evita. She died a long time. They really should get over her.

• F%^% the IMF, yeah, baby. Lots of demonstrations in Buenos Aires and around the Country.

• Way too Catholic in Cordova. We Irish don't come close.

• Football hooligans. They call the Boca Fans the 13th man.

• Macho Macho men who treat girls like crap.

• Too many Israelis in Argentina. Spread your wings people.

The rest:

Buenos Aires - Argrentina (First impressions) , Buenos Aires - Argentina (Casa Rosada, Congress, Bank Protests) , Buenos Aires - Argentina (San Telmo, Falklands, Boca, Maradonna), Buenos Aires - Argentina (Recoleta cemetery, Evita Peron), Buenos Aires - Argentina (The Irish in Argentina), Buenos Aires - Argentina (Demonstrations, dirty War, the Disappeared), Buenos Aires - Argentina (Tango, San Telmo Market, Football, River Plate), Buenos Aires - Argentina (Saint Patricks Day, Colonia in Uruguay), Colonia - Uruguay (Day Trip), Puerto Madryn and Pensula Valdes - Argentina, El Calafate (Moreno Glacier) and Patagonia , El Chatlen - Argentina (Fitz Roy), El Chatlen - Argentina (Ice Trek), Rio Gallegos and Patagonia - Argentina, Ushuaia - Argentina (flight to and town), Ushuaia - Argentina (Ushuaia Jail), Ushuaia - Argentina (Biking, Trek, Martial Glacier) , Bariloche and Cordoba - Argentina, Corboda - Argentina , Salta - Argentina (Gaucho Cowboys) , Salta - Argentina (Rafting) , Salta - Argentina and San Pedro - Chile .

My favorite Pictures from Argentina can be found here

April 4th-April 14th, April 22nd-25th, July 25th-July 30th 2003

• Varied Country from green glacier South to desert North. Torres del Paine National Park in he South of the Country was beautiful. I would love to go back. Humberstone is a deserted town in the North. It was really interesting seeing the deserted buildings from theatres to school's with nobody left.
• Their political Life isn't boring.
• Bernardo O Higgins. The Son of an Irishman did well for himself in South America. He liberated it!
• Santiago is a World City. Big, brash and wealthy.
• Good Hitch Hiking.
• Good Subway System in Santiago.

• Give the Coast back to Bolivia , you thieves (no offense, but it has caused the poor Bolivians endless grief to this day. They are currently rioting over the prospect of passing a gas live to the coast via Chile - October 2003)!
• Pinochet!
• Murder or Suicide - Allende!
• Their Soldier have Nazi type Helmets!
• To many monuments. Don't they teach history in School.

The Rest

Punta Arenas - Chile (Fuerte Bulnes) and Puerto Natales , Puerto Natales - Chile and Torres Del Paine Park, Puerto Natales - Chile and the Navimag Boat Trip, Navimag Boat Trip and Puerto Montt - Chile, Salta - Argentina and San Pedro - Chile , San Pedro - Chile and Geysers del Tatio, Bolivian - Chilean Border , Iquique - Chile (Town and Humberstone Ghost Town) , La Serena - Chile (Town Pictures) , Santiago - Chile (First Impressions) , Santiago - Chile (Walking Tour) , Santiago - Chile (City from Above) , Santiago - Chile (Last Day and Lots of Museums) .

My favorite Chile from Brazil can be found here

April 26th - May 12th 2003

• La Paz was my favorite South American city.
• Great protest Tradition although sometimes it goes TOO FAR.
• Potosi - Great Town.
• Best place in South America for snacking.
• The Black market in La Paz. Thousands upon thousands of stalls selling everything you ever needed (if you find the stall you are looking for).
• Great mix of the modern and the traditional.
• Salar de Uyuni (Salt Flats) in the North of the Country.

• The poor kids who work in Potosi mines.
• The native Indians should have a greater voice in government and the US should keep there noses out of traditional Coca cultivation.
• Electricity Black outs!
• They HATE Chileans (and there current president)! (He was ousted in Oct 2003)
• Lousy bus drivers who don't use their lights.
• No supermarkets. What are they afraid of.

The Rest

Day 1 of the trip to Uyuni in Bolivia , Day 2 of the trip to Uyuni in Bolivia, Day 3 of the trip to Uyuni in Bolivia, Potosi - Bolivia , Potosi- Bolivia (Mining Tour), Potosi- Bolivia (Mint Museum) and Sucre - Bolivia, La Paz (Catherdral, Black Market) , La Paz - Bolovia (Plaza Pedro de Murillo, Cemetry), La Paz - Bolivia (San Pedro Jail) , La Paz - Bolovia (Moon Valley, Zoo) , La Paz - Bolovia (Tiwanaku) , La Paz - Bolovia (unpublished photos), Bolivia to Cuzco - Peru (Lake Titicaca), La Paz - Bolivia (General) , La Paz - Bolivia (Civic Day Parades) , La Paz - Bolivia (Civic Day Parades) , La Paz - Bolivia (Parades and Protests) , La Paz - Bolivia (More Parades and Protests) , Bolivian - Chilean Border .

My favorite Pictures from Bolivia can be found here

May 13th - June 11th, 2003, 30th of June - 16th of July 2003

• Machu Picchu
• Great past civilizations fro Chan Chan to the Incas.

• Getting from one part of Lima to another (taxi drivers heaven).
• Their National Football Stadium is in a shite state of repair
• Too many horny Americans on Shore leave
• Some Prick from Peru stole my wallet.

The Rest

Bolivia to Cuzco - Peru (Lake Titicaca), Cuzco - Peru (Main sites), Cuzco - Peru (Museums and Churches) , Cuzco - Peru (Pisac Trek), Cuzco - Peru (Sacsayhuamán, Tambomachay) , Cuzco - Peru (Photos), Day 1 of the Inca Trail , Day 2 of the Inca Trail, Day 3 of the Inca Trail (Part A), Day 3 of the Inca Trail (Part B), Day 4 of the Inca Trail, Cuzco - Peru (Riots) , Cuzco - Peru (Riots), Ayahuasca and Ayacucho - Peru , Quinua and Huancayo - Peru , Huancayo and Pucallpa - Peru , Pucallpa - Peru , Pucallpa to Iquitos - Peru (By plane over the Amazon) , Iquitos - Peru (Plaza, Belen Market) , Iquitos - Peru (Belen Shantytown, Cathedral, the Amazon) , Iquitos - Peru (Flight to Lima) , Lima - Peru (Catherdral, Convento y Museo de San Francisco, Santo Domingo) , Lima - Peru (Congress, Fog, Changing of Guard) , Lima - Peru (Football, Allianz Lima, Palce of Justice) , Chiclayo - Peru (Catherdral, Mercado Modelo , Witches Market) , Chiclayo (Tucume, Lambayeque, Lord of Sipan) and my travels to Machala - Ecuador via Tumbes, Aguas Verdes and Huaquillas, Trujillo - Peru (Chan Chan and other sites) , Trujillo - Peru (Huanchaco amd Temples of Sun and Moon) , Huraz - Peru (Lagunas de Llanganuco and Yungay) , Huraz and Lima - Peru (Pastoruri Tour) , Huancayo and Huancavelica - Peru (Huancayo Market) , Pisco - Peru (Islas Ballestas) , Arequipa - Peru (Monasterio de Santa Catalina) , Arequipa - Peru (Casa del Moral and Museo Santuarios Andinos) , Cusco - Peru (the Market and Iglesia de La Merced) , Cusco - Peru (Pisac Market and San Blas area) , Paucartambo - Peru (Paucartambo town and Tres Cruces) , Paucartambo - Peru (Fiesta de la Virgen del Carmen) .

My favorite Pictures from Peru can be found here

ECUADOR

June 11th - 30th of June 2003

Highlights

• My favorite South American Country. Good transport but small country so easy to get about.

• The traditional Markets.

• Alpaca wool.

• Just like dear old Ireland.

Lowlights

• Nobody on the streets of La Paz after 8.00pm as they all thing its too dangerous.

• Overcharging in the Markets.

• Do people make any other items except Alpaca sweaters.

• Normal people don't buy ponchos to war at home in Ireland.

• They use the greenbacks. Get your own currency folks.

• Nearly killing myself while walking around the volcanic crater of Quilotoa

• Getting hit and getting burnt by a firework in La Cuenca.

The Rest

Chiclayo (Tucume, Lambayeque, Lord of Sipan) and my travels to Machala - Ecuador via Tumbes, Aguas Verdes and Huaquillas, Quito - Ecuador(Panecillo Hill, La Compania de Jesús, Old Town) , Quito - Ecuador (El Sagrario, La Basilica) , Otovalo - Ecuador (Otovalo Market) , Otovalo and Riobamba - Ecuador (Cuicocha Lake) , Riobamba - Ecuador (Trip to Chimborazo) , Riobamba - Ecuador (Tourist Train) , Latacunga - Ecuador (Saquisili Market and ESPE festival) , Zumbahua - Ecuador (Quilotoa Lake) , Zumbahua - Ecuador (Zumbahua Market) , Pujili - Ecuador (Corpus Christi Festival) , Pujili - Ecuador (Corpus Christi Festival) , Banos - Ecuador (Canoying, baths and rain) , Cuenca - Ecuador (Saint Peter?amp;#146;s and Paul Festival) , Cuenca - Ecuador (Sigsig, Chordeleg and Gualaceo Markets) , Tumbes - Ecuador (Border Crossing) .

.My favorite Pictures from Ecuador can be found here

URUGUAY

Friday the 21st of March 2003

I was only in Uruguay for one day. Colina- Uruguay . I liked Colina but nothing else to report.

My favorite Pictures from Colina can be found here

NEW ZEALAND

August 1st - 26th of August 2003

Highlights

• Great booze including Spreights .
• Unpretentious and friendly folk but a bit mad out in the sticks.
• The Kiwis are more friendly than the Aussies especially the ladies.
• Rugby - What a great game. I even went to visit the National Rugby Museum.
• Adventure Sports capital of the World.

Lowlights

• There drinking establishments. They only started drinking in 1967. All you have left is Sports Bars, theme bars, and Irish bars. Tell me where you can find a traditional Kiwi boozer that's not a shed or a theme park.
• Betting Shops and bars on the one premises. They re asking for trouble. No matter how many posters with free phone help numbers.
• The pokies should be banned. You go to the boozer to get away from the noise at home and end up with dozens of poker machines blasting away.
• There's conflict with Immigrants especially. Asians.
• Why go out so late. Midnight. What are people doing before that. Boozing on the cheap at home. The night is over before its begun.
• Cant handle their booze. Not down Dunedin away anyhow.
• Maori relations. Not that we Irish can give out about historic conflicts but they are even auguring who owns the sea shells on the sea shores.
• Cant get on with their big neighbor. Say "fush and chips" mate..
• On board commentary on their buses. Its a public bus not a bloody school tour. Uppity drivers!!
• Too English Centric in their museums. The Queen is dead.
• You are allowed to go out mid-week
• Ugly, Groty cities with too may Massage Parlous, sex shops and Pokies (excluding Christchurch). Where are the urban planners.
• Crap Comedians. Get some Fijian comedians in.
• Their Netball Team (Silver ferns) believe they are a world Class team and want to go professional. Its not even a sport, girls and ye are the only Country to take the crap sport seriously.
• Union Jack on their flag. Get with it. Change it.

The Rest

Auckland - New Zealand (Auckand Museum and 1st Impressions) , Auckland - New Zealand (Mount Eden and hangover) , Auckland - New Zealand (Lionzone and Skytower) , Rotorua - New Zealand (Whakarewarewa Thermal Reserve) , Rotorua - New Zealand (Waiotapu Thermal Reserve, The Zorb, Bungee) , Rotorua and Taupo - New Zealand (Governemnt Gardens, Rock N Ropes) , Napier - New Zealand (Art Deco City) , Palmerston North - New Zealand (Rugby Museum,Te Manawa Museum) , Wellington - New Zealand (First Impressions, Te Papa Museum) , Wellington - New Zealand (The Parliament Buildings, Museum of Wellington City & Sea, National Tattoo Museum) , Wellington - New Zealand (Old Saint Pauls, Wellington Cathedral of St Paul) , Wellington - New Zealand (City Gallery, Archives New Zealand, National War memorial) , Wellington - New Zealand (Rugby at Wespac Stadium) , Picton and Nelson - New Zealand (Nelson Catherdral) , Punakaiki and Fox Glacier - New Zealand (Punakaiki) , Fox Glacier - New Zealand (Glacier Walk) , Fox Glacier - New Zealand (Lake Matheson and Trip to Queenstown) , Queenstown - New Zealand (Gondola Views, Bungy Jump) , Queenstown to Dunedin - New Zealand (Earth Quake, Undie 500) , Dunedin - New Zealand (University, Spreights Brewery Tour) , Christchurch - New Zealand (Square, Gondola Views, Art Centre) , Christchurch - New Zealand (Cathedral, Botanic Gardens, Canterbury Museum, Punting) , Christchurch - New Zealand (City Gallery, Our City Centre) .

My favorite Pictures from New Zealand can be found here

AUSTRALIA

August 26th - 5th of September 2003

Highlights

• I wasn't there long enough to make too many judgments. 
• Good city planning and layout though. Preserved the historic nature but forward looking.
• Straight talking. Up front. I like it.
• Melbourne is a great city. Sydney tries too hard.
• Aussie Football rules, anything is better than Soccer.
• They send their politicians to jail (Pauline Hanson).
• Decent Hari Kristina restaurants.

Lowlights

• Get a New Flag, Mates
• Aussie Rules isn't Gaelic football.
• They along wit the Kiwis brought in the professional Rugby game, which has brought nothing but grief.
• Isolated from the rest of Asia Pacific regional countries.
• They still vote in John Howard.
• Shit beer.
• They swindled their sporty image... most of them are bloody obese.
• Have they head of "excuse me" when bump into people.

The Rest

Melbourne - Australia (Saint Patrick's Cathedral, St. Paul's Cathedral, Treasury Museum, Immigration Museum) , Melbourne - Australia (Melbourne Gaol, State Library, Shrine of Remembrance,Rialto Towers Observation Desk) , Melbourne - Australia (State Houses of Parliament, Melbourne Museum, Melbourne Cricket Ground) , Melbourne - Australia (Victoria Markets and various Shots) , Sydney - Australia (Sydney Opera House, Harbour, St. Andrew's Cathedral,The Queen Victoria Building) , Sydney - Australia (Australian Museum, Saint Mary's Cathedral, ANZAC Shrine) , Sydney - Australia (Chinatown, Darling Harbour) .

My favorite pictures from Australia can be found here

INDONESIA

September 5th - 8th of October 2003

Highlights - Bali

• Bali - yes, its is a paradise (except for Kuta). green rice terraces, temples, exotic food. When my honeymoon.

• The Bali  temples. 10,00 and counting. Have they go work to go to.

• The greenery and rice Paddies. I already said it but it impressed me so much.

• The traditions that are kept like like cementations. What an event. It this was a Sky Burial in Tibet, I'll be killed.

• The friendly people in the tourism industry and the kids.

• Great family, Community and religious ties.
• Great Food. Hmm Banana Pancakes. I know its not Balinese, its the backpacker favorite, but they do it to perfection here.
• Cremations

Highlights - Bali

• Bull racing (with domestic bulls). Brilliant..
• Beano transport buses. I love the squeeze.

Lowlights

• The crass, four Sun, sea, sand and sex tourism in Kuta. Its the Australian Santa Ponza. And for you Aussies, you wouldn't be got dead in Santa Ponza if you were over here.

• The People who only stay in Kuta only.

• The lack of understanding of some tourists regarding etiquette when visiting Temples.

• Hawkers - you want sexy video, you want transport, you want bed, you want dope.
• Jiggy, Jiggy videos - Naa, I don't want any mate.
• Rib off transport companies. They love foreigners and charge me second  person rate for his big bloody backpack.
• Batik Sellers
• Guys who are your new, instant best friends after two minutes and invite you for a friendly card game.
• Where donations are compulsory
• Muslim fundamentalists wearing Osama bin Laden T-shirts.
• No Booze in Madura Island

The Rest

Kuta - Bali - Indonesia (Bali Bombing, Kuta, Temples) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Arrival, Temples) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Temple Celebration, Cremation) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Elephant Cave, Yeh Pulu, Royal Palace) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Temple Prayers, Kecak Bali Dance, Rice Fields, Cock fight) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Gunung Kawi, Titra Empul, Rice Terraces) , Abud - Bali - Indonesia (Various Pictures from my time in Ubud) , Negara - Bali - Indonesia (First Impressions) , Negara - Bali - Indonesia (Mekepung /Bull Racing) , Ijen - Java - Indonesia (Java's Sulphur Miners of Kawah Ijen) , Cemoro Lawang - Java - Indonesia (Mount Bromo) , Surabaya - Java - Indonesia (First Impressions) , Sumenep - Java - Indonesia (the town, Ambunten) , Sumenep - Java - Indonesia (Bull Racing, Kampang Sari) , Solo - Java - Indonesia (Various) , Solo - Java - Indonesia (Kraton Mangkunegaran) , Yogyakarta - Java - Indonesia (Borobudur Temple) , Yogyakarta - Java - Indonesia (Parangtritis, Batik Making, Water Palace) , Yogyakarta - Java - Indonesia (Sono Budoyo Museum, Kraton) , Yogyakarta - Java - Indonesia (Prambanan Temples) , Yogyakarta - Java - Indonesia (Imogiri Graves) , Bangung - Java - Indonesia (Hanging out) , Jakarta - Java - Indonesia (Batavia, Sunda Kelapa, Kota) , Jakarta - Java - Indonesia (Taman Mini Indonesia Indah) , Jakarta - Java - Indonesia (Fish market, Ikan, Various) .

My favorite Pictures from Bali and Indonesia can be found here

SINGAPORE

October 8th - 13th of October 2003

Highlights

• It is a first World Country

• Melting Pot of food and traditions. I really enjoyed the 

• Clean, Nice, air Conditioned.
• Very Westernized attractive girls.
• Vibrant ethic Communities.
• Good food because of the above
• Uncomplicated traveling for backpackers
• Excellent Post Offices.

Lowlights

• Its very expensive.

• They live to work not live to work. Everyone is in a hurry.

• Commercialized controlled lives. Its barely a democracy where opposition, free though and individualism is frowned upon. People just seek commercialized products instead.

• Crazy laws from not allowed to dance on tables to chew gum.

• The  nightlife isn't special and beer (because of tax) is VERY expensive.

• One Party State
• Is it a real democracy. Is there an opposition.
• Everything is basedon rules andregualtions rather than common sense and fair play.
• Love thy mobile Phone
• Too many shopping plazas
• Expensive Beer
• No interest in Sport
• Up there own arse expats
• Too consumer led.
• Flip Flops. Ban em.
• Graciousness Campaign. F&^&n off Singapore

The Rest

Singapore (Deepavali) , Singapore (Sri Mariamman Temple, Thian Hock Keng Temple) , Singapore (Battle Box, Fountain of Wealth) , Singapore (Various Shots in Chinatown) , Singapore (Temple Preparations for Theemidhi) , Singapore (Theemidhi Festival and 1st impressions of Kuala Lumpur) .

My favorite Pictures from Singapore can be found here

MALAYSIA

October 13th - 21st of October 2003

Highlights

• Pirated Software and Games

• My first interaction with a Muslim Country 

• Good Quality DVD's (DVD 9's)

• Just like dear old Ireland.

• Cheaper than Singapore
• Pirated DVD's, Software and PC Games.
• Honest Shopkeepers.
• They love the Guinness
• I did mention that Singapore was a quasi democracy, but thinking about it, I bet half of the South East Asia population would give there right arm to go and live there such is its prosperity.
• I did mention that Singapore was a quasi democracy, but thinking about it, I bet half of the South East Asia population would give there right arm to go and live there such is its prosperity.
• Air Con in buses. In the bus to KL I had to turn off the AC most of the way as it was so bloody cold. It seems Air con on Malaysian buses come in either freezing or cryogenic.
• The Guinness BELIEVE CAMPAIGN. In Ireland its focused on believe in scoring a goal or believe Guinness can get you drunk. Here its BELIEVE you can become a millionaire and Believe you will own a GLOBAL FRANCHISE. Weird. They have these Guinness posters of people counting there money. Very different emphasis. Its a popular drink here and I have seen many people drink (only in bottles here) it in Singapore and here in KL

Lowlights

• The KL metro is a potential deathtrap.

• Its hard to understand the Public Transport

• Freezing Air Con on long transport buses.

• Poor nightlife

• Lots of headscarves.
• Metro in KL is scary. They are only about three carriages long and with open windows facing outward to the track and tunnels which are lit up. Its like a cross between a roller coaster and a time machine as you hurdle around bends at high speed. Wow.

The Rest

Singapore (Theemidhi Festival and 1st impressions of Kuala Lumpur) , Kuala Lumpur - Malaysia (Jame Mosque, National Mosque, Railway Station, Petronas Twin Towers) , Penang - Malaysia (Khoo Khongsi) , Melaka / Malacca - Malaysia (St. Francis Xavier's Church, Saint Pauls, Christ Church) , Melaka / Malacca - Malaysia (Chinatown, Markets, Mosque) , 

My favorite Pictures from Malaysia can be found here

THAILAND

October 22nd - 25th of October 2003, 19th January 2004 - January 20th 2004, January 27th -February 2nd 2004

Highlights

• I was only there for a few days but I have been a couple of times before.
• Very attractive girls.
• LOS: Land of Smiles
• I like big cities and I like Bangkok. You either love or hate the place.
• Thai Green Curry.
•  

Lowlights

• Land of Smiles or Land of of Scams. Gem Dealer anyone.
• Traffic congestion and smog. Thank god for the over road metro.
• Duel prices for locals and foreigners.
• Are they racist against foreigners!
• There's the  new Social Order campaign. No playing certain computer games, bars closed at 100am, kill 2000 Drug Dealers. Muslims in Thailand, never head of them!
• Never go to Jail there. I read the book Damage Done. Go and see a foreigner prisoner over there if you can.
• Prime Minister is a bit feckin tough. The authorities do no wrong. 5,000 suspected drug peddlers are killed mysteriously. Its wasn't so. 80 Muslim kids get suffocated in army trucks. No, don't blame the army. Prostitution exists. Blame the foreigners. .
• Up there own arse expats. Crazy foreigners living twilights fantasy worlds. Guys dressed in Elvis jump suits, teddy boys. Its a mans world in Thailand.

The Rest

Bangkok - Thailand (Various), Bangkok - Thailand (Forensics Museum) , Bangkok - Thailand (Chatuchak Weekend Market) ,Bangkok to Guangzhou - China (Shamion Island) 

My favorite Pictures from Thailand can be found here

CAMBODIA

October 25th - 6th of November 2003, 20th of January 2004 -January 27th 2004

Highlights

• Very relaxed pace of life compared to Thailand and Vietnam.
• Good fun if you have vices: Gus, Drugs, Beer and Women.
• Very rural and has a great Wide West feel to the place.
• Angkor Wat
• Nice edgy place. I love the smell of sulphure in the morning.

Lowlights

• Angkr Wat: over rated. After 30 temples over days.. you are templed out.
• Dodgy border officials and police. White string vests and nine mm handguns.
• Bribes! You  must have malaria tablets, you must have own pen, you must pay me.
• Crazy Prime Minister called Hun Sen.
• Food can be dodgy, especially there fish dishes. Usually caught by throwing hand grenades into lakes and rivers (I'm not joking).
• Do gooder NGO's. trying to turn everyone into George Bush.
• The roads during the wet season. What roads. Bring on the Japanese Aid.

The Rest

Sihanoukville / Koh Kong - Cambodia (Various) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (The Killing Fields - Choeung Ek Memorial, Tuol Sleng, Museum of Genocide) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Wat Koh, Russian and Central Markets) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Wat Moha Montrei,Wat Ounalom, Wat Phnom) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Penh Tonle Sap Lake, Independence Monument, Vietnam Monument) , Phnom Penh to Siem Reap - Cambodia (Eating Skuon spiders,Phnom Bakeng Sunset near Angkor Wat) .Siem Reap - Cambodia (Angkor Wat, Bayon) , Siem Reap - Cambodia (Angkor Wat, Ta Prohm) , Siem Reap - Cambodia (Boat Trip to Battambang) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Last Night, Martini's) , Phnom Penh to Saigon (HCH) , Anlong Veng - Cambodia (Various, Pol Pot's cremation site) , Anlong Veng to Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Various) , Phnom Penh - Cambodia (Chinese New Year) , Phnom Penh to Koh Kong - Cambodia (Various) , 

My favorite Pictures from Cambodia can be found here

VIETNAM

November 6th - 9th of December 2003

Highlights

• Bia Hoi - Homemade beer for 3000 Dong a litre.
• Girls in Saigon very attraction. I love the white university uniforms.
• Great Place if you are a war buff.
• I want a moto bike.
• Saigon. Saigon. Saigon. It will never be HCM city to me.

Lowlights

• Crazy pricing for foreigners. They start at 300%. You will be lucky to bring it back down to 150%.
• Passing a road. Taking your live into hands even a t pedertinised crossings.
• Nice girls don't talk or look at foreigners.
• The treatment of the hill tribes. Where's the U.N.
• No fun after the commies took over after 1975.
• Should we support a communist dictatorship. I think so.

The Rest

Phnom Penh to Saigon (HCH) , Saigon - Vietnam (Notre Dame Cathedral, City Hall) , Dalat - Vietnam (Market, Chicken Village, Bao Dai's Palace, Railway and others) , Dalat to Nha Trang - Vietnam (Cham Towers, Ear Cleaning, Sea front) , Nha Trang - Vietnam (Po Ngar Cham Towers, Long Son Pagoda, MArket) , Buon Ma Thuot - Vietnam (Market and town) , Kon Tum - Vietnam (Hll Tribes) , Kon Tum - Vietnam (Traditional Rung House, Rice Paddys, Ploughing) , Nha Trang to Hoi An - Vietnam (Ao Dais) , Hoi An - Vietnam (My Son Cham Towers) , Hoi An - Vietnam (Japanese Covered Bridge, The Central Market, The Town) , Hoi An to Hue - Vietnam (Raining Stones) , Hue - Vietnam (Flag Tower, Market, The Citadel & Imperial City, The Forbidden Purple City) , Hue - Vietnam (The Imperial Tombs, Thien Mu Pagoda, Tomb of Tu Duc, Khai Dinh's Tomb, Tomb of Minh Mang) , Hue - Vietnam (Tu Dam Pagoda, Notre Dame Cathedral, River Life and Various) , Hanoi - Vietnam (Old Quarter & Hoan Kiem Lake) , Hanoi - Vietnam (Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum, Army Museum) ,Hanoi - Vietnam (Halong Bay) , Hanoi - Vietnam (Hoa Lo Prison (Hanoi Hilton) , Hanoi - Vietnam (Hoa Lu, Tam Coc) , Hanoi - Vietnam (Train to Lao Cai) , Hac Ba - Vietnam (Can Cau Market) , Hac Ba - Vietnam (Hac Ba Market, Sapa) , Sapa - Vietnam (Sapa and trip to Hekou, China) 

My favorite Pictures from Vietnam can be found here

CHINA

December 9th - 14th of January 2003, February 2nd 2004- February 17th 2004.

Highlights

• Amazing varied Country

• Very honest and welcoming. 

• Always service with a smile

• Great transport 

• Cheap beer 20p a half litre

• Great rooms for 5 Euro.

• CCTV 9 for learning English.

• Chinese girls can be cute (but not as cute as Vietnamese)

Lowlights

• 35 hour bus journeys

• The public spitting and phlegm

• Meat that's left in the open air for weeks before use.

• "hello Mister" one thousand times a day.

• No English language menus - Can I look in your fridge. No Kidding. In most restaurants, I had to go into the kitchen and pick out what I wanted from the fridge as otherwise I would starve. Lonely Planet is shite at food.

The Rest

Sapa - Vietnam (Sapa and trip to Hekou, China) , Kunming - China (Qiongzhu Si, Bamboo Temple, Various) , Dali - China (First Impressions) , Dali - China (Zhonghe Si Temple, Image Lake) , Dali - China (Shaping Market, Erhai Lake ) , Lijiang - China (Naxi People, Market, First Impressions ) , Lijiang - China (Heilng Tn Gongyun Black Dragon Pool Park) , Lijiang - China (Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek - Day 1) , Lijiang - China (Tiger Leaping Gorge Trek - Day 2/3) , Zhongian - China (Prayer Wheel, Songzanlin Monastery) , Zhongian - China (Napahai Nature Reserve, Markets) , Deqin - China (Fei Lai Temple) , Benzilan - China (The town) , Xiangcheng - China (The town, Monastry) , Xiangcheng - China (The Market, Monastry) , Kangding - China (The Trip over snow Mountains) , Kangding - China (Paoma Shan, Nanwu Si) ,Leshan - China (Leshan Giant Buddha) , Emei - China (Mt. Emei Trek - Day One) , Emei - China (Mt. Emei Trek - Day Two) , Journey from Chengdu to Jinghong via Ruili - China (Ruili, Jinghong) , Journey from Chinese border to Luang Prabang - Laos (Verious shots of Luang Prabang) , Bangkok to Guangzhou - China (Shamion Island) ,