Present Location: Phnom Phen, Cambodia

(12.08.09)

Itinerary:

VIETNAM:  February

• So it’s finally settled – we are heading Northeast making our way towards Vietnam, which will be the last county on our itinerary before the trip ends. Looking forward to it as we hear it’s beautiful this time of year.

Luang Prabang, Laos: January 27th – ??

• Things quiet down as we head out to this sleepier mountain village to take in a bit of nature…

Vang Vieng, Laos: January 20th – 27th

• We jump full first in to heavy tourist/backpacker country in search of some over the top fun – tubing, zip lining, too much pizza, etc

Vang Vieng, Laos: January 20th – 27th

• We jump full first in to heavy tourist /backpacker country in search of some over the top fun – tubing, zip lining, too much pizza, etc

Vientiane, Laos: January 10th – 20th

• We head North to explore the Laos capital, and to spend time in the village of Ban Naxaithong where more of David’s Family live

Paxse, Laos: January 1st – 10th

• We come back to Laos to break with the family after a gruelling month in Cambodia

Paxse, Laos: January 1st – 10th

• We come back to Laos to break with the family after a gruelling month in Cambodia

Otres Beach, Cambodia: December 22nd – 30th

• We head to coast in search of the full beach experience for the holidays

Phnom Phen, Cambodia: December 16th – December 22nd

• Back in the Capital to look for volunteer work

Krong Koh Kong, Cambodia: December 9th – 16th

• This sea port is the quiet gateway to uninhabited islands, white beaches, and cheap eats.  Time to rest.

Phnom Phen, Cambodia: December 5th – 9th

• We’ll explore the Cambodian capital until the heat tells us we can’t explore anymore.

Siem Reap, Cambodia : November 29- December 5th

• We cross the border below the islands in southern laos, and hop on a bus to Siem Reap.  Angkor Wat, here we come.

Paxse, Laos: November 23rd – 29th

• One more time with the family before leaving for Cambodia, and Thanksgiving Lao-style.

Bolevan Plateau, Laos: November 20th – 23rd

• We’ll be taking a few day trips around here on the bike to get some cooler air, try the famous coffee, and see if we can learn a thing or two about laoation hill trbes.

Paxse, Laos: November 17th – 20th

• Back to Paxse for more time with the fam!

Si Phon Don, Laos: November 14-17

• We explored the 4,000 islands of Si Phon Don. Don Khong, Don Det, and Don Khone.

Paxse, Laos: November 10th – 14

• The only landlocked country in Southeast Asia, we hope to spend about a month here visiting David’s family and touring small hill tribe villages in the North. Rumor has it if you can get off the major backpacker routes, Laos has a lot to offer for very very cheap. We’ll see!

Bus from Chang Mai to Ubon Ratchatani, Thailand: November 9th – 10th

• A 16 hour bus ride to Ubon to grab yet another bus to the Chong Mek border crossing, Laos.  Here we will meet David’s dad who will take us to Paxse to see David’s family.

Chang Mai: November 7th- Novemeber 9th

• We make a pit stop in Chiang Mai and plan a way to meet David’s dad in Laos.

Pai: November 3rd – 7th

• Pai is a small town in Northern Thailand near the Burmese border. It used to be a tiny agricultural village inhabited by the Shan people, but today it thrives more on western tourists like ourselves. We hear, though, it still has it’s old school village charm, and if one is in Chang Mai then one MUST go to Pai. We will likely take a boat to Laos when we are done with Pai.

Chang Mai: October 26th – Novemeber 3rd

• Waaaaaay up North in the Thai high country. Major backpacker’s stop before trekking out in to the tribal villages. We expect to stay in this city a couple days, then hire a guide for a 3 day trek, then back to Chang Mai to rest before moving on.

Train from Ayutthaya to Chang Mai: October 25th – 26th

• 12 hours in a sleeper car, overnight (edit: train system is horrible in Thailand – 17 hours)

Ayutthaya: October 23rd – 25th

• Ancient capital of old Thailand, hella ruins and whatnot. 1 1/2 hour North of Bangkok

Si Racha: October 21st – 23rd

• Home of the famous siracha “rooster sauce,” old school fishing village turned strange Japanese tourist hot spot.

Ko Si Chang: October 17th – 21st

• Enjoy the quietness of a small, undeveloped island, the beaches and kayaking to camp on nearby, smaller Bat island

Bangkok: October 15th-17th

• Meet and learn from fellow backpackers on Kao San Road
• Visit the Royal Palace