The Trip

Crossing the border from Thailand into Cambodia, you know that you've entered into another country. Cambodia lies to Thailand's East and the road instantly loses its seal, the immigration officials become bent, and the cars 10 years older. After greasing the immigration officials an extra $5 ("new fee") we proceeded into a waiting taxi to take us to the nearest border town and a bus to our first destination. Surprisingly we were not overcharged too much by the taxi driver and what he told us about the buses was true. We paid the fare and off we went. I have spent the past week moving around bits of Cambodia and must say I love the place. I find the Cambodians to be un-aggressive and quite honest (most disarming - being a paranoid white boy and all) and their attitude generally is one of co-operation. For example, if they ask you if you want a taxi you may smile back and say no. They'll you alone. Weird, but welcome. I guess I was preparing myself for the worst i.e...

My last days in Australia were peaceful and uneventful, staying with family and friends. It was what I needed after spending a lot of time unpacking and packing my bag and lugging it around so to have the chance to rest properly was good. I'm in Bangkok now using the cheapest Internet access I've ever used. The couple sitting next to me are Spanish I think. I know this because they smell of cigarettes and the lady's voice is deeper than her partner's by several octaves. I've clearly been "outta the shit" for too long. I was ripped off by a taxi yesterday and it just served to wake me up a little to how things "work" in Asia (again). Even walking a relatively short distance brought out the usual well-dressed men who want to know all about you. This normally ends up with them getting you into a taxi. One guy even went as far to promise me free beer and an ATM, all in one of the Temples. Amazing. He got the arsehole when I just looked confused and b...

Back in Perth and back where I started, all those six months ago. Doesn't time fly? Perth has been as peaceful as it was the last time I was here and I spent the time just emptying my backpack. Over the past six months my backpack gained a TARDIS-like ability to hold everything I put in it. So much so in fact that a couple of weeks ago it weighed in at over 22kg. Lugging this around put me in the foulest of moods so I knew that something had to give. I took a pile of clothes (items I did not even recall packing) to an op-shop in Fremantle and mailed a 5kg parcel home. I wanted to use airmail but this would have bankrupted me so I settled for sea-mail. It'll be on the ocean floor soon enough. I've also been trying to figure out my best plan of attack in Thailand. I fly into Bangkok, a city of culture, tons of sex (the type that you pay for and watch), and filthy air. Friends who have visited in the past have given me good advice and places to see so it should be okay. Beyond...