Mad dash through Malaysia

We crossed the border between Thailand and Malaysia by boat, an hour long trip by speedboat from Ko Lipe to Langkawi. I did think I might have to swim the last little bit as our boat came to a stop for a while and a number of boat related investigations were carried out. To my relief there was no need to reach for the life jacket and instead we sped our way onwards and arrived in Langkawi just as the sun was dissolved by the sea.

It was a short stop, just a day on the island! We could have spent longer, but Penang was calling. Our day was spent well however, braving the Langkawi Cable Car to the highest point on the island from where we enjoyed the cool breeze and impressive views.

We took the ferry from Langkawi to Georgetown, Penang and found ourselves at an impressive hostel boasting both a free breakfast and air con! It proved to be a great base and Georgetown far more interesting than expected. Lots of history, some impressive street graffiti and unbelievable street food! Our 2 days here turned into 4... but then sometimes you just need a bit more time to enjoy a place!

Our last stop in Malaysia was the capital Kuala Lumur, home of the Petronas Towers and a lot of rain! Still, between the downpours we were able to explore the city, taking a stroll around Merdeka Square, stopping for a coffee beneath the Petronas Towers and then back to our hostel beneath the Christmas lights at Bukit Bimtang!!  (Enjoying the Christmas lights whilst wearing my shorts...surreal?!)

 

Paradise...

I have been to Thailand before but somehow or another I never made it to any of the islands in the south. As we were heading down towards Malaysia and Singapore it seemed like a great opportunity to change that. Having checked out the weather we changed our original plan to visit Ko Tao and instead took the overnight train  - a nice aircon sleeper this time - to the very south of Thailand and then hopped aboard a speedboat to the Tarutao National Marine Park.

Ko Tarutao

Ko Tarutao, was our first stop and of all the islands this one is considered one of the more erm, basic in terms of facilities, one shop, one restaurant and a few bungalows to sleep in if you decide against living in a tent! Unaware that the tent was an option we had a little beach front bungalow from which you could look out on the sea and listen to the waves!

There were only a few other people daring the wilds of Ko Tarutao, so we pretty much had the beaches to ourselves and spent several challenging days enjoying the sunshine and beautiful beaches. We also met a few creatures here - inc.monkeys, snakes, lizards, wild pigs, and a few really annoying flies...

Whilst VERY cool...I'm not sure I was thrilled to see this!!

After a few days in Ko Tarutao we decided to head on and explore another island, so cruised our way to Ko Lipe. This is a much smaller but much more developed island than Ko Tarutao. We arrived via a longtailed boat and spent a few sunshine filled days swimming in the sea and enjoying the laid back life! We stayed in a small bamboo hut on the beach front and wondered if perhaps living here was an option?! 

Long tailed boats, crystal clear sea...Might need to stay a while!

Bamboo hut on the beach? Go on then!

A good spot for breakfast?

 

All a bit Tomb Raider...

After I managed to drag myself away from the 4000 Islands, it was onwards to Cambodia. Getting to the border was pretty easy, getting across the border also fine...getting the bus on to Phnom Penh not quite as planned - so often the way! After several hours on the border, a rather old bus rocked up, not exactly the VIP air-con bus we had been promised...but given the choice bus or border, bus wins. After many dusty hours sat by the open window (fake tan anyone?!) we made it to the city, and then all the way to the otherside of the city, our driver deciding not to drop us off in the centre as planned but rather just to head out to his bus depot and abandon us there - Genius! 

After a little negotiation with a tuk tuk driver, we managed to sort things out and make it to our hostel. We enjoyed a day exploring Phnom Penh, but with time slipping away quickly we jumped on another bus (actually with aircon) and travelled to Siem Reap and the temples of Angkor! 

I have actually been to Angkor before, but as Sharon hadn't it seemed like an excellent excuse to visit again! I have included a few photos to give you a little taster of the place, but it really doesn't do it justice, I think I will just have to recommend you all pop over and see it one weekend! 

Ever feel like you are being watched??!

The first two days we were taken in a chariot (well tuk tuk) to visit the various temples via both the Small and Grand Circuit. You might think that after you have seen one temple you have seen them all, but it really isnt like that here - I like that there are so many different styles. I think my favourites are Bayon (of the face!), Angkor Wat and Ta Prohm (which is all a bit jungle and if you have seen the film Tomb Raider). It is an amazing place and as you explore you cant help but try to imagine what it would have been like when Angkor was a living breathing city, rather than the ruins they are now filled with monkeys and tourists! 

Angkor Wat!

Having bought a 3 day pass - well you can pack it all into 1 day, but then you might miss something! I decided to abandon the chariot and hire a bicycle for the day! This was a lot of fun and meant I could go back and see some of the temples I had really liked, take a few more photos and attempt to climb a few of the trees! (Ok, maybe not climb the trees, some of them are unbelievably big!!) It really is a fantastic place, where you are free to explore the dark hidden passageways and wander through an ancient kingdom! 

This reminds me of Jack and the beanstalk!!

I will add some more photos when I can find a better internet connection!!

4000 Islands? Go on then!!

There is something about islands that appeals to me... perhaps those bathed in sunshine over others, but when we decided to go back to Laos the 4000 Islands was on my hope to visit list. The 4000 Islands ( - not sure if there are actually 4000 as I didn't quite get round to counting them) are in the south of Laos a stones throw from the border with Cambodia.  It took one of our much loved overnight buses, a daytime bus and a boat to make our way there...but it was definitely worth it!

We arrived early afternoon and having found ourselves a little place to stay and admired the view from the little restaurant we spent the afternoon walking along the dusty path around the edge or our island (Don Det). It only took a couple of hours and it was a great way to see island life. It is mostly agricultural and many of the fields were being harvested by hand!

Having decided we should stay a while and enjoy life here we decided to go on a full day kayaking trip. The trip enabled us to take in the beauty of the islands from our 2 man canoe...is there a better way?! 

After a rather good banana pancake breakfast we took to the water, paddling in the sunshine amongst the islands! I would like to tell you that we were perceived as pros, but sadly my one star kayaking award wasn't quite enough to help us avoid trees / almost capsizing! However, we managed to remain mostly dry and were even able to spot the rare Irrawaddy dolphins before our lunch in Cambodia.
Also included in our day trip was a visit to Khone Phapheng Falls, apparently Asia's largest falls?! Pretty impressive, although definitely glad I wasn't kayaking down them!

As the sun began to drop low in the sky we paddled our way back across the water and made it back to our little place in time to watch the sunset - tough day!  

Think we might have to stay here a little longer...