Sunday, November 30, 2008

November 30- Luang Prabang


Capp takes in the fitba in the company of Michael Eavis and Sir James Hill, or something.

Saturday, November 29, 2008

November 29- Luang Prabang


Stupa meets stupor (he is in there, somewhere)

Friday, November 28, 2008

November 28- Vang Vieng


More new friends at the Lagoon. Much as we canny stand the sight of him, yer no keeping him...

Thursday, November 27, 2008

November 27- Vang Vieng


"Paddles Up" Capp gets ready for a day on the river.

Wednesday, November 26, 2008

November 26- Vang Vieng


Capp gets very excited at the alleged ingredients of the Vang Vieng pizzas.

Tuesday, November 25, 2008

November 25- Vientiane


The obvious Vientiane photie, up the Buddha Park.

Monday, November 24, 2008

Sunday, November 23, 2008

November 23- Tha Kek


Decappitated (sickle).

Saturday, November 22, 2008

November 22- Savannakhet


Laos has a lot of non-standard transport. Here's the Tom And Jerry bus. Bombs look a bit ominous.

Friday, November 21, 2008

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Leg 6 (Cambodia)- Non-Capp Thoughts

My overwhelming memories of the Cambodia leg are, I would imagine, the same as everybody else's: completely affected by the remnants and fallout of the Khmer Rouge era, and awestruck by the majesty of the Angkor Temples. That said, here's some trivia.

The Tuk Tuk's (apparently) more primitive in Cambodia than its Thai/Lao equivalent. It's basically a trailer on the back of a motorbike, done up with all the regality of a sedan chair. The Tuk Tuk drivers flock to you with some fervour when you look drivable, and in Siem Reap, we told a nice chap called Thomas that we would definitely use his service home. Three hours passed, and it got a bit dark. We told the guys offering a run that we'd promised 'Thomas' he'd get our dollars.... cue a Spartacus moment, with six or seven drivers insisting 'I am Thomas'. Still only 99% sure the real deal took us back.

Round Angkor way, you'll get sold all manner of trinkets by demanding, moody children. Flutes were particularly popular, but one is generally enough, so when approached by a particularly cute five-year-old, I offered a duet with her (careful) while we walked instead. Claire and Abi insisted the performance of 'You Are My Sunshine' as "quite sweet". When I tried some other tunes back at the hotel, I got told to "fuck off back to Hamlyn".

The kids are even pushier in Sihanoukville. Best lines on rebuttal: "sorry doesn't help ME!"; "you've got one already? You can lie to me, but you cannot lie to yourself". Who the f*ck runs the training course??

Did much better on the weird food in Cambodia- deep-fried cricket, and stuffed frogs in Siem Reap, which were made even harder to eat with the period drama on the telly in the cafe, which featured a very graphic beheading. Still don't know what the frog was stuffed with, though 'frog stuffed with dog' would be particularly disturbing.

First sighting of a flying cockroach coming at you full tilt is quite distressing. Seeing it then banjo itself on a striplight is humourous. I couldn't kill it though, so I spent five minutes with a bin lid trying to usher it out of the room, culminating with an impressive flick over the threshold. Quite pleased with myself, I went back into the room having noticed another form in the corner of my eye, and then realised I'd knocked it right into the arms of a waiting scorpion. "Ye're on yer own now pal", I thought, regretffully.

Phnom Penh's served me well on the ropy DVDs- really quite chuffed with my haul. Need to watch enough while we're away to get my money's worth, though, as I can just see Singapore customs telling me exactly where they're not going...

November 19- Don Khon Island (Cambodia Side)


Dolphin-watching at the Mighty Mekong.

Tuesday, November 18, 2008

November 17- Stung Treng


Yep, this 'prek's' loads of 'phum'.

Monday, November 17, 2008

November 17- Sihanoukville


Capp takes to his Holiday In Cambodia with a bit much gusto. He bought this shit himself.

Sunday, November 16, 2008

Saturday, November 15, 2008

November 15- Bokor Hill


Right at home in the City Of Ghosts.

Friday, November 14, 2008

November 14- Kampot






Cambodia's National Zoo presents some decent (unforced!) photo opportunities for the first time in days. There were actual animals there as well.

Thursday, November 13, 2008

November 13- Kampot


Capp's reputation precedes him once again.

Wednesday, November 12, 2008

November 12- Phnom Penh



Tipsy gentleman in VIP's enclosure at regatta.

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

November 11- Preah Khan, Rulios Group


One from the top...
and any other five, Carol.

Monday, November 10, 2008

November 10- Banteay Srei


We've got scarves, fans, postcards, and travel-weary puppets. All two for one dollar.

Sunday, November 9, 2008

November 9- Angkor Wat


This picture really has everything: alcoholic, monk, temple. And Abigail Forbes.

Saturday, November 8, 2008

Friday, November 7, 2008

November 7- Siem Reap


Andy meets two long-held inspirations.

Thursday, November 6, 2008

November 6- Phnom Penh


"Don't mess wi me tuk-tuk."

Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Leg 5 (Vietnam)- Non-Capp Thoughts

Got a good overdose of military over the time in 'nam- I wouldn't necessarily advise combining a lot of war literature, films and tours over a concentrated period of a few days, but at least you get a chance to move on quickly...

Other things-

Elaborate cons from taxi drivers the like of which we certainly didn't suffer in China (mostly in Hanoi). Even this laid back character started to get aggressive. And then remorseful. As is normal.

In Southern Vietnam a Buddhist temple is more of a Buddhist themepark- the selections of monkey gods and elephant effigies made them feel more like Lamaland. They certainly enjoy the overdevelopment- we got a rollercoaster down to one waterfall, and were offered ostrich riding, which was new to me.

Markets in the Mekong Delta were somewhat more macabre than China also- we watched a woman scissoring off frog's feet, while stopping her snakes making a break for freedom with the other hand. I looked on in utter bemusement round the corner at a toad- attached to two others by an elastic band- attempt to leap out of its bucket. I think the effort involved killed it, as it did nothing else of note thereafter.

Replica kits taken to the nth degree: black Viet Cong jammies in the Cu Chi tunnels souvenir shop, for a mere six quid a pop.

I'm sure there was a lot more to comment on than this- I'll add it when I remember...

November 5- Phnom Penh


Capp cocks a Sihanouk at the Royal Palace.

Tuesday, November 4, 2008

November 4- Can Tho


"It ain't half hot, mum".

Monday, November 3, 2008

November 3- My Tho


Rowing like a local.

Sunday, November 2, 2008

November 2- Sai Gon



An inevitable pun, and more hassle with chilli sauce and Uncle Ho.

Saturday, November 1, 2008

November 1- Sai Gon


Cap n' America. 

(ok, I was gonna make some quip about Andy joining the Cong yesterday, which he did, but I need to get the puns oot the road first).