Laos and more

Post 12h bus ride though the winding mountains of Laos and we finally arrived at Luang Prabang or L. Bangers. A great little town on the Mekong right in the middle of nowhere. On this particular bus ride the drivers assistant handed out plastic bags at random. Turns out the bus doesn't really stop, which meant the mother of three sitting next to us helped the kids 'go potty' right into the bags. What a pro she was! Not a single mess! Once the bus stopped everybody tossed their bags on the road side...what efficiency.


Luang Prabang has a great multi-tiered waterfall about 25 Kilometers south. I definitely recommend checking it out if you pass through. If you've made it up to the first swimming hole, past the families picnicking and are looking for a sick view, Resist the impulse to climb the welcomed set of wooden stairs, those will take you all the way to the sketchy crab lagoon/forest at the top of the waterfall (dare you to take a swim... don't worry you'll never see what gets you because the water is covered in leaves).


Instead, take your shoes off and negotiate the set of cascades to your immediate right. After a bit more scaling you'll see a few monks and a few locals hanging out. The no-bottom swimming hole here is gorgeous. I had to take a risk with my camera...the shot was too good to miss. So I swam out, one hand above water with my canon and tried not to flow over the fall.

Treking shoes on
Pro.
Climbing.


walking.

Shuend.
Found a stick in a cave and basic instinct just took over...

This is the spot.


Edge of 2nd tier fall.

Slipping..slipping!!

O.K. got a hold.

Terrified...

Bluish lagoon.

Picturesque...and a case of Lao beer chilling away in the bottom right.

L.P. Bangers

One thing I can't do without on the road is some Mario. I rigged my little net book to emulate the original Nintendo 64.


For those who like the classics...

Mmm...my favourite! The strawberry flavour just doesn't do it for me.

Chiang Mai night markets.

Great little Wat right on the night market.

Enjoying a few Singha.

This woman just scoops a few handfuls of phad thai for 75 cents.

Regular guest house disclaimers.

Sun is not as killer here... but those 3 dollar knockoffs are!

Checkin out le musee.

Wat a great sight (That was bad..sorry)

Sweet colours on the trail.

Who loves fangipans?

Watsman

All stair cases leading up to the Wats here are decorated.

Weird lookin fellows.

My new washing machine.

Off to Vientiane!

Legendary Thai Warrior & New Music

Finally got this one out! The tune is called "Ko Tao" Hope y'all like it! http://www.thesixtyone.com/domtron



The dude that started it all. Legend has it this Thai warrior was captured by the Burmese military in the early 13th century . To test his might the king of Burma threw fighter after fighter at Nai-Kanom-Tom. After defeating 9 warriors in a row (bare hands), Tom finally fell to the 10th warrior. Admiring his bravery the king sent the Thai fighter back to his country....The Thai's had a new hero and thus the art of Muai Thai was born... OK lets see some blood!

Dan the man from England towered over this Thai and crushed him in 2 minutes.

Ceremonial song and dance showing great respect to the trainers.

I've been fattening up on Chang beer so out comes the 6L-bottle-sock-freeweight. This comes in handy but its more about reps than weight. Plus its hard to destroy your shoulders with this little weight :)

Oh wait...you're suppose to stand on the bar?...ouch!

Chillin'

Local bar in Koh Samui. $1 vodka redbulls will lure you into the ladyboy venus flytrap...

More Chang!

We found this lounging in one of the 7-11 aisles. Porker or Dog.... Pog!

Qrax kills.

Finally... certified PADI open water diver.

How ridiculous can you look in a wet suit...trying to bring it to a whole new level...success!

Everybody's fav snack. Jer...eat your heart out! Comes in coconut, corn, pork, chicken, pineapple and Jess's personal fav tuna!

Were off to Chiang Mai in the north and then east over the border into Laos!

Tattoo!

As all good tattoo stories begin, we start drinking early and order multiple "Buckets" (cheap & dirty Thai whiskey, dirty non-carbonated Thai redbull and coke in a sand bucket).

After a grand hangover...a passage taken from a letter addressed to Jess from Mom, is traced onto a separate sheet and inked on her arm

Getting it just right.

After a few tries.

The apprentice takes a Stab at it while master looks in.

Rockin the beats and trying to get that perfect synth sound while she gets tatted.

zzz.....


"Always remember to seek the Source of your life and you will be guided by wisdom and confidence. Remember, your dreams are God given - only believe and all things are possible. Love you so much, Mom"

Approaching Koh Tao. Seems to be getting worse out there.

Though it would look weird but it kinda suits her. Plus spaced out for mad bangles.

Bugles eating Jess or Jess eating Bugles?

Approaching Koh Tao. Seems to be getting worse out there.

Finally on the beach. We're here for Thai new years or Sonkran, more water and dye throwing and face paint and all round tomfoolery.

The weather has calmed down...for now. Lobster face time!