A Wandering Sole

Southeast Asia Recap: Funny Signage and Dogs

// November 20th, 2011 // 9 Comments » // Cambodia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam

Yesterday’s Southeast Asia recap focusing on food and transport shows two of the more typical blog topics when it comes to travel. Often, I find that I take pictures of signage and random things (like funny looking dogs) and forget to compile and post them. In reality, these little oddities and humorous mistranslations are one my favorite parts of travel. There’s nothing better than having fits of laughter at a train station while locals look at you and your friend as those crazy Americans.

The Signage:

Really, it’s free. How generous.

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Southeast Asia Recap: Food and Transport

// November 19th, 2011 // 3 Comments » // Bali, Cambodia, Food, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Thailand, Vietnam

Last week, my friend Lauren (aka my southeast Asia travel buddy) and I caught up over lunch. We first traveled abroad together in Africa in 2008 and then in southeast Asia in 2010. We threw out ideas for a future trip (maybe in 2012… see a pattern?) but mostly reminisced about ridiculous times and favorite places. I think for both of us, southeast Asia is a place we would love to return to at some point. So, what’s to love about southeast Asia?…..

The Food

Lauren and I largely stuck to street eats and local food joints. We could purchase pad thai on the streets of Bangkok for as little as $1, have a meal with meat for about $2, or dine in a restaurant on nicer food for less than $5. One of our favorite restaurants we ate at was in Dalat, Vietnam. Our guesthouse recommended it, and the place was packed full of locals.

One of the best meals we had in Dalat, Vietnam

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Lingering in Luang Prabang

// October 15th, 2010 // 1 Comment » // Laos

Paper and lantern shop in Ban Xang

I never had a desire to go to Southeast Asia. I dreamed of going to Africa years before I ever stepped foot on the continent. Even a year before setting out on my around the world trip, Southeast Asia had never crossed my mind- I was leaning towards South America or Australia/New Zealand for this part of the trip. I don’t watch TV very often (I have a hard time convincing myself that it’s a good use of time unless I’m multi-tasking), but will sometimes put it on in the background while I’m busy doing something else. I had it turned to the Travel Channel, as Anthony Bourdain’s No Reservations was on. He was off to Laos this time, a country I had barely heard of, let alone knew anything about. I found myself listening, then glancing, and finally shoving everything else aside, fixated on the images on the screen. From the romantic air of the alms ceremony in Luang Prabang to the charming riverside villages, I knew I was going to Laos. (more…)

Charmed by Muang Ngoi Neua, Laos

// October 12th, 2010 // 8 Comments » // Laos

Muang Ngoi Neua village, Laos

After my adventurous bus ride from Vietnam to Laos, we got to Muang Khua and just got lucky. A man was heading in his boat to Nong Khiaw and agreed to give us a ride for a cheaper rate than normal. We thought we’d have to stay overnight in this village, so the fact that we were able to leave that afternoon and get a good price, well, it was exciting. The two-hour ride to Muang Ngoi Neua was relaxing and a great introductory to Laos. Men and women fishing from their boats gave jovial waves while naked little kids splashing in the river were all too eager to wave and yell. (more…)

Montage Monday: Plain of Jars (Laos)

// October 4th, 2010 // 6 Comments » // Laos, Photo of the Week

The Plain of Jars is a series of archaeological sites in Laos. There are more than 90 sites with anywhere from 1 to 400 jars at each.  No one really knows what they were used for. Scientists have theories and local legends are in abundance. The mysterious element drew me to the Plain of Jars initially. It proved to be much more educational and interesting than I initially thought, providing a valuable lesson on the UXO situation in Laos. Plain of Jars was one of my favorite sites in Laos.

Montage Monday: Longtail Boats (Laos)

// September 27th, 2010 // 10 Comments » // Laos, Photo of the Week

These longtail boats in Muong Ngoi Neua are critical to locals’ livelihoods. With no roads, the Nam Ou River is the only form of transport in and out of Muong Ngoi Neua. Locals rely largely on fishing for both food and sale.

Bus Adventures in Laos

// September 18th, 2010 // 12 Comments » // Laos, Vietnam

Muddy ride into Laos

To be straightforward, transport in Laos requires a durable bum and loads of patience. I made it in and out of Laos in one piece, with no scratches and only minor bruises, and I consider myself lucky. I also had cheap travel insurance on my side, which was comforting during the frenzied journey. The bus into Laos from Vietnam was by far the most ‘adventurous,’ if you can call it that. Please keep your hands and feet inside the bus at all times, and enjoy the ride. (more…)

Sole Purpose: Big Brother Mouse Books (Laos)

// September 12th, 2010 // 14 Comments » // Laos, Philanthropy

Before arriving in Laos, I read about an organization in Luang Prabang called Big Brother Mouse. They distribute books that are written in both English and Laos, and I think it is a great idea. When I arrived in Luang Prabang I was looking for a bookshop or book exchange for myself. I asked around and never got a straight answer. One young man even told me that they weren’t any bookshops in Luang Prabang. Why would he think this in such a small town? Because for the most part, people in Laos don’t read books for fun. I can’t blame them… try finding books written in Laos. They’re not common, and the only bookshops I actually did find sold English books and were geared for tourists. Big Brother Mouse is a business started five years ago by an American gentleman who recognized the lack of books in Laos. The organization delivers books to villages and also sells books to tourists to hand out. (more…)

RTW Travel: Six Months In

// September 8th, 2010 // 16 Comments » // Laos, Travel Review, Vietnam

Trying on a traditional Red Dzao tribe hat in the market in Sapa

That’s right folks. It’s been six months since I left the Louisville Airport heading to Venice. Although I still have another 2-1/2 months of adventures ahead of me, I know it’s going to go by fast, perhaps too fast. I recently booked six flights in six weeks. I have a flight home now (in time for Thanksgiving!), but before that I will be visiting Thailand, Bali (and possibly Jakarta), Malaysia, Berlin, and Barcelona. I’m excited for the remainder of Southeast Asia. My stops in Europe were a bit unexpected but it was the same price for me to fly directly home as it was to stop in these two cities, and Barcelona has been on the bucket list for a while now. I will be meeting up with a friend in Berlin who I actually met on this trip while I was in Kenya; I’m really looking forward to seeing her again. So, now that I’ve blabbed my upcoming travel plans here’s a look at what I got into this month. (more…)

Montage Monday: Crowded Transport (Laos)

// September 6th, 2010 // 7 Comments » // Laos, Photo of the Week, Vietnam

This was my crammed minibus from the town of Dien Bien Phu in Vietnam to Muang Khua in Laos- that is before the 32 people piled on it. No joke. There are two seats to the right that are clipped off and then the front driver and passenger seat that are not pictured. And we all somehow fit. I had a guy squashing my shoulder so much that it was sore the next day and a woman hugging my leg and sleeping on it at one point. I’ve had some rough bus rides in Africa but this one takes the cake for being the most uncomfortable. Oh yes, and this is less than half the luggage. The rest is piled ridiculously high on the roof, causing us to nearly tip over at one point when we hit a muddy pothole. Just another bus adventure! (By the way, please check out the back row. Yes, someone is transporting a giant teddy bear.)