The world of Vappu
In my country, the 30th of April is not a particularly special day anymore since Queen’s day changed into King’s day and changed dates. In Finland, they go all out. Vappu, or Walpurgis night, is a big celebration in the streets and parks where people dress up and party. Students…
The joy of travel in Asia
I feel like I’m on a rock. Only this rock is in the middle of Bangkok, on Samsen road. I’ve taken out one of those inflatable thin mattresses. You know, the ones where at first you feel alright, but later you don’t know what position to sleep in, so you…
Into the fields in Tad Lo
Tad Lo is a tiny town in southern Laos that can be reached by bus from Pakse. It is also a popular spot on the motorbike loop around the Bolaven plateau. The nature in this area is incredible and in season there are many waterfalls. Tad Lo actually has three waterfalls, but the furthest one is…
Spring is here
I’m back in The Netherlands and last time I was here I promised myself I would see and do more in my little country. South East Asia was very exotic and coming back home I feel a bit of reversed culture shock. It’s a week later now and at times…
Four more injections, four more hospitals
I got bitten by a dog while exploring Savannakhet in Laos. I went to the hospital there straight away for the rabies shot. Unfortunately a series of 5 shots is necessary. So my hospital adventures continued… I’m in Pakse, just south of Savannakhet when it’s time for my second rabies…
That time I got bitten by a dog in Asia
South East Asia has a lot of stray cats and dogs. I’ve seen them in all the countries I’ve travelled through. In some they looked worse than in others. Especially in Myanmar and Laos, they just scared me. I got into several situations where aggressive dogs made me change my…
Angkor’s famous four
I don’t know what all the fuss is about. Today I got up at 4.30AM, to jump into a tuktuk with my sleepy face at 5AM, race to the Angkor ticket office and through to the Angkor Wat. Arriving at Angkor Wat I found a huge crowd of people doing…
Two weeks till thirty
I’m so happy with the choices I have made over the last few years. I could have done the standard thing, the expected thing, but I chose a different path than others. Instead of kick-starting my career, I packed a bag and left. I can only say I made the…
A royal morning in Phnom Penh
According to my guidebook, the Royal Palace is an oasis of order and calm. To me it’s more like a beehive, only nobody knows what they are doing. Tour groups are making their way through the buildings, always stopping right in front of the sights, blocking the view for everybody…
A new way to recycle; beading in Laos!
There was one more thing I really wanted to do in Luang Prabang. Online I’d found a workshop to make your own paper jewellery with a local. It seemed like an incredibly fun thing to do and a nice change from all the walking, temples and museums. So I signed…