Apparently it’s been 65 days since my last post. I honestly didn’t realize I was that far behind. Like an overdue assignment somehow the longer I left it, the bigger the task seemed to be, and the less I was …

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So, I’m heading back to China, and I’m still trying to figure out why. Maybe it’s because I’ve been to India twice now, but China only once. Maybe it’s because I’m almost a celebrity there, just because I’m Caucasian. Maybe it’s …

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I really like Chiang Mai. Smaller and thankfully a little bit cooler than Bangkok, while its old town is packed with tourist hotels, restaurants and bars – outside the moat and remnants of the old town walls you don’t have …

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Went to ‘Tiger Kingdom’ today, which is a park full of tigers just outside of Chiang Mai. The Tigers were all bred in captivity, and there’s a guide with a small pointy stick who’s always with you – both of …

Welcome to the Jungle – Northern Thailand

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  I’ve always found that you meet some of the most interesting characters on trains. The train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai was mostly filled with falang (foreigners) but I shared a 4-bed cabin with two Thai guys and a …

 

Back in Bangkok

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Last time I was in Bangkok was 6 years ago, after arriving from Laos via overnight train I left the station with my backpack on my back, and spent the next couple of hours trudging in 35 degree heat to …

 

Leaving Burma

Geographically surrounded by India, China and Thailand, Burmese culture seems influenced by all three – and yet resists being dominated by any one. Whether this is due to a cultural hegemony imposed by the Military Junta (who recently ordered the …

 

Bagan

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Monks and Nuns

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Weaving silk  These were originally statues of budda. Applying gold leaf too a statue or stupa can give you merit though, so over the years these holy blobs have been distorted out of their original state. Sensibly, women aren’t allowed …

 

Lake Life, Inle

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Inle lake takes up a bit over 100 square Kilometres, but in most parts its less than 2 metres deep. This partly explians the unique boats, rowing and fishing methods still in use by fishermen and villagers around the lake. …