Odyssey Overland - Istanbul to Darwin 2013: September 2013

So leaving the chaos of India behind us we boarded our plane bound for the bright lights of Bangkok.

Upon arrival we were immediately struck by how organised and quiet this bustling city is, which is the exact opposite of what most travellers will tell you I know, but compared to the utter chaos we grew accustomed to in India, Bangkok was a pleasant change. In our time here many of us sent yet more parcels home as bags were bulging at the seams! Then it was off for a tour of the city’s temples and river canals. We visited the Grand Palace (Wat Phra Kew) – dating back to 1782, the grounds are full of beautiful temples and stupas. We also visited Wat Pho, home of the reclining Buddha which is remarkable both for its size (a massive 46m long, so big it was hard to see all at once!), and the 108 mother-of-pearl Buddhas on the soles of its feet. Time for one final temple, the Sun Temple (Wat Arun), before taking a boat trip around the canals of Bangkok to a floating restaurant where there was good food aplenty.

Anna, Mary & Mahala

Dragon dancer

River boat

From Bangkok, we took an overnight train to Chiang Mai, Thailand’s second city, located in the north of this elongated country. The train journey started well as we boarded our train and settled down in our bunks in our lovely air conditioned carriage. As some of us sat up for a drink or two the train ground to a halt, but eventually we were on the move again and it was time to head to our bunks and sleep, but when the aircon stopped working a short while afterwards, it turned into a pretty hot and sticky night! Our scheduled arrival into Chiang Mai had been delayed by 2 hours meaning we would be on the train until later in the afternoon, so the rest of trip was spent by many either hanging out of windows or standing on the foot plates to get a welcome breeze – something that would never be allowed in Europe! Another thing that is unlikely to have happened in our home countries, was when the conductor came around writing out refunds on our tickets for the difference between the cost for non AC which could be collected at the station when we arrived. We finally reached our guest house for a much needed shower around 4pm in time for food and a good night’s sleep.

Julie & Andy minding the bags

Waiting for the train

Time to board

On the night train

Chiang Mai has many activities to do and the group spread out to indulge in their favourite activities including cooking courses, jungle treks, looking after elephants and even hiring a scooter. During our couple of days here we celebrated Kelly’s birthday with a trip out to the riverside restaurant with incredibly helpful staff managing 21 separate bills and getting it pretty much right first time!

Jim & Dave cooking up a storm

Chiang Mai cooking class

Trekking

Jo getting ready to go biking

Spike on a bike

On the way back from mountain biking

Kelly's birthday drinks

From Chang Mai we caught the first of our private hired buses for this new sector and it was a hit, a 40-seater coach which meant the drive down to Chang Khong flew by! Along the way Jo got to quench her craving for hot springs with a paddle in a thermal pool, and later on we stopped at the White Wat or to quote its proper name Wat Rong Kuhn, in Chiang Rai. This is a very strange place and is as much an art project as it is a temple. As the temple’s creator, Chalermchai Kositpipat, has had no outside funding he feels he can do exactly as he likes, so inside you find murals containing images from Star Wars, Hello Kitty and Michael Jackson to name a few. It is also a surprise when you walk through the door to see the Dalai Lama sat on the floor until you realise that this is a very life like wax model!

Jo and her hot spring

James & Mahala at the White Wat

The White Wat

The next day we crossed the river into Laos and set out on our 2-day boat trip down the mighty Mekong River, stopping overnight in Pak Beng and finishing in Luang Prabang. Not much to do while aboard the boat other than relax and take in the beautiful scenery (tough, I know!). We also had a quick stop at the Pak Ou Caves on the second day, where over the years people have deposited Buddha statues which has amounted to an impressive collection.

On our boat

Phil

Photo time - Dave, Simon, Andy, Jim & Alex

The fast boat

Pak Ou caves

From the caves it was only around an hour to our final destination Luang Prabang where we had four nights to relax, go trekking, visit an elephant sanctuary, hire bikes and swim in waterfalls. Many of us got up early to see the local monks receiving alms which is nice to see the local community supporting their monks. Oh and most importantly obtain our visas for Vietnam. Luckily the consul was the most helpful and nice of all we have had dealings with on our journey and had a pile of application forms ready for us, and allowed the crew to submit on behalf of the group meaning everyone had three whole days to enjoy themselves.

Dave at the waterfalls

Pernille, Bex & Lou

Jo, Anna, Hayden, Kelly, Jim & Mahala

Stunning waterfall

Morning alms giving

The Reclining Buddha

Our next destination was Vientiane, the capital of Laos. The group all headed off to go and see their preferred sights, although many ended up running into each other at the COPE Museum. This moving museum was all about the after effects of mass bombing during the Vietnam war and how the charity helps people get over the trauma of losing limbs to land mines. Being an ex French colony Vientiane also has its own version of the Arc de Triomphe, very strange but a great piece of architecture all the same. On our final night here many of us got together for an evening of 10-pin bowling and beer which was a big hit with high fives a plenty.

Arc de Triomphe - are we in Laos or France?

Phil, Julie, Dave & Andy

Teresa & Simon

Bex

Bowling!

Jules & Al

Pernille in action

Bex & Andy challenging for a race

Phil, Alex & Teresa

Yvonne, Pernille, Bex, Phil & Lou

From Vientiane we said goodbye to cities for a while and headed to Phu Hin Bun National park. Our accommodation here was basic but in a beautiful location and the two main things to do are relax by the river and visit the cave system. To reach the caves we hopped back on the bus for the short ride to the entrance and soon boarded boats which would be our main form of transport through this cavernous cave system carved by the river through the sandstone. For some of the group this turned into a bit of an adventure with their boats bouncing off rocks and another having its engine stop, but it was soon up and running once more.