Sawasdee Southeast Asia, G'Day Australia!

By Julia
Bangkok, Thailand

  Wednesday we begin a completely different segment of our trip.  After six months of traveling in countries in various stages of development, we head to Australia and New Zealand.  The biggest culture shock will be the oddly shaped electrical sockets.  Tom and I have seen and done so much in the past six months, but we have a dirty little secret:
We are a little relieved to see this section of our trip coming to a close.  

Our route through southeast Asia - note the arrows

  Traveling in developing countries is extremely rewarding, but also tiring, and even stressful at times.  To give you some idea, I have compiled a short list of things I'm looking forward to about traveling in Australia and New Zealand:
1.  Ability to flush toilet paper without causing embarrassing sewage back-up
2.  Significant decrease in paranoia about having valuables ripped from my chest by motorbike bandits
3.  Ability to buy sunscreen that was manufactured later than 1996
4.  Reasonably good chance the chicken I order is actually chicken
5.  Public defecation frowned upon
6.  Reduction in ear-piercing pleas to "buy something", "look for free" or taste the "Fresco"
7.  No longer completely at the mercy of bus drivers who do not share my reverence for the sanctity of life

  In all seriousness, the detail that will most dramatically improve our quality of life in Australia and New Zealand will be the ability to communicate in English.  The countries we have visited since we left London in August have proven very challenging in this regard.  I am in no way saying that the people of the world should all speak English, I am merely observing that after several months of hand-gesture-based communication, exercising my native tongue with the locals will be a huge relief.

  But change is always bittersweet.  Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam are dynamic, fascinating, and safe places to travel.  The people are warm and welcoming, the food is fabulous and cheap and the sights are varied and world-class.  Farewell, my Indochina...I will always remember the times we shared.

  Here are some photos from the past two months that didn't make it to the blog.  Enjoy and see you in Oceania!

Fishing with traditional Lao net, Nong Kiau Laos

Tubing downriver, Nong Kiau, Laos

Delicious beef salad with side of sticky rice, Hoi An, Vietam

This is Tom's actual expression upon entering the Cu Chi Tunnels - he did not last long, Saigon, Vietnam

A little row in Halong Bay, Vietnam

Temples in Phnom Penh

Posing at the Ankor Temples, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Possible Cambodian wedding, but it was too hot to investigate, Siem Reap, Cambodia

Found in the DVD selection at 7-11, Koh Chag, Thailand