Ko Pha Ngan-Bangkok-Chiang Mai-Luang Prabang

Sawadee Friends and Family,


Hope you are al right out there! Greetings from Heaven...
Finally Christoph and me managed to leave the wonderful jungle retreat on Ko Pha Ngan and we went by Ferry, Bus and overnight train to Bangkok. Unlucky we got an A/C. If I ever find this guy who invented this shit I am going to slap him for being stupid... What to do?
Anyhow it was an interesting experience to be on a train in Thailand and there are no regrets even if the freezer-train (it wasn`t even 8 degrees...) wasn`t good for my health, as a got already a bronchitis what affected my lungs as well very badly. It just had been much to humid in the Jungle at that time...
Arrived in Bangkok we changed our plans to go to Cambodia into going to Laos, what turned out to be a very good decision. There have been to reasons: at first it would be better for Chris, because we could make more out of our time and the second that there have been massive border issues including heavy firefights between Thailand and Cambodia just a few days later.
So we took the train 1 and a half hours later to Chiang Mai in northern Thailand.
We finally ended up to arrive there finally after a total 33 hours Travel. Again. Why like this?
But it was still enjoyable as the landscape was very beatiful. A lot of jungle ones more.
The air-conditioning was again in use and while it was very hot outside it was again fucking cold. On the other I had a lot of nice conversations. At the train station we shared a Tuk-Tuk and arrived with Chester and Pete, from Canada and the Netherlands. We searched together for a guest house and shared a lot of conversation the next day.
And then the first big and nice surprise. I had finally managed to write Pete, my friend from Finland I stayed in Goa with and he actually came the next morning and checked in. Nice, nice surprise, even when I was sure he would be in town. But it wasn`t sure we would meet so early.
The rest of that day I explored the temples of Chiang Mai together with Chris... Nice, nice, nice! After visiting a load of temples we had to drink some beer and ended up in the "probably tyniest Bar in the world - not recommended by lonely planet"...
And that could it be, the smallest one. A tiny Bar and outside six chairs in a narrow lane.
We talked all the time with the owner Lin, a very nice and interesting person. It was a long time ago I actually got drink and it wasn`t that much but it was fun though.
Later one we stayed together at the balcony on our guesthouse and talked and listened to music until late night. I was in a perfect relaxed mood what is still continuing right now. I can deal easily with almost anybody, I feel very very well and I don`t want to be anybody else right now. I am looking very eccentric more and more with my long blonde hair, the crazy hut, a wood chain and a new soon, especially when I am wearing my Coconutyoga Travel Shirt…
There are so many ideas in my head and I am almost sure that I will make one or a few of them come true. Still I love my nomadic life (or let`s say I enjoy it again as travelling isn`t only always fun) and I want to continue it. As I was heading to Laos I will do Cambodia afterwards and then heading most probably to Myanmar before ending my trip on the Philippines or/and Indonesia.
The next day we visited another nice mountain temple what was amazing instead of the loads of tourists. But it was one more step closer to Buddhism. I devoted the candle, the intense stick and the flower and got the blessing from the monk in front of wonderful Buddha statues.
In the evening our journey towards Luang Prabang in Northern Laos started. We went with a minibus to the boarder, where we arrived in the late night. I met a nice woman Ingrid, from Germany as well, born in Romania. We had a nice conversation that also continued the next two days.
After another kindergarten story until arriving at the slow boat on the Mekong (I try to book never again a package tour, it was just not nicely organized, but then again so easy and that’s why attracting a lot of people who just shouldn`t travel to such exotic places, some of them just respectless). But the crowd changed a bit, as I didn`t liked the crowd in Thailand. It was so much special in India. I won`t say they aren`t crazy, especially India attracts a lot of very interesting persons on a search for anything. But still I prefer a more respectful and still finny crowd who care about where they are travelling apart from only sightseeing.
But anyhow. The 2 day-trip on the Mekong turned out to even more beautiful than I had expected it. It was one of the loveliest journey I was driving through. And I enjoy to be on a boat. That`s still the kind of transportation I most love. The mighty Mekong stream, surrounded by green hills, rocks and Mountains - just wonderful.
The overnight stay was kind of disturbing as there was everybody offering weed before offering a room… And there was a police man around. Some people buy there. Just too stupid!
Even seven-year old children offered it… What a shame. The people there must have been a very strange picture of the westerners. A lot of them are arriving drunk, then the drink more and the smoke. They next morning they are leaving to continue the boat ride…
On the second day we met Rosie and Nathalie. I was changing between my place in the back of the boat, where I had the best view and even shared food with the kitchen crew situated there. Taking a lot of pictures and enjoying the landscape.
Arrived finally in Luang Prabang I was happy we could leave the boat, as I had to take antibiotics to try to get the infection out of my system and just had too less sleep since a longer time.
It turned out to be difficult to organize a room, so we ended up walking a little longer with our backpack. The two ladys from England, Rosie and Nathalie joined us. Finally we stopped and Rosie and me tried to find a room. We asked in around 25 guest houses, what have been all full instead of one starting with a price of 35 dollars a night. No way! Finally we found one and haggled the price down.
And here we are in wonderful Luang Prabang. I love Laos already, it was the best start in a country I ever had. Lovely people, amazing temples, green hills everywhere around and some mountains visible from the amazing Stupa on the biggest hill with an wonderful view over the Mekong, another river and the whole surrounding area.
There is a nice night market. I already shopped like hell. The Ladys think I am a Shopaholic, what I denied a t that point. To be honest: I buyed a lot and the right place for that. Still we are in the company of these two wonderful women. I am very grateful how things are turning out and that I am lucky to meet so much lovely people. I really enjoy it and I am happy. I can`t remember a lot of episodes in my life everything was in balance like right now.
Chris has his last full day together so we will head out so have some party. I couldn`t even go out once until now as I feel very tired from the antibiotics and the short nights. Yesterday I even good fever in a disturbing speed. I almost couldn`t walk home. Today we visited a wonderful waterfall, had been swimming in the ponds and enjoyed the scenery.
Pictures will follow soon!
I will probably stay my 4 weeks in Laos and I am looking forward for the nice things to come next while enjoying the present moment.

I wish you all the best and would be very pleased about any kind of message.
If somebody would like to write me a personal mail, here is the chance:

OleanderA@gmx.de

Much love from the light,

Yours

Mr. Coconutyoga