A Year of Living Awesomely

In which we take our last big trip. SE Asia and Europe Read more

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A Year of Living Awesomely
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Day 173
Monday, July 1, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 310 m
Thailand Chang Klan 18.779663, 98.99437718°46’47” N 98°59’40” E
Doi Suthep
July 1, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
We hired a driver today to visit high up in the hills Doi Suthep Temple. Great views over Chiang Mai and once again impressive statues and engravings.
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Day 174
Tuesday, July 2, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 310 m
Thailand Chang Klan 18.77961, 98.99443818°46’47” N 98°59’40” E
Night Market
July 2, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
We are getting into a daily rhythm now. Coffee at our local, sandwiches from this coffee shop for lunch, beers at a little bar, then dinner at the night market. At 50B per meal and freshly made and delicious. Can’t go wrong.Read more
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Day 175
Wednesday, July 3, 2024
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 640 m
Thailand Nam Tok Pha Lat 18.799238, 98.93346418°47’57” N 98°56’0” E
Hill Temple
July 3, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
On the way to Doi Suthep is a wonderful temple set in the rainforest. Nice and peaceful when tour groups are not yelling at each other. 🤔.
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Day 176
Thursday, July 4, 2024
☁️ 32 °C
Altitude: 308 m
Thailand Chiang Mai 18.796372, 98.98277218°47’47” N 98°58’58” E
A Tortoise
July 4, 2024 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Over to one of the oldest Stupas in Chiang Mai. Strange misty gardens and beautiful temple. Our last day in Thailand before heading to Laos. Saw a strange sight heading to lunch. A lady walking her tortoise.Read more
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Day 177
Friday, July 5, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.885353, 102.13246919°53’7” N 102°7’57” E
Goodbye Thailand
July 5, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
It’s been a wonderful stay here. Catching up with old friends, beaches, cities, locals and elephants. Before we headed to the airport we visited a local art community centre.
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Day 178
Saturday, July 6, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 301 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.885201, 102.13227819°53’7” N 102°7’56” E
Luangprabang - Laos
July 6, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
A short hop by twin prop plane and we are in Laos. Great view of the town and the iconic Mekong River. Last night over to the night market for dinner. More laid back feel here as it is only a small town compared to most of the places we have stayed.Read more
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Day 179
Sunday, July 7, 2024
⛅ 31 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.885357, 102.13242319°53’7” N 102°7’57” E
Old Town
July 7, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C
Squeezed between the Mekong and Nam Khan rivers, the Old Town has still many French Colonial buildings to admire. The Sunday markets are on and the town looks great.
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Day 180
Monday, July 8, 2024
⛅ 32 °C
Altitude: 301 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.885675, 102.13380419°53’8” N 102°8’2” E
Food
July 8, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C
Just some of the meals we have had so far. A wide mix of types and all tasty.
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Day 181
Tuesday, July 9, 2024
☁️ 32 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887357, 102.13368619°53’14” N 102°8’1” E
Around the town
July 9, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
The old town is wedged between the Nam & Mekong rivers. In the centre of the town is a large hill overlooking the valleys, hills and town. Up at sunrise to catch the morning light.
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Day 182
Wednesday, July 10, 2024
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887388, 102.13377419°53’15” N 102°8’2” E
Bike Ride
July 10, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Easy day today. Took the bikes out and down to the confluence of the Mekong and Nam rivers. Found a great coffee. The Lao iced coffee.
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Day 183
Thursday, July 11, 2024
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887425, 102.13383619°53’15” N 102°8’2” E
Monks
July 11, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Every dawn the monks walk the streets receiving alms from their believers. Mainly small parcels of sticky rice wrapped in banana leaf. As commercialisation has reached all corners of the earth , tourists are sold seats and parcels to give to the monks. Much of the offerings are rubbish sweets and chocolates. The monks now either don’t accept these, or the go in the rubbish back at the temple.Read more
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Day 184
Friday, July 12, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887304, 102.13349219°53’14” N 102°8’1” E
Waterfalls, Bears & Buffalo’s
July 12, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Hired a driver to take us to the famous waterfalls. Only 24km away but an hour in time, thanks to the potholes. Through hilly country and rice fields. Arrived with not one vehicle in the car park. 🙂. Paid the entrance fee and headed to the waterfalls. Along the way we walked past the Moon Bear and Sun Bear refuge. These bears were caged and used for bile. Horrible. Now at least they have space and peace. Got to the 3 ponds fed by the waterfalls. First in before the crowds arrived. On the way home stopped in to the Buffalo farm. Generally buffalo’s are used for meat. Now locals are trained in using the animals for milk. Had the cheese platter for lunch. DeliciousRead more
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Day 185
Saturday, July 13, 2024
☁️ 32 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887425, 102.13365619°53’15” N 102°8’1” E
Morning routine
July 13, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Have a routine in the morning. Hotel breakfast, local market to get our coconut treat, then coffee.
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Day 186
Sunday, July 14, 2024
☁️ 32 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887487, 102.13372819°53’15” N 102°8’1” E
Crossing the Mekong River
July 14, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 32 °C
Down to the car ferry to see what’s on the other side. Not much as it turns out. Quite rural. The road goes on to Thailand 150km away. We hired a TukTuk for half an hour. There was an old lady sitting at the back of the vehicle. When we got in she got in with her shopping. 😳. Anyway it turned out we drove her home and then back to the ferry. Exactly half an hour!Read more
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Day 187
Monday, July 15, 2024
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 297 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887304, 102.13365319°53’14” N 102°8’1” E
Mekong at night
July 15, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Found a great place right on the Mekong with Happy Hour. 😁.
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Day 188
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
☁️ 30 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887373, 102.13367419°53’15” N 102°8’1” E
Last look around the Mekong
July 16, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 30 °C
Penultimate day in Luang Prabang. Even found the Obama Coconut cafe. 🙂
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Day 189
Wednesday, July 17, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 300 m
Laos Ban Nongkham 19.887424, 102.13365219°53’15” N 102°8’1” E
Snoopy bike
July 17, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
We finally found the people who rent out the electric Snoopy sidecar bikes. However just as we arrived the last 2 that were charged drove off. So we settled for the Vespa style. Kept to the main streets and for the hour. Only cost $6.00. 🙂Read more
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Day 190
Thursday, July 18, 2024
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 244 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.928354, 102.44760118°55’42” N 102°26’51” E
Goodbye Luangprabang
July 18, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Today we take the high speed train south to Vang Vieng. Luangprabang is a great town and we experienced fantastic food, sights and scenery.
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Day 191
Friday, July 19, 2024
☁️ 27 °C
Altitude: 240 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.92841, 102.44775418°55’42” N 102°26’52” E
Van Vieng
July 19, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 27 °C
We catch the high speed train through tunnels and over bridges to Van Vieng. Takes less than a hour. By car, at best, would take 4 hours. Train station close to town and no troubles getting a mini bus. Check in and stroll around the town. Small town with population around 25k total. Apparently this is the action centre of Laos. Zip lining, speed boats, mountain climbing, ballooning and paragliding. We might try one. 🤔. Across the road we’ve found are evening beer spot. Run by an old Norwegian and his Laos wife. A strange pair but nice. Plenty of musical instruments to play. He insists all guests try the drum kit.Read more
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Day 192
Saturday, July 20, 2024
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 239 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.928499, 102.4476718°55’43” N 102°26’52” E
The Hood
July 20, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Getting to know the neighbourhood. Everything really close by. Shops, bars, restaurants and coffee. We’ve gone the last 3 nights to the same restaurant as it’s close, cheap, good food and views along the valley. Also we get to track the paragliders and balloons.Read more
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Day 193
Sunday, July 21, 2024
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 244 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.92824, 102.44758618°55’42” N 102°26’51” E
Big decision
July 21, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Today we just stroll around town, have our coffee, huge Banh Mi for lunch, then over the road for beers and dinner later in the day. Today we decide to do the motor paragliding, with trepidation on my part.Read more
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Day 194
Monday, July 22, 2024
☁️ 29 °C
Altitude: 240 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.928314, 102.44770818°55’42” N 102°26’52” E
Motor paragliding
July 22, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 29 °C
Well. Today is the day. We went for a 5pm flight to get the afternoon light. A bit apprehensive today on my part. Lynne jumped out of a plane when she was younger, so no worries there. I went first. Up very quickly and followed the river with the mountains on the right. My pilot must of sensed my trepidation so he kept relatively low and kept us over the rice fields. I kept it together, glad that I had the GoPro to focus on.Read more
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Day 195
Tuesday, July 23, 2024
☁️ 28 °C
Altitude: 240 m
Laos Houay Sang Au 18.928321, 102.44767918°55’42” N 102°26’52” E
Beat & Bites 🇫🇷
July 23, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 28 °C
Still getting over the buzz of yesterday’s flight. Had our usual beers at Arnie’s (the Norwegian- been here 30 years). He’s got all types of musical instruments. Piano , guitars, drums etc. We then went over to the French run Beat & Bites. Had a couple of decent whites and potato croquettes, then over to a regular place for Chicken Musseman.Read more
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Day 196
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 182 m
Laos Nong Pakthang 17.971142, 102.58661717°58’16” N 102°35’12” E
Winding down
July 24, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Our time Vang Vieng is coming to a close. The town is also winding down as the rainy season sets in. We are regulars now at Arnie’s, having beers looking over the river to the mountains, balloon sightings as the sun sets.Read more
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Day 197
Thursday, July 25, 2024
☁️ 31 °C
Altitude: 182 m
Laos Nong Pakthang 17.971228, 102.5865417°58’16” N 102°35’12” E
Vientiane
July 25, 2024 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 31 °C
Our last stay in SE Asia. Only a hours train trip and we are in the capital of Laos. Over to the hotel, with a quirky reception area. Walk around the block and dinner at a great little restaurant.
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