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Hash-Packing the World
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Hash-Packing the World

Whether you know me as Nancy Webb or Pat Bonetar, I hope you enjoyed my trip through 4 continents and 17 countries! I can't wait to do it again!! Read more
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  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Arms Dealer, PTSD Marine, & Oz Escapees

    June 23, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    Yesterday's ride to Pai was amazing. Crazy curvy roads that would make Powder Keg's Kentucky Twisties seem like a cruise up I-75. One of the British passengers yelled at the driver to slow down--he didn't, of course--and the Chinese kid (6 years old?) threw up twice. Because I waited for everyone else to get in the van, I had the coveted passenger seat. It was awesome, well, for me anyway. I'll take part of the road later today on the 125cc twist-&-go to visit a hot springs. I'm really looking forward to it, although on a 125, I may have to push it up the really steep hills (8.5% incline).

    After checking into the hotel, I walked down the street in search of a beer. The first place I found was an Australian pub with the World Cup on the tele. Sold. I chatted a while with the Aussies who escaped Australia for the lure of cheap living (and some other things as well). As the evening progressed, I spent several rounds talking with a former Marine with serious PTSD who lives here to smoke pot and train in Thai fighting. He said Pai saved his life. I also met a French Canadian arms dealer who was on his way to Hanoi. In addition to the "normal" small arms, grenades, etc., he has the matched pair of Lara Croft guns for sale, 1200 US. Crazy Frenchman.

    I've had a nice day so far, seeing one of the many waterfalls (pic with cops) and one of the many temples. I've just finished a nice Thai vegan lunch for a whopping 45 baht ($1.50). It's cloudy and occasionally dripping a little rain, but with the temperature at 75°F, the weather is great! I was worried about not having air conditioning in my room, but a cold shower and the fan going was fine.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Slow Sunday

    June 24, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 84 °F

    Yesterday afternoon was terrific. I visited a hot springs; you could buy eggs to boil in the 80°C (176°F) water. The soaking pools were 36°-32°C, which was plenty hot enough. I didn't think a hot spring dip was going to be nice with it so hot and humid out, but the mineral water was great, and the breeze from the scooter afterward was just the trick to cool off. After that, I grabbed a beer and an hour-long massage, then watched the sunset at the Sunset Bar while the clouds made funny pictures in my head. Incredibly relaxing!

    I'm on my way to Pai Canyon now...maybe. I had a mani/pedi this morning, which about put me to sleep, and all I really want to do is take a nap. I'll decide if I'm going to the canyon after I finish lunch at this typical cafe. It may just have to wait until tomorrow.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Pai Canyon & Mueang Paeng Hot Springs

    June 25, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    Morning trip to Pai Canyon, followed by a nice ride to another Hot Springs. This one is much smaller than the previous one, but free. You can take a dip, but I'm not partaking this time. The sulfur content is much higher than the other one, and I could distinctly smell the springs before I could see it.

    The canyon was cool, but without a buddy and in the wrong shoes, I didn't go where the paths got tricky. I hear the canyon is best seen at sunset, but it was still beautiful before the real heat of the day St in, which it's trying to do now. A few more minutes here, then back to Pai and to the swimming pool bar I found yesterday. I think a dip in the cold water will be nicer than the hot today.

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: "Thank you" in Thai is pronounced cop-coon-caw (if you're female) or cop-coon-cop (if you're male).

    P.P.S.: The picture below of the sign on the tree? Billboard. 🤣    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    On the way to Chiang Rai

    June 26, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 72 °F

    I'm in a van heading to Chiang Rai, one step closer to Laos. It left very early (7 am), so I had breakfast on the sidewalk with the chickens across the street.

    Out for now. ✌️

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Hotel Room Day

    June 27, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 75 °F

    I'm beat and haven't left the room today. The van from Pai to here, Chiang Rai, was uneventful, but we took a break at the White Temple (Wat Rong Khun) for a few minutes. Beautiful! There I found another unusual ice cream conconction (the first being the ice cream sandwich, literally): a coconut corn popsicle. It's probably quite good, but no.

    Last evening, I popped in the Aussie pub around the corner to watch the World Cup game versus Peru, but it was so bad I left at the half. When I got back, there was a safe in my room with the combination written on top. When I checked in earlier, I was not pleased that there was no safe as the Agoda app listed; it was one of the main reasons I chose this place. They don't speak English, Google Translate rarely works for Thai, and I have neither the skills nor the fortitude to explain why there's no point to using a safe you can walk off with.

    I'm staying in bed and watching YouTube today, although I will probably pop around the corner to the 7 Eleven for food later.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Being a tourist again

    June 28, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    Well, I made it out of bed today, rented a POS motorbike, and have been doing the tourist thing this morning. The Blue Temple was lovely, as was the pad thai I had for breakfast across the street from it. Although, after not eating yesterday, I'll probably pay for that later.

    I'm at the bus station now figuring out how to get a bus to Chiang Khong at the Thai-Laos border. There are several buses, none of which am I looking forward to spending two hours in.

    Off for more tourist activities, so out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    ON ON to Laos!

    June 29, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    On my way from Chiang Rai to Huay Xai!

    P.S.: No there was no extra charge for sitting with the luggage 😉. I did, however, wind up sitting next to an American expatriate who left the States about two years ago. We chatted pretty much the whole two hours. He lives in Chiang Khong for about $3000 A YEAR. His rent is $1000 A YEAR. There's nothing in Chiang Khong, but still. Wow.Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    1

    In Laos

    June 29, 2018 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 77 °F

    What is the first beer in Laos? Beer Lao, of course.

    Note to other travelers: Bring brand new US currency. The Laos Visa Office rejected five of my $20 bills because of creases, ink marks, etc.

    After finally finding an acceptable $20 bill for the $35 visa (paid for in USD), I met up with two other solo travelers, a male Jordie (Newcastle, England) and a Portugese woman. To get a cheap tuk-tuk from the border to the area of town where tourists go, we had to wait about an hour for two more tourists to show up. Two more did show up, another male Brit and and an Irishwoman, and we all arrived in Huay Xai around 4 pm.

    Here's the best part of the day: I booked the Gibbon Experience classic tour for tomorrow! Three days and two nights in the jungle listening to and hopefully seeing Gibbon apes while sleeping the treetops. I can't wait! (https://www.gibbonexperience.org)

    Early night for me; the bus leaves at 8 am sharp. Out for now. ✌️ 🙈🙉🙊🇱🇦    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Gibbon Experience, Day 1

    June 30, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    We're stuck here in the mud waiting for the guys to dig out the truck. It's an adventure already, and we haven't even really entered the jungle yet.

    I saw my first water buffalo during the drive up, but was unable to catch a photo. I'm very excited about this adventure, but I hope we don't have to walk too far in the mud.

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: We walked for miles. Tomorrow will be three times as long. I am the oldest by almost twice the others' age and am the slowest. But I made it to the treehouse. We watched a lovely sunset, drank "happy water" mixed with hot green tea, and played several different cards games with our two guides.

    The only wildlife we've spotted so far were a green bird, a couple of bats on the fly, fireflies, lots of bugs, a massive furry spider that we now live with, and billions upon billions of mosquitoes, bees, hornets, flies, etc. I'm truly looking forward to waking up to the Gibbons' singing around 6 am. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    1

    Gibbon Experience, Day 2

    July 1, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 79 °F

    What an amazing morning! I woke up around 5:30 am, and just after 6 the Gibbons began singing. It didn't last long, but it was incredible to hear in the wild. As we were preparing to leave our treehouse, we spotted the trees moving. Then, there they were! We could only catch a few glimpses as they swung from tree to tree, but I got a great view of the big male via the binoculars. He was high up in the tree overlooking his family moving below him. One of the females had an infant on her chest. It was breathtaking.

    The rest of the morning was trekking and ziplining from treehouse to treehouse. I am exhausted and still have the entire afternoon. Maybe I'll just hang in the treehouse and let the 20-ish-ers go play. A nap seems like a great idea.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Gibbon Experience, Day 3

    July 2, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 81 °F

    The last 24 hours have been awesome but exhausting. As predicted, I along with my three treehousemates stayed in yesterday afternoon taking naps, reading, listening to the jungle, etc. Very relaxing and a nice break.

    Another bathroom picture is attached. I hope you're not afraid of heights. Yes, the floor is slotted to let the water fall through. No, there are no pipes leading to a sewer.

    We had a huge storm last night, big enough to cause one of the other treehouses to evacuate. We were okay, though, and hung around with our two guides playing cards and drinking "happy water," basically sake (rice liquor). Our guide "Pizza" judged it was "only" 35-40% alcohol based on the color it made when he lit his finger on fire. LOL. He was great fun.

    This morning, we only were able to hear the Gibbons singing; they were far away from us. Luckily, some others in our group saw them for about 30 minutes playing in the trees. This morning's hike out was more climbing and sliding through the wet, sticky mud. Up actually mean two steps forward, slide one step down. Down actually means one step forward, slide one more. Or fall on your butt like I did...several times. Up and down, up and down, then repeat what felt like 5,000 times. I am exhausted, but in a good way.

    We are having lunch at the same place we did on the first day. Hopefully, it will be dry enough for the trucks to take us the rest of the way to the paved road, about an hour drive from here.

    Out for now, says a woman feeling her age after these three days. ✌️

    P.S.: We were able to drive out, thankfully. Bonus, I was able to get a picture of the water buffalo I saw coming in 😀. Now off to have drinks (beer, not happy water) with the wonderful people I met during this adventure.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Luang Prabang, Lao PDR

    July 5, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    I'm on the road heading back to LP from visiting the Pak Ou caves. On the way to the caves, there was a traffic jam with the water buffalo. Me and another guy on a motorbike pulled over to let them pass. What else can you do? Wow. Just wow.

    I was pretty wiped out after all day on the boat yesterday, so last night was uneventful. Did a little people watching with a beer and some chips/fries, then in bed by about 9:30, I think.

    More exploring to do because I leave for Vang Vieng tomorrow at 0530. Why do I do this to myself? 😉

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: I just looked at the selfie. Lol! I'm not in a bad mood, but it is awfully hot out.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Vang Vieng

    July 6, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    I made it to Vang Vieng this morning around 10 am. After checking into the hotel just off the former CIA air strip, I am on the prowl for a sim card and a tour company for kayaking, spelunking, and cave tubing.

    I had a great afternoon yesterday. After the water buffalo traffic jam and cave to the north, I went to the waterfall south of town. What a great place to cool off in the beautiful limestone waters. Plus, there was a bear rescue center in the same park with five bears. I ran into several people from the Slow Boat and one from the Gibbon tour. We rode the motorbikes back together and stopped for dinner along the Mekong. Then, back to the hotel to change clothes before going to the night market.... But then I remembered I can't do crowds and wound up staying in. The alarm went off at 0430 anyway, so no big deal.

    Laos is much more expensive then Thailand, and Luang Prabang really seems to nickel and dime the tourists for every cent they can get. I'll be in Vang Vieng for four nights, then on to Vientiane until my flight to Hanoi on 15 July.

    It's difficult to believe I have been on the road for over a month now, but today it feels like much longer. I plan to watch the first world cup game tonight (starts at 9 pm) and do nothing tomorrow except sort out my photos and watch the England game with the traveling Brits. Anyway, off for my sim card.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    1

    Time Out Day

    July 7, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ☁️ 86 °F

    I watched the Uruguay-France World Cup match last night with a bunch of Frenchmen..in an Irish pub...in Laos. What a great match! This morning, I got out of bed in search of food and a tour company. I'll go play tomorrow--kayaking, cave tubing, blue lagoon--but today is another time out day hanging in the hotel room with YouTube. I'll go back to the pub for the England match; watching football with Brits is always a great time.

    I strolled around town yesterday, coming across a couple of temples, a foot/motorbike/fishing bridge, and a "K Mart." Ha ha!

    Let me get back to Johnny Carson, Rich Little, and Carol Burnett. Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: You should be able to see the remnants of the CIA air strip in the location above. It's just a big swathe of gravel now.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Kayak, Zipline, Cave Tube & Blue Lagoon

    July 8, 2018 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    I drug myself out of bed yesterday evening to watch the England-Sweden World Cup match. Great fun. Today, I went on an organized tour of river kayaking, ziplining, lunch, cave tubing, and swimming in the blue lagoon. 7 South Korean guys and I are on the lunch break now. The kayaking was great, but it took place during a torrential downpour. I loved it. The two Korean girls? Not so much. They left at lunch. LOL

    Okay. A few minutes to nap and digest. Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: They tied my flip-flops to my feet for ziplining. 😂

    P.P.S.: No, Micki, they are not called thongs. 😆    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Transpo to the capital

    July 9, 2018 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 82 °F

    Today's adventure is simply to find transportation to Vientiane tomorrow and purchase a waterproof knapsack (the ones I brought have all been punctured one way or another). Before I get started, I've popped down the pub for a cottage pie. Rice or noodles every day for every meal is getting very monotonous.

    The rest of yesterday in the cave and at the blue lagoon was nice. Nothing to tell about last night except I went to the Space Bar.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    4 Stories Above the Capital

    July 11, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    After arriving yesterday around 1330, I checked into the hotel and then had two missions to accomplish. First, I had some magazines that my American friend, whom I met in Hong Kong and ran into in Bangkok, asked me take to an Aussie hasher here. Target acquired and mission complete. Second, I needed to take 50,000 kip owed on a bet to Darren, the proprietor of the Billibong Bar, from Gary, the proprietor of the Irish Bar in Vang Vieng. Again, success.

    I'm on a search for a motorbike to rent and, after grabbing a pin at the Hard Rock Rock Shop (no cafe right now), stopped in at a place on the fourth floor of a building overlooking the Mekong River.

    Even after 12 days in Lao PDR, I still do a double take when I see the Hammer and Sickle flag. There are no McDonald's, no Burger Kings, no Taco Bells allowed here. Yesterday, I saw a soldier (?) walking with his AK-47 or some sort of fully automatic long weapon. I've seen several BMWs and a Ferrari, which are most likely owned by government officials, so I've been told. It's very strange.

    I just noticed this morning that my leech bites are just about fully healed. They never hurt, but certainly bled for quite a while after removing the leeches because of the anticoagulant in their saliva. Pretty cool.

    Weather Underground says it's 90°F and feels like 102. I believe it. I've taken to wearing only dry fit shirts with my pink shorts (both dry very quickly) and carrying a waterproof bag so I can walk in the rain, which cuts the humidity and feels great.

    Time to finish my beer, have a snack (it's too hot to eat a full meal), and find that motorbike for tomorrow.

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: What's the point of putting the cardboard tube in the toilet paper roll if there's no where to hang the roll? 😀    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Lunch in the Park

    July 12, 2018 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 86 °F

    Way to go, Croatia! I didn't stay awake to watch the game, but I caught the last 25 minutes at breakfast. I tend to root for the underdog, so yay!

    Anyway, I rented the motorbike this morning and have been making the tourist rounds. I'm currently at Wat Si Muang having lunch in the shady, tranquil park next to it. Grilled pork ribs and friend banana and sweet potato with a touch of sesame in the batter. The pork still has bristles on it, and it is deeeeeelicious.

    I stumbled upon on a market where I took some.great pictures of very different vegetables and fruit, at least that's what they all appeared to be. Other local Staples appear to be mealworm and frog. The latter of which I had once in Georgia, but I am not brave enough to try the former, not a whole plate anyway. The pics are from the cafe I had lunch in yesterday where I had springrolls. When you can't read the menu, point to a familiar picture to be safe.

    Out for now before the mosquitoes carry me away. ✌️

    P.S.: As for the attached video, it is most definitely the rainy season. This has happened about twice a day for the past week or better, but today I got caught in it on the motorbike. Luckily I had my 25-year-old, military, BDU-pattern poncho, so I didn't get soaked. The road flooded almost instantly. Incredible.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Organization Day

    July 13, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Today, I absolutely have to get my pictures organized, so I'm at the hotel doing just that. The only table and chair by an outlet is in the heat of the courtyard, but the proprietor was kind enough to set up a sun umbrella and blow a fan on me. Sweat is still running down me, but it's bearable.

    After yesterday's post, I rode to Buddha Park, a collection of numerous Buddhas. The park only began in 1958, but it looks much older and was pretty cool. Check it out here:
    https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Buddha_Park. After that was the torrential monsoon storm (video on yesterday's post). I turned in the scooter and, since the Irish bar was closer than my hotel, rode out the wet with a cold beer and great air conditioning. They even had Western-style toilets!

    Last night, sitting on my white duvet and looking at my arms, I realized how tan I'm getting...my arms anyway. The Farmer's Tan is alive and well, and the dark circles on the back of my hands from my motorcycle gloves have been gone for a while now.

    Back to work. Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Saturday is a hashing day!

    July 14, 2018 in Laos ⋅ 🌧 86 °F

    Yesterday, I finished up with my photos around 5 pm, then popped down the Aussie pub for a few pints. Time flies when you're laughing your head off, and I wound up back at the hotel around 3 am. Whoops. I got up for breakfast (included with the room), then back to bed. Just my kind of morning. I'm off to meet up with the hash in a few hours and am very much looking forward to it.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Flight to Hanoi

    July 15, 2018 in Laos ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    I'm having lunch (chicken shwarma yum), then I'm heading to the airport to catch my flight to Hanoi, Vietnam. Laos has been interesting, but so far I prefer Thailand. I'm really looking forward to Vietnam.

    The Vientiane Bush H3 yesterday was a fantastic trail. Tromping through the shiggy (bush, jungle, etc.), splashing in the huge puddles, sliding in the mud, trying and occasionally failing to avoid the cowpies...terrific. Afterwards, several of us went to the Nam Pho Fountain where a projection screen was set up for the World Cup third place game. Good job, Belgium!

    Food is here, so out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: The food picture is Red Ant Egg Salad that I for nd in the Lao Airline plane magazine.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Walking Tour

    July 16, 2018 in Vietnam ⋅ 🌧 88 °F

    Today is a self-guided walking tour of the city, courtesy of Lonely Planet. The traffic here is even worse than Bangkok, and I don't dare rent a motorbike. It's difficult enough just to walk.

    I'm at the Dong Xuan Market's shoe "department." The spices area, full of dried seafoods, cinnamon, and many other undefinable goods, was absolutely incredible to smell. I truly wish I could share it with you.

    I plan to meet up with a hasher this evening. She's also visiting and arriving later today. We have some friends in common, so I'm predicting a good time.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

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