The first month of my round the world trip went amazingly fast. I hope it doesn’t continue this way because it will be over before I know it! That said, looking back on the amazing things I experienced over the month of May has me feeling pretty satisfied, and completely at ease with my decision to do this. No doubts anymore, it’s the best decision I’ve ever made.
May 4th (Star Wars Day) saw my countdown come to an end, and I bade farewell to my family before heading to my first destination, Kuala Lumpur. I had booked four nights in a hostel here, and this was the only booking I’d made for the next seven weeks of my South East Asian jaunt. Everything going forward from here was flexible and open to change, though I had an idea of the basic route I wanted to take and that I definitely wanted to visit Laos. I was looking forward to what the region would bring.
My time in Kuala Lumpur was over before I knew it (you can read about it here, or view my photos here) and I was next moving inland to the Cameron Highlands, where the air was cooler and everything was green.
My final Malaysian destination was the island of Penang, where I spent 5 days in Georgetown wandering the streets admiring the art, and eating everything in sight. A stomach bug threatened to ruin my final day but I persevered through it, and what is a trip to Asia without the odd dodgy belly anyway, it’s practically a right of passage.
A 22 hour train journey from Penang had me arriving in Bangkok, where I made a beeline for the backpackers district of Khao San Road. Doing my best attempt at being a cheap and dirty backpacker I booked into a $5 a night fan only room (but with extra cockroaches) and had the WORSE NIGHT SLEEP EVER! 7:30am the next morning I promptly moved to the (air-conditioned) guesthouse next door for the pricey sum of $16. That’ll teach me.
Two days here were enough before boarding another sleeper train, this time to the northern Thai city of Chiang Mai. What a difference 15 years makes. I absolutely could not remember a thing about my last visit, so I was able to look upon the city with new eyes and appreciate everything as if for the first time.
Three hours further north and I was in Chiang Rai, a little town where I’d only anticipated staying a night on route to Laos, but stayed longer to check out the bizarre White Temple and visit the Saturday night walking markets. Both were worth the stay.
Next I was finally able to check-off one of my 9 goals for my career break, the slow boat down the Mekong in Laos. This was something I’d wanted to do for years, and it didn’t disappoint. Not only was it an ideal way to travel in Laos, I also met some really awesome people that I would hang out with over the next while.
Which brings me to Luang Prabang, where the slow boat eventually delivered us (or within 10km of anyway) and where I finished up the month of May. Luang Prabang is one of those places that gets under your skin, from the sheer beauty and charm of the old town, to the fascinating monks and the natural beauty of the surrounding countryside. This is one place everyone should visit.
