Blue Lagoon, Vang Vieng, Laos

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Despite tubing being somewhat more relaxed than in previous years (see my other post here: http://travelmenace.blogspot.com/2013/04/tubing-in-vang-vieng-april-2013.html) there are still plenty of other activities to keep you entertained in Vang Vieng.

A trip (7km, 50,000kip/$6 each) to the Blue Lagoon (10,000kip/$1.20 Entrance fee), is well worth it, this includes entrance to the cave (10,000kip to hire a headlamp is greatly recommended), a rope swing as well as jumping from a tree into clear blue, cool water is a great way to relax and sun yourself (bikini's are OK around the blue lagoon, but not in the town).

Inside the cave at the Blue Lagoon, well worth the 5min walk.

Blue Lagoon from the jumping tree:

Prices for accommodation are 20,000kip for a hostel, or 50,000 for a room with various combinations of beds suitable for up to 3 people, food starts at 20,000 for most of the usual dishes you would expect, and beers at 10,000 for a small beer at a bar, or 7000 at a shop.

Tubing in Vang Vieng (April 2013)

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Tubing was stopped in Vang Vieng due to petitioning by a parent who's son died by being irresponsible, this means the once insane party town of Vang Vieng is now much more chilled out than it was both of the previous times I have been here, costing some locals their livelihood.

Luckily though tubing is once again running but in a much safer, and less wild way, tubing has been running again for a few weeks and is slowly starting to build up, with a third bar opening two days ago, if you have been before you will notice the absence of swings/slides/etc, and no structures built on the actual water. It is now more about the scenery than dancing to top 30 charts on bamboo platforms. Despite this it is still a great deal of fun and an awesome way to meet people.

The two times I went we had close to 200 backpackers on the river, and with a number of other activities in Vang Vieng there is still a good backpacker stopover on the way to Luang Prabang or a destination in itself.

Check out the other things to do in Vang Vieng:
The Blue Lagoon: http://travelmenace.blogspot.com/2013/04/vang-vieng-laos.html

Siem Reap to Sihanoukville

There are at least three companies that do a Siem Reap to Sihanoukville route but from talking with other travelers the best one is the $12 night sleeper.

This bus had air con, WiFi, nobody sitting (lying) next to me so I could stretch out. We did stop once for food and a smoke which helped me sleep till we arrived in Sihanoukville, a $4 tuk tuk (3 people) and we were at sea horse hostel. $10 for a fan room which is often subject to power outages but otherwise in a good spot with friendly staff.

Bokator (Muay Thai) in Siem Reap

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After having an awesome day training in Ao Nang (near Krabi, Thailand) I decided to do some training in Siem Reap, Muay Thai was the Thai interpretation of the original Khmer fighting styles, but became famous due to the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot banning any forms of entertainment and killing many of the fighters.

I found a Bokator gym and got a Tuk Tuk there and back $4 and he waited for the 90minutes or so, and $5 for the training, the Tuk Tuk could have been cheaper but I think $4 is a fair price.

The training was vastly different to Muay Thai and definitely more deadly, some of the guys training here were doing backflips kicks from the walls, incredible to watch.

Thailand to Cambodia

Fly.

Simple, for the sake of saving $30 and taking the overland route, you will have to deal with 30+ hour bus and train rides, on poor roads in possibly cramped conditions.

Book a week ahead and you can fly and enjoy an extra day. You might have to fly through KL but this is still better than wasting a full day and being uncomfortable, when looking for flights you will have to do individual searches on Air Asia, as they don't do combination flights.

Krabi Beach (Ao Nang)

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Krabi doesn't really have a beach, unless you are into mangroves, but for a 50THB on the public tuk tuk (white with Ao Nang - Krabi - Etc - Etc) written on the side you can head to Ao Nang.

This would have once been an amazing beach but the constant stream of long tail boas kind of ruins the serenity (I am picky when it comes to beaches), it is also a 200THB round trip to Railay beach and jumping off point for a multitude of rock climbing adventures.

The far end of the beach (away from the longtail boats) also has some monkeys that you can feed, always be careful around wild animals.

While the other end is a bit noisier and crowded.

We had 5 people in a hotel room for 400THB each, some cheap street food can be found, and there is a small collection of bar's in a plaza that is opposite the beach, no where near as wild as Koh Phanang, or Ko Phi Phi (see my other posts) it is enough for a night out and a few drinks.

Koh Phi Phi

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So your looking for a picture perfect beach to relax on with cool water. Unfortunately Koh Phi Phi Don is no longer the greatest spot for this, there are some nice beaches at Long Beach (15 min walk from the main area) but the main beach is shallow, filled with rubbish and sewerage.

We did find a nice secluded beach just before long beach that had clear water, and plenty of corals that were still alive.

If you do an island hopping trip then you will find some amazing beaches, snorkel with sharks (small harmless reef sharks), see coral, caves, and incredible sunsets.

Incredible fish and sharks can be found at some of the islands.

As can incredible beaches:

If you came for the party's then you are definitely in the right spot, this place has everything, fancy fighting a friend or random drunk person in the Reggae bar for a free bucket of booze, Phi Phi has that.

Maybe dancing drinking and smoking all night at one of many beach bars, or relaxing with a smoke at Banana Bar's rooftop lounge area (great by day and night).

We stayed at Flower Hostel in the dorm room for 300THB per night, the crowd in this hostel was incredible with cheap beers at the hostel we made some great friends here and partied all night.
Thailand also has easy access to prescription drugs which have been known to be used to increase your energy for those who really want to take partying to the next level, of course drugs are dangerous so I do not recommend you take them.

Buckets start at around 200THB, up to 400 depending on what and where you buy them. Beers are 40 for a small Chang and 65 for a large. Tiger and Singa are about 20THB more.