The End?

I have decided to end my world trip by skipping the last continent-Africa. So is it the end? No more travelling? Get back into day to day 9 to 5 job? or perhaps I will take off again?

The first week in KL, I was working on my Nepal blog and photos, basically still in the post travel mood, then I don't remember when or how, my brother Thomas brought up about the Plain of Jars in Laos. Laos is the only South East Asia country that I have not been and I have been wanted to go. Hmmm...I started checking the flights, return flight cost around RM550, and guess what? hehe....The travel bug in me bite me again, if I don't go now then when? Plus my brother said he will only go if I go with him, that gives me another excuse to travel. As soon as he confirmed his leaves we booked the tickets, then my other brother Anthony also decided to come along. This is going to be fun! I have never travel with the 2 of them together and Thomas has never backpack before. This is going to be a trip to celebrate his 50th years. :-)

As Thomas was getting nervous about the trip, not knowing what we do, where to sleep, how we travel in Laos, what to bring, what bag to use so I did some research and planning and came up with a Travel Itinerary for him. Here is how it looks like :-
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LAOS 27 Oct 2012 – 4 Nov 2012

Flight Details

Laos Flag

KL - Vientiane - KL

AK1412 Sat 27 Oct 2012, 0735-0910

AK1413 Sun 4 Nov 2012 0945-1330

Visa not required

Weather

Wet season - May-October temperature around 30°

Dry season - November to March temperature as low as 15°

Currency

RM1 – LAK 2,600

Budget

US$40/RM120 per day

Room US$40/3=US$13

Food US$10-15

Transport / entrance fees US$3-5

*Optional - Massage US$3-6/hour

Electric plug

Flat blade plug or Two round pins

What to bring

Passport, Credit Cards (3% interest charge) Driving License

Estimated Cash to bring – RM120/day X 8 = RM960

Travel pouch/money belt - to store all the above

Cloths :-

** Remember! No matter it is 3 days or 3 months or 1 year, you can survive with this list **

3+ t-shirts

3+ trousers/shorts

3+ pair of socks

3+ sets or undergarments

Long sleeve shirt/jacket/wind breaker or raincoat

lightweight towel

a pair of trekking boots or walking shoes

Flip-flops or sandal - you need to rest your feet after a long walking day in your boots or shoes

Toiletries :-
Soap, Shampoo and toothpaste (we can share these)

Toothbrush
Razor/blades
Deodorant
Insect repellent
Sunblock

Medical kit (I have) :-

Medicines for malaria, diarrhoea, fever, headache, couch and flu

Water Purifying tablets

Cream for insects bites

Bandages or plasters

Vitamins or necessary medications

Things to pack (Moderate) -things that you can buy along the way but good to have them when you travel

Padlock (I have) - to lock your luggage or locker in the hostel

Universal adapter (I have) - to charge your electrical devices in different countries

Mobile device or laptop or any devices that has WIFI features (I have) - most of the hostel has Internet facility, some has computer to share but you will have to queue for it.

Battery charger for the above

Head lamp or torch(I have)

Multipurpose tool/ Swiss Army knife(I have)

Nail clipper(I have)

Travel pillow and ear plug - for long bus ride and noise disturbance

Zip lock bag - to store all your cloths or none wet proof stuff in your backpack

Rough travel Guide (Flexible to change as we go)

Date	Location	Remarks
27 Oct 2012	Vientiane	Arrive 0910 in Vientiane, half day to visit Vientiane Overnight bus to Phonsavan 10-12 hours
28 Oct 2012	Phonsavan	Rest and visit Phonsavan
29 Oct 2012	Phonsavan	Full day to visit to Plains of Jar
30 Oct 2012	Phonsavan to Luang Prabang	Morning bus to Luang Prabang 8 hours
31 Oct 2012	Luang Prabang	Mekong River cruise/Visit to Kuang Si Waterfall/Rent a bike to go around
1 Sept 2012	Luang Prabang
2 Sept 2012	Luang Prabang to Vientiane	Full day in Luang Prabang Overnight bus to Vientiane
3 Sept 2012	Vientiane	Full day to visit Vientiane
4 Sept 2012	Vientiane	Depart to KL 0945

That is good enough to get him started. :-)

Richie Ren

I didn't feel like doing much while I was back, I don't know if I was depress or what. I was just catching up with some movies and cooking a lot at home. On one weekend I went to Genting Highland to attend a concert as a photographer. My sister is a part time photographer for some media, she needed an extra hand so I went. Transport, accommodation and food was provided. We just need to shoot as much image as we can and submit some best photos. It's not easy I can tell you, we have to carry the heavy camera equipment (DSLR) not my little Olympus compact camera. We have to squad in front of the stage or move around during the show to take some good shots. Sometime even fighting with the fans to take a good shot. Then when everyone goes back to sleep, we have to work on the photos and send it to the media on the same night. It was a good experience.


The next 2 weeks I spent in Kuantan, with limited internet at home. I started to watch lots of movies, Taiwanese and Korean series with my mom....boring!! :-) I had lots of time to think....think about what I want to do next? and where I want to go? Even thought now the best option will be going back to Singapore. I am open for anything new and interesting! Going back to IT is the last option but again what choice do I have? To live in Singapore I need to survive in Singapore first!

Tanjong Api

Having spend lots of time with my mom at home means lots of GOOD food, lots of GOOD food means putting on weight! Yaiks! I started to run again, then I started to cycle as well with the old horse at home. First just to town only 1km from home then one day I decided to give the old horse a challenge, we went to Telok Cempedak, Kuantan's famous beach, about 7km from home. He was coughing quite hard on the way, lots of noise from everywhere. We made it over the hill and reach the destination in 40 minutes. :-) But on the way back, he started to have mild heart attack, the paddle started to jam! I have to take breaks multiple times, we took a bit longer but we made it back home.The old horse is still a tough horse! :-) 

It is almost time to leave for Laos, stay tune for the Journey of the 3 Lees. It is Not The End yet!

Tanjong Lumpur