Author Archives: angusmccoll

I decided to spend an uninterrupted day in Pak Beng by booking two nights. That was a mistake. I’d be one of the very few to do this it seems because the rhythm of the town dances to tourists rushing in in the evening and rushing out in the morning. Nothing happens during the dayContinue reading “Tuesday 2 August 2016”

After a month in Luang Prabang staying at the Hello Guesthouse and teaching English, I leave for Thailand via the slow boat up the Mekong River. You can choose to do the slow boat over 2 days to get to the border town of Huay Xia for the crossing into Thailand. Or you can doContinue reading “Monday 1 August 2016”

Today I head back to Pakse. An open backed mini bus or small truck picked me up at the hotel around 6.40am and drive into Pakse. It only took about 45 minutes. I tried to get a room at the same hotel I stayed in last time but they didn’t have any of the cheaperContinue reading “Tuesday 21 June 2016”

Champasak is a small village across the Mekong River in southern Laos. I get there via a 40km mini bus ride from my hotel in Pakse to catch a ferry of sorts. The ferry is a long boat modified to carry one or two small motorbikes. Today it’s me and one small motorbike.the river isContinue reading “Sunday 19 June 2016”

Laos is full of archaeological intrigue. It’s history is complex and it seems the edges of Laos has been under the influence of many different civilizations. Today I visited Wat Phu. It was an ancient city with similarities to Ankor Wat in Cambodia. The same peoples were involved in the construction. Champasak is just aContinue reading “Monday 20 June 2016”

Had a simple plan for the day but that went out the window as soon as I exited the hotel. A smooth-talking tour guide convinced me to go with him for the day. He suggested some sights to see and the cost seemed reasonable. But shortly into the drive, snail paced by traffic, he keptContinue reading “Saturday 4 June 2016”

Flew to Bangkok today. Morning was spent packing up. I’m frustrated by the amount of luggage I have and am getting sick of lugging it around. How can I lessen it? I’m travelling through many seasons so carry gear to cater but would it be better to just buy stuff as I need it? PerhapsContinue reading “Friday 3 June 2016”

Had a hit of tennis this morning. It’s muggy in Singspore and there are thunder storms about. It’s coming I tithe monsoon season and it feels like it. The tennis courts are part if an apartment complex and my friend has access. The courts are top quality and we’re surrounded by high rises. The sunContinue reading “Thursday 2 June 2016”

The children go through their morning routine and prepare for school. After they get into their uniforms I take some photos of them fooling around. I decide to walk to school with them. They go to four different schools so I go to the school where the most of them go. Sharosati school is aboutContinue reading “Tuesday 17 May 2016”

Jayasing arrives at 8am to take me on tour around the town. He is one of the organization – First Ray of Hope. At this time the children are getting ready for school. It takes them about 30 minutes to walk to their schools.  It’s raining and cool this morning. Jayasing and I bus intoContinue reading “Thursday 11 May 2016”