The Talking Traveller

I'm in the middle of my 3 week trip to Thailand and CambodiaI spend my first day exploring Bangkok with another south-african friend. Bangkok is absolutely the most hub-bub of backpacker accomodation and friendlyness I have ever seen. One road KoaSan, is entirely devoted to supplying cheap "everything". he first night I spend on the overnight bus to Chiang Mai. Overnighting in a bus does have advantages like saving on accomodation, but arriving 5am in a city does need some carefull planning to make the most of the long day ahead.Spend the first day exploring the city's temples and some local craft industries including jewelry, umbrella's, silk, carpet, fans etc. Very interesting, I met my transport casually at my first stop. He came to introduce himself and revealed that he is a private person that will take m on a personal tour for only 100BHT (3USD). The system works that the goverment proviudes hiom with a coupon for every tourist he transports to a certain spot. Ended up having a very interesting day. The nest three days I did a trek through the mountains, that also included elephant riding and bamboo rafting. The last 2 days in Chiang Mai I visited some tribes, did whitewater rafting and also visited a national park. Everything is cheap and for about 30USD per day. you can afford good entertainment, accomodation and travel. I am in Cambodia,Phnom Penh, at the moment and will be travelling by boat to Siem Riep tommorrow. I spend the day exploring this City. Transportation is either by Tuk-Tuk ( 3-wheel motorcycle car) or by a motorcycle taxi. I had a contrast of sights from the golden National Palace which has a golden Buddha Statue wioth 2098 Diamonds to the killing fields were I saw skulls and mass graves. Will upload some nice pics soon and more news.