Asiatrip

I've changed partner for my trip in India.

I'll be with my mom for 2 weeks and then by myself. Whaooo India we're coming. I am so excited!

Delhi

February 20th 2009

Our first hours in this country haven't been the best souvenir of my trip. Arriving in India by night isn't a good idea at all if you haven't booked any hotel. Plus, Delhi is not really pleasant for tourists. That's why, we've tried to get out quickly. Not so easy...

Mandawa

February 21th 2009

After having fight to leave Delhi, we've finally found a way to go to the Rajastan. A few hours from Delhi by car and here we are wandering around small villages famous for their traditionnal Havelis.

Pics of Mandawa : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/01__malawa/index.html

Bikaner

February 22th 2009

Visit of the Junagarth's Fort, a fine model of Mughal architecture.

Pics of Bikaner : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/02__bikaner/index.html

On the road : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/03__sur_la_route__dans_le_desert/index.html

Khuri

February 23th 2009

We spent 2 days and 1 night in the desert : beautifull villages, dinner on the dunes, riding on camels, fire camp with an amazing sky by night. What a wonderfull time and specular landscape !

Pics of Khuri : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/04__khuri/index.html

Jaisalmer

February 24th 2009

A citadel built in the middle of the desert. Its colour is gold like the desert. As we are in the country of palaces, there is also one here.

Pics of Jaisalmer : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/05__jaisalmer/index.html

Visit of a traditional livestock market in the middle of nowhere.

Camel market in the desert : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/06__marche_aux_bestiaux_dans_le_desert/index.html

Johdpur

February 25th 2009

The blue city. Below the Fort stand a lot of small blue houses. The view is magnificient from the Fort. This city is also famous for its spices. Of course we've been to the market to get some.

Pics of Johdpur : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/07__jodpur/index.html

Ranakpur

February 26th 2009

This part of the country is famous for its jaïen temples which is really nice but the countryside worth also a detour. We spent a whole day trekking around the lakes in the valley of Arawalli's monts with nice animal spot like crocodiles.

Pics of Ranakpur : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/08__ranakpur/index.html

Udaipur

February 27th 2009

The city is surrounding by 3 lakes. Just wandering around the city is nice, add some visits of vishnou temples, get some really good food on a rooftop restaurant by night and you get an awesome day ! We've also riden horses in the countryside, and not common horses, those with bent ears.

Pics of Udaipur : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/09__udaipur/index.html

Pushkar

March 1st 2009

Here is a holly city but a hippie city as well. Lots of people come around the lake to offer flowers to the god. It's nice place to get some rest and to shop around. We've been lucky enough to enjoy an amazing traditional dance festival.

Pics of Pushkar : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/10__pushkar__ville_sainte/index.html

Jaïpur

March 3rd 2009

The pink city, a really crowded city. Ambert fort is beautifull but the city is not our favorite !

Pics of Jaipur : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/11__jaipur/index.html

Fatehpur Sikri

March 4th 2009

Near Agra, the capital of the Mughal Empire became a ghost city of red sandstone.

Pics of Fatehpur Sikri : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/11__fatehpur_sikri__citee_abandonnee/index.html

Agra

March 5th 2009

Have you heard about the Taj Mahal ? Nothing to say about it except that you must see it by yourself !

Swimming pool in our hotel for the last day of my mom in India. She is going back to France and I'll be by myself for the rest of my trip.

Pics of Agra : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/12__agra/index.html

Varanassi

March 6th 2009

Nice encounters on the banks of the Ganges in the holy city. Puja ceremony, boat trip on the Ganges, yoga class, traditionnal musik, there a lot do to and to see here.

Colours festival is coming : I've already get some colour bombs. This is real India.

Pics of Varanassi : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/13__varanasi__ville_sainte/index.html

Pondicherry & Auroville

March 11th 2009

After 40 hours by train and 4 by bus, I finally arrived in Pondy, the old french colony. Ganesh Temple, Sri Aurobindo Ashram (the ashram is a place of meditation quite facinating), beach, party, DJ Zann... I really had a good time thanks to my friend Anne who lives there and all the people I met who come from all around the world.

Auroville, really hard to describe this place. A materialized utopia ? This is the place where all people wishing to live in peace and harmony would join. The city was founded in 1968 from 1500 to 2000 aurovilliens focuses on Matrimandir, amazing place of meditation. There is a lot to discover around, and specially many innovative things, including energy and sustainable development are achieved. The whole place has a spiritual character. It is quiet and restful contrast to the rest of India.

Pics of Pondicherry & Auroville : http://asiatrotteursin.canalblog.com/albums/13__pondicherry/index.html

After our arrival in Shanghai, Guillaume decided to stay in China to find a job. So, here Asiatrip was going to end and Nomad Water School as well, but I decided to go in India anyway. This country was for me an important step in our adventure, the one that would end our trip. So, here I am, looking for a new exotic sensation.

Yangshuo

2009 December 9th

We've been cycling around the famous countryside of Yangshuo : hills and rivers. The scenery is really gorgeous here. We've spent nice time with a fisherman and his cormorants.

It's been already 6 months we are homeless or citizen of the world (I prefer those words), so we've celebrated this anniversary with plenty of beer and cocktails! What a nice evening!

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/06___yangshuo/index.html

Guangzhou

2009 December 13th

Justine and her family have taken care of us in this big city. Thanks to her cousin we've discovered small lane with authentic charm, just real China as we like. Of course, we've tasted all traditionnal dishes we could within so short time.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/07__canton/index.html

Yongding

2009 December 15th

Hidden in the countryside of west Fujian Province there is amazing architecture: the earth buildings. Square or round, made of rammed earth and timber those Hakka Buidings can provide shelter for several hundred inhabitants!

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/08__yongding_et_ses_earth_building/index.html

Xiamen et Gulanyu

2009 December 16th

2 days in the moderne city of Xiamen and Gulan Island !
There is a big business here : come here with a professional photographer to take your mariage pictures in a romantic surrounding area.

Everything here remind us that Taiwan is just behind the Detroit, souvenir souvenir...

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/09__xiamen_et_gulanyu/index.html

Shanghai

2009 December 18th

Almost 2 months with Marc and Gaelle in this futurist city. Getting together again was really great, we were glad to spend Christmas and New Year with such good friends.

Parties apart, we've walked a lot to discover different aspects of Shanghai.

Michelle, a taiwanese friend, took me on a wonderfull day trip in a canal town near Suzhou.

Pics of Shanghai : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/11__noel_et_nouvel_an/index.html

Pics of the canal town : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/12__visite_avec_michelle/index.html

Kun Ming

December 1^st 2008

Quick visit of the city, and shopping to be equipped for the long lasting winter weather.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/01__kunming/index.html

Li Jiang

December 3^rd 2008

Man, this is an awesome place. Old streets traditional houses, lanterns and canals all around this awesome town.

Pics of Lijiang : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/02__lijiang/index.html

Pics of Baisha and around :  http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/03__baisha_et_ses_alentours/index.html

Tiger Leaping Gorge

December 6^th 2008

A Magnificent 2 day trek in the widest gorge on the Yan Zi River. From the lowest to the highest point, we enjoy a breath taking view on snowy mountains.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/04__tiger_leaping_gorge/index.html

Shi Lin

December 8^th 2008

The stone forest, where we spend ur ay climbing up, down, up, down steps dug into the rock, lost in this huge park.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursch.canalblog.com/albums/05__shilin/index.html

Ha Tien

November 6^th 2008

Vietnam, here we come. First pho (beef noodle soup), and first Hanoi Beer, the cheapest and one of the best beers we ever had during this trip.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/01___hatien/index.html

Mekong Delta

November 7^th 2008

Can Tho’s floating markets, the bicycle ride to Ben Tre, a lovely homestay lost among the orchards. Just great.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/delta_du_mekong/index.html

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC)

November 11^th 2008

In Ben Than market, we finish our shopping for Christmas, with aggressive and tough sellers.

We also visit Cao Dai Temple, and Cu Chi Tunnel, on a tour, for once.

Pics of HCMC : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/02__ho_chi_minh_city/index.html

Pics of Cao Dai Temple : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/04__cao_dai_tample/index.html

Pics of Cu Chi Tunnel : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/05__cu_chi_tunnel/index.html

Dalat

November 17^th 2008

A tandem ride in the mountains, cable car, walk around the lake. It feels good to be out of HCMC.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/06__dalat/index.html

Nha Trang

November 20^th 2008

Rain, rain, rain. But still, the walk to visit the Cham towers worth getting wet.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/07__nha_trang/index.html

Quy Nhan

November 21^st 2008

Rain, gain and again, but it’s definitely the quietest place we’ve ever visited in Vietnam. Plus, the seafront, the typical small boats the fishermen use, we have a great time.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/08__quy_nhon/index.html

Hoi An

November 23^rd 2008

The old town is just great, we’ve never seen such a city. Tailor made cloth (fancy, huh?) and awesome food. This is great.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/09__hoi_an/index.html

Hue

November 25^th 2008

The weather is still the same, crap. But this time, it’s even impossible to visit. Too bad, the citadel looked really nice.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/10__hue/index.html

Hanoi

November 27^th 2008

Sun, at last! We arrive in Hanoi after a night bus, and we live the same day with a night train. These few hours to stray are very pleasant.

We also have the chance to see a water puppet show.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/11__hanoi/index.html

Sapa

November 28^th 2008

Pure and fresh air in the highest city of the country. Colorful H’mong and Dzao ethnic groups accompany us in the very first days of cold weather, which is gonna last for quite along time.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/12__sapa/index.html

Bac Ha

November 30^th 2008

The fief of the Flower H’mong, and their market. Horses, pig, buffaloes, souvenirs and dogs (yes, to be eaten).

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/13__bac_ha/index.html

Lao Cai

December 1^st 2008

Walking on a bridge, in the morning mist, we cross the river to go to China.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursvm.canalblog.com/albums/01___hatien/index.html

Here is the link to a blog dedicated to the Nomad Water School we just created:
http://nomadwaterschool.canalblog.com/

Strung Treng

October 10^th 2008

Here we are, Strung Treng, first stop in Cambodia. Well, it’s definitely not the best town in the country; at least, we hope so. Concentrated around the market, the worse in this town is the smell. Garbage carpet the floor all around the market, becoming more and more smelly as the day goes by, as the sun is stronger.

No time to waste here. We find a taxi to go to Ban Lung (Ratanakiri), since there are just no buses today. 8 people in the car, 4 at the back, 4 at the front; the driver has to seat on a passenger’s lap!

4 hours of a bumpy slippery track and we hit Ban Lung.

Ban Lung

October 11^th 2008

The best moment here was when we visited the gem mines. A 1m diameter hole, 10m deep, leading to a circular room, around 5m diameter, 1m high. And those guys spend the whole day digging in here. Some of them just take the buckets full of soil at the surface where they carefully search for the precious gem. I went down the mine with 2 of them. OK, it’s funny for a one-day visit, but it looks like a really tough and quite dangerous job.

After that, a good swim in a lake inside a crater to get rid of all the dust. The place is really nice, not as busy and dusty as the rest of the area. And the water is warm, perfect for a swim at the end of the day. Still, we run out of the water pretty fast when we saw a snake swimming in it.

Pics : http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/01__ratanakiri/index.html

Kratie

October 14^th 2008

Back on some more reasonably well maintained roads, to Kratie, a small city by the Mekong River. Opposite Kratie, on the river is the tiny island of Koh Trong, a sand bank where people live. Impossible to get lost there, there’s just only one road around the island. And we saw some very interesting things there, like people doing rice noodles (we had no idea how it was made), a floating village, people making some small floating chandeliers out of bamboo and flowers. Later at night they’ll set them on fire and let them drift on the river, hundreds of them, to celebrate the end of the rainy season.

Still on the Mekong River, we jumped on a small boat to see the last Irrawadi dolphins, fresh water dolphins living in the Mekong. Cambodian people used to hunt them using dynamite, o now there are only a handful of them, around 75. There are beautiful, but not easy to spot since the water is very muddy, all brown, and they don’t get the head off the water too often.

Around 35km out of town is the 100 pillars temple, an old wat by the river, with loads of columns all around the temple, supporting nothing. They just stand here, white and red, covering the park of the wat.

Pics: http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/02__kratie/index.html

Sen Monorom (Mondulkiri)

October 16^th 2008

If a place is called “…kiri”, does it mean in Khmer that the roads to get there are terrible? This time, it was even worth than the way to Ratanakiri. But sitting on the roof of our pickup truck, it was actually funny.

In this area is the biggest waterfall in Cambodia. The back wheel of our motorbike wasn’t straight, so even on a flat and dry track, we drifted. So when it became wet, muddy and steep, we decided to leave the bike there and walk to the falls.

They weren’t very impressive, but we couldn’t get at the bottom of the lowest one, since the way to get there was drawn.

After a day of riding and sliding in the mud, rocks, gravels, drifting, we wanted to have a rest in a nice place with a sauna. Just before we got there, 500m before the sauna, the bike drifted and we felt. I hurt my knee and was so pissed off I didn’t want to get any further. Anyway, the sauna was closed. Damn tracks and damn bike.

Pics: http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/03__mondulkiri/index.html

Kompong Cham

October 20^th 2008

In the area of Kompong stands one of the last wooden pagoda in the country, Wat Maha Leap. Most of the wooden pagodas were burnt down to ashes by the Khmers Rouges, and this one survived since it was used as a hospital.

The pagoda is beautiful, with pillars made out of whole trunks, black wood with golden paintings. The ceiling is decorated with pictures of the life of Buddha, also represented by big statues inside the temple.

Around the wat, the hospital is still standing and still used, huge statues of Buddha (lying or sitting) and stuppas and a primary school make it a very busy place, full of children laughter and monks prayers.

Pics: http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/04__kompong_cham/index.html

Phnom Penh

October 10th 2008

Even though we don't like big cities that much, we stayed there for quite a long time. First, because I got sick, then because we met the father of a friend here who took us a lot around.

National Museum, Royal Palace, Tuol Sleng, ... there are lots of things t odo and visit here.

We also spent a weekend in Sihanoukville, on the shore to eat sea food and enjoy the beach ... with a non stop rain.

Pics: http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/05__phnom_penh/index.html

Kampot

Novembre 1st 2008

We came here to visit Bokor Hill Station, what used to be a very popular place for rich French weekenders. It's now a ghost city, with ruins of casinos and hotels, and signs of the sad history of the country: the Khmers Rouges also came here, and also killed a lot of people here too.

A long day in the jungle to reach this place makes it even more worthy.

Pics : http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/bokor_hill_station/index.html

Kep

Last day in Cambodia. Sea, nice hotel, beer and excelent seafood. Just what we needed.

Pics: http://asiatrotteurscb.canalblog.com/albums/kep_et_ses_alentours/index.html

Phonsavan – Plain of jars

September 25th 2008

This place is quite mystical. Hundreds of stone jars lay all around the area, several sizes, several styles. So far, nobody has been able to tell who made them, neither what they were made for.

We joined a tour to take a look at those jars, and also the wreck of a Russian tank form Indochina war, and tasted local rice wine, which they call lao whisky, or lao-lao. The strongest one is 95 degrees!

Pics : http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/03__phonsavanh/index.html

 

 

Tha Kekh

October 1^st 2008

 

Lots of caves to visit around Tha Kekh, but almost none are possible to reach during rainy season. The one we can visit and the motorbike ride still made that stop worthy. Except for Céline, who burnt her leg pretty badly on the pipe of the bike.

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/05__tha_kekh/index.html

 

 

Savannaketh

October 2^nd 2008

4 years later, we’re back when Céline’s lao family has its roots. Last time, we didn’t like the place at all. And now, we cannot figure out why we didn’t like it. It’s a nice small city, laid back since it’s not very famous for tourists. An old French style church, buildings built when the French were still there, it looks like no other place in Laos. Having lao food and beer there, by the Mekong River is just perfect.

We also enjoyed the outside of the city, with a 2-day trek, sleeping in a great home stay in a small village, where we actually had the best food since we’re in the country. Giving the monks alms, walking through rice fields, watching the guide eating every single bug he can find. This was an awesome trek.

Pics of the city: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/06___savannakhet/index.html

Pics of the trek: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/06__trek_autour_de_savannakhet/index.html

Sekong

October 4^th 2008

We came here for the waterfalls around the city, but no motorbike to rent and no tuk tuk to take us there. The remains of bombs and ammo from the Indochina war are not exciting enough to stay here. Plus, the visa will expire soon, no time to waste.

Pics : http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/07__sekong/index.html

 

 

Attapeu

October 6^th 2008

 

On the way to Attapeu, we wanted to make a stop to see a 100 meter-high waterfall. Difficult to get there without our own wheels, so we had to itch hike both ways. It would have been a pity to miss that. We cannot get too close since it’s in the middle of the jungle, but still the view from the distance is worthy, and the best part of it is that miles around, there is just nothing; only us and the lao nature.

 

Around Attapeu, e visited 2 nice villages, saw a 118 years old grand ma working in the market, the whole face tattooed, and also an abandoned 9 meter-long rocket. Time’s running out, 4 more days before we have to cross the Cambodian border.

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/08__attapeu/index.html

 

 

Pakse

October 7^th 2008

 

We didn’t plan to stop here, but because of the rainy season (again), we had to go all the way back to Pakse. We spent the night with Stéphane, and rush to the next place on our route.

 

 

Kiet Ngong

October 8^th 2008

 

Difficult to pronounce, difficult to get there. But we eventually made it. Nice home stay in a tiny village in the XePian NPA (National Protected Area).

The nature here is probably at its wildest, only small villages dotting here and there.

 

One nice elephant took us on its back to bring us to the top of a hill, to visit Phou Asa, a place with piled stones topped by a wider stones, mushroom-looking pillars.

 

There was also a cute monkey that sat on my shoulders and searched my hair for bugs to eat.

 

 

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/09__ban_kiet_ngong/index.html

 

Sipadan Don – Don Det

October 9^th 2008

Last night in Laos. What best place to spend it than a small island on the Mekong River, with lao food, girls we met in Kiet Ngong and Beer Lao?

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/10__don_det/index.html

Sadly, it’s now time to leave Laos. The day we cross the border, it’s been exactly 4 months we’ve been traveling around Asia; and it was also Taiwan national day.

Vientiane

September 8th 2008

Finally, here we are, back again on Céline’s ancestors’ land. We meet Stéphane, a former classmate of Céline’s. KTV, sightseeing, rediscovering the city, that’s how we spend our time here. Time’s actually flying pretty fast, 3 months already we left Taiwan!

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/01__vientiane/index.html

Vang Vieng

September 11th 2008

One of the places we liked the most last time we came. The city itself changed a lot, but the rice fields, the mountain and the Nam Song River are still the same.

We work as volunteers in an organic farm which goal is to help the community and the poor children to have access to a fair education. It’s really a great experience.

Of course, we also take some time for us: kayaking, cycling, visiting caves around the city…

Pics: http://asiatrotteursla.canalblog.com/albums/02__vang_vieng/index.html

Phuket

August 26^th

One of the most visited islands of the country, thanks to its airport. Good roads, bars and restaurants wherever you look, beer, surf and prostitution.

A bit too crowded for us, but still, the beaches are awesome.

Pics of Phuket : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/03__phuket/index.html

Bangkok

August 28^th

Bangkok is a hub for most of the western tourists coming to visit south Asia. Another hub inside this city, KaoSan Road, the Mecca of the backpackers in Asia. Food, drinks, guest houses, clothes, everything is here, and everything is cheap.

We also spent some time with Françoise, like 4 years ago, who treated us like kings. Thanks for everything.

Pics of Bangkok : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/05__bangkok/index.html

The floating market outside the city was also a great moment.

Pics of the floating market : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/06__marche_flottant_de_ratchaburi/index.html

Pakchong – Kaoyai

September 3^rd 2008

What brought us here is not the city itself but the KaoYai National Park, a few kilometers out of town.

We went to several jungles and forests in this trip, but nothing compared to this. It’s the house of elephants, monkeys, dears, crocodiles… and some leeches.

Pics of the KaoYai National Park : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/07__kaoyai/index.html

Korat – Phimai

September 4^th 2008

Once again, what we’re here for lays out of the city: Phimai and its temple from the Angkor period.

Pics of the ruins of Phimai : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/09__phimai/index.html

Pics of Korat : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/08__khorat/index.html

Nong Khai

September 6^th 2008

Here it is the natural border between Thailand and Laos, the Mekong River.

Nong Khai is a perfect last stop before heading to Laos, laid back, full of good food and a pretty unique guest house.

Pics of Nong Khai : http://asiatrotteursth.canalblog.com/albums/10__nongkhai/index.html

Bye bye Thailand

September 8^th 2008

That’s it for Thailand. We spent here more time than we planned to. Now is time to cross the Friendship Bridge and head to Laos.

The Nomad Water School stopped in Bangkok too, and the school we went to was really motivated by this project.