Thailand

So, Im sitting in an internet cafe listening to tuk-tuks vroom by, in Chiang mai in northern thailand. This morning I returned from a 5 day stay at Chinnaworn's (A Thai zen buddhist monk http://www.secondhomethailand.org/index.htm ) farm, nicely located in a peaceful remote rural valley. The farm, carved from the thick rainforest and bush is run on organic principles. During my time there I was first exposed to Buddhist beliefs and lifestyle and had my first experience of meditation. The food was a whole new experience for my tastebuds, with each meal a new suprise. Eating breakfast overlooking the rice paddies was a great start to the day. The tastiest part of my stay was the food for the soul, although a little hard to swallow Chinnaworn's wisdom and experiences made real sense to me. I have a reading list of books to read, and in a few days will head to the beaches of the south to enjoy some good hammock time and some sunshine before heading back home. Ill be back on the 3rd of september, ready to get stuck in to my final year at UCD!!!!

Laos

After a 30 hour bus journey, the Laos part consisting of terrible single lane roads winding up and down mountains carpeted with lush green forests and crested with fluffy mist clouds, every corner a sheer dangerous drop to valley floor deep below..... my new friend Chris and I arrived in Luang Prabang. We waved goodbye to the friendly folks on the bus finally leaving behind remnants of Chinese culture and began the walk into town along quiet streets barely lit by lamps, a strong contrast to bright shining China!!! After sorting accomodation we ditched the bags, cracked open some rice wine and headed out for some Beerlaos. The night ended bizarrely, bowling till 3am, the bowling alley being the only place open after 12. Luang Prabang though touristy has quite a character with temples overlooking the mighty Mekong as it winds its way to the sea. I took the bus to Vang vieng a party town located within beautiful surroundings, the main attraction consisting of heading from bar to bar in an inflatable tube down the local river - pretty unique and great fun :)
Before crossing to Thailand I also spent some time in the capital Vientiane which really doesnt feel like a capital, but I liked its style. Laos is beautiful, relaxed, and quite undeveloped - a welcome change from China. I hope it never changes

China

CHINA!!!!

I finally got to put up some pictures from China. I spent almost a week in Beijing seeing only a fraction of the many sights the city has to offer, I was pretty impressed by the Forbidden city and of course the great wall; in the words of Mao:
"He who has not seen the great wall is not a man"
Then I headed to Nanjing, and onto Shanghai where I met the revolution cycle team. Next stop after a 16 hard seat train journey was Xi'an for the Terracotta warriors. With flooding in Chengdu and most transport to the southwest booked out, I took a flight with "Lucky Air" to the capital of Yunnan province Kunming and headed to the spectacular Tiger Leaping Gorge. The views were epic, I took 100 photos while hiking, we were lucky enough to see the eclipse while high up on the trail staying at a Bai minority village overlooking the gorge. The hike down to the raging Yangtse on precarious paths a great finish to a long day. After a brief stay in Zhondjian (named Shangrila for tourism purposes) at high altitude near Tibet, I headed back to Kunming to take the 30 hour bus to Laos. China was not at all as I expected, I think im gonna have to go back but who knows how it will change in the interval; its a country thats got to be seen to understand it!!!!

Old and new in Nanjing

Forbidden City - click the image for proper size

Shanghai at night!!!

Looking out at lake Baikal during the 3 day train journey from Irkutsk in Russia to Beijing, China

My favourite fake from China - notice the 2 rings on this "Audi"

Tough choice: Dangerous ladder or "Safe" path

View of the mountains at the top of the gorge once the clouds lifted - click the image for the proper size

Blogspot is blocked in China!!! this makes it impossible for me to update my blog. Also facebook was blocked a few days ago. I arrived in Shanghai yesterday from Nanjing. Before that I was in Beijing for a few days. I put up some photos at:
http://picasaweb.google.com/sendittofinn/NewsAndPicsFromMyTravels?feat=directlink
Edit: Blog is back!!!

Well........ now im in the city of Irkutsk in Siberia. I also spent 3 days at Lake Baikal the deepest lake in the world on the Olkhon island. That area is really beautiful but i have no pictures :(
I spent so far 3 days on the train from Moskow with a brief stop at Yekaterinburg. Tomorrow I begin the 3 day train journey to Beijing!!!!!

View from the train, there are also many many trees :)

Baikal train from Yekaterinburg to Irkutsk

Playing some cards that made no sense to me

Famous church where the Romanovs Tsar (in the statue) was killed ending the monarchy in Russia

More pictures from Russian Championships

Some very good pictures of the event taken by somebody else!!!!! :)

Estonia, Saint Petersburg, Tivdia and Moscow!!!

Now im in Moscow after a few days on the road. First I flew to Helsinki and after a few hours there I travelled by ferry with a very friendly Estonian ballerina to Tallinn Estonia. The people at the hostle were great fun, running the streets of the old town dressed as cat, mouse and dog and constantly harrassing poor Brad. Then to Saint Petersburg for 3 days. Then I got a lift north to Karelia, 7 hours away from St Petersburg for the Russian freestyle kayak championships. The wave was located in a small village called Tivdia and it was great to meet so many great people. The event finished with a great party in the woods beside a lake which went on until the next day. It was so north that it never got dark !!!! Then we drove to another kayaking spot, then back to St Petersburg. In St petersburg I experienced the russian tradition of Banya which means baths. It was basically a really hot sauna, and part of it involves a kind of thrashing with leaves and branches. It was a great for my body after several days of drinking and partying with russians!!! I felt so good afterwards :) Moscow is a great city, so busy, the biggest city ive ever been in. It felt so strange to walk around Red square and the Kremlin!!!! On Saturday Im taking the train to Yekaterinburg, then to Irkutsk and on the 3rd of July will arrive in....BEIJING!!!!

Home

EASKEY!!!! I had to go home for a few days to drop back my bike :)