Vietnam: The Beauty of Hoi An - Chaotic Hanoi - On the trail of Vietnam War

Our itinerary through Vietnam

(03/04/2016 - 16/04/2016; 2000 km)

Hanoi is a shock. A big one.
Especially after Singapore. After Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore we are back in dusty, noisy, dirty and overcrowded South East Asia and it takes some time to adapt again.

Singapore: World in Melting Pot - Enormous Wealth at one spot - ARTificial Island

Our stop in Singapore
(31/03/2016 - 03/04/2016)

We are ready for a new adventure! With an aching heart we leave Emma behind, put the backpacks on our shoulders and take the next metro to the bus station. We want to catch a bus to Singapore. And our first attempt of living as backpackers almost goes wrong.

We arrive at the place we think is the bus station, half an hour before the bus is about to leave. And we realize that we are at the wrong place, totally at the wrong place. We have no idea how this could happen, after having rechecked three times for the right bus station. But I guess that is what can happen when getting used to a new modus of travelling. We manage to get a taxi and the taxi driver is so friendly to speed the seven kilometer through Kuala Lumpur's south, where we get onto the bus literally in the last second. Our shoulders hurt terrible from running with backpacks and carrying Pauli at the same time. But, we are off and going and it feels good to rely on a driver and not having to drive ourselves.

Malaysia: Colonialism - Rain Forest - Antonias Broken Arm

Our itinerary through (West-) Malaysia

(28/02/2016 - 31/03/2016; 1600 km)

Malaysia welcomes us with easy border procedures and a visa on arrival for 90 days. Very nice. We drive on big highways and on the first parking area with food court we decide to book an AirBnB apartment in Georgetown. Georgetown is an old colonial foundation on the island of Penang on the west coast of Malaysia. British founded the place to enlarge the network of coastal cities for their trade in Southeast Asia. To get there we have to pass a 14 km long bridge with an impressive view on the 100.000-people-city.

Thailand: We made it to the Pacific - Friends visiting - Enjoying beaches

Our itinerary through Thailand

(30/01/2016 - 28/02/2016; 2300km + flight)

We leave Cambodia on a dusty bumpy and small road and enter Thailand on the other side of the border on a modern four lane highway. What a huge difference in development between these two countries, already on first sight.
Crossing borders has lost its stress since we are in Southeast Asia. No detailed car searching anymore, no intimidating, endless discussions or theft. Instead: relaxed officials, friendly faces and for the first time: no entrance or visa fee has to be paid. Just a simple stamp and the mentioning that we can stay 30 days. We are amazed.

Cambodia: Stunning Temples - Cruel Past - Unbearable Heat

Our itinerary through Cambodia

(14/01/2016 - 30/01/2016; 1100km)

First thing I see of Cambodia is a stone copy of a sort watch animal, looking like a dog, that I have seen on pictures of Angkor Wat. This impressive sculpture sits in the middle of the heat at the Cambodian check point. He doesn't move and no one else is moving either, everyone hiding from heat, it is noon. Some sleepy officer in flip flops tells me that we need again our carnet de passage for the car, something we didn't expect, since we actually thought it was only needed for Iran. A little bamboo shed carries a sign saying "Visa". The officer wears a white shirt, his official olive green uniform hangs neatly ironed behind him, that way I can see that I am talking to a three star official... ;-) We literally deal the prize for the visa and I end up paying only ten dollars for the children, but thirty dollars for our visa. The fan is snoring, making funny noises, not sure how long this thing will still do. At the next bamboo shed we get our passports stamped, all very friendly and that's it. Torsten has parked the car in the meantime a little further and I have walked the way between the bamboo houses back and forth for a while now, that one of the officers is so kind to give me a ride on his motorbike, so I don't have to walk all the way again through the heat. A very calm, slow, quiet start into our next adventure. Cambodia is the 17th country in our tour.

Laos: Yulala - Waterfalls - Flying like a bird

Our itinerary through Laos
(03/12/2015 - 14/01/2016; 2700km)

Laos has the shape of a starlet. Or a palm tree. Whatever you see from far, it is absolutely fascinating to come closer and dive into this green, friendly and warm land. We fell in love with Laos. After travelling for four weeks we decided to extend our visa for two more weeks and enjoy some more time. What a strange situation: I did not know anything about this country when we entered Laos and after four weeks we didn't want to leave. This must be love on first sight. :-))
And here is our Lao love story: