It's about time for some pictures, and I finally found an internet connection fast enough to load some. (I hope)

Thailand

Here we are, the 5 of us in Koh Chang, Thailand.
Ella, Molly, Avy, Bridget, Michelle

We rented moto bikes for the day to cruse the island with our new found Thai friend. This picture is from one of our many stops on that adventure.

Cambodia
Angkor Wat... Was spectacular! All the walls had very detailed designs telling stories about the Buddhists and Hindu religions. This is the main Angkor Wat temple. It was built for King Suryavarman II in the 12th century and this was his state temple and city capital.

I'm not sure how many temples there are or how many we visited, but this one was one of my favorites with all the faces carved into the stone.

Most of the temples have become in golfed with trees.

Lao
These are rice farmers from the island of Don Det. Rice is their main crop, but in the highlands of Laos Coffee and Tea are becoming a main crop as well, especially since the government has outlawed growing opium.

This was one of the mose beautiful places on earth. We were in the middle of a rain forest with a crystal clear waterfall crashing down around us. We were soaking wet just standing in the mist from the water fall.

Molly and Bridget from one of the many swings into the river...
Vang Vieng, Laos was like MTV Spring Break (or what I imagine it would be like), but Lao style... Whenever you're up and ready to take on a full day of boozing and cruzing you rent an inter tube catch a ride up the road and spend the day on the river getting tan, drinking beer or 'happy shakes' (a fruit smoothy with any form of an illegal substance in it... mostly weed but they may come with other hallucinogens) and swinging into the river from one of the many bars along the way. All the swings are at different heights and not all the bars are happening. We tended to stop at about 3 of the many bars have a beer and swing into the river 5 or so times. Some of the swings 3 people could swing from at the same time. We've decided that we need to start something like this in Glenwood...

Here are the 5 of us once again after a day of tubing in Lao.

The 5 of us are getting good at...

Using squatlets (basically a hole in the ground to take a dump)

Learning Lao

Playing monopoly with the money over here (having to divided everything from the room to the food we get and paying each other back)

Smelling (we shower on occasion, but it's more of an effort to get clean than it is to stay smelly and we know that as soon as we steep outside we'll start sweating again)

Packing and repacking all our crap into our backpack

Sleeping just about anywhere

It's hard to describe what it's like over here. There are so many similarities between these three countries (Thailand, Cambodia and Laos (but it's pronounced Lao)) that I've been traveling through and yet, they are all very different. Thailand is the richer of the three countries. Cambodia is the poorest, and Lao falls somewhere in the middle.

Upon my arrival in Thailand I think I was in more shock than anything with the way the world works on this side of the planet. The smells were different, the language was strange, and the heat and humidity were causing me to sweat like I had just run another race. They were driving on the other side of the road and it was killing me how they try to scam all the travelers out of money.

We then crossed the border from Thailand into Cambodia and that's where the real culture shock hit me. Although we were back to driving on our side (the way we drive in the States) I couldn't stand to see kids begging for food because their parents couldn't provide for them. Or seeing them (Kids around the age of 14) sell themselves to sleazy white tourists that come through. No one at any age should have to be begging for food, and the kids shouldn't be the main source of income for any family.

I left Cambodia on a bad note. After Siem Riep we went back to the capital of Cambodia for one more night before catching a 9 hour bus ride in attempt to make our way across the border to Laos. Knowing that we were in for a long ride Avy and I decided to head out and find a store to buy snacks. But walking alone at night isn't always the smartest thing to do. We ended up getting mugged along the way.

We were crossing a street and some guy came up from behind Avy and grabbed her purse. She resisted and as he speed away we both started chasing him and screaming like a mad men. We saw him throw down the strap to her purse and speed off into the night and we started walking frantically back to the main road that we were walking down. The people that we had just passed came running to see if we were ok and the picked up Avy's broken purse with all its contents still in it. We were lucky enough to have not gotten hur and not have lost anythingt, but we were all ready to get out of the big city.

LAOS

We crossed the border about 4 days ago and set ourselves into Lao time (things happen here when they want to happen and there is no saying when or how we will get to our destination). We made our way to the Mekong River were there are about 4,000 islands. We took a boat (a little piece of wood basically) to an island called Don Det.

This little island was a self sufficient island growing most everything they needed to survive. Having cows, chicken and sheep roam the island and letting the tourists that come through be the main source of income for the islands on this part of the river.

Lao has so far been amazing. The language is similar to Thai and we figure that since we are hear the longest we might try to become a bit more fluent than we were in the other countries (we have basically only been learning hello and thank you, but know we know our numbers and good bye - we are on our way to being 100% fluent!).

We left Don Det and decided to take a "Local Bus" (Local meaning anything and everything shoved into the back of a truck with benches - I think that at one point we had 31 people crammed into the truck, live chickens, fish both dead and alive, bags fulls of crickets and who knows what else along with all our luggage and what ever else the Loations (What Lao people are called) had with them.)

We arrived in Pakse and took the next local bus in hopes to find coffee plantations, green tea plantations and some amazing waterfalls that were suppose to be hidden somewhere around this area. We found some waterfalls but they were off in the distance and everything else we tried led us to a dead end. We took the local bus once again to the next town found a room for the night and realized that we were in the middle of nowhere where ATM's aren't on the corner of every street and we had about no money in their local currency.

We begged with some guys to exchange with us allowing us to have enough to get back Pakse where we could then find a bank (Pakse was a big town in comparison to the place we ended up staying at). The next day we found a driver that took us all over the place showing us the green tea plantation, coffee plantations (where we were able to sample both coffee and tea) and took us to these water falls that were probably the most beautiful thing I've ever seen (words cannot describe the scenery here). That night we took a night bus (yes a bus with beds - and no not a good way to get some sleep) on our way to the capital of Lao, Vientiane.

Siem Reap, Cambodia

Out of the city once again and off to the pride and joy of Cambodia; Angkor Wat. After a 6 hour bus ride on the most uncomfortable bus EVER we arrived in the biggest tourist attraction city in Cambodia.

Angkor Wat was built in the 12th century for King Suryavarman II and is today the worlds largest religious structure ever built. It was first a Hindu temple dedicated to Vishnu and then later became a Buddhist temple in the 15th and 16th century. During the Khmer Rouge all religion was banned and the temple was partially destroyed. Most of the Buddhas that are in every temple had their heads cut off or removed from the stone that they were implanted in.

Upon arriving in Siem Reap we bought our overly priced tickets for the next two days to explore the inside world of Angkor Wat. We started by hiking up to the only temple on a hill and watching the sun set on Cambodia. And the next day we woke at 4:30am to get to Angkor Wat before sunrise to see the sun coming up over the temple.

We explored my first of the seven wonders of the World with bike (we rented bikes for a day as a different mode of transportation) and with Tuk Tuk. Stopping at all the various temples along the way that were built for various different reasons during the period of King Suryavarman II. After two and half days of temple exploring we were a bit templed out.

We went back to Siem Reap to give blood (yes, we stopped at the Children's Hospital on the way back to town and all gave blood. For Ella and me it was our first time ever giving blood) and kick it with some of our new local Cambodian friends (they invited us out to the locals bar for night or partying Cambodian style).

Tomorrow catching a bus for a day and a half adventure of crossing the border into Lao!! Woot Woot!

Phonm Penh, Cambodia

We left the beach and headed inland to the capital of Cambodia, Phonm Penh. The hustling and bustling city was hot and humid but a bit more low key than Bangkok. We stayed on the lake side of the city where most of the backpackers end up staying in a place that left much to be desired. We crammed the 5 of us into one room to pay about $1.60 a night. But there wasn't just the 5 of us in the room. We happened to share the room with some friendly mice (although they ate some of our snacks) and some other strange bugs.

We hired a Tuk Tuk (the form of transportation here) and set off to see the history of Phonm Penh. We started off by going to the S21. One of the concentration camps during the Khmer Rouge that happened in the 1970's. There is so much history to Cambodia that is never taught in the schools and this country is finally starting to get it's feet back on the ground.

Next we went to the killing fields where the did mass execution of anyone with some form of education from knowing a second language to being a doctor. The leader of the Khmer Rouge Pol Pot wanted to turn the country back into an agrarian society. He started kicking people out of the cities and killing anyone one with any higher knowledge.

From the Killing Fields we did something that most tourists don't see - the city dump of Phonm Penh. I'm sure you're all thinking, why the dump? There is a surprising amount of families that live at the dump because they have no money and no other way to get by. And they support themselves from findings at the dump.

We finished up the day all is a state of shock of the history that we had just learned about and the sites of the city that we had just seen.

Sihanoukville, Cambodia

This was my first real step off the path of western comfort and very eye opening to see the world at a different level. Because Bridget had been to Sikanoukville last year she knew where to go and knew most of the local street kids. We started off right away by hanging out with all the kids. Getting to know them individually and wondering why these kids are working harder than any kid should have to work to earn a small income for their family. Wanting to help out in every way that we could, we spent the next few days just hanging out with them, playing with them and letting them know that there are people out there who care about them and wish the best for them. I brought over a deck of cards, some bubbles and balloons for the kids to play with. It was so heart warming to see the kids eyes light up with these few small toys that they were able to play with. I left everything for them at the Cambodian Children's Painting Project so they can continue to play with some things on a daily basis.
The poverty level of this small town caught me way off guard from the beginning. I knew that it was bad, but seeing it in person just makes it even worse. We went to the market one afternoon and watched as the workers there try to sell something to make a small amount of money, but the market was under tarps that were barely holding together. As the rain fell many of the workers tried to stay dry but with tarps that has more holes than it should they just had to suck it up and hope to stay dry and sell things.
Another afternoon we went to give our donation to Regent School so a child could attend school for a year. We were able to read descriptions on the kids and their families before we made the choice of who to choose (one of the hardest decisions of my life) we were able to see how these families tried to make money and the amount that they brought in per month to support an entire family usually between 6 and 9 people. Very shocking and sad to see them barely scrap by on 20 US Dollars a month.

Food for thought...

The Street Kids of Cambodia run the streets trying to sell various things, such as bracelets and headbands that they themselves made, to earn a small income for their families (they are so good at bargaining with you, and it's so hard to not buy everything from all the kids). And at night, if they have a sponsor, they are able to attend night school to learn English. These kids are incredibly smart, but with little direction of where to go. There are various programs in Sihanoukville that help these kids get a good nutritious meal a day as well as giving them a safe place to hang out and play during the day and express who they are.
Some other G-wood (friends of ours that also are from Glenwood Springs) are volunteering at Cambodian Children's Painting Project - www.artcambodia.org.

This little girl sitting on my lap has clung to me since I walked in the door at the Cambodian Children's Painting Project. Every time I ask for her name or try to talk with her I get no response, but as soon as I put her down she is clinging to my skirt waiting to be held again. Today I finally got her to sing the ABC's with me as well as count to 50 while clapping our hand and laughing the entire time, but once that was over she wouldn't say anything else. I was told that she is about 10 years old, although she looks to be no more than 5. (it is rather shocking to learn all the little kids ages)
Here is Ella (to the left) and Bridget with some of the street kids that have been sponsored through SCKEF. Most of these kids attend night school to learn English. With a scholarship they will be able to continue their education - check out the website again... kidsofcambodia.org

Thailand to Cambodia...

The difference was very prevalent once we crossed the border into Cambodia. After leaving our island of paradise, we set off for the developing country of Cambodia. We took a bus from the city of Trat to the border town of Hat Lek, Thailand. Before we even got out of the van, our bags were unloaded and we were told by the guys that unloaded them that they had to take our bags across the border. It all seamed a bit weird. We all took turns watching our over sized back packs as we got our passports stamped and we crossed the border into Cambodia.

We realized that for the guys to take our bags across the border was just a way to scam us out of money, as was when they said that they needed to fill out our paper work for our Cambodia visas. So 25 US Dollars later, and some more change to pay everyone that 'helped' us we were officially in Cambodia.

The paved streets turned into dirt roads and the so-called 'house' that we saw in Thailand turned into little shacks that were barely standing and looked like they were all but rain proof. The amount of garbage on the side of the roads increased and the rain stared to pour. Luckily that cooled things down a bit, but the humidity still lingered in the air and on all of our things. (None of our things have been completely able to dry since arriving in SE Asia).

We asked the Taxi driver to take us to a certain guest house, but once we got there we realized that it was not where we asked to be taken. Yet another scam to get our money (because the guest houses pay cab drivers to bring them guests for the night). Luckily it wasn't that bad of a place and we only were paying two dollars each for a 'clean' bed to sleep in.

Early the next morning we caught the bus to Sihanoukville, Cambidia where Bridget's sister has a Non Profit; Sihanoukville Cambodian Kids Education Fund (SCKEF for short). This non profit works with the street kids of Cambodia helping to get them off the street and send them to school. Please check out the website for more information - kidsofcambodia.org - and possibly sponsor a kid by sending them to school for a year.

Koh Chang, Thailand

Sea Kayaking, Snorkeling, Moto Bike riding, sun bathing, thunderstorms, new found Thai friends and the biggest spider ever named Edger!

After getting out of the hustling cities, and catching two random buses, getting dropped off in the middle of no where and bargaining our way in the back of a truck to the ferry port of Koh Chang we made our way to Paradise: the second biggest island off of the coast of Thailand. The plan was to stay for only two nights, but once we tasted the food, went for a swim in the warm water of the Gulf of Thailand and got to know the people at the guest house we decided to stay for another night.

One of the Thai guys at the guest house took a liking to 5 American girls traveling together and decided to show us around a bit. Tod (Pronounced Tot) took us to the small islands off the coast of Guest House, teaching us about various things along the way (mainly how to talk in Thai). We went snorkeling with the fish in the teal colored water that surrounded the island and were able to take a closer look at the coral. Getting back to the big island a few of us realized that we fried the hell out of our selves from being out on the water. I guess that SPF 30 is not enough.
We also were able to rent Moto Bikes (mopeds) and cruse to all the off the beaten paths of the island. With only one small accident (Bridget and I crashed within the first minute on the bike, (she was driving) and luckily we had no other problem) we were on our way for the cruse of our live. Going up and down super steep hills, passing big diesel trucks, and holding on for dear life we cursed the island. Tod was kind enough to teach the few of us that had never ridden a Moto Bike before how to drive one (and I can't wait to someday buy one). We were able to see the most remote parts of the island, how the locals live on the island and the other small towns around the island.

The food that we indulged ourselves in was amazing and the view for the patio of our guest house was specular. With the water only a few feet away. We've all been trying to get the ultra spicy food here (yes me included) and we have had some moments of near death with the amount of spice they put in (ok, well I guess just me).

Out side one of the rooms was the biggest spider that I've ever seen and we named it Edgar (we all felt safe when we saw Edgar in his web). Driving along we passed a heard of Elephants and across the street from our Guest House we had monkeys (I guess were not in the hills of Colorado any more).


Last night we crossed the border into Cambodia... a whole new language, different customs, and surroundings to get used to; should be exciting!

THAILAND

Sawadee Ka (Hello in Thai)

I arrived last Wednesday in the "land of smiles" where I eventually met up with 3 friends from home (Glenwood Springs) and another girl from Colorado. We spent 2 nights in the dirty and over populated city of Bangkok, all trying to adapt ourselves to the strang and new world that we had just entered.
Upon my arrival I was lucky enough to go to a friend of Theresa's and sleep for a bit while I waited for the others to arrive. They took me out for my first "ture" Thai meal. They showed me the streets around where they lived. I took in the city smell, noise and heat that was sudden change from my Colorado setting (Thanks Jon and Tina for everything).
After two nights in Bangkok the five Coloradoians (Not sure if that's how you spell it, but that's how I say it) took a bus to the Sex capital of the world, Pattaya. It's where dirty, old, rich white men go for some pleasure. I was more in shock about this city than anything. The way that the women were flonting themselves at the old guys in order to make some money made me sick. Luckly we were only there for one night and less that 24 hours.
After catching a bus off the side of the road (don't know how we even found the bus stop) and changing to another bus where we almost all died of heat (there was NO AC on this bus and we were basically in a sauna for the next few hours sweating our brains out) and then catching a ride in the back of some guys truck (actually that's how the Taxis work around here) we some how managed to get to a small island off the coast of south eastern part of Thailand called Koh Chang. This island is filled with white sand beaches, an amazing jungle, the best Thai food ever, friendly people, and other crazy backpackers.
After some adventues sea kyaking today and some burnt legs, we decided that this places is pretty amazing and we plan to spend the next two nights here before crossing the border into Cambodia....
More adventures to come.

(Sorry about the spelling errors, we all know I'm not known for my spelling ability and I can't figure out spell check because it's all in Thai, oh well.)

Life in Germany in never dull. Time was spent drinking beer (in one of the many Bier Gartens in München), riding bikes (Theresa has my old Bamberg Bike (yes the one that I got in two accidents with while studying abroad) and it was great to be reminded of my Bamberg days), buying dirndls (to become true Bavarians), taking trains, modeling with Porsches (at a Friends Birthday Party that was held at a Porsche Garage), steeling another beer maß (I think that makes a total of 4), going to German techno clubs, watching the sun rise (only because we were dancing till 5 in the morn.) and kicking it with my sister Theresa and all her friends.

(Molly and Theresa and one of the many Porsches)

Tonight I'm leave all familiarity and venturing into the unknown; an unknown language, culture and customs. I arrive in Bangkok, Thailand tomorrow afternoon (Thailand time). And I'll be traveling around SE Asia for the next two month. Let the adventures begin!