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I am somewhere between Khao Yai, Bangkok and Pattaya, working on my THAILAND JING JING blog (see below), and starting to compile and edit the next volume of HARDSHIP POSTING.
Upcoming trips and events:
January 8 - 22: Koh Samui
January 15: Talk on The Missing Years to Singapore Heritage Society at National Library, Singapore.CANCELLED - SORRY!
January 16: Singapore. 'Meet the Author' talk/signing on The Missing Years at Kinokuniya. CANCELLED - SORRY!
February 5-7: Khao Yai, Thailand research trip.
February 8-11: Bangkok hotel reviews.
February 12-14: Pattaya research trip.
March 18-28: Tourism Authority of Thailand 50th Anniversary famil, including elephant polo at Anantara Golden Triangle.
Recent travels ...
Just back from an awesome Pandaw cruise up the Mekong River from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, to Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Before that, a 2200 km motorcycle escapade around north-western Thailand, taking in the highest point of Thailand (Doi Inthanon) and its most northern point (Mae Sai), longneck hilltribe villages, and stunning countryside with typical Thai hospitality (read: too much Mekong whiskey). It was 'the real thing'.
Before that, Charming VIETNAM: Ho Chi Minh City, Danang and Hoi An, Ha Long Bay and Ha Noi.
Before that, two excursions to SARAWAK, BORNEO enjoying Gawai Harvest Festival and trip up the Rajang River on the new Pandaw Cruises boat.
Before that, THE COOK ISLANDS, taking ukulele lessons, scuba diving and covering/participating in the Vaka Eiva outrigger festival.
Before that: northern VIETNAM, checking out the colonial history of Hanoi's old quarter (great jazz clubs and rock bars), the beaches of Na Thrang (resorts to die for!), and the hilltribes of Mai Chau (they even have a Thai village which does silk weaving, though no other association with Thailand).
Before that: Did Kokoda Track, Papua New Guinea (or more accurate to say the Kokoda Track did me!)
Before that was Vanuatu in the South Pacific, a primeval playground with volcanoes, loin-clothed tribes, fantastic snorkelling, and weird cargo cults.
Before that, Cambodia/Vietnam, and on safari in Southern Africa, on the trail of Jim Thompson in the Cameron Highlands, finding the REAL centre/s of Australia, wreck-diving in the Philippines, Orange (NSW), the Gold Coast (QLD),Hong Kong/Macau, and Sabah, Eastern Malaysia (120 km Sandakan Death March challenge trek) and Chiang Mai and The Golden Triangle.
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