Author Archives: clairelinney

pig in a sack

Posted on 11/03/2008 by clairelinney

After two days in transit we are finally in Vietnam and without the border crossing rip-offs that we’d heard so much about. We spent our final day in Don Det in the four thousand islands doing the best thing possible, … Continue reading →

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forty metre buddhas and four thousand islands

Posted on 08/03/2008 by clairelinney

I left Vang Vieng with a hangover so it was just as well that it was only a short bus ride of four hours or so to reach the capital of Laos Vientiane. One of the things that amazes me … Continue reading →

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the slow seduction of the backpacking cliche

Posted on 05/03/2008 by clairelinney

I can’t help but love Vang Vieng depsite the fact that it is one big backpacking cliche from the ‘happy’ pizzas, internet cafes, bars showing friends episodes and bonfire parties on the island. It is, however, stunning beautiful, a shallow … Continue reading →

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stone jars and secret wars

Posted on 02/03/2008 by clairelinney

James and I left Luang Prabang on a local bus to reach the eastern town of Phonsavan about 10 hours away. The day was overcast and surprisingly cold and torrential downpours and thick fog made the journey over winding hills … Continue reading →

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the march of the monks

Posted on 29/02/2008 by clairelinney

I left a rather grumpy James in bed to get up at 6am and go and see the Luang Prabang monks do their daily walk down the main street collecting alms (rice and food) from the local towns people. Of … Continue reading →

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messing about on the Mekong

Posted on 27/02/2008 by clairelinney

Flight of the Gibbon James and I saw a slightly recovered, but still weak Mum off at Chiang Mai airport for her flight home and then went about planning our escape to Laos, but before leaving Thailand we found out … Continue reading →

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ups and downs in the hill tribes of Chiang Dao

Posted on 22/02/2008 by clairelinney

Day one – Elephants, bamboo rafts and bartering We started our three day journey in Chiang Dao, about two hours north of Chiang Mai where we met Dan and Amber, a really lovely couple from the gold coast in Australia … Continue reading →

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the Linneys at large

Posted on 18/02/2008 by clairelinney

Well the Linneys are out in force in Thailand, the brother, the mother and me. James arrived on Thursday, failed to notice I’d chopped off all my hair and then went and got his cut much shorter, honestly, he is … Continue reading →

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making the cut

Posted on 15/02/2008 by clairelinney

Amazing how the time passes when you are doing nothing. I am thoroughly enjoying have a sabbatical from my sabbatical in Bangkok. The hostel I am staying in Suk11 is lovely, the kind of place where you only have to … Continue reading →

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Clara comes out of the rabbit hole

Posted on 11/02/2008 by clairelinney

I’m in Thailand, a new country for the first time in months which is quite exciting. The thing is, and this is going to sound a little strange, I’m experiencing a very bizarre kind of culture shock. Ever since I … Continue reading →

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