Left with the overwhelming and yet exciting assignment of selecting our travel route, I spent a considerable amount of time sitting on the couch surrounded by a surplus of random guidebooks , comtemplating to myself whether it was perhaps time to bring back one of my favourite childhood counting out games to help me in my critical selection. Afterall, making decisions, whether large or small, has never been my strong suit. I`m left with a vision of a young Marcella standing in front of a small scale chip stand deliberating over flavours. Little Marcella finally makes her way over to the check out counter only to make a sudden mad dash back to quickly change the flavour a finaltime. Surprisingly enough, I was able to finalize our upcoming destination list without too much exertion or stress on my part. With New Zealand previously agreed upon as our final destination (we needed an English- speaking country so as to be able to work & further a country of which we had not previously exhausted our work visa options), our route quickly took shape.
And so- in addition to hanging out in chic cafes amongst a population of kiwis in New Zealand, Frances and Eunice will leave their footprints in the sands of (among other locations) : Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, & Sri Lanka. "YEE HAWWWWW!!!" Or rather, as the Asisan elephants say, "EWAAAAAAAAAAAAAA."
Though I am fairly confident that it would be possible to turn Miss Murkle into some type of amphibious creature, I have decided to park her for the upcoming year. It is with great pleasure that I retire Murkle and substitute her for a great Asian elephant instead. Join Eunice and I as we commence what I`m sure will be an awesome adventure together. Our destinations at a glance:
1). Sri Lanka:
"Equipped with a stellar combination of scenery, culture and history, a growing focus on sustainable tourism and (hopefully) a more settled society, Sri Lanka is firmly back on the radar for curious travellers seeking unique experiences." (Lonely Planet)
2). Thailand:
"While visitors toast themselves to a bronze hue on the sandy beaches, they find in the daily rhythm of Thailand a tranquillity that isn't confined to vacation time. The northeast is a region better suited for homestays and teaching gigs than quick souvenir snapshots: here, you can dive deep into the Thai psyche, emerging with a tolerance for searingly spicy food and a mastery of this strange tonal language. Welcome to a life-altering experience disguised as a holiday." (Lonely Planet)
3). Cambodia:
"There’s a magic about Cambodia that casts a spell on many who visit this charming yet confounding kingdom. Ascend to the realm of the gods at the mother of all temples, Angkor Wat, a spectacular fusion of symbolism, symmetry and spirituality. Descend into the hell of Tuol Sleng and come face to face with the Khmer Rouge and its killing machine. Welcome to the conundrum that is Cambodia: a country with a history both inspiring and depressing, an intoxicating place where the future is waiting to be shaped." (Lonely Planet)
4). Laos:
"After years of war and isolation, Southeast Asia’s most pristine environment, intact cultures and quite possibly the most chilled-out people on earth mean destination Laos is fast earning cult status among travellers. It is developing quickly but still has much of the tradition that has sadly disappeared elsewhere in the region. Village life is refreshingly simple and even in Vientiane it’s hard to believe this sort of languid riverfront life exists in a national capital. " (Lonely Planet)
5). Vietnam:
"Welcome to a world where the colours are more vivid, where the landscapes are bolder, the coastline more dramatic, where the history is more compelling, where the tastes are more divine, where life is lived in the fast lane. This world is Vietnam, the latest Asian dragon to awake from its slumber.
Advertisement. Nature has blessed Vietnam with a bountiful harvest of soaring mountains, a killer coastline and radiant rice fields, Vietnam is a cracker. Inland, peasant women in conical hats still tend to their fields, children ride buffalos along country paths and minority people scratch out a living from impossible gradients. Vietnam is a nation of determined optimists who have weathered war after war, survived colonialism and communism, and are now getting to grips with the wheeler-dealer world of capitalism. Fiercely protective of their independence and sovereignty, the Vietnamese are graciously welcoming of foreigners who come as guests not conquerors." (Lonely Planet)
6). New Zealand:
"You’re in for an awesome trip. Back home on the couch, your memories will drift from rampaging outdoor activities to world-class food, wine and beer (oh, especially the wine and beer), and chilled-out locals. But your most sparkling recollections will come courtesy of NZ’s natural splendour – there are few countries on this lonely planet as diverse, unspoiled and utterly, utterly photogenic." (Lonely Planet)
“Let your mind start a journey thru a strange new world. Leave all thoughts of the world you knew before. Let your soul take you where you long to be...Close your eyes let your spirit start to soar, and you'll live as you've never lived before.” Erich Fromm
Woot Woot!!!
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