Gap Year Escape – Gap Year Travel & Backpacking The World

What could possibly be wrong with this scene? The sun is beating down and crowds of people are watching baby elephants playing in the river. However the scene changes rapidly. Shouts go up, the crowd presses forward to the river bank and there is wild splashing and screaming in the river.

Where am I? Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur to be exact. The 20 hour journey to Kuala Lumpur from Koh Phi Phi in Thailand was rather uneventful, merely long.

I decided to surprise some friends who flew into Kuala Lumpur. This was their first stop on the way to Australia. Spending a few days with them felt like a renewal of my own trip. I’ve settled into backpacking quite nicely and nothing in Asia really surprises me anymore. But for my friends everything was new and exciting, reminiscent of youthful wonderment at even the most simplest and novel things. It was nice to feel that again, like I too had just arrived in Asia for the first time. I really caught a second wind.

We booked a day tour which included the Batu caves, a deer park and the elephant sanctuary. One of the things I love about Asia is how accessible animals are. This time, among other things, I got to feed a bear honey and put a snake down my pants. Not something you do back in the UK very often.

The last part of our itinerary was the elephant sanctuary which also happened to be educational. After feeding and riding the elephants the last part was to ride the elephant into the river, be thrown from its back and then swim around with the baby elephants.

I heard the screams go up and everyone rush forward to get a better look. There must have been something good going on so it’s one of those occasions where you conform instantly and rush forward too. It took me a while to adjust to what was happening. The people in the river were frantically trying to get away from something. Do they have crocodiles or anacondas here? It was something far more sinister.

Then I caught a glimpse of it. It was about a metre long and as thick as a lamp post. The largest faeces I have ever seen! I was actually really impressed. The baby elephant had created quite a floater!

When nature calls…

There are some days that you will remember for the rest of your life. Like the best ice cream you ever had (Paris, on the Champs-Élysées) or the best birthday present you ever got (Duplo Lego for my 3^rd Birthday). I had another one of these days.

Having just achieved my PADI license on Koh Tao (east coast) I had heard about how amazing Koh Phi Phi was (west coast) and how I had to go there. Again it was one of those interesting journeys where I took an overnight boat. Imagine rows of small mats (smaller than a single mattress). Now imagine been squashed between two sweaty strangers all night and attempt to fall asleep. I had a very long shower when I arrived!

If you have ever seen the film ‘The Beach’ and thought wow that looks nice, well that’s where I have just been. It was truly amazing. Crystal clear blue water, white sand, limestone cliffs and beautiful multi-coloured fish to snorkel with, what more could you want? I spent the day touring round all the different islands and beaches, jumping off the boat, eating pineapple, having my picture taken with a wild monkey and watching the sunset on a beautiful backdrop of cliffs and ocean. Not something I will soon forget.

Perfect.

Some of you might be sitting there reading my blog wishing you were out here too.

This might just be exactly what you need…

Could you handle an amazing, adrenaline pumping, white knuckle, all expenses paid, 4 weeks in New Zealand? Global Production company Endemol are auditioning for five 18-26 year olds from the UK and Ireland to star in a new series of The Gap Year.

In the last few days I’ve had classes, done homework and had an exam. Granted the exam was on the beach and we were allowed to share answers but still I’m travelling!

Back in 2007, on a trip to Malta, I had my first taste of diving. It was only at a depth of a few metres and rather basic but still I loved every minute of it (apart from the bit when I got stung by a jelly fish). I always said that I would go diving again and become a certified PADI Open Water Diver. A great place for this, due to the cost and location, is Koh Tao in Thailand.

I went with Crystal Diving which in my opinion was a rather great choice. It’s a big dive school with great instructors. I think the other positive is that they are a very environmentally friendly dive school, which is always a good sign.

I love diving. Some people say that they can’t do it because they feel claustrophobic but I felt the complete opposite, I just feel free. You can turn your head slightly and completely lose sight everything and just end up seeing nothing but blue. Instead of feeling scared it just seems to fill me with tranquility. It’s just a nice calm feeling floating around with nothing but your own thoughts. Among the fish and coral was a six month old wreck of another dive ship (always comforting to see). It always amazes me how quickly nature will take hold of something and make it its own.

I think everyone should try diving at some stage in their lives. I will most definitely be doing it again. I’m looking at doing underwater photography or videography in Australia. Will have to see how the funds go, it’s an expensive hobby but certainly worth it.

Oh nearly forgot. Don’t panic people… I found Nemo.

P.S I thought it would be clever to climb a palm tree. Great photo opportunity right? Wrong. I cut my fingers and feet and by the time my friend had got out his camera I’d fallen out the damn tree. Glad sand is a soft landing!

As I write this everything is vibrating. My bed, the walls and most annoyingly, my head. This was clearly not the place to stay if you wanted any sleep!

It was an interesting two days of planes, trains and ferries getting to Koh Phangan. Sleeper trains are quite an experience especially if you are my height. I half expected to wake up in the morning and be on a submarine. Still it’s a rather good laugh and you meet some interesting people if you go on an adventure up and down the train. One thing worthy of note (purely for its comedic value) is the toilets. Imagine being on the runaway train at a theme park. Now imagine trying to pee in a straight line. Outstanding.

It’s a right of passage for those going to Thailand to attend a Full Moon party. Having rushed to get here we left our accommodation booking in the hands of some friends who were already here. I’d heard of Paradise Bungalows before but couldn’t quite put my finger on why. It was only when I arrived that it came back to me. This was the site of the original Full Moon Party back in the 80’s and still to this day is right in the thick of things.

I’ve attempted to give a glimpse of a Full Moon Party through another video I have put together but I can’t say my camera likes the dark. Lonely Planet describes it as the “ultimate party experience” which couldn’t be more accurate. 30,000 people on a beach, buckets galore, lots of fire, bars, UV body paint, dance podiums and DJ’s spinning anything from Techno to Dance, Hip Hop to Drum and Base.

This is a picture of my back. How cool?!

Can’t say I have slept much in the last three days. I am five metres from beach which also means I am five metres away from a rather larger sound system currently banging out a Kings of Leon remix. Still it’s been a great experience.

I hardly noticed dawn approaching. Even at 6am the party was still in full swing. Dotted around the beach were a few people curled into balls sleeping. Giant lanterns lazily floated off into the sky. As glimmers of soft light broke through the clouds I was being talked at by a rather drunk Irish girl who kept speaking to me in Arabic. She was surprised I didn’t speak the language. Why would I? It’s not even my parents’ native tongue! You have to love casual racism. Yup, he’s brown. He must be an Arab.

I wasn’t really listening though. Too busy watching the sunrise. Beautiful things, should stay up and watch them more often.

It’s a cliché but life rarely goes to plan and the same can be said for travelling.

Having recovered from my tubing injuries I made my way down to the capital of Laos, Vientiane, to catch a flight with Laos Airlines to Hanoi, northern Vietnam. Most travel agents would laugh when they gave me the choice of Laos or Vietnam Airlines and I choose Laos (it’s cheaper!). This of course filled me with so much confidence.

I can’t say I have been on a plane where it’s had propellers or when they have been pumping up a flat tire as the passengers boarded. I think what clinched it for me was the signs that said “You’re safe with us”. I was thinking… are you sure? Despite that, Laos Airlines was rather pleasant and even better than some of the low budget airlines back in the UK. It definitely beat the alternative 36 hour bus ride which came complete with no leg room, bags of rice and animal feed.

Something I have always wanted to see was Halong Bay. Google it, it’s beautiful. I booked on a three day boat trip where you stay on a private island in luxury bungalows on a private beach. Sounds amazing right? What was also great to hear was that 5 people died doing the same trip a few days ago due to a typhoon. Even though it is clearing up now another typhoon is on the way and I just thought is it really worth the risk. I’m not that strong a swimmer…

I am pretty much stuck here in Hanoi which is the worst city I have ever been in. I am sure it has its beauty somewhere but I am yet to find it. I’ve been hit by a moped once and it’s hardly surprising considering that they drive like nutters and there are thousands of them around. What also worries me is that you never see a dog here where as anywhere else in Asia there are loads of them. Either they all have got run over or they end up in peoples dinner. I’m sure I saw one on a spit when I was driving in to the city…

The storms have royally messed up some carefully laid plans. There are reports that parts of Vietnam are under 3 metres of water and it can take up to two weeks for things to clear up. There are no buses or trains going south at all. My trip to Vietnam has ended before it had really begun. It’s a shame that my impression of Vietnam is based solely on this one city.

Weighing up my options I have decided to fly back to Bangkok and head south in search of beautiful beaches and weather. This does mean that I won’t get to see the rest of Vietnam and I won’t be going to Cambodia now either. It’s a shame that it has come to this but there is nothing I can do about it. Maybe I’ll come back here later in life, who knows!

This does have a knock on effect for the rest of my trip but I can’t really think about that now. I’ve got a Full Moon Party to look forward to!

As there is a strong French influence here (for example, you can’t get bread only baguettes) I’ll simply end with this.

Auf wiedersehen….

Erm… wait, what…?

That’s what happens when you travel with a German…

Au revoir.