…and so it begins…

So here I am at the end of my first full day in Bangkok and it’s certainly been an interesting one. I’d forgotten how much I love this city. It assaults the senses from the moment you take your first step out of the airport. Bangkok is completely in your face and it makes no apology for it. As opposed to Singapore that seems to be a pretend western city with a slight Asian tinge, Bangkok is a dichotomy of eastern and western cultures and yet the two seem to co-exist with ease and vibrancy. I guess this is part of what gives Bangkok its character and charm.

Here we go…!

Well hello to the so far non existent perusers of my blog. Basically, right now I am just setting up and getting started so I thought I better give posting something a go so I am confident of being able to do it when I take off on my trip.

For anyone who doesn’t know I am about to take off on my dream trip to Cambodia. I traveled there for the first time in 2004 with my gorgeous mate Viv (hey Viv!) and was simply amazed by the people in this beautiful country. As I left I vowed to one day return and try to do my bit to contribute or help out this developing nation. So, here we are in 2008 and I take off to do just that on 23 February. First of all I’ll be doing a bit of travel in Northern Thailand and Laos; then off to visit Dad, Xuan and the new baby in early April and then hit Cambodia around week 2 of April. I start in my volunteer placement in a village named Phum Chhuk – 20kms out of Siem Reap – on 21 April. You can check out more about the placement here if you are interested!