Reverse Backwards Overflow

I'm going to let Brocky do the honors when it comes to writing about our last 3 weeks together. What to expect from his account: hyperbole, outlandish references, slander (directed at me, clearly) and probably very little of it to do with what we actually did. So I'll give a brief synopsis, most of which will be impossible to understand:

Reunited in Da Nang, the 4 year gap was bridged with a talk-a-thon over butter frog legs and games of pool. We left Da Nang with urgency and arrived to a cloudy day in Hoi An. Making a mockery of the term UNESCO World Heritage Site, Hoi An is the cheapest place in SE Asia to get tailored clothes. So of course we partook--which involved more than one fight with more than one local hustler. Brock had his RayBan Wayfarers stolen by a man purporting to measure his weight. Curiosity killed the cat.

After leaving annoying American girls for dead, we headed to Hue to meet up with our new Norwegian friends. They weren't up for another round of party and we had a bus the next morning, early, to head to Laos. Brock's fizzy beer at the border experiment failed miserable. But on we went to Savannaket, my third time, and bee-lined it for Mama's House to see Jookky and her lovely sisters--whom I'd met the first time through. Dissapointingly we were neglected Super Tuesday results for the time being, but Savannaket was nevertheless a highlight. Almost as if they were mocking Vietnam, the kind folks at Mama's House could be the most affable family....ever. We were treated like kings and brought into the family within minutes.

The night bus and a 30 Rock marathon on the iPod took us to Vientiane and the next bus out took us to Vang Vieng (with a quick NASCAR style pit stop). It was a marathon of buses, otherwise known as backpacking and Brock was handling it well. In Vang Vieng we met back up with Aussie Nick (Fiddles with his Piddle) who we'd met in Hoi An and the full on party was unleashed. The story of the next 5 days is best told through photos--mostly because I don't remember all of it so clearly. That or it was just too repetitive to be interesting. Something about ropeswings, whisky, shakes, laughing, cards, and near death experiences. I knew it was time to leave when, during my last day on the river an Australian guy named James funneled a bottle of whisky...only to be close to death 10 seconds later. Luckily 5 of us or so sobered up enough to carry him out of the bar and away from the river--when, for fear of him dying, I (and Nick) stuck my fingers down his throat to get him to puke. It was scary.

Champa Lao, our guest house, serves the best food in Asia. Sit (Paul) and company took good care of us and our hangovers.

Should we hoof it through southern China or head back to Bangkok and the beach for a couple of days before 'dominating' HK? The beach won, so after barely making it through the border (this time Brock did the honors) we boarded an overnight train that was fueled 80% by Brock's enthusiasm. Not a renewable resource. But 'the Grind' at Vang Vieng had worn me down too far, so it was a fever and the hypochondria that accompanied which kept us in Bangkok for a couple days too long. Revised plans, and Ko Samet was our destination. Anna Kournikova on the bus served to foreshadow the Russian Mafia's stronghold over the island. The beeratorium ended and good times were had. I beat Brock in several races and competitions.

Le Club led to the airport and Brock and I were whisked to Hong Kong by Kenya Airways. I didn't know they flew that route either. We were quickly put in our place, or dominated, by Hong Kong. Chungking Palace we found is a misleading name. From this ghetto we based our night shopping and walking expeditions. Brock managed to get sick just before leaving, mainly as a form of one-upmanship to me, but also to make sure that he left Asia with a bad taste in his mouth. Literally. It was great to see him, though, and so very cool that he just up and came to Asia for a visit--not knowing what to expect.

Post Brock Stage 4 of the trip will start with another reuniting of friends when my friend Kira, from Brazil, arrives in HK tomorrow. On Friday I will pick up my $150 Chinese Visa (it's reciprocally charged...thanks US policy) which I am not fretting about, Brock, and on Saturday I will board the train for a 24 1/2 hour journey to Beijing. Yes, I could have bought a perfectly reasonably priced plane ticket, but the romantic, Theroux Orient Express vision of passing through China while cavorting with her people was too strong to pass up. And so I'll hopefully arrive on the afternoon of the 24th in Beijing, where I'll meet up with the talented Manuela, a friend I've met on these travels, and who has been so generous as to offer me her apartment for my stay in Beijing. The Great Wall and the Forbidden City are in my sights for my time there. Then, after only a brief stint I fly to Shanghai where I'll meet up with a friend from Vanderbilt. After that it's to Hangzhou to meet up with Julia, then back to Shanghai for one last blow out weekend before I'm headed home! Woohooo! What an all-star end to the trip!

Brock should be safely home now but I'm not sure when he'll get around to exquisitely crafting his guest blogger entry. I'll post it when he does....