This time last year...

...I was swimming with sharks!!!

We were in Ko Tao, a beautiful island in Southern Thailand.
Not the touristy resorty type of island, oh no - this is the kind of island where backpackers come to chill...and get there PADI diving certification.

We spent 13 nights here - the most amount of time we've spent in any one place, and with good reason...it was amaaazing! sun, sand and sea...what more could you ask for?

This island was the last destination on our SE Asian adventure, to say it finished with a bang would not be off the mark!

This time last year...

...we were in Singapore
We met Angad Singh here
He introduced us to the pleasures of mock meat.
Singapore impressed us with its immaculately clean streets, super efficient transport system, high tech gadgetry and magnificence of Sentosa Island. The night zoo was a highlight - the only one in the world apparently. And if you're into shopping, Orchard Road is paradise! We were here during Christmas so the whole place was teaming with Xmasy festivities and decorations.

A bit too pricey for the average backpacker though - perfect for short stays for families.

And the service in restaurants is appaling.

A year ago...

...I met Gurcharan at Krabi airport!

On 28th October 2007, I landed in Krabi.
Exhausted after my 24 hours of travel, consisting of delayed flights, disgruntled Air India hostesses, nasty aeroplane food and 8 excruciatingly long hours in a Bombay airport lobby I finally joined Gurcharan to begin our 6 month action packed adventure!

2 weeks isn't a long time, but boy was it GREAT to finally be with him again!

1 year on...

Its been one year since Gurcharan embarked on his craaaazy 6 month adventure of a lifetime!

Countries visited in one word (or two)

Thailand – Thailand is just Thailand…adventurous and interesting in more ways than one!

Indonesia, Bali – Disappointing beaches, but beautiful inland. Way too commercial.

Singapore – clean, ‘eat off the floor’ clean! Efficient in every which way – except for customer service in restaurants! Everything is man made – even the beach!

Cambodia – Awe inspiring Angkor. The beaches are still raw – not yet hit by the package tour crowd. Sad history– but resilient people.

Malaysia – Friendly! We met the nicest bunch of Sikhs here! :o)

Laos – hippyville!

India – expect the unexpected!

Hmmnnn maybe I should change the title of this post!

Flashbacks

A look back at some of my fav pics from our travels...

Rajasthan, India

Bali, Indonesia

Angkor, Cambodia

Flashbacks!

Ok its time for some flashbacks!

Mr n Mrs D's top 10 countdown (or top 5's or top 2's or whatever!) :

Most memorable moments
A list of some of the most distinct travel moments:
§ Lying inside a cute little open hut...swinging gently on a (sturdy?!) hammock (emphasis on 'gently' - not cos we undermine all the stringent healthy and safety regulations in SE Asia!)...overlooking the blue karst limestone mountain expance...shimmering reflections of the golden sunset on the Nam Song river...and 'proposing' to Gurcharan with a wooden ring bought from Kao San Road! ahhhh...cant get more romantic and mushy than that! (Vang Vieng, Laos)

§ Having dinner with travellers from all over the world! One of my fav things from the travels. Its exhilirating to exchange all the travel tales with fellow backpackers.

§ Eating aloo parathay and drinking masala chai from a plastic bag through a straw(yes...plastic bag and straw) in a slow boat while floating in a slow boat on the mighty Mekong River. These were bought from a real Indian restaurant in a remote little village in the middle of nowhere! (Pakbeng, Laos)

§ Sunset walk in the rice paddies. I'll never forget the feeling of tranquility and sheer hapiness I felt here. Here I was surrounded by nature at its very best bathed in the mellow golds of the setting sun with not a soul in sight...and to share this experience with my husband was a blessing in itself... (Ubud, Bali)

Bbbbad to the bone!

, originally uploaded by Preet_D.

He thought it was a Harley...

I especially like the touch with the flip flops and shorts - yeah...very mean!