Here we go!

Holy balls people! Ross and I are leaving the world of Asia today! I'm meeting up with Ross at the airport and then we're jet setting. Quite honestly, I'm amazed at how fast this time here has gone by. What do you mean it's August tomorrow?! So, that's the update. There will be more posts coming up once I get to hear about the "manventure" Ross was on (the term "manventure" was termed by our long time friend Bob...kudos to him).

Peace out cub scouts.

If it wasn't already known...

I'm a cat lady. No lies, these cats came up to me at a picnic table on the beach and made themselves comfy. They could smell from miles away...or could smell that I miss Philipe the cat.

What a Wat!

Just to let you all know...Ross is currently in Vietnam traveling with a buddy from high school and I hit the road solo to Cambodia! Now, I'm on an island in Thailand...Koh Chang, but I want to share some pictures of my favorite day trip so far...Angkor Wat. Holy balls it was incredible! I started at 4 AM to be there at 5 to see the sunset that never really happened, it just got light out. It was a hot and sweaty day, but the place was truly a wonder. Enjoy!

Angkor Wat, after "sunrise."

Hallway in Angkor Wat

The Awesome Bayon Temple. Can you see all the faces?!

Faces at Bayon

Terrace with carvings

If only you could've seen the amount of sweat pouring off me.

Jungle taking over at Ta Prohm. Site where scenes of Tomb Raider and Indiana Jones were filmed.

Needless to say, it was an awesome day. I have loads of pictures and some that won't upload. Treats for later, I guess. The size and incredible intricacies of this place was beyond words. Hope you all have a good day!

New sights

I just wanted to share with you all what I saw riding on the back of motorbikes on my way to Siem Reap...

1. A wooden crate full of piglets...alive.
2. Massive pigs upside down...not so alive.
3. Local blacksmith carrying every knife imaginable.
4. A crate full of mice.

I love it here.

"Home"

People might ask me, "Where's home?" Now I respond...wherever my man is. This song says it perfectly! (Just listen...don't watch).

The Flyer Team

Once we arrived in Luang Prabang, we knew we wanted to stay for a while. So, through HelpExchange we found a restaurant that could use us as flyer people in exchange for a meal a day and accommodation. Sweet deal.

The restaurant

Our last night at the 'rant. Laos BBQ!

Nightly, we would stand on our corners asking if anyone was looking for a restaurant for the evening or perhaps even a bookmark! Along the way we made friends with the local Laos who passed out flyers. Most seemed to be on break from university and this was their summer job. We’d meet them every night and they’d practice English with us and we’d learn some Laos lines (no, nothing slang yet) or Ross learned origami from Yong who worked at the same restaurant as us.

Our nights on the corners really did make our time in Luang Prabang special. We made that human connection. Daily we are shown how wonderful the people are here. By the time we left, the smoothie lady smiled whenever she saw us coming and would say, “Mango-banana?” Yes, same-same. Or the pineapple women would laugh when we’d stroll up for the 3^rd time of the day for the glorious fruit. Everyone is quick to smile and it makes us feel right at home.

They say that Thailand is the “Land of Smiles,” but I think the title should go to Laos.

A Favorite of Mine

Rain won't keep us from eating pineapples!

Pineapple errand from Ross Ballinger on Vimeo.

Lazy Days

So, my upkeep of Devonitely Rossome hasn't been in it's prime, but to be honest...we've been doing a whole lot of nothing. Relaxation. I'm an expert in it now. If you'd like to be too, I'd suggest Luang Prabang here in Laos. Heavenly here. So, since I don't have much to report, I'd like to give you some visuals so you can share in our love of this place.

Ross riding in the rain to get us fresh pineapple

Beautiful wats fill this city

Fishing

Backpacker's buffet! About $1.50 for a plate with as much food as you like...aka Ross' homeland

Typical view down the small streets

Question: What would you all like to hear about?
Have a great day!!!

And the winner is...

A Treehouse!!! Whoop whoop! I think it was a total of 3 votes for treehouse that won. However, all of the suggestions of places to stay are enticing and if we happen upon any...obviously we will stay in them! We have no idea when or where this will happen...but we're on the search.

As for now, we're in Luang Prabang and don't plan on leaving any time soon. We're doing some help exchange work for a restaurant. We're very excited! This town is magical and we're falling in love with it more and more everyday. Umm, who wouldn't want freshly chopped pineapple everyday for less than a dollar?!

By the by, there should be some new Tokyo pictures up. Hopefully, you can see them, otherwise I'll have to putz a little more. I just selected a few and don't know if they are good ones or not by the thumbnails I get to choose from. One of these days we'll be caught up (I hear you all laughing).