Charles Poulsen

Normally I wouldn’t write about any old book I’ve read, but this is a special occasion. I had heard alot of things about Shantaram by Gregory David Roberts, and finally got around to reading it. Well today I finished the book, and I can honestly say its the best book I’ve ever read.

It is a novel written in first person. He was a prisoner in a max-security prison in Australia, and managed to escape and get to India where he lived for 10 years in Bombay. While there he did some crazy and amazing stuff. I believe most of the experiences he describes are true although he has invented the characters and dialogs.

The book has made me want to go back to India. I went there in 2006 for 1 week for work.

I recommend this book to anyone and everyone.

His website is: http://www.shantaram.com/ and you can read more about him at wikipedia.

Charlie

Well the trip is over. Heres the rest..

We left Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City) and took a bus to Chau Doc, where we stayed a night. From there, we were supposed to be on the fast boat to Phnom Penh in Cambodia. We got on the slow boat. It took 3 hours to get to the Cambodia border. Then we waited about 4 hours waiting for another boat to pick us up. Then that boat took many more hours and finally we got a bus into Phnom Penh. We were originally supposed to arrive at 2pm but we arrived about 8:30 pm or so.

In Phnom Penh we saw several museums, and the killing fields. Its a very sad place. Then we went to some dodgey army barracks and Skippy fired an AK. At this place you could throw hand grenades for $35 US or fire a rocket launcher for $200 US. It was so dodgey.

From Phnom Penh we flew to Siem Reap where unfortunately i was very sick We spent two days exploring the temples of Angkor Wat. They are truly amazing but you get a bit bored of temples after two days. I was attacked by a monkey but i managed to kick it in mid air as it launched at me.

From Siem Reap we flew to Bangkok where we took an overnight train to Surat Thani, then a ferry to Ko Panghan for some party time! We stayed at Dew Shore bungalow which was really cool. Here we met the girls, Wados, and the Roarster!

The highlight of Ko Phangan was the full moon party on xmas eve at haad rin beach. It was the biggest and coolest party I’ve ever been. Lots of wierd stuff happening. Just google it.

The other highlight was scuba diving at Sail Rock, with our space cadet instructor Herman the German. He lost us all in the first few minutes. Long story. The diving at sail rock was excellent. Lots of coral / fish life, and the water was so clear. The only downside was that there were so many divers from different boats, it was hard to find your own people!

From Ko Phangan we cheesed it over to Ko Samui for some relaxy time. At this point Sarah joined us. We really didn’t achieve much here, just chilled out and drank lots of big Changs. New Years eve was awesome.. spent on the beach drinking cheap cocktails, shooting off lanterns and fireworks, then dancing it up at green mango club.

From Samui it was off to bangkok for the final part of the trip. We didnt really achieve much here except seeing some entertaining shows and eating lots of Phad Thai! Amber and I did a cooking course which was really cool.

Well then it was home time. The flight was long and somebody was vomiting. Excellent. I really didnt want to go home. I love SE Asia!

Back to the real world..

First day at work, and I’m sent to Korea that afternoon. Great. Not even 24 hours at home I hope my vegetable patch survives.

The trip has been great so far! Me and Skippy (Ryan) have taken lots of photos and some pretty good videos too. I will upload everything when I get some more time!

We started in Bangkok for a night. Then we heading into Laos, where we started in Vientiane, then headed to Vang Vieng, which was just awesome. Then it was back to Vientiane and a flight into Hanoi. From Hanoi we went to Halong Bay, and Cat Bah Island. From Hanoi, we took an overnight train to Hoi An, and spent a few days there. Then we flew to Saigon.

Right now we are about to go check out the wave pool. Then tomorrow we head off to Chau Doc then into Cambodia, where we will first go to Phnom Penh then into Siem Reap. After that, its party time in Ko Phangan and Ko Samui.

Heres some highlights from the trip so far:

• Eating food / drinking at the open restaurants on the Mekong River in Vientiane, Laos
• Tubing down the river in Vang Vieng, Laos. Stopping at Bars along the way, and swinging on flying foxes.
• Beerlao
• Staying overnight on the boat in Ha Long Bay, Vietnam, and staying on Cat Bah Island. We had a great bunch of people on this tour and had a wicked time!
• The snake restaurant in Le Mat, Hanoi. They killed the snake in front of us, then we drank the blood mixed with rice wine, and bile mixed with rice wine. Then they prepared the snake in many different ways.
• Hanging out in Hoi An, with its ancient streets and red lanterns at night. So cool.
• Shopping in Hoi An. Lots of Tiger singlets!
• Crawling through the Cu Chi Tunnels near Saigon (Ho Chi Min City).
• Firing an AK-47! Only 5 rounds, but it was worth it.

More updates as soon as possible!

Charlie

Well, me and Skippy are off to SE Asia tomorrow. The time is finally here! First stop is Bangkok for a night, then Laos, then Vietnam, then Cambodia, then Thailand. Look out for any updates on facebook (if i manage to find some time!).

I get back on January 6.

Its been a great year Hopefully next can top it. Highlight of the year was definitely working/etc in Hong Kong for 3 months.

Hope you all have a merry xmas and a happy new year!

cheers,
Chaz

I’m in melbourne for work at the moment, and walking home from dinner tonight I came across a crazy street performer dressed like a space man. He has these crazy lights and sound devices all over him.

Hard to explain, but it was awesome enough for me to pimp him on my website! Heres his site: www.sonicmanipulator.com.

For those who didnt know, the new Radiohead album is out.

The interesting thing is, the only way to get it is to download it from their website. The thing that is even more interesting, is that you can pay what you think it is worth! I just paid 0.0 pounds for it. I know that is cheap, but I thought I would see if I could get away with it and I did.

An interesting way to make money!

I just happened to read this article. Its a really quick read, but I was really surprised by some of the points… Such as that mobile phone chargers plugged into the wall still draw power, even if the mobile isn’t plugged in!

http://one-size-doesnt-fit-all.blogspot.com/2007/10/3-things-you-can-do-at-home-and-work-to.html

http://www.fortunewatch.com/how-a-millionaires-brain-works/

Jeez there is alot to do in New Zealand! The more time I spend here the more I realise there is to do! The weekend just been we have:

• Been to Waiheke Island and drove all around
• Been to Lake Rotorua which is an active thermal volcano area
• Swum in natural thermal hot springs which made my silver jewelery go brown
• Been Zorbing: Roll down the hill in giant plastic ball filled with water
• Been to Waitomo caves to see the glowworms
• Black-water rafting and caving in Waitomo caves, sometimes with only the glow-worms light to guide us

And there is so much more to do! Apparently there is even more on the south island too. I think I will come back one day.

See photos from the weekend here

I suddently got called off to Auckland New Zealand for work. I’m doing a job for a retailer over here. Should be a couple of weeks. I’m hoping to get some time to check the place out!

This is where i’m staying…

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and this is where i’m working!

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