Four thousand islands

Islanders set off for fishing early in the morning, Si Phan Don
Islanders set off for fishing early in the morning, Si Phan Don

The wild south of Laos is mainly empty gravel roads, sparsely populated villages and fields of rice filling the floodplains of mighty river Mekong up to the horizon. Si Phan Don means in Lao 4000 islands. This is one of the main attractions for visitors in southern Laos. The actual number of islands varies depending on the level of the Mekong River, but it is customary to say there is four thousand of them. We stay at the popular island of Don Det. There are both natural-born hippies and tired of intensive weeks of moving around travelers, who found their place for a little relaxation. I meet up with Bess again, who was in Thailand for about a week. We manage to find a pretty nice bungalow for $2.5. There are two hammocks on our terrace overlooking the Mekong River. This is a perfect place to grab an ice-cold Beerlao and catch up.

Sep

2010

Peniche

Sunlight on the surface of the ocean
Sunlight on the surface of the ocean

We are too late! This year's world surfing championship at the beach of Supertubos ended two days ago. We missed Kelly Slater and Laird Hamilton, the world's top surfers. One of the accidental hitchhikers assured me that last week during the competition there were six meters high giant waves. The atmosphere of competition definitely eased off, along with the waves which with an on-shore wind break down sooner and their shape does not resemble the famous Supertubos.

May

2010

Sardinia

Sardinia is a habitat for tortoises
Sardinia is a habitat for tortoises

A night ferry from the Italian port Piombinio takes us to Olbia, a city on the north-eastern Sardinia. Still long before dawn we head towards the Isola de Gabbiani and Porto Pollo. It is getting bright and this is exactly the time and the place for a hearty breakfast and morning coffee. We met with Konrad and Natalia, my friends from college who at the moment live in Sardinia.

Together we are going to the hidden snorkeling spot off the coast of Costa Paradiso. It is a place with a steep, rocky shore. Clear water and the depth of around seven meters makes it easy to dive to the bottom.

May

2010

Białowieża National Park

King of the Białowieża Forest
King of the Białowieża Forest

Poland's journey from west to east takes thirteen hours and is getting longer every year. More cars imply increased traffic, while road surface of inferior quality needs constant repairs. The repairs are carried out in an absurd manner. This involves simultaneously digging up a dozen sections of the road and setting up roadwork only on selected one of the sections. Luckily we already passed Warsaw and we're heading in the direction of Belarus. Traffic becomes lower with every mile, so is the number of inhabitants and any traces of civilization become less visible. Our road is passing through a wild forest. We reach the very far corners of the Podlaskie Province, near the eastern tip of Poland.