Sa wat dii,
Well Thailand was a pretty intense experience over the course of only a week. I managed to cover some pretty good turf considering there wasn't a lot of time to explore. After getting into the airport in Bangkok I checked my surfboards and bag into the luggage storage and threw a few things in my day pack. 7 days worth into the smallest bag I own was easier than I thought it would be espesically knowing I could travel for a week with only my day pack and the clothes on my back.
Although I stuck out like a sore thumb but I tried not to look like a wandering tourist, so I was careful in where I walked and what I said. I decided to get a bus to the main terminal to catch another bus to Kanchanaburi, west of Bangkok. I got an early introduction to the ridiculous mess they call "traffic". No doubt, it makes rush hour on the 401 look pretty good. I arrived in Kanchanaburi a few hours later. I had no idea where I was, where I was going to go, or even what direction I was facing as the sun had temporarily hid behind some clouds....it was a pretty cool feeling actually. I got my bearings, came up with a plan and started walking to towards the Bridge Over The River Kwai, aka: The Death Bridge. Jack Jennings, one of Karli's relatives was a POW for four years in WWII and helped build the bridge and the railway. It was pretty weird standing on it, knowing 60 or so years ago the situation was dramatically different. I rented a motor bike so I could get around better and rode out of the city a little to get a better feel of the surroundings. It was all new and pretty fun. I found a great little place for the night and when all was said and done, I realized I had received 5 hours worth of bus rides, a nice place to sleep by the river and a meal for just over $12 CDN. I couldn't believe it.
I made my way up to Chiang Mai in the north and was able to find the YMCA where a friend & YCP leader Gord used to roam. (Hey Gordie!). I walked through the streets and around the moat that surrounds the city. Pretty unbelieveable Sunday market they have. You can get anything there. I went to a Muai Thai kickboxing match one night which was pretty fun. The next day I was walking through the city square when I came across a few guys making artwork out of palm leaves to sell in the market. They were drinking rice whiskey and I asked if I could watch & learn. They were excited as they didn't know a lot of English and wanted me to teach them. So it began, we conversed and I taught them English while they showed me the intricacies of their art. We had some rice whiskey and I offered to repay them by buying another bottle for them. They were surprised, but happy that I had offered to repay them. After testing him out, I went with Tonei on a motor bike ride, whizzing through the narrow streets, doding cars, people and stray dogs. He knew every inch of those roads and surprisingly, I felt safer driving with him than I have on many roads in the past. We drove by his friend's house and we waved, then he stopped to show me the trees where he gets the materials to make his art. We continued on and made it to the store and I picked up a couple bottles of whiskey for 145 Baht each. (about 5 bucks a piece). We returned to the city square and I continued to watch and learn. I while later I decided it was time to go and search for some dinner, but before I left they gave me the artwork I watched them make. It was all really fun and not your typical stroll through town.
The next day I went back to Bangkok to spend the last couple days with my cousin and his family. It was great to see him again after about 15 years. Him and his wife Diana have a one and a half year old who is starting to speak English, German and Thai. It's pretty hilarious as she is so adept at soaking everything up and was learning by the minute. Tim showed me around the city and we met up with his friends. After getting around the city, I realized one of my pet peeves with Bangkok is the lack of pollution control. The air was so thick you could cut it up and serve it on a platter....a carbon platter that is. Aside from that, it was a really cool place to visit. My only problem now is to figure out when I can get back there next.
laa kawn,
Dave
Well Thailand was a pretty intense experience over the course of only a week. I managed to cover some pretty good turf considering there wasn't a lot of time to explore. After getting into the airport in Bangkok I checked my surfboards and bag into the luggage storage and threw a few things in my day pack. 7 days worth into the smallest bag I own was easier than I thought it would be espesically knowing I could travel for a week with only my day pack and the clothes on my back.
Although I stuck out like a sore thumb but I tried not to look like a wandering tourist, so I was careful in where I walked and what I said. I decided to get a bus to the main terminal to catch another bus to Kanchanaburi, west of Bangkok. I got an early introduction to the ridiculous mess they call "traffic". No doubt, it makes rush hour on the 401 look pretty good. I arrived in Kanchanaburi a few hours later. I had no idea where I was, where I was going to go, or even what direction I was facing as the sun had temporarily hid behind some clouds....it was a pretty cool feeling actually. I got my bearings, came up with a plan and started walking to towards the Bridge Over The River Kwai, aka: The Death Bridge. Jack Jennings, one of Karli's relatives was a POW for four years in WWII and helped build the bridge and the railway. It was pretty weird standing on it, knowing 60 or so years ago the situation was dramatically different. I rented a motor bike so I could get around better and rode out of the city a little to get a better feel of the surroundings. It was all new and pretty fun. I found a great little place for the night and when all was said and done, I realized I had received 5 hours worth of bus rides, a nice place to sleep by the river and a meal for just over $12 CDN. I couldn't believe it.
I made my way up to Chiang Mai in the north and was able to find the YMCA where a friend & YCP leader Gord used to roam. (Hey Gordie!). I walked through the streets and around the moat that surrounds the city. Pretty unbelieveable Sunday market they have. You can get anything there. I went to a Muai Thai kickboxing match one night which was pretty fun. The next day I was walking through the city square when I came across a few guys making artwork out of palm leaves to sell in the market. They were drinking rice whiskey and I asked if I could watch & learn. They were excited as they didn't know a lot of English and wanted me to teach them. So it began, we conversed and I taught them English while they showed me the intricacies of their art. We had some rice whiskey and I offered to repay them by buying another bottle for them. They were surprised, but happy that I had offered to repay them. After testing him out, I went with Tonei on a motor bike ride, whizzing through the narrow streets, doding cars, people and stray dogs. He knew every inch of those roads and surprisingly, I felt safer driving with him than I have on many roads in the past. We drove by his friend's house and we waved, then he stopped to show me the trees where he gets the materials to make his art. We continued on and made it to the store and I picked up a couple bottles of whiskey for 145 Baht each. (about 5 bucks a piece). We returned to the city square and I continued to watch and learn. I while later I decided it was time to go and search for some dinner, but before I left they gave me the artwork I watched them make. It was all really fun and not your typical stroll through town.
The next day I went back to Bangkok to spend the last couple days with my cousin and his family. It was great to see him again after about 15 years. Him and his wife Diana have a one and a half year old who is starting to speak English, German and Thai. It's pretty hilarious as she is so adept at soaking everything up and was learning by the minute. Tim showed me around the city and we met up with his friends. After getting around the city, I realized one of my pet peeves with Bangkok is the lack of pollution control. The air was so thick you could cut it up and serve it on a platter....a carbon platter that is. Aside from that, it was a really cool place to visit. My only problem now is to figure out when I can get back there next.
laa kawn,
Dave
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