Okay, I admit it, I'm an awful blogger...but wedding stuff has kept me so busy and not to mention on the brink of going insane! Things are finally starting to die down a bit, then will ramp up again for the reception in Austin (May 12)...so keeping busy with doing things for that.
I'll say..keep tuned..but I'll start blogging again post reception, when there are no more worries...
Sunday, April 29, 2007
Wednesday, April 18, 2007
The long journey home...
Well, I'm back in Bangkok. I got here yesterday, did some shopping, then went out with my dad. Was pretty eventful...details on another day (like when I actually blog for real!).
Today, meeting my dad and his friends at the hospital. They're taking me out to see the Vimanmek Teak Mansion and around. Pai tiew (going around town) all day, then we'll come back to the Suk around 6pm so I can catch a cab out. Flight leaves tonight...will be about a 24 hour journey...hard to believe that it's pretty much over...
Catch you when I get back to the states!
Today, meeting my dad and his friends at the hospital. They're taking me out to see the Vimanmek Teak Mansion and around. Pai tiew (going around town) all day, then we'll come back to the Suk around 6pm so I can catch a cab out. Flight leaves tonight...will be about a 24 hour journey...hard to believe that it's pretty much over...
Catch you when I get back to the states!
Sunday, April 15, 2007
Doh!!!
Well, I was planning on going to the cable park here tomorrow, but it's not going to happen now. Today, I was playing around in my little cove in the northern part of Patong Beach, when I slit my heel on a barnacled rock below the surface as the waves crashed in and pushed me around.
It's not *bad*, but bad enough not to go wakeboarding tomorrow. It goes across a large part of my right heel and was deep enough to draw blood and make me walk funny for a while. Also banged up my knee while I was at it! Oh well...
It's not *bad*, but bad enough not to go wakeboarding tomorrow. It goes across a large part of my right heel and was deep enough to draw blood and make me walk funny for a while. Also banged up my knee while I was at it! Oh well...
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
Getting high in Koh Phi Phi
So last night after I internetted, I decided to sign up to hire a climbing guide for a half day (for today). I spoke with a girl at the desk, named Naomi -- a British girl who has been visiting Koh Phi Phi for the past 4 years and has been living here for about a year and a half. She is recovering from a really bad injury -- she was leading and her partner let go of the rope...she fell about 22 meters. Luckily, she only fractured her hip. It was a few weeks ago, and she is able to walk on crutches. We chatted and chatted -- a very cool girl who has escaped death twice now. I was shocked at her story of being dropped, for one. And we chatted on, then she said that she was on the beach during the tsunami, got swept away, had huge gashes from debris and running into things, and also suffered from a broken back. Talk about a trooper! And she still had such a good attitude towards things. Amazing person.
So today, I went with John, my guide -- a 25 year old English guy who has been working here for about 1.5 years. It was just me and him today, since no one else signed up. We hiked over to Tonsai Tower, where the easier climbs are. It was quite a hike up, scrambling on the rocks and using some ropes tied to trees to help. The cliff is massive -- one of the routes being 7 pitches, I think. We did some of the shorter routes, which are still taller than what I do back a home.
All in all, I did 5 climbs. Starting at a 5a and up to a 6a+ (about 5.10a). It was quite nice, since I already know how to climb, we just got down to business...he lead, I belayed, no instruction at all. Just chitchatted like we were climbing partners. The climbs (I toproped) were nice -- limestone, some bulges to pull and some tricky areas, but nothing too sketchy. And I feel like I could have actually lead the first 3 I climbed. The bolts are placed really well, and pretty frequently. I feel like some of the runouts at home are quite a ways. And the best part of the climb...the view from the top. The bottom of the climb is a bit wooded, full of tropical trees and foliage, along with a mischievous monkey who was trying to steal our stuff. At the top of the routes, you overlook Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam, which are the two bays in the skinny part of Ko Phi Phi. Brilliant blue waters, you could even see through a bit. Longtail boats abound and a solo kayaker. Every climb, the view was similar...but yet still gorgeous.
I had read a warning about climbing in Thailand on the beach -- about the bolts being rusty and whatnot. But what I found at Tonsai Tower was good equipment. You could see a few places where bolts had rusted out and broken. But all of the climbs I did, there was new equipment. The anchors were also all recently replaced. At least that was the case for the most frequently climbed (aka easy) routes.
On my last climb, a 6a+, I was wiped out. I rested two times, but I was so sweaty and beat by the end of it, and the tip of my right forefinger went numb...must have hit a nerve funny. But I was happy. I felt accomplished. I normally don't climb 5 routes at home, and these are taller even. I pushed myself today, and each time was rewarded with an amazing view overlooking the bays. After yesterday's experience on the boat, I feel so much more refreshed...
John and I chatted quite a bit. He gave me a lot of insight about how it is to be foreign and work here. It's not all that it's cracked out to be. He said he would only get 300 baht (about $9) by working today (guiding + watching the shop, so about 10 hours of work). He said that his room costs 1000 baht a night (normally it's 1400, but since he's a long timer, they give him a discount). For the ferry, they pay 300 (tourists pay 350, thais pay 150). They get charged farang prices, even though people know them here, and even though they earn Thai wages. Last night, Naomi said the same as well. It's not all fun in paradise. Long hours, and no time off, working just about every day. It's not quite the life that you would expect...
John is waiting for the day that he can bring his Thai wife back with him to England, so they can live a better life, work less hours, enjoy life more...
It was an interesting perspective from both Naomi and John, that opened my eyes. I thought, oh, it must be the life getting to work here. I want to do that. Maybe not...?
After climbing, I went back to my hotel and tryed to de-sweat myself under the fan. Then I went to the beach with my book, read a bit, watched the kids play in the water. The Thai kids and the farang kids were playing with each other, which is great to see. Kids are kids, and they don't care even if you don't speak the same language. They were all laughing, all smiles, splashing around and having fun. The sunset from Ao Ton Sai was gorgeous. The sun set behind the hill, so you couldn't actually see it, but you could see the sky turn from blue to orange to pink to purple. It was beautiful...
Then I treated myself to pizza tonight. Yeah, pizza, a total splurge..so many baht, I'm embarrassed to say how much I spent. But it was damn good, and that's that.
I walked towards the hotel again, and saw John at the shop. We chatted for a bit. He said that all of a sudden, Naomi had to be rushed to the hospital on bike/cart (there are no cars here, just bicycles and a handful of motorcycles). He didn't know why, though. I hope she's okay through it all and that it's nothing serious. She's a cool and inspirational chick who has the spirit of an eagle.
So today, I went with John, my guide -- a 25 year old English guy who has been working here for about 1.5 years. It was just me and him today, since no one else signed up. We hiked over to Tonsai Tower, where the easier climbs are. It was quite a hike up, scrambling on the rocks and using some ropes tied to trees to help. The cliff is massive -- one of the routes being 7 pitches, I think. We did some of the shorter routes, which are still taller than what I do back a home.
All in all, I did 5 climbs. Starting at a 5a and up to a 6a+ (about 5.10a). It was quite nice, since I already know how to climb, we just got down to business...he lead, I belayed, no instruction at all. Just chitchatted like we were climbing partners. The climbs (I toproped) were nice -- limestone, some bulges to pull and some tricky areas, but nothing too sketchy. And I feel like I could have actually lead the first 3 I climbed. The bolts are placed really well, and pretty frequently. I feel like some of the runouts at home are quite a ways. And the best part of the climb...the view from the top. The bottom of the climb is a bit wooded, full of tropical trees and foliage, along with a mischievous monkey who was trying to steal our stuff. At the top of the routes, you overlook Ao Ton Sai and Ao Lo Dalam, which are the two bays in the skinny part of Ko Phi Phi. Brilliant blue waters, you could even see through a bit. Longtail boats abound and a solo kayaker. Every climb, the view was similar...but yet still gorgeous.
I had read a warning about climbing in Thailand on the beach -- about the bolts being rusty and whatnot. But what I found at Tonsai Tower was good equipment. You could see a few places where bolts had rusted out and broken. But all of the climbs I did, there was new equipment. The anchors were also all recently replaced. At least that was the case for the most frequently climbed (aka easy) routes.
On my last climb, a 6a+, I was wiped out. I rested two times, but I was so sweaty and beat by the end of it, and the tip of my right forefinger went numb...must have hit a nerve funny. But I was happy. I felt accomplished. I normally don't climb 5 routes at home, and these are taller even. I pushed myself today, and each time was rewarded with an amazing view overlooking the bays. After yesterday's experience on the boat, I feel so much more refreshed...
John and I chatted quite a bit. He gave me a lot of insight about how it is to be foreign and work here. It's not all that it's cracked out to be. He said he would only get 300 baht (about $9) by working today (guiding + watching the shop, so about 10 hours of work). He said that his room costs 1000 baht a night (normally it's 1400, but since he's a long timer, they give him a discount). For the ferry, they pay 300 (tourists pay 350, thais pay 150). They get charged farang prices, even though people know them here, and even though they earn Thai wages. Last night, Naomi said the same as well. It's not all fun in paradise. Long hours, and no time off, working just about every day. It's not quite the life that you would expect...
John is waiting for the day that he can bring his Thai wife back with him to England, so they can live a better life, work less hours, enjoy life more...
It was an interesting perspective from both Naomi and John, that opened my eyes. I thought, oh, it must be the life getting to work here. I want to do that. Maybe not...?
After climbing, I went back to my hotel and tryed to de-sweat myself under the fan. Then I went to the beach with my book, read a bit, watched the kids play in the water. The Thai kids and the farang kids were playing with each other, which is great to see. Kids are kids, and they don't care even if you don't speak the same language. They were all laughing, all smiles, splashing around and having fun. The sunset from Ao Ton Sai was gorgeous. The sun set behind the hill, so you couldn't actually see it, but you could see the sky turn from blue to orange to pink to purple. It was beautiful...
Then I treated myself to pizza tonight. Yeah, pizza, a total splurge..so many baht, I'm embarrassed to say how much I spent. But it was damn good, and that's that.
I walked towards the hotel again, and saw John at the shop. We chatted for a bit. He said that all of a sudden, Naomi had to be rushed to the hospital on bike/cart (there are no cars here, just bicycles and a handful of motorcycles). He didn't know why, though. I hope she's okay through it all and that it's nothing serious. She's a cool and inspirational chick who has the spirit of an eagle.
Tuesday, April 10, 2007
Tourist hell...
I've discovered some things on this trip...there are some things I want out of travel, and some things I don't...
Coming to Thailand means more for me then the regular holiday seeker. It is my heritage, after all, that I am seeking to learn more about. It is the motherland, my country. I have finally returned...
But Thailand is extremely popular amongst the travelling scene -- young, old, and in between. I have found myself to be in tourist hell right now, and for the rest of my trip. Actually, pretty much all my trip, with the exception of Sukhothai, was tourist hell. But now moreso than ever.
Right now, I'm on a beautiful island called Ko Phi Phi. You may have heard of it before, because it was greatly affected by the tsunami a few years ago. You only heard of Thailand (and not Indonesia, where most of the damage was) because the media plays on tourist dollars.
Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful here. But just by being here less than a day now..I walk around and all I see are tourists. I feel like the tourists outnumber the Thai people here. Not to mention that things are getting expensive as well. I would have loved to have seen this place 20 years ago...or even 10 years ago. I remember my friend Amanda telling me how beautiful of a place it was...beautiful it still is...serene..no. Hustle and bustle here.
Unfortunately, I'm not really enjoying Thailand as much as I would like to be. It's the evils of tourism, which the country needs (the tourist dollar)...Today, I went on a half day sunset tour on a boat...I didn't realize it would be about 87 people. I had a fat Israeli girl spill her tea on my stuff and shake her wet hair all over me..fat bitch! Not only that, at the end, her friend was almost ashing me with her nasty cigarette. Many many smokers on the boat...
So anyways, I'm a bit annoyed...
Coming to Thailand means more for me then the regular holiday seeker. It is my heritage, after all, that I am seeking to learn more about. It is the motherland, my country. I have finally returned...
But Thailand is extremely popular amongst the travelling scene -- young, old, and in between. I have found myself to be in tourist hell right now, and for the rest of my trip. Actually, pretty much all my trip, with the exception of Sukhothai, was tourist hell. But now moreso than ever.
Right now, I'm on a beautiful island called Ko Phi Phi. You may have heard of it before, because it was greatly affected by the tsunami a few years ago. You only heard of Thailand (and not Indonesia, where most of the damage was) because the media plays on tourist dollars.
Don't get me wrong, it is beautiful here. But just by being here less than a day now..I walk around and all I see are tourists. I feel like the tourists outnumber the Thai people here. Not to mention that things are getting expensive as well. I would have loved to have seen this place 20 years ago...or even 10 years ago. I remember my friend Amanda telling me how beautiful of a place it was...beautiful it still is...serene..no. Hustle and bustle here.
Unfortunately, I'm not really enjoying Thailand as much as I would like to be. It's the evils of tourism, which the country needs (the tourist dollar)...Today, I went on a half day sunset tour on a boat...I didn't realize it would be about 87 people. I had a fat Israeli girl spill her tea on my stuff and shake her wet hair all over me..fat bitch! Not only that, at the end, her friend was almost ashing me with her nasty cigarette. Many many smokers on the boat...
So anyways, I'm a bit annoyed...
Monday, April 9, 2007
Just because I share a tuk tuk ride does not mean I want to have sex with you!!!
Now that got your attention...
So I don't think I'm going to be nice to anyone anymore on this trip. Sorry people. So I got to Krabi this evening...only 2 travellers left on the bus. Me and a guy from Liberia. He looked lost, and I had a book, so I said, hey, we can share a tuk tuk into town and split the cost. We talked a bit on the ride into town...just trying to be social, that's all...
So anyways, we get to a hotel, and I tell him that I'm going to stay here, but there are other places nearby. He said he'd stay there too since he was there. I ask the lady in Thai for 2 rooms, so they show us two rooms (the Liberian guy follows me in both rooms which kinda creeps me out...but the hotel staff is there). I say, they both look good, nice and clean...
The Liberian guy asks...are we getting two rooms? Is it a problem if we share a room?
WTF, where did that come from? I say, um..I'm married, my husband would not like that (which is true now).
After I put my things down in the room, I went to check in, hoping that the Liberian guy was not there...he was out in the hallway, so we did the check in at the same time. I so wanted to ditch him. He was like, what are you going to do now? I said, I'm going to try to fix my shoe (my sole is severely coming off) and internet...trying to get rid of him, really, because I could close the internet place down if I have to get rid of him. He said that he was going to put his backpack up, so he went back up...I kinda escaped to internet..hopefully I won't see him again since I leave in the morning...
So anyways, I guess the point is...because I'm Thai and in Thailand does not mean I'm looking for a farang sugar daddy...I already have one, thanks. No more being nice and talking to the farang guys for me while I'm here! I'm turning on bitch mode.
So I don't think I'm going to be nice to anyone anymore on this trip. Sorry people. So I got to Krabi this evening...only 2 travellers left on the bus. Me and a guy from Liberia. He looked lost, and I had a book, so I said, hey, we can share a tuk tuk into town and split the cost. We talked a bit on the ride into town...just trying to be social, that's all...
So anyways, we get to a hotel, and I tell him that I'm going to stay here, but there are other places nearby. He said he'd stay there too since he was there. I ask the lady in Thai for 2 rooms, so they show us two rooms (the Liberian guy follows me in both rooms which kinda creeps me out...but the hotel staff is there). I say, they both look good, nice and clean...
The Liberian guy asks...are we getting two rooms? Is it a problem if we share a room?
WTF, where did that come from? I say, um..I'm married, my husband would not like that (which is true now).
After I put my things down in the room, I went to check in, hoping that the Liberian guy was not there...he was out in the hallway, so we did the check in at the same time. I so wanted to ditch him. He was like, what are you going to do now? I said, I'm going to try to fix my shoe (my sole is severely coming off) and internet...trying to get rid of him, really, because I could close the internet place down if I have to get rid of him. He said that he was going to put his backpack up, so he went back up...I kinda escaped to internet..hopefully I won't see him again since I leave in the morning...
So anyways, I guess the point is...because I'm Thai and in Thailand does not mean I'm looking for a farang sugar daddy...I already have one, thanks. No more being nice and talking to the farang guys for me while I'm here! I'm turning on bitch mode.
Saturday, April 7, 2007
Gone with the wind...
Day 2 of kiteboarding lessons...
Today, the winds picked up. It was around 25 knots at some points..a bit..um..a lot strong for someone trying to learn! Anyways, we're still working on figuring the kites out. They are huge, have so much lift, and want to take me off the ground! I completely suck at maneuvering the kites, and part of me says I should just stick with wakeboarding! But then at the end of the day, I thought I was kind of getting it..well not really...I crashed the kite so many times...
Our instructor made us fly the kite, while walking into the ocean (with strong currents, might I add), waves whipping at us. He had to hold my harness, since I'd be swept away and just wanted me to concentrate on the kite. All the while, he told me to fly at 1 o'clock position..but my helmet was gigantic on my head, that it went over my eyes when I tried to look up, so I couldn't even see 1 o'clock..waves whipping...Easier said than done, really. The winds were pretty gusty, too...
At the end of the day, he let us play with a 2 meter trainer kite..now that was more my speed..completely, and even that one moved me around. The kite we were flying before was 5-6 meters, and was a practice kite. The real kiteboarding kites are much bigger...kinda scary to think about ;)
Hopefully there will be wind tomorrow again...I'm kind of ready to move on from Hua Hin...stayed here longer than originally planned...it's not bad, though..beach..can't complain. I love the beach...
Today, the winds picked up. It was around 25 knots at some points..a bit..um..a lot strong for someone trying to learn! Anyways, we're still working on figuring the kites out. They are huge, have so much lift, and want to take me off the ground! I completely suck at maneuvering the kites, and part of me says I should just stick with wakeboarding! But then at the end of the day, I thought I was kind of getting it..well not really...I crashed the kite so many times...
Our instructor made us fly the kite, while walking into the ocean (with strong currents, might I add), waves whipping at us. He had to hold my harness, since I'd be swept away and just wanted me to concentrate on the kite. All the while, he told me to fly at 1 o'clock position..but my helmet was gigantic on my head, that it went over my eyes when I tried to look up, so I couldn't even see 1 o'clock..waves whipping...Easier said than done, really. The winds were pretty gusty, too...
At the end of the day, he let us play with a 2 meter trainer kite..now that was more my speed..completely, and even that one moved me around. The kite we were flying before was 5-6 meters, and was a practice kite. The real kiteboarding kites are much bigger...kinda scary to think about ;)
Hopefully there will be wind tomorrow again...I'm kind of ready to move on from Hua Hin...stayed here longer than originally planned...it's not bad, though..beach..can't complain. I love the beach...
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