Day 7:
Today started a bit late... around noon. It was our first night with a full night's rest since LA. (Other nights: plane, half night from airport, and train ride). We slept for about 12 hours straight. I woke up once when a crazy rain storm rolled in. **Hahah! I just noticed a lizard behind the computer. ...and the Thai women at the front desk is listening to US rap. Just to set the picture for you.** Anyways, that storm was out of control. Viciously strong winds and rain. I wondered if the hostel was going to blow down or if it was normal. The room was fine though, and in the morning everyone was going about their business in a normal way. The rain must have been normal.
For lunch we walked along the main beach area looking at restaurants. We ended up going to an Indian one. Haha! I know "why did you do that in Thailand." Well, it was run by Indians. At the restaurant I had a great Mango Lassi, curry dish, and some delicious garlic naan. After lunch we drank a lot of water and went for a run (Mike's idea). Excluding the heat, it was great and we found a new area down the beach with remarkable views. On the way back we passed a bar on the beach and some of the patrons called us over. There was Russ/ Ross (a younger British man from Southwest UK, but NOT Wales he assured us) and "chef" (An Indian man living in Thailand who was, not surprisingly, a chef). They were both pretty hilarious and a bit tipsy. After finding out that we were from the US Russ told us that he really wanted to go to a US college party and did some priceless impressions. He also had a great Metalica ring tone. "Chef" a quite older man had been in the Thai navy, lived in Chungking Mansions, Hong Kong (look it up if you have not yet), run a casino in Macau, loved Dubai, and was now running 3 restaurants called "La Casa" here in Ao Nang. He insisted that we try his delicious Italian, Thai, and (last mentioned) Indian cooking.
After returning to the hostel we changed and got ready for a trip to Wat Tham Sua "Tiger Cave Temple. The temple is site of a large monastery, a cave, and a Buddha statue situated on a jungle covered craggy cliff of a mountain that stretches 1000 feet in the air. A set of 1,250 stairs took us to the peak. You can do that math, each step was roughly a foot. Some of them less, some of them more. At one point the climb was steeper than a ladder used at a construction site. It was insane. A few monks and two sweaty tourists came past us heading down as we trekked up. I drank a massive bottle of water on the climb up and at the top we were greeted by a dog. The mountain top had amazing views of the surrounding area, the cliffs near Ao Nang (where we are staying), Krabi Town, Railay beach, and the now small monastery far below. Our shirts were completely drenched with sweat as we headed down. If you want to simulate the climb at home, simply move a stepper into a steam room and walk on it for 30-40 minutes on the toughest setting! Of course the view was well worth it, and think of the good karma we accumulated! At the bottom, we ventured toward the cave, but as the sun set the jungle became dark and we headed back to the driver that was waiting for us. We did get to what I thought was the famous tiger cave as we began to hear monks praying by the cliffs at the edge of the steamy jungle. For dinner we ventured to one of the La Casa restaurants (owned by the "chef") and found the pizze amazing! Tomorrow we meet up with the GVI staff in Krabi town.
Friday, May 29, 2009
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Thailand (Day 5 cont. and Day 6)
Day 5 cont.:
While waiting for the train, we decided to expore Bangkok. After a delicious lunch of Pad Thai Shrimp (Pad Thai is a local noodle dish), we headed toward the spire of a Wat (temple) that I spotted in the distance. After exploring the Wat, we headed towards China town. In route to that part of the city we met a Tuk-tuk (Tuk-tuks are three wheeled vehicles powered by a motorcycle engine. They are named after the noise the make. Google them for a picture :)) driver that was quite friendly. He offered us some green mango. I thought it was alright, but Mike seemed to love it. "Max" the tuk-tuk driver told us that he could take us back to the train station and also show us a Wat for "a dollar" (everything was in dollars after he found out we were from the USA). I asked "do you really want a dollar?, or do you just want one dollar in Bhat?" He said, "do you have a dollar?" "Yep." "Great! I will give it to my wife as a souvenir." We jumped in the tuk -tuk and were off. It was quite the ride! The temple that we visited was pristine white and gold. We were there for a few minutes before leaving. Max wanted to take us to a clothing shop where if he brought tourists he got a "free gas card." I had read that Tuk-tuk drivers would try top take tourists to shops for things like this, but we agreed since he was so honest. He actually said, "I get a free gas card if you stop here, just look and don't buy anything. haha!" He gave Mike the tuk-tuk keys while we went inside. After that he drove us around the city a bit and back to the station. I gave him the dollar and a tip in Bhat, but found out later that he had given us a good deal. I think the giant backpacks help set the tone of "budget," but of course everyone appreciates tipping on top of discounted prices. A little before five we boarded the train for our 16 hour journey to Trang in South Thailand. Mike and I bought a cabin with beds, so we could sleep.
Day 6:
After the train ride we arrived in Trang a little after 8 in the morning. We took a Tuk-tuk across the town to the bus station where we bought tickets to Krabi (Krabi has no rail connection). The bus ride to Krabi was about two hours and was filled with children, monks, locals with goods, but no other tourists. In Krabi we were offered a taxi, but decided to go with a songtaew (pickup truck with bench seats in the bed). Our driver was an old Thai man with hair as white as snow. He was quite the wild driver. After picking up two other locals he headed for Ao Nang (where we are staying for a few days). Along the route he picked up several more tourists and locals and at one point had his truck loaded with 14 people! We arrived at Ao Nang and checked in to the hostel. The room is quite nice with two small beds and an out door bathroom attached. Ao nang is situated on a stunning beach with bright blue waters and vivid tree lined cliffs and islands jutting up out of the sea (Google: Krabi Thailand for a picture). Today we explored the beach, got a massage, and had a nice dinner. After catching up on emails, we will probably go to a local bar for a beer or two.
While waiting for the train, we decided to expore Bangkok. After a delicious lunch of Pad Thai Shrimp (Pad Thai is a local noodle dish), we headed toward the spire of a Wat (temple) that I spotted in the distance. After exploring the Wat, we headed towards China town. In route to that part of the city we met a Tuk-tuk (Tuk-tuks are three wheeled vehicles powered by a motorcycle engine. They are named after the noise the make. Google them for a picture :)) driver that was quite friendly. He offered us some green mango. I thought it was alright, but Mike seemed to love it. "Max" the tuk-tuk driver told us that he could take us back to the train station and also show us a Wat for "a dollar" (everything was in dollars after he found out we were from the USA). I asked "do you really want a dollar?, or do you just want one dollar in Bhat?" He said, "do you have a dollar?" "Yep." "Great! I will give it to my wife as a souvenir." We jumped in the tuk -tuk and were off. It was quite the ride! The temple that we visited was pristine white and gold. We were there for a few minutes before leaving. Max wanted to take us to a clothing shop where if he brought tourists he got a "free gas card." I had read that Tuk-tuk drivers would try top take tourists to shops for things like this, but we agreed since he was so honest. He actually said, "I get a free gas card if you stop here, just look and don't buy anything. haha!" He gave Mike the tuk-tuk keys while we went inside. After that he drove us around the city a bit and back to the station. I gave him the dollar and a tip in Bhat, but found out later that he had given us a good deal. I think the giant backpacks help set the tone of "budget," but of course everyone appreciates tipping on top of discounted prices. A little before five we boarded the train for our 16 hour journey to Trang in South Thailand. Mike and I bought a cabin with beds, so we could sleep.
Day 6:
After the train ride we arrived in Trang a little after 8 in the morning. We took a Tuk-tuk across the town to the bus station where we bought tickets to Krabi (Krabi has no rail connection). The bus ride to Krabi was about two hours and was filled with children, monks, locals with goods, but no other tourists. In Krabi we were offered a taxi, but decided to go with a songtaew (pickup truck with bench seats in the bed). Our driver was an old Thai man with hair as white as snow. He was quite the wild driver. After picking up two other locals he headed for Ao Nang (where we are staying for a few days). Along the route he picked up several more tourists and locals and at one point had his truck loaded with 14 people! We arrived at Ao Nang and checked in to the hostel. The room is quite nice with two small beds and an out door bathroom attached. Ao nang is situated on a stunning beach with bright blue waters and vivid tree lined cliffs and islands jutting up out of the sea (Google: Krabi Thailand for a picture). Today we explored the beach, got a massage, and had a nice dinner. After catching up on emails, we will probably go to a local bar for a beer or two.
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Thailand (Day 5)
This is techincally probably day 6 since the trans-pacific journey was so long, but I will call it day 5. The airport is new (2 years?) and quite nice. I'm happy to say that we are healthy as the heat imaging screen didn't pick up anything unusual. We arrived at the hotel at about 1 in the morning. At the airport we could not find the man with the green sign, but it turned out that he was just playing what looked like a makeshift game of checkers over in the corner. Haha! The hotel was interesting and the right price for Bangkok. Since the hallways were outside there were some critters running around as we journeyed to the fourth floor. Most interesting was a tiny lizard that zipped past us.
We woke up at 11ish to get ready for the noon check out. We left the hotel and headed to the city via taxi. The driver was a kick, he really wanted us to take a bus to the south, which seemed like a good idea. As it turned out that would basically just double the fare. We stuck with the plan on the rail trip. Hua Lampong rail station is awesome. It's a really happening place. People bustleing everywhere. Right now we are across the street in an Internet cafe as the prices are cheaper than in that station.
Tonight at 5 we board a train for Trang. We arrive at 8 in the morning. The trip should be nice as we are in a private AC sleeper cabin. Surprisingly, that temperature is not that bad here.
We woke up at 11ish to get ready for the noon check out. We left the hotel and headed to the city via taxi. The driver was a kick, he really wanted us to take a bus to the south, which seemed like a good idea. As it turned out that would basically just double the fare. We stuck with the plan on the rail trip. Hua Lampong rail station is awesome. It's a really happening place. People bustleing everywhere. Right now we are across the street in an Internet cafe as the prices are cheaper than in that station.
Tonight at 5 we board a train for Trang. We arrive at 8 in the morning. The trip should be nice as we are in a private AC sleeper cabin. Surprisingly, that temperature is not that bad here.
Monday, May 25, 2009
Thailand (Day 3 and 4)
Day 3:
Today we left my Aunt Carol's place in LA and went to Mike's Aunt Cathy's. We spent most of the day on Redondo Beach and had lunch at an Irish pub. Mike's Aunt and Uncle made us a great dinner and we drove the coast at night.
Day 4:
Today (Monday- USA) is a travel day. We leave for the airport in a few minutes to drop off the minivan. :) Our flight to Tokyo leaves at 1:20 pm Pacific. We fly 11 hours to Tokyo, have a several hour long layover, and fly 6 hours to Bangkok, Thailand. We arrive in Bangkok at 11:40 pm Tueday night.
Today we left my Aunt Carol's place in LA and went to Mike's Aunt Cathy's. We spent most of the day on Redondo Beach and had lunch at an Irish pub. Mike's Aunt and Uncle made us a great dinner and we drove the coast at night.
Day 4:
Today (Monday- USA) is a travel day. We leave for the airport in a few minutes to drop off the minivan. :) Our flight to Tokyo leaves at 1:20 pm Pacific. We fly 11 hours to Tokyo, have a several hour long layover, and fly 6 hours to Bangkok, Thailand. We arrive in Bangkok at 11:40 pm Tueday night.
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