Well, I didn't start as early as I would have liked, but I made it to Sichon, a nice one hotel town. The road was very very nice, not too hilly with beautiful mountains to the left. I like it when the road is mostly flat but there are beautiful mountains for eye candy. I am currently listening to the monks chanting from the temple just next door to the internet cafe. It sounds much better than most of the Thai pop. In Surat Thani I got offered a job teaching, but again, I'm not sure what I want to do. One of the 'goals' of this trip was to figure out exactly what I wanted to do for the rest of my life, or at least next year. I still haven't figured it out. I know I should try to get something that will let me continue to travel, allow me to use my creativity, an live fairly well. Teaching did that, but ......
I guess we'll see when I get back.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun
Thursday, May 31, 2007
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Hey Hey hey, what's going on
I've made it to Surat Thani, which wasn't hard, since someone else was driving. When I got to the bus station, they didn't want to take my bike since the bus was already a bit overcrowded. I forgot about the full moon party at Ko Samui. Well, finally I told them how to re-arrange some things nad they were able to get my bike. The one guy wasn't happy but, then I don't really care.
I'm staying one night in Surat Thani because I couldn't sleep on the bus. The seats were too big to put my feet down, and too small for me to put my feet up. Plus they stopped twice.
It was good though because I got to speak to a German journalist. There have been bombings in Hat Yai, one of the places I planned to go. He confirmed my view that it was still ok to get there, but not any further south. (I'll take a train to the Malaysian border) I still want to go down the East coast. ( don't freak out, but I've been following the papers and the way I see it, they get upset, then it boils over into a bombing, then they've cooled down somewhat- so I won't expect any more bombs until next year. My journalist friend confirms this theory)
So.... Now that I have more regular access to the internet, What is going on with all of you?
Do tell me either in ej-mail or in the comments. I would love to know how you are doing.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
I'm staying one night in Surat Thani because I couldn't sleep on the bus. The seats were too big to put my feet down, and too small for me to put my feet up. Plus they stopped twice.
It was good though because I got to speak to a German journalist. There have been bombings in Hat Yai, one of the places I planned to go. He confirmed my view that it was still ok to get there, but not any further south. (I'll take a train to the Malaysian border) I still want to go down the East coast. ( don't freak out, but I've been following the papers and the way I see it, they get upset, then it boils over into a bombing, then they've cooled down somewhat- so I won't expect any more bombs until next year. My journalist friend confirms this theory)
So.... Now that I have more regular access to the internet, What is going on with all of you?
Do tell me either in ej-mail or in the comments. I would love to know how you are doing.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
Monday, May 28, 2007
leaving on a big bus
Well, yesterday I got almost nothing done. It was Sunday. I thought it was Monday, but that happens when you are traveling a lot.
I did have a pretty good day for all that, I went to a bookstore and browzed for a while, had a coffee and watched people go by, ate steak, and saw Pirates 3 (a rather fun movie)
Not very exciting, but very very nice. Today I made an appointment for the dentist and got a massage, and saw some of the sights. Tomorrow I will leave on the night bus to Surat Thani, and then on to the East coast, until I can't go anymore because of the fighting.
I might just get another massage tomorrow.
I find Bangkok really strange in one thing. This is supossed to be a paradise for older "farang" men. Lots of ways to behave badly with young beautiful women and even if you aren't rich in the States you are here. So why do they all look so grumpy and miserable?
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
I did have a pretty good day for all that, I went to a bookstore and browzed for a while, had a coffee and watched people go by, ate steak, and saw Pirates 3 (a rather fun movie)
Not very exciting, but very very nice. Today I made an appointment for the dentist and got a massage, and saw some of the sights. Tomorrow I will leave on the night bus to Surat Thani, and then on to the East coast, until I can't go anymore because of the fighting.
I might just get another massage tomorrow.
I find Bangkok really strange in one thing. This is supossed to be a paradise for older "farang" men. Lots of ways to behave badly with young beautiful women and even if you aren't rich in the States you are here. So why do they all look so grumpy and miserable?
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
Saturday, May 26, 2007
Yeah baby, she's got it
I seem to have a weird tape loop of songs going through my head most days.
I left Korat early early early, and did indeed make it to Saraburri. It was dark by the time I found a hotel. The town had 4 hospitals and 2 hotels. I thought it a bit weird. I also find I'm a bit disappointed because I thought Thailand was more developed, so I had hoped there would be more places to stop and sleep. ( on the road to Saraburri there were a couple of resorts- one was a winery kinda like Nappa valley in Thailand, and they were all at least 11 km away from the road on a dusty dirt road.) The road wasn't too bad, except for a couple of viscous dogs and an even more viscous tree - it scratched me up! - and some serious hills, and a very large snake that was thankfully already dead.
The hotel I wouldn't have found if it weren't for a very cute kid who spoke surprisingly good English, didn't have a very beautiful bathroom. Now mind I've just gone 145 km and I am beyond exhausted. I can barely move to go back downstairs and grab my bag. Plus the lady gave me an excellent discount when she saw the bike. The shower had the best water pressure I've had since I started my trip. It was wonderful. I still didn't sleep well because I was just too tired.
I planned on getting a bus at Norburri. Ha.
First the signs were a bit confusing, so I wound up on the wrong highway. (still going to Bangkok, but not to Norburri) I am going fairly slow, mostly because I can't go fast.
I try to get a bus, but the only buses are "local" buses. And they won't take my bike because they don't have room. Then I try one of the pick-up buses. The guy who was driving wanted 1,500 baht. (this is about $ 40 US- and to put it in perspective, most hotels I've been staying at are about 350-400 baht, and you can buy a very nice sofa for 1,000 baht. I go another 5 km to another bus station. I finally find a pick-up truck taxi and get into Bangkok. I couldn't get into the city without it, not just because I was tired, but because the traffic was unbelievable. I also had a hard time finding room for tonight because no one could find a safe place for the bike.
Tomorrow I will go to the bank, go to the tailor's, go to the dentist, and the bike repair shop for another tune up. The next day I will rest. After that, I plan on getting a tourist bus - one with the big luggage compartments- to the next town, and out of Bangkok.
At least that is the plan for now.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
I left Korat early early early, and did indeed make it to Saraburri. It was dark by the time I found a hotel. The town had 4 hospitals and 2 hotels. I thought it a bit weird. I also find I'm a bit disappointed because I thought Thailand was more developed, so I had hoped there would be more places to stop and sleep. ( on the road to Saraburri there were a couple of resorts- one was a winery kinda like Nappa valley in Thailand, and they were all at least 11 km away from the road on a dusty dirt road.) The road wasn't too bad, except for a couple of viscous dogs and an even more viscous tree - it scratched me up! - and some serious hills, and a very large snake that was thankfully already dead.
The hotel I wouldn't have found if it weren't for a very cute kid who spoke surprisingly good English, didn't have a very beautiful bathroom. Now mind I've just gone 145 km and I am beyond exhausted. I can barely move to go back downstairs and grab my bag. Plus the lady gave me an excellent discount when she saw the bike. The shower had the best water pressure I've had since I started my trip. It was wonderful. I still didn't sleep well because I was just too tired.
I planned on getting a bus at Norburri. Ha.
First the signs were a bit confusing, so I wound up on the wrong highway. (still going to Bangkok, but not to Norburri) I am going fairly slow, mostly because I can't go fast.
I try to get a bus, but the only buses are "local" buses. And they won't take my bike because they don't have room. Then I try one of the pick-up buses. The guy who was driving wanted 1,500 baht. (this is about $ 40 US- and to put it in perspective, most hotels I've been staying at are about 350-400 baht, and you can buy a very nice sofa for 1,000 baht. I go another 5 km to another bus station. I finally find a pick-up truck taxi and get into Bangkok. I couldn't get into the city without it, not just because I was tired, but because the traffic was unbelievable. I also had a hard time finding room for tonight because no one could find a safe place for the bike.
Tomorrow I will go to the bank, go to the tailor's, go to the dentist, and the bike repair shop for another tune up. The next day I will rest. After that, I plan on getting a tourist bus - one with the big luggage compartments- to the next town, and out of Bangkok.
At least that is the plan for now.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Against the wind
I am so tired. So far I have had to go at least 100 km, and it has been against the wind. It makes it much more difficult. Tomorrow I'm going to try to get to Saraburri in one day.
Leaving Khon Kean the road was great. Until. I saw a truck get a flat tire. I heard it first, then saw him go over to the shoulder. I thought, poor guy. Then I got a flat tire. I thought a bunch of very bad words. I was lucky though, because I very kind old man and his very kind daughter picked me up in their truck. They dropped me off at a tire repair shop. I was able to keep going.
I stoped for a few minutes a Phon, where I had originally planned to stop, but they were having major road repairs. Finding the hotel would have been difficult. I asked a highway cop if there was anything down the road. There was. So I headed down the road. I kept going, and kept going. I knew there was something supposed to be there, but I couldn't find it. Luckily again there were some highway cops hanging out on the shoulder.
They tried to explain where the hotel/resort was, but because their English was pretty bad, they gave up, and had me follow them. In their car. In the heat. After I'd already gone 100 km. I thought I was going to die. But the hotel was very very nice. And, bonus, they spoke English. Their son had studied in the US, and we had a very nice talk over lychee fruit and pepsi.
One of the things I don't like about Thailand is that instead of little fruit/sugarcane juice stands they have little convience stores. So instead of juice, I drink alot more pepsi and 7up. On the plus side, the cows here have floppy ears. It is like someone switched their ears with flopsy rabbit's ears. It makes me smile.
I'm now in Korat. A small little city that tourism kinda passed by. I'm going to get something to eat, then crash early. I have to start by 5 am if I want to get to Saraburri by tomorrow evening.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
Leaving Khon Kean the road was great. Until. I saw a truck get a flat tire. I heard it first, then saw him go over to the shoulder. I thought, poor guy. Then I got a flat tire. I thought a bunch of very bad words. I was lucky though, because I very kind old man and his very kind daughter picked me up in their truck. They dropped me off at a tire repair shop. I was able to keep going.
I stoped for a few minutes a Phon, where I had originally planned to stop, but they were having major road repairs. Finding the hotel would have been difficult. I asked a highway cop if there was anything down the road. There was. So I headed down the road. I kept going, and kept going. I knew there was something supposed to be there, but I couldn't find it. Luckily again there were some highway cops hanging out on the shoulder.
They tried to explain where the hotel/resort was, but because their English was pretty bad, they gave up, and had me follow them. In their car. In the heat. After I'd already gone 100 km. I thought I was going to die. But the hotel was very very nice. And, bonus, they spoke English. Their son had studied in the US, and we had a very nice talk over lychee fruit and pepsi.
One of the things I don't like about Thailand is that instead of little fruit/sugarcane juice stands they have little convience stores. So instead of juice, I drink alot more pepsi and 7up. On the plus side, the cows here have floppy ears. It is like someone switched their ears with flopsy rabbit's ears. It makes me smile.
I'm now in Korat. A small little city that tourism kinda passed by. I'm going to get something to eat, then crash early. I have to start by 5 am if I want to get to Saraburri by tomorrow evening.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun.
Tuesday, May 22, 2007
Sunshine, on my shoulder
gives me sunburn. Actually not today, I stoped about 40km from Khon Kean, but I'm here now. The stop was supposed to be 7km from the main road. The happy time resort. Although I'm not sure why they called it a resort, but it was clean, and had good air con.
the road is actually a bit boring, although I hate to admit it. It isn't flat, and I've had a head wind, but there isn't a lot to see. However the snake was special. It didn't bite me, but gave me quite a scare. Needless to say, I was disinclined to donate to the King Cobra club (yes it does exist, and I passed it yesterday, but after the snake on the road .. a small one, but nevertheless..
It is 200 km to the next big town, but there is somewhere to stop; actually two somewheres. But..it means at least one leg will be 120km. I don't know if I can do that.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun
the road is actually a bit boring, although I hate to admit it. It isn't flat, and I've had a head wind, but there isn't a lot to see. However the snake was special. It didn't bite me, but gave me quite a scare. Needless to say, I was disinclined to donate to the King Cobra club (yes it does exist, and I passed it yesterday, but after the snake on the road .. a small one, but nevertheless..
It is 200 km to the next big town, but there is somewhere to stop; actually two somewheres. But..it means at least one leg will be 120km. I don't know if I can do that.
Till I post again, be good, be happy, and have fun
Sunday, May 20, 2007
zzzzzzzzzzzz
I overslept today, so I decided that yet another day off was a good idea. I wish I had felt that way in the beautiful guest house, but.....
I'm off tomorrow, and I should be near Bangkok in 5 days. I'm not sure if I want to go into the city or not -- They have good dentists and it would probably be a good idea to get my teeth cleaned and checked. On the other hand, it is a big, sprawling, expensive city with lots of scary dogs. I don't want to get rabies when I'm so close to the finish line.
On other scary notes, apparently the three provences that are on the Malaysian border are still pretty dangerous. My plan is to go as far south as I can, then either get a train, or boat to the border (there are ferries I believe). I'll check it out as I get closer. I hate that the state department are such chicken littles. They always say "its too dangerous" even when I know it isn't, so I don't know what to believe.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun
I'm off tomorrow, and I should be near Bangkok in 5 days. I'm not sure if I want to go into the city or not -- They have good dentists and it would probably be a good idea to get my teeth cleaned and checked. On the other hand, it is a big, sprawling, expensive city with lots of scary dogs. I don't want to get rabies when I'm so close to the finish line.
On other scary notes, apparently the three provences that are on the Malaysian border are still pretty dangerous. My plan is to go as far south as I can, then either get a train, or boat to the border (there are ferries I believe). I'll check it out as I get closer. I hate that the state department are such chicken littles. They always say "its too dangerous" even when I know it isn't, so I don't know what to believe.
Till I post again, be good, be happy and have fun
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