Thailand...Finally!

It is now almost exactly 3 months since I very first entered Thailand. Time has gone by so fast! I stopped blogging and even putting pictures up on Facebook because it simply took too much time and was too frustrating. It would take 2 hours to load the pictures and then when they were almost loaded the computer would freeze (or some very similar story). I just decided to give up and write about it all at home. Yes, I have been back for a month for now, but it really did take me quite a while to adjust to being back. I threw myself back into work and so the time off I now have is usually spent watching movies or TV series (I bought a lot of these on my trip). I wasn't called into work today, so now is as good a time as any.

This is going to be a ver condensed version of my time in Thailand though. I'm sure I have forgotten a lot of things I originally wanted to share, but I also was very tired of hauling my camera everywhere I went. After awhile everything just seemed the same...especially the views and the temples.

I flew to Thailand from Malaysia and entered in Phuket. I wanted to go there to see what damage still remained from the Tsunami. It is incredible because if you didn't what happened then you would never now that anything happened. The area has been up to clean up, rebuild, and move on. There are still a few buildings that remain destroyed, but for the most part the area is as it was before.

That is about all the interest I had in Phuket. The main attractions in this area are the beaches and the clubs. I was beached out from Indonesia and I wasn't there to party. I did go to one Go-Go with a hostel-mate I met there. He is actually from Calgary. However, I didn't stay long. There was no interest there for me and all I could really think about was the pancake I wanted to buy on my walk home. I went crazy for pancakes (crepes) while I was there. I always got mine with Nutella and fresh coconut. I mean really fresh too. It was still wet!



I did some exploring around some of the main southern attractions. Krabbi, Ko Phi Phi, Ko Samui, Ko Pha ngan; These are tourist areas and while they are beautiful they aren't what I wanted (no full moon partying for me). I did visit a meditation school in Ko Pha ngan. That was a great experience. Also the Pad Thai in these areas was of great interest...delicious!

After the south I took a bus...a very long ride...to Bangkok. I spent the day wandering around Bangkok and mostly Khao San road. Then it was over to Chinatown to catch a train to Chang Mai. Though Chang Mai was the only Northern destination I made I am convinced that it is better than the south. The landscape is completely different and I felt more at home there. The people in the south are quite rude. I can't say I blame them though. I think the Thai people put up with a lot from the tourists. Maybe they are just getting a little sick of it. The north is also a few degrees cooler and that was very welcome.



A temple in Chang Mai



Getting off the train in Chang Mai was a bit daunting and took me awhile to get oriented. I met a few peole at the station and managed to find someone to share a tuk tuk with me; Simon from England. We managed to find a cheap place to stay the offered a lot of fun things to do at cheap prices. I took a cooking class here. Though I don't think I got much out of it. It was six dishes in four hours with a trip to the market squeezed in there as well. The food was great though. Here I also did a jungle trek. It was a lot harder than I thought it would be. Our guide was a Burmese man who goes by two names; Tong and Drunk Tong. Our trek consisted of elephant rides, hiking, a night in a Karen Village (the Karen people are Burmese refugees), and then more hiking followed by "white water rafting." The night in the village was my favorite. We slept a small hike away from the main village so as not to disturb the elders. We had great food and a great time. Drunk Tong is very entertaining. In the morning Tong was moving much slower than the day before.

I had one more night in Chang Mai and then it was off to Bangkok again. I met a lot of people on the trek and 2 of the girls I met were also heading to Bangkok, so we in the morning we bought our tickets and did some last minute things there. I got 2 more tattoos. I really, really wanted to get a bamboo tattoo while I was in Thailand. So, I did. I got 2 small ones; one on my left foot that means Karma, and one on my left wrist that is the symbol for Om (the most basic meditation mantra). Then we found a tuk tuk to take us to the bus station. Amy and Kathy and most of our bags in the back, and me in the front squished up next to the driver with a couple bags on my lap. The driver was such a nice man from Laos, even though it did turn out that he left Laos because he killed 2 men. Apparently they deserved it...in his own words. I asked him in my nicest, most innocent, and yet humored voice if we were "quite safe with him?" His reply was "of course." Upon dropping us he said that we were nice and as he was shaking my hand he told me to keep smilng and that he would always remember us. He really was a nice man!

In Bangkok Kathy and I treated ourselves to a day on the town. We got ice cream sundaes, walked around a "mall," went to Hard Rock Cafe and spent 2 days of budget on food. Then we went to Khao San Road for some pampering; a Fish Therapy foot massage, a pedicure, a facial, and a Thai massage. I have never been so uncomfortable. The girls are incredibly strong and the contort your bodies in ways I never imagined. It felt good afterwards though. I slept sound that night and woke up early to catch my flight to Vietnam.

I know I breezed through the first half of my trip, but it honestly just wasn't that interesting. The food and the medidation school is really the only thing worth talking about. Oh, excpet for Peter. Peter is a Thai artist I met. I went to his "studio" and saw some of his work. It really is amazing. I wish I could've bought something from him. He said he has a website and gave me his card though. Once I find his card I will post the website. His work is amazing!

So, there you have it...Thailand in a nut shell. Pictures forthcoming. I hope to write about Vietnam soon.

Love love.

This is in one of the oldest temples in Chang Mai

Bamboo tattoo on my foot. It means Karma

Bamboo tattoo on my wrist. It is the symbol for "OM"

Kathy and I at the Hard Rock Cafe

Fish massage - tickles!

My jungle hut

Just a Note

Hey I'm just writing to let you all know that I am alive. I am gearing up the last few days and a long flight home. I am soooo ready. I have had the time of my life, but I am ready to return to reality. Obviously I have fallen behind in blogging, but I just decided to update my blog once I get home. It just takes too much time here...and can be really frustrating!!! So, only a few more days!

Love love

Kuala Lumpur

Hello!!!

I am having the time of my life right now!!! I didn't really want to come to Kuala Lumpur, but I am so glad I did. Air Asia seems to know better than me! It's not that it's an especially wonderful or touristy place, but it is fun! I am staying in a proper hostel here with dorms and bunk beds and everything. It's so cool!

I was exhausted when I first arrived here. My flight left Jakarta in the early morning and my B&B was 2 hours away from the airport. When I got here I discovered that I had to take a bus to get into Kuala Lumpur...that took an hour. By the time I got here I was ready to crash, but I was also starving. I got some food from a street vendor and then hit the hay.

Day 2 holds the excitement. I met some other travelers at our rooftop restaurant and bar. They were going to the Batu Caves and I was going there as well, so we all went together. Of the five of us that went there were only 2 who were actually traveling together, but we had all met that morning at breakfast. After the caves we went to the skyview at the KL tower and looked at the entire city. Did I mention that it's so nice to be in a proper city?! By then it was getting dark so we went back to Chinatown (where our hostel is) and ate. Chinatown is incredible. It's just like something you would see in the movies! After dinner we went up to the rooftop again and met some other travelers who joined us on day 3.

Day 3 we went to the National Museum. They had a lot of boring rocks etc. there, but they also had some old bones and stuff of Malay people. In fact there was a whole skeleton and it honestly looked about the size of Kora (my 11 year old niece). The next gallery was full of old clothes and door panels and other ancient works of art. That was my favorite gallery. There were handwritten Qurans in there from hundreds of years ago. It was all so gorgeous. Gallery C was about the colonization of Malaysia by the Portugese, then Dutch, and finally the British. It had some cannons, weapons, and military uniforms. That was neat too. After that it was the Twin Towers of Malaysia (Petronas Towers). I wish I could remember everything...I really need to start writing it all down.

Day 4 (yesterday) there was only 1 girl left as the others all traveled on. We went and got our haircut. I had to! It has grown so fast here and it's all over my neck which is just way too hot!!! We went spent the whole day looking for a decent place and eventually ended up in a shopping pavilion (with AC) and got it done there. It's pretty decent actually. That night we went for dinner in little India and it was really good! Met some more travelers on the rooftop and then went to bed...exhausted! My last companion leaves today, so I have to face KL alone...no big deal. I leave for Thailand on the 4th and am really looking forward to that.

Did I mention that I am a naturally gifted navigator...because I am! Lol!

Anyways, time for breakfast and then I'm heading off to the city park today.

Love love

Batu caves...this is the staircase leading up to the main cave.

All my new British friends.

Petronas Towers.

This is Jon Soo...or was it Joo Son?

Pua...my favorite dumpling. I am addicted to these. It is a very large dumpling filled with sweet meats.

My new haircut...looks the same as my old one used to look. Lol!

Jakarta

I flew to Jakarta yesterday. I really didn't want to come here! I had to go to Bangkok (which I do want to do) in order to fly to Vietnam. It worked out much cheaper to fly from Bali to Jakarta and then to Malaysia (I hadn't made up my mind if I was going to go here or not) and finally to Bangkok (well Phuket and then I will take a train up to Bangkok). The flights were even cheaper if I stayed for a little while in these places. So I leave Jakarta on the 29th for Malaysia and then leave there on the 4th of June.

Jakarta is lovingly referred to as the armpit of Southeast Asia, and I can see why. It's even dirtier and dingier than Bali! It's a different culture completely as well and I'm excited about that. The whole purpose of this trip was to experience another life. Jakarta, like the majority of Indonesia, is Islamic. There are mosques everywhere here. When we were flying over the city I could see them all over. I have yet to see one up close though as I'm too afraid in this city. People have responded to me kindly but I think that's mostly out of curiosity, and I don't feel comfortable venturing too far from my hotel. I know there is one very close though because I can hear the Imam? singing the prayers every few hours. I used to think that it would sound odd, but it's really quite beautiful.

My hotel is actually a bed and breakfast and it is absolutely beautiful! It's a very large house with a nice pool, amazing grounds, and rats the size of large cats. They stay outside though so I'm okay with it. I think this house is from a colonial period...maybe from the Dutch. It's beautiful though...decorated with antique, stately furniture. My room has air conditioning and hot and cold water. I spend most of my time in there because it feels so good to actually be cool. I slept with a blanket on last night!!! I haven't done that in a month. Also, it was cool enough in my room that I took a not so freezing cold shower. The best part though: my room has a towel, toilet paper, and soap. It's good to get one or two of them, but tovget all three is a bloody miracle! I pay $15 a night. One of the guys here pays $30...sucker!

It was sad to leave Kuta though. I made a lot of good friends...western and local. I was on the verge of tears (unheard of for me I know). The little kids were sad too, but I will save some money now seeing as how I spent most of it buying them ice cream on the beach. I am going to go back there before I fly back to Canada though...it really felt like home to me.

In the meantime I will be updating y,all.

Love love

Finally...Some Pictures!

I have been so boring lately, so not very much to report. I missed Kuta so I came back here from Ubud. I missed the beach and the people, and even the local toothless guitar player who likes to wear woman's swim bottoms with ruffles (I saw him dancing the other day though and he is quite good). I missed sitting on the beach at sunset while Jeki plays guitar and sings local songs. So good!

So, I'm back and haven't done anything exciting. However, I did find an internet cafe that might actually let me get some pictures up! Originally I only had some up on Facebook, but today I managed to add some here.

P.S. The swelling in my feet went away completely while I was in Ubud. It came back in Kuta, but not nearly as bad!

Love love

Jeki and Andre

My breakfast room in Sanur

Jeki...and I AM wearing a swim suit

My feet back to normal in Ubud

The cliffs at Ulu Watu

So cute! I love how the babies just cling there

My bat

My hotel in Ubud

I Have So Much To Say, But Still No Pictures!

First of all just let me say that I am trying really hard to put some pictures up. I just don't think the computers over here like me very much. After trying for an hour I get too frustrated and just give up. It's too bad because I had a ton of pictures I really wanted to put up. However, you will all be happy to know that my feet are almost back to normal. Ubud is a bit cooler than Kuta, so the first morning that I woke up the swelling had gone down. Yay! Also, my tattoo is healing beautifully.

That's about the best thing I can say about Ubud. It's actually quite boring here. I have seen almost everything there is to see and I still have 2 days here. I'm probably going to be spending them sitting beside my pool because I miss the beach so much. Oh ya, my hotel here has a pool! This hotel is much nicer than my last one, and it's only $5 more a night ($15 in total). They even gave me a towel and toilet paper, so I didn't have to buy any or use my sarong after a shower. However, they still didn't have soap, so I went for a walk on my first night to buy some soap. Now, enter Julia and Chandler. They were riding by as I walking, so I hopped on the bike with them and we rode up to Monkey Forest. Chandler found a cave there that he wanted to show us. It was closed by the time we got there, so we decided to try again the next day. So, we went out to eat instead. The restaurant was beautiful and right on the rice paddies. It was amazing...and full of Geckos. They were crawling everywhere, and it looked like one of them was eating the head of another one...turns out they were just mating. Then we went to another restaurant and had some banana splits. There was a strawberry sauce on it that was amazing!!! Then off to bed.

Breakfast was interesting. My hotel is right across the street from one of the entrances to Monkey Forest. Also, my hotel is a rooftop one, so the monkeys were coming across along the power lines and coming into the breakfast area. It was funny. The view is incredible though. Across the street are a few shops and then directly behind them are rice paddies. As I said my hotel is nice, but they are doing some renovating and I'm sure it is going to look amazing. They work so fast here. When I was in Kuta they were building a new business complex and when I got there you couldn't even tell what it was. By the time I left there was already a store starting to move in. At my hotel here, I can't believe how fast it is coming along. However, I have seen them do some framing here and it seems quite sketchy. Eric would have a heart attack if he knew the requirements and saw the materials.

Anyways, after breakfast I went to Monkey Forest to do a walk through before meeting up with Julia and Chandler. It was very nice. There were 3 temples in there and so many statues. One of the statues was a mother monkey with child and she had her eyes closed and her hand up to her head. I could just imaging her shaking her head out of frustration. I would've loved to have a picture like that for Mother's Day. I think it is very fitting for mothers (mom this is the part where you say "oh no, children are ALWAYS a joy!"). The temples go all the way back to the 15th century. I did see a monkey fight between 4 monkeys (they are macaques...not sure of spelling) and it was quite scary just because they have huge fangs. When it happened I was walking by them, so I ended up right in the middle of it. I was on edge as it was because Julia had been bitten the night before by a monkey that had come up to her and held her hand. It was fun to watch them around all the people though. The moms are so protective. The younger ones are allowed to just run around, but the moms keep the babies very close. In fact, if they get out of reaching distance the moms grab them by their tails and pull them back. I got a video of one particular baby who was trying to get away and the mom was repeatedly pulling him back in. It reminded me of one of those baby harnesses...running when there's slack, and then all of a sudden being whipped back. Funny! It was cute when people got too close because the moms would grab the babies and hold them to their hearts, and then they would turn their backs to all the people or even run away.

After that I met up with Julia and Chandler. He had already taken Julia to the cave, so just I went with him. So, we rode our motorbikes (I rented one that morning) up this path to the top of Monkey Forest. Then we parked them and went through this gate to an area that was off path (did I mention that you aren't supposed to go off path). It was crazy because it happened so fast, but all of a sudden there were swarms of monkeys baring there fangs and running at us. We ran away but they were grabbing at our feet. Luckily a local man came running with his slingshot and chased them away. As he was doing this another came from another direction and charged at us. Chandler jumped behind and grabbed onto me...actually he pinched me. I laughed so hard! He did too later. I grabbed a couple sticks and gave one to Chandler and we decided to keep going so the man took out a mirror and made a path. I wish I had a video of this because it was quite incredible. There were trees all around where we were except for in one are where there was a natural clearing lined by trees on both sides. When he brought out the mirror and flashed the light at them they all moved out of this clearing and it was laid out before us like a grand path. I seriously felt like I was in Rome or something and the mobs were parting the way for us. Anyways, over a couple bridges and down a another natural path that was lined with some sort of flower, and we came to this little cave. It is only wide enough for one person to go in at a time. So, Chandler gave me his headlamp and I went in. It was quite creepy to be honest with you. At the end though there was a little pool and some holes in the rock of the cave where the light came in and shone on the pool. Again, very nice. On the way back we came across a lone monkey sitting by himself and he was very calm until we flashed our sticks at him (silly of us I know) and he got defensive. The fangs came out again and we ran. However, this time we were going uphill and I was only wearing my sandals and kept sliding back down the hill. Again, the local man came and saved us. I gave him some money. He looked so confused, but of course took it.

Then J and C left. They were going back to Kuta and then flying out the next day (today) to Bangkok.

I spent the rest of the day on my scooter driving to the sites. I had to get a scooter because the ones I wanted to see are about 20k out of town. I saw Gunung Kawi which is a cliffside with beautiful carvings of shrines in it. Then off to Tirta Empul (if what I have picked up is correct then this translates into Water Temple). My translation would make sense since it is a spring and a temple that is considered very holy. I have to say now that I didn't get any pictures of these two sites. I left camera on in my bag (on display) and when I got there it was dead. I would just go back and get more pictures if I hadn't got so lost on the way back. Getting lost was okay because I was able to see a lot of the countryside and some more rice paddies and temples, but after 90 minutes I was starting to get a little worried. I ended up just driving in circles around the area where I thought Ubud should be until I saw a sign or a road that I recognized. It worked, but I don't want to chance it again. Also, I already returned the scooter.

That evening I went to the Kecak (pronounced k Chuck) dance that I didn't see at Ulu Watu. They have a pretty good one here. I did get pictures of that but they aren't very good...they move around too much. The dance was beautiful but my favorite part was the music...there wasn't any! There is a chorus of 100 men that make different sounds, and when it all comes together there is a rhythm. When I was there I met Anna from Germany and Melanie from Ottawa. Then I was off to bed.

I got up very early as usual. The problem with getting up early here is that nothing is open. It was the same in Kuta, but I would just go sit on the beach. There isn't a beach here so it's very boring. So, I decided to go for a run this morning. As I was putting on my sock I stumbled backwards and my foot landed on something squishy. I turned around saw a dead bat. I stepped on a bat...a dead bat!!! I was a little relieved though because at first it looked like a giant spider. They cleaned it up while I was running, but I was still a little freaked out when I got back. The staff here are young boys...except for the young girl and the old lady who are doing the construction on the hotel...and they are very nice. They came in and checked around to see if they were any more. Back to the run though...awful idea! I am so out of shape, so dehydrated, and it's so bloody hot here that I got really sick. My stomach was super, painfully cramped and I was about ready to throw up at any second. Bonus though is that I saw another man running and he had a tattoo like I had never seen before. It was a full back piece, but the color and design made it look like it he was wearing a wife beater. The cut of it made it look like that too.

Now for the rest of the day I am going to see a couple sites within walking distance. My burn has turned into a tan now...a pretty dark one...so I am okay walking in the sun. I am going to see Goa Gajah (elephant cave) that was once a Buddhist hermitage. It has bathing pools and fountains. Then some more cliff carvings at Yeh Pulu (this one is 25m long). The last one is Pura Pehataran Sasih. This is an old state temple that has a very large bronze drum in it called the Moon of Pejeng. Tomorrow I will probably spend by the pool and being lazy. On the 13th (it is the 11th here...I am 14 hours ahead in Bali) I was supposed to head up to Lovina, but I switched my ticket this morning to take me back to Kuta. I really miss it there (really weird seeing as how I couldn't wait to get away from there)! I miss the food and the people and the beach and the noise. It is way too quiet and boring elsewhere.

Talk to you again in a few days.

Love love

Ulu Watu

Days are flying by like crazy here and most of the time I don't even know what day it is! So far I have been figuring out what day is when by counting forward and backward from Mother's Day. I guess I will have to find a new day now. Oh and Happy Mothers Day mom!!! Love you and miss you! Say hi to grandmas for me and tell them I love them too!

Since I last wrote nothing much has happened. My legs and feet have become so burnt that they are incredibly swollen and I look like I have the worst case of cankles this place has probably ever seen! It's hard not to be in the sun though...and it wouldn't be so bad if the malaria pills I have didn't make you so sensitive to the sun. 

Other than that I continue to make new friends. The Asians love me!!! If I am just sitting on the beach they will come in swarms to get a picture with me. One time I thought they were going to trample me there were so many of them. Also, they love to have me hold their babies. I don't mind because they are so stinking cute! It's just funny though. They hand over their babies to a perfect stranger. Then they just kind of stand there and look with a huge smile, and then they will take a ton of pictures.

Exciting for me though and my favorite part of the trip so far was my day at Ulu Watu. Andre took me there yesterday on a "motorbike." They call them motorbikes but we call them scooters or mopeds. Anyways, Ulu Watu is a Hindu temple right on the ocean. It is absolutely beautiful and crawling with monkeys. Dan, I got a picture just for you of one monkey picking at the other monkeys hair. You have to wear a sarong when you go in, and that makes it even hotter. It was a great experience though. At night they have a fire dance there. I was too hot and tired at the time though and just wanted to get back. I really want to see it though, so I'm going to head out there again before I fly out (I have to come back this way to get to the airport, so it will be my last stop before leaving Bali). From there we went to an observatory a ways down the sea wall and watched some surfing. They have real waves here, so that was fun.

Also, I rode a motorbike for the first time here. It was a little scary just because this is such a busy and crazy place with a bunch of crazy drivers. It was fun too though. Scooters are so easy to control!!! I am definitely going to rent them to get around in the future (in less busy places...like Ubud). Also, I got a new tattoo yesterday. Jeffri took me to a good place and got a little symbol on my wrist. I wanted something that is very specific to the Balinese culture, so I got the good luck symbol. Everything here is about good luck. It works to your advantage most days because the first sale of the day is good luck, so you can get stuff for really cheap. Also, if at the end of the day they haven't sold anything that is "no luck" so they will also sell stuff really cheap. I have gotten a lot better at bartering, but I'm still a sucker sometimes. I have made good friends with some of the vendors at the beach, so I give them more than I would others. It's a dollar difference to me, but a huge difference to them. Also, every morning the Hindu Balinese put out an offer. It's usually a little hand woven basket of grass that is filled with flowers and some rice. Occasionally they will put a cracker or small money in it if they don't have rice. It is a sacrifice they do every morning to bring them good luck. Well, yesterday I was talking with a lady on the beach and was using my hands of course, and I accidentally knocked over a bag that had about six of these baskets in it. I felt so awful! I ended up buying a bunch of bracelets from her. So, that's what the nieces and nephews are going to get. Lol!

I have to head down to the beach now. I leave for Ubud today and I'm pretty excited about that. I have to go say my goodbyes to some people who have taken really good care of me. My really good local friends took me out last night and we went dancing. It was a lot of fun. I'm excited to meet back up with Julia and Chandler though. They left for Ubud yesterday. Some people say Ubud it is as hot as it is here, and some people say it is a little cooler. I am going to go ahead and get my hopes up and say that it is cooler there. 

I am finally able to put some pictures up for you, so I'm sure I'm going to get carried away!

Well I would've gotten carried away except that as I was uploading the photos the program stopped responding. These internet shops really are stupid...it's not just me. Alas I only got the 2 photos of my ugly feet...Enjoy!!!

Love love

This is when they first started swelling.

This was taken last night. They almost look bruised. This doesn't quite do justice to how burnt they are, but the main problem is that the heat never leaves my body. Everyone here that touches my arms or legs is shocked at how hot they are.