Hello Everyone! Here are some photos so far from my trip to Australia and Thailand--as marked. I have also made available all the images on the blog--I know for some of you its rather difficult for you to access them in large format. So enjoy the pictures and feel free to comment on them if you can/want to.
I have hundreds more, these just are some of the best ones. Sorry it took so long to get 'em up. Enjoy: http://picasaweb.google.com/adam.carey
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Saturday, January 26, 2008
Thursday, Jan 25, 2008
I know it's been two weeks since my last update; and I know that you may all be waiting to hear what I've been up to; and I hope this entry will lay to rest some of your anxiety, which I must apologize for, BUT living the past two in Can Tho has made me slow my life down to a very lethargic pace. Here is a table of contents for this post because it may be long:
1. Walk-through of typical day--including a rather lengthy diatribe on the food.
2. Story of how my camera broke and what I'll do without one.
3. Getting poked, touched and slapped by Vietnamese.
4. Pictures throughout
For example, each day I wake up whenever I want (usually earlier than later) and eat at one of many favorable street-side "restaurants." I have found a vegetarian place with the most satisfying fried spring rolls; Kristen and I eat here all the time. If not there, then one of the hundreds of other places. There is a street filled with just food vendors--I call it food street.
Then after breakfast I usually retire to read; Kristen teaches Monday and Wednesday. I've finished CATCHER IN THE RYE and I'm really getting into A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING by Bill Bryson. The down time is great and it feels like the first time I've had "rest" since I started--believe it or not.
And with all of this rest comes with it a rest of the mind--hence, my lack of updates. I've been taking in the culture of the southern Vietnamese, learning bits and pieces of their language (mainly the things I need to get by, meats, fruits, drinks, desserts, noodles/rices). I can actually recognize these items in displays; pronouncing them is another entirely challenging aspects. The language is toanl, menaing that the word will not be understood unless the speaker puts the correct inflection on the sound of the vowel or ending of a word. There are several basic ones: up, down, short down, down up (low), question rising; and that's leaving out the pronunciations of theirs vowels: each having three! So as you can surmise, it's a challenge but one that I'm facing.
We eat lunch, sometimes alone, then usually hit the gym or go on a bike ride or shop around for groceries, or even lay low.. again! Dinner is usually had with the entire house including An (our Vietnamese friend and life-line!). There is a Bia Hoi bar down the block from our apartment, we went there last night. The beer is dirt cheap and even tastier than its metallic brother in Saigon.
Besides from eating, exercising and reading the days are long, very warm (usually around 90 F) and not hard at all to get through. The room mates are great and I hope that they aren't getting sick of me 'cause I'll be here for another couple weeks or so.
We've went to dance clubs where we were treated like VIPs, and to gyms where the guys like to measure my waist and body-fat content by padding my chest and squeezing my sides (speaking of which, I have been poked and finger-jabbed some many times it's hard to count by random kinds, and Vietnamese men on the streets or even riding my bike; it's like they want to make sure I'm real or see if I feel the same as they do.. very weird but something I'm a little more comfortable with.. now); we've been forced to take shots of whiskey with a group of 40-somethings on the side of a street selling auto-parts and wrenches (a mechanic's dream); we've eaten and drank like kings without spending $2.00; we've almost been in 30 motorbike accidents (both on my own and with Xe Om (like tacis but on bikes) drivers; I've stil seen only half of this city but continue to explore it place by place, taste by taste, and with new friends and new adventures.
I went on a bike ride the other day to some rice patties. Along the way I was taking some photos--got a couple good ones:
When we finally arrived at the patties my camera failed to operate. It was wigging out and the lens wouldn't stay open. In desperation I tried banging it (lightly) to work again, but it didn't work. My camera that has been with my throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Australia, Kuala Lumpur's airport, Thailand, and Vietnam has taken it's last picture:
It's a great one isn't it. It deserves a Pulitzer.
So that kind of sucked. I think I'll buy a really expensive new one, because that's all they sell here--great.
I've bought a bike, which is entirely useful.
Let's see, what else is new. Well, I'm not getting a job here. I plan on going to Hanoi and other northern territories of Vietnam, then into Laos, maybe some other countries. IF I do, you'll know of it. Send me some emails if you'd like more frequent communication!
1. Walk-through of typical day--including a rather lengthy diatribe on the food.
2. Story of how my camera broke and what I'll do without one.
3. Getting poked, touched and slapped by Vietnamese.
4. Pictures throughout
For example, each day I wake up whenever I want (usually earlier than later) and eat at one of many favorable street-side "restaurants." I have found a vegetarian place with the most satisfying fried spring rolls; Kristen and I eat here all the time. If not there, then one of the hundreds of other places. There is a street filled with just food vendors--I call it food street.
Then after breakfast I usually retire to read; Kristen teaches Monday and Wednesday. I've finished CATCHER IN THE RYE and I'm really getting into A SHORT HISTORY OF NEARLY EVERYTHING by Bill Bryson. The down time is great and it feels like the first time I've had "rest" since I started--believe it or not.
And with all of this rest comes with it a rest of the mind--hence, my lack of updates. I've been taking in the culture of the southern Vietnamese, learning bits and pieces of their language (mainly the things I need to get by, meats, fruits, drinks, desserts, noodles/rices). I can actually recognize these items in displays; pronouncing them is another entirely challenging aspects. The language is toanl, menaing that the word will not be understood unless the speaker puts the correct inflection on the sound of the vowel or ending of a word. There are several basic ones: up, down, short down, down up (low), question rising; and that's leaving out the pronunciations of theirs vowels: each having three! So as you can surmise, it's a challenge but one that I'm facing.
We eat lunch, sometimes alone, then usually hit the gym or go on a bike ride or shop around for groceries, or even lay low.. again! Dinner is usually had with the entire house including An (our Vietnamese friend and life-line!). There is a Bia Hoi bar down the block from our apartment, we went there last night. The beer is dirt cheap and even tastier than its metallic brother in Saigon.
Besides from eating, exercising and reading the days are long, very warm (usually around 90 F) and not hard at all to get through. The room mates are great and I hope that they aren't getting sick of me 'cause I'll be here for another couple weeks or so.
We've went to dance clubs where we were treated like VIPs, and to gyms where the guys like to measure my waist and body-fat content by padding my chest and squeezing my sides (speaking of which, I have been poked and finger-jabbed some many times it's hard to count by random kinds, and Vietnamese men on the streets or even riding my bike; it's like they want to make sure I'm real or see if I feel the same as they do.. very weird but something I'm a little more comfortable with.. now); we've been forced to take shots of whiskey with a group of 40-somethings on the side of a street selling auto-parts and wrenches (a mechanic's dream); we've eaten and drank like kings without spending $2.00; we've almost been in 30 motorbike accidents (both on my own and with Xe Om (like tacis but on bikes) drivers; I've stil seen only half of this city but continue to explore it place by place, taste by taste, and with new friends and new adventures.
I went on a bike ride the other day to some rice patties. Along the way I was taking some photos--got a couple good ones:
When we finally arrived at the patties my camera failed to operate. It was wigging out and the lens wouldn't stay open. In desperation I tried banging it (lightly) to work again, but it didn't work. My camera that has been with my throughout the U.S., Puerto Rico, Australia, Kuala Lumpur's airport, Thailand, and Vietnam has taken it's last picture:
It's a great one isn't it. It deserves a Pulitzer.
So that kind of sucked. I think I'll buy a really expensive new one, because that's all they sell here--great.
I've bought a bike, which is entirely useful.
Let's see, what else is new. Well, I'm not getting a job here. I plan on going to Hanoi and other northern territories of Vietnam, then into Laos, maybe some other countries. IF I do, you'll know of it. Send me some emails if you'd like more frequent communication!
Monday, January 14, 2008
Sunday, Jan 14, 2008
Safe and Sound in Can Tho, Vietnam. I'll be laying low and not updating as much as I have been. Sorry! Reading, writing, playing guitar and meeting new peoplesl; as well as looking into teaching English at a learning center. But email me and I'll be more than willing to type hours of words to you!
It's been a great trip so far and I'm excited to see what happens next.
It's been a great trip so far and I'm excited to see what happens next.
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Sunday, Jan 13, 2008
It is safe to say that Saigon (Ho Chi Minh City), Viet Nam is a very crazy place: the traffic is insane, there aren't any laws at all, renting a motorbike is a rather harrowing experience, and the food is delicious.
Speaking of which, I've had my first experience with authentic Pho? (pronounced fuh? with the intonation of a question). It is simply noodles, beef, broth, onions, sprouts, herb leaves, seasoning and decadence. We've eaten Pho for almost each meal and it gets better. For dessert I try the Vietnamese dessert: coconut sauce, over corn cubes (or actual corn) with condensed milk. It is probably the most delciious thing I;ve had since I've had since arriving in Viet Nam. It's very light and very good.. reminds me of a rice pudding or tapioca, but with corn and coconut--so really like nothing I've ever had before!
Kristen and I stayed three nights in a small hotel, which was owen by a Vietnamese family. Over the past few days I've been keeping busy by seeing the sights from the back of Kristen's motorbike (entrusting my life to her sick skills--really, she's great on the thing, especially here). Like, look at this picture. How does one know which way traffic is flow, will flow or should flow.. it's beyond me, but I do relate because when I rode my bike around New Paltz and bigger cities you worry bout number one only, and that tends to carry over here as well:
One night we discovered the local brew, which is homemade and distributed only by vendors' establishments. The beer is very metallic-tasting but goes away once you have two liters or so. At one of the most popular " Bia Hoi" "bars" (which were actually very very small chairs without backs places next to table little children might use to each a lunch on--on this same note, in most places my head touched the bathroom ceilings. This is land of smaller people for sure) we met two fellow travelers: Efa from Ireland and Marcus from England. After we downed our liters and were forced out by the establishment (for reasons unknown..) we ended up at Eden Bar just down the road. Here we ate dinner and I was impressed by Marcus' appetite (it rivals my own). We spent the next couple of hours sharing stories and experiences. That night we also met Kristen's friend and our future roomate in Can Tho, Sarah.
The room that night was stiflled with hot, sticky air and it was hard to sleep. Luckily, our time was almost up in this hotel.
On my last full day in Saigon I visited the Vietnam War Remberance Museum. It was so powerful, and eye-opening. It should views from both sides; views not popularly shown back in the States, which proved to I was entirely exhausted when I left an hour and a half later. I learned a lot. And made some surprising discoveries.
I was going to visit the Chu Chi Tunnels, but didn't have enough time. I will save that and more for a weekend (or weekday trip) to Saigon from Can Tho, our next and final destination for this month.
Speaking of which, I've had my first experience with authentic Pho? (pronounced fuh? with the intonation of a question). It is simply noodles, beef, broth, onions, sprouts, herb leaves, seasoning and decadence. We've eaten Pho for almost each meal and it gets better. For dessert I try the Vietnamese dessert: coconut sauce, over corn cubes (or actual corn) with condensed milk. It is probably the most delciious thing I;ve had since I've had since arriving in Viet Nam. It's very light and very good.. reminds me of a rice pudding or tapioca, but with corn and coconut--so really like nothing I've ever had before!
Kristen and I stayed three nights in a small hotel, which was owen by a Vietnamese family. Over the past few days I've been keeping busy by seeing the sights from the back of Kristen's motorbike (entrusting my life to her sick skills--really, she's great on the thing, especially here). Like, look at this picture. How does one know which way traffic is flow, will flow or should flow.. it's beyond me, but I do relate because when I rode my bike around New Paltz and bigger cities you worry bout number one only, and that tends to carry over here as well:
One night we discovered the local brew, which is homemade and distributed only by vendors' establishments. The beer is very metallic-tasting but goes away once you have two liters or so. At one of the most popular " Bia Hoi" "bars" (which were actually very very small chairs without backs places next to table little children might use to each a lunch on--on this same note, in most places my head touched the bathroom ceilings. This is land of smaller people for sure) we met two fellow travelers: Efa from Ireland and Marcus from England. After we downed our liters and were forced out by the establishment (for reasons unknown..) we ended up at Eden Bar just down the road. Here we ate dinner and I was impressed by Marcus' appetite (it rivals my own). We spent the next couple of hours sharing stories and experiences. That night we also met Kristen's friend and our future roomate in Can Tho, Sarah.
The room that night was stiflled with hot, sticky air and it was hard to sleep. Luckily, our time was almost up in this hotel.
On my last full day in Saigon I visited the Vietnam War Remberance Museum. It was so powerful, and eye-opening. It should views from both sides; views not popularly shown back in the States, which proved to I was entirely exhausted when I left an hour and a half later. I learned a lot. And made some surprising discoveries.
I was going to visit the Chu Chi Tunnels, but didn't have enough time. I will save that and more for a weekend (or weekday trip) to Saigon from Can Tho, our next and final destination for this month.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Friday, Jan 11, 2008
Today, Kristen and I woke up, met with Mandy from the day before and ate breakfast with a street vendor serving fresh mangos, pineapple, watermelon, and banana over muselix covered with fresh yoghurt. Spent the rest of the day shopping and spending the last of our Baht. I purchased some fancy clothes: fisherman pants, t-shirts and a nice carrying sack.. I fit in now.
We left via a bus shuttle to the airport at 2pm. Our flight departed at 16:05. It took about 1hr and 45 minutes to arrive at the check-in terminal; you do the math! We were rushed through security checkpoints, given right of way at the passport check and we made our flight, surprisingly with a 7 minute cushion. Still, the airport jog was amusing because it was the typical scene in movies: rushing through cowds, jumping over baby prams (Australian for stroller), just narrowly missing the bags of passengers excited to score a deal at the duty-free shops, all the while being chased by an aiport security guard who thinks you may have skipped a check-point (which would've been true, IF there was a security guard chasing us).
We were served a delicious meal, and an hour after take-off we landed in Saigon. What an intense place. We arrived at 5:30pm, rush hour. So it took an an hour to get to Phan Ngu Lao, in District One of Saigon. It was nuts; there were hundreds of thousands motorbikers all squeezing into one small avenue, we were in a sedan-sized taxi trying to drive through a crowd of motorbikers, then somehow attempting (and succeeding in our attempt) to enter a road which seemed to flow one way and with the pressure and speed of about 50 bikers a seconds, each making wild turns as if driving laws don't exist here......... they don't.
We finally arrived and paid our taxi, booked our hotel and commented on how small our room was, and decided to just drink away our worries; it helped.
We left via a bus shuttle to the airport at 2pm. Our flight departed at 16:05. It took about 1hr and 45 minutes to arrive at the check-in terminal; you do the math! We were rushed through security checkpoints, given right of way at the passport check and we made our flight, surprisingly with a 7 minute cushion. Still, the airport jog was amusing because it was the typical scene in movies: rushing through cowds, jumping over baby prams (Australian for stroller), just narrowly missing the bags of passengers excited to score a deal at the duty-free shops, all the while being chased by an aiport security guard who thinks you may have skipped a check-point (which would've been true, IF there was a security guard chasing us).
We were served a delicious meal, and an hour after take-off we landed in Saigon. What an intense place. We arrived at 5:30pm, rush hour. So it took an an hour to get to Phan Ngu Lao, in District One of Saigon. It was nuts; there were hundreds of thousands motorbikers all squeezing into one small avenue, we were in a sedan-sized taxi trying to drive through a crowd of motorbikers, then somehow attempting (and succeeding in our attempt) to enter a road which seemed to flow one way and with the pressure and speed of about 50 bikers a seconds, each making wild turns as if driving laws don't exist here......... they don't.
We finally arrived and paid our taxi, booked our hotel and commented on how small our room was, and decided to just drink away our worries; it helped.
Thursday, Jan 10, 2008
Bangkok, Thailand.
In the morning, Bangkok was a thriving place--even at night it was alive. We sanctioned Kawin's Guesthouse stationed on Khao Sahn Road (meaning Rice Road). To describe the road: take the busy-ness of Manhattan, the markets of any big city, people from all over the world, the best street eats anywhere (certainly beating out any hot dog, souvlaki, ice cream, steak sandwich joint) with CHEAP Pad Thai, Rice Omelettes, Bubble Tea, Bar-B-Que Chicken, Steak, and Pork Sticks, stacks of road side beer vendors selling big Changs and Singhas, Frehs fruit vendors (fresh pineapple, raw and ripe mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, papaya), the occasional yoghurt, Muselix, and fresh fruit vendor, fresh fruit shake stands, and did I mention the Pad Thai vendors? You could get one of everything for about 30BHT each, but mostly for 10 or 20BHT. It was incredible food. I know I don't have to say this but last night alone I ate 4 chicken poles, 2 Pad Thai with chicken and egg, a big Chang beer, and a green tea bubble tea..
Not only were the eats great, and the shopping great, but the massages are revitalizing! It took me long enough, but I finally enjoyed an authentic Thai message in an upstairs parlor just above the roaring Khaosahn Road. She bent me every which-way and it felt great. Full body: foot, leg, butt, shoulders, back, chest, head, face, neck, arm. I'm happy it took me so long because I'd be broke if I were enjoying these my entire time in Thailand.
Last night before "dinner" and the rub down, Kristen and I explored the city by taking the SkyTrain to many stops in both downtown and more 'suburb-like' area of Bangkok. Watching the sunset from the train and random stops was new and enjoyable. Certainly not of the caliber that the island provided, but this sunset provided a skyline which was different:
The SkyTrain was fun and we exhausted it. Our time in Bangkok was a little short for my liking--I hadn't visited any Wat's, but heard they are overcrowded with tourists... plus I already visited a GIANT Buddha in Koh Samui:
That night we met Ryan and Mandy outside of the bar close to our hotel (which, by the way was the first place in all of Thailand that offered HOT water, or warm water)--that's right, we've been showering in cold water for the past, oh.. two weeks. This was a very pleasant surprise and I took full advantage of it.
What a place. The ferry from Koh Samui to Chumphon and from there a bus traveled for 8 hours north east to Bangkok. The travel last from 2pm to 1am. Having slept the entire way, both on the ferry and bus, I arrived quite fresh and awake. I caught up on this thing and sent many emails and messages to friends.
In the morning, Bangkok was a thriving place--even at night it was alive. We sanctioned Kawin's Guesthouse stationed on Khao Sahn Road (meaning Rice Road). To describe the road: take the busy-ness of Manhattan, the markets of any big city, people from all over the world, the best street eats anywhere (certainly beating out any hot dog, souvlaki, ice cream, steak sandwich joint) with CHEAP Pad Thai, Rice Omelettes, Bubble Tea, Bar-B-Que Chicken, Steak, and Pork Sticks, stacks of road side beer vendors selling big Changs and Singhas, Frehs fruit vendors (fresh pineapple, raw and ripe mango, passion fruit, dragon fruit, papaya), the occasional yoghurt, Muselix, and fresh fruit vendor, fresh fruit shake stands, and did I mention the Pad Thai vendors? You could get one of everything for about 30BHT each, but mostly for 10 or 20BHT. It was incredible food. I know I don't have to say this but last night alone I ate 4 chicken poles, 2 Pad Thai with chicken and egg, a big Chang beer, and a green tea bubble tea..
Not only were the eats great, and the shopping great, but the massages are revitalizing! It took me long enough, but I finally enjoyed an authentic Thai message in an upstairs parlor just above the roaring Khaosahn Road. She bent me every which-way and it felt great. Full body: foot, leg, butt, shoulders, back, chest, head, face, neck, arm. I'm happy it took me so long because I'd be broke if I were enjoying these my entire time in Thailand.
Last night before "dinner" and the rub down, Kristen and I explored the city by taking the SkyTrain to many stops in both downtown and more 'suburb-like' area of Bangkok. Watching the sunset from the train and random stops was new and enjoyable. Certainly not of the caliber that the island provided, but this sunset provided a skyline which was different:
The SkyTrain was fun and we exhausted it. Our time in Bangkok was a little short for my liking--I hadn't visited any Wat's, but heard they are overcrowded with tourists... plus I already visited a GIANT Buddha in Koh Samui:
That night we met Ryan and Mandy outside of the bar close to our hotel (which, by the way was the first place in all of Thailand that offered HOT water, or warm water)--that's right, we've been showering in cold water for the past, oh.. two weeks. This was a very pleasant surprise and I took full advantage of it.
Tuesday, January 8, 2008
Tuesday, Jan 8, 2008
This area is famous for its diving sites and water clarity.
Finding this out, there was nothing else I could've done than to scuba dive. That's right: SCUBA DIVE!
I've had countless dreams of swimming through the water, needing a breath, taking a breath, and being surprised I could breathe underwater, and continued to until I woke up.. imagine this but having never needing to fall asleep, and even better, never having to wake up.
It was actually even better than a dream. I was weightless for 45 minutes as I navigated with our instructor and two others through canyons of reef, colorfully freckled with strange filter plants situated in narrow spouts on top of living reef. When you'd push water toward them, the yellow, blue, purple, red, green, and bright orange 'things' would recoil into the coral, only to appear moments later, sometimes waiting hours to enchant the eyes of another diver.
The experience was life-changing, AND it let me know another hobby I will begin to enjoy for the rest of my life.
The instructor took about 1 hour+ to teach us the guidlines and then another hour to learn underwatyer technique, and then we were off. There is a certification course, which I was tempted to take, and if I had another week here I would enroll immediately. But we're heading off tomorrow afternoon to Bangkok.. so it may have to wait until another place, or just another time.
So that was only the beginning of the day! The rest of the day was spent waterside and hanging out with the Angentinian ladies, with whom Kristen and I have grown quite enamoured. It was a great last night in Koh Tao, and we're sad to leave it behind, but I'm leaving knowing there is more adventures to be had in Bangkok and even more in Argentina, now that I have places to stay when I travel there.. STOKED.
Monday, Jan 7, 2008
Well, it's been very hard to access internet on this leg of the journey and must apologize for the lack of updates lately.. they should all appear below!
Anyhow, today is our third and final day in Koh Tao--a very sad day for both of us.
Koh Tao has been a place of rest, new experiences, great friends and unforgettable memories.
Once we arrived via ferry from Koh Samui, with a short stop on Ko Phangan, Kristen and I hired a taxi and they delivered us to our great bungalow... right on the beach. After settling in, we walked down the beach which was amazing and facing due west. We had a beer and enjoyed the sunset.. the first beautiful one I have seen in while (this tended to be the norm here).
That night we met three girls from Argentina: Maria, Florencia, y Anna. We shared stories and met up later with other friends: Nicholas (Argentina, England, Italy) and Russell (Manchester). After, we all went out that night to a local bar, which was on the beach. Tons of dancing ensued and soon it was time to call it a night.
Kristen and I found a little surprise when we returned to the bungalow that night:
This place was beautiful. It was a series of three small islands connected by thin beaches in the shape of a boomerang. After snorkling in the crystal clear water and after I tired myself from jumping over the rocks and jumping off of the into the ocean, Maria, Florencia and I ascended a steep and unstable wooden staircase to the view point from the southern-most island. The view was breathtaking and it took us a while to experience it. Of course I climbed to the highest peak and snapped away:
Anyhow, today is our third and final day in Koh Tao--a very sad day for both of us.
Koh Tao has been a place of rest, new experiences, great friends and unforgettable memories.
Once we arrived via ferry from Koh Samui, with a short stop on Ko Phangan, Kristen and I hired a taxi and they delivered us to our great bungalow... right on the beach. After settling in, we walked down the beach which was amazing and facing due west. We had a beer and enjoyed the sunset.. the first beautiful one I have seen in while (this tended to be the norm here).
That night we met three girls from Argentina: Maria, Florencia, y Anna. We shared stories and met up later with other friends: Nicholas (Argentina, England, Italy) and Russell (Manchester). After, we all went out that night to a local bar, which was on the beach. Tons of dancing ensued and soon it was time to call it a night.
Kristen and I found a little surprise when we returned to the bungalow that night:
...it was the size of a large tea plate. And it was the creepiest, most huge, most dangerous looking thing I've seen on this trip; nothing in Australia could compare to this monster of a arachnid.
The next morning I met up with the girls from the night before and we took a day trip to an island off the north west coast of Koh Tao: Koh Nang Yuan.
This place was beautiful. It was a series of three small islands connected by thin beaches in the shape of a boomerang. After snorkling in the crystal clear water and after I tired myself from jumping over the rocks and jumping off of the into the ocean, Maria, Florencia and I ascended a steep and unstable wooden staircase to the view point from the southern-most island. The view was breathtaking and it took us a while to experience it. Of course I climbed to the highest peak and snapped away:
The waters were pristine, with the white sands accenting the reef from the shallow areas. The mountains scattered with smooth granite boulders.
5 hours later we touched back on Tao and ate dinner with the company of another perfectly painted sunset; I was getting spoiled.
Sunday, Jan 6, 2008
[UPDATED: 01/21/08--pictures!!] I woke early before leaving the island to climb all over rocks... obviously. The Grand rocks to be specific.
The Grand rocks are located on Lamai Beach in Koh Samui, where Kristen and I stayed last night.
They are the petrified private parts of a loving couple whose ship was crashed on the shore or something like that. Enjoy the phallic pictures, and the views.
This is worth an entry because I almost died climbing around these rocks. Very steep, crack climbing, in bare feet. Not good, but a great experience, with a great view and some decent pictures; so.. very worth it!
Due to a shitty virus, I will have to delay the posting of some pictures... be patient, especially for the phallic ones!
The Grand rocks are located on Lamai Beach in Koh Samui, where Kristen and I stayed last night.
They are the petrified private parts of a loving couple whose ship was crashed on the shore or something like that. Enjoy the phallic pictures, and the views.
This is worth an entry because I almost died climbing around these rocks. Very steep, crack climbing, in bare feet. Not good, but a great experience, with a great view and some decent pictures; so.. very worth it!
Due to a shitty virus, I will have to delay the posting of some pictures... be patient, especially for the phallic ones!
Saturday, January 5, 2008
Saturday, Jan 5, 2008
After spending another night in Trang we regained some energy and hired a minivan to take us to the Hat Yong Ling National Park (about 1hr south west from Trang, on the coast). When we got there we were slammed with a higher-than-expected entrance ticket price, which really lowered our expectations of this place after such a head-ache of a van ride.. but we found this place to be SPECTACULAR. 
We followed a beaten, but dead, trail to the Yong Ling Caves which were pitch black, robust with the sonar chirppings of several dozen bats. 
We entered with reluctance but it was well worth the anxiety. We came out after a series of turns to a solitary beach. There was no other way to access it, so only the brave occupied its shore--in this case, Kristen and I.
We jumped and climbed along the sea shore and many of the caves decorating the limestone outcrops along the sandy perimeter. The place redeemed itself, and we enjoyed our stay entirely. We were picked back up by the minivan four hours later; dropped back off in Trang to get our bags from Ko Teng Hotel and hiked hurridly and unsurely to the train station, where we purchased a one-way ticket to Suratthani, a small town which was the port to three great island to the north, in the Gulf of Thailand.
The trip was long and we were easily housed for the night in a cheap hotel, and woke early to be transported (by many methods: minivan, travel bus, fast ferry--not THEE fast ferry, though) to Ko Samui.
This island is alive with many interesting characters, and even more to explore. After we found lodging for the night, Kristen and I hired motorbikes and explored the main roads and the outskirts of the area.
Stopping for dinner at an authentic Thai BBQ Buffet was an interesting experience, which left us with belly aches and days of regret. I'll add some pictures later when I have better internet access, so check back soon! (update: 01/10/08, pictures added).
The night was short and we retired and woke early the next day ready to depart for our second destination in the Gulf.
We followed a beaten, but dead, trail to the Yong Ling Caves which were pitch black, robust with the sonar chirppings of several dozen bats. We entered with reluctance but it was well worth the anxiety. We came out after a series of turns to a solitary beach. There was no other way to access it, so only the brave occupied its shore--in this case, Kristen and I.We jumped and climbed along the sea shore and many of the caves decorating the limestone outcrops along the sandy perimeter. The place redeemed itself, and we enjoyed our stay entirely. We were picked back up by the minivan four hours later; dropped back off in Trang to get our bags from Ko Teng Hotel and hiked hurridly and unsurely to the train station, where we purchased a one-way ticket to Suratthani, a small town which was the port to three great island to the north, in the Gulf of Thailand.
The trip was long and we were easily housed for the night in a cheap hotel, and woke early to be transported (by many methods: minivan, travel bus, fast ferry--not THEE fast ferry, though) to Ko Samui.
This island is alive with many interesting characters, and even more to explore. After we found lodging for the night, Kristen and I hired motorbikes and explored the main roads and the outskirts of the area.
Stopping for dinner at an authentic Thai BBQ Buffet was an interesting experience, which left us with belly aches and days of regret. I'll add some pictures later when I have better internet access, so check back soon! (update: 01/10/08, pictures added).
The night was short and we retired and woke early the next day ready to depart for our second destination in the Gulf.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
Thursday, Jan 3, 2008
Here are some leftover pictures from New Year's:
So many fire dancers:
Kristen and I!:
OK!, back to the present. The past couple of days have been full of stuff.
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and knowing we were on to the next leg of our journey through Thailand after we left Trang.
So many fire dancers:
Kristen and I!:
OK!, back to the present. The past couple of days have been full of stuff.
Since my last post, Kristen and I have explore the area surround Rai Lay beach, which includes Phra Nang, where I did my first bouldering in Krabi on a stalagtite and semi-traversing a dimpled wall, Rai Lay West and East, and Ton Sai (the real climber's paradise). We had to hike through the jungle to get here. But once we got there we ate some chicken that was being cooked on the side of the dirt "road" and enjoyed a mango sticky-rice dish with coconut milk (sooo good). On the beach I bouldered a small outcrop of rock in between two huge cliff faces which were ridden with climbers from all over the world. 
Mainly sport routes, but some great roofs and great rock. The climbing was fun, and totally amped me up for a half-day of climbing the next morning.
Mainly sport routes, but some great roofs and great rock. The climbing was fun, and totally amped me up for a half-day of climbing the next morning.Kristen and I spent our last hours on Rai Lay beach rock climbing one of Thailand's most famous walls: "1-2-3." The climbs were basic; the last two were difficult, and I'm proud to say that I topped out on all of them. It was Kristen's first time climbing and she did great as well--she got super super high. Here is the view from the top of the highest route we climbed (30m):
It was invigorating and tiring, but an experience I don't think either of will forget!
Once we were off the rock we took a long-tail boat to Ao Nang where we took a bus-like tuk-tuk.. sketchy--at one point there were 15 people on board.. it's kinda like a small pick-up truck (really small) with benches in the back and a roof for your stuff. i should've taken a picture! We arrived at teh bus station in Krabi Town and were directed to the 7/11 (yes, they have them here, too). There we stocked up on some erally really really cheap food and crossed the busy road to where we must HAIL down a bus from Phuket to Trang. We met 4 locals who helped us out and taught me some basic Thai, like the words for hot, and very hit, which I have entirely fogotten.
We managed to make the bus, then head south to Trang, about a 2 hours bus ride. We set up shop in a cheap hotel for $280BHT a night with a/c!
The rest of the day was spent relaxing and knowing we were on to the next leg of our journey through Thailand after we left Trang.
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