a photo journal because my memory sucks
So happy I made it back last night on earlier flight. 1300 flights out of Chicago cancelled including my original flight. Phew! Just an FYI to future traveling, you can go standby with fee on same day of travel, same route pattern. Did not know but when I went to check in online with American there was an option to go standby. Otherwise, I'd be still stranded in Chicago freaking out!
I love that a hotel van driver told me I need to be under blue sign to get shuttle bus to other terminals. Thanks dude. Even better was when I asked employee shuttle bus driver if she went to terminal 4, she responded, "it's right behind you." Whoops. Layover in HNL to see Scott and Chris up in Hale'iwa. 2 more flights. It's 6 am I'm kinda tired but hanging in there. Nothing a burrito can't fix.
6 weeks. 24 flights, trains, ferries, buses, tuk Tuks and bicycles I achieved what I set out to see as much of South East Asia as I possibly could and I think I did it flawlessly. Amazing and surprisingly I did not have one hiccup. Kudos to all the airlines especially Air Asia. On time departures and usually early than expected arrivals. No delayed flights except the plane that was held for myself and a few other passengers. ;-) A few close calls in Bangkok sprinting to gates to catch flights. But other than that it was pretty smooth.
I ate as much as my belly could possibly allow and never got sick. Could be the Asian gene or the copious amount of chilies I added. Must kill any bad bacteria.
I saw amazing things from the temples of Bagan to the enchanting Halong Bay.
I met so many wonderful people and locals who all helped or enhanced my trip. I think the only time I ran into gruff people were sadly the "TSA" in Shanghai. Perhaps, tone gets lost in translation. I have also noticed that Asians tend to be pushy, loud and in your space. I covet my small bubble and respect that of others. So when mine is compromised, me not so happy. Each step during my travels was different and exciting. There was always something new to see, taste, and explore. The colors, sights and smells are permanently etched in my mind.
I think given my go go attitude, the time allowed in each country was perfect. I got a taste and in the future will know which countries I prefer to spend more time in. It becomes a question of immersing oneself in a particular place or jet setting off to see something new.
Traveling within SEA is really inexpensive. I simplified most of my accommodations by using Airbnb. Reviews are very helpful in the selection process. The knowledge that your hosts hold is invaluable and saves time. Plus a great way to get a sneak peak into daily life. Hostels and a few hotels filled in the blanks elsewhere. Overall, I am happy with where I spent nights. Some loud and Bourbon street like, others in the countryside listening to the rooster crow or the all night local music mourning the recently passed.
FOOD spectacular, delicious! Watching the street vendors use their magic turning meats, vegetables and seafood into delectable bites amazed me. Makeshift sidewalk kitchens, tiny grills, huge woks over clay vessels, boiling pots for noodles, arrays of sauces and spices ready to complement the dishes being made. It impressed me to say the least. I will stop complaining about my apartment size stove and oven. I think though, I may have to take a respite of noodles and rice. Ahh maybe for a day.
Must have travel items:
Sarong used as dress, beach and shower towel, blanket
Bandana used for napkin, sweat absorber, hand towel, face mask for pollution
External battery pack
And fashionable hipster pack for easy access to phone to take pictures
On a funnier note
Items lost or broken
3 bandanas
2 pairs eyeglasses (one broken)
Package of ear plugs
Eye mask
External battery charger (I had two thank goodness)
2 pairs flip flops broken
I think that's it but I'm sure I forgot a few items.
Im glad I was able to do this with the help and support from you all.
Already thinking about where I will go next year. Stay tuned! Oh and I still have not mastered chopsticks.
Yay coming home!! I'm actually looking forward to it. I have had a week to do nothing but swim, suntan, eat and drink. Oh and read! It's been hard to do absolutely nothing. So used to go go lifestyle at home and even while traveling. I think it suits me and am happy to go back to a busy schedule again. I will though allow for some downtime and more sleep. See you all soon! American coffeee please!!
Here are a few last pics of beautiful Koh Lipe
I guess I am a regular. The guy asked if I wanted papaya salad. 😝
Movie and ice cold beer time. They have been showing Adam Sandler flicks since I have gotten here. Maybe they will show Grown Ups 2
Koh Lipe is a beach lovers paradise. Everyone is laid back here and on island time. Things are much slower and chill (including the Internet) Turquoise blue waters, pillow soft white sands, tranquil breezes and gentle waves. The entire island is walkable. There is even a street called the Walking Street where all the restaurants, bars, dive shops etc are located.
The three main beaches are Sunrise, Sunset and Pattaya. However there are a lot of little named beaches that connect the three. I'm staying at the backpackers hostel directly on pattaya beach and is part of Davy Jones Locker Diving. It's an ideal location. On the far end of the beach and away from the busier part of the island. And diving at your door step. No cars exist here. Some mototaxis, bicycles and long tail boats to get you to and from the other islands as well as the pier where you would grab speed boats to other ports.
Accommodations can be a rudimentary hostel like the one I'm staying in or a luxurious place like the Andaman.
Things are a little bit pricier here. I guess schlepping everything over to an island and it also being a tourist destination adds to the inflated cost of things.
It's a good mix of people here, from hippies, expats, families to backpackers and divers.
Place reminds me a lot of Gilligan's Island.
Rasta pups. My childhood dog Annie used to get these dreads as well. These guys followed me til I made my turn.
I think the rotis are catching up with me. On the search for the tastiest papaya salad while I am here.
Dial up internet, oh my. Good thing the beaches are beautiful!
My last day in Bangkok airport. I am happy. It has been bittersweet using it as my hub. I have enjoyed the sights, sound and smells of Bangkok city and feel like I really got around with relative ease.
Last night's cycling was the best way to end my stay in Bangkok. It was actually less chaotic than I expected. Seeing the temples all lit up and without the distraction of thousands of tourist was a beautiful sight for my tired eyes. Been going since 4 am.
The down side with biking in a group is the speed we travel. Too slow for my liking, but now that I have a sense of BKK at night, I would do solo another time.
I'm sure I will be back, can't go to South East Asia without stepping into Bangkok. She keeps you on your toes.
And i finally got my big girl coffee! Americano, 2 shots espresso, fresh milk, courtesy of Starbucks.
I think I made the right decision to abort Bali and go to Ko Lipe. You can find me at the beach under an umbrella or swimming with Nemo
It is absolutely sweltering in Bangkok. A cool 95 degrees. Steamy, sweaty and disgusting. Anyway, I was planning on taking bus 59 from the airport to get me to Democracy Tower and from there I could scout out meet up location for night cycling and also would get me close to khao San road. This same bus would take me back to the airport later. That was the plan. All mapped out.
The money taker, an old somewhat toothless, gentle man said khao San road?!? Take bus 524. He even wrote it down in Thai so I could let someone know where I was going in case I got lost. I kind of felt like paddington the bear. I obliged and got out even though I carefully figured out which bus to take but more importantly where to pick up the same bus to go back to the airport. I knew taking this other bus was going to mess me up.
Anyway, bus 524 took me spitting distance to khao San road. I was elated as this was my 3rd attempt in trying to get to said road. Always distracted and never getting there.
I'm not sure what all the buzz is with khao San Rd as it was pretty uneventful. Lots of foreigners! Oy vay! I had lunch from a street vendor. Paid 35 baht = about $1. The restaurants on khao san were pricey and touristy.
I then tried to swap out books but he wanted $5 for a used book that I already read and probably owned. It was a Tom Robbins book, the only thing decent in his used book collection. I was hoping for an even swap. Nope.
Instead, I paid $5 to get my hair trimmed. I really needed to get my roots colored but was not going to spend over $20 knowing I can use a box at home for $3. I can live with my grays.
Highlights thus far have been filling my water thermos from a street side water filling station all for one measly baht. These should be all over as it would help in major reduction of plastic. Finding the bus stop that will take me back to the airport. Just an FYI there are no MBTAs that will just take you there. It's taking a T like train, then getting off and finding the bus stop or hiring a taxi/tuk tuk. Or you can be me and just figure out the bus system which is quite easy to do and more direct. Getting my fresh squeezed refreshing pomegranate juice, and finally trying a durian icecreamcicle. Peppery and sweet. Can you tell it is hot out!
I am currently taking shelter at Grasshopper Adventures, where I will begin my night cycling through the Bangkok streets. Really could do with a coffee! It's still 90+ out!
The temperature in Hanoi went from high 80's to mid 50's for the rest of the week. Perfect time to get out of dodge.
It seems that I am always up well before the roosters crow and before the streets are cleaned. This morning no different.
There were still hawkers cleaning up the remnants of the busy night before. Boys/servers were shoveling down leftover noodles as they readied the place for a new day. Its rather peaceful roaming the streets at 4 in the morning. There isn't that constant cattle moving feeling.
This am was surprisingly unusual . There was actually quite a bit of activity. While most are sleeping, the gruesome task of butchery takes place. The entire street was lined with what seemed like beef and cow carcass. It was quite seedy with dimly lit streets and tarps laid out. It looked like a surgical procedure as they cut away the flesh from the bone. It will though all disappear when the sun comes up, tidied and replaced with more eye friendly produce and wares. I only know because yesterday, I did a recon just to make my early am walk to the bus station hassle free and did not see this.
Because of the inefficiency and sheer volume of travelers, I must arrive at the airport 2 hrs ahead of time. Add in the unreliable local bus transport, one has to allow for 3+ hours.
Nothing like getting completely turned around and missing a flight.
I just need coffee and hoping my last 66,000 d**g will cover it. Last night was a dinner splurge of BBQ. Their take on Korean bulgogi.
Btw, coffee at airport was $3.50 I owed them an additional dollar for a terrible Dixie cup portion.
Sitting here, I just found out an old good friend passed. Trying to understand why it happened. I will never know. I am glad I had the time spent with him and got to see him 2 summers ago. RIP my friend. You will be missed but always remembered. Say hi to MB! I know she will give you a big hug and then have words with you. XO mr. Croy
Happy Valentines Day from Hanoi!
Rising Dragon. Just a few pictures from my wanderings.
Reminds me of the fjords of Chile that Forest and I saw while traveling through the channels to get to Puerto Natales, the gateway into Torres del Paine.
Spent 2 days and one night floating around the bay. It was great to get out of the city! The pictures don't give it the due respect it deserves. Halong Bay radiates a sense of peace and calm.
Holy Tet! Ha noi reminds me a lot of Nola. French colonial architecture, Juliet balconies, throngs of young people. It is really one big Mardi Gras sans beads, b***s and music. Ohh so many people!! The grit still exists here but it's definitely more modern than some of the places I have visited. It is a romantic city that seduces and beckons you to play from the sidewalk coffee shops to the numerous pho shops or even perhaps a stroll around the moonlit lake. The brightly colored fairy lights will keep you entranced until it's time to fade away.
Good morning Vietnam !
So I made it through all the lines and just noticed my lock is not on my backpack. I stored it in "left luggage" for the night. I'm glad I took all the money I hid out. Geesh
I hate Don Muang airport in Bangkok. Have I told you that? What a joke this place is. No matter how early I get here, I always feel like I'm going to miss my flight. I slept here. Arrived back to airport at 1am. It is 4am and it's a zoo already and line zigs and zags like its Black Friday which only means all these people have to pass through immigrations as well. Ugh. And many are rude and obnoxious.
Fully charged. I'm off to see what this khao San road is all about. I'm totally tired. Bizzarro shark dream kept me awake. So normally sleeping 4 hrs I only got like 2. Going to see 13 hours, hopefully won't fall asleep through it.
And this morning, I biked to the Black House, the antithesis of the grandeur and beauty of the The White Temple. The Black House is eerily macabre with animal skulls, skins and bones. Most of the structures are in dark brownish black hues with teak being the predominant wood. As bizarre and morbid that it is, I much prefer the architecture and artistic elements found all over than the pristine White Temple. It is actually a compound of more that 40 structures. It serves as a museum, studio and was the home of the late artist Thawan Duchanee.
Yesterday I visited the White Temple in its absolute stunning splendor. Designed and constructed by Chalermai Kositpipat. An art exhibit in the Buddhist temple style. It is free to the public and no donations over 10,000 baht are allowed as he refuses to be influenced by big donors.
Broke my flip flop and glasses. Booooo! Good thing I have HOURS to kill in Bangkok.
So it looks like Mother Nature is putting a damper on my last week in SeA. I guess I will have to seek sun and sea elsewhere. Good thing there is no shortage of beautiful places and cheap flights. After much research and tactical planning of logistics and all, I decided on this little island called Ko Lipe. In Thailand but very close to Malaysia. I based my choice on practicality as I fly into Bangkok on the 15th and need to be in KUL on the 22nd to fly out for the states. Both flights to and from Ko Lipe are short and cheap with ferry transfers. The island looks beautiful and tourists haven't completely taken it over like other islands. Plenty of diving which I wanted as an option.
Airbnb/home stay in Chiang Rai. Ann teaching a cooking class right outside of my bedroom. Her kitchen is perfect!
Airbnb/hostel in Chiang Mai with lovely relaxing garden
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They sure do love their markets! Last night was Saturday Walking Market and tonight was Sunday's Walking Market on different streets. I only went down one zone and there are 6! Quite overwhelming and had to leave. And with my new offline gps, me and my bike are home so quickly. Last night, I was very unsuccessful with my paper map.,
Traditional Khmer music for your listening pleasure
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