Back in Rhody!

I got back to Newport late Sunday night. The flights were long, yeah. Its tough getting back to life here. Im adjusting slowly.
Thanks for following.

On the river in Vang Vieng

I did manage some time for the mountains and river in Laos! In the morning, local guide Hat took me up PahDeng. Its a steep Karst mountain overlooking the Nam Song River flowing by rice paddies with the town of Vang Vieng behind. Out on the road and upriver is where Hat took me next to one of the famous bars on the river. These bars have high rope swings, pump out loud music, and serve gallons of beer and cocktail to the white tourist 20-somethings who tube down. Its a sad scene really, but the novelty of it all is fun for a half day at most. I hit the rope swing, downed some beer Lao, and got a kayak driven further upstream. Up there, away from the house music, just the sound of the river and the birds. I tried hard to go slowly down the fast moving river and enjoy the tranquility before getting back to the beer party.

Bangkok Rocks!

I'm seriously liking this city! I've done a lot of shopping, sightseeing, eating, and so many different things all in only a couple days. I have two days left, not long but I'm packing all the fun in as best able.

Quick rundown goes; shopping at MBK(one of Bangkoks modern mega-malls), searching for the one kiteboarding store in Bangkok (found only by email), eating at a dank sushi bar, thai massage(ahhh), Sukhumvit Road=many bars, nightlife, Soi Cowboy "Welkumm...", Dusit Palace and Garden(home of the king and parliment), Zoo, Chinatown neon lights & street food.

Today I will see the aquarium, IMAX movie, then head to Night Bazaar Market, then back to Sukhumvit for Pub Crawl.

Tommorrow, JJ weekend Market and maybe Grande Palace.

Of course I have also seen a lot of temples, taken river boat rides, rode the sky train, ran in Lumpini Park, and taken a tuk-tuk. Also took a motorbike taxi in rush hour= scary.

Enjoy the pictures! I'll post many more on Picasa next week. Sok Dee! (good luck! "cheers")

Bangkok .

hey all. Got into Bangkok last night. Took a quick flight from Vientienne, Laos. Pretty cheap, def. the fastest way.
Will do some shopping here, siteseeing. Staying in Siam Square, pretty central to the city. Surrounded by malls, but next to the skytrain which is a fast cheap ride to many destinations.
I had planned to stay a night or two in Vientienne, but decided not to hurry through two cities, just enjoy 1. I have until early Sunday morning here in Bangkok, and there is lots to do.
Some things are visit Grand Palace in the old city and see temples and museums. Also, Sukumvit road has many restraunts bars (go-go) and neon lights. Lumphini Park is close to me, I will get up early (if I can) and sneak in a run there on the shady foot paths. Ride the Chyao Phraya River Express to get to the Palace and Koa Sian Road backpacker avenue.
Hit some venues for music, Hard Rock Cafe is close to my hotel.
Saturday is for markets, JJ weekend market can compare with the worrlds biggest, and the Vespa market is hangout for indie kids and such.
Internet time is up, sorry no pics today.
Sa wat Dee Krup

Fever

I woke up yesterday with a high fever. After sleeping all day, I checked out of the guesthouse and into the hospital. I had my temperature taken, and got an injection of paramol to lower my fever. I have an infection in my throat, and I got some drugs from the pharmacy and was released. I've slept most of the last day and a half. The fever finally quit today (I think). I still have a sore throat and don't feel 100% yet. I'm going to stay here in Vang Vieng again tonight, hopefully I will feel good enough to travel tomorrow. Damn

Vang Vieng, Laos = Laotian Playground

It's overcast today, which is why I'm on the internet. Otherwise, I would be River Rafting, Tubing, Biking, Climbing, Caving, or a million other activities here. I was at a good bar party last night having some buckets of booze (literally a bucket with alcohol inside). The DJ was actually playing good music, and my body went into shock ; meaning I was dancing. I was hanging out with my new Chilean friends, Zeb has gone on his own now. Three weeks was all we could take of each other.
My bungalow is right on the river, and I've hung my new parachute hammock on the porch there. I am going back there now to lay, and watch the river pass by. Listen to the sounds of the buffalo behind the bungalow grunting. I've rented a bicycle here and its easy to get around this small town by bike. I understand why the few people whom have been here to Laos say it is their favorite part of Asia.
I will be here in Vang Vieng for 2 more nights, then I will go South to Vientienne. A couple nights there before flying to Bangkok. I fly back to Providence from Bangkok on October 4.

All the way to Laos!

Since Chiang Mai, its been a lot of traveling, but very comfortably. The bus ride was a little long and crowded to Chaing Kong on the border of Laos. Amazing mountainuos country. Lots of agriculture and livestock in the counrtyside here. The highways would be great on motorcycle, hmm... another trip? Checked out of Thailand, across the Mekong river to Houxai, Laos.
Visa for Laos was easy, only $36. Extra passport photos camein hand here.
Slow boat for 2 days down the Mekong to Luang Prabang, Laos!
Overnight is at small town called Pak Beng, ha very neat. Tasted Lao Whiskey, rocket fuel!
Today is my first of two days here in Luang Prabang. Ran around the town this morning, what a way to see the town. This afternoon, visiting some temples and get a massage.
Tomorrow out to Pak Ou; Buddha Caves and a huge waterfall. Then stopping at a textile village on the way back to Luang Prabang.
Next day by bus ( i think) to Vang Vieng for rafting, climbing, and treking. Then on to Vientiene, capital of Laos. Korp Chai!

sorry, images taking too long to upload. Next time.

Chiang Mai - for a day

Arrived Chiang Mai this morning by train from Bangkok. Bought bus tickets to the border town with Laos for tomorrow morning. Then checked in to a cool guesthouse downtown. Since then have gotten Thai oil massage, big lunch, and walked around a little. Tonight is the Chiang Mai NIght Bazzare for shopping and entertainment and eating. Then early bus NorthEast to Chang Kong and walk across the border into Laos.
Either take a bus North east again, or boat ride depending on river water level. In a few days, I will be very close to the Chinese border! Up there in Laos are a lot of traditional villages. Of course some nature trekking and boating. Will see tradional dances and I want to fish and carve wood with the locals. Wish me luck!

Sorry to leave Ko Tao today. Diving this morning was great, lots of fish and some moral eels and blue spotted stingrays. A boat ride will take us back to the mainland, and there we board a train for Bangkok. It will be a day or two to Chiang Mai. Adventures away!!

Ko Tao - Big fun

This little island is a diver's dream. Big, healthy coral, loads of fish, a gazillion dive shops and boats, plus a ton of bars.
The bungalow I stay in here is pretty nice, but fan only. It is also short walk to the beach, and just as close to town.
This island is a little pricier than the last, and ways to spend money are more accessible and enticing.
"You want Taxi?""You want bungalow?""You go dive?""Happy hour! ONly 50 Baht!" These saying are already getting old on day 2 here.
A big kayak event around the island today. My arms are tired, and the sun has beat me up. A couple more days here in the nice island weather, then back to the mainland. HOT

Ko Pha Ngan

Today brought kiteboarding on flat waters in a semi/lagoon on the Thailand island of Ko Pha Ngan. A late morning session of moderate winds common to this island had me sailing back and forth between the beach and the small reef break.

Early morning pics were taken at sunrise beach, home of the famous full moon party. Tonight, I will set up somewhere on sunset beach for some shots as the light fades here on the other side of the world.

Waking up in Thailand today was just that; waking up in Thailand- a thing that feels strangly comfortable.

I write this from the complementary internet cafe at One2Kite. http://www.one2kite.com/ I am waiting patiently for the afternoon winds to fill in for a end of day kite session. I was just cooked a good Thai dinner of green curry, rice, fried chicken, chicken on a stick, and a savory potatoe curry.

YO, Asian Champion kiteboarder and instructor, has connected me with his friend on Ko Tao, the island next on our intinerary. Kun runs a travel agency and will make our stay there very good.

I kited with new friends from Austria, Germany and Montreal, CA today here plus my new Thai friends.

Tonight is a huge pool party at the bungalow next to ours. Zeb and I will go to that and be wild. Tomorrow is the half moon party in the jungle. Thai's on this island like to party, and use every excuse.

Thanks for tuning in, Korp Kun Krep.

Thailand;

I'm in the Southern Thai border city of Sukai Golok. Just entered Thailand thismorning and awaiting a train Northbound for Hat Yai and on to Surat Thani. Have a pocket full of Baht, and enjoying the heat.

A walk to find the internet cafe led us through a morning market that was what you would expect here. Lots of small stands with local veggies, chilis, spices, noodles, fish, squid, and the eels were still squirming. None of the fish is iced, and flys come and go, but everything was caught today, so its of no importance.

Expected to arrive Surat Thani late tonight, and catch a ferry to Ko Pha Ngan early tomorrow. I should be staying about a week in the archipelago, then on to Bangkok. Enough time for beach, party, diving, sail, kiteboard, relax.

Malay Jungle?..Check!

Yes, everything is going as planned. Arrival in Singapore was long awaited, but uncomplicated. The city was vast, clean, modern, and scenic if only for a short visit. On bus across the Malay border was anxious, but straightforward. Then by train up the east coast of the Malay Peninsula. From the US, to one of the most modern and safe cities in the world, to the jungle and off the beaten track. A long bus ride from a backcountry train stop lands us deep in the jungle at the National Park Taman Negara. Todays jungle trek was epic.

Day -2 : The Preperation A(sia)

Looking up and out:
After planning this adventure for a full year, being a day away from a plane ride to the other side of the world is surreal. I've been spending my past week or two in constant contact with my travel partner, Zeb, planning transport to and from places of interest and what to pack. Also, been making a big final push to make some last $ before I take 4 weeks off work and start spending money slowly.
There are only hours before I leave the land of 99.9% percent of what and who I know. There are thousands of people I am going to come into contact with, who will have a fully different perception of reality, life, death, religion, etc. I have done as good a job as time and effort allowed to research and prepare, now the time is coming to think less about the trip, and just make the trip happen.
I fly from Providence, RI Thursday at 9:00am.
Providence to Detroit to Minneapolis to Tokyo to Singapore. Ill be in Singapore Saturday at 1:00am. ugh