Last day in Thailand..We are ready for Bali!

We spent the last day in Thailand on a canoe tour around Phang Nga Bay.  There are 42 islands , mostly uninhabited, which we cruised around on a boat.  We were dropped into canoes to explore caves that took us inside one island. Staring up at these limestone cliffs from the inside was one of the coolest things I have ever done. Most of the people had guides steer them though but I opted to take this one on myself. Corynn did not appreciate this as much considering I also wanted to take pictures.  This  meant an occasional hit to the interior cave wall.

Corynn and her charmingness attracted her new friend. “ Jack” (his self assigned non-Thai name), who offered to take us Patong…  I know, I just dissed  it in the previous blog,  but as the great yogi, Paramahansa Yogananda, environment is great then will power.   As about as opposite as you can imagine a quite sea cave, is Patong. A few hours there was enough with neon signs and screaming techno music, It was crazy and I am too old for it.

Thank God for Bali, the Island of the Gods, we a resting well tonight in artsy Ubud, Bali

Phuket.. Not really feeling it, but loved Phi Phi Don

This is a tough one.  I felt like we were in for something different  getting on the plane to Phuket from Chaing Mai, but I didn’t know what it was.  It seemed like it would be a shame to miss the southern beaches of Thailand, considering I have always heard how beautiful they are.  I am not “ feeling it” in Phuket..Whatever that it was supposed to be.

We did catch a speed boat with 20 other people on a tour today to Ko Phi Phi  and Khai today. It was gorgeous and I felt as if I were in a movie with white pearl sand beaches and crystal clear warm waters. The boat dropped us off at 3 different beaches and one snorkeling spot.  It was a whirlwind but a definite must see. Here is Corynn at the famous Maya Bay beach on Ko Phi Phi Leh.

DAYYYUMM!!!

We snokeled here, and yes it was that blue in real life too!

But back in the southern beach town in Phuket of Kata where we are staying, all “feeling it” is lost again. The place is packed with mostly Scandinavian tourists with a 3^rd world country meets beach town feel.  Tons of tee shirt and sandal shops with vendors willing  to “give you good deal.”  No heart in this town. Especially with hedonistic Patong nearby..Sporting your classic “for lease” Thai women.  A man on a date today in our tour told me  these women  go for 1,000 Baht for a full day, about $34.00 and she even booked the tour and hotel for him. I thought they were on their honeymoon when I saw them.

I got to thinking.  When I hired our guide, he was more money… Wha??

Corynn lost her mind when she saw an illegal young street elephant tonight with its Mahout pandering for money.  We could tell that the elephant was nervously swaying and uncomfortable. It was sad knowing what we know about Elephants and their ability to sense vibrations in the ground to guide them. It was obviously disturbed in its surroundings.

I guess any of our discomfort this is all part of an adventure and nothing that an $11.00 1 hour oil massage cannot cure.

A new appreciation for the largest walking animal on Earth

Today we had a more educational experience with the Asian Elephant at the Elephant Nature Park.  At this elephant sanctuary, 35 rescued elephants, including 2 babes, live in a semi wild environment, There are no elephant rides or shows here. The woman who runs the place has dedicated her life to creating a good life to elephants who are retired from the former logging industry or rescued from abuse.
We had a chance to see her in action as the elephant whisperer.. Quite fascinating considering she is under 5 feet tall.

I didn't know there were only 5,000 Asian elephants left and there were over 20,000 10 years ago.  I didn't know they ate 250 pounds of food a day until today. They can spend up to 18 hours a day chewing!

Now we're cooking...

Cookin' the Thai way. We spent the day in the country at the Chiang Mai Cookery School where we learned to make 4 meals including Yellow curry with Chicken and Fried Big Noodles and Pork. If I am going to recreate this at home I will have to find myself a Thai market somewhere, because these ingredients will not be at the local grocery store.

We started with a trip to the market and it was unique, considering the butcher is chopping up the meat and leaving it right on the unrefrigerated block of wood for your pickin'.  Hmm?  Feeling OK so far.

Really, the experience was top notch and fun. Chopping and woking with Corynn was a great time. We definitely will share are new skills when we return, or at least know how to order better at the Siamese Basil restaurant  in Encinitas:)

Elephant Camp without my new camera:(

My first Budhist lesson from my guide, Arthit, today was .."be happy with what you do not have."  That was the practice today when I came equipped with my new digital SLR camera, my extra lens, and my extra battery, BUT, what I did NOT have was the memory card. AHH! Luckily we had my camera in my phone...

Corynn got to see, feel, and ride her favorite animal through the jungle and river. She feels her life is complete.

We also got a big kick out of hanging with our new Thai friend and guide. Corynn taught him some new slang words, like "sick" which means good and "sketch" which means scary.  We also told him how Americans give out pills to make people happy called "anti-depressants." He just could not believe us. The Thais are always smiling, so I can understand how this difficult to understand. He said that they only give pills to old people here.

We ended the day with a $2.50 30 minute foot massage at the street market where they set up 20 reclining chairs to pamper the clients. I would feel guilty if they were not so happy to do it.

Goodbye Bangkok, Hello Chiang Mai

The last day in Bangkok was a hot one. Corynn nearly melted visiting the Wat Phra Kaew, also known as the temple of the Emerald Buddha. It was over 90 degrees, but it felt more like 100 with the humidity. I guess all the 105 degree yoga had me conditioned, but Corynn was not good was worried for a whole. We went back and slept it off in air conditioning. Our savior, Michia took us out again to the chic sky bar downtown. Not before he advised me I needed to change out of the yoga hippie clothes I have been wearing. It was a good thing, because I felt as if we hit the elite of every international tourist. It was pretty cool except for the $12.00 cranberry juice for Corynn, so we headed back to the laid back corner of town on Khoa San Street where we caught a Thai band, singing Rhiana's latest songs as well as YMCA.   They were actually pretty good. Although, it could have been the heat.

Corynn continues to get lots of "stares" from the Thais. Michia tells us they are saying she is gorgeous.  They must intrigued by her white skin and light  eyes. We frequently see them taking pictures of her and today a couple asked her to take pictures with them.  I think it is nice for her to get attention. Doesn't every teen want to feel good about their image when they live in competitive CA.

With and 1 hour and 15 min flight, we are in Northern Thailand, Chiang Mai, tonight. (Thailand's Sat Night and way early Sat morning). We hit up a night market and We are headed to an early morning tour to see elephants. We will keep you posted!!

Night out in Bangkok

Michai took us out last night Thai style to downtown Bangkok.  WE are so fortunate to have him, because he is testing out his potential touring business on us for the cost of his dinner (about $4.00.)

At the restaurant, he talked Corynn into Spicy shrimp soup moving her away from her traditional rice with soy sauce.  She loved it!

He set us up with traditional Thai massage which is no gentle Swedish message with gentle touch and smooth oil. This massage consisted of my body having a yoga class without me doing the work…pressure points, twisting, pulling... I heard Corynn in the other room; saying, “lighter” and “softer,” but the masseuse did not speak English. Then I heard Corynn start demonstrating “on” the woman!

Afterward, we had to sit in the lobby and laugh; because we felt so good from the pain...It was all we could do.

Then Michai grabbed us a Tuk Tuk, which he warned us never to take, because the drivers usually scam you to take a tour of gem shops.  He said, "it was OK if I we were with him."  I freaked out anyway because they are 100’s of cars whizzing by and kept imagining the worst, so we jumped into a cab 5 minutes later. I am still glad we had the experience!

Some pics from Bangkok

Bangkok

We were welcomed by our new family at the Old Bangkok Inn yesterday. In a place so foreign, I was surprised to see someone on the street who knew me by name when the cab drove up. Michi, the hotel manager, is our new best friend. He even called the airline and tracked down my lap top I left on the plane. Do not ever put me in charge of your valuables after a 20 hour flight. You have been warned.

We are staying in a village style of Banglampoo where we feel like we are in the mix of backpackers and trendy Thais. It feels real to me with no high rise hotels and lots of street vendors.

We have walked ourselves out today with a visit to Chinatown and the other street markets. It's a pretty cool vibe. I definitely feel like I am far from home, but also feel very safe.

Are we really leaving today?

Corynn and I are off to Thailand and Bali for the next 25 days.

3 months ago, I decided it was a good idea to give Corynn an education on culture and travel after her early graduation. What I did not realize is that I am getting an education on how to accept my fear the unknown.

I gave up my original plan to have a travel agent plan this trip, after (1) seeing the cost but also (2) seeing the rigid structure. I have now decided to walk on the wild side and only semi plan this trip. I know we are landing in Bangkok on Feb 16th and leaving Bali on March 12.  I have 12 out of 25 nights and 2 nights will be covered on the airplane. Let me just say, I am feeling a little queasy.

This is not a vacation; this will be an adventure...

My goal by the end of this adventure to have MORE intelligent answers to these common questions:

Q: "Why did I choose these places?"    A:  Not sure yet...
Q: "What are you planning on doing?"   A:  Not really sure yet.
Q: "Is Corynn excited?                         A:  Not sure,  I think so.

Now, time to finish unpacking half of the stuff we packed before we take off...

Stephanie