After a week in Pattaya we headed to Koh Tao for some more fun in the sun. Koh Tao is a small island in the gulf of Thailand. This place was amazing but getting there was a whole other story. Our transportation cost to get there was $16 round trip but we got about what we paid for. We got the bus at 6 pm in Bangkok. It was an overnight bus so it had reclining seats but we got the short end of the stick when it filled up. We had to sit in a lounge area with a couch which would have been ok, if they hadn't put one more person on the bus. We had a couch all to ourselves and we could lay out but with the extra person that didn't happen. The area we were in was also roach infested. Needless to say I did not sleep much. We did meet a nice South African couple who were staying at the same resort as us in Koh Tao, and the bus had ac. At 2 am we arrived at our transfer stop so they hurried us off the bus with no real instructions as to what was next. We were at a port and we had to take a ferry to the island, but it did not leave till 7 am. We just pulled out our sleeping bags and waited for the ferry. AJ went to use the bathroom there and you had to pay 5bhat (15cents)to use it. Only problem was when he used the urinal it did not drain in a pipe but rather just on the floor. So he had to pay to pee on his feet. The ferry took just shy of 3 hours to get there. As we pulled up to the dock the island was breath taking. Clear water, beach and palm trees everywhere. It looked like something out of a movie. It made the long journey and all the bug swatting worth it.
Koh Tao is quite touristy but very small. There is one main beach drag with all the shops and restaurants and countless dive shops. Everyone pretty much gets around on motor scooters and they will run you over. There were lots of Western places and shop after shop selling all the same stuff. And there were dogs everywhere, including our resort.
We went straight to our resort and I only had an hour to relax before I started my scuba classes. The free room we got was basic but the price was right. No ac, just a fan and not hot water, which was fine because it was too hot to take a hot shower. We even got a couple little lizards on the wall.
The South African couple and a dutch couple were in my Scuba class with me. The first day was just paperwork and homework. No fun when you are tired and just want to lay out on the beach. They next day is when everything really started. We got in the pool with all of our gear to practice and do some skill test. There was an assistant who was my partner and I am so glad she was there. The pool was quite dirty, seemed like they had not run the pump in days. Good practice for the ocean though. In the beginning when we first went under all I could hear and feel was my heart pounding. I was so nervous and I could not calm my self down. At that moment I was ready to be done and quit the class. I didn't think I could do it, but the assistant, Heidi, talked to me and calmed me down and then I was good. It is such a strange feeling because it is so unnatural to be breathing under water. I passed all my test that day. The next day we did our first ocean dives to 12 meters. The visibility was very poor, which was unusual for them, and a foggy mask prevented me from seeing much. My heart was pounding a little less, and by the second dive that day I was loving it.
The next day was our final dives to 18 meters. They let AJ come with and be my buddy, (he is a big time diver). It was a lot of fun to have him there and made me feel even more at ease. The other two couples had a buddy they new and trusted the first day, I had someone I had just met. These two dives were great. I felt good, no foggy mask and visibility was better. I got to see Nemo!!! I passed my final with flying colors and I am now a certified diver!!!!! It was quite cheap for me to dive so we went again the next two days. Day 1 as a certified diver was the best, the vis was good and the locations were great. All the reefs were teaming with fish, coral and anemones. I saw a scorpion fish and a sea snake on that day. It is crazy how you are 60 feet down but it feels like only 10 feet or so. I thinking diving is amazing and can't believe I did not do it sooner. I always had a fear with my ears cause I had trouble clearing them but now I am good. After 4 days of diving and getting up at 5:45 am to do so I wanted a rest.
We spent some time by the pool and the beach just relaxing. We loved Koh Tao so much that we decided to stay few extra days. We rented a motor bike one day to drive around the island. A bit scary I think. It cost $4.50 to rent the bike and $3 to fill it up. One day was all I could handle riding on that island.
We were sad to leave the island but I know I will go back one day. It is so beautiful and the diving is great (I will have to see how it stacks up against Cayman). The trip back to Bangkok was another long one but at least we were relaxed and got a real seat!
In Bangkok we decided to get a Thai physical massage. We had got one in Pattaya, which I forgot to mention before. AJ liked the one in Bangkok much better because in Pattaya he had a lady boy (a man dressed as a woman) massaging him. I got a good laugh out of it, him not so much. He was like maybe she just had a cold, and I said maybe it was just a man. The Thai massage is crazy but good. Only $6-9 for and hour. They move you and stretch you in ways you did not know was possible. My body has never cracked so much. But when you are done you feel a few inches taller and total relaxed. A good way to end our time in Thailand.
Next is Cambodia.
Sunday, June 27, 2010
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Pattaya, Thailand
Well this has been an interesting and relaxing week. It was much needed down time after all the travel and adventure we have been doing for the past month.
Pattaya is about a 2 hour bus ride from Bangkok and located right on the beach. The bus that we took just kind of dropped us off in the middle of town and there was no one around that we could ask for directions to our place, no taxis, no information office. Luckily we found our way. The main form of public transport here are pick up trucks that have two bench seats in the back with a cover over it. They make a continual loop around town. Each ride cost 10 bhat which equals about 30 cents US. We didn't realize this and were negotiating a price and over paying every time. Glad we figured that one out.
We have spent this past week sleeping in and lounging by the pool, which is gorgeous and tropical. It is low season here so there are very few tourist. We did go to the beach one day. The water is much like cocoa at home, except for the tiny dead fish constantly washing up. We took that as a sign we shouldn't get in the water. We rented two beach chairs for the day for only $1.80 US (for both). Unfortunately not blending in with the locals means a constant train of people wanting to sell you anything from ice cream to fried shrimp to massage to jewelery. In about a 2 hour time span we were approached by at least 15 people. We told the ice cream guy maybe later, which he took literal and came back 2 more times.
Pattaya has nothing special to see and is not famous for much except all the Thai ladies looking for a good time. There is one street called walking street that is full of beer gardens, bars, night clubs and go gos. It is teaming with young women looking for a rich Western husband. It is defiantly a sin city without the gambling. They are also lots of lady boyz as they call them (guys dressed as girls). Some are hard to tell, mistakes could be made, but there are lots who don't quite pull it off. I had no idea about all of this before we came. I thought it was just a nice resort town by the beach. Boy was a I surprised. Apparently the Russian, Italian, Japanese and few other countries have mobs here. Crazy place!
Yesterday I went to swim with the dolphins. AJ went diving so I decided to do that. It was really great and not too expensive. The place I went to had river dolphins so the water we were swimming in was river water and was dark. That is a bit frightening when you first get in. They had two types one of which was a pink dolphin. There were only 3 other people swimming with me so we got a lot of time with the dolphins. I got to ride on their backs, pet them, feed them. make them do tricks and even kiss them. Great experience!!! The trip also included a dolphin show at the marine park we were at. When we walked into the sort of theme park my tour guide told me not to compare it to America, good thing she didn't know I lived in the theme park capital. It was no Discovery Cove or Sea World, but the dolphins were all rescued and really well taken care of. After that we went to a waterfall that was really pretty. At the bottom of the waterfall you can swim with thousands of fish. I did not get in but I did feed them. You feed them long green beans and they go crazy over them. After that we went to a monkey temple to feed monkeys and a fruit market. Overall the day was great.
Tomorrow is our last day then it is back to Bangkok and on to Ko Tao.
Pattaya is about a 2 hour bus ride from Bangkok and located right on the beach. The bus that we took just kind of dropped us off in the middle of town and there was no one around that we could ask for directions to our place, no taxis, no information office. Luckily we found our way. The main form of public transport here are pick up trucks that have two bench seats in the back with a cover over it. They make a continual loop around town. Each ride cost 10 bhat which equals about 30 cents US. We didn't realize this and were negotiating a price and over paying every time. Glad we figured that one out.
We have spent this past week sleeping in and lounging by the pool, which is gorgeous and tropical. It is low season here so there are very few tourist. We did go to the beach one day. The water is much like cocoa at home, except for the tiny dead fish constantly washing up. We took that as a sign we shouldn't get in the water. We rented two beach chairs for the day for only $1.80 US (for both). Unfortunately not blending in with the locals means a constant train of people wanting to sell you anything from ice cream to fried shrimp to massage to jewelery. In about a 2 hour time span we were approached by at least 15 people. We told the ice cream guy maybe later, which he took literal and came back 2 more times.
Pattaya has nothing special to see and is not famous for much except all the Thai ladies looking for a good time. There is one street called walking street that is full of beer gardens, bars, night clubs and go gos. It is teaming with young women looking for a rich Western husband. It is defiantly a sin city without the gambling. They are also lots of lady boyz as they call them (guys dressed as girls). Some are hard to tell, mistakes could be made, but there are lots who don't quite pull it off. I had no idea about all of this before we came. I thought it was just a nice resort town by the beach. Boy was a I surprised. Apparently the Russian, Italian, Japanese and few other countries have mobs here. Crazy place!
Yesterday I went to swim with the dolphins. AJ went diving so I decided to do that. It was really great and not too expensive. The place I went to had river dolphins so the water we were swimming in was river water and was dark. That is a bit frightening when you first get in. They had two types one of which was a pink dolphin. There were only 3 other people swimming with me so we got a lot of time with the dolphins. I got to ride on their backs, pet them, feed them. make them do tricks and even kiss them. Great experience!!! The trip also included a dolphin show at the marine park we were at. When we walked into the sort of theme park my tour guide told me not to compare it to America, good thing she didn't know I lived in the theme park capital. It was no Discovery Cove or Sea World, but the dolphins were all rescued and really well taken care of. After that we went to a waterfall that was really pretty. At the bottom of the waterfall you can swim with thousands of fish. I did not get in but I did feed them. You feed them long green beans and they go crazy over them. After that we went to a monkey temple to feed monkeys and a fruit market. Overall the day was great.
Tomorrow is our last day then it is back to Bangkok and on to Ko Tao.
Friday, June 4, 2010
Bangkok
I arrived in Bangkok 2 nights ago and I am back to the crazy Asia I know and love. We got in at night so not much to see. I decided to book us a place that is not on the main tourist strip and I am glad I did. Yesterday we started off the day by trying to find this breakfast place in our book that no longer is open. It was a disappointment considering we had no orientation of where we are. After a few people trying to scam us for tours we finally figured it all out. We are staying on Samsen 3 Rd, which is off Samsen Rd, and inbetween Samsen 5 Rd and Samsen 1 Rd. See how it can get confusing.
We then headed down to the tourist street to have a look around. Of course I stopped in to a tailor shop and it was all over for me. I just can not resit to get clothes made. It is so cheap and custom made. Can't beat that. I ended up with a three piece suit and a dress, all fully lined for $250. I could not buy that same suit at home for that price and it is custom! Of course I picked the more expensive fabric and wanted it lined which cost me almost an extra $100, but worth it.
We made it down to the tourist district and stopped into a travel agency to get a price quote for transportation to the resort we are going to today. We left with transportation and a 6 day trip to the island Ko Tao. We just couldn't help ourselves. So that means now we get two weeks at the beach in Thailand since we are about to use a week of timeshare in Pattaya!! That makes me one happy girl.
In Ko Tao we are going to a dive resort where I will get ceritfied. We get 4 nights at the resort, I get PADI certification, all my books, all my equipment rental, transportation, and I think 1 dive for $300!!! Aj gets to stay at the place for free since I booked the dive classes. I am really excited.
Today we are off for a week of relaxation in Pattaya.
We then headed down to the tourist street to have a look around. Of course I stopped in to a tailor shop and it was all over for me. I just can not resit to get clothes made. It is so cheap and custom made. Can't beat that. I ended up with a three piece suit and a dress, all fully lined for $250. I could not buy that same suit at home for that price and it is custom! Of course I picked the more expensive fabric and wanted it lined which cost me almost an extra $100, but worth it.
We made it down to the tourist district and stopped into a travel agency to get a price quote for transportation to the resort we are going to today. We left with transportation and a 6 day trip to the island Ko Tao. We just couldn't help ourselves. So that means now we get two weeks at the beach in Thailand since we are about to use a week of timeshare in Pattaya!! That makes me one happy girl.
In Ko Tao we are going to a dive resort where I will get ceritfied. We get 4 nights at the resort, I get PADI certification, all my books, all my equipment rental, transportation, and I think 1 dive for $300!!! Aj gets to stay at the place for free since I booked the dive classes. I am really excited.
Today we are off for a week of relaxation in Pattaya.
Singapore
My time in Singapore was quite short but still got a feel of the city, country, whatever it is. It is really modern and much like being at home. No real crazy adventures there. We took and overnight train in and the ride was not too bad. Once we arrived and we were clearing customs we saw the funniest sign. Here was the list, with picuters, of items that you could not bring in: guns, swords, brass knuckles, explosives, turtles, harmful chemicals, and gum!!! It is illeagal to possess and chew gum in Singapore. It is a good thing I left my turtles, brass knuckles and gum at home.
The first day we did not do too much. Just kind of walked around and got a feel for the place. AJ and I went down by the water and had a nice dinner. We went to a Mexican resturant that actually had real Mexican food.
The next day we went to the Changi prison museum. It was really interesting. POW were brought there by the Japanese during WW2. I had no idea that Singapore was even involved in the war at all. I want to read more about this. Then we headed over to the Singapore flyer. It is the worlds tallest observation wheel (ferris wheel essentially). It was too expensive so we decided not to do it. Maybe next time.
That night we left for Bangkok. There airport is so big that you need to be there super early to ensure you can navigate your way through.
Singapore was great. Super clean, modern and orderly. They actually adhere to traffic lawas rather than treating them as suggestions. I would like to go back some day but not sure if I would go out of my way to get there. A little too modern for me.
The first day we did not do too much. Just kind of walked around and got a feel for the place. AJ and I went down by the water and had a nice dinner. We went to a Mexican resturant that actually had real Mexican food.
The next day we went to the Changi prison museum. It was really interesting. POW were brought there by the Japanese during WW2. I had no idea that Singapore was even involved in the war at all. I want to read more about this. Then we headed over to the Singapore flyer. It is the worlds tallest observation wheel (ferris wheel essentially). It was too expensive so we decided not to do it. Maybe next time.
That night we left for Bangkok. There airport is so big that you need to be there super early to ensure you can navigate your way through.
Singapore was great. Super clean, modern and orderly. They actually adhere to traffic lawas rather than treating them as suggestions. I would like to go back some day but not sure if I would go out of my way to get there. A little too modern for me.
Monday, May 31, 2010
Kuala Lumpur
We left KTM on the morning of May 29 and arrived in KL on the morning of May 30, my birthday!!! We had a 10 hour layover in Delhi, India that was very boring. We were stuck in a holding area with no money and no way of getting any to by food. Luckily we had some snacks. I was never so happy to get on an airplane.
My dad met us in KL so it was nice to have him to show us around. We are staying in a real hotel and not a hostel so we are getting spoiled!!! We can NOT get used to this. For my birthday we walked around town and went to see the twin towers they have here. They are huge. After that we went to a fish spa. That's right a fish spa. They have these big tanks you put your feet in and these little fish eat the skin off your feet. It is the craziest sensation. It doesn't hurt at all, it feels like vibrating on your feet and tickles. It takes a minute to get used to. After that I had a foot massage that really hit the spot.
For dinner all I wanted was Outback and there was one right next to the hotel. I finally got my steak and backed potato, and blooming onion and a brownie with ice cream. Over all a great birthday!!!
We headed to China town for shopping but I came back empty handed. Hard to believe I went shopping in a market and did not buy one thing. Tomorrow we plan to go to some caves and then we head to Singapore by train.
I really like it here and would like to come back again to see the rest of Malaysia. It is beautiful but really hot and humid, like home but on high. The people are so nice here and the overall atmosphere is pleasant. I got to speak some Chinese while I was here so that was really exciting for me. What was even better, the guy understood me!!!
Curious to see what Singapore will bring.
My dad met us in KL so it was nice to have him to show us around. We are staying in a real hotel and not a hostel so we are getting spoiled!!! We can NOT get used to this. For my birthday we walked around town and went to see the twin towers they have here. They are huge. After that we went to a fish spa. That's right a fish spa. They have these big tanks you put your feet in and these little fish eat the skin off your feet. It is the craziest sensation. It doesn't hurt at all, it feels like vibrating on your feet and tickles. It takes a minute to get used to. After that I had a foot massage that really hit the spot.
For dinner all I wanted was Outback and there was one right next to the hotel. I finally got my steak and backed potato, and blooming onion and a brownie with ice cream. Over all a great birthday!!!
We headed to China town for shopping but I came back empty handed. Hard to believe I went shopping in a market and did not buy one thing. Tomorrow we plan to go to some caves and then we head to Singapore by train.
I really like it here and would like to come back again to see the rest of Malaysia. It is beautiful but really hot and humid, like home but on high. The people are so nice here and the overall atmosphere is pleasant. I got to speak some Chinese while I was here so that was really exciting for me. What was even better, the guy understood me!!!
Curious to see what Singapore will bring.
Finish Nepal
Ok let me finish posting all about Nepal. It was great but I am glad to move on. I spent 16 days in place that is about a million miles out of my comfort zone so it is amazing that I survived. I will start where I left off after like day 2.
We spent the rest day in Namche Bazar and enjoyed some r and r at a pretty nice place(the only one we stayed at). The next day we headed to Tingboche. This was also Erin's bday, so she got to celebrate hiking. It was a was a little up hill, then alot down hill, then a whole lot up hill again. The uphill never ends. They were no so nice in this place and we got kicked out of our hotel because we did not eat at their restaurant. This was a good thing in the long run. We headed down the hill to a place called Debuche. This place was great. AJ got sick so we ended up spending an extra day here. We meet a group of Australian guys that were going to be climbing MT. Everest and they invited us for tea in BC. We also met and American guy named Chad Kellogg( look him up online, he is awesome) who was going to be climbing to the top without oxygen. No one has really done that in the past 6 years so it is a big deal. From here we headed on to Phierche.
This place was a long ways away. It was a long tough day that ended with snow. It was exciting for AJ cause this was the first time he had been snowed on. We spent a few days here where we met some great people. I finally got a shower after many days. The guy had to heat the water in the kettle then go on the roof and fill the tank. Not quite like home.
From there we moved onto Dugla. I had to cross the craziest bridge to get there. It was a tiny thing over raging cold water. Where it was missing a board they just put a stone for you to step on. I got about half way and froze, I had tunnel vision and I was beginning to hyperventilate. Luckily I finally started moving and made it across.
Then next day brought us to Lobuche. We were now only a few days away from base camp. It is amazing how much the landscape changes along the way. It goes from thick forest to like a desert with no trees and little green. The last and final day was to Gorak Shep and this day proved to be difficult too. It is not too up hill but so far away. You keep going around corners or climbing to the top of hills and thinking that you are there to only see another hill and one more corner. It is quite rock and some of the paths are on the edge of a mountain and are extremely narrow. One wrong step and you will be getting a helicopter ride off the mountain.
Gorak Shep was expensive, at least for the food, compared to lower down. But it makes sense, someone had to drag it up the mountain. Some people chose to go all the way to BC from Lobuche, big mistake, on their way down they look like they are about to pass out. It is just too much. We chose to have a night of sleep before we did that. Going to Base Camp and having perfect Everest views from different hills was amazing and worth every step it took to get up there.
After our visit to base camp we headed back down. It takes about 10 days to get up but only about 4 to get down. On the last day down it was a 7 hour hike that we started late because we were shopping for last minute trinkets. AJ and I were behind and it started to get dark. Seemed like no big deal, just pull out the head lamp. Well trekking in the dark is hard. You can only see about 6 feet ahead of you. It is pitch black up there. At one point we saw the glow of eyes and a noise. AJ thought it was a bear, maybe even a Yeti, nope just a donkey! That was funny. It started to rain so we ended up knocking on someone's door and they let us into their house. We stayed in someone's house that night and that was kind of cool, except for the bugs. We thought we could make it all the way but everytime we asked how far till we get there they kept sayig 2 hours, but that was over a 4 hour time period. I think someone calculated wrong.
We finally made it back to Lukla and took a flight back to KTM the next day. They airport is a joke but fun. No formality there at all. It was nice to get back to KTM. But when we had left there was protesting so everything was closed but when we returned it was back to everyday chaos. Driving laws are non existent. They drive all over the road and will run you over. Crossing the street there might be harder than climbing Mt. Everest.
We enjoyed lots of shopping and relaxing, and most of all a hot shower. The whole time I was on the mountain I had about 4 showers in 16 days. We met back up with some of the people we had met while trekking and went out to eat with them. It was great sharing our stories.
KTM was great. Nice people and fun times. I was ready to move on though.
We spent the rest day in Namche Bazar and enjoyed some r and r at a pretty nice place(the only one we stayed at). The next day we headed to Tingboche. This was also Erin's bday, so she got to celebrate hiking. It was a was a little up hill, then alot down hill, then a whole lot up hill again. The uphill never ends. They were no so nice in this place and we got kicked out of our hotel because we did not eat at their restaurant. This was a good thing in the long run. We headed down the hill to a place called Debuche. This place was great. AJ got sick so we ended up spending an extra day here. We meet a group of Australian guys that were going to be climbing MT. Everest and they invited us for tea in BC. We also met and American guy named Chad Kellogg( look him up online, he is awesome) who was going to be climbing to the top without oxygen. No one has really done that in the past 6 years so it is a big deal. From here we headed on to Phierche.
This place was a long ways away. It was a long tough day that ended with snow. It was exciting for AJ cause this was the first time he had been snowed on. We spent a few days here where we met some great people. I finally got a shower after many days. The guy had to heat the water in the kettle then go on the roof and fill the tank. Not quite like home.
From there we moved onto Dugla. I had to cross the craziest bridge to get there. It was a tiny thing over raging cold water. Where it was missing a board they just put a stone for you to step on. I got about half way and froze, I had tunnel vision and I was beginning to hyperventilate. Luckily I finally started moving and made it across.
Then next day brought us to Lobuche. We were now only a few days away from base camp. It is amazing how much the landscape changes along the way. It goes from thick forest to like a desert with no trees and little green. The last and final day was to Gorak Shep and this day proved to be difficult too. It is not too up hill but so far away. You keep going around corners or climbing to the top of hills and thinking that you are there to only see another hill and one more corner. It is quite rock and some of the paths are on the edge of a mountain and are extremely narrow. One wrong step and you will be getting a helicopter ride off the mountain.
Gorak Shep was expensive, at least for the food, compared to lower down. But it makes sense, someone had to drag it up the mountain. Some people chose to go all the way to BC from Lobuche, big mistake, on their way down they look like they are about to pass out. It is just too much. We chose to have a night of sleep before we did that. Going to Base Camp and having perfect Everest views from different hills was amazing and worth every step it took to get up there.
After our visit to base camp we headed back down. It takes about 10 days to get up but only about 4 to get down. On the last day down it was a 7 hour hike that we started late because we were shopping for last minute trinkets. AJ and I were behind and it started to get dark. Seemed like no big deal, just pull out the head lamp. Well trekking in the dark is hard. You can only see about 6 feet ahead of you. It is pitch black up there. At one point we saw the glow of eyes and a noise. AJ thought it was a bear, maybe even a Yeti, nope just a donkey! That was funny. It started to rain so we ended up knocking on someone's door and they let us into their house. We stayed in someone's house that night and that was kind of cool, except for the bugs. We thought we could make it all the way but everytime we asked how far till we get there they kept sayig 2 hours, but that was over a 4 hour time period. I think someone calculated wrong.
We finally made it back to Lukla and took a flight back to KTM the next day. They airport is a joke but fun. No formality there at all. It was nice to get back to KTM. But when we had left there was protesting so everything was closed but when we returned it was back to everyday chaos. Driving laws are non existent. They drive all over the road and will run you over. Crossing the street there might be harder than climbing Mt. Everest.
We enjoyed lots of shopping and relaxing, and most of all a hot shower. The whole time I was on the mountain I had about 4 showers in 16 days. We met back up with some of the people we had met while trekking and went out to eat with them. It was great sharing our stories.
KTM was great. Nice people and fun times. I was ready to move on though.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
EBC
EBC is short of Everst Base Camp, which I made it to the other day! Can't believe it, the journey is finally nearing the end, well as far as Nepal goes. The internet is limited and expensive here so this one will be short. When I get back to KTM I will write lots more. Never thought I would actually make it. Stunning views and about a thousand different emotions. I am pretty warn out and in need of a shower. Anyways small update and more to come later.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
