Freeskier5

This morning we had boiled eggs and toast for breakfast: not satisfying at all but temporarily shut up that voice in my stomach yelling 'Feed me!'. It was also pouring rain so we all pulled out our fashionable ponchos (I had bought mine from the market on the first day of trekking). We hiked through some extremely lush jungle; surprisingly alot of it reminded me of hiking back home. We finally made it to the river where we had the bamboo rafts waiting for us. Each raft had a driver and I think we pulled the short straw. Our raft captain was deaf and also very animated whenever we did anything we shouldnt have done. He would literally scream like a banshee and shoot us dirty looks. At first this scared the shit out of me, ... read more

Elephant Riding wasnt all it was cracked up to be but was still really cool. I got to be the 'Driver' and sit on the elephants head; being the driver essentially only means you sit on the head... no steering or speed regulating is involved (although I did try). We trudged through the Jungle ad a nice leisurely pace although I tried to get Bartharlomew (I named him) to take the lead but this was not accomplished. The elephants are really cool and have spikey little hairs all over them. Their skin is really leathery but soft. I was also a little dissapointed because I wanted him to spray some of the others and have a big elephant water fight. This did not happen either. :( When the elephant riding was over we continued our trek; ... read more

Today the plan: Take her easy then jump on a 10 hour bus ride to Chaing Mai where im going to partake in a 3 day Trek through the jungle. Yeehaw! How the plan was accomplished: This has been the least productive day of my life... well maybe thats a little drastic. I figured id pick up a few things for the safari... but I ended up buying nothing but food. I then had a nap on a park bench... scratch that.. a CITY bench. I slept for about an hour on the side of the road on a bench as I had to check out of my hostel and Iw as still beat from the night before. All in a days work! Im now sitting here doodling with 10 mins to go until I jump ... read more

I woke up early and headed out to the street vendors for some breakfast. I ended up just eating a dumpling which cost 5 baht (divide by 32 to get the cost in CAD).She told me I could take a skytrain down to the canal and then catch a ferry to some famous wats (temples). I did exactly this but forgot my camera when throught the skytrain gates, classic Jeff. Back to the hostel and then back to the station (sounds a bit like yesterday). I vowed to get my head back on my shoulders as I started back towsards the ferry. The tour guide explained all the popular places to go and I now sit here inside the gates of an extremely intricate wat enjoying the relaxing smell of burning incense (first good smell so ... read more

Im sitting here at the departure gate of Thai Airways relaxed but still red in the face from a worrying moment. I woke up today and realized, 'shit, im going to Thailand!'. I spent the day tying up loose ends: getting money for a cab, getting a haircut (so I wouldn't have a mop on my head in the Thai heat), picking up shampoo. You know, all those good things. On my way home I stopped by a hostel and booked a shuttle to the airport. I got home, cleaned my room, relaxed/read and wrote a few emails. After packing it was time to get food and hop on the shuttle. The driver ran over to me in a huff (obviously running late) and grabbed my bag as he directed me to jump in. There were ... read more

I havent had internet for the past week but it has been a really good one. I dont think I spent more than one night at home as I was out and about with different people from work everynight. WED NIGHT: I met up with Connor and Derek Hardy after going out with the work boys to coogie beach. (bout half hour out of the city). Was a good nigth and was rad to see people from back home. Ended up in Kings cross as I ahve everytime I go out almost. Its open all night and it close to home. But it is full of strip joints and hookers so its a little seedy. But all is well. THURS: Worked 12-9, went home, ate, slept. Friday: Worked 9-6, went out with people from work who ... read more