This was another thing on the to-do list forThailand, and even though it turned out to be much quicker, simpler and cheaper than the diving course, it still was fun. In fact, everything is very simple – read the guidebook, look up the elephant place website, fill out the form, and they come and pick you up at the time you indicated in the form, and drive you to the riding place. There you climb on a 2m high platform and from it – into a small basket on an elephant’s back. Here we are, and off he goes. First half of the way the elephant was walking uphill, and the feeling was quite relaxing, rocking slowly up and down through the jungle. The “driver” guy walks behind the elephant, the guy’s hat indiscreetly stating “Tip ... read more

url=https://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5735415900514472785?authkey=CLv0lfWLz4zgRQhttps://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5735415900514472785?authkey=CLv0lfWLz4zgRQ... read more

The whole idea of going toThailand initially was hooked up onto diving, so we had no excuse not to do it. Or at least to try. Of course we had no idea how much it would cost, so on our second day in Phuket we sailed into the first PADI advertising shop we saw, and got filled in on the thing. One day in the pool plus 5 dives over the next three days, all yours for 300 quid, the lady said. We left thoughtful. First, it’s 300 quid, which is about the amount the hotels cost inThailand and India together. Second, it’s 4 days out of our 9 in Phuket when someone will tell us what to do all day long. No-no, no good, we thought. Or…? We came toThailand to do diving after all? ... read more

url=https://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5735406431687763633?authkey=CLCT5ruGw9mEiwEhttps://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5735406431687763633?authkey=CLCT5ruGw9mEiwE... read more

First time I saw this world was in the 90’s, when Ukraine just opened up and started being flooded with chinese, turkish and polish produce, sold on flea markets. My mother bought a purple winter coat, which had a picture of rainbow palm tree stitched on its side pocket, together with the word Phuket – don’t ask me why. I had no idea what it meant, not to mention imagining that I could ever be at this place with its palm trees and bright happy colours. Phuket is an island, but connected by a bridge to the mainland, so when driving it’s hard to notice when you cross the border between the two. It’s also less than one hour flight fromBangkok, kinda likeAmsterdamfromLondon. Next to us on the flight were sitting an American white lady with ... read more

url=https://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5728570113470612961?authkey=CN3ny9SmptfA7QEhttps://plus.google.com/photos/115609549730102758242/albums/5728570113470612961?authkey=CN3ny9SmptfA7QE... read more

The first thing that we saw in Bangkok in daylight was not flowers, temples or tuk-tuks, but power wires. They are everywhere, dangling not far above your head in ridiculous numbers, running from one pole to another and obscuring the buildings on the opposite side of the street. Buildings are a separate story too. Most of them look like they suffered a fire and have been never repaired, and remind me a lot what I saw on those post-war pictures – grey five storeys flat blocks, black on the corners or just all over. Needless to say, they look poor and not very neat. Place a bunch of these flat blocks and some bizarre wooden shacks, connect them with wires and water pipes – all on the outside that is, sprinkle temples and shrines inbetween, new ... read more

- It is required that all passengers fill out the landing forms announces the loundspeaker on board of our plane. - We are transiting straight to Thailand...? - You don't need the form then. The guy sitting next to me picks up the indian immigration form and starts filling it out. I'm trying to peep but can't see much, so I decide to ask - Does this form ask for an address in India? - It does usually... let me see... ah yes! - See, I'm going to India later, so I need to know. - Oh right, where are you going to now? - Thailand. - Oh, Thailand will be amazing! - And you? - Visiting family in Gujrat for a week, and then also to Thailand for holidays. Your first time in Thailand? - ... read more

-Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to Bangkok. The temperature outside is +35C, local time is 6:31pm. I queue in front of a blue counter saying "Visa on arrival", and with smaller letters below - "1 minute per person". Behind the counter there is a table supporting a massive portrait of the thai king and some vases with flowers. I somehow ended up in the middle of a large group of guys travelling from Bangalore (or so it says on one of their luggage tags). They seem to be much more alive than I am, cracking jokes all the time in the language i don't understand, pushing towards the counter with their bellies and fiddling with 7 items which are on the thai authority list for getting the visa. Next to our general queue is another one, fast ... read more