Introduction and expectations

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So here it begins, six weeks in Southeast Asia. No plans, no itinerary, no obligations, no commitments.

All I need I brought on my back. 4 t-shirts, 2 pairs of shorts, 1 jacket, 1 pair of shoes, 1 pair of flip-flops, 1 aluminum water bottle, 1 digital camera (2gb memory), 30gb iPod, Lonely Planet "Southeast Asia on a shoestring", LP "Thailands Islands and Beaches", LP condensed guide to Bangkok, Tom Robbins "Jitterbug Perfume," passport, debit cards to US and Australian accounts, toiletries, 1 inflatable neck pillow, 1 sleeping bag, 1 money belt, and a massive craving for adventure.

I know that not everything will go perfect. There will be setbacks, dissappointments, letdowns, ripoffs and probably even diarreah. But there will also be a lot of 'wow's, 'fuck yeah's, and general awesomeness to make up for anything that could ruin my trip. Life isn't for living in a safe little box so that we can never fall victim to any negative things happening to us or by us. If we have to experience some bad things in order to live the incredible, then I accept it. Give it all to me, the good, the bad, the amazing, the painful, the boring, the exciting, the mediocre, the grand. Pretty good attitude for life in general I guess.

As for a general idea of a plan, probably the next four or five days in Bangkok at which point I hope to have met some totally rad travelers and head north and go through Laos, Vietnam, and Cambodia and then back to Thailand for a venture onto the southern peninsula and explore the beaches and islands down there.

I moved out of the hotel I stayed in last night and into a slightly better one with a restaurant in the ground floor on a more laid back alleyway. The single rooms are only about 6 by 10 feet, but I like having my own room so I don't have to worry about strangers snooping through my stuff. You have to make a little more of an effort to meet people however because you aren't sharing a room.

Thailand definitely attracts the hippy subculture from across the world (or first world countries at least). I wonder what the overly-clean buddhist Thai's think of the dirty, tattooed, pierced, dreadlocked Westerners roaming their streets getting way too drunk, speaking all sorts of different languages.

Speaking of which, you can get by with English as your only language. Almost everyone knows it. When a Norwegian and a French guy talk to each other for example, it's usually in English. And the waitresses and storeclerks seem to all know English as well. Come to think of it, I don't even know how to say "hello" or "thank you" in Thai. Better stop slacking off and learn some general phrases.

The area I'm staying is Banglamphu, or Khao San to be specific. I still haven't left the general proximity of the place the taxi dropped off a day ago. The storefronts are filled with a maze of merchants selling everything from buddha statues to pirated movies to ridiculously cheap t-shirts. Foreign backpackers in desperate need of a bath fill the streets walking in and out of travel agencies and restaurants all seemingly trying to figure out how to escape the chaos of Bangkok. Despite most of our anti-consumerism sentiment, we all secretly enjoy being able to live like a king for 20 bucks a day. Last night I was with four British guys and we bought these ridiculous hats for no reason other than we could. One of the guys bought an entire bundle of balloons from a street vendor just so he could give them out to kids before sending them off into the atmosphere, disrupting air traffic and killing a few birds in the process.

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Photos

books
Knowledge is power while traveling

Room
My lovely holiday retreat

Statue
I found my inner-ness!

Streets
Stray dogs and tuk-tuks fill the streets of Bangkok

river
Soon I will go on a riverboat

Muay Thai Boxing
I could beat these guys up, I just didn't feel like it.

Comments

[Matt Vollans]

back up plan
I've enjoyed the hell out of following Nic Nakis' travels on here, and now I wish you the best of luck on yours. If shit hits the fan, however, I can send you a nice Canadian passport that should keep you out of trouble.

[Loren]

Safe Travels Little Brother
It has made me so happy to have had you living in Australia near and with my children. I send all my best wishes and thoughts your way. Keep your head on your shoulders and stay safe~ and have the time of your life. These are the moments you will remember when you're old and gray and you're a great uncle... God I'm jealous little brother- stuck in Northwest Washington all over again, while you "live the free life of a rover". Peace and Love Andrew; and make SURE to keep in touch with mom!

[Jessie]

Yay!
Excellent. My inner traveler is green with envy!

[Ryan]

dono
Wow, sounds exciting man! Makes me wanna cry being locked up here in MV! I had an adventure yesterday though! My 11 m/o pooped all over herself and her bedding! how exciting is that? THAT is as much adventure i have had latley:) I subscribed to your blog and look forward to reading about your adventures out yonder. take care and be safe:)

[Patti]

WOW!!!
Hey Andrew!! I admire your courage and sense of adventure. I wish I had your view of life. Live it up and keep sharing. I love you lots, Patti

[Leslie Thorpe]

Way to go Andrew!
It sounds like your having quite an adventure and it is sure to get crazier. I am subscribed to your blog so be sure and write often. It will be fun to travel with you. Take care and be safe.

[Jodee]

wow
I am actually a friend of your mom's, but she sent out this address to some of her friend's. wow, I am so glad she did because now I can see how real this blogging is. The pictures are awesome and I really like the commentary too! And it is true, you will look back on this in later years and be very grateful that you did this. Have a great time! Keep it up and stay safe.

[Nic Nakis]

Dude, I trained in that gym!
If you get back to Bangkok, try it out. My session only cost 400 baht and it kicked ass