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Published: December 13th 2007
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Coco nuts???
Just an example of all the fresh juices available. Happy Hannukah! We can't believe it's December already--especially since it's about 80 and sunny here everyday! 😊
We are in an excellent state of mind traveling in SE Asia. In fact, we had a thought a while ago while drinking some Chang Beer: While traveling in India makes you think, "What the hell am I doing?", traveling in Thailand makes you think, "Oh yeah, I could do this forever!"
With that, we'll give you TOP 10 Reasons Why Traveling in Thailand Is Better Than In India (although this in no way means we hated India!):
10. Minimal harrassment by locals: tuk-tuk drivers, shopkeepers, etc barely pay you any attention in Thailand, where we were constantly fighting them off in India. Even the bargaining in the markets in Thailand is less stressful. All you have to do is stand there looking at the item, thinking, "do I really want this?" and they start coming down in price!
9. The poverty level is not so apparent in Thailand; therefore, street conditions are better in Thailand. There is no ankle-deep trash in the street, there is a significant decrease in stray dogs in Bangkok (and even the few we did
Loi Krathong
A nationwide festival celebrating the river goddess. Homemade hot air balloons are set off into the sky and 'crown' candles are set off into the river. A popular event! see didn't have gaping wounds) and there is no dust/pollution in the air. There are minimal beggars in Bangkok. Beyond that, there are none with leprosy, severe disabilities or handicaps.
8. It's QUIET!!!! The tuk-tuks are running quieter, the buses don't honk constantly, and there isn't some sort of horrible blaring music out of every vehicle/shop/street stall.
7. Travel is a bit more comfortable. Thailand has AC trains with food service and buses that are proper coach buses for not that much money. However, we do miss the random chai stop at the whim of the driver and the exchange of everything from chai and somasas to hair combs and electric keyboards through the bus windows in India.
6. Shopping! There is anything and everything to buy in Thailand. Cute clothes, funky t-shirts, lanterns, chopsticks, jewelry, it's endless...
6. Coffee! There are coffee stalls and cafes everywhere and Thai coffee is strong and sweet. I saw one woman make me a Thai iced coffee and it was three spoons of condensed milk, then coffee, then more milk on top!! But it's sooooo good....!!!! I am on constant coffee high! (Although that means no more Indian chai...)
Loi Krathong
A hot air balloon about to be set off in the sky. 4. Massages: $4 for a half hour foot massage, $6 for a full body hour-long, body-mangling, back-cracking, best-massage-I've-ever-had-massage. Need I say more???
3. Beer! Thailand actually has beer...for sale...publicly...in bars...everywhere...and the locals drink too! A lot. At all hours of the day. 😊 Chang Beer, Leo Beer, Tiger Beer, BeerLao. Our first night in Bangkok we went to a a converted Shell gas station--they had candle-lighted tables right next to the pumps serving up good food and any alcohol you could think of. We thought it was a great way to use an old station. However, the next day, we walked by and the tables were cleared away and people were there getting their morning coffee and filling up their cars!!!!! Fantastic!!
2. Food Stalls! Food stalls! Food stalls! Lachlan has now found his mecca! This one gets sub-categories:
A. Meat on a stick: Everything is grilled. ANY cut of chicken (even claws and beak), pork steaks, beef kabobs, squid and WHOLE fish. All the meat is particularly good after being practically vegetarian in India.
B. There is an abundance of freshly-cut fruit of all exotic descriptions, freshly squeezed, pure OJ and fruit shakes in
every restaurant.
C. Food stalls every 100 feet, selling spring rolls, banana pancakes, Tom Yam, and anything else. In India at every meal, Lachlan used to say, "This is the best curry yet!" or "This is the best curry in India." or "This is the best samosa I've ever had!". In Thailand it's more like, "DID YOU SEE THAT? We have to go back!" and "Look at the size of that fish/crab/shrimp!!" and "This is the best spring roll I've ever had!" and "Ahh...this is the spiciest jaow yet!" I think all we did the first few days in Bangkok was eat, drink coffee (alternated with beer), and shop!
1. We haven't seen a single person pooing in the street yet!!! 😊
With that, all these reasons also add up to Thai people having a very laid-back and happy attitude. You can tell that they like to joke with each other and can take a joke from us. There weren't many times in India when we heard people laughing out loud and many times they didn't get our humor either.
There are a few things we miss about India and a few things we don't like
about Thailand. But overall, right now, we're just enjoying traveling again and wishing we had more time in SE Asia. There are so many untouched and beautiful places in Laos, but not enough time to get to see them all and get to Cambodia. We've also already nixed Vietnam off our list due to lack of time...ARGH!
With that we need to get off the computer and get out there again! Next blog might be a Christmas beach theme from S. Thailand! 😊
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Brendan
non-member comment
Frozen in the Lou
Well I am jealous I can say that much. We haven't seen the sun in I think about 4 days now. It rains/snows/sleets at least 3 hrs a day. It looks like you guys have found your haven. Glad to hear your trip has improved from India.