Why overland to Phnom Penh? I see your blog name means "cool spirit" or calm personality. I have just subscribed to your blog as I have a son who will arrive in Bangkok on January 2 to take the CELTA course so that he can teach English until at least June. So I have a few questions:
Why do a visa run via terrible roads and unreliable ground transportation when you can take Air Asia from Bangkok to Phnom Penh for about $100 round trip, and other capitals for not much more?
Would your visa from the Thai Embassy in Phnom Penh have given you any more than the 30 days you would have received upon returning to Bangkok by air?
Also, why weren't you able to get a residence visa, or whatever other visa, that would allows you to teach in Thailand without leaving the country every so often?
Hello.. Hello, thank you for reading, I will try to answer your questions as best we can. Because our salary in Thailand is significantly lower than at home, we are trying hard to save money any way we can, and part of that is saving money if it means driving overland. Although we may have only save about $65 each, that is enough to pay for our motorbike rental and gas for an entire month and eat dinner for the month as well. The Visa we would have received would be an immigrant non-B visa which is what we eventually need to teach, and it would be good for 2 months and then we could renew in Thailand. This is the closest you can get to a residence visa, and is what we are hoping we will now be able to receive. Any other questions let me know and I will answer as best I can.
Totally understand the amazing cab driver/friend savior scenario! Dan, loved the blog entry. What a crazy adventure ... and you're so much better off having had it rather than not. When I was in Zambia, traveling alone, I met a man/cab driver by the name of Owen - who took me everywhere, gave me the encouragement and courage to bungee, and made me feel safe. He even accompanied me as my friend to a museum seeing as I was traveling alone. At the end of my three days round a bout in Zambia when we were parting ways at Livingstone Airport, I asked him what a fair price would be to square us away. He was so generous and amazing, I to this day ... wish that I had paid him twice as much. Glad you guys got back in time and found another means to get your visas!
Have fun! You and Tara stay safe! :)
Mare
Hello.. Hi Mary, what a great story, I can only imagine how much of a relief that would be if you were travelling alone. Thank you for sharing, I hope all is well with you!
What a beautiful holiday you all shared. Your post made me feel like going there. If you have a chance to come back to Bangkok, we would like to help you with finding accommodation. http://www.bangkokfinder.com/ Thank you.
great story today - even though I had heard the \"escape Bangkok\" scene it sounds so frustrating again, and even when you got to Nakhon Sawan, that wasn\'t going well either! I\'m glad these things are working out - I guess no one said it would be easy?
Keep writing - you\'re very good at it! I want to hear more about your school, your classes and students.
Hey there Hey Dan, are you teaching specific subjects/topics in english to the advance class, or mostly english class like we would think of back here at home?
Hey Brian Hey Brian, sorry I just saw your post. I have been teaching one class of fundamental english to different levels, and one of reading and writing. Quite like lessons in America but heavy on the grammar. There are schools here where they teach the subjects in english as well though. Almost took a job teaching history in english in Bangkok, but I didn't want to go to Bangkok. Stay in touch!
Here in Binghamton Things are about the same as when you left. Most of the flood is cleaned up. This is the first Thanksgiving the family did not get together. Sorry to hear about your problems over there. I hope you develope life long friendships on your journey. KEEP IN TOUCH.
Uncle Herb
It's great to see that it's still possible to have the wide eyed experiences that I had too long ago to recall, and that the magic of Thailand is still there for all to experience if they just go a little further. Great blog Dan, I hope Nakhon Sawan gives you as much to enjoy and write about.
7$ a day hotel room What a good choice of accomodation, from your picture you were staying in V N Guesthouse. The most relaxing place that we stay on our visits to Kanchaburi. Food in V N is about the best value you will get around there. Enjoy your stay and good luck with your job search....
Glad you caught up the explanation with the pictures I saw earlier in the week....I'm not sure I would like the caves, but the dragon temple was really neat - almost looks like a theme park ride from the front ! My favorite is the white statue with all the arms....
So strange to see you driving that scooter/bike - you look like a natural. I'm enjoying the warm looking pictures - we've had our second snow - it covered the trees and I guess was pretty - we certainly are at odds over weather!
Thank you for the history that goes with the pictures - even though you and Tara are experiencing the same thing, you both have a different take on it and they complete each other. Lucky for all of us, she's taking some fantastic photos.
And finally, Tara looks wonderful in the new clothes, but I'm not sure those boxer pants will fly in NY - can you see Dan or Matt wearing them?? hahaha -
keep being careful and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you both will get a job!
Hi! Hi mom, I'm sorry to hear about the terrible weather there. Glad you are still enjoying the stories. We are getting better on the motorbike by the day. We took a 40km ride today to some 12th century ruins which were pretty cool. I will write about it later. Supposedly we are supposed to hear about a job by Thursday so I will keep you posted. Talk to you soon.
loving the stories Dan and Tara, you guys look like you are having so much fun. Keep the good times and the good stories coming, and best of luck on finding that job placement! I may be heading over to join you soon--I am applying to a number of international schools for next fall.
-Brian Stewart
Hey Hey Brian great to hear from you. That is awesome that you are thinking of teaching at an international school, I have seen a number of them here. If you want any info about the country I would love to assist. I think you would really like it. Best of luck, write me back any time.
loving the stories Dan and Tara, you guys look like you are having so much fun. Keep the good times and the good stories coming, and best of luck on finding that job placement! I may be heading over to join you soon--I am applying to a number of international schools for next fall.
-Brian Stewart
wow...when did you become such a good writer? You must be inspired.....love the image you paint and I wonder if the Thai mindset and way of life would ever work here - it looks good on paper!
Love the stories! I would have left you a message 2 days ago, but I couldn't get my keyboard to work (I blame Matt).....Just read Tara's and your blog - love the day- to- day accounts. But as your American mom, I'm worried about you and Tara finding jobs! I know, let it go, or let it be or let it ride...it WILL work out.
I first developed a love for travel writing on this site. Today I am a photographer specializing in portraits and events, as well as selling prints for my travel and fine art work. You can check me out at:
dansimondsphotography.com
IG: @sabaidandee @dansimondsphotography
Much love! -Dan (jaiyen)... full info
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Bob Carlsen
Vibes
I appreciated your insights on Thai education...formal on the surface, but underlying fun (or sanuk as the Thai say).