Blogs from Kelso, Washington, United States, North America

This will be my last pre-trip entry. Since my last post, I've scaled back the southeastern asia portion of the journey. Have also sent in the paperwork for a 5yr India visa, hoping to have it back by next weekend. So allow me to give you the itinerary exoskeleton; as when I arrive in Bangkok, the writing will be present oriented. I arrive in Bangkok at 11:35am on 11/03. I have since reserved and paid for a room for two nights, effectively commiting to a minimum stay in Gomorrah. As such, will spend that afternoon acclimating and meadering around. I have three specific places am planning on visiting that next day, with latitude for peripatetic improvisation. On 11/05, will take a train east out of Bangkok to Nakhon (city) Ratchisima, sit of ancient Khmer ruins that ... read more

Yesterday I committed to going to India; i.e., I purchased an airline ticket from Bangkok to Bombaby on 12/14/11. The decision was big, as there have been, and continue to be, uncertainty around how long I will be in Asia. Part of said ambiguity is financial, another more salient aspect is the uncertainty of unemployment come the new year. Having said that, my ticket into India is a one-way. A rough outline of my upcoming itinerary is as follows: Arrive in Bangkok at 11:35 am on 11/03/11. I have already reserved a room for two nights, erasing that initial anxiety about lodging upon arriving in a foreign country. Planning on spending three days in Bangkok, then a short bus ride north to the ruins at Ayuthaya, a train ride north to Philsanulok, spend the night, take ... read more