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Published: June 15th 2008
Well, culture shock is what I wanted, and culture shock is what I got! After being up for nearly 24 hrs when I arrived in Bangkok, I just wanted to find somewhere to sleep. I went directly to Khao San Rd. which is basically the backpackers street lined with food vendors, clothing stands and cheap accommodation and found a nice guest house. The guest houses are a nice change from the hostels since I get my own room and bathroom for a third of the price I was paying for a bunkbed in a hostel in Australia. I just spent a couple of days in Bangkok, exploring the different temples and markets. I was able to experience the Chatachuk weekend market and it was intense! It was absolutely huge with hundreds of stands crammed in there along with thousands of sweaty people and a few mangy-looking cats and dogs that you'll see panting around pretty much everywhere in Thailand.
From Bangkok, I took the overnight bus to Chiang Mai where I took a Thai cooking class(I almost left with no eyebrows!) and did a hill tribe trek through the jungle which included an elephant ride, a hike, a waterfall swim, white water rafting and bamboo rafting. It was a busy day and a lot of fun. Then I left Thailand and arrived in Laos for two days of hell in a long, slow boat ride along Mekong River. Everyone says you have to experience it if you go to Laos; I really don't know why. I could have done without it. I guess besides the bum-numbing, crowded, uncomfortable wooden seats and the Laos residents that over-capacited the long rickety boat, it was alright. It's definately an experience I won't forget. And I did meet some great people to hang out with in Laos and hopefully here in Thailand. With my first two days in Laos feeling like I was in hell, my last two made me feel like I was in heaven. Luang Prabang was a beautiful little city and much more relaxed than the cities in Thailand. It had an amazing night market and the stunning Kuang Si Waterfall that you are able to hike through. It was hard to leave this nice little city, my new friends, and my great $3/night guesthouse that provided me with free bananas. But I'm feeling my time limit now and had to head to Siem Reap, Cambodia to experience the amazing Angkor Wat ruins. I'm definately all wat-ed out now after spending six hours touring around the wats(temples). It was just a quick trip in Cambodia, but quite amazing. Now I'm back in Thailand checking out the beautiful islands and beaches. I started out in Phuket and then to Ko Phi-Phi. It was a very nice beach, but very touristy and more expensive. I was only there for 2 days and now I am over on the other side of Thailand on the island of Ko Pha-Ngan getting ready for my Full Moon Party experience. I'll keep you posted. Sorry Kristin, no pictures this time either. I'll try to post some soon. Only two weeks left and I'll be home; I can't wait!
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Kristin
non-member comment
WoW
Well it is no wonder we haven't heard anything from you lately, my god girl you have been keeping busy! I guess if you keep this up, you won't get this message until you get home! Keep safe and have fun! Love ya, Kristin.