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Bangkok
The only Sight we saw in Bangkok!Bangkok
So, we finally start are last "sub continent" South East Asia. What better place to start than Thailand.
Agenda:
Pick Up Jordan and Mel.
Water fight in Chiang Mai.
Relax on an Island.
Scuba Diving.
Easy.
We had one night to spend in Bangkok before Jordan and Mel arrived. Luckily for us a few people from back home were in Bangkok at the same time. Alex, a friend of mine and a work colleague, and Marion, a friend and work colleague of Diana. Evening time we meet up with Alex drank a few beers and had something to eat, while chatting about our different experiences so far on our trips. The following morning we had to pick up the two from Germany at the airport. This turned out to be a disaster. Being informed that they arrive at the airport on the 7th around 7am, we waited and waited for many hours wondering where they where. The plain had arrived an hour early. Diana and I thought, knowing Jordan, that he had lost his patience to wait and wanted to surprise us in our hotel. So after 3h we decided to head back to Bangkok.
Checking our
Bankok
The only Sight we saw in Bangkok! mails we found out that they were arriving a day later. Flying out of Germany on the 7th and landing on the 8th. Well thanks.
After collecting them at the airport again the following day (using a brilliant disguise, which I also had to wear an extra day), we spent the days around the pool, mooching through the tourist streets of Bangkok and sipping some beers. Evenings we spent our time eating some decent food from restaurants recommended by Marion and then drinking some more. It was a long time since we saw each other, so many beers had to be drank and stories were to be told.
We also meet some people while drinking at a bar. Jordan then had one of the most interesting evenings in his life. After a few drinks too many Jordan decided to hit the dance floor with them, the rest of us knowing when enough is enough. Unfortunately my brother has no sense of orientation, and being in a foreign country and city not knowing the hotel's name didn't help either. He spent the night walking around trying to find his way home. Diana and Mel bumped into him while having breakfast the
Bangkok
The begining of a 3 week binge next morning. At 9am. No Jordan, we were not worried!
Chiang Mai
After the drinking and welcoming was over it was time to show them something special. And what better than taking them to
"The Worlds Largest Water Fight". For this we headed north on a night train (which luckly for Diana and I, also had a place to smoke which kept the nerves of my chimney brother relaxed and calm) towards
Chiang Mai.
Due to
Songkran most hotels were fully booked. We did however find one in a nice location with a swimming pool.
Songkran being the reason we came, well apart from the planed jungle tour. This is the traditional Thai New Years festival. Water is thrown over passing people, young or old, wet or dry, on a motorbike or in a car, it doesn't matter. If you are on the streets between 8am and 7pm you are going to get wet.
It was traditionally done by collecting the water after it had been poured over the Buddhas for cleansing and then using this "blessed" water to give good fortune to elders and family by gently pouring it on the shoulder. This has now been taken over
Bangkok
Where is the prince? by buckets loads of water thrown all over you, water pistols filled with ice cold water or even a continuously running hose pipe. These are also the reasons why Chiang Mai has become very popular with tourist around this time of the year. The streets fill up with thousands of people, young and old, and these celebrate in a warm and welcoming way with all who pass. It remains friendly, no one gets out of control, fights are not started, arguments are left unspoken . And the best thing is, it goes on for 5-6 days! Well that was a bit too much for us in the end. Over the 4 days we stayed there I only once saw one person get angry. It was an old man, sandals and white socks, shirt and sun cap walking THROUGH a group of 50-100 people with his camera. After getting the traditional soaking fro a Thai, he started to yell. The Thai ignored him and drenched his wife instead!
Anyway, It didn't take us long till we had bought our own water pistols and took to the streets to start soaking people. With a few beers, music and a very unforgiving sun
Bangkok
Ben and Mels bra we had a great time. For a break we would relax by the pool, and play cards. Jordan taught us 3, Diana, Mel and myself,
Skat. Playing cards, drinking while relaxing next to water would soon become the norm of our holiday.
After three days of water fights we decided to try something different.
A jungle trek.
Originally we planned 3 days for this experience. Not knowing how hot it was actually going to be. We then decided a one day trek would do the job, mixed with some wild water rafting on a bamboo raft and riding an elephant through the jungle while visiting some "wild" villages to meet the people.
It turned out to be something completely different.
We were picked up along with 5 others and driven north towards the jungle. Being nearly a year since the last monsoon period it was a very dry but still green landscape. Our first stop was an elephant park, where we thought we would then ride them towards a river. No. We mounted these very large and cute animals, which looked rather well kept for Thai standards, and rode around a circuit for about an hour. Buying bananas from locals
Bangkok
my airport disguise on the way for the animals.
OK not quiet what we expected but still rather fun. Next stop wild water rafting on a bamboo raft.
We were also driven to this attraction. Where is the hiking?
6 Long bamboo pipes were tied together with a bicycle tube and an even longer pole was used for steering the raft including a driver.
All aboard for some white water rafting.
The wild water turned out to be a mere trickle of H2O running between a few trees which provided shade.
hmmm.
Still it was a great laugh, not only was our driver drunk and more than willing to capsize our raft or push any of us off, it was also Sangkran. Meaning many locals were bathing in the river and were thrilled to splash water at the passing raft. The children found it most amusing to climb aboard and ride with us a little. We did pass some quick rapids, but these seemed to have the speed and power of water draining from a sink than a white water rapid. Still after 3 hours of laughing and being soaked to the bone we made our way for lunch. The jeep also taking
Bangkok
my airport disguise us to this destination. By this time we had given up on the idea of a jungle trek.
Jordan had also sustained a life threatening injury to his foot, picked up from stepping on a small stone so trekking was as good as finished!
Lunch was nice. And to round the day off we spent the afternoon in a pool of water created by a waterfall bathing and trying to get under the powerful descending water. Jordan tried and succeeded the most.
Just as we thought we were heading back, we were taken to the
wild village. This village was as wild as a chemical bog on a building site. Luckily we only stayed here for 20 minutes until making our way back for some evening cards and an early morning flight down to Koh Samui.
Koh Samui
At last we hit the beach. Finding some nice little bungalows was easy. The island is packed with hotel resorts. The beach we were on was fine. Nice and long, lined with palm tress which protected the white sand from the sun. We spent a few evenings here playing pool and cards. Swimming day and night and just laying around.
Chiang Mai
Ready for the water fight After a few days it was tine for some more action. We left for Koh Tao. Diving and partys.
Koh Tao
Our final stop.
Snorkeling, Frisbee, Bat and Ball and Scuba diving were all on the agenda here. A week and a half on the beach would do us all good. Jordan and Mel escaping there work, Diana and I were escaping traveling. Perfect.
We arrived after a 3 hour boat trip and soon found a nice resort on a beach which provided some decent shade and also had a restaurant. We barely had time to bring our bags into the room and have a refreshing cold shower before Jordan turned up and wanted to do something.
OK then, lets go swimming.
Off we went into the turquoise clear water. After strolling out for about 50m we realized that the depth of the water was barely enough to drown a cat in it. It was also, due to its shallowness, very very warm. If it had not been turquoise, clear and had not stretched to the horizon one could easily mistake it as being the splashing pool for toddlers.
OK, forget swimming lets play Frisbee. Enough?. Lets play
Chiang Mai
even the youngest participate bat and ball. Oh wait, I'll go and buy a volleyball. Shit its to hot. Lets have a beer. Now, lets play some cards. Lunch anyone? Food is crap. Meat is cut wrong. This is the wrong dressing for this kind of salad. The tomatoes still have that green bit in them. Shit. Frisbee? Cards? Lets have a beer!
A dialog taken from "The Life of Jordan" or "A Hyper Active Chef" Evenings we made our way, exhausted from the drill instructors day plan, towards the bars where we found a decent BBQ serving freshly frozen then defrosted then frozen again then defrosted fish. Tuna, Snapper, Marlin, Squid and King Pawns to name a few. Also corn on the cob and some decent baked potatoes. This all for an unbeatable price. The bars were full of young divers from which we picked up a few tips and some information.
The next day we decided it was time to get a diving school booked. After some research we found a school. Explaining what we wanted the women asked if we had been snorkeling before. Unfortunately Mel and Jordan hadn't. The teacher advised these to to try this, if
Chiang Mai
the world latgerst water fight? it was no problem descending a few meters and blowing out the water then yes, we could start. She also gave us some good spots. One being around the corner of our bay, the better one being a scooter ride away.
Hmm. No snorkels. We decided to rent two scooters the next day, ride in to town to by them both a pair of snorkels, I needed some new flip flops (the monkey attack caused more damage than I first expected) and then ride towards the advised spot. Easy.
We rented the bikes, signed the contracts and of we went.
By snorkels, checked. A pair of flip flops, checked. Of to the bay. After a good 15minuites ride along windy roads Diana and I thought that we are heading in the wrong direction. Jordan being a experienced roller driver was a good distance in front. Horn. Beep, Beep. No response. Oh, he is stopping perfect. After pulling up beside him we found out that he did not stop because of our horn but because of a flat tire. Oh well, we drove past a petrol station about 5 minutes ago. We will ride back while you push. Its only five
Chiang Mai
having fun min. and 38 degrees isn't that hot! We then found out that the tube has ripped.
After singing the contract in which was stated that under no circumstances should a third party repair the vehicle we were doomed into pushing the bike back to the hotel. OK. It baking hot, its about 5km uphill along winding roads polluted with manics. I will drive Diana back, then come back, Mel shall then drive home alone while us MEN push the bike back. Of I went, Diana dropped off, back to Jordan. I found both of them drenched in sweat pushing the bike up a hill. This was going to be a hard job, knowing that there are three more hills to come, and that they had managed about a sixteenth of the distance in 20mins. I also found out that Jordan had again survived another life threatening incident. Pushing the bike over the road towards some shade he was nearly hit by an on coming bike and ended up cutting his toe.
Alright, to get to the point, we or better said, Jordan, payed a guy to load his bike onto a pick up and drive it to our hotel. Then
we were forced to pay for the replacement of the tube. All this for 3hours entertainment, about 50 euro and we haven't even been snorkeling yet! Great.
We later decided walking to the closet beach would be easier and cheaper. Of we went finally at around 3pm! Getting the Diana and I took to the water like fish. The others were a little slower. After I had swam out a good distance I realized that Jordan and Mel were not coming. hmmm...oh well After waiting 30min I decided to just go out and leave them to it. Diana soon followed and the next time we turned around they were gone. Later that evening we found out that the water release valve in the pipe was shit. Instead of allowing water to be blown out under air pressure, it actually was allowing water to enter, which was not what you wanted when breathing. The complete day was a waste. Well I did get my flip flops and did see some amazing fish out in the ocean.
That evening Jordan survived yet again another life threatening attack.
Relaxing, drinking a few beers and playing
Tichu we were enjoying our selves and were
overcoming the downs of the day. When suddenly Jordan jumped up, letting out a high pitched scream, waving his hands around in front of him, and of course, swearing. The three of us burst out laughing.
Jordan had been "attacked" by a butterfly.
The poor thing was just minding it's own business and flying around not realizing that a 1.88m tall, 26 year old male would react like that, when smoothly gliding pass its victims face.
The next day the two of them bought some decent snorkels and we made our way back to the beach. After a few starting problems - the water being very shallow meaning a swim above the sharp corals was necessary- we reached deep water where the fish were colorful and the water cold.
After a few hours we returned. Mel and Jordan decided it would be better to give diving a miss, and just get use to the feeling of being underwater.
The rest of the days were spent with the same procedure as every day. Breakfast. Games. Swim. Cards. Beer. Lunch. Games. Cards. Beer and evening to the bars.
One day however we did do a snorkeling trip around the island. Which was
great as I have never seen so many fishes at once. After throwing bread into the sea the water turned into a blanket of fish. It was a little weird to swim with so many around you. Just hope the underwater photos have turned out alright.
That was it really. We headed back to Bangkok where we had our flight to Viet Fucking Nam!!!
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