Crusoe in South East Asia

As the name suggests this is my last post in Asia as tomorrow at 6am a taxi will come to pick me up from my hostel to take me to the airport.  Part of me doesn’t want to go and return to my normal life but then again, I realise that I will never return to that life. Why? Because I think I’ve changed and, although the change may be subtle; I believe my outlook on life has been refreshed. Thus, my ‘normal’ life no longer exists and what awaits for me is a new beginning.

Apologies if this sounds clichéd but I guess I’ll leave it up to you. Whether my friends and family notice a difference in me is another thing but I intend to make changes to my life.

Its difficult to know how to write this post as its currently morning here and for a rare change of events my morning has been comparatively normal. Had the worst white out of my life this morning which was unusual. Got out of bed and everything went 80% white. Through the haze I could see the world shift as my balance went. Thought maybe its the malaria kicking in (malaria wipes out your red blood cells-maybe thats why my vision is going white??-haha). But I know my mind is just being paranoid. Probably cos of my lie in!

Walking to the hotel yesterday was a bit freaky yesterday. Just remembered, my best pair of trousers split at the crotch area upon climbing into the taxi destined for the hotel. To make matters due to the high toxicity of my underwear (Crusoe sweat is pure poison), my under wear had been rendered unwearable. So for 24 hours I was going commando. With a split down there I had to walk into my hotel holding objects in strategic places. Honestly, I felt like I was in the intro to Austin Powers….

So have decided to keep this post short and sweet and give you guys some pictures to chew over. Am starting to manage this blogging technology so hopefully they should work without a hitch (that’ll be the day!):

Just realised I’d left my best memory card back at the hotel so had to do some pilfering off facebook. Found some random pics to throw up. Thanks guys :-p

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Am ready to welcome any of my new friends from SE Asia to come visit anytime. Just drop me a line anytime!

Looking forward to seeing everyone in the UK soon!

Soft cotton sheets wrapped around me, I gently stirred from a delicious sleep in my luxury hotel in the heart of Khao San road, Bangkok. The cold had woken me up in the night as I’d managed to turn the air conditioning up too high.

A bit of shopping and a street breakfast later I was ready to move on. Not to a different city but to a different area of town. My budget does not cover more than 1 night at expensive hotels at a time. Before I left I had a dip in the hotel pool. It was a mixed experience, sure, I enjoyed the comforts of swimming in clean fresh water however the company in the hotel wasn’t one I’d like to keep in contact with. The couple crushing the chairs next to me were possibly the fattest people I’d seen in my 5 weeks here. I watched her eat chocolate bars before focusing my attention on the more attractive but spoilt girls in the pool. Wow I’m pretty critical today! The company you meet in hostels is (usually) much better than the people found in hotels but I guess this is expected. As I lie on the sun-bed I recount last nights weird experience. Before heading out into the street a woman standing near reception starts asking me questions. As well as the normal questions of  “where are you from?” etc…she finalises off with “Are you going out to get really drunk?” and then “You should!”. I hope I didn’t look that depressed. When I came back from the streets later that night I noticed a sign in my hotel room:

Bangkok Hotel

so had to tell the 5 prostitutes I’d brought back to my room that unfortunately the party was cancelled. Turns out one of them was a man anyway…

Took a taxi to my next abode the Refill Inn. I had no intentions of being “Re-filled” so will have to keep my guard up. Upon arrival it was incredibly well decorated and featured better service and decoration than the “posh” hotel. At check, a glass of water was brought for me with ice while I filled in the forms. I felt like a celebrity.

Clearly, things were starting to catch up on me, the tiredness I felt was overwhelming. Went out for a walk to discover the hood before going home to get some shut eye. I found an internet cafe nearby and went in to check my e-mails. Low and behold my university had published our results. Bit disappointing really…but I’m looking on the plus sides. Maybe exams aren’t my thing? One thing is certain I’m going to go for it and whether or not I nail this degree. It doesn’t matter as I’m going to fight my way to where I want to be. I still have 2 years left and I’m going to take as much out of the remaining experience as I can. That’s one of the things this trip has “filled” into me.

Walkiing round the nearby markets it felt like I was in photographer paradise. As my hotel is in the “outskirts” of Bangkok, I was the only foreigner around. I’ve seen a lot of markets in my travels but this was the most interesting. I still am overwhelmed by the freshness of the foods on sale.

The fish at the market, still alive, gasping for air

The prices at the market are “real” Thai prices and are therefore MUCH more inclined to my budget. Splashed out a bit and managed to eat 3 of the fish in the picture above. Just kidding, ate some watery noodles instead.

Trying to sleep at the hotel wasn’t the easiest. First of all, my results will still circling round my head not allowing me to relax. Secondly, the other people started heading to the dorm room. The walls separating us was in fact a curtain about 5mm thick and I could hear everything. However, they couldn’t see me so as far as they were aware, they were alone. At about 3am the guy in the cubicle next to me  got a phone call. For those of you familiar with Trigger Happy TV, a famous English comedy show, I was convinced I had Dom Joly next door. Dom’s phone rang with the very same ringtone from the program

“HELLO?”

“HELLO?” ”

WHAT?

“I’m in REFILL HOSTEL!”

…….

“NO ITS RUBBISH!!!!!!!!!!!!!”

Ok maybe I exaggerate the last bit….but it was pretty close.

For my International Readers picture (or English people who live in a hole/the North of England):

Eventually I managed to get to sleep and was then haunted by dreams about forgetting my Malaria Malarone pill. Will have to take extra tomorrow….

Today met up with Pong, a mate of mine from my course who lives in Bangkok. We went on boats, cars, mono-rail (the skytrain) and tuk-tuks (the ultimate way to travel! although not if you want to live).  He was an amazing travel guide and I could not have been more fortunate in knowing him. We saw a huge golden statue of buddha  (Wat Pho) (MASSIVE! In fact the largest gold Buddha in the world), visited the Grand Palace, climbed Wat arun ( Temple of the Dawn) and cruised the canals by speedboat. All in all, a very busy day.

Travelling by Tuk Tuk really felt like I was in a formula 1 race, except much more dangerous! We were definitely winning though. This is a high adrenaline way of getting close and personal with the mean streets of Bangkok. Definitely helps if your good at bartering, which I can asure you that Pong is, as you must pay upfront. Of course,they want to charge you as much as possible especially if your not Thai.

Have already been “kissed” by the sun (i.e sunburn).I heard from some other travelers how a ginger girl got 2nd degree burns IN 1 HOUR in Vietnam so will definitely watch out. My skin is perhaps a bit more resistant but don’t particularly want cancer!

Tomorrow am going to Phuket. By bus apparently! Bus journey is apparently 12-14 hours.. Not my favourite activity. Have booked hostel and apparently its opposite the beach. Will put some photos on when I get a chance!

p.s have done my best to avoid the stray dogs. And so far am rabies free. Although I have counted my first mozzie bite so praying to Buddha I don’t get Malaria….or aids etc…

Tuk Tuk-who needs the tube anyway?

For those of you wondering,  I have not seen the famous “Ping Pong show” although every night out in Bangkok down the main street near my hostel I am offered many “DVD sex” and “special plice Ping Pong show”. Gets a bit tiring after a while as to get your attention you kinda get people grabbing you shouting at you in broken English. However, I guess it must float some peoples boat (or pickle their cucumbers) as otherwise their wouldn’t be touts all over the street…(Note I’ve been told this is only particularly in 1 area near my hostel rather than the whole of Bangkok)

This post is dedicated to Pong for taking me round Bangkok and being an awesome travel guide!

Hi everybody,

Arrived today in Bangkok. Flight was very long and immigration was very anal. I got to Mumbai for my connecting flight at 1am and arrived in Bangkok at 7am. Have no idea what time it is back home. Guess its the middle of the night…

Already been out for breakfast with some Germans I just met and ate at a nearby market store. Food was really spicy and think I was eating some kind of entrails…not too sure. Am bit jet lagged at the moment but think I’m gonna go out and explore BKK. Just hope I won’t get lost!

Hostel is awesome though and well worth the five pounds per night.

Not sure how Im going to upload pics yet as realised I dont have the cable. Will sure I’ll be able to haggle one somewhere though.

Right….now off to go explore!