Ko Samui

Ko Samui - off the eastern shore of southern Thailand - is probably best known for its beach resorts, breathtaking waterfalls, and wild nightlife. After settling into a small hotel near the Lawana district, I quickly ran over to the beach - I had been missing the beautiful weather and day trips to the beach that I would normally be enjoying back in NJ.  The water in the Gulf is pristine - you can go on a scuba dive and check out the coral or just swim to the smaller reefs and check out brightly colored fishies for yourself.  Jet ski's fly across the water, muay thai boxers train in front of foreigners, and if you need to relax spend 100 baht (~$3) for a two-hour massage.  But there is much more to do then just spend all day at the beach.  There is plenty to explore -

From waterfalls, elephant trekking, to rock climbing - Ko Samui is an adventure sports enthusiasts dream. It only takes about 2 hours to drive around the entire island, checking out the many beaches along the way, most of which are crowded.  But the quite kind are there for those who know where to look, and better yet, the interior is practically uninhabited and offers plenty of hiking. 

After a long day of exploring my favorite way to 'relax' is by going out for a few (dozen) beers.  Okay, there isn't much relaxing involved really, but you can't come to Ko Samui and not check out the nightlife.  Considering I visited the island during the low season rather than the high season (Nov - Apr), the streets were 'empty.'  At least, that's what the locals called it.  It reminded me of Times Square on New Years Eve.  The bars were almost entirely packed with tourists from all over the world and of every age.  Then there are a few locals and most of those are "working" girls.  Selling sex is illegal in Thailand, but that hasn't stopped anybody. Walk into just about any place open after 10 pm and you hear offers.  A nod of the head and they will usually leave you alone, if not right away maybe after you buy them a drink.  Note: the ones that speak perfect English are most likely ladyboys.

Directions are so useful when given in a foreign language!

The locals all have one thing in common - they are quite friendly. Even those who don't know a single word of English will go out of their way to help you or make you feel at home.  It reigns true throughout nearly all of Thailand.  After my ride unexpectedly decided to leave me behind, I had to figure out how to make my way 1,500 km back to my town.  Thank you Ae and friends for not only trying to explain how to do so in Thai but also giving me a lift to the ferry!

Ladyboys are people too - just really scary ones

Old English bloke who didn't think talking to
a girl 1/4 of his age was in anyway picture worthy

Croc I encountered while hiking. Watch your step!

If you do plan on visiting Ko Samui, or any of the Thai islands for that matter, keep in mind that the high season is between November and April.  While the weather is better, the beaches are more crowded and the prices of things triple.  My hotel, right on the beach, cost only 300 baht a night.  That included a TV that was never turned on, A/C that likewise collected dust, a bed and a shower.  Amenities such as a comfy bed, towels, western style toilets, etc. will cost you more, and during the high season even with drastically higher prices it can be difficult to find vacancies.

Bung Khan, Pu Tok

Dirty water, myself, and Laos on the far side

Suitable living for a monk

It's been a little while, but only because I've kept busy. My weeks are crazy occupied with school, but I've gotten opportunities to travel quite a bit.  One of my first weekends in Isan I followed another teacher, John, up to Bung Khan to relax in a tiny little ton on the Mekong River, overlooking Laos.  While farmers in Thailand were shooting rockets into the air to make it rain behind us, across the Mekong a magnificent display of a thunderstorm lit up the sky-

Start

I've been in Sakon Nakhon, Thailand, for only a few days so far.  I'm still learning the ropes on how to live here, but one thing that's certain is that you can live on very little money up here in the Northeast.  The weather is hot everyday, and while other have told me it rains everyday, so far it only rained for about 10 minutes once, today actually.

I've only taken a few pictures yet, mostly of Bangkok - but let's have a look!

One day three of us hopped on a river ferry and took it as far as we could. 14 Baht and about an hour later we were at all points south - a section of Bangkok called Nonthunburi.  No surprise, there was a giant market! A very cool one though - we walked into a virtual maze of what was a local Thai food market.  Anything you could imagine would fit in your stomach was being sold here! And plenty of things you would never want anywhere near your stomach.

Small boat passes our ferry as we move along the Chang
to Northern Bangkok - Nonthunburi

Last stop!

Slithery and slimy - not the scariest food we found

Catfish and eels

Unfortunately - not a live person! Part of a mini-temple,
ones that locals set up randomly on the side of the street.

We'd heard a lot about Wat Arun - or The Temple of Dawn.  It was only a quick ferry ride across the river from where we were staying.  Three of us paid 3 baht a piece to cross the river and check this very cool temple out.  The steps were super steep getting to the top, and this may have been the hottest day ever.

Really friggin steep! Emphasis on CLIMBing the stairs.

View from atop Wat Arun.  We never did figure
out what the green plants were doing floating in the river.

Central Bangkok

Gotta get down somehow.

Kyle and Peter getting in the shade.

I thought he was studying scrolls of ancient Buddhist magic
- nope, just algebra homework. 

Reminds me of the old tree we had in front of Mom and Dad's house.
We filled it with cement, but they just stuck a big rock in it!

Donations! Flowers, Candles, Food, and of course, Money gladly accepted.

Another day, another market - This time the Chatuchak (Jatujak) weekend market. Of course my camera died before I could get too deep into this one - but this place was bizarre.  It was like going to Sears, Shoprite, and a carnival all in one small park.  Tiny little alleyways connecting the major semicircles that you see below.  But the alleyways proved to have even more incredible things going on - the smallest of shops crammed into the tiniest of places - and then even the alleyways interlocked to find more room for shops of all sorts.

Semicircle 1

Semicircle 2. 

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A little kiosk devoted to billions of beads.

While in Bangkok I spent my nights near Khao San (Kaosarn) Rd.  It's a backpackers joint.  The locals know how to scam the foreigners, you meet people mostly traveling RTW on low budgets, but at night time the place went wild.  You can't walk ten feet without being proposed to go to the "Ping Pong Show" or be asked to buy a new, custom made suit just for you.  And the music of choice at the bars and clubs - Korean pop.  No idea.

Hookah-ing near Khaosarn.

And within a week and a half I was off to Sakon Nakhon. Like I said earlier, still learning about this place.  More pictures to come! Until then, you can see my room that I pay 3000 baht a month for.  Frankly, I can find cheaper once my Thai speaking ability improves.

Stray dogs! Very popular all over Thailand, but these are
super-friendly and bark when strangers come by.

My jungle of a backyard.