Thailand

12/05/08 - Phuket - Leaving Thailand

dano — Tue, 9 Dec 2008 09:25:00 GMT

Due to the protests, we couldn't fly out of Bangkok, so we switched our departure flight to leave from Phuket, the biggest southern island. It was a shame to leave the beach and waves and bungalows, and the excellent Pad Thai I had there.

Monica caught a bus up to Bangkok, and then to a meditation retreat about 6 hours outside the city for 10 days. I and Jeff and Alana caught a bus to Phuket, then flew out from Phuket to Seoul, South Korea. I took a bus tour in Seoul of the temples around the island of Incheon, which is outside the city of Seoul.

Then from Seoul, we stayed up for 24 hours flying to Los Angeles, Denver, and, for me, St. Louis.

Time to sleep.

12/01/08 - Ko Lanta

dano — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 14:35:00 GMT

We have spent several great days here on the island of Ko Lanta. Had than ksgiving dinner. I ate a red snapper and got diarhea for 48 hours, but im felling better now.

We went snorkeling yesterday around the tiny islands near Ko Phi Phi. I was amazed by all the colored fish (red, blue, yellow, purple, black).

11/26/08 - Ko Lanta - Thanksgiving

dano — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 19:05:00 GMT

We arrived here in Ko Lanta this morning. Checked into the Sanctuary, a hippie place on the beach with bungalows and good food. Bungalows are about 900B per night, or $27, cheap enough.

Maybe we will sit on the beach and I'll get a tan and drink beer and read one of the trashy novels I've brought wqith me.

Happy Thanksgiving!!

11/22/08 - Chiang Mai in the north

dano — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:33:00 GMT

We arrived in Chiang Mai on THursday and have done a few things.

1. Rented motorcycles (Jeff and I), which broke down but we survived.

2. Got Thai massages.

Took pictures.

Gallery: Dan, Monica, Jeff, Alana in Chian Mai!

dano — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 12:26:00 GMT

11/22/08

11/19/08 - Arriving in Bangkok

dano — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 21:21:00 GMT

11/18/08 Monday night: We (Jeff, Alana, and I) Arrived in Bangkok on Monday midnight, went stright to the hotel. Our sister Monica was there already asleep, we woke her up and had a happy reunion. I and Jeff had not seen Monica since September 06 when she went back to China.

11/19/08 Tuesday: We got up early our first day here in Bagkok, had breakfast, and walked toward the Sky Trains (BKKs mass transit system), but before we got there, we went into a tailoring shop. Jeff and Alana and Monica and I all decided to get a couple things. The prices for a fully fitted custom made from scratch suit are less than 25% what they would be in the US. We finished and left and took the Sky Trains and went to the temple Pho Vat (that's not right, but I don't remember) it's the Temple of the Dawn. Then centerpiece of the complex is a main temple built around the Reclining Buddha. The size of the statue is staggering. No really, it is. Over 80 feet high, 200 feet long, and 50 feet wide, he is the source of Thai massage, where the practice originated. I took multiple photos (30 of the statue, 148 total in 48 hours here so far) but still couldn't get him into the shot completely, wide angle and all. At night, we went on the river cruise, very nice. the Russians on the boat were extremely avid dancers. I didn't say good or talented. Or modest. But they enjoyed themselves, and we enjoyed them.

11/19/08 Wednesday: Second full day. Woke up early (6:15am), went for a walk around the enormous sky scrapers they're building next door. Went and booked tickets to travel north. Went to watch the snakes get milked. Terrifying. The handlers played catch with a king cobra, while we and a groupd of students gasped. Went to Koh Sahn road and shopped. Truly crappy goods. Came back and ate at a good cheap restaurant next road over.

Gallery: Dan, Jeff, Alana, Monica in Bangkok!! 11/19/08-11/22/08

dano — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 14:01:00 GMT

Gallery: Seoul!!

dano — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 13:50:00 GMT

Jeff, Alana, and Dan

Gallery: Leaving Denver - 11/16/08

dano — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:25:00 GMT

Flying Denver to Los Angeles

Gallery: Leaving LA - 11/16

dano — Sun, 16 Nov 2008 13:16:00 GMT

Flying LA to Seoul

11/15/08 - Flying out of St. Louis

dano — Sat, 1 Nov 2008 03:43:00 GMT

Starting in St. Louis. Trip starts 11/15.