Out on Walkabouts

Gallery: Rolling out the barrel

dayna_desu — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:35:00 GMT

Gallery: Up State NY

dayna_desu — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 11:20:00 GMT

Gallery: New York, New York

dayna_desu — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 10:51:00 GMT

The Big Granny Smith

dayna_desu — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 14:44:00 GMT

I loved NYC!

It felt like the world's meeting place. Okay, I know it is in USA - I saw the hot dog stands, the busy business folk in the financial section, the Statue of Liberty and of course the naked buskers; but it is very much a city of the world's diversity. In one day we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge into Chinatown, and from there turned a corner into Little Italy where we had a nice Italian meal. Later that day we found ourselves in an Irish Pub and continued being merry in the Japanese karaoke box just up the street! The night finished in a Mexican resturant where we grabbed our midnight snack! As far as I see it, I went around the world in that one day!

I loved my five days sightseeing in this city. It really is an easy city to get around in and actually felt at ease - despite often hearing about the bad crimes etc. that happen here! Five days just wasn't enough but I doubt if you even lived here for five years that you'd be able to experince all this city has to offer - afterall with all the cool things to see and do it can ooze the money from your wallet (Totally worth it though!)

My five days in a nutshell: NY Mets baseball game (I loved the 6th inning sing-a-long to Neil Diamond's Sweet Caroline), Natural History Museum, Central Park, the UN & UNICEF buildings (worth a visit), Manhattan Skyline at night, Times Square, show on broadway (RENT!! Awesome!! - and lining up for cheap tickets on the day is super value for money), Comedy Show (only $8 and we got to see some Saturday Night LIVE folk), and of course the Statue of Liberty. What is nice though, is the area near the Financial District down along the waterfront. The green parks where people are enjoying the "outdoors", and if you stroll for a bit you can find little hidden playgrounds for kids amongst the tall buildings!

I ate hot dogs, pizza slices and NY cheesecake - I saw naked buskers and NYPD cops - I rode the subway and caught yellow cabs! NYC - I heart YOU!!

Strolling of the Heifers

dayna_desu — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 14:11:00 GMT

Live Free or Die!!!

That is the state motto of New Hampshire! And we all thought we shouldn't mess with Texas!

I spent this last weekend catching up with Rachel in Keene, New Hampshire. It was an absolute great time!

Rachel introduced us to the sights of not only Keene, New Hampshire...BUT also was great enough to tour us around the next state over of Vermont. Granted it was only a 25 minute drive away, but she is still a trouper!

There are men in Brattleboro, Vermont that like to grow the beards long and bushy. Intersting to see. But this part of America was really how I pictured the South to be. There were houses with large porches and distant away neighbors...diners everywhere too. Ahh...Lindy's diner - thank you for serving me the most yummy breakfast! The atmosphere here in the part of the States is so laid back I think it itself has completly fallen over.

Take the "Strolling of the Heifers" as an example....people came out and lined the main street to watch COWS walk past!!! I can't say too much as I was one of those thousands of people and actually had a fantastic time. We ate free cheese made locally, milk as well. We were loaded up with a bunch of free stuff to take home too! Everyone was happy and having a great time! And there were COWS!

I would definatley recommend the "Stolling of the Heifers" to any of y'all! Go see it next year!

Update

dayna_desu — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 13:55:00 GMT

Well it has been ages since I jotted down something here....

We left Florida after a relaxing time in Gainesville...GO GATORS! Flew up to Washington D.C, and couldn't get over how beautiful that city was. We only had 5 hours to do the sights, but got in The National Mall. The area around the Washington Monument is pretty. The parks were filled with lots of people out and about playing sport. Great to see.

From the capital we caught our first train to Newark, New Jersey where we met up with Michelle's cousin. We spent a week with her, and even enjoyed more relaxing days at Cape Cod in her holiday cottage. It has been tough eh?

More travelling was to continue as we journeyed back to New Jersey for a couple of days before we arrived in up state New York in a place called Warrensburg. We will be staying here with other cousins of Michelle's until we fly out to Canada. It is a small town in the foothills of the Adirondacks, with the Hudson River not far away. We have just been taking it easy, climbed a mountain and played some tennis.

So this isn't really interesting so I apologise. But still having a great time. Things have certainly slowed down a tad since we ended our cross country road trip.

But hey hey!! I am off to Brooklyn tomorrow for 5 days!!!! Can't wait :)

Gallery: Live Free or Die!!!

dayna_desu — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 13:26:00 GMT

Gallery: Heading Up North

dayna_desu — Thu, 7 Jun 2007 12:53:00 GMT

Do you want a daiquiri with that?

dayna_desu — Wed, 16 May 2007 11:30:00 GMT

OK, so while making our way across the States the people we meet always ask, "So what do you think of America?"

I am always stumped by this question and have been trying to think of a real good response (instead of just replying with..."Gees mate, it is big isn't hey...You've got big cars, big roads, and big food proportions!" etc...)

However, I finally realised that coming across the States I'd noticed a lot of convienence. There are drive thru pharmacies and drive thru ATM Bank machines, and y'all know about the drive thru food chains here...even ice cream shops and donut ones too. So it is a country of convienence, right?

Well..I thought I had seen it all until I got to New Orleans. The photo up the top spells it out as clear as mud...Drive thru DAIQUIRIS!!! WOW...how convienent is that??? <sarcastic voice>

Gees Louise, enough said.

Gallery: Road Trip

dayna_desu — Sat, 12 May 2007 04:32:00 GMT

Y'all not from 'round ere, r ya?

dayna_desu — Sat, 12 May 2007 03:59:00 GMT

For the past 4 weeks we have been travelling the interstates of the USA from LA to Florida. What a ride!

Have seen some awesome sights, and met some really friendly people. We have been camping most of the way so were able to tap into a part of the RV culture here in the States. So when I said we have met some really friendly people it has mainly been Americans over the age of 50 who have sold the house, bought the RV and are now enjoying life on the road. Just to add though - tent camping here is expensive!!!

I really don't know where to begin as there has been too much road covered. It felt like a lot of the sightseeing we were doing was from the car window as we drove from picture perfect red desert in Arizona to the swampy green patches in Louisiana. Yet, we still managed to stop off and do the normal tourist stuff. At one stage it felt like we were on a 'visiting dead people' tour - JFK Memorial in Dallas to Elvis at Graceland, onto Martin Luther King Jnr in Memphis (awesome Civil Rights Museum, by the way) then to the grave of the Voodoo Queen of New Orleans!!!!

I was presumming that I would blend in more here. Travelling in Thailand and Japan it is pretty obvious that I'm not local! However, travelling in the south parts of USA I lost count of the times I got asked, "Y'all not from round ere r ya?" I've been asked if I was Thai?? I have even been asked what language we speak down in Australia. So, it has been interesting!

I won't write much more - I don't know where to begin. However I will leave you with my top ROAD TRIP list so far:

Favorite State: Arizona

Favorite City: Memphis

Best Food: Dixie Diner, Texakarna (Border of Texas and Arkansas)

Best RV Campground: Travelers World RV Park, San Antonio Texas

Best chill out spot: Toss up between Barton Springs in Austin Texas OR Big Lagoon National Park, Pensacola Florida

Best bar: White Elephant Saloon, Fort Worth Stockyards Texas

Best Street: Beale Street, Memphis

Best tour/event: Jazzfest, New Orleans

.....gee the more I sit here the more this list could continue.

And there is still a month and a half left here in the USA...there really is so much to see and do in this country.

Our first reunion is coming up in just a couple of days too. I can't believe as I sit here I am only 6-7 hours away from the Spaid - Ishida's!!! Can't wait to see you guys.

Tadaima

dayna_desu — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 22:44:00 GMT

Well, you know you are back in Japan when you drive to the neighbouring prefecture just to eat their SOBA (noodles)!!!

It is super great to be back in Kagawa. Getting off the bus in Kagawa felt like I had come back home. It is like we have never left; everyone just treating us like we saw eachother yesterday. It is SO SO great.

We are staying in Sanbonmatsu with the Kimura family; the owners of a pub we often went to. They are absolute gems and being so accomodating. They even lent us one of their cars while we are here!!! We are so spoilt desu ne.

After being here for 6 days, I`ve managed to catch up with most people. I have visited my old school and Board of Education, also had a great Japanese lunch with my old English Conversation class. A big Thanks to Sanae-san for organising that! ARIGATOU.

While I was living here for 2 years I joined in a TAIKO group. They are some of the most friendly people and really couldn`t do enough for me while I was here. I popped in on the teacher`s house unannounced Saturday just gone, and it was just like old times. Straight away it was Dayna, let`s eat Udon - Do you want a beer?? !! Oh, it is awesome being around these people again!! And yes, they are still on my case about getting married and living in Japan to have kids so I can help raise the Japanese population!!!

We hit the jackpot coming here too....it is right on Cherry Blossom time. The weather is still cold, and it was a big difference from Bangkok. Though it is nice not sweating all day long. Also, I have to mention the "YELLOW SAND"....the sky on Monday was thick of it. Apparently it has been swept across from China! Crazy.

Our stay here has turned into being too short. I wish I could extend my plane ticket, but the rental car in LA has already been booked. It has been great catching up with people, but I just wish we had a bit more time. I really love Japan.

From now, it is off to catch an hour ferry out to Shodoshima!! Can`t wait to see you out there, Mon!!!!

Gallery: Back in Kagawa

dayna_desu — Thu, 5 Apr 2007 13:57:00 GMT

Gees, It's HOT

dayna_desu — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 17:37:00 GMT

Welcome back to Bangkok....where it is a nice sizzling 33 degrees C! And that is only at 8.30am. I prefer the sun and summer to snow and winter, but hey! When the tar starts melting on the road, that's when I will run for cover in the air con internet cafe.

Come Thursday I will be leaving Thailand. Now, I'm just packing up and preparing to go to Japan. On Friday I will be back in Kagawa where I lived/worked for 2 years. Looking forward to catching up with those friends still there....

WOW - 5 months in Thailand has gone super dooper quick. I have really enjoyed this experience and glad that I came here. The teaching was a great motivator for me, and I look forward to putting my new found confidence into practice when I get home (and find a job!!!) It is a nice feeling knowing that teaching is what I want to do. As for travelling in Thailand, well, that has been fantastic too. Just remember the suncream and she'll be apples.

My top 3 places in Thailand:

1. Pai 2. Kanchanaburi 3. Nawamin School (How dorky is that!)

I have great memories of Thailand and I am pretty certain that I will find myself back here one day!

But for now, it is back to packing up my suitcase. I emptied it out yesterday onto the bed, got stressed and then went to the cinema. Saw Ghost Rider which was ok. It was film number 19 that we have seen in Thailand. It is really cheap here to watch films...120 Baht! Anyways, back to the packing....Today made a trip to the post office to send stuff on. I hope I can get the rest of the stuff in. And I've realised that where I am heading to in Japan is around mid teens in tempreture...I only have 3 jumpers!!! Oh well! Least I won't get sunburnt.

Gallery: The Islands

dayna_desu — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 15:25:00 GMT

What day is it?

dayna_desu — Sat, 24 Mar 2007 21:37:00 GMT

Today marks day 14 down here on the Islands in the Gulf of Thailand. And it has just been really relaxing that I have to think really hard what day of the week it is!!

I got over the sunburn, and learnt my lesson. From Koh Tao we went onto Koh Samui for 5 days. We stayed for 3 nights at the southern end of Lamai Beach which was nice and quiet - just lazed around on the beach (in the shade), and saw some local sights. The most noted is the "Grandfather and Grandmother rocks". These are rocks that have been shaped by nature into male and female body parts. This is where I saw the most Thai tourists too. And for 2 nights we stayed at Big Buddha Beach...don't recommend this unless you really enjoy the sound of aeroplanes flying in and out of an airport!!!

From Koh Samui we did a day tour to Ang Thong National Marine Park. More snorkelling with lots of funky looking fish! We also did kayaking which was hard yakka, but enjoyable. The tour guides were great, one caught a fish with his bare hands which was pretty impressive. And look out....never got sunburnt!!! Was fairly chuffed with myself!

Now we are on the chilled out island of Koh Phangnan.It has been more time just relaxing and hanging out by the beach. Rented a motorbike and went exploring as far as the paved roads will take us. One day went to the beach made famous by the full moon parties, Haad Rin. This beach had actual waves coming in..and the road here from where we are staying in Baan Tai was a doozy. Really steep inclines in the road; thankfully it was paved. And today while riding out to a waterfall got drenched by a tropical rain storm! But in these 5 months in Thailand I think Ive seen rain only twice, so I wasn't complaining!! But there was no water falling from the waterfall...im having bad luck with waterfalls!

All and all, just really relaxing time here on the islands. My favorite would have to be Koh Phangnan. The big high rise resorts and high flying tourists found on Koh Samui haven't hit this island (yet?) so it makes for a nice laid back atmosphere.

Tomorrow we start our journey at 8.30am to head back up to Bangkok!!! I'm dreading the noise and polluted air already!

PS> Photos coming soon.....

Sunburnt

dayna_desu — Wed, 14 Mar 2007 17:39:00 GMT

Here I am in Koh Tao.

We arrived here after a 12 hour train journey from Chiang Mai to Bangkok, then hopped on a 7 hour train journey from Bangkok to Chumpon...oh, and then there was a 2 hour boat ride!!! Needless to say I now wish I just flew down.

But we got here, and the weather has been awesome. Michelle is doing her PADI Dive course and I am just bumming around. My sunburnt legs have forced me to seek refuge in this air conditioned internet cafe! Fancy legs getting sunburnt...even my toes are red raw!

Yesterday I took a snorkelling trip and saw some beautiful scenery around the island. It wasn't that bad underneath the water either! There is an island just off Koh Tao called Koh Nang Yuan. It is basically three islands joined together by a big sandbar. Not bad to look at from the view point, but was over-run by tourists.

We have a couple more days here on Koh Tao which I will spend out of the sun!

Gallery: Northern Thailand

dayna_desu — Fri, 9 Mar 2007 16:04:00 GMT

Pai Life

dayna_desu — Fri, 9 Mar 2007 00:40:00 GMT

Northern Thailand is great!!!

Arrived into Chiang Mai by a 12 hour "super express" train from Bangkok, and as soon as I stepped off onto the platform the Northern atmosphere hit me. It is more relaxed up here, the air is so much cleaner and it is also a lot cooler up here - I have had to use a blanket for the first time in 4 months!!!

Chiang Mai was good. Mainly saw temples, and also went to the Night Bazaar. However, it is a big enough city and there are your fair share of tourists. The guest house we stayed at the first 2 nights was cheap as chips (160 Baht per night between the 2 of us), but at one stage Michelle and I were the only ones without dreadlocks so we kinda stood out a bit there.

After 2 nights in Chiang Mai we were pretty much ready to move onto a place one of the teachers suggested we go to - PAI!!! We only planned to stay one or two nights here, but ended up staying 4.

We took a bus from Chiang Mai to Pai which took 4 hours. The scenery was great, lots of bends in the road and I know they say a picture captures a thousand words and all that - BUT there is no way any of my pictures could capture the AMAZAINGLY beautiful scenery around Mae Hong Son Province. And it was just little things you would see on the way - people taking their clothes down to the river to wash, bamboo huts in the middle of green fields, Hill tribe women making their journey into the markets...

We did a day tour to Mae Hong Son with a really nice and funny English speaking tour guide. He blasted some Creedance Clearwater from the speakers, and then as we were coming back down from the mountain some Carpenters..."I'm on top of the world looking down on creation...do do do.." and as corny as it seems, it actually did feel as though we were on top of the world. He took us to Caves, temples and a mud spa (third best in the world after Romania and the Dead Sea. We also went to a Long neck Karen tribe that was 12kms near the Burma border.

If anyone reading this is planning to come to Thailand, I highly recommend a trip to Pai. Life is slower, sometimes the electricity in town goes out, and there are enough tourists here too. But you can rent a motorbike (don't recommend the bicycle) and cruise around the outskirts of Pai and see some great things. Northern Thailand Life, really smacks you in the face. It is a happy smack!

I think I can

dayna_desu — Thu, 8 Mar 2007 01:20:00 GMT

Thought this deserves its own seperate entry....

While in Pai, Michelle and I decided to rent bicycles for the day. So off we went to breakfast to discuss where we could cycle to as there are a lot of things to do within easy reach of central Pai. We decided that the 8km trek to a waterfall was manageable enough. 8kms - a walk in the park, right?

Off we went, both wearing flip flops, a bottle of water each, and no map between us. It was also the middle part of the day - so a nice warm 32 degrees. And yet, we went on our merry way.

We rented our bikes and the waterfall we were told was at the end of a 8km road that had a gradual slope all the way. We looked at each other and shrugged the shoulders - not a bother we thought. So we got on the bikes that had no gears AND STILL nothing clicked!!!!

I think we got 2kms when I started thinking that it has to get easier- whatever goes up must come down, right? But no, at the halfway point we both stopped nearly falling off the bikes and seriously must have looked a sight. Both of us with 2 big red heads and our eyes wondering around for a place to collapse, and possibly even be sick. So, we stopped in the nearby temple grounds for a bit and put a new game action into plan. We were now going to push the bikes the rest of the way! So we did. It took us nearly 3 hrs, and had other tourists whizzing pass us on their rented motorbikes. But slow and steady wins the race and as we walked through the tiny village communites we got to see how life is really like out there. Little kids having a blast in a tub of water, men working garlic fields and women sitting around weaving a new roof for their house out of leaves.

We got to the waterfall, and there was not much water falling!!! We laughed, rested for a bit, and headed back to Pai which only took 40mins.....all down hill!!!

That night we headed off to a Thai massage place, woke the next morning and went down to the rent a shop and hired out, motorbikes.