My first day in BKK

Three days of pure heat

joey698 — Tue, 1 Jul 2008 00:05:00 GMT

Day 3 of my time in brunei, next stop the Omar ali mosque, fantastic architecture with stained glass from england and saudi arabia. The precise monument reminds me of the cardoba mosque "

Hues of eternal life
Splendor of man's love
Love is life's base
Death has a claim on love
Love itself the tide
Stemming the torrent
Love is unnamed eras
Love is Gabriel's breath

Every single detail was crafted to its precision and it shows how much religion

means to the people of this country. It was fantastic and sits on

the water village and over seas the horizon.

It has been 10 years since i cam back and sometimes when you live

in a country for a while you never see its charm and this was one of them.

Next stop is to have some lunch and went to see my sister for a date.

Is nice to ctach up with her but i have to say my sister is very

preculiar person. Very strong and yet determine thus makes her

a complete cow somedays. We had a lovely catch up and i tend to speak less around her as she is

a ticking bomb waiting to blast you at your face.

There is no right place and time for her every moment is an attack like

a wolf hunger for its prey.I decided to go walk abouts in the city and

the intense heat of 40 C everyday is taking the toll on me. People seems

to be wearing jackets and wrapping themselve up a burger wrap is almost crazy.

I on the other hand was like a tart dress up in singlets and

shorts which been getting eyes stare everywhere. Bought myself a suit

to wear my x wedding as i am thinking what i shall write for

my speech "lovely person but a complete cow".

Sounds right to me, i shouldnt be cynnical but its my nature

to be a tormented. But can you imagine sweating like a pig and complete drench

with body odour. And going home to your family or love ones and hugging them

with your stench. ewwwwwww

I rather hug a bush pig than to soak with smell of an old sock.

I walk home and it was time to wonder about what reflects me today. 
I miss Kate, Kirsten, stef, D. Geoff etc...my friends as they make me 
laugh and at the end of the day you could only be bless with good hearted friends. 
Anyhow my journey hasnt end and tomorrow is today's history.

Brunei Water village

joey698 — Mon, 30 Jun 2008 23:40:00 GMT

Right is time to do some exploring, first stop the water village than to another freaking mall to meet my parents for lunch. I took the car down to the pier and caught the water taxi. well guys is not what expected. Water was dark yellow and has floaties in it. i wonder what it is, i hop off to the village, as you can imagine i wasn't expecting to be venice. But it is intriguing. Walk along the wooden path and you see people living in this little house with little much they cant afford but they seem happy. Met a lovely young boy and he seems to be intrigue to see me, his mum was lovely and we had chat. She show me around and they had a little small cafe (not the posh ones) i mean very little with little to offer but the gesture was nice. In life when you open your heart and mind to everything you see things that amaze you. We live in a world of materialism and power/status.

Sometimes when we lost our senses to cruel world, the simple things life that matter is ignore and simple gestures, a smile of lover/friend and even a hug cherish the most memorable part of our life. As we accept people in our heart with boundaries we gain the knowledge of forgiveness and humility. Noble idea as it seems we do treat people like material, you see people with high fashion (we all want to look good) somehow many as i said do dress as "mutton as lamb" and we upgrade our lovers like a ipod or computer ( am bored with my current version i need a upgrade).

Anyhow my trip finish at the school centre and i spend 3 hrs wondering the village. Bought some fresh fish and seafood for dinner and than i was shock, i wanted to use the loo in the school and it was primitive, everything goes down to the sea.Guys ( the fish in the sea is being torture by our sewage) Suddenly it wasnt appetizing to eat the fish and the rest. Does it mean i am eating shit???

I went saw my parents and told them where i been. Went to Yayasan shopping mall for lunch, was a nice location next to the huge mosque that i am going to visit tomorrow. Bought some mags and books to read on the way home and the day ended with a nice weather.

The next chapter -welcome to Brunei

joey698 — Sun, 29 Jun 2008 23:18:00 GMT

August 29

Well, left bangkok and arrive in Brunei to see my family. Plane touchdown to the horizon and i reach the world most unbelievable airport. Small and very dull yet it almost makes you wonder a country so rich and vast in its wealth but has no lasting impression. As i walk out the plane, i miss bangkok in its sense of my daily walk and chats. The vibrancy and chaotic lifestyle that brings life to a standstill. Have you ever wonder wha life would be if things are different like a "sliding door" you made choice and you went with than you wonder what is on the other side of the door. I guess life would never predict itself until you hit that road.As they said "the grass is greener on the otherside but someone still has to water and mown the lawn."

Will this city make me her bitch, doubt it. I was born in this country, the first 10 years of my life in this country was memorable and yet bizzare. I learn 3 religions in school and learn 7 languages to maintain the curriculum of the state. No wonder i am fucked up. Anyhow, this trip home is to reestablish my nostalgic moment with my family. My family lets say i love them to bits and yet they have their dynamics. I call it the "simpsons with a twist of annoyance"

As i walk through the exit gate i saw my mum and dad. Hang on and my gorgeous nephew with my sister and bro in law, was lovely to see the, again. First stop dinner with family, japanese restaurant in Gadong that has infusion with japanese and malaysian twist "VERY WRONG." Who in the right mind think of such rubbish, and here it meant to be authentic "my bottom" is authentic.

I decide to talk a walk when i reach home and went to "the mall" five stories of shop galore but tacky stuff. Huh, you can get D&G, CK, Prada etc as low as $5 bucks well if you can have the right stuff, imitations are much more afforrdable. Brunei has no governing law against parallel imported stuff and you can get dvds as low as $2 i.e pirated on public open shops. Fantastic, but this city is far more than shop is religious muslim country and on TV most good programmes come on late at night. What a bummer!!

As walk home it rain again, i think the weather either loves me or hates me it always rain on me. Time to unwind after my trip to BKK as i dearly miss it. Tomorrow is another chapter of my adventure.

Day 2 Pattaya "Life begins and the rest is unwritten"

joey698 — Sat, 28 Jun 2008 23:22:00 GMT

August 28

Day 2 in Pattaya, got up and went for swim, had a wonderful night with kate and utterly memesmerised by what we saw. I decided to take a morning walk down the road and cam across Major avenue and had my morning coffee. Explore the complex and across the road was the Mariott hotel. Went across to the garden plaza and did abit of browsing. They had a RIPLEY centre for the weird and amazing things. Had a look in there and had to say i was a bit disappointed. Having live in London for a few years, my favourite place was Madame Trussard museum.

Found a spot in a really small cafe called coffee world and sat down for an hour making my travel plans and writing my speech for a wedding that i am attending. Never know what to write when is you ex wedding, almost seem impossible to praise your exs when he is completely idiot in some ways.

Went back to the hotel and woke Kate up. We went for breakfast at the hotel garden centre and spend time getting to know each other. She has a fantastic personality and good sense of humour. We talked about everything and why she was here alone. Well, her man left her and she needed space to relive her life. I empthasise with her as you can never predict love yet alone predict what a person is thinking and feeling. Much to my understand, we play mind games to certain point where we dont have control over what we doing to each other. We can only go with the flow to what is destined to unfold itself naturally.

We walk down to the pier and sat there for awhile and it was absolutely breath taking to see the morning sun in the horizon. Is almost calming and feels like no one else can speak any words for you. Rain started to fall and we got soaking wet and laugh as we ran to the nearest shops, but hay when do you ever get to stand it the rain and release your inhibition. Live your life with wide arms open and i told kate, today is the day when your life begins and the rest is unwritten.

We laugh and share moments of tears, and we became bonded in someways that she knew my secrets and i knew hers. Funny sometimes you meant to meet someone in your life that you know is going leave a footprint in your heart and always be there, Some you just have to let go for your reasons of sanity.

In the afternoon, we sat on the beach and finish off the last day. Kat and i decided we should go back to bangkok and spend my last forgetting what is left to be unsaid and close the finishing chapter. We caught the taxi and hot back to BKK. It was late when we reach the city and we went straight to the hotel and sat down for nice GT.

Was a fabulous night and we went walking the night streets with neon lights splashing every corner of our eye. Laughter is the best medicine and we plan to see each other after christmas this year. Not sure when but we will definitely have a great time. We hug each other and it seems like yesterday two strangers met for a reason and we will stay forever as friends.

Pattaya

joey698 — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 00:59:00 GMT

August 27

Woke up early, and took the taxi to silom centre to catch another taxi to Pattaya. Was excited and the traffic as usual ws terrible. Almost feel like screaming at the drivers "where did you get your license from, no rules to follow." i suppose you just cut it out of the cereal box and you are sweet as.

Reach silom and caught the taxi straight to Pattaya. At least the taxi guy spoke some english, as we drove down the express way, everything became flat and green. Almost like being back in NZ where all you see is cows and sheep shaggers. As we reach our destination, i was eager to see what is offer as i was told is another city of pure fantasy and sex.

Book into the wellcome plaza right in the heart of the city and drop my bags. I hit the city and was pull left right and centre by locals offering me tailor suit cuts, thai massage and much more. Massage and me is like chalk and water. I squeal like a pig waiting to be slaughter. Touch of some stranger on my body almost make me crinch with sickness. As i cross the road i was intrigue to see to side roads.

One side of the road has all the sex parlour dedicated to bois. You name it they got it "A gogo bois" Star bois etc. On the other side is girls only. One caught my eye was called "Pussy galore" huh..how original and yet very tacky. Almost roll over on the road with laughter.

I decided to hit the beach and spent the day relaxing. Caught the bus down towards and the end of the town and there i found a beach an daprk myself on a nice spot. Intriguing to see you get food serve and drinks plus sex. Yes you got it...SEX...eveyway in thailand is sex. i got offer a sex ticket by an old pruny man for 200 baht. Hello have i got a "neon sign" on my forhead saying"F#$% i am desperate housewife" Told him to F off as it was not my intention.

I went on doing my business and i met Kate. A british pommy girl she sat next to me and started talking. She is here alone on a holiday and we decided to hang out for the rest of the day. Had a lovely day at the beach, went for a swim and than back to the hotel where kate is staying.

How coincidence? Sometimes we meet people for a reason, to learn and evolve as one self we gain knowledge of our inner strength. Later that night we went to dinner at the side street and it was fantastic. Did the walking streets where you get baskers, food and shopping and most of all "SEX". Girls dress up in little mini skirts almost can see their "fufu."

Kate and i ponder around the streets and had a few drinks. Gin and T my favourite of all drinks and we watch the motion of everyone pass by with music blasting from every center of the bar.

It was past midnite and we decided to walk back to hotel. As we cross the streets we headed to BOYZ town where all the bois show were on. And we had a peek inside and to much amazed it was rauchy almost like porn on stage.

Bois dipslaying their cocks on stage and giving each other blow jobs. Arghhhh i was almost on the verge of laughing my head off and towards the end you can buy them for $$$$. There you go my innocent has gone down the drain with much i have morales i was fascinated.

Each to their own kind, i say to kate if i stand on the stage i will be the last one standing or be shame of my size (my physical attribute). Kate and i could not bear to even imagine what we will do if we would put on that situation. I guess we all have to make a living somehow.

I had a great day today and much to my innocent pluck out of the mist i am excited to see what tomorrow offers.

Day 4 last day in BKK

joey698 — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 00:37:00 GMT

August 26

Last day in BKK, next off to Pattaya. What should i do today? Visit more temples and more side streets. Went to Khaosan rd. and spend half day to see what is there an offer. Came across a nice spa centre and so i treat myself to a hair cut. And met James a stylist who has been working in thailand for the past 3 years. We chatted for awhile and was nice to able to chat to someone who is wordly as he say.

Met his thai partner and am intrigue in the relationship they possess. Interesting dynamic and yet sense of passion. I gather that in every relationship, you can never know much about love and the unpredictable future. All you can do is to sustain it and the affairs of the heart is much to our own choice.

Take a chance, is it meant to be or just a delusional hope for something we cannot possess. Independence and separatness of the heart is sometimes good for the soul. We need to recharge all our soul to make senses around us.

Later that day, i went back to silom to see the most part of the town. Workers draining the potholes as it is fill with sewage and quite primitive way of doing it, using 2 ropes of tug and war. Very fascinating and yet very revolting. Coming from the snob in me is rather perculiar and uninviting.

Went back to MBK and siam centre to get a present for D. as he has been very kind to offer me a place to crash and my favourite store crabtree and evelyn. Went home and spend the night packing for the next destination PATTAYA. Am excited but yet a little sad to leave BKK. As i said the city has made me "her bitch."

It rain when i walk home and it was refreshing to have rain coming down on you. Cleanse the soul and the confusion parted in my thoughts. Was late when i got home and time for bed.

Reflection on the day, what can i say but it ws pretty much enduring.

"Sat still before the mirror of our lives,we look at two people founded by the reflection of unforseen days."

BKK 3 Reality bites

joey698 — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 17:11:00 GMT

August 25

Is 6am and i woke up with massive migraine. Felt like someone stomp me over with a hammer. Got myself up and went down for my coffee and hunt for my drugs. Got back and put on my swiming suit and down i went for an hour swim to get rid of the migraine.

Today, i went to Khaosun RD. where the temple are, democratic monument and other exciting places i endure to explore. First stop to my favourite place, Paraggon mall where i had lunch and had my second coffee. Catching a taxi in Bangkok is a mission, well they sometimes refuse to take you cause of the heavy traffic or is where far out. Anyhow i manage to catch one which in turn was a mission to direct him to where i want to go (i guess that was the fun part) As you can imagine i pullout every "F" map i got and pointing to the taxi driver where i want to go.

As i reach the destination, i saw a temple which looks kind of erie but yet intriguing. I stop in front of it with the excitment of exploring. the delicate details od the architecture was impressive and much to my pleasant the place was calm and pleasant. Spent an hour looking at every idol they display and the fine prints of the mantra on the wall. As i walk out i figure i am lost, where in the hell i am. I decide to walk down the streets where i guess is the rough side of bangkok.

Half an hour later, i was completely lost but than getting lost is the fun part. You get to see things that are unexpected, dark alley side street with beggars sleeping along the sides. Mother and their child on streets begging for money and blind person singing for every pence they can get. Such cruel and cold world that some people live in poverty. Reality bites you in your ass and you never guess how lucky you are until you reflect yourself to a point of no return.

At my point of desperation, i decided to take a taxi back to the city centre. As i reach the centre, i needed a reality check with a hard strong coffee. I sat on the terrace of the cafe with a very french twist to it (T2D cafe)in siam centre. Very shick and very cool, definitely my taste in the interior design. I sat there for almost an hour, and funny thing is as you watch the world pass you by, with my ipod, everything in front of you sets itself in motion. The body language and the way people interact with each other certainly brings out much interest in me. Call me a freak but i do find it intriguing.

One thing i realised is "the city has made me her bitch." Why? cause it made me fell in love with the Koz and the vibrant life it possess and yet the agony and torment it creates is much to my despair. Too much of a good thing always have its negative trait.

As i was about to leave to meet Antoine for dinner. We went to a nice cafe and it was nice dinner. Tells me his life in Bangkok and i realised he was here for his boyfriend but than they split up. As the story goes on, he was a bit sad and overwhelmed. At the end of the night i was ready to go home and have a shower and hop into bed with a good book or magazine. And a chat with D. which makes it pleasant after a whole day of exploring.

Self reflection on the day, simple things in life matters most and sometimes we cannot control things that are beyond our means of needs. As in "catexis love" you can only control your feelings but not others. Looking back on yesterday, no one can take the plans you made, future that we never know is to have a vision of where you want to be. Every morning you wake up you should be thankful for everyday.

BKK Day 2

joey698 — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 03:12:00 GMT

August 24

Had a great sleep last night, woke up this morning dying for a strong black coffee. I decided to get up, put on my shorts and singlet and hunt down my coffee addiction.

Beautiful morning, as i recall, gentle warm wind caress my skin with slight tinge of salty smell air. Walk for 20 mins, couldnt find a bloody coffee shop that is open. Heaven forbid, that i am in desperate mode, finally at the end of the tunnel i saw Starbucks, that will do. That would do for now, got me coffee and walk back to the condo.

The place i stay have a certain character to it, almost reminds me of south london, rundown but yet retain its charimastic nature of old bangkok. Street cats and dogs stray across each alley, looking for whatever scraps they can gather for their monrning breakfast. The smell of sewage drain and morning air does make it rather unique.

Back to the condo, got myself ready, put on my swim trunk when to gym and pool for an hour of intense exercise. Much to surprise i felt totally energetic and was ready to hit the city.

First stop, Paragon mall where high fashion meets the carrie in me. Valentino, D&G, JASPAL...etc...what can a guy ask for more besides a platinum card which i can't afford. It was great to see what is offer. Went round the floors and spoted an excellent book shop and sat there for an hour browsing every shelf i can come upon. Did a few high fashion shopping but i just try it on and not buy as it says you either in or you are out..am defnitely out of the fashion spree.

As time pass when you have fun, i went to Silom to meet my xflatmate who is here by chance at the same time. Met his new found bf which totally struck me like a mullet ( i shall no tponder on theat matter as it is cynnical). Was great to see him and once thing i realise about BKK is that everyone is very much into so call "catexis love." Why would i say that...look upon the streets of BKK and you would realise the city of pleasure meets agony but by choice of one individual. Intriguing to my self pleasure i am fascinated by the body language and accept the fact that "love is not a feeling but rather an act of will and by choice."

Older man with young thai woman or boys (well they look like bois but rather than my perception judging they could be a man). Any how, we had coffee walk through silom streets where i struck by the amount of sex parlour and "F" show they display. It was day time so nothing is open (thank god for that) call me prue but rather not my thing, each to their own kind but i have to say in life we have to experience things out of our comfort zone to put things in perspective.

I guess the reason why oler man find their dreams of a lovely woman/man do exist in BKK. Think of it of a transaction that would mutually benefit each other in terms of sex, money, affection and passion of a few days. Ironic but it does work for some people i guess. Detachment and resistant to their emotions they face each day like a drug addict. One good "f" would last 5 mins at least and than back to the deep hole of emptiness. I am speculating here so my perception might be wrong and some people do find "love".

After a huge walk i am exhausted from the heat. And one thing about thai girls they are exceptionally stunning and some guys too. Rather malnourish for the guys and i felt like a big fat orca whale compared to them.You kind of want to stuff a million burger up their throat and say "EAT" nobody wants to look like a lollipop. Well the honest tuth is survival of the fittest and one cant afford lifestyle as one would like. Sad but true in BKK. Anyhone i was aware the someeone could get a harpoon out and shoot me for i can probably feed the whole village.

The day went fast and i got the train back to the condo. Going to dinner with D and his mates and it was fantastic. Had a good laugh and enjoy the company very much. Excellent restaurant called FACE in mid city and had indian with good chat along the nite. Lovely girls from australia and D was a good host through the night. Didnt felt out of place, sometimes you can be a gooseberry if you really dont know people for the first time. Had a good night and everyone look amazing that night...(samantha in me talking) eat eat distract....

Went to bed with my routine of self reflection on the day spent. All is well that ends well, and fate play huge part in our lifes as we like it or not. What may come of tomorrow when one more day, one more night on each persons life is taken by yesterday. Future holds great demand for one's dream whether is a good "f" or to find the "Love" is a admist of confusion in BKK.

My first thought

joey698 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 20:50:00 GMT

Well, I have arrived in Bangkok, staying with D. Met him for the first time and was great to finally meet someone that has the same level of thought.

As i walk through the departure gate, i was excited to the content of my own gut feeling.I was usher to the point of people pulling me asking me if i want a ride. I felt like a movie star..well if only. I felt more like a country bumkin in a big city..yet i ws intrigue to meet D and to see BKk for the very first day.

As i walk through towards to the end of the airport, i spotted D and we hug and was great to see him finally. Caught the city back to the condo and we went out for lunch at this very top nosh cafe "GREYHOUND". Very NY kind of way with thai fusion can go either way"Tragic or amazing" But one perception is judgemental so i am leaving an open mind.

Had a good chat and getting to know D over lunch in nutshell was great, was really nice to have a descent chat with someone who is self evolved and well manner in a way it was surreal and exciting. So many to know but very little time.

Walk through the streets of high fashion as i think it is... was so busy and funy thing is i felt like carrie, samantha, miranda and charlotte in "sex and the city" Temptations of the flesh and desire of fashion and love (well that i think is questionable) thet bestow upon the people i see. For me i was a saint, i ate and coupious among of coffee to distract myself and get over the jet lag. SAD but true.

Went swiming at the end of the day, beautiful pool up in the tower. Warm nights that make the skin glow like shimmering stars above heavens. As we reach home, we had pizza and wtach DVD, felt asleep on the couch.

Before i sleep, i always have a routine on reflecting the day i spent, and truly was amazing, a blessing to meet a freind that has a great gift, self evolved and well manner in the sense i was blessed to met him. If hope and dreams of meeting someone that can relate and think at the same level. It was great and a true faith to heart even if we never meet again. I wold cherish that thought. As slept, nostalgic moments flash between my eyes and this is a start of great journey on my holiday...

Gallery: Serene

joey698 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:27:00 GMT

My trip to BKK