The Great Escape

Makin cocktail plans with Wollert

jumpstart9 — Fri, 5 Dec 2008 18:16:00 GMT

Anyone who knows Wollert knows that he would insist that I have a post all about him. He has traveled independently (isn't this fabulous term versus "alone", solo, by myself,)and encouraged me to do the same. Not sure if he ever encountered civil protest though...

Wollert has made it clear that I must be back in Chicago by Thursday. That's when he come to town...I do believe this is the most if any notice he's given me before. Once I didn't know he was in Chi-town until I literally bumped into him on Michigan Avenue. I think this means he will never be able to escape me!!

But I understand, you see I'm way more funny than Wollert and I tend to steal the show...Private jo

BOB and I reunited...

jumpstart9 — Fri, 5 Dec 2008 17:59:00 GMT

Back in Bangkok...but that overnight bus ride. UGH! Totally nicer than the trains though.

So as I grab some rays (like I need to be more tan) on the ferry from Phi Phi to Krabi on an over filled boat I may add...I get the very rural bus station and change out of my swimsuit - I feel so gross. But I"m strangely okay with this. I think the magic of Phi Phi has gotten in my blood. I truly think to myself - "Hey Girl, you CAN handle anything." And then it begins to rain and I get on my assigned bus seat ( yes bus and movie theatre tickets are all assigned seating). I discover that I have to sit next to someone. Not only that but I"ll have to sleep next to them. Good thing it's a Thai man that doesn't seem to speak english so he won't annoy me. Bad thing there's no armrest inbetween our seats. So yes we were touching all nite. ICKY! But he didn't smell or anything like that so that's a bonus.

Of course I didn't sleep all night - again. But he slept like a baby. Figures. So I hunker down with my 2 bags of Lays potatoe chips and Coke. This meal has become my staple for traveling on buses, trains, etc. I haven't eaten this many chips all year! And I'm going for the full fat potatoes - screw the baked variety of chips. I'm on vacation and wasting many hours on just getting from point A to B.

Shockingly we arrive early in Bangkok at 4:00 am. I made it!!! I try to get a metered cab among the flurry of travelers. And do you believe that at 4:00 am a cab driver tries to rip me off???!!! NO WAY - I said to him...I'm now very comfortable in bartering and I know my way around. Nont exactly the new kid on the block in Thailand anymore. He got mad at me as he tried to charge my double what the airport cab ride is. Bastard!

I walked away and got another cab that was a 1/4 of the cost. I just wasn't in the mood to be a sucker. Although I think I get suckered every 3rd time I do something. I figure I come out Even Steven at the end of it all.

Aussie Gals Rock

jumpstart9 — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 20:35:00 GMT

Steph, Alex and Camilla are from Sydney and are just starting their 8 week holiday. America really needs to get with the program on more vacation days. Who wouldn't stay with a company that gives them vacation days like that???

These girls were so welcoming to me...they even got me to jump off the top of the double decker motor boat into the ocean. For those of you that know of my sporadic fear of heights you'll can understand why this was such a big deal. Well, I almost bakced out....we counted "1,2,3 - jump"...I didn't jump!!! But uch to my surprise Steph didn't jump either - so she offered to hold my hand so we could jump together. I'm sure all the guys thought this was a brilliant idea as well as a nice visual of all us girls ;)

And I think I may be TOO TAN - in our pics I look native compared to the other girls....the sun in Phi Phi loves me - haven't worn any sunblock and I'm getting the best rays...did I tell you how much I love this island yet???

Later that night, I walked to the girls hotel (no cars here - only walk places wich is music to my ears) Of course I get lost flippin lost...I do think I was in a dogey area of the island. But just as I gave up and decided to just drink by myself I see them...yet ANOTHER stroke of luck. What a night - hung out at a couple dive shops with the locals drinking redbull cocktails from a sand bucket - yes that right. It's the thing to do...then to a beach bar where the had a flaming limbo contest...Thai don't know about liability yet! Well gott a go!!

At Dogey Internet Place....

jumpstart9 — Thu, 4 Dec 2008 20:31:00 GMT

So I'm at the Krabi bus station and thank goodness I got a ticket because the buses are all booked! ...I found the only interenet at a dogey (love this new word from my new aussie gal pals) place by the bus station...

I'm so excited to get my tailored clothes!! I'm sure BOB is missing me.

Had a fab day in Phi Phi yestereday...took a sunset snorkeling/kayaking motor boat tour and we (me and my new Aussie Gal Pals) swam thru a little cave and trekked about 10 min in our bikinis to "The Beach". Can't believe I trekked in all types of weather and clothing (no leeches on this trek). Unbelievably breathtaking- met some cool Aussie girls on the boat that I went out with last nite. Totally fun!!

Took some underwater pics w/ my new camera...not sure if the camera is dried out yet though. Hope it works!! I felt cool on the ferry today because some Brits were bummed out that their visas were ending soon....so I told them about Burma and for $10 bucks you get 30 more days on your visa to stay in Thailand - am I going native???...they thought I was brilliant - soooo funny!

Thanksgiving cocktails in Thailand

jumpstart9 — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 21:35:00 GMT

So as a treat my travel group decided to get some fancy cocktails since there wasn't a turkey or apple pie in sight. We were at the Little Creek bar in Kranuchaia (sp?) and perused the drink menu.

I took pics of the menu just to prove that what I'm telling you is true...My friend Diane decide against the " Slippery Dick" and instead opted for a "missionary Down Under." Many people contemplated "Sex On My Face"...while Christine decided on multiple "Screaming Orgasms". The "Sexy Puma" was also poplular (but of course).

We had a fun night of drinks, giving thanks and some karoke. Guess what I gave thanks for? "NO leeches sucked my blood while trekking!" Funny how everything is relative to your situation.

Love the "MAGIC" button

jumpstart9 — Mon, 1 Dec 2008 21:21:00 GMT

Seems so long that I don't where to start while I sit in yet another bus terminal waiting to take a 10 hour overnight bus ride to Krabi...Yes this sucks- the closed airports are putting a few kinks in my travels. Seems I can't escape buses.

But I must tell you how fab the Hilton Millenium Hotel in Bangkok is. But again getting me and BOB here was yet a new challenge if you can believe it! So I'm in some village - Kranubie by the Kaui river or something like that.

We decide to take rickshaw rides - one passenger per rickshaw. My "peddler" was about 70 years old...my arms are bigger than his thighs. All I can think is that I really shouldn't have had that extra helping of rice for breakfast. So it's a charming ride thru town as visit the Death Railway - wow I never learned this in any history class.

We get back to the hotel (I use this term lightly) to go to the public bus station for our 3 hour ride back to Bangkok (thank goodness). At much to my dismay and horror I'm informed that BOB has to ride in the tiny richshaw with me while my tiny peddler takes us to the bus station! I was visibly PO. Who takes a rickshaw to the bus?? I tell my tour guide there's NO WAY my peddler can do this - it may kill him. So BOB had to get his very own rickshaw!!

Can't wait to show you all the photos...

ONce in Bangkok, BOB and I split from my travel group to go to the HIlton and then meet later for dinner. Kinda felt bad and a little snobby leaving everyone. But we got over that fast as we entered the Hilton lobby...literally a tear came to my weary eyes! It's truly an oasis.

I kid you not the bellboy said he loved BOB!!! "YOur luggage is so easy to wheel around" he said. I knew I was in the right place.

I've learned from super cute Aussie boy that there's a name for trekkers like me. We're called "flashbacks"...we trek but MUST return to luxury. Ahhh, so I am normal - there are more like me and BOB.

Did you know the Hilton has a "magic" button? That's really what it's called - you press it 24 hours a day and get whatever you want...The bellboy told me that my view would bring "lots of emotion". If he only know how true that was. So me and my new Aussie friend met at breakfast...that's all I'll tell about that for now.

Cell phones during my massage...

jumpstart9 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:41:00 GMT

Back again! As you'll see I write when I have an internet connection so please be patient with the meandering thoughts, timelines, etc.

I think you all know that I totally have become a massage whore. There's nothing else for me...did I tell you that I haven't really had many cocktails??? I trek thru leeches and god only knows what else to discover that NONE of the mountain villages serve alcohol of any kind. No Chang beer for me -this is my new fav. It's double the alcohol content but that's another story,..Back to my massages (no pun intended).

I'm getting a massage in a mountain village that is 2x higher than sea level in Denver. I'm telling you, I"m not our of shape on these treks - there simply no oxygen (I also miss spellcheck). In the middle of my massage the Aka tribe massues gets a cell phone call!! Pulls a phone out of her tribe get up and starts talking while massaging with only one hand. Does she not realize how much I need this massage - it's my only connection with reality! I didn't even bring my cell phone bec I didn't think they had cell phone service...so no booze but cell phones..go figure.

The next day I get in my dirty clothes. For a split second I longingly think of BOB and all the cute dresses he's watching for me.

Next village - next massage is so strange...I particpate in a really cool tribal dance with drums, costumes, sticks. Really cool shit! So after dancing to the beat of a different drummer I eagerly say yes to a massage. But they tell me to go to the "head" tribesman's living room...this can't be good I think. But being the massage whore that I am I still think it's worth the risk.

I lay down on a hut floor of a smoke filled room. It's as bad as you're envisioning. There are about 6 men arguing or something in their native language, 2 old women in chairs stairing at me and a pary on the porch. Not exactly tranquil and relaxing. And if you know what a Thai Body massage is you can understand the extent of my uncomfortableness. (NOTE: I have a massage whore buddy - she's my new roommate so I wasn't alone.) A Thai massage twist your legs, arms and back into positions I didn't think I ws capable of....but a lot of tribes people now know i can be quite flexible.

I'm running out of time but I do want to mention the tribe children. They are beautiful and radiate joy. They follow us around the village when we enter and get up early in the morning to watch us eat breakfast (sound creepy but its really cute). They just want to have fun and laugh. A most touching moment was when a child reached out to hold my hand...wow. So I've learned a few things in life that are truly universal:

Smile are universal and can solve so many situations

Laughter is universal

Holding hands is universal

A child's joy is universal

Music really does bring people together

One of our trek guides (his name I Aye and he's a total new blog) said this: "Laughter is like lifting a heavy rock off your shoulder."

Well, I'm signing off. BOB and I are doing well in this unknown village. It was so exciting to wear a different, clean shirt today - thank you BOB.

Denielle

Tree Branch Hits Me...

jumpstart9 — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:25:00 GMT

So BOB and I made it to some small remote village. Yet another horrifying train ride and then a "bus" ride... I honestly don't know where I am. I do know I'm far from Bangkok and Chaing Mai where all the "bad" stuff is happening. Much to my dismay the beaches I've been DREAMING about may be in jeopardy because of these damn demonstrations. Who is the Prime Minister anyway??? He's starting to put a black cloud on my great escape.

Due to demonstrations, both Bangkok airports are closed until further notice. Not bad to get stuck in Thailand, however, I want to go to the lovely beaches that have been beckoning me as I trek. But my friends tell me I can certainly take a bus or train if the airports are closed. NO WAY!!! I don't think I can do it. But I guess if BOB can suck it up I can to.

BOB is quite the comedian every time a Thai bus driver or train guy sees BOB they literally start laughing out loud. He's helping me to make instant friends. Although, we going to sleep on a barge tomorrow and I'm a little concerned that BOB may sink it. I'll just keep that thought between us...Some people think say I've taken some of the cute village children and are hiding them in BOB. I could fit an entire village of children in BOB.

Now back to my "bus ride" and how we got to this unkown village...

Just got off a god forsaken 3 hour frm truck bus ride...it was going about 70 mph. Realy great ride - NOT! Just to arrive at a hotel with no air conditioning and no "western" toilet. I'm really trying to enjoy this part of my trip but it's so hard!

I think to myself - Hey just get thru this and it will be better tomorrow...so not true. I'm utterly exhausted from not sleeping because every hut, bed, train, farm truck is so damn uncomfortable. Oh the second train ride - it sucked worse than the first time - I think a roach crawled down my back so that stopped any chance of sleeping. Then the very loud and all too happy to be on the scummy trian group of french people...they must have been hammered because they actually were laughing on the train.

Guess I'll go get a foot massage before dinner...they really do make me feel fantastic although the bar is very low right now.

Oh and then I'm having lunch today at a cute little restaurant called "Restaurant Along The River Under a Big Tree". A big ass branch falls off and hits me in the head! I have a bump, a scratch and a slight bruise...I said out loud - (I just couldn't keep this in my head due to sleep deprivation) " I hate !!@#!#@ Thailand today!". I have less than 72 hours before I get to the Hilton...

So this likely answers questions some of you may have- there are no cute boys where I'm traveling. In fact, thank goodness because I'm not a cute girl right now. I constantly feel grungy and sweaty - haven't worn makeup in over 10 days, no hairdryer for over 10 days - yes I'm feely really lovely and sexy right now...But I've seen some cool things...let's not forget to look for the silver lining.

Here's a few things I'm simply tired of...

Tired of being tired
Tired of of no privacy
Tired of every bone aching so I can't sleep
Tired of of filth and bugs
Tired of long rides on ANY type of vehicle
Tired of rice and noodels
Tired of complaining...

There better be some cute boys the Hilton and on the Beaches!!!

Denielle

Back again

jumpstart9 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:31:00 GMT

Funny story about getting here...I basically didn't exist at the Bejing airport. Couldn't find me in the systems and BTW - not everyone speaks english. I did meet a cool guy from the UK at the bejing airport and we became mini travel buddies bec we were both going to Bangkok. he was definitley helpful in making the trip a bit better. I was the only tally blonde woman there so I did get approached quite often from others for help - those that spoke english. Much to their dismay I was of no assistance. But I felt a little less alone.

From the Bangkok airport to my hotel was interesting as i got yet another cab driver that didn't speak english. To all of my friends that said language wouldn't be an issue...what were you thinking??? So it's 1:30 am and he makes me get out of the cab with my big ass bag and makes motions for me to walk...I quickly understand that this is the end of my ride and I have to walk to find my hotel. Again, I"m the only tall blonde woman with a suicase walking doen the street...alll these little people all dressed in black are waling the oppisite way of me. Note to self: Bangkok looks much better during the day and during normal hours of operation.

Just as I'm getting pissed, scared, perplexed - a full range of emotions I literrealy look up and see my hotel down a side a street. Buddah was lookiing out for me. But I think he was done for the day - hotel room was not so nice. But once I threw myc lothes aroung it felt like home.

I do need to mention my big new orange duffel bag on wheels that I boutht for the trip. I"ve become well known in my travel group due to this lovely orange beacon. I think it';s grand but not for treking..some of the comments my new friends are saying is - "how many small children do you have in there", "did you forget the kithcen sink"...but now they're starting to like my big orange bag (BOB)....We used it for a great chair/bench while waiting for the "train". Thought we could use it as a card table and I have lots of things I can laon people because I did pack everything but the kitched sink!

BOB is who I am. BOB lets people know what type of traveler I am before I say a word. I'm comfortable with this. BOB and I are looking forward to the Hilton Millenium on NOv 29th. in bangkok. (check it out - it's a posh hotel that we both deserve).

OMG - it's startign to rain. Damn it - I have to go trekking tomorrow. Why do people like to trek in foriegn conuntries? Guess I'll find out. BTW - I'm hiring a porter to carry the back pack I had rent. so is my roommate. I immediately liked her when she said we should hire a porter. I wont' make the porter carry BOB. BOB is lucky and is gettign a car ride to our next desitination after the trek...could I fit in BOB? I miss BOB already...

SPECIAL NOTE TO JOSE: I think this blog is using WordPRess. No spell check.

Caio! (I like to use this as my sign off as I love Italy. I didn't trek in Italy and love that country!)

Denielle

Trains in Thailland Suck

jumpstart9 — Wed, 19 Nov 2008 19:02:00 GMT

So I get on the train from Bangokok to Chaing Mai. PS - don't get hung up on my spelling as this keypboard is funky with most letters worn off. This doensn't hel my already lacking typing skills. So the bad train ride - first I"m quite hung over as I get on the train. I't dirty, and icky I'm sure I had a look on my face the whole 13 hours. I had to selep in theupper bed whihc is imiliar to being in a coffin or so I imagine. On secobnd thought perhaps my hangover was a good thing so that i could sleep. CAn;t believe I have to ride that damn thing on e more time. Buddah give me stranth.

On the pulus side my new friends in my travel group are all relatively cool and nice. My roomate is from Chicago! She just moved to Portalsn - she's super cool. Then there's people from UK, Denmark, Australia. It's quite obvious to everyone that this "trekking" type of vacation is soooooo not me. I have sucha big bag they had to put in a different compartment. I am not a roughinh it type of girl - thailand discosvery number 1 about myself. Well actually, I've discoverd a few things but I"ll start with this. I think I shouls start a travel co. for peopel that stay in 5 star hotels and like good cocktails and fancy shoes.

I rode an elephant yesterday. Scary but coool. REally scary when I fed my elephant a banana and he started going off the path into the trees - i was hanging on for dear life. But that waswn't the worst - a baby elephan t with a snotty, muddy verylong nose get groping me from behind trying to steal my bananas. UGH! It feels as uncomfortable and incky as you can imagine. I was so muddy and stinky that it looked like i walked thr the jungle on my own. But s3eriously, it was amazing - great pics. Will learn ohow to doownload thos anothertime. Note to self: dont' by a new fanc y camera in Bangkok that you don't know how to use. it creates stress.

I then went white water rafting - many of you know that Ihave done that before. So I ask for a helmet and my paddle....guess i wasw wrong againg...we went down the river on a raftmade of 8 babmboo pole sstrung together with only 2 people per raft. My ass was draggin in the rivere the whole time. A guy witha pole pushed us thru the river. So much for "white water rafteing.". Then we wnet to a temple about some white elephnt - very beautiful place. The view was overlookinig Chaing Mai - brethatking. Going shopping in the night marketes of Chaing Mai and then trekking for 3 days.

I hate trekkinh - it's going to suck. I just want to be in a fancy hoelt wgetting a massage...guess this trek will help me to grow somehow...whatever.

Note to self: Nice sheet, hot showers and big bathrooms are a true luxury. This is why I need to keep working.

Ciao My Friends!

Denielle