Archive for December, 2004

Home in Sri Racha & Disastrous Tidal Waves

Tuesday, December 28th, 2004

I had a peak at Sri Racha today, a town about 1.5 hours from Bangkok and in between Thailand?s eastern seaboard cities of Chonburi and Pattaya. Sri Racha is likely going to be my home and I like it, with its pleasant sea breeze, close proximity to Bangkok (and its new International Airport), developed waterfront park area (reminds me of Southern California), open aired bars, and its very own Western movie theatre & shopping mall. There are many Japanese businessmen who end up here, working for one of the many import/export companies that have business with the surrounding deep sea ports. Best of all, I can get a modern executive style studio for $200/month but I?m still considering a sub $100/month apartment down the street.

For those of you who rely on my blog for your only source of news J, Thailand was recently struck my a major tidal wave caused by a 9.0 quake in the Indian Ocean. The death toll keeps rising but last I heard it was at 40,000 (that?s 12 times the number of people who died in the 9/11 terrorist attacks, and almost 40 times the number of American soldiers who have died in the recent Iraqi conflict). If only lives in developing country were worth as much as an American life. Anyway?really sad day.

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Chiang Rai Trekking vs Sapa

Tuesday, December 28th, 2004

My TEFL course finished last week and I made my way, with a few classmates, up to Northern Thailand, seeing both Chiang Rai and Chiang Mai. The purpose of the trip was to trek in the hills around Chiang Rai and to spend a few nights with the minority villagers. I had great fun mostly because of the companions I was with but I was disappointed with the overall authenticity of the cultural villages. Despite opting for the ?less touristy? home stay it failed in comparison to trekking around Sapa?s minority villages.

In Sapa villagers still walk around in their traditional dress and speak their native languages. In the hills of Chiang Rai villagers wear western cloths and speak Thai. Instead of walking to the market lugging sticks of bamboo, Chiang Rai?s hill population drives motos and pickups to and from local markets. Lets hope the minority villages of Sapa don?t head the Chiang Rai route.

Chiang Mai was a vibrant city with ancient architecture and a laid back atmosphere. I only spent a day there but we rented push bikes and road around the city and its outskirts. Weaving through cars creates quite the adrenaline rush as the traffic during rush hour is almost as bad as Bangkok. The day ended with a tuk-tuk ride to the departure terminal of Chiang Mai International Airport.

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Border Run to Cambodia

Tuesday, December 28th, 2004

I made my first visa run to get an extension on my thirty day tourist visa. From Ban Phe the border run cost me $50 USD with most of that going to the Cambodian government. It was a hectic and expensive day with 1100 Baht for a Cambodian visa, a 300 Baht same day departure tax (Cambodian), a 100 Baht SARS health check (also Cambodian), and a couple hundred baht for local transport. By far one of my worst experiences in Thailand and something I?m not looking forward to doing again in 30-days.

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The Ban Phe-Ko Samet Seafood Festival & A Car Fire

Tuesday, December 14th, 2004

I?ve been hanging out in Ban Phe the past few weeks and I?ve got to know the town and its community pretty well. Ban Phe is a little known transit town for most tourist, who only use it as a transfer point to the popular island of Ko Samet on Thailand?s eastern seaboard. It however has a small expat population and a constant flow of TEFL International students flowing in every month.

In early December they have a pleasant week long seafood festival with some really good food. They also have a few carnival rides and games for small children and some really loud music. If you are spending time in Ban Phe, come during the festival when this small city lights up with excitement.

One night when walking home I saw this pickup truck catch fire?I mean Hollywood style with huge flames. I?ve never seen anything like it?I wish I had pictures but the Thai fire truck came and everything. Now that?s real excitement J. (Oh yah, nobody was in the truck?thank god)

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