Hey there,
Well, i'm in Koh Tau and so far i have been out for 3 dives. On the third i panicked a bit when i lost my air nozzle and breathed in a lung full of seawater. The instructor got it back for me and managed to calm me down, after that it was the best dive yet. I should be okay getting my padi licence but i'm not sure if i'm going to be the diving type. Todays dive was to 12m, tomorrow we leave at 6:30am and go for two dives at 18m. That is our limit as an open water diver. It's amazing though, and the fish aren't fussed at all about you being there. One of them kept nibbling at a cut on my leg.
I should be okay tomorrow, it was just today i had a real sick belly and was a bit dizzy. I'm glad i went in though, because my tum felt better underwater. I am pretty much okay now, just a bit worn out. I will go for an afternoon nap.
Not sure if you've heard of the social unrest in Bangkok. Don't worry about it, apparently we should be okay and the airport has been re-opened again. The fuss is over ANOTHER corrupt Prime Minister. It's crazy how often they get through them. I think Thailand became a democracy too soon and would be better off a communist country. The one way it will impact us is that the trains are on strike so we will have to go by bus. The bus is shorter but it's uncomfortable. It's going to be a rough journey.
Either way, don't worry about me, i will survive and am safely having a great time.
take care
-Aidan
Koh Tau was pretty much 4 days of being sick and diving... but loving it.
The resort we stayed in was really comfortable and the diving was amazing. Although i messed up a few things (see above) i got to see sooo many cool fish. The water was warm and ridiculously clear.
Hmm, to be honest not much happened. I was sick.
So back to bangkok for one night and spent a great evening with Tanya and Cat. It was sad to see them go, but i will get to visit them in Britain.
Speaking of Britain, i'm heading there next.
Standby please
So, that was my rollercoaster trip through Northern and Southern Thailand. I really recommend going but i wouldn't stay in Bangkok for long. go North AND South they are both very different but both very beautiful. Thailand was also one of the easiest Asian countries to travel through (after Malaysia) so if it's your first trip out.. go there.
I'm going to take a break, and will try to post the next series of posts (regarding the UK) very soon. Maybe even by tomorrow, who knows (not me)
Showing posts with label Bangkok. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Bangkok. Show all posts
Monday, 27 October 2008
Back to Bangkok.. sigh
Haha, okay i don't hate bangkok or anything. But it's not the greatest place on earth.
Anyway, we got back and had to say goodbye to half the group after which we said hello to our new half of a group for the southern Trip. It wasn't that bad either because for a little while the two groups will be staying together and heading down south.
But first we had a couple of days in Bangkok. Was a comfort day and we went for a walk through Chinatown.
We quickly decided to leave the crowded chinatown and head to the mall :P
This mall was the biggest i had ever been in. Every nook and cranny had a shops in it. It was mental.
We also had a western lunch. Massive burgers with the biggest steak knife i've ever seen offered in a restaurant.
We also managed to get 6 people in a tuk tuk, seven if you count a driver. It was precarious.
Next day we went for a boat ride through the canals of Bangkok.
Interesting, the river used to be the spot where only the poor lived. But now more and more, rich folk are moving in.
Thought there are few things you have to look out for living by the river.
Catfish
and
Monitor Lizards
As a result a lot of people have spikes on the walls leading up from the river to stop unwanted organisms (probably people more than anything).
After the boat trip i went to a temple nearby. To be honest i wasn't really paying attention so i can't tell you anything about it. I took lots of pics though.
Anyway, we got back and had to say goodbye to half the group after which we said hello to our new half of a group for the southern Trip. It wasn't that bad either because for a little while the two groups will be staying together and heading down south.
But first we had a couple of days in Bangkok. Was a comfort day and we went for a walk through Chinatown.
 |
| From 8-23-2008 - Chinatown |
 |
| From 8-23-2008 - Chinatown |
We quickly decided to leave the crowded chinatown and head to the mall :P
 |
| From 8-24-2008 - Bangkok |
This mall was the biggest i had ever been in. Every nook and cranny had a shops in it. It was mental.
 |
| From 8-23-2008 - Chinatown |
We also had a western lunch. Massive burgers with the biggest steak knife i've ever seen offered in a restaurant.
 |
| From 8-23-2008 - Chinatown |
We also managed to get 6 people in a tuk tuk, seven if you count a driver. It was precarious.
Next day we went for a boat ride through the canals of Bangkok.
 |
| From 8-24-2008 - Bangkok |
Interesting, the river used to be the spot where only the poor lived. But now more and more, rich folk are moving in.
Thought there are few things you have to look out for living by the river.
Catfish
 |
| From 8-24-2008 - Bangkok |
and
Monitor Lizards
 |
| From 8-24-2008 - Bangkok |
As a result a lot of people have spikes on the walls leading up from the river to stop unwanted organisms (probably people more than anything).
After the boat trip i went to a temple nearby. To be honest i wasn't really paying attention so i can't tell you anything about it. I took lots of pics though.
On the second day, Bhudha relaxed
Well, it turns out that most of the people on my tour were hungover. But for those that weren't we were on our way to a boat ride to the Royal Temple.
But before the Royal Temple we stopped in to see our old friend the Great Reclining Bhudha. It's fantastic, and although not the biggest Bhudhas i've ever seen it is probably the most beautiful.
Even the feet are carved in with encryptions, of which i am sure each have important meaning.
Nextdoor to the temple housing the reclining bhudha was another overlooked series of temples that were made from parts of Chinese Vases that were damaged on their way from China. They thought that they were so nice that they needed to be preserved, so part of the temple they became.
Next up we headed across the road to the Royal Palace. We were told again that the temple was closed and that we should get on a tuk tuk but i knew better. Okay i might have said to everyone that there is a possibility that the temple would be closed and that "that guy had no reason to lie to us"... but yeah.. I DID figure it out when i saw the Palace was well open.
The palace itself was pretty cool, and big.
But the best parts were the golden temples nearby. They were so ornate. Each one is covered in gold and delicate pieces of mirror. The phrase "Tone it down" doesn't occur in Thailand apparently.
That night we got on the sleeper train.. next stop: Chiang Mai
Here are some more pics from Day 2.
 |
| From 8-17-2008 - Bangkok |
 |
| From 8-17-2008 - Bangkok |
Even the feet are carved in with encryptions, of which i am sure each have important meaning.
Nextdoor to the temple housing the reclining bhudha was another overlooked series of temples that were made from parts of Chinese Vases that were damaged on their way from China. They thought that they were so nice that they needed to be preserved, so part of the temple they became.
 |
| From 8-17-2008 - Bangkok |
Next up we headed across the road to the Royal Palace. We were told again that the temple was closed and that we should get on a tuk tuk but i knew better. Okay i might have said to everyone that there is a possibility that the temple would be closed and that "that guy had no reason to lie to us"... but yeah.. I DID figure it out when i saw the Palace was well open.
The palace itself was pretty cool, and big.
 |
| From 8-17-2008 - Bangkok |
But the best parts were the golden temples nearby. They were so ornate. Each one is covered in gold and delicate pieces of mirror. The phrase "Tone it down" doesn't occur in Thailand apparently.
 |
| From 8-17-2008 - Bangkok |
That night we got on the sleeper train.. next stop: Chiang Mai
Here are some more pics from Day 2.
One night in Bangkok and the world's your... mediocre
Okay, so after an easy Taxi ride into my hotel and a good sleep I was ready to start my day in the stinking hot bangkok. I do mean Stinking coz no offence to Bangkok or anything but dude you smell.
I went for a big walk around town and was amazed how much like China Bangkok is. Except for the rivers, they are everywhere.
I looked at my map and thought about going to the Golden Mount, a man made hill in the middle of bangkok that has a solid gold idol in the middle of it.
The view from the top was a really good one of Bangkok but you know, not that impressive. There's really not much going on.
After that i headed to the Royal Palace, only to be told that it was closed and that i should get on a tuk tuk to go to see other things. Yeah i was scammed into going for a tuk tuk ride all across town. At first i was pissed off until the tuk tuk driver told me that he gets a petrol voucher for every customer he takes around. So i came to an agreement, i go to various stores and he takes me to the sites in between. It worked out well and i saw heaps of Bangkok. Oh yeah, and if you ever go to Bangkok don't buy jewellery it's all a scam.
On my tuk tuk ride around i saw the Standing bhudha, The National Museum and my favourite temple in Bangkok, the Marble Temple.
It was quiet, understated and littered with bhudha statues all exhibiting the various attitudes (poses) of Bhudha, i still remember them a lot to this day. Really cool.
That evening i met the tour group i would be spending the first half of my trip (up North) with. Everyone was really cool, and British. Started the night by going for a quick meal, in which i found out that British people generally don't like spicy food, and then a great night out with lady boys.
Okay, so down below is a little slideshow of my pics from that day. You can either view them there or click on them at go at your own pace. They are saved to my picasa webalbum, in much bigger formats than displayed below. Go on, i dare ya.
I went for a big walk around town and was amazed how much like China Bangkok is. Except for the rivers, they are everywhere.
 |
| From 8-16-2008 - Bangkok |
I looked at my map and thought about going to the Golden Mount, a man made hill in the middle of bangkok that has a solid gold idol in the middle of it.
 |
| From 8-16-2008 - Bangkok |
The view from the top was a really good one of Bangkok but you know, not that impressive. There's really not much going on.
 |
| From 8-16-2008 - Bangkok |
After that i headed to the Royal Palace, only to be told that it was closed and that i should get on a tuk tuk to go to see other things. Yeah i was scammed into going for a tuk tuk ride all across town. At first i was pissed off until the tuk tuk driver told me that he gets a petrol voucher for every customer he takes around. So i came to an agreement, i go to various stores and he takes me to the sites in between. It worked out well and i saw heaps of Bangkok. Oh yeah, and if you ever go to Bangkok don't buy jewellery it's all a scam.
On my tuk tuk ride around i saw the Standing bhudha, The National Museum and my favourite temple in Bangkok, the Marble Temple.
 |
| From 8-16-2008 - Bangkok |
It was quiet, understated and littered with bhudha statues all exhibiting the various attitudes (poses) of Bhudha, i still remember them a lot to this day. Really cool.
 |
| From 8-16-2008 - Bangkok |
That evening i met the tour group i would be spending the first half of my trip (up North) with. Everyone was really cool, and British. Started the night by going for a quick meal, in which i found out that British people generally don't like spicy food, and then a great night out with lady boys.
Okay, so down below is a little slideshow of my pics from that day. You can either view them there or click on them at go at your own pace. They are saved to my picasa webalbum, in much bigger formats than displayed below. Go on, i dare ya.
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