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Bangkok to Kunming

Friday, February 24th, 2006

I had to make the journey back into Bangkok for the night to stay once more at Suk 11, albeit a short visit. Of course the stay yielded another China contact, this time an Irishman named Mark who lives in Beijing.At the airport my flight was overbooked and I had to make a two-legged flight to Kunming via Chengdu. This made my day since they bumped me up to first class. I enjoyed a 3-course meal, 5 beers, and was called “sir” 22 times (I counted). Vain, I know.

I touched down in Kunming at 5:30. I was finally in China, this vast land of compounded expectations ready to be shattered and fulfilled. I have wanted to come on this personal discovery of China for some time now, especially as China seems to be rediscovering itself in a global context.

Kunming is modern and big. It has Japanese flair and building design, but on an American scale. The air is even clean, a point I was surprised to encounter given China’s reputation for pollution. I have settled in comfortably.

The business about Cambodia

Sunday, February 19th, 2006

2/18-2/19

I looked at my schedule and realized I would be flying to China in a week. Time in S.E. Asia is running out. At breakfast I pretended to flip a coin, out of a desire for romanticism really, even though I knew I wanted to forgo my search for a remote Thai island and head overland to Siem Reap, Cambodia with Louise. The prospect of wandering through the temples of Angkor while continuing to hear about her travels in Africa, sold me. Angkor it was.

We spent the rest of the day on a bus from Khao Sok to Surat Thani, then a sleeper train that pulled into Bangkok just past 6AM. (2/19) Then it was the subway to the #3 bus, and onto another air con bus to the eastern border town of Aranya Prathet. We decided to stay the night in A.P. for many reasons. First of all, we had no idea what the border crossing would be like. Not wanting to go blindly into a very poor country, and having no dollars on hand, the primary (or most useful) currency in Cambodia, we got a couple of rooms. The decision paid off in spades. Not only did we get to change our baht to greenbacks the next morning, but we thoroughly enjoyed this sleepy border town, its lack of tourists, lack of English, and vibrant night festival.

Tiger Man Love You Long Time

Friday, February 17th, 2006
We all decided to visit the oft spoke of lake, or rather Chieo Lan Reservoir, that the local guides compete to take the park visitors to. I mean they really talk up this lake. We decided to go ... [Continue reading this entry]

Giving blood in Thailand

Thursday, February 16th, 2006
I have found three great travel companions for my time in Khao Sok. A British woman named Louise is an epidemiologist who has been working on AIDS/HIV research in Tanzania, and two Aussie boys from Sydney, both 26, have ... [Continue reading this entry]

Bored of the Beach

Wednesday, February 15th, 2006
I spent one night in Krabi awaiting my transit to Khao Sok National Park. I'm happy I did as it's a nice little coastal town that is both comfortable for travelers and rich in Thai culture. I spent ... [Continue reading this entry]

The American dream comes home to roost

Tuesday, February 14th, 2006
The American dream is alive and thriving well...in America. We have successfully exported our hamburgers, blue jeans, and fizzy drinks around the globe, and now there appear to be very few Americans out and about enjoying all of the ... [Continue reading this entry]

I love you 1000 baht

Monday, February 13th, 2006
Up early and caught the first boat to Krabi this morning. It was just a boat ride away from Railay, another beach resort that is separated into Railay east and west on opposite sides of a peninsula. Just above ... [Continue reading this entry]

“The beach” the beach

Sunday, February 12th, 2006
Today is my last day on Phi Phi as I'm growing tired of the tourists here. Tomorrow morning I will take the boat to Krabi and plan to do some rock climbing on neighboring Railay and Tonsai beaches.Today me ... [Continue reading this entry]

Grishams and Graftons

Sunday, February 12th, 2006
I can see why people get lost on the beaches of southern Thailand. There is something here for everyone. There are parties for the partier, beer aplenty and cheap, white sand beaches, food to die for, and everyone ... [Continue reading this entry]

Stumbling out of the jungle

Friday, February 10th, 2006
2/10/06 I'm starting to settle in here on Ko Phi Phi nicely, finally getting some solid sleep. Last night I saw some Thai boxing, enjoyed a couple of beers, and chatted with some Swedish girls. Sports, beer, and Swedish ... [Continue reading this entry]