I have managed to skip a few things and believe that I left off somewhere in Bangkok... After getting used to the bustle of the big city which houses half of the population of Thailand I really grew like the place. I found myself wandering down local streets wondering what wonderful things I might come across. I think the best thing I came across on one of my little trips was a local park at about 7pm thailand time when all the locals are off work. As I entered the gated area and slowly walked around in hopes of absorbing as much of what i saw as i could I was amazed by the sense of community the people here are able to maintain even in such a larg city. In the main square slightly elevated from the rest of the area were roughly 800 people young and old all happily dancing allong to the arobics that a very fit and full of smiles lady was directing from center stage with a headset microphone. Circling the park was a track for those that wished to run/jog/walk in the shadow of the perfectly manicured trees. There was a covered area in the center of a pond where many where painting the lovely flowers, turtles, fish, butterflys, and landscaping. Off to another corner were many tables for table tenis where I wached for awhile then participated when an older Thai lady insisted I play her friend it was allot of fun even though the forty something lady beat me pretty bad... A short walk from there were several bad mitten nets with groups of people activally watching and participating. Through out the entire area groups of friends sat on the shaded grass and in the many benches. Their was even a weight gym for those who wished to get a good work out. My favorite part of the area was where I came across six men playing a Thai game that seemed to be a very agile mixture of hacky sack and soccer I dont even know how to decribe the game other than that but I sat in a bench nearby for a long time and clapped at all the great moves that were made. The park was beutiful and perfectly manicured down to the last blade of grass, everyone there were in such great moods and did not seem to mind my intrusion of their dayly routine. This park is directly across from the Grand Palace which I did not have the time to tour on this day.

The next day I made sure to rise early and grab a cab to the Grand Palace which truly is grand I was amazed by the sheer size of everything expecially seeing as it was all incredibly intricate. I spent the better part of the day there with my zoom lens on trying to capture the spirit of the people placing offerings for the famous Jade Budda. I cant wait to develope the film. I was also supprised as to how few people of my color were there in comparision to what looked to be locals. But once again they seemed to enjoy my presence. I also visited the Reclining Budda. On my way back to Kho San Road I stoped in a park where many children were flying kites it was a week end and many families were there. I planted myself in the middle with my zoom lens and snapped away with an ocasional kite smacking into me it was alot of fun helping the kids get them back into the air. I spent quite a bit more time wandering the back streets and observing local life.

On to present day Kho Samui

Well today well be the third I have spent in Kho Samui. Which is a place recomended by our local Thai Restraunt. It was roughly a 15hr train ride, 1 hour bus, a 2 hr wait, and a three hour boat ride to arrive from Bangkok. I would consider this Island to be their equivilant of Hawii. The people are still very friendly for the most part and the food is the same high quality. However, we happened to book a three night stay at a very run down bugaloo complex with money hungry souls as the people that run the place... Our at least on person in particular who has cursed at me in thai on a few ocassions when I have told people they were out right paying to much and to bring the price down before agreeing. If looks could kill he would have buried me awhile ago. I just smile and gaze back at him... I did manage to come across a very nice bugalow complex which I have booked for the two nights following the Full Moon Party which takes place tonight on its beach of origin Ko Phang Nang. They had to move it one day in further than the actual full moon due to a major Budhist holiday. The weather is about 95 degrees with near 100% humidity. I have done suprisingly well in the heat, however, I did burn my hands nose and lips quite sevearly while roaming all over the Island yesterday with a Man from the Virgin Islands that I bumped into at this internet cafe. It turns out that he worked with Clinton and was called in to make arrangments for Bush Sr. and Clintons visit to Sir Lanka. From what he had told me it was mainly a photo shoot with only one visit to the effected areas and the rest of the time spent shmoozing with the local leaders. We cruised the circumfrense of the Island on our hogs (125cc scooters).

Well I have been here for over an hour now and it is time for another dip in the ocean. If anyone has questions or comments please feel free to post them. eg. taste of food, prices, people, weather, culture, etc.

Thanx for reading

Your fellow Alaskan