BootsnAll Travel Network



Archive for October, 2008

« Home

Lesson Learned

Tuesday, October 7th, 2008

After an exhausting 16 hours on a bus – I’m finally in Phuket! (pronounced “Pooket”). I got in a few days ago. Took a taxi to my hotel, wipped out my wallet to pay the guy – and lo and behold my money was gone!! OMG! I was robbed 🙁 The funny part of it all is that I know exactly when and where it happened.  In my cheap grungy guesthouse in Bangkok which I booked for just one night at 160 THB ($5). I left my room for 10 mins to grab a shower down the hall and figured I didn’t need to lock my backpack. I was wrong – those sneaky room attendants!! Oh well, Lesson learned.

The bus ride to Phuket was hella long. The first 10 hrs was ok – there were only a few of us on the bus so we got to stretch our selves out on a few chairs. For the last leg of the trip, we all had to cram in a van for 6 hours. It was hot, stuffy and uncomfortable. Next time around, I’d cough up the extra dough for a plane ticket.

I was sharing the van with 6 Brits and an Irish couple. The Brits were talking about their night before in Bangkok – where they were doing “tequila suicides”….

Definition: A tequila suicide is when you “Snort the salt, down the shot, squeeze lime in your eye”

You’re probably thinking – WTF? Yep, I was thinking the same thing. That would explain their bloodshot eyes….

Everything in Phuket cost a bit more in comparison to Bangkok and Chiang Mai. I got a hotel for 650 THB a night. It’s definitely an upgrade from all the guesthouses/hostel I’ve been in that’s for sure. Phuket is gorgeous! Spent the last two days at the beach and met some travelers from Israel. Met up with them last night to take a stab at the Phuket nightlife. Those Israelis definitely know how to party!! Meeting up with them again tonight and then might do some island hopping together in the next couple of days…

Master Chef Sophia!

Thursday, October 2nd, 2008

That’s right folks. According to the Pad Thai Cookery School of Chiang Mai – I’m an official Master Chef of Thai food. Sweet!! lol…. ok maybe not but my “certificate” says otherwise 🙂

For all of you that know me – you’re probably thinking:

“What? Sophia in a kitchen?”

“Is she planning on wipping up some chicken noodle soup? Scrambled eggs, maybe?”

Ha ha..Very funny. Shall I give you all a moment to laugh? 10 seconds ok? Time starts now…….

So anyway, the class was easier than I thought. I was actually kicking ass! From the chopping to the grilling and I did quite well demonstrating the “fire in the wok” thingy. My favorite dish would have to be Khao Soi (Chiangmai curry noodles) – DELICIOUS! Khao Soi, originally from Burma consists of chopped beef or chicken served in a curry broth with egg wheat noodles, red onions, fresh lime, cabbage and chilli. Topped with fried noodles. For dessert, my fav would have to be the sticky black rice pudding. Thai party at my pad when I get back! All I need is a wok and a mortar and we’re in business!

My last night in Chiang Mai – I experienced being robbed for the first time. Well it was actually my friend Joao’s bag that was taken but I was with him so I felt his pain. We set off on a two seater bicycle to meet up w/ some friends for dinner and out of nowhere, two kids on a motorbike cuts us off and swipes Joao’s bag (that was sitting in the basket) and speds off. Luckily enough – none of Joao’s important docs were in there. It happened so fast that we didn’t get any license plate# and with all the motorbikes running in Chiang Mai – we declared the bag a goner.

I’m back in Bangkok now – I’ll be here for a day and then catch my next bus down South to the beaches. Awwww…. the beaches! I can’t wait. I’ll start off in Phuket.

A BIG HAPPY BIRTHDAY going out to my BIG BRO SHYSAMMYD!! Wish I could be there with you to celebrate – but just know that I’ll be thinking about you! I love you and miss you dearly!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/sdizon

Living off Mother Nature

Wednesday, October 1st, 2008
One word to describe my 3 day trek - AWESOMENESS. When your trek guide wips out a machete and starts making his own trails and calls it a "short cut" - then you know things are going to get interesting :) ... [Continue reading this entry]