Monday, September 24, 2012

Thailand: BKK and Full Moon

I did a couple of posts while I was in Thailand, but there's no way I could ever fully articulate what an incredible time I had. Thailand is amazing and I would go back in a heartbeat. So here are some more photos and blurbs to document my time there. Also, I couldn't not share priceless moments like this one: 

I shared Emily's look of disgust while we rifled through our six-months worth of luggage trying to pack  our little backpacks. After three hours, lots of frustration, and making the tough decision to prioritize underwear over nail polish, we were successful in getting our bags under 10kg each. This may not sound very impressive, but I had just recently come back from two week trip, for which I brought a 36kg suitcase. I felt entitled to congratulate myself for getting a month's worth of stuff into a backpack and living to tell the tale. 

First night with all 7 of us in Bangkok and deciding to be adventurous, we took a free tuk-tuk to see some things that we will never be able to un-see. I realize that sounds cryptic and vague, but trust me when I say you'd rather not know more about where that free tuk-tuk took us. 

I accidentally killed this thing when the lady pictured holding it plopped it into my hand. I did agree to hold it, but I had anticipated her to be much more gingerly during the handoff. She basically threw it at my hand (I could be slightly over-exaggerating here). Anyway, I freaked out and tossed it in the air and now it's dead. Sorry, guy.

My smile is hiding the deep pain I felt after killing a defenseless millipede, while simultaneously agreeing with my friends that I am a giant wuss. There's a lot of emotion going on here. 

This young chap was called Chili. 

He thought my camera was a treat and tried to snatch it from me while I was taking photos of him.

Such an incredible and surreal experience.




My new friend, Bom Bam.

Leaving Bangkok for Surat Thani and I happened to get a row to myself! Oh yaaaaaa.

Girls waiting for the ferry to Koh Phagnan.

After a little bit of drama at the hostel we had booked (NEVER EVER stay at "PARTY HOSTEL" on Haad Rin beach), we moved to this lovely gem. I'm sure it should have cost a lot more than what we ended up paying, but I think the guy at the front desk read the desperation on Emily's face and cut us a deal. They put in an extra bed and it slept the four of us very comfortably. And then six of us (kind of comfortably) when Lindsay and Jennie decided they had had enough of the hostel life and came to stay with us at Seagate Hotel. 

Emily having an "I can't" moment. 

Easy access to a wide array of buckets... literally steps from our hotel's entrance. 

Stef and I rented a sea doo or jet-ski. Or whatever they are called.


Full Moon pre-party at Same Same where Linds and Jennie were staying included buffet and complimentary body paint. Normally, I would stay far away from any restaurant with an advertisement that included the words "buffet" and "body paint"... it's surprising just how quickly you can adapt to new surroundings and accept things as 'normal'.



Sharing is caring.

Pink peace sign bracelets that Em and I made for all of us.


Stef, Lindsay, Sarah, Jennie, Emily, Me, Hilary


Fire dancers 


This is a photo of Hilary and I doing really safe things. 

Sam IS the man. 

7-eleven is easily in the top five of reasons I love Thailand. This is not a joke. They sell the most exquisite pre-made ham and cheese croissant sandwiches (also not a joke). Unlike the other snacks you could buy from stands in the wee hours of the morning, these sandwiches were delicious regardless of your level of sobriety. 


Dance on the beach all night and tan on the beach all day. 


I had loads of fun while on Koh Phangan, but after five nights, I was ready for a change of scenery. The seven of us all headed back to Bangkok then went our separate ways: Hilary went back to Hong Kong; Stef, Em, and Sarah flew to Shanghai; Jennie, Linds, and I began our day and a half journey to Laos. At this point, I still hadn't made plans for the last two weeks of summer. I had a good feeling I would be back and the stars aligned and made my return to Koh Phangan less than two weeks later. More to come on the quieter, less sloppy side of the island... until then, next stop is Laos!

Monday, September 17, 2012

China's Treasure: Hainan Island

From Rome, I flew to Beijing then to Guangzhou for one night to switch my giant suitcase for a small backpack, then it was back to the airport to fly to Sanya. Sanya is the second southernmost Chinese city, but it feels worlds away from Mainland China.  Located in the South China sea, Hainan Island is a beautiful tropical paradise. Take away the constant blaring karaoke and you could have convinced me I was somewhere in the Bahamas... or in a dream. Emily had already been there for two weeks. Her first two days were spent renewing her Chinese Visa. The rest of her time was spent beach-bumming. Thankfully, upon my arrival we stuck to her strict schedule of sleeping until noon, eating cheap dumplings for breakfast, then laying on the beach all day. Wash, rinse, repeat. Life is rough.


Sanya BackPackers - awesome hostel. The owner, Chris called Emily and I 'Batman and Robin'. "Heading back to your cave?"

This might be the best burger I've had in my entire life.

Stolen photo from Emmy Thai


This was taken on the one and only night I went out while in Sanya. 
Busting out some signature dance moves.

Awesome dumplings for 5RMB (approximately 80 cents Cdn.) 

Best place to nurse a hangover :) 



Seafood restaurant after seafood restaurant. It doesn't get much fresher than this!

Beach beers!

I don't think I saw Chris with his shirt on at all throughout my stay. Pretty laid back work attire.

Their puppy! 



Pretty standard Chinese beachwear.

Mangos ERRYDAY.


Emily and I got a few unforgiving stare-downs while we were sprawled out worshipping the sun.

Bye bye hostel, hello Renaissance!




Not a bad view from our balcony!



SO HAPPY.

SOOOOOO HAPPPPPPPYYYYYY.


Torrential downpour followed by rain all day? No problem.

Hunting for critters.


Pretty critters.



Pool to ourselves for three days. 


WE LOVE SANYA!!!

More fun info about Sanya: There are Russians everywhere. I was so confused at first and I still don't have the answer as to why it's turned into little Russia. Menus, store signs, advertisements are all in Russian. Every time we were approached, we were spoken to in Russian. One guy came up to us while we on the beach and attempted to chat us up (in Russian, of course). He also spoke English. When I commented "There are so many Russians here", hoping that he would have some insight... he responded with, "Ya, but there are more Chinese". WE ARE IN CHINA, DUDE. Obviously there are more Chinese people here. They live here. WHY ARE YOU HERE? I didn't get an answer. We later met an older gentlemen from New Zealand who told us that it is difficult for Russians to get Visas for a lot of countries, which is something that hadn't occurred to me. Proximity factors in too. But it just surprised me how so many of the locals could speak only Chinese and Russian, but not English. 

Anyway, enough about Russians. I love Sanya and I will likely go back. Beaches, burgers, and beers. It's only twelve hours away by train... and only 500 RMB round trip. SOLD.