Shopping in Thailand and Cambodia

Just a quick note about shopping in Thailand and Cambodia… Thailand seemed to fall short of the expectation that it was the place to find some deals. Things that involve labour (like massages, taxis etc.) are much cheaper, however, regular merchandise, clothing, sunglasses and achohol did not seem to be much cheaper then Canada (if at all). For people visiting from Europe, the UK and Australia, yes, it was cheap for them but most thing seemed the same price.

Cambodia reminded me a bit more of Indonesia when it came to merchandise. Sure you could find some deals (especially if you spend some time haggling), but often the merchandise may be knock-offs where the quality it lacking.

In both places there was plenty of brand name clothing available. Sure I could have picked up a Lacoste, Polo or a branded Abercrombie and Fitch shirt for ten bucks or so but then I had the same revelation I have back home... I am not an insecure fourteen year old boy vying for the acceptance of his peers, nor am I willing to pay to be a sponsor, branded with a corporate multimillion dollar company's name or logo unless I am sufficiently compensated (or have received the garment as a free promotional gift).

Phnom Penh And Bangkok Again

Upon returning to Phom Penh Cambodia from my temple trip in Siem Reap I spent the next few days relatively low key. Usually, I would meet up with my friend Alex by way of tuk tuk or more likely moto. The moto taxis are relatively exciting. Throughout my stay in Cambodia there was more then one occasion that hopping on the back of a motorcycle taxi with no helmet (and on a couple occasions, my large backpack) and zipping through traffic that seems utter chaos. At about 8pm the traffic lights are out so four-way intersections are a free-for-all where NOBODY stops. There were a couple times I just closed my eyes and hoped we would make it through. A special thanks to Alex and his friends for the evenings out.

After my journey to Cambodia, I stayed three more nights in Bangkok before catching a flight south to Sydney. Unfortunately, I spent those days still relatively under the weather from getting that chill from the bus air-con. Still, during those days I still managed to fit in some time lounging on Khao San Road, sitting on street-side restaurants watching the world pass, and managed to get some massages and catch up with Internet correspondence.

The last night I was able to meet up with my original tour guide Darius. The following morning we met for breakfast… my experience in Thailand ended as it began… as we sat down on a street-side restaurant in the morning for breakfast Darius promptly ordered two large beers… then two more… then after a brief stroll down Khao San Road two more. The last two were served as we each were getting foot massages!

I managed to make it to my plane on time but was suddenly aware of the only substance I had consumed that day. Thanks.

Helms Alee Captain Darrell

To finish my IYT Bareboat Captain certification we ended the course with a 3 day, 2 night stay on the boat before writing the exam. There were five of us on the 46' boat as we ventured from the marina at Jomtien over a full day sail before rounding a pilot station (a permanent platform like a small oil rig lying off the coast near a freighter anchorage). We took shifts, and were required to constantly take bearings and log our course periodically. The day was great, 1m to 1.2m swells, clear skies, and we were running with the wind. Eight hours later, rounding the pilot station, things got a bit more exciting. Not only would we be running into the wind, tacking numerous times, but the wind and waves had increased somewhat and we were sailing in an area full of dozen or so huge ocean freighters, fishing boats, barges and cruise ships. As the sun set, we made our way south to our intended anchorage off the island Ko Phai. Warren, one of my classmates/crew had ventured to the bow to check that out port and starboard lights were on. At that moment the dingy (which we had secured to the top of the bow) was getting tangled with one of the lines and we almost lost it. Warren was able to secure it in the nick of time.

During my second shift at the helm it was now dark and to make things easier I had turned on the auto pilot. Suddenly the auto pilot and all instruments were off and I had to navigate with a flashlight illuminating the boats compass and constantly positioning myself clear of massive freighters. Although we were able to restore some of the nav controls there was another occasion instrument alarm went off as we broke free in the wind and waves from the auto pilot. At this time we saw some lightning on the horizon and decided to change course and anchor off the island Ko Si Cheng, about three hours away.

It was about midnight when we anchored at Ko Si Cheng and were exhausted to say the least. I had been at the helm for close to five hours and once down below in my cabin I fell fast asleep.

The next morning was a lazy day anchored in a sheltered bay where we could study for our final exam. To escape the heat we had popped off the boat for a bit of a refreshing swim before lifting anchor. We soon realized that we had stayed too long. Although we should have had enough depth for the keel we were in fact touching sand. The concern was greater when we noticed a large rock at the side of the boat. To ensure no damage would be made to the vessel, I grabbed a diving mask and popped off the side. Swimming under the 46' boat I could see that we had drifted onto a small pile of sand and relayed the hazards back to the guys on the boat. I popped back on and within minutes we were out of any hazardous area and made our way to our second anchorage at Pattaya. As we crossed a large shipping lane with swells over 1.5 meters it was my turn to dash up top the bow, climb over the overturned dingy, hold on to the pulpit and lean over to tap and shake our loose-wired navigation lights. Waves crashing, dipping WAY up and down it was pretty thrilling. When I got back to the cockpit Warren said, "Hey, you should go back out there, that would be an awesome photo!"… to which I replied, "Ya, NO!".

We made our way to an anchorage at Pattaya beach and went ashore for a dinner and a couple drinks. Thankfully the sail back to the marina the following morning was an uneventful, peaceful, enjoyable sail.

Oh, and I passed the exam.

Sailing Jomtien & Pattaya

With an early morning flight from Phuket to Bangkok and a two hour bus ride behind me I arrived in Jomtien's Ocean Marina to take part in a 14 day sailing program. The first few days were international Crew course followed by IYT Watchkeeper and then a 5 day IYT Bareboat Captain course, certifying me to charter sailing vessels up to 50'.

The first day ran rather smoothly but later in the evening a fever started, perhaps just due to a couple weeks of being constantly on the move. By 2am I was leaning over the toilet in the bungalow truly noticing the effect of dry-heaving with a busted rib. Not cool. I can only imaging what the guest in the adjacent bungalow thought was going on next door.

The next couple of mornings were a bit dazy as I would try to retain all the instruction of the course with beads of sweat dripping off me and wanting to be anywhere but 'in-class'.

A few days later we were sailing and the swells were quite rough. One of my classmates/crew who owns a 49' sailboat spewed over the stern. Another fellow yachtie, vanished down below to relieve his stomach. He later remarked that he had no idea how I hadn't done the same given my fever and turning stomach the first few days of class. I had to admit to him, I had no idea how I managed not to as well.

I Wear Brand #302 in Thailand

When some people travel they miss certain luxuries from home, the way their local coffee isbrewed, a breakfast cereal or a comfort meal, a favorite TV show... for me, it’s all about the clean laundry. Is it strange that the saying 'When I get home I want to _______.' includes using a good washer dryer and have the opportunity to pre-soak?

Of all the washing I have had done my clothes seem to get cleaner when I throw some body soap and/or detergent in the small washroom sink and wash by hand.

#302

While on the beach in Phuket, one of the girls was staring down at her bikini and asked, "Does anybody else have a ‘302’ written with permanent marker/pen on their clothes?" Sure enough, all the laundry that we had done now permanently includes the room number of the hotel we were staying. You're lucky they wrote it on a tag inside, but other times it's just visible bleeding through from the inside of the garment, or, in the case of socks, there is no other place then on the sock itself.

The Long Way to Phuket

With the tour all wrapped up a few of us decided to carry on together. I took off on a ferry with Iona, Gemma, Kate and Jo. We were told that after the 2 hour ferry it would be a 4 hour mini-bus ride to Phuket... ya, about that, if there was only one bus, or if any of them didn't require multiple tops it may in fact be 4 hours. For us it was about eight. Similar to what I experienced in Indonesia last year, the buses have these waiting areas conveniently located by shops and restaurants that most likely are giving them kickbacks. For example, we waited over an hour at one stop where we could see our bus, see the driver, and all of us that were to be on the bus were waiting at a table... my recommendation for those that follow this route - fly from Koh Samui.

Phueket itself was a little underwhelming for us all. Patong beach was very not that pretty of a beach and very touristy. The majority of the inhabitance was retired people with a large part being old men and their younger purchased Thai girls for the week. Not cool.

If I had a bit more time I would have ventured to some of the surrounding islands (like Phi Phi, featured in a few movies, like The Beach). Phuket itself I think I would skip through (or make it a quick stay) if I was to have a return visit.

It was in Phuket I said goodbye to my travel companions after sharing some great memories, a few dinking nights, hundreds of kilometers, shared hostel rooms, train cars, ferries, and pick-up trucks. Really great young ladies!

Fun and Relaxation in Koh Pangang

After the all-night-very-little-sleep train from Bangkok to Surat Thani we made our way by bus and ferry to the island Koh Pangang. Koh Pangang is famous for being the party island that hosts massive 'Full Moon' and 'Half Moon' parties (we attended a half moon party during our stay). The resort style bungalow place we stayed was great and located just over the hill from the popular Haad Rin beach, where at night, if you felt so inclined, you could experience sand buckets of liquor, visit the numerous beach bars blasting music, on-beach foam parties, fire juggling, or try jumping a large skipping rope that is also set ablaze. Darius did a bit of showing off for the crowd with a few good jumps before narrowly escaping a burn. Jen was not so lucky ;) and I was able to use my little first aid pack for that little ankle burn over the next couple days.

On the agenda in Koh Pangang was some relaxation on the beach and enjoying the awesome sunsets, a boat trip around the island visiting beaches, a trek to a small waterfall, and some snorkeling. There was also a short elephant trekking experience in the hills and nightly lounging in the local bars.

We set off on a day boat trip to Anthong Marine Park. The first stop anchored near a snorkeling area. As the girls slipped off the back of the boat, Darius and I made our way to the upper deck of the boat to the rail above the bridge to leap off – an event that was repeated a few times that day. After some lunch we made our way through some very scenic islands and had a couple great beach stops for relaxing, swimming and kayaking.

On the way back from the Marine Park, Darius and I climbed on top of the boats bridge as we set off back to Koh Pangang. Everything was great until was climbing down, wiggling on my chest to get over the edge... POP!... "uh Darius, I think I just broke my rib!" Sure enough (as it was confirmed rolling over on my side while sleeping that night), yep, busted, ouch!

The 8 day tour wrapped up with each of us getting a great massage in the resort spa and a farewell dinner.

Three Days In Bangkok

My first day in Bangkok was rough, I was nursing the night before, most likely had some let-lag, and really hadn't slept for more then a few hours over the past 48.

I had a chance to meet the rest of the group and headed out for drinks on Khao San Road, a very popular walking street full of shops, bars and general nightlife. Other events over the next couple days included visiting temples, taking a longboat up the one of Bangkok's rivers, tuk tuk rides, relax with a massage, a trip to the Grande Palace... and then hopping on an old all-night train heading south.

On route to Thailand

In late January, within 24 hours of booking a flight from Toronto to Bangkok I found myself, once again, heading to a country on a flight that would be arriving late in the evening and without any accommodation booked.

There was a girl from the greater Toronto are sitting two seats over from me and during the flight I found out that she too was heading for Thailand for the fist time. She was to meet a guide at the airport that would be taking her (and a few others) on an eight day tour. When we landed she asked if I could help her find this individual and perhaps he could suggest a good place to stay.

We met up with her guide Darius and he offered to let me ride into the city with them to an area many backpackers stay near the popular Khao San Road area. During the taxi ride while he gave a brief into to Sarah about their itinerary they offered to let me stay at the hostel as Sarah had a reasonable size room with two beds. Later that night we met Darius for a few drinks... as the night progressed Sarah turned in but Darius and I kept ordering more. He mentioned that there would be five other girls joining the tour and that there was no guys... "Darrell, you've got to come with us.", he said. Eventually, as the sun was coming up and we had at least made it back to the hostel bar, Darius (while still on the bar stool) drifted to sleep. 3 hours later he knocked on the door to the room Sarah and I were staying and said, "Ya, I called the office this morning, you're on the tour with us."