Impressions 6

Chiang Mai is the Wisconsin Dells of Thailand. Plenty of sights to see downtown lots of souvenir shopping (of which we did not partake) and a plethora of outdoor activities. Normally such a touristy place would not interest me but after the time spent in foreign Bangkok it was a breath of fresh air. You see in Korea people are somewhat afraid to speak to you in english but spoken slowly enough they can understand. Many Thais including young ones dont even try. The fear in their eyes is deeper than the Pacific ocean and as their deep dark eyes get bigger and bigger in fear you realize it is hopeless. Smile and move on and vow to learn Thai. Chiang Mai is worlds apart in this regard. While all in all Thais are extremely friendly they cannot express that very well in Bangkok but in Chiang Mai their kindness is unleashed.

We spent two days in Chiang Mai but we coukd have spent a week without getting bored. Everyone is laid back and relaxed. No harrassing just very casual. I believe they hippies from the 70s relocated here.

While in Chiang Mai we took a tour that included a ride on some very sickly elephants. In the future I must search more thoroughly and fund sociably responsible agiencies because that part was not pleasant. However we were also able to see a long neck tribe, a hike to a waterfall, whitewater rafting ride, and bamboo raft ride.

The following day was a half day cooking school. The chef took us out to a local market where he explained some of the foods. Then he took us out to his farm where he showed us the many herbs used in Thai cooking. He was very concerned about organic farming so that was a plus. Then he walked us through our four dishes as we prepared them. In total we made 8 dishes and had sone extra curry paste for later. Well worth the 800 baht each ($27).

And then there was the long overnight train back to Bangkok. Infamous for extremely late arrivals it did not let us down. We were to arrive in Bangkok at 8 30. It is now 10 48 and I suspect we have a half hour to go. The reason... there is only one track serving two directions.

Key fact: Thailand has the best train system in the region.

Impressions 5

2013-01-19T11:56:54.265Z

Rama 9 Soi 3, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

Clink clink pause clink clink goes the ever monotonous sound with only the interruption of a sharper click. Metal grinding on metal. People walking dowm the aisle peddling their wares in a loud and foreign voice. Me having walked all day in the punishing sun all day sweaty and hot. A cool and refreshing breeze comes. But it does not stop only gets colder. My vinly seat reclines but not as much as it should. This is the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. Some say it is 431 Baht. I say it is a priceless experience.

Arrival into Chiang Mai was rather uneventful despite the information guy who was sulky after I didnt take his advice about lodging. Got on a minibus right away no problems and no overcharging.

First night we walked into my first pick of hostels but they only had a room for one night. No problem we can move the next day. After a walk to the night market we realized no places had rooms available. But lets not breeze over the night market. It starts out small just a few peddlers on the street selling typical tourist merchandise. But once you find the side branch hosting the food market youve hit the gold market. A plaza very similar to the plazas in Rome with one key difference... Ladyboys, Transgenders,and cross dressers in their show outfits. I guess its Las Vegas meets Rome? Food was good if not great at the market but the rotti was delicious. A crepe like invention commonly filled with banana chocolate or egg then drizzled with sweetened condensed milk. Not only is it delicious but also dirt cheap. One banana rotti will typically run you 25 baht roughly 80 cents. In fact the following night we went to a restaurant that judging from the atmosphere in the US woul run you 75$ in Korea maybe 45$ but for the two of us eating three dishes and a beer it cost 435 baht. Thats 14$. Any one planning to retire soon and lookung at prospective locations dont discount Thailand. And because Chiang Mai is the Wisconsin Dells of Thailand plenty of tourists assures no problems with finding those who speak english. Seriously... Think about it.

Powerd by Hexosys

Impressions 4

2013-01-19T11:57:21.297Z

Thanon Ratchadaphisek, Huai Khwang, Bangkok 10310, Thailand

My goal was to write every night on my trip so as to capture everything is all its vividness. In Hanoi I did pretty well. In Thailand... Utter failure. As soon as my head met the pillow they became best of friends not wanting to separate even after 6 hours. So quick summary.

Arrival in Bangkok was smooth but waiting for the luggage took literally hours. Customs was a joke. The weather... Delightfully warm. Thanks to my friend Eddie we were able to visit Khao San road that night. I strongly suggest avoiding that neighborhood for hostels unless yoy aim to have a few drunk parties and wake up at noon in some park the next day with a ladyboy next to you. It is a tourist trap not worth visiting. The following day was a trip to the palace which houses the emerald buddha. The architecture is astounding. The gold and gems and mirror mosaics fantastic. The lack of signs telling what all of it means... A little frustrating. But words cannot describe the beauty. But the creme de la creme was the view across from Wat Arun during sunset. The views are just gorgeous.

Chinatown in Bangkok, known to the locals as Yaowarat, is well worth a visit. While it may seem strange to go to chinatown in Thailand the thai style of food stall hopping can most easily be experienced here. Thanks to Eddie and Joom we had an orgasmic experience enjoying food from seafood to dessert. The sesame ball soup dessert just melts in your mouth.
And now that brings us to Chiang Mai. And another day.

Impressions 3

2013-01-18T03:35:51.830Z

QL 18, Chi Linh District, Hai Duong province, Vietnam

In Vietnam the average death rate due to car related accidents is an astounding 10000 per year. Its astounding that its so low. The most harrowing situation was on the highway. A tour bus passing a dump truck. We were coming the other direction. Its a two lane highway. Lets do the math 2 cars+1car=3cars-2lanes=?

The answer is a change of pants. Vietnamese drivers have nerves of steel. We passed on a very narrow shoulder bordered by some significant rubble and a steep irrigation ditch. Pray I make it back alive tonight.

Well as you are still reading I apparently made it back in one piece. Either that or my ghost wanted to warn you. Either way you benefit fron my experience and wisdom.

So we visited a village on the water complete with 3 classroom school in Halong Bay. The community has a really great system where the men collect money for rides on the boats and the women row the boats while the men wait on the docks chilling. I see nothing wrong with this picture :p.

Despite the fact that it was quite foggy and a little bit chilly out there

The day
at Halong Bay
was well worth the pay
and now I must hit the hay.
By: Author unknown

Must be gorgeous on a clear sunset!

Impressions 2

2013-01-17T15:57:09.748Z

89 Hàng Mã, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum. He wanted to be cremated.

Another day another absolutely exhausted Brett. There is so much I would like to say. My experience in Hanoi is truly amazing. Any hard core fans of Top Gear know about the episode where the three hosts went to Vietnam and rode mopeds there. Well after seeing rush hour there Ive gotta say that the hosts really had balls. If anyone want to talk about crazy la drivers or chicago drivers or whatever city is your choice it cant hold a candle to Hanoi. That said riding a bike in Hanoi is amazing. And so is my friend Minhs mothers food.

Temple of Literature. First University of Vietnam in 1070!

Railroad tracks with homes

Hanoi is an amazing city, and I found myself walking all over it, wanting to explore every little nook and cranny. In fact, I did walk all over the city. No surprises, I got lost. Not once. Not even twice. But thrice I stood bewildered, looking at my map wondering where I went wrong. Please don't misunderstand, its not that I got lost because of Hanoi's streets. Thankfully, Vietnam uses the roman alphabet so every street can be read and understood. Its not because I can't read maps, because I can, rather well. But rather, I have a short memory for which way I am supposed to go and tend to follow my feet more than the map, a rather ragged, wrinkled rolled up piece of paper in my hand, forgotten more often than not. So I followed my feet... for 14 miles. On my journey, I got to see such sights as President Ho Chi Minh's Mausoleum and home, the Temple of Literature, the train station, the Old Quarter, Turtle Temple, West Lake and the nearby Botanical Gardens, and Hang Gai, the famous street for silk. After reading my guide book, I expected there to be so much silk it was hanging from the balconies. It wasn't. Nonetheless a great street to visit and very fun city to check out.




Impressions 1

2013-01-16T16:04:08.541Z

53 Hàng Cót, Hàng Mã, Hoan Kiem District, Hanoi, Vietnam

It is a grand adventure I have begun. Of course that could be said of all our lives but i speak of one adventure that sadly has a very definitive beginning and end. I am now in a dirt cheap hostel attempting to blog on my phone so forgive the brevity. I arrived after a delayed flight from bangkok that I almost missed because I passed out of exhaustion while waiting for the plane. I have only gotten to see what I could from the overpriced taxi. How can I put it the traffic... Its incredible. Tomorrow I must get some pictures of the things drivers have to put up with here. For now must sleep.
 Sweet dreams hope no bed bugs bite.


Parking In Hanoi...No joke!