Overland from Cambodia to Bangkok

First of all, I just wanted to let everyone know that I am still alive, and somewhere on a tropical island on the coast of Thailand (Koh Tao) doing an open water diving course at Seashell Resort on Sairee Beach. Secondly, I wanted to let everyone know that I am coming home around Thanksgiving (I still have yet to book my flight). Thirdly, I am heading to Mumbai, India on September 30th from Bangkok.

Even though it has been nearly two weeks since I was in Cambodia, the country still lingers in my mind. I think the disparities between the two contrasting classes is stark and confusing. The people are very addictive and the history is quite troubled. I can't help but think about all the friends I made at the school in the countryside or the children I befriended in Siem Reap, even when I didn't buy anything from them.

Thailand is surprisingly expensive and I had the most visa issues here. I have managed now to extend my visa so that I have three weeks instead of the two you get when you cross overland. (I am convinced that there is an airline-lobbying-conspiracy that influences the government's visa issuing structure. The law seemed to change when the awful stretch of road between Siem Reap and Bangkok was finally redone, handy huh?).

I have managed to spend a couple head-spinning and hectic days in Bangkok and then made my way down to Krabi on the southwestern side of the peninsula. Krabi is one of the best locations in the world for rock climbing, and naturally I felt the urge to climb 40 meters up. Alfonso and I signed up for a course over three days, two days then a day break and then the final day. The rocks are perfect to climb, limestone with some smooth to small hand grips overlooking white beaches, lush islands and miles of turquoise blue ocean. We both learned to lead, abseil, and just in general improve our ability to climb. My arms were sore the first day and by the last day, I felt it in my legs more as I remembered to steady my weight on my legs and use my hands just for balance. Krabi was our last stop traveling together, Alfonso was heading back to Bangkok from Krabi and then home, and I made my way to Koh Samui.

Random tip: In Thailand, there are people who sleep under the bus with the bags, they go through every one's stuff even if you have locks on it. I am pretty sure that they have lock picking kits or something like that. Don't trust to leave anything valuable. They surely won't steal clothes, but electronics, money, etc. This was the first time I had anything like this happen the whole time I have been traveling, but nothing was taken, just moved a lot around in my bag.

I met a big group of people on my way to Koh Samui, so I was not alone for long and after spending a couple days in the over touristy island I was ready for a change of scene. I skipped Phuket (too much in every sense of the phrase) and headed to Koh Tao to do some scuba diving. I have been planning on doing scuba diving here (still here now) for the last 3 months. I have already completed my first 4 dives and open water certification through PADI. I am going to do the advanced course and will go down to 30 meters.

I am getting ready to fly to Mumbai on September 30th and getting excited thinking about home coming up soon. I hope everyone has not forgotten about me yet :). I wish everyone a wonderful autumn. More updates soon :).