Goodbye Thailand, off to India!

I am still in Thailand and about to head out to India in an hour to the airport. I have a couple friends to meet up with, but I really have not planned a lot for India. A friend is going to come pick me up at the airport and I get to stay with him and his family. I know them through a very good mutual friend from the University of Minnesota. I don't know how after nearly 3 months of travel, I still have such good luck.

I like Thailand a lot, but the main problem is the abundance of tourism. People expect money and prey on those that they think they can get the most money from. If you dare, and I recommend to do so, venture outside the touristy areas, you will find that Thai people are amazingly nice and interesting people. I managed to visit some of the touristy areas in Bangkok, but those outside the dreaded Khao San Road area, which means that they are much nicer. Khao San Road is the epicenter of all people coming to Southeast Asia to let loose, travel for a couple weeks or live what they call the so-called hippy life of a traveler. Khao San Road used to be far less everything only just ten years ago, but with the abundance of cheap flights, Lonely Planet travel guides and everything else that encourages wanderlust, the place has utterly flourished. Although, I'm not sure flourished is the right word. Many people might know the area from the infamous move The Beach with Leonardo Di Caprio.

I saw the Grand Palace today, which is truly grand and was created in the 1700s as the new center of the Rama government. Everything seems to be adorned with gold and brightly and intricately painted scenes of legendary tales. Also, I visited the market surrounding Thamasaat University, which was full of yummy eats, Buddha idols, knick-knacks, clothes and everything else that reminded me of a bizarre garage sale. Thamasaat University was my second choice for my study abroad, but some how I was chosen for my first choice in Taiwan. After visiting tons of markets including one of the largest night markets in the world (which was very fashionable and trendy) and the very jaw dropping Chatuchak Market (the best I have seen for clothes shopping, although the sizes are on the smaller side).

I most definitely enjoyed Thailand, but I am think I am ready to head onto India, well as ready as anyone could be for such a complex and intense country.

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 :).