สิ่งที่คุณจากประเทศหรือไม่?
What country are you from? (heard every time you meet someone)
First stop in Thailand was Bangkok – but this time we stayed in a totally different area of this big city. We stayed in the Old Towne area where it was very touristy. Wait a minute it was only tourists there!! We both couldn’t believe the different feel just by staying in a different part of the city. One night the boys all went out and of course the girls all gathered together for a night out as well. The first stop for us was a Lounge called Vertigo. It was on a rooftop 62 stories up and we were there to watch the sun set.
Me getting Vertigo
book ends at a restaurant
We also got to see a storm brewing and heading across the sky straight towards us but we did luck out – it waited until we were done. Our drinks were a fair price – only $14 a cocktail but the ambience was worth it. They also put out some nuts etc which had to be replenished regularly as there were 13 hungry females up there. Next we went to what we thought was going to be a LadyBoy show only to find out it was a brothel? show. I’ve never seen a performer look more weary or bored – no show biz in the show but what they could pull out of their pussy (mind the language) or make it do ie shoot ping pong balls, puff on a cigar, write stuff etc you get the picture. Well must admit we all said enough was enough especially as we saw many guys walked across to a room? with many girls following. We definitely had a laugh at ourselves later. No way can I do ping pong balls!! Need I say I don’t think I ever need to go to another show of this caliber!! Only to find out our boys went to another show but they saw string of 50 razor blades being extracted – I felt jipped – laugh!
Russell and I met a teacher on a street corner and of course we were looking at a map – but he did give us some great information of things to see, without charging us!! We found a government tuktuk that would drive you around for 3 hours for only $1. Our driver was 55 years old and when Russell told him how old he was he was our friend for the day – in fact he toured us around for 5 hours for $1.00, pretty good deal.
Our 55 year old tuktuk driver
large wat on the river
One afternoon a group of us went on a long-tailed boat through the canals of Bangkok. This gave us a different view of the city. I made a smart remark on how we just needed a beer to make it a cruise – one of our mates got the boat driver to stop and along came the beer. Anyway we had fun! The canals have a lock at the start to keep the water levels constant. If they didn’t with all the rain and flooding here, the whole canal system would have been flooded out. And many of the housing units along the canal wouldn’t take any rise in water level as they were already sinking. It is the rainy season but there have been over 90 deaths because of all the rain and flooding.
Denis coming back with the beer
heading into the lock for the trip through the canals
feeding thousands of fish in the canals - considered to be good luck
sunset on the canals
looking at the bridge on the way home with the long tail boat
As we took the night train (yup more wine and cards with Keith & Sandra) we could see all the fields under water, even the train tracks at times. Chiang Mai is the expat capitol of Thailand. It’s a little higher in the hills and therefore a little cooler and less humid. A couple of us did take in a LadyBoy show here. We had done one on a previous trip and thought it quite worthwhile, comparable to a Las vegas style show. A LadyBoy or Kathhoey refers to a biological boy who exhibits transgender behavior. I think we have all heard of Thailand and it’s beautiful LadyBoys. Facts: in a class of 50 students 5 – 20 could be transgender. 94% of Thais are Buddhist and they believe in the Law of Karma. If someone did something wrong (sexual transgression) in their past life they might be reincarnated as a transvestite or transgender person. The kathhoey should therefore be pitied rather than blamed. In Thailand even if the boy has the full operation he/she cannot change their legal status assigned at birth ie. Passport will say Mr. etc. Anyway enough of that, this show had an excellent pre-show dinner buffet but the actual show was only our high school quality. Definitely not up to par with our last show but the LadyBoys still looked stunning.
the LadyBoy Show in Chiang Mai
Our drive down to Kanchanburi was back in our beloved truck, Calypso. Really nice having the truck back again, and the room to move around in the back. This is the city with the Bridge over the River Kwai. We had our history lesson at the Hellfire Pass Memorial Burma – Thailand railway built by the Australians. The Thais had signed a treaty, very reluctantly with the Japanese. They wanted a railway built across to Burma for supplies, weapons etc. in WW 2 So the POW’s and Asians were forced to build the railway through the canyons, fields etc – over 500 kms. Actually they are still using 130 kms of it. Over 20% of the POW’s died making that rail line. They only had shovels and picks for digging through the rock. In fact they were working 24/7 and the fires lit in the bamboo casings filled with oil gave this canyon it’s name of Hellfire. We learned a lot and the Aussies did such a good job explaining it that I actually had tears listening to their audio-tapes. More Thai people died building the railway then did POW’s, some 19,000 asians and 1/5 of the POW's.
the bridge over the River Kwai - I must watch the movie again
Hellfire Canyon monument built by the Australians
one of the bamboo lights on the side - giving the canyon it's name
Then we visited the Buddha Tiger Temple. They have 98 tigers now that you can walk with and pet them and of course have your picture taken with them. If you want more just open your wallet and you can feed them and play with the cubs etc. Bengals tigers look mighty big when you are up close to them. One fact: there are more tigers in American homes than there are in the wilds of Asia. Anyone want a 200 kg tiger living with them in their house or apartment? I think they are crazy!! If Bengals mate with Siberian tigers the males are sterile! All these odd facts ey! Siberians only became their own species in 2004.
how smart is this monk?
big pussy cats
NO Russell it's not your meat supply
Next day we took a big tuktuk out to 7 tiers of waterfall basin. We had a great hike up them plus you could swim in all the pools to cool off. Water was nice and cool and very refreshing and fish to nibble at your feet.
one of the many waterfalls and pools
some waterfalls have many tiers
Colin and Wendy with Dr Fish - the fish clean up your dead skin - many pay big bucks for this
imagine these leaves in your house
Lastly we had a holiday on our holiday out to Koh Samui for a week on the beach - swimming in the ocean daily. What a tough life ey?!!!
our hotel and Lamai Beach on Koh Samui
All our mates are in different spots – we have one other couple on the same island, that we had to rent a motorbike to visit, and gallivant around with. Think Russell and I are quite into the motorbikes – in fact I don’t think we left a road on the island not explored. Plus we found a Lotus Tesco (read big grocery store with an England base) with clothing – like a Walmart Supercentre). Which meant we could have cooked chicken with salad and a glass of milk – to die for!!! In fact we had salad 5 out of 7 nights.
Nope - we didn't rent these beauties
largest family mover we saw was 4 kids with mom and dad
where are the seat belts = but then where is the car
Next stop will be Malaysia and then Singapore. Basically only two weeks left on Odyssey truck and then we are on our own.
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