12 Aug Bangkok
The journey to Bangkok, well what a day (and a half).
Bit sad to be leaving Corfu but also happy (really happy) Hey got my money back on the motorbike rental which was not used, how good is that, it was a little unexpected (loved the bike).
What a saga of a trip
7am bus from Kasiopi to Corfu then taxi to airport (saved 50 Euro on the taxi fare);11:20 flight to Gatwick Bus to Heathrow;7pm flight to Tokyo ( hey that means I have been to Japan does that mean I can get another patch on my bag); and 6pm connection to Bangkok; arrived at motel after midnight so that’s 37 hours or so, very little sleep, there was this guy next to me who on the last leg who maybe had Terets Syndrone poor bloke, but he was twitching all the way and making noises, no sleep, soooo sleepy but couldn’t sleep when I arrived (different time zone I guess.
The Motel room at Rambaturri Village Inn is ok (lots better than the Pensions, aircon double bed luxury), however not as plush as the Viengtai Motel, up the rich end of the street. There is a bit of rain about especially in the afternoon still a bit monsoonal I think.
What a difference from Europe and Greece, drivers are still mad but mainly took took, and scooters. Arrived on a public holiday (day after someone’s birthday (maybe the Queen) I thought this might restrict my entry into some places, but with my Linda luck!! Bumped into a nice local bloke ( they are all so friendly ) who pointed out to me that because of the holiday and to promote tourism a lot of the places had free entry and I had a (Government) took took for about 2 hours for 10 Batt that’s about 30c Aus, how good is that. Although I did help him out by stopping at a couple of shops that gave him a petrol ticket, least I could do. And I saw the lucky Buddha (don’t need it because I now have Linda luck rubbed off on me) and the 45 ft tall Buddha (big golden guy).
The food is sooo good, I don’t know what to eat noodles, curry, heaps of great food off the Machan Carts, so reminds me of my life when I lived in Malaysia, different smells it’s fantastic as I walk around. Oh yeh and tonight I’m going to try some fried grasshoppers and other bugs they look sooo good at the street markets at Koa San Rd (wish me luck). When I was out socialising I met a couple of kids on a world tour, off to an orphanage in Cambodia for 5 weeks first, how good is that, they were only kids but are doing their bit by giving some back. The only problem I have is in the evening in the markets or at night if I’m having a drink I’m targeted, I guess because I’m a middle aged male alone, grrr everyone thinks I want a girl.. .. (both by the girls and their pimps) It’s not right, and it’s sad; I bet the girls who are alone don’t get approached! I need a sign saying I’m attached and I’m really happy.
The plan is to go to spend today seeing the sights in Bangkok and to go to Chatuchak Markets tomorrow before my flight. There is no doubt I want to come back there is so much to see, I want to get out of the city into northern Thailand and perhaps into Laos.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Saturday, August 7, 2010
Kasiopi Adventure?
Kasiopi
The emerald island of Greece (I guess because it’s green). Well it has been a while since I have written I have been winding down into the relaxed stage. Kasiopi is a small fishing village in Corfu, although they mainly survive on the tourist dollar. Mainly the tourists are family’s, couples and younger kids out for a good time.
My routine has settled down a little in between the adventures of scouring the island I have a morning swim in the crystal waters, coffee at Kasiopi corner (more about that later) muddle around, afternoon siesta, afternoon swim then afternoon and evening antics enjoying the terrific food, ample alcohol and fun karaoke singers (not me I’m saving my debut for a duet with Linda). Plenty of time to reflect on my life, and my future life (more about that later as well).
Kasiopi corner
Kasiopi has three main streets (cobblestone, skinny streets lined by shops restaurants and taverns) the two one-way streets are the top of a ‘Y’ and the two-way street at the bottom of the ‘Y’ leads to the small fishing harbour. The streets are full of meandering people, scooters, cars, trucks, and huge busses intermingled like a flowing mass (well perhaps not always flowing). The parked cars cause some interesting problems, in the two-way street cars have to back up for other cars/trucks/busses to pass. At Kasiopi corner busses have two goes at negotiating the bend, without parked cars in the way, and when there is a parked car it all comes to a halt. The bus honks for the person to come out of the shop and move the car, the small cars, scooters and pedestrians in the mean time try to get around the stoped bus causing a bigger jam and the people waiting for the bus try to pile on becoming a solid mass, it’s just so hard to describe (I have tried to sketch it mmm need help). But no one seems to get cranky it is just part of the normal day.
I have been out on my bike for several long trips around the island to see the sandy beaches on the other side and up to the highest point on the Island (why does everyone seem to overtake on blind corners, why are the roads full of potholes and why does no one wear helmets, it’s so common to see someone without a helmet on their head, with their arm through the helmet strap protecting their elbow!). The trip to the highest point on Corfu was great, although just a little scary, steep windy roads, gravel, lots of cars, bikes, busses (there was a festival on). Great view and a monastery, and of course coffee on top of Corfu.
Despite the risks with the hired bike I love it, even though I have learnt some lessons.
Note to self: When stopping motorbike on steep sloped driveway for traffic (at exit to my taverna), ensure there is no slippery gravel under foot, otherwise you may slip, drop bike, fall over like clown and slide down the associated ditch: resulting in red stuff, pain and greatly damaged ego.
That said I have a rule if I drink I don’t ride I did that when I was a lot younger and it ended up very ugly.
I have been hanging with Rose and her Sister Marlene a little. Had a great boat trip to the East coast, jumping off the top of the boat into the water, diving for champagne (yes I’m a winner) and going through a cave where the last few fee you have to swim underwater to get to the other side, cool. Also had a trip into old town Corfu interesting skinny lanes with sprawling shops.
Had dinner with Rose George (Roses Ex) and Marlene at the Taverna I’m staying at. It was magnificent, we just shared a range (lots) of appetisers, lets see, baby squid, feta cheese, little salty fish (white bait), fried prawns, tomato salad, skinny bits of fried zucchini, pastry something, wild mushrooms, ..... Marlene has gone back to Wales now, to the hubby and kids and Rose’s boss is in town so she will be scarce, but it was a great few days they are both great company.
I have met some nice folk, and some interesting ones at the local pub ‘Illusions’. They come and go as tourists do. Three of the stranger encounters are:
1. I was talking to some young girls and their mum and somehow I got dragged into passion, a night club (I got in free because the kids said I was their dad and had to look after them). Dancing in a crush of bodies, with bubbles coming from the ceiling. I got home before the sun got up (just), only because I refused the invite from the kids to have breakfast, suffered for it but.
2. I got accosted by a young lady from the Isle of Man, she was about 30 and gorgeous, hehe, must have forgotten her contacts. I’m certain she had evil intents for me (or so she told me). But sorry, 'thanks for the offer but I’m happily taken by the lovely Lind'a who is a little older (not on the inside) and just as gorgeous, dance only and not so close. Now that was good for the ego, that said the ego was soon to be severly tested.
3. Two older folk were chatting to me (well older than me) seemed nice. Invited me back for a drink on my way home, how nice I thought. She was acting a bit flirtatious (the drink I thought, so wasn’t worrying me). ‘I’m off to the bathroom’ I said. On my return, OMG! They are making out on the bed, he is down to his undies (little black briefs), all I could see was his tanned leathery wrinkly skin and this white blobby mass intertwined and wriggling on a mass of white sheets (it reminded me of the time I was 12 and I walked in on my parents), yuck. There was a voice I could hear through the haze of disbelief asking if I would like to help out. Nooooooo, Eeeeeek, the haze has come over me I can’t speak, I have difficulty hearing and my vision is blurred, through the tunnel vision I can see is a door, Escape, Run, Flee; in a blind rush I’m out of there, my perception of older folks ruined for life. Yuckkkkkkkk! They have destroyed my innocents, I am scarred for life. I can never ever go for a drink with someone I just meet again, unless it’s in a public place. Every time I venture out now I am discreetly scanning restaurants and tavernas before I enter, like an escapee from prison looking for the faces which are burnt forever into my brain.
Don’t get me wrong most of the folk are great just thought I would share a few (interesting highlights).
Jim’s Reflection
I have been reflecting the life here, and my life (which is terrific), and work; and I am having a difficult time matching it all up. I love the benefits that work gives, stability comfort, travel, coffee, good wine, food; but the self indulgence I see here and that I am taking for granted, and the ‘stuff’ we have all collected (well almost all of us), makes me reflect on what’s right. I’m not saying we should throw it all away by any means, but there needs to be a balance, give a little back, have some compassion, it is so easy to ignore it when we see the masses on the news, what if it was us or our children, how would we feel. Our troubles are insignificant compared to soooo many others. How can we have so much time, money, and food when others have so little, I have been watching the news on the floods in Pakistan, I read a recent email about the poor orphans in Kathmandu Valley, it can’t be all about us. If everybody just helped a little, and it doesn’t have to be money, it can be in a way that gives us joy in giving, then you never know where we could go.
I have decided to cut my time short a little in Corfu. I am off to Thailand next week then a few weeks in Australia to see Linda (yahoo), Clay and Jacinta, catch up on friends and sort a few things I have to do. Then off to Thailand Laos Cambodia for a month.
The emerald island of Greece (I guess because it’s green). Well it has been a while since I have written I have been winding down into the relaxed stage. Kasiopi is a small fishing village in Corfu, although they mainly survive on the tourist dollar. Mainly the tourists are family’s, couples and younger kids out for a good time.
My routine has settled down a little in between the adventures of scouring the island I have a morning swim in the crystal waters, coffee at Kasiopi corner (more about that later) muddle around, afternoon siesta, afternoon swim then afternoon and evening antics enjoying the terrific food, ample alcohol and fun karaoke singers (not me I’m saving my debut for a duet with Linda). Plenty of time to reflect on my life, and my future life (more about that later as well).
Kasiopi corner
Kasiopi has three main streets (cobblestone, skinny streets lined by shops restaurants and taverns) the two one-way streets are the top of a ‘Y’ and the two-way street at the bottom of the ‘Y’ leads to the small fishing harbour. The streets are full of meandering people, scooters, cars, trucks, and huge busses intermingled like a flowing mass (well perhaps not always flowing). The parked cars cause some interesting problems, in the two-way street cars have to back up for other cars/trucks/busses to pass. At Kasiopi corner busses have two goes at negotiating the bend, without parked cars in the way, and when there is a parked car it all comes to a halt. The bus honks for the person to come out of the shop and move the car, the small cars, scooters and pedestrians in the mean time try to get around the stoped bus causing a bigger jam and the people waiting for the bus try to pile on becoming a solid mass, it’s just so hard to describe (I have tried to sketch it mmm need help). But no one seems to get cranky it is just part of the normal day.
I have been out on my bike for several long trips around the island to see the sandy beaches on the other side and up to the highest point on the Island (why does everyone seem to overtake on blind corners, why are the roads full of potholes and why does no one wear helmets, it’s so common to see someone without a helmet on their head, with their arm through the helmet strap protecting their elbow!). The trip to the highest point on Corfu was great, although just a little scary, steep windy roads, gravel, lots of cars, bikes, busses (there was a festival on). Great view and a monastery, and of course coffee on top of Corfu.
Despite the risks with the hired bike I love it, even though I have learnt some lessons.
Note to self: When stopping motorbike on steep sloped driveway for traffic (at exit to my taverna), ensure there is no slippery gravel under foot, otherwise you may slip, drop bike, fall over like clown and slide down the associated ditch: resulting in red stuff, pain and greatly damaged ego.
That said I have a rule if I drink I don’t ride I did that when I was a lot younger and it ended up very ugly.
I have been hanging with Rose and her Sister Marlene a little. Had a great boat trip to the East coast, jumping off the top of the boat into the water, diving for champagne (yes I’m a winner) and going through a cave where the last few fee you have to swim underwater to get to the other side, cool. Also had a trip into old town Corfu interesting skinny lanes with sprawling shops.
Had dinner with Rose George (Roses Ex) and Marlene at the Taverna I’m staying at. It was magnificent, we just shared a range (lots) of appetisers, lets see, baby squid, feta cheese, little salty fish (white bait), fried prawns, tomato salad, skinny bits of fried zucchini, pastry something, wild mushrooms, ..... Marlene has gone back to Wales now, to the hubby and kids and Rose’s boss is in town so she will be scarce, but it was a great few days they are both great company.
I have met some nice folk, and some interesting ones at the local pub ‘Illusions’. They come and go as tourists do. Three of the stranger encounters are:
1. I was talking to some young girls and their mum and somehow I got dragged into passion, a night club (I got in free because the kids said I was their dad and had to look after them). Dancing in a crush of bodies, with bubbles coming from the ceiling. I got home before the sun got up (just), only because I refused the invite from the kids to have breakfast, suffered for it but.
2. I got accosted by a young lady from the Isle of Man, she was about 30 and gorgeous, hehe, must have forgotten her contacts. I’m certain she had evil intents for me (or so she told me). But sorry, 'thanks for the offer but I’m happily taken by the lovely Lind'a who is a little older (not on the inside) and just as gorgeous, dance only and not so close. Now that was good for the ego, that said the ego was soon to be severly tested.
3. Two older folk were chatting to me (well older than me) seemed nice. Invited me back for a drink on my way home, how nice I thought. She was acting a bit flirtatious (the drink I thought, so wasn’t worrying me). ‘I’m off to the bathroom’ I said. On my return, OMG! They are making out on the bed, he is down to his undies (little black briefs), all I could see was his tanned leathery wrinkly skin and this white blobby mass intertwined and wriggling on a mass of white sheets (it reminded me of the time I was 12 and I walked in on my parents), yuck. There was a voice I could hear through the haze of disbelief asking if I would like to help out. Nooooooo, Eeeeeek, the haze has come over me I can’t speak, I have difficulty hearing and my vision is blurred, through the tunnel vision I can see is a door, Escape, Run, Flee; in a blind rush I’m out of there, my perception of older folks ruined for life. Yuckkkkkkkk! They have destroyed my innocents, I am scarred for life. I can never ever go for a drink with someone I just meet again, unless it’s in a public place. Every time I venture out now I am discreetly scanning restaurants and tavernas before I enter, like an escapee from prison looking for the faces which are burnt forever into my brain.
Don’t get me wrong most of the folk are great just thought I would share a few (interesting highlights).
Jim’s Reflection
I have been reflecting the life here, and my life (which is terrific), and work; and I am having a difficult time matching it all up. I love the benefits that work gives, stability comfort, travel, coffee, good wine, food; but the self indulgence I see here and that I am taking for granted, and the ‘stuff’ we have all collected (well almost all of us), makes me reflect on what’s right. I’m not saying we should throw it all away by any means, but there needs to be a balance, give a little back, have some compassion, it is so easy to ignore it when we see the masses on the news, what if it was us or our children, how would we feel. Our troubles are insignificant compared to soooo many others. How can we have so much time, money, and food when others have so little, I have been watching the news on the floods in Pakistan, I read a recent email about the poor orphans in Kathmandu Valley, it can’t be all about us. If everybody just helped a little, and it doesn’t have to be money, it can be in a way that gives us joy in giving, then you never know where we could go.
I have decided to cut my time short a little in Corfu. I am off to Thailand next week then a few weeks in Australia to see Linda (yahoo), Clay and Jacinta, catch up on friends and sort a few things I have to do. Then off to Thailand Laos Cambodia for a month.
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