It was a sunny Friday in Geelong and I was sitting on a bench eating my tomato whole, when an older gentleman walked past and said, “an apple a day keeps the doctor away!.” He seemed like a very sweet old man, so I replied, “oh it’s a tomato.” He swooped in to tell me his tales about his youth. I obliged because I thought perhaps he was lonely and just wanted to chat. He asked me where I was going today and I replied “Footscray to meet a friend for dinner.” He took a huge inhale and responded “Footscray? Footscray? It’s like trying to play ‘spot the Aussie’ there. (Footscray is very multicultural). Long pause...
He went on to tell me that he used to be an amazing water polo player and even won some kind of championship in some year some time ago. I kind of zoned out and stopped listening after a while until I heard him say “yeah they didn’t like it when I choked the refferee..” I looked up and saw him making choking motions with his hands. He continued “yeah I got suspended for 12 months so I could think about how you shouldn’t choke people, but I just wanted to see if his whistle was working.” I said, “ahhhh I have to go, take care!” and scampered off.
Saturday, January 16, 2010
Thursday, January 14, 2010
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Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Monday, January 11, 2010
Scuba Duba
Koh Tao
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I first experienced this little island when I was 19 years old and on my first proper backpacking trip through Thailand. I remember how secluded it felt and how uncommon it was to see tourists and busy beaches. Five years later I returned to see what was barely recognizable to me. There were moments of nostalgia, but more often bouts of confusion and disorientation. There were massive luxury resorts everywhere and the beach was packed with tourists. I was also amazed to experience how busy the nighlife has become. When Lucy and I were there before...we were the nightlife and that was that. This experience was not any less exciting and wonderful, just different. And I feel I liked the whole, “oh well things have changed, back when I was first in Thailand...” so obnoxious I know!
I went diving the second day we were on Koh Tao. I dove for a two full days and kept dreaming about all of the mango shakes and sunny and rest I was missing out on my being on the boat. The diving was beautiful but also a touch scary. It really freaks me out to think about how you’ve got a tank that’s supplying life to you that deep under the ocean. I saw some really pretty fish and coral and even did a rolly polly in the water.
I did the first dive of the morning and it went well but I was incredibly bored! (oh gosh I’m probably the only person in the world who thinks like that during a dive in Thailand) but there’s just so much pressure with the mask and in your ears that it's not so enjoyable for me. I had a leaky mask and had to keep clearing it under the water (a fairly difficult task to perform every few seconds) we saw some incredible under water life and actually got caught up inside a swirling mass of colourful fish. All of this is quite cool, however, the whole thing looks way more impressive when you safely snorkel or watch the discovery channel.
When we came back up from the water I felt really nauseous and really wasn't up for the final dive. Saying that I felt a little silly that I didn't just do it is an understatement. Then I thought "ummm i don't think I’ll ever go scuba diving again...so what's the point of forcing this?"
So I went down to the bottom of the boat while everyone was in the water getting certified and took off my wet suit. I took down the top part first and didn't realize until a minute later that my bathing suit top had also come down and my white boobs were staring at the Thai captain of the boat. We both kind of looked really embarrassed at each other and then I started laughing and he joined in and it made me feel slightly better ^.^
My dad is a touch disappointed about my lack of certification, but that's to be expected. I did remind him that I have never quit a course before (snowboarding doesn't count because although I hated every second of it and even faked throwing up every Saturday before lessons...I did finish it!)
We spent the evening watching a six year old boy dance with chains that were lit with fire on either end while sipping buckets of whiskey.
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I first experienced this little island when I was 19 years old and on my first proper backpacking trip through Thailand. I remember how secluded it felt and how uncommon it was to see tourists and busy beaches. Five years later I returned to see what was barely recognizable to me. There were moments of nostalgia, but more often bouts of confusion and disorientation. There were massive luxury resorts everywhere and the beach was packed with tourists. I was also amazed to experience how busy the nighlife has become. When Lucy and I were there before...we were the nightlife and that was that. This experience was not any less exciting and wonderful, just different. And I feel I liked the whole, “oh well things have changed, back when I was first in Thailand...” so obnoxious I know!
One of the sole purposes my dad wanted to go to Koh Tao was so he and my brother could go scuba diving and I could get my scuba license. The license that never came…
In order to get to this little turtle island we had to take the overnight bus and then catch a ferry in the early morning. It’s quite a journey and one that I haven’t done since my first time to Thailand five years ago. I was quite impressed with how well my mom and dad coped with the whole experience. We arrived on the island and showed up at the dive shop to see the accommodation we had booked online (the pictures almost always look better than the real thing) and it was quite the disaster! My mom and I took off on foot long the beach running into every hotel and bungalow resort until we found “the one” it was absolutely beautiful and right on the beach.
I went diving the second day we were on Koh Tao. I dove for a two full days and kept dreaming about all of the mango shakes and sunny and rest I was missing out on my being on the boat. The diving was beautiful but also a touch scary. It really freaks me out to think about how you’ve got a tank that’s supplying life to you that deep under the ocean. I saw some really pretty fish and coral and even did a rolly polly in the water. Before the dive my Danish instructor showed us pictures of all of the fish we might see. He also pointed out the “trigger fish” which was very aggressive and when it bit, it was similar to being bitten by a dog and that we would have to go to the hospital and get stitches. When we were in the ocean and he started provoking the “trigger fish” . I wanted to swim away like mad. Since I was the only girl I didn’t want to fall into any stereotypes, so I stayed calm and breathed in and out of my little life tank. There was one last dive of the day to complete. This last dive would get my certified in scuba duba and honestly I’m a touch embarrassed to say I didn't bother.
I did the first dive of the morning and it went well but I was incredibly bored! (oh gosh I’m probably the only person in the world who thinks like that during a dive in Thailand) but there’s just so much pressure with the mask and in your ears that it's not so enjoyable for me. I had a leaky mask and had to keep clearing it under the water (a fairly difficult task to perform every few seconds) we saw some incredible under water life and actually got caught up inside a swirling mass of colourful fish. All of this is quite cool, however, the whole thing looks way more impressive when you safely snorkel or watch the discovery channel.
When we came back up from the water I felt really nauseous and really wasn't up for the final dive. Saying that I felt a little silly that I didn't just do it is an understatement. Then I thought "ummm i don't think I’ll ever go scuba diving again...so what's the point of forcing this?"
So I went down to the bottom of the boat while everyone was in the water getting certified and took off my wet suit. I took down the top part first and didn't realize until a minute later that my bathing suit top had also come down and my white boobs were staring at the Thai captain of the boat. We both kind of looked really embarrassed at each other and then I started laughing and he joined in and it made me feel slightly better ^.^
My dad is a touch disappointed about my lack of certification, but that's to be expected. I did remind him that I have never quit a course before (snowboarding doesn't count because although I hated every second of it and even faked throwing up every Saturday before lessons...I did finish it!)
We spent the evening watching a six year old boy dance with chains that were lit with fire on either end while sipping buckets of whiskey.
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Saturday, January 9, 2010
Monday, January 4, 2010
Bangkok Christmas
First night in Bangkok
The mosquito got my eye!
My brother and I got to the hotel that we would be checking into at 9am the same morning we arrived at 3am. My brother and I met at the Bangkok airport, exchanged stories for the fourty minute cab ride into the city and immediately ate Phad Thai outside the wrong guesthouse. We hopped into another tuk tuk with full tummys and arrived at the guesthouse our family would be staying at for the next few nights.We asked if they could squeeze the two of us in a night earlier than arranged. The sweet old Thai man informed us that they were fully booked. The guesthouse was in a bit of a secluded area on a river and we didn’t have the energy to travel around looking for a place to sleep at 3am.
The lovely man at the front desk told us we could sleep on the roof if we wished. I was ecstatic to see the roof was beautifully decorated with furniture that could be slept on. We had quite a good sleep but got eaten alive by mosquitoes. My brothers forehead was all red and my eye was very swollen. I joked with the staff in the morning that my brother had punched me in the eye.
We stumbled downstairs at 7am to a buffet and ate just about everything there was! (over the course of two hours waiting to check in to our booked room)
Christmas Morning
Christmas morning was spent taking advantage of the complimentary buffet, which included toast, banana pancakes, fresh orange juice, fruit and lovely marmalade jam. We opened presents up on the rooftop from Devin. He was the only family member who didn't believe that we were not buying presents for each other this year. He thought it was one of those things that we were just saying but then everyone would show up with presents and he would look bad. So my brother really showed us all up with his lovely and very thoughtful presents from cute Korea.
The ladies of the family went to get our eye lashes permed and dyed black. We had to keep our eyes closed and bandaged for almost an hour! My sister was super sick with tummy problems after a plane ride of throwing up all the way from Canada to Thailand. Half way through the experience of being blind, my sister whispered to me, "I really have to go to the toilet, I can't hold it and I'm going to cry!" So she had to let one of the friendly Thai ladies know it was an emergency that she get to a toilet. The lady had to guide my sister over to the bathroom and help her sit down, all while my sister has her eyes bandaged up and was finding a whole new sympathy for the blind! That lady got a big tip
Later in the afternoon, my mom and I took a walk around the area our hotel was located. Just under the bridge, along the river was a peaceful and very friendly neighbourhood of people. We ducked under the bridge, dogged all the chickens and roosters and made our way into the little residential street full of cheerful locals. We had many conversations with Thai women about how sexy my mom is and how I'm lucky to have such a sexy mom. Oh lucky me! Thank goodness I have a strong sense of self esteem.
We walked past a bridge with young boys jumping off and into the dirty river beneath. They looked like they were having the most fun in the world, it was almost tempting to jump in with them. It’s these small walking tours in the city that are my favourite.
The mosquito got my eye!
My brother and I got to the hotel that we would be checking into at 9am the same morning we arrived at 3am. My brother and I met at the Bangkok airport, exchanged stories for the fourty minute cab ride into the city and immediately ate Phad Thai outside the wrong guesthouse. We hopped into another tuk tuk with full tummys and arrived at the guesthouse our family would be staying at for the next few nights.We asked if they could squeeze the two of us in a night earlier than arranged. The sweet old Thai man informed us that they were fully booked. The guesthouse was in a bit of a secluded area on a river and we didn’t have the energy to travel around looking for a place to sleep at 3am.
The lovely man at the front desk told us we could sleep on the roof if we wished. I was ecstatic to see the roof was beautifully decorated with furniture that could be slept on. We had quite a good sleep but got eaten alive by mosquitoes. My brothers forehead was all red and my eye was very swollen. I joked with the staff in the morning that my brother had punched me in the eye.
We stumbled downstairs at 7am to a buffet and ate just about everything there was! (over the course of two hours waiting to check in to our booked room)
How does my eye look?
Like someone punched you in the face!
From the roof: Bangkok around 6am
Do you think the buffet is open yet?
I don't know I don't have a watch
Me niether, but my tummy tells me it's time!
Christmas morning was spent taking advantage of the complimentary buffet, which included toast, banana pancakes, fresh orange juice, fruit and lovely marmalade jam. We opened presents up on the rooftop from Devin. He was the only family member who didn't believe that we were not buying presents for each other this year. He thought it was one of those things that we were just saying but then everyone would show up with presents and he would look bad. So my brother really showed us all up with his lovely and very thoughtful presents from cute Korea.
The ladies of the family went to get our eye lashes permed and dyed black. We had to keep our eyes closed and bandaged for almost an hour! My sister was super sick with tummy problems after a plane ride of throwing up all the way from Canada to Thailand. Half way through the experience of being blind, my sister whispered to me, "I really have to go to the toilet, I can't hold it and I'm going to cry!" So she had to let one of the friendly Thai ladies know it was an emergency that she get to a toilet. The lady had to guide my sister over to the bathroom and help her sit down, all while my sister has her eyes bandaged up and was finding a whole new sympathy for the blind! That lady got a big tip
"Excuse me! Toilet, now, please."
Later in the afternoon, my mom and I took a walk around the area our hotel was located. Just under the bridge, along the river was a peaceful and very friendly neighbourhood of people. We ducked under the bridge, dogged all the chickens and roosters and made our way into the little residential street full of cheerful locals. We had many conversations with Thai women about how sexy my mom is and how I'm lucky to have such a sexy mom. Oh lucky me! Thank goodness I have a strong sense of self esteem.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Melting Moments
Why not start to tell tales from Thailand by starting at the end of the trip?
I feel that it's always at the end of something that you begin to reflect about the beginning.
On my last day in Thailand I was the only family member still waiting for their flight. I decided I would spend my free morning trying to find the café “Melting Moments,” which was mentioned in a free Khoa San flyer in Bangkok. Tierd of wearing travelers clothes I put on my newest Vintage purchase and hailed a tuk tuk in hopes of getting to my destination.
I asked about five different taxis and tuk tuks and no one knew where I wanted to go! I had almost given up and was going to spend the better part of the morning getting massages when I attempted one last taxi driver. To my excitement he implied he knew how to get me there! I was really pleased, even more so when he switched the radio from the Thai station over to English. Twenty minutes later I had arrived and was overjoyed to see how cute “Melting Moments” really is! It was like stepping into a sweet Korean café in Seoul. Everything was delicate, detailed and beautiful.
I took a seat, flicked through every Thai and Japanese magazine available and ordered a cappuccino and a brownie. The cupcakes looked really beautiful, however, I was too tempted to try the brownie which was delicious!
The café reminded me of “The Cupcake Factory” where Amy and I would have frequent dates in Seoul. I arrived home from Bangkok to mail from Amy. Look how creative she is..they are little pins and magnets that she hand made!!!
I feel that it's always at the end of something that you begin to reflect about the beginning.
On my last day in Thailand I was the only family member still waiting for their flight. I decided I would spend my free morning trying to find the café “Melting Moments,” which was mentioned in a free Khoa San flyer in Bangkok. Tierd of wearing travelers clothes I put on my newest Vintage purchase and hailed a tuk tuk in hopes of getting to my destination.
I asked about five different taxis and tuk tuks and no one knew where I wanted to go! I had almost given up and was going to spend the better part of the morning getting massages when I attempted one last taxi driver. To my excitement he implied he knew how to get me there! I was really pleased, even more so when he switched the radio from the Thai station over to English. Twenty minutes later I had arrived and was overjoyed to see how cute “Melting Moments” really is! It was like stepping into a sweet Korean café in Seoul. Everything was delicate, detailed and beautiful.
I took a seat, flicked through every Thai and Japanese magazine available and ordered a cappuccino and a brownie. The cupcakes looked really beautiful, however, I was too tempted to try the brownie which was delicious!
The café reminded me of “The Cupcake Factory” where Amy and I would have frequent dates in Seoul. I arrived home from Bangkok to mail from Amy. Look how creative she is..they are little pins and magnets that she hand made!!!
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