Today was a relaxing on the beach day. We enjoyed Kata beach, playing in the brief, but often big, waves. The water is crstal clear and a greeny blue. The rest of the day we lounged on loungers and tried not to burn. In the evening we checked out snorkelling options around and had some dinner (gnochi and pizza). The whole area here is very nice, but full of tourists — too much so. There is no ‘thailand’ here. Hopefully will find a way to make some phone calls soon.

Originally written on November 27, 2004

We awoke feeling much better and certainly much better rested. We skipped the breakfast downstairs (where they were serving the pineapple) and decided to head for a fancy place. For breakfast we had: Hot Chocolate (the good kind, no powders) and orange juice to start, then some corn flakes and milk with banana, a fruit plate filled with pineapple (best pineapple ever! we were very brave, melon, and watermelon), croissant, toast, english muffin, and omelette with bacon and ham, and a butter and sugar crepe. And some tea. Oh, and heather ordered pancakes with cream and maple syrup as well. It was way too much but… and all for at a fancy place! After that meal we needed to sit and recover some more. We headed to the movies to watch Alexander in a comfy chair with AC. Movie bad to so-so, chairs and AC great! After dinner we pondered what to do next.

The storm was now gone (muifa) but travelling to the south last minute is hectic. We could take the train or bus. The bus was better although it required some craziness to get tickets — we had to travel far. The train was easier but took longer although we still had to get up early to make sure we got seats for the 11 to 16 hour trip. Finally, I decided to check out flying. A flight to Phuket cost was reasonable so we went for dinner and thought it all through. (dinner was some safeties: sheppards pie and a cheeseburger) After dinner we went and bought the tickets over the internet at about 10 pm and promptly went back to the hotel packed and fell asleep.

Originally written on November 26, 2004

Instead of watching kickboxing, Heather and I had several rounds vs some evil bacteria that probably came from a pineapple. It might all be over we hope, you never know. Combine that with what Muifa (the tropical storm) is doing and we are really unsure of whats going on (stay or go south?). Anyway, we aren’t dead yet. And aside from spending the last 24 hrs sipping gatorade and sleeping, nothing else has happened. Recovery.

Started our day with planning for going south, and trying to figure out the storm muifa. Then some shopping, and we went to a movie, “After the sunset.” Not a bad movie. Thai movie theaters play the national anthem before the movie and everyone stands. I like the idea personally. The seats where big with a lot of leg room. Way better than western cinema’s. And cheaper too. Then we went home and started vomiting.

Originally written Saturday October 16, 2004

We awoke early and spent an hour packing all our belongings into our packs, ready to cross the border into Laos (pronounced L-owww as in owww, I just hit myself with a hammer, except with l infront). We paid our bill at MutMee (2624 BT, or about 30? a day CDN for food and lodging) and hooked up with Marvin and Rebecca with whom we had arranged to take a tuk tuk to the ‘Friendship Bridge’ [one of only 2 bridges to cross the Mekong, the other in China or so I am told]. As usual, the tuk tuk driver tried to scam us a little and get us to get our visa’s from travel agents along the way so he would get a commision. We wouldn’t have it and he reluctantly dropped us off at the bus station where we were to await a bus that would take us through Thai Customs, over the bridge, and then drop us of at Laos customs. » Read the rest of the entry..

October 15, Day 11 (written October 15, 2004)

We again tried to get to the sculpture park with the crapy map the Mut Mee people had made. Peddling on rented bikes down the mekong, then up side streets and across the highway, we knew we were getting close. One of the side streets, this little cute black poodle came out and stood in the middle of the road. I knew there would be trouble. Once I got close, it started after me trying to bite me as I attempted to ride by. At this moment I contemplated the wisdom of renting a girls bike (named the LA LADY and pink with a basket) with the seat too low. I couldn’t peddle away from the dog with the bike so I started to half heartedly kick it, trying not to get a toe bitten (I was wearing sandles). Of course I was also thinking of Heather trying to distract the dog so she could ride on to safety leaving me to deal with the beast. Finally, the dog let up and we rode on. The dogs master began calling it off of me and it let up. » Read the rest of the entry..

While eating breakfast (banana pancake, more like a crepe really [for Kirk] and french bread with butter and jam [heather]) we learned that the ministry of health was coming by shortly to ‘fog’ the area for mosquitoes. Apparently, a little girl down the way a bit caught dengue fever, so when the Thai government hears that, they come and spread poison everywhere. Our plan for the day was to rent a motorcycle and head out to a park near Ban Phu, where there are some crazy rocks, and a great view. Just before leaving we learned that another guy was doing the same thing so we decided to go together in a convoy. His name was Francois and he is from France, near Geneva, a nice guy.

Anyway, renting the bike was easy, we walked to the end of the lane (soi) and paid Noui (a man) 200 baht for the use of the bike for the day. I took the bike for a short spin (30 seconds) to learn how to ride, change gears, steer, etc and then Heather got on and we started on our way. Soon I started looking at the various dials and readouts on the bike and discovered that we had no gas. We stopped and asked directions to the nearest petrol station and quickly filled up the tank for less than 2 CDN (50 baht). Once again on our way, I quickly figured out that it was best to constantly watch to make sure that the ditch was always on my immediate left (they drive opposite here). The other main concern was the rather large potholes that happen every so often. Some of them would be very damaging to hit. But I managed to steer around them. » Read the rest of the entry..

We awoke at 7:30 am, yay! We made it past 3, and 4 and 6 am. However, I did wake up many times as I was sweating while I slept. We had a cool fan and a breeze from the window, but a comforter! not a bed sheet. I am going to have to learn to sleep without any covers. Alas, I had a shower, it was a sandal’s on kind of place, only because the last occupant had his/her shoes on and they left muddy footprints everywhere. The shower had the option of hot, but I chose luke warm. I used my quick dry towel as there were no towels in the room, something to get used to I’m sure. I asked at reception for a towel and was given one, so that Kirk could also shower.

For breakfast Kirk had an egg and cheese omlette and I a “sexy omelette” (basically an omelette with chicken, onions and barbecue type of sauce in it). We also had bacon (just not the same, not even like precooked bacon). I think will stick to cooked thai dishes for breakfast. The omelette was good but nothing like my Dad’s or like the rest of the thai food we have had so far at our guest house.

After a leisurely morning we rented bikes from our guest house and travelled around town. A super way to see the town, cool breeze, and great sights. Lots of kids waved from their homes or on the street and said allo (hello). Very friendly. We were off to see the town and maybe find the sculpture park. We didn’t locate the park (as our map had no street names) but we saw life in Nong Khai. See the gallery for some pictures of oxen (cows?) we saw crossing the road. » Read the rest of the entry..