Bangkok

I touch down in Bangkok, 1am with…ta-dah, the Flu! Errrr! Crazy cab ride, zooming through highway, red light means; go faster, the speedometer does not register speed. I’m sure he’s driven this stretch a million and a half times, I’m in good hands, yes?! He drops me off a few blocks to where my hotel is “cannot drive through street, you out here.” I am staying on Khaosan Road, a well known back packers haven. Great place to meet young travels from all parts of the world. My first reaction is to think TJ, no no now…The street party is going strong, I deliriously drag my heavy pack through the festive streets, settle into my simple room, yeah; I have my own bathroom. I step out for a beer,the late night revelers are young and happy. One group sprawled on the street tries to include me. I kindly decline, I go up to sleep. I wake the next day completely beaten with flu, I try to venture to the Grand Palace, settle for my first Thai massage (ouch!) and off for a day slumber I go.

Sunday morning after much rest, still a bit weary but, much feeling much better, first task; get international phone card and figure out the internet situation. Yeah, got both working! Stop for a bite to eat; great street vendor food, even better people watching~ people from all parts of the globe. And I must mention all the lil' kitties everywhere. They are little, as if still kittens though, full grown. I see the live on rice... like the Thai humans, small, slender like kittens. I want to take them all home… Off to the Grand Palace. WOW! http://www.bangkok.com/attraction-palace/grand-palace.html

I have now just sat down to write lengthy emails before another rest BUT, Danielle and Lydia (who I had given up on finding just walked in the door to the hotel, yeahhhhhhhhh!)

Had a wonderful visit with Danielle & Lydia who are on there way back to SF after being all over Thailand the past months. Goods tips, nice to spend time with loves in distant land.

On the night train to Chang Mia tonight!!! To Pun Pun, see pic link to their web site. Very excited about working (building/farming) with them over the next few weeks.


Ps~ Oh yeah Hong Kong. (layover on my way to Thai) Well, I was only there for 2 dazzzz so, forming any sort of response would not be fare. And unfortunately, as you see in the pics, it was over cast, bummer. Because that cut out what I really wanted to do; shot climb Victoria Mountain. Over looks all of Hong Kong. Highlights; The Skyline!!!! Hard to see in pics but, Hong Kong is ALL very HIGH RISE, walls and walls, towers on towers...very dense living. Well, it is an island and only so much will fit. Oh, my "builder favorite of the day"; they use bamboo poles as scafeling. Strong stuff a rapidly renewable resource! (there's a pic) I am finding, environmentally concsious minds are strong around the world, yeah! Sadly, I get one reason they often wear masks, smoggy! I really felt like Hong Kong is the LA of Asia but, that's not fare, I was barely there. I did get a taste of the culture; eating very local (could not order off the full character menu, just pointed to what someone else was having ;)~ street vending, history museum, parks, subways...lots of walking.