Bangkok Blues

Well, this is not really how I wanted my first posting from Thailand to turn out. We arrived here safe and sound, and have relatively decent accommodation. Corinne and I have wandered the city, and it's interesting. However, neither of us like it here...although we were fore-warned. We'll be taking some other traveler's advice (the Tans, Kalen) and head on out of this city as soon as we can...hopefully tomorrow evening if all goes well. It's just an insane city...really noisy and crowded. Not to mention folks trying to con us anyway they can. I think we got completely ripped off on our taxi ride to the guest house. We also found ourselves at a political demonstration this evening after someone told us that a night market had been opened in honour of a particular monk's birthday. After feeling funny vibes, we got out of there fast. Then, on our way back to our guest house, someone working for a temple (I think) fast-talked us into taking a tuk-tuk ride (which in itself was fun) to see the TAT (a government sponsered tourism company) and ask about a one day special 20% discount for train tickets to Chang Mai (where we're headed next). We ducked out of that one, after feeling more bad vibes, and have made it safely back to our area.

It's not that our safety has been threatened at all. It's just a really crazy city and we want to get out of it to see the things we came here to see. I've been warned not to base my anticipated impression of Thailand on Bangkok, and I'm going to heed that advice. If I hadn't had such rave reviews about this country from trusted friends, I would be feeling pretty uncertain right now. But the next post will be much brighter!

I don't want anyone to feel any aprehension for us. Like I said, we are safe and healthy. Our flights over here were good, as was our stay in Tokyo. We just need to get out of the city and find the Thailand we've heard so much about.

Don't worry...I'm not!

Cheers and love.

Blog Updates

I've been playing around and added a few more features to my blog. On the right side, I've added a link to my newly-created photo album, courtesy of Yahoo. My plan is to put all of my travel photos there, so that I'll only post the best or most interesting ones directly on the blog. I've also listed the sites of 2 of my friend's photo albums. Next I've added links to fellow blogger's sites. Corinne's site is the first on the list (C My Adventures), as she's my fellow explorer and will have more stories and pictures of our trip...not to mention incriminating evidence! Last, I've added a section that has links to maps of the places were headed.

And what have I learned from doing all this? That blogging is far too addictive and I should stop before my eye-balls fall out.

Only 4 more sleeps to go!!!

(and so much yet to do ... the ultimate test is yet to come ... will all my crap actually fit into my pack?)