Go to south east Asia

I must say that having goals makes it easier to accomplish things. I was almost not going to go, my plans being truncated by work obligations and lack of travel companionship, but, as it was a goal, I bought my ticket, and that turned to to be the best personal decision I've made in a long time.

I went to Thailand, the Land of Smiles. It was AWESOME!! I flew into Bangkok, dirty, bustling, delightfully free of too much Westernization and spent two days wondering the city, getting taken by a tuk-tuk driver, but ending up on an amazing long boat ride through the back waterways of Bangkok, absorbing the daily life of the Thai people and indulging my romanticism of dilapidation, seeing the sights and walking across bridges and along the river.

Next was Krabi and Railay island, a loooong overnight bus ride from Bangkok. Seeing the rural countryside along the way was great. Parents dropping their uniformed kids off at school on scooters, red earth, green, green flora. Railay was absolutely STUNNING. Breathstopping horizons and sun rotations. Jungle covered krasts shooting up out of the warm, blue green sea, serenity abound. Went outdoor rockclimbing for the first time, cave trekking, repelling, jungle hiking. Sitting on the beach watching the sun lazily melt into the ocean was the most content I have been in a long, long, long time. Saw a live muay thai boxing match at a bar on the beach, preceeded by a fire show, punctuated by Michael Jackson songs in tribute. Almost made it to a lagoon, but tired arms and looming departure solidified my vow to return and conquer one day.

Back to Bangkok to catch a bus to Kanchanaburi. Wonderful small town. Stayed in a knarled wood bungalow on the Kwai river. Rented a bike and toured the town, attired in bright blue Thai men's pants, wristful of bangles, dark as a native and happy as a clam. Strolled the Death Railway Bridge, rented a motorbike up to Erawan falls. Simply GORGEOUS ride, peacefully following the gentle meandering of the river up through the verdant mountains. Then hiked the waterfalls and their swimming pools, scrambling gracefully over rocks and endlessly intertwined tree roots in my 40 baht flip flops, having a ball.

Another bus back to Bangkok to catch a overnight bus to Chiang Mai, including a thrilling motorcycle taxi ride through the night in Bangkok, whizzing between cars and trucks and disregarding street traffic directions. Chiang Mai was nice. It rained the whole time, dampening my enthusiasm some, but went to some markets and bazaars, went up to Doi Sutep in the mist, walked through the old city gates and saw some wats, didn't get my thai massage in the women's prison, but did find a lovely mother who gave me one that left me feeling tranquil and lightheaded. Rain detered me from going to Pai or Chiang Dao, but there is always next time. Chiang Mai wasn't my favorite, but it will forever have its mark on me :)

Back to Bangkok before home, a day side trip to Ayuthaya to make up for not getting to visit Cambodia. Ancient ruins strewn about a modern small town in a way much more charming than the ones in Rome. A striking blue sky providing a backdrop that was surreal.

Met up with Guddy on the last day and caught up. Saw some sights around the city, chilled out on Khao San Road for a bit, saw her cool HQ Hostel, which is all but across the street from the Pat Pong red light district, another deviant adventure that'll have to be saved for next time.

In short, Thailand was the perfect vacation. Two weeks is a wholly insufficient amount of time to travel there, and I must return, as well as venture into its surrounding countries. My travel bug is on fire again and I will now take a renewed interest in attempting to satiate it.