day ONE of school.
We were picked up first thing in the morning (well... at 9:00am haha) to go to our school. I couldn't pay for the whole thing because of my stupid new visa that they tricked me into getting, it has a limit of 1000 $ so reffa is going to pay and I'm going to online transfer her the money -SO ANNOYING. anyways.
the school was quite small, but great nonetheless. there's a little sandwich shop right outside the school and it's GREAT. we ate belgium waffles this morning for cheapcheap with AMAZING juice. (have I mentioned that the juice here is freshly squeezed and perfect?)
it was a little boring today once we got into class though.
there are 11 students and everyone is over the top amazed at the high number this yaer (hahahaha) . last month it was 3 students, and we're the highest amount since like 5 years ago!!
but the course is totally legit!
we've only had two teachers so far. they were both really nice. we actually learned a bit of japenese today for the purpose of putting ourselves in the shoes of the language learner- it was intimidating but interesting for sure. we also learned a ton of grammar. that's a huge part of teaching english - I knew taht but not to the extent that it is. it's going to be a challenge- but in only two weeks we get to practice teach!! YAY!
oh and we CAN wear just jeans to school, until we practice teach.
we were also treated to a delicious lunch today midday (around 1... boy we were starving.) the lady who works at the hotel, Som is SO NICE we absolutely love her. all smiles and just adorable.
i haven't met a thai person I didn't like.
except mafia guy.
hahaha
so.
also, I am uploading pictures right now on facebook, i am sorry to those of you who have me and reffa on facebook because they're exactly the same. we will see all comemnts so it doesn't matter whose you comment on facebook but we both wanted our different friensd to see the pictures too. =)=)
please update us on stuff at home, we miss being in the loop. you know everything about us so maybe tell us what's going on back home!? <3<3
plus we haven't called yet, we don't know how.
this week, sometime, I will call?? ?? ? ?
we like everyone in our class! it's a lot of fun.
MISS YOU ALL, but it's lovely here. xo
Monday, September 29, 2008
Sunday, September 28, 2008
Monsoon
So, it's a monsoon.
Reffa and I were going to explore the road that goes left from our hill, rather than straight (to the beach) because Patty (a guy we met here who is taking Thai language lessons) told us that there is an elephant sanctuary up there and we want to see an elephant so bad!!!! hahaha
We were also going to check out the other beach, because as beautiful as Patong beach is, it's filled with people buggnig you to go for a seadoo ride, or parasailing etc etc for baht. they never stop!!! we want to go to the quieter beach.
instead, we decided taht our hunger couldn't wait any longer at about 2pm because we didn't want to go out in the pouring monsoon rain. no beach, no elephant just wet walk to food.
but it was a really fun adventure!!! our new friend Moira came with us and we walked up the hill about 20/30 minutes and found an awesome market full of fruit and vegetables and anything else we might need (not to mention about 4093450938093 7/11's!!!!!! ) we bought some apples and pears for the morning, and kept walking. Moira baught us a cool Thai alcoholic drink at a side bar and then we walkd back home. even though all three of us had umbrella's we ended up SOAKED head to toe , so natually we put our bathing suits on and went for a swim.
we took my camera (underwater) and took pictures in the pool too. she is really fun, a mermaid like us!!!
anyway we are about to go watch a movie and settle in. School starts tomorrow morning!!!!
xo
Reffa and I were going to explore the road that goes left from our hill, rather than straight (to the beach) because Patty (a guy we met here who is taking Thai language lessons) told us that there is an elephant sanctuary up there and we want to see an elephant so bad!!!! hahaha
We were also going to check out the other beach, because as beautiful as Patong beach is, it's filled with people buggnig you to go for a seadoo ride, or parasailing etc etc for baht. they never stop!!! we want to go to the quieter beach.
instead, we decided taht our hunger couldn't wait any longer at about 2pm because we didn't want to go out in the pouring monsoon rain. no beach, no elephant just wet walk to food.
but it was a really fun adventure!!! our new friend Moira came with us and we walked up the hill about 20/30 minutes and found an awesome market full of fruit and vegetables and anything else we might need (not to mention about 4093450938093 7/11's!!!!!! ) we bought some apples and pears for the morning, and kept walking. Moira baught us a cool Thai alcoholic drink at a side bar and then we walkd back home. even though all three of us had umbrella's we ended up SOAKED head to toe , so natually we put our bathing suits on and went for a swim.
we took my camera (underwater) and took pictures in the pool too. she is really fun, a mermaid like us!!!
anyway we are about to go watch a movie and settle in. School starts tomorrow morning!!!!
xo
Vegetarian Festival
Today is like a monsoon, lots and lots of rain. Yet its still hot and muggy.
The rain is calming down now, which is good because we are going to the Vegetarian Festival today. We will get some vegetarian food and watch the concession and the acts.
Here is a site that gives you the history and meaning behind the vegetarian festival.
http://images.google.co.th/imgres?imgurl=http://www.1stopphuket.com/images/articles/veggie_03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.1stopphuket.com/articles/vegetarian/&h=336&w=440&sz=65&hl=en&start=1&usg=___P1rj6J5qvfq1u2_MfIxlQP2Vpc=&tbnid=Fp6GGLdUpgmA2M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=127&prev=/images?q%3Dphuket%2Bvegetarian%2Bfestival%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
We plan to go watch that in a bit, and while in Phuket town, buy some dress clothes at the market. Pin, one of the ladies here (who wants us to call her mom) said that you can buy dress shirts for 300 baht but they will try and charge us 700baht. So shes giving us tips on how to make them give us a bargain. ---300 baht is $10CAD.
Here, women shouldn't wear pants to school. They prefer if we wear skirts. We got suckered into buying a cashmere one while in Bangkok doing a coupon run for the tuktuk driver. So we have that. But Pin said we can get some at the market for 150-200 baht.
The rain is calming down now, which is good because we are going to the Vegetarian Festival today. We will get some vegetarian food and watch the concession and the acts.
Here is a site that gives you the history and meaning behind the vegetarian festival.
http://images.google.co.th/imgres?imgurl=http://www.1stopphuket.com/images/articles/veggie_03.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.1stopphuket.com/articles/vegetarian/&h=336&w=440&sz=65&hl=en&start=1&usg=___P1rj6J5qvfq1u2_MfIxlQP2Vpc=&tbnid=Fp6GGLdUpgmA2M:&tbnh=97&tbnw=127&prev=/images?q%3Dphuket%2Bvegetarian%2Bfestival%26gbv%3D2%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DG
We plan to go watch that in a bit, and while in Phuket town, buy some dress clothes at the market. Pin, one of the ladies here (who wants us to call her mom) said that you can buy dress shirts for 300 baht but they will try and charge us 700baht. So shes giving us tips on how to make them give us a bargain. ---300 baht is $10CAD.
Here, women shouldn't wear pants to school. They prefer if we wear skirts. We got suckered into buying a cashmere one while in Bangkok doing a coupon run for the tuktuk driver. So we have that. But Pin said we can get some at the market for 150-200 baht.
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Watermelons
Remember when we said that the Hotel staff cut our watermelons into heart shapes?
We went back and ordered it to take a picture.
Cute. Cute. CUTE! <--- One word to Describe Thailand? that would be it.
Bus Ride from HELL
Well it wasn't exactly from Hell, it was a lot of fun.
But it wasn't off to a good start because we were supposed to get picked up by a driver to take us to the bus station at 5:00pm. At 4:45pm we went to grab something quick to eat, because we knew that during our 16 hour bus ride we would get a little hungry.
We told them we didnt have much time so , of course, being the sweetest people ever here, were running around and rushing and making sure that it was quick. As we were eating our driver shows up RIGHT on time. They see him and run out to distract him and make sure he waits for us to finish. I swear you guys... they are so sweet and so kind and treat us like princesses. They do anything for us, open doors, carry our bags everywhere, walk us across the street...etc..
Anyways, we get in the car and he takes us to what we thought would be the bus station but its outside of a Thai elementry school. He can't speak any english and keeps saying "cant park, can't park" as in..... "I have to leave cause I cant park here!"
We just stand there, not knowing what to do. Thinking "If we miss our bus, how are we going to make it to Phuket in time to start our classes??" getting all scared.
Then a man walks over from across the street and says "you need bus? to where?"
..."Phuket"
..."come with me"
He takes us across the street, through a back alley, past a market and around a building where we find 3 busses parked and a bunch of backpackers.
We give them our tickets and wait. As we are waiting a girl walks up and is talking to the girl taking the tickets and had a Canadian passport in her hand.
She was from Ottawa and was going to Krabi on the same bus as us.
So we talked to her for a bit and she told us about Chiang Mai (place with the Elephants we want to see) and we told her about Bangkok, since she was sick she missed out on the tourist celebrations.
As we were sitting there, a guy from Ireland named Alan comes and sits with us and he was going to Phuket too. So the 4 of us became "bus buddies" and sat together during our stops and told stories.
Sometime during the 16 hour overnight trip, we stopped at a checkstop on the side of the highway where they sell water, snacks and have a washroom. ( I took a picture of the washroom to gross everyone out. No Toilet Paper, No seat, just squat over a suare ceramic bowl thats on the ground that doesnt flush....and....if you wish... take the bucket of water to splash yourself clean when you are done)
we keep going along and then finally we get to the closest stop to Phuket. Which was the side of the road....not a bus station. Yes, Thats right... The bus doesnt go to Phuket. It stops 4 hours away and goes back. If you want to go to Phuket...you have to pay more money at the nearest bus stop or hire a cab!!!!!!!! :|
So we thought we were gonna be stuck 4 hours away from Phuket and have to hire a cab. But to our rescue a truck pulls up and we pile in the back. Me, Jess, Alan, A girl from the Netherlands, A guy from Italy and a guy from Indonesia. (Ottawa girl got on another bus)
They take our bags and put them On TOP of the trucks roof, and we all sit in the back of it. They drive us to a shuttle bus that is driving to Phuket.
---i know....really really confusing eh? we just went with the flow---
Anyways, this shuttle takes us down to Phuket but takes us the opposite direction of Patong Beach, and takes us to Phuket town, So that we have to pay him 200 baht to go the other way.
Lucky for us we had someone from the Hotel waiting to pick us up in Phuket town so we weren't suckered into paying more.
Everyone we talked to on the bus payed a different price for their bus ticket than us. It was kinad funny going around and finding out how much people payed. Its all about getting them to give you "Discounts" if you are a tourist, they try and get the most they can from you.
But we made it to Phuket town and Ya (guy hired to pick us up) found us and took us back to our WONDERFUL hotel which we stay at during our schooling. Its about a 10 minute walk from Patong Beach and in a safe area. Very touristy. (and it has a toilet with toilet paper!)
Ya was a really really Nice Thai guy that works for the TEFL school and for the Hotel. On the drive to the hotel he asked us if we were hungry and we said we were (because we hadn't eaten in 16 hrs) and he was like "soon we will be at hotel...15 mins" then he says "just one stop for me ok?" and stops at a 7-11. While hes in there Jess and me are trying to guess what hes gonna buy Water?Cigarettes?Coffee?Snack? We didnt know. Then he walks out of the store and gets in, Hands us each a "Strawberry Love Bun" which is a bread that has a chocolatey straberry taste to it, a bottle of cold water and a mango orange juice.
We both tried to hold back our tears cause we thought it was so sweet that he stopped for us. We tried to give him money and he kept saying "mai ben lai, mai ben lai" which means "nevermind".
There is a Reggae Bar across the street, when it cools down a bit we are gonna walk over and check it out.
Jessica is playing dominos with one of the staff here and then she is gonna come on and write the stuff I forgot.
Right now we have two seperate rooms side by side, we are gonna see if we can share one for two months rather than have two rooms for one month. Lets see if they'll let us.
We are learning Thai right now, a guy from England is taking a Thai course and he is teaching us common phrases and the hotel staff is helping him also, as he just started 2 weeks ago. In return, he teaches them english. We hung out with him by the pool and he taught us how to say a few things. He is going to take the TEFL course too, but next month. Hes staying for 8 months and plans to learn Thai and then Teach English. He worked in Postal in Birmingham and got sick of it so decided to come here and Learn Thai. Pretty cool of him!
Lots to read!
Pictures on Facebook for now until we can get the other camera to work on this computer.
But it wasn't off to a good start because we were supposed to get picked up by a driver to take us to the bus station at 5:00pm. At 4:45pm we went to grab something quick to eat, because we knew that during our 16 hour bus ride we would get a little hungry.
We told them we didnt have much time so , of course, being the sweetest people ever here, were running around and rushing and making sure that it was quick. As we were eating our driver shows up RIGHT on time. They see him and run out to distract him and make sure he waits for us to finish. I swear you guys... they are so sweet and so kind and treat us like princesses. They do anything for us, open doors, carry our bags everywhere, walk us across the street...etc..
Anyways, we get in the car and he takes us to what we thought would be the bus station but its outside of a Thai elementry school. He can't speak any english and keeps saying "cant park, can't park" as in..... "I have to leave cause I cant park here!"
We just stand there, not knowing what to do. Thinking "If we miss our bus, how are we going to make it to Phuket in time to start our classes??" getting all scared.
Then a man walks over from across the street and says "you need bus? to where?"
..."Phuket"
..."come with me"
He takes us across the street, through a back alley, past a market and around a building where we find 3 busses parked and a bunch of backpackers.
We give them our tickets and wait. As we are waiting a girl walks up and is talking to the girl taking the tickets and had a Canadian passport in her hand.
She was from Ottawa and was going to Krabi on the same bus as us.
So we talked to her for a bit and she told us about Chiang Mai (place with the Elephants we want to see) and we told her about Bangkok, since she was sick she missed out on the tourist celebrations.
As we were sitting there, a guy from Ireland named Alan comes and sits with us and he was going to Phuket too. So the 4 of us became "bus buddies" and sat together during our stops and told stories.
Sometime during the 16 hour overnight trip, we stopped at a checkstop on the side of the highway where they sell water, snacks and have a washroom. ( I took a picture of the washroom to gross everyone out. No Toilet Paper, No seat, just squat over a suare ceramic bowl thats on the ground that doesnt flush....and....if you wish... take the bucket of water to splash yourself clean when you are done)
we keep going along and then finally we get to the closest stop to Phuket. Which was the side of the road....not a bus station. Yes, Thats right... The bus doesnt go to Phuket. It stops 4 hours away and goes back. If you want to go to Phuket...you have to pay more money at the nearest bus stop or hire a cab!!!!!!!! :|
So we thought we were gonna be stuck 4 hours away from Phuket and have to hire a cab. But to our rescue a truck pulls up and we pile in the back. Me, Jess, Alan, A girl from the Netherlands, A guy from Italy and a guy from Indonesia. (Ottawa girl got on another bus)
They take our bags and put them On TOP of the trucks roof, and we all sit in the back of it. They drive us to a shuttle bus that is driving to Phuket.
---i know....really really confusing eh? we just went with the flow---
Anyways, this shuttle takes us down to Phuket but takes us the opposite direction of Patong Beach, and takes us to Phuket town, So that we have to pay him 200 baht to go the other way.
Lucky for us we had someone from the Hotel waiting to pick us up in Phuket town so we weren't suckered into paying more.
Everyone we talked to on the bus payed a different price for their bus ticket than us. It was kinad funny going around and finding out how much people payed. Its all about getting them to give you "Discounts" if you are a tourist, they try and get the most they can from you.
But we made it to Phuket town and Ya (guy hired to pick us up) found us and took us back to our WONDERFUL hotel which we stay at during our schooling. Its about a 10 minute walk from Patong Beach and in a safe area. Very touristy. (and it has a toilet with toilet paper!)
Ya was a really really Nice Thai guy that works for the TEFL school and for the Hotel. On the drive to the hotel he asked us if we were hungry and we said we were (because we hadn't eaten in 16 hrs) and he was like "soon we will be at hotel...15 mins" then he says "just one stop for me ok?" and stops at a 7-11. While hes in there Jess and me are trying to guess what hes gonna buy Water?Cigarettes?Coffee?Snack? We didnt know. Then he walks out of the store and gets in, Hands us each a "Strawberry Love Bun" which is a bread that has a chocolatey straberry taste to it, a bottle of cold water and a mango orange juice.
We both tried to hold back our tears cause we thought it was so sweet that he stopped for us. We tried to give him money and he kept saying "mai ben lai, mai ben lai" which means "nevermind".
There is a Reggae Bar across the street, when it cools down a bit we are gonna walk over and check it out.
Jessica is playing dominos with one of the staff here and then she is gonna come on and write the stuff I forgot.
Right now we have two seperate rooms side by side, we are gonna see if we can share one for two months rather than have two rooms for one month. Lets see if they'll let us.
We are learning Thai right now, a guy from England is taking a Thai course and he is teaching us common phrases and the hotel staff is helping him also, as he just started 2 weeks ago. In return, he teaches them english. We hung out with him by the pool and he taught us how to say a few things. He is going to take the TEFL course too, but next month. Hes staying for 8 months and plans to learn Thai and then Teach English. He worked in Postal in Birmingham and got sick of it so decided to come here and Learn Thai. Pretty cool of him!
Lots to read!
Pictures on Facebook for now until we can get the other camera to work on this computer.
Friday, September 26, 2008
Know whats really cute?
When we drive down the road, or walk, there are always little school boys walking together in their school uniforms and sometimes a boy puts his arm around his friend and they walk together or hold hands.
:)
:)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
MBK
We are going to MBK which is the big mall in Bangkok.
After that, we are going to sit by the pool in the hotel and wait for our shuttle to take us to the bus station, then we are making our way down to Phuket. It is a 16 hour bus ride.
It is 30 degrees and cloudy. The weather thing says "feels like 40"
Miss you all!!
After that, we are going to sit by the pool in the hotel and wait for our shuttle to take us to the bus station, then we are making our way down to Phuket. It is a 16 hour bus ride.
It is 30 degrees and cloudy. The weather thing says "feels like 40"
Miss you all!!
Friend
We have a new friend Dave.
He is here with his friend Scott and they are from Scotland. They are going to Phuket on Wednesday so we are gonna be there a few days before them and learn the ropes and help them out when they come down.
Dave bought a guitar yesterday for 600 baht. ($30 bucks)
He is here with his friend Scott and they are from Scotland. They are going to Phuket on Wednesday so we are gonna be there a few days before them and learn the ropes and help them out when they come down.
Dave bought a guitar yesterday for 600 baht. ($30 bucks)
Hotel Lobby
So I was sitting down here in the hotel Lobby waiting for the pool to open. (we wake up really early...like 5:45am today and 4:00 yesterday..i think its the heat) but anyways and they were playing an english radio station and the song "Thank you" by Dido came on...and the guy at the desk was trying to sing along and I was somewhat singing along. And he shyly came over to me with a piece of paper and he was like "do you know this song?" and I was like "yes, its good eh?" and he was like "can you please write down for me? I like it"
And I did and he was sooo happy.
They are always happy.
I like that.
And I did and he was sooo happy.
They are always happy.
I like that.
So Cute
Our server at dinner could'nt speak a word of English. And the only thing I can say in Thai is "hello, how are you?" "twenty-two" and "mai pen rai".
So it was really hard to order something. I did the whole point and shake my head while saying meat and pointing to the word "shrimp" and making a line on it....etc...
Luckily, the girl at the table beside us spoke Thai fluently and translated for us.
We tried to say thank you to him (still learning) and said it wrong. Then he smiled cause he knew what we were trying to say.
5 mins later he came back with a little piece of paper saying "Khob-Khun-Kha" and they symbols, so that we would know how to say thank-you.
He pointed at it and said "Thank you. Thank you." and walked away.
He was so sweet. Full of smiles.
So it was really hard to order something. I did the whole point and shake my head while saying meat and pointing to the word "shrimp" and making a line on it....etc...
Luckily, the girl at the table beside us spoke Thai fluently and translated for us.
We tried to say thank you to him (still learning) and said it wrong. Then he smiled cause he knew what we were trying to say.
5 mins later he came back with a little piece of paper saying "Khob-Khun-Kha" and they symbols, so that we would know how to say thank-you.
He pointed at it and said "Thank you. Thank you." and walked away.
He was so sweet. Full of smiles.
Downtown Bangkok
It was so hot in the room last night that Reffa and I got up at 4am and didn't sleep again after that ahahaha we waited so so long for the continental breakfast to start (at 630 am) . we could have put on the air conditioner but we're trying to get used to the heat so it doesn't bug us. it's actually surprisingly not that bad! it's muggy, and very polluted and warm but the sun doesn't beam as hard through the smog and cloud so it's not too bad!
We went down to eat then as soon as we could. for breakfast we get two pieces of toast butter and jam with a plate of specially cut heart shaped watermelons -SO CUTE!!!!!!!! we didn't want to eat them. they took a knife and cut each one, not even a cut out. we also got tea... obviously we weren't FULL but we were satisfied.
Naturally, as any one who knows us well might have guessed, we went then to get our bathing suits on and spend some time playing in the pool. we were the only ones in there so it was really fun, we were just swimming and jumping in.. it was so warm!
We decided to get out of the pool for a bit and get ready to meet Tik (the cab driver from y esterday who was giong to cart us around all day for 1000baht) but then we talked to this amazingly nice girl at the front desk who told us taht the ferry was 17 baht and a 2 minute walk from the hotel so we ditched Tik and saved a ton of money which we could later spend on other things =-D
off we go to the ferry and we went too far and ended up in this tiny poor residential area and a guy tried to get us to go on HIS boat for 500 baht and we were like NOPE and turned aroud and went to the ferry. he was disappointed. these people love taking advantage of ferangs (that's what they call foreigners) .
we made our way to the ferry and were bubbling over with excitement , giggling and taking unneccessary pictures. SOFUN and every person was smiling at us and waving ! a great way to start off our morning around 9am.
At one point the ferry hit the dock so hard that reffa and I jolted forward into the pole of it. really funny... they're CRAZY drivers over here.
when we got to our spot (gate number 8) we just walked and all of a sudden were in these awesome endless markets of food, designs, postcards, fabrics etc etc . it was really cool. a little overwhelming though at times, they won't let you just LOOK at the product they really make you feel as though you can't say no. it's hard.
luckily bottled water is only 10 baht... just under .3 of a penny canadian. the water here is perfefctly fine for anyone who was wondering- no problems! =D
We made our way down the road a bit , refusing rides from everyone when we crossed paths with a man who was curious about us so we chatted him up fora l ittle while and then he ended up telling us about the fact that it was a celebration of buddha today! and, as a result of the tourist depreciation lately in bangkok, there were TONNES of wicked deals for us ferang. we got into places for free, free food, and tuktuks for like 20 baht (under a penny) all day!!
I bought flip flops for 2cents canadian. AHHAHA this is soo cool!
in return for not paying for tuktuks though (a tuktuk is a type of cab which is crazy btw, i will post a picture in a few mins) .. we had to go to these places for the drivers so they could recieve redeemable coupons for gas etc... so we were basically con artists LOL ahhaha they'd ask us to go into silk shops and act interested for 10 mintutes at a time so that they could get a coupon for bringing us there. we actually ended up buying a nice cashmere/silk suit (together to share for now.. we can mix and match our other clothes). for a blouse and skirt tailor made best materials it came to 80$ cdn. wicked.
it started feeling a bit like a conspiracy at times though, the cabs in combination with the coupons in combination wtih the shops.... we got a little skeptical. especially when hahaa okay
so we go into the park to see the black buddha right, and there's a one hour wait to go into the temple. we didn't want to wait an hour, but we were tired so we sat on the bench anyways and cahtted with this guy. he seemed high or something - reffa offrred him a smoke and he made this weird relaxed face and kept talking casually. He was telilng us to avoid the ring shops because they were bad news, bad news he says watch out for mafia. and we are like AHH!!! so of course we casually slip away back to our loyal tuktuk waiting in the park for us and we shake it off and keep moving. all of a sudden we stop at this shop that the cabby wanted us to go to so that he could redeem one of his coupons so we're like sure whatever and we go in (this was like the 11th shop we went in for this reason so far right) so we're looking aroudn (all the while being bombarded by salespeople to buy stuff) and on our way out the door .... the mafia scary guy plays with his rings and gold bracelette while he's trekking up the stairs of this very ring shop so.. in conclusion we were talking with a member of the thai mafia :::: scary.
were good though. woah what a long day.
KohSanh road is apparently this huge backpacker central in bangkok- every cabby assumed we were giong there so we thought we should check it out-- it was the best road ever. think of the buskers and then multiply that awesomeness by about 5000. SO COOOOOLL!!!!
anyway, i'm gonna add some pictures and let reffa take the story from here--
We went down to eat then as soon as we could. for breakfast we get two pieces of toast butter and jam with a plate of specially cut heart shaped watermelons -SO CUTE!!!!!!!! we didn't want to eat them. they took a knife and cut each one, not even a cut out. we also got tea... obviously we weren't FULL but we were satisfied.
Naturally, as any one who knows us well might have guessed, we went then to get our bathing suits on and spend some time playing in the pool. we were the only ones in there so it was really fun, we were just swimming and jumping in.. it was so warm!
We decided to get out of the pool for a bit and get ready to meet Tik (the cab driver from y esterday who was giong to cart us around all day for 1000baht
off we go to the ferry and we went too far and ended up in this tiny poor residential area and a guy tried to get us to go on HIS boat for 500 baht and we were like NOPE and turned aroud and went to the ferry. he was disappointed. these people love taking advantage of ferangs (that's what they call foreigners) .
we made our way to the ferry and were bubbling over with excitement , giggling and taking unneccessary pictures. SOFUN and every person was smiling at us and waving ! a great way to start off our morning around 9am.
At one point the ferry hit the dock so hard that reffa and I jolted forward into the pole of it. really funny... they're CRAZY drivers over here.
when we got to our spot (gate number 8) we just walked and all of a sudden were in these awesome endless markets of food, designs, postcards, fabrics etc etc . it was really cool. a little overwhelming though at times, they won't let you just LOOK at the product they really make you feel as though you can't say no. it's hard.
luckily bottled water is only 10 baht... just under .3 of a penny canadian. the water here is perfefctly fine for anyone who was wondering- no problems! =D
We made our way down the road a bit , refusing rides from everyone when we crossed paths with a man who was curious about us so we chatted him up fora l ittle while and then he ended up telling us about the fact that it was a celebration of buddha today! and, as a result of the tourist depreciation lately in bangkok, there were TONNES of wicked deals for us ferang. we got into places for free, free food, and tuktuks for like 20 baht (under a penny) all day!!
I bought flip flops for 2cents canadian. AHHAHA this is soo cool!
in return for not paying for tuktuks though (a tuktuk is a type of cab which is crazy btw, i will post a picture in a few mins) .. we had to go to these places for the drivers so they could recieve redeemable coupons for gas etc... so we were basically con artists LOL ahhaha they'd ask us to go into silk shops and act interested for 10 mintutes at a time so that they could get a coupon for bringing us there. we actually ended up buying a nice cashmere/silk suit (together to share for now.. we can mix and match our other clothes). for a blouse and skirt tailor made best materials it came to 80$ cdn. wicked.
it started feeling a bit like a conspiracy at times though, the cabs in combination with the coupons in combination wtih the shops.... we got a little skeptical. especially when hahaa okay
so we go into the park to see the black buddha right, and there's a one hour wait to go into the temple. we didn't want to wait an hour, but we were tired so we sat on the bench anyways and cahtted with this guy. he seemed high or something - reffa offrred him a smoke and he made this weird relaxed face and kept talking casually. He was telilng us to avoid the ring shops because they were bad news, bad news he says watch out for mafia. and we are like AHH!!! so of course we casually slip away back to our loyal tuktuk waiting in the park for us and we shake it off and keep moving. all of a sudden we stop at this shop that the cabby wanted us to go to so that he could redeem one of his coupons so we're like sure whatever and we go in (this was like the 11th shop we went in for this reason so far right) so we're looking aroudn (all the while being bombarded by salespeople to buy stuff) and on our way out the door .... the mafia scary guy plays with his rings and gold bracelette while he's trekking up the stairs of this very ring shop so.. in conclusion we were talking with a member of the thai mafia :::: scary.
were good though. woah what a long day.
KohSanh road is apparently this huge backpacker central in bangkok- every cabby assumed we were giong there so we thought we should check it out-- it was the best road ever. think of the buskers and then multiply that awesomeness by about 5000. SO COOOOOLL!!!!
anyway, i'm gonna add some pictures and let reffa take the story from here--
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Welcome to Bangkok
Reffa and I caught up on some sleep on the plane on the way here. Quantas is the best airline ever. all of our food was vegan. service was great, ride was the smoothest i've ever been on. we got little gift bags at two different times full of fun stuff like snacks water bottles, blankets, sleepers, eyegear for sleeping, etc
reffa pretty much typed everything so I won't bother repeating, but I might just add a couple of words. basically we do all our posts together anyways so we're both talking ahhahaha
Here we are on the computer in the hotel lobby SWAN after our day of flight and cab with Tik (pronounced TEEK)
http://www.welcomethai.com/hotelreservation/bangkok/swanhotel.asp?hotel=Swanhotel
there's the link if you want to see where we're staying. it's pretty cool. we just ate supper and had some phad thai - YUMMMMM
we are trying really hard to say thank you in Thai, but every time we do all the Thai's laugh a lot at us. hahahaha it sounds something like khunpuncoowwwww or khunpuncom if you are a guy.
we'll tell you all about our exciting touristy day in bangkok tomorrow.
ciao for now!
reffa pretty much typed everything so I won't bother repeating, but I might just add a couple of words. basically we do all our posts together anyways so we're both talking ahhahaha
Here we are on the computer in the hotel lobby SWAN after our day of flight and cab with Tik (pronounced TEEK)
http://www.welcomethai.com/hotelreservation/bangkok/swanhotel.asp?hotel=Swanhotel
there's the link if you want to see where we're staying. it's pretty cool. we just ate supper and had some phad thai - YUMMMMM
we are trying really hard to say thank you in Thai, but every time we do all the Thai's laugh a lot at us. hahahaha it sounds something like khunpuncoowwwww or khunpuncom if you are a guy.
we'll tell you all about our exciting touristy day in bangkok tomorrow.
ciao for now!
Bangkok.
Today we arrived at the Bangkok Airport, and it went smoothly. It was just like any other airport. All the signs were in Thai, with English below them. So we had no problem getting around and finding what we needed. When we got to customs, we werent sure what we were supposed to declare, so we went to the place where you declare things in your bags. Then Jess asked the Thai Officer, "um, what do we have to declare anyways, I dont think we have anything but...."
and he just smiled and waved us through.
Oh yeah, thats one thing about everyone here. they ALL SMILE. Everyone! For any reason. Even when I was walking through the gate the wrong way, a security girl just smiled at me. hehe
All through the airport there is people coming up to you asking you where you want to go, offering to "take care of you" and "take you wherever you need to go"
They go out of their way to find you what you need and jump at the opportunity to take you places.
I don't think we look like money, but they must think so.
it was a 40-minute cab ride to downtown Bangkok from the Airport and it was 500 baht. (equals out to be like $15 Canadian i think)
kinda a rip off but it was worth it cause it would've been a 3 hour bus ride. And, it was 33 degrees and 5pm and we had all our bags with leftover airplane food in it.
And the only reason I said that was a rip off, its because for us to stay in our really nice hotel for tonight and tomorrow night and our trip down to Phuket Island on Friday came to a grand total of $67 USD each. Came out to be in their money like 2200 thai Baht each.
*side note* The Airplane "Quantas" gave us each 2 vegan meals during our 10 hour flight. So they rock!
Jessica is uploading pictures now.
My Camera isn't compatible with these computers.
As we were eating out by the pool tonight, we heard a funny noise and looked over and there was a baby lizzard crawing on the wall. We didnt bring our camera down to the restaurant so there was no way to get a picture, but we think we will see more.
For supper we had vegetarian Phad Thai and it was amazing. And they have Pepsi. So i got a pepsi and it came in a glass bottle with a cool pepsi logo. All together we paid like $4 CAD each for our meal. I know i'm talking a lot about prices but we can't get over how cheap it is!
Our Taxi driver, Tik, says its more expensive in Phuket. he wants to pick us up tomorrow and take us to the temples and to the river and to see the Elephants. We might go. He only wants $30 to take us around the city for the entire day. OH and the taxis are all This color Pink. actually a little more fluorescant.
Tik, Me and Jess witnessed a car accident and the people didnt even stop to get out of the car. They just kept going!If you think they drive crazy in Quebec, you HAVE to see it here. There is vehicles everywhere swirving around each other and theres no crosswalks, so people walking have to run out in front of (or behind) cars and tuk tuk's and motorcycles and stuff.
and he just smiled and waved us through.
Oh yeah, thats one thing about everyone here. they ALL SMILE. Everyone! For any reason. Even when I was walking through the gate the wrong way, a security girl just smiled at me. hehe
All through the airport there is people coming up to you asking you where you want to go, offering to "take care of you" and "take you wherever you need to go"
They go out of their way to find you what you need and jump at the opportunity to take you places.
I don't think we look like money, but they must think so.
it was a 40-minute cab ride to downtown Bangkok from the Airport and it was 500 baht. (equals out to be like $15 Canadian i think)
kinda a rip off but it was worth it cause it would've been a 3 hour bus ride. And, it was 33 degrees and 5pm and we had all our bags with leftover airplane food in it.
And the only reason I said that was a rip off, its because for us to stay in our really nice hotel for tonight and tomorrow night and our trip down to Phuket Island on Friday came to a grand total of $67 USD each. Came out to be in their money like 2200 thai Baht each.
*side note* The Airplane "Quantas" gave us each 2 vegan meals during our 10 hour flight. So they rock!
Jessica is uploading pictures now.
My Camera isn't compatible with these computers.
As we were eating out by the pool tonight, we heard a funny noise and looked over and there was a baby lizzard crawing on the wall. We didnt bring our camera down to the restaurant so there was no way to get a picture, but we think we will see more.
For supper we had vegetarian Phad Thai and it was amazing. And they have Pepsi. So i got a pepsi and it came in a glass bottle with a cool pepsi logo. All together we paid like $4 CAD each for our meal. I know i'm talking a lot about prices but we can't get over how cheap it is!
Our Taxi driver, Tik, says its more expensive in Phuket. he wants to pick us up tomorrow and take us to the temples and to the river and to see the Elephants. We might go. He only wants $30 to take us around the city for the entire day. OH and the taxis are all This color Pink. actually a little more fluorescant.
Tik, Me and Jess witnessed a car accident and the people didnt even stop to get out of the car. They just kept going!If you think they drive crazy in Quebec, you HAVE to see it here. There is vehicles everywhere swirving around each other and theres no crosswalks, so people walking have to run out in front of (or behind) cars and tuk tuk's and motorcycles and stuff.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
London Baby!!!
Yeah so,
London is insanely expensive!!!!! it pretty much wiped us clean of any access money we had just to make it thorugh the day. we hardly ate anything at all and we were really hungry, not to mention that we were exhausted due to lack of sleep on the plane last night! needless to say we were excited to be there in London and happy to see everything, oh such as walking on Abbey lane just like the beatles which was so cool , and seeing london bridge and .. hmm PAYING to use a discusting public washroom "welcome to England" says an 
English woman who was eying me while I awkwardly put my pence in this big round stupid bathroom hahahahahahaha 
English woman who was eying me while I awkwardly put my pence in this big round stupid bathroom hahahahahahaha 
I guess it was obvious that I was new there.... hmm...
We ended up coming back from the city after feeling that we conquered London's public transit by 3pm even though we couldn't even check into our flight until about 6:30... we were just too tired. we came back and dragged our feet aimlessly for a little while, trying to stay awake. we plopped down on a big matt where there appeared to be a ton of backpackers and joined them. Reffa and I then played canasta and spit until our energy levels came back (as much as they could without food or water which was like 6£ each ugh!!!
thank god for cards! (thanks for the new decks mom they're SUPER slippery).
London
Me and Jessica arrived in London today at about 8am.
It was kinda cold when we got here, which we were'nt expecting considering we packed nothing but beach clothes! About 12 or 13 degrees.
We got off the plane and had to take a shuttle bus to a different terminal about 20 minutes away. There, we did our customs and immigration stuff and carried on.
We bought a day bus pass for London which was 7.5£ and we took the train all around downtown, saw London Bridge and I walked across Abbey Road where the Beatles did in that famous picture.
Lots of cool shops here, but it is kinda pricey. Would never live here. Couldn't afford it.
When we were on the train, there was a class of Brittish Catholic Students, probably about 7 or 8, and they were all pretending to have Australian accents, and then one of the girls tried to to an American Accent.
It was kinda cold when we got here, which we were'nt expecting considering we packed nothing but beach clothes! About 12 or 13 degrees.
We got off the plane and had to take a shuttle bus to a different terminal about 20 minutes away. There, we did our customs and immigration stuff and carried on.
We bought a day bus pass for London which was 7.5£ and we took the train all around downtown, saw London Bridge and I walked across Abbey Road where the Beatles did in that famous picture.
Lots of cool shops here, but it is kinda pricey. Would never live here. Couldn't afford it.
When we were on the train, there was a class of Brittish Catholic Students, probably about 7 or 8, and they were all pretending to have Australian accents, and then one of the girls tried to to an American Accent.
Plane Ride. Toronto->London
So me and Jessica are in the Toronto Airport (worst airport ever) and we were starving. Even though we brought a bag of apples, we wanted to have something else to eat before the plane left. So I went to get me a vegetarian sandwich and jess a veggie pizza. And I waited in line for so long that I didnt even realize that they had called for our flight to board.
We ended up taking our food on the plane cause we didnt have time to eat it before boarding.
When we were in the plane we were eating our food and felt like pigs cause we couldnt even wait 5 mins and we were already eating our food.
Then like 5 mins after we finished, the stewardess came over and handed me a tray of food.
"Did you order this vegetarian meal?"
"uhh i dont think so?"
"well I think you did"
So i take the meal and me and Jessica look at each other in confusion. Because she made a big deal about asking us if we ordered it I was really self conscious and embarassed about eating it. So I let it sit there. (Even though I prob could have eaten that too)
Then me and Jess picked away at it and then Jess said "why dont you eat it?" and I was like " I feel like the plane pig....." and Jessica was like " Oh Reffa, I dont think you're Plain, I think you're pretty cool!!" hahaha She thought I meant plain as in boring and I meant of everyone on the plane I was a pig.
So we laughed for about an hour. Wondering why we were the only ones who ate two meals within the first half hour of the flight.
Then to our rescue, the Steward comes along and starts handing out the rest of the meals to everyone. :)
I guess mine took less time to cook. Then Jess got one too. And we split it up into containers to take with us for the next day, but I ended up spilling my complimentry red wine all over jessicas jeans, my skirt and the food tray.
But we made it to London, and found a more confusing airport. We only slept for about 2 hrs on the plane, we both woke up to turbulance so bad that we thought the plane was losing control.
Impossible to sleep on the plane. Lets see how the next trip goes. We are thinking that its a 12 hour flight but we arent sure. We leave in an hour so....I guess we will find out soon?
We ended up taking our food on the plane cause we didnt have time to eat it before boarding.
When we were in the plane we were eating our food and felt like pigs cause we couldnt even wait 5 mins and we were already eating our food.
Then like 5 mins after we finished, the stewardess came over and handed me a tray of food.
"Did you order this vegetarian meal?"
"uhh i dont think so?"
"well I think you did"
So i take the meal and me and Jessica look at each other in confusion. Because she made a big deal about asking us if we ordered it I was really self conscious and embarassed about eating it. So I let it sit there. (Even though I prob could have eaten that too)
Then me and Jess picked away at it and then Jess said "why dont you eat it?" and I was like " I feel like the plane pig....." and Jessica was like " Oh Reffa, I dont think you're Plain, I think you're pretty cool!!" hahaha She thought I meant plain as in boring and I meant of everyone on the plane I was a pig.
So we laughed for about an hour. Wondering why we were the only ones who ate two meals within the first half hour of the flight.
Then to our rescue, the Steward comes along and starts handing out the rest of the meals to everyone. :)
I guess mine took less time to cook. Then Jess got one too. And we split it up into containers to take with us for the next day, but I ended up spilling my complimentry red wine all over jessicas jeans, my skirt and the food tray.
But we made it to London, and found a more confusing airport. We only slept for about 2 hrs on the plane, we both woke up to turbulance so bad that we thought the plane was losing control.
Impossible to sleep on the plane. Lets see how the next trip goes. We are thinking that its a 12 hour flight but we arent sure. We leave in an hour so....I guess we will find out soon?
Saturday, September 20, 2008
2 days...
hahaha I know the whole countdown thing is probably getting annoying to read but... omg two days!!!!! left in canada!!!
I just played ball . we lost, but we're gonna win provincials RIGHT GIRLS!!! better keep me posted. ughh reffa rishard and I are a liiiitttle hung today. we had very very much fun last night at the Pacifico. we drank a little of everything...
on the way out for a hootenanny at the cottage now.
I just played ball . we lost, but we're gonna win provincials RIGHT GIRLS!!! better keep me posted. ughh reffa rishard and I are a liiiitttle hung today. we had very very much fun last night at the Pacifico. we drank a little of everything...
on the way out for a hootenanny at the cottage now.
Friday, September 19, 2008
political crisis
By the way,
I forgot to mention that the public of thailand right now seems to be overthrowing the government and we got a little freaked out by that for a day, but we did lots of research on current events and even spoke via internet to people who are living there and have let us know that living conditions remain unaffected by the political crisis unless you choose to involve yourself. plus the hot spots are in specific areas of Bangkok (similarly to how they would be focused in Ottawa here in Canada) and we are going to live in Phuket which is about a 9 or 10 hour drive from there.
don't worry, be happy!
mai pen rai
ps Erin bought me the most beautiful bracelette to wear while I'm away too , it says mai pen rai.
LOVE IT
I forgot to mention that the public of thailand right now seems to be overthrowing the government and we got a little freaked out by that for a day, but we did lots of research on current events and even spoke via internet to people who are living there and have let us know that living conditions remain unaffected by the political crisis unless you choose to involve yourself. plus the hot spots are in specific areas of Bangkok (similarly to how they would be focused in Ottawa here in Canada) and we are going to live in Phuket which is about a 9 or 10 hour drive from there.
don't worry, be happy!
mai pen rai
ps Erin bought me the most beautiful bracelette to wear while I'm away too , it says mai pen rai.
LOVE IT
3 more days...
wow..
So.. I'm sitting here looking at the website for the place where we'll be staying for the next month in Phuket and it looks AMAZING.. I only wish you could feel the butterflies that haven't left my stomach all week. I am so excited. !!!!
We filled up our new backpacks with just a couple of outfits, some advil, bathing suits (!!!!), umbrella, a sheet (for sleepng ... just in case), lots of underwear, couple of tampons(and our new diva cups...LIFE SAVER !!), our organized binder of travel documents and contacts and OF COURSE a few bottles of pepto bismol.
This weekend is just going to be laying low and hanging out with family and friends and playing cards for this last weekend. obviously we're coming back eventually, but who knows when!!! I love not knowing. It might be my favourite part. your guess is as good as mine!
Anyways,
I hear Steve Wilcos on the TV I am gonna go watch for a bit! hahaha
So.. I'm sitting here looking at the website for the place where we'll be staying for the next month in Phuket and it looks AMAZING.. I only wish you could feel the butterflies that haven't left my stomach all week. I am so excited. !!!!
We filled up our new backpacks with just a couple of outfits, some advil, bathing suits (!!!!), umbrella, a sheet (for sleepng ... just in case), lots of underwear, couple of tampons(and our new diva cups...LIFE SAVER !!), our organized binder of travel documents and contacts and OF COURSE a few bottles of pepto bismol.
This weekend is just going to be laying low and hanging out with family and friends and playing cards for this last weekend. obviously we're coming back eventually, but who knows when!!! I love not knowing. It might be my favourite part. your guess is as good as mine!
Anyways,
I hear Steve Wilcos on the TV I am gonna go watch for a bit! hahaha
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Saturday, September 6, 2008
Countdown is on...
16 days now.
that's only 2 more days than TWO WEEKS , which is crazy.
I have to sell my car, work out car insurence, look into healthcare, figure out how me and ref feel about malaria pills, arrange my phonebill to be taken over, drop off a letter to Employment, drop off a health claim letter, figure out how we're getting from Bangkok to Phuket.... not to mention packing my life into one backpack... and trying to see everyone before I go.
ugh ugh ugh working out all my bills- moving away is hard work.
it'll be SO worth it though.
I watched a show last night that Rishard flicked on and it was this chick who moved to Thailand. She was a complainer and wouldn't shut up about the heat and bugs, but I STILL got excited. she was living in a hut sleeping under a bug net just like we want to do. she was working wtih Elephants too which.... we might do instead of teaching english. or maybe we'll do both? who knows .
Off to play some more baseball for now. wish us luck, even though Hurricane Hannah is supposed to hit us this weekend !!!!!!
that's only 2 more days than TWO WEEKS , which is crazy.
I have to sell my car, work out car insurence, look into healthcare, figure out how me and ref feel about malaria pills, arrange my phonebill to be taken over, drop off a letter to Employment, drop off a health claim letter, figure out how we're getting from Bangkok to Phuket.... not to mention packing my life into one backpack... and trying to see everyone before I go.
ugh ugh ugh working out all my bills- moving away is hard work.
it'll be SO worth it though.
I watched a show last night that Rishard flicked on and it was this chick who moved to Thailand. She was a complainer and wouldn't shut up about the heat and bugs, but I STILL got excited. she was living in a hut sleeping under a bug net just like we want to do. she was working wtih Elephants too which.... we might do instead of teaching english. or maybe we'll do both? who knows .
Off to play some more baseball for now. wish us luck, even though Hurricane Hannah is supposed to hit us this weekend !!!!!!
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Paperwork and Phonecall day
So basically Reffa and I have been just relaxing with our families and friends. We've been paddling, drinking, eating, sleeping in, basically living the life.It's now September and we can't believe there are only 20 days left!!! Sometimes it feels real and we know what we're talking about and other times we get nervous and feel like we're not sure what we're doing. ahhh!!
Today we came to Reffa's house. There is no internet or phone service out at the cottage, and we wanted to spend some time with her family so we came here for a few days. We got tonnes done today. We called Francie (the smartest person who knows everything about Thailand and is taking care of us from Calgary) and asked some questions. we called Preventous to inquire about Malaria and get some receipts . Me being the scatter brain I am lately I keep losing everything so I had to get those reciepts again to submit to health care... at this point we're scrounging every penny we can. We even just applied for Employment Insurence.... lame I know but money is money and we are running low being jobless and paying for photos, visas, medications, plus living expenses ! I can't wait to get to Thailand where everything is cheaper!!!! So we've been on the phone the past few hours doing organizing etc. I think we've got it under control.
I am going to play baseball today since (for once) it's not raining and then we are going to go with my friend Richard to see The Dark Knight (again), speaking of having no money............
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