-->
South Thailand & Cambodia - Journal no. 25
1st to the 31st March 2012
Overnight bus south to Chumphon
Well everything went to plan despite neglecting to agree where Alois and I would meet, a minor detail.
You may recollect I bumped into Alois a tall lanky German guy whilst travelling on the local bus from Don Khong to Pakse, in Laos. I’d agreed to organise a train ticket for the both of us, travelling from Bangkok to Chumphon and then boat to Koh Tao, he would arrive a day later on the 1st March. As it happened we had to resort to plan B and take the overnight bus instead, the train was full the result of interest in the notorious full moon party on the nearby island of Koh Pen Nang, departing coincidentally from the same Bangkok station of Hua Lamphong.
Standing on the station platform eyes peeled, I realised despite sitting and talking for several hours with Alois in Laos, having had lunch and diner together in Pakse I wasn’t entirely sure that I would recognise him. How often to we give people a mere cursory glance.
Fortunately he had the good sense to e-mail me literately moments after I logged on so problem solved, we’d arrange to meet by the stations Information Desk.
The VIP bus in its gaudy livery comprised two floors of reclining seats, tourists upstairs Alois, five lively Indians from Mumbai and I downstairs.
For most of the trip the five guys on a regular hedonistic trip to the Thailand islands, plied us with local whisky, Indian food prepared by their respective wives and local medicinal remedies. Chewing tobacco, crushed with cinnamon, lime leaves and the like.
 |
| Coach buddies on the long trip to Chumphon |
You chew the concoction for several minutes and then spit it out. It provokes a feeling of relaxation, light headiness and invokes sleep, supposedly.
We arrived at the port about 3.10am, with the ferry scheduled to depart for the island at around 7.30am.
The island of Koh Tao
Koh Tao is small, dramatic, veld in a thick coating of green with large ‘house sized’ granite boulders poking through. White sandy beaches mark the small isolated cove resorts and where crystal clear waters teaming with tropical fish lap the shoreline.
The main town of Mae Haad is lively, packed with tourists and locals milling around. Small low-rise buildings, line tightly packed lanes, filled with dive shops, restaurants, lodgings and all the trappings associated with a busy tourist destination.
Its not until you move north to Sairee Beach in sight of Koh Nangyuan, one of the most photographed beaches in Thailand, that you come across an appreciable sandy shore. The development is a little bit more disjointed and untidy here in places with others more in keeping with a Thai tourist destination.
 |
| Sariree Beach |
A narrow cobbled road seems the only means of access and where beach bars, cafes and restaurants dominate the primary sea front slot with accommodation behind.
As you disembark the ferry you’re thrown into the melee of tourist touts offering to drive you for free to a particular remote resort, but not back I would hasten to add something you find out later.
Oddly enough Alois and I had all but decided to leave the island that day, I think we thought it might be crass, noisy and expensive, until one of the touts offered accommodation for 600Baht a night at Tante Bay, wherever that was. A quick flash of a single pamphlet long enough to entice short enough to avoid difficult searching questions, an indirect and practiced route march to a vehicle and before you know you’re in the back with a bunch of other suckers!
 |
| Tante Bay on the island Koh Tao and the five secluded resorts |
 |
| Tante Bay and 'Diamond Resort' |
 |
| Tante Bay and the beautiful sandy beach |
The short 7-kilometre drive in the back of a 4 x 4 Toyota Hilux with padded bench seating has to be the most dramatic yet. I thought the road at the top end of the island of Koh Chang was steep, closed if you remember when it rains, but it pales in comparison with this.
The first section comprises a sharp climb out of the main town, along a narrow concrete road built circa 1930’s and peaking at about 500m literally; looking back you can see Shark Point, the islands of Koh Pen Nang and Samui spread across the horizon. The road at this point degenerates into an incredibly steep, rain washed, rutted and broken track and where the truck driver gingerly picked his way down the hillside.
The vista as you descend is spectacular with views of the sea, the island to the north and south and of isolated coves peeking through the tightly packed verdant covering.
Alois settled on the adjoining resort, mainly for the ‘diving deal’, whilst I, tired of the hard sell, shallow promises and 'verbal diarrhoea', opted for a modern hillside bungalow next door, namely ‘Diamond Resort’. For me it represented better value, the staff were friendly, the accommodation larger, it was cheaper, cleaner, quieter, with the 21 units set in secluded natural grounds and with an open beachfront restaurant.
 |
| Harbour town of Mae Haad on Koh Tao, Thailand |
 |
| Boat from Mae Haad, Koh Tao to Koh Samui |
So good in fact I decided to stay 7 nights, showing absolutely no real desire to dive or explore the island. I guess I’m reaching a point where I’ve seen and done all that I want to.
Moving onto Koh Samui
It’s the 9th March, my daughter Katherine arrives on the 17th, I’ve decided to move on to Koh Samui, wait eight days there before flying directly to Bangkok from the island, staying by the beach in the town of Lamai.
Interestingly enough the trip from Koh Samui was probably one of the most dangerous yet. You kind of island hop, the boat sails from where we were to Koh Pen Nang, where you change boats for the final leg to Samui.
There's room for about 120 people seated in the inside cabin, with the equivalent luggage space on deck. We were well over loaded, however, with at least double that number along with a mountain of accompanying baggage.
Moving out of Koh Pen Nang into the waves the boat keeled over sharply to the right, top heavy with the excess load, almost moving beyond the point of return.
Apparently, at this time of year it is common place, all of the many people returning from the 'Moon Party' making there way back to Bangkok, Phuket or one of the other islands .
Anyway, we arrived safely on Samui thank God.
Eight days in the town of Lamai
The town of Lamai is not a bad place to chill out with its excellent sandy beach, many shops, restaurants and bars. It can get a little irksome of an evening but hey-ho there’s no need to go out, unless you want a drink, late super or to watch the Maui Thai boxing matches held in the centre of town.
Boutique airport of Samui
The airport is exactly as the heading suggests a boutique airport run by Bangkok Airlines.
The check-in building is fairly unassuming and utilitarian, its then a 200 meter walk along a wide pedestrian road, lined with flower, tree and shrub borders with stylish single storey shops, restaurants, cafes and the like either side.
Wandering along it reminded me of the Patrick McGoohan series 'The Prisoner' and the village shopping area, filmed on location in Portmeirion, Wales.
The departure lounge/s comprise eight huge elegant, cone shaped wooden buildings, traditional in construction with bamboo, rattan and padded furnishings where single motorised carriages, similar to those used in Disney World or along Bournemouth beach ferry, transport you to the plane.
Katherine arrives in Bangkok
Katherine, my daughter, arrived as scheduled at Suvarnabhumi airport, with lots to tell after more than a year apart.
 |
| Modern and large Bangkok International Airport |
The name Suvarnabhumi, pronounced “su-wan-na-poom”, was chosen by HM King Bhumibol Adulyadej, which means "The Golden Land", specifically referring to the continent of Indochina. "Golden Peninsula" or "Golden Land" is a traditional name for the Thailand-Cambodia-Laos-Burma region.
The airport is located in Racha Thewa in the Bang Phli district of Samut Prakan province 30 kilometres east of Bangkok.
Originally planned to cater for 45 million people passing through the terminal the numbers are already running at well over 53 million a year.
The plan was to stay overnight in Bangkok, transfer back to the airport the following morning and fly onto Phnom Penh, Cambodia.
Short history and facts about Cambodia
Officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia the country is located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula of Southeast Asia. With a total landmass of 181,035 square kilometres (69,898 sq. miles), it is bordered by Thailand to the northwest, Laos to the northeast, Vietnam to the east, and the Gulf of Thailand to the southwest.
 |
| Cambodian National Flag |
It has a population of over 14.8 million and is the 69th most populous country in the world. The official religion is Theravada Buddhism practiced by around 95% of the Cambodian population.
The country’s minority groups include Vietnamese, Chinese, Chams and 30 various hill tribes. The capital and largest city is Phnom Penh the political, economic, and cultural centre of Cambodia.
The kingdom is a Constitutional Monarchy with Norodom Sihamoni the monarch chosen by the Royal Throne Council, as head of state. The head of government is Hun Sen, who is currently the longest serving leader in South East Asia having ruled for over 25 years.
In 802 AD Javavarman II declared himself King marking the beginning of the Khmer Empire. The Khmer Kings would flourish and dominate the region for the next 600 years.
As a result of successive wars in the region in the 1400’s, leading to a virtual collapse of the country, Cambodia was ruled as a vassal between its neighbours, until the French colonised it in the mid-19th century, gaining independence in 1953.
The Vietnam War (1963-1974) extended into Cambodia, giving rise to the Khmer Rouge, which took Phnom Penh in 1975. Cambodia re-emerged several years later within a socialistic sphere of influence as the Peoples Republic of Kampuchea until 1993. After years of isolation, the war-ravaged nation was reunited under the monarchy in 1993.
Rebuilding from decades of civil war, Cambodia has seen rapid progress in the economic and human resource areas. The country has had one of the best economic records in Asia, with economic growth on an average 6.0% over the last 10 years.
Strong textiles, agriculture, construction, garments, and tourism sectors led to foreign investment and international trade. In 2005, oil and natural gas deposits were found beneath Cambodia's territorial waters, and once commercial extraction begins in 2013, the oil revenues could profoundly affect Cambodia's economy. H
The majority of Cambodians are not beneficiaries of economic growth because wealth is spread very unevenly, as a result of the prevalence of massive government corruption.
According to Transparency International Cambodia is the third most corrupt nation in Asia, ahead of only North Korea and Myanmar.
French colonial city of Phnom Penh
Phnom Penh the capital and largest city is located on the banks of the Mekong River and has been the national capital since the French Colonised the country in 1853.
Once known as the “Pearl of Asia”, back in the 1920’s, it was considered one of the loveliest French-built cities in Indochina. Founded originally in 1434, the city is noted for its beautiful historical architecture and attractions.
Surviving French colonial buildings are scattered along the grand boulevards.
Situated on the banks of the Tonle Sap, Mekong and Bassac rivers, the Phnom Penh metropolitan area is home to more than 2 million of Cambodia’s population of over 14 million. The city is the wealthiest and most populous city in Cambodia and is home to the country’s political hub.
Arriving in Cambodia
The central airport is a fairly unassuming building for a capital city, although the process of getting through customs straightforward and efficient. Two queues, one to submit two of the forms, immigration and visa, on arrival the other to pay the $20 admin fee, it’s then a process of passing through passport control submitting the finally document, collect the luggage and off we go.
Kat and I opted to take a motorised tricycle the 6 kilometres to the city centre and bus station. We needed to catch a bus to take us 185 kilometres Southwest to the port and coastal city of Sihaunoukville.
Making our way into the city with its contrast of elegant French colonial buildings, modern high-rise units, wide tree lined avenues and dark, featureless older commercial and residential properties one can’t but help like the place. Both Katherine and I arrived at the same conclusion, a city worth re-visiting at some point in the near future. The people here are so friendly, even more so than in Thailand.
After driving around for some time the realisation set in that we had missed the last 5.00pm bus to the coast, oddly enough passing it as we exited the airport. That only became apparent at some point later on. Anyway after weighing up the options we arranged to hire a taxi to take us all the way to Sihaunouk Ville, the cost $55.
 |
| View from the hotel in the town of Sihaunouk Ville |
We arrived at the pre-booked hotel, about 9.00pm, for a one-night stay with the intention of exploring the area and finding something either along Serendipity, Ochheuteal or Otres Beaches, Kat was after a suntan.
Coastal town of Sihaunouk Ville
The following morning we set out by tricycle to Ochheuteal and Serendipity Beach to have a look round.
 |
| Cambodian version of the Asian tricycle |
It comprises a long narrow sandy beach lined with Casuarina trees, grass umbrellas, rental chairs, bars, restaurants, nightclubs, guesthouses and hotels. The beach is dirty, littered with the debris from the night before, sewage clearly seeps out from the gullies flowing into the sea and by all accounts noisy of an evening so we decided to move on.
 |
| The town of Sihaunouk Ville around Serendipity Beach |
Otres Beach is about another 3 kilometres south of Ochheuteal just past a small headland.
Rubbish & Redevelopment
Cambodia’s attitude to development and rubbish collection is similar to Africa’s, with rubbish leave it where it lies and with construction anything goes and time isn’t an issue, when its finished its finished. Certainly the walk down onto Otres beach was interesting to say the least.
Otres Beach
As you walk along the very wide dirt track you find a selection of traditionally built dormitories with the restaurant under or small round houses, big enough for a double bed, invariable built out of wood, bamboo, straw or reed. All of the structures seem to be temporary. On the opposing side of the track boundary walls built some years back with an intention of building something at some point, debris and vast amounts of rubbish.
 |
| Beach side at the 'Moorea Beach Resort' |
 |
| Kat wandering past the simple beach house's at 'Moorea Resort' |
We final settled on two places, ‘Moorea’ and ‘Mushroom’ resorts see the pictures, for two nights in each.
 |
| The superb 'Mushroom Resort' lodges |
 |
| Kat's 'Mushroom Resort' lodge on the beach front |
 |
| All smiles relaxing on Otres beach |
 |
| The main man at the 'Mushroom Beach Resort' |
Kat managed to get the sun that she was looking for although a little too much on the 1st afternoon.
Nonetheless we had a great time meeting some fab people, one day taking a trip into the bay, in particular the beautiful Bamboo Island.
 |
| Brad, Johnny & Kat lounging in one of the island bars |
 |
| Boat trip to islands in and around Otres Bay |
 |
| The lovely remote beach on Bamboo Island |
A point of note, despite claims to the contrary diving is not all that good here, visibility can invariably be poor, local people dump rubbish at sea indiscriminately and the practice of dynamiting the reef to catch fish still goes on.
After 4 great days lounging on the beach Kat and I decided to catch the day bus, initially to Phnom Penh and then to Siam Reap, home of Angkor Wat.
All of fourteen hours by local bus at times along difficulty and dusty roads.
Siem Reap and Angkor Wat
Siem Reap is the capital city of Siem Reap Province in northwestern Cambodia and the gateway to Angkor region.
Siem Reap has colonial and Chinese-style architecture in the Old French Quarter and around the Old Market.
The name ‘Siem Reap’ refers to 'Flat Defeat of Siam' — today’s Thailand — and the centuries old conflict between the Siamese and Khmer peoples.
 |
| Angkor Wat, one of the main reasons to visit Siam Reap |
Cambodian history purports that the Thai army attacked because King Ang Chan (Cambodian king) refused to give King Maha Chakrapat (Thailand and Siamese king) a white elephant when asked for one deemed an insult.
King Maha Chakrapat charged Prince Ong, the Governor of Sawankaloke and the King of Thailand’s son, to lead an expedition against Cambodia.
King Ang Chan attacked first and shot Prince Ong dead routing the Thai army and capturing no less than 10,000 troops.
It was because of this victory over that King Ang Chan baptised the battle area as “Siem Reap” meaning “the flat defeat of Siam”.
Angkor Wat, World UNESCO heritage site
Angkor Wat lies 5.5 kilometres (3.4 mi) north of the modern town of Siem Reap, and a short distance southeast of the historic capital of Baphuon.
The initial design and construction took place in the first half of the 12th century, during the reign of Suryavarman II, ruled 1113 – c. 1150.
 |
| The massive moat surrounding Angkor Wat |
 |
| Perfect example of how the Sandstone comes to life in the sunlight |
Dedicated to Vishnu, it was built as the king's state temple and capital city. As neither the foundation stela nor any contemporary inscriptions referring to the temple have been found, its original name is unknown, but it may have been known as Vrah Vishnu-lok (literally "Holy Vishnu'-Location'", Old Khmer' Cl. Sanskrit), after the presiding deity.
Work seems to have ended shortly after the king's death, leaving some of the bas-relief decoration unfinished.
In 1177, approximately 27 years after the death of Suryavarman II, the Chams, the traditional enemies of the Khmer, sacked Angkor.
 |
| The towers represent the peaks of Mount Meru, home of the Gods |
The empire was subsequently restored by King, Javavarman VII, who established a new capital and state temple a few kilometres north of Angkor Wat, namely Angkor Thom and Bayon.
In the late 13th century, Angkor Wat gradually moved from Hindu to Theravada Buddhist use, which continues to the present day. Angkor Wat is unusual among the Angkor temples in that although it was somewhat neglected after the 16th century it was never completely abandoned, its preservation being due in part to the fact that its moat also provided some protection from encroachment by the jungle.
 |
| Four of the five pinnacles of 'Mount Meru' |
 |
| View from the East of Angkor Wat |
Angkor Wat, located at 13024’45”N 103052’0”E, is a unique combination of the ‘Temple Mountain’, the standard design for the empire's state temples, the later plan of concentric ‘Galleries’, and influences from ‘Oriss’ and the ‘Chola’ of ‘Tamil Nadu’, India.
The temple is a representation of ‘Mount Meru’, the home of the gods: the central quincunx of towers symbolises the five peaks of the mountain, the walls and moats the surrounding mountain ranges and ocean.
 |
| Tower representing 'Mount Meru' |
 |
| View from the Upper area of the West Portico |
Access to the upper areas of the temple was progressively more exclusive, with the laity being admitted only to the lowest level.
Unlike most Khmer temples, Angkor Wat is oriented to the west rather than the east. This has led many to conclude that Suryavarman intended it to serve as his funerary temple.
 |
| Kat standing by the entrance to the Inner Courtyard |
 |
| One of the minor temples within the Outer Courtyard |
 |
| The inner courtyard with access to the elevated area to the left |
Further evidence for this view is provided by the bas-reliefs, which proceed in a counter-clockwise direction—prasavya in Hindu terminology—as this is the reverse of the normal order.
Angkor Wat is the prime example of the classical style of Khmer architecture—the Angkor Wat style—to which it has given its name. By the 12th century Khmer architects had become skilled and confident in the use of sandstone (rather than brick or laterite) as the main building material. Most of the visible areas are of sandstone blocks, while laterite was used for the outer wall and for hidden structural parts. The binding agent used to join the blocks is yet to be identified, although natural resins or slaked lime have been suggested.
Angkor Wat has drawn praise above all for the harmony of its design, which has been compared to the architecture of ancient Greece and Rome. The temple attains a classic perfection by the restrained monumentality of its finely balanced elements and the precise arrangement of its proportions. It is a work of power, unity and style.
Architecturally, the elements characteristic of the style include: the ogival, re-dented towers shaped like lotus buds; half- galleries to broaden passageways; axial galleries connecting enclosures; and the cruciform terraces which appear along the main axis of the temple.
The outer wall is 1024m by 802m and 4.5m high surrounded by a 30m apron of open ground with a moat 190m wide.
 |
| Ornate carving to the moat side wall |
 |
| Perfect way to get around the vast grounds |
 |
| Mythical beings guard the causeway crossing |
 |
| Sandstone causeway leading to the West Portico |
Access to the temple is by an earth bank to the east and a sandstone causeway to the west; the latter, the main entrance, is a later addition, possibly replacing a wooden bridge. There are Gopuras at each of the cardinal points; the western is by far the largest and has three ruined towers. Under the southern tower is a statue of Vishnu, known as Ta Reach, which may originally have occupied the temple's central shrine. Galleries run between the towers and as far as two further entrances on either side of the Gopura often referred to as "elephant gates", as they are large enough to admit those animals.
 |
| Inner courtyard to Angkor Wat |
The galleries have square pillars on the outer (west) side and a closed wall on the inner (east) side. The ceiling between the pillars is decorated with lotus rosettes; the west face of the wall with dancing figures; and the east face of the wall with balustered windows, dancing male figures on prancing animals, and devatas, including (south of the entrance) the only one in the temple to be showing her teeth.
 |
| People gathered for the sun rise over 'Mount Meru' |
 |
| Many tourists gathered in the grounds |
 |
| Walkway leading to Angkor Wat |
 |
| Looking back at the West Portico entrance |
The outer wall encloses a space of 820,000 square meters (203 acres), which besides the temple proper was originally occupied by the city and, to the north of the temple, the royal palace. Like all secular buildings of Angkor, these were built of perishable materials rather than of stone, so nothing remains of them except the outlines of some of the streets. Most of the area is now covered by forest.
 |
| Naga God of water in the foreground set against the West Portico |
A 350m causeway connects the western Gopura to the temple proper, with Naga balustrades and six sets of steps leading down to the city on either side. Each side also features a library with entrances at each cardinal point, in front of the third set of stairs from the entrance, and a pond between the library and the temple itself. The ponds are later additions to the design, as is the cruciform terrace guarded by lions connecting the causeway to the central structure.
Angkor Thom &
The Bayon
Angkor Thom (Khmer; literally:
"Great City") was the last and most enduring capital city of the
Khmer Empire. Established in the late twelfth
century by king Jayavarman VII, it covers an area of 9 km², within which
are located several monuments from earlier periods as well as those established
by Jayavarman and his successors.
 |
| Photo's above of Bayon temple, Angkor Thom |
At the center of the city is the
state temple of The Bayon, with the other major sites clustered around the
Victory Square immediately to the north.
Angkor Thom is not the first Khmer
capital on the site, Yasodharapura dating back three centuries earlier was.
The most notable earlier temples
within the city are the former state temple of Baphuon, and Phimeanakas, which
was incorporated into the Royal Palace. The Khmers did not draw any clear
distinctions between Angkor Thom and Yashodharapura: even in the fourteenth
century an inscription used the earlier name.
 |
| Pictures above of Baphuon temple |
Angkor Thom lies on the right bank of the Siem
Reap River along a tributary Tonle Sap about a quarter of a mile from the
river. The south gate of Angkor Thom is 7.2 km north of Siem Reap, and
1.7 km north of the entrance to Angkor Wat.
The walls 8m high and flanked by a
moat are each 3 km long,
of
laterite buttressed by earth, with a parapet on the top.
There are gates at each of the
cardinal points, from which roads lead to the Bayon at the centre of the city.
 |
| Devas and Asuras lining the causeway |
 |
| Row of Asuras seemingly in a tug-of-war |
 |
| 23 meter high South Entrance to Angkor Thom |
The faces on the 23m towers at the
city gates are later additions to the main structure modeled on those of the
Bayon.
 |
| East Gate or Victory Gate |
A causeway spans the moat in front
of each tower: these have a row of Devas on the left and Asuras on the right,
each row holding a Naga in the attitude of a tug-of-war. This appears to be a
reference to the myth, popular in Angkor, of the Churning of the Sea of Milk.
The temple-mountain of the Bayon, or perhaps the gate itself, would then be the
pivot around which the churning takes place.
 |
| Stop for lunch and shelter from the Rain - Kat |
The Nagas may also represent the
transition from the world of men to the world of the gods (the Bayon), or be
guardian figures.
Ta Prohm or the "Tomb Raider" temple
The temple of Ta Prohm was used as a location in the film Tomb Raider. Although the film took visual liberties with other Angkorian temples, its scenes of Ta Prohm were quite faithful to the temple's actual appearance making full use of its eerie quality.
 |
| Trip round the temple, day one in the rain |
After the fall of the Khmer Empire in the 15th century, the temple was abandoned and neglected for centuries. When the effort to conserve and restore the temples of Angkor began in the early 20th century, it was decided that Ta Prohm would be left largely as it had been found, as a "concession to the general taste for the picturesque."
 |
| Day two, tour round the impressive Ta Prohm |
It was considered as"one of the most imposing temples and the one that had best merged with the jungle, but not yet to the point of becoming a part of it". Nevertheless, much work has been done to stabilize the ruins, to permit access, and to maintain "the condition of apparent neglect.
 |
| More photo's above of Ta Prohm |
The trees growing out of the ruins are perhaps the most distinctive feature. Two species predominate, but sources disagree on their identification: the larger is either the silk-cotton tree and the smaller is either the strangler fig or Gold Apple. On every side, in fantastic over-scale, the trunks of the silk-cotton trees soar skywards under a shadowy green canopy, their long spreading skirts trailing the ground and their endless roots coiling more like reptiles than plants.
Moving back across the border
After spending two superb days touring round the remarkable ruins of Angkor Thom and Wat, both by bicycle and tricycle Kat and I decided to head by bus to the Thai border and Bangkok the following morning the 26th March.
 |
| Work going on around the unfinshed temple of Ta Keo |
 |
| Unfinished temple of Ta Keo, north of Angkor Wat |
 |
| The unfinished temple of Ta Keo |
The journey back, Cambodia to Bangkok, was fairly straight forward despite the many posted web entries to the contrary.
Large bus from Cambodia, on time and with sufficient seating, takes you to the border crossing, its then a walk to the passport office, queue and wait (about 25 minutes) for a stamp. Cross non-mans land to the Thai passport and immigration area for a 15-day free entry visa (slow, taking about an hour).
You walk out the building where you're met and allocated an open van that takes you to your tour operators shop or office, allocated a mini bus (about another 45 minute wait), invariable overloaded, 14 to 15 people plus luggage, for the 4 hour trip into the center of Bangkok
Touring Bangkok & the Floating Market
The first full day was pretty much the same route that I followed previously, 'Golden Mount', the 'Grand Palace' and China Town. The second day, however, was to Damnoen Saduak and the 'Floating Market', something that I had planned to do on several occasions previous.
-->
 |
| Kat and I on our way to Damnoen Saduk |
It was the Roger Moore, Bond film that prompted my initial interest and despite it's small size, one main narrow waterway, its still worth doing.
Totally chaotic,
small 'klongs' or canals are filled with small flat boats jockeying for
position, expertly paddled by mature ladies ready to stop and bargain
at a moment's notice. It's colourful, noisy, totally touristy and great
fun.
Epilogue
Well
aptly this is the 25th journal written since starting out on life’s
adventure back in July 2009 and it will probably be my last.
It
is my intention to re-write all of the preceding journals in the new blog
format, for those interested, and eventually have them published as a book, for
private interest only.
If
things move in the direction that I intend I shall be leaving some of you
behind and moving on to a different way of life in the Philippines. I shall be returning on the 21st June for a period, a year possible more, to sort my affairs out before moving on.
For
me now it’s about living life to the full and experiencing all that it has to
offer in whatever guise it comes, without prejudice or by determination of how
we see or as I once saw the world.
Life
is about happiness and a feeling of being complete, my aspirations now are
basic and very simple and that’s all that really matters. Everything else is
unimportant they’re just trappings used to convey a message of how we see
ourselves and how we like others to see us. Often falling short because we’re
not entirely convinced that the end product is ours.
To all I thank you for your interest I trust that you
have enjoyed reading as much as I’ve enjoyed the doing and writing about it. God
bless you all.
