It's been 12 years but things are just as I remember...busy, crowded, and everything in Japanese. I was 16 the first time I was here, my first real trip far away from home, doubly important because I was without my parents for the first time. I can't believe it's been that long already!
Just waiting to board my flight to Bangkok. I just got off a 12 hr flight, only to board a 7 hr flight apart right away. I can't even begin to count how many hours I've been awake now!
**************
Location: Narita airport, Tokyo Japan
Listening to: boarding announcements
Missing: Food. I skipped dinner because I was too cheap to convert to yen. Hoping the food on this flight is better than the last!
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Hot, Humid and Dark Outside
I made it!
The biggest hurdle on the trip was getting here, and that's over with!
I arrived in Bangkok at around midnight local time. After a long wait at passport control, I picked up my bag and was on my way. This is where things hit a slight bump, my pre-arranged airport shuttle didn't show. A very nice porter lady actually called my hotel to see what was up, then set me up with a cab instead. I did break the first rule of foreign taxi's (never take an un-metered car) but knew enough to barter and set the price before we started moving. It ended up being 900 baht, a little under $30, which seed fair considering I was headed for downtown.
So now I'm lying in my room, a nice (though rather hard) king bed, reveling in the air conditioning I just figured out how to use.
It's almost 2am local time now, no idea what time it is back home, and I'm debating a trip downstairs to the connected 7-11 to find something for...whatever meal you want to call this? Following that I think I'll see what Bangkok tv has to offer!
**********
Current location: Bangkok, Thailand
Listening to: car horns and the air conditioner humming
Missing: Daylight. I can't wait to go explore the area!
*************
The biggest hurdle on the trip was getting here, and that's over with!
I arrived in Bangkok at around midnight local time. After a long wait at passport control, I picked up my bag and was on my way. This is where things hit a slight bump, my pre-arranged airport shuttle didn't show. A very nice porter lady actually called my hotel to see what was up, then set me up with a cab instead. I did break the first rule of foreign taxi's (never take an un-metered car) but knew enough to barter and set the price before we started moving. It ended up being 900 baht, a little under $30, which seed fair considering I was headed for downtown.
So now I'm lying in my room, a nice (though rather hard) king bed, reveling in the air conditioning I just figured out how to use.
It's almost 2am local time now, no idea what time it is back home, and I'm debating a trip downstairs to the connected 7-11 to find something for...whatever meal you want to call this? Following that I think I'll see what Bangkok tv has to offer!
**********
Current location: Bangkok, Thailand
Listening to: car horns and the air conditioner humming
Missing: Daylight. I can't wait to go explore the area!
*************
Sunday, January 29, 2012
Yes I'm alive!
A post for mom and dad. I'm alive, made it to LA just fine. I'm enjoying my dinner stretched out on a king bed (er, it's 1030 at night. Don't judge me!) then turning in for a little reading. tomorrow's going to be a long day! Night everyone!
Finally on the road!
After running like mad all day, this is the first moment I've had to sit and just relax. Tonight I fly to LA, stay overnight...then tomorrow comes the real travel. First a 12 hr flight from LA to Tokyo, then another 7 hrs to Bangkok. I arrive 1130pm Bangkok time. (not sure what that'll be here. I'm scared to even guess how many hours I'll have been awake for!) Fingers crossed everything goes as planned!
Thursday, January 26, 2012
Wednesday, January 25, 2012
Time to get this thing started!
Hello everyone!
Well, it's finally up, this is the blog I'll be running while I'm away. I'm sure most of you are sick to death of hearing about the trip already, but for those that don't really know what's going on, I'll cover the basics.
It's a 6-ish week trip planned to S/E Asia. It's on my list of things I must do ever since I got back from backpacking Europe, 7 years ago. Things finally fell in place this year. I have enough holiday time from work, I have the means and lack of commitments...it's the right time to go!
I fly to Bangkok, in a few days via L.A. and Tokyo. (Back to Narita again!) I have 4 days on my own to explore Bangkok (If anyone has any tips on what to do in Bangkok, let me know!) On the 4th, I join up with a G-Adventures tour, whom I stay with for just under a month. Touring Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, the tour emphasizes adventure with daily chances for hiking, biking kayaking. (and even the occasional elephant ride!) Check it out at http://www.gadventures.com/trips/indochina-encompassed/ATIE/2012/itinerary/ if you're curious. With lots of excursions and exploration time, it should be a good tour!
At the end of the month I make a 4 hr flight south to the Indonesian island of Bali, where I stay in a little fishing village on the coast for 7 days at a diving resort. Fingers crossed I get my PADI open water diving certification, and have a lovely time exploring, before I travel inland for 3 days to a 5 star spa resort to relax. After 3 days of massages and exploring the nearby arts and culture town of Ubud, I head back North to start my long trip home!
If my cellphone company is correct, I should have internet (email, blog, facebook) access, so hopefully I can keep this updated without it costing me a ton!
Oh, PS. I found out from the last trip, I love comments and emails from back home, so don't be strangers!
*******************
Currently in: Calgary
Best thing about today: It's my final day of work!
Listening to: The dog snoring. I'm going to miss that
Where to next: The kitchen to make some lunch
*******************
Well, it's finally up, this is the blog I'll be running while I'm away. I'm sure most of you are sick to death of hearing about the trip already, but for those that don't really know what's going on, I'll cover the basics.
It's a 6-ish week trip planned to S/E Asia. It's on my list of things I must do ever since I got back from backpacking Europe, 7 years ago. Things finally fell in place this year. I have enough holiday time from work, I have the means and lack of commitments...it's the right time to go!
I fly to Bangkok, in a few days via L.A. and Tokyo. (Back to Narita again!) I have 4 days on my own to explore Bangkok (If anyone has any tips on what to do in Bangkok, let me know!) On the 4th, I join up with a G-Adventures tour, whom I stay with for just under a month. Touring Thailand, Laos, Vietnam and Cambodia, the tour emphasizes adventure with daily chances for hiking, biking kayaking. (and even the occasional elephant ride!) Check it out at http://www.gadventures.com/trips/indochina-encompassed/ATIE/2012/itinerary/ if you're curious. With lots of excursions and exploration time, it should be a good tour!
At the end of the month I make a 4 hr flight south to the Indonesian island of Bali, where I stay in a little fishing village on the coast for 7 days at a diving resort. Fingers crossed I get my PADI open water diving certification, and have a lovely time exploring, before I travel inland for 3 days to a 5 star spa resort to relax. After 3 days of massages and exploring the nearby arts and culture town of Ubud, I head back North to start my long trip home!
If my cellphone company is correct, I should have internet (email, blog, facebook) access, so hopefully I can keep this updated without it costing me a ton!
Oh, PS. I found out from the last trip, I love comments and emails from back home, so don't be strangers!
*******************
Currently in: Calgary
Best thing about today: It's my final day of work!
Listening to: The dog snoring. I'm going to miss that
Where to next: The kitchen to make some lunch
*******************
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