Thai Dye
Well, I’ve somehow managed to fend off the touts, traffic, heat, dirt, bugs, noise and Dave’s countless advances, and here I am. All I can say is South East Asia is a trip! It’s turned my world upside down and I hope I’m not coming down anytime soon. (Better hit the washroom now, this is going to be a lengthy entry.)
Following our short sojourn to beautiful Laos Dave and I boarded a quick flight back to Bangkok, where it all began. We felt like real travel vets and spotting rookies in the hub of South East Asian travel was like shooting fish in a barrel. Upon arrival we made our way to Khao San Road for a joyous reunion with our original travel mates Derek and Ben. We got many a puzzled stare for our slightly over the top celebrations from passers-bye but we were too excited to care. We set up base camp and headed out for some much needed pad thai and a raucous start to our soiree. The ubiquitous 7-11 (seriously there are about three every block in Bangkok) provided us with the necessary supplies to concoct a specialty of the region, ‘buckets’. This involves voluminous amounts of hard alcohol and mixer consumed from – you guessed it – buckets. Unfortunately Dave was the first victim claimed that night and we were sadly forced to drop the dead weight and head out. I won’t go into details about the evening that followed (mainly because my memory is rather cloudy) but suffice it to say it was a sweet night with the boys. Despite the random frisking by over-zealous cops who stole my (second) pad thai I had a terrific time.
The next night we met up with some friends Dave and I made along the way in Vietnam and hit the town again (this time with Lotimer’s much appreciated company) for another evening for the books. The following day I had to bid adieu to Derek, which was surprisingly hard. As he embarks on his quest through med school and I head out west, I won’t be seeing Rock as often as back in Kingston (where he was my neighbor) but I’m not worried about staying close friends, and Bangkok-esque reunions are just a short flight away.
Thanks for the great times Baba Ganouj, I love you (ya you big guy).
That evening Ben and Dave took the overnight bus north to Chang Mai leaving me to head south to Ko Samet for a brief last taste of the beach. I traveled with a friend to the tiny island which had surprisingly beautiful beaches despite being heavily touristed. It was a shame that Dave and I didn’t have a chance (due to a rescheduling of our flights back to India) to head further south to the legendary islands and beaches of peninsular Thailand, but at least I now have a big reason to come back some day. Though rainy, Ko Samet was lots of fun. When I got back to Bangkok I had no idea what was in store for me. I crashed with my buddy Sank, who had booked the penthouse (the aptly named “Emperor Suite”) of the best hotel in Bangkok for eleven days. He showed me how to live the high life and then some, wining and dining in grand style at the city’s finest establishments. Those two days were quite the contrast to the dismal confines of some of the hostels I’ve graced along my route, for which I offer my sincere thanks to Mr. Patel. I met up with Dave and Ben once they arrived from Chang Mai on Thursday morning, with all three of us heading back to India the next day. We swapped stories about the past few days, and I was jealous of their awesome time, though it was very different from mine. We spent our final day in South East Asia going on a shopping spree and enjoying some of our favorite local treats. It occurred to me that I’ve spent some 11 days in Thailand but seen only two places, which is good and bad. On the plus side I’ve got to know Bangkok quite well, but unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to see more of this stunning land. I relish the idea of remedying that situation at the first possible opportunity, and look back at the places I did see with fond memories.
I currently find myself in Delhi, India, catching up with my extended family and spending time with my grandparents before I head back to Canada for ‘real life’ on the 15th of August. I’m also enjoying my last few days with Dave who will depart for North India shortly. We visited the Taj Mahal today, I would refer you to the famous quote by the author Tagore as these are surely the only words that can do the magnificent monument justice (http://www.tajmahalagra.com/story-of-taj-mahal-agra.html). This time is also providing me with a great chance to reflect on the trip, here are some thoughts I’ve manage to collect thus far:
I really feel the extent to which a person enjoys backpacking has a lot to do with the people they encounter along the way. In this respect (along with pretty much everything else on the trip) Dave and I have been very fortunate. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve met some real weirdoes. But for the most part no matter where they’re from or what age they are our fellow travelers have been great. Those I got a chance to get to know have taught me a lot. To all the people I met along the way, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for adding to my experience and being great fun. A special mention to my lovely fellow-Montrealer, Esther; merci pour tous, t’es une personne vraiment inspirante.
And the main cast in order of appearance: Katie, Alice, Jhimmy and Anders, the Aussies (group 1), Imran, Diana, the Aussies (group 2…Kat, Minh, Glen, you lot are bloody brilliant!), Romain, Arnault, Hanna and Johanna, Heather, Sank (aka dad) and the one and only Kato Kailin. All the best and I hope to run into you again soon, if you ever find yourself in beautiful Canada you have a place to stay.
To Thailand – specifically Bangkok – you annoyed the hell out of me but somehow I love you for it. To Cambodia, you are truly an inspiring place filled with the most resilient and beautiful people (Angkor Wat ain’t too shabby either). To Vietnam, your ever-changing yet always stunning backdrop set the stage for some of the most reflective as well as enjoyable times I’ve ever enjoyed. To Laos, I wish I got to know you better, but from what I’ve seen I’m sure you’ll be a sight for sore eyes.
To my traveling companion and dear friend Dave, we did it buddy! It’s been a wild ride, I’ve seen you day in and day out for the past 13 weeks, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Aside from all your other winning characteristics, your patience, openness and attitude have been real lessons for me, I’ve learnt a lot in your company. I feel very privileged to have such a great guy as such a great friend. I’ll miss you a lot when I’m out west man, but I couldn’t imagine a better partner to share this amazing experience with.
Thanks for coming with me, and above all, thanks for slowing me down and teaching me to enjoy the moment.
---
No need to change the favorites tab on your browser just yet folks, this is not quite the end of The Rickshaw Diaries, though it will be my last narrative update on the adventures I enjoyed in South East Asia. I intend to put up a concluding post upon my return to Canada with my final thoughts and impressions from home. I know there will be many new things I notice and appreciate when I get back. Also keep an eye out for more pics. But as of now I don’t think words can describe just how incredible this experience has been. I can honestly say it has changed my life and the way I look at the world around me. If I can keep all the positives from the last 7 weeks I know I will be a better and happier person. I can’t wait to share my stories with everyone and hear about your summers.
and finally…
GO TRAVELLING if you ever get the chance, pick up that bag, kiss responsibility goodbye (if only temporarily) and hit the road. You won’t look back and you’ll love yourself for doing it.
Following our short sojourn to beautiful Laos Dave and I boarded a quick flight back to Bangkok, where it all began. We felt like real travel vets and spotting rookies in the hub of South East Asian travel was like shooting fish in a barrel. Upon arrival we made our way to Khao San Road for a joyous reunion with our original travel mates Derek and Ben. We got many a puzzled stare for our slightly over the top celebrations from passers-bye but we were too excited to care. We set up base camp and headed out for some much needed pad thai and a raucous start to our soiree. The ubiquitous 7-11 (seriously there are about three every block in Bangkok) provided us with the necessary supplies to concoct a specialty of the region, ‘buckets’. This involves voluminous amounts of hard alcohol and mixer consumed from – you guessed it – buckets. Unfortunately Dave was the first victim claimed that night and we were sadly forced to drop the dead weight and head out. I won’t go into details about the evening that followed (mainly because my memory is rather cloudy) but suffice it to say it was a sweet night with the boys. Despite the random frisking by over-zealous cops who stole my (second) pad thai I had a terrific time.
The next night we met up with some friends Dave and I made along the way in Vietnam and hit the town again (this time with Lotimer’s much appreciated company) for another evening for the books. The following day I had to bid adieu to Derek, which was surprisingly hard. As he embarks on his quest through med school and I head out west, I won’t be seeing Rock as often as back in Kingston (where he was my neighbor) but I’m not worried about staying close friends, and Bangkok-esque reunions are just a short flight away.
Thanks for the great times Baba Ganouj, I love you (ya you big guy).
That evening Ben and Dave took the overnight bus north to Chang Mai leaving me to head south to Ko Samet for a brief last taste of the beach. I traveled with a friend to the tiny island which had surprisingly beautiful beaches despite being heavily touristed. It was a shame that Dave and I didn’t have a chance (due to a rescheduling of our flights back to India) to head further south to the legendary islands and beaches of peninsular Thailand, but at least I now have a big reason to come back some day. Though rainy, Ko Samet was lots of fun. When I got back to Bangkok I had no idea what was in store for me. I crashed with my buddy Sank, who had booked the penthouse (the aptly named “Emperor Suite”) of the best hotel in Bangkok for eleven days. He showed me how to live the high life and then some, wining and dining in grand style at the city’s finest establishments. Those two days were quite the contrast to the dismal confines of some of the hostels I’ve graced along my route, for which I offer my sincere thanks to Mr. Patel. I met up with Dave and Ben once they arrived from Chang Mai on Thursday morning, with all three of us heading back to India the next day. We swapped stories about the past few days, and I was jealous of their awesome time, though it was very different from mine. We spent our final day in South East Asia going on a shopping spree and enjoying some of our favorite local treats. It occurred to me that I’ve spent some 11 days in Thailand but seen only two places, which is good and bad. On the plus side I’ve got to know Bangkok quite well, but unfortunately I haven’t had a chance to see more of this stunning land. I relish the idea of remedying that situation at the first possible opportunity, and look back at the places I did see with fond memories.
I currently find myself in Delhi, India, catching up with my extended family and spending time with my grandparents before I head back to Canada for ‘real life’ on the 15th of August. I’m also enjoying my last few days with Dave who will depart for North India shortly. We visited the Taj Mahal today, I would refer you to the famous quote by the author Tagore as these are surely the only words that can do the magnificent monument justice (http://www.tajmahalagra.com/story-of-taj-mahal-agra.html). This time is also providing me with a great chance to reflect on the trip, here are some thoughts I’ve manage to collect thus far:
I really feel the extent to which a person enjoys backpacking has a lot to do with the people they encounter along the way. In this respect (along with pretty much everything else on the trip) Dave and I have been very fortunate. Don’t get me wrong, we’ve met some real weirdoes. But for the most part no matter where they’re from or what age they are our fellow travelers have been great. Those I got a chance to get to know have taught me a lot. To all the people I met along the way, from the bottom of my heart, thanks for adding to my experience and being great fun. A special mention to my lovely fellow-Montrealer, Esther; merci pour tous, t’es une personne vraiment inspirante.
And the main cast in order of appearance: Katie, Alice, Jhimmy and Anders, the Aussies (group 1), Imran, Diana, the Aussies (group 2…Kat, Minh, Glen, you lot are bloody brilliant!), Romain, Arnault, Hanna and Johanna, Heather, Sank (aka dad) and the one and only Kato Kailin. All the best and I hope to run into you again soon, if you ever find yourself in beautiful Canada you have a place to stay.
To Thailand – specifically Bangkok – you annoyed the hell out of me but somehow I love you for it. To Cambodia, you are truly an inspiring place filled with the most resilient and beautiful people (Angkor Wat ain’t too shabby either). To Vietnam, your ever-changing yet always stunning backdrop set the stage for some of the most reflective as well as enjoyable times I’ve ever enjoyed. To Laos, I wish I got to know you better, but from what I’ve seen I’m sure you’ll be a sight for sore eyes.
To my traveling companion and dear friend Dave, we did it buddy! It’s been a wild ride, I’ve seen you day in and day out for the past 13 weeks, and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Aside from all your other winning characteristics, your patience, openness and attitude have been real lessons for me, I’ve learnt a lot in your company. I feel very privileged to have such a great guy as such a great friend. I’ll miss you a lot when I’m out west man, but I couldn’t imagine a better partner to share this amazing experience with.
Thanks for coming with me, and above all, thanks for slowing me down and teaching me to enjoy the moment.
---
No need to change the favorites tab on your browser just yet folks, this is not quite the end of The Rickshaw Diaries, though it will be my last narrative update on the adventures I enjoyed in South East Asia. I intend to put up a concluding post upon my return to Canada with my final thoughts and impressions from home. I know there will be many new things I notice and appreciate when I get back. Also keep an eye out for more pics. But as of now I don’t think words can describe just how incredible this experience has been. I can honestly say it has changed my life and the way I look at the world around me. If I can keep all the positives from the last 7 weeks I know I will be a better and happier person. I can’t wait to share my stories with everyone and hear about your summers.
and finally…
GO TRAVELLING if you ever get the chance, pick up that bag, kiss responsibility goodbye (if only temporarily) and hit the road. You won’t look back and you’ll love yourself for doing it.
posted by Amar | 8:25 AM
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