Trekking in Khao Yai National Park - January 29-30, 2007

I've left southern Thailand behind and will spend the next month exploring the north. First stop was Khao Yai National Park, Thailand's largest park where elephants, monkeys, tigers etc. roam through the mountains. And folks, it's definitely a lot cooler here and long sleeves and sweaters are necessary at night. But it's really breathtaking scenery...

I stayed at the Green Leaf Guesthouse, which also does tours through the park. You can try and trek it alone but it's quite easy to get lost so I decided to put myself in the hands of the experts. It's was a great choice ... the guides at Green Leaf were absolutely wonderful, knowledgeable and really cared about showing us a good time. We were all crossing our fingers for an elephant sighting, but unfortunately, we did not see any. We did see several gibbons, macaques, hornbills and deer -- and with the guide's telescope, we were able to get some fabulous pictures.



We also were able to see a beautiful sunset.

My tour of Ao Phang-Nga Bay - January 23, 2007

To really experience the beauty of Phang-Nga, I decided to do a full-day organized tour through a local travel agency. A leap of faith really since you don't know for sure if the tour operator is good... but no worries, it was a great experience.

Our group was nice and small (a couple from France, two really sweet girls from Switzerland), and our guide took us to several islands in Phang-Nga Bay with hidden lakes and caves. Heading into the caves was especially fun with just the guide's weak flashlight to show our way through complete darkness -- and for some reason, I always found myself at the head of the pack. I'm surprised I didn't bonk my head on the stalagmites!

We stopped off at Ko Phing Kan island, otherwise known as "James Bond Island." Apparently, it was featured in one of the James Bond movies but the cultural significance was a bit lost on me since I've never since a James Bond flick. The island was teeming with tourists and aggressive souvenir sellers .... so I decided to join the crowd and get a photo of the famous rock.




One of the last stops was at Ko Panyi, a Muslim fishing village built on stilts. Hordes of tour boats touch down here so there's quite a row of expensive seafood restaurants and even more souvenirs. But you only had to walk further into the village to completely lose the crowds and see how the villagers really live. Here's another pic of me and two adorable monkeys ... the picture cost me 100 baht, but the monkeys were sooo cute and felt like warm teddy bears so it was worth it.

More beach bumming in Ko Lanta -- January 20, 2007

Spent a couple of days on Ko Lanta, an island 2 hours south of Krabi. Nice beaches crowded with bungalows and resorts .... a lot of farang (tourists) intermingled with adorable Thai children running all over the place. I took a long walk on one of the beaches and came across these cuties playing together on a kayak. They saw I was carrying my camera and stopped to give me a wave .... check out the little boy hamming it up in the foreground!

Believe it or not, I think I've had enough of the beach scene (wah! I know those shivering in TO and KW must hate me now) and will slowly make may way up the Indian Ocean side of southern Thailand. Next stop is Phangna where I plan to check out some caves, mangroves and a Muslim village built on stilts.

An ideal wedding? - Krabi, January 19, 2007

After a four hour boat ride and a bit of bus travelling, I landed on the other side of southern Thailand in Krabi - a laid back town with friendly people - perfect for planning my next leg of the journey up the Adaman Coast. I'm now officially "brown as a baked bean" after lounging on the boat under the direct sun and chatting with a very sweet couple from Holland.

Ralph and Yammy (my Dutch friends) are also on a 1-year trek through Southeast Asia and have already "hit" some of the areas I plan to go next. They will end their year by getting married on the Cook Islands - no family, no friends, just a very intimate ceremony on one of the most beautiful islands in the South Pacific. They have it all worked out - she even ordered her dress in Vietnam and had it shipped to the Cook Islands. Sounds perfect - doesn't it? Also, I figure there is no better test of a relationship -- if at the end of a year of travelling together, you still love each other, then you're meant to be!!

A slice of paradise - Koh Phangan - Jan 15, 2007

Wow... white sand, aqua water and a laid back ambience. Haven't been doing too much but laying on the beach, reading my book, jumping in the water and then laying on the beach again. I know.. it's been a tough life.

The first place I stayed -- Coconut Beach -- was really remote, but had a private beach. Run by a sweet Thai family who gave me a deal (250 baht for a nice bungalow). Other people were really nice, friendly ... met a Belgian, a Russian and several Aussies. I'm now at a fancier resort (a birthday gift to myself), and I have a bungalow right on the beach.

We've all heard about the "ugly American tourist" stereotype ... well, i'm embarrassed to say that so far, i've run into several "ugly Canadians." One couple from the Okanagan complained constantly and then refused to pay their bill at the Coconut Beach. Then, three young French Canadian girls from Montreal woke up the whole resort at 3 a.m. by singing loudly and very off key. Ughh...

Anyways, here's some pics of me and the beautiful beaches on Koh Phangan. Will be heading over to Krabi and the other side (koh Pi pi) in a couple of days..

Monkeys!! - Petchaburi, Thailand - Jan 10, 2007

Mixed reviews of Hua Hin - Jan 9, 2007

I woke up this morning and went out on the deck of my guesthouse -- it's built on a pier right over the shore so you get to fall asleep to the sound of waves. I had my coffee and bananas and soaked up the sun as it was rising over the horizon ... can't think of a better way to start the day. The multi-story ritzy Hilton is right next door, but for 400 baht a night ($13), I wouldn't trade places for the world ...

Hua Hin is a laid back resort town, kinda quaint with a fantastic night market with yummy cheap food (spicy curry noodles for less than $1). What's not so nice is that it has a definite sleaze factor to it.... mixed in with the families, couples and backpackers are the old, ugly white men (sorry if I offend anybody) arm-in-arm with very young, attractive Thai women/girls. Certain alleys are lined with Thai hookers trawling for foreign men.... And because I look Thai, I've had several of these men eyeing me or trying to say hello ... blech! I just give'em my "Naomi glare" and move on...

Aside for that, I do like this town ... nice and mellow with a nice beach within walking distance.

A soft landing in Bangkok - Jan 6, 2007

I arrived safely in Bangkok on Jan 4, very tired after a 24 hour flight from TO. Still recovering abit from jet lag but it hasn't been too bad.. just my clock is a bit off and I'm getting up super early and falling asleep at around 8 p.m.

I spent my first day wandering around Banglamphu trying to get my bearings ... it really is a backpacker ghetto but it's great for a new arrival like me as it has everything i need to get started on this journey.

Checked out the Grand Palace and Wat Phra Kaeo -- breathtaking. For those hoping for a pic, sorry ... pulled the ultimate stupid move and left my brand new digital camera in the cab from the airport :( ... I will be getting a new camera but quite bummed.

Speaking of bums, got my first Thai massage ... and unlike NA massage therapists, a thorough massaging of the derriere was part of the experience. After a 24 hour flight, a bum massage was actually quite a treat!