Leaving Lombok, the highlights were the people that we met. Indonesians are the loveliest people ever; full of smiles and helpful information. When I stopped for gas, someone else stopped to ask if I was lost. When we had a flat tire, a random stranger stopped, went for his friend, then followed us as we pushed the bike to the nearest tire-repair shop. The sweet guy waited until we were happily settled at the shop.
I'll be sad to leave this part of Indonesia, especially Hendra and the horses. Hendra is an adorable 8-10 year old boy who sells coconuts. Actually, I think he is more of a fee-for-service guy. He'll offer a coconut, then once you agree to buy it, he runs over to one of his trees, climb up it, spin a coconut off and toss it to the ground. After climbing down the tree, he chops the top off with a machete and hands you the giant fruit. Darling. More on the coconuts (with photos!) soon.
xooo
Monday, July 11, 2011
Saturday, July 09, 2011
Kuta Lombok
After four days o~ the Gili Islands and underwater adventures, Wil and I went off to a lovely tranquil beach town named Kuta Lombok (not to be confused with Kuta Bali).
It's peaceful and relaxing and only occasionally punctuated by small heathen children selling useless things. Yesterday I bought three sarongs which I did not need because I was swarmed by Muslim women and thought that it was the only way to save the lives of Wil and I as the small restaurant on stilts was swaying precariously beneath the weight of seven women, seven giant bundles of fabric, and an unknown quantity of small dirty people (children?).
Tomorrow we set off for Java.
It's peaceful and relaxing and only occasionally punctuated by small heathen children selling useless things. Yesterday I bought three sarongs which I did not need because I was swarmed by Muslim women and thought that it was the only way to save the lives of Wil and I as the small restaurant on stilts was swaying precariously beneath the weight of seven women, seven giant bundles of fabric, and an unknown quantity of small dirty people (children?).
Tomorrow we set off for Java.
August 29, 2011: Bangkok
Well, Wil and I left Chiang Mai on the 6pm tourist bus at about 8pm from a poorly-lit gas station on the outskirts of town. The bus was completely full of tourists: the ultrayoung gap-year crowd, a few dirty hippies, some old guys with Thai ladies, and us. The chatty Euro teens at the front of the bus were raging with hormones for the underdressed backpacker boys. After an hour or so, the driver turned off the lights and the bus quieted down.
It was a peaceful and quiet bus ride, except for the various police checkpoints that we passed in the night, for which the driver turned on the interior lights as brightly as possible.
At about 7 or 8 am, I awoke to find that the bus was stopped on the side of the road with everyone's massive backpacks on the sidewalk next to the bus. Our valiant driver was waiting behind the bus. Boo, mechanical breakdown. About half an hour later, five cheerful minibusses came to pick us up and take us the rest of the way to Khao San Road.
We rolled into Bangkok after two hours of rousing Issan love music. Unfortunately, we arrived during morning rush hour, and in our trek to the backpacker ghetto, we had a collision with someone else's minivan. Oh dear. A pack of very helpful policemen in very snugly-fitting uniforms came to our aid, and ten minutes later, we were on our way again.
After a safe arrival on Khao San Road, Wil and I found a lovely guesthouse with an Israeli attendant who had an unfortunate hairstyle of floor-length dreadlocks. After booking the cheap cheap room, we realized that there was a strong stench of urine wafting form the bathroom, and an odd bloodstain on the wall. Perhaps a giant mosquito.
Bangkok had been fairly low-key until last night, when we decided that we had seen enough temples, and wanted to get out for some drinks. Of course, we headed to Patpong; home of the ping-pong shows and a giant market of counterfeit handbags.
After an unfortunately large meal, we headed to the market and were soon accosted by a tout for the ping pong show. Of course, I agreed. We had read internet reviews of people getting ripped off at the shows for lady drinks, and I had been to one before where I ordered a 150 baht drink and was presented with a bill for 250 baht, then a menu with a 250 price. Of course, I was prepared.
We went upstairs to the sorriest looking dancers I had ever seen. The goodlooking ones were clothes, and the older, portly, obviously experienced ones were not. I will spare you the details.
We saw some other people try to leave and have arguments with the management, so I felt a bit prepared for what was to come. Three girls had come over to us with drinks, we had said no, and they left the half-drunk glasses on our table. When we approached the madam to pay our bill (200 baht for our two drinks), she showed us a bill for 3600. 3600 baht!!! 500 per person to see the show, two 300 baht drinks, and then four lady drinks at 500 a piece. I explained politely in Thai that we had drank TWO drinks at 100 baht each, and absolutely did NOT purchase any lady drinks. The woman seemed a bit surprised at my Thai, and agreed to discount the bill to 1600. I refused, she started to yell, I yelled back that I would call the police as the show was FREE, she told me to call them, I slapped down two 100 baht bills on the table, and we stomped out of there. Whew. Fantastic.
We left Bangkok the next day :)
It was a peaceful and quiet bus ride, except for the various police checkpoints that we passed in the night, for which the driver turned on the interior lights as brightly as possible.
At about 7 or 8 am, I awoke to find that the bus was stopped on the side of the road with everyone's massive backpacks on the sidewalk next to the bus. Our valiant driver was waiting behind the bus. Boo, mechanical breakdown. About half an hour later, five cheerful minibusses came to pick us up and take us the rest of the way to Khao San Road.
We rolled into Bangkok after two hours of rousing Issan love music. Unfortunately, we arrived during morning rush hour, and in our trek to the backpacker ghetto, we had a collision with someone else's minivan. Oh dear. A pack of very helpful policemen in very snugly-fitting uniforms came to our aid, and ten minutes later, we were on our way again.
After a safe arrival on Khao San Road, Wil and I found a lovely guesthouse with an Israeli attendant who had an unfortunate hairstyle of floor-length dreadlocks. After booking the cheap cheap room, we realized that there was a strong stench of urine wafting form the bathroom, and an odd bloodstain on the wall. Perhaps a giant mosquito.
Bangkok had been fairly low-key until last night, when we decided that we had seen enough temples, and wanted to get out for some drinks. Of course, we headed to Patpong; home of the ping-pong shows and a giant market of counterfeit handbags.
After an unfortunately large meal, we headed to the market and were soon accosted by a tout for the ping pong show. Of course, I agreed. We had read internet reviews of people getting ripped off at the shows for lady drinks, and I had been to one before where I ordered a 150 baht drink and was presented with a bill for 250 baht, then a menu with a 250 price. Of course, I was prepared.
We went upstairs to the sorriest looking dancers I had ever seen. The goodlooking ones were clothes, and the older, portly, obviously experienced ones were not. I will spare you the details.
We saw some other people try to leave and have arguments with the management, so I felt a bit prepared for what was to come. Three girls had come over to us with drinks, we had said no, and they left the half-drunk glasses on our table. When we approached the madam to pay our bill (200 baht for our two drinks), she showed us a bill for 3600. 3600 baht!!! 500 per person to see the show, two 300 baht drinks, and then four lady drinks at 500 a piece. I explained politely in Thai that we had drank TWO drinks at 100 baht each, and absolutely did NOT purchase any lady drinks. The woman seemed a bit surprised at my Thai, and agreed to discount the bill to 1600. I refused, she started to yell, I yelled back that I would call the police as the show was FREE, she told me to call them, I slapped down two 100 baht bills on the table, and we stomped out of there. Whew. Fantastic.
We left Bangkok the next day :)
Sunday, June 05, 2011
Off We Go Again
After a bleak stint in Thunder Bay, I'm manicured and ready to see the world again. Wil (the manfriend) and I are heading to Thailand tonight to meet up with my fabulous Lady Friends: Charlie, Kathy, Jacky, Poo, and Mia (in spirit). Plans for: jackfruit, monk university, motorcycles, and monsoons!
Details to follow!
Details to follow!
Monday, April 04, 2011
Snapsort
Heads up to the photo keeners: http://snapsort.com for camera comparisons. It's been invaluable to me while I'm camera shopping as it compares a bunch of features of each camera (up to you), and then gives an overall rating and WHY. Up to you if the "better than" bits are better for you and how to weight the different features as well.
I've had my eye on a Pentax K-r for a while, and whenever I hear of another camera that has a good review (from the media or a friend), I go over and compare it for myself, to make my own decision. So foar, the K-r is the winner. I love that all of the features of each camera are compared in an easy-to-follow manner, AND they factor prices into the equation as well.
I've had my eye on a Pentax K-r for a while, and whenever I hear of another camera that has a good review (from the media or a friend), I go over and compare it for myself, to make my own decision. So foar, the K-r is the winner. I love that all of the features of each camera are compared in an easy-to-follow manner, AND they factor prices into the equation as well.
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
Sunday, January 06, 2008
The Saga Continues.
Rapid Update.
1. Returned to Thailand, went to Chiang Mai. Met Aynsley, a super cool Canadian and learned to ride motorcycles together.
2. Got a job at a high school teaching computers and English.
3. Quit a job at a high school teaching conputers and English.
4. Went to karaeoke, many waterfalls, a lovely lake, a big carnival, and became a much better motorcycle driver.
5. Off to Bangkok tomorrow to get the rest of my stuff...
Vietnam is still a definite option.
1. Returned to Thailand, went to Chiang Mai. Met Aynsley, a super cool Canadian and learned to ride motorcycles together.
2. Got a job at a high school teaching computers and English.
3. Quit a job at a high school teaching conputers and English.
4. Went to karaeoke, many waterfalls, a lovely lake, a big carnival, and became a much better motorcycle driver.
5. Off to Bangkok tomorrow to get the rest of my stuff...
Vietnam is still a definite option.
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Vietnam
Caution to family members: adult content follows.
Vietnam is seriously awesome... everyone was ridiculously nice to us!!! We went to Hoi An, where I had 10 pairs of shoes made, 8 blouses, 2 winter coats, a suit, a skirt, and trouser shorts. We met this sweet girl our age named Vy who owns a bookshop and took us out with her friends at night and had lunch with us during the day. She's adorable!
Our tailor:
We rented bicycles and bicycled to the beach where we saw fishermen in basket-boats.
THEN there was this little cafe where a cute guy (of course) worked, so we went a few times, and then the last time that we went, he came over to our table, sat down, and here is what happened:
Cute Boy: So... how long you stay in Hoi An?
Saara: we're leaving tomorrow
CB (to me): you like fucking with me?
K: Um, not right now, thank you
CB: but... you like to fucking with me???
K:Um, well, we're leaving tomorrow.
The CB goes to get some paper. He writes out "I like lick vagina". Shows me.
K: Oh, very nice.
S: Yeeeees, very nice.
CB: You would have a good time with me. I like lick vagina. I love you.
K: Oh, well, that's very nice to know, thank you. You're very nice.
CB: So, I come to your hotel?
K: Well, no, that's not a good idea. You're very nice, but we're leaving tomorrow, and I really can't do anything with you. Saara and I SHARE a room, you know.
Saara: Oh, I can use the Internet if you want to be alone in the room!
K: Good Lord.
This went on for a while until his mom got back to the restaraunt/cafe, and we could make a graceful exit.
Etc. Anyway, we went back to Vy and told her about the man, and she thought that it was funny, and I told her friend how cute he was before, and her friend went "Vietnamese men have very small banana. I think it is not good for you".
HAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAA
Okay, so we left Hoi An and we had to buy new backpacks because all of our stuff wouldn't fit in the old one. We found giant knockoff North Face backpacks for 20 dollars... still, Saara needed a frontpack too!
We showed up at the You and Me Cafe in Hue, and I picked out a waiter... named Son. He came over and started chatting with me while Saara and Pekka (the Finnish guy) talked to each other (oddly enough, in ENGLISH). Son offered to draw me, so I said sure and he did. He's a painter who is going to university in Hue.
The owner of the cafe came over to show us the motorbike tours of the city and surrounding areas that the cafe offered, and pointed out the man who would be our driver. Mr. Trung was a very very friendly Vietnamese man who had a habit of winking at me and licking his lips. I really didn't want to be pressed against him on the back of the motorbike. I politely looked at the photos of the motorbike tours and read the testimonials in the little book. Around this time, a man named Mr. Loc came and sat at the table next to us and bought us drinks. He was harmless; a 60ish math teacher who wanted to practise his English with us. Mr Trung kept winking and licking from down the table.
Mr. Loc:
Son came over and said that he wanted to show me around the city, and did I want to go out with him that night at around 10? Of course, I agreed! Very cool! I agreed to come back at 10, but we ended up drinking with Mr. Loc until 10:30. Mr. Loc took our photo, professed his love for me in a whisper, and asked if I would take him back to my hotel. Mr. Trung winked. I left with Son. Pekka walked Saara home.
Son and I got on his motorbike, but as soon as we pulled out, Mr. Loc came out as well! A few seconds later, Mr. Trung pulled up next to us! My arms were around Son's waist, and he was holding my hand with one of his. Cheesy, I know. Everyone was drunk except Son (thank goodness). I was riding sidesaddle and my knees kept bumping against Mr. Loc's, who was demanding that I go home with him. Mr. Trung was on the other side. Eventually Mr. Loc gave up and Son, Mr. Trung and I headed to the Citadel.
We arrived at the Citadel, which is like a big castle with a wide moat around it and trees and bushes all over. Son, Mr. Trung, and I went off on a walkway next to the moat. On one side of us was the moat, on the other was evenly-spaced bushes, and then on the other side of THAT was the castle wall.
Son held one of my hands, and Mr. Trung held my other, and we walked next to the water, with the full moon shining down on us. Very romantic, apart from Mr. Trung whispering that he loved me.
Son said something to Mr. Trung, and Mr. Trung walked off... Son told me that Mr. Trung had to get something from the motorbikes. Son and I were by the moat, but then I heard a rustling in the bushes. I told Son, and he said it was dogs, so we didn't do anything. I was SURE that it wasn't dogs though! I opened my eyes, and it was Mr. Trung hiding and spying on us!!!!! After a second, I reaised that there was someone ELSE hiding in a closer bush spying on us too! What the hell was going on??????? I told Son and he seemed really suprised... we headed back to the motorbikes.
On the other side of the place that we parked, there was a path leading into complete darkness. Son and Mr. Trung each had one hand and tried to take me down the path to show me the "big tree". Euphamism??? I refused, they tried to convince me, I still refused. Son and I got on his motorbike and spent the next 40 minutes trying to lose Mr. Trung.
So that afternoon, Son was going to take me on a motorcycle ride to show me some sights... as a friendly gesture. As I was waiting downstairs for him in the early afternoon, the hotel man, Hien, came over and asked if I was waiting for anyone special. Saara told him that I was going on a motorcycle tour (to salvage my damaged reputation, I guess). Hien asked her where I had met my tour guide, and she said "he works at the You and Me Cafe".
Son came, I left, and we had the most amazing motorcycle tour EVER! Son showed me all of his favourite places, took me to some temples, out to some villages... it was so nice! At one temple, we sat under a tree by a lake and he wrote me a poem in Vietnamese. Le sigh. Son's boss kept calling him, but he didn't answer the phone (I guess he didn't want to get called in to work).
I spent the night at his place again. He kept saying "I love you, Kat... I love you Kat". In the morning we went to a cafe where all of the art students go to have Vietnamese coffee and once again, listen to French music (it's a theme).
When I got back to the hotel, holy CRAP. Saara didn't answer the door when I knocked, so I went downstairs to see if she was in the room or not. Hien said that she was there, but that she had had many phone calls last night. I went back up and called for her... she opened the door. It turned out that the hotel guy had CALLED the You and Me Cafe and TOLD THEM that one of their waiters was taking me on free motorbike tours AND spending illicit times with me!!! So Mr. TRUNG had been phoning SAARA asking her where Son had taken me!!!! Hien had called her TWICE to clarify that I was with Son, and she had said (again, I think to make me sound more virtuous) that he was my boyfriend. Hien could NOT believe that I had a boyfriend after 2 days!.
The rest of the day was spent dodging Mr. Trung and the hotel men. Son picked me up again in the evening, and we went to his friend's house. His friend's father was a famous Vietnamese artist and Son's professor at uni, and the son was Son's friend/classmate. So we went into this MANSION, and there was this gorgeous art allll over the place.
They all took my picture. It was fabulous. We listened to music and chilled out for a few hours, then drove around the city for a few hours. We met Mr. Bin and of course, MR. TRUNG, who STILL wanted me to know that he loved me, and that his motorcycle was very expensive. I told Mr. Trung that I was leaving the next day, but he didn't believe me. He asked me to bring more girls with me the next time I came to Vietnam.
Vietnam is seriously awesome... everyone was ridiculously nice to us!!! We went to Hoi An, where I had 10 pairs of shoes made, 8 blouses, 2 winter coats, a suit, a skirt, and trouser shorts. We met this sweet girl our age named Vy who owns a bookshop and took us out with her friends at night and had lunch with us during the day. She's adorable!
Our tailor:
We rented bicycles and bicycled to the beach where we saw fishermen in basket-boats.
THEN there was this little cafe where a cute guy (of course) worked, so we went a few times, and then the last time that we went, he came over to our table, sat down, and here is what happened:
Cute Boy: So... how long you stay in Hoi An?
Saara: we're leaving tomorrow
CB (to me): you like fucking with me?
K: Um, not right now, thank you
CB: but... you like to fucking with me???
K:Um, well, we're leaving tomorrow.
The CB goes to get some paper. He writes out "I like lick vagina". Shows me.
K: Oh, very nice.
S: Yeeeees, very nice.
CB: You would have a good time with me. I like lick vagina. I love you.
K: Oh, well, that's very nice to know, thank you. You're very nice.
CB: So, I come to your hotel?
K: Well, no, that's not a good idea. You're very nice, but we're leaving tomorrow, and I really can't do anything with you. Saara and I SHARE a room, you know.
Saara: Oh, I can use the Internet if you want to be alone in the room!
K: Good Lord.
This went on for a while until his mom got back to the restaraunt/cafe, and we could make a graceful exit.
Etc. Anyway, we went back to Vy and told her about the man, and she thought that it was funny, and I told her friend how cute he was before, and her friend went "Vietnamese men have very small banana. I think it is not good for you".
HAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAAHAAAAAAAAA
Okay, so we left Hoi An and we had to buy new backpacks because all of our stuff wouldn't fit in the old one. We found giant knockoff North Face backpacks for 20 dollars... still, Saara needed a frontpack too!
We showed up at the You and Me Cafe in Hue, and I picked out a waiter... named Son. He came over and started chatting with me while Saara and Pekka (the Finnish guy) talked to each other (oddly enough, in ENGLISH). Son offered to draw me, so I said sure and he did. He's a painter who is going to university in Hue.
The owner of the cafe came over to show us the motorbike tours of the city and surrounding areas that the cafe offered, and pointed out the man who would be our driver. Mr. Trung was a very very friendly Vietnamese man who had a habit of winking at me and licking his lips. I really didn't want to be pressed against him on the back of the motorbike. I politely looked at the photos of the motorbike tours and read the testimonials in the little book. Around this time, a man named Mr. Loc came and sat at the table next to us and bought us drinks. He was harmless; a 60ish math teacher who wanted to practise his English with us. Mr Trung kept winking and licking from down the table.
Mr. Loc:
Son came over and said that he wanted to show me around the city, and did I want to go out with him that night at around 10? Of course, I agreed! Very cool! I agreed to come back at 10, but we ended up drinking with Mr. Loc until 10:30. Mr. Loc took our photo, professed his love for me in a whisper, and asked if I would take him back to my hotel. Mr. Trung winked. I left with Son. Pekka walked Saara home.
Son and I got on his motorbike, but as soon as we pulled out, Mr. Loc came out as well! A few seconds later, Mr. Trung pulled up next to us! My arms were around Son's waist, and he was holding my hand with one of his. Cheesy, I know. Everyone was drunk except Son (thank goodness). I was riding sidesaddle and my knees kept bumping against Mr. Loc's, who was demanding that I go home with him. Mr. Trung was on the other side. Eventually Mr. Loc gave up and Son, Mr. Trung and I headed to the Citadel.
We arrived at the Citadel, which is like a big castle with a wide moat around it and trees and bushes all over. Son, Mr. Trung, and I went off on a walkway next to the moat. On one side of us was the moat, on the other was evenly-spaced bushes, and then on the other side of THAT was the castle wall.
Son held one of my hands, and Mr. Trung held my other, and we walked next to the water, with the full moon shining down on us. Very romantic, apart from Mr. Trung whispering that he loved me.
Son said something to Mr. Trung, and Mr. Trung walked off... Son told me that Mr. Trung had to get something from the motorbikes. Son and I were by the moat, but then I heard a rustling in the bushes. I told Son, and he said it was dogs, so we didn't do anything. I was SURE that it wasn't dogs though! I opened my eyes, and it was Mr. Trung hiding and spying on us!!!!! After a second, I reaised that there was someone ELSE hiding in a closer bush spying on us too! What the hell was going on??????? I told Son and he seemed really suprised... we headed back to the motorbikes.
On the other side of the place that we parked, there was a path leading into complete darkness. Son and Mr. Trung each had one hand and tried to take me down the path to show me the "big tree". Euphamism??? I refused, they tried to convince me, I still refused. Son and I got on his motorbike and spent the next 40 minutes trying to lose Mr. Trung.
So that afternoon, Son was going to take me on a motorcycle ride to show me some sights... as a friendly gesture. As I was waiting downstairs for him in the early afternoon, the hotel man, Hien, came over and asked if I was waiting for anyone special. Saara told him that I was going on a motorcycle tour (to salvage my damaged reputation, I guess). Hien asked her where I had met my tour guide, and she said "he works at the You and Me Cafe".
Son came, I left, and we had the most amazing motorcycle tour EVER! Son showed me all of his favourite places, took me to some temples, out to some villages... it was so nice! At one temple, we sat under a tree by a lake and he wrote me a poem in Vietnamese. Le sigh. Son's boss kept calling him, but he didn't answer the phone (I guess he didn't want to get called in to work).
I spent the night at his place again. He kept saying "I love you, Kat... I love you Kat". In the morning we went to a cafe where all of the art students go to have Vietnamese coffee and once again, listen to French music (it's a theme).
When I got back to the hotel, holy CRAP. Saara didn't answer the door when I knocked, so I went downstairs to see if she was in the room or not. Hien said that she was there, but that she had had many phone calls last night. I went back up and called for her... she opened the door. It turned out that the hotel guy had CALLED the You and Me Cafe and TOLD THEM that one of their waiters was taking me on free motorbike tours AND spending illicit times with me!!! So Mr. TRUNG had been phoning SAARA asking her where Son had taken me!!!! Hien had called her TWICE to clarify that I was with Son, and she had said (again, I think to make me sound more virtuous) that he was my boyfriend. Hien could NOT believe that I had a boyfriend after 2 days!.
The rest of the day was spent dodging Mr. Trung and the hotel men. Son picked me up again in the evening, and we went to his friend's house. His friend's father was a famous Vietnamese artist and Son's professor at uni, and the son was Son's friend/classmate. So we went into this MANSION, and there was this gorgeous art allll over the place.
They all took my picture. It was fabulous. We listened to music and chilled out for a few hours, then drove around the city for a few hours. We met Mr. Bin and of course, MR. TRUNG, who STILL wanted me to know that he loved me, and that his motorcycle was very expensive. I told Mr. Trung that I was leaving the next day, but he didn't believe me. He asked me to bring more girls with me the next time I came to Vietnam.
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