Bike Wrecks, Buddhas, and Beaches... Oh My!

As always what you plan to do, does not always coincide with what you actually do. While Michelle and I had planned to go to Ko Phangan we checked the weather report and we were not liking what we saw... RAIN :( I thought we left Oregon behind us). To our delight, we saw that Krabi was warm and sunny so we took the ferry and set sail, but 1st...

Welcome to 7/11

Whether you are looking for  cheap drinking water, a phone card, or a small snack, you will always find a 7/11 at every corner :) 

 

Just when you think your lost in a different world, a small piece of Americana comes into your life and comforts you like a warm blanket! Buy 2 get 1 FREE...

These pseudo french fires are only 19 BAHT and come with their own chili ketchup dipping sauce

I would buy anything Jackie Chan endorses even anti - balding shampoo

Now back to your regularly scheduled blogging.

We had to say goodbye to this beautiful beach house in Ko Samui. We would eat breakfast every morning on the porch and the best part about it was that it was FREE!!!

View from the Balcony

We both enjoyed the island of Ko Samui but on the last day before getting on the ferry I (Michelle was comfortably drinking coffee across the street) was returning the bike when tragically I was T-Boned by a local Grandma. I had just popped a tire and was carefully balancing my backpack and WHAM!!! I suffered light bruising and a few scrapes. Michelle kissed the boo-boos and they magically felt better! On a serious note, wear your helmets. The whole escapade could have been worse. It cost me 800 BAHT to repair the bike, and the ol' Grandma was trying to squeeze out a few BAHTS as well even thought it was her fault.

After a tip from Lonely Planet we took a bus to Krabi town and made a reservation at the KR Mansion, the 1st of three hotels. It was cute but a little too confined for our liking. (350 BAHT/ night)

 

View from KR Mansion rooftop

The following day we rented a motor bike and made our way to the Wat Tham Seua which is more commonly referred as the "Tiger Cave Temple."  The temple was founded by Jamnien Sillasettho who was a monk and meditation teacher.

After a donation, Michelle lit candles for some prayers and placed them in front of Buddhas. It was supposed to bring her good luck all year!

Tiger Cave Temple and Buddhas

Here is Michelle posing in front of the Tiger. Story goes that it was actually a leopard that was in the caves, but I guess the tiger sounded more commercial so they decided to name it after the later. Anyways the "tiger" was come to the cave every morning before the monks decided that its location was ideal. The tiger left the caves and the monks began worship in 1975. It is full of stalactites and stalagmites.

Props to the gardener!

 

Adjacent Prayer area

  

Here comes the fun part at the rear of the temple there is a 1,272 step staircase leading up a Buddha shrine and in the imprint of Buddha's foot among the vegetation in the rock face.

  

Michelle is looking perky having not taking any steps... HERE goes!

 

View from 258 steps

Someone is lookin' a tired

What is prettier the view or my lady?!?

BUT WAIT.... Michelle and I catch a second wind at 506 steps

She has had enough (832 steps) Lets finish this...

Buddha footprint

We MADE IT, WE MADE IT!!!

HOORAY!!!!

The monkeys at the temple were some skilled thieves! 

While everyone was eating Thanksgiving dinner with their families, I decided to follow in suit as best as possible and eat an KFC! hahaha

We embarked the second day to the Hot Springs Waterfall about an hours drive from Krabi Town

Nitrogen 9%, Copper .01 %, But 100% Sexy

40 - 42 degrees Celsius

 

 

Chicken Leg Soup

 

Relaxing just above the waterall

We share our anniversary with Thanksgiving Day! We decided to have night on the town to celebrate. I can't believe it has been 3 years. XOXO

Strong Drink?!?

Delicious

Tamarind Bar and Restaurant

The letter U is brought you by Michelle

I hate when people plank but when you are tipsy and walking through a children's Thai alphabet park and you see a Zebra, YOU WOULD PLANK TOO!!!

Bar #2 - Reggae Bar- 2 shots from the local rum distillery

 

Our 1st glimpse at a Lady Boy, He/She must work out!

 

Our new friends we met at the Night Market: "Egg, Big, and O were there names!

Cool Stop Lights in the middle of Krabi Town

Wat Kaewkorawaram

The third day we headed to Hat Noppharat Thara...

Blue Sky, Hot Weather... Paradise

Michelle resting with Buddha statue

The I Talay Hotel, we strongly recommend this place to everyone! Only 250 BAHT, free internet and breakfast!

Krabi Town Walking Street has several food vendors, artisans, performers, and even hustlers. Michelle saw a group of boy breakdancers and couldn't resist a photo. Bust A Move!

We both finished the night with Mango Sticky Rice. A very popular dessert!

Till next TIME....

Social Studies: The Thai Culture

Alright boys and girls... Open your textbooks, it's time for a small cultural lesson about the Thai people. I hope you didn't think you would follow the blog without learning a thing or two. This will be the last post before we travel to the even smaller island of Ko Phangan. And with the departure of Michelle's parents to Japan we will have to start dipping into our own pockets to get the use of internet :(  I promise to make this learning experience worth your while because at the end of this post we have for your viewing pleasure pictures of monkeys!!!!

1. Remember cooler heads prevail don't get angry or violent, if you put a smile on your face every interaction will be successful.

2. Always remove your shoes when entering someone's domicile or a temple. The feet are considered the lowest and dirtiest part of the body. Do not in any circumstance touch or point with your feet. This would be equivalent to giving the middle finger to someone of European background. 

3. Try to dress modestly in public. While the beach might be the place to show off that bikini body, the general public is not!

4. Personal Displays of Affection are becoming more tolerated but that doesn't mean have a make out session at the back of the bus. Hand holding gets a pass but much of anything else is considered bad etiquette.  

5. Honking is not considered rude or inconsiderate. It is mainly to let the driver know that he/she is there and wants to get your attention. 

6. Women are not allowed to sit adjacent to or touch monks or his personal items. Michelle has heard stories where a monk had to go back to the beginning of his teachings when touched by a female despite being of elder status. (Bummer!) 

7. Always remember to stand when national anthem is played. We went to a movie last week and two foreign travelers looked bewildered when everyone started to rise. At youth, Thais are taught to respect the royal family and their country and to my knowledge none of them have tried to "Occupy"any government or parliamentary buildings.

8. In the never ending pursuit of beauty, countries where there is a warmer climate and constant sun  "white skin is in."  While most western cultures are looking for the perfect tan, most Thais are looking to avoid it. They go as far as getting whitening lotions (pictured below) and using umbrellas. Most Thai celebrities have a lighter pigment to their skin.

Randomly we will try to give more insights on the Thai culture and that of the other countries we visit. The beauty of traveling not only lies in the landscape, but more importantly in the people we interact with. It truly gives you perspective and makes the journey that much more rewarding.

Close your books. Picture Time!

 

Buddha Temple

 

 This game cost 10 Bahts and Michelle and her Mum were eager to play. You fish out a bottle cap and whatever number appears under the cap coincides with a prize. I was praying for toilet paper but Michelle got a razor shaver and her Mom got fish oil.

 

A beautiful landscape just below the Wan Waterfalls. Unfortunately, the locals set up barricades before certain viewpoints and tourist areas in order to get your money so we never actually saw the falls but beautiful none the less. It is very disheartening but a necessary measure to squeeze tourist dollars.

 

Swept her off her feet!

George, George, George of the Jungle, Watch out For that Tree... I have been looking my whole life for vines in order to swing tree to tree. I had to test it to see if it would hold my weight and sure enough, WAHOO!!!


And now the moment you have been waiting for (cue the music): MONKEYS!!!

Ebony and Ivory

 

 

Michelle and I get into the act and fed the monkeys some well deserved bananas, yummy !!