Thailand in a (nut) shell…
Geographical:
We entered Thailand over land from Laos at the Chiong Kong border where we spent one night. From here we moved to Chiang Rai by bus and then to Pai, also by bus via Chiang Mai. From Pai, we took a bus to Chiang Mai and ended up spending three nights here instead of the planned one; due to serious shopping at the Night Bazaar. Bangkok was next on the list and we travelled here via a 14 hour over night train. From Bangkok, we moved on to the coast where we spent four days in Railay and four days in Ko Lanta. We took an over night bus back to Bangkok and then flew out to India.
Thailand was a different sort of travel after the two-and-a-bit months in the other South East Asian countries - it was far more developed and with this came ease of travel. The roads are in tip top condition, which makes bus travelling very comfortable and it is also very affordable. The great weather also added to the great time we had here - hardly any rain, sunny days and warm nights (the mozzies also seemed to enjoy this weather).
Thailand weirdnesses:
- The locals all wear golf shirts and after enquiring about this habit, it was explained to us: the king was born on a Monday, his royal colour is yellow, and therefore they wear yellow golf shirts on a Monday. The queen was born on a Friday, her colour is blue, and so they wear blue golf shirts on Fridays. One day, the king was snapped wearing a pink shirt when visiting his sister at hospital and so the newest fashion is to wear pink golf shirts. On another occasion, the king was seen wearing a green jacket, so the latest trend is to wear green golf shirts… yes, they adore their king! I did not want to be old fashioned, so I also bought a stunning pink number (can’t wait to try out a golf swing in it!)
- All the cats have only half a tail (some even has no tail at all). I wonder if this is some form of evolution or if it due to serious inbreeding?!
- While Thai people in general are exceptionally friendly and helpful, but it is a common fact that the teenagers are very lazy and down right rude. Walk in to a shop where a teenager happens to be the assistant and you’ll almost feel as though you are back in South Africa where poor service is becoming the norm. Maybe it is just the way teenagers are?
- Bargaining for a good price in Thailand is not as easy as it was in the other South East Asian countries. If you start on a price too low, the other party will just tell you ‘no’ and walk away disgusted at you.
- The lady-boys. Thailand is one country in the East where it is allowed and accepted to be gay, transsexual, bisexual… just about any type of sexual identity you can think of. And due to the Thailand men being much smaller than western men, it is quite difficult to spot these ‘transformers’. At the one guesthouse that we stayed, the waiters were men at day and women at night!
The Highs:
- Sitting on our porch in Pai, watching the sunset and drinking condensed milk from a can.
- The Thai beaches - all those idyllic pictures of Thailand’s beeches are not an exaggeration.
- Food glorious food - it was delicious and cheap, but I have to admit, it did not compare to Wang Thai Restaurant’s cuisine.
- Drinking the cheap local whiskey with coke - it tastes just like brandy and coke, just a lot cheaper.
- The ‘farewell/Eon birthday’ celebration with Werner and Chanel in Bangkok - definitely a night to remember.
The Lows:
- “One night in Bangkok and the world’s you oyster…” Okay, so it was not one night, but the things you see in Bangkok will shock you to the core. Sex tourism is definitely the main attraction for many Western men.
- Getting soaked by the rain while looking for accommodation on arrival at the beach.
- Mozzies!! (as Eon would say: “Hierdie is Thai tye!”)
Useful Thai vocabulary:
- Sawadee! (followed by’ka’ if your femal and ‘khap’ if your male) - hello
- Khawp Khun (followed by’ka’ if your femal and ‘khap’ if your male) - thank you
- Pad Thai - delicious fried noodles with soya sauce, bean sprouts, egg, chillies, garlic and lots and lots of peanuts!
Thailand was a bit of a break from travelling - we did not do much. We lazed around on the beaches, spent hours reading on a bungalow porch or just had ‘kuiers’ with our friends. Even the internet posts took a back seat in this country - but I promise, we are back in full steam!
Will I return? Maybe for a beach holiday in about 10 years or so 
Book reviews:
So Eon seems to be winning the reading competition so far as he is ramming in one book after another. But I am in a close second place and have not yet given up. Herewith some of the reviews:
Chantell:
Warlock, by Wilbur Smith.
This is the third in a series of ancient Egyptian tales by Smith. I read the first, River God, back in South Africa and enjoyed it so much that I just had to get the rest of the series.
Warlock definitely did not disappoint. It is filled with all the ingredients of a good epic adventure: love, murder, conspiracy, tension, drama and action. It is s thrilling story of a Pharaoh that gets cheated out of his royal right to the thrown and his clever vengeance on the perpetrators.
Eon:
Power of the sword, Wilbur Smith
Nice thick typical Wilbur style epic journey! The story happens in South Africa when Smuts was president. The story is about two half-brothers that take two totally different paths in life but facing each other in the end. Some Afrikaans words add to the effect. The beginning was great but got a bit long at the end.
Holy Cow, Sarah McDonald
This woman can describe something like I’ve never experienced before! This is how she describes the busses in India: “filthy lime-green busses fly around like kamikaze cans squeezing out a chunky sauce of arms and legs” Can you get a better description than this?! This was part of my India preparation. Very informative book, gave you a very unbiased view and description of all the religions and idiosyncrasies of India.
Click on the link below to view the gallery for Thailand: