April 9th, 2008 - I really have no idea what day it is and my body has no idea what time it is.  I got up wicked early this morning and walked around Khao San Road and other areas before they got packed with vendors, touts and tourists.

13 near death-by-moto/tuk-tuk experiences, 8 bottles of water, 6 temples, 45,000 touts trying to scame me and many blocks walked in the hot sun.

This is def. one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. The city is confusing and annoying at the same time.  It probably has something to do with my body being tired and the NC like heat so I wont totally discount Bangkok yet but I’m ready to move on  I’ll give it a few days more but I hope Chiang Mai et al are not this typical.  It also maybe b/c I look like your typical “farang” which is Thai for foreigner but I really think it means dumb white kid with a backpack that hasn’t shaved in a week and is sweating buckets.  Whatever it is, I’m really tired of it.

It wasn’t all bad today, I did see some amazing things today and did learn to navigate the river boats, which is somewhat of an accomplishment for me.  One of the coolest things that happened to me today was when I was walking through the National Museum.  The museum itself is ok, lots of history and artifacts but poorly labeled, but as I was walking around a group of Thai grade-schoolers passed by.   When they saw me, they all wanted to practice their English and kept saying “Hello-Goodbye” and I even heard a “What’s up?” from one of them.  It was quite entertaining and a great distraction from all of the touts.   The Thais aren’t all bad.

It’s totally a party city and its pretty easy to see why it attracts a lot of morrally loose people.  Lots of dirty hippies, cheap booze, cheaper women, and people from all over the world. 

Lots of Europeans and haven’t met any Americans yet.  Kind of surprising, but I guess its the off season and college kids are still in school.  Everyone speaks English and its pretty amazing to see hear Japanese (or any other nationality for that matter) and Thais communicating in English.  We are very lucky.

I’m not sure I’m going to be able to go to all the places i was hoping to, travel is just so slow and it takes forever to get from one place to another.  Its not often you find a place where bus travel is faster and more reliable than the trains but that’s the word here.  You can fly anywhere for fairly cheap but that takes away some of the fun.  Not that 19.5 hours on a bus to get to Chiang Mai sounds fun but at least I get to see the country.

Met Killian tonight. An Irish guy, that I kept seeing around town, and it happened to be that he was at the hostel bar when I got back so we started chatting.   He confirmed my suspicion as to why I hadn’t met anyone, there just aren’t that many Americans.  Tons of Chinese and Scandanavians and everyone seems to have paired up or come with friends.

We drank too many Tiger beers and chatted while American Gangster was playing on the big screen.   He has only been here a few days like me but had talked to a hippie who had been here for 10years and he helpd him out.  Told him about the hand signals when ordering food, Full moon party on the 20th, the 150Baht airport taxi and some other useful stuff he wrote down in my journal.

Hopefully I’ll run into him again @ Koh Tao, where he is going to learn to dive as am I. 

Plans may have changed, debating about going to the Full Moon Party on the 20th, but I have my hesitations.

Koh Samui to Koh Phangan on the 19th, stay through the 21st then head to Koh Tao. Dive for 5 days then back to BKK and then Home.  Figuring out what to do b/t now and then is an issue.  I figured I can either do Burma or Cambodia but not both.  The debate rages on.

 I forgot to mention I did do all of the tourist things today.  National Musuem, Grand Palace, Temple of Dawn, Temple of the Emerald Buddha, Reclining Buddha, Wat Po, 30 other temples and Wats, which I’ll post more about when I get my pictures up.   I walked forever and in all of these places you have to wear long pants… my poor ankles were dying.

I think its April 8th, but is almost midnight so it may be the 9th.

This leg of the flight was decidely less comfortable.  Japan Airlines flight from Tokyo to Bangkok is on an older 747 that is comparably more cramped than the AA 777 I was just on, but at least I have the whole row to myself.  There was a wicked storm in Tokyo so most flights were delayed.   This one wasn’t but we had to wait in line for takeoff for 45 minutes.  I slept a few hours but nothing substantial.  I’m going to pass out tonight.

Going to and from Tokyo was someof the worst turbulence I’ve ever felt.

Its wierd hearing this long dialogue in Japanese over the PA and thenthe English translation is something short and sweet like “Thank You.”  I feel like I’m missing something.  7 out of 10 Japan Air flight attendents are babes!

Arrived in Bangkok

The airport in Bangkok is brand new and super nice, but even at 2am or whatever time it is, it is chaotic.  Had my first Thai beer (Singha)  at the hostel bar while the local cops watched a bad version of Die Hard 4.  For some reason the movies are in English with English subtitles but they subtitles are no where near what is really being said. 

My room has no Air-Con, b/c I checked in so late, but thats no big deal really. Its hot but I can take it.  They’ll switch me to Air-con tomorrow if I want it.  Tons of dogs, all over the city, during the day they just wander around, at night they go back to their yard, and just scare the piss out of you when you walk by at night.

Bangkok is overwhelming to the senses. My first impression is mixed, but its mostly exciting.  Hard to tell this late at night.

I just realized I have no idea who won the NCAA tourney.  Tv only has 4 soccer matches and the BBC.

Finally getting sleepy, still not sure what time or day it is….

The day is blending together.  9.5 hrs on the plane and I’m still 2 hrs from Tokyo.  I havent slept a wink.  The Peruvian guys next to me has gotten up 9 times to pee already.  I don’t think he gets the bladder concept @ all.  The more you drink the more you pee.  Whatever!  Its really been a comfortable flight for the most part.  TI thought it would be way worse.  I planned on learning Thai on this flight but havent had the motivation.  I have finally gotten a rough itinerary together after watching the “Great Debaters” and “National Treasure 2.” (both good).

As of now I am going to Yangon (Burma), to Bagan (Burma) to Mandalay (Burma) to Chang Mai (Thai), to Phuket to Koh Tao, to Bangkok to Siem Reap to BKK to Morrisville!!

We’ll see how closely I stick to that plan.  I have sort of an Alexander Supertramp-esque attitude on this trip.  Just going and figuring out whats next after that.

I do know I’m planning on taking a 4-day dive certification in Koh Tao so i can learn to Scuba.

I also know my hand writing is terrible!!!

Spent some great time in LA with JP and Emily. Stayed longer then I orginally planned and it was not on purpose (read: I’m a Moron) but it was totally worth it. Got to watch them shoot the pilot TV show “Big Chef Little Kitchen” with Mario Perez. I really liked Mario so I hope his thick accent isn’t too much for the networks.

The whole production was really cool and I can’t wait to see how it turns out. I was able to take some good pictures for them, so maybe I’ll even get my name in the credits or even a new career! haha. I do hope that the show catches on and sells, Emily and JP worked really hard on it and I’d love to see them succeed. They are good people.

It was also fun hanging out with the crew afterwards. They are all good friends mainly JP, Justin, and Chris. They all have a good time at the expense of one another and its hilarious. Pretty much like my friends or any other group of guys. I was only there for a few days but they totally made me feel like part of the crew.

My trip has only just begun and I already have some good stories:

Shooting the Tv Show
Eating the food!
&#@$##@$# @#$#@ @#$# @#$#@
757’s doing loops
The Realist, Sug-knight, 2-pac
Jay Leno’s wardrobe
Big Mario
Missing Plane
Baxter and Phatty
JP’s Shrimp, totally need that recipe.

All in all it was time well spent in LA. I’m totally coming back to go to a Dodger game with them at some point.

*Note, fly to Burbank Airport next time as its closer for JP and Emily

Sitting in LAX writing this. Next stop Tokyo!

I’m transcribing (for the most part) what I wrote in my journal. I don’t mind sharing and hopefully its somewhat interesting to others. As I don’t have much free time to kill on a computer, I’m writing these as I go, so they will be about 2 weeks behind. I’ll try to include pictures when I get home.

Don’t worry, I’m only typing these while I have downtown b/t trips and letting Wordpress post them for me automatically.

Day 1: April 2nd, 2008

Holy Crap!! I’m actually doing this!

Thats pretty much the first thing I thought of this morning and as I’m sitting in RDU its sinking in for the first time…

more later….

Just finished 4.5 pretty damn fun days in Cambodia.  I’m killing an hour or so today before all my planes, trains, Tuk Tuks, and Motos today.  Hopefully, I’ll end up in Chang Mai which is Northern Thailand today but there is no telling.   I’ve had to switch around some of my flights and my last leg, I can’t change until I get back into Thailand, so hopefully I’ll be able to make my final destination at some point tonight.

I really enjoyed Cambodia, the people are really amazing.  I’ve had some unforgettable interactions with the locals and have also met some amazing backpackers as well.  I’ll write more about them later when i transcribe my journal.

Angkor Wat was amazing and disappointing at the same time.  That is sort of blasphemy here but I think its the general opinion among tourists.   Maybe it has something to do with the heat and the sheer amount of time it takes to go through the entire place but it is one long long hot day and the ruins just start to run together. One after another.   The temples themselves are amazing.  its hard to think that some little Cambodians could build these things over 1,500 years ago.  The size fills the horizon as you see them but the most breathtaking thing is the way nature has taken over them.  Huge redwood size trees just shoot up from the middle of the temples, with roots larger than me sprawling in any direction they so please.   I havent seen my pictures yet but I really hope they do it some justice but I’m just not sure.

Fill in more later, time to catch a Tuk Tuk to the airport and hopefully end up back in Thailand.

Oukuhn Sanah (Hello Darling in Cambodian, its all i know!!)

Thailand 08: Bangkok Update

Originally uploaded by evroccck

Sa Wat dee! (hello in Thai)

Sitting in the Bangkok airport on my way to Cambodia for the next 5
days and found some free wifi. Having a great time in Thailand but
its sure a crazy place. The sights sounds smells and tastes are truly
unique.

The picture above is pretty much my normal meal and its great, I
actually craved it yesterday. Noodles, soybeans, vegtables and
chicken, stir fried on a street cart. So delicious and the best part
is it was only .70 cents! I ate 3 meals yesterday and spent a total of
3 dollars and that included a liter of tiger beer. You have to love
that !
I’ve yet to meet another American which is strange but I met a cool
Irishman and a guy from Liberia. Lots of scandanavians and Europeans.

I’ve taken quite a few pictures but often find myself in such awe that
I know a picture won’t do it justice.

Boarding for Siem Reap now, I’ll check in again in a few days. Wish
you were here,

Ev

Oh yeah, I have a tenative plan that has changed 3 times already but
I’m headed to Cambodia now, northern thailand in 5 days then down to
the southern islands of koh Tao, koh samui and koh pha nagan for the
full moon party.

 

Thailand 08: I’m a Moron

Originally uploaded by evroccck

So, yea, its official. I’m an idiot. You’d think for someone who has traveled as much as I have that id be used to having all the details down, but nope! Somehow, even after double checking 4 times in the last day and a half I still missed a minor detail such as my FLIGHT TIME!
Without going into all the moronic details, it was your classic alarm clock mistake…the am/pm.  The confirmation i have from Orbitz says 11pm and my flight was actually 11am. AA.com had it right and I even looked at it several times but I got in my head 11pm and only realized it when I went to quadruple check my flight today.

After 3 hrs on the phone and several agents wanting me to pay 2k$ to leave tomorrow, the AA.com lady, Miriam saved my ass. After I seriously considered postponing the trip and heading back home, she was able to get me on a plane Monday morning to bkk and with a return flight for $30.  What a lifesaver she was. I’m still waiting for my email confirmation but I’m trying to be optimistic.

Ive been so fired up about this trip, coming home might have depressed me. I may have just stayed in my room for a month so no one was the wiser.

Although Emily and JPs, my gracious hosts in LA are welcoming me for as long as I need, their friends have determined this is an elaborate plan for me to stay in LA just so I can make it big. Maybe they are jealous bc I get to make my acting debut tomorrow!  JP, the producer of the show has cast me as the boyfriend of the girl who needs cooking help. I know what you are thinking and I’ll try not to let my dashing good looks steal the show! Haha.
I’ll also gladly be taking still photos of the show so even if my mug doesn’t make it on tv, maybe I’ll get in the credits.

All in all I’m an idiot and I hope to make it to bangkok even if I am a day late.

Ps: Emily and JPs dog is hysterical. He loves to watch tv and has lately become a youtube addict, thus the picture.

PPS: rock chalk jay-hawk!

**Update** Called Orbitz and they acknowledge the mistake and have reimbursed me for the flight change.  Its more the principle than anything but their customer service was much better than Expedia’s.  I think from now on, I’ll be booking direct with the airlines.

So the first leg of my trip was a planned stop in LA to visit my long time friend Emily and her husband, JP. Jp and Emily both work in the “the business” and are currently working on a pilot to give to a couple tv networks. Its an interesting cooking show called “Big Chef, Little kitchen” where Big Mario (as I call him) comes to the rescue of a damsel in distress. The kitchens are small and Mario is huge! I’m talking 6′-6″ 260lbs of huge. 

Well for this pilot, they are shooting in Emily and JPs kitchen, so yesterday Mario came over to do a test run. Luckily, I was here for some test eating! We went over the menu and went to the grocery store for some ingredients. Even though there were no cameras rolling, it felt completly like I was on food network.

We drank some beer and Mario began cooking. He dice, peeled, chopped and sliced his way through the onions, potatos, mushrooms, and garlic like the Shogun Assassin slicing through ninjas. Within minutes, the prep work was done and the shrooms, garlic and onion started sauteeing in some olive oil along with some S&p.  The potatos were boiling already and he began to whip up some garlic cream for the roasted garlic mash potatos. The aromas quickly filled the kitchen and I immediately started to drool which is odd because I’ve never been a mushroom fan but it lookedand smelled so good my fungi inhibitions were immediately discarded.

Big Mario cut a hole in the chicken rather than butterflying it which was cool and he stuffed the mixture that was satueeing inside of the breasts.
The chicken cooked for a few minutes and it wasn’t long before I was waiting, fork in hand, for the food to be plated.

The presentation was very nice and I took some pictures with my digicam so they could have some good quality stills to play with, ill upload those later.

I snapped this picture with my iPhone after we picked the first plate clean. It was a modified stuffed Marsala chicken with roasted garlic mashed potatoes and esparagus (which I’m still not a fan of). Oh and I almost forgot the romaine salad with a fresh balsamic something, also very good!

The work-related convo picked up and emily and I secretly worked on cleaning the second plate while everyone was distracting each other with questions of what to wear and say. I’m going to totally try and recreate that dish, it didn’t seem toohard and it was delicious, fungi and all.

We popped open a bottle of wine and ordered some Thai food, (since I won’t get enough this next month ) and chatted away the rest of the night. It was a great time and I can’t wait to see the show on tv, unfortunately I will be gone before the final shooting but I dont think it will top the experience of last night.

Great start to my trip and I’m still only in the US!

*as a side note, Emily and I realized we’ve known each other for 17years now, all the way back to 6th grade!

Just finished packing and figured I’d take a picture of what I have in my pack, which is about half full.

Here’s what I’m taking to Southeast Asia for a month

passport (visas and other docs)
credit / ATM card
drivers Lic
iPod
Books (Jack Kerouac’s On the Road, Lonely Planet Guide book)
Malaria Meds
Cipro (for common travel stomach bugs)
8 plain t-shirts
underroos (7)
socks (7, 4 white 3 black)
3 convertible pants
Shoes
collapsible cup
deoderant
poncho
1 long sleeve shirt
1 daypack
1 converter
1 toothbrush

and the camera I took this picture with.