Thailand and India(a long needed post)

Jan. 23, 2010 (lost one two whole days traveling and crossing datelines)
At this moment sitting in my hotel room at the New Empire Hotel I can hear the sounds of mopeds, cars honking horns, buses moving people here and there and the tuk tuks trying to find customers or moving along the busy streets of Bangkok, Thailand in Chinatown.
I had my first breakfast overseas. It was rice soup with chicken, just delicious. After that we had a gathering before going out. We were going to see two different temples. To get there we took a river taxi. It was fun going in the boat and I didn’t get motion sick. The river taxi is faster then all the street traffic. The first one had the giant reclining Buddha. It was a giant Bronze Buddha in a reclining position. Unlike the ones seen in the US he is rather skinny. What I thought was pretty was the mother of pearl designs on the feet. I paid 20 baht and dropped coins in the jars. The place was nice but in the back of my mind I knew it was an idol and I felt sad that others would worship it. I explored a little more. When I think of the temples I think of gold. There was gold but a lot color and glass mixed. They were built in the 1800rds so newer then most temples. I went with Ahne into the main area with the buddhas. I couldn’t tell if it really was gold or was a metal that looked like gold. It was nice but I was getting hungry.
For food I went to some street stalls with Clay and Brenna. I had rice with pork over it with a sauce that was sweet and sour. In the soda was in tall bottles and have real sugar in them! I need to be careful to not drink too much soda. After eating we met up with the rest of the group to see the second temple/wat. It had lots of porcelain on it due to the Chinese coming down the river and a ship getting stuck so the porcelain was used. It isn’t very old, maybe as old as Hiram. It was scary going up the steep steps to get up onto the wat. Even though it was scary getting up the steps the view was really beautiful. A group walked around and bargained for a few stuff. I think I am spending too much. I got 4 chopsticks for people as gifts. I had a lot of snack food since everything was so cheap in my perspective. After that Denny arranged a tour of the canals for us on a small barge.
First stop was the barge museum. I am disappointed a didn’t get to bring in my camera due to a fee. It was all the royal barges still used as well as the one that got bombed in WWII. It was cool seeing how instead of gilded carriages and chariots they have barges. It shows how much the river is relayed upon. After that we headed out to go and see the canals.
Going through the canals- rivers are so are cities. This is a prime example. In Bangkok it shows that the river is a very important part of how they live. There are river taxis that take you to and from different places, mostly temple sites are the unloading areas. All around these ports are shops and street stalls with people trying to sell their goods. There was even and intersection type thing along with a general store only available by boat. Some houses had no street access and went to and from on boat. Some Children were jumping from a bridge and others from pipes. The boat tried to stop and people tried to sell us a show that we didn’t want. Finally they let us go and we headed out again.
When we were at a temple we saw a lot of hug fish swarming due to children at the temple throwing bread into the water. A few minutes after that the engine on the boat died. So just like jump starting a car another boat helped jumpstart the boat I was in. It was interesting and I wish I had gotten a photo of it. After that everyone went off on there own. I ended up going through the market place with the group and then that group got split up. So Nicole, Jacob, Vince and I went to eat. We couldn’t deside so we chose a place and I had noodles with chicken. I tried to stay up and due homework but it didn’t work. We had class as well and Anh and I were late. Lol
P.S. crossing 2 time zones and a 9 hour flight followed by a miserable 7 hour flight does not make a happy Michelle. Nothing happened but I came close to telling off Caitlin.

Jan. 25, 2010
Yesterday was half free and half travel.
Morning Breakfast was a really small omelet. I went with Anh and met up with Allen and other guys. We decided to go out for lunch around 11:30am so we would be back on time to check out. I didn’t really get lunch I more had these pastry balls that tasted like a doughnut. Anh got some fruit that she shared. My watch is ahead so we went back early to do a double check of the room, since we backed earlier. Good thing too because the maids were ready to clean the room. We headed out and it was pouring rain. I had the raincoat on but I was sweating inside due to the humidity. Our group was a sight to see moving along in a single file with bags and all in rain gear. I noticed a few people were looking at us. We got to the train station and like most train stations they all look mostly the same.
Kanako had lost her camera so she wanted to go to the MBK center to get one. I needed a sleeping bag so I went along and Mike came too. We were going to take a taxi but instead took a tuk tuk. It was really weird to ride it and scary. The driver stopped somewhere to con us into buying something so he could get free gas. We didn’t go for it and it felt like he didn’t drive as nice. I asked about a sleeping bag but they told me not anymore. The center reminds me a lot like other Asian malls I have seen in the dramas. Kanako got her camera and we got a taxi for the ride back because at MBK they have taxis line up and mall people tell them were to take the person. It was nice.
We got back right as the group was heading to the temple with the golden Buddha. It was good because we didn’t think we would be back in time to go see it. Once again we were a sight all of us with our overstuffed backpacks, since we consolidated bags, walking down the road to the temple. The temple was marble with gold leafing on it. Sad that it was beautiful yet the people who built it and worship the golden Buddha are turning from God. It was the first time that I have gone through a museum with no shoes. It was fun. The first was a exhibit about the growth of Chinatown. The second exhibit was about how the golden Buddha was found and moved to the place it is at. Finally I saw the golden Buddha. It was very gold. I liked the architect more then the Buddha. The marble was just beautiful. Also we had to take off our shoes. it’s the first time I can say that I went to a museum with out my shoes. After that I headed back to the train station for more waiting. It wasn’t too bad. I gained insight on public travel. It was weird but I enjoyed it and would do it again. When the train arrived we got on and had sleepers.
A sleeper wasn’t bad. I fell asleep and slept very well. It was weird at first but when my head hit the pillow I was out. I think after this I could sleep mostly anywhere. After the train was bus to the boat to take us to Koh Tao. It was only an hour and a half. For a catamaran it was very rocky.
When in Koh Tao we got in these trucks that had the beds with benches on them. I was scared I was going to fall out! I made it safe and sound at the hotel. We had lunch due to not being able to check in yet. The food took forever to get. In Koh Tao there is no sense of fast pace. It makes sense since most people are being lazy so they don’t care how fast they get the food. After lunch I went with Clay and Brenna. I had a legal drink, which was Pina colada. It was good. We then checked into the bungalows. They have a huge bed and one small one in the room. Out in the living room was 2 more for the guys. I am rooming with Anh, Zippy, Vincent and Jacob. After getting settled I went with Anh and Becky to get a skirt, since I have like the idea. I got a black one that goes to my knees. I then went to find were Allen and Swaffy were. I found them at the water and then they went to get drinks so I watched the stuff and played in the water for a little bit. The water was very warm. There was very little wave due to the shore being protected by the reef surrounding the area. When everyone got back Becky and I went to get smoothies. I had a delicious pineapple smoothie with real pineapple in it. I should be careful about the food but I am doing ok.
I went in the water and it became a dunking match between the guys and the girls. Vince got me but I put up a fight. I will never go down without a fight that’s for sure.
After that we had a meeting about the diving tomorrow. I am excited because I get to go deeper. I wont be diving with anyone I know but it will be on the same boat. After that we still had free time so we went back to playing in the water. A group went and played volleyball and got challenged by some other people but no one took the challenge. This area is very much a European tourist area and well as a place were girls can go topless on the beach. That was and adventure when I saw that and was like wow I did not need to see that! in the water I just sat in the water. There are barely anyway waves so me and the other girls just sat in the water. A few dunking of people happened but not much.
After that we headed to dinner, which was Pad Thai. The soda is in glass bottles and has real sugar so it tastes delicious. Here is takes a long time to get food served here. It must be do to most of the people here are on vacation and are not in a hurry, plus the more one stays the more they drink, or so I think. When heading back there was a cart that was making pancakes. The pancakes here are very much like crepes and are filled with fruits and such. Some of the group got bananas and nutella. I got mine filled with coconut and chocolate on the top, yum yum.
Then I hung out before class. There are hug geckos outside the room. There are about 2 big one and one little one. I am told they come out every night to eat all the bugs. It looks like an older Bubbles.
It was then class and then a SCUBA Club meeting to write a letter so that the club can get money to do club diving activities in the Maldives. I am very tired and going to bed early.

Jan. 26, 2010
Breakfast was a pancake with bananas and Pineapple. The pancakes are a lot like crepes. I went back to the room but when I got there I realized that I didn’t have the key. So locked out of the room, so I took time to talk to God. It was good to have time alone and just pray to Him. I need to find time to talk to Him not just when it is convenient for me. After that I got all my stuff together and headed to lunch. Lunch was fried rice with chicken. It came in just enough time to eat and head out to dive.
The dive boats cannot come inshore because of the reef. So we took a smaller boat out to the dive boat. When we got to the big boat we were given weights and tanks. I had a big tank and had no idea what weight to use due to being in the metric system. I was put in a group of advance divers due to my rescue certification. I was with a dive master along 2 other guys. We were going to do 2 dives.
The first stop was Chumpon Pinnacle. The purpose of the dive was mostly to see sharks. I was hoping to see a whale shark but the dive master said he had never seen one since he had been in Koh Tao. I got weights on a weight belt which was strange to me since I have never used one. I didn’t have a computer either, only the dive master had one. The depth and air gage was all in the metric system so I had to figure it out. The water was ruff and I had a hard time getting down due to most likely not having enough weights. I got down and it was not very good visibility. The good thing was I saw lots of sharks. 2 in the sand right away. Then 3 were swimming a little above us and then I had one swim right over my head. I was worried about that one because I didn’t have enough weights and kept going up. I saw 2 more before heading to the safety stop. Due to not having enough weight and having the tank become a buoy I shot past the safety stop. Oops! I was told it was ok since we were only doing 2 dives but I had a headache from missing my safety stop from going down 30 meters. I was fine by time the second dive started. The second dive had a current but not surface waves and was clear. There was a lot of life. I did some swim throughs. There was nudebranchs and Christmas trees on the reef. Also some clams were on the edges. Just so much life was in the water. This time I had enough weights and did just fine staying down and doing my safety stop. I finished the dive and headed back to shore. I cant compare it to the Bahamas yet because I only did 2 dives but I wouldn’t mind to go back again and do more dives.
After diving I changed and headed to dinner. I had a shark attack before eating and then after eating had a Mai Tai. I was kinda tipsy by then. After that lets just say I was getting drunk.
Jan 27, 2010
I must have slept really good due to learning that Jacob had gotten really drunk and was loud. Zippy said that I didn’t even move once when I slept. I woke up and took a shower since I was so drunk last night and couldn’t stand strait. The I wasn’t hung over but later in the day I felt some of the decompression sickness. After that I cleaned and packed up to check out of the hotel at 11am but we were not leaving until 2pm. After packing and cleaning I rested for awhile. When Anh and Jacob got back they almost fell asleep as well. We had way too much fun last night and were tired and knew a long day was ahead of us.
I then had lunch, which was a club sandwich. I was finally able to get internet and was able to check my email as well as talk to Dad. After that I headed out to send out postcards. We then had trucks take us to the boat to get us out of Koh Tao. The trucks are pickup trucks with benches in the bed for people to sit. I was scared I was going to fall out with the way the Thai drive very fast and crazy.
We got to the train station and had to wait for 3 hours until the train came late. So I went to get dinner. I had a shower at the restaurant. I never thought I would jump into a cold shower in a bathroom. I wasn’t going to do it but now I am glad. It was so refreshing to get the stickiness off me. The bug bites don’t hurt as much but still need to put stuff on them. I am getting into this with this shower. How many times can I say that I got naked in a bathroom to take a shower from a shower head in the middle of a public bathroom. Anyways dinner was good.
The train finally came but it was late so we didn’t get on until midnight. All of us are tired and are getting grouchy.

Jan. 28, 2010
I wish we had more time to sleep on the train even though it wasn’t as nice as the first one. We arrived and I wish I could have slept more. Since it was early we had to wait at the train station from 4 to 9. I learned how to sleep very well sitting up with my face in the backpack. After this I could be able to sleep anywhere. Around 7 a bus was arraigned to take the group to the Keow Cave and then the place were we would caught the boats to take to the place we were going to be camping.
The cave hike was a lot of fun. Most of the group had headlights so our hands could be free. There were some spots were I had to almost crawl to get through and other times were there was so little of a walkway between me and a drop into darkness. It was very fun and I would like to be able to do it again. After getting back to the bus we got dropped off at a little village that would have boats to take us to the national park for camping.
The boast are small water taxis. It was a sandy shore area with trees. In the mountain area is a cave that a temple was built in. I heard was fun to go see. By the time we were at the campsite I know my temper was short and I think others were too. We ate lunch and then I got in my swimsuit and hand washed some clothes so they would be clean and dry tomorrow.
I played in the water for a little bit and then walked along the beach to have some alone time. It was good I did because I saw sand crabs and hermit crabs everywhere. It was nice to be alone for awhile and collect my thoughts and such. After that I had dinner, class and then went to bed early to get up early to try and go up to the cave.

Jan. 29, 2010
Got up early to hike up to cave. The cave was cool. The roof had fallen it and a temple had been put in it. The ground in the cave was fine and was eroded material. Once again such a beautiful act of nature by God had been used for buddism. I sat down and was able to pray to God knowing that the reason the cave was there was because he made it most likely in the flood or at another time. Nothing happens in nature at random, it is all when God wants and wills it to be. I have to keep reminding myself that as I see His creation all around me.
After being in the cave for awhile I headed back down. On the way down I caught glimpses of monkeys. At one lookout spot there was about 5 monkeys in one area. It was very cool to see monkeys in the wild. Never in my life did I think I would see them in real life other then a zoo.
Finally got back to camp and had pancakes and then packed up to head out again, I got into boats and then vans. During the drive I fell asleep almost the whole time. We finally got to the place. It is one big room with 3 bathrooms. The beds are in a row with no set separators. Everyone has a pillow and a blanket. As soon as we got there we had lunch. The place made it for us. They were taking pictures. It must be because we are one of the largest groups of Americans they most likely have gotten. They were all very nice.
We then had class by the river. It was nice but once again the bugs kept attacking me the whole time. After class I swam in the river for a little bit. It was quite clean and there was current. After that I relaxed and had dinner around 6ish. The rest of the night was relaxing and starting some of my paper and went to bed early due to having to get up early the next day.
PS. I hate bugs!

Jan. 30, 2010
Woke up at 4am which I did not like. But that was because we had to be up and going by 4:30am. We were loaded up in the beds of pickup trucks with benches on them. It was then a cold 2 hour drive up the mountain to go hiking.
We got there and had breakfast. Almost everything here has rice. The place we were at was very beautiful tropical wet forest. Around 7:45ish we head out on the hike. We had a guide from the national park service.
I did a lot better this hike. At the beginning it was mostly flat and downhill. The sounds seemed out of the Jungle Book. It was cool and not to humid as the sun was waking up and sunlight filtered into different parts between trees. Monkeys and the ones that look like monkeys but don’t have a tail (I cant remember there names right now) were filling the air with their noises. At one time I saw a monkey swing away from us. As there was some elephant dung on the ground but I never saw an elephant. We hiked down to a beautiful waterfall. When we got close but couldn’t see it I could here it and it was a beautiful and powerful sound.
We got near a stream and had to walk across the bed for a bit. My hiking boots were soaked through but I didn’t mind. Only one of the guys got leaches on his pants and shoes. When we got to the bottom of the water fall a few of the guys and girls stripped to underwear and jumped into the water. After that we head up to other parts of the falls and to head back. On the way up near the water was a giant frog. I got a picture and then my camera battery died because I forgot to charge it.
It was now all uphill. I am good with downhill, strait and gradual uphill but none of the steep stuff. I did better then Haleakala but I was once again one of the last ones but not as far behind this time. It was less monkeys and more birds and bug sounds coming from the forest. It was also much more humid and hotter. I made it to the end around 2pm
We then had to wait until 4pm because until then the mountain road was only one way and that was up. The ride back down was nice, but dirty. It was nice to see everything that was missed do to it being dark in the morning. I had dinner and later I had ice cream and finished my paper and relaxed.
The Thai group across from us have been doing karaoke all night and last night as well and sorry to say but some sing very bad.
Jan. 31, 2010
Woke up around 8ish due to Denny telling us that breakfast was ready. It was a type of soup. I had instant coffee that was ok but I wanted coffee so bad that I had it. After that I packed up to head back to Bangkok.
The vans were to come between 10 and 11 so I was able to get on the internet and talk to Tom. Then the people of where I was staying wanted to take a picture of all of us so I had to say goodbye fast. We took the picture and then had to wait due to the vans being late.
I couldn’t wait to get to a clean shower. I have so many bug bites and I think I have hives due to something I hit on the hike.
The Vans finally arrived and with the bags from the train station. It was a 3 hour drive back to Bangkok. It would have been fine but the driver kept stopping and then we got lost. Anh cannot sit still long because for the last hour she was hyper and saying random stuff.
We finally got to the hotel and were able to check in. I was hungry but didn’t want to eat too much and not get dinner, but I hadn’t had lunch yet and it was after 3. I went with Becky, Brenna and Nate to get food. I ended up splitting a Pad Thai with Nate. It was a good thing too because it was a large portion. I then headed back to the Hotel to pack up and get a shower.
Anh got all of her stuff out of my bag and mines out of hers. I was able to hang up some of my damp clothing to dry. The pants I have dry really fast, I am glad that I got them. I had to fully repack my bag, but it was ok. I got half way and then took a shower.
All I can say is when you haven’t had a good shower in a long time its really nice. The water was cold cause I couldn’t figure out how to make it hot. But in the end I didn’t mind and the water felt nice on all the bites and hives and it was so nice to have clean hair!
After that I headed out with Clay, Brenna, Nate, and Becky to the 7 eleven, which are everywhere. I got some really good white tea along with green tea. When I got back to the room I turned on the tv and Law & Order was on, so I watched that and then finished backing. I was able to get internet and let Zippy use it until I wanted it back. I was able to write email. Around 9ish I got a call from David and Sigrid that they had arrived and would see everyone in the morning. I went to bed around midnight.

Feb. 1, 2010
Currently on the plane to India. This morning I woke up and it was very nice to wake up clean and on a nice bed. I went and had breakfast with Nate. Breakfast was eggs, ham and toast. It was small so Nate and I went to 7 eleven to get snacks. We met Brenna, who needed to make copies, so we went along to help her find a place. We walked so many places to find it. At the English language school they kinda helped helped us. We ended up at the post office and the lady drew us and map and we found the place finally.
The weather is hot and humid making it nice to get back to the hotel room that had air conditioner. I then talked to Tom until he went to bed and then let Nate borrow the computer, since his got a virus. Around 12:45 I met up with everyone in the lobby and head to the airport. Then it was hurry up and wait. We waited about an hour before heading to get food. I saw a place that had american food and got very happy. Unfortunately it was over priced and not very good. Oh well, at least I got rid of all the baht I had. After that I met with the group. I think the benedryl was kicking in and I was tied of waiting cause I wasn’t very happy.
Finally we could check in. That took forever and then after that we had to go through passport control. That took a long time and then had to walk all the way to the gate. When I got to the gate they went through my bags and then used the wand to screen me. It was a lot of security that was for sure. Finally I got on the plane.

Feb. 2, 2010
I am now in India. It very different and I am getting very homesick. The place I am staying is in New Dehli, the Hotel Ajanta. The place isn’t too bad. The room I am in is on the ground floor right next to the lobby. Unfortunately that means I can hear everything outside with people near the window and anything in the lobby. Oh well it is only for 2 nights.
At this point I think everyone is getting short tempered with everyone. I think it will be better when Denny finally gets back with the group.
So today I woke up around 9am because we had to meet around 10 in the lobby. Funny thing was no one told David and Sigrid about meeting. While we were waiting one of the ladies from the Hotel came and told us safety if we were going out. First was to be aware of our surroundings and people we want to help and tell us that we cant go somewhere is because they want to have you go somewhere. Even after that talk some people in my group got suckered into it and me too. She also told us that people would try to follow us to get us to go somewhere. She was very helpful because its true when I went out that people are trying to get you to go here and there and get you to buy things.
So I headed out with Allen, John, Vince, Nate, Jacob, Becky, Nicky, Kanako and Anh. We went to a rooftop restaurant. We were hoping we would be able to see everything, have breakfast and head out. Well wrong we were. We waited for over an hour for food and there wasn’t much of a view. Vince wasn’t feeling good so when we finished we took Vince back to the hotel and headed out to the circle that has lots of shopping.
It took about 15minutes. We got there and I wanted to go into the park. When we went to find the entrance a person told us we couldn’t go in due to the clothes we were wearing and we couldn’t bring in cameras. It turned out it wasn’t true because the guy got us to go to this really expensive rug place. The only good part was we learned how the rug was made and got tea. If I had a lot more money maybe but just couldn’t do it. So we finally got out of there and headed back to the circle. We got sidetracked and ended up in a back street of stores. A few of the girls got some things and Nate wanted to eat so we had food. It was about 3pm so we finally got back to the circle.
A few of the girls headed to shop. After awhile people started leaving and couldn’t be found. It wouldn’t have been a big deal if it was one of the guys or a girl with a guy but Becky and Anh kept wondering off. Finally we found them. Nate got his ears cleaned while Johnny B got his shoes cleaned. We were getting tired and it was nerve racking having people try to pull you here and there to sell stuff. Also beggers come up because you are white so money is assumed. So we all headed back to the hotel. India is a lot to take in especially New Delhi.

Everything seems to be under construction. Denny says its because the workers are not paid a lot so some things never get finished or take forever to finish.

Kids ask for their photo and then want you to give them money. Becky asked one lady and she said no. It makes me wonder if they do not like getting their pictures taken.

Thats all for now. Sorry it took so long for an update. More of India will be coming, its hard because we are doing alot of traveling. Oh and Happy Birthday to Me!