Monday, April 21, 2008
Friday, April 18, 2008
Everybody Chiang Mai Tonight
Hey everyone,
Well we finished up a week of Beaching down on Ko Phi Phi. It took awhile but it grew on us. We found a nicer spot to stay and pretty much swam and snorkelled all day...I know tough life. The thing we found about Phi Phi was there was just too much boat traffic all the time. For those who havn't experienced it a long tail sounds a lot like a helicopter to you when you are trying to relax on the beach! It was still an unbelievably beautiful area, but as humans like to do we tend to wreck natural things with our unatural way.
I did a half day tour (which as 7 and a half hours long!) to some of the smaller islands and Ko Phi Phi Lei (the island from the movie "The Beach" with Leo Di Caprio). The water was so clear when you got away from the main area. The snorkelling was unbelievable! I felt like I was in a fish tank the whole time...more fish then I have ever seen at once, they just surrounded me...totally crazy! I also saw a sea snake...extremely venomous but totally relaxed and paid us no attention.
Overall it was a wonderful place and a great break. Now we are up in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and already experiencing a bit more of the Thai-ness we missed in Bangkok and down south. And it is SOOO much cheaper up here so that helps! We are planning on doing a cooking course on an organic farm while we are here and perhaps an elephant trek! It should be great. Not much else exciting to tell you...yet!
Miss you all,
Love,
SarahandRoo
Well we finished up a week of Beaching down on Ko Phi Phi. It took awhile but it grew on us. We found a nicer spot to stay and pretty much swam and snorkelled all day...I know tough life. The thing we found about Phi Phi was there was just too much boat traffic all the time. For those who havn't experienced it a long tail sounds a lot like a helicopter to you when you are trying to relax on the beach! It was still an unbelievably beautiful area, but as humans like to do we tend to wreck natural things with our unatural way.
I did a half day tour (which as 7 and a half hours long!) to some of the smaller islands and Ko Phi Phi Lei (the island from the movie "The Beach" with Leo Di Caprio). The water was so clear when you got away from the main area. The snorkelling was unbelievable! I felt like I was in a fish tank the whole time...more fish then I have ever seen at once, they just surrounded me...totally crazy! I also saw a sea snake...extremely venomous but totally relaxed and paid us no attention.
Overall it was a wonderful place and a great break. Now we are up in Chiang Mai in the north of Thailand and already experiencing a bit more of the Thai-ness we missed in Bangkok and down south. And it is SOOO much cheaper up here so that helps! We are planning on doing a cooking course on an organic farm while we are here and perhaps an elephant trek! It should be great. Not much else exciting to tell you...yet!
Miss you all,
Love,
SarahandRoo
Friday, April 11, 2008
Bangkultureshok
Hey Everyone,
I am writing this blog with one of the most beautiful views in front of me...Ko Phi Phi Island on Thailands South West coast. It has been a bit of an adventure so far in Thailand. We finished up in Australia with the great barrier reef, tropical rainforest and finally Sydney...all amazing.
We flew into Bangkok late at night, around midnight to a mass of people trying to get us to take a cab to our guest house...pure chaos! We finally got a cabbie who took us to where we were staying off of Sukumvit rd after scaring the crap out of us by not knowing where we were staying and trying to phone our guesthouse with no answer and getting out of the cab and asking people on the street even though we had the address written down. We finally got to our place and the security guard let us in to our air conditioned room...so nice since it was still 29 degrees and HUMID at 1 in the morning!
Unfortunately we got off to the wrong start in Bangkok with some tuk tuk drivers and their well dressed accomplices who got us to go the the so called Tourism Authority of Thailand office aka TAT but theirs was T.A.T. Very glad we didn't have a good feel about it and didn't book anything from them...but we had to pay another driver to get us back to where we were and it was over double the price! The next day we almost got scammed again...a cheap sight seeing tour...with stops at some stores...we didn't bite and got out as soon as they said one stop...another set up of guys told us that the major temple was closed and didn't open until later and they could take us on a tour to the other temples which were only open in the morning and closed in the evening...again we didn't bite and walked around the corner and sure enough the temple was open! I HATE TUK TUK DRIVERS!!!
The Temples are just amazing. There is so much gold leaf and ceramic tiles and pillars...it is really amazing. Plus we saw the BIGGEST Buddha I can ever imagine all in gold. Spectacular. We also got a bit of shopping in on Kao Sahn Road.
Now the best part of Thailand so far was our VIP bus trip from Bangkok to Krabi. Talk about rockstar treatment. We got to the bus station and it was just rammmed full of heaps of Thai people all going away for Thai new year, and one maybe two other tourists like us, really cool. Now all the buses leave around the same time so everyone hangs out at the bus station eating and waiting for the big moment. It was insane! When the time came people came pouring in the thousands to the platforms to get on the hundreds of buses getting ready to leave...then one by one they load up and head out...there are police directing traffic and blowing whistles, such unimaginable organized chaos. But the bus was so sweet. We had these massive fully reclining chairs which where more like a lazy boy then a bus seat. We got fed donuts and drinks and got a moist towel in the morning (overnight bus). Best overnight ride in any vehicle in my life! After a few hours all the buses stop and we got herded into this place for some food before being herded back to the bus.
Now this morning was totally wild. We got off of our shuttle bus to the boat port where they put a sticker on you and send you off on a long tail boat before you know what's happening and then toss you on a bigger boat to head off to Ko Phi Phi. We are here and can finally relax...the island isn't quite what I imagined...not quite as nice as i pictured, still absolutely beautiful...I think we are on the wrong side with all the long tail boats and the smaller not so nice beach with garbage nearby, we have been spoiled with some of the nicest beaches so far so we need it to be mind blowing...tommorow I am going to go explore the island by foot (no vehicles on the island) and find us what we were looking for...beautiful beach with a nice quiet place to chill...so if anyone reads this in time and has some suggestions send us an email!
Oh ya I love the back alley food in Bangkok...my recommendation: skip the restaurants and eat with the thai locals at these...delicious and super cheap (around $1 or so canadian for a nice red curry).
We are exhausted and ready for some R and R. Hope everyone is doing great and we miss you all very much!
Love,
SarahandRoo
I am writing this blog with one of the most beautiful views in front of me...Ko Phi Phi Island on Thailands South West coast. It has been a bit of an adventure so far in Thailand. We finished up in Australia with the great barrier reef, tropical rainforest and finally Sydney...all amazing.
We flew into Bangkok late at night, around midnight to a mass of people trying to get us to take a cab to our guest house...pure chaos! We finally got a cabbie who took us to where we were staying off of Sukumvit rd after scaring the crap out of us by not knowing where we were staying and trying to phone our guesthouse with no answer and getting out of the cab and asking people on the street even though we had the address written down. We finally got to our place and the security guard let us in to our air conditioned room...so nice since it was still 29 degrees and HUMID at 1 in the morning!
Unfortunately we got off to the wrong start in Bangkok with some tuk tuk drivers and their well dressed accomplices who got us to go the the so called Tourism Authority of Thailand office aka TAT but theirs was T.A.T. Very glad we didn't have a good feel about it and didn't book anything from them...but we had to pay another driver to get us back to where we were and it was over double the price! The next day we almost got scammed again...a cheap sight seeing tour...with stops at some stores...we didn't bite and got out as soon as they said one stop...another set up of guys told us that the major temple was closed and didn't open until later and they could take us on a tour to the other temples which were only open in the morning and closed in the evening...again we didn't bite and walked around the corner and sure enough the temple was open! I HATE TUK TUK DRIVERS!!!
The Temples are just amazing. There is so much gold leaf and ceramic tiles and pillars...it is really amazing. Plus we saw the BIGGEST Buddha I can ever imagine all in gold. Spectacular. We also got a bit of shopping in on Kao Sahn Road.
Now the best part of Thailand so far was our VIP bus trip from Bangkok to Krabi. Talk about rockstar treatment. We got to the bus station and it was just rammmed full of heaps of Thai people all going away for Thai new year, and one maybe two other tourists like us, really cool. Now all the buses leave around the same time so everyone hangs out at the bus station eating and waiting for the big moment. It was insane! When the time came people came pouring in the thousands to the platforms to get on the hundreds of buses getting ready to leave...then one by one they load up and head out...there are police directing traffic and blowing whistles, such unimaginable organized chaos. But the bus was so sweet. We had these massive fully reclining chairs which where more like a lazy boy then a bus seat. We got fed donuts and drinks and got a moist towel in the morning (overnight bus). Best overnight ride in any vehicle in my life! After a few hours all the buses stop and we got herded into this place for some food before being herded back to the bus.
Now this morning was totally wild. We got off of our shuttle bus to the boat port where they put a sticker on you and send you off on a long tail boat before you know what's happening and then toss you on a bigger boat to head off to Ko Phi Phi. We are here and can finally relax...the island isn't quite what I imagined...not quite as nice as i pictured, still absolutely beautiful...I think we are on the wrong side with all the long tail boats and the smaller not so nice beach with garbage nearby, we have been spoiled with some of the nicest beaches so far so we need it to be mind blowing...tommorow I am going to go explore the island by foot (no vehicles on the island) and find us what we were looking for...beautiful beach with a nice quiet place to chill...so if anyone reads this in time and has some suggestions send us an email!
Oh ya I love the back alley food in Bangkok...my recommendation: skip the restaurants and eat with the thai locals at these...delicious and super cheap (around $1 or so canadian for a nice red curry).
We are exhausted and ready for some R and R. Hope everyone is doing great and we miss you all very much!
Love,
SarahandRoo
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Tuesday, March 18, 2008
Packed in like Sardines!
G'day
Well, we are feeling a bit like a bunch of smushed in Sardines after 2 weeks on the road in our campervan...it sleeps 2 comfortably and 3 very tightly! We are surviving so far and are all healthy and well.
We have covered a lot of ground since getting on the road. We started in Adelaide, where we met up with my bro, and have gone all the way to Byron Bay as of now...soon to enter Queensland! We have seen so much that we'll have to let the pictures do the talking once we have time to post them.
Campervanning it has been quite the experience so far! We start our days pretty early with the search for food (no fridge) to nurish us for our days adventure. After it has been lots of driving and sight seeing, with a few stops for a surf or swim of course! The night is always an adventure as we look for some nice quiet spot to stop for the night (for free of course!). We have stayed at some beautiful beaches some nights and some AMAZING grocery store parking lots other times, ok maybe amazing isn't the right word. Overall we have been lucky with only having to move once due to some loud partying kids...it was all of 10:30 pm when we moved...we are usually in bed by 9:00 (big partiers). Beans is our primary source of food right now, and we aren't even cooking them. I joke that we are eating hobo dinners!
We had two great visits with Sarah's relatives in Melbourne and Cobram in the state of Victoria. Sar is amazed that no matter where you go the Calabrase are all alike...and to my joy the Salami is too, well not quite as good as yours John! We were treated to homemade Pizza from a wood fired oven courtesy of cousin Teresa along with some figs straight off the tree. One of the highlights was a short car ride before dinner to see the Koala Bears...we were within a few feet of them everywhere, they are naturals in front of the camera always striking a pose and looking right into the lense. Overall the visits were perfect and all the relatives send their regards to everyone back in Canada.
I should get going so we can make it up to Tweed Heads today. We are having a great time and are missing you all.
Love,
SarahandRoo (and Benny)
Well, we are feeling a bit like a bunch of smushed in Sardines after 2 weeks on the road in our campervan...it sleeps 2 comfortably and 3 very tightly! We are surviving so far and are all healthy and well.
We have covered a lot of ground since getting on the road. We started in Adelaide, where we met up with my bro, and have gone all the way to Byron Bay as of now...soon to enter Queensland! We have seen so much that we'll have to let the pictures do the talking once we have time to post them.
Campervanning it has been quite the experience so far! We start our days pretty early with the search for food (no fridge) to nurish us for our days adventure. After it has been lots of driving and sight seeing, with a few stops for a surf or swim of course! The night is always an adventure as we look for some nice quiet spot to stop for the night (for free of course!). We have stayed at some beautiful beaches some nights and some AMAZING grocery store parking lots other times, ok maybe amazing isn't the right word. Overall we have been lucky with only having to move once due to some loud partying kids...it was all of 10:30 pm when we moved...we are usually in bed by 9:00 (big partiers). Beans is our primary source of food right now, and we aren't even cooking them. I joke that we are eating hobo dinners!
We had two great visits with Sarah's relatives in Melbourne and Cobram in the state of Victoria. Sar is amazed that no matter where you go the Calabrase are all alike...and to my joy the Salami is too, well not quite as good as yours John! We were treated to homemade Pizza from a wood fired oven courtesy of cousin Teresa along with some figs straight off the tree. One of the highlights was a short car ride before dinner to see the Koala Bears...we were within a few feet of them everywhere, they are naturals in front of the camera always striking a pose and looking right into the lense. Overall the visits were perfect and all the relatives send their regards to everyone back in Canada.
I should get going so we can make it up to Tweed Heads today. We are having a great time and are missing you all.
Love,
SarahandRoo (and Benny)
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
True Ozzies....oh I mean Aussies
Hey Everyone!
We are on the count down for leaving Perth...one and a half weeks. It is going to be very hard to leave this place. This summer has been great, we had 50 days with no rain and that day of rain was about 2 weeks ago. I never thought I could get used to the heat here but it has happened. I am now one of those wierdos wearing pants on a cool 26 degree day (which feels surprisingly cool after 2 weeks straight of 34-38 degrees!). I also never thought of cricket as much of a sport but Sar and I are hooked! I even bought a set to bring the game to all of our friends back home. Australia is a great place to live and I have to say we have loved being Australians.
Australians love their beaches, barbeques, sports and the 1980's. Sar and I are amazed (and confused) with the younger generations return to the 80's. Here is my top 10 reasons why Australia is stuck in the 80's:
10: Neon, neon and more neon: hats, shoes, shirts, bags, pants, flip-flops...all neon
9: Extreme v-neck shirts on guys...one word: hideous!
8: 80's shades (if you remember the old oakley frogskins you'll get the picture)
7: short shorts are everywhere...on all the kids, male and female! They even have short short boardies (neon or animal print of coarse)
6: They dedicate one month a year to growing mustaches, aka Movember. It looks like an 80's cop convention has hit town
5: Gladiators is still on (a version of American Gladiators)
4: Sleeveless or short sleeved hooded sweatshirts
3: The rat tail: if you remember it looks like a regular hair cut until you look at the back and see that long thin tuft of hair...and it even comes braided on some of the guys
2: The El Camino lives! Yes the infamous CaTruck (half car half truck) I am not talking ones that have survived since the 80's, they're still making new ones and they are hugely popular
1: The Mullet is in full force. And like the short shorts this one is for both sexes. I have never in my life seen so many she-mullets and nasty looking half dyed faux hawk-mullets my life
Australians also have some great ideas which we could probably benefit from in Canada. I thought I better put it into another top 10 because people love those:
10: No pennies: everything is rounded to the nearest 5 cents (10 cents in New Zealand)
9: Toilets with the option of full or half flush for water conservation
8: Free public barbeques at all of the parks
7: Majority of people actually using the re-usable shopping bags
6: You can bring food and drink to almost all events: concerts, sporting events etc...
5: You can bring your own booze to almost all restaurants and to your family picnics, fireworks, horse races, concerts, well basically anything outdoors!...etc without anyone giving you grief as long as you are not making a scene.
4: Switches on all the electrical plugs
3: Park wherever you want...side walks, lawns basically where you like with no tickets!
2: Tipping is not necessary, only if you think the service was great...you never tip when you buy a beer
1: Sun safety: zinc actually isn't dorky, they have made it cool to wear (some radiculous things written in zinc on a lot of teenagers backs and bellies! I often sport the white nosed zinc look and occionally the whole white faced look in the water
Hope you enjoyed this small insight into the laid backed Aussie culture. We will be more regular with our blogs now that we are going to be on the road with tons of new experiences!
Miss you all very much,
Love
SarahandRoo
We are on the count down for leaving Perth...one and a half weeks. It is going to be very hard to leave this place. This summer has been great, we had 50 days with no rain and that day of rain was about 2 weeks ago. I never thought I could get used to the heat here but it has happened. I am now one of those wierdos wearing pants on a cool 26 degree day (which feels surprisingly cool after 2 weeks straight of 34-38 degrees!). I also never thought of cricket as much of a sport but Sar and I are hooked! I even bought a set to bring the game to all of our friends back home. Australia is a great place to live and I have to say we have loved being Australians.
Australians love their beaches, barbeques, sports and the 1980's. Sar and I are amazed (and confused) with the younger generations return to the 80's. Here is my top 10 reasons why Australia is stuck in the 80's:
10: Neon, neon and more neon: hats, shoes, shirts, bags, pants, flip-flops...all neon
9: Extreme v-neck shirts on guys...one word: hideous!
8: 80's shades (if you remember the old oakley frogskins you'll get the picture)
7: short shorts are everywhere...on all the kids, male and female! They even have short short boardies (neon or animal print of coarse)
6: They dedicate one month a year to growing mustaches, aka Movember. It looks like an 80's cop convention has hit town
5: Gladiators is still on (a version of American Gladiators)
4: Sleeveless or short sleeved hooded sweatshirts
3: The rat tail: if you remember it looks like a regular hair cut until you look at the back and see that long thin tuft of hair...and it even comes braided on some of the guys
2: The El Camino lives! Yes the infamous CaTruck (half car half truck) I am not talking ones that have survived since the 80's, they're still making new ones and they are hugely popular
1: The Mullet is in full force. And like the short shorts this one is for both sexes. I have never in my life seen so many she-mullets and nasty looking half dyed faux hawk-mullets my life
Australians also have some great ideas which we could probably benefit from in Canada. I thought I better put it into another top 10 because people love those:
10: No pennies: everything is rounded to the nearest 5 cents (10 cents in New Zealand)
9: Toilets with the option of full or half flush for water conservation
8: Free public barbeques at all of the parks
7: Majority of people actually using the re-usable shopping bags
6: You can bring food and drink to almost all events: concerts, sporting events etc...
5: You can bring your own booze to almost all restaurants and to your family picnics, fireworks, horse races, concerts, well basically anything outdoors!...etc without anyone giving you grief as long as you are not making a scene.
4: Switches on all the electrical plugs
3: Park wherever you want...side walks, lawns basically where you like with no tickets!
2: Tipping is not necessary, only if you think the service was great...you never tip when you buy a beer
1: Sun safety: zinc actually isn't dorky, they have made it cool to wear (some radiculous things written in zinc on a lot of teenagers backs and bellies! I often sport the white nosed zinc look and occionally the whole white faced look in the water
Hope you enjoyed this small insight into the laid backed Aussie culture. We will be more regular with our blogs now that we are going to be on the road with tons of new experiences!
Miss you all very much,
Love
SarahandRoo
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