Socialization

The second day of school for Taiten went unexpectantly well.  Mon and I took him to his classroom where without hesitation he waved goodbye to us and went to play with another boy.
Yesterday, after the kids got out of school, we went to Mon's friends place to visit and have dinner.  This is the first time since I have been here that Mon has hung out with her friends and hopefully it will become a common occurrence in the future.

Socializing isn't a big part of the Thai culture.  The kids hardly hangout with anyone other than grown ups and family.  Unlike Taiten, Bow doesn't even hang out with the kids in the village.  She usually stays with Mon, Peelawon, Sa or I.  Not once during the summer holidays  did she have a friend come over or play with anyone her age.  When I came back from Phuket, Bow told me she missed having someone to hang out with.

I am always trying to encourage her to have friends over or to hang out with the girls in the village but she would rather sit and interact with the grown ups.  When she does have kids her age around, like she did last night at Mon's friends, she doesn't interact with them.  Her friend actually stayed in the house and played on Bow's laptop while Bow played on the swing in the yard.

Sleepovers are unheard of over here along with team sports.  Schools don't have team sports but they do however play team games.  There are team sports, such as soccer, for grown ups but there isn't many social activities outside of school for kids.  Bow has friends in her taekwondo class but she never hangs out with them outside of the gym.

We mostly just ate at Mon's friends place.  When I say ate I mean we ATE!  We went through two huge bags of fruit between the seven of us and a huge chunk of pork.  There was a monk ceremony going on across the road which we attended later on in the evening.  Again we ate.

Despite not wanting to go, since all the drunk idiots try to dance with me, I got dragged there anyway.  I felt like her friend wanted me to go to say that she was associated with a white person since she kept introducing me to everyone.  I then realized she thought I had never seen a monk ceremony and wanted me to go for the experience.  I am glad that I have learned the words "I don't want" since I needed them to reject a guy who wanted to dance and a guy who wanted me to drink whiskey.  Still have yet to learn how to say piss off though :p

School

It was Taiten's first day of school yesterday and Bow's first day of her last year at elementary school.  For those of you who complain school starts to early in the morning, including me, you would not last in Thailand.  Morning starts about four to five o'clock for both adults and kids.  Bow and Taiten usually get up around six but for school they are up at five.

We arrived at the school at seven thirty.  Bow went her separate way while Mon, Taiten, and I went to his classroom.  We got him settled in and went for a walk down the hall to see how he would do.  As we were coming back to check on him though he was waiting at the door.  We went and sat down with him trying to get him to interact with the other kids but since we were there he only talked with us.  Mon wanted to stay all day with him but I believe the teacher told us it was time to leave.  The goodbye was the toughest part.  Taiten gave one hell of a fight but eventually we escaped.  

We waited around the school for an hour before sneaking back to check on Taiten.  By that time he was involved in classroom activities and was fine.  He just needed to start interacting and by Mon and I staying with him he wouldn't do that.  

During the time that we were hanging around the school we got to see their assembly and visit Bow in her classroom.  During the assembly, which is held outside, they sing the national anthem and raise the flag.  They do this every morning before school starts at eight.  The national anthem is played at eight o'clock in the morning as well as at six o'clock in the evening.  It is also played before watching a movie in a cinema.  

This is the Thai national anthem translated;

Thailand embraces in its bosom all people of Thai blood

Every inch of Thailand belongs to the Thais

It has long maintained its sovereignty      

Because the Thais have always been united

The Thai people are peace-loving but no cowards at war

Nor shall they suffer tyranny 

All Thais are ready to give up every drop of blood

For the nations safety, freedom, and progress

Still like the Canadian anthem the best though!! :)

Back in Kamphaeng Phet

When I got home there was a few changes around the place.  A few days after I left Mon held a house blessing ceremony.  Just like every other ceremony nine monks were present.  String was wrapped around the entire house and was held onto while they chanted.  The string is supposed to be left hanging around the house, forever, to keep the evil spirits out and to bring good luck to the family.

I got a warm welcome back home.  The kids said they missed me and I was happy to see them.  Even though I was gone for only two weeks the kids had grown a bit during that time.  Sa had also grown significantly during the period of time I was absent.  

Five Months

Another one who is growing up is Peelawon and Sak's puppy out at the village.  The cute ball of fur is now turning into a bit of a brat.  Mud puddles are her favourite past time and she thinks she can play with the big dogs.

 The first night back at the house I had an encounter with a snake.  As I was making my way to the bathroom I went to step over what I believed to be one of Taiten's toys.  As I was doing so though it moved.  I quickly ran and turned on the night to reveal a snake.  The next night as I was walking into the bathroom I encountered a huge rat that was making its way back up to the roof. 

Thai Washrooms

When I first stumbled into a traditional Thai style bathroom I was oblivious of how to properly use it.  When you walk in you will see a squat toilet, a water basin and a spray hose.

Gas station bathroom

Toilet paper isn't needed since they use the spray hose to wash themselves off.  This also accounts for the soaking wet floors.  I have to say in a way the Thai toilet system is a lot cleaner than ours.  You don't have to sit down on a seat that a hundred other people have also sat on.  

Village Bathroom

To flush the toilet you us the water basin.  The water baian has a dual purpose.  Its used not only to flush the toilet but for having a shower also.  Thai people shower by throwing buckets of cold water over themselves.  I have had a few traditional Thai bath times while I have been here and have come to the conclusion Western showers are 100% for me.  

Bathroom at our time share in Mexico

Even if you have found a proper sit toilet in Thailand there will be a sign informing you not to put toilet paper or anything else in the toilet.  This is since with their plumbing design the flushing of toilet paper will clog their pipes.  

  

Thai Food for Foreigners

For those of you who are planning on travelling to Thailand but would like to play it safe when it comes to food, this is just the blog for you.  I myself was afraid, well mortified, at some of the dishes which Mon prepared.  Spicy wasn't my strongest suit and neither was seafood.  I slowly adapted and became more adventurous, but still rather enjoy my foreign Thai food.
One of my favourite dishes is rice with pork egg.  In the grocery store you can buy packages of pork seasoning.  Add a teaspoon of seasoning and scramble it into two eggs.  Place the egg into a frying pan with a little bit of oil and WA-LA!

This next dish I tried while at my first monk ceremony.  Traditional Thai food was the only thing served and after trying numerous dishes I stumbled across this one.  Its a peanut sauce which goes well with noodles.  I am absolutely in love with it and hope to find a recipe, in english, so I can make it back home. Bow and Mon are planning on giving me cooking lessons before I leave and hopefully I will be able to share some of my dishes with you guys.  I could always open up a little Thai vending stand when I go back home :P

Another favourite of mine is street vendor noodles.  I am absolutely in love with "meu lueng moo nam sigh" which in English means brown noodles with pork.  The broth of the noodles down here is so rich in flavour that I always cringe with disgust when Bow and Mon pollute it with numerous spices and seasonings.  

This dish I was recently introduced too.  This was dinner last night which is a mix of vegetables, beans, and garlic.  I find it to rich in flavour by itself but perfect when combined with rice.  When I go back home all I'm going to need to make a quick and healthy meal is a wok, rice and some vegetables.  I am excited to share my new outlook on cuisine with my family and friends.  

Penang Malaysia

After spending numerous days lazing on the beach, living the hard life, I traveled over to Penang for a visa run. Penang is known for its diverse culture and rich cuisine and it is just that. The main attraction in Penang is Georgetown which is where all the action is. Georgetown combines China town and little India which cater to the towns cultural diverseness. The variety of cultures is not only reflected in the cuisine but as well in the different buildings of worship. 

There are Chinese temples 

Hindu temples 

 And Muslim temples 

Aside from the temples there are also churchs. 

After a short forty minute flight from Phuket to Penang I got the privilege of trying to book a ticket back to Bangkok.  The clerk kept trying to convince me that I needed to buy a two way ticket since I might not be let back into Thailand. After thirty minutes of trying to convince them I only needed a one way ticket I told them I would book online.

The start of my flight was interesting as well. Just as we were about to take off a guy ran to the back of the plane. He was causing a lot of chaos with the flight attendants and the plane was stopped. It turned out the man was afraid of flying and wanted to be let out. So we had to wait for the airport officers to escort him back inside the airport and for his luggage to be taken off the plane.

Once I had arrived at the airport in Penang I waited for the bus that would take me to my hostel.  As I was waiting for the bus I noticed a girl around my age doing the same.  I asked her what bus number she was waiting for which turned out to be the same one as me.  We started to talk and found out both of our hostels were called Red Inn and only a block apart.  My new friend was Anna and she came from London.  Before Penang she had been in Bangkok which she absolutely hated.  I wouldn't call her the travelling type since she isn't very adventurous and likes to play it safe but it was nice to have some company.

I stayed in a room which could accomodate four but found myself alone the first night.  There however was someones belongings on one of the bunk beds but no one came to claim them the two nights I stayed there.  On the second night I got a room mate by the name of Thian Wee.  He was actually from another part of Malaysia and made Penang a regular destination for a vacation.  I invited him to have dinner with Anna and I and thats how we met Kirsten.  While in Anna's hostel talking with an older couple who lived in Alaska, it was mentioned that I lived in BC.  Kirsten who was sitting on the computer at the time came over and introduced herself stating that she came from BC as well.  After talking among the six of us for half an hour or so Kirsten, Anna, Thian Wee, and I went out for dinner.

The rest of the time in Penang was spent exploring.  I went to Penang Hill with Anna.  Walked around Little India and Chinatown.  Indulged in street vending food and embraced the cultural diversity.  I really enjoyed Penang and wished I had more time to explore.  Who knows maybe I will find myself back there one day.  

So I'm going to end my blog with an ironic moment.  I flew back to Bangkok with the airline Air Asia which holds the motto "Now everyone can fly."  I agree the plane ticket is fairly cheap but onboard service isn't.  Unlike most airlines drinks are not free which I didn't realize until I had ordered one.  The cost for one coke in a can came out to $3 Canadian.  I could have bought three meals with that money, let alone three cokes.  No wonder why their prices are so low.  They get you back when you are on the plane.   

Koh Phi Phi

Wow! That's how I can sum up my time in Koh Phi Phi. Along with beautiful, amazing, and wild. One thing you need to know about Koh Phi Phi island is that it is a backpacking tourist destination for younger people. Yes, the occassional family and older couple were spotted but the island is infested with young backpackers. When you combine beautiful beaches, bars, and some kick ass partying why wouldn't you want to go. And that's exactly Phi Phi's purpose. During the day scuba diving, snorkeling, boating, kayaking, shopping, and laying on the beach are just a few of the activities Koh Phi Phi has to offer. During the night, however, the beach turns into a dance floor, bars turn into clubs, and the streets are packed with drunk tourists looking for a good time.

It was amazing not only to be in Koh Phi Phi but to spend it with friends as well. I got to meet up with Caroline, Chris's sister (Swedish exchange student Chris), who is studying in Singapore. She brought along her friend Halvar who was studying in Singapore as well but originally comes from Norway. Halvar brought his friend Andrea who is also from Sweden.  Unlike Caroline and Halvar who took an exchange program through school, Andrea took a year off for traveling. She went to India for two months, stopped in Penang, and Singapore before coming over to Thailand. She has plans to do some traveling around Thailand before heading over to Vietnam, and is actually going to come visit me in Kamphaeng Phet to experience authentic Thailand.

 So the beginning of my trip to Koh Phi Phi didn't turn out that smoothly. I had plans to meet Caroline and her friends at the pier and it was estimated they would be there before ten since their plane would arrive at nine ten. After waiting until half past ten I tried calling Caroline only to receive an instant message in Thai which I didn't understand. I tried numerous combinations for the area code and even texting her. At 10:40 I started to panic since they had started boarding the boat. At this point I had come to three conclusions 1. Caroline and her friends had gone to the other pier by mistake 2. I could wait for them and take the next ferry at 2:30 or 3. Get on the eleven o'clock ferry and meet up with them on the island at some point in time. I decided to take option three and just as the boat was taking off I turned around to find Caroline walking toward me.

After a two hour ferry ride we finally arrived to Koh Phi Phi island where we were automatically charged a 20 baht entry fee for "keeping Koh Phi Phi clean." I think it's a load of rubbish and just a scam to get more money out of tourists. That's the first thing you notice about Koh Phi Phi is how it is designed for tourists. Clothing shops, souvenir shops, electronics shops, diving shops, Bamboo tattoo shops, and a large assortment of restaurants all ready to cater to any tourists needs. I swear people just come to Koh Phi Phi for the Bamboo Tattoos.  Another touristy thing about Phi Phi is its ridiculous high prices. Ridiculously high for Thailand at least. It was actually quiet funny cause the locals are so used to foreigners that when I spoke Thai they were absolutely shocked. Sometimes it even took them a minute to figure out what I had said since they were still thinking in English.  I actually managed to get a huge discount on a shirt since I bargained in Thai.

The one really nice thing about Koh Phi Phi other than the beautiful scenery is that there are no vehicles on the island. The locals get around by bike which at times can be a bit of a pain, especially when the street is filled with pedestrians. They make sure to ring their bell or make some other noise indicating they are coming but sometimes you end up doing the tango with them since you don't know which direction they are going to go. The only motorized vehicles on the island are two police scooters which are patrolling around occasionally. Another interesting fact about Koh Phi Phi is that there are a lot of cats. Hardly any dogs, if any but an abundance of cats which are all in really good shape.

Once we arrived on Koh Phi Phi a guy from our hotel was waiting on the pier to take our luggage and lead us to our hotel.  Our luggage was put into a wheelbarrow like cart which he pushed along.  All of us were pre-warned from online reviews about the fact that we were going to have to hike up a few hundred stairs to get to our hotel.  We were not mislead I can tell you that.  Staff was kind enough to walk our bags up the few hundred steps to our rooms and we were greeted with refreshments which were desperately needed.  All of us had a positive attitude towards the stairs.  Even though there was many we got a spectacular view of the island.  We were also in the evacuation area which gave us all peace of mind while sleeping at night.  Caroline, however, used the stairs as an excuse to eat more dessert.

Day Two: Was spent touring from one beach to another in a long boat.  It was a good day but would have been that much better if it hadn't had rained the entire time.  Along with the rain we had huge waves which insisted on splashing us.  The boat wasn't the greatest and I feared a few times that we might capsize.  It happened that one of the guys broke a board while getting in the boat and I popped one out of place while getting out of the boat.  You would think they would screw the boards down, but no.  Also we had a guide who didn't speak a word of English but answered our questions with hand motions.  Even though it rained it was still extremely beautiful.  I loved the color of the water and the rock formations.  We stopped numerous times to go snorkelling.  Bamboo and Long beach, also known as shark point, had the best snorkelling.  There was a wide variety of colorful fish and enormous amounts of coral, however, we had to watch where we got out of the boat at long beach since there was tons of spike balls (I have no idea what the official name is) around.  Also the fish can get hungry some times and may bite you.  I think I got bitten about seven times during my stay on Koh Phi Phi.
Koh Phi Phi is made up of two Islands, Phi Phi Don and Phi Phi Ley, which are only accessible by boat.  Phi Phi Ley is famous for Maya beach where the movie "The Beach," which stars Leonardo DiCaprio, was filmed.  Maya beach is surrounded by impressive rock formations, has extremely fine sand and crystal clear waters.

Apart from snorkelling we went to Monkey beach.  As its name suggests this beach is the home of a few dozen monkeys.  When visitors arrive they wade out into the water looking for food.  They can become very competitive with each other and there was a few fights which broke out during our stay.  The monkeys even attacked one guy when he got to close to the babies in the tree.  All I remember was turning around to him yelling and rolling in the sand with a handful of monkeys chasing after him.  Once they had pushed him a safe distance away from the tree they started to head towards me.

At the time the guy was getting attacked I was photographing a monkey sitting up in the tree sucking on a branch.  When I witnessed the monkeys attack I started heading back to the boat which  was in the cross roads of the angry monkeys.  As a few of them started running towards me I yelled "Hey!" at the top of my lungs, praying that would scare them off, as I continued to casually walk back towards the boat.  Yelling at them caused them to stop running but they continued to approach me.  One monkey grabbed onto my dress and just stood there looked at me, as if trying to determine if I was a threat or not.  I made it back to the boat safely just as another boat with a group of people arrived.  A monkey actually climbed aboard their boat in search of food, terrifying a few passengers.

Even though May on Koh Phi Phi is the winding down of the high season the island was extremely busy.  We managed to break away from the crowd that followed us in the morning.  Even though the day started off ridiculously slow due to the transfer of boats and we had the misfortune of the motor getting stuck in the rope, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed the day.
Once we got back to the main part of the island the sun finally decided to show up.  We decided to relax and enjoy the last few rays of sun for the day and watch the sun set.  After we had all showered and gotten ready we went to the Banana Bar, the only bar on Koh Phi Phi which overlooked the town.  We ordered two buckets which we shared amongst the four of us.

Later on in the evening a guy named Troy asked to come join us at our table.  Troy actually came from Calgary where he works in a snowboarding shop.  He came to Thailand to do some backpacking but has only been to Koh Phi Phi so far.  He loved the island because of the party life and didn't want to leave due to it.  

Day Three:  Caroline unfortunately had to leave today so that she could catch her plane ride back home the next morning.  Again it decided to rain but quickly cleared up once Caroline was about to leave.  Due to the terrible weather we decided to go to the spa.  Caroline and I both had a manicure and pedicure done since they were having a special where you could get both for 300 baht, which is ten dollars in Canadian.  Halvar decided to pass on the manicure and pedicure and have a massage instead.

Since the weather had cleared up by the afternoon Halvar, Andrea, and I spent some time sun tanning on the beach.  One we felt that we had had enough sun for the day we went and bought ourselves some buckets for the evening.  We had a pre-party up in our hotel room which involved drinking card games and listening to some tunes.  Three hours later and Halvar was drunk and we were all hungry.

As we were heading out to find some place to eat we ran into a guy named Michel which Halvar started talking too.  Apparently Michal and his friends were having a private party at their hotel and asked us to join.  As we were wandering around looking for a place to eat we again ran into Michal this time with his friends. After introductions were made they recommended we go to the restaurant called "Little India"and told us once we were done eating that we should come join them in theie hotel room for some drinks.  And thats exactly what we did.
For the evening we hung out with Luna and Tim (bestfriends from the Netherlands), Michal (Czech Republic) and Tobin (aka Mr.Spoon) who says he comes from the Universe.  Tobin is as hippy as you can get.  He believes in the power of the people and that governments should be abolished.  When we first met him he introduced himself as Mr.Spoon and presented one from behind his ear.  He kept the spoon with him the entire night even when we went down to the beach to party.  We had a blast sitting around and talking with all of them.  Tobin and Michal were pretty drunk as was Halvar which kept us entertained the whole evening.
Once we got kicked out of the hotel for being too noisy we went down to the beach to party.  They always have huge parties on the beach at night.  They first start out with a fire show which is performed by the locals.  After that though its a free-for-all dance party.  It was an amazing night!  I got drunk off the atmosphere.  I absolutely loved dancing in the sand and Luna and I even danced in the ocean for a while.

The only thing I hated about the evening, was older folks trying to pretend they were young again.  They weren't fooling anyone and just made themselves looked like idiots.  Also some of the local guys hung around trying to pick up drunk females which disgusted me immensely.  A few tried to dance with Luna, Andrea, and I but we walked away instantly.  I had a guy who tried to pull me in for a kiss but I was saved by Tim who quickly dragged me away.
Other than the occasional person everyone was pretty civil.  By the end of the evening Michal was found passed out on one of the bars, Tobin was preaching free will to the moon, and a girl was being carried back to her hotel by her friends, since she had passed out.