The MBK shopping mall in Bangkok is a seven story jungle of shops and market stalls selling pretty much everything you can imagine. I was able to buy a new shirt and pants which I was told I would need when teaching. I was tempted to buy some bootleg DVD's although I was not sure whether we would be given a television in our rooms. The MBK is one of three neighbouring shopping malls and outside Siam Square was a temporary pool set up with wakeboard jumps in an event to raise money for the flood victims. It was one of many events going on around the city in support of the victims of the flooding.
At the end of the week when all the classes were finished it was time to celebrate. Throughout the week we had been warned 'do not go to Khao San Road, beacuse if you do you will not be able to get back.' Then even as we drank waiting to leave the rumours began to spread and escalate. "The water is ankle deep all along the road," then 'the water is waste deep.' Until we had conformation from somebody already on the road that the street was open, ready and they were waiting for us to join the chaos.
Khao San Road is the Bangkok equivalent of Bangla Road in Patong with the street stalls offering DVD, suits, rip off t-shirts as well as the offer to see a ping pong show. A walk up and down the street was a Bangkok experience I would have been dissapointed to leave without experiencing. The street is lined with hostels and hotels making it a major drawcard for backpackers touring South East Asia. The street is also well recognised from the film The Beach and unlike the film I did not get offered snakeblood.
The internship crew gathered at the Lucky Bar and we drank on into the night. The night was great except for the fact I lost my camera. Somehow I had it in my pocket then when I stood up at the table it was gone. It was a brand new camera as well having only purchased it a month ago. Luckily I had backed up all the photos of Phuket onto my laptop. Somebody in Bangkok now has some amazing shots of Western Australia, Northern Territory and Thailand to look at.
Monday, October 24, 2011
Bangkok, oriental setting
News of the floods in Bangkok had been publicised worldwide and even until the day I arrived I was unsure whether or not the training and internship would be taking place. It was a relief then to find the Lawoe staff waiting at the airport when I got off the plane. The airport in Bangkok is quite a drive from the main city centre and throughout the journey I could see some evidence of flooding although for the most part everything seemed to be getting on as per usual.
I got dropped at the hotel and found some fellow english teachers and made our way to the Big C. A huge department store similar to Walmart in the USA it was the first of many visits to the shopping mall and I have a feeling I will be spending quite a bit of time and money in Big C stores. I shared a room in the hotel with Tim an Aussie from Western Australia. Tim and I are two of the three Australians amongst the 96 interns which is dominated by British with a handful of Irish and some Americans.
The shops surrounding the hotel where preparing for the floods, throughout the week the piles of sandbags got higher and higher. Some shops including the 7/11 had built concrete walls at the entrance to protect from the floods. In the week it rained lightly one night for the rest of the time the sun was shining. The threat of rising floodwaters stopped us from exploring to far for the first couple of nights. I began to get a little couped up and wanted to see Bangkok so one night I caught the sky train with a few girls to the Patpong night market. I refused the invites to the 'Pingpong' shows and instead wandered through the streets and stalls. The ride back to the hostel was probably the highlight of the night as it was my first experience in a Bangkok style Tuk tuk. The driver put his foot down and we were away, weaving in and out of traffic and dodging anything. Hands inside the tuk tuk at all times was a good idea.
Having already completed the training course I was not required to stay to take part in the sessions. I chose to stay though and it was benificial to learn some new skills. Hopefully now I will be ready to teach, hopefully. The last couple of days training where more related to Thailand and giving us an overview of what we are likely to experience. We were reminded though that 'This is Thailand,' anything can happen.
The big question of the week was where would we be placed. While some of the interns were told of their placements on the first day the rest of had to wait till the end of the week to be told where we will be living for the next four months. I found out I will be teaching at a Catholic school in Chachoengsao in South East Thailand roughly one hour drive from Bangkok. There are five of us who will be teaching and living at the same school.
The Grand Palace
Saturday 22nd October
The Grand Palace is one of 4700 temples in Thailand and the first I visited in Thailand when the internship crew went for a day tour on Saturday, our final day in Bangkok. Having been in air conditioned rooms all week training it was quite a shock to the body standing in the extreme Thai heat for the day. The heat was also not helped by the fact I was hungover and I had to wear long pants to cover my knees as a form of respect. The Grand Palace is home of the emerald buddha and is the biggest tourist attraction in the city. Our walking tour guide weaved in and out of the tourists and it was an effort to keep up. The palace is under renovation and probably always will be, some parts were also closed due to the death of the Princess earlier this year.
The reclining Buddha in Wat Pho was quiet compared to the Grand Palace. The large reclining Buddha just fits inside the temple and a quick walk through was all it took to appreciate it. The rest of the grounds are home to many Buddha statues and also home to the national headquarters for teaching and preservation of traditional Thai massage. I have not yet had a Thai massage although I am tempted and may have one in the coming weeks.
Following the cultural fix for the day it was time to head back to Khao San Road to the hustle and bustle of the street. The street had a different feel to it in daylight and I am glad I got to experience it again. All the small side alleys where open and selling bootleg DVDs, rip off T-shirts and suits. The men would follow me half way up the street trying to convince me to come into their suit shop. We spent a couple of hours exploring the road and then went to chill and have dinner on a balcony reserved completly for the internship crew just off the road. It was a good way to end the week.
The Beach
'The Beach' is one of my favourite movies so I would have been dissapointed to leave Phuket without seeing the beach where they shot the film. I could not convince anybody from the hostel to go so I booked a day trip on a speedboat. The guide introduced himself as Coco Chanel No. 2 it fit perefect with his personality. It is very common to see feminen actimg males in Thailand and our guide was one.
First stop was Maya Bay. The beach did look just as it did in the film except that we arrived to the beach swarming with people. There were 500 plus people all unloading off the speedboats. Trying to get a photo without anybody else in it was impossible. We were back on board the boat and continued on. The rest of the day we spent visiting the beaches of Phi Phi islands and Bamboo Islands. We also had a snorkel over a reef which was fairly dead but colourful fish could still be seen. The islands are magic. The constant flow of tourists are leaving their mark though. The water where we swam in some places was littered with beer bottles, chip packets and all sorts of rubbish.
Returning to Patong for one final night I joined the hostel crew for dinner at an all you can eat BBQ and it was the tastiest food I have enjoyed in a long time. The meal began another crazy night out although I forced myself to stop drinking so I would be in a good mindset for the following day in Bangkok.
Waiting to get a lift to the airport on Monday morning for a flight to Bangkok I felt happy I had seen and experienced Phuket. Although I am in no hurry to return.
Same, same but different
'Same, same but different,' its a phrase commonly heard in Phuket when trying to by something from the locals. Now having spent almost a week in Patong Beach, Phuket I can fairly safely say there is no place in the world quite the same.
Leaving Melbourne I flew to Phuket with a four hour layover in Singapore. If you have to be stuck in an aiport for four hours Singapore is ok. It took the full four hours to explore the whole airport. On the flight to Singapore they showed the film 'Unknown' which was quite fitting as I was flying into the unknown. I am in Thailand to teach English for the summer although I am not yet sure where in Thailand I will be placed. I choose to come holiday in Phuket for a week prior to starting the teaching.
Many Australians travel to Phuket to holiday and I had heard some stories but nothing prepared me for the week I had. I booked a bed in Cheap Charlies Hostel online because it was cheap. Staying in an eight bed uncondition dorm in Patong, Phuket was an experience. I was collected from the airport from the hotel manager holding a placard with my name on it and he drove me to the hostel through pouring rain to the place I would call home for the next six nights. The rain was so heavy there were times in the car I could not see a single thing. He did also point out to me a place on the hill into Patong where water had caused a landslide down the side of the hill taking the powerlines with it. The powerlines were still in use though.
The rain stopped me from venturing too far on the first night, instead I met some crew at the hostel and began drinking. Patong is a melting point of cultures and travellers from all over the world and I got a real buzz listening to stories of the other people staying at the hostel. I was travelling alone for the week although after that first night in the hostel I never again felt alone for the week.
The following morning I woke early as I was eager to explore and walked through the city which was pretty well empty, I was unhassled and had no idea what all the fuss was about until I returned a few hours later. "Tuk,tuk," "DVD," "you wan suit" a walk down Bangla Rd and you get offered all sorts of things. Then come nightime the street steps up another gear and the party begins. The ladyboys line the streets and dance on polls in the bars. The White Room nightclub was where the crew from the hostel partied because it offered the cheapest drinks. I stayed out a while at the club then headed to the hostel to sleep. Luckily I got some sleep before many crazy things happened and it set the scene for trying to sleep in the hostel room for the rest of the week.
Wanting to see more of Phuket than just Patong I caught the local bus to Phuket Town. Although I had been told there was nothing to do there. I decided for myself on the bus that there nothing to do so I agreed to be driven to a couple of spots by a guy on the street. He wanted 50 Baht ($1.20 aus) to take me to a Big Buddha and a lookout. The offer was cheap and he took me to the two spots but I did have to visit a jewellry store and a suit shop. All a part of the experience.
Back in Patong the hostel crew where going to a ladyboy show. Without knowing we had booked the Simon Cabaret. The six hundred seat theatre was full but the hostel crew and I were the only five non- Chinese or Japanese in the room. It was a cabaret show and not what we were hoping for. The ladyboys just danced and mimed to famous songs from all over the world. I wouldn't go again.
The hostel crew had also booked a day trip to Phi Phi Island only when we got on the boat we discovered we were not going to Phi Phi but instead going kayaking and to a couple of beaches inlcuding James Bond Island. A great day out although I had wanted to see Phi Phi Islands. I decided to book another trip and try get to Phi Phi.
The second last full day in Phuket I spent recovering from a huge night out. Way too much alcohol after a full day of sun was a bad combination.
Leaving Melbourne I flew to Phuket with a four hour layover in Singapore. If you have to be stuck in an aiport for four hours Singapore is ok. It took the full four hours to explore the whole airport. On the flight to Singapore they showed the film 'Unknown' which was quite fitting as I was flying into the unknown. I am in Thailand to teach English for the summer although I am not yet sure where in Thailand I will be placed. I choose to come holiday in Phuket for a week prior to starting the teaching.
Many Australians travel to Phuket to holiday and I had heard some stories but nothing prepared me for the week I had. I booked a bed in Cheap Charlies Hostel online because it was cheap. Staying in an eight bed uncondition dorm in Patong, Phuket was an experience. I was collected from the airport from the hotel manager holding a placard with my name on it and he drove me to the hostel through pouring rain to the place I would call home for the next six nights. The rain was so heavy there were times in the car I could not see a single thing. He did also point out to me a place on the hill into Patong where water had caused a landslide down the side of the hill taking the powerlines with it. The powerlines were still in use though.
The rain stopped me from venturing too far on the first night, instead I met some crew at the hostel and began drinking. Patong is a melting point of cultures and travellers from all over the world and I got a real buzz listening to stories of the other people staying at the hostel. I was travelling alone for the week although after that first night in the hostel I never again felt alone for the week.
The following morning I woke early as I was eager to explore and walked through the city which was pretty well empty, I was unhassled and had no idea what all the fuss was about until I returned a few hours later. "Tuk,tuk," "DVD," "you wan suit" a walk down Bangla Rd and you get offered all sorts of things. Then come nightime the street steps up another gear and the party begins. The ladyboys line the streets and dance on polls in the bars. The White Room nightclub was where the crew from the hostel partied because it offered the cheapest drinks. I stayed out a while at the club then headed to the hostel to sleep. Luckily I got some sleep before many crazy things happened and it set the scene for trying to sleep in the hostel room for the rest of the week.
Wanting to see more of Phuket than just Patong I caught the local bus to Phuket Town. Although I had been told there was nothing to do there. I decided for myself on the bus that there nothing to do so I agreed to be driven to a couple of spots by a guy on the street. He wanted 50 Baht ($1.20 aus) to take me to a Big Buddha and a lookout. The offer was cheap and he took me to the two spots but I did have to visit a jewellry store and a suit shop. All a part of the experience.
Back in Patong the hostel crew where going to a ladyboy show. Without knowing we had booked the Simon Cabaret. The six hundred seat theatre was full but the hostel crew and I were the only five non- Chinese or Japanese in the room. It was a cabaret show and not what we were hoping for. The ladyboys just danced and mimed to famous songs from all over the world. I wouldn't go again.
The hostel crew had also booked a day trip to Phi Phi Island only when we got on the boat we discovered we were not going to Phi Phi but instead going kayaking and to a couple of beaches inlcuding James Bond Island. A great day out although I had wanted to see Phi Phi Islands. I decided to book another trip and try get to Phi Phi.
The second last full day in Phuket I spent recovering from a huge night out. Way too much alcohol after a full day of sun was a bad combination.
Saturday, October 8, 2011
A mighty horse named Black Caviar- Australia
It just so happened on my final weekend in Australia there was a horse called Black Caviar running at Caulfield. It also happens Black Caviar is the Australian racehorse of the Year. It also happens my auntie and uncle part own Black Caviar. This all makes me feel connected to the horse and its easy to tell people about the mighty Black Caviar but its a different story standing track side to watch it run.
Therefore I made my way to Caulfield with a couple of my friends to experience the day out. As we walked in the gate there was no denying the day was about one horse. The 'Black Caviar pavilion,' a Black Caviar memorabilia stand and flags with the black dots on a salmon background the colours of the jockey.
Luke Nolen rode Black Caviar to an easy win to continue its unbeaten run of 14 wins in a row. It was the second time I had watched it win live and hopefully I will be able to see it win again sometime befor
e it retires.
Sunday, October 2, 2011
The AFL Grand Final
I returned to Melbourne during Grand Final. I am an MCC member therefore had a ticket to go to the game, the biggest day of the year for Australian sport. All I had to do was turn up and considering I was in the country I made the effort to fly home to attend the game.
It was the second year in a row I had been to the Grand Final having watched St Kilda draw and then lose to the Magpies the year before. It was a little different this year as my team was not playing and I could not decide whether to support the team who defeated us in 2009 or the team who defeated us in 2010.
I decided to support Geelong for the day. Having spent three years living in the city I had a connection with the team. I stayed at a friends house nearby the night before and made it to the ground around 8.30ish and was able to get a seat in the top stand of the Members. As I was walking to my seat I spotted a very good mate from Primary School who I had hardly spoken to for ten years. For the rest of the morning we shared stories as we walked around Richmond in search of my other mates I knew would be going to the game.
Geelong were the better team and deserved winners, so I found my Geelong supporting mates and celebrated with them after the game. We had a few beers at a pub in the city before watching the team be presented on stage at Federation Square.
It was an empty feeling though. Hopefully one day I will be in the stands to watch the Saints win.
It was the second year in a row I had been to the Grand Final having watched St Kilda draw and then lose to the Magpies the year before. It was a little different this year as my team was not playing and I could not decide whether to support the team who defeated us in 2009 or the team who defeated us in 2010.
I decided to support Geelong for the day. Having spent three years living in the city I had a connection with the team. I stayed at a friends house nearby the night before and made it to the ground around 8.30ish and was able to get a seat in the top stand of the Members. As I was walking to my seat I spotted a very good mate from Primary School who I had hardly spoken to for ten years. For the rest of the morning we shared stories as we walked around Richmond in search of my other mates I knew would be going to the game.
Geelong were the better team and deserved winners, so I found my Geelong supporting mates and celebrated with them after the game. We had a few beers at a pub in the city before watching the team be presented on stage at Federation Square.
It was an empty feeling though. Hopefully one day I will be in the stands to watch the Saints win.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)