Dear Diary…
Thailand Part 4

Saturday 25 July 2009

Woke at 7am. Taxi to airport. Flight leaves at 11am. 2 hour flight to Singapore. Arrived Singapore about 2pm. Waited for luggage. Waited and waited and waited… dad got his bag… wait some more. I am stressing. I want my bag!!! Finally it comes around. We were literally the only people waiting.

Pick up by hotel (hotel Miramar). Get to hotel Have I mentioned I have to share a room with my dad while we here because he is too stingy to get 2 rooms. Fun.

Also, dad wants to walk a-freaking-round!!! What is up with this aimless walking streets of Asia?!?! Seriously dude! So, we walk around for about an hour. Totally aimless and pointless. Saw/did nothing worthwhile. I would’ve preferred to read my book upstairs.

Anyway – room is quite nice. There is a bath – which is FAB! My bed is very comfy – nice linen too – hope I sleep well later.

6:30pm

Get picked up to go on Night Safari. Such a busy place!!! Feels like Disney World all over again – with all the crowds.

My dad is such an effing Kill-Joy!!! He says “The animals are probably cement and it’s too dark to tell the difference.” … “With these crowds we will be waiting in lines for ever” … etc etc. So much of freaking negativity! I know I haven’t been a ray of sunshine either…

Hop on trams which take you around the Safari. Saw TONS of animals, photos are crap – no flash allowed. The areas are totally open (well, it looks like it) … there doesn’t look like anything between us and the Asian Lions… or Buffalo, or elephants – I am not too sure how they have created this illusion – surely we can’t be so close…?

The leopards are behind glass though. But they were RIGHT by the glass – we were less than 10cm away from them!

10pm

Tour over – back to bus to go to hotel. Hot and sweaty. I showered… dad didn’t. He went to sleep dirty! Dammit man, how does my mother put up with this…???!!? Also – he never washes his hands after he goes to the loo. Not even after he poos! How do I know when he poos…?? There are explosions coming from the bathroom. TMI?? Yes, i know it is – but this is my pain, and I need to get it out. He is foul and disgusting!!

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SUNDAY 26 July 2009

Woke up after 10am. Down to breakfast Buffet. Food ok – bacon is crap – might be coz we were so late and it was the leftovers.

Hopped on an Open Topped City Tour Bus… Was pretty fun.

... Picture of happiness ...

Stopped at botanical gardens – not my scene… but my dad likes plants and crap. Very beautiful! So green.

They have a section called “The Ginger Garden” … OMG I nearly killed myself laughing thinking of Snowgoose and her Ginger obsession!!! Took a bunch of photos just for her – separate blog post!

Walked around Orchid Garden too. You can have an orchid named after you (for a large sum of money) which I think would be kind of cool.

Back on an open bus. Pretty much spent the day on these busses. Quite fun and informative. Took about 100 photos on the bus.

6pm

Back at hotel. Gonna shower and get ready for airport. We get picked up at 10pm – flight is after midnight. I can’t wait to be home, in my own space, with Peter and the Beagles. I have totally had enough of this.

Sorry if these blog posts are not as exciting or informative as you might like, perhaps laced with negativity – I am tired and uninspired. Maybe not the best time to blog – but that’s tough!

Next time I blog, I will be home!!

Dear Diary…
Thailand Part 3

THURSDAY 23 July 2009

8:45am
The only thing that gets me outta bed is going to get my present in the cupboard! Today’s one had a note about “size doesn’t matter” … intriguing! It’s a tiny measuring tape in the shape of a snail. Totally love it! Will keep it in my handbag… never know when you need to measure something :p

10:15am
Up and at ‘em! (more up than at ‘em)

1:23pm
some damn Asian slammed my foot in a door! Might have a bruise tomorrow.

2:45pm
Chocolate Latte at Black Canyon Coffee. They play funny music there – always the same chick singing (sounds all girly, like Taylor Swift) but she does covers of Hoobastank and Simple Plan and Green Day etc – it’s actually pretty nice

3:35pm
Dad gone for a facial (it’s his Thailand thing – always goes – loves it – would NEVER EVER go at home!). I’m giving the facial a miss – reading in my room. Had enough of him. Starting to get homesick. Still 4 days to go.

6:30 – 7:45pm
Dinner = Tom Yum Goong Soup. I like this a lot. Tasty, very lemony too. Shrimps, mushrooms and other weird stuff I pick out. (Doesn’t look so fab in the photo – but I don’t have any other pics from today)

8pm
Time to shower and relax. Alone time! For some reason my arms hurt. Dunno why. Getting bored, restless, annoyed, homesick. Also, looking a bit crap. Pale. Wonder if it’s related.

8:36pm
Just realized… I don’t think I am “Homesick” so much as tired of my dad. It’s been a long past few days. He is irritating me. It’s not natural to spend THIS much time with a parent.  Also, he’s wearing the same shirt as yesterday. Isn’t it sweaty after spending hours in the baking sun at the tiger temple etc? Doesn’t he want a clean, fresh shirt every day? I do!!! Not sure if I can last until Monday without having a blowout. I hope I can.

8:45
Also, my hair is looking crap. Too much humidity and washing it every day is not working for me. Plus I need a trim and a colour. Dammit I can complain! On the plus side… I am going to have a chocolate milk – will make me feel better.

10:30pm
Lights out. Tomorrow is the last FULL day in Bangkok. We leave on Saturday morning, for Singapore, until midnight on Sunday.

11:07
Can’t sleep. Feel uneasy – itchy inside. Read for a while

11:32
Try this sleep thing again.

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FRIDAY 24 July 2009

9:03
Up. Present = book: Deception Point Dan Brown. Won’t be reading it here. Brought a fluffy chick book – This Charming Man. Very enjoyable fun read!!! Breakfast = yoghurt. Today is last day in Bangkok. Gonna tie up a few loose ends. Probably buy another scarf.

Packed rest of cargo (34 bags in total.) This is a third of them:

Lunch = 2 x bananas. Foot still hurts from being slammed in a door yesterday. No bruise though. Bought some artificial flowers for dad’s friend who wants to import them.

1:12
Back at hotel for a little rest. Am bored. Taking photos of my pills. I must be going mad!

2pm
Off to buy another scarf (came back with 2 actually) and some other general crap, really. I have now bought 7 silk scarves – this is enough (for now) aren’t they fantastical!!!??? Bought a blue/green striped one, a pinkish striped one, a big brown pashmina type one (to wear with a strapless brown dress I have), a big white one, small turquoise one, small periwinkle blue and a small cream one. (at home I already have a green, pink and blue scarves)

Also bought nail polish. It’s a pale shimmery brownish colour – I shall call it Barely Bronze. Painted finger and toe nails with new Barely Bronze polish. Feeling better about life.

3:28pm
Been reading – book is funny. Admired scarves again… tried them on, in different styles – mini fashion show for myself!

3:43pm
Sneezed 3 times in a row. Hope I didn’t catch swine flu from that dude in the lift (he sneezed as I got in)… will take some pills. Will also hold thumbs, say a prayer and smack self with lemongrass and garlic (wish I had a Wildebeest tail too). Will also face Mecca and say some Hail Mary’s– just for good measure. This should cure me, no?

4:00 – 5:30pm
Dad wants to go walking around in the streets… AGAIN… dammit man – seen 300m of Thailand vendors, seen the whole bloody lot!

5:45 – 6:45pm
Foot massage. Last one. Is so good!

7-8:15
Dinner. I had a chicken burger. Was ok.

8:30 – 9:30
Internet time

9:35pm
Shower, read and bed. Waking up at 7am tomorrow to catch a taxi to the airport. Our flight to Singapore leaves at 11:15am.

Dear Diary…

Thailand Part 2:

TUESDAY 21 July 2009

Whole night – 7:50am
Broken sleep. As usual. Frustrating!

7:50am
Lost battle against sleep. Got up. Have tired eyes – I look Asian… Chinese Asian though, not Thai Asian – Thais have pretty big eyes actually. Stumble to the cupboard for my present – this one has a note about beagles and Mexicans (long story…) It’s a little wooden doggy with long floppy beagle ears Cute. Must find strength for breakfast (yoghurt & fruit again)

10:30am
Started the walk-about. Started raining. Didn’t stop. Ankle deep in water – not kidding – literally ANKLE DEEP! This is why I wear crocs in Thailand. How embarrassing to admit it, on a blog, nogal! It’s so humid – my hair is not loving it. My skin, however, looks great. Not sure if it’s the humidy or the filth in the air. I’m guessing humidity.

1:30pm
Lunch. Dad and I shared Flied Chicken & Cashew Nuts with Garlic Bread (Garlic Bread = toast with super strength garlic butter – boy, are we gonna stink tomorrow). Then we shared a waffle with blueberry sauce. Was nice.

3:30pm
Did some shopping on my own. Bought some tops (discovered later, I am not the same size as thai girls… why do I always forget this ). Bought a cotton button up shirt for tomorrow – I only have sleeveless tops, and we going to a temple and have to look “appropriate” – of course, all my clothes are very inappropriate. Also, bought 5 silk scarves. I might need more. I might be an addict. I love these silk scarves!! Makes Thailand worth it (well, almost ;p )

5:35pm
Hot, sweaty, messy “humid hair”. Must shower. Next up is foot massage – i need it!

5:55pm
Clean and shiny again… wonder if the SheMale will do my feet again…?

6pm
It’s not the SheMale

6-7pm
Foot massage. Almost fell asleep it’s so good.

7-8pm
Go upstairs for head/neck/shoulder/back massage. 10 mattresses each surrounded by billowing white cotton curtain. Looks like a movie set. So beautiful! Had typical Thai massage. She crawled and walked all over my back! Sore, but good. Then, lots of twisting, contorting and clicking.
Two hours of massage cost a whopping One Hundred South African Ront!!!

8:15pm
Buy some water, fruit and snacks for the trip tomorrow.

8:20pm
Set out clothes for tomorrow (no red, pink, yellow or orange … don’t want to get eaten by a Thai Thai Thai Thai Tiger!)– gonna be an early start!

8:30pm
Yoghurt and fruit for dinner.

8:45
Reading and bed. Hope I can sleep. ‘Night.

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Wednesday 22 July 2009

5:30
Woke up. Opened present (deck of cards with horses on the back … wish I had someone to play snap with). Discovered the shirt I bought yesterday (the appropriate shirt) is actually a mans’ shirt. It’s also very creased. Oh well, i’m sure the tigers won’t notice. Dressed, packed backpack, had yoghurt. Off to other hotel where we being picked up.

Events from 6:30am to 5:30pm
Picked up in a minibus. Went to collect Australian couple. Tour guide is called Suki (like Polly put the kettle on, Suki take it off again). He’s wearing a swine flu mask!!! He said (and I quote – kind of) “you no wolly abou me. I wear mak for my asmatic. I have no soo-wai foo. I am heelty. In summer tiem, i cough like dees <insert coughing sound> I can only stop to cough if I drink cold beeya.”
This roughly translates to “Don’t worry about me in my mask, I wear it because I have asthma, nor because I have swine flu. I am healthy. In summer time, I cough like this <insert coughing sound>. The only thing that helps for my coughing, is a cold beer” … okaaaaaaay…
Off we go.
First stop: cemetery for Australian, Dutch and American sailor, soldiers and pilots from WW2. The gardens are immaculate! Tombstones very sad. So many young men in their early 20’s.

Next stop: See and walk along the Bridge over River Kwai.

Was built by Australian POWs. At the end of the bridge was a violinist playing (badly).

Dad says he was playing the tune “Over the River Kwai” … I personally thought it was “Oh when the Saints go Marching”… will never know. Then we went on a little boat (like a canoe, but with a motor) to the war museum. Saw old stuff like telephones, typewriters and surgical instruments from the 1940’s. Look so primitive. Can’t believe it only a few years ago. Advanced so much! Also horrific photos and newspaper articles etc from the POW camps from WW2. Then we had thai lunch at a restaurant on the river.
After lunch = Tiger Temple. Saw about 20 or 30 tigers in the meet and greet area. I thought this was as close as we would get to them… I was wrong!

All with leads and collars on. SO BEAUTIFUL!!! Walked with them from the meeting area to the Tiger Canyon where those who wanted photos could be escorted one by one and have pics taken. I had lots of photos taken, and took over 100 photos of the tigers! Was really amazing. Don’t think my dad enjoyed it much.

Walked back to the greeting area and had more photos with younger tigers (7 – 12 months) The temple is a monastery and run by monks and volunteers.

5:15pm
Back at hotel… cold shower time. So much of sweaty!!!

5:20
Caught sight of my semi-naked reflection in the shower mirror – almost fainted at the sight of how fat I am getting!!!

6-7pm
Foot massage. Not the SheMale. A young guy – doesn’t look more than 17. Was weird. So aware that my legs are not smooth!!!

7-8pm
Walked to The Pizza Company for dinner. Not bad – nice to have “normal food” again! Feel so full though.

9pm
Internet time and then bed for me. To dream of tigers and young massaging boys!

So, I am off to Thigh-Land in a few days again (see my countdown in  the side bar on the left). Everyone always gets so excited when I say this. I get remarks like “Oh, you are so lucky” … “I am so jealous” … “I wish it was me going” etc etc. Well, I wish I could send you instead of me!

Before I get too carried away – a side note to any family (or people who know my family) reading this – please keep this info to yourself, I don’t want dad to get his panty in a knot about this – Thanks

Ok – back to the post… I go to Thigh-Land with my dad. He imports clothes from there, and I work part-time for him… so, I have to go with him on some trips, to learn what’s potting and stuff. I do not enjoy it. I know that sounds really bitchy and ungrateful and sometimes I do feel bad about me not liking it. You probably don’t understand how I could not like Thigh-Land. When you see pics of Thigh-Land they look like this:

I do not go there…

I go here… –>

Do you see the lack of white beaches, turquoise waters and Mai Thai’s?Do you see the abundance of grey in place of romantic turquoise? Can you smell it through your screen (I can!)

Unfortunately – I do not go there on a romantic getaway or honeymoon. We stay in a cheap hotel (no food – not even an OPTION to have more than a teeny weeny omelette) and don’t do any “touristy” things it is rather sad. The other thing is, my dad is not my very favourite person in the whole world. I know, I am sounding bitchy again! He is ok… but not my favourite.

I am trying to be positive about the trip, although I am not looking forward to it. I am making a list of PRO’s and CON’s. At this point, I feel like the CON’s will outweigh the PRO’s… but still – I have to try! We are stopping over in Singapore for 2 days on the way back.

PRO’s

• BIGGEST PRO: It’s going to be warm!!!!!! Yay, escape JHB winter for a bit! Woo hoo!!!
• I am looking forward to “Flied Lice” it is very yummy
• The Tom Yum Goong soup is really good (I never eat Thai food at home)
• I can buy some more silk scarves
• Time away from home makes me appreciate a bath and home comforts
• I have never been to Singapore – maybe it will be nice
• My dad said we could do some sight-seeing in Singapore. I asked him if we could go to the Night Zoo (Recommended by Philly_girl)
• I am looking forward to having a massage almost every day!
  

CON’s

• I HATE the 12 hour flight… I have never enjoyed flying. So much of no space and cramping legs!
  
• I am so terrified of flying lately, after all these plane “incidents”… I don’t want to end up like Jack and Kate and Hurley and be tortured by Others!!!!
  
• My dad annoys me on a good day… 10 undiluted days are not going to be fun
• I miss Peter and my Beagles
• Thigh-Land smells gross (ok, Bangkok smells gross – seriously, it does! All that constant cooking in the streets… mixture of garlic, fish, fried banana… bleugh!)
• I don’t sleep well at all (maybe 3 to 4 hours a night)
• There isn’t a bath in the hotel room
• I miss being constantly connected (cell phone, internet, facebook, twitter)
• It’s not fun having to do everything that someone else wants to do for 10 days solid (we are there to work, not play!)
• I have to SHARE a room with my dad in Singapore (I have no idea WHY he couldn’t just have gotten two rooms… but anyway!!!)
• I miss red meat (yes, seriously, I crave steak!!)
• I really miss cuddling up to my 3 boys on the couch and just chilling!
  

So far, the CON’s are winning… I keep thinking of the warmth, the massages and the silk scarves (I really love my thai silk scarves!).

If I think of any other PRO’s or CON’s I will list them below… If you can think of any more, please leave me a comment