Author: Thewhynottraveller

Let me tell you a story about a bridge.

After an incredible week in Chiang Mai I headed off to Chiang Rai to see the White Temple. I hadn’t been to Chiang Rai before and that Temple was the main attraction but having got there and spent some time in the town it seemed like a decent place and I wish I’d had a few more days to explore it. We was lucky enough to get Rian, a Tuk Tuk driver, to drive us about all day and wait for us at the temple. He also loved the tunes playing out loud on my speaker, which has been a god send on this trip, fits everywhere. This was also where I finally departed with Tiffany and Stephen. It’s been such a laugh over the past weeks or so and I’m glad they’ve even started teaching other people to play Euchre! Safe travels you pair of Canadian gimps.

I jumped on a flight from Chiang Rai to Bangkok, it was so easy and cheap, it was definitely the right choice. What wasn’t the right choice was leaving my gym kit (including my multi-purpose shorts) in the hostel. Got to Bangkok and was almost in tears when I found out. Gutted! I’m sure I’ll get by with my old trusty Thanet Wanderers rugby shorts.

Before heading south I’ve had a few days in Bangkok and I went to see the last few sights that I didn’t visit before. This was due to the Khao San Road hangovers and sleeping in!

Firstly I took the train out to Kanchanaburi where you can visit the Bridge on the River Kwai and ride the death road. The train leaves Thonburi station in Bangkok every morning at 0750 and costs 100baht each way. Don’t make the mistake I did and get off early though, as there’s not another train until the afternoon! This unfortunately meant I missed the death railway as I got off at the River Kwai station. The bridge itself is pretty tame but the museum down the road is worth a look. The main reason for the visit is how significant a piece of war history that railroad is. It was about 34° and humid when I visited, I can’t even begin to imagine what hell it must have been for the prisoners of war and basically slaves that built it for the Axis powers.

Next up was Wat Arun. I had chosen my hostel within walking distance to both the railroad and this temple so I was able to get up and get there before the visitors started pouring in. The temple is probably one of my favourites, the towering structure is incredible and it’s probably one of the cheapest visits at only 50baht. It opens at 0800 and I couldn’t recommend going early enough. I passed there in the afternoon and it was packed!

That’s enough of mountains and cities, time to get some sand in between my toes. I’ve missed the sea side as usual.

Chiang Rai and Christmas goodbyes

The Bridge on the River Kwai

Wat Arun

Local Knowledge.

Now I wouldn’t say I’m old but having spent a few days in various hostels I thought, as the group I’d been travelling with had left for a few days, I’d book myself into a guesthouse away from the carnage, with a double bed, pool and relax a little. The room was dated but having a pool in the sunshine was class.

It was a perfect base to meet an old face and her new family. Georgina, Fiji and Marley, their 7 month old boy, took me out and about for some exploring and food. We headed up to Wat Pha Lat, a secluded temple which I’ve rode past the muddy tracked entrance several times but would not have known what it lead to. It was an amazing place, with real character, as a lot of it was being restored or was untouched for years. The lack of tourists was a dream, I deemed my self a local that day! After the temple I was treated to one of the best Kao Soy’s in Chiang Mai. It’s a local dish to Northern Thailand that contains a mix of deep-fried crispy egg noodles and boiled egg noodles, pickled mustard greens, shallots, lime, ground chillies fried in oil, and meat in a curry-like sauce containing coconut milk. Wikipedia will probably say something similar. Whatever is in it, it’s incredible! Marley attempted to eat a cucumber and some carrot but got most of his dinner on the floor, childish really.

The next day, after exploring the mountains on my scooter, I was invited to Georgina’s English school for a talk with Ajahn Amaro, or just affectionately “Monk Man” for those of you, like me, who will undoubtedly forget his name. He’s an English monk who, with his blend of English wit and Buddhist wisdom, makes for a really interesting listen. Getting up off the floor after an hour and a half was hard work though, bet them lazy monks have never suffered a slipped disk! Also don’t tell him that I was more impressed by the bamboo school hall architecture.

I can’t thank Georgina and her family enough for their hospitality and kindness, a few days exploring other places and traditions with friends is what travelling is really all about.

Now let’s talk about exploring the mountains on my scooter. We may have, on one occasion, become a little more familiar than I would have liked. Heading up to Panviman Resort and Spa are some of the best motor biking roads I’ve ever been on. I was alone, I had my headphones in and the sun was shining… I also may have found the limit of my tires! Luckily other than a small graze and a pea sized hole in my shirt, which I was fuming about, I got away with it. The worst bit was as I sat on my arse and the bike disappeared down the road, three wild dogs were close by and went mental at all the noise, I jumped up and grabbed the moped to get going but as I did, they all started chasing me up the road at full speed! Shitting myself I got away and left them barking at the bottom of the hill. It was far worse than the fall itself!

As you can see by the pictures, words don’t really do the roads and the resort justice. Both are beautiful and costly in different ways. The roads cost my pride and a night at the resort costs £200.

On to Chiang Rai now to see the White Temple and then I’ll be heading back down South to some islands. I need to see the sea badly, it’s been 2 weeks, far too long for me.

My hotel view;

Wat Pha Lat;

Georgina’s school and the Kao Soy restaurant;

Panviman Resort and the ride to it;

Thai time in Chiang Mai.

Everything always happens a little slower here so that’s why it’s been a while before I can get a post out. Haven’t really stopped since leaving Bangkok, it’s travelling with friends that haven’t got as long, they want to do everything! The drinking has subsided but not for some in this town. Had the delight of being woken up to a glass door smashing, people arguing and the police turning up and arresting some dick head who was upset with his girlfriend, I can’t see that relationship lasting much longer! Maybe he had a heart of glass.

Other than that it’s been a great return to Chiang Mai. We’ve had a strong group of four, two Canadians and one Aussie, that rode the overnight train from Bangkok, which I couldn’t recommend highly enough to anyone that wants to travel up north. It was easy, no bag check in and security gates, a full dining carriage, proper bunks and you don’t have to worry about paying accommodation for that night as you’re on the train. It also allowed plenty of time to teach them the card game Euchre, it was huge in the Navy for aircraft engineering techs and it’s been great to get a few hands in. Even if teaching Tiffany was like pulling teeth!

With rented scooters we’ve managed to cover a lot of ground, make sure you barter and you shouldn’t look to pay more than 150-200 Thai Baht a day for a good standard moped.

First we headed up the local mountain to Wat Phra That Doi Suthep a temple that looks over Chiang Mai and then down to Huai Rap Sadet waterfall, the first of the trip! Both are an easy and good afternoon out from the city.

Our next adventure was to Doi Inthanon, the highest peak in Thailand. It was a fair ride on a scooter that took about 3 hours with the stops. The weather wasn’t great and with a great local purchased jacket (only £4!) we headed to the summit. We was treated with zero visibility and freezing temperatures but with stopping at Phra Mahathat Napha Methanidon and Phra Mahathat Naphaphon Phumisiri, they’re the twin pagodas and some beautiful biking roads the experience was worth it. Ensure you take some cold weather gear and about 300 Thai Baht for entry fees. There’s some great local food stalls along the way, the chicken in the pictures was delicious but we all decided to avoid the pigs intestines…

The evenings have been decent to, we’ve managed to see a Muay Thai fight at Thapae Boxing Stadium and a Ladyboy show at 6ixcret. Both were amazing and I know which one I’d rather give a go if I was pressed!

Photos should appear in chronological order of the mentioned days out.

One night in Bangkok.

Ok, so it wasn’t one night but it’s been a blur. I haven’t had time to post at all, it’s been crazy. Landed Saturday morning and spent the day at the hostel, lingering around on my own indoors as the rain was really heavy but come the night time, and the new arrivals drinking games, I had plenty of new mates, to them it was probably just some annoying cockney wannabe. The night was heavy but the next day was a pool party which soothed the hangover and then a group of us headed to the Lebua Hotel which features a sky bar and on to an infamous ping pong show at Soi Cowboy. The sky bar was very impressive and it’s a trip worth taking but be prepared to dress up and spend some dosh, it’s £20 a drink! I don’t have much to say about the ping pong show but for those of you that don’t know what that is, it’s quite an experience. There’s something very disturbing but also very intriguing about holding a ballon above your head whilst a lady pops it from 15ft with a dart fired from her vagina. The story about the drunk Japanese guy and a banana is best left for in person! Yesterday involved some pampering, I had a lovely foot massage and pedicure, as is the custom in Thailand, then headed out for some sight seeing. You’ll see in the pictures that I made friends with a blinged up local and the funny juxtaposition of a monk at a temple staring at his iPad. Even he’s been sucked in to a screen. Hopefully climbing the Ghost Tower today and then off on a sleeper train to Bangkok this evening. Will update more frequently as hopefully the drinking will subside up north…

Pain in the backside!

It’s all about getting things done! After fear and laughter on the last day in the Dominican Republic a plan was put in place via a few frantic messages in the airport. I can’t thank my friend Annie enough for managing to sort out an appointment with a leading pain management doctor in London on the one day lay over I had before flying to Bangkok. Fortius Clinic were amazing and I managed to get an MRI, diagnosis and peace of mind all in the space of a few hours. It turns out I have a prolapsed disk, which also has a small tear in it and it’s rubbing on the T5 nerve. All sounds very complicated but with the right rest and medication it should be better in a few months. Not going to be easy whilst travelling and I doubt I’ll be able to reach my dream of being a pro surfer on my return but I’m mobile, in one piece and the anxiety drugs for the nerve system feel wonderful! Let’s hope the flight isn’t too bumpy. Here’s the MRI scan for all you nerds that have any idea what you’re looking for.

Naked and Afraid.

Not much has been happening recently, except some lovely sunsets (which can be seen in the photos section) and a few chilled days before we head home. However, here’s an update for you! The Belcher back went a few days ago. It recovered within a short period but then, as I was getting changed an hour before our coach was due to pick us up, I got my foot caught in my shorts, my lower back spasmed to which felt like three electric shocks going through my spine and this resulted in me ending up laid out naked on the bed with my shorts round my ankles and unable to speak because of the pain. Went grey and nearly fainted to which then Stephanie pops her head in from the balcony with “What you doing?” thought I’d just hang out naked in pain… It’s been an agonising journey back to the UK but the tramadol and diazepam has helped. It was also a right touch buzzing through check in and security in a wheel chair!

I’m lucky to have some contacts in London to see one of the best pain management doctors in sport. Heading to his clinic today and hopefully something can be done before the flight to Thailand tomorrow. It’s not always gonna be easy sailing!

Coconut shy.

We’ve been spending a few days by the pool really winding down. I say that, mainly recovering from that walk! We got pounced on by my the machete wielding coconut geezer. Conned into two coconuts later and pulling pretend grins that they taste decent. Don’t be fooled, there’s nothing that tasty about mildly warm coconut juice! Although they do make a banging picture.

Jellyfish Trek!

Went for a 14km walk along some beautiful beaches to get to Jellyfish restaurant at Playa Bavaro. Full of vibrant Dominican sounds and people along the way. The restaurant itself is set in a stunning location with ample seating/sun beds and very polite staff. The food was priced fair for how delicious it was and the jaw dropping location, with the menu mainly consisting of fresh salads and locally caught seafood. Would highly recommend a visit!