I really enjoyed myself in NAN, a relatively small and obscure city in Northern Thailand that few travelers have heard of. All my touring was taken care of by Fhu Travel, the most experienced tour operator in the city. Because of the scarcity of tourists in the area, I was the only participant on my two all-day excursions. Fhu Travel assigned a dedicated tour guide and driver to handle all the touring arrangements for me. Over the course of the next two days, I spent most of my time with these two gentleman who were born and raised in the area and had an opportunity to learn more about their lives. Nong, the tour guide, was a rather husky young fellow of about 25 years old who had fairly good command of the English language. Before working as a tour guide, he labored in the rice fields. He was married but his wife (and his young daughter) lived in Chiang Mai - about 5 hours away by car - where she worked as a teacher. Chaat, the driver, was a fellow in his late 30’s; like Nong, he was also married but his wife lived with him in Nan. While I was with them, both Nong and Chaat were always smiling and laughing as we often chatted about TIGERS (Thai girls).

When they talked among themselves, they spoke in their native Lanna which is somewhat different than Thai, the predominant language in Thailand. Lanna is considerably more nasal than Thai and some of the words are completely different. During my two days of touring, I sort of developed a friendship with these two gentlemen and I really enjoyed their company during the short time that we were together. When Nong talked to me, he always addressed me as Sir – I guess out of habit and respect - and I always retorted that I didn’t like to be called Sir, and pleaded with him to call me by my first name or any one of the many pet names I go by.

When we talked about TIGERS (Thai girls), both guys would become very animated, especially Chaat. Smiling and laughing, Chaat would say, “THAIgers very dangerous, eat money.” I guess this was a pet expression of his as whenever we passed by a young and attractive Thai girl, he would repeat his mantra with a big silly grin on his face “Thaigers very dangerous, eat money.” We all laughed and chuckled. Agreeing with Chaat, “I added Thaigers are very dangerous, but Farang gals more dangerous (and more expensive) yet.”

At the end of the 2nd day of touring, I told Nong and Chaat, since it was my last night in Nan before moving onto Phu Lang Ka, that I would take them out for a drink at the Dhevaraj, the most prestigious hotel in the town. Chaat was especially excited about meeting Nancy, the young and attractive female singer who was performing at the hotel’s nightclub. Later that night both gentlemen showed up at my guesthouse on their motorbikes and we proceeded to the Dhevaraj. On the way, Nong confided to me that neither himself nor Chaat - both men had been born and raised in Nan - had ever been to the Dhevaraj nightclub before, let alone inside the hotel. When I asked why, Nong replied, “We have never been there before Hanu, because we are not of the higher class.” He was alluding to the primarily Chinese Thai patrons of the Dhevaraj who were from Chiang Mai and Bangkok. “Nonsense I said, you’re the equal to any of these people, don’t put yourself down.” I guess my words, made them feel less self-conscious about themselves as we went inside the lounge, shared two large Changs (Thai beers) as we proceeded to enjoy the Thai cabaret show that featured Nancy and a number of other singers.

From this experience, I guess you could say I learned something about class-consciousness among Thai people. Anyhow next time I go to NAN, I will look up Nong and Chaat again and take them out for another round of drinks at the Dhevaraj. Hopefully, Nancy (and some other ThAIgers) will be there to join us!

By all means, check out my initial report on Nan!

Just wanted to share with you some snippets (some random observations and thoughts) about Bangkok.

Specialized Boutiques
Located just around the corner from the President Park hotel on Sukhumvit Road Soi 24 is Boo Blossom, a wonderful pet boutique that specializes in clothes and accessories for small dog breeds.

Beauty Salons
There are so many beauty salons in the tourist zone, however I will go out of my way to go to my favorite one, the Arena Beauty Salon, which is located on 152 Sukhumvit Road Soi 16. Tel: 22601263

Thai Restaurants
Raan Derm remains my favorite Thai restaurant in Bangkok. The food is spicy, tasty and affordable and there good selections for vegetarians.103-103/1 Sukhumvit Soi 22 tel: 22582401

Money Exchange
The best place for exchanging monies (excluding traveler’s checks) in the tourist zone is Vasu. Their storefront location is on Sukhumvit Soi 7/1 just a couple of steps away from the Nana BTS. They have now moved their operation in the very front of the store – you don’t have to enter thru the side door anymore. Makes it look more legit!!! Vasu 133-133/1 Sukhumvit Road Soi 7/1

If you’re exchanging traveler’s checks, I would suggest you that go to any one of the numerous exchange bureaus located along I the street, upstairs in the BTS shopping arcade or inside the big shopping complexes like the Emporium. It will usually take less than 3-4 minutes before you receive your monies. If you try to exchange your traveler’s checks inside the Bank, you may have to wait a very long time before the transaction is completed. Just recently, I had to wait almost 20 minutes and sign at least four or five forms before I finally received my monies at the Bangkok Bank. Never again!

Airport Departure
With the closure of the older Don Mueang Airport, Suvarnabhumi Airport is now handling all the airline traffic. I have departed from Suvarnabhumi a number of times now - catching a taxi from President Park on Sukhumvit Soi 22/24, it hasn’t taken more than 30 minutes to get to the airport using the expressway even during rush hour traffic. I usually leave my hotel at least 2 hour 40 minutes before departure. Never had a problem! FYI, Suvarnabhumi Airport opened up on September 21, 2006.

For passengers who need a day room at Suvarnabhumi because of a long layover between flights and they don’t stray far from the airport, they can stay at the new Novotel Airport Hotel, only a 3 minute walk from the main terminal.

(the following snippet pertains to both Thailand and Malaysia)
Christmas in Thailand and Malaysia
Christmas is a big production in Thailand, primarily a Buddhist country and in Malaysia, where 63% of the people are Muslim, as most of the tourists are Christian. In many of the large shopping complexes in the major tourist centers – including Bangkok, Chiang Mai (Thailand) and Kuala Lumpur and Melaka (Malaysia), Christmas decorations start going up shortly after Thanksgiving, a major holiday in the USA celebrated on the last Thursday in November. Walking into a Starbucks Café in Chiang Mai on November 25, I was greeted by the familiar tune of ‘I am dreaming of a White Christmas.’

Farangs, like myself, rarely hire a motorbike taxi to take us anyplace in Bangkok as it is considered very dangerous – these daredevils on wheels are known to be somewhat reckless as they weave in and out of traffic. Furthermore most of the drivers do not provide their passengers with a crash helmet. It is not unusual to see these guys driving their vehicle on the sidewalk (sometime with passengers), as they hurry to stay ahead of the traffic on clogged Bangkok thoroughfares. On more than one occasion, I have been walking on the sidewalk along the Sukhumvit, a main road in uptown Bangkok, only to have to dodge a motorcycle taxi coming directly at me. WTF? I know of many bargirls who wear permanent souvenir(s) on their bodies - usually on an arm or leg – as a result of being involved in a motorbike accident.

Regular taxis are a safer option, albeit slower option. The meter rate for a taxi starts at 35 baht (about 1.00USD) – very cheap - and increases by 1 baht per for every 3-5 minutes, while motorbike taxis are even cheaper yet, costing a mere 20 baht for a short trip but oh so dangerous. 97% of the time, I will take a taxi all things being equal. However every now and then, when I’m in an extreme hurry and traffic is really choked up, I will take gamble and roll the dice by hiring a motorbike taxi.

On my last night in Bangkok, I took such a chance - I had a farewell dinner date at 7:30PM with Khun Moongmink at a small vegetarian restaurant on Soi 26 near the Sukhumvit and it was very important that I not be late. Standing outside the President Park Hotel (Sukhumvit Soi 22/24) at 7:10PM, I surveyed the traffic conditions - even though I was only 1.5 miles away from my destination, I realized I would never make it on time by taxi. The choice was to incur the wrath of Moongmink for being late or risk life and limb by taking a motorbike taxi. Choosing the lesser of two evils, I had the bellman at President Park hook me up with the best motorbike taxi that he could find and I told him to inform the driver that I would give him a big tip if he got me to my destination, safe and sound.

Looking at my watch as I hopped on to the motorbike seat, it was exactly 7:17PM when we departed. Sure enough, the driver took some short cuts, weaved in and out traffic and got me to my destination at 7:25PM in one piece. As I hopped off the bike, I waiied the driver and thanked him in Thai, handing him 40 baht and motioning with my hands for him to keep the change. As I ambled into the restaurant, I made a prayer to the Great Buddha in the Sky for my safe deliverance.

At the President Park Hotel in Bangkok (Sukhumvit Soi 22/24), a very unique show happens every day. It is quite entertaining – nowhere else in Bangkok have I seen this type of show. As a hotel guest attempts to cross the street in the pedestrian crosswalk, one of the doorman jumps out of nowhere and carefully escorts the guest to the other side, holding out his red stop sign for all drivers of the various motorized vehicles to see. I know that this busy curve that connects Soi 24 with Soi 22 can be a very precarious crossing - at any time of the day, many cars (especially taxis) and many of Bangkok’s infamous motorcycle taxis can be observed whipping around this legendary curve.

As a veteran of navigating this famous crosswalk, I always remember to look over my right or left shoulder to make sure it is safe to cross. When I reach the center divider or the middle of the crosswalk, I have gotten in the habit of looking over my other shoulder to make sure the coast is clear before completing my passage. Of course, with President’s Parks Stop Sign men working 24/7, it makes the crossing that much easier. Sometimes, I like to just stand there and watch the show!

Funny thing - while promoting my Top Travel Memories Contest, I accidentally discovered that my long lost cousin (and his wife) from San Diego are traveling to Thailand tomorrow for vacation. Harry is his name by the way.

Now if you have been following Calypso Island Chronicles, you may be aware that I will be returning to Thailand one week from now. Now I haven’t seen my cousin Harry in over 30 years. What are the odds that I will bump into him somewhere in Thailand? Kind of remote! I probably wouldn’t recognize him anyhow even if he were standing right in front of me, but wouldn’t it be something if I ran into him and his wife while strolling through the night bazaar in Chiang Mai (tourist hub of Northern Thailand) or while having dinner at the popular Whole Earth Restaurant? Stranger things have happened. LOL! In any case, I’ll have to send good ole Harry an e-mail right about now!

Not too long ago, one of Thailand’s preeminent fortune tellers/psychics predicted that a catastrophic earthquake would devastate Central Thailand sometime in October. If you live in the ‘Land of Smiles’, there are exactly 16 more days left in this month – and to be realistic, the odds of this cataclysmic event happening gets closer to infinity every day. Now I am going to present to you somewhat of a preposterous ‘what if scenario’ – sort of an apocalyptic (end of the world) spin to this.

If you have been following Thai politics, you know that there has been ongoing battle between the ruling PPP party - which many people claim is a proxy government of exiled ruler Thaksin Shinawatra (Mr Toxin for short) - and the PAD, an anti government group comprised primarily of liberal democrats and royalists, whose supporters are primarily Bangkok’s upper middle and upper classes. Now depending on which side of the fence you’re on, the PPP and all the Toxin cronies are the bad guys and the PAD and their followers are the good guys. You’re probably wondering what does this have to do with the earthquake and my apocalyptic spin? Well if the big Quake happens, the ensuing flood caused by the collapse of the Kanchanaburi Dam would sweep all the Bad Guys off to sea, and ‘The Kingdom’ would usher in a new era of enlightened leadership.

HMM, you may think I am out of mind (maybe I am), but what does my little friend, “Batdog” say? See picture, top left. One paw up - that means it ain’t going to happen! Business as usual…

To cover all bases, I will be carrying my snorkeling gear with me on my upcoming trip to Thailand. Stay Tuned….

I happened to come across this hilarious political cartoon the other day - it pokes fun at the GOP team of McCain “the Caveman” and his running mate Palin “the Deer in the Headlights”. Check it out and have a good laugh!

You maybe wondering, what does this cartoon have to do with ecotourism, nature tours and travel to Thailand, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and other tropical locales? Hmm, let me think…it has absolutely nothing to do with TRAVEL!!!!!

A lot of people in Thailand (both rich and poor) believe in the ability of the Fortune teller to predict the future. In fact, I know professional people in Bangkok who pay a small sum of monies for a consultation with their local fortune teller or tarot card reader to give them guidance and direction with their love life and business affairs. Even political leaders have been known to consult with a fortune teller – ex P.M. Thaksin and the coup leaders who deposed his government are two prime examples. Usually, the fortune teller is a very insightful and intuitive person and is able to tell their customer what they want to hear. For some inexpensive entertainment and fun, a couple of years ago I paid 20 baht to have my fortune read by a local tarot card reader on the corner of Sukhumvit and Soi 24 in Bangkok.

Just recently, my friend in Thailand told me about a very dire prediction made by one of the most preeminent fortune tellers/psychics in Bangkok who coincidentally hosts his own TV show. Can you believe that? According to this highly regarded psychic, sometime in October, there will be a devastating earthquake in central Thailand - the earthquake will create a break in the Kanchanaburi Dam located about 90 minutes away from Thailand’s capital city of Bangkok, and the whole area will be flooded. Bangkok will be just one big lake! Furthermore this fortune teller suggests that people should evacuate Bangkok during the month of October and flee to Isaan or Northern Thailand.

His prediction is based on this season’s heavy rainfall which has caused many of the outlying provinces to be flooded. A big earthquake could indeed cause the dam to crack and release a tremendous volume of water flooding the plains of the central region of which Bangkok is the major population center. Even without an earthquake, many people fear the dam will overflow due to the huge volume of water that it is holding in.

Upon hearing this story, I couldn’t stop myself from laughing. I told her that I too believed a catastrophic earthquake would take place. But unlike the renowned fortune teller, I believe this event will take place sometime in the next 2000 years and that no one could predict the exact time. Furthermore, most likely both of us would be long dead and into our 37th reincarnation on our way to nirvana when the big flood happens.

On my upcoming trip to Thailand in November, I better bring my snorkeling gear.

******

The following story is based on events which happened in Negril, Jamaica in summer 1982. The names of people involved have not been changed protect the innocent or naïve. Although this happened over 26 years ago, I remember it as if it was yesterday. Depending on your sensibilities, you may alternately cry, laugh or be shocked by what I have to tell you.

It was a bright Sunday in Montego Bay - Reggae Sunsplash, Jamaica’s international music festival, had just concluded. Most of my tour group were flying home on this day, however about 30 clients would accompany me by bus to Negril, some 50 miles to the west, to recuperate and chill out after the festival. I stayed at Lamar’s, a humble motel on Negril’s West End. I befriended two of clients, Dr. D and his girlfriend, Carol, who were also staying at Lamar’s. Dr. D was an affable chap in his early 30’s, a Grateful Dead aficionado and we hit it off pretty well.

About the 2nd or 3rd day in Negril, Dr. D, Carol and yours truly were enjoying a cold Guinness in Lamar’s outdoor bar—café, when somebody offered us some freshly baked chocolate ganja cake. Now, I usually don’t partake in marijuana, but throwing caution to the wind, I decided to have to eat a large slice of this fragrant smelling cake. Dr. D and Carol followed suit. About 40 minutes later, it was getting dark and the three of us decided to venture out for dinner to nearby Pewee’s, a nice outdoor restaurant on the cliffs. So far, nobody was feeling any effect from the ganja. Dr. D and his ladyfriend ordered a grilled lobster plate and I ordered a vegetarian dish along with some cold Guinness. After awhile dinner was finally served. It seems that the three of us were getting quite giddy - must have been the marijuana kicking in. Dr. D was about to take a bite out of his lobster, when he announced, “Look, the Lobster is crawling on my plate”. Both Carol and I laughed, and I remarked it must be the effect of the ganja cake we ate earlier in the evening. Come to think of it, I distinctively remember it getting hotter and I felt a sensation of smoke in the air. We finished our dinner without further incident, laughing and joking the whole time.

After dinner, we walked up the street to Kaisers, where they were having a live Reggae Show. A group of young Jamaican men congregated at the entrance. We were about to enter the club and pay the cover charge, when Dr. D totally freaked out. He turned around to us and with a very frightened look on his face, he announced that he was afraid someone at the entrance was going to stab him with a knife. Looking at Carol, I told her that the ganja had caused Dr. D to become totally paranoid. Carol understood there was no real danger, only in Dr. D’s mind, but it was decided in the best interests of Dr. D, that she would return with him to Lamar’s and forego the live show.

Bidding Dr. D and Carol adieu, I paid the cover charge and entered the club. After having a rum punch, I surveyed the scene and noticed quite a few very attractive working gals around the club, looking very sexy with their micro miniskirts clinging tightly to their thighs. I was becoming very hot now and I started feeling “the body heat” from the Jamaican ladies. My heart was racing and it was becoming difficult for me to move - it felt like I was paralyzed. Feeling frightened and very vulnerable, it took quite an effort for me to leave Kaiser’s. Once I was out onto the street, I walked safely back to Lamar’s in the darkness of the night.

Morale of the story - Marijuana affects people in different ways. For some people, the herb will bring a sense of euphoria and peacefulness; for other people, it makes them get very giddy. On the other extreme, some people grow very paranoid - their feelings and sensations become overamplified. Be careful when indulging in this potent herb!!!

For a little diversion, you might want to check out Traveler IQ challenge, a very fun and quirky game on Trip Advisor’s website that tests your knowledge of world geography. Presented with a small world map, the game requires you to click with your computer mouse on the location of famous world cities and capitals. Having to navigate through twelve levels of difficulty from easy to very difficult, your cumulative score is based on both accuracy and speed of identification. I have played this game a number of times, and “the Great Ling Yai” got as far as Level 11 before he crapped out.

Playing this game on a laptop computer can be very frustrating, because the scroll mouse often has a mind of its own. While trying to click on the location of San Francisco, my mouse inadvertently clicks on somewhere out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean. Damn mouse! This is a great game to play when you’re flying on a plane somewhere overseas. Before I play again, I think I’m going to study an World Atlas so I can improve my geography knowledge. Hey….Where is exact location of Bishek, Kyrgyzstan anyhow? Must be somewhere near Pakistan, Afghanistan or one of those – xxxxxx stan countries, right? How about Alice Springs, Australia, anybody know?