On my most recent trip to Thailand, Khun Moongmink - my friend from Bangkok - joined me on November 30, 2009 in the Northern city of Nan. For the next 10 days or so, she accompanied me as I showed her parts of Northern Thailand – Nan Province and Phu Lang Ka - that she was totally unfamiliar with. Having traveled to these “neck of the woods” the year before, I guess you could say that I – an outsider and a farang - was her tour guide.

In her story of meeting me in NAN, she affectionately refers to me as Papa Mono (the Big Monkey), my nickname in South America. Read on…

In late November, I went on a 10-day tour in the north of Thailand. The tour started in NAN, where I joined Papa Mono (aka Hanumann), my slightly crazed American friend who had arrived there several days before me. He enjoys visiting Thailand every year; I can say that he definitely knows my country better than me (and most other Thai people), especially when it come to the regional areas of the North.

I arrived at the Nan Bus Terminal late in the afternoon whereupon Papa Mono greeted me on his rented bicycle along with an old Thai guy standing beside his Samlor (tricycle taxi), ready to transfer me to my hotel. It ‘s nice to meet ”an old buddy” again – a tricycle which had long disappeared from Bangkok street for over twenty years.

Hopping into the Samlor, the driver followed Papa Mono as he rode joyfully on his bicycle. Acting as if he was a local tour guide, Papa Mono navigated through downtown Nan, greeting every street dog (maah) along the way, waving ’hi’ and causally chatting to many passersbys. Apart from his western look, one would probably think that my farang friend was a local Thai living there for many years.

I wish you could imagine this scene - a cheerful western guide, biking ahead of an old Samlor with a middle aged Thai lady as passenger. A native old man wearing khakis and a battered straw hat drives the Samlor loaded with heavy baggage. Using all his strength, the old man follows Papa Mono through the streets of Nan, as he diligently carries me to my hotel. Such memories are priceless!

I am conducting a special promotion - between now and November 8, I am asking you to list your top 5 travel memories and briefly explain ‘why’ in the comment box. By November 10, my associate and I will have carefully reviewed all the comments and choose the top 3 entries. First prize will be a valuable souvenir - craft or artwork from Thailand; 2nd prize will be a unique 16 X 20 watercolor print(s) of a tropical landscape mounted on mat board and Third prize will be a 2 DVD set of Calypso Island’s unique travel slideshow videos (fairly high quality). *
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First of all - you’re probably wondering, what are my top five travel memories?

I have to admit it was so very difficult to come up with a top 5 list as I have made so many memorable trips in my short lifetime. Searching my memory bank, I have concluded that the most indelible memories (travel or otherwise) happen when one is a child - at least that was the case for me. My explanation for this is that children are so much more sensitive to new life experiences than fully-grown adults. Ok, enough of this psychobabble. Here’s my top five…

#1 STATUTE OF LIBERTY When I visited New York City as a little boy circa 1957, I was totally awestruck by the Big Apple. I visited so many exciting new places and experienced so many new things - the T-Rex skeleton at the Museum of Natural History, the towering Empire State building, the underground Subway and the Coney Island Amusement Park. What blew me away more than anything else was seeing the Statute of Liberty. As an innocent and naïve child, this impressive Statute represented the embodiment of America. I’ll never forget it!

#2 KING OF THE WORLD Last year, I hiked to the top of Waynu Picchu which overlooks the majestic Machu Picchu archaeological site in the Peruvian Andes. Wow what an experience! I wouldn’t have been able to complete this hike without the camaraderie of my two new Peruvian friends, Edward and Armando. Upon reaching the summit, we proudly declared ourselves “Kings of the World” as we assumed our Condor pose.

#3 THE GRAND CANYON Seeing this spectacular natural wonder for the first time circa 1959 is forever etched in my memory. Up to that point in my life, I didn’t know that such incredible natural beauty like this existed on our planet. Unfortunately, I have never returned.

#4 THE LONG RUN IN JAMAICA In September 1982, I ran from Montego Bay to Negril (a distance of 52 miles) on Jamaica’s North Coast over a 3 day period. No, I didn’t run just for the fun of it – it was a publicity stunt for the staging of a marathon road race in Jamaica. Running along the coastal highway in the tropical heat was very grueling, but in the end, when I reached the Negril lighthouse, I was totally exhilarated. I would do it again in heartbeat.

#5 REGGAE SUNSPLASH In 1981, I attended my first Reggae Sunsplash Music Festival in Montego Bay, Jamaica. For this hardcore reggae enthusiast, I was totally blown away seeing many of my favorite artists - Gregory Isaacs, Dennis Brown, Black Uhuru, Third World, Chalice, Eek A Mouse – perform. I was in Reggae Heaven!

* Please Note: I will need at least 10 people to leave comments on their 5 top travel memories in order for me to give away prize #2 and 3. Only one entry per contestant.