Thanksgiving on a tropical isle
Trip Start
Nov 08, 2008
1
5
20
Trip End
Jan 17, 2009
Koh Chang,
Thailand
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Why am I still smiling?
Because I'm "marooned" on Koh Chang, a tropical island off the east coast of the Gulf of Thailand.
Actually, I've managed to cancel my flight from Bangkok's Suvarnabhumi Airport and am arranging a minivan to Siem Reap to tomorrow. I'll lose a cancellation fee, but it's better than going to the airport tomorrow and waiting for the official flight cancellation (full refund), and then have to find a way to Siem Reap anyway. When traveling, it's good to be flexible
01. The carnival that is Khaosan Road, Bangkok
.A good portion of this morning, I sat in a big tree overhanging the sea along a white sand beach.
I miss being with Nancy on this family-oriented holiday, and I miss the turkey dinner, but I'll try to bear up under the burden.
Since I last posted, I hung around Bangkok's Khaosan Road for three days, taking care of business, enjoying the carnival atmosphere and doing a bit of sightseeing. I engaged a tuk-tuk driver (Joe the Tuk-Tuk Driver) to take me to Wat Phra Kaew, Wat Pho (not What Fo' but What Po), and back to Khaosan. Wat Phra Kaew is part of the Grand Palace complex and is best known for the Emerald Buddha (actually jasper), which is held in great reverence by followers. The giant Reclining Buddha is the focal point of Wat Pho, but it is certainly not the only point of interest there. I particularly loved the naturalistic waterfall with koi schooling about its base and the forest of spires covered with colorful ceramic flowers.
But the air pollution of Bangkok really got to me, and I was glad to head south to Koh Chang, with its clean air, clean water and slow-paced quiet. I booked an A-frame bungalow (AC, hot water, etc.) at Sai Khao Inn through a lovely travel agent in Bangkok. Ah, the tranquility of a tropical island.
So, if you are following the news from Thailand, be reassured that I am safe. Better than safe, actually.
Comments
T-Day!
Happy(Tropical)Thanksgiving,Ron! Lots of love, J&K
Talk about giving thanks!
Wow! What a way to spend Thanksgiving! Alli and I are paying very close attention to your blogs, as you can imagine. We were wondering how the airport situation was going to work out, as we knew you were headed to lands east. Alas, it has worked out as it's supposed to - with a picture of you sitting atop a palm tree on Thanksgiving!
Keep em' coming!