Bangkok, Thailand
Trip Start
Apr 01, 2007
1
41
51
Trip End
Ongoing
Bangkok,
Thailand
Monday, September 10, 2007
But yeah, getting back to the history of the trip lately... Left from Bangkok to go diving in Koh Tao.. I went on 8 dives there, including getting my 'deep diving' certification, to go down to 30 meters. I could write on here, ad nauseum, my experiences and the like. I will save that for when I see all y'all.. but to summarize, most dives were pretty good, but my last couple dives were awesome. Going down to 30 meters I got to see 'mountains' of coral formations, reef sharks (plenty!) and an amazing site - a HUGE school of fish. This school of fish was different though. Remember the scene in Matrix 3 when the squddies were inside Zion and floating around like one big huge cloud?!?! Well.. this is what these fish looked like... leading from one tip of the cloud, they moved in huge unison.. just an amazing experience.. Can't wait to dive the rest of the world!!!
In Koh Tao, I partied with a Swiss guy I met in Bangkok (who we travelled together to dive @ Koh Tao) Marco. We hit the clubs and rented scooters to screw around the island with. Just for shits and giggles, we took these quaint little scooters on a full off-road mission. There were quads ahead of us that were crawling up hills that me and Marco took off up, with the gusto off an off road dirtbike... and we even got our security deposit back after that! Go figure!
After Koh Tao, me and Marco split ways. He headed off to the 'Half moon party' at the neighbouring island (HUGE MEGA DRUNKFEST once a month, precursor to the 'Full Moon Party' one week later) and I went back to Bangkok with a new friend I met on the dive boat. We are continuing our adventure to Burma tomorrow.
Last night in Bangkok, I decided to hit up a REAL Muay Thai boxing match. got lots of photos as I just bought a new 70-300mm VR lense for my camera!!! I bought ringside seats for 2000 baht (approx. 55$ CDN).. expensive for Thailand, but definitely an experience everyone should see! Being that close made the world of difference to seeing this match! Watching on TV or from afar, I could care less. But hearing the slaps of the feet against abdominals, seeing sweat fly off an opponents head from a wide right hook, or watching consecutive knee into the ribcage after consecutive knee - made it an amazing experience. In between the 11 bouts (5 rounds, 2 mins a piece) at the halfway mark, there was a real muay thai demonstration, with no gloves and ropes woven around the hands - true muay thai kickboxing. These guys are real athletes, no doubt about it. The heaviest competitor weighing in at a monstorous 135lbs.
I have had the most amazing Thai food here, giving me an amazing inspiration for EVENTUALLY (no worries Dad, not happening any time soon) opening the restaurant of my dreams. I realized with this trip I REALLY have a passion for food and know I could make a kickass place with killer food. Thailand is a REAL inspiration. In Bangkok, the places, decor and music is funky, the food spicy, and the price CHEAP... I thought this place would be tourist haven, and IT IS, but for some reason - they can still stay Thai and be proud of their heritage. You see it in them every day. Many places in the world sell out, and it is very apparent. I am so glad to see Thailand figured how to do things, the right way.
ReflectionTime(tm)
Well.. Being on this trip is like going through a 'New Year's Resolution' marathon. I see so many things of myself I am soo motivated to change. Not due to disdain or feeling of being lesser because of it - but a genuine feeling of knowing what I want to improve myself. Meeting other travellers and talking to them, you hear about how they feel the same thing. On the other hand, once they get home - they say that they end up falling into the same circle of monotony or habit that they abandoned just months earlier on. Ever fiber of me wants to prevent this.
To be short and sweet, here is the laundry list of changes that I forsee and/or what I have discovered:
1. I really enjoy espresso. Want to buy a machine and make it - frequently.
2. I love cooking, especially Thai. Why the hell do I make crap food for myself @ home when you could have full on Thai meals (or other international delights) in under 20 mins, it really is that easy..
3. I have a self image (physical) that I want to be like. I am not there right now. Only I can change that. I am committing to doing laps at the pool - especially since that is the one physical activity that kicks my ass every time I try it and then, eventually, end up quitting at. I WANT to, and MUST do this.
4. I love photography.. so I am going to continue practicing and developing my skills at home in my spare time.
5. I now truly know the value of friendship and who matters in my life. I realized I don't have time for 'half friends' or people that I don't GENUINELY admire in one way or another. I will not make time for fairweather friends and will make all the time in the world for my real ones.
6. Perception is reality. I dress 'meh' right now because it is simple and convenient. If I want to live my life that way, then I will continue dressing that way. If I pay attention and focus on my physical image (dress), then my self-respect, image, and esteem will be the product of that focus. I am going to dress better, because I like looking good. And I am NOT 18 anymore, so I am NOT going to try to fit into a slim-fit, bar/clubbing medium size t-shirt. I am not a twink. I am NOT a twink.
7. I am never going to stop travelling. If I am 50 years old an barely have a penny to my name, but have travelled afar and seen much - then it is all worth it. As many people say, you can't take it with you. And again, it IS just money. You can always make more. (or declare bankrupcy, one of the two)
8. Kelly is a fantastic and great friend, the best one I could ever hope to have. I wish everyone could have a friend just like him. And out of that respect, I am going to stop sleeping with his ex-girlfriend.
9. Sex really gets boring unless you are with someone you truly care about. So, I am becoming celibate until marriage.......... AHAHAHAhahahaah yeah sure, celibacy, that's rich.. ok, I believe the first part, but the second ain't happening any time soon. Just have to find the right girl, that's all.
10. Finally... I really love what I do and how I live, and as I have been doing on this trip - I am living every day like it's my last. When I go back to work, I am going to do whatever it takes to keep that going - no matter what the cost. If you are not doing that, STOP what you are doing RIGHT NOW. I don't care how much debt you have, how much crap is in your house or what you are waiting for. YES, it really is that easy. If you aren't happy, stop it. I am accumulating a MOUNTAIN of debt, risking my business and my personal safety by this trip - and couldn't be happier. If I go bankrupt tomorrow, I wouldn't care. One way or another - I will come back from it and become successful again. Even if I lost my two legs, I would find a way to do it from a chair. It's that simple.
I hope that all my friends read this and support me on keeping on this track. I will probably get lost in the day to day duldrum of life again when I return, and I want to ask a favour to all my friends to back me up and remind me of what I am saying here. This is the same fire I had in my belly starting LM, and it is back more than ever with life and the business. I never want to forget, and always want to keep the fire going. I hope somewhere along the line someone is inspired by this and I will most definitely do the same for them.
Well.. wish me luck - off to Burma I go!!!!!!
