After a very early taxi ride to the airport and a short flight we arrived in a completely different world. Very wide avenues, not much traffic and most of it in very old and battered cars with a few WWII vintage buses and some trikshaws thrown in. It is easy to see that this city was rebuilt by the British, and not much has been done since, but it's just fascinating and we are having a great time.
The biggest surprise was Udi, Yogi's friend, who surprised Yogi in the airport. We all went together to our guest house and then took a walk with him in the downtown and visited the Sula Paya - a very large buddhist stupa which also functions as the main traffic circle of the city!
By then it turned too hot to be outside so we returned to the hotel for a rest. We had 2 rooms in the hotel - each with drk wood floors and walls and an A/C and a fan so it was relatively comfortable. The main problem is the lack of any window so it's hard to tell what time it is. The people are very nice, served us breakfast as we arrived and arrnaged our plane tickets to Mandalay for today. We had originally planned to take the night train but it seems the night train has been cancelled a while back...
The highlight of the day was the visit to the Shedawgon - a huge complex of buddhist stupas and pagodas. It's just unbelievable - all gold gilded or plated, a gazilion Buddhas in any possible size and color and tons of nats (the Myanmar spirits which are part of their version of Buddhism) all over the place. Was just stupifying.
We had a nice conversation with a n 85 year old monk who told us parts of his life story - he used to be Christian (went to the Missionarie's school), then became a Buddhist and also was an office in the Army. He was really charming. When asked about current conditions he complained that he cannot get chocolate and that the butter and jam are not as good as they used to be!
Finally we met Udi at the Sakura Tower - the tallest buidling in Yangon and had dinner with him on the top (20th) floor. This was a fancy restaurant and the food was rather awful... Not clear what we'll eat from now on as Yango is supposedly the gourmet capital... But the view was worth it - and we had a lot of fun.
We tried to read email but are unable to access it. The cellphone does not work either, so I think our main mode of communciation is this blog. Anybody who reads this might drop Avi a line and remind him that this is the way to know that we are well and enjoying ourselves! I am not sure if we will be able to read comments but it might be worth a short as I don't think email will work at other places either.
Tuesday, February 27, 2007
Monday, February 26, 2007
Koh Samui and back to Bangkok
After all the cooking and walking around on Saturday we did not feel like going back to the beach. Instead we ended up in a huge mall - it's one of the largest Cosco's I ever saw with lots of smaller shops around it. Einat had wanted to try Black Canyon Coffee since she was first in Thailand and this was the perfect opportunity, and it was indeed very good. We sat there quite a qhile people watching and sipping our drinks. My conclusion is that the Thais are really quiet - quite a lot of people in the mall but not much moise and not the horrible music/announcements you ehar other places - was very nice.
After that we also stopped in a night market on the way back to the hotel and Einat bought some sun glasses. I must say it was a relief to get back to the hotel intact after 2 days in the jeep - it clearly was not in the best of conditions and the driving on the LHS, with all the scooters zooming by was rather scary (but not half as bad as India).
Yesterday we spent the morning by the pool. We took the 1pm shuttle to Nathon - the capital of Samui - nothing to write home about, but they also had a small Cosco and a Black Canyon Coffee so that was ok. At 5pm we went to a 2 hour massage, body wrap and other assorted treatments - was nice but I am never a huge fan. And then we ran to catch the shuttle back to Chaweng Beach for a farewell dinner. We ended up in a wonderful Italian restaurant and enjoyed it a lot.
Today we spent some time by the pool and then checked out of the hotel, went to the airport and flew back to Bangkok. Yogi arrived before us at the hotel but he went out and Einat is waiting for him there. We will be off to an early start tomorrow - a 7:15am flight to Yangoon. Hope I can continue the blog in Myanmar - not clear at all.
After that we also stopped in a night market on the way back to the hotel and Einat bought some sun glasses. I must say it was a relief to get back to the hotel intact after 2 days in the jeep - it clearly was not in the best of conditions and the driving on the LHS, with all the scooters zooming by was rather scary (but not half as bad as India).
Yesterday we spent the morning by the pool. We took the 1pm shuttle to Nathon - the capital of Samui - nothing to write home about, but they also had a small Cosco and a Black Canyon Coffee so that was ok. At 5pm we went to a 2 hour massage, body wrap and other assorted treatments - was nice but I am never a huge fan. And then we ran to catch the shuttle back to Chaweng Beach for a farewell dinner. We ended up in a wonderful Italian restaurant and enjoyed it a lot.
Today we spent some time by the pool and then checked out of the hotel, went to the airport and flew back to Bangkok. Yogi arrived before us at the hotel but he went out and Einat is waiting for him there. We will be off to an early start tomorrow - a 7:15am flight to Yangoon. Hope I can continue the blog in Myanmar - not clear at all.
Saturday, February 24, 2007
Koh Samui
We spent the rest of yesterday afternoon on the beach - Chenang is on another side of the island so the sea was a bit less shallow and there were a few waves. Our side of the island is completely calm and very shallow for a very long distance.
We had planned to drive out again for dinner but I was so tired we ate again in the hotel. The food is very good but as usual I get tired of eating outside very quickly.
This morning we drove back to Chenang to the cooking class we had registered to yesterday. This was a great class - we prepared a green curry paste from scratch, then made a seafood green curry dish with fish balls (like gefiltefish, but much better...) and a noodles-seafood dish and a tom-kah seafood soup. They were all excellent and the only problem was we could not finish a tenth of the food - hate to see such good stuff going to waste.
We are now exploring the main street - lots of shops and quite nice. Also lots of interesting looking restaurants, ice cream shops and cafes.... Now if we were not so stuffed...
We will probably go to the beach and then drive back to the hotel the long way - which will give us a chance to see a bit more of the island's interior.
We had planned to drive out again for dinner but I was so tired we ate again in the hotel. The food is very good but as usual I get tired of eating outside very quickly.
This morning we drove back to Chenang to the cooking class we had registered to yesterday. This was a great class - we prepared a green curry paste from scratch, then made a seafood green curry dish with fish balls (like gefiltefish, but much better...) and a noodles-seafood dish and a tom-kah seafood soup. They were all excellent and the only problem was we could not finish a tenth of the food - hate to see such good stuff going to waste.
We are now exploring the main street - lots of shops and quite nice. Also lots of interesting looking restaurants, ice cream shops and cafes.... Now if we were not so stuffed...
We will probably go to the beach and then drive back to the hotel the long way - which will give us a chance to see a bit more of the island's interior.
Friday, February 23, 2007
Bangkok and Koh Samui
After the Myanmar embassy trip we spent the rest of the day packing, storing equipment we do not need for now and wandering around the Khausan - tons of stores, eating spots (like in all of Asia people seem to be constantly eating) and lots of noise and bustling. We also took the ferry down the river and visited the flower market - we came towards the end of the day when people were packing up but even so there were lots of beautiful flowers. Lots of wome sit there stringing flowers and petals on strings and creating very beautiful arrangements which we think are mainly used in temples and such. I managed to sleep the whole night after not having slept at all the previous night so I got up very happy.
Einat got up complaining of a sore throat. Never a good sign...
We took a cab back to the embassy, collected our passports, went a bit on the Silum which is a fancy street with lots of high end shops and malls and airline offices, ate something and then said goodbye to Yogi. Einat & I took the monorail to Victory Monument, and were disappointed that the view was not better. We were supposed to catch the bus to the airport there but after circling about half of the permiter of the huge circle could not find it and the bag got heavier and the weather hotter... so we took a cab.
While waiting to get on the flight Einat started shivering and piling on all the long sleeved shirts (2) we had and her shawl. Even worse sign... The Advil did help and she got off the plane feeling reasonably ok. We took a shuttle to the hotel - a long ride made longer by the fact that the driver stopped at every resort on the way trying to find a room for some tourists who did not have a booking.
By the time we got to the resort Einat was again rather miserable and even the beauty of the place did not help much. Dinner was good, the night was misearble and in the morning I asked about a doctor. We were told the drive will take us to the Bangkok International Hospital - "it's a complimentary ride".
No wonder - this was the funniest hospital visit ever. It's beautiful - looks like a 5-star hotel, and the patients are treated as hotel visitors and charged accordingly.
The doctor was very concerned, explained that the previous antibiotics Eint got for her sinus infection in Vietnam were no good and prescribed 5 different medicines! Was no way to explain we really are only interested in antibiotics. The best was when he asked about her appetite and when she said it's not too good he suggest hospitalizing her! We declined politely... He also said she has to come back for a checkup on Sunday but we will forget that appointment (Einat is sure the ploice will come to our hotel to look for her).
Anyway - today (Friday) she woke up with very little fever, and we rented a jeep and drove to the next town. The jeep has very odd gears but Einat drives it bravely (on the left of course, which means that 2 out of 9 times she turns on the windscreen wipers when she wants to signal). We will go check out a cooking class soon and are debating a canopy-top adventure (the guy in this coffeeshop did not really think it's very good, but did recommend the cooking).
And of course the sun is shining the island is beautiful and life is good (but I did get a sunburn...)
Einat got up complaining of a sore throat. Never a good sign...
We took a cab back to the embassy, collected our passports, went a bit on the Silum which is a fancy street with lots of high end shops and malls and airline offices, ate something and then said goodbye to Yogi. Einat & I took the monorail to Victory Monument, and were disappointed that the view was not better. We were supposed to catch the bus to the airport there but after circling about half of the permiter of the huge circle could not find it and the bag got heavier and the weather hotter... so we took a cab.
While waiting to get on the flight Einat started shivering and piling on all the long sleeved shirts (2) we had and her shawl. Even worse sign... The Advil did help and she got off the plane feeling reasonably ok. We took a shuttle to the hotel - a long ride made longer by the fact that the driver stopped at every resort on the way trying to find a room for some tourists who did not have a booking.
By the time we got to the resort Einat was again rather miserable and even the beauty of the place did not help much. Dinner was good, the night was misearble and in the morning I asked about a doctor. We were told the drive will take us to the Bangkok International Hospital - "it's a complimentary ride".
No wonder - this was the funniest hospital visit ever. It's beautiful - looks like a 5-star hotel, and the patients are treated as hotel visitors and charged accordingly.
The doctor was very concerned, explained that the previous antibiotics Eint got for her sinus infection in Vietnam were no good and prescribed 5 different medicines! Was no way to explain we really are only interested in antibiotics. The best was when he asked about her appetite and when she said it's not too good he suggest hospitalizing her! We declined politely... He also said she has to come back for a checkup on Sunday but we will forget that appointment (Einat is sure the ploice will come to our hotel to look for her).
Anyway - today (Friday) she woke up with very little fever, and we rented a jeep and drove to the next town. The jeep has very odd gears but Einat drives it bravely (on the left of course, which means that 2 out of 9 times she turns on the windscreen wipers when she wants to signal). We will go check out a cooking class soon and are debating a canopy-top adventure (the guy in this coffeeshop did not really think it's very good, but did recommend the cooking).
And of course the sun is shining the island is beautiful and life is good (but I did get a sunburn...)
Tuesday, February 20, 2007
Bangkok
After all the excitement the flights were very easy and I slept about 10 hours on 4 seats. Einat & Yogi waited for me and it was great to see them.
This morning we went to the Burmese embassy and will get our visas tomorrow. After that Einat & I will fly to Koh Samui.
Money running out on this internet connection...later.
This morning we went to the Burmese embassy and will get our visas tomorrow. After that Einat & I will fly to Koh Samui.
Money running out on this internet connection...later.
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Thailand and Myanmar
This trip started out on the wrong foot - my flight from Newark to London was canceled, and BA put me on a flight 24 hours later. That really would have messed things up.
To make a long story short - I arrived at JFK at 10am today as instructed and after dealing with many nice people and having a few more mix-ups I am booked on a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong and a connection to Bangkok tonight. If all goes well I will arrive about 8 hours later than expected - definitely better than a 24 hour dealy. And the flight to Hong Kong is almost empty so I should get some of the sleep I did not get the last few days!
Einat & Yogi promised to meet me at the airport - we will go to the Myanmar embassy on Tuesday and after that Einat & I will spend 4 days in a Koh Samui resort before meeting Yogi again in Bangkok and flying to Myanmar on the 27th.
To make a long story short - I arrived at JFK at 10am today as instructed and after dealing with many nice people and having a few more mix-ups I am booked on a Cathay Pacific flight to Hong Kong and a connection to Bangkok tonight. If all goes well I will arrive about 8 hours later than expected - definitely better than a 24 hour dealy. And the flight to Hong Kong is almost empty so I should get some of the sleep I did not get the last few days!
Einat & Yogi promised to meet me at the airport - we will go to the Myanmar embassy on Tuesday and after that Einat & I will spend 4 days in a Koh Samui resort before meeting Yogi again in Bangkok and flying to Myanmar on the 27th.