Thailand... the first two weeks

okay, so it's been two weeks since my last post, so I figured it was important to get something down to quell the inbox assault.

I have spent the last two weeks in Thailand. The first 5 days in southern thailand in the Krabi area, island hopping, spending new years at a beach bungalow with a cool group of people from France, Denmark (represent), Ireland and Holland. They were all younger than I am, so safe to say that Eben realized that he can't party like he used to... however, he recognized this prior to the party, unlike previous occassions and was able to pull through to sunrise on new years day before getting sleepy.. unlike his compatriots who stayed at the beach party until 6pm the following night.

Switch back from third person to first person: I spent some time on the Railly peninsula that has fantastic limestone cliffs, great for rock climbing, in addition to incredible beaches, diving, snorkeling, and TONS of tourists.

After meandering the west coast of southern thailand for a bit, I took a taxi to the town of Krabi, where I took a minivan to the bus station, where I took a small bus to Sungthat, where I hopped a bigger bus for an overnight trip to Bangkok, arriving at 6am, where I hopped a cab to Bangkok airport, where I bought a ticket for Chiang Mai in northern thailand, departing two hours later. Upon arriving in Chaing Mai I got a cab to the bus station where I than got a local bus for the 4.5 hour trip to Pai where I was stuffed in the back, with packages everwhere around me and tons of people from the local tribes packed in around me. My seat was essentially a piece of plywood covered in cloth. I arrived in Pai, a bit harried where I strapped on my backpack and walked the mile or so to the guest house where I met up with Dave and Govinda... welcome faces to see after travelling on my own for 5 weeks.

My week in Pai was spent going to natural hot springs in the morning watching the sublight burn off the morning mist hanging in the trees, eating incredible fruit, thai salads and curries, creek walking a beautiful river, waterfalls, lying in hammocks sleeping and reading, doing yoga, hiking, and riding my motorbike everwhere. Genereally my thoughts were that Eben + Motobike = bad idea. However, after a few near misses, I got the hang out of it and am now ready to buy a Harley when I get home... Riding a motorbike around northern Thailand has to be one of the great things to do in life... true bliss.

So, with all this hard travelling, I have decided I need to relax, so I have extended my trip another three weeks. I am now planning on returning in early February.

I am in Chiang Mai, northern Thailand, now, awaiting my minivan to take me to Laos. I am planning on being in Laos a week or so, ending in Luang Probang... with the potential of heading to Cambodia and possibly Burma after that.

I hope everyone is happy and healthy. My love to all. -eb