Month: March 2009

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Too much to show and tell

I’ve been working on a Thailand entry for over two hours now and I’m not even close to completing. I admire those that can blog every day. Where do they get the time? Gosh, maybe I’ll add a column of ads to see if I can supplement my work. If both of you that read this blog keep clicking through maybe I’ll make some money.

I’m still editing pictures and content and trying to organize. It isn’t like it is a spectacular blog entry, just a lot to cover. Tomorrow night I have to study for class on Tuesday night, so I’m not sure when the next post will be. I’ll try my best.

In the meantime, here’s a picture because everyone likes a picture.

Temple at the Grand Palace

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Decadence in a difficult time

In this time of staggering economic troubles, I feel a little odd staying at a resort on an island in Thailand. It doesn’t feel like I should be living so extravagantly, even if my extravagant is not that outlandish. I hope I am getting the appropriate karma credits somehow and the karma police will not punish me. Monday I was reading all sorts of super scary articles in the newspaper as my vacation began.

Today was our first real day on Koh Samui. Since it is an island resort on the beach, it seemed appropriate to go to the beach and swimming pool. I don’t want the kind of tan that I sought as a youngster – and as a matter of fact I am afraid my skin shows a little of that over-exuberance. Still, I am at a beach, I do have free time, and it seems I should get a little bit of a suntan. I lathered up with sunscreen though, telling myself that SPF 20 was more than adequate. My sun block worked well in all the places that it reached. Unfortunately, I have an archipelago of sunburn running from my left armpit down towards my navel. If I had a body to die for I’d take a photo for your amusement. Unfortunately I’d have to do some photoshopping to get the body I desired so I’ll pass on posting (alternately, I could actually work for the body I desire).

We decided to go to Chaweng in the afternoon for a visit to a spa that Tomo had read about as well as dinner at a restaurant there. Transportation around the island is not easy and, quite honestly, the taxi rides are Tokyo / New York prices. All taxis are metered and no taxi uses the meter. All prices are negotiated but seemingly fixed. Since our resort is fairly isolated, it was good to get into the “city.” Chaweng reminded me of a really clean India or a little bit more rundown Greek island.

The city of Chaweng in Koh Samui

 

We went to the Is Spa where they specialize in hot stone massages. Hey, if that is their specialty then why not go for it. We ordered two hot stone massages and entered in to a peaceful world of oils and stones rubbed all over our bodies. It was definitely a good experience. I had, “hot, smooth, volcanic pebbles … placed on [my] various chakras (natural body-meridians) by two therapists who combine the use of essential oils and the movement of the stones to stimulate [my] lymphatic system, helping to detoxify [my] body.” It was moderately difficult to emerge back on to the hustle and bustle of Chaweng after the message.

The Is Spa is associated with The Library, a total boutique hotel in the middle of a mess. We wanted to eat at The Page, the restaurant associated with the hotel. The Page is right on the beach and tonight the air was comfortable and we had a nice breeze keeping us feeling good. The food was good as well, and tonight we opted for western fare instead of Thai. I felt like I was at a trendy LA restaurant.

Here’s the sign for The Page. Note all the wires running above.

The sign for The Page

 

Here’s the entrance to The Library.

Entering in to The Library compound

 

And here’s the famous red pool (is it filled with blood?) at night.

The red pool at night.

 

Our resort isn’t too shabby either and I took a few pictures this morning and when we checked in.

Renaissance Koh Samui

Renaissance Koh Samui

And the door handle in our room.

Door handle in room

 

That’s all for now. I want to relax!

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Vacation Daze

I have a week off.  I’m quite excited about that.  Tomo and I are going to Thailand for the week, first a few days at an island resort in Koh Samui and then a few days in Bangkok.  I already feel like it is too short of a trip and I haven’t even left yet.  The key is to relax, right?  I hope we can relax and explore Bangkok at the same time.  This trip is taking advantage of frequent flier miles before they expire and using free nights at a hotel.  Probably not what is necessary to stimulate the economy, but I can’t do it all myself.  Hey, we are flying an American carrier and staying some nights at an American hotel.

One nice thing about leaving on a Sunday instead of a Saturday is that there’s plenty of time to get stuff done before you leave.  I’m happy to report that I am departing a very clean apartment – it will be nice to come home to it.  I’ll have a day to recover at home as well (and do homework) when I return.  

This is my first week long Asian travel experience since this time last year when I came to Japan on vacation.  I definitely want to take advantage of living in Asia by visiting places in Asia.  There’s still a lot I have not seen in Japan as well.  We have plans for a ryokan sometime later this month.  I’d also like to go to Taipei.  I anticipate that I will only get a slight taste of Bangkok that will leave me wanting more.  I’ve never been to Bali and I think I would enjoy it.

This morning I was going to mein lokale (the neighborhood Starbucks) and bumped in to some colleagues.  They were co-conspirators to the naked man festival.  Usually I think, “Uh oh, white people” but I always enjoy these colleagues.  However, it must have been foreigner day at the Starbucks because it was FULL of gaijin.  It seems there was even a family reunion.  I didn’t think my area was that full of foreigners but I guess I was wrong.  It seems we are everywhere in Nagoya.

I hope I am able to post some pics from the vacation.  We’ll see.