Thailand: The Land of Smiles, Part 2

...closing my eyes tight, and holding on for dear life, I started to pray: "Lord, if you allow me to arrive at my hotel safe and sound, I promise that I will NEVER get on another one of these damn bikes again! Please Lord!! PLEEESE!!!" It seemed at though God was preoccupied with other, more serious concerns because no matter how much I begged and pleaded, my prayers seemed to fall upon deaf ears...I was too deeply engrossed in seeing my life flash in front of my eyes to realize that my prayers had been answered: the little motorbike had delivered me safe and sound to my hotel...THANK YOU LORD! Hands trembling like a drunk deprived of his cheap bottle of ripple and going through violent withdrawals, I slowly climbed off the little bike, thanked the driver, and staggered up to my room, fell into bed, and was instantly enveloped in a deep dark haze of blackness.

Earlier that day...

Rising at 5:30 a.m. that morning, and quickly gobbling down breakfast, I met the tour guide at 6:30 a.m. in the hotel lobby. Since Bangkok traffic is among the worst in the world, we had to leave early enough to beat the rush hour traffic.

Bangkok

Ayuthaya, the capital of Bangkok, is known for its beautiful pagodas, buddhist temples, and statutes. Meandering around the beautiful gardens and marveling at the temples, I felt a profound level of calmness and serenity. After a long and wonderfully tiring day spent exploring the pagodas of Ayuthaya, I decided to spend the evening hunting for Thai souvenirs at the Siam Night Market in Bangkok. After Mr. Toad's Wild ride back to the hotel that evening, I woke up refreshed and ready to experience as much as I could over the next 15 days.

Over years I'd been told by friends and strangers alike that I should visit Thailand when the opportunity presented itself. Perceiving the Land of Smiles as a place that catered mainly to Western men, I'd made up my mind that Thailand definitely would NOT be a place in which a single, middle-aged black woman would fit in.....boy, was I wrong!

I had a blast!! The people were friendly, the food was delicious, and there were tons of interesting and exciting places to see, as well as fun activities to partake in. Possessing an outgoing and bubbly personality, I would chat up the hotel staff regarding places to see and things to do. Afterwards, I would set out on my own - exploring unknown side streets, alleyways, and street markets in the Sukhumvit area. It was on one of my impromptu walking excursions through the local neighborhood, that I stumbled upon a restaurant that was off the beaten path, but was well known due to its interesting and unusual name! The odd name referring to the founder's belief that condoms should be as cheap as veggies; and no prizes for guessing what you'll get after dinner instead of an after-dinner mint. After checking the menu and finding the prices too rich for my taste, I opted to take these photos instead.

Each day held the promise of a brand new adventure: visiting the world famous Thai floating market early in the morning, and watching snake charmers capture leaping snakes with their bare hands and teeth in the late afternoon.









Pattaya: Coral Beach Island

After spending five days in Bangkok, enduring traffic jams and exhaust fumes, I decided to take and all day excursion down to Pattaya to enjoy the sea and do a bit of swimming. As the boat sailed from Pattaya over to the small island of Ko Lan (Coral Beach), I was asked by my tour guide if I was interested in parasailing. Terrified of high places, I initially declined. However, curiosity and a willingness to try something new, overrode my fears and I gave it a go. Once the boat took off and I became airborne, my initial fears dissipated and I had the most A-W-E-S-O-M-E experience!!!

Chang Mai

Finding the Thais to be very warm and approachable, I was able to make friends with both the hotel staff and strangers I encountered fairly easily. With my new found tour guides, I has a great time getting to know them and and visiting various places of interest (both in Bangkok and Chang Mai) from a locals point of view - not to mention saving money on the local transportation due to receiving the local fare rather than the overpriced rates charged to foreigners. Venturing into a local Chang Mai pub to shoot a game of pool, we encountered a family that was enjoying a very healthy, and definitely creepy looking appetizer as they enjoyed a game of pool. Now, I've always admired the petite frames of the majority of Thais; however, if having a small frame means eating high protein, low fat insects, I think that I'll pass!!!

A long time lover of mainstream Thai cuisine, I signed up for an all day cooking class in Chang Mai. Prior to beginning the lesson, we were taken to a local market to purchase fresh vegetables and spices. Amazed at myriad of different ingredients that were used to prepare even the simplest of meals, giving each delicacy a delicious - and extremely spicy flavor, I was quite proud of the results.

The Golden Triangle

Nearing the end of my days in Chang Mai, and not one to pass up a unique opportunity, I made a last minute decision to visit the Golden Triangle: The Thailand, Burma (Myanmar), and Laos boarders.


On the way to the triangle, we stopped at the Long Neck Hill Tribe village. The young girls in the photo were singing happily as I strolled up and snapped their photo.


In Laos I gave in to the persistent coaxing of a very persuasive Laotian shopkeeper to sample his snake whiskey - free of charge. I reluctantly took a sip and decided that - even though it tasted like regular whiskey, the idea of dead cobras, scorpions, and other varieties of snakes fermenting inside didn't sit very well with my stomach. Therefore, if I never have the opportunity to taste the stuff again, that would be mighty fine with me.

Hua Hin

As my final days in Thailand drew nearer, I looked forward to spending some time with the boss - yes, you read correctly - who is originally from New Zealand, but owns lovely vacation home in a little village located in the southern part of Thailand called, Hua Hin.

You may recall at the beginning of my post, in which I swore I'd never get on another motorbike again.....well....I lied. Not only did I ride on one in Chang Mai (and enjoyed it!) I rode with my boss on her bike and enjoyed it even more! You see, the darn things were growing on me!! I enjoyed my time in Thailand and look forward to returning, once again, to the Land of Smiles.

Thailand: The Land of Smiles, Part 1

It was almost midnight, and I was tired, cranky, and lost!!! Exiting the subway after leaving the night market, I had no idea which direction I was or should have been heading. Turning left instead of turning right, my sense of direction blurred and cloudy due to sheer exhaustion, I walked into what looked like the Red Light District almost bumping into and tripping on the high stilletto heels of sexily dressed Thai prostitutes. A sweet smelling young Thai girl passed by laughing demurely, walking arm-in-arm with her much older, Caucasian escort. WHERE THE @*&% IS THE DAMN HOTEL!!!! My body, which was practically ready to collapse at this point, screamed in both agony and frustration. Images of my soft warm bed, the covers turned back, beckoning me like a sensuous lover calling out to his mistress, filled my sleep deprived brain.

Nearing a complete meltdown, I was desperate and prepared to hail the next taxi or Tuk-Tuk driver that I saw, when I stumbled upon a 24 hour service station. In a lame attempt to try and describe the location of the hotel (I'd foolishly left the hotel address and phone number on my dresser), the attendant, not knowing or understanding where I wanted to go, asked a customer with a motorbike, who was pumping gas next to us, if he would take me. Unsure of where I wanted to go as well... neither one of us speaking the other's language very well... I jumped on back of the motorbike throwing years of the warning: NEVER ACCEPT RIDES FROM STRANGERS, and caution to the wind.

Squeezing the Thai driver's waist tightly (Thais are very small boned). I cringed as he squealed out in pain. It seems as though my souvenir bags, which I'd purchased earlier that evening, were pressing uncomfortably against his family jewels. Embarrassed and apologizing profusely, I lifted the small packages high enough so as not to cause any more discomfort. It was imperative that this guy devote his full concentration on driving; any unnecessary distractions could prove to be fatal for the both of us.

Before I could catch my breath, the little motorbike shot off, like an amusement park roller coaster ride, into a cacophony of headlights and exhaust fumes. Weaving in and out of traffic, like a hungry mouse charging relentlessly through a maze in search of a moldy piece of cheese, we raced in and around moving cars that appeared to have no sense of direction, and absolutely NO desire to slow down - until the minute before you were sure your legs were going to be crushed. The wind blowing in my hair (I had no helmet to protect my skull) and blinded by painfully bright red and yellow headlights, I was amazed at my new found ability to pray in languages that I'd never even heard of, and ones that I had heard of, but never possessed the ability to speak - until now....

To be continued...

A Night At the Burj

Although I had passed by and taken numerous photos of the famous Burj Al Arab hotel, I had never had the opportunity to set foot inside - until now. My boss, Marian, was having a birthday celebration and invited a few of her colleagues to join her for drinks at the Burj.

The first 7 star hotel that I'd ever set foot in, wasn't as over the top as I'd heard. Arriving a few minutes early, we were escorted to the lounge, which was beautifully decorated with a lovely , and gigantic Christmas tree with all of the trimmings. Pretending as though we were amongst the noveau rich, we took turns posing and hamming it up for the camera.

After what seemed like and eternity, finally, it was our turn to embark upon the much anticipated elevator ride to the infamous 14th floor, were we would enjoy delicious, albeit expensive, adult beverages. A couple of my drinking buddies - unable to decide what they wanted to order from the menu - decided to have the bartender - a prim, proper and meticulous German from Munich - create his own concoction of drinks, which they were asked to create names for. Helanie, who hails from South Africa, chose to call her drink, "Helanie Berry." Marie, who hails from Canada, named her drink, 'Allie's Surprise," after her 18 year-old daughter Allie.

Laughing and giggling like teenage school girls, we gorged ourselves both on the free snacks, and savored the stunning panoramic evening view of the Dubai skyline that stretched out all around us from our seats as sparking city lights twinkled and glimmered like dancing ballerinas in the distance below.

Around 9 p.m., high on alcohol and good company, we stumbled out of the bar, back down the 14 flight elevator ride, and out into the pleasantly warm Dubai night air. Some of us, including myself, paired off in groups and went out to a local restaurant for a late night meal, while the rest headed off for home and a nice warm bed.

Champagne wishes and caviar dreams......

Weekend Getaway: Muscat, Oman

The Jewel of the Gulf is the best description that I can think of to describe Oman. From its warm and hospitable people, to its lovely warm turquoise beaches, and varied landscape, Oman lives up to its name.


Upon entering the city of Muscat, I was impressed by the gorgeous landscaping, and overall cleanliness of the city. The abundance of flowers, green grass, and palm trees (remember, this is the desert) contrasted with the white Arabic styled buildings, reminded me a little bit of Santorini, Greece.

Wanting to make contact and get to know the locals, I used every opportunity to chat up strangers. In doing so, I was able to obtain a little bit of insight into the day-to-day life of the Omani people. During a city tour, my tour guide took Mary and I down to the local fish market where we had the opportunity to meet his dad, who was a fisherman.


We spent about an hour chatting, drinking tea, and listening to wild and hair raising fishing tales that my tour guide's father experienced during his many fishing excursions over the years.

I was especially pleased to see that many of the Omani people looked very much like African Americans. Warm, and friendly, their warm smiles made me welcome as I approched them and asked questions about life in Oman. Although it was only a short weekend getaway, it was enough to temporarily satisfy my insatiable appetite for travel until my next travel fix.

Next adventure: Thailand - the land of smiles...