Posts filed under 'Travel'
Morocco- a land where an offering for afternoon tea can empty your pocketbook as quickly as the hashish can erase your memory of the place.
I always found myself in a dumfounded state, somewhere betwixt awe at the beautiful surroundings and distrust or fear of the local inhabitants. The people never appeared intent on attacking me outright, but opted rather for an effective combination of their guile and my ineptitude at holding onto my money. This game, which became quite fun eventually, always began with an offering of tea and ended with me (the fool) parting ways with my coin. Getting lost in a market and bargaining for trinkets and craftworks of all sorts was a tireless pursuit that I really never could get enough of. All of you who are well versed in Thailand should not let that fact hinder your expectation of utter defeat in this case, where the Moroccans definitely have tradition and practice on their side.
Continue Reading April 6th, 2003
Travel to Myanmar begins with a flight to Yangon, the capital city (pop. 4 million). My first impression of the country formerly known as Burma, is that it was amazingly western in its present infrastructure, having been built by the British in the 19th century. Since you will most likely be spending the night here, an advisable site to see is the Shwedagon Pagoda. This is the world’s largest pagoda and happens to be coated in pure gold.
Continue Reading December 9th, 2002
I began my scuba diving experience in Pattaya in the pristine lap of luxury, and ended it in a drunken blur of instructor induced snorkel-bonging. It all began with a sleep deprived check-in to the Hard Rock Resort, located just off the shoreline boulevard. I mistakenly thought I was to find a refuge from the nights of unspeakable mayhem and debauchery that comes with time well spent in BKK. For the record, let it be known that no student of scuba should be under the effects of alcohol or any other inebriating substance. Off the record, let me say that this weekend long experience was one surrounded by liquid induced fun, the ocean being only part of that concoction.
Continue Reading December 5th, 2002
Home to 17 million people, this port city acts as a proverbial funnel for all the economic resources going in or coming out of the mainland China. Treated as a free trade zone despite the vices of a inflexible government, the underlying psyche of communism lies just beneath the surface of a polished and cosmopolitan venir.
I arrived into Shanghai on the sleeper flight from Bangkok, bleary eyed and sorry to be leaving the land of smiles. I was immediately thrown into the grinder of Chinese public protocol, a polite way to say that I was pushed and shoved every which way from the moment I got off the plane. It was quite commonplace to see either man woman or child hawk up a giant green loogie and spit it right at your feet without a second thought as to why this might seem a tad bit repulsive. Giant belches and gaseous anal purging were the staples of the public symphony.
Continue Reading June 5th, 2002
My adventure begins as I board the flight to Koh Samui. Even as I climbed onto the plane that must’ve been 45°C in the passenger cabin, I was greeted with that undeniably welcoming Thai smile, as the flight attendants offer me a swab of alcohol soaked napkin to wipe the sweat from my brow. Descending over the turquoise waters surrounding this curious little isle I had the distinct impression that I was about to embark on an endeavor that would bring…
Continue Reading March 28th, 2002
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