Looking back. With Pictures. [Days 1 & 2, Bangkok]

Bangkok, Day 1. You know the story. Here's some pictures to go along with the tale:

This is a Wat outside our first guest house. It thrilled us. We didn't realize they were everywhere.

I was carted here by naughty Mr. Tuk-Tuk Man.
I thought things were going splendidly.

Bad. Omen.

So, Mr. Tuk-Tuk Man took us to a couple of pretty spots.
Then many awkward tailor and ruby shops. (Not pictured)

"Lucky Buddha". This is interesting. 
There was a charming 4th scammer (we've realized) planted in this room.
He saw the list of scams we were given & encouraged us they were the places to go. 
TAT especially. He seemed to be a lovely man. A "teacher". Un. Lucky.

2 tailor shops, 1 travel agency scam and 2 gem store scam attempts,
then Mr. Tuk-Tuk Man left us here. 
"400 steps" mountain view. When we returned for our ride back and to pay him, 
Tuk-Tuk went poof. 
Never to be seen again.

... something doesn't feel right?

Contemplating the day..

We figured it out.

Bangkok, Day 2.

We were pretty bitter from the recent scam. We learned saying, "Hey, stranger! Wanna know how long I been here? Just flew in! No clue what's goin' on! But golly, am I tired, confused and excited!" Is dangerous in this town.

Just about every Tuk-Tuk "gangster" (we found a warning sign all about them in our guest house the next day..) asked us the same question daily. Word to the wise, if you ever travel there: you've been there "for two weeks" from the start.

So our second day, we grumpily refused all transit offers and walked the city. It turned out surprisingly well, we made it to Wat Pho:

 

And then across the river to Wat Arun, which we climbed. And it really was much steeper and scarier than the pictures can prove. Terrifying. Really.

I couldn't have climbed it if I were wearing what these ladies wore.

 

And a river taxi to China town. Which scared me and took my breathe away (literally, you can't breathe there. I wished I had a mask on like everyone else. Bad. Air.)

Then the river taxi back to the hotel. Actually, as close as we could get... the river taxi lady forced us off early. It kept going closer, but we had to walk for some reason.

There you have it. Day 1 & 2, photographic evidence.

Home.

I won!


The whole experience alters in my mind daily. It was pretty extreme.
I'm planning to write city specific blogs with pictures soon.
Also, my opinions of the travel as a whole and "backpacking".

Just you wait.

Nearing the end..

Still alive! I have many blog updates on details, opinions, reflections, pictures, words of wisdom etc that I look forward to posting upon my arrival home (tomorrow). When internet is no longer so expensive and difficult to use.

What a strange, long, educational, unique and interesting month I've had.

More to follow. So soon. From the other side of things.

Battambang

Our last stop in Cambodia. The "Bamboo Train" is really fast and bumpy. Today, kayaking (hopefully). Tomorrow, Bangkok (hopefully). Then south to the water and the fishes. Then.. home.

Phnom Penh pictures

 Though we've already traveled from Phnom Penh to Kratie to Siem Reap, these are the only Cambodia pictures I have time to share for now.
A few from PHNOM PENH:

Tuol Sleng. Unspeakably moving.

"?" This tuk-tuk has American pride... I like it.

Cambodia

After a 32 hour journey south, we've found what we were looking for. Cambodia!
We started in Phnom Penh, which was quite powerful. The Tuol Sleng museum is unbelievable.
We continued on (an 8 hour bus) to Kratie, a village near the spot of the Mekong where some of the 80 remaining Irrawaddy dolphins reside. We rented bikes and rode an hour and a half through the village to the dolphins. Pretty spectacular. The dolphins are very shy, but we were lucky to spot quite a few. Wonderful.
So. We've found the sun (and it's found our skin... nice, rosy cheeks). Soon we'll be at Angkhor Wat.
I'll be in touch.
I miss you Americans.