Thailand

Just want to get out my thoughts about Thailand while they are still fresh.

Tokyo---> Shanghai---> Bangkok--> Krabi--> Lanta.
Lanta--> Krabi--> Chiang Mai.
Chiang Mai--> Sukhothai.
Suhkothai--> Phitsanulok--> Bangkok.
Bangkok--> Shanghai--> Tokyo.


Oppressive heat. Throw away toilet paper instead of flushing. Insects everywhere, everywhere. And lizards and cats and dogs. Don't drink the tap water.

The warmest ocean water. Absolutely gorgeous jungles of winding looping vines and tall tall trees and spiky trees and fruits and flowers. Bougainvillea, plumeria, yellow wisteria, hibiscus. Banana flower. Gibbons and other monkeys and monitor lizards and spiders and birds. Heat. Coconut shake, mango shake, watermelon shake. Fruit. Skewers. Street food. Swimming in the ocean, jumping up with the waves, riding the waves in and out, while you watch the sunset. Markets markets. "Sawadee ka!" "Khop kun ka!" Temples. Roads with cars and songthaews and tuk-tuks and motorbikes. Oppressive humidity, dry smoggy haze, torrential flood-like rain.


The kindness of almost everyone. People who want money and will, even in their kindness, always do things for money, but it's not rude, it's life, it's survival. Everything is a matter of comfort zone. Everything is a matter of lifestyle and habit. The lax flow of Lanta, the rushed energy of Chiang Mai.

The importance of Buddhism and temples and the way people pray. Kneel with your legs to one side, don't point your feet at Buddha, and make your head lower than his. Monks are respected above all. It's more religious in nature than the pseudoreligious Japanese Shinto-Buddhism combination. (Honestly though I know next to nothing about religion, it's a big black hole in my knowledge bank.)

We did not ride an elephant, take a longtail boat, see a cultural dance/performance show or visit the hill tribes. We only saw Ladyboys once. But I couldn't care less.

Very relaxed and laid-back, the poorness was not as bad as I imagined both in degree and in my comfort level during the trip, although small, Thailand seems big and many people are working very hard to make many things happen, just like in every country. They are proud and protecting their traditions and fighting for their families, friends and themselves. Just like in every country.

Fall In Japan

I think the way Fall is meant to be liked is the way it is in Japan.

Crispy leaves, a chill in the air, apples, warm drinks and scarves beginning to sound good, and glorious, glorious foliage.
It's cooler and more subdued and, surprisingly, fairly rain-free.
It's not my favorite season but I can see why it's many Japanese people's favorite.

Some places I went in fall which are my favorites:

-Ikaho (once with Yurika, once with Shelby, Khim and Shizuka) The stone steps, Ikaho shrine, the deck and walking paths around it...everything is beautiful and crisp. We bathed in Ikaho hot springs, talking softly while red and brown maple leaves fell around us.
-Mount Myougi: A gorgeous hiking adventure. Steep rocks and rock walls with chains, rock arches and spires, narrow footpaths and still-standing rock precipices, all bathed in red yellow and brown leaves.
-Nikko: A winding hilly mountain road with lakes, waterfalls both tall and wide, temple upon temple, bright red bridges and small steaming manjuu stands. A town steeped in history and nature. Of course surrounded in the leaves.

It really is beautiful. And for a while, it is not so freezing.