Pad Thai, floating markets, and yes.... massages....

Its true. I just got back from Thailand. It was an amazing adventure to say the least!!!

 Before I begin to tell you about my trip, I know some of you are thinking, didn't she just go to Hawaii? What is this girl doing, taking vacations every three weeks? Well, it  certainly seems that way! But our school only closes down two weeks of the entire year, and they happen to be in a months span. The first was Lunar New Year, and the second is the first week of March. This is graduation time in Korea, so we do not get any students. While I am a "spread my vacation time out over the course of the year" kinda girl, it is just how the calender falls, and how the school decides the vacation.

So....I went to Bangkok! Trish, Daniel, Ashley and myself, woke up before dawn to catch our flight. We were welcomed with 30 degree weather! I literally defrosted the minute I stepped off the plane! Our first line of business? Pad Thai.

We at off this woman's Pad Thai cart. It was 30 Baht which is almost exactly 1 dowla! I hate to be a cliche here, but it really was the best Pad Thai I have ever had!

After our meal I experienced my very first Thai massage, and let me tell you, it was uncomfortable, relaxing, nerve racking, slightly embarrassing, and awesome all at the same time. We went into one of the many massage places near our hotel (there were at least 10 on our street). As we sat down a woman asked me if I wanted  a male massager. All I could think about was the rumours I have heard of "sexy massages"!!! If I say yes to a guy does that mean I will get "extras" included in my massage? So, being the prude I am, said "No thank you!" The massage itself was not like any I have had before. It was almost a combination of massaging and stretching, which felt good sometimes, but kinda hurt too! And while I didn't request a guy, the woman who massaged me had absolutely no reservations about using all parts of her body, and all parts of mine into the massage. There is no way that massages like this could be offered in Canada and not face some sort of legal case, but hey! When in Thailand......

We explored Bangkok, and decided to be tourists and explore ancient temples. There are rules about the clothing that you wear into the grounds, so I had to borrow a skirt and t-shirt from the temple. The details that are within each of the temples are absolutely stunning, and the amount of gold makes the whole place literally glow.

We also ventured to Khao San road, one of the most famous places for people to visit in Bangkok. It is full of street vendors, massage places, bars, and of course, Pad Thai.

On our next to last day there we ventured to Pattaya beach. Even though it was overcast, it was still really hot and humid, and the water was warm! Really, really warm!

After the beach we had to shower. Its not like Hawaii where they have nice public rinse stations. No, we had to pay to shower, and I can say honestly this was the dirtiest, and scariest shower I have ever had!

             


I am  really sure it could even be called a "shower" as much as a bucket and hose, but we defiantly shared a laugh after we got out! Really, to think we had to pay for this!

Our last day in Bangkok was spent at Damneon Sanduak, at the floating markets. Literally the river is filled with small boas, selling all sorts of things: hats, magnets, saffron, mangoes, everything you could imagine. We rented a boat, and took our tour of the rived, vendors hooking out boats, and bringing us over to theirs, trying to sell us their worldly goods!

Lisa St. Aubin de Terin says that "travelling is like flirting with life. Its like saying, "I would stay and love you but I have to go; this is my station." and for me this is quote reigns true. In the small amount of time I spent n Thailand, I loved it. As I was walking the streets, satisfied from the street food, sticky from sweat, I couldn't help but think, what is it like to live here? But of course that is part of the luxury of travel. You can pick and choose where you want to go, and what you want to do, love the place for what you see, and leave with your memories and switch blades...