[Once in a Full Moon - Thailand]

Its been just over a month here and it has been just fine. Just fine. I understand why 13 million tourists visit Thailand each year.

A week in Bangkok and I did next to no sightseeing... After India I simply enjoyed a modern, comfortable city, complete with the nightlife trappings.

Together with a Thai girl we traveled for 2 weeks, mostly off the tourist beat. Traveling with a local I really saw Thailand with different eyes and ears, including a 'unique' situation.

We arrived at the local government office car park in order to pick up her friends scooter. There were many people crowding about, including someone talking in a megaphone; my Thai friend simply said in broken English something about a fight. So I am looking for a stand where they will sell tickets for tonights Thai boxing match...

No sooner had we gotten onto the scooter with my friend at the helm when I hear some commotion and whizzing sounds of flying objects...Time slowed down, it felt like the opening scene to a war movie. I looked up in horror to see to my left a hoard of young men throwing rocks and bottles directly towards us. I held my breath as I hoped to dodge the projectiles..we were caught directly between 2 gangs who didnt seem too happy with each other! Yelling to my friend to 'GO!' she promptly stalls the bike. Situation looking desperate now... Somehow we back the bike out of the line of fire as I watch in slow motion one gang throwing rocks and somehow, unscathed, we run into the nearest building. So much for that boxing match tonight....

For the Thai New Year we visited her family in a middle of no-where farming village, hours north of Bangkok. No internet (gasp!) no phone, no fridge, a simple wood stove in the kitchen etc. I think I was the only foreigner for miles around and judging by the reaction on peoples faces when they saw me, I guess not many drop into this neighborhood either. It was refreshing to get away from the tourist traps too; I particularly enjoyed one night when mum cooked up whole, live frogs that were eaten heartily by the grand kid... As a vegetarian I missed out on this delicacy :-)

But I never really intended to travel Thailand, which brings me to the island Ko Samui. Been here almost 2 weeks, laze in the day (too hot and humid to do otherwise) and play at night.

Danced at the full moon party on the neighboring island of Ko Pha-Ngan (April 23rd). It didnt quite live upto its image of a crazy dance party; infact it really was a tourist, drunken beach party. Some people dancing, some sleeping on the beach (too drunk), a few getting it on (really too drunk!) and others just chilling around. Had a good time still, a few Red Bulls (actually RB originates from Thailand) to keep me going.

Hired a scooter and I enjoy riding around the ocean roads, especially after the clubs close at 2am; cool ocean breeze blowing, no traffic on the road as I wind (as much as a little 100cc will wind) along the hilly corners back to my hotel. Life is just fine.

Just 3 more weeks before I depart Thailand (21 May)...sigh.

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