Chang Mai...the surprise

From the craziness and massive flocks of people...to the charming and relaxing atmosphere of the North...the 14 hour train ride was definitely worth it.

Chang Mai is a much smaller, cleaner, greener city in the north of Thailand. Surrounded by mountains and jungle, the birth of meditation and the majority of Thailands history, this place basically has all you need to relax.

So that's what I thought Chang Mai would be about, maybe see a little of the jungle, a few temples, but that would be it. Wow...would I be totally mistaken. Chang Mai was soooo much more.

After hearing about this place...you cannot want to experience a trek through the jungle...especially when you get to ride an elephant. So that's what I did.

The three day trek sounding a bit cheesy, especially with what you got to experience, so I chose the one day trek...which turned out to be the best.

One full day of hiking, riding elephants and white water rafting. Trekking three hours through the hot sweaty jungle, seeing spiders, waterfalls and all the greenery you could imagine, this was a great experience. Still the best was yet to come.



Riding an elephant...from horses, to camels and now the larger then life animals they call an elephant. More comfortable then a camel, and slower then a horse, these beats need to be ridden to exactly know what they're like. It's scary when they go up and down hills, but other then that...uber relaxing and smooth. Well...that is until they try and take off for food.

After the grand and glorious elephants, off down the path to experience White water rafting...Thailand style. So basically that means...brown water rafting.



It was magnificient...the sun beating down on the water, the medium size rapids, getting soaked with the dirtiest water imaginable. All I could keep thinking was...I'm here in Thailand...racing down some river...nothing beats this.



Turns out...there's alot more that can beat that...lets take a cooking course for example.

After eating all this Thai food...which I absolutely love...I felt I needed to learn how to cook some of these dishes first hand...therefore...I took a cooking course.



We were first taken through a local fruits and vegetables market where the instructor pointed out the best spices, fruits and vegetable to use in order to make the best dishes. A funny part was when he introduced us to "actual" eggplant. See most Westerners when they hear egg plant they think of the long purple vegetable...well...that's not "real" eggplant. See the real stuff actually looks like an egg...just take a look.



Anyway...after the introduction through the market...it was knife to the cutting board and time to indulge in some Thai cuisine. Now you were able to pick between, two soups, three curry dishes, three meat dishes and three noodle dishes. So I chose, Tom Yum soup, Green curry and chicken, chicken and cashew nuts and finally Drunken noodle(which has a funny story to go with it)



There were numerous things that I learned, from the proper way to chop, to preparing a meal using the right spice. (See you can counter act any taste and I know how) Still the best part of the entire cooking experience, wasn't just the cooking or even the eating part...it was lighting the pan on fire. Ya the chef instructor showed us how to do this first, then it was our turn...I ended up spilling most of my chicken outside the pan, but wow that was awesome...I'm going to try it in our kitchen when I get back :D



From making food, I'll move onto how you harvest it...the great rice harvest for exact. The owner of the hostel I was staying at explained that his family was doing rice harvesting and we could learn how to do it...well paddle up you bootstraps...I was raring to go. Not only did I learn the proper way to cut down the rice, but I got a free meal out of it...pretty good deal if you ask me.



Still the best part wasn't harvesting the rice...it was catching the rats in the field...and then...eating them...ahhh ya...I got to eat rat. Now I know you're thinking...ohhh gross, just think how many diseases and slime are on these rats...well actually...they're the cleanest rats, because they only live in the rice fields...and they're huge...like a small dog.



In order to prepare the rat, you must first burn off all the hair, skin it...then mince it all up, like hamburger...bones and all. After the meat was finished being prepared you would have no idea that it was rat...looked more like pork...and it tasted like it too.

I've found that Thai's really know how to spice up dishes, to make them taste delicious...the freshest ingredients ever, but tons of peppers. Wow after eating this dish, my mouth was on fire...I couldn't believe how yummy it tasted, but at the same time it could burn my mouth with such potency. The best part was that me and three others were able to indulge in this meal(which is very similar to the prepartion of catching fresh fish) with all of the hostel owners family. We all sat around, with them trying to speak english and show off how much spice they could eat, and us just trying not to look like babies while we ate it.
Before



After


See you wouldn't be able to tell that dish was rat.

Oh I almost forgot...well since were on the food subject...a great and grand meal called a Thai Barbeque. This is a massive hall, full of all you can eat buffet line of, fruits, vegetables, meats, dumplings and deserts.



The process begins where you choose items, come back to the table and they put a little BBQ with a ring of boiling water around it. This is where BBQ or boil your foods...one of the best meals I've had...a beauty of a restaurant.



Wow, for a place where I thought I'd be doing a trek or two, and basically lying around on a hammock relaxing, I was sure busy to the gills. Man...I still can't believe I ate rat...how crazy is that...well...like I've always said, you don't know unless you try.

Bangkok, Thailand

From Egypt to Thailand, there was an enormous difference in craziness and shock. Funny enough, was I thought Egypt was much more relaxed and easier to deal with then when I first arrived in Bangkok.

Bangkok was just an explosion. Like they took a small area of land, a paint brush of colour and threw it down. Basically the first couple of days in Bangkok, I was just trying to get my feet under me. Where as before, I hit the ground running.



Everywhere you went there was a market of some sort. The main street in my general location called Kohsan was constantly a bustle of people. Day was pretty busy, but night...haha well look out...this place evolved into a machine of a night market. You could buy basically anything. Ya even bugs...mmm...tasty.



Thailand had some of the coolest markets I've ever seen. Yes they don't compare to the size and magnitude of the one in Cairo, but just utterly unique. My favorite looking market was the floating market. Unfortunately, it has now become extremely touristy. So the prices are very, very expensive, but to look at...amazing.



My favorite buying experience was walking down the main streets, maybe peaking into a few suit shops, and having three guys run out trying to sell me a suit. That's when I knew I could get a deal..."sir...sir...cheap suits...cheap suits" I'd go..."hmmm...how cheap?"

I read in a book somewhere, that if you were a recovering shop a-holic...Bangkok was not the place for you, and that's the truth. I've been very tight on my budget, but when there's soooo much for so little...ya I ended up paying more in that week then the last three weeks put together. Still, it's all perspective.

Therefore, after all the shopping and bustle of the city, I decided to take a few day trips away from there. I decided to go on an elephant and crocodile tour. Here I was able to see an outstanding spectacle with up close elephants, as they spun and jumped. Acting more human than animal.



The elephant show was neat, but I found it a little too touristy. The best part were the crocodiles.



Yes they're drugged so they are very docile and won't attack as much, but still seeing a guy stick his full head into its mouth...wow...balls of steel.

However, I felt the two individuals that were putting on the show to be very...inexperienced. Yes they have way more experience then myself, but when one gets bit on the leg, another one falls on the croc, which almost attacks him and then lastly you chicken out on one of the events...ya not a pro. I kept saying to others...prolly their first day on the job.



Back in Bangkok, one of the most memorable parts was hiring a tuk tuk (three wheeled taxi) for free. Now how was I able to do this you may ask? Well...they get paid on commission for dropping tourists off at certain shops. So I told the driver he drive me to my stops...then could go to one of his. That's how I got around the city of Bangkok...for free.



During my drive around, I looked at the majority of Bangkok's temples. I was able to see the worlds tallest boudha.



The leaning boudha



While gazing in one area of the temple, I started talking to a local man, who was surprised I was at "this" particular temple. I had read about something unique about it, but manly it's not very touristy. Anyway, during the talk I mentioned about meditation, well this kind man was able to set me up with a meditation class at on of the largest temples in Bangkok.

This was probably the most outstanding part of my Bangkok visit. Arriving at this huge temple...locating the english speaking monk, reading the meditation handbook for about an hour and a half, then going into the instructional part. He went through all the steps with me and then wanted me to show him what I learned.



However, he wasn't impressed, and therefore told me to keep practicing and he will return within half an hour(he did this twice) The first time, I was shocked. He walked out of the room and shut the door. I was like...hmmm...ok I guess. But there was nothing else I could do, but practice, so that's what I did.

The second time was when it finally clicked. It's very tough to explain what happened, but it was as if all my surroundings faded away and I was in complete realization of my being. For example, I no longer heard the werring of the fan, the swishing of the wind or anything else. I could only hear my heart beat, and feel my breathing. It's almost like I could feel every cell in my body moving, and then my time was up.

I actually lost complete track of time, when the monk came back down and said that as of now I had understood. Now comes the funniest part of the meditation...after sitting up right, with my legs crossed for half and hour or so, my legs were numb and body sore. During the precession however, I felt nothing, but when it was done...all the pain and blood rushed through my body. Ya a little tougher to stand after that, but boy did I feel rejuvenated and extremely relaxed.

Walking back to my hotel I felt complete bliss. It was one of the best things I've done so far. Maybe not the most exciting part, but definitely fun and worthwhile, giving me a new perspective on life per se.

Egypt..wait...its part of Africa?

Arriving in Egypt, I had no idea what to expect. I knew about the pyramids and the sphynx, but that was about it. I'm not to sure about the hostel I booked, as I didn't want to get bed bugs again, but I had it booked so was just gonna check it out.

Everything is smooth (that is, after I pay 15 dollars US for my Visa), then its time to look for transportation...taxi is the best, but I hear you have to be ruthless...ok lets try this negotiating ordeal...

I start asking around...and like bees to honey, I get swarmed by taxi pushers. I try and get outside, but one of the guys muscles his way in and directs me to the "right" location. As I look back this is where my negotiation ended. I tried looking for other cabs, buuut nothing in sight...looks like I'm paying the 20 dollars price. (should have been around 10-15 dollars) Oh well I thought maybe it was a good deal.



The driver picks me up and takes me out, but its looking pretty sketchy right now as he drives right to the guards. Oh great, now there going to tax me more I think to myself...turns out I need to sign my name. I decide to use a false name...Charles Barkley...just because I don't know where its going to.

After driving around the block three times, the cab driver telling me an old run down building was my hostel and asking directions more times then Saskatchewan has people...we arrive. The guys at the front desk are super helpful and give me info on everything to get me through the rest of the day. I also meet up with a cool couple from England and we all headed out for dinner and a walk around Cairo.



Astonisghly enough, I wasn't all that culture shocked by Cairo. Yes its dirty, there are some discusting areas, and you can tell its definitely not up to par by western standards, but still. I kept forgetting that Cairo is a city in Africa. I kept wondering why there was garbage scattered everywhere and dead carcasses of animals on the streets...oh ya...thats why, its still third world.



The couple I met, were also thinking of going to the Pyramids the following day, so we arranged a cab through the hostel(much better then us trying to barter) and got set up for a day full of adventure and amazement.

One thing I really wanted to do was take a camel ride by the pyramids. I thought that would be just a fitting, once in a lifetime experience, however, I didn't realize how hard these guys negotiate. They're first option is to rip you off the most. They started the camel ride for three hours at 100 dollars. Uh nope...so I worked, what I felt was pretty hard to get it around 60 dollars. Turns out, lots of people got it for 45 and one guy even got it for 25.

Oh well, you live, you learn, you prosper...so I wasn't letting a little cash ruin my super duper experience of the pyramids. The camels were intense. They farted, hurt your ass when they started to run and even tried taking off, but it was the coolest thing...ridding this beast and staring up at the massive work of rock they call the pyramids.



IT was funny how much smog there was this day...at our first glance of the pyramids, you could barely see them because of the smog. Once you got a little closer...magnificient.

We rode around the pyramids and it was undiscribable, how, riding a camel and looking up the side of a pyramid is...it really has to be experienced. The pyramids live up to all the hype they've ever recieved...and then some. It blew my mind that it took a total of thirty years until completion, and only ten years to build.



Rounding off the Pyramids, we visited the Sphynx. There is no comparison between the two. The pyramids are huge and looming pieces of rock...the sphynx...is...well a small...artistic piece of rock. Maybe it's because of how ruined the thing is, but basically...I wasn't all that impressed and just thought of it as a tourist trap. Still, I'm not disapointed, and its even better to say that I've been.



That day sure took the wind out of my sails, but didn't stop me from experiencing more Egyptian culture...the sheesha. No its not a drug...it's some form of sweetened Tebacco. It's called a hooka back home, but anyways it's pretty darn popular over here. So me and a few friends from the hostel tried finding an "authentic" sheesha bar. And guess who found the spot? Yes that's right folks...the one and only...me. As we were walking I just happened to glance down this little side street and see a place. At first everyone was a little skeptical, but after we found out how much, and the guys were super helpful...it turned into a great time.(sadly, couldn't find it ever again)

Finally I started figuring out the art of haggling, as I entered this next day and was able to get a very reasonable cab ride to and from the citadel. Here stands the largest mosque in all of Egypt. The mosque of Mohamed Ali....and no not the boxer...I know...shocked me as well. This mosque is actually and exact duplicate of another mosque in India...the original is completely white and I think its one of the seven wonders of the world??? not too sure...kind of just stuck my ear in and listened to a tour group.



After the Citadel and such...me and the couple from England walked around parts of Cairo, that I know tourists don't see. Every street we went...we had more people staring at us. I bet they haven't seen foreigners in these parts for a long time. They were even hosing down a naked small boy on the street...funny differences. Still the best experience was taking the local metro. Jammed packed with locals, no air con, no tourists and still better then anything Canada has. It was sooo cheap, but if I was by myself...hmmm...we'd have to see. Still it was perfectly fine and a cool experience to say I've done.

Finally some North American action. Yes if you didn't know...the new James Bond comes out in November...or should I say...came out? It arrived opening November 5th here in Egypt...so yours truly made sure he could go see it...especially since it only cost three dollars...yes...let me repeat that...three dollars. Me and pretty much the entire hostel came and saw this great once in a lifetime movie experience. For the first time ever...I sat through a movie intermission. It was pretty funny...the movie's going along fine...then all of a sudden...the lights go on and intermission pops on the screen...the face of the English guy was hysterical...he was sooo upset. Unfortunately...they did edit out all the steamy parts...sheesh...whats James Bond without him seducing the girl???

After the North American action...is back to good ol Egyptian history...one of the worlds greatest museums...the Egyptian Museum.



This museum is more like a huge wearhouse full of Egyptian stuff, just they have some small explanations. Sadly, since you can't cover up the massive rock Egyptian figures, people touch and prod all over them...therefore some of the items are deteriorating because of all the finger's...still, this place was outstanding...one of the few...museum...musuems that I enjoyed. Best rooms...King Tut's collection of gold, jewlery...and boy oh boy...the golden jeweled mask...that thing...tough to describe. Next best...the Royal Mummy room. Yes it cost me extra to get in, but completely worth it.

Most people say it takes two days to do the entire museum...well I did it in a day...four and a half hours to be exact...no breaks. Also I saw all the best sections and skimmed through the sections that are sooo similar. Oh look another head of Harion...and another...and another...and...



Also...I had to pay of the security guard because he caught me taking pictures...supposedly pictures are not allowed...news to me, as I saw tons of people snapping pics all over the place...sheeesh...little bugger.

Now...onto the mayhem...mischief and haggling that is...the El Khalili bazaar. One of the worlds largest markets...this place spans so many blocks...you could actually get lost(I did) Finally, I was able to perfect the art of haggling...finding the nicest Egyptian silks...pashminas and spices...oh did I mention spices.



Actually what ended up happining, was I allowed a local to "lead" me to find something, but of course they actually only lead you to their shop...his happened to be tucked away from the main market in the spices area. At first me, and the girl following along were a little skeptical, but finally, are noses were bombarded by more senses then the U.S has capitals. Still at the end of it all...the guy never did tell me where the postcards were...sheeesh...you can't find help anywhere.



After the day of crazyness...it was time for a little cruise down the Nile at night on one of their infamous night cruises. These boats are all decked out with trippy colours and load music leading to a great night of fun. Booked by the hostel guys, we were able to get it for a measly five dollars each...which turned into a great time.

Cruising the Nile at night was so beautiful, peaceful and just utterly amazing. Also who gets to say, they danced on a boat, with a mix of people from all over, while cruising the Nile...ya...this guy.



So I did the Nile at night...well now it was time for a historic boat ride during the day...the Faluka. Even though the guys at the hostel had been great about booking things for cheap, me and three other guys decided to haggle our own boat. The hostel quoted us for 50 dollars for two hours...well...we got it for 10 dollars for two hours. Ya turns out I finally figured out the art of the haggle.

This was one of the most relaxing things I've ever done. Gently floating down the calm Nile...with the sun's rays pouring over my face...just sitting...enjoying...being. Another great perspective of Cairo, that most people would not be able to experience. I loved the faluka boat ride...even if the guy was very pushy for tips at the end.



Still, aside from all that, my favorite part of Cairo...is the streets...or better yet, the driving. I love how the roads have lines, but no one uses them. There are no traffic lights...or if there are...ha...no one uses them. Learning to cross the streets can be a challenge, but I actually enjoyed the crossing part...it was such a rush...I even made a video to show you how it should properly be done.



Well...boarding the plane...I felt Egypt was one of the best parts of my trip so far. The culture is so different from our own, that it makes it that much better. I just wished I planned more time. There's so many other places to explore. Guess it gives me another reason to return.

Bed bugs, Athens and Mikonos

As I previously left you in the last episode of my journey, I had these strange little red dots appearing on my arms. Mostly covering my left arm, but I wasn't sure if I had just been attacked by a swarm of mosquitos or just had an allergic reaction. However soon enough I would have it confirmed...bed bugs.





Still, before I go too indepth into the whole Greece part, I forgot to add one small detail on my way to the airport in Rome.

For those that don't know...I have a Eurail pass which is good for two months, unlimited stops and allows for free regional transportation in all of the European countries covered. Sounds great, but throughout the enitre time, there's always been these "hidden" fee's.

Well just to make matters even better with the pass, I have a slight bump in the road on the train to the airport. It's a regional train, therefore I don't buy a ticket(I even asked the desk and they assured me) However, once on board the ticket checker guy comes through and won't accept my pass. He starts demanding 60 euros. Hahaha...well by golly I'm not going to pay that, so I tell him no and try explaining about the pass. He insists about the 60 euros and the entire thing plays its self out for a couple more minutes.

Finally the guy demands I give him my passport...well screw that sir...I'm not giving you my passport. More discussion occurs. Now the entire car is staring and wondering what the commotion is. Eventually I remember what a travelling buddy told me about dealing with this type of situation. Give them your drivers license. So I give him my license, he writes down the information and walks away pleased with himself. I was told, they can't do anything with your drivers license numbers, but they can with your passport. So hopefully I don't have some bill turning up at my house some time in the future.

Aside from those few lapses...onto the one time centre of the world...Athens Greece.



This former ruller of the world for around eight hundred years, has sure change tremendously over that time.

For me throughout my travels thus far, luck has been on my side. Well this stop would be no different. Arriving in Athens, I got the full day of their national holliday. Therefore all the archeological sites are free...including the Acropolis.



I venture up to the Acropolis...the first ever "real" city, as the Greeks like to put it, and wandered the grounds. It's amazing to walk the same intact streets that thousands of years ago, the rich, imperialistic Greeks were walking or charioting.



Overlooking the entirety of Athens, the Acropolis is a place not to be missed. Yes there's tons of tourists that you must battle off, in order to get your perfect shot, but walking right along side a thousand year old marble building cannot be compared. Still, I must point out, I didn't recieve the same thrill as I did walking around the archeological sites of Rome. Maybe it was because, well...once you've seen a bunch of fallen stones, you've pretty much seen em all. I don't know what it was, but it was just neat to look at...not much more. Still got some sweet pics tho.



Next were more free archeological sites, such as the temple of Zeus...



The first Olympic Oval, or grounds...but yes...they've been re-done.



And the largest standing/intact Greek building in the world.



Unfortunately for the Greeks, and those who wish to see these archeological sites, they will never be the same, one year to the next. Because of all the pollution, and the constant acid Rain in the area, the Greek marble begins to deteriorate quicker. The pollution and acid rain, eats at the marble and therefore lots of it is very scarred and black. Still, Athens out did Rome in the fact that you could actually walk/touch the marble up close. Rome it was completely out of the question. Oh...I was even able to sneak a small piece of Greek marble out...hey...it was on the ground.



Oh I almost forgot an interesting tid bit of my day in Athens. I saw the changing of the guards. Now that may not sound like much, but in actual fact...its pretty neat, and slightly funny. How it works, is these guards stand perfectly stil with no expression for an hour. They are wearing rediculous outfits, which in the sun are hot as the boiling sun its self. Every hour, when they change, they do a funny type of dance to loosen all their muscles and get any lactic acid out...that part...is very funny. They swing their hands and legs around like a rag doll and then stop off. Pretty unique I guess.



That night I also ate at an amazing Greek resturant...had the best greek salad of my life and even a little bit of baklava. Mmmmmmmm. This place was even recommended by opinion Canada...sooo you know its good.

Finally...its off to Mikonos...a famed Greek Island. Most notoriously know for great beaches and parties. I chose this for a couple reasons, one...it was cheap, two there would be parties...and Halloween is one of my favorite times to party, and it was only five hours away.



Arriving I meet a couple of Canadians, am able to haggle the price of my hotel down and then head straight to the beach. Mikonos was absolutely beautiful. Great weather, pristene beaches...and not a soul in sight. What the heck...how am I suppose to party if there's no one here to party with? Oh well, I spent the next couple of days with the fellow Canadians...all alone in the hotel and on the beaches. We even rented some ATV's and ripped across the island finding new places. Boy was that ever a highlight.

We found secluded beaches, great view points for pictures, and even could get into the town in less then five minutes. Perfect.



Surprisingly enough it felt really good to relax for three days, instead of being...go...go...go. Also I never thought It'd be over twenty, and I'd be sun tanning on the 31st of October and 1st of November.



As for Halloween...ya no European celebrates that thing...especially the Greeks. They're traditional to the core. So I felt a great deal of generosity and thought I'd bring Halloween to them. So I went to the store...bought some cheap candy, put on my mask from Venice, and went around the streets yelling trick or treat and Happy Halloween while handing out the candy.

I got tons of weird looks...frightened a few children, but was able to hand out all my candy. A few people laughed and said Happy Halloween back to me, but most weren't having any of the fun...one guy even threw the candy back at me...ha...ha...missed me. Hahahaha...it was actually a really good laugh on my part. I tried making a video of the whole ordeal, but it was too dark to pick up any of the faces.

Also when I returned to the hotel, I realised, that my mask from Venice, just might have been a little...toooooo creeepy for these folks. Oh well...



Being able to get in Athens and a Greek island, before my European adventure was complete...ended up being totally worth it. Still, I want to return to see more of these gorgeous Islands. Lucky for me, every flight I've recieved the window, so leaving Greece...flew over a few islands...stunning.



So that raps up my European tour...amazing, spectacular, outstanding...nothing but greatness can be said about it. As I've told numerous other people...chosing this time to travel has been the best decision of my LIFE.