Luang Prabang
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
More photos
Here are some more photos:
Dinner on the beach with the girls.
I am actually doing work this week I am just doing it from right there.
Jen and I relaxing.
Rachael, Allie and I living the life.
This is the poster for our next fundraiser which I have been working on. (I did not design the poster they did http://www.cre8-media.net/)
House sitting
When we left off last time I was waiting before heading off to the volunteer thank you party. This party was a great event filled with bloody marys (Sorry not sure about the punctuation on that one). That night I went out and did some bar hopping till 5 am my latest night yet. It ended with a lady of the night crying on my shoulder because I would not take her home with me. I could feel the tears through my shirt. Just ridiculous.
The next morning (Sunday) I went to pick up my laundry and walked by the bar she works at. When I did she hid her face behind a book as if she was disgraced with what happened. Cant say I blame her. Alcohol does some bad things to people. The rest of the day was filled with relaxation which would be a theme over the coming week.
Tuesday Jen and Allie came over to Kamala and we ate at a cool little restaurant on the beach before spending the next hour or so talking with our feet in the sand. It was a very relaxing night and the one that helps justify why you live in such a beautiful location. Around midnight Angela a long term volunteer candidate arrived and stayed with me. I was surprisingly tired even though the night wasnt busy or all that late.
Wednesday Corral Seekers an event company set up a survivor type game set for the children at the school to play. They brought a group of around 35 Australians to play with the children and our teachers helped out. It was soo hot that day and we were out in the sun without shade. The children had a great time and got some awards. Helps justify why they came back to school when they are on vacation. Angela spent the day running around with Carl (dir of ed) and Tina (dir of ops). She has decided to take the position so will be my new roommate starting later on next month.
Thursday night was a much need farang night. After I finished work I rushed to Patong and ate some McDonalds with Jen before we bought our tickets to opening night of the Hunger Games. I spent a few days last week cramming to finish the book so I would know what was going on in the movie but it turns out that they didnt follow the book to the T. I felt disappointed with how they made the movie but that could be a completely separate post. It was pretty crazy that we were able to see the movie before anyone in the states was which never happens. The foreigner night made me miss the US but also gave me the feeling that whenever I needed I could have days like this. It was a night that could never have happened in Laos.
Friday night was much more low key than other fridays in the past. I met some friends in Patong and we grabbed a little road side burger. I know its terrible two nights in a row burgers but the second was a from a thai guys cart. We hung out at Bodega and had a few beers before I went home. The girls ended up going out dancing till 3am.
Saturday was my first day house sitting. I went to Allies house and had some chicken nuggets from a thai girl down stairs and they were AMAZING. Then I headed out to Cape Panwa where I will spend the next week house sitting for one of the foundations volunteers. I had never been to Cape Panwa and got lost before eventually finding my way. The house is spectacular (photos below). It is 3 stories with the master and a little living room on the second story and a guest bedroom and main living space on the main story. It has an infinity pool that has a view that makes you say wow. The only reason I got the house sitting gig is because she didnt want to leave her cat alone. I have rarely seen the cat though. They left after showing me around and I got settled in by finding the closest bar I could. When I did I saw the people who run Corral Seekers. It was great to see some familiar faces and we talked for a few hours. It amazes me how different this side of the island is. Its so lush and not many people and not many farangs. The bar prices show this.
Sunday Allie Jen and Rachael came over for a day of swimming and relaxing. I honestly am not sure how much work I will get done because this house is too relaxing. Later on Claire met us and we drove around the peninsula and ate on the beach watching the sunset. Another night where you know this is why I live in Paradise. The girls left and I watched some tv with the cat before heading off to bed.
Monday morning I woke up and started to do work before the pull of the pool was too great. I jumped in to refresh myself when my email inbox was empty. I could get used to this lifestyle. The maid showed up and told me she cut up a few plates of fresh fruit for me......a life as the 1%. Jen and Ashley came over around 1 and we swam, drank and ate. It was a lot of fun. They only had a half day of teaching and decided that we wanted to have an afternoon party. They brought over hot dogs and potato salad and I drove out and picked up a bottle of Sangsom, coke and some beer. The night ended with an underwater photo shoot and a rain storm. They left after dinner and then I watched tv with the cat again.
This morning (tuesday) I woke up and found I had a lot of work today so I wasnt able to get in pool. Damn actually working on the work day. I decided I needed to get out of seclusion so I drove out to meet Claire and Allie at Subway. This past week is the first time that I have eaten at the chain restaurants. Subway was almost the same as the states except for the cheese....the only option is American. It reminded me of America with my turkey bacon and southwest sauce on honey oat. The only thing that would have completed the day was if I would have then taken it back to the red house and eaten it while watching some dumb movie on TNT or better yet baseball! I made my way back and the maid was here with the pest control guys. I did some more work before deciding this was a perfect time for a nap. I woke up and decided to write this post.
Musing. Life is something that is so interesting. Sounds dumb I know but here is what made me think of it. Look at your life. How did you end up there? What shaped it? There are so many decision you have made through out life and just think about every time you did something and then do the opposite where would you be now? How different would your path have been? Personally I am seeing my life and wondering what if I had decided you know what Lewis & Clark is way to small and I dont want to run in college, I am going to ASU. I never would have gone to Laos, and most likely never gotten this position here. Would I have gone into the business world and actually have a paying job? Would I have gotten lost in the mix at a giant school and dropped out. Would I still be working at Scottsdale Running Company my job from high school?
I know one thing I am pretty damn happy with how things worked out. Even if my life is filled with ????'s starting in August.
Children breaking into groups.
One team trying to build a tent,
Volunteer party...can you find me?
Inside of the house.
My view/pool.
More photos to come later.
The next morning (Sunday) I went to pick up my laundry and walked by the bar she works at. When I did she hid her face behind a book as if she was disgraced with what happened. Cant say I blame her. Alcohol does some bad things to people. The rest of the day was filled with relaxation which would be a theme over the coming week.
Tuesday Jen and Allie came over to Kamala and we ate at a cool little restaurant on the beach before spending the next hour or so talking with our feet in the sand. It was a very relaxing night and the one that helps justify why you live in such a beautiful location. Around midnight Angela a long term volunteer candidate arrived and stayed with me. I was surprisingly tired even though the night wasnt busy or all that late.
Wednesday Corral Seekers an event company set up a survivor type game set for the children at the school to play. They brought a group of around 35 Australians to play with the children and our teachers helped out. It was soo hot that day and we were out in the sun without shade. The children had a great time and got some awards. Helps justify why they came back to school when they are on vacation. Angela spent the day running around with Carl (dir of ed) and Tina (dir of ops). She has decided to take the position so will be my new roommate starting later on next month.
Thursday night was a much need farang night. After I finished work I rushed to Patong and ate some McDonalds with Jen before we bought our tickets to opening night of the Hunger Games. I spent a few days last week cramming to finish the book so I would know what was going on in the movie but it turns out that they didnt follow the book to the T. I felt disappointed with how they made the movie but that could be a completely separate post. It was pretty crazy that we were able to see the movie before anyone in the states was which never happens. The foreigner night made me miss the US but also gave me the feeling that whenever I needed I could have days like this. It was a night that could never have happened in Laos.
Friday night was much more low key than other fridays in the past. I met some friends in Patong and we grabbed a little road side burger. I know its terrible two nights in a row burgers but the second was a from a thai guys cart. We hung out at Bodega and had a few beers before I went home. The girls ended up going out dancing till 3am.
Saturday was my first day house sitting. I went to Allies house and had some chicken nuggets from a thai girl down stairs and they were AMAZING. Then I headed out to Cape Panwa where I will spend the next week house sitting for one of the foundations volunteers. I had never been to Cape Panwa and got lost before eventually finding my way. The house is spectacular (photos below). It is 3 stories with the master and a little living room on the second story and a guest bedroom and main living space on the main story. It has an infinity pool that has a view that makes you say wow. The only reason I got the house sitting gig is because she didnt want to leave her cat alone. I have rarely seen the cat though. They left after showing me around and I got settled in by finding the closest bar I could. When I did I saw the people who run Corral Seekers. It was great to see some familiar faces and we talked for a few hours. It amazes me how different this side of the island is. Its so lush and not many people and not many farangs. The bar prices show this.
Sunday Allie Jen and Rachael came over for a day of swimming and relaxing. I honestly am not sure how much work I will get done because this house is too relaxing. Later on Claire met us and we drove around the peninsula and ate on the beach watching the sunset. Another night where you know this is why I live in Paradise. The girls left and I watched some tv with the cat before heading off to bed.
Monday morning I woke up and started to do work before the pull of the pool was too great. I jumped in to refresh myself when my email inbox was empty. I could get used to this lifestyle. The maid showed up and told me she cut up a few plates of fresh fruit for me......a life as the 1%. Jen and Ashley came over around 1 and we swam, drank and ate. It was a lot of fun. They only had a half day of teaching and decided that we wanted to have an afternoon party. They brought over hot dogs and potato salad and I drove out and picked up a bottle of Sangsom, coke and some beer. The night ended with an underwater photo shoot and a rain storm. They left after dinner and then I watched tv with the cat again.
This morning (tuesday) I woke up and found I had a lot of work today so I wasnt able to get in pool. Damn actually working on the work day. I decided I needed to get out of seclusion so I drove out to meet Claire and Allie at Subway. This past week is the first time that I have eaten at the chain restaurants. Subway was almost the same as the states except for the cheese....the only option is American. It reminded me of America with my turkey bacon and southwest sauce on honey oat. The only thing that would have completed the day was if I would have then taken it back to the red house and eaten it while watching some dumb movie on TNT or better yet baseball! I made my way back and the maid was here with the pest control guys. I did some more work before deciding this was a perfect time for a nap. I woke up and decided to write this post.
Musing. Life is something that is so interesting. Sounds dumb I know but here is what made me think of it. Look at your life. How did you end up there? What shaped it? There are so many decision you have made through out life and just think about every time you did something and then do the opposite where would you be now? How different would your path have been? Personally I am seeing my life and wondering what if I had decided you know what Lewis & Clark is way to small and I dont want to run in college, I am going to ASU. I never would have gone to Laos, and most likely never gotten this position here. Would I have gone into the business world and actually have a paying job? Would I have gotten lost in the mix at a giant school and dropped out. Would I still be working at Scottsdale Running Company my job from high school?
I know one thing I am pretty damn happy with how things worked out. Even if my life is filled with ????'s starting in August.
More photos to come later.
Saturday, March 17, 2012
100th Post
After some Bloody Marys, spring rolls and a volunteer party I think I am ready to blog again. As always sorry about the long delay life has been busy.
When I left you last time I was feeling sick and questioning whether or not I would head out for the night. Well I did head out as my photos post will show and went to Bliss Beach Clubs opening party. This event was great as you pull up you are given a lei by a baby elephant. The hors d'oeuvres were delicious the drinks flowed and I got to talk to some really interesting people. I also got to meet my boss Tina's doppleganger. The likeness is uncanny. We spent a few hours at bliss before heading to Kathu and what has become somewhat of a regular bar. We drank and the girls danced until the wee hours and I knew I needed enough. I was being driven but couldnt go straight home. We dropped one friend off at the far south of the island a 30 minute drive then went to my house a 45 minute drive from her house. I was very grateful not to be driving and there was a calmness to the island at 3 am and no one else on the roads.
Sunday I made my way to Jen's house and swam all day at her pool. She got cheaper rent to live in a upscale complex if she teaches the staff english. Good gig if you can get it.
On Tuesday we went to a little house party where I met some of the other teachers Jen works with. They are a good group of people with such amazing different backgrounds all around the same age. It was a fun late night of meeting new people.
The reason I was able to go out on a tuesday night was because Wednesday was Buddha day so I got to have a holiday. I spent most of the day sleeping and reading but then met Allie and Rachael to go see a movie. We saw Haywire and I wasnt a huge fan...they hated it. After that we got dinner at a restaurant called N. 6 which is situated on the hills above patong. The view is amazing and the prices arent bad either. My motorbike almost didnt make it up the hill to get there. I always love seeing places from its highest point because you get a whole new view of this place you supposedly knew.
Thursday was a day where you knew you were living on a tropical island. The rain was intense and seemed nonstop most of the day. The worst part is it was so humid afterwards and still pretty damn hot.
Friday Jen, Allie and Rachael came over to Kamala to go to dinner. We had dinner at this great little place on the beach..a little to expensive though. Then we went to one of my favorite bars the Rooftop bar. As soon as I walk up and say my hello to the cook and the bartender we are served our drinks with a big plate of popcorn and it was great. We drank and ate for a while until Allie and Rachael left and it was just me and Jen. We sat at the bar talking to an expat and two cops until the expat left. We drank and then got invited out to some hot pot....at 3:30am since it was the police who invited us we couldnt exactly say no even though I was exhausted. We ate some until the cops had to get called to an accident and then they scurried off on the same bike. It was a good sight. We ate some more and waited but eventually I had to throw in the towel I was too exhausted. Jen stayed in my extra room and we finally got to be around 4:15.
Saturday night Jen, Rachael, Allie, and I went to get dinner at this place called the Natural which is a good spot in phuket town. This was my first journey into Phuket town. The food was really good. We were going to make a bigger night of it and did go back to the bar in Kathu but I was in bed by 11pm.
Sunday I am awoken to a text by the girls that they are in Kamala at the beach and they have brought me food....one of the best texts of my life. I drop off my laundry and jump on my bike to meet them. We swim and eat for a few hours and I get TORCHED on my shoulders. I thought I put on enough sun screen but I guess I didnt do enough. The next few days were rough. It was nice to spent the day at the beach with friends.
Monday night I got dinner with one of the teachers and then met him later at a bar called Daddys. Daddys is run by Boomer who lives above the bar and is an old farang from ohio who cooks tex mex. This is the type of bar you can only see to believe. Some of the stories I had heard such as when he had a sign that said free wifi but he gave you the password to the neighbors wifi. The list would go on but I havent spent enough time to truly know all of it. Boomer seems like a good just kinda goofy guy. We played some pool then headed off to the Mansion where we drank and shot the breeze with another american from louisiana. Finally our last stop was the Apple Bar where I ended up playing pool with some of the ladies of the night and another farang I had just met. The bar closed up and after a good night and I went home....alone.
Wednesday as I hope to make a thing is Movie night. The movies in a nice movie theatre are only 80 baht or about 2.75. The group saw chronicle and I liked it, I just felt like it could have been done better. We hit up some dinner at Duck spicy a good Thai place and then called it a night.
Friday night I jumped on my bike and drove to Nai Harn at the far south of the island. It took me 45 minutes on my motorbike and honestly thats about 35 more minutes than I like to spend on that bike. I got off still vibrating. I met some people at Los Amigos a mexican food place. It made me want Chipotle and some real mexican food from AZ but my tacos were ok. The plan for the night was to go to a reggae bar because they would have live music. We found out that it was only happening on saturday night not friday night. We went to the bar anyways and had a good time talking and drinking. The reggae bar is this cool building with poster of bob marley and crazy art everywhere. When we first arrived we were the only ones there but by the end of the night it was packed. I could only coerce the girls to play one game of pool but I think that was enough. To get to the reggae bar you have to walk through another bar which is completely decked out in Black Lights. We spent our time jumping between the two bars and got some good photos. The reggae bar had a fire dancer who was amazing. I thought I had seen here perform before at famous. It so popular on the island that some people think its played out but I still enjoy it.We ended up leaving the bar around 3:30 and going to family mart to get some food. They microwave the food for you there which is nice because no one I know has one. We brought the food back to my friends house and passed out.
This morning my alarm went off around 9:30am. I folded my sheets packed away my bed and then tried to make my way out quietly. I got out and realized that her automated gate was locked so I had to sneak back in have one of the two girls click it open for me. Luckily one was awake to help me out. I drove the 45 mins back up to Kamala, jumped in the shower then headed off to our volunteer thank you party. The next few hours were spent drinking, eating and talking with friends of the foundation. Its a really good group of people who are involved and I am happy to be working with them.
I will steal some photos from facebook when they are posted.
When I left you last time I was feeling sick and questioning whether or not I would head out for the night. Well I did head out as my photos post will show and went to Bliss Beach Clubs opening party. This event was great as you pull up you are given a lei by a baby elephant. The hors d'oeuvres were delicious the drinks flowed and I got to talk to some really interesting people. I also got to meet my boss Tina's doppleganger. The likeness is uncanny. We spent a few hours at bliss before heading to Kathu and what has become somewhat of a regular bar. We drank and the girls danced until the wee hours and I knew I needed enough. I was being driven but couldnt go straight home. We dropped one friend off at the far south of the island a 30 minute drive then went to my house a 45 minute drive from her house. I was very grateful not to be driving and there was a calmness to the island at 3 am and no one else on the roads.
Sunday I made my way to Jen's house and swam all day at her pool. She got cheaper rent to live in a upscale complex if she teaches the staff english. Good gig if you can get it.
On Tuesday we went to a little house party where I met some of the other teachers Jen works with. They are a good group of people with such amazing different backgrounds all around the same age. It was a fun late night of meeting new people.
The reason I was able to go out on a tuesday night was because Wednesday was Buddha day so I got to have a holiday. I spent most of the day sleeping and reading but then met Allie and Rachael to go see a movie. We saw Haywire and I wasnt a huge fan...they hated it. After that we got dinner at a restaurant called N. 6 which is situated on the hills above patong. The view is amazing and the prices arent bad either. My motorbike almost didnt make it up the hill to get there. I always love seeing places from its highest point because you get a whole new view of this place you supposedly knew.
Thursday was a day where you knew you were living on a tropical island. The rain was intense and seemed nonstop most of the day. The worst part is it was so humid afterwards and still pretty damn hot.
Friday Jen, Allie and Rachael came over to Kamala to go to dinner. We had dinner at this great little place on the beach..a little to expensive though. Then we went to one of my favorite bars the Rooftop bar. As soon as I walk up and say my hello to the cook and the bartender we are served our drinks with a big plate of popcorn and it was great. We drank and ate for a while until Allie and Rachael left and it was just me and Jen. We sat at the bar talking to an expat and two cops until the expat left. We drank and then got invited out to some hot pot....at 3:30am since it was the police who invited us we couldnt exactly say no even though I was exhausted. We ate some until the cops had to get called to an accident and then they scurried off on the same bike. It was a good sight. We ate some more and waited but eventually I had to throw in the towel I was too exhausted. Jen stayed in my extra room and we finally got to be around 4:15.
Saturday night Jen, Rachael, Allie, and I went to get dinner at this place called the Natural which is a good spot in phuket town. This was my first journey into Phuket town. The food was really good. We were going to make a bigger night of it and did go back to the bar in Kathu but I was in bed by 11pm.
Sunday I am awoken to a text by the girls that they are in Kamala at the beach and they have brought me food....one of the best texts of my life. I drop off my laundry and jump on my bike to meet them. We swim and eat for a few hours and I get TORCHED on my shoulders. I thought I put on enough sun screen but I guess I didnt do enough. The next few days were rough. It was nice to spent the day at the beach with friends.
Monday night I got dinner with one of the teachers and then met him later at a bar called Daddys. Daddys is run by Boomer who lives above the bar and is an old farang from ohio who cooks tex mex. This is the type of bar you can only see to believe. Some of the stories I had heard such as when he had a sign that said free wifi but he gave you the password to the neighbors wifi. The list would go on but I havent spent enough time to truly know all of it. Boomer seems like a good just kinda goofy guy. We played some pool then headed off to the Mansion where we drank and shot the breeze with another american from louisiana. Finally our last stop was the Apple Bar where I ended up playing pool with some of the ladies of the night and another farang I had just met. The bar closed up and after a good night and I went home....alone.
Wednesday as I hope to make a thing is Movie night. The movies in a nice movie theatre are only 80 baht or about 2.75. The group saw chronicle and I liked it, I just felt like it could have been done better. We hit up some dinner at Duck spicy a good Thai place and then called it a night.
Friday night I jumped on my bike and drove to Nai Harn at the far south of the island. It took me 45 minutes on my motorbike and honestly thats about 35 more minutes than I like to spend on that bike. I got off still vibrating. I met some people at Los Amigos a mexican food place. It made me want Chipotle and some real mexican food from AZ but my tacos were ok. The plan for the night was to go to a reggae bar because they would have live music. We found out that it was only happening on saturday night not friday night. We went to the bar anyways and had a good time talking and drinking. The reggae bar is this cool building with poster of bob marley and crazy art everywhere. When we first arrived we were the only ones there but by the end of the night it was packed. I could only coerce the girls to play one game of pool but I think that was enough. To get to the reggae bar you have to walk through another bar which is completely decked out in Black Lights. We spent our time jumping between the two bars and got some good photos. The reggae bar had a fire dancer who was amazing. I thought I had seen here perform before at famous. It so popular on the island that some people think its played out but I still enjoy it.We ended up leaving the bar around 3:30 and going to family mart to get some food. They microwave the food for you there which is nice because no one I know has one. We brought the food back to my friends house and passed out.
This morning my alarm went off around 9:30am. I folded my sheets packed away my bed and then tried to make my way out quietly. I got out and realized that her automated gate was locked so I had to sneak back in have one of the two girls click it open for me. Luckily one was awake to help me out. I drove the 45 mins back up to Kamala, jumped in the shower then headed off to our volunteer thank you party. The next few hours were spent drinking, eating and talking with friends of the foundation. Its a really good group of people who are involved and I am happy to be working with them.
I will steal some photos from facebook when they are posted.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
PHOTOS!!!
Here is a Photo Post!
Job2Do on the beach!
Some of the group at Job2do.
The elephant giving us our Leis at Bliss.
Tina my Boss, Alex the chef and Me at Bliss.
Me and Allie at Bliss.
Rachel, me and Jen at Bliss.
Myself, Kyle and a Ladyboy.
Myself, Kyle, Jen and Claire with the lady boys in the background.
Jen and me at hotpot.
I am swimming with the children.
I am floating for safety purposes while the children jump in.
Saturday, March 3, 2012
March Already?
Let me start this off by saying I am sorry. It has been over two weeks since my last post and I know there is no better way of losing readers than making them wait soo long for new posts. Hopefully after reading this post you will get a better sense of whats been going on.
When I last posted it was the Friday morning after the event. The event which I am still hearing raves about and just got an 1hr 30 minute long video of. I hope to post a part of it onto facebook. Friday night I went out with some friends to see a Thai Reggae band called Job2do. They had their show at a reggae bar at the far south end of Kata beach. The bar was jumping and it was a lot of fun. I got to hear them play their most famous song. I think its a pretty awesome jam. They totally look the part of a reggae band too. The show was literally on the beach perfect spot for it and there were some fireworks(unrelated to the show) going on in the background to complete the event. Overall a really fun night with a good group of people.
Saturday I slept in before Claire met me and we went to go get some dinner. We were supposed to have some free bbq at Skyla Bar but got there late so there wasnt any left. We hung out having a beer with her friend and an american we met. As we were a half beer from leaving a torrential downpour hit and we were stuck. We were stuck there for another 2 hours eating nothing but potatoe chips before we eventually got some bread and salad. Not exactly the BBQ we had been hoping for. When the rain finally let up we were all in need of some real food. Claire and I made plans to meet up with the other two later and went to the rooftop bar where we ate and then ended up getting free wine. We ended up staying there until 4 am. Remember things are supposed to close at 2 am here. Claire stayed in the second bedroom with Biscuit (my arch nemesis) and he couldnt have been happier to have company.
Sunday I was invited to join Claire at the opening of East 88 a bar inside Serenity. Truly an amazing place. It took me so long to get there because its on the other side of the island but when I did wow! Free food and drink and the food was good. The first time I had seen smoked salmon and Caesar salad. Serenity is located on the south eastern side of the island where the beaches arent as nice but the views are still amazing. I took some photos and will post them at the bottom. Overall a fun event and Pascal the manager is a nice guy. I wish I could afford to go to some of these places more often.
Monday was back to work. Work went well and then it was onto another event Claire got me into. This was the Calvin Harris show. He is most known for this. He is a DJ and the club was bumping. Something I would have never gone to unless I was on the VIP list. We went up to the club around 10 and it was dead. Luckily we went into the VIP section where beers were $6 unfathomable!!!!! Sorry you get used to different things here. I met two of the DJ's at the radio station which is affiliated with the news paper Claire works for. They were cool guys who ended up wanting to maybe do an interview about the foundation. I know I must always bring business cards when I go places with Claire cause she has all the connections. Around 12:30 Calvin finally came on but I was starting to get exhausted so I didnt even make it to his most famous song. I left around 1:30. I am lame I know. The club seen just really isnt my scene unless I have had a few to drink and at those prices I could afford to.
Tuesday I made it to work hating the fact that I had gone out the night before. The day went fine and I was happy to have a night in. Today was lazy, well after work atleast.
Wednesday I decided to make the long trek to Kathu where Jen and Allie two of Claires friends were going to dinner. We had what in Laos we call Sendat. I have posts about this earlier in the blog. This was a giant restaurant where the food was selected buffet style. I just kept thinking about Lao Lao Beer garden in Luang Prabang. I miss those guys. Anyways dinner was fun and we had some drinks. We decided to keep the night going and went to a bar the girls had driven by a hundred times but never gone in. We pull up and the place seems interesting there is a live band inside and little outdoor seating area. We are the only white people there....about time! Too many farang on the island. Anyways so I need to use the restroom. I go into the mens room and no one else is there and then all the sudden I hear footsteps and them BAM!! There is a warm towel on the back of my neck and thai guy is massaging my neck. Needless to say this was unexpected. I finished my business then went over to the sink while he followed. He then turned on the water and gave me soap while massaging my neck and making small talk. When I was finished washing my hands he gave me a towel and then stood there. I gave him a 20. Baht that is. He smiled said thank you and then went on his way. That was a first for me and hopefully the last. I didnt see a single other person getting such treatment the rest of the night. The cover band was pretty good and even did some requests. The girls requested Job2Do and then Too Much Soo Much Very Much. If you have been to SE Asia in the last few years you have heard this song. Its so hard to erase from your memory too. The crowd got into those songs and after they were done I had to make the long trek home. I have no idea what time it was. Another fun and interesting night in the books.
Thursday I woke up with one of these. I made it to work and then found out that one of our students had won an art competition run by Claires newspaper. We needed to get the student their vouchers so my boss told me I had to go to the club which I was invited to. I wanted to go anyways its just always amazing when your boss tells you to do something like that. I met Allie and Claire (who gave me the tickets for the student) at one of the only micro breweries in Phuket. It was good but not great beer and super expensive for here. I had an amazing fish and chips though. Later Claire and I went to the Famous night club. This is one of the coolest clubs I have ever seen. It covers the third and fourth floor of a building. The third floor looks like a traditional club with some cool seating and a skylight. The 4th floor is a rooftop beach club with beach chairs and lounges with a pool in the middle but the bottom of the pool is glass looking down onto the club below. An awesome idea. Some people went into the pool mind you it was like 75 degrees at 11pm when I was there. There was a fire dancers who was spectacular. I ran out of gas pretty early probably around midnight and made my break.
Friday I played some basketball at the school with some of the teachers and WOW I am out of shape. They play a physical form of the game that I really dont play so that didnt help things.
Saturday morning I was up bright and early going with one of the teachers to teach the children swimming lessons. They are such a good group of children. They are did really well and then after we had some relaxation time before we had another birthday party at Bliss Beach Club. This was very similar to the one we had a few weeks ago but worse because I was in charge. Everyone had a great time so I am told but there are things I know I could have done better. Around 5pm I wanted to pass out but instead went out drinking with some of the teachers and stayed out until things closed around 2.
Sunday I woke up to find out that a bar literally 100m from me burned down around 3am. I have no idea how I missed it happen. We find out now that they think its some sort of insurance thing. If I know thats what it is you have to think they arent getting their insurance money.
Monday Biscuit got snipped. He was not a happy camper after that but now he is back to normal. The last straw for Tina was when she saw him trying to create kittens with another neighborhood cat.
Tuesday Ryan the morning DJ came over to interview me. I think it went well. I should have the file to post up here at some point.
Wednesday I went out to dinner at a mexican food place which had some good tacos...not great or something that would come from the southwest but good. It was surprising that the entire staff seemed to be pregnant. Must be a special sauce or something.
Thursday was a half sick day. I was sick and only made it half the day at work ie downstairs. The half I was downstairs I got to listen to my interview on the radio. It went much better than I thought and hopefully we get some volunteers from it.
Friday was an all sick day and my ankle had swollen up. Weird stuff.
Today (Saturday) I am feeling much better my ankle is no longer swollen and I think I can see two bite marks. No idea what caused it but I am just happy its done now. I might have a sinus infection of sorts but I have an event to go to tonight. I wont drink but I must been seen! Plus I am getting a little stir crazy.
Sorry again about the lack of posting I will try to keep it more regular.
Here are some photos.
Food stations at East 88
The pool area at East 88.
One of the lounges upstairs at East 88. I could sit there all day couldnt you?
I do some work with children in case you thought I was just partying all the time.
Coconut Club our after school activities group.
I do a lot more arts and crafts at my job than I thought I would.
Thanks again for reading and if you have any questions or comments I always appreciate them.
When I last posted it was the Friday morning after the event. The event which I am still hearing raves about and just got an 1hr 30 minute long video of. I hope to post a part of it onto facebook. Friday night I went out with some friends to see a Thai Reggae band called Job2do. They had their show at a reggae bar at the far south end of Kata beach. The bar was jumping and it was a lot of fun. I got to hear them play their most famous song. I think its a pretty awesome jam. They totally look the part of a reggae band too. The show was literally on the beach perfect spot for it and there were some fireworks(unrelated to the show) going on in the background to complete the event. Overall a really fun night with a good group of people.
Saturday I slept in before Claire met me and we went to go get some dinner. We were supposed to have some free bbq at Skyla Bar but got there late so there wasnt any left. We hung out having a beer with her friend and an american we met. As we were a half beer from leaving a torrential downpour hit and we were stuck. We were stuck there for another 2 hours eating nothing but potatoe chips before we eventually got some bread and salad. Not exactly the BBQ we had been hoping for. When the rain finally let up we were all in need of some real food. Claire and I made plans to meet up with the other two later and went to the rooftop bar where we ate and then ended up getting free wine. We ended up staying there until 4 am. Remember things are supposed to close at 2 am here. Claire stayed in the second bedroom with Biscuit (my arch nemesis) and he couldnt have been happier to have company.
Sunday I was invited to join Claire at the opening of East 88 a bar inside Serenity. Truly an amazing place. It took me so long to get there because its on the other side of the island but when I did wow! Free food and drink and the food was good. The first time I had seen smoked salmon and Caesar salad. Serenity is located on the south eastern side of the island where the beaches arent as nice but the views are still amazing. I took some photos and will post them at the bottom. Overall a fun event and Pascal the manager is a nice guy. I wish I could afford to go to some of these places more often.
Monday was back to work. Work went well and then it was onto another event Claire got me into. This was the Calvin Harris show. He is most known for this. He is a DJ and the club was bumping. Something I would have never gone to unless I was on the VIP list. We went up to the club around 10 and it was dead. Luckily we went into the VIP section where beers were $6 unfathomable!!!!! Sorry you get used to different things here. I met two of the DJ's at the radio station which is affiliated with the news paper Claire works for. They were cool guys who ended up wanting to maybe do an interview about the foundation. I know I must always bring business cards when I go places with Claire cause she has all the connections. Around 12:30 Calvin finally came on but I was starting to get exhausted so I didnt even make it to his most famous song. I left around 1:30. I am lame I know. The club seen just really isnt my scene unless I have had a few to drink and at those prices I could afford to.
Tuesday I made it to work hating the fact that I had gone out the night before. The day went fine and I was happy to have a night in. Today was lazy, well after work atleast.
Wednesday I decided to make the long trek to Kathu where Jen and Allie two of Claires friends were going to dinner. We had what in Laos we call Sendat. I have posts about this earlier in the blog. This was a giant restaurant where the food was selected buffet style. I just kept thinking about Lao Lao Beer garden in Luang Prabang. I miss those guys. Anyways dinner was fun and we had some drinks. We decided to keep the night going and went to a bar the girls had driven by a hundred times but never gone in. We pull up and the place seems interesting there is a live band inside and little outdoor seating area. We are the only white people there....about time! Too many farang on the island. Anyways so I need to use the restroom. I go into the mens room and no one else is there and then all the sudden I hear footsteps and them BAM!! There is a warm towel on the back of my neck and thai guy is massaging my neck. Needless to say this was unexpected. I finished my business then went over to the sink while he followed. He then turned on the water and gave me soap while massaging my neck and making small talk. When I was finished washing my hands he gave me a towel and then stood there. I gave him a 20. Baht that is. He smiled said thank you and then went on his way. That was a first for me and hopefully the last. I didnt see a single other person getting such treatment the rest of the night. The cover band was pretty good and even did some requests. The girls requested Job2Do and then Too Much Soo Much Very Much. If you have been to SE Asia in the last few years you have heard this song. Its so hard to erase from your memory too. The crowd got into those songs and after they were done I had to make the long trek home. I have no idea what time it was. Another fun and interesting night in the books.
Thursday I woke up with one of these. I made it to work and then found out that one of our students had won an art competition run by Claires newspaper. We needed to get the student their vouchers so my boss told me I had to go to the club which I was invited to. I wanted to go anyways its just always amazing when your boss tells you to do something like that. I met Allie and Claire (who gave me the tickets for the student) at one of the only micro breweries in Phuket. It was good but not great beer and super expensive for here. I had an amazing fish and chips though. Later Claire and I went to the Famous night club. This is one of the coolest clubs I have ever seen. It covers the third and fourth floor of a building. The third floor looks like a traditional club with some cool seating and a skylight. The 4th floor is a rooftop beach club with beach chairs and lounges with a pool in the middle but the bottom of the pool is glass looking down onto the club below. An awesome idea. Some people went into the pool mind you it was like 75 degrees at 11pm when I was there. There was a fire dancers who was spectacular. I ran out of gas pretty early probably around midnight and made my break.
Friday I played some basketball at the school with some of the teachers and WOW I am out of shape. They play a physical form of the game that I really dont play so that didnt help things.
Saturday morning I was up bright and early going with one of the teachers to teach the children swimming lessons. They are such a good group of children. They are did really well and then after we had some relaxation time before we had another birthday party at Bliss Beach Club. This was very similar to the one we had a few weeks ago but worse because I was in charge. Everyone had a great time so I am told but there are things I know I could have done better. Around 5pm I wanted to pass out but instead went out drinking with some of the teachers and stayed out until things closed around 2.
Sunday I woke up to find out that a bar literally 100m from me burned down around 3am. I have no idea how I missed it happen. We find out now that they think its some sort of insurance thing. If I know thats what it is you have to think they arent getting their insurance money.
Monday Biscuit got snipped. He was not a happy camper after that but now he is back to normal. The last straw for Tina was when she saw him trying to create kittens with another neighborhood cat.
Tuesday Ryan the morning DJ came over to interview me. I think it went well. I should have the file to post up here at some point.
Wednesday I went out to dinner at a mexican food place which had some good tacos...not great or something that would come from the southwest but good. It was surprising that the entire staff seemed to be pregnant. Must be a special sauce or something.
Thursday was a half sick day. I was sick and only made it half the day at work ie downstairs. The half I was downstairs I got to listen to my interview on the radio. It went much better than I thought and hopefully we get some volunteers from it.
Friday was an all sick day and my ankle had swollen up. Weird stuff.
Today (Saturday) I am feeling much better my ankle is no longer swollen and I think I can see two bite marks. No idea what caused it but I am just happy its done now. I might have a sinus infection of sorts but I have an event to go to tonight. I wont drink but I must been seen! Plus I am getting a little stir crazy.
Sorry again about the lack of posting I will try to keep it more regular.
Here are some photos.
Thanks again for reading and if you have any questions or comments I always appreciate them.
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