Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts
Showing posts with label travel. Show all posts

New policy

As of next month, for the first time, we can come to work without a necktie. Wooo! The rules are turning upside down! Anarchy!

No seriously though, that will be nice. Also it's been a while. How are you? I have been to Bali, as you know, and I became a certified Advanced Adventurer in scuba diving. Despite my better judgment, I went out for the 5 day advanced course, despite coming down with HORRIBLE BRONCHITIS on the first day and CRIPPLING CONGESTION. I was uncomfortable, but at least my lungs didnt explode and I'm no worse for wear.

I am on the up and up. I am rapidly readapting to single life which, it turns out, isn't that bad. I have been staying very busy on purpose and exercising almost every day for the last month. After all, becoming sexier is the best revenge.

Anyway, here are some pitchers:

Jenn's mom meets us for some authentic charsew in Hong Kong. We wash the utensils in the complimentary tea "just to be sure they're clean."

words cannot describe how good this is.

Welcome to Bali.

Our first dinner? Fresh seafood. We picked our own lobster from this bin.

Grilling our fish.

About half the inhabitants of bali at any one time are obese Australians in Bintang tank tops. This one is eating a chili dog.

Balinese cuisine

A fisherman. Taken from our scuba diving boat

Our hotel had a really big bathtub.

Certified "Advanced Adventurers!" This arm thing was my "trip pose"

Artists at work in Ubud


Musicians accompany a performance depicting the folk history of Bali










Playing in the "Monkey Forest" of Ubud

In addition to the "visa fee" there is also a fee to be paid for LEAVING, which they dont tell you about until you are about to board your flight. And the only ATMs are outside of security. Way to leave a bad taste in our mouths, Bali.

Completely unrelated, but I MADE RICOTTA CHEESE! WOOO! This is so good. You have no idea. Yes, I'm better than you.

Special Report: Thailandliness



Photo! You buy! You buy! I give you good price. Hey... you want Bang Bang? Ladyboy? ... cocaine?

(click to enlarge)

Bangkok.

Mangosteens, Longkongs and Rambutans as far as the eye can see.

Children begging after school.

The best Pad Thai I've ever eaten also happened to be the cheapest.

Taking advantage of the strobelight to take some well lit shots in da' club. See the ladyboy?

Another ladyboy approaches. Beware: they ensnare drunk tourists as they exit dance clubs.

Wat Arun, The Temple of Dawn in Bangkok.

Behold, the Black Buddha

King of the currency; the exact same picture of him is on all the bills

This Buddha was GYNORMOUS.

Told you.

Shameless racism.

Gilded Buddhas

This whole business of being immature with the statues embarrassed James terribly. I admit I'd feel the same in his shoes if we were in My Japan.

2nd class "sleeper" train from Bangkok to Chumpohn. Protip: if you want to book 1st class, purchase more than two days in advance.


Ahh Ko Tao! This is "Japanese village," one of our dive sites.

Our baller accommodations at Chawengburi resort, Ko Samui.

Even the flies seem skankier in Thailand.

Scuba class!

Our Isreali classmate dives in.

Quaint, wooden water-taxis with truck-sized motors.

Official postcard shot of the trip.


See the full set on flickr

Reaching escape velocity: followup


Well the planets seem to have aligned, ladies and gentlemen.

I am writing to you know from Teipei international airport, featuring free wifi throughout. I'm here for an hour, connecting to Bangkok on China Airlines.


In the era of web 2.0, why wait until after my trip to see the pictures? Here is the progress so far:

My meal aboard CI10111, "seafood rice." Complimentary beer. Thanks, China Airlines!










Ciggs at Duty Free. Nice graphics!




























Taiwanese Aquarius... Oooooo, different!




















Coming to you live.














Terminal A2-- Home sweet home.