So yesterday we met with Brian and his wife Irina and their son Sasha and went elephant trekking. Being new to riding motorbikes, and immediately taking it out on mountain roads was exciting (read: terrifying) to say the least, nevermind the fact that we were in a country we weren't familiar with which has obnoxious traffic laws (read: none).
After getting thoroughly lost because our map failed to mention all the roads were one way until terminus and having to back-track almost 30 minutes, go back to where we started and leave again on a parallel road. We arrived 30 minutes late because of that nonsense, and because of the no traffic laws I couldn't answer the phone while driving because it took every ounce of concentration I had to not get us both killed. By the time we finally arrived ... well, there's no polite way to put this... if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, don't make any long trips for a while, it'll wear out your spine and your butt will be so sore you won't want to sit down again ever.
Then of course we got to sit on an elephant for an hour, which was of course not a stable ride, and further impacted my spine. I felt like an 85 year old man dying slowly from a severe case of scoliosis... hurt like hell.
That all being said, we had a fantastic time which words can't adequately describe. We rode the elephants to the top of the mountain, and had an amazing view of what seemed like the whole southern end of the country. Pictures attached ;) We went back to Brian and Irina's hotel, which wasn't really even a hotel so much as a luxury resort, and were treated to coconuts while laying out on a lawn right along the sea. Wish I had taken pictures of the place, but was too busy doing nothing for it to occur to me to be quite honest.
They were absolutely amazing and their insight into what was in store for us was fantastically helpful (Irina being Russian and Brian American and having moved to Russia to be with her). They had a lot of advice on where to work and what fields would be the most promising in the coming years for the region I'm moving to.
We made the drive back in the light of the setting sun (gorgeous, hard to pay attention to driving) and didn't even want to sleep... it was the kind of day you never want to end.
Today we almost got arrested, which was exciting since I don't speak Thai and had no idea what was going on. Apparently the only traffic law in Thailand is that at this one intersection in this one city, you have to wear a helmet when driving. Had no clue of course, and after realizing I wasn't being arrested but just fined, it wasn't so bad.. just 300 baht ($10).
Went to the beach and experienced the saltiest water known to mankind. Couldn't stay in too long; had to lift Maria over all of the waves because the salt was bothering her contacts and she was going blind. That aside, another fantastic day... learned how to tell the 8 million vendors to scram, which was useful but I wish had been unnecessary. I'm at the beach to relax, not to go on a shopping spree... do I look like I want to buy a dress from you? Don't answer that; just go away.
We went to the mall to get lunch/dinner (trying to get used to the shopping for fresh food everyday, rather a new concept), and mostly just lounged the rest of the day because we're going dancing tonight at the disco.... or rather several of them.
On that note, it's about 11pm now, and Maria is ready to go now, so I've got to take off ;) Hope everyone has a great day!))
After getting thoroughly lost because our map failed to mention all the roads were one way until terminus and having to back-track almost 30 minutes, go back to where we started and leave again on a parallel road. We arrived 30 minutes late because of that nonsense, and because of the no traffic laws I couldn't answer the phone while driving because it took every ounce of concentration I had to not get us both killed. By the time we finally arrived ... well, there's no polite way to put this... if you've never ridden a motorcycle before, don't make any long trips for a while, it'll wear out your spine and your butt will be so sore you won't want to sit down again ever.
Then of course we got to sit on an elephant for an hour, which was of course not a stable ride, and further impacted my spine. I felt like an 85 year old man dying slowly from a severe case of scoliosis... hurt like hell.
That all being said, we had a fantastic time which words can't adequately describe. We rode the elephants to the top of the mountain, and had an amazing view of what seemed like the whole southern end of the country. Pictures attached ;) We went back to Brian and Irina's hotel, which wasn't really even a hotel so much as a luxury resort, and were treated to coconuts while laying out on a lawn right along the sea. Wish I had taken pictures of the place, but was too busy doing nothing for it to occur to me to be quite honest.
They were absolutely amazing and their insight into what was in store for us was fantastically helpful (Irina being Russian and Brian American and having moved to Russia to be with her). They had a lot of advice on where to work and what fields would be the most promising in the coming years for the region I'm moving to.
We made the drive back in the light of the setting sun (gorgeous, hard to pay attention to driving) and didn't even want to sleep... it was the kind of day you never want to end.
Today we almost got arrested, which was exciting since I don't speak Thai and had no idea what was going on. Apparently the only traffic law in Thailand is that at this one intersection in this one city, you have to wear a helmet when driving. Had no clue of course, and after realizing I wasn't being arrested but just fined, it wasn't so bad.. just 300 baht ($10).
Went to the beach and experienced the saltiest water known to mankind. Couldn't stay in too long; had to lift Maria over all of the waves because the salt was bothering her contacts and she was going blind. That aside, another fantastic day... learned how to tell the 8 million vendors to scram, which was useful but I wish had been unnecessary. I'm at the beach to relax, not to go on a shopping spree... do I look like I want to buy a dress from you? Don't answer that; just go away.
We went to the mall to get lunch/dinner (trying to get used to the shopping for fresh food everyday, rather a new concept), and mostly just lounged the rest of the day because we're going dancing tonight at the disco.... or rather several of them.
On that note, it's about 11pm now, and Maria is ready to go now, so I've got to take off ;) Hope everyone has a great day!))
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