Day 80: Bangkok: Boat Rides and Fancy Houses

Today was a slightly impromptu day. We had it all planned, but then got talking to locals and couldn't help but follow their suggestions.

We were walking to a market when a teacher out the front of a school told us we were headed down a dead end, and we got to talking. He ended up getting us a tuk tuk and cheap deal on a river cruise!

The cruise was just over an hour, and went along a heap of small channels and past some amazing sights. There is one part of the river that is literally brimming with fish, hundreds all jumping out of the water on one spot, and even a small floating market with people selling wares from small paddle boats not too much further along!

The water was quite choppy, and there were a few times we looked around to find the closest life jacket, but we survived and saw the city from the water.

After the cruise, we went to a home of one of the original ex-pats, an architect who took up silk good manufacture in the mid 1900s before disappearing without a trace in 1967.

The house and gardens were spectacular. Pretty much exactly what you would expect of a rich American living in Thailand.

After the house, we had a quick look at the amulet markets before heading back to the hotel. I really love markets like this one, because there were no tourists, and it was a cultural experience completely unlike anything I've ever seen. 

There are rows and rows of stalls selling small artifacts, some in the shape of Buddhas, other hunks of precious stones or gold, and locals poring over them all with magnifying glasses and eyepieces trying to find one that would bring them the luck, prosperity or good fortune they needed.

Tomorrow, an early early flight to Singapore xx

Day 79: Bangkok: Temples, Temples, Temples

Today was a huge day.

After the night bus, we were lucky enough to be able to check into our hotel room early (like 7am early) and were about to head out for the day.

We started off with Wat Arun, the Temples of Dawn. I had never seen a temple like this before, and even though it is currently under repair, with scaffolding over the main tier, it was incredible. The level of detail in the mosaic is amazing, and even from a distance, it's size is imposing and amazing.

Along with the towers, there is also another huge temple with beautiful gold detailing which seemed to be in use, which always makes me like a temple more. It feels more authentic, and less touristy. 

I realise that I am a tourist, but I still don't want to go places just because everyone else does.

After the Wat Arun Temple, we caught a dodgy ferry over the river to Wat Pho Temple. This temple also had giant spires, but they were either mosaiced or completely gold. There was also a giant reclining Buddha, 46 meters long.

Again, our timing must be off, because the soles of the feet were under repair, which are apparently stunning, but I did get a laugh from the woman telling me that the Buddha was having some "soul repairs".

This temple was much more touristy, and there was a genuine line to get to the reclining buddha. There was a meditation room that we wandered into by accident that was full of both tourists and locals though, so that made me feel slightly better.

Right over the road from Wat Pho is the Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha. Sadly the entrance is at the completely opposite side, which meant a 2km walk around the perimeter, but once itside, it was really cool.

I'm slowly getting sick of having to cover up to get into places. I've been wearing pants, which is fine, because they keep the sun off, but today I wasn't even allowed to wear my scarf over my shoulder's like I have been in temples, We had to rent button up shirts.

The palace was really nice though, an odd mix of colonial and traditional that worked really well.

Tomorrow, a beautiful garden, tonight Khoa San Rd xx

Day 78: Phuket: Buses and Trains

Today we spent our last fleeting hours in Phuket at the beach - where else?

We then headed to the bus terminal to catch our first leg towards Bangkok. The bus went for 4 hours, and was relatively comfortable, even if the concierge kept telling me to stay out of the sun, and away from windows. (I know I'm pale, but the view was too good!!)

The bus ended up dropping us about a kilometer from the train station, and 15 minutes later than it was meant to, so we pretty much ran with our bags on to the station. We made it just in time though, and while I thought we could have probably taken it a bit more leisurely, my travel buddy was in full panic mode from the time we left Phuket until we got onto the train.

The train itself was different to the ones in China, with rows along both walls, and beds that got made up later in the evening, rather than permanent beds.

Tomorrow, lots of temples xx

Day 77: Phuket: Town and a Big Buddha

Today we got a nice early start and headed to Phuket Town.

Public transport isn't really a thing in Phuket, which is a massive pain in the butt, so after wandering around for half an hour looking for a local bus, we just took a taxi to the main town area.

It honestly wasn't that great, as the whole place has just been taken over by tourist industries, like tacky toy stores, clothing shops and tour groups, but we did get to see some authentic buildings from the 1800s, dotted around the place.

We also went to one of the most disgusting markets I've ever seen, which had meat and vegetables just sitting out in the open, in the heat. It smelt absolutely rank, and we genuinely had to leave within seconds.

After the market, we looked around for a while longer for a bus to our next destination, but eventually we gave up and found a tour taxi, and talked him down to a reasonable price.

He took us to the Wat Chalong Temple, which was just stunning, as all Thai Buddhist Temples seem to be, and the Big Buddha. I've seen a lot of Buddhas, and honestly, this giant white one was still impressive to me after all this time.

The drive was probably the best part though, seeing the real Phuket, filled with people and scooters and all sorts of awesome sights.

One of the stops planned on his tour was with baby elephants, but we decided to skip that part because it's just too sad and too cruel. I did snap a picture of a couple of baby elephant chained up with just a small concrete floor and some food to show my point.

Tomorrow, back to the beach, and a night train xx

Day 76: Phuket: The Beach

Today we headed to the beach, and just swam in the pristine clear waters for a few hours. It was magical.

It's lucky we went early though, because slowly, the whole beach got taken over by sunburnt chubby tourists and leathery couples, so we decided to leave.

While the beach was magical, and I wish I had a waterproof camera to show just how great it was, it was incredibly touristy, which is a pain.

I went back to the beach later, and filmed this. Yes, I know, you're sick of timelapses of the sun, but it was just really pretty, okay?

Tomorrow, exploring Old Phuket Town xx

Day 75: Phuket: Planes and Airports

Today I waited at the airport for my plane, caught my plane, waited for m my next plane, caught that plane, then waited for Steph's plane. Got up at 4am, should be headed to the new hostel around 9pm. 

It's been a long long day.  

Here are some photos from late last night.

Tomorrow, proper Phuket xx

Day 74: Penang: Reclining Buddhas

Today I am blogging early, because I am done for the day already, and it's not even 2pm. That't not to say I haven't had a big day though.

I got up bright an early with the sunrise and headed out for the day. I'm still amazed every day just how hot it can get so early. From the second there is sunlight, it is hot. Even before sunrise, the humidity is crazy!

I really love Penang, so I wanted to see as much of it as possible, so I decided to walk to the things I wanted to see today, so I could take in more of the place.

I walked along the waterfront for a while, and go to the Reclining Buddha and Burmese Buddhist Temples. They were incredibly bright and sparkly!!

My personal favourite, other than the 33 meter long Buddha were the sparkly, multicoloured, mosaic dragons protecting the entrance.

I also tried to throw a coin into a spinning fountain. It had various buckets with different things written on them, such as "Good Grades" or "Health", and on my first go, I threw a coin straight into the "Good Luck" bucket. I'm predicting a lucky day!!

After the temple, I just walked around for a while, zigzagging my way back to the hostel. I found a heap of really cool buildings, including the most picturesque university ever, and an old school house that is definitely haunted, with an old protestant cemetery I want to buy and renovate so badly, It had trees growing through it though, so I think it might be too late!

Last night I also had an explore and ended up at what I am fairly sure was a school play, so some sort of talent show. The kids were actually really talented, and it was held at the Chinese Town Hall. I got free food and had a chat to a very proud dad who was there to see his daughter.

I didn't stay until the end, because it was getting late, but it was really awesome. On the walk home, I saw them burning a heap of these giant incense poles, filling the street with sparks and smoke. It was fairly imposing, and pretty awesome to see.

Tomorrow, I leave Malaysia and head to Thailand xx

Day 73: Penang: the Streets of Georgetown

Today got off to a slow start after a bad nights sleep. It wasn't anything in particular, just couldn't nod off, then got up at 10am. Whoops!!

After the late start, I just felt like aimlessly wandering around, and I have to say, Penang and Georgetown in particular are fairly idyllic. The streets are beautiful, from the colonial style mansions to the heritage listed shop houses to the parks to the street venders and temples, it's just a really nice, inclusive place to be. It's really a very very lovely place to be.

Tomorrow, either hiking or temples xx

Day 72: Penang: Sunrises and Hiking

Today started very early, with a walk to the waterfront to catch the sunrise. It was completely worth getting up early, but I wish we had stayed longer. The girls I was with wanted to grab breakfast though, and to be honest I was also kinda hungry, but I took a video none-the-less.

After breakfast, I headed to the bus stop and went to Kek Lok Si Temple. It was fairly imposing driving up to it, but was a mild let down when I got there, with only tourists there, and an elevator to get to the top.

I don't know why, but it's always far more impressive and awe-inspiring when you have to climb up to these things. It feels like the people are more dedicated rather than just a tourist trap.

Either way, from afar it was fairly spectacular. The giant Buddha was pretty huge as far as Buddha's go as well, to give them fair credit.

After the temple, I headed to Penang Hill. For this, I was glad for the cable car ride. The view from the top was pretty great, and would have been incredible on a less overcast day. 

I made the ill-informed decision to walk down the mountain back to the botanical gardens. It was beautiful walking through the jungle like that, but it was incredibly steep. In some parts, it was literally almost a 45degree angle, I swear. 

The cars were really struggling up, you could hear them from miles away, and the heat coming off them was insane, but the people walking up (yes, people were walking UP) looked even hotter and more struggling. I saw almost 10 people walking up. I'm curious to know how many turned back and struggled down!!

The gardens were pretty boring in the end, with not a lot of shade, and a lot of angry monkeys, but it was still a nice end to the walk, seeing all the flowers greeting me!

For the bus ride back, I didn't have the right chance, so was going to be stuck paying triple the fare, but the driver was really lovely and said he would wait for me if I wanted to break the note down by buying some fruit from a stall close-by. The fruit was an odd price though, so they didn't have the right change either, so they ended up just breaking down the note and giving me a free piece of pineapple!! The people here are incredibly generous, and just so lovely.

Tomorrow, wandering the streets xx

Day 71: Penang: Street Art and Clan Jetties

Today was a really cool day exploring the city around my hostel. It is crazy pretty, and just has the most lovely vibe.

I started the day off with a search for some street art, Penang is known for its street art installations, and some of them were actually really cool. The area has become very touristy though, which was quite annoying.

At one stage, I just stopped for a minute in a quiet area, and just me being there made people think it was a sight to look at, and people started taking photos of the wall behind me.

I also had a wonder around last night for some street art too, so I'm putting the photos with these!

At the end of the main street were the Clan Jetties - a series of connected jetties owned by the old Chinese families in the area. It was really very beautiful, and I managed to complete my tourist look with a pair of harem pants and yesterday's sunburn.

After my spending spree (literally $4AUD for a pair of pants) I headed to the main strip of Georgetown. It still looks like Colonial British just landed, complete with Fort Cornnwallis, a fort from when the British occupied the Island.

Tomorrow, hiking xx