Thursday, July 31, 2008: First Day
I was awake very early but didn’t rise until Fred came to wake me. Once I was up breakfast was had with Sweet William and Jayne by the pool. The day consisted of much swimming or relaxing and little of anything else.
Towel
Yummy Breakfast
Pool
Once Paul was back from work we went to the Vietnamese/Thai restaurant nearby for a yummy dinner.
Wednesday, July 30, 2008: The Flight
I was up by 4:30 am. Not an easy feat.
This was the saddest departure I have had. It was a departure that I didn’t want but one that came all the same. I left for the airport by taxi at 5:45 am.
And with that my life in Bangkok ended.
I checked my two suitcases which were packed with what I either needed or wasn’t willing to trust to shippers. I got my boarding pass and went through customs and on to my gate area. At 8:00 am or so boarding commenced and I took my seat. We flew at 8:20 am to Hong Kong and landed at around noon. The flight was on a Airbus and the cramped nature of the plane made me wonder if the designers had thought they would be transporting gnomes.
I had several hours to putter about in the Hong Kong Airport. I spent most of the time at a café near the gate for my flight. We boarded at around 2:20 pm or so.
Warning
Hong Kong Airport
Our Flight
The Boeing 777
The flight to Toronto was on board a new Boeing 777. When I took my seat I found I had the misfortune of being put beside this obnoxious fellow but fortunately he was moved when it was discovered he was sitting in the wrong seat. Instead of having to sit beside Mr. Boob my row mates were two very petite Chinese Ladies. A much easier arrangement as even before take off Mr. Boob had demonstrated a desire to take as much of the row for himself as he could. Undoubtedly the monstrous size of his balls made it necessary for him to sit with his knees as far apart as possible.
It was as pleasant a flight as an 18 hour flight could be. As it was a real Chuck Heston type airplane instead of a rattling paper mache Airbus gnome transport we didn’t need to stop in Alaska to refuel or re-staple the wings on. The seats were generous and roomy and over all it was a nice trip except perhaps for the shrieking baby who shrieked from Hong Kong until about the International Date Line. The kid squawked long enough that every Chinese Grandmother on the plane came over one at a time to see if they could calm her or perhaps to see what the malfunction the parents had might be. The kids Dad had already proved he was a Boob when he came on board and began trying to cram his oversized carry on into already full overhead bins.
We arrived in Toronto at around 7:00 pm. I passed through customs quickly but then had to wait an eternity for the luggage to come tumbling down to the belt. At first they seemed to be offloading the luggage one bag at a time in ten minute intervals but eventually the two bags I’d checked spilled forth and I collected them. With that I dragged all my stuff out into the arrival terminal to meet Jayne. Further struggle was required and we managed to get to Chitty Chitty Bang Bang. Once loaded we headed out with the top down and got on the road to Lazy Town.
Summer sky
The drive to lazy town
It was truly bizarre to be here in the summer. The sun was still up and the air was full of scents I have not smelled since August 2000.
We pulled into Wyndham Manor and Jayne sent the kids out to help “bring in things” from the car. They had no idea that today was the day of days. I got an excellent picture of two very surprised faces. There was a great deal of rejoicing and hugging after which my many belongings were carted down to my wing of Wyndham Manor.
Sunset and the trees
Sunset and the trees
Tonight was Paul’s Birthday so we had a lovely dinner out by the pool followed by cake and candles. The evening ended off with swim.
So here I am.
Tuesday, July 29, 2008: The Last Day
The morning train under the BTS construction
Crossing the tracks
Currahee decorations
Up earlier and out early to Currahee. One last run and one last sauna before my membership is no longer relevant. I cleared my locker and packed up my radioactive shoes in a bag for easy disposal. Then I bid the staff farewell and walked over the Black Swan to meet UK Mike. We had a pleasant breakfast and I lucked out with a three poached eggs rather than the usual two. Afterwards we said good bye for now, I said farewell to the staff and I headed out. I will miss the Swan a lot.
I took the BTS over to Siam and then on to MBK to pick up a few things that needed to be picked up. Then I walked back over to Paragon and had one last Starbucks with Bonhomme. From there it was over to Coco Walk to get my hair cut and visit the Software Lady one last time.
One last view of MBK
The new Arts Center
Paragon and Siam BTS Station
I walked over to Pantip and saw the crew at the Notebook House. I had some old drives that I wanted them to check over. Two were dead but I sold them one that still worked. Then I said my good byes there and headed back over to Ratchathewi.
Pantip Plaza
I had one last tasty meal at Fresh Milk then walked back up past the SOL and said good bye to the Water Mellon Lady, who’s been selling me fruit since 2001.
The last Fresh Milk meal
This evening was spent trying to fit all my stuff in to the limited space of two suitcases, one carry one bag and one laptop bag. That was a challenge.
At 8:00 pm I had my last swim then came back up and had some food. Now… Time for sleep. I will be up at 4:30 am.
Monday, July 28, 2008: Going To World
Morning view of the BTS Construction
I won't be here to see it finished
Up early and out to Currahee. Afterwards a walk over to the Black Swan for the last Monday breakfast there for the foreseeable future. A difficult thing. If I have learned anything in the last eight years (which is debatable) it would be that, as the Flaming Lips once said, “All we have is now”.
Breakfast
After Breakfast it was over to the the Dentist for the last cheaply priced cleaning in the foreseeable future. I was pleasantly surprised when she didn’t charge me as it was my last visit. (Imagine a Dentist in Canada doing that!)
Asok & Sukhumvit
Asok & Sukhumvit
An excellent poster!
Cat Hair Design
The afternoon consisted of various running about to be completed and other tedious tasks to address before Starbucks. From Starbucks at Nana it was back over towards Siam and onwards eventually ending up with spicy beef salad for dinner. I chose to have it today as it would problematic to have the day before getting on an airplane for 18 hours.
Ratchathewi view
Walking back
Walking back from Spicy Beef
A view of the construction across the road
A view I'm used to now
The Skyline I will miss
The evening was spent trying to pre-sort things for packing as I only have one more day. Unbelievable.
Sunday, July 27, 2008: Korg ES 1
When faced with hardship or sorrow many people take drugs, drink or even take up mime. I however buy gear. The gear purchase will usually distract me from what ever might be bothering me and will give me something to do other than sitting about eating bon bons and feeling sorry for myself.
With that in mind, today I purchased a used Korg ES-1 sampler which has been sitting at the Music shop in Pantip for about a month...
Sitting... Calling my name... saying "Yes, you are sad. You are mighty sad in fact. So I have been sent by Space Walk Shirely herself to cheer you or at least provide you with hours of amusement and noise-making.."
I have resisted that call as best I could. However yesterday was bad enough to require me to buy the Korg ES-1. So I did.
It is basically a sampler that is set up like an old-school drum machine. Its from the same linage as the very useful ER-1 which I've had since 2000, and the less used and slightly more frustrating to program EA-1 analog modeling box. I spent several hours this evening clearing out the previous owners samples, which although nice not needed. I then took a small sample off of some thing I did years ago that was on my iPod and proceeded to mangle it up and make a truly twisted drum program.
I can see this machine has a lot more to offer than I had suspected.
Friday, July 25, 2008: The Week Ends
Up early and to Currahee. Afterwards breakfast at the Swan. It was outstanding as always.
Looking towards Nana
Asok BTS
View from Asok
Later back to the SOL. Food, then some TV before the swim.
View toward Payathai from the pool
Wednesday, July 23, 2008: Sunny with Chance of Pig
The new BTS station takes shape
Up early and out to Currahee. Afterwards a yummy breakfast at the Swan. All was good with the eggs and sausages. Afterward I went over to Tops Market and did a little grocery shopping.
Piggies
The new building at Asok is almost done
Monday, July 21, 2008: Morning Construction
Construction continues
The apartment I never moved into
Another View
The morning train
Saturday, July 19, 2008: Statue
The new condo they put up behind Coco Walk has this strange statue on it. The Greek or Roman character seems to have a wet towel all ready to smack Zeus or Apollo's butt with.
Shower room antics as art
But what I like best about the hero is his amazing resemblance Michael Douglas
Friday, July 18, 2008: Quiet
Another Friday. Morning at Currahee and an outstanding breakfast at the Swan. Then here and there and back again. Things wound down around 8:00 pm when I finally ran out of power. A swim then popcorn and TV with the fish.
View from the SOL
Another view from the SOL
Wednesday, July 16, 2008: No Goofy
The BTS construction takes shape
The question as to Goofy being a dog or not is answered
From Emporium towards Asok
From Emporium
Monday, July 14, 2008: Panoramas
I experimented with the Panorama setting some more today. The results were mixed but I got a few good shots.
A view from Currahee
From Asok BTS
From the SOL
The construction across the way
Friday, July 11, 2008: New Camera
I got up early and did Currahee. I took the new fangled cam with me and experimented with its various functions. The most amusing one being the "panorama" setting which works good on things in a distance but creates some bizarre images if things are too close.
Panorama Bathroom
The train under the new BTS Line
Construction continues
Panorama Asok and Sukhumvit
The Champoo dispencer
Thursday, July 10, 2008: The Death of Clunky
Ol' Clunky, the computer I bought in Manila, died about a year ago. I'd tried to revive it a few times with no luck so today I lugged it over to IT City in Pantip and let their service staff have a go at it. The had a big laugh at the repair sticker (theirs) from 2003. They took a shot at getting it to work but they had no luck either.
Yes, shake it. That used to work.
Hmmm. The promlem is... Its dead!
The sad remains of the Indifference Engine
The motherboard was fried. In the end I had them strip out the hard drive and mount it in a portable USB box and remove the sound card which I paid a bit for back in the day. None of the CD drives worked so I just left them the empty shell and took my drive full of forgotten samples home.
Ol' Clunky isn't the only thing that is dead or dying. My digital camera, which has served me so well since I got it in December of 2004 has many problems. These problems may be from daily use, the extreme heat here, or being wet from the rain, or perhaps from being dropped in the snow. In any case it was time to buy a new camera. So I got a new fangled 8 megapixel job that is both shock proof and water proof. Huzzah.
The staff tests it in the shop
The staff tests it again, just to make sure
I went down to A & W and got a burger for lunch afterwards. This may be the last photo I post using the old camera.
A Monk at A & W using a PDA
Wednesday, July 9, 2008: Further Progress
The contraption that sets the segments moves forward
Passing over the existing station
Monday, July 7, 2008: Leaving Phnom Penh
I got up early this morning and did some pre-departure running about. At 10:00 am or so I went over to the FCC and had my last breakfast there for the foreseeable future. It was brilliant out this morning too, sunny and just the right kind of hot. Not too hot and little humidity.
The last FCC breakfast until...?
Blue skies
More blue skies
The Mekong River
Looking towards the FCC
At around noon I had Mr. Sun drive me back to the Hotel. I paid him and bid him farewell for now. I am sort of sad to be leaving this region. More than sort of, and certainly under the current circumstances.
A storm rolls in
A view from the window
Another view
Once back at the Hotel I began to pack up my stuff and get ready for this evening. Once I was all packed I chilled out until about 3:00 PM when I took my bags down to the restaurant and then checked out. I had some Pho for dinner and the driver picked me up at about 5:30 PM. He managed to take the most screwed up route to the airport ever. He insisted on taking short cuts through various side roads to avoid the "traffic" on the main ones. Unfortunately this idea is out of date. We ran into numerous motorcycle related accidents and problems and it was all very awful. When I did finally get to the Airport I was glad to be rid of him.
On board
I checked in and went through security and off to the passenger lounge where I read until it was time to board. The flight was short and sweet. We had to take the Beatles staircase down and a bus over the terminal which I dislike. There was no one to greet me which I disliked more. I took a taxi back to the SOL.
Sunday, July 6, 2008: Food and Fountains
Another lazy day. I went and had breakfast at around 9:00 AM, well before the back-packer scum who have invaded the city crawled out from under their opium haze to put on their Che t-shirts. I ate and wandered a bit but I didn't repeat yesterday's trip the markets. I headed back to the Hotel and chilled out there until evening.
Tonight I had my dinner at the FCC. The place was absolutely packed and the top floor where I now usually hide was booked off for some kind of private event so I located myself out on the back part facing away from the river. The view is still fine.
The view as the sun sets
The amazing detailing
The FCC, one of my favorite restaurants in the world
The Sun sets
The FCC cat
Pizza
After I had my meal I had Mr. Sun drive me back to the Hotel. I noticed last time I was in town (which seems like three years ago now but was only three months) they were constructing something in the park across the street from the Hotel. As we approached the Hotel I could see what it was they'd put in; a dancing fountain. I had Mr. Sun pull up past the Hotel and went to investigate. There were a lot of families and folk walking about and enjoying the fountain's light show which was all set to music. There were venders about along side the park and the whole thing had a really nice feel to it. I was the only foreigner to be seen but with the large number of families present I didn't fell in any sort of danger. There were none of the usual dodgy types that hang about the tourist zones.
The Fountain show begins
After I had watched for a while I headed back to the Hotel and called it a day. I head back tomorrow evening.
Saturday, July 5, 2008: Rainy Saturday
I woke up early and headed back over to FCC for some breakfast. I had planned to go over to the Russian Market soon after but a big rain blew in and instead I just hung out and watched the boats drift by.
The clouds move in
The rain moves in
Construction and rain
Construction below
There is massive construction going on as the sewage treatment system is installed. This made heading over to the Russian Market a bit complicated at first. I had Mr. Sun take me by the Central Market first where I got a few T-shirts. Then we went on the Russian Market. I picked up a Birthday gift for Will.
Helpful Mr. Sun
One of the new "gangster" teens who now cause traffic and other problems
I got back to the Hotel in the late afternoon and didn't really feel much like going out again, so I didn't. I messed about with the Kaosillator and the Mini Kaoss Pad and did some recording. I had Pho at the restaurant downstairs for dinner then continued on with my recording afterwards.
The Kaosillator, Mini Kaoss Pad and MRS8
A simple set up
Friday, July 4, 2008: Visa Run
Today was the day for a Visa run. Every 90 days I must scoot out of the Kingdom so I went to the closest and least expensive place I could; Phnom Penh.
I did my usual Currahee in the AM, followed by breakfast at the Swan. I had some running about to do afterwards. I was back to the SOL for the early afternoon then I packed up and headed off to the Airport. It was all standard stuff for this trip.
All Aboard
Flying
The flight was good however the landing was rather rough. We came in over the city, did the usual turn about and headed for the runway. The pilot must have been trying to beat the rain that was approaching as he came in faster than usual and when we landed it was with the mightiest bump of all my years of travel. He did get us down before the rain, which hit about a minute later.
I took a taxi to the hotel was treated to the US Embassy's Fourth of July barrage and bombardment. The streets were full of Khmers watching the firewords display, as well as people on motocycles not watching where they were going. One of the unfortunate changes here since I first began coming is the traffic. Gone are the days of the lazy drive. Now the streets are full of teenage boys on new scooters, hopped up on goofballs, and driving like lunatics.
I checked in, showered and changed then went for food. I didn't stay out late. There are way too many filthy backpackers here now. It's like someone transported all the usual suspects from Khao San Road to here. Awful! With them comes another new problem; drug pushers. I was appoached several times by dodgy Khmer fellows trying to sell me "Ganja, Skank, Opium". I've never encountered this before.
I brought some friends with me
