Bangkok, Thailand

January 20, 2002

Dear Family and Friends,

Thailand was a wonderful winter adventure. After Bangkok and Pattaya, I spent few days in the North. I visited the Hill Tribes and drove through the mountains near Mae Hong Song.

The highlights were a beautiful botanical garden in a valley surrounded by coffee plants, a lovely waterfall park, and finally, a mudpack facial at a hot spring!

I was alone with two drivers. As we strolled through the villages and stopped for tea and meals, I felt like Sahib leading a safari. Much fun.

From Chiang Mai I flew south to Phuket -- a so-called “world-class” resort. So naturally I avoided it (big mistake). I immediately took a boat across the sea to Phi Phi Island (another big mistake). Phi Phi is quite beautiful but the town is overrun with young Scandinavians defrosting and partying on the beach. I was the only adult on the Island.

I decided to make the best of it, since I was suffering from a mild case of the Thai equivalent of Montezuma’s revenge. The beaches were sunny and inviting and the scenic view of the Swedish babes helped to cure my stomach cramps. After Phi Phi I took another boat ride to Krabi.  Excellent choice.

June 30, 2003

Hua Hin

Thailand

Dear Family and Friends,

Hua Hin, my favorite beach-resort, lies on the east coast of the western peninsula of Thailand, just south of Bangkok. "Just south" is what it looks like on the map; it takes three hours by express bus. 

Before boarding the bus for my long ride south, I bought some sweet and sour crunchy fish, boiled rice and watermelon. A large portion of sweet watermelon, cantaloupe, or pineapple costs 10 Baht.

Breakfast on the street includes fresh squeezed orange juice, chicken and rice in a lovely broth, aromatic coffee with sweetened condensed milk.  

November 15, 2004

Wednesday

Dear Family and Friends, 

I just finished my morning walk on Hat Chaweng, the longest beach on Samui, a large island in the middle of the Gulf of Siam. The tide is out so I wander along a flat, curved boulevard of fine, golden sand surrounded by palm trees and a few green hills. About 200 meters out to sea is a rocky breakwater parallel to the shore.

Koh Chang

Trat Province

Thailand

December 14, 2004

Dear Family and Friends

I am sitting on the restaurant deck that overlooks a small private beach. I am watching the sun disappear into the Gulf of Siam.  I am on Koh Chang, (Elephant Island), the second largest in Thailand, off the eastern peninsula close to the border with Cambodia.

The sea is calm, only a few gentle ripples tickle the sand; the bright red sun seems to be resting against a misty white screen.