Patrick cooks, shops, and travels south

Ok, so this computer is a bitch. Wow that feels good to get off my chest.

Where were we? I actually don't completely remember, but I think it was the day of the cooking class. Yes, that sounds right. I can't check previous entries because, as I mentioned, this computer is a bitch.

We took a big nap that day and ate way too much at the cooking class. It was cool though we learned to make some neat stuff and got a recipe book and a diploma. The instructor's name was 'Meow'. The next day we went to a cool temple and I got another cool painting that was similar to one I had already bought, but for like 60% of the price. Which is an interesting feeling, because a part of me is like 'Wow I must be getting better at this bartering thing', and another part of me is going 'Wow did I get fleeced the first time'. Regardless.

It was our last night in Chiang Mei and we also were going climbing early the next morning, so we got a headstart by playing Sociables with giant bottles of 6.4% Thai beer. Went on to Mojitos, and a few Tequila drinks before retiring to the 24hr restaurant (the one we swore never to go to again) and got (surprise!) terrible service. There was, however, and Al Pacino movie on.

The next morning we went climbing with Amber and Abby (see pictures) one last time and I did some lead climbing and it was really cool. There's a lot more good pictures of me climbing, but we aren't uploading yet. I think I'm getting better at climbing. So we biked back into town and got bus tickets back to Bangkok and then had a minor problem returning the bikes. They were closed and had my passport as collateral, so we had to pull a few strings, but Greg came through. We had our last meal in Chiang Mei (I had a hot dog, the boys had burgers) (you get sick of Thai food faster than you'd think) and hit the bus to Bangkok.

Our one day in Bangkok was quite eventful, with everyone (esp. Rob) dropping a little more coin than anticipated, but it was worthwhile, I think. We got measured for suits (I'm getting 2, one business, one casual) and then did some shopping. I got another pair of shorts, which means I should not run out of clothes for the rest of the trip, and I also got a cool little lighter slash metal billfold that I will use for work. Rob got... wow. Lots. Carved wooden elepants, oversized cigarette lighters, oversized duffel bags, large amounts of Thai silk, a pretty knife etc. He also decided that we were going for a tuktuk (mini 3-wheeled less-than-reputable taxi) ride around for like 2 hours (they take you to places that will give them gas coupons if they bring you, so if you have no destination, they will take you for cheap) that eventually would give shape to the entire rest of our trip. We ended up at a tourist info centre, and the guy there organized and booked the rest of our stay until we arrive back in Bangkok on June 7. This is how it shakes down: 5 nights on Koh Tao, 2 or 3 (i forget) on Koh Pagnan (sp?) and then a few days in Krabi, with all accommodation, transportation, and breakfast booked and paid for.

We are now in Koh Tao, the diving haven of Thailand, and the resort so far (been here 2/3 hrs) looks incredible. The deal we got was pretty amazing, I now realize, after seeing the prices of staying around here. A/C, colour TV, ensuite. It's amazing. The dives are a pretty good deal too. If you do 10 or more than they're ฿700 each, which is ~CA$23 each, so I might be doing a few dives here. Greg, I think, is doing his open water, and Rob and I might start with a night dive tonight. Love night dives. That's all from here. The feedback on the hair has been 100% positive so far, which I didn't really expect. Rob's is batting about .500, and I thought those numbers would be closer to reversed. Elephant pictures as well as all videos will have to wait until either we can find a cord that fits Greg's camera, or until we return to Canada. Apologies.

-P