Merry Christmas

My dear readers,
I send out some surprises allready, but i am sure most of them haven’t arrived yet.
Thats why i am giving you another present right here.
it is once again picture time:

And now for all the fans of furry animals…i give you tigers!

Now we take a night train to our next destination… what an adventure.
So long
Ole

Vagabonds United

Dear readers,
I have really relaxed for the last 2 weeks, so much so I am not even in the mood for writing. Luckily I have met up with my beautiful girlfriend Rose again and she agreed to write my first guest entry. I am happy, as she is a published author.
I hope you enjoy the fresh style.
Enjoy:

Hello Ole’s fabulous fan club! I am so very honored to have been invited to guest write on his most inspiring blog. Hopefully this will be the final push to start one of my own! https://initiationtowonder.wordpress.com/

So after a month and ½ apart, out of all our infinite choices Ole and I decided to rendezvous in Thailand! A mystical enchanted land and of smiles, elephants, monkey’s, jungle bungalows, massages, alien fruit, white sand beaches, golden naga temples and some of the most epic spicy delicious food on the planet.

We chose Krabi, because of its dramatic cliffs and the beauty of the surrounding beaches and islands. Ole was waiting for me at my gate from my flight from the Amsterdam with a sign saying Chaska which is my Mayan name meaning Star. He’s so sweet and romantic!
It’s the end of the rainy season here, high season starts next month, which we want to miss.
I booked a nice bungalow beneath the famous Krabi cliffs (Aonang Cliff view resort link) for us to stay while we scoped out the area the first few days. The place was so cute with a fabulous pool, surrounded by the towering cliffs, fan palms, tropical flowers, peacocks, baby bunnies and cats. We were so happy to be re-united and our bungalow was cozy and romantic. We relaxed to the sounds of thunder and rain enjoying our reunion immensely.
In the mornings we were awoken with the sound of Thai boxing at the gym next door. We explored the Aonang beach nearby, eating curries on the beach, enjoying mango shakes, mangosteen, spicy papaya salad and Thai massages.
The town is a bit of tourist armpit complete with a creepy red light district but the beach is lovely and we just took our free shuttle back to our cozy and peaceful cliff bungalow, away from all the touristic turmoil.

We were offered a very cheap deal to do a 4-island tour from our bungalow resort for staying 4 nights there. We’re not really your typical tourists so it was an experience. The Thai long boats they use here are pretty loud but super photogenic and efficient. Our funny tour guide lined us up like sheep and packed us into a unique wooden long boat. It felt like a elementary school trip. The tour was filled with deaf Malaysians talking in sign language. Our first stop is Pharaong Cave beach where we found herds of Chinese tourists, caves filled with wooden penises and young fit hotties climbing cliffs.
The beach and cliff islands are gorgeous although we only get 40min to look around. Then off to the next island for some zombie tourist snorkeling in life jackets. The place is overrun; the coral is sad but still beautiful. We manage to not have to use the life jackets and swim away from the masses and enjoy the beautiful fishes.
The next island is for a lunch break we set up our hammock and eat rice and veggies overlooking the white beaches and clear blue water of Koh Jub. There is no bathroom for all the tourists and there is a lot of them. Our guide says to go in the water. Eeeeeeeew…
At the last island (Koh Poda) we have a jam session with the monkeys, the place is trashed, filled with tourists and old falling apart buildings, despite that all it’s still so very pretty.
Just as we are leaving the afternoon rain starts and we get soaked on our way back to our bungalow.

We learned quickly that the best food is with the street vendors. Everything is so delicious and I’m amazed that Ole can eat even hotter stuff than me.
Even though the whole time we have been together he never eats spicy things? What a freak.

We moved to a bungalow on a beach called the Dawn of Happiness, the ocean is right out our window with the cliffs in the background across the bay. They are getting ready for a reggae party and have built a cool tree house DJ booth which they say I can DJ in. Lecker!!
We rented a motorbike and head into Krabi for the Sunday night market. We get caught in a rainstorm, its pretty exiting. In Krabi we eat so much delicious street food, Curries, morning glory, mushroom soup, quail eggs, amazing pad Thai, fruits, Thai iced tea and yummy sweets. It’s so fun and romantic.


The next day we finally make it out to Railey beach to scope out a nice place to stay.
We arrive at low tide, which I cannot recommend if you have a ton of baggage, as you will have to walk through several hundred meters of knee-deep water.
I don’t like the vibe in Railey at all. It’s completely overrun by tourist hotels. It’s like a bad movie, back to back tacky resorts, and there is trash everywhere. There are a couple trashed restaurants that look as if an evil curse was placed on them and they are now abandoned, graffiti and garbage everywhere. Pretty zef. We look at a few places but the vibe is sketchy. We do find a bohemian rock climbing spot (the coffee house on the walking track to Tonsai Beach) and drink some chai and try to make friends with the jaded locals.
We go in a cave called diamond cave and play music on the stalagmites.
On Railey west the cliffs create this echo from the waves and all the longboats. It is not very peaceful, yet impressive. We climb over some rocks at sunset to Tonsai beach, which is supposedly a more bohemian spot with more young rock climber types. Its definitely mellower but the vibe is still edgy. We check out a few more bungalows but they are stacked like sardines and smell musty and gross.
After our trip out to Railey we definitely appreciate our beach bungalow a lot more, it’s so mellow and quiet compared to the madness.
The reggae party at the Dawn of Happiness was amazing. My DJ set got cut short as they were late setting up the sound system, but supposedly I was the first person to play in the amazing tree house DJ booth. The bass from my tunes sounded so yummy, it was fun. Then the bands started and Ole played Didge with the first band for 30min or so. He sounded so good.
Dancing to reggae on the sand in the jungle was so fun. We ate sushi and blew bubbles and danced the night away. It was lovely.
Now we are planning our last few days here. Looking forward to the possibility of horse back riding, kayaking, photo shoots, rock climbing, checking out a fossil beach, hot springs waterfall, tiger temples and an emerald lagoon.
Then it’s on to Bangkok for Halloween. We want to dress up as Howl and Sophie from Howls moving castle, or maybe Ganesh and Pārbati. Anyhow enjoy and thanks for reading Ole’s first guest writer on his fabulous, inspiring globe trotter blog!
Tschüs, Tschüs! Rosita.

This is it, all that has happened over here in paradise. I hope you enjoyed her post.

International media apparently covered that there was full on Ukranian-style riots over here, but everybody seems to disagree. It is just not the laid back thai style.
So everybody at home, don’t worry its fine here, very fine 🙂

So Long
Ole

Changes

For the last 2 weeks i worked as a cook in a beach kiosk.
I made money so i can afford to fly to Thailand.
I booked a ticket today.
The winter here was hard. people don’t heat their homes and most europeans agree that it is harsher than the european winters. Even though we get colder temperatures.
But the summer has started and i like it. Beaches with beautiful people tanning in the sun. Surfers waiting for the perfect wave. It feels like it has become a different place.
Yet i had enough.
I sold my car and i am getting rid of the stuff that i have accumulated because of it.
I am looking forward to the relaxed attitude of the Asians. It sometimes feels like most things here are about money.
I have an urge to not worry about money anymore to thrive and live, but australia seems so expensive you are on a constant survival.
It is going to be great to go back to asia, meditate and meet old friends before i go back home. Or maybe i will change my mind completely after meditating. Who knows.
I am looking forward to meeting my family and friends again, working in switzerland, and eventually starting to study there.
Loving life today, my job hired other people, so i am not working at the moment, but really enjoying my free time.
Here are some pix of the job.

So long
Ole

Goodbye Thailand – Bangkok never sleeps

My last time in Thailand I spend in Bangkok, after a 10h train ride (which was filled with reading and watching the landscape pass by)

Arriving in Bangkok i immediately went to Khaosan Rd with my CS-host.
….Khaosan is crazy!! Hookers, [a lot of] Ladyboys, loud music, faked passports and a lot of alcohol.
You can be sure every “girl” that shows a lot of skin is probably not a girl…
The next day i, for the first time in my life, went wake boarding.
After about 20 times falling face or ass first in the water, i figured out how to take of.
After 3h of wake boarding i felt really good, exhausted and as i would finally again be sour the next day 😉

In the evening i went to the modern day Bangkok-“Metropolis”
I did not feel like i was in Thailand anymore, but somewhere or should i say some-when in the future.
I bought an Ukulele and a Harmonica, which i already indulged to learn.
And in the evening i found it…i have been looking for it since Mumbai.
A Jazzclub!

Time passed, nights passed, go to bed at 6 in the morning, not knowing  where you will go to bed…Bangkok is indeed a crazy city!
The very last night i spent, dancing like crazy, in an underground DnB-Party @ Democ cafe with amazing DJs (Yaakparty, vivian, and Brwnsugrz)
They powered me to dance for 2h straight, without taking any drugs, not even sugar….believe me that was really good DnB!
(Maybe i was craving for something different then “Gangnam-Style” which they play @ every corner…krai tse roo [who knows])

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then i left.
I miss Thailand already, for the country i was allowed to experience, the people i was allowed to meet, for the things i was allowed to see and the food i was allowed to try.

So Long Ole

Thailand:
I got to know the Thai language pretty well in my time here.
but there is to much to tell you, thats why i will tell you only a few things:
I don’t want – Mai ao
do you think foreign people don’t have a brain – Kun kotoua farang mai mee samong la!
no problem-mai pen rai
i don’t know – mai roo
i don’t understand – mai kow chai

Food: try everything! its all good, stay in a monastery for a few days and try real local food…the more rural you go, the better your experience!

I honestly understand everybody who moves out to live in Thailand, i almost stayed here, but i will definitely come back!

The Issan Rockets and Glass-Hill forest monastry

After taking a bus from Laos to Thailand i am in Thailand now.
Wait a moment… i don’t know why but something is of with that beginning sentence.

I arrived in Si Sa Ket, a town that apparently has a temple completely made out of recycled bottles…and a town of which i only saw a pretty but pretty expensive hotel for the night where the Internet shut down regularily..

But from there i went to Huay Tap Tan to meet Tony’s friend Noi.
She is an elementary school teacher for handicrafts and taught me how to make a palm leaf hat.
Also she can massage very well.

Then i went to the Monastery her brother leads.
And spent 5 relaxing days there, amazing food in the morning, 2-4 showers, and a little meditation.

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One day we were sent to go to see the Issan Rockets…rockets, but they don’t explode when they are up.
“Fireworks that doesn’t explode…sounds a little boring” i thought to myself, and i won’t judge you if you think the same.
Well we all could not be more wrong!

Did i promise to much? I have never seen something that incredible.
The rocket we carried actually won the event with a height of 370m about 1 213.9 feet…as i said, i don’t want to be there when the rocket comes down!
Tomorrow i will go to Bangkok my definite and last stop in Thailand.
Let’s see how crazy it really is.
So Long (and without a sunset)
OLE

Nan – Land of the Ghosts…

…Forgotten!

Nan was a communist region and no tourist was allowed here 26 years ago.
So life is pretty much the old Thai life here.
I mean don’t get me wrong!
Obviously there are guest houses here, and in high season a few tourists, but you can not compare it to those touristic “hell holes” (as my host Tony calls them 😀 )
It is serene here, if you go out of the city, which has basically no traffic, you find yourself in a lush green forest, filled with hidden gumtree plantages, midst the mountains.
The province is full of beautiful National Parks and Wild-live Preserve Areas.
Every small village has its own temple. A little like the churches in southern Europe…just more beautiful, with dragons and mythical creatures 😉
IMG_2206Tony hosted me in his Restaurant, if you are ever coming here check it out! He is an amazing chef and his wife makes delicious Thai food!
He worked as a chef for the Royal Navy for 6 years and now parttime as something i woud like to call extreme cook 😀
Cooking food for 1000’s of people in Afghanistan or in the Papa-Newguenean rainforests …somebody oughta do it

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Sadly enough I only spent 3 nights here, because my timetable kinda gets scrambled by the Songkran Festivities (Buddhist new year -> it becomes impossible to travel) and the end of my Thai visa, so i will go to Laos tomorrow morning.
But i think it will be great, spending a boat ride on the Mekong 😀

So long Ole

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Goodbye Pai, tribes and sunsets

I enjoyed easter, made an evil April fools joke with my friends at home and relaxed a lot!
Now it is time to move again.
Next big stop: Nan
then LAOS!!! YEEHAA!! …hrrm…or something like this

I picked up the ukulele and really consider getting one for my big boat journey from the Philippines to Australia.
Ukuleles are just so much more social then a Didgeridoo 😉

Anyhow that was a short post so enjoy the new gallery:

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I can only recommend Pai! it is amazing here!
I love you all 🙂
So long Ole

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Secret Hot Springs and More Pai Adventures

I feel free!
There is no time the gates close, no plans, i can finally do what i want! 🙂


Hang on… i could do that all along 😀
Well i guess being locked in the massage school after 21.00 was kind of restricting, and now it has to get out!

I rented a scooter and explored the Wilderness around Pai.
There are 2 Hot springs near Pai:
The pay-200baht-ones, and the Off-the-beaten-track-ones where you only pay 20Baht/person and 20B/bike

How to get there?
Drive on the Mae Hong Son road for 11km, enjoy the beauty of the landscape, and when you think you are too far, drive a little more 😉
You find the Sign on your right side (see gallery), and then you will have to go through a “rollercoaster-ride”… many many very steep hills.
I was very happy to have a manual bike, and even that couldn’t do every hill with another person on the back 😀

But the Hot Springs are amazing, the only people there were the harvesting farmers, digging out garlic, salad and other vegetables.
maybe i will go again tomorrow 😀
On our way back we went to “Mor Pang Waterfall”, which is really cool because the water has polished the stones to water slides!
It’s so much fun!
If you are more into extreme stuff, and have a good aim, you can jump of the high boulder into the pool (it has one deep spot 😉 )

This trip was just … just….WoW ! (i am just realizing that wow actually looks like one of these smiley’s (^_^) (T_T) O.o )

And the rest of the evening i just read the first book of the Panem trilogy, and i am almost done with the book 😀
Also i gave a massage and earned some pocket money…i feel good!!

The only thing i need now is a good party!
Then the rest will settle on its own!

 

I think i will look for the abandoned guest house soon, and maybe spend a few nights there!

So Long Ole
p.s. i hope you can hold out the freezing temperatures over there!
but perception of temperature is relative…and i have a 20 degree drop every night 😉
p.p.s. i totally forgot about easter 😀

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a Massage Message

Gallery

This gallery contains 37 photos.

My dear readers, in 2 days i finish my last massage Course. A lot has happened in the last few weeks…well…not really I massaged and learned a lot, maybe that counts 😉 I went to a workshop and met many … Continue reading

in lack of a good name: P P P

 

IMG_1802
First off, i would like to thank these 2 guys to fix my broken laptop screen and give me equipment to fix my camera! That was pretty cool, or blazin’ what ever expression you prefer 😉 IMG_1781I got invited to play Didgeridoo in front of a whole kindergarten school 🙂 IMG_1737The crowded Kata beach of Phuket IMG_1740 And me making best of it 😉IMG_1744 Patong, the redlight district…and no i have not seen a Pingpong show…and i am not sure i willIMG_1755still Patong, but its a different aspect 😀 IMG_1757 Thai snacks, sadly i haven’t found insects yet…IMG_1759My time in Phuket i spent making my stcw95 certificate which allows me to work on comercial boats now, as some of you already know. But my free time i spend with Diego and Julia. Diego was another couchsurfer at my host and Julia is an italian girl i picked up sitting alone on the beach. We had a lot of fun together, going from one jamsessio to the next. Diego plays amazing guitar and Julia works @Italian Job it Kata, wich serves great hot Chocolate and coffee. Julia 🙂  IMG_1770 And DiegoIMG_1772 Well, then my camera broke down… 😦 but Ole is a clever fellow, he used his phone instead, not as often but at least i can give a few more impressions Of this:2013-02-04 17.48.58 I want one of these! they are amazing!2013-02-04 17.51.03 2013-02-04 17.57.26The Buddha here needs to cover its face because there is so much dust from the building site2013-02-04 18.09.39the Belltree 2013-02-04 18.18.42 2013-02-04 18.48.47  Survival at sea day at my STCW-course2013-02-05 15.32.48 2013-02-06 18.31.09 And so i leave the russian-italian mass tourist place of Phuket, the umbrellas are down, and Ole takes a 24h busride…and is in chiang mai…goes to the Monastery (see last entry)…and is here now!

Eye and her friend took me up to Doi Sutep. And Doi Pui, where there is a small little mountain village

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From there we went to Wat Doi Suthep. A beautiful monastery on top of the mountain.
Random fact: the stairs have 308 steps_DSC0960_DSC0963 _DSC0972

Ole receiving a blessed wristband_DSC0975 _DSC0980 _DSC0989 There is more than just hitting a gong, you can pet it to 🙂
the  result is just as  powerful…a wisdom for life?_DSC0991 _DSC0998
Fred and George
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Ringing the lucky bells for Eye’s birthday

After that, i experienced normal daylife in Chiang Mai…
..
..
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Chicken on bikes!

IMG_1803 IMG_1804 Look at this face, thats the real Willy Wonka! i am sure!IMG_1808 IMG_1815the Dickhead bike 😀 IMG_1817

Going to the GIANT night market @ChiangMai Walking Street on Sunday…WOW…so many shops and people…incredible

_DSC1045 i just couldn’t resist 😉_DSC1074

IMG_1822this actually tasted better than i expected IMG_1824and yes the redone is a pure fruit+ice strawberry shake from fresh strawberries 😛

 

Ok I really want to buy one of these awesome shirts!
Please write in the comments which one!
IMG_1826 IMG_1827 IMG_1828 IMG_1829 IMG_1830IMG_1839THANK YOU!!! 😀 😀 😀 IMG_1832

Maybe this is a good description for many Thai peopleIMG_1836 And this is a smart band setup in a busy road 🙂IMG_1837

Ok guys and girls, i know the last 10 minutes have been a lot of input, but brace yourselves for the Thailand POSTCARD QUIZ:

1.)Which of these beautiful woman is in fact a guy? O.o

IMG_1840Number 1? IMG_1842Number 2? IMG_1843Number3? (black dress) or Number4??

 

2.)What in gods Name is this?IMG_1811 IMG_1813

3.) How is PPP a good title for this post?
Be Creative!

Write a comment!
I only respect comments that tell me what shirt looks best 😛

So my dear reader thats all the pictures i had…well almost i deleted a few…in fact i uploaded so many pictures in this post, WordPress does not allow me to add more…so i have to delete a picture to give you the sunset you deserve after this joyride 🙂

So Long ole

sunset

Here you go! You deserved it! Thank you for reading. Please Comment if you want to get a postcard, or have questions, or like me, or follow me, or ask for pictures of something, or give me a task, or recommend something, or tell me to write about something you are really interested about, or introduce yourself, in short give me FEEDBACK…please 🙂 

p.s. i totally forgot to tell you that i start my education as a Thai-Masseur tomorrow…and no that has nothing to do with a happy ending.
p.p.s. hang on a moment who said a massage with a happy ending has to be sexual? i hope all my clients will have happy ending of their massage…i don’t want unhappy clients, they don’t tip 😀