Lies All Lies
I read an article once that delved into the idea that super powers, governments etc. keep the general public under control through creating a general sense of fear for everything. Don't do that, it's bad for your health, don't eat that you'll get fat, don't go to Hat Yai you'll get shot, etc. Okay, so it might have been in Bizarre magazine or something equivalent, and I haven't relayed it very well, but the Foreign and Commonwealth Office must play a big part in this. Hat Yai seems fine. I'm fine too. Well, a four hour wait in Hat Yai, then another train up to Bangkok. By the time I get there, 8am tomorrow my time) I will have spent a grand total of 49 hours on trains or in and around train stations. Beats the shit out of the Adelaide Perth trek. It sounded so easy too, when Phil said, 'Fly to Singapore and then get the train up.' Haha, it's not been too taxing though.
Memory's a Strange Old Thing
Gave my self the shock of my life today. I can still remember a bit of Thai. Class. Albeit a very bit, bit (if you will) but still, I haven't spoken the words i found popping out of my mouth just a few moments, ago for four years!
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Whoops
Hmm,I've made it to Kuala Lumpur alright. Bloody long train journey but it was okay. Fairly uneventful. However, when I was in the cab to the train station this morning, an idle chat with the cab driver culminated in him telling me to avoid the south of Thailand if possible. As I'm sat in the train station in KL with bugger all to do I figured I'd check it out. Here's what the foreign and commonwealth office haad to say:
There is a threat to British and other Western targets from terrorism in Thailand. On 28 April, there were attacks on security forces in 10 locations in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. More than 100 militants and 5 members of the security forces are reported to have been killed. We recommend against all non-essential travel to these four provinces.
Hmm, my next stop is Hat Yai, in none other than the Songkhla Province. I should really have checked this out beforehand but forgot that my Thailand Lonely Planet is a bit out of date. Apparently the Islamics and the Buddhists in the area aren't getting along too well either. So... my options are to get off at Butterworth instead and then get a train straight through to Bangkok, or, to just go to Hat Yai and hope for the best. I'll only be there for four hours, waiting for my next train so i might do that. Dunno, I'll find some Westerners on the train too (if possible) and discuss it with them whilst trying my best not to appear a neurotic freak. Obviously I'll let y'all know when i get Bangkok too. Bear in mind that when I was last planning to go to Thailand the warning was the same but for the whole country. The FCWO tend to over state things. Anyways, wish me luck.
Hmm,I've made it to Kuala Lumpur alright. Bloody long train journey but it was okay. Fairly uneventful. However, when I was in the cab to the train station this morning, an idle chat with the cab driver culminated in him telling me to avoid the south of Thailand if possible. As I'm sat in the train station in KL with bugger all to do I figured I'd check it out. Here's what the foreign and commonwealth office haad to say:
There is a threat to British and other Western targets from terrorism in Thailand. On 28 April, there were attacks on security forces in 10 locations in the far southern provinces of Pattani, Yala, Narathiwat and Songkhla. More than 100 militants and 5 members of the security forces are reported to have been killed. We recommend against all non-essential travel to these four provinces.
Hmm, my next stop is Hat Yai, in none other than the Songkhla Province. I should really have checked this out beforehand but forgot that my Thailand Lonely Planet is a bit out of date. Apparently the Islamics and the Buddhists in the area aren't getting along too well either. So... my options are to get off at Butterworth instead and then get a train straight through to Bangkok, or, to just go to Hat Yai and hope for the best. I'll only be there for four hours, waiting for my next train so i might do that. Dunno, I'll find some Westerners on the train too (if possible) and discuss it with them whilst trying my best not to appear a neurotic freak. Obviously I'll let y'all know when i get Bangkok too. Bear in mind that when I was last planning to go to Thailand the warning was the same but for the whole country. The FCWO tend to over state things. Anyways, wish me luck.
Friday, May 21, 2004
Revoposty
Fantastic guys, keep those address' coming. This'll be superb. I've had responses off quite a few of you now. Yet to have a random one but I'm holding out. I have to admit that nothing has been sent as of yet as I've been sorting out some other stuff for the last few days, i.e. what the hell I'm doing. On that note, what the hell am I doing?
The Sweet Smell of South East Asia
Aaaaaaaah Singapore. I love it. Even though it is basically one big shopping mall it's fantastic. I totally forgot what it was like apart from a few sketchy memories but so much is coming back to me now I'm here. For example, I went to the train station today to look at getting to Bangkok, as I was walking up flood of memories came back. The last time I'd been to that train station was when I was here with my Dad in '97. Brilliant.
Journey of Epic Proportions
My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to meet up with Andy for his birthday on the 25th. One problem, I'm in Singapore he's in Cambodia. Not to worry, with watches sychronised the meeting place has been decided. Bangkok here I come. I've accepted my mission, but what a mission it is. It begins at 8am tomorrow morning when I'll get on the train to Kuala Lumpur. I'll arrive there at 3 in the afternoon and then twiddle thumbs until the next leg begins at 8.10pm; KL to Hat Yai (southern Thailand). I'll roll into Hat Yai at 10.15 in the morning. Now the brief gets a bit sketchy, I might need a bit of time off from trains having been on them for nearly 24 hours. Therefore, I might stay the night in Hat Yai before getting up to Bangkok the following day. We'll see. There's not that much of a rush though because Andy informs me that he might not make it for the 25th. Slacker! I bloody will though... you hear that Glanners... yeah, and I'll have a great time on your birthday even if your not... erm... there... hmmm. Yeah, that kind of defeats the point doesn't it? Oh well, not to worry.
Immediate Plans
Stop wandering aimlessly around Singapore. It's hot, about 34, and I'm sweating just from typing. There's a pool on my hostel roof dammit, why am I not in that? Well, first things first, I need to see if I need a visa for Malaysia. Hope not!
Fantastic guys, keep those address' coming. This'll be superb. I've had responses off quite a few of you now. Yet to have a random one but I'm holding out. I have to admit that nothing has been sent as of yet as I've been sorting out some other stuff for the last few days, i.e. what the hell I'm doing. On that note, what the hell am I doing?
The Sweet Smell of South East Asia
Aaaaaaaah Singapore. I love it. Even though it is basically one big shopping mall it's fantastic. I totally forgot what it was like apart from a few sketchy memories but so much is coming back to me now I'm here. For example, I went to the train station today to look at getting to Bangkok, as I was walking up flood of memories came back. The last time I'd been to that train station was when I was here with my Dad in '97. Brilliant.
Journey of Epic Proportions
My mission, should I choose to accept it, is to meet up with Andy for his birthday on the 25th. One problem, I'm in Singapore he's in Cambodia. Not to worry, with watches sychronised the meeting place has been decided. Bangkok here I come. I've accepted my mission, but what a mission it is. It begins at 8am tomorrow morning when I'll get on the train to Kuala Lumpur. I'll arrive there at 3 in the afternoon and then twiddle thumbs until the next leg begins at 8.10pm; KL to Hat Yai (southern Thailand). I'll roll into Hat Yai at 10.15 in the morning. Now the brief gets a bit sketchy, I might need a bit of time off from trains having been on them for nearly 24 hours. Therefore, I might stay the night in Hat Yai before getting up to Bangkok the following day. We'll see. There's not that much of a rush though because Andy informs me that he might not make it for the 25th. Slacker! I bloody will though... you hear that Glanners... yeah, and I'll have a great time on your birthday even if your not... erm... there... hmmm. Yeah, that kind of defeats the point doesn't it? Oh well, not to worry.
Immediate Plans
Stop wandering aimlessly around Singapore. It's hot, about 34, and I'm sweating just from typing. There's a pool on my hostel roof dammit, why am I not in that? Well, first things first, I need to see if I need a visa for Malaysia. Hope not!
Wednesday, May 19, 2004
Responsive!
Absolutely class, I've got two addresses already. This post card thing is definitely a goer. No randoms yet but James (the Baroncuda) and Cath have both expressed interest and shall be receiving cards soon as. Hahaha, brilliant. Dave rang last night to confirm my flights and I leave at 4pm today. Woooooooooo! Unfortunately a touch hung over today but it was my last night in Oz last night. Bring on the singaporean massive! woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Absolutely class, I've got two addresses already. This post card thing is definitely a goer. No randoms yet but James (the Baroncuda) and Cath have both expressed interest and shall be receiving cards soon as. Hahaha, brilliant. Dave rang last night to confirm my flights and I leave at 4pm today. Woooooooooo! Unfortunately a touch hung over today but it was my last night in Oz last night. Bring on the singaporean massive! woooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!
Postcardtastic
I've recently discovered why people send postcards. I'd never realised before but it's actually really nice to hear they've received them. I've only been sending to the family at the moment and they've all been stoked to get the various ramblings I've sent. So on this theme I reckon everyone should be able to get one. The only problem is that in this day and age mailing address' seem to have fallen by the wayside in favour of the old electronic business. But, if you'd like to receive a post card from wherever I may be, please drop me an email (see contact above) with your details and I'll drop one in the post to you. Even if you don't know me and you've just stumbled across this site, if you're feeling a bit left out and a bored of receiving the same old shit through the mail then give us your name and address.
I've recently discovered why people send postcards. I'd never realised before but it's actually really nice to hear they've received them. I've only been sending to the family at the moment and they've all been stoked to get the various ramblings I've sent. So on this theme I reckon everyone should be able to get one. The only problem is that in this day and age mailing address' seem to have fallen by the wayside in favour of the old electronic business. But, if you'd like to receive a post card from wherever I may be, please drop me an email (see contact above) with your details and I'll drop one in the post to you. Even if you don't know me and you've just stumbled across this site, if you're feeling a bit left out and a bored of receiving the same old shit through the mail then give us your name and address.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Alreet,
The time has finally come for me to leave Oz. I don't really want to but it's getting a bit cold and my visa runs out on the 30th so I guess that means I'd better leg. IT's Andy's birthday on the 25th so he's called me to BAngkok for it. Mind you, he just mailed me saying it might not be possible for him and so he might be late for his own birthday. Bloody goon. Anyway, I've yet to get my ticket so that doesn't really matter. I'm back in Sydney now. Wooooooo! No really, I love the place. Honest. I was in the city centre for a bit but soon realised why I always leave it, and now I've moved out to Manly. It's one of the Sydney beaches and much nicer than the centre. Went out surfing on Sunday just because I could. An all day sesh that left me knackered. It's no way as much fun surfing on your tod though. Even though there were loads of people out there, the conversation ain't up to much as everyone's just watching the horizon trying to beat you to the next wave. So once I've sorted out the ticket thing I'll let y'all know the craic.
The time has finally come for me to leave Oz. I don't really want to but it's getting a bit cold and my visa runs out on the 30th so I guess that means I'd better leg. IT's Andy's birthday on the 25th so he's called me to BAngkok for it. Mind you, he just mailed me saying it might not be possible for him and so he might be late for his own birthday. Bloody goon. Anyway, I've yet to get my ticket so that doesn't really matter. I'm back in Sydney now. Wooooooo! No really, I love the place. Honest. I was in the city centre for a bit but soon realised why I always leave it, and now I've moved out to Manly. It's one of the Sydney beaches and much nicer than the centre. Went out surfing on Sunday just because I could. An all day sesh that left me knackered. It's no way as much fun surfing on your tod though. Even though there were loads of people out there, the conversation ain't up to much as everyone's just watching the horizon trying to beat you to the next wave. So once I've sorted out the ticket thing I'll let y'all know the craic.
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