Late night blabs
Selamat petang.
Well, its more like midnight, but I have no idea how to say that. Its late, I am hot and my eyes are dried up by the fan that is working furiously above me to keep me from melting, and I just had a need to come and say hi.
It has been lazy few days, spent doing not much at all and enjoying the fact that we can do that. Our time in Malaysia is coming to an end and now we are looking and planning the Thailand leg of this journey. From time to time, especially while frantically trying to map and think of the next step, I wonder if it would have been better for us to be more prepared, but whats the point in sulking, the milk has long dried up on the floor.
Tomorrow we will do a dash to the Thai consulate here to try and sort out the visas, which a few months ago we wouldnt have needed. Luck left us hanging and went on holidays too, meaning: visa regulations changed since we started and the 30 day free visit for us, became a 15 day one, since we would be arriving by land. We contemplated running up the country for 15 days, visiting Laos and then running down Thailand for another 15 days to save on having to pay for visas, but after some more serious thinking we abandoned that idea for now.
Another thing that I am sorting out is the possibility of staying in Bangkok for 1 month – renting a comfortable apartment and just cruising for a bit. Initially we were supposed to do that in Penang, but things just never added up together nicely and now I am glad we didnt. I cant say that the island has lived up to our expectations, built up by numerous superlatives by locals and other travelers.
But I also wonder if there is a better place to stop for a month, other than Bangkok…something smaller, more intimate, with more opportunity to mix in with people and for the kids to play in the mud with other little fellas. Well actually, I dont wonder, I am sure there must be, but how to find it? I am getting sick of research, so if you know something dont keep it to yourself, share.
Japan…we have left the decision of whether to go or not until the very end, when we are sipping drinks in a cafe in Beijing maybe. We are dying to go. The idea that we wont stop at Kyoto as planned, coupled with the very real possibility of not visiting Mexico due to its drug wars, leaves us lacking, wanting and unfulfilled. Those two are on the top of our dream destinations and luck seems to be extending its holiday even further. Bugger!
I can hear the rain is coming… it has been raining every day.
What about you? What are you doing this fine day, other than reading this very fine blog, written by a very fine lady with very dry eyes?
If you are looking for a city to settle down in, have you thought of Chiang Mai? Big enough to have everything you need but without the craziness of Bangkok, and the rent is really cheap.
Thailand is a dream of mine, so soak up every minute you can while you are there. I would say if you can, certainly stay in a rental for a month. You deserve a place to call ‘home’ and cook some meals… even of you are travelling the world.
Not much happening here… just reading a wonderful blog written by my wonderful friend so that I can further procrastinate from doing my homework. I was thinking about Chicago the other day and I cant believe it has already almost been 3 years!! Do you have any dates yet as to when/if you will be in the States? Even if you cant see us all, maybe we could throw together something… I would love for Lucas to meet (and reak havoc with) the dodman!!
It is raining in Memphis and the Mississippi River is at the 1937 flood stage so no one is very excited about more dribbles from the sky. Every other day the tornado sirens go off so that is fun. It is so interesting that your family is being affected in such a direct way by world events. Definitely a cool way to teach the young’uns. Hopefully some unexpected pleasures will result instead of hassles.
Amy, yes, that is one possibility I have been looking into. Do you know of any links to places?
Diana, no dates yet. And at the rate we are going, it might be next year. I cannot wait to see everyone and let the kids cause havoc.
Liz, it rains here daily, but not to flood levels. I hope it calms down at your end and the Mississippi behaves.
We’ve been having a similar dilemma – trying to decide where to go for a 2 week trip at the end of the month. I’m a little sick of hours spent on researching too – we had many ideas, Hawaii, Cambodia, Thailand, Tahiti. Finally we have decided on Vanuatu, so lets hope the flights and accommodation work out! I’ll be booking them today.
It’s been many years since I’ve been to Thailand but I enjoyed my stay in Chiang Mai more than hectic Bangkok, however you will have to get there, I went by night train which was a little dodgy as there wasn’t any security or privacy apart from a curtain to your bunk…
Good luck ;-)
There are some suggestions for long term stays here: http://gotpassport.org/2010/12/19/the-famous-question-where-to-stay-in-chiang-mai-thailand/
Wish I could help you with ideas for a place to stay – but, no. Instead, we’ll send you all our positive energy so you can find the right place for a longer moment of rest and cooking delight. It sounds like you are itching for a bit of ‘living’ rather than constant ‘travelling’. I know you guys will find such a place and get to enjoy the locals more intimately. Can’t wait.
I have heard very good things about Chiang Mai too. A friend, Suzie (http://soozs.blogspot.com/) stayed there for a few months with a little child, and sublet an apartment in the home of a local family.
I found when travelling with children that spending longer stretches of time in fewer places is more relaxing for all of us. It’s the getting from A to B that’s most tiring, once you’re settled in a place you can explore and do the enjoyable stuff.
Is it the earthquake / nuclear situation that is making you consider not visiting Japan? From what I have heard the area around Kyoto and Osaka is not really affected – friends from Tokyo have been vacationing there to get away from the aftershocks.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!
lots of love from down under
Thank you, Nina! Next one, together? K?