Mission(s) accomplished

Going into this trip, I didn't have much of a plan, but I did have a few goals. I'm pleased to say that a good number of those goals can now be checked off. Firstly, it was/is my goal to get at least one geocache in every country I visit. So far in Thailand, I've gotten two. The last one was in Phuket at a beautiful waterfall. Per saved the day by finding it after the rest of us had given up. Three cheers for Hanwool. Another goal has proved to be underambitious. The original goal was to read a book a week. I've been here for 2.5 weeks, and I've already read 4 books, all trash. And that is with having constant traveling partners. Once I set out on my own, I imagine I will bump the average up to 2 a week. Goal #3 is really one of my favorites: go 24 hours shirtless. I went a good 6 weeks while in Palmyra, but that wasn't real life. Well, after yesterday, I'm pleased to say Mission Accomplished. We are back on Ko Phi Phi after letting Andrew and the boys off at the Airport. Yesterday, Trista and I took a tour out to Ko Phi Phi Ley, the highlight of which was Maya Bay, made famous by The Beach. (I didn't take this picture, but I could have.) We also snorkeled, stopped at a beach inhabited by monkeys, and got the experience of riding in a "traditional" Thai long tail boat. (More about that later). Anyway, it was a great time.

Wednesday October 4 2006

File under: Thailand, travel

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on Wed 04th Oct, 2006 06:28 am UTC Horge said: What'd you give/get in the geocaches? ************************ on Wed 04th Oct, 2006 08:41 pm UTC Mom said: Wasn't there a goal about crosswords and Sudoko? This Blog might be too much information (TMI) for a mother! ************************ on Thu 05th Oct, 2006 12:45 am UTC Saxtor said: It looks like he found Suthep Cache and took nothing, and found Stairway to Heaven and took a geocoin. Sure sounds like a lot of fun... ************************ on Fri 06th Oct, 2006 04:18 am UTC Debbie Rowe said: Wren, you lucky dog. I'm jealous and happy for you. ************************ on Fri 06th Oct, 2006 06:36 am UTC Wren said: 1: Mom, If hear about your boy going with a shirt for 24 hours (I'm up to 96 hours now) is TMI, then I will have to severely edit my stories when I get back. 2: Saxtor, I had to edit up your comment because the comments section has a few issues regarding HTML or something. I'll have a look at that when I get a chance. ************************

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Week 2 Round Up

Week two of my grand aventure was a nice change of pace from week one. While week was one full immersion in the culture, and packing in monuments, treks, and elephant rides, week two has been much more chill. I've spent no less than 3 days on the beach, snorkeling, reading, swimming, and getting sunburned. Andrew, Per, Myke and I spent 3 nights on Ko Phi Phi. Then they headed off to Ko Lanta while I headed into Phukettown to pick up Shane and Trista. After meeting back up, we've spent the last 3 nights here in Phukettown at the best hostel I have ever been to (did I mention the free internet?). Yesterday we spent the day at Patong beach where Myke tried to shrelp the gnar, but was mildly thwarted. He will prolly try again today. The rest of us juggled, hackied, read, ate fresh fruit, bodysurfed, and got really sunburned (okay, so maybe just Trista and I got the burns). It has been great having the 6 of us together. Being with good friends in such a beautiful place is just the ticket. Meals are fun. Traveling is fun. Going to 7-11 is fun. It is all fun. But tomorrow, Per, Myke, and Andrew head off back to the states. After that, it sounds like Shane, Trista, and I will go back out to the islands, at least for a bit. But who knows. I'll keep you posted.

Saturday September 30 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Sun 01st Oct, 2006 01:37 am UTC jule said: that is some nice shrelping! who took that picture, that is up close! myke, I expect you on the olympic peninsula when you get back! ************************ on Sun 01st Oct, 2006 02:03 am UTC Deanna said: It is very beautiful there and sounds like good times. i even found it on the world atlas. aren't you proud? i amd learning a lot from your travels. ************************ on Mon 02nd Oct, 2006 11:42 pm UTC Mom said: Whoa, I just got the coolness of this seemingly normal picture. Glad the traveling hasn't dulled your technological expertise! ************************ on Tue 03rd Oct, 2006 04:42 pm UTC Saxtor said: Now you know why we call Per "Twinkle Toes." ************************

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Picture Dump from Ko Phi Phi

I found a little bit of free internet here at my hostel in Phuket, so I thought it might be a good time to dump a few pictures. Enjoy. To see larger version, just right click to view image (Firefox users). Also for a brief caption, just hover your mouse over each image. (Ain't I fancy?)

Wednesday September 27 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Fri 29th Sep, 2006 03:48 pm UTC said: hey, lovely picture dump! I can't wait to see it for myself! And this free internet is great! ************************ on Fri 29th Sep, 2006 04:55 pm UTC jule said: that looks like a strong wind a blowing in that bottom picture! did that blow your hammock around? Great photos, if you have anymore wavey ocean ones, this old salt wouldn't mind seeing them! ************************ on Fri 29th Sep, 2006 05:11 pm UTC Saxtor said: I never saw wave pictures at Old Salts...I saw jo-jos, however. Nice batch of photos, but that first "secluded" beach doesn't look so secluded. Who's the boat owner? ************************

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Ko Phi Phi

Being the jet-setters that we are, the boys and I decided to fly from Chaing Mai in the north down to to Phuket in the south to avoid the two 14 hour train rides. The flight was less than two hours and even included a meal (take that, Delta.) After a packed taxi and a 2 hour boat ride, we arrived at Ko Phi Phi. Ko Phi Phi was largely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami and it shows. Things are being rebuilt everywhere. Despite the obvious destruction, it is still a beautiful place. Anyone that saw the movie The Beach knows, as this was their island paradise. There are no cars on the island, and everything is more or less within walking distance. Today we plan on exploring the island a little more and getting in some much needed water time. Watch our sharks. Here we come! With the beauty and isolation comes higher prices. Internet is 6 times as expensive here as it was in Chiang Mia, with lodging running about 3 times as much. Paying $6 a night for lodging!?! Who ever heard of such extravagance. Anyway, point being that I might scale back the posts a bit this week. Or not. I sure have been enjoying seeing ya'll's comments as much as you've enjoyed reading.

Monday September 25 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Mon 25th Sep, 2006 03:36 am UTC Saxtor said: For the uninformed, let it be noted that: Ko = Island Phi Phi is pronounced "pee pee" They're paying $6 a night for Ko Phi Phi (tee hee). ************************ on Mon 25th Sep, 2006 06:48 am UTC Horge said: Forgive a second immature mind dealing with the Thai language, but how do you pronounce Phuket? (tee hee, of my own) :) But these prices sound awesome. You should give Philippines a try while you're there. I was on THE resort-type island, Boracay, and was paying practically the same. ************************ on Mon 25th Sep, 2006 11:06 pm UTC jule said: so are there waves there? surf? or am i totally off and this is a rather protected island? oh yea, some important knowledge of the marine environment: sharks are scared away by shiney bracelets, the smell of blood, and violent thrashing. ************************ on Tue 26th Sep, 2006 02:35 am UTC gRetchEn said: you guys should listen to jule. i hear he's certified in sharkology. i hear your supposed to go swimming where a lot of fishing is going on as well because all of the fish bait in the water deters the sharks from attacking humans. ************************ on Tue 26th Sep, 2006 06:31 am UTC Horge said: As a certified PhMDDS in Sharkology, I'd just like to point out a common misconception regarding sharks: while swimming in fishing zones, it's not that the fish bait deters sharks, but rather that all the small pieces of bloody meat distract the stupid sharks from the intact, metal-bracelet-wearing, thrashing, large pieces of meat swimming around. But in an emergency situation where a less than ignorant shark recognizes you in spite of your flashing-neon bracelet that proclaims in a variety of audio frequencies "Your mother sucks gills!", remember always that a shark's enemy is the dolphin, so be sure to equip your dolphin to flog him with. ************************ on Tue 26th Sep, 2006 11:17 am UTC Trista said: hey... i'm atta here.. see you when i get there! ************************ on Tue 26th Sep, 2006 07:11 pm PDT jule said: and remember, if you ever hear dolphins talking or if you see them growing opposable thumbs...run. or give me some of what you are drinkin...er, so long and thanks for all the fish ************************ on Wed 27th Sep, 2006 02:00 pm UTC Wren said: Jule, Myke, Josh, etc. I saw some dudes totally shrelping the gnar gnar today. West coast of Phuket seems to be the place. The winds are right out of the west. Of course that made for a puketacular boat trip from Phi Phi. Literally half of the people on the boat chucked, and they didn't do so quietly. But I kept my cookies untossed. Yeah me! ************************ on Wed 27th Sep, 2006 06:10 pm UTC Saxtor said: Man, if you were able to keep it down, either the Thai are walking puke factories, or my driving is REALLY bad... ************************ on Thu 28th Sep, 2006 05:19 am UTC jule said: shrelping the gnar gnar? I wish I could be there... very little shrelping occuring here... wait, do you mean surfing? ohhhhh, yeah, take some photos! nice work on the lack of cookie tossing! ************************

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This is what travelling is all about

Knocking a cigarette out of the mouth of an Aussie while passing clubs with a German, both of whom are more or less random strangers. You can see the smile on my face!

Saturday September 23 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 01:23 pm UTC horge said: Did you also take your clubs with you, or do they belong to the German? That's pretty awesome, man! Travelling's all about meeting those new people... ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 03:42 pm UTC jule said: Oh my god! That is so COOL! I am totally going to start smoking! the juggling is pretty neat too... seriously though, that is cool you found some travelling jugglers, with clubs none-the-less. ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 03:45 pm UTC jule said: oh yea, nice zoom on the picture when you scroll over it. have you ever thought about a career as a computer programmer? ************************ on Sun 24th Sep, 2006 08:41 am UTC Saxtor said: That is some strong work, Wren! ************************ on Sun 24th Sep, 2006 04:08 pm UTC Jena and Ahmed said: What a wonderful time you must be having. We enjoyed your web-site....keep it up, it is so fun to see your daily adventures! ************************

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Week One Wrap Up

So it was a week ago almost exactly that I stepped off the plane in Bangkok with nothing but a backpack, a guidebook, and a vague plan. Now I am a streetwise traveler who has mastered the transportation, trekked in the jungle, tried a wealth of new foods, met new people, and even picked up a few Thai phrases. Not a bad start to my adventure. Traveling with Andrew, Per, and Myke has been great. Having a group of similarly minded people to eat and adventure with has been just what I needed to get my mindset right. Just yesterday, they suggested we rent motorcycles to get outside of town a bit. It was just the ticket. And we really made a strong showing at the trivia night at the local ex-pat bar last night. (Actually we got 11th out of 12. Who would have known those ex-pats were so smart?) Next week, those boys leave town, and a new contingent of traveling buddies arrive. I'm so fortunate to have all of this work out. It is funny to think that less than a month ago, this wasn't even a glimmer in my eye. Now I am sitting in an internet cafe in the north of Thailand, sipping a fresh fruit shake that cost $.43, contemplating the options that I have in front of me. So great.

Friday September 22 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Fri 22nd Sep, 2006 10:58 pm UTC Saxtor said: A week, eh? Time flys! Sounds like the 4 of you are definitely living it up. Nate told me to tell you to be sure to have a watermelon shake as he finds them to be awesome. Your next batch of travelling companions would be Trista and Chapman? ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 04:24 am UTC Mom said: So, what about the Bhat? Sounds like the best currency investment out there right now. And what are you pointing at? ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 04:42 am UTC Trista said: that's right, Saxtor! penetratin' Thailand! The count rises, 6 San Juan natives. A-town represent! ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 09:47 am UTC Andrew said: hmmm.. maybe a San Juan coup of Thailand? just a thought... ************************

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Trekking in Doi Inthanon National Park

In Chiang Mai, we signed up for a 2 day/1 night guided trek north of town. It was exactly what we were hoping. All in all, we hiked maybe 6 miles on sometimes slippery terrain. This was spread out over a couple sections in between various villages, waterfalls, etc. It was really cool to see the villages they took us to. The first one consisted of just 4 families, and everyone went about their business instead of putting on a show for us honkies. Their dwellings were a covered area, a small portion of which had a raised floor for sleeping. No walls. Otherwise, it was dirt floors. Very similar to other extra rural dwellings I've seen around the world. Hey, if it works... Other highlights included the elephant ride, which I liked much better than I thought I would. We rode two to an elephant for about an hour. When our guy got moving, it got a little rough up top, but mostly he was just lumbering down the trail. We fed him bananas when he was a good boy, but he got pretty greedy and finished them off in the first 10 minutes. The visit to the waterfall was somewhat marred by the presence of leeches in the water, but of course we didn't find those until we were out. Not too much of a problem, however. One did escape my detection, so I ended up with a much sated friend down the trail a ways. We finished up the mini trip with a rafting excursion down a river. The rafts were long pieces of bamboo roped together. Our guide used a pole to keep us from banging into the rocks. We got to stand mostly, so it was like we were surfing down the river. Coming back to Chiang Mai, we piled 14 of us into a small truck and just watched the scenery roll on by. It was really a great trip.

Thursday September 21 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Thu 21st Sep, 2006 01:18 pm UTC jule said: so I guess martial law doesn't really matter in rural thailand? Or do they role into town on elephants toting bananas? great pics! ************************ on Thu 21st Sep, 2006 05:02 pm UTC Saxtor said: Great pics. Who's the lady? ************************ on Fri 22nd Sep, 2006 02:31 am UTC Trista said: ditto. ************************ on Fri 22nd Sep, 2006 05:08 am UTC Mom said: So, I guess up in the hinterlands they are coup-less, so to speak. ************************ on Fri 22nd Sep, 2006 06:09 am UTC Wren said: We are pretty much oblivious to all the political goings on over here. We only learned about that stuff from people e-mailing us from home. (P.S. thanks for that!) But it sounds like we are completely safe. "No problem," as the english challenged locals might say. Andrew made a post about it over at his blog, with a link to some state department stuff. http://www.brothersroot.com/blog/?p=289 ************************ on Fri 22nd Sep, 2006 03:48 pm UTC Auntie Rose said: Who's the blonde with the braid??????? SWEET ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 04:26 am UTC Mom said: BTW did that elephant back into a tennis match and capture a racket with it's tail? ************************ on Sat 23rd Sep, 2006 10:25 pm UTC said: Margret: Master Observationologist! Who knew?! Of course, the elephant isn't the only reptile in the photo, the area is infested with Crocs! And yes, elephants ARE reptiles... ************************

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Bangkok to Chiang Mai

After picking up Andrew, Per, and Myke at the airport, we spent one day in Bangkok seeing the sights and shopping for new Rolecks watches. But after about 2 hours of the hustle and bustle of the city, we all agreed that it was time to get out of dodge. We caught a 14 hour overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai in the north. The was a nice ride with airconditioned cars and realtively realistic sleeping conditions. Still not adjusted to the time change yet (or maybe just because I am a natural early riser), I was up at 6:00 am watching the country side pass us by. There were rice fields galore with the occasional village of tin roofed huts. That quiet peaceful ride with the wind blowing in my face (the dining car, wasn't ACed) is currently vying for highlight of the trip for me. So now we are in Chiang Mai. Yesterday we pretty much did the city: night market, day market, temples, etc. etc. This morning, we leave on a 2 day/1 night trek into the jungle (what is the technical difference between jungle and forrest anyway?). The trek is to include a visit to native villages, elephant rides, a trip down the river on bamboo rafts, and (this is what I am really excited about) a stop at a few waterfalls! It should be a good time. So I had better go get packing. Sorry for the picture-less post. While traveling with the boys, I'm pretty much leaving the photodocumentary stuff to them. So far, they are doing a great job. I'll steal a couple from them for my next post. Also, be sure to follow what there is to follow over at brothersroot.com while Andrew and I are traveling together.

Tuesday September 19 2006

File under: travel, Thailand

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on Tue 19th Sep, 2006 02:24 pm PDT Saxtor said: Wren, are you an international spy who used a job as a javascript programmer as a cover for your real job, toppling southeast asian countries? I really don't know much about what's going on, but hopefully your trip will be uneffected. ************************ on Tue 19th Sep, 2006 11:10 pm PDT horge said: Wow! You've got some awesome timing, dude! Gettin' the hell out of dodge before the local sheriff's deputies decided to take over. Hope y'all stay safe. And flaunt your foreign-status if it proves necessary! ************************ on Wed 20th Sep, 2006 12:05 pm UTC Trista said: so a.. while ya'll were out playing in the woods... Bangkok went coup-coup coup-coup! ************************ on Wed 20th Sep, 2006 01:47 pm UTC Sara said: Hi...so, yeah, how is Thailand? Hope things are ok. ************************

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