22112010 : Fight Night

I did warn myself before the trip that when I'm in Indochina I would definitely be eating a alot of beef pho. Yes I did have pho for supper every night. But how can one not when it is like comfort food and the beef is so awesome that the flesh gets seperated clean from the fats just by sucking at it.

Simple looking but packs a punch

Time for bus '11' again to Wat Phra Kaew and this time the place was closed again. So guys don't believe them when the guards tell you that the temple will open the next day. However I snucked in behind the guard just as they were busy rejecting people from entering and managed to spend a few minutes inside part of the temple grounds before being politely escorted out ;p

It's evening and time to board bus '11' again to the Ratchdamnoen Stadium for muay thai fight night. Upon arrival I found out that foreigners have to pay 1000, 1500, 2000 for 3rd, 2nd and ringside seats. A lady was trying to hard sell the ringside one to me but I also found out from her that locals only pay 200/400 for 3rd and 2nd class. So I decided to venture out a bit to approach a local to buy me a ticket at the local price. Was unsuccessful for the 1st few times because they did not speak a word of english, till I somehow managed to meet on of the fighters for the night who was strolling into the stadium at that time with his manager. I told the manager about my intention and he immediately he said no problemo!

The fighter's named Jun and he has been training since 8 and now he's 24. With close to 200 fights under his belt, his calf muscles were insanely huge hahaha! Met an Aussie guy and Canadian lady who were from the same boxing gym as Jun. 10 of small talk later the manager returned and got ringside tickets for 1200B. He said it was not possible to get the 200/400 ones. So I'm thinking:"Ok at least I save 800B and pay 200B more from 3rd class to ringside. Fair deal..." Nights like this don't happen often so even though it was expensive, it should be money well spent. Fights in the beginning were nothing spectacular and the betting action among the locals were much more of a spectacle! It was Jun's turn and he managed to knock his opponent out during the 1st round with a punch to the abdomen. Nope/... I definitely do not want to be on the receiving end of that! While I was walking to the stadium earlier, a guy in the street wanted to sell me ringisde ticket for 3000B and he claimed that it was from the tourism office and I would have to pay 4000B if I bought it at the stadium. Too bad this chap chose the wrong guy to target because if I've learnt 1 thing from my travels, it would be never trust someone when they approach you like these.

This is just a small crowd of bettors

Thank you and goodnight courtesy of Mr. Jun

2 of the better fighters of the day.

21112010 : "You PEAR Monehh! You PEAR!!"

This morning i snoozed my alarm for 30min despite 11 hrs of slumber. It was as if the bed had grown into my body. Went out for a quick meal before I boarded bus '11' again towards Wat Phra Kaew. Unfortunately there was some VIP attending a ceremony inside and it was closed to the public for the day. Roads were blocked off for the Rolls Royce and Merc to roll in. Talk about arrving in style... Ended up at Wat Pho and visited the reclining Buddha and the architecture around the site was pretty impressive I have to say. It is also the oldest and largest Wat in Bangkok.

Strolled around after leaving and i chanced upon a bike kiosk which was renting bikes out for free. All you need to do is to give them your ID but they only took a photo of mine because I mentioned that I intended to return the bike at another kiosk. Finally got to alight from bus '11' and rest my legs. But less than 20min of cruising I ended up with a 'koyak' back tyre which I did not know how.

No 1 : I did not know where the hell I was because I had not destination in mind and wanted to just cycle around.
No 2 : I had to return the bike by 6pm and it was already 445pm
No 3 : I didn't know where to return my bike

Perfect scenarios for FML.com
Well.. they did mention that it is not an adventure until something goes wrong right??
You can ask me for the details next time but this was what happened 2hrs later :

I managed to wheel my bike back to a kiosk near my hostel all the way on the other side of town.
The ladies working there wanted me to pay 150B for the damage I caused but I was reluctant to do so.
One of the, threatened to get the cops involved but I stood my ground and made their supervisor make a call the the boss and he said that it was alright.
I walked away righteously without paying a single cent and went to 7-11 to get myself a deserved magnum.



Rarely do you roads of Bkk so empty





 

Inside Wat Pho





Checkers with bottle caps



The bike kiosk




Did not exactly bring a smile after 20min









The reclining Buddha



 

20112010 : Be careful what you wish for

Flood? What flood? But just as this thought came into my mind as i stepped out of Hualamphong station, the heavens opened its water tank and it started raining elephants and giraffes. Fortunately is was just a 20min downpour and i manage to get on my way after that.

The infamous tuk-tuks here are not as aggressive as i thought they would be. The ones in Sri Lanka will honk and stop before you every chance they get. If you're hell bent on not taking a taxi or tuk-tuk, the winning formula is a polite rejection accompanied with a mega watt smile. Immediately after that ask where the bus is with your mega watt smile still on your face and your muscles starting to quiver and ache. Hahahahaha! I know it works because 30 sec later I was waiting for bus 53 to take me to Banglamphur for 7 Baht.

Bangkok traffic was being Bangkok traffic and I shuddered at the thought of being in a metered taxi. Quick half hr in an internet cafe and i found myself in one of the best hostels I've ever lived in. It's 440Baht per night for the mixed dorm which is bout 19SGD. It's really upscale and expensive for me as I was hoping to aim for 12SGD and below. But this hostel by the name of 'NapPark' along Thanee Rd is really Legen - wait for it! - dary!

The key to it's rooms is a wrist strap with a magnetic chip in it and you have to scan is like an ez link card outside your room before you get access. Double deck beds each equipped with 2 powerpoints, a fluorescent lamp and a mirror to make sure you get to correct your 'sibei cui' outta bed look before you walk out. Sheets and blankets are of 5* hotel quality and did I mention room service in the afternoon which they'll tidy your sleeping area, tuck in your sheets, blankets AND fold your clothes that are lying on your bed! Curtains and blinds are so strategically well placed that it's very conducive for Lala Land. On top of that, unlimited Wifi which explains the frequent updates here. Staffs are superb and although it's really exp for me, I think I need to treat myself a little better because from Tue night onwards, it's gonna be urban jungle no more!

Check them out at www.nappark.com
You might want to consider this awesome spot when you're in BKK yourself! 

19112010 : Malaysia Tak Boleh!

Time check : 1410hrs
Location : Few hundred metres from shore on the agonisingly slow ferry from pulau penang to Butterworth
Train timing : 1420hrs

I'm thinking, sjdgfsdagfsdukagf! Not again?! I should have held my pang sai till i boarded the train but the thought of having to empty my bowels in the KTM cubicle made me walk back to the hostel. Only thing to do now is to compose myself with some Luther Vandross.

Time check : 1417hrs
Location : Jetty!!!

I was just hoping that the train would be late(as usual). True enough, the train was not even on the platform yet. Pheew... If i had missed the train, there wouldn't be anymore for the next 3 days! Thanks KTM, your lack of punctuality is much appreciated this time round.

Time check : 1750hrs
Location : Here lor..

It's been 1.5hrs since the train stopped due to an engine failure!! Best thing is we're in the middle of nowhere and I'm starved! The train officer say there will only be food for sale when we reach Hat Yai. It's ok, this young jedi has just upped his level of patience to level 5728342354 now. Meanwhile the only thing to distract myself from the hunger is to watch the family opposite my bunk devouring their home cooked fried rice, chicken and tau sa pia!

18112010 : Speed Of Sound

Customs Officer (CO) : "Benjamin?"
Me : "Yes Sir, that'll be me."
Co : "Where're you heading?"
Me : "India by overland."
Co : "For how long?" *sheepish look
Me : I'm not sure!!"
Co : "Well good luck to you then."
Me : "Yea I think I'll need some of that please."

With that I went through the the glass doors of Woodlands Checkpoint and boarded the bus towards Msia customs. During that short 10 min ride, i tried to put to words the emotions i felt as i was finally outta Singapore. To put it in layman's, it would be like a caged bird which finally get to fly out for migration.

"I could get used to this feeling!" I thought to myself.

Consecutive weeks of work has been justified and my near zero social life a month prior to the trip has been well endured and invested. Meanwhile I have another 12 hours before I get to sink my teeth into Penang's kaya toast!


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Bliss as the sweet and salty taste of the butter kaya toast melted in my mouth. I'm in Georgetown now sipping my Kopi peng in a 60's looking coffeeshop. The fried beehoon and kway teow is as plain looking as you see elsewhere but your tastebuds will think otherwise. The bus only took a little over 7hrs to reach Georgetown despite stopping at KL and Ipoh. My mind is completely blank now, my tongue will do the thinking...

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If you're planning to go budget, be prepared to walk A LOT! My skin looks like it just had a long make out session with the sun. Roads signs and maps don't tally sometimes and the only thing to do is to walk back again! Not many pictures were taken because I din feel the "form" and inspiration. The near 40C heat din help either. At least i managed to hunt down some good food namely the Beef Kway Teow at Chulia street, 'Lao Po Bing' in sambal belachan flavour with dried shrimp bits inside. and Toh Soon cafe which served the famous kaya roti. too bad my camera batt died because i failed to turned it off! Some walkabout pictures of Georgetown:

My crib for the night. 4.5/5

Peranakan Museum

Murphy's Law

So here I am still stuck at Sillypore with a wasted train ticket and a toned ab from laughing too much at myself. Past few days have been feeling a little under the weather and last night got home a lil too late to rest for a while and pack.

My train was scheduled to depart at 2230 hrs and i just jumped into the cab with buddy Cloud at 2215 hrs. Minutes earlier i had just left my train ticket in my room!!! It was pandemonium at it's epic best. My backpack wasn't even clipped properly and everything was spilling out by the sides. While on the cab i was going:"Uncle full steam ahead! Chiong ah! Steady uncle, can make it one!" A little optimism doesn't hurt sometimes;p Till we realised we're still at buona vista @2226hrs. That's when i knew realism has to kick into gear.

Nevertheless I was still quite calm and I couldn't stop laughing at myself.. At least I din miss a flight because i got the dates wrong*ahem* Ended up repacking my gross looking backpack and went to crystal jade horlan V for dim sum and congee to sooth myself.

Tentative plan now will be to depart from JB, either by bus or train. Till then stay tune for more chronicles of wanderlust!

ps* If you don't know what murphy's law is, just hit it up on google.