Koh Samui is south of Bangkok and in the Gulf of Thailand, it is an island, Maenam Beach. I liked it much more than Phuket. Less busy, nicer people, slower paced, more relaxing. I really didn't do much except relax. The only excursion I did was snorkeling. The water in the pictures is from Koh Tao which are the small islands. Three little islands connected by white sandy beaches....gorgeous!!!! The water is amazing, the snorkeling was better in Australia on the Great Barrier Reef. Here, there are clumps of coral, but did see lots of sea cucumbers and parrot fish, angel fish too. One little guy must have thought my ankle bracelet was a shiny metal lure, bc he was nibbling at my foot.
I have to type fast bc I am at the airport in Bangkok on my way to Africa!! I go through Addis Ababa. Where is Addis Ababa? Ethiopia. Where is Ethiopia exactly, next to Yemen, near Samalia. Right. I had to look at a map on Google to get any idea where I am going. 24 hr trip, piece of cake compared to my 36 hr trip to Australia. However, I have no accommodations yet. I tried for 4 days to book it, Zanzibar Hotels don't seem to accept credit cards, only US cash. And they don't book online. I may have transport for the airport, maybe, to where? not sure. We'll see. Kinda freakin' out about it, but at this point, go w/ the flow, it's just high season in Zanzibar now, very busy. Also, had to cash advance credit card here in Bangkok for US dollars, bc there is no ATM machine in Kilimanjaro to spit out US currency which is accepted in Africa. Credit cards are not really accepted, but traveler's checks are, so it's a good thing I cashed all of mine in Holland. Great. Can someone wire me money? :)
Research on world economies:
Where am I exactly? What is going on here? Feels like an Asian Mexico, great beaches, tourists, cheap products, poor....
First World: US, Japan, Germany, Canada, Europe, Australia.....class determined by Human Development Index HDI, literacy rate, poverty rate, life expectancy, gross national income (the purchasing power an individual has)ex: US/$114 per day, 3rd world/$1.60 per day.....
Second World: Former communist socialist, industrial states, influence from the Union of Soviet Socialists. Romania, Hungary, Russia, China, Cuba, N. Korea
Third World: term coined from Cold War, countries not aligned w/ the West or the East. Worst records for political rights and civil liberties. Lots of African countries, most actually....Mexico, Thailand. Big gap between rich and poor. called "developing nations" now, first, second, third worlds is old school lingo...
Mexico: exports $240 billion in products per year
Thailand: exports $104 billion in products per year, less than half of Mexico.
I think this is bc Mexico has US and Canada close by who are big consumers of Mexican products.
By the way, Textiles is a CLOTH industry, I didn't know that actually, it's not the small tiles you put in your bathroom! (i didn't really think that, just a joke)
Important for trade bc very labor intensive to cultivate the fibers, spin and weave.
The Thai language to me sounds like nails on a chalkboard, I hate to say that, but after a while, it does wear on me, not a soft language.
Lots of white men here w/ Thai ladies. hmmmmmm, they had to come all this way for a girlfriend? right.
I needed a haircut. So I gave myself one, pulled into a ponytail on the top of my head according to my cousin Shauna, trimmed away. Looking pretty good actually. If someone is going to mess up my hair, should be me. Traveling Holly is not a beauty queen anyway. No make up, wrinkled clothes and probably dirty, hair in a pony alot etc.
Flying Lantern--same principal as a hot air balloon, but about the size of a keg of beer, I saw them flying through the air at dinner and inquired. Used for special occasions, light em up and they lift up and catch the air.
Of course I had to do one, make a wish at lift off and watch it until it disappears. Several people appluaded and watched it from the restaraunt. I was jumping up and down, clapping, cheering bc it barely took off, then just at the perfect moment, lifted over the palms and headed to see. It was awesome!! I smiled all night and until I went to sleep. Not sugar plums in my head, flying lanterns, special wish too.....
Caught a couple cute frogs that came out during the rainstorm, about size of a quarter, picked em up and had to check them out. Poked a stick at a dead jellyfish too, that's just what I do I guess. Have to investigate.
I am glad I came to Thailand. I am also ready to go.
Sawasdee Kaa.
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