I asked around the village if someone taught Muay Thai since the closest one is about a 30 min scooter ride.  Finally the English owner's wife from Bamboo Bar had a friend who taught Muay Thai.  She hopped on my scooter and we went to her friend's house.  Then he called his friend, "ladyboy" Muay Thai figher.  The wife went back to bar with my scooter and farmer's son took me to the gym to meet her.  Super nice, pretty, beautiful face structure, more feminine than me in mannerism and etiquette.  So decided to start the day after.  Her name is Nong Toom and she just recently built her gym for children and women to train since many gyms don't allow women.  Coincidence or serendipity that a "female" Thai champion boxer's house and gym is 3km from me.  And she makes training very fun and comfortable :D

Had my first Muay Thai lesson with Nong Toom, the "Beautiful Boxer" on 10/11.  Her movie trailer is here. I have yet to see the movie. 

 On way back, I got a little lost, since I can't read Thai and I don't even know where I live, just along the beach near Evason Resort.  

Scooting along the paved roads through farm lands, there was a lot of cow poo.  I was going about 50km/hr and couldn't get out of the way.  SPLAT. I felt a little on my sandals. Beautiful beautiful. and I'm lost. Am I going north or south? 
Finally saw Police Station sign for 5km and I kind of live near there.  Came to the familiar round about and knowing where I am, I feel safer.  

Told Pierre what happened and he said with his Frenchy accent. "Oh. You stepped in bull shit."  Thank you for describing that so poetically &  beautifully.  Ah, the joys of Thailand :)

So my everyday life consists of hanging out with these guys: 
J--instructor/Pranburi shop owner
Dee-J's wife
Jan-Canadian/Jamaican student #1
Pierre-Frenchy student #2
Mai-Pierre's gf from Laos
Manu-student #3
Pet- Manu's gf from Laos (Mai & Pet were co-workers)
Me-student #4

8 of us :D

My amazing mini trip is over and now back to base in Pranburi. First day no wind, and second day got out!!!

Here are some photos from the session.  Merci Pierre for the photos!

Learned to body drag upwind one handed today.  Hand out into the direction u want to go, kite at 2 o clock or 11 o clock and rideeee and glideeee.

Water in Pranburi is so warm-like onsen.  27 degrees.

After I picked up my visa from downtown Tokyo, I wandered about and bought a book for 100 yen at a used shop the day before my departure to Hong Kong and Thailand.  It still amazes me how that book landed or came to me, since it is a story about a Japanese traveler and his experience in Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia and Egypt.  He meets wonderful local people and gets to know them at a personal level.  Often the phrase, "hohoemi no kuni" is mentioned and I didnt understand until my trip to Ko Phi Phi and Krabi. 

After a week in Pranburi, I left for Phucket, a busy hustling town with a night life like no other.  We got lucky to stay at a hotel like quality hostel for 400 baht each at Bodega. Robin, the owner was super nice and recommended things to do in Phucket, except since it was pouring rain, we couldnt rent a motorcycle.  Or I didnt want to risk motorbiking in a hilly town.  

Karla and I headed off to Ko Phi Phi island by ferry and started meeting many nice people, who have a long list of countries they have checked off.  JCs look a like, gay MJ has traveled over 25 countries.  He was only staying 1 night in Ko Phi Phi, then taking off to Ko Lanta for 1 night.  Intriguing to listen to their travel stories, but I prefer staying in a town a little longer to absorb and feel the vibe of the place instead of town hopping.  Another 18 year old German boy grew up in Indonesia at an international school and taking a gap year before starting his university in Germany in industrial engineering.  His passion was windsurfing.  Kept running into him several times in Ko Phi Phi. :D

Anyway, the first generosity came when I was talking to an amazingly bright Israeli girl, whose name started with a B.  Her English was fluent and an American accent (from watching Friends and other American TV).  Around 1am, I got the nibbles and bought some yakitori poi food.  The vendor lady offered me a whole mango, but I mentioned I dont know how to cut a mango.....thereäs no mangos in Japan!  I offered her some money, but she wouldnt take it.  A generous gift, which I shared with the Israeli girls and New Zealand architecture boy. 
 
Second generosity came when I was looking for storage on the island for a night.  I asked around and finally the lady showed me to her cleaning facility and told me to leave it there.  She wouldnt accept any money so I paid for my first Thai oil massage for me and Karla, as her early bday gift. 

Then wonderful things started happening when I became less stingy and offering more tips when eating.  Met more wonderful people, more conversations, and somehow I ended up in Krabi.  

Also two people, Indian owner of restaurant, and Thai owner of guest house in their early 30s,  repeatedly has said that money is not important.  The Indian owner has a huge heart and has all he wants and needs, and just missing the woman to share his life with.  All he wants is "unconditional love, and love with a condition doesnt even have a chance."  He treats his workers with so much compassion, and cares for them like family.  Very giving in that way.  When I came by his restaurant after closing hours with the Muay Thai guys, he made sure everyone was taken care of food and drink wise, at no cost.  The gym was 3 stores down, so they have known each other for years, and on the island, friends are family.  A very giving fellow.

Super inspirational that was just awing is the guest house I stayed at was owned by a Muslim family.  The sister has been supporting a young couple who just had a baby.  They met a month ago and his sister is letting them stay at the guesthouse, cooking for her, giving her medical aid at no cost.  The new mother apparently had a C section and she has been in pain.  They have no family here, and are completely on their own, it seems.  I äm sure just having that femine friendship, support is such a relief for the new mother.  The baby is so tiny and precious.....I doubt they even have a camera....so I took a few photos, and ran to Kodak store to print a few photos for them.  It cost me about 30 minutes and 5 bucks...I hope they will cherish the photos.  But to have met someone and to offer everything, a place to stay, confort, food, to almost a complete stranger is just a bizarre concept to me, yet so inspirational.  

I hope I can one day give as much to someone in need, like her example.


Other than that, walking in the streets of Thailand, you have eye contact with a Thai person and they become so giggly and always smiles.  Especially younger school girls.  Just no reason, smile smile.  Met a lady who teaches English in Bangkok and she told me that Thai people like to have fun learning, so that they won't pay attention to boring lectures.  She had to create games and interesting ways to keep their attention since they always like to have fun: work or play.

On my way to the school, the houseowner was in the garden doing some work in his cute little skirt.  He said "Hello" to me with a huuuuuge smile and I replied "Sa wat dii kha?" (Hello) afraid I made a mistake on my accent so ended up with squeaky question mark.  He just started laughing and I didn't know his smile could get any bigger. Sweet guy.  Tomorrow I'll challenge myself to say Good morning "A run sa wat" and also Thanks "Khawp khun kha" KKK is Thanks.  So far it's been scary not to understand when they speak to me in Thai.  I'll have to be courageous to speak back little by little, and eliminate my fear of making mistake, because of course I will.  Reminds me of studying abroad in Chile.  I'll have to be comfortable feeling uncomfortable and go beyond my comfort zone.  Wasn't expecting to learn Thai, but might as well take advantage while I'm here for 2 months. :D

Second day in a row with no wind.  We tried going to cable park but on the way found out they are under construction.  Went to go check it out in Hua Hin and sure enough, the man made lake was dug up, and a new building for check-in was under construction.  A few hundred meters away, they were developing a few houses.  This is in the middle of nowhere, about 10 minutes from Hua Hin.  Apparently a Swedish owner of the golf courses was building the cable park, spending a good million bucks on it.  I don't know how they would profit since this area has foreigners that are 60+ white haired dudes with Thai girlfriends.  

Going to go try to check out cable park in Phucket with Karla. Phucket starting Sept 27
No kitesurfing today.  Just studying the workbook and DVD. 

They are making the road in front of the school wider and just put cement in front of the school.  Jans went to go write in it. I didn't want to leave my name so wrote Sushi, the can'ts name in Japanese.寿司 with a little tail.

There are so many stray dogs.  A puppy was making itself comfortable on the beanie couch as I was at school in the dark past 7pm.  I secretly gave some of my coconut biscuit and a little cat food. I wander where Sushi, the cat went.  I wander if the puppy will be there tomorrow.

First day out.  Jans drove me to school on his motorbike and I rode behind him.  Last time I rode was with Luis M behind his bike 3 or 4 years ago, so this is my second time.  Scary, but exciting 3 min ride.  Instructor Jay got my gear set up although I won't be using my gear for awhile, I'll be using the school's gear. 

Learned half day on trainer kite.  Then half day on 6 m kite.  Not so hard.  Learned how to set up strings, terms of bridle, strut, wind direction, pump air in.  Learned how to control kite, right, left. Tommy, another Swedish guy helped me relaunch kite when I fell.

Lunch at nearby. Mango shake yum yum.  Squid rice.  Jans got watermelon shake. Mine was thicker, his more like Mexican juice.

I arrived in Bangkok and my backpack popped out right away at baggage claim, so I have a good feeling about Thailand.  I ask the information lady how I can get to Southern Bus Terminal and she said by taxi or bus, but the bus you have to wait a long time. It was already around 8pm with a 3 hour ride to Pranburi.  I asked another information desk and the guy said Bus terminal is an hour away, best by taxi for 400 baht.  Or I could take the train, blue line until the end and then take taxi.  So I did that.  Amazingly the trains are modern and very efficient running above the city.  I noticed there are no advertisements, simple and clean.  The last stop came after about 30 minutes and I follow the people get off the train, and get on ground floor.  I grab a taxi, but the guy doesn’t speak English and doesn’t know Southern Bus Terminal. I let the taxi go.  After another 5 minutes I grab another taxi, a younger gentleman probably in his late 30s and he doesn’t know either.  I say “Bus, bus” repeatedly and show him Southern Bus Terminal in writing.  Finally he gets it.  It should have been an hour from airport, so I assume it’s a good 30 minute drive.  It was long.  I drift in and out of sleep, wandering if its ok to trust the taxi driver.  We pass many little temples, and a gorgeously lit big temple.  We drive for what seemed an hour and finally get to the termianl. About 220 baht.  I am greeted by a fellow who speaks to me in Thai.  No entiendo...I walk past him and another younger guy greets me.  I say Pranburi.  He motions to follow him.  I follow him into the building, upstairs to a booth.  He introduces me to another guy.  I get a ticket from the lady behind the booth.  I’m skeptical as wether they really understand Pranburi or if they just took my 200baht. So I follow him back downstairs, and I said I need to make a phone call.  He gives me his cell but out of credits. He buys 100baht worth of credits from 7-11.   We rush back outside and after 3 minutes of skepticism, the bus arrives.  A 2nd story bus but everthing is dark inside.  The guy I followed jumps in the driver seat and another man escorts me to the very back seat and gives me a blanket. Too dark to see the scenery outside, I fell right asleep.  We stopped for a rest stop, but I couldn’t leave my belongings, and didn’t need to use the restroom so fell right back asleep.  The man who escorted me to the back of the bus taps me and says Pranburi.   I pack everything and my backpack was stuck since the man in front of me was leaning his chair back.  I yank as hard as I could and I hear something fall....I search the bottom and nothing. I continue packing, clumsily put on my shoes and rush to the front seat.  The earlier guy who helped me get the ticket was still driving and he said  Pranburi. We passed the city sign and I see a bench, where the bus stopped.  All shops closed, no one around.  The bus takes off.  I have a 5 baht and 10 baht coin and try the public phones to call Jay.  Nothing. Doesn’t work.  I see I’m near Phakoot Hotel....I try again, nothing. I’m scared to walk alone, so I cross the street to Phakoot Hotel, where I ask if I can use the phone.  The lady looks confused, I point to her cell.  She calls a Thai man....who speaks little English. I have no idea why she called him.  She hangs up and calls J’s number.  Jay picks up and I am so relieved to hear his interesting English accent. (Later I find out he's from Sweden.) I fell bad it’s so late, but have no idea what time it is. I wait for Jay while being bit by mosquitos, reach into the pocket to see if I can offer the lady some money and fuck.  My steel wallet I just bought at HK airport from Mujirushi is gone. I had about 1800 baht. I feel so mad, as I felt I lost an mp3 ipod nano earlier.  ERRRRR. If I’d lost that much I could have taken taxi for 2500 baht. dammit. Negativity negativity....but it's only money.....and an mp3 that can be replaced.....I've been mugged before in Brazil and money and mp3 can be replaced, safety is important, lives cannot be replaced....I fight my thoughts. 5 minutes later Jay comes picks me up in a Toyota car.  It’s good to see some modernity. I feel relieved, that I made it.  It was pas 1am.  We drive a bit, dodging many stray dogs and finally get to a house where greeted by the house caretaker.  J shows me to my room, where there are 4 rooms total and living room.  Shared shower and bathroom with Jans, a Canadian-Jamaican who lives in Korea. 




I hit the bed and turn off the lights, I toss and turn and good night Thailand.

I traveled in Brazil with a duffel bag and a backpack, probably 60+L in total and definitely brought too much.  I wanted to make this 2.5 month trip to Thailand a simple, lighter load, since I will be carrying back with me a huge gear of kitesurf.  

I plan to carry on my backpack and not check in anything, which means I cannot carry liquid.

To Do:
1. Travel Insurance-www.hokende.com Google　検索
2.  Check if I need virus, immunization for Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, India
3.  Check out massage schools 5 days-1 week
4.  Check out hostels/CS to stay in Hong Kong and first night at Bangkok


To Buy:
1.  Macbook protection case.
2.  Thai converter
Found Awesome Travel Site
SEA Backpacker.com

Thanks to Chris's Travel Hack, I got 40k miles worth Alaska Airlines free!!! Of which I can use 25k roundtrip from Japan to Thailand for $100 in tax & ticket fee. woohooooooo

My travel partner in crime will be my Osprey Sirrus 36L backpack I picked up from Rappie, outdoor sport shop in Hakuba.
Tested it out on the staff trip to Shizuoka & Nagiso for 3 days and it's super light and comfortable with the mesh rack.  The mesh rack could be used as a pillow too. Also cute color :D  Most of all, I love the rain sheet cover that is hidden inside the pocket, a secret zipper where I could perhaps keep my important documents.  Check out my new buddy below! The price was pretty reasonable at 12,000 yen ($150).  But exchange rate was at about 78 yen to the dollar, and I was getting paid in yen.  





Learning Thai language