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Meditating Monkey v Banana Babe
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Paul Salihli
Helpful Expat
Joined: Thu, May 25 2006, 13:16 PM
Posts: 269
Location: Salihli / Manisa
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great write up you 2, glad the sky train is up and running, it was half done when i was last there, and no sign of it ever getting finished due to lack of money,
are you both not flying back together ? Have fun!
PS is eather one of you gets into any bother let me know as iv got good thai friends there in bangkok.
CH knows the rest,
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| Mon, Aug 07 2006, 15:05 PM |
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maymunn
Expat Drunk
Joined: Tue, Mar 29 2005, 21:28 PM
Posts: 942
Location: In the hills
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 Day 20 - Grand Palace and Muay Thai
After the hangover and shopping hell of the day before, I rose earlyish at 10am and set off to see the wonderful sights of the Grand Palace. It is a huge walled compound containing about 30 buildings including temples and the Kings old residence. Spent 1 hour walking round in a photo frenzy, taking photos of the amazing colours and architecture. Visited the temple which houses the original 'emerald Buddha' but it was right at the back of the temple so couldnt get a truly great look at it. But it was nice to say that I had seen it nonetheless.
Also visited Wat Pho, which is next door. This contains a famous traditional Thai Massage school, so of course I had another massage from the professionals as it was my last day  Also, in this temple is a 47 metre long reclining golden buddha which was something special to see. After this, I walked back to the hotel to catch up on some last minute shopping before my final excursion of my holidays.
At 5pm, myself, Banana and Howard set off for the local boxing stadium for some Muay Thai boxing!!!! We had read in the 'Lonely Planet' guide that this was the best time to go. However, when we arrived, we were a little bit disappointed to discover the stadium about 5% full  It turns out this was more of a 'junior' show as several young teens took turns kicking the crap out of each other. Even so, as novices we enjoyed the spectacle.........me more than the others. We were in the 3rd tier at the back with the other foreigners, so I couldnt get in on the betting action  However, after befriending the beer boy, I managed to get him to bring his mate over from the 2nd tier below and managed to place a bet on the last fight. It wasnt like normal fighting odds (3/1, 10/1 etc) but a straight choice between the red corner and the blue corner. Obviously having no idea of the fighters abilities or form, I had a flash of inspiration..........ask the girl next to me which colour she likes!!!!  So red it was!! The red fighter then proceeded to get knocked on his arse 6 times in 5 rounds So, I kissed my 25 dollar bet goodbye............................................................or did I??? To my amazement, at the end of the fight, the referee raised the red fighters arm in victory!!! How the hell that happened I dont know. Maybe a 'home town' decision. But whatever, I was more than happy to double my money!! 
As we were leaving the arena, the guy whose money I had taken told us that there was another event starting in 1 hour, and these were adults and the real McCoy!! Banana and Howard declined and went back to Khoa San road to have a few beers, but I stayed on as I had the gambling bug and had already had a few beers. Plus it was my last night. So I went back in again (2nd tier and closer to the action this time) to find that this time the stadium was at least half full with locals baying for blood. The atmosphere was great, with a little band playing drum music and increasing their tempo in rhythm with the fight.It certainly added to the occasion. I had money burning in my back pocket, so found myself another Thai betting partner and proceeded to lose the best part of 100 dollars over the next 7 fights I won a couple of times, including betting on the only English fighter there who won his match deservedly!!!  My gambling partner was so happy to take my money that he kindly gave me a lift back to the hotel on the back of his motorbike
Got back to Khao San and met up with Banana and Howard again (who were pretty much wasted by then, as was I!!). Did some bar hopping and drinking of more local brew and finally went to bed about 4 or 5 in the morning.
Woke up and checked out late next morning for a breakfast and a couple of hours killing time before my trip to the airport.
My holiday, now sadly over 
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 12:09 PM |
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maymunn
Expat Drunk
Joined: Tue, Mar 29 2005, 21:28 PM
Posts: 942
Location: In the hills
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MONKEY MEMOIRS
Thailand
The people are wonderful and friendly. To have an argument is to lose face, so everyone is extremely polite. It was refreshing to find after coming from Istanbul where a lot of people can be argumentative and aggressive. It is truly a beautiful country, more so up in the hilly and more rural North.
Highlights
Visiting Wat Su Thep up on the mountain on an eerily cloudy day in Cheng Mai
Visiting the 'sticky waterfalls' and dicing with death in monsoon conditions on my little motorbike in Cheng mai province
My first Thai massage which was both painful and invigourating in Cheng Mai.
Seeing the sordid scene that was Pattaya, most certainly an eye opener.
Visiting the Grand Palace and seeing it in all its splendour in Bangkok.
Going to Muay Thai boxing and losing loads of money in Bangkok
Chang beer
Laos
Possibly my favourite of the two countries I visited. In many ways similar to Thailand but even more relaxed and welcoming. Is still in its infancy with regards to organised tourism and still gives a feel of being in area as yet untouched by the tourist hordes.
Highlights
Tubing down the river with a cold beer in my hand
A Mekong river trip and witnessing rural life as it used to be
The 'hippy commune' that is Vang Vieng with its local herb concoctions
The 'World Heritage' town of Luang Prabang. A town preserved in all its beautiful colonial and local architectural splendour.
The happy and friendly Lao people
Beer Lao
I had a lovely time during my 3 weeks and certainly feel lucky to have finally seen some beautiful sights in this corner of the world. Despite my initial fears and reservations before my journey, I found everything to be well organised and even managed to not have stomach problems until the final day!! I managed to see some great places but there is so much more to see!!! Maybe next year.....................................
Thank You
To all you guys back here in Istanbul who took time out to read my adventures and comment on them. It was nice to be in touch with friends back home and gave me the motivation to keep up the travelog for 3 weeks!!
One final thank you is needed.....................
Banana: Thank you so much for your kind invitation to see the part of the world where you feel is 'home' and sharing it with me. We managed to get through 3 weeks without too many disagreements and you were a pleasure to travel with. I hope you feel the same. See you back in the Bul soon babe.
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 12:41 PM |
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banana
Expat Drunk
Joined: Tue, Jun 14 2005, 17:31 PM
Posts: 600
Location: on top of a hill in asia
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khup khum ma ka! ahh thanks monkey - that is the sweetest thing ever
and i am glad you had a good time - and yes.. sometimes things were a bit tough and different but we made it through together and i had a great time
thanks for coming with me to laos - which i absolutely love
and taking me to muay thai (eep)
and seeing things that i have seen many times before in a completely different light
you were a good monkey - and i know that this trip was good for you
and me too
glad your flight home went well
as for me - i spent the day bronzing myself on Koh Tao ... after a not all too too bad bus ride
and after you left howard and i headed over to wat arun - my favourite wat in bangkok - he says hi by the way = and spent last night drinking with my toronto boy... i think he is trying to keep him bangkok so i can avoid him hahah
so - like monkey said - thanks to everyone who sent words of encouragement to the two of us while we were gone..
see you at the september meet up i guess. I plan to make it back sometime after the 21st
cheers all
_________________
Always do sober what you said you'd do drunk. That will teach you to keep your mouth shut.
Ernest Hemingway (1899 - 1961)
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 14:56 PM |
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AlSF
Expat Gone Native
Joined: Sat, Jun 11 2005, 21:47 PM
Posts: 1124
Location: 7 hills by the bay, ocean
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I'll read them when I get back home sweetie...I just thought I'd visit your thread and welcome you back. When are you coming back anyway? Citir is surely missing you. As well as some of us here. 
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 15:03 PM |
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maymunn
Expat Drunk
Joined: Tue, Mar 29 2005, 21:28 PM
Posts: 942
Location: In the hills
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ALSF: I'm in Çıtır (or maybe Beerpoint by the sea) tonite for one night only. Back off on my hols tomorrow. Am meeting Monsta and Rsa to show them my photos and stuff. You're welcome to come along too as I wont get the chance to see you again before you go.
I'm offline as of now but Monsta has my mobile number. Give me a call and I'll let you know where I am!!!
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 15:18 PM |
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Gilly
Currymeister
Joined: Sun, Oct 16 2005, 14:24 PM
Posts: 928
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 15:32 PM |
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AlSF
Expat Gone Native
Joined: Sat, Jun 11 2005, 21:47 PM
Posts: 1124
Location: 7 hills by the bay, ocean
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I have dinner plans tonight sweetie but Monsta did leave me a note she will be at Citir for take care of some monkey business. Just wanted to hear from the big ape himself
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| Wed, Aug 09 2006, 15:41 PM |
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brightbear
Expert Expat
Joined: Wed, Sep 28 2005, 23:02 PM
Posts: 401
Location: coming back to the bull...
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so glad u had a good time hun, cant wait to catch up......xxx
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| Thu, Aug 10 2006, 20:22 PM |
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