Dearest readers, especially to Carol and Leishia, who has been following my blog dedicatedly, please understand that I’d love to put all my thoughts and pictures online, if only if I have home connection. I don’t, and hence, have to rely on very unreliable free wifi spots to put everything on.
I’ve been lagging for quite a bit. Maybe for now, I’d try to put less pictures and more words. For those who are eager to sees, click on my Photo Gallery link. It’ll be easier. At least I don’t have to crop and resize images. But just for one last time, here are some photos accompanying my stay in Bangkok.

I’m currently in Bangkok, couchsurfing with a very nice girl named Pip. She gives free hospitality and couch surfing a whole new definition. But before I arrive there, let me tell you the tale of my adventure in a chronological order. I know it’s lame, but I reckon it’s easier to understand.

When I first arrive in Bangkok(this time round), I spent a day with Mike before he flew off to Koh Samui. Yes, the same Mike from Austria that I met in Hanoi. My overland journey from Hanoi took me two days to arrive in Bangkok while Mike flew and arrived a day earlier. And because we couldn’t bury the memories of Hanoi, we felt that we absolutely have to meet up. We did-at 6am. Hahaha! Anyway, we had a good time eating and shopping, before Mike had to leave for Koh Samui.
After that, I moved from the stale playground of Khao San Road to the ultra modern and swanky Central Business District of Bangkok: Sathorn. Pip lives in a one-roomed apartment and she offered me her couch. Actually, it was more than just a couch. She gave me loads of toiletries sample, dresses, and fed me well. Her bookshelves are bulging with good books and excellent magazines. She let me use her iBook. At the moment, I live in a live of opulence. Yes-young and urban Bangkok yuppies are stinking rich. Having said that, Pip’s extremely modest and cool. As a strategic planner in a reknowned advertising company, she’s incredibly intelligent and well-informed. But is she like one of those executives who live and breathe advertising just for the glamour of it? No-far from that actually. Pip’s very involved with some local NGO’s and despite the fact that she has spent half of her life abroad, she’s still very much Thai at heart.
Pip’s apartment

Pip’s a food and culture aficionado. She knows of the best places to wine and dine: the little secret gems of Bangkok, tucked away in corners that we never seen. One day, she’d ask, “Ying, do you want to have a taste of heaven? This raw crab served at Thanon Luang Suan, is soooooo magical! And oh, if you want buckets full of sashimi, I also know the best place to go.” Best of all, it’s not terribly expensive.

In a very cool cafe called Shades of Retro, Thong Lor

And as we suckle and chew the bits and pieces of seafood, she’d say suddenly, “Do you know wintermelon in Thai is called Fuck? And oh, when I was in London’s boarding school, I make sure I have a tub of seafood sauce with me. Screw cheese and farang food-all I need is spicy and sour seafood sauce!”

Mike had the opportunity to couchsurf with Pip too. I asked Pip if Mike could stay over when he gets back from Koh Samui and Pip responded with a: “If your friend doesn’t mind the floor, I’m alright with it.” Well, even I don’t mind the floor, so I doubt Mike will. Besides, Pip gave him a very comfortable pillow and had him sleep on a thick duvet. He even got a stuff dog for company-how’s that for trying to make you feel at home?

Mike and his puffy pillow

Anyway, I think I’ve got enough of ice-creams and watching DVDs. Heather (also I met her in Hanoi!) lent me 200 pounds so that I can get by in Europe. I got my tickets reconfirmed. This time, there should be no mistake.

Amsterdam, 4 July 2007, 1.30 am.
Flying on Egypt Air.

Wish me luck. And yes, I’d probably just have only 200-300 pounds with me for the journey.