Sawasdee Bangkok !

Not many are aware, that Thailand is the second largest economy in the South-East (after Indonesia - and not Singapore). One glance at the infrastructure explosion around tells the story behind the numbers. Tons of flyovers make traffic smooth flowing and mostly you end up viewing the city from a 50-feet level. Our limited glance at the various corners revealed a humble-struggling Bangkok behind the rich-n-shiny one. I guess that's a characteristic behind every major city in the world.


Bangkok's Ocean World is an aquatic park right below a shopping mall. Part of a world-wide franchise run by the Australi-based Sea Life group, this is a heaven for any growing-up kid. Complete with Octopuses, giant crabs, Penguins, Stingrays and Sharks, this is a must-visit place for tourists. I was quite amazed to see the collection of aquatic life captured here - including micro-shaped tadpoles and sea-horses. Bangkok also offers great viewing of its animal life collection through the Safari World.

But one must appreciate the money-making ability of these folks. Once you are out from a ride (elephant/dolphin/bird/whatever) - you'd be swarmed by folks who'd have clicked your photographs while you were enjoying the show and once the show is over, you could have that framed picture with that alligator at a price! As one European visitor observed - "these people would extract the last juice from your wallet" !

However, my biggest accomplishment from the tour has been the visit to the Bridge on the River Kwai. Immortalized by the 1957 movie, the bridge is located in Kanchanaburi - at the Myanmar border. Why is it significant? Of course the movie. But also because of the fact that this railway (also known as Death Railway) was planned to be the chief transporter for carrying cargo till the India-border, which would be used by the Japanese to attack British India. The Allied forces bombed and destroyed this bridge in 1944/45. The remnants of the original bridge lies in the War Museum alongside.


There is a nice little walk-way alongside the meter-gauge railway track. Only two trains travel during the day - and most enthusiasts catch the morning one from Bangkok. During our walk, we were lucky to catch the train arrive. A nice little piece of antique, the train was, I felt, as it chugged along and arrived at Kanchanaburi.

I have started to like this little place. I think I will visit this place again :)

Krabi - how clear can your water be? (Watch the Video)

Among all locations in Thailand, Krabi is quite well-known for its amazingly crystal clear water. Should I say blue? No - I think its turquoise green. Now, to get a glimpse of how blue/green the water is, you don't need to come to my blog - pictures are all over the internet. But something that's out of the ordinary is the magnitude of aquatic life that you get to see right on the beach - yes, you read it right - right on the beach ! Have a look at the following short video shot while I was standing on the beach with slightly-over-ankle-water.

Krabi explored

Krabi is actually a region (and not a town as many think). The most populated town here is Aao Nang - where most of the hotels are located. The beach at Aao Nang isn't that impressive, though it isn't meant to be that too. The best way to look around Krabi is to take a speed boat and go for a tour of some neighbouring islands. The most famous of these islands is the 'James Bond' island (famous after the 1974 movie Man with the Golden Gun). As described in my blog yesterday, these are essentially large limestone rocks, protruding out the sea at various places. I think Krabi has hundreds of them. Most of these are disintegrating due to climatic change and corrosion.

Some of these islands offer great opportunities for Kayaking, cave explorations and rock climbing. 

I wasn't particularly happy with our folks who took us out for this "4-Island tour". Unplanned things and an uninformed itenary ensured our team was not 100% prepared for everything. The sultry weather added to the discomfort. Was glad to be back in our hotel and relax by the cool pool.

Smooth ride to Krabi

Considering that our trip to Krabi was to start at 12, we had some good time to explore our humble surroundings in the morning. Bangla street - clearly seemed to be recovering from its hangover from last night. Compare it with a Sunday morning Tantra - you wouldn't find much of a difference.

The road to Krabi (from Phuket) seems custom-fit for a self-driven motorcar. Three and half hours, and you are in this small little sea-town that is clearly much quieter than its wild cousin. So far just had a nice evening stroll, but already have started to get the feel of a peaceful Mediterranean touch.

The 24/7 sea-town comes alive!

One of the prime attractions of Phuket is its tour to the group of islands known as Phi-phi Islands. These are a group of independent, solitary-standing rocks (mostly made of limestone), sticking their necks out from the middle of the sea - thus forming a group of islands. Nature, winds and salty water has slowly carved out the bottoms of most of these 'islands', thereby reducing the longevity of these natural rocks. Chances are high that in a matter of another couple of decades, you might come back and yet not find them. 

But what needs to be mentioned here, is certainly the 2-hour cruise journey from Phuket, that takes you very near to these islands (you can't get on them, though these could provide perfect venues for rock-climbing enthusiasts. 

In my previous blog I had a lady written about Phuket's attitude to play the perfect tourist-attractor's role, through its sense of professionalism. Our day and night strolls also made us feel that it's quite a safe city too. 

But first - our dig at Phuket's scuba-scape - was quite well organised. It was our tour of Phi-Phi Island that led us to this scuba trip. Personally it was my 2nd scuba adventure (the previous one being at last year's Havelock). I found the water a bit cloudy (but maybe we weren't at the perfect location). But even then the variety of fauna that was on sight - was fantastic ! Schools of Nemos amidst corals breezed past us. 

Night life in Phuket needs, well, a separate blog altogether (and I'm pretty sure there are plenty). That's because there are plenty to be written about. 

The hot-spot seems to be the Bangla street that leads its way to the famed Patong beach. Couldn't really risk it with the family but the atmosphere was absolutely electric.

Scuba Diving off Phi Phi island

I tried to capture the various shots under water to prepare this short video.

On changing flights and Phuket

Late night back to back flights have made everybody super-exhaustive. Just look at these two boys on the way to Phuket.

Phuket is a typical South Asian small town. Chilli Salza is not the kind of hotel I'd really dream for on a vacation, though it's quite colourful from the outside. We did make sure that the day wasn't been wasted. Para-sailing and some swimming was definitely on the cards. 

But all the dreariness, I believe went away with the evening show - Fantasia. Well, I must tell you I had kind of underestimated Phuket. Firstly, the variety and the exuberance easily puts in the league of the Disneylands - only at a fraction of the cost. We were told the show was to start at 9 before which we could spend the evening 'leisurely' at the park. Ah - who'd really care to 'roam around in the park' if you are undersold a surprise? So we had taken it a bit casually - and were truly walking away 'leisurely'. And boy, it was cool. I had underestimated the show too - having experienced the Moulin Rouges, I was in no impression at all. It was fantastic to see how the animals were 'tamed'. Forget the elephants, even the hens (!) were walking along in tandem and the doves flew in 'a' direction. I must also say that Fantasia is managed extremely professionally and is bound to draw a positive appreciation from every visitor. 

At the Airport

At the airport - all of us. Waiting to board the plane and the kids just can't wait for the trip. I have a video (which I shall upload later) where Aditya actually gave a live somersault in excitement.

Packing

Maha Shasti !

The dhaaks and the dhaakis have taken over the cacophony of the city. When we were kids, Pujos were flagged off on the Shasthi. Better economic sense prevailing over the last twenty five years have ensured the green lights going out right on Chaturthi (a couple of days earlier than old-times). Holidays have shrunk though.  A cool two-week holiday in schools have given away to a two-day holiday in workplaces. 

Between the two of course, the former always takes precedence- specially when you have kids on board. Just a day to go and packing hasn't yet picked up speed. 

On the drawing board

The days are flying off the shelves - fast. The kids are getting super-impatient while the not-so-kids are busy wrapping off work. Puja is round the corner too - the 'feel' is already in the air and you can feel that certain autumn glow around. 
Her Highness should be arriving next week. But our appointment with her should be limited to a couple of days this year - as from Saptami night (21th), we'd be in Siam.

The meeting with Anmitra babu was short but effective. Final plans have been drawn, revised and finalised over a few cups of coffee. Seemed like brushing up the lessons at the last moment - exam days were reminded - the itenary seems to be in everybody's minds now!

Meanwhile, its a gala time for the kids. Detailed discussions (which are far more intricate than we the elders might be chalking) are already on, I am sure, inside their classrooms. Seats have been pre-booked - who's going to grab the window seat? Sourya or Aditya? (a lady has already reserved her seat to Phuket though).

Can't wait !