My first full day on Haad Rin was spent recovering from my first night. I poked around town, tested out some WiFi options in a pizza place and ice cream shop, and basically did nothing. As the afternoon rolled on, the beach filled up with people, though it was by no means crowded.
Around sunset, I descended upon the Mellow Mountain Bar for a Singha. I saw a guy who seemed to be on his own, and ventured to strike up a conversation. Warren was an engineering student and part time DJ from Cape Town, South Africa. He was feeling a bit down and out, I think, as his girlfriend with whom he'd been traveling in Thailand had already headed home.
We continued to talk over a second beer, and headed down to the beach at nightfall. Since he was only on the island for one night, he wanted to have fun. I was dying to puff some flavored tobacco from a hookah, so we set up camp and watched some fire dancers as more and more people filtered onto the beach.
As Warren didn't want to get a room for just one night, I offered him my porch, which he used for a few hours sleep before catching the first ferry off the island, the start of a long journey back to Cape Town.
A few months ago, I was all but sure I'd make it to South Africa, however as my money wanes, so too does my belief that I'll make it there. My current thinking is when it comes time to leave Southeast Asia, head for The Middle East – Dubai, or Cairo, depending on airfare.
If by some chance I do make it to Cape Town though, besides cage diving with Great White sharks, I have a new friend who offered to help show me around!
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Karl (from Dewey) says
July 29, 2008 at 3:40 pmHow was the “flavored tobacco”? Did you inhale? LOL :smile:
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Dave says
July 31, 2008 at 12:29 pmSeriously, it was flavored! Apple to be exact. And it was great….much more pleasant than smoking cigarettes (which I don’t do, for the record).
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Karl (from Dewey) says
July 29, 2008 at 10:40 amHow was the “flavored tobacco”? Did you inhale? LOL :smile:
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Dave says
July 31, 2008 at 7:29 amSeriously, it was flavored! Apple to be exact. And it was great….much more pleasant than smoking cigarettes (which I don’t do, for the record).
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Liz says
July 30, 2008 at 1:53 amSucks that you have to shorten your route and your travels. On a positive note it doesn’t sound like you’re feeling deprived.
I’ve already realized that my original plan was way too ambitious so I’ve lopped off the last third of the countries. If the money holds up who knows but at least I’m already mentally prepared to let some places go (for now anyways).
So how far off were you with your guestimated budget?
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Dave says
July 31, 2008 at 12:28 pmYes, and yes. With 8 months under my belt, it’s hard to be too upset with anything that happens from this point forward. With that said, I’d gladly take on south/east Africa if I had a sudden influx of funds from say, the lottery!
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Liz says
July 29, 2008 at 8:53 pmSucks that you have to shorten your route and your travels. On a positive note it doesn’t sound like you’re feeling deprived.
I’ve already realized that my original plan was way too ambitious so I’ve lopped off the last third of the countries. If the money holds up who knows but at least I’m already mentally prepared to let some places go (for now anyways).
So how far off were you with your guestimated budget?
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Dave says
July 31, 2008 at 7:28 amYes, and yes. With 8 months under my belt, it’s hard to be too upset with anything that happens from this point forward. With that said, I’d gladly take on south/east Africa if I had a sudden influx of funds from say, the lottery!
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Mark says
July 30, 2008 at 2:43 amHi Dave,
I defiantly would recommend to visit the Middle East – I was there earlier this year with a friend.
We visited a friend of us in Jordan and then my friends sister in Dubai. I stopped by my brother in Dubai for a two nights which is only a cheap 4 hour bus ride away from Abu Dhabi.
I liked Jordan better – Abu Dahbi and especially Dubai felt like the US on steroids for me. Everything is even bigger than in the states – Dubai is on big construction site of skyscrapers. Defiantly very impressive – but I enjoyed visiting the ancient site of Petra a lot more.
So far I have only a couple of my Jordan Photos up on flicker:
http://www.allovertheplanet.com/blog/photos/album/72157606448173503/20080423—Petra-Day-1.html
What about your South America plans?
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Dave says
August 1, 2008 at 11:51 amMark –
Thanks for the thoughts. I know nothing of Jordan, but am intrigued by the idea of visiting Petra. I think Dubai would be a quick thrill. It will all hinge on the cheapest airfare.
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Mark says
July 29, 2008 at 9:43 pmHi Dave,
I defiantly would recommend to visit the Middle East – I was there earlier this year with a friend.
We visited a friend of us in Jordan and then my friends sister in Dubai. I stopped by my brother in Dubai for a two nights which is only a cheap 4 hour bus ride away from Abu Dhabi.
I liked Jordan better – Abu Dahbi and especially Dubai felt like the US on steroids for me. Everything is even bigger than in the states – Dubai is on big construction site of skyscrapers. Defiantly very impressive – but I enjoyed visiting the ancient site of Petra a lot more.
So far I have only a couple of my Jordan Photos up on flicker:
http://www.allovertheplanet.com/blog/photos/album/72157606448173503/20080423—Petra-Day-1.html
What about your South America plans?
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Dave says
August 1, 2008 at 6:51 amMark –
Thanks for the thoughts. I know nothing of Jordan, but am intrigued by the idea of visiting Petra. I think Dubai would be a quick thrill. It will all hinge on the cheapest airfare.
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Bryant Knight says
July 30, 2008 at 4:41 pmGlad to see you with the hookah. I’m from a part of the United States where a hookah would get strange looks and possibly police attention, but I recently tried smoking it while I was in Sarajevo. Very enjoyable.
You may have already known this, but a warning just in case: Dubai’s airport is extremely strict about drug enforcement. Human rights groups have tried to intervene and warn people who travel there. A Westerner is there serving a four-year prison sentence for having a microscopic speck of marijuana on the tread of his shoe, and another is in prison because a poppy seed from a bagel in London’s airport fell on his shirt. If there’s even the slightest chance any of your belongings could have come into contact with any drugs, please be careful if you decide to fly into Dubai.
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Bryant Knight says
July 30, 2008 at 11:41 amGlad to see you with the hookah. I’m from a part of the United States where a hookah would get strange looks and possibly police attention, but I recently tried smoking it while I was in Sarajevo. Very enjoyable.
You may have already known this, but a warning just in case: Dubai’s airport is extremely strict about drug enforcement. Human rights groups have tried to intervene and warn people who travel there. A Westerner is there serving a four-year prison sentence for having a microscopic speck of marijuana on the tread of his shoe, and another is in prison because a poppy seed from a bagel in London’s airport fell on his shirt. If there’s even the slightest chance any of your belongings could have come into contact with any drugs, please be careful if you decide to fly into Dubai.
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Kango Suz says
August 4, 2008 at 10:56 pmYummy… apple hookah!
Bummer to hear that you’re cash reserves are not lasting as long as you thought they would. Hopefully you’ll still get to South Africa!
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Kango Suz says
August 5, 2008 at 3:56 amYummy… apple hookah!
Bummer to hear that you’re cash reserves are not lasting as long as you thought they would. Hopefully you’ll still get to South Africa!