you down with koh phi phi??
yeah! you know me!!

Oh Pickles,
I wish we were all there with you.
Next time.
Let's all start saving now for next year.
sure

Well, look at it this way...
at least you don't have to look at all those spoiled nasty NYU faggots on cellphones at Opaline this Friday.

And don't you DARE say nuthin' bad about Phish!

"Oh Pickles,
I wish we were all there with you."

That gave me such a giggle, daddy, as I pictured all of you crammed into my tiny bungalow! I'm in Bangkok now. It's my last day in Thailand before being "catapulted" back across the Pacific. I've been out of computer reach for the past couple of days as I travelled south and way out to sea (well, 80km out) to the island of Ko Lipe. I think this was my favorite place, marred only by an annoying ear infection I picked up in Phi Phi after snorkelling too much, I think. But some penicillin and ibuprofen are getting me through. But let me backtrack a bit... So I leave Phi Phi (with aforementioned earache) and hop on a bus, well actually a minivan, for a 6.5 hour trip south to the coastal town of Pak Bara which is, to say the least, pas tres glamoureuse! It's basically the jumping off point for several islands at the southern tip of the Andaman Sea, on the border to MAlaysia- west coast sweetie, west coast. One night at the Diamond Beach Bungalows (crap) with a bunch of East Germans (worse) and the next morning I'm off on the 4 hour ferry to Lipe. The weather has been gorgeous with minimal rain in the afternoon cooling things down. Lipe is this tiny tiny island with a fantasic beach on its south side called Phattaya Beach (if I remember corectly). It's sort of like a gigantic cove and at it's most crowded there were maybe 5 people on the beach. More people seemed to be arriving as I was leaving because I think their season was just starting. But it was probably the nicest beach I've been to. Unfortunately, the ear thing kept me from snorkelling there so it was old-lady style breast stroking for me. I was meant to stay there 3 nights, but after 2, I felt I should begin my trip back north to Bangkok instead of having to do it all in one day and then get on the plane. Oh but wait, the best thing about Lipe (well 2 things)...The first night I arrive I'm taking a stroll down the beach and come across a small hut no bigger than a bus stop. It has a bar and 2 barstools. As I pause just to look, a man approaches to inform me "you come have drink. I'm open till 4 in morning." At this point I look up and down the beach- not a soul anywhere. (If John Knight had a beach party....BAH!) The other thing waas the "Police Station" which was basically a cardboard box with Police Station painted in white on it. No joke. Just a box on the beach, no fax, no phone, no clink...are you MAD?? The whole experience was very desert island discs. So left Lipe on Wed. morn to Hat Yai which is like the Philly of southern Thailand and then an overnight train to Bangkok- very Some Like It Hot, only my berth was clearly made someone Monroe's size and not Jack Lemmon. Oh well. Still, train travel is THE way to go I think. SO much more stimulating than an airplane or...minivan. Met 2 confirmed bachelors on the train who are taking me out to the gay clubs tonight for my last hurrah. I'm glad I got to spend some time in Bangkok after all. It's pretty amazing. So many cars, so many smells, so many sidewalk vendors, beautiful temples plunked in between falling down buildings (very Flushing World's Fair). It's almost as if it's been art directed to look like a city in slight disrepair. I say art directed because there's nothing depressing about its people; in fact there's this detectable hum that you feel out in the streets, day or night. You know this city is alive 24 hours/7 days. Thanks Missy for the Bangkok Hotel tip. I'm not actually at the Viengtang, but I'm in the Banglamphu area and it is very EV. Well, I guess this is my last report before I'm back in the states. I want to thank you all for taking the time to read and post in my little travellogue, but what's this 3 stars crap? Do I have to start ballott-stuffing my own topic? He he he. I hope everyone is ok, and I will see you all quite soon!

Smooch.

PS Americans-0, Gays-3, Lesbians-1, peace of mind-priceless.

I'm glad you loved it. You did far more island exploring than I have! Banglampu's fun. It's very Mortville-like... in a good way.

Have fun in Bang Cock.......

can't wait to hear all the details in person!

really enjoying reading all of this.... glad that you're having a great time!!