Final Reflections on Bangkok

1. The people here are super nice to the point of becoming servile.

 

2. Sometimes you can't tell if it's a man or a woman you're talking to.

 

3. Las Vegas has never seemed so tame to me. The streets are CRAWLING with prostitutes in certain sections here - you would think it was legal. Nearly every other couple you see is a white guy in his 60s with a Thai prostitute in her 20s. Walking down Soi Cowboy last night, I was groped by many a working lady. At first you really want to judge these johns, then you think, "Well, it's two consenting adults - let them have their fun." Then you see the guy's wedding band and you're back to judging. We got a good tip from my parents not to check out any live shows.

 

4. Even the bad food is good.

 

Soi Cowboy

Howdy. We are having not a disagreeable time here in Bangkok, the city of Thai Alicia Keys.' Great temples and shopping and tons of very friendly people. It's actually a nice change from poverty-shocking India and not too bad a transition from the Maldives. You can buy an orange Lamborghini at the mall. Tonight we might brave Soi Cowboy. You have to check it out, at least. Right? L8erz.

 

 

Pix Now Available!

Please check the links to the left for the first exciting photos!

P.S.

For some of the first wedding photos, check out our Facebook profiles!

Dogs With Wings

Imagine yourself sitting beside an infinity pool that overlooks a beach and crystal clear, pale blue lagoon. The empty, sandy beach is almost pure white and bilious white clouds roll closely overhead. A gentle, quiet Maldivian brings you a cold, damp towel that smells intoxicatingly of eucalyptus and grapefruit. Trance music softly lullabies in the background while a soothing sea breeze whispers promises through palm trees of absolute freedom forever.

Suddenly, a giant bat launches itself silently from a tree top and begins circling the pool menacingly. It's wingspan is somewhere between two and three feet and it's round, limpid eyes search for food...or a victim. It swoops down and skims the surface of the pool - most likely for an insect - a mere 10 feet from two splashing German tourists. Only you seem even to notice.

Well, our amazing time here on the island is almost up - we have a 1 p.m. flight from Male back to New Delhi, followed by a four hour flight to Bangkok. It's been real. Really good. We're sad to leave but looking forward to Thai adventures. Christmas is an extremely foreign and incongruous concept to us right now.

S

Bliggity Blog

-Stew acts as scribe for Dana this entry-

 

On Thursday, after fabulous breakfast with Brangelina and their six kids, we enjoyed a speed boat ride around the atoll and awesome snorkeling with sea turtles and trippy fish. We were accompanied by two fictional characters from Pedro Almodovar films, Paco y Catiana, a 65 and 53 year old couple who are in such great shape and so full of life as to make us seem like beached whale sharks. When speaking, they constantly sound as though they are plotting someone's death. [Editor's note: Catiana has the best bod I've ever seen on someone over 50 and wears scandalous swim suits to show it off.] Catiana shows up at breakfast in a sequined top and a silk one-piece jumper. She wore $25K earrings when we snorkled together. They both love Obama, so we love them. The rest of our days are pretty much spent deciding whether to go to the pool or take a nap. Somebody is constantly bringing us cold towels that smell like eucalyptus and grapefruit. Yesterday, we paddle-boated out to a nearby island. This experience reminded Stew of how thankful he is we're not going to be doing the bike ride through Cambodia. In the evening, we had a yoga class followed by an all-you-can-eat Japanese buffet. In two days we're heading to Bangkok, but we're looking forward to two more days here first.

More Maldives, Then Bangkok

I just saw the biggest bat in the world. The thing was four feet tall and 90 pounds, easy. In the middle of the day, too. I watched it fly into a treetop and then climb around on the branches like a MONKEY. Disgusting AND awesome. Went snorkeling today for the first time, which rocked. I saw these amazing purple, yellow, and green neon-striped fish, among others.

 

So, the new plan: we stay here an additional three days and then head to Bangkok for four days after things settle down there, which will give us an extra day to chill in Delhi before heading home. No bike trip, but that's OK with me.

 

Nivea sunscreen in the Maldives: $47*

Billabong t-shirt in the Maldives: $85*

Three additional days in the Maldives: PRICELESS

 

We're really happy about being here longer, as we're just settling into the place now. We can't afford it, but then, who can. Dana really wants to take an egregiously priced boat trip to swim with dolphins and sea turtles tomorrow. We'll see.

 

*TRUE.

 

S

No Bangkok/Thailand?

We just received back-to-back emails from the bike tour company in Bangkok, the first saying the trip is cancelled, the second saying it's back on because the airport should be open by Friday. We're both pretty much in favor of not going at this point, mainly because of the 250K people who will be trying to get out while we're flying in. IF the airport actually opens, that is. I'm pretty excited about staying here for four more days, but Dana says she only wants to do two more. Something about needing to do "something cultural" and "learning something." I told her she can learn how to snorkle and windsurf here, but she seems unconvinced of the value. It will suck somewhat not to make it to Thai/Camb, for sure, but I'm pretty happy here. We may just end up back in Delhi for a few extra days, unless we can come up with another alternative. I'd like Dana to be happy with whatever happens. Suggestions?

Maldives

Herrow, fwends. We made it here to the Maldives, which are retarded. We had an easy flight to Sri Lanka and then a 7 hour layover during which we were able to sleep on the floor of the Executive Lounge. Then, a quick hop to Male, Maldives, followed by a 45 minute seaplane ride to our tiny island paradise in the Indian Ocean. Retarded. The dinner buffet is ridiculous - we had lobster tail and five desserts. The water is crystal clear blue and our bungalow is built over the lagoon. We're on "island time," one hour ahead of India, which gives us an extra hour of daylight. We've already swam with huge blue fish and seen baby sharks and hermit crabs. Totally awetally. Tonight, walking to dinner, the moon toenail lined up with two stars to form a perfect smiley face, which we are certain was intentionally arranged for us. It's not looking good for photos and videos before we get home, sorry! The only bummer in an otherwise excellent situation. Oh, and craziness in India and Thailand. The wait will be worth it, though. We're fully expecting cute puppies and kittens waiting for us in bed when we get back to the bungalow.

 

Aloha,

Stew & Daner

P.S. Bangkok

We're due to fly into Bangkok, Thailand on Dec. 5 and are hoping a peaceful resolution is reached soon. We may have to change our plans and just keep hanging in Maldives/India. Exciting times.

Sri Lanka

We're here in the Sri Lanka airport at 1:38 a.m. waiting for our 7 a.m. flight to Male, Maldives. This airport is way better than the New Delhi one. We're chilling in the Executive Lounge with free tea and cookies, internet, and TV. Sadly, I was unable to obtain a power cable for my Mac in Delhi, so it may be a while before any pics or video go live. Total bummer.

Hopefully, someone in the Maldives will have one I can borrow, or something. I promise the wait is worth it. We had such a great time with everyone in Delhi and are wishing safe travels to all. We'll definitely have to plan for a reunion. I and others made ridiculous spectacles of ourselves at the wedding, dancing like idiots to Justin Timberlake. Good times, and oh-so-many photos. We were a little worried about the band we hired when they started with Celine Dion and the Eagles as dance music. Fortunately, the DJ took over soon and played a few from our extensively compiled list of ultimate dance music. The food was awesome and the atmosphere magical, complete with an abundance of good souls.

Wedding

Hi Friends,

 

We just experienced the most marvelous ceremony that was truly beyond our expectations. There are TONS of photos and videos just waiting to be uploaded to public space. The situation is this: in the two weeks of packing and anal-retentive planning for this trip, I forgot to pack the power cord for my Macbook. So, now my battery is dead, which makes it hard to upload the AWESOME PHOTOS AND VIDEOS I've taken! The plan is to score a power cable tomorrow in New Delhi and then finally post some visuals while we're in the Maldives. We had a fantastic night tonight with friends and family! I have a new appreciation for the Hindu wedding ceremony and experienced timeless connection with humanity via the auspicious proceedings. Dana was a fabulous bride. Amazing to share the experience with our friends on the other side of the planet.

 

Love,

Stew

We're OK!

Hey, friends. We're perfectly fine here in Delhi. We had to cancel our trip to the Taj today because the border security would have been too arduous. But, we're going to make due by spending money in Delhi. Others of our friends need to check their email, so I'll sign off! I SWEAR video and photos are coming!

More Varanasi

OK, time for the first truly descriptive blog. We woke up at 5:30 this morning and took a boat out into the Ganges and watched devotees bathe and do laundry in the holy water as the sun came up. Again, got some great pics and video, but you'll have to wait a bit longer to see them. The pictures will do way more justice to this place than my travel-addled prose ever could. I've taken 300 photos since I got here two days ago, and they are all "mind-bottling." It's hard for westerners to fathom just how old this place is and how little life here has changed for 1000s of years. At the cremation ghat, there's a fire used to stoke the cremation mounds that been buring for continuously for 1000 years. Since WAY before we came up with "Just Do It." Yesterday we went to Sarnath, where Buddha delivered his first sermon in the 6th century B.C. Our guide gave me a leaf from a clone that's growing there of the very tree Buddha sat under while he lectured. I talked to Dana this morning and she said everyone has arrived in Delhi and is doing well - I'm looking forward to getting back to the farm for a little peace and quiet. Hari Bol!

Varanasi

One thing I didn't anticipate when setting up this blog was being totally brain-fried every day aftrer 4 p.m. due to jet lag. I'll do my best. I'm here in Varanasi, the REAL India, getting my brain-fried mind blown. Toured the cremation ghat and saw the Ganga Arati tonight. We have tours set up for tomorrow. I took some cool pics tonight, but it'll be a while before I can post them. That's it. I'm done. Sorry.

Break on Through

Howdy Friends,

Well, we made it here with relatively no hassle, except for the golf clubs Dana brought for Daboo having been waylayed in London, where they still are now. Otherwise, ROCK. We're even pretty well rested, having slept about 10 hours last night after a first day of zombieness and struggling to stay awake/coherent. British Airways is pretty decent. I'm totally paranoid about getting Delhi belly since I've gotten it the last two - and only two other - times I've been here. And, so, what do I do the first day here? Went to the mall and ordered an iced coffee. With ice. Not good. I only had one sip before I figured it out though, and no nasty repurcussions. Delhi is dustier and smokier than ever, but the farm is lovlier and more verdant than ever. Suresh has already cooked us up some bitchin' grub. We have it good here. This afternoon, I'm off to Varanasi to meet with my Dad, step-mom, step-sister, and brother for a few days of Ganges dippin.' Dana's going to stay here and help prepare for the wedding (like a good wife. KIDDING.). I've taken some pics and a few videos that I hope to upload in the coming days.

Aum, Shanti, Stay Chilly,

Stew (and Dana)

Welcome!

Hello Friends,

Thrill to our marital exploits in a faraway land! We'll post as often as we can, we promise. There's a link to Stew's flickr set of photos, too.

Aum, shanti,

Dana & Stew