Alright, I just finished an arduous trek from Krabi Town, Thailand to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Ok, it wasn’t arduous at all, actually quite enjoyable. I packed my things and caught a bus, next thing you know it’s filling with interesting characters from around the globe.

The trip costs 900 baht and takes ~15 hours, the guy asked me what the lady quoted me at, I said 800 with a smile, he said 850, the trip was booked. I rode in a minibus for hours until I got to Hat Yai, Thailand, there everyone got out and it was just me and the driver, we drove and then he dropped me off. I sat in some office for 30 minutes until another bus came in the pouring rain, at this point I had left the “traveling rat race” and it was just me and people who call this place home.

Before we dropped everyone off, I had the pleasure of chatting with some ladies from Sweden and Ireland. It was pleasant until this guy came in the last seat between us and he wreaked of body odor. To make maters worse he sat with his arms open, the smell could only be described as “rotten onion”. I had the displeasure of having a kid with bed bugs sitting next to my luggage. We’ll see what happens there. I thought I’d be on another skidly (sic) bus like the one from Bangkok, I was wrong and the trip was much more pleasant and safer than say for these people below. Notice how they are all smiling though?

Left Hat Tai, I’ll mention now I had ~50 baht total left in Thai Currency, I did not want to hit up a machine and having lived like a gluttonous king for the last month, I thought it would build character to see how others, less fortunate live.

I get to the border and I’m kinda nervous as I’m a scruffy burnt out traveler, I get to the booth and the guy looks at me, looks at my passport and points to the customs office, at this point I got a little stressed. Last thing you want is trouble at the Thai border, yes?

I get in and they say I’ve overstayed my welcome in Thailand, turns out I came in 2 days earlier than I had thought I did and my visa had effectively expired the day before. I do the math with the lady over and over again and yeah, I was due to pay an “over stay” fee. The fee is 500 baht a day or ~$17US. I only had 30 baht at this point so I had to walk through this jungle of kiosks to a sketchy bank machine and withdraw some cash. I paid the fine and went to the Malaysian Border. At the border the guy gave me a 90 day visa, I thought we only got 30 day visas? I’m not complaining. After that they have these X-ray machines, they just let me walk right through.

Arrived in Pennang, Malaysia at about 8PM, again I was the only guy on the mini bus when we got there. I immediately ran into the driver of the next bus, a large coach. He was super cool and answered all my questions.

At about 2AM local time, I arrived in Kuala Lumpur, the driver just pulled over and this was my stop, in the middle of some street, not many people around except an army of over zealous taxi cab drivers. The driver explained to walk straight for ~500M then pick a hotel.

I did as told, telling many cab drivers “no thank you” and arrived at a hotel, the hotel didn’t have much but it would do. Found a place that wanted 45 ringgit a night. $1US is ~3ringgit. I told him it was already 2 am and if he had a room I’d take it at a discount, we bargained and came to the price of 30 ringit or ~10US, perfect. This is why I did this trip, rolling into strange cities at random hours, not knowing anything or where to go, it’s exhilarating, it makes you feel alive and most certainly, grows your “comfort zone”.

The room was no frills but it did have a clean bed and a window. I dropped off my stuff and went for a walk. Before checking in I ran into this guy who said the party district is near so I went to check it out, along the way I saw so many police, pulling over motorists, I kept walking, finally I realized I had no clue where it was, it was 2 am and I was dead tired. I retired.

Woke up a few hours later and immediately went looking for another place, you see I need wifi, internet is my insulin. Found a place for 50 ringgit a night or ~$16.666 a night, that’s ~$500 a month, awesome. This place is clean(except for the chair), I have a window, it’s got air con and free wifi on a secure network 24/7, heavenly.

Next to it, they have a dinner where it’s like a buffet, you take as much as you want, I eat like a king and had a can of lipton green tea for 13 ringit or ~ $4.33US. They are most certainly going to get to know this gentleman. Next up, I found a plug adapter for ~3US and am buying a sim card which is incredibly cheap.

So far, I absolutely love Kuala Lumpur, the place is incredibly clean, so much so that I always look for a place to properly discard my cigarettes, also there are police everywhere, constantly writing up fines. I have yet to walk anywhere that I can’t see a police officer, the place is very safe feeling and the majority of the people speak English. That being said, this is NOT the place to act the fool, seriously.

In short, I plan on staying here for ~1 month or until New Years depending on what some friends in other cities are doing. This place is perfect for me to relax, work on the internet, live for ~$30 a day and get caught up on what I love, making passive income streams and investing in equities.

Thailand was great fun and I’m truly glad I had a 1 month tear there, the people I met I’m sure I’ll stay in touch with for years to come. I mean if I had the opportunity to start it over again and see where it led me, I wouldn’t. I couldn’t of asked for a better month, partying and traveling with better people. I have so many great memories from Thailand but it’s good to be back to myself, someone who likes to just hang out, play on the web and live like a king on the cheap. So many people said to skip Malaysia, I’m glad I don’t listen to most people.

I’m exhausted and totally burnt out, I’m going to take a day nap, eat some curry and then do whatever I please.

Good day,

P.S So many people read up on where to stay, where to visit and miss the most important part! Who cares about the tourist traps or a guy who paid the author to include his hotel in a book, learn PROPER ETIQUETTE and the rest falls into place.

P.P.S The more I travel, the more I realize what I need in life, I love having a little room, with wifi and total freedom. That’s what’s important to this gentleman. When I had a 3 bedroom home, I still spent 95% of my waking time in the smallest room in the home, my office.

Update: Gotta love Facebook, yes? A lady I met from England in Thailand is also in KL, meeting for drinks later. Those who did these treks before the internet missed out on a ridiculous number of possible connections and reconnections.

I sit here, massaging my most magnificent moustache (sic) at 9:11am in Krabi town, Thailand. I sit here, eating the spiciest chicken ginger of my life. I had the same for dinner last night and my “sickness” evaporated, as if into thin air. I asked a local lady through a series of charades which demonstrated me having a sore throat, glands etc. She replied “smoking sickness” or something, I nodded.

Decisions, decisonz (sic) what to do, what to do. If I leave tomorrow, I must catch the 6am to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia or I won’t make it to the border in time. I’ve found numerous routes to possibly go and will inquire momentarily. Basically if I’m going to leave today, I have to hustle in about, oh … 20 minutes to catch the 11 oclock. I am still not sure but starting to believe the trip is 24 hours by bus, not 12. That sounds like a death drive where you’re certain to dive deep into dreams while devilish, diseased derelicts dive deep into ones pockets, yes?

I’ve heard stories, oh I’ve heard stories. At any rate, should I go on this bus, ok I’m going on it, I’ll lock my big back and keep my small ‘valuables” bag close to my chest. I’ve heard stories, oh I’ve heard stories.

Some stories include but are not limited to: Buddy passing out, waking up with all his quality stuff stolen, someone gassing a bus and stealing everyone’s stuff (seems far fetched), getting your stuff ripped off from under the bus, when you stop at one of those stations, you see someone who lives there does the ripping so should you become aware, the items are gone, like dust in the wind. If someone working the bus had them, it would be much to heat score, yes? Also, don`t assume it is local people stealing your stuff, travelers who don`t `budget properly`are notorious for this type of low life, petty theft.

On this topic, do you ever dig “deeper” and think why, what, when, where how for things that could possibly affect you? That or do you just look at the surface like going through life watching a television program unfold before your very eyes? Have you ever thought of the statistical probabilities of what you’re doing? Have you ever stopped to think, for a moment that there are billions of people, doing billions of things and everything everyone does in some way affects your life and everyone elses?(Same for animals and all creatures) Ever thought while driving how many separate “instruments” have to be in perfect harmony for the “symphony” that is the highway to work?

I’m assuming no, even though I loathe assumptions.

Last night was chill, I brought my laptop to the deliciously divine dinner I described above and … ran into some cool people. Next thing you know, a train of touristy travelers ran a train on my laptop. What a surprise, meeting cool people in Thailand, what a concept.

Next thing you know we’re out and about and having a drink. It’s always crazy to see the enthusiasm of people when they are ~24-48 hours in Thailand. I remember my first days here, well parts of them, and they were most amusing.

Didn’t sleep well at all last night, I got the last room and it was a fire trap. I simply can’t sleep well in fire trap’s aka rooms with no windows aka if there is a fire at your door, your #$%@ out of luck. I did however find the nearest exists but it’s easy to “assume you’d run them” until they were in smoldering heat. Accidents do happen and this gentleman has had his house burn down, not cool, people jumping from second floor windows and what not. These things actually do happen, back to the whole “do you ever dig deeper, think of statistics” part of this update. Don’t be a fool, don’t sleep in firetraps, ok?

For some reason, this fire trap was giving me nightmares of this haunted house near a baseball diamond where I grew up. I remember once, I hit a ball into the back yard, I hopped the fence and “the hounds were released”. Until you’ve had hungry hounds, howling at your heels you don’t know what it’s like, I digress.

Good day,

P.S So many westerners treat the local people like nothing, barking orders acting like total douche bags while donning burlap with a face full of metal and other undesirable materials. If you travel, don’t be that person.

I sit here, with the sobering and sinking sensation that I’m getting sick. A few days ago it started, I fought it off with some oregano oil and gargling with ocean water. Now I think it’s gotten worse. The kind where it feels like you have a dagger in your throat and your glands are burning, not so cool.

I went out last night, said my goodbye’s and passed out. I awoke 3 hours later, shivering, freezing. No more air con for this character, whenever I put it on at night, I wake up so incredibly cold it’s not worth it. The only time it’s great is during the day when you go from smoldering heat to a virtual icebox.

Caught the ferry from Koh Lanta to Krabi Town, on my way from the ferry I ran into this guy pushing luggage, we started chatting, told him where I was going and he asked if I wanted a free transfer “indeed” I replied. Got to my guest house and got what could only be described as VIP treatment, there was a line of people to get rooms, they all remembered my name, grabbed my bags and escorted me to my room, not my “fav room” but it’s taken and this place is completely sold out. I effectively got the last room which, sadly, doesn’t have a good wifi connection. Not sure how much the room is either as they never asked for any money, they said we could settle it when I left.

Taking the bus to Kuala Lumpur or from here on in, KL. It’s ~12 hours or so and half the price of a plane. I could go plane but… I came on this trip to see the world, not airports. Also, I enjoy pushing my “comfort levels” to the point that one day, I’ll be comfortable anywhere, anytime, doing anything. You follow?

Passed out for a while, when I arose it was Tesco Lotus time. Tesco Lotus is like a Wal-Mart here, only with more. Things there are incredibly cheap and don’t be shocked if when you get there, you’re the only person who speaks your language there. That said, the deals are incredible and I’m freshly stocked on white t’s, white socks and some other rando purchases. Typically I’d take a metered cab but I asked the lady how she would get there, she said she’d lend me a bike but I still don’t know where it is. As a result I took my first local pickup-truck cab today. The lady who filled me in on something I was unaware of did me a favor, as a result I bought her a loaf of banana bread. They asked if I wanted some to which I replied “no thank you”. Truth be told I eat so much of the “free samples” I’m kinda off that.

You stand by the side of the street, when you see a red pickup truck coming you flag them down. They charge based on length of trip, I went “the whole distance” so to speakand it only cost me 20 baht each way. Typically I’d pay ~70 baht one way and thing I “did ok”. The way back was different, no stop nothing, so I crossed the highway and flagged the driver down. It’s weird when you don’t know where you’re going, if you’re on the right cab and a host of other questions you’ll get the answers to in time. Kinda like buying stocks, hopefully you believe in where the company is going but until it gets to the destination, you never know what’s going to happen. I thought metered cabs were the way to go, wrong.

When you write everyday, you begin talking to yourself sometimes as though you’re writing, lots of the time it’s what you think is gold. Then you sit down in front of your PC and it becomes a struggle, there has to be an easier way.

As much as I miss the beach, the resort, the people, the parties, I’m really glad to be back in sleepy old Krabi Town. When in these types of places, it brings you back to reality instead of the fantasy that is the resort. It also motivates you to do some work, some business or something like that as you see others hustling, day and night, to a larger extend then yourself, for a smaller wage.

I’m going to miss Thailand, I’ve had an incredible month, visited incredible places and met some incredible friends. Truth be told, I didn’t even know about the islands, nothing. I just winged it when I found out I was going to LA and didn’t feel like paying $100-$200+US for a night. One thing I do know, without any doubt is that I will be back to Thailand. The people here are so incredibly happy and kind it’s unreal. Everyone is always smiling. Also the people you meet at resorts, don’t assume they all live “around there”. Most of them are actually incredibly special, extroverted people who come from all around the region. One of the resorts I stayed at had people from Laos, Burma, Cambodia and Thailand… Not everyone can stay up late everyday, wake up early each day and be in such an incredible mood that it’s contagious. If you suffer from depression, just visit Thailand for a while, you’ll leave smiling, if you aren’t smiling, go back to your Dr. and tell them you need to triple your current prescription.

I think I have to leave tomorrow, but may be able to push it one more day, it’s just if I pass the border even ~1 hour late (I’m getting that close) there could be fines, considering I’ve had ample time to leave, it would be akin to paying interest on a credit card, something that just isn’t right in this gentleman’s mind.

If you “truly” want to escape, like you are a workaholic, want to leave everything behind and just forget about the world? Try Koh Jum or something that sounds like that, on the way to Krabi, several times we stopped and longtail boats came out and docked up with the ferry, then people got in and out. There are still places in Thailand where electricity is recent and you can find beaches where the only tracks are yours, seriously. They are also considerably cheaper. I’d like to go to a place like that, but then how would I login to the internet? Met a guy from France who spent the last 2 weeks in a bungalow, totally secluded, right on the ocean, for 200 baht a night or ~$6US.

I’m off to eat a big dinner that is so spicy it will burn out any “whatever” is making me sick.

Good day,

P.S I saw the gentleman rowing below in the middle of the ocean, you think you have it rough when you get a flat? Or your car doesn’t work? Try being in the middle of the sea, having your engine die and rowing a boat a few miles to shore, puts your little “mishap” into perspective, yes?

P.P.S If you have a surplus of cash, YOU NEED to get it working for you. “They” want you to leave it in some GIC at bs %. The only way to be free in this world is to get the point where your $$$ works for you. You trade your time for $$$, why not trade your $$$ for more?

Ok, I got like no sleep last night. I stayed back to “rest up” but instead I fed my internet addiction like a glutton at Christmas dinner. Every family has that “glutton” the dude or lady but usually a dude who eats like 3 full Xmas meals then finds themselves rolling on the ground in distress, I digress.

Went to bed at 4am in this fine place called Krabi town. At 10am my phone rang, it was a friend from Bangkok saying “Man, I should of stayed in Krabi longer, I’m bored a shiz”.

Moments later, I’m awake, for good. I check my facebook and my crew is like “Are you coming?” to which I quipped “Yes”.

I had already passed my check out but I went down and said “Hey, if I buy a ticket from you to Koh Phi Phi, we can ignore the late charge”, “most certainly” they replied.

I frantically ran to my room and began packing, wow this room was dirty for only housing the likes of myself for 2 days, beer bottles, bags of chips, ham and cheese sandwich wrappers, cigarette packs, water bottles and other things that elude my memory.

I packed, checked for all my “expensive things” and looked for the key. WHERE IS THE KEY!? At this point the ferry is leaving soon and I’m going OCD looking for all my thing and now I can’t find the key.

Finally I say it has to be in the garbage, so I’m going through disgusting garbage, can’t find it. Look around and say “it’s gotta be in the garbage”.

I rummage through this massive bag of trash and in the bottom of a dirty and disgustingly delicous bag of chips, voila, my key. How did it get there!?!?

Now I’m eating an omelet, ode to the omelet, I love omelets. Onion, bacon, tomato and cheese thank you very much.

Yeah, off to Koh Phi Phi, heard the place is sick from everyone and who would I be NOT to go visit paradise when it’s only a ~1-3 hour ferry away?

I was staying at P. Guest House in Krabi, write that down, P GUEST HOUSE in Krabi. VERY cool people, very clean room and very inexpensive.

I could of stayed longer but I looked at the calender and I’m running out of time. Furthermore I have great friends ON the other side of the world (here) that are like “Yo, you coming?” I know I most likely won’t be this lucky the entire trip. Truth be told, as an overly extroverted specimen on this planet, I much prefer chilling with people than alone.

I like being alone, for a tiny bit but then straight back to the party.

I wish my feet weren’t covered in blisters, my vintage Nike’s are starting to smell something fierce from wearing them 24/7. Flip flops are the alternative but they butchered my feet. Oh well life’s alright when that’s your biggest concern.

God speed,

P.S: Supposedly they filmed the movie “The Beach” on Koh Phi Phi, never seen the movie so wouldn’t know but that’s what I’ve been hearing.

Krabi Town, Thailand

For the last ~8 weeks, I’ve just been going full and constantly chilling with new people and going on new adventures. It’s been great and I’m thankful for it, however, this energizer bunny or “Robo Cop” if you will, needs to recharge his batteries. As a result, I am spending a few days just chilling in Krabi Town, Thailand.

I’ve done nothing today, I mean nothing, even making this update has seemed like a “chore” and my mind is mush. I’d leave to Koh Phi Phi tomorrow, but today I was much too lazy to get my laundry done. Typically I don’t like associating my clothes with those of others. Why you ask? They don’t use hot water and if you were a dirty skid with bugs, fleas or some other dirt related annoyance, wouldn’t you get ALL your clothes washed? I’d rather just buy new clothes, I found white t-shirts in 7/11 for 67baht, ha.

When you travel with a group of “new friends” you don’t realize how much fun it was until you’re not longer with the group. If I wasn’t in dire need of a few days of “just relaxing, doing nothing styles” I’d be with them on Koh Phi Phi, probably laughing with a drink in my hand as we speak. Hopefully I’ll be able to see them again, as many of them are “traveling for a while” as well.

I’ve spent the day becoming one with a bed, watching BBC news, playing on the internet and smoking over-sized hand-rolled cigarettes, from my balcony on the top floor. Life is good, dare I say life is grand right now. I have free wifi, hot shower, private bathroom, cable TV and a top floor room with a balcony for 300 baht or ~$9 a day. Not as nice a view as my last place but wifi in my room is priceless.

It’s crazy how when I went on this trip, I wanted no return ticket, EVER, because if I had one, I’d feel guilty for doing nothing. When I went on this trip, I had no “must go do’s” to be honest, I pictured myself doing what I’m doing now, “nothing”. Nothing, with no time-lines, no commitments, no responsibilities, nothing.

I really like the fact that the only “appointment” I have is to be “out of Thailand” by the 19th of November, apart from that, I’m a free agent. It’s like being on summer vacation when you’re a kid, only school doesn’t start again and you’re an adult, so you can do what you want.

It’s funny how you can have all these great trains of thought all day but then when you come down to write something, suddenly there are no trains at the station.

P.S It’s “Movember” aka “Moustache (sic) November. There has never been a better time to rock a sick moustache with pride.

P.P.S: I *think* I can hear a bar nearby, one where awkward westerners donned in burlap or “playing the fool” dressing in traditional “Thai gear” from the 15th century  go to sing along to their favorite metro-sexual singer like John Mayor, Simple Plan, Ricky Martin or my favorite “John Cougar Mellon-Camp”. Disgusting.

Next Stop – Koh Phi Phi, at least for now