Thailand Paradise

After 8 days of complete relaxation in the Paradise called Thailand I’m back in Shanghai. My Dutch friend Stefan is here with me and he is my first ‘official’ visitor from the Netherlands. I’m very happy that he is here and although my holiday is really over and I have to get back to work now, it feels that it’s a ‘special’ time now my friend is here in China. We came just back yesterday evening. We had a nice dinner (fish Hot Pot) with Michiel and Rosalie and after I showed Stefan some of the buzzing night life here – which he was excited about.

Thailand was totally relaxing. I flew to Bangkok, where the riots had finished (thank god!). Thailand provides very easy traveling – everybody speaks English and the country is totally focused on the back packing tourist. In Bangkok we stayed at the backpacker’s area called Kausan Road. This area consists of a couple of streets packed with restaurants, bars, (night) shops and street stalls. I saw drunken backpackers everywhere on the streets and Thai lady boys walking around– definitely not Shanghai anymore. We survived the night without any problems, and decided to leave Bangkok for what it was and go to some quieter place. There was just time to see one big beautiful temple (there all the same anyway as I heard) before we took of in the night buss to the South.

The next day we arrived in Railay, which is a beautiful beach close to Krabi (South Thailand). Railay is definitely one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen in my life. It’s a total paradise, but a touristy one, although not packed with people (yet). Firstly, low session in Thailand has just started and secondly, Railay is not yet discovered by the masses. It probably will soon, and become the new ‘superstar’ of Thailand. In Railay Stefan and I had a nice and relaxing time consisting mostly of beaching (I totally got burned), swimming, eating and drinking. We both preformed some songs in the local bar, known as The Last Bar (and yes, it is the last one on the island).

We hooked up with a couple of Germans in Railay and joined them to Kao Sok, a place next to one of the National Parks in Thailand. We stayed in a beautiful Treehouse resort; where the houses were literally build in the trees. We had to very enjoyable days here that consisted of scooter driving, jungle tracking, swimming, canoeing and good food. The holiday was definitely short and although Thailand supposed to be cheap, I spend a small fortune. Right now (and especially after last night) I’m physically quite exhausted, but mentally I feel rested (that’s what holidays are for, right?).

Stefan is still on the bed, but when he is awake we’re going down town to make him a suit and do some sight seeing. Tomorrow he will be on his own, because I have to focus on the preparations for Harry Starren’s visit. He will arrive already next week. So again it’s time for business, it’s business time.