Day 47-51 : Amazing Thailand -- Bangkok & Koh Samet 第47-51日: 梦幻泰国—— 曼谷 & 沙美岛

*First i would like to apologize for my English ... if you don't feel comfortable reading, you are free to stop ... thank you。

满怀期待地，终于到了曼谷火车站。还好飞利浦曾经在曼谷工作几年，所以对路面交通十分熟悉，随着他的指示我顺利到达Imm fusion Hotel.　从On Nut BTS 下车走路５分钟就到，而且Tesco也在旁边，十分方便。这家酒店装横不错，充满中东色彩，价钱也中规中矩，一晚1000泰株左右。他老早就在洗衣间便烫衣服边等我了，无可否认地，见到时心中一片温暖。泰国酒店就是好，大多都有提供自助洗衣服务，投几个硬币就能洗衣及干衣，所以真的不需要带太多的衣服去旅行。

I arrived Bangkok Lamphong Railway Station finally. Luckily Philippe worked in Bangkok before so I arrived the Imm Fusion Hotel easily with his direction. The location of the hotel is very convenient and easy access, just 5 minutes walk from On Nut BTS Station and the Tesco is just next to the station. I like the fusion design of the hotel and the price was reasonable too, it's just around 1,000 Baht. He was waiting me at the laundry area, i felt warm and happy to see him again. One good thing about Thailand is most of the hotel provide self service washing machine and dryer, so do not need to bring too many clothes to travel. 

曼谷其实也没有什么好记录，后来他自己出门办点事，而我就洗洗这几日的臭衣服，然后约定时间在SIAM PARAGON见面午餐然后去找照相馆。惊讶地见面时他递上了一顶鸭嘴帽给我，因为听说我在琅勃拉邦丢失了我那顶旧帽。当然，心中是蛮感动的，这就是老外的贴心吧？后来找到了照相馆印了他要预备展览的照片后，吃了午餐我们又回酒店休息了。曼谷这次比较有噱头的还是当晚的晚餐。

There is nothing much to write about Bangkok actually. after i arrived he went out to do something and i washed my clothes, then we met at SIAM PARAGON for lunch and went to find photo printing shop. I was very surprised and felt touched when he past me the new cap when we met, after he knew my old cap was lost in Luang Prabang. After we printed the photo he need for his exhibition, we went to lunch then back to hotel to take a rest and ready for the next plan , which was more interesting experience to record here.

Cabbages & Condoms ——一家有趣的泰式餐厅。这家餐厅为非盈利社区团体Population and Community Development Association (PDA)所开办，积极推广泰国的生育计划。我们约了一起去沙美岛的泰国小妹及一位法国朋友在这里晚餐。也许为了配合老外的舌头，这里的食物味道尚算一般，即使如此，听说这里开了多年还是门庭若市，大概人们是为了这里的避孕套慕名而来吧。这里四处有大大小小的避孕套装饰，小至灯饰大至圣诞树等等，气氛还蛮不错的。我们愉快地共度了晚餐，也约好了明天车站再见。

Cabbages & Condoms, a very interesting restaurant which was conceptualized in part to promote better understanding and acceptance of family planning and to generate income to support various development activities of the Population and Community Development Association (PDA). We were having dinner here with the ladies to go Koh Samet the next day and a French lady. Their food was moderate, there are a lot of customers most of the day,i guess they came for the unique of the restaurant and their condoms. There were many condom's decoration in the restaurant, lamps, Christmas tree and dolls. We had our great dinner on that night.

 

去沙美岛可由曼谷Ekkamai的 Eastern Bus terminal。单程收费一人１５７泰株，附一瓶矿泉水及零食一包。大概３个小时半到达Ban Phe的码头，再由码头搭船去沙美岛。沙美岛位于曼谷东南部，并非大家所熟悉的苏梅岛。（很多人听说沙美岛都在此确定是不是苏梅岛，以为我发音错误）船程大概４０分钟到达酒店地点，再由一个四方形的小艇渡我们上岸。本以为这小岛并不著名，应该不多人，想不到还是布满了游客。我们入住的酒店Malibu Resort尚算可以，价钱是有点贵，１，８００泰株一晚，过后到附近闲逛，相等价钱也有其他不错的度假屋哦。就是沙滩嘛，所以也没什么看头，海岸上的晚餐还算挺写意的，就这样度过了我们轻松无压力的小岛游。

To go to Koh Samet, we took the bus from Eastern Bus terminal at Ekkamai. One way cost 157 Baht with a bottle of water and a snack. We arrived at Ban Phe after 3.5 hours then took the boat to the island. Koh Samet located at the South- East of Bangkok, and this is different as Koh Samui. (Most of the people thought i pronounce wrongly when I mentioned Koh Samet) It's took around 40 minute to arrive the island, a small square boat came to took us to the beach. We thought that Koh Samet should be less tourist but we were wrong.  The Malibu Resort we stayed consider ok but quite costly, it was 1,800 Baht a night. Other than beach, there was nothing much to do here, the beach's dinner was great and that how we spent our light and easy island trip.

后来回曼谷的两天都没什么心思游玩了，可能从Pai开始到琅勃拉邦再去万象，加上沙美岛渡轮不知搞什么停在海上几时分钟，这几日舟车劳动不断冲击之下，我终于在这一个月半的旅程后期倒了。在酒店休息了一日，傍晚还是冒着冷汗与飞利浦出去走走，喝喝咖啡，吃个日本餐再买了枝白酒回去，为最后一晚来个饯别。第二日他就要去清迈公干了，而我也得回家了，即使不舍，我们还是得分开。相约了将会再见，当时还是挺说不定的，各自的心都悬在半空，真的还会见面吗？我们可不是如旅游结伴几日情就结束吧。后来回去后仅以面子书、电邮及Skype联络，接着也横下心提早了过去他工作的国度——苏丹。在此还得再次感谢家人容许我的放肆及任性。

There was not much travelling mood after back to Bangkok, might be the road journey from Pai, Luang Prabang and Vientiane, plus the stupid boat was stopping on the sea for some time, i felt heart burned and digest problem for the last 2 days. The last evening we went out for coffee, Japanese dinner and bought a white wine to drink in the hotel. The next day, Philippe left to Chiang Mai for work, and i went back to Malaysia. No matter how dismay we were, we have to separate for sometime.  We did plan that we will meet up soon, but both of our heart were still worry, will it happen? We both know we were not only there for fun or short travelling lover. The only way to link us were Facebook, email and Skype after the trip, and finally, i flied to his work place - Sudan. 

后话：


世事就是那么奇怪，对感情事已经没有什么期望的自己并没有期待任何艳遇发生，也已经盘算了卖了屋子后开始欧游，再去澳洲游历看能混上什么的，结果，人算不如天算。现在的我目前身于苏丹。就只因为过了那一座要付费的竹桥，我的人生起了变化，与一个从来就没想过的洋人在一起。虽然他年龄比我大蛮多，曾经也有历史、婚姻或女儿，可是这些问题并不影响自己。他说他是家乡里的异类，相信认识我的人，我当然也称不上是同类。未来是怎样没有人知道，只知道能开心度过就是赚到了。曾经为自己的钱途努力过，当然也许是自己不会平衡自己的工作与休息，让我深切地感受到地狱是随脚就可以踏入的。如果人生只为如何赚取别人的认同，有人认为住大屋驾大车、有人认为事业成功、有人认为银行户口数字满满，而接着就这样离去，那么对自己又有多大的意义？当然，每个人的想法不同，也许为自己儿女拼搏到死得回来的就是一切、或接受大众膜拜的虚荣就是王道、或、或、或等等，只要活得自己开心就好。

There are unexpected always happen in life, i did not expect to see some one currently, was thought of travel around Europe after sold the apartment then go to Australia and find a way to survive, but now, I'm in Sudan. Even　though we got some gap in age, culture or communication, but those are really not a big deal. No body know how the future will be, most important is to live happily when the moment we still breathing. I used to work hard for my career before, might be i do not know how to keep the balance in between work and rest, I was nearly say good bye to this lovely world twice. If our life is just trying to earn the compliment or agreement from some one else, to get bigger house or car, to get a great career or many digits in the account book, but just leave the world like that without enjoying life, what the point? Of cause, every one have different point of view, as long as you happy, that is most important. 

Day 40-46 : The turning point of my destiny - Luang Prabang 第40-46日:我的命运转戾点-琅勃拉邦

*First i would like to apologize for my English ... if you don't feel comfortable reading, you are free to stop ... thank you

琅勃拉邦，一个改变自己命运的地方。

我下一个目的地是去万象、万荣或琅勃拉邦，Pai的旅游公司AYA有交通直达琅勃拉邦，所以就直往那里去了。去琅勃拉邦的路程是Pai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang。迷你巴士8点晚上从Pai出发，当然又来一次崎岖山路，车上的人都大叫痛苦。到达Chiang Khong 已是凌晨2点多，巴士公司安排在此度过一晚。这沿着湄公河的小旅馆其实蛮不错的，第二天清晨7点安排了简单早餐后就出发到泰国出境处，签了证就渡河过对面的辽国入境处，也就是Huay Xai。马来西亚公民又一次幸运地不需要签证，相对的不幸地被逼等待同船的老外，这里的入境处还蛮混乱的。过后再由旅游公司的员工载我们到湄公河边上船，这些长形的“慢船”硬绷绷的并不好坐，而且还需挨上两天一夜，幸好晚上会停在pakbeng留宿一日，只是这次旅游公司不再包办住宿。这次萍水相逢认识了一班年轻背包客，由于自己并不善谈，也不太能融入他们的世界，到了琅勃拉邦就各散东西了。

Luang Prabang. a place where changed my destiny.

I was thought of going to Laos, and AYA Service in Pai did provided the transport to Luang Prabang, so there became my next destination. Pai - Chiang Khong - Huay Xai - Pakbeng - Luang Prabang, above were the route trip to arrive Luang Prabang. The mini bus was departed from Pai around 8pm, that was another suffering trip.  We arrived at Chiang Khong around 2 a.m. and stay one night at the motel that provided by the bus company. We left to immigration border at 7 a.m. after breakfast and cross the river to Huay Xai, Laos border. Malaysian no need the visa but unluckily i still have to wait there for other tourist for almost 1 hour. We were sent to the river side later and took the  2 day 1 night slow boat which was not comfortable at all. Luckily we were placed a night at Pakbeng for one night on the bed, but this time we gotta pay for the stay. I had met some of the backpackers this time, but I'm not a aggressive person, so there were still some gap with all these youngster, we split after arrived Luang Prabang.

琅勃拉邦，世界遗产之一，比起越南会安更带淳朴的小镇。由于辽国曾经被法国统治，所以四处可以看见很多法式建筑。这里与清迈一样天气凉爽，不会太热。辽国的东西一点也不便宜，一碟炒饭或炒粉售价3美金以上，便宜的还是啤酒，大瓶的10,000KIP，既也要2.50美金。我投宿的背包宿舍十分普通的也要12.50美金，这价钱在泰国可是能住上福利不错的宿舍哦。辽国的食物一般与泰国相似，琅勃拉邦也布满西式餐厅，当然价钱也很可观。


Luang Prabang, one of the UNESCO in Asean. Laos was coloneled by France so there are European's buildings every where in the town. The weather here were  as chill as Chiang Mai. The food was not cheap, a plate of fried rice or noodle costed 3 USD and beer still the cheapest, it's costed 10,000 KIP (2.50 USD) for the big bottle. The hostel i stayed was 12.50 USD and it's not good at all if compare to those in Thailand. There were plenty of western restaurant on the street, of cause the price are pretty expensive.

 

第一晚到达时已经傍晚，由于当日是31日年除夕，在船上时那班背包客已经相约到推荐的Utopia庆祝倒数。原本我并不打算参与，后来宿舍停电时在外面乘凉时与一位在云南工作、会说中文的美国小子闲聊，而且他正打算与另一位越南小妹前往Utopia倒数，结果就相伴前往了。这地方还蛮不错，沿途中也有很多蛮有意思的小酒吧，当晚也就与一大帮老外们一起渡过了2012年的最后一天。

I was arrived in the evening on the first night, and it was 31st of December 2012. The backpackers on the boat were decided to meet up at Utopia where recommended by Lonely Planet for count down. I did not plan to join them at first but changed my mind because one of the Vietnamese girl and Mandarin speaking American boy who stayed in same hostel were going, so i just joined them since there were companions. The place was quite cool and there were plenty of nice bars and bistros too along the road. My last night of 2012 was spending there with all the westerners. 

第二天就在镇里四处游荡，选了一家不错的河边餐厅静静地享受美食及沿河风景，也被不远处的小竹桥吸引。辽国什么都要钱，过这条小桥竟然还要付钱，然而，命运就在过了这桥后，在对岸游荡回途中改写了。如今常想，如果没去辽国、没过那桥、或在不同的时间的话，今天我会在做什么？也许还在马来西亚咒骂那该死的屋子转让手续到今日还未完成。

就在打算回对岸时，遇见了他——一个外表不羁的老外正坐在桥头晒太阳（当时我是如此觉得的，其实他正在等待小和尚过桥及摄取照片）。一般我都不主动与人打招呼，就是不知为何忍受不了向他埋怨了一下——为何这桥要付钱啊？就这样我们聊起来啦，我也傻乎乎地蹲在那儿晒太阳，问问这里还有什么好玩的。恰巧同船的一个中国小妹此时也过来这里，就一起听他介绍某个瀑布了。他此时觉得不可思议地说前日正发生此时此境，他也是在相同地方地点对着马来西亚及中国两位小妹聊着同样的话题。更巧的是，此时前天的同乡小妹也出现啦，结果就由她及其同行友人带领，我们4人相约在欣赏日落的最佳地点喝茶。这里的日落景色的确不错，喝了啤酒拍了照片，小妹们要赶车去下一站了。他，飞利浦先生就提议去吃越南小食，他知道一档越南妇女卖不错的越南春卷。就这样聊着聊着，就相约第二日清晨一起去看和尚化缘及照相，他也约我一齐与他在泰国认识的两位小妹几日后去Koh Samed.我是有打算回程中去一次海滩的，所以也答应了。

The next day i was walked around in the town and had my lovely lunch at a nice restaurant by the river. i was attracted by a bamboo bridge when having my lunch. There are charges for everything in Laos, even just to cross this stupid bamboo bridge. Any how, my destiny had changed because of this bridge too. Some time i wonder how I will be if i did not go to Laos, did not cross the bridge or go there in different time? I might still waiting and cursing the stupid lawyer who still dragging my apartment selling progress now. 

I met Philippe -- a guy who was sitting and having sun bath by the bridge (i was thought that but actually he was waiting for take the picture of the monk when they cross the bridge). Usually i do not easily speak to stranger, but i was complaint the bridge that day. End up i was also Squatting down under the hot sun with him and we started to discuss where else worth to visit in Luang Prabang. A China girl i met on slow boat was coming too to join us, and he told that it was so coincidence because the same thing happen with another Malaysian and Chinese girls 2 days ago. What was really amazing was the Malaysian girl appeared at the same time with her friend so we went to see the sunset at where he was introduced before. After the sunset, the Malaysian's ladies were living and i went dinner with Philippe. There was a nice Vietnamese spring roll on the street, we were having a nice chat and decided to see the morning monk for the next day together, he also invited me to go Koh Samed with 2 other Thai ladies that he met earlier in Thailand. Since beach was one of my plan before heading home, so i was happy to join them.

第二日的化缘拍摄非常愉快，一路感受佛教徒的虔诚，和尚除了接受信徒的食物之外，他们也施予贫穷的小孩一些化得的食物。当然了，许许多多的游客也在路上，有的也加入布施。照相完成后，我们就得说再见了。飞利浦先生中午就得乘飞机到万象，再由万象回去曼谷；而我也还未知是否能买到赶得及他们小岛之旅的车票。他过后也细心地替我约了一架嘟嘟车中午时刻去他介绍的瀑布。面子书是我们唯一的联络方法，其实去不去得到还得随缘。

The next morning was great, you can see the loyalty of the Buddhism, others than taking food from people, the monks also gave the food to those poor kids who were asking for food at the same time. Some of the tourist were doing the contribution as well with the local. After the photo shooting we have to say good bye, Philippe was flying to the Vientiane at the afternoon and then fly to Bangkok on the next day, and my side still not sure can get any ticket yet. Before we separate, he help me to book a tuk tuk to the waterfall that he recommended. Facebook was the only media for us to contact after this, meet or not at the end really depend on fate. 

后来成功买上了从这里搭巴士去万象，再从万象搭火车回曼谷的回程票，可是之后发现并没有他的面子书邀请，不知怎的竟然心急了，结果解决了早餐之后就赶快写了张小纸交给他酒店的服务生，他告诉我可以去找他因为他在房里，哇咧，虽然社会开放，我还不至于去敲男人的酒店房门吧？结果我留下纸条就回宿舍退房了，搭放行李在巴士公司后，我就去飞利浦先生住的酒店附近等待那约好了的嘟嘟，结果被放鸽子了。我也懊恼地经过他的酒店门口，他竟然坐在哪里且正回复我的电邮，后来我还是去了瀑布，他也去了机场。不知怎的，当时的心已经悬着，后来瀑布回去镇里看见他的电邮，建议我在万象是可以到他的酒店休息梳洗，因为他比我早到一夜，且比我迟一点上飞机。我悬着的心此时有点踏实了，也为之前烦恼此时游完瀑布后满身臭汗如何挨至曼谷的问题松了一口气。

I was lucky because finally got the ticket from the travel agency even though the flight ticket had sold out, from here take the bus to Vientiane then transfer to the Bangkok by train. I was noticed i did not get any facebook friend request from Philippe, so I wrote a note immediately and past to the receptionist at his hotel. The boy told me i can go directly to see Mr. Philippe because he is in his room. God, although I'm open minded but how could I knock a guy's hotel room's door? Of cause i did not do it and went to check out my bed then left the luggage at the travel agency. The tuk-tuk we booked in the morning was not appear at the end, but i saw Philippe was sitting the at the receptionist to reply my email. End up he help me again with other Tuk Tuk and he left to the airport after. I did not know why my heart was hanging that time. After the waterfall's trip i got his email that suggested me to go to his room in Vientiane to take a shower then continue to Bangkok because he will be there earlier than me and leave after my train to Bangkok. My hanging heart was stable down after read the email, and felt great for there is a place for me to clean up after the waterfall trekking. 

 

在巴士前往万象的路上与一名酷酷的亚洲女生同坐，原本还不知是否打扰她寂静的路程，后来不知怎总觉得她应该是同乡，不问则以，一问果然没有猜错，也打开了我们的话厘子。再度证明很多人外表虽然冷漠，但是只要我们肯主动，你会发觉自己之前先入为主了。去到万象已是清晨5点，正烦恼如何去飞利浦的酒店，幸好同坐嘟嘟车的泰国夫妇建议我到他们酒店问问，因为地址应该是附近而已。结果真的只不行15分钟就到了。由于太早我也不方便扰人清梦，只在面子书上留个信息。不久他回复叫我上去，哇，怎么又叫我去敲男人门啦。当我正犹豫不绝地时候，他下来了，也告诉了我一个坏消息——他拉肚子了，哈哈。我洗了澡后，就尴尬地与他在不大的房间里谈天，而且没有椅子的房里只有坐在床上。当天，他告诉了我他的一切，就如那晚越南春卷闲聊问我一些问题时一样，这次他自己报上一切。当时我心想，某些事情就来发生了，结果——他告白了。当时就想回去年轻时候一样，心里七上八下的，我只告诉他我不知怎么回答，搞笑，都几岁了？还不好意思。就这样，我们也开始了。后来他也在有限的时间带我在万象四处走走，然后就相约第二日在曼谷相见。

I was sitting with a Asian girl in the bus to Vientiane, end up found out she is from Malaysia too and we had a nice chat. We arrived in Vientiane at 5 a.m.,I was not sure where the hotel is, luckily the Thai's couple who took the same tuk tuk with us heading to same direction, so they suggested me to go to their hotel to find out. The hotel was just 15 minute walking distance from their hotel and i just sent a message to Philippe in Facebook because it was too early to wake people up. He replied me very soon and asked me to go up to his room because he was not feeling well. Wow... another one to asked me to knock a man's door... luckily he came down to the lobby when i was still considering go up or not. He told me that he had diarrhea the whole night, what a bad luck boy. After i took my shower, i was kind of nervous to sit on the same bed because there was no other place to sit. He told me about everything of his background on that morning, and i felt that something is going to happen, and...he told me that he like me. I felt that I was like a teenager and did not know what to answer, it's really nerdy but any how, we started our relationship on that day. He was shown me around in Vientiane, we went for red wine & we have our first date. We have to separate again at 3.30 p.m. to go to the train station, though just a short separation because we will meet again at the next morning in Bangkok, but I felt very gloominess and i knew i already had feeling on him since Luang Prabang.