Thailand Trip 2007
*WARNING GRAPHIC IMAGES*
AnIn late October of 2006, I decided to book a trip out to Thailand for a week to catch up with a couple of good friends I made whilst working there in 20025. They had both had some relationship troubles, so I thought I would go out for a long weekend, to golf and see that they were doing ok.
Caz was very understanding and I headed out on my own, since a happy couple is the last image I thought my friends would want to see, so it was to be a golf trip.
As it happens, I found a very cheap flight with Air Astana, the national carrier of Kazakhstan and was off.
The flight there was uneventful, Air Astana was quite nice and no sign of Borat anywhere (although I did watch it on my laptop.)
When we landed in Kazahkstan, they had no idea what to do with the few of us who were in transit to Bangkok, as most of the passengers were staying in Kazahkstan.
Myself and another lady were waiting, while a confused staff ran about trying to sort out what to do, eventually taking our passports and tickets and telling us they would come back with boarding passes and let us on the flight when it was boarding.
As it happends, the woman I was waiting with was the wife of the Captain (also names Scott), and as a result I got a free upgrade to business class for the Almaty - Bangkok leg. :)
We had hope to meet up for a drink or dinner, but circumstances didn't allow it, so I didn't actually see them again until the flight home, and sadly, no upgrade this time, but as it was not a full flight it was ok.
I got piece of bad new when I landed in Almaty, in as much as Johan's Grandmother passed away, so he would have to cancel his plans to spend the weekend with me in Bangkok. I also learned that Amar, my other friend had to attend a training course in the US, so he was gone too.. so much for my 'lads golf trip'! :(
My last friend in Bangkok, Sutthira was still around and offered me a free stay at her beach house near Pattaya, to the south of Bangkok.
I thought about it, and decided to find something more resort like, as I didn't want to impose, and also like the idea of room service :)
I found a very nice place called 'Sea, Sand and Sun' and made arrangements to stay there from Friday to Monday.
Sutthira and I met up for dinner Thursday, and also met up on Saturday and Sunday as she was down at her beach house with her mother, and a work colleague.
On the way back to Bangkok Monday, my friend and taxi driver, Khun Hua, and I stopped at the Waeng Saeng Suk 'Hell Garden' near Baeng Sang.
I had read about it in the Fortean Times, and thought as I was nearby I had to check it out.
There are images in the gallery, but BE WARNED, they are VERY GRAPHIC, and to be honest, more than a little disturbing.
I had always envisioned Buddhists are peaceful non-judgmental people, however; if this garden is an accurate interpretation of their beliefs, WOW!
Interestingly, next to each image is a collection box, so presumably if you are currently guilty of the sin for which the horrible punishment is depicted, perhaps with some donations to the monks, you can be spared. I don't know if the Buddhist faith subscribes to the concept of 'indulgences' however; it seems to be implied.
You can see the places I visited on the map below. Look in the middle and south.
it was a very nice few days and my trip is really summed up in the image below:
Needless to say, with the last minute change in plans, I owe Caz a holiday in the sun now...