Sorry for the long gap, I'm finding traveling in a group is much different than traveling solo, particularly a large group, like the one I'm traveling in. If half the people are feeling lazy, everyone ends up just laying in the sun all day. Not that anything is wrong with laying in the sun, but we could be going for hikes and riding bikes or visiting temples or getting body piercings, just for example. Also, being around 4 other Americans 24/7, (and one lovely Ozzy of cores,) I feel very connected to a culture like home. Due to these circumstances I'm having trouble being as religious about up dating my blog as I did during my Eastern European adventure.

Now for the update: Alex, David, Austin, Rubin, Carmen and I are awaitting the arrival of Carmen's Sydney Friends Poppy and Amy, who will even out our group so there are as many girls as boys. Hopefully this will encourage the boys to not be so blatent in checking out girls and slightly more modest in their comments about the things they would like to do to said girls. I guess we'll find out tomorrow when the new ladies arrive.

After a bumpy over night bus and boat ride from Bangkok the six of us arrived and have been spending the past three very lazy days on Kho Pang Yang, everyone's favorit island in Thailand. It's a small island off the east coast known for it's dancy "Full Moon" Parties that take place over the span of the week of the full moon every month. The night before the full moon is the "Pre-Party" the night after the "After Party" and so on. Basically just one long and lovely neon excuse for a multi day party.

As I mentioned before, traveling in a group who is not my family is a little stiffling. I'm afraid not many really excitting adventuers have taken place because there are so few things that all 6 of us can agree on doing. Carmen and I are still having fun though. We've been good about going for morning walks around the island and meeting people. I feel if I was by myself however, I'd be much more active in cultueral experiences. I'm not complaining, it's just the price I pay for being around people I love spending time with... And causes my blog to be a bit borring.

Anyway, Merry Christmas! Happy upcoming New Year. You'll hear from me before then, I'm sure. Thanks for checking in on me. :)

Have arrived safely in Bangkok. Carmen picked me up at the airport with Pe Mink, her older host sister from exchange, and we spent the night at her apartment in Bangkok.

Getting out of the house the morning I left was an ironic adventure. I had to hike down our icy hill through the snow to the pre-parked car a mile away. Mom and Dad drove me from there to the bus stop at which point I parted with my over coat, mittens and hat, and embarked on the chilly 2 hour ride to the airport. From the time I left my house to the time I set foot in Mink's apartment the trip totalled 28 hours.

The flight was uneventful, which I guess is good. It's been really great being with Carmen again. I'm so lucky to have a friend I can make a complete fool out of myself in front of, (eg: scream and cry and pick her up and shake her upon greeting) and still be loved in return.

Over the next few days Carmen and I will commute between Angthong and Bangkok visiting our favorite people and places from exchange. We'll head south before this week is out.

Thanks for checking in!!

itinerary

ONLY THREE MORE DAYS UNTIL I FLY TO BANGKOK!! (Fore days until I arrive, bloody 24 hour flights...!)

As you can imagine, I’m EXTREMELY excited about being in Thailand so soon. It’s hard to believe though; the realization hasn’t set in just yet. I imagine it will by the time I’m in the Bangkok airport hugging Carmen. CAN’T WAIT!!!

The following is a pretty specific itinerary that we’ll be following. It is subject to change though, depending on safety, and what we’re in the mood for.

THAILAND

10^th December

- Arrive Bangkok, stay in Angthong till Lucy arrives on the 15^th

24^thDecember-2^ndJanuary Kho Pha Ngan (South Thailand)

- Bus and boat on the 2^nd up to Bangkok

2^nd January – 4^th January Bangkok (2 nights)

- Flight Thai Airways TG0317 depart Bangkok 18:45 arrive Mumbai 21:55 (4/1/09)

INDIA

4^th Jan – 8^th Jan Mumbai (4 nights)

www.bentleyshotel.com 17 Oliver Road, Colaba, Ph: 22841474

- Overnight train on the 8^th to Goa – Panaji (Panjim)

9^th Jan – 12^th Jan Panaji (3 nights)

- Bus to Margao, then to Palolem on the 12^th

12^th – 17^th Jan (5 nights) Palolem

- Bus to Dabolim (near airport) on 17^th

17^th Jan Dabolim (1 night)

- Flight Air India IC866 to Mumbai 7:00am/IC472 to Udaipur 11:15 am

18^th – 21^nd Jan (4 nights) Udaipur (Rajastan)

- Overnight train from Udaipur to Jaipur on 22^nd

23^rd – 27^th Jan Jaipur (Rajastan) (5 days)

Poppy

- Poppy flies to departs Jaipur 27^th Indigo Airlines 6E 323 5:35 pm arrives 7:15 pm

27^th Jan Mumbai (1 night)

- flight from Mumbai to Bangkok Thai Airways TG318 departs 23:35 arrive Bangkok 05:35 (29^th)

29^th – 31^st Jan Bangkok

- flight from Bangkok to Sydney Thai Airways TG0993 departs 17:25 arrives Sydney 6:35 (1^st Feb)

Carmen and Lucy

- Overnight train to Jaisalmer (Rajastan) 28^th (Jan)

29^th – 3^rd Jan in Jaisalmer

- train from Jaisamer to Delhi 4^th (Feb)

4^th Feb – 8^th Feb Delhi

Carmen

- Flight from Delhi to Bangkok Thai Airways TG316 departs 00:05 arrive Bangkok 5:35am (8^th Feb)

- Flight to Bangkok to Sydney Thai Airways TG991 departs 7:55 arrive Sydney 21:05 (8^th Feb)

9^th Feb Delhi

Lucy

- Flight from Delhi to Frankfurt Lufthansa Airlines LH761 departs 3:05 arrive Frankfurt 6:50

- Flight from Frankfurt to Seattle Lufthansa Airlines LH490 departs 10:55 arrive Seattle 12:45pm