Settling in..

The infamous bridge over River Kwai.  Host of the 'Death Railway'..

Well... where to begin.  Last we spoke I believe I was gearing up for a trip to Kanchanaburi.
Planned to spend two nights there which turned out to be four.  It happens.  You find a new spot with whatever intentions, but you can't resist the feel of the place and needless to say, plans change.  Despite extending my trip by the extra day(s), there's more to see and I plan a return trip being so close to my home for the next four months.  Highlights of that adventure include motorbiking to Erewan Falls but never making it (side tracked by a cave dubbed 'Buddhas Footprint' and few capitalistic monks...not really), views that stretched to the Myanmar border, 5' lizards in my backyard, walking 'the Bridge' and simply just chilling.

My impromptu tour guides for the Buddhas Footprint..

We named him 'Uriah'.

A little touch from the bamboo..

The real deal is that classes have begun; not full swing but mornings are early - wake up at 5:30am.  Simple intro lessons and just getting familiar with the students.  I'm teaching 21 classes a week and never seeing the same class more than once per week.  The girls range in age from 14-18 and their English ability varies dramatically...nothing to do with age, probably more so with who has the money to afford a private tutor.  I'm teaching, I think, four 'gifted' classes which will require a little extra attention to the lessons.  These classes consist of about 30 students; the rest of the classes average on 40+.  I'd say luckily I've a Thai co-teacher, but what I believe they're there for is to monitor student behavior and assist only in 'shit hitting fan' situations.  All good. 

Lending a hand making 'Kao Tip', a holy food for the following days festivities..

Below are just a few pics from around Ayutthaya.  As mentioned before, the city was Thailands old capital from 1351 to 1767.  In the 16th century it was described as one the biggest and wealthiest cities in the east; however, what remains is only the bones of that history - still spectacular.

762 curves..

Out of Phuket and on the road.  Currently holding residence in Nonthaburi just North of Bangkok.  I'm sort of in between places though not technically due to be anywhere until May 18.  Turns out my apartment in Ayutthaya won't be ready for me until the 27 (current tenant is a little too comfortable to make her move out sooner).  Where that leaves me?  Well, I'm killing time and saving a few baht with temporary accommodations contributed by my placement agent at this residential complex comparable to La Mirage in San Diego.  It's comfortable, almost too comfortable and also isolated from how I'd like to experience Thai living.  It feels like artificial luxury, what ever that means...I don't know.  I'm enjoying it for what it is, handling the laundry and catching up on needed rest. 

Prior to this setup I spent some time in Chiang Mai, pretty much doing nothing; friended some others in the airport, set up shop, met some locals, popped over to Tiger Kingdom, hiked a waterfall, hit the night market, grubbed, drank, grubbed some more.  A few days there then Mark and I motorbiked to Pai as planned.  The motorbike ride consisted of something like 762 turns over 138 kilometers; a true trip in itself.

135 down, 3 to go..

It's a tranquil spot set in a valley far northwest close to the border of Burma.  There's heart in Pai no doubt, but you also get the sense that there's a bit of it being handed over with each farang that shows up.  I could see myself going back to Pai, weather permitting, however there's always more to see.  We hit rain storms there and back, but the worst of it was when we travelled further north along the 1095 to Tham Lod, for some spelunking.  The weather turned a half hour into our ride and we had little interest in turning back.  The 45k trip ended with us soaked and shivering.  Warmed up with some coffee and Tom Yum Yum before hitting the caves.  A short walk to the river bed then a bamboo raft ride in.





Our guide, Pan, carried the only lantern giving us about 10-15feet of light, which was lost upon the stalactites descending from 100m above.  Spirit Caves "coffin caves", which hosted 1500+ year old teak coffins from pre-Thai folk.  Pretty amazing other than the Swift shit spackled on almost everything.  

The plan now is to head towards Kanchanaburi due west of here, back towards the Burmese border.  There's some more caves further past along with some of the best waterfalls in Thailand.  Unknown until Lonely Planet told me so, there's also the 'Death Railway' out yonders, parts of which were constructed by WWII POW's during the Japanese occupancy.  "The Bridge Over the River Kwai"? Yep, this is the same spot.  Keep you posted..