Bye for now Cambodia, I'll be back

Fantastic visit to Cambodia. Despite today's searing heat (104°F) today was good. 

In total we saw Siem Reap, Battambang, and Phnom Penh. Beautiful country and kind people. 

Bye!

Jakarta

Phenomenal visit to Jakarta. As I've said PD lived here twice for a total of five years. Lots to see, do, eat, and drink. 

Amazing thing was the transportation system. Jakarta's traffic IS worse than Manila but they are biting the bullet and building an MRT. Headaches now for benefits later. 

The best way getting around Jakarta in my opinion? No, you didn't ask. The scooters. 90% of the scooters younseem in this picture are for hire via an app. Uber, Go Jekk, and Grab bike. All are great and super inexpensive. 

Well off to Siem Reap, Angkor Wat, and Cambodia. Meeting up with Truk and Mason. Should be a blast!

Cheers!

Jakarta and P. Deeks' B-Day

We wrapped up in Bangkok, bid Truk adieu, and jetted over to Jakarta , Indonesia. PD lived there two different times for a total of @ five years. 

We arrived into Jakarta and you can tell PD was excited to be "home". Her Bahasa (the language of this area of Indonesia) was magnificent, she was cracking jokes with the drivers and hotel staff. Like any place you leave and go back to visit there are changes and she noticed them. 

We got around the city on Grab scooters.  Grab is transportation app like Uber. It's all over Asia. In Jakarta they have a scooter option. You order on your app, out in your location and destination, the driver shows up with a helmet and you are you off! It's easy and cheap. The scooters manage their way through Jakarta's infamous traffic easier than the cars do. Great way to get around the city. 

We met friends, ate great meals, lounged by the pool listening to the call to prayer, and generally had a lot of fun. 

Happy B-Day PD!!!

City Mornings #Bangkok

Being a teacher I wake up earlier than most, even on vacation. That can be a negative. I choose to view it as a positive. 

I love early morning in cities, especially big cities. I love watching the city "wake up". Shop keepers opening their stores or kiosks. You see the city without the tourists, the every day natives who clean up or spruce up the city.

Bangkok and Chatachuk Weekend Market

Fantastic morning exploring Chatachuk Weekend Market in Bangkok. So much to see and buy, easily one of the best markets I've ever been to. 

We met up with Truk who finally arrived after some delays in Shanghai. Payton, Truk, and I wandered around. P and I bought some items and then we enjoyed some ice cold Beer Lao at Viva 8, a fun and pleasant little cafe in the market. 

Stopped by an art area of the market and ate a late lunch Cafe Ice. 

Spring break #2017

I love being a 46 yr old who still has spring break. I have two weeks off and the wife and I are headed out around SE Asia. Meeting up with old roommate and seemingly lifelong friend Stacy P. In Bangkok till Wednesday morning. 

Payton and I will jet off to Jakarta for her to show me around her old stomping grounds. On Saturday we part ways for a week as she heads back to Manila and I head to Cambodia to tour Siem Reap (Ankit Wat), Batabambang, and Phnom Penh with Stacy and Mason D.