Back from Indochina

We ( our group of 27 Finns )really had good luck with our flight from Bangkok to Helsinki last week. First we were afraid that Bangkok airport might be closed because of the riots in the city.
Secondly we just arrived to Helsinki a day before when the airport of Helsinki was closed due the vulcanic erruption in Iceland.
Our stay onboard of 5Star m/s La Marguerite was most pleasant during our seven days cruise at Mekong river. We also very much enjoyed our visits in Saigon (officially Ho Chi Minh City)in Vietnam, as well as in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap in Cambodia.
In Vietnam at Mekong Delta we stopped in several small towns or villages to enjoy the friendliness of local people as well as the mostly very good but simple food.
Our main goal however was the ancient Angkor Vat, near Siem Reap. Angkor Vat, Angkor Thom and other temples are one of the Seven Wonders of the World, and naturally incredible interesting ,enchating and fascinating.
The whole trip took exactly two weeks , and as much I know everybody was very satisfied including those 52 other ones from Australia, USA, England, Germany and Netherlands. Among those nationalities, we Finns were the biggest group.
I was lucky too, because I as the only Finn was invited even twice to dine with the ship owners Mr.Rudi Schreiner and Miss Kristin Karst both from California and Mr.Dang Bao Hieu from Saigon. I could praise the ship and the trip much more but I advise you to contact AMA WATERWAYS or INDOCHINA SAILS to explore yourselves this wonderful experience.

Once more again to Far East

This is not an April joke. In a few hours I'll have with some friends of Finnish Club
a flight to Hong Kong with a continueing one to Saigon. After a couple of days stay there we shall board a luxury river cruiser to Siem Reap for eight days.
The winter here was like in old times, very cold and a lot of snow. But I did not experience almost anything of it, because of my stay in Thailand. I came just back to Finland, when the heavy cold was over and the spring did start. Well, we still have plenty of snow in parks and forests, but I guess that most of it has vanished, when we come back in two weeks time.

Back home from Thailand

After a very long travel time,35 hours, I arrived to winter Helsinki day before yesterday. The reason was that I had to wait the continuing flight from Hongkong to Helsinki for over 13 hours. Partly I could use it for re-visit Hongkong's night life, which I so much enjoyed in the past. But for my big disapointment it was not like it used to be. Only the night bar at Holiday Inn Golden Mile was lively and enjoyable.
Maybe I do not know where are the best places to go today.
I then had to take the last airport express train at midnight, and was spending the rest of the night on a bench at the airport. All bars were closed but I found a small 7eleven shop from where I got some cold Tsingtao beers for the night. In the morning after 7 o'clock all bars were open again and with pleasure I consumed a couple of Bacardi cokes before my flight. I then naturally did sleep fine, seven hours out of ten.

Koh Tao and Koh Samui

I spent one week on Koh Tao before continuing here to Koh Samui last Saturday. Koh Tao is simply a paradise, one of the most beautiful islands I have ever visited anywhere in the world.
There is really not very much to do, but if you are interested in diving or snorkeling,
it is your place. Tourists are mainly young backpackers especially from Sweden. So I was very pleased to look those passing long legged blonds, when sipping my daily drinks at my favourit Sairee Hut beach bar.
Koh Samui is already another world, even so near. You can see here any nationalities and all ages, and especially Chaweng area offers to you anything you might wish.I have reported earlier from this island, because have been here so many times, so I guess there is nothing to add. I still stay here for two more weeks, before returning via Hong Kong back to Helsinki.

Bar girls, grasshoppers and ants

My first week this time in Thailand has been very pleasant. I have met some old friends from Helsinki and made some new ones too. Especially easy to make new friends is in the evening, when sitting with your old chaps or alone in the girlie bars. You will not be long alone , if you are not insisting it. Just a quick look and a smile and some pretty night bird is flying to your table. They normally behave very well, and are not very aggressive to get a drink or trying to sell other activities. Mostly if they like you , you will get free of charge some head or shoulder massage, and very professionally too. One evening two pretty ladies , I already happened to know, sat with me. Then a carriage went by selling some snacks. The other of the young women went to by something to eat. It was quite dark , and I first did not see what it was , when they offered those grilled snacks to me too. I got some light then and could realize that I had tasted grasshoppers and ants for the first time in my life.
Yesterday afternoon after one pint of beer at the most far away end of the Hua Hin beach, which I had reached trough recommendation by bus , I decided to walk back along the beach to Hilton Hotel at the other end . It took one hour and 40 minutes. After wards I heard that the distance was 7 km. My legs did pay the price, I feel it today.
Late tonight I shall move to Koh Tao, in which I will arrive tomorrow around 9am.

Hua Hin, Thailand

I did arrive here after some delayed flights finally 22 hours later I left Finland. For my big surprise Cathay Pacific, which always has been my favourit airline company, did not wait for us, 15 Finnish passengers for our continuing flight from Hongkong to Bangkok, even Finnair did land 20 minutes before their scheduled flight. So we had to wait China Airlines flight for three more hours. We only got a voucher of HK$90, which was enough to 1,5 pint of Heineken beer.
When I left Finland there was pretty cold -17C , and here is +37C. But beer and food are good, as well as the general feeling with local bar girls . This my first visit in Hua Hin , and I am surprised of its clean atmosphere. The place is very
compact and pleasant, but especially cheap. I pay in a tiny 3star centrally located Hotel Chaba Chalet baht 4000 a week, which is about 90 euros or US$130 ! Probably next Friday night I will continue to Koh Tao by bus and speed catamaran,
to be there early in the morning.

Nothing new from Helsinki

It has been lately kind of empty periods in my life. I do not know, what would be interesting to report to my readers. However I do have some friends, who contacted me and insisted I should report time to time about my doings.
Well, since I got back from Thailand, I have had all kind of smaller problems,luckily not with my health, but with things to build up a bad mood.
I have not had very special luck with pretty ladies, even experiencing
some good moments. So I am spending times mostly from late afternoon to midnight in some of my favourite places like "Kiiski" or other ones.
I plan to fly soon back to Thailand for one month or so. Let's see!