Sarah's Trip
In and around World
"Never is Life so Exciting as at the Beginning of a Journey" - Philosopher
"It Sucks that You are Leaving" - Friends
(Email the author at - baxter222sarah@gmail.com)
Route taken and entries written by Travel Baxter
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1
A Visit to the Parents
Before I start my big adventure, I decided it would be a good idea to visit the Rents. I always look forward to seeing them, plus they would pro... Continue reading »
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2
Hello from "Europe"
Wow, it finally seems real. I arrived in Amsterdam at 6a (1130p GST) to the bustle of the dutch beginning their day. Yes,it's true th... Continue reading »
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3
My First Night ...
I'm not sure if the sex toys, bananas, and flaming drinks that all the bartenders seemed to offer was necessary - but it sure made for a fun evening.&... Continue reading »
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4
Onward - India!
Yesterday was spent hanging out in downtown Amsterdam. I walked around the red light district followed by a canal ride of the city.&nb... Continue reading »
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5
Sweet Taste of India
As the plane began its descent I could see the rugged outline of the Indian coast covered with dots of light - Mumbai!. Even when arriving... Continue reading »
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6
Mumbai - Shopping, British, and Pirates - oh my!
We spent a good portion of today shopping. I found some nice lightweight skirts, plus had the amusement of watching my friend negotiate in Hindi... Continue reading »
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7
A Day of Sightseeing
Where to begin?! I think we crammed most of the sightseeing available in Mumbai into one day. In the morning Pri's dad helped us... Continue reading »
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8
Tales from Delhi
As the monsoon rain pours down, I jump over muddy puddles while trying to avoid the constant streams of bike and auto-rickshaws that whiz past.&n... Continue reading »
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9
The Wonders of Rajasthan
I prepared to leave early in the morning to catch the 6a train to Jaipur, the capital of the Indian state of Rajasthan. Upon checkout, I found a... Continue reading »
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10
The Beauty of the Taj Mahal!
At 6a the bus rolled into the town of Agra, home of the Taj. Groggily all the passengers begin to wake up. I notice that we aren't at our... Continue reading »
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11
A Return to Delhi
I ended up staying at a very inexpensive place near the New Delhi train station that offered "backpacker basics". It really was quite basic, no... Continue reading »
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12
A Quiet Day in Mumbai
The plane ride back was uneventful, and after a few worrisome minutes standing at the airport wondering if I could find the person picking me up&... Continue reading »
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13
My First Day as a "Farang" (Non-Thai in Thailand)
Wow - Thailand! I honestly had no idea what to except on arrival - would it be like India? Japan? or very Westernized? Well, getting off t... Continue reading »
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14
My First Day as a "Farang" (Non-Thai in Thailand)
Wow - Thailand! I honestly had no idea what to except on arrival - would it be like India? Japan? or very Westernized? Well, getting off t... Continue reading »
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15
Orientation - Travel to Teach
It takes quite awhile to travel to N. Thailand by train, about 12 hours. luckily, i can sleep pretty much anywhere, so i felt fairly rested when... Continue reading »
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16
Phon Phisai - day one
Last night 15 of us from Travel to Teach got together for dinner on a boat-restaurant. Across the river lay Laos, and during our... Continue reading »
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17
School Days
I must say I was a little nervous to be starting class. We arrived at the school, just a short 5 min bike ride away, a little before 10a. &... Continue reading »
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18
A Day in the Life of "Sala"
Okay, I've been a little delinquent in writing this week - sorry! It's only been a week, but I'm completely loving the laid back atmosphere of T... Continue reading »
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19
No School - It's a holiday
I'm not sure exactly what holiday it is, but we didn't have school today. This has actually given me a nice extended weekend, since we... Continue reading »
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20
A Day at Secondary School
Last week, Alex and I taught at the Phon Phisai primary school - grades 1-3. During this time the secondary school, equivalent to MS + HS,... Continue reading »
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21
A Weekend in Nong Khai
On Thursday I ended my second week of school – I can’t believe it is going so fast! Well, I talked to Jack, and starting next Monday I’m going to be s... Continue reading »
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22
Contemplations Next to the Mekong
I'm sweating from the humid weather. Before me lies the Mekong, in all her majestic beauty. On the other side of the river is Laos. ... Continue reading »
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23
Isn't this funny?
Wow, what kids learn about English culture! I couldn't believe it when Alex showed me the note (pic) he received from a young second grader... Continue reading »
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24
Random Adventures
US flight to India turns back to Schipol Amsterdam: A US Northwest Airlines plane bound for Mumbai was turned back to Amsterdam’s Schipol airport acco... Continue reading »
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25
A Day of Waterfalls (and a Wat)
As I held my head under the shower fixture I watched the ceiling. Nearly a dozen grayish geckos had positioned themselves next to the ceiling light. W... Continue reading »
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26
Park Escapades
This morning, at the Chiang Khan guest house, we all sat down to an amazing breakfast of banana pancakes, fruit, and toast with tea. I’m getting used... Continue reading »
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27
More Adventures thru Thailand
This was not a good day. We left sun shining Loei for raining Namnok park. It was a little bit of a drive, bun on a main highway. After we were done a... Continue reading »
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28
Return to Phon Phisai
Today was much better. I awoke refreshed. After a quick cold shower, I set off to find the train station. I didn’t get lost today, but it was still a... Continue reading »
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29
School Days (Continued)
So teaching at the secondary school (High School) is a little different than teaching first graders, but it's still fun. We see each class twice a wee... Continue reading »
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30
Ison Dinner
On Tuesday nigh we went to Jack's grandfather's place for an "Ison Dinner". If I neglected to mention it earlier, the NE area of Thailand where... Continue reading »
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31
Running
I tie up my newly repaired running shoes, with the soles now glued and sown into place. After a few light stretches I set out on my daily run.At... Continue reading »
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32
Opening Ceremony for the new Library
On Friday classes at the secondary school were canceled. Instead, we attended the opening ceremony for the new library. I had never attend... Continue reading »
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33
Sunsets
Pink sky, orange, purple, and beautiful blue,mirrored on a river of glass.Eyes look up to behold such stunning hues,I wish this moment would neve... Continue reading »
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34
Thai Birthday
So, I'm now 24. I had a very lovely birthday, though I did miss spending it with friends and family from the US. The morning was pretty ty... Continue reading »
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35
Budha and Bugs
Shoeless, Alex, Jack, and I walk into the temple. Today is a Budhist holiday, so it's traditional to bring offerings to the local monks. W... Continue reading »
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36
Surprises (Top Ten)
For any of you who were wondering, here is my top ten list of what I've found surprising in Thailand. "What I've found surprising in Thailand":10... Continue reading »
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37
Another Pleasant Phon Phisai Day
Well, it’s been a few days since my last entry. Nothing too much to report from Phon Phisai, just school as usual, plus English and Spanish club. I gu... Continue reading »
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38
English Camp
Sitting cross-legged on the floor, the audience stared transfixed at the stage. A group was acting out the tale of goldy locks and the three bears. Mo... Continue reading »
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39
The Military Coup
Today started like any other. I woke up early to go running, then came back and got ready for school. On my way to the kitchen I mentioned to Jack we... Continue reading »
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40
Hammock Reflections
Per my usual routine, I’m spending the weekend in Nong Khai. It’s pleasant hanging out with the other volunteers, plus they have very comfy hammocks o... Continue reading »
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41
Phu Phra Bat Historic Park
“Some 85km S.W. of Nong Khai, not far from the dusty village of Ban Phu, the eerie wizardy of prehistoric hunter-gathers lingers at the Phu Phra Bat H... Continue reading »
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42
A Day of Food
Due to the little matter of a military coup, the presentations for last week were postponed until today. For the last 2 months the students have... Continue reading »
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43
A Trip to Laos
On Thursday morning I woke up early to get ready (i.e. pack) for my trip to Laos. Besides just the necessity of the trip – my visa would expire on Fri... Continue reading »
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44
A Few Nights in Vang Vient
Vientiane was fun, but there is not a whole lot to do in the city. I decide to take a bus to Vang Vieng, a little town known for its caving, kayaking,... Continue reading »
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45
A Week Worth of Adventures in Phon Phisai
*** Update - I finally have email again. Since my Yahoo account is no longer working, feel free to email me at my new gmail account baxter222sar... Continue reading »
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46
The Naga Festival Weekend
Naga Fireball Story - At the end of Buddhist Lent (around October) you can see colourful fireball appearing at the surface of the river and floating u... Continue reading »
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47
October Days ...
So what have I been up to?This week the volunteers, Alex, Joe, and I, have been busy teaching. Though the students have a 1 month break they’ve been h... Continue reading »
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48
Fortunes and Blessings
On Friday, after we finished teaching at Yuphaporn's she asked if we were interested in talking with a fortune teller. Yu usually has readings d... Continue reading »
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49
A Wedding - Thai Style
At 2 A.M. I heard the first ratteling of pots and knocking of hammers in preparation for the days wedding. One of the neighborดs sons was marryi... Continue reading »
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50
Trip to Udon
Our last day of teaching school at Jack and Yuphaporn's house was on Thursday. (Uh last Thursday, I'm playing a little catch up with these... Continue reading »
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51
Visiting Khorat
On Sunday I left Alex and Sue to visit the city of Khorat. The city is in the Southern most part of what is considered "Isan" aka. NE Thailand,... Continue reading »
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52
Ruins in Phimai
Monday morning I boarded a bus to nearby Phimai - a small town 1 1/2 hours away and known for its ancient Khmer era ruins. By the third sto... Continue reading »
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53
Beautiful Vang Vieng
So I've just returned from spending the last few days in Vang Vieng, Laos. I had a great time and it is a beautiful town. Here are so... Continue reading »
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54
A Visit to Wat Phu Tok and a Waterfall
I returned from my trip to Laos on Saturday. It was somewhat bittersweet getting my Thai visa - I now only have 30 days left of volunteering in Phon P... Continue reading »
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55
First Day of School (Again)
Well, I'm back teaching at the secondary school again. Monday was our first day of class, however we couldn't do much since so many students wer... Continue reading »
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56
A New Experience
I never thought I'd say "I've been in a beauty contest", let alone a Thai beauty contest - but that's how I spent my Sunday!The Loy Kratong festi... Continue reading »
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57
Random Thoughts of the Week
This week I've decided to write about some random things I've seen, that remind me how different and not so different it is living here in Thaila... Continue reading »
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58
Visiting friends in Namsom
For my last weekend in Thailand I went with Alex to visit some friends who are volunteering in Namsom. Namsom is a small town about 4 hours to t... Continue reading »
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59
NOTE - New Journal ...
Hi all, I just started a new Journal since this one is getting a little packed. If you click on Sarah's Trip - there should now be 2 journ... Continue reading »
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