Opening Day

When does football season start? After seeing that the O's lost to a community college team and their Triple A team yesterday, I am glad to be overseas and not watch them every night. This will be the first Easter that I haven't searched for an Easter egg in order to get my Easter basket. Although, it won't be hard to find an egg in this part of the world since it is part of so many dishes. Still not the same though.

I left Bangkok yesterday and had a 7 hour train ride that was hell on the body and heaven for my mind. I had been dreading this day, not because I was leaving Bangkok, but because the border crossing into Cambodia can sometimes be a difficult experience. At the train station in Bangkok I saw a girl with an REI backpack, which in 100% of my encounters so far, means she is American. In this case from Colorado. Lori has been teaching English in Korea for the last 4 years and is just doing some additional traveling now before seeing where the wind blows her next. She was talking to an Aussie named Lorelle who is about my parents age and has also done a ton of world traveling setting up education programs all over the world. Spending time with them on the most uncomfortable 7 hour train ride to the Thai border, getting our Cambodian documents, and finally getting a ride into Siem Reap, made this day rather enjoyable. Sure, the tuk tuk drivers tried to scam us at the border (which we were ready for) and we all were inexplicably crammed in the backseat of a taxi for 2 hours on the ride to Siem Reap while the passenger seat was empty, but the company and conversation was great all day and I hope to be spending most of my time in Cambodia with Lori. Angkor Wat is the sightseeing star here. Hopefully it lives up to expectations. More on that in the coming days.

But enough writing. How about some pictures!

Perhentian Island friends

Clown fish. Had to dive under to get these pics, which really burned the lungs after dozens of attempts, but well worth it.

Anemone

Coral

This was the sight wherever there was food

Should have rotated this pic, but turn your head and look at the fish in the corner. Like he is staring at me.

Personal space definitely was invaded by these guys

other islands in the distance



Sunset with some black and white artistic liberties taken as the color in the sky wasn't that stunning.

komodo dragon

More of the Perhentian Islands in Malaysia

boat pier in Penang

Kek Lok Si temple Penang

Chinatown Bangkok

Bangkok fire hazards. Low hanging power lines everywhere

Giant Swing

Some Wat (temple)

Muy Thai boxing

Wat Arun

Grand Palace