nomad4ever

The last couple of days we had some stormy nights and windy days – although it’s still warm, around 25 degrees centigrade.

Some days of strong winds and heavy rain were expected – as the slow-moving tropical depression responsible for the unusually surly weather moved westward from central Thailand into Burma. Last night’s winds knocked over some trees at Saphan Hin and caused some flooding in Karon, but there were no reports of injury or major property damage resulting from the storm.

Police wanted to watch especially flood-prone areas in tambons Wichit and Rassada, as well as in Phuket Town, where downed trees could cause traffic accidents.

written by Chris

Just some update from Phuket: everything is business as usual. No plane delays, no military in the streets, the dealers in Phuket selling their fake Rolex’s, ‘branded’ T-Shirts and Suits like every other day.

The only difference is a small military vessel anchoring in the ‘famous’ Patong Bay, but patrolling up and down every half hour.

TV Channels (BBC, CNA, CNN) are up and running again since this morning and are reporting in a normal manner.

In Bangkok, most people seem to support the coup, as some folks are on the streets with banners. Updated eyewitness news from Bangkok can be found here.

written by Chris

Last night’s Military Coup in Thailand (latest news here), to oust still reigning ‘autocratic’ prime minister Thaksin Shinawatra, seems to be a non-event at least in Phuket. Although there seem to be tanks in Bangkok around all governmental buildings and martial law has been declared – no sight of any unrest in Phuket.

Here – this morning 9.45m – everything seems calm and normal, with the locals chatting calmly and friendly as usual and going on with their usual ways. Okay, Phuket never was a stronghold of Thaksin anyway.

written by Chris

Don’t we all want to be somehow Nomads, Vagabonds, Roamers, Rovers, Pilgrims, Wanderers, Perpetual Travelers, Permanent Tourists, Tramps, Continental Drifters, World Citizens?

What are you waiting for? Life is what you make it! Break the cycle, get out of the rat race, break the habit and peer pressure, downshift, retire young – trot the globe, ‘walk the earth…like Caine in Kung Fu’, make new friends – make your own life!

written by Chris

Added some more travel pictures from all around Asia here:

Bali:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomads-vagabonds/tags/bali/

Thailand:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomads-vagabonds/tags/thailand/

Philippines:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomads-vagabonds/tags/philippines/

Laos:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/nomads-vagabonds/tags/laos/

written by Chris

Sponsoring is more and more important these days. Who can finance the ever-exploding costs of the healthcare systems?

Naturally those companies who contribute in large parts to these kind of costs.

In Thailand, especially Phuket and even particualarly in Patong – those surely must be alcohol producers and breweries.

Even better and how-so-responsible are the efforts, local beer giant Singha is putting into sponsoring the local hospital.

Am waiting for the day that tobacco companies sponsor cancer centers and american Burger Joints sponsor Weight Loss Clinics or Weight Watchers.

written by Chris

I’m still amazed by the laid-back atmosphere of Laos.

Unbelievable is the beauty of Vang Vien, where we stayed 4 days, just sitting at the river admiring the landscape and environment. Nature aplenty, with rice fields, caves, mountains and mud tracks.

The changing light coming over the mountains, the fog, the flowing river, the swarms of bats during sunset which avoid collisions and sudden maneuvers, and maintaining constant situational awareness by flighing smoothly in incredible figures and formations – what a sight!

written by Chris

…what a great idea! Every tourist cleans the sites he/she visits.

That’s the old diver’s motto “Take only pictures, leave only bubbles” adjusted and extended for land rats.

(Location: Prom Thep Cape, Phuket/Thailand)

written by Chris