The First 8 Months

Ok, A Quick Update…
I have been here in Thailand for 8 months now. So a lot of my adventures have already happened. So I will quickly go over the last 8 months and give a quick detail of each month….

December

I arrived in late December. The flight over was horrible. And long. The first thing you notice when you get off the plane is the heat. Plus the humidity. Australia was warm to hot when I left, but nothing prepared me for this.


January

My first few weeks consisted of staying in a Motel until I could find accommodation. Seeing as I knew no-one, didn't speak the language, didn't know where to go, and didn't understand the money system, I was left with very little to do. So I walked. Here, there, everywhere. I heard about these 'baht bikes', and 'baht buses', and how easy and cheap they are. But trust me; once you have a look at the way the traffic works here, you'll understand why staying home is the safest option. It took me until my first night on the drink to get on a baht bike taxi. Wow, terrifying at the same time as exciting. Glad I was drunk.

The previous Manager here was also Aussie, so on New Years him and some of his friends took me out. What a night!! I was taken to "Walking Street". It's kind of hard to explain it in a good way (unless you're young, horny, and single). It's basically a short street with bar after bar of sweaty old men, drunk holidayer's, guys in drag, and little Thai girls hovering around anything with a heartbeat and a wallet. But you really do have to see it to believe it. Mum, you won't like it. Dad, you won't like it because Mum won't let you go…..


February

I found a nice cozy little apartment close to the beach. Good thing work was paying the rent. Gives me more money for fun and adventures. My house got broken into while I was sleeping, and my laptop, watch, phone, and some cash were stolen. Lucky me became a victim really early. The owner of my house put up some security bars, and hired a security guard, so I managed to sleep a little easier after a few days. Although, whenever I cam home after a few drinks, I'd park right in front of the security guard, lights in his eyes, and he wouldn't budge. He was sound asleep, half falling out of his plastic chair.

My company paid for me and the workers to go up North to Chiang Rai. That was a good weekend. I finally got to know the guys I work with, have several drinks with them. Those buggers can drink. They start around 8 in the morning and finish what seemed to be around 8 in the morning. But the weekend was fun, and I have some great photos from it. I will post them at a later date.


March

By this time, I was slowly starting to settle in a little. I'd found 3 drinking holes that I'd frequent, trying to get some regularity in my life. One being a 'pool hall' type of bar. One being a small open air bar, and the other a bar down a side street which was owned by an Aussie. So I made that bar my 'local'.

Unfortunately, my grandmother on my father's side passed away this month. It hit me fairly hard because I knew how close she was to everyone, and how everyone would be devastated, yet quietly glad the suffering was over. Being over here by myself, with no way of offering my support, be it a hug, or just being in the same room for support, made me feel pretty shitty, and made it hit me so much more. So I got a little bit drunk. Actually, I passed out and threw up everywhere.

Nan, you're the reason me and my brothers are the men we are today. I'm going to miss you, sorry I couldn't be there. R.I.P.


April

I was granted leave to go home to Australia. I t was good to see everyone again. Especially my little baby, Samantha. Mind you my little baby is a purebred chocolate Labrador, whom sometimes I seem to miss more than everyone else. I hope to bring her to Thailand soon.

May - July

Not much happens here. I get used to my role as a manager, life becomes a little easier here in Thailand. I learn a few more words, can actually order food in Thai now. Although usually it's the same meal, because so far that's all I know.

I met a nice Thai girl. I met her at her Aunties bar. She wasn't one of the 'working girls', but she did work there. She controlled the cash, accounts, etc. I have been friends with her for a several months now. She doesn't seem dangerous, or mean in any way. At this stage I am thinking to my self, maybe I could have her as a girlfriend? Better to stick with one then sample different ones. Not as safe to do that like back home. (Nathan, you'd be no good over here…..just joking)

Early July, I have 3 guys over from Australia. For work reasons. That was good, to see some old faces. Also one of my good friends from back home popped over for 2 weeks. That was good too. I was supposed to be a tour guide for her, but I had to work nearly every single day. Even when I had an approved day off, I had to go into work. I think it still went good. She met a few people over here, Roy, Nigel, Peter, Gaew. I just wish I had some more time. Oh, and money helps too...Sorry Sharon… Please forgive me. If you ever come again I'll make sure it's better

End of July I move to a new place. It's right on the water, and I mean right on, it's a house built on an old fishing pier. But it's not in a touristy area, it's in a fishing village called Bang Sare. Very nice, and as Daryl Kerrigan once said, "Ahhh the serenity". Which is exactly what it's like. Except for when the fisherman are all back, and they have silly music blaring, cleaning their boats at 6am every morning

My new 'girlfriend', Kae, has moved in with me. It's a good arrangement. She can cook up a storm, and I can leave the house looking like it's been hit by a storm. Perfect.

And now we have August, which has been a good month. Work has been good, and things are moving along nicely. That’s when I decided to start doing this blog. Then I don't have to remember everything. Just write it down.

End of August we had another work party. Like I said, these buggers can drink. We started at around 5pm on a Saturday, and finished up somewhere around 8.30 in the morning. Took me 3 days to get over it!!

Anyways, that's about it for what I've been up to. Of course there are lots more, but I just wanted to give a brief insight for the last few months. As I remember things I'll post them, with pics too.

Cheers