January 4, 2010 – Day 375 – Ayatthaya, Thailand

The ruins of the old capital Ayatthaya are scattered across the now restored, modern city. Renting bicycles is a great way to get yourself around the city, using the extensive road system, a handy map from the rental folks, and a bit of caution when crossing the multi-lane highway that operates on the opposite side you might be used to. This is how we saw Ayatthaya’s ruins and it turned out to be a whole lot of fun.

In the ruins

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January 2-3, 2010 – Day 373-374 – Bangkok, Thailand

Well, the time came for us to go back to Bangkok and sad as we were to leave beautiful Samet, we made the drive back. We made another visit to the Chatuchak Weekend Market to pick up any last minute souvenirs before we send Lin’s backpack home with Latham stuffed full of goodies. (Note: in place of Lin’s 35L backpack listed on the packing list, Lin will be downsizing to a 24L pack. Seems small but we have learned to travel with very little).

Musicians in the market

December 28, 2009 – Day 368 – Koh Samet, Thailand

“Uggghhhh.” We all three grunted at the alarm clock in unison. It was suggesting that we get out of bed at the ungodly hour of 6:45. Why, oh why must buses to beautiful beaches run so blasted early? Is it some kind of karma pre-payment plan for getting to go somewhere lovely while the rest of the city zips around on the back of a moped huffing diesel exhaust? Maybe…

The goal

December 17, 2009 – Day 357 – Chennai, India

Got into Chennai around 7am and were met by the Zombie Brigade at the central bus stand. The rickshaw drivers were more than ready to take us into town and they were so competitive it was like a pack of zombies fighting over the last human morsel.

Our swanky bus to Chennai

December 16, 2009 – Day 356 – Kanyakumari, India

The ominous looking grey blue sky made a dramatic backdrop for the bright white church sitting just near the rocky pier. The water front is crammed with small fishing boats bobbing gently with the ocean’s waves. Their peeling paint is still a bright contrast to the almost black stinking water and the darkening sky.

Boats in the bay

December 15, 2009 – Day 355 – Kanyakumari, India

Today was a blow-out sort of day. Slept in, ate a spicy thali for lunch, and spent much of the afternoon trying to get a train or bus ticket to Chennai. Kanyakumari is not the sort of place that you really want to spend more than maybe a day. While prices are very cheap compared to everywhere else in India, the only attractive factor is that it is in fact, the very end of India. Nothing profound really to see but a kind of cool thing in itself. The town is small and full of unusually sketchy characters and domestic Indian tourists (the reason things are so cheap here). At any rate, we will be staying here tomorrow since that is when we can get a bus out!

Dark and light

December 14, 2009 – Day 354 – Kanyakumari, India

The tip of India. We finally made it after a much longer than expected travel day. Though it was 6pm and getting dark, we definitely got to see the end of India. From the jetty we could see this huge statue in the water just beside another little island with a brightly lit church. Even better was the view from the roof of our hotel across the city and toward the sea!

At the tip of India

December 11-13, 2009 – Day 351-353 – Varkala Beach, Kerala, India

After a travel day and not getting to Varakala late afternoon, we spent our afternoon settling into the pretty cliffside beach town and enjoying the sea air.

Varkala beach

December 6, 2009 – Day 346 – Fort Kochi, Kerala, India

Around 2pm, we arrived at the Ernakulum Railway Station. A rickshaw, a ferry, and a 1 km walk later, we arrived in the center of town of Fort Kochi. It is a small place and easily walkable.

On the train

December 5, 2009 – Day 345 – Palolem Beach, Goa, India

It was a long day of waiting. We had to check out of our room at noon so we couldn’t go to the beach today (who wants to ride an overnight train covered in sweat and sand?). Instead we took very long meals and spent a lot of time at the internet cafe and walking around town. Finally, it was time to catch the last local bus into town at 7pm.

Samosa!