Leaving for Thailand!!....

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:43 am

Hello fellow burners! The time has finally come. On Tuesday i've got a ticket booked from New Jersey to L.A., California where my girlfriend lives, and then on March 28th we've both got tickets booked to Bangkok, Thailand! Life has taken some interesting turns over the past few months, and ultimately led us to finally pull the trigger, scrounge up what little money we have, and head to Southeast Asia for a 3-6+ months journey. We haven't got a plan, just a little bit of money, and a backpack. I've never left the country before. Actually, my BurningMan2010 experience was the first time i'd ever even gotten on an airplane! For the first time if my life, essentially, i'm throwing caution to the wind, going with the flow, and just seeing what the world has to offer. Everyone around me thinks i'm crazy (hell, even i think i'm a little crazy), but we're just going to go do it and see the world a bit.We haven't got a plan, other than a rough idea of a few places we'd like to see. We're just going to show up, and wander. Do some island hopping, visit as many neighboring countries as we can, etc.. I decided to write this post for a couple of reasons. 1) to see if there were any burners in Thailand or even in the surrounding countries we'll be visiting (Cambodia,Laos, Vietnam,etc.) that we may be able to hook up with while we're out there and hang out with. I'm not looking for a place to crash, or any kind of support,so don't worry, lol, it'd just be cool to meet some like minded burner friends out there that could show us around a bit maybe, or just go grab a drink with. 2) Maybe my crazy plan will encourage someone else to just "go for it". Life's too short to just live in our safe little bubble. Sometimes you've got to just take a leap of faith and see where it leads you. It's quite a fitting time to take this journey, as this year's theme happens to be "rites of passage". I'm taking my leap of faith and can't wait to emerge from the other side with a new outlook on the world. When we return, we'll likely be broke and sadly won't be able to afford BM this year, but i'm going to try my best to pull together the funds when we return so we can finish up our journey at the place that gave me this desire to just let go and explore; that place was BM2010. Well, if anyone is in the Thailand area and would like to meet up at some point when we get there, please reply or email me at [email protected]. Also, if anyone that has been there before has any suggestions of where to go, what to do, what you enjoyed while you were there, what you missed and what you might recommend i bring (bugspray and malaria pills are a given, lol) , please comment! Really, go crazy! i'd love to here about your experience before i set off on this journey.We'll be bringing a netbook with us and i hear there is plenty of available wifi out there, so hopefully we'll be able to check back here often and stay in touch with folks. We'll be starting a little travel blog for our friends and family to stay up to date with where we are and what we're doing, so as soon as i start that, i'll post a link here too. Thanks for taking the time to read my post. Looking forward to hearing from some well traveled burners!

Post by **Savannah** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:17 am

Good luck to you!

Post by **Sham** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:22 am

Very exciting. Have you thought about exploring Pennsylvania first?
Have a great adventure!

lucky420 · Post by **lucky420** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 10:47 am

Yahoo and congrats to you and yours for taking such a leap....

Truly hoping you have a most excellent adventure!!!

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:00 am

Shambala wrote:Very exciting. Have you thought about exploring Pennsylvania first?
Have a great adventure!

lol, actually, Pennsylvania is kind of where this all started. When she flew out here for the first time, we went and stayed in Pennsylvania for a week or so, albeit at a rented house, not just wandering aimlessly, but it was a good time. We did some hiking around the Bushkill area. Enjoyed the outdoors quite a bit. Then when i flew out to California we went to BurningMan, followed by a few weeks traveling Cali, hiking in the desert here and there. All along, the plan was to go to Thailand eventually, where 4 of her friends have already been there for 5 months waiting on us, and now we've finally reached the point where we're able to go.

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:04 am

Savannah wrote:Good luck to you!

lucky420 wrote:Yahoo and congrats to you and yours for taking such a leap....

Truly hoping you have a most excellent adventure!!!

Thank you, both of you. I appreciate the encouragement!

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:19 am

I take this will be your first foray into a third-world country.

Too many people return from such trips with a "I'm so sorry for those people" and "how can they live like that?" attitude.

But you're a burner. Embrace the freedom, the edginess, the love that's inherent in such countries, be patient and keep a good sense of humor and you will enjoy your adventure.

Thailand is a wondrous place to see.

geospyder · Post by **geospyder** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:47 am

I've backpacked in Thailand up into Laos back in the early 60's. My Uncle Sam gave me the provisions. Definitely an adventure. Somehow I have the feeling your trip will be a lot better. Have fun.

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:12 pm

Ugly Dougly wrote:I take this will be your first foray into a third-world country.

Too many people return from such trips with a "I'm so sorry for those people" and "how can they live like that?" attitude.

But you're a burner. Embrace the freedom, the edginess, the love that's inherent in such countries, be patient and keep a good sense of humor and you will enjoy your adventure.

Thailand is a wondrous place to see.

Indeed, this is my first trip to any country other than this one. I'm going with an open mind, a respect for the people and places i'll visit, and the understanding that the way i live is not necessarily the way others do. Oh, and a very healthy sense of humor. I'm hoping it'll be an enlightening experience and will do my best to allow it to be so. Thanks for the words of wisdom!

geospyder wrote: I've backpacked in Thailand up into Laos back in the early 60's. My Uncle Sam gave me the provisions. Definitely an adventure. Somehow I have the feeling your trip will be a lot better. Have fun.

It took a second, and i was going to ask why your trip wasn't so great, and then i realized what you were saying.

(little slow today). Much respect for your service. That said, i too hope my trip goes a little better than yours. Thanks for posting

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:15 pm

Phuket Island and Maya Bay is beautiful any time of year. Also if your in SE asia for that long get to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it is an awesome site. Vietnam as well. Your money will go a long ways in these places

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 12:36 pm

mdmf007 wrote:Phuket Island and Maya Bay is beautiful any time of year. Also if your in SE asia for that long get to Angkor Wat in Cambodia, it is an awesome site. Vietnam as well. Your money will go a long ways in these places

Thanks for the tips!

Precisely! The low cost of living is the only reason im even able to do this. Just going to stay and keep experiencing things for as long as our modest budget will allow!

Post by **Elderberry** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 1:02 pm

You'll have a great time and a grand adventure.

lonestoner916 · Post by **lonestoner916** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:25 pm

http://wickeddiving.com/

A Burner friend works for them you should definitely check them out when you're in the area.

moonrise · Post by **moonrise** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:45 pm

Have a fantastic trip you two!

Do some snorkel and scuba for us would ya'?

(that's envy, LOL)

Maybe you will want to learn some fire spinning in Thailand on the beaches; Look for burners, they'll teach you the best & safest techniques.

Send us some videos...we'll certainly be posting ours for BM 2011!!

Monkeypoo · Post by **Monkeypoo** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 5:59 pm

This is really exciting! I am thrilled for you both! I love it when folks just throw caution to the wind and go off on wild adventures like you are doing. Life is too short for sure. Have a fabulous time. Yeah, snorkeling. Do it. Send us a postcard. Best wishes and have a safe fun journey!! Say hi to the monkeys for me.

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:03 pm

jkisha wrote:You'll have a great time and a grand adventure.

We sure hope so!

lonerstoner916 wrote:http://wickeddiving.com/

A Burner friend works for them you should definitely check them out when you're in the area.

Awesome! That's perfect. We definitely plan on doing some diving out there. Thanks alot for the link. Might the employee you mention be a member on here? if not, could you point me in their direction? Thanks!

moonrise wrote:Maybe you will want to learn some fire spinning in Thailand on the beaches; Look for burners, they'll teach you the best & safest techniques.

Send us some videos...we'll certainly be posting ours for BM 2011!!

Fire spinning, eh? i'll give it a shot. I'm a decent juggler (when sober), so fire spinning would be nice to add to my repertoire, lol.

Also, I'll be taking tons of pictures, and some videos, and uploading to our blog as frequently as possible. I've added a map and calendar for everyone to see where we've been, as well as photo and video gallery to actually SEE where we've been, lol. Anytime i've got wifi, i'll be updating the blog. Still working on setting it up, but when it goes live next week i'll be sure to post the link here!

Monkeypoo wrote:This is really exciting! I am thrilled for you both! I love it when folks just throw caution to the wind and go off on wild adventures like you are doing. Life is too short for sure. Have a fabulous time. Yeah, snorkeling. Do it. Send us a postcard. Best wishes and have a safe fun journey!! Say hi to the monkeys for me.

Thanks! I'm glad to see so many people excited for us. I knew the burner community would understand exactly what we're doing and appreciate it. Before BM2010, i wasn't the type to throw caution to the wind and just go with the flow. Actually, i was quite the opposite. To be honest, i still am, but i'm working on it. This is a big step in the right direction, i think. I'll be sure to say hi to the monkeys! I'm working on a way to smuggle one out, but i think that carries a death sentence over there; pretty much everything does from what i've read, hah.[/quote]

Post by **mdmf007** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 9:08 pm

Also -

start a blog and update it now and then on your trip with pics, stories and the like. Good for people to live vicariously and to keep the family from worrying.

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Fri Mar 18, 2011 11:47 pm

mdmf007 wrote:Also -

start a blog and update it now and then on your trip with pics, stories and the like. Good for people to live vicariously and to keep the family from worrying.

Absolutely. My plan is to update the blog anytime i have wifi access. That should be easy in Bangkok, but will likely be more difficult in remote areas. I just hope we don't get lazy and slack off. When wifi is available i'll do my best to update daily. We plan on taking ALOT of pictures and videos, and i intend to keep a log of every new experience and adventure, big and small.

Badfishhh0116 · Post by **Badfishhh0116** » Wed Oct 05, 2011 11:22 pm

Well, I've been travelling Southeast Asia for over 6 months now. I have to apologize for never getting my blog going. it's much more difficult than i imagined while travelling constantly, most of the time not having wifi. I decided i needed to come on here and update my status after having just spoken to family back home over skype and being told i received a postcard in the mail postmarked from BRC. Thank you, Zombiesnow, for keeping me in mind while out on the playa. I was so bummed to miss the dust this year since im out here travelling, but it's really awesome to know that someone, a near stranger, had me in there their thoughts while breathing in the dust. Thanks a ton for that!

I've been all over Thailand, literally, the first 5 months of my journey were spent in Thailand alone. I then worked my way through Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and i'm now back in Bangkok awaiting the arrival of my sister and her husband who are coming out here on vacation to spend a couple of weeks with me.

I've got so many amazing stories and experiences as well as thousands of photos and hundreds of videos. i hope to write some kind of blog or something after my travels, as i know it can help other people and possibly inspire some to take a journey like mine. Writing "after-the-fact" is not optimal as memory gets clouded, but i will do my best and hope to share my experiences with everyone.

i've 2 more months of travel left, with Loas and Cambodia on the agenda with even more stories and experiences to come.

Thanks again to Zombiesnow for the postcard and i hope everyone had an excellent burn! See you all in 2012!

~Badfishh0116 in The Land of Smiles

Ugly Dougly · Post by **Ugly Dougly** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:34 am

Thanks for the update!

Post by **trilobyte** » Thu Oct 06, 2011 9:38 am

Don't worry about the blog, in my opinion it's better to be in the moment while on your adventure. Sounds like an amazing journey, with some fun bits left to go. Travel safe, and share your stories and pics with us when you get back

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