Bangkok is full on strange. It's nothing but street markets and back alleys and littls stalls selling vats of curried squirell. If you've seen
that leonardo dicaprio beach movie, and you probably should if only for the first half, you'll be happy to know that the Bangkok scenes are not
embellished whatsoever. In fact, I'm convinced that they shot part of it in my room.

Anyway, assuming I'm not knifed to death by pirates tonight, I'll be flying to Sydney tomorrow evening. I think I enjoy the third world best in small
doses.

written by  Jason Kester on November 2, 2000 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Australia
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Bangkok is full on strange. It's nothing but street markets and back alleys and littls stalls selling vats of curried squirell. If you've seen that leonardo dicaprio beach movie, and you probably should if only for the first half, you'll be happy to know that the Bangkok scenes are not embellished whatsoever. In fact, I'm convinced that they shot part of it in my room.

Anyway, assuming I'm not knifed to death by pirates tonight, I'll be flying to Sydney tomorrow evening. I think I enjoy third world cities best in small doses.

written by  Jason Kester on November 2, 2000 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Australia
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I opted out of the luggage equation this time around. I've crammed three months provisions into a little carryon pack. It's cool because I never have to think about what I'm going to wear. Let's see... I've got one pair of shorts and a shirt. I guess I'll wear that!

So yeah, the austrialia leg is all about the jellyfish, with not much in the way of tall rocks to be found. I have the shoes along just in case, but for
the most part I'll be surfing.

written by  Jason Kester on November 2, 2000 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Australia
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Along the way I'll be able to check this address a few times:
radboy2@yahoo.com

See you in February!

Jason

written by  Jason Kester on October 25, 2000 from Portland, United States
from the travel blog: Australia
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If you want off this list, speak up quick because I'm heading out within the week. See ya!

Jason

written by  Jason Kester on October 25, 2000 from Portland, United States
from the travel blog: Australia
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I spent a little over a month there off and on last summer. I would highly recommend the place. Partners are always easy to find, and most of the people even speak english.

The crux can be hitching from Gap. I had times where I was picked up within 30 seconds of sticking my thumb out, and at least one 8-hour ordeal to get the 25km up to Sigoyer. From downtown, walk out a ways on the D994. Scribble out a sign that says "Freisineusse(sp?)" as well as "Sigoyer". That should inspire the through traffic to at least take you partway. Anyway, at Fres..., head left on the D47 and follow the signs to Sigoyer. Hopefully by now you're in a car with a climber. Otherwise, walk the mile uphill from Sigoyer to Les Guerins campground.

Les Guerins is a turbo plush campground by US standards. It has free hot showers, refrigerators, washing machine, and a woody in the barn for rainy days. Not bad for 3 bucks a night. Gerard, the farmer that owns the place doesn't speak any english, so it's always fun trying to pay for camping. He also sells bread and chalk, as well as really cheap ravioli.

According to the french, Ceuse is the place to be is southern France when the weather is too hot at Buoux and elsewhere. I was there from June to August and there were always plenty of people to climb with and bum rides into town from.

written by  Jason Kester on March 25, 1999 from Portland, United States
from the travel blog: Europe, North Africa 1998
tagged Climbing and Ceuse
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Oh yeah, I took BIG WHIPPER number two the other day, at the hands of the same belayer chick from BW1. This time I was 5 feet above a bolt & 15 feet right resting on a ledge (and enjoying a giant sport loop) when I pulled off a hold. Moral: Orpierre rules, just dont eat your lunch below the cliff if you dont want to get clobbered by falling rocks. Oh, and dont worry, the french will probably bolt the hold back on.

written by  Jason Kester on August 7, 1998 from Sigoyer, France
from the travel blog: Europe, North Africa 1998
tagged Climbing and Ceuse
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Random french trivia:

They have Pier 1 Imports here, but it's just called Pier Imports. They actually leave enough room in the sign for the 1, but it's nowhere to be found. I think they use them as American traps, because you stare at this sign across the street trying to figure out if the 1 is just burned out or what, and after about a block of walking and staring, they have this open manhole for you to trip over and fall into. At least that was my experience.

written by  Jason Kester on August 7, 1998 from Paris, France
from the travel blog: Europe, North Africa 1998
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I'm actually looking forward to being back in america. I miss 8 lane roads and big supermarkets and signs that point to things that actually exist and stores that are open at 9 at night and 1 in the afternoon and at all on sunday and monday. So I'll try to make it up to Seattle soon after I get back.

written by  Jason Kester on August 7, 1998 from Paris, France
from the travel blog: Europe, North Africa 1998
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