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Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade

a travel blog by Groovespook


The continuing Journey of Nuttter in S.E. Asia.

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Reality sets in - Departure in 3 days.

West Orange, United States


Well, in Three days, Nuttter gets on a plane, in Newark, New Jersey, for Tokyo, which is in Poland I think? Anyway, she then immediately jumps on another plane from Tokyo for Singapore, then from Singapore to Bangkok, which is in Austria. Or is it Thailand? This is probably around 30 hours of airports, airplanes, security, signs in strange languages, luggage racks, lame vegetarian options, and not much sleep.

Nuttter is nothing if she is not organised and prepared so this last 2 weeks have seen her a veritable whirlwind of camp stores, doctors visits (oh yes, no less than 4 different innoculations for diseases best left to the imagination). Researching and sleuthing the internet for tips and tricks for a trip that will see her trek over Thailand, Laos and Cambodia in a little over 6 weeks. A well deserved adventure for a travel enthusiast who has spent far too much time in one place.

I shall post here often to update the Nuttter fanbase with her exploits as best I can with the snippets of information I will get from the deepest darkest jungles of South East Asia and it's monsoon ridden rain forests.

BACK HOME:
I, alone and destitute with no love or anyone to care for me (sniffs), prepare to wreak havoc on the entire upstairs quarters of our home whilst Nuttter is making friends and taking 7000 pictures of ancient monuments and luxurious landscapes in S.E. Asia. I will also have boring updates about MY life to counter her adventures with some of the boring reality of... reality.

permalink written by  Groovespook on July 9, 2009 from West Orange, United States
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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AND SO IT BEGINS!

Newark, United States


So although this is not really about me, it is mostly my voice so you will all have to suffer through my "prose".

As Nuttter's journey takes off in about 20 minutes, there is really no news. However, I am alone in the house and a little stunned that she is actually on her way so yes, this will be a little long winded as I get used to the idea of Nuttter galavanting around S.E. Asia for ages.

I shall endeavor to place Nuttter's direct quotes - when they come in - in italics (is that alright Joe? - just a slight paranoia from a man who thought "punctuation" was a scientific term describing the Sex Pistols and who never really got "grammar". Hell, there is a reason I cannot play Mad Libs. Ugh, me, surrounded by professional journalists...Oh, and Joe. OH SNAP! - yeah, I went there!) The Italics is a nice way you can skip to the interesting "real thing".

Nuttter will shortly be on a plane for hours and hours and I will be in a state of frantic worry and despair (is that overboard?) I will be slightly concerned (that's not enough is it?) I will be on tender-hooks! (perfect - a butchery metaphor) till I hear from our dear Singapore based friends on midnight, Friday night (their time) (around Lunchtime Friday).

So yeah, more about me. I have been buried in an utter whirlwind of one's and zero's at work which completely sucks. For a few minutes a day I actually weigh up what is happening to my love life and realize that the very reason d'etre for my existence, the woman who changed my world, switched on my hear... (oh, vomiting, sorry)... is leaving for deepest, darkest S.E. Asia for 7 weeks. Strolling around without a care in the world. Viewing ancient monuments almost completely swallowed by nature's awesome wrath, seeing a world far away from the Tri-State Area's self important TRIPE. (wait, that might be a bit harsh, I do love the place).

So, the last few days have been pretty tough for Nuttter. Responses to " I am going to Thailand, Laos and Cambodia for 7 weeks" - something Nuttter has learnt to play close to her heart (one wonders why until one reads 1 thru 5) - have ranged from...

1. "WHY? But holy crap, WHY?"
2. " Good God woman.. Alone?" (Images of diseased Asian children on roadsides begging for food. Lifeless, charred bodies in ditches filled with water &c., &c.)
3. "What? Where? (flashing images of land mines, snakes, Agent Orange, spiders &c., &c.)
4. "Woah, wow, that's... ...interesting, why?" (flashing images of Asian policemen with m-16's, prisons, drugs, sex trades &c., &c.)
5. "HE is letting you go there?" (images of Groovespook, sheepish, then angry, close up of mad bloodshot eyes &c., &c.)

to...

6. "THAT'S AWESOME!" (Images of young, spritely AUS, NZ, UK and SA backpackers, laughing and drinking &c., &c.)
7. "I am SOOOOOOO Jealous" (Images of Angkor Watt, majestic mountains jutting from impenetrable rain forests &c., &c.)
8. " I have always wanted to go there you are so lucky!" Images of cute rainforest creatures, smiling Asian children, Delicious FOOD &c., &c.)


The ratio of these responses, sadly, has been 80-90% 1-5, and only 10-20% 6-8.

Further research and canvasing by an independent body (I was under the influence of alcohol) has determined that the 80-90% "nay-sayers", have been mostly the American contingent. Closer and more constant in our lives, this has presented a bit of a telling tale. Namely. AMERICANS NEED TO GET OUT MORE!!! And yes, OUT OF AMERICA. I said it. I mean it. GO GO GO GO GO, the world is amazingly fantastic and only slightly scary.

Nuff said. Well, probably too much said really. But this is my intro rant for those that are not prepared for the style (if style it be deemed) of Groovespook.

AT HOME.
Today I intend to start removing all furniture from upstairs, setting up the living room as my new apartment and then bashing holes in the upstairs ceilings. YIPPEE!!!!

Groovespook.



permalink written by  Groovespook on July 9, 2009 from Newark, United States
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Tokyo, Japan




permalink written by  Groovespook on July 10, 2009 from Tokyo, Japan
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Singapore, Singapore




permalink written by  Groovespook on July 10, 2009 from Singapore, Singapore
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Sing, sing, singapore!

Singapore, Singapore


Nuttter has safely arrived in Singapore, it's 1am, our friends have been partying it up a storm and were in high spirits when she arrived, I video conferenced on SKYPE and lots of fun is being had by all. Except me of course. At work. Not in Singapore. Tomorrow Nutter is slated to go into the jungle for a bit.

AT HOME:
The Ceiling of the Spare Um is now a mass of concrete and plaster on the floor.

Groovespook

permalink written by  Groovespook on July 10, 2009 from Singapore, Singapore
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Singapore - Direct from the source. (No italics available - poo)

Singapore, Singapore


Just wanted to let you all know I have arrived safe and sound. Both flights were good (a little turblulence on that last one, but not too bad). I was quite surprised how many kids/babies were on the flights...even the 13-hour one! 

It was wonderful to see my friends at the airport, Abby, Mesh and Virag. Lots of hugs and laughing and catching up. Singapore is stunning. Ridiculously clean. Slept well and woke up at the time I normally do, 6:30 a.m. Even went for a run this morning and it rained! It's quite muggy here so the rain felt good. Very tropical, lots of palm trees and lush green plants. 

This morning we headed to Chinatown and Little India. We ate dosi, these huge crepe-like meals stuffed with different foods. Mine had egg and onion and then you get three chutnies on the side. Yum! Had a bit of a walk around and then came back and had a nap. I know, it's a hard life!

Abby and I are now off to go for a walk to grab a bite to eat. It's been so nice to just sit and chat and catch up and relax. 

Miss you all and will keep you posted!

Nuttter.

permalink written by  Groovespook on July 11, 2009 from Singapore, Singapore
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Singapore Photos

Singapore, Singapore


Just posted a few photos of Singapore stuff.


permalink written by  Groovespook on July 12, 2009 from Singapore, Singapore
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Bangkok for a minute

Bangkok, Thailand


Just for a minute before hopping on another plane for Chiang Mai.

permalink written by  Groovespook on July 13, 2009 from Bangkok, Thailand
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Chiang Mai - Direct from the source.

Chiang Mai, Thailand


I left Singapore ridiculously early today and, this afternoon, find myself in northern Thailand. Chiang Mai to be precise. It's pretty full-on. An assualt on the senses. The city is surrounded by a moat and cars and motos and tuk-tuks zip by constantly, filling the air with noise. Side streets leading to the main road are packed with guesthouses, eateries and laundry places (by which I mean places where they wash your clothes and hang them out to dry).

It hasn't even been a full day and I am reminded by how friendly fellow travelers and locals can be. I struck up a conversation with an older American couple near the taxi stand at the airport and asked if they wouldn't mind sharing a taxi. They were heading to a guesthouse a bit further north than the one I was seeking (theirs was more expensive). At any rate, they were so friendly and quite inspiring....probably in their late 40s (she grew up in Philly, and he in NY). They are visiting Thailand for three weeks. When we got to their destination, Ken and Lee refused to take my share of the taxi ride. It was incredibly kind of them.

As I headed out to explore the streets of Chiang Mai (you think the streets of Greenwich can get confusing...this place is nuts!!!), I stopped to peek at my map. An older man (probably in his 60s) came up and asked if I needed help. He was American and has been living here for four years. Without even asking, he told me some good spots to check out.

It is so humid here.....taking showers almost seems futile. You just sweat up a storm within seconds. And the street signs are pretty funny....either there are no signs at all or the English version appears differently than what is on your map (apparantly a lot gets lost in the translation and some words just can't be translated!).

It will be a miracle if I find my way out of here.

As on the flights over, I'm quite surprised at how many families are here. Have seen families with youngsters on the plane over and walking the streets. Seems like it's quite the destination for families.

That's it for now. Will hopefully post again soon, but not sure what kind of internet access I'll find in the next few days.

Miss you all and hope everyone is well.


permalink written by  Groovespook on July 13, 2009 from Chiang Mai, Thailand
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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Chiang Mai and the 300 temples.

Chiang Mai, Thailand


So, dispatches from Thailand have Nuttter wandering around Chiang Mai absorbing the local customs and snapping away at the amazing world she is now part of.

Unfortunately I could not get any photos from her as the internet cafe she is at is powered by hampsters. I have it on good authority that there are roughly 300 temples in Chiang Mai, they just sneak up on you! The humidity is so thick that you can cut it with a knife, Nuttter is working hard to retain moisture and drinking lots and lots of BOTTLED water.

Tomorrow, Nuttter heads for Chiang Khong, on the border of Thailand and Laos. Chiang Khong is a popular border crossing for backpackers and has many guest houses and some fantastic waterfall views along the famous Mekong River. Not sure if she will be staying there for a day or so or continuing into Laos.

MOZZIE BITE TALLY: 1. (Mozzie=Mosquito)

AT HOME:
Hindered by an unwarranted, unannounced and very rude 12hr day at work, nothing was done on Monday. Spare Um is 3/4 prepped for sheet-rocking, I have decided to do the walls as well, stupid not too when going so far. Once I am clear and clean and ready for sheetrocking, I jump into the Office and get that to the same stage.

permalink written by  Groovespook on July 14, 2009 from Chiang Mai, Thailand
from the travel blog: Nuttter's S.E. Asian Escapade
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