Change of Fate in the Land of Smiles

Big change in plans! After much deliberation I have decided to save Chiang Mai for later. Instead of doing the epic Thai-Laos-Vietnam-Cambodia loop I'm going to fly to Saigon and work my way back to Bangkok through Cambodia. If I have the energy and any money left I'll save Chiang Mai for last. Many factors played into my decision to stay in Bangkok. First, I think new years here will be more exciting. Second, my window of travel through Vietnam is tight and its rather tricky trying to predict when I'll actually cross that border. Third, as glorious as the "Reunification Express" sounds, I've read many blogs about the train from Hanoi to Saigon - none of them flattering. Surely it would be an experience but you spend most of the incredibly long trip travelling overnight in cramped quarters, meaning you don't see much. If I had more time and money I would do it but I think the novelty of that would quickly wear off. Saigon will be enough 'Nam for me and I can't wait for what will be the highlight of the entire trip - Angkor Wat in Cambodia. I've been fascinated since the first time I glanced at it in a National Geographic article when I was just a wee lad. Every other temple I've seen will pale in comparison to the mother of all ancient shrines. Only the pyramids of Giza are waxing the same jive as this sucker.

So, tonight is New Years Eve and it's a full 12 hour difference between here and there. I'll be well into the future by the time your clocks strike midnight. Stupidly enough, I forgot it was New Years and did the tuk tuk terror ride to the Vietnamese embassy only to find out they're closed until Saturday. On the way back I went to Wat Phao and saw the massive reclining Buddha there, made a wish or two. Tomorrow I'm going to the Emerald Palace and the floating market. Tonight I'm just gonna stay here and take in the fireworks. The hotel has an awesome rooftop pool and bar and there is an excellent 360 degree view of the entire city so I'll have a perfect view. I imagine Khao San Rd. will get pretty crazy tonight too. Time to have a shower and purge the stink of Bangkok from my pores. Seriously, this city is downright grimey. I would rather give my future child a hearty Alabama baptism along the shores of Lake Ontario than set foot in the rivers here. Joking, but you get the idea.

2009 was a wild ride. Buddha is smiling on 2010. Miss all of you - Happy New Years folks!