Sacrifices (Bangkok, Thailand)
I was reminded recently again that there is still not enough time to see all that I want to see on this trip. This courtesy of when I was looking through a book titled Miracle Thailand at a bookstore here in Bangkok. The images and text surprised me for they showed things that I did not expect to encounter in Thailand. There is a fair bit I won’t have seen even after this trip is done.
Tomorrow I fly to Chiang Mai (After a week hanging out in Bangkok) to explore the more Northerly regions of Thailand. This has also resulted in what I believe will be my first major sacrifice due to time. I have decided not to go to Cambodia. No bombs or killing fields in the tour any more.
While I have been in Thailand for 10 days now (A few down South), I have spent more time than planned in Bangkok resting, soaking up the city, shopping, and preparing for future travel. While I did take a day to go visit some ruins a little North of Bangkok, I still don’t feel I have a good grasp of Thailand. So instead of inserting another new country I made the decision to first get a better feel for Thailand. If I am able to do that then maybe I will make a quick trip to Cambodia - but I think Cambodia deserves more than just a few days. The visa alone is US$20! Besides, Sri Lanka and India are next. No need to overload right now.
I’m not sure if my pace of travel is slowing down because I have been traveling for a few months now, or if it because it is harder to travel in SE Asia. I’m inclined to think more the latter. As the latter affects my ability to complete tasks related to the “Business of travel.” Indonesia wore me down a bit too - even in Bali. I think this was mostly because of the humid wet season weather, but also because of all the touts and spending anytime in Jakarta - a modern day working hell (As opposed to living hell - war zones, and natural disaster areas).
A fellow traveller asked me recently if I thought it was possible to see nearly “everything” and be satisfied and not really want to travel again. I said - YES.....with proper planning, rest breaks, and pacing that is, and confining the list to “Unique” places - a subjective list no doubt. Maybe in a few years I will be able to fully define what the most unique points are. To top that affirmative answer - I don’t think it takes a lifetime either, but it certainly takes more than a couple years of solid travel. I guess it would be a lifetime if one only has a few weeks of vacation every year.
Tomorrow I fly to Chiang Mai (After a week hanging out in Bangkok) to explore the more Northerly regions of Thailand. This has also resulted in what I believe will be my first major sacrifice due to time. I have decided not to go to Cambodia. No bombs or killing fields in the tour any more.
While I have been in Thailand for 10 days now (A few down South), I have spent more time than planned in Bangkok resting, soaking up the city, shopping, and preparing for future travel. While I did take a day to go visit some ruins a little North of Bangkok, I still don’t feel I have a good grasp of Thailand. So instead of inserting another new country I made the decision to first get a better feel for Thailand. If I am able to do that then maybe I will make a quick trip to Cambodia - but I think Cambodia deserves more than just a few days. The visa alone is US$20! Besides, Sri Lanka and India are next. No need to overload right now.
I’m not sure if my pace of travel is slowing down because I have been traveling for a few months now, or if it because it is harder to travel in SE Asia. I’m inclined to think more the latter. As the latter affects my ability to complete tasks related to the “Business of travel.” Indonesia wore me down a bit too - even in Bali. I think this was mostly because of the humid wet season weather, but also because of all the touts and spending anytime in Jakarta - a modern day working hell (As opposed to living hell - war zones, and natural disaster areas).
A fellow traveller asked me recently if I thought it was possible to see nearly “everything” and be satisfied and not really want to travel again. I said - YES.....with proper planning, rest breaks, and pacing that is, and confining the list to “Unique” places - a subjective list no doubt. Maybe in a few years I will be able to fully define what the most unique points are. To top that affirmative answer - I don’t think it takes a lifetime either, but it certainly takes more than a couple years of solid travel. I guess it would be a lifetime if one only has a few weeks of vacation every year.
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