July 21, 2009

Epic downpour has driven me inside to a small, crowded shop in Karon Beach. Just chilling today after a challenging, yet rewarding day yesterday spent diving at Racha Yai Island off Phuket, Thailand. The boat trip out to the island was extremely rough and one poor woman from Honk Kong emptied her insides overboard more than once en route.

Once we moored offshore at Racha Yai Island, we quickly enteredt he water for our first dive. We descended to about 30 feet or so and explored some nice coral and colorful fish. We saw a target fish, which our instructor unfortunately to too close too and received a bite. I heard his scream under the water, but fortunately, it didn't break the skin...just a bruise.

Our second dive we went a bit deeper, perhaps 40 feet or so and fed some groupers some bananas. I must have had 50 fish feverishly swarming around my head as they urgently competed for the banana which quickly evaporated before me in the water.

The boat trip back was even more challenging as the angry seas lifted the waved to grand swells, rocking our boat significantly and causing the same woman to contribute something to the Andaman Sea. I practiced severe mental games to offset the seasickness, which came very close to expelling what little luch I had eaten a few hours earlier.

Finall, an hour and a half after departing Racha Yai, we landed at Chalong Bay.

A good day overall though...gaining confidence in my diving.

Cheers,
keith

Karon Beach - Phuket, Thailand - July 17, 2009

The southern Thailand intense sun has turned my face a very dark brown. The sun emerged today for the longest stretch since my arrival in Phuket two days ago. I took advantage by settling in on the long piece of sand that is Karon Beach. The surf is incredibly rough and there is only a small block of the entire beach that is open for swimming, but it is a very risky enterprise to venture far out as successive waves pummel the shore relentlessly. I waded out to waste deep and couldn't take it for more than 10 minutes. Each time I surfaced from a crashing wave, another was waiting for me a few seconds behind it. Exhausting.

I rented a scooter yesterday and took advantage of my mobility by driving up the western coast of Phuket all the way to Surin Beach, about 10 miles or so north of Karon Beach. As I buzzed my way through Karon beach, up a windup coastal road and into Patong Beach, I was somewhat dissapointed at the the extent to which this piece of paradise has been totally exploited by the tourist industry. There is a definite sleaze factor to Phuket--with "massage parlors" seemingly outnumbering the available clients to solicit them. A westerner walking the boulevard at any time of day will not go more than a block before hearing the chants of the Thai women, "Massage, sir...massage?"

There is little available free space for the Phuket jungle interior to glisten as the concrete hotels, shops, pubs, and minimarts present an impenetrable tangle of modernity and extent all the way to the base of the hills and sometimes encroach upon the lush, green hillsides as well.

I plan to do some scuba diving next week in the nearby Phi Phi islands and hope to get a lot of reading done as well...just relaxing and enjoying the trip.

Cheers,

Keith

Bangkok, Thailand - July 14, 2009

Day two in Bangkok, Thailand and I've been assaulted by every conceivable smell, taste and sound...it's an electric city that moves nonstop. There are significant western tourists in the predictable--and worthy--temple sights around the city. Move beyond these areas though and your quickly in the thick of Bangkoks population with few--if any--westerners to be found. Chinatown is one such place. Wandered there this morning after a mile or so walk from my hotel.

The narrow alleyways of the main markeplace are a seemingly endless web of lanes with every conceivable product on review. To throw some chaos on top of this, scooters occassionally buzz there way through a space that is already filled with human traffic.

I meandered through this congested maze, stopping to purchase a bag of cantelope from a local merchant. I made my way back to by late morning to one of the more important temples in the city which boasts of the largest reclining Buddha statue in Thailand. It's a massive, bronze structure that glares at visitors with an easy smile. Some Thai locals also shared the view--making sure to bow in supplication before this symbol of the ultimate Thai deity.

Tomorrow morning, I fly to Phuket in the south of Thailand to revel in the clear waters and relative calm of the south of the country. I hope to do some diving down there if the weather cooperates as I read in the local newspaper today that epic monsoon rains have beseiged the region since Saturday. We'll see.


An amazing trip so far!

Cheers,
keith

Auckland, New Zealand - July 12, 2009

Sitting in an internet cafe a few blocks from my hotel on this damp, cool and dreary Sunday morning. In a few hours, I'll take a bus to the airport to catch my flight to Bangkok, Thailand and the next leg of my trip.

New Zealand is a spectacular country, with upbeat people and natural surroundings that are truly stunning. My quick, 9-day tour started in Auckland, where I explored a few islands offshore and toured this clean, cosmopolitan city on the edge of a sparkling bay which harbors many other small islands that attract hikers and people in search of quieter shores. Raritonga is just a 20 minute ferry ride from the dock in Auckland, but it seems much further. I was told that it was formed only 600 years ago after a violent eruption from the sea which was witnessed by some local Maori people on a neighboring island. There are a few houses near the shore, but the entire interior of island is dominated by thick, black volcanic rock and dense forests, which rise steadily to a windswept summit with uninterrupted views of the city and bay in all directions.

I'll drop you all a note from Bangkok in a few days...looking forward to some warmer temps...

cheers,

keith

July 9, 2009 - Mt. Hutt, New Zealand

Just finished an incredible day of skiing in the southern New Zeland alps and am writing this from a small internet shop in the center of Methven, the small town at the base of the alps. It's been an great trip so far. Auckland was a great introduction to the beauty of the country with its pristine shoreline and stunning bay islands. Christchurch on the south island has the charm and pace of a small town with a slight cosmopolitan flair...the central square resembles a European model as it is highlighted by a beautiful stone church.

I've met some interesting people so far. Tim from Melbourne left today for home. He was a cool guy--in his mid 20s--who was skiing for the week while his girlfriend sunned with a friend in Hawaii. Apparently she wasn't a skier. Naomi from San Jose, California was also in our ski group the past few days. She said she hated Texas because George Bush lived there...that was the extent of her political statements at the bar last night. Otherwise, she's a cool chick in her mid 40's yearning--like myself--for that next adventure.

There was OJ--our minivan driver--who drove us up from the town of Methven to the ski resort. I tried to convince Naomi and Tim that he was a deadringer for Paul McCartney. Tim agreed and laughed. Naomi chuckled, but wouldn't buy it.

There is Jenny--the owner of the Bed and Breakfast where I'm currently staying in Methven. She is a sprightly, thin woman in her mid-60s who runs a cozy operation. She lives in the house and will show up unexpectedly around any corner. Thankfully, she has yet to enter my room without notice...

On to Thailand on Sunday...more stories to come

Cheers,

Keith

July 8, 2009 - Mt. Hutt, New Zealand

Hi all...I spent the day today skiing in 2 feet of powder on Mt. Hutt in New Zealand's southern alps. The conditions were the best I have ever experienced. I'm staying in a comfortable, small lodge in the tiny town of Methven, which is about a 1/2 hour or so from the ski resort. This ski place doesn't have any actual places to stay on the mountain...it's a bit different from resorts in the states. Everyone drives up this extremely steep access road to the resort each morning...goes skiing, then leaves at the end of the day. The scenery is right out of a Lord of the Rings movie...even though I've never seen it...I'm told that much of the movie was filmed only a few miles from the stunning mountains that I'm skiing in this week.

Anyway, It's an amazing trip so far...miss you all...thanks Emma, Jaimie, and Jessie for your note. I'm leaving for Thailand on Sunday and looking forward to some more adventures...

Cheers,

Keith

Rangitoto Island - New Zealand - July 5, 2009

Just returned from a day hiking up to the summit of Auckland's newest volcanic island called Rangitoto. The climb to the summit was a pretty decent hike with a few showers to make things interesting. The island is only about 600 years old and erupted out of the sea to the amazement of the Maori people situated on a nearby island--so the story goes. Anyway, the path up to the summit is steep in parts, but manageable. The view from up top is tremendous with 360-degree views of Auckland and surrouding islands in the bay. It was a cool day with temps in the 50s. Tomorrow, I fly to Christchurch on the south island, where I'll head further afield to the town of Methven which is the gateway for some of New Zealand's best skiing. Recent news has it that a lot of snow has hit the south, which bodes well for my skiing adventures there. Overall, a great experience so far, with lots more stories to come.

Off for a brief nap before dinner.

Cheers,

Keith

Waiheke Island, New Zealand - July 4, 2009

I've posted some more pics below...scroll down and you'll see some of what I saw on my hike around Waiheke Island today. It's an incredible beautiful place...serene, quiet, relaxing...It's only day two and I'm amazed at what this place has revealed. It's been quite cool with temps in the 50s...but only a few showers around.

I'm off to Christchurch on Monday for some skiing and hopefully even more incredible views. I'm really tired after a day of hiking...so I'm headed back to my room for a little nap.

cheers,

Keith

Auckland, New Zealand - July 3, 2009

Landed this morning in this sunny and cool city after a 17-hour long flight. My first impressions are that it is very clean and laid back...a Kiwi trademark apparently. The customs guy at the airport addressed the bloke next to me as "mate" and sent him on his way with a "gooday" drawl. It was a nice introduction to the city and a refreshing change from the stoic, heardened officials stamping passports in New York.

I just had a quick bite to eat at a Vietnamese restaurant on Queen St--one of the main arteries running through the city. My hotel is clean and centrally located. I am now going to spend the rest of the afternoon strolling the downtown area and waterfront. It's a very hilly city which spills down and overlooks a beatiful bay. There are many islands offshore that I intend to explore via the ferry system over the next few days. Flying into the airport this morning was a postcard worthy vista with sheep grazing the green hills and the bay surrendering its pristine depths just in time for our plane to touch down on the tarmac. It really was a close call in my view as the plane couldn't have been more than 20 feet over the water before the tarmac suddenly---and to my great relief--made its appearance. Overall, a subdued city with a relaxed vibe...lots of Polynesian locals and a generally young crowd walking the sidewalks...

I'll try to post pics soon...

keith

Departure day approaching...

As total apathy and restlessness takes hold of my students, my sights are now increasingly focussed on my July 1 departure date to New Zealand. This should be an amazing summer. I'll start with 9 days in New Zealand where I'll explore Auckland and its surroudings for a few days before jetting off to the south island for a week of skiing in the southern alps!

Then, it's a long flight to Bangkok where the the weather will warm and my activities will shift to the underwater variety...scuba, snorkeling and the like. From there, it's off to be humbled by the extreme poverty and teeming masses of Bangladesh. I hope my words and pictures will provide some sense of what I'm experiencing...

I'll write as often as I can and post pics when possible. I'm back August 7.

Cheers,

keith

Panama Baby!!!!

The last I checked this morning, the expected high in Panama City is 96 degrees. The 10-day forecast has little cooling trend...so I'm packing light...very light for my 8 day trip there. Starting in Panama City for a day or so before heading up to the island of Bocas del Toro in the northeast of the country. We expect to just chill there while doing some snorkeling, kayaking, jungle trekking and other outdoor activities.

There is internet access in the lobby of our hotels, so I'll drop you a few lines when I can.

Bring it on!!!

Killington, Vermont - December 28-31, 2008

It wasn't the best skiing, but Vermont in Winter rarely fails to calm my soul and this trip didn't disappoint. My nephew Cody, my cousin Nick and I drove up to Killington on Sunday and were greeted by a roaring fire and the comfortable confines of Turn of River Lodge a few miles downhill from Killington base lodge on sleepy Route 4. The skiing conditions were really bad as a weekend warmup created vast sheets of ice across the resort. A snowstorm descended on our last day, promising better conditions for later in the week, but we had to hit the road and return home on Wednesday...bad timing for our skiing portion of the trip.

Cody and Nick went snowmobiling on Tuesday as I sat by the roaring fireplace in our lodge and read a bit and just relaxed. I drove up Route 4 a stretch and took some pics before picking them up from their snowmobile outing.

I'm already looking forward to a return trip later this season when the powder should be more widespread.

Happy New Year!!

Keith