Pictures of Bangkok

When people take pictures, they tend to take pictures of the most beautiful spots.

If you are in Bangkok for just a couple of weeks, it makes sense to focus on the Wat Po, the Royal Palace and other touristic attractions.


But I think that to really know how Bangkok looks like, you need to go beyond that.

That's why I've started to take casual pictures of BKK streets, to show a more "connected to reality" view of BKK streets.


So I've opened an album on Picasa which name is "Pictures of Bangkok" (how original is it? :D )






This is just the beginning, more pictures are to come.

So stay tunes

My Holidays plan in SE Asia

I'm about to get into the Final exams period. It's gonna be A LOT of work.

but after the rain comes the sunshine and in my case the sunshine has the colors of holydays.



I already have a plan for the 3 weeks (roughly) I'm gonna spend in the region.

I have a friend coming from France and we gonna hit the road together.


So, we will start by Cambodia. Direct flight to Pnom Penh (PP) which will be used as our base camp. From there we'll probably visit two or three interesting cities that are not more than 5hours away by bus.

Of course Sihanouk ville is on the radar.

I have a phillipino friend who's living in PP for quite a while so we have shelter and he will tip us on the hot spots.

It's gonna be fun.



Next step is thailand.I havent really visit the country because I didnt have time.

Starting from Bkk we will head North to Chiang Mai and eventually Chiang Rai.

There are a lot of things to see in these two cities so we will probably spend around 4 days in the region.
Sukhotai is in the way so we may make a stop there in our way to Chiang Mai

From Chiang Rai we will either fly or take the bus to Laos.

The first stop will be Louang Phrabang. I have been told that it's a wonderful place, so will check by myself.

Then we will go to Ventiane, the capitale. Plan to stay there a couple of days.


Finally we will make our way back to Thailand.

Udon Thani is the first stop. But we wont stay there for long.

Though the end part of our trip is unclear, I think we will take a flight straight to the South.

And who says South in Thailand says BEAUTIFUL BEATCHES.

I still cannot make up my mind between Ko Lanta (for French people: Yeah the island of the reality TV show "Koh Lanta") and Ko Samui.

If you have any tip please let me know.



Well writing that trip plan cheers me up.

Sounds a lot of fun. Cant wait to be there.



But for now, lets take one thing at a time and start by the exams part.


I will find the time to blog somehow (or not).


Oh btw, if you have any remark, tip or comment on the schedule, please let me know.

Things get crazy in AIT

I haven't write anything for around a week now.

One can wonder why?



There is a simple explanation which can be wrapped in one word: WORK!!!



I've already detailed what am doing in Thailand in this post.

I'm taking 7 courses actually, 6 as credits and one as an auditor (which actually doesnt make any difference from the workload point of view).

It was fine at the beginning, the workload was balnced, well spread over the weeks.

And then came the mid-term exams. The workload was heavy, but I was thinking that this was a one time thing.



I did have the chance to completely rest for one week.

And then things start to get crazy.

Everything arrived at the same time, assignments, presentations, reports, projects,etc.

I dont know, maybe all the Prof realized that there are just 6/8 weeks left.

But basically, now I have at least 2 presentations AND one report every week.


Each presentation means at least 15 hours of work and actually 20+ hours if you aiming at an "A" grade.

Not to mention the workload that a report implies.



I have at least 2 group meetings almost every day.

My schedule is so crazy, that I actually have to schedule my sleeping hours. And i'm scheduling those for the coming 2/3days.



Over the past days, I've hardly been able to manage to squeeze 5/6 hours of sleep which are most of the time divide in two "sleeping sessions" (thats how I call them now).

The rest of the time is totally devoted to work (and when I can, eat).

Now, I carry my laptop everywhere everytime and my closest friends are Excel,Word and PowerPoint coming from Office 2007 (which is a big improvement compare to previous versions).


I need to blog about the Cultural Show which took place last week-end and in which I was involved. It's the biggest event in AIT and I did play a major role. But I will blog about it later.


Last thing. My body actually did shutdown and reboot yesterday.

I was supposed to have a 2 hours sleep session between 6PM and 8PM.

So I went to bed, and next thing I know I opened my eyes and it was 1AM.

Some may say that the fact that I had 7hours of sleep over the last 72 hours payed a role. They may get a point.


So in a strategic move, I decided to grab 4 more hours of sleep.

It need to be confirmed, but I think it was a smart move. I wake up rested and fresh at 5AM.

I need to do some catch up obviously, but I'm fresh so I'm more efficient.

the next sleep session is planned for tomorrow 5AM (10PM GMT).



I'll come back as soon as I can

THE picture of Bangkok

 

Ok, the title can be misleading. But I really think that this picture can symbolize Bangkok.


Because is an inextricable mix of ultra-modernity and kind of traditionnal, old lifestyle.


You will find this modern building, a brand new subway, a crazy networks of roads and freeways, and as you can see, these nice,neat, clean subway stations (invaded by Advertising of course)

And side by side with the aforementioned building, you will see this kind of old building with funny colors.

And along the road, all these small shops, and the vans that you, litteraly, catch on fly.



I really like this mix.

As I often tell to my friends, Bangkok is this perfect mix of Paris and Douala.

Definitely the place where I want to be.


P.S: The girl on the ad is definitely hot.

Bangkok Skytrain

 

 

 

 

Here are some pics of the Skytrain of Bangkok. The name here is BTS

As you may guess by the name, it's an overhead brand new subway



The stations are large, almost too big, clean.

As I've already said in a previous post, the temperatures inside are kind of crazy.

It's OK during the afternoon, because the outside world is hot as hell.

but when the outside temperature start to fall with the sun, you find yourself starting to freeze.


The BTS is kind of expensive (for the thai standard).

Unlike Paris sub, here they still have the concept of zone (like in the RER).

And of course, you have 2 stations in zone 1, 1 in zone 2, 2or3 in zone 3 and the rest (about 12) in zone 4and 5.

Needless to say, the system is designed to make you pay the max. The prices range from 20 to 40 bahts (based on my personal experience).


Also, there is no way you don't pay the ticket. There are police agent at every stations and every gates.

So basically, you DO pay the ticket.


In all cases, the BTS is a must have in a city like Bangkok where the traffic jams are nightmarish.

I'll write about the circulation in Bangkok in a coming post.

Today was a good day

Today was a good day (actually yesterday but it doesnt matter).

I went to a very nice restaurant in Bangkok.

The name of the restaurant is "Once upon a time".

Very nice place, delightful atmosphere, very good food.

The adress is 32 soi 17 Pethburi Road, Pratunam.



I took some photos but with a friend digital camera so I'll post them as soon as I get them.

I dont have enough time to blog on this now (its 3:30 AM).But I will later on blog on that with pictures of courses.


Another thing that makes this day cool is that it was one of my closest friend birthday.

I know we kind of lose contact, but you know that you've got a special place in my life.

So HAPPY BIRTHDAY to you.

And to celebrate, this song is dedicated to you.




Bill Withers, "Just the two of Us", a great classic.

So click play and enjoy.