Views from the Hancock

Photos from the Observatory in the John Hancock Building, Chicago

Bangkok Massage Parlour

Titillating as the title may appear, this post is about a genuine Thai massage parlour in Bangkok. On my first visit to Bangkok, I was a bit hesitant about entering massage parlours considering that some (most?) of them are fronts for more carnal activities. Then I found Center Point Massage and have been a fan since - havent made a single visit to the Land of Smiles without a pit stop at Center Point Massage.

This place is located on Sukhumvit Road (Nearest station: Asok on BTS or Sukhumvit on MRT). Though I dont remember the exact address, it is located between Sukhumvit Soi 24 and 33, and if you get to the road from either of the above mentioned stations and then walk towards Soi 33, it is on the left side.

The rates (as of April 2008) are a very reasonable THB 300 for a 1 hr Thai massage or THB250 for a 1 hr foot massage. The ambience is soft and soothing and the massueses are well trained, courteous, and do a great job! If you like the service, dont forget to tip!

Angkor Wat and Memories from Khmer Rouge

A few photographs from my recent backpacking trip to Cambodia.

Siem Reap - The Ruins of Angkor Wat

S-21 (Security Prison 21 of Khmer Rouge) - today called Tuol Sleng Museum of Genocidal Crimes

The Killing Fields of Choeung-Ek

Basic Facts for travel to Cambodia (as of April 2008)

Visa on Arrival (for Indians): Yes, $20 for a single entry 1 month tourist visa, 1 photo required.

Cost of entry to Angkor Wat: $40 for a 3 day pass

Cost of entry to Tuol Sleng: $2 per adult

Cost of entry to Choeung Ek: $3 per adult

Approximate budget per day (incl. food, accomodation, and transport on at least 2 person sharing basis): $ 25 per day per person

Getting there: No direct flights from India. Transit via Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, or Bangkok enroute to Siem Reap or Phnom Penh. Air Asia is a LCC operating in S E Asia and tickets are very reasonably priced.

Travel between Siem Reap and Phnom Penh: Riverboats on the Tonle Sap cost about $25 per person and take about 4 hours. A cheaper option is to take a bus. AC buses cost $8 per head and take about 6 hours. The road conditions are good and although not upto EU or US highway standards, the ride is not bumpy. Intercity buses operate in the morning, noon, and early evening.

Travel Tip: US dollars are valid currency in Cambodia. Do not exchange your USD for Cambodian Riels at the airport. You will lose in transaction fee and in that locals give a different rate as well. (In April 2008, official exchange rate was $1=3750 riels, whereas locals would trade at $1=4000 riels.)

Also, bargain like crazy while buying souvenirs, paintings, clothes, guide services - almost everything - except hotel menus, accomodation prices, museum entry charges and the like.

Backpacking 101 - Things to Carry

Based on my backpacking experience, I've created this checklist. It would possibly be of use to others who are interested in backpacking and budget short trips. Note that this is primarily for backpacking and not trekking/hiking. Trekking/Hiking would require additional items such as tent, sleeping bag etc. which are not mentioned in this list.

LIST OF ITEMS FOR A BACKPACKING TRIP

Clothes
- Long Pants / Jeans / Cargos
- Shirts
- Underclothes
- Handkeys
- Scarf / Cap
- Towel
- Hand Towel
- Shorts
- Socks
- Rainwear / Woolens
- Belt

Medical Kit
- Bandage / Band-Aid / Pain Reliever cream
- Dettol / Antiseptic cream
- Cotton
- Tablets for: cold, fever, loose motion, constipation, motion sickness, allergies, pain killer

Toiletries
- Toothbrush & paste
- Shaving Razor, Brush, Gel
- Sunscreen
- Moisturizer
- Body wash & shampoo
- Lip Gel
- Deodorant cum talcum powder
- Hand Sanitizer
- Mosquito repellent

Miscellaneous
- Laundry Bags
- Mobile Phone / Alarm Clock
- Water Sack / Water Bottle
- Floaters / Slippers
- Shoes & Shoe Dirt Remover
- Nail cutter
- Swiss knife
- Torch
- Clothes line and clips
- Sewing Kit
- Toilet Paper
- Paper soap
- Camera, batteries, memory cards, charger
- Money belt
- Tweezers
- Glasses’ case / Spare set of glasses
- Daily use bag
- Paper Napkins / Old Newspaper
- Combination Lock / Safety chain
- Comfort Kit : Air pillow, eye-shades, ear plugs, and blanket

Documents
- Passport / Driver’s License / Student or Company ID Card
- Tickets / Accommodation reservations
- Money in domestic and international currency / Traveller’s Cheques
- Guidebook / Pen

And all to be packed in a sturdy backpack!!

ps: please feel free to add to the list via comments if I've missed something of importance.

May MHK: The great escape

The misty mountains beckon... Come the 24th of May, we are planning to head far with the madding crowd. Would you like to be lost in sylvan idylls, nestled deep in the emerald boughs of Karnataka's ghats? Then this MHK is just for you!! How often will you get a chance to immerse yourselves in the sights, sounds and smells at "The Expatriates"?

Ah, well, I guess I'll stop sounding like a bloody travel brochure...

Listen, Bangalore is hotter than it's ever been. Just want to escape that for a weekend, and hence...

We're planning to head to Kudremukh for the weekend in the general region of May 24th and 25th. The place we'll be staying in is rather intriguingly called "The Expatriates". It's also got the more imaginative name of "Kudremukh guest house" or something similiar. We shall be driving down... either on 23rd evening/night or early 24th morning on arriving at a consensus.

The cost: The rooms should cost us some Rs 800 on double occupancy (400 per head). So, with travel and food thrown in, we're expecting the cost to be about 1500 per head. All interested folk can contact me by replying to my e-mail on the yahoo group. We will be collecting the money in advance as a registration since the accommodation needs to be arranged. It would be preferable if we receive a response by this weekend. Thankee... Contact details will be in the mail.

Trip Report: Shivgange

Went for a trek to Shivgange on Saturday, courtesy Mensa India (Bangalore). Supposed to be a picnic, more like a walk in the park, but turned out to be quite an adventure with fighting off ravaging monkeys, climbing impossible inclines, hanging on to handrails and what not. However, considering that it was a Mensa crowd, we had no dearth of interesting topics to fight on ... and that made the journey extremely fun.

Blues, browns & greens!

A green carpet

Stairway to heaven

To steal a phrase - a lot of bull ;-)

Spotlight from above

There are lots of monkeys on Shivgange. Pic of some intrepid Mensans.

Monkey see, monkey do.

On top of the world... er ... Bangalore, at least

If the Titanic could have flown, a picture would have looked like this!

Rock 'n roll