The first day on Phi Phi was just spent on the beach and in the water. The water was calm and clear, the sun was out, and there were beers to be had (by others).

It has been perfect beach weather for the last 3 days – not too hot, and a nice breeze. Two beach chairs and a little table were going for 100 baht.

The following two pictures are of the first sunset we saw in Phuket.

I think the two biggest attractions of Phuket are 1) the beach, and 2) the girls (or boys that look like girls). Can you tell who’s a boy and who’s a girl???

Not too hard to tell. She even lifted her dress a couple times and you could see the package was tucked away neatly.

I arrived at my dental appointment an hour late because my taxi driver didn’t know where he was going.  Still, he was a nice guy as he chit-chatted about Laotians visiting Bangkok from Nong Khai and how much money they had because they could afford to do that (yeah right, the Lao are rich).  He asked where I was from, where I was traveling, who with, for how long, etc.  He even questioned why I was even going to a dentist because my teeth looked fine.  Maybe I should wait until my teeth are black with rot???

The cleaning was pretty quick, in comparison with a very thorough session I’ve had in Oregon.  I didn’t even get a toothbrush or toothpaste afterward!  Next, the dentist came in and I had a consultation about my root canals.  She said the roots would need to be cleaned out first, and medicine put in, before they could perform the rest of the procedure.  I asked how long the whole process would take to finish, even though I had a sinking feeling I knew the answer anyway.  About 3 months.  Doh! 

"Umm, I’m only going to be in Thailand for a month, is it possible to start the procedure and finish at home?" 

"No, I don’t recommend that.  You should get it all done with one doctor so they can evaluate your progress."  (sigh) "OK."  I guess it’s good to know they’re not only trying to get money out of patients.

Plan B:  I’m going to replace my silver fillings with inlays and replace one crown.  I’ve made four more appointments to finish my procedures and will be able to leave Bangkok for an island a week from today.  (Sigh)  Now I’ve got to find some touristy things to do and fill up my week.

Before arriving in Bangkok, I tried to book a room at the Sawasdee Khaosan Inn, because I knew the airport bus stops directly in front of the hotel.  After sending two emails, I never received a reply back.  I resigned myself to that fact that if they didn’t have my reservation, I’d just walk around and look for a place at one in the morning.  No big deal, it’s Khaosan.  Somebody’s always up.  At 12:45, I walked into the hotel and told the girl in English that I think I had a reservation.  She asked me what my name was, and I told her, but in the proper Thai/Lao accent.  "Oh, that sounds like a Thai name."  "I know, I’m khon Lao."  (Laotian.)  "Can you speak Lao?"  "Yes."  From there, the whole conversation was in Lao and I felt a little awkward trying to remember my rusty Lao, since I hadn’t used it constantly in over a year.

The comradery of an almost common language had its advantages.  She didn’t even look at any computer, but proceeded to ask me what room I had booked and started checking me in.  (Right before I left Korea, I had called the hotel to confirm my reservation, but the person told me all rooms were fully booked and hung up on me.)  The pretty, petite girl then asked if I was by myself (yes), and said a tour group of 40 Laotians had just come in this morning.  I was having small talk with a Thai(!),  so I guess I wasn’t that rusty.

This morning, I had the free breakfast buffet around 8:30.  Just some advice, go there early, because you could tell the omelets had been there since the buffet had started at 6:30 am.  I ventured for it anyway.

I then walked around Khaosan a bit while the vendors were setting up their stalls.  The street seemed almost peaceful.  Later tonight, it will be teaming with freaks, geeks, hippies, Euro trash, families, Thai teenagers, lady boys, police, and the rest of the gawkers.  I have a love/hate relationship with Khaosan, since this is my 5th time in Thailand.  The street is practically visual diarrhea and makes you feel a little dirty just for being there.  At the same time, there are so many travel agencies, PC rooms, cheap places to eat, and a plethora of information for people passing through.

Upon the recommendation of Reardon, I decided to try out a new area and am now at Reno Hotel near MBK.  I’m staying here for only a couple days because those were the only availabe days with rooms, then head back to Khaosan and wait for Raswan to arrive later this week.