Thailand Adventure

April 17, 2011 was our first port day and if every port experience is equal to this one, our adventure is going to be more life-changing than I imagined. We actually docked in Ko Samui, Thailand on the 16th but we couldn't get off because we had rehearsal.  However, on the 17th we sailed north to the Laem Chabang port - about 2 hours from Bangkok. Since Jeremy was rehearsing for "It Takes Two," he only had the evening in Thailand.  I wish we could have at least shared the evening together but without active cell phones there's no way to reach each other once we split up.  How did we ever live without cellular communication?! 

There are two other cast members, Kurt and Justin, that aren't in "It Takes Two" so the three of us left for Thailand as soon as we could. We couldn't get off until the afternoon and since Bangkok would've been about four hours roundtrip,  we opted for the beach city of Pattaya about 30 minutes from the shipyard.  Riding in the taxi, we noticed that pedestrians all along the streets had squirt guns to drench all the cyclists, bikers and open air busses. Our cab driver told us this was called a "Thai Shower" and we assumed it was just a normal gesture to cool people off. However, when we got to the main strip in Pattaya, called Walking Street, we saw a city-wide block party and squirt gun fight that I could never describe with just words. We then realized that these "Thai Showers" were for Thai New Year and the way they celebrate is by soaking every single passerby. And I mean soaking. Drenched.  All over the city, street vendors were selling plastic phone cases and ponchos.  In Bangkok, fire trucks drive through the city spraying people down with the fire hose!  It would've even more fun if I had been more prepared but I was wearing my Frye leather sandals and carrying my nice purse. (Don't worry mom, my sandals aren't ruined! Thank goodness, you know how much I love those!).  However, I bought a pair of cheap flip flops, put the shoes in my bag and I was ready!  We took a lot of pictures and video of this crazy Thai New Year celebration so I'll upload those when I can.

Even with the constant "showering," the heat and humidity was unbearable so the first thing we did was buy boba tea milkshakes on the beach. I'm used to boba tea being in LA but Kurt and Justin had never heard of it. We payed $10 baht per tea which works out to about 28 cents!  ($1 US Dollar equals about $33 Thai Baht).  The only Asian city I had been to before this cruise was Hong Kong. Even in the cheapest areas of the city, it's still expensive compared to mainland China.  Now having been in Thailand, Hong Kong is far more expensive. 

In Pattaya, the three of us got 1 hour Thai massages for $6 US Dollars. I had never had a Thai massage back home but this was an incredible experience. All over the city are these restaurant/convenience store/bar/massage parlors.  I'm obviously used to private rooms but here they have you put on scrub-like pajamas and the massage rooms have about 10 beds each. So we all laid next to each other as the masseuses worked in unison.  The best way I can describe this massage is that they use their whole bodies to massage our bodies.  We were walked on, pulled, rocked up and down, kicked, poked and prodded. It was awesome! :) We were already planning on giving a good tip but it was pretty funny because they demanded a $100 baht tip which is about $3 US dollars. I'm sure not everybody tips 50% but they knew we didn't know any better. I was happy to give them my money though considering I had just gotten the best massage of my life for a total of $10!

After the massage, I indulged in a malibu pineapple cocktail, with fresh squeezed pineapple, and of course amazing Thai food. The entree sizes were tiny compared to what we're used in Obese America and each dinner cost about $3 US dollars. So, we all got two dinners!  We obviously played into the American stereotype!  It was without a doubt the best Thai food I've had, which I wasn't necessarily expecting since there are so many authentic Thai restaurants in LA. While we were eating dinner, a Karaoke band in the restaurant sang "Morning Has Broken" and "Amazing Grace." It was so great to meet local Christians so we supported them by singing Karaoke for 2 hours! We had a blast and drew a huge crowd with "I Will Survive" and the backstreet boys - requested by the locals.  My favorite part was when a Russian man sang Russian karaoke.  In fact, I was surprised by the population of Russians in Thailand. I guess it's their vacation spot and almost every sign is in Thai and Russian. 

After dinner, karaoke and a squirt gun fight in the street, we walked down to the beach and experienced the bathwater, nay spa water, that is the Gulf of Thailand. At 10pm, the water was about 80 degrees.  To top off our amazing day in Thailand, we had Thai beer at an Irish Pub while listening to a live Thai pop concert. What an experience. 

Before I sign off, I have to mention one of the sad truths of Thailand.  As soon as the sun set, hundreds of women, or should I say girls, lined the streets waiting for a night's work.  I felt so hopeless and disgusted as I watched men of all ages approach 14-20 year old Thai prostitutes. We've all heard the rumors of the Thai red light districts but I was not expecting to see such depravity on the main drag of a tourist friendly street. I felt sick to my stomach and my prayers go out to all of the organizations and missionaries trying to help women in sex slavery and prostitution.

With that, please pray for these women (and men!)  Soon to come - Cambodia!

Much love,

J & J