Banking Woes

I deposited a check the other day in  my local bank and they said it would take A MONTH to clear! This was a check from a big company from a major US bank and there shouldn't be a problem. It was for only $400. Geez,   I can transfer money in minutes all around the world and this bank (NBAD) insists on holding my money for a full 30 days!!! I have to throw the bullshit card.

They just want to hold my money to get interest from it. The check will clear in a few days but I cannot have access to my money for a month. Its pure theft and things only work the bank's way. What if I told them my car payment was going to be 30 days late, I don't think they would be very understanding.

Banks are nothing but thieves and I suggest all to keep their money under the mattress rather than enrich these bastards. Charging interest is not according to Islamic law but that  fact is conveniently forgotten.

OK. I vented and feel better now.

Thailand Part 2

So as fascinating as Bangkok was, my friend and his family left for Abu Dhabi and I had itchy feet so I decided to go to Koh Chang, an island in the Gulf of Thailand six hours bus trip south of Bangkok. I eventually got to Trat, the nearest city to the island but the ferries had stopped running so I spent the night there and arranged transport to Koh Chang island the next morning.

After a 30 minute ride through the Thai countryside, we arrived at the ferry terminal. Automobiles on the bottom and people on the top deck of the rusty ship. It was chilly on board but a snack shop had beers so I survived without too much discomfort.

The voyage to the island took about an hour. The weather was hazy and the island revealed itself after about half way there as huge mountains jutting out of the gulf.

KOH CHANG ISLAND

ON THE FERRY

I arrived at the small port and waited for the pickup truck to take me to the other side of the island where my hotel was. The trucks have a canvas covering over the bed and the riders sit on makeshift bench seats in the bed aligned longitudinally. I arrived at my hotel and checked in to a very nice room. Thailand is inexpensive and a typical room costs USD$30/ night, breakfast included.

7/11s are everywhere

The next day I hired a guide to show me the island. We drove on the hilly roller-coaster roads to the southern most point of the island called Bang Bao where there was an overwater marketplace. I had a great meal (but the scallop appetizer gave me a rash, I think) and enjoyed the sunset with a couple of beers.

THERE SEEMED TO BE AT LEAST ONE MISHAP IN THE HARBOR

On the way we stopped by an elephant place. I declined a ride on the pachyderms but decided to feed them instead. These guys can eat an entire pineapple whole. Seems that would be rough going down the throat but they didn't seem to care. On one occasion, I almost  got a "trunk job"! 

FRIENDLY ELEPHANT

I loved the elephants and spent a lot of time there. I felt a connection with them.

There were monkeys too.

The weather could have been better. There was a high overcast and it was very windy. Otherwise, I did enjoy myself on the island. Four days there then back to Bangkok and then to Abu Dhabi. 

Thailand...Part 1

I just spent the last few weeks in Thailand. Its a wonderful place but you have to keep your hands on your wallet, The money flows freely there and everyone is after it.

I got a nice business class seat and slept most of the way of the 6 hour flight after a steak sandwich and other goodies. The plane had this cool forward camera.

LEAVING ABU DHABI

A friend of mine was already there and had a room for me. I landed at the airport and got a cab to the hotel and checked into a very nice room at the Grand Business Inn in central Bangkok. This was disturbing in the bathroom though, I had to brush my teeth in the bedroom for fear of bodily harm. This sign was on the bathroom sink.

WTF!!!!!

Anyway, it was a nice room despite the dangerous cabinet. I survived without injury. I had to take a peek and found nothing but some electrical connections way back in the corner of the cabinet. Hardly a fatal situation.

Later, I went to a Buddist temple on the river in Bangkok. I took the very efficient BTS (Bangkok Transit System) overhead train to a dock where I boarded a boat to another dock where I boarded another boat to the temple. The river was very high due to the recent monsoons.

THE BTS

MORE BTS

RIVER BOAT TO TEMPLE

ON THE RIVER

LOCAL BOAT

After awhile, I got to the temple. It was an amazing example of art and architecture. The sculpture was incredible and a real treat to these Western eyes.

While there I got blessed by a Buddist monk. He was an old man adorned in the typical orange cloths and he said a prayer, sprinkled water from a brush over me and gave me a wrist band for good luck. After that my debit card wouldn't work and things just seemed to go wrong. I cut the wrist band off and things got better. Maybe I got a curse, bad Karma?

OUCH!!!

BOOZE CRUISE BANGKOK

Bangkok is an incredible place. Things I enjoyed was the food and the great smells of the city from the street vendors cooking food.The Thais really know how to eat. Everyone seemed happy.

Next....my trip to Koh Chang, an island off the coast of mainland Thailand

Amazing Lightning Photo

A friend of mine, Sam Unterman, shot this photo of a massive thunderstorm in St. George, Utah, USA. The timing was incredible!

St, George Lightning Strike

This town is located in the Northeastern Mojave desert and many of these storms are rainless. The lightning is dangerous as it strikes dry brush on the nearby mountains and wildfires occur as a result.

I just had to share this dramatic photo. You won't see another like it.

Adrien Brody Encounter

I went to a Q&A session the other day featuring the Oscar winning actor (The Pianist) Adrien Brody. He was promoting his new movie Wrecked which will premier at the fourth annual Abu Dhabi Film Festival. Wrecked tells the story of a man who crashes his car into a ravine and faces incredible odds to survive. The film was made in Vancouver, British Columbia.

Brody, the son of Hungarian-born photographer Sylvia Plachy and history professor Elliot Brody, grew up in Queens, New York and credits his mother (who was in attendance) for his ease in front of the camera. He accompanied her on many assignments for the "Village Voice". He expressed his continuing interest in independent film and relief that his hard work and fame allows him to bypass the usual auditions. He is glad to finally have the luxury of choosing the scripts he is interested in.

The Abu Dhabi Theater

The Abu Dhabi Theater

Adrien Brody was very relaxed and forthcoming during the 90 minute session. His eyes glazed over when a question was asked in Arabic but a set of headphones were quickly supplied for the translation. He was joined on stage with the principals of the movie.

Adrian Brody

Arabic to English Translation

Doesn't Anyone Wear Socks Anymore?

The Screenwriter

Centro Hotel Pool Party-Immaculate Touch-Yas Island

The oppressive temperatures have moderated and folks are starting to come out of their caves. So I decided to enjoy the weather and attend a pool party at the nearby Yas Island. The Moonbase where I live is a long taxi ride to downtown where most things happen and I was encouraged that there was something of entertainment value occurring in the neighborhood. Plus admission was free for my ilk!

I arrived there early and the crowds were scarce but the pace soon picked up. The weather was perfect as well as the surroundings at the Centro Hotel. The DJ's played a good mix of music and there was a guy cooking barbeque.

As one who likes to chronicle the weird and wonderful, I posted some pictures of the event.

It Wasn't a Church Event

Party Starting to Get Rolling

I Don't Know What the Story is Here

Some Coworkers Showed up

In All my Days, I Have Never Gazed Upon This

What a Great Idea! Women on Stilts!

I Feel Blessed, an Angel's Smile!

The "Bad" Angel

All in all, I had a good time. The beer, food, venue and scenery made for a relaxing afternoon. Regrettably, it was kind of a "Sausage Fest" as the lopsided ratio of available females/males here rivals that of Alaska, but one learns to deal with it. Right place at the right time with the right words are key, failing that, there is always Thailand.

That being said, there was no shortage of eye candy!

Oops, Camera Misfire...Sorry

So I cabbed it home for an early night after the early afternoon start. Don't drink and drive. I honestly can't justify owning a car here anymore.