Mistakes with the timer

The Joys of Turbulence

You'd think after all this flying I wouldn't mind a little turbulence here and there...but you're wrong. I find it terrifying and this last flight was no exception. It's not that I have to pop pills to calm myself down, but the feeling of the airplane dropping 10 feet is just not okay with me. Thanks, but I'd like to have my heart in my chest, not my throat.

The flight started out bumpy, but it wasn't until that 10 foot drop where the more vocal passengers gasped simultaneously that I got nervous. However, someone was smiling upon us when the flight attendant came over the intercom announcing, "Please fasten your seat belts...we'll be coming through the cabin...free wine and beer." What?! No joke, Ross and I instantly looked at each other.

Dev: "Did he just say free wine and beer?"
Ross: "Yes, yes he did."
Dev: "No way."
Ross: "Yes way."

And so it began. We became close with our flight attendant seeing that he brought us numerous bottles of the sweet white stuff. Ross and I were having a hay day. Yes, hay day. Both were plugged into our free movies, eating breakfast and sipping our wine.

Turbulence? What turbulence? I was as cool as a cucumber. Ross and I would look at each other and laugh then dive back into our free entertainment. Want to know the best part of this story? Our flight flew out at 8 AM. Enough said.

So, we may never get enough mileage to gain ourselves free tickets, but we will always take up an airline on free drinks.

WA TAAAAA!

While in Hong Kong, I(Ross) finally had the distinguished privilege of meeting one of my idols; the legend himself, Bruce Lee!


Things were really going great. Bruce and I were really hitting it off. That is, until I got a little too cocky...


and Bruce had to put me in my place.

A Wee Little Room

Being that Hong Kong is one of the most densely populated cities in the world, there tends to be a lack of personal space. And when it comes to our accommodations...we were not spared. Here's a little insight to how close Ross and I have been for the past week and a half:

Hong Kong Room from Ross Ballinger on Vimeo.

P.S. We put up a few pictures from Hong Kong. Check them out on the right!

Giving In

Before leaving for our year long adventure, I was aware of the fact that long term travel is not easy. In fact, it's hard. In our favorite book, Vagabonding, by Rolf Potts, he says, "If it were easy, everyone would do it." Well, I have certainly been challenged so far. I always know that with highs there are lows and that in the end, it will be okay. But sometimes, you just need a piece of home.

I can't begin to tell you the number of times we've been pointed, laughed and stared at in countries. We knew that would happen and know that we are the guests in other peoples countries and cultures, but when we were in a restaurant the other day and a woman working there was blatantly making fun of us...I hit my wall. It just doesn't feel good. With tears in my eyes, I kept saying to Ross, "Why can't everyone just be nice to each other?"

But then something wonderful happened. During our meal, there was a little woman next to us who had been inquisitively watching us. We could feel that she was simply just interested in us. But as we were leaving we made eye contact with her and she gave us the sweetest smile and said goodbye. There was something instinctively kind about her eyes and truly heart warming about her smile. Extremely simple, but if she only knew how much I needed that.

Hong Kong has been a challenge for me. I'm a country girl, someone who finds solitude and warmth in the leafy woods or wide open spaces. So, spending a couple of weeks in one of the most densely populated parts of the world can feel hard. But I know that I will look back on this experience and will have learned something...I can't put my finger on it yet, but I know it will come.

Needless to say, when Ross suggested taking a break and hitting the movies...I was in. We gave in, we needed something that felt like home and let me tell you...it. felt. great.

So, I just want to give you a little insight into the realities of long term travel. Hard times, mind blowing times, it's all a part of it. Also, remember to smile...you never know who needs it.

Meet Hip Ross

As we were figuring out what we wanted to do next in Hong Kong, Ross looked up and and saw a hair salon and decided, "I need a haircut." Asian haircut? Okay. So, I'd like to introduce you to the new hip Ross...

Hubba.

Hello Hong Kong

In case we forgot to tell you, we're in Hong Kong! Crazy, we know. Our 30 day visa was up and we had a unique opportunity to travel to Hong Kong...so we took it! We said farewell to Thailand for the time being (we plan to make a stop back before our flight leaves for Egypt in August) and headed to spend the night in the airport.


So, we're in H.K. for a week and a half and so far it's crazy here. I can't get over the mass amount of people. We've done a wee bit of shopping and even more window shopping. Now, we're going to attack the freebies of the city.

What do you think we should do in Hong Kong?

On the road again...

Well, just under 1000 kilometers and 5 days later, we have sore bums. Ross and I just returned from a motorbike road trip that took us from Chiang Mai to Mae Chem to Mae La Noi to Pai and back to Chiang Mai.

Ross was the driver and I, the co-pilot. Our first few days before we left the city were definitely challenging to both of us. Ross had to listen to me remind him again and again that there's a corner up ahead and I had to hold on...well, to basically nothing and just trust his skills. Needless to say, this road trip was a success and by the end we were leaning from side to side with ease as we rounded corner after corner.

It seems there is no better way to see a country than on a bike. The hot, sticky airs clings to your body as you soar down a mountain, locals honk and wave as they drive past a sign of hello we believe, and any worries you may have just float away as you cruise through the countryside.

We have some great stories to share, but we'll just share some pictures first!

Good 'ole fashioned gas pump

Our lizard friend

3 on a bike...Thai style

On a river dividing Burma and Thailand

A wonderful village we visited

Have a wonderful week!

Babies

In honor of Mother's Day check out this trailer.

Sepak Takraw

While Thailand's national sport is Muay Thai fighting, the game of Sepak Takraw that we watched in the city park is equally as impressive.

Sepak Takraw from Ross Ballinger on Vimeo.

Travel Tippy #1

Let's be serious, we're no experts when it comes travel tips. But there have been a few times when lightning strikes and a piece of genius appears. Here's one...

Being bombarded by tuk-tuk drivers asking where you're going? Don't really feel like using your fingers to demonstrate, once again, that you're walking? Ahh, language barriers.

Here's a small buffer: walk against traffic so that tuk-tuk and taxis won't as readily pull up next to you.

Thai Food Markets

If there’s nothing else to do during travel, there’s always time to wander and get lost in the local markets. They seem to be everywhere in Thailand. Stalls set up by rickety tables and covered by colorful umbrellas line the streets. And under those umbrellas hold the most interesting and tasty items.

At the food markets you can have your pick from live fish out a bucket full of water or perhaps you’d like cuttlefish on a stick to awaken your taste buds.

Yes, Thailand has it all. And while the market is usually chaotic and there's a great risk you may be hit by a mope-head, it all has this underlying flow. A smooth dance in which all the locals are engaged and we get to weave through trying to learn the steps.

We've learned that the smallest chilies pack the most punch, the prikly red balls are actually delicious fruit, and that Thais have the best grocery carts around.

We will continue to attempt to weave our way through the narrow streets and try different and much too spicy food because our culinary days are just beginning and Thailand is a wonderful place that offers more than enough. Because as I have heard from numerous people here, nobody goes hungry in Thailand.

What's a new culinary treat that you've tried?