In Which Gabbi Goes Spelunking, Rides her Bike on the Wrong Side of the Road and Meets a Monkey

My last few days in Bangkok filled up easily. I caught a water taxi up river to Wat Pho home of a 100ft long reclining Buddha. Laying on his side with a peaceful smile as if saying "Chill out guys!" I found a coffee shop barely big enough to house the espresso machine. As soon I opened the door, a woman took my arm and sat me down. Smiling and babbling. There was soothing soundtrack playing thai Norah Jones covers through pink speakers that shot water up like a fountain in rhythm with the music. She made me a mocha with two bendy straws, one bent into a heart. Then she snapped my picture. I wanted to get off the beaten path after the flocks of tourist at Wat Pho. After an hour cab ride twisting down one lane roads out of the city, I find myself in a river suburb of Bangkok. Rows of simple, connected huts build on the docks. I found my way here to go to Baan Sailapan, an artist collective that took over an old fishing house. There are statues of two old men sitting, dangling their feet into the water, a gallery upstairs and a traditional Thai puppet show performed everyday at 2. On my way home I passed a group of motor-taxis and with a little map pointing and price bartering I was on the back of a motorcycle, buzzing through Bangkok back alleys and side roads, pushing my helmet out of my eyes, holding on tight! The next day I took a minivan (Haha) from Bangkok to Phetchiburi yesterday. The driver dropped me on the side of the road. I had no idea where I was going or where to get a room. But things have been working out you know? I wandered around 5 minutes before a woman called me over "You sleep. That way!" It lead me to Sabai Dee Resorts, Five bamboo huts right on the river. There's a fan, and a hard mat on the floor to sleep on. Theres a old woman who sits out front reading the paper or just watching the cars go by. The shared bathroom has a barrel of water that you ladle into the toilet to flush. It's funky in the most magical way. I love it!

Today i rented a bike and rode out to the Khao Luang caves where the light shines down through a heart shaped hole on to a few hundred sitting Buddhas. It was musty and had a feeling of old wisdom. The road leading up to the caves were littered with wild monkey, munching on trash and climbing the telephone wires. Looking like little old men sleeping in the shade

For lunch I had a simple plate of pork and rice and finally found some one who speaks my language. We sat on the floor, banging plastic soup spoons on the floor. There is a word in Thai, sanuk, which embodies the idea of enjoying life to the full as a duty. And this afternoon as I sat by the river, I couldn't help but wonder... is there a trick to drinking bubble tea?! Cause all the bobas are stuck at the bottom!