Every time I have gone anywhere globally, I have always noticed that everywhere in the world manages to lag behind the US in popular culture by about a decade...which is not a bad thing.  I don’t say this attempting to flaunt the cultural superiority of the US, only to point out that its odd sometimes to hop in a taxi cab with a thai driver, and speed down their immaculate expressways while he croons very very very badly to Britney Spears “Hit Me Baby, One More Time!”

To take a trip on the Thai expressways made me realize a couple things.  :)

First, good lord Californian roads suck...think back for a bit to a decade ago and think about the roads.  We don’t really notice how bad they have become because its a gradual process, but the Thai roads are without exception in fantastic shape.  I am on the south-eastern side of Thailand, and every single road I was on, both in Bangkok and outside, were fantastic.

Secondly...well...first I should qualify this.  As most of you know, I got back from Haiti not too terribly long ago, and spending time in Port-au-Prince gave a new meaning to the concept of litter.  I am also from an area that is very dry, so things do not break down...ever...so if there is a paper tossed into the grass on the side of the road, its pretty much there until the sun breaks it down, or someone picks it up.  However, one thing I have noticed is that most of the roads here in Thailand are very clean.  Not immaculate, but very clean.  From where I am, I think I can see maybe one or two pieces of litter blowing around in the 100 meters of road I can see.

Anyways, yesterday consisted of a journey from Bangkok to the small town of Ban Phe on the South Eastern coast of the Gulf of Thailand.  I am currently staying at a small place called the Bedrock Guesthouse and Grill...neat place, its a little on the hot side, but then again I am staying in one of the fan rooms for $6/night...instead of bucking for the $18/night room with the AC.  My room even came with a free lizard...I have named him Bob...seemed like a good name for a lizard.

This morning, I went for a ride along Road 3145 (wonderful name, isn’t it?) which runs along the beach here.  It was beautiful, in the pre dawn light.  The road is long and straight, with tall pine trees on both sides, a few businesses here and there, but pine trees in front of jungle for the rest of it.  It really is a remarkable thing.  I didn’t have my camera with me for the ride, but I will be bringing it along tomorrow.  

Socially, I have fallen in with a group of expats from all over the world, there are two Aussies, two Brits, and a South African...good group of guys, spent time talking to them last night about all sorts of things...very interesting group.  They all spend time   doing various things in the area...one owns the guesthouse here, others do various odd sounding jobs are various locals around the region.

I am off to brave a bit more of the world today...I am going to catch a ferry out to Koh Samet later today I believe, just wander around a bit, see some things.  It will be good to get out on the water.