Bangkok to Ko Lanta Thailand

We had to drop off the car in the new district of Bangkok full of wide streets and skyscrapers – Avis in Thanon Witthayu just opposite to the Embassy of Switzerland. I only remember the impossible mission of changing four lanes from one end to another before we had to turn to get to the nearest gas station. I checked on google maps it’s 140 meters. If we missed it there was no turing for a while and as you can imagine we were short on time. But this was just a beginning. We had to turn into expressway where the outer lanes are opposite direction than they should be so it seems upstream. Confusing. We bought bus tickets in a Travel Agency located in the main hall of Bangkok railway station at the passenger galleries. The bus was to take us South to Ko Lanta. In the meantime we decided to get something to eat somwhere close. Our choice was ลาภปาก Laappaak dining room I returned there next time I was in Bangkok. Afterwards we spent quite some time waiting in the station. It got dark outside and our bus was late. But we were not alone which was comforting. Other tourists with luggage were waiting as well although some of them going in different directions. Finally a man came and asked us to follow him. We went outside to a mini bus. MINI BUS! With our huge backpacks we thought we wouldn’t fit in. But of course we did. So did as many people as there were seats and no backpack was left behind. My first thought was “How on Earth will we travel over 800 km like this!!??” But well… we only got as far as some plaza in Bangkok. We were told to get out and wait. Then we got marked by some girl with different colour stickers depending on where we were headed. I know we were stressed cos there was plenty of people in the square and the long distance buses were leaving us behind. There was a rumor that if we don’t get in we will have to wait for the next bus until morning. All this came as a complete surprise. Now I know there is no need to panic but then it was my first trip to a different culture and no one of us knew what to expect. The bus was comfortable, at least for me. I remember that we stopped on the way to collect other passangers. Some of the people arrived at the back of pick-ups to join us. At some point we had to get off the bus. We stopped by a restaurant where we could buy a hot drink and something to eat while waiting on another bus to come. Next stop – the harbour. We got on the boat. I insisted on sitting on the deck without sunblock. You can imagine how it ended. I was red as a pig. Well but it was worth it! The views were amazing and I think my skin permanently chnged its colour in the end. To be honest I’m back all white now. The lessons are: the travel might seem crazy, you might think you were cheated and be stressed about being left behind but I have this conviction anything can happen in Thailand and everything can be dealt with (well I don’t mean drug traffic) so don’t panic and be trusting. Second: Thai do not differenciate us the same way as some people do not distinguish Asians. We just all look the same to them. Third: I miss Asia.

This is it for today. It’s not a lot. I remember I should have some pictures from the boat but I can’t find them. This post is mainly a bridge between North and South. The next one will be all about tropical paradise! See you soon.

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Canary Wharf London UK

I still remember that before I went to London I spoke to one of my friends who worked in Canary Work and he told me it’s like a modern version of Amsterdam with canals and steel buildings everywhere. Well maybe not quite like Amsterdam but…

I remember the first time I arrived in Canary Wharf. Taking DLR from Britannia Village I arrived underground in the tube station and took an escalator to the ground level. The wind hit me. The concrete choked me. The people jostled me. The station was full of people in well tailored suits and dresses. Everyone was in a hurry. Everyone was indifferent. Everyone was cold and grave.

The atmosphere put me down straight away. Overwhelmed I walked around and observed. I felt quite sad instead of being excited. I guess this was not the best beginning to me living in London. I guess I was more overwhelmed than I expected and than I wanted to admit. Not impressed, overwhelmed. I remember my friend A. from New Zeland remarking everyone looks like robots no smiles, no eye contact, just going about one’s own business. This is the first impression. It lasts unless you make your own circle of friends and walk around with them.

Canary Wharf is very windy all year round so definatley I don’t recommend it in winter. With time I became used to its ambience but never felt comfortable there.

I remember insane moments when planes approaching City Airport seemed to fly right into One Canada Square building or the wonderful setting sun reflected in the glass of skyscrapers. I remember I liked to sit in a restaurat/pub in the West India Quay after dark with panorama of Canary Wharf, lights in some offices creating a chaotic maze.

One Canada Square building was used in the last two episodes of the second season of the popular British science fiction television series Doctor Who – Army of Ghosts and Doomsday. According to the action series it housed the secret alien technology research institute called Torchwood.

If you like movies like I do check out this Canary Wharf movie map before you go over.

My favourite places:

Gaucho – Argentinian restaurant. The best steak in Europe (that I tried) besides Restaurante Parilla or Caballito in Madrid, Spain. I looked up the one in Madrid on Google maps and street view name is the first while Google map gives the second. Anyway we went there when I was on Dukan diet and couldn’t eat any fat or sugar, only protein. I was eating meat for quite some time and then encoutered this heaven on Earth, mouth watering, full of flavour with no oli steak. Ohhh I still dream of it. The service was excellent. Our waitress showed us a wooden board of meats. Explained which is which, which part of the cow it comes from and then how it’s best served. We had to change table in the middle of the meal which wasn’t a problem. I was really impressed. I recommend it if you have a few quid to spare.

During the same diet I used to be a frquent customer of Caffe Nero in Jubilee Place. I spoiled myself with Classic Frappѐ Latte with sugar free caramel syroup yum (you can forget the sugar free option in Poland, there is no demand for it, as well as for sugar free low fat yogurts… can’t really blame Polish people). But the biggest temptation for me there was always White & Dark Chocolate Truffle Cheesecake. Rich, creamy, baked layers of white and dark chocolate truffle cheesecake, on a crispy chocolate biscuit base, topped with swirls of white and dark chocolate. Very sweet, my friend couldn’t finish it, but also very chocolaty yum yum. I just want a recipe so I can make it myself!

La Tasca – Spanish restaurant, crowded but cozy with warm interior. You can choose from wide selection of tapas. House wine is nice but you might have to wait for the service. From my experience also it’s better to book in advance. Don’t take it the wrong way, it’s not the best place I have been to in London but I find it comfortable and full of joyful live instead of fast and minimalist modernity if you know what I mean. You probably don’t though.

Rum and Sugar – the cheapest place to eat in Canary Wharf with best pub hamburger and fries. Most of the time full. Funny toilets. I liked to eat sushi in Itsu Jubilee Place. I have a friend in that. Isn’t that right K.?

I was refused an account in HSBC. I had a job but I have been in London less than six months. They wanted to force me into Passport Account which is expensive. I just wanted a regular account with no overdraft option. The refusal was too much for me, I felt humiliated and burst. I don’t think I was ever so rude for a Sales Assistant before or since.

Later on just before I moved back to Poland I used to be a Lettings Negotiator in Canary Wharf. Yes, I did go into those fancy top floor aparments, but also the less fancy ones. I be honest, it’s just not me at all. I prefer nice cottages or mansions with big gardens in rustic style. But well I had many clients very impressed. The medium expensive places (as for CW) were small or even less than small, the bright ones were always expensive. Most of them are not stackable. But well whatever makes you feel good.

I think the biggest disappointment for me was the apartment I saw in Port East. Pan Peninsula studio apartments are just insane for the same price you can get far more spacious option. Altough I have to say you get a inhome cinema for residents, amazing pool and gym as well as top floor bar which will impress all your friends surely. Let’s not forget about Spa. Still the stuios are awful.

The above view is from my favourite apartment to let we had. It’s top floor in small apartment block in the south part of Isle of Dogs. It has a narrow balcony and panoramic window overlooking Millwall Park and Canary Wharf. I will write another post on Isle of Dogs separatley. Now a bit of history and additional pictures in slideshow. Hahhaa before that, one more picture from an apartment in New Providence Wharf. Look at this magnificent view! Picture on the left.

Let’s start with that Canary Wharf is a major business district one of London’s two main financial centres. The West India Docks where it’s located, once formed part of the busiest port in the world. It was closed in 1980. Canary Wharf itself takes its name from No. 32 berth of the West Wood Quay of the Import Dock. This was built in 1936 for Fruit Lines Ltd, a subsidiary of Fred Olsen Lines for the Mediterranean and Canary Islands fruit trade. At their request, the quay and warehouse were given the name Canary Wharf. The recovery began with Credit Suisse wanting to build here their back office. The idea was then sold and developed into a bigger project involving creating new business district. First buildings were completed in 1991. There is a picture above escalator showing the construction in progress. have a look on the right. One Canada Square became the UK’s tallest building and a symbol of the regeneration of Docklands.

The area is full of people during working hours and during the time of after work drinks on Thursdays and Fridays. It tends to be deserted over the weekends. I suppose everyone just hangs around their homes not where they work. There are many events in Canary Wharf trying to make it more sociable and alive. This include fashion shows, food festival, ice rink, operas, movies under the sky, exhibitions and others.

The Idea Shop in Canary Wharf is poorly stocked and therefore I appeal for more books!

Two more remarks: if you take photos in CW be prpared a policeman can come over and ask you to show them to him. If he thinks it’s a threat to security he will ask you to delete them. Second there is a statue of a man in W India Ave. I think he is happy and free cos he quit working in a corp.

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Tropical white beaches? No… Polish seaside

You can tell I’m not really that good with slow travel. Recently I had just one day to go to the sea, but it was so worth it!

I used to live in a city on a shore. I still miss the air and the sound of water. Today I want to remind myself of times when I was young and used to go the the same place several years in a row. Not alone of course. It was a huge undertaking. Three families, mainly mothers with children. So 3 mothers, one girl and 6 boys, 3 tents, 1 or 2 tables with chairs, gas bottle to cook on, mattresses, bedding, bicycles, food, pots, pans, kettles and anything one should need during family holidays in “Spartan conditions” as we call it in Polish. Those who don’t know Sparta – it was was a prominent city-state in ancient Greece completely focused on military training and excellence, spartan conditions or ways of living are simple and without any comfort.

We used always the same camping. It’s called Old Maszoperia and located just outside city called Jastarnia in Northern Kashubia – Hel peninsula. Right now it’s way bigger and more exclusive than I remember. When we arrived you could see the more kite surfers around this camp site than anywhere else. The only thing is, the lady that talked to us just outside the main gate was very unhelpful and unplesant. She wasnt’t the owner or the director but made us go away and look for accommodation elsewhere. It’s a shame because the place is lovely. When I close my eyes I remember a guy I met there once. He used to take his sunbed together with the tape recorder to the pier early in the morning and sunbath all day. These were the times when NANA hit the top of the charts. I also remember he and his friends smashed us in voleyball match.

We found a room and headed straight to the center to find the best fried fish in Poland. We found it. Halibut. From North Pacific or the North Atlantic. “Very” Polish and very yummy.

Funny thing happened. I was trying to take a picture of a souvenir shop and somebody walked straight into my picture. Well, almost. I haven’t press the release button yet looking for the best angle. I asked, seeing the man stopping and posing:

“Would you like to have your picture taken?”

(Ok it happens, mainly abroad, but it does happen!)

and he didn’t say anything so I took the picture. Then he walked away saying

“Just make sure it’s online!”

I was surprised but in a fit of inspiration I asked

“What would you like it to be called?!”

and the man came back looked at the picture and fought hard…

“The biggest hunk in Jastarnia?” I suggested

“Neither hunk nor stud-muffin” he answered

So here’s the picture guess who is it!

So anyway, Hel Tombolo is a long and narrow strip of land separating the Baltic Sea from the Puck Bay. The Bay is shallow and warm while the sea is cold and rough. This is why the place is perfect. I remember the first time I swam naked in the sea. It was there under the stars, Together with my friends we were jumping over the waves and then we lied close to one another looking at the stars. Great times.

This time we walked through the dunes to the sea after dark. I was recording our helpless calls before we got to the beach. It was good to undress and run into the water giggling. If you need a purpose in life it’s moments like this.

The next day we decided to walk to Kuznica. A place where there were the best pancakes ever. Sweet and sour. Whatever one wanted. Always busy, always queues.

Funny thing is, at some point my Mum and my bro decided to walk along the street instead of the beach and thought they would be quicker but I was in the pancake place faster.

The place is called Pogodne Dania and is the biggest disappointment ever. I felt sick eating those pancakes. Avoid it!

Hel peninsula is called by Kashubian people the Cow’s tail, the Cow’s Tongue or the Goose Neck. it was formed many centuries ago, thanks to the coastal currents, which hauled great masses of sand. First the waves and wind formed small sandy islets, which in time closed into a scythe. Afterwards it was subjected to erosion but in XIX century local people started to fix and enforce the peninsula. The infilling of sand is systematically undertaken until now.

Jastarnia is the Peninsula’s heart. At some point the village was separated with a fence into two parts: the catholic (called the Pucka part) and the protestant (called Gdanska or the Forest). People used to live off fishing. Fishermen set up “maszoperie” – the cooperatives. This is where the camping site name comes from. Jastarnia has a big and comfortable marina where you can see lots of yachts and different kind of boats. During the evening you can enjoy almost Mediterranean atmosphere in one of the many restaurants and pubs. There is plenty of lights, game palaces, street sellers, ice cream parlors.

After having gorgeous fish for dinner we went on to a karaoke bar and had some drinks listening to  young people singing. As always some of them were… how to put it… not that good, but other amazing. Certainly they should take part in Idol or Got Talent or some other music/talent show.

I got 3 pairs of sunglasses thanks to a Ballentines promotion. Check them out:

The must do thing in Jastarnia is: eating waffles! I swear they don’t taste half as good anywhere else. I ordered one with whipped cream, fruits and carmel… oh… heaven on eath! It was so huge I couldn’t eat it all but if I stayed there for more than one day it could have been dangerous for my figure. Next post is going to be about Jurata and Hel (the city) in the meantime enjoy the slide show with additional pictures.

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Bill Withers Lean On Me

Sometimes in our lives
We all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there’s always tomorrow

Lean on me, when you’re not strong
And I’ll be your friend
I’ll help you carry on
For it won’t be long
‘Til I’m gonna need
Somebody to lean on

Please swallow your pride
If I have things you need to borrow
For no one can fill those of your needs
That you won’t let show
[ Lyrics from: http://www.lyricsmode.com/lyrics/b/bill_withers/lean_on_me.html ]
You just call on me brother, when you need a hand (Chorus)
We all need somebody to lean on
I just might have a problem that you’d understand
We all need somebody to lean on

Second Verse
(Chorus)

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can’t carry
I’m right up the road
I’ll share your load
If you just call me
(Chorus)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (call me)
Call me (if you need a friend)
Call me (if you ever need a friend)
Call me (call me)
Call me
Call me (if you need A friend)