Same Same but Different Fall Update, 2009

Same Same but Different

Genre: Adventure

Rating: NR. Mature Theme

Starring: Your girl, Phoebe Keever*

What: Backpacking South East Asia

When: Fall 2009

Where: Starting on Jeju island of Korea, flying off to Cambodia, then gallivanting across Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, bussin’ all day through Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, and finally arriving home in the USA after 19 months away.

Why:  ’cause that’s just how I roll.

The plot: Phoebe* ventures off on the journey of a lifetime. fulfilling a dream to visit Thailand and Vietnam, she gets more than she bargained for than just a pretty vacation. In 3 months, she discovers a whole ‘nother world. Although things may appear ‘Same, same’ things turn out different from expected.

Props: Red duffel bag used as a pseudo-traveler’s rucksack.

Special Effects: None! All stunts (ie. diving with Bull Sharks) are authentic from the leading star.

Wardrobe: Havaiana slippers, shorts, and shades.

Summary: Finishing up 16 months working in Korea, Phoebe sets out to the “Hawai’i of Korea” Jeju island. She plans to travel SE Asia–the trip of a lifetime–but a broken toe sets her back 2 weeks in Phnom Phen, Cambodia. Eventually, Korean co-star Kim Hakwon joins up with her, and the two of them set off towards the unknown. From Bangkok surroundings riding Elephants, 4000 islands and Vang Vieng Tubing in Laos, to the harrowing and divided country of Vietnam, not even a bulleted checklist or itinerary could prepare them for the craziness that is South East Asia.

Although adventurous, on the grind daily of packing up, moving out, on, and forward has the two somewhat mangled. Arriving to the sunny Thai island of Koh Tao rekindled any tired spirits. With the pleasure of staying on a resort in exchange for taking SCUBA courses, Phoebe* ditches traveling through Malaysia and East side Thai islands to become an Advanced certified SCUBA diver. The trade-off? Diving with Bull sharks and sting rays.

The trip finishes off with Manta rays and sharks overhead in Singapore’s underwater tunnel and a glimpse into 2 of the 17,000 islands that make up Indonesia. Bali offered more great SCUBA diving as you’ll see the USS Liberty shipwreck and a reef-wall to one side and the great blue unknown to the other side. Caught in a current and scared, she calls to her buddy from 30 meters underwater. Will she escape the current and have the chance to visit Jakarta city on Java island and make it back to U.S.A. in time for Thanksgiving with the family? Watch the movie to find out. Flix and more stories to come soon.

 

week 71: Closing the Korea chapter

Sorry the last week of korea–the closing chapter–is being written well over the ‘week 71′ deadline. I’m traveling–a lot. The computers in SE Asia are mostly unreliable (ie slow) and frankly, I’m busy being on vacation! The last week of Korea was spent not working [:-)] but instead closing up shop here with a trip to the “hawaii of Korea” : Jeju island.

I’m on a time limit at the internet cafe and soon will be boarding a bus for a 23 hour journy, sans toilet. Following the motto: a picture is worth 1000 words…

On second thought, after 10 minutes trying to upload one foto and only being on 45% uploaded, it would be better if you just check out the (incomplete) facebook album. When I arrive home, heavy-duty photo sharing from each country is in order. Until then, just the words…

http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=27501035&ref=profile#/album.php?aid=2043327&id=27501035

Week 70: Club day

Club day happens once a month, the last weekend each month, in Hongdae, Seoul. For 20.000Won (equivalent to about 20USD) one can frolick to and fro 21 different clubs all night long, to their hearts content, with simply one wristband and one drink-on-the-house coupon.

Following is the Club day list:

1. Evans
2. Watercock
3. FF
4. Freebird
5. Spot
6. Soundholic
7. Live Club Ssam
8. DGBD
9. Hole
10. M2
11. Via
12. JokerRed
13. Tool
14. Qvo
15. Saab
16. Hooper
17. DD
18. NB
19. Ska2
20. Myungwolgwan
21. O.R

With the exception of #6 and #7, which respectively was way out of the way and closed before the usual 6AM closing of most clubs,  “Kboys and the Boss” hit up every place on the list. We felt like backpackers, continuously checking the map and starring the places we’d seen, but we definately got the best bang for the buck out of the thousands of party go-ers out that night. I’d put money on it we were the only ones to make the trekk to all ends of Hongdae to see what Club day had to offer.

While hot spots like Q-Vo, NB, and M2 had lines stretching down the block, we made efficient use of our time by going to the lesser-known clubs with no line. When we needed a break we chilled at the absolutely dead spots, wisely making use of the free drink coupon without having to push and shove our way to the front, waving down the bartender. Then, while relaxing on plush couches normally reserved for V.I.P., we happily sipped away at our FREE fruit juice and iced-teas.