Sonia and I have been traveling in Northern California since Xmas day. Having just landed at an Internet Cafe in Guerneville, by the Russian River, I remembered that it’s time to wish everyone a happy holiday. Only a few more days left of 2010!

I’ve had some long, exhausting overseas flights before, but this one back from Italy was the most brutal; perhaps because we had to change planes 3 times! Also, none of the planes had those fun entertainment stations on the seats – what’s up with that? Am I supposed to entertain myself for 20 hours?

So we landed very late on Sunday evening, after not sleeping for about 2 entire days (about 40 hours). I went home and slept for a bit, but then cleaned up and headed straight for the AppNation Conference. I was barely coherent, but I still really enjoyed the conference – it was very inspiring. One interesting thing I noticed: it seemed like everyone kept assuming that all “apps” of the future automatically meant native mobile apps (iPhone/Android). It was never specifically stated by anyone like that, but I did notice it during the conversations. I wonder why? I get that mobile devices are hip and all, but to me, an “app” is a broad term – hard to define, and certainly not reserved for the world of mobile devices. Oh well, more on this later.

Sonia and I had an amazing adventure traveling through France and Italy. I still haven’t moved my photos on to my computer yet, but once I do, I’ll post em up.

We’re off to France and Italy for two full weeks. I’m leaving the laptop AND the iPhone behind. (So, no posts for while.) See you when I get back!

After close to a week on the remote Koh Samet, I headed back up to Bangkok for one last night before getting on my plane (at 6am). Some friends wanted to go out to a moive; hey, I’d never been to a movie in Thailand before. So, we jumped in a cab and headed out to the big movie complex. I was expecting to see a Thai movie, but low and behold, we end up seeing an Adam Sandler movie. I don’t remember the name, but I actually thought it was funny. The theater complex was enormous and, because everyone was inside watching a movie (I’m assuming), it was also totally empty in halls and restrooms. I really liked the interior design in this place and I was able to grab some cool pics.

I asked myself “when is the next time you’re going to be in the bathroom of a movie theater complex in Bangkok Thailand?” 

Why can’t they make theaters in the States look like this? 

Then it was off to the airport. Again, amazing interior design. 

At last, we land in Japan for the last leg of my adventure! 

The last photo was of me landing in San Francisco…only I forgot to take it. 

The last part of my adventure found me on an island off the coast of Bangkok called Koh Samet. Koh Samet is one of the lesser touristy islands in Thailand and is often where Thai people go for holiday (vacation) themselves. It was probably my absolute favorite part of the trip; so mellow, so beautiful, peace and quiet and endless, endless food. The accommodations are mostly small thai huts and bungalows that each have their own style. There is a path that wraps around most of the island where you can walk from “resort” to “resort” and get a feel for what they’re like. Unfortunately, I didn’t know that until I landed off the boat. I had been scammed by some locals on the mainland who convinced me that the entire island was sold out and there was only room left. I’ve got a pic of that fine establishment below….

Now we’re talking…true resort living: 

 They didn’t lie when they said it came with a TV entertainment system and air conditioning.

After getting scammed my first night, I managed to trade up to a place down the road; much nicer.

Cool stairs up to my new, nicer room. 

The beach at Koh Samet. 

Went on a fishing trip. We used aluminum cans with fishing wire wrapped around them for fishing poles. My friend caught a baby shark! 

 Fresh fish!

Got to chill with some turtles…

 …and swim with some sharks. They were cool.

Everybody loves the New Happy Tour. 

Love the angle and colors here. 

I took this picture at one of my favorite beaches on Koh Samet. I sat there this day and wrote all the lyrics to one of my favorite new songs: Don’t You Stop. 

This was the restaurant of the resort I stayed at.

That was my room….top floor on the right. 

Bye Koh Samet. 

Landing back on the mainland. 

In the cab back to Bangkok. 

The plan was to head down to Patong Beach at night; this was going to be the heart of the big show. The entire beach covered with people as the fireworks go off. First, a stop at the hotel next door, where they were sign posted out front: “Free BBQ dinner and 50 cent drinks” – how could I pass that up? Well, the food was amazing and I end up talking to the hotel owner and his guests and before I know it, it’s nearly midnight. The hotel is on a hill over looking Patong Beach (although it’s still a mile or so away). So, we all run up to a deck on the top of the hotel and get a great view.

Hotel owner right after the New Year.  

My Italian friends….I couldn’t understand much of what they were saying, but they were having a great time.  

Cool lighting and angle….and it was taken with my iPhone!  

And this was my hotel, Club Bamboo, the next morning.

Phuket airport…back to Bangkok.  

Back in Phuket from Phi Phi Island, I wanted to spend some time exploring Phuket on a motorbike. Of course anyone who visits Thailand (or just about anywhere in Asia for that matter) knows that most people get around on these precarious motorbike scooter devices. It’s not uncommon to see an entire family: both parents and 2-3 small children, all hanging on to these bikes as they race through town. There is little regard for traffic laws, everyone drives very fast (including on the highways), yet, there never seems to be any accidents or trouble!First stop, crossing the bridge on my way down the south side of the island.

Check out the speed racer! 

After one crazy ride up and down on a 45-degree angled dirt road, I landed on Paradise Beach.

Even Paradise Beach has it’s fair share of motorbikes. 

Then on to Kata Beach.

And Karon Beach…

Finally, back home, parking my trusty motorbike.

Goodnight. 

Phi Phi Island is about an hour boat ride from Phuket. It’s one of the most beautiful places I’ve ever seen. The boat stopped here in this cove and we jumped out and deep some snorkeling. 

 Getting back on the boat, they’d give us bottles of Thai Pepsi.  

Time to stop and feed the monkeys.

Kicking back on the beach drinking water with a straw. 

After a few days in Bangkok, I jumped on a plane and headed for the island of Phuket. One crazy thing about the airports in Thailand. When you get your ticket, it shows the gate number on it, just like I’m used to. Usually, once you arrive at the gate, the gate will have some display/sign showing the flight number, destination, boarding time, etc…usually mirroring what you have on your ticket. But in Thailand airports, when you arrive at the gate, you’re lucky if there is even a number displayed let alone any sign telling you which flight is coming; zero information! Anyway…I still managed to find my Phuket flight and arrived in one piece less than an hour later. 

Arriving in Phuket. 

After checking into my hotel, I was hungry like crazy. I walked down the road from my hotel and stumbled upon this restaurant simply called “Pop Thai Food.”  Never figured out what they mean by “Pop,” but it was good. 

Every time I walked in to town, I passed by this river.

Walking down the street in to the main Phuket town. 

 Phuket has temples too….who would have guessed?

 I’ve always wanted a rich hair cut…you should have seen me!    

I spent a few days in Bangkok. My Thai friends took me to some temples I had not seen yet….you can never see enough temples.   Nearby this temple, we headed for the coast along Bangkok (I think). There we came upon a pier where all the birds hang out.