Bas Geertsema

Hi there mate! How are u doing?! Well, one of the first things you’ll learn in Australia is to actually kinda ignore this question. No, they are not really interested in how you are _really _doing. Just trying to be nice. Which is allright, although at first I felt like I had to answer this question. Untill I found out most australian people actually do not even reply to this, so as one step further to become a real ozzie I neglect it too now.

Bas Geertsema

Sydney! Leave your coat at home, put on your shirts and walk around on flip- flops.. aaah!! With temperatures now reaching thirty degrees (celcius) it may be even a little too hot. But it displays a nice contrast with Hong Kong, where the weather was very cloudy and humid all the time. So, what have I been doing to get my tan back? The last days I just did some sightseeing: the opera house, harbour bridge, aquarium, wildlife exhibition and ofcourse just walking around.

Bas Geertsema

I spend the lunar new year in Hong Kong. Which was great with a big parade, and massive fireworks. The way they celebrate this here is very different than back home, however. Where we all have a big countdown to the climax at 12 o’clock. Here the lunar new year takes 4 days. And actually, there is no cuntdown at all. The festivities are spread over these four days, and are mainly in the daytime (fairs) or evening (parades, fireworks).

Bas Geertsema

Hi to all!! Sorry it took some time, but here it is! Where did I leave you? Oh, yes, back in Chiang Mai. Well, I did the massage course and it was great! The massage course was specialised in nerve massage, so a lot of twitching of nerves and related muscles are a part of the massage. And ofcourse the typical thai way of bending and stretching your head, arms, legs and back.

Bas Geertsema

Okay, that _was _a long trip. After three days traveling, two days by boat and one day by bus, I finally arrived in Chiang Mai in Thailand. Back in the city I visited about 10 weeks ago. Although this time the city looks different, it is more.. hmm modern? Yes, I am pretty sure it is. Many cars, supermarkets, small cinema. Was that here before? Must be. It is funny to see how your vision gets blurred by the culture or country you compare with.