Around The World With Buadhai -- 1977

[buadhai]

One morning I got up, bundled up and intended to take a bus somewhere. The bus pulled up to the stop and big sliding doors opened up in the side of the bus. As I stepped up to get on the smell of garlic was so overpowering that I stepped back, abandoned my plans and had coffee and doughnuts at this place instead.


Fall colors, Seoul


Floating Pagoda

From Seoul I flew to Honolulu. I spent one night there at the old Royal Hawaiian hotel. A few days after I got back to LA I bought a bicycle and got a job at Macdonald's flipping burgers.

You'll recall the letter I wrote after reading that article in the International Herald Trbune while I was in Greece.

Something happened this day that would change my life significantly. Just after this coffee break I was reading the International Herald Tribune. I noticed an article saying that the US had concluded an agreement with the people of the Northern Mariana Islands that would create a commonwealth and would extend US Federal law, including the Social Security laws, to the Mariana Islands. I wrote the Social Security Administration (for whom I had formerly worked) asking them for a job on Saipan in the Mariana Islands.

That letter finally paid off. I was offered a US government job on Maui in Hawaii. I stayed there a year and then moved to the island of Saipan where I lived and worked for the next 26 years.

During those 26 years I visited Thailand and other countries in southeast Asia dozens of times.

I retired from the US Government in April of 2005 and moved to Thailand that same month.

[daveboy]

Shame it has to end but thanks.

[Silent Ninja]

Definately the best thread ever. Fantastic!

... it has made me want to sell the house and go travelling, but my wife doens't agree yet

[Marmite the Dog]

Definately the best thread ever. Fantastic!

... it has made me want to sell the house and go travelling, but my wife doens't agree yet

Sell the missus too.

Great thread BH.

[MeMock]

Well done BH - well done.

[MeMock]

MeMock was kind enough to mail me the October 14/15 edition of The Weekly Australian Magazine which contains an article by Rory MacLean who has recently written a book, Magic Bus: On the Hippie Trail from Istanbul to India, about at least part of the journey described in this thread.

I've ordered the book and am most anxious to read it and mire myself in even more nostalgia.

Thanks MeMock.

Anytime mate.

I saw that article and hadn't even got past the first paragraph and I said to my wife that I was going to mail it to you.

Wife is like 'who'

Me: A friend

Wife: Whats his name?

Me: I dunno

Wife: Have you met him?

Me: No

Wife: Farang bah!

[Dougal]

Can anyone identify the cool car at the bottom of the photo?

Too small to tell but could be a Fiat Topolino

I'll second that

Does this help at all?



The front end doesn't look right for a Topolino based on this Wiki page:

Fiat Topolino - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I reckon its one of these



1952 merc 170. The perspective makes it look longer than it really is.

[Thetyim]

The 170 looks bigger than the one in BH's piccy.
Also the front wings are not the same shape.

This 170 is for sale in Bangers

[Dougal]

This 170 is for sale in Bangers

How much? As a matter of interest only.

[Thetyim]

How much? As a matter of interest only

He won't give a price on the internet.
You have to phone him.

Contact Mr. Phuvisit for further information
0811 811 181
0865 559 111

I have details of another one for sale at 1.2 million

[Dougal]

He won't give a price on the internet.

No doubt a case of 'If you have to ask then you can't afford it'

[quikia]

Chanced upon this thread again after reading until the part before the Kyber Pass. Totally enjoyed your journey and captured moments. Reminded me of my trips during that period to Bangkok and Bali.

I revisited Bali this year. Your pics captioned "Goa Gajah" is actually Gunung Kawi which is about 20 kilo away. It was a burial temple for a king and his numerous wives (nine, I believe) who threw themselves on his funeral prye.

Its the nearest thing to Abu Simbel temple this part of the world. Unfortunately, the water fountains are not working now! Your pic captured the working water spouts where pilgrims collect the holy water from spouts to sputs in different containers!

I enjoyed this thread! Thanks

[magpie]

It got my vote.

[Anonymous Coward]

I revisited Bali this year. Your pics captioned "Goa Gajah" is actually Gunung Kawi which is about 20 kilo away. It was a burial temple for a king and his numerous wives (nine, I believe) who threw themselves on his funeral prye.

Thanks, I tried to fix this on the main web page:

Around the World 1977

[Smeg]

This was a wonderful thread that I just got round to reading. Luckily I had a quiet day in the office to do some browsing.

I wonder if producing it was more work than living it. Kidding, that must have been an epic journey in the days before the internet and mobile phones. Very brave.

Can anyone identify the cool car at the bottom of the photo?

Too small to tell but could be a Fiat Topolino

I'll second that

Does this help at all?



The front end doesn't look right for a Topolino based on this Wiki page:

Fiat Topolino - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I reckon its one of these



1952 merc 170. The perspective makes it look longer than it really is.

The shape of the front wheel arch differs, as does the trimline and size of the back wheel arch..

[Texpat]

Nice story BH, wonderful pics and powerful words.

How did you manage your money on this trip? There were no ATMs and probably few chances to exchange. Were you ever afraid of being robbed at gunpoint, individually or with your group? How much were you carrying with you?

How about souviners. I know it sounds corny, but didn't you ever see something you wish you could have? Probably didn't buy much along the way is my guess.

Did you ever call home? Write postcards? Did you ever receive any correspondence from home?

[buad hai]

Thanks for the kind words, Texpat.

I had American Express travelers checks on this trip. When I was with the group we made regular bank trips so people could exchange what we needed, which was not much most of the time. I think I started the trip with about US$5,000. That lasted for nearly a year, including air tickets and all.

We were never robbed at gunpoint, but people did have things stolen during the trip; mostly out of out tents when we were absent. My tent-mate had his camera stolen along with all his exposed rolls of film. A real tragedy for him.

I didn't buy much most of the way. Mostly simple things like interesting clothing and a few trinkets. We were quite limited in storage space while on the truck. I did buy more once I was own my own; especially in Thailand and Indonesia. I still have an old lacquerware betel nut box I bought up in the Golden Triangle area.

I never called home, but I did correspond regularly. I used American Express offices to receive my mail. Happily, there was always something waiting for me at every stop.

The world has certainly changed since then: ATM's everywhere, e-mail, globalized fast food and way, way too many copies of Lonely Plant publications....

[Texpat]

I'll be honest, can't stop thinking about this post/pictures/words.

A few more questions.

Could it be done today? Even with the most careful planners and astute logisticians? For sure the innocence would be lost. (driver cracked over the head for illegal fishing might be shot from unseen distance today)
But could it be done in your opinion?

There were a few references to being drunk and drugged. I know this was the end of the the hippie era, disco was king. If there wasn't a chance for some soothing brew a few times a week, I'd probably get to Jonesin'. I was a pup when you were travelling, but did you have fun day-to-day? Were there moments between the laborious hours of travel when you got a little shitty and had fun? Your tale is awesome, the likes I've never seen -- on the Internet. But the human element is circuitous. Were you gettin some? Ever dance with a horny honey in Bali? Please don't construe this as criticism... just questions that come to mind. I read your awesome tale front to back last night and havn't stopped thinking about it since. If it's none of my (the world's) business, I respect that.

Finally, what did you do for entertainment on the road? What music was popular with the varied bunch? Did you dance? Did you ever switch tent mates? What were the idisynchratic details that drew travellers together to sent them apart? (I don't fancy Survivor Series, but you're was a no-shit, months-long expedition) I'd love to try it.

Last night about the third page, I put on the best of Steely Dan.

1977:

1. Tonight's The Night, Rod Stewart
2. I Just Want To Be Your Everything, Andy Gibb
3. Best Of My Love, Emotions
4. Love Theme From "A Star Is Born", Barbra Streisand
5. Angel In Your Arms, Hot
6. I Like Dreamin', Kenny Nolan
7. Don't Leave Me This Way, Thelma Houston
8. (Your Love Has Lifted Me) Higher And Higher, Rita Coolidge
9. Undercover Angel, Alan O'Day
10. Torn Between Two Lovers, Mary MacGregor
11. I'm Your Boogie Man, K.C. and The Sunshine Band
12. Dancing Queen, Abba
13. You Make Me Feel Like Dancing, Leo Sayer
14. Margaritaville, Jimmy Buffet
15. Telephone Line, Electric Light Orchestra
16. Whatcha Gonna Do?, Pablo Cruise
17. Do You Wanna Make Love, Peter McCann
18. Sir Duke, Stevie Wonder
19. Hotel California, Eagles
20. Got To Give It Up, Pt. 1, Marvin Gaye

Since I was 16, I've has serious wanderlust.

I now understand you avatar -- sweet.

[SEA Traveler]

buadhai;

your first series of pics of Seoul, Korea were at the Gyeongbok Palace which was the main palace during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). It is one of five palaces in Seoul. Located in the northern part of Seoul. You also had a picture of the Namdaemun (South) Gate which was one of the gates leading into the city. there is also a Namdaemun Market in close proximity to the gate where the locals do there shopping.

Great photo journalism.

[buad hai]

Could it be done today?

I suppose that's debatable. In the 30 years since then the world has shrunk so much and globalization has, in many ways, taken the thrill out of that kind of travel; at least on that route. I suspect that similar adventures could be had in some places in the world, but perhaps not on such a long route with such an extended history behind it.

If there wasn't a chance for some soothing brew a few times a week

Some of us had a "wine club". We'd throw together whatever coin we had and buy a few bottles. Of course, this was not possible in some moslem countries.

I'll never forget the "wine" a friend of mine bought for the club one day. He'd found a bargain in Turkey and bought several lovely looking bottles with grapes on the outside. We sat around our usual circle and opened the first bottle only to find that he purchased some of the best wine vinegar available.

However, when booze was either not available or not affordable there were other diversions. Along most of that route both marijuana and hashish were readily available and marvelously inexpensive. One of my mates on the trip, a woman my age, seemed to spend most of her days procuring that evening's buzz. One evening she returned with what I thought was a massive bar of chocolate. Hashish it was.

But the human element is circuitous. Were you gettin some?

This was a tough period in my life. I'd split up with my wife the year before. I didn't want to have anything to do with any women. There were a couple of ladies who made advances. I couldn't be bothered. I got over that. In fact, I did boink Bev, one of my travel mates, but only after we met up in California after the trip. Gave me crabs, did Bev.

Finally, what did you do for entertainment on the road? What music was popular with the varied bunch? Did you dance? Did you ever switch tent mates? What were the idisynchratic details that drew travellers together to sent them apart?

The one song that stand out in my mind is "By the Rivers of Babylon". I still like the song and since we crossed at least one of those Babylonian rivers on the trip, it seemed appropriate.

During the days, most of us read books while traveling in the truck. In fact, we'd split paperback books into sections and pass them around so that one book could accommodate more than one person at a time. A couple of people had cassette tape recorders, so we did have music.

Evenings were pretty quiet while on that truck. We generally camped out in isolated areas and rarely spent any time in or near cities. As far as I know, there was no tent-mate swapping.

In retrospect, the truck bunch was a pretty interesting crew. Although we were all white, middle class native English speakers we were otherwise quite diverse in both interests and personalities. Naturally, there were conflicts. Most of these had to do with things like water consumption, food preparation and cleanliness. And, some people were more willing than others to spend money or endure a little hardship to enhance the overall experience.

As you might have guessed, I was more or less a loner, even in that sort of atmosphere.

your first series of pics of Seoul, Korea were at the Gyeongbok Palace

Thanks for the ID. I've never known what that place was.

[farmerfloyd]

I wish I had taken and documented my trip to europe on a tramp steamer in 1963. Bought a bike an traveled to spain for the cold , not many pictures, got homesick, hated the food, I could never do those bleak dark dirty towns with no women.I can see why he decided to retire in Thialand. Got to catch up on the girls that got away in 77. just teasing. A Great thread.

[Happyman]

For some reason that mystery car screams Renault at me - will do some digging

[klongmaster]

You'll be saddened to hear that some nutter burnt this place down this morning BH:

South Korean police say a man has admitted to starting the blaze that destroyed the country's greatest cultural treasure, the Namdaemun Gate. A fire late on Sunday ravaged the 600-year old wooden structure, leaving only the stone base intact.
Police say the man, a 69-year-old with an arson record, acted over a land row.
South Koreans have been stunned by the loss of the gate, one of the few buildings to survive both the Japanese occupation and the Korean War.

[MeMock]

Bloody shame that is

[Bilbobaggins]

absolutely brilliant thread, some amazing photos and a great read, many thanks!

footnote: I stayed at that Castle Howchow hotel in Kra Nuan, Khon Kaen before, beautiful place, owned by a guy from Manchester, England.