Adventures in Lifestyle Design from a Path Less Traveled
Travel Around Thailand 9 – Back in Thailand
I’ve been back in Bangkok for the past week and a half or so. The weather seems to have shifted from the wet season to the dry season, which has improved a lot of things like the smell of the city.
At first it was strange to be back. I’ve been traveling for quite some time now, and this is the first time I’ve ever come back to a place on the this trip. I have to admit though, that Bangkok is starting to grow on me.
I enjoy getting back into the groove of things and doing yoga daily and hanging out in Ubuntu (my favorite Bangkok coffee shop). We seem to be slacking off when it comes to our Thai language classes, but I think that is because the teaching methodology just isn’t in sync with how I learn a language (like say, by studying grammar).
Plus, I seem to emitting a very strong anti-tuk tuk vibe, which is doing quite well of keeping those 3-wheeled con artists away from me (either that, or my killer tan from Krabi is making me look just Thai enough that they leave me alone).
I’ve started doing a bit more actual work this time around. I guess it’s not hard to outdo yourself when you only wrote 5 articles last month though…
Life is pretty relaxed and enjoyable. There isn’t much to complain about.
I haven’t really done any new touristy things though. We went to Banglamphu one day to check out Khao San Road, but that is about it. Khao San Road isn’t very impressive. For some reason a very large percent of all travelers to Bangkok stay on Khao San Road. This has resulted in streets flooded with dazed and confused gringos, junk vendors selling all sorts of crappy T-shirts and trinkets to them, and tuk tuk con artists trying to scam them. Pretty much the same stuff you could find at any market plus added scammers hunting for their next victim (Why else would that “friendly” man in the tuk tuk want to drive you around all day for only 10 bhat?–That’s about $0.33, amigo). Why people like this place or come here, I really don’t know.
We also went to the amulet market on the way back to the pier to catch the water taxi. Thai people get amulets for all sorts of protection, good luck, and other things, I understand. The older it is the more powerful it is. I think it would be really cool to get an amulet. However, I’m pretty much a moron when it comes to knowing what I’m looking at and I would have no way of knowing what sort of amulet to get or how to tell if it is worth the price.
Anyway, I guess I don’t really have a lot to say. Things are nice here, and Bangkok is really starting to grow on me. Tomorrow, with any luck, I’ll be going to a Bangkok meetup of affiliate marketers. One important thing I learned from meeting Vincent and Javier in Singapore is the value of a mastermind group. They talk every week about marketing and I think that’s an absolutely awesome idea. I’d like to learn a few things from some people in Bangkok, and hopefully find my own mastermind group when I get back to the US (unfortunately it’s tough to find people in Seattle that are serious about IM that aren’t completely out of my league).
Anyway, then tomorrow night we’re getting on an overnight train to Chiang Mai for Loy Krathong this weekend. Then it’s back to BKK for our final 2 weeks to squeeze in all the tourist crap I should have been doing this whole time and to buy as much clothing as I possibly can to replace my tattered wardrobe before heading back to the over-priced US.
Hard to believe I’m nearing the end of this trip…
Other Popular Posts:
Comments
Leave a Reply
Make sure to check out the floating market if you have a chance (although it’s a bit far away from Bangkok).
I wanted to ask how you found these affiliate mastermind groups. I’m just starting, and would love to talk to people who have been successful at this. Right now you’re the only person I’ve discussed internet marketing with that’s been successful at it.
I’m almost done building my first affiloblueprint website and would be interested to know your thoughts – I just started link building a couple of days ago, but so far I only have 2 outside links according to Yahoo Site Explorer. Anyway, all this stuff (and these requests) can definitely wait until you get back. Continue having an awesome time and safe travels Clayton!
I agree with you about the mastermind group. It’s hard combo to find people that are 100% invested into IM but also not making $5,679,983.01 per day.
Sounds like you’re having fun man! Don’t worry, you’ll be back to pulling the 12 hour days again in no time.
Hey Clayton,
Wow. I didn’t know you know internet marketer form bangkok too. That’s amazing. Anyway, I heard of black magic items is quite common in bangkok so try to beware and don’t anyhow buy stuff unless is normal items like t-shirts, pants etc.
Cheers
Javier
@Joe, I just looked on the website MeetUp.com for anything that had to do with internet marketing or affiliate marketing or whatever. I went to one of these groups back in the US, but I don’t know… I didn’t really feel like there was a lot of collaboration or any meaningful connections being made. Maybe you will have better luck than me.
@Justin, Yeah, I guess I need to do my part and stop being so anti-social too. Sometimes I just get stuck in a rut of working on my own.
@Javier, I don’t really know any marketers in Bangkok, but I did find an Affiliate Marketing group on MeetUp.com in Bangkok. The meeting starts in a few hours. We’ll see how this goes. Maybe I can make some new friends by the time it’s over :)
Hmmm… I never even thought of black magic. I guess I was more worried about getting a fake or a copy instead of getting cursed. Maybe I need to rethink my priorities.
It’s been great reading your last few posts about your trip – that’s really the goal of all of this, right? To be able to have the freedom to have such experiences, while still earning money daily passively to pay the bills. :)
Anyway, I’d certainly be interested in Masterminding-ing with you (if I’m in the right league). I’m sure there are many others in the area as well (it doesn’t seem like the WF mastermind post is going anywhere, right now). Anyway, shoot me an email when you get back if you want to try to get something started.
Another great update Clayton, thanks man. I’ll second what Michelle said about the Mastermind thing when you get back… I’d love to contribute
Hey Clayton, great site you have here. I just wanted to ask which wordpress theme are you using? :)
I have read your blogs, you are nothing more than an arrogant dbag who cares nothing more than to make money off the internet. Get a job you asshole. No wonder your girl will leave you as soon as you get back from Thailand you fucking jerk!
@Michelle, Oh yeah! I forgot you live on the other side of the Sound. I’ll let you know when I get back.
@Devin, Okay, maybe we can work out some kind of online thing.
@Andy, I don’t remember the name of the theme. I think it’s called global sightseeing or something like that. I had to customize the header a little bit, but other than that it’s pretty much as-is.
@Justin, I’m sorry you’re so angry. Chiang Mai is a pretty cool place. You should come out and enjoy it with me. Maybe that would make you feel better.
Cool – I didn’t realize you & Michelle were in the same physical area… I’m in Texas so some kind of Skype meeting would be awesome to bounce ideas around etc. Let me know when you get back.
Hey Clayton,
2 months time seem to end so fast. I bet this trip rejuvenates you and it is back to taking more action when you get back to US. It is time to create more passive income streams :)
Cheers,
Vincent
Another great update thanks Clayton.
Are you going to be back to the 12-hours days when you get back to the States or are you going to take a chilled out approach and enjoy more of what ‘home’ has to offer now you’ve made it in a ‘passive’ capacity?
Ben.
@Devin, yeah, I just figured out how to use Skype yesterday (I’m really behind the times…).
@Vincent, Yeah, this trip has seemed both very long and very short at the same time. I guess I’m sort of looking forward to getting home again, but I’m dreading the work I’ll have to do. ha ha!
@Gon, Thanks for commenting on my blog. I’d say about 95% of what I do is exactly what they teach in AffiloBlueprint.
Yeah, there ARE a lot of good food in Thailand. I’m in Chiang Mai this weekend and I just discovered Chiang Mai Sausage! Wow! That’s good, but so spicy!
You live in BKK? I’ll be back next week until December 7th when I head back to the US. If you’ve got any free time, let me know. We can meet up or something.
@Ben, Hi. I’m actually going to have to start slaving away again when I get home. I only make about $1500 in take-home income, which really doesn’t cut it in the US. I’d like to bust ass and get up to a real full-time income :)
Can always travel the poor countries and ‘live the life’ while working, until you manage the 5k+ a month threshold.
What’s a ‘full-time-income over there? I know here, in Pound Sterling (GBP) it’s roughly £1,000 a month
Ben.
@Ben, Maybe. But, I’m getting a little home sick too. So it will be nice to go home. I guess my current goal is to make $3500 / month since that is the most I’ve ever made at an office job. And I guess on some level, that would vindicate my choice to leave my profession.
I’m really enjoying your posts Clayton. And, I’m glad you found Chiang Mai sausage. I’m anxiously awaiting your post on CM and Loy Krathong! Jim and I leave in 9 days for 3 months in CM and I can’t wait! It’s snowing in Seattle today – you’re missing some really crappy weather.
Well I bid you the best of luck with your journey to $3,500/mo.
I should hopefully have my own IM blog up soon (partly inspired by yourself).
Thanks Clayton :)
Ben.
Hey Clayton,
Based on what you are doing so far, you should be able to achieve more than what you requested. Keep it going. Think Big!!
Cheers
Javier
@Cheron, Hi. Yeah, Chiang Mai sausage is awesome! My girlfriend and I went to Aroon Rai today. That place is really good. Setting of those paper lanterns for Loy Krathong is really fun–We set off 5! Too bad our trips don’t overlap…
@Ben, Thanks! I’ll check out your blog when you get it up.
@Javier, Thanks! I have a secret income goal too, but no one else knows that one ;)
Yes, as I think I mentioned in my email, Aroon Rai is my favorite place for Chiang Mai sausage. We can’t wait to leave Seattle – it’s crazy here with all the snow. The roads were an absolute disaster last night – luckily I was home watching it on the news. You’re not missing much!