As Seen by TV

The final night in Phuket.

These images were captured on a pier in Rawai, and FYI the street that extends straight onto this pier is a go-go bar street.  Filled with about 30+ bars on either side and packed one right next to the other, it boasts an amazingly friendly atmosphere and was great fun for some drinky drinks.  I really couldn’t think of a better [and more unholy] place to spend Christmas Eve!!

Early the next morning saw us take on our first journey of the trip.  An almost full day trip consisting of a taxi / van / bus / ferry / jeep to our remote abode on the northern coast of Koh Phangan.  The island synonymous with the infamous full-moon party.  Which was happening that night.

The day after Christmas took a trip to the Linkeroever (“left bank of the river“), the neighborhood across the river Schelde from Antwerp city center.  I’d actually never been here before, also checked out the St. Anna Tunnel opened in 1933 which is a pedestrian/cyclist tunnel.   Looking at them blue skies now makes me a little home sick, here in Shanghai its only ever “foggy” (smoggy).

That last picture is of my last meal in Europe, taken at Schiphol airport, Amsterdam.  And so concludes my Belgian/Dutch holiday.

I have to take Friday off which means that yes, I don’t get paid for working on Christmas Day… one of the negative aspects of living in a non-Christian nation.
My job almost sent me off to Chongqing for 2 weeks (for what, I still don’t know), but I fought back.
Ho ho ho, Merry Christmas.