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PCEC guest relates travel experiences in India
“I Come Alone” is the title of a book written by Michelle
J. Coote about her travels in Thailand and India. On Sunday, August 11, she
provided an interesting presentation to the Pattaya City Expats Club about
her travel experiences in India.
Bruce Gordon, host of the
Pattaya City Expat Club’s popular Mind Expansion Group, introduces PCEC’s
speaker for the 11th August, Michelle Coote.
She said her title for the book was based on her often
repeated response to locals she met while on the trip. She said that after
the question where do you come from, it was usually followed with, “you come
alone?” Her response being, “Yes, I come alone.” A single woman traveling
alone was an unusual event, especially in India. Michelle noted that since
most Asians travel in groups, they had some difficulty fathoming why a
person would travel alone; especially a woman.
Michelle began by giving some of her background. She was born in Sydney,
Australia. She graduated from Queensland University with an Economic Honor
degree in 1991. She then joined the Queensland public service in 1992
working in the areas of budget control and project evaluation, reaching the
level of middle management by 2002. In 2002, she took time off and spent
five months traveling in Russia, Europe, Thailand, and Cambodia.
Australian Michelle was well
set in Brisbane with house & a good government job - or so she thought she
was, till she started travelling on her long service leave. She wrote a book
about her experiences, called ‘I Come Alone’ after being asked the question
many times.
Upon her return, she found those travels had changed her
perspective and came to realize she “really hated my job.” Further, the
Queenslander house she bought in 1995 as a fixer-upper, had become a burden
to upkeep; a “money pit.” So, in 2005, she quit her job, sold her house, and
with her backpack holding her worldly possessions set out to travel.
The first six months she spent travelling in Thailand and India. She notes
that Thailand offered peace, comfort, an easy lifestyle, and was easy to get
around. However, India was completely different. At times she loved it and
at other times hated it, and sometimes felt both those emotions at the same
time.
She described her experiences and feelings when she first arrived in Mumbai
in November 2005. She then listed what she considered to be the challenges
one faces in traveling in India. The first is the poverty, the numerous
people living in the crowded slums and the number of beggars; which seemed
to especially target westerners. Another is the crowds of people and the
horrendous traffic.
Following her initial
trip, spending five months traveling in Russia, Europe, Thailand, and
Cambodia, Michelle returned to Australia and sold up everything; now living
in Thailand, and using it as a base for travels in Thailand and to India.
She captioned a couple of other observations as, “How do
you say maintenance in Hindi?” (something not often evident) and “Where is
my gas mask?” (tremendous amount of air pollution). Michelle mentioned that
traveling by train was quite an adventure (or was it a nightmare). She noted
the train stations were extremely crowded and there was a general lack of
signs giving directions - for getting tickets or finding the right train.
However, with the help of others, it can be done; but not easily. She said
one’s primary thought was, “Will I get there alive?”
Michelle also commented on the apparent perception of Indians that if a
woman is unmarried and has no children, she has no life. She also described
some encounters with Indian men, especially from those that seemed to think
her traveling alone made her fair game. She mentioned a small park in Mumbai
whose name on the map was Horniman Park; which she said would aptly describe
the male denizens that were there.
But, she said that there were also many great things about India that makes
the challenges worth facing. Showing several pictures, Michelle described
the “magic” of India such as its monuments & architecture, landscapes,
spiritual pilgrimages & pathways, and friendly people. In describing its
architecture and monuments, she pointed out that seeing pictures or videos
of the Taj Mahal does not do it justice. The only way to appreciate its
magnificence and beauty is to actually see it in person.
Board member Lawrie presents
Michelle with a Certificate of Appreciation for her very interesting
presentation. Her book is available as an ebook on Amazon, for only $2.99.
In conclusion, Michelle said that she could also call her
trip to India “weight loss tourism” as she did drop several pounds during
her travels there. Many in the audience asked questions about the best
places to see and because of the difficulties she described in getting
around, how much time to allow for getting to certain places as part of
planning an itinerary.
Michelle now resides in Rayong and will be completing other books about some
of her later travels. Her book, “I Come Alone” is available as an eBook and
can be obtained from Amazon by visiting
http://www.amazon.com/I-Come-Alone-Michelle-Coote/dp/1470178540.
Following Michelle’s talk,
Tony Heron MC’eed the Open Forum, where members and guests can seek
solutions to the many questions that arise when living in the ‘Land of
Smiles’.
After Michele’s presentation, Master of Ceremonies Roy
Albiston brought everyone up to date on upcoming events, then called on Tony
Heron to conduct the interesting and informative open forum where questioned
are asked and answered about Expat living in Thailand.
For more information on the Club’s many activities, visit their website at
www. pattayacityexpatsclub.com.
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46 million baht spent by 450 bidders at Bangkok auction
LOT 2074 - Several of the bidders
showed interest for a Chinese “Tea Caddy” from the Qing Dynasty. The minimum
price was Baht 40,000 but after a long bidding round the hammer fell on Baht
1,150,000.
Jan Olav Aamlid
Eur-Seree Collecting Company attracted 450 bidders at their 32nd auction on
3rd and 4th of August this year. 110 of the bidders come from abroad.
The 46 million baht was spent bought mostly stamps, coin, banknotes and some
antiquities.
Eur-Seree plans their next auction on 30th November and 1st of December, so a
great chance to buy a Christmas presents for a good friend. More information
please contact Jan Olav Aamlid, House of Coins, e-mail
[email protected]
The following is a sample of what went at the auction:
Lot 1386 - A 12 ounce gold 1000
Yuan “Year of The Horse” was estimated at Baht 640,000. The mintage is only 500
pieces and as there are several more than 500 collectors of this coin the bidder
had to pay Baht 920,000.
Lot 1222 - From 1902 Thomas de la
Rue from London was producing Thai banknotes. Due the Second World War the
deliveries of Thai banknotes from Thomas de la Rue were halted from 1939 till
1948. In 1948/49 Thomas de la Rue again supplied Thailand with banknotes until
1968 when Thailand set up Bank of Thailand Note Printing Works. The last
banknote Thomas de la Rue produced for Thailand was a 100 Baht note in 1968. The
note was very nice with high security measures. In the Eur-Seree sale there was
a very interesting lot consisting of 10 of this note. The notes had fascinating
numbers like 111111 up to 999999 finishing off with a note numbered1000000.
Minimum price was set at Baht 100,000 but the buyer had to pay Baht 200,000 for
the lot.
Lot 2377 - For King Chulalongkorn,
Rama V, a coronation medal was issued in 1873, dated C.S. 1235. Here the minimum
price was set at Baht 20,000. This is far under the market value which was
something the bidding showed and ending up at Baht 115,000.
Lot 1362 - The Chinese market for
coins is not as strong as it used to be. But an 8 gram proof medal from 1983,
“Year of the Pig” had a minimum price of Baht 30,000. There were several strong
mail bids, the strongest Baht 68,000 but several floor bidders were interested,
and the highest bidder was willing to pay Baht 145,000.
Lot 2453 - On King Chulalongkorn,
Rama V’s, second trip to Europe he paid a visit to Norway and went all the way
up to North Cape. Here the king inscribed his name on a stone. The stone is
today in the building at North Cape were it is also a Thai Sala. Her Royal
Highness Princess Sirindhorn presided over the opening in 1989. 100 years after
the king visited Norway the Royal Norwegian Mint produced a medal with King
Chulalongkorn’s portrait on the adverse. The reverse shows the stone, the king
and his entourage together with Norwegian craftsmen who made the engraving on
the stone. The Norwegian Mint produced a small and big medal in gold and silver.
The big gold medal, weighing 60 grams, was produced in a very limited edition,
only 9 pieces all individual numbered. The medal in the sale was numbered 03/09
and the buyer paid Baht 175,000.
Lot 2258 - The interest for Thai
bullet coins, Pod Duang, seems to be rising. This is not surprising; Thailand is
the only country in the world with this type of coins introduced during the
Sukhothai Kingdom, and Centuries 13-15 A.D. The bullet coins were the most
common form of payment for more than 600 years. The first Thai “flat” coin was
struck in 1857 on a hand operated machine given by Queen Victoria to King
Mongkut, Rama IV. In this auction there were 21 lots of bullet coins. The most
expensive was a gold 1/8 baht, Fuang, struck during the reign of King Mongkut,
Rama IV. The weight was 1.77 grams, starting price was Baht 20,000 and the
bidding ended on Baht 41,000.
Lot 2259 - A silver 2 baht struck
during the Rattankosin period also struck during the reign of King Mongkot, Rama
IV, had a minimum price of Baht 15,000. Several collectors showed interest for
the 30.28 gram bullet coin and the bidding ended on double of the minimum price
Baht 30,000.
LOT 172 - Pakdi Yongvanich passed
away some years ago. He was a well known collector. At this sale his collection
of Siam Scout’s Fund and King Rama VI Thai Philately was offered. King Rama VI
was the founder of Thai scouting in 1911. Several of the bidders wanted to buy
the 1921 “Scout Fund 3rd Issue” 2 Satang and 15 Satang with the control mark of
“Winter Fair”. The minimum price was set at Baht 3,200, but the bidding went to
amazing Baht 185,000. Assume the seller must have been very happy.
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Hilton Pattaya celebrates
Oktoberfest Sept. 27-28
The management says ‘Prost’ with
Paulaner Weissbier. (From left) Gerard Walker, Ken Whitty and his wife Kanpitcha
Kongsombat, Markus Hesse, Peta Ruiter and general manager Philippe Kronberg.
Elfi Seitz
The Hilton Pattaya will celebrate Oktoberfest for two nights next month
with authentic beer, sausages and music.
General Manager Philippe Kronberg announced the Sept. 27-28 event during an
August 6 press conference that also served as a beer-drinking contest. Reporters
also sampled the foods to be showcased at the event.
Next month’s parties will unfold in the Hilton ballroom which will be
transformed into a replica of Munich’s “Wiesn” Oktoberfest hall. Long wooden
tables and benches will be positioned and booths will offer Bavarian food while
an Austrian band performs, hosts games and tells jokes.
Kenneth Whitty, managing director of Danmark Co., the
importer and distributor of Paulaner beer, said the Hilton’s event will be held
too early to offer the traditional Oktoberfest beer, but Bavarian Weissbier will
be available.
Admission tickets will be 1500 baht per person and include food, water and a
half-liter of beer. Additional beers will cost 220 baht.
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