Posted on March 7, 2007
Filed Under Fun, Travel | Viewed 834 times
I found this picture and its accompanying note from my old files. It was taken about 5 years ago, and I thought I would share it with you.
Never Again (Trip to the Snake Farm). ‘Twas a pleasant delight to learn that 3 other officemates from other divisions were to be on missions to Dhaka, Bangladesh the same time that I would be there. More so, with Ellen leaving Dhaka on the same day and flight as mine, after the completion of our missions. Ellen and I decided to stay 2 nights in Bangkok for shopping and some fun. A few days before when we were in Dhaka, we went for a boat ride in a river with a bunch of other HQ and local staff. It was a different experience – we cruised through like miles and miles of open space, it was a full moon, the night, serene, cool, and relaxing.
Ellen and I left Dhaka on a Friday mid-morning. After Dhaka, Thai food was a bonus to the oriental palate. I have been to Bangkok several times and I was just too happy to be Ellen’s tour guide and companion. It was the King’s birthday and the Grand Palace was closed to the public. We took the boat ride by the river, but we were not aware that part of the tour was a visit at the snake farm. Before we knew it, a man placed a snake on our shoulders and napes. It seemed like it was the most natural thing to do, but Ellen and I were so tense! It was a feeling worse than a 2-loop roller coaster ride! It was the coldest and slimiest hug I ever had! It was gross! I was holding the snake’s head, it kept moving and sidling. I wanted to throw it away, but could not because it might strangle us to death. Ellen and I were scandalously pleading to please take the snake away. It was only after the snapshot was taken that they took the snake away from us. Never again, we told ourselves! It was not a brave act. It was a crazy antic, I suppose, and for the books. But, no, thank you – never again!
Never Again (Trip to the Airport). After the snake farm, we went shopping. The next morning we had a lazy breakfast, went for sauna and gym, and went for a little shopping in a market near the hotel. At 10 am we were still taking it easy. I booked for a hotel car to take us to the airport at 11 am, banking on Ellen’s assumption that our flight was at 1:25 pm. Suddenly remembered that in the past, all I could do in mornings prior to the TG flight for Manila was eat breakfast, and nothing else. Why was it that Ellen and I were even able to do some shopping that morning? I wondered why, and Ellen had the same doubts. Ellen checked our tickets, flight was at 11:10 am! It was the shock of our lives! Until now, I cannot imagine how Ellen and I managed to take the ride to the airport, check in our luggage, get through long queus, immigration, and finally board the plane all in 40 minutes. It was a 40-minute of tension and stress. Perhaps, it was the comfortable feeling that we had company, that we forgot to check our itineraries. In the past, it was just the cold hotel room and shopping by one’s lone self. At that time Ellen and I had each other. We got the last aisle seats in the smoking area (there was still a smoking area at that time). We deserved it, really! What lesson did we learn – one can leave the hotel barely one hour before the flight. I’m just kidding! But no, thank you – never again!
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I hate snakes; I don’t know why. But somehow, I guess it’s because of their skin.
;p
same here, Kyels
oh Dine, I hate snakes! My husband and I used to hike in the mountains, usually in the morning. Snakes love to soak sun rays in the morning and I would see them lying across the path or coiled with their tongue flicking out. I shrieked as loud as I could and I refused to move forward.
Seriously though, you don’t look nervous in the picture.
Belle, what if they bite!
yah, looked like i was having fun, but i was nervous! when i realized it was there a long time, i froze.
yay… i’m having goosebumps just thinking about snake! yaaay… scary! i can imagine you while holding that snake… waaaaahhh!
good thing that you guys didn’t plan anything on that morning… to think na flight nyo na pala!! hehehe!
Good Wednesday afternoon, Sexy Mom ! How are you doing today ?
That was quite the two experiences you had ! I totally agree – no snakes for me, thank you ! And getting to the airport and on the flight in 40 minutes – wow ! Major pressure !
I can’t figure out what I am doing wrong when I try to get to your blog :
I think it is :
http://www.dine.racoma.com.ph/
but every time I try it, it lands me on a blank page…
Then if I click on your link from my blog where you have made a comment, it works just fine.
Please help !
Snakes don’t really bother me too much, but I don’t think I would touch them! let alone wear them on my shoulder. You guys were brave
Those were the good ol’ flying days, when you can check in less than an hour before your flight. If that happened now you would have spent another night in Bankok.
Snakes gives me the creeps. Naisahan kayo. did you have to pay for the pictures? Never again indeed!
I’ve never touch a snake yet. But i did try touching a big crocodile on the crocodile farm before. I touched its snout!
Im sure there would be “never again” if you really want to visit those places again, right? maybe next time, with the whole family
But never again with tensions while travelling 
forfieted anf fun kung nagkaganun uli 
Have a nice day!
I’m not really a big fan of snakes, mostly coz of the movies and the legends and the word of mouth
I always be in the airport two hours before check in time, scary to miss the flight
rHo – we were even planning to go to the Central Dept Store, for last minute shopping!
Loving Annie – so sorry, my mistake, it should really be: http://dine.racoma.com.ph
and yes, JMom, it was a pressure, indeed! and what made it more stressful were the stares of the people (of course, we had to excuse ourselves in the long lines)
yes, Leah, we had to pay, something like ThB20
maybe that was the catch.
omg chase, i will never do that! it might eat me alive, look what happened to Steve Irwin of Animal Planet.
brVince – how i wish! but not with snakes, never again!
yes, Zeroimpact, esp here, with the monstrous traffic, we should never dare.
Yaiks! Snakes!
Ayayay, it’s really so stressful catching a flight when you’re running late. Hehehe.
That trip was memorable
Uuuhhh, snakes. I don’t like snakes…I wouldn’t dare touch them.
Yes, for the books, for the curriculum vitae, for conversation piece. Never again but memorable ha. And your smiles seem to belie your repulsion/fear?
Nice to travel ano? Panay official travel ba. I agree, Thai food is among the best.
i Never liked snakes hehe..
What an experience! Just looking at a snake gives me the creeps already, what more of having it wrapped around my neck without my permission. I would have freaked out!