Beginning Southeast Asia

Quick catch-up:
Naha, Okinawa - 4 days
- spend days wandering around Koksai street and the nights drinking with gaijins (foreigners) at Paul & Mike's bar. Meet an energetic and friendly Kiwi named Whiri who I unsuccesfully play wingman to during a late night at a salsa club.
- Our hotel room bathroom was smaller than those found on most airplanes.

Ishigaki island - 4 days
- arrive by boat boat from Naha (15 hours)
- bike most of the way around the island, the final two hours of which were done in the dark. Our path took us through an unlit 1 mile tunnel with barely any shoulder. The first time in a long while that I have been a bit scared.

Iriomote island - 5 days
- arrive by boat from Ishigaki (1 very bumpy hour)
- a friend at our hostel takes us out to dinner with her dive-shop owning uncle. The next day is spent snorkeling and scuba diving in between tanning sessions on his boat. The most mellow I have been in a long time.
- Learn the japanese game Go with Charles and play card games with the hostel staff till late at night. The japanese guests turn bright glowing red as they get drunk off massive bottles of awamori (okinawa's special sake liquor) every night.

Taipei, Taiwan - 1 night
- arrive via ferry (7 hours)
- go out on the town immediately upon arrival. Going on the advice of a Taiwanese friend we checked out the night markets and head to a few clubs. One refused to allow us in because my flip-flops didn't have a strap on the heel, so Charles rigged it up with tape and some cute ornaments. If it wasn't for their id policy (and us not having any) they would have let us in with a laugh.

Bangkok, Thailand - 7 days so far
- arrive via flight from Taipei (3.5 hours)
- staying on Khaosan road, hub for all backpackers going to or from southeast asia. Things are cheap and the food is good.