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Hash-Packing the World
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
  • Nancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

Hash-Packing the World

Whether you know me as Nancy Webb or Pat Bonetar, I hope you enjoyed my trip through 4 continents and 17 countries! I can't wait to do it again!! Read more
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  • Trip start
    June 4, 2018
    Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    80 Days Until It Begins!

    March 16, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 34 °F

    Welcome to my "Hash-Packing the World" travel log! Whether you know me as Nancy Webb or Pat Bonetar, I am über-excited about my upcoming travels that begin only 80 days from today (4 June 2018)! This began as a short trip to Kuala Lumpur, but I asked myself, “Nancy/Pat, if you’re going all that way, then why not see as many places and faces as you can along the way?” Hence, with the help and advice from my amazing friends around the globe, my trip has snowballed into what will no doubt be the journey of a lifetime. Well, at least of my lifetime. It will [fingers crossed] cover parts of North America, Southeast Asia, Australasia, South America, and Europe over the course of about 17 months. I hope you enjoy it as much as I will!

    “Hash-Packing” = a blend of “hashing” and “backpacking.” The term “hash” comes from my favorite pastime, hashing with the Hash House Harriers.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Wright Patterson AFB Hospital

    April 2, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 43 °F

    Today, I received the beginning of my innoculations for the trip. A 7-month supply of anti-Malaria pills and six whopping shots. Right arm: Yellow Fever, Typhoid, and Tetanus. Left arm: Japanese Encephalitis #1 of 2, Rabies (pre-exposure) #1 of 3, and Meningococcal. Youch! I can already tell that I won't be able to lift my arms tomorrow. Worth it!Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    First leg

    A 1,000-mile journey begins with 1 step

    June 4, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☀️ 70 °F

    I'm at the beginning of my trip, at the Greyhound bus station in Columbus, Ohio. I can't believe this day has finally arrived. I'm very sad to be leaving my wonderful friends here, but so excited to hit the road on the way to hug old friends and make new old friends.

    Accompanying me are Johnny (Cash) & Jack (Keroac), who will no doubt later be left on a bench for another Traveller, but who will start me out right.

    Out for now. Peace.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Salt Lake City

    June 6, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 84 °F

    After a hot (no air conditioning in the day) and cold (no heat in the night) ride across Kansas, Colorado, and Wyoming, I now find myself in Salt Lake City for the first time. There is no time to see anything except the bus station, but surrounded by barren scrubland and the Rockies foothills, it is definitely a place to which I'd like to return.

    Uneventful night on the bus, but I slept well. So well, in fact, that I slept through everyone getting off the bus at the Denver stop...where I had to change buses. Fortunately, I woke up just in time to grab my bags and make it.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Pilot Truck Stop Shower

    June 7, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌙 57 °F

    Yay! After 50 hours on the bus, time for a shower! I had no idea what to expect from a truck stop shower, but awesome is all I can say. 12 USD that comes with towels, soap (also shampoo since I shaved my head), and loads of refreshing hot water. Bonus = clean facility! This was a very good decision...for me and my fellow passengers.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    The Greyhound has finished

    June 7, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ☁️ 63 °F

    I successfully made it from Columbus, OH to Seattle, WA on three Greyhound buses over the course of 63.5 hours. Whoosh! What a trip, both literally and figuratively. Lots of veterans, including one young Army female with a prosthetic left leg and a Marine with a prescription for marijuana to ease his seizures from an IED. A few tweenies, probably runaways, but already hardened with the grime of road life. One guy with a tattooed face on his way home to Mom from prison, probably drug related if his manic tics and unfocused eyes were his tell. So many others: young moms with toddlers; all sorts setting out in search of jobs; and some, like me, taking a relatively cheap way across the country.

    I'm at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport USO until Sunday at 0100 for the next possible trans-Pacific flight. If that doesn't pan out, then I'll probably buy a ticket to Bangkok. Wish me luck on the former!

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Seattle HRC with Ohio HOG Friends

    June 8, 2018 in the United States ⋅ 🌧 63 °F

    How great is it to see old friends somewhere new?! Rob and I ride in the Powder Keg Harley Chapter out of Mason, Ohio. Now, we and his daughter Amanda are sitting at the Hard Rock Cafe in Seattle. Awesome!Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Mimosas, Biscuit Bitch!

    June 9, 2018 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    The past 24 hours have been amazing! I met up with friends from Ohio at the HRC (previous post), then dinner at an Argentinian steak and tango restaurant (yes, a food pic and tango vid are attached), brunch at Biscuit Bitch (I had the Bitchwich with Spam), and mimosas at the hotel bar (selfie). Wonderful time with great friends...who also reminded me do this post!

    I have loved Seattle since the first time I came here in 2007 or 2008, and it still has a great personality and vibe.

    I'm posting this from the back of an Uber to meet up with the Seattle Hash House Harriers from today's hash, which is going to be epic.

    I'm trying to catch a military flight at 0530 in the morning, so hopefully my next post will be from the plane. Wish me luck!

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Bangkok, here I come!

    June 10, 2018 in Canada ⋅ ⛅ 57 °F

    I'm here in Vancouver waiting for my connecting flight to Guangzhou and on to Bangkok! This is a beautiful airport (pics below). I had an absolute blast in Seattle! Met up with Rob and Amanda and hashed with the Seattle H3, who were great hosts. I have a feeling I should be telling you more, but my brain isn't up to it right now.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Layover in Guangzhou

    June 11, 2018 in China ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Long, 13+-hour flight from Vancouver to Guangzhou via China Southern Airlines. The seats were like rocks, and I was stuck in the center seat, but, my neighbors were courteous and quiet, so not the worst flight to date. Now for a beer with my feet up to lower the swelling before the next flight into Bangkok.

    Amanda, the squatting pan pics are for you. They're from the airport. 😉    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Wat Pho & Reclining Buddha

    June 12, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    My first full day in Bangkok began at 8 am on foot. I stopped near the hotel for breakfast on the street, which was chicken-like tofu (I think), soft boiled egg, julianed ginder, a rice porridge type base, and an array of organs (definitely intestines, possibly liver and tongue). It was very good (minus the liver).

    I don't know how many miles I've logged so far, but I've already seen some amazing places. Buddhist temples are called "Wat"s and I've seen several just making my way to the traditional tourist area. Wat Pho and the Reclining Buddha is one of the more famous ones and where I am now. Magnificent!

    Now to find a cafe for a small, light lunch. It's 91°F, but with the humidity, it feels like 102°F. My body definitely needs to acclimate...and soon.

    *Update: Lunch was what I feared would eventually happen. It was a wonderful chicken thigh cooked in cocout milk, but there was an oily film on top that turned out to be the hottest thing I have ever eaten. Nose running, eyes tearing, throat closing...but I ate it all and it was delicious!    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Walking under the BTS line

    June 13, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    Yesterday was awesome and exhausting. Typical me, I tried to see everything in the same day. The temples were amazing and seemed to be everywhere. I met up with a hasher buddy "Bimbo" for dinner and drinks (selfie), who helped me find a great little hotel right in the heart of Sukhumvit,the expat and happening spot in the city. It was nice to catch up with him.

    I went to the same place for a wonderful, proper English breakfast: black pudding, beans, grilled to-mah-to, rashers, two eggs...the works. And a Bloody Mary, of course.

    Now, I'm trapsing (well, that's what it feels like when you don't have to be anywhere in particular) down the main drag towards the Hard Rock Cafe. Later, I'm meeting with soon-to-be old friends for the Wednesday Hash. I expect it and the On After will be a great way to wrap up a lazy day.

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: Forgot to say. The guy in the orange vest under the umbrella covering the scooters? That's a taxi stand. Yes, on the scooters. Wild!    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
    1

    Bangkok Hash House Harriettes

    June 13, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 82 °F

    I had to post this while it was still fresh in my mind. The Bangkok Hash House Harriettes were the bomb! We had an awesome trail...that got washed away with the rain showers, but it was still good. The two hares led us through a leper colony (for real), popped us out at a beautiful temple (I think I was the only one who noticed), twisted us around elevated sidewalks that also served as highways for scooters (yes, some were taxis), and showed us off to the naked Thai children (who began mimicking our "ON ON" calls when we were searching for trail). It was a great way to begin hashing in Thailand.

    I was nominated for the Tits of the Week awards...which is not an honor. It's kind of a hash shit thing they do. The accusation against me "What did she do wrong?" Reply: "Bimbo"

    After circle, we went across the street for food (pics below). Here was the line up (in order with the pics and how we were served):
    - Sliced pig ears with 🔥🔥 sauce on the side
    - Omelet
    - White rice
    - Chicken with cashews 🔥🔥
    - "Morning Glory" (greens with stems) 🔥🔥
    - Pork, heavy on the cilantro, with cucumber and beans to take the edge off the heat 🔥🔥🔥
    - Deep fried pork meat (the little crunchy bits were like Long John Silvers without the fishy taste)
    - Fried rice

    Set out some beer, wine, and water on the table, and it was a feast! Delicious, but soooooo much spice! The cilantro pork caught me off guard and was almost as hot as yesterday's coconut chicken. Ouch!

    I figured I walked about 7 km before trail and trail turned into about 8 km, so I am exhausted. Going to crash now. Up and at 'em tomorrow.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    The Grand Palace & Emerald Buddha

    June 14, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    I woke up early again this morning (0345-ish), but actually got out of bed before 0900 (0745). I took the underground to Hua Lamphong station, then walked down to the river. For 15 Baht (50¢ USD), I hopped a ferry up the Chain Phraya River to the Grand Palace.

    In the temple inside the grounds, the small but magnificent Emerald Buddha sits high atop his golden pedestal. Photos are not allowed of him, but I did get some of the grounds and stunning buildings. [The two pics of him below are from Google.]

    As I was trying to get to the exit, the crowd simply stopped, packed in--yes, I'll use it--like sardines. Apparently (if the signs on the Mercedes limos were any indication), a very high-ranking Myanmar official (President?) came by with what may have been the Thai Queen. Not sure, but once they passed, I was swept out with all the other bodies. Luckily, we were all headed in the same direction.

    I'm headed back towards the hotel to pick up my laundry (100 THB per kilogram) and find a restaurant with air con. And beer. I'm parched 😌.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    The Lazy Song

    June 15, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 91 °F

    Today's theme is Bruno Mars's "The Lazy Song" (https://g.co/kgs/h9s4bh).

    Up at exactly 0345 again, dammit. Down the pub for another English breakfast, even though I passed up some awesome looking Thai grub from the sidewalk carts along the way. Thought about going to another temple on the other side of the river. Nah. Thought about going to one of the many floating markets. Nah. Thought about a lot of things. Nah.

    "Today I don't feel like doing anything
    I just wanna lay in my bed
    Don't feel like picking up my phone
    So leave a message at the tone
    'Cause today I swear I'm not doing anything"

    Today's theme may be lazing around, but the Hash's theme last night was "don't fall in the klong" (canal). They're not all as disgusting as the one pictured below, but still. I wish I could post a smell for you. You think you know. You. Do. Not. And things live in there. Big things that make big splashes. Despite the fear of agonizing death by klong, it was great fun with great people and another 8 km under my poor, tired, blistered feet.

    There's no hash tonight; only a dinner/drinking practice a few subway stops away. I think I'll take a nap first.

    Oh, about the toilet pic. You don't flush toilet paper here. In fact, many public restrooms don't even have paper. You use the hose hanging by the comode or squat pan to rinse your bits. The paper is just for drying and goes in the waste bin. But I found this Japanese- style comode, complete with bidet, in a shopping mall. Sooo much better than a hose.

    Off for a nap. Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Waiting for the Train

    June 16, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 88 °F

    Today at 6 pm, I leave Bangkok on an overnight train to Chiang Mai. I planned to leave yesterday, (Friday) but since I waited until Thursday to get a ticket, I could only get a sleeping berth (upper) ticket for the Saturday train...and the last ticket, too. Okay, I didn't plan very well, but hey, that's what this is all about, right? Right. 😎

    I checked out of the hotel earlier, had McPorridge at you-know-where, and did a very little bit of shopping (hat, rash cream). Now, I'm watching yesterday's World Cup matches while I wait for the train. Go Morocco 🇲🇦! Or Iran 🇮🇷! Whatever.

    I met up with the hashers again last night, but this time only for dinner (no Friday Hash). Fried squid, a Hawaiian pizza, and a yard of beer, the latter of which was for the whole table (10 of us). It was great to get out of the tourist district and eat some really good food made for Thais.

    Speaking of food, I'm at an Aussie restaurant about to get a "famous" burger and chips (french fries) before I get the underground to the train station. By the look of that guy's plate over there, I suspect it will be very good. I'll pop in the 7 Eleven for some train snacks on the way to the station. (Oh yes, they're on every other corner.)

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: The picture of the electrical lines. I moved to the other side of the staircase when I saw this. It's like this everywhere, though. Incredible.    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Chiang Mai via Overnight Train

    June 17, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    What a great way to travel! I took the overnight train from Bangkok to Chiang Mai. It was like sleeping on a padded board (I think that's actually what it was), but about the price of a decent but not spendy hotel room (30 USD-ish), for which I got room and transportation. Before and after pics of the bunks are below.

    It took forever just to get out of Bangkok last night, but this morning, coming into the Chiang Mai area, was beautiful. The road by the train track was lined with huge elephant ear plants with gigantic white blooms and wild groves of banana trees. I also caught a fleeting glimpse of a huge golden Buddha resting atop his hillside perch.

    After checking into my lodging, I've been walking the Old City taking lots and lots of pictures of Buddha and his numerous temples. There are so many, including the one pictured below, 15th century Wat Chedi Luang.

    Now, a bite to eat with an iced Tiger beer next to the Old City wall. Life is very good.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar
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    1

    135cc to Doi Suthet

    June 18, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 79 °F

    Good day, Monday!! This is how Mondays are supposed to be! Up around 6 am to call my dad for Father's Day, then up and at 'em. A very light breakfast of sticky rice with a warm coconut cream topping (yummy) and the most delicious, fresh mango I have ever had. I don't think I'll ever be able to eat "fresh" mango in the States again.

    The traffic in Chiang Mai is significantly simpler to navigate than that in Bangkok, so I rented a 135cc scooter and made my way to the top of Doi Suthet, upon which stands one of the most important temples in Thailand and a palace. I am sitting in the palace garden now, after having a light lunch by the temple: a small piece of grilled pork on a stick, a Thai sausage on a stick, and a cup of hot corn cut off the cob and mixed with about a tablespoon of white sugar. So very yummy!

    (The bathroom pic is what I had to deal with after lunch. I'm still not quite sure how that's supposed to work without completely stripping. I did my best, but don't ask.)

    Yesterday, I hit the Hard Rock Cafe, which was disappointing, but not surprisingly so. I also got a sakyant tattoo by the traditional bamboo method. It was so much better than the machine! I almost fell asleep except for the occasional pinprick shooting up my neck. And it's already healed. No plastic wrap, no ointment. Amazing!

    After that adventure, there was a night market stretching almost all the way across the Old City on the main road (Rachadamnoen). It was cool, but there were too many people shoulder to shoulder for me, so I ducked out to an outdoor cafe to have a beer and gyoza (super great!) while listening to a pretty good band.

    My battery is running low, and I've so much more to do today, so out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Sometimes a lack of planning is bad

    June 19, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Here I sit at a shopping mall in Lamphang, about 100 km southeast of Chiang Mai. On a 125cc scooter, that was a long, hard ride, and I am not looking forward to the return trip. All highway and hot.

    I had "planned" to go to the Elephant Conservation Center, about 30 km before you get to Lamphang, but I forgot to stop at a currency exchange before I left the tourist area. Off I went with about 5 bucks in cash. Dummy. Not half enough for a ticket much less gas.

    So, I rode the rest of the way into the city and found this shopping mall, which was sure to have an ATM, and it did. A quick bite at McDonald's (you can pick either beef or pork for your burger meat) and I'm back to Chiang Mai...after I hit the Esso station I saw on the way in now that I can pay for gas. The elephants will have to wait for another day.

    Out for now. ✌️

    P.S.: Update on my dumbassery. I wore my convertible shorts so I could make them into pants if I needed, such as for going inside temples. However, I left the zip-on legs at the hotel, so now the tops of my thighs are sunburnt. 🤦    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Thursday is a hashing day!

    June 21, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 86 °F

    Anything I choose to do today would pale in comparison to yesterday's AMAZING time with the elephants. Therefore, I'm doing nothing except laundry until this evening when I'll meet up with the Chiang Mai Hash for tonight's *un.

    Chiang Mai is the second largest city in Thailand, about 4 million people, but it has a small town feel about it. DIt is definitely not to be missed if you're headed this way.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

  • Nancy Webb...Pat BonetarHash-Packing the WorldNancy Webb...Pat Bonetar

    Off to Pai

    June 22, 2018 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 90 °F

    Yesterday, I met up with the Chiang Mai Happy Hash House Harriers for the Thursday hash. Thank goodness I got my tentanus shot before I left. We were a couple of kilometers into the jungle when we came up out a ravine next to a concrete post. This turned out to be a fence post, as I discovered after I raked the top of my scalp on the hanging barbed wire that I didn't see. Just two long scratches, but ouch! At the end of the trail, we had a nice meal followed by circle. It was very reminiscent of Okinawa circles with two large blocks of ice...for sitting on when you are called into circle for heinous crimes, such as enjoying trail or spilling your beer. Great fun and lots of laughs. CMH4 were great hosts.

    I just finished a very light lunch with the local mangy cat (pics) and am now waiting on a shuttle van to take me about 50 miles to the northwest to Pai for about 3 days. I did a little more planning for this trip 😀.

    Out for now. ✌️    Read more

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