Tokyo Tower

Monday morning was the start of our official first day in Japan.  Both Sherryl and I got up early to catch our breakfast.  The breakfast was ok, it just seemed a little plain after the grand breakfast we had at the Conrad.  I ate enough, I had an omelet, mixed fruits, some meat, and a bowl of cereal.  Sherryl had something similar except she was more on the fruit side than I was.

It was already determined that we were going to see the Tokyo Tower.  We just did not know how to get there.  Luckily for us the hotel had information sheets for us to use on how to get there.  We had to walk from our hotel to Shinjuku Station.  From Shinjuku Station we had to take the Toei-Oedo line, one of the many lines from Shinjuku, and then we had to exit Akabanebashi.

As easy as the directions make it look it was still hard for Sherryl and I to find the station.  After much walking we encountered a police officer patrolling the streets.  I asked him in Japanese, "Shinjuku Eki Minami Entorii doko desu ka?", in other words "where is the south entrance of Shinjuku Station?"  The police officer advised us to go back and on the next intersection make a left, go over the bridge, and there is the entrance.

We made it to the entrance but then a traffic advisor advised us to go back and make a right since we had to take the Toei Oedo Line.  We found the line and there was an employee at the ticket station that spoke perfect english and instructed us how to buy a ticket and where.

We were able to catch our train and make it to Akabenabashi.  Once we exited the station we looked out and there was no mistaking the Tokyo Tower.  The tall massive structure was right in front of us.  Sherryl and started walking and then we had to cross an overpass, and then enter a small side street.  From the side street the Tower was right in front of us.  There was already a tour group taking photos and posing for pictures.  Sherryl and I took some photos but it was hard to get in the photo and all of Tokyo Tower.

Since we were there we decided to at least go to the top.  We went to the ticket office and bought a combo ticket for the main observatory deck and a special deck which is a lot higher.  We had to enter a special elevator and it took us to the Main Observatory.  Sherryl and I took some photos but mostly we just surveyed Tokyo from higher up.  The city is so clean, no pollution, and traffic just flows.  At least that's what we could see from the observatory.

After going around the main observatory we went to the "Special Viewing Observatory" which required Sherryl and I to climb a few feet of stairs and then get into another elevator that took us higher up.  Once we got there I started to remember my time at the top of the Statue of Liberty.  We were so high up and the space at the top was much smaller.  At the Tokyo Tower it was pretty much the same but the viewing area is much more spacious that then Statue of Liberty.

After taking a few more photos both Sherryl and I decided to go down.  We went down to the second floor to grab something to eat.  I just needed something to get me going while Sherryl seemed to be very hungry as well.  I settled on a American Favorite (McDonald's) while Sherryl ordered Pasta.

After lunch we retraced our steps back to the Akabanebashi Station and road the train back to Shinjuku.  Unfortunately we exited a different exit from where we entered and we got lost.  We did some walking around and eventually we were able to find the road that we were familiar with.  We took that same road back to our hotel.

Once back at the hotel we rested up.  After napping for a few hours we had to grab dinner.  Sherryl was craving sushi and we decided to eat at Tsukiji Sushi Ko.  I found the restaurant on the web, had high reviews, and even better was that it was walking distance from our hotel.

When we got to the restaurant we were greeted warmly, seated, and then we had to order.  We ordered a combination of Salmon based sushi dishes and rolls.  We even had miso soup which is so different from the miso soup back home.  Miso soup here has either fresh or salt water claims or fish.  Sherryl and I wanted fish but they were sold out so we settled on fresh water claims.

The sushi here in Tokyo is so good and so clean.  Back home the rolls are always slathered in teriyaki or some sort of sauce.  Over here there is no sauce.  The closest place that serves sushi the way they do here in Tokyo is Sushi Ran.  Unfortunately Sushi Ran is so far from where I live, it's located in Sausalito.

After eating we just decided to chill out at the restaurant and watch the chefs do their thing.  After a few a minutes of that we decided to call it a night and go back.  One Tokyo landmark was done and another was going to be seen the next day.        

Last Day in the Kingdom

I woke up early Saturday morning to my alarm clock.  I really wanted to sleep in more, Sherrryl kept raving on how great the pillows are.  However, I thought about checking in early for our flight to Tokyo.

Unfortunately for ANA flights we can only check in 3 days in advance and by Saturday it had already passed.  Undeterred by the unfortunate circumstances I went back to bed.

Sherryl and I then woke up and got ready for breakfast.  Luckily our breakfast was already included on our booking fee.  We went to the international restaurant and just feasted it up.  I ate everything that I can enjoy and the restaurant had everything I wanted and more.  Sherryl did the same and later commented that we shouldn't eat like we're in a hurry since it was our last day in Bangkok.  Later it dawned on me that it may be my last full breakfast in Thailand.

After breakfast we walked around the hotel, looked at the restaurants, and inspected some of the creature comforts that the hotel offers.

So thereafter we went back to our room to get ready for church.  For the 6th time over the past 6 years I attended Mission Seventh Day Adventist Church.  The taxi from our hotel to the church was a quick trip and cheap as well.

When we arrived at the church the divine worship service was in full swing.  Pastoral prayer had just finished and we were able to catch the children's story.  It was followed up by an all women's choir for special music.  Finally we were treated to a great sermon.  It was about how Salvation is for everybody, we just need to seek it.

After the church service was over both Sherryl and I were able to grab a taxi and head out to Siam Paragon.  We both decided that since this mall had everything we should just stay here and enjoy it before we head back.

Once we got to the mall Sherryl decided to get a pedicure at a salon called "The Sisters."  She suggested I get one myself.  I was a bit shy at first because of the rashes I have on my feet and legs.  For those that really know me, I've had rashes on both of the inside of my ankles since I was a sophomore in high school.  They've come and gone throughout the years.  Since 2008 I have a big rash/scar on the right side of my lower leg.

After deciding to go forward with the pedicure both Sherryl and I were taken to a VIP room.  We both had our own pedicurist.  Within the first few minutes it became apparent that I made the right decision.  I've never had my feet pampered like this before.  Sherryl was done before I was and since I've never had a pedicure it took me a little longer.  After I was done Sherryl told me to just tip the girl who serviced me, she had already paid the bill.  Thanks babe!!

We ended up having a late lunch since we ate a late breakfast.  Also, since we ate more than usual for breakfast we didn't have to eat lunch at our customary time.

I decided on eating at a Taco Truck that was on the bottom of Siam Paragon.  It was awesome and it tasted like all of the awesome Mexican food that I eat back home.  After two weeks of eating just Thai food I was just dying to eat something new.

After eating we just browsed the mall, looked for souvenirs, and even went to the theater to see if we can catch another movie.  Unfortunately there wasn't any movies that caught our eyes.  Sherryl wanted to see "A Walk Amongst the Tombstones" starring Liam Neeson but it had just been taken off of the rotation.  With nothing else left to see we decided to head back to the hotel.

At the hotel it dawned on us that we had to pack.  With a flight at about 6:50 AM we had to get up at around 2 to 2:30 so that we can check out, catch a taxi, and head out to the Airport.

We were able to make really early to the Airport.  Actually it was a little too early as we got there at around 3 AM.  We waited for a bit and we were able to finally check it at around 4 AM.

After the numerous obligations of bag inspections and immigration we finally made it to Gate D4.  We waited for a bit and finally we were able to board our plane at around 6:30 AM.

I do not know what's gotten into me on the flights this year.  I normally feast on the movies that our Airlines offer.  However, I just can't get myself to watch anything.  Luckily I have my iPhone and I just doze off listening to music.

With my nap the flight seemed relatively short.  It was 6 hours in duration but when I woke up we had a little over 2 hours left before we would land.  Again I just listened to music and the time just fly by.

Japan has a special place in my heart.  I've never been there but it was always the place that I wanted to go.  In 1994 I really got into Martial Arts.  I was a Tae Kwon Do practitioner at the time and the Ultimate Fighting Championship had debuted.  One of the contestants, who later became a future champion, was Ken Shamrock.  I had found out that his dojo was just 5 minutes away from my high school.

After finding the dojo and personally calling Ken on his house line (his phone number was in the Lodi, CA phone book), I was invited by him to come by the dojo.  Once I entered the dojo I was greeted by Jason DeLucia, then Frank Shamrock, and finally Ken himself.

Ken was nice, and for the record he was ALWAYS nice to me, and we spoke about fighting.  He invited me back to train but advised me that he would be gone the next week.  I had asked why and he told me that he had to leave for Japan and that he was fighting that week against Leon Dijk from Holland.  He then told me that the sport is actually bigger in Japan than it is here.  He showed me some magazines in Japan in which he was featured.  I was then shown a tape of the matches in Japan.  Immediately I was hooked and I finally wanted to visit Japan.

There were other things that happened from 1994 - 2000 that reinforced my desire to visit Japan.  Japanese animes (cartoons) were getting big in the US around the mid-90's and I got into the Japanese Dramas as well.  It wasn't until 2003 when I was about to finish college that going to Japan may be a possibility.  However, from 2003 to 2010 I couldn't find anybody to go with me.  I couldn't find a tour that included everything (airfare as well).  In 2011 I decided to finally do it and just do it alone.

In 2011 I was dead set on going to Japan for about a week after training in Thailand.  I had hooked up with a friend who invited me to train at the Tri Force gym.  Unfortunately the tsunami hit and had completely destroyed Sendai.  I decided not to go to Japan this time and decided to visit Singapore instead.  I ended up going to Singapore two more times and honestly I have not regretted visiting that great place.

Finally in 2014 I really decided to visit Japan and fortunately Sherryl wanted to go as well.

We landed in Tokyo at around 3:30 Japan Time.  Narita Airport is huge and it took a bit of walking until we got to immigration, a little bit more walking until we got to the baggage claim, and finally a short trek until we got to customs.

Customs was a breeze and when we exited it was a little different for both of us.  In Thailand I've always had a ride on all of my arrivals.  The gym always picks me up and I've never had a problem.  For my first time in Singapore I was able to catch a taxi on my way to my hotel.  After that I've had friends pick me up.  Now in Japan neither one of us had any real contacts to pick us up.  Also my hotel informed me not to take a taxi as it is far away from the airport.  Instead I was advised to either take the Limousine Bus or a the Narita Express Train.

Both Sherryl and I decide to take the Limousine Bus.  I paid the fee (roughly $60 dollars US for both the both of us) and we got out of the airport.  Once outside I noticed that the weather is just like San Francisco.  It was cold and not humid.  We waited for a few minutes before we got on the bus.  The ride took about an hour and a half from the airport and it was quite a relaxing ride.  It would take about an hour before we could see the Tokyo that we were accustomed of seeing.

Once we entered Tokyo we saw the Tokyo Sky Tree out in the distance and it looked massive.  I later found out that it is the 2nd tallest structure in the world and is the tallest tower to date.  I then see Tokyo Disney to my left and it looked massive as well in a different sense.  Everywhere else is just high rise buildings.

Once we got to Shinjuku station we exited the bus, grabbed our bags, and were lucky to find a Taxi.  The I did not have the hotel address but had the phone number and the driver said he could use it to find the hotel with his GPS.  He found it rather quickly and we were taken to our hotel in less than 10 minutes.

After checking in we went off to our room.  It's a nice room to be fair but since we had just stayed at Conrad it just looked to small and too cheap.  After getting settled in we headed off to dinner but we did not know where to go.  Nagi Ramen House was considered to a good option but once we got there we found out that there was a bit of a wait.  We walked around for quite a bit and found another Ramen house and decided to eat there.  Both Sherryl and I ordered the same dish but Sherryl couldn't handle the smoke.  The smoke was awful to be fair but the smell reminded me of all the countless times I hung out at Eisuke's and Ryosuke's apartment in Stockton.  It was a bit of nostalgia for me and I was able to eat my meal with no issues.

After eating at the Ramen house we went back to our hotel and just called it a night.  We have a long day tomorrow.      

  

The Conrad

When Friday rolled around both Sherryl and I decided to take the day off of training.  We had a packed day ahead with laundry, lunch, and getting picked up at 2 pm to get to our hotel.

Sherryl put in our last load of laundry and I decided to watch the morning training session.  It was around 8:30 am already and there were only three people that were training.  Eddie from Liverpool and was getting his bag work in, Andre was getting technical assistance on his technique, and Grace, a new girl from the UK, was sparring with one of the fighters.

A funny scene was occurring with Grace's sparring session.  Both Yot and Liam were screaming with every kick thrown and both were imitating gamblers reminiscent of the live muay thai event that took place last night.

While watching the sparring Themo comes out having just woken up as well as Oliver and Sam.  Themo goes out of his way and asks all three of us if we trained this morning. After the three of us told him that we took it off he sighed in relief.

Andre was in the ring getting  tutorial on how to the Ram Muay and the Wai Kru, both traditional dances that take place before each fight.

After training was over we had breakfast.  The breakfast was uneventful as usual but Sherryl and I invited Oliver and Sam to lunch at 11 am at Central Plaza Salaya.  Sam ended up not coming but Oliver showed up to go with us.

We promptly catch a taxi who promptly took us to the biggest mall in Salaya.  Oliver was impressed and politely asked us to teach him how to say in Thai "please take me to Central Plaza Salaya."  He just couldn't grasp it so I typed on the notepad of his iPhone, 'Centan Salaya'.

We decided to eat Santa Fe Steak as it was Western and Sherryl was sick of Asian food.   Both Oliver and I ordered Steaks and Sherryl ordered fish.  When we got our dishes the meat looked good but Oliver was so disappointed with his 7 pieces of french fries.   He ended up ordering a side order of fries just to be satisfied.

After we ate we saw a Dairy Queen and Sherryl's eyes lit up.  When we first started dating I introduced her to my Dairy Queen Blizzard of soft serve vanilla ice cream mixed with Reece's and Snickers.  She's so addicted it to it now that she needs it at least once a week.

In Thailand there is Dairy Queen but they don't have candy bar ingredients that they have back home in California.  Both Oliver and I settle on Oreo Blizzards while Sherryl gets a mocha almond fudge.  Dairy Queen was Sherryl's treat and Santa Fe Steak was mine.  Oliver was really appreciative of the gesture.  We both like Oliver and were disappointed that Sam did not tag along.  However, before we left Sherryl gave him a bag of Pepperidge Chocolate Chip cookies which Sam ate as if there was no end.

After coming back from Central Salaya both Sherryl and I put the finishing touches on our luggage.  We promptly move out of the room and settle our luggage in front of the main area.  We took the free time that we had taking photos with our friends and trainers.  The taxi that was originally planned to pick us up ended up breaking down so Tar and the others took us to the main road and got us another taxi.  After hugging and saying goodbye our taxi takes us to the Conrad.

Conrad Bangkok is a hotel that Sherryl and I have never stayed at before.  Five star luxury hotels like this are normally out of our price range.  However, I found a deal and it was reminiscent of the same deal that I got for our weekend stay in Carmel last May.

Once we entered the hotel we were promptly greeted by the bell boys who took our luggage.  We were then escorted to the main desk to check in.  I gave them the plastic and their staff escorted us to our room.  Once we got to our room it was nice to be able to just crash on the bed or use our own bathroom.  My home back in California has its own bathroom.

After settling in we decided to head off to dinner.  I was already set on eating at their international restaurant buffet.  There were so many choices and the receptionist was showing us everything.  She was about to take us to the Indian food section when I promptly stopped her and said, 'no no no, you don't have to take us there.'  Sherryl then shakes her head.  We both ate so much when Sherryl then asks, 'by the way, how much is this?'  I replied, 'I don't know.'  We both laughed and prepared ourselves for the worse which was a good thing, we ended up spending more money on a single setting than any of the previous meals I've had on all my previous trips in Thailand.

Both Sherryl and I needed to catch up with our families.  Sherryl called her dad while I spoke with my parents.  It's always nice to speak to my parents.  They're always worried about me and the least I can do is let them know that I'm fine.

After web surfing and looking at resorts both Sherryl and I head back to the room for bed.  Tomorrow's going to be a busy day and potentially my last full day in Thailand.            

Live Muay Thai

With a whole day to rest up I was excited about training Thursday morning.  Instead of running I decided to skip rope instead.  Once I got to the gym I see a new face.  Eddie from Liverpool had just arrived and was promptly skipping rope already.  Eddy's big, tattooed, and gave off an aura that was just all business.  I find out that he's strictly in the gym to train for a fight.  To be fair, Eddy's totally polite with me so I don't have a problem with him.

Sherryl and I both started skipping rope but later on Sherryl decides to do her own exercises to warm up.  After shadow boxing Sherryl gets paired with Yot and I get paired with new trainer Nimnoi.  He's new at the gym but he's not new to me.  I met him before about 4 years ago at Legacy Gym in Ubon, Thailand.  He was former World Champion Ole Laursen's trainer.

That session with Nimnoi was probably the best session I ever had at the gym.  It was similar to the session I had with Kru Ram at the Fairtex Gym last year.  It was a session full of offense and defense.  For example he would throw a left jab at my face.  If I leaned back I would then counter with a left cross and immediately throw a right hook.  If I slipped to the right to avoid the jab I would then counter with a right hook and then throw the left cross.  Another one he would have me do is to leg check his low right leg kick.  After I would I check it with my left shin I would then follow up a right jab, left cross, and a left low kick combo.  It would be 4 rounds of that kind of stuff and I never learned so much.

After 4 rounds of punishment I was then put through the grinder of conditioning exercises.  It was just way to tough and exhausting and I almost passed out.  I then see Sherryl just blasting the bag with leg kicks at the supervision of Yot.  She would later tell me that her leg became numb and she think she broke her toes.  

After resting up both Sherryl and were taken to a local shop and we sampled what was called the "best Pad Thai."  For me I don't know if it was the best but it was very good but for Sherryl it definitely is the best and definitely world's better than the Pad Thai that we get back home.  For the record the Pad Thai back home isn't bad but it's full of noodles.  In Thailand it's low on noodles and high on ingredients.

After eating both Sherryl and I had to walk back to the gym.  It was just so hot and we both decided to eat some ice cream at the local 7-11.  We end up getting ice cream bars before walking back to the gym.

We make it back and not too many minutes pass when we then realize we have to get ready for the afternoon, and potentially last, training session.  We head out and I started skipping rope and Sherryl does her own warm up exercises.  I was then asked to get into the ring with Liam and Sherryl gets paired with Yot again.  Sherryl would later tell me she ended up cracking her toe nail on her right foot.

My session with Liam was similar to my morning session with Nimnoi.  It was tough but my cardio held up and I was able to throw everything that I was asked to throw.  I end doing a lot of defense and countering.  It was tough to be sure but these are the kind of sessions that you can only get in Thailand.

After I was done with Liam I had to do my bag work.  It was then that I see Yot putting shin guards on Sherryl.  I was like 'wow, that's weird they're probably getting her to kick the heavy bag with shin guards to protect her legs.'  I was so wrong, I then see Sherryl paired off with of the younger Thai fighters and she was asked to spar with him.  I then see Sherryl politely tell the fighter, 'Easy ok'.

After seeing her handle herself quite well in the sparring I continue my work on the heavy bag.  I was then summoned by Rob to wrap it up early because we're going to Ratchadamnern Stadium to watch the big Muay Thai event.  It was a big event simply because it had big names competing on the card.

Myself, Sherryl, Oliver, and Sam were confirmed to go.  But then Themo, from Finland, was dressed and ready to go as well.  Later on, Andre from Indonesia would later meet up with us at the stadium.  It created a little problem because Rob's car, a nice one, could really only sit 3 people in the back.  Unfortunate with Themo coming it created quite a problem.  Oliver, Sam, and Themo are all over 6 foot.  And they were all squished in the back seats with Sherryl.  I on the other hand was sitting in the front.  Nevertheless we were able to make the trek and we finally made it to the stadium.

We were VIP's and escorted ringside.  Sherryl was excited because it was her first live fight period.  When the first fight started Sherryl mentioned to me how the guy in blue trunks was just "so cool."  The guy was cool, had supreme confidence, and ended up winning his fight.

During the event there were two knockouts.  The first one the fighter that lost was getting kneed to the head and body until he just dropped.  He then had to be carried off on a stretcher.  Sherryl's smile was gone, she really felt bad for the fighter that lost.  The second knockout was worse, the losing fighter ended up taking a kick to the head and almost fell out of the ring.  He too was carried off on a stretcher.

A few fights later Saenchai Sor Kingstar was fighting.  He's been recognized as probably the best Muay Thai Fighter pound of pound on the planet.  After the first round Sherryl even told me, "he's good."  But later on his opponent, who was much younger and taller, and ended up pulling off the win with superior conditioning and aggressiveness.

After the event was over Oliver was showing us the picture he took with Saenchai.  It was a nice one and I've taken a few pictures wit Saenchai in the past.  I told him that both Sherryl and I did one better...we took pictures with the guy that beat him.

After hanging around to avoid the after event traffic, we then went back to the gym.  Rob ended up stopping by 7 - 11 to get something to eat.  Both Sherryl and I bought some food but after we got back to the gym Sherryl ended up eating Lansones again.  These days, it seems like that's the only thing she wants to eat.

Just a couple more days.
   

Bangkok

Since Sherryl and I took the day off we just headed off to breakfast.  After eating and the customary chit chat both Sherryl and I took a taxi to Grand Palace located in Bangkok.

Once we got to the palace we were told that it was closed until the afternoon due to a service that was only for the Thai people.  We were then told that Wat Arun was open and that we needed to take a boat to cross the river.

We got onto a Tuktuk and were taken to a Pier.  We ended up taking a river cruise that was cool at first but we ended up just going through a canal, seeing the backs of some buildings and temples.  It was real uneventul to be honest.  We were then taken another pier so that we can get onto another boat to the Wat Arun pier.  Once we crossed we were able to see the temple but Sherryl couldn't get closer because she was not wearing anything that was covering her shoulders.  Of course I'm not going to get in without her and so we just took photos from a distance.

From there we headed off to Siam Paragon.  I've been there many times but this would be Sherryl's first time.  Sherryl needed to get a haircut and I booked a 2:30 PM appointment for her when I got my own haircut the previous Sunday.  It didn't take me long to realize that Sherryl's haircut was going to take a lot longer than mine.  I don't have long, silky, smooth hair like she does.  Don't get me wrong, I like my hair, but to think that her haircut was only going to take about 20 - 30 minutes was a mistake on my part.

I just waited in the lobby for a bit and then I got up and went to the Pharmacy to buy some medicine for sore throat and nasal congestion.  I got back to the Salon and just waited for a few more minutes before my beautiful princess comes out.  After her session was done we just browsed through the mall.

After window shopping and getting picking up our customary Starbucks we ended up going to theater and out of the blue I asked if her if she wanted to watch a a movie and she was down to watch one.  We ended up getting tickets to watch  The Maze Runner.  I highly recommend it to anyone.  Before the movie started I told Sherryl that we'll be tortured for 25 - 30 minutes of countless commercials and movie trailers from both US and Thailand.  If there was a time that I was so wrong this would be it.  I was so right about the trailers and the Thai commercials.

After the movie we had dinner at Hard Rock where they were holding an event, complete with a live band,  for breast cancer awareness.  I end up buying the so called "Legendary Burger" while Sherryl got a BBQ combo of beef brisket and chicken.  I felt bad for Sherryl, her plate was so big that I did not think I could finish it myself.

After dinner we both went to the BTS (Bangkok Transit System) Train station.  We took the train to Bang Wa station, got a taxi, and went back to the gym.  After settling in and calling it a night I then realized that the next couple of days should be fun.

 

Tuesday

Tuesday's morning session started strong as both Sherryl and I got up early enough to run.  We ran for about an hour on a long straight paved road for approximately 3 miles until we hit a bridge.  It was then that we decided to head back for another 3 miles back.  

By the time we got into the gym we were both perspiring heavily.  I was paired with head trainer Liam.  Liam put me through the paces first while Sherryl started with punching and kicking the bag.  After I was done with my session Sherryl was paired with Yot.  I didn't have to worry about her as Yot was taking care of her.  However, after the session was over Sherryl's right leg was swollen above the knee.  I asked her what happened and she informed me that she missed a leg kick check (block) and Yot's shin slammed right into Sherryl's leg.  She told me that it felt as if someone took a baseball bat and slammed it into her leg.  She could walk but touching the bruise was out of the question.  

For lunch the two of us went to Bakery Terrace to get some lunch as well as use the free wifi over there.  I had a different version of spaghetti while Sherryl had some sort of chicken curry.  For the record, I just don't like curry and refuse to eat the stuff.  

Afternoon session was the toughest session to date.  It was just so hot.  We started skipping rope and had to do it for 30 minutes.  After the customary warmup I was ordered to gear up and start sparring in the ring and Sherryl was paired with Liam. 

I was again sparring with Thai Pro Fighters.  It's tough sparring with those guys.  Every time you make a move, try to make a move, or end up missing it's countered big time by any of the fighters I sparred with.  It's not just me in there but Oliver, Sam, and Andre are there with me as well.  

It's nice to be able to put on your shin guards, gloves, mouthpiece, and get into an actual ring.  However, you're quickly brought back to reality after you get totally smashed.  It was just me either, all of us were getting annihilated.  

After sparring I ended up doing my pad work with Yot.  He put me through the paces and after 4 rounds of it I had to finish up with the customary cool down exercises of 200 sits ups, 200 push kicks, and 200 jumping knees all on the heavy bag.  

I didn't really get to see Sherryl train but she told me all she needed to tell me in regards to how hard she trained.  When inquired about her session Sherryl just responded "I threw up."  

After another uneventful dinner both Sherry and I decided to get a massage.  We ended up taking a taxi to Healthland Pinklao.  We were both escorted to a room and given clothes to change in.  We both got our own personal masseuse and we were both going to get worked on at the same time.  My massage went as expected but I then overheard Sherryl whimper in pain.  I look and see her masseuse just laying the point of her elbow on Sherryl's right leg just at the point where she took the shin kick.  

We were there for 2 hours and after our session was over we took a taxi back to the gym.  The night was over and some excitement was coming up.  We were both taking Wednesday off and heading out to tour Bangkok for the day.     

          

Hard Core Training

Despite going to bed at 2 am on Monday morning I still mustered the strength to get up and train during the morning session.  Sherryl slept in and I was then greeted with three new fighters that just arrived.  Andre from Indonesia, Themo from Finland, and Adam from Chicago.

Top trainer Yot was back from visiting his family and immediately took charge of getting the three new fighters accustomed to the routine.  I was paired with head trainer Liam.  I had a good session and after that session was over I was then asked to gear up and head to the ring.  I sparred with three thai fighters.  I was able to hold my own but at the same time I think the fighters were letting me hold my own.

After the morning training was over Sherryl and I went over to breakfast.  I properly introduce her to the crew and they were all warm and receptive.

After breakfast we all went to bed to rest up for the afternoon training.  At three we went to the gym.  Sherryl was nervous because she just did not know what to expect.  At 3 pm we all started rope skipping.  Sherryl made it known that she hated it and preferred to run instead.

After skipping and the warm ups I was asked to get into the ring and spar again.  I geared up, put in my custom mouthguard that my dentist made, and just got into the ring.  I was nervous for Sherryl but Liam the head trainer, immediately took charge of her training and started teaching her the basics.  Knowing how great Liam is I stopped worrying and put my full attention into my sparring.

In the ring it was myself, Andre from Indonesia, and Sam from the UK.  We were all paired with three fighters from Thailand.  After every round we would rotate Thai opponents.  It was an awesome experience.  We went 4 rounds and therefore I ended sparring one of the lads twice.

After I was done sparring I see Sherryl attacking the heavy bag.  I was then called onto the mat to work with Liam.  Both Sam and I were asked to rotate.  I would work with Liam for one round and Sam would spar with this young fighter.  After the round was over we would rotate.  The pad rounds with Liam were great but both Sam and I were murdered by this "young" fighter.  The sparring was just "boxing" we couldn't kick.  It did not matter as both Sam and I could not hit him.

After training was done I was happy to see Sherryl doing her 200 sit ups.  I promptly did my set and we both called it a day.

After dinner both Sherryl and I were spent and called it a day.  We did not go anywhere and just slept peacefully through the night.