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Published: July 15th 2008
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Singapore Flyer
Bigger version of the London Eye! 40min to do a full circle. Finally the countdown of the trip was over and we actually were going somewhere...2nd July, midday on Singapore Airlines. First stop was Singapore where we stayed for a couple of nights. Nice hotel, warm weather, saw the sights, good food, really felt like we were on holiday! Was great. Singapore is expensive...so we didnt do too much...Singapore flyer and a cheesy hop on hop off bus service through Singapore airlines. All in all it was good.
Next stop is Bangkok, Thailand...the real backpacking begins. A real eye opener, our first couple of nights on Khao San Rd. Paid 620 baht per night ($12) and probably at the luxury end of the scale to ease Tash W into Thailand conditions (air con/tv/ensuite/hot shower). Temperature around the mid 30's. She was warm! A spent a day sightseeing usual temple stuff, scootering around on tuk tuks, long tail boat ride on the river etc. Had a day experiencing the floating markets a hour mini van ride out of Bangkok.
Tash A is a seasoned pro at Thailand, Tash W on the other hand took a good few days to get use to the temperature, the asian cuisine, air conditions, smell, humidity
CHAOS! Khao San Rd, Bangkok
Backpacker Haven! Markets, Pubs, Travel Agents, Guest Houses... and all that 3rd world country stuff! Equipped with my hand sanitiser (thanks Mum), insect repellant, wet ones, first aid kit, i am ready - bring it on!!
After 3 days in Bangkok we head to Kanchanaburi a smaller, quieter town by Bangkoks standards anyway, two hour drive northeast. Stayed at the Jolly Frog, 200baht per night ($8) a good choice, decent restaurant, located on river front, hammocks etc. Our first adventure was to Tiger Temples for a once in a lifetime experience. Despite what you might think about this tourist attraction animals looked in very good condition and no sign of mis treatment monks were present at all times and we had a fantastic time. Cost 300 baht ($12) to enter grounds, touch and take photos of tigers.
Next day took a day excursion to Hell fire pass and Death Railway Bridge. Informative and interesting trip worth doing. 13,000 young men and woman lost their lives while captured by the Japanese during world war two.
Said goodbye to Kanchanaburi, hello to Bangkok briefly, then on overnight train to Chiang Mai (Northern Thailand). I prepared this train journey to be a grim one from my previous experiences
in Europe, but turned out to be suprisingly comfortable and actually enjoyable (I know its hard to believe Matt!). 15hrs in total, took lots of snacks, Tash A had top berth, and I had lower...i definately got the better deal, cooler and darker! The beds folded into chairs in daylight, we played cards, wrote journals and listened to music to pass the time away....
Chiang Mai, Thailands number one Trekking destination. We enrolled ourselves in a 3 day two night trek (What were we thinking!?). Mr P (our guide) picked us up along with 8 others to begin our journey. Elephant riding was first on the agenda, this was my first time and was a fantastic experience to be up and close with these big animals. All elephants looked well fed and in good condition.
Then the dreaded trekking began....
Tash and I found out we were a little out of shape, to say the least!! Once we recovered from the dying feeling we started to enjoy the scenery. 3 hours trek we made it to the Karen Hill Tribe (from Burma) village and made ourselves at home on the rock hard floor bamboo hut, wicked! I had a
Tiger Temple - Kanchanaburi
Up close and personal with real life Tigers! Eeek wee accident on our luxury shower door (corrugated iron) and sliced my heel, so UNFORTUNATELY had to cut our trek a day short (bugger eh! ha) Day two - enjoyed bamboo rafting and 4 hours trekking with a sliced foot. All in all we were glad we did it but maybe trekking is not really our thing!
Next stop is Chiang Rai and into Laos, a first for both of us....
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Mel
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HAHAHAHAH YOU GUYS TREKKING!!??
That is the funniest thing in the world.. I can't believe Tash A went trekking.. hahaha I was almost on the floor laughing.. Tash, you even had a hard time walking down to Hollywood Bakery 20 metres from our Shop!! hahahahahahahahhah Some brilliant photos.. Fantastic Reading.. Cant wait to hear more! :)