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Published: April 2nd 2008
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Typical street kitchen.
So simple and soooo delicious. Oh yes it's true, Laos was just not for me. I felt nothing and although I danced more in Laos than I did in the previous 2 months in Thailand I had to leave. I travelled to Veng Vieng and was meet by hoards of drunk/stoned/ falang watching Friends and wandering round in bikinis!!! In SE Asia??? I hot footed it outta there and arrived in Vientiane the capital. I had a good few days there and had some really great times, ie being adopted by 8 Malaysian's and doing a whirlwind day trip to all the highlights including the amazing Buddah park and then taken for dinner by them all. Also there was the Mekong festival which involved Autumn and I dancing the night away to a wicked DJ, on the banks of the Mekong drinking Pastis!! (You were in my thoughts Alison!!)
After much deliberation I decided to cross the friendship bridge back into NE Thailand and the area called Isan. Now Isan is off the tourist trail and I had always planned to go there but with my still limited Thai (Oh it's so difficult!!!) I wandered how I would fare!!! I needn't have worried, Yes English
Back to school.
Suwan, Keith and some of the children at Sawadee School. is rarely spoken however I managed splendily with the phrases I know and lots of guestering and giggling!! Everyone was impressed I can count and I can say I am drunk, which always gets a laugh!!! Handy stuff hey?? I stayed a few nights in Nong Khai which was a relaxed town on the Mekong river. I hired a push bike and went to amazing sculpure park 30 mins out of town which was great fun and totally bizarre!! Of course getting lost on the way back!!! I cycled through villages to the cries "hello farang". I was quite a novelty as a single farang female. Oh I love Thailand!!
I then headed South to Khon Kaen which is a large city undergoing an absolute boomtime, hence huge malls, wild night life, starbucks, and trendy boutiques. I enjoyed it though and fuelled up on Double shot cappuccino's and blueberry muffins!!!!
Then South again to Nakhon Ratchasima or Khorat on my first day there I met a guy from Leicester of all places (where I was born) and he invited me to go to his wifes school and meet the children learning English. So the following day I headed
Pedicab Man and Me.
See I said it was hot even my man is sweating!!! Mind you he has some heavy cargo!!!! out on the pink bus, to a small village and found the school. I chatted to some of the older pupils and some of the younger ones helped me with my Thai Maths!! Great fun and a lovely cuppa tea!!!
The following day I travelled to Phimai a lovely town NE of Khorat and home to one of the finest Khmer temples in Isan, it was built a century before Angkor Wat and has been beautifully restored. Then I took a pedicab to "Sai Ngam" which is the largest and oldest banyan tree in Thailand, it is spectacular like being in an enchanted forest. The Thais are very very superstious people, here you can buy insects, turtles, fish and birds and then release them under the tree, there are tarot readers and palm readers, the main trunk is adorned with garlands, there is a small temple and wishes/prayers are written on paper and tied to the tree "for luck" Quite amazing. My tree friends family were so pleased and amazed to see me there they took loads of photos of the Farang and were dissappointed when there camera battery went flat!!!
Isan is one of the hottest places
"Sai Ngam"
Some new friends just chilling out on part of the "Beautiful Banyan" in Thailand and April is the hottest Month, the 35 in the shade, thermometer bursting in the sun and 95% humidity forced me to move. I wanted to go back up tp Chiang Mai but the pollution, from the slash and burn agriculture has hit the news and people are being admitted to hospital every day. So I decided to be a beach bum for a while and head South!!
I had a full on day of travel but Hua Hin was my goal and I was on a mission!! Hua Hin is where the King has another Palace and spends some of his time so it is quite posh and there are some very fancy hotels indeed. Not that I was planning to stay in one not on my budget!!
So I left Khorat and went to Bangkok, approx 4 hours, then from N/NE bus station across Bangkok to the South bus station, approx 2 hours!!! The traffic is mental and the local bus was cheap but slow!!! Then another bus, aircon this time I was in need of some comfort. Oh by the way the Aircon buses have hostess on them!! You get snacks and drinks,
Stunning hey??
View from my 3.50 GH!! Oh yes. Hua Hin is beautiful. reclining seats and there is generally a movie, in Thai of course but it is quite posh. So yes I got the next bus to Hua Hin another 4 hours.
Yippee!!! I made it and headed straight to the beach, even though it was dark, I could hear and smell the sea and the sea breeze was fabulous, I was a very happy very tired bunny indeed. I got a very dodgy looking room but it's in a friendly GH and is on the beach!!! When the tide comes in at night I am actually sleeping over the sea and I go to sleep with the waves crashing below me!!!! Heavenly indeed. I have been here 4 days now and am thinking about heading off further down South to the Islands.....soon!!
The thing that I shall miss is the cries of "hello farang" it is touristy here and I am no longer a novelty/rarity, but I wouldn't dare complain. Not sure where's next but I think the next few blogs will be featuring lots of stunning beaches, amazing sunsets and eternal blue skies, I apologise in advance for any jealousy caused!!!!
Also as it's a big Birthday for me in 2 Months (4th June) I guess you had all better start booking your flights to come and celebrate with me. I will let you know the venue nearer the time. It would be fab if it was possble????
Oh and to all those who I owe a personal Email, bear with me, I have a back log!! I got very popular all of a sudden!!!
Miss you all x x x x x x x Sooooo much x x x x x x x
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