Lyd's Guestbook
Comments
Date: 2nd December 2008
Matters arising...
Good to hear that you are enjoying Singapore, after your initial misgivings. Need a travelogue of what to see and do there, if/when we make it out in that direction. Keep an eye on the situation before you head back to Bangkok: we've heard news today that the Prime Minister is leaving office and that 80 planes were to be allowed to leave, so the ball may start rolling but, presumably, it will take a while to get back to normal and get the thousands of currently stranded tourists out. Many were reported to be heading for KL and Singapore via regional Thai airports, in an attempt to get home. May be better to abandon some of your belongings and leave safely and on time than to find yourself stranded in Bangkok - but things could change quite quickly, I guess. Good luck! Yes! We did have half an hour's flurry of real snow this morning, after a very pretty pink sky and a frosty night. Blue sky and sunshine now, so the snow's disappeared already. We had a super day on Sunday - Open House with fair trade stalls. The place was packed! Reckon we had about 70 people - fed and watered them - Grandma entertained - and they spent loadsa money! So well worth all the effort. Take care. Much love and looking forward to seeing you very soon! Lyn xxx
From Blog: Normality...
Matters arising...
Good to hear that you are enjoying Singapore, after your initial misgivings. Need a travelogue of what to see and do there, if/when we make it out in that direction. Keep an eye on the situation before you head back to Bangkok: we've heard news today that the Prime Minister is leaving office and that 80 planes were to be allowed to leave, so the ball may start rolling but, presumably, it will take a while to get back to normal and get the thousands of currently stranded tourists out. Many were reported to be heading for KL and Singapore via regional Thai airports, in an attempt to get home. May be better to abandon some of your belongings and leave safely and on time than to find yourself stranded in Bangkok - but things could change quite quickly, I guess. Good luck! Yes! We did have half an hour's flurry of real snow this morning, after a very pretty pink sky and a frosty night. Blue sky and sunshine now, so the snow's disappeared already. We had a super day on Sunday - Open House with fair trade stalls. The place was packed! Reckon we had about 70 people - fed and watered them - Grandma entertained - and they spent loadsa money! So well worth all the effort. Take care. Much love and looking forward to seeing you very soon! Lyn xxx
From Blog: Normality...
Date: 27th November 2008
sharks
The sharks weren't really the 'jaws' sharks, probably 1m-1'5m ish, http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/50/38250-004-EA9EA4DA.jpg ....i didn't see the black tip sharks which are similar size but you can sing the jaws theme tune to- these sharks avoid me like the plague- people snorkelling see these. Its weird being in the water rather than kayaking/snorkelling, you sort of feel at one with the creatures in the water, just an observer to there life...its weird to explain how it feels down there. I finally heard the news about Bangkok, it doesn't sound good, hopefully they won't do Phuket tomorrow otherwise that would be a pain indeed...the news about India is really bad too...not good... Speak soon :) xxxx
From Blog: WOWSA
sharks
The sharks weren't really the 'jaws' sharks, probably 1m-1'5m ish, http://media-2.web.britannica.com/eb-media/50/38250-004-EA9EA4DA.jpg ....i didn't see the black tip sharks which are similar size but you can sing the jaws theme tune to- these sharks avoid me like the plague- people snorkelling see these. Its weird being in the water rather than kayaking/snorkelling, you sort of feel at one with the creatures in the water, just an observer to there life...its weird to explain how it feels down there. I finally heard the news about Bangkok, it doesn't sound good, hopefully they won't do Phuket tomorrow otherwise that would be a pain indeed...the news about India is really bad too...not good... Speak soon :) xxxx
From Blog: WOWSA
Date: 25th November 2008
Congratulations!
Splendid news, Lydia! So glad that you enjoyed it all and succeeded in completing your advanced course. And how big were your sharks? Was it scary as well as exciting? We were disconcerted by tiny (2ft) ones when we were kayaking in 3ft of water in the Florida Keys. You know they're little; you know that they are harmless but, nevertheless, when you see that fin sticking up and moving soundlessly through the water, you play THAT soundtrack through your head over and over again... Take care and enjoy the rest of your trip. Much love, Lyn xxx
From Blog: WOWSA
Congratulations!
Splendid news, Lydia! So glad that you enjoyed it all and succeeded in completing your advanced course. And how big were your sharks? Was it scary as well as exciting? We were disconcerted by tiny (2ft) ones when we were kayaking in 3ft of water in the Florida Keys. You know they're little; you know that they are harmless but, nevertheless, when you see that fin sticking up and moving soundlessly through the water, you play THAT soundtrack through your head over and over again... Take care and enjoy the rest of your trip. Much love, Lyn xxx
From Blog: WOWSA
Date: 24th November 2008
They do seem to have Irish bars everywhere dont they!!! ... we should go to ireland at some point and go to a real irish bar for a guiness or too. Missing you lots! x x
From Blog: The day has come...
They do seem to have Irish bars everywhere dont they!!! ... we should go to ireland at some point and go to a real irish bar for a guiness or too. Missing you lots! x x
From Blog: The day has come...
Date: 24th November 2008
... talk of buckets reminded me of Wales haha. We drank drinks out of buckets in wales - good times! x x
From Blog: The Full Moon Party!
... talk of buckets reminded me of Wales haha. We drank drinks out of buckets in wales - good times! x x
From Blog: The Full Moon Party!
Date: 24th November 2008
I thought you were a tea not a coffee drinker? I have been drinking lots of coffee recently!
From Blog: A productive day...
I thought you were a tea not a coffee drinker? I have been drinking lots of coffee recently!
From Blog: A productive day...
Date: 24th November 2008
haha those comments made me laugh! Lucy
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
haha those comments made me laugh! Lucy
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
Date: 24th November 2008
Sounds like your still having lots of fun Kipper! I cant believe its not even that long until you come back again so make the most of it! I am sure Hatters is getting jealous about all these diving tales! Lucy x x x
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Sounds like your still having lots of fun Kipper! I cant believe its not even that long until you come back again so make the most of it! I am sure Hatters is getting jealous about all these diving tales! Lucy x x x
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Date: 23rd November 2008
Enjoy!
Hope you have a super time on your diving trip; we look forward to hearing all about it. Lots of love from us all, Dad, Joan and Lyn xxx
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Enjoy!
Hope you have a super time on your diving trip; we look forward to hearing all about it. Lots of love from us all, Dad, Joan and Lyn xxx
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Date: 23rd November 2008
Diving!!!
Glad you have had success with your diving exam -must be all my teaching in the pool at Rushcliffe!!! You were quite good at swimming under my legs with Gavin in tow. Have a great time Love Grandma.
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Diving!!!
Glad you have had success with your diving exam -must be all my teaching in the pool at Rushcliffe!!! You were quite good at swimming under my legs with Gavin in tow. Have a great time Love Grandma.
From Blog: Its confirmed!
Date: 21st November 2008
Vacancy: Pond LeakOperative
Required, with immediate effect (or on 13 December): Pond Leak Operative. Job role: identify the source of the leak in the pond Essential qualification: PADI and affinity with mud Desirable: head torch, a head for depths and a sense of humour No CV required - and definitely no exams! To apply: contact Dad or Lyn
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
Vacancy: Pond LeakOperative
Required, with immediate effect (or on 13 December): Pond Leak Operative. Job role: identify the source of the leak in the pond Essential qualification: PADI and affinity with mud Desirable: head torch, a head for depths and a sense of humour No CV required - and definitely no exams! To apply: contact Dad or Lyn
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
Date: 20th November 2008
PADI !
Hi Lydia Well done, congratulations ! Could be very usefull to know someone now who can do underwater pool repairs in the future ! Take care and make the most of your remaining time Love Dad xxx
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
PADI !
Hi Lydia Well done, congratulations ! Could be very usefull to know someone now who can do underwater pool repairs in the future ! Take care and make the most of your remaining time Love Dad xxx
From Blog: Wahoo- completed my PADI!
Date: 13th November 2008
more memories...
After a 'productive' day...i have had joyful memories...Travellers are truelly nice people... as soon as i arrive at the full moon party queuing up at the bar and a girl offers me a drink from her bucket...god knows who she was...also told me to have a good night and went off dancing with her bucket lol. This was the beginning of many such offers of buckets from the New Zealanders i was dancing with...got to love the buckets! xxx
From Blog: The Full Moon Party!
more memories...
After a 'productive' day...i have had joyful memories...Travellers are truelly nice people... as soon as i arrive at the full moon party queuing up at the bar and a girl offers me a drink from her bucket...god knows who she was...also told me to have a good night and went off dancing with her bucket lol. This was the beginning of many such offers of buckets from the New Zealanders i was dancing with...got to love the buckets! xxx
From Blog: The Full Moon Party!
Date: 11th November 2008
Thanks
Thanks for your card - it arrived today - Tuesday - and thanks for all your blogs -very interesting and amusing -though your dad can almost equal you!!!! Sorry about your rain- hope it dries up - its chilly here but dry today!!! Have a great Full Moon Festival and don't howl too loud!!! Love Grandma
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
Thanks
Thanks for your card - it arrived today - Tuesday - and thanks for all your blogs -very interesting and amusing -though your dad can almost equal you!!!! Sorry about your rain- hope it dries up - its chilly here but dry today!!! Have a great Full Moon Festival and don't howl too loud!!! Love Grandma
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
Date: 10th November 2008
RAIN??? ITS 6 DEGRESS C HERE WITH ICY RAIN :( I dont like the cold!! glad your having fun :) hope the full moon party is good xxx
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
RAIN??? ITS 6 DEGRESS C HERE WITH ICY RAIN :( I dont like the cold!! glad your having fun :) hope the full moon party is good xxx
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
Date: 10th November 2008
Don't whinge to us about hot rain...
Some people gotta a nerve, whingeing about hot rain... We've got floods here, too, and our rain's COLD, COLD and COLD !!!! 4 degrees C this morning and torrential rain, plus strong winds. Now I've got that off my chest, I can talk about happier things. I don't suppose you recognise Koh Samui now? Do you remember that we subjected you to pretty and quaint traditional Thai bungalows on stilts in an even prettier garden, right on the beach? There was a beach restaurant under a thatched roof (where we got bitten well, in our innocence and naivety) and a raised deck with roof, where Dad spent all his time having his damaged back massaged. Oooh! and, of course, you spent hours there with several Thai women having beaded plaits put into your very long hair. We then made the mistake of taking you down the road to a white marble(?) resort hotel, which made you both green with envy and led us to the disastrous error of promising 'a proper resort' when we reached the mainland. Hence 'MT Resort', when we couldn't find the planned one. Enjoy the Full Moon Party - carefully - with or without added precipitation. Much love from the famous ones (yes, we were clearly visible behind the judges on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday and Sunday!) Lyn, Dad and Joan xxx
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
Don't whinge to us about hot rain...
Some people gotta a nerve, whingeing about hot rain... We've got floods here, too, and our rain's COLD, COLD and COLD !!!! 4 degrees C this morning and torrential rain, plus strong winds. Now I've got that off my chest, I can talk about happier things. I don't suppose you recognise Koh Samui now? Do you remember that we subjected you to pretty and quaint traditional Thai bungalows on stilts in an even prettier garden, right on the beach? There was a beach restaurant under a thatched roof (where we got bitten well, in our innocence and naivety) and a raised deck with roof, where Dad spent all his time having his damaged back massaged. Oooh! and, of course, you spent hours there with several Thai women having beaded plaits put into your very long hair. We then made the mistake of taking you down the road to a white marble(?) resort hotel, which made you both green with envy and led us to the disastrous error of promising 'a proper resort' when we reached the mainland. Hence 'MT Resort', when we couldn't find the planned one. Enjoy the Full Moon Party - carefully - with or without added precipitation. Much love from the famous ones (yes, we were clearly visible behind the judges on Strictly Come Dancing on Saturday and Sunday!) Lyn, Dad and Joan xxx
From Blog: Another bus ride...i love them really!
Date: 5th November 2008
Motorbikes
Lyn's motor bike rides were from a more recent time than Grandma's and mine. We had a Royal Enfield 350cc bike with no rear springing - it hadn't been invented then. It was only when G'ma was very pregnant that we afforded the luxury of a sidecar for her and that wasn't much better. It interfered with the steering so that on occasions we could only turn right. I'm glad you are enjoying your many experiences. Have the locals reacted to the election of Obama in the USA? Love G'ma and G'dad
From Blog: Easy rider tour, Vietnam- Phnom Penh, Cambodia- Long blog!
Motorbikes
Lyn's motor bike rides were from a more recent time than Grandma's and mine. We had a Royal Enfield 350cc bike with no rear springing - it hadn't been invented then. It was only when G'ma was very pregnant that we afforded the luxury of a sidecar for her and that wasn't much better. It interfered with the steering so that on occasions we could only turn right. I'm glad you are enjoying your many experiences. Have the locals reacted to the election of Obama in the USA? Love G'ma and G'dad
From Blog: Easy rider tour, Vietnam- Phnom Penh, Cambodia- Long blog!
Date: 3rd November 2008
We've really enjoyed reading today's blog; we sat in the lounge enjoying our lunch and trying to ignore the heavy noise of drilling, banging and demolition going on in the background, while we immersed ourselves in Vietnam and Cambodia! Your Easy Rider trip sounds terrific - although I'm not convinced about the non-numb bum. My memory of riding long-distance in England, Scotland and Wales is of a VERY numb bum!! Your experiences along the way sound really interesting - and I'll put home stays on our 'to do'list for when we go back that way. I do hope that you enjoy Siem Reap and Angkor Wat - yes, it IS worth getting up at an absurd hour to see the sunrise. Then get a bike and tour around at the same eye-level as the locals. Don't think that we mentioned... we went to see a shadow puppet show (with dinner) while we were in Siem Reap - you would probably enjoy that, too, if you have time and opportunity. Also, we went to see the craft school that trains people so that they can make a living back in their home village - and the landmine museum is definitely worth an hour of your time. It really gives some understanding of how terrible and destructive landmines are. Hope the weather is improving for you. Take care and enjoy. Much love, Joan and Lyn (and Dad, too, of course!) xxx :()
From Blog: Easy rider tour, Vietnam- Phnom Penh, Cambodia- Long blog!
We've really enjoyed reading today's blog; we sat in the lounge enjoying our lunch and trying to ignore the heavy noise of drilling, banging and demolition going on in the background, while we immersed ourselves in Vietnam and Cambodia! Your Easy Rider trip sounds terrific - although I'm not convinced about the non-numb bum. My memory of riding long-distance in England, Scotland and Wales is of a VERY numb bum!! Your experiences along the way sound really interesting - and I'll put home stays on our 'to do'list for when we go back that way. I do hope that you enjoy Siem Reap and Angkor Wat - yes, it IS worth getting up at an absurd hour to see the sunrise. Then get a bike and tour around at the same eye-level as the locals. Don't think that we mentioned... we went to see a shadow puppet show (with dinner) while we were in Siem Reap - you would probably enjoy that, too, if you have time and opportunity. Also, we went to see the craft school that trains people so that they can make a living back in their home village - and the landmine museum is definitely worth an hour of your time. It really gives some understanding of how terrible and destructive landmines are. Hope the weather is improving for you. Take care and enjoy. Much love, Joan and Lyn (and Dad, too, of course!) xxx :()
From Blog: Easy rider tour, Vietnam- Phnom Penh, Cambodia- Long blog!
Date: 27th October 2008
Easy Rider !
Hi Lydia Wow, sounds great, hope the weather is kind and not too wet. Should certainly give you an opportunity to see things from a different perspective of a coach. Cant see us copying you, will let you trailblaze on behalf of us older wimps. Dad
From Blog: Last day in Hoi An
Easy Rider !
Hi Lydia Wow, sounds great, hope the weather is kind and not too wet. Should certainly give you an opportunity to see things from a different perspective of a coach. Cant see us copying you, will let you trailblaze on behalf of us older wimps. Dad
From Blog: Last day in Hoi An
Date: 27th October 2008
bikinis and weather!
The bikini- well its just like a bikini but it fits, one black and one orange and yellow stripy sort of colours...they both fit lovely...not the best made but with i decided to not spend too much on them as generally clothes get used and abused as i am travelling- life on the road is not easy for clothes lol. Yup, i have seen the Japanese Bridge- when i was on the phone to dad i was standing by it watching and trying to photograph some weird fishing skill but alas i missed it- oh well its in my mind which is all that counts- i never was a photographer. The bikini will now wait till i get back to Thailand, I have to admit it was rather chilly here when we were walking back in the rain last night, to be honest though its not that bad here in Hoi An, the weather has been kind to us. It feels a lot stickier here in Vietnam though than it has in Thailand and Laos- feel dirty and sticky more. Take care and catch up again soon :) Love to all :) xxxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
bikinis and weather!
The bikini- well its just like a bikini but it fits, one black and one orange and yellow stripy sort of colours...they both fit lovely...not the best made but with i decided to not spend too much on them as generally clothes get used and abused as i am travelling- life on the road is not easy for clothes lol. Yup, i have seen the Japanese Bridge- when i was on the phone to dad i was standing by it watching and trying to photograph some weird fishing skill but alas i missed it- oh well its in my mind which is all that counts- i never was a photographer. The bikini will now wait till i get back to Thailand, I have to admit it was rather chilly here when we were walking back in the rain last night, to be honest though its not that bad here in Hoi An, the weather has been kind to us. It feels a lot stickier here in Vietnam though than it has in Thailand and Laos- feel dirty and sticky more. Take care and catch up again soon :) Love to all :) xxxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Date: 27th October 2008
Food...
For Laos and Vietnamese cuisine i will look for recipes online and just judge it with taste if i decide to make anything...no time for cookery lessons- i still think Thai is the best food so far but Mekong Fish in Laos was especially tasty with Sticky rice and i have had some lovely food here in Hoi An... As for following up Tonya Fitzpatrick, i think i will send her an email when i get to Thailand and see if she is still interested, i don't have Skype and for the next few weeks i don't have time and seeing the countries is more important. Hope you all had a lovely meal last night :) xxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Food...
For Laos and Vietnamese cuisine i will look for recipes online and just judge it with taste if i decide to make anything...no time for cookery lessons- i still think Thai is the best food so far but Mekong Fish in Laos was especially tasty with Sticky rice and i have had some lovely food here in Hoi An... As for following up Tonya Fitzpatrick, i think i will send her an email when i get to Thailand and see if she is still interested, i don't have Skype and for the next few weeks i don't have time and seeing the countries is more important. Hope you all had a lovely meal last night :) xxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Date: 27th October 2008
flying like a bird...
Glad to hear its all going well for the both of you...has gav let you drive his car yet (can't remember his/her name)? Its weird as time is flying by so quickly yet i feel like i have been travelling for ages and done a lot within the time...very weird but yes time is going too quickly at times (apart from some of the lovely long bus rides but fortunately i am an optimist- probably much to other travellers disgusts lol) xx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
flying like a bird...
Glad to hear its all going well for the both of you...has gav let you drive his car yet (can't remember his/her name)? Its weird as time is flying by so quickly yet i feel like i have been travelling for ages and done a lot within the time...very weird but yes time is going too quickly at times (apart from some of the lovely long bus rides but fortunately i am an optimist- probably much to other travellers disgusts lol) xx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Date: 26th October 2008
... and the bikini?
So... how is it? What's it like? I've never heard of a bespoke bikini before - but what an excellent idea - it should fit in all the right places. I never was happy with the ones I bought when I was your age, apart from one which I loved but which cost me a small fortune at the time. Had heard of Hoi An from our research a couple of years ago (before we decided on Cambodia) and have had a look on Wikipedia and also the UNESCO website -it does look interesting. Have you seen the Japanese bridge? The difference seems to be that the streets are dry... LOL Sorry that you've encountered so much water. Possibly the reason for the river turning back on itself is that it's an estuary - so maybe the incoming tide? Our weather is now getting chillier - there's a severe weather warning of heavy snow for parts of Scotland - and we can expect sleet on Wednesday! So make the most of your warm rain and bikini while you can!! We're all well - off to Grandma and Grandad's for dinner soon. Take care - much love xxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
... and the bikini?
So... how is it? What's it like? I've never heard of a bespoke bikini before - but what an excellent idea - it should fit in all the right places. I never was happy with the ones I bought when I was your age, apart from one which I loved but which cost me a small fortune at the time. Had heard of Hoi An from our research a couple of years ago (before we decided on Cambodia) and have had a look on Wikipedia and also the UNESCO website -it does look interesting. Have you seen the Japanese bridge? The difference seems to be that the streets are dry... LOL Sorry that you've encountered so much water. Possibly the reason for the river turning back on itself is that it's an estuary - so maybe the incoming tide? Our weather is now getting chillier - there's a severe weather warning of heavy snow for parts of Scotland - and we can expect sleet on Wednesday! So make the most of your warm rain and bikini while you can!! We're all well - off to Grandma and Grandad's for dinner soon. Take care - much love xxx
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Date: 26th October 2008
Uni's going well im on placement at the moment which im really enjoying :D gavs still enjoyin his car! iv got my mums car till january so thats been handy! cant believe your almost 2 months into travelling! does it feel like its flyin by? x
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Uni's going well im on placement at the moment which im really enjoying :D gavs still enjoyin his car! iv got my mums car till january so thats been handy! cant believe your almost 2 months into travelling! does it feel like its flyin by? x
From Blog: Hoi An- 2nd day...not so touristy...
Lyn
non-member comment
One Day Left...
... and we're looking forward to seeing you home! Make sure that you keep something warm with you on the plane - could be cool air-conditioning and England is DEFINITELY air-cooled at present!! Hard frosts overnight and not much above freezing during the day - and that's for the rest of the week. I'll send a comforter down with Chauffeur Dad. Take care and have a safe trip back. Much love, Lyn xx
From Blog: The Aquarium...