And so our stay in 'paradise' continues and as every day passes we understand that the land of smiles does not always refer to Thai hospitality in the traditional sense! The local sights continue to stretch our imagination (and wallet) and our eyes continuously ache from the blinding neon lights that mount every building by night, and the large speedo wearing Russians during the day! We have included some photos for you, but as they don't allow you to take pics in Go Go bars the Pattaya experience will remain a mystery to those who have yet to brave Soi 6 [View Full Entry]

---

---

We would like to take a moment and refresh your mind of our first blog, when we had just arrived in Bangkok, and how Chris fondly likened it to Basra, but "with less shooting" well it just goes to show how you should be careful of what you say! New Year celebrations indeed went with a bang (or seven or thirty depending on who you talk to and how much that person has drunk when they tell the tale). As we left the first bar we were told that bombs had gone off around Bangkok and to be careful. We weren't [View Full Entry]

---

---

After spending another night in Bangkok (see previous blog) and having a few crazy Tuk Tuk rides we needed some peace and quiet so moved up to Chang Mai. Its the cool season in Chang Mai and currently a chily 25 or so degrees - "burrrrrrrrrrrr" we hear you all say! We arrived here on the 17th December and then went on a 3 day trek to the Karen Hill Tribes in the far North. It was a great experience and we were lucky enough to be with a lovely group of people and a really funny guide who belonged to [View Full Entry]

---

---

A long time ago in a Grand Palace far far away Taz and Chris ventured forth and took some photographs. Here they are... and thats all we have to say about that! [View Full Entry]

---

---

So we finally went for a Thai Massage! well thats what they called it anyway! more like a wrestling match - Chris had no idea he was so flexible, because before it started he wasn't!!Taz was considered too fragile for one (ha ha ha!), which on reflection was a blessing and rather than participating in an hours worth of bone snapping she looked on from her gentle oil massage and laughed heartily at the new origami forms Chris was made into as the woman shouted in a shrill scream "THAI MASSAGE!!" everytime a bone snapped. On the 9th December we left [View Full Entry]

---

---

Zebra Shark! Okay, so its not quite as cool or as big as a Whale Shark and although it is called a 'shark' it didn't resemble one, as described by Chris "it's a 2 metre long Cat Fish!" So although we can say we have dived with Sharks (if we wanted too) we really dont feel that our shark cherry has been popped and so we will continue to look... Well since we last left you we returned to Krabi for a few days and to P Guest House and the lovely Thai family that run the place. Didn't really do [View Full Entry]

---

---

So ever wondered if you can be so totally bloody scared and yet smile brightly at the same time as if you are the happiest person on earth or elephant? Well, just take a look at our pictures... they paint a thousand words and screams. We can truely say that this was the scariest experience of our lives, remembering that Chris has indeed fought in two conflicts, this may sound a bit over the top, but imagine the steepest hill you can and the narrowest path. It has just rained so the track's muddy... then add one elephant for good measure. [View Full Entry]

---

---

.....is what we would have said had we seen one! So the two dives we did at Sail Rock were great, apart from missing the big guy (because he wasn't there). We had about 10/12 meters visability and saw plenty of other fishies, including loads of Barracudas, Bannerfish, Titan Triggerfish, which luckily for us didn't go for us although we think one was thinking about it. Okay so we dont want to bore the socks off the non- divers so just imagine pretty colorful fish and you'll get the picture... We are now in Krabi, which isn't as bad or as [View Full Entry]

---

---

Okay so we got fed up with Ko Samui and its rain and Mosquitoes with swords and took a 45 minute boat journey to the lovely island of Ko Pha-Ngan. Although we didn't think we would make it - firstly we were stuck behind a rather large fellow whose one too many pies were impacting on the rickety pier and it looked like we were heading for Davy Jone's Locker! Secondly, the boat broke down and a cloud of smoke filled the engine room and downstairs seating area. Somehow we arrived safely and managed to bag some even cheaper digs, only [View Full Entry]

---

---

We've left the comfort of our nice air conditioned (overly xpensive) hotel and are now staying in a hut (overly cheap)in Ko Samui, Thailands third largest island. We hope to go back to Bangkok later on and stay in a different district, nearer to the many temples, but for now its island hopping all the way... hard life! Our precious hut is furnished with all the mod cons - a beautiful squat toilet, pipe from wall (shower) with constant cold water and bed with something we believe was once a mossie net, but now it lets even elephants in...that was a [View Full Entry]

---

---