Thai4Two

Monday 26th Feb - After a couple of 'doing jack-shit' days the four of us (Willis, Sam, J and myself) decided to hire a better jeep and set off to explore some of the islands waterfalls - so with Willis driving and J. in her green tu-tu mini skirt, bikini top and rattan flip flops, (looking very nice for a day by the pool) we set off. With proper 4 wd and a decent driver the journey was easy and we arrived by dirt tracks to Koh Phangan National Park which includes Phaeng Waterfall and Phaeng Noy Waterfall. Without a bottle of water between us, we set off up through the jungle path, UP being the operative word 'path' to be used in lightest description, after an ascent of 1:2, encountering poisonous snake and extremely large ... read more

After yesterdays disaster with the jeep we have met a great couple who have hired a jeep (that works) and have decided before we leave to share the cost of a days hire with them and Willis is to do the driving - much better plan! So we are going off for the day soon to check out the waterfalls etc but without the headaches and terror! Dont worry Papa Al I am being careful! Had breakfast this morning watching the local gardener climbing the huge palm trees over the pool - no harness, no safety equipment and he has to cut down the dead palms and the baby coconuts tio stop them falling on us whilst we swim and sunbathe (health and safety here is non-existant!) Have added on some more photographs for you to ... read more

Monday 19th February - As we had got up bright and early (7.30am!) we decided to take a long walk along the beach to the Big Buddha as our sight seeing apart from the boat trip has been minimal due to the gorgeous weather and great beach. Great walking there in the coolness of the morning but after climbing up to the Buddha and then breakfast (oh and some shopping!) the walk back at 11am was a killer - searing heat dirt and dust (Mum wore her sarong wrapped around her head very ethnic!) After me nearly passing out I too wish I had my sarong wrapped around my head. Obviously after this the remedy was a cold shower and a shady spot on the beach with an orange shake (orange juice and evaporated milk and ... read more

Found Bangkok to be way too hot and humid so yesterday we did no more than a trip to the bank, our washing and a chill out upstairs on the 5th floor. We left the hostel at 3.30am this morning and got to the airport early to put yet MORE shopping in our left luggage! After an hour flight we landed in Koh Samui. Although one part of the island is like Blackpool in the sun we have luckily found a really quiet spot and a real chill out place. Our hut is on the beach, no hot water (you dont need it!) we have a hammock on the verandah and 10 steps to a pure white soft sand beach and beautiful turquoise sea with coconut palms dipping down into it (lush!). Had our first Thai ... read more

The floor of our room is concrete, the size is small bordering on minute, the heat as soon as the air con goes off at 8am is indescribable - can only liken it to the wooden huts that POW's were locked in on the Burma railway! Outside is not much better and we are really looking forward to our days sightseeing in Bangkok! We do have a great kitchen though where we can store food and make breakfast (handy as J always wakes up starving!). Took the sky train across the city and then the river boat down Chao Phraya River to Wat Po - the home of the reclining Buddha, really difficult to describe the magnificence of the buildings and the Buddha, hope the photo's do it justice. Whilst travelling the river, the stark contrast ... read more

Monday 12th - left Chiang Mai at 12.50pm and arrived here in Bangkok 1.50pm. Left the large holdall at left luggage and made our way to the YHA Suk1. Its evening now and so far J has managed to find a "superior" department store where white suited men salute you on the way in and out (twice if you buy something) poor sod got arm ache saluting J! Since we have arrived here all I hear from J "God Mum its so hot" - actually it is a tad sweaty in fact my body feels like a water park for the mossies and the flies! On the way back from said dept store J shouted that there was an ELEPHANT on the pavement - I thought she was hallucinating until I nearly bumped into it! You ... read more

Sunday morning woke up to find that the market had arrived on our doorstep, to say we walked for 8 hours and still did not see all of it, is not a fib! The amount of purchases undertaken by J and myself required the purchase of a 200ltr holdall, if we had to truly backpack we would need a donkey! Had our last meals in Chiang Mai and found a lovely tranquil cafe away from the mayhem of the market (went back there twce to recuperate!) Got back to the hostel to start packing - I was advised to "chill out" and meditate for half an hour but the size of the holdall blocked the path to the bed! We are gobsmacked by the amount of food available hundreds and hundreds of different kinds - locusts, ... read more

Thursday - still suffering from journey and move from manic guesthouse, we were in bed Thursday night by 9 p.m. bottle of cold water, packet of fags and 'Coyote Ugly' on the T.V. our alternative Full Moon Party!! Friday: Today we decided to walk the perimeter road of the old city - staying inside the walls so as not to get lost, as the local maps differ from reality. We set off to see some Wats. First one was closed, can't remember which Wat it was until photos downloaded, so carried on - had to stop for a cold orange juice but remembered too late that Thai people have salt in their fruit drinks - ugh! So using Thai phrase book managed to get two more without salt, forgetting this time that if you don't have ... read more