 Paul Swanbury - swampgoi | All Comments |
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| 21st August 2008 johnson | Wanderers safely returned - excellent blog - From: On Our Last Legs Paul, You should be very proud of this blog and also of all your record-keeping during this trip. I know it must be hard to do and sometimes the time spent may have detracted from other possiblities, like relaxing, but the record of all you have done is brilliant. Those of us stuck at home or work have waited enthusiastically for the next instalment during your travels. Excellent set of photos! Thanks for sharing your experiences. Welcome home (you and Tom). |
| 18th July 2008 swampgoi | withdrawal symptoms - From: The Lone Traveller Just not getting the time. Was going to catch it up yesterday but accidentally went and relaxed in some geothermal pools for hours instead. I'll try harder. |
| 15th July 2008 johnson | withdrawal symptoms suffered here - From: The Lone Traveller I'm now getting seriously poorly from over-anticipation on this site, despite kind communication by other forms in the meantime. It makes me wonder what I will do when you have come home and have no further travels to report. Perhaps trips to the chippy and that sort of thing would deserve a mention then, just to keep the thing going? |
| 4th July 2008 Steve | why change a pose? - From: The Lone Traveller Looks to me like Paul stayed absolutely still, and the landscape changed around him! |
| 26th June 2008 Phil | Executive summary - From: The Lone Traveller I liked your pithy "went to Tasmania, looked at scenery, did walks", but you forgot "ate sandwiches", which seemed to play a key role. Perhaps you were right to stick at 3 bullet points though; therein lies the pith I guess... |
| 14th June 2008 Steve | - From: Cutting Back Into The Jungle With savings like that (£10 by my calculations) - this time in the year 3018, you'll be millionaires or thereabouts. |
| 6th June 2008 Stevo | Grr - now I'm jealous - From: My Waterproof Isn't Ok, I think my next holiday is back to Thailand. Doesn't look that different to Brighton though... |
| 3rd June 2008 johnson | Keep 'em coming - From: To Battambang For The Border Hi Paul, Just to confirm that a lack of comments on your blog does not signify a lack of interest. For your relatives and friends they are riveting, and I am sore others read them and look at your photos with interest. Well done. I hope you kept Tom out of that brown water. He seems to attract bacteria, given the chance! I hope your birthday went well and we will be hearing all about it shortly. I did start a comment before but just at that point the power went off in parts of East Anglia and beyond for more than half an hour and I lost it! We have had some bad weather and something to interrupt output happened to the power from Sizewell B, while another power station in the North was down as well. As you can imagine, the bigger shops had to close. No such problems in the little shops, of course. In the out-of-the-way parts where you have been they would surely laugh at the idea that not being able to use an electronic till and bar codes would prevent a deal! All the best, Johnson |
| 1st May 2008 swampgoi | Swollen? - From: The Battle of Peace Cafe Better already you'll all be delighted to know. I'm pleased people look so closely at the pictures, I still haven't even spotted the pic of my knee after the fall... |
| 30th April 2008 Patty | Swollen? - From: The Battle of Peace Cafe I'm assuming that all that cold water kept the swelling at bay for a while cos it doesn't look all that puffy in the pictures Small. Hope it doesn't cause any long term jip. |
| 29th April 2008 swampgoi | Less is less - From: Tailor Made Almost |
| 28th April 2008 Stevo | Less is less - From: Tailor Made So the next blog will be back to normal colours right?... |
| 28th April 2008 swampgoi | Less is less - From: Tailor Made I warned it was coming. Fair enough though, I recognise I had a problem, got a bit carried away but it's under control now. |
| 27th April 2008 Stevo | Less (colours) is less - From: Tailor Made Enough with the camera trickery bro!! |
| 26th April 2008 swampgoi | Thats vietnam for you! - From: Weak At The Knees Yeah, I think we're used to and expect most of the techniques out there to part us from too much of our money, its all part of the experience and easy to deal with. But didn't appreciate policemen getting in on the act, abusing their authority to stop us going where we wanted to go (inside the bus station to check the facts). Overall we're not getting bothered by it, it was just a bad start. Things certainly are cheap, we're probably spending less per day than anywhere we've been yet, India included. |
| 23rd April 2008 Duc | Thats vietnam for you! - From: Weak At The Knees ah yes that old trick of my uncle has the only transport going to where ever you want to go. it pretty much typical of a lot of places, but taking the train was a sensible option. I guess you will become acustomed to the good old phrase " same same but different" whilst you are out there. the most important thing I found whilst out there is to haggle. Generally their starting price is 4x times that you could end up paying. since you guys are millionaires out there they figure you can afford it!! Though I'm sure you guys will enjoy yourselves out there as things are extremely cheap... beers especially. |
| 21st April 2008 Patty | Happy & Sad News - From: Betrayal Very sorry to hear that the faithful old Karrimor won't return triumphantly once more to Blighty. Let's hope that that Philip won't get too emotional at the news and that it continues to offer someone sterling service in Vietnam. On the other hand I think it's excellant news that you've taken such a proactive attitude to consuming food even if it is sometimes other peoples. It is, however, only polite to check they've finished as much as they want first as I'm sure you both do. |
| 14th April 2008 johnson | Foreigners abroad - From: Phonsavan & Kong Lo Paul, your account of a life without work has lost none of its interest and I find it fascinating. I had no idea that so many English and Irish and the rest were sculling round in the Far East, celebrating St Patrick's Day and propping up bars, keeping the tourist industry afloat in out of the way places and suchlike, though I understand the Plain of Jars is quite an attraction to visitors. We look forward to the accounts of your time in Vietnam. |
| 13th March 2008 swampgoi | Did you meet...? - From: I Have Other T-Shirts No Tors, did meet a Tore though. Close enough? |
| 11th March 2008 johnson | bristles - From: I Have Other T-Shirts Tom's bristly bits were never his best feature. With a crater thrown in for good measure they are looking even worse. No doubt with the eventual regrowth of some hair to follow after this brave haircut none of us will need to study this feature again. Glad it's mending, however, and also that despite your various mishaps all is well. I hope you both manage to avoid further bumps, bruises and calamities! More excellent sunsets and suchlike to be had, I see - it looks like "the life" to me. Duly jealous. Thanks for keeping us posted. |
| 11th March 2008 Katie | Did you meet...? - From: I Have Other T-Shirts My friend has stayed in that very place, the Treehouse. She says did you meet Tors? |
| 10th March 2008 Phil | Re: Am I using the sunglasses tint too much? - From: I Have Other T-Shirts Just right. |
| 8th March 2008 Annie | - From: Chang Mai Splash I like the unusual signage! Hope you guys are still alive and happy and all that, take care, Anniex |
| 8th March 2008 Katie | Don't drink and dive! - From: Chang Mai Splash Well done on the ever more intrepid photos and stories. Laos seems to involove quite a lot of water based activities so be careful. Nice hippo by the way. Enjoy the next round in Laos. |
| 26th February 2008 Duc | that one finger licking chicken - From: By The Kwai Hey Paul, dam.. not only jealous that you guys are out there living it up, you have to tempt us with one hell of a chicken and beats KFC anyday. I bet Tom didn't last too long with a knife and fork. Love the blog entries, great photos.... keep up the good work!! |
| 20th February 2008 swampgoi | Where's the chicken? - From: By The Kwai Hope the picture doesn't disappoint, covers the chicken well but you'll still have to imagine the beer and stack of chips. Tom wouldn't pose long for photos, had a big task ahead of him. |
| 19th February 2008 Patty | Where's the chicken? - From: By The Kwai Paul, it's late on a school night and I should be in bed but I find myself desparately scanning your pictures for a glimpse of Tom's footless chicken, chip and beer bargain all to no avail. How's a chap meant to sleep when taunted so mercilessly by the author. Please rectify this oversight next time and show us the food that made Tom happy. P.S. I've never read a blog before so I've no real comparison but all the same I reckon this one ranks as a goodun. Keep up the good work Small. |
| 19th February 2008 swampgoi | where to stay - From: Happy Feet We stayed on Sunrise Beach at Taratou Cabana first and later moved to Asia Resort 5 mins away because it was much cheaper. Both were fine. Depends on your budget and whether you book ahead, we just had to take the first place with a space when we arrived. Mountain Resort on the tip of Sunrise Beach looked pretty good for a few more Baht, huts perched on the edge of a hill next to the sand. I'm not sure there are any bad places, it's a great island. |
| 18th February 2008 Jackie | where to stay koh lipe - From: Happy Feet where do you reccommend |
| 18th February 2008 Jackie | Kasbah bungalows - From: To Africa And Back That is really bad and shows the way the Thailand is going we are setting off for a 10 week stint at the end of march will avoid this place. |
| 13th February 2008 johnson | snapping - From: Happy Feet I've stopped worrying that I may not have taught you all I know about sunrise and sunset pictures, Paul! Brilliant! |
| 3rd February 2008 Katie | Walking - From: Stubbed Toe Extravaganza Hello Swanburys Sorry to hear you are having a little trouble moving about on foot, hopefully it won't get worse in Thailand, leaving you you with the only option of crawling. Tom you always did have a bit of a problem walking along without tripping over though. Just wanted to say how envious I am of those photos! It looks like paradise, it's miserable here! Enjoy the beaches! Well done on such an amusing blog Paul. Katie X |
| 2nd February 2008 johnson | Toes - From: Stubbed Toe Extravaganza Hiya Paul and Tom. I decided to see if this problem of yours has occurred before. A philosophical blogger has written on the web at some length because the same thing happened to him. He decided it was good not to be taking one's toes for granted, useful as he now realises they are. I just quote his conclusion, as he does rabbit a bit overmuch, "I began to be grateful for the chance I had to stub my toe and become aware again of how valuable my toes are to me. Every cloud has a silver lining. I am glad that I have found it on this one. So let’s go stub our toes!" I don't suppose you would quite go that far and I hope you manage common or garden walking a little more safely from now on. But in any event I congratulate you again on your blog and look forward to the next exciting instalment. Good photos of the very tall young men in KL! |
| 18th January 2008 swampgoi | Amoebic dysentry clouding your judgement? - From: Hectic Times In Australia Valid I guess. A change of time, health and hostel and I'd probably view it differently. And I really don't like Luton, makes me think of stepping in dogshit and bad interviews, the two were related. |
| 17th January 2008 Phil | Amoebic dysentry clouding your judgement? - From: Hectic Times In Australia Awww, fair go bro? Cottesloe Beach looks more desirable than Luton from where I'm sitting... |
| 16th January 2008 Ian Pimperton | Stuff - From: Hectic Times In Australia Sounds like a busy time in Oz, but hopefully it was worth it (Perth, illness and grumpy camping blokes excepted). Those pics bring back some memories though...how steep is the Katoomba Scenic Railway??? It's even steeper if you're going up, sat at the front and not sitting properly I can tell you. And there's nothing to stop you from falling out. And the Scenic Skyway is so cool when the glass turns transparent...geek heaven. Anyway, hope Christmas was good and your next leg will be less full of animal related injuries and illness. PS we owe you £25 for that jar or coppers PPS you were right about the clutch on the car....Christmas up in Donny was expensive PPS more pics of mice drinking please - sadly that's my favourite thing to date |
| 13th January 2008 Phil | Ey up? - From: Last Days in India What's the matter - is Australia a bit dull after India? I see that you've been putting your time there there to good use and been back-filling your India photos instead of writing about dunnies and yabbies and barbies and such like. And I just wanted to say what *brilliant* photos they are. Makes me wish I was there with you both. Keep it up. Have a Murtabak for me when you get to Malaysia. |
| 8th January 2008 Duc | - From: Last Days in India hey Paul... well done in finding that last cheap room. persistance paid off!!! sorry to hear that this is the end of your stay in india, your blog has been throughly enjoyable.... looking forward to the next chapter of the swamp adventures down under! |
| 20th December 2007 johnson | Tom the back seat driver - From: Varkala Well done, Tom. What a hero! How sharp you are! Even James Bond has no edge on you. We all hope we could rise to the occasion and do remarkable feats but (except perhaps in dreams) most of us would not anticipate the need to intervene from the back seat. |
| 14th December 2007 johnson | Photos - From: A Few Days In Paradise Silly me - going back, I see you added some more to your previous journal. Excellent. Thanks. |
| 14th December 2007 johnson | In the Swing - From: A Few Days In Paradise You're definitely in the swing of it now - having a good time despite the unusual presence of other tourists, but it must be easy to do so on those beaches. Well done in the fishing competition! An interesting blog and good photos too. A small point perhaps, but I look forward to seeing the odd one with someone I know pictured, even though that may not br your preference. Incidentally I showed Roger his tree (on one of your previous accounts). He was suitably amused and was pleased to see it had transplanted so well! Keep up the good work. I hope you have stopped looking for a KFC. |
| 12th December 2007 Phil | More recommendations from Matthew - From: Secret Recipes and Rip-Off Rickshaws Evening chaps. It may well be too late - I expect you have moved on from Hyderabad by now, and in any case I know you are on a tight schedule, but, on the off chance of it being any use to you, I have another recommendation from Matthew. 200 miles or so due SW from H'bad is a small town called Hampi which is laid out in the old school Hindu stylee with the main temple at one end of a main bazaar (aka high street) and a statue of a bull at the other end. Apparently it held out in antiquity against the Mogul hordes and their pesky temple-destroying and mosque-building antics. The place is littered with other temples including another one containing a stone drum which actually sounds like a real one (?!). Also a mile out of town to the S are some elephant stables. If that sort of thing's your bag. Sounds worthy of a passing visit. Take it easy the pair of you. I look forward to the next exciting instalment. |
| 11th December 2007 Duc | Wishing I was on holiday too! - From: Secret Recipes and Rip-Off Rickshaws Hey Paul! thanks for the good blogging! now that facebook is no longer available at work, the stories of your adventures has now become a regular lunch time getaway for me. lets us know how the KFC hunt goes, other than that there is always McD's!! ;p glad to hear you guys are having lots of fun! looking forward to the next instalment. oh and say Hi to Tom for me... though I didn't initally recognise him with the beard! laters! |
| 10th December 2007 Steve | - From: Food, Beer and Cricket I heard (from Mum), that the whole Roger's tree thing was passé - but nobody told us before we went to Australia and took 3GB of tree pictures! Good to hear your news, and I'm glad you did way better with the monkeys than the late mayor of Delhi. |
| 3rd December 2007 johnson | Roger's tree lives everywhere - From: Food, Beer and Cricket So glad to see Roger's tree alive and well. I hope the photography lesson is not lost on your viewing public! I saw Roger at the weekend but he did not have his spare branch with him. I think you must have taken it in your packing. I look forward to seeing it again, when appropriate. N.B. For some reason this account does not seem to be added onto your previous entries, though it is possible to back-track to them from this page. If you look at the other three there seem to be only three altogether. No doubt you can resolve this small issue. Thanks for all the news of your trip. |
| 1st December 2007 Phil | Tripty's - From: Food, Beer and Cricket I sort of turned Matthew's comment that "there's a really impossible to get into bar around the corner from my Granny's house" into a 'recommendation', so I'm sorry if it was bobbins. It sounds like you stayed long enough to get a headache though, so maybe I shouldn't be too concerned! I'll let him know you've patronised the place. |
| 25th November 2007 johnson | - From: Rajasthan Road Trip Your experiences of being whisked from place to place when you might have preferred to stay longer in the good ones leads me to think that, when the pressure to do things is off a bit, you have an even better time. But the Ambasador trip seems to have been a good grounding in what to expect and I bet the train trip will be another eye-opener! Can't wait to see the photos when you can solve the upload problems and also to read your next report. |
| 23rd November 2007 johnson | Keep 'em coming - From: Arrival and the Ambassador Very interesting, Paul, and quite an achievement to be so lucid in the circumstances, so soon after your arrival. I hope to see your photos. Do you still have the boy Tom with you? |
| 15th November 2007 Ian Pimperton | Good work - From: Arrival and the Ambassador Good work on getting there in one piece and being reunited with your bag! It makes your journey to the airport sound like you were driven in luxury/style... Sounds like you're in the swing of things already too - try not to get too jealous of us plebs back in the materialistic UK where the only entertainment is being a bit put out that the ugly dwarf on Buzzcocks has the same t-shirt as you. Enjoy the 'holiday' and just remember to ignore the lepers and beggars and you'll be fine! PS Mel wasn't cranky about you using the PC for more MP3's - she's asked me to type that "she's just a moody b1tch" :). WORD. |
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