Thailand

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So I left you in Cambodia, Siem Reap...

We left Cambodia at 8am to cross the border into Thailand, we were told it would take 8hours by bus but in the end it was 10, not bad going. Again we had been advise that the border crossing could be a bit dodgy but it was fine, phew! There were points where we weren't sure if we were going the right direcrion but we made it across. With our stickers on to show the drivers where we were going we were ushered onto the bus bound for Bangkok. We arrived in crazy hectic Bangkok in the evening, stopped for a beer before trekking around to find some accommodation. The place we wanted to stay at we could not find, so we checked into a hostel that had room, it was cheap and very basic above a bloody good Indian restaurant, The room was similar to a prison cell with no windows, a few holes in the walls and a very hard matress with a large towel as the bed cover, the huge bonus was the hot shower, I cannot remember the last time I had a nice warm shower! So we dumped our stuff and hit the famous Khaosan road for Pad Thai, yummy! Khaosan was on top form, buzzing with people, bars and music pumping. We knew a few people who would be in and around Bangkok and luckily bumped into our friends Anna and Tara, I had met Anna in Vietnam going to Sapa and we have bumped into each other pretty much the whole way, always good to see a friendly face. As you walk down Khaosan you are offered everyhing from clothes, food, drinks and...ping pong shows! So we thought "hell why not" it is one of the things to do in Bangkok, off we went in a tuk tuk to this seedy club, none of us were really sure where we were going. When we walked in there was such a diverse range of people in the audience, that was really odd! I won't go into details about the show as I am sure you can imagine, but it was definitely an experience to watch...

After a well deserved lie in the next morning we took in Bangkok with some shopping and then onto the massive shopping mall MBK. MBK is a huge centre that sells just about anything and everything, food mall and cinema complex. Last time I was here was with my Irish friends Monique, Rich and Nigel (Japan) and the boys got so lost in there that they bet Monique and I that we wouldn't be able to get back to the same entrance that we came in from...of course we proved them wrong! It brought back some great memories of my first time in Thailand. After a few days in Bangkok and a few Thai massages later, we were leaving to make our way to the islands as we were going to The Full Moon party on Koh Phangang. Before that we were staying on Ko Tao for 1 night, beach here we come! The journey there was interesting, we had to be at the travel agency for 6pm, there were a mass group of people as everyone is now heading the same direction, it was like hearding sheep across Bangkok city! We followed like good sheep to go and wait in a hostel bar until around 7.30pm to then be hearding again down the street to the bus, the 6 people that were going to Koh Tao got shoved in the bottom if the bus with the spare tyres and the locals, we had decent seats which was a bonus. At about 2.30am we get dropped off and told to wait around 40minutes until more people arrive, the only seats that are available are plastic chairs with the back cut off, stools. Nice. So we wait and then get on a giant tuk tuk to take us to the ferry port where we wait a few more hours for the ferry. TIA - This Is Asia! So we wait for the ferry and finally get moving around 7am, 3 hours later we are on Koh Tao, tired and worn out but happy to be there. I have wanted to go to Koh Tao since I last came to Thailand as I did not make it here, it was well worth the wait. The white sandy beaches and chilled out vibe were what we needed...straight to the beach for some tanning and a few beers and we were good for the day. The others in our room had told us about a lady boy caberet show that was down the street and invited us along, it was brilliantly hilarious, those lady boys are very good! All singing, all dancing male cast that some you really thought were ladies, it was hard to tell! After some photos with the cast we headed to the beach to party, one of those random really good nights! Koh Tao is a beautiful island known for its diving and beaches, you can do your PADI course there. I had met a Thai girl, Lynn in China and she was on Koh Tao the same time doing diving so we went to her resort to meet her, it was so nice to see her again. I love the traveling friends you meet and the opportunities to see each other again.

We set sail for Koh Phanang as we were heading there for The Full Moon party, the islands are only an hour apart so it was a quick journey which was good as we had just gotten caught in a monsoon downpour and we looked similar to drowned rats! We were staying at a resort in the jungle that was away from the craziness of the beach, we didn't know just how far out we were The taxi driver dropped us off on the mainroad and pointed to the sign and to the road, we asked how long and he just shrugged. Okaaaaay, so off we trekked to find where we were staying, after a good 30 minutes we were losing all hope as it seemed we were getting deeper into the jungle and there only seemed to be Thai houses around this UTE pulls up with 2 Thai guys and they ask where we are staying, we told them and one gets out and halls us on to the back of the ute that's carrying a water tanker. I immediately ask "how much?" As I have learnt nothing comes for free, turns out a ride in a ute does! They dropped us as far as they could and pointed straight on, our place was another 5-10 minutes away, as we were walking up there was a stage, bar and loads of UV painted rocks, all looked a little strange, we later found out there had been a waterfall party here a few days before, shame! It was extremely pretty, little bungalows up in the hills just such a pain in the bum to get too! As we were checking in and being shown around the owner sits on our balcony and says "party tomorrow night, if you want weed, mushrooms or crack just let me know, I can help, just come to me, good price" this is a middle aged Thai woman! Kate and I managed to keep our cool until we were in our room and both looked at each other...did she just say that?!? We knew quite a few people on the island as everyone is there for the same reason so we met up with friends of Kate's and bumped into a lot of fellow travellers we had met along the way, that was cool.

The following morning was not so cool or pretty, we were both extremely ill to the point that we could not leave the room...or go to the party. It was a bad time, we were both gutted that we didnt make it but we were talking to people who had gone, got to drunk, lost their friends, come back with an injury etc so hopefully we did not miss too much. Once we felt better we rented a scooter and drove around the island, bit of sightseeing and beaching to make us feel better. So at least we did something whilst we were there.

Our next stop was Phuket, known for lady boys and being quite a seedy place. We stayed in Patong which is in the mix of it all, busy, loud and active. Even on the beach the hawkers were out and wouldn't leave you alone, even when I had my eyes shut and ipod in I could still hear them "miss, you buy something" It was very different to the other islands but still the beach was nice, loads of water sports going on that didn't look particularly safe, that kept us entertained for a while. We were still getting over being ill and was taking it easy whilst we were there, untill our last night where we ended up in a pole dancing bar that from the outside looks like the rainforest cafe! Again we hired a moped as it is the easiest way to get around so we explored the island further, went to a waterfall which wasn't as spectacular as we had hoped. But its nice to ride around taking in the sights.

Koh Lanta was my favourite island when I was here previously and I really wanted to go back there for a night or two to see how much it had changed. Kate and I were parting ways for a few days whilst she caught up with a friend of hers back in Phuket so I was flying solo again. Back to Koh Lanta for me it was and it was lush. As it is low season it wasn't busy but still managed to meet a good crowd and the very cheeky monkey Johnny that seems to have taken residence at the guesthouse. For the 2 nights I was there I lazed by the pool, beached it...being the only person on the beach! I didn't move very far, I even ate at the restaurant opposite where the food was incredible, I later found out that it was rated 2nd on Tripadvisor! Some good R&R for a few days before heading to Krabi for my last days in Thailand. I headed to Krabi on what seemed like a locals bus, dropping off school kids along the way. Once I got to Krabi I had to get a motorbike taxi to my hostel, they did not know what to do with my bag (erm its rather large at the moment!) So I got on the back of the bike and they put the bag on top of me!! Luckiky it was only round the corner, however there was no graceful way of getting off that bike..

I spent time in Krabi last time I was here so I knew what I wanted to do, eat cheap food, drink cheap beer and read my book. And that is exactly what I did! I took the tuk tuk taxi down to Ao Nang for the afternoon and once again lazed on the beach, there was an impromptu Night of drinking with some canadian and korean guys from my room, in a local bar watching a Thai lady play an instrument that looked like a guitar and piano mixed together.

I have spent 15 days back in Thailand and it has not nearly been enough, it has been great being back visiting places I went to previously and remember things that I had forgot. It has also been great for Kate and I discover new things and have a different experience. Once again there is still so much I want to see and do here. It is the country that was devastated by the Tsunami and parts are now so built up and touristy that you wouldn't think that you were in Thailand and there are still parts that are yet to be discovered. I will definitely be coming back here someday.

Thailand a beautiful, friendly and happy country, thank you for your time, as always it has been fabulous.

Next stop Malaysia!

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Photos

The famous Khaosan Rd
Bangkoks backpackers central!

Ronald McDonald
Got to have a pose with Ronald!

Koh Tao
One of the beautiful beaches on the island of Koh Tao

Corn on the cob
One of our favourite things to eat, grilled corn smothered in butter and salt

Koh Phanang
Our cute little bungalow in the jungle, shame we were so ill

What a treat!
Our lovely room in Phuket, beds made each day, free tea in a lovely tea cup, plus the pool was a foot away from our door.

Waterfall!
We went exploring in Phuket to a waterfall, slightly smaller than what we imagined...

Cocktails and curry
Last night in Phuket

Sunset on Koh Lanta
Those foot prints are mine, enjoying the sunset on the beach

Elephants!
Just casually taking my pet for a walk!

Krabi food market
Best food in Asia is from the street, so cheap and tasty

New hat...new friend
This is the Thai lady that was playing the guitar/piano instrument

Ao Nang, Krabi
One of my favourite places in southern Thailand, this is just after a monsoon had finished