Phuket - Round Two

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Ahhhh what a wonderful idea. One ridiculously hilarious and heatfelt week with two of my main partners in crime was just what the doctor ordered. After spending five days of fun and sun in Karon with my new American friend JT, who incidently teaches at a university in China, it was time to greet Cass and Rohan at the classiest resort in the unclassiest part of town.

Patong Beach was no better the second time around in the shock states. Even when I knew was I was in for there were many, many times when I thought 'dear God, what am I doing back here?'. Very unattractive and old Europeans, both men and women, in what can only be described as the worst 80's outfits cut in half then worn in the skimpiest possible manner donned the beach, the bars and the streets. Life lesson #350: Speedos are not to be worn in restaurants people, puh-leease! But unfortunately, these monsters of outfits could not take all the blame for the vomiting competition held over the seven days.

Rohan and Cass had tackled, among others, Las Vegas, Rome and Prague before landing to 'relax' in Phuket enroute to Newcastle. Travellers Tummy was the name of the game. Their stomachs were worse off than mine and so the challenge was set. Every meal was like a game of Russian roulette. Each of us knew there was a chance we would be able to gain an extra taste of our meals long after they were consumed. If one of us left the table, eyebrows were raised among the remaining two and a knowing look exchanged when the subject returned. 'Well, that was a waste of money' was a line that was rattled off far too often after a visit to the bathroom closely followed by ridiculous fits of laughter. I'm sure wine for breakfast wasn't helping the situation but at least it took the edge off!

And so we drank (far too many times at the Aussie Bar), ate (and vomited), relaxed by the pool and continued to people watch (not always a pretty sight). Our time together was a mesh of giggles, telepathy (spending far too much time together), wine, Maccas runs, Good Samaritan acts (we helped a young, drunk girl sprawled on the footpath and her friend home - 'Don't worry, we are drunks from way back!'), lazying by the pool and some good value conversations with old friends and new. We didn't venture too far or do too much but it was the perfect way to end my visit to SE Asia and the 'holiday' phase of my 12 months abroad.

Tears were shed at the airport after beers at the Irish Bar (just for good luck) and we were on our respective flights out. Rohan and Cass to Sydney via Bangkok and myself to Beijing via Kuala Lumpur. I was exhausted but looking forward to Beijing and start the next leg of my adventure.....

I had it planned to fly to KL and have an 8 hour stopover. The flight was short (only 2 and a bit hours) and I had booked at the airside hotel so I could catch up on some much needed sleep without having to pass through customs. I should know by now that the best laid plans are usually the ones to go belly up. I found myself without a boarding pass for Beijing and no way of getting one unless I passed through Immigration and went to a check in counter. This would have been fine if I had packed my overnight things in my newly purchased Prada knockoff. Immigration would not allow me to come back through to check in my backpack the next morning so I was royally screwed. Cue me sitting on the floor of KL airport at 9.30pm at night unpacking and repacking my carry on and backpack next to a check in counter. The whole affair was made worse by me trying to locate my warmer clothes (current temp in Beijing -5) that were packed UNDER my delicates (what was I thinking?) whilst swearing under my breath and simultaneously trying to laugh off the advances of a group of very chatty Italian men. Undies and socks in the correct places I nearly whooped outloud when I managed the whole transplant in 10.3 minutes. Official time travelling Malaysia: 15 mins and 45 secs and I have two stamps on my passport to prove it. Countries visited: 5

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