Ao Nang Oh this entry brings back memories! We spent Hogmanay 2003 on Railay Beach and took the longtail boat from Ao Nang IN THE DARK! Only light was a little bulb each boat had on the front to stop them running into each other. Don't think I have it in me to ever do that again! Love the picture of chicken rock! Enjoy Crimbo Day xxx
Come home The weather here has been brilliant. It was so good last night that I decided to take the 5 hour scenic drive home from Kilmarnock. Honestly - you'll be lovin it - you won't even need a fleece for the airport (though I'm sure you have an emergency one hiding somewhere in case a snowstorm blows up in the pub) - t-shirt and bermuda shorts will be fine - that's what I am wearing.
Treat Extraordinaire Doors! - ah've jist been gifted a £105 boattle of whisky fur Hogmanay. I cannae tell ye how much ah'm lookin furrit tae you bein back at yer work :)
After pondering on the evidence - perhaps not... Well - there's an ad at the top of this page which says that 18 million subscribers "use us to find great flight deals to Phuket". Does that mean that another 18 million people are going to be disappointed? Who's been telling them it's a great place to be? Mind you they're only saying that they have great flight deals. They're not saying what it'll be like when you land! So, Jennifer, not so much shopping being done? I suppose there's no more room in your bag so the obvious thing to do is buy stuff you can swallow and doesn't take up space. Better luck at Ko Phi Phi.
Lots of love
Auntie S xxxx
P.S. It's very very cold here.
oh dear I wish you'd said you were going to this horrible place! It was already spoilt in the 90s and I was recommended not ever to visit. I'm sure Phi Phi will be much better, but they're all getting spoilt one by one - it's that Leo di Caprio's fault. I hope you've got some warm clothes to come back to - we seem to have entered another ice age here in Britain.
Sounds a fantastic place and you're doing such varied things. The towers look awesome. The mosquito bites look awesome also. Do hope they get better very soon, Jennifer. Gordon - I recommend counselling before amputation.
Lots of love
Auntie Sylvia xxxx
Food, Glorious Food! I don't know if I should let Pete see this because of the mouthwatering description of the food! The People's Museum sounds very strange and not quite up to the standard of the one in Glasgow? Still - it would have to be really bad not to be a bargain at 36p which wouldn't even get you a fudge doughnut, Jennifer. Bet you really enjoyed the luxury of that hotel and it's lucky they could sense you were quality guests in spite of the lack of matching leather luggage.
Lots of love
Auntie S xx
Malaysia Wow you are in my favourite part of the world now! I take it you are making your way up to Thailand? Are you getting to the end of your travels now? You should keep going and then you can come and stay with me!!! Although it is raining today for the first time since about March! Maybe your next trip can be to the middle east. Seriously though, there is a place in Hua Hin, just south of Bangkok where I can get you guys free accommodation - know its a bit last minute but the offer's there. Looks like you are having a fabby time xxx
Attire Doors - you always wear climbing gear to the pub, don't see why this should be anything special. You know - in case a mountain springs up on your way to the bar, not that ye've ever been tae the bar that ah can remember.
Hi I love Melaka! Looks like it's changed rather a lot since I was first there 16 years ago! When Allen and I were there we stayed in a baba nonya house. Enjoy KL - it's amazing, but don't fall off the KL tower or Petronas - watch out Gordon - shoppers heaven!! If you go to Penang don't miss the perfect replic of Fort George (original near Inverness). See you at Hogmanay! Still jealous by the way!
Hello! Singapore sounds absolutely great! Pity about Sleepless Sams though. I think the lack of sleep must have affected you Jennifer, judging from the photos of you and the statues. ( I admire the very arty one of Gordon and Merlion though!) t sounds like Paradise - the variety of food and the cheapness. I'll take your word for it that Cendol is delicious! The Christmas lights look good although not a patch on St Andrews!
Looking forward to seeing you soon. You'll love it here. There'll be no problem concerning heart and humidity or even HEAT and humidity. That I can promise. Make sure you bring an umbrella.
Lots of love
Aunt S xx
At last At last I place on your travels that I have actually been to. I can actually relate to the things you are talking about although I didn't have Cendol, not as brave as Gordon.
Glad to hear that you have some heat. It is currently -5 and snowing here. Bet you are sad that you are missing it.
Take care of each other and see you soon
Jan
Crumpets This must have been the saddest and most frustrating part of the whole trip, Jennifer. To have some ant (or even aunt) eat your lovely crumpets that you were SO looking forward to must have been awful. Try and put it behind you though and move on. Some retail therapy might cheer you up. Good idea, Gordon? (Oh, sorry I spoke).
So glad you've had such a wonderful time though in spite of Crumpetgate and dying to hear everything in even more detail when you get back.
I've just got back from Croydon and the sunsets there were spectacular with temperatures in the 90s.
Lots of love
Auntie Ess xxxx
P.S. Thanks for your Christmas card! It was the first. The second one was from the GPO and was a poignant picture of a brave and committed postie weathering the snow and cold in order that his customers would not be disappointed.
A few answers to your questions!!! Important to get strategic shots so I strapped myself to the side of the train for that one!!!
All Christmas pies eaten in Australia (2 packs!) - so yes you were right (!)and I didn't have the issue of trying to fit them into my rucksack!!!
Tried very hard to restrain myself as they had some lovely things in Kuranda, but in the end I bought a wee silver bracelet and some sweets!
Yes, Gordon has been splurging far too much and needs to control his shopping urges!!! ;-)
A few questions I have to ask Sounds like you've had a lovely relaxing time. Lovely arty photos again but I want to know where you had to be, Jennifer, to take the one of Gordon on the train. I'd also like to know if you worked out a strategy for carrying the Christmas pies around with you for the next 7 weeks (as if they'd last that long). Next question - What did you buy at the arts and crafts shop in Kuranda that sells clothes and jewellery? Last question - Don't you think, Gordon, that you should cut down a bit on the spending? Did you really NEED a new T-shirt?
Lots of love
Auntie S xx
lovely lorikeets Hey it's great to see all the fab pictures (even though they make me jealous). I love the one with all the lorikeets, they're so pretty! Take care,
Laura x
Just lovely, pics are fab. I love looking at them especially as we are freezing and floating here. Never seen so much rain. Bad news folks, you are missing the x factor. Jen, Gordon is not here taping it and sending it to you. Keep's us entertained on a Saturday night
Kuranda Funny seeing photos of Kuranda - we went there too when we stayed at Port Douglas (1 hour north of Cairns). We were lucky that it wasn't stinger season and could swim on the sea but did keep a lookout for sharks and salties!
I'm guessing if you're going to Alice Springs you'll also head out to Ayers Rock. We loved it there although some people described it to us as a big rock in a desert and weren't impressed - guess it's very individual. We walked round the base at sunrise and Neil managed to get lost with Alex - don't know how he managed to get lost going in a circle but the guide told him off good and proper!
I found Alice Springs a bit odd - they seem to bus loads of very poor Aborigines into the town in the morning and take them back to their housing in the evening and they just seemed to sit around - very sad.
We also found a company who did morning camel rides along the (dry) riverbed followed by a cooked breakfast - would recommend it,
Have fun.
Juliet and co xx
I'm very jealous! Been reading your blogs since you started your trip. How you find the time to describe everything is beyond me but brilliant to read. You should compile a book when you return. I laughed when I read about McLean - I had a boyfriend from there!!! Take care, and I look forward to reading more of your exploits. Love Diane xxxx. P.S. Logan and Alyssa say hello (well Alyssa does and Logan smiles!)
All your photos look fab, still very jealous. Jen thanks very much for the card. You were right and Godon was wrong, my birthday is on 29th October as it does in fact say on facebook. so well sone you. Glad to hear that Gordon has joined the facebook masses, it's great fun. Just need you on it, although that might take some coaxing.
Life here good. Had a lovely birthday. Got a fab pair of welllies in bright pink. Away to a Halloween party this weekend so that should be a hoot, won't even have to dress up going on my current witchy mood at school.
Anyway take care of yourselves and look forward to seeing you back in sunny scotland in the not too distant future
Gordon and Jenny
On a jolly round the world!
Photos added 29/12/09
Virus cured! Photos there now!