Monday 15th February, 2010 Vieng Phouka Trek Our trek organiser Mr Boung Louang ( I think) assured us in very good very smiley english that water and all food would be supplied and after our Chiang Mai trek where the food was good and plentiful I made the decision not to take personal rations...............mmmmmmmmh....not a good move it turns out. I also left our puritabs and a few other essentials that I later missed. Anyway, all started reasonably well with quite a punctual and sort of organised entry to the jungle via pick up truck. Starting in a Khmu village which was home to some 400 people living in stilt houses this seemed a stark contrast to the Thai Hill tribe villages we saw which seemed very contrived and almost placed and designed for tourism. ... read more

Anna Ko Tao 3rd Feb 2010 Well before we leave I will just briefly describe my diving course.......I actually did the SSI diving course not the PADI (they are the same) as the only difference was that you had to buy the book for 18 quid , which was fine but then I would have to carry it around with me for 2 months........not ideal and everyone else was in the same mind. I had only 3 in my group, 4 including the instructor Pierre, a french guy who actually sounded English his english was so perfect, so we were really lucky as most other groups had 6-7. I was absolutely gutted that Dave couldn't do the course with me but just got on with it as it is the one of the best and cheapest ... read more

Monday 18th January Ko Phi Phi (Cont') Dave Quick word on cash: exchange rate is now 52.5 baht = 1 GBP. ATM withdrawals are all charged 150 baht on top of whatever your bank charges. After a marvellous dinner and a few beers on Sunday night we found ourselves quite worn out so returned to our cell like quarters where we were grateful for the fact it had no windows as we did not really wish to see or smell what was outside. In bed by 9 oclock, we slept like logs and were not further harassed by any biting, stinging or blood sucking menaces. We had been lucky enough to spot what seemed like a good deal amongst the many trips and tours offered by the multitude of travel agents and booked a days sailing ... read more

BANGKOK ( “Well, she's my wife now”) Don't panic Mr Manwaring!! No, Anna and I haven't eloped and got married in secret, the subtitle is purely something I seem to have heard or overheard so many times since I arrived that it seemed worthy of quoting. To those that have been to this very interesting city I'm sure that makes sense and for those who haven't.........well please use your imagination or buy a ticket!! Before I start this blog in earnest, I must say that I fully understand now why I haven't written one before; there is always so much exploring and so much fun to be had while travelling, that writing about it is very hard to fit in. As Anna often barks at me “There won't be anything to write about if you spend ... read more

chaos in the living room!!!!... read more