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Published: October 21st 2007
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Well unforunately the one thing that has really stuck in my mind from Thailand is the bloody rain! Ok yes its the wet season, but I dont think there has been one day when it hasnt rained and my back pack is still smelling of fish from one particular boat trip where it got soaked! I flew from Bali on September 11th to Bangkok via KL, having forgotten quite how awful BKK traffic can be, but finally got the good old Khao SAn Road at about 11 and immediately went out for a well needed Singha with an English guy I had met on tje bus while waiting for Rachel to arrive. Had to restrain myself the next day when Rachel shopped like a demon (even by my standards - 7 pairs of fisherman trousers is impressive!). FOr those of you from the 2005 Intrepid trip reading this we went to the "Welcome, Welcome" restaurant for the proper green curry I'd been craving. Folowed by a bucket of Sam Seng and red bull - could I get any more Thailand if I tried! After some "really really strong cocktails" at the street bars (see pic - I am not lying!) we
had a random night out which involved a Japanese boy, Thai women, Irish guys and a semi legal club called Spicey. A good night!
SOmehow we managed to get up the next day to see the Grand Palace and the massive reclining buddha at Wat Po. Needless to say, no very strong cocktails that night! Next day we were up at stupid o clock to fly down to Krabi. A big change from the madness that is BKK as we were greeted by green limestone karsts. From Krabi we got a longtail boat (the wet one) to Railay. Now I am only just able to look back on that boat trip and laugh as it was absolutely tipping it down and we (and our stuff) got SOAKED (hence the fishy bag!). Was not loving Railay when we arrived and to be honest the rain pretty much didnt stop the whole time we were there. But we did find somewhere nice to stay, Rach fitted in soine rock climbing and we walked across the gorgeous beach at Hat Rai Leh West, where we discovered everyone else has been the whole time! Made us a bit sad as we had already changed
our flights to go back to BKK early (cos of the constant rain) but as our toilet overflowed later on that day, decided maybe we had made the right decision! Despite the attraction of playing Connect 4 in the bar we went to on our last night there!
Back in BKK we foud the art gallery we went in search of had been replaced by s Starbucks - do they have any conscience? We also visited Wat Saket on its artificial Mountain and went to see some VIP Cinema as a change from very strong cocktails.
We also visited the famous Tiger TEmple, outside BKK near Kanchanburi, a temple, where u guessed it , they have tigers, but they are hand reared and ok not quite allowed to roam free but pretty much. We were allowed to play with the cubs, which were adorable, walk with the larger tigers, and as you can see from the pics, have our photo taken with the adults. They were surprisingly docile, but still very intimidating! A fantastic experience. We also had enough time to visit the Bridge over the River Kwai (for the second time for me!). In the eve we tret ourselves
to dinner and a drink on the street for approx 50p - you have got to love Thailand! Also managed to fit in the National Museum, before had to say goodbye to Rach and get my bus and boat to the island of Koh Samet, which is on the NOrthern coast and is the island in the whole of Thailand that is meant to have the least annual rainfall. Well it still managed to every day, but the sun did put in an appearance thank god - cant really stay in Thailand for over two weeks and end up pasty white! Didnt do a lot the whole time on Koh Samet. It was really the only time I have in the whole 4 months to chill and thats exactly what I did....nothing! I was staying at quite a nice place and spent my days lying on the beach or getting a massage and evenings enjoying a cold singha and the fire dancing shows on the beach. Not a lot more I can say really as I really didnt do a lot more than that!
Back in BKK with a couple of days spare for flying to Hong Kong. Just pottered
about doing laundry, getting a bikin wax - you know the essentials! Was looking forward to getting to China and seeing Sarah, as I feel a bit over Thailand and I feel like I've well and truly done it now.
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Rachel Smith
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Ahhhhh happy memories!! Also, of I give you $500, will you please destroy the pictures of me in that hat!??xx