101 ways to die in Thailand

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I really shouldn't have made a wee piglet of myself at breakfast before the Phi Phi island ferry crossing. The sea was almost as rough as I felt and what was so good going down was not so pleasant being violently repeated on the toilet floor. My travel companions from my tour (Paul and Danielle) didn't suffer at all - although most people on the boat seemed to be having the same fate as me.

I'd recovered a bit of colour by the time I met my friend, Lynsay, (who was visiting me in Thailand for two weeks). Lynsay and I have known each other since primary school, right through high school when our only interests were boys and clothes - no change there then!

Although we'd discussed having a beach/chilled out two weeks on Phi Phi our trip soon descended into a hair raising jaunt of Phi Phi, Railay, Ko Samui and Bangkok.

Now Thailand is far from health and safety capital of the world, so most of our activities went in a handy three stage induction:
1. Pay money
2. 5 min instruction in inaudible Thai accent
3. Of you go...

Let me give you the low down of our activities



ACTIVITY - INJURY/ACCIDENT SUFFERED
Scuba diving, Phi Phi - Pain in ears and throwing up on boat (again)

Boat trip to Phi Phi Lay - Dragged across razor coral rocks by waves

Rock climbing, Railay - No injury, but intense fear suffered

Scooter riding, Ko Samui - Near misses with open rain grate, on-coming traffic and posh
English bloke on pavement (who deserved to have that 'women
can't drive' smug looked taken off his face anyway)

Bike tour, Bangkok - Fall into sewage canal, soaked and poo stained trouser leg, ruined camera, sun glasses disappeared into murky depths never to be seen again

The last adventure on the bike tour was the final straw - actually the final straw was the unidentified bug doing wacky races of our 'can't swing a cat' room in Bangkok. It was time for some luxury.

So, where do you go in Bangkok for pure indulgent bliss? The Oriental Hotel of course and for one night only it certainly didn't disappoint. The place was pure sheer indulgent and tranquil bliss in the chaos that is Bangkok. But it's not a normal 5 star hotel - you actually feel like a VIP while you're there. We went from bug in the room to butler on call. Cat pee smell to colonial charm. Another cheap meal to afternoon tea. It was the small touches like fresh flowers on arrival and complimentary drinks by the pool that made us feel so special. We both felt that the most amazing thing was that they made us feel so at home - I almost cried when we had to leave the Oriental - back to bug hell near the Khao San Rd (without Lynsay) where I wait for my tour to Cambodia to leave.

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Photos

Perfect Phi Phi
Perfect Phi Phi

Hanging out in Railay
Hanging out in Railay

Tea at the Oriental
Tea at the Oriental

Comments

[Libby]

Really Envious
Hope you managed to keep that girl all together. Looks like you were gluttons for punishment with all that activities. Phi Phi looks idyllic and so does the Oriental Hotel. Kerrie and I had a similar hotel when we were there but all those bowing waitresses drove Kerrie mad and the constant topping up of your drink every time you had a sip. It is nice to have a taste of luxury though.

[Olly]

tea and cakes!
That is a nice load of cakes you have there. Three tiers! Did you manage to steal any of the fancy cutlery! Hope your next tour is good. Look forward to hearing your news soon from Vietnam (I think). Olly x

[Emma]

Only one each?
Can't believe that you get a cake stand EACH!! Am sitting here on a Sunday night wading through boring work stuff and remembered your email. It feels like you've been gone forever....and the amount of land, sea and air you've managed to travel so far is staggering. Needless to say you're much better off eating cake (altho Toshi still keeps us in treats), climbing rocks (you nutter!) and dare I say it even experiencing the Bangkok sewage tour than worrying about AP07! Take care. ~ E

[Dawn]

Remember the fat bloke?
Remember that fat bloke in China who said he was from Wick? Called us 'tourists'?!!!! I think he was right considering that photo of you two in the posh gaff! But hey, i'd rather be a tourist any day. I spent too long with cock roaches sharing my bed, i'd much rather a flower!!