We have just got into Sydney now, after our last threee nights in Bangkok. Our bus trip back up to Bangkok was much better than we thought given we took the cheapest bus we cound find. We had complimentary drinks and cake, a free dinner as a rest stop, and a thai film to watch. We saved a lot of money not gettng a tourist bus, but when we were dropped off, we had absolutly no idea where we were. It was very busy however, so we made a fair guess we were actually in Bangkok. We got to our hostel somehow without any real problems once we found a minibus stand.
Next day I got a suit made in a plush tailer recomended by Kan, then we were down at Chatuchak market for the next day. Sheree got lots of goodies for the wedding and a couple of gifts. We've sent a big boxt of stuff to you mum and dad but won't be there for a few months. The market was fantastic, it was huge so more than we cound take in in one day. Looking forward to our next trip however!
Got a few days to kill here in Sydney now untill we go and meet up with Pat, an old friend from uni.
We'll keep you posted!!
Tuesday 28 April 2009
Friday 24 April 2009
More Pics - finally made it to Phi Phi Ley
Snorkelling at Phi Le Bay
We finally made it to Maya Bay, where The Beach was filmed. It was incredible. After all the drama (Chris will fill you in) there was such a sense of achievement from everyone that made it there.....!
'The Beach'...! Andaman adventures
Hi, Chris here. My turn to report on happenings over the past few days. Had a great time in the air conned and mozzie free room at Jem's school, and are now getting ready to head back to Bangkok for some serious shopping at Chatuchak market this weekend.
Before we left Trang, Kan took us to a firing range where we reluctantly had a go with a small hand gun. This was actually quite good fun, so I asked as a joke, 'whats the biggest gun you've got?" Kens friend smiled, walked out, then returned with a huge 12 gauge shotgun, and offered me a go. How could I say no? I almost broke my nose with the recoil, but the photos look pretty cool. Never again I don't think, guns are way to scary, but worth a try.
Stayed one last night in Pak meng where we were invited to the funeral in Si Cao, chai's home town. It was sad as it was a young girl killed on a bike, but being Buddhist, it wasn't the solemn affair we are used to. Instead, it was a big celebration on the street, with food, lots of whiskey, and of course, Chai and friends supplying to music. We got to meet everyone for one last time, and was sad to say goodbye.
The next day, Chai came with us to Krabi where we stayed a few nights to try and get out to Maya bay, the beach that 'the beach' was shot at. We said our farewells to Chai after a last few beers on the beach. Really sad to say goodbye after all he'd done for us on this trip, but we both feel we have made friends for life here, so a trip back some time in the future is a definite.
So, yesterday we were out on our speedboat tour to Koh Phi Phi and Maya bay. After having our own boat and Chai to guide us, it was a bit weird to join the tourist masses on a tour, but it was good fun, and we only had about 15 in our boat, where as the others seemed to be pretty over crowded.
The last few days have been pretty windy and Chai was warning us of the high seas, but the speed boat seemed to cope with them well. A few hairy moments with waves crashing into the boat, but otherwise OK.
After lunch when it came to going to Maya bay, our guide told us due to the weather we weren't able to get in. We couldn't quite believe it as Sheree had been saying it was the ONE thing she wanted to see in Thailand, and was the whole reason for us coming back this way a second time. We talked with the guide and he explained that none of the tours would go, and they had known from the morning it wouldn't happen. We persisted politely as we could, asking for some kind of refund (our budget couldn't accommodate this kind of disappointment) and in the end, he told us it would be possible to swim to the coast, and walk over the headland to the bay, but we'd have to be quick. We quickly dived in, swam and walked through the jungle a Short way and came out onto the bay. It was magnificent, and well worth all the hassle to get there. Plus, due to the other tours turning back, it was pretty quiet. there were no boats in view anywhere which added to the beauty.
We got our photos, had a swim, then headed back fully content, and a but chuffed we had managed to talk our way into getting there.
The trip back was pretty eventful due to the huge swell and strong winds we had to contend with. We were sitting at the front as we thought this would be fun, but ended up getting the full brunt of the boat smashing into the waves, and sending us a few feed into the air at times. It wasn't helped by my bursting bladder, and fear of squashed balls on landing, so I was quietly relieved when, a few miles from land, we ran out of fuel leaving us adrift on the choppy seas.
My relief wasn't shared however, as the bobbing about made a few members of the crew, including sheree, slightly sea sick. Our rescue was pretty quick (about an hour) and soon enough we were back on dry land, exhausted but happy.
So now we are waiting to get back to Bangkok for one last weekend, I'm going to go Suit shopping, sheree is going to go market crazy, then off to Sydney.
Good things!
Before we left Trang, Kan took us to a firing range where we reluctantly had a go with a small hand gun. This was actually quite good fun, so I asked as a joke, 'whats the biggest gun you've got?" Kens friend smiled, walked out, then returned with a huge 12 gauge shotgun, and offered me a go. How could I say no? I almost broke my nose with the recoil, but the photos look pretty cool. Never again I don't think, guns are way to scary, but worth a try.
Stayed one last night in Pak meng where we were invited to the funeral in Si Cao, chai's home town. It was sad as it was a young girl killed on a bike, but being Buddhist, it wasn't the solemn affair we are used to. Instead, it was a big celebration on the street, with food, lots of whiskey, and of course, Chai and friends supplying to music. We got to meet everyone for one last time, and was sad to say goodbye.
The next day, Chai came with us to Krabi where we stayed a few nights to try and get out to Maya bay, the beach that 'the beach' was shot at. We said our farewells to Chai after a last few beers on the beach. Really sad to say goodbye after all he'd done for us on this trip, but we both feel we have made friends for life here, so a trip back some time in the future is a definite.
So, yesterday we were out on our speedboat tour to Koh Phi Phi and Maya bay. After having our own boat and Chai to guide us, it was a bit weird to join the tourist masses on a tour, but it was good fun, and we only had about 15 in our boat, where as the others seemed to be pretty over crowded.
The last few days have been pretty windy and Chai was warning us of the high seas, but the speed boat seemed to cope with them well. A few hairy moments with waves crashing into the boat, but otherwise OK.
After lunch when it came to going to Maya bay, our guide told us due to the weather we weren't able to get in. We couldn't quite believe it as Sheree had been saying it was the ONE thing she wanted to see in Thailand, and was the whole reason for us coming back this way a second time. We talked with the guide and he explained that none of the tours would go, and they had known from the morning it wouldn't happen. We persisted politely as we could, asking for some kind of refund (our budget couldn't accommodate this kind of disappointment) and in the end, he told us it would be possible to swim to the coast, and walk over the headland to the bay, but we'd have to be quick. We quickly dived in, swam and walked through the jungle a Short way and came out onto the bay. It was magnificent, and well worth all the hassle to get there. Plus, due to the other tours turning back, it was pretty quiet. there were no boats in view anywhere which added to the beauty.
We got our photos, had a swim, then headed back fully content, and a but chuffed we had managed to talk our way into getting there.
The trip back was pretty eventful due to the huge swell and strong winds we had to contend with. We were sitting at the front as we thought this would be fun, but ended up getting the full brunt of the boat smashing into the waves, and sending us a few feed into the air at times. It wasn't helped by my bursting bladder, and fear of squashed balls on landing, so I was quietly relieved when, a few miles from land, we ran out of fuel leaving us adrift on the choppy seas.
My relief wasn't shared however, as the bobbing about made a few members of the crew, including sheree, slightly sea sick. Our rescue was pretty quick (about an hour) and soon enough we were back on dry land, exhausted but happy.
So now we are waiting to get back to Bangkok for one last weekend, I'm going to go Suit shopping, sheree is going to go market crazy, then off to Sydney.
Good things!
Monday 20 April 2009
Schedule Changes
Dear Mums and Dads, Our flight dates are confirmed now so the dates in our itinerary are pretty solid now.
Sunday 19 April 2009
Chris the Fish Charmer
For the next couple of nights we're staying here at Jemci's English school in Trang city centre. Chris stayed with Jemci for a while 7 years ago helping to teach at her school and hanging out with her son Ken. She's a very lovely lady and has offered us one of her classrooms to stay in! But its sweet cos its newly renovated so we've got aircon, internet, a sofabed, new bathroom/shower and Chris is upstairs watching the Man Utd v Everton match so feels like luxury! Plus there's a fish Chris likes to play with....!
Some pics so far
On a trip in Chai's boat around the Trang Islands
Chai and the top of Benz' head...!
The beach by our hut at Koh Hai
Our hut on Koh Hai
We hit Thai New Year when we travelled down to Pak Meng Pier (the seaside town where Chai lives and where you catch the boats to the islands). Thai New Year means big water fights everywhere. Kids sit by the side of the roads and drive around in their trucks with massive vats of water and coloured talc to throw at passers by. This day I needed some plasters and flip flops so Chris and Ben went out on the scooter to get them. Chris was apparently a favourite target for the kids!
Tonsai Beach
We kayaked to some of the beaches nearby. This is Phra Nang beach. Its very powsh! Just a little down the coast from Tonsai.
We rented a kayak on our second day at Tonsai Beach. Thats Tonsai beach cove behind Chris' head!
Friday 17 April 2009
Trang Province
After being on our 'to do' list for a while now we've finally made it the internet! Yay. We've been living on beaches for the past week and a half and they charge a lot by the minute hench the quickie last week.
We're down in Trang Province now and hanging out with Chris' friend Chai and all his old friends from 7 years ago. Chai has a boat and so we've had a great tour guide showing us around the islands here. We stayed in a green and white hut right on the beach on the tiny island Koh Hai for 3 nights and earned a free night by Chai, Chris and friends providing the evening entertainment in the resaurant/bar. Chai forced me to sing and so I did a rendition of Lean On Me getting all the lyrics wrong! I did the same the following night at a friend's Buddhist ordination party but I didn't care so much then cos no one could understand english anyway!
We've been doing tons of snorkelling. The reefs here are just covered in allsorts of fish - parrot and tiger fish everywhere. There's no need to scuba although Chai wants to take us next week. We'll see! Chai's son Benz has already saved me once after a hairy moment snorkelling. I just strayed a little too far from the boat and paniced so now I snorkel with a life jacket when its deep! But everyone does it here in Thailand so I don't feel such a lamo.
Today we went to the Emerald Cave. An open air cave where pirates kept their treasure. The boat drops you in deep water outside the cave entrance and you have to swim 80m through tunnels to get there, and 20m of that was in the pitch dark (we just followed Benz' calls!). Inside there's a beach and loads of rare trees and vegetation all up the walls with the sun shining in. It was breathtaking.
Chai's lent us his scooter so its easy for us to get around here. i think we'll stay for another week or so then move on. We hope to visit Phi Phi Ley - where The Beach was filmed before we leave. Beaches here are AMAZING. I'll attach some pics tomo hopefully. Toodleloo
We're down in Trang Province now and hanging out with Chris' friend Chai and all his old friends from 7 years ago. Chai has a boat and so we've had a great tour guide showing us around the islands here. We stayed in a green and white hut right on the beach on the tiny island Koh Hai for 3 nights and earned a free night by Chai, Chris and friends providing the evening entertainment in the resaurant/bar. Chai forced me to sing and so I did a rendition of Lean On Me getting all the lyrics wrong! I did the same the following night at a friend's Buddhist ordination party but I didn't care so much then cos no one could understand english anyway!
We've been doing tons of snorkelling. The reefs here are just covered in allsorts of fish - parrot and tiger fish everywhere. There's no need to scuba although Chai wants to take us next week. We'll see! Chai's son Benz has already saved me once after a hairy moment snorkelling. I just strayed a little too far from the boat and paniced so now I snorkel with a life jacket when its deep! But everyone does it here in Thailand so I don't feel such a lamo.
Today we went to the Emerald Cave. An open air cave where pirates kept their treasure. The boat drops you in deep water outside the cave entrance and you have to swim 80m through tunnels to get there, and 20m of that was in the pitch dark (we just followed Benz' calls!). Inside there's a beach and loads of rare trees and vegetation all up the walls with the sun shining in. It was breathtaking.
Chai's lent us his scooter so its easy for us to get around here. i think we'll stay for another week or so then move on. We hope to visit Phi Phi Ley - where The Beach was filmed before we leave. Beaches here are AMAZING. I'll attach some pics tomo hopefully. Toodleloo
Saturday 11 April 2009
Bangkok and Tonsai Beach
Hey! Strange first day in Bangkok not helped by jet lag and deciding to jump on a 16 hour bus journey down to Krabi the next day. We're staying a little just off the beach at Ao Tonsai. Very very beautiful. Very like Lost! Thank you Gill! Hired a kayak and have seen some of the other amazing beaches around the peninsula. Went on a walk today and now i've got blisters and SOMEHOW i've been bitten loads more than chris! Soz its short but internet is expensive here and i can't upload photos, but here's a pic of Tonsai i found and we're off down to Trang tomorrow so hopefully we'll get another chance very soon.
Wednesday 1 April 2009
Our Itinerary
If you need to get a hold of us, or if you're curious, this is where we'll be and when:Mon 6th April London Heathrow to Bangkok, Thailand
Flight BA009
Dep 2200 Arr 1520 Tue 7th April
Mon 27th April Bangkok to Sydney, Australia
Flight BA009
Dep 1810 Arr 0605 Tue 28th April
Tue 5th May Sydney to Auckland, New Zealand
Flight QF043
Dep 1135 Arr 1635
Tue 2nd June Auckland to Santiago, Chile
Flight QF321
Dep 1640 Arr 1210
Tue 16th June Santiago to Sao Paulo (Guarulhos), Brazil
Flight BA4308
Dep 0710 Arr 1200
Tue 16th June Sao Paulo (Guarulhos) to London Heathrow
Flight BA246
Dep 1615 Arr 0725 Wed 17th June
Tue 23rd June to Sun 28th June we'll be at Glastonbury Festival
Tue 30th June London Heathrow to New York JFK, US
Flight VS009
Dep 1625 Arr 1920
Wed 8th July Newark, New Jersey to Las Vegas, Nevada
Flight Air Tran 1699 to Atlanta, Air Tran 771 to Las Vegas
Dep 1446 Arr 2035
Mon 27th July Las Vegas to Cleveland, Ohio
Flight Continental 580
Dep 2330 Arr 0628 Tue 28th July
Wed 5th August New York JFK to London Heathrow
Flight VS004
Dep 1825 Arr 0635 Thu 6th August
Phew!
We'll both have our mobiles on us.
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