Not feeling up to writing any exciting stuff today as Debbie has decided to get a flight home, leaving me alone in Asia for the next 3 months.
Feeling pretty shitty right now but the show must go on as they say and other people go it alone, just that I had planned to do it with a 'friend'
Lets hope the blog continues with lots more good experiences.......
Tuesday 30 November 2010
Monday 29 November 2010
Volunteer work
Had my first day at the nursery today with 26 x 2-3 year olds, will take photos of the childrens day tomorrow and blog all when i get back
Sunday 28 November 2010
Koh Samet photos & Surin
Here are the photos I was unable to upload from Koh Samet some of the beach and the promised butterfly picture, which I am sure you will agree is pretty impressive
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For my Mum! xx  This old lady came every day along with many other locals on the 7am ferry to sell her wares, there were hot coals in the white tray under the chicken and she would also prepare a salad to go with it from the same sized basket the other side, she carried all of this on her shoulder on a bamboo stick. Amazing! We arrived in Surin at 5am having travelled all night on a coach (thanks again Doc for the supplied pills, I managed to sleep very well thanks) We are now onto the last place and the 3 of us have a bedroom each in a 3 bed house, first stop Tesco to stock up which was funny, we must have been in there 2 hours and hardly bought anything as it was all foreign to us, however, beer and crisps the same in any language... Went to an amazing place last night, help yourself buffet and bbq it at the table, there was so much choice and so tasty and only cost 2pds, The restaurant was set upunder coconut trees all lit up, would you believe as we were tucking in an Elephant came along (with his owner) and for a few pence you could feed him sugar cane, it was quite surreal. Thats it for now, we start work at the childrens day centre tommorrow at 8am sharp so will let you know how it goes. |
Wednesday 24 November 2010
Evening in Koh Samet
Hi again, it's so bloody hot outside even though it's almost 9pm I just had to come in to some air con and do a blog to cool down.
Brought a large glass of wine in with me and still have a view of the beach and all the coloured lamps lighting it up so not missing out too much. Just had bbq salmon and salad etc and left the others at a table on the waters edge.....
Another day doing sod all, although I did spend ages trying to get a photo of a butterfly to please my dear Mum and did eventually succeed, for some reason i dont seem to be able to upload photos on this computer so will have to try when inSurin.
We will have one more day here and then travel to Surin where we will spend the last 12 days of the trip, this promises to be good and will include the volunteer work at childrens day centre, as well as more cultural trips and a huge Tesco to buy loads of goodies. Yippee!!
We will be staying in a new 3 bedroom house there so will have our own bedroom and a kitchen etc.
Home from home except loads hotter and cheaper.
I have heard the X factor result, would have prefered Cher to have gone as rather liked Paige but hey ho they all have to go at some point.
Whats happening in I'm a Celebrity, any good this year?
Right, I have cooled down now, and finished my wine so off for a refill... such a tough time I am having.
See you in Surin....
ps, it would be nice to get some more comments dear friends, seems that I am doing all the hard work xx
Brought a large glass of wine in with me and still have a view of the beach and all the coloured lamps lighting it up so not missing out too much. Just had bbq salmon and salad etc and left the others at a table on the waters edge.....
Another day doing sod all, although I did spend ages trying to get a photo of a butterfly to please my dear Mum and did eventually succeed, for some reason i dont seem to be able to upload photos on this computer so will have to try when inSurin.
We will have one more day here and then travel to Surin where we will spend the last 12 days of the trip, this promises to be good and will include the volunteer work at childrens day centre, as well as more cultural trips and a huge Tesco to buy loads of goodies. Yippee!!
We will be staying in a new 3 bedroom house there so will have our own bedroom and a kitchen etc.
Home from home except loads hotter and cheaper.
I have heard the X factor result, would have prefered Cher to have gone as rather liked Paige but hey ho they all have to go at some point.
Whats happening in I'm a Celebrity, any good this year?
Right, I have cooled down now, and finished my wine so off for a refill... such a tough time I am having.
See you in Surin....
ps, it would be nice to get some more comments dear friends, seems that I am doing all the hard work xx
Tuesday 23 November 2010
Massage on the Beach
Had the most fab day on the beach.
I decided to make use of the lovely local people selling their wares and had a fresh coconut and then an hour full body massage with oil which was absolute bliss laying in the cool shade and having every muscle tended to.
Tonight we are once again sitting out by the beach and having a fish bbq, and have managed to find some quite cheap wine so thats a bonus, its so warm at night, I love it and so do the mossies! Bloody gits they get everywhere.
Photos soon x
I decided to make use of the lovely local people selling their wares and had a fresh coconut and then an hour full body massage with oil which was absolute bliss laying in the cool shade and having every muscle tended to.
Tonight we are once again sitting out by the beach and having a fish bbq, and have managed to find some quite cheap wine so thats a bonus, its so warm at night, I love it and so do the mossies! Bloody gits they get everywhere.
Photos soon x
Monday 22 November 2010
Koh Samet
We travelled on an over night coach and then took the 8am ferry over to the Island on Sat morn, it was a great experience, all the local people on same ferry with all their wares that they would sell on the beach during the day, once again we were the only tourists.
Then onto our hotel for the next 6 days, once again its fab, set on a white sandy beach with a all you can eat breakfast buffet, ranging from eggs bacon etc to Thai stir fried veg, rice and fish soup should you so wish.
Last night was full moon so we got ourselves a table right on the waters edge, had bbq steak salad buffet etc and watched as they lit and set off hundreds lanterns into the sky also floated candles in the sea and set off fireworks, it was beautiful.
Deb and I went for a walk along the beach at 7.30 this morning before breakfast, it was really hot by 9am. The rest of the day we chilled on loungers under the shade of some trees with the sea right by to go for the odd dip.
The grounds of the hotel are lovely , once again surrounded by beautiful big butterflies (once again sound like my Mum) and flowers.
All absolutely fab!
Then onto our hotel for the next 6 days, once again its fab, set on a white sandy beach with a all you can eat breakfast buffet, ranging from eggs bacon etc to Thai stir fried veg, rice and fish soup should you so wish.
Last night was full moon so we got ourselves a table right on the waters edge, had bbq steak salad buffet etc and watched as they lit and set off hundreds lanterns into the sky also floated candles in the sea and set off fireworks, it was beautiful.
Deb and I went for a walk along the beach at 7.30 this morning before breakfast, it was really hot by 9am. The rest of the day we chilled on loungers under the shade of some trees with the sea right by to go for the odd dip.
The grounds of the hotel are lovely , once again surrounded by beautiful big butterflies (once again sound like my Mum) and flowers.
All absolutely fab!
Saturday 20 November 2010
Winery
Wow!
The drive to the Winery was lovely, the countryside is so beautiful, its so green and fab to see coconut, banana and mango trees all around.
The winery was something special, once again surpassed all expectations, it was set in the most beautiful countryside set on the edge of Khao Yai National Park with forest covered hillside all around, fields of sunflowers, and a wonderful restaurant overlooking it all.
There is a range of accomodation within the vineyard should you be lucky enough to stay there, unfortunately this was not part of our itinery.
This was the largest and most advanced winery in the whole of South east Asia set up in 1997, there is very little skilled labour here so their 2 main wine makers are from Germany and New Zealand.
We had a guided tour of the land - in a carriage pulled by a tractor -and then inside to see how both the red and white was made, massive containers in either steel for the white or oak for the red.
Then on to the best part, the tasting.... It was an extra treat as it was the first time we have had any since being at the Gatwick airport as wine is expensive here due to 60 % added tax and not much competition (even in Tescos the cheaperst bottle of plonk is 8 pounds)
After having a lovely walk and enjoying the scenery we were given the best table in the restaurant overlooking the vineyard and hillside and treated to a variety of Thai dishes and a complementary glass of wine. A truely fab day.
Tomorrow we will travel by over night by luxury coach to take the ferry to Koh Samet Island where we will spend the next 6 days chilling on the beach, internet access has beeb free with easy access here hence the daily blogs, not sure what it will be like there but hope to say hi at some point.
The drive to the Winery was lovely, the countryside is so beautiful, its so green and fab to see coconut, banana and mango trees all around.
The winery was something special, once again surpassed all expectations, it was set in the most beautiful countryside set on the edge of Khao Yai National Park with forest covered hillside all around, fields of sunflowers, and a wonderful restaurant overlooking it all.
There is a range of accomodation within the vineyard should you be lucky enough to stay there, unfortunately this was not part of our itinery.
This was the largest and most advanced winery in the whole of South east Asia set up in 1997, there is very little skilled labour here so their 2 main wine makers are from Germany and New Zealand.
We had a guided tour of the land - in a carriage pulled by a tractor -and then inside to see how both the red and white was made, massive containers in either steel for the white or oak for the red.
Then on to the best part, the tasting.... It was an extra treat as it was the first time we have had any since being at the Gatwick airport as wine is expensive here due to 60 % added tax and not much competition (even in Tescos the cheaperst bottle of plonk is 8 pounds)
After having a lovely walk and enjoying the scenery we were given the best table in the restaurant overlooking the vineyard and hillside and treated to a variety of Thai dishes and a complementary glass of wine. A truely fab day.
Tomorrow we will travel by over night by luxury coach to take the ferry to Koh Samet Island where we will spend the next 6 days chilling on the beach, internet access has beeb free with easy access here hence the daily blogs, not sure what it will be like there but hope to say hi at some point.
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| Wow! |
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| Not Charlies Angels |
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| Female Gerdeners |
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Ready for our food and wine  |
Friday 19 November 2010
Bangkok
Just found this blog page hiding in my drafts, a little late but thought I may as well put it on..
We have just had 2 days in Bangkok which I loved, it is crazy but chilled at the same time.
The food and drinks are sooooo cheap. We went to see the reclining Budda, Golden Temple and then a short river boat ride to see the temple of dawn they were all amazing.
Its true what they say, I didn't need to bring a thing with me, it's all here at a fraction of the price and nicer!!
There are stalls and stalls of lovely clothes to buy and you can haggle the price.
Today we went to Ayuttaya which used to be the capital, lovely drive with beautiful scenery, we went to couple fab places and a food market for locals which was really interesting, the place we are staying at is quirky and fab, all in all having the best time................
We have just had 2 days in Bangkok which I loved, it is crazy but chilled at the same time.
The food and drinks are sooooo cheap. We went to see the reclining Budda, Golden Temple and then a short river boat ride to see the temple of dawn they were all amazing.
Its true what they say, I didn't need to bring a thing with me, it's all here at a fraction of the price and nicer!!
There are stalls and stalls of lovely clothes to buy and you can haggle the price.
Today we went to Ayuttaya which used to be the capital, lovely drive with beautiful scenery, we went to couple fab places and a food market for locals which was really interesting, the place we are staying at is quirky and fab, all in all having the best time................
National Park
We went to Khao Yai national park yesterday,it was a 90 min drive through beautiful countryside. We were all amazed by its size, the tallest trees and so vast.
We had a half hour walk through the forest to get to the first of 2 waterfalls. What they hadn't told us was that there would be 200 steep steps down to the viewing point, it was truely lovely and we were the only ones there, once again lots of pretty coloured butterflies all around and then the climb back up those 200 steps........ow!
After a long drive through the park we went to the waterfall featured in 'The Beach' no sign of Leonardo but it was fabulous just the same.
We had a fab lunch of chicken and veg stir fry with rice and drink for 80p, it was all so clean, even the loos were better than most of those back home.
After a long drive through the park we went to the waterfall featured in 'The Beach' no sign of Leonardo but it was fabulous just the same.
We had a fab lunch of chicken and veg stir fry with rice and drink for 80p, it was all so clean, even the loos were better than most of those back home.
Here are a few random pics as I seem to have got faster speed upload for now at least...
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| who needs crisps |
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| One of our rooms |
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| Me conquering my fears. I got half way then came back but it's a start. |
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| The massage parlour |
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The local butcher at night market - not a fridge in sight |
Wednesday 17 November 2010
Only westerners in the village
Had a 2 hour massage today in a lovely place set in woods, my woman was told about my back injury and set about trying to rectify it, it was almost as painful as when I did it, she dug her thumbs in so hard I thought they would come out the other side, turns out its a trapped nerve but it did help loosen me up a bit.
Our mode of transport for the day was a truck (not sure what happened to the mini bus with aircon we had for first few days) we went to a few places including natural springs, a local outdoor market and then to a cave at dusk where hundreds of thousands of bats flew out then on the way back stopped off at a massive Tesco, how funny.
real locals now
We are seeing the real Thailand now, no tourists anywhere, they are all so friendly and polite and love posing for photos at their food stalls - I have uploaded some as its fascinating to see that this is the way they live and go shopping for food and takeaways, it really does fly in the face of all our regulations about health and hygeine back home, so far we have been fine....
so many choices
grilled fish
any one for sausage
Another day filled with many things, off to the waterfall that was featured in 'The Beach' tomorrow at a National Park.
Our mode of transport for the day was a truck (not sure what happened to the mini bus with aircon we had for first few days) we went to a few places including natural springs, a local outdoor market and then to a cave at dusk where hundreds of thousands of bats flew out then on the way back stopped off at a massive Tesco, how funny.
real locals now
We are seeing the real Thailand now, no tourists anywhere, they are all so friendly and polite and love posing for photos at their food stalls - I have uploaded some as its fascinating to see that this is the way they live and go shopping for food and takeaways, it really does fly in the face of all our regulations about health and hygeine back home, so far we have been fine....
grilled fish
any one for sausage
Another day filled with many things, off to the waterfall that was featured in 'The Beach' tomorrow at a National Park.
Tuesday 16 November 2010
X factor from Thailand
Oh how Fab, have managed to see Sat nights X factor by going onto You tube and watching bits of each ac
Now I really do feel complete.......
We are on the balcony and its really warm -the free pc is next to us, we have a table of food bought from the food market at ridiculously cheap prices, cold beers which are only 70p for a massive bottle (neighbour Lisa will be impressed), crickets singing in the distance, all so chilled.
Tomorrow we are off for a 2 hour thai foot and body massage included in the price and other delights, honestly I have done more in the last 5 days than in the past year, I feel like I have been here ages.
off to count my mossie bites now!!!!!!!
see you soon xxx
Now I really do feel complete.......
We are on the balcony and its really warm -the free pc is next to us, we have a table of food bought from the food market at ridiculously cheap prices, cold beers which are only 70p for a massive bottle (neighbour Lisa will be impressed), crickets singing in the distance, all so chilled.
Tomorrow we are off for a 2 hour thai foot and body massage included in the price and other delights, honestly I have done more in the last 5 days than in the past year, I feel like I have been here ages.
off to count my mossie bites now!!!!!!!
see you soon xxx
Hello from Pak Chong
Sawadee ka (hello in Thai)
Another town another guest house, I have to say we are staying in great places, this place is new and so clean with marble floors you could eat your dinner off (any excuse to eat!)
And we get free internet access here which is good, so I am sitting on a balcony with mountains in the background blogging like crazy.
On the way here we stopped off at a park with a water fall - not as impressive as Niagra but scenic and very nice to walk around with lots of colourful butterflies etc (god I sound like my Mum!)
Debbie is loving it as much as me, we have one other girl with us in the 'party' who is in her 40's and are all getting along, its quite funny as there is me with my bad back, Deb has hurt her knee climing up and down relly steep temple steps -sod that, I stood at the bottom taking photos and laughing at her, and Del, the other girl hurt her shoulder before she came so we are a right bunch.
The tour guide is a lovely Thai guy in his 30's so we are getting him to do all the lifting and carrying.
The weather is great not so hot its unbearable but def need a/c on at night, however I did set it rather low last night and Deb woke up freezing saying we may as well be back home....
I am going to attempt to upload some more pics thanks to my friend Beckys instructions.
What a find, there were some really odd products inside, and no bloody sensations crisps.
Not Niagra
Look carefully and you will see a man standing to the left, this Budda was absolutely HUGE.
Another town another guest house, I have to say we are staying in great places, this place is new and so clean with marble floors you could eat your dinner off (any excuse to eat!)
And we get free internet access here which is good, so I am sitting on a balcony with mountains in the background blogging like crazy.
On the way here we stopped off at a park with a water fall - not as impressive as Niagra but scenic and very nice to walk around with lots of colourful butterflies etc (god I sound like my Mum!)
Debbie is loving it as much as me, we have one other girl with us in the 'party' who is in her 40's and are all getting along, its quite funny as there is me with my bad back, Deb has hurt her knee climing up and down relly steep temple steps -sod that, I stood at the bottom taking photos and laughing at her, and Del, the other girl hurt her shoulder before she came so we are a right bunch.
The tour guide is a lovely Thai guy in his 30's so we are getting him to do all the lifting and carrying.
The weather is great not so hot its unbearable but def need a/c on at night, however I did set it rather low last night and Deb woke up freezing saying we may as well be back home....
I am going to attempt to upload some more pics thanks to my friend Beckys instructions.
What a find, there were some really odd products inside, and no bloody sensations crisps.
Not Niagra
Look carefully and you will see a man standing to the left, this Budda was absolutely HUGE.-
Monday 15 November 2010
Me again!
Have had another wonderful day. Ayutthaya is the old capital so seeped in history.
We have seen some really interesting ruins and masssive buddas, and even found a Tesco!!
Last night we went to a street food market that had locals cooking and selling wonderful dishes all of which looked great, see photo.
These takeaways freshly cooked were around 70p
Way to go!
We have seen some really interesting ruins and masssive buddas, and even found a Tesco!!
Last night we went to a street food market that had locals cooking and selling wonderful dishes all of which looked great, see photo.
These takeaways freshly cooked were around 70p
Way to go!
Ruins all set in beautiful scenery, so green after the rains
Off to Pak chong tomorrow, stopping for a swim at a waterfall on the way yippee!
Sunday 14 November 2010
Hi from Ayuttaya
Had great day, been to a couple of lovely places, its so green after the raily season, amazing to see mangos growing on the trees.
We are seeing the real Thailand here, we went to a food market which was just wonderful to see, so much fab food and soooooo cheap.
Its been great we have had our own tuk tuk driver taking us around, the scenery is so lovely, already I can see why people come back time and time again.
We are staying in a really great place, just about to have a Thai curry and rice for under 2 pounds.
Having the best time and sweating like crazy (thought you should know)
Bye for now, p.s who got booted out of x factor - can't find a question mark!
We are seeing the real Thailand here, we went to a food market which was just wonderful to see, so much fab food and soooooo cheap.
Its been great we have had our own tuk tuk driver taking us around, the scenery is so lovely, already I can see why people come back time and time again.
We are staying in a really great place, just about to have a Thai curry and rice for under 2 pounds.
Having the best time and sweating like crazy (thought you should know)
Bye for now, p.s who got booted out of x factor - can't find a question mark!
Bangkok in the morning
Greetings from a very hot morning in Thailand, I have walked along the road for the last hour with all the market stalls in, its true what they say - you can buy everything here for a fraction of the price back home, I really should have bought an empty rucksack.
We had a great day yesterday, saw reclining budda - lazy git has been lying there for years!
Also a couple of amazing temples and a river trip, very tiring in this heat and with my aching back that for those of you who dont know I injured a few days before leaving the UK.
Still, lots of pill popping, some acupuncture and alcohol seems to be keeping me mobile.
We are off soon to Ayuttya which sounds like a nice place.
See you there................
We had a great day yesterday, saw reclining budda - lazy git has been lying there for years!
Also a couple of amazing temples and a river trip, very tiring in this heat and with my aching back that for those of you who dont know I injured a few days before leaving the UK.
Still, lots of pill popping, some acupuncture and alcohol seems to be keeping me mobile.
We are off soon to Ayuttya which sounds like a nice place.
See you there................
Friday 12 November 2010
Made it!!
Hi all, yippee I am in Bang bloody kok!
Fab flight slept all the way through thanks to the sleeping pills, love 'em.
Thanks to neighbour Lisa for the gin and tonic in a can that she slipped into my rucksack, it came in nicely for a welcome drink, so what it was only 10am in the UK, I am on my travels......
Great room, quick shower and out onto infamous Koh San road, its crazy but really chilled, fab stalls to buy great clothes and jewellery, street food everywhere, we went for some thai food and beers sitting out side in a great little place with our guide, so cheap, feel like I have been here ages already, oh and its HOT!
Off for a walking tour of Buddas and temples tomorrow.
Thats me blogging like crazy on my first day, off to bed soon.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeee xxxxxx
Fab flight slept all the way through thanks to the sleeping pills, love 'em.
Thanks to neighbour Lisa for the gin and tonic in a can that she slipped into my rucksack, it came in nicely for a welcome drink, so what it was only 10am in the UK, I am on my travels......
Great room, quick shower and out onto infamous Koh San road, its crazy but really chilled, fab stalls to buy great clothes and jewellery, street food everywhere, we went for some thai food and beers sitting out side in a great little place with our guide, so cheap, feel like I have been here ages already, oh and its HOT!
Off for a walking tour of Buddas and temples tomorrow.
Thats me blogging like crazy on my first day, off to bed soon.
Byeeeeeeeeeeeee xxxxxx
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