Big bad Bangkok!

Hey everyone,

Well still in Thailand and loving it! Its so pretty here. Heres what's been happening so far....

Friday 8th June
Went to the beach today, it was so pretty... white sand and blue sea... although a little cloudy. When sunbathing in the deckchairs people are constantly trying to sell you stuff all day so theres no need to move, food and drink are always around! But as well as that the Thai's try to sell clothing pictures, flutes and even hammocks! When I explained to the guy i did not have a tree for the hammock to tie onto he said he would sell me a tree too!!!! It does get annoying after a while, but you learn to ignore them and continue with bathing!

Although the sea was cloudy with was so warm, like getting into a bath!

That evening I decided to have chicken and cashew nuts for dinner, as always... it was really nice! We went back and got ready for a night out in Patong. But first Jem went to get a tattoo done on her foot! Now I'm not a fan of tattoos, but this one looks ok, its on the inside of her foot and its her dads and grandads names in Chinese script, so it has a really nice meaning as they have both passed away. It wasn't as painful as she thought it was going to but, although there were a couple of fist clenching moments!!!

After that we went out, hit the bars and clubs, it was a good night, had a much needed boogie!! Petong reminds me of Spain or Greece for a night out, but in Thai style!

Saturday 9th June
Went down to the beach late morning and stayed there a couple of hours. Had a Subway for lunch (how can a girl resist!!) then went onto have a look around the shops. They have a really nice shopping centre which is just completely out of place for its surroundings and like being in a different world really!! Its sectioned into different parts, really good.

Jem wasn't feeling too well today, nothing in particular, just one of those days, so I met her back at the hotel. I freshened up and we wondered out to go and sort out getting to Koh Phi Phi. We got some food and went back to the hotel. We watched a really funny/cheesy American horror movie. We assumed it was a spoof it was that silly!

Sunday 10th June (Happy Birthday Charley Woo!!)
We were up early ready to be collected by a minibus to be taken to the ferry to get to Ko Phi Phi. The ferries was one of the nicest we had been on and we got free croissants and coffee! On flat screen TVs they showed a Michael Jackson concert, followed by Mr Bean!

When we arrived in Ko Phi Phi it was stunning. Just gorgeous. We walked along the main street to find some accommodation, eventually we came to some bungalows that were cheap and overlooked the woodland mountains. When we were walking along we noticed a house that was mainly rumble, but looked like it was being built up again, the only thing is, people were still living there... it had a roof and a frame but no walls. So sad. We assumed this was still destruction from the Tsunami. Bits of which were evident it certain parts.

We sorted out stuff, had a little rest then went for a wonder into the town, then to one of the beaches which was just so pretty, white sand and clear water! We spent a bit of time there before heading back for dinner at a restaurant with such lovely views over the harbour area. I had Noodles with ground chicken in curry powder and soya sauce, very tasty!!

We got some drink in and went and sat on our bungalow porch. Two lads that were our neighbours came to chat for a while, then they headed to town.

Monday 11th June (Happy Birthday Tants!!!)
Didn't sleep very well at all last night, think it was because it was so hot and only a fan blowing hot air to assist! We had booked a day trip to Ko Phi Phi Lay (the other part of the island), so went down to the harbour for that. It was a medium sized boat, got all that nice, but fine for the day. We manged to get a decent bathing spot on front deck. Our first stop was Maya Bay, which is where The Beach was filmed (with Leonardo Dicaprio), we stopped at the other side and had to walk across one beach to get to Maya Bay. That was a mission, across the rocks and strong current! The location was just beautiful, but it was taken over by tourists and there was even bits of rubbish in the sea and boats moored up all over. It seemed ruined. Such a shame. But looking through that you can see its beauty.

We visited several other islands around where we did some snorkelling, the fish were pretty. And we Kayaked around Bamboo Island which was hard work!! From a distance you could see the Monkeys on monkey Island, but when we got on there they all hid!

We got back to the boat early from that island... worn ourselves out from the Kayaking!! Were just sunbathing when we heard what I think was Beethoven's "furlausa", I assumed it was a mobile phone, a loud one, but then came to realise it was a megaphone calling back all the people from the island. The captain guy (in a Thai accent) started shouting 'come back come back, boat going come baaaaack' then I hear 'Nicky, Nicky Pinto... I love you!' You had to be there but it was so so funny and Jem does the best impression!! We'd had a joke earlier on in the day so I guess that's why he picked on me.

Later on we watched the sunset, with Maya Bay on one side, which was so much quieter now, and looked amazing, and the sunsetting on the other! Wow.

Tuesday 12th June (Happy Birthday Gemma and Madison!!)
Again another rubbish nights sleep! Was so tired in the morning, I slowly packed up and checked out. Jem went to the beach, but I was a little beached out so I just wondered in my own little world around the town. I met Jem for lunch in the bakery, which does the best baguettes in Phi Phi! we collected our bags and headed to the pier, where we caught the ferry to Railay Beach.

In true Fiji style, the ferry couldn't go too far into shore so long tail boats had to come and pick us up, but not even they went right in. So had to get off with water up to our knees and were expected to carry out heavy bags to shore! Guaranteed to have dropped them, luckily a guy came and helped out!!

We saw a resort that had been recommended to us before, Yaya, so went to check in there! The rooms were like tree houses as the stairs were so steep!!! We had to change room as the shower didn't work in our first one! Luckily the second room was nice and bigger, although the bathroom was grotty, we could cope with that!

That night we just chilled, they were showing Spiderman 3 in the resort, so had dinner there and watched that. I had Baked rice in a pineapple, and it really was in a pineapple! Really nice though! Film was ok, although very cheesy in parts which i didn't expect!

Wednesday 13th June
We booked our bus tickets to Bankok and a Rock Climbing course for that afternoon. While we were while for that to begin we thought we'd tried to use next doors pool, as our resort didn't have one. But we got caught out and had to leave!! Opps!! Very embarrassing!!

Soon enough it was time to go rock climbing, I wasn't feeling my most energetic and was a little unsure about what to expect from it all. A little old Thai guy came to meet us and take us climbing. We were taken to some limestone rocks nearby. First of all he talked us through all the ground stuff such as beelining (the anchor safety for the person climbing on the rock). Jem beelined for the guy first then I had to, as you have all the weight of the person on you it is fairly hard to completely control it.

Jem was the first to do the first rock climb, she did it fine. Then it was my turn. I did it fine, its quite an achievement when you reach the top. I didn't like coming down too much as you have to sit back and let the beeline bring you down.

The second climb was so high up, I couldn't believe he put us on such a high one for our second climb! Jem went first again, but didn't manage to complete the climb, after several attempts she got tired and could no longer hold on. Then my turn, I got to half way, but the rock sticks out so to have to hold on and jump up, its so hard. I managed to do it, then was clinging on for dear life as I didn't want to let go and swing against the rock. But I was getting so tired, my arms like jelly at one point I really didn't think I could do it and was close to letting go. But a sudden bit of determination came over me and I forced myself and made it all the way to the top! When I made it the instructor said have a rest and enjoy the view... YEAH RIGHT... I was still clinging onto the rock for dear life all I wanted to do was get down and quick, I couldn't look around as I didn't want to take in the reality of how high it was! So down I came, arms aching and tired!

We then moved onto our third and final climb. This was apparently the easiest one and wasn't as high as the last one. But by this point Jem was really tired and had a go, but couldn't get to the top. After a bit of a rest and recovery from the last climb I had a go and managed to get to the top!

I was well proud of myself! Sheer will power got me up and down those rocks but so pleased I did it... was so tired and achy after though!

That night we both managed to drag ourselves back down to have some dinner, this time I tired baked rice in a whole coconut, well nice!! They were showing The Holiday on the big screen, although we'd seen it in Fiji, we watched it again and enjoyed every moment, its such feel good girls film!! Arrrrrrrr... why can love always be like that!!!

One of the Thai instructors from rock climbing turned up to have a drink, but we were so tired we just went off to bed. Felt really bad, but we could barely move let alone anything else!!

Thursday 14th June
We packed up and checked out, still really tired and achy!! We spent most of the morning chilling in the restaurant area, until it was time to start our 15 hour journey to Bankok! We went to the pick up area and had to get a long tail boat to Krabi (about 10 mins away). But the tide was really out and we had to walk through wet sand, sludge and water to the boat!! With our backpacks on!! What a mission... this is Thai travel in a non-luxury way! Jem nearly fell over... looking back it was very comical!

When we got on the boat, and younger Thai guy was helping and suddenly sceams and leaped in the boat, he thought a crab had bit him. He was very over dramatic though, he looked like he was going to die! Silly!

When we arrived in Krabi we got picked up by a minibuis, which took us to a station, where we had to wait half an hour and then continued on our journey. About 3 hours later we got dropped off at another travel stop, where we had a 45 min wait, so we had some food, got some snacks and then got the VIP bus to Bankok. It was an overnight one, with full blown reclining seats, loads of leg room and blankets. They put a film on, we watched Casino Royal which was ok, but I'm not a big Bond fan so it seemed a little same old to me.

Friday 15th June (Happy Birthday Lora!!)
We arrived in Bankok about 5am... nice and early! Didn't sleep all that well on the bus, kept waking up and woke up to a police guy with a bug gun inspection the bus, it was a little startling, but he smiled so wasn't too worried. Think they have to do routine checks.

We headed to Jem's friends (barry) flat as that's where we were staying. We got a taxi to the Skytrain, and then the Skytrain to ThongLor station. We called Baz from there, but he didn't pick up so we made our way to his. It was easy enough with help from a guy in a cafe.

We turned up on the door, Baz was shocked we found it ourselves! So we all chatted for a while, then Baz had to get off to work. Jem and me had showers, slept and sorted ourselves out. Then we checked out the rooftop pool, which looks ace. Well happy about that! We wondered out and had lunch and looked around.

That night when Baz returned we went for dinner across the road at a cute outdoor restaurant and just sat there the rest of the night and had drinks.

Saturday 16th June
We had an early start and we headed to Chatuchak market. We walked to the Skytrain, got a Starbucks on the way, tried a Raspberry Latte which was nice. When we arrived we were shocked at how big the market was... I mean its at least twice the size of The Centre:MK!!! We were there from about 9.30am to 4pm and we got loads of goods, it was amazing! They sold everything... souvenirs, clothes, bags, furniture, animals, toys etc! So much fun!

That night we were pooped and my legs we aching like mad from all the walking! But we'd said we were going out, so Baz was taking us out on a night in Bankok. It was good, great being shown the best places to go. I was pretty tired though, but kept going!

Sunday 17th June (Happy Fathers Day dad... miss you xxxxx)
For the first time in a long time we slept in til really late! I got up and went to the pool and did my laps. It felt good getting some exercise in. Still quite tired though so happy just chilling today. Maybe off to the cinema tonight.

Missing you all loads xxxxx