Happy valentines day everybody! It's Jemma here. We have a little room party going on right now with our Finnish friend Sammi. This involves coca cola and a big bottle of Thai song. Which is now nearly empty ;-) We're moving onto the beach soon after another hunt for alcohol... Not so easy in a little muslim beach town. We hear there's only one place...
Today has been very relaxing. We spent the morning on the beach, bobbing around in the sea which takes about 30 seconds to get to from the hotel. I've never been a big lover of deep water but the sea here has changed my mind. Apart from the odd prickly jelly fish (SCARY!) the water is amazing. Last night we went swimming at about 5 o'clock and didn't get out until around 9pm when we got a quick shower before getting food. There's quite a few people in the water around sunset and the atmosphere's so nice and relaxing. I've learned a few things and let go of a few inhibitions - I'm much better at climbing a rope (ME!!)and climbing trees than I would have thought - see facebook videos for tree climbing evidence, he he. I feel like a tomboy for the very first time! I'm better than the little weak Chinese men in their Lycra shorts! Good practice for the rock climbing in Thailand. This is probably my favorite place so far. And today has definitely been the best valentines day. Who'd want to be anywhere else?!
We have been debating where to go next. Yesterday we booked a flight to Bangkok for the 21st February (Emily's Birthday). We booked 3 nights at the "New road guest house" or something like that, and our plan is to make our way down the coast of Thailand. We are going to try and extend our 30 day visa at the embassy first though in Bangkok. Apparently you can get 90 days if you show up and ask. We'll try our luck. This is because I think once we get to Krabi and get on the rocks we won't want to leave Thailand within the 30 days.
We'll possibly stay here until the 20th and spend a night in Kuala Lumpur again the night before our flight to Thailand. This little island is so much more fun than the last one, Penang. I think it has a lot to do with our room. Same price (ten quid) but the air con has made an unbelievable difference. You can relax during the day, whereas in Penang when the heat of the day set in there was absolutely no escape. You couldn't even sit in restaurant to cool down, because they were all open air. The only thing you could do was shower every time you reheated!
I'm glad that our experiences have inspired a few other friends to take the plunge - even my little brother is planning to visit Thailand after his GCSE's to join us for some of the best rock climbing available in the world. And I hope so much that Sarah comes to South East Asia while we're still here on her way to Australia for the summer. And Sarah - you know me, we'll defo' be going to see Juan in in New York next Christmas now you've mentioned it :-) I want to go there the summer 2010 after graduation. We could do work America again if you fancy?! And visit the ranch on vacation ;-)
Thank you for the valentines present little sis. x x Well I'll love you and leave you. We're having the time of our lives :-) Take care and happy valentines day.
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