Scooter Heaven....

Dan is made up!  He's got his scooter on the road at last.  A big Londoner called John, who lives at the bottom of our road tipped up with a wee 125 scooter for us for the month.  I was very nervous having not ridden shotgun before - no likelihood of me being the driver I fear!  Off we went, flip-flops, t-shirts, shorts, sorry, what was that about helmets and insurance!  I was clinging on for dear life but relaxed after five minutes or so when I realised than Dan really was a careful driver.  We pootled off down the main road and stopped to get some gas.  Its quite unbelievable.  They sell the petrol off the roadside in glass whiskey bottles.  Honestly talk about health and safety.  It would made petrol bomb heaven if you were that way inclined.  You just stop off, get a couple of bottles tipped into the tank, leave the money (about 20p a bottle which is about a litre) and off you go.  We found ourselves down tiny little tracks that eventually led to a gorgeous secluded beach and had a wander about for a little while, Dan cautiously looked for the Cobras he'd found out were inhabitant on Ko Samui.  Why he needs to know this is beyond me, I'm happy enough to wander about in ignorant bliss on this matter!  We then headed off down to Lamai, which is the nearest town to us, about 25 mins and 10 kms on the scooter.  It was brilliant fun - being on the back with the wind in your hair, sun on your skin and not a care about helmets or anything.  What a way to get about - so relaxed.  We managed to find the main area in Lamai which Colin took us to the previous night and stopped off for some lunch in a very modern bar/restaurant called Bondi!  Needless to say we didn't eat Thai style here - we opted for a salad and a burger and a pint!  We decided that we'd head back after about an hour and promptly got lost on the way back.  As it happened, chance in a bloody million, whilst we were driving on a main road, we heard a "toot toot" and it was Colin, our landlord, heading in the opposite direction.  We both stopped and he asked us where were we going and we said we thought we were lost.  He very kindly pointed us in the right direction homeward bound.  What were the chances of that happening!  We ended up back at our villa and Colin took us off for a walk at our beach just 10 mins away.  The beach was practically deserted apart from a tiny wee bar with a couple of German punters there.  There was a girl behind the bar but apparently if there is no-one in attendance, you just grab what you want and leave her a note and pay the next time you're there!  Talk about trust!  We sat there for a beer or two while the rain went off and then headed back to the villa.  Our intention was to go to a little restaurant at the end of our road for dinner but by about 9pm we were so tired, think the 12 hour travel trip the previous day had caught up, so we opted for pringles and a beer at home and a programme on how the Burg Tower was built in Dubai - Very rock and roll.  An early night beckoned!

Friday morning..... Dan's just gone off to Makro with Colin to get some more substantial supplies for the week and when he returns we intend to spend the rest of the day on the beach as the sky is blue and the sun is shining today.  Off to an Italian BBQ on the beach tonight with our host and some of his friends and looking forward to meeting some more of the locals.  Take care M&D x

We've landed in Ko Samui...

After an hour or so wait we boarded a big air-conditioned coach bound for the port and to catch the giant catamaran over to Ko Samui.  Along the route we passed fields with elephants and buffalo roaming free in amongst banana and lemon grass planations.  This still feels so unreal to be here.   We stood out on the deck of the catamaran just marveling at the scenery around us – it was like being in Lord of The Rings with islands and mountains shrouded in fog all around us.  We arrived at the island around 5pm yesterday evening and were met by Colin Clarke – our landlord for the next month.  He took us in his pick-up to his home and showed us our accommodation – if we wanted it – for the next month! Colin is English and he lives with his Thai wife and three adopted daughters, Mai (17months), Farn (10) and Bee (14) whom we’ve yet to meet.  Our villa is a luxury one bedroomed house underneath his own house and is just gorgeous.  We could certainly live here for ever.  So yes, we wanted it!  We are surrounded by banana plantations and lush vegetation with the sound of Cicadas at night and something that unnervingly sounds like the hound of the Baskervilles – but we are studiously ignoring THAT!!!  Apparently there is a tiger sanctuary up the road which houses very tame tigers (as if Tame and Tiger in the same sentence was EVER going to work!) along with an elephant and butterfly farm.  Dan is still getting to grips with the wildlife in the apartment – wee lizards and cicadas everywhere!  At the moment, lizards on the walls inside the villa are enough for him to cope with at the moment!!!!

Colin took us to Tescos Lotus in Lamai (about 15 mins car drive away) – it would put our big Tesco stores to shame for quality, size and cleanliness so that we could get some supplies – mozzie repellant and beer being top of the list!  We then headed off into Lamai for some grub and then met up with Colin later for a pub quiz at his local – nothing much changes, even in Thailand.

We were made so welcome by Colin and he has taken Dan off this morning to his mate’s down the road to sort us out a scooter for the month.  No doubt later we will be bombing around, finding our feet!  Beach first port of call methinks as this is really the first bit of blue sky and sun we’ve seen since we’ve been here.  Take care all.  M&D x

Journey into the unknown…

After a fun last night in Phuket that involved avoiding a Go-Go bar which was full of Thai girls very interested in Dan and what was in his trousers – and I don’t mean just his wallet – we happened upon this brilliant little place that was basically a modified VW camper van fitted out as a bar with lights, optics and everything required to service a mobile bar!  It was a bit out of the way so we decided to only have one drink, but in came in a bucket and in order to drink it quickly, we suffered major brain freeze as it was full of ice!  It was pumping out Americano and reminded Dan of when he and Jack were in Spain!  The less I know about THAT trip probably the better.  Anyway back to Phuket…. We walked the half an hour or so back to our own hotel at around midnight and by the time we arrived there, despite a day of rain, it was so humid we decided to break the pool rules and make use of the pool to cool us down.  We thought we were being very clever indeed and being quite so’s not to distube any of the nearby residents but after Dan dived straight in making a very loud splash we feared being discovered so beat a hasty retreat back to our apartment, some 90 steps upwards away not realizing we were leaving a trail of evidence behind us as to whom the culprits were in the pool at midnight – two sets of perfect wet footprints all the way to our door!  Ooops!

We woke at 5am this morning and packed up our rucksacks ready for the journey to Ko Samui.  Ruckies are the way to go – takes about 10 minutes from start to finish!   Our mini-van turned up around 6.20am and transported us to Phuket Town Bus Station whereby we boarded a bus/coach that was to take us onwards to the ferry terminal.  The bus was full of all sorts of  local Thai people, some looked liked they must be going to work, groups of school children, some other traveller looking types too but nobody who spoke any English.  Our one word of Thai, Kar Poon Kai – thank you – was not much use today! 

Dan slept for the first two hours but I stayed awake to take in some of the scenery on the way.  We passed so many contrasts in buildings and living accommodation from tiny little shacks to very impressively decorated large, ranch type places.  There were baby elephants roaming in some places along with huge oxen in fields with no apparent fences meaning they could have come on to the road at any point.  Scary considering the size of them and the traffic on the roads.  Eventually we stopped off at what could only be described as Thailand’s answer to a Little Chef! NOT!!!!!  If it wasn’t for the fact that the loo was required, I would have stayed put.  A hole in the ground was the offering alongside a few market stalls selling food and drinks, non of which were recognizable and even though we were in a dire state for a coffee, the hygiene standards were anything but acceptable to us so we opted for a bottle of coke out of a fridge and a straw we brought with us.  Typically I have always carried around our recommended alcohol hand wipes but were they anywhere to be found when they really were needed – not on your flippin’ life were they.  Anyway two more hours until we hit the ferry port and on to Ko Samui.

It truly is the rainy season....

Woke up bright and early today with the sole intention of hiring scooters and spending the day exploring Phuket and finding the Giant Buddha.  Unfortunately we were greeted with torrential rain instead!  We decided to risk a walk about 9am when it eased off for breakfast down by the beach and ended up staying there for about an hour or more due to the heavy rain and wind.  5 coffees and a poached egg on toast and an omelette later, we decided that the scooters weren't going to happen today.  Instead we opted for a Thai full body oil massage each.  Oh my - what a treat.  Where else could you get this for £6 each.  Mind you it was very liberal; we were in a wee couples area and were practically naked.  Talk about not being shy!  We were pummelled by every right angle they had, elbows, knees, heels - the lot!  Very, VERY relaxing.  We smell and feel devine now!  The rain was still coming down so we used the opportunity to book our bus and ferry to Ko Samui for tomorrow morning and caught up with a guy who is going to rent us a 1 bed villa he has near Lamai - he sent us some pics and it is huge.  Gorgeous with its own pool and about a 10 minute walk to a lovely secluded beach and within staggering distance of some lovely bars and restaurants (his words, not ours! - we like him already!)  Funnily enough, for those of you who would find it funny - he's called Colin Clarke!!!).  Anyway what better way to spend the rest of the afternoon, lazing by the pool at happy hour!  It might be raining but it's still very, very warm!  I had set myself a goal to do 20 lengths of the pool everyday and up until today have done just that - with an extra one each day just for good measure. Of course, Dan has just started doing the same and of course is berating me today for not doing mine!  Balls to that - wine's on special offer at the pool bar!!!!!!!!!  Tee Hee!  Up early tomorrow to catch the bus at 6am.  We are being met in Ko Samui at 2pm by Colin Clarke the 2nd to take us to our new home for the next month!  So excited - can't wait -  Will keep you all posted!!!  M&D

Singing in the rain

Singing in the Rain…

… well dancing anyway!  We woke up today after an evening out with a couple of young lads from Carlisle that we met around the pool yesterday afternoon.  Dan and Dean!  Quite the pair of nutters.  They were regailing us of their tales of their 10 days in Thailand and to be quite honest – much of it is unprintable!  Let’s just say that they have certainly sampled ALL of the delights that Kata Beach has to offer!  Dan spent much of the afternoon in the pool with them, doing boy stuff (diving in with no hands, back flips and twists etc – the competition between them was as you would expect!!!! Also joining them was a Russian guy we nicknamed Jaffa!  He couldn’t speak a word of English and after many beers and a few Whiskeys, agreed to meet us later for a few more bevvies.  He turned up eventually but was totally hammered by now and at the point he started to dance to Celine Dion in the restaurant, his very grumpy girlfriend appeared to put the kybosh on him drinking with us any further and he was not allowed to come into town with the rest of us!! The Carlisle boys showed us around the resort and took us to some very shady bars!  Mind you the drink was mighty cheap – just a quid for a large bottle of beer.  We left them to it about midnight after we’d agreed to meet them today and hire scooters out for the day with them.  Unfortunately, our common sense (yes family, we do have some!!!) prevailed when we woke up this morning and it was raining.  Heat and wet roads do not make for a safe experience on a scooter – especially not on these roads with me riding pillion!!  We decided to leave that for another day; planning on doing that tomorrow (Tuesday) and trying to find our way up to the Great Buddha in the mountains!  Not literally!  There is a mahoooosive Buddha at the top of the mountain in Phuket which we can see from our hotel room.  We booked a couple of extra nights here and moved rooms this morning and now have a view of the beach along with the Giant Buddha from our balcony.  We are planning a trek up there tomorrow to find him!  Today was spent out walking on the gorgeous Kata Beach.  It’s about a mile and a half of beautiful golden sands and blue sea.  We did however find ourselves at the wrong end of the mile and a half without any shelter and it decided to bucket down out of the heavens – you practically get no warning; about 10 seconds – we might as well have just jumped into the sea!  We were soaked through to the skin but it was absolutely exhilarating and an amazing experience.  We have decided to head off to Ko Samui on Wednesday and have booked a bus and ferry to get us there.  We leave at 6am Wednesday morning to start our next journey.  We are hoping to book a beach villa for a month and are trying to arrange to meet the agent who we’ve been in touch with by email when we arrive on Wednesday night.  It’ll be lovely to put down some “roots” for a few weeks and really settle in to life on Ko Samui.  Mind you we have no accommodation booked for when we arrive there Wednesday evening so may have to keep our bags close and our hands on our halfpennies depending on where we end up crashing!  Should be fun.  Tonight is going to be low key, with a meal in our apartment complex and a couple of cocktails as we want an early night so that we can get up bright and early to hire out a scooter for the day - £8 for 24 hour hire!  How bad’s that!!!  Take care all.  M&D

Phuket at last.....

We arrived in Phuket yesterday morning after a 1 hour flight from Bangkok and wow, what a different Thailand.  Lush green vegetation, blue skies and sooooooo much more relaxed.  Sitting by the pool now writing this blog after a day on Kata Beach.  The weather is absolutely glorious, about 30 degrees or so and this is their Winter/Rainy Season.  It rained for an hour or so yesterday afternoon but we were in the pool and it was like being in a warm bath!  Fantastic!  Kata resort is very commercialised and whilst the food is absolutely delicious and cheap, wine is £20+ a bottle.  That's the price for an expensive nights accommodation so we won't be doing that again!  Beer and cocktails only from now on - poor us aye!!!!  We have one more nights accommodation booked here at the Orchidacea Resort and then we will find other accommodation if we can.  If not we can stay on here for another night or two. Planning on going to Ko Samui towards the end of next week as it is apparently much more chilled out and hoping to rent a bungalow for a few weeks and really soak up the sun and atmosphere.   Not sure whether we will fly there (£50 one way and a one hour flight) or catch the local transport (about £12).  The local transport is mini bus and ferry which is about 6 hours travel then either the overnight ferry (6 hours) or the day ferry which is about 2 hours.  Of course we'll keep you up to date on here.  Don't forget I have my phone on so you can text us for free or you can comment on our blog or catch up with us on Facebook.  Even though we are on holiday and far away having an amazing time, we still miss everyone so please keep in touch with us. M&D x

The Tallest Building in Bangkok.....

... did not disappoint.  Went up in a high speed lift to the 83rd floor for a beer and looked out on the 360 degree view of Bangkok - awesome!  (Cheers for the tip Gary Twyman!) The outside revolving balcony was open despite the rain so we had a gander up there too.  What an amazing view although it felt very strange being spun round at that height!  Being the 48th tallest building in the world doesn't sound all that impressive but it was one of those "you had to be there" moments!  The photos just don't do it justice.  Off to Phuket tomorrow morning on an early flight so should be just about on the beach by lunchtime - if it stops bloody raining!  It might be still hot but its very, very heavy rain so no chance of being outside in it.  Take care all.  M&D xx

Pah - Patong!

Patong came and went in about 2 hours - 45 mins of that was the transfer there!!  Completely chaotic.  We traipsed our way through the night market which was peppered with Ping Pong Bars and some very annoying PRs, all of whom claimed their PP bar was the best, cheapest, most erotic etc.  On catching a glimpse through some of the doors, we weren't sure which of the acts had the bollocks!!!!  There were some really stunning looking "girls" walking around but as they say in Thailand, the prettiest girls in Thailand aren't!  As much as an experience it was, we both felt a little uncomfortable from a safety point of view (thought we were being followed by pick-pockets etc) and decided to let that experience pass and wait until we get to the Islands at the weekend to view that Thai delight were it's apparently much more relaxed from a tourist point of view.  We stood out like sore thumbs - very strange feeling to be in the minority!   We headed back to our hotel after knocking down an extortionate taxi fee to a couple of quid, had a fabulous meal in our hotel restaurant Mingles, and have headed off to bed.  Poor Dan hasn't really slept properly since yesterday afternoon and we've both been up since 5am this morning.  Hopefully tonight will bring a normal period of sleep and we will be on "Thai time" come tomorrow morning.  Having a day by the pool tomorrow and a reasonably early night as we are up early Saturday morning to fly down to Phuket.  Beach here we come......!

Floating Markets and Nellie the Elephant!!!

My addition to Dan's post - Today was a GREAT day!  The floating markets in Damnernsaduak were totally awesome - what an experience.  We took a small(ish) boat with a driver and were sped down narrow waterways teeming with wildlife and vegetation and passed wee shanty houses and shacks along the way to the markets.  If only this blog had scratch and sniff - it was amazing - and not always in a good way.  We fought, literally, our way through narrow boat ways along the most amazing market stalls selling every kind of Thai tat going (yes we did make a couple of purchases!)  There were other tiny little boats on the river selling everything from fruit to noodles to beer (we didn't purchase any of these wares - Bangkok belly is already bad enough with the hotel food and drink let alone what they are selling alone the river!).  It was like Piccadilly Circus on water!  A one-way system wouldn't have gone amiss - it was bloody chaos - and bloody brilliant at the same time.  We spent about an hour going through the markets, stopping off at the Coconut Sugar factory on the way and sampling the coconut drinks - very sweet and not all that pleasant - but they were given as a gift so this really was an occasion when it would have been rude to say No!  When we were coming out of the main drag of the markets, our boat driver saw, what we can only gather was a mate, and decided to have a race with him up the river - thankfully, we won - of course!

If that wasn't enough of an experience, we hopped back into our air-conditioned Merc (what a life!) and went on round to the elephant sanctuary where we spent about 45 minutes on a beautiful 1 1/2 year elephant call Veet something (we nicknamed her Banyan) and were walked through forest and jungle and through a very deep ravine whilst on her back.  What an amazing experience.

The Grand Palace was awesome as Dan described except he missed the bloody Emerald Budda when we were in the Royal Monastry - shoulders and legs covered, shoes off and no photos ensures that he will never see it again!

The heat in central Bangkok was unbearable so we were extremely grateful for the AC in our car - Vinai, our driver, took us back to our hotel whereby we sat by the pool, after a fantastic Thai massage, necked a bottle of wine and a couple of coffees and swam in the rain (well Dan did!)  Sorry, I've been asked to mention that it was highly dangerous to him as there was a massive thunder and lightning storm at the time!  Off now to Patpong, to see the real Bangkok!  Can't wait. M&D x

Jet Lagged

After no sleep at all due to the myth of Jet-lag, we finally gave up at 5am this morning and went down to have some breakfast. Our eyes were soon opened properly with the sight of the banquet in front of us. After filling our faces, we made our way to reception to book the days adventures. We were confronted with an offer we could not refuse..... The hotel's very own Merc with our own driver for the whole day for a couple of quid short of £80. With that in-mind we thought we would make the most of it and do everything we had planned to do, But all in one day, to make best use of the car.
First stop was the Floating water market which was about one and a half hours drive from the hotel. That was a great experience, but one to do just once!!!
Second stop was the Elephant ride which was another great experience and only round the corner from the boat ride. We straddled the elephant for about 30 mins, And as long as we kept the banana's flowing, Then the Elephant would carry on walking. The only thing that let the whole experience down was when our Elephant guide tried to sell us jewellery made from Ivory which was totally wrong.
Third stop was the Bangkok Grand Palace. I think the word Grand in the title explains everything. As you can probably tell, it was Maria's choice to visit there, But i did enjoy.......A little bit.
After a little bit of messing about borrowing clothes that covered all of our bodies due to strict religious @@@t, we wondered around the Palace grounds in total amazement. This place was something else. Im sure when maria wakes up she will fill you in with more depth about the Palace, (after she has checked all my spelling and grammer on this post).
After losing several pints of fluid, And removing the borrowed clothes (that would probably have been more than warm enough to cope with Englands winter, Let-alone 35 Degree heat), We made our way back to the car, and back to the hotel to cool off with an ice cool beer or two.
Overall a brilliant and un-forgettable day had by the both of us.
Dan & Maria x  

1st night in Bangkok...!

Well we've arrived in Bangkok, after a pretty horrendous 2nd leg of the journey.  The flight was again with Air Emirates but the weather was shocking and we experienced some awful turbulence for at least half of the journey so sleep was nigh on impossible.  We arrived up at Bangkok airport and walked into a wall of heat when we got outside at 9am - it was about 90 degrees, overcast and really, really humid.  Thankfully our transfer was by way of a Toyota Hybrid that was fully air-conditioned, thankfully.  The Amari Atrium Hotel, in the heart of Bangkok greeted us and looks like its one of the tallest buildings in Bangkok.  Despite our best efforts, sleep got the better of us at around 10am and we woke up at 5.30pm.  We ventured down to the bar (of course!) and had a couple of beers then took in a Pina Colada at the roof top pool bar which overlooks the Bangkok skyline - amazing.  Then, surprise, surprise, bed again!  Eventually managed to drag ourselves into the shower at around 11.30pm and had a meal, authentic Thai of course, at the hotel restaurant.  We haven't made it to Patpong yet, but will venture there tomorrow.  The Thai people all seem so incredibly friendly and polite (and tiny!), we are perfecting the art of the prayer hands and little bows to say thank you already.  Tomorrow we might try and learn some Thai words - that should prove interesting....!

Dubai Airport..........

Just arrived at Dubai airport after a really impressive flight on the biggest plane either of us had ever been on! The flight was a great experience in itself , with excellent food , a nifty little camera on the front nose of the aircraft which beamed images of everything below and infront back to the tv screen on every seat , which was even more exciting when landing , as images of the runway lights got brighter and brighter. (Lolly would have loved it) Over to Maria...... The plane was half empty so we had a spare seat next to us so we could lounge out.  Watched a couple of films while Dan was ecstatic to find a million music channels - even had The Real Thing - he was in heaven!!!  Landed in 35 degrees but the airport is so well air conditioned that its very cool inside so haven't felt any heat yet!!!  Flying out from Dubai at 11pm local time, think that's about 7pm UK time.  Land in Bangkok at 8.30am Wednesday morning so all you guys will be tucked up in bed still as it will be about 2am there.  Will keep you all posted on all things Bangkok - now there should be some interesting posts to look forward too!!!  Think ladyboys and ping pong bars!!!!  Watch this space.  M&D x

At the airport

So we finally made it to the airport lounge after another eventful security process with Maria Linsley......
After a very early morning, no sleep due to Linsley's snoring, and a handful of annoying people at the airport that a head-butt would of easily sorted out, we have made it to the relaxation of the No.1 lounge at Gatwick's North terminal.
The plane is due to take off at 10am (hopefully) and our journey begins to Bangkok with a quick stop over in Dubai. Just as a reminder... Dont expect any phone calls after 10am, because im way too tight to be paying International rates.
Everything you need to know will be on here or FB.
See ya around...... Dan and Maria x

OMG........

The day has arrived!!!  We are packed (almost) - that is the "royal we" of course.  Heading off to Gatwick this afternoon in preparation of flights early tomorrow morning to Bangkok.  We are due to arrive in Thailand on Wednesday morning.  Dan is still lazing in bed being waited on hand and foot - as usual!  He's yet to realise that the cost of this will be him carrying BOTH rucksacks for the next week!  Right, a few things to finalise not least some food and coffee before we head.  Looking forward to the adventure beginning for real and not now just in our heads!  Take care all and be in touch soon.  D&M x

7 sleeps to go.....

Visa's have arrived all duly stamped and officiated - YAY they are letting us in!  International Driving Permits issued and ready for us to take to the roads - should we so desire!  Probably NOT - but better to have them than not!  The rucksacks are packed - well mine is anyway - surprise, surprise but it will no doubt be unpacked and re-packed a million times before we set off for Gatwick on Monday.  It's already back-breakingly heavy - not sure I understand what laws of metaphysics make one pair of flip flops, one lipstick and 10 pairs of drawers quite so heavy!  Tee hee!  Perhaps I've forgotten to calculate the 18 bottles of various toiletries, 18 tops, 6 pairs of shorts, 3 dresses, one (thin) jumper and several electrical items!!!!  Dan's yet to pack his rucky but the pile to be packed currently consists of 2 pairs of swimming shorts, 3 t-shirts, one pair of shoes and one jumper!  No sign of any boxers or socks - does he know something I don't!!!!  He's obviously not planning on washing or shaving either as any sign of acutrements for these activities are glaringly obviously in their omission!!!!!  Take that as TWO rucksacks I be repacking before we head off.