Ko Phangan

Came to Ko Phangan on Sunday after a epic journey and such a rough boat ride. We checked into what was promised to be an amazing hostel but as I was trying to have a quiet night it awful. The next morning there was no water so the one shower we had was rendered useless. Myself, Cat and Michelle (friends from Phi Phi) decided to get a hotel room together so we are now staying in a nicer place for cheaper! Ko Phangan isn't actually that great, the beach is just like Magaluff apparently, loads of British people with blaring music and beer. Two nights ago we went to a pool party and I think I got spiked which was just a horrible experience, luckily I was still with my friends who took me home..kind of scary still though...and annoying as I didn't even leave my drink. Had a quiet day yesterday recovering from the effects of the night before (not pleasant) and found sunset beach which was so lovely and relaxed. Today Cat and I and some of her friends took a ride up to the north of the island but to be honest there isn't much here. We finished off with a game of volleyball on the beach...it has to be done!

Tomorrow I am leaving for Ko Tao to do my diving course (so excited!) and tonight is the Full Moon, though I am trying not to get my hopes up as I don't want it to be a disappointment!

Still in Phi Phi

Still in Phi Phi, this place is incredible! The day before last we took in Long Beach which was beautiful but on the 'quiet' side of the island and had a richer clientele. The walk to get there was a bit of a mission, there was some serious guesswork going on as to where the path was going! Then yesterday 10 of us hired out a longboat to take us around the island, we went over to Phi Phi Ley where we landed on Maya Bay where they filmed 'The Beach', it's absolutely stunning. We also stopped off in various places to snorkel which was unreal. It was my first time snorkeling and did not disappoint... I had a bit of a shock though as my snorkel had water in from where I had jumped in so he first thing I did was inhale a huge amount of water! The was not the best thing in the world as I did panic slightly right ion the middle of the ocean! The fish are incredible, the colours are so vibrant and we saw some coral as well. I dived down to get a closer look and was a bit too late taking a breath so got another mouthful of water...not so good.

I have got my first burn, it's just a tiny patch but it hurts so much. The toe splinter seems to have sorted itself out but I now have a cut on the sole of my foot!

Probably leaving in the next couple of days to hit the full moon on Ko Phangan...promises to be a good trip.

Ko Phi Phi

Well I survived the rock bed but did not fare so well in Phuket town, there was just nothing there so I decided to get the first boat out of there the next morning which was the best decision I have made yet. I came to Ko Phi Phi and it's incredible...beautiful location full of beautiful people. I stumbled across an English guy in a dive shop who pointed me in the direction of the Rock which is the best backpackers guesthouse I have been to and not even in my guidebook!!! I am in a dormroom with about 12 other people and it's amazing, I have made three best friends already and everyone is travelling on their own so we are like kindred spirits.

There are a group of people who have been here for about 2 weeks who took us up to the viewpoint last night where we watched the sunset over the bay before a wild beach party which happens every night where you drink for free! Everyone is sleeping off the effects of last night at the moment but hopefully we will take a boat round to Longbeach later which is the best on the island.

I think I might end up staying here a while, I can see why people get hooked and never leave!

I went adventuring yesterday along the beach though an got a huge splinter in my toe :( ...it hurts.

Laeoo juhhr gan

Phuket

Had my first genuine Thai experience yesterday when I visited a temple out of Changmai and was literally the only westerner there, starving hungry I asked a woman who was handing out food if I could buy some as there were no vendors around (a rare thing in Thailand!). She said no, it was free and invited me to eat with her family who were there for a ceremony to initiate her nephew into the monkhood. Nor was the only one who spoke english so had to translate all of the questions between myself and her family. At the end of the day there was no transport back to Changmai so I decided to start walking in what I thought was the right direction. It turned out I was actually going completely the opposite direction so I ended up hitching a lift to the main road and then catching a taxi back to the city...a bit of an interesting day all in all.

Today I flew down to Phuket which is absolutely beautiful though I probably won't stay long as it is full of package tourists and is very expensive. Also my bed is like a rock!

laaeo juuhr gan

p.s. Thank you for the comments, it's so mice to hear from you all, I miss you loads xx

Cooking course

After a giant water fight I met a lovely couple from Brighton who I have been with for the last couple of days. Yesterday we went up the mountain to the 'holiest temple in the north', Doi Suthep which was in a more Burmese style than the ones in Bangkok. I also discovered that people have a different buddha depending on which day of the week they were born to whom they make offerings which bring good luck. I also think I got blessed with holy water by a monk so the rest of the trip should go well! We then headed back in the old city of Changmai and did all of the temples down here, which are much less ornate than those in Bangkok but the old teak ones are so beautiful especially as the sun sets. At sunset the monks had prayer which we watched and found it was pretty moving actually.

Today was the cooking course which was fantastic, we made seven different dishes with varying success. I think the best was actually my Thai yellow curry, not bad for my first curry ever! The recipes are fairly simple, it might just be a bit difficult getting all of the ingredients back home. Ella and Sean (from Brighton) fly to India tomorrow so I'm not sure where I am going to move onto from Changmai, I'll let you know in the next post!

Once again I have forgotten to bring my camera lead but I will try to upload some photos at some point.

Laeeo juurh gan

Changmai

End of the first day here in Changmai and I can't believe I wasted any time in Bangkok! It is so much more fun and more friendly, I have met so many lovely people, probably because I am staying in a guesthouse as well. It only cost 4 pounds so we will see how it goes! The night market was beautiful, I have turned into a proper hippie but am still resisting the lure of genuine fisherman's trousers...not sure how long that will last! The night train here was not exactly what I was expecting, got ripped off by the travel agent who I thought was giving us a really good deal. I say ripped off, only by about a fiver but it feels like a lot when you are paying so little for everything. The a/c carriage I was expecting turned out to be a fan in a long galley of 39 people but it was a good experience and not as bad as I thought it would be when I first got on the train.

Changmai water festival was even better than in Bangkok, they have a moat which surrounds the town so there were kids playing in the water all day like on the ganges in India. There is so much to do here as well, hopefully doing a cookery course and an elephant ride in the next few days then thinking about going north into the hill country up to Pai which is beautiful.

laaeo juuhr gan

Songkran

wow...Songkran was incredible! The Thais sure know how to party, one giant water fight lasting about three days!! Met some amazing people over water fights who have given me loads of tips on where to go/ what to see. I am leaving for Chiang Mai tonight with three of them on the sleeper train which apparently is a fantastic journey. Sampled the Thai whiskey which was less than fantastic however!

Yesterday I did the tourist trail and saw the Grand Palace. King Rama 1 who built it has basically taken the best bits of countries all over the world and copied them into his palace, we saw the emerald buddha and then onto Wat Pho where after a lot of searching and being drenched we eventually found the reclining buddha. So glad I didn't miss the night market, the atmosphere is electric!

Arrivals

I made it, eventually after a ridiculously long flight! Luckily I met a really lovely couple called Kris and Susie on the plane, it was definitely a bonding experience when we discovered that Bangkok Airport is not even in Bangkok and much hilarity ensued trying to work out which bus to get when everything was written in Thai! I then had the ride of my life getting to the hotel when my taxi driver decided to just jump red lights occasionally!

It really is a different world out here, people in poverty living right under huge office blocks is a sight to see. The main area of the city is very well kept though and the 'dress rules' that everyone talks about don't seem to exist! I haven't managed to hook up with any other backpackers yet, in the area I'm staying they are a little thin on the ground. I am going over to the backpacker area tomorrow though and will probably do the temples so hopefully more luck there. No pictures as of yet but I will try and do some for the next post.

laaeo juuhr gan

Departures

Well, here it is...departure day! Leaving in a minute for the airport...rediculously excited and also panicking a little! I keep waking up and remembering things I haven't packed or done before I go, never a good start! Ah well, wish me luck :D

xx