....25 to go!
Yesterday I flew down to Phuket - really straightforward, found myself a minibus heading down to Karon, which would drop me off at my hotel which saved me the taxi. I actually spoke to someone (but obviously she had to start the conversation) on the minibus, she was Swiss and has recommended me a place to stay in Vietnam when I get there.
My island paradise however, is a slightly damp island paradise. It does clear up from time to time, but it’s mainly cloudy, as a result, my KPI of getting a good tan is NOT going well! (shallow? Moi? Of course!)
After a bit of a catch up on emails, I decided to head out for a bit of an explore, so having consulted my trusty Lonely Planet, I decided on the Red Onion restaurant. Unfortunately, everyone else had also consulted their Lonely Planets, and the Red Onion was packed.
Undeterred, and in an unstructured and spontaneous way (see, I CAN operate sans spreadsheet!), I decided to choose another restaurant. Which was lovely, if slightly more expensive (outrageous - a massive £4 for Chicken with cashew nuts and rice). After dinner, I thought I’d go for a little stroll to get my bearings.
Karon is the neighbouring resort to Patong, which is Phuket’s answer to Blackpool. Karon itself is quieter, but appears to be Scandinavia on Sea. Which is fine, it just means there are lots of beautiful, blonde (with STRAIGHT hair - more on that later), tanned Swedish women, to go alongside the beautiful Thai women.
Brilliant.
This morning, I woke ridiculously early - like SEVEN am. Popped to a local café for my brekkie and smiled at another lone person. Did a bit of shopping - managed to barter myself a beach towel - I’m sure I got ripped off, but hey ho, I didn’t pay the asking price at least.
Had my first Thai Massage today - it was £5 for an hour. Thai Massage is really like assisted Yoga. So really, it’s like doing exercise, but someone does it for you. Excellent. And yes, I’m sure she did point out that I have very short hamstrings.
Popped down to the Beach for an hour or two, but then the rain came. I was going to stick it out, but I noticed two twister-type clouds in the distance, so I elected to retreat to my room, just in case a typhoon hit Karon…….
So then I did a bit of email, read a bit, played hairdressers (ooh, to those who are on the knife edge about my bonkers curly hair situation, I have discovered a method that stops it going quite so triangle in the Crystal Tipps Fashion). I still look weird though. To those who do not know who Crystal Tipps is, Google it you lazy creatures (or Yahoo it - sorry Csaba!). It doesn’t help that in a town which is smaller than Windsor, there are about 20 hairdressers, all of whom are taunting me with adverts of ’permanent straightening, only 1500 Bht’ (which is about £30. If I didn’t think it’d all fall out, I’d go & do it)
But I have a bit of a confession. (No, not THAT sort of confession)
I feel terribly guilty, and I know there are lots of people who would love to be where I am right now,
But
I’m ever so slightly,
Dare I admit it?
BORED
There, I’ve said it. (although you probably guessed it from the way I was chuntering on about my hair)
Karon’s just not a backpacker (or even flash packer) haunt. It’s just full of couples and families. And the rain means that it’s not that nice to just sit outside with a book and a drink. It’s quite a small place and I’ve walked round it three times already today.
I went out for dinner (Foodie fans: to the Red Onion this time, had Tom Kun Gai - (Chicken & coconut soup), egg fried rice & chicken satay - a bargainacious £3) at 6 and was home by 7.
I was going to have a mini adventure and hop over to the next resort, which is apparently a bit more laid back, but couldn’t spot a Songthaew (local minibus) for love or money.
Hey ho, I may have another wander round later, or go crazy and pop down to the bar in the hotel (there’s no one in there though)
BUT
Before you all think either ‘miserable bitch, she doesn’t know she’s born’ or ‘Oh my God she hates it’- I’m fine. Honestly. Just twiddling my thumbs a bit. Tomorrow I join my yacht (darling) for 2 weeks, where I won’t have a second to be bored, and after that, I have PLANS. And I don’t hate it at all, I just chose the wrong location. I’ve had lots of new experiences, learnt heaps, gained loads of confidence & had no stresses or hassles at all - I think a few hours of boredom is a small price to pay really - don’t you?
