Well, I've covered a fair bit of ground since my last update and I'm really starting to get the hang of this whole traveling thing now!
I can hardly believe it's a month today since I left England. The time has gone so fast - it really only seems like last week that I was getting off the plane in Bangkok.
Highlights so far have been:
Bangkok - Baan Dinso Guest House, visiting the Grand Palace, the walk to Hualumphong Railway Station through China town, surviving the madness of it all, seeing the (in)famous Th Khosan Road at night.
Overnight train ride to Surat Thani (South)
Koh Phangan - Sleeping in a hammock and watching the surise
Koh Tao - snorkeling, chilling out, lazing on the beach, tom yum soup at Chalok Laguna, the french toast at JJ Resort, sipping G&T from Koh Tao Paradise Resort terrace whilst the sun set, the view from Eagle View bar, riding into Hat Sairee and back on an ATV
Kanchanaburi - cycling around the lovely flat coutryside along laburnham and palm tree lined roads, past fields of sugar cane and rice paddies, the food and service at 'Apple Guest House' (where I wish I'd stayed but didn't), visiting the Bridge Over the River Kwai, taking the bus to and visiting 'Hell Fire Pass' then getting the train back along the old railway, learning the story of the Thai-Burma Railway and realising the plight of the POWs, discovering Swensen's Ice Cream Parlour - thanks Lids for that recommendation (check out http://www.swensensicecream.com/index.php?sw_parlour).
Ayuthia - seeing parrots and a huge lizard from bedroom window around the pond at Baan Lotus Guest House whilst listening to the frogs and cicadas (though I could have done without the cockeral)! Sampling the rather yummy but infamously smelly (it wasn't) durian fruit, the very old Wat ruins all lit up at night, playing with the baby elephants at the Elephant Kraal.
Mae Sot - Succesfully getting a further 30 day visa for Thailand by crossing the'Friendship Bridge'into Myanmar (unfortunatley Mywady, the town on the other side was the biggest, nastiest, unwelcoming hole ever and though I planned to make a day of it I left within about 40 minutes of arriving), the fab Burmese chicken/peanut Penang curry I ate at the local restaurant, fresh lime sodas that I've not managed to find anywhere else yet.
Chaing Mai - the warren of streets that weave in and around the old city, the art gallery, Smoothy Blues Cafe and Juice4u, the Saturday Walking Street market full of beautiful and inexpensive food, nik nacks, clothes and jewellery (I resisted the temptation to buy with the thought I'd have to carry whatever I bought)! The layed back atmosphere and general charm of the place.
Pai - arriving in a thunderstorm and getting absolutely soaking wet walking to 'Pai'radise Guest House, the beautiful scenery, the layed back atmosphere and 'Glastonbury/Green Fields' vibe, the promise of some trekking and mountain biking to come!
Well that's pretty much the story so far. I've uploaded and tried to organise my pics though some of the ayuthia ones are stuck in the Pai folder - this site is a bit tempramental on the picture side of things at times, but you can probably get the idea! The ruins, elephants and buddah images were all taking in Ayuthia. I also realised I neglected to take one picture whilst I was in Chang Mai! I guess I was too busy sipping iced coffee and smoothies and soaking up the atmosphere!
Not sure how long I'm going to stay here in Pai, probably a few more days as its so beautiful. Next I'm heading for Laos. There's a good chance I shall be spending my birthday floating down the Mekong on a slow boat to Luang Pabang but I shall keep you posted! Plans tend to be a bit fluid!
Hope you are all well and happy.
Lots of love, missing everyone loads.
Nx
