We have just finished our scuba course, we had an insane instructot called Jasper from Denmark.
Our first day involved a morning session of theory and an afternoon in the pool, leaning all the basics.
Then it was off to a dive site called Japanese Gardens to perform skills out in the open water and to then explore the dive site. Loads of colourful fish but this area is mainly known for its coral.
Next day involved two dives again to the japanese gardens but this time for a deeper dive and practicing skills at the bottom, like hovering using your lungs and swapping your air supply with you buddy etc.
Our final dive was the best to a place called Chom Phon Pinnacle, an underwater mountain, this dive was done to 18m and the lowest we were allowed to go. At this dive we saw the most fish inc. angle fish, barrcuda, trigger fish, and a stingray, but i think we all wanted to see whale sharks but its not really the right time of year to see them.
Our second and final dive was at a site called twins, this was our last lot of skills involving removing your mask at the bottom and then wearing sunglasses and dancing around like a fool for the cameraman filming you. We also paid a vist to some clownfish (nemo), hidden in an anemone in the middle of a big stone circle. We also have a copy of this video for all to see although its a bit embarrasing.
Th best bit of the vid has to be when they made us all somersault into the water of the side of the boat with all our gear on.
The afternoon was spent rowing around Buddha point to a place called shark bay, to hunt out some black tipped sharks, but again we didnt see any, rastrick did see a turtle though. I also got a nasty case of sunstroke and dont feel too grand today.
We leave for krabi and Koh Phi Phi tonight.
Tuesday, March 27, 2007
Friday, March 23, 2007
Ko Tao
We left Samui the next day as it was raining and the weather was poor. The island itself is also heavily touristy so we jumped on a boat and headed for Ko Tao, the smallest of the three islands that has a name for great divin
I did feel a little worse for wear after the boat ride but we were immediatly wipped off to a place called Buddha vew and signed up for the padi open water diver course, bye bye 150 quid, but should be worth it.
We also met up with Tash Jenkins and her friend, also doing the diving course.
Evening was spent on the beach decking near a large BBQ and right on the ocean doorstep.
Tommorrow we begin our course with theory in the morning and a pool session in the avo.
It already feels like im back at school!?!
I did feel a little worse for wear after the boat ride but we were immediatly wipped off to a place called Buddha vew and signed up for the padi open water diver course, bye bye 150 quid, but should be worth it.
We also met up with Tash Jenkins and her friend, also doing the diving course.
Evening was spent on the beach decking near a large BBQ and right on the ocean doorstep.
Tommorrow we begin our course with theory in the morning and a pool session in the avo.
It already feels like im back at school!?!
Ko Samui
Flew down to Ko Samui on a twin propeller plane, quite a smooth ride, the airport itself consisted of a group of beach huts.
Booked into a cushy place way out of our budget but was for only one night, cable tv, minibar, pool, bar and beachside resturant.
In the evening we hitched a ride to Chaweng and to a few bars, dodging the attention of prostitutes along the way. However in one bar we were challenged by a couple of ladyboys to some games of connect 4, they are pretty good and its only when one of them walked out the blokes toilet that it dawned they had a little secret hidden under their skirts. It is extremely hard to tell whether these women/man are women or men!!
One aussie guy showed us a pic of him with a ladyboy back at his place, luckily he didnt do anything and found out just in time or so he says!
Ended the evening at a large open air club called the Green Mango, which was a good place aside the from the wafts of excrement you get every now and again from the open drains nearby.
Booked into a cushy place way out of our budget but was for only one night, cable tv, minibar, pool, bar and beachside resturant.
In the evening we hitched a ride to Chaweng and to a few bars, dodging the attention of prostitutes along the way. However in one bar we were challenged by a couple of ladyboys to some games of connect 4, they are pretty good and its only when one of them walked out the blokes toilet that it dawned they had a little secret hidden under their skirts. It is extremely hard to tell whether these women/man are women or men!!
One aussie guy showed us a pic of him with a ladyboy back at his place, luckily he didnt do anything and found out just in time or so he says!
Ended the evening at a large open air club called the Green Mango, which was a good place aside the from the wafts of excrement you get every now and again from the open drains nearby.
Tuesday, March 20, 2007
Chiang Mai
We all instantly liked Chiang Mai, we visited a large temple at the top of one of the local hills/mountains and then chilled by the pool for the afternoon.
The only downside about Chiang Mai is that we are only staying one night due to the fact that everyone was telling us the crop burning was really bad up here, turns out its fine.
On the plus side we fly to the islands tomorrow for roughly 10 days of beach hopping!
The only downside about Chiang Mai is that we are only staying one night due to the fact that everyone was telling us the crop burning was really bad up here, turns out its fine.
On the plus side we fly to the islands tomorrow for roughly 10 days of beach hopping!
2nd Day Lopburi
We trekked around the town for a while in prob the hottest temps so far on our trip, ended up seeing very simailr ruins and temples as before and only about 10 monkeys total.
The evening panned out more like (if you remember them) an Osbourne puzzle adventure trying to get to a place to eat while avioding all the dog packs and the especially agressive ones.
To be honest Lopburi was a bit of a blip on our trip that we should have avoided.
We took the sleeper train in the evening to Chiang Mai, the train was very comfortable and I think i slept most of the way, of the aprrox 12hr journey.
The evening panned out more like (if you remember them) an Osbourne puzzle adventure trying to get to a place to eat while avioding all the dog packs and the especially agressive ones.
To be honest Lopburi was a bit of a blip on our trip that we should have avoided.
We took the sleeper train in the evening to Chiang Mai, the train was very comfortable and I think i slept most of the way, of the aprrox 12hr journey.
Monday, March 19, 2007
Lopburi
We arrived in Lopburi after a very crampt and hot 3rd class train journey, and decided to spent the rest of the day resting in an aircon room with a bit of rubbish tv.
We did however go to eat and as we'd all had far too much Thai cuisine, decided on a bit of western food, a KFC was just around the corner and after ordering a couple of chicken burgers about half an hour later Joseph needed to hurl his guts up, and officialy became the first person to be properly ill from eating over here.
It is typical that Rastrick is the one person who gets ill but not from eating Thai food but from eating home grown western fast food!?!
However he still managed to chow down some sweet and sour pork for dinner a few hours later, no more western food for him!
We did however go to eat and as we'd all had far too much Thai cuisine, decided on a bit of western food, a KFC was just around the corner and after ordering a couple of chicken burgers about half an hour later Joseph needed to hurl his guts up, and officialy became the first person to be properly ill from eating over here.
It is typical that Rastrick is the one person who gets ill but not from eating Thai food but from eating home grown western fast food!?!
However he still managed to chow down some sweet and sour pork for dinner a few hours later, no more western food for him!
Sunday, March 18, 2007
2nd Day Authaya
After my first full nights sleep since being here we decided to rent push bikes, sketchy little things with granny baskets.
We were off on a bike tour of more temples and ruins, although this time we had to contend with Thai traffic which is pretty much an uncertainty, who has right of way i dont know, but we escaped any scrapes apart from special needs rastrick who persisted to knock over his own bike and bash in his granny basket.
A few interesting things at the temples like a Buddhas head grown into a tree and some interesting shrines but too be honest we're pretty sick of temples right now.
In the evening we had some food and managed to watch the Man U V Bolton game at a neighbouring bar on ESPN, a welcome slice of westernism.
We are off to Lopburi tomorrow, apparently its completely overrun by monkeys but at least we have fellow jungle boy as a compatriot.
We were off on a bike tour of more temples and ruins, although this time we had to contend with Thai traffic which is pretty much an uncertainty, who has right of way i dont know, but we escaped any scrapes apart from special needs rastrick who persisted to knock over his own bike and bash in his granny basket.
A few interesting things at the temples like a Buddhas head grown into a tree and some interesting shrines but too be honest we're pretty sick of temples right now.
In the evening we had some food and managed to watch the Man U V Bolton game at a neighbouring bar on ESPN, a welcome slice of westernism.
We are off to Lopburi tomorrow, apparently its completely overrun by monkeys but at least we have fellow jungle boy as a compatriot.
Authaya
After a long drive back from Kanchanaburi we had a short stopover and sleep then the next morn straight to the train station and off to a place called Authaya, 3rd class train, sticking hot and bumpy but prob only about 15p so kinda worth the money.
We booked into a place called the PU guest house and within 1hr were whisked off for a bout tour around the moated island to visit some more temples. (The Thais are relentless in getting money out of you) The best of the temples were large ruins that are very similar to the ruins at Ankhor Wat in Cambodia just not as big.
In the evening we chilled out with some food, however Rastrick decided to step on a cat and get bitten/licked/didnt even break the skin, however the paraniod android was speedily taken off to hospital on the back of a girls moped, and returned an hour later with no problems and they didnt even do anything at the hospital so all is well.
We booked into a place called the PU guest house and within 1hr were whisked off for a bout tour around the moated island to visit some more temples. (The Thais are relentless in getting money out of you) The best of the temples were large ruins that are very similar to the ruins at Ankhor Wat in Cambodia just not as big.
In the evening we chilled out with some food, however Rastrick decided to step on a cat and get bitten/licked/didnt even break the skin, however the paraniod android was speedily taken off to hospital on the back of a girls moped, and returned an hour later with no problems and they didnt even do anything at the hospital so all is well.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
2nd Day Kanchanaburi
ok, so the second day of our trip to Kanchanaburi involved an intersting Elephant trek in the moring, I got to ride my elephant by myself, cos it ws just me and the handler, have to give it a good kick in the ear to change direction, real hairy and coarse buggers. Also wobbly on top.
Next we were driven off for a bamboo ride down the river Kwai, where we got a chance to get wet and cool off, prob with a dozen river snakes and stuff, but after all ignorance is bliss until you get bit.
Finally we went to a place called Erawan National Park to check out the 7 tiers of waterfalls and swim with some fishes who also enjoy biting you, but not too badly.
The top waterfall is a 1hr hike uphil and in 35 degree heat was pretty tough.
Finally we had a long bus journey back with a group of what looked like thai soldiers, prob heading to the capital due to increased bomb alerts from terrorists, luckily we head to Authaya in the morn.
Next we were driven off for a bamboo ride down the river Kwai, where we got a chance to get wet and cool off, prob with a dozen river snakes and stuff, but after all ignorance is bliss until you get bit.
Finally we went to a place called Erawan National Park to check out the 7 tiers of waterfalls and swim with some fishes who also enjoy biting you, but not too badly.
The top waterfall is a 1hr hike uphil and in 35 degree heat was pretty tough.
Finally we had a long bus journey back with a group of what looked like thai soldiers, prob heading to the capital due to increased bomb alerts from terrorists, luckily we head to Authaya in the morn.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Kanchanaburi
We have now left Bangkok and traveled in a VIP minibus for the 3 of us to Damoan Saduk (i think) floating market which was pretty cool, floating down past stalls of Thai souvenirs and mostly tacky stuff, the odd banana lady sailing past prob selling each banana for about 3p, I cant see how she makes a living to be honest.
Next stop was a handicraft center were workers create huge wall pieces and furniture from solid wood, some of them take over 9 months to carve by one guy.
Onto the bridge over the river kwai and war cemetery, not very interesting but has to be done due to the fame back home, it doesn't look much like it did in the film though.
The highlight of the day has to be when we visited a place called tiger temple, where a group of monks have taken in orphaned tigers and other animals and the tigers roam free with the monks and visitors, there was also a bear that rastrick got to go and personally meet, I just think Mowgli recognized Baloo and fancied catching up.
Currently we are staying in Kanchanaburi in a floating hut next to the river, Rastrick and Green are at the end of the pier bar drinking beers for 90p each and I think im going to join them now, tomorrows activities include Elephant trekking, bamboo rafting, and swimming in 7 tiers of waterfalls in Erawan national park, enjoy the UK!
Next stop was a handicraft center were workers create huge wall pieces and furniture from solid wood, some of them take over 9 months to carve by one guy.
Onto the bridge over the river kwai and war cemetery, not very interesting but has to be done due to the fame back home, it doesn't look much like it did in the film though.
The highlight of the day has to be when we visited a place called tiger temple, where a group of monks have taken in orphaned tigers and other animals and the tigers roam free with the monks and visitors, there was also a bear that rastrick got to go and personally meet, I just think Mowgli recognized Baloo and fancied catching up.
Currently we are staying in Kanchanaburi in a floating hut next to the river, Rastrick and Green are at the end of the pier bar drinking beers for 90p each and I think im going to join them now, tomorrows activities include Elephant trekking, bamboo rafting, and swimming in 7 tiers of waterfalls in Erawan national park, enjoy the UK!
2nd Day Bangkok
Needing an early start we staved off too many beers last night and headed for the cities main attractions.
Firstly we took the sky train to the river and a river ferry to the grand palace, While being hassled by Thais who think we are stupid enough to believe its closed so they can take us on a jewelery special deal tuk tuk package.
The grand palace is quite majestic and is covered in tiny colourful pieces, and the trees all around are poodled effectively every day. We also visited the reclining Buddha, a giant 45ft long gold Buddha lying down, its a little on the pointless side but if you can build it why not!?!
There was also a shrine completely made from gold leaf, the Thais defenitly like making things shiny.
In the evening we found a restaurant that is meant to be one of the best in Bangkok, the whole meal came to about 6 pounds, spot on!
Again we came across Boris in the evening, today he was sporting a womans shirt with a black bra underneath, again he was hogging the tv!
Firstly we took the sky train to the river and a river ferry to the grand palace, While being hassled by Thais who think we are stupid enough to believe its closed so they can take us on a jewelery special deal tuk tuk package.
The grand palace is quite majestic and is covered in tiny colourful pieces, and the trees all around are poodled effectively every day. We also visited the reclining Buddha, a giant 45ft long gold Buddha lying down, its a little on the pointless side but if you can build it why not!?!
There was also a shrine completely made from gold leaf, the Thais defenitly like making things shiny.
In the evening we found a restaurant that is meant to be one of the best in Bangkok, the whole meal came to about 6 pounds, spot on!
Again we came across Boris in the evening, today he was sporting a womans shirt with a black bra underneath, again he was hogging the tv!
1st Day in Bangkok
After a heavy night we eventually made it out by about 2pm, we were going to hit the temples but decided we would have some retail therapy instead.
First stop off the monorail style sky train which flies over the gridlocked, polluted traffic in Bangkok was Siam Square for some very upmarket shops that were just as expensive as back home. One thing you notice in Bangkok is how smelly some of the streets can be the Square is very new and trendy but on your way there you will undoubtedly gag once or twice at the fish in 35 degree heat being prepared by street vendors.
Next stop was the MBK centre, an 8 floor heaven for shopaholics, we just hit one floor and a small market area with knockdown prices, a very similar pair of shorts i bought for 40 quid is prob only about 3 pounds here.
We had quiet evening but also first met our friendly neighbour who we named Boris the Pre-op, the first instance we spotted him wearing an all in one pink babies outfit for adults, and he hogs the tv dammit.
First stop off the monorail style sky train which flies over the gridlocked, polluted traffic in Bangkok was Siam Square for some very upmarket shops that were just as expensive as back home. One thing you notice in Bangkok is how smelly some of the streets can be the Square is very new and trendy but on your way there you will undoubtedly gag once or twice at the fish in 35 degree heat being prepared by street vendors.
Next stop was the MBK centre, an 8 floor heaven for shopaholics, we just hit one floor and a small market area with knockdown prices, a very similar pair of shorts i bought for 40 quid is prob only about 3 pounds here.
We had quiet evening but also first met our friendly neighbour who we named Boris the Pre-op, the first instance we spotted him wearing an all in one pink babies outfit for adults, and he hogs the tv dammit.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Touchdown and first night in Bangkok
Flight was not too bad, long and uncomfortable but ive had worse, good selection of films although i think i made a bad choice opting for Babel, def not a happy feel good film. As i watched we flew over Afghanistan and Kabul, rounding Mt Everest, but i cudnt see anything twas on the wrong side of the plane.
Already met some sound peeps, who took us under their wing and straight to the seediest and most lively part of Phrat pong, and what goes on at Phrat pong, Ping Pong. Out first beer outside the hostel was drunk while taking in the sights of 4 half naked thai girls. The whole show itself prob last over 2hrs, while your sat there being lynched of money. We didnt actually make it to the finally as we got bored to be honest, although the highlight or possibly not was seeing a woman pull a piece of string out of her gentalia with rather large pins attached to it, def not for the fainthearted. Oh and were pretty sure the coke bottle act was performed by a post op ladyboy, and not a very convinving one either. We finished the night at a good place playing live music, all the classics were performed very well by a thai 5 piece, one final prob of drinking in the red light district is the fact that any woman in the bar not of western origin is most prob gonna cost you, but if you into that then so be it.
The motto of Bangkok so far for most people is 'anything goes!'
Quote of night 'I dont mind watching but im not gonna give them any money!'
Already met some sound peeps, who took us under their wing and straight to the seediest and most lively part of Phrat pong, and what goes on at Phrat pong, Ping Pong. Out first beer outside the hostel was drunk while taking in the sights of 4 half naked thai girls. The whole show itself prob last over 2hrs, while your sat there being lynched of money. We didnt actually make it to the finally as we got bored to be honest, although the highlight or possibly not was seeing a woman pull a piece of string out of her gentalia with rather large pins attached to it, def not for the fainthearted. Oh and were pretty sure the coke bottle act was performed by a post op ladyboy, and not a very convinving one either. We finished the night at a good place playing live music, all the classics were performed very well by a thai 5 piece, one final prob of drinking in the red light district is the fact that any woman in the bar not of western origin is most prob gonna cost you, but if you into that then so be it.
The motto of Bangkok so far for most people is 'anything goes!'
Quote of night 'I dont mind watching but im not gonna give them any money!'
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Curry and Tequila
Should start this blog off and hope that I can be bothered to continue it.
Quality going away meal last night, many Boonahs going round, im not looking forward to the evacuation of the curry at 30,000ft but it should provide ample entertainment for the patrons sitting near the toilet, and the next mile highers.
Lets all hope that Rastrick is alive today, as me and green left him at 1am still going strong, I think he'd probably forgotton he was going travelling, knowing how special he is.
Oh and a big thanks to nelly for introducing Tequila at the end of the night, had a very foul taste in my mouth this morn.
Anyways time to pack the rest of my stuff and go watch a bit of rugby before we hit the skies.
Quality going away meal last night, many Boonahs going round, im not looking forward to the evacuation of the curry at 30,000ft but it should provide ample entertainment for the patrons sitting near the toilet, and the next mile highers.
Lets all hope that Rastrick is alive today, as me and green left him at 1am still going strong, I think he'd probably forgotton he was going travelling, knowing how special he is.
Oh and a big thanks to nelly for introducing Tequila at the end of the night, had a very foul taste in my mouth this morn.
Anyways time to pack the rest of my stuff and go watch a bit of rugby before we hit the skies.
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