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    Recovery Day

    18 février 2022, Thaïlande 🌧 28 °C

    I wake this morning and im glad that all the girls are in their beds. I head out for coffee I am so In need of a pick me up as I'm hanging out my arse. When I arrive back to the hostel there are a few people around but I don't want to sit in tge hostel all day. We make arrangements to go to the beach and by the time it's all sorted we don't get there till 1pm. It's about a 20 minute taxi to Malibu beach but boy is it worth it. The sand is so soft and although the water is colder its well received. They have a wave breaker at the beach which keeps the jelly fish out so I get to enjoy a nice swim and relax on the beach. Most of the people from the hostel have joined and I enjoy sitting and talking with a Thai girl called Kate who trys to help me with my Thai pronunciation, but the difference is so big and I think my ears not trained to hear the high and low sounds. We discuss whether it's better to travel with a phone as it taken away from the connection travellers but honestly I Don't know how I coped without one. Kilian takes the challenge to try and get the coconut from the tree and after climbing up struggles to detach it after a little perseverance though the coconut drops to the ground. We can't open it here so take it back to the hostel. After a quick shower Matty messages me to say the pool team need an extra member so he comes and picks me up and we head to Reds to meet up. The match is in island life and the team are all Thai but I feel OK. I am playing 3rd and here it is different rules to back home 4 players play best of 3 games then the doubles team play best of 3 . I'm so glad when I win my games with a great shot on the black the whole place is in uproar. After the game we go to meet the rest of the crew at the whisky bar. A couple more drinks and it's home to bed. #justtravel #solotravel #worldtravel #travelphotography #wanderlust #dowhatmakesyouhappy #travelasia #ThailaEn savoir plus

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    Full moon party

    17 février 2022, Thaïlande ☁️ 27 °C

    I wake in the morning and im glad we couldn't really drink yesterday as im fresh as a daisy today. Im delighted when i get a text off James to see if I fancy breakfast. Its great to catch up hearing of the adventures theyve been up to. I'm glad to know everyone is in one piece and that no-one has fallen off their bikes. The early part of the afternoon is spent hanging around the hostel then Matty suggests we should all go to Reds the liverpool bar. We are now 4 scouscers in the group so it kind of makes sense. We enjoy chips and curry sauce and a few games of pool before heading to the Market to buy our outfits for tonight, The girls are looking at beautiful dresses but I opt for a sensible option as there's going to be a lot of sand and a lot of neon paint. In the hostel matt and Sonny have beer pong going then the jenga comes out. Not just normal Jenga each block has a dare on it but all pretty much involve drinking copious amounts of alcohol. When all the girls come down I feel very underdressed so pop back upstairs and throw on a different outfit. We've ordered a taxi and as we all board , we start singing songs, it starts with the stereophonics and turns into Liverpool songs. I'm absolutely buzzing. Ning works in the hostel and advises us to get drinks before we head in. Her partner is a dj at the event so I doubt it's the first one she's been to and knows th score.
    The full moon party originated in 1985 when a group of travellers decided to all meet up on the beach and now happens on Koh phagnan every month on the night of the full moon. Its still attended by mainly tourists and people travel from all over the world to enjoy the music fire rope jumping and plenty of buckets of Thai whisky or rum. I get myself stuck in and have a ball dancing till the early hours. This month they still have an 11pm curfew and its only the second party since covid struck. Usually the partying would continue till the sun rises but its madness trying to get a taxi as everyone is leaving at the same time but I jump in the back of a truck with a group of strangers. The next thing I know is two of the girls are fighting the Thai lady chucks them off and once we are full again we set off. The truck stops at various points and then its my turn to disembark. Every one accounted for I volunteer to do a toasties run to the 7/11 before heading for bed.    En savoir plus

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    Macha Bucha

    16 février 2022, Thaïlande 🌧 27 °C

    It hasn't stopped raining since about 3 this morning and it's pretty much set in for the day. I wake early and with having drunk so much I feel like I've got an axe in my head. I walk as far as the coffee shop and get a proper coffee, in the slight hope that it might sort me out, but it's to no avail and I even get one to take away. Today is Makha Bucha day which is to honour Buddha and the teachings he offered on the full moon day. Its almost comical as thousands of people have turned up to koh phagnan for a party and nowhere is allowed to sell beer, although I think if you look hard enough you'd properly find one served to you wrapped with newspaper and an elastic band round it or poured into a coffee cup. . I venture out later in the morning and go to the 7/11 to do a shop for bits and pieces luckily the guys at SeeSea hostel have an umbrella although wearing flip-flops in the rain doesn't make for good walking. Talking about flip-flops I am constantly amazed at how many random single flip-flops there are in the street. I mean really how do you leave one flip-flop behind? And it's not like it's a one off I pretty much see it every time we go out. We spend the day in the hostel and to be fair the owners Matt and Sonny they entertain us in the afternoon as its still pouring,After a game of Uno we have a trivia quiz and matt takes me to the red bar a liverpool bar here in Thailand and after a "coffee" and a game of pool I head back with mac and cheese for tea. I lounge around for an hour or so and I'm shocked at how many peand matt and Sonny ask if I'd like to join them at two rocks . Matt takes me down on the bike first and then him and Sonny follow. I've set up the balls for pool and there is a Thai guy who is on his own hovering over the pool table so I ask if he wants a game. Luckily I beat him and the I take on Matt with another victory under my belt. I've missed pool so much in the uk because when the bars had to have tables the pool tables were taken out. The Thai guy Keg comes and joins us and tells us about his family. I love the way if you give the time Thai people share their stories. .En savoir plus

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    Pre pre moon party.

    15 février 2022, Thaïlande 🌧 29 °C

    Today we leave Koh lanta and its been a pleasure. The bus picks us up promptly at 820 and after telling us there were 7 people we are now 11 and passing the rucksacks down the bus so the guy hasn't got to open the door. We arrive in Krabi and drop off a couple then is another couple of hours on the minibus to surat thani. We arrive to Don Sak ferry port at just after 2 and even though I think the ferry is leaving at 4 it actually leaves just after 6. Apart from the Thai people on board I'm probably the oldest, but there's life in the old dog yet . The ferry crossing is a little bit wobbly and people have already started on the Thai rum I wonder if they will all make it to sure without being sick or falling overboard. True to word half way through the voyage there's a guy puking in the ladies toilet sink. We've made plans to head out to a party tonight and leah(the scouser) is already at the hostel. By the time the ferry arrives and we arrive at the hostel its gone 9pm and the other guys have already left, so we grab a quick shower and head to Oxa a bar/club in a tuc tuc. It's 150 baht each and its quite a decent down but you can hear the music pumping. It's packed and it's quite random because lots of people we've met along the way are here too. I order a bucket of vodka and coke as I can't be bothered queuing again at the bar. Its crazy how you just keep bumping into random people we meet along the way. We once again meet up with Dakota and he tops up my bucket with more vodka . The bar shuts at 11 as this is still the curfew here. We chance our luck by going back to the arena but the only thing I can get here is a coke which probably isn't a bad thing. The guys head off and come back with a bottle of Thai whiskey and we sit on the balcony enjoying a drink. Two of the guys come back from the shop and have come off their bike. Luckily it's only a few bumps and bruises and at this point I take the moment to put myself to bed. I'm staying in a mixed dorm and that drunk I fall straight asleep and don't even hear the guys come to bedEn savoir plus

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    La Gon

    14 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 26 °C

    I'm staying in the loveliest resort called Khum Lanta we have a wonderful pool so i decide to make the most of it and have a day by the pool. I sit on my balcony when Saw the cleaning lady comes over and asks if I want my room cleaning. I say it's fine and come down and sit on the step with her. She used to work in 3 different places with her daughter before covid and at the moment only one place has reopened. Her son will arrive tonight who is only 17 but stays in a different place in Thailand but today is the start of the holidays so she will spend time with him when she's not working. I ask if she has ever been to the 4 Islands and when she says no I offered to pay for her and her son to go but she refuses. She says she cant get the time off because the other lady is off with her children. I give her an offering and tell here to buy something special for dinner tonight with having the family back together. In tge early evening hilmi invites me to the beach to share a bbq with banana and the crew. I enjoy spending time with Thai people we could all learn as much from them as they have learnt from us. !! One of the most beautiful things here is that every sunset is different and as the kids play in the water so happily we enjoy the time together and I learn that La Gon is something they say when you are leaving the island and won't be seeing each other for a long time. How apt I can actually use it tonight . As the sky darkens we are treated to a Thunderstorm without the rain and drinking Thai rum and soda over the rocks out of cut off plastic bottles we end the evening sharing snacks and milkshake before I return to my room for my early departure tomorrow.En savoir plus

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    Emerald cave

    13 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 29 °C

    I'm joining Hilmi today for a boat trip to the long islands. We get a minivan down to the pier and after a couple of pickups we sit waiting for other guests to arrive before boarding the long boat. Taking time with Thai people makes such a difference as they are in the know and will always help. So when I jump off to do snorkeling at Koh Ma the guy points to the other side of the boat and says here is good. The beautiful limestone landscape hangs over us as I swim around the coral clad shore. A picture doesn't do something like this justice and things are about to jump to another level. We stop the boat at the entrance to the cave and have to swim inside. After 10 minutes of swimming we turn the corner and there is light. A short swim takes us into a limestone surrounded beach its so idyllic but a photo can't encapsulate the raw beauty. Its called Emerald cave and is on the island of Koh mook. There is a girl on the boat who has her rucksack and is staying on the island. I'm very jealous because it is one of the most beautiful places I've seen. We get the opportunity for another snorkel before rocking up Koh Ngai beach its a little paddle to the beach where the guys carry the good from the boat set up a little picnic and I sit eating massaman curry and rice, and even a cold can of full fat coca cola I'm I my element. As i look up there are eagles and toucans in the tree above us. The natural beauty has really come back to the island with les tourists. The boat trip back however is not so great. We can see the rain coming in and it's literally waves bouncing up and swathing me in huge buckets of sea water. I put my microfiber towel up and it does a pretty good job of sheltering me and the young Thai girl next to me. Her and her partner have joined us on the trip and are related to the owners as we come closer to shore I ring the towel out and everyone laughs at how much water comes out. We arrive at shore and jump aboard a much fuller minivan to take us home. As me and hilmi are at the back we keep helping the lady driving by dropping the back tail gate and getting the step out so people can disembark. What she doesn't realise is we are both bursting for the toilet and the sooner we get back the better. I head to a local restaurant for dinner with Hilmi as they have brought fresh fish to barbecue and its so delicious although its huge I can't quite eat it all I enjoy what I have. I return back to the room early to watch the game and although I have to keep walking around the complex to get a signal I manage to enjoy watching the red men get another 3 points.En savoir plus

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    Long beach and Mai Thai

    12 février 2022, Thaïlande ☁️ 29 °C

    I wake up early and spend the morning sorting out paperwork. There are things that would be easier in the uk but nevertheless I persist and eventually at 11am I'm done. I have been invited by hilmi to join him at long beach and I take up the offer. I sit by the pool relaxing and reading and watch the children playing on a scooter.I smile to myself watching the children share the scooter without a cross word and thinking of how differently that would play out at home.It's a family run place, and they have an elderly Thai man who they care for, bringing him outside and making him comfortable and my guess would be he has cancer but there's no chemotherapy or radiotherapy for the poorer people here and I don't think that's a bad thing strangely as they use natural ways of dealing with pain and ailments. In the afternoon I take a ride to long beach with hilmi and we sit on our little perch watching the world go by learning new things from each other. It's a quick sss (shit shower and shave) before I head out for the mai tai boxing. There are a good 9 of us going and so we hail a tuc tuc for the 5 of us and within 15 minutes we arrive at the stadium. The ticket includes a thai buffet, which is a selection of local tai food and rice i can honestly say there is nothing ive eaten here which hasnt been delicious. There is a woman who has multiple jobs here firstly bar maid then compare then the board holder for each round of boxing and In between she shouts out the words to songs they are playing. The entertainment starts with Thai dancing which is beautiful and then the fights begin. They bring all the fighters into the ring and then there are 3 rounds starting with kids aged about 11. The next fight is 16 to 18 Yr old followed by the man's fight which is a French guy and a Thai guy. The French guy is a bit lairy but I personally think the better fighter. All the fighters have an ice tray that they sit with their feet in after each round i can only gues this is like a shock factor to take away the thought of the pain. The evening is finished with a fire show. An absolutely brilliant day.En savoir plus

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    A motorbike made for 2

    11 février 2022, Thaïlande ☁️ 30 °C

    This morning we have hired bikes as I think it's a good place for the girls to learn if they're thinking of doing it during the trip as the roads are quiet and straight. I arrange for Lou to go in front of me so I can keep an eye on her and after 15 minutes we stop and have a bit of breakfast before we make our journey to the batcave. Its a bit of a trek to the cave so we park our bikes up and trek to the cave. There are bats inside and when the guys put the torch on they start to fly around. This isn't my idea of fun and I'm relieved to be heading to bamboo beach. On route we pass monkeys on the road and when I see an elephant we stop. He's wild but the owners come out with a basket of fruit and for 100 baht we get to feed him. The majesticness if this animal overwhelms me although I doubt that it's as free as we are made to think which sits uncomfortably with me. We continue our journey to the beach and enjoy cooling off in the warm sea. On our way down we have passed a nice restaurant so we only have a short ride up , but as I get on my bike and start it I forgot to hold on the brake my bike shoots forward and I land in a crumpled heap on the floor. Apart from being a bit bruised and banging my bad shoulder I'm fine and we get back on and drive home. After a quick shower we head down to the beach for the sunset which is beautiful tonight. I enjoy a game of pool then we wander along the beach to the freedom bar. All the bars are absolutely dead and the reggae bar is the busiest yet. Its sad to see but i honestly believe give it a year and it will be rammed The girls stay on but I'm ready for an early night, even a sambuca hasn't perked me up. So I bid my farewells and stop off for a quick Leo nightcap in the reggae bar.En savoir plus

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    The white chicks

    10 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 31 °C

    I spend the first half of the day by the pool just relaxing. Even a couple of beers take it out of me . As I sit there peacefully two guys are trying to get the coconut down from the tree above and I'm sure its to stop them dropping on someone's head. It's nice to have a pool although I do love to swim in the sea more. A few of the beaches here have coral and sea urchins and the girls said ao nang was full if jelly fish. Me and Louise take a stroll down to the 7/11 and I don't know whether it's worse during the day or night as today it feels like I'm on the road to nowhere with 50degree heat. Items purchased as we make our way back we have a new arrival that the girls net called Brad Kelly. There is only one issue ... he's a man United supporter and it just puts my back up instantly. I warm to him throughout the day and agree to disagree. In the evening we sit in the reggae bar once again. Its my favourite groundhog day bar of the moment although the food isn't great the atmosphere more than makes up for the food . There are classic tunes being played with a reggae vibe and I buzz off the atmosphere more than the alcohol . There is a guy doing yoga In the bar and he is so food I tell the girls that things like that come with dedication and practice the young guy rom (barman)watches and learns Thai people are great learners and they are about to reap the fruits of they're labour and good luck to them too. They are the most welcoming people on the planet and no matter they're hardships they never complain and always smile. I have an early night as I've set my alarm to watch the football and it was so worth it. It is on here at 245 in the morning but I thoroughly enjoy it even though I'm watching it on a phone screen. The red men don't disappoint and I go to sleep a happy girlEn savoir plus

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    Koh lanta bound

    9 février 2022, Thaïlande ☁️ 28 °C

    I get up early this morning as all the good intentions of packing last night went out the window. To be honest it generally only takes 10 minutes now I've got a procedure in place. Packing cubes are essential if you are travelling with a rucksack for any amount of time. A little bit of organising makes the world of difference. The girls are great at getting up so together with Joe we board the bus to koh lanta. We arrive to Hua In pier where vehicles are loaded onto a floating pontoon ferry. The ferry will only go when it's full but luckily there is a queue and within 5 minutes of being loaded on we set sail for Koh lanta. Joe tells us about how these things can tip over because they don't load them evenly but we make it ashore safe and sound. It's a further 30 min bus ride and when we arrive at reception I think it's going to be quite rustic but I'm pleasantly surprised when I get shown my£12 a night room. The room is massive and beautiful with a huge waterfall shower room and the swimming pool at the end of my balcony. It's just what we all need after Krabi town. We literally drop our bags and make our way down to the beach through psalm trees. I'm so glad I've come here because it is definitely heaven on earth and within an hour I've decided to extend my stay. The beauty of having no plans is that you arrive and if you like it you can stay longer. Even though we've got a pool I spend the afternoon with Lou enjoying the beach to ourselves sat under a psalm tree dipping in an out of the beautiful warm sea when I get a bit hot. We even try a sneaky coconut dream cocktail. When the other guys arrive we have a wander down to a bar further down the beach and stay to watch the sunset, lying on mattresses with pyramid pillows. It's the first time travelling for the girls and I'm so proud of them but also pleased at the fact that we are all getting to see Thailand as it used to be . People are so happy to see you after 2 years of having they're business's shut with covid, and everywhere is still very quiet as the testing has put a lot of people off making the journey. Even though this is my third time to Thailand I've never been to Ko lanta and I'm grateful that covid has slower me down to explore more of this beautiful country myself as in my head I really wanted to push on to Malaysia but with border crossings still closed why would I want to leave without exploring a lot more. Its a short walk back to the room along the beach and for the first time could do with my head torch I've carried it for weeks as the little beach track isn't lit but Safely home I touch base with Debbie and Graham and Marlene who are so jealous as they've both been here before and can't believe how quiet it is. A quick walk up the 7/11 so I can have fresh milk in my coffee in the morning and I'm tucked up in bed nice and early.En savoir plus

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    Feeling the consequences

    8 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 29 °C

    I wake this morning and feel like I've been in a car crash. My left shoulder and back are on agony and as me and the girls are heading to get some strong coffee one of the lads Jo asks if he can join. We share breakfast before i take myself to the pharmacy. I think it's muscular and after my swimming attempts the other day it would kind of make sense. In the chemists here you can literally buy anything over the counter from zantax to rohypnol but I opt for the milder cocodamol and ibuprofen. I also take myself for another massage and tge girls have recommend a place with an older lady who will be more experienced and hopefully do me some good. As I lay on my front she massages me like a man, they are so strong for there size and i can really feel her getting stuck into the knots in my back and when i wince she says "no pain no gain" it really makes me chuckle because she cant speak any other Englih. The next time i look up she is holding onto the rail and literally stretching me out with her feet walking on my back. I come out feeling a lot better. The girls have headed out on a boat trip but Im really not up for it, so I head back to the hostel and across the road to the restaurant we ate in last night as I had dinner envy of maddies coconut curry. The food in Thailand is on another level and for Under a quid you can eat things that will blow your taste buds away. I get chatting to Chalita the owner of the restaurant and when I ask her how they have survived through covid she explains the restaurant has been shut for two years and they only opened 1 month ago when the tourists started coming back. Until then they have lived off their savings. They are so good at surviving and never take advantage of the fact the at some times the tourists may not be here. They also live very meagerly and when you use the night markets you can eat for 40 baht the equivalent of about 70p. I They are packed with little stalls selling everything from pad Thai to kow soy gui. A spicy broth with vegetables and a chicken drumstick that's been slowly cooked. We meet a girl called Leah who's the first scouser I've met this trip and she joins us for the evening. We all wander round the stalls and choose our dish of the day before sitting down at a group table. I ask lou to grab me a coke and she comes back with a pepsi i really dont care because its cold and wet and the food is really spicy so it does the job. On route back we stop at a little bar for a few games of pool the guy is so good and can play really well 1 handed but i manage to beat him when hes playing 2 handed . We finish the evening on the roof top terrace with our new extended family of Joe and Leah.Louise offers to head down to the 7/11 for toasties and water and we giggle when she gets back because she has 2ham and cheese and one cheese toasties it takes 5 mins to decide which is the cheese one is its a nice end to the evening before saying goodnight..En savoir plus

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    Visa renewal

    7 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 32 °C

    So today I go with Maddy and Louise to renew our visas. As a tourist you get a 30 day visa bit with things not really opening up I Bite the bullet and decide I'm gonna stick it out I'm Thailand a little bit longer. I still have the North to do and I'm contemplating doing the full moon party even though I think I might be the oldest person there. We share a grab taxi to the immigration office and as we're early there are only a few people waiting. I had over my passport and they ask if I have a copy when I say I Don't they tell me it will be an extra 100 baht so In total my visa costs about £44 I agree and after 10 mins of waiting they call me back to the counter and a couple of signatures later have an additional 30 days in my passport. People really stress out about the visa etc but the Thai people want you to stay here and spend your money so they're not going to make it difficult.
    I am in quite a lot of pain with my shoulder and I don't know whether it's through the massage I had or whether it was from the frantic swimming I was doing yesterday so I invest in some tiger balm and smother myself in it. Forgetting to wash my hands its not long before I've touched my eye and the burn begins. I explore the local area and at the end of the street is a huge temple. kaewkawaram temple is the largest temple in Krabi although not as famous as tiger temple. It was built in 1887 when 200 Buddhist families arrived to estuary village (krabi). I explore the surroundings and find on the outskirts what I can only imagine is a cemetery, lot of miniature wot's (temples) all in a grouped area and just outside another huge temple under construction. I make my way back to the hostel and the heavens open with a massive Thunderstorm that brings torrential rain all night. Me and the girls make a dash for it to a little Italian restaurant just over the road and we're grateful for the rain because we enjoy the most delicious meal and are able to get an early night for a change.    En savoir plus

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    Reunited

    6 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 29 °C

    I've arranged to go to long beach with Chris and Brian this morning and I feel like death warmed up but I'm looking forward to doing some snorkeling with hopefully the chance to see some baby sharks. I'm lucky because they boys have been here before they know where to look. As I swim out I am so happy that the boys know where to go and within 30 minutes I get to see my first baby sharks. The fish here are amazing and I love the fact that the coral is starting to regain its colour. Coral over the years becomes sun bleached as the water temperatures rise and drop, and with global warming you can see the effect its had on the sea bed. It's a shame because the marine life depends on this for its natural camouflage. The array of fish I see is amazing and when I see the baby sharks I'm overjoyed. As I try to swim back to shore I get cramp and start to panic. I feel like I'm swimming and getting nowhere and as I start to panic my breathing starts to struggle. Chris like a true gentleman takes off his flippers and gives them to me but even still I struggle. I have visions of having to send a boat out but Chris perseveres and eventually we reach an area where the boats have ropes that I can pull myself in. That will teach me for drinking the night before. We spend a few hours at the cottage before I board the ferry for Krabi. The ferry brings us in to just off Railay beach where we are boarded onto long boats and speed boats to our next destination. We arrive in Ao nang and I've got a transfer included in my price. I'm boarded onto the bus to then be told we have to go to the airport first but I'm in no rush and Finally arrive at my hostel just after 7. I've arranged to meet Lou Maddy Henry and James Tom and Dakota and after a quick shower walk to the night Market. Its so nice to see the crew again . We spend the evening in a local bar playing pool and having lots of beers.En savoir plus

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    Maya bay

    5 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 30 °C

    I am up early as I'm supposed to be getting the boat at 8am I arrive early as always to be told the boat is going to be a little late, but this is Thai time and I make myself comfortable in the bakery while I wait we eventually leave at 1015 which means there are many more boats in front of us. The first stops monkey Island and there are no monkeys there , but I'm not disappointed as I literally have them on my balcony We park at tge front of maya bay entrance and get to snorkel for a good 30 minutes before making our way to join the queue trying to offload at the jetty. The bay has been closed for 3.5 years to try and help the ecosystem here and its really worked it only opened in January to tourists but prior to closing all the boats would come into the bay and park up so you never got to experience the bay in all its glory. The craziness is they've put a huge floating jetty on the back pier and as they are offloading and onloading passengers the turbulence from the boats is causing the jetty to Bob around like a Cork in a waterfall. I'm glad I've got my sea legs because a lot of people on the boat are feeling a bit worse for wear and we haven't stepped foot on the jetty yet . Luckily as we arrive lots of people are leaving the numbers are restricted to 4125 per day but only 375 at one time. Its crazy this place was made so famous by a film but I really hope they keep the numbers regulated as it needs protecting. It makes me giggle because the park ranger keeps blowing his whistle at all the people vying for the best insta or Facebook picture . It really annoys me when people dont abide to the rules when they are in a foreign country. The whistle is blown constantly for my duration and im glad ive got to appreciate this place before tourism really ramps up . We head then to lai bay which is beautiful turquoise waters that are surrounded by sheer limestone drops. We then pass the viking caves this is where birds build edible nests, I'm sure you've heard of bird best soup, but people stay here now to protect the birds and to stop people stealing the nests. My evening is spent having my last dinner at Anna's and far too many drinks. As I wander home I can hear the group of Thai people behind me laughing as I try and walk in a straight line .En savoir plus

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    Phi phi revisited

    3 février 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 26 °C

    The plan was to head to long beach today but as we wait on one of the boys we find out he didn't get back till after 4pm and I guess we won't be seeing him any time before midday. As me and the other boys head to the bakery for our morning coffee we once again encounter ned the horse who seems to want to join us. Chris and i then make our way down to the cottage bar, stopping on the way to buy a little present for tang who's birthday it is today. Like in most Asian countries people have other names apart from their birth name so in fact her real name is Rasita and its a little confusing what to write I the card.
    This is my 3rd time in Phi Phi. I first came 25 years ago when it was very much an island filled with bamboo beach huts and then ten years ago when after the tsunami they had built a lot more hotels and it was very much a party island with the bars vying for peoples business by playing their music louder than the next. The pandemic has taken it back to the island that I fell on love with as many of the bars and restaurants are still shut and even though there are tourists it's nowhere near the amount there used to. I really hope that they get back to that booming business but really grateful I've gotten to see the island in its original glory. This afternoon we've been invited to a party and after an hour or so of looking for the place eventually find it. There's cheese and wine and the most amazing pool overlooking the sea. And I spend a wonderful afternoon with the girls from the bars sharing drinks and her niece and nephew who are adorable I join in the pool. I'm not feeling that great after my massage yesterday so I head back for a quick shower grab a bite to eat and have a really early night.    En savoir plus

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    Sandcastles in the sky

    1 février 2022, Thaïlande ☀️ 27 °C

    As always I wake early which is not good when you've been out till 3 that morning but I'd rather go and sit in my little place by the sea than sit in my room. There are 3 young girls who are the family of the people who run where I'm staying and I go down with a wallet of stickers that I've been carrying around. When I give them to them their faces light up and I'm sure they will get more enjoyment out of them than I will. After you stay on the island for a while people recognise you and even know what you want to order before you do. The attentiveness is beyond belief. At the beach there is a young boy and while his mum is trying to get things done I make my way down and start building a sandcastle with him. At first he's wary, but even with the language barrier it's not long before he joins in and even though the moat doesn't work we collect shells and decorate it.
    In the afternoon I go for a massage. I like a strong massage and I can honestly say I've not been pulled and pushed in so many directions but as she's got her elbow in my back I can feel the knots being released and can certainly feel the difference when she's finished. It takes an hour and costs me £6 so money we'll spent. The wages here are really low and a lot of people depend on tips to make a living. The bars generally pay about 300baht a day and provide a sleeping area and shared food so about £6 a day,
    Dinner tonight is snapper and is delicious, a funny thing is at the dinner table they have alcohol gel and mosquitos spray which is welcome tonight as they are out in force, followed by a few drinks in the hippie bar where a guy that we met the night before called Ray is doing a set. When he see us as promised he plays beatles songs and we're treated to another fire show before heading for a couple on the beach. It's Jan's birthday at midnight and after staying to wish her many happy returns I bid everyone goodnight I'm getting too old for 3am finishes every night.    En savoir plus

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    Moving house

    31 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ☀️ 28 °C

    Today I'm moving home to my room with a Seaview. I've taken it for 7 days to chill before I head to Krabi. I've paid a guy to take my rucksack because I think I would faint if I tried to carry it. I do a little unpacking before heading out to say goodbye to the girls and as I go onto the stairwell I spot a monkey to my left then as I turn to my right there is a whole family of them in the bin at the top of the stairs. They scuttle away as I approach but I go back to my room and lock my balcony door as I don't want to come back and find half my room missing. As cute as they are they can be a nuisance. With the girls seen safely off I get to meet another couple of the local crew and as we walk down to the cottage bar we pass the postman. The post and supplies comes in on the ferry's and boats, and is distributed around the island in carts. The only vehicles on the island are motorbikes and the odd truck for construction purposes. I'm feeling pretty rough today and literally spend the day chilling at the cottage bar. There is a lot of construction going on on the island and to cope with it they are also putting in new pipework. As we sit having a beer they literally dig along the walkway and place the pipe in the long hole and cover it back over. The old boy is doing all the digging and the young ones might as well be digging with a spoon. We visit mays bar she's just opened and brings out sambuca which seems to give me a second wind, followed by the usual haunts. In the freedo. Bar we meet a guy called Bob whos Australian with a Thai wife and at 130 in the morning he gets in his little dinghy with an outboard motor and takes them back to his boat. This island just doesn't get any better even though I wasn't going to drink u somehow end up in the cottage bar till 3am drinking shots with Chris, Brian and a bunch of locals. I retreat to my bed a lot worse for wear.En savoir plus

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    Dj Fifi

    30 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 28 °C

    I decide this morning I'm going to make the most of having a pool. I set up stall and get chatting to 2 girls Louise and Maddy. Its strange how after 5 mins you can have a connection with someone and I cheekily ask if I can go for breakfast with them. We head to the patcharee Bakery which without doubt is the best coffee on the island. We walk towards the beach and i hear Fiona its Henry and James from Phuket and they give me a big hug introduce me to their Canadian friends and we promise that we will catch up at the full moin party if not before The afternoon is spent in my favourite spot joined by "the locals" Chris and Brian before Brian takes me to view my new abode. I love it and book instantly for a week. At £10 per night with a beautiful Seaview I can't go wrong. I take dinner in Anna's named after the owners daughter who sadly lost her life in the tsunami and as I'm bent down putting my shoes on I hear my name called. It's the girls and I join them for a drink while they eat before heading to the Irish bar. There's a great atmosphere in here tonight and the tennis final is followed by the football. Go on Mo Salah. The Moroccans in the bar don't agree so much. We spend till the early hours on the beach drinking buckets of cocktails and on the way home come across a very drunken Irish lad who im barely able to understand. He doesn't know where he's staying and can barely stand up so I tell him to give me his phone and in the history on Google maps is his hotel. He's adamant he wants cheese and ham toasties from the 7/11 and its just round the corner. He buys everyone toasties and we usher him home an arm over each of our shoulders to keep him steady. Our good deed done for the day we make our way back home.En savoir plus

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    Up to my neck in it.

    29 janvier 2022, Thaïlande 🌙 28 °C

    My plan today is to walk to long beach and off I set with Google maps to hand. It's only 2km walk but about a km in I come to a fork in the road and all of a sudden the signs have stopped. I guess the boat drivers have taken them down so they get more trade. I try to persist but as I climb up the path I'm literally covered in mosquitos and decide its probably a better idea to head back and go the viewpoint instead. On Google maps it tells me it's 1hr away but I know that the cottage bar is only very close and the viewpoint entry is right next to it thanks to the boys advise. The stairs up nearly kill me but when I reach the top the view is amazing and well worth the climb. The island is shaped like an hour glass ad the good thing is there are hardly any tourists here so some amazing pictures can be taken. The climb down brings me to the tsunami memorial which brings tears to my eyes as i realise how many tourists lost their lives on that fateful day in 2004 after paying my respects its a short walk to the cottage bar so I pull up a bean bag and sit reading with a view to die for. I decide to try ĺķķkkĺķkķ walk along beach before i attempt it later In the evening and im horrified as the tide is coming in and as i get half way along realise the water is a lot deeper tha i first anticipated and dressed for tge night end up soaked from the waist down. The positive is you soon dry out. I eat in a little Thai place before the usual few games of pool. I don't want people to think its all sun and roses living on an island involves lots of creepy crawlies lots of sweating an even more mosquitos and no toilet roll unless you aquire some before you go but I can handle that sacrifice. I eat in a different restaurant this evening its been established since 1992 and had a wall shoing how in 1997 phi phi was at its peak and how the tsunami affected them, they have a wall where local people have written about the experience which has also been translated to English. I finish the evening with a few beers in freedom bar where I get to meet a few more of the locals. I like the vibe here that much I've decided to stay a few more days.En savoir plus

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    All aboard

    28 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ☁️ 29 °C

    It's time to move on and I board a ferry to Phi Phi. As much as I've loved Patong it is quite full on and in your face, and I'm ready for some island time. Thailand is very same same but different and I love the fact you can hop on a boat and be somewhere so much more tranquil within an hour. Within 5 mins of being on the boat I get chatting to Brian from Sandbach. He's on the island for 4 months and has been to Phuket to sort a broken tooth. There's not even cars here so a dentist is something you have to travel for. He gives me a few tips on nice places to go on the island, and it's been over ten years since I've been here and with the pandemic I'm sure a lot of places have closed. After a shower and a bit of unpacking I make my way to the cottage bar and pretty much stay there all day Brian and Chris join me and we discuss our various travels. They show me their various haunts the Irish bar where I do a bit of pool hustling then on to Anna's. I have papaya salad with fish sauce lime juice and steamed rice ( som tam) which is delicious (aloy mi mama) before going to the freedom bar on the beach for the Fire show. The people here are so friendly it reminds me of the old Thailand i know and even though I plan to stay for 3days I'm considering coming back after Krabi. The nice thing is the guys get local rates here which is great for the budget. Its strange because the beach bar is filled with young people and none of them are on the phone and as much as I love this I honestly don't know how I travelled without Google maps. I finish my evening with a white Russian dressed with a cannabis leaf.En savoir plus

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    Heading up north

    27 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 28 °C

    I have a little mission to go and see a condo today, and although I wasn't sure about taking the bike up there I've woken up a lot more confident this morning(or more stupid). As I'm eating my breakfast 2 lads and a girl come into the restaurant one guy is out of it and lies down on one of the coaches his feet in the air which is the ultimate insult and as the waitress asks him to sit up she can't even wake him. I intervene and get chatting to the other two. They are Russian . The girl sophia is lovely and asks me to stay and talk but i have things to do so arrange to meet her tonight for the beach exercise. set off. Its 39km each way and Google maps says it will take me an hour but I will take it easy and have a couple of stops to break the journey up. It's only 930am and the roads are relatively empty I enjoy the scenery along the coastal road and even see elephants although I believe they are part of a show here so don't stop as I won't encourage things like that. Before too long I'm on the highway and the traffic is much busier but I poodle along keeping a constant eye on my mirrors. There are 3 things I've learnt today. When you see people with long sleeves on its to protect them from the sun , as I'm cruising along at 40kmh it doesn't feel that hot but when you stop at traffic lights you burn to a crisp. Always carry something to cover tge seat with as even parked up to refuel you burn your arse if you don't, and lastly 39km is a long way to ride on a rev up and go. Somehow on route back I miss my turn and end up coming the whole way back on the motorway, but I'm back in one piece and that's all that matters. I finish my day with the a workout on the beach and buying my Phi saw (bid sister) a drink to thank her for her help.En savoir plus

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    Motor bike madness

    26 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 29 °C

    I've plucked up the courage to hire a bike today. And after checking it over hand over my passport. I don't know whether I feel more nervous at that or the trepidation that I haven't ridden in years and the roads here are crazy. I take it nice and slowly ( no more than 30km an hour) the only thing i overtake is parked vehicles and after 30 mins arrive at the beach. I hire a sunbed for £2 and stay there till early afternoon just sat under an umbrella, reading a book and dipping in and out of the sea. I'm astonished when a group of Russians turn up and they go topless as its illegal here, so obviously haven't done their homework or blatantly dont respect the rules. As I come to leave the beach there are a couple of nice restaurants just opposite and make my way over. I sit and giggle as they bye for the passing trade and the first restaurant is literally pulling people in and shouting the loudest seems to be a winning combination. I use my go pro on my helmet on the way back now I'm a little more accustomed to it and I have to stop for fuel on the way back and its dispensed from a pump machine that's older than I am and costs 80p to half fill the tank. The fuel is cheaper than the water here. I arrive back safe and sound and although I've enjoyed it I'm still nervous. It's the other crazy drivers that scare me . In the evening I walk along the front and see a dance fitness on the beach and would join in but I'm already dressed for the evening make a mental note for sundowners tomorrow. I head to my usual haunt for a few g & t's and start chatting to two ladies from Liverpool not only does she know pip (my aunt for those that don't know) but she lives in the same street omg it's a small world xEn savoir plus

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    Getting things done

    25 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 27 °C

    My first check in today is to get my pcr check after that box is ticked I plan to leave Phuket on the 28th and today is my day after booking my accommodation and boat out of here I put some washing in and head to the post office with my excess baggage. It costs £40 to send home but my original plan of Korea and Japan which are cold at this time of year are definitely out of the window and it's ridiculous to carry the weight around for the next 10+ months so I pack them up and post them. I haven't done much exploring here so I also book to rent a bike tomorrow. Mike and bea have touched base so I arrange to meet them later in the evening. I love their company because even though they are young their spirit is free and I really embrace the fact they have the bravery to be travelling at times like these. We arrange to meet at 6.30 in our local. I arrive early and play jackpot with the girls in the bar. We have a couple of drinks in the various bars in walking street before an early night as they are catching a boat to phi phi at 730 in the morning. I have one last beer at my local before hitting the sack. Just as I'm about to leave my pcr comes back negative which means I'm free to move onEn savoir plus

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    Thai traditions

    24 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ☀️ 29 °C

    I wake early and love this time of day as the beach is pretty much empty and gives me time for reflection I I make my way back to shower and sit by the pool for ten minutes to have a ciggie when the guy from reception starts pointing towards me then I realise its the other guy at the pool hes pointing to Iwhen he approaches he says to the guy you shouldn'tbe here youre covid positive. That's a problem here there is no adhering to the rules , like Singapore.
    Ive learnt a lot since being here about Thai do's and dont's and as a traveller I'm aware we just rock up in countries without any idea of how we could offend them. The bhudda is their icon of worship here and you should never touch one or pose for photos alongside them. They have various offerings to them from drinks and fruit and little carved ornaments of elephants also surround them. The elephant is Thailands national animal and although elephant rides and visits to Tiger kingdom are offered you would never see a Thai person here as they frown on the abuse of animals. Status is a huge thing here Age, family connections, job types, education, and income levels are all contributing factors to a person’s perceived status in society. A younger person should never stand above an elder person. The head is seen as the most spiritual part of the body and should never be touched even ruffling a child hair is a big no no, whereas the feet ar dirty an you should never cross your legs that your feet are pointed up or at anybody, even kicking a bag along the floor. Finally the Royal family are massively respected here so don't bad mouth them as you never know who's listening. Even putting a bank note in your back pocket and sitting on it is disrespectful. Following these guidelines I should be just fine.    En savoir plus

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    Easy day

    23 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ⛅ 28 °C

    I've promised to take things a little easier on myself today as I'm constantly pushing myself to do things and in this heat its exhausting. I have been recommended a little coffee shop and I'm delighted when they have caramel macchiato on the menu I go the full hog and have a pain aux raisin with it. I've also booked to have my nails done as yesterday I kicked a kerb whilst walking along the seafront not only splitting my big toe open but also taking all the shellac off two of my toes. Even though I've booked an appointment I wait over an hour to get seen but they are so efficient I'm not even bothered, I have to realise I'm on Thai time and I've still got over 10 months of travel left. I feel like a new woman with my nails done. I spend the rest of the day by the pool under an umbrella. After a shower and change I go to a little restaurant then head to watch the game in the Irish bar. The young lads at the pool Henry and James two 18 Yr old on a gap year recommended this place as I'd wanted to watch the game and shoot some pool and this place had all of that. Walking down Bangla road otherwise kn??rown as walking street is one of the main attractions in Patong its filled with gogo bars anrzd loud music and is the hub of nightlife here. It upsets me sometimes to see this blatant display of sexual prowess by such young girls but they all know what they're doing I guess. I walk the length of the street looking for the Irish bar and as I walk back realise I'd walked straight past it. I grab a table and double check they are showing the game and start chatting to a young couple Bea and Mike who are from Somerset and travelling for a year. Hallelujah someone as crazy as me. They tell me the bars are supposed to close at 9 but we get taken inside and while I watch the liverpool game Mike and Bea watch the Arsenal game at the other end of the bar. A Scottish guy comes in ( I know this cos he's in a kilt) and offers to buy me a drink and even though I refuse he buys me one anyway. He comes and sits by the bar and I try and keep conversation light and he keeps brushing his leg against me. The "mama" Of the bar isnt happy either as i think she has other plans for him and he I feel uncomfortable and head to the toilet telling Mike and bea the situation. After 5 mins bea comes and sits next to me and jock the cock soon loses interest. With a successful win the night ends well and I make my way home alone thank god.En savoir plus

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    Finding my feet

    22 janvier 2022, Thaïlande ☀️ 29 °C

    I venture out this morning to get a few essentials like a sim card and a bank and after walking and asking several people I eventually find the bank which even though it says open its Saturday and is obviously closed. They charge £2.20 to use the machines but I swallow the fee and take out £200 putting most in the safe and a little in my purse. Its so cheap here compared to Singapore although I miss my free coffee in the morning I enjoy eggs toast jam coffee and orange juice for £6 and that's in the beautiful beach bistro. I walk back along the beach which is stunning, (no imported sand here) and put down my stuff to take my dress off. I pick up my rucksack and continue along the beach only to reach the end to find I've no Flip flops. I must have put them down when I took my dress off so back along the beach I go and there they are. Back at the hotel I grab my towel and after a dip in the roof top pool head for an afternoon at the beach. I sit down on a chair and there are a couple next to me. The guy is like a lobster and I joke about it and the girl glares at me. I attempted again to make conversation and she walks away. At first it really upsets me but after a swim In the sea I come back and sit there just to irritate her. As I sit on the beach under the biggest tree for shade I relect back that this was one of the major areas hit on dec26th 2004 by the tsunami I'm amazed how this place has regrown from such devastation. I head for something to eat and there's only one thing for it pad Thai with a cocktail. I've promised to be easy on myself so take myself down to the beach again for sundowners hasn't taken me long to fall In love with Thailand again.En savoir plus

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