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  • Shauna Murphy

south east asia

A 41-day adventure by Shauna Read more
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  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler
    1

    Koh Pha-Ngan Part 2

    August 9, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    The day after the full moon was pretty much a write off. We met back up with the nursing girls, went for a beautiful dinner then headed back to the hotel and watched a movie before going to sleep. The next day Eva convinced us to go to a water park called Slip N Fly. The main attractions are two massive slides with a steep incline at the bottom so you go flying into the air before landing in the water . After signing our lives away at the front door we watched a few people land successfully and a few not so successfully .

    When Eva finally convinced/dragged me to the top of the slide a slight meltdown was had where I refused to let go of the Frenchman who was working at the top . He told us that it is actually safer to go backwards as you are then in a pencil dive position landing in the water. It might be safer, but it is way scarier!. Being the nurses we are we decided safety first so backwards we went down the slide . As soon as I went, I actually really enjoyed it - apart from a large pain in the bum when landing in the water it was actually great fun!. That evening we went to the famous Amsterdam Bar that has the best views of the sunset and watched the sun go down on our last night in Koh Pha-Ngan .    Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Koh Tao

    August 10, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    After a very delayed boat and sitting in a whole bunch of ants we said goodbye to Koh Phagnan and hello to Koh Tao . We checked into our hostel which was right on the beach. As soon as we dropped our bags Eva and I rushed to the water to watch the sunrise where a random American guy took this amazing photo of us (thanks David wherever you are). That evening we watched a fire show on the beach. The performers were so talented. At one point they tried to get me to let them carry me under the burning limbo pole which was my cue to head to bed.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Koh Tao

    August 11, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ 🌬 33 °C

    Today we went on a snorkelling trip. It started with our early morning transfer (which turned out to be way too many people stuffed into the back of a pick up truck). We then were given our snorkels and set off on our boat. Our first stop was shark bay which is famous for black tipped reef sharks, although they are very scared of humans so hard to spot. I was convinced I saw one darting off from the corner of my eye but that could just be wishful thinking. We travelled around the whole of Koh Tao stopping off at different spots. It was amazing getting so close to the fish and being able to see the coral up close. My favourite were the little black and white fish who were so interested they swam right up to us. A few swam under me and I could feel them under my tummy.

    We went to an island off Koh Tao called Ang Thong which is a National Marine park. We then hiked up to the view-point which involved clambering up some boulders (like a more difficult version of the sugar loaf at Christmas and about 25 degrees warmer). The view from the top was definitely worth it though .    Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Krabi

    August 12, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    After Koh Tao it was time for a long day of travelling from the east coast of the South of Thailand to Krabi in the west . We got two boats (in true Thai fashion we were never told to switch boats and luckily we overheard someone saying it and managed to get on to the right one. We then boarded a coach once we reached the mainland and finally reached Krabi that evening. We were staying in a lovely hostel right on the beach. We spent the evening looking around the market and only realised when we got back to the hostel that the air conditioning in our room was broken. When we reported it to the staff they upgraded us for free to a much bigger more comfortable private room. Happy with our new beds we went straight to sleep.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Railay Beach

    August 13, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    Today we walked down to the pier and got on a tiny very wobbly boat to go to Railay beach which is about a twenty minute journey from Krabi. We spent a few hours swimming and snorkelling before a storm hit. We than ran back to the boats and had a horrendous stormy journey back to Krabi. With a lot of screaming and a few tears we finally made it back to dry land. We spent the evening walking around the market, trying to refrain from spending all our money. We planned on going out but were just too tired and we had to be up early, so we headed straight to bed.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Koh Phi Phi - my favourite island

    August 14, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 30 °C

    After an early morning start we headed to the ferry port where we met half of Dublin who happened to be getting on the same boat as us. We got our seats on the boat and were ready to go when we realised there was no air conditioning or fans. As soon as we left the port we went outside and lay out on deck trying to get some fresh air. Apart from feeling a bit sea sick it was a fun journey as there were so many of us. After two hours we arrived at Koh Phi Phi . We were then told that there are no roads so we would have to walk to our hostel. Luckily all the hostels are along the same strip of beach and one of the guys had done his research so we just followed them. We checked in to our room and went to explore. After spending a long time bartering and getting an amazing deal on some T-shirts for Conor, we went for dinner. We spent the night going between an Irish bar and the beach. The whole island shuts down at 2 am to prevent noise pollution so after that we showered the sand off and headed to bed.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Koh Phi Phi

    August 15, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    Today we had planned on going on a tour of the Phi Phi islands but unfortunately a typhoon hit so our tour was cancelled . The sea was so choppy that although we were annoyed we wouldn't get to see the islands we were kind of relieved we wouldn't have to fight sea sickness . We were then left with a full day to spend on the island . We met up with the high school girls and strolled around the markets and explored the island a bit. Emily (Gaffney) arrived in the evening so we went for dinner together and all spent the evening in the Irish bar.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Chiang Mai- the long journey north

    August 16, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 25 °C

    From Koh Phi Phi we got a ferry back to Krabi, a bus to the airport, a flight up to Chiang Mai and then a taxi to our hostel. We somehow managed to get the emergency seats which made for a very comfortable flight. When we arrived in our hostel we were met by our lovely host Max. After finding our room, we headed into Chiang Mai old town for dinner before falling into bed .Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Chiang Mai - temple day

    August 17, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    After waking up to a traditional Thai breakfast of Pad Thai with a fried egg on top we got our map and set off for the day. We wandered around the old town, going to three different temples before getting a taxi to Chiang Mai's most famous temple, Wat Phra That Doi Suthep. To get to the temple we had to struggle up the 310 steep steps to the top. When we got to the top we weren't disappointed. The temple was huge and covered in gold and emeralds. We also had a view over the whole of Chiang Mai town . It was very impressive.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Chiang Mai - ELEPHANT DAY

    August 18, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ 🌧 26 °C

    After a very luxurious 2 hour journey in our very squishy Songthaew we arrived in the Chiang Mai jungle and got our first glimpse of the elephants. After a brief safety talk and a description of the sanctuary and its workings we got to meet the elephants. We were given bananas and sugar cane to feed them with but I think we spent more time trying to make sure they shared than feeding them, they are so greedy!! We spent the morning getting to know them and then took a small break for lunch (which was interrupted by one of the elephants when she decided she also wanted some pineapple). After lunch we got changed into our swimming gear and went down to the mud bath. The elephants were delighted to have a mud bath because it cools them down and is good for their skin. The only problem was that they thought we liked it just as much and enjoyed splashing us with it.

    Afterwards we went into the river to wash off and some of the elephants came and joined us. Although I didn't plan on getting that wet, the elephants had other ideas and decided it was fun to spray us with their trunks. We were so sad to leave the elephant park, but at five o clock it was time to say goodbye. We got back in our Songthaew and headed home for a much needed shower.    Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Chiang Mai - Canyon Water Park

    August 19, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 28 °C

    All night and most of the morning there was a massive storm so we did a bit of washing, caught up on some sleep and then made our plans for the day. We got a taxi to Chiang Mai Canyon Water Park. It is set in an area that looks like a mini Grand Canyon. We were given our life jackets and headed to the water course. It was much harder than it looks and I don't think we were very good, much to the lifeguards' amusement. After a few hours we were completely wrecked and headed back to the hostel. When we got home we showered, changed and headed to the famous Saturday night market. One of the big streets in Chiang Mai is completely shut down and filled to the brim with hundred and hundreds of stalls. After spending way too much money we went back to the hostel for a well needed sleep.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Chiang Mai - Bangkok

    August 21, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 32 °C

    Our flight to Bangkok wasn't until 8 o'clock in the evening so we had the whole day to spend in Chiang Mai. We had to check out by 11 so got up and packed all our bags and left them in the hostel. We wandered in to the old town for one last look and bought a few postcards. We then decided to get a traditional Thai massage which was an interesting and slightly painful experience but was still funny. Afterwards we headed for a late lunch before getting our taxi to the airport. Unfortunately our flight was slightly delayed but we managed to entertain ourselves for a few hours and finally arrived in Bangkok where we were very relieved to arrive safely at our hostel following an interesting taxi journey!Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Bangkok

    August 22, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    The day started with a tuk tuk around the city. Everywhere we looked there were beautiful gold and white palaces and monuments covered in jewels. We walked down to the very smelly pier and got a taxi boat down the river towards the grand palace. Unfortunately we were told to get off at the wrong stop and had to wait for the next boat going back down the river. When we eventually got there most people were dressed all in black because Thailand is in a year of mourning after the King's death.

    We finally got in to the grounds of the palace and started to look round, but were then told the palace actually closes at 3 pm so we would have to leave. We decided we didn't want all that travel to be a waste so we walked down to Wat Pho, otherwise known as the Temple of the Reclining Buddha. It's a huge temple with a 46 metre gold reclining Buddha inside. The grounds also contain other smaller temples and stupas as well as a school for monks. There are sculptures of guardians protecting the gates of the temples. It was one of my favourite places we went to in Thailand, which made up for us not getting a good look at the palace. We then got a tuk tuk back to the hostel and went to the Koh San road for dinner and to have a look around the famous market.    Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    Bangkok- the final day

    August 23, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ⛅ 33 °C

    Today was the hottest day yet and we decided we couldn't manage another day touring around Bangkok, so we went to the MBK shopping centre. It is one of the biggest shopping centres in Bangkok with over 2000 shops. Although I didn't buy anything it was so interesting to look around the 7 floors at the different things in the shops. When we got back to the hostel we finished our packing and made sure we had everything ready to go home the next morning. That evening we went to a lovely restaurant for our final dinner and then headed to the night market to spend the last of our baht. Going to bed it was sad to think it was our last night, but I was excited knowing the next day (technically it was two days with the flights) we would be home and get to see everyone.Read more

  • Shauna Murphysouth east asiaTraveler

    The Long Journey Home

    August 24, 2017 in Thailand ⋅ ☀️ 33 °C

    After a 7 am start we got to the airport for one of the best airport experiences I've ever had. We were the first up to the check in desk with no queue, managed to check our bags all the way to Dublin and got seats together on both flights. We then headed to passport control and security.

    When we got there the queues were the longest I have ever seen in an airport but just as we arrived they opened their second security section so we didn't have to queue at all, the same with passport control. After a ham and cheese panini it was time to board the plane. 12 hours later we arrived at Heathrow for the last leg of our journey back to Dublin. The first thing I did when I got home was get a drink of water from a tap (so sick of paying for water) and after giving Mum, Dad and Conor their presents, it was time to have a much needed sleep in my own bed .    Read more

    Trip end
    August 24, 2017
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