We were up early again for the 8:59 train. Time for a quick breakfast, check out and walk to the station. We had about a 4 ½ hour journey from Phitsanoluk to Ayutthaya. The train journey was pretty uneventful - couldn't see a lot as we were in an air conditioned carriage with filthy windows. We arrived at Ayutthaya, crossed by ferry to the town (it is on an island) and found a place to stay. Ayutthaya is another old capital - this time more recent. Th...

We left our hotel early to catch a fast bus over the border to Thailand. We were heading for Sokhothai and were uncertain if we could make it in a day. We were at the bus station for 7:45 and went through the preparations - a man inspected our passports and tagged our luggage. The journey to the border was quick and we were through the Thai side an hour after we left Vientiane - good going. The first part of our journey through Thailand was down to Kroh Kean - a...

We had booked a 2 day trek out into the National park to see some of the countryside around Chang Mai as it is spectacular. We were picked up from our hotel at a reasonable hour and were then off in a group of 15 people - all of differing nationalities. The first stop was a market to get food for the trip - not too exciting. It was then into the hills for another hour or so until we stopped for lunch, which consisted of rice with the odd vegetable thrown in. We t...

The holiday is over - we had a really good time over Victoria's Birthday and Christmas - lots of lazing around on beautiful beaches with a bit of snorkelling, kayaking and elephant trekking thrown in. The best thing, however, was seeing the family again.We all left Krabi together and should have travelled together to Surat Thani, where we caught a train northwards and the kids went on to the New Year's eve party on Ko Pha Ngan. However, at the bus station when th...

WISH YOU WERE HERE We are now in Ko Lanta on holiday. Thank you to everybody for your Christmas messages and good wishes. Hope you all have a good christmas and a happy new year. The blog will resume in early January. Love Fran & Geoff