Chiang Mai We arrived at Funky Monkey Guesthouse, Chiang Mai at around 11.30pm, on the in an open-backed cab. We were welcomed by the owner Nuy - a Thai lady who had been running the place for 4 years along with her husband, Dave. We were shown our huge room, which was more like an apartment, spruced ourselves up and prepared to head out to a bar. This was until we started talking to an Irish chap called Rodney on a table outside the guesthouse. He seemed like ...

Singapore A five and a half hour flight to Singapore, coupled with two hours of added time meant we arrived at 7.30am. With a bout of elephantitis. Not in the good areas... Got a shuttle bus to the Travellers Inn (popular name) where we were 4 HOURS early for check in. Luckily we could leave our bags there until our room was ready. Unluckily, we had to find something to do. So, in the same clothes we had been wearing for what felt like two days, we headed off ...

Mumbai/Bombay (any other suggestions place here) Went to Cochin for the night so we could fly from there to Mumbai in the morning. Checked in at a nice place, Bastian Guest House, then went out for a meal at Oceana's in the evening. Sat down to eat, looked to our right five minutes later and there was a German sat there who decided to join us. Initial awkwardness turned into a good old chin wag. Fantastish! The flight to Mumbai was short but fascinating. As w...

Marari Beach We arrived at Marari Beach Villas, after hearing about a deserted beach, on our Auto-Rickshaw (tuk-tuk) in the early afternoon and was greeted by Raju, the owner. Marari Beach is known for being very quiet and not very well known, hence the appeal and high prices by Indian standards. We managed to find a place that was quite reasonable in comparison and seemed great on first impressions. A really big room with high ceilings, large bathroom, only a...

Alleppey So, we say goodbye to Varkala after 8 days there, but it's definitely time to move on. It's a great relaxing holiday destination but let's face it, this skin ain't for browning and I don't want my hair to go all 'ginga'. Next stop was Alleppey, a two and a half hour train ride from Varkala. Didn't run like crazies this time, just strolled to the carriage, like the train pro's we are. Arrived at a place called Bella Homestay which is a stones throw fr...