Enjoying a few days at home then heading south again on Tuesday but just for two days this time.Where are you going to be for your birthday? I was going to say somewhere exotic but it all sounds very exotic to me, hope you dont encounter any bigger nibbling fish.
STA sent more paper work this week,it all seems to be in order, getting quite excited now, did you know that Antler make rucksacks with built in wheels!!? Haven't seen any but will check them out.
Look forward to your next entry.Take care.
Love, Jan x
Una
Hi Alison, Just managed to read all your recent blogs, it all sounds absolutely fabulous and reminds me of my trip to Thialand with Euan when we were diving with the amazing fish, however they definately didn't think I was as tasty as you!!! Your travels seem full of exotic experiences, I'm very envious and so exited for you.
We have had some brilliant weather here but for the moment the rain has come to brighten up the plants and flowers in the garden. Did my P.B in the Culzean Fun run and had a lovely day down at Ros's. Had 2 of my busiest weeks in business and hoping that this is a sign of things to come.... Euan planning his retirement!
Cara is mopping the floors at the moment (cinderella!) and Rory has just walked in the door...nothing changes here. The boys were sleeping over at Robbies and haven't surfaced yet. Been cycling in the park with kids. I think Cara is wanting to bake so better sign off . All sending our love and very excited to read your next adventure, where are you spending your Birthday!!!
Euan
Hi Alison,Kids are wanting to visit said we'd see you at Glasgow airprt.The're a tad disappointed.Una & I are away to Iceland next weekend for her 40th.Latest gossip jane has a new man xxxx?-a bit of a runner and our "best man".Enjoyed photos. cheers euan
HELLO TRAVELER
ME ANNE AND EMMA ON THE NITE SHIFT !! WROTE A MESSAGE THE OTHER WEEK BUT IT DIDNT SEND, THINK I KNOW WHAT TO DO NOW. DONT HAVE EMAIL ANYMORE. IT WAS GREAT TO GET YOUR PC THANKS.
YOUR PHOTOS R WONDERFUL AND BRILLIANT TO B ABLE TO C THEM AS YOU GO ALONG, WELL DONE !
NO EXCITING NEWS FROM ME........PLANING A BBQ ON W/END BUT AFTER WEEKS OF SUN THINK THE RAINY SEASON IS HERE ! ALSO KITE FLYING AT WEST SANDS ST.ANDREWS.
KEEP AWAY FROM THOSE BITING FISH, THINK YOU"LL NEED ALL YOUR BODY PARTS !
LOTS OF WELL WISHES TO YOU, FIONA X
Susan H
Hi Alison,
Little did I know that your trip to Madison, WI back in 1996 was just the very beginning of adventures for you. You are having such an incredible journey and you seem to be enjoying everything, well almost everything:-).....I am thoroughly enjoying every picture and every entry in your journal.
We are well into spring here in Wisconsin -- and it is lovely. Glad to get out our bicycles and takes walks after dinner (it stays light long enough now).
Our son, Marcus, is going on an adventure of his own. He'll be doing research for a year in Botswana beginning in July 2007 with a U.S. Center for Disease Control project on TB -- he is just completing his third year of medical school and will extend his program out a year graduating in the spring of 2009. Probably we will get a chance to visit him.
Wishing you a safe trip,
Susan
Colin
Alison
Good to read your blog. Fantastic going to see the island in "The Man With The Golden Gun". Hope you will have a genuine thai green curry/thai red curry and lots of other delicious thai food. (making myself hungry thinking about it- so jealous).
Sent you an email last night. We are in the middle of packing. Cleared the loft last weekend and dismantled my shed.
Looking forward to seeing all your photos.
Love always.
Colin & Karen xxx
Andrea From Canada
Alison, so glad you are enjoying Thailand. If you need a taste of home there's a lovely pub in Bangkok called the Witch's Tavern. Take the Skytrain to Tong Lo BTS, then walk up Soil Tong Lo - maybe a 10 minute walk?
Other Bangkok things you cannot miss include the Jim Thompson house. Really hard to find on your own - not marked. Better to get a taxi or tuk tuk. Remember Bangkok tuk tuk drivers are all scammers, will tell you your destination is closed today and will try to take you to a factory instead.
Don't know where you are staying but if it's anywhere near the Asia Hotel, go around the corner to the left just past the 7-11 (on the left) and you'll find the best noodle soup stand in the world! It's run by my most excellent GAP tour leader Lucky! Open at night only.
Also, check out the MBK Centre if you want to get lost in the hugest most crazy shopping mall in the world.
Enjoy - looking forward to hearing more - hope you are also planning to get to Kanchaniburi (Tiger Temple) and Lampang or at least Chaing Mai (the latter is a far more interesting city and has a great night market and the elephant conservation centre is between the two cities).
ok take care
Andrea
Jan
Hi Alison,
Back again, the walk was beautiful as was the weather but it did not follow the river unless rivers are capable of climbing a few thousand feet, never mind it was good practice for the Inca Trail!!!
Your blog is absolutely great. well done you, maybe you have found a new vocation in life.It all sounds fabulous and your photos are really good, nice to see you are looking so well, better than you did this time last year anyway, mind that wouldn't be hard, keep the entries coming the long pauses are not good for the blood pressure Alison.Thankyou for your text from James Bond island, I was really jealous even though you said it was raining.
Spanish class was a hoot, I think I'll need to get new teeth or something there's an awful lot of " THs " I keep spitting all over the place better master that before we get chucked out for insulting behaviour.Having said that the tutor said my "sound" was good, maybe it harks back to my Greek days.
Going to Arran for the long week-end next week with the Edinburgh gang hopefully get some walking in there apart from going round the little shops.
Look forward to your next entry & photos you will have it down to a "T" by the time I join you, continue to enjoy every minute,take care.
Love, Jan x
Laura
Hi Alison,
Went to Triptych Music Festival in Tramway theatre last week. Me and Stewart had great fun at the Gruff Rhys gig. The stage was quite impressive as it was designed like a big TV screen and there were big cartoon lions, dalmations and penguins on it. You would have liked a Welsh band called Euroschild. They played happy pop although one song that was sung in Welsh made you think that you were watching an episode of Dotaman [dance moves n all!!]. Also saw CSS, a Brazilian band who play electro music [if you get a chance to see them when you're in Brazil then go because they play really catchy songs and I think you'd like them!! The singer is a bit mad and jumps all over the place but the crowd really enjoyed them- they are also playing at the Connect Festival in Inveraray]. Cat Power wasn't that good - her voice was great but I think that she may have been drunk when she was playing because she kept stopping midway through songs and talking and just ruined it, so the papers gave her bad reviews the next day- her album "The Greatest" is really good though. Other highlights were Boom Bip, Cinematic Orchestra, Gilles Peterson and Moody Man [you probably won't have heard of them as you're not really into dance music.] Have you got your Ipod working yet?
I'm enjoying reading about your Singapore and Malaysia trips. The photos are good. Those MacCallum's fairly get about...even having a street named after them!! Maybe Uncle Alistair will take "Here We Are" over there next and try to convert the people into becoming Robbie Shepherd fans!!
Keep in touch!!
Love Laura xxx
Agnes
Hi Alison, only me again.......... Just wondered if you have come across any komodo dragons yet????? or maybe they are in Indonesia. Monday again , just been to work as usual. Now going to take Brodie a walk.
Bye, Agnes xxx
Rory
Excellent stuff Alison, most impressed - travel writer of the year.
Agnes
Hi Alison, I'm very impressed with your blog( Alan Wicker) eat your heart out, thats is if he's still alive !!!!! Everything sounds wonderful. Oh the thought of all these shops!!!!! I would have a ball.I would love being in the jungle and seeing the monkeys etc. ( not creepy crawlies) and hearing all the strange noises. Aye quite a change from old Cairndow and Whitehouse. I really think your Mother would love it. Must have been amusing to see McCallum St. and Argyll St, Must go now take care with all these monkeys !!!! Maybe that newspaper cutting I gave you will come in handy after all .
Bye Agnes xxxx
I am awaiting an answer to all my e-mails, so get a move on..................
