Today we woke up at 5:30am to catch our flight to Phuket. As we arrived in Phuket we were swamped by peoples asking if we wanted a taxi. We eventually found a taxi and headed for the Courtyard by Marriott. It was boiling hot in Phuket and upon our arrival at the hotel they gave us a nice cold drink (lemon ice tea) and we checked into out room. After going for a swim we had some lunch at the hotel then headed for Patong Beach (a busy shopping/ eating entertainm...

Lucky to get out of the country before flights were cancelled because of the ruddy ash cloud. Shaun and I are on our way. The flight from Sydney to Singapore was going onto Frankfurt next so we heard alot of German yabbering. The guy sitting next to me (who was actually perfectly harmless) was a nutty professor. What distinguished his nutty professorness to me? Well: 1) he spoke with a German accent. 2) he kept staring at me (and the German girl on his other ...

Early in the morning before we head off I am seriously ready to go. Bags packed. Check. Travel insurance. Check. Many boxes of pills (and letters to explain to Thai customs that malaria tablets are not in fact particularly valuable for re-sale in black markets). Check. UNO to play with new and old friends along the way. Check (thanks Lauren). Yes I feel VERY ready. Shaun and I have been on a few adventures together - mostly domestic but our first big trip (6 wee...