Selamat Datang! (That's 'Hello' here in Bali!)

Crazy language really, 'Thank you' is 'Chicken Teriaki' or something like that anyway!

We got here a few days ago after a fond farewell to Thailand! We used our 60 day visa almost to the hour and thoroughly enjoyed most of our time there! It seems odd that over half our trip was taken up there, but like I say, now on to the small Indonesian island of Bali. While technically, Indonesian, it actually seems more like an Australian overflow island given the abundance of them here!

Anywho, onto Bali in a second, first just to cap off Thailand I'll recap on our last days in Bangkok!

So, we went to the Sky Bar and it - was - FANCY! Fortunately we'd been warned to dress up, and with our limited wardrobe 'scrubbed up' quite nicely! We went to the Sky Bar on the 64th floor of a Hotel and it gave the most fantastic views of the city.

As we waited for the arrival of Sarah and Craig and co we ordered and supped some very passable cocktails with the live jazz band providing an eloquent soundtrack to our upper class evening! However, as we overlooked some fabulous fireworks we slowly realised that our friends might not appear as it was long past our rendez-vous time! Disappointed at being stood up, we drowned our sorrows in a second cocktail!

A real shame we thought as we wouldn't have the opportunity to see them until Thanksgiving now and didn't really say goodbye properly, so guys, if you're reading this now, "Goodbye, was great to catch up again. We hope all goes well for you both and we'll look forward to hearing about your adventures post-Thailand in November!"

As for us, we woke early the next day for our trip to the River Kwai! Following a muddle with our pick-up time we managed to wolf down some breakfast before boarding our minivan and off we went!

Just a couple of hours out of Bangkok and we arrived at Kanchanaburi in the searing heat! Now, in Kanchanaburi there is a war cemetery and from hearing that we may find a relative of Cooper's there, we spent the next forty minutes or so studying the graves, but sadly to no avail! There is one other war cemetery in Thailand, so we assume that a Mr Hudgell lies there.

After some confusion over the next activities for the day we next took a longtail boat ride along the River Kwai to the infamous bridge of the same name where we waited to see a train passing across the now repaired bridge! Photos taken, we were next off for a train journey on the Death Railway! A scary prospect before you hear why the route takes that name! The reason, far from being a treachorous route to travel now, is so called because of the high casualty rate for the prisoners of war who built it in terrible conditions they were kept in!

So, all aboard and off we went...or did we?? No, we didn't! The train had overheated and there was no water in the engine and the radiator needed fixing! Any excuse our tour guide could give basically, then, just as we were about to abandon train, it worked! And we were off along the tracks laid down by the poor sods captured by the Japanese!

Although the day passed with a number of hiccups it all made for an interesting trip and we returned to Bangkok all the wiser and with just some heavy packing to be done before our next day's flights!

***

Well now! Bali!

It appears we've arrived in their 'high season' as hotels have all but booked up, however after some swapping and changing we're in apartment style accommodation which is a bit of fun and we've bought Coco-Pops for breakfast and pasta for dinner! All very civilised thank you very much!

Since we've been here we've managed to get away with doing pretty little, however tomorrow we are embarking on a surfing lesson! We're guaranteed to stand on the board and 'ride a wave' apparently! I'll believe that when I see it! Also, yesterday, we visited Waterbom! A BRILLIANT waterpark just up the road from where we're staying! We had a superb day playing in the pool and going down the rides etc. Notes from our day at the waterpark, 1. Pool Volleyball is exceedingly difficult as a two player game! 2. Travelling in reverse down waterslides is V.V. Scary!! 3. Crash landings in the plunge pools may result in Headbutts to Nixon's nose or equally kicks to Cooper's head. Finally 4. There is no technique quite like a good, fast, push off when you're racing!

I think that brings us all up to date nicely, so as I doubt there'll be another blog sooner I shall wish Aunty Val and Ol' Poppa Bear VERY HAPPY BIRTHDAYS on the 3rd and 4th of June respectively!

Lots of Love to Everybody

Nick and Katie
xxx

Well I don't think I have anything to add as Nick has covered things in depth already!! It is nice to be in Bali, although we do miss Thailand a bit! We had gotten so used to it there, the currency, food, people etc. The exchange rate here is 16000 Rupiah to the pound so it takes a bit of working out!! This time next week we will be in Australia, and I will be the grand old age of 24 - aargh!! Will report back soon to let you know what Nick has planned for my birthday, he is very secretive about it all!! Byeeee!! xxx