3 years ago today I bade farewell to home. It is not necessarily a time for celebration but reflection tied up with a massive dose of appreciation. This is the time when I look at the people who are still in my life, ones who are deserving of endless gratitude as they are available without question - even after so long apart - as if we had met just yesterday. To my family who share joyful stories, worry my illnesses away and on occasion know what is just across the road as they virtual map my position, 'Oohhh there's a KFC straight ahead.'

It was never planned this way, time is evasive and adventures (and bets) are persuasive. 2 ½ years ago there was no job, 300 dollars in the bank and no return flight. It is a wonder I didn't rot from anemia thanks to the nutricious value of the 2 minute noodle, or well just go home and reinstate beans and cheese as food groups. Haha even looking at my past palette makes me reralise just how much has changed.

With a thoughtful mind and an adventurous Prue by my side we arranged to visit the highest point in Thailand. After chasing pointing fingers and our tails we finally manage to find the right 'yellow one' sawngthew (Public transport Ute-type with rain protection) we knew he was the one when we saw his comb over. An hour and a half later and less than a pound worse off, we are told that there is no more public transport. Still 8 km away from the parks entrance we jumped onto the back of a motor bike to be told at the gates 'No public transport, you must hire for 1200 baht'. Oh the look of the stuck up desk woman as we decided to take our chances at the 44 km and 2565m incline. She probably did know that I was fearing dehydration about 11 minutes later, but she would maybe not have guessed at us having the guts to hitch hike the remaining 43 ½ km hunkered under a borrowed umbrella due to bullet type rain and freezing temps while travelling at 40 mph. The friendly bunch from Chang Mai let us squash our way into their ute, asked polite questions and took us to the ceiling of Thailand... thank you for your hospitality and for the hilarious situation.

But shorts and singlets don't make good protection, and on a summit barely visible through the clouds what else is there to do than fasion the latest pac a macs, shiver over a cappucino, watch the respects given by the locals and then begin hitch hiking your way back down. Our smiles must be good, the first car scored a pick up. 3 local airforce men heading for a footie match. We even got to experience the inside of a vehicle for the first time today, aha let the rain lash at us now. Very little could be spoken but a more cheery atmosphere we could not ask for, though maybe a tiny piece of leg space wouldn't have gone amiss. Dropped off in Cham Thong bus station we could flag the same sawngthew home, after a warming noodle soup.

What an adventure, thankyou to the kind and light hearted people of Thailand.

Now, on the way home other Thai passengers glared at the ladyboy wearing leopard skin dress in our vehicle, avoided making eye contact with the Thai boy who started to flash his chest at poor western males driving past, Prue fell asleep, and an old lady who was refused a seat in front with the driver proceeded to empty her stomach. Honestly, if anyone knows me they will be able to tell you that I am not one to laugh at the sick or the elderly however I must confess that the best part of my day was watching this old lady lunge her sick bag out of the jeep window... and it took all of my effort to remain ouwardly composed for a further 40 minutes.

No one forgets a day like that in a while! Back to the comfy cheap Chada guesthouse, except we have a date with a girl who has quit her life and has moved to this beautiful city to teach for good. Grit insists our time together in Khao Lak was inspirational, I just think that being taught diving wreaks havoc with your priorities. Either way, well done Grit and welcome to your new home... whats that, a wagon full of cocktails?!